FARUKH SHEHZAD

ISLAMABAD, JUN 7: MATSUDA Kuninori, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan on Monday expressed grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives in a tragic train accident in the district of Ghotki, Sindh, leaving scores of people dead and injured.

In his condolence message, the Ambassador conveyed his heartfelt grief and sympathies to the bereaved families and wished for a speedy recovery of the injured.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the government, the people of Pakistan, and the families of those who have lost their dear ones in the tragic train accident. Please accept our deepest condolences, and we wish for a quick recovery of the injured”, said the Ambassador.

The Ambassador prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and wished for the bereaving families to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude and equanimity.

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GHOTKI, JUN 7: At least 40 people were killed while approximately 100 others were injured on Monday after two passenger trains collided near Daharki, a city located in the Ghotki district of upper Sindh, according to officials.

According to a spokesperson for Pakistan Railways (PR), the accident took place around 03:30am after a Millat Express train — headed from Karachi to Sargodha — derailed and fell across the "down track". Due to this, it collided with a Sir Syed Express train coming from Rawalpindi, he said, adding that the incident took place near the Raiti railway station.

"The Millat Express train left Daharki station at 03:28am. Information was received at 03:43am that the train had derailed at 03:38am. Meanwhile, the Sir Syed Express train passed through Raiti at 03:38am. As the coaches of the derailed train were infringing the down track, the driver tried to apply emergency brakes but the locomotive hit the infringing coaches at 03:38am," a PR statement said.

As a result of this accident, six coaches of Millat Express were derailed and five coaches overturned, while two coaches of the Sir Syed Express train were derailed and three overturned, it added, stating that 31 people had been killed while more than 100 had been injured.

The PR spokesperson said a relief train had been dispatched from Rohri while officials, along with police and the local administration, were carrying out rescue efforts. He said that helpline centres have been set up for passengers in Karachi, Sukkur, Faisalabad and Rawalpindi.

He further said that some of the passengers from the Sir Syed Express train have been taken to the Sadiqabad railway station. "Railway traffic would be restored when tracks are cleared," he added.

In a statement, the Pakistan Railways Directorate confirmed the number of deaths and injuries, adding that a relief train from Sukkur had reached the site. "Pakistan Army troops, police, the district administration and rescue workers took part in the rescue operation," the statement said.

The process of shifting the injured and the deceased to hospitals has been completed, it said, adding that giving medical attention to the injured was of the utmost priority.

Restoring railway traffic is also a priority, it said, adding that officials had reached the scene to investigate the incident. "Federal Railways Minister Azam Khan Swati will personally oversee the completion of an initial inquiry," it said.

According to reports, the incident has paralysed railway traffic across the country. An information desk has been set up at the Hyderabad railway station for passengers. Railway traffic remains suspended till 2pm on both up and down country tracks.

Earlier, Ghotki SSP Umar Tufail said between 15 to 20 passengers were still trapped in the wreckage of the Millat Express train and authorities are trying to arrange heavy machinery to rescue those people who are crying for help, .

He said that the death toll is likely to rise as one of the bogies is still stuck in the wreckage. "The Pakistan Railways relief train has not yet reached the spot from Rohri," he said. He feared once this bogie is cleared the number of dead could rise as it is the main bogie in the entire train, adding that 31 bodies had been retrieved from the wreckage.

Ghotki Deputy Commissioner Usman Abdullah said at least 30 people had been killed while 50 others had been injured in the incident. However, officials were facing difficulty in rescuing citizens as the bogies had overturned, he said, adding that the death toll could increase.

Speaking to Geo News, the deputy commissioner said that 13 to 14 bogies had derailed in the incident while six to eight were "completely destroyed". He said that citizens that were still trapped were a "challenge" for rescue officials.

He said that a relief train had departed from Rohri, adding that the local administration and rescue teams were present on the site of the accident. However, the official refused to give a timeframe for the rescue operation.

"This is a challenging task. It will take time to use heavy machinery to free citizens [still trapped]," he said. He said that an emergency had been declared in the district and all doctors and paramedical staff had been put on call.

"We are also establishing a medical camp to provide medical aid to citizens," he said.

