ISLAMABAD, JUL 8 /DNA/ – Recognizing the growing role of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and disaster risks, WWF-Pakistan in collaboration with Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), brought together senior government leaders, policymakers, development partners, academia, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to identify practical pathways for scaling up Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across Pakistan during a two-day national seminar held in Islamabad. The seminar provided a national platform to strengthen partnerships and accelerate the integration of NbS into climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development efforts.

Amir Mohyuddin, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination MoCC & EC, the chief guest of the session, highlighted the changing flood dynamics in Pakistan, with monsoon patterns shifting westwards and floods increasingly occurring as GLOFs and urban flooding. He outlined the Ministry’s efforts to address these challenges, appreciated the contributions of WWF-Pakistan and PRCS in promoting innovative Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and emphasized that healthy forests, rangelands, wetlands, and protected areas are vital for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

Speaking on the occasion, Hammad Naqi Khan, Director General, WWF-Pakistan, said that WWF-Pakistan has been developing and scaling Nature-based Solutions, including floating treatment wetlands, gabion bunds, check dams and recharge wells, to improve water security, reduce flood risks, restore ecosystems and strengthen climate resilience. Through the Water Resource Accountability in Pakistan (WRAP) project, WWF-Pakistan has implemented over 320 Nature-based Solutions interventions across 16 districts of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab over the past five years, benefiting more than 500,000 people. Building on these successful approaches, WWF-Pakistan is now preparing to implement Recharge Pakistan across the Indus Basin, which will directly benefit over 680,000 people and strengthen the climate resilience of more than seven million people.

Highlighting the growing importance of partnerships between humanitarian and environmental organizations, Mrs Farzhana Naek, Chairperson, Pakistan Red Crescent Society, underscored that scaling up NbS will require stronger institutional coordination, supportive policy frameworks, sustainable financing and meaningful engagement of local communities. They also reaffirmed the importance of partnerships across government, humanitarian organizations, academia, civil society and the private sector to accelerate implementation nationwide.

Across technical and panel discussions, participants examined practical experiences from across Pakistan and also focused on enabling policies, financing mechanisms, innovation and cross sector collaboration needed to scale implementation.

ISLAMABAD, Jul 8: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was told on Wednesday that under the 100 MW Solar Energy Project for Gilgit-Baltistan, 18 MW of rooftop solar systems, including battery storage, will be installed on 499 government buildings by December 2026.

In addition, the PC-I for the 82 MW utility-scale solar project has been submitted to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for approval.

Officials informed that the 82 MW utility-scale solar project is expected to benefit approximately 1.3 million people. Upon completion, the project will significantly improve the quality of electricity services in Gilgit-Baltistan and help eliminate load shedding across the region.

These updates were shared during a review meeting on the 100 MW Solar Energy Project for Gilgit-Baltistan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

During the meeting, the prime minister said that the promotion of solar energy was a key component of the national energy strategy aimed at providing clean, affordable, and sustainable power. He described the 100 MW solar project as a gift from the Federal Government to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The prime minister directed the Power Division to fulfill all its responsibilities to ensure the timely installation and completion of the project. He also instructed that complete transparency be maintained throughout the procurement process.

Emphasizing accountability, the prime minister further directed that all payments under the project be made only after third-party validation.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Leghari, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior government officials.

TEHRAN, JUL 8 /DNA/ – The Secretary-General of the Developing-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation (D-8), H.E. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, concluded a two-day official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran from 2 to 4 July 2026. The visit, which included participation in the official ‘Farewell and Tribute Ceremony’ held in honor of His Eminence Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, underscored the deep bonds of solidarity between the D-8 Secretariat and the people of Iran.

Accompanied by Mr. Muhammad Bilal Khan, Executive Assistant, the Secretary-General conveyed profound condolences on behalf of the D-8 Organization to Iran’s leadership, government, and citizens. During the solemn ceremony organized for foreign dignitaries, Ambassador Mahmood offered prayers for the departed soul and signed the official Condolence Book, expressing support for the bereaved family and the Iranian nation.

