Thursday, 13 January 2022
ISLAMABAD, JAN 13: /DNPB/ - United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) with implementing partner the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF), has launched the Generation Unlimited imaGen Ventures Youth Challenge 2021/22 in Pakistan.
The Generation Unlimited imaGen Ventures Youth Challenge 2021/22 will be implemented in more than 35 countries worldwide and calls on young innovators to design solutions to improve employment and civic engagement.
The youth challenge encourages youth between the age of 14-24 to come forward to participate in this challenge.
To welcome young innovators; to design solutions by accelerating the SDGs and fighting climate change, the theme for Pakistan this year is: Alleviating People and the Planet.
The challenge objectives are to engage Pakistani youth from disadvantaged and marginalised communities to become problem-solvers in their communities. Solutions and enterprises generated at the grassroots level lead to holistic, strategic SDG fulfillment.
It also showcases inspirational young ‘solvers’ and creates role models from disadvantaged communities.
In Pakistan, an open call for application was live on December 10, 2021, and the application deadline is; February 9, 2022. From the nominations received (11 - 15) teams, will be selected for the human-centred Design Bootcamp in Islamabad.
By the end of the Bootcamp, five (5) ideas will receive seed funding of USD$1000 each and mentorship for the implementation of their idea.
In November 2022, the 02 most promising solutions out of 05 from Pakistan will be a part of the global judging process.
If any team qualifies the final round of the challenge, they will receive further funding for a year, along with a tailored incubation programme and support from Generation Unlimited partners.
The last year 2019-20, Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge 2.0 was conducted with the overall goal of engaging young people around Pakistan in the design of solutions surrounding knowledge and skill development.
Thirty-two (32) adolescents and young people from across the country participated in this extensive Bootcamp, out of which more than thirty per cent (30%) were women.
At the end of the Bootcamp, two (2) teams from Pakistan, namely BioCrocks and IHorizon, qualified for the global round of the Generation Unlimited Youth Challenge 2.0 to compete with 78 other competitive teams from around the world.
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Wednesday, 12 January 2022
Nur-Sultan, JAN 22: President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev visited Almaty on Wednesday for the first time since clashes there left dozens dead, vowing to repair damage to oil-rich Kazakhstan’s largest city and financial hub.
“The task now is to rebuild the city in the shortest possible time (…) I have no doubt the city will be restored,” he told a government meeting, according to a statement on the presidential website.
The visit comes on the eve of the start of the announced withdrawal of a Russia-led military contingent of more than 2,000 troops that were sent to help restore order after peaceful protests gave way to violence and looting.
“Tomorrow begins the organised withdrawal of the peacekeeping contingent” from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the alliance led by Moscow, confirmed Tokayev.
Almaty showed further signs of a return to normal life Wednesday with many more people out on the streets than last week and most restaurants and shops open.
AFP correspondents saw helicopters flying overhead as Tokayev met officials in the the city where municipal services were cleaning up broken glass from shop windows smashed by looters.
Tokayev said Russian and allied forces “played a very important role in terms of stabilising the situation in the country”.
“Without a doubt, it was of great psychological importance in repelling the aggression of terrorists and bandits. The mission can be considered very successful,” he added.
Tokayev also spoke with relatives of law enforcement personnel killed in the riots and visited injured people in hospital, the presidential website said.
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Courtesy Anews
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Tuesday, 11 January 2022
KARACHI, JAN 11: Tickets for the Karachi and Lahore legs of the seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) are up for sale on cricket.bookme.pk, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement on Tuesday.
The first leg of 15 matches will be played in Karachi from Jan 27 to Feb 7, while the remaining 19 matches will be held in Lahore from Feb 10-27.
The PCB, however, has laid some rules for spectators in a bid to prevent spread of the Covid-19.
All ticket-holders will also have to display their immunisation certificates and CNIC at the time of entering the venues, the cricket board said.
Ticket prices
According to the PCB, the ticket prices for the tournament opener between Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans on Jan 27 at the National Stadium have been fixed at Rs2,500 for VIP enclosure, Rs2,000 for premium enclosure, Rs1,500 for first-class enclosure and Rs500 for general enclosure.
While for the Feb 27 final at the Gaddafi Stadium, ticket prices have been set at Rs4,000 for VIP enclosure, Rs3,000 for premium enclosure, Rs2,500 for first-class enclosure and Rs1,500 for general enclosure. Ticket prices for the three play-off matches scheduled from Feb 23 to 25 have been locked at Rs3,000 for VIP enclosure, Rs2,500 for premium enclosure, Rs2,000 for first-class enclosure and Rs1,000 for general enclosure.
