Latest news with #PSCM
Business Recorder
02-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Sindh, WFP launch Rs578mn School Meals Pilot project in Malir
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Coco Ushiyama, the Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), discussed collaborative efforts in maternal and child healthcare and launching Rs578.39 million pilot project for school meals in the Malir District, to provide daily meals to 11,000 primary school students in grades Kachhi to 5, with the goal of improving their learning, attendance, and nutrition. The meeting, held at CM House, focused on enhancing ongoing initiatives such as the Nashonuma and Mamta programs and decided on a joint effort to combat malnutrition and improve school retention through a new school feeding scheme, said a statement on Thursday. It was attended by PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary School Education Zahid Abbasi, Secretary Social Protection Department Muzamil Halepoto, and Secretary Health Rehan Baloch. The WFP delegation consisted of Hilde Bergsama, Head of the Provincial Office, and Policy Officer Salma Yaqub. Ushiyama provided an overview of WFP's current programs in Sindh, with a special emphasis on Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN). She discussed areas, including stunting, wasting, Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT), and food supplement distribution to address malnutrition. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed appreciation for WFP's contributions and shared details of the Sindh government's health-focused initiatives. These initiatives include support for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children suffering from malnutrition, through two major programs: the federal Benazir Income Support Program's (BISP) Nashonuma initiative and the provincial Mother and Child Support Program (Mamta). The meeting also addressed concerns regarding the perceived duplication between the two programs. It was concluded that while some overlaps exist, the designs of the two programs are largely complementary. BISP Nashonuma targets beneficiaries through the national Kafalat registry, while the Mamta program allows for self-enrollment across 15 Sindh districts. It was agreed that both initiatives should continue, given their shared goal of improving maternal and child health among the ultra-poor. While Nashonuma is focused primarily on food supplements, Mamta emphasises financial support through CCTs. To enhance coordination and reduce redundancy, three action points were established, including revisiting the technical designs of both programs to align conditionalities for inclusive service delivery; establishing a two-way data-sharing mechanism to identify overlaps, optimise resources, and fill service gaps; and developing a joint enrollment and targeting framework to streamline beneficiary identification and service delivery. The Chief Minister and the WFP delegation also agreed to explore future joint interventions to address the impacts of climate change, particularly concerning Sindh's vulnerable populations. The Sindh government and WFP will co-finance a one-year pilot of the School Meals Project in Malir District for the 2025–26 school year, Rs 578.39 million. The program aims to provide daily hot meals to 11,000 primary school students (Grades Kachhi to 5) to improve learning, attendance, and nutrition. The Sindh government will contribute Rs 462.71 million (80 per cent), while WFP will provide Rs 115.68 million (20pc). This initiative is designed to combat classroom hunger, enhance concentration and academic performance, and reduce gender disparities by incentivising girls' education. A centralised kitchen system will be established for meal preparation, packaging, and distribution. The meals will include lentils, rice/bread, vegetables, and a weekly serving of fruit. The Sindh Food Authority, along with a dedicated Food Safety Officer, will ensure hygiene and nutritional standards. WFP will oversee implementation through a third-party contractor and will lead monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The pilot will specifically target peri-urban schools in Malir that have basic infrastructure, clean water, and sanitation facilities. Schools must also meet minimum student enrollment thresholds. A robust monitoring system will track key metrics such as enrollment, retention, and attendance, to maintain 70 pc daily attendance. WFP will conduct baseline and endline evaluations to inform potential scaling-up across Sindh. Data from the Education Management Information System (EMIS) and school records will be utilised to measure impact. The Chief Minister emphasised that, beyond educational benefits, the project is expected to reduce malnutrition, stimulate local job creation through food procurement, and strengthen community food systems. He also highlighted the program's potential to empower girls by providing targeted incentives and improving school participation. 'The pilot will offer crucial insights into sustainable school meal delivery models and guide future efforts for scaling up across Sindh,' Murad Shah concluded.
