ISLAMABAD: April 25 –
Labourers busy in shifting sacks of grains from one truck to another at Fruit and Vegetable market.
ISLAMABAD: April 25 –
Rupee sheds 09 paisa against dollar
ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP): Pakistani Rupee on Thursday depreciated by 09 paisa against the US dollar in the interbank trading and closed at Rs 278.48 against the previous day’s closing of Rs278.39.
However, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of the dollar in the open market stood at Rs 277.7 and Rs 280 respectively.
The price of the Euro decreased by Rs1.10 to close at Rs 298.67 against the last-day closing of Rs 297.57, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The Japanese Yen came down by 01 paisa to close at Rs1.78, whereas an increase of Rs2.40 was witnessed in the exchange rate of the British Pound, which was traded at Rs348.41 compared to the last closing of Rs346.01.
The Emirates Dirham and the Saudi Riyal increased by 03 and 02 paisa to close at Rs75.82 and Rs74.24 respectively.
China, Pakistan should engage in greater counter-terrorism cooperation to combat hostile forces: Khurshid Kasuri
BEIJING, Apr 25 (APP): The terrorist attacks that killed Chinese nationals clearly showed that there are hostile forces seeking to disrupt the collaboration between China and Pakistan, former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri warned, emphasizing that only by promoting greater coordination in counter-terrorism efforts between the two countries can such forces be restrained from succeeding in the future.
Kasuri made these remarks in Beijing while leading a delegation from the Understanding China Forum, a Pakistan-based think tank, on a visit to China.
“The terrorist attack killing Chinese obviously means that there are forces who do not wish Pakistan and China to work together,” Kasuri said in response to a question raised by Global Times reporter during a press conference.
His remarks followed a suicide bombing in late March that claimed the lives of five Chinese engineers and a local driver working on the Dasu hydropower project in Pakistan. Some Chinese experts believed that this incident was a copy of the July 2021 Dasu terror attack, in which nine Chinese nationals and four Pakistani people were killed.
Kasuri noted that the security situation in Pakistan has deteriorated in recent years, and unfortunately, there are third countries that find it very useful to use those (anti state) elements within Pakistan to disrupt the bilateral relation between Pakistan and China. “They are hostile to Pakistan, to China, and are not happy with China-Pakistan cooperation,” Kasuri said.
“Therefore, it’s logical that Pakistan and China should pull their resources to defeat such forces, and that can happen by greater intelligence cooperation, as well as by all other means that are required, which is in line with the interests of Pakistan and China, and our bilateral relations,” the former foreign minister said.
In response to the latest terrorist attack, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said during a regular press conference on March 27 that China and Pakistan have the resolve and capability to make the terrorists pay the price. “No attempt to sabotage China-Pakistan cooperation will ever succeed,” Lin said.
Kasuri expressed his appreciation for the remarks made by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, adding that it also underlines the fact that Pakistan and China should not allow such hostile forces to succeed in future, and that can only happen with much greater coordination between the two countries.
“If we were to improve our coordination, then we’ll be able to take care. Otherwise, these forces will not give up,” Kasuri told the Global Times, noting that the issue of counter-terrorism cooperation will be among the prominent topics in future high-level exchanges between the two countries.
During the Pakistani delegation’s visit to China, which was hosted by the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy, the members also met with Director-General of the Department of Asian Affairs of the Foreign Ministry Liu Jinsong. Pakistan reiterated its traditional support for China on international issues during the meeting, particularly on the issues of South China Sea, as well as on the one-China principle, Kasuri told the press conference.
Liu noted that the Chinese side has always valued the traditional friendship between China and Pakistan, and is committed to promoting the building of a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, according to a statement released by the Department of Asian Affairs on its official WeChat account on Wednesday. China is willing to work together with Pakistan to coordinate development and security efforts, Liu said.
The Pakistani delegation and the Chinese side also reached consensus on further trade, agriculture, water resources protection cooperation, as well as people-to-people exchanges during the visit.
Section 144 imposed in Mardan for polio campaign safety
PESHAWAR, Apr 25 (APP):The district administration has imposed Section 144 during the polio campaign from May 2 to 6 in Mardan.
The notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Mardan, Muhammad Fayaz Khan, states that Section 144 has been imposed to maintain peace and prevent any untoward incidents during the polio campaign.
