Uzbekistan expands training of specialists in renewable energy in China

Wed, 3 Dec 2025, 5:56 PM

TASHKENT, Dec 3 (UzA/APP) : As part of the growing cooperation between Uzbekistan and China in the field of vocational education, 14 specialists from technical colleges in Andijan, Bukhara, Jizzakh, Fergana, and Samarkand regions, as well as the city of Tashkent, have begun advanced training in China.
The program is organized by the Anhui Water Conservancy and Hydropower Vocational Technical College and is taking place from 1 to 8 December 2025. The courses focus on one of the most promising areas – “New Energy Vehicles”, which aligns with the increasing demand for innovative specialists amid the global transition to a green economy.
Participants from Uzbekistan will attend lectures on modern technologies in the field of new energy vehicles, undergo practical training in fully equipped workshops and laboratories, and visit leading enterprises in China’s automotive and energy innovation sectors.

PM Shehbaz expresses solidarity with Indonesia, offers flood relief support in call with President Prabowo

Kamran Muraad

Wed, 3 Dec 2025, 5:54 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 03 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday conveyed Pakistan’s deep condolences and solidarity to Indonesia following the recent floods and landslides that caused significant loss of life and destruction, particularly in Sumatra.

During a telephonic conversation with Indonesian President, Prabowo Subianto, the prime minister extended heartfelt sympathy on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, calling the devastation a tragic human loss that Pakistan deeply mourns, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s unwavering support, Prime Minister Shehbaz assured President Prabowo that Pakistan stands ready to provide all possible relief and humanitarian assistance. He offered to share Pakistan’s extensive experience in handling large-scale natural disasters, including emergency response, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts.

Highlighting the shared vulnerability of both countries to climate-induced calamities, the Prime Minister underscored the need for stronger bilateral cooperation in disaster preparedness, crisis management, and climate resilience.

President Prabowo expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s message of solidarity and informed the Prime Minister that Indonesian authorities had acted swiftly and effectively to manage the unfolding crisis.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also said he looked forward to welcoming President Prabowo to Pakistan during his scheduled official visit next week. He noted that the visit would provide an important opportunity for both leaders to further strengthen diplomatic ties and expand cooperation across all areas of mutual interest.

Pakistan faces 49pc cement emissions, 88pc urban expansion: Sherry Rehman

Kamran Muraad

Wed, 3 Dec 2025, 5:50 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 03 (APP): Chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change, Senator Sherry Rehman, Wednesday called for an urgent national shift toward sustainable, circular and climate-resilient construction, warning that Pakistan’s current development trajectory is placing the country at heightened climate and urbanization risk.

Speaking at the Pakistan Sustainability Summit in Islamabad, Senator Rehman said the country was “at a critical juncture” in terms of climate vulnerability and unchecked urban expansion.

Despite Pakistan having Green Building Codes, she said implementation remained “extremely low”, even as the country ranked as the most climate-impacted nation in the Climate Risk Index 2025.

Highlighting the scale of the challenge, she noted that 38 per cent of Pakistan’s total energy-related CO2 emissions come from industry, while the cement sector alone contributes 49pc of national emissions. “A shift in construction practices is no longer optional; it is essential for survival,” she said.

Senator Rehman said Pakistan’s rapid urbanization demanded immediate policy reform.

Citing the World Urbanization Report, she said 39pc of Pakistan’s population is officially urban, but this figure rises to 88pc when density and settlement concentration are considered. Nearly 42pc of the country is now peri-urban, where settlements resemble towns but lack basic systems such as waste disposal.

“Urbanization is happening fast, especially in peri-urban regions,” she said. “These growing settlements lack proper infrastructure and planning. This must be addressed urgently.”

She warned that despite the lessons of the 2022 and 2025 floods, development continued on floodplains and stormwater paths, with private-sector actors still “not alarmed” by the recurring destruction. “A hotel collapsed in seconds during the 2022 floods. Why was construction allowed there? The same failures were repeated in 2025,” she said.

The senator said Pakistan needed to move decisively toward circular construction models, embedding reduce, reuse and recycle principles into building codes.

According to World Bank estimates, she said, circular economy adoption could save Pakistan $1.5–2bn a year by 2030, mainly through reduced material imports and lower landfill costs.

Recycling even half of Pakistan’s construction and demolition (C&D) waste could cut 4–5 million tonnes of CO2 annually, helping the country meet its climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.

A formalized circular construction market, she added, could generate over 200,000 jobs, many accessible to women and youth.

Pakistan generates 49.6 million tonnes of waste annually, with nearly 30pc coming from C&D debris. Yet recycling rates remain negligible. “Globally, only 9pc of plastic is recycled. Pakistan recycles just 1pc,” she said, calling the figures “staggering” given that materials like concrete, steel, bricks and glass can be reused.

