ISLAMABAD, Dec 09 (APP): The per tola price of 24 karat gold decreased by Rs.3,000 and was sold at Rs.215,600 on Saturday compared to its sale at Rs.218,600 on last trading day.
The price of 10 grams of 24 karat gold also decreased by Rs.2,572 to Rs.184,842 from Rs.187,414 whereas the prices of 10 gram 22 karat gold went down to Rs.169,439 from Rs.171,786, the All Sindh Sarafa Jewellers Association reported.
The price of per tola and ten gram Silver remained stagnant at Rs.2,600 and 2,229.08 respectively.
The price of gold in the international market decreased by $26 to $2,024 from $.2,050, the Association reported.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 09 (APP): Indus River System Authority (IRSA) on Saturday released 85,200 cusecs water from its various rim stations with inflow of 40,700 cusecs.
According to the data released by IRSA, the water level in River Indus at Tarbela Dam was 1488.50 feet and was 88.50 feet higher than its dead level of 1,398 feet. The water inflow and outflow in the dam was recorded as 21,700 cusecs and 45,000 cusecs respectively.
The water level in River Jhelum at Mangla Dam was 1168.60 feet, which was 118.60 feet higher than its dead level of 1,050 feet. The inflow and outflow of water was recorded 4,800 cusecs and 26,000 cusecs respectively.
The release of water at Kalabagh, Taunsa , Guddu and Sukkur was recorded as 50,700, 43,500, 39,400 and 9,000 cusecs respectively. Similarly, from River Kabul, a total of 6,700 cusecs of water released at Nowshera and 2,000 cusecs released from River Chenab at Marala.
UNITED NATIONS, Dec 09 (APP): Denouncing Israel’s relentless attacks on the Palestinian people and civilian infrastructure in Gaza, Pakistan has called for holding the Israeli occupation forces accountable for war crimes in the besieged enclave.
“We strongly and unequivocally condemn the indiscriminate use of force by Israel,” Ambassador Muhammad Usman Iqbal Jadoon, acting permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations told the UN General Assembly on Friday.
Speaking in a debate on “Humanitarian Assistance”, he said that in addition to targeting civilians, Israel’s other actions such as blockading of essential humanitarian supplies; the forced displacement of people within the occupied territory, “are flagrant violations of international humanitarian law and amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity and may amount to the crime of genocide.”
Meanwhile, a short distance away from the UN Headquarters in New York City, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets for what was billed as a “Shut Down Wall Street” event, just as the United States vetoed a resolution at the UN Security Council calling for a humanitarian cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Protesters rallied in front of a number of prominent city landmarks in Lower Manhattan, including City Hall and Wall Street, chanting, “Free Palestine,” calling for an end to the United States’ financial support of Israel and denouncing the U.S. veto.
Waving Palestinian flags, the protestors condemned Biden administration’s Middle East policy and called for an immediate ceasefire.
At the General Assembly, the Pakistani envoy also voiced grave concern at the killing and injuring of staff of UN Agencies and Entities, humanitarian workers and healthcare workers by Israel, saying never before so many of its brave personnel have lost their lives in such a short span of time.
“This deserves our collective condemnation and a collective demand for holding Israeli occupation forces accountable,” Ambassador Jdoon added.
In another action, the 193-Assembly adopted a resolution, introduced by Belgium, that stressed the need for a durable ceasefire agreement leading to a fundamental improvement in the living conditions of the Palestinian people in Gaza and ensure the safety and well-being of civilians on both sides.
The text also stressed the urgency of reaching a durable solution to the crisis in Gaza through the full implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions.
Speaking during the general debate, an Observer for the State of Palestine, Feda Abdelhady-Nasser, said her entire nation faces annihilation.
“There are no words to describe the unfathomable horrors and extent of human suffering in the Gaza Strip,” she said, noting that over 17,000 people have been killed.
“These are not just numbers, but people with names, families, stories and dreams.” What is happening stains the world’s collective conscience, the Palestinian diplomat said.
Turning to climate-change-induced disasters, the Pakistani envoy said, “We are sleepwalking toward a climate-change-induced chaos”. Pakistan, he said, suffers disproportionately from such disasters.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs was instrumental in the creation of Pakistan’s recovery plan following the devastating flooding last year, Ambassador Jadoon said, voicing concern that the Office is underfunded.
