Day: March 2, 2024

The country’s trade deficit recorded a significant decrease of thirty one percent in the first eight month of current fiscal year.

According to the statistics released by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, eleven point six percent decrease in trade deficit was witnessed in the month of February.

There has been an increase of nine percent in exports and twelve point four percent decrease in imports during the first eight months of current fiscal year. The total volume of exports was recorded at 20.35 billion dollars during this period as against 18.67 billion dollars exports of the same period of last financial year. A significant increase of seventeen point five percent was seen in exports last month.

The volume of exports of the manufacturing and engineering sector was 3.77 billion dollars, agriculture and food 5.40 billion dollars, and that of textile and apparel sector 11.16 billion dollars. Exports of textile and apparel remained 1.410 billion dollars last month.

The volume of imports was recorded at 35.1
4 billion dollars in the first eight months of current fiscal year. In the same period of last financial year, 40.118 billion dollars of foreign exchange was spent on imports.

Source: Radio Pakistan

The President Dr. Arif Alvi has stressed the need for storing collection of books in digital form.

He expressed these views in launching ceremony of 1st Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries in Karachi today.

He said future of country depends on education and Knowledge.

The President said that access to Information has become easy these days.

He said that over twenty million children are out of school and it is a big challenge.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved phased reforms in the healthcare system as well as the supply of free medicines in hospitals.

Chairing a meeting in Lahore today, she also gave approval to start a pilot project in Lahore to provide healthcare facilities at people’s doorsteps.

The Chief Minister approved a plan for the upgrading, construction, and rehabilitation of Basic Health Units and Rural Health Centers in the province.

She also directed the concerned authorities to install Urdu signboards and floor lining in hospitals for public guidance.

Additionally, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed the installation of Urdu signboards and proper floor lining in hospitals for public guidance, and she approved the immediate provision of free medicines to patients. She also called for a field hospital plan to bring health facilities to the doorsteps of people, including sending mobile health units to suburban areas and villages on scheduled days. It was decided in the meeting to start a pilot
project from Lahore to provide health facilities to people at their doorstep.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to provide medical equipment to hospitals after assessing public needs. She also ordered the prioritization of meeting the shortage of infant formula and evaluated proposals for the establishment of medical centers for the treatment of heart, cancer, and other diseases in each district.

She emphasized her commitment to ensuring better treatment facilities for every citizen of Punjab, stating that the best medical professionals and technical members would be included in the board of management of public sector hospitals purely based on merit. She also emphasized zero tolerance for corruption and nepotism.

Moreover, Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the establishment of a special hospital to provide the best cancer treatment facilities to poor patients. She stressed the prioritization of public awareness and health screening in the health department, with special attent
ion given to mother and child health at the BHU level.

During the meeting, Secretary of Health Ali Jan gave a detailed briefing on the 5-year plan for the upgradation of the health department.

Former Senator Pervez Rashid, Members of the Provincial Assembly Maryam Aurangzeb, Khawaja Salman Rafiq, Khawaja Imran Nazir, Chief Secretary, Chairman Planning and Development Board, Secretary Finance, and other relevant officials also attended the meeting.

Source: Radio Pakistan

The second phase of five-day anti-polio campaign begins in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tomorrow.

During the second phase, more than seven point one million children up to five years age will be administered anti-polio vaccine drops.

The children will also be administered a supplementary dose of ‘Vitamin-A’ during campaign

Source: Radio Pakistan

Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti was sworn in at Quetta today.

Governor Balochistan Abdul Wali Khan Kakar administered oath to him.

Mir Sarfraz Bugti was elected unopposed and by securing 41 votes in provincial assembly.

Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also attended the ceremony.

Source: Radio Pakistan