'Horrific accident'

Speaking to Dawn.com, an official from chief controller in Karachi said: "It's a tragedy. We can't do anything. The time difference between the departures of the two trains is hardly 10 minutes or so."

The spot where the tragedy occurred is around 6km to 7km short of Punjab province inside Sindh region.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident and expressed grief over the lives lost. Speaking to the Sukkur Commissioner over the phone, he directed him to mobilise the district administration. "Machinery should be arranged to rescue passengers that are still stuck," he said.

Arrangements should also be made at nearby hospitals to treat those that have been injured, he said. He also directed the official to arrange temporary accommodation and food for the passengers. "An information system should be set up so that citizens can get accurate information," he said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was "shocked by the horrific train accident".

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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GHOTKI, JUN 7: At least 30 people were killed while 50 others were injured after two passenger trains collided near Dharki, a city located in the Ghotki District of upper Sindh, on Monday morning.

According to a spokesperson for the railways department, the accident took place after a Millat Express train — headed from Karachi to Sargodha — derailed and shifted to the "down track". Due to this, it collided with a Sir Syed Express train coming from Rawalpindi, he said, adding that the incident took place near the Raiti railway station.

Between 15 to 20 passengers are still trapped in the wreckage of the Millat Express train and authorities are trying to arrange heavy machinery to rescue those people who are crying for help, said Ghotki SSP Umar Tufail.

An emergency has been declared at hospitals in Ghotki, Dharki, Obaro and Mirpur Mathelo and doctors and paramedical staff had been called on duty.

Ghotki Deputy Commissioner Usman Abdullah said at least 30 people had been killed while 50 others had been injured in the incident. However, officials were facing difficulty in rescuing citizens as the bogies had overturned, he said, adding that the death toll could increase.

Speaking to Geo News, the deputy commissioner said that 13 to 14 bogies had derailed in the incident while six to eight were "completely destroyed". He said that citizens that were still trapped were a "challenge" for rescue officials.

He said that a relief train had departed from Rohri, adding that the local administration and rescue teams were present on the site of the accident. However, the official refused to give a timeframe for the rescue operation.

"This is a challenging task. It will take time to use heavy machinery to free citizens [still trapped]," he said. He said that an emergency had been declared in the district and all doctors and paramedical staff had been put on call.

"We are also establishing a medical camp to provide medical aid to citizens," he said.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 6: The Pakistan Medical Commission (PMC) has announced that the Medical and Dental Colleges Admission Test (MDCAT) will be held from Aug 30 to Sept 30.

In a statement, the PMC said it has taken a number of decisions regarding the upcoming academic year, including National Licensing Examination (NLE), MDCAT, conduct of examinations regulations and the medical and dental undergraduate education. According to PMC President Dr Arshad Taqi, for the first time MDCAT would be entirely a computer-based exam, allowing both local and foreign students an opportunity to take the exam.

“The examination will take place from Aug 30 to Sept 30 2021 in 20 designated cities across Pakistan and in selected cities abroad depending on registration by the students. Applicants will have the option to schedule and reschedule their examinations to time slots that are more convenient for them. The applicants will also be provided online tutorials and practice tests to help them familiarise themselves with the format of the exam,” he said.

According to the statement, the Medical and Dental Council has approved the structure and syllabus for MDCAT as recommended by the National Medical and Dental Academic Board.

PMC announces key updates for current academic year

The syllabus/content formed by the academic board was mainly derived from the existing curriculum of biology, chemistry and physics of all boards across Pakistan.

It also took into consideration the curriculum of the A-Level structure.

The syllabus of all the disciplines and the breakdown of each subject are now available on the PMC website.

“The Academic Board recommended pass marks of 65pc for MDCAT 2021 which was approved by the Medical and Dental Council. The result of a student will be ready for delivery within half an hour after given the exam and will be provided to the student through online. The students can select all the colleges they apply for admissions and the PMC will directly send the MDCAT result of the student to the relevant colleges,” Dr Taqi said.

The council also unanimously approved the structure and syllabus for NLE as formulated and recommended by the academic board. The NLE consists of two exams with the first being a MCQ based theory component and the second a clinical skills exam.

