DNA

Islamabad, SEPT 5 – The climate experts urged the federal and provincial governments for strong local governance, mainstreaming of climate adaptation and meaningful planning and implementation of disaster management. All this needs to have vigorous policy advocacy and incorporation of climate vulnerability into the development projects, besides awareness raising among the stakeholders including grassroots communities.

Speaking to a webinar on “Pakistan’s preparedness for climatic calamities”, the experts also showed their grave concerns over the rapidly increasing population and decreasing ratio of per capita social investment. All federal government policy frameworks would mean nothing if provinces don’t adopt it in a letter and spirit and trickle down funds to strengthen the local governance.

The webinar was organized by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan) on Saturday in the context of sustainable urban management. The panel included Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam, Chief Engineering Advisor Ministry of Water Resources Ahmad Kamal, UN-Habitat Country Manager Jawed Ali Khan, climate and water expert Ali Tauqeer Sheikh, and senior journalist Shabina Faraz. Well-known environmentalist and Devcom-Pakistan and DTNTV Director Munir Ahmed hosted and conducted the webinar.

Malik Amin Aslam said Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate impact is rising very fast. In recent years, the frequency and intensity of extreme events has gone up by three times while the funding resources have been reducing. We need to act efficiently on adaptation mechanisms for which the climate induced practices and development need to be promoted on all levels. After the 18^th amendment, the provinces are more responsible for taking care of the grassroots management of sewage, water and sanitation, encroachments on the pathways of the flash floods.

He said disintegrated decision making would lead to more damage to lives and livelihood if adaptation mechanisms are not implemented on grassroots level. He also cited several steps taken by the federal government to combat the climate change impact. He said Sindh province is more vulnerable to climate impact and the provincial government need to act accordingly while the federal government is all out to support the provinces for their portative initiatives.

Ahmad Kamal said flood management plans have worked efficiently because of the early warning systems installed on the riverine system that has reduced the impact significantly. A well-defined disaster management system is in place with the leading role of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) where all provincial and national authorities and organizations mandated to cope up with the challenges of natural disaster interact.

He said the problem is with city governments where right and rational decision making is absent on sustainable urban management. He suggested strong local governance based on inclusive and participatory mechanisms.

Ali Tauqeer Sheikh asked for the private sector to support the city governments. The government should provide soft loans and incentives to the private sector to manage its sewage, water and sanitation, and solid waste management. There are more than one organizations taking decisions about the fate of people. The segregated decisions are hampering the sustainable management of cities. The other foremost challenge is rising population. Most of the newborn are in the poverty group, hence vulnerable to climate impact from day one.

Shabina Faraz while citing the miseries of Karachi city said it is very unfortunate that different interest groups are playing havoc with the citizens. Funds are not invested in the actual development of infrastructure while the political groups playing blind on the encroachments, different mafia are active. When the media highlights the actual playful tactics, the journalists are maligned and blamed for blackmailing and negative reporting.

KARACHI, SEPT 5 – Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a historic Rs1,100 billion package for Karachi Transformation Plan on Saturday, during the premier’s one day visit to the country’s economic hub.

The package would mainly address chronic issues including the water and sewage issues of the city, alongside transport and solid waste management. “One year and three-year plans for Karachi’s transformation have been devised,” said PM Khan.

Sitting alongside Governor Sindh and Sindh Chief Minister, the Prime Minister said both the federal and provincial governments will contribute to this package. “We want to tackle all the issues of the city in one go,” said Imran Khan in his media conference.

Provincial Coordination And Implementation Committee (PCIC) has been established which will include all the stakeholders including federal and provincial members as well as the military, informed the PM saying that the committee would implement and monitor all the decisions.

Stressing on reforming the transport system in the metropolis, PM Khan informed that the Green Line and various BRT lines were included in the plan.

PM Khan said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will clear the Nullahs in Karachi. “There are encroachments in Nullahs and the Sindh government has taken the responsibility to settle the families who will displace as a result of the clearance of the Nullahs,” said PM Khan.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of the Karachi Committee at Governor House with Federal Ministers Asad Umar, Senator Shibli Faraz, Syed Ali Zaidi, Amin-ul-Haq, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, CM Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, and others present. The PM was briefed regarding the situation in Karachi after record rains wrecked the city’s infrastructure, while the sewage system also collapsed.

