Governor Punjab Balighur Rehman presenting a flower to blood donor during blood donation camp organized by Sundas Foundation on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day at Governor House
UN rights chief calls for action to enable ‘equal, meaningful’ participation of women in public life
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 14 (APP): Urgent action is needed to end gender-based bias in public and political life against women which remain deeply entrenched around the world, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Wednesday.
“Patriarchy must be a thing of the past. Our future depends on women and girls being at the table everywhere when decisions are made,” he said.
“It was only last year that for the first time in history, women were represented in every functioning parliament in the world. Yet today, still only one in four parliamentarians are women”, the high commissioner added.
The UN human rights office (OHCHR) is spotlighting women’s participation in public and political life in June as part of its monthly spotlights, marking the 75th year of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The High Commissioner urged States, parliamentarians, the media, civil society, the private sector and every active citizen to take action, laying out a series of steps that need to be taken starting with tackling the root causes of gender-based discrimination.
He said there needed to be greater emphasis on education and awareness-raising and called for the greater recognition of the value of unpaid care work which disproportionately falls on women.
He called for consideration to be given to quotas, reserved seats and training opportunities to be expanded for women serving in legislative bodies and other key institutions, as well as the private sector.
UN treaty bodies need to keep the push going for gender parity, and zero tolerance against harassment and violence relating to women in politics, including online, needs to become the norm.
And women role models need to have greater visibility, Turk said.
“At the current rate of change, it would take 155 years for women to close the gender gap. This struggle is even harder for historically marginalized women whose representation lags behind.”
“Simply said, this is a wake-up call”, the UN rights chief declared.
“Parity can’t wait. Equal and meaningful participation of women in practice isn’t just about women’s rights to be heard, it is about our societies’ ability to tackle the most pressing crises confronting our world today.”
BIPARJOY cyclone may hit Keti Bandar at 1100 hours on Thursday: Sherry Rehman
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Senator Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said the very severe cyclonic storm BIPARJOY of Category-3 landfall was predicted to take place at around 1100 hours on Thursday which was earlier forecast in the evening of June 15th due to the evolving nature of the cyclone.
Addressing a joint news conference flanked by Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik, the federal minister for climate change briefed the media persons on the latest situation of the Tropical Cyclone BIPARJOY.
Senator Rehman said the intensity of the cyclone was to increase amid nearing the shore
of Keti Bandar and Indian Gujarat while embracing it’s landfall.
“We are trying to evacuate masses to safer places and it’s the only remedy related to cyclones in the world. The accompanied activities alongwith the cyclone can put people’s lives at risk,” she added.
The Minister added that it was the second media briefing at the NDMA and was aimed at providing important updates to the masses through the media.
BIPARJOY, she said had achieved the intensity of a very severe cyclonic storm of Category-3 which was massive after the cyclone that hit the country’s coastline after 1999.
“The radius of the cyclone appears to be greater than the previous one of 1999,” the minister said.
Senator Rehman added that there was confusion prevailing among the masses whereas the government would like to give this assurance to the masses that Pakistan Army, Rangers, Five Corps, district administrations, provincial and district disaster management authorities (PDMA and DDMAs respectively) and others were working together whereas the NDMA was leading the coordinated effort.
She informed that the Prime Minister had created a committee under her convenership to supervise the coordinated effort to tackle the cyclone risks.
“With the blessing of Almighty Allah, we have managed it well so far. However, we will get the most latest intensity of the cyclone tomorrow (Thursday). Our job is to take all equipment and installations in place for better preparedness and disaster management,” Senator Sherry Rehman added.
She mentioned that the cyclone was proceeding at a speed of 150-160 km/h and wind gusts were blowing at a pace of 180km/h.
The more eastward direction of the cyclone could prevent Pakistan from more damages and disastrous impacts, she said.
The Minister underlined that the cyclone was at 370 km distance from Karachi and 290 km from Ketti Bandar and was nearing Sir Creek.
She informed that the wind speed could reach 100-120 km/h and wind gusts to blow at 140km/h during the landfall.
The Minister noted that Umerkot area also under impact of the cyclone whereas the impacted areas also included Thatta, Sujawal and Badin alongwith Tharparkar.
She added that Mirpur Khas and Umerkot might be having 82km/h wind gusts impacting mobility and life activities in these areas.