Business Recorder
02-05-2025
- Health
- Business Recorder
Sindh, WFP launch Rs578m School Meals Pilot project in Malir
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Coco Ushiyama, the Country Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), discussed collaborative efforts in maternal and child healthcare and launching Rs578.39 million pilot project for school meals in the Malir District, to provide daily meals to 11,000 primary school students in grades Kachhi to 5, with the goal of improving their learning, attendance, and nutrition. The meeting, held at CM House, focused on enhancing ongoing initiatives such as the Nashonuma and Mamta programs and decided on a joint effort to combat malnutrition and improve school retention through a new school feeding scheme, said a statement on Thursday. It was attended by PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Secretary School Education Zahid Abbasi, Secretary Social Protection Department Muzamil Halepoto, and Secretary Health Rehan Baloch. The WFP delegation consisted of Hilde Bergsama, Head of the Provincial Office, and Policy Officer Salma Yaqub. Ushiyama provided an overview of WFP's current programs in Sindh, with a special emphasis on Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN). She discussed areas, including stunting, wasting, Conditional Cash Transfers (CCT), and food supplement distribution to address malnutrition. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed appreciation for WFP's contributions and shared details of the Sindh government's health-focused initiatives. These initiatives include support for pregnant and lactating women, as well as children suffering from malnutrition, through two major programs: the federal Benazir Income Support Program's (BISP) Nashonuma initiative and the provincial Mother and Child Support Program (Mamta). The meeting also addressed concerns regarding the perceived duplication between the two programs. It was concluded that while some overlaps exist, the designs of the two programs are largely complementary. BISP Nashonuma targets beneficiaries through the national Kafalat registry, while the Mamta program allows for self-enrollment across 15 Sindh districts. It was agreed that both initiatives should continue, given their shared goal of improving maternal and child health among the ultra-poor. While Nashonuma is focused primarily on food supplements, Mamta emphasises financial support through CCTs. To enhance coordination and reduce redundancy, three action points were established, including revisiting the technical designs of both programs to align conditionalities for inclusive service delivery; establishing a two-way data-sharing mechanism to identify overlaps, optimise resources, and fill service gaps; and developing a joint enrollment and targeting framework to streamline beneficiary identification and service delivery. The Chief Minister and the WFP delegation also agreed to explore future joint interventions to address the impacts of climate change, particularly concerning Sindh's vulnerable populations. The Sindh government and WFP will co-finance a one-year pilot of the School Meals Project in Malir District for the 2025–26 school year, Rs 578.39 million. The program aims to provide daily hot meals to 11,000 primary school students (Grades Kachhi to 5) to improve learning, attendance, and nutrition. The Sindh government will contribute Rs 462.71 million (80 per cent), while WFP will provide Rs 115.68 million (20pc). This initiative is designed to combat classroom hunger, enhance concentration and academic performance, and reduce gender disparities by incentivising girls' education. A centralised kitchen system will be established for meal preparation, packaging, and distribution. The meals will include lentils, rice/bread, vegetables, and a weekly serving of fruit. The Sindh Food Authority, along with a dedicated Food Safety Officer, will ensure hygiene and nutritional standards. WFP will oversee implementation through a third-party contractor and will lead monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The pilot will specifically target peri-urban schools in Malir that have basic infrastructure, clean water, and sanitation facilities. Schools must also meet minimum student enrollment thresholds. A robust monitoring system will track key metrics such as enrollment, retention, and attendance, to maintain 70 pc daily attendance. WFP will conduct baseline and endline evaluations to inform potential scaling-up across Sindh. Data from the Education Management Information System (EMIS) and school records will be utilised to measure impact. The Chief Minister emphasised that, beyond educational benefits, the project is expected to reduce malnutrition, stimulate local job creation through food procurement, and strengthen community food systems. He also highlighted the program's potential to empower girls by providing targeted incentives and improving school participation. 'The pilot will offer crucial insights into sustainable school meal delivery models and guide future efforts for scaling up across Sindh,' Murad Shah concluded.
