ISLAMABAD: September 24 –
Old man cutting wood into pieces for selling purpose at his workplace in the Federal Capital.
ISLAMABAD: September 24 –
COP28 ‘great opportunity’ for Pakistan to discuss ideas on climate change — UAE envoy
ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP): The upcoming 28th Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP) would be a “great opportunity” for Pakistan to discuss ideas on how to support countries most affected by climate change, UAE’s Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Al-Zaabi said.
The UAE will be the second Arab state to host the climate conference after Egypt hosted COP27 last year. The Gulf country will host the COP28 from Nov.30 to Dec. 12, with the global conference expected to attract about 70,000 people, including heads of state, government officials, international industry leaders, private sector representatives, academics, experts, youngsters, and non-state players.
Pakistan is recognized among the countries most affected by climate change around the world. In June 2022, raging floods triggered by unusually heavy monsoon rains and melting glaciers killed over 1,700 and swept away large swathes of crops and damaged critical infrastructure. Pakistan estimated damages and economic losses from the floods to be over $30 billion, Arab News reported.
“Pakistan is one of the top five countries affected by climate change,” Al-Zaabi said in an interview with Arab News.
“The Pakistani delegation who is going to participate in COP28 at Dubai Expo, it is a great opportunity for them to discuss more the ideas on how to support countries affected by climate change,” he added.
“We are working closely with the government of Pakistan with regard to climate change and we have a lot of projects, a lot of responsibilities in this regard,” Al-Zaabi said.
He said COP28 would be a chance for the international community to gather in Dubai for “more engagement and more negotiations” to tackle climate-related challenges.
“It’s a commitment from the United Arab Emirates to continue working with the international community for the challenges of climate change and the environment,” he said.
Speaking about COP28, the UAE envoy said it would also involve a review of the Paris Agreement, adding that the international community needed to assume greater responsibilities and generate more ideas to address the impacts of climate change.
A vendor sprinkling water on coconut to keep them fresh at roadside in the Federal Capital.
ISLAMABAD: September 24
Five river deltas’ communities urge urgent climate actions, shared solutions
ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP): The speakers at the webinar, highlighting growing challenges to river deltas across the world on Sunday, emphasised that there were shared problems of the river basins such as sea level rise, flooding, salt water intrusion, forced migration, water scarcity and water security, therefore the solutions should also be shared and urgent climate actions should be taken to address environmental degradation.
The hybrid event “Community Voices-Deltas Unite: Urgent Call for Climate Action with a United Nations Convention for Conserving River Deltas (UN-CCRD)” was organized by The African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development Initiative (ACCARD) in collaboration with TWIN (Transboundary Water, In-Cooperation Network), Consortium for Capacity Building (CCB), Water Environment Forum Pakistan and Government of Bayelsa State, Environmental PeaceBuilding Organization and partners, said a news release issued here Sunday.
The speakers said the local communities need to have a voice at the UN and with their governments. “The proposed convention needs to provide opportunities for local communities to be at the same table. Community voices have been at the center of the UN Convention on Conserving River Deltas from its inception and will continue to be focal in its drafting,” they added.
The speakers at the event were communities and stakeholders from Indus River, Nigerian Niger River, Mekong River, Congo River, and Saint Lawrence River basins. The delta regions of each of these basins are vulnerable to accelerating sea level rise and saltwater intrusion from the oceans, rapidly changing (water or river) flow from melting glaciers, increasing dams and shifting rainfall patterns in the highlands.
They added that Indigenous peoples and local communities are not only affected but are also among the most vulnerable to the growing adverse consequences of climate change on water resources.
The worsening climate crises underscores the urgent need for accelerated efforts to substantially address the growing impact of climate change on water resources leading to human migration especially among young people, water shortage, poverty, hunger and increasing communal conflicts as well as new disease outbreaks.
