DNA

MUZAFFARABAD, OCT 9 – The AJK President Sardar Masood Khan while lauding the efforts of World Food Program (WFP) for the food security on the international level, has said that since 1972, the WFP in collaboration with the state government has been offering appreciable services in the food supply and other sectors.

Talking to a delegation which called on him under the leadership of the WFP Country Director Chris Kaye here on Friday, he said that the WFP had generously contributed to the relief and rehabilitation of the affected people of the devastating earthquake of 2005, flash flood of 2010, and torrential downpour and avalanche in Neelum valley last year.

Expressing gratitude for completing Emergency Storage Facility in Muzaffarabad and handing it over to the SDMA on the 15th anniversary of 2005-earthquake, the state president hoped that in future too, the WFP in collaboration with the state government would extend prompt relief to the affected people of natural calamities, climate change, epidemics and diseases in Azad Kashmir, and besides taking measures for preparation and response to disasters and under-nutrition children.

Sardar Masood Khan expressed the pleasure that even 15 years after the 2005-earthquake, the international community and the agencies were extending assistance, and because of the support of these agencies, we would be able to better respond to any natural calamity in future with full preparations.

Apprising the delegation of the situation erupted out of the Indian Army firing on the civilian population along the Line of Control, the AJK president said that more than half a million members were faced with serious hardships because of the Indian Army firing, and sometimes the government was facing difficulty in providing food, safe residence and life-saving drugs. Similarly, several civilians sustain injuries or disability when the landmines go off at the Line of Control, and their rehabilitation providing wheelchairs and other surgical equipment to them is a big challenge for the state government.

Addressing country the representative of the Islamic Development Bank Inamullah, the AJK president thanked the IDB and the OIC for helping in the reconstruction of 315 quake-hit educational institutions in the liberated territory.

Inamullah Khan assured that the IDB will consider cooperating in the promotion of agriculture particularly horticulture and floriculture for the economic uplift of the liberated territory. The IDB will also launch a project for the education of 40,000 dropout children in Azad Kashmir.

WFP Officer Jennifer Kaye, AJK Additional Chief Secretary (development) Syed Asif Hussain Shah, Secretary State Disaster Management Authority Shahid Mohiyuddin Qadri and other seniors officials were also present during the meeting.

DNA

PARIS, OCT 9 –  Pakistan has huge potential in the field of agriculture and agri-products and the country welcomed French investment, technology and expertise, in a mutually beneficial way.

This was stated by Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Fakhar Imam in a webinar on the agriculture sector of Pakistan in which 25 French companies participated. The webinar was organized by the largest business federation of France, MEDEF in cooperation with the Embassy of Pakistan, Paris.

He said agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy as it not only provides food security to the people but also employment opportunities to a large percentage of population. In addition to modernizing agriculture we also want to develop related sectors like fisheries, livestock, processing of fruits, meat production and dairy as well as organic farming, he added.

In his introductory remarks, Mr. Thierry Pfilmlin President Total Global Services, who is also President Pakistan-France Business Council, introduced MEDEF, as the largest employer federation in France which was established in 1998. It has more than 750,000 member firms, 90% of them being small and medium enterprises with fewer than 50 employees. Every year, MEDEF International organises a number of delegations of French business leaders with tangible projects to targeted countries, especially developing countries.

Mr. Muhammad Amjad Aziz Qazi, Charge d’Affaires a.i. Embassy of Pakistan Paris, praised the long-standing cooperation with MEDEF, adding there is huge potential in the agriculture sector to enhance mutual cooperation between the two countries. Agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan’s economy and an important sector in French economy, he said, and Pakistan can benefit from French best practices in this sector.

Representative of French Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Mr. Sylvian Maestracci said that France is the world’s seventh largest agricultural producer, fourth largest agricultural exporter and EU’s leading agricultural power, accounting for about one-third of all agricultural land within the EU. More than half of French farms are primarily devoted to animal production, which account for 43% of France’s total agricultural produce equaling 25.7 billion Euros.

The participating French companies expressed keen interest in Pakistan‘s agricultural sector and sought information on various sub-sectors including dairy, animal husbandry, seed production, organic farming and forestation in which they could cooperate with Pakistan.

MUHAMMAD TAHIR

FAISALABAD, OCT 9 / DNA /  –  One of the eight bazaars of Faisalabad Clock Tower Enter the well-known Sutra Mondi by the clock tower On the right, in the middle of the bazaar, is a dilapidated building Passing in front of which the steps stop. According to historians, the office of the Pakistan Muslim League was established here immediately after the formation of Pakistan And it was considered the center of political and social activity in the region This building is the old Muslim League House But the magnificent building of its time and the center of political activity Occupy groups have begun to look like ghost bungalows.

