DOCSLIB.ORG

WT/DS58/R Page 157 V. PANEL's CONSULTATION WITH

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
WT/DS58/R Page 157 V. PANEL's CONSULTATION WITH WT/DS58/R Page 157 V. PANEL'S CONSULTATION WITH SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS A. INTRODUCTION 5.1. The Panel noted that none of the parties to the dispute had requested the Panel to consult experts. However, the Panel noted that parties had submitted a number of studies by experts and often quoted the same scientific documents to support opposite views. Under those circumstances, the Panel informed the parties that it had decided, acting on its own initiative, to seek scientific and technical advice pursuant to paragraph 1 and paragraph 2, first sentence, of Article 13 of the DSU. The Panel focussed its questions on two main areas: (i) approaches to sea turtle conservation in light of local conditions, and (ii) habitat and migratory patterns of sea turtles. 5.2. Regarding the criteria for selecting the experts, India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand noted that the experts should be neutral, diverse in areas of expertise and geographically distributed as much as possible. The emphasis should be placed on experts who had knowledge and first-hand experience with respect to sea turtle populations in the areas of contention, namely Asia and South-East Asia. They should not come from the same university or the same team of research. Moreover, the experts should be asked to provide citations to all sources that they consulted for the purpose of providing information to the Panel and to attach copies of cited sources to any submissions to the Panel. India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand further noted that the Panel had decided to seek expert opinion under the provisions of paragraph 1 and paragraph 2, first sentence, of Article 13 of the DSU, and had decided, therefore, not to establish an expert review group as foreseen in paragraph 2, second and third sentences, of Article 13 and Appendix 4 of the DSU. India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand requested the Panel to conform as far as possible with the provisions of Appendix 4 of the DSU, and in particular with paragraph 3 of Appendix 4 which stated that, unless there was joint agreement of the parties to the dispute, citizens of parties to the dispute should not be called upon to render expert advice. 5.3. The United States fully supported the Panel having access to expert advice that it considered useful for the resolution of this dispute. The advice of qualified and impartial experts would support the scientific and technical information that the United States had presented to the Panel and would thus assist the Panel in resolving this dispute on the basis of the best available scientific data. According to the United States, the Panel's enquiry should be limited to resolving those factual issues necessary to determining whether the US measures met the criteria of Article XX(g) and (b); the Panel was not asked to address and decide general policy issues relating to shrimp trawling and sea turtles conservation. In order to determine whether the US measures related to the conservation of an exhaustible natural resource, or were necessary for the protection of animal life or health, the core scientific and technical issues were the following: (i) are sea turtles threatened or endangered worldwide?, (ii) does shrimp trawling without TEDs result in the death of large numbers of sea turtles?, (iii) do TEDs, when properly installed and used, significantly reduce the mortality of sea turtles caused by shrimp trawl nets? 5.4. According to the United States, the Panel should use two basic criteria in selecting the experts: (i) the persons selected should be "experts" with respect to those aspects of the dispute for which their opinions were sought; (ii) as stipulated in the Rules of Conduct for the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes they must be WT/DS58/R Page 158 "independent and impartial, and shall avoid direct or indirect conflict of interest".1 In particular, no expert consulted by the Panel should be associated with the government of a party to the dispute. The disclosure requirements regarding the existence of any interest, and in particular employment interests, that could affect or raise doubts concerning a person's independence or impartiality also applied to the experts.2 Given the broad field covered by the questions, it was unlikely that many persons would have expertise with respect to each and every one of these questions. Each expert should therefore be instructed to answer only those questions in which they had expertise. Panel Procedures with Regard to Scientific Expertise 5.5. The Panel asked the parties to the dispute to provide it with names of possible experts. The Secretariat, then sollicited brief curricula vitae from all proposed experts who were ready to assist the Panel. The parties were provided the opportunity to comment on these potential experts on the basis of the curricula vitae, and in particular to state any compelling objections they might have with regard to any individual. 5.6. After careful consideration of the curricula vitae and of the comments made by the parties, the Panel selected the following five experts: Dr. Scott A. Eckert, Ph. D., Hubbs Sea World Research Institute, San Diego, United States; Dr. John G. Frazier, Ph. D., Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Mérida, Mexico; Mr. Michael Guinea, Northern Territory University, Darwin, Australia; Mr. Hock-Chark Liew, University Putra Malaysia Terengganu, Malaysia; Dr. Ian Poiner, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, Queensland, Australia. 