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Express Tribune
06-05-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Pakistani father praises COAS for arranging treatment after India expels ailing children
Listen to article The father two children sent back by India last week has praised Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir for taking responsibility for the treatment of the ailing children. The children, Abdullah (9) and Mansa (7), both suffering from congenital heart disease, had travelled with their father, Shahid Ahmed, to Faridabad, India, in April for life-saving surgery. After successful pre-surgical evaluations on April 22 and 23, the family was ordered by India's Foreigners Regional Registration Office on April 24 to leave the country within 48 hours. The expulsion came in the wake of the Pahalgam attack in Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), after which the Indian government took the controversial step of deporting even Paskistani patients who were undergoing treatment. Shahid Ahmed, a resident of Hyderabad, Sindh, condemned the decision, calling it 'inhumane and unethical.' 'There is no religion greater than humanity. Even Hinduism teaches compassion,' he said, adding that it took him seven years to secure an Indian visa for his children's treatment. On their return to Pakistan, General Munir facilitated the children's admission to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) in Rawalpindi. Shahid expressed deep gratitude to the Army Chief, saying the care at AFIC has far exceeded his expectations. Dr Mehboob Sultan of AFIC confirmed both children suffer from Tetralogy of Fallot, a congenital condition involving heart defects and underdeveloped pulmonary arteries. Their treatment will include phased surgeries, with the first phase set to take place in the coming days. Brigadier Dr Khurram Akhtar stated that AFIC is fully equipped to treat complex cardiac conditions in children and adheres to international medical standards. 'There is no need to send such cases abroad. We have performed numerous successful surgeries here,' he added. Tensions between India and Pakistan reached new heights following a deadly attack on April 22, 2025, when 26 men were killed at a tourist site in Pahalgam, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India swiftly blamed Pakistani elements for the attack, but no evidence was presented to support the claim, which Islamabad vehemently denied. In response to the attack, India's Cabinet Committee on Security approved several retaliatory measures on April 23, including the closure of the Wagah-Attari land transit point, a travel advisory urging Indian nationals to avoid Pakistan, a formal notification of the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and the revocation of multiple categories of visas for Pakistani nationals. On April 24, Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) issued a stern warning, declaring that any attempt by India to block the flow of water into Pakistan would be considered an act of war. The NSC also approved the closure of the Wagah border crossing. The following day, April 25, the Pakistan Senate unanimously passed a resolution rejecting India's allegations regarding the Pahalgam attack, calling them baseless and politically motivated. Tensions further escalated on April 26, when the Pakistani High Commission in London was vandalised during a protest by hundreds of pro-India and pro-BJP demonstrators. The protesters caused property damage, including broken windows and the splashing of saffron paint. Pakistan accused India of encouraging the violence, with Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar condemning the acts as being supported by "Indian state and agencies." British police later arrested two individuals suspected of involvement in the incident.
Business Recorder
25-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Pindi's development projects: CM Maryam expresses satisfaction
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif reached Rawalpindi city, visited various ongoing development projects and expressed happiness over the expected completion of the biggest project in the history of Rawalpindi by May 31. She visited the Rawalpindi GPO Underpass and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Flyover Project. The Chief Minister reviewed construction quality of the project and also inspected ongoing construction activities. She responded to the enthusiasm of the workers working on the project by waving her hand. She directed to ensure construction quality in the project under any circumstance and directed to plant two trees on the dual sides of the roads. Two more underpasses will be built to make Rawalpindi's Mall Road signal-free. Two lakh vehicles will be able to easily pass through the underpass on a daily basis. The construction of the underpass will make it easier for AFIC and MH patients to cross the road. The Mall Road will be made signal-free for 26 kilometers. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Flyover will be completed at a cost of Rs2.3 billion and the underpass project will be completed at a cost of Rs4.38 billion. The construction work of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Flyover project has been completed by 85 percent and the construction of the underpass project has been completed by 60 percent. Secretary C&W gave a detailed briefing about the ongoing project. It was informed in the briefing that installation of piles of the overhead bridge of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Flyover project has been completed. 56 girders of the flyover have been prepared, 32 girders have been installed on the flyover. The construction work of 7 drains of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Flyover is ongoing and boundary wall of the flyover has also been completed. The Chief Minister also reviewed construction activities of the underpass at Mall Road GPO Chowk. The construction of 2093 piles and girders of the underpass has been completed. A special path for pedestrians has also been included in the project. Construction work is underway on 56 development projects in Rawalpindi Division. The completion of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Flyover will enable citizens to have direct access to the motorway and Rawalpindi Ring Road. 79,000 vehicles will benefit after the completion of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Flyover. Member of National Assembly Ms Tahira Aurangzeb, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary Zahid Zaman Akhtar and other senior officials were also present. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Signal-free Mall Road to improve traffic flow
