DAWN COMMERCIAL INSTITUTE (D.C.
I) MORO
Name: -
[1] TTP influx continues in merged districts, Senate told
ISLAMABAD / NORTH WAZIRISTAN: The
continuous influx of TTP members in
significant numbers, with recruitment,
training and placing of suicide bombers, in
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa`s merged districts is `a
cause of concern`, the Ministry of Interior
informed the upper house of parliament on
Tuesday. The ministry`s statement came as
the Senate was briefed about the escalating
influence and activities of the Tehreek-i-
Taliban Pakistan (TTP) following the
withdrawal of US troops` from Afghanistan
and the inaction of the interim Afghan
government against the banned group. The
[2] Federal Ombudsman summons NIH, Drap chiefs over shortage of anti-rabies vaccines
ISLAMABAD: Federal Ombudsman Ejaz Ahmed
Qureshi has summoned top health officials for
explanation over unavailability of anti-rabies
vaccines in government hospitals of Islamabad.
According to an official announcement on
Tuesday, the ombudsman has issued summons
to the heads of National Institute of Health (NIH)
and Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan
(Drap) to appear before him on January 9.
The ombudsman has taken the action in
response to a complaint from a resident of
Islamabad, Nazim Hussain. In his complaint, Mr.
Hussain had stated that his son was bitten by a
[3] Terrorism surge
Pakistan`s leadership remains almost
exclusively paid in political machinations,
militants and outfits have been spreading
their vicious tentacles. Violence-related
deaths, according to recently released
statistics from two major security think tanks,
shot to a six year high in 2023 as the country
lost hard-earned ground to inimical forces.
Some 789 terror attacks and counter-
terrorism operations resulted in more than
1,500 deaths in 2023, including close to 1,000
civilian and security forces lives lost. There
[4] Forgotten schools
FLOOD devastation is often characterized by
breached embankments, collapsed houses,
broken roads, loss of crops and traumatized
masses. Sindh witnessed all these forms of
devastation in 2022. Consequently,
rehabilitation initiatives have tried to address
these aspects. But what has remained missing
from the debate is the colossal loss to schools
and education. An already frail education
system in Sindh suffered a further setback as
20,000 schools were partially or fully damaged
by the deluge that deprived 2.3 million
Date: - 06/01/2024
interior ministry, in a written response during placing of suicide bombers is a cause of
question hour, highlighted the TTP`s concern,` the ministry said. The ministry said
reorganization and operational expansion an Arabic acronym for the self-proclaimed
during the peace talks in 2022, which has Islamic State militant group was also trying to
significantly increased its militant activities. `It establish a foothold in Pakistan and resorted
has given significant rise to its activities and is to terrorist activities against Shies and
seeking the support of other militant groups religious minority communities to ignite
to increase strength and capabilities. It is sectarian strife. It said fencing along the
mostly concentrated in KP, especially merged western borders of Pakistan had largely been
districts, with footprints in Balochistan and completed to further strengthen the state
trying to activate its network in the country,` mechanism of curbing the illegal movement
it said The arrival of tashkeels of TTP in from across the border. However, it pointed
significant numbers continue in merged out that the two organizations, particularly
districts along with recruitment, training and the TTP, continued to sabotage the fence.
rabid dog and when he approached various hospitals in Islamabad to get his son
vaccinated, there was no vaccine available. Responding to the complaint, the federal
ombudsman noted that unavailability of such essential vaccines for human life in major
hospitals of Islamabad was a matter of deep concern. The ombudsman had directed
Registrar Mohammad Saqib Khan to conduct an inquiry the registrar contacted the heads
of both these organizations and it was confirmed that the essential vaccine was not
available.
