ISLAMABAD, MAR 1 /DNA/ – The Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted a public talk, titled “Pakistan’s Opportunity for Science Diplomacy in South Asia” on March 01, 2024. Dr. Saleem H. Ali, Chair, Department of Geography, University of Delaware, USA was the keynote speaker. The talk provided significant insights into the opportunities available for Pakistan to conduct successful and effective Science Diplomacy, including in the South Asian region. Featuring as Discussant, Additional Secretary (PP/ACDIS) Mr. Kamran Akhtar highlighted the progress made by Pakistan within the context of the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s; Science Diplomacy initiative.

Director CSP, Dr. Neelum Nigar, welcomed the participants to the discussion, underscoring the subject’s significance for the region.
In his welcome remarks, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted the importance of Science Diplomacy (SD) in today’s interconnected world and lauded the Foreign Office’s SD initiative which served as a key platform for facilitating the inter-face between the national science & technology stakeholders and international partners. He noted that this was helping to foster beneficial collaboration on key areas of focus with the relevant institutions, international organisations, and countries. Pakistan was also leveraging Science Diplomacy to implement SDGs.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood added that science diplomacy in South Asia offers the chance to address common environmental challenges and help enhance technological innovation and economic growth. Collaborative research and development projects can lead to the creation of new technologies, improved infrastructure, and increased scientific capacity in the region.

Dr. Saleem H. Ali delivered a compelling presentation in which he outlined the pivotal role of science diplomacy, emphasizing how collaborative scientific efforts can transcends national boundaries to foster peace and sustainable development. He underscored Pakistan’s unique position, given its rich scientific heritage and strategic geographical location, suggesting that the country can play a leading role in utilizing science for diplomatic endeavours on a global scale, not just within South Asia.

Highlighting the need for international scientific collaborations, Dr. Ali stressed the importance of addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, pandemic preparedness, and sustainable development goals. He advocated for a dynamic and adaptable diplomatic approach, proposing the establishment of international agreements on research integrity, merit-based criteria for international students, mechanisms for prevention science, a crisis research collaboration fund, and effective science communication strategies to counter misinformation.

Dr. Ali’s vision for Pakistan’s role in science diplomacy encompassed a proactive stance in international forums, the promotion of south-south collaboration, and the strategic harnessing of science and technology as essential tools for achieving peace and prosperity. His comprehensive framework positioned Pakistan as an important player in influencing the global scientific landscape and contributing significantly to international cooperation and progress.
The discussion additional depth through the valuable insights shared by Additional Secretary Kamran Akhtar, and Mr. Muhammad Adeel, representing the Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels. Mr. Akhtar provided a detailed overview of Pakistan’s active involvement in various international scientific initiatives, notably the EU’s Science for Diplomacy (S4D) initiative, outreach to the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), and the establishment of strategic university linkages geared towards fostering collaboration among the developing countries (south-south cooperation).

He highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to showcasing the myriad dimensions if its scientific programs, underscoring the country’s dedication to utilizing science for peaceful and developmental purposes. Mr. Akhtar’s insights shed light on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ ongoing efforts to seamlessly integrate science and technology into Pakistan’s diplomatic initiatives. Notable achievements include the signing of multiple Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) within international educational institutions, the expansion of science scholarships, and establishment of science diplomacy focal points in Pakistani missions abroad.

The event concluded with remarks by Chairman BOG ISSI Ambassador Khalid Mahmood. He underscored the need to enhance the role of science in diplomacy, emphasizing its potential to contribute to a different international image of Pakistan. Ambassador Khalid Mahmood highlighted the importance of tapping into the expertise of the highly talented and active Pakistani diaspora, noting their historically pivotal role in the country’s development.
The public talk was attended by senior representatives of COMSTECH and COMSATS, academics, practitioners, and students.

KARACHI, MAR 1 /DNA/ – “The Annual General Council of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society will meet on Saturday, March 02, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at APNS House, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Karachi”, stated a press release of the APNS. 

The Annual General Council will discuss the conditions prevailing in the newspaper industry and take decisions to address the problems faced by the member publications and will finalize its recommendations on the issues pertaining to the Govt. – Press relations, freedom of press and the future of the industry.

The members will consider and adopt the report of the Executive Committee for the year 2023-2024, approve audit report for Annual Accounts for the year 2023 and elect members to the Executive Committee for the year 2024-2025.

The new Executive Committee will elect its office bearers for the new term. The meetings of the General Councils will be attended by full members only.

The Secretary General, APNS has requested publishers of full member publications to attend the above Council meeting positively.”

Bureau Report

PESHAWAR, MAR 1: /DNA/ – Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) provincial Chairman Sikandar Hayat Khan Sherpao on Friday said that his party would not compromise on the provincial rights and any bid to amend the Indus River System Authority Act 1992 would be resisted with full force.

