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PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to child health, Lead-Free future

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday underscored the government’s commitment to protecting children’s health, prioritising polio eradication and addressing the growing risks of lead exposure through coordinated national and international efforts.

He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of the Partnership for Lead Free Future and UNICEF at the Prime Minister’s Office, a news release said.

Welcoming the delegation, the prime minister said the government was taking priority measures to safeguard the future of children, adding that Pakistan remained fully committed to eliminating polio from the country.

He said exposure to lead posed serious risks to children’s physical and mental development and described it as a major public health challenge, assuring that all possible steps would be taken to mitigate its impact.

The prime minister emphasised that Pakistan would continue to work closely with international partners to prevent lead exposure and improve child health outcomes.

The delegation included Director of the Lead-Free Future Secretariat Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Pakistan Representative Pernille Ironside, and experts from Stanford University School of Medicine Jenna Forsyth and Thomas Hird. Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Mustafa Kamal and Ayesha Raza Farooq, along with senior officials, were also present.

The delegation appreciated the government’s efforts under the prime minister’s leadership in protecting children from diseases, including polio, and improving health and development indicators.

They briefed the meeting on findings from their recent survey, identifying areas affected by lead exposure in Pakistan and highlighting the need for increased public awareness about its harmful effects.

The participants also acknowledged the government’s initiatives in health, education, youth development and information technology, terming them important steps towards sustainable national development.

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Health minister orders probe into Sindh MDCAT complaints

ISLAMABAD:Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal has taken notice of alleged irregularities in the Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT) held in Sindh and ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the complaints.

According to official sources, the minister directed a five-member committee, including the President of the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC), to conduct a transparent investigation and submit its report within 15 days.

The committee has been tasked with examining the complaints and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the alleged irregularities during the examination, sources said.

The minister directed the committee to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe and present its findings for further action in accordance with the applicable rules.

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CDA chairman directs faster work on Expressway East project

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Sohail Ashraf has directed officials to accelerate work on the Islamabad Expressway Service Road East project while ensuring strict compliance with approved designs and construction standards.

During an inspection of the project on Saturday, the chairman reviewed progress and was briefed on ongoing works and the next phase of development.

He directed the project director and relevant departments to maintain continuous field monitoring and quality control and ensure effective traffic management to minimise inconvenience to commuters.

The chairman described the Expressway East project as an important infrastructure scheme for improving connectivity, traffic flow and road capacity in the capital. He also stressed that construction quality should not be compromised in efforts to meet the project timeline.

During the visit, he was also briefed on an ongoing enforcement operation against unauthorised and illegal construction along the Islamabad Expressway.

According to the CDA, 377 buildings have been identified for action, including 281 commercial structures. So far, 58 buildings have been sealed, while 124 buildings between Sohan and Khanna bridges have been marked for demolition.

The authority said Rs234.685 million had been recovered through land-use conversion, unauthorised construction and de-sealing charges. Around Rs3 billion remained recoverable under applicable regulations in connection with land-use conversion and violations relating to unauthorised construction, setbacks, floor area ratio and covered area.

The chairman directed the relevant departments to ensure strict enforcement of building-control and land-use regulations, particularly mandatory fire-safety requirements.

The enforcement operation is being conducted by the CDA’s Building Control Section and Enforcement Directorate in coordination with the district administration and Islamabad police.

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GB ministers call on Governor Kundi

PESHAWAR: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Saturday held a meeting with a delegation of Gilgit-Baltistan ministers at the Governor’s House here and discussed the country’s political situation and other matters of mutual interest.

The delegation comprised Gilgit-Baltistan Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Zulfiqar Ali Murad, Minister for Health Iqbal Hassan and Minister for Education Aman Ali Ameer.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged views on the prevailing political situation in the country and various issues of mutual interest. They also discussed the recent elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s success in the polls.

The visiting ministers were taken on a tour of the Governor’s House. Governor Kundi presented them with traditional shawls and caps.