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EU scales-up assistance to Pak by Rs. 6.7 bn

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Shujaat Hamza

Islamabad, OCT 4: The European Union has announced to substantially scale-up its assistance to the flood affected people in Pakistan. During a meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, announced PKR 6.7 billion (€30 million) in humanitarian aid for Pakistan. The Commissioner is visiting Pakistan this week to get a first-hand impression of the impact of the catastrophic floods and of the ongoing relief efforts.

This new funding aims to address the most urgent needs such as basic shelters, clean drinking water and sanitation, food and nutrition as well as medical services. The actions funded by the European Union will ensure that women, children and other vulnerable people are protected from further harm and that children have again access to education as quickly as possible. Cash assistance will enable people cover their basic needs and to rebuild their homes and livelihoods. Given the scale of the crisis, the psychological impact on affected people will also be taking into account.

Commissioner Lenarčič said: “People in Pakistan are suffering the devastating consequences of an unprecedented flooding emergency. Our thoughts are with those who lost family members, friends and their own homes. What is more, many livelihoods have been lost. With this new funding, the EU reaffirms its continued support to Pakistan and stands by the most vulnerable to help them fulfil basic needs. Once again, however, nature reminded us of the impact of global warming. Mainstreaming disaster preparedness and prevention in EU funded projects will therefore remain our top priority within the provision of humanitarian assistance.”

Upon arrival in Pakistan, Commissioner Lenarcic travelled to Khipro in Sindh province to understand the scale of the disaster, to speak to affected communities and to see the European assistance that is already provided on the ground. He visited a water purification plant run by a Danish civil protection team and a humanitarian project implemented by an EU-funded international non-governmental organization.

Together as “Team Europe”, the European Union and its member states have already committed €93 mio to date. With the additional funds announced today, this reaches a total of €123 mio. In addition, European civil protection agencies have provided in-kind donations of tents, blankets, medical equipment as well as experts and technicians.

The European Commission’s Copernicus satellite service collects real time data and provides high resolution maps to support the assessment of the situation in the most affected areas. The EU’s Global Flood Monitoring (GFM) system can help teams working on the ground and the national and provincial authorities to monitor the situation and direct resources accordingly.

The Disaster of Climate Change & Food Security in Pakistan and Proposal for Remedial Actions

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Prof. Dr. Muhammad Suleman Tahir

Pakistan is the fifth-most severely impacted nation in the world by climate change. Due to its semi-arid climate, the nation is vulnerable to natural calamities including earthquakes, floods, and drought, all of which have a negative effect on food security and way of life. Half of Pakistan’s population depends on agriculture for their livelihood, which is one of the sectors most affected by climate change. Future climatic changes are probably going to have an impact on temperature and rainfall, which may increase the frequency and intensity of floods in Pakistan, particularly in the Balochistan and Sindh regions. In these provinces, the patterns of rainfall are gradually becoming more erratic.

The agricultural sector in our nation paints a gloomy picture of food security, and Pakistan’s climate-sensitive regions are struggling to meet productivity goals as a result of deforestation, declining freshwater supplies, groundwater depletion, and ecosystem damage from extreme weather events like heat waves and major floods. Furthermore, a worrying trend of using agricultural land for non-cultivation purposes jeopardizes the productivity of the food supply in the future. The complexity of these climate change-related concerns has made our nation’s hunger problem worse. Thus, providing people with access to healthy food is a huge task on a national, regional, and international scale. According to World Food Program (WFP), there is growing food insecurity in the world — 41 million people are on the verge of famine. Pakistan ranks 92nd among 116 nations worldwide on the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021.

The climate-related emergency is making Pakistan’s food situation much worse. According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, Pakistan is one of the ten most climate-vulnerable nations. Climate change has had a negative impact on water supplies, which are rapidly depleting as a result of poor management of climatic changes. Pakistan is one of the world’s most populous nations. The challenge of feeding Pakistan’s expanding population is formidable. 18% of Pakistanis are experiencing a severe food crisis, while 43% of Pakistanis lack adequate food, according to the WFP. Agriculture has a significant role in Pakistan’s food security and rural employment. Its performance is still influenced by the weather, though. Climate change has an impact on agricultural productivity, which increases food poverty and harms Pakistan’s export industry. In order to deal with climate effects, crop patterns must be altered by implementing climate-friendly crops, soil-refreshing procedures, and heat-tolerant seeds. Through the construction of effective market infrastructure and financial incentives for adopting non-traditional agricultural practices, crop diversification, and climate-smart farming, farmers should be motivated.