The Punjab government has decided to construct two additional underpasses on Mall Road in Rawalpindi to make it signal-free and smooth traffic flow. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Thursday visited the ongoing GPO Underpass and Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Flyover projects on Mall Road to review progress and ensure smooth traffic flow in the city. She also interacted warmly with laborers, waving to them in appreciation. During her unannounced inspection, the chief minister expressed satisfaction over the expected completion of the projects by October 31, and commended the engineers and workers involved in the development. She directed that construction quality must be maintained without compromise and also ordered the plantation of trees on both sides of the roads. On this occasion, PML-N MNA Tahira Aurangzeb, senior Punjab Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, Chief Secretary Zahid Zaman Akhtar, and other officials were also present. According to project officials, this initiative is part of the largest development project in Rawalpindi's history, being completed in a record timeframe. The Punjab Secretary of Communications and Works briefed the provincial chief executive on the technical details, informing her that the underpass would significantly ease road crossing for patients traveling to AFIC and MH Hospitals, and facilitate the daily movement of over 200,000 vehicles. In total, 26 kilometers of Mall Road will be made signal-free. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Flyover, starting at Khawaja Corporation, is being built at a cost of Rs2.3 billion, while the underpass project is estimated at Rs4.38b. So far, 85% of the flyover and 60% of the underpass construction has been completed. The overhead bridge piles are fully installed, 56 girders have been prepared, and 32 have already been installed on the flyover. Work on seven drainage systems is ongoing, and the flyover's boundary wall has been completed. Additionally, 2,093 piles and girders for the underpass at GPO Chowk have been completed, and a dedicated pedestrian pathway is also included in the project. Once completed, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Flyover will provide direct access to the Motorway and Rawalpindi Ring Road, benefiting approximately 79,000 vehicles daily. According to the officials concerned, 56 development projects are currently underway in the Rawalpindi Division.
Express Tribune
18-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Mall Road set to become signal-free
With funding from the Punjab government, district authorities have commenced work to make three traffic signals on Rawalpindi's Mall Road — at Five Star Hotel Chowk, TM Chowk, and Mall Plaza Chowk — signal-free. Initial work, including pile load tests, has started. The project also includes the construction of pedestrian underpasses near the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC). The total cost of this project is estimated at Rs4.38 billion. Once work begins, the project is expected to be completed in less than six months, with consultations ongoing between consultants (Nespak Private Limited), contractors (FWO), and the executing agency (Communication and Works Department of Punjab). Due to the critical importance of Mall Road and Peshawar Road, experts are reviewing the feasibility of completing the project within six months. Upon completion, the three traffic signals mentioned above will be removed, improving the flow of traffic on Mall Road. However, traffic signals at MH Chowk, Qasim Ma5rket Chowk, Race Course Chowk, and Cheering Cross Chowk will remain intact. This is expected to significantly enhance traffic flow on Mall Road and Peshawar Road. A second phase of the project might bring traffic signal-free plans to other major intersections, including Kachehri Chowk, MH Chowk, Qasim Market Chowk, Race Course Grand Chowk, and Chairing Cross Chowk. The project covers the section of Mall Road from Five Star Hotel Chowk to TM Chowk, and from Mall Plaza Chowk to the State Life Building. The funding for the project is part of a total investment of Rs4.38b. The first instalment of Rs200m has already been released for the fiscal year 2024-2025, with further instalments to be disbursed in phases. Before formal construction begins, experts are finalising traffic routes and other technical details, which may take another two weeks. Currently, Mall Road from Kachehri Chowk to Chairing Cross Chowk has eight traffic signals, and after the removal of signals at Five Star Hotel Chowk, TM Chowk, and Mall Plaza Chowk, Qasim Market Chowk is expected to face the highest traffic load. Due to these eight traffic signals, the flow of traffic on Mall Road and Peshawar Road is significantly hindered. Vehicles and motorcycles often experience long delays, especially when signals turn green three times without alleviating congestion. The heavy traffic from government offices, hospitals, business centres, residential areas, and access to the motorway and Peshawar route further exacerbates the situation. To address these issues, the first phase of the project will focus on removing signals at the three busiest intersections using underpasses to make them signal-free. Following the completion of this phase, additional work will be done to remove signals at Kachehri Chowk, MH Chowk, Qasim Market Chowk, Race Course Grand Chowk, and Chairing Cross Chowk, ultimately aiming to make Mall Road and Peshawar Road completely signal-free.
