Day: December 28, 2022

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Developing countries made history at the COP-27 by establishing a “loss and damage” fund to help victims of climate disasters, said Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari

Karachi, December 28, 2022 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that developing countries made history by establishing a “loss and damage” fund to help victims of climate disasters at the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP-27 in Sharm el-Sheikh in November. This is a major development that encourages rich countries to provide financial assistance to developing countries struggling with the climate crisis, recognized globally as a historic victory after a decades-long struggle.

The result, in a special interview given to “Arab News” during his recent visit to America, he said that I am proud that Pakistan’s G. We were able to achieve this goal under the leadership of 77, Pakistan has led the global struggle for climate aid in the developing world as the chair for 2022 of G-77, a group of 134 developing countries.

Many of these countries are among the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases contribute relatively little, yet they themselves are often the most vulnerable to climate disasters. The foreign minister said that Pakistan succeeded in including the issue of “loss and damage” in the agenda of the summit ahead of COP-27, which was not an easy task. He said that developed countries need to compensate the developing world to deal with the effects of climate change, besides that as a more practical and realistic approach we have to work together.

The foreign minister said that the global south and the global north must work together, climate justice and climate-based disasters know no borders, and it doesn’t care if you are rich or poor, whether you believe in climate change. I contributed too much or you didn’t. Referring to the devastation caused by natural disasters in various countries including Pakistan, he said that we need to deal with this problem. We have to work together.

The foreign minister said that there are different views regarding the causes of climate change, the developing world’s position is that their contribution to the emissions of greenhouse gases that cause climate change is very small have not contributed as much as the developed world but still they have not benefited the way the developed world has from industrialization, so we have to find a middle ground to solve this problem.

He said that the agenda of G-77 is exactly the same and we represent the aspirations of the developing world, it is one of the largest forums of the United Nations. The foreign minister said that at the end of the one-year period, it would not be correct to say that we have succeeded in fundamentally changing the dynamics between the developing world, the global south and the global north, there is still a lot of work to be done. Bilawal Bhutto said that I am sure that we have been able to highlight some of these contradictions, particularly in the context of COP-27.

There is progress. He said that as a result of other factors including the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, we have not been able to make the necessary progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. In this regard, there is a need to endorse the proposals of the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who also call for reforms in international financial institutions so that we can achieve sustainable development goals.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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22 probable announced for New Zealand ODIs

Karachi, December 28, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Men’s Interim National Selection Committee has named 22 probable for the three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League matches against New Zealand, which will be played here at the National Bank Cricket Arena on 9, 11 and 13 January.

The selectors will announce the 16-player squad following the conclusion of the Pakistan Cup and during the second Test, which will also be played here from 2-6 January.

Opener Sharjeel Khan has been named after playing his 25th and final ODI in January 2017, while Shan Masood, who played against Australia in five ODIs in the UAE in 2019, has also been included in the probable list.

The selectors have included six players who are yet to make an ODI appearance. They are: Abrar Ahmed, Aamer Jamal, Ihsanullah, Kamran Ghulam, Qasim Akram and Tayyab Tahir.

Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi (injured) and Zahid Mehmood, who were part of the squad for the ODI series against the Netherlands, have not been named in the probable list.

Probable:

Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Aamer Jamal, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Qasim Akram, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Sharjeel Khan and Tayyab Tahir

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

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PCB responds to former Chairman Ramiz Raja 

Lahore, December 28, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Pakistan Cricket Board has expressed its disappointment over the comments made and language used by former Chairman Mr Ramiz Raja against Chairman of the PCB Management Committee Mr Najam Sethi on a social media platform and in a TV interview.

The PCB believes former Chairman Mr Raja’s comments are aimed at tarnishing and damaging the impeccable reputation of present Chairman Mr Sethi, adding it reserves its rights to pursue legal proceedings to protect and defend the image and credibility of its Chairman and the institution.

To put the record straight, the facts are as follows:

The PCB Patron, on the popular demand of cricket fans, administrators as well as former and current cricketers, exercised his constitutional right by restoring the PCB Constitution 2014 to safeguard the livelihoods, wellbeing and careers of professional cricketers as it recognised the role of departmental cricket, which was not the case in the PCB Constitution 2019 promulgated by the PTI government

PCB Chief Operating Officer Mr Salman Naseer has already rebutted Mr Raja’s allegations that he was not allowed to collect his belongings by confirming these were picked up personally by him and will be returned to Mr Raja today (Wednesday) as a part of the usual handing and taking over process. Mr Raja was never stopped from entering the Gaddafi Stadium premises and will be welcome to visit any time in future

