Month: November 2022
PM Shehbaz Sharif will participate in UN climate conference COP27 on November 7
By; Asghar Ali Mubarak).
PM Shehbaz Sharif will participate in UN climate conference COP27 on November 7
By; Asghar Ali Mubarak)…
The United Nations’ Annual Global Climate Conference COP27 is being held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt from November 6 to 18. The Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahbaz Sharif will participate in the COP 27 climate conference on November 7 .
Pakistan has pinned its hopes on the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, known as COP 27, in which polluting countries will be obliged to pay damages to countries affected by climate change. The COP 27 will be the 27th conference of the United Nations, which will be held from November 6 to 18, 2022 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. It was announced that the Egyptian President and the Chairperson of the COP 27, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, has invited Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to Round Table Conference with the Prime Minister of Norway.
World leaders, think tanks, heads of government and international financial institutions will participate in the UN-sponsored conference on climate change and the need for sustainable solutions. Pakistan received this honor from the 193 countries of the United Nations due to Prime Minister Shehbaz’s strong voice on global and regional forums about the environmental crisis and the need for practical measures.
The Secretary General of the United Nations has said that in Cop27 (COP27) there will be urgent concrete steps to be taken on ways to deal with climate change problems that are commensurate with the scale of the problem, so will the world leaders be able to do it? COP is the largest and most important annual climate conference in the world.
In 1992, the United Nations held a ‘Earth Conference’ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in which the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was approved and a liaison office was established. What we now know as the ‘UN Climate Change Secretariat’ was done.
In the agreement, countries agreed to “moderate the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous interference by human activity in the climate system.” So far, 197 parties have signed it. .
After the conclusion of this agreement in 1994, the United Nations organizes global conferences on climate issues every year in which almost all the countries of the world participate. These conferences are called ‘COP’ which is short for ‘Conference of Parties’.
At these meetings so far, countries around the world have negotiated a number of additions to the basic agreement to legally curb greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol of 1997 and the Paris Agreement of 2015 are prominent examples of this, in which all countries of the world strive to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial Earth temperatures. And agreed to increase efforts to make this possible and to provide financial resources against climate change.
This year, the 27th such annual conference is being held, hence the name COP 27. Last year’s COP26 (one year not counted due to the Covid19 outbreak), five years after the Paris Agreement, culminated in the ‘Glasgow Climate Pact’. As the British presidency said at the time, ‘the pact maintains the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, but progress towards that goal will be slow’.
To fully operationalize the Paris Agreement, amendments were made to finalize the details of its practical implementation, also known as the ‘Paris Rulebook’.
At COP26, countries agreed to make stronger commitments for 2022, including new national plans with more ambitious targets. However, only 23 countries out of 193 have submitted their plans to the UN so far.
A number of commitments were made during and outside of the Glasgow negotiations to achieve the net zero goal, protect forests and finance climate change, among other initiatives.
According to a statement issued by the conference presidency on the future course of action, COP 27 will aim to transition from negotiations and “implementation planning” to the implementation of all these commitments.
Egypt has asked for complete, timely, comprehensive and substantial practical measures in this regard. According to the experts, in the upcoming conference, apart from reviewing the method of implementation of the Paris Rulebook, there will also be discussions on some points that could not be fruitful even after the Glasgow conference.
These include the provision of financial resources for ‘damage and recovery’, which aims to help countries directly affected by the crisis to cope with the effects of climate change that they may not be able to cope with. These points also include meeting the pledge of $100 billion a year by developed countries to help low-income countries cope with the effects of climate change.