In a statement issued from Watan Kor, he said the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) was established to monitor the distribution of water from the Indus River among the federating units.

Commenting on the media reports about the appointment of the IRSA chairman, he maintained that the QWP would not comprise on the rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and any bid to amend the Act would be resisted with full force.

He said the QWP would continue its struggle to get the rights of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa enshrined in the 1973 Constitution. He said some elements were conspiring to roll back the 18th Constitutional Amendment in an effort to do away with the provincial autonomy.

“We will resist any such bid to undo the 18th Amendment and deprive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of its due rights,” he vowed.  He said the 18th Constitutional Amendment was the first step towards achieving the provincial autonomy, therefore, it would be protected at all costs. Sikandar Sherpao said that undoing the 18th Constitutional Amendment would create unrest among the residents of the smaller federating units, which was not a good omen for the federation.

The QWP leader said true representatives of the Pakhtuns were made to lose the recent general election in order to keep them out of the Parliament under a conspiracy. “We will not rest until the province gets its due rights,” he vowed, adding the QWP leadership would raise its voice against injustice being meted out to the province. He said the QWP would not let the Pakhtuns down and would continue to raise voice for the rights.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 1 /DNA/ – Pearl-Continental Hotel, Bhurban’s exceptional culinary team, consisting of seven professional chefs, garnered notable recognition at the Pakistan International Culinary Championship 2024, receiving several awards across various categories, including Beef Practical Category, Seafood Practice Professional, Chicken Practical Professional, and many others. The Pearl-Continental Hotel, Bhurban, secured four trophies, eight gold medals, five silver medals, and three bronze medals.

The Pakistan International Culinary Championship (PICC) is an event endorsed by the prestigious World Chef Association and was held recently in Lahore with culinary enthusiasts and professionals from Maldives, Malaysia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and several regions across Pakistan. PICC 2024 hosts seasoned professionals worldwide and is a remarkable opportunity for young upcoming chefs to hone their skills and learn from skilled professionals.

Sharing his thoughts on the remarkable victories, the Chief Operating Officer Hospitality and Education Division, Hashoo Group, Haseeb A. Gardezi, said, “We are humbled by this recognition from the World Chef Association and look forward to consistently enhancing our service standards to meet the varying needs of our guests, who remain at the core of our business strategies. Thank you, and well done, team Bhurban!”

Pearl-Continental Bhurban is renowned for its excellent hospitality services and diverse signature restaurants, offering an extensive range of culinary delights from authentic Chinese cuisine and traditional Shinwari to classic Continental dishes. Additionally, the hotel prides itself on its exceptional food safety standards. It has recently attained ISO-22000 & HACCP Food Safety Management Recertifications with 100% Compliance for a second year running, underscoring its commitment to quality and excellence in culinary services.

Cluster General Manager, Pearl-Continental Hotel, Bhurban, Pearl-Continental Hotel, Muzaffarabad, and Cecil Hotel by Pearl-Continental, Nadeem Riaz Chaudhary, remarked, “It is a wonderful experience to have one’s hard work recognized and rewarded on a global stage. We are humbled by our victories at PICC 2024 and will continue to do our utmost to facilitate the best and finest culinary experiences for our valued guests.”

On a related note, the Pearl-Continental Lahore team also achieved significant success at the championship, showcasing their culinary expertise and further establishing the Group’s reputation for culinary excellence.

These awards signify Hashoo Group’s longstanding legacy of nurturing the finest talent within its walls across numerous nationwide touch points, facilitating gold-star hospitality services for an ever-changing guest base.

Hashoo Group is Pakistan’s premium conglomerate with a diversified business portfolio spanning national and international markets. The Group owns and operates the Pearl-Continental Hotels & Resorts, PC Legacy, and Hotel One brands in Pakistan and has business interests encompassing Hashoo School of Hospitality Management – Pakistan’s premier hospitality and tourism education institution, information technology, investment, travel & tourism, and real-estate sectors.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 1 /DNA/ – President Dr Arif Alvi has called for increasing cooperation between the supreme audit institutions of Pakistan and Azerbaijan for sharing best auditing practices to enhance transparency and financial accountability. He said that public sector accounting was a critical component of financial management within government organizations that helped ensure transparency and accountability in government spending.

The President expressed these views while talking to the visiting Chairman of the Chamber of Accounts of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr Vugar Gulmammadov, who along with his delegation, called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. The Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP), Mr Muhammad Ajmal Gondal, and officials of AGP also attended the meeting.

Chairman of the Chamber of Accounts of Azerbaijan (CAA), Mr Vugar Gulmammadov, briefed the President about the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Supreme Audit Institution of Azerbaijan, CAA, and the Supreme Audit Institution of Pakistan, AGP, for peer reviews of public accounts. He said that the MoU would help deepen friendly relations between the two countries.

