Islamabad : The second meeting of Broadband Stakeholders Group (BSG) constituted by Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) was held today at PTA Headquarters, Islamabad. Chairman PTA Dr. Mohammed Yaseen chaired the session; participants included senior management of telecom companies, service providers and software association.

Broadband is considered as a key enabler for enhancing social and economic productivity of a country. Broadband is critical to the delivery of private sector services and applications in commerce, telecommunication and banking. Furthermore it is also indispensable for public sector services and applications in education, health, community and other key areas. Primary vision behind formulation of BSG was to establish a group of experts who could plan out essential suggestions for growth and proliferation of Broadband.

Key agenda of the second BSG meeting was to discuss the recently prepared first draft report of BSG. The report targets four major areas of broadband development along with necessary recommendations for improvement. The areas encompass Broadband Infrastructure & Next Generation Broadband, Broadband Policy & Regulation Framework, Content & Application Take-up and Rural Broadband Connectivity.

During his opening remarks Chairman PTA congratulated the members upon completion of an all-inclusive first draft report. He endorsed the efforts put in by BSG for coming up with a set of suggestions both for the regulator and the policy makers. Chairman highlighted his vision of enabling broadband growth in every sector of the country. He emphasized on future roadmap and desired the BSG members to work on some realistic subscribers targets for next two years. Chairman PTA also accentuated the importance of content and applications for proliferation of broadband services. He shared few of the latest initiatives up-taken by ICT Directorate at PTA regarding the growth of mobile-based ICT applications in the country.

BSG members discussed the first draft report and suggested necessary improvements required before releasing the final recommendations report. The members also appreciated PTA for providing a common platform to industry experts for joining their thoughts on improvement of broadband considered as a pivotal sector for enhancing productivity.

KARACHI: Thar Coal & Energy Board is the only notified legal and authorized body to exercise all powers for deciding the matters and aspects pertaining to mining and power generation for Thar Coal in the province of Sindh. This was clarified by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah while presiding over a high level meeting in connection with “Thar Coal” held at Chief Minister House yesterday.

He said that the only legal body which exists is Thar Coal & Energy Board and all other matters and schemes, projects will be discussed and processed by the Board. It was informed that TCEB has full support of President of Pakistan Mr. Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, and Thar Coal & Energy Board will deliver the good results under the objectives of the Board. Syed Qaim Ali Shah also maintained that Gorakh Hill Station, being developed as a tourist resort, will soon be completed and opened for tourists and people.

It was informed that work on Gorakh hill station is going on in speedy manners. He added that work on Keenjhar tourist spot will be finalized soon. He also said that work on Hyderabad – Mirpurkhas dual carriage road will also be started soon.

Earlier, in a briefing it was informed that the proposal for Thar Coal Mining Company was floated in October 2006 by placing it in CDWP and Government of Sindh objected before CDWP meeting through the then Minister, Mines and Mineral Development. Previously the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission made a presentation to the Prime Minister and President of Pakistan on “Energy Security Action Plan” on 15.2.2005, wherein the recommendations for the establishment of National Integrated Coal Mining and power generation authority like WAPDA (could a joint venture of Government of Pakistan, Government of Sindh and local/foreign private sector) was approved.

Earlier, it was proposed that a Pakistan Coal Development Company, with an investment of Rs.2 billion from the Government of Pakistan, be formed to establish the initial framework to attract foreign investment for coal which was initially attempt to take over the coal resources of Sindh. The establishment of Thar Coal Mining Co was approved by CDWP on 19.10.2006 at the estimated cost of Rs.241.790 million including FEC of Rs. 23.700 million.

The meeting was further informed that the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural resources in its letter dated 10.6.2007, launched a company namely “Establishment of Thar Coal Mining Company” with 80% share holding for Federal Government i.e 20% share for Ministry of P&NR, 20% share for NLC and 40% share for private sector; and only 20% share for Sindh Government.

