ISLAMABAD: (DNA) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) completed the disbursement of emergency cash assistance for 75,000 vulnerable Afghan refugee families that have been the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. More than 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees are hosted in Pakistan. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, their ability to work and earn a minimum livelihood, mainly as daily wage earners, has been severely affected.
In response, UNHCR launched an emergency cash programme in May 2020. The programme mirrored the Government of Pakistan’s Ehsaas social protection programme under which vulnerable Pakistani families receive a one-off cash grant of Rs. 12,000. UNHCR’s support helped vulnerable refugee families meet their critical needs, such as food, health, education, as well as rent and transportation. UNHCR’s cash assistance programme was established and rolled out in collaboration with the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON)/Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees (CAR), the Pakistan Post, some partner NGOs, and a network of refugee volunteers and community leaders. Using vulnerability criteria, this volunteer refugee network supported the process of identifying the neediest refugee families.
The UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, Noriko Yoshida, said, “Cash assistance to 75,000 refugee families is about leaving no one behind, as the COVID-19 pandemic does not discriminate.” “With the support of the Government of Pakistan and the international community, emergency cash assistance has made a difference in the lives of refugees during this very challenging time. The assistance has not only allowed refugees to meet their immediate needs in dignity but has also been a gesture of the solidarity,” she added.
UNHCR’s emergency cash programme has supported a total of 450,000 Afghan refugees in Pakistan. One out of every three Afghan refugees has benefitted from this support.
75,000 Afghan refugee families impacted by pandemic received emergency cash
PIAF Chairman wants consistent policies for revival of industry, sizable improvement in exports
Lahore: Jan 29, 2021 : The Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front Chairman Mian Nauman Kabir said the government has to formulate long-term and consistent policies for the revival of industry and considerable improvement in exports, as contrary to regional countries, Pakistan’s exports have remained stagnant for a long time, and unless attention was paid to all factors that hamper industrial and exports growth, the country might not be able to achieve desired results.
He expressed the hope that present trend of positive growth in large-scale manufacturing (LSM) will help achieve the annual economic growth target, besides creating jobs for skilled and unskilled workers.
PIAF Chairman, in a joint statement with vice chairman Javed Siddiqi, observed that the output of Pakistan’s large industries increased 7.4% in the first five months of current fiscal year on the back of a sustained growth momentum for the third successive month, which is a ray of hope for economic revival.
Mian Nauman Kabir said that the Large-Scale Manufacturing sector registered a cumulative growth of 7.4% in July-Nov of current fiscal year, but industry has not yet achieved the production levels seen before the first wave of the coronavirus hit the country in late Feb last year.
He said that industrial production after suffering months of damage inflicted by the corona pandemic mainly in the construction, sugar, automobile, and pharmaceutical sectors is now clearly reflecting a revival in economic activities in the country.
For the current fiscal year the government had set the economic growth target at 2 percent, which will be better in the current economic situation but is not enough to create jobs for a growing population.
Out of 15 major sectors, 10 sectors recorded positive growth while output of five sectors contracted in the first five months of current fiscal year. The LSM sector recorded a 14.5% year-on-year growth in Nov, which is the highest LSM growth but it is also the fact the index was still below the level of 160 points recorded in March last year, as the index jumped to still 147 in Nov 2020.
PIAF vice chairman Javed Siddiqi said that decrease in interest rates and reduction in duties on raw materials is expected to further spur economic activities in the current fiscal year. He said that the growth has now broken a cycle of constant contraction in past over one year.
He said that businesses had been bearing the brunt of very high interest rate, issues of the Federal Board of Revenue and high energy prices. The sectors which registered a dip in their production included iron and steel whose production fell 3.7%, electronics 18%, leather products 43%, engineering products 32.6% and wood products 65% during the July-November period. He said that the World Bank released a new report, which showed a gloomy picture of Pakistan’s economy. On a month-on-month basis, the LSM sector showed only 1.4% growth in November over Oct 2020. Data collected by the Oil Companies Advisory Committee showed that 11 types of industries registered average growth of just 0.09% in the first five months of current fiscal year. He said that Pakistan needs 6-7% annual economic growth to reduce poverty and unemployment.
