Daily Archives: November 8, 2022

PM Shahbaz Sharif addresses Saudi Green Initiative meeting at COP27, says he’s heartened by active interest in nature-based initiatives

PM Shahbaz Sharif has said that Pakistan’s climate action agenda is centred on nature-based solutions. The premier was addressing the Saudi Green Initiative meeting at the COP27 summit in Sharm al-Sheikh in Egypt on Tuesday.

PM Shahbaz is on a visit to Sharm El-Sheikh to participate in the 70th session of the Conference of Parties.

“Nature-based solutions are at the heart of Pakistan’s ambitious climate action agenda under the […] Paris Agreement,” he said, telling the participants of the meeting that he was heartened by the active interest of members in nature-based initiatives like afforestation.

He said that such initiatives help countries build adaptive capacities, control greenhouse gas emissions, and minimise loss and damage due to climate change at the national and regional level.

“I must mention here that the objective of the Middle East Green Initiative (MGI) are aligned with the objective of Pakistan’s national forest policy and the Green Pakistan programme, which is focused on protecting, enhancing, and managing our forests, wildlife and ecosystem by 2023,” the premier said.

He also lauded Riyadh for driving the Saudi Green Initiative. He said that Pakistan has already extended full cooperation through the exchange of knowledge and the provision of experts.

PM Shahbaz expresses willingness to assist MGI member countries

PM Shahbaz said that Pakistan expresses a keen willingness to provide and cooperate with all MGI member countries in sharing experience and tech expertise related to the restoration of forests, dryland areas, mangroves, management of protected areas, carbon stock assessment and establishment of forest monitoring systems.

“The MGI initiative is a one big step in the right direction,” he said, assuring of Pakistan’s full commitment to the initiative’s broader objective.

He said that the country looks forward to a close collaboration with the member states, not only in this initiative but in all the actions needed to protect the world.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia review ties to bolster bilateral cooperation

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia expressed determination to further strengthen the multilateral partnership between the two brotherly countries, in meeting of PM Shahbaz and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The premier met the crown prince on the sidelines of the COP-27 in Sharm El-Sheikh.

During the meeting, the two leaders reviewed the bilateral relations with a view to further enhancing the ongoing cooperation in various fields. They also discussed regional and global issues of mutual interest.

PM Shahbaz reiterated that Pakistan attaches great importance to its ties with Saudi Arabia, which are deeply rooted in common faith, culture, values ​​and an eternal tradition of mutual support. He said that MBS has great respect and love for the people of Saudi Arabia.

The premier also appreciated the hospitality and cooperation of Saudi Arabia for the two million Pakistanis working in the kingdom, which contributed to the development, prosperity and prosperity of the two brotherly countries.

Referring to their recent meeting in Riyadh, PM Shahbaz and the crown prince expressed satisfaction at the growing high-level ties.

Looking forward to the upcoming visit of the MBS to Pakistan, the premier said that he was confident that this visit would promote bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. He particularly emphasised on the importance of increasing trade, investment, development and people-to-people ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the mutual interest of the people of the two brotherly countries.

While appreciating Saudi Arabia’s assistance to Pakistan’s flood-affected people, PM Shahbaz said that Pakistan was one of the countries most affected by the effects of climate change.

He expressed hope that “COP-27” would yield concrete results, especially in developing countries with regard to the financing of waste and damage caused by environmental causes.

He also appreciated the efforts of the Crown Prince on the functioning of the integrated environmental initiative and assured the Saudi leadership of full support from Pakistan.

PM Shahbaz to co-chair round table conference

PM Shahbaz on Tuesday will co-chair an important round table with his Norwegian counterpart titled “Climate Change and Sustainability of Vulnerable Communities”, on the second day of the high-level segment of COP 27.

He will participate in the important meeting jointly hosted by the German Chancellor and the President of Ghana titled “Scaling Up Action and Support on Loss and Damage — Global Shield Against Climate Risk”.

Further, on the sidelines of the conference, the Prime Minister will also meet important world leaders.

