Day: February 6, 2022

Pakistan’s military said Sunday five of its troops were killed when militants from across the Afghan border opened fire on them.

The attack, believed to be one of the deadliest such incidents in recent years, took place in the Pakistani district of Kurram on the border, the military’s media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

It said Pakistani troops retaliated and inflicted “heavy casualties” on the assailants but gave no further details.

“Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activities against Pakistan and expects that [the] interim Afghan government will not allow conduct of such activities against Pakistan, in future,” the army said.

Pakistan will defend its borders against “the menace of terrorism,” the statement said, adding that the sacrifices of “our brave men further strengthen our resolve.”

Militant attacks have increased in Pakistan since the Islamist Taliban seized power in Afghanistan last August and U.S.-led Western troops ended their two decade-long presence in the neighboring country.

The Pakistani military did not say which group it believed was behind Sunday’s attack. Officials have long maintained that leaders and fighters of the outlawed Pakistani Taliban, known as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan TTP, are sheltering in Afghanistan after fleeing security operations against their hideouts in Pakistani border districts, and orchestrating terrorism from there.

It is widely believed that when the Afghan Taliban were waging a deadly insurgency against the U.S.-backed government in Kabul and foreign troops, they took shelter in TTP-controlled Pakistani areas and recruited fighters from the Pakistani Taliban.

U.S. and Afghan officials also consistently accused the Pakistani military of covertly supporting the Afghan insurgency, charges Islamabad rejected.

The Taliban rulers have pledged to prevent transnational groups from using Afghanistan for attacks against other countries, but critics say the Islamist group is not living up to its commitments.

Late last year, Pakistani officials and the TTP said the Afghan Taliban had brokered a temporary cease-fire between the two adversaries to try to lay the foundation for peace talks. The 30-day truce expired in early December and the TTP refused to extend it, saying Islamabad violated its commitments. The government has denied the accusation.

Since then, the TTP, which the United Nations and United States have designated as a global terrorist organization, has intensified attacks against Pakistani security forces, killing dozens.

Source: Voice of America

Director and CEO Prime Minister Health Program Dr. Muhammad Arshad says PTI’s flagship health program is expected to contribute to poverty alleviation besides improving access to indoor health services.

In his exclusive talk with Radio Pakistan, he said by the end of this year, the programme will be expanded to all provinces as we have offered every possible support to Sindh government in this regard.

Dr Muhammad Arshad said from 1st January 2022, kidney and liver transplant has also been included in this facility.

He said under a centralized system, district health management will ensure the transparency of the program. It will be ensured that best possible facilities are being provided by the listed hospitals and no scam is being done in patient’s account. He said the permanent residents of all those areas where this facility has been launched, can get free treatment in listed hospitals by using their national identity cards. He urged the local administration and social activists to play their role to bring awareness regarding listed hospitals. Moreover, Sehat Sahulat Counters will help facilitate all the customers regarding remaining balance of the card and available facilities in the listed hospitals.

The Director said all Government departments can get this health facility for their employees with an option of top up facility to increase the face value of Health Card.

He said more than 80 percent private hospitals have been registered under this facility while above thirty percent of government hospitals are also on panel for this health care facility. The Director said our Health Card will help improve government hospitals as every patient will be a paid patient under our health coverage program.

He expressed hope that soon Pakistan will become the first country in the region to provide universal health coverage to its citizens.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Thirty more deaths and 4,874 positive cases of Coronavirus have been reported in the country during the last 24 hours.

According to statistics issued by National Command and Operation Centre, 56,051 tests were conducted yesterday while positivity ratio remained eight point six nine percent.

1681 people are still in critical care.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Security Forces conducted an Intelligence Based Operation near Dial road, Tank on confirmed intelligence reports of presence of TTP terrorists.

According to ISPR, during the operation a Suicide Bomber has been killed.

The operation is continuing to eliminate terrorist abettors and accomplices.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Special Assistant to Prime Minster on Political Communication Dr. Shahbaz Gill says that health card is a revolutionary step of PTI government aimed at ensuring equal opportunities to every people.

Addressing the media on Sunday, he said that Prime Minster will visit Faisalabad on Wednesday for the distribution of health card to the people of district.

He said that incumbent government is striving hard to facilitate the masses at their door steps by introducing health card.

He said that through this card a family can avail the treatment worth one million rupees to the specified public and private hospitals.

He said that government is determined to pass on minimum effects of the inflation to the people.

He said that Jaranwala road to be converted into express way soon while a proposal is under consideration by the Prime Minster to connect the M3 and M4 motorway.

Source: Radio Pakistan