Pak- C hina to enhance technic al collaboration producing hybrid chilli

ISLAMABAD S tA f f R e P o R t

Pakistan and China will soon sign a deal to have technical collaboration on hybrid chilli and subsequent export of chilli to China under the China-Pakistan

Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Chairman of Pakistan Hitech Hy- brid Seed Association (PHHSA)

Shahzad Ali Malik has said that besides ongoing hybrid rice collaboration between Pakistan’s Guard Agri and China’s Longping, another agreement is going to be signed for the cultivation of hybrid chilli and subsequent export of chilli to China

He said the signing ceremony will be held during the 1st International

Food and Agriculture Exhibition on 10th – 12th August 2023 at Karachi

Expo Centre where Guard is exhibiting along with Longping and Litong Food Hybrid chilli seed will be provided by Peppara Seeds along with technical support for commercial cultivation and buyback of dried chilli for export to China will be through Litong Food,” he added Pakistan-China collaboration in the agricultural sector particularly in the development of new varieties of hybrid seeds in the private sector has significant benefits for both countries Chairman PHHSA who is also visiting China said that such projects can lead to the creation of tailored hybrid seed varieties that cater to the specific needs of Pakistani farmers and align with the country s agricultural practices and climate He emphasized that fruitful meetings between agricultural organiza-

N15 re-aligned highway of Suki Kinari hydro project opens

tions from different countries can be beneficial for exchanging knowledge technology and expertise in the field of seed development and agriculture

Hybrid seed development in Pakistan has a significant impact on food security by increasing crop productivity, resilience and nutritional value

To ensure its effectiveness there must be continued investment in research infrastructure and extension services to facilitate the adoption of hybrid seed technology by farmers across the country

73% completion Once getting functional the project will annually generate some 3 21 billion kilowatt-hours of clean electricity replacing 1 28 million tons of coal and reducing 2 52 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year It can provide affordable clean electricity to more than 1 million Pakistani households

Lahore’s grave neglect: The alarming case of water contamination

CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE adequate resources and build a support system around the athletes

ISLAMABAD M i A n A b R A R

All the athletes participating in the World University Games for Pakistan are female highlighting the potential for women s sports and the capability of Pakistani young women said Agha Hunain Abbas Khan, Acting Consul General of Pakistan in Chengdu Agha Hunain Abbas Khan told media that their success not only brings glory to their nation but also serves as a reminder for young girls aspiring to pursue sports

The all-female cast was selected on the basis of being the best during Pakistan’s recently held national games, where all of them secured gold in their chosen sport

A ten-member delegation including the five athletes is representing Pakistan in the World University Games in Chengdu, China Manisha and Maleeha, twin sisters from Gilgit Baltistan will be representing Pakistan in Taekwondo while Fiza hailing from Quetta will bring her talents on the wushu mat Uzma, studying in Faisalabad, competes in the hammer throw, while Amtul, who was the star of the national games having bagged four medals (two gold a silver and a bronze) before would try to beat her personal bests in the long and triple jump in Chengdu As Pakistan continues to nurture its sporting talent, it is crucial to provide

The Higher Education Commission is doing a great job of providing full scholarships for student-athletes, and it is hoped that various institutes can come together to build a holistic approach to ensure continued success and representation at the international level reflective of the talent of Pakistan Agha mentioned During the Opening Ceremony, the Pakistani team was welcomed with tremendously loud cheers from the Chinese audience showing the deep affection the Chinese hold for Pakistan Pakistan s Ambassador to China was present at the Opening Ceremony and later tweeted Proud moment to have the Pakistani delegation enter the stadium amongst loud clapping and a standing ovation at the opening ceremony of FISU World University Games Chengdu

It is worth mentioning that 6 500 athletes from 113 countries and regions are participating in the 31st FISU World University Games which kicked off on Friday at Dongan Sports Stadium in Chengdu the capital of southwest China s Sichuan Province and games will conclude on August 8