Meanwhile, the ticket prices for league matches taking place between Monday and Thursday have been set at Rs2,000 for VIP enclosure, Rs1,750 for premium enclosure, Rs1,250 for first-class enclosure and Rs250 for general enclosure.
Ticket prices for single-headers from Friday to Sunday are Rs2,500 for VIP enclosure, Rs2,000 for premium enclosure, Rs1,500 for first-class enclosure and Rs500 for general enclosure.
For the six double-headers (three each in Karachi and Lahore), the PCB has fixed ticket prices at Rs3,000 for VIP enclosure, Rs2,500 for premium enclosure, Rs2,000 for first-class enclosure and Rs1,000 for general enclosure.
The PCB added that the fans can also purchase tickets for Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis enclosures at the Gaddafi Stadium, which have been reserved as “Hospitality Stands”. Price for these enclosures range from Rs4,000 to Rs7,000, depending on the day and match, it added.
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Courtesy Dawn News
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Islamabad, JAN 11: AAA Associates has established a street library by the name of “Bazam-e-Zauq” in Rawalpindi near RDA Office. The library will have free access to all the people who would want to read the books.
In order to revive the old habit of reading books, AAA Associates has taken the initiative of opening a street library in the vicinity. The initiative is a collaborative effort along with RDA.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam inaugurated the street library. Chairman AAA Associates Sheikh Fawad Bashir, Commissioner Rawalpindi Gulzar Hussain Shah, Chairman RDA Raja Tariq Mehmood Mirza, Vice Chairman RDA Mr Haroon Hashmi were among the attendees along with other people from different walks of life.
Addressing the event, SAPM on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam said, “. Libraries are an essential part of our communities and the cultural backbone of our city.
Such initiatives not only contribute to making a better society but also imparts valuable lessons from years of experience.”
Chairman AAA Associates Sheikh Fawad Bashir said, “The purpose of AAA's Bazm-e-Zauq street library is to compel people to read more books as reading has been proven to be an effective way to keep the brain active.
Every good book opens up new dimensions of thoughts for the reader.”
AAA Associates is one of the recognized names in the Real Estate sector of Rawalpindi/Islamabad.
They have been venturing into a myriad of activities that benefit the community as a whole.
From promoting sports to providing philanthropic activities, AAA Associates has been active and conscious about its social and cooperative responsibility towards society.
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ISLAMABAD, JAN 11: To kick start the 70th-anniversary celebrations of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan, the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan and the Japan Foundation in cooperation with the Pakistan National Council of the Arts(PNCA) are presenting a superb collection of Japanese dolls in an exhibition titled “NINGYO: Art and Beauty of Japanese Dolls” at the PNCA.
This popular Japanese dolls travelling exhibition was inaugurated on Tuesday 11th January by WADA Mitsuhiro, the Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, together with the distinguished guests, Hon. Andleeb Abbas, member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, present on the occasion.
The exhibition presents a comprehensive introduction to Japanese doll culture, from Katashiro and Amagatsu, which are considered to be the archetypes of dolls in Japan, to local dolls that reflect the climate and anecdotes from across the country, to dress-up dolls that are beloved in Japan today as doll toys, and scale figures that are highly regarded around the world.
In the exhibition, a total of 67 carefully selected dolls divided under four sections “Ningyo to pray for children’s growth,” “Ningyo as fine art,” “Ningyo as folk art,” and “Spread of Ningyo culture” have been displayed exhibiting the diversity of the Japanese dolls.
Japanese dolls traditionally known as “Ningyo” (which means human shape in Japanese) are a unique cultural symbol because of their rich history and association with the Japanese way of life.
They reflect the customs of Japan and the aspirations of its people, possess distinctive regional attributes, and over the centuries have developed in many diverse forms.
Ambassador WADA, while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the exhibition said that dolls have been an important part of the Japanese culture for centuries and they reflect the history of Japan from prehistoric to modern times.
As this year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan, the dolls exhibition is a delightful occasion for Pakistani friends to learn more about the Japanese dolls culture.
The purpose of showing this exhibition is to give the visitors a close glimpse of the versatility and individuality of the traditional and cultural life of Japanese people, said the Ambassador.
The exhibition will remain open for public viewing till 25th of January 2022.
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Christchurch, JAN 11: Fairytale end as Ross Taylor seals New Zealand win over Bangladesh. New Zealand wrapped up the second Test against Bangladesh by an innings and 117 runs, with Ross Taylor taking the final wicket in a fairytale finish to square the two-Test series in Christchurch on Tuesday.
