ception.
Unused pills raise issue of disposal and risks B RAND name drug makers and their ge neric counterparts rarely find themselves on the same side of an issue, but now they are making an exception. They have teamed up to fight a local law in California, the first in the nation, that makes them responsible for running — and paying for — a program that would allow consumers to turn in unused medicines for proper disposal. United Pharmacy in Berkeley, Calif., already has a bin on site to dispose of expired drugs. Such so-called drug takeback programs are gaining in popularity because of a growing realization that those leftover pills in your medicine cabinet are a potential threat to public health and the environment. Small children might accidentally swallow them and teenagers will experiment with them, advocates of the laws say. Prescription drug abusers can, and are, breaking into homes in search of them. Unused pills are sometimes flushed down the toilet, so pharmaceuticals are now polluting waterways and even drinking water. One study found the antidepressant Prozac in the brains of fish. Most such take-back programs are run by local or other government agencies. But increasingly there are calls to make the pharmaceutical industry pay. “We feel the industry that profits from the sales of these products should have the financial responsibility for proper management and disposal,” said Miriam Gordon, California director of Clean Water Action, an advocacy
Increased urban population creating problems CITY REPORTER
group. In July, Alameda County, Calif., which includes Oakland and Berkeley, became the first locality to enact such a requirement. Drug companies have to submit plans for accomplishing it by July 1, 2013. But the industry plans to file a lawsuit in United States District Court in Oakland on Friday, hoping to have the law struck down. The suit is being filed by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, or PhRMA, which represents brand-name drug companies, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association and the Biotechnology Industry Organization. James M. Spears, general counsel of PhRMA, said the Alameda ordinance violated the Constitution in that a local government was interfering with interstate commerce, a right reserved for Congress. “They are telling a company in New Jersey that you have to come in and design and implement and pay for a municipal service in California,” he said in an interview. “This program is one where the cost is shifted to companies and individuals who are not located in Alameda County and who won’t be served by it.” Mr. Spears, who is known as Mit, said that the program would cost millions of dollars a year to run and that pharmaceutical companies were “not in the waste disposal business.” He said it would be best left to sanitation departments and law enforcement agencies, which must be involved if narcotics, like pain pills, were to be transported.
Mountain Festival to be held in Capital STAFF REPORTER
I S L A M A B A D —To mark the RAWALPINDI—While address- International Mountain Day ing the monthly Ijlas of Shura Hamdard former Naval Chief Admiral Iftekhar Ahmad Serohi and other participents said that one of the main reason of our problems is high rate of increase in our urban population and it is due to the lack of basic facilities like health, education etc. If our governments plan properly, provide basic facilities and built factories in rural areas our social, economical problems will decrease and our country will develop. We need to set a limit of our urban population to bring down problems ratio. Mrs. Sadia Rashid president Hamdard Foundation preside the Ijlas and in her address she said that our urban population increase due to the urbanization in the search of basic facilities and earn their living. The idea of launching new cities after setting a limit of population in a city is from our Prophet we need to follow his teachings for the success.
and create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, a 3-day festival would be held in capital city, starting from Dec. 10 at National Art Gallery. “The festival aims to encourage the idea of ‘working together’ for mainstreaming the climate change threats, for conservation of biological diversity to bring different stakeholders and youth together for the larger and lasting impact” said Munir Ahmed informing about the objectives of the festival. Ahmed, the Festival Director and the Director DEVCOMPakistan, added that festival n also “intends to showcase the culture and livelihood and ecosystem services of our mountains.” The festival is being jointly organized by the Development Communications Network (DEVCOM-Pakistan), Ev-K2 CNR, the SEED project of the governments of Pakistan and
Italy, ICIMOD and Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA). Several mountain communities would be taking part in the exhibition that would be inaugurated by the renowned mountaineer Nazir Sabir and Mir Shahjehan Kethran, Managing Director Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). The world’s mountains encompass some of the most spectacular landscapes, a wide variety of ecosystems, a great diversity of species, and distinctive human communities. It is heartening to note that five out of world’s fourteen 8000 meter peaks are in Pakistan. Out of 100 highest peaks in the world about 50 peaks are in Pakistan. The United Nations General Assembly has designated 11 December, from 2003 onward, as International Mountain Day and it is observed every year with a different theme relevant to sustainable mountain development.
RAWALPINDI: Nursery students walking on the ramp during a function at City School, Satellite Town.
RIS teacher gains int’l acclaim CITY REPORTER I SLAMABAD—Roots International Schools has gained international recognition due to the innovative efforts of Ms. Munazza Riaz, Science Teaher at Roots Junior School, 77-A, Satellite Town. She participated in the Microsoft ITF (Innovative Teachers Forum) and represented Pakistan as well as Roots International School at the Global Forum held in Prague, Czech Republic. This forum was held from 28th November 2012 – 1st December 2012. Ms. Munazza Riaz made RIS proud by securing the first position in the “Teacher as an Innovator and Change Agent” category. The main aim of the forum was to gauge the effective use of IT by teachers and incorporation of these skills in their teaching methods. CEO Roots International Schools Mr. Walid Mushtaq has been a staunch supporter of introducing ICT in the curriculum to ensure the best education to the students of Roots. He also appreciated the efforts done by Ms. Munnaza and urged others to follow suit.