However, rain and thunderstorms were also expected and a forecast of 110mm which was a conservative estimate of rainfall for Karachi and 330mm for Thatta was projected.
Hub and Lasbella areas of Balochistan would also bear wind impacts whereas Pakistan Navy assets have been shifted to safer places whereas for patrolling and relief rescue efforts all of the authorities were on alert. Moreover, Sindh Police, Rangers, Army and Navy were fully deployed on the ground which helped evacuate over 73,000 people as the evacuation was the frontline state measure during cyclones.
She informed that water and food supplies were started to relief camps. However, half of the relocated population had gone to their relatives’ homes.
She cautioned that the people should not repatriate on their own and cooperate with the provincial authorities.
Weak infrastructure and houses would get impacted and these areas were getting again impacted who faced the 2022 floods’ devastation, she added.
“I have been indicating it at international media that these are all impacts of climate change due to global warming causing extreme weather events that have been sharing an upward trajectory. Monsoons and heatwaves will take place after the cyclone in the country. Pakistan’s areas of Sindh and Balochistan are the hottest in the world and it is consistently facing spike up in heatwaves,” Senator Rehman said.
The Climate Change Minister underlined that it was a Resilience Recovery Trap that meant the communities having recovery from the previous disaster were facing another catastrophe in the process.
“Cyclone’s number and frequency are rising.
These are not natural rather impacts of climate change due to human activity and GHG emissions. These emissions are less than one percent in Pakistan. Heatwaves have badly distrubed the systems in the affected areas.
The level human tragedy and distress is unprecedented in flood affected areas and water is still stagnant there,” she informed.
The Minister informed that there was a need to take a joint and coordinated response with courage.
In Karachi, she said the people were going to the seashore for watching the cyclone. People should avoid disaster tourism and avoid making TikTok videos. They should not put their lives and families at risk, she added.
She informed that the federal minister for power was also in Karachi.
“People should stay at home during landfall time. Section 144 has also been imposed in Karachi that bars any movement and the citizens should follow it. Medical emergency kits should be stored at home by the people for emergent use.
She informed that there was a detailed discussion with the Civil Aviation Authority and other departments to limit flight operations due to cyclones.
“If 30 knots air pressure crossed that threshold is met then commercial flights would be suspended. However, commercial flight suspension to be taken as 60 knots air pressure was predicted for tomorrow by the Met Office and others,” she added.
The Prime Minister had approved the Monsoon relief fund that would help manage the disaster.
“Karachi has evaded the eye of the storm but it will face cyclonic winds and rains. The provincial government had taken lead and all MPAs are on the ground,” she ended.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik said these updates were of 1630 hours.
With the passage of time the intensity and speed of cyclone would increase and the landfall would also expedite.
“Over 20 satellite and data centers helped in developing most modern data models and projections.”
The field formations were confident that people from high risk areas had been evacuated whereas Pakistan Army, Sindh Rangers and district administration have relocated 73,000 people to 75 relief camps.
“Clean drinking water, ration and medical kits have been transported to relief camps. The coastline management responders have also been given detailed briefing on the situation,” he added.
In case of inundation in the areas indicated for relocation then phase two relocation plan was in the offing, he said, adding, “Civil responders, volunteers and global responders are taken on board alongwith medical and humanitarian responders who were also taken in the loop.”
He informed tha at least 10 relief camps were established in Keti Bandar and 13 each in Badin and Sujawal.
The Armed Forces’ 500 troops, 100 ambulances deployed and 16 companies of Sindh Rangers were deployed on the ground, he added.
“Insha Allah we will manage maximum masses to avoid disaster impacts as we have early started relief and have continuous coordination with provincial governments,” he vowed.
He noted that Balochistan was not completely neglected and close monitoring was underway.
Army, JS HQs, Navy, GHQ, Pakistan Coast Guards, PMSA and others were assisting the disaster management efforts whereas UNOCHA, UNRC and national and international NGOs were taken on board and directed to update their stocks and equipment especially those working in flood-affected areas to chip in cyclone relief efforts, he said.
Responding to media queries, the Chairman NDMA said the recent predictions indicate north Northeast curve of Cyclone landfall.
However, SUPARCO had lifetime pictures serving short-term predictions whereas the NEOC at NDMA had all regions geospatial and satellite based data alongwith other paraphernalia including data of NASA and zoom applications that made it collated forum of 20-30 different complex systems synchronized together, he ended.