He said that the industrial sector has a major contribution to the tax collection and the sector’s share in revenues is almost triple than its contribution to the overall economic output.
3rd Round of Pak-Kenya Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC)
Islamabad, 28 January 2021 : Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood and Principal Secretary of Kenyan Foreign Ministry Ambassador Kamau Macharia held the 3rd Round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) through video-conference.
The consultations covered entire spectrum of bilateral relations, mutual cooperation in the multilateral fora, and issues of peace & security in the respective regions.
The Foreign Secretary highlighted Prime Minister’s vision to forge multifaceted cooperation with the African Continent, as part of the “Engage Africa” initiative. He noted that, in this context, Pakistan was working simultaneously to enhance its diplomatic footprint in Africa and deepen economic engagement with African partners.
Noting Pakistan’s historic linkages with Kenya and the cordiality of bilateral political relations, the Foreign Secretary stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the fields of trade, investments, air connectivity and ports linkages, security and defence, and education and training.
In the multilateral arena, the Foreign Secretary extended felicitations to Kenya on its assumption of non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Views were exchanged on the wide range of issues of common interest on the multilateral agenda – from peace and security to sustainable development to climate change.
The Foreign Secretary also highlighted Pakistan’s positive contributions to the Afghan peace process as well as the serious situation in IIOJK. Issues relating to regional connectivity were also discussed, with Pakistan side underlining CPEC’s significance as a transformational project.
Pakistan is Kenya’s top trading partner. The two sides have mechanisms for regular interface on the political, official, parliamentary, and business-to-business planes. It was agreed that high-level exchanges will be enhanced and bilateral cooperation expanded through specific initiatives.
Watch: Test debutant Nauman Ali makes history with 5-wicket haul against South Africa
KARACHI : Victory has almost been secured for the green shirts courtesy Pakistan’s lethal spin attack comprising Yasir Shah and Test debutant Nauman Ali.
Nauman, who was picked for the first Test match against South Africa after performing in First-Class cricket and other Pakistani domestic tournaments, has managed to skittle the South African batting side.
On his Test debut, Nauman has taken an impressive seven wickets. However, his spin magic in the second innings has almost sealed the match for Pakistan.
The impressive feat makes Nauman the first Pakistani left-arm spinner to take five wickets on debut and the 12th Pakistani to take a 5-wicket Test haul on Test debut.
The 34-year-old from Sanghar has played 79 First-Class matches and managed to take 289 scalps.
Yasir Shah also deserves a mention for taking the important wickets of Elgar, Rassie Van der Dussen, Faf du Plessis and Quinton de Kock.
After dismissing South Africa for 245 runs in their second innings, Pakistan need only 88 runs to win the first Test in Karachi.
PM Imran Khan arrives in Sahiwal to launch public welfare, development projects
SAHIWAL : Prime Minister Imran Khan has arrived in Sahiwal for a day-long visit to the city, where he is expected to launch welfare and development projects for the city.
PM Imran Khan “will distribute cheques among the deserving under the Kamyab Jawan Programme and hand over tractors to the farmers,”.
The prime minister will meet beneficiaries of the Ehsaas Programme in the city before addressing a public event.
Dr Arslan Khalid, the focalperson to the prime minister on digital media, shared some more details about the premier’s visit to Sahiwal.
“Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI will visit Sahiwal today. PM will announce Pak’s first Full Cycle waste disposal system in Sahiwal today. From Coal Pollution Capital in 2016 to be among one of the best performers in Gvts Clean & Green initiative in 2021, Sahiwal has come a long way,” tweeted Dr Arslan.
Pakistan, Qatar vow to boost defence ties
Army Chief meets Qatar top leadership; reviews passing out parade at Ahmed Bin Muhammad Military College
DOHA (DNA) : General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Qatar on two days official visit. During the visit, COAS witnessed passing out parade at Ahmed Bin Muhammad Military College. He appreciated high standards of institution and its efforts towards grooming of young cadets to take on challenges of future battlefield.
