ISLAMABAD, DEC 01 (DNA) — Estimately about 4.5 million adults within the country are suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD, which are largely cost due tobacco smoking and Smog.

This was stated by health experts at a symposium organized by the department of pulmonology at Dow international medical college, Dimc.

Professor Zeba Haq, principal DIMC, who was the chief guest of the symposium, said that the main reason behind COPD in man is tobacco smoking while women were affected by smoke out of the wood and animal dung, they uses in their kitchen. The disease rate in the catch up, women was 49% against percent against 61% in men. She mentioned saying majority of the affected people remained of COPD in them.

Professor Doctor Faisal Asad of the pulmonary department in his key note address noted that it is not only the tobacco smokers but the non-smoking people inhaling the tobacco smoke are also affected and are at the risk of developing COPD.

Doctor Faisal Asad informed the gathering that asthma and COPD shows the same symptoms like coughing repeated repeatedly difficulty in breathing due to mucus in chest. Asthma may occurred from the childhood is treatable while COPD occurred in elder people who have to use medicines for long to breathe easily. This diseases not cure able.

He said that tobacco is used in many forms, cigarette tobacco, hookah, smoking shisha, it also includes snuff. If it is continued for 25 years, the risk of developing COPD increases, while its rate also increases with age. Air pollution, vehicle smoke, household pollution are the causes of this disease. It is created which must be addressed.

 He said that the rate is high in winter which increases every year, because of shortness of breath every year cough and cold are occurring and if the common man stays for a long time then it becomes mandatory to get diagnosed by a doctor.  The downside of not getting timely treatment and early diagnosis is that the airways narrow and breathing becomes difficult.

He also explained what treatment should be given at which stage of this disease and which tests and medicines should be given to the patients. And it can be prevented, not only that but timely treatment can be done and life can be made easier and sufferings can also be reduced.

 He said that if women cook for two hours in a closed room where there is no proper ventilation, they may also face the same harm as smoking, it is called domestic pollution. He said that the fuel and riba burnt in the brick kilns are only cheated to change the color and give them yellow color to show good quality of the bricks, this poison is being released in the air and vehicles.

Smoke infects both lungs. The proportion of population is increasing, which causes more problems, there is no checking and control of air pollution. At the end of the symposium, Dr. Zeba Haq gave shields to Dr. Faisal Asad, Dr. Zahid Azam and Prof. Iftikhar Ahmed. =DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 01 (DNA) — Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has carried out independent Quality of Service (QoS) surveys in 09 cities of Punjab and Sindh and 13 motorways/highways of Pakistan.  A survey was also conducted, jointly with Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs), in 08 cities of Gilgit Baltistan.

These surveys were undertaken to measure performance and quality of CMOs services being provided to their customers. The results revealed that CMOs are compliant with respect to data speeds to a great extent, while network latency and webpage loading time was found below the threshold.

 Similarly, some of the Voice KPIs have also been found below the licensed threshold in few areas. Necessary instructions have been issued to the operators for taking corrective measures to ensure improvement in service quality up to the KPIs.

In accordance with Next Generation Mobile Service (NGMS) licenses and Cellular Mobile Network Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations 2021, mobile network coverage, QoS KPIs of Voice, SMS and Mobile Broadband were checked using state-of-the-art automated QoS Monitoring & Benchmarking Tool.

The drive test teams selected survey routes to cover main roads, service roads and majority of sectors/colonies in surveyed areas. Based upon set KPIs against threshold defined in the respective licenses and QoS regulations, CMOs have been ranked between 1st to 5th position in Mobile Network Coverage and Voice Services in surveyed cities and roads/motorways. Similarly, in Mobile Broadband Speed segment, the ranking is with respect to highest data download and upload speed, network latency and webpage loading time.

The survey results are available at PTA’s website: (https://pta.gov.pk/en/consumer-support/qos-survey/qos-survey). The service quality monitoring activity is carried out by PTA field teams with the ultimate aim to pursue the operators for provision of better mobile services and to promote a healthy competition among the operators. =DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 01 (DNA) — Two significant Islamic nations, Pakistan and Turkey, have traditionally had cordial ties with one another.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Government of Pakistan recently held a colourful ceremony to commemorate the 75th anniversary of these diplomatic ties, highlighting the social unity and cultural diversity that these two countries share.

During this ceremony held in Islamabad, the diplomatic officials and prominent personalities of Türkiye and Pakistan expressed their commitment to further strengthen their progressive cooperation for mutual wellbeing. Since Pakistan was established as an independent state in 1947, its modern diplomatic relations with Turkiye were established on 30th November 1947.

Prior to that, both the native populations were already unified, as they shared many religious, spiritual, emotional, intellectual and linguistic commonalities for centuries. On this occasion, the Chief Executive Officer of Dawlance | a subsidiary of Arçelik A.?., Turkey, Mr. Umar Ahsan Khan said: “The historic friendship between the two states has positively evolved over the past 75 years.