The old residents of this clock market have tried to find out the historical background of this building. Hafiz Muhammad Amjad, president of Ajman-e-Tajiran Aman Committee, a long-time resident of Bazar, has had an office in the back alley of the building for 30 years.

According to our elders,” he says About a hundred years ago, this building was built by the Sikhs living here as a ware house.Downstairs, guests were fed On the upper floor, according to the custom, dancing and singing were arranged at night. According to him, the building consists of 22 marlas of space In the middle of the large courtyard while the wedding ceremony Rooms built on all sides were used to house the guests.

Upstairs were porches And because of its location in the city center, it had a special significance. After the partition of India when a large number of Sikhs migrated to India Due to its construction and location, the building became a center of political activity And immediately after independence, it was turned into a Muslim League House.

In the 1960s, it was handed over to the municipality, which built a girls’ school here. Due to lack of maintenance and repair of the building It fell into disrepair, which led to an accident here. According to Hafiz Mohammad Amjad, a girl could not manage to run while playing on the upper floor of the building. And he tried to grab the pillar for support, but the pillar was weak and he fell into the street with the girl.

The girl died and the school was moved to another building on the same street. According to him, “the building has been vacant for a long time and has become a hotbed of occupation groups.”Khawaja Razzaq Saka, president of Anjuman-e-Tajiran, a resident of the same bazaar, Told That this building was one of the few beautiful buildings in the city.According to Rana Mohammad Sabir, who trades in the same bazaar, residents are worried about the dilapidated condition of the building.

Because it can fall at any time and cause financial loss.When contacted, Lyallpur Heritage Manager Bazla said the foundation did not have any record of the building’s history. On the other hand, the FDA, the Housing Department and the DC office could not be reached for comment.Assistant Commissioner Syed Ayub Bukhari Told We are collecting data for such old buildings This time will be very quick Perhaps the administration has also bowed to the occupation groups.

Tashkent – FAO supported the development of the Concept for the Development of Forestry in Uzbekistan.The document was initiated within the framework of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) project “Sustainable forest management in mountainous and valley regions of Uzbekistan”, implemented jointly with the State Forestry Committee of the Republic of Uzbekistan and financed by the Global Environment Fund.

When developing the Concept, the best foreign experience in the field of forestry was taken into account, including the proposals of specialists from Italy and Hungary on sustainable forest management, gender issues, and institutional development. At the same time, experts from Germany and Turkey presented their visions of pasture management and lease relations.

“I would like to especially note the concern of the country’s leadership for the development of the forestry industry, which contributes to all the results achieved, the transformation of structural units and an increase in the welfare of forest workers,” said Olimjon Kakhkharov, technical coordinator of the FAO project.

The concept pays great attention to supporting small business and private entrepreneurship in the forestry sector, creating new jobs, and introducing unused rainforest lands into circulation. Particular emphasis is placed on attracting international investment in combating desertification, biodiversity conservation, sustainable forest management, training and retraining of personnel.

DNA

Tashkent –– Under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a video conference was held on 8 October on measures to increase the role of women and youth in society and ensure their employment.

Women and young people make up a significant part of the population, and solving problems of concern to these categories is an essential part of social work.

In recent years, a vertical system for the implementation of state policy on women and youth issues has been created in Uzbekistan up to the level of mahallas. To address youth issues, a separate post of deputy khokim with a staff of up to 3 specialists has been introduced in each district, in each region – a deputy khokim with a staff of 4 specialists, territorial departments of the Agency for Youth Affairs have been allocated 3 and 11 staff units, respectively.

To address women’s issues at the mahalla level, a separate position was introduced for deputy chairman of the mahalla, at the district level – for the deputy head of the department for mahalla and family affairs, to whom 2 specialists are assigned, up to 8 staff positions were allocated at the regional level.

In addition, the People’s Receptions of the President and trade unions are assigned to the solution of issues of youth and women.

However, the ability of these departments and the four local sectors to effectively organize work in this direction raises questions.

In this regard, the introduction of a new system of work with women and youth has been determined.

As you know, in order to provide social support to the population in our country, a list of families in need of material assistance and support, also known as the “iron notebook”, has been started. Similarly, in the context of each mahalla, district, city and region, a “youth notebook” and a “women’s notebook” will be formed. These lists will be kept separate from the “iron notebook”. They will include young people and women in need of social, legal and psychological support, as well as seeking to acquire new knowledge and professions. As a result, systematic, targeted work will be established with them.

The meeting discussed the system of work with youth and women on the example of the Khatyrchi region and the city of Yangier.