The province is famous for spicy food and Panda which is the symbol of Chinese Culture around the globe

ISLAMABAD

Minister for Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Monday said he received a call from Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen, and raised deep concern on the recent incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran in Denmark and other European countries

In a tweet on social media platform Twitter he said "I received a call from Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen and raised our deep concern on the recent incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran in Denmark and other European countries

While acknowledging the Danish government's outreach to the Muslim world and condemnation of these abhorrent acts, I stressed the need for stopping Islamophobic acts that hurt the sentiments of Muslims across the world Also emphasised the need to promote interfaith harmony and religious tolerance "

The case of Shadi Pura as well as those of the other 6 E coli infected sites illustrate that the enormous disinterest of the government has now begun to translate into a tangible health and safety catastrophe within Lahore

However much like our past learnings if the government decides to shove another case under their mounting carpet, they will again see that calamities do not restrict themselves to a spatial setting and that their ramifications are soon experienced through upheavals in the entire region

Bajaur blast: CTD registers FIR against unidentified terrorists

PESHAWAR S tA f f R e P o R t

In the aftermath of the devastating Bajaur suicide blast a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), Bajaur on Monday

According to the details, the FIR has been filed against unknown terrorist(s) on the complaint of Station House Officer –Kharniaz Muhammad and encompasses charges of terrorism murder attempted murder, and other relevant sections As per Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) spokesperson, the inquiry team established to investigate the blast visited the site and collected crucial evidence from the crime scene Additionally the investigation team also reached out to the individuals injured in the blast to record their statements

Meanwhile, the wounded victims are receiving essential medical attention at the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) The hospital officials revealed that a total of 16 injured individuals from the blast were brought to LRH for treatment The hospital staff has been tirelessly working to stabilize the patients and facilitate their recovery process According to the hospital spokesperson, four of the injured required immediate medical surgery to save their lives however the majority of the injured are now in stable condition with only one remaining in the intensive care unit (ICU) In a show of solidarity and support for the victims, the Corps Commander of Peshawar District Headquarters personally visited the hospital

Dim i n ishi n g re tu rn s

Th e re’s o n l y s o m u c h a h i g h i nte re s t rate c a n d o

T

there’s lots that the central bank does But in much of the public’s imagination it is just a giant lever that decides what the interest rate is going to be And, after a series of increases, the monetary policy committee has decided that the interest rate is to be left unchanged

This is both surprising and not surprising at all

Surprising, because it is, apparently, what the IMF wanted Not surprising, because by now everyone in Pakistan at least is aware of the diminishing returns of raising the interest rates when it comes to fighting inflation

The SBP has justified its decision by citing a decrease in year-on-year inflation But that does not mean we re out of the woods yet In fact, we aren t even close to entering the thickest part of the forest Because when the Fund’s conditions are going to be met we are going to see galloping inflation specially on the fuel and utilities’ front But even that does not mean that the central bank will have to raise interest rates eventually Because that inflation - much like the current sort - is definitely cost-push inflation, not demand-pull inflation No amount of sucking excess liquidity out of the money market is going to fix that Our interest rates are already at perhaps some of the highest in our entire history

Yo u t h B u l g e

A s t r e n g t h t u r n i n g i n t o a w e a k n e s s

Muneeb ur rahMan

OV E R the years, young people have been taught that education is the key to success and it will open new opportunities for them However the rising unemployment rate in Pakistan raises several concerns Most graduates question whether education is worth investing in, especially when majority of young graduates in the neighborhood are either unemployed or working for low wages

In Pakistan 31% of educated young people are currently unemployed and it is a serious problem, especially for new graduates Due to the lack of practical experience and skills, these graduates initially struggle to find employment Pakistani employers believe that universities and colleges fail to supply them with workers who have the requisite skills in demand because there are less connections and a misalignment between educational programs and market demands and needs

Our colleges and universities have evolved into automated systems for awarding degrees only In 2020–21 Pakistan produced roughly 471 306 university graduates However there is no formal guidance for students choosing their career path and choosing a particular course of

SO, what about cousin marriage? R K , my Facebook friend from Canada, recently asked during one of our frequent discussions on religion ‘What about it?’