It was further informed that under the letter from Mines & Mineral Development Department; the Federal Government vide its Notification dated 8.7.2008, Thar Coal Authority was constituted, which abolished the Thar Coal Mining Company. Later another notification was issued on 11.10.2008 for withdrawal of Thar Coal Authority after constitution of “Thar Coal & Energy Board”. The meeting was further informed that CDWP approved two similar schemes of coal gasification and revived TCMC without any consultation from provincial government.

The meeting was also informed that the CDWP approved two similar schemes of coal gasification and also revived Thar Coal Mineral Company, without any consultation from the provincial government. It was further informed that the Sindh Government raised objection vide letter dated 8.5.2009 by conveying serious objections and reservations to the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, and the Chief Minister Sindh, who is also the Chairman of Thar Coal & Energy Board, had also talked the Prime Minister regarding the situation.

The meeting was attended among others by Sindh Minister for Irrigation & Power Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Revenue Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Sindh Minister for Law & Parliamentary Affairs Mr. Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Chief Secretary Sindh Mr. Fazal-ur-Rehman, Additional Chief Secretary (P&D) Mr. Nazar Hussain Mahar, Secretary to C.M Syed Sohail Akbar Shah, Secretary Finance Mr. Fazalullah Pechuho, Secretary Mines & Minerals Mr. Aijaz Ahmed and others. NNI

KARACHI: The leading global players from the Energy Industry are participating at the 7th Pakistan Oil, Gas & Energy Exhibition and Conference – POGEE 2009, which is scheduled from 18th to 21st May 2009, at the Karachi Expo Centre. The exhibition is co-located with the 5th International Fire & Security Exhibition & Conference – FIRE & SECURITY Pakistan 2009.

The two co-located exhibitions have brought together 335 companies from 32 countries, including Austria, Germany, Italy, Turkey, UAE, UK; at the same time, there will be dedicated Chinese and Iranian pavilions. The increased international participation is a clear indication of the confidence that the international community has in Pakistan as a lucrative business destination.

POGEE has achieved global acclaim among the leading players operating in the Oil, Gas & Energy industry. The show has also received tremendous support, particularly from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Mines and Minerals Development Department (Government of Sindh), Board of Investment, Engineering Development Board, Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association and CNG Dealers Association of Pakistan. The exhibition also has the distinguished sponsorship of Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL).

On the other hand, FIRE & SECURITY Pakistan has been actively supported by the China Security & Protection Industry Association (CSPIA), Fire Protection Association of Pakistan and the Organization of Safety Management. The exhibition will serve as an ideal forum for boosting economic activity in the related sectors of Pakistan as well as integrating the regional markets. NNI

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Environment has announced Green Journalist Award for the working journalists to encourage them to play active role for raising awareness on environmental issues and to promote healthy competition among them for raising awareness on environmental issues. The Award would comprise an Acknowledgment Shield and varying amount of Cash Award for different categories.

These awards would be given on eve of the World Environment Day on June 05, however, as already announced (in the calendar of activities for the National Year of Environment 2009) excellence award would be given in December to the journalists showing good performance for highlighting the environmental issues during National Year of Environment 2009.

The Ministry of Environment has requested the journalists working on environment to furnish three (3) best entries of their published articles/ features, news, photograph and telecasted/ broadcasted news/documentaries regarding the environment during the period of the June 06, 2008 to May 15, 2009 through their organizations not latter than 21st of this month. The journalists may submit their entries to the Deputy Director (Media) of the Ministry in the Local Government and Rural Development Complex, G-5/2, Islamabad .

The Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi speaking in this connection has said that to bring a visible improvement in the rapidly deteriorating quality of air, water and land, to mitigate the effects of climate change, deforestation, industrial pollution, vehicular pollution, problems related to water and sanitation, solid waste management, energy conservation, rehabilitation of failing ecosystems, wetlands and other challenges in the Environment sector of Pakistan, it is necessary to create awareness in the general public and make them aware of the pressing concerns by dissemination of information on environmental degradation through means of mass communication particularly through print and electronic media.