Responsible persons were instructed to develop a standard model of this system and test it in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, the city of Tashkent, one city and district of each region, in a total of 28 territorial units.

Sector leaders and representatives of responsible departments were instructed to study the situation in each mahalla, hold talks with every woman and young man, identify their interests and needs, and on this basis develop targeted measures.

– From now on, we need to establish a system of employment for the unemployed by visiting people’s homes. Where leaders go from door to door and resolve issues, the situation will change. The main goal is the transition from economic stability to efficiency, the President said.

It was noted that it is important to motivate young people and women to improve their knowledge and skills, acquire a profession, provide them with psychological, legal, medical and financial assistance.

For example, free counseling can be arranged through a family psychologist or the district justice department. Elderly single women can be treated by visiting nurses, mahalla and family departments.

Ensuring employment for unemployed youth and women should be the most important task of the deputy khokim for investments, district and city employment departments, the Center for the Support of Entrepreneurship, the reception offices of the Prime Minister and banks.

Organization of meetings with celebrities who have achieved great success in their work in order to motivate young people and women, the preparation and distribution of audio and video materials teaching foreign languages, professions and business will also give a good result.

The meeting pointed out the importance of widespread use of the social contract mechanism. At the same time, the state provides material and social support in order for a citizen to acquire a profession, find a job, or provide his own employment.

It was noted that when working with “notebooks” one should effectively use the capabilities of non-governmental non-profit organizations. The importance of expanding interaction with them in such areas of work as the social adaptation of persons who have served their sentences, psychological support for young people and women, teaching them foreign languages and professions.

For this work, the potential of the research institute “Mahalla Va Oila”, the Institute for the Study of Youth Problems and the training of promising personnel will be mobilized. In addition, non-governmental non-profit organizations will be provided loans at 4 percent per annum for the implementation of complex programs of business courses and microfinance services.

The issue of providing the indicated measures with stable sources of financial resources was also considered.

Special attention is paid to the issues of employment of youth and women.

Research has shown that 55 percent of low-income women have secondary education. Most unemployed young people do not have the skills that are in demand.

– Many social and economic problems will be solved if we systematically prepare young people and women for professions in demand in the labor market and help them find decent work. It is necessary to involve not only state educational institutions, but also more than a thousand non-state vocational training centers, – emphasized Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

It was noted that a completely new system will be introduced for this purpose, and US$100 million will be allocated from the Fund for Reconstruction and Development to develop vocational skills among youth and women through non-state vocational training centers. Of these, US$10 million will be allocated for vocational training for young people and women, US$90 million – for soft loans for those who completed advanced training courses and received a certificate. Under the social contract, young people and women wishing to take training courses at non-state vocational training centers will be able to receive subsidies of up to 1 million soums to cover training costs.

Another important issue is that the classifier of the main positions of employees and professions of workers does not meet the requirements of the modern labor market. Thus, to work in 2,484 or 70 percent of the positions of employees included in the classifier, higher education is required. In particular, such a requirement applies to such professions as database specialist and web designer. These professions can be acquired at IT centers in six months.

Many professions such as librarian, translator, bank agent and advertising specialist are also required to have a college degree. There are about 4 thousand vacancies in the labor market for these professions and positions.

The Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations has been instructed to reduce the number of positions and professions of the classifier requiring higher education.

It is indicated that deputy khokims for social issues are responsible for the “youth notebook”, and deputy khokims for mahalla and family issues are responsible for the “women’s notebook”.

At the video conference, the information of the Deputy Prime Ministers, Ministers and Khokims was heard.

DNA

ISLAMABAD – Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Pakistan has a great potential to promote the export of furniture products as the trained and skilled manpower to manufacture high quality furniture products is already available in Pakistan.

However, due to the lack of modern machinery, the furniture industry has not yet developed up to its full potential, while China is far ahead of Pakistan due to modern machinery.

Therefore, he called upon the government to allow duty free import of furniture machinery so that this industry can grow to its full potential and play a more effective role in boosting exports and stabilizing the economy. He was addressing as chief guest at the oath taking ceremony of Furniture Market Trade Unions, Golra More, Islamabad.

Abdul Rehman Khan Vice President ICCI, Ajmal Baloch President All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran, Muhammad Ejaz Abbasi former President ICCI, Khalid Chaudhry former SVP ICCI, Taj Abbasi President All Pakistan Furniture Association and Zahid Hussain Chairman, Ch. Irfan, Akhtar Abbasi and others were also present at the occasion.

Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan emphasized that SBP should issue loans on easy terms for the furniture sector business community to enable this industry to flourish and become competitive in the international market. He appealed to the Chairman CDA Amir Ali Ahmed to take immediate steps for resolving the key issues including of Golra Furniture Market including street lights and parking facility.

Ajmal Baloch, President, All Pakistan Anjuman-e-Tajiran said that since the establishment of MCI, there has been no development works in the markets in the last four years due to which the condition of markets has deteriorated. He said that with the sunset and spread of darkness in Golra Market, incidents start happening in the evening while the street lights and parking department have come under the custody of CDA and hoped that CDA would address these issues.

The newly elected President of Golra Market Trade Union Farhan Khan and Secretary General Sheikh Kashif speaking at the occasion, thanked the guests and said that Golra Market is within the boundaries of Islamabad but CDA and MCI are not ready to accept it. Due to this situation, the problems of the market are increasing. He demanded that Golra Market be considered a part of the federal capital and CDA should start development works in the market.

All Pakistan Furniture Association President Taj Abbasi and Chairman Zahid Hussain said that the ICCI President was well aware of the problems of the furniture industry and hoped that he would play an active role in resolving them. They said that there was an urgent need for a furniture mart in Islamabad so CDA should provide land for it. They assured Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan that full cooperation would be extended to the Chamber for organizing Furniture Expo. They expressed concern over the rising prices of foam and demanded that the government should take notice of its cartel to save people from high inflation. They further said that the imposition of sales tax on furniture showrooms with a covered area of one thousand square yards would be an injustice so the government should avoid it.

At this occasion, ICCI President Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan administered oath to the newly elected Office Bearers of Furniture Market Trade Union. Mumtaz Hussain was elected as the Patron-in-Chief, Muhammad Wali Khan Chairman, Sabir Awan Group Leader, Farhan Khan President, Rana Mujahid Senior Vice President, Haji Ijaz Vice President, Sheikh Kashif General Secretary, Muhammad Imran Joint Secretary, Muhammad Ahmed Information Secretary and Nisar Khan as Finance Secretary.

DNA

ISLAMABAD –  The Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan on Friday hosted an exclusive live screening of a one-of-a-kind art performance on the eve of World Day against the Death Penalty. Titled ‘Before The Sun Comes Up’ and produced by Justice Project Pakistan, it was streamed live online featuring artists based in two different countries performing from their homes via Zoom.

The screening was attended by foreign dignitaries, including ambassadors from the European Union, civil society organizations and government officials. The Chief Guest at the event was Federal Minister for Law and Justice Barrister Dr. Muhammad Farogh Naseem.

“The call for the death penalty might come from an impulse in reaction to a horrific crime. But as a society, we need to reflect deeper on what justice really means and what needs to be done for such crimes not to happen again. The performance that premiered today invites us to enter this discussion,” said European Union Ambassador Androulla Kaminara of the art performance that will be streamed live for the public on Saturday, October 10 on Dawn.com 6pm (GMT + 5) onwards.

“The EU holds a principled position against the death penalty in all circumstances and for all cases. It considers capital punishment to be inhumane, degrading and unnecessary. As a matter of fact, there is no valid scientific evidence to support that the death penalty deters crime more effectively than other punishments. Instead, it is the certainty of being caught and punished that serves as a deterrent and of course actions to prevent such crimes from happening in the first place,” she added

Under its international commitments, namely the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Pakistan has committed itself to limit the death penalty to the “most serious crimes,” to allow for clemency petitions and to provide adequate protection for juvenile offenders and the mentally ill. This is one of the conventions linked to the GSP+ export regime offered to Pakistan.

Pakistan has one of the highest number of executions in the world. Since the de-facto moratorium on the death penalty was lifted in 2015, the country has executed 516 individuals. Pakistan also has over 4,000 individuals on death row – 15% of the world’s death row population.

‘Before the Sun Comes Up’ is based on four original short stories of death row prisoners written by acclaimed Pakistani novelist and writer Mohammed Hanif. Narrated by actor and director Sarmad Khoosat, it also features a musician and a visual artist from Edinburgh, Scotland. The performance was conceived by Ryan Van Winkle and produced by Justice Project Pakistan, a non-profit legal action firm that represents the most vulnerable prisoners facing the harshest punishments at home and abroad. The performance will be streamed live on Dawn.com today (Saturday, October 10) at 6 pm PST.

Sarah Belal, executive director of Justice Project Pakistan, added, “We want to highlight flaws in our criminal justice system so viewers can witness the horrors of being on death row, particularly at a time when a pandemic has cut them off from the little interaction they were allowed earlier with the rest of the world. No one heard from these prisoners for nearly six months. So we decided to tell their stories through the pen of one of our country’s most celebrated writers.”