During his stay in Tehran, Secretary-General Mahmood held a key bilateral meeting with H.E. Foreign Minister Dr. Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The discussions centered on the long-standing partnership between Iran and the D-8 Secretariat, regional geopolitical developments, and the organization’s evolving strategic priorities.

The Secretary-General apprised Foreign Minister Araghchi of recent advancements across various D-8 cooperation tracks, highlighting the organization’s current profile and future trajectory. He reaffirmed the D-8’s solidarity with Iran and extended best wishes for the nation’s pursuit of durable peace, progress, and prosperity.

Foreign Minister Araghchi thanked the Secretary-General for his participation in the tribute ceremony and reiterated Iran’s strong national resolve and commitment to peace through dialogue and diplomacy. He emphasized the need for enhanced economic cooperation in light of the transformed regional landscape and reaffirmed Iran’s steadfast dedication as a founding member of the D-8, pledging continued contributions to the organization’s broad cooperation agenda.

The two sides exchanged views on harnessing new opportunities for increased trade, investment, energy cooperation, and hard and soft connectivity arising from ongoing regional transformations.

In addition to the meeting with the Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mahmood held substantive interactions with H.E. Deputy Foreign Minister and President of the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), Dr. Saeed Khatibzadeh, and Iran’s D-8 Commissioner, Ambassador Alireza Tootoonchian. These discussions focused on deepening policy dialogue, advancing priority areas under the D-8 Decennial Roadmap 2020-2030, and strengthening the organization’s institutional capacity, effectiveness, and global visibility.

Throughout his engagements, Secretary-General Mahmood emphasized that the D-8 is entering a new phase of strategic transformation, centered on closer economic integration, trade and investment promotion, industrial cooperation, innovation, technology, energy security, sustainable development, and people-centered growth. He underscored that Iran’s industrial capabilities, technological expertise, manufacturing capacity, and strategic geographic position would remain invaluable in advancing the collective vision and objectives of the D-8.

The official visit served to further reinforce the partnership between the D-8 Secretariat and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Both sides expressed shared determination to support the organization’s capacity-building through enhanced human and financial resources, deeper economic integration across the D-8 geography, and increased international awareness as the D-8 prepares to mark the 30th anniversary of its inception in 1997.

However, the three laws have remained under wraps since the governor’s assent. The Acts and the gazette notifications have yet to be uploaded to the KP Assembly website

Bureau Report

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on Tuesday enacted a law expanding provincial assembly members’ powers and immunities, including the issuance of lifetime official passports to them and their spouses.

The KP Assembly passed the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, on April 30. On the same day, it also passed two other laws: the KP Province Speaker and Deputy Speaker (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, and the KP Province (Salaries and Allowances of Members) Act, 2026. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi assented to the laws on May 6.

However, the three laws have remained under wraps since the governor’s assent. The Acts and the gazette notifications have yet to be uploaded to the KP Assembly website.

Through the KP Provincial Assembly (Powers, Immunities and Privileges) Act, 2026, the government has repealed the 1988 law on the same subject. Although most provisions of the repealed law have been retained in the new legislation, certain changes have been made to expand the privileges of assembly members. Section 8(1) of the aforesaid law provides that a member, for the purpose of discharging his official functions, can summon a meeting within his constituency or concerned district, at such public place as he may specify, whereas Section 8(2) makes it binding on government officers to attend this meeting.

“Every government officer of the district concerned shall be bound to attend the meeting summoned under section 1, provided that the officer has been duly informed,” reads the Section 8(2).

Section 8(3) provides that any government officer who, without sufficient cause, fails to attend a meeting summoned under Sub-Section 1 shall be deemed to have committed a breach of privilege.

Under Section 10 of the legislation, members have been granted blanket immunity from preventive detention.