Later, COAS called on His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani – Emir of the State of Qatar, His Excellency Doctor Khalid Bin Muhammad Al-Attiya – Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Defence Affairs and Lieutenant General (Pilot) Ghanim Bin Shaheen Al-Ghanim – Chief of Staff Qatar Armed Forces. During the meetings, matters of mutual interest, defence & security cooperation and regional geo-political environment were discussed.
Qatari leadership reiterated that Pakistan and Qatar share brotherly relations of strategic value. While expressing their satisfaction over level of defence relations between the two Armed Forces, both sides underscored the importance of further enhancing the cooperation.
Pakistanis pin their hopes on CanSino Biologics’ vaccine
ISLAMABAD, Jan. 29 : As the world competes fiercely for the early acquisition of the Covid-19 vaccines, Pakistani officials, healthcare workers and common people have pinned their hope on Chinese CanSino Biologics anti-coronavirus vaccines, says a report published by Gwadar Pro on Friday.
Pakistani health experts say that the CanSino vaccine, with promising results during its clinical trials, would be the best option for Pakistanis, having been tested over the indigenous population of the country.
The CanSino vaccine is not the only Chinese vaccine Pakistanis would benefit from, as China announced last week 500,000 doses of the Sinopharm anti-coronavirus vaccine as a gift to Pakistan and according to Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, this life-saving gift will reach Pakistan by January 31, to be followed by 1.1 million more doses by the end of February.
Pakistan’s National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) announced the launch of phase-III clinical trials in the country for CanSino Vaccine in end-September 2020.
Five different hospitals across the country, with the National Institute of Health (NIH) as principal investigator, initiated the trials with a sample size of 18,000.
Talking to China Economic Net (CEN), Dr. Ghazala Parveen, Chief of Biological Production Division NIH said, “So far, we have vaccinated 17,500 volunteers during a double-blind placebo control trial where 50% of people got the vaccine and 50 % got a placebo”. Placebo is a substance with no therapeutic value.
According to her, the trial is moving towards successful completion; during the trial, no severe adverse events have been reported so far. Around 50% of the samples have been sent to Dalhousie University in Canada for analysis. “We are hopeful to get the complete analysis by mid-February,” she said.
Dr Ghazala Parveen said that Pakistan and China have always enjoyed friendly relations and right at the beginning of the pandemic, China provided Pakistan with masks, sanitizers and testing kits etc.
According to her, picking Pakistan for the vaccine trial is another friendly gesture from China; if the results of the trials are positive, it will help to select this vaccine for future use.
“We hope to get a large quantity of CanSino vaccine from China,” Dr Ghazala said, adding, “We also expect technology transfer from China to Pakistan to produce CanSino vaccine in the future”.
Dr Faisal Sultan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, during a recent press conference stated, “If the results are positive, Pakistan is entitled to get 20 million doses of the CanSino vaccine.”
According to Dr Mohsin Ali, CanSino vaccine has superior quality in providing immunity and was the only vaccine being tested on the indigenous population of Pakistan. “The CanSino anti-coronavirus vaccine has no viral genetic component; it only contains the protein molecule of the coronavirus, so it has no potential to cause corona infections,” he told CEN.
Muhammad Usman, a volunteer, who had taken the vaccine on December 3, was in Shifa International Hospital for post-vaccine checkup. He shared his experience with a doctor in the vaccination center. “I had no issue after consuming the vaccine. I think everyone should come and take part in this drive,” he told CEN.
Many volunteers visit the facility to share their experiences with doctors. The hospital administration also remains in touch with volunteers via SMS and phone calls.
Dr Fazal Rabi, Registrar of the Covid-19 ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Islamabad, said that the second wave of the coronavirus is more deadly than the first one. He lost one of his colleagues some five days back to the virus.
