Climate change must be part of school curricula: Mirza Afridi
ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (APP): Senate Deputy Chairman Mirza Muhammad Afridi on Tuesday stressed the need for introducing global warming and climate change into school curricula to create awareness among the youth about the problems faced on the environmental front.
He was presiding over a capacity-building seminar for members of the Senate on climate change. The seminar jointly organized by the Parliamentary Development Unit (PDU) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) here at the Parliament House, aimed to enlighten the parliamentarians about the impacts of climate change and remedies as well as planning to control its density and safeguard people from its negative effects.
Mirza Afridi said it was crucial to ensure that every citizen was aware of the immense climatic threat and able to play a role in averting it.
Each and every individual had a crucial role to play and they must be prepared to overcome issues and challenges posed by climate change, he added. The youth, being the agents of change, entrepreneurs, and innovators, were valuable contributors to climate action, he said.
Earlier, Chairperson of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Climate Change Senator Seemee Ezdi stressed the need for accountability of the Global North, since the underdeveloped world currently faced the consequences of its environmental excesses that formulated 92 percent of total world Green House emissions.
She asserted that it was crucial that those countries kept the commitments made on various global forums. Pakistan, she said, had faced the worst consequences of global warming and was in need of global justice.
WWF Director of Policy and Governance Dr Imran Khalid stressed the need for the implementation of policies so that Pakistan could play a role in reducing the immense environmental threat it faced.
He said Pakistan called for global justice and the developed world kept its commitments yet, it was essential that “we should be self-reliant and make decisions to control the damage at our own end”.
WWF Director General Dr Hammad Naqi Khan viewed that Pakistan must make a crucial shift towards alternate energy resources in order to protect the environment on an urgent basis.
He stressed the need for Pakistan to negotiate the latest technology in that context from China which was the world leader in renewable energy resources.
He said it was crucial that “we take the reins of survival in our hands, and ensure that we will make and adhere to policies on hospital waste management, forest degradation, and renewable energy”.
He said stringent measures must be taken to ensure daylight conservation in order to restore the ailing environment to health.
He said China and the United States contributed 50 percent of the total Green House emissions of the world. Pakistan in comparison contributed just one percent, yet it was important that the same was rectified with sound policies to “ensure our survival”, he added.
The seminar, which commenced with a welcome message from Secretary Senate Mohammad Qasim Samad Khan, was attended by senators Asad Ali Junejo, Syed Ali Zafar, Muhammad Akram, Tahir Bizenjo, Professor Dr Meher Taj Roghani, Fauzia Arshad, Faisal Saleem Rehman, Danesh Kumar, Rubina Khalid, Naseema Ehsan, Gurdeep Singh, Faisal Javed, Zeeshan Khanzada, Keshu Bai, Abida Muhammad Azeem, Sardar Muhammad Shafeeq Tarin, Seemi Ezdi, Khalida Sikander Mandhero, Engr Rukhsana Zuberi and Syed Sabir Shah.
APP/sra
ECC approves assignment of 34% working interest of POL, 6% of AOC to POGC in Kirthar South Block (Sindh)
ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (APP): The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) Tuesday approved the assignment of 34% working interest of M/s Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) and 6% of M/s Attock Oil Company Limited (AOC) to M/s Polskie Gornictwo Naftowe I Gazowinictwo S.A (Polish Oil and Gas Company) (POGC) in Kirthar South Block (Sindh).
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar presided over the meeting of the ECC of the Cabinet, said a press release issued here.
Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan, Federal Minister for Planning and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Industries and Production Syed Murtaza Mahmud, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Dr. Aysha Ghous Pasha, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi MNA/Ex-PM, SAPM on Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Mehmood Pasha, SAPM on Government Effectiveness Dr. Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan, Coordinator to PM on Commerce & Industry Rana Ihsan Afzal, Federal Secretaries and other senior officers attended the meeting.
Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) presented a summary for assignment of working interest in exploration licenses/Blocks.
The Ministry of Commerce tabled a summary on the Import of Agricultural tractors under the Kissan package 2022 and proposed amendments in Import Policy Order 2022 to reduce the cost of tractors.
The ECC after deliberation approved the proposals of the Commerce Ministry and allowed amendment in the relevant clause of the IPO 2022 for the import of upto 5-year-old tractors. Regarding ‘Duty Reduction’ for the import of secondhand tractors, the ECC allowed depreciation in value at 2% per month up to a maximum of 60% as already provided under CGO no. 14 of 2005.
Finance Division presented a summary on proposals of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) regarding an equity investment of USD 4.9 million by Fauji Foundation for the acquisition of shares of Daharki Power Holding Limited and submitted that the Government allowed Fauji Foundation to make equity investment abroad of US$ 12 million in ‘Daharki Power Holdings Limited’ in 2008.
