Latest news with #Form47
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
24/7 downtown Windsor crisis centre saw 150 first responder, ER referrals in May
A downtown Windsor, Ont., centre for urgent addictions and mental health crises says it's seen a big jump in referrals since expanding its services this spring. Aside from accepting walk-ins, it now takes drop offs from EMS and local police, and creates an alternative to the emergency department for officers and paramedics to bring people in crisis. The unit now accepts intakes 24/7. The centre is located at 1030 Ouellette Ave. and is adjacent to the Goyeau Street entrance of Windsor Regional Hospital's emergency room. It also now has four stabilization care beds where someone can stay for 48 hours, with an entrance that's monitored by security, including a metal detector. The Mental Health and Addictions Urgent Crisis Centre (MHAUCC) provides service to people 16 years of age or older and is run by Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare (HDGH) and the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA). Tammy Kotyk, vice-president of mental health and addictions services at HDGH, says since the hours were extended they've seen some "really good results," including in May. The unit's staffing includes social support workers, nurses and a psychiatrist — with connections to wraparound services. Kotyk said before the round-the-clock hours they were averaging two first responder drop-offs per month. This May that's grown to approximately 50 drop-offs and roughly 100 referrals from hospital emergency departments. "Now that we're able to keep individuals, hold on to them for a longer period of time, it's really opened up that opportunity to send people [to the crisis centre]," said Kotyk. She says even though more attention is given to local opioid addiction cases — of which they see many — alcohol dependency continues to be the largest substance abuse problem in the community. Others are coming to their front door experiencing psychosocial situational crises, added Kotyk. "They're looking for housing … some of them are dealing with depression, anxiety and things like that," she said. "We're seeing everything across the spectrum from your mild to your more moderate to severe presentations." The centre treats voluntary patients, however, one caveat includes involuntary clients deemed incapable by a physician who require a Form 47 — that's an Ontario Ministry of Health provision that allows for mandated supervised treatment. According to Kotyk, the extended service and additional people using the centre have been spread out throughout the day so far. "It's not clustered. We're not seeing more people showing up at night because now we're open at night." She says prior to the expansion, they were seeing around 140 people a month and that's jumped closer to 230 now. "I think it's just getting people aware that you don't have to go wait in an emergency department if you have a mental health crisis or you're looking for support for your addiction needs, that there's an alternative place to go." The unit is currently funded through HDGH's existing budget, but they have put in a request to the province for future funding. The Windsor Police Service says it's "encouraged" by the expanded services. The force highlighted 12 admissions to the centre from their officers in May. "All of these programs help our officers get back on the road more quickly to respond to urgent calls, while still ensuring that people in crisis receive the care and support they need," the police service said in a statement. "We are grateful for our partnerships with health and human services providers across the community, and look forward to seeing continued positive results." In a statement, Essex-Windsor EMS said its paramedics had brought 29 patients to the unit since the hours increased. "That is more than we could have delivered there without the extended hours. Those are also 29 patients who got the right care at the right place at the right time," Chief Justin Lammers said in a statement. "We continue to work with Hôtel-Dieu Grace Healthcare and Windsor Regional Hospital to find innovative ways to reduce pressures on emergency departments and reduce ambulance offload delays." Ahead of the expansion, Windsor police Chief Jason Bellaire said he felt it would make a big impact. "Being able to bring somebody who has agreed, in a moment of clarity to say, 'I would like to enter withdrawal management' or 'I'd like some certain services,' to have the ability to transport that person to this centre here," Bellaire said, "and they immediately start to receive care."