Liton Das cracked a gallant 102 off 111 deliveries for Bangladesh but it was nowhere near enough with the tourists dismissed in their second innings for 278 after being forced to follow on 385 runs behind.
The top order put up gritty resistance in reaching 123 for three, while Liton shared a century partnership for the sixth wicket with Nurul Hasan.
But there was no fight in the tail as New Zealand, the reigning World Test champions, completed a much-needed win after being comprehensively beaten by eight wickets in the first Test.
Fairytale end as Ross Taylor seals New Zealand win over Bangladesh
The 37-year-old Taylor, New Zealand’s elder statesman playing his 112th and final Test, had a rare bowl at the end and took the final wicket with Ebadot Hossain caught by Tom Latham for four.
It was a fitting farewell for Taylor, who bowed out of red-ball cricket with a New Zealand record 7,683 runs to his name and 37th in the all-time list of the sport’s most prolific run-getters.
Bangladesh were sunk in their second innings by the bounce of Neil Wagner, who took three for 77, while Kyle Jamieson finished with four for 82.
But the foundations for the victory were laid by captain Latham with his 252 to set up New Zealand’s mammoth first innings 521 for six declared.
The Bangladesh bowlers failed to capitalise on the green wicket, after winning the toss and putting New Zealand into bat, and when Bangladesh batted the New Zealand pace pair Trent Boult and Tim Southee showed how to use the conditions.
With swing and seam to the fore, the innings was all over in 41.2 overs for 126 with Boult taking five for 43 and Southee three for 28.
Fairytale end as Ross Taylor seals New Zealand win over Bangladesh
When Bangladesh were sent in to bat again, New Zealand produced the third weapon in their bowling armoury, short-ball specialist Wagner.
After Jamieson removed Shadman Islam (21), Wagner entered the action with a short ball to Najmul Hossain Shanto (29) that was hooked to Boult on the fine-leg boundary.
Debutant Mohammad Naim made a cautious 24 off 98 balls before he fell to Southee and then Wagner was back in the action.
Skipper Mominul Haque had reached 37 when Wagner switched to a full delivery which was edged to Taylor at first slip.
Yasir Ali, who scored 55 in the first innings, was on two when he fended at a rising Wagner delivery and the ball lobbed to Latham at second slip.
Jamieson, who struggled with his line in the losing Test, won by Bangladesh by eight wickets, was much sharper in Christchurch, removing Mehidy Hasan and Liton to go with the wicket of Shadman.
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Courtesy Dawn News
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ISLAMABAD, JAN 11: IHC orders sealing of Monal Restaurant. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday ordered capital authorities to seal off today Monal Restaurant and take control of the Margalla Greens Golf Club built on encroached land, also declaring illegal the military’s claim to 8,000 acres of Margalla Hills National Park.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah issued the order to Islamabad Capital Territory Chief Commissioner Amer Ali Ahmed while hearing a case related to encroachments in the national park.
“This court will protect the wider public interest,” the judge said.
The climate change secretary, who was present during the hearing, called for Islamabad’s master plan to be made public.
Justice Minallah said all rules applied to the three wings of the armed forces and asked whether they were being implemented. He questioned whether the Pakistan Air Force had gotten approval from the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the constructions it had carried out.
IHC orders sealing of Monal Restaurant
“It is possible that they might have some security concerns,” he remarked.
The judge said the concerns of the defence secretary should also be heard and the law should be strictly implemented. “Seal Monal if its lease has ended,” Justice Minallah added.
Following the judge’s directives, CDA officials went to the restaurant to seal it.
The Environment Protection Agency was directed to submit a report on the damages caused by construction on the national park.
The IHC also ordered the CDA to take over the Margalla Greens Golf Club today.
“The defence secretary should inquire about the encroachments of the navy golf course [and] take action against those responsible,” Justice Minallah said.
The IHC directed the defence secretary to ensure the implementation of the court’s orders and make sure there was no illegal construction by the armed forces’ three wings.
“The defence secretary and chief commissioner should ensure that no complaints come to the court now,” Justice Minallah said.
IHC orders sealing of Monal Restaurant
On November 9, the IHC had blamed several authorities for being complacent about the destruction of Margalla Hills National Park and the wildlife sanctuary. The court had also ordered a survey to be carried out on the damage and a report to be submitted.
Earlier that same month, the court had also asked the attorney general for Pakistan to explain if Messers Remount, the veterinary and farms directorate of the General Headquarters (GHQ), could legally own or manage state land within the protected area of the national park.