5.7. These experts were requested to serve, in their own personal capacities, as individual advisers under the authority of the Panel. The Panel noted that, in their disclosure forms, three of the proposed experts disclosed what might be considered to be potential conflicts of interest. However, the Panel decided to confirm their appointments being of the view that the disclosed information was not of such a nature as to prevent the individuals concerned from being impartial in providing the scientific information expected of them. The Panel has also taken into account the disclosed information when evaluating the answers provided. The Panel underlined that, in making its choice, it had been guided primarily by the need to gather expertise of the best quality and covering as wide a field as possible. In the small community of sea turtle specialists, it was difficult - if not impossible - to reconcile this need with an agreement by all the parties to the dispute on each and every individual concerned. 5.8. The Panel, in consultation with the parties, prepared specific questions which it submitted to each expert individually. The experts were requested to answer only those questions which fell within their field(s) of expertise. The parties agreed that their written submissions to the Panel, including the written versions of their oral statements, be provided to the selected experts. The written responses of the experts, as well as copies of the sources 1See WT/DSB/RC/1, Article II.1 (hereinafter the "Rules of Conduct"). 2Article III.1 and VI.2 of the Rules of Conduct. WT/DS58/R Page 159 cited in support of their responses, were provided to the parties, which were afforded the opportunity to comment on them. The questions asked by the Panel and the answers provided by the experts are presented in Section V.B. The comments by the parties are reflected in Section V.C. The United States raised the fact that, in their comments, some parties had submitted new material, i.e. material which had not been submitted by the time of the second meeting of the Panel. The Panel specified that it did not intend to take this new material into account in evaluating the comments made by the parties; the Panel would take into account only those comments which were strictly related to the scientific issues under discussion with the experts. 5.9. On 21-22 January 1998, the experts were invited with the Panel and the parties to discuss their written responses to the questions and to provide further information. A transcript of this meeting is contained in Annex IV. B.QUESTIONS BY THE PANEL AND VIEWS OF THE SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS 5.10. The Panel requested the experts to focus their answers on the situation prevailing in India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand and the United States, and on the following species of sea turtles: loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Kemp's ridley (Lepidochelys kempi), olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata). The experts were also asked to cite references where appropriate. General Comments by the Experts Dr. J. Frazier: 5.11. The questions cover a wide range of topics, and many of them are broadly phrased, so to provide complete anwers requires considering a large number of variables. In general, differences between species, time and place all bear on different biological interpretations. Several of the questions are phrased in such a way that it would appear that what was expected was not only a concise, simple answer, but also the reduction of a series of options to one single alternative. If biology and biological conservation were as simple as rocket science, it might have been possible to provide brief, clear-cut answers. But biology is the study of life, of variation and change. It would be both arrogant and deceitful to pretend that biology, and even worse, that I myself, could consistently produce simple answers to simple questions. Furthermore, biological conservation is an interactive, iterative process, during which there are endless events of learning and experimenting. Since biological conservation is an attempt to use the information that we have in order to steward the resources on which we depend, the challenge becomes all the greater, for the needs and desires of many people and societies become paramount.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Proceedings of the United States National Museum
    Proceedings of the United States National Museum SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION • WASHINGTON, D.C. Volume 125 1968 Number 3666 Stomatopod Crustacea from West Pakistan By Nasima M. Tirmizi and Raymond B. Manning * Introduction As part of a broad program of studies on the larger Crustacea of West Pakistan and the Ai'abian Sea, one of us (N.T.) initiated a survey of the Stomatopoda occurring off the coast of West Pakistan. Analysis of preliminary collections indicated that the stomatopod fauna of this area is richer in numbers of species than is evident from the literature. Through correspondence in 1966, we decided to collaborate on a review of the Pakistani stomatopods; this report is the result of that collaboration. This paper is based prhnarily on collections made by and housed in the Zoology Department, University of Karachi. Specimens in the collections of the Central Fisheries Department, Karachi, and the Zoology Department, University of Sind, were also studied. Unfortu- nately, only a few specimens from the more extensive stomatopod collections of the Zoological Survey Department, Karachi, were available for study. Material from Pakistan in the collection of the Division of Crustacea, Smithsonian Institution (USNM), material from two stations made off Pakistan by the International Indian 1 Tirmizi: Reader, Zoology Department, University of Karachi, Pakistan; Manning, Chairman, Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian Institu- tion. 2 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 125 Ocean Expedition (IIOE), and a few specimens in the collections of the British Museum (Natural History) (BMNH), are also recorded. Some species of stomatopods are edible and are relished in various parts of the world.
