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Saturday 14 January 2017

GWADAR (News2World) - Two maritime patrol vessels built in China for Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) have arrived at Gwadar Port today (Saturdy).

The ships have been named as PMSS Hingol and PMSS Basol. Availability of these latest ships to PMSA will further secure the sea against all crimes including terrorism.

China and Pakistan are currently building the nearly 3,000-km-long economic corridor linking Pakistan’s Gwadar port on the Arabian Sea with Xinjiang to improve connectivity between the two countries. The move would open up a new and cheaper cargo route for transporting oil to China as well as export of Chinese goods to the Middle East and Africa.

A Pakistan Navy official said the role of maritime forces has increased since the country has made the Gwadar port operational and speeded up economic activities under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Pakistan Navy’s Marines, PMSA vessels and personnel are presently engaged in guarding all sea port as well as escorting and providing complete protection to critical LNG supplies at Port Qasim.

Unprecedented increase in maritime activity and contemporary threats in maritime areas warrant further enhancement in capability of Pakistan Navy and PMSA not only to counter threats against traditional challenges but also asymmetric threats particularly those being sponsored and perpetrated by Pakistan’s traditional enemies.

Friday 13 January 2017

ABBOTTABAD (AP TV): Daily life was crippled in the hilly parts of Hazara Division on Friday after heavy snowfall and rain continued to lash different parts of the region for the third consecutive day on Friday.

Business activities remained suspended in many areas, while tourists were also not allowed to visit places beyond Kaghan owing to land sliding and the lingering fear of getting stranded.

Officials told The Express Tribune that most of the roads remained blocked for traffic owing to the heavy snowfall. The most affected areas were Galiyat areas in Abbottabad, Mansehra, Bhogarmang valley, and Kaghan valley.

Nathiagali and Ayubia in Abbottabad received 1.5 to 1.75 feet of snow, while the hills of Galiyat region received 1.75 to two feet of snow till Friday evening, locals and officials said. Snowfall is expected to continue throughout the night.

Officials added that the main Abbottabad-Murree Road and all link roads, including Ayubia Road, had been blocked at different places.

“Almost all the link roads in the valley have been blocked due to snow,” Donga Gali police told The Express Tribune.

The rain and snow also interrupted power supply to different parts of Galiyat.

PESCO sources confirmed that power lines had snapped after trees laden with snow fell in the forested areas. However, the official said that their staff were busy locating the line breaks and fixing the fault.

Similarly, the Kaghan valley had between two to three feet of snow on Friday. Babusar Top and other surrounding high altitude areas had received three to four feet of snow. As a result of the snow and land sliding, the Kaghan Road was blocked at different places. The road blockages forced the local administration to ban the entry of tourists to the Kaghan valley.

“Tourists going beyond Kaghan town are at risk as they could get stranded due to land sliding and snowfall,” police officials said.

However, the snowfall has only proven to be a magnet, especially for domestic tourists, with social media awash with pictures of people enjoying the snow or of cars slowly snaking up the hillsides.

Motorists heading to Gilgit-Baltistan via Babusar Top had been diverted towards Kohistan, police said.

Apart from Mansehra and Abbottabad, Chattarplane, Bogarmang valleys, Battagram, Torghar and Kohistan also re

ceived snowfall. It blocked several link roads in Kohistan, Torghar and Battagram.

Th Sharah-e-Kagan was blocked at Sharkool while the Karakoram Highway was also blocked at different places in Kohistan, police confirmed.

Roads blocked in AJK

Roads heading to the Neelum and Leepa valleys in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), have also been blocked due to ongoing heavy snowfall and rains in the area which continued for a fourth day on Friday.

All linking routes have also been blocked for all kinds of traffic in the area.

According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), over six feet snowfall was recorded in Neelum Valley’s Keel sector whereas eight to ten feet was observed on hills.