She also pointed to alarming waste disposal patterns, including nine million gallons of waste entering Rawal Dam daily.

Senator Rehman noted that Pakistan had made significant progress in renewable energy, driven by what she described as a “rooftop solar revolution”. The country now ranks 6th worldwide in the solar market, she said, climbing from an “inconsequential position” just three years ago. “Our energy supply has exceeded demand. The next step is to innovate for sustainable construction.”

She urged the cement and steel sectors—globally among the most polluting—to adopt sustainable materials and look to models from the Netherlands, Finland and Germany, where by 2050 between 50pc and 100pc of building materials are expected to come from recycled or regenerative sources.

Senator Rehman praised the Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) initiative, which she said was constructing 2.1 million multi-hazard-resistant homes, benefiting more than 15 million people—more than the population of 154 countries.

Of 1.45 million homes under construction, 650,000 have been completed, with nearly 800,000 women as direct beneficiaries, and every title deed issued in a woman’s name.

“This is a historic shift built on transparent systems and inclusive public–private partnerships,” she said.

The senator said Karachi’s emerging circular projects “show real promise”, but stressed the need for national scaling.

She urged the construction industry to adopt clear and measurable sustainability milestones, warning that the country could not continue on its current path.

“We must identify what works best for Pakistan and implement it on a wide and sustainable basis,” she concluded.

Commissioner reviews winter safety arrangements in Murree

Kamran Muraad

Wed, 3 Dec 2025, 5:42 PM

RAWALPINDI, Dec 03 (APP):Commissioner Rawalpindi Engineer Aamir Khattak on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the District Emergency Board at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office Murree to review preparedness for the winter season and expected snowfall.

According to the district administration spokesman, the meeting reviewed in detail the safety arrangements for harsh weather, with directives issued to keep snow-clearing machinery on all Murree roads in a constant state of readiness.

The commissioner ordered strict implementation of the Master Snowfall Emergency Plan to ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property. He instructed the relevant departments to guarantee uninterrupted electricity, water and gas supply throughout the season.

He further directed that staff deployed at facilitation centres perform their duties responsibly, while Rescue 1122, Civil Defence, the Police and other concerned departments remain alert in the field.

Deputy Commissioner Murree Agha Zaheer Abbas Shirazi gave a comprehensive briefing on the winter and disaster management plan, outlining preparedness for any emergency.

He said the public had been advised that, in case of an emergency, they may contact the Rescue 1122 helpline, the Rescue Control Room at 051-9330016 / 051-9330025, or the District Control Room at 051-9269016 / 051-9269018.

PM Shehbaz reaffirms transparency as top priority in PIA privatisation

Kamran Muraad

Wed, 3 Dec 2025, 5:40 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 03 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday underscored that full transparency and merit would remain the government’s foremost priorities in the ongoing privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), announcing that the bidding process would be broadcast live on national television across the country.

Speaking during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s House with all business leaders and company representatives participating in the PIA privatisation process, the PM said the airline’s lost reputation must be restored through a smooth and credible transition.

He said the government was committed to aligning the national flag carrier with modern aviation standards, adding that the reform and divestment process was progressing in an efficient and structured manner. “InshaAllah, PIA will soon once again live up to its old slogan of ‘Great People to Fly With’,” the Prime Minister remarked.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to a corruption-free and professionally executed process, he said transparency in every step would be ensured. “The entire bidding on December 23, 2025, will be aired live on all media channels so that the nation can witness the process firsthand,” he added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said restoring PIA’s global routes would greatly benefit overseas Pakistanis by providing reliable connectivity. Modernising the airline, he added, was also critical for strengthening Pakistan’s tourism sector, which required a competitive and efficient national carrier.

The prime minister said he was hopeful that whichever bidder ultimately takes charge would dedicate its full energies to restoring the airline’s identity and securing its long-term growth.

The participants praised the government for adopting a transparent and professional mechanism for the privatisation exercise.

The meeting was attended by all bidders participating in the PIA privatisation round, along with senior members of the federal cabinet and government advisors. Federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Ahsan Iqbal Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Azam Nazeer Tarar, and Sardar Owais Leghari; Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani; Adviser to the PM Muhammad Ali; Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar; and senior officials were present.

PSX loses 1,496.93 points

Kamran Muraad

Wed, 3 Dec 2025, 5:37 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 3 (APP):The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Wednesday closed on a negative note, falling by 1,496.93 points, a decline of 0.89 percent, to settle at 166,145.35 points compared to 167,642.28 points on the previous trading day, according to PSX data.

During the session, the ready market recorded a trading volume of 593.078 million shares with a traded value of Rs44.424 billion, from 775.539 million shares valuing Rs37.494 billion in the previous session. Market capitalization slightly decreased to Rs18.915 trillion from Rs19.031 trillion.

Out of 473 active companies in the ready market, 136 closed higher, 291 declined, while 46 remained unchanged.

