SHAHEED BENAZIRABAD: Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari attended a corner meeting regarding the election campaign at Taj Colony in Nawabshah. She was accompanied by former Provincial Minister for Health and Population Welfare and PPP candidate for PS-36, Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho. Nawabshah is the home constituency of President Asif Ali Zardari, who is contesting from here for the National Assembly seat, NA-207.

In a tweet regarding the corner meeting, Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari said: “The enthusiasm of the people has made it clear that on February 8, only the arrow will be stamped.”

DNA

ISLAMABAD, Jan 16: Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin had a meeting with Pakistan’s Federal Minister of National Heritage and Culture, Jamal Shah.

In the context of the tasks set by the President of Kazakhstan to develop “… constructive and good neighborly relations with the countries of South Asia,” the Ambassador emphasized the importance of fostering cultural collaboration particularly with Pakistan.

Ambassador Y.Kistafin also commended the recent success of the 12th Kazakh-Pakistani Intergovernmental Commission meeting on December 20-21, 2023, and congratulated Minister Shah on the signed Memorandum of Understanding in the cultural domain.

Minister Jamal Shah expressed a keen interest in fortifying cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Pakistan, spanning institutions like museums, libraries, theatres, and the film industry. During the negotiations, both sides agreed to jointly organize various events throughout the year.

Minister Shah invited Kazakh cultural figures and artists to participate in Pakistan’s cultural festivals in 2024.

Ambassador Y.Kistafin presented Minister Jamal Shah with poetry of Abai translated into Punjabi, Balochi, Sindi, and Pashto language. Additionally, he gifted the first Kazakh-English-Urdu phrasebook, underscoring plans for further cooperation in this linguistic domain. National Heritage and Culture Division, Pakistan.

Rawalpindi, JAN 16 /DNA/ – General Syed Asim Munir, NI (M), Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Wah today.

COAS was briefed about production capabilities of POF, its contributions towards fulfilling the defence requirements of the Pakistan Armed Forces and export potential.

COAS witnessed wide range of POF Products including indigenously designed and manufactured new weapons and ammo under test & trials.

While addressing the POF officers and staff, COAS appreciated their contributions to the security and economy of the country by making POF the prime defence industry of Pakistan.

“Path to national progress is defined by indigenous and local industries like POF Wah. We will continue to work for self reliance and latest technology which is essential towards ensuring reliability and strengthening the defence of Pakistan.” COAS remarked.

Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Chairman POF Wah.

Rida Shahzad

Pakistan is geographically located in a region, where the impact of climate change has been strongly felt. Climate change is one of the most leading challenge faced by Pakistan today and Pakistan is not alone in this, many developed countries are facing the same issue, making it a global issue.

Climate change has drastically affected our country leading to the issues of global warming,

heatwaves, floods and an unprecedented rise in temperature. Many factors have contributed in this

issue, those include; deforestation, air pollution and the government’s negligence and

mismanagement towards this issue.

According to Inform Risk Index, Pakistan has some of the highest disaster risk levels in the world,

ranked 18 out of 191 countries.

Climate change is more than an environmental disaster, it is also a social and economic crisis that

requires us to confront issues of inequality on many levels. Due to climate change in Pakistan,

major human health consequences can occur such as starvation, vector-borne diseases like dengue

fever and an increase in the burden of aquatic infections.

Monsoon rains triggered Pakistan’s most devastating floods in recent decades. Pakistan has been

hit by a number of floods in the past as well but 2022, floods in Pakistan submerged one third of

the country, affecting 33million people, half of them were children. As a result of those devastating

floods many people lost their lives, went missing and many of them lost their houses as well. Some

of the major factors that contributed to these floods were: the monsoon rains, intense heatwave as

well as the melting of the glaciers, all of these factors are linked to the issue of climate change in

one way or the other. As a result, the local people have urged the authorities to take more strict

actions in order to combat this issue .

UNICEF play a critical role along with other local NGO’s in providing shelters, medicine’s and

education to children affected by 2022 floods were remarkable. But ,here yet again the question

rises that why does our government fails to provide these basic health and educational facilities to

the flood affected people every single time? The reason for this is their lack of concern, they are

more interested in their political careers rather than actually doing something for the benefit of

those people.

Smog in Pakistan has become another alarming environmental concern, particularly in the urban

areas like Lahore and Karachi. This hazardous blend of smoke and fog is primarily the result of

vehicle’s emissions, industrial pollution and crop residue burning. Every year during the winter

months, the dense smog engulfs these cities, leading to health problems and reduced visibility .

Salman Kazmi, a doctor at Lahore main Mayo Hospital, advised residents to wear masks and

staying at home to avoid getting rushed to hospitals.

Environmentalist Rafi Alam said that the government policies aimed at combating are made only

in haste ,which are of no use. Government should made efforts to combat issues like smog by take

initiatives to improve air quality, promote cleaner energy sources and raise awareness about the

harmful effects of smog on all levels.

