Thai PM Anutin to Trump: ‘We Are Defending Our People from Cambodian Attacks’

ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is considering discontinuing the Rs10 currency note as part of plans to introduce redesigned banknotes with enhanced security features, officials told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance. The committee met in Islamabad, where SBP Deputy Governor Dr Inayat Hussain briefed members on the proposed changes to the country’s currency notes. According to the deputy governor, the central bank is considering withdrawing the Rs10 note because its production cost has increased. He said the Rs10 denomination had been targeted for discontinuation twice in the past, but the attempts were unsuccessful. He clarified that the Rs10 note would be discontinued when the new series of currency notes is issued. Committee Chairman Senator Saleem Mandviwalla said the committee had previously asked the State Bank to replace all currency notes. Dr Inayat Hussain said the existing currency series had been in circulation since 2005. Officials told the committee that new banknotes would carry improved security features. The matter had been discussed twice by the federal cabinet. A committee formed by the cabinet had also proposed certain changes to the designs. The issue of the process used to select the company for designing the new notes also came under discussion. Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla questioned the decision to award the design work to the same company whose consultant had already been hired. He said no bidding process had been conducted before the design contract was awarded. Mandviwalla said the State Bank was an autonomous institution, but it still had to follow relevant rules and procedures. A State Bank executive director told the committee that the company associated with the consultant would carry out the entire assignment. The committee also questioned claims regarding the circulation of counterfeit currency in Pakistan. Dr Inayat Hussain said the circulation of counterfeit currency in the country was low. Mandviwalla asked the State Bank to provide data supporting the claim. The deputy governor further said public preference regarding banknote designs was also being taken into consideration. Senator Anusha Rehman remarked that people generally liked currency notes regardless of their design. Senator Shahzaib Durrani, however, said personal likes and dislikes should not be a factor in deciding currency designs. Dr Inayat Hussain told the committee that a subcommittee of the federal cabinet was currently reviewing the proposed new banknotes. He said the cabinet had made significant changes to the designs. The deputy governor said the new notes could only be introduced in the market after the proposed changes were finalised and approved. He also informed the committee that the proposed currency designs had been sent to the Ministry of Finance about a year ago.

KARACHI: Serious shortcomings in fire safety arrangements have been reported at major government hospitals in Karachi following the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, where newborns lost their lives. Hospital sources said several major public healthcare facilities in Karachi lack functional fire alarm systems and adequate emergency preparedness, raising concerns about the safety of thousands of patients and healthcare workers. At Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, operated by the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), only 13 fire extinguishers are reportedly available across the facility. Sources said hospital staff have also not received regular fire safety training or participated in proper fire drills. The hospital reportedly does not have a fire alarm system or a designated emergency exit route. The situation is particularly concerning because hundreds of patients visit the emergency department every day, while more than 1,000 patients reportedly attend the outpatient department (OPD). Abbasi Shaheed Hospital has two generators, with one reportedly kept as a backup power source. The hospital’s Medical Superintendent said authorities were taking further steps to improve the fire safety system and address existing shortcomings. At Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), fire extinguishers are available in the wards, but hospital sources said several of them are not functional. Sources further said the last fire drill at the hospital was conducted in 2017. The hospital also reportedly lacks an installed fire alarm system. JPMC’s Joint Executive Director said a dedicated firefighting team needs to be established at the hospital. He said each ward has a fire extinguisher, while further training for staff is also required. He added that the hospital administration would write to the Sindh government seeking additional fire safety training for employees. Meanwhile, Civil Hospital Karachi has around 180 fire extinguishers distributed among its wards. However, sources said the overall fire safety arrangements at the hospital also fall short of ideal standards. The revelations have raised concerns about the preparedness of major public hospitals in Karachi to deal with fires and other emergencies. Large government hospitals handle thousands of patients, attendants and healthcare workers every day. In the event of a fire, the absence of functional alarms, clearly marked emergency exits, regular drills and trained response teams could make evacuation difficult and increase the risk to human lives. The situation has come under renewed scrutiny after the PIMS tragedy in Islamabad, prompting calls for immediate inspections of fire safety systems at hospitals across the country. Experts and hospital officials have stressed the need for regular fire drills, functioning extinguishers, alarm systems, emergency exits and trained firefighting teams.