WorldCall Telecom led the volume chart with 78.638 million shares, followed by Hub Power Co. with 46.640 million shares, and TRG Pak Limited with 33.190 million shares.

The top gainers were PIA Holding Company LimitedB, rising by Rs133.33 to close at Rs24,233.33, and Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited, which gained Rs74.69 to close at Rs9,378.00.

Major losers included Hoechst Pakistan Limited, which fell by Rs104.11 to close at Rs4,200.00, and Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited, declining by Rs74.00 to close at Rs28,925.00.

In the futures market, turnover stood at 195.835 million shares with a traded value of Rs13.364 billion, compared to 189.342 million shares worth Rs10.00 billion in the previous session. Out of 316 futures-market companies, 77 recorded gains, 236 declined, while 3 remained unchanged.

Among futures contracts, WTL-Dec led with 31.761 million shares, followed by PIAHCLA-Dec with 26.949 million shares, and TRG-Dec with 21.239 million shares.

PCP, ICRC mark Int’l Day of Persons with Disabilities with focus on inclusion in KP

NNPS Desk

Wed, 3 Dec 2025, 5:32 PM

PESHAWAR, Dec 03 (APP): The Paraplegic Centre Peshawar and the International Committee of the Red Cross jointly observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2025 here Wednesday by organizing a major event aimed at fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress.

The event brought together members of the differently abled community, who participated in various activities designed to highlight their skills and promote their full inclusion in society.

The chief guest at the ceremony, Provincial Minister of Health Mian Khaliq-ur-Rehman, addressed the gathering and praised the Paraplegic Center Peshawar for its vital role in providing facilities and services to persons with disabilities.

He assured of the provincial government’s full cooperation and support for the physical and psychological rehabilitation of persons with disabilities in this regard.

The minister also commended the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for its role over several decades in the physical rehabilitation and social inclusion of persons with disabilities in the province.

On this occasion, he further stated that the announcements made by previous prime minister and Chief Ministers in past tenures would be implemented and materialized.

He added that, unfortunately, due to the prevailing circumstances, the province is more affected by such incidents than others, making the allocation of resources for the physical rehabilitation of the affected people indispensable.

At the occasion Bruno Radicchi, Head of the ICRC Sub-delegation Peshawar, spoke about the organization’s long-standing commitment to physical rehabilitation in Pakistan.

He highlighted the extensive work done in the region, saying, “As a core area of the ICRC’s expertise since 1984 in Pakistan, our Physical Rehabilitation Program is dedicated not just by providing comprehensive services such as the delivery of over 43,000 artificial limbs and 136,000 supportive devices since 2009, but more essentially it also contributed to promoting the societal integration of Persons with physical disabilities.”

He noted the strong partnership with the Paraplegic Centre Peshawar, which was established by the ICRC in the 1980s.

Addressing the ceremony, Dr. Syed Muhammad Ilyas, Chief Executive of the Paraplegic Center Peshawar, stated that in the past, the Center provided rehabilitation facilities for spinal cord patients not only from across Pakistan but also from neighboring Afghanistan.

However, he noted that the rush of patients at the center has now exceeded its capacity fourfold. Therefore, there is a need to establish four additional similar centers within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province alone.

A moving segment of the event was a special poetry session conducted by the differently abled persons people themselves, where they used poetic language to highlight themes of empowerment and inclusion.

Other important organizations actively working for the empowerment of differently abled persons also participated in the event underscoring the collaborative effort needed to achieve true societal inclusion.

UAE National Day celebrated in Baku

NNPS Desk

Wed, 3 Dec 2025, 5:25 PM

BAKU, Dec 3 (AZERTAC/APP) : An official reception was held in Baku to mark the national day of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), celebrating the 54th anniversary of its independence.
The national anthems of Azerbaijan and the UAE were performed at the event.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, UAE Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mohammed Al Blushi spoke about the UAE’s development journey and its strategic potential grounded in sustainable progress. He emphasized that high-level political dialogue and reciprocal visits with Azerbaijan have played a pivotal role in advancing bilateral relations. The Ambassador also noted that mutual trade between the two countries has grown over the years, and cooperation in investment, energy, aviation, and tourism has expanded.
Addressing the reception, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Economy Mikayil Jabbarov said that friendly relations between the two countries have reached the level of a strategic partnership. He pointed to the historic visit of the UAE President to Karabakh in September as clear evidence of solidarity and mutual trust. The Minister underlined that agreements signed in the fields of trade, investment, energy, and the digital economy have further strengthened cooperation. He added that UAE companies are actively involved in renewable energy and urban development projects. Jabbarov also noted that the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and the Joint Investment Fund have opened new opportunities for collaboration between the two countries.
Individuals who contributed to the development of Azerbaijan–UAE relations were also honored at the event.