ICC confirms 12 host venues for Cricket World Cup 2027

Lahore: An important consultative meeting of the Core Committee of the Pakistan Association of Alternative Medicine (PAAM) was held, in which the “Policy Draft and Working Paper” was finalized to make the country’s alternative medicine sector namely Homeopathy, Herbal, and Unani economically self-reliant and to transform it into an international industry. During this meeting, PAAM Core Committee members Dr. Tariq Mahmood Chaudhry and former Director of Homeopathy at the Punjab Health Department, Dr. Jamil Akhtar Ghauri, met with PAAM President Kashif Aslam Malik and held deep consultations on the framework of the proposed federal ministry. According to the text of the policy draft, more than 80 percent of the world’s population relies on alternative and natural methods of treatment. China earns an annual export profit of 60 billion dollars from this sector, and India earns over 5 billion dollars in valuable foreign exchange. In contrast, despite having abundant natural resources and hundreds of thousands of qualified doctors, Pakistan accounts for less than 0.5 percent of the global market due to the lack of an independent federal ministry. The working paper prepared by PAAM highlights that establishing an autonomous federal ministry could be the fastest way to pull Pakistan out of its economic crisis and boost exports. The PAAM leadership has presented three-year economic targets to the government and parliament, setting the export target at 200 million dollars for the first year, 500 million dollars for the second year, and aiming to exceed 1.5 billion dollars in the third year through international trade agreements and Business-to-Business (B2B) partnerships. Another key feature of this policy draft is that commercial herb farming will be initiated nationwide under the new ministry, directly benefiting the rural economy and local farmers. Furthermore, this initiative aims to eliminate Pakistan’s reliance on expensive imported raw materials for the allopathic industry, making the country truly economically independent. During the meeting, the PAAM leadership emphasized that the alternative medicine sector is facing a severe crisis due to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan’s (DRAP) hyper-focus on allopathic brands and bureaucratic red tape. They noted that introducing a one-window operation under an autonomous ministry would ensure medicine quality complies with World Health Organization (WHO) and International Herb Pharmacopeia standards, while also reducing public healthcare expenditures at the government level by up to 50 percent through the provision of affordable alternative medicines. Following the completion of the policy draft, PAAM has demanded a joint emergency meeting of the Senate and National Assembly Standing Committees on Health and Commerce, the formation of a dedicated task force, and a special export package for alternative medicine manufacturers. The Chairman and Core Committee of PAAM reaffirmed their commitment to presenting this policy paper to the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Federal Cabinet very soon to make the country self-sufficient on both economic and medical fronts.

    ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports have reached a 20-year high of $457 million, stressing that the pharmaceutical industry must establish a clear contribution towards the country’s ambitious target of generating more than $100 billion in exports by 2035. Speaking at a roundtable conference in Islamabad organised to facilitate pharmaceutical exports under the government’s Uraan Pakistan initiative, the federal minister said the industry needed to adopt a long-term strategy to expand its presence in international markets. Ahsan Iqbal called on representatives of the pharmaceutical sector to hold consultations over the next month and prepare a comprehensive roadmap for the industry’s development through 2030 and beyond. He said Pakistan’s objective should be to transform the country into a global hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing and exports. The minister emphasised that Pakistan needed to secure a significant position in the international pharmaceutical market by improving the competitiveness and quality of locally manufactured products. He said cooperation between the government and private sector could help the industry compete more effectively at the global level. According to the minister, continuity in government policies and the creation of a business-friendly environment are essential for the sustainable growth of the pharmaceutical sector. He stressed that investors and manufacturers require predictable policies and a supportive regulatory framework to make long-term investments in production, research and exports. Ahsan Iqbal also highlighted the need to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported pharmaceutical inputs and increase domestic manufacturing capacity. He said approximately 85 percent of the raw material used by the pharmaceutical industry is currently imported, creating challenges for the sector and increasing its exposure to international supply disruptions and currency fluctuations. He called for strengthening the local pharmaceutical value chain so that a greater proportion of raw materials, intermediate products and finished medicines could be produced within Pakistan. The minister said enhancing domestic production would not only reduce the country’s import bill but could also improve the competitiveness of Pakistani pharmaceutical companies in international markets. A stronger local supply chain could help manufacturers reduce production costs, improve efficiency and develop products that meet international standards. He further stressed the importance of developing a coordinated strategy involving government institutions, pharmaceutical manufacturers, researchers and other stakeholders. Such cooperation, he said, would be necessary to identify the major obstacles facing the sector and develop practical solutions. The roundtable conference was held as part of efforts under Uraan Pakistan to promote exports and strengthen productive sectors of the economy. The initiative aims to improve Pakistan’s economic performance by encouraging investment, increasing exports and promoting sustainable industrial development. Ahsan Iqbal said the pharmaceutical industry had significant potential to contribute to Pakistan’s export growth if its structural challenges were addressed. He urged industry representatives to use the consultation process to develop realistic targets and identify measures that could help Pakistan increase its share in the global pharmaceutical market. The minister’s remarks come as Pakistan seeks to diversify its export base and reduce dependence on traditional export sectors. He said the pharmaceutical industry could become an important contributor to this effort by improving domestic production, investing in innovation and expanding access to international markets. The government, he added, would continue working with the private sector to create conditions that encourage investment and promote the long-term growth of Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry.

  The authorities have established an inquiry committee to investigate the recent HIV cases reported at the Social Security Hospital in Landhi, Karachi. The decision comes after concerns were raised following the confirmation of 10 HIV cases at the hospital, prompting officials to initiate a detailed investigation into the matter. According to an official notification, a five-member inquiry committee has been constituted under the leadership of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Naila Zaheer. The committee has been assigned the responsibility of conducting a comprehensive investigation into the reported HIV cases and identifying any possible shortcomings in hospital practices that may have contributed to the situation. As part of its mandate, the committee will verify the total number of HIV cases reported at the hospital. It will also confirm the identities of the affected patients and examine laboratory reports to ensure the accuracy of the diagnoses. This verification process is considered essential to establish the exact scope of the issue before any conclusions are drawn. The inquiry will also focus on identifying the possible sources of HIV transmission. Investigators will carefully review medical procedures carried out at the hospital, particularly the use of injections and disposable syringes. The committee will examine whether proper infection prevention and control protocols were followed and whether single-use syringes and other disposable medical equipment were used appropriately. Any evidence of negligence or unsafe medical practices will be documented as part of the investigation. In addition, the committee has been directed to investigate the procurement, availability, and utilization of medicines and disposable medical supplies within the hospital. This includes reviewing purchasing procedures, stock management, and the distribution of medical equipment to determine whether any irregularities or shortages may have affected patient safety. The notification further states that the committee will compile complete records of the affected children and their parents. This data collection aims to provide a clearer understanding of the circumstances surrounding each reported case and assist in determining whether there are any common factors linking the infections. The information gathered will also help health authorities provide appropriate medical care and follow-up support to the affected families. Another important responsibility assigned to the committee is identifying any individuals or departments found responsible for lapses in hospital procedures, if such lapses are confirmed during the inquiry. The final report will include recommendations aimed at improving hospital management, strengthening infection control measures, enhancing patient safety, and preventing similar incidents in the future. The formation of the inquiry committee reflects the authorities’ effort to thoroughly investigate the reported HIV cases and ensure transparency in the process. Health officials are expected to review the committee’s findings once the investigation is completed and take tappropriate action based on its recommendations. It is worth noting that 10 HIV cases have been reported at the Social Security Hospital in Landhi, leading to growing public concern and the launch of this formal investigation. The outcome of the inquiry will play an important role in determining the cause of the reported infections and in reinforcing public confidence in healthcare services by ensuring accountability and improved safety standards.