The talks will also include discussions on technical issues such as determining how countries can practically measure their share of greenhouse gas emissions. In this way, measures to deal with climate change can be made fair for all countries. More than 20 lakh children are still waiting for the restoration of their schools after the devastating floods in Akistan. The worst floods in the country’s history have partially or completely damaged nearly 27,000 schools. Millions of children in Pakistan have lost their family members, homes, personal security and education facilities overnight in extremely painful conditions. They now face the uncertainty of whether they will be able to return to school, even though the school closures they faced due to the pandemic were one of the longest in the world, and their futures are now even more uncertain. There are dangers. “Two months after the devastating floods affected most areas of Pakistan, some parts of the roofs of the schools submerged in the flood water have started to be seen. Estimates suggest it could still take weeks or months for the floodwaters to fully recede.
In addition to education, schools play an important role in providing children with access to health care, psychological support, and immunizations. Increasing the duration of school closures will increase children’s risk of dropping out. Apart from being forced into labor and early marriages, there is also a fear of increasing the chances of exploitation and abuse.
The districts most affected by floods are already among the most vulnerable areas in Pakistan. Even before the current emergency, one-third of boys and girls in flood-affected areas were out of school and 50 percent of children were malnourished. Prolonged school closures can further exacerbate these deprivations.
Even during the peak of the pandemic, schools across Pakistan were closed in whole or in part for 64 weeks between March 2020 and March 2022. Now, less than six months later, school children have once again lost their education thanks to the devastation caused by severe floods. Severe damage to infrastructure, including electricity and internet connectivity, has also made remote learning largely inaccessible.
To deal with this situation, UNICEF has set up more than 500 temporary education centers in the most affected districts of the country and started providing education to teachers and children. UNICEF is training teachers in psychosocial care and health monitoring to promote children’s mental and physical health, and ‘back-to-school’ and admissions activities in schools that have been cleaned and rehabilitated.
Imran Khan injured in assassination attack,”Firing incident during Long March near Gujranwala is highly condemnable”ISPR “I wanted to kill Imran Khan.” Only Imran Khan had to be killed. Because he is misleading the public. Accused Muhammad Naveed
Imran Khan injured in assassination attack, one PTI worker namely Moazam killed during the Azadi March, there was firing near the container, as a result of which former prime minister Imran Khan was injured.Three bullets hit Imran khan right leg and foot by attacker namely Faisal Butt a resident of Punjab.The accused Muhammad Naveed son of Muhammad Bashir, who shot at Imran Khan, confessed, “I wanted to kill Imran Khan.” Only Imran Khan had to be killed. Because he is misleading the public. I was planning it from Lahore. No one came behind me on a motorcycle. The motorcycle is standing at my uncle’s shop.
Police arrested another shooter namely MuhammedNaveed resisdant of wazirabad police recoverd a 9 mm pistal and 2 empty magazin by him.
Imran Khan has been shifted to Shaukat Khanum Hospital Lahore, in this regard, a four-member medical board has been formed.
Meanwhile In a statement issued by the DG ISPR stated ”Firing incident during Long March near Gujranwala is highly condemnable”. ”Sincere prayers for precious life lost and speedy recovery and well being of Chairman PTI Mr. Imran Khan and all those injured in this unfortunate incident,further the statetment DG ISPR said .
More over President Dr Arif Alvi has said that the blatant day-time attack on Mr Imran Khan, ex-Prime Minister and Chairman of one of the largest political parties of Pakistan, is highly alarming, worrying and condemnable act.
“I am praying for the safety, security and health of Imran Khan and for all others who have been injured according to initial reports”, he said.
The President expressed the concern that such flagrant incidents would further aggravate the existing political polarization and would harm the country.
He called upon the security agencies to provide foolproof security to Mr Imran Khan, his party members, and participants of the long march who were exercising their constitutional and lawful right to take part in political activities to pursue their legitimate objectives.
The President further called upon the Government to investigate this criminal act fairly and judiciously to bring the unscrupulous elements to justice and provide relief to those who have been affected by the ignoble criminal act.
“I also call upon the Government to set in place a foolproof system for security and safety of the participants of the long march to enable them to pursue their constitutional right in full security”, he added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the firing near Imran Khan’s container
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the incident of firing on Imran Khan’s container and sought a report on the incident.
