Groarke: New Centre at NUST Shaping the future of Energy Engineering in Pakistan

Groarke: New Centre at NUST Shaping the future of Energy Engineering in Pakistan

Al-Bab Rep

Islamabad, May 08, 2017 -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director John Groarke,  and Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif today inaugurated a new research center at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in Islamabad.  The research center was constructed with the support of the U.S. government. 

Highlighting the United States’ long-term commitment to strengthen Pakistan’s education sector and help find practical solutions for the country’s energy challenges, Mission Director Groarke stated, “These new buildings will house academic programs that will help shape the future of Pakistan and set new standards for the success of both women and disadvantaged youth, especially in the energy engineering profession.”

The new four-story, 60,000-square-foot building includes five classrooms, eight state-of-the-art energy laboratories, a seminar hall, conference rooms, a library, multiple office spaces, and elevator access for persons with disabilities. 

Minister Asif expressed his appreciation for the assistance of the American people, saying: “The provision of better-equipped research facilities with assistance from the U.S. government is a testimony to our continued efforts and commitment to improving the quality of education in our country and solving our energy issues.”

Minister Asif also thanked the United States for assisting in many other projects, including construction of two hydel and irrigation facilities, Gomal Zam in KPK and Kurram Tangi in FATA.

In collaboration with the Higher Education Commission (HEC), the new research center at NUST is expected to become one of Pakistan’s premier sustainable energy think tanks.  NUST Rector Lieutenant General (retired) Naweed Zaman acknowledged USAID’s assistance by stating, “The role of USAID in the promotion of education is admirable.  The center will help produce skilled graduates and set new standards for supporting success of both women and disadvantaged youth in the engineering profession.”

The United States, through USAID, is providing $20 million for the construction of four new research centers at Pakistani universities.  This initiative is part of USAID’s larger $127 million investment that will harness applied research to find innovative solutions for Pakistan’s energy, water, agriculture, and food security challenges.

The new shape of Pak UAE military ties

The new shape of Pak-UAE military ties

Dr. Jassim Taqui

One could see a freshness in the Pak-UAE military ties and change of a tremendous nature. All top military leaders who matter most made their presence felt in a grand function at the Marriot Hotel to celebrate the 41^st anniversary of the UAE Armed Forces Day.

An impressive sitting dinner was hosted by UAE Ambassador Essa Abdullah Al Basha Al- Noaimi and the military attaché Brigadier Ghanem Al Ali. Noaimi- Ali combination has always been impressive and effective in promoting the bilateral relations.

Noaimi is a top UAE diplomat who works silently, but effectively, to expand the scope of bilateral cooperation. He rarely speaks about his style and achievement. He uses his diplomatic skills and experience to accomplish his mission in Pakistan.

Al Ali, on the other hand, has made his mark by extensive interaction with the military establishment. This is evident from the list of those who embraced him in UAE defence day especially Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee(CJCSC) Gen. Zubair Mahmood Hayat Khan, Gen. Nasser Khan Janjua, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Secretary Defense Gen. Zamir ul Hassan, Gen. Salahuddin Tirmzi and many others.

All credits to the military leadership. The top military leaders gave a loud message that Pak-UAE and Pak-Arab relations are supreme. Pak solidarity with the just causes of the Arabs would remain dear to the hearts of the Pakistanis. Hence, those who attempt to isolate Pakistan or endeavor to create a rift between brothers are destined to fail. 

UNESCO for free media

Free, independent and pluralistic media is crucial for fostering freedom of expression and access to information 

Al-Bab Report

Critical Minds for Critical Times: Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies ─ the global theme for 2017 was highlighted through interactive roundtable discussions at World Press Freedom Day 2017 in Peshawar.

Peshawar: To mark the 2017 World Press Freedom Day, UNESCO Pakistan jointly with the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Embassy of Sweden, in collaboration with the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of the University of Peshawar organized the World Press Freedom Day celebration in Peshawar.

The event highlight major factors that hamper or enable freedom of expression and access to information in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and overall Pakistan, and to propose tangible measures and recommendations to foster these rights in the country. Over 70 participants including academic staff and students of the university, officials, journalists, the United Nations and partners joined the event to mark the celebrations.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abid, Pro-Vice Chancellor welcomed the participants and extended his gratitude to UNESCO, development partners, and the Department of Journalism & Mass Communication for organizing the event. He called upon media professionals to pursue journalism with sheer professionalism and dedication.

