-A budget of more than Rs286 billion will be presented during today’s session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

Finance Minister Qasim Majeed will submit the financial plan at the assembly’s budget session, which is expected to start at 11 a.m.

Sources claim that the next budget would probably include a 7% increase in salary and pensions.

According to sources, around Rs250 billion has been set aside for the non-development budget, while Rs36 billion has been set up for the development budget.

Additionally, Rs25 billion for the health sector and Rs57 billion for education are included in the planned allocations.

The majority of Pakistan is anticipated to have hot, dry weather today, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, while the lowlands are predicted to have even more heat due to high humidity.

In the upper regions and a few districts of Punjab, rain is likely to occur during the evening and night along with strong gusts and thunderstorms.

The Met Office predicts that Islamabad and the surrounding areas will continue to have hot, muggy weather, therefore authorities are advising people to stay out of direct sunshine.

The majority of Punjab’s districts are predicted to have hot, dry weather, with the plains continuing to have humid temperatures. However, at night, isolated locations in Sialkot and Narowal are expected to see thunderstorms, dust storms, and showers with strong winds.

The majority of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s districts are predicted to stay hot and dry, with high humidity in lowland areas. However, after noon, partially overcast skies may appear in upper districts.

Sindh is expected to continue experiencing extreme heat, dry weather, and humidity, with some cloud cover remaining in coastal areas.

The majority of Balochistan’s districts will continue to be hot, with severe heatwave conditions predicted in the central regions and partly cloudy conditions in the southern districts.

In the meantime, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir are expected to see hot, dry weather throughout the day, with partly overcast circumstances possible at night and in the evening.

The Met Office has encouraged people to take precautions, drink more water, and refrain from needless movement in direct sunshine, especially youngsters, the elderly, and those with health conditions.

ISLAMABAD: According to government sources, Pakistan plans to implement a statewide Pharma Track and Trace System this year as a significant step toward getting rid of fake and inferior medications.

According to sources, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has set October 9 as the deadline for requiring medicine packaging to have a 2D barcode and serialisation system.

All pharmaceutical makers and importers must print a distinct 2D barcode and serialisation information on each medication package in accordance with the new standards. Pharmaceutical products for humans and animals will be covered under the system.

The track and trace system will be implemented nationwide under the direction of DRAP. The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA), Pakistan Veterinary Pharmaceutical Association (PVPA), Pharma Bureau, Pakistan Chemists and Druggists Association, provincial directors general of drug control, and chief drug inspectors have all received official notifications from the authority, which has also issued directives to pharmaceutical companies.

According to sources, pharmaceutical businesses have been directed to make all required preparations before the October 9 deadline in order to guarantee adherence to the new regulations.

The Pharma Track and Trace System has already been approved by the federal cabinet through modifications to the Drugs Labelling and Packing Rules, 1978.

By scanning the 2D barcode on the box, customers will be able to confirm the legitimacy of medications once the system is up and running. Important product details, such as the medication’s official price, dosage guidelines, and expiration date, will also be accessible through the digital verification process.

By enhancing traceability and assisting in the detection of fake and inferior medications before they are consumed, officials anticipate that the new system will greatly strengthen the pharmaceutical supply chain.

Sources claim that prior to the statewide launch, DRAP has already finished consultations with important parties.