KP food authority holds technical consultative meeting on iTFA mitigation

Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 6:03 PM

PESHAWAR, Dec 12 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Food Safety & Halal Food Authority (KPFS&HFA) on Friday held a technical consultative meeting on the mitigation of industrially produced Trans Fatty Acids (iTFAs).

The meeting was chaired by Director General Muhammad Wasif Saeed and attended by a distinguished delegation from the Department of Food Science & Technology, University of Karachi.

The delegation included Chairman Dr. M. Abdul Haq, Associate Professor Dr. S. M. Ghufran Saeed ,Assistant Professor Dr. Syed Arsalan Ali of Iqra University and Dr. Seema Ashraf, Sindh Food Authority

The experts delivered a comprehensive presentation outlining the public health risks associated with iTFAs and proposed practical, industry-oriented mitigation strategies for edible oil and fat processors. They emphasized the need for strong regulatory oversight, improved industry compliance and enhanced consumer awareness to curb iTFA exposure nationwide.

DG Wasif Saeed appreciated the initiative and briefed the delegation on major reforms underway at the Authority, including Real-time digital field monitoring and enforcement dashboard, forthcoming 15-year Food and Health Disease Burden Baseline Study, strengthened regulatory inspection frameworks, expansion of high-tech laboratory infrastructure, enhanced risk-based and compliance-based enforcement supported by mobile food testing laboratories

He noted that these initiatives represent the authority’s continued efforts to modernize and ensure food safety governance, strengthen surveillance systems and align provincial operations with international best practices.

The delegation later visited the Provincial Food Testing Laboratory & Centre for Research where they were briefed about on expanded analytical capabilities, modern instrumentation, automated workflows, and strengthened quality assurance mechanisms.

PSX stays bullish, gains 1,289 points

Zaka Ullah Ch

Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 6:00 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):The benchmark KSE-100 Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday closed on a bullish note, rising by 1,289.83 points, a positive change of 0.77 percent, to settle at 169,864.53 points compared to 168,574.69 points on the previous trading day, according to PSX data.

During the session, the ready market recorded a trading volume of 873.030 million shares with a traded value of Rs40.870 billion, against 1,288.969 million shares valuing Rs55.231 billion in the previous session.

Market capitalization increased to Rs19.321 trillion from Rs19.217 trillion a day earlier.

Out of 482 active companies in the ready market, 259 advanced, 180 declined, while 43 remained unchanged.

Hum Network led the volume chart with 71.840 million shares, followed by Dost Steels Ltd. with 46.970 million shares, and WorldCall Telecom with 40.811 million shares.

The top gainers included Hoechst Pakistan Limited, increasing by Rs428.27 to close at Rs4,711.61, and PIA Holding Company Limited-B, which rose by Rs159.50 to settle at Rs24,196.00.

Major losers were Service Industries Limited, falling by Rs57.43 to close at Rs1,550.81, and Khyber Textile Mills Limited, declining by Rs53.02 to close at Rs1,972.51.

In the futures market, turnover stood at 177.125 million shares with a traded value of Rs9.628 billion, compared to 224.650 million shares worth Rs10.890 billion in the previous session.

Out of 316 futures-market companies, 175 recorded gains, 136 declined, while 5 remained unchanged.

Among futures contracts, HUMNL-Dec led with 19.306 million shares, followed by PACE-Dec with 18.858 million shares, and SSGC-DECB with 13.537 million shares.

Govt prioritizes olive cultivation with focus on quality saplings, modern facilities: Rana Tanveer

Zaka Ullah Ch

Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 6:00 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):Minister for National Food Security & Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain on Friday said that the government was prioritizing the supply of quality saplings, research, modern oil extraction facilities and overall improvement of the olive value chain to promote olive cultivation in the country.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 7th National Olive Festival, the minister said that government was taking measures for the upgrading olive packaging, branding and marketing to international standards, which was essential to enhance its exports.

The minister stated that Pakistan has vast potential for olive cultivation and that the crop is no longer an experiment but hays now matured into a fully emerging industry.

He said that Pakistan’s climate is highly suitable for the cultivation of premium-quality olives, adding that olives were an effective solution to climate change and an ideal crop for water-scarce regions.

He noted that the olive sector is providing thousands of farmers with profitable and climate-resilient livelihoods, while also creating new business and employment opportunities in rural economies.

He highlighted that Pakistan has the potential to become a leading regional hub for olive cultivation and processing, adding that the consumption of olive oil and other olive products is increasing in the country, and a portion of Pakistan’s olive oil is already being exported — including the award-winning Pakistani olive oil that secured a silver medal in the United States.

Rana Tanveer Hussain noted that olives constitute a major global agricultural industry, citing Spain’s $11 billion and Italy’s significant annual exports. In comparison, Pakistan’s total agricultural exports stand at $9 billion, while the country spends $4 billion annually on importing palm oil.

He emphasized that by increasing domestic olive production, Pakistan can not only meet its own needs but also generate valuable foreign exchange through exports in the coming years.

He appreciated the support of the Italian government for the development of Pakistan’s olive sector, noting that Italy is providing technical assistance and has also approved a €20 million project for Pakistan. He further announced that Pakistan is expected to become a member of the International Olive Council within the next two to three months, which will enhance global recognition of Pakistan’s olive industry.

