ISLAMABAD: October 22
A street vendor displaying wooden bases of refrigerators and stools on his bicycle at G-8 in Federal Capital.
ISLAMABAD: October 22 –
Pakistan, UNODC to strengthen cooperation against environmental crimes
ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):Pakistan and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have agreed to enhance cooperation to curb environmental crimes, including illegal logging, electronic waste trade, and money laundering linked to natural resource exploitation.
The understanding was reached during a meeting between Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Senator Dr Musadik Malik, and UNODC Country Representative Troels Vester in Islamabad on Wednesday.
Discussions centered on the growing nexus between organised crime, illegal trade, and environmental degradation, which officials warned is threatening both ecological sustainability and national governance.
Dr Musadik Malik stressed the urgent need to strengthen Pakistan’s legal and policy frameworks to ensure stricter regulation and more effective enforcement.
“Environmental crimes not only destroy ecosystems but also erode public trust in governance and hinder sustainable development. Pakistan is committed to tackling these threats through strong laws and robust institutional action,” he said.
Troels Vester, acknowledging Pakistan’s commitment to addressing environmental crimes, reaffirmed UNODC’s full support in strengthening national capacities.
Drawing on his experience in Indonesia and Myanmar, he emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination and international cooperation to tackle cross-border environmental offences.
Both sides agreed to develop a joint project aimed at modernizing Pakistan’s environmental laws, enhancing investigative and enforcement mechanisms, and improving collaboration among relevant agencies.
Governor Kundi assures full support for promotion of honey industry
PESHAWAR, Oct 22 (APP):Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday reaffirmed his commitment to promoting the province’s honey industry and addressing the challenges faced by beekeepers and traders.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi visited the Honey Market and the laboratory at Tarnab Farm on the invitation of the All Pakistan Beekeepers, Exporters and Honey Traders Association.
Upon his arrival at the Honey Market, the Governor was warmly received by the association’s president, Sher Zaman, General Secretary Irshad Hussain, and other traders. He inspected various stalls and production units and interacted with people associated with the honey industry.
At Tarnab Farm, Chief Executive of Naran Foods, Haji Abdul Rehman, briefed the Governor in detail about the company’s operations and contributions to the honey sector.
Governor Kundi assured full government cooperation for the promotion of the honey industry and resolution of issues faced by those connected with it. Responding to the welcome address, he suggested that PDMA and NDMA should include honeybees in their disaster management schedules to help compensate for losses during natural calamities.
Highlighting the importance of environmental conservation, he emphasized the need to strictly curb deforestation and promote eco-friendly and profitable tree plantation.
“We are considering a plantation drive along the motorway from Peshawar to Attock, in consultation with the honey industry stakeholders, to plant beneficial trees,” he said.
The Governor also announced full support from the Governor’s House for sending official delegations abroad to promote the province’s honey products internationally and for organizing a “Honey Expo” in Peshawar to introduce Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s natural honey to global markets.
He further said that with the collaboration of NAVTTC, training programs would be arranged for workers and beekeepers to strengthen the industry through modern techniques and best practices.
Meanwhile, a delegation of exporters led by President of the Khyber Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KPCCI) Jawad Hussain Kazmi called on Governor Faisal Karim Kundi at the Governor’s House.
During the meeting, the delegation discussed issues faced by traders and exporters of the province, particularly those related to the border situation and coordination with federal departments.
The exporters informed the Governor that around 6,000 vehicles were stranded on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border due to its closure.
They stressed that while national security remains their top priority, it is equally important to resolve the logistical challenges arising from the prolonged closure.
The delegation appreciated the Governor’s efforts to connect the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chambers with regional chambers and discussed plans to organize a joint conference of regional chambers in the province, to be hosted by the Governor.
Responding to the delegation’s suggestions, Governor Kundi directed the concerned authorities to take immediate steps to operationalize the modern, technology-equipped slaughterhouse near Tarnab Farm’s facilitation center.
He reiterated that the government and state institutions are fully committed to ensuring both national security and economic growth.
“We must work collectively, rising above minor political and personal interests, to lead our province toward peace and sustainable economic development,” the governor said.
The delegation included Haji Yousaf Afridi, Qadeerullah Wazir, Ali Hammad, Haroon Sabir, Qazi Fazlullah, Umair Nawaz, and Ali Faisal.
MoU signed between Police, Khan Laboratories
BAHAWALPUR, Oct 22 (APP):A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed here between the Bahawalpur police and Khan Laboratories to facilitate police personnel.
According to official police sources, District Police Officer Bahawalpur Hassan Iqbal made efforts to ink agreement with Khan Laboratories to provide medical tests facilities to police personnel. “The police officials and personnel of the Bahawalpur police and their families would get medical facilities of medical tests from Khan Laboratories,” they said.
They further said that the movement was part of the efforts to provide maximum health, educational and other facilities to Bahawalpur police.
