pakistan fao strengthen
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Pakistan, FAO strengthen partnership to boost food…

ByJustpaste.in

Pakistan and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding cooperation in food security, climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and livestock development. The renewed partnership aims to address the growing challenges posed by climate change while supporting Pakistan’s long-term agricultural and economic development.

The commitment was made during a meeting held in Islamabad between Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain and a delegation from the FAO led by Deputy Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, Robert Simpson. The discussions focused on strengthening existing partnerships and accelerating the implementation of projects designed to improve agricultural productivity and food systems across the country.

During the meeting, Rana Tanveer Hussain emphasized that Pakistan remains one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, despite contributing only a minimal share to global greenhouse gas emissions. He stressed that unpredictable weather patterns, floods, droughts, and rising temperatures continue to threaten agricultural production, food availability, and the livelihoods of millions of farmers.

The minister called for enhanced technical assistance from the FAO and urged the timely implementation of ongoing development initiatives. He highlighted the importance of adopting modern farming practices, improving water management, and strengthening institutional capacity to help Pakistan build a more resilient agricultural sector.

Rana Tanveer Hussain also outlined the government’s key priorities for the agriculture sector. These include improving food safety standards, strengthening Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) systems to boost agricultural exports, expanding livestock development programs, and increasing livestock exports to international markets. He further stressed the need to reduce Pakistan’s dependence on imported wheat and edible oil by increasing domestic agricultural production and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The FAO delegation reaffirmed its continued support for Pakistan’s agricultural development agenda. Robert Simpson assured the minister that the organization would continue working closely with the government to mobilize financial resources from international financial institutions and development partners. The funding is expected to support climate adaptation projects, food security initiatives, and sustainable agricultural development across the country.

The meeting reflects the shared commitment of Pakistan and the FAO to building a resilient and sustainable food system capable of addressing future challenges. By strengthening cooperation and investing in climate-smart agriculture, both sides aim to improve food security, enhance rural livelihoods, and promote sustainable economic growth for the benefit of future generations.

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    Police chief: Missing weapon may crack Mir Raza my…

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    Karachi Police Chief Azad Khan has said that investigations into the death of Mir Raza are continuing from every possible angle, adding that recovering the missing weapon could be crucial in determining what happened. Speaking to the media, Azad Khan said the initial medical report was prepared by a doctor working under the police surgeon. The medico-legal officer (MLO) examined the body and submitted the report to the police surgeon, who kept it for two days before it was released. He questioned why any concerns regarding the report were not addressed immediately. According to the police chief, the police surgeon neither personally examined the body nor conducted the medical examination, and any reservations about the findings should have been communicated to investigators without delay. Azad Khan said police based their early investigation on the preliminary medico-legal report provided by the MLO. He added that confirmation of gunpowder residue on the deceased’s hands was also essential to the investigation. The police chief said the Crime Scene Unit collected evidence from the scene and handed all relevant material over to the medical team. He also questioned why the medical team did not visit the crime scene, noting that in many countries medical experts inspect the scene themselves, particularly in high-profile cases. He said that if Mir Raza’s family requests it, another medical examination can be conducted. Meanwhile, investigators are looking into the disappearance of the weapon believed to be linked to the case. Azad Khan also confirmed that police are searching for a waste collector seen in a video recorded near the scene. He said locating the missing weapon could help investigators resolve key questions surrounding Mir Raza’s death. The investigation remains ongoing, with police continuing to gather evidence and examine all possible leads.

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    Mustafa Kamal calls for more administrative units