‘I asked him right back Well it seems Islam forgot to tell its followers about its genetic dangers Unless it was unaware of the problem before science uncovered the risks involved, R K retorted

R K is a diehard fan of the Western way of life

In fact, having immigrated to Canada in his thirties, he is more Western than most born-and-bred Westerners But unlike the typical Westerner he is not content with the separation of church and state (or mosque and state) If he had his say church and mosque would altogether disappear from the face of the earth He therefore loses no opportunity to denounce religion

With him, as with many others like him, cousin marriage is one of the go-to options when he does not have anything else to say What the ‘argument’ lacks in soundness it more than makes up for in simplicity Islam is condemned by attacking cousin marriages on medical grounds Interestingly, and I speak from experience, if someone were to respond by pointing out the medical hazards of alcohol, this enthusiast of the Western way of life is apt to shrug his shoulders and behave as though he does not understand a word of what is being said – the other person might as well be speaking Greek In his heart of hearts he is perfectly aware of the medical and legal implications of alcohol Provided he is even moderately intelligent, he also knows that he is guilty of inconsistency when he passionately points out the genetic risks of cousin marriages but sweeps under the carpet the much more immediate dangers inherent in the consumption of alcohol The poor man hardly has an option for consistency is a luxury he can ill afford Being consistent would mean attacking the very cornerstone of the Western civilization He is way too deeply invested in what the West stands for to even contemplate that

The fact of the matter is that teaching of medical science to mankind was never the stated goal of Islam Like all prohibitions the prohibition of liquor is based on moral not medical grounds It is alco- study Additionally university training programs and courses are of poor quality and do not meet market demands

In its truest sense education is about preparing young people for their future, not only for degrees It plays a key role in the creation of new knowledge and the invention of new technologies that benefit mankind It provides students with the knowledge skills and behavior that will help them succeed in both their academic and general lives and ultimately create a peaceful and prosperous world The world economy is intertwined and not everyone needs a college degree to be successful in life Technical vocational education and training, which offers a chance to develop specialized knowledge and skills for employment is highly valued in most of the developed countries Numerous studies demonstrate that hiring employers prefer to hire people who already have the necessary skills over training unskilled workers I n C h i n a a n d m o s t o f t h e d e v e l o p e d c o u ntries, educational institutions focus on develo p i n g s k i l l e d t a l e n t w i t h t h e s k i l l s t o d r i v e i n n o v a t i o n a n d c o n t r i b u t e t o e c o n o m i c growth This is achieved by working closely with the industry to ensure that we have an adequate workforce for the specific needs of various industries Pakistani universities need to design the courses and degrees in collaboration with the industries to meet industrial needs, but so far, no coordinated action has been taken in this direction Technical and vocational training is also a key missing element in Pakistan s education sector In South Asia Pakistan performs the lowest in terms of technical and vocational education and training There are only 3,798 vo- hol s devastating effect on a man s judgment, not on his liver, that makes it a religious issue

Accepted in certain cultures and utterly unacceptable in others cousin marriage is nothing more and nothing less than a cultural thing For the record far from enjoining it Islam does not even recommend it The most that can be said is that the Quran does not prohibit it (Neither does the Bible for that matter ) To put things in perspective, Islam does not prohibit sugar either which by all accounts is extremely harmful for the human body The philosophy of Islam in matters outside the domain of worship could not be any simpler: It only interferes in such matters if and only if there are moral implications involved Even then it merely defines the broad boundaries Inside those boundaries, the individual is supposed to refer to experts of that field of inquiry and use his own judgment Islam does prohibit marriage with certain individuals; but that is based on moral considerations, which alone are the business of religion It leaves the medical aspects of marriage to medical science and its practitioners and encourages the individual to exercise his best judgment while making his decision Physical health though not a theme of religion has no-doubt always been an important consideration for mankind, and rightly so The concerned in- dividuals should rest assured that Islam has never discouraged anybody from deferring to expert medical opinion on matters pertaining to health and physical well-being