The meteorological department has predicted further snowfall over the hills in Malakand, Hazara, Galyat and Kashmir over the next 12 hours with mostly cold and dry weather expected elsewhere in the region.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2017.

LAHORE(News92World): The Lahore High Court has sought the comments of the Lahore Parks and Horticultural Authority head on the chopping down of trees for construction of different development projects. On Friday, Justice Ayesha A Malik directed Shakil Ahmed to file his reply by the last week of February on a petition of Advocate Sheraz Zaka against the felling of trees for Metro Train’s Orange Line, signal-free corridor and the widening of Canal Road.

The petitioner argued the Punjab government gave an undertaking in the Supreme Court that for every tree cut, the authorities would plant 10 trees. But this undertaking was never complied with.

Advocate Sheraz contended the fundamental rights of citizens were at stake and Lahore was becoming one of the most polluted cities in the world due to the cutting of trees and also due to the increasing pollution.

He added 620 trees were cut down for construction of Orange Line and widening of Canal Road from the Doctors Hospital to Thokar Niaz Baig and in the outskirts of Harbanspura. In the name of development, the government was turning Lahore into a concrete jungle, he alleged.

To ensure biodiversity and food security in Punjab, the government should formulate and implement the Punjab Forest Policy to enhance the forest cover up to 25% and take actions to stop deforestation, the petitioner said.

Sheraz had also requested the court to issue notices to the chief minister but the judge declined the request, remarking that questions should first be asked from the PHA.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th, 2017.

Thursday 12 January 2017

KARACHI (News92World) – Governor of Sindh, Justice (r) Saeed-uz-Zaman Siddiqui has died on Wednesday at age of 78 while under treatment in a private hospital.

Funeral prayers of Sindh governor will be offered at Polo Ground in Karachi tomorrow (Friday).

On the other hand, Sindh Bar Council has suspended judicial matters.

Siddiqui was earlier shifted to a private hospital over ailment. He is regarded as the 31st Governor of Sindh who was sworn in on November 11, 2016. He served as the Governor of Sindh for two months.

The federation had appointed the late Zaman last year after Dr Ishratul Ibad was relieved of his services.

Dr Ibad, belonging to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was relieved from the post last year after he served for at least 15 years in capacity of governor.

In his recent move as the governor of Sindh, Justice (r) Siddiqui refused to approve Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities) Bill following Chief Minister (CM) of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah s recommendation. CM Shah had recommended the late governor to disapprove the bill as the language was needed to be revised.

Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain have expressed sorrow over the demise while leaders of various political parties have acknowledged his contribution to national politics in his career.

Late Zaman also served as 15th Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) for nearly six months from July 1, 1999 to January 26, 2000. Prior to assuming office of CJP, he had served as the Chief Justice (CJ) of Sindh High Court (SHC) from November 5, 1990 to May 21, 1992.

Besides this, he served as a member of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and as Chairman of Sindh Zakat Council and Chairman of Rule Committee of SHC in his career.

Born in Lucknow of British India, late Saeed uz-Zaman Siddiqui educated himself at University of Dhaka and University of Karachi.

ISLAMABAD (News92World): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s counsel on Thursday told the Supreme Court that the premier is not answerable to anyone for his son’s business.

During his arguments, PM Nawaz’s counsel Makhdoom Ali Khan contended before a five-bench larger bench hearing the Panamagate case that no law can hold the premier questionable for his son’s business. “PM Nawaz was not a shareholder in Gulf Steel Mills,” Khan upheld.

Panamagate case: SC says does not need consent to form judicial commission

However, Justice Asif Saeed Khosa observed that none of the records submitted in SC suggest PM Nawaz was not a shareholder. While the counsel argued that the premier did not lie before the Parliament, he admitted that there were some omissions in PM Nawaz’s speech.

