Day: December 9, 2021

ISLAMABAD:Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam has said the incumbent government is committed to work with global community to tackle adverse fallouts of the global warming on lives and livelihoods of the people.

Addressing the launching ceremony of Pakistan-Korea Friendship Forest Initiative (Phase-II) held here on Thursday at the Korean Embassy, Malik Amin Aslam hailed the participation of China and Korea in Pakistan’s historically largest afforestation programme of the Prime Minister Imran Khan. Korean Ambassador to Pakistan Suh Sangpyo pledged to work closely for boosting PM Imran Khan’s green initiatives, particularly the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme (TBTTP) for boosting the country’s climate resilience.

The Korean ambassador told the participants of the event that under the Pakistan-Korea Friendship Forest Initiative (Phase-II), 10,000 saplings of different fruit and non-fruit species would be planted in different parts of the country to improve the environment and strengthen livelihoods of the local communities.

He recalled that the Korean government had already planted 6,000 saplings of different varieties in support to PM Imran Khan’s TBTTP, which has gained a global recognition and appreciation. “The Korean government looks at the largest afforestation programme of the Pakistani government as an opportunity to help improve the country’s overall environmental conditions and enhance resilience against unfolding deleterious impacts of climate change on various socio-economic sectors,” the Korean Ambassador told Malik Amin Aslam during a meeting on the sidelines of the event.

He also assured the Korean government’s all-out support to help build up capacity of the country’s various sectors to cope with negative impacts of the climate change through transfer of technical know-how, technology related to, among others, water, energy, agriculture and forestry sectors.

The SAPM thanked the Korean ambassador for gifting 10,000 saplings, reflecting Korean government’s recognition of the PM Imran Khan’s Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme and support to his vision for clean green Pakistan.

Later, the SAPM and Korean Ambassador kicked off the plantation by planting a pine tree sapling at the Embassy of Korea and exchanged views on the green vision of both the governments, which aims at sustainable socio-economic growth, climate resilience, environmental conservation and protection.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Chinese government also gifted 7,000 saplings for plantation along different national highways/motorways to help fight surging vehicular and non-vehicular air pollution and environmental degradation.

ISLAMABAD:President Dr Arif Alvi launched the National Gender Data Portal at a ceremony here at Aiwan-e-Saddar, on Thursday.

The portal has been developed by National Commission on Status of Women in collaboration with UN Women on the sidelines of 16 days of Activism on violence against women under the auspices of the United Nations from 25th of November till December 10.

The portal will help provide authentic, evidence-based data for effective policy making and law enforcement on violence against women and for their financial and social empowerment. In his address on the occasion, the President stressed for provision of better health and education facilities to the women.

ISLAMABAD:The parents and juvenile son of a missing journalist and blogger Mudassar Naro met Prime Minister Imran Khan along with the officials of the interior ministry here on Thursday.

A few days ago, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had directed that a meeting of the missing journalist’s family must be arranged with the Prime Minister. During the meeting, the Prime Minister assured government’s full support and investigation into the incident to the family for the early recovery of Mudassar Naro. He said the federal government had legislated for stopping the enforced disappearances in the country.

The Prime Minister also directed the law enforcing agencies to give a satisfactory response to the parents of Mudassar Naro after further probe into the case. According to private television channels reports, the parents of Mudassar Naro expressed confidence over the Prime Minister’s assurance. The meeting was also attended by the Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari.

She said in a statement that the Prime Minister has listened to the complaints of Naro’s family and issued directives to the PM Office and interior secretary. She said Naro’s family expressed satisfaction following the assurance of the Prime Minister, whereas, the Prime Minister also assured the family of taking care of Naro’s son. Mudassar Naro had gone missing after he went to the northern areas on a tour in August 2018 along with his wife Sadaf and 6-month-old son Sachal.

Later, a petition was filed in the IHC, wherein, it was stated that Mudassar Naro had received a threatening phone call after 2018 general elections to stop launching criticism against the alleged rigging. Moreover, he had been terminated from his job a few months prior to his disappearance, whereas, Naro’s wife Sadaf had passed away in May this year. On December 4, the IHC had directed the federal government to produce the missing journalist till December 13.

ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister Imran Khan has said the government is committed to implement long term reforms in all sectors in order to lead Pakistan to become a regional leader.

During an interactive session with the officers participating in the 115th National Management Course here on Thursday], he pointed out that our government inherited huge fiscal debts due to corruption and malpractices of the previous regimes.

He said despite Covid-19 pandemic, Pakistan managed its economy with success which has been acknowledged by international organizations. He said due to government’s ease of doing business policy, economic indicators are moving in the positive direction particularly large-scale manufacturing, exports and construction sectors.

To a question about extremism and rising number of crimes against women and children, the Prime Minister said the main objective of establishing Rehmatul Lil Alameen Authority is to raise the moral standards of our society. He said using force is not a solution to eliminate extremism rather instilling moral and ethical values in the young generation will create a moderate, tolerant and progressive society.

Discussing the need for a Single National Curriculum, the Prime Minister stated that parallel education systems have created class distinctions. He said the government intends to have a core curriculum adopted throughout the country so that the children get a strong base.

ISLAMABAD:A meeting of National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) held here on Thursday with Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha in the chair discussed at length the Sialkot incident.

Member Punjab informed the meeting that he is in touch with District Police Officer (DPO) Sialkot on the matter. The Commission also discussed the setting up digital case management system for expeditious disposal of cases. It was informed that the largest number of cases received at the national commission are related to police abuse and torture.

ISLAMABAD:Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin presided over a meeting on revival of sick and closed units here at Finance Division on Thursday.

According to a press release, the Adviser supported the Pakistan Corporate Restructuring Company Limited (PCRCL) on its endeavors for revival of sick and closed units and revitalizing the economy.

He stressed for carrying out structural changes for viable working of PCRCL by reviewing its performance, capacity building of the management and financially strengthening the organization. The Adviser further assured his full cooperation and support to PCRCL for revival of sick units and making them profitable contributors for the economy of Pakistan.