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  GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Pakistani travel vlogger and mountaineer Dr Asma Mushtaqhas died during an expedition to Spantik Peak in Gilgit-Baltistan, while rescue teams are continuing efforts to locate and recover her body. Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar said in a statement that a rescue team has reached the location where Dr Asma’s body is believed to be present. According to the minister, the search operation has become increasingly difficult because of the vast area and heavy snowfall recorded in the region over the past two days. The intense snowfall has reportedly covered the body completely under snow, making recovery a challenging task for the rescue personnel. Atta Tarar said that the rescue team had been searching for Dr Asma for several hours, but her body had not yet been recovered. He added that the operation remains underway and teams are continuing their efforts to locate her. Dr Asma Mushtaq reportedly died while returning from the summit of Spantik, a prominent mountain located in the Shigar district of Gilgit-Baltistan. Born on February 7, 1992, Asma was known within the mountaineering community for her passion for adventure, mountains and natural landscapes. She also gained recognition as a travel vlogger, sharing her interest in Pakistan’s scenic destinations and outdoor adventures. Recently, Asma had joined an expedition to climb Spantik Peak, which stands at an elevation of approximately 7,027 metres and is located in Pakistan’s Karakoram mountain range. The mountain is considered one of the country’s notable climbing destinations and attracts mountaineers seeking challenging high-altitude expeditions. According to reports, Asma successfully reached the summit of Spantik along with her guide, Ali Akbar. At the time of reaching the summit, her health was reportedly stable and she was able to complete the ascent successfully. However, problems reportedly arose during the descent. After leaving the summit, Asma allegedly developed symptoms associated with high-altitude sickness, a potentially serious condition that can affect people at extreme elevations because the body receives less oxygen at high altitude. Her guide, Ali Akbar, reportedly provided her with initial medical assistance after her condition deteriorated. Despite the efforts to help her, she could not survive. The incident has highlighted the risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering, particularly during difficult weather conditions. Climbers face several hazards during such expeditions, including extreme cold, heavy snowfall, reduced oxygen levels, exhaustion and rapidly changing weather. The recovery operation is now focused on locating Asma’s body in an area affected by significant snowfall. Rescue teams are reportedly facing difficult conditions as they search through snow-covered terrain. Officials have said that the operation will continue until the body is located and recovered. The difficult terrain and heavy snowfall have made the search more complicated, while rescuers are working in challenging mountainous conditions. Asma’s death has been mourned by those familiar with her work and passion for mountaineering and travel. Her journey into Pakistan’s mountainous regions reflected her strong interest in adventure and the country’s natural beauty. The rescue authorities are continuing their efforts, while further details about the recovery operation are expected as the search progresses.

ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas has described the PIMS Hospital incident as an extremely painful and unbearable tragedy, expressing deep concern over the loss of lives and the suffering of affected families. Speaking to the media after arriving at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Raja Nasir Abbas criticized the government’s response to the incident and questioned whether removing a health secretary could be considered an adequate action in response to such a serious tragedy. He said that simply removing a senior health official would not address the underlying issues that led to the incident. According to him, the government must look beyond administrative changes and take practical measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. “Do you think that by removing one health secretary, you have done your job?” he questioned while speaking to the media. The Senate opposition leader also expressed sympathy for the families who lost their children in the incident. He asked people to imagine the pain and suffering of parents whose children were burned to death. “What must the parents whose children were burned to death have gone through?” he asked, while condemning what he described as the actions and handling of the situation by the authorities. Raja Nasir Abbas said that such incidents raise serious questions about the quality of public services and the government’s responsibility toward citizens. He stressed that people rely on state institutions for essential services, particularly healthcare and education, and expect these institutions to provide safe and reliable facilities. The opposition leader also drew a comparison between the public education and healthcare systems and the growing reliance on private institutions. He said that when government schools fail to meet people’s expectations, families are often forced to turn toward private educational institutions. Similarly, when people do not receive satisfactory treatment or adequate medical facilities at government hospitals, they are compelled to seek treatment from private hospitals. He argued that this trend places an additional financial burden on ordinary citizens, particularly families who cannot afford expensive private healthcare or education. Raja Nasir Abbas emphasized that government institutions should be strengthened so that citizens can receive essential services without having to depend on private alternatives. He suggested that authorities need to identify weaknesses within public-sector institutions and take effective steps to improve their performance. His comments came during his visit to PIMS, where he spoke about the incident and the concerns surrounding the hospital’s safety and management. The tragedy has prompted questions about safety arrangements, institutional accountability and the government’s responsibility for protecting patients and their families. The opposition leader’s remarks also highlighted the broader issue of public confidence in government institutions. When public hospitals fail to provide adequate care or safe facilities, people who cannot afford private treatment are particularly vulnerable. He called for greater accountability and better management of public-sector institutions, arguing that administrative decisions alone cannot resolve systemic problems. The incident has intensified debate over hospital safety and emergency preparedness, with calls for authorities to investigate what happened and determine whether negligence or shortcomings contributed to the tragedy. Raja Nasir Abbas maintained that the government must take meaningful measures rather than limiting its response to the removal of individual officials. He stressed that improving public hospitals and ensuring the safety of patients should remain a priority. He further expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and condemned the circumstances surrounding the deaths, saying that the suffering of parents who lost their children could not be ignored.

