KARACHI: The All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association said on Thursday there was a “significant reduction” in mango production for a third consecutive year due to climate change, which meant the country may not be able to meet its export targets.
The Association has set a target of 100,000 metric tons of mango exports in the current season, with exports expected to start from May 20 with a focus on China, America, Turkiye, Japan, Iran, Afghanistan and Central Asia.
“The impact of climate change is having a pronounced negative impact on mango orchards in Pakistan, leading to a significant reduction in production and due to non-availability of export quality mangoes, the export target could not be attained last year as well,” Waheed Ahmed, patron-in-chief of the All Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters Association, said in a statement.
“This year the export target has been set at 100,000 metric tons, whereas last year the export target was 125,000 metric tons but the export of mango remained at 100,000 metric tons.”
Pakistan produces around 1.8 million metric tons of mangoes annually, of which 70 percent are produced in Punjab province, 29 percent in Sindh and one percent in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“This year, due to weather effects, the production of mango in Punjab is 35-40 percent, while in Sindh it is less than 20 percent and thus the total production is feared to be reduced by 0.6 million metric tons,” Ahmed said. “This estimate was made at the start of production and is likely to increase further as the season progresses.”
With an export target of 100,000 metric tons of mangoes during the current season, Pakistan could earn foreign exchange of $90 million, Ahmed said, adding that the sector, including mango processing, packaging and warehousing, was an over Rs100 billion industry that provided employment to millions of people.
“The sector is facing problems due to significant increases in costs of electricity, gas, transportation, garden maintenance, pesticides and water management, making it difficult to compete for exports,” Ahmed said.
“The effects of climate change have emerged as the biggest threat to mango production, which can well be gauged from the fact that mango production has declined for the third year in a row.”
Ahmed said long winters, rains and hail, combined with severe heat waves, had changed the pattern of agricultural diseases in Pakistan:
“There is certainly a lack of serious efforts at the federal and provincial levels to protect the agricultural sector from the effects of climate change, particularly through research enabling the orchards of mangoes and other fruits to develop sufficient endurance to sustain against the tough weather conditions and reduction in disease resistance. Research-based solutions must be found urgently to address this, otherwise mango production and export will be at risk.”
The association called on federal and provincial agricultural research centers to work on an emergency basis to help farmers deal with the effects of climate change.
“In order to continue the production and export of mangoes, it is imperative to develop new varieties of mangoes that are compatible with the climatic changes in Pakistan,” Ahmed said.
“Similarly, prevention of diseases and supply of suitable agricultural pesticides are also needed to minimize the effects of climate change.”
Climate change effects reduce Pakistan mango production for third consecutive year — union
https://arab.news/c8n39
Climate change effects reduce Pakistan mango production for third consecutive year — union
- Export target for mangoes reduced from last year’s 125,000 metric tons to 100,000
- Union calls on government to develop new mango varieties compatible with climate change
Pakistani pilgrim couple welcomes baby boy during Hajj 2024
- The baby was born in Madinah to pilgrim couple from Pakistan’s Balochistan province
- Pakistani religion ministry says Saudi Hajj officials visited mission to celebrate the occasion
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani pilgrim couple celebrated the birth of a baby boy during this year’s Hajj and named him Muhammad, the Pakistani religion ministry said on Thursday.
The beautiful moment unfolded in the holy city of Madinah as the Pakistani couple from Balochistan welcomed the newborn, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry.
The Pakistan Hajj Medical Mission in Madinah is ensuring both mother and baby received required medical attention, while officials from the Saudi Hajj ministry also visited the mission to celebrate the occasion.
“They (Saudi officials) warmly congratulated and blessed the newborn’s parents, sharing in their happiness,” the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
“During the ceremony, gifts were given to baby Muhammad and his delighted parents, marking the beginning of a blessed journey for the infant.”
Abdul Wahab Soomro, a senior Pakistani Hajj official, expressed his best wishes to the family on the occasion.
“This joyful event will remain a cherished memory for the proud parents, connecting them deeply to the holy city of Madinah,” he was quoted as saying.
“Such moments reflect the unity, hope, and renewal that define this sacred journey for millions worldwide.”
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam. At least 160,000 Pakistanis attended this year’s annual pilgrimage, which ran from June 14 till June 19.
The post-Hajj flight operation by the Pakistani government is currently underway to bring back these Pakistanis.
Pakistan PM highlights Gaza issue at SCO summit in Astana, calls for immediate ceasefire
- The SCO Plus meeting included not only SCO member states but also observer nations, other invited guests
- PM Shehbaz Sharif called for free flow of humanitarian aid and protection of civilians in the entire Gaza strip
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday addressed a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), wherein he drew attention to Israel’s war on Gaza and called for an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian territory.
