ISLAMABAD, OCT 29 /DNA/ – Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Khazar Farhadov and Eduard Preda, participated in a training session with the Nishtar and Rising Stars Hockey Clubs at the Naseer Bundha Hockey Stadium.
The new players were warmly welcomed by the team members. Australian High Commissioner Neil Hawkins is already an active member of the team. DNA
QUETTA, Oct 28 (DNA): In a significant milestone, the Balochistan Health
Department is gearing up to launch its Health Card Program on November
1.
In a press conference held in Quetta on Saturday, Program Manager Health
Card, Asadullah Kakar said that the Balochistan government with the
assistance of a leading insurance company, State Life Insurance, has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch an eagerly
anticipated healthcare initiative in the province.
He said that over two million families are set to receive extensive
benefits through the newly introduced health card program in
Balochistan.
Asadullah Kakar revealed that the computerized identity card issued by
NADRA would be considered a health card simplifying access to healthcare
services for the local population.
Under this program, each registered family will receive treatment
facilities worth up to Rs one million annually.
He said that treatment facilities will be available in 12 hospitals
across the province under the health card program.
However, it is important to note that the Health Card will provide free
treatment only in cases of hospitalization, ensuring that those who need
it most receive the necessary care. Outpatient department (OPD)
services, dental treatments, and psychological illnesses will not be
covered under the scheme, he concluded.
As the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup progresses, Pakistan find themselves in a precarious situation with just two victories from their six appearances so far.
Their path to the semi-finals is not straightforward, and multiple scenarios are in play. They are scheduled to play three games and winning in all of three can bring many scenarios into play.
If New Zealand suffer defeats in all of their remaining matches, and Pakistan manages to secure victories in all of their upcoming games, the points table would read as follows: New Zealand with 8 points, Pakistan with 10 points. In this case, the qualifying teams would be India, South Africa, Australia, and Pakistan.
Alternatively, if New Zealand loses two of their remaining matches and secures one win, while Pakistan win all their remaining fixtures, both teams would have 10 points. In such a scenario, the Net Run Rate (NRR) will be the deciding factor.
Another scenario involves Australia losing all their remaining matches, while Pakistan emerges victorious in all of their upcoming games. This would result in Australia having 8 points and Pakistan having 10 points. The qualifying teams in this case would be India, South Africa, New Zealand, and Pakistan.
Should Australia win one of their remaining matches and lose two, and Pakistan win all their remaining matches, both teams would have 10 points, and NRR would determine their fate.
In a different scenario, if South Africa loses all their remaining matches, and Pakistan wins all of theirs, both teams would end up with 10 points. Once again, the Net Run Rate will come into play to decide the qualifying team.
In another scenario, if India loses all their remaining matches, and Pakistan wins all of theirs, both teams would end up with 10 points. The Net Run Rate will come into play to decide the qualifying team.
With Pakistan’s World Cup hopes hanging in the balance, fans will be closely monitoring these various possibilities as the tournament unfolds. Every match from here on out becomes crucial, and NRR may ultimately be the deciding factor in determining Pakistan’s fate in this year’s World Cup.
Pakistan’s remaining ICC World Cup 2023 matches
October 31 – vs Bangladesh in Kolkata
November 4 – vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
November 11 – vs England in Kolkata
Dharamshala: Australia defeated New Zealand in a close and thrilling encounter by five runs in the 27th match of the ICC World Cup 2023 at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala, India, on Saturday.
The crucial win saw the Aussies strengthening their position in the World Cup points table with eight points in six games and a decent 0.970 net run rate (NRR).
In their chase of 389 runs, the Black Caps started just fine with their openers Devon Conway and Will Young contributing to 61 runs combined.
However, it was the 96-run partnership between Rachin Ravindra and Daryl Mitchell that provided the much-needed stability to the Black Caps.
