FARUKH SHEHZAD

New plan aims for at least 68% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade, compared to 1990 levels

ISLAMABAD, DEC 3 - The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new ambitious target to reduce the UK’s emissions by at least 68% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels.

Recognising the urgency to go further to tackle climate change, the UK’s new target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Climate Agreement – is among the highest in the world and commits the UK to cutting emissions at the fastest rate of any major economy so far.

Today’s target is the first set by the UK following its departure from the EU, demonstrating the UK’s leadership in tackling climate change. Over the past decade, the UK has cut carbon emissions by more than any similar developed country and was the first major economy to legislate for net zero emissions by 2050.

The announcement comes ahead of the UK co-hosting the Climate Ambition Summit on Saturday 12 December, which will coincide with the fifth anniversary of the historic Paris Agreement. The summit calls on countries around the world to submit ambitious NDCs or other climate plans as we head towards the UN COP26 climate talks, which the UK Government is hosting in Glasgow next year.

This new target meets the recommendation of experts at the independent Climate Change Committee who advise the government on emissions targets.

The UK’s path to meeting this target is backed by the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan for a green industrial revolution, which will create and support up to 250,000 British jobs by 2030. The plan sets out ambitious policies and investment, with the potential to deliver over £40 billion of private investment by 2030, so that we can develop innovative technologies and make significant strides in cutting emissions across energy, transport and buildings. It also provides a roadmap of further action the UK will be taking to reduce emissions in the coming decades, encouraging similar levels of ambition from businesses, organisations and nations around the world.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

“We have proven we can reduce our emissions and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the process – uniting businesses, academics, NGOs and local communities in a common goal to go further and faster to tackle climate change.

“Today, we are taking the lead with an ambitious new target to reduce our emissions by 2030, faster than any major economy, with our Ten Point Plan helping us on our path to reach it.

“But this is a global effort, which is why the UK is urging world leaders as part of next week’s Climate Ambition Summit to bring forward their own ambitious plans to cut emissions and set net zero targets.”

Business and Energy Secretary and COP26 President Alok Sharma said:

“Tackling climate change is the one of the most urgent shared endeavours of our lifetimes, demanding bold action from every nation to prevent catastrophic global warming.

“As a country, we have demonstrated we can both rapidly cut carbon emissions, while creating new jobs, new technologies and future-proof industries that will generate economic growth for decades to come.

“The UK’s new emissions target is among the highest in the world and reflects the urgency and scale of the challenge our planet faces. I hope other countries join us and raise the bar at next week’s UN Climate Ambition Summit, and ahead of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow next year.”

Each party to the Paris Agreement – including countries and international blocs such as the European Union – determines what domestic action it will take and communicates it in a Nationally Determined Contribution.

NDCs are at the heart of the Paris Agreement goal, set at COP21 in 2015, to hold the global temperature rise to well below two degrees and pursue best efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C.

Together, these plans will determine whether the world will achieve the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement, including global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible.

Many countries have now made net zero commitments and this round of NDCs, which set a 2030 emission reduction target, will need to be consistent with those longer term commitments. The UK’s announcement, which reflects the independent Climate Change Committee’s advice on net zero, does just this.

Today’s announcement comes ahead of the UK co-hosting a virtual Climate Ambition Summit on 12 December, which will coincide with the fifth anniversary of the historic Paris Agreement.

The Climate Ambition Summit provides a platform for leaders who are ready to come forward with announcements of new, more ambitious nationally determined contributions and long-term strategies to net zero, as well as new climate finance pledges and ambitious adaptation plans.

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One person died and seven others were injured after a blast in a parked auto rickshaw at Rawalpindi's Pir Wadhai bus station on Friday.

According to city police spokesperson, Sub-Inspector Sajjadul Hassan, the injured were admitted to Holy Family hospital and attempts were ongoing to identify all victims.

The nature of the blast is still being determined, Hassan said, adding that the possibility of terrorism could not be ruled out as yet.

"The bomb disposal squad and all concerned law enforcement agencies are on the scene and investigating the area. A final decision regarding the nature of the blast will be announced soon," Hassan said.

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ISLAMABAD, DEC 2020 - A senior office of the Information Group in BPS 20 Sohail Ali Khan has been posed as Director General/Principle Information Office with immediate effect.

Sohail Ali Khan was working as Director General Internal Publicity Wing, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Sohail brings with him vast experience of media management. He has excellent working relationship with media.

