Punjab Chief Minister Announces a Taskforce for Women’s Empowerment Initiatives

Punjab Chief Minister Announces a Taskforce for Women’s Empowerment Initiatives

Al-Bab Report

 21 October 2016: Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif early this week constituted a provincial task force for facilitating the coordination of women’s empowerment initiatives, and scaling up activities and awareness campaigns across relevant frameworks including but not limited to the Pakistan Women Entrepreneurship Programme (PWEP), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ms. Fiza Farhan, Member of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment has been appointed Chairperson of the Task Force by the Chief Minister of Punjab. The Task Force on Women Empowerment will be led by Fiza and comprise of eminent officers of Public Sector departments such as the Secretary, Women Development; Secretary, School Education; Secretary, Primary & Secondary Healthcare, Members of the Provincial Assembly and Senior Member, Law & Order (Special Monitoring Unit, Chief Minister’s Office) among other key stakeholders from the public sector and civil society.

This Task Force is in line with a ‘Call to Action’ included in the first report of the High-Level Panel for Women’s Economic Empowerment in September 2016, which emphasized the need for increased partnerships and commitments to accelerate progress under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The findings which called on different stakeholders to promote women’s leadership in driving sustainable and inclusive, environmentally sensitive economic growth, recommended key actions by governments, the private sector, the UN and multilateral organizations as well as civil society.

In bringing this global initiative to Pakistan, Fiza in partnership with the Government of Punjab and UN Women Pakistan launched the ‘Call for Action Campaign’ engaging key players to promote economic, social, legal and political empowerment for women in both rural and urban settings. Significant achievements in Punjab towards women’ s empowerment, included the strengthening of gender responsive infrastructure in the public sector through the Women Empowerment Package led by the Women Development Department, a report on the “Punjab Gender Parity Report” and the allocation of 9.2 Billion Pakistan Rupees to implement the ‘Women’s Empowerment Package” within Punjab. The Government of the Punjab is making great strides towards strengthening the policy environment for women informal workers in the province in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan and a survey is currently underway to enumerate women home based workers to support the adoption and implementation of the relevant policy and legislation. UN Women had also recently supported 18 private sector companies to sign the Women’s Empowerment Principles in Punjab and Sindh encouraging them to commit to gender-responsive practices in their businesses.

Urdu translation of the Basic Facts About the United Nations officially launched

Urdu translation of the Basic Facts About the United Nations officially launched

Al-Bab Report

Comprehensive information about the United Nations and its work is now available to Urdu readers in Pakistan. The Urdu translation of the "Basic Facts About the United Nations" was officially launched Monday at the Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, on the occasion of the UN Day. The event was attended by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Resident Coordinator of the UN Neil Buhne, Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan Marc P George, Vice Chancellor of the Quaid-e-Azam University Dr. Javed Ashraf and Director of the UN Information Centre Vittorio Cammarota.

Published since 1947, "Basic Facts about the United Nations" serves as a trusted guide to the United Nations and its system of related agencies. The 2014 edition provides a concise overview of the organization’s work throughout the world — including current peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions — along with essential information on UN membership and structure.

“UN has made enormous progress in international law, peace and development after the end of the Cold War,” said Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, adding that, “The Urdu translation of this handbook will increase awareness about the UN’s work.”

UN Resident Coordinator Neil Buhne said, “With 60 percent population below 30 years of age, Pakistan is playing a leading role in the UN in many ways. It can only continue to do so if more Pakistanis are aware of the UN and its mandate.”

“It is extremely important for the UN to reach out to Urdu speakers in Pakistan,” said Vittorio Cammarota, Director of the UN Information Centre. “To meet the challenges of the globalized world today, it is essential that citizens all over the world are properly informed about the work of the United Nations so that they actively contribute to it,” he added.

Vice Chancellor of the Quaid-e-Azam University Dr. Javed Ashraf said, “It’s a matter of great honor for us that Pakistan’s highest-ranking university has been selected for the launch of this book.”

