World First Aid Day: saving lives amid Covid-19
By Khalid bin Majeed
The World First Aid Day is being celebrated today around the globe, but in an entirely changed world this time. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) introduced the World First Aid Day in 2000 and it is celebrated on second Saturday of September every year with an aim to raise public awareness of how first aid can save lives in everyday and crisis situations as well as to encourage first aid training for all. Initially the theme for World First Aid Day 2020 was chosen as ‘First Aid for Schoolchildren’ but it was later changed to ‘First Aid during Covid-19 Epidemic’, since schools had been closed for months due to global outbreak of coronavirus.
While Covid-19 pandemic has reshaped almost the whole world, it has also given new meanings and dimensions to the first aid. Knowing first aid at all times, especially in emergencies, is important but it became extra important in the wake of Covid-19 epidemic because going to medical facilities was not recommended and people would spend more time at home. Hence, for as many people as possible, at least one in each household must know how to provide first aid to themselves and others in time of need.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a world leader in providing first aid, and for more than 150 years, first aid has been one of the essential services provided to the injured by volunteers of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society has been continuously working on training the population on how to provide first aid during any emergency situations. Even during the Covid-19 peak days in Pakistan, when all routine trainings had been suspended, the PRCS first aid trainers, under the Corona Muhafiz Response Campaign, remained engaged in providing psychosocial support to the Covid-19 patients at their doorsteps as well as hospitals. The premise of psychosocial support intervention was to control the side- and after-effects on psychosocial aspects of an infectious disease and attempt to minimize psychological impact with timely assessment, prevention and control.
The scare of Covid-19 has been so strong and widespread that it has stolen all the attention of the world capitals due to which important health issues like the annual child immunization, blood donation campaigns, first aid training sessions and a slew of important health issues paled into insignificance. These issues have now shaped up into another serious challenge for the world to tackle.
It is heartening to note that compared to the regional and international situation, the disease has subsided in Pakistan, with daily infections curtailed to a few hundred now. Though the battle is not over yet and there may be still a long way to go, the improvement in domestic situation of disease demands that other serious health-related issues, especially the stalled first aid training (FAT) program, must be addressed with dedication, devotion and commitment.
The Covid-19 pandemic also slammed the breaks on the PRCS FAT program, disabling the first aid educators from continuing their activities. However, as the situation has eased up, the PRCS has resumed its flagship FAT program on full scale under the leadership of its Chairman Abrar ul Haq. The aim of the program is to make the communities resilient to absorb shocks from any natural or manmade disasters.
Under the FAT program, thousands of people from public, private and corporate sector and students of almost educational institutions from schools to colleges and universities have been trained by the PRCS. In a landmark development, the PRCS first aid curriculum has also been accredited by the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.
Currently, the PRCS is actively planning to institute a ‘Red Crescent Corps’ (RCC) on the pattern of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) of the past. Among other things, the first aid training will also be a core component of the RCC under which trainings for emergency response and blood campaigns will be imparted. Under a long-term strategy, the scope of RCC will be expanded to all provinces and efforts will be made to make it an integral part of early college education just like the NCC trainings. The objective of the initiative is to raise a whole generation of trained youngsters who are readily available to help out in the wake of any large-scale emergency or disaster situation in the country.
Efforts are on to make first aid part of the syllabi to achieve the aim of developing a resilient nation which is able to deal with the pre- and post-disaster shocks through better planning and response. Talks with the federal and provincial governments are in progress for incorporation of first aid in the national syllabi.
The PRCS is a huge humanitarian organization with extensive network in every nook and corner of the country. Being part of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as well as a member of the ICRC and IFRC, the PRCS has movement partners in 194 countries of the world. As the international community celebrates World First Aid Day today, it is important that our government shows seriousness towards this issue and gives ownership to the first aid training program of the PRCS which will definitely help transform Pakistanis into a resilient nation.
The writer is Secretary General of Pakistan Red Crescent Society.
Pakistan, China share a common vision for regional prosperity; Senate Chief
DNA
Islamabad, SEPT 11 – Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani has said that Pakistan and China have exponentially enhanced cooperation on a number of fronts and such cooperation is reflective of strong ties and linkages at both government and parliamentary levels.
He expressed these views at a reception hosted in honor of the outgoing Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing here at Islamabad on Friday.
He said that augmenting relations with China is the cornerstone of our foreign policy, and our friendship with China represents national consensus and the common desire of all Pakistani people.
