Foreign vets treat Pakistani elephant Noor Jehan, say survival chances 'getting better'

Amir Khalil, Director of the project development at FOUR PAWS International, sedates a 17-year-old African elephant Noor Jahan, during a medical assessment at the zoo in Karachi, Pakistan on April 5, 2023. (REUTERS)
Short Url
Updated 05 April 2023
Follow

Foreign vets treat Pakistani elephant Noor Jehan, say survival chances 'getting better'

  • Foreign vets carry out ultrasound, endoscopy procedures on Pakistani elephant Noor Jehan
  • Head of foreign vets says tests revealed the elephant is suffering from 'serious problems'

KARACHI: Ailing Pakistani elephant Noor Jehan's chances of survival are "getting better", the head of a foreign team of veterinarians said on Wednesday, though adding that the animal suffers from "serious problems" and needed to be relocated to a larger space.

The team of vets from FOUR PAWS, a Vienna-based global animal welfare organization, visited the southern port city of Karachi on Tuesday to administer care to Noor Jehan at the zoo. Members of the team, who hail from Austria and Egypt, arrived in the South Asian country after videos of the elephant struggling to stand due to swelling in her joints, triggered widespread concerns for her safety.

Noor Jehan—named after the late iconic Pakistani singer—was brought to Pakistan in 2009 with Madhubala and two other elephants after they were caught in Tanzania by an animal trader. Noor Jehan and Madhubala were sent to Karachi Zoo while the other two, Malaika and Sonu, were shifted to the Karachi Safari Park.

After running tests and an initial examination on Tuesday, Dr. Amir Khalil, the Egyptian veterinarian heading the team that also includes animal experts, had said the elephant's chances of survival were 50-50. A day later, Dr. Khalil said his opinion has changed after his team performed ultrasound and endoscopy procedures on the animal.

“I see there is a roadmap, I think Noor Jehan is young. She deserves to live another 20 or 30 years, so I see her chances are getting better, she has a chance to survive and with hard work, it is possible," Dr. Khalil told Arab News.

However, he said the ultrasound and endoscopy procedures found Noor Jehan suffering from "serious problems."

"A part of her intestine is pressuring the inside bladder or the urethra and this is creating a side effect for the elephant in urination," he said, adding that Noor Jehan needed medical and physical treatment.

"This is not the best optimum place to keep elephants here, in the zoo in Karachi," he said, adding that the elephant needed "more space" to walk.

Dr. Marina Ivanova, a senior project manager at FOUR PAWS who had also been part of the team that examined Noor Jehan, said the elephant's diagnosis was carried out with the help of a crane as it could not stand in a stable condition.

“The ultrasound showed that most probably there was a trauma before because we saw a hematoma (a pool of clotted blood) that is actually bringing this kind of symptoms in movement,” she told Arab News, adding that the condition was dangerous and required care.

Dr. Ivanova said it was difficult to predict how the medical condition would turn out in future, adding that the team can only ensure proper care is given to the animal. She said Noor Jehan's treatment would require physical procedures such as massages under high water pressure, which was provided to the elephant with the help of a fire brigade at the zoo.

She said Noor Jehan's treatment would also require a special medication scheme, which both local and foreign veterinarians will prepare. “The best scheme for Noor Jahan's treatment [will be] based on medications that are available here, because we need to have easy access to medications to treat her,” she said.

Karachi Administrator Dr. Syed Saifur Rehman said the two distressed elephants could not be moved to Karachi Safari Park, as per an earlier recommendation from FOUR PAWS, due to logistical issues.

“There were some issues about logistics, but we have decided to shift these two, Madhubala and Noor Jehan, as Noor Jehan will be much better after these procedures," Rehman told Arab News.

"We will take care of these elephants in Safari park,” he said, adding that proper homes for animals, with ponds and other attractions, would be constructed.

Sindh Governor Muhammad Kamran Tessori, who remained in the zoo during the procedure, criticized the zoo's administrator for being absent.

“I have come to know about many issues here which need to be addressed," Tessori told reporters. "We are unable to do anything here. Food is scarce here, there is no maintenance and there are water issues."