On this, the ombudsman summoned the heads of both the institutions. In January 2020,
the NIH had announced establishment of an it’s era production plant, claiming that it
would make the country self-sufficient in producing snake anti-venom and anti-rabies
serum. The plant was established at a cost of Rs751 million and it was announced that after
start of the production from the plant, Pakistan will not have to import anti-venom, the
rabies serum, tetanus toxic or the diphtheria antitoxin.
were around as many injuries as the total KP and Balochistan were the hardest hit, with
number of fatalities. The state`s failures seem 84pc of the attacks taking place on their soil
particularly damning, considering that the and accounting for 90pc of all deaths. Yet,
trends had shown a persistent increase in considering the state`s recent actions, one
violent incidents in the preceding two years would be hard-pressed to find any intent to
as well. Despite the warning signs, the year put out the fires raging there. Indeed, the
2023 saw a staggering 69pc increase in state only seems to be stirring the pot further
militant attacks over the previous year. The with its short-sighted refusal to deal patiently
enemies of Pakistan operated with near and amicably with two long-running protest
impunity, striking 53 times per month on campaigns in the two provinces the Pashtun
average in 2023, compared to 32 times per Tahaffuz Movement in KP and protests by
month a year earlier. Among the provinces, relatives of missing persons.
students of schooling for several months. 34 per cent, of government schools for girls in
Some of these students have resumed their a province where rural female literacy is a
education in dangerous, damaged buildings, mere 23pc. Before the floods, toilets were
while others are studying on makeshift present in only 60pc of the schools, and
premises. boundary walls in 55pc. Of this infrastructure,
How much their learning levels have been 72pc of the boundary walls and 81pc of toilets
impaired is anyone`s guess. Embankments, have been reduced to rubble. Furniture and
roads and houses are being rehabilitated, but other fixtures were damaged when the
repair and reconstruction of schools have yet premises were converted into camps for the
to see the light of day. Sindh lost half of its flood victims. Schooling, already adversely
school infrastructure built over 75 years The affected by Covid-19, was further aggravated
most upsetting fact is the damage to 2,249, or by the floods.
[5] Exports jump 22pc in December
ISLAMABAD: Merchandise exports grew for
the fourth consecutive month in December,
reaching an 18-month high, indicating a
recovery of export-led industrial growth. In
absolute terms, the export proceeds were
recorded at $2.82 billion in December against
$2.30bn over the corresponding month last
year, indicating a growth of 22.21pc, data
released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics
showed on Tuesday. On a month-on-month
basis, the export proceeds increased 9.29pc.
The export of goods in the first half of FY24
increased by 5.17pc to $14.98bn against
$14.24bn in the corresponding period last
year. The continued rise in export proceeds in
December suggests that the textile and
[6] Sindh govt introduces `first in country` teaching license test
KARACHI: The Caretaker Sindh Government
introduced Pakistan`s first teaching license
test on Tuesday. It has created grade-16
posts of elementary teacher for BE d (2.5/4
years) graduates. Subject to the provincial
government`s recruitment rules, the
candidates passing the license test will be
eligible for the posts.
This step will ensure a higher caliber of
educators in public schools and will lead to a
culture of teaching excellence in Sindh,
according to officials. Sukkur Institute of
Business Administration`s Testing Services is
accepting online applications for the test at
https: apply.sts.net.pk until January 11, 2024.
[7] PPP accuses PML-N, JUI-F of conspiring together to run away from elections
KARACHI: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
on Tuesday accused its former allies, Pakistan
Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Jamiat
Ulema-iIslam-Fazl (JUI-F), of `conspiring
together` to get the Feb 8 general elections
delayed after sensing their defeat. They were
also seeking `guarantees` before the day of
polling, it noted. PPP Sindh president Senator
Nisar Khoro at a news conference in Bilawal
House asserted that elections must be held on
February 8 `come what may`, cautioning that
any move to cause delay in the elections
would be taken as a contempt of Supreme
[8] Most commercial buildings in city have no fire safety system: report
KARACHI: Exposing severe emergency
management flaws in the metropolis, an audit
survey reveals that some 260 out of 266
commercial buildings having offices and
workplaces on three main thoroughfares
Sharea Faisal, I.I. Chundrigar Road and
Shahrah-i-Quaideen do not have any fire safety
system and 60 per cent of these multi-storey
structures don`t even have an emergency exit
for quick evacuation. The initial report of fire
security audit of buildings along three major
clothing sectors are beginning to secure to a preliminary report, the increase in overall
orders from global clients following a year of export value was mostly driven by semi-
downturn. Caretaker Commerce Minister finished goods in the textile sector, while
Gohar Ejaz stated that exports reached $2.8bn value-added garment exports remained
in December 2023 compared to the potential negative. Furthermore, in the non-textile
of $3bn per month. `We will soon achieve our sector, the export earnings of food goods,
capacity and then proceed to the next step, particularly rice and beef, have posted
he said, adding that the commerce ministry`s unprecedented increases in recent months.