    [Show full text]
  • D.T. Potts (Sydney) Introduction Although None of the Achaemenid Royal Inscriptions Listing the Satrapies (Junge 1942; Lecoq
    THE ISLANDS OF THE XIVTH SATRAPY D.T. Potts (Sydney) Introduction Although none of the Achaemenid royal inscriptions listing the satrapies (Junge 1942; Lecoq 1997) under Darius (DB §6; DNa §3; DNe, DPe §2; Dse §3; DSm §2; DSaa §4; the incomplete DSv §2), Xerxes (XPh §3) or Artaxerxes II (A2Pa) refer to them, the islands of the Erythraean Sea appear in two important Greek sources. 1. In Book 3, where the famous ‘Steuerliste’, believed by many to reflect Darius I’s satrapal reforms (Hist. 3.89), appears, Herodotus says: ‘The fourteenth province consisted of the Sagartians, Sarangians, Thamanaeans, Utians, Mycians and the inhabitants of the islands in the Erythraean Sea where the Persian king settles the people known as the dispossessed, who together contributed 600 talents’ (Hist. 3.93). 2. In Book 4 Herodotus writes, ‘Persians live all the way south as far as the sea which is called the Erythraean Sea’ (Hist. 4.37). 3. In Book 7 Herodotus describes the infantry contingents which fought for Xerxes at Doriscus. He says: ‘The tribes who had come from the islands in the Erythraean Sea to take part in the expedition - the islands where the Persian king settles the peoples known as the ‘dispossessed’ - closely resembled the Medes in respect of both clothing and weaponry. These islanders were commanded by Mardontes the son of Bagaeus1, who was one of the Persian commanders a year later at the battle of Mycale, where he died’(Hist. 7.80). 4. Finally, in Arrian’s (Anab. Alex. 3.8.5) description of the forces of Darius III at Issus, we read, ‘The tribes bordering on the Erythraean Sea were directed by Orontobates, Ariobarzanes and Orxines’.