Policy finalized
Protecting the rights of senior citizens SANA JAMAL ISLAMABAD—For the well-being of senior citizens of Pakistan, the government has taken a major step by devising the policy on Rights of senior citizens. The draft of Senior Citizens Welfare Bill 2012 was presented at the consultation session where Capital Administration and Development authority finalized and assured to present Senior Citizen Bill in Parliament soon. The stakeholders who played the major role in formulating the policy and organized the consultation workshop are: National Council of Social Welfare (M/o
Capital Administration and Development Authority), HelpAge International and Pakistan National Centre on Ageing. “Present government is concerned on protection of rights of senior citizens and will extend all its support for legislation on Senior citizens rights as the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees equal rights for all citizens” said Abdul Latif Laghari, Additional Secretary, M/o Capital Administration & Development. Participants at the meeting highlighted the problems faced by senior citizens including poverty, discrimination, health, food &
nutrition, and social protection. Ms. Ajeeba Aslam, Country Director, HelpAge International, requested that Government of Pakistan should submit the draft policy and bill for approval of the cabinet and parliament as soon. Ch. Abdul Ghafoor, Secretary General, Pakistan National Center on Ageing, explained the background of the legislation and policy for the welfare of senior citizens. Zammurud Khan, Managing Director of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, assured all possible cooperation in the accomplish- I SLAMABAD —Employees of ment of noble task for the wel- Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research fare of senior citizens. (PCSIR), a sub-ordinate institution of Ministry of Science and Technology, could not get salaries of November due to shortthe administrative affairs of age of funds. According to sources, the HEC. Mr. Qamar Zaman appre- PCSIR did not get grant from ciated the initiatives taken the Ministry of Finance, thus by HEC during the last 10 2,500 employees of the instituyears. “Good performance of tion did not get their salaries for HEC management and em- the month of November as well ployees is evident from the as the increase in the salaries achievements that higher edu- from July. Moreover, 1,700 pencation sector has made over sioners of the PCSIR have also the last decade,” he said.— been deprived of pensions for last two months.—INP NNI
PCSIR employees deprived of salaries
HEC’s autonomy not under threat I SLAMABAD —Mr. Qamar Zaman Ch. presided over the meeting of Higher Education Commission’s senior management as Executive Director on Friday. The meeting was attended by all the divisional heads of HEC. Speaking on the occasion, he categorically denied the rumor that HEC’s autonomy is under threat. “Let me assure you that
HEC will continue to work as an independent entity, the current set-up is transitional and a new Executive Director will be appointed following the prescribed procedure.” The Executive Director said that HEC is only linked to the Ministry for parliamentary business and governmental interaction, and the latter has nothing to do with
Qatar National Day
Pak-Qatar strategic relations to give fillip to regional peace Pakistan is looking confidently to meet its energy needs; Doha came to rescue victims of earthquake and floods: Sayar Abdul Rahman Al-Mawdah: Raja Parvez Ashraf added exuberance to jam-packed celebrations LIAQAT TOOR
Q
ATAR, an important country and one of the biggest growing economies of Arab world maintains strategic relations with Pakistan based on mutual trust and respect. The high level exchanges in the recent past, particularly visits of top political leadership of Pakistan to Qatar gave tremendous fillip to economic and political relations. The touch of Islamic brotherhood, geographical proximity and mutual interests have given depth to such ties which are growing with the passage of time as energystarved Pakistan is confidently looking towards Doha for its energy needs, particularly supply of liquefied gas. The relations have assumed such an importance that when the ambassador of Qatar Sayar Abdul Rahman AlMawdah threw a gala function to celebrate anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohamed bin Thani , the Founder of the state of Qatar,
to the rule of the country, high kistan graced the occasion in a evening. profile personalities from Pa- local hotel on Thursday Prime
Parvez Ashraf, PML (Q) Raja leader Ch. Shujaat Hussain, Mushahid Hussain, Dr. Asim Hussain, Adviser to Prime Minister on Petroleum, a large number of members of diplomatic corps including ambassador of the United States Richard Olson thronged the grand show. Parliamentarians, businessmen, ex-diplomats, ex-militarymen and ex-civil servants were also shared the joys with the ambassador of Qatar and his team on the occasion. The gala picked up after the national anthems of both the countries were played and cake cutting ceremony was held which was jointly performed by the Prime Minister, envoy of Qatar and other diplomats and politicians. The gathering was entertained with the cultural show ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf, Ambassador of Qatar Sayar Abdul of Qatar on the two screens Rahman Al-Mawdah, President PML (Q) Chaudhry Shujat Hussain, President AJK Sardar which were also beaming the Yaqoob, Ambassador of UAE Eisa Abdullah Al Basha Al-Nuaimi and Ambassador of Iraq Dr socio-economic development Rushdi Al-Ani cutting the cake on the anniversary of the accession of Sheikh Jassim bin of Qatar. Mohamed bin Thani the founder of the State of Qatar, to the Rule of the Country, at a local A corner of the hall was hotel.—PO photo by Sultan Bashir Minister
allocated to showcase the traditional culture of Qatar. The guests were treated with warm hospitality of the hosts as traditional food was also served to the participants. The ambassador of Qatar has vigo r o u s l y worked for brining both the countries closer to each other. He is also an instrument to help Pakistanis in hours of need. The recent agreement between gas companies of both the countries will pave the way of more cooperation in energy sector. Pakistan is eager to import liquefied gas from Qatar. A large number of Pakistanis are in Qatar. Pakistan has been a traditional source of manpower supply to Qatar. The ties between Islamabad and Doha have grown to new heights which will give fillip to regional peace.