Unprecedented global humanitarian challenges require political will to address root causes, whether they be from conflicts or climate-change related, the Pakistani envoy said.
Further, he said, zero tolerance must be allowed for the violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, including in occupied territories.
The international community must demonstrate solidarity and burden sharing by addressing causes of multidimensional poverty, he said, adding humanitarian crises must be addressed to ensure the well-being of all.
“The clock is ticking and the time to act is now,” Ambassador Jadoon said.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 09 (APP): The Foreign Office on Saturday said that Pakistan was deeply disappointed that the UN Security Council once again failed to call for a ceasefire in Gaza, even in the face of a human tragedy of epic proportions taking place there.
Despite the invocation of Article-99 of the UN Charter by the Secretary-General and his warnings of humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, the Council has failed to perform its primary responsibility to maintain international peace and security. The collective punishment endured by the besieged people of Gaza is unprecedented and unacceptable,” Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press statement.
Pakistan reiterated its call for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. Israel must end its barbaric attacks and inhumane siege against Gaza.
“We urge the UN Security Council to act now, end this inhuman war and protect the people of Gaza from an impending genocide,” it was stressed.
The spokesperson said that continuation of Israel’s campaign in occupied Palestine would prolong human suffering, with massive civilian casualties and forced displacement of millions of people.
It could also trigger a wider and more dangerous conflict. A heavy responsibility rested on all who have contributed to the prolongation of uninterrupted bombing of the people of Gaza, it was added.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 09 (APP): The speakers at a panel discussion have highlighted the importance of finance in achieving the goals and targets of the Paris Agreement and urged the need for making finance affordable, scalable and accessible.
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination organized a high level panel discussion at the Pakistan Pavilion at the 28th session of the Conference of Parties hosted by UAE in Dubai. Secretary Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Syed Asif Hyder Shah opened the session with welcome remarks and thanked the distinguished speakers for their presence and participation, a news release said on Saturday.
The discussion titled “Climate Justice: A New Narrative of Hope, Resilience and Security” was addressed by the Senior Supreme Court Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, Justice Jawad Hassan, Senator Sherry Rehman, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP Inger Andersen, Professor Dr. Christina Voight, Professor Marie Claire Segger and Ambassador Majid Al Suwaidi, Director General and Special Representative COP28 Presidency.
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah talked about the role of the judiciary in advancing climate justice and highlighted the role of constitutional support and adaptive jurisprudence in paving the way for a fair future.
He also shared the landmark decisions taken by the courts in Pakistan recognizing the need for a rights based approach to human security stating that addressing the mitigation with environmental justice was only possible by addressing the adaptation through climate justice. He also talked about the challenges faced by the country and the critical link between finance and climate justice.
Justice Jawad addressed the issues around barriers on finance and stated that the constitution categorically recognizes the fundamental rights to life subject to law reinforced by the Supreme Court’s expanded definition of “life” to include the right to health, clean environment and pollution free environment.
He highlighted the need for overcoming barriers on finance and businesses as the first step toward a fair future with shared prosperity. Both the honorable justices apprised the audience that protection of the environment was part of Islamic ethos and should be regarded as a moral, ethical and religious responsibility by the people and the government. They advocated for a faith based approach to climate change and said that encouraging reverence for nature would go a long mile towards ensuring environmental protection and preservation.
Senator Sherry Rehman put climate justice at front and center of the Global Stocktake saying that it was imperative to respond to vulnerable communities and provide them with means of implementation to strengthen their adaptive resilience. She reminded the audience that it was not possible to aspire to development that leaves no one behind when under the present distribution of resources nearly half the global population was trapped in a debt and poverty trap. In her talk, she elaborated on the next steps needed for mainstreaming equity and justice in climate change law and policy.
Professor Voight acknowledged the challenges faced by Pakistan and lauded the country on its efforts and ambition to strengthen resilience building on the principles of social, ecological and democratic equity.
Professor Segger appreciated the role played by the judiciary in Pakistan and recognized the need for systems that accelerate sustainable growth and expedite delivery mechanisms.
Ambassador Suwaidi highlighted the importance of the global stocktake and the role of the UAE Presidency reaffirming the Presidency’s resolve to deliver an ambitious COP outcome.
The high level event elevated the level of discussion to a new height with great appreciation from the audience. The session concluded with a consensus for urgent need in improving financial delivery systems and mobilizing and unlocking finance to meet the needs of those who are least responsible but most severely impacted by climate change.
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