Photo Exhibition on Sustainable Development Goals opens in Lahore

Photo Exhibition on Sustainable Development Goals opens in Lahore
Al-Bab Report

Lahore, 11 April 2017: The photo exhibition “Pakistan Sustaining Development: Human Stories through Photography” was inaugurated on Tuesday at Lahore City Heritage Museum in Lahore. The exhibition will remain open to the public until April 21.

The exhibit includes 102 photos organized in 17 collections: it look at the lives of ordinary Pakistanis through the lens reflects off the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Jointly organized by Agence France-Presse (AFP), the European Union, and United Nations and with support from the Embassy of France in Pakistan, UK Aid and the Lahore Museum, the exhibition aims to raise awareness of the SDGs and UN's efforts for development in Pakistan.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Martine Dorance, Ambassador of France to Pakistan, Amelie Herenstein, Bureau Chief AFP for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Bernard Francois, Minister Counsellor and Head of Cooperation European Union delegation to Pakistan, Vittorio Cammarota, Director UN Information Centre and Humayun Mazhar, Director Lahore Museum.

The Sustainable Development Goals represent a common agenda, adopted by the world leaders in September 2015 to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change by 2030. These 17 goals include 169 targets which focus on economic inequality, innovation, climate change, sustainable consumption, peace, and justice, among others.

Speaking at the event, Martine Dorance, Ambassador of France to Pakistan said:“Both the UN and France will help Pakistan achieve its development goals and hoped the exhibition will offer people an opportunity to learn about the support provided to the people of Pakistan by the various agencies, funds, and programs of the United Nations”.

Vittorio Cammarota, Director of the UN Information Centre said: “We are honored to bring this outstanding photo exhibition to Lahore: it provides people from Punjab with an unprecedented opportunity to expand their knowledge and understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals and of  development in Pakistan”.

Amélie Herenstein, Bureau Chief Agence-France Press for Pakistan and Afghanistan said: “It is a great honor for AFP Pakistan to present, for the first time, our photos directly to the Pakistani public.” She further maintained that "We have deliberately chosen to focus on the human angle of the story, showing the reality of life as it is now for millions of Pakistanis, be they shopkeepers, teachers, farmers and children. It also documents the extraordinary resilience of ordinary Pakistanis in the face of tragic events like floods.”

Humayun Mazhar, Director Lahore Museum said: “The significant achievement of United Nations Pakistan in the Sustainable Development Goals set for different sectors of life in Pakistan which among others focus on economic inequality, climate change, education and ending poverty are indeed laudable on their part that warrants a continuous support of international bodies in the global cause”.

Bernard Francois, Head of Cooperation EU Delegation said: “The European Union has been a close partner of Pakistan for many years working closely with the Government, the private sector and the civil society to tackle the challenges the country faces. We will continue this strong partnership in cooperation with the United Nations ensuring that our assistance contributes to Pakistan the SDGs”.

USAID to make Pakistan Self-sufficient in Maize Seed Production

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, April 11, 2017 – Today, the Deputy Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Julie Chen and the Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan opened the National Maize Workshop.  The workshop showcases the progress of new maize seed varieties that were given by the USAID-funded Agricultural Innovation Program (AIP) last year to 20 Pakistani research organizations and Pakistani seed companies at the National Agricultural Research Center.  These new seed varieties jump started quality hybrid maize seed production here in Pakistan.

The USAID-funded AIP has been working together with the Pakistan Agriculture Research Center (PARC) to identify 50 hybrids and open pollinated maize varieties that are suitable for Pakistan’s ecology.  These varieties are bred to resist drought and heat and have enhanced nutrition (more protein, pro-vitamin A, and zinc).  These varieties deliver increased productivity and nutrients for both farmers and consumers.

This workshop celebrates both the yearlong progress of these seeds and recognizes U.S. -Pakistan cooperation dating back to the 1960s, when a team of American and Pakistani scientists, introduced the Mexi-Pak wheat variety in Pakistan.  Between 1961 and 1969, wheat production in Pakistan increased by 25 percent. 

