Universities

PESHAWAR: Caretaker Chief Minister Syed Arshad Hussain Shah chaired a pivotal meeting, deciding to formulate financial strategies for the fiscal autonomy of public sector universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The session also mandated the activation of a search committee responsible for appointing Vice Chancellors, with a one-week deadline for submitting their recommendations to the provincial minister.

Emphasizing enhanced administrative efficiency and governance within universities, the Chief Minister underscored the need to address existing challenges. He urged the promotion of high-quality higher education aligned with market demands and emphasized the significance of research excellence.

Additionally, the Chief Minister called for the synchronization of secondary and higher secondary education systems with the priorities of higher education institutions, encouraging stakeholder consultations for effective alignment.

Medicines In Karachi Sold At Five Times The Standard Rates, Drap Unveils

Meanwhile,

ISLAMABAD: A recent operation led by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) in Karachi has exposed a disconcerting practice of pharmacies and medical stores selling medicines at prices up to five times higher than the approved maximum retail price (MRP).

The crackdown, initiated on the instructions of caretaker Health Minister Dr. Nadeem Jan, is part of a broader effort to curb drug profiteering, with raids conducted on warehouses, wholesalers, distributors, and medical outlets nationwide.

Drap regulations stipulate that pharmaceutical companies can price medicines below the MRP but must not exceed it. Any proposed price increases require a case filed with Drap, demonstrating a justifiable rise in production costs. However, the recent findings in Karachi reveal widespread non-compliance with these regulations.