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    MULTAN:Federal Minister for Health Mustafa Kamal has once again called for the creation of additional administrative units in Pakistan, arguing that the country’s existing governance structure is no longer capable of effectively addressing its growing challenges. Speaking at a ceremony in Multan, Kamal said Pakistan currently operates through a federal government and four provinces, but the system needs major restructuring to improve governance and service delivery. He said Pakistan is larger than around 180 countries in terms of population and administrative needs, making it necessary to consider creating more administrative units to ensure better management and development. Reflecting on his political career, Kamal said he became Karachi’s mayor 21 years ago and was elected as a member of the provincial assembly 12 years ago. He added that political leaders often remain caught up in a continuous race without fully understanding whether the existing system is delivering the desired results. The federal minister also focused on the country’s healthcare challenges, saying that simply constructing more hospitals would not solve Pakistan’s health crisis. He pointed out that hospitals across the country remain overcrowded, while the government must focus more on preventive healthcare and improving public health infrastructure. Kamal said effective healthcare begins with measures such as ensuring adequate gaps between births and completing childhood vaccination schedules. He warned that a large number of children remain vulnerable to waterborne diseases due to inadequate sanitation and unsafe water supplies. He also highlighted the lack of an effective sewage treatment system in Pakistan, saying poor sanitation continues to contribute to the spread of preventable diseases. He stressed the need to address the root causes of health problems instead of relying solely on hospitals and medicines after people fall ill. Discussing population growth and maternal health, Kamal said Pakistan’s birth rate stands at around 3.5 percent, while the population growth rate is approximately 2.5 percent. He claimed that around 11,000 mothers die every year in the country, describing the situation as a serious public health concern. The minister said Pakistan also faces a major shortage of trained nurses. According to him, the country needs around 900,000 nurses, while international demand for Pakistani-trained nursing professionals could reach 2.5 million. He said the government should focus on developing professional skills so that trained workers can contribute to the national economy and earn valuable foreign exchange for the country. Kamal also addressed concerns surrounding medicine prices and availability. He clarified that the federal health minister alone does not have the authority to decide whether medicine prices should increase or decrease. He said the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has deregulated the prices of certain medicines, while decisions regarding price reductions fall within the broader domain of the federal cabinet. He added that a cabinet committee is currently examining the issue of reducing medicine prices. The minister further pointed out that although Pakistan manufactures a large number of medicines locally, the pharmaceutical industry still relies heavily on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). He said shortages of some medicines have also created difficulties for patients, with certain drugs disappearing from the regular market and becoming available through agents at significantly higher prices. Kamal’s remarks came a day after Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also called for the creation of new administrative units, describing such reforms as essential for the country’s development. Addressing an event in Islamabad, Naqvi reportedly said the existing system had failed to deliver effectively and argued that new administrative units or provinces could provide a way forward. The repeated calls from senior federal ministers for additional administrative units have renewed debate over whether Pakistan needs a major restructuring of its administrative and governance framework to improve public service delivery, strengthen local administration and address the growing demands of its expanding population.

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    Former Australia batsman David Warner fined after drink-driving conviction

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    SYDNEY: Former Australia opening batsman David Warner has been convicted and fined A$1,500 for a mid-range drink-driving offence, with a Sydney court also ordering the retired cricket star to use a vehicle breathalyser interlock for the next 12 months. The 39-year-old Warner pleaded guilty last month after being accused of driving a van in April and stopping short of a random breath-testing site. He was subsequently breath-tested, arrested and taken to a police station. Judge Clare Farnan formally convicted Warner at Waverley Local Court on Tuesday, according to court records. Along with the fine, Warner was ordered to hold an “interlock” licence for one year. The licence condition requires him to use a breathalyser device installed in a vehicle. The system prevents the vehicle from starting if alcohol is detected on the driver’s breath. Warner’s lawyer, Awais Ahmad, acknowledged that his client’s decision to drive after drinking was poor judgment. According to Australia’s ABC, the lawyer described it as “impaired, impulsive and frankly foolish decision-making”. Ahmad told the court that Warner had accepted responsibility for his actions and had completed a traffic offender programme. He also highlighted the intense media attention surrounding the case, including what he described as personal attacks against the former international cricketer. Police reportedly said Warner had consumed three glasses of wine before driving towards his family home. During sentencing, Judge Farnan stressed the potential danger of making a poor decision behind the wheel. She noted that Warner’s actions could have resulted in serious consequences for other road users. “Thankfully, on this occasion that decision did not have consequences for other people,” the judge said, while noting that Warner himself had faced consequences as a result of the incident. Warner, one of Australia’s most recognisable modern cricketers, built an illustrious international career as an aggressive left-handed opener. He represented Australia across all three formats and became particularly renowned for his attacking batting at the top of the order. His career included major international triumphs and numerous memorable performances, establishing him as one of Australia’s most prominent cricketers of his generation. Warner left the Sydney court without speaking to reporters, according to AFP journalists present at the hearing. The conviction now adds a legal setback to the former Australia star’s post-playing career, with the 12-month interlock requirement set to remain in place as part of his sentence.

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    Pamala Serena admits using insider tips to bet on cricket matches

