Muzaffarabad  – Under the Beneezer Kafalat program, 60,000 deserving women in the Azad Kashmir region have successfully received their funds through biometric verification, which accounts for 72% of the total eligible beneficiaries.

This significant achievement was announced by the Regional Director of the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) for Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Abdul Aziz Qureshi, during a Live E-Kachhari session with the concerned team.

Dr. Qureshi interacted with approximately 50 beneficiaries over the phone during the E-Kachhari, addressing queries from both current and prospective beneficiaries of BISP. He explained that the recent National Socio-Economic Registry (NSER) survey conducted by the government of Pakistan has identified individuals with a poverty score of less than 32 as eligible for the Beneezer Kafalat program.

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Eligibility is confirmed through messages sent to registered mobile phones from the number 8171, after which eligible women can collect their funds from Bank Al Falah’s designated retailers or points of sale through biometric authentication.

Dr. Qureshi highlighted that BISP maintains the largest economic and social database of all households in Pakistan, a product of scientifically designed surveys. This database is instrumental in planning various poverty alleviation and social protection policies and programs. He emphasized that, in addition to its targeted unconditional and conditional cash transfer programs, BISP uses the registry data to formulate effective social protection strategies.

During the E-Kachhari, the BISP team, including Deputy Director Special Initiatives Raja Sajjad, Stunt Director Bilal Khan, Media Officer Wajid Rafiq Chaudhary, and Assistant Inayatullah Khan, was present at the regional office, ready to address any queries from the public.

Thyroid eye disease (TED) is a condition that usually occurs in people who have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) due to an autoimmune disorder such as Graves’ disease. Diet plays an important role in managing thyroid eye disease. Certain foods can aggravate the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Additionally, eating foods you are sensitive to can affect your immune system and potentially cause hyperthyroidism.

Iodine

Excessive iodine intake can trigger hyperthyroidism, especially in the elderly or those with existing thyroid disease. Foods that are naturally high in iodine include seafood. Certain foods are often iodized, meaning iodine has been added to them. These include salt, bread, and dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Other iodine-rich foods include egg yolks, milk chocolate, and commercially prepared bakery products made with iodate conditioners.

Gluten

A significant number of people with thyroid disease also have celiac disease, an autoimmune disease in which eating gluten damages the small intestine. Gluten is the general name for the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Some patients with celiac disease report needing less thyroid hormone replacement after following a gluten-free diet for a period of time.

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One reason is that following a gluten-free diet allows the small intestine to heal, enabling better absorption of thyroid medication. A gluten-free diet may also reduce inflammation of the thyroid gland by lowering the overall inflammatory response.

Gluten is found in many foods such as pasta, bread, and baked goods, but it can also be present in unexpected foods like soups, sauces, and salad dressings. When shopping, be sure to check nutrition labels for gluten and choose gluten-free products. Many traditionally gluten-containing foods are now available in gluten-free versions.

Foods for a Healthy Thyroid

While certain foods can exacerbate thyroid disease, other foods contain specific nutrients that are important for a healthy diet. These include foods and drinks that are high in the following ingredients:

• Calcium: People with hyperthyroidism may have trouble absorbing calcium, which can cause bones to break down over time and increase the risk of developing osteoporosis. Therefore, eating foods that are high in calcium can help. Examples include green leafy vegetables, almonds, sardines, and okra. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are also rich in calcium.
• Vitamin D: This important vitamin helps calcium be absorbed more easily. Most vitamin D is obtained from sunlight, but it can also be sourced from diet. Tuna, freshwater salmon, and cod are good sources of vitamin D and are also high in iodine.
• Magnesium: Magnesium helps the body absorb vitamin D. Additionally, insufficient magnesium intake can potentially worsen hyperthyroidism. Foods rich in magnesium include avocados, almonds, beans, and pumpkin seeds.
• Selenium: Selenium is essential for thyroid hormone production and helps protect the thyroid from damage caused by oxidative stress. A deficiency in selenium can cause the thyroid to malfunction. Rich sources of selenium include mushrooms, brown rice, sunflower seeds, and sardines.

Combining All Foods

When it comes to cooking, there are many delicious food options available. For breakfast, you can choose oatmeal. Oats are gluten-free but can be processed in facilities that also handle gluten-containing grains, so look for ‘gluten-free’ on the label to ensure no cross-contamination. Try eating oats with almonds or fresh fruit.

A good option for lunch is a fresh salad of leafy greens with oil and vinegar, topped with avocado slices and pumpkin seeds. Add some gluten-free crackers on the side for extra crunch. For dinner, grilled salmon with roasted broccoli and brown rice is a great choice. Just ensure that the salt used in food preparation is not iodized.

Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan of Azad Jammu Kashmir held a crucial meeting with President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry at the President’s House, where they discussed vital issues concerning the representation of the people of Indian-administered Kashmir.

During the meeting, both leaders emphasized the importance of representing the state of Jammu and Kashmir effectively in the legislative assembly. They agreed to continue the ongoing movement in Occupied Kashmir to highlight Indian atrocities and violations of human rights on national and international platforms.

A significant decision was made to allocate specific seats in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly for Kashmiris living across the Line of Control (LoC). Additionally, effective representation for non-Muslims of Occupied Kashmir in the Legislative Assembly was also prioritized.

Furthermore, discussions were held regarding the allocation of honorary seats for Muslim leaders who played crucial roles during the Pakistan Movement. Both leaders affirmed that the hearts of non-Muslim Kashmiris living across the LoC beat for Pakistan, underscoring the strong emotional bond between them and Pakistan.

Prime Minister Khan and President Chaudhry expressed deep concern over the mistreatment of Dalits in India, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to providing equal opportunities and protection to people of all religions, as envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The leaders stressed the importance of giving full representation to political leaders of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and the non-Muslim community in the Legislative Assembly, ensuring their privileges and rights are safeguarded through legislative measures.

They reiterated the principle that Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC have the right to live according to their own religions and affirmed their dedication to strengthening the joint Pakistan Movement. The leaders pledged to continue their active role in this struggle until their goals are achieved.

This meeting reflects a united commitment to advocating for the rights and representation of Kashmiris, both Muslim and non-Muslim, in the legislative framework of Azad Jammu Kashmir.