was a land of en- chanting valleys, beautiful high mountains, besides having rich cultural and historical sites, enough to attract domestic and foreign tourists Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training

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F .theasiantelegraph.net COAS louds indigenous Pakistan development & mainte- congratulates UAE nance program of diverse on successful Mars mission ‘Hope’: FO equipment, measures for Arab world basks in the glory of UAE operational efficiency Mars mission triumph CJCSC urges to formulate appropriate ISLAMABAD responses and strategies emerging from Pakistan has congratulated the leadership the issues other than the traditional and people of the on security concerns the outstanding success of Emirates’ Mars RAWALPINDI Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said it is General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Army Missiona testament Hope to Probe.the vision In aof tweet, the UAE Foreign leadership, Office Staff (COAS) visited Logistics installations in and a pride for its people, as well as Muslim Rawalpindi, today. Ummah. For months, the Hope probe’s journey COAS was briefed regarding various facilities being to Mars had been tracked eagerly by the Arab developed and upgradation of existing infrastruc- news media. In the UAE, hoardings depicting ture. COAS appreciated performance and commit- the unmanned spacecraft (known in Arabic as ment in provision of top class facilities and services. Al-Amal) have been positioned along highways COAS appreciated indigenous development & main- as part of the country’s 50th anniversary celebrations. tenance program of diverse equipment and concept On Tuesday, landmarks across the Arab world, of one window operation for enhance operational Ehsaas Kafalat Program including Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, the tallest tower on efficiency . Earth, glowed red to mark the probe’s arrival at Mars. Earlier on arrival, COAS was received by Lieutenant PM assures maximum assistance to the poor Seven months after its launch from Japan’s General Azhar Saleh Abbasi, Chief of Logistics Staff Tanegashima Space Center, the probe completed & Lieutenant General Aamir Abbasi, Quarter Master segments of the society its 495 million kilometer voyage and settled into General. orbit around the planet in a triumph for the Arab Socio-Economic Impacts of COVID-19 and PM vows to end malpractices of corruption, money laundering Ground controllers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Pakistan” was organized by Institute of Strategic KALLAR SYEDAN with the cooperation of an NGO to help the poor families rupt practices as this money also goes to the top leader- Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA) at National Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured to fully support world’sSpace Center first interplanetary (MBRSC) in Dubai mission. rose to their feet build their own houses. He said Naya Pakistan Housing ship. He disclosed that several offers were also made to and applauded when news broke that the Hope Defence University (NDU). and provide social protection to the poor segments of program will also provide shelter to the shelterless him in the past for the Senate seat. the society. probe had begun circling the Red Planet, where it ​General Nadeem Raza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of people. will gather data on the Martian atmosphere. Staff Committee, in his keynote address, dilated He was addressing a ceremony in connection with the Earlier, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Poverty million rupees is being offered in Balochistan to secure second phase of Ehsaas Kafalat Program at Kallar Sye- Omran Sharaf, project manager of the Emirates upon the need to formulate appropriate responses Alleviation Dr. Sania Nishtar briefed the Prime Minister Thea Senate Prime seat. Minister He wondered said at present how these a rate representatives of five to seven Mars Mission, announced: “To the people of UAE dan Tehsil of Rawalpindi District on Wednesday. about Ehsaas Kafalat Program. She said seven million that make their way to the house through illegal means and strategies emerging from the issues other than The Prime Minister said the scope of Ehsaas Program and to the peoples of Islamic and Arab nations, the traditional security concerns and said that all deserving families will become part of it by June this can serve the people. we announce the success of the United Arab will be further expanded to meet the basic necessities of year. Under this program, cash assistance of twelve Imran Khan recalled that it was he who expelled his the relevant sectors of Pakistan contributed in the the deserving families. Emirates in (reaching) the orbit of the Red Planet. thousand rupees will be given to each deserving family twenty MPAs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for their involve- We thank God.” fight against this pandemic. CJCSC thanked President for six months. ment in the horse trading in the previous Senate elec- NDU and ISSRA for organizing the seminar that ena- from the second phase of Ehsaas Kafalat program. He The craft swung into a high Martian orbit, joining Sania Nishtar said that non deserving families have tions. He pointed out that both the PML (N) and the PPP six spacecraft already operating around the bled to study the intricate challenges of the present Imransaid the Khan disbursements said that seven will millionbe made families in the mostwill benefit trans- been removed from the Ehsaas program. had made a commitment in the Charter of Democracy parent manner without any favoritism or political basis. planet — three US, two European and one Indian. time and to come up with innovative solutions for - to hold the Senate elections through an open ballot. He VoM the national effort. The Prime Minister said the poor families will also be ries of Ehsaas Kafalat Program thanked Prime Minister questioned as to why they are backtracking from their provided with health insurance cards under which they NarratingImran Khan their for stories extending of pain assistance and agony, to the the poor beneficia fami- commitment. will be able to get medical treatment worth seven hun- lies. Responding to a question, the Prime Minister said the Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that malpractices country’s exports have started witnessing growth. He the cash assistance, the Prime Minister said the poor in the Senate elections is negation of democracy. said increase in exports will help strengthen the rupee dredfamilies and will fifty also thousand be provided rupees withper annum. assistance Apart so fromthat Talking to the media person at Kallar Syedan Tehsil of and check the price hike. they could start their own businesses. Rawalpindi today (Wednesday), he regretted that the When asked about the recent test series win of Pakistan The Prime Minister said the students of deserving fami- selling and purchasing of votes in the polls of upper against South Africa, Imran Khan said congratulated the lies are also being provided with scholarships including house is continuing over the last three decades. He said team. He said the country’s domestic cricket structure at the level of under graduates so that they could also the political parties which remained in power during - excel in their life. this period did not make any attempt to stop these cor- stan will soon start beating world top teams. VoM Imran Khan said another program has also been started has been fixed and expressed the confidence that Paki Drugs abuse challenges Maritime exercise Aman-2021 CPEC, K-2 expeditions Pakistan expresses resolve to tackle threat of drug 7th edition of CPEC is game changer for entire region: resistance in collaboration with UK, Dr. Alvi multinational maritime Governor Balochistan Foreign climbers decide to end K2 search operations. Further collaboration at the Provincial level is Strengthened collaboration between human, animal and exercise Aman-2021 to winter expeditions During the call, the two Foreign Minis- environmental health agencies. required to help strengthen Pakistan’s national ISLAMABAD ters also discussed bilateral relations and response Drug Resistance, also known as antimicrobial resistance begin in today Governor Balochistan Amanullah Khan agreed to remain engaged in future on bi- Islamabad (AMR), is a growing global health threat and occurs when KARACHI Yasinzai has said -Pakistan Eco- lateral and multilateral fora. The , Mr Arif Alvi, has called for bacteria survive exposure to antibiotics that would normally The seventh edition of the multinational maritime ex- nomic Corridor is a game changer for the Meanwhile, all foreign climbers at the increased attention to be given to the growing threat of kill them. Researchers estimate drug resistance could claim ercise Aman-2021 is commencing in Karachi and in entire region. K2 base camp have decided to end the drug resistance, following a meeting with the British High up to 10 million lives a year and cost £85 trillion by 2050. the Pakistani waters from Thursday. K2 Winter Expeditions, considering the Commission to review the UK/Pakistan Fleming Fund part- The Fleming Fund, managed by the UK Department The 6-day exercise Aman-2021 has the slogan ‘Togeth- of PAF Air War College in Quetta today harsh weather conditions. er for Peace” and will have two phases, a harbor phase Talking(Wednesday), to a delegation he said the of traineelaw and officers order In addition, Minister for Information and nership on AMR. of Health and Social Care in partnership with Mott Broadcasting Shibli Faraz says every- President Alvi noted further collaboration at the MacDonald, the Fleming Fund Grant Management Agent, and a sea phase. situation in Balochistan has improved sig- The exercise is being participated by 45 countries along one should play his due role to root out Provincial level is required to help strengthen Pakistan’s aims to tackle drug resistance by issues by investing in with their surface and air assets, special operation forc- On the other hand, Foreign Minister Shah corruption from the country, which has national response. surveillance of drug resistance and drug use. In Pakistan, nificantly.Mahmood Qureshi held telephonic con- spread like cancer. Data from the Global Antibiotic Resistance Partnership international development company DAI is acting as the The exercise is carried out in the form of collaboration versation with his Chilean counterpart Talking to a private news channel, he said suggest that in Pakistan there are an unnecessary number lead grant delivering the Pakistan Country Grant, which es,between marine the teams, navies senior of various officers countries and observers. to maintain a Andrés Allamand regarding the missing the PTI government wants to end the cor- of registered antimicrobial products, a widespread practice is focused on refurbishing laboratories and strengthening safe and sustainable maritime realm. Chilean mountaineer Juan Pablo Mohr rupt practices during the Senate elections. of self-medication and excessive prescription of antibiot- AMR collaboration. VoM It may be pointed out that the Exercise is conducted by who was on the K-2 winter expedition. Shibli Faraz said Prime Minister Imran ics by medical practitioners – all of which contribution to the after every two years with a resolve The Foreign Minister expressed his deep Khan is the only leader who has taken drug resistance. against terrorism and piracy. concern over the missing team of moun- strict action against his own party’s par- Pakistan Navy has released a promo of new song for taineers and apprised his Chilean coun- liamentarians for violating the party dis- The Fleming Fund is investing over £9 million in Pakistan cipline. to tackle resistance by strengthening AMR systems and the multinational naval exercise 2021. terpart of efforts being made by Pakistan Spokesman for Pak Navy says that the new song has He said there is no contradiction between supporting public health laboratories in the country. Since to locate them. been prepared with Urdu and English combination He assured that Pakistan would make all the words and actions of Imran Khan 2019 key achievements have included: in which peace loving countries have given a call for possible efforts to trace the missing he- because he did what he said. In another 241 people trained on drug resistance, biosafety and bi- united stand for peace. roes. commitment, Minister for Religious Af- osecurity during country Grant-I. Acknowledging the search and rescue op- fairs Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri has said the Refurbishment of National Institute of Health Laboratory, for peace the world countries have been welcomed for eration, Chilean Foreign Minister thanked government is making efforts to bring National Veterinary Laboratory and National Reference Injoining the song the peace while exercise. reaffirming the resolve of Pak Army the Government of Pakistan on behalf of about an improvement and strengthen Laboratory for Poultry Diseases-NRLPD. the people of Chile and the family of Mr. the centuries-old education system of re- Improved laboratory quality management systems. are participating in the exercise being held in Karachi. Juan Pablo Mohr for assistance in the ligious seminaries. It is worth mentioning that nearly forty five countries Pandemic outbreak controversies Energy market WHO mission member underscores ‘don’t Investment imperative to avert global rely’ on US coronavirus intelligence energy crisis: Report issue. lab leak may have been the source of the Group forecast that a further 20 percent ditional hydrocarbons altogether, while The WHO team also concluded As they wrapped up the mission team pandemic. King Abdullah Petroleum Studies cut would come in 2021. others are demanding clearer commit- the theory of a lab experiment gone member Daszak tweeted that they worked The WHO team also concluded the theory and Research Centre believes fund- These are bigger cuts than in either of ments on the part of energy companies wrong was “extremely unlikely,” “flat out under the most politically charged of a lab experiment gone wrong was “ex- ing is needed to avoid supply issues the previous two periods of falling oil to transition away from high-emission while introducing new avenues of environment possible.” tremely unlikely,” while introducing new DUBAI prices, in 2004 and 2014, when rapid products. inquiry, chiming with China’s view Later he issued the extraordinary tweet avenues of inquiry, chiming with China’s Investment in oil and gas needs to rise economic development in China came “The energy transition is pushing that it may have originated overseas referencing Biden, wading directly into the view that it may have originated overseas significantly over last year’s pandemic- to the rescue with soaring demand for big oil companies to address climate or been spread by frozen foods soupy geopolitics which covers the pan- or been spread by frozen foods. impacted levels to avert a crisis in global energy products. change,” KAPSARC said. The share of in- WUHAN demic origin story. Despite failing to finding the virus origins, energy supply, according to the latest re- “Today, the markets face different vestment devoted by big oil companies A member of the WHO mission to China Dasak’s comments were linked to an a year after the pandemic began, the team port from the King Abdullah Petroleum realities,” KAPSARC said, as slower oil to renewables tripled last year, accord- exploring the origins of the coronavirus article referencing US State Department of foreign experts did agree the virus likely Studies and Research Centre (KAPSARC). demand growth and climate concerns ing to Goldman Sachs, with big cuts in pandemic took a swipe Wednesday at US comments that cast doubt over the trans- jumped from bats to an unknown animal “Considerably higher investment dampen the enthusiasm of financial in- oil and gas projects compared to smaller intelligence on the issue, after the State parency of China’s cooperation with the species before transmitting to humans. is needed by the end of the decade to vestors in fossil fuels. reductions in “greener” initiatives. Department cast doubt on the transparency WHO mission. The coronavirus most likely first appeared avoid a longer-term supply deficit,” the Some investors have abandoned tra- of their probe. Beijing is desperate to defang criticism of in humans after jumping from an animal, report said. President Joe Biden “has to look tough on its handling of the chaotic early stages of a team of international and Chinese scien- “Even under low oil demand scenarios, China,” expert Peter Daszak said in a tweet the outbreak. Former US president Donald tists looking for the origins of COVID-19 the current levels of investment would as the mission ended, adding: “Please don’t Trump frequently laid the blame with China said Tuesday, saying an alternate theory result in a significant market deficit.” rely too much on US intel: increasingly dis- and repeated a controversial theory that a that the virus leaked from a Chinese lab The prospect of a world running short engaged under Trump & frankly wrong on was unlikely. on oil to fuel a post-pandemic recovery many aspects.” A closely watched visit by World Health has been highlighted by several recent The WHO mission to China ended without Organization experts to Wuhan — the studies. finding the source of the coronavirus that Chinese city where the first coronavirus Rystadt, the US energy consultancy, has killed more than 2.3 million worldwide. cases were discovered — did not dramati- estimated that globally oil and gas com- The experts had to walk a diplomatic cally change the current understanding panies cut their capital expenditure — tightrope, with the United States urging a of the early days of the pandemic, said capex — by 30 percent last year. “robust” probe before they left and China Peter Ben Embarek, the leader of the WHO A recent report by the International warning against the politicization of the mission. Energy Forum and Boston Consulting Thursday, February 11, 2020

