AGP Executive Report

Eid-ul-Azha Hajj Health & Safety: Millions of pilgrims spent the night at Muzdalifah collecting pebbles for Rami Al-Jamarat, with Saudi authorities reporting smooth crowd management and active healthcare, emergency, and transport teams across the key stage. Heatwave & Flood Risk: Pakistan’s NDMA/NEOC issued a nationwide alert for May 26–31, warning of extreme heat (40–48°C in places), plus glacial-melt impacts, flash floods, and landslides, with cooling and medical preparedness steps underway. Air Quality Watch: Dhaka’s AQI turned “good” after monsoon showers, while the report also flagged how polluted air can affect health—an important reminder for South Asia during holiday travel. Pakistan Health System Update: Lahore General Hospital rejected claims of missing surgery supplies, saying its plastic surgery services and outpatient capacity are functioning and that shared receipts online were from Jinnah Hospital. Food Safety: Lahore authorities sealed Baskin-Robbins and Sweet Creme outlets over food safety violations, adding to the push for stricter Eid inspections. Infectious Disease Alert: Scientists warn chikungunya could spread to Europe and North America as climate change expands mosquito habitats. Regional Conflict & Hunger: UN-linked reporting says US-Israel war on Iran is driving record global hunger, with funding cuts widening the gap between needs and aid.

Middle East Tensions: U.S.-Iran talks looked fragile again after fresh U.S. strikes hit southern Iran, while Iran warned American bases won’t be safe—at the same time, negotiators kept working in Qatar and the Strait of Hormuz remains a key pressure point. Regional Security: IRGC Navy said 25 ships transited the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours under its protection, warning any aggression would be met with “crushing blows.” Pakistan Earthquake Impact: A 4.8 quake jolted Punjab and Islamabad, killing a 13-year-old in Jhelum and injuring others; earlier reports also flagged a 4.7 quake with deaths and damage in nearby areas. Eid Public Health & Safety: With Eid-ul-Azha underway, Pakistan Air Force-linked guidance highlights risks from improper disposal of animal waste near air corridors, while NDMA warns heat and glacier-melt could trigger landslides and floods May 26–31. Food Safety Crackdown: Lahore authorities sealed major ice-cream outlets including Baskin-Robbins and Sweet Creme over expired and unhygienic practices. Health Policy Signal: WHO says smoking kills about 164,000 Pakistanis yearly and urges higher tobacco taxes.

Pakistan–China Partnership: PM Shehbaz Sharif’s four-day China visit ended with a “new broad consensus” to deepen the All-Weather strategic partnership, with plans spanning trade, energy, digital economy, AI, finance, water and supply-chain security—plus renewed talk on trans-boundary water cooperation. Regional Tensions: In the Gulf, the US says it carried out “self-defense” strikes in southern Iran, while Iran’s supreme leader warns there will be “no safe haven” for US forces; Strait of Hormuz closure is also hitting Afghanistan’s trade and aid routes. Health & Climate: Punjab is on high alert for Eid-ul-Azha heatwave conditions, with PDMA warning of extreme temperatures (up to 50°C in some districts) and ordering hospital readiness, heat-relief points, and tighter protection for children and elderly. Local Governance & Politics: PTI figures and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi met in a “secret” contact reported to include discussion of Imran Khan’s jail access and political de-escalation. Public Safety: Swat Expressway crash updates keep rising, with the death toll reaching 18.

Railway Terror: A suicide bombing struck a passenger train in Pakistan’s Balochistan, killing 30+ people with rescue and hospital transfers underway as authorities investigate and tighten transport security. Ebola Readiness: Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport has activated emergency monitoring and isolation steps after Ebola concerns, with frontline training and mock drills planned. Rabies Push: Sindh launched a province-wide anti-rabies campaign, stressing uninterrupted vaccine and immunoglobulin supply after 285,000 dog-bite cases were reported in 2025. Public Health & Safety: Islamabad sealed a diagnostics centre over alleged organ-trafficking links, while DRAP ordered withdrawal of fake/substandard medicine batches. Water & Daily Life: Karachi’s water shortage sparked chaos in the Sindh Assembly, and Eid markets are seeing price pressure as families adjust qurbani plans. Digital Economy: A new report warns Pakistan’s high mobile taxes are slowing smartphone adoption and digital growth. Global Context: WHO says suspected Ebola deaths in DR Congo are rising fast, outpacing response efforts.

