Latest news with #JalalQureshi
Express Tribune
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Helmets made compulsory for motorcycle riders in Islamabad regardless of gender
waiting for calamity: A woman rides on a motorcycle unaware of her dress hanging close to chain of the bike, which can cause a fatal accident. photo: Jalal Qureshi/express Listen to article The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has made it mandatory for motorcycle riders and pillion passengers to wear helmets regardless of gender in a bid to enhance road safety and protect commuters from serious injuries. According to the ITP spokesperson, the decision was taken to curb the rising number of road accidents involving motorcyclists. Officials noted that passengers seated at the back are equally vulnerable in the event of a crash. ITP Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Zeeshan Haider said that wearing a helmet would now be compulsory for both men and women riding on motorcycles. The rule will come into effect after a two-week awareness campaign. اسلام آباد ٹریفک پولیس ایجوکیشن ونگ کی جانب سے شاہین انٹرسیکشن پر موٹر سائیکل پر سوار دونوں افراد کے لئے ہیلمٹ کے استعمال پر روڈ سیفٹی مہم، شہریوں میں پمفلٹ تقسیم کئے۔ جس کا مقصد کا بائیک پر سوار دونوں افراد 2 افراد کو ہیلمٹ کے استعمال کی ترغیب دینا ہے۔ #WeRIslamabadPolice… — Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) July 3, 2025 'Initially, the public will be educated about the importance of wearing helmets for both riders,' he said, adding that . CTO Haider maintained that the use of helmets significantly reduces the risk of fatal injuries in accidents and can help save up to 50 per cent more lives in such cases. He further clarified that in instances where the passenger is not wearing a helmet, the penalty will be imposed on the motorcycle driver. The ITP has urged the public to comply with the new regulation for their own safety and that of others on the road.
Express Tribune
01-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
KMC ends charged parking at 32 roads
Rates of charged parking displayed on the official board placed in the busy Saddar Bazaar are not followed by the contractors. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/Express The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) partially abolished its charged parking system, ending parking fees at 32 designated locations under its control, starting July 1. However, charged parking will continue across the city's 25 towns, six cantonments, and areas managed by different authorities. According to the KMC notification, charged parking was discontinued on various roads in KMC-administered areas, including at 20 locations in District East, seven in Korangi and Malir, three in District South, and two in Keamari. Additionally, 10 parking sites within boundary walls in District Central and District South were exempted from parking fees. This move is part of a decision announced earlier this year by Mayor Murtaza Wahab, who committed to eliminating parking fees at 45 out of 106 KMC-controlled sites, in the new fiscal year. Interestingly, despite abolishing fees from these parking areas, KMC's projected revenue from parking remains unchanged. According to the approved city budget, the target for parking revenue in the last FY was Rs105 million, with the same figure set for the upcoming FY. Meanwhile, expected income from parking at wedding halls and banquets has increased from Rs5 million to Rs10 million. Most charged parking continues to take place in the Saddar Town area, which houses the largest concentration of commercial centers. Saddar Town's Director of Charged Parking, Basheer Memon, clarified that charged parking on roads managed by towns and cantonments remains unaffected by KMC's recent decision.
Express Tribune
18-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PM asked to save value-added sector
A man selects a dress for his child at a shop in the Saddar area of Karachi. Tailors claim they are losing business to readymade garments manufacturers. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/Express Listen to article Pakistan's $11 billion export-oriented value-added industry, which contributes nearly one-third of total exports, has issued a strong SOS appeal to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that recent budgetary measures are set to derail export-focused sectors at a critical time. In a joint statement, Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association, the Surgical Instruments Manufacturers Association, Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and others demanded the immediate revival of the Final Tax Regime and restoration of the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) in its original structure. They expressed concern that despite the government's slogan of export-led growth, the reality on the ground was entirely the opposite. "The government always talks about promoting exports, but in practice, no department seems to be on board." They pointed out that in the budget speech, the finance minister uttered the word "export" only once and that too in a negative context in order to impose duty on imported yarn under the EFS. Addressing the prime minister, the joint statement said, "We urge you to intervene immediately and convene an emergency meeting with leading export associations before this budget is passed. If this situation persists, Pakistan's most reliable foreign exchange earning sector will suffer irreparable damage." In such a policy environment, they cautioned, the government's vision of taking exports to $100 billion under Uraan Pakistan was simply not possible. Industry leaders categorically said that they were not asking for subsidies, exemptions or special treatment, but just wanted a level playing field to compete globally. International buyers are actively seeking long-term clarity and stability in the EFS framework as Pakistan has a chance to attract businesses being diverted from China. The Final Tax Regime has been replaced by complex procedures, audits and refund hurdles.