“Now that the Chinese vaccine will be here soon, I’m sure we will be more protected and we will have fewer seriously sick or dead,” Dr Fazal Rabi told CEN. However, he thinks that for frontline workers, 1.1 million doses of vaccines are not enough and more will have to be imported.
As per the government plan, people above the age of 18 would be vaccinated during the vaccination drives, which is some 120 million, thus the government plans to vaccinate 70% of the total population. The frontline healthcare workers will get coronavirus vaccines at the first stage, followed by people over the age of 65; the remaining target population will get the anti-coronavirus vaccine at a later stage.
According to sources in the Ministry of Health, the Chinese company Anhui Zheifi Longkom Biopharmaceuticals Company Limited has also applied for Phase-III clinical trials in Pakistan.
Pakistani vloggers popular on Chinese video platforms to promote cultural exchanges
BEIJING, January 29 : Pakistani vloggers are highly popular on Chinese video platforms to promote cultural exchanges, says a report published by China Economic Net (CEN).
The report says, vlogging has risen in popularity the last few years. From beauty vloggers and top fashion vloggers, to vlogging stars dedicated to just telling their stories, they are interesting, entertaining and inspiring. Among them, some vloggers from Pakistan are becoming welcome on China’s well-known video platforms.
A reporting team of CEN interviewed some of the most popular Pakistani vloggers on Bilibili, a Chinese video sharing website based in Shanghai gathering most of China’s vloggers. Via making videos, they are acting as a bridge between the two peoples in cyberspace to enhance mutual understanding in a creative way.
Younus Ghazali, a young man from Karachi now studying in China’s Yunnan Normal University, has got 8,5000 subscribers on Bilibili till January 27. His 64 videos in fluent mandarin covers Pakistani culture, tradition, tourism and food, China-Pakistan relations, China-Pakistan differences, and tour of Chinese scenic spots and historical sites, etc.
Initially in April, 2020, Younus Ghazali made a video to express his gratitude to China’s generous help to Pakistan during COVID-19 pandemic. Muhammad Abubakar, a 27-year-old Pakistani young man from Lahore originally decided to make videos to enhance mutual understanding.
“While living in China, I felt the intense love that Chinese have for Pakistan and its people, and as a common man I saw that there is a strong government-to-government relationship, but we have the gap in terms of people-to-people relationship,” he said.
His experience of studying Chinese language and culture in China’s Yanshan University makes him more aware of the cultures, views and perspectives of both nations.
“The credit of my videos on Bilibili, my popoularity and my fame totally go to the love of Chinese people for Pakistan. My viewers want to explore Pakistan and its culture because they love us, ” Muhammad Abubakar said adding, videos on Pakistani culture and landscape especially well received by Chinese viewers
Chinese viewers like videos related to Pakistan’s national conditions, culture and tradition a lot. The video that gains the highest views of 2.271 M among Younus Ghazali’s works is about the contrast of commodity prices between Pakistan and China.
Muhammad Abubakar’s video about his road trip from Khunjerab Pass on China’s border with Pakistan to Gwadar has got as many as 2.182 M views. The beautiful scenery and unique animals in that region attracted many Chinese viewers. “I will definitely visit Pakistan once the pandemic ends,” a Chinese netizen named Melanieyaya reviewed.
Pakistani vloggers keep a close eye on the development of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Many of their videos are themed by the latest progress, economic benefits, investment and job opportunities created by this mega project.
“While covering an interview for my video about Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a local from that area told me that they owe even very basic necessities that they have today to CPEC, Silk Route and China. They said that because of these routes, they have electricity, gas, good clothes, etc. CPEC is giving positive boost in the availability of everything we use in our daily life,” Muhammad Abubakar told CEN.
Muhammad Abubakar advises Pakistani youth to learn Chinese, make friendships with the people in China, and get exposed to the Chinese culture. “We should promote communication and business-to-business awareness between China and Pakistan. In addition, I am expecting to see a huge boost in tourism between us,” he said.