“PM Nawaz only gave an overview of his business in the speech, however, there were some omissions in it,” the counsel stated. Meanwhile, Justice Khosa observed that PM Nawaz had failed to give a reference about Qatari investments in his speech. “If there were some omissions in PM Nawaz’s speech, should it be termed as a lie or half truth?” he observed.

“What implication will Article 66 have, which states proceedings of the parliament cannot be challenged by any court of law,” Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan questioned.

Panamagate scandal: Nawaz, Zardari expected to meet soon

Earlier, the apex court made it clear that it does not need consent of the rival parties for forming a judicial commission to further probe the Panama Papers scandal. “The Supreme Court bench does not need consent of the parties to form a judicial commission in the matter,” Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, who heads the Supreme Court’s five-judge larger bench hearing the Panamagate case, said on Wednesday.

Wednesday 11 January 2017

پاکستانی ماہرین کی جانب سے تیار کیا جانے والا نصر میزائل ایسا نیوکلیئر میزائل ہے جو امریکہ کے پاس بھی نہیں :ثمر مبارک مند

لاہور (دنیا نیوز) ایٹمی سائنسدان ڈاکٹر ثمر مبارک مند نے کہا ہے کہ امریکہ اور روس کے بعد پاکستان کا میزائل سسٹم تیسرے نمبر پر ہے ۔ ایک تقریب سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے انہوں نے کہا کہ نصر میزائل ایسا نیوکلیئر میزائل ہے جو امریکہ کے پاس بھی نہیں ، پاکستانی قوم کا اصل چہرہ باصلاحیت نوجوان ہیں ۔ ہمارا وطن عزیز دنیا کی چھٹی ایٹمی طاقت ہے ، دشمن پاکستان کے خلاف مہم جوئی سے پہلے ہزار بار سوچتا ہے ۔

ISLAMABAD (APP)-Pakistan has been forecasted to be the world’s fastest-growing Muslim economy in 2017 ahead of Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and Egypt, says “The Economist” magazine.

Pakistan’s estimated GDP growth “5.3%” is also ahead of 4% GDP growth of Israel, making Pakistan world’s fifth fastest-growing economy in the world, only behind India and China and two other countries.

The London-based Economist offers authoritative insight and opinion on international news, politics, business and finance.

The live data comprising global figures, is updated twice daily and is published on the Economist’s website in the form of an interactive table of economic and financial indicators. This data reinforces a Harvard University study which predicted Pakistan to grow by more than 5% in the next decade.

According to the interactive table the contrasting trends in Pakistan’s economy; “The Economist” in 2014 had forecast Pakistan to be world’s sixth fastest-growing economy. This year, the four world economies ahead of Pakistan are: India (7.5%), Vietnam (6.6%), China (6.4%), and Philippines (6.4%).

However, Pakistan is ahead of large Muslim economies such as: Indonesia (5.2%), Malaysia (4.6%), Egypt (4.0%), and Turkey (2.9%), according to the Economic and financial indicators of the magazine.

All of these countries except Malaysia are expected to be among the top 20 economies in the world in 2050, the Economist says. The Economist forecast follows a report by Bloomberg that termed Pakistan Stock Exchange as the 5th best performing stock market in 2016.

سعودی عرب نے اسلامی ممالک کے فوجی اتحاد کی سربراہی کے حوالے سے جنرل (ر) راحیل شریف کی تینوں شرائط مان لیں۔

