By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD, JAN 3 /DNA/ – Pakistan’s Ambassador to Bahrain, Saqib Rauf, extended heartfelt new year greetings to the Pakistan Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Federation and its athletes, commending their remarkable achievements in 2024 and expressing hope for even greater success in 2025.

“Happy New Year to the Pakistan MMA Federation and its incredible athletes,” the ambassador said. “Your dedication and hard work have brought immense pride to Pakistan on the global stage. We look forward to witnessing your continued excellence and success in 2025.” 

The year 2024 marked a turning point for Pakistan in mixed martial arts, with the federation, led by Omar Ahmed, delivering stellar performances that resonated on international platforms. Key achievements included Pakistan’s standout participation in Brave 92 in Bahrain and the IMMAF Championships, highlighting the nation’s growing dominance in in MMA, a proof to its athletes’ talent and resilience. 

Ambassador Saqib also praised Sheikh Khaled bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the founder of Brave Combat Federation, for his visionary leadership in creating opportunities that empower nations like Pakistan. “Sheikh Khaled’s commitment to promoting global talent has been transformative, and Brave CF’s partnership with Pakistan reflects a shared vision of mutual growth and unity,” the Ambassador added. 

Sharing his views, President of Pakistan MMA Federation Omar Ahmed said: “As the federation gears up for 2025, its focus remains on sustaining its upward trajectory by nurturing emerging talent and expanding the sport’s reach. With the ongoing partnership with Brave CF and platforms like the IMMAF Championships, Pakistan is poised to further solidify its position in the world of MMA.”

ISLAMABAD, JAN 3 /DNA/ – The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC),Government of Pakistan and the Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan (AKF-P) signed a letter of Understanding to collaborate on livelihood security of the people living in rural areas of Pakistan including coastal areas of Sind and rural areas of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The signing ceremony took place at theMinistry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination where senior officials from the Ministry including Ms. Rumina Khurshid Alam- Coordinator to the Prime Minister on CC & EC, Secretary – Ms. Aisha Humera Ch. and from Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan, Mr. Amin Feerasta, Chairman of National Committee AKF, Pakistan, Mr. Akhtar Iqbal, Chief Executive Officer of AKF, Pakistan, Ms. Laila Naz Taj, Director, Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) Pakistan Communications, Mr. Irshad Khan Abbasi, Programme Advisor, Rural Development, Civil Society and Habitat and Mr. Naveed Sethi, Chief Financial Officer, AKF Pakistan participated in the event.Pakistan faces significant climate-related challenges, particularly in the coastal areas of Sindh and the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral (GBC). These areas are grappling with extreme weather events, glacial melting, rise in sea-level, agricultural vulnerabilities, and water scarcity, all of which threaten the livelihoods and well-being of communities. The Ministry acknowledges the need for targeted action to mitigate these impacts and support the socio-economic development of these regions.Recognizing the urgent need to address the growing challenges of climate change in Pakistan’s vulnerable regions, the Ministry of Climate Change & Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) and the Aga Khan Foundation, Pakistan (AKF-P), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance resilience and promote livelihood security in rural and underserved areas.

Through this agreement, the two entities will be able to strengthen cooperation on sustainable socio-economic development and address the challenges related to climate change.The partnership will focus on programmes to advance climate-related initiatives,promote knowledge sharing, coordination, research, joint activities, capacity building, policy support and joint resource mobilization. It will also create important synergies and opportunities through closer relations.Ms. Rumina Khurshid Alam Coordinator to Prime Minister on climate change while speaking at the ceremony, highlighted the critical role of this partnership in achieving Pakistan’s climate and development objectives. “This Letter of Understanding represents a significant stride toward addressing climate vulnerabilities and fostering sustainable livelihoods for communities most affected by climate change. Through this collaboration, the government’s efforts to promote inclusive, climate-resilient socio-economic development will be further bolstered,” she stated.Mr.Amin Feerasta, Chairman of National Committee AKF, Pakistan, noted,“On behalf of Aga Khan Foundation and broader Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), we thank the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination for this partnership which will build synergies to address the most pressing challenge of the time. Environment and Climate is a core strategic priority and crosscutting theme for Aga Khan Foundation and allAKDN agencies. Our environment and climate-related efforts are guided by the principle of responsible stewardship of the environment, ensuring that the Earth can sustainably support future generations.”Mr. Akhtar Iqbal in his concluding remarks thanked the Ministry and shared,“This partnership will open significant opportunitiesto collaborate on addressing climate change through joint efforts focused on mitigation and adaptation measures. This includes providing technical support, assisting in international climate processes, developing national and sub-national strategies, and implementing community-based projects.”

