In defense of females' rights

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, 27 December, “UNICEF strongly condemns the recent decree issued by the Taliban de facto authorities banning all female humanitarian workers at national and international NGOs from working across Afghanistan. This decision is a blatant violation of obligations under international humanitarian law and the most fundamental human rights of women in Afghanistan. It comes just days after the decision to ban all women from access to higher education. 

 

“Beyond the egregious rollback of basic rights, these decisions will have far-reaching consequences for the delivery of essential services for children and families across the country – especially in the areas of health, nutrition, education, and child protection – areas where female humanitarian workers have an immeasurably important role to play. This includes the programming of UNICEF, through which we provide services to 19 million people, including more than 10 million children, across the country.

 

“By banning female NGO workers, the Taliban de facto authorities are effectively denying these services to a significant portion of the population and putting the lives and well-being of all Afghans, especially women and children, at risk.

 

“UNICEF calls on the Taliban de facto authorities to immediately reverse both decisions, on higher education and humanitarian work, and to allow all female students to go back to school and female NGO workers to continue their important work in Afghanistan across the humanitarian sector.”

 

 

 THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EPIDEMIC PREPAREDNESS

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, 23 December, The UNSG wrote on the occasion of the international day of epidemic preparedness: Three years ago this month, the virus that causes COVID-19 was first detected.

 

The costs have been catastrophic. Millions of lives have been lost, and hundreds of millions of people have fallen ill. Economies were shattered, health systems were stretched, and trillions of dollars were lost. Progress toward Sustainable Development Goals has been thrown off track. And developing countries were often left to fend for themselves, shamefully denied the vaccines, tests, or treatments they needed to protect their people.

 

COVID-19 will not be the last epidemic or pandemic humanity faces. As a global community, we must heed the harsh lessons of COVID-19 and make bold investments in pandemic preparedness, prevention and response.

 

We need better surveillance to detect and monitor viruses with epidemic potential. We need more resilient health systems supported by universal health coverage. And we need a healthy workforce that is well-trained, well-equipped, and well-paid.

 

We also need equitable access to vaccines, treatments, diagnostics, and life-saving technology for all countries.

 

And we must fight the scourge of misinformation and pseudoscience with science and fact-based information.

 

A pandemic cannot be fought country by country. The world must come together.  COVID-19 was a wake-up call.

 

On this International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, I urge all countries to stand with our efforts to ensure the world is equipped and ready to take on the health challenges to come.

 

 

 

 

 

U.S.-Pakistani Diaspora Engagement Conference in Islamabad

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, 21 December, At a U.S.-Pakistani diaspora conference today in Islamabad, United States Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Andrew Schofer emphasized that the United States considers the U.S.-Pakistani diaspora as a key partner in the humanitarian, social, and commercial sectors in Pakistan.

The United States Mission in Pakistan, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in close collaboration with the U.S.-Pakistani diaspora, hosted a one-day U.S.-Pakistani Diaspora Engagement Conference at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.  The conference showcased key contributions and investments by the U.S.-Pakistani diaspora in the humanitarian, social, and commercial sectors, and explored avenues for future joint engagements.  Zeeshaan Shah, Prime Minister’s Ambassador at Large for Investments, spoke at the closing session.  More than 100 participants attended in person, including members of the U.S.-Pakistani diaspora, and prominent local business leaders.

At the closing session, USAID signed two partnership memoranda of understanding with U.S.-Pakistani diaspora entities: one with Datarocx to set up digital centers in Pakistan in the Special Technology Zones and the other with Global Semiconductor Group and HUM Network Limited for Pakistan Catalytic Fund to improve access to growth capital for established businesses in the technology sector.

USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman said, “The conference was an opportunity to highlight some of the contributions and investments already made by the Pakistani diaspora, facilitate collaborations between Pakistani diaspora entities, and develop a road map for collective action to address the current humanitarian and social challenges in Pakistan”.

In his remarks, Chargé d’Affaires Schofer highlighted the long history of the United States and Pakistan working together to advance Pakistan’s economic growth and solve development challenges.  He also highlighted opportunities for future partnership: “As the Green Revolution improved lives in the past, a ‘Green Alliance’ between the United States and Pakistan will help us jointly strengthen climate resilience, develop clean energy alternatives, and foster economic growth.”