The administration has imposed a ban on pillion riding, vehicles with tinted windows, and the display of weapons. Anybody violating the law will be dealt with under Section 188 of the PPC. Section 144 has been imposed for the safety of polio workers and security staff.
Chinese tech behemoth enters game amid global EV surging trend
BEIJING, Apr 25 (APP): “We have received more than 70,000 orders for our EV, SU7 sedan, as of April 20, close to Xiaomi’s original full-year target for deliveries this year,” CEO Lei Jun told at the ongoing 2024 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, also referred to as Auto China 2024.
“More precisely, 28 days after the launching, this specific number reached 75,723 units, of which 5,781 units have been delivered.
The company now aims to deliver 100,000 of its new EV this year, Lei announced. In 2021, Xiaomi announced that it would invest USD 10 billion over the next decade into a subsidiary focused on smart EVs.
As a global mobile phone behemoth, Xiaomi’s big auto ambitions come at a time of intense competition in the industry in China, the world’s largest EV market. There are currently more than 200 major manufacturers producing pure EVs and plug-in hybrids.
Xiaomi has invested heavily in its electric car venture as Lei has long-term ambitions to become one of the top five automakers in the world. However, for the next three years, the company plans to fully focus on the domestic market.
“In 2024, our intelligent driving team will expand from the current 1,000 people to 1,500 people, and further expand to 2,000 people in 2025, as well as the investment in the field of intelligent driving will be expand step by step.” Lei added.
In the long term, our EVs definitely have plans to expand overseas, which is undeniable. What could be revealed is that all new models will be launched in major overseas markets for Xiaomi mobile phones and other products,” a Xiaomi staff told the China Economic Net during an interview.
The combined share of EVs and hybrids in China’s auto sales is likely to reach 42% to 45% this year, up from 36% in 2023, according to Fitch Ratings. “Despite near-term challenges in some markets, based on today’s policy settings, almost 1 in 3 cars on the roads in China by 2030 is set to be electric, and almost 1 in 5 in both United States and European Union,” according to the annual Global EV Outlook published by International Energy Agency (IEA).
In China, more than 60% of electric cars sold in 2023 were already less expensive to buy than their conventional equivalents. In the meantime, growing electric car exports from Chinese automakers has accounted for more than half of all electric car sales in 2023.
“By now, although the competition in the domestic EV market is becoming white-hot, the so-called overcapacity of electric vehicles in China is a fiction. This is an emerging industry that is rising day by day, and the market demand for EVs is huge. By 2030, there will be 45 million electric vehicles on the road worldwide, and currently there are only 10 million, which is still far away,” Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó pointed out in an interview not long ago. In addition to Xiaomi, other technology behemoths such as Huawei are also planning EV layouts, hoping to occupy a place in the current and future global market. The horn for a real game may have just been sounded.
Youth engagement, use of digital media amid fostering exchanges with countries on environment crucial: Romina
ISLAMABAD, Apr 25 (APP):Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Romina Khurshid Alam on Thursday underscored the need for engaging young graduates as interns, use of digital media, exchanges with countries having identical initiatives on environment and provision of equal access to information at all levels as crucial to address environmental degradation.
The Green Pakistan Programme Office hosted a special tree planting ceremony in connection to World Earth Day, graced by the Coordinator to the Prime Minister of Pakistan on Climate Change at the programme Office situated at Garden Avenue Shakarparian.
Senior officers from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination also participated, a news release said.
During the ceremony, Romina Khurshid Alam planted a symbolic tree, marking the Earth Day celebrations and underscoring the programme’s commitment to land restoration and environmental conservation.
She lauded the programme’s efforts in reviving forestry and wildlife resources across the country.
Impressed by the project’s dedication and contribution to the overall biodiversity conservation, Madam Romina Khurshid Alam stressed on showcasing such impactful work to garner engagement and donorship from national and international agencies.
She further highlighted the need to strategize the programme with a specific focus on Protected Areas and Wildlife conservation linking it to Climate economy through market-based livelihood creation for local communities.
In response, the National Programme Director highlighted the programme’s achievement stating that the programme had been able to ensure plantation of 2.2 billion, created approximately 1.2 million green jobs (man months) both for rural men women and had helped notified 103 Protected Areas in provinces/federal territories including 6 National Parks to be processed for Green Listing; a high value international standard of IUCN.