He added that authorities would construct a hospital for animals and a laboratory will also be set up in the zoo, advising the administrator to solve budgetary issues.

The development takes place a couple of years after Kaavan, dubbed as the “world’s loneliest elephant,” was released from a ramshackle zoo in Pakistan's capital Islamabad. Animal rights activists had campaigned against the plight of the 35-year-old elephant who had lived alone since the death of his mate.

Kaavan was transferred to Cambodia in late 2020 in a blaze of publicity after his plight caught the attention of US superstar Cher, who helped raise funds for the jumbo relocation.  


Perpetrators of Bishkek mob violence will be punished, Kyrgyz FM assures Pakistani counterpart

Updated 21 May 2024
Follow

Perpetrators of Bishkek mob violence will be punished, Kyrgyz FM assures Pakistani counterpart

  • Frenzied mobs targeted hostels of medical universities and private lodgings of international students, including Pakistanis, in Bishkek last week
  • FM Ishaq Dar told his Kyrgyz counterpart Pakistan’s main concern was the safety of its nationals, especially students, affected by Friday’s violence

ISLAMABAD: Kyrgyzstan’s Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev on Monday met Pakistan’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister, Ishaq Dar, in Astana and assured him the Kyrgyz government would bring to justice perpetrators of last week’s mob attacks on foreign students in Bishkek, Pakistani state media reported.

Frenzied mobs targeted hostels of medical universities and private lodgings of international students, including Pakistanis, in Bishkek last week after videos of a brawl between Kyrgyz and Egyptian students went viral on social media.

Pakistan has since then ramped efforts to repatriate its students from the city and more than 600 Pakistani students have returned home via three different flights. According to official statistics, around 10,000 Pakistani students are enrolled in various educational institutions in Kyrgyzstan, with nearly 6,000 residing and studying in Bishkek.

The meeting between Dar and his Kyrgyz counterpart was held in Astana, Kazakhstan on the sidelines of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization’s (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.

“Kyrgyz government has taken swift action to restore law and order in the country, and the perpetrators of the mob riots would be punished under the Kyrgyz law,” the report quoted FM Kulubaev as telling his Pakistani counterpart.

During the meeting, Dar shared concerns about Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan and requested Foreign Minister Kulubaev to ensure their security, according to the report.

He underlined that Pakistan’s main concern was the well-being of its nationals, especially the students who were primarily affected by last week’s violence.

“Bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kyrgyz Republic, especially in the domains of energy, connectivity, trade and people-to-people contacts also came under discussion,” the report read.

“Both the dignitaries expressed satisfaction at the progress of established bilateral institutional mechanisms.”

Dar arrived in Kazakhstan on Monday to represent Pakistan at the two-day meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers. He will also hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts on the sidelines of the summit.

Founded in 2001, the SCO is a major trans-regional organization spanning South and Central Asia, with China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan as its permanent members. The SCO member states collectively represent nearly half of the world’s population and a quarter of global economic output.

The organization’s agenda of promoting peace and stability, and seeking enhanced linkages in infrastructure, economic, trade and cultural spheres, is aligned with Pakistan’s own vision of enhancing economic connectivity as well as peace and stability in the region.

Since becoming a full member of the SCO in 2017, Pakistan has been actively contributing toward advancing the organization’s core objectives through its participation in various SCO mechanisms.


Pakistan seeks ‘viable business plan’ for state-owned broadcasting corporations

Updated 20 May 2024
Follow

Pakistan seeks ‘viable business plan’ for state-owned broadcasting corporations

  • A cabinet committee recognized ‘strategic nature’ of Pakistan Television Corporation, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation
  • The development comes amid Pakistan’s push for privatization, reforms in loss-making state enterprises for IMF bailout

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government on Monday sought a “viable business plan” for two state-owned broadcasting corporations, the Finance Division said, amid the South Asian country’s push for reforms in loss-making state entities.

The statement came after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises (CCoSOEs) in Islamabad, which was presided over by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.