The United States remains firmly committed to engaging and partnering with the U.S.-Pakistani diaspora to address Pakistan’s challenges in the humanitarian, social and commercial sectors and to further Pakistan’s development goals.

 

 

 U.S. Central Command Commander General Michael E. Kurilla Visits Pakistan to Reaffirm Security Ties

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, 17 December, Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael E. Kurilla, visited Islamabad from December 14-16 to hold meetings with Pakistani military leadership.

General Kurilla met with Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, to conduct a review of troops and discuss bilateral security cooperation and efforts to promote regional stability. 

During his visit, General Kurilla met Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, at the Joint Staff Headquarters to reaffirm the bilateral commitment to partnership and addressing shared security challenges.  General Kurilla also visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to discuss the security situation along the border with Afghanistan.

For 75 years, the United States has valued our long-standing bilateral partnership with Pakistan, including through more than $97 million provided this year to support flood relief, food security, and disaster preparedness in Pakistan.  As Pakistan continues to recover from the floods, U.S. government support will remain steadfast.

 

 

 INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY

Islamabad

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, 17 December, UNSG message: On this International Migrants Day, we reflect on the lives of the over 280 million people who left their country in the universal pursuit of opportunity, dignity, freedom, and a better life.

 

Today, over 80 percent of the world’s migrants cross borders in a safe and orderly fashion.

 

This migration is a powerful driver of economic growth, dynamism, and understanding.

 

But unregulated migration along increasingly perilous routes – the cruel realm of traffickers – continues to extract a terrible cost.

 

Over the past eight years, at least 51,000 migrants have died – and thousands more have disappeared.

 

Behind each number is a human being – a sister, brother, daughter, son, mother, or father.

 

Migrant rights are human rights. They must be respected without discrimination – and irrespective of whether their movement is forced, voluntary, or formally authorized.

 

We must do everything possible to prevent the loss of life – as a humanitarian imperative and a moral and legal obligation.

We must provide for search and rescue efforts and medical care.

 

We must expand and diversify rights-based pathways for migration – to advance Sustainable Development Goals and address labor market shortages.

 

And we need greater international support for investments in countries of origin to ensure migration is a choice, not a necessity.

 

There is no migration crisis; there is a crisis of solidarity.

 

Today and every day, let us safeguard our common humanity and secure the rights and dignity of all.

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY

 On this International Migrants Day, we reflect on the lives of the over 280 million people who left their country in the universal pursuit of opportunity, dignity, freedom, and a better life.

 

Today, over 80 per cent of the world’s migrants cross borders in a safe and orderly fashion.

 

This migration is a powerful driver of economic growth, dynamism, and understanding.

 

But unregulated migration along increasingly perilous routes – the cruel realm of traffickers – continues to extract a terrible cost.

 

Over the past eight years, at least 51,000 migrants have died – and thousands more have disappeared.

 

Behind each number is a human being – a sister, brother, daughter, son, mother, or father.

 

Migrant rights are human rights. They must be respected without discrimination – and irrespective of whether their movement is forced, voluntary, or formally authorized.

 

We must do everything possible to prevent the loss of life – as a humanitarian imperative and a moral and legal obligation.

We must provide for search and rescue efforts and medical care.

 

We must expand and diversify rights-based pathways for migration – to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and address labour market shortages.

 

And we need greater international support for investments in countries of origin to ensure migration is a choice, not a necessity.

 

There is no migration crisis; there is a crisis of solidarity.

 

Today and every day, let us safeguard our common humanity and secure the rights and dignity of all.

 

 UNIDO and Sindh Solid waste managementt

Islamabad

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, 16 December, Provisioned by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Karachi Tannery Association south zone (PTA-SZ) handed over modern machinery and state-of-the-art equipment to Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) for the cleanliness Korangi Leather Sector.

 

MD SSWMB Mr. Zubair Ahmed Chana while addressing the function said that the SSWMB team is already working to collect garbage, transport, and disposal to the landfill site from Sector 7A Korangi Leather Sector, and in this process PTA (SZ) Environmental Society completely supported us.

