A view of overloaded truck may cause any accident and needs the attention of concerned authorities
Families enjoying boat riding during their visit at Indus River
PM urged to hold National Plantation Day for nature conservation
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Chairperson, Subh-e-Nau and environmentalist, Shahida Kausar Farooq have urged the Prime Minister to declare a National Plantation Day for a nationwide campaign dedicated to planting maximum for a green and nature-friendly Pakistan.
The organization chair had written a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him to declare a special plantation day with a focus on diverting the attention of the nation towards protecting and enhancing the green cover in the surroundings that would help in combating heatwaves and global warming.
In the letter, the Chairperson said, “We appreciate the measures taken by the government with hope towards a better today and tomorrow. Pakistan faces dangers such as climate change impacts, much due to increased deforestation, loss of air and water quality that result into an enhanced disease burden, the social and energy costs on the citizens is immense.”
She underscored that the poor and the marginalized were the most vulnerable due to climate change due to the unfair distribution of natural resources. However, it was imperative for the government to ensure its policies cater to the needs of all those who were neglected or left behind for inclusive development, she added.
Farooq demanded the government introduce special incentives for both public and private institutions and enterprises on planting trees to limit the expanding concrete jungles in the urban centers of the country.
“We have a government-issued day known as the “National Plantation Day”, which can be declared on August 12th, 2023. This effort can be used to mobilize communities for the cause of plantation as a communal, national, and global cause.
Urban forestry must also be fostered. We must declare this day and implement in letter and spirit by involving our citizens in planting trees and preserving them,” she said in her letter to the Prime Minister.
The Subh-e-Nau Chairperson underscored that along with the “National Plantation Day,” the promotion of indigenous species of plants should be part and parcel of all plantation campaigns across the country.
Moreover, a proper allocation for scientific expertise involving identification, growth, and preservation of such species should also be ensured, she added.
Experts in agriculture, local ecology, and botanists should be involved in the plantation of such species, such that funds were not wasted on exotic or geographically misplaced trees, she said.
“Dealing with issues such as climate change crisis will require a serious investment in the protection of our natural resources, especially when agricultural productivity and industry are taken as key growth sectors”
“Declaring and implementing the “National Day of Plantation” and involving the public will move our nation in a positive direction towards resolving issues such as environmental degradation, poverty, and climate change,” she added.
PSX witnesses bullish trend as index gains 522 points
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): The 100-index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed bullish trend on Friday, gaining 522.42 points, a positive change of 1.15 percent, closing at 45,920.73 points against 45,398.31 points the previous trading day.
A total of 504,550,463 shares were traded during the day as compared to 464,226,100 shares the previous day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs 12.012 billion against Rs 10.104 billion on the last trading day.
As many as 339 companies transacted their shares in the stock market; 197 of them recorded gains and 121 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 21 companies remained unchanged.
The three top-trading companies were WorkdCall Telecom with 106,503,443 shares at Rs 1.46 per share; Fauji Foods Ltd with 44,280,040 shares at Rs.6.88 per share and Cnergyico PK with 35,911,615 shares at Rs.3.32 per share.
Colgate Palm witnessed a maximum increase of Rs 89.45 per share price, closing at Rs 1,475.00, whereas the runner-up was Mehmood Tex with an Rs 29.00 rise in its per share price to Rs 729.00.
Bhanero Tex witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs 30.00 per share closing at Rs 920.00, followed by Philip Morris Pak with Rs 14.99 decline to close at Rs 419.01.
People selecting and purchasing old clothes displayed by the roadside vendor to attract the customers
A cyclist on the way during monsoon rain in the city
A family traveling during heavy rainfall in the city
A birds sitting on the statue of Allam Mohammed Iqbal at Alhamra
A volunteer distributing free food among deserving people as mercy at a roadside F-7 Markaz
Islamabad Police introduce Dolphin Unit for enhanced citizens’ protection
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): The official inauguration of the Islamabad Police Dolphin Emergency Response Unit took place here Friday, signaling a significant stride in curbing street crime and bolstering citizen protection in the capital city.
The inaugural ceremony was graced by Minister for Interior, Rana Sanaullah Khan, who marked the occasion by officially initiating the operational activities of the Dolphin Unit of Islamabad Police.
The minister appreciated the Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan for establishing this unit in a short time to ensure public safety.
Addressing the personnel of the Dolphin Force, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan emphasized the noble duty entrusted to them, stating, “Your duty is the protection of the citizens, which is a form of worship.” He expressed the hope that they would diligently safeguard the lives and property of the citizens.
The minister lauded the establishment of the Dolphin Force and commended the entire team especially, ICCPO Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan for their commitment to ensuring public safety and security. He highlighted the importance of the Force in controlling street crime and bringing perpetrators to justice.
Rana Sanaullah Khan expressed the confidence in the capabilities of the Force and their ability to significantly reduce street crime in the capital city.
The inspiration behind the establishment of the Dolphin Force came from the success of a similar initiative first introduced in Lahore. Witnessing the increasing street crime in Islamabad, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, driven by the vision of safer communities, provided funds for the formation of the Dolphin Emergency Response Unit.
The Dolphin force, consisting of 900 skilled police officers, will actively patrol the streets of Islamabad to gain control over street crime and swiftly respond to emergencies.
The force will also play a vital role in securing religious places and processions, ensuring a safe and peaceful environment for citizens during religious events. To commence the operations, the Dolphin Force has been equipped with 40 vehicles and 200 motorbikes, facilitating their rapid response to incidents across the city.
As the Dolphin Emergency Response Unit takes charge, citizens of Islamabad can look forward to enhanced security measures, reinforcing the efforts of law enforcement agencies to combat street crime and maintain public safety.