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Editor-in-Chief: Amna Malik Editor: Muhammad Hassam Future of NATO Assistant Editor:Syed Mushahid Naqvi After World War II, When NATO’s founding surize the member states because it has wasted a Phone: + 92 51 2814017 Offce # 407/408, 4th Floor, Evacuee members signed the North Atlantic Treaty to trillion of dollars in wars in and Afghanistan. formulate a military alliance, they declared them- Economically the US is not in a position to set forth Trust, Agha Khan Road, F-5/1 Islamabad selves “resolved to unite their efforts for collective the majority of financial budgets. The question defense and the preservation of peace and secu- arises that was America not safeguarding those rity.” The greatest threat to these objectives was objectives previously. Europe is now setting into a military attack by a hostile power—a prospect face social, political, economic crises amid the that led to the treaty’s most famous provision, Syed Mushahid Naqvi pandemic outbreak. The EU model could not even Sustainable Development Article V, which states, “The Parties agree that eliminate the disparities in the economy of states an armed attack against one or more of them in such Baltic region and powerful states of Europe. Perspectives Europe or North America shall be considered an allies unit like NATO for Europe seems ambiguous The annexation of the UK set a norm of the disin- attack against them all. “ Notwithstanding the his- due to the internal complexities. In retrospect, the tegration of the EU model .that made the United torical objectives, the threats facing the alliance’s isolationist rhetoric of trump entangled NATO al- States proactive to take primitive steps to margin- he belief that we should masterfully meet our needs with- members have changed considerably. An attack in lies. Trump’s consideration of reducing military alize from upcoming affairs of European states. out jeopardizing the future generations gave birth to the North America or Europe by the regular army of and declaring NATO as an obsolete unit has set Russian Ukraine conflict triggered the idea that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 succeeding an outside state is highly unlikely. Although NATO forth the future precedent of military alliance .It is there possible chances that Moscow can strive the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a universal is one of the world’s largest military defense al- difficult to handle global security and peace with further to the Baltic states or non-NATO member call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure liances and it has provided imputes to persuade such minimum financial contributions by NATO states of Europe .that is why weak states are trying that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Pakistan, influence, deter, and safeguard the interests of col- ally states. However, the fragmentation of NATO to meet the 2% shared of GDP in defense to en- although lagging and intermittent in delivering the development initiatives laboration states jointly. However, in recent times seems vague because it is difficult for the US and sure their security under the surveillance of united Tin the past, was one of the first few countries to adopt SDGs in its national deep concerns have entangled regarding the future allies to survive on isolation policy. states. However, the powerful states are Europe development agendas in a National Assembly Resolution in 2016. Later on, of NATO as a unit alliance. One of the core issues is US is contributing 3.6% percent of GDP to the take this notion as an edge to remain moderate in in 2018 Pakistan started establishing the infrastructure for the achieve- the role of financial sponsorships to NATO. The US NATO budget and it has increased states’ defense their position of financial aid. ment of SDGs and aligned its national development Vision 2025 with the currently contributing 70% while the rest of the budget by 10% during Trump era. Nevertheless it Consequently, the US and European member states Global Goals through devising a comprehensive SDG framework. The key member states only 30 % to the defense budget .it urged the EU member states to increase the contri- can’t afford the integration of NATO. It will remain interventions and programs show the commitment of a struggling economy has led US to revamp its role and position in NATO. bution to 2%. Strategically, Baltic States enhanced a haven of the Baltic states and a shield cover to and a developing nation to forge sustainability and put an end to poverty The US President Donald Trump in his tenure had their budget states due to threats of Russian at- preserve the interest of the US whole across the and destitution. With the advent of PTI in the echelons of power, multifac- deep concerns regarding the role of NATO allies’ tacks. Likewise, other member states are also en- globe .to keep Russia Out NATO is a prime instru- eted initiatives of Ehasaas Program furthered these development goals and states in financial budget affairs. Trump’s idea of hancing their budget capacities. NATO remained ment for the united states and it will be executed initiatives like Ehsaas poverty alleviation program became a global model revamping the NATO alliance to commercial enter- a platform of strong ties between Europe and the effectively in the future as well. for reducing poverty. The health sector reforms like inter-provincial infor- prise created apprehensions among the alliance of US. Furthermore, NATO has been successful to pull mation sharing and disease surveillances, and initiatives like Lady Health European states and US. Appraisal suggests that out Russia in the region and it maintained peace Mushaid Hussain Naqvi is the Assistant Editor Workers Programme and Sehat Sahulat (health insurance) boosted the ally states are contributing less to the budget but among European states to go into war. Strategically, at TAT and Sub-Editor at Melange International country’s development progress to new heights. Similarly, Pakistan’s efforts they have suffered in the NATO-led wars in Iraq if NATO integrates Europe will be entangled in a Magazine of adaption and mitigation against the climate challenge dazzled the world and Afghanistan. The option of separate defense war zone and bloodshed. The US tends to pres- with completion of the task before other countries. However, there is still a room of improvement in the overall agenda such as increasing transpar- ency, stimulating monitoring and evaluation, and learning to innovate and Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect The Asian Telegraph point-of-view adapt to successful global models. With its humongous young population, Pakistan will become a driving workforce of the world in 2050 but for that, the country has to focus on human development and overcoming the gender disparity, especially in the education sector. The country’s ranking Today in History in SDGs already dropped from 115 in 2016 to 134 in 2020 and along with a head start in achieving climate goal, there are myriad indicators and tar- gets Pakistan have to meet yet. Along with the government’s initiatives and programs, the individuals have to play their role as well such as changing February 11,1990, Nelson Mandela released from prison their behavioural pattern jointly. elson Mandela, leader of the movement to end ment of civil disobedience at the prison that coerced release of Nelson Mandela. Mandela subsequently led the South African apartheid, is released from prison South African officials into drastically improving condi- ANC in its negotiations with the minority government for Disaster Preparedness Nafter 27 years on February 11, 1990. In 1944, tions on Robben Island. He was later moved to another an end to apartheid and the establishment of a multiracial Mandela, a lawyer, joined the African National Congress location, where he lived under house arrest. In 1989, F.W. government. In 1993, Mandela and de Klerk were jointly (ANC), the oldest Black political organization in South de Klerk became South African president and set about awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. One year later, the ANC he ongoing pandemic has made the authorities realize that Africa, where he became a leader of Johannesburg’s youth dismantling apartheid. De Klerk lifted the ban on the ANC, won an electoral majority in the country’s first free elec- we have to arm ourselves with knowledge so that in times of wing of the ANC. In 1952, he became deputy national suspended executions, and in February 1990 ordered the tions, and Mandela was elected South Africa’s president. crises we can save precious lives and minimize the economic president of the ANC, advocating nonviolent resistance costs. Disasters not only disrupt the development process to apartheid—South Africa’s institutionalized system but it has a farfetched impact on the physical and emotional of white supremacy and racial segregation. However, wellbeing of populace. In order to mitigate the losses the after the massacre of peaceful Black demonstrators at governments and authorities have to be prepared such as the COVID-19 Sharpeville in 1960, Nelson helped organize a paramili- Tspread like a wildfire and if could have been detected an earlier stage, it tary branch of the ANC to engage in guerrilla warfare might be extinguished with a limited amount of damage. We also learned against the white minority government. In 1961, he was that the best strategy to curb the pandemic required a joint effort by the arrested for treason, and although acquitted he was ar- government officials especially those belonging to the public health, law rested again in 1962 for illegally leaving the country. enforcement, and active participation from