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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
225 Tobacco Chewers On Nagpur Metro Spit Out Rs1.12 Lakh In Fine
1 2 Nagpur: In a bid to ensure cleanliness and hygiene within its premises, MahaMetro has intensified its crackdown on the consumption of tobacco-based products such as gutka and pan masala on stations. So far, 225 commuters were penalised, and fines totalling Rs1.12 lakh were collected for violations of the metro's cleanliness and public health norms. Officials say the issue of spitting inside stations, platforms, and even inside coaches has become a growing concern. Despite clear signage and repeated announcements urging commuters to refrain from consuming chewable tobacco, many passengers continue to flout the rules, often leaving behind stains and unhygienic spots across metro property. Unlike smoking, these products cannot be detected through metal detectors. To address this, metro security has stepped up random physical checks and enhanced monitoring via its Central Surveillance System. Security staff were also specifically trained to identify violators and take swift action. Once caught, violators are fined on the spot. "We are committed to providing commuters with a clean and safe travel environment," a senior MahaMetro official said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Remember Him? Take A Deep Breath Before You See Him Now The Noodle Box Undo "The act of chewing and spitting tobacco in public transport settings is not only an eyesore but also poses serious health hazards, especially in a closed transport ecosystem like the metro." In addition to enforcement, awareness campaigns were also carried out regularly across various stations. Pamphlets, posters, and audio-visual content are being used to inform passengers about the health risks of using tobacco, particularly oral cancer and other infections associated with unhygienic spitting. Metro officials have appealed to the public to treat public spaces responsibly and help maintain a hygienic environment for all. With the ridership steadily increasing, the need for civic discipline is being stressed more than ever. The authorities have warned that stricter action will follow if the problem persists and urged citizens to be partners in building a metro system that reflects the cleanliness standards of a modern urban transit service.
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Sindh PA budget debate: Treasury dismisses opposition's claims as ‘unfounded'
KARACHI: Treasury ministers in the Sindh Assembly firmly dismissed opposition claims about the 2025–26 fiscal budget as unfounded, using Saturday's session to outline key achievements and unveil future plans for their respective departments. With Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed chairing the budget session that has entered fifth consecutive day, a number of provincial cabinet members and lawmakers actively defended the government's fiscal priorities and highlighted achievements across key sectors including health, irrigation, education, policing and urban development. In her address, Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho highlighted the provincial government's firm commitment to improving public healthcare infrastructure. She revealed that Karachi now boasts 19 fully operational Chest Pain Units, significantly enhancing the city's emergency response capacity. The upcoming fiscal year's budget earmarks Rs1.12 billion for the procurement of advanced CT scan and MRI machines, a move aimed at strengthening diagnostic services across Sindh. The minister also announced a strategic partnership with Aga Khan University Hospital to upgrade Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facilities in government-run hospitals. Thanks to sustained efforts, the province has seen a noticeable drop in maternal mortality rates during childbirth, while immunization coverage has reached an impressive 90 percent. Updating the House on development work, she said 21 healthcare schemes are currently being executed in Karachi alone. Addressing circulating rumors, Dr. Pechuho categorically denied that the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) was being handed over to any NGO, calling such reports 'completely baseless.' Barbs fly during Sindh assembly budget session Irrigation Minister Jam Khan Shoro criticized opposition lawmakers for not reading the budget documents prior to protesting. 'Had they done so, much of the opposition noise could've been avoided,' he said. Shoro highlighted that Sindh won its case on canal water rights in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) under Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah's leadership. Recalling urban transformation efforts, Shoro stated: 'When we took over Karachi, it was drowning in garbage. Today, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Gizri, Tariq Road, and the Drigh Road underpass are proof of progress under Murad Ali Shah.' He also cited Hyderabad's new landfill site and Autobahn Road as PPP-led successes. 'Sindh has built 200 dams,' he claimed. 