The Minister said that the general trend in the past, the environment had been the least focused area in the media. That is why engaging media, in special reference to National Year of Environment, has become imperative to give proper coverage to environmental issues. NNI

ISLAMABAD: Preliminary analysis of the swine flu virus suggests it is a fairly mild strain, scientists say. It is believed that a further mutation would be needed in order for the H1N1 virus to cause the mass deaths that have been estimated by some. But at this point, it is impossible to predict with any accuracy how the virus will continue to evolve.

UK experts at the National Institute for Medical Research outlined on Friday the work they are due to start on samples of the virus sent from the US. The research, being done at the World Influenza Centre in Mill Hill, will be vital for working out the structure of the virus, where it came from, how quickly it is capable of spreading and its potential to cause illness.

Structure

Analysis done so far suggests what they are dealing with is a mild virus and nowhere near as dangerous as the H5N1 avian flu strain that has caused scientists so much concern over the past decade. Influenza A viruses are classified according to two proteins on the outer surface of the virus – hemagglutinin (H) and neuraminidase (N). The swine flu strain is a H1N1 virus, the same type as seasonal flu which circulates throughout the world every year, and kills roughly 0.1% of those infected or higher in an epidemic year.

Professor Wendy Barclay, chair in influenza virology at Imperial College London says initial indications suggest there is nothing about the genetic make-up of the new virus which is a cause for particular concern. The key to its potential lies largely in the H1 protein.

“There are two aspects – one is which receptors the virus tends to bind to and what we see is that it is binding to the upper respiratory tract rather than deep in the lungs.”

When a flu virus binds to the upper respiratory tract, it tends to cause mild illness but can be easily spread as people cough and sneeze, Professor Barclay explains. If a virus binds further down in the lungs, it tends to cause much more severe illness, as in the case of the H5N1 avian flu virus which has caused concern in recent years. “With the H1 gene we also look at the cleavage site,” she adds.

“The virus has to be cut into two pieces to be active and it uses an enzyme in the host to do that. “Most influenza viruses are restricted to the respiratory tract because they use enzymes in the lungs.”But some, like H5 viruses can evolve to cut into two pieces outside the lungs, so they can replicate outside the respiratory tract.”

Analysis

These initial indications are largely guesswork from looking at the genetic sequence of the virus and comparing that to what is known from work on other influenza viruses. It will take weeks and months of biological analysis to properly get a handle on the potential of the H1N1 virus.

The team at Mill Hill, one of four World Health Organisation’s centres for influenza research will be working in close collaboration with the Health Protection Agency who are carrying out testing in the UK, and their findings will also feed into the development of a potential vaccine.

Soon, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge will begin the genetic sequencing of the virus and will also be monitoring any mutations or changes in how virulent it is. However, there is one other reassuring aspect about what is known so far. That is there seems to be nothing unusual as yet in another protein in the centre of the virus, called NS1, which is linked to the strength of the immune response the virus produces.

In some more pathogenic viruses, it is this NS1 protein which initiates a “cytokine storm”, a particularly severe immune reaction that can be fatal in even healthy young people.

Predictions

Scientists have also played down concerns that the milder H1N1 virus, could combine with the more dangerous H5N1 avian flu virus, causing a super virus that has the ability to both spread easily between humans and cause severe illness. This is unlikely – or at least just as unlikely as it ever was and the H5N1 virus has been around for a decade without combining with normal seasonal flu.

Professor Jonathan Ball, an expert in molecular virology at the University of Nottingham said: “The chance of swine H1N1 combining with H5N1 is as likely as any other strain recombining. “What this outbreak does highlight is how difficult it is to predict new pandemic strains.

“Many people suspected that H5N1 was the most likely candidate for the next pandemic strain, but now it appears that this was a mistake – but that’s not to say H5N1 or another reassortment containing parts of H5N1 may not happen in the future.

“That’s the trouble – you can’t predict.”-ONLINE

Islamabad: The 7th Pakistan Environmental Reporting Awards (PERA) ceremony was held on Earth Day at the Serena Hotel Islamabad to award the winners of ACCA-WWF Pakistan Environmental Reporting Awards 2008. Endorsed by the Ministry of Environment and IUCN Pakistan, the ACCA-WWF Pakistan Environmental Reporting Awards were launched in 2002 to recognise and reward companies that report corporate environmental, social and sustainability performance to a broad range of stakeholders.