‘Armed forces should not be controversial’
The court was informed at the hearing’s outset by the additional attorney general (AAG) that Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam could not appear since he had tested positive for Covid-19.
Justice Minallah asked the climate change secretary whether his job was “just to plant trees?”, reminding that “the ministry has itself acknowledged that the state’s land was encroached upon by private people.”
“What should this court do? What is happening is surprising,” the judge said.
Justice Minallah remarked that there was “lawlessness” abound in the 1400 square miles of the capital territory.
“Sectors of three armed forces [wings] (army, military, navy) have been formed. The armed forces should not be controversial in any way. It is not in the public interest,” the judge remarked.
He said the law was clear on who could manage the lands of the armed forces, the manner in which they could do so, adding that the court would not allow anyone to make the armed forces controversial.
IHC orders sealing of Monal Restaurant
“National park area is a protected area and there can be no activity in it. No one can even cut grass in the national park area,” the judge said.
At this point, Justice Minallah wondered that to whom a land of which there is neither any use nor purpose could go to. The AAG replied that it was the executive’s job to determine that, to which the judge pointed out: “This is to be determined by the law, not the executive.”
“No property can be in the name of any institution,” the judge said. “This court has to protect the national park. The 8,000 acres of land is now part of the national park,” he remarked.
Justice Minallah noted that the armed forces were not autonomous and were instead under the control of the Ministry of Defence.
The chief justice said the navy had built a golf course on encroached land which was not “a good thing”. “Every citizen respects the armed forces. If they do this (encroaching on state property) then it will not send a good message,” Justice Minallah remarked.
“We first have to hold ourselves accountable. The poor are mired in poverty due to lawlessness.
“You yourself admitted that the golf course was illegal,” the judge said, before ordering the defence secretary to hand over the land of the golf course to the CDA.
Meanwhile, CDA Chairman Amer Ali Ahmed informed the court that a notice had been sent to the navy to take down its sailing club.
The IHC on Friday had declared illegal the navy’s sailing club and farmhouses constructed on the national park land and ordered their demolition.
IHC orders sealing of Monal Restaurant
At this, the defence secretary informed the court that villages and hamlets were also encroaching upon the park land.
The CDA chairman said that changes were being made to the city’s master plan without any consideration and “every institution had encroached somewhere or the other.”
He added that the matter would also be placed before the cabinet.
“When government institutions stop encroaching [on state land] then no one else will dare [to do so],” the CDA chairman said.
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Courtesy Dawn News
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Monday, 10 January 2022
WATCH VIDEO: Pakistan Railways launches Pakistan’s first-ever ‘Reefer Freight Train’
KARACHI, JAN 10: Pakistan Railways launches Pakistan’s first ever ‘Reefer Freight Train’. As a major breakthrough in national logistics & cargo infrastructure, Pakistan Railways successfully launches the country’s first-ever Reefer Freight Train aiming to provide more economical and environment friendly freight solutions.
According to details, Marine Group of Companies in collaboration with Pakistan Railways achieved the milestone by operating Pakistan’s first ever containerized refrigerated train in Dec 2021 which departed from dry port of Marine International Container Terminal (MICT) Prem Nagar, Lahore and arrived at Wazir Mansion Karachi.
This intermodal cold chain solution enabled by ‘Pakistan Railways Freight Transportation Company’ (PRFTC) who facilitates the rail infrastructure operated by ‘Pakistan Intermodal Limited’ (PIL) and CMA CGM Pakistan providing commercial support for this new cold chain corridor.
Since the past 05 years Pakistan Intermodal Ltd is playing a pivotal role in operating containerized freight trains in Pakistan and realizing the potential of Reefer containers, operated Pakistan’s first ever reefer block train carrying 24 Units - 40 feet reefers of CMA CGM Pakistan from MICT – Dry port at Prem Nagar – Lahore to Wazir Mansion Karachi and transported the Reefer box through PakGo trucking short haul services to Karachi Port completing the journey successfully.
Pakistan Railways launches Pakistan’s first ever ‘Reefer Freight Train’
The new operational phase begins with one train a week with plans for this service to operate twelve trains in a month. Freight trains can minimize the delivery time and reduce emissions to the atmosphere of greenhouse gasses.
On average, railroads are three to four times more fuel efficient than trucks. That means moving freight by rail instead of trucks lowers greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%, on average.
As more and more road-based reefer cargo finds its way to more economically and environmentally viable options. Pakistan Intermodal Limited (PIL) reefer block train system can generate billions of rupees annually in revenue for Pakistan Railways if the containerized freight trains are operated on schedule.