'Yet, despite Pakistan's looming water and climate crisis, the federal government refuses to release funds for the Gaj Dam.' On Sukkur Barrage, Shoro mentioned that 16 gates have been replaced so far — an engineering feat once thought impossible without draining the river. Opposition MPA Iftikhar Alam from MQM criticized the provincial government for neglecting Karachi, likening its treatment to that of a 'stepchild.' He slammed the construction of the Karimabad underpass, calling it unnecessary and built without proper consultation. He also proposed that districts should receive funds through a formula akin to the NFC Award granted by the federal government. Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah while extending birthday wishes to late Benazir Bhutto, acknowledged post-flood challenges, admitting that 20,000 schools remain closed while only 5,000 have reopened. However, he rejected claims that 7.8 million children were out of school, stating the number is actually 6.2 million, with 5.5 million currently enrolled in government institutions. An additional 11.5 million students are enrolled in private schools and Madressahs. Sardar detailed plans to set up IT labs in 136 schools, build two new colleges in Karachi, and upgrade all 155 existing public colleges. 'From the next fiscal year, funds for 34,000 schools will go directly to headmasters,' he announced. He also criticized the federal government's Economic Survey, accusing it of misrepresenting Sindh by reusing outdated data. 'Appreciate Punjab if you must, but don't distort Sindh's progress,' he said. Interior and Law Minister Zia ul Hasan Lanjar provided a granular look at law and order trends. He noted a reduction in street crimes: 7,441 mobile phones were snatched this year, down from previous highs. Car thefts declined from 586 last year to 558 this year, and murder rates have halved—from 2.6 daily deaths to one. Anti-crime efforts included engaging scrap dealers to curb thefts and launching operations against narcotics. Over 8,000 drug peddlers were arrested in Karachi alone. 'We are forming a provincial narcotics force and will set up 10 special drug courts in Karachi,' Lanjar said. On the Safe City project, he reported that 1,300 cameras have been installed, with plans to expand the initiative to Larkana, Hyderabad, and Mirpurkhas. The current police strength stands at 171,000, with all new recruitments conducted on merit. Provincial Minister for Energy and Planning Syed Nasir Hussain Shah commended the Chief Minister's 'people-friendly' budget. 'This year, we've completed 760 schemes — a national record,' he claimed. He dismissed the opposition's claim that Karachi lacks mega projects, pointing to numerous entries in the budget book. 'Even areas where PPP doesn't have a single councilor are receiving development projects,' he said. Shah highlighted the K-IV water project and a solar power distribution program under which 200,000 solar home systems have been received. 'We'll cover installation and transport costs too,' he added. Sindh Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla revealed a dramatic rise in tax collection, from Rs7.29 billion in 2008 to over Rs200 billion today. This year's budget eliminates three major taxes: professional tax, entertainment tax and cotton tax. New traffic regulations are also on the horizon. By August 14, all outdated number plates must be replaced, and old tax books will be retired. Vehicle data will now be integrated with traffic police systems to ensure compliance. Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani said 1,138 schemes were initiated last year, of which 424 have been completed. Of the total Rs131 billion in local government schemes, Rs104 billion are dedicated to Karachi. 'There are 52 mega projects currently underway with a cost of Rs72 billion. Just in Korangi, Shahrah-e-Bhutto is a Rs54 billion project,' he informed the House, adding that both the Korangi Interchange and Shahrah-e-Bhutto will be completed this December. Refuting opposition accusations of bias, Saeed Ghani said: 'The budget documents don't support the claim that we've only funded areas that elected PPP candidates.' Following the intensive debate, the assembly session was adjourned until Monday at 9:30 am. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
15-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Petrol price likely to rise for next 15 days
Petroleum prices in Pakistan are expected to rise by up to Rs5.50 per litre for the next 15 days, owing to an increase in global oil prices, sources revealed on Sunday. According to reports, the Oil Companies Advisory Council (OCAC) has completed a working paper based on recent international market trends. The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) is expected to send its summary to the federal government today. The final decision will rest with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who will approve any changes to fuel prices based on OGRA's recommendations. New prices will be implemented once approved. As per the proposed summary, the price of high-speed diesel could go up by Rs5.27 per litre, while petrol may see an increase of Rs1.12 per litre. Additionally, kerosene may rise by Rs4.16 and light diesel oil by Rs4.13 per litre.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt bodies owe SNGPL Rs37b in dues