In his statement, the Prime Minister said that he has condemned the incident by calling for an immediate report on the incident of firing in Gujranwala, Allahwala Chowk.Speaker National Assembly Raja Parvez Ashraf and Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani condemned the firing near the container of PTI Chairman Imran Khan in Wazirabad. They incident that happened near Imran Khan’s container is very sad.
Muslim League (N) leader Ahsan Iqbal has condemned the firing on the container of Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan.
Ahsan Iqbal in his message on the social networking site Twitter said that thank God Imran Niazi is safe, there is no room for violence in politics.
He said that I strongly condemn the incident of firing on Imran Niazi’s container in Wazirabad and suggested to the Punjab government that they should review the security arrangements.
Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi has taken strict notice of the incident of firing near the container of Chairman Imran Khan in the long march of Tehreek-e-Insaf.
The Chief Minister asked for a report from the Inspector General of Police and said that the incident should be investigated and the report should be submitted and the accused involved in the firing should be brought to justice soon.
He also directed to provide best treatment facilities to the injured persons.
I told Ahmad Chatha over the phone last night that there will be an assassination attack on Khan in Wazirabad, Senator Ejaz Chaudhry.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Senator Ejaz Ahmad Chaudhry has said that I had told Ahmed Chatha over the phone last night that there would be an assassination attack on Khan in Wazirabad, so the assassination attack took place.
According to details an unidentified person who was among the crowed of the long march fired at the PTI leaders including Imran Khan when they were standing at a container .
The PTI long march came under firing on its way from Waziranad to Gujrat on its 7th day after its start from Lahore last week .
Wazirabad is a tehsil city of Gujranwala district some 275 km in South East of Islamabad .
The firing apparently was aimed at PTI chairman and other senior PTI leadership.
An eye witness said PTI chairman Imran Khan, former Governor Sindh , Imran Ismael and senator Faisal Javed were injured in the firing .
Accirding to the eye witness, the crowed caught a man in dark dress who allegedly fired at Imran Khan and other senior PTI leadership with a pistol.
PTI chairman Imran Khan and other injured were shifted to the local hospital for treatment .
The man who was caught by the crowed for allegedly firing at PTI leaders while they were standing on a container was later handed over to the elite police .
Later , Imran Khan and other injured were shifted to Lahore for treatment .
During the long march of Tehreek-e-Insaf, 9 PTI workers including Imran Khan were injured in the incident of firing on the container of Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan.
Senator Faisal Javed Khan was also injured in the firing. PTI leader Faisal Javed said that the bullet passed near his face, his colleagues are worried.
Later, while holding a press conference outside the hospital, Faisal Javed Khan said that Imran Khan is fine, our morale will not be low.
- Moazzam s/o Nawaz Age 35(Dead )
Injured patients
- Imran khan / Ikram Ullah 70y. Bullet in leg
- Ahmad nasir chatha /Hamid nasir chatha bullets in both legs
- Faisal Javed / Javed Akhtar 41y.
- Ali zaidi 50y.
- Imran ismail 50y
- S.A Hameed 65y
- Yousaf Khan 55y
- Zahid Khan / Ghulam wali 32y. Bullet in right arm and left leg
- M. Liaqat / M. Afzal 33y. Bullet in abdomen
- Umer Dar 40y.
- Areeb / Shakeel 13y. Bullet in abdomen
- Hamza / Altaf 24y.
- Umer / Farooq 49y.
- Rashid
UK Announces Project for Pakistan’s Climate Finance Accelerator Initiative
UK Announces Project for Pakistan’s Climate Finance Accelerator Initiative
ISLAMABAD, Nov 1 (APP): The UK has announced that seven innovative low-carbon projects from across Pakistan will be part of the first cohort of projects for the Climate Finance Accelerator (CFA), Pakistan.
