Pakistan asks intending pilgrims to get vaccinated against meningitis, flu before leaving for Hajj

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday condemned in the “strongest possible terms” an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza school building where dozens of Palestinians sheltering inside were killed as well as the recent episode of far-right Israeli Jews assaulting Palestinians outside the Al-Aqsa mosque. 

A large rally in Jerusalem marking Israel’s capture of the city’s east in the 1967 war descended into chaos on Monday as far-right Israeli Jews confronted and assaulted Palestinians, fellow Israelis and journalists.

The annual “Flag March” drew tens of thousands of people, chanting, dancing and waving Israeli flags after far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the Al-Aqsa mosque compound, a longtime flashpoint of Israeli-Palestinian tensions. 

Violence broke out in the walled Old City of East Jerusalem shortly after midday when young marchers began harassing the few Palestinian shopkeepers who had yet to shutter their stores ahead of the rally. The marchers, mostly young Israelis who live in settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, then began to target Israeli left-wing activists and journalists observing the rally. Reuters reported that the demonstrators shouted nationalistic slogans and called for violence against Palestinians, chanting: “Death to Arabs,” while a Palestinian woman and journalists were spat on by a group of young settlers, and nearby Israeli police did not intervene.

“Pakistan condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest provocative actions by Israeli occupying power as well as illegal settlers that aim to undermine the religious, historical and legal status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” the foreign office said in a statement.

“Such actions are unacceptable and constitute a flagrant violation of international law and have the potential to further escalate an already volatile situation in the region. Pakistan calls for upholding the sanctity and historical status of the holy sites, and preventing Israel from any further provocations.”

Separately, at least 54 Palestinians have been killed, most of them in a school building sheltering displaced families, during Israeli air strikes on Gaza overnight on Monday. 

The Fahmi Al-Jargawi School in Gaza City was housing hundreds of people from Beit Lahia, currently under intense Israeli military assault. At least 35 were reported to have been killed when the school was hit.

“The latest reprehensible attack against a school sheltering displaced families in Gaza is an example of continued Israeli impunity.” the foreign office said. 

“The harrowing images being witnessed by the world in the aftermath of the attack that resulted in dozens of deaths, many of them children, should be a wake-up call for the international community. These attacks must end forthwith, and Israel must be held accountable for its heinous crimes.”

Pakistan has for decades supported the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.

KARACHI: The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday Pakistan was losing 164,000 lives and approximately $2.5 billion annually due to the “devastating impacts” of tobacco on public health, calling for urgent measures, including increased taxation, to save lives. 

As World No Tobacco Day, observed on 31 May, approaches, WHO said it was reaffirming its commitment to partnering with Pakistan to address the chronic health crisis caused by tobacco. 

“WHO advocates for taxation to be used as a tool to reduce consumption while increasing revenues that can be directed toward health and development priorities,” a statement from the global health body said.
             
“Without additional measures, the harmful impact of tobacco on public health and the national economy will continue to jeopardize Pakistan’s efforts to advance the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

Research has shown that tobacco taxation is effective in increasing revenues for the government while also reducing consumption, tobacco-related diseases and pressure on health systems. In 2023, following a tax increase on tobacco products in Pakistan, tobacco use declined by 19.2 percent with 26.3 percent of smokers cutting down on cigarette consumption. 

Revenue collection from the federal excise duty on cigarettes increased by 66 percent from Rs142 billion in 2022–23 to Rs237 billion in 2023–24. 

In Pakistan, federal excise duty rates on cigarettes have not increased since February 2023, making them more affordable, and taxation levels remain below WHO’s recommended 75 percent of the retail price. 

Pakistan ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in 2004, and WHO provides continuous technical support to the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination and the Federal Board of Revenue in areas such as tobacco tax policy and track-and-trace implementation. 

“There is no such thing as a safe tobacco product. Tobacco is a devastating burden on public health, for the economy, for our children and for our grandchildren. Tobacco kills up to half of its users who don’t quit, overstretches health systems and also harms non-smokers in our communities and families,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr. Dapeng Luo.

“Make no mistake, all tobacco products on the marke, without exception, are extremely toxic and dangerous.”