ISLAMABAD, JAN 3 /DNA/ – The Arms Control and Disarmament Centre (ACDC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), hosted a Roundtable Discussion on “Latest Discriminatory U.S. Sanctions and Assertions about Pakistan’s Missile Program – Implications and Challenges.” Eminent speakers included Ambassador Zamir Akram, Advisor to the SPD; Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Dean of Social Sciences and Professor at the School of Politics and International Relations, QAU; and Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi, DG ACDIS, MOFA. The event brought together senior diplomats, renowned scholars, and practitioners to reflect on the nature of the U.S. sanctions and their implications.

In his welcome remarks, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted the recent U.S. sanctions against Pakistani entities and the surprising statement by a senior U.S. official, Jon Finer,  about Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missiles. Highlighting the Foreign Office’s response to these developments, he noted that the alleged threat perception from Pakistan was characterised as “unfortunate” and U.S. allegations as “unfounded, devoid of  rationality and sense of history.” The Foreign Office had also underlined that U.S.’s discriminatory policies accentuated military assymetries in South Asia and undermined strategic stability in the region. The Foreign Office had also affirmed that Pakistan’s strategic program and capabilities were a ‘sacred trust’ of the people, it enjoyed complete consensus in the country, and was not subject to any outside intrusion or compromise. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stressed the importance of constructively engaging the U.S. in order to: (i) ensure that the U.S. recognized Pakistan’s legitimate security concerns and legitimate defence needs; (ii) stress the imperative of fair, equal and non-discriminatory treatment; and (iii) effectively address the unfounded claim made by Mr. Jon Finer. He concluded that, in the end, strategic clarity and national resolve would carry the day for Pakistan.

Earlier, in his introductory remarks, Malik Qasim Mustafa Director ACDC ISSI, highlighted the continuing challenges posed by the U.S.’s inconsistent approach towards Pakistan. He stated that by imposing these discriminatory sanctions the U.S. has ignored the fragile dynamics of strategic stability in South Asia. Pakistan has faced misperceptions about its strategic program in the past and it has always sought to address international concerns, while countering baseless allegations. Pakistan would remain committed to promoting peace and stability in South Asia.

Ambassador Tahir Hussain Andrabi argued that the parameters of the U.S. sanctions need to be understood. He stated that sanctions were not new but there has been a visible spike in the last two years. He noted that the sanctions are a manifestation of geopolitical contestations. Further, it also showed the gaps in export control regimes where the legitimate needs of states to access technology for peaceful purposes are being blocked. He underscored the challenges to engage constructively with the U.S. on the issue. He reaffirmed that Pakistan cannot accept caps on its missile capabilities. He also said that arms control negotiations would be meaningful only in the bilateral context and the U.S. should facilitate such a dialogue in our region.

Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal discussing the implications of the sanctions, stated that these are part of a political chessboard and represent a practical measure to discredit Pakistan. He stated that essentially the U.S. was advocating that Pakistan must accept India as a major power in the region, which is not acceptable to Pakistan. The U.S. intent with the sanctions is to cap Pakistan’s nuclear program, and, if possible, to roll it back.  Dr. Jaspal stated that the U.S.-China strategic competition, which was likely to intensify in the coming year also plays a part in the political chessboard. India tried to cash in on the opportunities provided by geostrategic dynamics to put pressure on Pakistan. 