The United Nations can facilitate an international multi-stakeholder platform to provide the urgently needed dialogue and transformative action – to be called “United Nations Convention on River Deltas (UN-CCRD)”. This platform will enable urgent action to gradually address the impending future water challenges and looming global crises of food, conflict and freshwater shortage.
“About 0.5% of water on Earth is usable and not available as freshwater. Climate change is dangerously affecting water supply and security, globally. With a worrisome trend in the past 20 years is affecting water supply and security in many ways including flooding will further push the numbers of people at risk to floods from 1.2 to 1.6 billion people by 2050” said Susan Sgorbati Director at Center for the Advancement of Public Action (CAPA) at Bennington College.
Community members Altaf Siyal, Mukhtar Mahar and Mir Baloch from the Indus river basin said, “the Indus Delta is challenged by seawater intrusions, coastal erosions, agricultural land degradation, degradations of wetlands, deteriorating groundwater quality with even arsenic and surface water pollution,” are mainly caused by reduced water flow from upstream to downstream, diminishing river flows to delta, & climate changes with temperature rises.”
Also, the Indus Delta currently facing extreme climate stress could be preserved through a multi-stakeholders collaborations at all levels, and encourage an adoption of the deltas Convention (UN-CCRD) from global to the district” said Senator Nisar Memon from Pakistan.
Freeman Elohor, Founder and Centre Coordinator for African Centre for Climate Actions and Rural Development said that together with University of Vermont, University of Colorado, Nigeria’s Bayelsa State Government and Pakistani government have approached the United Nations (UN) at the March 2023 Water Conference in New York and recognised the need for a convention to protect river deltas as well as address climate and human rights related deltas issues.
He informed that the launch would be at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023. That it will be a game changing collaborative one-stop solution that will blend indigenous knowledge with science, well coordinated government interventions with local communities across vertical and horizontal levels – will enable a global network of community scientists.
In Freeman’s words, the UN-CCRD platform will resolve some of the existing and future concerns of the peaceful coexistence of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), South Asian and South-East Asian communities with shared trans-boundary water resources. Also, help to mitigate the growing agitations of indigenous peoples and local communities including young people, women and elderly – mostly vulnerable to these cascading impacts and challenges in our deltas.
Prof Asim Zia from University of Vermont said that “People living in coastal regions are facing forced migration because of rising sea levels”. Prof Tan Sinh Bach from Hanoi National University, Godi Godar from Congo River Basin, Diana Rice from Saint Lawrence River Basin, Prof Kevin Xu , Ho Huu Loc from Mekong River Basin and Emma Spett Saint Lawrence River Basin also spoke at the event.
Pakistan Navy commissions first MILGEM Ship PNS BABUR
ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP): The Pakistan Navy has commissioned the first MILGEM Ship PNS BABUR at the commissioning ceremony held at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, Turkiye.
The event was graced by the Minister of National Defence Turkiye Yasar Güler and Defence Minister of Pakistan Lieutenant General (R) Anwar Ali Hyder as chief guests flanked by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, a Pakistan Navy news release said on Sunday.
Addressing on the occasion, Turkish Defence Minister termed the brotherly Pakistan-Turkiye relations as exemplary and acknowledged the potential for further collaboration in the field of defence production.
He lauded the efforts and remarkable work done by Istanbul Naval Shipyard and ASFAT (Turkish Firm). He also thanked the Government of Pakistan and Pakistan Navy for exceptional support during the recent devastating earthquakes at Turkiye.
During his address, the Defence Minister of Pakistan admired the collaboration of the Ministry of Defence Production Pakistan, Ministry of National Defence of Turkiye, ASFAT and Pakistan Navy for the synergized efforts to make the project a success and congratulated all teams on the successful commissioning of 1st MILGEM Ship.
He added that the relationship between Pakistan and Turkiye is unique because of deep rooted historical ties between the two brotherly countries, hence cooperation shall continue in future as well.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi underlined that PN MILGEM Ships fitted with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors will play a key role in maintaining peace and stability in the region.
