ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Health has reported that poliovirus was detected in 11 environmental samples across Pakistan in October 2023.
These samples were found in seven different cities, including Pishin, Quetta, Chaman, Bannu, Peshawar, Lahore, and Karachi.
The report from the National Emergency Operation Centre for Polio Eradication also mentioned that this brought the total number of samples for the ongoing year to 54. Additionally, four positive cases of poliovirus have been detected in Pakistan this year.
Polio remains a concern in Pakistan, which is one of the few countries globally where poliovirus has not been eradicated. Efforts to eliminate the virus continue, but challenges persist in certain areas, leading to sporadic cases and environmental samples testing positive for the virus.
Ministry of Energy in Pakistan Proposes Plan to Tackle Power Sector Circular Debt
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy in Pakistan has proposed a plan to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to reduce the power sector circular debt, which stands at Rs 2.3 trillion. The plan involves a combination of budget subsidies, policy, and agreement revisions.
This proposal has been shared with a committee of the civil-military forum and will be fine-tuned in consultation with the Ministry of Finance. However, the interim Finance Minister has declined any further “fiscalization” of power-sector losses through budget subsidies.
Over the years, the energy ministry has used substantial subsidies to support the power sector, which has been grappling with high losses, low recoveries, unbudgeted subsidies, and problematic agreements. The circular debt reached Rs2.31 trillion as of June this year.
The Ministry of Finance allocated Rs976 billion in subsidies for the current fiscal year to maintain the debt at its existing level, in accordance with an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
