DNA

GILGIT, 27 Sept –Tourism Promotion Services (Pakistan) Limited hosted a panel discussion at Gilgit Serena Hotel, “Raabta” a vital platform for engaging in a dialogue on the ‘Harmonization of responsible tourism and climate action: Shaping a Sustainable Future,” this event brought together a distinguished panel of experts, community leaders, and government officials to explore the critical intersection of tourism and environmental conservation.

The event was curated by the esteemed journalist and curator, Sidra Iqbal. The keynote speaker for the event was Mr. Asif Ullah Khan, Secretary Tourism Gilgit Baltistan.

The panel discussion featured prominent experts and leaders who are actively engaged in promoting sustainable tourism and environmental conservation namely Raja Azam Khan, President, Town Management Society Shigar, Haider Raza, Director North, WWF Pakistan,

Kausar Hussain, General Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan Hotel Association, Ejaz Karim, Head of Emergency Management, Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, Qandeel Zehra, Scientific Officer, Environmental Protection Agency Gilgit Baltistan and Iqbal Hussain, Director Tourism, Gilgit Baltistan.

The Raabta panel discussion delved into various aspects of responsible tourism, climate action, and sustainable development. Key topics included the importance of responsible tourism in preserving fragile ecosystems, strategies to mitigate the environmental impact of tourism, the role of local communities in promoting sustainable tourism, collaborative efforts between government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector in shaping a sustainable future.

The Raabta panel discussion at Gilgit Serena Hotel served as a platform for insightful discussions and actionable insights on the pivotal role of responsible tourism in combating climate change. The event reaffirmed the commitment of all stakeholders to protect and preserve the natural beauty of Gilgit Baltistan while fostering economic growth through sustainable tourism practices. It served as an enriching platform for in-depth conversations and actionable insights on the pivotal role of responsible tourism in addressing climate change. The event underlined the collective determination of all stakeholders to safeguard the natural splendor of Gilgit Baltistan while promoting economic growth through sustainable tourism practices.

The electoral watchdog further said that the publication of preliminary constituencies will continue for 30 days

Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Moving a step closer to the most sought-after general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday released the provisional report on the delimitation of constituencies based on the recently concluded census.

An official statement issued by the poll organising authority stated that the preliminary report and map of constituencies can be viewed on the ECP’s website — https://www.ecp.gov.pk/.

The electoral watchdog further said that the publication of preliminary constituencies will continue for 30 days till October 26. While voters of a constituency can approach the ECP if they have any objection to the delimitation.

The election watchdog said that it is mandatory that the person raising an objection must be from the relevant constituency. It also added that objections raised through courier, post or fax will not be accepted.

The ECP will decide on the objections from October 28 to November 26, according to the official communique. It added that district maps can be obtained from the ECP for a “small fee”.

In its report, the ECP stated that the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) published the final results of the 7th digital census on August 7, and the ECP launched the delimitation process under Section 17 of the Elections Act, 2017.

In this matter, the five delimitation committees were constituted for the preparation of draft proposals for the delimitation of constituencies of the assemblies.

The report also explained the ECP’s mechanism for the delimitation of National and provincial assembly seats.

“The population of the province/area has been divided by the total number of general seats and the average population or quota per National Assembly seat was obtained. Similarly, the population of a province was divided by the total number of general seats allocated to the provincial assembly of a province for obtaining a quota per seat. In calculating a total number of seats, a fraction of 0.5 and above was generally taken as one seat and a fraction below 0.5 was ignored,” the report said.

It also stated that because of Balochistan’s “peculiar situation” more than one districts have been clubbed for a seat. It added that the clubbing has also been made in other provinces where it was required.

“The share of a district was determined by dividing the population of that district with the quota per seat of the National Assembly, or as the case may be, of the Provincial Assembly,” the report also said.

Last week, the ECP had announced that general elections in the country would take place in the last week of January 2024.

The poll organising authority had also decided that the final list of constituencies would be published on November 30 after hearing the objections and suggestions related to the delimitations.

Subsequently, the polls will be held in the last week of January next year following the completion of the 54-day election schedule, the ECP statement added.

The ECP’s statement had finally ended the uncertainty surrounding the elections as the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government’s move to approve a new census mandated the electoral body to carry out new delimitation before holding polls, sparking fears of an undue delay in polls.

As per the schedule announced by the ECP:

• September 8 to October 7 — Delimitation of the constituencies to be held across the country.
• October 10 to November 8 — Proposals regarding constituencies to be submitted.
• September 5 to September 7 — A quota of constituencies of the national and provincial assemblies to be allocated.
• August 21 — Constituency committees of four provinces to be established.
• August 31 — Administrative matters related to the constituencies to be completed.
• November 10 to December 9 — ECP to decide on the objections to the constituencies.
• December 14 — Final publication of the delimitation

Last month, US Ambassador Donald Blome had called on CEC Sikander Sultan Raja to reaffirm his country’s support for “free and fair elections”, reiterating that choosing Pakistan’s future leaders is for the Pakistani people to decide.