Ms. Shahera Shahid has been posted as Additional Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Ms. Shahera during her tenure as PIO discharged her duties in a most professional manner.

The media fraternity has welcomed the appointment of Sohail Ali Khan as PIO and hoped during his tenure relations between media and the government would improve further.

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COURTESY DNA NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, DEC 3 - The United Nations General Assembly has adopted a resolution co-sponsored by Pakistan and the Philippines on the “promotion of interreligious and intercultural dialogue” by an overwhelming majority, the Foreign Office said on Thursday.

It said the resolution was part of "Pakistan’s global efforts to promote interfaith harmony, tolerance" and respect for each other’s religions and values.

The resolution welcomes Pakistan's initiative of the Kartarpur corridor, a visa-free border crossing allowing Sikh pilgrims from India to visit the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, calling it a “landmark initiative for interreligious and intercultural cooperation for peace”.

The resolution for the first time this year also acknowledges the significance and respect for religious symbols. "It stresses that the exercise of the right to freedom of expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities, and must therefore be subjected to legitimate restrictions," the FO statement said.

It emphasised that the resolution was important in the wake of "growing religious intolerance and racism especially Islamophobia around the world" and will help mainstream and curb these contemporary challenges.

According to the FO, the resolution focuses on interreligious and cultural dialogues among all stakeholders and advocates combatting intolerance, xenophobia, discrimination and acts of violence, and highlights the importance of realisation of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda 2030, especially the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies.

The adoption of the resolution by the UNGA "is part of Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts inter alia for raising awareness about Islamophobia and countering the defamation of sacred religious personalities and symbols", the press release said.

It noted that Prime Minister Imran Khan had repeatedly called upon the international community to counter Islamophobia and promote respect for religious sensitivities.

In his address to the UNGA in September, the premier had cautioned against the rising tide of Islamophobia around the world and called upon the UN to play its part in combatting religious hatred.

He had noted that Muslims were being "targeted with impunity", mosques were being desecrated and Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was being insulted "in the name of freedom of speech", and called for "wilful provocations and incitement to hate and violence" to be universally outlawed.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, DEC 3 - Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) concludes Webinars-for-a-Cause series under its Razakaar initiative, which was attended online by more than 160 young graduates from a multitude of backgrounds and economic strata. The series also included students with hearing and speech impairment, with two exclusive webinars for their benefit to develop their skills and confidence building.

The webinars, in collaboration with emerging employment portals such as Kamayi, DeafTawk and Whynot, aimed to bridge the gap between industry and academia by nurturing and upskilling the youth, such as building their personal and professional network, importance of verbal and non-verbal communication, career growth, etc.

Speaking about the initiative, Syed Mazhar Hussain, Group Chief Human Resource Officer, PTCL & Ufone, said, “We are proud of our Razakaars, who play a significant role in undertaking various CSR activities across Pakistan. Webinars-for-a-Cause series is indeed a great achievement, where youth was engaged in gaining knowledge and learning from the practical experience of our employees before stepping into the corporate world.”

The topics included: How to Ace Interviews, Professional Growth through LinkedIn, Building Your Network, Digital Learning, amongst others. Speakers were self-motivated and highly driven to volunteer in sharing their valuable knowledge and experience with the audience.

This series is a part of PTCL Razakaar initiative, which is an in-house employee volunteer force, with approximately 800 Razakaars across Pakistanthat undertakes philanthropic initiatives on behalf of the company every quarter. PTCL endeavors to provide learning platforms and knowledge-sharing opportunities to support the youth in their capacity building.

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LAHORE, DEC 3 - Five Pakistani cricketers, three men, and two women are in the run to be selected for the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) ODI teams of the decade.

The probables for inclusion in the ICC men’s and women’s ODI team of the decade were revealed yesterday.

For the men’s ODI team, three cricketers — Saeed Ajmal, Mohammad Hafeez, and Misbah ul Haq — are among the nominees.

The ICC had earlier nominated Misbah for the Spirit of Cricket award of the decade.

Misbah, who led the Pakistan Cricket team in the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, scored 3599 runs in 97 innings — the second-most by a Pakistani since January 2010.

Mohammad Hafeez leads the list of leading run-scorers for Pakistan in the period with 5,740 ODI runs to his credit in the last 10 years. In addition, he has also claimed 101 wickets in the period.

