Daily Times Friday, June 7, 2013 NATIONAL NEWS | A3 48.6% Pakistanis suffer from food insecurity „ 80 districts out of 131 have inadequate food: moot told By Amar Guriro

ISLAMABAD: State of food security in Environmental protection has deteriorated since 2003. The condi- tions for it are inadequate in 80 out of 131 dis- linked to food security tricts of Pakistan. About 48.6 percent of Pakistanis do not have access to sufficient food KARACHI: Saving environment would help for an active and healthy life. the society in sustaining food security and saving This was stated by CEO Society for population from poverty and hunger, said Conservation and Protection of Environment speakers of a moot here organised by Sindh (SCOPE) Tanveer Arif while speaking at the Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) in launching ceremony of Alliance Against Hunger collaboration with Food Science and Technology and Malnutrition (AAHM), organised by SCOPE Department (FSTD), University of Karachi. The in collaboration with Oxfam, International Land participants of the seminar emphasised the Coalition, Oxfam GROW Campaign and Drynet importance of food security and the challenges at a local hotel here on Thursday. faced as a consequence of climate change. SCOPE's CEO said food prices had also led Statistics indicated, poverty, water and to an adverse impact on health and nutrition in environment in addition to disasters and conflicts hour various ways as poorer food consumption as the reasons behind food insecurity. Pesticide to ensure increases malnutrition, which in turn heightens resistance leading to increase in insects, mites, they have susceptibility to disease; both may lead to higher plant diseases and weeds were mentioned as food security. mortality rates. growing problems faced by agricultural workers. Elisa Pozzi of He said Pakistan lags behind in infant mor- Geography Department's Jamil Kazmi gave a Asia Representative AAHM Secretariat tality rate (at 63 per 1000 live births) and the presentation on "land degradation and food also called for making hectic efforts to under 5 years mortality rate (at 86.5 per 1000 security", discussing Karachi, pointing towards ensure food security and malnutrition. live births). "These indicators continue to remain increasing number of mouths to be fed as a result Jean Luc-Siblot of WFP Rep high mainly on account of unhealthy dietary of land use mishandling. Assistant Director SEPA Pakistan said that effective measures are habits, waterborne diseases, malnutrition and Azhar in his presentation "How to utilise Food required to provide food security in rapid population growth." waste" focused on the various categories of Pakistan. He said that food security He said FATA has the highest percentage of municipal waste. The integrated food waste should be ensured in all regions of the food insecure population at 67.7 percent, fol- management hierarchy was discussed, country through a positive approach. lowed by Balochistan 61.2 percent and Khyber mentioning the "4 R's", that is "Reduce, Reuse, Javeria, Oxfam Novib, said that her Pakhtunkhwa 56.2 percent. Among the districts, Recycle, Recovery". Secretary Environment and organisation is making hectic efforts for food Dera Bugti in Balochistan has the highest per- Alternate Energy Inamullah Dharejo was the security and farmers rights. She said that cli- centage 82.4 percent of food insecure people. chief guest, and oher speakers included Director mate change would affect food production in "Balochistan has the highest number of dis- General SEPA Naeem Ahmed Mughal and Pakistan in future; therefore, we will have to tricts with worst food insecurity. The 20 districts Chairman FSTD Dr Abida Hasnain. PPI lobby for implementation of food and agricul- of Pakistan with worst conditions for food secu- ture policies. There is also a need to help farm- rity include 10 districts from Balochistan, 5 from and 5.4 percent in the 1980s," he concluded. ers, particularly women peasants, especially in FATA; 3 from KPK; and 1 from Gilgit Baltistan Additional Secretary Abdul Basit Khan said terms of corruption and high transportation (GB) and Sindh each. that there is need to make joint efforts for dis- rates causing food price hike in Pakistan. Over the past 20 years there has been little cussing food insecurity and malnutrition issues Mohammad Azeem Khan, DG NARC, change in the prevalence of malnutrition in the in Pakistan. "Food security is not only related to said that food insecurity is a multidimen- population despite more food availability and an poor people only but it is the issue linked to all sional issue; and joint efforts by all stake- overall increase in caloric intake per capita. others too. There is no headway yet in food secu- holders are required to tackle it. "We are He said that in Pakistan, large family size is rity and malnutrition issues in Pakistan which is also facing the issue of malnutrition, while forced to spend 46 percent of the family income a matter of great concern." He said more and heavy use of pesticides and fertilisers are on food while the food expenditures in India are more efforts are required to tackle these issues. affecting food quality." 35 percent and the US 7 percent. It is ironic that Aslam Shaheen, Chief Nutrition, Planning Asking for a need to check food flood- around one third of the world's food is never Commission of Pakistan, said that 48 percent ing in markets, he said ensuring availabili- eaten, that is 1.3 billion tonnes, which is thrown households are food insecure in Pakistan, ty of quality food is necessary. away or left to rot every year. while 45 districts are severely affected by Dr Nomina, a representative of FAO, "In order for economic growth to enhance the food insecurity. Government intends to stressed the need to develop coordination nutrition of the neediest, the poor must partici- improve food security but we are facing chal- among stakeholders to ensure food securi- pate in the growth process and its benefits. In lenges of climate change, population growth, ty and required malnutrition. She said that Pakistan food security is linked to