Thailand to Roll Out Uniform Banking Fees by July to Reduce Costs for Individuals and SMEs

KARACHI: Internal differences within Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) intensified on Sunday after supporters of two rival factions allegedly clashed outside the party’s Bahadurabad headquarters in Karachi, leaving at least three people injured. According to reports, tensions between supporters of the groups associated with MQM-P Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and senior leader Mustafa Kamal escalated following a party meeting. The confrontation turned violent as workers allegedly exchanged slogans, engaged in physical fighting, and pelted stones at each other. Witnesses also reported aerial firing near the Bahadurabad headquarters during the unrest, creating panic in the area. Three people sustained injuries during the clashes. Senior MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar said the dispute erupted after a meeting of party leaders at the Bahadurabad office. Speaking to the media, he alleged that supporters of one faction assaulted MPA Ejaz-ul-Haq and party leader Zakir. He further claimed that party leaders Mangla Sharma and Sabeen Ghori were also mistreated during the incident. MQM-P leader Amin Ul Haque alleged that one party worker was injured in the firing, while several others suffered injuries due to stone-pelting. He also claimed that extensive vandalism took place inside the party office and that the office’s DVR recording system was taken away. Amin Ul Haque said the matter had reached a point where it could no longer be ignored and called the incident deeply concerning for the party. Meanwhile, Dr Farooq Sattar later arrived at the Bahadurabad headquarters following the clashes as senior party leaders attempted to assess the situation and address the growing internal crisis.

The number of children living with HIV in Pakistan has risen to approximately 7,500, according to the latest figures released by the federal Ministry of Health. The data highlights the growing need for improved healthcare, nutrition, and long-term support for affected children across the country. Official statistics show that around 62,000 HIV patients are currently receiving treatment in Pakistan. Children account for nearly 12 percent of all registered patients, reflecting the significant impact of the disease on younger age groups. According to the ministry, Sindh has emerged as the province with the highest number of HIV-positive children. Nearly 4,200 children infected with the virus have been registered in the province, making it the country’s largest concentration of pediatric HIV cases. In response to the situation, the federal government has sought nutritional assistance from UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and Nutrition International. The support is aimed at improving the health and nutritional status of children living with HIV. Authorities said a special program has been planned to provide nutritional supplements to HIV-positive children. Those suffering from severe malnutrition will receive therapeutic food along with continuous medical monitoring to improve their overall health and treatment outcomes. The government also plans to provide guidance to parents and caregivers on meeting the nutritional needs of children living with HIV. Health experts believe that proper nutrition plays a critical role in strengthening immunity and supporting the effectiveness of treatment. Medical experts said children infected with HIV require 10 to 20 percent more energy and protein than healthy children of the same age. They stressed that addressing malnutrition can significantly improve recovery, enhance the effectiveness of treatment, and help HIV-positive children lead healthier lives.

KARACHI: Customs authorities have recovered a large amount of foreign currency from six passengers travelling from Karachi to Dubai. According to officials, the passengers belonged to the same family. Authorities recovered $55,000 in US currency and Rs950,000 in Pakistani cash from them. Officials said the passengers were carrying foreign currency above the limit permitted by the State Bank of Pakistan. The currency had also not been properly declared before their travel. The authorities took action under the Customs Act 1969 after the undeclared currency was discovered. Customs officials said the case involved six members of one family. The recovery was made during checks at the airport before the passengers could leave the country. Officials said the passengers had exceeded the permissible limit for carrying foreign currency abroad. They also failed to meet the required declaration procedures. Customs authorities stressed that travellers must comply with regulations governing the movement of foreign currency. Passengers carrying amounts above the permitted limits are required to follow the applicable declaration procedures. The incident has once again highlighted the importance of checks at international airports. Customs officials regularly monitor passengers and baggage to detect undeclared currency and other restricted items. Authorities said preventing currency smuggling remains a priority. They are maintaining strict checks to identify attempts to move large amounts of undeclared foreign currency out of Pakistan. Customs officials said they are following a zero-tolerance policy against currency smuggling. They added that action would be taken against anyone found violating the relevant laws. The recovered amount included both US dollars and Pakistani rupees. The officials did not provide further details about the intended use of the money or the identities of the passengers. The case also highlights the need for travellers to understand currency rules before leaving Pakistan. Failure to declare currency or carrying amounts beyond the permitted limits can lead to legal action under the applicable laws. Authorities are continuing proceedings in the case under the Customs Act 1969. The recovery is among the latest incidents showing the role of airport customs checks in preventing the illegal movement of currency. Officials said such measures are necessary to protect Pakistan’s financial system and enforce foreign exchange regulations. Customs authorities reiterated that passengers travelling abroad must comply with all currency declaration requirements. They said strict action would continue against attempts to move undeclared currency across Pakistan’s international borders.

Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could return to parliamentary standing committees if a meeting is arranged with the party’s founder, Imran Khan. Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, Raja Nasir Abbas said that if the government wanted Parliament to continue functioning, it should facilitate a meeting between PTI leaders and Imran Khan. He alleged that deliberate ambiguity was being created about Imran Khan’s health, saying the situation was also aimed at creating divisions within the party. Raja Nasir Abbas recalled that before the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, a meeting with Imran Khan had taken place on the orders of the court. He said his party wanted a government that genuinely represented the people. Commenting on Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks about a possible collapse of the system, he said he agreed with the assessment. He added that the problem identified by Naqvi was real, but the proposed “medicine” to address it was illegal. The Senate opposition leader also claimed that he knew why negotiations between the government and PTI had failed. He said a complete plan for negotiations had been taken to Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, adding that the opposition had held a meeting at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House before approaching the PTI founder. “We took several proposals to the founder,” he said, explaining that they did not want to visit the Prime Minister’s House and provide legal legitimacy to the government’s position. He said the same principle was behind their decision not to hold negotiations in the Speaker’s Office, as they did not recognise the arrangements as legally legitimate. Raja Nasir Abbas stressed that he distinguished between Imran Khan and the PTI as a political party, adding that he would stand by the former prime minister “until the last moment.” He reiterated that PTI could return to the standing committees if a meeting with Imran Khan was arranged. “If the government is serious about negotiations, it should come forward and talk,” he said, adding that the opposition was ready to hold talks in the Constitution Room of Parliament House.