Saeed Ajmal, with 157 ODI wickets during the period, leads the bowlers’ chart for Pakistan.

As far as women’s cricket is concerned, Javeria Khan is Pakistan’s lead batting performer with 2,586 runs to her name, while Sana Mir in the same period has taken 120 wickets and scored 1,305 runs in Women ODIs.

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OSLO, DEC 2020 - On Thursday, up to half a meter of snow is expected in some areas at altitudes of over 400 meters in Telemark and Agder. The Norwegian Meteorological Institute has issued a yellow warning.

“From 20 to 50 cm of snow is expected locally at altitudes of over 400 to 600 meters. Use the right tires and drive according to the conditions,” the meteorologists wrote on Twitter.

“At an altitude of around 300 meters, the precipitation will alternate between rain, sleet, and snow, so there could also be difficult conditions in those places,” on-duty meteorologist Ingrid Bentsen told Fædrelandsvennen.

A yellow danger warning has also been issued for Thursday and Friday in the west of Akershus and in Buskerud. 

From 5 to 15 centimeters of snow is expected at altitudes from 100 to 300 meters.

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COURTESY NORWAY TODAY

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Swedish girls do better than boys in all school subjects, a new review of the results in ninth grade shows.

The differences have increased since a new grading system was introduced in 2012, according to a review of the teachers’ union’s journal Läraren.

Even in the subject of sports and health, where boys have traditionally done better, girls have now surpassed boys. 

On average, girls have 12% higher grade points, and girls have far more top grades than boys.

The inequality continues in high school. 

A total of 80.8% of girls in upper secondary school graduated with approved general study qualifications, while only 66.4% of the boys received study qualifications, according to the survey.

Worse at reading and writing

The differences are particularly large in subjects that require a good ability to express yourself in writing, such as the Swedish language and social studies. 

At the same time, the differences are smaller in math. Several boys have problems with reading and writing, according to the data.

Professor of educational science Inga Wernersson at University West thinks one explanation has to do with masculinity and femininity notions.

“It is more important for boys to be the best. Those who may not be able to do so fall behind. Girls are not as grandiose, but make an effort and do the best they can,” according to her analysis.

“This is a gigantic failure of boys,” public debater and author Isobel Hadley-Kamptz, who has sat on a committee that has studied gender equality in school, said.

Maturing later?

There is also a concern in Norway that many boys are lagging behind in school. 

FHI director Camilla Stoltenberg led an investigation into the problem.

In her work, she suggested – among other things – a flexible start to school because research shows that girls develop skills that are important for doing well in school earlier than boys. 

Other proposals include compulsory full-time school and having several electives to make it motivating to go to school. 

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COURTESY NORWAY TODAY

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Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar, the chief of the military's media wing, has said that India is engaged in a massive campaign of 'fifth-generation warfare' to obstruct Pakistan’s road to prosperity mainly through targeting the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and Pakistan’s international image.

Appearing in an interview on Global Village Space published on Thursday, he said: “Unfortunately, it’s a major onslaught, it’s a major part of the fifth-generation warfare. Pakistan is being subjected to […] hybrid applications in a massive way and we are aware of that.”

When prompted to cite a specific incident of such an attempt, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director general mentioned the recent explosion in a Karachi building which was framed as a "civil war" in India as an example of irresponsible reporting. “In doing so, the Indian media has lost its credibility to quite an extent and the whole world is recognising that,” he said.

He said in his understanding, fifth-generation warfare was the Indian state using all elements of its national power to systemically focus on and attempt to destabilise certain domains in Pakistan. He listed these domains as Pakistan’s economy, information system, army and international image, where he cited the example of Indian lobbying in the Financial Action Task Force meetings to discredit Pakistan.

When asked about how such attempts were countered, Maj Gen Iftikhar stated: “Best way to handle this is transparency, […] not leaving information voids and […] passing on credible information.”

He also brought up Pakistan’s practical action in the international arena to bring attention to Indian designs by submitting a dossier on Indian state-sponsored terrorism in Pakistan to the United Nations Secretary General. According to Maj Gen Iftikhar, the dossier and its proofs had been taken seriously at the international level and objectively analysed which had vindicated Pakistan’s stance.

LoC violations

The increase in ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in the DG ISPR's view was also a concerted strategy as part of fifth-generation warfare. He said exchanges of fire had continued since 2014 but “these two years, 2019 and 2020, have seen the maximum number of ceasefire violations and I believe [the] maximum number of casualties.”

