Pakistani citizens are suffering from respiratory, asthma, heart diseases and stroke due to smog as Lahore and Multan remain the world’s most polluted cities…reports Asian Lite News
Nearly 20 lakh people have sought medical treatment for respiratory issues in Pakistan’s Punjab province in the last one month, the local health department has revealed while releasing data from its first-of-its-kind report.
It stated that Pakistani citizens are suffering from respiratory, asthma, heart diseases and stroke due to smog as Lahore and Multan remain the world’s most polluted cities.
The data showed that as many as 19,34,030 cases were reported from across the province in October, with 12,62,30 from Lahore alone.
It also revealed that over 5,000 patients suffered strokes across Punjab province in October.
The average air quality reading in Lahore remains well over 1400 in Lahore while it has crossed the 2000-mark several times in Multan.
“The highest air quality index recorded in Lahore was 2591, with readings of 2188 at Syed Maratib Ali Road, 2155 at Pakistan Engineering Services, and 1704 at Ghazi Road Interchange. The average air quality index in Lahore stands at 1460,” Pakistan’s Express Tribune reported on Friday.
Local media reported that the AQI in Karachi also saw a sharp decline on Friday morning.
Meanwhile, World Wide Fund (WWF) for Nature Pakistan has dispatched an “urgent letter” to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging him to declare a “national emergency” to address this serious crisis.
“Our children’s future is suffocating. They are asking for a right to breathe, learn and play. What will it take for us to act? WWF-Pakistan has written to the Prime Minister demanding urgent measures to curb the smog emergency,” WWF Pakistan posted on X Friday afternoon.
The letter calls for an immediate halt to construction activities, the closure of polluting industries, and the removal of high-emission vehicles from the roads to help curb the current crisis.
WWF-Pakistan Director General Hammad Naqi Khansaid said the government must take immediate, bold and decisive actions to address the smog emergency as continued inaction on the issue will lead to further health complications, economic losses and environmental degradation.
According to Ary News, Lahore’s hospitals are overwhelmed with patients suffering from dry cough, breathing difficulties, pneumonia, and chest infections….reports Asian Lite News
The toxic smog which continues to grip Lahore and other parts of Pakistan, has worsened, with the city reporting over 15,000 cases of respiratory and viral infections in just 24 hours, Ary News reported.
According to Ary News, Lahore’s hospitals are overwhelmed with patients suffering from dry cough, breathing difficulties, pneumonia, and chest infections.
The majority of cases were reported at major government hospitals, including Mayo Hospital (4,000+ patients), Jinnah Hospital (3,500 patients), Gangaram Hospital (3,000 patients), and Children’s Hospital (2,000+ patients).
As per Ary News, medical experts in Pakistan have warned that children and patients with pre-existing conditions, such as asthma and heart disease, are particularly vulnerable to the smog’s effects. “Special children are severely affected,” said Ashraf Zia.
The smog has led to an increase in various viral diseases, including pneumonia, chest infections, and skin diseases. “Over 10 viral diseases are currently prevalent in Lahore,” he said.
Pakistan is pulling all breaks to deal with the smog crisis in the country.
These include the imposition of a 3-month ban on weddings to the release of new guidelines by the transport department in response to the situation of smog in most parts of the province. Other measures include the Pakistan Punjab government closing schools and colleges in the state.
The severe smog which now engulfs northern Pakistan was also reported by NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).
“A thick blanket of sky-soiling smog hung over northern Pakistan in early November 2024, causing air quality to plummet, schools to close, and sending hundreds of people to the hospital”, NASA MODIS said.
It also made note of the plummeting levels of AQI in the country. “According to several news reports, the Air Quality Index in parts of the Punjab region of Pakistan spiked to more than 1,900 on November 10”.
It reported Pakistani media sources who announced that Pakistan’s Punjab Provincial Disaster Management Authority had declared smog a “calamity” and instituted emergency measures.
