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Federal cabinet approves landmark Green Building Code of Pakistan

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jul 30 (APP): Federal Cabinet has approved the Green Building Code of Pakistan, and the Rainwater Harvesting Provisions for Building Code of Pakistan.
These new national standards will ensure green, energy-efficient and water-conserving buildings.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision for environmental preservation, cleaner air for citizens and energy efficiency is the main force behind this wonderful development, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Khalid Hussain Magsi, and Federal Secretary, Sajid Baloch, spearheaded the development of these codes, under Prime Minister’s vision, through extensive consultations with provinces, federal ministries and other relevant stakeholders and developed consensus.
The Green Building Code applies to all new buildings, with four plus floors, emphasizing energy conservation, solar design, green roofs, energy efficient lighting, and integration of renewable energy sources etc.
It mandates the use of eco-friendly materials and Building Information Modeling (BIM) for efficient building management, significantly reducing energy consumption and enhancing indoor environmental quality.
The Rainwater Harvesting Code applies to residential, commercial and industrial buildings, mandating systems to collect, filter, and reuse rainwater.
This initiative aims to address Pakistan’s escalating water scarcity by promoting groundwater recharge and reducing dependency on municipal water supplies.
The codes have been approved as Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) Bye-Laws and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These codes mark a pivotal move toward sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure actions will be greatly beneficial for a greener, energy efficient and more climate-resilient Pakistan, improving better quality of life for Pakistanis citizens as well as the planet.

German Olympian Laura Dahlmeier dies in tragic accident on Laila Peak

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jul 30 (APP): German Olympic gold medallist and world-renowned biathlete Laura Dahlmeier has been confirmed dead following a tragic mountaineering accident on Laila Peak in the Gilgit-Baltistan, the Alpine Club of Pakistan (ACP) said on Wednesday.
Dahlmeier, 31, was reported missing after being struck by falling rocks at an altitude of approximately 5,700 metres during a climbing expedition on July 28. Despite days of intense rescue efforts, challenging weather conditions, marked by rain, poor visibility and high winds had severely hampered both aerial and ground operations.
“It is with great sorrow that we confirm the death of Laura Dahlmeier,” a statement issued by the ACP said.
Maj Gen Irfan Arshad, President of the ACP extended heartfelt condolences to Dahlmeier’s family, friends and the international mountaineering community. He said this was a moment of profound loss for all.
Her climbing partner, Marina Eva, also referred to as Marina Krauss in some local reports escaped unharmed and was able to send a distress signal. She safely descended to base camp with assistance from local rescuers.
Dahlmeier was widely respected not only for her extraordinary achievements in biathlon, including multiple Olympic and world championship titles but also for her passion for mountaineering and the outdoors.
Vice President of the Alpine Club of Pakistan, Karrar Haidri, also expressed his deep grief and solidarity with the bereaved family, calling Dahlmeier’s death a “devastating loss to the global adventure sports community.”
Rescue teams had been attempting to reach her through treacherous terrain after helicopters were grounded due to persistent bad weather. Her body is expected to be brought down once conditions allow safe access to the site.
The ACP and local authorities are coordinating efforts to facilitate the recovery process and to honour Dahlmeier’s memory in the spirit of international mountaineering solidarity.

Gilani, Qatari Shura Speaker discuss deepening ties

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 30 (APP):Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani met with Hassan Al-Ghanim, Speaker of the Shura Council of Qatar, on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
According to a press release, both leaders reaffirmed the longstanding and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Qatar, rooted in shared values, mutual respect, and a joint vision for peace and development.
The meeting covered a range of topics of mutual interest, including political and economic cooperation, parliamentary engagement, and people-to-people exchanges.
The Chairman underscored the importance of close collaboration in addressing global challenges and appreciated Qatar’s constructive role in this regard.
He also emphasized the need for continued cooperation on international parliamentary forums such as the IPU, particularly in promoting peaceful conflict resolution, upholding international law, and supporting inclusive global development.
Both sides agreed to strengthen parliamentary cooperation through regular exchanges and visits by Parliamentary Friendship Groups.
Gilani extended a formal invitation to Speaker Hassan Al-Ghanim to attend the upcoming Speakers Conference, scheduled to be held in Pakistan from November 11–12.
Hassan Al-Ghanim accepted the invitation and pledged his support for the success of the event.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both sides expressing commitment to advancing bilateral relations through deeper parliamentary dialogue and cooperation.