Ambassador Zamir Akram stated that the U.S. sanctions go back a long time. When India conducted a nuclear test in 1974, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Pakistan to prevent it from developing its nuclear programme. Pakistan-specific sanctions were also imposed after the 1998 Indian nuclear tests. He underscored that there has always been U.S. discriminatory treatment against Pakistan vis-à-vis nuclear and missile programs. Ambassador Akram also noted that the strategic partnership between Pakistan and China may have been a factor in shaping U.S. policy, including the decision to impose sanctions on Pakistan. The pressure on Pakistan was also part of the strategy to contain China. He argued that Pakistan cannot cap its missile capabilities. In addition, he emphasized the need to develop its missile program to counter the threat from India, and underscored the need to develop a robust space program. Ambassador Akram concluded by noting that the impact of these sanctions has been relatively limited, pointing out that Pakistan’s missile program is indigenous, a development that has been driven, in part, by the country’s proactive response to previous U.S. sanctions.

Participants engaged in a wide-ranging exchange of ideas during the interactive session, emphasizing the importance of engaging with the U.S. with prudence. They underscored the importance of making Pakistan’s legitimate security and defence needs clear and work on highlighting the discriminatory approach of the U.S.  It was discussed that the U.S. was perhaps looking at Pakistan from Indian lense. There was a unanimous resolve that Indian hegemony could not be accepted. At the same time, participants opined that prospects of normalization of Pakistan’s relations with India seemed bleak.

Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors ISSI, concluded that this is not the first time sanctions were imposed and will not be the last. However, sanctions will not affect Pakistan’s strategic program. He stated that the U.S. is not cognizant of Pakistan’s threat perceptions.

MINSK, JAN 3 /DNA/ – Ambassador Sajjad Haider Khan, the outgoing Ambassador of Pakistan to Belarus, paid a farewell call on H.E. Igor Sergeenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of Belarus.

During the meeting, H.E. Sergeenko commended Ambassador Khan for his dedicated service over the past four years, acknowledging key diplomatic achievements under his tenure. These included the historic visit of Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko to Pakistan and the signing of the Roadmap for Bilateral Cooperation 2025-2027. He also expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s steadfast support in Belarus’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and lauded the ambassador’s efforts in fostering cultural and humanitarian ties, which have significantly strengthened the foundation for future collaboration between the two nations.

In response, Ambassador Khan expressed his sincere gratitude to the Belarusian government for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure. He conveyed his best wishes for the continued growth and development of Pakistan-Belarus relations in the years ahead.

By Iftikhar Ali

UNITED NATIONS, Jan 03 (APP): The Pakistani national flag was installed in front of the United Nations Security Council chamber on Thursday, as Pakistan began its eighth term as a non-permanent member (2025-26) of the 15-member body.

As part of the joining ceremony, flags of the five new incoming non-permanent members — Pakistan, along with Denmark, Greece, Panama and Somalia — were installed  at UNSC’s stakeout at the UN Headquarters in New York.

The new members replaced Japan, Ecuador, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland whose terms ended on December 31, 2024.

Pakistan’s Alternate Permanent Representative, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, installed the national flag as part of the impressive ceremony.

In his brief remarks, he said  that Pakistan will continue to be guided by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter including maintenance of international peace and security and development of friendly relations among nations based on the principle of equal rights and self-determination.

“Pakistan will always remain a strong voice for peoples under foreign occupation and oppression and for the realization of their right to self-determination,” Ambassador Ahmad said.

Pakistan, he said, was convinced that cooperative multilateralism – with the UN at its core – was the best way of tackling today’s multifaceted challenges.

“We need to earnestly address the root causes of long-outstanding and new conflicts, prioritize dialogue and diplomacy, and support confidence building at regional and global levels – to reduce tensions, arrest the arms race, and enable an environment conducive for peace, stability and development,” the Pakistani envoy said.

Pakistan, he said, will partner with fellow members to actively pursue just and peaceful solutions to the issues on the Council’s agenda, and strive to make optimal use of the tools at our disposal – from conflict prevention to peacekeeping to peacebuilding – to achieve durable peace.

“Our success lies in upholding the UN Charter and international law under all circumstances, and in ensuring effective implementation of the Security Council’s own decisions,” Ambassador Ahmad said. 

“Never forgetting our solemn duty towards the millions of men, women and children suffering in conflicts, Pakistan is assuming this responsibility, fully resolved to our collective endeavour for a more peaceful and secure world.”