“On November 12, the Punjab government website advised that the AQI for the province over last 24 hours had averaged 604–well into the Hazardous range”, NASA MODIS said.
Speaking on the thick layer of pollution, NASA MODIS reported, “The tan haze is so thick that it completely obscures the landscape of Pakistan from view. Irregular patches of a lighter color indicate that fog hugs the ground underneath the haze. The city of Lahore, Pakistan–which has ranked as the most polluted city in the world in recent days–is located near the northeastern edge of the fog”. (ANI)
The Pakistani government has reassured the IMF that it remains optimistic about receiving support from China’s Exim Bank…reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan is relying on assurances from Saudi Arabia and China to address a USD 5 billion external financing gap, with hopes of securing a debt rescheduling agreement with China and deferred oil payments from Saudi Arabia, despite initial delays, the Express Tribune reported on Thursday.
These efforts are part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to meet external funding requirements and fulfil conditions under a USD 7 billion bailout package with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The Pakistani government has reassured the IMF that it remains optimistic about receiving support from China’s Exim Bank, which has committed to rolling over USD 3.4 billion in project debt, and from Saudi Arabia, which has agreed to provide a USD 1.2 billion oil facility, as reported by the Express Tribune. These assurances were given by the executive directors of China and Saudi Arabia when the IMF board approved the bailout package.
Pakistan has also requested the IMF delegation to reconsider its requirement for significant changes to the Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund (PSWF) law by the end of December. While the IMF has yet to respond, the government has hired Alvarez & Marsal Sovereign Advisory Services, led by former central bank governor Dr. Reza Baqir, to advocate for its position.
In a briefing to the IMF on Wednesday, Pakistan reiterated its commitment to securing the necessary external financing, which will fill the USD 5 billion gap between 2024 and 2027, the Express Tribune reported, citing sources. Out of this, USD 2.5 billion is needed for the current fiscal year.
Pakistan had initially planned to raise USD 3.2 billion, including the USD 1.2 billion Saudi oil facility. However, each month of delay in finalising this facility reduces available funds by USD 100 million in the fiscal year.
On the Chinese front, Pakistan is seeking the rescheduling of approximately USD 3.4 billion in debt, with USD 750 million due within the next year. A significant portion of the Chinese debt, around USD 2.7 billion, is scheduled to mature between October 2025 and September 2027, as reported by the Express Tribune.
Pakistan Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, currently attending COP 29 meetings, will join the IMF discussions on Friday. During the IMF meeting, Pakistani authorities and Alvarez & Marsal briefed the IMF on the need for adjustments to the PSWF Act. The government has committed to amending the law by December to align it with IMF requirements, but it has also proposed that the IMF should not push for drastic changes. Specifically, Pakistan suggests that the sovereign wealth fund should not be treated as a state-owned enterprise, as originally envisioned by the IMF.
In response to IMF concerns, Pakistan has agreed to make several changes to the PSWF Act, including the omission of Section 50, which would have allowed for the sale of state-owned entities to foreign buyers. The law now requires amendments in several areas related to governance, revenue management, public asset management, and the handling of state-owned enterprises (SOEs), the Express Tribune reported. The government has agreed to bring the fund in line with international standards, including prohibiting the direct sale of assets to foreign countries.
Pakistan is also committed to removing special privileges for the sovereign wealth fund that would have allowed it to acquire state-owned enterprises or participate in their privatisation. If the IMF’s proposed amendments are passed by parliament, all such privileges will be rescinded. (ANI)
Under the Extended Funding Facility (EFF) $7 billion bailout programme for Pakistan, it was agreed that a progress review would be done every six months….reports Hamza Ameer
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is seriously considering reverting to a three-month review schedule of Pakistan’s $7 billion bailout package after witnessing several major slippages by the government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Under the Extended Funding Facility (EFF) $7 billion bailout programme for Pakistan, it was agreed that a progress review would be done every six months.
However, Pakistan’s progress and performance to ensure its compliance with the IMF plan and requirements saw many slippages, forcing the IMF Pakistan mission to land in Islamabad for an unscheduled visit and ensure that the government stays on track.
