DNA

ISLAMABAD, JAN 16: President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday while alluding to the significance of the technological advancement and innovations in diverse fields and the availability of knowledge, stressed the need to share the latest scientific breakthroughs, experiences and achievements for the greater benefits of entire humanity.

The president said that the availability of knowledge should not be contained under the mere tag of ‘copyrights’ as greater accessibility could help humanity to move through the current economic, social and global challenges.

The president was speaking as a chief guest at a ceremony to mark the 29th-anniversary celebration of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) at the Aiwan e Sadr.

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, former diplomats, members of academia and the media.

The president said that scientific knowledge should be shared among the nations without any hindrance by resetting the priorities which were focused somewhat elsewhere.

“Open knowledge resources should be utilized and the world should work for the mutual transfer of knowledge. The injustices should be addressed,” he emphasised.

The president further said that transformation in the world could take place in the presence of ‘ethics or humanity-based order’, adding the new world would be dependent upon these shifts. While the rules-based world order was dominated by material-driven priorities, he opined.

He regretted that contrary to the requirements of the world, the prevalent tendency was towards the ultra-rich who had been becoming richer while the poor of the world were mired in poverty and deprivation.

He stressed that just and equitable distribution of wealth in the world could alleviate the sufferings of humanity.

“The world is not ready to change the exploitative attitude and end exploitation,” he said and referred to a recent report of OXFAM which said that billionaires had doubled their income while about 5 billion people in the world witnessed shrinkage in their earnings.

President Alvi said that genome sequencing was one of the major breakthroughs in the scientific world which had become more accessible to people due to the exponential pace of scientific developments.

The world is heading towards exponential development as the technology will no longer remain static,” he added.

In future, he said, quantum computing could handle the data of billions of humans with regard to their health, besides opening up ‘tremendous possibilities in the agriculture sector’.

The president cited the agri-advancement of the Netherlands, which though a smaller country, became the second largest exporter of agri-products in the world, adding the country had tapped the water resources by conservation methods and promoting plant science.

He said Pakistan could also become one of the world’s leading nutrition-supplying countries by working on modern scientific lines. Citing costly power production, he said the advancement in solar technology could address the issue.

The president also expressed his satisfaction that the world including Pakistan had raised awareness about carbon emissions which still required wider cooperation among the nations.

The president also lauded the contributions of the COMSATS in the realms of science and technology among its 27 members.

The president also cut a cake along with the envoys of member states of COMSATS to celebrate the occasion.

Executive Director COMSATS Dr Nafees Zakaria, in his speech, said that in today’s rapidly evolving world, science and technology stood as the bedrock of progress and the key to unlocking solutions for pressing global challenges.

He also highlighted a series of new initiatives by COMSATS pertaining to information technology and its applications, artificial intelligence, genomic sequencing, renewable energy, electric vehicles, precision agriculture, industrial biotechnology and climate change.

Prof. Dr. Lin Zhaohui, Director, the International Center for Climate and Environment Sciences (ICCES), China, on the occasion, said the milestone in the journey of COMSATS needed to be cherished for the organization’s continued commitment to promoting South-South and triangular Cooperation in the realm of science, technology and innovation.

He also highlighted the issue of climate change as one of the imminent threats to the planet and appreciated COMSATS for being at the forefront of promoting sustainable solutions and environmental stewardship.

COMSATS an intergovernmental organization of 27 member states, has its Secretariat hosted by the Government of Pakistan, in Islamabad since 1994. Nobel Laureate and world-renowned scientist Prof. Abdus Salam was the brain behind COMSATS’ creation.

DNA

Karachi, JAN 16: In continuation to efforts for uplifting to provide standard health facilities along the Coastal areas of country, Pakistan Navy established free medical camp at Coastal village Kappar, Balochistan.

Free medical camp was established by Pakistan Navy doctors, paramedic staff in collabration with Sahil Welfare Association. In this medical camp hundreds of patients including women and children were provided free medical treatment. A dedicated team of doctors and paramedic staff comprising of Medical, ENT, General Surgeon, Gynecologist, Skin Specialist and GDMO examined the patients and provided them with free consultation and medicines.

The local populace of the area was also provided information about maternal health and nutritional requirements of mother and children. The patients were enlightened about common infections, personal health, hygiene, child healthcare and prevention of diseases and sanitation of living areas.

Pakistan Navy is committed to provide continued quality medical facility for the people settled along the Coastal belt. The establishment of medical camp at Kappar is practical manifestation of Pakistan Navy’s resolve for uplift of coastal belt.

Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani is traveling to Kampala, Uganda from 16 to 22 January 2024 to participate in the 19th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) being held from 17-20 January 2024 and in the Third South Summit to be held on 21-22 January 2024.

The two Summits afford an opportunity for the members to reflect on and amplify common positions on a range of global, regional, political, and socioeconomic issues.

