Tag: Rehabilitation

  • Naseem Shah’s international career at risk as cricket board awaits crucial scans

    Naseem Shah’s international career at risk as cricket board awaits crucial scans

    Pakistan’s fast bowler, Naseem Shah, is facing the grim prospect of missing the entire World Cup due to a severe right shoulder injury that has been revealed to be more serious than initially anticipated. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is actively considering seeking a second medical opinion, but initial scans conducted in Dubai indicate that this injury may sideline him for the remainder of the year. 

    If subsequent medical assessments corroborate the initial findings, Naseem could potentially face an extended period of absence from the cricket arena. His participation in the upcoming Test series in Australia, scheduled for the beginning of the year, now hangs in the balance. Furthermore, there is a growing concern that he might also be unavailable for the next edition of the Pakistan Super League in 2024. 

    Naseem Shah’s injury ordeal commenced during Pakistan’s recent clash against India in the Asia Cup. He had to leave the field during the 46th over on the reserve day designated for that game and was subsequently ruled out of the tournament.

    The PCB had advocated for the inclusion of the reserve day in the schedule, particularly for the India match, as a concession following the decision not to move the matches to Hambantota, a venue expected to offer drier conditions. It was on this very reserve day that Naseem sustained the injury, specifically to a muscle located just below his bowling shoulder. This injury is distinct from any prior shoulder issues he may have had. 

    According to ESPNcricinfo, Naseem Shah’s absence from the World Cup, along with his uncertain participation in the upcoming Australian series, represents a significant setback for Pakistan. In the past year, Naseem has transitioned from being a specialist red-ball bowler to becoming an integral part of Pakistan’s bowling attack across all formats. His current form indicates that he is the standout performer among Pakistan’s highly regarded trio of fast bowlers, which includes Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. 

    The PCB is expected to make an official decision once they receive the results of his follow-up scans in the coming days. During his absence from the Asia Cup, Naseem Shah was replaced by Zaman Khan, while Mohammad Hasnain, another potential replacement, is currently nursing an injury. 

    Naseem has grappled with injury issues early in his cricketing career. A back injury, sustained just a year into his international career when he was only 17, sidelined him from the sport for a lengthy 14 months. Six weeks after his return, he suffered a shoulder injury during his debut in the County Championship with Gloucestershire, which kept him out of action for another month. 

    Over the past 18 months, Naseem’s workload has considerably increased. Initially regarded as a red-ball specialist, he has evolved into a crucial bowler for Pakistan in all formats of the game. Since his ODI debut, he has emerged as Pakistan’s most potent bowler, amassing 32 wickets in just 14 matches at an impressive average of under 17. 

    Additionally, Naseem has been in high demand on the T20 circuit, recently participating in the LPL. His inclusion in the SA20 auction shortlist on Friday is now a likely casualty of his unfortunate injury situation. 

  • World Bank commits $213 million for Balochistan’s flood recovery and climate resilience

    World Bank commits $213 million for Balochistan’s flood recovery and climate resilience

    The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has granted $213 million in funding to Balochistan for the purpose of improving livelihoods, essential services, and risk protection in communities that were affected by the devastating floods in 2022.

    This financial assistance is part of a larger program established in collaboration with the government to address the aftermath of the floods and build a climate-resilient Pakistan.

    Najy Benhassine, the World Bank Country Director for Pakistan, expressed the organization’s commitment to closely cooperate with the Government of Balochistan in supporting the affected communities. The World Bank aims to provide livelihood support and rehabilitate irrigation and flood protection infrastructure.

    These efforts will not only restore the livelihoods of the affected population but also enhance their resilience to potential future climate-related disasters and natural hazards. The project aligns with the comprehensive package of post-flood rehabilitation and resilient reconstruction program agreed upon with the authorities.

    The floods of the previous year were a result of record monsoon rains in the southern and southwestern regions of Pakistan, compounded by glacial melt in the northern areas. The calamity affected nearly 33 million people in the country, which has a population of 220 million. Tragically, the floods claimed over 1,700 lives and caused substantial damage to homes, crops, bridges, roads, and livestock.

    The Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project (IFRAP) outlined by the World Bank will provide housing reconstruction grants to approximately 35,100 homeowners. It will also focus on restoring essential services by rehabilitating damaged community infrastructure and facilities, such as water supply systems, irrigation networks, roads, and community facilities.