Dar for supporting Aviation Sector
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday committed to support the Aviation Sector and directed to take pertinent measures to resume flights of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) to the US, UK and the Europe at the earliest.
The minister chaired a meeting on Civil Aviation issues, which was also attended by the Federal Minister for Aviation and Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Federal Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Finance Tariq Bajwa and Mansoor Usman Awan Attorney General of Pakistan.
The Secretary Aviation, Secretary Law and Justice DG CAA, DG ASF, and senior officers from Finance and Aviation attended the meeting, said a press release.
The secretary Aviation briefed the Chair on the issues being faced by the aviation sector pertaining to regulation, service provision, security, and enhancement of state capacity in aviation.
The meeting discussed pragmatic options to resolve the issues without affecting the service provision and to raise the standards of aviation in Pakistan to match the international practices.
The meeting also discussed legal and financial hurdles being faced by the aviation sector in this regard and deliberated upon the prospects and opportunities available.
Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar appreciated the measures and efforts being taken for improving standards of aviation in the country and committed to support the aviation sector.
WTC 2023-25 cycle commences with England-Australia series
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Australia begins their defence of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) title in a high-profile series against England after winning the second edition with an emphatic 209-run victory over India in the final at The Oval on Sunday.
The five-match Ashes series begins in Birmingham on Friday with Lord’s, Leeds, Manchester and The Oval hosting the remaining matches.
Australia play nine matches in this cycle away from home, which include two-Test series against New Zealand and Sri Lanka. At home, they play against India (five), Pakistan (three) and the West Indies (two), for a total of 10 Tests.
England feature in 10 Tests at home and 11 away. They host the West Indies (3) and Sri Lanka (2) apart from Australia, while playing away in India (five), Pakistan (3) and New Zealand (3).
India’s two-Test tour of the West Indies, where they play in Dominica and Trinidad next month, is also part of the third edition of the WTC.
The structure of the nine-team WTC remains the same with each team playing three home and three away series over a two-year period culminating in the final of a one-off Test. The points percentage system used in the previous edition will determine the leaderboard with teams getting 12 points for a win, six for a tie and four for a draw.
The series in the championship remain as per the Men’s FTP announced last year. The media release distributed at the time of the announcement of the Men’s FTP is available here.
Wasim Khan, ICC’s General Manager of Cricket said in a statement that the WTC had been great in enhancing interest in Test cricket and wished players all the best ahead of the new cycle.
Wasim Khan: “The third edition of the ICC World Test Championship begins on Friday with another highly anticipated series between England and Australia.
“This championship has invigorated Test match cricket, bringing context for players and fans, and a high level of competitiveness as teams battle it out to be crowned World Test Champions at the end of the two-year cycle.
“The big turnout out at The Oval over the five days and the incredible viewership levels across the globe for the final is testimony to the continued popularity of Test cricket.
“I would like to thank the Member Boards for their continued support of this exciting concept and wish the players all the very best as they commence their journey towards becoming World Test Champions in 2025”.
Captains Ben Stokes of England and Pat Cummins of Australia said they were excited and hoped to start well.
Ben Stokes: “We are looking forward to the new cycle of the World Test Championship, and hope we get off to a good start.
“The Ashes combined with World Test Championship points makes it an intriguing series against Australia. I am sure fans worldwide will be following the proceedings with eagerness. We are excited, for what the English summer holds.”
Pat Cummins: “It has been a very enjoyable and rewarding journey through this World Test Championship and we very much look forward to the next cycle.
“It was a goal of ours to reach the final and the fact we were able to win is a great outcome for the group. It’s a great start to our UK tour but there’s plenty of hard work still to be done over the next five Test matches.”
Shahbaz believes more funds needed to put hockey back on track
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Former skipper Olympian Shahbaz Ahmed Snr on Wednesday lauded the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) for issuing a special grant to the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) for ensuring Pakistan team’s participation in the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy but proposed that more funds should be injected on yearly basis to put the national game back on track.
The PSB on Tuesday issued a cheque of Rs 25 million to the PHF for making arrangements for the Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held in Chennai, India in August.
Shahbaz, who led Pakistan to the1994 World Cup victory, termed the grant a “welcome sign”, but said he believed Pakistan hockey needed more financial backing.