The development came days after President Arif Alvi suggested a cut-off date for the holding of polls in a letter to CEC Raja.

The president had said that in the light of Article 48(5) of the Constitution, he has the authority and mandate “to appoint a date not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution [of assemblies], for holding of a general election to the assembly.”

In February 2014 then petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told the parliament that the Iran-Pakistan project was “off the table” due to international sanctions.

Khayam Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat has summoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) to brief the panel on objections reportedly raised by the US on the multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project.

Tehran has been claiming to have completed its side of the 1,150-kilometre pipeline for which a groundbreaking ceremony was jointly conducted by then presidents Asif Ali Zardari and Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on the Iranian site of Gabd, near Chahbahar in March 2013 with an estimated cost of $7.5bn at the time.

Pakistan had committed to complete its side of the project by January 2015. However, in February 2014 then petroleum minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told the parliament that the Iran-Pakistan project was “off the table” due to international sanctions.

Earlier this year, former petroleum minister Musadik Malik explained that despite being fully committed to its contractual obligations under the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA), the Government of Pakistan had been unable to start construction of the pipeline due to US sanctions on Iran.

Officials said Pakistan had requested Washington earlier this year for a solution for the project to help overcome energy shortages but had not yet received any response.

In August, Pakistan issued a notice of ‘Force Majeure and Excusing Event’ to Iran to suspend its contractual obligation on completion of the gas pipeline. Simply put, Pakistan had expressed its inability to pursue the project as long as US sanctions on Iran remain in place or Washington tacitly green lights Islamabad to go ahead with the project.

The matter came under discussion today during the Senate panel today.

Petroleum Additional Secretary Hassan Yousafzai briefed the committee that a deadline for 2024 had been given by Iran regarding the completion of the gas pipeline and failure to meet it would lead to fines.

“We are trying to renegotiate the matter with Iran,” he said, adding that efforts were being made to find out other ways of obtaining gas.

The secretary further expressed concerns that Pakistan could be subject to “liabilities of $20 billion”. The issue, he went on to say, was also raised with the US.

“Laying the gas pipeline till Gwadar will cost us $2bn,” he told the panel, adding that reneging on the deal with Iran could lead to a whopping $18bn penalty.

Commenting on the matter, Senator Mushtaq Ahmed called for summoning the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to “find out why can’t we purchase cheap gas from the neighbouring country”.

“We should know the reason behind the obstruction,” he said.

Meanwhile, the chairperson of the Senate committee, Sadia Abbasi, highlighted that India never faced such restrictions. “How was the agreement even signed amid these restrictions?” she asked.

Here, PPP Senator Waqar Mehdi said the agreement was signed under the government of ex-president Zardari.

The Iranian pipeline was aimed to supply 750 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas, although it was vehemently opposed publicly and diplomatically by the US authorities, particularly when Pakistan and Iran signed framework agreements and GSPA in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Pakistan signed the pipeline agreement in 2014, which included a condition that Islamabad will pay billions of dollars in penalties if it abandons the project.

ISLAMABAD: Moving a step closer to the most sought-after general elections, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday released the provisional report on the delimitation of constituencies based on the recently concluded census.

An official statement issued by the poll organising authority stated that the preliminary report and map of constituencies can be viewed on the ECP’s website — https://www.ecp.gov.pk/.

The electoral watchdog further said that the publication of preliminary constituencies will continue for 30 days till October 26. While voters of a constituency can approach the ECP if they have any objection to the delimitation.

The election watchdog said that it is mandatory that the person raising an objection must be from the relevant constituency. It also added that objections raised through courier, post or fax will not be accepted.

The ECP will decide on the objections from October 28 to November 26, according to the official communique. It added that district maps can be obtained from the ECP for a “small fee”.

The report

In its report, the ECP stated that the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) published the final results of the 7th digital census on August 7, and the ECP launched the delimitation process under Section 17 of the Elections Act, 2017.

In this matter, the five delimitation committees were constituted for the preparation of draft proposals for the delimitation of constituencies of the assemblies.

The report also explained the ECP’s mechanism for the delimitation of National and provincial assembly seats.

“The population of the province/area has been divided by the total number of general seats and the average population or quota per National Assembly seat was obtained. Similarly, the population of a province was divided by the total number of general seats allocated to the provincial assembly of a province for obtaining a quota per seat. In calculating a total number of seats, a fraction of 0.5 and above was generally taken as one seat and a fraction below 0.5 was ignored,” the report said.

It also stated that because of Balochistan’s “peculiar situation” more than one districts have been clubbed for a seat. It added that the clubbing has also been made in other provinces where it was required.

“The share of a district was determined by dividing the population of that district with the quota per seat of the National Assembly, or as the case may be, of the Provincial Assembly,” the report also said.