The chosen projects, selected from over 50 applications, were from the energy, transportation, Agriculture, Forestry and other Land Uses (AFOLU), waste, e-mobility, and industrial and manufacturing sectors, said a news release of the British High Commission in Pakistan on Tuesday.
The projects will receive tailored support ahead of an event in February 2023.
The support includes individual needs assessment discussions and analysis of each of the projects from a financial, technical, gender equality and social inclusion perspective, to ensure they are in the best position to attract investment.
These projects have the potential to benefit communities across Pakistan through pollution abatement, employment opportunities, access to energy, effective waste management, e-mobility, and by supporting gender equality and social inclusion efforts.
The CFA is part of the UK Government’s efforts to help Pakistan in accessing climate finance and meeting the priorities set out in its Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement.
This work comes alongside the provision of UK humanitarian support to Pakistan following the recent devastating floods that have killed over a thousand people and affected more than 33 million.
During the visit to Pakistan last month, FCDO Minister Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon announced a further £10 million of humanitarian aid, bringing the UK Government’s total contribution to £26.5 million. This uplift in funding comes after the British public raised over £30m in donations via a Disaster Emergency Committee appeal and the UK’s Ministry of Defence gifted in-kind life-saving equipment.
British High Commission Development Director, Jo Moir, said, “Businesses are playing a vital role in tackling the climate emergency in Pakistan, as we have seen in the response to the devastating floods. The UK is committed to assisting innovative and exciting low-carbon projects joining CFA Pakistan and building Pakistan’s climate resilience. “We are Ek Saath against climate change.”
Khurram Lalani, Team Leader from DAI said, “We are delighted to launch the first cohort of the Climate Finance Accelerator, which aims to catalyse private finance and investments in projects that are vital to Pakistan’s green economy success; in renewable energy, electric transport, and sustainable housing. I am sure the support provided through CFA will enable these projects to make scalable and groundbreaking products for our collective greener future.”
British High Commission Develoment Director, Jo Moir, said:
“Businesses are playing a vital role in tackling the climate emergency in Pakistan, as we have seen in the response to the devastating floods. The UK is committed to assisting innovative and exciting low-carbon projects joining CFA Pakistan and building Pakistan’s climate resilience. We are ek saath against climate change.”
Khurram Lalani, Team Leader from DAI said:
“Today, we are delighted to launch the first cohort of the Climate Finance Accelerator, which aims to catalyse private finance and investments in projects that are vital to Pakistan’s green economy success; in renewable energy, electric transport, and sustainable housing. I am sure the support provided through CFA will enable these projects to make scalable and groundbreaking products for our collective greener future.”
The CFA projects are:
- ACT Engineering Services: ACT Engineering (ACTES) provides standardised solar solutions for residential and commercial clients. The company has already installed 6 MW of distributed solar all over Pakistan, and aims to implement further 20 MW industrial and commercial solar projects through CFA support in a bid to scale up solar energy solutions in Pakistan.
- Digital Dera by Agriculture Republic: Digital Dera is Pakistan’s first climate smart village community network that aims to connect all remote rural villages and communities across Pakistan to the internet. It will also equip smallholder farmers with climate smart digital agriculture free-of-charge.
- Concept Loop: This project aims to redirect plastic waste from oceans and landfills into sustainable and affordable building materials and lifestyle products. The business will source/recover waste plastic and process it into bricks, partition boards, decorative sheets and value-added furniture items.
- Daewoo: As the market leader in the transport sector of Pakistan, Daewoo Pakistan Express Bus Service Limited intends to launch electric 2-3 wheelers and electric buses in Pakistan. The e-mobility initiative will help the Government of Pakistan meet its target of 30% electric vehicles in the total vehicle mix of the country by 2030, set in the NDC.
- DISIDE: The simplification of road freight emission reporting across the supply chain through a digital logistics platform. This makes road freight emission transparent and allows businesses to be accountable for every single ton-kilometer driven by their trucks.