A total of 44 entries were received for ACCA-WWF Pakistan Environmental Reporting Awards 2007-2008.. The winners for 2008 were Attock Refinery Ltd. for Best Sustainability Report 2008; Pak Electron Ltd. for Best Environmental Report 2008 in the Local Listed Company Category; Hinopak Motors Ltd. for Best Environmental Report 2008 in the Multinational Category. Qarshi Industries Pvt. Ltd. was awarded commendation for showing their commitment and consistency to transparency in reporting.

The Chief Guest at the event, Mr Kamran Lashari, Federal Secretary Environment presented trophies to the winners. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lashari lauded the hard work of all the companies who participated in the Awards Scheme. He acknowledged the awards stating,

“The government of Pakistan is very much supportive of private sector initiatives like the ACCA-WWF Pakistan Environmental Reporting Awards and is willing to work with ACCA and WWF to encourage greater buy in of the business community”.

With an estimated two million people dying prematurely due to air pollution each year, the United Nations weather-monitoring agency is focusing on the movement of pollutants around the globe as it marks World Meteorological Day today.

Under the theme of “Weather, climate and the air we breathe,” the UN World Meteorological Organization is using the day to draw attention to the work of its 188 members’ National Meteorological and Hydrological Services in air quality data, research and forecasts.

“WMO has been actively involved in international efforts to assess our evolving atmosphere in terms of air pollutants such as ground-level ozone, smog, particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide and dioxide,” WMO Secretary-General Michel Jarraud said, noting that most of those result from the combustion of fossil fuels.

Member States’ national meteorological services have been working together to collect and analyze the data “that are essential for forecasting atmospheric pollution and for protecting communities against its health and economic impacts,” he added.

The more scientists understand the weather-climate system, the better they are able to forecast the distribution of potentially harmful atmospheric particles and gases, WMO explained. In a major initiative, networks of stations in the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) collect data on greenhouse gases – such as carbon dioxide and methane – and reactive gases, including ozone, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide.

These observations work in concert with the vast weather, climate and water observational networks coordinated through the WMO Integrated Observing System, and the national services use the data collected to produce air quality indexes and other pollution forecasts.

More air quality services will soon be available, as work continues to better understand the effects of air pollution in various settings, particularly its effect on climate change, the agency added. The World Climate Conference-3, which will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 31 August to 4 September 2009, will further explore the links between climate and health, engaging scientists, decision-makers and policy-makers from the public and private sectors, WMO said.

World Meteorological Day commemorates the1950 entry into force of the Convention that created the WMO, which became a specialized agency of the UN one year later.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has underscored the potential of water as a unifying force rather than a catalyst for conflict, stressing that the world’s collective future depends on how it manages this precious resource. “More than ever we need to work together to use it wisely,” Mr. Ban said in a message to mark World Water Day, observed annually on 22 March.

“While the world’s growing population is consuming more freshwater, climate change is making less water available in many regions as glaciers recede, rainfall becomes less predictable, and floods and droughts become more extreme. Managing water carefully and balancing the varied needs for it is vital,” he stated.

Much of the planet’s water, above or below ground, is shared. Forty per cent of the world’s people live in 1 of 263 basins that are shared by two or more countries. Concern over the possibility of violent disputes features regularly in discussions about sharing limited water resources.”But while the potential exists for water to act as a catalyst for conflict between States and communities, precedent suggests that the opposite is actually what happens,” he noted. “Cooperation, not conflict, is the most common response by people facing competing demands.”

Under the theme “Shared Waters, Shared Opportunities,” this year’s Day highlights how transboundary water resources can act as a unifying force.

The Secretary-General noted that worldwide, there are at least 300 international water agreements, often among parties that are otherwise at odds. These agreements demonstrate the potential of shared water resources to foster trust and promote peace. “I urge Governments, civil society, the private sector and all stakeholders to recognize that our collective future depends on how we manage our precious and finite water resources,” he said.