“We support and commend President Xi Jinping’s visionary Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that aims at enhancing regional and international connectivity”, Chairman Senate remarked. He further added that this vision resonates with Pakistan’s own resolve and commitment to promote peace, development and prosperity through cooperation, inclusivity and mutual respect.
Chinese Ambassador presented 3rd volume of “The Governance of China” to the Chairman Senate. The book is a compilation of speeches of Chinese President Xi Jinpig.
Chairman Senate expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Yao Jing for this wonderful gesture of presenting the 3rd Volume of “The Governance of China” to the Senate of Pakistan. He also congratulated President Xi Jinping, for documenting another volume of his highly revered collection of speeches and writings on the subject.
Chairman Senate expressed his confidence that Pakistan and China will continue to explore numerous avenues of further cooperation.
He said that Pakistan and China have a shared vision of regional prosperity and cooperation between the two reflects trust and confidence. He underlined the need for more linkages at different levels for the benefit of the people of two sides. He also expressed his well wishes to the outgoing Ambassador.
Speaking on the occasion Chinese Ambassador said that Pakistan and China are peace loving counties. Both the countries also love their integrity and sovereignty.
We have stood together through thick and thin.
We work together for international justice and collective regional development and connectivity.
We are together on principal stance of Kashmir cause .
It is an emotional moment as Pakistan has not been part of my job but also my life.
Experts from Central and South Asia discuss improving connectivity in the region
DNA
The international video conference “China – Pakistan Economic Corridor and Central Asia: Emerging connectivity opportunities” was held With the participation of leaders and experts from analytical and research centers from China, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
According to the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies (ISRS), during the online dialogue, an exchange of views took place on the current situation in the Central and South Asia, the implementation of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the China – Pakistan Economic Corridor, and other projects designed to strengthen the connectivity of the region’s countries.
Speaking at the conference, head of the ISMI Department Sadullo Rasulov noted Tashkent’s interest in implementing energy and transport and logistics projects that can ensure the formation of a network of sustainable strategic communications between the regions of Central and South Asia.
In this regard, S.Rasulov recalled that Uzbekistan has forwarded a number of initiatives aimed at increasing connectivity in Central Asia. Among them, an important role is assigned to the construction of Uzbekistan – Kyrgyzstan – China railway, which is designed to unlock the transport potential of the region and form China – Central Asia – Western Asia economic corridor.
The importance of this road lies in the fact that it is the shortest route from China to the European and the Middle East countries. Compared to the existing routes, the distance will be reduced by 900 km, and the delivery time will be reduced by 7-8 days.
Uzbekistan is also promoting a number of projects that will connect Central Asia by the shortest route through Afghanistan with Pakistan and the Middle East, provide an opportunity for the states of South Asia and the Middle East to enter the CIS and Europe markets.
The first is the construction of Mazar-i-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar railway with access to Pakistan’s Gwadar and Karachi ports. The second is the construction of Mazar-i-Sharif – Herat – Qandahar railway with access to Iran’s Chabahar port.
The ISRS expert pointed to the prospect of a possible conjugation of the corridor to Peshawar with flagship project “Belt and Road” – “China – Pakistan Economic Corridor”. Taking into account the infrastructure development in Gwadar, this port will have every reason to become a key regional hub.
He emphasized that Uzbekistan supports the implementation of such energy projects as TAPI, CASA-1000, and PTL-500 Surkhon – Puli-Khumri, not limited to laying transport corridors.
According to him, transport communications and a unified energy infrastructure solve not only the problems of connectivity. They also serve to create new jobs, stimulate trade, motivate development, and thereby form the necessary socio-economic basis for the process of political settlement of the crisis in Afghanistan.
In addition, the region’s economic development programs will serve as a key factor in building consensus among regional countries on the need for early achievement of long-term and sustainable peace in this long-suffering country.
Other participants of the virtual discussion also supported this view. Huseyin Bоtsali, OIC’s Permanent Representative in Afghanistan, noted that the Afghan crisis is one of the main barriers to strengthening connectivity in Central and South Asia. At the same time, he highly appreciated the efforts of Uzbekistan aimed at involving Afghanistan in trade-economic relations in Central Asia through the implementation of transport and energy projects.
According to him, the Government of Afghanistan has intensified negotiations with China and Pakistan on the development of cooperation within the framework of China – Pakistan Economic Corridor. Kabul also expresses interest in establishing cooperation with Central Asian countries bоth within the framework of Belt and Road and in a bilateral format.
Huseyin Bоtsali believes that more active involvement of Afghanistan in the regional process in Central and South Asia will serve to maintain long-term stability in this country.
