Pasban Democratic Party Karachi Chief Organizer Tariq Chandiwala has expressed deep concern over the rise in polio cases in Pakistan, calling the development “extremely unfortunate and alarming.”
In a statement on Thursday, Chandiwala stressed the devastating nature of the disease, which he said pushes children towards lifelong disability and dependence. He emphasized that timely administration of the polio vaccine is the only effective way to prevent the disease and urged parents to ensure their children are administered the drops during every immunization campaign to secure their future.
The party official highlighted the collective national duty to ensure the success of the year’s final polio campaign, warning that without serious and united efforts, the goal of eradicating the disease would remain unattainable.
Chandiwala strongly condemned the “falsebased propaganda” against the polio vaccine, calling it misleading and shameful. He stressed that rumors about the alleged harms of the vaccine are devoid of any scientific basis, citing the consensus among global medical experts, including the World Health Organization, on the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness.
He demanded that the government and relevant authorities provide comprehensive protection to polio vaccination teams and enhance the effectiveness of public awareness initiatives to ensure the vaccine reaches every child.
Furthermore, Chandiwala proposed a multifaceted community approach, suggesting that imams advocate for the vaccine’s importance from mosque pulpits. He also recommended that the government should leverage expert physicians to counter public misconceptions, and said that scholars, educationists, and all sectors of society should actively participate in this noble cause.
ZCCZ
Environmental News [Health, Economy] Transport Sector Contributes up to 80% of Urban Smog, Experts Urge Swift Shift to Clean Mobility
Karachi: As Pakistan confronts a severe public health emergency from hazardous air quality, new data released today identifies the transport sector as a primary driver of the crisis, contributing over 43% of national emissions and as much as 80% in congested urban centers.
The alarming statistics formed the basis of a Climate Action Dialogue in Lahore this week, hosted by BYD Pakistan Mega Motor Company (MMC). According to IQAir, Pakistan is the world”s thirdmost polluted country, with average PM2.5 concentrations of 73.7 µg/m³, far exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) safety guidelines. In cities like Lahore, winter smog frequently causes PM2.5 levels to spike beyond 145 µg/m³.
Research from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE, 2024) pinpointed vehicular emissions as a critical challenge. In response, speakers at the dialogue, including energy researcher Dr. Naveed Arshad, climate expert Ali Tauqeer Shaikh, and climate finance specialist Mehak Masood, stressed that sustainable transportation offers one of the most direct and manageable ways to curb pollution and improve air quality.
Danish Khaliq, VP Sales and Strategy at BYD – MMC, highlighted the economic potential of this transition. “At just 30% adoption, clean mobility could add nearly PKR 1.3 trillion to Pakistan’s economy and support up to 1.5 million direct and indirect jobs, according to independent research, before even accounting for the significant health and airquality benefits,” he stated.
Khaliq noted that New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) drastically cut tailpipe emissions, a key component of urban smog. He suggested that international industry leaders can help overcome local challenges by providing technical knowledge, assisting with charging infrastructure development, and sharing global best practices to foster a scalable and selfsufficient clean mobility ecosystem in Pakistan.
The discussion emphasized an urgent need to reinforce the National Electric Vehicle (NEV) Policy, create effective incentives for cleaner vehicles, and close regulatory gaps that are hindering progress.
Participants at the event acknowledged the vital role of the private sector in driving this change. The dialogue aimed to establish a foundation for a climate action plan that prioritizes the accelerated adoption of greener transport solutions, supported by cohesive national policies.
The consensus was that Pakistan”s ability to combat its worsening air pollution crisis hinges on coordinated policy measures and robust collaboration between industry stakeholders to turn discussion into concrete action for a more sustainable future.
ZCCZ
Business and Finance News [Currency Market, Economic Indicators] Rupee Navigates Mixed Fortunes Against Major Global Currencies
Karachi: The Pakistani Rupee demonstrated varied performance against a basket of major international currencies in the open market on Thursday, with the US Dollar maintaining a stable position just above the 280 mark, according to figures released by the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan.
The US Dollar was quoted with a buying price of PKR 280.70 and a selling price of PKR 281.30. In the interbank market, the greenback was valued slightly lower, trading between PKR 280.26 and PKR 280.46, indicating a narrow spread between the two markets.
In contrast, European currencies traded at significantly higher values against the local monetary unit. The Euro was priced at PKR 328.71 for buying and PKR 331.74 for selling.
The British Pound Sterling emerged as the most expensive currency among the reported units, with a buying rate of PKR 374.43 and a selling rate of PKR 377.92.
Trading for the Japanese Yen remained in its typical range, with the currency being exchanged at PKR 1.78 for buying and PKR 1.84 for selling.
Key currencies from the Middle East also recorded stable rates. The UAE Dirham was available at PKR 76.57 for buying and PKR 77.34 for selling, while the Saudi Riyal was valued at PKR 74.79 and PKR 75.39 for buying and selling, respectively.