He expressed his gratitude for enhanced collaboration in defence production especially in Maritime domain between the two countries. The Admiral stated that in line with the government policies, Pakistan Navy has adopted indigenization of platforms and hence it is very satisfying to see modern warships being built in collaboration with brotherly country Turkiye.
PN MILGEM Class ships are the most technologically advanced and state-of-the-art surface platforms being constructed for Pakistan Navy. The ships will be fitted with latest Command and Control Systems including modern weapons and sensors.
The Contract for construction of four MILGEM Class ships for Pakistan was signed between Ministry of Defence Production, Pakistan and ASFAT in 2018. Under the project, two ships are under construction at Istanbul Naval Shipyard, while the other two are being constructed at Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works.
The ceremony was attended by high leveled civil and military dignitaries from Turkiye and Pakistan and officials of Istanbul Naval Shipyard.
People being faced with enormous challenges in healthcare sector
By M Sohaib Khalid
LAHORE, Sep 24 (APP):Over the years, Punjab, the most populous province of the country (over 127.4 million population), has been faced with enormous challenges in the healthcare sector.
Though the province boasts a substantial number of healthcare facilities, including tehsil-level and district-level hospitals, the existing infrastructure falls short of meeting the healthcare needs of the growing population.
Talking to APP regarding Punjab’s healthcare system, health experts have brought into the limelight various issues pertaining to the healthcare sector of the province. The experts said that shortages in medical supplies, staff, and equipment had affected common people.
They have also highlighted the initiatives taken by the government to address the challenges and improve the quality of healthcare services.
Medical experts in Punjab have been vocal about the dire shortages of essential medical resources. Former President of the Pakistan Pediatricians Association (PPA) Punjab, Dr Asif Kaleem Sheikh, said that with 542 beds available for every one million people in Punjab public sector hospitals are often overcrowded, forcing two patients to share a single bed.
He said that patients frequently seek medical attention when their conditions have already deteriorated significantly, leading to complications that could have been avoided with early intervention.
“Delays in surgical procedures have become distressingly common in the hospitals due to unavailability of basic facilities,” he added.
The Punjab Department of Primary and Secondary Healthcare (P&SHD) reports a daily influx of 4,000 to 5,000 patients in government hospitals and clinics, overwhelming the already limited capacity. Despite a 25 percent population growth over the past 12 years, the expansion of the hospital network has lagged at only 18 percent. This shortage, compounded by insufficient government funding, results in delays in patient care.
Dr Salman Kazmi, General Secretary of the Pakistan Young Doctors Association, underscores the detrimental effects of the funding shortage on healthcare quality. The lack of funds leads to a scarcity of crucial medical supplies, medicines, and equipment, seriously compromising the quality of healthcare provided by government hospitals, adding that patients often bear the brunt of this inadequacy, facing prolonged treatment delays and suboptimal care.
Despite these challenges, the caretaker provincial government of Punjab has expressed a commitment to improving the healthcare sector. Punjab Chief Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi personally involves himself in hospital oversight to ensure their requirements are met.
Provincial Secretary of Health, Ali Jan Khan, said, “Both dedicated departments, the Punjab Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department and the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department, are actively working on various aspects of healthcare management and enhancement.”
He said that efforts to enhance the healthcare sector encompass hospital gradation, increased recruitment of doctors, and expanding the scope of social security hospitals to alleviate the burden on public sector hospitals.
He informed, “Plans are also underway to establish 22 additional social security hospitals, relocate existing hospitals to more suitable facilities, and equip major hospitals with state-of-the-art biomedical machines and medical equipment.”
“In addition, major teaching hospitals in Punjab are set to offer a range of essential medicines, and health councils will be established to monitor service provision closely,” he added.
Former President of the Pakistan Medical Association, Dr Izhar Chaudhry said, “Punjab faces multifaceted challenges that have created a complex web of issues affecting both the availability and quality of healthcare services.”