goal is to increase export-led development to The commerce ministry has yet to announce
$8bn per month through a new policy under the strategic framework to provide regional
the Special Investment Facilitation Council competitive energy pricing, working capital
(SIFC) framework. Mr. Gohar further said in a support, speedy refund payments, enhanced
statement that the commerce ministry market access, and diversification of products.
remains committed to strengthening However, the imports declined by 12.25pc to
Pakistan`s export potential and creating a $4.52bn in December from $5.14bn in the
conducive environment for growth. According
BE d secondary (1.5 years) graduates will be advantage, she said, adding that the test can
eligible to apply for the Teaching License be taken at any of three test centers -Karachi,
(Secondary) in subsequent testing cycles. Hyderabad or Sukkur.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, We have also taken care to keep the tests on
Caretaker Sindh Minister for Education Rana weekends so that your normal teaching
Hussain said that this step was only for schedules don`t get disturbed. So do avail
helping teachers and facilitating their this opportunity to become a professional
promotion. teacher, she added. `So raise your status and
If you have done your B. Ed from whichever be known as a professional licensed teacher,`
of the two semesters, you are ready and she concluded. It was last year, on May 25,
eligible to sit for the licensing test,` she said. that for the first time in Pakistan, the Sindh
She said that it is a proud moment for the Teaching License Policy was approved (by the
Government of Sindh to be the first in the provincial cabinet) with the aim of attracting
country and the province to come out with talented youth to the teaching profession
teaching license. `You should use it to your and raising the status.
Court, which had intervened to ensure the date of polling after much uncertainty.
The PPP leader also warned that a delay in the elections would not only weaken democracy
in the country, but would also provide terrorist groups a space due to absence of strong
administration and elected representatives in the country. `It [suggestion to delay polls] has
all been started by Maulana Sahib [JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman]. He is referring to
deteriorating law and order as an excuse to delay the polls. We ask Maulana Sahib what
guarantees he`s seeking under the garb of this excuse? Let it be very clear to everyone that
it`s not the timely polls, but delay in the polls that would deepen the fear of terrorism in the
country.
He also accused PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif of remaining silent on the suggestion of
delaying the elections by maintaining that he himself didn`t want polls to be held on
February 8. Khoro claimed that the former Prime Minister [Nawaz Sharif] was looking for an
escape from the elections in fear of defeat.
roads, prepared by the fire department, came to surface on Tuesday when city mayor
Barrister Murtaza Wahab Siddiqi shared its key findings, calling the situation very critical.
The mayor asked the authorities concerned, including Sindh Building Control Authority
(SBCA) and respective district administrations, to take immediate steps to address the
challenge and avoid any major incident. We had decided to carry out fire security audits in
multi-storey buildings of Karachi, he said in a statement.
`The fire department has completed the audit survey of 266 buildings situated along the
key roads, Sharea Faisal, I.I. Chundrigar Road and Shahrah-i-Quaideen. We found that only
six buildings have a fire safety system in place. The 60 per cent of these buildings don`t
even have a fire exit. In November last year, the Karachi mayor ordered a `fire security
audit` of all high-rises.