Ms. Vibeke Jensen, UNESCO Representative to Pakistan in her opening remarks highlighted that media is one of the most powerful ways to disseminate information, change perceptions, and break stereotypes. Media, is used to inform, to mobilize, and to create and strengthen accountability; but “with this power also comes responsibility, Ms. Vibeke reminded the audience, “On the side of media to disseminate reliable and independent information. And on the side of government institutions to guarantee safety and space for freedom of expression.”

Ms. Mahrukh Jabeen, is a reporter of Tribal News Network (TNN) and the first woman journalist from FATA. Ms Jabeen highlighted the difficulties of female journalists who work in the field, while expressing that despite all challenges, she is still determined to pursue her career as a journalist.

Ms. Farzana Ali, Bureau Chief of Aaj Television, equally described the challenges faced by female journalists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She argued for the need to increase women representation in media particularly on decision-making level in the media houses.

The inaugural session was followed by dynamic roundtable discussions on three main topics ─Gender in Media, Investigative Journalism and Stress, and Social Media─ which were moderated by experts on the themes. The discussions led to relevant recommendations, summarized below:

 1) Gender in Media: Increase women representation in media outlets, including at the decisionmaking level. Develop and implement appropriate legislations for providing female media professionals a secure working environment.

2) Investigative Journalism and Stress: To define investigative journalism and ‘national interests’ aligning it with proper code of conduct by journalists and setting up press council to address the journalists’ concerns.

3) Social Media: Increase digital literacy and public awareness on the positive use of social media.

Ms. Anne Marchal, Deputy Head of the European Union on the occasion extended her gratitude to all the participants and quoted the message of High Representative, Federica Mogherini, on behalf of the European Union that free and responsible press is vital for sustainable democracy and development and EU is determinant to promote these rights.

Ms. Jeannette Seppen, the Dutch Ambassador on this occasion said that the World Press Freedom Day is a celebration and commemoration of the achievements of journalists of who laid their lives in the line of duty.

How data can help protect workers’ health and lives

How data can help protect workers’ health and lives

Dr. Francisco Santos-O'Connor

This year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work focuses on the critical need for countries to improve their capacity to collect and utilize reliable occupational safety and health data. Dr. Francisco Santos-O'Connor (ILO Senior Specialist in Occupational Safety and Health – OSH for Asia) explains the importance of optimizing the collection and use of these data.

According to the latest ILO estimates, 1.4 million work-related deaths occur annually in Asia and the Pacific out of the 2.3 million worldwide. This means the region accounted for 70 percent of the global fatal occupational accidents and 60 percent of the work-related fatal diseases. Most work-related deaths and non-fatal accidents occur in low- and middle-income countries of the region.

However, in reality, the situation in Asia-Pacific could be even worse as the problem can only be estimated due to the lack of data.

Challenges in collecting OSH data that is accurate, comparable and timely hinder the analysis of scope, nature, causes and impact of occupational accidents and disease.

Official reporting requirements are based on multiple criteria which change over time and do not cover all categories of workers (such as self-employed and informal workers).

In fact, no country reports all work-related diseases. Even countries with well-established reporting practices often do not report all cases, particularly non-fatal injuries or occupational diseases. Therefore, official figures provide only a partial assessment of the situation which to date can be only estimated.

Yet, such information and analysis are pivotal for devising effective and evidence-based policies and preventive measures both at country and enterprise levels. 

Improved OSH data can help secure working environments for all workers. It draws attention on high-risk activities and most vulnerable categories of workers. It enables labor inspectorates to carry out their preventive mandate by It gives countries the means to monitor and assess the needs for and the impact of their OSH policies.

Over the past century, measures have been developed to improve OSH reporting and new technologies can facilitate access to timely sources of information on occupational safety and health data.

The ILO and its member States started to work on improving OSH data comparability in 1923 when industrial accident statistics were placed on the agenda of the First International Conference of Labour Statisticians. Moreover, ILO-OSH Conventions require ratifying member States to establish mechanisms to collect reliable OSH data and the ILO has also developed tools to support this work. 

Contributing to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 8

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calls on countries to collect, utilize and report OSH data as a means to measure progress in protecting labor rights and promoting safe and secure working environments for all workers. 

Countries have the primary responsibility for follow-up and review of the progress made in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will require quality and accessible data collection. Regional follow-up and review will be based on national-level analyses and contribute to follow-up and review at the global level.  

The ILO works to promote a culture of prevention on OSH to protect all workers’ health and lives. It can be achieved with the joint commitment of governments, workers, and employers, and with accurate, comparable and timely data.