Mr Sethi, who was elected as the PCB’s 34th Chairman in August 2017 for a three-year term, had voluntarily resigned with two years remaining in his tenure after his nominating authority had lost the 2018 general elections in July. This clearly indicates his approach and positive attitude

Similar to Mr Sethi’s appointment as Chairman of the PCB Management Committee, Mr Raja had also been elected as the PCB Chairman on the eve of the 2021-22 domestic season on 13 September 2021 and two days after the New Zealand cricket team had arrived in Islamabad on their first tour in 18 years

It is common knowledge that 10 days after Mr Raja was nominated on the Board of Governors on 27 August 2022 by the then Patron, former captains and Pakistan stalwarts Mishab-ul-Haq and Waqar Younis were on 6 September 2021 made to “step down” as head and fast bowling coaches, respectively. Just over a month later and 16 days before the first match in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 against India, three changes were made in the squad.

Azam Khan and Mohammad Hasnain were replaced by Sarfaraz Ahmed and Haider Ali, respectively, while Fakhar Zaman replaced Khushdil Shah in the 15-player squad. Later, Shoaib Malik replaced an injured Sohaib Maqsood in the side

The PCB Management Committee, in its first meeting on 23 December 2022, had approved the dissolution of all Committees, including the National Selection Committees, pursuant to the repeal of the PCB Constitution 2019 under which they had been constituted. Consequently, on 24 December 2022, the Men’s National Selection Committee, following four successive Test loses at home this year was replaced by an interim selection panel under former captain Mr Shahid Afridi

Former Chairman Mr Raja’s comparison about his and the current Chairman Mr Sethi’s expenses during his previous term is misleading and inaccurate as the circumstances are incomparable. These are elaborated as follows:

i. HBL Pakistan Super League 2016 to 2018 were held offshore, implying many visits to the UAE to organise the marquee tournament However, no PSL allowances have ever been paid to current Chairman Mr Sethi and this information has been merely presented as a potential payable. In contrast, PSL 2022 was held under former Chairman Mr Raja and was staged only in Karachi and Lahore

ii. Foreign tour expenses are high for current Chairman Mr Sethi as during his previous tenure, PSL and Pakistan’s home international matches was played outside Pakistan. Therefore, the current Chairman was required to make frequent visits to the UAE for PSL and bilateral series and for related meetings. All travel expenses were approved by the appropriate authorities and were duly audited (internally and externally)

iii. Car allowance was paid to current Chairman Mr Sethi as per the Board of Governor’s approval as he had used his personal armoured vehicle due to security threats. On the contrary, the PCB provided former Chairman Mr Raja a brand new armoured vehicle costing PKR16.5million.

iv. Security expense of current Chairman Mr Sethi was high owing to additional security that needed to be provided to him as he was a former Chief Minister of the Punjab province and the Intelligence Bureau and Special Branch Punjab had issued advised of threats to him.

v. It is pertinent to remember current Chairman Mr Sethi had sent a legal notice to the PCB regarding the table of expenses as soon as these were made public through the PCB corporate website.

The above five points clearly establish there were absolutely no improprieties in current Chairman Mr Sethi’s expenses during his previous tenure.

Current Chairman Mr Sethi is one of the most distinguished, respected and renowned personalities of the country who has not only won three international press freedom awards but is also a recipient of Hilal-e-Imtiaz. He has launched three media houses, served in the federal cabinet and was appointed as an all-parties consensus Interim Chief Minister of the Punjab province in 2013.

He has twice headed the PCB, while he also launched and headed the Pakistan Super League from 2016-2018. These not only confirm his international popularity, standing and credibility, also reflects his credentials as a skilled, qualified and experienced administrator.

Australia, England and New Zealand cricket teams’ in 2022 were part of the Future Tours Programme, which current Chairman Mr Sethi had finalised during his previous tenure. It may not be out of context to mention here that the current Chairman Mr Sethi had also invited Zimbabwe, World XI and the West Indies to play in Pakistan between 2013 and 2018 as part of his vision and strategy to revive international cricket in Pakistan.

Complete list of current Chairman Mr Sethi’s achievements during his previous tenure will be shared in due course.

The PCB expects following the above explanations, former Chairman Mr Raja will refrain from levelling unsubstantiated and baseless allegations against current Chairman Mr Sethi, which can potentially damage the cricket brand, the organisation as well as its figurehead.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk

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Borderline personality traits and emotional coping in young population 

Rawalpindi, December 28, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Psychology Colloquial Series, NUMS Department of Psychology organized its 3rd Seminar on the topic ‘Borderline Personality Traits and Emotional Coping in Young Population’ on 3rd of November, 2022. The guest speaker for the occasion was nationally and internationally acclaimed Professor Dr. Fareed Minhas (Head of the Psychiatry Department, BBSH, Retd and Consultant, Tree House, and Rawalpindi).