USAID Deputy Mission Director Julie Chen remarked, “With these new maize varieties we have more available, accessible, and affordable climate-resilient and nutrient-enriched maize for local seed companies and public research institutions.  The handover of new maize varieties last year was a small part of how America supports agriculture in Pakistan.  The potential in these seeds will go a long way to improving the lives of millions of Pakistani farmers.”

Speaking at the occasion, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan, the Minister for National Food Security and Research thanked the United States for sharing the latest technology and research with Pakistani farmers and hoped that Pakistani organizations will take these seeds and make sure they are available to farmers at their local input supply store.

Launched in 2013, AIP is an initiative of USAID, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, and the Pakistan Agriculture Research Center and works to increase agricultural productivity and incomes through the promotion and dissemination of modern technology for wheat, maize, rice, livestock, fruits, and vegetables.

UN SG to designate Malala Yousafzai as United Nations Messenger of Peace

Secretary-General to designate Malala Yousafzai as United Nations Messenger of Peace

Al-Bab Report

New York – On 10 April 2017, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres will designate Malala Yousafzai, a global advocate for girls’ education and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate, as a United Nations Messenger of Peace with a special focus on girls’ education.

The Messenger of Peace designation ceremony will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York at an event to be held in the Trusteeship Council Chamber on Monday, 10 April 2017, at 3:15 p.m. The designation will be followed by a conversation between the Secretary-General, Ms. Yousafzai and youth representatives around the world on the theme of girls’ education.

“Even in the face of grave danger, Malala Yousafzai has shown an unwavering commitment to the rights of women, girls, and all people,” the Secretary-General said on his selection of Ms. Yousafzai for the designation. “Her courageous activism for girls’ education has already energized so many people around the world.  Now as our youngest-ever UN Messenger of Peace, Malala can do even more to help create a more just and peaceful world.”

Born on 12 July 1997 in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, Ms. Yousafzai became an international symbol of the fight for girls’ education after being shot on 9 October 2012 for opposing Taliban restrictions on female education. She survived the attack and became an advocate for the millions of girls denied a formal education worldwide.

In 2013, Ms. Yousafzai and her father, Mr. Ziauddin Yousafzai, co-founded Malala Fund to bring awareness to the social and economic impact of girls’ education and to empower girls to demand change. Ms. Yousafzai became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize laureate on 10 December 2014.

Ms. Yousafzai is the first Messenger of Peace designated by Secretary-General Guterres. United Nations Messengers of Peace are widely recognized public figures, who help to raise worldwide awareness of the Organization’s ideals and activities. Through their public appearances, contacts with the international media and humanitarian work, they expand public understanding of how the United Nations helps to improve the lives of people everywhere.

109 million EURO for development! A Joint Declaration of Intent signed between Germany and Pakistan

109 million EURO for development! A Joint Declaration of Intent signed between Germany and Pakistan

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad: On the occasion of the visit of the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Dr. Gerd Müller, to Pakistan, a Joint Declaration of Intent was signed between between the Ministry of Finance of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany on Pakistan-German Development Cooperation. In the Declaration, both acknowledged the friendly relations existing between Germany and Pakistan and the desire to strengthen and intensify those friendly relations through development cooperation in a spirit of partnership, and intention to contribute to the social and economic development of Pakistan.

Both sides renewed their intention to continue their successful cooperation in order to meet Pakistan’s socio-economic development challenges, in coherence with Pakistan’s Vision 2025 and the internationally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).They shared the conviction that good governance is a key success factor for sustainable development.

Both sides look back at over half a century of successful development cooperation in the energy sector and to work further closely to improve access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy.

Germany congratulated the government of Pakistan on steady reform progress to promote a more enabling environment for job creation and sustainable income opportunities for all, in line with international social and environmental standards.

The German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development proffered the prospect of new funding for bilateral Technical and Financial Cooperation. Including the advance notification of additional funds in December 2016, cooperation could reach a significant level of up to 109 Million Euros for the two-year period 2017 -2018.