Sources reveal that the federal ministry of finance is also struggling to keep all provinces in check, thus ringing alarm bells for the IMF and forcing it to reconsider its initial understanding of a bi-annual review.
Under the IMF bailout package for Pakistan, IMF has agreed on compliance to at least 40 conditions to acquire the $7 billion deal.
Pakistan received the first tranche of the deal – about $1.1 billion – six weeks ago as an upfront payment. It was agreed that the remaining $6 billion would be released in six equal tranches after a successful review and completion of half-yearly reviews.
But, with the government facing serious challenges on multiple fronts – including taxation, external financing and fiscal – the IMF mission decided to conduct a three-month review, three months ahead of the scheduled review in March 2025.
Experts say that quarterly reviews are a better option and would keep Pakistan’s economic sail afloat.
“In case of quarterly reviews, the IMF can ensure strong implementation by keeping a close check on the government. The quarterly reviews would also strengthen the hands of the Ministry of Finance to ensure monitoring of the 40 conditions of the IMF,” said economist Shahbaz Rana.
The IMF Mission in Pakistan has already held several rounds of discussion on performance of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). It has also held a detailed meeting with the power sector and reviewed performances in relation to implementation of macroeconomic targets. Discussions are also underway to review the status of implementation of the National Fiscal Pact.
It should be noted that Pakistan’s performance during the first quarter of the IMF bailout programme has seen many hiccups, including a shortfall of about Rs 90 billion. FBR, during its briefing, maintained that the shortfall was because of macroeconomic assumptions, which went off the mark, coupled with slow growth in imports, slowing down inflation rate and also because many policy measures did not yield the expected results.
While Pakistan is giving all explanations in its kitty to justify the slippages, the IMF is yet to share its point of view. Reports suggest that the IMF is adamant on bringing a mini-budget, as committed and promised by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The development comes after October’s car bombing outside the Karachi airport that targeted Chinese investors…writes Hamza Ameer
China continues to vigorously push the proposal of deploying its own security staff for thousands of its citizens working in Pakistan following several deadly attacks carried against Chinese workers in the country which have severely jolted Islamabad’s relationship with Beijing in recent times.
The development comes after October’s car bombing outside the Karachi airport that targeted Chinese investors and engineers associated with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure projects. The targeted attack resulted in the death of two Chinese workers.
A furious Beijing saw it as a major security failure on part of Pakistani agencies and pitched for a joint security management system in future that allows it to deploy its own personnel to safeguard the Chinese citizens.
As per sources, Beijing’s proposal was put forward during Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang’s visit to Pakistan last month for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting.
Li Qiang was the first Chinese premier to visit Pakistan in more than a decade and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had personally received him at the Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi.
It is believed that after several closed-door meetings, China’s proposal to have its own security personnel on Pakistani soil could eventually get approval from the local government.
“A written proposal was sent to Islamabad by Beijing. It was forwarded to the security agencies for review. The proposal allows the dispatching of security agencies and military forces into each other’s territory to assist in counter-terrorism missions and conduct joint strikes,” a source mentioned.
However, several high-ranking officials have also cast a serious doubt over the entire proposal, asserting that the move could have serious consequences for the country in future.
“Pakistan would prefer getting Chinese help in improving its intelligence and surveillance capabilities instead of direct involvement,” said a top government official.
China too is currently maintaining secrecy on the ongoing security cooperation talks with Pakistan.
“China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan and make joint efforts to do its utmost to maintain the security of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions,” a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson remarked while emphasising that he had no details on the joint security plan.
The intensity of the Karachi bombing and the investigation into the incident has angered Beijing as it has revealed the role played by an insider in securing details of the itinerary and route of the engineers, who were returning to Pakistan from Thailand.
Several countries, including the United States, could raise their strong objection to the move as they have already raised serious concerns in the past over the expanding Chinese footprint in Pakistan.