Read more

“Prime Minister has been pleased to desire that November 9 (Iqbal Day) shall henceforth be observed as a Public Holiday

ISLAMABAD: To mark the 145th birth anniversary of Dr Allama Mohammad Iqbal — Iqbal Day — the federal government has announced a public holiday on November 9 (Wednesday) across the country.

According to a notification issued in this regard, “The prime minister has been pleased to desire that November 9 (Iqbal Day) shall henceforth be observed as a Public Holiday.”

Dr Iqbal played an instrumental role in inspiring millions of Muslims across the sub-continent to seek an independent homeland where they could practice Islam freely.

The day would dawn with special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

Popularly known in Pakistan and other parts of the world as the “Poet of the East”, Dr Iqbal was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877.

Iqbal was an acclaimed poet and philosopher. He is credited with writing poetry and using his political influence to demand the creation of a separate homeland for Muslims.

His Allahabad address of 1930 was a watershed moment in pre-partition politics.

Allama Iqbal’s address gave a clear direction and separate identity to Muslims of the sub-continent to achieve Pakistan.

A Change of Guards ceremony will also be held at his mausoleum in Lahore.

Read more

Apparent negligence of authority concerned has compelled women, students and other commuters to wait in long queues

ISLAMABAD:
The shortage of passenger vans at the intercity van stop in G-9 Markaz is testing the nerves of passengers traveling to and from the federal capital.

The apparent negligence of authority concerned has compelled women, students and other commuters to wait in long queues on the weekends.

Talking to this scribe, a passenger, Muhammad Faisal, said that the van stop faces a shortage of vans from Thursday to Saturday, adding that it was the responsibility of the management to arrange more vehicles when the demand was high.

The irked passenger said this Hiace stop was important as it provided transportation services to passengers traveling from Islamabad to Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur and Peshawar.

He lamented that the shortage of vans on weekends has become a routine matter and during rush hours, ticketing staff leaves the desk rather than managing the situation.

Read more

ANP’s Iftikhar Hussain says PM hasn’t consulted allies regarding COAS appointment

PESHAWAR:
The Awami National Party (ANP) has declared negotiations as the only solution to the current political problems in the country while clarifying that the prime minister did not consult with the allies regarding the appointment of the new army chief.

ANP Central General Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain and Central Spokesman Zahid Khan, along with other party leaders, held a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, where they said that the situation in the country has reached such a level that every party has to explain itself.

They demanded a transparent investigation into the attack on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, adding that the former prime minister was brought up with so much “love” that he is not being handled anymore.

Imran was welcomed on the streets because inflation continued to rise, they added.

Imran is leading this country to a civil war, and he does not even care about martial law, they claimed.

They also claimed that Imran himself “disputed” his accident and the number of bullets could not be determined. The purpose of transfer to Shaukat Khanum Hospital was to obtain a report of his own liking, they added.

The ANP leaders said that talks are going on, and they advise Imran to act with patience so that the “real facts” can come out. Imran wants to appoint the army chief of his own free will, which is not his right or authority, and these people are preparing to make the new army chief controversial, they added.

“This game of audios and videos should end,” he said.

“The non-interference of the army in politics was our demand, which everyone accepts today, but Imran does not. He said that this is not a march but a good game,” he further said.

The ANP leader said that political people use political methods to deal with the situation and they can be negotiations.

The government gave Imran a free hand because it is a democratic right of all, he said, adding that Imran and company refused to negotiate.

“A solution can only be found through negotiation,” he further said.

Hussain said that they do not want to add fuel to the fire, but the prime minister did not consult with the allies on the appointment of the new army chief, and he will make the appointment under his authority.

“Democracy will not be derailed, they will become jurors, they will be weak like in the past,” he said.

Read more

Educational institutions would remain closed for the next two days on account of prevailing law and order situation

ISLAMABAD:
Rawalpindi district administration announced on Monday that all educational institutions would remain closed for the next two days on account of the prevailing law and order situation in the garrison city.