the parliamentarians, including Convicted and sentenced to five years at Robben Island the private sector. It also calls for a global cooperation in such scenario like Prison, he was put on trial again in 1964 on charges of building a global infrastructure to respond the pandemic or any such crises. sabotage. In June 1964, he was convicted along with sev- The global community knew that we have to devise strategies and furnish eral other ANC leaders and sentenced to life in prison. resources that will be required to fight the pandemic such as vacancies, Mandela spent the first 18 of his 27 years in jail at the testing kits, doctors to patient ratio etc. but lack of vital equipment led to brutal Robben Island Prison. Confined to a small cell the death of hundred thousand precious lives. The vaccines are prepared without a bed or plumbing, he was forced to do hard now and the catalyst came from global cooperation. Although there are labor in a quarry. He could write and receive a letter once times when we cannot predict the upcoming disasters but at the same time, every six months, and once a year he was allowed to meet the significance of disaster preparation cannot be undermined. The lesson with a visitor for 30 minutes. However, Mandela’s resolve we should learn from the ongoing pandemic is to focus on the scientific remained unbroken, and while remaining the symbolic developments and adopt a heuristic approach to tackle the disasters. leader of the anti-apartheid movement, he led a move-

‘Free Solo’ Duo Replace Kevin Macdonald as Directors of China’s space probe Tianwen-1 enters Mars orbit BEIJING planned, China would become only the sec- Nat Geo’s Thai Cave Rescue Doc A Chinese spacecraft entered Mars orbit on ond nation to do so successfully. DUBAI the unlikely heroes of an edge-of-your- Wednesday on a mission to land a rover and Tianwen, the title of an ancient poem, “Free Solo” directors E. Chai Vasarhelyi seat mission with life-or-death stakes.” collect data on underground water and pos- means “Quest for Heavenly Truth.” and Jimmy Chin have taken over for In addition to that doc, Nat Geo has sible signs of ancient life, state media said. Landing a spacecraft on Martian soil is no- “One Day in September” filmmaker set up three other new projects with “China’s probe Tianwen-1 successfully en- toriously difficult, and China’s attempt will Kevin Macdonald as the directors of the pair — who are also attached to tered the orbit around Mars on Wednesday involve a parachute, back-firing rockets and National Geographic’s documentary a scripted movie adaptation of the after a nearly seven-month voyage from airbags. Its proposed landing site is inside the feature about the 2018 rescue of a Thai-cave-rescue story at Universal Earth,” the Xinhua News Agency said in a massive, rock-strewn, Utopia Planitia, where boys soccer team trapped deep inside and Cavalry Media — including the brief report. the US Viking 2 lander touched down in 1976. a flooded cave in Thailand, the cable doc “Tompkins” about conservation- The orbiter-rover combo became the sec- The solar-powered rover — about the size channel said Tuesday. ist Kristine Tompkins, a 10-part series ond spacecraft in two days to reach the red of a golf cart — is expected to operate for With the “Thai Cave Rescue” docu- titled “Into the Unknown” about the planet. An orbiter from the United Arab about three months, and the orbiter for two mentary feature — which an indi- “minds of elite adventure athletes,” Emirates led the way on Tuesday. years. vidual with knowledge tells TheWrap and “Photographer,” a one-hour pilot Next week, the US will try to land its Only the US has successfully touched down Macdonald exited over “timing” issues, about National Geographic’s 2018 Perseverance rover on the Martian surface. on Mars — eight times beginning with the as it was originally set up at Nat Geo in Adventurers of the Year Paul Nicklen Only the US has successfully touched down two Viking missions. A lander and rover are March 2019 — “Vasarhelyi and Chin and Cristina Mittermeier. All four pro- on Mars – eight times beginning with two in operation today. will bring their signature filmmaking jects are part of the first-look deal that “National Geographic shares our deep Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice Viking missions. A lander and rover are in and nuanced character portraits to the the Vasarhelyi and Chin signed with Nat commitment to bringing honest and in- president of scripted content and docu- operation today. against-all-odds story of the dramatic Geo in 2019. spiring stories to audiences around the mentary films for National Geographic, All three Mars missions launched last July to 2018 rescue of a boys soccer team National Geographic Documentary world,” Vasarhelyi and Chin said. “We added: “Chai and Jimmy are masterful take advantage of the planet’s close alignment trapped deep inside a flooded cave in Films previously released Chin and are thrilled to be working with them storytellers who bring unparalleled with Earth that occurs only every two years. Thailand,” per Nat Geo. “With exclusive Vasarhelyi’s Oscar-winning documen- again on these powerful new projects artistry and distinctive vision to every- The Chinese mission is its most ambitious access and never-before-seen footage tary “Free Solo.” The film ranks as Nat that not only push the boundaries of thing they do. We are proud to continue yet. If all goes as planned, the rover would from the rescue, the film tells the story Geo’s most-viewed unscripted special filmmaking but also shine a light on the our partnership with them to tell these separate from the spacecraft in a few months of the cave divers who challenged the ever and the No. 1 on demand and incredible resilience and determination profound stories in an authentic yet in- and attempt to touch down. If all goes as limits of human potential and became download in the network’s history. of humankind.” novative way.” TAT Special Covid-19 WHO says ‘extremely unlikely’ virus leaked from lab in China BEIJING tion but had not dramatically changed the trade of frozen food. International experts investigating the picture of the outbreak. Dr Peter Daszak, a member of the WHO origins of Covid-19 have all but dismissed Experts believe the virus is likely to have team, said the focus on where the origins a theory that the virus came from a labo- originated in animals before spreading to that led to Covid-19 might be, could be ratory in China. humans, but they are not sure how. shifted to South East Asia. Peter Ben Embarek, the head of the Dr Embarek said work to identify the “We’ve done a lot of work in China and World Health Organization (WHO) mis- origins of Covid-19 pointed to a “natural if you map that back it starts to point to- sion, said it was “extremely unlikely” that reservoir” in bats, but it was unlikely that wards the border and we know that there the virus leaked from a lab in the city of this happened in Wuhan. is very little surveillance on the other side Wuhan. He said identifying the animal pathway in the whole region of South East Asia,” he He said more work was needed to iden- remained a “work in progress”, but that told the BBC’s John Sudworth in Wuhan. tify the source of the virus. it was “most likely” to have crossed over “China is a very big place and South East The investigation could now focus on to humans from an intermediary species. Asia is a very big place. The supply chains South East Asia, one expert said. The experts also said there was “no in- to the Huanan seafood market were ex- The WHO team are currently at the end dication” that the virus was circulating in tensive, they were coming in from other of their investigation mission. Wuhan before the first official cases were countries, they were coming in from vari- Wuhan, in China’s central Hubei prov- recorded there in December 2019. ous parts of China, so to really trace that ince, is the first place in the world that Liang Wannian, an expert with China’s back it’s going to take some work.” the virus was detected in 2019. Since Health Commission, said Covid-19 could He added that the focus should now be then, more than 106 million cases and have been in other regions before it was on those supply chains. 2.3 million deaths have been reported detected in Wuhan. The WHO mission began in January, worldwide. The team called for further investigation following months of negotiations with Dr Embarek told a press conference the into the possibility of “cold chain” trans- Beijing. The experts’ visit was closely- investigation had uncovered new informa- mission, referring to the transport and monitored by the Chinese authorities. Thursday, February 11, 2020