On this occasion, a UN Corner has also unveiled at the School of Politics and International Relations (SPIR) library. The UN Corner is a bookshelf that serves as a repository of newsletters, journals, reports, magazines and books published by the UN Secretariat and the agencies, funds, and programs of the UN System. It aims to provide university students with full-time access to information on the priority areas of work of the UN.

"This UN Corner provides a treasure of knowledge to support students in their research work and to empower Pakistani youth for their future careers," said Marc P George, Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan, adding that "the Swiss Development Cooperation has therefore decided to support the roll-out of the UN Corner to all government universities throughout the country.”

“The Quaid-i-Azam University is a microcosm of Pakistan, truly representative of our culturally diverse national demography. The UN Corner will prove to be a knowledge hub about the world body for both our students and faculty,” said Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad, Director SPIR.

This event was part of celebrations of the UN Day in Pakistan. UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, the United Nations officially came into being.

Hundreds of cadets held hostage as gunmen storm police training center in Quetta

Hundreds of cadets held hostage as gunmen storm police training center in Quetta 

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Unidentified gunmen have stormed a police training center in the city of Quetta. About 200 to 500 cadets could be inside according to various estimates. There have been no reports of casualties in the attack.

Police and security forces are at the scene and cordoned off the area. Heavy exchange of fire continues from both sides. Five to six terrorists barged into the academy from the back- side. Police stated that the attackers "went straight to the hostel" of the academy, where around 200 to 250 police recruits "normally stay." They were wwearing suicide vests. The Interior Minister has established a special room to monitor the situation.

UNICEF and H&M launch an interactive digital brain development tool for young children

UNICEF and H&M launch an interactive digital brain development tool for young children

Al-Bab Report

The UNI_FORM tool aims to visually display how games and play can support positive cognitive development

NEW YORK, 24 October 2016 – A digital tool that interactively shows how games and plays stimulate brain development during early childhood launches today. The interactive UNI_FORM ‘jacket’ was created by the H&M Foundation and UNICEF as part of a new UNI_FORM campaign to help promote early childhood development.

The UNI_FORM tool, which aims to visually translate neuroscience for parents and caregivers across the world, displays how young brains develop at yearly stages up to the age of five, and provides families with innovative age-appropriate play ideas that can help optimize brain development.

The jacket reveals different cognitive games that feed the brain as it evolves with the child´s age. The games are tailored for each age based on UNICEF's research on early childhood development.

"Early childhood presents a window of opportunity that define a child’s future. By using UNI_FORM as a symbol, we want to raise awareness around the fact that children who are stimulated in their early years learn more effectively at school, and as adults they can have a higher earning power and be of better health than children that don’t have these early opportunities,” said Diana Amini, Global Manager at H&M Foundation.

“Children who experience love, proper nutrition and protection in a stimulating environment during early childhood become resilient, learn effectively and are able to help build strong, safe communities and economies when they reach adulthood,” said Pia Britto UNICEF Chief of Early Childhood Development. “We are proud to launch this interactive tool to help give children the enrichment they need in these critical early moments of life.”

An estimated 249 million children under five in low- and middle-income countries are at an increased risk of poor development due to extreme poverty and stunting.

On www.theuniform.org, adults and children can interact with the UNI_FORM and at the same time support the right for every child to get the best start in life. During the earliest moments of life, children’s experiences have the power to shape the development of their brains as much as their DNA as neural connections take place at a once-in-a-lifetime speed of up to 1,000 per second, forming their cognitive, social and emotional development.

Gamal Abdel Nassir revisited

Gamal Abdel Nassir revisited

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Following the massive defeat of the Arab armies on 6 October 1967, the legendary Egyptian and Arab leader Gamal Abel Nassir addressed the Arabs to declare his responsibility for the defeat. He offered himself for accountability and all consequences thereupon.