SC adjourns hearing of petitions challenging 26th Amendment
ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP):The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of petitions challenging the 26th Constitutional Amendment until Thursday after completion of arguments by Advocate Khawaja Ahmad Hussain.
An eight-member constitutional bench, headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, heard the case. The bench also included Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Justice Ayesha A. Malik, Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi, Justice Musarrat Hilali, Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, and Justice Shahid Bilal Hasan.
During the proceedings, Justice Ayesha Malik, while referring to Articles 191A(1) and 191A(3), observed that these provisions were procedural in nature and imposed no restrictions. She remarked that they should not be interpreted in a way that limits the powers of the Supreme Court.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar noted that if 16 judges sit together, it would constitute a regular bench, not a constitutional one. At this point, Advocate Khawaja Ahmad Hussain argued that the case should be placed before the full court, as doing so would enhance the institution’s credibility.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail asked whether the counsel did not have confidence in the present bench. In response, the lawyer clarified that he had full confidence in the bench but believed that such an important constitutional matter should be heard by the full court.
He further contended that there was no constitutional bar preventing a constitutional bench from referring a matter to the full court. He added that even if an amendment were to curtail the powers of the Supreme Court, the Court itself would still decide the matter, as the institution continues to exist.
Concluding his arguments, Khawaja Ahmad Hussain maintained that the Court has the authority to issue an order and refer the matter to the full court. He further stated that if the constitutional requirements for the amendment were not properly met, the composition of the bench could also be affected.
Subsequently, the bench adjourned the hearing until Thursday.
RPO for implementing environmental laws to control smog
FAISALABAD, Oct 22 (APP):Regional Police Officer (RPO) Zeeshan Asghar directed the police officials to ensure the implementation of Punjab Environmental Protection Rules in the region to control smog.
He was chairing a meeting of police officers of all the four districts at his office here on Wednesday. DPOs Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot and other police officers were present in the meeting.
He said that a joint strategy should be adopted in collaboration with the district administration to prevent smog in Faisalabad region.
He directed for strictly monitoring traffic on roads and taking strict action against smoke emitting vehicles, bricks kilns, factories, industries, in addition to farmers who were found involved in burning crops residues.
The RPO stressed for launching a comprehensive awareness campaign among the public about smog.
Palestinian ambassador thanks Pakistan for unwavering support
ISLAMABAD, Oct 22 (APP): Ambassador of Palestine to Pakistan, Dr Zuhair Zaid, on Wednesday expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government and the people of Pakistan for their unwavering support for the Palestinian cause on all fronts.
He made these remarks during an event organized in connection with United Nations Day, to be observed on October 24. The event was held at Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST), where he participated as a guest of honour.
Other distinguished guests also attended the event, including former Pakistani ambassadors such as Ibrar Hussain.
Zuhair Zaid said that Pakistan always stood against injustice, illegal occupation and human rights violations committed against the Palestinian people.
He emphasized that the United Nations (UN) was established to resolve international disputes through cooperation and dialogue, yet it has often remained silent in the face of ongoing conflicts in regions such as Palestine, Kashmir and others, resulting in the loss of countless innocent lives, including women and children.
He also focused on the UN to implement with pending resolutions related to the Palestine and Kashmir issue.
Earlier, he praised the people of Pakistan, urging them to strongly uphold the unity among themselves. “A sustainable and stable Pakistan is important for Muslim Ummah,” he said.
While speaking to the event, Ibrar Hussain said that UN had secured several successes in resolving the issues in the field of socio-economic sectors.
While on political front, several issues like issue of Kashmir and Palestine required more considerable steps and will, he added.
He also emphasized that the right of veto should be extended to more countries to strengthen the power distribution mechanism for maintaining global peace.
AC reviews sites for E-Bus Service in Gujrat
GUJRAT, Oct 22 (APP):Assistant Commissioner of Gujrat Bilal Zubair, along with Secretary of the Regional Transport Authority Saddam Hussain, Chief Officer of the Municipal Committee of Jalalpur Jattan Musharraf Baig, and other officials, visited the proposed routes and sites for the upcoming electric bus service scheduled to start in December 2025 under the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
During the visit, the team reviewed proposed locations for the construction of bus stops for 28 electric buses.The assistant commissioner directed the departments concerned to complete construction work and ensure provision of necessary facilities at the earliest.
He said the electric bus service would provide citizens with clean, modern, and environmentally friendly transport facilities, adding that a fleet of 28 electric buses would start operations in Gujrat in December.
Kerb currency market
KARACHI, Oct 22 (APP):The following were the Opening Rates of Foreign currencies in kerb market issued by the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan, here on Wednesday.
F.C. BUYING SELLING
INTER BANK 281.05 281.10
USD 281.57 282.10
EURO 327.00 330.50
GBP 376.00 380.00
JPY 1.84 1.94
AED 77.00 77.40
SAR 75.20 75.40