IHC dismisses plea against appointment of GB’s Election Commissioner

By
Ali Ali
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ISLAMABAD, Jul 30 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday rejected a petition against the reappointment of the Chief Election Commissioner of Gilgit-Baltistan on the ground of lack of jurisdiction.
 In a decision issued by the court of Justice Khadim Hussain Soomro, the court said that it does not have jurisdiction to hear the petition related to Gilgit-Baltistan. The court is not giving any observation on the merits, and the petitioner can approach the relevant forum.

Punjab govt decides to link media payments to timely salaries of journalists

By
Ali Ali
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0
LAHORE, Jul 30 (APP):In a major move to safeguard the rights of media workers, the Punjab government has decided to link official payments to media outlets with timely disbursement of salaries to their employees.
The decision was taken during the second meeting of the Special Committee addressing issues faced by journalists, held under the chairmanship of Secretary Information Punjab, Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, on the directives of Minister for Information & Culture Azma Bokhari.
Director General Public Relations (DGPR) Punjab Ghulam Saghir Shahid and prominent representatives from media and journalist organisations were present.
As per the new policy, government advertisements and payments to both electronic and print media outlets will be contingent upon their compliance with timely salary payments. The DGPR has been empowered to withhold payments from media houses found defaulting on salary disbursement. Furthermore, all media organizations will now be required to submit monthly salary disbursement certificates to the DGPR as evidence of compliance.
In another significant development, the committee approved the reduction of the required professional experience for press accreditation cards from 10 years to 5 years. This decision is expected to benefit a large number of working journalists, especially those in the early and middle stages of their careers.
During the meeting, media stakeholders also unanimously backed the DGPR’s ongoing campaign to eliminate dummy newspapers, reaffirming their commitment to promoting authentic and responsible journalism.
The meeting was attended by high-profile media representatives including Sarmad Ali (President, APNS), Kazam Khan (President, CPNE), Hafiz Tariq Mahmood (Secretary, AMEND), Ayaz Khan (Senior Vice President, CPNE), and APNS members Noorullah and Mohsin Mumtaz.

KP assembly’s standing committee on forests, climate change meets

By
Ali Ali
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PESHAWAR, Jul 30 (APP):A meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assembly’s standing committee on forests, environment, wildlife, and climate change was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Member Provincial Assembly Iftikhar Ali Mashwani.
The meeting was attended by committee members, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Forests and Environment Peer Maswar Khan, Abdul Salam Afridi, Sher Ali Afridi, Mian Sharafat, Secretary of Forests Shahid Zaman, senior officials from the concerned departments, representatives from the Law Department, and officers of the Provincial Assembly.
During the meeting, a detailed briefing was given on the scope, responsibilities, performance, future goals, windfall policy, and scientific management of the Pakistan Forest Institute and Forest Development Corporation.
An in-depth discussion on the establishment of a tribunal headed by the Secretary of Forests for the Department of Forests and Environment, auction of timber stock in the Chakdara depot, and ongoing tree plantation campaigns were made.
Secretary Forests Shahid Zaman informed the committee that the department has successfully achieved several targets, including plantation campaigns, which have been acknowledged at the international level.
Regular meetings are being held with international organizations on various projects. He assured the committee of a detailed briefing in the next meeting regarding the achievements, ongoing projects, and future roadmap of the Forest Department and its affiliated bodies.
Chairman of the Committee, Iftikhar Ali Mashwani, directed the establishment of depots and issuance of licenses for those involved in the eucalyptus tree business in Mardan, Swabi, Charsadda, and Peshawar.
This initiative would not only facilitate the business community but also generate significant revenue for the government. The Secretary of Forests assured that this would be implemented on a priority basis.
The committee also directed the concerned authorities to present the FDC Act in the next meeting and to take further steps for additional plantation along the Hazara Motorway and other major highways.