The event was open to the public and approximately 30 people were in attendance. Professor Dr. Shazia Khalid (Head, NUMS Department of Psychology) welcomed the august guest speaker and extended gratitude to Professor Dr. Azam Chaudhary (Dean, SSH), Dr. Arif Mahmud, directors and students who graced the occasion with their presence.

Professor Dr. Fareed Minhas began the talk by introducing the three main interest groups ‘Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD),’ ‘Cognitive Dysfunctions,’ and ‘Childhood Traumas’ on which he has been working for the past few years.

Keeping in view the event’s topic, Professor Dr. Fareed Minhas apprised the audience that Borderline Personality Traits are present since childhood and that parenting plays a monumental role in the development of these traits. He elaborated that this disorder lies on the borderline of psychosis and neurosis and also overlap with mood disorders.

The learned guest speaker, while explaining the characteristics of BPD, pointed out that such individuals have less emotional skin, have excessive fear of abandonment, experience unstable relationships, have identity disturbance, and absolutely no impulse control. They are curious about gossips, crave attention, and suffer from recurrent suicidal thoughts.

In response to the queries of the audience on the biological role in the development of the traits and disorder, Professor Dr. Fareed Minhas shared that though the neurotransmitter ‘serotonin’ may be implicated in the manifestation of borderline personality problems, childhood experiences play an even more important role. The guest speaker also shared the research evidence related to the antecedents of this disorder.

He delineated that childhood traumas such as childhood sexual abuse and physical abuse may dispose a child to a series of cognitive dysfunctions and thereby lack of impulse control and emotional deregulation becomes the marked features.

He also pointed out that the earlier the age of abuse, more is the likelihood of the damage and that the disorder may exacerbate due to chronic stress. After highlighting the features and causes of borderline personality problems, Professor Dr. Fareed Minhas discussed about the intervention strategies, which can be employed to support the patients.

He advised that as psychologists we must be careful in the selection of our words. He stressed upon letting the concerned individuals in acknowledging their feelings, giving them space, and being transparent with them.

He pointed out that evidence-based therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy have proved to be helpful in the management of Borderline Personality Traits. Lastly, Professor Dr. Fareed Minhas reiterated that mindful parenting can prevent the development of BPD. Later, the talk was followed by question answer session.

At the end of the event, Professor Dr. Shazia Khalid thanked the worthy guest speaker immensely for making time for the talk and shared the potential collaborative opportunities for advancing work on emotional coping and well-being.

For more information, contact:
National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS)
The Mall, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9270677
Email: info@numspak.edu.pk
Website: http://numspak.edu.pk

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Two-week training program on Office Management and Computer skills starts at the University of Chitral 

Chitral, December 28, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Honourable Vice Chancellor University of Chitral Prof. Dr. Zahir Shah inaugurated the two-week Training program arranged for the administrative/ supporting staff of the University of Chitral under the guidelines provided by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The Honourable Vice Chancellor in his inaugural speech mentioned the importance of the training for capacity building and enhancing the skills of the employees in the latest and emerging technologies.

He further stated that the main purpose of the training is to increase the productivity and creativity of the employees. He advised the employees to get maximum benefits from the training and equip themselves with the latest knowledge and techniques to raise the standard of the University to new heights.

For more information, contact:
University of Chitral
Chitral, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Tel: +92-943-412819
Website: https://uoch.edu.pk

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Workshop – Artificial Intelligence for Mechanical Systems and Computational Fluid Dynamics Using Open FOAM

Lahore, December 28, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Central Punjab in collaboration with the Society of Mechanical Engineers – UCP organized a workshop on “Artificial Intelligence for Mechanical Systems and Computational Fluid Dynamics using Open FOAM”.

This Interactive workshop was conducted by a team from AIMS (Artificial Intelligence for Mechanical Systems) Lab, SMME, and NUST. The research team shared their knowledge and expertise on how AI can be integrated into mechanical systems and even in a simulation software like Open FOAM.

The Session was graced by HoD Mechanical Engineering Department, Dr. Muhammad Kashif and Dean Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Rizwan Shad. Certificates of appreciation were distributed among presenters Muhammad Usama, Hasaan Idrees, Nayab Shinwari and Ayesha Jamshed by the Dean Faculty of Engineering, UCP.

For more information, contact:
University of Central Punjab (UCP)
Khayaban-e-Jinnah Road, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
Phone: +92-42-35880007
Fax: +92-42-35954892
Email: info@ucp.edu.pk
Website: https://www.ucp.edu.pk/