Road Safety Shock: At least 16 people were killed and 7 injured when a speeding van crashed into a parked bus on the Swat Expressway near Ismaila, with victims shifted to Mardan Medical Complex—another grim reminder of Eid-season highway risks. Public Health Watch: DRAP has banned 17 substandard auto-disable syringe batches from 11 companies after tests found they may be reused, raising fears of infections like hepatitis and HIV. Ebola Alert: Suspected Ebola cases in DR Congo have surged to 904 in Ituri, with WHO warning the risk of a national outbreak is “very high.” Regional Diplomacy: US-Iran talks are still moving, but Trump says “don’t rush” as key issues remain unresolved, including uranium and sanctions. Digital Push: Pakistan and Alibaba signed MoUs in Hangzhou on AI, cloud, healthcare tech, e-commerce, and digital payments. Health System Oversight: Punjab suspended postgraduate doctors at Nishtar Hospital over a case involving surgery without HIV screening.

Train Attack in Balochistan: A suicide bomber hit a shuttle train near Quetta’s Chaman Phatak, killing at least 23–24 people and injuring 70+ as coaches derailed and caught fire; the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, and hospitals in Quetta are still treating victims. US-Iran Talks: Washington says a potential Iran deal is “largely negotiated” but warns “don’t rush,” with the Strait of Hormuz reopening and enriched-uranium limits at the center of negotiations. Pakistan-China Tech Push: PM Shehbaz Sharif signed new Alibaba MoUs in Hangzhou on AI, cloud, fintech and SME digitization, including Urdu AI model work and skills for up to 500,000 people. Health & Law: Pakistan’s Federal Shariat Court struck down the decriminalization of attempted suicide as contrary to Islamic principles, while measles containment is urged amid ongoing outbreak concerns. Eid Pressure: Livestock prices are rising across the region ahead of Eid, with supply and tensions blamed. Aviation: Kuwait Airways plans about 728 weekly flights in June.

Railway Terror in Quetta: A suicide bombing near the railway track in Quetta derailed and overturned coaches, killing at least 19 and injuring 70+; later reports put deaths around 24–28 as hospitals treated the wounded. The blast hit as a shuttle linked to the Jaffar Express passed near Chaman Phatak, with security personnel and families among those targeted. Balochistan Security Shock: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, while officials say emergency response is ongoing and investigations continue amid repeated attacks on trains and infrastructure. Health System Under Strain: Hospitals in Quetta declared medical emergencies, with many casualties in critical condition and doctors scrambling for capacity. Travel Disruption Elsewhere: Separately, Kuwait Airways announced a major summer expansion to about 728 weekly flights across 58 destinations, while refund backlogs and operational pressures remain a concern for passengers.

Lebanon Ceasefire Strains: Israel intensified strikes across southern Lebanon, hitting Tyre and Nabatieh despite ceasefire talks; Lebanese officials reported at least 12 killed and wounded, with repeated “double-tap” attacks allegedly targeting rescue workers and dozens of first responders killed since March 2. Iran-US Mediation Push: Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir met Iranian officials in Tehran as the US and Iran edged toward a memorandum of understanding, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying “some progress” and hinting more news soon—while both sides warn attacks could resume. Health Under Pressure: WHO urged Pakistan to raise Federal Excise Duty on cigarettes to recover nearly Rs100bn in 2026-27, and patients with chronic illness like MS warned of treatment disruptions amid funding uncertainty. Polio & Vaccines: Polio oversight chief Dr Chris Elias praised Pakistan’s progress and backed continued vaccine support; meanwhile, Pakistan’s cabinet moved to curb vaccine monopoly risks by forming a committee to set fair prices for locally made vaccines. Security & Care: KP and Balochistan saw renewed militant violence, while Pakistan tightened airport screening after WHO’s Ebola emergency declaration.