Mitchell scored 54 off 51 before losing his wicket to Adam Zampa, who has been in astounding form. However, it was Ravindra who played a valiant knock, scoring an astonishing century, 116 off 89 runs with 14 boundaries.
The left-handed batter was looking in good shape and it looked like he would take his side over the line but Pat Cummins removed Ravindra — the biggest threat to his side — in the 41st over.
After Ravindra, Jimmy Neesham stood and fought till the end but with no support from the other end, he could only take his side close to the colossal total by scoring 58 off 39.
Batting first, Australia posted a massive 389-run target courtesy of blistering knocks of Travis Head and David Warner as the opening duo built a 175-run partnership that put the five-time World Champions in a dominating position.
Travis marked his return from a long injury and scored 109 off just 67 deliveries courtesy of 17 boundaries, 10 fours and seven sixes. On the other hand, Warner was just 19 runs short of a well-deserved century as he lost his wicket for 81 runs to Glenn Phillips.
After the openers departed, the Aussies slowed down and couldn’t hold to their wickets and it looked like they would have to settle for a total under 350 runs but Glenn Maxwell, Josh Inglis and skipper Pat Cummins provided the much-needed breakthrough at the end.
Maxwell smashed 41 off 24 with seven boundaries but couldn’t convert his rapid knock into a half-century. Inglis didn’t play as fast as Maxwell or Head but he scored 38 runs at a good run rate of 135.71.
Meanwhile, Cummins scored 37 off just 14 deliveries with the help of two fours and four sixes, the Australian skipper played a key role in taking his side’s total to 388.
The Aussies couldn’t hold on to their wickets and were all out for 388 runs with four balls to spare.
ISLAMABAD, OCT 28 (DNA): Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmad said that employing the Chinese Renminbi (RMB) for cross-border trade and investment transactions could further fortify Pakistan-China economic ties.
Addressing an event themed “Promoting the use of RMB in Cross-Border Settlement,” organized by China’s ICBC Bank here, Governor SBP Jameel Ahmad underscored the robust and enduring economic and financial connections between Pakistan and China.
According to a Gwadar Pro’s report, he stressed that employing the Chinese Renminbi (RMB) for cross-border trade and investment transactions could further fortify these ties.
This event celebrated ICBC Bank’s designation as the RMB clearing agent in Pakistan by the People’s Bank of China (PBoC).
The Governor SBP elaborated on the significance of Pakistan’s economic relations with China and emphasized that the SBP had established the necessary regulatory framework to facilitate the use of RMB in trade and investment activities.
This includes actions like opening Letters of Credit (L/Cs) and accessing financing facilities in RMB.
He pointed out that, within Pakistan’s regulatory landscape, RMB stands on equal footing with other global currencies, such as the US Dollar, Euro, and Japanese Yen.
Both public and private sector entities in Pakistan have the liberty to opt for RMB in their bilateral trade and investment dealings, he added.
Thanks to the SBP’s endeavors to promote the use of RMB in trade with China, RMB-denominated imports from China have risen significantly, surging from approximately 2% in FY18 to around 18% in FY22, he maintained.
Governor SBP also discussed the advantages of a local RMB clearing system and conducting trade transactions in RMB.
“These benefits encompass a swift turnaround time and cost reduction for the local banking system, simplified access to RMB settlements, improved and more competitive pricing for bilateral trade, and the opening of new markets for Pakistani businesses,” he mentioned.
He reiterated the SBP’s unwavering commitment to providing policy and regulatory support to bolster economic and financial ties with China, ultimately benefiting consumers and businesses from both nations.
ISLAMABAD, OCT 28 /DNA/ – Jemal Beker Abdula, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, has visited the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), and highlighted untapped business, trade and investment opportunities in Ethiopia and Africa as well.
Upon arrival, a warm welcome was accorded to H.E. Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula by the leadership of ICCI including its President H.E. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari.
