Ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s sons fear for his health, seek visas to visit him
Imran Khan's sons say they fear for their father's deteriorating health in a Pakistani jail and are seeking permission to visit the former prime minister, urging the authorities to grant access after more than two years apart, Reuters reported.
Khan's lawyer told Pakistan's Supreme Court last week that the former cricketer had lost significant vision in his right eye while in custody. A medical board said on Feb 16 the swelling had reduced after treatment and his vision had improved.
Speaking to Reuters in London, where they are based, Khan's sons Kasim and Sulaiman, 26 and 29, said they were uncertain about the medical report. They spoke to their father on Feb 12 for the first time since September.
Kathmandu Valley listed as third most polluted city in the world
The air pollution level in the Kathmandu Valley has increased.
The Air Quality Index (AQI), which was 178 until Monday afternoon, has risen to 191 as of this afternoon.
This level is considered unhealthy for everyone, as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) standard.
According to the AQI standard, when the index ranges from 151 to 200, everyone may begin to experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
With today’s AQI level, the Kathmandu Valley has been listed as the third most polluted city in the world. New Delhi has been categorized as the most polluted city with an AQI of 229, followed by Lahore, Pakistan, with an AQI of 203, placing it second.
According to the Director General of the Department of Environment, Gyan Raj Subedi, the pollution level is likely to increase further if there is no rainfall. The prolonged absence of rain has contributed to the rising pollution levels.
Director General Subedi has advised all concerned stakeholders to follow sustainable and environmentally friendly measures to reduce the impact of increasing air pollution.
Environmental expert Barsha Parajuli said that the rising number of motor vehicles in the Kathmandu Valley, emissions from diesel- and petrol-run vehicles, dust from under-construction roads and infrastructure projects, forest fires, and prolonged drought have led to the escalation of air pollution levels.
She warned that if the situation is not brought under control in time, it may become more challenging.
An AQI of 0–50, indicated by green, is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk. Likewise, 51–100, highlighted in yellow, is considered moderate and acceptable; however, there may be moderate health concerns for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
Similarly, 101–150, highlighted in orange, is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, who may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion.
An AQI of 151–200, indicated in red, is considered unhealthy. Everyone may begin to experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid prolonged outdoor exertion, while others, especially children, should limit prolonged outdoor exertion, as defined by the standard.
Similarly, 201–300, indicated in purple, is considered very unhealthy. The entire population is more likely to be affected. Active children and adults, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma, should avoid all outdoor exertion, and others, especially children, should limit outdoor exertion.
An AQI of 300 and above, highlighted in maroon, is considered hazardous. Everyone may experience more serious health effects, and all people should avoid outdoor exertion.
Printing of ballot papers for March 5 election completed
Printing of all ballot papers required for the election to the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5 has been completed.
Managing Director of the Janak Education Material Centre Limited, Yadu Nath Poudel, shared that the JEMC completed its responsibility of printing ballot papers required for the election on Monday evening.
The ballot papers would be dispatched to respective provinces after their packaging from today itself, Poudel added.
He mentioned, "We have completed the printing of 20.3 million ballot papers under the first-past-the-post electoral system on Monday evening. The task of printing ballot papers has been completed within 40 days as we had a 42 days period for this purpose. We will dispatch ballot papers to all districts within the next 10 days."
The JEMC had been printing up to 1.5 million ballot papers every day. It had already printed one million model ballot papers and the Election Commission had dispatched it to different places.
Similarly, activities are underway to send 20.83 million ballot papers under proportional representatives (PR) electoral system, added the JEMC.
Poudel opined that ballot papers have already reached Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces and activities are on to send ballot papers in the remaining places within 10 days.
Woman held for swindling foreign job aspirants
Police have arrested a woman on the charge of swindling people with false promises of foreign employment.
A police team deployed from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office apprehended Nima Dolma Lama (35) of Tarkeswar Municipality for allegedly cheating people with false promises of lucrative jobs in the UK.
Police said that she duped two people of millions of rupees by offering false employment opportunities in the UK.