To address these challenges effectively, he said it was crucial to understand the root causes; adding the province has experienced a substantial population increase over the years, and this growth has strained existing healthcare facilities, making it difficult to cater to the needs.
He said, “Public sector hospitals are overcrowded, with patients often sharing beds due to the limited number of available resources, and this overcrowding not only compromises patient comfort but also increases the risk of cross-infections.”
He said, “Patients frequently seek medical attention only when their conditions have deteriorated significantly.”
“This delay in seeking care leads to more complex and expensive treatments, putting additional strain on the healthcare system,” he added.
Dr Tariq Shaheen, Assistant Professor at Jinnah Hospital, said, “The government of Punjab has recognized these challenges and was actively working to address them.”
He said that the existing hospitals were being upgraded to provide better facilities and services to patients, which includes the expansion of infrastructure and modern medical equipment.
He said that recently Health Minister Dr Javed Akram has disclosed, “A plan to establish 22 additional social security hospitals that will expand the capacity to serve patients, particularly in underserved areas.”
“Major hospitals in Punjab are set to receive advanced biomedical machines and medical equipment to enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities,” he added.
Dr Shaheen said, “According to the government plan, teaching hospitals will provide essential medicines, and health councils will be established to monitor and improve service provision.”
Bio-diversity, soil degradation costing Pak economy loss of Rs.365 billion annually
Dr. Saeed Ahmad Ali
LAHORE, Sep 24 (APP):Experts on Sunday estimate that environmental degradation is costing Pakistan’s economy over Rs 365 billion loss every year and if proper measures would not be adopted, the loss may be increased to beyond Rs 450 billion.
Talking to APP, the experts calculated that national loss of Rs 365 billion may include inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene accounts for Rs112 billion, agricultural soil degradation Rs 70 billion, indoor pollution Rs 67 billion, urban air pollution Rs 65 billion, lead exposure Rs 45 billion and land degradation and deforestation Rs 6 billion.
They believe that the fast pace vanishing bio-diversity and land degradation have serious
impacts on climate change and resulting in ecological imbalance.
According to a document of Finance Division, the above-mentioned loss figure on Biodiversity and soil degradation included food securities, water and air pollution causing widespread diseases, adaptation to the impact of climate change for energy, preparedness for adaptation or mitigation due to climate change and to avail opportunities under Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
Likewise, the document informed that preparedness for an effective disaster management,
so as to avoid damage to the environment i.e watershed degradation and deforestation,
is need of the time.
A good management of liquid, solid, hazardous waste green economy improved human well-being and social equity can significantly reduce environmental risks and ecological scarcities’ initiatives and its impact on Pakistan, it added.
Noted biodiversity scientist Abdul Wadood told APP that the unsustainable housing policies and timber mafia was the biggest threats to the green and agricultural land of Pakistan, causing immense threats to ever rapidly decreasing forests and biodiversity.
In this situation, he urged the government to impose emergency on nature conservation protecting green and agricultural lands to preserve 260 million people from climate hazards, water and food insecurity.
To a query, Wadood said that ‘mountain resources’ were on the edge of threat, particularly
despite several sustainable development and conservation.
Pakistan needs to eliminate the highhandedness of the timber and land mafias that are over-exploiting the natural resources including chopping off forests and damaging ecological habitats and systems, he said, urging that strict implementation of the legislation was needed to wipe off the hindrances to nature conservation.
Mahmood Khalid Qamar, a noted environmentalist told APP while making comparison with natural resource-based livelihoods to production of ecosystem services, the green economy can help mitigate poverty and enhance environmental sustainability implementation of planned programme and initiative, with efficacy to increase green (forest) cover and biodiversity reducing land degradation, effluent treatment at source to avoid discharge of polluted industrial and domestic sewage to fresh water-bodies and maintain marine environment.