DNA

KARACHI, 05 Sep – Pakistan Navy relief operation continued to meet post-flood eventualities and to ensure restoration of flooded areas with rescue/ relief efforts at various localities of Sindh.

Pakistan Navy  Emergency Response teams are consistently supplying basic food necessities and medical care to flood-ridden victims.Pakistan Navy diving teams equipped with boats and  special diving kits carried out Search and Rescue operation at District Badin and District Tando Bago in coordination with District administration.

Additionally, Pakistan Navy diving and response teams are stationed at various locations in Karachi/ Sindh for relief activities and to counter any emergency situation due flooding. Pakistan Navy troops and mobile medical teams provided relief goods and free medicines to hundreds of locals in areas of ALLAH Bux Goth, Mirpur Bathoro, Ramzan Ghagar Goth, Umer Ghagar Goth, Sain Dino Jutt Goth, Allah Bux Jutt Goth, Ghulam Rathoo Jutt Goth, Rajab Khan Goth and Misri Jutt Goth in Sindh. Beside, medical team also provided medical aid to over 300 people predisposed to various diseases due flooding at Sujawal and Mir Pur Mathelo.In continuation to relief assistance, Food packets and clean water were distributed amongst more than 2500 vulnerable families at Hindu Goth, Surjani Town and Korangi in Karachi.

Pakistan Navy is determined to continue humanitarian assistance and mobilize resources to help flood-stricken families in different parts of Sindh.

DNA

RAWALPINDI, SEPT 5 – Defence day is the remembrance of the fact that Pakistani nation has always stood firm and tall against our adversaries.

No matter it is an aggressive country or enemy within us like miscreants or drug traffickers.

Today we present our tribute to our “Shuhadas & Ghazis” and pledge to ourselves that we will not waste their sacrifice and protect the legacy as “Sacred Duty”.

The celebrations of defence day are a true message to the enemies that nation stands united and emerged victorious like 1965 war, against lager enemy. The nation will stand firm and will not hesitate to give any sacrifice. We will face the world in line with the principals of our Quaid “Faith, Unity and Discipline”.

Being the head of leading drug law enforcement agency of Pakistan, I and my force are fighting against this curse. As a citizen of Pakistan it is your and my joint responsibility to support the government and institutions in the fight against drugs.

I assure you that ANF will fight against drug menace with extreme professional commitment and despite all odds and challenges will pursue the assigned mandate with devotion and dedication.

I, here will pay homage to “Shuhadas of ANF” and “6^th September 1965” who sacrificed their present for our future generation. DNA

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DNA

Islamabad, Sep 5 – The 2020 Beijing International Forum on People-to-people Friendship that was held online stated that the Sino-Pak cooperative partnership is getting stronger with a passage of time under CPEC.

The forum was co-sponsored by Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(BPAFFC) and Beijing NGO Network for International Exchanges (Beijing NGO) under the guidance of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries(CPAFFC).

According to Gwadar Pro, the forum attracted more than 200 participants, including representatives of 58 friendship organizations from 30 countries.

The event was centered on the theme of people-to-people friendly cooperation under BRI.

Ikhlaque Usmani, the president of All Pakistan-China Friendship Association (APCFA) and Farwa Zafar, the secretary-general of APCFA, attended this conference on behalf of people-to people friendship organizations in Pakistan.

Usmani in his speech said, Pakistan and China enjoy a very special relationship that are evergrowing. In this May, they marked the 69th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations with China. The two countries have witnessed how the friendship has grown since 1950.

He also mentioned that CPEC has significantly benefited Pakistan. He said: “In Pakistan, the BRI’s signature project of CPEC, over past five years has progressed smoothly and has been a drivering force of Pakistan’s economic growth by one to two percentage points every year and created 70,000 jobs in Pakistan.