www.theasiantelegraph.net Trading volume hits 16-year high at PSX Benchmark KSE-100 index drops 30.48 keep the cumulative trading volume above 600 mil- points to settle at 46,644.29 lion shares. Bureau Report “Profit-booking continued unabated, particularly in KARACHI the exploration and production sector that regressed Trading volume at the Pakistan Stock Exchange despite stable international crude oil prices,” it said. Gigi Hadid, Zayn Malik get (PSX) on Wednesday touched a 16-year high as it The cement sector performed well on the back of rose past one billion shares. better financial results announced by Cherat Cement, matching ‘Khai’ tattoos to PSX volume surged 52% day-on-day to 1.01 bil- which strengthened investor confidence who voiced lion shares, the fifth highest trading volume and the hope that similar results would be announced by celebrate baby girl highest after 16 years. Such a trading volume was last other companies. The index touched intra-day high and low of +171 recorded on February 23, 2005. Banking, exploration and production, and engineer- points and -333 points respectively. Total trading vol- Throughout the day, the stock market oscillated be- ing (steel) sectors “saw attrition”, the report said. ume crossed one billion shares. tween positive and negative territories and ended the Sectors contributing to the performance included Major contribution to the volume came from session nearly flat with a meagre drop of 30 points. exploration and production (-92 points), banks (-50 WorldCall Telecom (+33%), K-Electric (+2%), Political tensions and absence of positive triggers points), technology (-33 points), fertiliser (-20 points) Telecard Limited (+17%), Pakistan Refinery (-4%), undermined investor interest and they resorted to and engineering (-11 points). Fauji Cement (+7%) and Maple Leaf Cement (+2.7%). cautious trading. Individually, stocks that contributed positively to MCB in the banking sector reported CY20 consoli- Earlier, trading kicked off with a spike, but the som- the index included Lucky Cement (+76 points), Fauji dated earnings per share of Rs24.82 with cash payout bre mood erased the gains and pushed the benchmark Cement (+29 points), Cherat Cement (+25 points), of Rs15 per share. KSE-100 index into negative territory within the first Pioneer Cement (+25 points) and Kohat Cement (+21 The market remained upbeat as Cherat Cement hour. Rest of the trading session saw the index swing points). (+6%) announced 1HFY21 earnings per share of between red and green zones. Stocks that contributed negatively were Oil and Gas Rs5.81 with a payout of Re1 per share. At close, the benchmark KSE-100 index recorded Development Company (-34 points), Mari Petroleum “Hence, observing the past and current trends, we a decrease of 30.48 points, or 0.07%, to settle at (-23 points), Systems Limited (-22 points), Pakistan believe that the market will trade sideways with in- 46,644.29 points. Petroleum (-19 points) and Bank AL Habib (-16 vestor interest in refinery and cement stocks,” the ana- Arif Habib Limited, in its report, stated that the points). lyst said. “We recommend investors to buy on dips.” market achieved another feat as it recorded trading JS Global analyst Danish Ladhani said that the KSE- Overall, trading volumes skyrocketed to 1.01 billion volume of one billion shares in the regular market. 100 index closed on a flat note not very far from the shares compared with Tuesday’s tally of 664.03 mil- DUBAI WorldCall Telecom contributed the most with 370 47,000-point mark. It ended the session at 46,644, lion. The value of shares traded during the day was Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik have matching tattoos of million shares changing hands. Other stocks helped down 30 points. Rs27.3 billion. their daughter’s name, Khai, eagle-eyed fans noticed this week. Just days after fans spotted the former One Direction star’s ink, written in Arabic on the Emirates doesn’t see travel recovery until year-end inside of his wrist, supporters have also noticed the US-Palestinian-Dutch supermodel’s new tattoo that Clark said he expected govern- and August, I think, maybe (it will days, a similar system to Australia. the stronger measures are needed honors her almost five-month-old baby girl. ments would continue to close return) in the last quarter this Clark, who has delayed his re- to prevent new variants of the The design, which is also written in Arabic, was spot- borders and place restrictions on year,” Clark told a virtual summit tirement to tackle the coronavirus virus from thwarting its rapid vac- ted in the crook of Hadid’s arm during her beauty international travel by aviation consultancy CAPA. crisis, said countries like Britain cination programme. routine video for Vogue Magazine last week. Bureau Report Britain this week announced had taken “fairly draconian posi- Britain in January reimposed Hadid revealed their baby girl’s unique name in an DUBAI passengers arriving from certain tions” with regards to international quarantine restrictions on travel- under-the-radar manner that saw her update her International travel is likely to countries would have to enter travel. lers from the United Arab Emirates Instagram bio to say “Khai’s mom.” Though Hadid China’s remain subdued until the end mandatory hotel quarantine for 10 The British government has said as cases in the Gulf state rapidly did not publicize the change, internet sleuths caught of the year as countries reintro- increased. on quickly, and the news soon started trending on benchmark duce tough restrictions to control Clark said he expected govern- Twitter last month. COVID-19 infections, the head of ments would continue to close The couple’s daughter’s name has been reported to power coal Dubai-based airline Emirates said borders and place restrictions on be a nod to Hadid’s paternal grandmother, named on Wednesday. international travel until they get Khairiah. price edges The comments from Tim Clark a better understanding of how to The pair have been relatively private when it comes represent a more pessimistic view deal with the new variants. to their daughter and have yet to share a picture of down after he told Reuters last month he The 71-year-old, a respected Khai with the public. However, the model often posts Bureaau Report did not believe the recovery would industry veteran, has throughout sweet snaps of her daughter’s tiny hand grasping her SHIJIAZHUANG be further impeded by a new wave the crisis tended to be more bull- finger. VoM China’s benchmark power coal of infections and restrictions. ish about a rebound than many of price dropped slightly during “It is going to take longer than his peers. Khloe Kardashian shares the past week. I would have hoped and I think Unlike some other airlines, The Bohai-Rim Steam-Coal probably we are going to see some Emirates lacks a domestic market adorable snap of daugh- Price Index (BSPI), a gauge to cushion it against the downturn of coal prices in northern capacity return that I hoped in July in international travel. ter True rocking L’Afshar China’s major ports, stood difficulties. We are not going to see at 617 yuan (about 95.82 U.S. dollars) per tonne KSA partners with Roche to boost life Wednesday, a drop of two yuan week on week, ac- sciences sector cording to the Qinhuangdao Ocean Shipping Coal Trading Bureau Report oil to fuel a post-pandemic recovery has been companies to address climate change,” Market Co. Ltd. DUBAI highlighted by several recent studies. KAPSARC said. The share of investment Analysts said as the Spring Investment in oil and gas needs to rise sig- Rystadt, the US energy consultancy, esti- devoted by big oil companies to renewa- Festival holiday approached, nificantly over last year’s pandemic-impacted mated that globally oil and gas companies bles tripled last year, according to Goldman coal production activities levels to avert a crisis in global energy supply, cut their capital expenditure — capex — by Sachs, with big cuts in oil and gas projects in all sectors were slowing according to the latest report from the King 30 percent last year. compared to smaller reductions in “greener” down. With the inactivity Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research A recent report by the International Energy initiatives. of market transactions, the Centre (KAPSARC). Forum and Boston Consulting Group forecast Although national oil companies in the decline of coal prices also “Considerably higher investment is needed that a further 20 percent cut would come in Middle East, such as Saudi Aramco and the slowed down. by the end of the decade to avoid a longer- 2021. Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., have taken ad- Affected by the drop in de- term supply deficit,” the report said. These are bigger cuts than in either of the vantage of lower costs to adopt a longer-term mand, production and sales in “Even under low oil demand scenarios, the previous two periods of falling oil prices, in strategy of increasing investment in tradi- the main coal producing areas current levels of investment would result in 2004 and 2014, when rapid economic de- tional sources, this is not enough to make up DUBAI were weak before the Spring a significant market deficit.” velopment in China came to the rescue with the global shortfall. “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” star Khloe Festival. Due to the increase in The prospect of a world running short on soaring demand for energy products. “The current low capex investment in oil Kardashian often takes to social media to share mem- coal stocks in ports, the tight “Today, the markets face different realities,” and gas is raising new concerns,” KAPSARC orable moments of her two-year-old daughter, True supply and demand in the coal KAPSARC said, as slower oil demand growth said, citing studies from the International Thompson, as well as to show off the little fashion star market has been improved. and climate concerns dampen the enthusi- Energy Forum showing that upstream invest- in the making’s stylish outfits. Released by the asm of financial investors in fossil fuels. ment needs to rise by 25 percent each year This week, the reality star proudly took to Instagram Qinhuangdao Ocean Shipping Some investors have abandoned traditional until 2024 in order to avoid a crisis. to gush over her daughter True, whose father is NBA Coal Trading Market Co. Ltd. hydrocarbons altogether, while others are de- “The market recovery from low investment player Tristan Thompson. She shared photos that every Wednesday, the BSPI is manding clearer commitments on the part of and instability is likely to take longer than in showed her toddler posing in a stylish Burberry outfit a leading indicator of China’s energy companies to transition away from previous crises and be more expensive due accessorized with a bag by Dubai-based label L’Afshar. coal prices. high-emission products. to slower growth in demand, and a modest “My beautiful baby!!!” the Good American mogul cap- “The energy transition is pushing big oil oil price recovery,” KAPSARC said. tioned the cute shot, spurring comments from her well-known friends. The two-year-old looked as cute as can be in a Burberry bodysuit and matching flared out shorts, which were paired with matching sandals and L’Afhsar’s mini Amnis bag. Pakistan players make giant strides in ICC Ireland still Six Nations It appears that L’Afshar is a style staple for the Kardashian-Jenner clan. Test rankings title contenders, says The label, which was founded by Esmod Dubai gradu- ate Lilian Afshar in 2015, has been championed by Staff Report premier Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara South Africa’s Aiden Markram has advanced defiant Farrell virtually every member of the famous family. VoM Karachi while Faheem Ashraf and Fawad Alam too from 23rd to 14th position after scoring 32 Pakistan players have made giant strides in have continued their ascent. and 44 not out while Temba Bavuma is in Bureau Report horse and then we get a week’s Sandra Bullock Joins ICC’s latest Test rankings following Men in Faheem had scores of 78 not out and 29 in 49th position from 61st with 108 and 61 DUBLIN break and then we go to Italy Green’s 2-0 sweep over South Africa. the second Test, which lifted him from 66th in his two innings. Anrich Nortje (up five Andy Farrell says his Ireland after. So this is the week. This Brad Pitt in Action Movie Right-arm pacer Hasan Ali’s 10-wicket to 47th position while Fawad has gained places to 33rd) and George Linde (up side showed enough spirit in is the week to get our champi- match haul that earned him the Player of four places to reach 74th position after ag- 36 places to 74) have moved up among defeat against Wales to con- onship back on track.” ‘Bullet Train’ the Match award, has lifted him a huge 21 gregating 57 runs in the two innings. bowlers. vince him they can become Farrell’s team faltered in Paris places to 32nd position. With two other fast just the fourth side to win the last October when the title was bowlers – Mohammad Abbas in 12th place Six Nations after losing their up for grabs, losing 35-27, but and Shaheen Afridi on 30th (after gain- opening game. they are entertaining a French ing four places), their fast-bowling unit is Ireland pushed Wales all the side who have not won at arguably the strongest since 2007, when way in a 21-16 defeat in Cardiff Lansdowne Road since 2011. Mohammad Asif, Shoaib Akhtar and Umar on Sunday despite playing with “The competition is back on, Gul were all ranked in the top 20. 14 men for more than an hour. isn’t it? Massively,” said Farrell. Among their batsmen, player of the series Irish flanker Peter O’Mahony “The Welsh will go to Scotland Mohammad Rizwan has attained a career- was shown a straight red by (who beat champions England best 16th place after scores of 26 and 115 referee Wayne Barnes after he on Saturday) and try and win helped him make a leap of 19 places in the elbowed Tomas Francis in the there, so somebody’s record list. head. He faces a ban. will go and it normally does Babar Azam has moved ahead of India’s But Farrell is looking ahead to that over the course of a Six Sunday’s home match against Nations. Fabien Galthie’s France, who “We weren’t happy with our Let PSG talk about Messi, says Koeman showed signs of being the performance when it mattered coming force in last year’s over there in Paris, so the lads Bureau Reuter to crank up the pressure on the Catalans ahead what happens.” championship. will be 100 percent up for the BARCELONA of their upcoming Champions League clash. Messi has been free to negotiate with rival clubs In the previous 21 years of the week ahead once we dust our- DUBAI Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman has said he no Lyon boss Garcia then got involved by saying since last month as his contract with Barca, Six Nations, just three teams selves off and understand the Sandra Bullock has hopped aboard Brad Pitt’s Bullet longer cares about Paris St Germain discussing it was rich of Koeman to criticise PSG for talk- where he has stayed since he was 13-years- have lost on the opening week- reasons why about Sunday’s Train. The actress is the latest star to join Pitt in the up- their desire to sign Lionel Messi but expressed ing about the prospect of signing Messi after he old, expires in June. end and recovered to win the performance.” coming Sony action movie, according to multiple reports. his surprise at Olympique Lyonnais coach Rudi had spoken openly of Barca’s pursuit of Lyon Barca have been dealt three fresh injury set- title — England last year, Wales Ireland’s lineout was vastly Deadline was first to report the news. ET has reached out Garcia getting involved in the matter. forward Memphis Depay. backs for the Sevilla game, with right back in 2013 and France in 2006. improved against France even to Sony for comment. Last week, Koeman was irked by PSG’s Angel “I don’t know why PSG are doing this (talking Sergino Dest, striker Martin Braithwaite and “You come away with a ‘W’ though they lost the influential Bullock’s casting in Bullet Train comes about two months di Maria talking of his wish to play with Messi about Messi) but if they want to talk about midfielder Miralem Pjanic all out in addition to (win) next week (against O’Mahony and star lock James after ET learned that Bad Bunny had joined the ensemble next season, accusing the French side of trying Leo, they can,” Koeman told a news conference centre back Ronald Araujo, who hurt his ankle France) and then it’s game Ryan in the first half. cast, which also includes Logan Lerman, Joey King, Aaron ahead of Wednesday’s in Sunday’s 3-2 win at Real Betis. on,” Farrell told Irish media. Their impressive display re- Taylor Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Zazie Beetz, Michael Copa del Rey semi-final Both sides are in impeccable form, each win- “So this is it, it’s a one-off game flected the immediate impact Shannon and Andrew Koji. first leg at Sevilla. ning their last six games in all competitions. for us. former captain Paul O’Connell David Leitch is set to direct the project. The script -- based “But now the Lyon “They are a very physical side, well organised, “We get ourselves back on the has had made since being on the Japanese novel Maria Beetle by Kotaro Isaka -- was coach is getting in- and with individuals of real quality, that’s why appointed forward coach in written by Zak Olkewicz. volved, it seems like he they’re so high up in the table and in the Copa January. Details of Bullock’s role have yet to be revealed, but this wants to raise his pro- semi-finals,” Koeman said of Sevilla, who are “The boys have been work- would mark her first film with Pitt. The two have yet to file in the media. It’s not fourth in La Liga, one point behind second- ing really hard with Paul cross paths on screen, despite starring in the same fran- important to me. What placed Barca. about owning that side of our chise. Bullock played Debbie Ocean in 2018’s Ocean’s we have to do is pre- “They have one of the most complete squads game and some guys have re- 8, a spinoff of the Ocean’s series in which Pitt starred pare our match against around and we’ll have to be very good on the ally stepped up to the plate alongside George Clooney, Matt Damon and more. VoM Sevilla, then Alaves and ball to cope with their pressing. But if we play and took responsibility,” said then PSG and we’ll see at our potential we can harm them.” Farrell. Thursday, February 11, 2020 The Asian Telegraph www.theasiantelegraph.net