Business Recorder
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PTI protests outside ECP office
PESHAWAR: The workers of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) staged a protest outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in Peshawar against the stealing of the mandate of the party on February 8, 2024. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Social Welfare, Syed Qasim Ali Shah led the protest. During his speech at the protest, the provincial minister stated that alleged rigging was carried out in Form 47 on February 8, stealing PTI's public mandate. He demanded that the injustice be rectified and the rightful mandate of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf be restored. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Omar Ayub slams PPP leadership, accuses govt of corruption and failure
PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub during a press conference in Islamabad on February 17, 2025. SCREENGRAB Listen to article In a press conference on Monday, Opposition Leader in the National Assembly Omar Ayub criticised the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and its leadership, particularly President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto. He accused them of having broken records for corruption in Sindh and claimed that both Zardari and Bilawal were selling Sindh's water. Ayub expressed his disapproval of the current government, led by the PPP, and denounced President Zardari, stating, "Zardari calls himself the president, but we do not recognise this installed government. Zardari did not say anything worthwhile today." He continued, 'The PPP has broken records for corruption in Sindh. Whether it is Asif Zardari or Bilawal Bhutto, both are selling the province's water. The government has been involved in supporting the controversial PECA (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act) with Form 47. There is a gang of notorious criminals in Punjab, with Dr. Usman at the helm. The current government has failed economically." Ayub also criticised the government's handling of the economy, stating that corruption had reached unprecedented levels. He further remarked, "They are celebrating a reduction in inflation, but come, walk with us and see if inflation has actually gone down or increased. In the last two years, the Special Investment Facilitation Council has achieved zero results, and our questions remain unanswered. The IT sector has been decimated, and there is no foreign investment." The opposition leader also raised concerns about security in Balochistan, stating, 'There is no security arrangement in various districts of Balochistan. Due to negligence, our soldiers are sacrificing their lives. The founding leader of PTI has always said that the army belongs to us, yet today, Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi are embroiled in fake cases." He continued to highlight the current state of the nation, saying, 'Our leaders and workers are political prisoners. Twenty million youth have left the country, and $27 billion has been sent abroad." PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan also addressed President Zardari's speech, stating, "Today, we saw Zardari's legacy behind Benazir Bhutto's picture. In his speech, Zardari failed to prove that there is democracy in the country. Zardari did not pass by the opposition chambers and is still a controversial president." He added, "Our protest, as seen today, will continue. Decisions are being made outside the parliament, and the house is not being given priority. We have already stated that the assembly is incomplete, and this should be acknowledged." Also speaking at the press conference, Opposition Leader in the Senate, Senator Shibli Faraz, condemned the passage of laws in the Senate, stating that they lacked both moral and legal legitimacy. "The Senate is not even representative of all provinces," he said, adding, "How can elections take place and bills be passed without the representation of one province?" The opposition's leaders continued to express their discontent with the government's approach to governance and the ongoing political situation in Pakistan. They stressed the need for a more accountable and transparent system, along with fair representation and economic reforms to address the country's growing challenges.
Express Tribune
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI urges judiciary to expedite election rigging cases, 26th Amendment decision
Listen to article The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has called on the judiciary to expedite cases related to alleged rigging in the 2024 nationwide polls and the controversial 26th Constitutional Amendment, seeking "wise decisions" for the country's betterment. PTI leaders, including Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz, and Salman Akram Raja, held a press conference in Islamabad on Monday to voice these demands. Khan criticised the formation of a "Form 47" government, claiming the PTI's mandate was undermined. He alleged that PTI had filed 74 petitions against vote rigging in the February 8 elections, but the courts had yet to issue verdicts. He also spoke out against the 26th Constitutional Amendment, which saw the appointment of 46 judges to the superior judiciary, including several in provincial courts. The appointments have faced criticism from some Supreme Court judges, the legal community, and PTI itself, which boycotted the Judicial Commission of Pakistan's (JCP) meeting. PTI has demanded that the case regarding the amendment be heard and decided promptly. Ayub also addressed the press conference, demanding the release of all political prisoners, including PTI founder Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023. He argued that the judiciary should uphold the rule of law and release those held on political charges, including former premiers, party leaders, and activists. He highlighted that Khan's jail conditions had worsened, with limited access and a lack of amenities. Furthermore, PTI secretary general called for more judges to be appointed to election tribunals to address election-related petitions in Punjab, which currently has only two jurists handling such cases. Raja stressed that the current Parliament lacked legal grounds due to the "stolen mandate" that PTI believes has been suppressed. Faraz, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, reiterated that the country could not achieve political stability without free and fair elections, stressing the need for legislation that would provide relief to the nation. PTI is also working to form a grand opposition alliance, with plans for anti-government protests post-Eid, led by imprisoned party founder Imran Khan. The alliance would focus on objectives such as restoring the constitution and democracy. PTI's previous protests, especially following Khan's arrest in 2023, turned violent, resulting in clashes with law enforcement and military trials for those involved.
