Norway praises Pakistan’s role in US-Iran peace …

Controlling the rise in federal government administrative expenses has become a major challenge. Despite repeated claims of reducing expenditure and implementing austerity measures, the cost of running federal government affairs has increased by 15.91 per cent. The rise has raised concerns over the government’s efforts to control its administrative spending. The increase comes despite measures announced by the government to reduce unnecessary expenditure and promote financial discipline. According to the available details, spending on running government affairs has exceeded both the official target and the revised estimates. This means that actual administrative expenditure has remained higher than the levels projected by the government. The increase in spending also highlights the difficulties faced by the federal government in keeping its administrative costs under control. The government has been under pressure to reduce non-development expenditure and improve the efficiency of public spending. Authorities have introduced various austerity measures in an attempt to limit government expenditure. These measures were aimed at reducing unnecessary costs and ensuring better management of public resources. However, the latest increase indicates that controlling administrative spending remains a significant challenge. The higher-than-target expenditure could also put additional pressure on the government’s overall fiscal position. The development comes at a time when the federal government is seeking to maintain fiscal discipline and reduce unnecessary spending. Higher administrative costs could make it more difficult to achieve these objectives. The government is expected to face continued pressure to review its spending patterns and identify areas where expenditure can be reduced

LAHORE: Schools across Punjab are set to reopen on August 24 following the summer vacation, with the provincial government directing education authorities to complete all necessary arrangements before students return to classrooms. Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has instructed relevant departments and school administrations to ensure that educational institutions are clean, secure and fully prepared for the new academic session. The minister directed school administrations to pay particular attention to the cleanliness of classrooms, washrooms, playgrounds and other areas of school premises. He also stressed the need to ensure the availability of safe and clean drinking water for students and staff. In view of the ongoing monsoon season, authorities have been asked to inspect and clean water tanks and school rooftops and ensure proper disinfection. Drainage systems should also be checked to prevent the accumulation of stagnant water, which can increase the risk of mosquito breeding and dengue fever. The education minister ordered school administrations to strictly follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) aimed at preventing dengue outbreaks. Officials have been directed to identify and remove potential mosquito breeding sites from school premises and ensure that no stagnant water remains in or around the institutions. Security arrangements have also been made a priority ahead of the reopening. The minister directed both government and private schools to ensure full compliance with prescribed security SOPs and make certain that CCTV cameras and other security equipment are operational before students arrive. Schools where construction or repair work is underway have been instructed to install proper barriers and restrict students’ access to potentially hazardous areas. The authorities have also been directed to inspect electrical installations throughout school buildings. School heads must ensure that fans, lights, switches, electrical sockets and wiring are in safe working condition to prevent accidents. Rana Sikandar Hayat further instructed heads of educational institutions to conduct a final inspection of their respective schools before reopening. He warned that negligence, delays or failure to comply with the government’s instructions would not be tolerated and could result in action against those responsible. The minister emphasized that all arrangements must be completed before August 24 so that students can return to school in a clean, safe and healthy environment.

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has directed the provincial government to establish an independent committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the reported spread of HIV among children treated at Karachi’s Kulsum Bai Valika Hospital. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Adnanul Karim Memon and comprising Justice Muhammad Jaffer Raza, issued the directions while announcing its reserved judgment on a petition seeking an impartial investigation, medical treatment and compensation for affected children. The court noted that the departmental inquiries and reports submitted so far were not sufficient to establish the actual number of affected patients, determine how the virus was transmitted or assess whether proper infection-control procedures were followed. According to figures presented by the Sindh government, 78 children were identified as HIV-positive at the hospital, while screening in the surrounding area detected another 120 cases. However, the petitioner claimed that the number of infected children could be around 200. The court ordered the Sindh chief secretary to head the inquiry committee and include two senior government officers of at least BS-20 rank. The officers should preferably have no direct administrative connection with the hospital or the investigations already conducted. The committee has been directed to establish the exact number and identities of HIV-positive children and other patients who were treated at the hospital during the relevant period. It will also investigate the possible source and method of HIV transmission on the basis of medical and scientific evidence. The committee will examine whether disposable syringes or other medical equipment were reused, improperly discarded or inadequately sterilised in violation of medical standards and applicable laws. It will also review the hospital’s infection-prevention arrangements, including the procurement, storage and use of auto-lock, auto-destruct and auto-break syringes. The roles of doctors, nurses, technical staff, administrative officials and supervisors will also come under scrutiny. The committee will determine whether any official failed to fulfil a legal, administrative or supervisory responsibility. The inquiry will further assess ongoing departmental proceedings against 37 officials and determine whether those proceedings adequately address individual responsibility. Officials will also examine whether the Sindh Regulation and Control of Disposable Syringes Act, 2010, or any other relevant law was violated and identify those responsible if evidence establishes wrongdoing. The committee has been authorised to examine medical and laboratory reports, screening records, procurement and stock registers, syringe records, duty rosters, infection-control reports, inspection documents, departmental inquiry material and relevant CCTV footage. The inquiry must provide an opportunity for a fair hearing to anyone against whom adverse findings are proposed. The committee has been directed to submit its report to the competent authority and the high court within two months of its formation. The court also directed the Sindh chief secretary to ensure that all affected HIV-positive children and other identified patients receive uninterrupted medical care while the inquiry continues. The treatment must include medicines, diagnostic tests, counselling and follow-up care and must be provided completely free of cost. The government and SESSI will bear all expenses, and no costs are to be recovered from affected children or their families. Treatment should continue for as long as medically necessary. Given the vulnerability of the children, the court also ordered authorities to determine whether affected families are entitled to compensation, financial assistance or other relief under the relevant laws and government policies. The court stressed that no affected child or family should face discrimination, stigma or denial of lawful assistance because of HIV status. It further ordered authorities to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the children’s identities and medical records. The Sindh chief secretary and health department secretary were directed to take immediate corrective and preventive measures at the hospital to prevent further avoidable risks to patients. Authorities were also ordered to ensure strict compliance with infection-control procedures and the law governing disposable syringes. The court said the case involved fundamental rights, including the rights to life, health, dignity and fair treatment. It observed that the matter could not be treated merely as an administrative issue because the state has a constitutional responsibility to protect life and ensure proper public health and medical safety. At the same time, the court cautioned that allegations or departmental proceedings alone cannot establish the guilt of individual officials. Responsibility must be determined through evidence and after providing the concerned persons an opportunity to defend themselves. The court also took notice of an incident involving the petitioner, Advocate Tariq Mansoor, during proceedings. According to the order, Mansoor allegedly raised his voice and encouraged people accompanying him, while some individuals reportedly recorded videos inside the courtroom. The court said the incident disrupted proceedings and affected the dignity and decorum of the courtroom. It also noted that the situation was serious enough for the bench to retire to chambers before completing the order. The court issued a show-cause notice to Mansoor, asking why contempt and criminal proceedings should not be initiated against him. Court security officials were also directed to explain an alleged security lapse that allowed a group of people to enter the courtroom and disrupt proceedings. The Sindh High Court Bar Association and Sindh Bar Council were asked to intervene and take appropriate measures regarding the alleged misconduct.