Local media reported that three youths were reportedly detained by Pakistani forces in Kench district on Tuesday.
Pakistan armed forces have abducted six individuals after a raid in the districts of Kech, Kharan, and Dera Bugti in Balochistan.
The Balochistan Post reported that three youths were reportedly detained by Pakistani forces in Kench district on Tuesday. A raid was conducted by the armed forces before forcibly disappearing the young men.
According to the Balochistan Post, Ismail, a shopkeeper from Balnigor, Imran, a student and Liaquat Ali, a resident of Dasht were forcibly disappeared by the forces.
The locals cited that the victims were abducted when they were on their way to attend a poetry event in memory of Mubarak Qazi in Kadan. Meanwhile, Dr Liaquat Ali was forcibly taken in a raid in Dasht Muskar.
The Balochistan Post reported that Waseem, son of Saeed Ahmed, was reportedly abducted from his shop on Kharan Gawash Road by the armed forces in Balochistan’s Kharan district.
In a separate incident, Talal, son of Umar, and Amir Baloch, son of Ibrahim, were reportedly abducted by the Pakistani forces from Kadan and taken to an undisclosed location.
This was a result of intensified military operations conducted by the armed forces after an attack on the military camps.
Recently, the armed forces started strict military operations across the entire region after the attack and they also shut down mobile services. Banks and other shops as well as schools and other learning facilities were shut down due to the curfew interrupting the needs of the communities. Besides this, helicopters were noticed flying in the area considering the large number of military personnel reported to have been deployed in the area.
Such an operation created fear and terror in the minds of the Baloch people.
These ongoing incidents of enforced disappearances have led to human rights violations by the Pakistan armed forces. (ANI)
As a fallout of the treaty barriers, the Chief Minister said J& K pays a heavy price in peak winter months when power generation hits low, creating hardships for its people….reports Asian Lite News
J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday highlighted the implications of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) on river-rich Jammu & Kashmir, which restricts its ability to harness its huge hydel power potential primarily due to storage constraints.
As a fallout of the treaty barriers, the Chief Minister said J& K pays a heavy price in peak winter months when power generation hits low, creating hardships for its people.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the charge of the Power portfolio, was speaking during the Conference of Power Ministers of States & UT in Delhi.
The Chief Minister highlighted the limiting clauses in the Indus Water Treaty that restrict Jammu & Kashmir from realising its full hydel potential by only permitting run-of-the-river projects.
“Hydel power is J&K’s only viable energy source. The region is compelled to rely on power imports from other States, which adversely impacts its economy. To address this, J&K would require special compensation from the Central government, including viability gap funding and equity assistance, to harness its untapped hydro-energy potential,” he said, adding the support would not only help in meeting the region’s energy needs but also contribute to national clean energy goals.
Chief Minister also sought the Centre’s intervention in holding Central Public Sector Undertakings like PESL and National Thermal Power Corporation accountable for fast-tracking loss reduction works under the premier Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme in J&K.
The Chief Minister also requested the Power Ministry to consider gap funding for the implementation of electric infra works under RDSS.
During the session on solar power potential and green energy, the Chief Minister dwelled upon the solar power energy being generated in Ladakh and said that J&K would like to procure extra energy the UT is able to generate.
Earlier, Omar Abdullah arrived in Delhi on Monday evening to participate in the Conference of Power Minister of States & UTs at India International Convention & Expo Centre Dwarka.
He stayed for the entire day participated in all technical sessions and put forth the viewpoint of the J&K government during the conference.
Dar acknowledged that although significant decisions were made to halt the Gaza conflict, the situation in the Middle East has since worsened…reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has voiced high hope that the incoming US administration will renew its commitment to fostering peace in West Asia, advocating for a strategic, UN-aligned approach to end the crisis as per local media.
Speaking at the Council of Foreign Ministers’ Preparatory Meeting for the Second Arab-Islamic Summit on Sunday, Dar emphasised that “mere condemnation of Israeli actions would not be enough.” He urged Muslim leaders to fulfill their “moral and legal duty” in supporting Palestinians’ rights and achieving justice, Dawn reported.