The SCO Plus meeting included not only SCO member states but also observer nations and other invited guests. The expanded format aimed to broaden dialogue and cooperation beyond core member countries, engaging a wider range of nations in discussions.
Sharif, who led the Pakistani delegation at the SCO Council of Heads of State (CHS) meeting in Astana, urged the international community, especially the United Nations Security Council, to uphold its responsibility to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza.
“He called for outrightly denouncing Israel’s barbaric acts and called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire leading to realization of the two-state solution with the establishment of the State of Palestine with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds as its capital,” Sharif’s office said in a statement.
Pakistan does not recognize the state of Israel and calls for an independent Palestinian state based on “internationally agreed parameters.” Since the beginning of Israel’s war in October 2023, the South Asian country has repeatedly raised the issue at various forums and demanded the world stop Israeli military actions in the Palestinian territory.
Sharif said the summit was being held amidst unprecedented sufferings of the Palestinian people as a result of Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza that had killed over 37,000 Palestinians, including thousands of children.
He called for free flow of humanitarian aid and protection of civilians in the entire Gaza strip.
The CHS adopted statements on safety of drinking water and sanitation, effective waste management and principles of good neighborliness as well as approved plans for ongoing cooperation in economic and security fields. An agreement on environment protection was also signed by relevant SCO ministers.
PM Sharif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the “Shanghai Spirit” for mutual trust and respect for shared prosperity and development, underscoring his country’s strategic location as an “ideal trade and transit hub” for the entire SCO region.
Founded in 2001, the SCO is a major trans-regional organization spanning South and Central Asia, with China, Russia, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan as its permanent members. The SCO member states collectively represent nearly half of the world’s population and a quarter of global economic output.
The organization’s agenda of promoting peace and stability, and seeking enhanced linkages in infrastructure, economic, trade and cultural spheres, is aligned with Pakistan’s own vision of enhancing economic connectivity as well as peace and stability in the region.
Sharif also met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President of Azerbaijan İlham Aliyev in Astana, according to the Pakistani foreign office. In the trilateral summit, relations among Türkiye, Azerbaijan and Pakistan as well as regional and global matters such as Gaza, Kashmir, Islamophobia were discussed.
“It was agreed that strengthening of trilateral cooperation among Türkiye – Azerbaijan – Pakistan would not only contribute to prosperity of the peoples of the three countries, but also serve to promote regional and global peace and stability,” the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.
“The three countries expressed their support for prioritizing dialogue among relevant countries in conflict resolution, in line with principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Pakistan petroleum union to close pumps in nationwide strike today
- Petroleum dealers association is protesting a government move to impose 0.5% advance tax on turnover
- Government says will not give in to “blackmail tactics,” will ensure smooth supply of petroleum across country
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani petroleum dealers are expected to close petrol pumps across the country today, Friday, to protest the government’s decision to impose an advance tax on turnover that they say would adversely impact their businesses already reeling from high taxes and inflation.
The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA) gave the strike call this week, calling on the government to withdraw an advance income tax of 0.5 percent imposed in the recently passed federal budget 2024-25.
Pakistan’s tax-heavy $67.76 billion budget for the new fiscal year came into effect on Monday amid an annual inflation projection of up to 13.5 percent for June. The ambitious budget with a challenging tax revenue target of Rs13 trillion ($46.66 billion) has drawn the ire of the government’s allies and opposition alike. The revenue collection target for the new fiscal year is almost 40 percent higher than the last fiscal year.
The PPDA has said its business of selling petroleum products is already taking a hit due to staggering inflation and high taxes in Pakistan.
“We are going on a nationwide strike starting July 5 and plan to close petrol pumps across the country,” PPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan told Arab News on Wednesday. “Our demand is simple: the government should immediately withdraw the advance tax decision.”
Talks between the government and the association this week failed to break the deadlock between the two sides.
Khan warned that if the government does not reverse its decision, petroleum dealers would be forced to close their businesses for good.
“We are ready to discuss our concerns and possible solutions with the government,” he said. “We request the prime minister, petroleum minister and finance minister to immediately abolish this tax, otherwise we will be unable to continue running our businesses.”
‘BLACKMAILING TACTICS’
The government, however, says it will only listen to petroleum dealers’ “genuine concerns.”
Imran Ahmed, the director-general of oil at Pakistan’s petroleum ministry, rejected the strike call, saying the government would not entertain “blackmailing tactics.”
“We will not support the strike or such tactics,” he told Arab News on Wednesday. “This new advance tax applies to all traders, not only petroleum dealers.”
He said the ministry has instructed oil marketing companies to keep as many sites open as possible to ensure a smooth supply of petroleum products in the country.
“We have also instructed PSO [Pakistan State Oil] to ensure maximum supply and storage of petroleum products by keeping their sites open,” Ahmed said.