    Balochistan, with its geographical location, socioeconomic background, and vulnerability to climate change, faces significant risks from natural disasters. Yoro Sidibe, a Senior Water Specialist at the World Bank, emphasized that the project aims to provide economic opportunities to the affected communities while ensuring social inclusion and participation. Additionally, it will enhance institutional capacity for preparedness and response to future disasters.

    The World Bank expects that the Integrated Flood Resilience and Adaptation Project will benefit approximately 2.7 million people in selected communities across Balochistan’s calamity-declared districts. The project’s objectives include the restoration of degraded watersheds and the strengthening of institutional capacity at both the provincial and local levels.

  • Pakistan likely to receive economic assistance from friendly countries soon, says Minister Ahsan Iqbal

    Pakistan likely to receive economic assistance from friendly countries soon, says Minister Ahsan Iqbal

    On Tuesday, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal announced that Pakistan is likely to receive confirmation of economic assistance from friendly countries in the coming days. This confirmation is the last condition of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and will be followed by a staff-level deal with the Fund.

    According to Iqbal, Pakistan has fulfilled nearly all conditions previously agreed upon with the IMF by the previous government. Currently, the Fund is requesting confirmation from the friendly countries providing assistance to Pakistan. Once received, the IMF deal will come on track.

    During the US-Pakistan Diaspora and Private Sector for Flood Recovery and Rehabilitation Conference, three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with a Pakistan-based US company and US-Pakistani diaspora entities, mobilizing $78 million. The conference was organized by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

    When questioned about the IMF’s objection to the fuel subsidy announced by the government for the poor segment of society, Iqbal clarified that this was an internal adjustment within the fuel price and no new subsidy was being announced. He expressed hope that the IMF would have no objection to the government’s move.

    Iqbal urged the US-Pakistan Diaspora to support the government’s efforts in recovering and rehabilitating millions of flood-affected people. He appreciated the United States’ pledge of $200 million for flood relief efforts but emphasized that Pakistan needs much more for the complete rehabilitation of millions of people affected by floods.

    In his remarks, United States Ambassador Donald Blome highlighted the contributions of the US-Pakistani diaspora and private sector in building back better for flood-affected communities in Pakistan. He reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to supporting flood relief and recovery efforts, disaster resilience, and food security.

    The conference continued the momentum built at the previous conferences in Islamabad where USAID signed six MoUs mobilizing $75 million. The discussions held in those conferences led to additional contributions and investments to help populations and areas affected by floods. More than 200 participants attended the Building Back Better Conference, including members of the US-Pakistani diaspora, prominent local business leaders, US business representatives, and Pakistani officials. They discussed ways to help the flood-affected population and communities.

    Ambassador Blome emphasized the longstanding US-Pakistan partnership in advancing Pakistan’s economic growth and social and humanitarian causes. He highlighted the need to strengthen climate resilience through the US-Pakistan “Green Alliance” framework and expressed the United States’ commitment to helping the US-Pakistani diaspora and Pakistan-based private companies find opportunities to pursue energy transformation and foster economic growth and development outcomes.

  • Hadiqa Kiani has built 100 homes for flood victims in Balochistan

    Hadiqa Kiani has built 100 homes for flood victims in Balochistan

    After devastating floods wrecked havoc in Sindh and Balochistan in 2022, singer and actor Hadiqa Kiani announced a new initiative ‘Vaseela-E-Rah’ which was set up to provide rehabilitation facilities for flood victims.

    Today, Kiani took to Twitter to proudly share the success of her project, having built over at least a 100 homes, a maternity clinic, grocery store and primary school for children in Balochistan.

    “As many of you know, I have been in Balochistan for the past few days…by the grace of Allah + your support, we have completed the 1st phase of our project. 100 houses are complete and now occupied by flood victims, a maternity clinic, a grocery store and a primary school..”

    The actress further reflected how watching her initiative grow was a blessing, and will continue to put her efforts in providing relief to more flood victims:
    “Coming back to Balochistan & seeing this progress is a blessing and I am so grateful we could play our part. Vaseela-E-Raah was a mission of mine to complete, a promise I made to my mother and to the people of Balochistan, IA we will continue our efforts!”