As a longtime member, Pakistan has contributed to and shaped the agenda of NAM and is strongly committed to further strengthening NAM’s role in responding to regional and global challenges relating to questions of peace and security. Similarly, Pakistan has remained an active member of the Group of 77 & China and attaches high priority to cooperation among the Global South, including in sustainable development, poverty eradication and climate change.

At the NAM Summit, the Foreign Minister will share Pakistan’s perspective on endemic and contemporary global challenges related to international peace, security and development. He will underline the need for strengthening multilateralism and reinvigorating the NAM’s role in promoting the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

At the South Summit, the Foreign Minister will present Pakistan’s vision on enhanced cooperation and solidarity among countries of the Global South to respond to common challenges and agree on an agenda for a prosperous and united South.  

On the sidelines of the two Summits, the Foreign Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with the heads of delegation of other participating countries.

DNA

ISLAMABAD: PAF Checkmates Pakistan’s Enemies while strategically outplaying adversaries under the visionary leadership of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. Pakistan Air Force has undertaken a transformative modernization initiative to counter evolving threats in the current geostrategic threat scenario, prioritizing the induction of modern systems through smart acquisitions and indigenization.

Pakistan Air Force has adopted a comprehensive strategy to establish PAF as a potent force and to rebalance the power dynamics in the region. Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Pakistan Air Force has led the PAF on path to becoming a Next Generation Air Force with induction of niche technologies, state-of-the-art equipment and human resource trained on modern standards with contemporary architecture for Full Spectrum Cross Domain Multi Arena warfare readiness in the fields of Aviation, Space, Cyber, Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology to address the modern aerial warfare challenges. The acquisition of J-10C fighter jets, Unmanned Aerial Systems, modern electronic warfare platforms, force multipliers, state-of-the-art integrated air defence systems, air mobility platforms, HIMADS and hypersonic missile capabilities at an unprecedented pace has bolstered the PAF’s war fighting capabilities.

A key milestone in this strategic transformation has been the acquisition of Fifth Generation Stealth fighter jets, the foundation of whose induction into the PAF has already been laid which will ensure an impregnable defence of the country.

AFZAL JAVED

ISLAMABAD: The opening day of National Women’s T20 Tournament 2023-24 saw action unfold at three venues across Rawalpindi and Islamabad under the supervision of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Quetta edged over strong Karachi in a final-over finish with the wonderful half century of Fareeha Mahmood at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, registering a win by six wickets.

Karachi posted 119-6 in 20 overs after being invited to bat first by Quetta’s captain Saima Malik. Anam Amin struck in the first over to take out Muneeba Ali for a second-ball duck. Then, right-arm pacer Khairun Nisa removed Yusra Amir on the last ball of the second over. In her subsequent over, she bowled a double wicket maiden to reduce Karachi to nine for four in four overs.

Javeria Khan stitched two important partnerships to bring a semblance of stability in the innings; a 31-run sixth-wicket stand with her captain Rameen Shamim followed by an unbeaten 60-run stand with Maham Tariq. Javeria’s unbeaten half-century (74, 57b, 11x4s) allowed Karachi to get to a fighting total.

In turn, Rameen ran out opening batter Dua Majid, who walked back for a duck in the second over. The next batter in, Khadija Chishti (8, 15b), also fell to Rameen in the eighth over after building a 35-run partnership with Fareeha Mahmood. Fareeha went on to score a half-century (63, 61b, 10x4s) before she was dismissed by Maham. Jannat Rashid (10, 24b, 1×4) fell to Maham Manzoor as troubled deepened for Quetta. Tuba Hassan (34, 17b, 3x4s, 2x6s), the fifth batter in, salvaged the game for Quetta. She hit a four and a six in the final over to take Quetta over the line.

At Ayub Park Ground, Lahore dominated over Multan with a 10-wicket win after the latter were bowled out for 69 while Rawalpindi cruised to a comfortable victory by seven wickets against Peshawar at the Diamond Club Ground.

Scores in brief:

Quetta beat Karachi by six wickets: Karachi 119-6, 20 overs (Javeria Khan 74 not out, Maham Manzoor 17 not out, Syeda Aroob Shah 13; Khairun Nisa 3-14); Quetta 121-4, 19.5 overs (Fareeha Mahmood 63, Tuba Hassan 34 not out; Rameen Shamim 1-16, Maham Manzoor 1-19, Maham Tariq 1-26)

Lahore beat Multan by 10 wickets: Multan 69 all out, 19.1 overs (Umm-e-Hani 20, Saiqa Riaz 14 not out, Gull Rukh 14; Ghulam Fatima 3-13, Nashra Sandhu 2-1); Lahore 73-0, 8.4 overs (Sadaf Shams 35 not out, Sidra Amin 31 not out)

Rawalpindi beat Peshawar seven wickets: Peshawar 51 all out, 12 overs (Raahima Syed 13, Aleena Shah 13; Tania Saeed 3-4, Waheeda Akhtar 2-1, Aliya Riaz 2-13); Rawalpindi 52-3, 6.2 overs (Aliya Riaz 23, Natalia Parvaiz 10 not out; Tehzeeb Shah 1-11, Momina Riyasat 1-21)

OKARA: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senior Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Monday kicked off her party’s election campaign with a public rally in Okara.