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    Netflix reality show contestant Pamala Serena has sparked widespread discussion after revealing that she used to place bets on cricket matches during her student years. The 34-year-old content creator made the confession in the latest episode of Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa, which premiered on Saturday, July 25. During the show’s weekly Judgment Day segment, Pamala pressed the buzzer before fellow contestant Sufi Motiwala, earning immunity from elimination while agreeing to reveal a personal secret. As part of the challenge, the words “match fixing” appeared on the screen, leaving Pamala visibly surprised. She quickly clarified that she had never been involved in fixing matches herself. Instead, she admitted to using insider information to place bets on cricket games while studying. According to Pamala, she had a close friend who was connected to several cricketers and occasionally received predictions about match performances and likely outcomes. She claimed the information included details about which team might win and which players were expected to perform well. Pamala explained that she was living in London at the time, where betting through licensed bookmakers is legal. Using the tips shared by her friend, she placed wagers on cricket matches and said she earned a significant amount of money through the activity. Recalling the experience, she admitted that the opportunity to make quick money appealed to her as a student. However, she stressed that she no longer views those decisions positively and regrets relying on betting for financial gain. She also clarified that while gambling was legal where she lived, she eventually realized it was not the right way to earn money. Pamala said the experience taught her an important lesson, and she no longer takes pride in that chapter of her life. Her confession immediately generated conversation among viewers on social media, with many debating the ethics of betting using insider information. While some praised her honesty for openly discussing her past, others questioned whether such actions crossed ethical boundaries despite being legal in the country where they occurred. Pamala Serena was born in the United Kingdom to Indian parents before relocating to Dubai in 2012. She rose to prominence after winning the titles of Ms Universe Dubai 2021 and Ms UAE World 2022. She later expanded her career as a content creator and reality television personality, gaining international recognition through Netflix’s Dubai Bling. Lock Upp: Sach Ya Sazaa continues to stream exclusively on Netflix, with new episodes released from Saturday through Thursday. Hosted by filmmaker Farah Khan alongside actor Riteish Deshmukh, the reality series features contestants revealing personal secrets in exchange for advantages within the competition, often leading to dramatic moments and intense reactions from fellow participants and viewers alike.

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    Sohail Afridi fires warning over Imran Khan’s sa…

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    PTI leader and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has said that the party does not want any harm to befall its founder, Imran Khan. Speaking at a press conference alongside other PTI leaders, Afridi said there was no alternative to resisting what he described as a “fake government”. He warned that young people were increasingly frustrated about their future and would come out of their homes on September 27. Afridi said PTI leaders had repeatedly sought a meeting with Imran Khan but had received no positive response. He said Khan’s family members were non-political and that both his family and lawyers were willing to give assurances that no political press conference would be held after the meeting. The chief minister also expressed concern about Khan’s health. He said the party wanted him to receive proper medical treatment and warned that PTI workers would stage a sit-in outside the Supreme Court if they were not allowed to meet him. Afridi reiterated that the party did not want Imran Khan to suffer any harm. He said PTI’s political struggle was centred around its founder and that his supporters would continue to raise their concerns over his treatment. Speaking on the occasion, PTI leader Salman Akram Raja said Imran Khan’s health was currently the party’s most important concern. Raja said no further interference with Khan’s health would be tolerated. He also indicated that the political campaign being planned by the party would continue and would not be stopped. He criticised the government and alleged that PTI supporters were being treated unfairly. He said the party would continue its political struggle against what he called an imposed government.

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    ICC member states decide Karim Khan’s future

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    The International Criminal Court (ICC) member states met on Friday to decide the future of suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct made by a former staff member. Khan has firmly denied all accusations and insists he has done nothing wrong. Representatives from the court’s 125 member countries gathered at the United Nations headquarters in New York to vote on whether Khan should continue in office or be removed permanently. The decision is being made through a secret ballot, and an absolute majority is required for a final outcome. Karim Khan stepped aside from his duties in May 2025 after the allegations emerged and an internal investigation was launched. Last month, the ICC’s governing bureau suspended him from office, stressing that the suspension was a temporary administrative measure and did not represent a final judgment on the case. During the meeting, Assembly of States Parties President Päivi Kaukoranta described the issue as a complex and sensitive disciplinary matter. She urged member states to conduct the proceedings fairly while respecting the rights, privacy and dignity of everyone involved and protecting the credibility of the court. The allegations gained wider international attention after the complainant, identified only as Sarah, publicly shared her account in a recent media interview. She alleged that repeated inappropriate behaviour by Khan eventually led to physical assault. She also said the significant difference in authority between them meant there could be no genuine consent. Khan has repeatedly denied the allegations. His legal team recently urged ICC member states not to remove him, arguing that he had not been given a fair opportunity to defend himself during the disciplinary process. His lawyers also warned that dismissing the prosecutor without proper legal safeguards could weaken the independence of future ICC prosecutors. Supporters of Khan argue that the investigation did not conclusively establish misconduct and say the case could create a dangerous precedent for future office holders. Others believe the seriousness of the allegations requires decisive action to maintain public trust in the court. Since becoming the ICC’s chief prosecutor in 2021, Khan has overseen several major international investigations. He gained global attention after seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over the Gaza conflict. The court also issued arrest warrants for several Hamas leaders during his tenure. Those decisions led to strong criticism from Israel and sanctions imposed by the United States on Khan and several ICC judges, increasing political pressure on the court. Legal experts remain divided over the case. Some argue that removing Khan is necessary to protect the ICC’s credibility and public confidence. Others maintain that any decision must be based strictly on due process and the rule of law rather than political considerations.

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