 Our progressive cooperation is delivering great benefits in all socio-economic fields. We believe in the tremendous potential for industrial and technological collaborations between Pakistan and Turkiye. Arçelik A.?. is the 2nd largest manufacturer in Europe, head-quartered in Turkiye, which has wholly acquired Dawlance – Pakistan’s leading producer and innovator of technological products. Since 2016, this robust venture has already made large-scale investments, of over 120 million US Dollars in Pakistan, to ensure sustainable growth and prosperity.”

Over the last 6 years, Dawlance-Arcelik has been striving to make Pakistan a regional hub for exports of consumer-durable products. It has invested heavily in ‘transfer of technology’ projects to pursue the “Make in Pakistan” policy adopted by the Pakistan Government. On this occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Dawlance-Arcelik also shared a memento with the diplomatic officials, to affirm its commitment to nurturing relations between the two states. =DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 01 (DNA) — The Texas State Representative and Congress woman Terry Meeza has stressed for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the legitimate aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

She was speaking as chief guest at a symposium on Kashmir Conflict, organized by Kashmir Global Council and South Asia Democracy Watch in Frisco Texas, according to press statement received here.

Among others, the symposium was attended by well-known social activist Ms. Beverly Hill and various political leaders, academics, US media and young students. Terry Meza urged the international community, especially the United States, to reach out to India to end the deliberate politicizing of the justice system and its discriminatory functioning.

This development shows that there was growing noticeable awareness regarding Indian’s brutal acts and atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Meanwhile, President Kashmir Global Council Farooq Siddiqi said that the council would continue to bring the issue of Kashmir to the forefront in the corridors of world powers.

After a full day discussion, discourse and deliberation during the symposium, a resolution was passed that stressed for upholding the human rights of Kashmiri people and appealed to allow the UN Human Rights Commission to verify the report compiled by the UNHRC in 2018-19.

It pledged to support and make efforts for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue in keeping with the legitimate aspirations of the people of Kashmir. The resolution urged international community, especially the United States, to reach out to the Indian state to end the deliberate politicizing of the justice system and its discriminatory functioning.

It is pertinent to mention here that freedom struggle of Kashmiris and occupation of Kashmir has entered in its 75th year. It is time that international community urges India to recognize Kashmir’s right to independence as per the UNSC resolutions. This is the only way to maintain peace in South Asia. =DNA

ISLAMABAD:

Fears of paid services by Google being shut down in Pakistan finally came to an end on Thursday after IT Minister Syed Aminul Haque said that the Ministry of Finance has agreed to devise a mechanism for payments against the tech giant’s app services. 

Earlier it was expected that Google Play Store services would no longer be available to Pakistani users after December 1 as the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had suspended the direct carrier billing (DCB) mechanism.

Users would have had to use their bank cards to avail the services and most won’t be able to download apps from Google Play Store because of limited credit card facilities.

Read SBP rebuts holding payments to Google

The telecom ministry, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA ) and cellular service operators had approached the SBP to seek revocation of the step since the move would cause issues for customers.

However, Minister of Information Technology (IT) and Telecommunication Syed Aminul Haque said in a statement today that the Ministry of Finance has agreed to a proposal “with regard to evolving an effective mechanism and making payment against the Google App services”.

He maintained that “after the agreement, the payment would be made to Google as per the schedule and all its application services to remain intact.”

PESHAWAR:

A policeman was martyred on Thursday in a firing attack by unknown persons within the limits of Tangi police station in Charsadda.

According to Express News, officer Zarmast Khan was returning home from duty when unidentified persons shot and killed him. The deceased policeman was on night duty at the excise office..

The police had reportedly started a search operation to catch the culprits. The body of the slain cop was shifted to the Tangi Hospital for post-mortem examination.

The attack comes a day after at least four people, including a policeman and a woman and her son, died while more than two dozen others sustained injuries in a powerful blast in Quetta’s Baleli area that targeted a police patrol. 

‘Bloody year for K-P police’

The year 2022 has been a bloody year for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police as they have remained the primary target of militants.

Read Bajaur starts hiring police martyrs’ children

K-P Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari said that a total of 105 police personnel embraced martyrdom in 151 attacks across the province since January 2022.

According to a report issued by the Central Police Office (CPO), a total of 109 policemen sustained injuries during these attacks.

The report said the weapons left behind by NATO forces in Afghanistan were used against K-P police including thermal imaging devices which enabled them to stage surprise attacks under the cover of darkness.

“These attacks were carried out by militants released from prisons after the fall of Kabul last year,” says the report.

It added that the biggest target of militants was police mobile vehicles.

dna

Rawalpindi – A live painting competition on the theme “Women Move Mountains” marked the opening of a two-week long 12th edition of Pakistan Mountain Festival (PMF) on Thursday at the Fatima Jinnah Women University. The festival is an annual flagship event of Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) to commemorate the UN’s International Mountains Day (IMD) that falls on December 11.

