Government rejected Pakistan in Lahore [4 sources]
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• Calls for nationwide audit, seizure of non-compliant, falsely labelled stocks • Blames Drap, provincial authorities for ‘catastrophic failure’ KARACHI: Warning of a looming “man-made epidemic”, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) on Thursday expressed serious concern over the widespread manufacture and use of reusable syringes despite a countrywide ban and demanded an audit of all syringe-manufacturing units and the seizure of all non-compliant stocks. The association also called for a high-level inquiry into how “falsely labelled” syringes passed regulatory checks and entered the supply chain, while urging stringent legal action against clinics and practitioners found using or possessing banned conventional syringes. “In addition, the government must initiate an emergency awareness campaign to educate the public on identifying genuine auto-disable syringes,” the PMA said in a statement. It directly held the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) and provincial health authorities responsible for a “catastrophic failure”. “It is not merely a bureaucratic lapse; it is a direct assault on the lives of millions of Pakistanis. The PMA stands with the victims of this negligence and warns the government that unless immediate corrective measures are taken, the current rise in HIV cases will evolve into an uncontrollable national emergency,” it added. The association regretted that the ban on conventional disposable syringes imposed in 2021, which was once hailed as a landmark step for infection control, had now been exposed as a “paper-only” policy. “The discovery of syringes falsely labelled as ‘auto-disable’ (AD) that function as reusable instruments is a criminal deception.
KARACHI: The Arif Habib-led consortium has established a special purpose vehicle, PIA Equity Ltd (PIAEL), to complete its acquisition of Pakistan International Airlines, Arif Habib Corporation Ltd (AHCL) announced on Thursday. The consortium has submitted a standby letter of credit and a bank guarantee to the Privatisation Commission for the acquisition of the remaining 25 per cent shares of PIA. The consortium has already acquired a 75pc stake in Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Ltd (PIACL) for Rs135 billion, while the remaining 25pc will cost Rs45bn. The consortium is expected to assume full ownership within the next 12 months upon completion of payments. PIA Equity Ltd’s shareholding comprises Arif Habib Corporation Ltd, Fatima Fertiliser Company Ltd, Lake City Holdings, AKD Group, The City School Group, and Fauji Fertiliser Company Ltd. PIAEL will act as the central platform for the acquisition and future management of PIACL, bringing together institutional investors under a unified structure. The management changes and full private control was expected by early next month, freeing the airline from government-appointed board members. Thousands of workers of PIA could be problematic for the new management as there is resistance among the workers regarding complete privatisation as their jobs may be at stakes. Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2026