  • ‘Race against time’: PM Shehbaz calls on the world to help flood ravaged Pakistan

    ‘Race against time’: PM Shehbaz calls on the world to help flood ravaged Pakistan

    The International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan — co-hosted by Pakistan and the United Nations — began in Geneva on Monday.

    The international conference began with the words of Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who said, “We will need considerable support” from the international community,” as he sought solidarity to help Pakistan achieve a “resilient” future.

    The FM said that rehabilitation “continues to this day” as Pakistan battles with wide-scale destruction brought on by the environmental catastrophe.

    United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Monday appealed to the world to help Pakistan deal with the disaster caused by floods, saying “massive investments” are needed for the country’s rehabilitation which is expected to cost more than $16 billion.

    “Even through the darkest moments, the giving spirit of the Pakistani people has shone brightly,” said Guterres, “I have seen neighbours helping neighbours with food, water and shelter”.

    The UN head stated that his heart broke when he saw first-hand the active devastation of last summer’s floods. “No country deserves to endure what happened to Pakistan, but it was especially bitter to watch that country’s generous spirit being repaid with a climate disaster of monumental scale,” he said.

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif again called on the world to help flood-ravaged Pakistan in his address at the International Conference on Resilient Pakistan.

    PM Shehbaz said that the world was standing at a “turning point of history” today.

    “One can go on and on but to truly say, we are racing against time. We are thankful for the support extended to us by the Asian Development Bank, UN, International Monetary Fund and several other international organisations.”

    At the moot, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also launched the ‘Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Recons­truction Framework’ (4RF).

    The framework outlines a vision for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood-affected areas as well as will emphasise the need for global support and long-term partnership to implement it.

    “The first part of the 4rf plan reflects the priorities for recovery and reconstruction, bearing in mind the minimum funding requirement of $16.3 billion, half of which we met from domestic resources and the remaining half with the help of development partners and friends,” PM Shehbaz said.

    He said that the second part of the framework plan incorporates flood-resilient designs and infrastructure projects such as protecting key highways, railway line networks and early warning systems and capacity building for rescue and relief for future disasters.

    The PM while sharing details of the scale of destruction the country has suffered said that “various parts of Sindh and Balochistan still remain under water”.

    The floods, blamed on climate change, dealt a severe blow to Pakistan’s strained economy while displacing some 8 million people and killing at least 1,700.

    PM Shehbaz stressed that he was asking for support for those who have lost their life savings, homes, and livelihoods and are facing the harsh winter under open skies.

    “The one thing we have learned is that nothing can go back to business as usual,” the PM stressed.

    “I am asking for a sustained international support plan to meet this daunting challenge, for a new lifeline for these people. Together we have to rebuild their lives and their dreams,” he concluded.

    French President Emmanuel Macron, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and President European Commission Ursula von der Leyen shared messages of solidarity at the event via video link.

  • World Bank proposes $2 billion for flood-ravaged Pakistan

    World Bank proposes $2 billion for flood-ravaged Pakistan

    The World Bank has proposed $2 billion in finance to jump-start infrastructure restoration and rebuilding following severe flooding.

    Martin Raiser, the new Vice President of the World Bank for the South Asia Region, revealed that he had just returned from his first official trip to the country that had been devastated by floods and reaffirmed his commitment to helping the Pakistani people as the floods wreaked havoc all over the nation.

    The international lender expressed regret for the loss of lives and livelihoods and stated that they were collaborating with the federal and provincial governments to offer prompt relief.

    A World Bank official also disclosed that monies from ongoing World Bank-financed programmes are being repurposed to address immediate needs in the areas of health, food, shelter, rehabilitation, and cash transfers.

    The Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has been requesting a freeze on loan repayment from the Paris Club and others, claiming that there is a huge discrepancy between what is being requested and what is actually available. He also asked the head of the UN and the leaders of Europe to help.

    Recently, the PM of Pakistan visited New York City for the UNGA. In his speech, the PM emphasised Islamabad’s predicament following the flooding disaster and pleaded with world leaders to band together and take action before it’s too late.

