Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the Army House in Rawalpindi. Security situation prevailing in Punjab in the backdrop of last week’s serial blasts in Lahore, topped the meeting’s agenda.

Two leaders exchanged views on efforts being made by police and the army to quell militancy. CM also discussed the plan of providing counter-terrorism training to Punjab Police by Pakistan Army in his one-on-one meeting with the army chief, it was reported.
On arrival to the Islamabad Airport, CM was greeted by PML-N leaders Chaudhry Nisar and Senator Parvez Rasheed. Shahbaz said that he came to discuss the security situation in the country.

The US has organized a network of private contractors in Afghanistan and Pakistan to eliminate the militants.

A US official identified as Michael Furlong would supervise the network. Citing unnamed military officials and businessmen in Afghanistan and the US, the newspaper said Furlong, who works for the Defence Department, hired contractors from private security companies that employed former CIA and Special Forces members.

These people gathered intelligence on the whereabouts of suspected militants and the location of insurgent camps, after that, the information was sent to military units and intelligence officials in Afghanistan and Pakistan to chalk out possible strikes.

PAKISTAN KARACHI : People with diabetes should get regularly checked for kidney disease as they are more at risk of damaged kidneys.

Being diabetic does not mean that a person will get chronic kidney disease (CKD) but they need to control their sugar levels and follow a proper treatment plan.

Doctors shared this information while speaking at the World Kidney Day symposium at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) centred on this year’s global theme, Protect Your Kidneys, Control Diabetes.

CKD is a slow, often silent disease in which kidneys gradually lose the ability to remove waste products from the blood. One in three people with diabetes may get CKD, but, as Dr Asma Ahmed, Consultant Endocrinologist, AKUH, pointed out that controlling diabetes reduces the risk of developing kidney disease by 21 per cent.

But in Pakistan, half of all people with diabetes are unaware of kidney disease and the risks of their developing the condition.

The World Health Organization, according to Dr Ather Hussain, Consultant Nephrologist, AKUH has estimated that 175 million people worldwide had diabetes in 2003, and the figure will almost double by 2030, with developing nations at greatest risk.

Early detection of kidney disease among diabetics, strict control of blood sugar and the use of high blood pressure medication can slow the progression towards CKD. But if the disease is left undetected or untreated, people may develop end stage renal failure and be treated through dialysis or in severe case undergo a kidney transplant.

Dr Waqar Kashif, Consultant Nephrologist, AKUH, discussed the relationship between high blood pressure and kidney disease.

In 1994, the National Health Survey of Pakistan revealed that 18 per cent of adults above 15, and 33 per cent above 45, had high blood pressure, and less than 3 per cent were able to maintain normal blood pressure.

“Currently, in Pakistan, approximately one third of patients on dialysis have kidney disease as a result of long standing uncontrolled high blood pressure. Patients who have diabetes, in addition to high blood pressure, have higher chances of developing diabetic kidney disease.”

Dr Kashif suggested that the ideal blood pressure for people wishing to stay healthy should be less than 140/90, but in someone who has kidney disease or diabetes, the BP should be much lower. Also, lifestyle changes such as reducing weight, quitting smoking and maintaining a balanced, healthy, low salt diet, can benefit those with CDK.

Dr Raziuddin Biyabani, Consultant Urologist, AKUH, spoke about kidney stones.

He said a peculiar problem in Pakistan is silent stones or neglected stones.

Stones are more likely to form when people don’t drink enough water, particularly in hot climates like in Pakistan, eat a diet rich in protein and have a family history of kidney stones.

Dr Biyabani pointed out that kidney stones are often only detected when a person has severe back pain, accompanied by fever, bloody urine, or even vomiting. Blood or imaging tests can then be used to determine the size, location and type of stone and the treatment options currently, open surgery is rarely required to treat stones.

A person with kidney stones has an up to 50 per cent chance of it recurring within 5 to 10 years, and a 75 per cent chance in 20 years. To reduce the possibility of stones recurring, Dr Biyabani suggested increasing fluids, changing diet, decreasing protein and salt intake and in some cases, medication.