None could believe what they heard. The speech created yet another sock among all Arabs who looked upon Nassir as a Bismarck who had the potentials to unify their ranks and put them before the international comity as a one solid and proactive nation.

His friends and foes knew Nassir as an honest and upright person who applied the law of the state on himself and his family before he demanded from his people to respect the writ of the state. Nobody doubted his integrity. Therefore, millions of people took to the streets of Cairo and other Arab capitals asking him to take back his resignation shouting Nassir… Nassir and No Oh Nassir.

I was In Basra, Iraq and I witnessed the huge processions taken by all political parties including the Iraqi Communist Party to show solidarity with the Arab Leader. Earlier, the communists used to be Nassir’s worst critics; describing him as “American Agent. “Thus, 5 June 1967 made history by crowning Nassir as the undisputed pan-Arab leader with only one difference. The Arab masses were his crown.

Subsequent events witnessed the making of a new Nassir. He did everything possible to re-build the Egyptian Armed Forces. He repeatedly stated, “And I believe that whatsoever taken by force, cannot be reigned except by force.” It was the clearest indication that Nassir was preparing the Armed Forces to cross the psychological barrier and the Suez Canal to liberate the occupied Egyptian territories. Nassir died on 28 September 1970 before he could achieve his dream. However, his successor Anwar Al Sadat continued his mission and led his army to cross from despair to victory on October 6, 1973.

Nassir was a unique phenomenon in the Middle East. Arabs could produce only one Nassir. There was and had been no match for his dedication to the cause of the common person, women and the higher causes of the Arabs, Africans, and the Third World causes. His charisma and ability to communicate with Arab masses were unmatched.

Following his untimely passing away, an Arab analyst wrote, “There is a divine wisdom behind Nassir’s death. Had he lived and crossed the Suez Canal, the Arabs would have worshiped him.” 

U.S. Exchange Program Alumni Honored for Contributions to Local Communities

U.S. Exchange Program Alumni Honored for Contributions to Local Communities

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, October 22, 2016 -- More than 700 alumni of U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs gathered in Islamabad to recognize the extensive contributions members of the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) have made to their communities and the U.S.-Pakistan relationship.  The sixth annual reunion of the PUAN Islamabad-Rawalpindi Chapter brought together politicians, parliamentarians, scholars, journalists, businessmen, and students – all of whom are alumni of U.S. exchange programs – to share their experiences and renew their commitment to strengthening ties between the United States and Pakistan.  PUAN alumni have led dozens of community service activities in the Islamabad area in the past year, taking active roles in the fields of education, leadership development, counter-narcotics, and women’s empowerment. 

U.S. Mission Pakistan’s Deputy Chief of Mission Jonathan Pratt thanked the exchange alumni for their dedication to a strong U.S.-Pakistan relationship.  “It was great to see that PUAN leadership organized a job fair in this year’s reunion program.  There are some noted multinational corporations and local organizations here today who can perhaps provide an opportunity for alumni to excel professionally.”  He also acknowledged PUAN’s extensive community service programs and distinguished alumni who made significant contributions to Pakistan.   

PUAN President of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, Haseeb Kiyani, encouraged participants to volunteer for the network’s philanthropic activities to spread the knowledge they gained in the United States throughout Pakistan.  The network also recognized several prominent alumni and volunteer mentors who have given back to their communities with Distinguished Alumni and Emerging Leader awards.

 The U.S. government invests more than $40 million annually on exchange programs for Pakistani citizens to visit and study in the United States.  Over 1,200 Pakistanis participate each year in high school, undergraduate, graduate, and professional U.S.-sponsored exchanges.Pakistan has one of the largest U.S.-alumni communities in the world, with more than 19,000 students and professionals who have participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs.  PUAN organizes events across Pakistan through 12 regional chapters, including community service projects, leadership training, roundtable discussions, and community engagement activities.

PML-N accuses US of supporting PTI

PML-N accuses US of supporting PTI

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Having failed to bail out the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif from dirty money laundering and massive corruption, the cronies of PML (N) especially Daniel Aziz, have now floated the notion that the US administration was secretly supporting financially PTI since its 2014- sit-in in Islamabad.