The writer is the ILO’s Senior Specialist in Occupational Safety and Health – OSH for Asia

Pakistani-American Expert Supports Pakistan’s Knowledge Economy and Intellectual Property Rights

Pakistani-American Expert Supports Pakistan’s Knowledge Economy and Intellectual Property Rights on Embassy Sponsored Tour of Pakistan

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, April 28, 2017 – Emphasizing the link between protecting intellectual property and economic growth, Pakistani-American attorney, and patent expert Haris Bajwa met this week with students and entrepreneurs in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi.  Bajwa’s visit, which is part of the U.S. Embassy’s 2017 Entrepreneurship Speaker Series, coincided with World Intellectual Property Day, April 26.

Bajwa, who has spent more than a decade developing and defending patents for companies such as Google and Samsung, advised early stage Pakistani entrepreneurs, small business owners, and engineering students on protecting their innovations from theft by competitors, and building market value through the development of new products and industrial processes.    He also participated in panel discussions that highlighted the important role of intellectual property rights to the innovation process, highlighting the success of export-oriented firms in Sialkot.

“Pakistan has highly talented engineers and entrepreneurs, who need strong intellectual property rights to build the knowledge economy of the future,”   Bajwa opined.  “It’s exciting to learn about the tremendous potential of Pakistan’s tech sector, which will grow rapidly as the government adopts policies that support an effective intellectual property regime.”   

During his visit, Bajwa spoke to audiences at venues including the National Incubation Center, the National University of Sciences and Technology, The Nest in Karachi, and the University of Engineering and Technology in Lahore. 

In the coming months, the U.S. Embassy Entrepreneurship Speaker Series will sponsor additional programs to support Pakistani entrepreneurs focused on topics such as marketing and curriculum development.

Various U.S. Embassy programs assist Pakistani entrepreneurs by increasing their access to financial resources, supporting opportunities for entrepreneurship education, and nurturing an entrepreneurial culture, including the United States Agency for International Development’s Pakistan Private Investment Initiative, which will make over $100 million in equity capital available to Pakistan’s dynamic and fast-growing small and medium-sized businesses.

Balochistan Basic Education Programme Launched

Al-Bab Report

Quetta: Balochistan Basic Education Programme (BBEP) was launched in a ceremony held at a local hotel of Quetta, on Wednesday.

Governor Balochistan, Muhammad Khan Achakzai, was the Chief Guest of the ceremony. EU Ambassador to Pakistan Jean-Francois CAUTAIN and Provincial Minister Education Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal were amongst the guest of honors.

Speaking at the occasion, EU Ambassador to Pakistan said that EU puts great emphasis on equitable and quality learning opportunities. In Pakistan, Education is one of the key priorities of EU and 32% of the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme 2014-20 is earmarked for Education Sector.

Mr. Jean-Francois CAUTAIN further added that key focus of EU in Balochistan education sector is on Balochistan Examination and Assessment Commission (BEAC), Teachers Performance, Education Management Information System (EMIS) and Education planning and management at district level.

“We are looking forward to continuing our support to Government of Balochistan in improving education access and quality,” concluded Mr. CAUTAIN.

Balochistan Basic Education Programme

This program is funded by EU and will be implemented by UNICEF in collaboration with Government of Balochistan. Under this program EMIS cells will be established in 100 clusters and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training will be provided to 3,000 teachers across the province.

The new website of EMIS is also launched under this program which will be used to allow the public to hold education department and donor agencies accountable for the education system in Balochistan.

US Embassy Donates Bomb Protection Suits

US Embassy Donates Bomb Protection Suits, Medical Equipment to Pakistani Law Enforcement Agencies

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, April 27, 2017 –High ranking Pakistani police and emergency response officials received state of the art bomb protection suits, bomb disposal kits, and emergency medical supplies in an event at Islamabad Police lines HQ today.  The donations were provided by the U.S. Department of State’s Anti-Terrorism Assistance (ATA) program, which provides training and equipment to law enforcement personnel throughout the world.  The ATA has partnered with Pakistani law enforcement agencies at the provincial and federal level since 2003 to strengthen Pakistan’s counter-terrorism capabilities and donated approximately $3.3 million USD in equipment to Pakistan since the inception of the program. 