Fauji Foundation, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Daharki Power Holdings Limited, BVI entered into an agreement in 2008, which provided ADB the right to exercise put option with respect to 2,750,000 shares subscribed by it.
The ECC considered the proposals of SBP and allowed equity investment of US$ 4.9 million by Fauji Foundation for the acquisition of 2,750,000 shares (18.64% stake) of Daharki Power Holdings Limited and granted waiver/exemption to Fauji Foundation from the policy enumerated in Foreign Exchange Manual being incorporated as a trust under Charitable Endowment Act 1980.
Ministry of Energy (Power Division) submitted a summary regarding amendments in the Standardized Security Package Documents (SPDs) for the large solar PV projects, based on the market response to the earlier modifications by the competent forum and in order to ensure the viability of the project.
The ECC after discussion approved the proposals that indexation of tariff in the SPDs be on annual basis and payment mechanism for settlement of invoices as per Framework Guidelines.
The Ministry of Energy (Petroleum Division) submitted another summary regarding the Enhancement of Oil and Gas production from Tal Block (KPK) proposing the sale of gas from the Mamikhel South discovery to a third party in accordance with the Petroleum Concessions Agreement (PCA).
It was also submitted that the State Owned Entities (SOEs) have around 70% working interest in the TAL exploration License. This arrangement will be to the benefit of the Government of Pakistan in the form of increased dividends and taxes and it will be an opportunity to enhance private sector participation. The ECC considered and approved the proposal.
The ECC considered and approved a summary submitted by the Ministry of Commerce on policy regarding B2B barter trade mechanism especially where there is the absence of banking channels and generally to facilitate trade with other countries.
The ECC also approved the following Supplementary Grants/ Technical Supplementary Grants, Rs. 300 million in favour of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) for expenditures on development projects under PSDP being executed by Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) during the current financial year (2022-23). Rs. 12.462 million in favour of the Ministry of Housing and Works for the urgent repair and maintenance expenditures during the current fiscal year 2022-23. Rs. 1000 million for the project “Rehabilitation/Construction of Roads in SITE Industrial Estate Karachi”.
Killings of journalists up 50% in 2022, half targeted off duty: UNESCO
UNITED NATIONS, Jan 17 (APP): Eighty-six journalists and media workers were killed around the world in 2022 – one every four days — following a decline over the previous three years, according to UNESCO, the Paris-based United Nations agency.
The findings highlight the grave risks and vulnerabilities that journalists continue to face in the course of their work, the cultural agency said.
“Authorities must step up their efforts to stop these crimes and ensure their perpetrators are punished because indifference is a major factor in this climate of violence,” UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, said in a statement, describing the findings as “alarming”.
UNESCO noted that nearly half of the journalists killed were targeted while off duty; some were attacked while traveling, or in parking lots or other public places where they were not on assignment, while others were in their homes at the time of their killing.
The report warned that this implies that “there are no safe spaces for journalists, even in their spare time”.
Despite progress in the past five years, the rate of impunity for journalist killings remains “shockingly high” at 86 per cent. Combating impunity remains a pressing commitment on which international cooperation must be further mobilized, the organization said.
In addition to killing, journalists in 2022 also were victims of other forms of violence. This included enforced disappearance, kidnapping, arbitrary detention, legal harassment and digital violence, with women particularly being targeted.
The UNESCO study highlighted challenges for journalists, pointing out that the weaponization of defamation laws, cyber laws, and anti “fake news” legislation, are being used as a means of limiting freedom of speech and creating a toxic environment for journalists to operate in.
UNESCO found that Latin America and the Caribbean were the deadliest for journalists in 2022 with 44 killings, over half of all of those killed worldwide.
Worldwide, the deadliest individual countries were Mexico, with 19 killings, Ukraine with 10 and Haiti with nine. Asia and the Pacific registered 16 killings, while 11 were killed in Eastern Europe.
While the number of journalists killed in countries in conflict rose to 23 in 2022, compared with 20 the previous year, the global increase was primarily driven by killings in non-conflict countries. This number almost doubled from 35 cases in 2021 to 61 in 2022, representing three-quarters of all killings last year.
Some of the reasons why the journalists were killed were due to reprisals for their reporting on organized crime, armed conflict or the rise of extremism, it was pointed out. Others were killed for covering sensitive topics such as corruption, environmental crime, abuse of power and protests.
APP/ift
Bilawal meets WEF founder; discusses int’l cooperation
ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (APP): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday met the Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum Professor Klaus Schwab, on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the Forum being held in Davos, Switzerland.
The foreign minister thanked Klaus Schwab for Pakistan’s long-standing relationship with the World Economic Forum.
He also discussed invigorating Pakistan’s economy and promoting international cooperation.
Army Chief visits Khuzdar, Basima areas of Balochistan
RAWALPINDI, Jan 17 (APP): Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday visited Khuzdar and Basima areas of Balochistan.
