Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Posted on

Health experts urge vigilance to contain ‘Pink Eye’ outbreak

Islamabad: As the cases of Pink Eye, a highly contagious eye infection, continue to rise, health expert Tuesday sounded the alarm, urging parents to exercise extreme caution and take proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease among children.

Talking to a private news channel, Dr. Zubaida Surang, an eye specialist at Agha Khan Hospital revealed that the pink eye outbreak is widespread, with the hospital witnessing a surge in cases during the winter season.

She explained that the highly contagious infection, also known as acute conjunctivitis, is caused by viruses, bacteria, allergens and parasites, with human adenoviruses (HAdVs) responsible for 65-90% of severe conjunctival infections.

Dr. Surang warned that the symptoms of pink eye include redness or irritation, watery discharge, foreign body sensation, blurred vision, photophobia and swelling or edema of the conjunctiva.

She advised that if left untreated, pink eye can lead to severe complications, including corneal ulcers and vision loss.

Regarding treatment, Dr. Surang emphasized that antibiotics are only effective against bacterial conjunctivitis and not viral conjunctivitis.

She recommended that patients with pink eye should apply warm compresses to the affected eye, use artificial tears to lubricate the eye and avoid touching or rubbing the eye to prevent the spread of the infection.

To prevent the spread of pink eye, Dr. Surang advised the public to take precautions, including practicing good hand hygiene by washing hands frequently with soap and water, avoiding touching the eyes or face, refraining from sharing personal items, such as towels or makeup, staying home from school or work if symptoms persist and avoiding close contact with others to prevent the spread of the infection

Dr. Surang urged parents to be vigilant and keep their children home from school if they exhibit symptoms of pink eye. She also advised the public to seek medical attention immediately if they experience severe symptoms, such as intense eye pain, blurred vision, or increased sensitivity to light.

Posted on

DPM Dar addresses 52nd Common Training Programme


Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar addressed the trainees of the 52nd Common Training Programme who visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Tuesday.



Foreign Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amna Baloch was also present on the occasion, a DPM Office news release said.



Additional Foreign Secretary (Africa) Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan briefed the participants on the contours of Pakistan’s foreign policy.



Posted on

Call for collaboration with China’s chemical industry to improve Pakistan’s competitiveness


Lahore: Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) Vice President Zafar Iqbal Tuesday stressed the need for taking collaborative measures with China’s chemical industry to enhance Pakistan’s competitiveness.



During a think-tank session with PCJCCI executive committee members here, he added that Pakistan does not have mature technology to produce petrochemical complex facilities or cracking units, which is a very big constraint to the development of its chemical industry. He suggested, “Pakistan can collaborate with China and learn from China’s experience to promote the sustainable development of the chemical industry and give full play to the industry in the national economic growth.”



Zafar Iqbal also highlighted that there is a vast potential of Pakistan in chemical manufacturing and processing. “Our vision is to transform the chemical industry of Pakistan from an import-oriented to an export-oriented Industry.”



The Vice President said that with the rapid development of biotechnology, the biochemical industry has injected new vitality into the traditional chemical industry and opened up new development directions and insights. He explained that China has a growing influence in the field of biochemical industry globally. Both approaches will be of great benefit to Pakistan.



With the continuous growth of economy and population base, he mentioned, the demand of Pakistani citizens for chemical products is increasing day by day. The country is highly dependent on imported oil products, and the shortage of oil products has even affected national security. He added that China’s successful chemical park model can provide Pakistan’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with the necessary resources and facilities so as to achieve cluster development.



He said that Cracker is an important link in the transfer of chemical production to downstream and upstream operations. It is significant to establish a chemical industrial park with facilities such as common effluent treatment plant, a sound supply network of water, electricity, centralized steam generating facility to reduce capital and operating expenditures for chemical manufacturers. With the promulgation of the SME Policy, Pakistani government is taking rational and challenging steps to develop SMEs for their growth.



In his concluding remarks, he said that Pakistan’s chemical industry being a cross-cutting industry provides inputs for many other industries including textiles, agriculture, food and beverages, leather, paper, pharmaceutical, plastics, printing, sugar etc. It is important to build the global reputation of ‘Made in Pakistan’ from strength to brand in the above industries.



Posted on

DPM Dar addresses 52nd Common Training Programme


Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar addressed the trainees of the 52nd Common Training Programme who visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here on Tuesday.



Foreign Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amna Baloch was also present on the occasion, a DPM Office news release said.



Additional Foreign Secretary (Africa) Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan briefed the participants on the contours of Pakistan’s foreign policy.



Posted on

University of Sargodha releases examination schedule


Sargodha: University of Sargodha releases schedule for MA/MSC Part -1/Composite, M.Com Part -1, First Annual/Supplementary Examination 2024 here on Tuesday.



According to the schedule, the examination would start from 08 January 2025 while MA / MSc Part second/Composite, MCom Part second, First Annual/Supplementary Examination 2024 will start from 16 January 2025. All private/late college candidates can download their roll number slips from the link www.su.edu.pk.annual/examination/rollnoslip/rollnoslips by entering their ID card number on the following link. All such candidates who have objections to the admission forms can download their roll number slips by clearing their objections to the concerned branch of the office before the examination starts whereas if a candidate does not download his roll number slip from the said link before the start of the exam and does not appear in the exam according to the date sheet, then the university will not be responsible for his academic loss.



The spokesman also informed that no roll number slip will be issued by post to any candidate, So all private/late college candidates should download their roll number slips from the above link and join the exam by downloading their roll number slips on time. Without roll number slips, sitting in the exam will not be allowed.



Posted on

Public complaints counter set up

Sargodha: On the instructions of Commissioner and Administrator Municipal Corporation Jahanzeb Awan, a control room was set up in the MC office to address citizen complaints regarding municipal services.

Additional Deputy Commissioner General/Acting CO Municipal Corporation Umar Farooq said that the complaints cell will work round the clock, seven days a week.The public can register their complaints on phone number- 9230530.

He said that a comprehensive plan was made to provide better municipal services to the citizens.

Later, he visited various branches of the Municipal Corporation office in detail and directed employees to perform their duties honestly and diligently.