The event was presided over by IG Islamabad Police Khaled Khattak, with the US Embassy represented by Regional Security Officer Steve Jones.  During the ceremony, Jones remarked, “The United States stands with the people of Pakistan in their fight against terrorism.  This equipment will protect the courageous Pakistani bomb disposal police that is on the front lines in protecting Pakistan from militant attacks.” 

The equipment handed over at the ceremony includes three bomb protection suits and bomb disposal kits, which will be used by the provincial police forces of Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab.  Since 2003, ATA has donated more than 40 bomb protection suits to Pakistan.  In addition, Rescue 1122 received medical equipment, including “jaws of life” and first responders' medical kits for use in response to natural disasters and other emergencies. 

A strategic shift in Afghanistan

A strategic shift in Afghanistan

Dr. Jassim Taqui

It is all happening in Afghanistan following the US escalation of the military operations there.

First, the Trump administration refused to attend the Moscow moot on 14 April 2017 that was held to find a negotiated settlement to the Afghan civil war. It was a clear indication that the Pentagon was favoring a military option to defeat Taliban. The CIA revived the drone war. In addition, the US forces in Afghanistan used the Mother of All Bombs to give a clear indication that the new strategy is now in action. The strategy clearly relies on using destructive weapons, drones and a new military technology. Furthermore, the Trump administration asked the Congress for approval of sending 5000 additional US troops to defeat Taliban.

The result is alarming. Taliban fighters hit where it hurts. They conducted one of the largest attacks on a military base in Mazar Sharif, killing at last 140 soldiers and wounding 160 others. Significantly, the targeted base is responsible for the security in nine of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.

It was Taliban’s answer to the use of the Mother of All Bombs and challenging the military professionalism and effectiveness of the entire force. It was The Mother of All Attacks, signaling a strategy of confronting the US and NATO superior military force by suicide bombers and “ inside support” deep inside the military bases in Afghanistan.

The new strategy is aimed at demoralizing the Afghan National Army and Police, creating power erosion and extending control on more Afghan provinces. Already, the group controls more than half of the country.

In recent years, Taliban carried out multiple of attacks on government buildings, including the parliament, sending a clear message to government and its international backers that there is no place in Afghanistan that lies outside Taliban’s reach. 

Kashmir and self-determination

Kashmir and self-determination

Dr. Jassim Taqui

In a brilliant Oxbridge lecture titled” Kashmir,” Mrs. Mushaal Hussein Mullick the spouse of Yasin Malik a freedom fighter and Leader of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front ( JKLF) narrated her own soul touching story of the persecution by the Indian troops in occupied Kashmir.            

Mushaal Hussein Mullick is the Chairperson of Peace and Culture Organization that works for Global Peace and Harmony. She is a freedom fighter, a painter, and poetess.

She started her lecture by quoting poems of Gulzar describing Kashmir as a land of love, destiny, soul, faith, and freedom.

She read in Urdu another poem of Ghalib describing the Valley of Kashmir as a dreamland, serenity, and the story of the future.

Mullick presented a detailed picture of the atrocities of the Indian troops against women, children and freedom fighters who only demand the implementation of the UN resolutions on the right of the people of Kashmir to self-determination.

She described the revolution of the people of Kashmir as a legitimate revolt that is based on UN resolutions. She appealed to the peace and freedom loving nations to intervene to stop the ethnic cleansing of the Muslims of Kashmir and the systematic killing of a large number of Kashmiris in a bid to change the demography of Kashmir and ultimately to convert it into a Hindu state.

Mullick narrated the horrific stories of molesting and raping little Kashmiri girls stating that BJP was literally butchering the Kashmiris.

In a questions-answers session, the audience expressed full sympathy and solidarity with her noble cause and called for international protection of women and children in conflict regions. In the process, Mullick also highlighted her sympathy with the Palestinian people in occupied Palestine.

In his words of thanks, the Secretary General of Oxbridge Dr. Irshad Ullah- Khan described the lecture as brilliant. He asked the Western nations to intervene since the escalation of tension in Kashmir could lead to the eruption of a nuclear war between Pakistan and India. He warned that if India and Pakistan used about 500 nuclear bombs in their arsenal, the world would end.

Khan stated that Oxbridge would send a video of the lecture to all embassies accredited to Pakistan so that they could understand the gravity of the situation in occupied Kashmir.

Justice can wait

Justice can wait

Dr. Jassim Taqui

The people could not believe the judgment of the Supreme Court, which almost acquitted the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of massive corruption and money laundering. The three judges could not see the elephant in the room, which was spotted by the two authors of the minority judgment.