لاہور: (دنیا نیوز) لیفٹیننٹ جنرل ریٹائرڈ امجد شعیب نے دنیا نیوز سے بات کرتے ہوئے کہا جنرل (ر) راحیل شریف سے 39 ملکی فوجی اتحاد کی سربراہی کے حوالے سے بات ہوئی ہے۔ ان کا کہنا تھا کہا جنرل (ر) راحیل شریف نے سعودی وزیر دفاع کے سامنے تین شرائط رکھیں تھیں۔ وہ اتحاد کے کمانڈر ہوں گے کسی کے ماتحت نہیں ہوں گے۔ ایران کو اس اتحاد میں شامل کیا جائے گا اور رکن ممالک میں ثالثی کا پورا اختیار ہو گا۔ لیفٹیننٹ جنرل (ر) امجد نے کہا سعودی عرب نے جنرل (ر) راحیل شریف کی تینوں شرائط مان لیں۔ باقاعدہ پروپوزل مارچ تک حکومت پاکستان کو بھیجا جائے گا۔ واضح رہے گزشتہ دنوں جنرل (ر) راحیل شریف سعودی حکومت کی خصوصی دعوت پر سعودی عرب گئے تھے۔ انہیں لیجانے کیلئے سعودی حکومت نے خصوصی طیارہ پاکستان بھیجا تھا۔

ISLAMABAD (News World Report) - Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday attended a ceremony in Islamabad to hand over 200 buses to the educational institutions.

He was accompanied by Maryam Nawaz and state minster for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.

The students gave a warm welcome to the guests and expressed gratitude over the provision of buses.

Along with the children, the premier cut a special cake designed like the bus.

While addressing the ceremony, PM Nawaz said that the government is determined to raise the standard of education.

Heexpressed confidence that a congenial educational environment would help produce best citizens.

He said it is our duty to serve the country through hardwork and dedication.

PM Nawaz asserted that at least 70 buses have been obtained by the government whereas directives have been issued to purchase the remaining 130 on priority bases.

He announced that preference in the matter will be provided to the female institutions and those located in rural areas in order to solve the transportation problems of the women.

“I have also directed the Mayor of the Federal Capital to concentrate on improvement of sanitation, roads, streets and overall environment of Islamabad,” he said.

He hoped that Islamabad will be among the best cities of the world in future through the multi-dimensional approach of government.

Speaking on the occasion, Maryam Nawaz said that people will witness refurbished schools in 2017.

She pronounced that government is keen to provide IT and science labs to all schools while efforts are being made in this regard.

Maryam said steps are also being taken to improve quality of education in the educational institutions of the capital as montessori classes have been introduced in 22 schools of Islamabad.

ISLAMABAD (AP TV / AFP) – Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday has ordered to send ten-year-old maid Tayyaba to Sweet Homes until the confirmation of real parents.

Torture on minor maid has spotlighted rampant child labour in the country. After social media images allegedly showing injuries to the girl’s face and hands went viral, the top court intervened and ordered a full investigation.

During the hearing of suo moto case, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Saqib Nisar asked Tayyaba‘s father Azam: “Did you forgive the judge and his family?” over which he said that he had signed a paper with thumb impression on the instructions of lawyer without knowing that it was a pardon affidavit.

He told the court that Nadra bibi took the girl to Faisalabad for work.

CJP has ordered the investigation officers to submit record of case along with suspect Maheen Zafar’s pre-arrest bail copy today and directed the police to present the final report in ten days.

Meanwhile, DIG sought time for investigation which was abruptly rejected by the court.

Earlier, Tayyaba was found onSunday in the suburbs of the capital Islamabad and taken for a medical examination.

"She shows signs of torture," Javed Akram, head of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital said.

"Our medical board has observed multiple injuries, burns, blunt injuries and bruises on the child’s face," he said.

"She has burn marks on her back and on the left hand. She also has a blunt wound on her face. All her wounds are healing."

Another doctor said on condition of anonymity that the child, employed by a district judge in Islamabad, had changed her statement several times.

Media reports said she initially claimed she fell down the stairs and burnt her hands by accident, later telling police she was beaten and had her hands burned on a stove by the judge’s wife.

LAHORE (News92World) – Cold wave intensifies in the country with temperature dropping to freezing point in various cities on Wednesday.

Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad are undergoing chilly weather conditions while freezing water sources were witnessed in Balochistan province.