Express Tribune
09-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Gluttony lands many in hospitals
Heatstroke patients are being treated at the Civil Hospital's emergency ward on Wednesday. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/express A large number of citizens were rated in the emergency wards of hospitals across the province because of overeating on Eidul Azha. According to doctors, extremely hot weather and consumption of spicy and unhygienic food caused gastroenteritis and other stomach diseases. Patients injured in road accidents and while slaughtering sacrificial animals were also brought the hospitals. Hospital officials in Lahore said a large number of patients were treated on the three Eid days. The people host parties with relatives to eat dishes cooked after the sacrifice. A large number of them faced health issues, resulting in an increased workload on the doctors and paramedical staff in the hospitals. A large number of patients was recorded in the Mayo, Sir Ganga Ram, Lahore General, Jinnah, Government Nawaz Sharif, Shahdara and Services hospitals along with the private health facilities. "In the hospitals of the city, a large number of patients were those who had consumed oily and unhygienic food or overeaten meat of sacrificial animals," said Mayo Hospital Senior Medical Officer Dr Fareed Ahmad. He said healthcare experts had advised the people to avoid overeating amid the hot weather and to eat light food. The doctor said the families should avoid cooking spicy dishes that were the major cause of stomach problems. He said the patients of heart, kidney and liver disease should especially avoid overeating. Besides overeating, patients of heat stroke, victims of road accidents and untrained butchers were also among the patients treated during the holidays. The Punjab government had instructed the all public sector hospitals to make arrangements to treat patients during the Eid holidays, including preparation of duty rosters to ensure day and night service in the emergency wards. "Although there was load on the hospitals during the Eid days, their arrangements were excellent this time as the health ministry was monitoring the situation. Our doctors, nursing and paramedical staff were on duty and they sacrificed their Eid to provide treatment facilities to the people and we salute them," said Punjab Health Department spokesperson Sayed Hamad Raza. According to figures released on Monday by the Punjab Local Government Department, more than 1.1 million sacrificial animals were sold across the province for the Eid. A total of 1.5 million animals were brought to 292 livestock markets established across the province. Lahore division recorded the highest sales, with 665,000 animals sold, including 443,000 goats and sheep, and 222,000 cows and bulls. In Faisalabad, 112,000 animals were brought to the markets and 88,000 were sold. Bahawalpur recorded over 100,000 sales. In contrast, Dera Ghazi Khan had modest activity, with 38,000 small and 30,000 large animals sold. The Rawalpindi markets saw 84,000 animals brought in, of which 46,000 were sold.
Express Tribune
07-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Heat, power cuts risk Eid meat storage
Deep freezers bought by customers for keeping sacrificial meat are piled up outside the showrooms at Regal Chowk for delivery. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/express Intense heat and prolonged load-shedding during Eidul Azha have made preserving sacrificial meat a serious concern. Health experts advise drying washed meat thoroughly, cutting it into small portions, and storing it in airtight containers or polythene bags before freezing. Dr Hilar Sheikh of Jinnah Hospital told Express News that improper drying or delayed freezing can lead to spoilage. He warned against using regular plastic bags, which fail to block freezer gases, causing toxins to form. Repeated freezing and thawing may also cause food poisoning or hepatitis E. In case of outages, storing meat in ice-packed steel or thermocol boxes is advised. Early distribution to the needy is encouraged to avoid waste.
