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From HIV to monkeypox

Recently, BBC London broadcasted a documentary showing how hundreds of young children were infected with HIV in a public sector hospital in Punjab. Their undercover video footage showed staff reusing syringes and other lax infection control practices. It is deeply problematic that this outbreak was reported a year ago and the Punjab government had promised to make changes so that it never happens again. The Department of Health responded by doubling down and refusing to accept that this has happened recently, while BBC stands by its claim that the footage is current. In Sindh, more than 100 people - predominantly children - were reported with Mpox (popularly called monkeypox). Around 30 patients were lab-confirmed, with nine deaths. Most cases came from Khairpur in Sindh and could be traced back to some public healthcare facilities. A high fatality Mpox outbreak is perplexing, but once you put the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle together, it becomes clear that the lack of infection control...
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Two arrested as police foiled bid to smuggle Iranian currency worth over Rs2bn

Railway Police Quetta Division on Sunday foiled two major attempts to smuggle Iranian currency within a span of just two days, arresting two suspects and recovering currency worth billions of rupees. According to a statement issued by the Railway Police, officials recovered Iranian currency worth Rs1.70 billion in one case and Rs560 million in another. "Both suspects were arrested on the spot for failing to produce any legal licence or documentation and were later handed over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) along with the recovered currency," said the statement. It added that in the first operation, carried out during routine checking at Quetta Railway Station, a team led by Inspector/Station House Officer Muhammad Shahbaz searched a passenger travelling on the Jaffar Express. "The suspect, identified as Muhammad Zafar Iqbal was found attempting to smuggle Iranian currency concealed in crates of dates, allegedly destined for Lahore. During the search, currency ...
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Iran reviews proposals as Trump says 'very good talks going on'

Iran said on Saturday that it was reviewing proposals from the United States as President Donald Trump said that "very good" conversations were ongoing between the two countries amid a temporary ceasefire in their hostilities. Iran's Press TV issued a statement on X from the Secretariat of the Supreme National Security Council that Iran was reviewing proposals from the US that were delivered by Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of the Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir during his visit to Tehran. It said Iran had not yet given a response to them. 🔺Recently, with the Pakistani army commander in Tehran as mediator, new proposals have been put forward by the Americans. The Islamic Republic of Iran is reviewing them and has not yet responded. — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) April 18, 2026 Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz again today, warning mariners that the vital energy route was again closed, but President Donald Trump said Tehran could not blackmail the US by s...
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French soldier killed in attack on UN mission in southern Lebanon, officials say

A French soldier was killed and three others wounded while clearing a road in southern Lebanon ​in an attack that UNIFIL peacekeepers and French officials alleged on Saturday was likely ‌carried out by Hezbollah. UNIFIL said initial assessments indicated the fire came from non-state ​actors, allegedly Hezbollah, and that an investigation had been launched into what it ⁠called "a deliberate attack". “Sergeant Major Florian Montorio of the 17th Parachute Engineer Regiment in Montauban was killed this morning in southern Lebanon during an attack against UNIFIL,” French President Emmanuel Macron said in a post on X. Le Sergent-chef Florian Montorio du 17eme régiment du génie parachutiste de Montauban est tombé ce matin au sud-Liban lors d’une attaque contre la FINUL. Trois de ses frères d’armes sont blessés et ont été évacués. La Nation s’incline avec respect… — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) April 18, 2026 “Everything suggests that Hezbollah is responsible for this attack,” h...
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Barrister Aqeel Malik says US-Iran deal near, calls coming week ‘significant’ for Pakistan

Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik said on Friday the coming week would be “quite significant” for Pakistan, as Islamabad was once again expected to host talks between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the Middle East war. Pakistan is mediating between the US and Iran after the war began on February 28 and has hosted the highest-level talks between the two sides since they snapped diplomatic ties in 1979. Speaking to a private news channel, Malik said the government had completed preparations for the next round of talks, including preventive security measures. He added that, as in the previous round, foolproof security would be ensured, with even stronger arrangements this time. “Within a few hours or by later tonight, things will start becoming clearer. I will not give a specific date or time, but the coming week appears to be very significant for Pakistan, especially for Islamabad,” he said. Malik added that today's announcement by Iranian Foreign Ministe...
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Pakistan seeks ‘permanent’ end to war, urges US and Iran for ‘flexibility’: FM Dar

Pakistan wants a “permanent termination” of the US-Israeli war on Iran, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Friday, calling on Washington and Tehran to “show flexibility”. Pakistan is mediating between the US and Iran after the war began on February 28 and has hosted the highest-level talks between the two sides since they snapped diplomatic ties in 1979. Islamabad’s “objective is not ceasefire extension. Our main objective is the permanent termination of war" and an agreement between the parties, FM Dar told the high-level segment of the forum in the Turkish resort city of Antalya. About Pakistan’s ongoing mediation, FM Dar said: “More than 80% of the work has been done. And a couple of things are [remaining] … both parties have to show flexibility.” Read More: Iran FM announces Hormuz's opening for all commercial vessels till ceasefire's remaining duration The statement by FM Dar urging the US and Iran to show some fle...
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Pakistan, UK launch initiative to strengthen geoscientific capacity, mineral sector

Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, along with British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott, on Thursday launched a capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening the country's geoscientific capabilities and supporting the development of the mineral sector. The programme was formally inaugurated at the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), marking a significant step in Pakistan-UK collaboration. The initiative is being delivered through the UK-funded REMIT programme in partnership with International Geoscience Services (IGS), a UK-based geoscience consultancy with extensive experience in supporting geological survey organisations worldwide. The programme will run from April to July 2026 and aims to enhance GSP’s technical capacity through hands-on training aligned with international standards. Speaking at the event, the minister expressed gratitude to the British official for her support and said the timing of the initiative was particularly appropriate....
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