The videoconference showed the interest of Central and South Asian countries, as well as China in further deepening connectivity.
RCCI shows strong concern on Lahore-Motorway incident
RAWALPINDI, SEPT 11 (DNA) – Saboor Malik, President, Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) has expressed his grief and anger over the Lahore- motorway incident.
He said that this tragic incident has created unrest among the citizens especially the business community.
Speaking at a meeting of former presidents at the Chamber House, he said the motorway has been considered a safe route for travel.
The incident has damaged the reputation of the motorway. Group leader Sohail Altaf said that the higher authorities should take immediate notice of the matter and the accused should be arrested and brought to justice.
Such accused should be given the harshest and exemplary punishment so that such incidents do not happen again. The government should ensure safe travel for citizens on all highways.
Sohail Altaf added that families always prefer to travel on the motorway. This incident has caused fear and worry in everyone. He demanded that the department, officers or personnel involved in the incident should be brought to justice. DNA
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Commander US CENTCOM, Army Chief discuss Pak – US military cooperation
DNA
RAWALPINDI, SEPT 11 – General Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr, Commander US CENTCOM, called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Geo-strategic environment, regional security, Pak – US military cooperation including Afghanistan Peace Process and Kashmir situation discussed.=DNA
Pak envoy invites Chinese entrepreneurs to take advantage of SEZs
BEIJING, SEPT 11 (DNA) – Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haque has invited Chinese businessmen to take advantage of the dividend of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being set up under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Pakistan has identified nine special economic zones and three of them are now in advanced stage of preparation.
“We are going to share all the details very soon,” he said in an interview with Economic Daily-China Economic Net (CEN).
Pakistan has been committed to building industrial clusters in recent years to improve its ability to undertake the relocation of Chinese industries.
Chinese companies have also been paying continuous attention to the implementation of preferential policies in Pakistan’s special economic zones.
In this regard, Haque said: “We have learned a lot from the Chinese experience of developing special economic zones.”
Talking about China-Pakistan trade relations during the COVID-19 pandemic, he pointed out: “First of all, we are very happy that China has posted a very positive and more than 3% growth in the second quarter.
Despite the pandemic, the first quarter of this year we saw our bilateral trade increase.”
In this second quarter, there was a little dip because of the disruption of international travel. The updated FTA is very important. Over 300 items are now enjoying duty-free access to each other countries, including fisheries and pharmaceuticals.
“So there are many opportunities for the traders of the two countries to work in this area. We hope that in the months and years to come, our trade will increase from our previous figures.”
Talking about his experience in the first month of his new duty, Ambassador Haque first mentioned the second strategic dialogue between China and Pakistan which was held in August in south China’s Hainan Province.
” While thanking China for its very valuable support to us during the pandemic, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi appreciated the announcement made by Chinese President Xi Jinping that whenever a vaccine is developed, it would be considered a public good.
Regarding the ML-1 railway a multiplier effect for the Phase II of CPEC, he said, The spectrum of Pakistan-China relationship is very broad and very deep, adding,
“We cooperate in all areas from defense to security, from trade to investment, culture, education, science and technology, agriculture, and tourism. CPEC is a very important element of our relationship.
The industrial development cooperation of phase two is also in sync with the social-economic development agenda of our current government. So these will be very important areas that I’ll be working on during my term,” he said.
Ambassador Hashmi said, Diamer-Bhasha Dam is also as part of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision, to provide a clean and affordable energy to our country. “And we are very grateful to Chinese companies for taking a lead in the construction of this dam.”
“ML-1 is the largest project on the CPEC. It is a very important project for both Pakistan and China. It will help to provide very economical and efficient inland travel in Pakistan.
I think it will also be very important as a multiplier effect for the phase II of CPEC,” he added.
After fully expressing the necessity of agricultural modernization, Ambassador Haque introduced Pakistan’s industry and service industry. “Like China and many other countries, our work and life were also affected by the COVID-19. There were new ideas, new concepts and new products.
Ambassador Haque said, “Another area is automobile industry. China and Pakistan are working together to make new brand automobiles.
Many Pakistani fashion products are very popular in the world. Our IT applications are very popular. A company like NetSol has a sizable business in China.
Pakistan is the 3rd or 4th largest country in milk production. We are making new investments in value-added products such as cheese, butter, yogurt and others. We hope that more Chinese investors can come to Pakistan in this field.”
While answering various economic questions, he shared his views on the learning curve and economic diplomacy.
“The economic relationship between China and Pakistan has always been very important. Like diplomacy has changed from traditional diplomacy to economic diplomacy.