The MCQ based theory component of Step 1 of the NLE will also be a computer-based examination to be conducted at multiple centres across Pakistan multiple times a year with no bar on the number of times a candidate can attempt.

The result of NLE Step 1 will be valid for five years, enabling a student to attempt and qualify the Step 2 exam during this five-year period.

Step 2 or skills exam will be taken through physical examiners during 2021-2022 while PMC has initiated development of a 3D exam system for Step 2.

The qualifying marks for the NLE will be 70pc for both Step 1 and Step 2.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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LATEST COMMENTS

There’s nothing better than a chilled glass of sugarcane juice on a hot summer day. But, have you wondered what are the benefits of sugarcane juice? Sugarcane, a grass plant that can be found in 36 varieties, has no fats and is a 100 percent natural drink.

An 8-ounce serving – approximately 240 ml – of sugarcane juice (with no additives) contains 250 calories, with 30 gm natural sugars. It has zero content of fat, cholesterol, fiber, and protein but contains sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and iron. You would think that this sugar-rich drink can’t possibly have health benefits but we’ve rounded up 10 of them for you.

10 Benefits of Sugarcane Juice

1. Sugarcane juice gives you a shot of instant energy

There’s a reason sugarcane juice sells at most roadside kiosks in summer. It’s the best way to energize yourself and ensure you don’t experience dehydration. The simple sugars in the juice are easily absorbed by the body and are used to replenish sugar levels.

2. Enhances liver function

Sugarcane juice is said to be one of the best natural treatments for liver-related ailments such as jaundice. Alkaline in nature, sugarcane juice helps maintain the electrolyte balance in the body.

3. Help the body fight cancer

The high concentration of calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese makes sugarcane juice alkaline in nature. This – along with the presence of flavonoids – helps the body stave off cancerous cells, especially prostate and breast cancer.

4. It eases the digestive system

People suffering from digestive distress would do well to include sugarcane juice in their diet. The potassium in sugarcane juice balances the pH levels in the stomach, facilitates the secretion of digestive juices, and keeps the system on track. It also helps prevent stomach infections.

5. It is helpful for people with diabetes

The high sugar content in sugarcane juice may make diabetics wary of consuming this juice. But, in moderation, sugarcane juice can benefit diabetics – the natural sugar has a low glycemic index, preventing spikes in blood glucose levels.

6. Maintains kidney health

Being a natural low-cholesterol, low-sodium food with no saturated fats, sugarcane juice helps to keep the kidneys in top shape.

7. It alleviates pain associated with STDs & UTIs

Consumed in a diluted form, with lime juice and coconut water, sugarcane juice can help reduce the burning sensation associated with sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, and prostatitis.

8. Aids in the development of bones and teeth

Back in the day, chewing on a sugarcane stick used to be a regular pastime for young children and adolescents. Apart from keeping them occupied, the calcium-rich sugarcane also ensures proper development of the skeletal system, bones, and teeth.

9. Keeps bad breath & tooth decay at bay

Experiencing bad breath linked to tooth decay? Sugarcane juice can be your saving grace. Rich in minerals, including calcium and phosphorus, sugarcane juice helps build tooth enamel and strengthening teeth, and ensuring they are prone to decay. It also overcomes bad breath caused due to the deficiency of these nutrients.

10. It can help cure acne

Topical use of sugarcane juice can help reduce and cure skin problems such as acne. Sugarcane juice contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid, which increases cell turnover. They also exfoliate the skin, eliminating chances of acne buildup. Just mix with Fuller’s earth (multani mitti) into a mask-like consistency, apply on face and neck and leave on for 20 minutes. Wash off with cool water.

The sugar contained in sugarcane juice is natural, but keep in mind that it is essentially sugar. Consume this healthy beverage in moderation and run it past our Coaches if you suffer from a medical condition.

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COURTESY healthifyme.

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 6: The Citizens Foundation (TCF) has signed MoU with the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) regarding the affiliation of TCF’s Secondary Schools.

The association with FBISE will provide centralized support for teaching and learning activities. Affiliating its network of secondary schools with FBISE will help TCF align syllabi and assessment system across Pakistan, enabling TCF to bring about improvements in teaching and learning to the less privileged communities where TCF works.

