In a world of higher electricity demand growth, clean electricity is stepping up to the challenge. Spearheaded by exponential solar expansion, clean power is set to grow faster than demand, marking the start of a permanent decline in fossil generation. 2024 both clarified and consolidated the shape of the global …
KARACHI: UN-Habitat, in close collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Ministry of Climate Change, is currently implementing a project on ‘Pro-poor and sustainable solid waste management in secondary cities and small towns’, says new Pakistan Economic Survey. According to …
The majority of climate-specific finance offered to developing countries by the top six multilateral developments banks (MDBs) including the World Bank during the period 2011-2014 was in the form of loans. This was revealed in a report commissioned by the World Bank along with the top development banks covering Africa, …
ISLAMABAD: “Bt”, the genetically modified cotton seed surreptitiously introduced in Pakistan in 2005, is proving a disaster than a boon to the country’s strategic crop. Growers say Bt has disproved its superiority over the indigenous seed which it has all but banished and in fact has introduced new pests, leaving …
KARACHI: An alarmingly large number of women in Orangi Town are hooked to tobacco, says a recent study that calls for immediate preventive measures to control the use of the hazardous substance that not only puts women at a great risk of developing multiple illnesses but can also endanger and …
The Government is focusing on developing additional resources of energy to overcome energy shortage in the country. For this purpose, it will invest 248 billion rupees on different power projects during the next financial year. According to Radio Pakistan quoting official sources that fifty-two billion rupees have been allocated for …
ISLAMABAD: The Japanese government has agreed to provide grants worth Rs3.4 billion to Pakistan for improving water supply systems in Lahore and Faisalabad. Bilateral agreements pertaining to two projects in energy saving in water supply system in Lahore and the replacement of pumping machinery at inline booster pumping station and …
The number of vultures has shot up from 30 in 2004 to over 900 in 2013: Survey There has been a dramatic increase in the number of vultures in the past one decade with huge flocks of even 175 scavengers becoming a common sight. Reason: These scavengers are feasting on …
Groundwater is an increasingly important water supply source globally. Understanding the amount of groundwater used versus the volume available is crucial to evaluate future water availability. We present a groundwater stress assessment to quantify the relationship between groundwater use and availability in the world's 37 largest aquifer systems. We quantify …
LANDI KOTAL: With the rehabilitation activity gaining momentum in Tirah valley of Khyber Agency, the forests in the picturesque area face serious threat owing to cutting of trees by local residents both for reconstruction of their damaged houses and smuggling the precious timber to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces. A …
ISLAMABAD: Funds for various renewable energy projects allocated in the new federal budget will help boost power generation from this environment-friendly, clean and sustainable source, secretary at the climate change ministry, Arif Ahmed Khan said talking to the media on Sunday. Quoting from the federal budget documents, he said that …
The Balochistan government has decided to enact a law enabling security agencies to take action against parents and heads of educational institutions, including religious seminaries, who refuse to administer polio vaccinations to children. “We have proposed it. It is too early to talk about the contents of the law. All …
Over 50 percent of Pakistan''s population is living below the poverty line, a World Bank report titled "World Development Indicators (WDI) 2015" maintains. The international poverty line is two dollars a day or an income of about Rs 205 per day in local currency. The report shows that 12.7 percent …
The drafting of a new biosafety bill is being prepared to regulate import of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the country. Currently, there is no law at the federal level to check import of genetically modified (GM) seeds in the country. In absence of a law, the country is fast …
Majority of the population in the country is exposed to the hazards of drinking unsafe and polluted water from both surface and ground water sources. According to newly released Pakistan Economic Survey 2014-15, as derived from the national water quality monitoring programme carried out by the Pakistan Council of Research …
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting in which the pace of implementation of energy projects in Punjab was reviewed in detail. While addressing the meeting Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that elimination of energy crisis is necessary for the achievement of the targets of …
KARACHI: The Sindh government has earmarked Rs 16.5 billion for annual development programme (ADP) of energy sector, which is reflective of the government’s commitment to its coal, wind and other energy projects. Five projects of 20MW each have been etched in PPP mode for solar-based power generation facilities at Thatta, …
KARACHI: The Sindh government has raised the budgetary allocation for health sector by 32% for the next fiscal year, from Rs 43.48 billion 2014-15 to Rs 57.49 billion in 2015-16. According to availabe details grants for different hospitals and not for profit healthcare facilities has also been increased by 105% …
ISLAMABAD: International weather experts predict that Pakistan may face harsher drought conditions than last year. Their prediction, reported by the South Asian Climate Forum (SASCOF) after its yearly study of the altering climate in the region, has experts at home worrying. “We expect lesser rains in the southern half of …
KARACHI: Described as an intelligent and inquisitive marine mammal, dolphins are loved all over the world for their playful behaviour. Sadly, this beautiful creature is facing a battle for its survival in our sea waters. A recent study conducted by the World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan (WWF-P) shows that a …
Low prices of basmati rice have hit the economy in this border belt. The price of basmati was Rs 9,000-Rs 10,000 per quintal in the last few years, but it has now come down to Rs 3,900-Rs 4,000. The farmers and rice millers have demanded immediate announcement of a policy …