Cool breeze has made the weather unpleasantly frosty. The minimum temperature in Karachi at night was 10°C whereas in Lahore it reached to 5°C. However; Islamabad and Rawalpindi underwent 0°C.
Snow continue to fall on the mountains attracting a huge number of tourists.

In the next 48 hours, mainly very cold and dry weather is expected in most parts of the country. Foggy conditions are likely to continue over plain areas of Punjab and upper Sindh during night and morning hours.

Today’s Lowest Minimum Temperatures:
Kalam -16°C, Astore -12°C, Skardu -11°C, Kalat -09°C, Dir, Gilgit, Gupis -08°C, Quetta, Rawalakot, Bagrote -07°C, Hunza, Malamjabba -06°C, Parachinar, Drosh -05°C, Kakul -04°C, Murree, Chitral -03°C.

Tuesday 10 January 2017

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Tuesday that he was in contact with intelligence agencies and was hopeful that missing human rights activist Dr Salman Haider would soon be recovered safe and sound.

Lawmakers had invited the interior minister to brief the House on details regarding the disappearance of and Fatima Jinnah University professor Salman Haider and at least three other social activists – Waqas Goraya, Asim Saeed, Saleem Haider and Ahmad Raza Naseer – who have also gone missing in the past week.

Briefing the upper house of parliament, the interior minister said the safe recovery of the missing social activists was the government's priority.

Nisar said the federal government neither pursues the policy of enforced disappearance of its own citizens nor will it tolerate this. He claimed that a number of people have been recovered in the last three and a half years due to the government's sincere efforts.

The interior minister said CCTV footage showed a Toyota double-cabin vehicle following Haider's car on the evening of his disappearance from Islamabad Capital Territory. Nisar said that footage showed the double-cabin vehicle disappeared for some time, only to reappear in the footage and was last seen driving towards Rawalpindi.

Nisar said the government was committed to bring the perpetrators behind Salman Haider's kidnapping to justice.

There are some clues and information which I cannot disclose to the House at the moment, he said.

He said Haider was abducted from Islamabad Capital Territory while the other three activists went missing from Punjab. He said the Punjab government was also pursuing the matter on a priority basis.

The government's agencies are monitoring this issue and it will take the investigations to its logical conclusion, he said.

Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan urged lawmakers to "avoid political point scoring in the nation's resolve against terrorism".

Nisar's briefing comes as the Human Rights Watch urged Pakistan to urgently investigate the apparent abductions of the four bloggers who campaigned for human rights and religious freedom, saying their near simultaneous disappearances raised concerns of government involvement.

Haider, Goraya, Saeed, and Naseer went missing from Islamabad and various cities of Punjab between January 4 and January 7.

The HRW statement came as leftwing and liberal activists prepared to hold protests throughout the country demanding the bloggers' release.

"The Pakistani government has an immediate obligation to locate the four missing human rights activists and act to ensure their safety," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

"The nature of these apparent abductions puts the ... government on notice that it can either be part of the solution or it will be held responsible for its role in the problem."

Pakistan is routinely ranked among the world's most dangerous countries for journalists.

Liberal activists are to hold protests in major cities on Tuesday afternoon, using the hashtag #RecoverAllActivists to generate support on social media.

In April 2015, prominent activist Sabeen Mahmud was killed by militants who said they carried out the attack because she promoted liberal, secular views.

In April 2014, unidentified gunmen attacked but failed to kill Hamid Mir, one of the country´s most recognised TV anchors.

MULTAN (Dunya News) – Two labourers have died while four rescued out of around 25 trapped under rubble after an under-construction plaza collapsed on Bosan Road near Chungi Number Six.

Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif has ordered to ramp up rescue efforts however, reportedly, heavy machines that were called for workers’ aid reached with delay for reasons yet to be disclosed.

According to the rescue authorities, lack of proper road infrastructure led to issues in the process. Emergency has been imposed in a nearby hospital.

Sources privy to the rescue department have reported that the accident took place whilst labourers were busy crushing walls between four shops on the ground floor.

RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Bajwa has chaired a meeting of corps commanders on Tuesday.

According to a press release issued by media cell of Pakistan Army, the army chief presided over 198th Corps Commanders’ meeting in General Headquarters (GHQ).

“The forum took comprehensive review of security environment and operational preparedness of the Army. Forum expressed satisfaction on progress of Operation Zarb-e-Azb and its positive effects on InternalSecurity,” the press release stated.

The ISPR reported that the army chief instructed for continuation of counter-terrorism operations and bringing stability in areas that have been cleared. He directed to ramp up efforts for repatriation of TDPs.

“COAS congratulated efforts of Strategic Organizations on successful test fire of Babur-3. Forum also appreciated performance of Military Courts during the prescribed duration which resulted into reduction of terrorism.”

The media cell reported that General Bajwa and the participants of the meeting asserted that support of all state institutions would continue at all levels to protest national interests and ensure national security.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed a conference for the promotion of trade in Islamabad on Tuesday, reported Dunya News.

He claimed that a new Pakistan is on the rise and we are heading towards a social change. “The country is moving forward while development projects are being carried out", he added.

Nawaz Sharif slammed the past governments by saying that they did nothing for the country which is why we are facing numerous problems. He told that now the economy is rising day by day.

While pointing out the situation of transportation, he said that the structure of motorway is spreading while Pakistan Railways is also improving. He expressed faith in media but criticised some media networks that are trying to portray a negative image according to him.

The premier announced a package worth PKR 180 for manufacture exporters. He promised to end illiteracy and unawareness in the country.

ISLAMABAD: A larger bench led by Justice Asif Saeed Khosa resumed hearing the Panama Leaks today.

In its remarks Supreme Court said that the apex court could not investigate and then give judgement like a trial court. "We have taken oath to uphold the constitution. We are not a trial court," it remarked.

Justice Ejaz Afzal, who is part of the bench, said that disqualifying the Prime Minister over mere assumption will set a dangerous precedent. "How can the conflict be solved without recording evidence? Prime Minister's link to Panama and his speech are two different matters," he remarked.

The hearing was adjourned till January 11 (Wednesday).

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's lead counsel Naeem Bukhari continued with his arguments during the proceedings today. He said that finance minister Ishaq Dar's statement on money laundering was available in court records. "In September 1998 the report was sent to the Chief Justice and National Accountability Bureau (NAB). The report had been compiled by former FIA director Rehman Malik."

Justice Ejaz Afzal asked Bukhari to confine the case to the London Flats. "What is the point of bringing in Ishaq Dar? Is he among the respondents?" he asked. "Explain why NAB should have filed an appeal in the Hudaibya case."

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said that the only way out is that the NAB chairman files an appeal in the court. He added that he should not have given an observation over Article 62 and 63, and he takes back his words.

Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court, PTI leader said, "In 1999 Hussain Nawaz was a student. How did he become a billionaire in 2001?"

PTI spokesman Naeem-ul-Haque said that the Sharif family has been laundering money. "Hussain Nawaz sent Rs800 million to Nawaz Sharif. It's source should be revealed," he said.

In the last hearing, Naeem Bukhari presented evidence over beneficial ownership of the London Flats. He questioned Hussain Nawaz's source of income.

(GEO TV)

ISLAMABAD (AP TV): A parliamentary committee meeting over military courts led by the National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq ended without any consensus.

All opposition parties demanded that the government brief them over performance of the military courts.

Speaking to Geo News, leader of the opposition in the National Assembly Khursheed Shah said the next session will held on January 17.

"The government will brief us over the performance of military courts," he added.

Sources told Geo News, that during the meeting the Pakistan People's Party opposed the extension of military courts.

Prior to the meeting earlier today, Khursheed Shah along with Naveed Qamar, met PTI’s Shah Mehmood Qureshi where they discussed their stance over the issue of military courts.