It will also enable TCF’s students to benefit from innovations relating to subject choice, use of technology etc. that FBISE provides across Pakistan.

FBISE aims to support organizations that are in the field of education, particularly those serving less privileged communities. A collaboration with TCF will help FBISE deepen its footprint across Pakistan and to play its role in meeting the needs of less privileged communities.

Talking about this development, Asaad Ayub Ahmad, President and CEO of TCF, said, “TCF believes in continuous improvement and affiliation with Federal board for Intermediate and Secondary Education is a step in that direction.

This step will help us bring about improvements in teaching and learning so that our students can continue to prosper and prove themselves in various walks of life.”  

“We are glad to partner with The Citizens Foundation’s country-wide network of formal schools.”FBISE is committed to playing its part in improving the quality of education offered in less privileged communities.

This partnership will help us in making a substantial contribution in this regard.” Added Qaisar Alam, Chairman of Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE).

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Director General Karagoz says Armenia still takes lives of innocent people in places where Karabakh occupation came to end

ANKARA, JUN 5: Turkey’s international news agency on Saturday offered its condolences to Azerbaijan over the deaths of two Azerbaijani journalists in a landmine explosion planted by Armenia during its occupation of the Kalbajar region.

Serdar Karagoz, the agency’s chairman of the board and director-general, said in a letter of condolences that he has learned with great sorrow that three people, including Meherrem Ibrahimov, a journalist for the state news agency Azertac, and Sirac Abishov, a cameraman for Azerbaijan state television AZTV, lost their lives in the blast.

At least 20 Azerbaijani civilians and seven soldiers have been killed by landmines laid by Armenian forces since the two countries reached a truce in Nagorno-Karabakh last November. According to a statement issued by the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General’s Office on Friday, at least 86 soldiers and 29 civilians were also injured in these blasts.

“I strongly condemn that Armenia, which has committed terrible acts against humanity, still takes the lives of innocent people in places where the Karabakh occupation came to an end,” he said, adding that Anadolu Agency stands by all Azerbaijani media on this painful day.

“I wish Allah’s mercy upon our brothers who lost their lives, my condolences and patience to you and all their relatives,” he said.

At least three Azerbaijanis, including two journalists, were killed and four others injured on Friday when a mine planted by Armenia during its occupation exploded.

The explosion happened when a bus carrying journalists in the recently liberated Kalbajar region crossed over the mine.

The Kalbajar region was recently liberated after a nearly three-decade occupation by Armenian forces.

During a 44-day conflict last year, which ended in a truce on Nov. 10, Azerbaijan liberated several cities and nearly 300 settlements and villages in Karabakh from Armenia’s occupation.

The cease-fire is seen as a victory for Azerbaijan and a defeat for Armenia, whose armed forces withdrew in line with the agreement.​​​​​​​

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COURTESY aa.com.tr

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BAKU, JUN 2021: Ibrahimov, a correspondent for the Azerbaijani state news agency AzerTag, and Abishev, a camera operator with the Azerbaijani state broadcaster AzTV, were on assignment while riding in a bus in Kalbajar district, near Nagorno-Karabakh, when the vehicle hit a landmine, according to multiple news reports and a tweet by Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.

Both journalists and an Azerbaijani government official were killed in the blast, which also wounded several other passengers including AzTV producer Emil Mammedov, according to those reports, which did not state the extent of Mammedov’s injuries.

For about 30 years, Armenia has mined a large part of occupied territories of Azerbaijan. So, today main duty is to clear these territories of mines.

Without a map, it’s difficult to ensure the safe return of peaceful Azerbaijanis who became internally-displaced persons 30 years ago. Unfortunately, we do not see the goodwill of Armenia in this matter. The fact that Armenia does not provide minefield maps to Azerbaijan is a war crime.

A landmine explosion has killed a cameraman of Azerbaijan State Television Siraj Abishov, and an employee of AZERTAC Maharram Ibrahimov in Kalbajar district of Azerbaijan.

Last year, at least six journalists were injured in shelling while covering the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as CPJ documented at the time.

