ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (APP):The semi-finals and final of the National One Day Cup– Regions 2017-2018 will take place at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi from February 8 to 11.
The first semi-final will be played between Karachi Region Whites and Peshawar Region on Thursday while Rawalpindi Region will face Islamabad Region in the second semi-final on Friday.
The final will be played on Sunday.
National One Day Cup semis, final from Thursday
FAO Pakistan trains 27 PMD technical staffers in monitoring, managing drought ASIS system
ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (APP):The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Pakistan has trained 27 technical staff members of Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) enabling them to implement the drought mitigation activities.
This training workshop on Agricultural Stress Index System (ASIS) was organised in collaboration with the PMD and its basic aim was to train the local technical staff in order to develop and promote the agriculture drought monitoring system at national as well as provincial level to avoid possible harmful impact on agriculture sector in the country.
Talking to APP on Wednesday, a FAO official said the organization had trained the technical staffers of the PMD pertaining to Islamabad, Punjab and Sindh and they were apprised about the ways and means to monitor the drought in agriculture properly.
The other objective of the workshop was to enable the decision makers to implement drought mitigation activities in agriculture sector on time to safe different crops, fruit orchids and vegetable farms from the harmful impact of any possible change in natural climate, he added.
In this regard, he said, the FAO had developed a tool which was called ASIS for helping the countries to strengthen their agricultural drought monitoring and early-warning systems.
The ASIS, he said, was aiming at simulating the analysis that would be performed by a remote sensing expert and simplify the results in the form of maps for end-users, he added.
He said agriculture in Pakistan was most affected by natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, droughts, landslides.
The FAO was also building capacity of key stakeholders on use of its global ASIS to detect areas with a high likelihood of prolonged dry periods and drought.
Drought monitoring was continued and FAO provided satellite data in every ten days, which was an ideal time-frame for monitoring annual crops because it took account of the water contributed by groundwater reserves, he added.
He informed that the final results were summarized in easy-to-interpret maps enabling decision-makers to implement drought mitigation activities in agriculture timely. Those results were also useful for guiding public investments such as water harvesting, irrigation and water reserves, he added.
Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum remembered
ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (APP):Great Urdu poet, Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum was remembered on his 40th death anniversary on 7th February.
According to a report aired by a private news channel, Sufi Tabassum was born in Amritsar on August 4, 1899. In 1927, he joined the Central Training College, Lahore, as a Lecturer. In 1931, Sufi Tabassum joined Government College, Lahore, from where he retired as Head of the Persian Department in 1954. During this period he matured into a great poet, critic and teacher. He taught three generations of students, including Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Noon Meem Rashid and Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi, who later became renowned poets.
It was during this period that the best Urdu and Persian poems of Sufi Tabassum were written. After retirement, he formed the Iranian Cultural Centre in 1955. He devoted all his energies to modernise the Persian used by the scholars of the sub-continent an effort that has borne fruit. He handed over the Iranian Cultural Centre to the Iranian Government in 1958 after serving as its Director for three years. In 1958, he joined the weekly Magazine called “Lail-o-Nahar” as its Editor.
During his editorship, Sufi Tabassum devoted a lot of time to writing for children. When his editorship ended, Sufi Tabassum joined Radio Pakistan as a Script Adviser. There again he distinguished himself as a broadcaster and commentator of literary subjects.
Thereafter, he became Chairman of the Pakistan Arts Council, Lahore, and Vice-Chairman of Iqbal Academy. He worked tirelessly for both the organizations, building for the first time a magnificent building to mature into a national institution, while for the latter he laboured relentlessly to organize the Iqbal Centenary Celebrations and to get extensive research done on all aspects of the great poet’s life.
He died on 7 February 1978.
Kashmir Day observed at Pakistan Embassy College, Beijing
BEIJING, Feb 7 (APP)::The Kashmir Day was observed to express solidarity with Kashmiri people in their just and fair struggle for right to self-determination promised in the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, at Pakistan Embassy College Beijing (PRCB) here on Wednesday.
Speaking as chief guest, Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Masood Khalid reaffirmed Pakistan’s unflinching diplomatic, moral and political support to Kashmiris in their quest for the right to self-determination.
“Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains outstanding on the UN agenda and these resolutions remain long-unimplemented,” he added.
The Ambassador highlighted the significance of the event and apprised the participants of the continuously deteriorating situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and ceasefire violations by India on the Line of Control (LOC).