The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has issued reminder notices to various federal and provincial departments and institutions for payment of outstanding dues amounting to more than Rs3.72 billion. The company has urged all government entities to settle their dues promptly to avoid further action. Final notices had already been sent to these defaulters in April 2025. According to the notices, government hospitals owe the company a total of Rs1.4125 billion. The hospitals in the federal capital owe the SNGPL Rs183.62 million, hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), Rs106.08 million and hospital in Punjab are supposed to pay Rs1.12 million to the company. The police departments in the federal capital and the two provinces where the company operates — Punjab and the K-P — owe it Rs499.7 million with Rs141.5 million to be paid by Islamabad Police, Rs63.13 million to be paid by the K-P Police and Rs295.04 million to be paid by Punjab Police. The jail in the K-P and Punjab are also supposed to pay Rs607 million to the company with Rs38.6 million to be paid by prisons in the K-P and Rs569 million to be paid by prisons in Punjab. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) also owes the SNGPL Rs251.2 million. The Public Works Departments (PWD) owes Rs141.6 million with Rs118.46 million at federal level; Rs5.028 million in the K-P and Rs18.114 million in Punjab. Educational Institutions are also due to pay the gas company a total of Rs115.28 million with institutions at the federal level owing it Rs65.58 million; the K-P, Rs17.14 million and Punjab, Rs32.554 million. According to the notices, Commandant Police Training College at Sihala, owes it Rs146.37 million; Lahore' General Hospital, Rs97.74 million; Punjab House Executive Engineer, Rs89.21 million; Lahore's Mayo Hospital, Rs85.7 million and PIMS, 61.4 million.
Business Recorder
27-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Peak-hour power tariff: APTMA urges govt to share constraint details
ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (Aptma) has requested the government to share details of the constraints preventing the removal of the peak-hour electricity tariff for the industrial sector. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Aptma Secretary General Shahid Sattar stated that, despite some progress, the prevailing electricity tariff of 10–11 cents/kWh remains above the regionally competitive benchmark of 9 cents/kWh. Competing economies offer electricity at 5–9 cents/kWh, putting Pakistan's energy-intensive textile sector at a disadvantage. The high cost of energy continues to hinder export competitiveness and manufacturing growth, he noted. Grid Transition Levy: APTMA urges PD to address inaccuracies 'A further reduction in industrial power tariffs can be achieved by abolishing the Time of Use (ToU) power tariff structure for industrial consumers,' Sattar adding, 'This would be revenue-neutral, as industry is projected to consume about 32% more electricity during current peak hours, according to Nepra data, thereby offsetting revenue losses from the higher ToU tariff.' According to Aptma's assessment, this adjustment would reduce the effective weighted average tariff for industrial consumers from Rs29.48/kWh (10.57 cents/kWh) to Rs28.36/kWh (10.16 cents/kWh)—a reduction of Rs1.12/kWh. Increased electricity consumption would improve grid utilization and reduce stranded capacity, potentially lowering the average power purchase price by an additional Rs0.14/kWh. This reduction could be passed on to consumers through Quarterly Tariff Adjustments (QTA). 'The ToU structure is an outdated mechanism, introduced when Pakistan faced acute power shortages and needed to discourage peak-hour consumption,' the Association argued. 'However, with surplus generation capacity today and stranded capacity contributing to high tariffs, the continued application of ToU pricing is counterproductive.' Aptma emphasized the need to replace the ToU structure with a uniform tariff at the off-peak rate, to promote maximum power usage, improve grid efficiency, lower per-unit costs, and enhance industrial competitiveness. The Association called on the government to eliminate the ToU structure for industrial consumers and implement a uniform AS-II tariff based on the current off-peak rate. In a recent communication with the Power Division, Aptma noted that its team met with senior officials on April 18, 2025, to discuss the issue. During the meeting, Power Division officials outlined existing challenges to removing the peak-hour tariff, citing system limitations, demand fluctuations, and fuel cost dynamics as key factors. The Power Division assured Aptma that the analysis presented, along with detailed data on real-time system demand and fuel costs, would be shared with the Association. 'We look forward to receiving this information at the earliest, so we can review it thoroughly and develop a practical proposal to reduce industrial energy costs while increasing demand on the national grid—ultimately contributing to broader economic growth,' Aptma concluded. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
