ISLAMABAD, MAR 19: /DNA/ – Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif visited Naval Headquarters Islamabad and called-on Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf. Upon arrival at Naval Headquarters, the visiting dignitary was received by Chief of the Naval Staff and was presented guard of honour. The Defence Minister was also introduced to the Principal Staff Officers at Naval Headquarters.

During the meeting, matters pertaining to Regional Maritime Security milieu and operational readiness of Pakistan Navy were discussed. Naval Chief apprised the Defence Minister on roles, capabilities and future modernization plans of Pakistan Navy. He briefed the minister on recent acquisitions of state-of-the-art platforms and equipment to ensure an invincible seaward defence of the country.

Later on a detailed briefing was presented by Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations) on the prevailing maritime environment, challenges being faced by Pakistan Navy and response by Pakistan Navy to meet the challenges. At the end of the briefing recommendations were given to the Defence Minister for capability enhancement of PN and promotion of maritime sector (Blue Economy) for revival of the national economy.

 The Defence Minister appreciated the importance of Pakistan Navy to safeguard maritime interest of the country. The Defence Minister assured that his Ministry will make all efforts to meet the requirements of Pakistan Navy despite the prevailing economic constraints.

DNA

Islamabad, Mar 19: The National Technology Council (NTC) has taken an important step towards attaining provisional signatory status of the Sydney Accord. The Accord is an international mutual recognition agreement for qualifications in the field of Engineering Technology, and its members are called signatories.

To apply for signatory status, aspiring countries must have two mentors recognized by the Sydney Accord who help in achieving provisional signatory status. For this purpose, NTC is working with Malaysia and New Zealand. New Zealand has nominated Dr. Paul Wilson, Managing Director, Vintage Lane Consulting Limited, NZ, as a mentor while Malaysia has yet to decide.

In this connection, an online meeting was organized, which was attended by Engr. Imtiaz H. Gilani, Chairman NTC, Mr. Bret Williams, General Manger, Global, Engineering, New Zealand, Dr. Paul Wilson, Mentor, Mr. Nasir Shah, Director General, Quality Assurance Agency, HEC, and Mr. Fahd Amin, Assistant Director NTC.

The Chairman NTC thanked Mr. Bret Williams and Mr. Paul Wilson for agreeing to help NTC achieve provisional signatory status. He explained that NTC is a subsidiary of HEC with full administrative, financial, and academic powers, with Chairman HEC as its controlling authority. This autonomy is a fundamental requirement for signatory status.

The Chairman NTC said, “Becoming a signatory to the Sydney Accord will be a crucial step for the future for Pakistani engineering technology graduates and give our skilled manpower global recognition.”

“We at NTC are thankful to all the stakeholders, and with the continued support from HEC, we are hopeful to achieve the signatory status of the Sydney Accord,” he said.

It is pertinent to mention that as part of the mentoring exercise, the mentor must physically be involved in one or two accreditation visits conducted by NTC. September 2024 has been tentatively decided as a suitable time for the visit of Paul Wilsons.

During the discussion, many queries were raised regarding procedures, delineation of HEC and NTC responsibilities as regulators to avoid duplication, frequency of regulatory visits etc. Mr. Imtiaz Gilani, Mr. Nasir Shah and Mr. Fahd Amin clarified issues to the complete satisfaction of Mr. Bret Williams and Mr. Paul Wilson.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 19 /DNA/ – Amb. Nassar Abdulrahman Jasser Almutairi, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait to Pakistan, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif earlier today.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan attached great importance to its historic and deep-rooted ties with Kuwait. He thanked the Kuwaiti leadership, including the Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah, for the warm wishes and felicitations on his re-election. He expressed the desire to work closely with them to further strengthen the bilateral relationship, with a focus on trade and investment. He also extended an invitation to the Amir of Kuwait to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.

The Prime Minister noted with satisfaction that seven Agreements were signed between the two countries in November 2023, worth US$ 10 billion, relating to diverse areas including food security, technology, hydel power, mining and minerals, water supply and mangrove rehabilitation. He urged concerted efforts by both sides to ensure early implementation of the agreements. In this context, he emphasized the role of Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) that provides a robust and efficient mechanism to attract foreign investment into Pakistan.