Development cooperation between Pakistan and Germany goes back to 1961, with the funding volume to date totaling some EUR 3 billion. Pakistan was thus one of Germany's first partner countries.

Fight stigma. Speak out about depression

Fight stigma. Speak out about depression

Al-Bab Report

7 April 2017 – Today, on World Health Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on individuals and communities to speak out about depression and to fight the stigma surrounding it. The slogan for this year’s Day is “Depression: let’s talk”. Talking about depression helps break down stigma and encourages more people to seek help.

Currently, more than 300 million people around the world are living with depression, an increase of more than 18% between 2005 and 2015. Depression is an illness in which people feel overwhelming sadness, lose interest in activities they enjoy and find it difficult to carry out daily tasks. It can affect anyone, anywhere, especially populations experiencing humanitarian crises. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region, as many as 1 in 5 people are affected by depression and anxiety in countries affected by armed conflict, insecurity and displacement. 

Dr Fikri, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, says, “Despite common misperceptions, depression is not a sign of weakness but stigma and discrimination are preventing people from seeking the care they need. Effective treatment is available through talking therapies and antidepressant medications, or a combination of both.

Depression is treatable, failure to act is costly

In many countries of the world, there is little or no support available for people with mental health disorders. Even in high-income countries, nearly 50% of people with depression do not get treatment. Investment in mental health makes financial and social sense, and failure to act is costly. If untreated, depression can be debilitating and even lead to suicide, which is the second leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year olds.

“Governments can improve mental health services, families and communities can provide social support, civil society groups can raise awareness and individuals can seek help and treatment and talk to others about how they feel,” urges Dr Fikri.

Mental health services are also being provided in some countries by non-specialist general practitioners under the supervision of national specialists, trained through the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Programme, introduced in more than 90 low- and middle-income countries around the world. This scaling up of mental health services and care is crucial, especially for the most vulnerable populations experiencing humanitarian crises, conflict, and displacement.

Depression has many causes. A combination of physical, psychological or social factors can cause depression. Some of these factors include:

·       a family history of depression

·       loss of a parent, child or other close relative or friend

·       chronic physical illnesses

·       alcohol or drug use

·       extreme stressors like war, conflict or natural disasters

·       experiencing adversity and abuse in childhood

·       rapid changes in life situations like marriage, childbirth or loss of a job

·       financial problems

·       belonging to a minority group, and

·       marital difficulties.

However, having strong social support can help ease some of the effects of these factors.

Low levels of recognition and access to care for depression and another common mental disorder, such as anxiety, result in a global economic loss of more than US$ 1 trillion every year. The losses are incurred by households, employers and governments: for households, with absence from work affecting household income; for employers, with lower productivity of employees when at work and absence from work; and for governments, with higher health and welfare expenditures. Yet, every US$ 1 invested in scaling up treatment for depression and anxiety leads to a return of US$ 4 in improved health and ability to work.

Ambassador Hale: “Innovation is Key to Pakistan’s Economic Development”

Ambassador Hale:  “Innovation is Key to Pakistan’s Economic Development”

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, April 7, 2017 – American Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale said today that the United States and Pakistan are closely aligned with the key goal of Pakistan’s economic development and that innovation is key to achieving this goal.

Delivering remarks at the opening of the two-day “Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit,” organized by Nutshell Forum in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Reforms in Islamabad, Ambassador Hale said, “We work together fostering economic growth, increasing bilateral trade, improving the investment climate, protecting intellectual property and promoting entrepreneurship.”

Highlighting the untapped potential for growth in the U.S.-Pakistan economic relationship, Ambassador Hale observed that American companies are increasing their presence in Pakistan.  Ambassador Hale said, “From some of our largest manufacturers and infrastructure companies, to small and medium services companies, the American private sector is finding Pakistan to be an increasingly attractive market.  American business leaders praise the quality of people that they work with, and the interest that Pakistan’s business community has shown in American products.”  He added, “The biggest challenge – for Pakistan as well as for America and all other economies – is for governments to be flexible enough to facilitate and support the new business models and innovation that entrepreneurs are developing in such a fast-changing global economy.”

