KARACHI: August 24 –
Chairman Export processing Zone( EPZA) Dr. Saifuddin Junejo, presenting shield to Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production Senator Khalida Ateeb during visit of Export Processing Zone (EPZ)
KARACHI: August 24 –
Governor calls for promoting cross-border trade
QUETTA, Aug 24 (APP): Balochistan Governor Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar on Thursday underlined the importance of profitable investment opportunities by promoting cross-border trade to generate employment in the province.
Governor Kakar remarked in a meeting with Caretaker Provincial Minister for Information Jan Muhammad Achakzai who called on him here.
Both sides discussed issues of mutual interest, including the overall political situation, ending the economic stagnation, and paving the way for international investment.
Governor Kakar said that the economy is the basis of every society and it is a fact that without economic stability, positive results could not be achieved.
He said that overcoming the rapidly growing gap between the rich and the poor in society was definitely a big challenge.
He acknowledged the role of media in highlighting the soft image of Balochistan at the national and international level.
Caretaker Federal Minister for Interior Sarfraz Ahmad Bugti in a meeting with the Caretaker Federal Minister for Information Murtaza Solangi
ISLAMABAD: August 24 –
Dr. Riina Kionka, Ambassador of European Union to Pakistan calls on Dr. Gohar Ejaz, Caretaker Federal Minister for Commerce & Industries in Ministry of Commerce and congratulates him for assuming portfolio
ISLAMABAD: August 24 –
Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki meeting with Caretaker Provincial Minister Capt(R) Zubair Jamali.
QUETTA: August 24
Secretary Planning reviews performance of NDRMF, technical assistance on various projects
ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): Secretary Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Syed Zafar Ali Shah on Thursday chaired a meeting to review the performance of the National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) and its key activities.
The performance was reviewed during a meeting with the delegation of Word Bank (WB) in which the technical assistance on various projects was also discussed, a news release said.
The meeting was attended by Lead Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Specialist WB Raja Rehan Arshad, NDRMF Chief Executive Officer Bilal Anwar and Company Secretary Muhammad Mehran Afzal, and Member Climate Change and Food Security at the Planning Commission Nadia Rehman.
The meeting also discussed the four strategic pillars of NDRMF, which include Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Climate Change/Climate Finance, Knowledge Creation & Communication, and Disaster Response & Resilient Recovery.
During the meeting, the technical assistance on setting up an agreeing Green Financing Bureau to tap green funds was discussed.
The technical assistance for the Ministry of Climate Change with ideas to follow up on the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) was also agreed upon after due discussion.
Secretary Planning Syed Zafar Ali Shah said that the floods-2022 had affected the country badly, following which a Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Framework (4RF) framework was formulated and being implemented.
He emphasized the implementation of innovations like the carbon market and knowledge hub. “New innovations like Data Analytic and Knowledge Hub should be adopted but their implementation is essential to make any project successful, ” the secretary remarked reiterating the government’s commitment to adopt climate-resilient policies.
The delegation appreciated the steps taken by the Planning Ministry for the smooth and effective execution of projects, acknowledging its contribution in that regard.
Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Ali Mardan Khan Domki meeting with Caretaker Provincial Minister Prince Ahmed Ali Baloch
QUETTA: August 24 –
IICR launches ‘Journey of Connectivity: 10th Anniversary on CPEC’ book
ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): The Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution (IICR), in collaboration with the China Study Center at COMSATS University, unveiled IICR’s latest literary endeavor, “Journey of Connectivity: 10th Anniversary on CPEC and Its Moving Stories” here on Thursday
This momentous book launch event was attended by a diverse gathering of professionals, diplomats, and experts who share a keen interest in the profound impact of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) on the landscape of Pakistan, a news release said.
The book, meticulously crafted through a collaborative effort, embarks on a remarkable journey to chronicle the transformative story of CPEC over the past decade.
As Pakistan and its global partners celebrate the 10th anniversary of this monumental initiative, “Journey of Connectivity” embarks on a literary expedition that delves into the untold stories, triumphant achievements, and poignant personal narratives that have unfolded as a consequence of this monumental partnership between China and Pakistan.
At its core, the book aspires to offer readers an encompassing account of the remarkable milestones achieved by the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Through a collection of diverse perspectives, ranging from individuals to communities and businesses intricately woven into the fabric of this transformative project, the Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution aims to furnish its readers with a profound and nuanced comprehension of the multifaceted impacts of CPEC on an array of sectors.
These sectors encompass not only the tangible dimensions like infrastructure development, energy, agriculture, and education but also extend to the intangible realms of cultural exchanges, tourism, and socio-economic growth.
The book launch event served as a gathering ground for luminaries from various walks of life, who were drawn by the shared intrigue in the interwoven tales of CPEC’s impact. Professionals, diplomats, and experts converged to engage in stimulating discussions and thoughtful exchanges, enriching the discourse surrounding CPEC and its enduring implications for Pakistan and its allies.
“Journey of Connectivity: 10th Anniversary on CPEC and Its Moving Stories” stands as a testament to the longstanding collaboration between the Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution and the China Study Center at COMSATS University. This literary milestone not only encapsulates the intellectual rigor of both institutions but also exemplifies their commitment to fostering a comprehensive understanding of the transformative power of international partnerships.
Solangi, Bugti reaffirm commitment to assist ECP for polls
ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP): Caretaker Ministers for Interior and Information and Broadcasting Sarfraz Bugti and Murtaza Solangi on Thursday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) in holding General Elections.
The ministers expressed the resolve during a meeting held here at the Ministry of Interior.
Upon arrival at the Ministry, the minister for interior accorded warm welcome to Murataz Solangi.
During the meeting, both the ministers discussed matters related to the assistance of the ECP in conducting the general elections in the country.
They also discussed the overall situation in the country.