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ISLAMABAD, JAN 10: Snowstorm: Zong offers free calling in Murree, Galyat. In view of the emergency situation in Murree and Galyat region, CMPak (Zong 4G) of China Mobile Communication Corporation is offering 100 free Zong minutes with seamless connectivity to its users for three days.
Zong announced the offer a day
after 22 people died in their vehicles due to heavy snowfall and traffic
congestion in Murree. The snowfall has also disrupted life in the Galyat region
of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
“We are putting in all our
efforts to help you stay connected to your families while in the crisis zone at
Murree and Nathiagali,” Zong announced on Sunday evening.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan
Telecommunication (PTA) announced that in emergency situations, mobile phone
users in snow-affected areas with no balance have immediately been provided
with free on-net calling facility.
Snowstorm: Zong offers free calling in Murree, Galyat
On the directions of PTA,
cellular mobile operators have extended free calling facility on their own
network to users stranded in Galyat areas with zero balance. Moreover, PTA has
also directed all telecom operators to ensure uninterrupted services to users
and keep enough back up arrangements in case of power outages.
CMPak is a 100% owned subsidiary
of China Mobile Communications Corporation that came to Pakistan in 2007. Zong
is the fastest growing cellular mobile operator in Pakistan.
This article originally appeared on Gwadar Pro.
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Sunday, 9 January 2022
COLOMBO, JAN 9: Chinese foreign minister in Sri Lanka to discuss Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was in Sri Lanka on Sunday seeking to advance China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative, as the island nation looked to Beijing for help as it tries to rescue itself from a foreign currency and debt crisis.
Wang arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday from the Maldives on the last leg of a multi-city trip that also took him to Eritrea, Kenya and Comoros in Africa.
In Sri Lanka, Wang was scheduled to meet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. Later, Wang and Prime Minister Rajapaksa were to speak at Colombo’s Port City, a reclaimed island developed with Chinese investment.
The diplomatic visit comes as Sri Lanka faces one of its worst-ever economic crises, with foreign reserves down to around $1.6 billion, barely enough for a few weeks of imports.
Chinese foreign minister in Sri Lanka to discuss Belt and Road Initiative
It also has foreign debt obligations exceeding $7 billion in 2022, including repayment of bonds worth $500 million in January and $1 billion in July.
The declining foreign reserves are partly due to infrastructure built with Chinese loans that don’t generate revenue. China loaned money to build a sea port and airport in the southern Hambantota district, in addition to a wide network of roads.
Central Bank figures show that current Chinese loans to Sri Lanka total around $3.38 billion, not including loans to state-owned businesses, which are accounted for separately.
“Technically we can claim we are bankrupt now,” said Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, principal researcher at the Point Pedro Institute of Development.
“When you have foreign reserves in the red, that means you are technically bankrupt.”
The situation has left households facing severe shortages. People wait in long lines to buy essential goods like milk powder, cooking gas and kerosene.
Prices have increased sharply and the Central Bank says the inflation rate rose to 12.1 per cent by the end of December from 9.9pc in November. Food inflation increased to over 22pc in the same period.
Because of a currency shortage, importers are unable to clear their cargo containing essentials and manufactures are not able to buy raw materials from overseas.
Expatriate remittances have also fallen after the government ordered the mandatory conversion of foreign currency and controls over exchange rates.
Chinese foreign minister in Sri Lanka to discuss Belt and Road Initiative
Rating agency downgrades have resulted in Sri Lanka losing much of its borrowing power. In December, Fitch Ratings noted an increased probability of credit default.
The Central Bank has added a currency swap in Chinese currency worth $1.5 billion to the reserves but economists disagree whether it can be part of foreign reserves or not.
Wang’s visit also has regional significance, as both China and India, Sri Lanka’s closest neighbor, vie for influence in the island.
“We can see Sri Lanka being saddled between India and China for a potential bailout package,” said political analyst Ranga Kalansooriya.
India is dragging its feet for some time while China is trying to manipulate the situation to the maximum, he added.
India has been wary of China’s increased investments and loans in Sri Lanka since a civil war ended in 2009. India considers Sri Lanka part of its territory of influence. China considers Sri Lanka to be a critical link in its Belt and Road global infrastructure initiative.
Kalansooriya says Wang may also be looking to iron out relations with Sri Lanka after they were recently strained over a shipment of fertiliser that allegedly contained harmful bacteria and business agreements that were inked with Chinas rivals, the United States and India.
Kalansooriya said that China is unlikely to bail Sri Lanka out of its economic crisis.
“They will look for more business opportunities, fishing in the troubled waters of economic doldrums in the country,” he said.
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Courtesy Dawn News
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