  • CEO Therapy Works Tahir Zahoor Ahmed lies about Zahir Jaffer not being organisation’s practicing therapist

    CEO Therapy Works Tahir Zahoor Ahmed lies about Zahir Jaffer not being organisation’s practicing therapist

    The confusion is real. Was Zahir Jaffer taking clients and was a practicing therapist at the organisation Therapy Works? In a social media post, the organisation stated, “He [Zahir Jaffer] did not complete his coursework and International Essays, and accordingly was never ever given permission to see clients. This is borne out by our list of authorised therapists in which his name has never been included.”

    On Geo News programme, ‘Aaj Shahzeb Kahnzada Kay Sath’, Journalist Shahzeb Khanzada revealed that Zahir Jaffer was giving therapy sessions to children at Beaconhouse’s Rawalpindi branch.

    According to leaked audio of Therapy Works CEO Tahir Ahmed Zahoor, Zahir Jaffer along with Dr Umber Zaidi ( an authorised counsellor of Therapy Works, as listed on their website) had visited Beaconhouse to give a counselling session to students, on how to cope up with the increasing pressure in education. Khanzada shows leaked audio and video of Tahir Ahmed Zahoor saying that he was not responsible for Zahir going to Beaconhouse since Zahir went on his own. Khanzada aired a clarification from Beaconhouse, in which the school states that they had reached out to TherapyWorks for their counsellors to come to the school sessions and Zahir had been sent by the organisation.

    It was further revealed that Dr Umber and Zahir were affiliated with the Therapy Works and that they both shared their credentials with the school principal on arrival.

    The official Beaconhouse statement reads:

    “In Jan 2019, A teacher of Beaconhouse Senior Boys Branch, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi was enrolled in a course at TherapyWorks. She asked her teacher, Dr Umber Zaidi (an authorised counsellor of TherapyWorks as listed on Therpary Works website) to visit the school as a guest speaker and talk to students about coping with study pressures. Dr Umber Zaidi brought Zahir to the school with her. Both shared their TherapyWorks credentials with the school head before the session with Students and Teachers. At no point were the students left unsupervised.

    In short, Beaconhouse did not invite Zahir. It was Dr Umber Zaidi’s decision to bring him along. Since she is an authorised counsellor of TherapyWorks, the school did not question her decision. It is pertinent to note that the session took place in Jan 2019″.

    During the show, Shahzeb Khanzada exposed other contradictions that CEO Tahir Ahmed had been stating as the truth. Khanzada reported that Tahir knew about Zahir’s mental health and let him become a therapist and take on clients anyway.

    In the leaked audio, Tahir Ahmed says that it was only after June 2021 that Zahir’s parents contacted him and asked him to help their son [Zahir].

    “He is seriously ill, he will do something,” Tahir Ahmed to Zahir’s parents.

    However, Zahir’s father ignored Tahir’s warnings.

    Dr Imtiaz Dogar, President Pakistan Psychiatric Society, a guest on the show said, “The murder of Noor Mukadam is not a psychological but a criminal matter.”

  • Tiger Woods opens up about his ‘painful’ experience in rehab

    Tiger Woods opens up about his ‘painful’ experience in rehab

    Tiger Woods has opened up about his “painful” experience in rehab following a near-fatal car crash back in February.

    “This has been an entirely different animal,” Tiger told Golf Digest on May 27. “I understand more of the rehab processes because of my past injuries, but this was more painful than anything I have ever experienced.”

    According to details, one doctor who treated the 45-year-old athlete said that he suffered extensive injuries in his leg and foot, which required serious surgery.

    A crash report later revealed that Tiger was also “knocked unconscious, laceration to the lower front jaw, bruised right and left rib cage, fractured right tibia and fibula, possible right ankle injury.” He spent time in two different hospitals before returning to Florida to recover.

    “My physical therapy has been keeping me busy. I do my routines every day and am focused on my number one goal right now: walking on my own. Taking it one step at a time,” he explained, noting that the support from both friends and fans has been “incredible … I have had so much support from people both inside and outside of golf, which means so much to me and has helped tremendously.”

    Earlier in April, Tiger was spotted for the first time since the accident, rocking a leg brace and crutches as he returned to the golf course. He flashed a big smile as he posed next to his “rehab partner,” his dog Bugs. “My course is coming along faster than I am,” wrote Tiger. “But it’s nice to have a faithful rehab partner, man’s best friend.”