9 October 2022
Resolution for Pakistan Reconstruction by UN General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) this week unanimously adopted a resolution urging donor nations and institutions to provide full support to rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Pakistan. Co-sponserd by 159 countries, the resolution recognised that “enhanced access to international climate finance is important to support mitigadon and adaptadon efforts in developing countries, especially those that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change”. It emphasised the need for the international community to maintain its focus beyond the present emergency relief, rehabilitation, reconstruction and risk reduction efforts as well as the adaptation plan led by Pakistan, besides requesting the secretary general and the entities of the United Nations system to continue to support Pakistan in the preparation of a climate resilient reconstruction plan.
“The scaling calamities in Pakistan can linger for years. Massive guidance and support to the government of Pakistan are absolutely essential,” said UN Secretary General António Guterres, while speaking in favour of the resolution. The secretary general recalled that on Oct 4, the UN launched a revised plan for collecting $816 million to help the flood victims in Pakistan. “I urge donor countries, international financial institutons, and other relevant international organisations, along with the private sector and civil society, to fully support these efforts,” Mr Guterres said.
Huge Declines in Cement Sector
The first quarter of Financial Year 2022-23 ended on a negative note for the cement sector as overall despatches (local and exports) plunged by 25% to 9.613 million tons from 12.825m tons in the corresponding period of last fiscal year. As per data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), domestic despatches during this period were 8.599m tons as against 11.279m tons in the same period last year, down by 24%. Export despatches were also 34.44% less as the volumes reduced to 1.013mn tons during the first three months of the current fiscal year compared to 1.545mn tons during the same period of last fiscal year.
North-based mills dispatched 7.258mn tons domestically during 3MFY23 showing a reduction of 23.46% from 9.483mn tons during July-September 2021-22. Exports from the North declined by 25.53% to 288,712 tons compared with 387,667 tons during the same period last fiscal. Total dispatches by South-based mills shrank by 30p% to 2.065mn tons during the first quarter of the current financial year from 2.953mn tons during the same period last fiscal. Exports dispatches also came down by 17.35% from 571,613 tons in September 2021 to 472,437 tons in September. The decline in domestic sales to the overall slowdown in economic activities, higher construction costs, intense rains and floods in August and September and inflationary impact which restricted demand growth. Exports remained depressed owing to the global economic slowdown.
Ministry of Housing signs MoU with ICCI
The Ministry of Housing and Works and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for First International Housing Expo-2022 in Islamabad. The objective of this MoU is to envisage a plan of cooperation between the Ministry and the ICCI with regard to the conduct of forthcoming Expo IHE-2022. It is being perceived that such cooperation will augment the growth of housing sector in Pakistan and will help contribute in the growth of economic development in broad terms.
During the Ceremony, Secretary Housing and Works Iftikhar Ali Shallwani said that construction sector is the biggest provider of job opportunities because it has numerous industries attached to it. He also said that everyone has a fundamental right to housing which ensures access to a safe, secure, habitable and affordable home and to achieve this objective ministry of housing and works intends to organize this event in collaboration with ICCI.
Registration of Water Tankers in Karachi
The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board has decided to register all the tankers getting water from six official hydrants in the city. And, only the registered water tankers would be provided with the water by the hydrant management,while unregistered tankers would be impounded. Besides, the digital screening of all registered tankers would be conducted and trackers would be installed in the enlisted water carriers to monitor their movements. Besides, the route permits would also be issued to the tankers to supply water in specific areas.
The decision was taken following reports of supply of unhealthy and contaminated water through tankers in the city. According to news reports the KWSB Chief Executive Officer Syed Salahuddin Ahmed had recently taken action on reports of supply of unhealthy water through tankers. He wrote a letter to Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon asking him to take action against the illegal supply. The CEO asked the provincial police chief to order immediate and strict action against the “mafia selling water not fit for human consumption”. According to the letter, the contaminated rainwater accumulated in ponds and puddles on the outskirts of the city and in parts of Balochistan was being illegally supplied through water tankers.
