PM in Baku to present Pakistan’s ‘climate priorities’ at COP29 summit today

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Updated 12 November 2024
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PM in Baku to present Pakistan’s ‘climate priorities’ at COP29 summit today

PM in Baku to present Pakistan’s ‘climate priorities’ at COP29 summit today
  • The annual UN climate summit, which opened on Monday, is expected to see tough talks on finance and trade
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif will call on developed nations to undertake deeper emission cuts, Pakistani foreign office says

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif joined world leaders in Baku on Tuesday for the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29), scheduled to continue till Nov. 22, where the premier said Pakistan would present its climate priorities and call for commitments that usher in “real, measurable impact.”
The annual UN climate summit, which opened on Monday, is expected to see tough talks on finance and trade, following a year of weather disasters that have emboldened developing countries in their demands for climate cash. Nearly 200 countries are gathering for the summit, where reaching a consensus for a deal among so many will be difficult.
Sharif will address the World Leaders Climate Action Summit on Nov. 13, while he will also attend several high-level events on the sidelines of the summit and hold bilateral meetings with world leaders, Pakistan’s foreign office said in an earlier statement. Pakistan will also host several high-level events and roundtable discussions at the Pakistan Pavilion during COP29.
“Just landed in Baku, a city that beautifully bridges cultures and continents— symbolizing the unity we need to overcome our shared climate challenges,” Sharif wrote on social media platform X. “At #COP29, Pakistan will present its climate priorities, calling for commitments that bring real, measurable impact.” 
The Pakistani premier was welcomed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev upon his arrival to the plenary. Later, he also posed for a family photo along with other world leaders at the venue. 




People walk outside the venue for the COP29 U.N. Climate Summit on November 9, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (AP)

Pakistan is ranked the 5th most vulnerable country to climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. In 2022, devastating floods killed over 1,700 people and affected over 33 million, with economic losses exceeding $30 billion. International donors last January committed over $9 billion to help Pakistan recover from the ruinous floods but little of that cash has yet to trickle in, according to officials.
Pakistan also regularly faces other climate change-induced affects such as droughts, cyclones, torrential rainstorms and heatwaves. Currently, record-high air pollution levels have triggered hundreds of hospitalizations, school closures and stay-at-home orders in the eastern city of Lahore and other cities in the populous Punjab province, which has been enveloped in a thick, toxic smog since last month.
A mix of low-grade fuel emissions from factories and vehicles, exacerbated by agricultural stubble burning, blanket Lahore and its surroundings each winter, trapped by cooler temperatures and slow-moving winds. The city of 14 million people stuffed with factories on the border with India regularly ranks among the world’s most polluted cities, but it has hit record levels this month, as has New Delhi.
Pakistan’s foreign office said in an earlier statement that it will call for “balanced and ambitious progress” on all issues such as loss and damage, adaptation, mitigation and means of implementation. The foreign office said Islamabad would seek predictable financing to address developing countries’ climate goals. 
“Pakistan will also underscore the historical responsibility and the principle of Equity and Common but Differentiated Responsibility and call on developed nations to undertake deeper emission cuts,” the statement said. 
Officials said this month Pakistan will urge developed countries at COP29 to fulfill past pledges and provide easy access to climate funding without attaching conditions.
“Pakistan is very clear on our stance on what we need from all the developed countries when it comes to the pledges, one, they need to complete their pledges, they need to fulfill their pledges, and two, easy access to the fundings,” Romina Khurshid Alam, PM Shehbaz Sharif’s coordinator on climate change, told Arab News in an interview on Nov. 8.


Afghanistan cricket team arrive in Pakistan to play first Champions Trophy tournament 

Afghanistan cricket team arrive in Pakistan to play first Champions Trophy tournament 
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Afghanistan cricket team arrive in Pakistan to play first Champions Trophy tournament 

Afghanistan cricket team arrive in Pakistan to play first Champions Trophy tournament 
  • Led by Hashmatullah Afridi, Afghanistan will play first match against South Africa on Feb. 19
  • Afghanistan have been placed in Group B with Australia, South Africa and England 

ISLAMABAD: Afghanistan’s national cricket team arrived in the eastern city of Lahore on Wednesday to play their first Champions Trophy tournament, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said with only days left for the international tournament to kick off. 

The eight-nation tournament kicks off in the southern port city of Karachi on Feb. 19. Defending champions Pakistan will take on New Zealand in the city in the tournament opener whereas Afghanistan will kick off the event with their first encounter against South Africa in the same city. 

Led by skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan will play their second match of the tournament against England in Lahore on Feb. 21 before meeting Australia on Feb. 28 in the eastern city. 

“Afghanistan’s cricket team have arrived in Lahore to take part in the Champions Trophy,” the PCB said in a statement. “This is the first time that Afghanistan are taking part in the Champions Trophy.”

Afghanistan were dealt a blow when teenage spinner AM Ghazanfar was ruled out of the tournament due to a back injury this week. 