In the town of Gwadar, the port and Free Zone have already become operational, creating opportunities for employment, investment and commerce.

Pakistani women working under CPEC projects can access better health care facilities and education, and enjoy better professional working environment in Chinese companies.

Socially, CPEC is aimed at mobilizing the people to work together for the betterment of our two nations, he added.

Usmani believes that people-to-people friendship organizations are an important part of a country’s soft power and voice in the world. In this role they can be crucial players for the BRI.

And young people are the mainstay of friendship between our people. BRI can bolster youth forums and youth camps, facilitated by friendship organizations.

Further youth exchanges in education, art, media, cultural heritage, science and technology can be realized through more opportunities and financial support by friendship organizations across China and related institutions,” he added.

Regarding COVID-19 pandemic, he stated that friendship associations are of great significance in fighting against the virus through measures.

He further said, we can put our focus on activating of a Healthy Silk Road through battling against the COVID-19 together.

The BRI corridors, ports and logistics hubs are now being used to provide medical support to partner countries and the friendship organizations with their people-to-people outreach can facilitate this activity,” Usmani suggested.

KARACHI, SEP 04 (DNA) – Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar has said that under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan PTI government extended helping hand and very conducive environment has been provided for trade and investment in Pakistan and the business community of UK and Pakistan can get benefit by enhancing current bilateral trade volume among two countries.

He stated this while addressing Virtual Investment and Trade Opportunity Forum 2020 organized by UK Pakistan Business Council (UKIPBC) on Thursday. The forum was conducted by General Secretary UKPBC Atta ul Haq form London while the session was organized under the supervision of Mr. M Khaurshid Barlas from Pakistan.

The forum was represented by Chairman UK Pakistan Business Council Ambassador Javed Malik, President UK Chapter Mr. Saleem Sheikh, President Pakistan Chapter M. Khurshid Barlas, Chairman Board of Investment & Trade Punjab Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, Minister for Trade & Investment London UK M. Shafiq A Shahzad, Chairman FIEDMC Mian Kashif Ashfaq.

A large number of experts, representatives of various Trade Organizations, professionals and general public participated in the high level Forum and questioned about the proceedings and deliberations of speakers. Governor Punjab, Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar highlighted the salient features of Federal and Provincial Government adopted for promotion of trade and industry.

He said that grievances of overseas Pakistanis were being resolved on priority basis and Overseas Commissions are working up to district level which can be contacted to resolve the issues of overseas Pakistanis. He also mentioned various steps including establishing special tribunals for early decision of overseas Pakistanis court cases.

Chairman Board of Investment and Trade Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan appreciated the valuable contribution of UKPBC for linking all related organizations for the cause of trade and commerce promotion among UK and Pakistan. He said Pakistan has given huge incentives and concessions to the investors and traders and large numbers of International organizations are in our contact for their investment in Pakistan.

Minister for Trade & Investment London UK M. Shafiq A. Shahzad talking on the occasion said that there is huge potential of trade opportunities in UK for Pakistan after brexit and the Embassy of Pakistan in London is already working on it to extend all possible assistance to business community.

Chairman FIEDMFC Mian Kashif Ashfaq deliberating on the subject briefed about the working and attractions provided by FIEDMFC to investors and said that first time in the history of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has announced historical incentives for foreign investors and infrastructure has been developed to facilitate investors.

Chairman UKPBC Ambassador Javed Malik in his address said that the prime objective of UK Pakistan Business Council is to play its due role in economic development of Pakistan especially after COVID-19 situation and under the patronage of President UK and Pakistan Chapter, very successful conference and roundtable talks had been organized with the active participants of stakeholders.

President UKPBC UK Chapter Saleem Sheikh was of the view that Council. M Khurshid Barlas expressed his gratitude to all participants, especially, Governor Punjab Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar and Chairman Punjab Board of Investment and Trade Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan and said that collaborated efforts would enable business community to avail trade and investment opportunities being provided in UK and Pakistan.

He said more high level sessions would be organized to discuss business related matters with the objective to provide maximum facilities to the business community and enhancing exports of Pakistan. =DNA

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