Aziz went on to accuse PTI Chairman Imran Khan of “using US money” to recruit 500 armed Taliban fighters to disrupt the government on 2^nd November, the D-Day for Nawaz Sharif to resign or submit himself for accountability.

The PML (N) leader, Daniel Aziz also publicly accused the COAS Gen. Raheel Sharif of being the brain behind what he called “a conspiracy” to derail the “democratic dispensation.”

On the other front, the Government has given a signal to the banned militant Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) to organize armed rallies in Islamabad on 27-28 October as a show of force and a warning that PTI’s sit-in could lead to a bloody civil war. All components of DPC are proven terrorist .Therefore, the Gen. Musharraf regime banned them but never had the gut to hold them accountable. However, these militants are tested and proclaimed allies of the Sharif Brothers. They include ASWJ, JuD, DDP, LeJ, JeM, TeJ, AeH, HuJeI (Harakat ul Jihad e Islami) and PML-Zia.

Ostensibly, the objective is to save Nawaz Sharif and his family members from an imminent conviction by igniting a civil war in Pakistan that forces the army to take over. Once, a martial is imposed in Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif would collaborate with India in mobilizing the people against the armed forces of Pakistan a la  Coup d'état against Gorbachev or even worse than that since India would go for its well-prepared scheme of the disintegration of Pakistan.

It is with this in mind, one would counsel the army not to fall into the trap. One would also appeal to the Supreme Court of Pakistan to act quickly and de-seat Nawaz Sharif based on his involvement in massive corruption and dirty money laundering as per Panama Leaks.

An interesting aspect of this imbroglio is the stark similarity between the crisis of 1975 and the present one. The former Prime Minister ZA Bhutto massively rigged the 1975 elections and claimed “free and fair elections.” The Opposition parties, both inside the parliament and outside it formed PNA (Pakistan National Alliance) and took to the streets to force Bhutto to resign and hold fresh elections. Ultimately, Bhutto was toppled by a military coup. Gen.Zia ul Haq hanged him in April 1979. In, 1971, Bhutto was responsible for the disintegration of Pakistan, when he refused to hand over power to Sheikh Mujibur Rehman-led party Awami League.

Presently, Nawaz Sharif also came to power through the massive rigging of elections. In addition, he is now secretly cooperating with the Indians to “tame” the army or to disintegrate Pakistan.  Apparently, the unwritten or undisclosed game is to sabotage CPEC and to hand over Pakistan’s strategic assets to the enemy or to put such assets under strict monitoring regime. These suits simplify things to the intellect-deficient Nawaz Sharif. It will also enable him to expand his business empire. By ensuring uninterrupted rule over Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif would whiten billions of dollars of assets inside Pakistan and abroad, which he obtained by laundering dirty money. You cannot obtain kickbacks in billions but you can easily acquire such wealth through laundering drug money.

Perfume

Perfume

Dr. Jassim Taqui

The new German Cultural Attaché Burghard Brinksmeier thumped his cultural presence in Pakistan by showing the German film, “Perfume: The Story of a Murderer.” A large number of cinemagoers attended.

Jean-Baptiste Grenouille, born with a superior olfactory sense, creates the world's finest perfume. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he searches for the ultimate scent.

The film is an exploration of how the actions of individual lives affects one another in the past, present and future, as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero, and an act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution.

The storyline revolves on Jean-Baptiste Grenouille who came into the world unwanted, expected to die, yet born with an unnerving sense of smell that created alienation as well as talent. Of all the smells around him, Grenouille is beckoned to the scent of a woman's soul, and spends the rest of his life attempting to smell her essence again by becoming a perfumer, and creating the essence of an innocence lost.

The theme is very powerful. It relates to a drastic change of the belief system, rather reversing it. It strongly relates to our time where the social media has completely changed morality and values as people, particularly youth, regain their freedom. Old morality has gone with the wind.