Hospital Accountability: An inquiry panel at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital has found nine doctors and officials responsible for a surgery carried out without proper HIV screening, leading to suspensions and training cancellations under Punjab’s discipline rules. Ebola Preparedness: Pakistan has tightened airport screening nationwide after WHO declared the Congo-Uganda Ebola outbreak a global emergency, while stressing the risk to Pakistan remains very low and no travel ban is advised. Heat Risk: PDMA Sindh issued severe heatwave alerts for Eid-ul-Azha, warning temperatures could hit 47–50°C in parts of the province and urging strict heat-safety steps. Stray Dog Policy: Islamabad High Court permanently banned poisoning and indiscriminate killing of stray dogs, ordering “catch, neuter, vaccinate and release” controls. Regional Health Diplomacy: Pakistan also backed global suicide-prevention calls to restrict highly toxic pesticides, citing major reductions in pesticide-related suicides elsewhere. West Asia Mediation: Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir met Iran’s foreign minister in Tehran as both sides trade accusations over “excessive demands” and push for de-escalation.

Global Sumud Flotilla Fallout: Detainees released to Türkiye after an Israeli interception say they were beaten, some unable to walk, with allegations of broken ribs, sexual abuse, and injections with unknown substances—raising fresh humanitarian alarms. Iran-US Mediation Push: Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir arrived in Tehran as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned allies to prepare a “plan B” for the Strait of Hormuz, while Rubio also cited “slight progress” in talks. Public Health Red Flags: Sindh’s drug lab flagged six syringe brands as substandard, warning of higher HIV and hepatitis spread risk; meanwhile, reports from Nishtar Hospital in Multan point to failures in mandatory HIV screening. Karachi Disruptions: Gas supply will be suspended in multiple areas overnight May 23–24 due to pipeline lowering near Nipa Flyover. Health Leadership Loss: Renowned infectious diseases expert Dr Naseem Salahuddin has died. Maritime Industry Move: Pakistan passed maritime legislation to scale ship recycling under the Hong Kong convention.

Stray Dog Crackdown: Islamabad High Court has permanently banned poisoning, shooting and indiscriminate killing of stray dogs, ordering a humane “trap, sterilise, vaccinate and release” programme and directing CDA and other bodies to implement the 2020 policy. Antibiotic Warning: Doctors are urging Pakistan to cut excessive antibiotic use as misuse is driving microbial resistance and making routine infections harder to treat. Malaria Update: WHO says malaria incidence in Pakistan fell by 10% in 2025, but 1.8 million cases still occurred and gains remain fragile after the 2022 flood surge. Flood-Education Shock: Officials warn nearly 3 million children could miss at least one semester due to flood damage to schools. Health System Push: Karachi’s KMC launched medical insurance for about 11,500 employees, while Sindh approved emergency funding to speed up the Karachi Red Line BRT project. Regional Tensions: US sanctions hit Hezbollah-linked Lebanese security officials, as Iran-US ceasefire talks remain stuck over enriched uranium demands.

Iran-US Talks Under Strain: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered near-weapons-grade uranium must stay inside Iran, a direct blow to a key US/Israeli demand and a sign diplomacy is getting harder even as a ceasefire draft is reportedly near. Strait of Hormuz Tensions: Iran also published a plan to extend control over the Strait of Hormuz into foreign coastal waters, requiring coordination and permission—raising the risk of fresh friction for shipping. Pakistan Health Alarm: Multan’s Nishtar Hospital is probing a case where a patient reportedly had surgery without mandatory HIV screening and later tested positive. Rights and Safety at Home: Sindh’s transgender job quota remains stalled over a medical test rule, while Lahore faces outrage after a 14-year-old Christian girl was allegedly kidnapped, forcibly converted, and married. Migrant Risks: A report highlights how migrant workers are being caught in geopolitical violence, with deaths tied to Middle East missile incidents. Markets & Daily Life: Gulf stocks rebounded on Iran-deal hopes; Pakistan’s KSE-100 surged on easing oil prices, while heat alerts for Eid continue.