The minister reiterated that farmers are the backbone of the country and assured that the government will extend all possible support to them. He expressed confidence that olives have become a strategic crop for Pakistan and that the country’s journey towards becoming an “olive hub” is progressing rapidly.

App launched for online registration of births, deaths, marriages and divorces

Zaka Ullah Ch

Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 5:57 PM

LAHORE, Dec 12 (APP):The Punjab Local Government Department, in collaboration with NADRA, has launched a customer relationship management app through which births, deaths, marriages and divorces will now be registered online.

Official sources said that Provincial Minister for Local Government Zeeshan Rafique has officially inaugurated the e-registration app and said that citizens will have the facility of e-registration from home.

He said registration will be done automatically by linking it with the NADRA data system.

The sources further said said that an e-registration agreement had been reached between the Local Government Department and NADRA, while accurate data will be collected by registering marriages, deaths, births, and divorces, and this system will be connected across Punjab up to the union council level.

Inauguration of two flyovers soon, capital to become Mulberry-free: CDA DG

Zaka Ullah Ch

Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 5:55 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):Deputy DG Environment at the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Irfan Azeem Khan Niazi on Friday announced that the prime minister was prioritizing beautification efforts, focusing on planting allergy-friendly trees and inaugurating two flyovers, to enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal and livability.

In an exclusive conversation with PTV News Channel, the DG disclosed that two new flyovers at D Chowk and Shaheen Chowk will be inaugurated within the next two to three days, depending on the Prime Minister’s availability.

He emphasized that these flyovers were part of the ongoing efforts to improve the capital’s infrastructure .

“The Interior Minister has strictly advised CDA DG that the focus remain not only on the timely construction of the flyovers but also on the beautification of the green spaces surrounding them. This includes the addition of flowering plants to enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal and environmental quality”.

He further added that the Faizabad remodeling project, which includes widening the roads and extending the loops, is nearing completion, adding, these upgrades will significantly enhance traffic flow in the area.

He also discussed the ongoing beautification of key interchanges, emphasizing that efforts to enhance their aesthetic appeal with greenery and landscaping are well underway.

Responding to a query about mulberry trees causing allergies for residents, he explained that when Islamabad was first developed, the population was much smaller, adding, however, with the growing population, the issue has become more prominent.

He assured that by Spring, Islamabad would be mulberry-free, with 75 percent of the work already completed.

Talking about park maintenance, he disclosed that there were 12 major parks in Islamabad, including the second phase of Lake View Park, which was set to begin soon.

He also mentioned that a comprehensive program is being introduced for community parks, along with the implementation of uniformed cards for food vendors.

In total, Islamabad has 320 parks total and efforts are underway to enhance their maintenance and facilities.

When asked about tree cutting, he explained that no one, including citizens, can cut or trim trees without obtaining permission from the CDA.

He called for greater awareness of this policy to protect the city’s environment.

In his concluding remarks, he highlighted that social media platforms were actively being used to address the citizen’s concerns, with the Chairman of CDA personally overseeing the matters. He emphasized that if any citizen reports a complaint, they receive a response directly from the CDA.

Pakistan calls for strong International solidarity to safeguard World Heritage from climate catastrophe

Zaka Ullah Ch

Fri, 12 Dec 2025, 5:52 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 12 (APP):In a powerful appeal to the international community, Pakistan’s Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture, Aurangzeb Khan Khichi Friday warned that millennia-old cultural treasures are being lost to climate change and called for urgent global action to protect humanity’s shared heritage before it vanishes forever.

Delivering a keynote statement at a high-level special event titled “Culture-Climate Nexus: The Missing Link”, held on the margins of the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) General Assembly in Rome, the minister presented a stark picture of climate-induced devastation facing irreplaceable historical sites.

Speaking before international delegates, the Minister highlighted Pakistan’s vast and diverse cultural heritage—from the ancient urban civilizations of Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa to the Buddhist sites of Taxila and Takht-i-Bahi, the Mughal-era Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens, and vibrant indigenous cultures—stressing that these treasures now stand on the frontline of the global climate crisis.

He underscored the severe impact of climate change on Pakistan’s heritage, recalling the 2022 floods that damaged more than 750 registered heritage sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mohenjo-Daro.

The minister further pointed to growing threats such as glacial lake outburst floods jeopardizing rock carvings along the Karakoram Highway and petroglyphs in the Diamer-Bhasha region, as well as coastal erosion and rising sea levels affecting Banbhore and the Makli Necropolis.

Calling for stronger international solidarity, Khichi urged the global community to formally recognize cultural heritage as a strategic asset within climate adaptation and mitigation frameworks.

He advocated integrating heritage protection into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and proposed the establishment of a dedicated funding window for climate-impacted heritage under the Loss and Damage Fund.

The minister also recommended the creation of an ICCROM-led global knowledge platform bringing together scientists, heritage professionals, indigenous communities, and youth to co-develop resilient, culture-centered solutions.

He proposed incorporating culture-based indicators into the UNFCCC Global Stocktake to measure cultural loss alongside rising global temperatures.

Aurangzeb Khan Khichi was leading Pakistan’s delegation to the ICCROM General Assembly Session, taking place in Rome, Italy from December 10–12, 2025.