SIUT team successful deceased organ transplant

By
Ali Ali
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PESHAWAR, Jul 30 (APP):A team of transplant surgeons of SIUT (Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation) successfully performed a deceased organ donation transplantation of two kidneys.
 According to the institutes’ sources the surgery was performed in early hours of this morning by a team of urologists and anesthetists. Giving the details a spokesperson of SIUT said one Sultan Zafar, a 23 year old student of dental surgery, met a fatal accident and suffered severe head injuries, says a press release.
He was rushed to a local hospital in a comatose condition. He remained in the ICU for a week before he was declared brain dead.
Subsequently he was brought to SIUT for deceased organ donation transplantation. The deceased’s mother Dr Mehr Afroze who is a Consultant Nephrologist at SIUT took a courageous decision and donated Sultan’s two kidneys which were transplanted to two needy patients who were on dialysis and did not have any organ donors in their families and hence were kept on a waiting list.
This generous donation of Dr Mehr in an hour of profound grief and distress is widely hailed by the members of the medical profession and the society at large.
Director SIUT, Prof Adib Rizvi has greatly lauded the gesture of the family which allowed the organ donation and gave new lease of life to two patients and called upon the society to emulate this noble act of savings lives.

IHC forms ADR committee

By
Ali Ali
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jul 30 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has formed an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee on the direction of IHC’s Chief Justice.
The Registrar’s Office issued a notification, according to which the committee formed under the chairmanship of Chief Justice Sardar Sarfaraz Dogar includes Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir and Justice Muhammad Asif.

Three more held in Shahdara Passport Office raid

By
Ali Ali
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0
LAHORE, Jul 30 (APP):The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has intensified its ongoing crackdown on the passport agent mafia, arresting three suspects including a government employee from the Shahdara Passport Office in Lahore.
According to the FIA spokesperson, a team from the Anti-Corruption Circle Lahore conducted a targeted raid at the passport office, leading to the arrest of Nadeem Butt, Akash Shiraz and Ghulam Rasool Pasha.
The suspects were allegedly involved in collecting illegal payments from citizens by falsely promising expedited passport issuance.
The raid resulted in the recovery of passports, tokens, bank challans, receipts and other incriminating evidence.
FIA teams are conducting further raids to apprehend additional individuals linked to the racket.
Nationwide operations are underway against the passport mafia, and all available resources are being deployed to bring the culprits to justice, the spokesperson added.

Minister discusses poultry sector reform, affordable prices, industry support

By
Ali Ali
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0
LAHORE, Jul 30 (APP):Provincial Minister for Livestock and Agriculture Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani chaired a meeting at the Livestock Department on Wednesday to discuss the poultry regulatory mechanism, price control, production, supply chain and marketing.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Punjab for Price Control and Commodities Management Department Salma Butt, Secretary Livestock Punjab Ahmed Aziz Tarar and Secretary Price Control Dr. Ehsan Bhutta, Additional Secretary Livestock (Technical), DG Research, Extension Livestock, DG Commodities Imran Qureshi, and Consultant Commodities Department Asif Salman Sahi, besides other senior officials attended the meeting.
Kirmani said that the government is taking steps to stabilise the prices of poultry meat in the market and maintain the continuity of the supply and chain so that the public can be provided with chicken at affordable prices. He endorsed that the registration of representatives, brokers and suppliers of the Pakistan Broiler Association is the need of the hour. For which necessary amendments will also be made in the rules. The provincial minister highlighted that the government is keen to regulate the poultry industry and provide complete support and facilities and solve their problems.
Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Punjab for Price Control Salma Butt stated that the government is considering a scheme to reduce duties and introduce an interest-free loan scheme for those associated with the poultry business to set up cold storage plants and import machinery.
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