ISLAMABAD: The world’s richest countries have not done enough to combat global warming, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Friday, adding his country had done more than any other in the world to combat rising emissions relative to its economic means.
Pakistan, this year’s host of the United Nations’ annual World Environment Day on June 5, is among the countries worst affected by climate change, having been regularly hit by devastating floods in recent years, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and destroying swathes of agricultural land.
“Has the developed world done enough: The answer is no,” Khan said in an interview with Reuters at his official residence in Islamabad. “Emissions are from the rich countries. And I think they know they haven’t done enough.”
This year’s World Environment Day will serve as the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, calling for urgent action to revive damaged ecosystems.
Under Khan, Pakistan has undertaken a number of restoration projects, including a 10 billion tree-planting drive. This week Khan planted the billionth tree in that drive.
The UN Environment Program (UNEP) said in a report released on Friday that over the last five years Pakistan had experienced an environmental turnaround after years of decline in its natural capital but added more needed to be done.
Khan said developing countries like Pakistan had done “more than enough” to combat global warming and climate change despite having limited budgets and an array of problems to deal with such as in education and health.
“To take so much money out as we did – proportionate to our GDP and available income – I think Pakistan has done more than any country in the world,” he said.
Aside from ecological restoration projects, Pakistan has also recently become active on the global green finance market, looking to access finance for environmentally friendly projects and decrease its reliance on fossil fuels.
Pakistan said the World Bank estimated the country’s new plantation projects would be worth $500 million, and that the valuation could go up to $2.5 billion if carbon pricing estimates went up.
Khan said global green financing and the valuation of natural assets provided good incentives to the developing world to protect the environment.
“If you can prove to the people that by protecting your environment you can actually gain something as well, that means you have more buy-in from the people,” he said. “Remember: hungry people do not really care for the environment.”
World Environment Day: Rich states not doing enough to combat global warming, Pakistan PM says
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World Environment Day: Rich states not doing enough to combat global warming, Pakistan PM says
- Pakistan is this year’s host of the United Nations’ annual World Environment Day on June 5
- World Environment Day will serve as the launch of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
Gilgit-Baltistan defeats Chitral in ice hockey match at Shandur Lake
- The match was part of Shandur Ice Sports Challenge held from December 24 to 28
- The ice hockey match was tied 2-2 before Gilgit-Baltistan won on penalty shootouts
PESHAWAR: Shandur Lake in Pakistan’s northern region hosted an ice hockey match on Saturday, with Gilgit-Baltistan defeating Chitral 4-3 in a penalty shootout, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority said.
The match concluded the Shandur Ice Sports Challenge, organized by the tourism authority, which was held from December 24 to 28 and featured competitions in ice hockey and speed skating.
While ice hockey remains a developing sport in Pakistan, it has gained traction in the northern regions, where freezing temperatures and frozen lakes create natural rinks.
“A large number of locals participated in the ice hockey event,” said Tashfeen Haider, Director General of the tourism authority. “The match at Shandur Lake demonstrates the region’s potential to host winter sports.”
Shandur is widely known for its annual polo festival, a tradition dating back to 1936, when British officials set up a polo ground at the Shandur Pass, located at approximately 3,700 meters above sea level.
The festival attracts teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan and has become a significant cultural and sporting event.
The tourism authority informed that the ice hockey match at Shandur was tied 2-2 in regular time before being decided on penalty shootouts.
The match highlighted the growing interest in winter sports in Pakistan’s northern regions, which can help boost local tourism and community engagement.
Key coalition ally criticizes Pakistan government’s ‘excuses’ for imposing Internet restrictions
- Pakistan announced in June it was setting up a firewall to curb ant-state propaganda, which slowed Internet speeds countrywide
- Pakistan’s opposition and rights activist criticize government’s measures, allege they are designed to crack down on criticism
ISLAMABAD: The chairman of a key coalition partner of the government, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, this week criticized the center’s “excuses” for imposing Internet restrictions in Pakistan that freelancers and rights activists say are aimed at cracking down on dissent in the country.
The PPP chairman’s criticism comes in response to the government’s recent measures which have been interpreted by activists and opposition parties as a digital clampdown on Internet freedom in the country. Pakistani officials admitted in June that the government was installing a national firewall, ostensibly designed to curb “anti-state propaganda” and “blasphemous content,” which slowed Internet speeds across the country.
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has also intensified its crackdown on virtual private networks (VPNs), allowing their legal use only after users register with the government— posing challenges for freelancers and businesses relying on online access.
Activists say the curbs are meant to counter criticism from jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters, who have a powerful presence on social media platforms. The government denies these allegations.
“There is a lot of room for criticism on this digital issue,” Bhutto-Zardari told reporters in the southern Larkana city on Saturday.
“Every day there is a new excuse— sometimes they admit that we are shutting it [Internet] off and sometimes they say that we have done nothing of the sort. Then sometimes they say that our wires have been cut, then they say that there is a [firewall] testing going on,” he added.
Earlier this week, the PPP chairman called for a “digital bill of rights” to ensure Internet freedoms for people across the country.
In December, Minister of State for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja defended Internet restrictions, citing security concerns.
“No one is interested in shutting down the Internet,” she told parliament. “Law and order is paramount for us, but we will make every effort to ensure no disruption to the industry.”
Slow Internet speeds across the country have troubled Pakistani freelancers, who have reported disruptions in completing assignments and tasks.
According to data from the central bank, Pakistani freelancers earned $397.3 million in foreign remittances during the fiscal year 2021-22.