Addressing the gathering of businessmen, H.E. Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula underscored the importance for Pakistan to establish a stronger presence in Africa, a continent with a population of over 1.4 billion people and immense potential.
He stressed that Africa is the future of global commerce and encouraged Pakistani businessmen to align itself with these lucrative opportunities.
Ethiopia, he pointed out, serves as a gateway to Africa, making it easier for businesses to trade across the continent.
He highlighted Ethiopia’s remarkable status as the fastest growing economy, producing over 97 per cent of clean, green and sustainable energy from hydro, geo-thermal and other renewable sources, making it an investment haven for global entrepreneurs.
The Ambassador assured Pakistani investors of the Ethiopian government’s full support, inviting them to establish dedicated economic zones in the country.
He lauded the proactive efforts of Pakistani business community, citing a significant visit made earlier this year by over 75 Pakistani businessmen, including representatives from ICCI.
The ambassador said such visits are pivotal, underlining the principle that “seeing is believing.”
ICCI President H.E. Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari praised H.E. Ambassador Jemal Beker Abdula’s proactive role in fostering bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Pakistan over the past year.
Expressing keen interest, he announced plans to mobilize a substantial trade delegation to Ethiopia.
On the occasion, the Ambassador also extended congratulations to the ICCI office bearers on extension in their tenure.
Jahanian: The Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) is all set to host its debut power show today in Jahanian tehsil of Khanewal distict.
Processions of workers and supporters are reaching the public gathering venue of the Cricket Stadium in Jahanian, and raising pro-party leaders slogans. A large number of women are also attending IPPs’ inaugural rally where patriotic anthems are blaring on loudspeakers.
Strict security measures have been taken, walkthrough gates installed, and 700 officials will provide security cover to the gathering.
Large caravans of IPP workers from Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Mailsi, Khanewal, Shujabad, Qadirpur Ran, Makhdoom Rasheed are expected to attend the first public rally of the IPP.
Party supporters believe the IPP will have a central role in the next government.
A local IPP leader in Lodhran, the hometown of party patron-in-chief Jahangir Khan Tareen, said only the IPP can sole the problems of the IPP.
The public gathering is scheduled to be addressed by Mr Tareen, as well as IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan.
IPP Central Information Secretary Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan commented that the ones talking about ‘change’ have got where they were supposed to, while this is the party of a digital and prosperous Pakistan. “Today, the eagle (the party’s election symbol) will take a flight from here,” she remarked.
“This was our attempt to go where no one has gone before. Only those people come to backward areas who are someone’s companion,” the former minister said, adding that the IPP was going to end uncertainty and start a new political innings.
Firdous said Jahangir Tareen has a deep connection with this land, adding that with the efforts of Mr Tareen and IPP President Abdul Aleem Khan, a new journey of development will begin.
COLOMBO, OCT 28 /DNA/ – The widely popular T10 will make its foray in Sri Lanka for the first time with the highly-anticipated Player Auction for the inaugural season of Lanka T10 set to take place on Friday, November 10th, 2023. The exciting T10 format has captured the imagination of cricket fans globally and now, the thrilling tournament will spread its magic in the beautiful city of Colombo with the first season to be played from December 12th, 2023 to December 23rd, 2023.
The Lanka T10 is being organized by T Ten Sports Management in consortium with T Ten Global Sports and Innovative production Group.
Apart from the Men’s T10, Colombo There are also plans to host the first-ever Women’s T10, which will run parallel along with the Lanka T10, featuring some of the best women players in the world.
There will be six men’s teams in the tournament, which will be named after six iconic Sri Lankan cities, which have played a significant role in shaping cricket in Sri Lanka.
Mr. Shammi Silva, President of Sri Lanka Cricket, expressed his delight in hosting the inaugural Lanka T10 in Sri Lanka and said, “Cricket has been continuing to evolve, and T10 is the latest form to enter the fray and is becoming a popular format in the game.