He paid tribute to Kashmiri people and their just and fair struggle and said, ironically instead of stopping the state violence and recognizing Kashmiri people’s right, India was playing a blame game.
By doing so, India was side-stepping the real issue and trying to divert the attention of the international community from the real issue, he added.
He urged the international community to fulfil its obligations and help Kashmiris to achieve their just right.
Welcoming the distinguished guest, Principal, PECB, Shazia Amjad also threw lights on the plight of innocent Kashmiris against the Indian suppression.
She said the event was organized to express solidarity with Kashmiris and expose the human rights violations being committed by Indian troops in the Occupied Kashmir.
The students of PECB made speeches and highlighted the latest situation in Occupied Kashmir.
They also presented a tableau depicting life of Kashmiri people, culture, history as well as the atrocities against innocent men, women and children in held valley.
Academics, scholars, teachers, and people from all walks of life attended the event.
Sub-committee discusses criteria to appoint PSB DG
ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (APP):The selection criterion for the appointment of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), Director General was discussed in the first meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Standing Committee on Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) on Wednesday.
The meeting held here at the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) under the chairmanship of Sardar Muhammad Shafqat Hayat Khan discussed that the seat for the DG would be advertized publicly and the PSB officers of Grade-19 can also apply for the said post.
“The person who will apply for the post must be aged in between 50 to 62 years and the tenure of the post will be of 3 years,” the members decided.
The person must have minimum qualification of a Masters degree in Sports however a PHD in Sports will be preferred more. “The candidates must have two first divisions in their qualification career,” they said and added their degrees must be verified from the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
They said the candidates who will apply must have an experience of 5 to 15 years in the relevant field. “A board should be formed to look into the candidates headed by the Minister IPC,” they said and added the board will sent the names of the short-listed candidates to the Prime Minister.
Dr. Mahreen Razzaque Bhutto, Siraj Muhammad Khan, IPC Minster, IPC Secretary, PSB DG and other officials also attended the meeting. It may be mentioned here that the current PSB DG will retire on February 28.
PTA review with Indonesia to enhance export by US $ 200 million annually
ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (APP):Pakistan and Indonesia had finalized the review process for the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and it would likely to enhance local exports to Indonesia by $ 200 million per annual.
Pakistan and Indonesia has current annual trade volume of $ 170 million, which was expected to increase $ 370 million after renegotiation on PTA between the two countries, senior official of Ministry of Commerce told APP here on Wednesday
Both the countries agreed to expand PTA and go for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between them, the official said.
Both sides discussed 20 tariff lines and Indonesia agreed to give unilateral concession on major exports from Pakistan including zero percent tariff on tobacco, textile fabric, rice, ethanol, Citrus (Kinnow), woven fabric, t-shirts, apparel and mangoes during renegotiation on PTA, he said.
Concession on 20 tariff lines was major success of Pakistan and now Pakistani citrus and mangoes exports to Indonesia will increase country’s trade as compare with previous years.
The official said before PTA, Indonesia granted only two months for export of Pakistan’s Citrus and mangoes but now after renegotiation, Pakistan can export these fruits to Indonesia for the whole year and any time-limit was removed.
He said the Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) was signed in February 2012.
He said Pakistan wants to initiate negotiation with Pacific and South East Asian nations on proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for enhancing the multilateral trade and competitiveness in country’s trade.
Countries including Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, Philippines in Pacific region also in list for starting dialogue on Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) leading towards FTA for promoting trade liberalization, he said.
Pak Skiers reach South Korea for Winter Olympics
ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (APP):Pakistan’s four-member national ski squad has reached Seoul, South Korea to participate in Winter Olympics 2018.
“Skiers Mohammad Karim and Syed Haman Shah along with two officials – Col (R) Mohammad Wali (coach) and Air Commodore (R) Mohammad Sohail (manager) have reached South Korea to chip in the Winter Olympics,” Obaid-ur-Rehman Abbasi, the spokesman of Ski Federation of Pakistan told APP on Wednesday.
The prestigious winter event is scheduled to be held at Pyeongchang, ski city of South Korea where skiers from over 40 countries would be seen in action in various categories of skiing from February 9 to 25.
Pakistan skiers will be participating in three categories. Karim, who also represented the country in the Sochi Winter Games 2014, will compete in the slalom and giant slalom categories, while his 26-year-old nephew Haman will contest in the cross country category.