China, he added, played a very important role, not only in producing news items and information, but also in bringing the two countries together in the fields of culture and economy. Pakistan has beautiful landscapes and a very rich history.
We’d like more and more Chinese tourists to go to Pakistan and see for themselves the beauty and diversity of Pakistan,” he added.
“Pakistan and China have very special ties. It’s a relationship between two friends, between two partners, between two brothers. No wonder that we call each other Iron Brothers,” Ambassador Haque remarked. DNA
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Chairman HEC rebuts news about ‘Single Policy for All Universities’
ISLAMABAD, SEPT 11 (DNA) – Committed to upholding the Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines shared by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the universities countrywide are all set to start a phase-wise reopening procedure, resuming their operations as per the Government’s instructions on September 15.
This was stated by Chairman HEC while addressing the 32nd Vice Chancellors (VCs) Committee meeting.
More than 150 VCs, Rectors, or Presidents of universities participated in the meeting to discuss in detail the reopening plans and procedures.
Addressing the university heads, Mr. Banuri said the HEC as well as the government have full confidence in the VCs, that they will be able to adopt all measures needed for protection of the campus community without compromising the quality and delivery of education.
He said COVID-19 has rendered almost all the academic operations harder, so it required the dedicated personal leadership of the Vice Chancellors to inspire both faculty and students, and ensure that educational standards are maintained and anti-Covid SOPs are strictly enforced.
“I call upon all of you to resist any attempts to lower the quality of education,” he emphasised.
The Chairman HEC affirmed that the universities will follow the HEC’s guidelines — available at HEC website — to contain the spread of COVID-19 and will firmly implement their respective reopening policies.
These guidelines include the permission to open universities on 15 September, measures to screen out potentially infected individuals, and the minimum SOPs to be followed on campus. These measures are to wear face masks in public places, maintain social distance, and undertake strict monitoring to identify and isolate any incidence of the disease.
Within these guidelines, universities have to adopt suitable policies regarding rotation of courses or other measures to ensure proper social distancing and manage population density.
He strongly rebutted the news circulating in a section of press that HEC has directed all universities to adopt a ‘single policy for rotation of courses or managing social density. He said the universities should adopt the policies and measures that suit their respective circumstances, and in line with their local needs.
“The most important responsibility of the Vice Chancellors is to announce clear and unambiguous policies, assign responsibilities to various key personnel (both faculty and staff members), establish proper lines of communication, refrain from arbitrary or ad hoc policy changes, and remain in personnel command of the evolving situation”. He said that they must maintain total vigilance to prevent and control any incidents of virus recurrence, including through active surveillance of health conditions, earmarking isolation facilities, and facilitating access to medical and isolation facilities.
He advised university leaders to keep in close touch with district administration officials, health departments, and medical universities in their vicinities to seek support in case of any need. He said that the government and health departments have assured of providing assistance all-possible assistance to universities, and that HEC was available to provide advice or ensure timely liaison with government entities.
The Convener of the VC Committee, Dr. Muhammad Ali, VC of Quaid e Azam University, assured the HEC Chairman that universities are committed to complying with the government instructions, following all possible precautions, and implementing the safety protocols prescribed by HEC, even though he would personally have preferred a single policy in order to reduce the decision making burden on VCs. He proposed that a follow-up meeting be held in the near future to review progress.
On the occasion, a number of universities provided details of the policies they had already announced and publicised. These include Punjab University, GIK Institute, Sukkur IBA; Women’s University of Swabi; Karakoram International University, GCWU Sialkot, and others. Some VCs shared the unique challenges they faced, and asked for support to resolve them. A handful of universities hadn’t yet announced their reopening plans or policies, but they promised to do so forthwith.
Chairman HEC appreciated all the universities that had demonstrated due diligence in adopting and publicising their reopening plans, and stressed upon the few remaining universities to do so immediately. DNA
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PM Imran welcomes Afghan talks
Shaheen Hanif
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran khan has welcomed the announcement regarding commencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations on 12 September 2020. Finally, our combined efforts have brought forth the day that the Afghan people have been yearning for.
For more than 40 years, Afghans have suffered from continued conflict and bloodshed. Pakistan has endured the fall-out — reflected in incidence of terrorism, loss of precious lives, and huge economic cost.
I have underlined for a long time that there is no military solution to the conflict in Afghanistan and that the only way forward is a negotiated political settlement.
Through relentless efforts, Pakistan has played a pivotal role in facilitating the Afghan peace process to this juncture. We feel deeply gratified today as we have fulfilled our part of the responsibility.
