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#Pakistan - Vaccine policy Transparency international highlights important concerns

Pakistan’s Covid-19 vaccine rollout is hardly at par with regional countries’ vaccination programmes that have been ramped up, both in terms of procurement and administration of doses. There are now other concerns with how the vaccination drive is progressing, particularly with regards to how there is ample room for corruption and profiteering. This was highlighted in a letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan by Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) Chairperson retired Justice Nasira Iqbal, in which she drew attention to how Pakistan is one of the first few countries in the world to allow the private sector to import the vaccine.

Elsewhere in the world the inoculation effort against the coronavirus is being led by the government, free of cost for citizens. Although federal and provincial governments in Pakistan are vaccinating older sections of the population for free, the existence of private markets creates an opportunity for those free shots to be sold for profit, shots that are meant for higher risk individuals rather than those willing to pay to jump the queue. Another alarming development that has only recently come to light is that of pricing. The Russian Sputnik-V vaccine for example will cost Rs 8449 for two doses and China’s Conividecia at Rs 422 per injection. Both vaccines are being imported by private pharmaceutical companies and there has reportedly been quite a tussle between them and the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) over how much the former can sell them for.

It seems the DRAP has left a lot on the table during negotiations considering how the global price set for a single dose of Sputnik-V is $10, making the complete vaccination as very affordable $20. At the prevalent exchange rate this comes to around Rs 3000, which means someone is making more than 160 percent on each person fully inoculated.

A single dose of Sputnik-V is costing less than INR734 across the border in India, the TIP letter notes. Taking into consideration the Indian Rupee is double in value to Pakistan Rupee; a single dose should not cost more than Rs1500-2000 in Pakistan. Clearly there is something wrong with the price mechanism at play here and the relevant authorities need to investigate and bring about a correction to make the price more rational.

Supremacy of constitution only way to move forward: Bilawal Bhutto

 Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said in his message on the Pakistan Day that the supremacy of the constitution is the only way to move forward.

Bilawal Bhutto said Pakistan was founded for a democratic society based on justice and equality. The country is facing economic, political and social crises as the teachings of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his companions have been forgotten, he added.

The PPP chairman stressed that every institution must work within its constitutional limits and mandate so that the purpose of the Pakistan Resolution and independence could be achieved. PPP is working to fulfill the Quaid’s vision, he remarked.

It is pertinent here to mention that the 81st Pakistan Day is being celebrated today with simplicity in wake of spike in coronavirus cases and with the pledge to fight the disease as it spreads across the country.

Pakistan Day holds a significant place in the history of the country. Pakistan Day is celebrated each year on March 23 to mark the passage of the Lahore Resolution that led to the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia in 1947.

The historic resolution, known as the Pakistan Resolution, was approved on March 23, 1940.

Special dua ceremonies were held at the mosques after Fajr prayers for eradication of coronavirus from the country and also seeking solidarity, integrity and prosperity of the country. The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.

All kind of public gatherings to mark the Pakistan Day, including the showpiece military parade, have been postponed as precautionary measures.

The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that the Pakistan Day parade has been postponed due to bad weather forecast for two days and will now be held on March 25. 

#Pakistan - #PPP pays tribute to 'mother of democracy' Begum Nusrat Bhutto

Khalid Hameed Farooqi

PPP-International Conferences and Seminars Forum (ICSF), in collaboration with the PPP Gulf-Middle East, organised a grand online seminar to celebrate Begum Nusrat Bhutto's 92nd birthday. The seminar was attended by Mohtarma Sanam Bhutto, daughter of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, and Victoria Schofield, a long-time friend of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, along with other senior PPP leaders and activists.

The seminar was hosted by senior party leader and human rights activist, Saifullah Saify and PPP-ICSF chief organiser Syed Tahir Abbas Bukhari. Thousands of Bhutto's lovers from all over the world watched the conference live on social media and paid homage to Begum Nusrat Bhutto in their comments.

The seminar was presided over by PPP Gulf-Middle East President Mian Munir Hans, while the special guests included senior journalist and intellectual Mujahid Barelvi and in-charge PPP Research and Co-ordination Cell Bilawal House Karachi, Lal Bakhsh Bhutto.

Leaders from all over Pakistan, Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, including people from more than 23 countries, participated in the online seminar which lasted for more than four hours. They expressed their views on the struggle and the long story of not bowing to the tyranny of past dictators.