“Afghanistan’s young spin-bowling sensation, AM Ghazanfar, has been ruled out of the ICC Champions Trophy due to a fracture in the L4 vertebra, specifically in the left pars interarticularis,” the team confirmed via a statement.

“He sustained the injury during Afghanistan’s recently held tour Zimbabwe, and will be sidelined for a minimum of four months and will remain under treatment during this period.”

Afghanistan’s spin department is already missing experienced spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman. 

Squad: 

Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Gulbadin Naib, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharoti, Noor Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Farid Malik, Naveed Zadran. Reserves: Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami


Pakistan car sales surge by 61 percent YoY due to lower interest rates, newer variants— report 

Pakistan car sales surge by 61 percent YoY due to lower interest rates, newer variants— report 
Updated 12 February 2025
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Pakistan car sales surge by 61 percent YoY due to lower interest rates, newer variants— report 

Pakistan car sales surge by 61 percent YoY due to lower interest rates, newer variants— report 
  • Pakistan’s central bank has slashed interest rates from all-time high of 22 percent in June 2024 to 12 percent 
  • Two and three-wheelers’ sales increased by 33 percent year-on-year and 18 percent month-on-month, says brokerage house

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s car sales surged by 61 percent year-on-year (YoY) in January due to lower interest rates, increased customer confidence and newer variants entering the market, a top brokerage house said in its report this week. 

Pakistan car sales were clocked in at 17,010 units in January 2025, reflecting a 61 percent YoY surge and a 73 percent month-on-month (MoM) increase, Topline Securities said in its report on Tuesday. 

Pakistan’s central bank last month announced cutting its key interest rate by 100 basis points to 12 percent. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has slashed rates from an all-time high of 22 percent in June 2024 in one of the most aggressive moves among central banks of emerging markets. Lower interest rates charged by the SBP means commercial banks also lower the interest rates they charge on loans, including auto loans. 

“The YoY rise in car sales is driven by lowered interest rates, improved consumer confidence, and the introduction of newer variants and models,” Topline Securities said in its report. 

“MoM increase is primarily due to the low base effect, as December sales are typically low with buyers delaying purchases for new-year registrations, and SAZEW data not being released leading to an uptick in January,” it added. 

For the seven months of the current financial year, 7MFY25, auto sales have surged to 77,686 units, a 55 percent YoY rise from 49,989 units in 7MFY24.

It said all auto companies have seen a rise in YoY and MoM car sales. 

“Two and three-wheelers’ sales increased by 33 percent YoY and 18 percent MoM totaling to 139,161 units (2.5-year high) in January 2025,” the report said. 

It said the tractor industry recorded sales of 2,761 units, marking a 28 percent YoY and 61 percent MoM decrease, while truck and bus sales in Jan 2025 were up 2.57x YoY and 3.22x MoM, reaching 621 units after 3 years (last recorded in January 2022).

 “Auto sales have seen a boost and this is expected to continue as auto financing recovers amidst interest rates fall and new variants enter the market,” the report concluded. 


Pakistan PM vows to deepen cooperation with IAEA for peaceful nuclear use

Pakistan PM vows to deepen cooperation with IAEA for peaceful nuclear use
Updated 12 February 2025
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Pakistan PM vows to deepen cooperation with IAEA for peaceful nuclear use

Pakistan PM vows to deepen cooperation with IAEA for peaceful nuclear use
  • The top IAEA official Rafael Mariano Grossi is visiting Pakistan on a two-day official visit
  • He will meet political leaders, attend seminars and visit a nuclear power generation site

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to enhancing collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to maximize nuclear technology for peaceful purposes during his interaction with the top agency official, his office said on Wednesday.
IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi is visiting Pakistan on a two-day official visit to meet key political leaders, attend seminars and visit a nuclear power generation site.
The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, promotes the safe and peaceful use of nuclear technology worldwide. Pakistan has collaborated with the agency since 1957 and operates a civil nuclear power program under IAEA safeguards.
While Pakistan is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has voluntary safeguards agreements with the IAEA and actively works to ensure its nuclear facilities comply with international safety standards.
“The PM reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to further strengthening its collaboration with the IAEA to harness the full potential of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes,” the PM office said in a statement following Sharif’s meeting with Grossi in Islamabad.
“During the meeting, the peaceful applications of nuclear technology in various sectors including cancer diagnostics and treatment, agriculture, food preservation, water management and industry were discussed.”
It added that Sharif praised the UN nuclear watchdog’s efforts in promoting nuclear energy to combat climate change, highlighting Pakistan’s “productive and mutually beneficial partnership” with the IAEA over the decades.
“With the IAEA’s support, Pakistan has made significant progress in nuclear power generation, industrial development, health care, and agricultural advancements, contributing to the country’s socio-economic growth,” the PM office said.
The statement added that Grossi appreciated Pakistan’s “constructive and longstanding” engagement with the UN nuclear watchdog, saying the IAEA would continue working with Pakistan in the same spirit.
Pakistan, a member of the IAEA Board of Governors, has been advocating for membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), arguing that its nuclear program meets international safeguards standards.
The South Asian country actively participates in IAEA conferences, policy discussions and technical workshops, demonstrating its commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear technology.