    [Show full text]
  • Report of the Sixth Inter-Governmental Meeting of Ministers of South Asian Seas Programme
    SOUTH ASIA CO-OPERATIVE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME SOUTH ASIAN SEAS PROGRAMME SOUTH ASIAN SEAS PROGRAMME 6th Inter-governmental Meeting of Ministers Dhaka, Bangladesh 5 – 6 November 2019 REPORT OF THE SIXTH INTER-GOVERNMENTAL MEETING OF MINISTERS OF SOUTH ASIAN SEAS PROGRAMME Report of the 6th Inter-governmental Meeting of Ministers South Asian Seas Programme 5 – 6 November 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh South Asia Co-operative Environlll.ent Progralll.lIl.e South Asian Seas Progralll.lIl.e No . 146j24A, Havelock Road, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka CERTIFICATE The Report of the Sixth Inter-governmental Meeting of Ministers of the South Asian Seas Programme held on 5 - 6 November 2019 in Dhaka, Bangladesh is herewith submitted to the members of the Inter­ governmental Meeting of Ministers and the Consultative Committee, in fulfliment of the fmancial and administrative procedures of SACEP and SASP. c::=w~~------~~;r~IT Director General 30th January 2020 (iii) Report of the 6/1' Illter-govenmlelltal Meetillg ofMillisters SOllth Asiml Seas Programme 5 - 6 November 2019, Dhaka, Ballgladesh Report of the 6th Inter-governmental Meeting of Ministers South Asian Seas Programme 5 – 6 November 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh Report of the Sixth Inter-governmental Meeting of Ministers of South Asian Seas Programme (SASP) 5 – 6 November 2019 Dhaka, Bangladesh Report of the 6th Inter-governmental Meeting of Ministers South Asian Seas Programme 5 – 6 November 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh Report of the 6th Inter-governmental Meeting of Ministers South Asian Seas Programme 5 – 6 November 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh REPORT OF THE SIXTH INTER-GOVERNMENTAL MEETING OF MINISTERS OF THE SOUTH ASIAN SEAS PROGRAMME Para No.
    [Show full text]
  • Tsunami Heights and Limits in 1945 Along the Makran Coast
    https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-2021-53 Preprint. Discussion started: 5 March 2021 c Author(s) 2021. CC BY 4.0 License. 1 Tsunami heights and limits in 1945 along the 2 Makran coast estimated from testimony 3 gathered seven decades later in Gwadar, Pasni 4 and Ormara 5 Hira Ashfaq Lodhi1, Shoaib Ahmed2, Haider Hasan2 6 1Department of Physics, NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan 7 2 Department of Civil Engineering, NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, 75270, Pakistan 8 Correspondence to: Hira Ashfaq Lodhi ([email protected]) 9 Abstract. 10 The towns of Pasni and Ormara were the most severely affected by the 1945 Makran tsuami. The water inundated almost a 11 kilometer at Pasni, engulfing 80% huts of the town while at Ormara tsunami inundated two and a half kilometers washing 12 away 60% of the huts. The plate boundary between Arabian plate and Eurasian plate is marked by Makran Subduction Zone 13 (MSZ). This Makran subduction zone in November 1945 was the source of a great earthquake (8.1 Mw) and of an associated 14 tsunami. Estimated death tolls, waves arrival times, extent of inundation and runup remained vague. We summarize 15 observations of tsunami through newspaper items, eye witness accounts and archival documents. The information gathered is 16 reviewed and quantized where possible to get the inundation parameters in specific and impact in general along the Makran 17 coast. The quantization of runup and inundation extents is based on a field survey or on old maps. 18 1 Introduction 19 The recent tsunami events of 2004 Indian Ocean (Sumatra) tsunami, 2010 (Chile) and 2011 (Tohoku) Pacific Ocean tsunami 20 have highlighted the vulnerability of coastal areas and coastal communities to such events.
    [Show full text]
  • Annotated List of Wetlands of International Importance Pakistan
    Ramsar Sites Information Service Annotated List of Wetlands of International Importance Pakistan 19 Ramsar Site(s) covering 1,343,807 ha Astola Island Site number: 1,063 | Country: Pakistan | Administrative region: Balochistan Province Area: 5,000 ha | Coordinates: 25°07'N 63°52'E | Designation dates: 10-05-2001 View Site details in RSIS Astola (Haft Talar) Island. 10/05/01. Balochistan. 5,000 ha. 25°07'N 063°52'E. An uninhabitated island about six km in length, some 25 km south of the desert coast of Balochistan. It is the only significant offshore island along the north coast of the Arabian Sea, and as such maintains the genetic and ecological diversity of the area. The endangered Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and possibly the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbracata) nest on the beach at the foot of cliffs, and it is a very important area for endemic reptiles such as the viper Echis carinatus astoli. The island is said to have an aura of mystery and is venerated by Hindus; there are architectural remains of an ancient temple to the Hindu goddess Kali Devi, as well as a prayer yard constructed for a Muslim saint associated with oceans. It serves as a base for fishermen between September and May, but is unfrequented during the period of rough seas and high tides. Feral cats originally introduced by fishermen to control the endemic rodent population pose an increasing threat to birds' nesting and breeding sites. Reprint of the RIS. Ramsar site no. 1063. Most recent RIS information: 2001. Chashma Barrage Site number: 816 | Country: Pakistan | Administrative region: Punjab Province Area: 34,099 ha | Coordinates: 32°25'N 71°22'E | Designation dates: 22-03-1996 View Site details in RSIS Chashma Barrage.