Ambassador Hale said the summit participants share a fundamental desire for stability and prosperity, and there are opportunities in business and beyond to ‘innovate for the future’ to help both countries achieve their fullest potential.

He also noted that the United States’ relationship with Pakistan is founded in people-to-people ties.  “These ties are built in many ways, including through business, trade and exchange programs. We are very proud of the large community of alumni of our exchange programs,” Ambassador Hale said.

More than six hundred delegates from Pakistan, China, Bahrain, Canada, Qatar, U.A.E and the United States attended the business summit that featured debates, dialogue, cross-cutting discussions, music and local cultural performances.

A scheme to destabilize Russia

A scheme to destabilize Russia

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Following the terror attack in London, the terrorists strike in St. Petersburg, the hometown of the Russian President Vladimir Putin while he was in the city. Before the incident, the Russian Opposition managed to mobilize a large procession against the Russian President. Thus, the Russian intelligence agencies are probing a foreign hand to destabilize Russia and to making an opening for the export of ISIS from Afghanistan to Central Asian and Russian republics.

The ISIS has become the greatest threat to the world peace and security. While it is retreating in Syria and Iraq, it is opening new fronts everywhere to remain relevant.

ISIS is also emerging in Afghanistan with a mission of prolonging the civil war there and move deep into Pakistan.

If one studies all the move of ISIS, it becomes crystal clear who is behind this monster. 

International Day for Mine Awareness

International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action

MESSAGE OF THE SECRETARY- GENERAL

4 April 2017

In today’s world, conflicts are multiplying and increasingly interlinked.

Most disturbingly, many warring parties shamelessly target civilians and show a flagrant disregard for international humanitarian law.

Improvised explosive devices are killing and injuring thousands of civilians annually.

These pernicious devices are hidden in homes and schools, terrorizing local populations.    

Over the past twenty years, the United Nations and its partners have cleared vast areas of land contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants of war. Land that was once dangerous and unproductive has been returned to citizens, enabling them to rebuild their communities. The removal of landmines from roads and airstrips has facilitated humanitarian access to people in need.

The United Nations has provided medical assistance to victims, and educated millions of people on how to live safely during or in the immediate aftermath of conflict.

We have also trained and employed thousands of men and women in mine action jobs that support and sustain peace.

I thank the brave women and men working in mine action for their life-saving work.

I commend the Inter-Agency Coordination Group on Mine Action for its needs-driven, people centred approach.

And I applaud the United Nations Mine Action Service, now in its 20th year, for its leadership, courage and commitment to peace.

Peace without mine action is incomplete peace.

I urge all Member States to keep this issue at the top of the international agenda when negotiating peace, when seeking to prevent harm during conflicts, and when deploying emergency humanitarian responses in war zones.

Mine action establishes the foundations for lasting recovery and development.

No one should have to live in fear of dying even after the fighting stops.

World Autism Awareness Day 

MESSAGE OF THE  SECRETARY-GENERAL  

2 April 2017

On this World Autism Awareness Day, let us all play a part in changing attitudes toward persons with autism and in recognizing their rights as citizens, who, like everyone else, are entitled to claim those rights and make decisions for their lives in accordance with their own will and preferences. Let us also renew our promise, engraved in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, to leave no one behind and ensure that all people can contribute as active members to peaceful and prosperous societies.

As the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities points out, legal capacity and equal recognition before the law are inherent rights that persons with autism enjoy on an equal basis with other members of our societies.

In the exercise of those rights and their freedom to make their own choices, let us ensure that we make available the necessary accommodations and support to persons with autism.  With access to the support they need and choose, they will be empowered to face the key milestones in every person’s life, such as deciding where and with whom to live, whether to get married and establish a family, what type of work to pursue, and how to manage their personal finances.

When they enjoy equal opportunity for self-determination and autonomy, persons with autism will be empowered to make an even stronger positive impact on our shared future.

