Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, A delegation from the Pak-Afghan Chamber of Commerce met with the Caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Justice Retired Syed Arshad Hussain Shah, in Peshawar on Tuesday to discuss the disruption in the movement of commercial goods at the Pak-Afghan border. This meeting was critical in addressing the significant challenges faced by local traders due to the halted cargo vehicles at the border.
According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the delegation briefed the Caretaker Chief Minister about the severe impact of the border closure on the business community. For the past four days, the movement of cargo vehicles along the Pak-Afghan border has been blocked, causing considerable concern among traders. This disruption has led to a standstill of containers loaded with perishable items like fruits and vegetables, which are at risk of spoiling. The delegation emphasized that this situation could lead to a loss of billions of rupees for traders in the province.
The meeting, which also included the caretaker provincial industry minister Dr. Amir Abdullah and the secretary of industry among other officials, highlighted the urgency of the situation. The traders’ delegation appealed to the Chief Minister to urgently liaise with the federal government for the immediate clearance of these cargo vehicles.
Responding to the delegation’s concerns, the Caretaker Chief Minister acknowledged the gravity of the issue faced by the traders. He assured them that steps would be taken within the framework of state policy to address this problem. Recognizing the urgency of the matter, he committed to engaging with relevant federal authorities soon to find a prompt solution.
This situation at the Pak-Afghan border presents a critical challenge not only to the traders of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also to the regional economy, highlighting the importance of swift and effective governmental intervention.
Islamabad, In a significant move to bolster Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, the Government of Japan has pledged a grant of US$ 3.62 million. This funding is earmarked for the procurement of essential oral polio vaccines, a critical step in Pakistan’s battle against the disease.
According to Embassy of Japan In Pakistan, This grant will enable Pakistan’s Polio Programme to acquire over 21 million doses of vaccines, essential for the polio campaigns planned for 2024. Pakistan, one of the last two countries in the world still fighting polio, reported six cases in 2023. The grant from Japan comes at a crucial time as the country prepares to launch an aggressive plan of activities in 2024 aimed at eradicating the virus.
The Pakistani Government, along with its partners, is gearing up for a comprehensive approach to stop polio. This includes national immunization drives targeting over 44 million children under the age of five, with a workforce of more than 370,000 frontline workers, predominantly women, playing a crucial role in the outreach.
Dr. Nadeem Jan, Federal Health Minister of Pakistan, emphasized the country’s relentless pursuit to end polio. “Despite the challenges, Pakistan will remain relentless in our drive to put an end to polio in the next year,” he stated. The minister also acknowledged the essential role of partners in overcoming obstacles to reach all children with the vaccine.
The support from the Government of Japan has been pivotal in Pakistan’s journey towards eradicating polio. Mr. ITO Takeshi, Charge d’ Affaires ad interim of Japan to Pakistan, commended the progress made in controlling poliovirus spread and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting routine immunization efforts towards the goal of polio eradication.
Since 1996, the Government of Japan has been a steady ally in Pakistan’s fight against polio, contributing approximately US$ 242.16 million through grants and loans, in collaboration with UNICEF. Mr. Tsuyoshi Hara, Senior Representative of JICA Pakistan Office, expressed confidence in the government’s efforts to ensure vaccine administration, emphasizing the role of community understanding and frontline workers.
Melissa Corkum, UNICEF Chief of Polio in Pakistan, highlighted the critical juncture at which Pakistan stands, with fewer cases reported in 2023 compared to 2022. She stressed the importance of the grant from Japan in reaffirming the commitment to a polio-free world and ensuring the success of the polio campaigns.
This financial support from Japan is a significant boost to Pakistan’s endeavors to eliminate polio, moving closer to the goal of a polio-free world.