Two-Thirds of Schoolchildren Iodine Deficient

FAISALABAD, Feb 24: Deficiency of micronutrient malnutrition is one of the major causes of deaths among children and women in Pakistan.

This was claimed in a report jointly launched by the World Health Organization, World Bank, Unicef, USAID and Micronutrient Initiative Pakistan (MIP), at the second day of the three-day international conference on “Recent advances in human nutrition with special reference to vulnerable groups,” at the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF). The report titled “Investing in the future: A united call to action on vitamin and mineral deficiencies”.

ISLAMABAD Feb 24: The federal sports ministry said that training centres for suicide bombers in tribal areas would be converted into playing fields and youth in those regions would be motivated to take part in sporting activities.

BATKHELA, Feb 22: A 9th grade student kidnapped from Dargai was recovered by Malakand Levies on Monday a day after protesters took to streets and blocked the GT Road. Unknown kidnappers abducted Alamgir when he was coming home from his shop.

Reacting to the incident armed local people chanting anti-administration slogans came on the road. The procession was led by local ANP. They asked the administration to expose the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

LAHORE, Feb 22: Two minor brothers were killed in a road accident in Lahore on Monday.

Protesters blocked Airport Road after a speeding dumper ran over two children, who were riding a motorcycle. Kashif, 13, and brother Shabbir, 9, were returning to their father’s shop when the tragic incident occurred. Around 150 people blocked Airport Road and shouted slogans against the absconding truck driver.

Pakistan Ranks 144th in UNDP’s Human Development Index

February 23: Pakistan ranks 144th in UNDP’s Human Development Index (HDI), out of total 178 countries. According to UNDP’s HDI report, Pakistan faces enormous challenges, including poverty, poor healthcare facilities, illiteracy and a continuously soaring population.

The government released between 11 to 25 percent funds earmarked for environment, education and health sectors during the first six months of the current fiscal year (July-December), out of the budgetary allocation, which reflects lack of commitment to these critical sectors.

Finance Ministry released Rs 268 million to Environment Ministry for development projects during the first half of current financial year, which was 11.8 percent of the Rs 2.253 billion earmarked for the entire financial year 2009-10.

Senator Laments Child Sexual Abuse

ISLAMABAD Feb, 23: Balochistan Senator Surraiya Amiruddin lamented the sexual abuse of children around the country and requested her colleagues to adopt these children. “Innocent children are being sexually abused by truck drivers and other people with low income,” she informed the House. She said it is a very sensitive issue and the government needs to take steps to take care of these children such as their rehabilitation in SOS villages

Anti-Measles Drive Kicks Off in Karachi

KARACHI, Feb 21: The Sindh health department is launching a supplementary immunisation campaign against measles in children in the city on Monday.
During the special anti-measles activities that will continue till March 5, about 5.16 million children, aged between nine months and 13 years, living in 178 union councils of the city will be vaccinated.

A source said that about 40 per cent of blood samples of children sent to the National Institute of Health, Islamabad, had been tested positive for measles in 2009. Of the 250 confirmed measles cases, 217 (86 per cent) pertained to Karachi, the source said.

Justice Demanded for Gang-Rape Victim of Nagarparkar

KARACHI, Feb 21: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its deep concern over the gang-rape of a young Kohli girl. According to the HRCP, a 17-year-old girl of village Mokryo, was allegedly kidnapped on January 24 and gang-raped by an influential person and his accomplices. Next day the victim was thrown in front of her house. The father of the victim approached the Nangarparkar police station to lodge a case against alleged rapists but the police refused to register the FIR.

Minor Boy Becomes Victim of Acid Attack

SUKKUR, Feb 19: A minor boy suffered severe burn injuries when a masked man threw acid on him in Jacobabad. The incident took place when eight-year-old Tanveer Abro was returning to his house from a workshop where he worked.

Tanveer was taken to civil hospital in Jacobabad where doctors said he had received 40 to 50 percent burns and was in critical condition. He was referred to Hyderabad because only hospitals Karachi and Hyderabad have facilities to treat burns injuries.
He said on Friday evening that he was waiting at the Civil Lines Police Station for registration of the FIR.

Children of Detained Policemen Seek Mercy

QUETTA, Feb 19: Children of the police personnel who were arrested or suspended after violent protests on January 25 have appealed to Balochistan chief minister to pardon their fathers who were suspended or arrested. The children after marching through various parts of the city on Friday assembled in front of the press club.

The children said their fathers had no political motives and their protest was only aimed at drawing the government’s attention towards their plight.
Hundreds of policemen had taken part in a rally at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to press the provincial government to raise their salary.