For greater productivity, it is deemed essential to continue using the most recent technology in farm mechanization tasks such as irrigation, crop production, crop protection, and land development. Agriculture can be significantly improved by maintaining affordable prices for farm inputs, including high-yielding varieties, and by ensuring the development of cost-effective agricultural equipment and machinery powered by renewable energy sources as an alternative to extremely expensive fuel that degrades the environment.

To adjust to the new realities of climate change, Pakistan might engage in sustainable agriculture development techniques and projects. In order to address water constraints and increase agricultural output, this could entail adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques, such as switching to high-yielding crops, effective water management, lowering water losses, and constructing small and medium-sized dams.

Flood irrigation is frequently used by farmers to grow crops like rice and sugarcane. These crops need large amounts of water, depleting aquifers beneath the ground. This severely lowers the water table, increases salinity, and causes water logging, rendering the land unusable for the following growing season. Through subsidies, the government should promote the use of digital technology, contemporary farming methods, effective farm mechanization, and crop diversity.

Reducing carbon emissions will lessen Pakistan’s effects of global warming. In order to encourage consumers to transition to electric vehicles, the government must implement mass transit in all major cities. Additionally, this will aid in lowering the skyrocketing cost of oil imports and provide some respite to the general public from inflation brought on by growing oil prices. By subsidizing consumer solar equipment, the government can encourage the use of solar energy and lessen the burden on conventional power generation sources.However, challenges like food security and climate change cannot be resolved by the government alone; as a result, community support is necessary. The negative impacts of climate change and the significance of water conservation should be made more widely known to Pakistanis. The interests and concerns of marginalized communities, such as the poor, women, disabled, and indigenous groups, should be better addressed through the design and implementation of community-led sustainable development projects. Pakistan should think about developing a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy that can withstand changes in the domain of climate change and food security.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Suleman Tahir / Vice Chancellor

Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Rahim Yar Khan, Pakistan

Dar vows to bring dollar below Rs 200

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Says Khan’s speeches at his public gatherings reflect his frustration

Shujaat Hamza

ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar Monday accused PTI Chairman Imran Khan of destroying the economy and assured the masses that he would bring the dollar value below 200 with the help of his policies.

“The actual value of the Pakistani rupee is less than 200 against the greenback and it will be brought down as it is currently undervalued,” he said during a TV talk show.

He mentioned that the dollar value is strong internationally, but “we will bring it down below 200 against our currency soon.”

Since Dar was sworn in on September 28, the seasoned politician and chartered accountant faces the daunting task of stabilising an economy that has for months been in a tailspin, facing multiple threats of high inflation, a widening current account deficit and falling reserves.

He has strongly favoured intervention in currency markets in three previous stints in the job and is also expected to strengthen the currency which closed at Rs 227.29 against the US dollar on Monday.

The finance minister went on to say that Khan’s speeches at his public gatherings reflect his frustration, saying that “deals and favouritism” are part of Khan’s fate.

“Khan contested the elections by cracking deals and staged demonstrations by cracking deals,” he said, lambasting the PTI chief for holding Islamabad hostage for 126 days which delayed the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

Warning him of serious repercussions, Dar urged Khan to take him seriously and stay within his limits.

“Khan and his entire team are obsessed with me because they fear that we [PML-N] will stabilise the economy of Pakistan once again as we did back in 2013,” he said, reiterating his suggestion that the country needs a charter of the economy.

“The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) is an independent institution and it does not involve in manipulative activities,” he said while replying to a question regarding the PTI leader Hammad Azhar accusing Dar of manipulating the economic data.

A day earlier, Miftah termed the government’s decision to not increase the petroleum development levy (PDL) this month without IMF’s approval, “reckless”.

32 children died in Indonesia stadium disaster, police chief sacked

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Malang, Indonesia, Oct 3: At least 32 children died in Indonesia’s stadium crush, an official said Monday as police moved to punish those responsible for one of the deadliest disasters in football history.

The tragedy on Saturday night in the city of Malang saw a total of 125 people killed and 323 others injured after officers fired tear gas in a packed stadium to quell a pitch invasion, triggering a stampede.

Dozens of children caught in the chaos lost their lives, an official at the women’s empowerment and child protection ministry told.

“From the latest data we received, out of 125 people who died in the accident, 32 of them were children, with the youngest being a toddler age three or four,” said Nahar, who like many Indonesians goes by only one name.

As anger mounted against police, Indonesia’s chief security minister Mahfud MD announced a task force had been formed to investigate and called for those responsible to be punished.