During the programme, the eyes of many, including Sanam Bhutto and other participants, were filled with tears while talking about Begum Nusrat Bhutto. President of the seminar Mian Munir Hans highlighted the sacrifices of Begum Bhutto during her stay in Dubai till her last breath.

Senior journalist Mujahid Barelvi said that those who remember Begum Sahiba's struggle deserve a tribute. "The only way to remember Begum Sahiba's sacrifices for democracy is to hold constant ceremonies in her memory at every level," he said. Lal Bakhsh Bhutto, in-charge PPP Research and Co-ordination Cell, Bilawal House, Karachi, said that Shaheed Bhutto's mission must be fulfilled to pay homage to the Mother of Democracy.Victoria Schofield, a long time friend of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, shared her memories with Sanam Bhutto and paid rich tributes to Begum Nusrat Bhutto.

In his address, PPP Central Punjab General Secretary Chaudhry Manzoor said that the sacrifices of Begum Nusrat Bhutto could not be ignored in the history of Pakistan.

"Without remembering Begum Sahiba’s sacrifices Pakistan's history is incomplete," said Manzoor.

PPP KP President Humayun Khan said in his address that his relationship with Begum Bhutto was like that of a mother and son.

"She loved all party workers like her children," he said and reiterated the commitment to continue the sacrifices and struggle till the completion of the mission of Shaheed Bhutto under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Paying homage to Begum Nusrat Bhutto, PPP Balochistan President Haji Ali Madad Jattak said: "We are proud to belong to a party led by brave leaders. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Co-Chairman Asif Zardari are leading the nation who will spare no sacrifice in getting Pakistan out of crisis.

Afzaal Hussain Inqalabi read out a special message from Wajid Shamsul Hassan, former High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK and special adviser to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. On the occasion, the eyes of all the participants including Sanam Bhutto were filled with tears and everyone present at the ceremony was saddened by the memory of the Bhutto family.

Senior party leader and intellectual Dr Zarar Yousuf read his special article on Begum Nusrat Bhutto. Former Special Assistant Chief Minister Sindh and in-charge People's Secretariat Sindh, Farid Ansari, referring to his mother Begum Nargis Ansari's long association with Begum Bhutto, said that whether anyone remembers Begum Nusrat Bhutto or not, "we will always remember her and history as well."

"Her name will be written in the history book with golden words," he said, adding that the "Bhutto family is not something to be forgotten."

Anwar Zeb, in-charge of the PPP KP Study Circle, said that Begum Nusrat Bhutto kept the party alive at the time when Shaheed Bhutto was in prison and, even after his martyrdom, continued to fight for the rights of the people in the streets and courts. Other speakers and participants who paid homage to Begum Nusrat Bhutto included senior journalist Khalid Hameed Farooqi, Senior leader PPP Belgium and Europe Malik Muhammad Ajmal, PPP Germany President Syed Zahid Abbas, PPP Research and Coordination Cell Bilawal House Sub Office Central Punjab Saadat Hussain Shah, Sanaullah Jattak, President of People's Youth Balochistan, Seemi Asad, General Secretary of PPP US, Syed Muzahir Bukhari, former Chief of PPPICF.

Members including Athar Sharif, Sardar Arshad, Shazia Tahmas, Sohail Khawar, Khurram Kiyani, Inam Qadri, Kuldeep Singh, Malik Akhlaq, Shehzad Khan, Raja Azam Advocate, Asghar Shahid, Ashraf Chughtai, Dr Ziaullah, Bilal Ali, Syed Aizaz Shah and others.

At the end of the event, Begum Nusrat Bhutto's birthday cake cutting ceremony took place at the residence of President PPP Gulf-Middle East Mian Munir Hans.

Accompanied by Mian Munir Hans, Vice-President Nisar Khattak, Secretary Information Zulfiqar Ali Mughal, Deputy Secretary General Irfan Qamar Gondal, Secretary Information Women Wing Najma Jilani, Deputy Secretary Women Wing Najma Shah and Senior Vice President Dubai Shafiqur Rehman Siddiqui cut the birthday cake.

Finally, Chief Organiser Syed Tahir Abbas Bukhari thanked all the participants, forum members, and party leaders for making the event a success.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/341409-ppp-pays-tribute-to-mother-of-democracy-begum-nusrat-bhutto