Overpopulation exerts pressure on water resources; time for construction of new dams
PESHAWAR, Aug 24 (APP): Besides food and socioeconomic resources, the country’s overpopulation, which crossed the psychological barrier of 240 million in May this year, have started exerting pressure on water sector in the country.
Highly vulnerable to climate change, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s low lying areas of Nowshera, Peshawar and Charsadda were exposed to drink poor quality of water after the last year devastated floods that adversely affected the quality of groundwater in these districts.
Despite of the fact that Pakistan had witnessed 22 high to very high floods during the last 55 years, no attention was paid to the construction of small, medium and large dams since long, which may result water scarcity, droughts and more flooding in future.
“I regularly go to Pabbi tehsil by covering 10 kilometers distance to bring clean drinking water for my family after the ground water of my village Mohib Banda badly affected by the last year floods was not fit for human consumption,” said Riazul Haq, said former PST teacher of Nowshera district while talking to APP on Thursday.
He said that the water of the nearby areas was very heavy and its drinking may cause vomiting and other waterborne diseases. Like, Riaz, most people are bringing clean drinking water from Pabbi, Nowshera and Peshawar due to poor quality of the ground water.
Malik Riaz Khan, a senior children specialist at Govt Hospital Pabbi Nowshera said the use of contaminated water may cause diarrhea, cholera and others waterborne diseases that may prove fatal for weaker children. Besides stomach disorder and digestive problems, he said that the use of polluted water often caused stunted growth and malnutrition in children and lactating mothers.
Professor Dr Muhamnad Naeem of Economics Department, University of Swabi said that Pakistan was ranked 14 out of 17 extremely high water risk countries in the world due to overpopulation, lack of water reservoirs and climate change induced weather patterns.
Citing the reports, he said that our country’s population was expected to exceed 380 million by 2050 and the demand for water was likely to reach 274 million acre feet (MAF) as compared to 191 MAF supply of water by 2025.
Dr Naeem said that water availability had plummeted from 5,229 cubic meters per inhabitant in 1962 to just 1,187 in 2017 in Pakistan. He claimed, the country treats about one percent of wastewater, which was one of the lowest rates in globe and around 40 percent of water was lost due to spillage, seepage, side leakage, and bank cuttings along with irregular profiling of alignment of banks.
Approximately, 97 percent of Pakistan’s freshwater is used by the agriculture sector, he said, adding additionally, 30 percent of land is expected to be waterlogged while 13 percent to saline in the next few years if new dams are not constructed on priority basis in Pakistan.
Tauheedul Haq, former Conservator of Forest said that the non construction of dams after Turbela had negatively impacted on water situation in the country. He said that about 46,000 dams had been constructed across the globe including 22,104 dams by China, 5,334 by India, but unfortunately, Pakistan had built only about 150 small and large dams since its inception.
“Small dams could easily be constructed in KP in a short span of three years while big dams mostly require 10 to 15 years with more investment,” he said, adding that Pakistan would require additional 76 MAF water by 2050 which was only possible by constructing small dams to meet the growing water demand.
The National Water Policy (NWP) 2018 had revealed that Pakistan was heading towards a situation of water shortage due to lack of dams, which may lead to food insecurity for all living creatures in next few years.
According to the policy, the per capita surface water availability had significantly declined from 5,260 cubic meters per year in Pakistan in 1951 to around 1,000 cubic meters in 2016. This quantity is likely to further drop to 860 cubic meters by 2025, marking the country’s transition from a water stressed to a water scarce.
KP Irrigation Department spokesman told APP that 24 small dams with storage capacity of 75,008-acre feet (AF) having 49,523 acres cultivated command areas (CCA) were being constructed in the province.
Pezu dam in Lakki Marwat, Khattak Bandhan dam in Kohat and Makh Banda dam in Karak were completed by the federal government. Similarly, Ichar and Manchura dams at Mansehra, Chashma Akora Khel dam in Karak, Sarozai dam in Hangu, Sanam dam in Lower Dir, Bada dam and Ulta dam in Swabi were constructed jointly by the federal and provincial governments.
Seven medium dams including Bara dam in Khyber, Tank Zam in Tank, Shiekh Haider Zam, Chaudwan Zam, Daraban and Kora Nullah in DIKhan and Larzan small dam in Tank with water storage capacity of 520,884 AF covering 171,748 CCA besides 31.5-megawatt power generation capacity were in design stage.
The designs of seven medium dams including Barwasa and Sher Dara Swabi, Sumri Payan Kohat, Surkhaway Mardan, Naki Nowshera, Shaheed Banda Charssadda and Tora Warae Hangu having the total accumulative water storage capacity of 13,014 AF with 14,935 acres CCA were completed.
As many as 37 small and medium dams were constructed in KP including 15 operated by KP government while 11 supervised by WAPDA and ten were constructed in merged districts having 0.1377 million-acre CCA and 0.3414 AF water storage capacity.
Besides the completion of 108 MW Golen Gol dam in Chitral, the federal government had accelerated work on Mohmand dam of 800MW with 1.293 MAF water storage capacity that after completion would supplement/irrigate 160,000 acres land and about 18,237 acres of new land with annual benefits of Rs 2.23 billion.
Likewise, 300 million gallons water per day will also be provided to Peshawar for drinking purpose with benefits of Rs.957 million from Mohmand dam.
Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera would be saved from floods after the construction of Mohmand dam having annual benefits in terms of flood mitigation, estimated at Rs1.467 billion. It would produce 2.86 billion units of environment-friendly electricity to the National Grid every year with annual revenue of Rs. 45.76 billion while its overall annual benefits stand at Rs 51 billion.
Hopefully, these mega projects after completion would help address water scarcity problems besides countering food security challenges in the wake of population explosion.