The decision about school closure came after school vans, ambulances and general public got stuck at different places in the twin cities after PTI supporters took to the streets in the aftermath of the assassination attempt on their party chief on November 3.

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police had to place diversions in many areas of the city in order to maintain law and order in the federal capital. School children and parents were forced to spend the day on roads as the protestors blocked the roads exactly when the pupils were heading home.

“Due to prevailing law and order situation of country, the competent authority has decided that all Education Institutions (Government as well as Private) situated within Tehsil Rawalpindi only shall remain closed for 2 days (08-11-2022 & 09-11-2022),” Rawalpindi admin’s notification read.

Read more

TOBA TEK SINGH: As malnutrition affects 40 per cent of the population, it is critical to educate people about food diversification, healthy eating, altering lifestyles, the benefits of maize-wheat flour and indigenous remedies to combat hidden hunger.

This was stated by UAF Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan at the first International Pakistan-Korea Nutrition Centre (PKNC) conference on Nutrition and Public Health for Developing Economies and Sustainable Solutions.

The PKNC and the National Institute of Food Sciences and Technology (NIFSAT) organised the conference.

He stated that the country requires 30 million tonnes of wheat but only produces 27 million tonnes. If we combine 15 per cent maize into wheat, we will not only reduce wheat imports, but also improve people’s health. He said that the wheat per acres production has been stagnant for the last many years whereas maize per acre productivity has gone up manifold.

He voiced his concern that the majority of school and college students arrive without eating breakfast as a habit, lowering their academic performance. He asked the parents to concentrate on the problem.

He stated that the PKNC, which was formed at the UAF, will be a watershed moment in combating large-scale malnutrition through education, research, product creation, and capacity building of nutrition practitioners, school teachers, and society as a whole.

According to Dr Jaehan Kim of Korea’s Chungnam National University, there is a lack of access to nutritional information in the community. He stated that with information, we can have nutrient-dense food at the same cost that will keep us healthy.

He stated that the 35 master trainers, 36,000 local nutrition professionals, including school teachers, lady health workers, and 36,000 local community members, will be trained by the PKNC, which is financed by the Korean International Cooperation Agency.

According to KOICA Director Je Ho Yeon, the PKNC will help to develop Korean-Pak relations. He stated that nutrition education would improve people’s health.

According to Prof Dr Masood Sadiq Butt, Dean Faculty of Food Nutrition and Home Sciences, malnutrition costs the country 3pc of its GDP. He also stated that the PKNC will train nutrition education specialists, school teachers, and other stakeholders to ensure that proper information is delivered effectively.

According to Dr Basma Elahi, we must find the fundamental cause of any problem. Malnutrition causes numerous societal ills, and under the umbrella of the PKNC, we would produce meaningful results for a healthy nation.

Dr Imran Pasha, Director General of NIFSAT, stated that the UAF was the first university to introduce the human nutrition and dietetics curriculum in the country, and that the programme is currently being forwarded to numerous universities across the country.

FIRE: Two cars caught fire late on Sunday, one in Jhang and one in Faisalabad.

According to Rescue 1122, the car caught fire and was entirely destroyed in Jhang at Adda Majhi Sultan on Maddoki Road. The cause of the fire was unknown. Rescue 1122 said in Jhang at Adda Majhi Sultan on Maddoki Road, the car caught fire and was gutted completely. The cause of the fire could not be known.

DIES IN CUSTODY: A theft suspect allegedly died in police custody in Faisalabad’s Madina Town on Monday.

Acting CPO Abdullah Ahmad has ordered Madina Town SP Ahmad Zubair to conduct an investigation into the incident. Irfan Nazir, of Chak 215-RB, Kakkoana, and two accomplices were arrested as theft suspects, according to Madina Town police.

They were in the police station’s lockup when Irfan complained of heart problems, prompting Rescue 1122 to transport him to the DHQ hospital, where he died of a heart attack.

The body was transported to a hospital for an autopsy.

Read more