Cardi B reveals sacrifices for her children in rar…

Islamabad: The government has stopped providing the Pakistan Remittance Initiative subsidy, which reached Rs120 billion, saying the country’s financial difficulties make it impossible to continue the support under the current budget. Banks have agreed to absorb the related costs themselves to keep overseas Pakistanis sending money through official channels. The development puts the spotlight on the future of Pakistan’s remittance system, which depends heavily on money sent home by Pakistanis working abroad. The government had previously used subsidies to help banks facilitate these transfers, but curtailed that support last year. The Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan informed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue that the government had initially provided subsidies to banks under the Pakistan Remittance Initiative to facilitate remittances from overseas Pakistanis. The total subsidy provided by the government reached Rs120 billion. However, the financial pressure on the government has now made it difficult to continue paying this amount. The subsidy could not be continued in the current budget because of prevailing fiscal constraints. Instead, banks have decided to bear the costs linked to facilitating remittances from their own resources. The decision means that banks will continue providing the service to overseas Pakistanis even though the government can no longer provide the previous level of financial support. The Pakistan Remittance Initiative was discussed by the committee during its meeting at Parliament House in Islamabad on August 25, 2026, under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla. The committee considered the government’s decision important because remittances sent by Pakistanis living and working abroad are a major source of foreign currency for the country. The State Bank told the committee that banks decided to continue bearing the associated costs so that the flow of remittances would not be disrupted. The committee appreciated the banks’ decision but also decided to examine their actual performance. Selected banks will therefore be invited to the committee’s next meeting to explain their performance and contribution to the remittance sector. The move comes at a time when the government is facing tight financial conditions and has been forced to reduce or reconsider spending commitments. The end of the Rs120 billion subsidy raises an important question about how the remittance system will operate in the longer term if banks continue to carry the costs without government support. For millions of Pakistanis working overseas, remittances are an important way of supporting families at home. These transfers help families pay for everyday needs and also bring foreign currency into Pakistan. The government’s decision does not mean that the remittance service has stopped. Instead, banks have agreed to continue facilitating transfers while paying the related costs themselves. The Senate committee has now moved to check whether banks are fulfilling this responsibility effectively and whether overseas Pakistanis are receiving proper services. The next meeting is expected to provide the committee with a clearer picture of how banks are handling the change after the withdrawal of the government subsidy. The key issue remains whether banks can continue carrying the financial burden while maintaining an efficient and reliable remittance system for overseas Pakistanis. The Rs120 billion figure also shows the scale of government support previously used to encourage and facilitate remittances through the formal banking system.

LAHORE: The Provincial Management Service (PMS) Officers Association has strongly opposed the Punjab government’s proposal to create 101 new Additional Assistant Commissioner (AAC) posts, describing the move as unnecessary and harmful to the existing administrative structure. The association argued that the AAC posts had been abolished years ago and their revival was not justified, particularly after the establishment of the Punjab Enforcement and Regulatory Authority (PERA), which was created to strengthen enforcement and regulatory functions across the province. During an executive committee meeting chaired by Association President Qamar Zaman Qaisrani, members unanimously decided to raise their concerns with senior government officials. A delegation of the association is expected to meet the Punjab services secretary and the additional chief secretary to seek a review of the proposed decision. The association warned that if its concerns remain unaddressed, PMS officers across Punjab will begin a province-wide protest campaign. As part of the first phase, officers plan to wear black armbands while performing official duties to register their protest against the government’s decision. PMS officers believe the creation of the new posts would place a significant financial burden on the provincial treasury. According to the association’s estimates, establishing one Additional Assistant Commissioner post, including official facilities, office infrastructure, staff, transport and operational expenses, would cost approximately Rs46.8 million. They claim that creating all 101 posts would require nearly Rs4.73 billion initially, in addition to recurring expenditures on salaries, allowances and other administrative costs. The association further expressed concerns over what it described as long-standing issues within the provincial bureaucracy. These include delays in promotion boards, alleged discrimination in transfers and postings, and the appointment of junior officers to positions traditionally reserved for senior officials. Former administrative secretary Yawar Mehdi also commented on the proposal, saying that efforts to improve public service delivery were welcome if they genuinely strengthened governance. However, he stressed that introducing additional administrative positions should not weaken the existing civil service structure or negatively affect the career progression of Provincial Management Service officers.

HYDERABAD,— In observance of World Hepatitis Day, the Aga Khan Maternal and Child Care Centre (AKMCCC), Hyderabad, organized a one-day health camp aimed at improving access to preventive healthcare and promoting early detection of liver disease. Held under the global theme “Hepatitis Elimination Starts with You,” the camp offered discounted specialist consultations and complimentary diagnostic services to residents from across Hyderabad. The health camp provided expert consultations with Family Medicine and Internal Medicine specialists at subsidized rates. To encourage timely diagnosis, participants received free rapid screening tests for Hepatitis B and C, along with complimentary assessments of blood pressure, pulse rate, height, and weight. The program also included health education and awareness sessions on hepatitis prevention, transmission, and treatment, as well as discounted laboratory and radiology services for further evaluation and follow-up. “Hepatitis remains a significant public health challenge, yet early detection and timely intervention can drastically alter patient outcomes,” said Syed Muhammad Sohail, Chief Operating Officer for Outreach Services and Off-Campus Hospitals at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). “Through today’s camp, AKMCCC is helping remove financial and geographic barriers to specialized care, empowering individuals across Hyderabad to take proactive steps toward their health,” he added. Health officials and AKMCCC representatives stated that such community outreach initiatives are essential to achieving the World Health Organization’s goal of hepatitis elimination by 2030. They reaffirmed the centre’s commitment to continuing similar programs in underserved areas to strengthen public health and foster a more informed community.The successful execution of the camp underscores AKMCCC’s ongoing dedication to preventive healthcare and community well-being.