agriculture, food inflation and lack of coordination among AAHM would try to build ties with gov- which is the backbone of economy, as it provides stakeholders. Changes in food crop produc- ernment, the UN and NGOs. employment to 45 percent of total population and tion due to climate change are affecting Zaffar Sabri, Group Head, Pakistan input for agro-based industry. Agriculture sector demand and supply of food. It also affects Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), said recorded a growth of 3.1 percent against 2.4 per- overall agriculture growth, he added. that more people die of hunger than TB, cent last year. He said agriculture is a key sector Iftikhar Ahmed Khalid of Oxfam Pakistan Malaria and other diseases. Planet has of the economy and accounts for 21 percent of said we are introducing Alliance to make enough food but not everyone has GDP. Agriculture has lost significant growth efforts for food security and sufficient malnu- access to sufficient food. Access to food momentum as slowed down to 2.7 percent in the trition required for people. People are suffering and energy is mandatory for public wel- decade of 2000s as against 4.4 percent in 1990s from disasters, therefore, it is the need of the fare, he concluded. Zardari lauds Samina on PML-N in two minds historic achievement about Musharraf ISLAMABAD: President Asif By Tanveer Ahmed relations with them. N chief, Saudi diplomats took tenure. Ali Zardari Thursday said the In its wake, Mian Nawaz up this issue. Implementation of article 6 whole nation was proud of the ISLAMABAD: With mounting Sharif, the newly elected The ranks of PML-N are and trial of Pervez Musharraf young woman mountaineer pressure from national and Prime Minister, gave a smiling also worried about Musharraf under article 6 of the Samina Baig for her historic international powers to rescue gesture the other day when issue with reference to Sharif’s Constitution for abrogating the achievement to summit the the former military dictator, Mahmood Khan Achakzai visit to Saudia Arabia in next constitution solely rests with world’s highest mountain, Pakistan Muslim League- demanded the drama of trying few days where he would be the federal government that is Everest, and also for introducing Nawaz (PML-N) is in a Musharraf only under Article 6 seeking Saudis’ help to resolve now led by the PML-N. The Pakistani women as a symbol of quandary over dealing the mat- of the Constitution should be energy crisis in Pakistan that caretaker government declined talent and great potential. The ter of general retired Pervaiz stopped. “All those abetted in has gone from bad to worse. to pursue this case by contend- president was speaking to the two Musharraf, Daily Times learnt a military coup and validated it The Saudi oil supply on ing it has no such mandate young Pakistani mountaineers on Thursday. should be brought to justice if deferred payment is very much except to conduct the general from Gilgit-Baltistan, Samina Sources privy to the issue article 6 is to be implement- needed in the current energy elections. Baig and her brother Mirza Ali confided to this scribe that ed”, Achakzai believed. crisis and new PML-N govern- Sources said that PML-N who along with Gilgit-Baltistan PML-N was also seeking a way- When Achakzai made this ment has the sole option of this leadership was cautious to say LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chairing Energy Conference. Chief Minister Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah out as it could not infuriate the demand, the consequent smile facility to provide immediate any thing publicly on Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Senator Ishaq Dar, Nisar Ali Khan, Shahid called on him at the Presidency. powers involved in country’s and comfort manifested from relief to electricity-starved peo- Musharraf’s case because its Khaqaan Abbassi and others are also present during the meeting. APP Zardari’s daughter Aseefa was internal affairs, especially the face of Sharif suggested he ple of the country. top leadership expressed annoy- also present on the occasion. The Saudis, who are at the forefront took a sigh of relief as demands Sources revealed that Saudi ance with PML-N leader Tariq president congratulated Samina to help Musharraf. for Musharraf trial were finally leadership will again be empha- Azim, who said in a recent Baig for becoming the first According to sources, began to emerge. sising upon Prime Minister interview that his party would Pakistani women to scale Mount PML-N wants a solution of this Sources told DT that Saudis Nawaz Sharif to give Musharraf pursue treason case against Industries Ministry officer Everest. Lauding her will and issue in such a way that may not were constantly taking up this a safe passage on grounds that Musharraf. “It is a sensitive determination, the president said risk of losing lose its credibility issue with Sharif since the day trying Musharraf under law issue and public pronounce- the young mountaineer had made in the eyes of public and also when his party emerged victori- could hurt his relationships ments for just making the head- the nation proud and had earned keep cadres of armed forces and ous in May 11 polls and in a with military establishment, lines may distort all the issue”, gets notice in bus fire case laurels for the country. APP Saudis happy to keep better number of meetings with PML- even from the start of his sources added. ISLAMABAD: The Supreme sions of law describing the respon- Khan apprised Court Thursday issued notice to sibilities and duties of OGRA and the court that the Punjab Chief Explosive Officer of the other departments. Forensic Laboratory’s report on Judges’ detention case Ministry of Industries in the He acknowledged that the the incident is misguiding. He suo motu case regarding the incident occurred due to negli- said that the report stated that Gujrat school bus fire incident gence, but rejected the notion that the incident occurred due to the Musharraf to be tried at his farmhouse in which 18 schoolchildren OGRA was responsible for that leakage of gas which, he added, ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court on about his security. Zaidi also informed the were burnt to death. negligence. When the bench asked was altogether wrong as there Thursday allowed the trial of former military Islamabad HC in writing about his security con- A three-judge bench compris- Kundi to narrate the relevant pro- was CNG holiday in the whole ruler Pervez Musharraf for sacking and detaining cerns. Zaidi had sought the establishment of a ing Chief Justice Iftikhar visions of law under which area for three days prior to the dozens of judges in 2007 to be conducted at his courtroom within Musharraf’s farmhouse and a Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice OGRA should be given a clean incident. Meanwhile, the chief farmhouse that has been declared a “sub-jail”. bullet-proof vehicle for his personal use due to Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice chit in the case, Kundi expressed justice remarked that no one The Islamabad high court said anti-terrorism security concerns associated with the high-profile Gulzar Ahmed resumed hearing his inability to do so, stating that was ready to take responsibility court Judge Kausar Abbas Zaidi could conduct case. Reports said the administration of Islamabad of the case on Thursday. During no such detailed rules had been for the incident. 69-year-old Musharraf’s trial at his farmhouse in had set up the courtroom and asked the cabinet the course of proceedings, the laid down by the Ministry of He inquired whether any the suburb of Chak Shahzad. division to provide a bullet-proof car to the judge. bench was informed that the Petroleum on the issue. He sought official from the Ministry of The court gave its ruling after its Registrar The administration of Islamabad recently maintenance of CNG kits and time from the court to present the Petroleum or OGRA visited any and Zaidi reviewed security arrangements at the recommended that Musharraf’s trial should be their checking was the responsi- provisions of law for the mainte- of the aggrieved families. The farmhouse. The anti-terrorism court is hearing a held at his farmhouse because he would be bility of the Explosive Department nance of vehicles or CNG kits. OGRA chairman replied that a case against Musharraf for detaining dozens of exposed to threats every time he was driven of the Ministry of Industries. The chief justice expressed technical team of OGRA had members of the superior judiciary after imposing from his residence to the court complex in the Afnan Karim Kundi, counsel for amazement that such an impor- visited the site of the incident emergency rule in 2007. The chief commissioner heart of Islamabad. The Pakistani Taliban have Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority tant ministry did not have rules and several victims’ homes. of Islamabad had recently issued a notification for issued at least two videos in which they threat- (OGRA), appeared before the to prevent such tragic incidents The case has been adjourned conducting Musharraf’s trial at his farmhouse but ened to kill Musharraf for carrying out various bench and stated certain provi- in the future. OGRA Chairman until June 13. APP it was later withdrawn after Zaidi raised concerns operations during his rule. ONLINE Pakistani woman climber hopes to inspire with Everest feat ISLAMABAD: The first Pakistani with the world at her feet, her mind through her achievements. “Chashkin Sar was virgin and some of the world’s most impressive woman to climb says turned to the millions of women back “Mountain climbing is my pas- we climbed it for the first time and mountains and glaciers and chal- she wants her achievement to stand home denied opportunities because of sion and to empower women through afterwards the people renamed it as lenging climbs, and Baig urged the as an inspiration to all the women of their gender. my expeditions is the reason. I am Samina Baig,” she said. Training for government to relax the rigid visa her troubled country that they can “I was thinking about the women doing the mountain climbing to the Everest expedition, which she regime which she said was holding it achieve their dreams. of Pakistan, those who are not empower women,” she said. “The accomplished with her brother back as a destination for moun- Samina Baig last month became allowed to get education, those who reason behind this expedition was to Mirza Ali with financial help from taineers. “The problem is the visa the first woman from the South Asian are not allowed to do whatever they convey a message that if Samina New Zealand, began 12 months ago issue. People want to come to country to reach the 8,848 metre want to do in their life,” she said. “I can climb a mountain other girls in the frozen wastes of her home Pakistan but are not given visas. We summit of the world’s tallest moun- hope that the families will understand can do anything they want in their district. “It took us one year. Me wish for visas to be given to those tain, after a gruelling expedition in that the contribution of women is life.” The Everest climb was not and my brother were planning for people who want to come to rough weather. As she unfurled the important and can be more powerful Baig’s first significant achievement last one year. We went for training Pakistan,” she said. With Everest in green and white Pakistani flag on the for building a greater country.” Baig, – after taking up climbing just in winter on glaciers. We went to the bag, Baig’s next target is to sum- peak, tears of joy and pride rolled from the small town of in three years ago she became the first Shimshal pass in the winter to pre- mit the highest peaks in each of the down her cheeks, she told AFP in an the in Pakistan’s moun- person to reach the summit of the pare, stamina building and technical world’s seven continents – all while interview at her Islamabad home. tainous north said she hoped to 6,400-metre Chashkin Sar peak in training,” she said. studying for a degree in tourism The 22-year-old said that as she stood empower the women of Pakistan northern Pakistan in 2010. Northern Pakistan is home to management. AFP