Pakistan will preside over the 15-member Council in July when it assumes its presidency according to alphabetical rotation of the member states’ official names. This will allow Islamabad to set the Security Council’s agenda.

In addition to this, Pakistan will get a seat on the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee, which is responsible for designating individuals and groups as terrorists and imposing sanctions.

The Security Council has 15 members, five of which – Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States – are permanent ones. The 10 non-permanent seats of the Council are allocated by geographic region, with five replaced each year.

The Security Council is considered to be the most powerful body of the United Nations. The council, which is tasked to maintain international peace and security, can make legally binding decisions and has the power to impose sanctions and authorize the use of force against states.

The tradition of the flag installation ceremony was introduced by Kazakhstan in 2018.

Kazakhstan’s permanent representative,  Kairat Umarov, who presided over the ceremony, voiced confidence that the five new council members will bring much depth and focus to the pressing issues of global peace and security.

“As we begin a new year, it is clear that the global situation continues to be marked by numerous challenges and crisis, from ongoing conflicts and humanitarian calamities to the negative impacts of climate change and the pandemic.”

PESHAWAR, Jan 03 (APP/DNA): Inspired by international practices where snail mucus is highly valued for its cosmetic benefits, Sidra Sajjad, an ambitious female entrepreneur from Mansehra district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has become a pioneer in introducing snail farming to Pakistan.

With prior experience in herbal business, Sidra was intrigued by the economic potential of snail farming after reading an article highlighting its benefits.

This spurred her to conduct extensive research online and convinced her father, Sajjad Akhtar Swati, a retired primary school teacher, to support her vision.

In 2021, she established a snail farming operation on a three-kanal (approximately 16,335 square feet) plot in her hometown.

“Snail farming is a burgeoning industry centered around the extraction of snail slime, which is a sought-after ingredient in cosmetics and skincare products,” Sidra explained while speaking with APP.

She noted that snail mucus contains antioxidants known to combat signs of aging, such as wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and sagging.

“I faced a lot of problems and became extremely worried at several stages after facing hardships and even failures, but remain committed as a result of which my experience proved successful,” she shared.

Her enterprise, branded as Prime Snail Mucus, has become a success story, thanks largely to the unwavering support of her family.

“Our farm houses over 500 kilograms of wild snails in a natural environment maintained by a team of 32 workers,” Sidra shared.

Initially, the extraction process caused stress to the snails, but persistent research enabled her to adopt a cruelty-free approach.

After doing continuous research and hard work we succeeded in carrying out the process of secretion in the `cruelty free’ mode and our snails are treated with care throughout the extraction process, she reiterated.

“For over three years, we have implemented a lyophilization process and developed a proprietary, chemical-free extraction method,” she revealed. “This innovative technique ensures superior quality and sets a new standard in the industry.”

On average, one kilogram of snail slime is extracted from 12 to 15 kilograms of snails. After resting for one to two months, the snails regenerate and produce new mucus.

The farm also features a dedicated laboratory where extracted slime undergoes filtration using ultraviolet (UV) light to eliminate bacteria. The purified slime is then supplied in both raw and serum forms based on demand.

The laboratory is equipped to manufacture creams and serums containing up to 90% pure snail slime.

Additional organic ingredients like aloe vera, glycol, and vitamin A are added to enhance the formulation.

The resulting products, rich in vital minerals, are used in a range of cosmetics, including serums, facial masks, moisturizers, and fading creams.

“The global market for snail-based beauty products is growing rapidly due to their multifunctional benefits,” Sidra observed.

“Snail cream is popular for its ability to absorb quickly, spread easily, and leave skin feeling non-sticky.”

Sidra emphasized the vast growth potential of snail farming in Pakistan, calling for official support to raise awareness and encourage investment in this innovative industry.

Sidra informed that snails in her farm are now a days in hibernation till March month and she is in Lahore for marketing of her product with different companies.

“I am now seeking strategic partnerships with forward-thinking companies. Together, we can harness the full potential of this innovative ingredient, elevating cosmetic formulations and setting new standards for skin care excellence,” she concluded.