“It is heartening that the government has provided the much-need financial support to hockey. Hockey is our pride but currently, it needs backing from all quarters. We were a force to reckon with in the past, but then unfortunately priorities were changed in the last 25 to 30 years. The old hockey was replaced with modern hockey but we failed to adapt to the changes.
“Now, we will have to inject more money into the game. I don’t believe in an overnight change. I think we will have to adopt a realistic approach and move step by step to once again raise a formidable side.
“Our first priority should be to become Asian Champions and break into the top 10 sides of the world. Hoping to win World Cup or clinch a medal at the Olympics in the near future sounds great but that is too ambitious at this stage,” Shahbaz told APP.
He said a substantial amount should be earmarked in the annual budget to put the national game back on track.
“Similarly, I think the Pakistan Cricket Board should also step out and ask each profit-making Pakistan Super League franchise to contribute at least Rs 20 million after every edition. They generate huge revenues every year. This amount [Rs 20 million] should not be a big problem for them. Revival of hockey is a national cause and they must contribute to that,” he added.
According to the former hockey stalwart, Pakistan would have to improve hockey infrastructure, financially support players and arrange foreign tours for junior and senior teams to give them maximum exposure.
“A foreign tour consumes around Rs 30 to 40 million. That is why I am pressing to devise a financial plan to help Pakistan hockey. Unless we do that, the dream to regain lost glory will not be materialized,” he added.
The 55-year-old, who was popularly known as the ‘Maradona of Hockey’ for his stunning stick work in the 1990s, also urged Pakistan players to focus on their physical fitness besides improving their skills and speed to match the world’s best sides.
“If they will perform well, their fan following will grow and they will be able to attract sponsorships,” he added.
Cases in military courts to be proceeded as per int’l conventions: Law Minister
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Federal Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday said cases in military courts would be proceeded in accordance with the international conventions.
Talking to journalists here at the Supreme Court, the minister said the accused would have the right for a fair trial in military court. They would have the right to hire a lawyer of their choice and present evidence in their defence.
The accused would also have a right of appeal to the higher courts against the decisions of military courts, he added.
18 mega uplift projects completed in Gwadar in record three months: Ahsan Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Following the consistent efforts of the federal government, fruition of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects can be seen as from 2022- till date around 637,124 metric ton of cargoes landed at the deep seaport of Gwadar which is manifold high compared to 166,207 metric tons arrived during 2018 -2021.
This was disclosed by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday while chairing a meeting to review progress of projects in Gwadar, a news release said issued here on Wednesday.
Among others, the meeting was attended by the officials of the all relevant ministries, provincial representatives of Balochistan and Chairman Gwadar Port Authority (GPA).
Maritime Affairs Advisor (Planning Commission) Jawad Akhtar Khokhar gave a detailed presentation over the projects.
The meeting noted that since the incumbent government came into power in April 2022, the CEPC has been revived which remained neglected during the tenure of the previous government.
All major projects under CPEC in Gwadar, including Gwadar Power Plant, Distribution of 2000 Boat engines to fishermen of Gwadar, Khuzdar-Panjgur Transmission line (via Nag-Basima) which connect Markran with National Grid, New Gwadar International Airport Project, the China-Pak Friendship Hospital, China-Pak Technical and Vocational Institute in Gwadar, the Gwadar East-bay Expressway Project, Gwadar Free Zone, and Gwadar Port would become a shining pearl in the region.
The minister said several projects had been completed by the incumbent government in Gwadar particularly related to water and electricity that were neglected by the previous government deliberately.
In the budget 2023-24, he said allocation of development funds for Balochistan had been doubled which indicated the federal government’s commitment to uplift the province.
During the last three months, as many as 8 projects related to education, health, social sector to facilitate the people of Balochistan had been completed, the minister said while reiterating that the government would continue its efforts for uplift of the province to end its sense of deprivation.
He was of the view that supply of 100 megawatt electricity from Iran would help improve the lives and business of the people of Gwadar.
The minister also directed Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) to focus on the recovery of bills and smooth supply of electricity to the people of Gwadar, besides creating awareness among the public about paying the utility bills.
