Road blockades cause rise in inflation

FAISALABAD: Road blockades and internet disruptions have severely impacted online businesses and led to a surge in vegetable and fruit prices in Faisalabad.

Courier companies have faced significant challenges in delivering parcels due to blocked routes, while internet outages have hindered online order bookings and deliveries. This has brought online sales to a near standstill.

Moreover, road closures have disrupted the supply chain of vegetables and fruits, resulting in a 20-30% increase in prices. The market committee’s rate list indicates a notable price hike for onions, tomatoes, potatoes, bitter gourds, cucumbers, cabbages and corianders.

SEMINAR STRESSES URGENT STEPS TO COMBAT DIABETES: Pakistan has alarmingly risen to the 4th position globally in terms of diabetes prevalence, with a staggering 30 million people affected by the disease.

Experts at an awareness seminar organised by the Department of Public Health at Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) highlighted the urgent need for measures to combat this growing health crisis.

The event, held in observance of World Diabetes Day, was led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Rauf-I-Azam and attended by faculty members, students, and healthcare professionals. Dr Rauf-I-Azam highlighted the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity and a balanced diet, to manage diabetes effectively. He emphasised that diabetes is a lifelong condition requiring consistent medical care to prevent complications. Dr Ali, the seminar’s chief organiser, explained that diabetes arises from insufficient insulin production, leading to excessive sugar accumulation in the blood. “The prevalence rate in Pakistan is 19%, with over 30 million affected. This underscores the urgency of addressing this health crisis,” he stated.

Dr Abid Rashid, Dean of Medical Sciences, discussed the impact of diabetes on vital organs, particularly the eyes and kidneys, and its association with a higher risk of tuberculosis. Dr Ahmed Shehzad emphasized the need for both controlling diabetes and providing advanced healthcare facilities to combat the disease.

The event concluded with honourary shields for participants, acknowledging their efforts in awareness about diabetes. The awareness walk, led by Dr Rauf-I-Azam, saw active participation from faculty members, including Dr Faisal Bilal Lodhi, Dr Badar Bashir, and Dr Ahmed Shahzad, along with students and representatives from the Lyallpur Diabetic Foundation. The event highlighted the urgent need for collective action to combat the rising diabetes crisis in Pakistan, focusing on prevention, education, and better healthcare resources.Inmate killed in jail brawl: An 18-year-old inmate, accused of sexual assault, was killed in a brawl with a fellow prisoner at Borstal Jail.