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High import duties trigger medicine shortage in Pakistan

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 Pakistan is battling an economic crisis as it struggles to manage depleting foreign reserves, handle the economic meltdown, price hikes and now the re-emergence of coronavirus.

However, the presence of Covid in the country, is thinking that it may just be a perfect time to bring back import duties on various items, used for treatment and protection from the virus, which at the moment is declared as tax free by the government.

Pakistan is currently faced with a nationwide shortage of medicines, including various antipyretics, antihistamines, antibiotics and respiratory agents.

Moreover, equipment including nebulizers, face masks and gloves, used by Covid patients, nurses and doctors are also faced with a massive shortage, leaving the country in a spot of bother as sixth wave of coronavirus continues to spread across the country.

“The shortage of drug like Panadol is likely to disappear from the local markets as the sixth wave matures. A packet of Panadol consisting of 100 tablets is being sold in Karachi’s black market for 425 PKR at the moment. Similarly, Panadol CF, an anti-allergy medicine, is also becoming hard to find,” said Muhammad Atif, President of Wholesale Chemists Association.

“Other than that, common cough syrups, drugs used in tuberculosis treatment, as well as vitamin C supplements that are prescribed to patients recovering from Covid-19, are also disappearing from the market owing to the heavy taxes imposed on them,” he added.

The same shortage is being witnessed in other major cities of the country.

Arshad Momand, President of Peshawar Drug Association said “the difference in supply and demand of coronavirus related medicines has triggered a stock-piling situation, where many pharmacies in Peshawar have allegedly started stocking up on drugs and raising market prices”.

“Currently, there is no check and balance in this regard and profiteers are trying to make the most of this brimming crisis. There is widespread shortage of Panadol and face-masks in Peshawar’s open market, much of which is the doing of local hoarders right under the nose of the region’s drug inspectors.”

Similar reports are also coming in from Lahore and Quetta, implying that the whole country is faced with a severe crisis of medicines, which will become a major challenge as the percentage of the spread of coronavirus infection among the locals is increasing with each passing day.

Local manufacturers argue that the lack of supply of raw materials has affected the production, which is why availability of drugs as per demand is not being met.

“There are some 40 drugs that are short in not just Lahore, but various cities across Punjab due to the surge in federal taxes. In addition to that, the depreciation of the rupee against the dollar and local inflation has also discouraged pharmaceutical companies from importing raw materials that are also subject to higher import levies now. The cumulative burden of this has fallen on the people of Punjab, who are struggling to find life-saving drugs amid a sixth spell of the coronavirus,” said a local pharmacist.

The crisis is a result of major duties of about 80 per cent on essentials items like marks, gloves and nebulizing machines.

“The current government has imposed a jaw-dropping 80 per cent duty on masks, 60 per cent on gloves and 30 per cent on nebulizing machines. Duty on masks and other items related to Covid-19 should be abolished immediately, while the SRO should be re-issued to make these essential items duty free,” said Muhammad Hanif Soomro, an Executive Member of the Healthcare Association of Pakistan.

Maharashtra

Mumbai Police Launches Probe In Mithi River Desilting Scam; EOW Raids At Several Locations

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Mumbai: Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) began raids in the Mithi River desilting scam case on Tuesday. Since morning, EOW teams have been conducting raids at more than 8 locations in Mumbai, including offices and residences of contractors and BMC officials.

An FIR was filed in the case, which names five contractors, three middlemen, two company officials, and three BMC officials, accusing them of causing wrongful loss to the BMC by submitting false claims for debris removal. The scam, part of the larger Rs 1,100 crore Mithi River desilting and beautification project, has come under intense scrutiny.

Earlier in April, EOW questioned 10 contractors and asked the BMC to submit CCTV footage uploaded on its official portal that allegedly documented the quantity of debris removed from the riverbed. Cops are examining whether the debris was actually removed, and if the removal process was documented through weighing, videography or photography, as mandated in the contracts.

The investigation also includes an audit of contracts awarded for both desilting and beautification, reviewing terms and conditions, and verifying records maintained by the BMC and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

This probe marked the sixth SIT formed by EOW to investigate civic contract irregularities in Mumbai, following earlier cases such as the Khichdi scam, COVID-19 centre scam, Lifeline Hospital scam and body bag procurement scam.