“We asked (police) to unveil who has perpetrated the crimes and take action against them and we also hope the national police will evaluate their security procedures,” he said in a broadcast statement.

The police force sacked its local chief in Malang within hours of the minister’s speech.

East Java police also suspended nine officers on the instruction of the national police force, national police spokesman Dedi Prasetyo told a press conference, without providing details about their role in the tragedy.

With police and sports officials on their way to Malang to investigate, Indonesia’s National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) levelled criticism at officers.

“If there was no tear gas, maybe there wouldn’t have been chaos,” commissioner Choirul Anam told a briefing.

German Unity Day celebrated

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ISLAMABAD, OCT 3 /DNA/ – MR Alfred Grannas, Ambassador of Germany hosted a grand National Day reception at the lawns of Islamabad Serena Hotel.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was the chief guest who cut the cake along with the ambassador.

The Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Islamabad celebrated German Unity Day today. On 3rd October 1990, East and West Germany were formally reunified after being separated for 41 years. Since then, Germans have been living together in one country and growing ever closer as one people.

In his address, recently appointed German Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Alfred Grannas, reiterated Germany’s strong support for Pakistan in the aftermath of this year’s tragic monsoon floods. With more than 56 million euros provided so far Germany continues to be a major donor to flood relief efforts. The heartbreaking fate of millions of families who have lost their loved ones, their homes, and livelihoods is a stark reminder that climate change is today’s biggest challenge and that we must work together to ensure the future of generations to come.

The chief guest of the evening, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, H.E. Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, congratulated Germany on its national day and underlined the strong ties between both countries.

This year German company Siemens is celebrating its 100th anniversary. On the reception, Country representative Mr. Markus Strohmeier emphasized that Siemens Pakistan stands as a great example of Pak-German friendship taking forward our ambition to support and create new business models to explore countless opportunities in Pakistan’s economic development and transformation for a better tomorrow. 

Dignitaries and high officials from political, military, diplomatic, economic and humanitarian sectors attended the event. Following the speeches the chief guest joined the ambassador in the cutting of a cake bearing both the German and the Pakistani flags.

Stalls of German organizations like GIZ, KfW, BGR, Annemarie-Schimmel-Haus and political foundations showcased Germany’s multifaceted engagement in Pakistan. The sponsors of the event, Metro, Siemens and Siemens Healthineers also presented their work in Pakistan in video and stalls. The Peshawar based group Khumariyaan gave a musical performance. In line with the 70th anniversary of bilateral relations between Germany and Pakistan celebrated last year, commemorative coins were presented.

Senate passes three private members’ bills, refers eight bills to committees

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ISLAMABAD – The Senate on Monday passed three private members’ bills and referred eight others to the relevant committees for further consideration.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Faisal Javed moved the National Commission on the Rights of Child (Amendment) Bill, 2022 which was passed by the House.

Likewise, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Saleem Mandviwala introduced the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Bill, 2022, which was also adopted by the House.

However, the House passed another bill, the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council Bill, 2022, amid protests by the opposition lawmakers. They alleged that the bill sponsored by Saleem Mandviwalla and independent Senator Kauda Babar, was not discussed by the relevant standing committee. The opposition later walked out of the House against its passage.

Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Abdul Qadir Patel said the bill was thoroughly deliberated in the committee’s meeting. Each and every amendment proposed by the opposition was also considered by it, he added.

Eight bills, including the Right to Free and Compulsory Education (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Tosha Khana (Management and Regulation) Bill, 2022; the Islamabad Capital Territory Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022] (Amendment of Articles 215, 218 and 228); and identical bills namely the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the Khunsa Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2022.

The chair deferred two private members’ bills including the Pakistan Environmental Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (Amendment of Article 62), which would likely to be considered likely on next private members’ day on October 10.

Islamabad wins first victory in National Women’s Basketball C’ship

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AFZAL JAVED  

ISLAMABAD, OCT 03: Islamabad Blues outclassed Lahore in the first leg of pool round of National Women’s Basketball Championship organized by Pakistan Basketball Federation here at Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on Monday.

According to Federal Basketball Association General Secretary Ouj-E-Zahoor, as many as eight top teams including defending champion Pakistan Wapda, Karachi, Rawalpindi, Islamabad whites, Pakistan Army, Lahore, Islamabad Blues and Peshawar were divided into two pools.