The development comes amid Pakistan’s push for privatization and reforms in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) as it negotiates with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) a fresh bailout program.

The cabinet committee reviewed a proposal of the information ministry regarding the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) and the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC).

“The CCoSOEs recognized the strategic nature of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC) and Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) and directed the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MoIB) to present a viable business plan to the committee for efficient management of these enterprises,” the Finance Division said in a statement.

Under the last $3 billion IMF program that helped Pakistan avert a debt default last year, the lender said SOEs whose losses were burning a hole in government finances would need stronger governance.

To negotiate a fresh bailout with the IMF, Pakistan must implement an ambitious reforms agenda, including the privatization of debt-ridden SOEs.

Among the main entities Pakistan is pushing to privatize is its national flag carrier, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The government is putting on the block a stake ranging from 51 percent to 100 percent.


Pakistan PM prays for recovery of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman

Updated 20 May 2024
Follow

Pakistan PM prays for recovery of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman

  • Saudi king is due to undergo treatment for lung inflammation, SPA reported
  • Shehbaz Sharif says King Salman sincere friend of Pakistan, guide for Muslim world

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday extended prayers for the recovery of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, who is due to undergo treatment for lung inflammation.

The treatment will consist of a course of antibiotics at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

The king underwent medical tests at the royal clinics at the palace earlier on Sunday after he suffered from a high temperature and joint pain.

“I have learnt with grave concern about the health of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz. His Majesty is not only a sincere friend of Pakistan but as the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, a leader and guide for the entire Muslim ummah,” Sharif said on X.

“The people of Pakistan join me in praying to the Almighty for His Majesty’s complete recovery and swift return to full health.”

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and cultural ties. The Kingdom is home to a large number of Pakistani expatriates and serves as the top source of remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian country.

Saudi Arabia has also often come to cash-strapped Pakistan’s aid by regularly providing it oil on deferred payment and offering direct financial support to help stabilize its economy and shore up its forex reserves.


England relish ‘fear factor’ of returning paceman Archer against Pakistan

Updated 21 May 2024
Follow

England relish ‘fear factor’ of returning paceman Archer against Pakistan

  • Injuries have blighted Archer’s international career and he has not played top-level cricket for 14 months
  • But he is in England squad for four-match T20 series against Pakistan, starting this week, and the World Cup

LONDON: England are eager to unleash Jofra Archer’s “fear factor” against Pakistan as the paceman prepares to return from a long injury lay-off ahead of next month’s T20 World Cup, says team-mate Sam Curran.

Injuries have blighted Archer’s international career and he has not played top-level cricket for 14 months due to back and elbow issues.

He has managed just 15 Twenty20 appearances for England since making his international debut five years ago but is in the squad for their four-match T20 series against Pakistan, starting this week, and the World Cup.

The 29-year-old has been building up his fitness by playing club cricket in Barbados and last week took a wicket for Sussex’s second XI.

“It’s incredibly exciting to have a player of his quality,” all-rounder Curran said on Monday. “I’m sure England fans and players are extremely buzzed to have him back.

“He’s obviously got that extra pace and fear factor we can bring to opposition. We all hope his injuries are behind him now.

“Jof’s had a really tough couple of years — we all hope he can come back and do what he does for England and bring the A game that we know he’s got.”

England, who are reigning T20 world champions, are desperate to find form ahead of the tournament in the West Indies and the United States after a dismal 50-over World Cup defense in India last year.

Curran is one of eight squad members who returned early from the Indian Premier League ahead of the Pakistan series.

The players had little time together before the defense of their 50-over title.

“The messaging from (captain) Jos (Buttler) and the coaching staff was they wanted to get the group back together and we probably didn’t have that last time,” said Curran.

“We’ve been apart for a while so these games are going to be really crucial. We want to be playing as a team and get used to our roles.

“There’s a lot of buzz around the group, it seems like we’re back to our energy and it seems like the boys are really fizzed about this trophy hopefully coming back.”

The first game of the four-match T20 series against Pakistan takes place at Headingley on Wednesday.