The report showed that Punjab has the highest number of seats in the National Assembly followed by Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Islamabad.

The breakdown showed that Punjab with a population of 127.6 million has been given 141 seats and each constituency had been divided based on a quota of 905,595.

For the Punjab Assembly, 297 seats have been allocated with each quota seat determined at 429,929.

In Sindh, the 61 NA seats for the 55.6 million population have been divided on a quota of 913,052 per seat. For the Sindh Assembly, 130 seats have been divided on a quota of 428,432 per seat.

In KP case, the census showed a population of 40.8 million and have been allocated 45 NA seats. Each NA seat has been divided on a quota of 907,913. In the KP Assembly’s case, 115 seats have been divided on a quota of 355,270.

The report also shared that out of a total of 36 districts in KP 10 “could not attain population threshold/quota for an exclusive” NA seat.

“Districts with insufficient population for an independent seat were merged into inter-district constituencies based on the laid down principles of delimitation, keeping in view the historical affiliation, socio-economic interdependence, homogeneity and public convenience,” the report added.

In Balochistan, 14.8 million people have been given 16 NA seats and each constituency has been dived on a quota of 930,900. The provincial assembly of the provinces has 51 seats and each seat has been divided on the quota of 292,047.

In the southwestern province, Killa Saifullah, Zhob and Sherani have been clubbed into one NA seat; Musakhail, Barkhan, Loralai and Duki in one; Harnai, Sibi, Kohlu and Dera Bugtihave been given one; Nasirabad, Jhalmagsi, Kachhi, Jaffarabad, Usta Muhammad and Sohbatpur have been clubbed by allocating two NA seats; Quetta has been given three NA seats; Ziarat and Pishin have been clubbed; Killa Abdullah and Chaman have been clubbed; Nushki, Chagai, Washuk and Kharan have been clubbed; Mastung, Kalat and Surab have been clubbed; Lasbella, Hub and Awaran have been clubbed; and Panjgur, Kech and Gawadar have also been clubbed.

On the other hand, Islamabad, which is the federal capital, has a population of 2.3 million has been given 3 seats and each seat quota has been determined 787,954.

Last week, the ECP had announced that general elections in the country would take place in the last week of January 2024.

The poll organising authority had also decided that the final list of constituencies would be published on November 30 after hearing the objections and suggestions related to the delimitations.

Subsequently, the polls will be held in the last week of January next year following the completion of the 54-day election schedule, the ECP statement added.

The ECP’s statement had finally ended the uncertainty surrounding the elections as the previous Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government’s move to approve a new census mandated the electoral body to carry out new delimitation before holding polls, sparking fears of an undue delay in polls.

As per the schedule announced by the ECP:

• September 8 to October 7 — Delimitation of the constituencies to be held across the country.
• October 10 to November 8 — Proposals regarding constituencies to be submitted.
• September 5 to September 7 — A quota of constituencies of the national and provincial assemblies to be allocated.
• August 21 — Constituency committees of four provinces to be established.
• August 31 — Administrative matters related to the constituencies to be completed.
• November 10 to December 9 — ECP to decide on the objections to the constituencies.
• December 14 — Final publication of the delimitation

Last month, US Ambassador Donald Blome had called on CEC Sikander Sultan Raja to reaffirm his country’s support for “free and fair elections”, reiterating that choosing Pakistan’s future leaders is for the Pakistani people to decide.

The development came days after President Arif Alvi suggested a cut-off date for the holding of polls in a letter to CEC Raja.

The president had said that in the light of Article 48(5) of the Constitution, he has the authority and mandate “to appoint a date not later than 90 days from the date of dissolution [of assemblies], for holding of a general election to the assembly.”

PESHAWAR, SEPT 27 /DNA/ – General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Peshawar today and had an interactive session with the respectable women of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during ‘KPK Women Symposium – 2023’.

COAS also attended meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee along with Caretaker Chief Minister KP, Muhammad Azam Khan.

While addressing the participants of the women symposium, COAS said that, women have played a positive and an important role in the progress of country throughout the history of Pakistan.

COAS highlighted that women’s role in Pakistan’s progress and development is quintessential and most important.

COAS remarked that women of KPK have continued to face multi-faceted  challenges due to prolonged fight against terrorism, however, they have proven their resilience, commitment and bravery at the face of all odds.

COAS encouraged the women to take part in the progress and development of KPK and Newly Merged Districts.

During the Apex Committee meeting, COAS was briefed about overall security situation including initiatives against smuggling, hoarding and drug trafficking.

The participants of the meeting affirmed that state institutions and people are united for the protection of life and property of citizens.

Participants also paid rich tribute to the Shuhada and their families.

COAS concluded “we have to synergise our efforts for peace and prosperity of our beloved country.  Pakistan Army will continue to play its role in ensuring peace and stability in KPK to provide a secure environment for economic development”.

Earlier upon arrival, COAS was received by Commander Peshawar Corps.