On January 6, this year military courts expired. After hearing 274 cases and awarding 161 death sentences in a two-year-long term, special military courts set up to try terrorism suspects in Pakistan have ceased to function, the ISPR announced on Sunday.

A total of 12 convicted terrorists have been executed since January 2015, when the courts were established through a constitutional amendment allowing them to try civilians on terrorism charges.

The constitutional amendment came in response to an attack by Taliban terrorists on the Army Public School in Peshawar that killed 134 children. The amendment included an expiry clause to keep the measure temporary.

The federal government has said it is in consultations for a constitutional amendment to continue with the military courts for a period agreed by all political parties in Parliament.

(Published by: GEo TV)

SHIMSHAL (Awesome News): A weeklong basic mountaineering camp organized by Pakistan Youth Outreach in collaboration with Karakorum Expedition, came to its end. This year marked successful conclusion of 6th Basic Mountaineering and 2nd National Ice Climbing championship at Malangudi Glacier Shimshal.\

For the past six years, Pakistan Youth Outreach has been organizing outdoor sports related events for youth. The outdoor mountaineering training camp is initiative of mountaineering duo siblings, Ms. Samina Baig and Mr. Mirza Ali, as a part of wider youth outreach program. In particular, the purpose of this event is to promote outdoor sports, encourage women participation in challenging adventure sports and promote tourism specially winter & adventure tourism in Pakistan.

The event had around 25 participants, representing different regions of Pakistan, from Sindh, Punjab, PATA (swat), AJK and Gilgit Baltistan. Out of total 25 members, there were 13 girls from different professions and of age group between 17 to 48 years. This year’s event also had three foreign participants, two females and a male from Norway, USA and Germany respectively.

The weeklong mountaineering camp concluded with the 2nd National Ice Climbing Competition. The initial plan was for the championship to be held at the Pakistan’s first artificial wall, however due to global warming affecting Shimshal’s winter this year the wall couldn’t be built. The championship was therefore held at the foot of Malangudi Glacier’s natural ice wall.

The Championship is a promotion of winter Olympics in Pakistan and engaging youth in healthy activities. The competition was divided into two categories for girls and boys. After a thrilling competition, under boys category Mr. Sultan Mirza age 17 secured the first position, 1st National ice champion Mr. Ahmed Baig came to 2nd place and Mr. Reco from Germany secured 3rd position.

In a compelling competition among girls, Ms. Siv Ann secured 1st position, 1st National Ice climbing Champion Ms. Samana Rahim secured 2nd position and Ms.Maira Wafa held 3rd position.

The full day championship was followed by an award distribution ceremony, which was a perfect way to end the event, with winners being awarded with unique prizes of ice climbing tools.

Mr. Reco, Mr. Kalim swaty highly appreciated PYO for organizing such events for the youth of Pakistan and hoped for this to continue in future. Mr. Saleem an engineer by profession also commended the event and showed his eagerness to join similar events in the future. Ms. Natasha and Zoya from Sindh also expressed their gratitude and thanked Mr. Mirza Ali and Ms. Samina Baig for organizing such a wonderful event.

The event came to a great end and all the participants greatly enjoyed their time & learning experience, and happily returned home after spending a night in Shimshal village. The basic mountaineering camp was an inspiration and motivation for the young participants, as it taught them not only the basic climbing techniques, but also unique survival skills and provided a great platform for social interaction.

Ms.Samina and Mr.Mirza Ali highly appreciated the participants for their courage, interest and enthusiasm for outdoor sports and appreciated participants’ families for allowing and trusting PYO to send their children in this outdoor camp specially in case of young girls. This was indeed a great message of women empowerment and gender equality.

Pakistan Youth outreach will continue to organize similar events in the future for youth with same objectives. Pakistan Youth outreach next event is Ski4Freedom starting from 20th -27th January and first ski event in Chipursan valley from 1st till 4th February.