AJK holds immense Year 2021 is a special potential to emerge year for China and as a silicon valley of Pakistan bonhomie: Pakistan: AJK President MIRPUR Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Ambassador Haque Sardar Masood Khan Wednesday appreci- Pak, China planning to celebrate 70 ated the Akhuwwat Foundation’s welfare years of diplomatic relations projects that aim at to alleviate poverty and BEIJING improve health and education for the most Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin ul Haq said on vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the Wednesday that Pakistan and China are planning more country. than a hundred activities to commemorate the 70 years - long diplomatic relations between the two countries. ing given to him by a senior member of the The events would include exchanges of high-level delega- tions, cultural exhibitions, photographic exhibitions, fash- HeBoard said of thisDirectors at a briefingof Akhuwwat given Foundation in a meet Pakistan, Mohammad Salim Ahmed Ranjha ion events and publication of books. “We are also planning to twin a number of cities between China and Pakistan to said. add to what we already have along with holding the webi- nars of trade and investment”, he added. inThe the president federal said capital, that AJK AJK would President fully coop office- erate with the Akhuwat Foundation in its en- “This year is a special year for China and Pakistan. I hope deavor to combat hunger, alleviate poverty that this year can mark a new chapter in our relationship, and improve the health and education sector. a glorious chapter. With the Chinese Spring Festival ap- With the highest literacy rate and the spirit proaching, he also wished a happy Chinese New year and of cooperation among ambitious educated extended greetings. youth, AJK could be transformed into a Sili- He told CEN that the embassy was also working on many con valley and IT hub of Pakistan if the youth interesting ideas. “We hope to set up a Pakistani special of the area were provided guidance and re- area in the World Park in Beijing. We could name some of quired training, he added. Ceremony of 40th SDC the streets in China as well as in Pakistan in the name of a Speaking on the occasion Ranjaha told that Akhuwat Foundation was providing interest- Pakistan National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser and free loans to the underprivileged youth of Crisis management, Kashmir cells established to PakistaniChairman or of Chinese the Chinese leader National or city”, he Peoples said. Congress Li all the four provinces and Azad Jammu and Zhanshu recently have agreed on the formation of a joint Kashmir and response of Azad Kashmir in parliamentary committee for China Pakistan Economic repayment of the loans is a way better than deliver better results: FM Corridor (CPEC). all other provinces of the country. For the next stage of development of CPEC, Ambassador Highlighting the details of the Foundation’s FM urges diplomats to be innovative according to modern demands Haque also shared his opinion. Along the corridor, we are going to set up nine special economic zones. Akhuwat Foundation was considering ex- ISLAMABAD actualization, intellectual enrichment and service were able to secure for you this premises offering The government is providing potential incentives, like tax Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has rebates not only to developers but also to the companies AJKpanding specific its interest-free projects, Ranjahaloan scheme said to thatthe to the nation and country. It is said that diplomacy far greater possibilities for intellectual pursuits, remote areas of Azad Kashmir to alleviate urged the diplomats to be innovative and mould is not just a profession, or vocation. It is a lifestyle, which are going to set up their factories there. There is also poverty besides providing medical facilities themselves according to modern demands of di- a way of looking at things, and a calling. I complement the Administration of the Ministry a very special zone in the Gwadar port. There are 30 to 40 to the people in remote rural areas through The Foreign Service of Pakistan has a rich and hon- culturalfor diligently activities upgrading and maintaining the premises, physical and makingfitness. Chinese companies which have shown interest to set up telemedicine. Addressing the graduation ceremony of a diplo- ourable legacy of delivery for the country and its it usable. their businesses there, he added. plomacymatic course to achieve at the Foreigngoals efficiently Service Academyand effectively. in Is- interests. It is cliched, but true that Pakistani diplo- - Ambassador Haque believes that the third party’s partici- the Akhuwat Foundation was considering lamabad on Wednesday, he said a series of reforms macy often punches above its weight. This legacy tion that the curriculum has been upgraded in line pation can also be an important role in the next stage of have been instituted in the foreign ministry which CPEC development. CPEC started as a China-Pakistan bi- Heto introduce said besides Kashmiri the microfinance handicrafts at scheme, home has to be carried forward, evolved and made even Morewith modernis in the requirements.offing. It is also Review, a matter Reform, of satisfac and and abroad, and establishing an educational is today more open to inputs for policy formula- more productive. Renewal must be a continuous process. We must lateral project, but it has always meant to be an inclusive institution in Muzaffarabad on the pattern of tion. He said we are interacting with different seg- We can do this only by maintaining the spirit, while imbibe the lessons, internalize them, and course initiator. Because it talks about economic integration, re- NJV School Karachi. ments of the society including the think tanks to adding to the substance, and changing and evolv- correct, as a matter of habit, as second nature. gional connectivity, he said. He maintained that the Akhuwwat Founda- get a fresh perspective. ing to meet contemporary requirements. Dear Pro- Dear Probationers, I have a vision for the Foreign Ambassador Haque also mentioned that on the Second tion under the Islamic concept of Quarz- He however said the foreign policy has to be led by bationers, You are entering the world of diplomacy - Meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on International e-Hasna had provided more than 130 bil- the diplomats whilst accommodating the inputs at a moment of great ferment. bearers of tomorrow. Vision FO seeks to upgrade Cooperation and Coordination held in Urumqi, China, the lion rupees through its 831 branches in the from different stakeholders. Office,the toolkit a Vision of our for diplomacy. you, as the Adopt leaders digital and technol torch- two countries had agreed that CPEC welcome third party’s length and cranny of the country, while the The Foreign Minister said our diplomats need to be that there is no certainty. What was a “given” yes- ogies, modern means and tools of communication participation. Foundation had established 200 rest houses more articulate and effective team members who Theterday, world cannot is in be a statetaken of for flux. granted The only today. certainty is CPEC not only linked China and Pakistan, but also spread for the poor segments of society and 301 think out of box and deliver results. He said we are The cycle of history is coming full circle. The old and effectively. Under Vision FO, a series of reforms prosperity in the region. Recently, Afghanistan goods were schools to provide quality education to more employing images, graphics and videos to better world, the world of the twentieth century is per- andhave networkingbeen instituted. to achieve goals more efficiently transported to the Gwadar port and went to Pakistan. VoM than 47,000 poor students. VoM communicate with the wider array of audiences. haps unwinding, and giving way to a new era, with He said specialized cells including crisis manage- new opportunities and new threats. policy formulation Foreign Policy itself is diversi- ment and Kashmir cells have been established to As you enter the service, you will be required to Thefying Foreignand pivoting Office to is areas today and open issues to inputsthat bring for deliver better results. navigate the geopolitical rapids, safeguard and ad- The Foreign Minister stressed that a better civil vance national interests in a myriad different ways, Economic Diplomacy, are being mainstreamed. It service is important to provide good governance. and tackle the emerging challenges. tangibleis sometimes benefits said to in thea lighter common vein man.that “a Public diplomat and He said the political leaders give their ideas and This is a heavy brief. Never take your responsibili- is someone who thinks twice – before saying noth- policies and it is the civil service which have to ties and the expectations that the nation and the ing.” I do not want you be such diplomats. implement them. institution has of you, lightly. Ladies and Gentle- In fact, I want our diplomats to be articulate, ef- He said we want the foreign ministry to be such an men, As Foreign Minister, capacity building includ- fective team members who think outside the box institution that is strong enough to give the leader- ing through the Foreign Service Academy has been - ship that the nation requires. Today, you are about among my foremost priorities. Thanks to our Chinese friends, I am happy that we inand order intellect to find rather solutions than emotions. and deliver VoM results. How ever, when you do speak, it must reflect wisdom Inaugurationto take your firstceremony steps on a life-long journey of self- Pak-UK vows NCOC update Inauguration ceremony of Japanese sponsored, Specialized commitment to further NCOC will ensure implementation of the vaccine Medium Range Weather Forecasting Center held at Islamabad strengthen bilateral ties strategy already shared with all stake holders This project has updated the degraded weather in Islamabad. Technical