Increasing energy efficiency with focus on conservations measures, fast pace moving urbanization and industrialization is leading to serious environmental concerns in natural resources’ depletion, resulting from accelerated economic and social transformation, he added.
WWF-International Senior Expert on Area-based Conservation Rab Nawaz said that Pakistan water resources were depleting at a fast pace with degradation for forests and biodiversity, despite several conservation efforts and best practices.
Climate Change Division official sources said the government to overcome eco-degradation hazards was implementing various policies and programmes, many of which have come out of the National Environment Action Programme (NEAP). Rab Nawaz from WWF, while commenting on the progress that Pakistan had made on Convention of Biological Diversity informed that there have been some great successes on bending the curve such as the Indus Blind Dolphin where the population was recovering slowly but surely.
The national animal of Pakistan, the Kashmir Markhor has been brought back from the verge of extinction, he added.
Describing some key programmes and policies that have stemmed from NEAP included–Clean Drinking Water for All, Air and Water Quality Monitoring, Pakistan Wetlands Programme, Sustainable Land Management to Combat Desertification in Pakistan, National Sanitation Policy, Environmental Rehabilitation and Poverty Reduction through Participatory Watershed Management in Tarbela Reservoir and Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy etc, he informed.
Pakistan is facing numerous environmental threats that are affecting its sustainable economic future.
Amongst, land degradation has emerged as the worst warning.
According to a recent pioneering study on the subject, the costs of land degradation in South Asian countries that include India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and Bhutan) is at least US$ 10 billion annually. This is approximately 2 percent of the region’s GDP which is equal to 7 percent of the value of its agricultural output.
The study finds he breakdown of losses, according to types of land degradation value is increased or decreased are: water erosion US$ 5.4 billion;
The study further found that in all, 140 million hectares, which is equal to 43 percent of the region’s total agricultural land, suffered from one or the other form of land degradation.
Of this, 31 million hectares were strongly degraded and 63 million hectares moderately degraded. The worst country affected was Iran, with 94 percent of agricultural land degraded, followed by Bangladesh (75 percent), Pakistan (61 percent), Sri Lanka (44 percent), Afghanistan (33 percent), Nepal (26 percent), India (25 percent) and Bhutan (10 percent).
Noted biodiversity experts Muhammad Moazzam Khan said with a long coastline, Pakistan’s Marine Biodiversity supports a large seafood industry of Pakistan that produces about 450,000 metric tons of fish and shell-fish and a source of export earnings of around US $ 480 million annually.
It is also a major source of livelihood for coastal communities living along the 1,000 km coast which provides employment to about 10 million people. It contributes about one percent to national GDP and 4 percent of Agriculture GDP, he added.
Describing another key reason, Khan said that marine-biodiversity of Pakistan was being threatened by uncontrolled commercial fishing operations in coastal and offshore waters using some of the deleterious fishing actions and undesirable practices.
In Pakistan, land degradation mainly encompasses deforestation and desertification, salinity and sodicity, soil erosion, water logging, depletion of soil fertility and negative nutrient balances, he added.
Cholistan – an emerging hub for organic cotton excellence
By Muhammad Atif Ismail
MULTAN, Sep 24 (APP):Once revered as a bastion of a flourishing cotton empire Pakistan now stands at a crossroads, compelled to reignite the embers of its cotton cultivation legacy.
A nation that once stood proudly self-reliant in cotton production now grapples with the staggering burden of importing vast quantities of cotton, incurring billions of dollars in costs.
Yet, amid this daunting challenge, a quiet revolution is unfurling in the arid expanses of Cholistan and some selected pockets of Balochistan. These lands, previously uncharted territory for agriculture, now emerge as the vanguards of a burgeoning movement towards demand-driven organic farming.
In the expansive and arid landscapes of Cholistan, a remarkable shift toward the revival of organic cotton is currently unfolding. Local farmers are increasingly embracing the idea of organic cotton cultivation adding another chapter to the diverse narratives that drive the promotion of organic agricultural practices in the region.