Times of Oman
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Imran Khan asks party to launch strong political movement after Ramzan, engage with Opposition
Islamabad: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan has asked his party to launch a strong political movement after Ramzan and directed two senior leaders to contact opposition, The Express Tribune reported. Khan's lawyer Faisal Chaudhry made the announcement while speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail after meeting PTI founder. Chaudhry said Imran Khan asked PTI leaders - Asad Qaiser and Omar Ayub to establish communication with opposition parties. He also called on establishment to consider facts that he has mentioned in his open letters. Imran Khan's lawyer said that PTI leaders having legal cases lodged against them face controlled trials in Adiala Jail while those who quit the party after May 9 protests have been spared legal consequences. Faisal Chaudhry said that PTI has filed a petition in Islamabad High Court for requesting an open trial. He claimed that lawyers and journalists were selectively permitted inside the courtroom. "Lawyers and journalists are selectively allowed inside the courtroom. The judiciary is being crushed, and basic rights are being violated," The Express Tribune quoted him as saying. Imran Khan's lawyer called events that happened on May 9, 2023 a false flag operation and demanded an independent judicial commission to conduct probe into the incidents. He further said, "We seek justice under the Constitution and law. We disagree with the Supreme Court bench's remarks on military courts." Faisal Chaudhry also quoted Imran Khan to highlight economic crisis and human rights violations in Pakistan. "The sanctity of homes was violated in crackdowns against PTI. Basic human rights are being trampled. With media censorship and internet restrictions, who will invest in Pakistan?", Faisal Chaudhry quoted Imran Khan as saying. He claimed that Pakistan suffered an economic loss of USD 45 million after PTI's removal and PM Shehbaz Sharif-led government was formed "on the shoulders of Form 47," The Express Tribune reported. Last week, Imran Khan wrote a second open letter to Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, alleging that the country's largest political party is being "targeted," Geo News reported. "I wrote an open letter to the Army Chief (you) with sincere intentions for the betterment of the country and the nation, aiming to bridge the growing divide between the military and the public. However, the response was extremely irresponsible and unserious," Geo News quoted the letter penned by Imran Khan. PTI leader asserted that he had dedicated his entire life to bringing global recognition to Pakistan. "My 55 years of public life since the 1970s and my 30 years of earnings are fully transparent. My life and death are solely tied to Pakistan," the letter read. Former Pakistan PM Imran Khan expressed his concerns regarding the military's image and the potential consequences of the widening gap between the public and the army, citing them as the reason for writing this letter. Referring to his first letter to the Army Chief, Khan claimed that 90 per cent of the public would have supported the six points he had highlighted if they had been consulted. In the letter, he alleged that the government was installed by manipulating election results through pre-poll rigging. "The authorities passed the 26th Constitutional Amendment through parliament to control the judiciary and Peca [Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act] to silence dissent," he added. He noted that political instability and the "might is right" policy plunged the country's economy into chaos. Khan regretted that the country's "largest political party" was being targeted and all state institutions were being used for political engineering and revenge, according to Geo News report. Referring to his imprisonment, he claimed that he had been placed in solitary confinement and deprived of sunlight for 20 days. "My exercise equipment, television, and even newspapers have been taken away. They restrict my access to books whenever they wish. Besides those 20 days, I was also locked up for another 40 hours. In the last six months, I have been allowed to speak to my sons only three times," he added.