Former Foreign Minister and PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was at a seminar on “The

Urgency OF Action: Climate Change and it’s Implications on Human Rights in Pakistan said that

Pakistan with it’s vast landscape and rich history, was the epicenter of climate crisis and the

evidence was clear and could not be ignored. He also noticed that access to clean air and safe

drinking water were not luxuries, but basic human rights, which were as essential as freedom of

speech, promise of good education and assurance of a fair trail.

Other speakers including PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman also mentioned, that we are not the

cause of global warming. She also added that rich countries and rich people are the least to be

affected by the effects of climate change, but the developing countries and the poor are the first to

be affected. Pakistan’s former Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal also told

reporters that “we want to showcase this to the developed world that the quality of life that people

in the west are enjoying today, someone is paying the price for it in the developing world .

Pakistan is experiencing the consequences of climate change, despite contributing relatively less

to the greenhouse gas emissions. But still, Pakistan is paying the price of the sins committed by

rich nations.

DNA

Islamabad, Jan: Reiterating its commitment for the uplift of the rural women, PODA launched the report of the last year’s annual rural women conference today (Tuesday) here in Islamabad. The launching ceremony was attended by a visible number of representatives from the government departments, development sector, lawyers, media, rural women leaders, transgender persons, donor community and youth. The conference was attended by 2285 persons including 1826 women. The 3-Day, 16th Annual Rural Women Conference was held from October 15 to 17, 2023, in Islamabad, marked a significant occasion in the advocacy for rural women’s rights and empowerment.

Speaking on the occasion, CEO and the Founder, PODA, Ms. Sameena Nazir appreciated the efforts of the rural women farmers who being the backbone of the agriculture are still not acknowledged for their contributions. She also appreciated the donor community who showed commitment for the protection and promotion of human rights and specially of rural women farmers who need dire attention of the government for their inclusion in the policies addressing their needs and priorities.

Applauding the efforts of PODA for organizing the conference every year since 2009, Senator Farhatullah Babar termed the conference resolution a timely measure as he was succeeded in accommodating some recommendations in his party’s manifesto.  “PODA conference opened new vistas for me to understand new dimensions of the work done by PODA every year in the form of the conference which provides a rich opportunity to around 2000 rural women who travel across the country and interact with each other on issues following their priorities,” said Farhatullah Babar.

Riffat Inam Butt, Secretary Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, said that “usually organizations work on an issue for a limited period of time and then those are dropped in the middle of nowhere. However, PODA stands for a social cause like ending child marriages whole heartedly and owns the issue holistically leading towards a pragmatic way forward,” she said.

Sharing her views, Sameena Nazir, said that It has been PODA’s signature event for the past 16 years, an annual celebration dedicated to honoring and commemorating the resilience, struggles, and triumphs of Pakistani women, particularly from rural communities. From highlighting challenges faced by rural women to celebrating their resilience and achievements, the report will serve as a valuable resource for policymakers, NGOs, and individuals committed to promoting gender equality and rural development. The audience also approved the theme for the next conference which would be focused on different dimensions to stop child marriages.

Former Federal Minister, J, Salik also addressed on the occasion and appreciated the efforts of PODA for the protection of the rights of women, minorities and person-with-disabilities. The report launch ended on musical performance of Dr. Nagina Sadaf.

ISLAMABAD, JAN 16: /DNA / – U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome called on Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force in his office today. During the meeting, both dignitaries expressed their mutual desire to elevate the training momentum between the two sides through enhanced collaboration in air force to air force mutual exercises. Furthermore, they emphasized the importance of fostering a robust exchange of delegations and knowledge sharing to bolster the capabilities of both the PAF and the US Air Force. The discussion also centered around collaboration in the recently established techno parks, with a focus on leveraging technological advancements to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency. The reorganization of mutual cooperation parameters was also deliberated upon, with an aim to fortify existing ties and explore new avenues for joint ventures and strategic partnerships.

The Air Chief accentuated the cordial relations that exist between the two nations while emphasizing his steadfast determination to elevate the existing synergistic partnership between the two key allies. Chief of the Air Staff further said, “Pakistan deeply values its robust diplomatic, economic and defence ties with the United States of America which are firmly rooted in mutual consensus concerning all important matters pertaining to regional peace, security and stability.”

The visiting envoy lauded the commendable level of professionalism of Pakistan Air Force personnel and acknowledged the remarkable strides made by PAF through indigenization under the current leadership. The US Ambassador also expressed his admiration for Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to facilitate regional peace and stability. Both sides concurred to further optimize the existing military-to-military relationship between the two countries with specific focus on enriching training and bolstering operational competencies.

The meeting between the US Ambassador and Chief of the Air Staff manifests the deep interest and willingness on both sides to further consolidate the longstanding bilateral strategic ties into concrete and mutually rewarding defence partnership.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JAN 16: President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday while alluding to the significance of the technological advancement and innovations in diverse fields and the availability of knowledge, stressed the need to share the latest scientific breakthroughs, experiences and achievements for the greater benefits of entire humanity.

The president said that the availability of knowledge should not be contained under the mere tag of ‘copyrights’ as greater accessibility could help humanity to move through the current economic, social and global challenges.

The president was speaking as a chief guest at a ceremony to mark the 29th-anniversary celebration of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) at the Aiwan e Sadr.

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, former diplomats, members of academia and the media.