Information about kidney disease in children was shared by Dr Arshalooz Rahman, Consultant Pediatrician, AKUH. Dr Rahman pointed out that paediatric kidney diseases can usually be detected by routine tests and, if treated on time, promise a full recovery.

However, to catch problems early on, community-based screening programmes that monitor high blood pressure, body mass by comparing weight and height, and urine should be made available to detect kidney disease in children, especially those that are overweight. Lifestyle changes at this stage can often lead to a full recovery.

The experts agreed that attention needs to be drawn to the early detection and prevention of CKD and its complications.

ISLAMABAD : Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to name all-rounder Shahid Afridi as skipper of national cricket team for Twenty20 World Cup tournament.

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According to the details, the official announcement will be made within one or two days, sources told. Meanwhile, Shahid Afridi on Saturday also met PCB Chairman Ijazz Butt.

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Wapda’s Zahid Gulfam won the 15th Tour de Pakistan Cycle on Saturday. The gruelling 1674 kilometer 11 stage Tour de Cyle has been concluded with Hyderabad to Karachi being the final stage. The race began with 62 participants from Peshawar on March 1 and passed through cities of NWFP, Punjab and Sindh and culminated in front of the Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Wapda’s Zahid Gulfam declared first, Sui Southern’s Nisar Ahmed clinched 2nd spot while Afghanistan’s Asmatullah bagged third position. Prize money of $10,000 will also be distributed among the top position holders. Cyclists from all four provinces, Fata participated in the event while Afghanistan players also took part in the Tour de Pakistan. The event has been staged under the directive and patronization of the President of Pakistan with support by Pakistan Sports Board.

India and Russia inked several pacts including on civil nuclear cooperation and supply and joint development of military hardware during a hectic day-long visit of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin to New Delhi on Friday.
Russia will build up to 16 nuclear reactors at three locations in India, Russia’s deputy premier Sergei Ivanov, who accompanied Putin, told reporters. Russia is competing with French and American firms for lucrative contracts to build nuclear power plants for energy-hungry India because Asia’s third-largest economy needs to boost its supply to help sustain rapid economic growth.
Setting the tone for Putin’s one-day visit, mainly aimed at keeping one of the world’s biggest arms importers interested in Russian weapons, the erstwhile Cold War allies are also trying to strike an agreement on joint output of the fifth-generation fighter jet. Russia will build more than 1,000 stealth fighter jets within four decades, including at least 200 for its traditional weapons buyer India, the CEO of Russian plane maker Sukhoi, Mikhail Pogosyan, told reporters on the sidelines of Putin’s visit. Pogosyan also said he expected a joint venture with the state-run Indian company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to manufacture around 200 fifth-generation fighter jets.
Russia and India also signed a contract worth 1.5 billion US dollars on Friday for Moscow to supply 29 MiG 29 K fighters, Pogosyan said. Russia would deliver the long-delayed refurbished Gorshkov aircraft carrier to India by the end of 2012, added deputy premier Ivanov on an issue that has troubled relations between the two powers. Putin’s visit is likely to have produced deals worth more than 10 billion USD mainly in defence contracts, nuclear reactors and trade.
Putin denied a deal with Pakistan was on the cards on the lines of the nuclear power pact with India.”Many countries of the world do not have any nuclear technical cooperation with Pakistan because we are concerned for our Indian friend. We sincerely count that our joint work, our efforts to counter-terrorism will produce positive substantial results in benefit of the two countries, he said. The two countries also agreed to strengthen cooperation in hydrocarbons through greater collaboration between oil and gas companies, but did not announce any firm energy deals.

The inspiration behind this collection comes for the art of Pakistan’s pre-eminent artist Saeed Akhtar. His latest work centers around tribal women, who he has given the most captivating aura in his paintings…I was able to design a whole collection based on their strangely beautiful faces and the energy in their form and movement. Quite simply, I can vividly imagine these gazelle like females gliding across the desert or reclining on the branch of a tree wearing one of the outfits from Élans PFW collection and being one with their surroundings. The collection is what I absorbed from his paintings primarily and then built upon by researching sub-continental tribal and desert landscape and culture.”