As many as 34 girl-students and two boys enthusiastically participated in the live painting competition. The participating institutions included Fatima Jinnah Women University, National College of the Arts (NCA), Rawalpindi Women University, Westminster Academy, Foundation University Islamabad campus, SZABIST University, International Islamic University, FG College for Women Kashmir Road, Islamabad Model College for Girls and National Textile Institute.

The participants painted mountain women’s struggle in combating real-life challenges in the changing climate, women in mountain ecosystem conservation, and cultural heritage from the northern parts of Pakistan. They depicted the impact of climate change on life in mountains besides the aesthetic value.

Speaking on the occasion, Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director and founder of Pakistan Mountain Festival Munir Ahmed said: “Mountain women play a key role in environmental protection and social and economic development in mountain areas. They are often the primary managers of mountain resources, guardians of biodiversity, keepers of traditional knowledge, custodians of local culture and experts in traditional medicine. Somehow, mountain women’s potential and contribution to conservation is undermined.

He said mountain women’s climate resilience shall be the focus to empower them to face the emerging challenges. Increasing climate variability, coupled with a lack of investment in mountain agriculture and rural development, has often pushed men to migrate elsewhere in search of alternative livelihoods. Women have therefore taken on many tasks formerly done by men, yet mountain women are often invisible due to a lack of decision-making power and unequal access to resources.

To trigger real change towards sustainable development, it is important to engage in gender transformative change. We need to empower mountain women so they can participate more effectively in decision-making processes and have more control over productive resources. By sharing excellence, opportunities and capacity development in mountains, the Day can promote gender equality and therefore contribute to improve social justice, livelihoods and resilience.

“Mountains play a significant role in providing water and food supply to millions of people in the world. Mountains cover around 22 percent of the surface of the earth and 13 percent of the world’s population live in the mountains. Ninety percent of the world’s mountain inhabitants live in developing countries, where a huge population lives under the poverty line, and one out of every three individuals experiences the danger of food insecurity.

Mountains offer 60-80 percent of the world’s freshwater. According to the UNO, almost one billion people live in mountain areas, and over half of the human population depends on mountains for water and nutrition. Mountains are facing risk from climate change and natural calamities. Mountains face climate change as the global temperature continues to warm which disturbs starving and poorest people of the world who live in the mountains. Due to the increasing temperature, glaciers on the mountains start melting which brings floods in the world. Currently, 329 million people living in the mountains face food scarcity.

Laiba Khan, a participant from Rawalpindi Women University, said young visual artists can play a significant role in educating citizens about the challenges confronting the society. Climate change is the worst phenomenon of this age that could be highlighted through art works to inform and educate people.    

Rida Waheed, another participant, said women moving mountains put significance on the women’s contribution in conservation and economic stability of the mountain communities.

FJWU Head of Fine Arts Dr. Mamoona Khan said engaging art students in such creative pursuits is imperative to highlight the impact of climate change as they reflect the mountain miseries. Awareness raising and education about the causes and consequences of climate change is very important for society. Such events support it. 

Head of Art and Design at the Westminster Academy Riffat Ara Baig said that they have been engaged with students of different age groups for the last two decades to sensitize them about the environment and conservation of natural resources. The educational institutions shall consistently engage their students and their parents to raise awareness about rational use of resources around us.

DNA

Islamabad.A Cultural Night was organized today at Jinnah Convention Center, Islamabad, to commemorate the 75th anniversary of establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Pakistan and Türkiye.  Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

In her remarks, the Minister of State stated that Pakistan and Türkiye have been brothers, friends and partners. The inseparable bonds of common faith, history, and culture have been reinforced by mutual trust and cooperation on critical issues. The strength of Pakistan-Türkiye relationship is anchored in affection and solidarity among the peoples of the two countries.

Minister of State added that the ties between the two countries have transformed into a strategic partnership, characterized by multiple high-level exchanges, including the visits of Prime Minister of Pakistan to Türkiye in June and November 2022, the Joint Inauguration of MILGEM Corvettes PNS KHAIBER, and signing of the Trade in Goods Agreement in August 2022, that aims at achieving bilateral trade target of US $ 5 billion in the medium term. 

The Cultural Night was jointly organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad and Embassy of Türkiye in Islamabad that brought to the fore the rich cultures of Pakistan and Türkiye. The ‘Sama’ performance of whirling Dervishes from Konya, Türkiye and instrumental Tabla performance from Pakistani artists, along with traditional delicacies from both the countries, kept the large audience entertained throughout the evening.

Earlier in the morning, the two countries held simultaneous Tree Plantation Ceremonies at their respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs, to mark the 75th Anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties. The tree was planted jointly by Pakistan’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar and Ambassador of Turkiye to Pakistan, H.E. Dr. Mehmet Paçaci, in Islamabad; while Turkish Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Faruk Kaymakci, and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye, H.E. Dr. Yousaf Junaid, planted the tree in Ankara. Indeed Pakistan and Türkiye relationship has stood the test of times and continues to grow deeper and higher with each passing day.