    [Show full text]
  • Pakistan GENERAL INFORMATION OBJECTIVE I. REDUCE DIRECT
    11/01/2012 14:04 Pakistan GENERAL INFORMATION Agency or institution primarily responsible for the preparation of this report: Office of the Conservator Wildlife, Disaster Management Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad Other agencies, institutions, or NGOs that have provided input: 1) Sindh Wildlife Department, Government of Sindh, Karachi 2) Forest and Wildlife Department, Government of Balochistan, Quetta 3) Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology (CEMB), The University of Karachi, Karachi 4) Pakistan Wetlands Programme 5) WWF-Pakistan 6) IUCN-Pakistan Designated Focal Point: Umeed Khalid (Mr.) Conservator Wildlife Disaster Management Division Government of Pakistan Address: Building No. 14-D, Second Floor, F-8 Markaz, Islamabad, Pakistan. Tel/Fax: +92-51-9262270 Memorandum signed: 7 December 2004 Effective Date: 1 March 2005 This report was last updated: 6 December 2011 OBJECTIVE I. REDUCE DIRECT AND INDIRECT CAUSES OF MARINE TURTLE MORTALITY 1.1 Introduction to marine turtle populations and habitats, challenges and conservation efforts. [INF] Pakistan coastline is about 990km long and stretches from Sir Creek near Indian border in the east to Jiwani near Iranian border in west. The coastline is further divided into the Sindh coast which is about 320km and the Balochistan coast which is approximately 670km long. Important sandy beaches for marine turtles along the coast include Sandspit, Hawkesbay, Paradise point, Cape Monze, and Mubarak village in Sindh province and Gaddani, Ras Malan, Ormara, Astola Island and Jiwani in Balochistan (Khan and Ghalib, 2006). Only two species i.e. green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and olive ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) occur along the Sindh coastline of Pakistan. Green turtle is more common and its population has shown a stable trend for past many years though it is presently facing a multitude of threats along the coast of Pakistan.
    [Show full text]
  • Astola Island – First Marine Protected Area in Pakistan
    The designation of geographical entities in this book and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of International Union for Conserva-tion of Nature (IUCN) or Mangroves for the Future (MFF) concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN or Mangroves for the Future, nor does citing of trade names or commercial processes constitute endorse-ment. IUCN and Mangroves for the Future do not take responsibility for errors or omissions in this document resulting from translation into languages other than English (or vice versa). Produced by Mangroves for the Future with the co-financial support of Sida, Norad, Danida, the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Thailand and Waitt Foundation. Published by: Mangroves for the Future, Pakistan Copyright: © 2018 MFF, Mangroves for the Future, Pakistan Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorised without prior written permission from the copyright holder, provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Citation: MFF Pakistan (2018). Astola Island – First Marine Protected Area in Pakistan. MFF Pakistan, Pakistan. 92 pp. Compiled by: Naveed Ali Soomro, IUCN Pakistan Ramsha Gohar, IUCN Pakistan Peer Review by: Ghullam Qadir Shah, Abdul Munaf Qaimkhani Edited by: Asif Ali and Zabreen Hassan Cover photo: Eckova Productions Design: Azhar Saeed, IUCN Pakistan Printing by: VM Printers (Pvt) Ltd.