He linked this increase in violations with the revocation of Article 370, through which Indian-occupied Kashmir's special status was withdrawn and which received substantial negative press and international condemnation. He said Pakistan consistently supported this issue at the international fora.

He said the ceasefire violations in his view were attempts to paint Pakistan as supporting terrorism and infiltration in IOK. India wants to simultaneously discredit the indigenous struggle for freedom in IOK and malign Pakistan’s international image through such measures, he added.

However, Maj Gen Iftikhar said Pakistan had rebuffed such attempts and “we’ve been taking media [and] diplomats to the Line of Control and they’ve seen for themselves there is no way any kind of infiltration can take place.”

Border fencing efforts

The ISPR chief also addressed Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to fence its western borders. He said they had been overall very successful and “83 per cent of the Afghan border” and on the Iranian side “30pc has been fenced and will be complete by December 2021”.

He said Pakistan was already seeing the dividends of these efforts with a reduction in smuggling and illegal cross border activity. A decrease in terrorist activity has also been witnessed, he said, adding: “I won’t go into the percentage […] but the number of incidents and casualties has decreased massively.”

He further mentioned that a new border management division had been raised which will be centrally administrating and managing all entry points in Pakistan, from land, sea and air.

“Border management is key to securing Pakistan,” he said while talking about the importance of this endeavour.

Covid-19 efforts

Reviewing the overall handling of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis in Pakistan and the army’s role in it, Maj Gen Iftikhar praised the ability and services of both civil and military institutions.

He highlighted how the army had rendered many services during the ongoing efforts like public awareness media campaigns and troop deployment across the country to implement lockdowns. He ended the interview by underlining and praising the role of media outlets in educating the public.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, DEC 3 /DN/ - Japanese NGO “AAR Japan (Association for Aid and Relief Japan)” is implementing a 3-year project “Developing educational support system for children with Disabilities (CWDs)” in two primary schools: elementary and secondary schools in Haripur District (Government primary school No.4 for boys and Government primary school for girl’s TIP housing society) in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province since November 2019.

The project aims to promote the educational opportunities of children with disabilities in the general education system by providing teacher’s training, building accessible environment, and creating disability awareness.

The project has identified around 150 children with disabilities in two communities of targeted schools. 21 children with disabilities have enrolled and are now attending school in these schools.

Among the 21 newly enrolled children with disabilities, 3 of them are children with total blindness. AAR started (*) braille lectures for them this November with Self-financing funded by donations from the People of Japan. As a first step of the class, a teacher with total blindness is teaching braille alphabets and numbers to the children. The braille class is arranged every day for a duration of 2 hours.

The Embassy of Japan in Pakistan would like to send an encouragement to the children studying in the Braille class at the time of the International Day of People with Disability and pay tribute to AAR and all those concerned who gave the children wonderful gifts.

Braille is one of the means of studying for children with total blindness and partial blindness. Braille is a form of written language for blind people, in which characters are represented by patterns of raised dots that are felt with the fingertips.=DN

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• Ambassador Matsuda reiterated that Japan is currently working on providing assistance to Afghanistan from 2021 to 2024, maintaining the amount comparable to the past four years, which was USD 180 million per year. 

ISLAMABAD, DEC 3 /DN/ - Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, has welcomed the agreement on the procedures of the on-going peace negotiations between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban announced on 2nd December, and has expressed his good wishes for further success in the Afghan peace process.

“We welcome the recent agreement between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban, and would like to express our sincere hope for further success in the negotiations following this essential advancement,” said Ambassador MATSUDA on 3rd December.

Ambassador Matsuda also emphasized the importance and necessity of Pakistan’s contribution to the peace process. He said, “I always appreciate the significant efforts by the Government of Pakistan to facilitate the Afghan peace process, and hope that the intra-Afghan dialogue will pave the way for regional stability.” 

The Ambassador reaffirmed that the Government of Japan continues to work with Pakistan to strengthen peace and stability in the region.

Ambassador Matsuda reiterated that Japan is currently working on providing assistance to Afghanistan from 2021 to 2024, maintaining the amount comparable to the past four years, which was USD 180 million per year. 

Japan’s pledge was announced by Motegi Toshimitsu, Foreign Minister of Japan, at the 2020 Afghanistan Conference in Geneva on 24th November.=DN

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