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 4: National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf said on Wednesday that the sudden withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan was not ideal, adding that any shifting of blame on Pakistan for “facesaving” would be unacceptable.

Speaking on DawnNewsTV show 'Live with Adil Shahzeb', Yusuf said international media had been biased against Pakistan in the past and it was the same today.

“[The] United States has assured us that Pakistan will not be made a scapegoat amidst the withdrawal [of US troops] from Afghanistan, but only time will tell whether [they stay true to their word] as history suggests otherwise," he remarked.

He added that it was “too early to predict whether they [the US] will stick to their words.” The adviser said Pakistan had always wanted peace in Afghanistan and the hasty withdrawal of US troops from the country was not a good idea.

Yusuf also stressed that Pakistan needed to maintain bilateral ties with the US, which continued to view Pakistan as a regional player, without compromising on national interests.

“The approach is still regional. [Though], they [the US] have shifted focus from Af-Pak and are now obsessed with China, seeing India [as a country] that has a role to play [in this equation],” said Yusuf.

In reply to a question about Pakistan allowing the US to continue to use its airbases, Yusuf denied such reports.

“It has been very clearly communicated to the Americans so it's not debatable,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Imran Khan had been opposing the war in Afghanistan for the past 15 years, so allowing the US access to airbases after its withdrawal from Afghanistan was not on the table.

To another question, he stressed that “it's important for all stakeholders in Afghanistan to sit together for a … political settlement.”

Yusuf also empahsised economic stability for Afghanistan, saying that the Afghan economy could not function without support from the outside.

“And for that, only Pakistan can give them the regional connectivity, and for investment from China [and the] US, Pakistan is the only linchpin. Afghans must understand this.”

The adviser reiterated that in the wake of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan wanted bilateral relationships with America, but with a focus on “not what the US can give us, but what we can take from the US”.

He added that Pakistan had made its priorities clear to the world in Geneva, where he met the US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan last month.

He went on to say that Afghans should decide their own fate, adding that any terrorist activities in Afghanistan were not acceptable to Pakistan.

US pullout and security vaccuum

The US has announced troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by September 11. However, with the US troops pulling out from the war-torn country since May 1— a deadline set in the US-Taliban agreement signed last year— there have been reports of the withdrawal being completed by July 4, which is celebrated as the US Independence Day.

US President Joe Biden is determined to end what he called “the forever war”, announcing in April that the withdrawal of the remaining 2,500 American forces would be complete by the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks.

The prospect of an end to the US presence in Afghanistan after 20 years comes despite fighting raging across the countryside in the absence of a peace deal, giving rise to security concerns and fears that violence will increase and could also spill over to neighbouring states, including Pakistan.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Foreign Office had said Pakistan was worried about a security vacuum in Afghanistan after the US pullout as the already dim prospects of successful reconciliation between warring Afghan groups were growing dimmer with every passing day.

Although another round of intra-Afghan talks is scheduled to begin in the next couple of days, Pakistani officials don’t seem very hopeful about a breakthrough.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, while talking to Speaker of Afghanistan’s Wolesi Jirga Mir Rahman Rahmani on Tuesday, had urged the Afghan groups to “seize this historic opportunity and work out an inclusive, broad-based and comprehensive political settlement for durable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region,” according to the statement.

The fears of a security vacuum have been growing because of the stalemate in the peace process.

The peace dialogue has made little progress since it started in September last year except for an understanding of the principles and procedures, which too was achieved after haggling for months over minor issues.

Several efforts were made by Pakistan and the international community to push all stakeholders to return to the negotiation table to settle the remaining outstanding issues for ending the conflict, but none of the efforts have succeeded so far.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, JUN 4: Ambassador of Somalia, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi visited the Embassy of Palestine on Thursday, Jun 3.

She was received by the Ambassador of Palestine, Ahmed Rabaie upon her arrival at the embassy.

During the meeting with Ahmed Rabaie Ambassador Khadija expressed solidarity with the Palestinian people against the heinous actions of the Israeli occupation against the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque and the inhumane actions.

Ambassador of Somalia, Khadija Mohamed Al-Makhzoumi also recorded her views in the visitor's book during her visit to Palestine Embassy.

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