“Our skiers have been undergoing intensive trainings sessions. They are in good shape and we are hoping some good performance from them,” Abbasi said.
Peace in Afghanistan in favour of both countries: Asif
ISLAMABAD, Feb 7 (APP):Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif Wednesday said peace in Afghanistan was in favor of both the countries and that Pakistan had presented rendered sacrifices in war against terror.
Talking to a private news channel, he said Pakistan was ready to provide political assistance to Afghanistan for establishing peace.
The minister said Pakistan armed forces had eliminated terrorists from the country and the other side should also do its work in that regard.
He said the U.S. president Donald Trump should act against terrorists in Afghanistan instead of mere rhetoric.
Replying to a question, he said his matter of Iqama was in the court and he would accept the court decision in this regard.
Khawaja Asif said former president and Co -Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari had made his party Sindh specific and he was failed to nab the killers of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto during his five years of government.
He said people would decide in 2018 elections that who would rule the country.
Under 23 games trial kicked off at Chitral
CHITRAL, Feb 07 (APP):Opening of under 23 games trial was marked with an impressive and
largely-attended ceremony here on Wednesday.
Assistant Commissioner Sajid Nawaz was the chief
guest in the ceremony which was held at Government Centennial Model High School.
The
program was organized under the auspices of by district sport department of
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and represented by sports officer Abdul Rahmat.
Addressing on the occasion president all games
association and former president district football association Hussain Ahmad
said that youth and players
of Chiral were having great talent but
due to lack of facilities and less opportunity they could not demonstrate their
talent.
He said that players of Chitral liked and played
all games like polo, football, cricket, tug of war Buz kushi etc
As well as three players were included in
national football team from Chitral.
Chief Guest AC chitral Sajid Nawaz said that
district administration would fully support youth and players of Chitral.
He also
assured full support and accommodation arrangements for those players who
arrived from upper Chitral Mastuj.
He said that there was great talent in these
youth but the need to be polished and to be patronized by the authorities.
He said that if these youth were given
opportunity they can bright name of the country in international level.
District sports officer presented him Chitrali
cap as traditional gift of Chitral. He properly kicked table tennis and
inaugurates under 23 games trial. Later on he also inaugurates badminton at
Govt primary school Chitral. A large number of people belonging to all walks of
life participated in inaugural ceremony of under 23 games trial.
DSO
Abdul Rehmat said that there are 15 games for boys and 13 for girls which will
be held at lower and upper Chitral.
He said that youth
below the age of 23 years can participate in these trial games and after
selecting here they will be given opportunity to participate in divisional,
provincial as well as in national level too. But selection must be on merit
basis only to choose talent players.
Fahimullah a student of
under 23 told that this is good opportunity for him if he was selected here he
can easily indulge in provincial and national team.
Thousands of Yemeni dialysis patients risk death: Red Cross
NEW YORK, Feb. 7 (APP):Thousands of Yemenis with kidney failure are at risk of dying unless the country’s remaining dialysis centres receive more supplies and its medical staff are paid, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned.
“An astonishing 25 percent of dialysis patients in Yemen have died every year since conflict began in 2015,” the ICRC said in a report.
“More dialysis supplies, functioning dialysis machines, and funding for staff salaries are urgently needed to ensure the mortality rate does not rise further for Yemen’s 4,400 renal failure patients,” it added.
“Without dialysis treatment, the outcome is fatal,” the ICRC’s head of delegation in Yemen, Alexandre Faite, pointed out.
The Red Cross noted that since the conflict began in 2015, four dialysis centers have been shut down in the country and the remaining 28 facilities struggle to render services with broken machines, a lack of necessary supplies and unpaid staff.
Meanwhile, many patients have cut back their weekly dialysis sessions to two instead of the recommended three.
The report comes as healthcare centers across Yemen are also running out of necessary medical items for cancer patients due to airstrikes on medical facilities and crippling blockades that has prevented the flow of medical supplies to Yemeni hospitals.
Over 50 cancer medical items have become unavailable across the country, while importing them is highly challenging under the circumstances.
Monthly treatment for each cancer patient costs $3,000, while many patients who can afford the expenses are not even sure if they can receive the next dose of their medicine a week later as cancer therapy centers are running out of necessary supplies.