To come back to marriag e:

cational training institutions in Pakistan with limited only to 500,000 trainees capacity On the other hand youth unemployment is estimated to increase by 1 5 million annually Morover inadequate skills lack of industrial connectivity lack of teachertrainings lack of female participation and lack of government funding are all features of Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Pakistan Another common behavior is that young people prefer generally higher education to vocational training This system and mind set needs a major shift Pakistan could and must benefit enormously from shifting their education system towards technical and vocational courses Pakistan can learn from the major economies of both the East and the West To accomplish the goal we do not need massive institutions and universities Urban and rural educational institutions, both have existing facilities that can be used or upgraded for a variety of vocational courses and trainings TVET is an urgent national need for Pakistan s growing youth population Young potential should be tapped using effective TVET development and deploym e n t strategies Government funding for TVET institutions and programs for skill development and training needs to be increased Additionally new legislation should be passed to allow large medium and small enterprises to participate in the development of technical education Participation in technical training by women, who constitute 52 percent of the population, should also be encouraged The aim should be to equip young people with the market-oriented traditional high-tech skills they need to advance their careers with the aim of raising their productivity to international standards, only then we can convert the growing despair among youth into hope

There are no guarantees of success, of course , but one must shirk nothing within oneÊs power

To come back to marriage: When you set out to select your life partner, by all means try and cover as many bases as possible: compatibility, health, looks, brains background etc There are no guarantees of success of course but one must shirk nothing within one s power What is true of holy matrimony is also true of any other matter outside the ambit of worship If Islam forbids men from eating certain foods or forbids devouring usury it is based solely on ethical considerations After specifying the four corners (only where necessary), it does not concern itself with the other details The rest is for the individual (or the society) to sort out based on empirical evidence N o r e l i g i o n o r p h i l o s op h y s h o u l d b e c o n s i d e r e d too holy to be beyond criticism; but it is equally unfair t o a t t a c k a r e l i g i o n o n m a tters it has nothing to do with C r i t i c i s e r e l i g i o n a l l y o u want; but for your own sake if not for anybody else s be a little more reasonable than t h a t M y m e s s a g e t o R K , and by extension to all like him, is this: I am sure you are better than this It is high time y o u realized it as well

The author is a connoisseur of music literature and food (but not drinks) He can be reached at www facebook com/hasanaftabsaeed

Ed i t o r ’ s m a i

l S e n d y o u r l e t t e r s t o : L e t t e r s t o E d i t o r Pakistan Today 4 - S h a a re y F a t i m a J i n n a h L a h o re P a k i s t a n E - m a i l : l e t t e r s @ p a k i s t a n t o d a y c o m p k L e t t e r s s h o u l d b e a d d re s s e d t o Pakistan Today e x c l u s i v e l y

Electric vehicles

W I T H everything that is going on in the country’s economy the government should actively encourage people to convert their vehicles such as motorcycles rickshaws and smaller cars from petrol to electric In our region such a conversion costs anywhere from the equivalent of Rs50,000 to Rs250,000 Kits may be available from companies from Vietnam or China

The cost of operating these converted e-vehicles would be about onefifth of what it would be if they were running on petrol The kits may be subsidised by the government and commercial banks may also be encouraged to issue loans for the purpose

Some local auto manufacturers have been raising the prices of their brands and even then they are shutting down plants because there are no buyers If this continues, many workers would become unemployed, adding to the overall economic burden

Some of these companies should be encouraged to produce electric versions of their vehicles and to start converting the existing vehicles to set the ball in motion and then to keep it rolling DR SYED ARIF KAZMI KARACHI