ISLAMABAD: Almost three years after the caretaker federal government proposed appointing officers from the Pakistan Army Medical Corps to lead the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Federal Government Polyclinic (FGPC), the proposal remains unimplemented. Following the August 26, 2026 fire in the PIMS Mother and Child Health (MCH) Ward that claimed the lives of several newborns, questions are being raised over whether prolonged administrative delays contributed to weaknesses in   hospital management On October 9, 2023, the Ministry of National Health Services approached the Ministry of Defence seeking BS-21 officers from the Army Medical Corps for three-year deputations as Executive Directors of PIMS and FGPC. The ministry cited vacant executive positions and a shortage of eligible officers in the relevant cadre as reasons for seeking experienced hospital managers. The proposal was described as an interim measure intended to improve the management and service delivery of two of Islamabad’s busiest public hospitals. The proposal faced opposition from sections of the medical community. On October 30, 2023, the Islamabad chapter of the Pakistan Medical Association criticized the plan, arguing that bringing military officers into civilian hospitals could undermine the role of civilian doctors. Legal complications subsequently emerged. The Islamabad High Court restricted the appointment of outside deputationists as permanent heads, pushing authorities toward appointments from within the existing health system. The health ministry also maintained that appointments would ultimately be made according to established procedures and merit. Nearly three years later, the absence of permanent leadership at the hospitals has renewed criticism of the government’s handling of the issue. A senior health-sector observer argued that timely implementation of the original proposal might have improved management, reduced financial leakages and strengthened oversight of procurement, medicines, machinery, construction and renovation projects. PIMS has already faced concerns over staffing and expenditure. Figures cited in the debate include Rs22 billion allocated over three years, an alleged Rs670 million over spend against a budget of Rs6.84 billion last year, and 949 vacant positions out of 2,451 sanctioned posts at PIMS. More than 1,470 posts are reportedly vacant across four federal hospitals in Islamabad. The August 26 fire has intensified these concerns. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident, while Health Minister Mustafa Kamal was directed to submit a report. Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri was suspended and a high-powered inquiry was ordered. The controversy has now moved beyond the question of who should manage federal hospitals to whether those responsible for prolonged administrative shortcomings should be held accountable. Critics are questioning whether officials who managed billions of rupees in public funds should face consequences if negligence or poor oversight is established. They have also warned against allowing the inquiry to end with routine transfers, suspensions or committees without meaningful reforms. Supporters of the original proposal point to the management of military-run Combined Military Hospitals (CMHs), arguing that they demonstrate stronger discipline, cleanliness and operational management. However, opponents maintain that civilian healthcare institutions should be strengthened through transparent, merit-based appointments rather than relying on military deputations. With legal restrictions and opposition to military appointments, the government may need to move quickly toward permanent, merit-based leadership for PIMS and FGPC. The recent tragedy has made the issue more urgent. The central question is no longer simply whether the 2023 proposal should have been implemented, but whether years of administrative uncertainty contributed to systemic weaknesses. Ultimately, an independent inquiry must determine the causes of the fire and establish responsibility based on evidence. The priority now should be ensuring that Islamabad’s major public hospitals have competent leadership, adequate staffing, effective safety systems and transparent financial oversight. August 25, 2023: Health ministry stresses merit-based appointments. October 9, 2023: Defence ministry approached for Army Medical Corps officers. October 30, 2023: PMA Islamabad opposes the proposal. Late 2023–2024: Legal restrictions emerge over outside deputations. August 26, 2026: Fire breaks out in PIMS MCH Ward, resulting in multiple deaths.

International gold prices could move back toward the $5,000-per-ounce level in the coming weeks as investors closely monitor inflation, US Federal Reserve policy and growing demand for safe-haven assets. Spot gold fell 0.5 percent to around $4,643 per ounce on Wednesday after reaching its highest level since mid-May earlier this week. Meanwhile US gold futures settled at approximately $4,700.70. Despite the slight decline, the recent rally has strengthened expectations that gold could make another attempt at the psychologically important $5,000 mark. The precious metal has benefited from renewed investor demand as market participants look for protection against economic and financial uncertainty. Market attention is now turning toward developments that could influence the direction of gold prices. Investors are particularly watching trade conditions in the Gulf and the impact of inflation on major economies and businesses. Another important catalyst will be a speech by US Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh on Friday. His comments could provide fresh clues about the central bank’s monetary policy outlook and potentially influence gold prices in the short term. Gold could also gain further support if concerns about the sustainability of US government finances increase. Rising concerns over government debt and fiscal stability can encourage investors to seek alternative stores of value including precious metals. With gold already trading close to record levels, several major market events could determine its next move. Inflation data and signals from the Federal Reserve are likely to remain among the most important factors for traders. If upcoming economic data strengthens expectations of easier monetary policy gold could regain upward momentum and move closer to the $5,000-per-ounce level in the near term. Lower interest rates generally make non-yielding assets such as gold more attractive to investors. At the same time continued geopolitical and economic uncertainty could further support demand for the precious metal. For now, traders will be watching the Federal Reserve’s signals inflation trends and broader market conditions closely. A combination of softer inflation and expectations of monetary easing could provide the catalyst needed for gold prices to resume their rally toward the closely watched $5,000 level.