In Pakistan’s context, the perfumer targets someone. The crisis within would determine who is the one whom the perfumer would extract his bottle of perfume.

Pakistan’s fight against terrorism and the way out

Pakistan’s fight against terrorism and the way out

Dr. Jassim Taqui

There is no definition of terrorism. Terrorists have no concern for human life. Political issues motivate them. They also get the cover of world judiciary. For example, a Judge of the ICJ stated in her judgment, “there are no legal implications of terrorism.” Terrorism is a virus. Its political objectives are to engage a wide spectrum of people. According to the ICJ, wars and collateral damages are not terrorism. Similarly, one can say the right to exercise self-determination is not terrorism. Generally, freedom movements are not a form of terrorism.

We have no government. There is no concern to resolve basic demands of the common man like education, health services, reformed police, just and independent judicial system, drinking water, strict traffic system, collecting and treating garbage. Now, a man is respected for breaking the law, not upholding it.

The way out is first, to neutralize completely the mullahs, second to abide in letter and spirit by the Constitution, third to reform the police, and four, to reform and ensure the independence of Judiciary.

The above were the highlights of a lecture titled,” Pakistan’s fight against terrorism and the way out” by Gen.Tariq Hayat Khan, the former Inspector General of Frontier Corps (September 2008 to October 2010.) He was the Guest Speaker of the Oxbridge. Osman Aminuddin, Chairman of Oxbridge was in the chair while Dr. Irshad Ullah Khan, Secretary General of Oxbridge acted as a moderator.

About one-hour lively questions-answers session followed. This time a large number of diplomats, intellectuals and elite of Islamabad attended.

King Mohammed VI ’s Visit to Rwanda Heralds African Resurgence

Dr. Jassim Taqui

King Mohammed VI’s visit to Rwanda heralds a new dawn in the history of African Renaissance.

King Mohammed VI of Morocco and the Rwandan President stand on a shared ground vis-à-vis the African rebirth initiative.

The  monarch’s visit to Rwanda translates the “South-South” cooperation into real acts, in reference to the exchange of resources and know-hows between countries of the Global South.

Being “two new-generation African leaders,” the Moroccan and Rwandan head of state, have taken it upon their shoulders to rejuvenate the Continent and embark on a real rebirth.

The long-standing Moroccan-Rwandan fraternity bonds have been revisited. The King has shown keenness to boost bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The historic visit by King Mohammed VI to Rwanda comes at the right time and embodies a fresh dynamic aiming to perk-up cross-cultural dialogue in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Commenting on Morocco’s intent to rejoin the African Union, the King said Morocco’s return to its institutional family is a natural endeavor backed up by Rwanda and the bulk the African family.

In fact, Morocco’s good will to uphold the interests of the entire continent is the latest show of diplomatic skill by the Moroccan sovereign. 

King Mohammed VI arrived in the Rwandan capital Kigali on Tuesday night, marking the first leg of his three-state East Africa journey.

National and foreign media outlets lauded the visit, the first of its kind by Mohammed VI since his accession to the Moroccan throne in 1999.

The visit is said to be one of an overriding implication to the entire continent and a leap forward in the history of the Moroccan-Rwandan bonds.

The Distance of a Shout

The Distance of a Shout

Kishwar Naheed 
Edited by Asif Farrukhi

A prominent voice in our contemporary literary scene, Kishwar Naheed has been widely read, and her work translated into Japanese, Korean, Chinese, French, Russian, German, Hindi, Arabic, Persian, Italian, and Spanish. This selection is both comprehensive and representative of her varied style. The poems included in it have been published along with their English translations. The translations have been contributed by established and well-known poets seeking to open the work of a leading feminist Urdu poet to a readership accustomed to English.

AUTHOR DESCRIPTION

Kishwar Naheed is one of the best-known feminist poets of Pakistan. Her poetry has been translated into eleven different languages.