Liaquat , the leader

Q U I T E a few letters have appeared in these columns in recent times lamenting the absence of Liaquat Ali Khan from the portraits of the founding fathers that adorned the celebratory currency note issued by the State Bank of Pakistan to mark the 75th anniversary of the country s Independence Day

As a biographer of Pakistan’s first prime minister (Liaquat Ali Khan: His Life and Work Oxford 2003 with many reprints) I want to add that the character assassination of Liaquat was the precursor of attacks on Mohammad Ali Jinnah at the Karachi Adab Festival in 2020 Seasoned writer Javed Jabbar had responded to that propaganda by quoting excerpts from Ishtiaq Ahmed s book, stressing that the assassination of Liaquat was a deep-rooted conspiracy

The late Dr Safdar Mahmood, while he was education secretary, had straightaway named Ghulam Muhammad and Mushtaq Gurmani as the abettors (Barg-i-Gul Karachi Federal Urdu College Magazine 1999 Pp4144) while Syed Muhammad Zul- qarnain Zaidi established that Liaquat was shot in the back and that Said Akbar was not the murderer (Pakistan Perspectives, University of Karachi, Vol XIII: January-June, 2008)

The story of the Quaid-i-Azam s broken ambulance is widely cited as a condemnation of Liaquat, while Brig Noor A Husain, the ADC of the governor-general on duty, wrote that the first ambulance had been chosen by the governor-general’s military secretary and Liaquat was following the second ambulance in his car (The News March 23 1995)

On the pages of Dawn itself (March 13 2019) Liaquat was accused of having turned Pakistan into a theocracy through the Objectives Resolution

This is despite the fact that the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan Debates (Vol V, p5) carries these words from Liaquat: Sir, I just said that the people are the real recipients of power This naturally eliminates any danger of the establishment of a theocracy ”

As for the prime minister ’s Russian invitation Liaquat said before embarking on his trip to the United States that the erstwhile Soviet Union s invitation was outstanding and he was waiting for a date as the host country had advanced the date (Karachi Press Conference, Aug 23, 1950)

Lastly, people would do well to read John Connell (Auchinleck, London, Cassell, 1959, Pp 872-873) If they do, they will find that it was Liaquat who was named as the leading personality in having Indian armed forces divided DR MUHAMMAD REZA

PR E-B I RT H mental development also known as prenatal or fetal development, is the process of brain and cognitive development that occurs in the unborn baby during pregnancy It is a critical period during which the brain undergoes significant growth and differentiation In the context the key points include: a Early Stages of Development: Prenatal development begins shortly after conception when the fertilized egg (zygote) starts dividing and developing into an embryo The first eight weeks of pregnancy are referred to as the embryonic period, during which the basic structures of the brain and central nervous system begin to form b Neural Tube Formation: Around the third week of pregnancy the neural tube starts to develop which eventually becomes the brain and spinal cord Proper nutrition during this time, including folic acid intake, is essential to prevent neural tube defects c Fetal Period: After the eighth week, the embryonic period ends, and the fetal period begins During this phase the brain continues to grow and mature rapidly d Brain Development: By the end of the second trimester (around 24 weeks) most of the neurons in the fetal brain are already formed The third trimester is characterized by rapid growth and increased complexity of brain connections e Sensory Development: As the brain develops, the fetus’s senses also begin to function Sensory experiences such as hearing sounds responding to touch and even tasting the amniotic fluid contribute to early brain stimulation f Interconnection with Mother: The developing fetus is connected to the mother both physically and emotionally through the placenta and umbilical cord The mother s emotional state can potentially influence the fetus through stress hormones and other biochemical signals g Role of Genetics: Genetic factors also play a crucial role in pre-birth mental development The genes inherited from both parents contribute to brain development and cognitive potential Thus, providing proper prenatal care, a healthy environment, and maternal well-being are vital for supporting the best possible outcomes for the developing baby

S: Pre-birth mental health and nutritious food are interconnected and play crucial roles in supporting opti-