Substandard hospital mats seized in Swat
The announcement was made by Professor Syed Mohammad Sultan of the Khyber Teaching Hospital's Psychiatry Department. PHOTO: EXPRESS
Anti-Corruption authorities in Swat have taken swift action against a contractor for supplying substandard foam mats to Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Saidu Sharif.
A total of 180 non-compliant mats were confiscated on-site for failing to meet approved PC-1 specifications.
The crackdown followed a citizen complaint filed by Arbab Naveed with the Directorate of Anti-Corruption Establishment, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The contractor was accused of violating procurement rules by delivering poor-quality mats from unauthorized manufacturers.
An investigation led by Assistant Director Anti-Corruption Malakand Division, Malik Khan Afsar Khan, confirmed the allegations. The contractor was found guilty of deliberate non-compliance.
Authorities gave the contractor one week to replace the substandard items with 320 mats that meet official standards. The directive was fulfilled within the deadline, and the case has now been referred to the Directorate for further legal proceedings.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
9 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Heat, power cuts risk Eid meat storage
Deep freezers bought by customers for keeping sacrificial meat are piled up outside the showrooms at Regal Chowk for delivery. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/express Intense heat and prolonged load-shedding during Eidul Azha have made preserving sacrificial meat a serious concern. Health experts advise drying washed meat thoroughly, cutting it into small portions, and storing it in airtight containers or polythene bags before freezing. Dr Hilar Sheikh of Jinnah Hospital told Express News that improper drying or delayed freezing can lead to spoilage. He warned against using regular plastic bags, which fail to block freezer gases, causing toxins to form. Repeated freezing and thawing may also cause food poisoning or hepatitis E. In case of outages, storing meat in ice-packed steel or thermocol boxes is advised. Early distribution to the needy is encouraged to avoid waste.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Leaders rally for green Pakistan
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended their heartfelt greetings to the nation on the eve of Eid ul Fitr. PHOTO: EXPRESS On the World Environment Day, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged every citizen, organization, and public institution to unite for a cleaner, greener Pakistan. In their separate messages, they said the day reminded us of our shared responsibility to protect the planet and secure a sustainable future for the generations to come. "Pakistan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Each year, we face devastating floods, droughts, and heatwaves that displace millions of people. Yet, our contribution to global carbon emissions is less than 1%. This imbalance highlights the urgent need for global climate justice and strong international support," President Secretariat Press Wing, in a press release, quoted the president as saying. Despite limited resources, the president said, Pakistan was taking steps to tackle environmental challenges. "We are working to mobilize climate finance by combining national efforts with private investment and international support. Key strategic instruments include: The $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility from the IMF, which supports reforms such as a carbon levy, electric vehicle promotion, and improved energy efficiency: the World Bank's Country Partnership Framework (2026-2035), focused on flood resilience, clean energy transition, sustainable agriculture, and better air quality. The 2024 Carbon Market Policy Guidelines aim to attract green private investment. All these efforts align with Pakistan's broader economic transformation plan — Uraan Pakistan," he added. The president observed that the governments alone could not solve this crisis, stressing that each of them had a role to play. Prime Minister Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif calling the plastic pollution an environmental challenge threatening ecosystems, economy, and future generations, reaffirmed his government's commitment to eco-friendly policies, responsible consumption, and stricter plastic regulations. "Real change begins with each of us — in our homes, our communities, and our choices," the prime minister said. He said that on the Day, Pakistan joined the international community in reaffirming its commitment to safeguard our planet and pursue sustainable development. The prime minister said that this year's theme — "Putting an End to Plastic Pollution" — was both timely and urgent. "Plastic pollution is an environmental challenge that threatens our ecosystems, our economy, and future generations. From choking our rivers and seas to harming marine life and contaminating our food chain, plastic waste has reached alarming levels across the globe — and Pakistan is no exception. This calls for a bold and collective action," he remarked. He said that the Day should serve as a reminder of our shared responsibility — to ourselves and to the generations yet to come.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro may lower oral contraceptive effectiveness., UK's MHRA warns
Listen to article The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued an alert urging women using weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro to use effective contraception after receiving multiple reports of pregnancies among users, The Guardian reported on June 5, 2025. The alert follows 40 reports of pregnancy in women taking these weight-loss drugs, prompting the MHRA to warn that Mounjaro, in particular, may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. The agency advises that women taking this drug use barrier contraception, such as condoms, in addition to oral contraceptives, according to The Guardian. The MHRA received 26 pregnancy-related reports concerning Mounjaro and an additional eight reports linked to semaglutide-based drugs (Ozempic and Wegovy). Another weight-loss medication, Saxenda, which contains liraglutide, also garnered nine reports. Read more: Ozempic shows promise in reversing liver disease, research finds While it's unclear whether the pregnancies were unintended, some women confirmed their pregnancies were unplanned, as reported by The Guardian. The MHRA has emphasised that these medications should not be used during pregnancy or while trying to conceive due to insufficient safety data regarding potential harm to a developing baby. Women taking these drugs are also advised to continue contraception for up to two months after stopping the medication before attempting to become pregnant, as noted by the health agency. Also read: Popular weight loss drug Ozempic linked to higher risk of blindness Dr. Channa Jayasena, a consultant in reproductive endocrinology, noted that GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are effective in aiding weight loss but could increase fertility in women with obesity by enhancing fertility. However, these drugs may also interfere with the absorption of oral contraceptives, potentially increasing the risk of unintended pregnancies. This was also highlighted in The Guardian's coverage. Read: Ozempic-fueled weight loss takes over Oscars 2025 as Hollywood's size zero trend returns Dr. Alison Cave, the MHRA's chief safety officer, urged patients not to misuse these medications for weight loss, stressing that they are licensed for specific medical conditions and not for cosmetic purposes. She further recommended that patients read the provided patient information leaflets and consult healthcare professionals before using these powerful treatments, as reported in The Guardian.