And in their infinite wisdom, the judges allowed Nawaz Sharif to continue as prime minister and to also constitute the JIT. Thus he has become a Supremo and the sole authority to further investigate the money transaction from Qatar and London. Hence, Nawaz Sharif is acting both as an accused and prosecutor.

The greatest surprise is that the Supreme Court ignored the written confession of the Finance Minister Ishaq Dar that he himself was responsible for laundering the dirty money of Sharif brothers. The confession was produced with the handwriting of Dar who volunteered to give also the secret account and fake account holders of the laundered money. Nobody could have forced him to disclose all these facts.

Nawaz Sharif is known by his method of winning the judges. When the former Chief Justice of Pakistan Sayed Sajjad Ali Shah summoned him in November 1997 to explain his position on corruption charges, he simply refused. And when the Chief Justice served him with the contempt of court notice, Nawaz Sharif ordered his party and the Punjab police to storm the Supreme Court of Pakistan on 21^st November 1997. The BBC showed live the PML(N) mob, which was led by Mushahid Hussain Sayed storming the Supreme Court.

Nawaz Sharif went further when he assigned his brother Shahbaz Sharif the mission of buying the judges to unjustly and arrogantly dismiss the Chief Justice of Pakistan in December 1997.

In 1997, the Sharif brothers humiliated the entire people of Pakistan by disgracing the Supreme Court.  In 2017, they combine to kill justice and to legalize corruption and money laundering. And their notion is that justice can wait. 

ILO and improving core Labor in Pakistan

Tripartite consultation workshop on improving compliance with and reporting of Core Labour Standards

Al-Bab Report

Lahore, 20 April 2017: - The International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development MoOPHRD) organized a tripartite consultation workshop to contribute to greater understanding of the core international labor standards (ILS). The workshop was organized within the framework of projects on Labour Standards financed by the European Union. The Standards discussed at the workshop, which was held in Lahore 17-19 April, concerned Child Labour, Forced Labour, Freedom of Association/Collective Bargaining & Non-Discrimination and Equality in Employment and Occupation.

The workshop aimed at creating awareness about ILO’s Labour Standard setting processes and supervisory systems and helped the Provincial Tripartite Consultative Committee (PTCC) members from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and representatives from Gilgit-Baltistan and the Islamabad Capital Territory to continue discussing the legal, institutional and administrative reforms required for strengthening the labour market governance in the country. The workshop was attended by more than 30 participants. It was the third of its kind, following an earlier Consultation in Islamabad on 17-18 January 2017 in which the Provinces presented their progress and flagged the issues relevant to labor legislation and the corresponding enforcement of labor laws and a workshop in Karachi 8-10 February, wherein the PTCCs from Sindh and Baluchistan participated.

Mr. Suhail Aamir, Federal Secretary, Ministry of OPHRD, while speaking at the inaugural session of the workshop welcomed the ILO’s support, saying that “these workshops are providing opportunity to federal and provincial governments to analyse labour market governance and plan improvements with reference to the core ILO Conventions and related labour laws regime in Pakistan. This is important for the country, particularly in terms of sustaining the increased economic gains from the Generalised System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) which allows increased access to several eligible categories of Pakistani products through incentives of duty-free exports to EU markets from 1st January 2014 for ten years term. The scheme is conditional upon Pakistan to ensure compliance with 27 International Treaties on human and labor rights, governance, and environment; including the eight Core Labour Standards.

Mr. Majyd Aziz, President, Employers Federation of Pakistan emphasised the need for bettering the compliance and reporting of Core Labour Standards as a matter of priority, besides the fiscal and energy reforms that are required for Pakistan’s potential increase of export and especially continuity of GSP+, which hinges on the effective compliance of the core labour standards.

Mr. Zahoor Awan, General Secretary, Pakistan Workers Federation, while speaking at the occasion, called on the provincial and national governments to urgently bring labor legislation in conformity with ILS. Moreover, the governments have to adopt necessary measures to strengthen institutional mechanisms to effectively address the violation of workers’ rights and implement labor laws to arrest widening gaps in establishing decent work.

ILO’s Country Director, Ms. Ingrid Christensen, welcomed the participants and re-affirmed that ILO would keep supporting the federal and provincial governments and social partners in their journey towards fostering decent work and as part of this, bettering the labor market governance. She also hinted that the outcome of these provincial workshops would be presented at a roundtable conference in Islamabad and from there it would feed into a national Labour Protection Framework that MOPHRD is taking the lead on with technical support from ILO.