The president said that scientific knowledge should be shared among the nations without any hindrance by resetting the priorities which were focused somewhat elsewhere.

“Open knowledge resources should be utilized and the world should work for the mutual transfer of knowledge. The injustices should be addressed,” he emphasised.

The president further said that transformation in the world could take place in the presence of ‘ethics or humanity-based order’, adding the new world would be dependent upon these shifts. While the rules-based world order was dominated by material-driven priorities, he opined.

He regretted that contrary to the requirements of the world, the prevalent tendency was towards the ultra-rich who had been becoming richer while the poor of the world were mired in poverty and deprivation.

He stressed that just and equitable distribution of wealth in the world could alleviate the sufferings of humanity.

“The world is not ready to change the exploitative attitude and end exploitation,” he said and referred to a recent report of OXFAM which said that billionaires had doubled their income while about 5 billion people in the world witnessed shrinkage in their earnings.

President Alvi said that genome sequencing was one of the major breakthroughs in the scientific world which had become more accessible to people due to the exponential pace of scientific developments.

The world is heading towards exponential development as the technology will no longer remain static,” he added.

In future, he said, quantum computing could handle the data of billions of humans with regard to their health, besides opening up ‘tremendous possibilities in the agriculture sector’.

The president cited the agri-advancement of the Netherlands, which though a smaller country, became the second largest exporter of agri-products in the world, adding the country had tapped the water resources by conservation methods and promoting plant science.

He said Pakistan could also become one of the world’s leading nutrition-supplying countries by working on modern scientific lines. Citing costly power production, he said the advancement in solar technology could address the issue.

The president also expressed his satisfaction that the world including Pakistan had raised awareness about carbon emissions which still required wider cooperation among the nations.

The president also lauded the contributions of the COMSATS in the realms of science and technology among its 27 members.

The president also cut a cake along with the envoys of member states of COMSATS to celebrate the occasion.

Executive Director COMSATS Dr Nafees Zakaria, in his speech, said that in today’s rapidly evolving world, science and technology stood as the bedrock of progress and the key to unlocking solutions for pressing global challenges.

He also highlighted a series of new initiatives by COMSATS pertaining to information technology and its applications, artificial intelligence, genomic sequencing, renewable energy, electric vehicles, precision agriculture, industrial biotechnology and climate change.

Prof. Dr. Lin Zhaohui, Director, the International Center for Climate and Environment Sciences (ICCES), China, on the occasion, said the milestone in the journey of COMSATS needed to be cherished for the organization’s continued commitment to promoting South-South and triangular Cooperation in the realm of science, technology and innovation.

He also highlighted the issue of climate change as one of the imminent threats to the planet and appreciated COMSATS for being at the forefront of promoting sustainable solutions and environmental stewardship.

COMSATS an intergovernmental organization of 27 member states, has its Secretariat hosted by the Government of Pakistan, in Islamabad since 1994. Nobel Laureate and world-renowned scientist Prof. Abdus Salam was the brain behind COMSATS’ creation.

DNA

Karachi, JAN 16: In continuation to efforts for uplifting to provide standard health facilities along the Coastal areas of country, Pakistan Navy established free medical camp at Coastal village Kappar, Balochistan.

Free medical camp was established by Pakistan Navy doctors, paramedic staff in collabration with Sahil Welfare Association. In this medical camp hundreds of patients including women and children were provided free medical treatment. A dedicated team of doctors and paramedic staff comprising of Medical, ENT, General Surgeon, Gynecologist, Skin Specialist and GDMO examined the patients and provided them with free consultation and medicines.

The local populace of the area was also provided information about maternal health and nutritional requirements of mother and children. The patients were enlightened about common infections, personal health, hygiene, child healthcare and prevention of diseases and sanitation of living areas.

Pakistan Navy is committed to provide continued quality medical facility for the people settled along the Coastal belt. The establishment of medical camp at Kappar is practical manifestation of Pakistan Navy’s resolve for uplift of coastal belt.

Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani is traveling to Kampala, Uganda from 16 to 22 January 2024 to participate in the 19th Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) being held from 17-20 January 2024 and in the Third South Summit to be held on 21-22 January 2024.

The two Summits afford an opportunity for the members to reflect on and amplify common positions on a range of global, regional, political, and socioeconomic issues.

As a longtime member, Pakistan has contributed to and shaped the agenda of NAM and is strongly committed to further strengthening NAM’s role in responding to regional and global challenges relating to questions of peace and security. Similarly, Pakistan has remained an active member of the Group of 77 & China and attaches high priority to cooperation among the Global South, including in sustainable development, poverty eradication and climate change.

At the NAM Summit, the Foreign Minister will share Pakistan’s perspective on endemic and contemporary global challenges related to international peace, security and development. He will underline the need for strengthening multilateralism and reinvigorating the NAM’s role in promoting the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

At the South Summit, the Foreign Minister will present Pakistan’s vision on enhanced cooperation and solidarity among countries of the Global South to respond to common challenges and agree on an agenda for a prosperous and united South.  

On the sidelines of the two Summits, the Foreign Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with the heads of delegation of other participating countries.