The COAS was briefed on prevailing security situation and Formation’s operational preparedness along with measures being taken to ensure a peaceful and secure environment, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.
While interacting with troops, the COAS emphasized on maintaining optimum operational readiness to thwart the attempts by foreign sponsored and supported hostile elements to destabilize Balochistan.
“We are aware of the nefarious designs of external enemies of Pakistan to disturb the hard earned peaceful environment in Balochistan”, the COAS remarked.
The COAS said that Army’s deployment and operations were being focused in Balochistan to provide enabling environment for benevolent people centric socioeconomic development.
Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Asif Ghafoor, Commander Quetta Corps.
Akhtar Munir appointed Press Secretary/Information Advisor to President
ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (APP): Akhtar Munir, a BS-21 officer of Information Group, currently serving as Managing Director of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), has been appointed as Press Secretary/Information Advisor to President.
Akhtar Munir, who had also served in the position earlier from January 2020 to May 2022, will assume his new responsibilities on February 02, 2023, upon the retirement of incumbent Press Secretary to President Qamar Bashir.
“In pursuance of this Ministry’s Notification No.2(5)/2022-IG, dated 15-12-2022, Mr Akhtar Munir, a BS-20 officer of the Information Group, presently working as Managing Director, Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation, Islamabad on promotion to BS-21, is posted as Press Secretary/Information Advisor to the President (BS-21), President Secretariat (Public), Islamabad, w.e.f 02-02-2023, upon retirement of Mr Qamar Bashir and until further orders,” said a notification issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Akhtar Munir assumed the office of Managing Director of APP on May 30, 2022, where he also served as Executive Director (Admin & Finance) from May 15, 2018 to February 14, 2019.
Having joined the Information Group in 1992, Akhtar Munir held different positions at different ministries including Director General (Media) at the Ministry of Finance; Director General Cyber Wing at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Deputy Press Registrar.
He also served as Press Counsellor at the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul, Afghanistan from May 2012 to August 2017.
China acknowledges Pakistan’s staunch fight against terrorism
BEIJING, Jan 17 (APP): China said on Tuesday that sanctioning of a Pakistani individual by the UN Security Council sanction committee was a recognition of Pakistan’s staunch fight against terrorism.
The individual you mentioned has been convicted and sentenced by Pakistan, and this designation is a sign of recognition of Pakistan’s staunch fight against terrorism, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Wang Wenbin said during his regular briefing while responding to a question about listing a Pakistani individual by UNSC Sanctions Committee (also referred to as the 1267 Committee).
The spokesperson said that terrorism was a common scourge for humanity. As an important international counter-terrorism mechanism, the 1267 Committee of the Security Council was mandated by the UN body’s resolution to put terrorists or terrorist organizations on its sanctions list, which was conducive to strengthening international counter-terrorism cooperation and the joint fight against terrorist threats.
It also needs to be pointed out that the committee has clear guidelines regarding the designation of terrorist organizations and individuals and related procedures, he added.
Wang Wenbin remarked that China took part in the work of the committee constructively and responsibly in strict accordance with these rules and procedures.
APP/asg
Hurriyat leader strongly condemns forced eviction of IIOJK residents from homes
ISLAMABAD, Jan 17 (APP): Hurriyat leader Abdul Hameed Lone on Tuesday strongly condemned the forced eviction of people from their homes in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
In a statement, he said two innocent youths have been martyred in a fake encounter in central Kashmir’s Budgam
India has started displacing people in occupied Kashmir in Israeli style.
“The Modi government is arbitrarily issuing one order after another to further its anti-Kashmir agenda”, he added.
Abdul Hameed Lone said in illegally Occupied Kashmir, the purpose of eviction of the local people from the lands is to disempower the Kashmiri Muslims.
He said the latest move by the Indian authorities to evict local people from the so-called state land is another step in the colonization of Kashmir.
Abdul Hameed Lone said the implementation of the new land laws is part of a nefarious plan to strangle Kashmiris economically and rob them of their identity. In Occupied Kashmir, humiliating and punishing the people has become a routine.
Identification and displacement of Kashmiri Muslims from their own land is the dream of RSS BJP Ethnic Muslims in Occupied Kashmir are the target of Hindutva policy, he added.
He said India is illegally changing the demographics of Occupied Kashmir.
Abdul Hameed Lone said India is openly violating UN resolutions and international laws, adding that Indian occupation forces on Tuesday martyred two more innocent youths in a fake encounter.
He said two innocent youths, Arbaaz Mir and Shahid Ahmed Sheikh, were martyred by firing indiscriminately from a bus in Central Kashmir’s Budgam, adding he strongly protested against the inhumane atrocities of the Indian occupation forces and the gruesome massacre of two youths.