Aga Khan diplomacy meets public health priorities: At a breakfast hosted by PM Shehbaz Sharif, Prince Rahim Aga Khan V signalled he wants to keep working with Pakistan on human development, praising AKDN’s work in rural healthcare, education and disaster resilience—especially in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. TB in children stays a major gap: WHO says over 93,000 children in Pakistan are affected by tuberculosis every year, with children making up 14% of cases; WHO, Pakistan’s health ministry and Médecins Sans Frontières are pushing to improve child treatment and curb spread. Ebola alert, Pakistan on standby: Pakistan’s health ministry says it’s ready for early detection after WHO declared Ebola a global emergency, with extra monitoring of travellers from Uganda and the DRC. Student sleep crisis gets a campus push: Marham and Route2Health launched #SleepMatters at LUMS, targeting research that claims 84% of university students have poor sleep. Regional tensions spill into health diplomacy: Pakistan again condemned Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla and demanded release of detained humanitarian workers, including Saad Edhi. UN flashpoint: Pakistan and India traded sharp accusations at the UNSC over civilian protection, with India citing UNAMA figures on Afghanistan.

Youth Mental Health via Sport: Sir Mo Farah and global health leaders pushed an evidence-based case at the World Health Assembly for sport and physical activity as a youth mental health policy tool, with Pakistan’s UN-backed Football4MentalHealth programme launched in Islamabad to train hundreds of mental health ambassadors. Hajj Health Readiness: Saudi health officials reported inspections of major holy-site hospitals and centres to strengthen medical preparedness for pilgrims. Court on Prison Access: Pakistan’s Islamabad High Court disposed of Bushra Bibi’s family-meeting plea, sending it back to Adiala Jail’s superintendent for a fresh decision. Health Safety Alert: Punjab issued a high alert over a fake antibiotic injection (G-Tax 250mg, batch 25C025), ordering recalls and stopping sales. Extreme Heat: Sindh saw severe temperatures up to 47°C, with health warnings for residents. Gaza Flotilla Fallout: 87+ detained flotilla activists began a hunger strike after Israel’s interception and transfer of detainees. Pakistan Spotlight: FIA arrested nine in an alleged illegal kidney trade network in Islamabad. Sports Note: Bangladesh captain Shanto credited “healthy competition” among bowlers for a 2-0 Test series win over Pakistan.

Middle East Tensions: Iran’s IRGC warned a renewed US attack could spark a wider war “beyond the region,” as Trump said he was “an hour away” from striking again before postponing it for talks—keeping oil and markets jumpy. Eidul Azha Planning: Pakistan’s Cabinet Division approved public holidays for Eidul Azha on May 26–28, while Punjab issued Section 144 bans on activities it says harm public health and peace. Health & Education: PMDC set MDCAT 2026 for Aug 16, with the syllabus unchanged from last year and a reminder that students going abroad must qualify and register. Governance & Rights: The NA again faced quorum problems, and Bushra Bibi’s alleged solitary confinement challenge reached the Islamabad High Court. Economy & Transport: ECC approved selling 30% of PNSC to NLC and transferring management control, aiming to integrate sea and road logistics. Public Safety: Punjab ordered environmental buffer zones around industrial areas to cut pollution. Sports: PCB ruled Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub out of the ODI series vs Australia due to injury recovery.

US-Iran Tension: Trump says he was “an hour away” from striking Iran, then postponed after UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar urged diplomacy; Iran says it’s ready to resist any aggression. Afghan Returns: UN pledges $529m to support 2.7m expected returnees from Iran and Pakistan, warning women and children face shelter and health gaps. Pakistan Health & Rights: KP CM Sohail Afridi and PTI/TTAP push for proper medical access for Imran Khan after an eye follow-up at Adiala jail; protests planned Friday over inflation and his detention. Heat Safety: Karachi braces for deadly heat—heatstroke risk rises as humidity climbs; NDMA issues heatwave alerts. Policy & Economy: ECC clears Pakistan’s first five-year gemstone policy and approves major grants, including for youth skills and national health. Public Health Watch: Punjab recalls substandard injectable/infusion medicine batches. Justice: Court adds a further two-year arms sentence to Sana Yousaf case convict Umar Hayat.