Pakistan is witnessing a blend of technological advancements in public services, escalating environmental challenges, and a vibrant political discourse across its provinces.
**Balochistan Pioneers AI in Healthcare Attendance**
In a significant move towards digitizing public services, Balochistan’s health department has successfully completed the first phase of its AI-powered attendance system for employees. This initiative, designed to enhance accountability and streamline operations, has registered 13,000 out of 36,000 health workers, including Lady Health Workers, across all District Headquarters Hospitals (DHQs) and medical colleges. Authorities report a marked improvement in attendance and have initiated salary deductions for absent staff. The registration for the remaining 23,000 employees is actively underway, with a final deadline set for December 31.
**Environmental Woes: Lahore Chokes Amidst National Pollution Crisis**
The nation continues to battle severe environmental degradation. Lahore has again been ranked as the world’s second most polluted city, recording an alarming Air Particulate Matter index of 337. Numerous other cities across Pakistan are also reporting critically high levels of air pollution. Concurrently, dense fog has blanketed various regions of Punjab, leading to the closure of multiple motorway sections and disrupting transportation.
**Economic Concerns and Political Barbs**
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) has urged the government for a swift resolution to the ongoing strike by goods transporters, citing its adverse impact on the economy.
Politically, the landscape remains charged:
* PML-N leader Amir Muqam criticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi for allegedly evading discussions on the provincial hospital and health crises.
* Minister of State for Finance, Bilal Azhar Kayani, accused the founder of PTI and his party of echoing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rhetoric.
* Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb asserted that all religions are freely represented in the province, while also stating that those who “occupied the country for four years” have been dislodged.
* Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif claimed he was pressured to condemn a statement made by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
**Security Operations and Law Enforcement Updates**
Security forces conducted targeted operations in various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the elimination of 13 militants. In Quetta, authorities took action against violations of the election code of conduct pertaining to local body elections. Meanwhile, police on Thandiani Road faced gunfire from suspect Shamrez and his accomplices during an arrest raid. Separately, a citizen reported missing from Baloch Colony in the morning was safely located in Larkana, with a case registered by his son at the Baloch Colony police station.
**International Condolences and Other National News**
President Asif Ali Zardari and Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori both expressed profound grief over the recent firing incident at a beach in Sydney, Australia. Governor Tessori conveyed his condolences directly to the Australian High Commissioner in Pakistan.
In other national developments:
* The national flag carrier, PIA, categorically refuted a social media campaign targeting its staff, labeling it as baseless and misleading propaganda.
* A new film is reportedly being produced to highlight Lyari’s vibrant sports culture, rich heritage, and positive community aspects.
* YouTubers Rajab Butt and Nadeem Mubarak have approached the courts seeking pre-arrest bail in a case related to the promotion of online gambling.
* Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Finance Advisor Muzammil Aslam reiterated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s pledge to attract $100 billion in investment to the country.