    [Show full text]
  • Some Observations on Threatened and Near Threatened Avifauna of Pakistan
    Rec. Zool. Surv. Pakistan 21: 65-72 (2012) Some Observations on Threatened and Near Threatened avifauna of Pakistan Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry, Masood Arshad, Ghulam Akbar WWF - Pakistan, House No. 451, Street No. 2, Sector F-11/1, Islamabad, Pakistan Corresponding author: Muhammad Jamshed Iqbal Chaudhry ([email protected]) KEYWORDS ABSTRACT Threatened Sixteen Threatened and Near Threatened species of birds belonging to 12 families and sub-families and 8 Near Threatened orders were recorded at 50 different sites from December 2006 to January 2012 during studies conducted under Pakistan Wetlands Programme for baseline assessments and midwinter waterfowl census in Pakistan. Avifauna Of the total recorded species, nine are Near Threatened, five Vulnerable, one Endangered and one Critically Midwinter waterfowl census Endangered. Classification of birds on the basis of their occurrence and visit to the study area shows that of Classification the total recorded species, four are resident; four are winter visitors; passage migrant and irregular year round visitors; three are winter visitors; two are resident; passage migrant and year round visitors; two are passage Wetlands migrant and irregular year round visitors and one is resident and winter visitor. Similarly of total bird species, Baseline assessments nine are omnivorous and seven are carnivorous. A brief account of each species and their sightings is given. Pakistan Recommendations are made to conserve the population of these threatened bird species. Introduction species are present, or impacts are negligible, development can proceed (Possingham et al., 2002). Listing might increase threats The article gives the account of the Threatened and Near Threatened to a species. When the presence of a threatened species in an bird species observed during different studies conducted under area is viewed as an impediment to a particular land use, land Pakistan Wetlands Programme for baseline assessments and managers might destroy habitat, deny the presence of the species midwinter waterfowl count in Pakistan.
    [Show full text]
  • Ramsar Sites in Pakistan
    Ramsar Advisory Mission Pakistan 29 October – 5 November, 2012 What are wetlands? Wetlands are areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres. Inland Wetlands Glaciers, lakes, marshes, rivers, streams, aquifers. Coastal Wetlands © Ms. Ikram Qasim Mangroves, tidal flats, sea grass beds, coral reefs. Human-made wetlands: Rice fields, fish ponds, reservoirs, ditches and canals. Wetland ecosystem services Natural infrastructures: Provisioning: water, food, • important part of the water cycle biodiversity, and hydroelectricity • stores and delivers water Supporting: soil formation, nutrient cycling, Regulating: floods and drought Culture: recreation, spiritual, education, tourism The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands • Adopted on 2 February, 1971 • First of the modern intergovernmental environmental agreements Mission The conservation and wise use of wetlands through national actions, and international cooperation as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development. • 163 Contracting Parties. • Pakistan joined in 1976 The 3 implementation “pillars” of the Convention 1. “Wise use” of wetland This is at the heart of the Convention, the sustainable use of wetlands and their resources for the benefit of humankind. 2. Designation of Wetlands of international © Ms. Ikram Qasim Importance Designation of priority wetlands as Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Sites), and to ensure their conservation and wise use. 3. International cooperation International cooperation for shared wetlands and © Ms. M. Kodami © Dr. M. Fouda their resources, e.g. water, migratory species. © Ms. Ikram Qasim Ramsar Sites in Pakistan 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Assessment
    SCHEDULE G Rural Telecommunications and e-Services Project Environmental Assessment Ministry of Information Technology Government of Pakistan Islamabad March 2007 Rural Telecommunications and e-Services Project Executive Summary The World Bank (WB) is planning to fund the Rural Telecommunications and e- Services Project in various parts of Pakistan. In line with the WB safeguard policies and national regulations, an environmental assessment has been carried out for the proposed project. This document presents the process and outcome of this assessment. The project‘s long-term development objectives are to foster private sector led growth within a competitive market environment, and promoting and accelerating widespread access to information and communication technology (ICT) services, particularly in rural areas. The project will focus primarily on accelerating access by using targeted subsidies for rural expansion, strengthening the legal, policy, regulatory and spectrum management and monitoring functions, and expansion of e- services. The proposed project consists of three main components. The first component aims to increase access in rural areas, by expanding rural communications through assistance in setting up the Universal Service Fund Company (USFC), making the USFC operational, and delivery of targeted subsidies to private operators on a competitive basis. The second component will strengthen Ministry of Information Technology (MoIT) in policy making, legal issues, and capacity building of Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Frequency Allocation Board (FAB), including enhancement of radio frequency monitoring and management, which will result in further sector improvements. The third component will accelerate e-services development, including support for expanding and deployment of e-services under the USF Policy. The Pakistan Environmental Protection Act of 1997 is the apex environmental legislation in the country, whereas the Operational Policy (OP) 4.01 provides the WB‘s safeguard framework relevant to the proposed project.