In March, EOW officials had already recorded statements from six civic officials directly involved in tender processes and monitoring of debris disposal. Field inspections were also conducted along a 17-km stretch of the Mithi River, with focus areas including Bandra and Kurla, to collect physical evidence.

The Mithi River desilting project dates back to post-July 2005 floods, when the Maharashtra government decided to desilt and widen the 17.8-km river stretch. Of this, the BMC was assigned responsibility for an 11.84-km section from Powai to Kurla, while the MMRDA took charge of the remaining six kilometres, from Kurla to Mahim Causeway.

In August 2024, the Maharashtra Legislative Council had directed the formation of an SIT to probe alleged financial misappropriation after BJP MLCs Prasad Lad and Pravin Darekar raised concerns in the Council.

As part of the preliminary inquiry, the EOW SIT had earlier summoned and questioned three contractors, Rishabh Jain, Manish Kasaliwala and Shersingh Rathod. The probe was later widened to include BMC officials, as evidence of irregularities in tender execution began to surface.

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Maharashtra

Ajaz Khan’s Troubles Increase – Rape Case Filed for Deceiving Model with False Promise of Marriage

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House Arrest Show Had Also Invited the Model

Mumbai: A rape case has been registered against film actor Ajaz Khan at the Charkop Police Station in Mumbai. Ajaz Khan allegedly developed a relationship with a 30-year-old model-actress under the pretense of getting her roles in films and TV serials, and then sexually exploited her. Following this, the victim filed a complaint against him with the police.

Ajaz Khan allegedly had non-consensual sexual relations with the victim on April 4. The police have registered the case under relevant sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita), including Sections 69, 74, 64, and 64(2)(M).

Ajaz Khan first met the victim during the “House Arrest” show, which he was hosting. However, the victim later declined to work in the show. Around that time, Ajaz took her phone number and began communicating with her. On March 24, he called her and later initiated video calls, during which he spoke of his belief in God and even tempted her with a promise of marriage.

The victim stated that when she mentioned her sister was still unmarried, Ajaz Khan proceeded to establish a physical relationship with her at Bhoomi Park in Kandivali, against her will. Later, on April 4, he called her to SV Road and sexually exploited her again.

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Maharashtra

The process of removing loudspeakers from Mumbai mosques has begun, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has issued notices to mosques due to police pressure.

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Mumbai: The process of removing loudspeakers from mosques in Mumbai has now begun. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, through the Loudspeaker Mukt Mumbai campaign, has now started removing loudspeakers from mosques in the city and suburbs, which is causing resentment among Muslims. Kirit Somaiya today visited Andheri and Kurla VB Nagar police stations and, citing the orders of the state government and the High Court, demanded action against the loudspeakers of mosques. Meanwhile, the police have assured that the loudspeakers of both the constituencies will be removed in the next 10 days. Similarly, action has also been started in Ghatkopar and Vikhroli, a northern suburb of Mumbai. Here, the police have given a notice to Hill No. 4 Madrasa Anjuman Risalat Haq in Ghatkopar, which said It has been ordered that the loudspeaker be removed from here. Citing the violation of noise pollution norms, instructions have been given to remove the loudspeaker and along with this, instructions have been given to install two box-shaped speakers. If the loudspeaker is not removed, legal action will be taken and the loudspeaker will be confiscated.

The process of removing loudspeakers from mosques in Mumbai city and suburbs has now started. Kirit Somaiya has intensified her campaign. Today, while visiting VB Nagar and Andheri police stations, she has also instructed the police to remove the loudspeakers. Mumbai Police has now started sending notices to remove loudspeakers from mosques, which has created a problem of law and order. Despite this, Kirit Somaiya is adamant about removing loudspeakers from mosques. In such a situation, it is also a big challenge for the newly elected Police Commissioner Deven Bharti to maintain law and order. Earlier, to control Kirit Somaiya’s mischief, the police had banned Kirit Somaiya from visiting the Muslim-majority area of ​​Bhandup, but despite this, Kirit Somaiya visited here. Now the atmosphere of hatred has increased so much that this campaign has also created a threat of communal tension.

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