“The whole Muslim Ummah is looking at us today. We need to demonstrate unwavering political will and complete unity and take concrete steps to effectively address the situation at hand,” he said.
Dar called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, unrestricted humanitarian assistance for Palestinians, and urged the United Nations to ensure continued support for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which has faced mounting challenges.
He proposed several measures, including support for Palestine’s full UN membership and legal action to hold Israel accountable for alleged war crimes. Dar also advocated for imposing an arms embargo on Israel, reassessing its UN membership, and appointing a Joint Arab-Islamic Special Envoy on the Middle East as a focal point for coordinated peace efforts, reported Dawn.
Reflecting on the resolutions from last year’s inaugural Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Dar acknowledged that although significant decisions were made to halt the Gaza conflict, the situation in the Middle East has since worsened. He condemned Israel’s “war crimes and crimes against humanity against the innocent Palestinians,” accusing it of pushing a “greater Israel” agenda with potentially severe repercussions for regional stability.
“The reckless pursuit of a so-called greater Israel by encroaching upon the sovereignty of states beyond Palestine is fraught with serious implications for regional peace and stability,” he warned. Dar also criticised Israel’s military actions as blatant violations of international law, lamenting that the UN Security Council has remained largely ineffective despite calls from the General Assembly, OIC, and International Court of Justice for a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and protection for civilians.
He commended Saudi Arabia’s recent efforts to promote a Two-State Solution through the Global Alliance and confirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the alliance’s objectives. Dar highlighted Pakistan’s consistent support for Palestine, noting the humanitarian aid sent over the past year, as well as scholarships for Palestinian students and educational opportunities for Palestinian medical students, Dawn reported.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also left for Riyadh on Sunday to attend the summit, where he is expected to address key issues and reaffirm Pakistan’s stance on the Palestine situation. Accompanied by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, Sharif will meet with Arab League and OIC leaders to build diplomatic partnerships addressing regional security and humanitarian challenges.
This summit reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to addressing Middle East crises and fostering multilateral engagement, with Riyadh as a diplomatic centre for discussions that may shape the region’s future. (ANI)
With unprecedented legal support, the Pakistan Army will now determine nearly all policies—economic, legal, political, telecommunication, and security—rendering civilian authorities ineffective and leaving the population at the mercy of the military, writes Dr Sakariya Kareem
In another development undermining democracy in Pakistan, the powerful military establishment pressured ruling coalition lawmakers to pass crucial bills in parliament without discussion. Demonstrating unprecedented haste, the government passed all six bills—seeking to extend the tenure of the chiefs of the country’s three armed forces and to increase the number of judges in the superior courts—from the National Assembly within 24 minutes and then from the Senate in just 16 minutes, without allowing any debate.
Among the six bills, the most controversial is the tenure extension of the three military chiefs from three to five years. In simple terms, Pakistan’s chief of army staff (COAS) can now legally serve for ten years, and the army chief can serve for two terms. This move further erodes democracy in Pakistan, and de facto military rule has taken hold. Moving forward, the army will not need to conduct a coup to gain power in Pakistan, as the new extension rule grants unprecedented control to future military chiefs. The new bill guarantees that Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, who has served for two years, will continue leading the country’s powerful military establishment until November 2027. He can also legally seek an additional five-year term after his initial five-year term ends in 2027. Munir’s extension could have severe consequences for opposition parties, particularly Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). Experts believe that the ruling coalition, led by Shehbaz Sharif, pushed for the army chief’s tenure extension as a way to protect itself from political opposition and public discontent. In return, the military establishment is expected to keep Khan imprisoned, selectively target PTI supporters, and prevent large street protests against the ruling coalition. Notably, Sharif, in November 2022, selected General Munir for a three-year term as army chief, an appointment that was opposed by Imran Khan.