The amount is likely underreported, as much of the freelance income is received as home remittances.
Pakistan PM orders swift installation of smart meters to enhance billing transparency
- Shehbaz Sharif calls overbilling unacceptable, orders action against officials involved in the practice
- Sharif instructs the authorities to take concrete measures to prevent electricity theft in the country
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday directed the rapid installation of smart meters to improve transparency and curb overbilling in Pakistan’s power sector, according to an official statement.
Pakistan’s power sector faces significant challenges, including billing issues, electricity theft, and data discrepancies. Earlier this year in September, a Senate committee review highlighted these issues, noting that consumers have suffered due to incorrect meter readings and mismanagement.
“The installation of smart meters should be completed at the earliest to ensure transparency in the billing system,” the prime minister instructed the relevant officials in a meeting to review the performance of power distribution companies.
“Overbilling is absolutely unacceptable and strict action will be taken against officials involved in overbilling,” he added.
He also mentioned the problem of electricity theft in certain areas of the country, which contributes to the sector’s financial instability.
This is made possible through various methods, such as meter tampering or using illegal connections to consume power without proper billing.
“Concrete measures must be taken to prevent electricity theft,” the prime minister said.
He instructed the power companies utilize all necessary resources to meet targets set by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA).
He also instructed merit-based recruitment within power distribution companies, saying no compromise on transparency would be tolerated.
Pacer Marco Jansen admits South Africa face challenge after losing three wickets
- Pakistan’s opening bowlers had South Africa reeling at 27-3, 121 runs short of a win
- The third day of the match started with a three-hour delay due to continuous rain
CENTURION, South Africa: South African fast bowler Marco Jansen admitted that his team faced a challenge after Pakistan took three quick wickets late on the third day of the first Test at SuperSport Park on Saturday with the hosts chasing 148 runs for victory.
Pakistan opening bowlers Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad had South Africa reeling at 27-3, 121 runs short of a win which would clinch them a place in the World Test championship final in England next June.
Abbas took two wickets for three runs in four immaculate overs of swing bowling, dismissing Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs, while Shahzad trapped Ryan Rickelton.
Aiden Markram, South Africa’s top scorer in the first innings, was unbeaten on 22 going into what could be a nervy fourth day for the hosts.
Jansen, who took six for 52 as Pakistan were bowled out for 237 in their second innings, said the pitch had “quickened up,” with some balls lifting sharply and others keeping low.
“If Pakistan keep on bowling the lengths they did now we will have a task on our hands,” said Jansen.
But he added that a victory target of 148 “isn’t too much.”
“We know the new ball moves quite sharply, especially in the second innings. Once the ball gets older it gets a lot easier to bat,” the 24-year-old added.
All three South African wickets were leg before wicket decisions as the Pakistan bowlers attacked the stumps — and all three were reviewed.
De Zorzi batted outside his crease in an attempt to counter the swing which undid him in the first innings, but Abbas beat his inside edge and he was given out.
He reviewed umpire Alex Wharf’s decision but replays showed the impact was “umpire’s call,” with the ball going on to hit the stumps, and he had to go for two runs.
Rickelton failed to score before he was trapped by Shahzad and Stubbs made one before falling to Abbas — with Pakistan successfully reviewing on both occasions after the batsmen were initially given not out.
It was a dramatic end to a day on which the start was delayed by three hours because of rain.
South Africa seemed well on target for victory when Pakistan were bowled out for 237 despite Saud Shakeel making an impressive 84.
Resuming at 88-3, Babar Azam and the left-handed Shakeel batted confidently, adding another 65 runs in 14.5 overs.
Babar made 50, his first half-century in 19 Test innings, before Jansen had a burst of three wickets in 14 balls, starting when Babar slapped a short ball to deep point.
Shakeel was ninth man out when he missed a full toss from Jansen after hitting 10 fours and a six in a 113-ball innings.
“I was looking for a yorker,” admitted Jansen. “I missed by a shin length.”
Imran Khan’s party denies seeking concessions for jailed leader through negotiations
- Shibli Faraz says Khan is in prison for the people of Pakistan and is firm on his ‘principled stance’
- He calls PTI a peaceful party that stands against ‘fascism’ and demands rule of law in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Saturday challenged the perception its ongoing negotiations with the government were aimed at securing concessions for its jailed leader, calling instead for constitutionalism and rule of law in the country.
The government and PTI formally began talks this month to address political differences and end deep polarization that has impacted Pakistan’s fragile economy. Khan, who has been imprisoned for more than a year, has called for a timeline to advance the talks, the release of PTI political prisoners and the establishment of judicial commissions to investigate violent protests on May 9 last year and Nov. 26 this year, which the government claims were orchestrated by PTI supporters.
“We completely reject the perception that these negotiations are held because the [party’s] founding chairman Imran Khan is seeking concessions for himself,” Shibli Faraz, a senior PTI leader, said during a joint news conference with other top colleagues.
“He will not be part of any arrangement which builds a perception that he’s doing this for himself,” he continued. “He is in prison for the people of Pakistan and he is firm on his principled stance.”
Faraz reiterated that his party was facing political victimization, saying its leaders, including Khan, had been targeted through politically motivated cases.
He also emphasized PTI’s commitment to peaceful political activism.
“We are a peaceful party and peaceful protest has always been our way,” he said, adding: “We are not in favor of any violence or extremism, but we firmly stand against fascism. We disagree with undemocratic ways and condemn them. This country should run on the basis of the constitution.”
Faraz also criticized what he described as selective application of the constitution, calling for consistency and adherence to democratic principles.