    [Show full text]
  • Pakistan’S Sixth National Report to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
    Pakistan’s Sixth National Report to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Kashmir Musk deer(Moschuscupreus )Photo by Amiruddin Mughal (AJK) Ministry of Climate Change - Pakistan July, 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements II Introduction III Section-I Information on targets being pursued at the national level 01 Section-II Implementation measures taken, assessment of their 20 effectiveness, associated obstacles and scientific and technical needs to achieve national targets Section-III Assessment of progress towards each national target 53 Section-IV Describe the national contribution to the achievement of each 58 global ABT Section- V Describe the national contribution to the achievement of the 74 targets of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (optional) Section-VI Information on the contribution of indigenous peoples and local 76 communities (optional) Section-VII Updated biodiversity country profiles 78 National Contacts 82 I Acknowledgements The preparation of Sixth National Report for CBD has been greatly assisted by Office of the Inspector General Forest (IGF) and Biodiversity Directorate of Ministry of Climate Change. Excellent technical support was received from Syed Mahmood Nasir, IGF; Mr. Naeem Ashraf Raja, Director Biodiversity Programme;Dr. Rizwan Irshad, Deputy Director (Bio); Ms. Parveen Ejaz, Bio-chemist and Mian Muhammad Shafiq, Conservator Wildlife (MoCC).Provincial Planning and Development Departments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) provided their assistance through effective coordination with relevant stakeholders. For a final review of the draft report, a validation workshop was held in Islamabad in March 2019, wherein additional information was provided by the representatives of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department, Punjab Fisheries Department and National Agricultural Research Council.Many other federal government line departments made time for consultations and provided requisite information.
    [Show full text]
  • Being an Historical Narrative
    THE GATES OF INDIA BEING AN HISTORICAL NARRATIVE COLONEL SIR THOMAS HOLDICH (1810) TH E GA TES O FINDIA B EING A N H ISTORICA L NA RRA TIVE COLONEL SIRTH OMA S H OLDICH K.C.M .G., K.C.I.E., C.B ., D .S .c. (1 8 1 0 ) Reproduced by S a n i H . P a n h w a r (2 0 2 0 ) PREFACE As the world grows older and its composition both physical and human becomes subject to ever-increasing scientific investigation, the close interdependence of its history and its geography becomes more and more definite. It is hardly too much to say that geography has so far shaped history that in unraveling some of the more obscure entanglements of historical record, we may safely appeal to our modern knowledge of the physical environment of the scene of action to decide on the actual course of events. Oriental scholars for many years past have been deeply interested in reshaping the map of Asia to suit their theories of the sequence of historical action in India and on its frontiers. They have identified the position of ancient cities in India, sometimes with marvelous precision, and have been able to assign definite niches in history to historical personages with whose story it would have been most difficult to deal were it not intertwined with marked features of geographical environment. But on the far frontiers of India, beyond the Indus, these geographical conditions have only been imperfectly known until recently. It is only within the last thirty years that the geography of the hinterland of India— Tibet, Afghanistan, and Baluchistan— have been in any sense brought under scientific examination, and at the best such examination has been partial and incomplete.
    [Show full text]