However, one account stands out amidst these stories of transformation — the inspiring journey of three determined cousins: Shahid Nadeem, Shoukat Ali, and Rafaqat Ali.
They are sowing the seeds of change across an impressive expanse of 950 acres at Fort Mauj Garh in Yazman Mandi, marking not only the resurgence of Pakistan’s cotton industry but also the burgeoning allure of organic cotton. It serves as a beacon of hope in the country’s pursuit of sustainability and economic growth.
“I have been cultivating crops for the past decade. Last year, I took the significant step of dedicating 100 acres to organic crops and the results were rewarding,” remarked Shahid Nadeem. “Now, alongside my cousins, Shoukat Ali and Rafaqat Ali, we have successfully cultivated 950 acres of organic cotton.”
Shared his experience, Shahid said after two pickings, we achieved an average of 22 maund per acre, surpassing conventional cotton farmers who could manage only 18 maund per acre.”
For these three cousins, their mission extends beyond mere profitability; it champions the cause of environmental stewardship. Their inspiration stems from the remarkable journey of another pioneering farmer, Muhammad Ramzan Watto, who had successfully cultivated organic cotton for several years.
“I cultivated organic cotton on 100 acres last year, reaping handsome returns. This year, my two cousins also joined the race and together, they are trying to revitalize the country’s rich cotton legacy,” he said.
Commenting on organic cotton, Shahid remarked, “It is sustainable and an eco-friendly farming practice. It’s input cost is significantly low and demand is massive in the international market. Clothes made of this cotton are sold expensively.”
He informed that a reputed textile group was offering him a premium price as he was selling cotton to this group at Rs 10,600 as compared to the market price of Rs 9,300. “Many more textile groups are also contacting farmers for availability of organic cotton.”
Globally, experts closely monitor the quality of textiles in terms of chemical pesticide usage and they are willing to pay more for chemical pesticide-free cotton and its products as they save people from allergic disorder.
In organic cotton farming, farmers use a solution made from “Kortumma, Oak, Neem” and other local plants and farmers can themselves prepare these bio-pesticides.
The leaves of “Neem tree, aak, kortuma, tobacco, moringa” are soaked in five liters of water for 10 hours and then boiled. After boiling, about 120 liters of water is mixed with the solution and then sprayed. This organic spray maintains the health of the soil and is safer for cotton picker women and other farmers.
Shahid Nadeem says that organic spray does not harm friendly pests, unlike chemical pesticides and this ecological balance is crucial to prevent resurgence of dangerous pests that become challenging in the absence of friendly pests.
It has been noticed that a significant number of local farmers had shown interest in organic cotton, with six to seven large-scale farmers already cultivating organic cotton in the surrounding area of Fort Mauj Garh (Cholistan).
Dr Khalid Mehmood, an expert and the head of a non-governmental organization working to promote organic cotton has also highlighted the global significance of this sustainable approach.
“The business of textile products revolves around 2.5 trillion dollars globally. Due to environmental factors, the world is moving towards organic cotton. Although there is low use of organic cotton at the moment, it will have a bright future,” Khalid Mahmood said.
“In Pakistan, approximately 60 percent of chemical pesticides are used in cotton crops, causing damage to both the environment and soil health,” Dr Khalid claimed and said, “his organization provided training to 30,000 farmers with a focus to promote organic cotton.”
He informed that with the cooperation of WWF, efforts are underway to promote organic cotton cultivation on 100,000 acres in the country.
“Some areas including Balochistan (Khuzdar, Kohloo) and Cholistan (Yazman, Fort Abbas, etc.) have immense potential for organic cotton cultivation.”
He stated, “Our neighboring country is leading in terms of organic cotton production with its farmers sowing organic cotton on around 400,000 acre land.”
The experts believed that amidst the challenges faced by Pakistan’s cotton industry, the organic cotton’s revival in Cholistan and Balochistan represents a beacon of hope for farmers and the entire industry.
