Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: As the dry winter season reaches its peak, health expert on Monday urged citizens to take timely precautions against viral infections with symptoms similar to COVID-19, emphasizing the need for awareness and responsible healthcare practices.

Prof. Dr. Saeed Khan, a renowned Public Health expert emphasized the importance of responsible antibiotic use during an interview with a private news channel.

"Antibiotics should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional and with a proper

prescription," Dr. Khan stressed.

"Self-medication can lead to antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat," he added.

He also highlighted the need for complete testing to determine the cause of infections, rather than relying on assumptions.

Dr. Khan further advised citizens to take advantage of available vaccinations to protect themselves against viral infections.

"Vaccination is a proven and effective way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases," he said.

Responding a query, he said in Karachi, many cases of COVID-19 have been reported, prompting health experts to urge extra caution for elderly individuals and those with respiratory diseases.

According to Prof. Dr. Saeed Khan, "the elderly and people with respiratory diseases are more susceptible to complications from COVID-19 and therefore, need to take extra precautions to protect themselves".

Additionally, citizens are urged to seek medical attention immediately if they experience any symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever, cough, or difficulty breathing.

Furthermore, Dr. Khan stressed. "Self-medication can lead to antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat".

Overall, the key to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other viral infections is awareness and responsible healthcare practices.

By taking the necessary precautions and seeking medical attention when needed, citizens can protect themselves and their loved ones from the risks associated with these infections, he concluded.

Islamabad: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has expressed displeasure over non-compliance of its directive to fix hearing of the case regarding jurisdiction of regular benches of the SCP and has summoned the Additional Registrar SCP to explain his position.

A three-member Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, had directed the Registrar SCP Office on Thursday, January 16, to fix hearing of the petitions regarding jurisdictions of the Benches after the 26th amendment to the same Bench that was already hearing it.

The Court observed that it was clearly ordered to fix the case regarding jurisdiction of the regular benches before the same bench on Monday, January 20 but the Registrar Office did not included it in the Cause List for Monday.

Registrar Supreme Court, when summoned, was not available to appear before the Court due to some health issue. Deputy Registrar, however, appeared before the Court and informed that the Judges Committee (for allocation of cases to various benches) has decided to fix this case before the Constitutional Bench on January 27.

The Court observed that how can a judicial order be ignored through an administrative committee? The three-member bench, headed by Justice Mansoor Ali Shah, in a written order has observed that hearing of many other cases regarding tax matters is cancelled too. The Court directed Additional Registrar to appear before the court in person by tomorrow and explain his position. The Court adjourned the proceedings for tomorrow.

It may be worth reminding that Justice Aqeel Abbasi was included in the bench as replacement of Justice Irfan Saadat. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah termed it a mistake by the office of the SCP and remarked that in the current case, the judgment of the Sindh High Court was delivered by Justice Aqeel Abbasi. Justice Irfan Saadat was part of the previous bench that conducted the proceedings on January 13. Justice Mansoor asked the Attorney General office for assistance on a question that either jurisdiction of a Supreme Court bench under Article 191 can be withdrawn or not? The proceedings were then adjourned for Monday January 20. The Court directed the office of the SCP to fix the case before the same bench but it was not.

Islamabad: The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) on Sunday released its much-awaited edition of Discourse Magazine, titled Modernizing Pakistan's Agricultural Economy,' addressing the critical challenges through innovative solutions and global best practices facing the agriculture sector, once considered backbone of the national economy.

'This special issue of Discourse aims to inspire a transformational shift in Pakistan's agricultural landscape, fostering informed discussions and actionable strategies to address the challenges of today and tomorrow,' PIDE's acting Vice Chancellor Dr Arshad H. Hashmi said in his opening remarks.

The issue was skillfully curated by editorial team, including Dr Arshad H. Hashmi; Dr Shujaat Farooq; Dr Abedullah Anjum and Dr Muhammad Faisal Ali, and the entire PIDE team, shaping a comprehensive guide to reforming and modernizing the agricultural sector, a news release said.

The edition highlighted the multifaceted challenges confronting Pakistan's agricultural sector, including low productivity, fragmented landholdings, poor infrastructure, inefficient irrigation practices, and regulatory barriers.

The Discourse pointed out that these issues were compounded by a lack of investment in research and development (R and D), outdated technologies, and the impacts of climate change.

However, the publication outlined a roadmap to overcome these challenges by adopting global best practices, such as precision farming, deregulation of agricultural markets, geospatial monitoring, and leveraging advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and drones.

Among the solutions presented, the issue emphasized the critical need for liberalizing input markets, such as seeds and fertilizers, and reforming land consolidation policies to promote equitable growth.

It also advocated for economic water pricing to encourage sustainable use of resources while suggesting market-driven approaches to enhance efficiency in the sugar and wheat sectors.

Additionally, adopting AI and drone technology in supply chains and farming practices was highlighted as a game-changer for improving productivity and reducing waste.

The special edition featured compelling contributions from leading experts.

Muhammad Faisal Ali and Abedullah proposd actionable strategies in "Pathways to Prosperity: Strategic Reforms for Pakistan's Agricultural Markets," while Zartasha Inayat and Tuaha Adil explored the potential of deregulating the sugar sector in "Deregulation of the Sugar Sector Critical to Promote Efficiency."

Sobia Rose addressed the inequities in land markets in "Reforming Agricultural Land Markets in Pakistan: Overcoming Structural Inequities," and Muhammad Asad ur Rehman Naseer examines pricing inefficiencies in "Decoding the Dynamics of Pricing in the Fruit and Vegetable Market: Highlighting the Government Imperfections."