The Kuwaiti Ambassador thanked Pakistan for its support to Kuwait in difficult times. The Ambassador profoundly thanked former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for his strong public support to Kuwaits independence and sovereignty during the 1990-91 crisis. He also expressed gratitude for Pakistans support to Kuwait during COVID-19 pandemic. The Ambassador reaffirmed Kuwaits strong commitment to build closer ties with Pakistan.

The Prime Minister appreciated Amb. Almutairis contribution in fostering stronger ties between Pakistan and Kuwait.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, MAR 19: Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) have agreed to resume their collaboration efforts. KOICA has expressed its commitment to providing full support to CCP in capacity building, enhancing enforcement capabilities, and conducting joint research initiatives.

Mr. Je Ho Yeon, the Country Director of KOICA Pakistan Office, met with Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Chairman of CCP, to discuss bilateral cooperation and capacity building.

KOICA has committed to facilitating an MOU between the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) and CCP for information sharing, joint research, and advocacy programs, particularly focusing on Korean companies operating in Pakistan’s private sector. This collaboration is expected to enhance CCP’s bid-rigging system and its ability to address competition issues in the digital economy.

One of the key points of discussion was KOICA’s interest in reinstating a fellowship program for CCP officers in Korea. In the past, KOICA’s fellowship program enabled 30 CCP officers to participate in a three-year training program in Korea. The program covered various aspects of competition law and included training sessions conducted by competition experts and senior KFTC officials.

The renewed cooperation is expected to further deepen the officers’ expertise and broaden their perspective, enabling them to effectively address emerging challenges in competition law and policy. It will also facilitate the exchange of best practices between Korea and Pakistan, ultimately strengthening the enforcement framework and promoting fair competition in both countries.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 19 /DNA/ – U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome met today with the Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb to discuss further U.S. cooperation and support for Pakistan’s efforts to meet its reform targets, including improvement of the country’s tax administration and investment climate.  Ambassador Blome noted the U.S. government’s support for Pakistan’s work with the IMF to complete its current Stand-By Arrangement (SBA).

Ambassador Blome underscored his commitment to expanding further U.S.-Pakistan economic cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 19: Like many South Asian countries Pakistan has been facing an alarming surge in pollution indicators with the country having one of the worst air quality in the world.

As per IQAir, a Swiss air quality technology company, Pakistan maintained the second worst air quality in the year 2023 with an average PM2.5 concentration of 73.7 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m³).

IQAir measures air quality levels based on the concentration of lung-damaging airborne particles known as PM2.5 which shouldn’t exceed 5μg/m³ Health Organisation (WHO).

As per the report, the PM2.5 levels in Islamabad rose to their highest ever levels recorded in the city’s seven-year history to 42.4μg/m³.

Meanwhile, Lahore, which was recorded as the world’s most polluted city in the world in March 2023, has also witnessed an increase of over 20μg/m³ in its PM2.5 levels which have reached 99.5µg/m3 with the city’s monthly average of PM2.5 level reaching 251µg/m3 in November last year leading to the courts directing the government to impose a “smog emergency” in the provincial capital.

“Every city in Pakistan included in the 2023 report measured concentrations above 30µg/m3, at least six times the recommended WHO annual PM2.5 guideline,” the report said.

Apart from Lahore, several other cities including Faisalabad, Karachi, Peshawar and Rawalpindi have also recorded significantly high PM2.5 levels compared to the WHO guidelines

As per the report, multiple factors contributed towards such hazardous levels of air quality including crop burning stubble, deforestation, industrial and vehicle emissions, smoke emitted from brick kilns etc.

Owing to the alarming situation, the government even imposed a lockdown in multiple cities across Punjab in the wake of thick smog that engulfed several districts.

In December 2023, Lahore even witnessed the country’s first-ever artificial rain after planes equipped with cloud-seeding equipment flew over the city’s 10 areas to battle the dangerous air quality levels in the metropolis.

Pakistan’s average PM2.5 levels are only exceeded by Bangladesh’s 79.9μg/m³. Meanwhile, India is ranked third with 54.4μg/m³ PM2.5 levels.