PESHAWAR, Dec 13 (APP): Caretaker Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Justice (R) Syed Arshad Hussain Shah and Governor Haji Ghulam Ali, on Wednesday, paid a visit to district D.I Khan where they reviewed law and order situation.
They were also accompanied by the Chief Secretary Nadim Aslam Chaudhry and IGP Akhtar Hayat Khan Gandapur. Both the dignitaries jointly chaired a meeting regarding law and order, held at the office of commissioner D.I Khan.
The meeting reviewed in detail the law and order situation in the context of a terrorist attack that took place in DI Khan the other day. The concerned authorities on the occasion, briefed the participants about the overall security situation in DI Khan and various aspects of the previous day’s incident as well as proposed action plan by the law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order in DI Khan.
It was informed that during the year 2023, police and other relevant agencies carried out some 194 Intelligence-based Operations, during which a total of 55 terrorists were killed and 54 were arrested.
The caretaker Chief Minister Arshad Hussain Shah strongly condemned the incident of terrorism and said that targeting security forces is an inhuman and heinous act, adding that such cowardly attacks cannot demoralize our security forces and the people; the entire nation is standing by security forces in the war against terrorism and we are proud of sacrifices of the Pakistan Army.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Haji Ghulam Ali said that the Pakistan Army has always bravely faced the cowardly acts of terrorists and repulsed them. Terrorists will never be able to succeed in their nefarious purpose and the entire nation stands by its forces.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 13 (APP): The Ministry of Health on Wednesday confirmed poliovirus in environmental samples of five districts of the country.
According to the Ministry of Health spokesperson, the poliovirus was found in two samples of sewage water from Quetta.
He said poliovirus was also found in one sample each from Karachi Malir, Peshawar, Hub and Tank.
He said that the surveillance system of the polio program is very strong.
He said that the government is ensuring effective measures to eradicate polio.
He said that an integrated strategy has been formulated in high-risk areas of polio.
He said that parents must give their children a polio vaccine during every polio immunization campaign.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 13 (APP): The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet here on Wednesday directed the relevant Ministries to work with provinces to ensure availability of fertilizer to farmers at notified rates.
The ministries were also directed that strict actions be taken against the fertilizer dealers over charging the farmers beyond the prescribed price, according to press statement issued by finance ministry.
Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar presided over the meeting, which among others was attended by Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Sami Saeed; Minister for Privatization, Fawad Hasan Fawad; Minister for Power & Petroleum, Muhammad Ali; Advisor to PM on Finance, Dr. Waqar Masood; federal secretaries and other senior government officials of the relevant ministries.
The ECC also considered a summary of Ministry of Energy (Power Division) regarding approval of the draft Power Purchase Agency Agreement (PPAA), Inter-Connection Agreement (ICA), TDA & Mediation Agreements to be signed with the K-Electric.
The Power Division informed the Committee that the Agreements had been prepared on the recommendations of the Task Force constituted by the Prime Minister of Pakistan for resolving issues between KE and various government entities.
The signing of the agreements would resolve long pending issues and regular payment will be streamlined by all the parties to avoid an addition in the circular debt.
The ECC discussed the draft agreements in detail and asked Power Division to provide further information and detailed working to clarify the observations raised by ECC. The matter will be discussed again in the next meeting once the additional information is provided.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives briefed the ECC on the inflation situation.
The key price indicators were submitted for the information of ECC. It was informed that inflationary pressures are continuing to persist; however, it declined from its peak of 38 percent in May 2023. Recent energy price adjustments have thwarted downward trajectory and inflations spiked in November 2023 to 29.2 percent.
Inflationary expectations are lowest in almost 12 months and exchange rate stability has played an important role in it.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 13 (APP): Combat Commander Turkish Air Force, General Ìsmail Güneykaya, called on Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu here on Wednesday.
The meeting underscored several key areas of mutual interest with a special focus on bilateral training, progress of current joint ventures and exploration of further avenues of collaboration in the aviation industry, a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) news release said.
During the meeting Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, shared the framework of PAF’s comprehensive modernization strategy involving integration of emerging technologies, bolstering critical infrastructure and a comprehensive restructuring of its training set-up, in order to address contemporary air warfare challenges.
The Air Chief highlighted that both the brotherly countries enjoy long-standing religious and historic ties which are manifested through unprecedented strategic partnership. Appreciating the participation of Turkish Air Force in Exercise Indus Shield, the Air Chief reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral relations in military-to-military cooperation, strategic alliance and the training domain.
The Air Chief further remarked that PAF pilots are playing an active role in imparting nursery to tactical level training to Turkish aircrew. He reiterated Pakistan Air Force’s commitment to provide training and capacity-building assistance to the Turkish Air Force.
General Ìsmail Güneykaya, acknowledged the impressive progress made by Pakistan Air Force in developing a robust indigenous aviation industry and reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing ties between the two brotherly countries.
In order to cultivate tactical brilliance for Turkish aircrew, the visiting dignitary expressed profound interest in exploring avenues for training of Turkish Air Force pilots in the Combat Commanders Course being offered at the prestigious Air Power Centre of Excellence. Both the commanders also agreed to explore further areas of cooperation through bilateral and multilateral military exercises with special focus on collaboration in the technology based future programs.