Associated Press
07-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Pershing Square Extends Standstill with Howard Hughes Holdings
Pershing Square Holdco, L.P. ('Pershing Square'), the parent holding company of Pershing Square Capital Management, L.P. ('PSCM'), today announced that PSCM has further extended the term of its standstill agreement with Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HHH) ('HHH') to facilitate ongoing discussions regarding the proposal previously announced by Pershing Square on February 18, 2025 and potential alternatives. On April 5, 2025, the term of the standstill agreement was extended from 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on April 7, 2025 to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on April 15, 2025. There can be no assurance that the foregoing will result in any particular outcome, and Pershing Square does not intend to comment further on these matters until Pershing Square determines that additional disclosure is appropriate or required by law. Important Additional Information and Where to Find It This communication is not a recommendation to buy, sell or exchange any securities, and it does not constitute an offer to sell or buy or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any securities. Information about Pershing Square and certain of the matters discussed in this press release is described in Pershing Square's Schedule 13D relating to HHH available at the SEC's website at Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words 'believe,' 'project,' 'expect,' 'anticipate,' 'estimate,' 'intend,' 'strategy,' 'future,' 'opportunity,' 'plan,' 'may,' 'should,' 'will,' 'would,' 'will be,' 'will continue,' 'will likely result,' and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this release. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Pershing Square assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Pershing Square does not give any assurance that Pershing Square will achieve its expectations. The inclusion of any statement in this press release does not constitute an admission by Pershing Square or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statement are material. Pershing Square is the parent holding company of PSCM, a New York-based SEC-registered investment advisor to investment funds. Francis McGill 212-909-2455 SOURCE: Pershing Square Holdco, L.P. Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/07/2025 08:30 AM/DISC: 04/07/2025 08:33 AM
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sindh revenue collection grows 37%
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah chaired a meeting to review the mid-year tax collection performance and found that against a target of Rs618,966 million, the provincial government agencies have recovered Rs312,000 million during the last eight months of 2024-25, indicating a 37 per cent growth compared to last year and achieving 50.41 per cent of the target. The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by Minister Excise & Taxation Mukesh Kumar Chawla, PSCM Agha Wasif, SMBR Baqaullah Unar, Secretary Finance Fayaz Jatoi and Secretary Excise Saleem Rajput and others concerned. During the briefing, it was reported that the provincial tax collecting agencies have been assigned a target of Rs618,966 million for the 2024-25 fiscal year. The provincial government agencies were expected to collect Rs412,644 million during the eight months (July 2024 to Feb 2025); however, the actual collection was recorded at Rs312,000 million.
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
CM approves four-year health improvement plan
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has approved a four-year health improvement plan (2025-2029) focused on enhancing community outreach, strengthening routine immunisation efforts, and improving governance within the healthcare sector across the province. The decision was made during a high-level meeting he chaired at his office where the key performance indicators of the Health Department were reviewed and targets were outlined to ensure universal access to quality and affordable healthcare services, with a particular focus on women and children. The meeting was attended by Health Minister Dr. Azra Fazal, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Sindh Ombudsman Sohail Rajput, PSCM Agha Wasif, Chairman P&D Najam Shah, Finance Secretary Fayaz Jatoi, Health Secretary Rehan Baloch, and Population Secretary Hafiz Abbasi. The current routine immunisation coverage in Sindh stands at 69%. In an attempt to raise this figure to 95%, the government plans to recruit 5,500 Lady Health Workers (LHWs) and Community Health Workers (CHWs) by 2025-2026. They will be equipped with 5,250 medical kits and IT tools, including mobile phones with GPS tracking. Moreover, 3,500 vaccinators and technical staff, such as Cold Chain Engineers and Software Engineers, will be hired. This initiative will be supported by the provision of 21,084 pieces of equipment, including temperature monitoring devices, fridge tags, mobile phones, SIM cards, and motorbikes. An important element of this plan includes the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, with a target of 2.8 million vaccinations by 2028-2029. This will be facilitated by enhancements in the cold chain system and waste management processes, which include the installation of solar energy solutions at 35 divisional centers. CM Shah approved the establishment of 11 new Nutrition Stabilisation Centres (NSCs) and 714 additional Outpatient Therapeutic Program (OTP) sites by 2025-2026. This project is designed to treat 1.24 million malnourished children under the age of five. The nutritional interventions will include the provision of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF), as well as F-75 and F-100 supplements, alongside operational support for 17 stabilisation centres.