Brazilian tourist killed during paragliding accident in Pakistan’s northern Gilgit-Baltistan region
- Brazilian tourist Raineri Rodrigo Chadded was part of seven-member team of foreigners trekking to K2 base camp
- Hundreds of tourists visit Gilgit-Baltistan every year, which is home to some of the highest peaks in the world
KHAPLU, GILGIT-BALTISTAN: A Brazilian tourist was killed in a paragliding incident in Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region on Thursday, officials confirmed, making him the fourth foreigner to have died in the country’s northern mountainous area in less than two months.
Gilgit-Baltistan, a sparsely populated region administered by Pakistan as an autonomous territory, is home to some of the highest peaks in the world and a major tourist destination. Hundreds of tourists visit the region each year for expeditions on various peaks, paragliding and other sports activities.
Last month, two Japanese climbers went missing while attempting to summit the 7,027-meter Spantik Peak in the area’s Nagar district. The body of one of the climbers was found by Pakistani authorities, who subsequently called off the search for the other missing climber. On Wednesday, officials confirmed another Japanese climber had died as he descended the same Spantik Peak after summiting it.
“The accident occurred today in the Shigar district’s Askole area,” Wali Ur Rehman, the district’s deputy commissioner, told Arab News via text message. “The paraglider has been identified as Raineri Rodrigo Chadded.”
Akhtar Shigri, a district official responsible for matters relating to foreigners, said Chadded was part of a seven-member team who were on their way to the K2 base camp.
He said of the other six foreigners, two were from France, one was from Bulgaria, two from the United States and one from Switzerland.
Shigri said all members of the team left Shigar headquarters on Wednesday for the K2 base camp but Chadded opted to paraglide from Askoli to Jhula camp.
“He fell while paragliding and was killed in the Askoli area,” Shigri told Arab News, adding that authorities were shifting his body.
Pakistan is home to five of the world’s tallest mountains that loom above 8,000 meters, including the K2 and Nanga Parbat mountains, known for their treacherous climbs. This year over 2,000 foreign climbers and trekkers have applied for permits for mountaineering expeditions and trekking in Gilgit Baltistan.
Sajid Hussain, deputy secretary for the GB Tourism Department, said the government could not stop deaths from taking place in the northern area.
“However, for the last few years, we have been strictly directing tour companies to opt for all safety measures in this field,” Hussain told Arab News.
He said only one climber lost his life whilst attempting to summit the K2 last year.
Hussain said the ratio of climbers and trekkers dying in the northern region was very low, considering the number of foreigners that visit the area, due to strict safety measures adopted by authorities here.
“We are doing our level best to facilitate climbers and trekkers,” he said. “All tour companies have been directed to ensure the implementation of life insurance for climbers and trekkers, so that we can promptly kick off the rescue mission via Askari aviation in case of emergency.”
KP government to deploy 40,000 security personnel to maintain law and order during Muharram
- Muharram, the first month of Islamic lunar calendar, witnesses religious processions by Shia Muslims across Pakistan
- KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur chairs high-level meeting to review security measures during Muharram
ISLAMABAD: The government in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province will deploy around 40,000 security personnel to maintain law and order during the Islamic month of Muharram, the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Thursday.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar which marks the anniversary of the Battle of Karbala, where the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a revered figure in Shia Islam, was martyred.
Muharram also witnesses religious processions across Pakistan to the prophet’s grandson, prompting relevant authorities to devise elaborate security measures each year to prevent any disturbances.
“About 40,000 security personnel would be deployed for security purposes during the month of Muharram, whereas special contingents of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) and Pak Army would also be deployed for the security of the processions and gatherings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” APP said in a report.
This decision was taken during a high-level meeting of the provincial government chaired by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to review security arrangements ahead of the holy month. Participants of the meeting were informed Muharram processions and gatherings would be held in 14 districts of the province.
Of these, eight districts have been reported as “most sensitive” while the rest have been declared as “sensitive” in terms of law and order and security arrangements, APP said.
“A central control room comprising representatives from all relevant departments and law enforcing agencies is also being set up at the Home Department for the purpose,” the state media said. “Processions and public gatherings would be monitored directly through CCTV cameras whereas display of arms, pillion riding and hateful wall chalking have also been banned.”
Authorities will suspend mobile phone services in sensitive districts of the province, while special measures to monitor social media pages to curb the spread of hateful content were also proposed in the meeting, the state media said. It added that the staff of health and rescue departments of the province would be assigned special duties to effectively deal with any untoward situation during Muharram.
“Maintaining law and order during the month of Muharram should be the top-most priority of all the stakeholders,” Gandapur was quoted as saying by APP. He said all relevant authorities, departments and agencies would have to fulfill their respective responsibilities in a timely manner.
“Moreover, he directed that religious leaders of different sects and elected public representatives should be approached as an effort to promote religious harmony and tolerance during Muharram,” APP said.