The bills passed by Parliament included the Supreme Court Number of Judges (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Islamabad High Court (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Pakistan Air Force (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the Pakistan Navy (Amendment) Bill 2024. These bills were passed without prior discussion and silenced lawmakers from opposition parties. Furthermore, just hours after the new laws were passed, the government sent the documents to the acting President of Pakistan, Yusuf Raza Gilani, who signed them informally at his home. This demonstrates how non-serious the ruling coalition was about these crucial legislations and suggests they were under pressure from the military to pass them quickly.
Critics argue that the new legislation will create discontent within the three military branches, as many senior officers will lose the opportunity to become chiefs. Additionally, the armed forces, particularly the army, may become more politicized as senior generals seek to align themselves with major political parties in hopes of advancing to chief positions. Importantly, the prime minister of Pakistan has the authority to select the army, navy, and air force chiefs. Furthermore, the amendments eliminate previous age limits and expand tenure options, allowing the Chief of Army Staff and other military leaders to serve beyond the earlier prescribed age of 64 if national security or urgent needs arise. The new rules have been heavily criticized by Pakistani politicians and policy experts. One expert commented on X/Twitter regarding the services extension issue: “Thanks to the bill the government rushed through parliament suddenly today, Pakistan’s army chief can now be in power for a full 10 years (because an extension is possible). The country’s authoritarian turn has been cemented today.” Another post claimed that “the most damaging aspect of this government is how it has undermined Parliament and democratic norms. 6 bills passed in the NA within 24 minutes. A constitutional amendment passed in a midnight session marred by coercion and abductions. No debates, no public drafts.” Politicians and members of ethnic minorities, such as Pashtun and Baloch, are worried about the new rules because they will directly affect their safety and security. A former Pashtun senator, Afrasiab Khattak, stated on social media, “Aside from movements led by popular young leaders from oppressed communities and activists from the left, there are no opposition political parties in Pakistan. The ruling party and the main opposition see eye to eye on extending the tenure of the generals. Don’t blame the people.” Under the current ruling coalition government in Islamabad and the army chief, General Munir, ethnic minorities are facing increasing state-sponsored violence and forced incarcerations based on unsubstantiated legal charges. With the recent amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 and the extension of the army chief’s tenure, people in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will experience more instability due to selective counterterrorism and intelligence-led operations by the Punjabi-dominated armed forces in Pakistan.
On November 5, two major religio-political parties—the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI)—criticized the coalition government for recent bills. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that the ruling parties were “gagging” democracy by empowering the military establishment. At a press conference in Islamabad, Rehman argued that the new bill to amend the anti-terrorism law would tarnish democratic institutions and that it “is tantamount to civil martial law and a slap in the face of democracy.” The long-term consequences of these rules for the people of Pakistan, particularly ethnic minorities like the Baloch and Pashtun, will be significant as General Munir and other security agencies openly violate the constitution, transforming the country into an autocratic military state. With unprecedented legal support, the Pakistan Army will now determine nearly all policies—economic, legal, political, telecommunication, and security—rendering civilian authorities ineffective and leaving the population at the mercy of the military.
After the attack, the authorities started snap-checking in various parts of the city with an additional contingent of police and law enforcers deployed for increased security….reports Asian Lite News
Islamabad, Nov 9 (IANS) The death toll of a blast that hit a railway station in Quetta city of Pakistan’s Balochistan province on Saturday rose to 25, health and police officials said.
Confirming the casualties, Waseem Baig, media coordinator of the provincial health ministry of Balochistan, told that the death toll increased after at least five injured people succumbed to injuries during treatment.
The health official said that 62 people sustained injuries in the bomb blast, and dozens have been shifted to a military hospital in the city for better treatment, adding that the death toll might further rise as several among the injured are in critical condition, Xinhua news agency reported.
After the attack, the authorities started snap-checking in various parts of the city with an additional contingent of police and law enforcers deployed for increased security.
The proscribed group Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack in a press release shared with media and on social media platforms.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and directed the hospital administration to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured people.