Addressing the rally, Maryam Nawaz said PML-N supremo and her father Nawaz Sharif had sent her to lead the Okara rally.

She hurled an array of criticism at Imran Khan during the address and blamed him of orchestrating and carrying out May 9 violent attacks. She mocked the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder over snatching of his electoral symbol saying that his election symbol should not be bat but a “baton”.

The PML-N chief organiser also dubbed his party as a group of terrorists. “A terrorist group could not be given a political party’s electoral symbol,” she said.

“Your electoral symbol should be the watch that you stole or the petrol bomb that you hurled on police officials,” she said, adding “what goes around comes around”.

“Your electoral symbol was not bat but baton with which you attacked military installments. The baton has been snatched from your hand,” she maintained.

Maryam said the PTI was facing was a result of what they sowed against others. Imran was used to being a blue-eyed boy, she said. She said neither the PML-N nor Nawaz were taking revenge from the PTI, she said.

The one who used to call others thieves himself stole watches from the Toshakhana, she said.

“The facility to get (desired) verdicts by calling (judge’s) mother-in-law is not available anymore,” Maryam claimed, adding that they should ask their lawyers to appear in court fully prepared.

Maryam said they would have thought they could win an election like 2018 by shutting down the RTS button. The facility was no longer available, she said. She said his umpires and forgery both were exposed.

Luring the rally’s participants to vote for the PML-N, she said the faster and more you vote for the party the sooner you will become prosperous, inflation will drop and utility bills will be deflated.

“You have to stamp the lion symbol on election day. Stamp on lion symbol on February 8 to make the country rich. Our government’s entire focus will be on cutting inflation. My main focus will be on improving youth’s future,” she said.

Islamabad, JAN 15 /DNA/ – Emin Cohodarevic, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Pakistan said that the President of the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina leading a business delegation would visit Pakistan this year to strengthen further the bilateral trade and economic ties between the two countries. He said that the President of Bosnia gives special importance to Pakistan, Turkiye, and Azerbaijan for close relations as these countries always keep their doors open for Bosnia and Herzegovina. He said this while addressing the business community during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI).

The Ambassador said Bosnia and Herzegovina would organize a Sarajevo Business Forum from May 21-23, 2024. The President of Bosnia and Herzegovina would attend the Forum and the representatives of the Government of Pakistan would also be invited. He said that ICCI should form a high-level business delegation to participate in it to exchange ideas, make connections, and realize business opportunities. He said that Bosnia has signed an FTA with the European Free Trade Association and is also trying to get membership in the EU, therefore, close relations of Pakistan with Bosnia would provide it better market access to these countries. He said that Pakistanis having US, EU, or Shenzhen visas can visit Bosnia without applying for a visa. He assured that he would work hard to improve bilateral trade and economic ties between Bosnia and Pakistan as both countries have good scope to cooperate in economic, cultural, science, education, and many other sectors.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Pakistan and Bosnia are enjoying good bonds of friendship, which should be transformed into growing business relations. He said that both countries have good potential to enhance cooperation in many fields including agriculture, textiles, automotive parts, hydropower, mines & minerals, and urged that both should encourage regular exchange of business delegations to transform this potential into reality. He assured that ICCI would try to form a business delegation to participate in the Sarajevo Business Forum.

Rizwana Asif, President, Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry stressed the need to promote connectivity between the women entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Bosnia for which they have great potential.

Zafar Bakhtawari, former President ICCI and Secretary General UBG Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Bosnia have many common things and they should sign a free trade agreement to establish a common market for promoting trade ties that would be very beneficial for their economies and people. He said that ICCI would be pleased to host the President of Bosnia and his delegation during his visit to Pakistan for B2B meetings.

Raja Muhammad Imtiaz, Ameer Hamza, Babar Chaudhry, and others also spoke on the occasion.

Powerful Imagery: Mudassar Raja’s photo chronicles the resilience of Baloch youth

Mudassar Raja / DNA

ISLAMABAD, JAN 15: Despite the somber backdrop of the forced disappearance of their loved ones, resilient Baloch children find solace in engaging activities as their families persist in protesting outside the National Press Club.

Captured in a poignant moment by photographer Mudassar Raja, this image not only portrays the heartbreaking struggle against forced disappearances but also highlights the strength and resilience of the Baloch community, particularly the younger generation who, in the face of adversity, manage to keep themselves occupied amidst the ongoing plight.

The photograph serves as a powerful testament to the unwavering spirit of these families as they advocate for justice and the safe return of their missing relatives.