We are delighted to be a part of this newer venture and are confident that the initial version of Lanka T10 will be a success story.”
Player registrations for Lanka T10 have already begun and it will close on 5th November, Players can register themselves on http://ttensports.com/
Ex Sri Lankan players need to register themselves through the link. While all current players will be included in the Auction through SLC’s internal process.
Islamabad, OCT 28 /DNA/ – Nadeem Jan, Federal Minister for National Health Services Regulations and Coordination said that the pharma industry is playing a crucial role in meeting the growing demand of medicine and promoting exports, therefore, the government is determined to address its key issues to further strengthen it and boost its exports. He said that the government is working to establish a pharma park with public private partnership and incentives would be offered to the pharma industry for local production of pharma raw material as well as local production of new molecules in the country. He said that he was already in contact with friendly nations for the transfer of technology to the pharmaceutical sector. He said this while addressing a delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) that called on him led by Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI.
Dr. Nadeem Jan said that the government plans to digitize the overall health system in the country to meet modern trends. He said that the purpose of technology transfer to the medical sector is to strengthen the country’s health infrastructure. He also informed the ICCI delegation about the forthcoming Global Health Security Summit in Pakistan. He assured that the issues highlighted by the ICCI delegation would be considered for redress.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry briefed the Federal Minister of National Health Services about the key issues of the pharma industry. He said that the pharma industry imports almost 90 percent of raw material to manufacture medicines but due to fluctuation of currency, the import cost of raw material has increased manifold. He stressed that the government should encourage local production of active pharmaceutical ingredients to reduce production cost of medicines and compete more effectively in the international export market. He said that Pakistan’s pharma industry exports were just over US$ 700 million during the fiscal year 2022-23 and stressed for the collective efforts from the government, industry players and regulatory bodies to enhance pharma exports to over US$5 billion in the next few years.
Faad Waheed, Senior Vice President ICCI said that many local and international pharma companies are working in Pakistan and emphasized that the government, industry players and regulatory authorities should work together to position Pakistan as a leading player in the global pharmaceutical market.
Zafar Bakhtawari, former President ICCI and Secretary General UBG, Dr. Joharia Azhar, Faseeh ullah Khan and Zia Khalid Chaudhry were in the ICCI delegation.
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 28 (DNA): The balanced Jordanian-led resolution calling for a “humanitarian truce” in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict survived a last-minute Western attempt to tilt the draft in Israel’s favour as it collapsed due to some hard work by its sponsors and a compelling speech by Pakistan’s top diplomat Munir Akram.
Canada, backed by the United States, moved an amendment ahead of the vote in the UN General Assembly that would have the draft unequivocally reject and condemn “the terrorist attacks by Hamas” in Israel which started on October 7 and the taking of hostages.
In return, Canadian Ambassador Rovert Rae, on behalf of the amendment’s sponsors, said if that language was worked into the Jordanian text, they would all vote for it. The offer to back the resolution was meant to gather support for the Israeli push to seek international condemnation of Hamas,
Significantly India, now a strategic ally of Israel, voted for the amendment which failed to muster the required two-thirds majority, having received 88 votes in favour to 55 against, with 23 abstentions.
During the lunch break the resolution’s sponsors lobbied with delegates to ensure that it retained sufficient support for passage in the 193-member Assembly.
Ambassador Akram, the permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN, spearheaded the effort to defeat the amendment as the Assembly prepared to take action on it.
In a well-reasoned speech, he appealed to all member states not to support the Canadian amendment, which he called one-sided, unequal and unfair.
While the Canadian envoy insists on naming Hamas, he does not feel the need to name Israel for killing 7000 Palestinians and injuring 17,000, the Pakistani envoy told delegates in the crowded General Assembly hall
“Only Hamas. Is this balance?”, he asked.
“If you are fair, if you are equitable, if you are just, you will not blame one side and not the other. If you were to go back to the issue of who started this (conflict), we all know who started this — It is 50 years of Israeli occupation and the murder and killing of Palestinians with impunity that started this.