HCSTSI congratulates federal minister for initiating business to business broader trade policy
HYDERABAD, Jun 14 (APP): The President Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry (HCSTSI) Muhammad Farooq Shaikhani, while congratulating the Federal Minister for Industry and Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar for initiating the policy of business to business border trade, termed it a positive step in improving the economy of Pakistan.
This trade will not only facilitate the traders to send Pakistani goods to the markets of Iran, Afghanistan and Russia, but all products which have been banned by the government due to the shortage of dollars can now be easily imported from these three countries, he observed in a statement issued here on Wednesday.
He said that the government had imposed ban on the import on bulk of goods from May 2022 under SROs as a result of which, the goods of the traders are not being released from the port following non-opening of LCs by the State Bank. As a result of which, he said that the traders were paying fines in terms of detention and demurrage on the departure basis. However, with the facility of business-to-business border trade, the business community can continue their business activities by trading goods for goods, he said.
For the first time in the history, he said that trade is being conducted between Pakistan and China through the Karakoram Highway, which has not only reduced the cost of movement but also reduced the transport time to eight days, which was one month earlier by sea.
The HCSTSI President said that the government’s opening of the border market on the Pakistan-Iran border was also a good initiative adding that it would bring prosperity to the area and more trade centers would be created in the future. The Iranian products are available at a lower price than the products of other countries, which is good news for Pakistani businessmen and people who are crushed by inflation, he said.
He said that Pakistan was committed to establish Single Window under Trade Facilitation Agreement in 2017. The first phase of implementation was launched in June 2022, with the aim of digitizing the cross-border trade process, he informed and added that PSW leverages the expertise of the private sector to implement this important reform initiative, he added.
Apart from customs, he informed that 76 other departments were involved in various aspects of cross-border trade. The PSW aims to automate all these departments under an electronic single window thereby reducing the time and cost of cross-border trade, he said and added that this plan stated that it had been implemented by the state of Pakistan and had not been affected by the change of governments. Similarly, a complete economic policy of the country also needs to be formulated and implemented at the state level, he said.
Advisory Committee inches closer to finalize syllabus on inclusion of Constitution in Curriculum
ISLAMABAD, Jun 14 (APP): Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf on Wednesday said that the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan reflects resilience and strength of our nation and inclusion of it in the curriculum would benefit students by fostering civic education, legal literacy and constitutional awareness.
He made these remarks while chairing the 7th meeting of the Advisory Committee constituted to oversee preparations of the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution,1973 at Parliament House
He said the inclusion of Constitution in curriculum would promote democratic values, critical thinking skills and ensure long-term stability in the society.
It would also empower students to understand their rights, participate actively in civic life and contribute to a more inclusive and democratic nation, he added.
Ms. Marriyum Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, while providing an update on the proposed introduction of a syllabus on the inclusion of the Constitution, shared that the fundamental elements of the curriculum had been developed in consultation with the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Federal Education Board and that, following the Committee’s approval would be taken up with other educational bodies for further consideration.
She also suggested revising the current curriculum to better connect it with the nation’s democratic values. She also highlighted that in order to broaden the scope of this effort, the Committee may consult with the provinces. The ideas presented by the Minister were approved by the Committee.
The Committee also took stock of the progress on construction of Bagh-e-Dastoor, restoration of old National Assembly Hall and thoroughly examined various designs for Yadgar-e-Dastoor (Constitution Monument).
It is pertinent to mention that National Assembly held various activities in connection with the 50th anniversary of the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 like issuance of a special booklet of the Constitution, holding all Pakistan declamation contests, national and international constitution conventions, issuance of commemorative stamps and coins, launch of Constitution App, Photo Exhibitions etc. Whereas, ongoing activities include construction of Yadgar-e-Dastoor, Bagh-e-Dastoor and restoration of old National Assembly Hall, among others.
The Speaker praised the Committee’s work in his concluding remarks and expressed his hope that all stakeholders involved would keep working with the same zeal to ensure the timely conclusion of all ongoing endeavors.
Besides Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf and Convener Mian Raza Rabbani, the meeting was attended by Federal Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb(virtually); Members of National Assembly Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani, Dr. Nafisa Shah, Ms. Asiya Azeem , Mohsin Dawar, Mehnaz Akber Aziz; Senator Kamran Murtaza Special Invitees Farhatullah Babar, Zafarullah Khan and government officials from CDA, NADRA, NESPAK and representatives from National College of Arts.