· Ouroboros Waste Management: The Used Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottle project aligns with circularity and neutrality targets –servicing the high-end market. The commercial opportunity at hand is of 25,000 MT Used PET converted to polyester yarn or Food Grade Recycled PET whilst tying in the neglected informal sector into the process and training women in semi-urban areas.
- Shams Power Limited: Shams Power has pioneered the concept of distributed solar power generation to industry and commerce using a solar pay-as-you-go model. This project will implement 150 MW of distributive solar energy plants at multiple commercial and industrial sites in Pakistan. These greenfield solar projects will help industrial and commercial enterprises to transition to solar energy through affordable financing instruments of 150 MW of Distributed Solar Plants on multiple sites in Pakistan.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu appears to edge toward big victory after vote
TEL AVIV — Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared headed toward a big victory with some 85% of the ballots from national elections counted and showing that voters gave him and his far-right allies what looks like a majority in the country’s parliament.
Votes were still being counted and results were not final. But if preliminary indications were correct, Israel was potentially headed to its most right-wing government, bolstered by a strong showing from the ultranationalist Religious Zionism party, whose members use inflammatory anti-Arab and anti-LGBTQ rhetoric.
The initial results pointed to a continued rightward shift in the Israeli electorate, further dimming hopes for peace with the Palestinians and setting the stage for possible conflict with the Biden administration and Israel’s supporters in the United States.
The early results also showed that Netanyahu had overcome his detractors, who claimed he was not fit to rule while on trial for corruption and have refused to sit with him in government. Netanyahu’s partners have promised to help him evade a conviction.
“We are on the verge of a very big victory,” Netanyahu, 73, told supporters at a gathering in Jerusalem early Wednesday. “I will establish a nationalist government that will see to all Israeli citizens without any exceptions.”
Elections officials worked through the night tallying votes and by Wednesday morning, about 85% of the ballots had been counted. The vote, like past elections, was tight but initial indications showed Netanyahu was headed back to the premiership with a majority in the country’s 120-seat parliament.
Final results are expected on Friday. The hundreds of thousands of remaining ballots — mostly from those who voted away from their regular place of residency, in nursing homes and elsewhere — have to be cross-checked for accuracy, a more time-consuming effort. They could lend a boost to Netanyahu’s opponents, reducing the size of his majority.
With Netanyahu and his allies projected to win more than the 61-seat majority needed to form a government, the country’s protracted political crisis may be headed toward a conclusion, though Israel remains as divided as ever.
Tuesday’s election was Israel’s fifth in less than four years, with all of them focused largely on Netanyahu’s fitness to govern. On trial for a slew of corruption charges, Netanyahu, who denied wrongdoing, is seen by supporters as the victim of a witch hunt and vilified by opponents as a crook and threat to democracy.
Even if Netanyahu and his allies emerge victorious, it could still take weeks of negotiations for a coalition government to be formed.
Netanyahu was Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, governing for 12 consecutive years – and 15 years altogether – before he was ousted last year by a diverse coalition led by the centrist Yair Lapid, the current caretaker prime minister.
But the coalition that Lapid cobbled together, which included the first Arab party ever to join a government, was decimated by infighting and collapsed after just one year in power. Those parties were poised to capture about 50 seats, according to initial results.
“Until the last envelope is counted, nothing is over and nothing is final,” he said.
But in a sign that he was moving toward accepting defeat, Lapid later on Wednesday cancelled his plans to attend the COP27 climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, next week, according to an Israeli official familiar with the change in plans. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the issue with the media. President Isaac Herzog will represent Israel at the event instead, the official said.
Hostels’ Employees Cricket Tournament at International Islamic University Islamabad IIUI conclude
By; Asghar Ali Mubarak
Hostels’ Employees Cricket Tournament at International Islamic University Islamabad IIUI conclude
By; Asghar Ali Mubarak
An enthralled final of the Hostels’ employees cricket tournament at the International Islamic University (IIU) concluded here at university as its title was clinched by Team of hostel 03 as it defeated team of hostel 01.
