ISLAMABAD, MAR 4 /DNA/ – PARC and ADB collaborated to host a groundbreaking workshop focused on Promoting climate-smart agricultural research in Pakistan. The event, held at National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) Islamabad, brought together esteemed participants from various national and international research organizations. Chairman PARC, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, expressed his gratitude to all attendees, including Ms. Noriko Sato senior Natural Resources Specialist ADB, Dr. Takashi Yamano, principal economist ADB and others for their valuable contributions to the cause. Chairman PARC reiterated that Climate smart agriculture research is crucial in addressing the challenges posed by rapidly changing climatic conditions to ensure sustainable food production and agricultural resilience. Dr. Ali also underscored the importance of engaging with international institutions and experts to leverage their knowledge and experiences for the benefit of agricultural research in the region.

During her remarks, Ms. Noriko Sato provided a comprehensive overview of ADB’s initiatives in Pakistan. Dr. Takashi Yamano presented insights on climate change impacts, including temperature variations, crop damage from floods, and greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture. The discussions also encompassed potential solutions to mitigate these emissions, such as promoting low-carbon rice cultivation and developing climate-resilient and drought-tolerant crop varieties. Dr. Ruben Lampayan, ADB consultant highlighted the inefficiencies in water usage in rice cultivation and emphasized the adoption of water conservation techniques, Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) practices, and other effective water management technologies to enhance rice production while minimizing water consumption. Senior specialist, Dr. Krishna Dev Joshi highlighted the importance of the delivery of climate smart crop varieties to transform Agri-food system of Pakistan and to address the challenges of climate change and ensure food security in the country.  Climate Change specialist, Dr. Hiz Jamali emphasized that low water productivity in rice poses a significant challenge to sustainable agriculture practices in Pakistan, exacerbated by key climate challenges such as water scarcity, unusual rainfall patterns, and rising temperatures impacting crop yields

Director Water Institute NARC, Dr. Bashir Ahmed, and Director NIGAB, Dr. Shaukat Ali shared insights on success stories by PARC on climate smart agriculture in Pakistan enhancing water productivity in rice, developing climate-resilient crop varieties, addressing climate change implications on water availability, and tackling key climate challenges in country’s agriculture sector. The meeting concluded with a commitment between PARC and ADB to collaborate for the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices and fostering global partnerships to address the evolving environmental conditions affecting food security and economic growth in the country.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 4 /DNA/ – Today, the President of Republic of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, called Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and congratulated him on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to President Erdoğan for this gracious gesture of brotherhood and fraternity. He underlined that enduring people-to-people bonds and strong religious and cultural linkages underpinned robust Pakistan-Turkiye relationship.

Prime Minister Sharif also conveyed that Pakistan looked forward to welcoming President Erdoğan for the upcoming session of Pak-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) being scheduled to be held in Islamabad in near future. 

Recalling strong bonds of friendship that exist between the governments and peoples of the two countries, the two leaders expressed their desire and commitment to work closely with each other to take the bilateral relationship to unprecedented heights of cooperation and fraternity.

The two leaders also exchanged views on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and reaffirmed their commitment for a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question anchored in international law and in line with relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 4 /DNA/ – The Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), organized launch of the book tiltled “Pakistan: Search for Stability”, edited by Dr. Maleeha Lodhi. Two other contributors to the book — Mr. Zahid Hussain, a prominent journalist; and Dr. Dushka Saiyid, a former professor of History at QAU — were also present. The event was attended by eminent members of foreign and civil services, academia, civil society, media, and the diplomatic corps in Islamabad.

During her initial remarks, Dr. Neelum Nigar, Director of CSP, underscored the importance of Dr. Lodhi’s book, which delves into the complexities of Pakistan’s policy formulation in its pursuit of stability. Dr. Nigar stated that this book has the potential to greatly enhance people’s understanding of the crucial subject-matter that it addresses.

In his welcoming address, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood highlighted Dr. Maleeha Lodhi’s extensive experience and valuable contributions to Pakistan throughout her long public career, including as an accomplished political scientist, journalist, and diplomat. He also commended the other 18 eminent contributors to the book, analysing Pakistan’s history, politics, economy, society and foreign relations from their respective academic, professional and practitioners’ viewpoint and proposing a practical way forward.

Ambassador Sohail Mahmood noted that Dr. Lodhi’s latest book builds upon her previous work and explores Pakistan’s pursuit of stability amidst its current challenges, outlining the requisite solutions as well as strategies. In essence, he said, the book carries a message of hope and optimism, reassuring that it is indeed possible to overcome the challenges and to be on the path of recovery and renewal. Rather than overwhelming readers with daunting obstacles, it serves as a reinforcement of self-belief and contains a call to decisive, achievable, and transformative action. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood further stressed that the book is a serious and non-partisan contribution to the policy discourse in Pakistan, serving as a valuable resource for policy-makers as they navigate the beginning of a new political cycle. The timing of its release is particularly opportune for learning and insight.

