ISLAMABAD: September 26-
Chairman Senate, Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani addressing as chief guest of 3rd Pesa Export Awards in Islamabad .
ISLAMABAD: September 26-
A woman laborer skillfully molds raw bricks at a local kiln, her hands transforming clay into the building blocks of tomorrow.
FAISALABAD: September 26-
Street vendor girls carry brightly illuminated balloons to sell and attract the customers in Latifabad.
HYDERABAD: September 26—
Gypsy girls girls preparing the flowers bouquets for selling of customers outside road at Qasimabad.
HYDERABAD: September 26—
Speakers for bold climate action, global unity to ensure resilience against global warming impacts
ISLAMABAD, Sep 26 (APP): Speakers at an international climate conference in run-up to COP29 on Thursday called for bold climate action and global unity on key agendas like climate finance availability and access to ensure resilience among communities of less developed countries against global warming impacts.
The Centre for Strategic Perspective (CSP) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), convened the international conference titled “Navigating Pakistan’s Climate Action Path: Adaptation, Finance, and Technology”. The conference, organized ahead of the COP29 summit, brought together leading experts from Pakistan and abroad to deliberate on the country’s climate strategy, focusing on key areas like adaptation, climate finance, and technological advancements.
Ambassador of Azerbaijan Khazar Farhadov, in his keynote address at the inaugural session, emphasized the urgent need for global unity in tackling climate change.
He highlighted Azerbaijan’s commitment to promoting peace, climate finance, and adaptation efforts at COP29, stressing that international cooperation was essential for achieving a sustainable and prosperous future for all.
Senator Sherry Rehman, speaking as the chief guest, stressed the urgency of bold climate action at the upcoming COP, referencing the encouraging statements made by the Ambassador of Azerbaijan on renewable energy and financing.
She highlighted Pakistan’s unique climate challenges, which were both local and global, emphasizing that no country could face such crises in isolation.
As a developing country on the frontlines of climate change, she said, Pakistan was experiencing increasingly extreme weather events, including successive record-breaking summers over the last four years.
Sherry Rehman stressed that Pakistan’s economy, natural resources, and people were all at risk, yet the country remained underprepared for an unpredictable future.
She pointed out that while global discussions, such as the Summit of the Future, aimed to set ambitious climate goals, they often fell short of the necessary commitments.
She said Pakistan, having led the G77 during COP27, continued to advocate for developing countries to unite on a common agenda.
However, she warned that the clock was ticking faster for vulnerable nations like Pakistan, with the current decade being crucial for achieving climate targets – not the distant 2050.
Sherry Rehman also called for improved climate reporting, noting that many developing countries lacked the capacity to measure emissions accurately.
She criticized the slow pace of climate finance and underscored the vital importance of accelerated operationalization and increased capitalization of the Loss and Damage Fund.
She also stressed that global North-South financial transfers must accelerate, underlining the need for focusing on ‘Internationally Determined Contributions’ as well.
Sherry Rehman underscored the need for enhanced citizens’ involvement and local climate action, urging Pakistan to strengthen its environmental protection agencies.
Climate justice, she emphasized, must be at the forefront of global discussions, ensuring no country or community was left behind, and Pakistan should play a leadership role in that regard.
ISSI Director General Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, in his remarks, welcomed the participants and highlighted the critical importance of the dialogues in shaping Pakistan’s climate strategies.
He expressed gratitude to HSF for its partnership and acknowledged the distinguished speakers, including government officials, civil society representatives, and international experts for their contributions.
He recognized Senator Sherry Rehman for her relentless advocacy for climate justice and her leadership role in securing a global outcome on the creation of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27 at Sharm-el-Sheikh in 2022.
He emphasized Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, despite contributing less than 1% to global emissions, referencing the devastating 2022 floods and the urgent need for adaptation measures.
Pakistan’s leadership at COP27, particularly in the creation of the Loss and Damage Fund, was a pivotal moment for climate-vulnerable nations, he added.
Looking ahead to COP29, Ambassador Mahmood stressed the importance of securing additional climate finance from developed countries and ensuring greater transparency.
He also underscored Pakistan’s commitment to a renewable energy transition, while balancing energy security for developing nations.
CSP Director Dr Neelum Nigar, in her introductory remarks, emphasized Pakistan’s urgent climate challenges, highlighting the need for investment in green technologies, climate finance, and adaptation measures to build resilience and promote sustainable development.
Stefan Burkhardt, Head of Division HSF Asia, highlighted the global climate crisis, emphasizing the need for accelerated action following COP27 and COP28.
He praised the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund at COP27 but stressed the importance of effective implementation, particularly for vulnerable countries like Pakistan.
He urged Pakistan to strengthen its climate action strategy to access resources and attract international climate finance.
Burkhardt also noted the severe impact of climate change on Pakistan’s economy and its critical role in global climate efforts.
Dr Fariz Ismailzade, Vice Rector at ADA University in Baku and member of the Azerbaijan Parliament, praised ISSI for fostering Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations and highlighted ADA’s leadership in uniting experts for COP29 climate change discussions in Baku.
The inaugural session concluded with Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors ISSI, presenting shields to the chief guest and keynote speaker.