Director General Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Col. (R ) Asif Zaman was graced as chief guest in the opening ceremony while Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic Melis Moldaliev, President Pakistan Basketball Federation (PBBF) Brig. (R ) Iftikhar Mansoor, Secretary General PBBF Khalid Bashir, Deputy DG Pakistan Sports Board Mansoor Khan, championship organizing secretary Ouj-e-Zahoor and other dignities were also present during the opening ceremony.

In the opening match Islamabad Blues outclassed Lahore in a close encounter to win the match in the last quarter with 48-41 points.

Some outstanding moves made it possible for Islamabad to make a comeback during the 4th quarter  to win the important match. Asma Bibi and Aimal played an exceptional game scoring 18 and 12 respectively while Yaqoob Qadri, Tariq Nawaz, Gul Jamal and MM Alam conducted the match as officials.

This event is one of the series of several events that Pakistan Basketball Federation has planned to revive the game in the country.

Launch of Revised UN Flash Appeal – Revised 2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan (FRP)

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ISLAMABAD, OCT 3 /DNA/ – On the basis of updated on-ground needs assessment of the floods situation in the country, an up-scaled flash appeal is being jointly launched by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations (UN) on 4 October 2022 in Geneva. The revised 2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan would be shared at the event. 

Ministerial level participation from the Government of Pakistan will include Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman, attending the event in person in Geneva, and Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar participating virtually from Islamabad.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffithsand Director General World Health Organization Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus will represent the UN, along with Resident Coordinator in Pakistan Julien Harneis.

The meeting will be attended by UN Member States as well as various UN agencies and humanitarian organizations working in the area of disaster relief.

The Floods Response Plan has been prepared in close coordination between the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations, and focuses on providing necessary assistance to the vulnerable people affected by the unprecedented floods. It complements the Government’s overall response to the recent climate-induced floods in Pakistan.

Indian speedster Bumrah ruled out of T20 World Cup

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NEW DELHI – India s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was on Monday ruled out of the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia starting later this month with a back injury, the country s cricket board said.

“The BCCI Medical team has ruled out Team India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah from the ICC Men s T20 World Cup squad. The decision was taken following a detailed assessment and in consultation with the specialists,” the Board of Control for Cricket in India said.

“The BCCI will be naming a replacement for Jasprit Bumrah in the squad for the marquee tournament soon,” the BCCI statement said.

Bumrah, 28, was forced out of the ongoing T20 series against South Africa after he complained of back pain ahead of the opening match.

It is a second injury blow for heavyweights India, who begin their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on October 23 in Melbourne.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja failed to make the World Cup squad due to a knee injury that made him pull out of the Asia Cup midway through the tournament.

Officials left red-faced as PM Shehbaz refuses to launch flood relief dashboard

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ISLAMABAD, OCT 3: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday issued a rebuke and expressed visible frustration after finding inadequacies in a dashboard built to monitor flood relief assistance, pointing out that it lacked real-time updates and was not of international standards.

The prime minister refused to inaugurate the event and remained seated as he outlined his primary objection with the dashboard, saying that it was not being updated in real time.

“If real-time information doesn’t arrive in this then it’s of no use. Then we are wasting each other’s time. I’m not going to inaugurate this today,” he said when informed that data from the meteorological department was not yet integrated with the dashboard.

“This should be trashed,” he said before clarifying that it was a light-hearted comment. “I’m not negating your effort but this is not the dashboard we all imagined. This is a stationary thing in which you fill in figures.”

The prime minister mentioned a different dashboard that monitors dengue hotspots and said it provided “active information” and was based on a “proper structure”.

“This (flood dashboard) is not something the nation or I want. It lacks in many ways [and] it is deficient to our requirement,” the prime minister said as he reprimanded the officials concerned.

He also complained that the dashboard was not fast enough, adding that a lagging portal would not reflect the loss suffered due to the floods as well as the government’s efforts to mitigate their fallout.

The prime minister said that with upcoming international conventions and moots on the horizon, he wanted the dashboard to be of a certain standard and in line with modern expectations.

Shehbaz suggested that the project could be “provisionally” launched today but officially launched next Monday after incorporating his suggestions and criticisms.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Information Technology Minister Aminul Haque and other officials tried to assuage the situation and placate the premier’s concerns about the portal.

The prime minister was assured by the officials that they would resolve the issues he had outlined and convert the dashboard into a real-time platform in a week’s span.

Shehbaz told the two federal ministers to take all the help they needed but develop a “world class” dashboard, adding that it would aid the government for decades to come and any “makeshift” work would be of no benefit.

The prime minister also took updates and briefings on various flood-related topics from officials at the event.

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