“Our Prime Minister Imran Khan said that we should learn from China’s experience of rapid development,” Younus Ghazali mentioned. “I will keep on making videos to let more Chinese people learn about Pakistan. I sincerely invite Chinese people to come to Pakistan to work together with the locals and share Pakistan’s development opportunities,” he said
Gwadar Port has become a shining pearl of the region: Ambassador Nong Rong
ISLAMABAD, Jan 29 : Gwadar seaport has become a shining pearl of the region said Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong during his visit to the Port during the last two days.
According to the Gwadar Pro, he visited all major projects under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) including the New Gwadar International Airport Project, the China-Pak Friendship Hospital, China-Pak Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar, the Gwadar East-bay Expressway Project, Gwadar Free Zone and Gwadar Port.
He met Chairman Gwadar Port Authority Naseer Kashani, DG of Gwadar Development Authority Shahzeb Kakar, MajGen M.Aamer Najam, GOC SSD (South) and Rear Admiral Jawad Ahmed, Commander Pakistan Navy Western Command.
He also attended the Chinese Ambassador Green Employment Scheme Launching Ceremony and Scholarship Award Ceremony for excellent students of Middle School Faqeer Colony Gwadar.
During the field visit, Ambassador Nong extended his festive greetings to the workers at the construction site, and said “the Spring Festival is coming, but you are sticking to your posts, with a common goal to speed up the project and make the Gwadar Port a better place.
We all know that the Spring Festival is a time for family reunions. You spend the Chinese New Year alone on the project site far from motherland, and make Gwadar your home. I’m so proud of you!” The Ambassador asked the companies in Gwadar to expedite the projects and take strict prevention and protection measures for COVID-19 epidemic, and make greater contribution to China-Pakistan friendship.
While meeting Maj Gen M. Aamer Najam, GOC SSD (South) and Rear Admiral Jawad Ahmed, Commander Pakistan Navy Western Command, Ambassador Nong appreciated the efforts made by the armed forces in safeguarding the CPEC projects and personnel.
He underscored that safety is the premise of everything. Gwadar Safe City is an inalienable part of Gwadar Smart Port City, which portraits a brilliant future for Gwadar. I believe all the local people and the people of Pakistan are looking forward to this day coming at an earlier date. No one will hesitate to take the first step with a bright road ahead.
When attending the Launching Ceremony of Green Employment Scheme, Ambassador Nong said that the project was responding to the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s initiative for Clean Green Gwadar Movement, and China would work together with Pakistan to turn CPEC into a model green Belt and Road Initiative (the “BRI”) to protect and preserve natural environment in the region.
While awarding Scholarship to excellent students of Middle School Faqeer Colony Gwadar, Ambassador Nong said that 2021 marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations, and children were the future of the nation and the hope of China-Pakistan friendship.
He encouraged the students to cherish the opportunity, study hard, and grow up to become talents of the country and builder of the CPEC, and carry on the time-tested friendship between China and Pakistan from generation to generation.
Pakistan Hosting Seventh Multinational Navy Exercise – Aman-2021
by Dr Hasan Yaser Malik
Predominantly, the prominent civilizations like Circa, Indus Valley and Egypt have emerged and developed along the seas and rivers. Presently 2.4 billion people are living within 60 miles of the coast as ports and sea have always provided prudent prospects for explorers and admirals like lbn Battuta, Zheng He and Khair-Udin Barbarossa who dominated the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean in 15th and 16th century respectively, Consequently, the domination led to enhancement of sea trade as seas were considered as a common human heritage however, during and after Second World War countries like U.S, UK, France, Spain and Italy started to build stronger navies with a view to not only consolidate on colonization but also to dominate the sea trade routes across the globe and established overseas naval bases since 1970s to control the vital choke points along sea lines of communication (SLOCs). Such extra regional emergence led to expansion of navies such as China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, India, Iran and Pakistan to strengthen the domain of Maritime Security not only by securing their lands and SLOCs but also to explore marine sources. In case of Pakistan due to its neighbouring environments Maritime Security is more pivotal for protection of its SLOCs and economy. Following the trends of enhancing global interdependence world navies have adopted the approach to conduct joint naval drills with a view to share new professional techniques of Maritime domain and to enhance diplomatic understanding.