Technological innovation also took center stage, with Ibrar ul Hassan Akhtar detailing geospatial advancements in "SUPARCO Interventions for Geospatial Monitoring of Agricultural Crops." Anjeela Khurram and Muhammad Faisal Ali emphasized energy efficiency in "Valuing Energy Efficiency Potential in the Agriculture Sector," while Rizwan Mir, outlined government-led efforts in "Revolutionizing the Agricultural Sector of Pakistan - SIFC's Top Priority." Ayesha Sultana's "Why Investment in R and D has not Improved Agriculture Productivity?" critiqued the barriers to impactful research in the sector.

The potential of AI was explored in a series of articles, including "Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Agricultural Advancements" by Shayan Malik and "Harnessing AI for Agricultural Transformation-A Prospect of Pakistan" by Engineer Mahwish Rose.

These contributions illustrated how AI could revolutionize supply chains, precision farming, and resource management.

Similarly, the role of drone technology in improving efficiency and overcoming regulatory constraints was examined in articles by Sadaf Safder and Hafsa Sarfraz.

The edition also explored the future of Pakistan's agricultural sector, with a focus on the Gene Revolution. Articles such as "Sowing the Seeds of Change: Pakistan's Transition from Green to Gene" by Ayesha Rahman and "Moving from Green to Gene Revolution: Scope and Challenges for Pakistan" by Waqar Younas and Uzma Zia advocated for the adoption of genetically modified crops to enhance productivity and sustainability.

The comprehensive analysis and actionable solutions presented in Discourse aimed to provide a roadmap for policymakers, stakeholders, and innovators to collaborate on building a resilient agricultural sector.

With its focus on adopting global best practices and modern technologies, this special edition offered a vision for transforming Pakistan's agricultural landscape.

Islamabad: A powerful blast hit a police mobile near Azad Mandi in Bannu District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday afternoon

fortunately, no casualties were reported.

According to details from local police, the blast occurred when the police vehicle was patrolling the area.

The police have cordoned off the site and launched an investigation into the incident, a private news channel reported.

The cause of the blast is yet to be ascertained.

Islamabad: Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Barrister Danyal Chaudhary slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for promoting chaos and hate politics in the country.

Talking in an exclusive interview with a private news channel, he accused the PTI party of being hypocritical as those pointing fingers at others are themselves proven to be corrupt added that more revelations about PTI's wrongdoing will be exposed in the future.

He further made some serious allegations against PTI, claiming that during their tenure, they prioritized filling their own pockets over serving the people.

He also accused PTI of harassing the general public and the business community, with Shahzad Akbar being singled out for allegedly harassing businessmen.

Responding to a query, he said PML-N has been instrumental in rescuing Pakistan from crises, including isolation and stalled projects like CPEC.

When PML-N took the reins, Pakistan was facing significant challenges but through their efforts, the country has begun to revive and reclaim its standing.

Notably, CPEC, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, has gained momentum under PML-N's leadership. This comprehensive project aims to enhance regional connectivity, promote economic growth, and improve the lives of people in Pakistan and beyond, he added.

"We are proudly claiming that PML-N is taking the country towards progress." Danyal Chaudhary added.

Islamabad: The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) is poised to take a significant leap forward in its mission to conserve and protect endangered species with the establishment of a state-of-the-art sanctuary at the Margalla Wildlife Rescue and Rehab Centre.

This visionary project, championed by IWMB Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan, aims to provide a safe haven for wildlife and ensure their protection in their natural habitats, particularly the Margalla Hills National Park, by focusing on both rehabilitation and preservation while maintaining the highest standards of care for critically endangered species

Spokesman Omar Bilal talking to reporter on Sunday credited Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan for driving this transformative initiative, highlighting her deep commitment to the cause. "Her relentless dedication has been the cornerstone of this effort, ensuring that endangered species receive the attention and care they deserve," Bilal remarked.

Under her leadership, the IWMB has taken decisive steps, including the development of cutting-edge medical facilities and partnerships with international experts, to enhance the care provided to the animals at the Margalla Centre.

Bilal also emphasized the board's forward-thinking approach in setting up a dedicated team of international veterinarians who provide critical consultations and training. "With the guidance of these specialists, we have equipped our teams with the knowledge to address the unique medical challenges faced by endangered species," he added.

Wildlife sanctuaries worldwide, like the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), play a vital role in conservation, supported by public involvement and strict legal frameworks. In countries like the United States, facilities such as the San Juan Islands Whale Watch operate under laws like the Endangered Species Act, offering rescue, rehabilitation, and long-term care to endangered species. Public donations, volunteering, and educational outreach are key components of these efforts.

In Europe, sanctuaries like the Veszpr©m Zoo in Hungary and Loro Parque in Spain benefit from regulations such as the EU's Habitats and Birds Directives. These sanctuaries, supported by both public contributions and government funding, blend modern facilities with international collaborations to ensure species preservation. Global conservation success relies on the combination of legal protection, scientific research, and community involvement to safeguard endangered species in their natural habitats.

As the IWMB continues to make strides in animal rescue and rehabilitation, its work to combat wildlife abuse and trafficking has been pivotal. Bilal shared that over 500 animals have been rescued and rehabilitated since the center's inception, with more than 100 species currently undergoing treatment and recovery. Despite the challenges posed by limited resources and professional expertise in the country, the IWMB remains steadfast in its commitment to providing exceptional care to the animals in its charge.

The IWMB urges the public to play an active role in protecting wildlife by reporting instances of animal cruelty. As Bilal aptly put it, "The health of our ecosystem depends on the welfare of our animals, and together, we can foster a more compassionate world for all living beings."