The cricket tournament was organized by the Provost Office in collaboration with the Office of Protocol and Public Relations in which 7 teams from hostels participated. 5 teams were from male campus 01 team from female campus hostel employees and 1 team was from Kuwait hostels Faisal Masjid Campus. The activity is part of the vision and initiatives of the IIUI President for providing a healthy and quality education environment to the IIUI community. It is pertinent to mention here that H.E. Dr Hathal Homoud Alotaibi, IIUI President inaugurated the event, IIUI President appreciated the efforts of organizers saying that sports activities are equally important along with the academic activities. He reiterated his resolve that there will be stone left unturned to provide a healthy and peaceful milieu of learning to the students.
The winner trophy was collected by the captain of team of Hostel 3 Mr. Qadeer, while runner up award was collected by Jameel Qureshi from the Chief Guest of the ceremony senior journalist, Hanif Khalid. On the occasion, Malik Khurram Shehzad, Special Assistant to Prime Minister and Ex-member Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Dr. Samina Malik Vice President Female Campus, Dr. Abrar Anver, Chief Organizer and Provost male, Dr. Rizwan Aftab, Students Advisor Male Campus, Dr. Sumiya Chughtai Students Advisor female, Dr. Humaira Ashfaq Provost Female, Assistant Directors Provost offices Chaudhary Muhammad Kahlid, and Ali Rafie, Assistant Directors Protocol Al-Hassan and Muhammad Nauman and a large number of employees and students.
The chief guest, Hanif Kahid also awarded medals to the captains of all the participatory teams. He said IIUI is one of the prestigious institutions and it has many distinctions. He also stressed that sports activities must be promoted as these are vital for mental and physical health of youth. He appreciated the efforts of IIUI management for organizing a constructive event.
Malik Khurram Shehzad highlighted the importance of the sports activities. He appreciated the initiative of the Provost Office and Protocol section of the university.
Provost male, Dr. Abrar Anver thanked the honorable guests for attending the event and reiterated his resolve that his office will continue to organize such activities. He said the Provost Office is thankful to employees and management for keen interest in this healthy activity. He also appreciated the efforts of the Provost Office’s officers and staff members for making this event a success. Director Female Campus, Dr Samina Malik also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the efforts of the Provost Office. On this occasion, Dr. Samina also encouraged the team of Hostel employee’s team from Female Hostels’ for their participation in the event.
The Best batsman award of the tournament was won by captain of the winning team Mr. Qadeer, while best bowler was Raza Abbasi.
Afghan IOC member says country like a “prison” for women
Afghan IOC member says country like a “prison” for women
Afghanistan’s International Olympic Committee (IOC) member Samira Asghari says her country has become a “prison” for women under Taliban rule but she is hopeful the Islamist group can be convinced into allowing them to access sport.
Asghari opened up about the “human crisis” facing Afghanistan when speaking to insidethegames following the conclusion of the Olympic Council of Asia Gender Equity Seminar here.
The 28-year-old now resides in Turkey after leaving her native country to advance her studies in Switzerland in 2020 but says she remains in daily contact with the Afghanistan National Olympic Committee (NOC) and athletes living in the war-torn nation.
The Taliban, which believes in Sharia law that severely restricts the freedoms of women, returned to power in August last year following the withdrawal of American troops.
Asghari said she has been shocked by the lack of global action in response to the “chaotic situation” in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover.
“After the collapse of the Government last year, everything changed,” Asghari told insidethegames.
“When I say change, a new mentality and ideology came with the Taliban,
“They came and now the people’s hopes have faded and the situation is a human crisis at the highest level and the same from an economic point of view.
“It’s a chaotic situation and is still going on.