The President lauded the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between AGP and CAA, saying that it would increase cooperation between two countries in the field of Public Sector Auditing. He added that cooperation between CAA and AGP would be mutually beneficial for both the countries. He also appreciated AGP’s role in carrying out peer reviews of the Supreme Audit Institution (SAI) of Azerbaijan.

Talking to the delegation, the President said that Pakistan accorded special importance to its relations with Azerbaijan, which were based on common faith, shared history, and people-to-people contacts. He stated that promoting cultural exchanges and strengthening cooperation in the cultural and economic fields was vital for fostering understanding and mutually beneficial development between the two brotherly nations. He termed the cooperation between Pakistan and Azerbaijan “pivotal for promoting peace, stability, development in the region”.

The President also felicitated President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan on his re-election in the Presidential elections held on 7th February 2024 and hoped that the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Azerbaijan would be further strengthened during his tenure.

Islamic nations, having initiated the month of Shaaban on February 11, 2024, are gearing up to observe the crescent moon for Ramadan on March 10, Gulf News reported. 

The International Astronomical Center notes that the central conjunction is scheduled for 9 am GMT on that day, with the moon expected to set after sunset across most Islamic regions. As a result, it is anticipated that many countries will mark the beginning of Ramadan on March 11.

Despite this, the likelihood of sighting the crescent on March 10 appears slim, according to scientific criteria for crescent visibility. 

Renowned scholars such as Ibn Tariq, Wutheringham, Maunder, Parwin, and Elias, along with astronomical observatories like SAAO, and researchers Yallop and Odeh agree that the crescent won’t be visible that day across the Arab and Islamic world, either with the naked eye or through a telescope.

However, the use of a telescope might make the crescent visible from specific parts of the Americas, especially in the western regions.

Therefore, for countries within the Islamic world that require accurate crescent sighting, Ramadan is expected to commence on Tuesday, March 12. 

As preparations unfold, the anticipation for the Ramadan crescent sighting adds a significant aspect to the observance of this sacred month in the Islamic calendar.

ISLAMABAD, 29 FEB /DNA/ – Subject to some reservations, President Dr Arif Alvi has summoned to convene the National Assembly on 29th February in exercise of the powers conferred by the Article 54(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The President accorded his approval while keeping in view the mandate and implications of the timeline given in Article 91 (2)  and subject to some reservations and expecting the resolution of the issue of the reserved seats before the 21st day.

While responding to the Summary sent by the caretaker Prime Minister, the President said that the tone and tenor of the Honorable Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan was unfortunate. He stated that the President, who was Head of the State and represented the unity of the Republic as per Article 41 of the Constitution, took exception to the contents of the Summary.

The President wrote that “Summaries are not usually addressed in this way. It is sad that Chief Executive of the country addresses the Head of the State in the first form and resorts to unacceptable language and allegations without any substance”. He highlighted that he believed and always maintained the principle of objectivity and neutrality in accordance with his oath and responsibilities under the Constitution of Pakistan.

The President said that he could not be oblivious of some incongruities in the electoral process and the process of formation of the Government. He added that he had to keep national interest in his view, for cohesiveness and betterment of the nation. Return of the summary was very much in accordance with the provisions of Article 48(1), he maintained. “It is not understood on what grounds it has been taken as a partisan act, though it was also aimed at the completion of the National Assembly in accordance with Article 51 of the Constitution, so that people of Pakistan are not deprived of taking part in the executive decisions of the country through their representatives as enshrined in the Objectives Resolution”, he stated.

The President said that he did not want to indulge and engage himself or to dwell into such baseless accusations of constitutional violation attributed in the Summary. He further remarked that it was needless to remind that a Caretaker Prime Minister/set up was merely responsible to ensure conducive conditions for the peaceful, fair and transparent holding of the General elections, within the framework of the Constitution and the timeline on which many quarters had expressed reservations. “There are many cases being challenged and it is the responsibility of the State that the will and mandate of the people is respected by all”, he added.

The President underlined that proposal in Para 14 of the Summary was anachronistic because it was received in the night of 26th February, 2024. He said that the Prime Minister had not returned the summary strictly in accordance with the Provisions of Article 48 (1) of the Constitution for reconsideration.

The President stated that he fully realized that the Constitution of Pakistan must be implemented in letter and spirit, though it was not being done so in case of the existing electoral process.

The President reiterated his stance about the provisions of the Constitution such as Article 51 and clause 2 of Article 91 to be followed by all and given effect in letter and spirit. “Of late the Election Commission of Pakistan is seized of the exercise contemplated by the Article 51 of the Constitution, the outcome of which was awaited and expected by the 21st day as envisaged in Article 91(2). However, till this time no decision has been made by the Commission”, he wrote.

The President concluded that keeping in view the mandate and implications of the timeline given in Article 91(2) and subject to his reservations and expecting the resolution of the issue of reserved seats before the 21st day, the National Assembly meeting was summoned to convene on 29th February 2024.