In her address, Dr. Lodhi emphasized the importance of seeking opportunities amidst crises. She noted that in Pakistan, political dynamics have yet to catch up with the socio-economic changes occurring in the country. Dr. Lodhi lauded all the contributors to the book, acknowledging their comprehensive set of policy guidelines covering a wide array of topics. Furthermore, Dr. Lodhi highlighted Pakistan’s youthful and highly talented demographic, expressing optimism about their potential to drive positive political change. However, she lamented that the governance structure remains entrenched in outdated thinking, and the situation marked by a number of political, social and structural fault-lines. The polarisation and absence of consensus, mutual respect and tolerance within Pakistan’s political system, she argued, contributes to destabilization.

Moreover, Dr. Lodhi pointed out the economic challenges facing Pakistan, including its entrapment in a debt cycle leading to increased inequality perpetuated by a minority elite’s control. She remarked that the book aims to chart a course towards overcoming the existing fault-lines within Pakistan’s system and needs to be read with care and attention by the policy circles.

Dr. Dushka Saiyid emphasized the importance of educating the younger generation about historical figures, particularly highlighting the life and teachings of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah. In her talk, she navigated through historical contexts to emphasize the enduring relevance of Jinnah’s principles in shaping a progressive and united Pakistan for generations to come. She underscored Jinnah’s democratic, secular and inclusive principles as well as his emphasis on constitutionalism, education and women emancipation as essential for contemporary Pakistan, which she has elaborated upon in her chapter in the book.

Mr. Zahid Hussain stressed the necessity for policymakers to glean insights from historical precedent, which has often resulted in Pakistan facing persistent crises, whether in politics or economics. He noted that the internal security situation was further exacerbated by challenges such as climate change and population growth. Highlighting concerns at three of Pakistan’s four borders, he particularly emphasized the serious situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Mr. Hussain highlighted the spillover effects of the situation in Afghanistan, contributing to heightened insecurity in Pakistan, and advocated for a reassessment of Pakistan’s Afghan policy, a subject he has addressed at length in his chapter in the book.

Following the presentations, participants engaged in an interactive discussion. In the end, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman of the Board of Governors, ISSI presented the Institute’s Shields to the speakers followed by a group photo.

MINSK, MAY 4 /DNA/ – The launch ceremony held at Belarusian Post headquarters was attended by Pakistan Ambassador to Belarus Sajjad Haider Khan and Belarusian dignitaries including Mr. Eugeny Shestakov, Deputy Foreign Minister, and Ms. Ryabowa Anna, Deputy Minister of Informatization.

In his remarks, Ambassador Khan expressed gratitude for the fruitful partnership that has evolved over the past three decades. He emphasized the establishment of embassies in each other’s capitals in 2014 and 2015 as a significant milestone, underscoring the commitment to engagement and collaboration.

Deputy Foreign Minister Shestakov highlighted the history and ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and Belarus.

The event highlighted the enduring friendship and ongoing cooperation between the two nations.

The two countries are committed to further strengthening their bonds through upcoming events including high-level visits and cultural exchanges.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 4: Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stated on Monday that the PPP fully supported the offer made by newly elected Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for a ‘Charter of National Reconciliation.’

Speaking in the National Assembly, he recalled the Prime Minister’s offer during his maiden speech in the House to collaborate on a Charter of National Reconciliation.

“We not only endorse it but also urge the Opposition to participate in this process for the broader interests of the country,” he stated.

Bilawal Bhutto congratulated the newly elected Chief Ministers of all four provinces and emphasized the need for them to play their role in saving Pakistan’s “democracy and economy.”

He said that people did not vote for anyone to create a ruckus but to save them from this economic crisis.

Bilawal Bhutto stressed the need for discourse among all the lawmakers.
He said the Parliament was the mother of all institutions, and if this institution was strengthened, it would ultimately empower the masses.

“The people of Pakistan are tired of poverty, unemployment, and inflation,” he said, adding “they did not give their vote for you to come here and abuse each other and create a ruckus.”

Bilawal Bhutto asked older lawmakers to make decisions that benefit youth and future generations.

“Many of whom have been in this House six times,” he remarked.

“Past decisions that have been made have completely ruined the country,” he added.

The PPP chief said he was disappointed by the “abuse hurled around” at yesterday’s National Assembly session that saw PML-N’s Shehbaz Sharif elected prime minister for his second term.

“What is the nation seeing? We have reached a dangerous point,” he said.

Bilawal Bhutto said that the February 8 elections were being “made controversial for no reason” by incidents like a raid on a presidential candidate’s residence.

The PPP Chairman extended his party’s support on the matter of the PTI wanting to address any election irregularities.

He condemned the ruckus and consistent sloganeering during yesterday’s National Assembly session that saw Shehbaz Sharif elected as prime minister.

“I appeal to all of you, especially those who are members of this House for a third time, don’t create this kind of ruckus here,” he added.

The PPP chief welcomed the Prime Minister’s elect announcement to provide subsidy to the farmers on fertilizers.