trainings on the operation and ISLAMABAD NCOC took a very comprehensive over- in resource management system by provincial maintenance of the weather radar, utilization of vari- High Commissioner Moazzam Ah- health departments are authorised to be ad- radar system in Islamabad and provided the wind mad Khan held a virtual meeting view of vaccine administration prog- profiler radar for upper-air observation, which ous meteorological products for weather forecasting, ress to frontline health care workers ministered vaccine in this phase of vaccination. etc. were conducted as well. In addition, meteorologi- with Shadow Foreign Secretary No one else is allowed to to bypass the NIMS monitor wind direction and speed in the Head cal data communication systems have been installed in Lisa Nandy MP, and Shadow Min- ISLAMABAD / RMS vaccine system . The complete vaccine Quarter of PMD in Islamabad and Multan Airport ister for Asia and Pacific, Stephen NCOC today’s session. NCOC took a very com- prehensive overview of vaccine administration administration record is maintained in the sys- ISLAMABAD which enable exchange weather information such as Kinnock MP on 8 February 2021, tem for tracking and ensuring transparency An inauguration ceremony for Japanese grant aid to says a press release received here progress to frontline health care workers and SMRFCvarious andweather five PMD forecasting Regional products, Meteorological weather Centers, radar particularly various operational and admin- Since commencement of the inoculation pro- “The Project for Establishment of Specialized Medium images, weather observation data, etc. between PMD today from London. cess, 27,228 FLHCWs have been vaccinated in- Range Weather Forecasting Center and Strengthening They discussed the wide-ranging istrative issues needing prompt action after Head Quarter and each PMD Regional Meteorological start of vaccine on Feb 3rd. An elaborate and cluding 21,121 in , 4,458 in Punjab, 691 of Weather Forecasting System” was held with atten- Pakistan-UK bilateral relations, as in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 274 in Islamabad dance of H.E. MATSUDA Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan It is expected that the project will improve weather well as the regional issues of mu- Capital Territory (ICT), 239 in Azad Jammu to Pakistan, Mr. FURUTA Shigeki, Chief Representative, tual interest. The High Commis- was shared with all stake holders. However Office.surveillance capacity and the weather forecasting and the same was not strictly followed by some, re- and Kashmir (AJK), 312 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Paki- warning system in the country. Report by Sohail Majeed sioner briefed the Shadow Minis- well defined procedure laid down by NCOC and 133 in Balochistan. ters on the unfolding humanitarian sulted in violations . This was taken cognizance of and provinces asked to ensure compliance The FLHCWs can check their eligibility by for Aviation and Mr. Muhammad Riaz, Director General, catastrophe in Indian Illegally Oc- sending their CNIC number to 1166 or visit stanPakistan Office, Meteorological H.E Ghulam SarwarDepartment Khan, (PMD). Federal Minister cupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) as per the agreed guidelines and procedures This project has updated the degraded weather radar and highlighted the positive con- various violations and irregularities in vac- - - tributions made by Pakistan to the cine Center (AVC) and a pin code will be sent dar for upper-air observation, which monitor wind di- Afghan peace process. NCOCcine administration. vaccine nerve Mr centre Asad NIMSUmer identifiedsaid that nims.nadra.gov.pk website. In the first step a confirmationwhereas in the message second step containing the FLHCW Adult will Vac be systemrection inand Islamabad speed in theand Head provided Quarter the windof PMD profiler in Islam ra- They also reviewed the progress NIMS was established to oversee the entire vaccine administration process and ensuring informed about his appointment for vaccina- abad and Multan Airport. The weather forecasting and made by both countries in tackling tion at the designated AVC. In the third step, analysis system which enables medium-range (over 3 Covid-19 pandemic and agreed to transparency and data accuracy. NCOC will ensure implementation of the vaccine strat- he or she will visit the AVC along with his or days up to 10 days) forecasting has been also provided work closely to further expand the her CNIC and pin code. The health staff at the to the Specialized Medium Range Weather Forecasting mutually beneficial relations in all egy already shared with all stake holders. Only Center (SMRFC) located in the Head Quarter of PMD dimensions. the front line healthcare workers (FLHCWs) who are saving precious lives and registered CNIC and pin code. AVC will confirm their appointment and verify Pandemic challenge Global market Pakistan approves Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 Dollar losses to continue during next 2 years: National vaccine for emergency use Bank of exec nation of 220 million people, showing 65.7 port the vaccine vials initially before filling Pakistan has launched its vac- percent efficacy in symptomatic cases and a them in Pakistan, the first company to do On the US stimulus packages, cination drive with 500,000 doses 90.98 percent success rate in severe cases so locally. Alabhool said that the current of Sinopharm in an interim analysis of global trials, Sultan Sultan said Pakistan could get shots “in financial package was worth $1.9 ISLAMABAD said on Monday. the range of tens of millions” under an trillion, reaching directly to the Russia’s Sputnik V has become the third He said its efficacy in the Pakistani subset agreement with the Chinese firm. citizen and helping to accelerate the COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by at preventing symptomatic cases was 74.8 Pakistan has launched its vaccination distribution of vaccines, which as- Pakistan for emergency use after China’s percent. It was 100 percent for preventing drive with 500,000 doses of Sinopharm sisted in opening the economy and Sinopharm and the one developed by severe disease. donated by longtime ally China, giving shots markets and creating demand for AstraZeneca and Oxford University, the CanSinoBio’s single-dose regimen and to frontline health workers as a priority. goods, and with no supply parallel country’s health minister said on Tuesday. normal refrigerator storage requirement Pakistan has also secured 17 million to demand, prices would rise “Sputnik has received EUA (emergency could make it a favorable option for many doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine under a RIYADH use authorization),” the minister, Faisal countries. global scheme to deliver coronavirus treat- The dollar price has become a safe haven Sultan, said in a text message. AJ Pharma led CanSinoBIO’s trial to im- ments to developing nations. since the start of the pandemic, head of the Pakistan has become the 22nd country National Bank of Kuwait’s (NBK) Treasury to approve Sputnik V, the Russian Direct Sales and Services Department, Nafe demand for goods, and with no supply par- (NBKCP), a subsidiary of Kuwait’s biggest Investment Fund, responsible for market- Alabhool, told Al Arabiya on Tuesday. allel to demand, prices would rise. bank. ing the vaccine abroad, said. Alabhool said that the current period Alabhool said that the Federal Reserve The fund plans to make 10 to 12 invest- It is to be administered in two shots, three was witnessing dollar fluctuations, but had stated that it would not raise interest ments of between $15 million and $50 weeks apart, has a six-month shelf life and the price of the dollar would decrease in rates to fight commodity prices and high million over the next eight years, Yaser is stored at -18 Celsius, according to a docu- parallel with the economic recovery, the inflation, believing it to be a temporary in- Moustafa, senior managing director of ment on the vaccine’s authorization. opening of markets and exit from safe ha- crease, adding that long-term high growth NBKCP, told Arab News on Tuesday. The authorization to M/s AGP Ltd, vens within the next year or two. was always accompanied by an increase Moustafa said that the stake in the fund Karachi, is valid until April 1, 2021, the On the US stimulus packages, Alabhool in inflation. was a healthy nine-figure commitment. document said, adding it was for immuni- said that the current financial package was Meanwhile, ’s sovereign Asked about other investors in the fund, zation of those aged 18 and over. worth $1.9 trillion, reaching directly to the wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund Moustafa said: “I can only say it will be a A fourth vaccine candidate, developed by citizen and helping to accelerate the distri- (PIF), has become an anchor investor US family office making the first private CanSino Biologics (CanSinoBIO), has also bution of vaccines, which assisted in open- in a new $300 million Shariah credit investment in the region, as well as other completed clinical trials in the South Asian ing the economy and markets and creating fund launched by NBK Capital Partners regional institutions.”

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