“To help the situation the world should convince the Taliban in a way to deal with them and we don’t lose the two decades of achievements that we have had.
“The world knows that the school doors are closed on Afghan females and the way that they treat women.
“It’s like a prison for any girls or woman in Afghanistan.
“I am surprised by how the world is watching and [taking] no action.
“I don’t believe that it can continue this way, so it is very difficult for women when it comes to sport and for the athletes it seems like the topic doesn’t exist at all.”
The IOC has said it has been closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan in a bid to ensure women and girls are able to play sport.
Asghari has backed the IOC to “carefully communicate” with the Taliban and proposes to put female coaches in charge of women’s sport in her country.
“If they are saying sport is not for women, it is not true,” said Asghari.
“The next step is to bring in female coaches.
“Women’s sport should be controlled by women.
“That’s possible.
“Giving the example of Iran, they have champions and top female athletes from different team sports.
“Maybe we can step in with such an idea that women’s sport should be led by woman.
“That perhaps opens the door for communicating regarding sport with women and with the Taliban.”
IOC President Thomas Bach said in September that his organisation was receiving “different signals” from Afghanistan on its approach to women in sport.
More women than men made up Afghanistan’s 47-strong team at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Konya in July, fulfilling a pledge made by Taliban officials to the IOC last November to allow Afghan athletes and teams to compete internationally.
However it was later confirmed by the IOC that all the female participants were living outside of Afghanistan when they competed.
Asghari said she remained hopeful that the IOC’s approach to communication with the Taliban would yield positive results.
“As long as I see the situation, I think all we can do is reach for a better solution or at least better progress,” said Asghari.
“We have to go with the flow, make small steps and carefully communicate with the Taliban otherwise it will just shatter all the achievements that the whole population has had.
“I think the approach is right for the moment and the IOC is completely in full support of Afghan athletes.
“They are still hoping that the Taliban is going to be logical.
“We are guiding them, saying this is good for your country.
“I think we are on the right track, it is the correct approach for now so let’s see what the Taliban does.”
Asghari is the youngest person to become an IOC member and first from Afghanistan following her election in 2018 at the age of 24.
The former basketball player is a member of the IOC Coordination Commission for the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics as well as being a member of the Athletes’ Entourage Commission.
She attended the OCA Gender Equity Seminar in Bahrain capital Manama on behalf of the Afghanistan NOC.
“I am in contact with them on a daily basis, that’s why I am representing the NOC because the secretary general couldn’t make it,” added Asghari.
“I met some of my previous colleagues [at the Islamic Solidarity Games] but they were still working with the Taliban.
“I met them and met one person that was appointed directly by the Taliban.
“But the current Sports Minister didn’t meet any girls or female teams.
“I didn’t meet him but I met other colleagues.
“Otherwise, I am in contact with the former Executive Board members that are still there under the Taliban Government.”
Asghari says she hopes to be a role model for female athletes as she spoke of her determination to fight for women’s rights.
“Over the past two decades it wasn’t easy,” added Asghari.
“We have already suffered a lot.
“I will try in my capacity to push and enforce whatever I can.
“My message is for the unity of the youth of Afghanistan and to think about a country without radicals.”
Pakistan asked Russia for ‘Clarification ‘over Senator Igor Morozov’s Remarks……….ASGHAR ALI MUBARAK
Pakistan asked Russia ‘Clarification ‘over Senator Igor Morozov’s Remarks
ASGHAR ALI MUBARAK……………………………………….
Islamabad;
The Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said on Tuesday that the statement made by Russian Senator Igor Morozov regarding Pakistan was “unfounded and baseless.”
The spokesperson said, “We are surprised by such an unfounded and baseless statement.”
He said the senator’s statement was without any rationale and “entirely inconsistent” with the spirit of Pakistan-Russia relations.
