��������

ISLAMABAD: The district administration of Pakistan’s capital Islamabad sprang into action and carried out dengue inspection and prevention steps as the city reported 11 cases of the disease during the last 24 hours, state-run media reported on Monday. 

Dengue is an illness that spreads through vectors, carried by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is currently no cure or vaccine for dengue fever and in its most severe form, it can lead to fatalities. People affected by dengue go through intense flu-like symptoms including high fever, intense headache, muscle and joint pain, and nausea and vomiting, typically persisting for approximately a week.

The district administration carried out 365 inspections across the city in the last 24 hours to identify mosquito larvae, state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said. Three sites tested positive while 10 tested negative. 

“The district administration of Islamabad has released its latest dengue surveillance report, confirming 11 new cases across different union councils in the last 24 hours,” APP said in a report. 

It added that seven of the new dengue cases were detected in rural areas, while four were reported from urban localities. The report quoted a district administration spokesperson as saying that areas with confirmed larva presence were immediately treated to curb mosquito breeding. 

The spokesperson said enforcement actions against violations of dengue preventive standard operating procedures (SOPs) were carried out across the capital. These included inspection of various residential and commercial properties by magistrates and assistant commissioners, who checked for water accumulation and non-compliance with preventive measures. 

“Several sites were sealed after violations were confirmed,” the report said. “In some cases, individuals were taken into custody for negligence in implementing dengue control measures.”

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Ifran Nawaz Memon advised residents to ensure stagnant water is not left uncovered in their homes, workplaces or surroundings as it provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The report said inspections are being conducted in high-risk zones including construction sites, junkyards, water storage areas and commercial outlets.

“Furthermore, awareness campaigns are also being carried out to inform citizens about preventive practices, including covering water containers, using mosquito repellents, and ensuring proper waste disposal,” the report said. 

Dengue fever is endemic to Pakistan, which experiences year-round transmission with seasonal peaks. This year’s first dengue-related death was reported in the country’s southern Sindh province on Jun. 3.

The development takes place exactly a week after the World Health Organization (WHO) warned Pakistan’s flood-hit Punjab province has been witnessing an increase in vector-borne diseases. 

Punjab authorities have relocated thousands to relief camps across the province, where the WHO says unsafe drinking water and mosquitoes pose the main epidemic risks, making displaced people vulnerable to diarrhea, typhoid, malaria, dengue and skin infections.

“Although no major outbreak has been reported so far, an upsurge has been detected for vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, water-borne diseases like acute watery diarrhea, and skin diseases like scabies and eye infections,” Dr. Jose Ignacio Martin Galan, head of communications at the WHO Pakistan Country Office, told Arab News on Sept. 1.

KARACHI: Pakistan’s Central Depository Company (CDC) has integrated JS Global Capital Limited into its RAAST Aggregator platform, allowing investors to transfer funds instantly for stock trading in what officials said on Monday marked a milestone in efforts to modernize the country’s capital markets.

Authorities hope linking the State Bank’s RAAST instant payment system to the stock market will cut settlement delays, lower barriers for small investors and build trust in a market often plagued by low liquidity and limited participation. Pakistan’s stock exchange is one of Asia’s oldest but remains thinly traded, with only around 250,000–300,000 active retail investors in a country of 240 million. Its market capitalization hovers around $27 billion, far smaller than regional peers.

“This partnership with JS Global Capital Limited reflects CDC’s ongoing commitment to digital transformation in the capital market,” CDC Chief Executive Officer Badiuddin Akber said at a signing ceremony in Karachi.

“By making fund transfers instant, secure, and more convenient, we are helping investors trade with greater confidence and efficiency. We believe such integrations are not just about technology, they are about building investor trust and laying the foundation for a stronger, more transparent capital market ecosystem.”

The RAAST system, launched by the State Bank in 2021 with World Bank support, has already processed hundreds of millions of payments for individuals and merchants. Each investor sub-account is assigned a unique Investment ID in IBAN format, and once registered with a bank, funds are transferred directly into a broker’s client account within minutes, giving investors immediate access to trading capital.

JS Global Capital Limited CEO Muhammad Khalilullah Usmani said the integration would help strengthen client confidence.

“Joining CDC’s RAAST Aggregator is a step forward in our strategy to provide best-in-class services to investors,” he said. “This integration not only simplifies the fund transfer process but also strengthens investor trust by ensuring speed and reliability.”

Pakistan has been under pressure from international lenders, including the International Monetary Fund, to strengthen transparency, digitalization and governance in financial markets as part of wider economic reforms. CDC said its latest move builds on other initiatives such as its Asaan Connect digital onboarding platform, aimed at making it easier for new investors to enter the market and boosting overall efficiency.