During his visit, the Combat Commander Turkish Air Force also visited various installations and technological infrastructure established at Air Headquarters, Islamabad including PAF’s National ISR and Integrated Air Operations Centre and PAF’s Cyber Command.
He also visited National Aerospace Science and Technology Park, which is a major landmark in Pakistan’s journey towards progress and is all set to play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s aerospace industry, fostering strategic partnerships and contributing to the economic growth of Pakistan.
The visit of Combat Commander Turkish Air Force to Pakistan signifies a resolute commitment from both nations to reinforce their strategic partnership through fostering collaboration and promoting robust relations between their respective Air Forces.
DUBAI, Dec 13 (APP): The 28th session of the Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai was the first Global Stocktake, raising levels of expectation and putting high responsibility on parties for setting the stage for this decade. The negotiations extended beyond scheduled duration as countries worked tirelessly to bridge divisions and reach a consensus on a final text.
The Pakistan Delegation, alongside other parties, fervently advocated for a groundbreaking climate deal that would compel nations to transition away from fossil fuels. The emphasis was on achieving this transition in a “just, orderly, and equitable manner,” with a special focus on supporting developing and vulnerable nations and taking national circumstance into consideration, a news release said.
Led by the Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Ahmed Irfan Aslam, the Pakistan delegation, with Secretary MoCC&EC, Asif Hyder Shah, as the principal negotiator and team lead, framed Pakistan’s stance to mirror national needs and underscored the international community’s obligation to provide support within the framework of the Paris Agreement principles, ensuring inclusive development.
Secretary MoCC&EC’s negotiating stance aligned with Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), strategically steering negotiations toward fulfilling NDC commitments. In the rigorous and hotly contested COP28 negotiations, Secretary Asif Hyder Shah underscored the imperative of preserving the 1.5°C target and safeguarding vulnerable countries from the intensifying impacts of climate change.
He emphasized the crucial role of developed nations in providing increased financial support for mitigation and adaptation, utilizing Means of Implementation (MoI) to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement. Pakistan championed these objectives while leading key UNFCCC committees, including the Technology Executive Committee, Paris Committee on Capacity Building, Advisory Board of the Santiago Network, Standing Committee on Finance, and Loss and Damage Fund Board. The pledges for Loss and Damage this year further complemented Pakistan’s achievement in establishing the fund last year.
Pakistan’s commitment to climate action manifested through active participation in numerous pledges and partnerships at COP28, encompassing initiatives such as the Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnerships (CHAMP), Ambition on Melting Ice (AMI), and declarations addressing climate, health, agriculture, and more.
The Pakistan Pavilion, themed “Build Resilience Together,” emerged as a dynamic hub, attracting high-level officials from Pakistan and globally. In collaboration with local and international organizations, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) hosted 31 side events at the Pakistan Pavilion, featuring representation from Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Punjab, and Sindh, providing a nuanced understanding of Pakistan’s challenges due to its diverse topography and cultural richness.
The pavilion also showcased Pakistani artwork, drawing a steady stream of visitors. On the inaugural day, Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar introduced “Recharge Pakistan,” a seven-year, $77.8 million initiative leveraging nature to adapt to climate change. He also unveiled the state-of-the-art Climate Change Information Tracking Portal, offering climate impact modeling based on the latest data.
Distinguished figures delivering statements at the Pakistan Pavilion included Justice Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Jawad Hassan, judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and Lahore High Court, respectively, former Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman, and Chief Minister Sindh.
Federal Ministers for Finance, Energy, and Health engaged in various international and bilateral engagements, while Chief Minister Punjab, Mohsin Raza Naqvi, played a crucial role in showcasing the achievements and challenges of the most populated province in the face of climate change.
The Pavilion welcomed notable visitors, including Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, H.E. Majid Al Suwaidi, Director General & Special Representative of COP28 Presidency, Dr. Adil Najam, President of WWF, and experts from other countries, along with officials from Pakistan’s development partners, such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and UN Organizations.
Civil society participation was remarkable, with representation from youth, academia, scientists, and climate experts attending at their own expense, contributing significantly to sharing Pakistan’s stance through the Pakistan Pavilion and other platforms, enhancing outreach.
Pakistan’s participation at COP28 showcased a standout feature in its coordinated action, collective ownership, and building partnerships. The “Whole of Society” approach, spearheaded by MoCC&EC, was inclusive, participatory, broad-based, and representative, marking a holistic and groundbreaking approach for advancing the COP agenda.
PESHAWAR, Dec 13 (APP): Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday, strongly condemning the terrorist attack on police and security forces in D I Khan, called for national unity to wipe out the menace from the country.
Addressing the lawyers’ convention, he said that the terrorism and extremism in their forms and manifestations could not be eliminated until all the stakeholders and political entities joined hands in the war against them.
He said that the recent wave of terrorism in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was regrettable as the people of the province, including police, youth, citizens and lawyers, had already made many sacrifices in the war against the menace.
He said many terrorists were languishing in jails before the Taliban government took over in Afghanistan, who were later released. Those who facilitated their settlement and release from the jails should be exposed and punished, he demanded.
“A single wrong decision took the country 10 years back,” he remarked.
The PPP chairman called for an inquiry against the people involved in the serious crime. The assassins and the facilitators of the martyred children of Army Public School, Peshawar, and other martyrs of various incidents of terrorism should be held accountable, he added.
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