Pakistani officials complete six-year USDA agricultural export training program

Pakistani officials complete six-year USDA agricultural export training program

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, April 2, 2017: Nearly thirty Pakistani government officials and agricultural industry representatives completed a six-year U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) sponsored training program in a ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.  The graduation was presided over by David Williams, Agriculture Counselor, US Embassy Islamabad, Muhammad Tariq Khan, Deputy Director Department of Plant Protection, Karachi, and Dr. Babar Bajwa, CABI (Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International) Director Pakistan and West Asia.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has invested more than $4 million in this six-year distance learning project initiative to support the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to increase agricultural trade.  The program’s goal is to strengthen Pakistan’s ability to comply with international trade rules to increase Pakistan’s commodity exports, and help Pakistan prevent the importation of harmful plant diseases and pests. 

Since 2011, USDA and partners, CABI and Texas A&M University, have joined forces to create a distance learning project to bolster Pakistan’s sanitary and phytosanitary (also known as SPS) skills and knowledge. With interactive workshops supplemented by online training modules, the USDA SPS Distance Learning project is advancing Pakistan’s adoption of international plant and animal health standards by training 30 Department of Plant Protection officials and other Pakistani agricultural professionals.  The workshops and training modules focus on a range of topics, including pest-risk management, market access, and inspections. 

“Proper regulation of exports and imports is key to meeting the demands of foreign buyers as well as protecting Pakistan’s domestic agriculture and consumers.  We are hopeful that these courses will serve as a resource for Pakistan’s phytosanitary regulators,” said Agriculture Counselor David Williams during the ceremony. 

The success of these training modules in Pakistan has made SPS Distance Learning Modules a key component of a new USAID initiative called the Food Safety Network, which will expand the curriculum to include animal health and food safety and deploy them globally in several languages.  

The US government supports Pakistani scientists and farmers to improve agricultural productivity in Pakistan, and to meet economic objectives and food security needs, with USAID allocating more than $350 million in funding to support Pakistan’s agricultural sector from 2002 to 2015. 

The House of Cards

The House of Cards

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Sensing that the Supreme Court is on the verge of announcing its verdict on Panama Leak, the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif used the services Gilani Research Foundation Survey to conduct a bailing out survey. Gilani was quick to respond. He claimed that Four in ten Pakistanis believe that the Supreme Court will give an “inconclusive” and “ambiguous” decision on the Panama Leaks case while 65% believe that the court’s decision will be accepted by the majority. A music in the ear of the man at the helm of the ruling house of cards.

However, another surprise came. The ISPR declared that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan paid a rare call on the army chief at the Army House in Rawalpindi late Friday to ‘felicitate’ General Qamar Javed Bajwa on his promotion.  ISPR added, “Various issues came under discussion.”

It was the first ever open meeting between COAS and the leader of the Opposition. It gave a political message of a great significant that the Army is with justice, rule of law and transparency and that it would not support the corrupt.

The Prime Minister was shocked. He reverted to his earlier tactics of  “open heart surgery” as a mean to run away from justice. Remember, when he conducted a “ fake operation” in London in May 2016, he was accompanied to the UK by his brother Shahbaz Sharif,  and several other family members including his spouse Maryam, sons, and aides.

While in London, he could not explain the topic of the telephonic calls with Narendra Modi who openly declares that he is pursuing a policy of isolating Pakistan- read Pak army. On 8^th June 2015, Modi openly confessed that the Indian forces fought along Mukti Bahini to ensure the separation of East Pakistan. Subsequently, Modi stated that the same role would be played in Balochistan, KP, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

More worrying was the decision of JIT to conduct a trial of former Lyari gangster and chief of the proscribed People’s Amn Committee in a military court. Baloch was accused of links with RAW and Iranian intelligence agencies.

To escape a possible accountability, Nawaz Sharif and Co. are planning to leave for London. The leader of the “friendly opposition” Zardari is to flee to Dubai. Enjoy the show in the house of cards.