Team of Federal Ombudsman conducts inspection visit to Islamabad Airport
ISLAMABAD, Sep 26 (APP): Responding to a large number of complaints regarding mal-administration of the Federal Agencies performing duties at the Islamabad new airport, a Wafaqi Mohtasib’s Inspection Team visited the Airport, on the directives of Wafaqi Mohtasib Mr. Ejaz Ahmad Qureshi, here today. The Inspection Team was headed by Senior Advisor, Wafaqi Mohtasib Secretariat, Syed Asif Shah.
Members of the team interacted with the passengers, listened to their complaints and passed on the spot instructions to the administration for their immediate redressal, said in a Press Release issued here on Thursday.
The team included Grievance Commissioner for Overseas Pakistanis, Deputy Advisor (Implementation), WMS and Consultant (Media), WMS. The team visited the national and international lounges, luggage area, the CIP Lounge besides the immigration counter and the counters of other agencies performing duty at the airport and obtained firsthand knowledge of the problems being faced by the passengers.
It was found that a large number of complaints by the passengers were related to delays in immigration, unwarranted meddling and high-handed attitude of the FIA, ASF and Custom officials posted there, whereas the incoming passengers complained of loss and late delivery of the luggage.
Earlier, the Inspection Team reviewed the status of implementation of the recommendations made by such teams during their previous visits. It may be recalled that the inspections teams during their previous visits had instructed the authorities concerned to merge the desks of ANF, ASF and Customs and to place CCTV cameras on the search desks manned by the Custom authorities in addition to placing English and Urdu bill boards on all counters for the general information of the passengers alongwith their continuous screening on the television sets there.
The team was informed that the airport authorities have already implemented those instructions and also provided E-protector stamp there. Later, the team also visited the One Window Facilitation Desk set up under the directions of the Wafaqi Mohtasib for facilitating the Overseas Pakistanis. The Team also held a meeting with the local heads of the agencies concerned at the airport wherein the problems and difficulties of the Overseas Pakistanis with particular reference to their homeland visits came under discussion and instructed the authorities concerned to take steps for their timely redressal. It was also briefed on the problems being confronted by the officials of the government agencies concerned.
A view of the development work of Red Line is underway with the help of heavy machinery at University Road in the Provincial Capital.
KARACHI September 25-
KARACHI September 25: A view of the development work of Red Line is underway with the help of heavy machinery at University Road in the Provincial Capital.
Railway workers are busy in repairing railway tracks near New Multan Railway Station during repairing and maintenance work, ensuring safety and preventing accidents.
MULTAN: September 26 –
PMD issues dengue outbreak warning for month of October
ISLAMABAD, Sep 26 (APP): The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a warning on Thursday, with a forecast of potential dengue outbreak in month of October, as ideal conditions for the disease have emerged.
The department said that dengue may see a significant rise in October, particularly in ten major cities across Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Sialkot, Larkana, and Multan.
The other regions affected by post-monsoon rainfall are also at risk.
Over the past decade, dengue fever has severely impacted the health of population, particularly during the post-monsoon season.
The period from September 20 to December 05 has become increasingly dangerous for dengue spread, with environmental factors playing a significant role.
According to the PMD, dengue transmission is triggered when temperatures remain between 26 C and 29C for three to five weeks, with humidity levels of around 60 percent.
Similarly, rainfall exceeding 27mm, combined with a time lag of up to three weeks, further increases the risk.
The disease-carrying mosquitoes are most active two hours after sunrise and two hours before sunset, with breeding coming to a halt only when temperatures drop below 16 C.
Based on a detailed analysis of historical data and the current climate outlook, the PMD experts have warned that conditions have become highly conducive to dengue onset since mid-September.
The PMD has urged all relevant stakeholders, including national health agencies and dengue control centers, to take immediate preemptive measures in the affected districts.
The authorities have been advised to remain vigilant and regularly consult the PMD website for updates and guidance on controlling the outbreak.
Pakistan inks contract for selling JF-17 Block-III fighter jets to Azerbaijan
RAWALPINDI, Sep 26 (APP): As part of Pakistan’s efforts to enhance defence cooperation with friendly countries, a contract for the sale of JF-17 Block-III fighter aircraft to bolster air power capabilities of Azerbaijan has been recently signed.
During his recent visit to Pakistan, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev was briefed on the combat capabilities and versatile employment options of JF-17 BLOCK-III fighter aircraft, an Inter Services Public Relations news release said on Thursday.
Pursuant to President Aliyev’s visit and on the request of Government of Azerbaijan, Pakistan deployed a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) contingent at Baku to participate in ADEX-2024 showcasing the aerial prowess and static display of Pride of Pakistan JF-17 Thunder Block-III.
During deployment, JF-17 carried out air-to-air refuelling from the PAF Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft deploying in a single hop to Baku, demonstrating long haul capability and reach of the PAF’s fighter jet.
President Ilham Aliyev visited the static display of JF-17 BLOCK-III and later witnessed its enthralling aerial demonstration, showcasing the agility and maneuverability of the fighter jet alongside the professional competence of PAF pilots.
The JF-17 Thunder Block-III is an AESA Radar and Long Range BVR equipped 4.5 generation Multi-Role fighter aircraft which is capable of undertaking wide array of combat missions providing contemporary air power employment options thus strengthening the National Security Paradigm of Azerbaijan.
President Ilham Aliyev said that the support extended by Pakistan would go a long way in consolidating the existing military cooperation, fostering closer defence collaboration and strengthening the warm brotherly ties between the two nations.