Pakistan being a conscientious nation is committed to its resolve of peace coexistence and is determined for superior regional harmony and cooperation thus Pakistan is contributing as part of UN Peace Enforcing and Peace Keeping Missions. Proudly: Pakistan Navy has been entrusted with command of Maritime Task Force 150 and 151 and has participated in various bilateral and multilateral exercises. Pakistan took initiative by conducting Multilateral Biennial Exercise AMAN 2007 with a view to reveal its obligations to peace, contribute towards regional Maritime Security and enhance interoperability between regional and extra regional navies, particularly against asymmetric threats. Ever increasing numbers of participants have made AMAN International Naval Event with its seventh episode planned in February 2021. Considering the geo-political manoeuvre place Of Pakistan, significance of Gwadar Port. CPEC and the professional credentials of Pakistan Navy even Blue Water navies are keen for regular participation. During first AMAN Exercise in 2007: 28 countries and 29 observers participated and in 2019: 46 countries and 115 observers along with 2 Japanese P3C aircrafts, 15 Special Operation Forces, Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Maritime Teams participated. It is accepted that this time more than 40 countries as well as international observers and warships will participate. Exercise is designed to provide firstly to provision of common forum for information sharing, mutual understanding and identifying areas of common interests. Secondly, developing and practicing in response tactics, techniques and procedures against asymmetric and traditional threats during sea phase of the exercise and finally interaction with other nationals to share multicultural opportunities including Cultural Display and Food Gala. Exercise focuses on objectives to enhance interoperability with regional and extra regional navies thereby acting as a bridge between the regions and display unrted resolve against terrorism and crimes in the Maritime Domain.
The AMAN, unlike the contemporary Malabar Exercise, is based on principles of cooperation and support instead of domination hence it includes more cooperative activities like Replenishment At Sea, Counter Piracy Demonstration, Firing of Rocket Depth Charges, Surface Firing on Killer Tomato, Fly Pasts, Counter Terrorism Demonstrations, International Maritime Conference, Special Operation Forces activities. Cultural shows and Food Galas. Considering the prudency of AMAN, the Russian Navy’s Black Sea Fleet despite the presence of NATO Navies has also planned to participate in multinational AMAN-2021 naval drills as it considers Pakistan as a Global Pivot State and these biennial drills aim to improve joint coordination in maritime rescue missions and combating piracy, among other issues of common concern and it will be the first time since the “Bold Monarch-2011” exercises off the Spanish coast that Russian forces will join NATO Navies anywhere in the world.
AMAN; as its title indicates is conducted on the cardinals of peace, joint coordination in Maritime rescue missions and combating issues of common concern, however on the contrary, the annual Malabar Exercise is based on aggressive and dominating approach including diverse activities, ranging from fighter combat operations from aircraft carriers, Maritime interdiction operations, anti-submarine warfare, amphibious operations, anti—air warfare operations and counter-piracy operations with a view dominate to dominate the SLOCs. Recently, the Quad Navies consisting India. U.S, Japan and Australia have conducted 24th Malabar Exercise from 3 November to 20 November in the Arabian Sea. It is imperative to understand that although Quad Navies are against the Chinese naval expansion and are flexing mussels against China in South China Sea but still all the Quad Navies less Indi6 are participating with China in AMAN since 2009. The emerging relations between Russia and Pakistan and Russian entry in AMAN despite NATO presence will add to regional diplo-economic balance. It is appreciated that the ever increasing trust and p’articipation of regional and extra regional countries is surely enhancing the geo-political significance of Pakistan even beyond region.
The writer holds Masters Degrees in English. Warfare Studies, Special Education, and International Relations. He did Ph.D. in International Relations and has interest in Blue Diplomacy. He is a inember of (hartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation (UK). He has been awarded with “UN Certificate of Appreciation– and –Medal of Excellence” by the Government of Pakistan.