The head of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has used his World Water Day message to stress that investing in the world’s freshwaters could be one of the keys to aiding global economic recovery.

“The global water market for supply, sanitation and water efficiency is worth over $250 billion and is likely to grow to nearly $660 billion by 2020,” Executive Director Achim Steiner noted. “This represents new businesses and new employment prospects for developed and developing economies.

“Meanwhile, an investment of $15 billion a year towards meeting the Millennium Development Goal of halving by 2015 the number of people without sustainable access to safe water and basic sanitation could generate global economic benefits worth $38 billion annually,” he added.

Also marking the Day, the Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation voiced her concern about access to water and sanitation during emergencies.”The chaos and insecurity caused by war and natural disasters frequently block access to water and sanitation, with devastating results,” said Catarina de Albuquerque. “Economic, social and cultural rights, including those related to water and sanitation, are always applicable, and States may not excuse themselves from respecting them during times of emergency,” she added.UN News Service

OSLO: The Telenor Group announced on Friday that it has completed the Unitech Wireless transaction and made its first investment of US$ 250 million. Following this investment, Telenor’s ownership stake in Unitech Wireless is 33.5 per cent. According to a press release, as previously announced, Telenor will inject a total of US$ 1.2 billion of new equity into Unitech Wireless, which will result in a shareholding of 67.25 per cent (subject to regulatory approval).

Telenor Group President and CEO, Jon Fredrik Baksaas said that the Telenor’s remaining investment of $970 million will be completed in three trenches during 2009. “This marks the formal entry of Telenor into the world’s fastest growing mobile market and the Telenor was now embarking on an operational phase and the preparations for the launch of our services”.

He said that during last year, the total number of mobile connections in India increased by more than 100 million. To take part in this continuing growth, the Telenor will focus on a cost-efficient, swift and flexible network roll-out to optimize profitability.

Unitech Wireless has recently entered into tower sharing agreements with Wireless-TT Info Service Limited (Tata Teleservices’ tower company) and Quippo Telecom Infrastructure Limited, ensuring access to thousands of antenna sites at a reduced cost.

“We are looking forward to take a key role in developing a new Indian mobile operator, leveraging on our track record from providing mobile services to people in emerging and fast-growing markets,” Baksaas said.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday appointed Justice (Retd.) Hamid Mirza as new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). President Zardari’s Spokesman Farhatullah Babar confirmed the appointment of Justice (Retd.) Hamid Mirza as new CEC. Mirza will replace Qazi Farooq who will retire on March 14 while the notification for his appointment will be issued soon. Acting Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal administered the oath in Supreme Court building.

The appointment of Mr. Justice (Retd) Hamid Ali Mirza as ad-hoc Judge of Supreme Court has been extended for a further period of six months w.e.f. March 14, 2007. Mr. Justice (Retd) Hamid Ali Mirza was born on September 14, 1940. His qualification is B.Sc., LL.B. He joined bar in 1961 and practiced till 1973.

He joined provincial judicial service, Sindh on December 10, 1973 and was elevated as Judge, High Court of Sindh on April 10, 1995. Mr. Justice (Retd) Hamid Ali Mirza was elevated as judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan on April 28, 2000 and retired on September 13, 2005. He was appointed as ad-hoc judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on his retirement w.e.f. September 14, 2005. His previous ad-hoc term expired on March 13, 2007 and his appointment has been extended further for a period of six months w.e.f. March 14, 2007.

The Election Commission of Pakistan was created on 23rd March 1956 under the Article 137 of the Constitution of 1956 with the Chief Election Commissioner as its head. The first Chief Election Commissioner was appointed on 25th June 1956. The Election Commission of Pakistan is an independent and autonomous constitutional body charged with the function of conducting transparent, free, fair and impartial elections to the National and Provincial Assemblies. The holding of elections to the office of the President and the Senate are, however, the functions of the Chief Election Commissioner. Under the existing laws the conduct of Local Government Elections is also the responsibility of the Chief Election Commissioner.