As per details, the Russian state-owned news agency quoted Senator Igor Morozov saying, “Ukraine and Pakistan discussed technologies for creating nuclear weapons…Ukrainian specialists traveled to Pakistan and received a delegation from Pakistan to discuss technologies for creating nuclear weapons.”
“We are seeking clarification on this from Moscow,” the Foreign Office spokesperson added.
Earlier the Russian senator has alleged that Ukraine and Pakistan recently discussed the technologies for developing nuclear weapons. The claim came after Russia ramped up its rhetoric regarding Kyiv’s alleged preparations to use a radioactive “dirty bomb.”
Russian Senator Igor Morozov, a Federation Council’s defense committee member, claimed that Ukrainian experts traveled to Pakistan and met with a delegation to discuss nuclear weapons technology, reported Russia’s state-owned news agency RIA Novosti.
The Russian Senator made the remarks during a news conference titled “Nuclear Provocations in Ukraine: Who Needs It?” as part of the special project “Ukrainian Dossier.”
Senator Morozov argued that the ability of Ukraine to produce a “dirty bomb” is not a secret to anyone. However, he contends that lack of financing is the fundamental issue. Senator Morozov stated, “the threat is real,” while discussing the potential for Ukraine to use a “dirty bomb” as a provocation.
Senator added that the Tochka-U munition could be employed with a low-power nuclear charge. He also highlighted that without Congress’ approval, the United States president is permitted to use low-yield atomic bombs anywhere in the world.
Additionally, he did not completely exclude the possibility that Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed nuclear weapons with his British and American allies.
But the Russian Senator offered no convincing evidence to support his claims. Pakistan was previously found sending weaponry and ammunition to Kyiv in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to reports, M/s DMI Associates, an arms dealer located in Islamabad, has been in touch with M/s Defense Industry Group, a company based in Bulgaria, to make it easier for the Ukrainian government to obtain manufactured defense supplies.
In a similar development, it was discovered that the Ukrainian company M/s FORMAG, based in Kyiv, had contacted M/s Bluelines Cargo Pvt Ltd in Pakistan to supply gloves for the Ukrainian Army.
According to Geo-Politik, the 122 mm high-explosive fragmentation artillery shells used by the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are produced in Punjab, Pakistan.
Recently, there have been many contradictory messages in Russian rhetoric regarding the use of nuclear weapons. Sergei Shoigu, Russia’s defense minister, called his Western counterparts, alleging that Ukraine was getting ready to employ a radioactive “dirty bomb.”
However, President Vladimir Putin stated on October 27, following tactical nuclear exercises, that his military is not plotting a nuclear assault on Ukraine. Furthermore, the rhetoric surrounding “dirty bombs” is an established strategy.
The US, France, and Britain, three nuclear-armed states on the UNSC, stated that Russia’s accusations were “transparently false” in a joint statement. They believe that Russia may stage a “false flag” strike using a dirty bomb to justify using nuclear weapons while it is disadvantageous in eastern and southern Ukraine.
In Syria, Russia alleged that rebel groups were responsible for such attacks even though they lacked expertise in chemical weapons.
With repeated nuclear saber rattling, Russia may be hoping to discourage the West from getting directly involved in the conflict. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely that Ukraine would employ a “dirty bomb.”
A “dirty bomb” is a conventional bomb that disperses radioactive, biological, or chemical materials during an explosion. The term is frequently used interchangeably with radiological dispersal device (RDD), a weapon that uses radioactive elements.
A dirty bomb comprises ordinary high explosives with a small amount of radioactive substance, such as Caesium-137.
The impact of long-term radiation exposure and the deaths and injuries brought on by the detonation of conventional explosives would be minimal. The Russia-Ukraine conflict can best be characterized as a limited war, given the limitations of both sides’ declared objectives.
Russia’s military objectives have been toned down, and Ukraine is attempting to recover its territorial integrity. On June 29, Putin declared that the “ultimate goal” of the ongoing war is “the liberation of the Donbas, the defense of
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