Therefore, a comprehensive plan was required to groom this sector and open avenues for more exports and revenue generation.
Physical fitness vital for playing a vital role in society: expert
SARGODHA, Sep 24 (APP):Gyms serve multiple purposes, including weight loss and muscle gain, but newcomers should focus solely on weightlifting while neglecting proper nutrition, a fitness trainer said.
Talking to APP here on Sunday, fitness trainer Muhammad Atif Khichi highlighted that the key to successful weight loss lies in consuming a diet that is low in calories and carbohydrates whereas individuals looking to gain muscle mass should increase their caloric intake.
Atif underscored the various benefits of gym training, which include fitness improvement, obesity reduction, and cardiovascular health maintenance. He recommended that individuals aiming for weight loss adhere to a diet ranging from 1500 to 1800 calories, whereas those seeking weight gain should consume approximately 3000 to 3500 calories, with an emphasis on high protein and moderate carbohydrate intake.
He cautioned against relying solely on internet advice, emphasizing that consulting a qualified fitness trainer is irreplaceable. While discussing the topic of quick results, Atif khachi warned against engaging in anabolic activities, as they can be harmful. He advised individuals to avoid such practices and instead consult a trainer for guidance on the proper use of food supplements when their dietary intake is insufficient.
Atif particularly emphasized the significance of beginners focusing on maintaining proper form and angle during exercises, as heavy weightlifting without proper technique can lead to injuries.
In response to a question, Atif suggested that cardio exercises are most effective when performed in the morning on an empty stomach. He explained that starting with cardio exercises depletes the stamina while athletes should focus on calorie burning through weightlifting.
Atif also stressed the importance of warming up before engaging in any physical activity. He highlighted that warming up helps prevent injuries, strains, and muscle pulls.
Furthermore, he cautioned against pursuing rapid weight loss, stating that a healthy approach requires time and consistent self-monitoring on a day-to-day basis.
SBP to provide interest-free loans to unemployed women for starting businesses
DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Sep 24 (APP): The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is making it possible to provide unemployed women interest-free loans for starting large scale businesses in order to ensure their economic stability.
This was stated by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Deputy Chief Manager in Dera Ismail Khan Fazal Muqeem while addressing a one-day seminar titled ‘Women bankability and banking on equality’ organized by the SBP here at Government Polytechnic Institute (GPI) for women of Dera Ismail Khan the other day.
By starting their own businesses, Fazal Muqeem said that women would be able to support their parents and families besides providing good education to their children.
He was of the view that the current wave of inflation affected the whole society including the rich and poor. However, he said, it becomes difficult for the poor to manage the expenses of routine life as their income resources are very much limited.
The employment opportunities are also limited in the country, therefore starting of own business is the only way to handle such a situation, he added.
He informed that the prime minister introduced different policies with the support of the SBP to make unemployed women as productive citizens. Under these policies, the bank accounts of unemployed women were being opened along with men on equality basis so that they could be provided with interest-free loans up to Rs 0.5 million.
Addressing the seminar, Assistant Director Muhammad Zubair said that today’s era is of digital mobile app and citizens must take benefit from this facility.
He said the citizens should become income tax filer which would make them avoid many taxes.
On this occasion, GPI for women Principal Sara Khan thanked the guests from the SBP. She said their institution was working to make its students skillful so that they could become self-sufficient and useful citizens of the society.
She said many women would get benefit of this SBP’s policy in future. She expressed the hope that such type of useful seminars would be organized in future so that poor and eligible women of Dera Ismail Khan could be benefitted.
On this occasion, GPI for women Principal Sarah Khan, SBP Dera Ismail Khan Assistant Chief Manager Muhammad Amir Ejaz, Assistant Director Muhammad Zubair, Rizwanullah Shah, GPI (women) Placement Officer Zafar Awan, a good number of teachers and female students were present on the occasion.