Geneva, UN human rights experts have expressed grave concerns over the unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where an estimated 80 percent of the population is facing famine or catastrophic hunger. This situation has been exacerbated by Israel’s continued bombardment and siege.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the current situation in Gaza is dire, with every resident facing hunger, a quarter of the population starving, and a lack of access to food and drinkable water. The experts warned of the imminent risk of famine, particularly affecting pregnant women and children under five. They highlighted that 335,000 young children are at high risk of severe malnutrition, leading to stunting – a condition that causes irreparable physical and cognitive impairments.
Since October 9, Israel has imposed a “total siege” on Gaza, cutting off 2.3 million Palestinians from essential supplies such as water, food, fuel, medicine, and medical supplies. This has intensified the hardships caused by a 17-year Israeli blockade that had already rendered half of Gaza’s population food insecure and over 80 percent reliant on humanitarian aid.
The experts are especially alarmed by conditions in northern Gaza, where prolonged food shortages and limited access to resources are prevalent. In southern Gaza, many individuals are living in inadequate shelters or areas lacking basic amenities, further aggravating the crisis.
The UN human rights experts criticized Israel for using food as a weapon against Palestinians, citing the destruction and blocking of access to farmland and the sea. Reports indicate that approximately 22% of agricultural land in northern Gaza has been razed, and around 70% of Gaza’s fishing fleet has been destroyed by Israeli forces. The lack of fuel and structural damage has rendered most bakeries non-operational, and livestock are unable to provide or be a source of food. Safe water access continues to diminish, and the healthcare system is collapsing due to widespread destruction of hospitals.
Additionally, Israel’s destruction of over 60% of Palestinian homes in Gaza has directly impacted the ability to cook food, leading to domicide – the mass destruction of dwellings that has rendered the territory uninhabitable. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that nearly 85% of Gaza’s population is internally displaced, with many having been displaced multiple times.
The UN experts have raised the alarm about the risk of genocide, emphasizing the duty of all governments to prevent it. They stated that Israel is not only causing indiscriminate harm to civilians but is also intentionally imposing conditions leading to disease, malnutrition, dehydration, and starvation by destroying civilian infrastructure.
The experts call for immediate and unhindered delivery of aid to Gazans to prevent starvation, stressing the urgent need for a ceasefire and the cessation of the Israeli occupation to realize Palestinian self-determination and achieve peace, safety, and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.
Islamabad, The Supreme Court of Pakistan has released a tender notice inviting bids for the supply of a scanner. This procurement process is open to original manufacturers, authorized distributors, and resellers who are duly registered with the Income Tax and Sales Tax Departments and are listed as active taxpayers by the Federal Board of Revenue.
According to Supreme Court of Pakistan, the last date for the submission of bids is set for the 2nd of February, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. This allows interested parties ample time to prepare and submit their proposals. The technical bids for this tender will be opened on the same day at 11:00 a.m., ensuring a transparent and timely evaluation process.
Detailed terms and conditions, along with the specific requirements for the scanner, are outlined in the bidding documents. These documents can be easily accessed and downloaded from the official websites of the Supreme Court of Pakistan (www.supremecourt.gov.pk) and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) at www.ppra.org.pk.
This tender notice represents an opportunity for qualified suppliers in the field of electronic equipment to engage with the judiciary’s procurement process. The inclusion of specific criteria for bidders, such as registration with tax authorities and active taxpayer status, underscores the Supreme Court’s commitment to compliance with fiscal regulations and transparent procurement practices.
The procurement of the scanner is expected to enhance the operational capabilities of the Supreme Court, in line with modern technological standards.
Lahore, Inspector General Police Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar is actively ensuring the health welfare of police employees and their families, providing significant financial assistance for medical expenses across various districts.
According to Punjab Police, Dr. Usman Anwar has allocated over 10 lakh 50 thousand rupees for the medical expenses of police personnel in need. The beneficiaries include a retired constable from Vehari Police, who received 5 lakh rupees for his wife’s kidney treatment, and an ASI from the Special Branch in Multan, granted 2 lakh rupees for cancer treatment. Other recipients include a constable from Sargodha police for head injury treatment, a driver constable from Attock for spinal cord issues, a retired inspector from Sargodha for tumor treatment, and a constable from Okara for his son’s medical care.
These funds were released following thorough scrutiny and approval by the Welfare Management Committee. Dr. Usman Anwar emphasized the importance of further measures to enhance the health welfare of the police force and their families, ensuring relief to those suffering from health issues.