Journalists’ union in southwest Pakistan launches hunger strike against new cybercrime law

Journalists’ union in southwest Pakistan launches hunger strike against new cybercrime law
Updated 12 February 2025
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Journalists’ union in southwest Pakistan launches hunger strike against new cybercrime law

Journalists’ union in southwest Pakistan launches hunger strike against new cybercrime law
  • Bill creates four new government bodies to regulate online content, broadens the definition of online harm
  • Parliament adopted amendments last month in the context of what is widely seen as a digital crackdown

QUETTA: A union of journalists in the southwestern Pakistani province of Balochistan on Wednesday set up a hunger strike camp to protest recent amendments to the country’s cybercrime law that opposition parties, the media fraternity and digital rights activists have widely said threaten online speech.

The Pakistan Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, enacted on January 29, includes provisions making the dissemination of “fake or false” information a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison without clearly defining “fake or false” news. Stakeholders like journalists and digital rights experts say they were excluded from consultations on the bill, which prevented genuine public scrutiny of the new law. The government denies the law is aimed at suppressing digital speech.

The amendments to the Electronic Crimes Act create four new government bodies to regulate online content and broaden the definition of online harm. The government bodies are authorized to block and remove content based on “ambiguous” criteria that do not meet the standards of proportionality and necessity required under international human rights law, rights bodies like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty have said.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) last week challenged the new law before the Islamabad High Court, urging it to strike them down for being “unconstitutional.” Journalists and their unions have also held protests against the amendments in several cities across the country. 

On Wednesday, the Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ) launched a three-day hunger strike camp outside the Quetta Press Club, calling the new law “draconian.”

“Though the government says the amendments were proposed and approved to prevent fake news on social media, we are concerned that the government would target print and electronic media under the PECA Act also,” BUJ President Khalil Ahmed told Arab News.

He said the impoverished Balochistan province’s issues, including social and economic underdevelopment and security, did not get adequate coverage on mainstream media and many journalists from the region used online platforms to highlight the challenges. 

“Journalists in Balochistan province would be affected under this act because the majority of journalists here are forced to discuss provincial issues on social media platforms through vlogs and blogs,” Ahmed said, adding that the BUJ’s protest movement would continue until the government abolished the new amendments to the PECA Act.

Saleem Shahid, a senior journalist and former vice president of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, described the new law as being against “basic human rights.”

“Under these news amendments, authorities can detain journalists without giving them a chance of a legal trial in courts and fine them rupees two to three million rupees,” Shahid said. 

“When we speak about freedom of speech and independent journalism, we should be more responsible and pursue ethics of journalism.”

One of the regulatory bodies created under the new law, the Social Media Protection Tribunal, comprises government-appointed members rather than independent members of the judiciary.

Another new body, the Social Media Protection and Regulation Authority, is authorized to order any social media company to remove or block content deemed to be “against the ideology of Pakistan,” be known to be “fake or false,” or to cast aspersions on various public officials. The authority can also require any social media company to register with it and impose any conditions it deems “appropriate” upon registration.

Parliament adopted the amendments last month in the context of what is widely seen as an escalating crackdown on digital speech in Pakistan, including frequently shutting down the Internet and throttling Internet networks. 

The social media platform X has already been banned since days after February general elections last year as allegations of rigging emerged online. There are regular reports of VPN restrictions, and the government is also moving to implement a national firewall, though it denies these moves are aimed at censorship.


South Africa win toss, bat against Pakistan in tri-series

South Africa win toss, bat against Pakistan in tri-series
Updated 12 February 2025
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South Africa win toss, bat against Pakistan in tri-series

South Africa win toss, bat against Pakistan in tri-series
  • Both teams lost their opening match against New Zealand and have made changes
  • The winning team will face New Zealand in the final scheduled for Friday in Karachi

KARACHI: South Africa won the toss and chose to bat against Pakistan in the third match of the three-nation tournament in Karachi on Wednesday.
South Africa, who lost to New Zealand in their first game, made four changes, with star batter Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Corbin Bosch and Tony de Zorzi coming into the side.
Pakistan made two changes from their defeat against New Zealand in the first match in Lahore, bringing in Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Hasnain in place of injured Haris Rauf and Kamran Ghulam.
The winner will face New Zealand in the final scheduled for Friday, also in Karachi.
Teams
Pakistan: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Abrar Ahmed
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Kyle Verreynne, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Wiaan Mulder, Tabraiz Shamsi, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi
Umpires: Asif Yaqoob (PAK) and Michael Gough (ENG)
TV Umpire: Richard Illingworth (ENG)
Match referee: David Boon (AUS)