“When you push a people into the corner, he will respond,” Ambassador Akram added,
Noting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ comment that the current conflict “did not happen in a vacuum,” he denounced the “disrespectful” response to it from the Israeli diplomats.
“Look at the reaction that came from the Israeli representative, insulting the Secretary-General and calling for his resignation,” the Pakistani envoy said, adding, “They can’t face the truth. They can’t face justice. They can’t face the fact that the crime has originated with the Israelis.
“The Israeli occupation is the original sin in this case. It is not what happened on the seventh of October. That is a proximate cause. But the real cause is the occupation of Palestine.”
He urged the backers of the Canadian amendment “not to show that you are biased against the Palestinian people who have suffered 50 years of occupation; that you are even-handed; that you will either name both or you will name neither in this draft resolution.”
“Our purpose,” the Pakistani envoy said, “is to stop the fighting.”
“And if you only focus on your kith and kin in Israel and forget the Palestinians, because they are different people, are they people of a Lesser God,” he asked.
As regards Canada’s demand for the release of Israeli hostages, Ambassador Akram said, “The text does speak in balanced terms for the release of all who are held, not only the Israeli hostages but also the Palestinians, they have the same rights. They are human beings too.”
A loud and sustained applause rang out as Ambassador Akram finished his intervention. After the amendment was defeated, the Assembly went on to adopt the resolution by a wide margin of 120 votes in favour to 14 against, with 45 amendments. India was among those countries which abstained. France broke ranks with its Western allies by voting for the resolution.
French Ambassador Nicolas de Riviere, speaking after the resolution passed, said he had voted in favour, as “nothing justifies the killing of civilians”.
“We have to work collectively to set up a humanitarian truce because the situation in Gaza is catastrophic,” he said, noting that France has already sent an aid vessel.
Under its terms, the resolution demands “the immediate, continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision” of essential goods and services to civilians throughout the Gaza Strip, including but not limited to water, food, medical supplies, fuel and electricity. It urges immediate, full, sustained, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza.
It encourages the establishment of humanitarian corridors and other initiatives to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and welcomes efforts in this regard.
The resolution demands that all parties immediately and fully comply with their obligations under international law, particularly in regard to the protection of civilians and civilian objects, and enable and facilitate humanitarian access for essential supplies and services to reach all civilians in need in Gaza.
It also calls for the rescinding of the order by Israel for Palestinian civilians and UN staff, as well as humanitarian and medical workers, to evacuate all areas in the Gaza Strip north of the Wadi Gaza and relocate to southern Gaza.
The resolution firmly rejects any attempts at the forced transfer of the Palestinian civilian population.
It calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all civilians who are being illegally held captive, demanding their safety, well-being and humane treatment in compliance with international law.
It also calls for respect and protection, consistent with international humanitarian law, of all civilian and humanitarian facilities, including hospitals and other medical facilities, as well as their means of transport and equipment, schools, places of worship, and UN facilities, as well as all humanitarian and medical personnel and journalists, media professionals and associated personnel, in armed conflict in the region.
It stresses the particularly grave impact that armed conflict has on women and children, as well as on other civilians who may have specific vulnerabilities, including persons with disabilities and older persons.
The resolution stresses the need to urgently establish a mechanism to ensure the protection of the Palestinian civilian population, in accordance with international law and the relevant UN resolutions, and further stresses the importance of a humanitarian notification mechanism to ensure the protection of UN facilities and all humanitarian installations and to ensure the unimpeded movement of aid convoys.
The resolution emphasizes the importance of preventing further destabilization and escalation of violence in the region, and in this regard calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and on all those with influence on them to work toward this objective.
It reaffirms that a just and lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can only be achieved by peaceful means, based on the relevant UN resolutions in accordance with international law, and on the basis of the two-state solution.