Bilawal Bhutto called for electoral and judicial reforms and noted that the country had been unsuccessful in judicial and election reforms, requesting that conversations be had on both these topics.

“If we can address these, then no power in the world can weaken Pakistan’s democracy,” he said.

The PPP chief lamented the violence that claimed the lives of several electoral candidates and workers, noting grenade attacks in Balochistan and across the country prior to the general elections.

“In Pakistan, elections are such that candidates get killed while contesting elections. We need to ensure this does not happen,” he added.

“I hope we can do work that lets me tell families that their sacrifice was not in vain,” he said.
He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to form judicial commission under the head of Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Faez Isa to probe the incidents on May 9 so that the culprits should be booked and the innocents must be released.

Bilawal Bhutto has endorsed the PTI’s call for the formation of a judicial commission to probe the May 9 riots.

The newly elected Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur’s remarks regarding an inquiry into the saga, he added.

“PPP endorse this if the PTI assured us that it will accept the decision of the judicial commission it is not possible that someone attacks our institutions, the martyr’s memorials and we forget it,” he said.

Bilawal Bhutto said the masses people were looking towards their elected representatives to lead the country out of multidimensional challenges faced by the country including those on the economic front.

He said that PTI misused the cipher for political gains, adding that those involved in the cipher’s misuse had committed a violation of the constitution and should be penalized.

He claimed that the PTI founder politicized the cipher by printing a copy and publishing it in international publications.

Bilawal asserted that the PTI founder self-claimed that the cipher was lost by him, while the opposition leader claimed that the bureaucracy was responsible for the cipher loss.

The chairman of PPP affirmed that anti-state elements and national rivals could detract from the cipher, posing a threat to national security, state institutions, and the state itself.

He urged the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the abolishment of unwanted federal ministries.

DNA

KARACHI: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has welcomed the election of Mian Shahbaz Sharif as Prime Minister of Pakistan for the second consecutive term and expressed its full support in his efforts to address the challenges faced by the nation.

Mrs. Nazafreen Salgol Lakhani, President and Sarmad Ali, Secretary General of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society have congratulated Mian Shahbaz Sharif on his election as Prime Minister of Pakistan and hoped that under his stewardship, the Government of Pakistan will continue to strive for the development and improvement in all fields including the media.

They believe that the new government would continue to strengthen the rules of law, rights of the citizens and of the media to unfettered freedom and right to access of information.

The APNS office bearers requested the Prime Minister elect to implement the decision taken at the end of his first tenure to increase in the government advertisement rates for the newspapers which unfortunately could not be implemented due to procedural reasons.

The APNS has requested the Prime Minister to meet the office bearers and members of the Executive Committee at his earliest convenience to discuss the matters of mutual Interests.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 4: Shehbaz Sharif, the country’s prime minister-elect, has taken oath as the 24th chief executive at the President’s House in Islamabad on Monday (today).

President Dr Arif Alvi administered the oath to the newly-elected premier. The oath-taking ceremony began with a holy recitation.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president was elected as the prime minister on Sunday, retaining the title after his 16-month-long stint in the top coveted position from April 2022 to August 2023.

This is the second time that Shehbaz will serve the nation as the premier after receiving 201 votes against his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) opponent Omar Ayub Khan who got 92 votes in a ruckus-marred session of the Parliament’s lower house.

Shehbaz’s victory was expected as he enjoyed the support of seven other parties apart from the PML-N. The PM-elect is backed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and National Party (NP).

Caretaker PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, according to official sources, would welcome the new premier on his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House. Shehbaz had also received Kakar on his arrival at the PM House on August 14 last year.

Kakar has vacated the PM House, but he will continue to perform his duties as premier till the issuance of notification of the new chief executive of the country. He has been allotted a house in the Minister’s Enclave.

ISLAMABAD, MAR 4 – Shehbaz Sharif, the country’s prime minister-elect, will take oath office today at the President’s House in Islamabad.

The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president was elected as the country’s 24th prime minister (PM) retaining the title after his 16-month-long stint in the top coveted position from April 2022 to August 2023.

This is the second time that Shehbaz will get to serve the nation as the premier after receiving 201 votes against his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) opponent Omar Ayub Khan who got 92 votes in a ruckus-marred session of the Parliament’s lower house.

Shehbaz’s victory was expected as he enjoyed the support of seven other parties apart from the PML-N. The PM-elect is backed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z), Istehkam-e-Pakistan Party (IPP) and National Party (NP).

Caretaker PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, according to official sources, would welcome the new premier on his arrival at the Prime Minister’s House. Shehbaz had also received Kakar on his arrival at the PM House on August 14 last year.

Kakar has vacated the PM House, but he will continue to perform his duties as premier till the issuance of notification of the new chief executive of the country. He has been allotted a house in the Minister’s Enclave.

The PM House is getting ready to welcome the new premier today. Officials said that arrangements for the presentation of a guard of honour and to welcome the new PM are being made given the predicted clear weather after a spell of rain.