Net-metering, tax controversies cloud future of solarization in Pakistan despite government clarification

Updated 20 May 2024
Follow

Net-metering, tax controversies cloud future of solarization in Pakistan despite government clarification

  • Government says it won’t end net-metering policy for solar power producers, promises to honor commitments made by companies
  • Pakistan’s energy woes stem from high capacity charges consumers pay due to long-term government contracts with power producers

KARACHI: Controversies about net-metering and imposition of a new tax have cast a cloud over Pakistan’s transition to solar energy despite the government’s ambitious plans, stakeholders said on Monday, adding the situation has left them in a state of uncertainty.

Pakistan approved the net-metering policy in 2017 that allows consumers to sell excess electricity produced by their solar systems to power distribution companies, resulting in significant savings in their monthly bills.

However, the energy ministry stirred a controversy last month by declaring that net-metering was promoting “unhealthy investments” in installation of solar power by affluent domestic and industrial consumers, hinting at cutting the buyback rates.

“Before this [controversy], people were shifting to solar [energy] in such a way that we thought that 100 percent Pakistan embraced solar energy,” Zulfiqar Ali, an importer, supplier and installer of solar panels, told Arab News on Monday.

“Now, we’re witnessing a stark contrast, a slowdown in inquiries, stagnation in projects, all amidst a talk of governmental reconsideration of solar energy policies.”

Ali said the net-metering issue had a lot of effect on the market as the purchasing groups suddenly went silent and the deals that were going on became stagnant. “The planned projects have gone into an idle position, people are neither saying yes nor no,” he added.

Recent reports published by local media about new taxes and an end to net-metering policy further compounded the situation and prompted Energy Minister Awais Leghari to explain the government’s position on the matter. 

“We completely reject these stories. The agreements our companies have made with net-metering users, whether they are for five years, six years, or seven years, will not be altered in any way and the government will not damage its reputation, nor will it cause any inconvenience to those investors,” Leghari said at a press conference in Lahore on Sunday.

He said the government was fully committed to renewable energy and solarization and was in favor of continuing the net-metering policy. 

“If, after studying it over the next few months, there is a need to revise it, it will be done very responsibly and in consultation with stakeholders,” Leghari said.

“After the approval of the entire government, if necessary, we will rationalize this. At this moment, we are committed to fulfilling all the contracts we have signed with various people. We will uphold the integrity of the entire government and move forward together.”

But despite the government’s assurances, an atmosphere of uncertainty prevails in the South Asian country with regard to solarization.

“I wanted to install solar panels at my rooftop to mitigate the impact of high electricity bills but now I am unable to take a decision because of the government’s intended moves of either taxing panels or curtailing net-metering benefits,” said Khalid Abbas, a resident of Karachi, adding that he would wait for clarity on the subject.

Solar panel suppliers said people, who were buying solar panels by selling their cars or jewelry, had stopped purchasing the equipment. 

“Residential consumers who wanted to install 5-20KW panels have stopped and are waiting for clarity,” Zulfiqar said.

Pakistan’s energy woes stem from the substantially high electricity bills, mainly due to the capacity charges that are as high as 65 percent and the nation is bound to pay these to power producers, even though their plants stand idle. 

The power purchase price (PPP), or the average per unit price based on the generation cost, is Rs20.60, which includes Rs14.09 capacity charges, and Rs6.21 fuel and variable charges, according to Pakistan’s reference tariff for fiscal year 2023-2024.

Pakistani energy experts believe the volume with which solar energy is increasing is still “insignificant” and does not even make 1 percent of the total power generation in the country.

“But the way it is going on in Pakistan, perhaps a significant portion of our net-metering will be done from it,” Dr. Khalid Waleed, an expert on energy economics, told Arab News. “Around 2,000MWs will be coming from net-metering. So, it should not be discouraged at all.”

When consumers switch to solar power, Waleed said, capacity charges are borne by other consumers that ultimately increases their power burden. 

Experts say the country won’t be able to get rid of the capacity charges before 2050 due to long-term contracts made with power producers.