Khadijah Shah’s bring her brand Élan to fashion week with a complete collection of both Eastern Prêt a Porter and Haute Couture inspired by the artist Saeed Akhtar and his latest works. The Élan collection colour palette consists of olives, ochre’s, burgundies, crimson, deep hues of pink, burnt oranges and the essential black and gold. Indeed to the designer, these colours represent those of the sand, trees, sun, the evening desert sky and the colours in which tribal women are most often found. Expect ethnic embellishment with an emphasis on glass, maroori, zardozi and sitara work and fabrics including hand loom silks and chiffons.

Élan is a relatively young fashion label having been launched six years ago by Khadijah Shah. She is respected for her combination of intricate embellishments, flattering silhouettes and attention to detail in the construction of each outfit. Indeed each collection is conceived with glamour, elegance and versatility in mind. Khadijah Shah inherited her design aesthetic from her mother Aneela Shah, who had a small atelier and a loyal clientele for years before Élan was formerly launched. In a short span of six years, Khadijah has formalised and expanded this atelier and created an effective and influential place for her label in the Fashion Industry.

President Barack Obama announced that he plans to spread the money that accompanies his Nobel Peace Prize among 10 different charities.
Obama was awarded the prize based on the hope that his presidency would bring about a change in American foreign policy, had decided soon after being notified of the award that he would donate the $1.4 million award to charity.
The prize money would be distributed amongst non-profit organization which include organization that provides housing for families of those receiving medical care at major military and Veterans Affairs medical centers. Obama will also give to an organization dedicated to the long term relief and rebuilding of Haiti massive earthquake that devastated the country. Much of the rest of the award will go to boosting college education scholarship funds. Obama also awarded $100,000 each to two charities working in Africa and Central.
The other, the Central Asia Institute, promotes literacy and education, primarily for girls, in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan. One of the institute’s co-founders was also a nominee for the Nobel Prize that Obama won.

KARACHI PAKISTAN : World Kidney Day (WKD) 2010 is being observed on Thursday with the theme ‘Protect Your Kidney, Control Diabetes’.

The day holds particular relevance for Pakistan where one in three citizens over 40 has some form of Kidney disease.

According to available studies diabetes and high blood pressure are the two most common causes of chronic kidney disease and, if left unchecked, patients may ultimately need to undergo dialysis up to three times a week to stay alive.

“The scenario demands widespread screening of those sections of society that are at risk of kidney disease,” said Dr. Fatima Jawad.

Talking to APP on Wednesday she said it is essential to create awareness amongst physicians as well as the public about the factors causing kidney diseases and its ultimate failure.

Studies have shown that early detection and treatment can delay and possibly prevent kidney failure in most patients, said Dr. Ahmer Raza.

Diabetes, the doctors said has emerged to be a global epidemic which currently affects an estimated 171 million people worldwide and is estimated to affect over 246 million people living with diabetes.

Surge in the disease was attributed to population growth, aging, urbanization, and the increasing prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity.

Diabetes, a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life, is registered in almost all age groups of people in Pakistan.

The diseases is categorized into two different types – type 1 diabetes results from the body’s failure to produce insulin, the hormone that “unlocks” the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them.

Type One Diabetes is usually a congenital condition found among children and Insulin is required to treat type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most patients with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

Experts agreed that Type Two diabetes can be prevented and, to a certain extent, controlled through lifestyle interventions such as increased physical activity, weight loss (in patients who are overweight) and proper nutrition.

When lifestyle interventions are insufficient to control diabetes, anti-diabetic medications and insulin may be required, said Dr. Fatima Jawad.

The diabetologist and the nephrologist answering a question to control the situation also recommended strict control of blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

“Use of certain classes of blood pressure medicines can also be a risk,” said Dr. Jawad and urged for medication under proper supervision.

She also suggested need to avoid drugs that may cause further kidney damage (especially some pain killers), a low salt diet and cardiovascular risk reduction.