 

He said that the addition of modern machinery provided by UNIDO-GEF cleanliness efficiency in the area will further improve. Executive Director Tariq Nizmani, CEO of Chinese company Gansu Construction Mr.Liu Tao, PTA (SZ) ES President Gulzar Feroze, UNIDO National Coordinator Irfan Haider, committee members Rehan Hanan, Sheikh Muhammad Imran, Farooq Ahmed, Abdul Aman, Kamran Habib, and other officers were present at the occasion.

 

President PTA (SZ) ES Gulzar Feroze appreciates the efforts of MD Solid Waste and his team, he said that due to their efforts and strategy, all matters were settled smoothly, Sector-A 7, Sector 15, Sector 17  within the limits of PTA south zone.

 

He extended that PTA (SZ) support is being provided in the cleaning and garbage collection work, furthermore, the operational machinery, worth US$300,000, is part of a larger US$2 million project supported by the UNIDO funded by the GEF under Korangi Leather Area project for the reduction of GHG emissions from the leather sector.

 

He further stressed that the project supports more than 120 tanneries (leather sector) most in need of services including the provision of more than 375 waste collection bins, compactor trucks, multi loaders, mechanical sweepers, tractor trolleys, and other equipment distributed to units to assist in the garbage collection and disposal operations. Moreover, under the UNIDO-GEF project, machinery, technical support, and other equipment have been handed over to SSWMB to further improve the sanitation situation in Sector 7A. He added that we have full confidence in the team of SSWMB that these machineries will be put to good use.

 

 

 

 FAO and Children of Pakistan 

Islamabad

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, 15 December, A strong common collaboration among all the stakeholders is required to define and achieve the common goal of preventing child labor. Thus concluded ‘National Consultative Workshop on Elimination of Child Labour in Agriculture/Cotton, Textile and Garment Value Chains in Pakistan” held in Islamabad on Tuesday. The workshop was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO). 

 

The workshop was held under the “CLEAR Cotton Project: Eliminating child labor and forced labor in the cotton, textile, and garment value chains” (2018-2023). The Project was mainly funded by the European Union. Pakistan is among the four countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Peru where the CLEAR Cotton Project is being implemented. In Pakistan, the project is being co-implemented by FAO and ILO.

 

Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Khemphone Phaokhamkeo, ILO Country Director (Officer in Charge) in Pakistan said that fighting child labor is important for ILO and has been a priority since its establishment in 1919. Pakistan has also ratified 36 international conventions including the ones on the elimination of child and forced labor. As a member state of ILO, Pakistan should take steps to respect compliance with these conventions. The issue of child and forced labor in Pakistan requires our attention amongst others in three areas; Firstly, we need to ensure that all children have access to quality education; not only up to the primary level but till the time they attain the legal age of being eligible to work. Secondly, a healthy, safe, and protective work environment must be provided for the youth. Thirdly, the poor should be protected under social safety nets and social protection. All adults must be provided decent work so that they don’t have to pull their children into work.

 

Ms. Florence Rolle, FAO Representative in Pakistan while addressing the inaugural session said that; “Looking at the statistics of the out-of-school children and stunting rate in Pakistan, we realize that these are the key issues that we need to address. Nonetheless, the question is how? It is often said that children are the future. In my opinion, they are the present. We need to address the present so that they become the future of Pakistan. Almost 70 percent of the child labor in Pakistan is involved in agriculture, therefore, for FAO this is a major concern. The project was the first of its kind in Pakistan where we worked with awareness raising in communities. Child labor in agriculture is not only about children being out of school, but it is also a major health issue as they are exposed to pesticides. FAO through its various initiatives is also trying to increase the outcomes of the smallholder farmers so that the vicious circle of child labor is broken.”  She reiterated that FAO will mainstream the outcomes of this project in all other projects as well. She concluded on the point that “it is always good to forge partnerships so that difficult subjects like child labor are tackled at multiple levels from different angles”.

 

 

 

 

 Challenges Affecting Expansion of TB and Malaria

Islamabad

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, 14 December, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Pakistan organizes a day-long workshop on the stakeholder consultation on the challenges affecting the expansion of Tuberculosis and Malaria responses at the provincial level.