The revised phase of the programme submitted to Planning Commission has also a strong focus on Carbon facilitation mechanism (establishment of carbon endowment, creating in house capacities for designing carbon projects and facilitating provinces/territories), scientific management of forest resources, national/international exchanges for cross fertilization and increased knowledge management including media and awareness outreach.
In her concluding remarks, Romina Khurshid Alam said being the flagship initiative of Pakistan, Upscaling Green Pakistan Programme remains steadfast in its commitment to environmental sustainability. The government has a strong commitment to continue the current as well as its other parallel initiatives targeting environmental sustainability and reducing the impact of Climate Change at large, she added.
Pakistan envoy visits TomatoWorld in Netherlands
THE HAGUE, Apr 25 (APP): Ambassador of Pakistan to The Netherlands, Saljuk Mustansar Tarar on Thursday visited TomatoWorld- a hub of knowledge, innovation and technology for efficiency and sustainability.
During his visit, the ambassador explored potential benefits for Pakistan from Dutch innovation in horticulture.
TomatoWorld is an innovative and interactive tomato experience park located in Honselersdijk, Netherlands.
It’s a popular tourist destination that showcases the Dutch tomato industry’s expertise and innovation. Visitors can explore the park’s various attractions, including a tomato greenhouse, a demonstration garden, and interactive exhibits.
TomatoWorld also hosts events, workshops, and conferences related to horticulture, sustainability, and food production.
IOC Refugees Olympic Team to be announced on May 2
PESHAWAR, Apr 25 (APP):The composition of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024 will be announced by IOC President Thomas Bach during a special live-streamed event at 13:00 CEST on Thursday (May 2), 2024.
Refugee Olympic Team athlete and Chef de Mission for the Refugee Olympic Team Paris 2024, Masomah Ali Zada, and Yiech Pur Biel, IOC Member and a member of the first-ever IOC Refugee Olympic Team at Rio 2016, will be present on this occasion.
After the presentation, journalists will have the opportunity to join an online media roundtable with Masomah Ali Zada and Yiech Pur Biel to ask questions about the team and the Olympic Refuge Foundation.
Confronted with the global refugee crisis that has seen millions of people in the world displaced, IOC President Thomas Bach announced in 2015 the creation of the Refugee Olympic Team – the first of its kind – to take part in the Olympic Games Rio 2016. Following this historic participation, Olympic Scholarships for Refugee Athletes were established.
The scholarships are fully funded by the IOC through its Olympic Solidarity programme for refugee athletes and are managed by the Olympic Refuge Foundation (ORF). Fifty Refugee Athlete Scholarship holders were supported in the build-up to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, with 29 athletes in 12 sports eventually being selected and competing for the IOC Refugee Olympic Team Tokyo 2020.
A total of 75 refugee athletes have benefited from scholarships for Paris 2024. They come from 12 countries, live in 24 host countries, and represent 14 sports. To be eligible for the Refugee Athlete Support program, and ultimately be part of the Refugee Olympic Team, athletes must be competitive in their respective sport and be refugees in their host country, as recognized by the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR.
The ORF, which manages the Refugee Olympic Team, was established by the IOC to ensure that young people affected by displacement thrive through sport. Through its work, the Foundation has ensured that more than 300,000 young people affected by displacement can access sport, and reap the benefits of doing so.
NHMP prioritizes safety of commuters & patrolling officers: SP NH&MP
SUKKUR, Apr 25 (APP):SP, National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) Sukkur Zahid Nazeer on Thursday has said that we wants to ensure safe transportation of vehicles carrying flammable and hazardous materials on Motorways and Highways.
Chaired a meeting, at his office, attended by NH&MP officers and all other concerned officers.
Key issues related to the safe transportation of these vehicles were discussed, and SP highlighted the importance of a comprehensive policy in this regard.
Ensuring the safety of patrolling officers and commuters was emphasized in the meeting, with plans for training programs and the provision of necessary safety equipments.
Cooperation among stakeholders was deemed essential for ensuring the safe movement of such vehicles across the region.
SP Zahid Nazeer said that Motorway Police was helping enforce traffic rules and regulations effectively on motorways and highways.
He reiterated the commitment of NHMP to prioritize the safety of both commuters and patrolling officers.