 

The event was attended by senior officials from the Health Departments of the Government of Punjab, KP, Sindh, and Balochistan. The participants from the provincial health departments presented their findings, challenges, and recommendations specified in the context of TB and malaria. Provincial Disaster Management Authority representatives from all the provinces were also present and gave presentations on the post-flood situation in their respective provinces.

 

In Pakistan, a high burden of malarial disease has been reported in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Sindh. Over 30% of our population lives in high-risk zones for malaria. The province of Punjab is also classified as a medium to low-risk region for malaria.

 

Unfortunately, Pakistan is ranked 5th in the world for reporting high cases of TB, with an estimated incidence of 263/per 100,000. Annually, more than 580,000 cases appear, while over 44,000 people lose their lives to the disease.

 

Multidrug-Resistant TB poses a great threat to our community with an estimated 27,000 cases reported per year.

 

 

 FAO holds validation workshops in Islamabad

Dr. Jassim Taqui DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, 13 December, The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recently organized two validation workshops in Islamabad.

 

The first workshop was held on “Agriculture Innovation System (AIS): Assessment Findings and Recommendations” in collaboration with the Ministry of National Food Security and Research (MNFSR)  The objective of organizing this workshop was to gather feedback on the detailed assessment results and discuss the way forward and finalize road map for the next phase i.e. capacity building.

 

Assessment of AIS is part of a global three-year EU-funded project aimed at strengthening the functional capacities of National Agriculture Innovation Systems with a focus on climate-relevant, productive, and sustainable transformation of agriculture and food systems. Detailed assessment of AIS was conducted during September-October 2022 by a three-member assessment team comprising a national consultant and members from Agriculture Extension & Adaptive Research Department, Punjab. Seven innovation case studies of different public sector organizations from federal and provinces were studied in four analytical dimensions i.e., functional, structural, capacity, and enabling environment.

 

All the participants acknowledged the results of the assessment and agreed with the recommendations for the next phase of capacity building. They also emphasized the need to prepare an action plan for each innovation case study. Project Advisory Committee member recommended including service and product innovation case studies in specific interventions and also including governance departments as well in the training component of capacity building.

 

Participants also emphasized the importance of strengthening the agriculture innovation system with the involvement of private stakeholders as it would reap long-lasting benefits. Mr. Selvaraju Ramasamy Head, FAO’s Research and Extension Unit (OINR), joined the event virtually and apprised stakeholders of the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP) and the Global TAP AIS Project.

 

The event was attended by 25 participants in person and through virtual participation. They included; key officials from the Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC), National Agriculture Research Center (NARC), Provincial Extension and Research departments, and FAO Office of Innovation (OIN).

 

The other workshop was held to showcase the investment potential of various commodities to a broad range of stakeholders including; the Government of Pakistan, financial institutions, resource partners, and leading private sector companies.

 

The Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiHi) of FAO is an evidence‐based, country‐led, and country‐owned initiative. The Hand‐in‐Hand Initiative represents a bold step to eradicate poverty (SDG 1) and end hunger and all forms of malnutrition (SDG2) by accelerating agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development.

 

The Initiative prioritizes countries where national capacities and international support are most limited or where operational challenges, including natural or man‐made crises, are greatest. FAO facilitates bridging prevailing issues both in terms of strengthening capacities and matchmaking. In 2018, the Government of Pakistan analyzed and selected 33 priority commodities in line with Vision 2025 to identify potential opportunities with detailed feasibility and cost-benefit analysis for each commodity. The report on Cluster Development Based Agriculture Transformation also included proposed interventions, strategies, and policies to transform the agriculture sector from supply-driven to demand-oriented and to be competitive in international markets.

 

To support the Government initiative, FAO Pakistan further shortlisted 20 agricultural commodities in consultation with private and public sector stakeholders and updated feasibility studies. As a next step, a validation workshop was organized to showcase the investment potential for each of the commodities to a broad range of stakeholders including the Government of Pakistan, financial institutions, resource partners, and leading private sector companies.

 

The participants of the validation workshop appreciated the FAO initiative for investment mobilization to accelerate the agriculture sector growth and shared their feedback to further strengthen this initiative. The participants also endorsed FAO's upcoming investment symposium which is being planned for February 2023.