Annexure VI. Press Clippings

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1 Annexure VI Press Clippings

2 November 13, 2013 Call for ending water woes OUR STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD - Pakistan is being dragged towards acute water scarcity which is badly hampering agriculture, the mainstay of the country's survival, evaporating potable water and creating energy crisis, however, if scientific and innovative methods are applied effectively it could ensure optimal usage of the available water resources, boost agriculture yield with less labour and lessen many other water-related issues. These consensus views were expressed by speakers at a one-day seminar organized by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) to commemorate the 'World Science Day for Peace and Development' here on Tuesday. Title of the seminar was 'Science for Water Cooperation: Sharing Data, Knowledge and Innovations'. Presiding over the inaugural ceremony of the event, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, a veteran Pakistani scientist and former advisor to prime minister, underscored the importance of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, and reviewed it in its historical perspective. In his keynote address, he called for focusing on water-related issues by the organizations like IIASA, UN, and COMSATS. He recalled that COMSATS had held an extensive discussion session on water issues in 2001 and published the proceedings of the event in a book form. He revealed that Pakistan has the distinction of being the country on whose request, the UN decided to celebrate Science Day every year. Earlier, Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi, while stressing the importance of the title of the Day, Dr. Qureshi gave a broader perspective whereby science has been used both for the betterment of mankind as well as for the purpose of war and destruction. Only the 'lights' of science need to be celebrated while 'shadows' are to be shunned and discouraged. He also elaborated worldwide focus on freshwater availability and cautioned that Pakistan will face a major destabilizing situation if water management is not addressed at the highest priority. Dr. Shahid Ahmed Khan, Campus Director, CIIT, Islamabad, welcomed the guests and participants of the seminar and stressed the need for capacity-building events in sensitizing societies and proffering research-based solutions for development issues. Four technical talks were delivered on the occasion by experts on topics pertaining to Climate Change and Irrigation. Dr. Qamaruz Zaman Chaudhry, Senior Advisor, LEAD Pakistan, explicated the concept of water cooperation and highlighted its importance in the wake of Pakistan's status in terms of water availability declining to a critical level of 1000 m3 per person per year. Other speakers of the seminar were: Dr. Amir Haider Malik, Professor from CIIT, Abbottabad Campus; Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmad, Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid-e-Azam University; and Dr. Hassan Abbas, CIIT, Wah Campus. The speakers advocated efficient use of latest science and technology to enhance per capita water availability in the country. Dr. Abbas introduced a new concept of sub-irrigation that may help Pakistan to save water at least 4 folds, increase agriculture yields by 64 per cent and improve water-use efficiency by 6 folds.

3 November 14, 2013 Pakistan is being dragged towards acute water scarcity which is badly hampering agriculture, the mainstay of the country s survival, evaporating potable water and creating energy crisis, however, if scientific and innovative methods are applied effectively it could ensure optimal usage of the available water resources, boost agriculture yield with less labour and lessen many other waterrelated issues. These consensus views were expressed by speakers at a one- day seminar organized by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South ( COMSATS) at COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT) to commemorate the World Science Day for Peace and Development here on Tuesday. Title of the seminar was Science for Water Cooperation: Sharing Data, Knowledge and Innovations. Presiding over the inaugural ceremony of the event, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, a veteran Pakistani scientist and former advisor to prime minister, underscored the importance of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, and reviewed it in its historical perspective. In his keynote address, he stressed the need to keep water-related issues on high priority by the organizations like IIASA, UN, and COMSATS. He recalled that COMSATS had held an extensive discussion session on water issues in 2001 and published the proceedings of the event in a book form. He revealed that Pakistan has the distinction of being the country on whose request, the United Nations had decided to celebrate World Science Day every year. Earlier, Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi, while stressing the importance of the title of the Day, Dr. Qureshi gave a broader perspective whereby science has been used both for the betterment of mankind as well as for the purpose of war and destruction. Only the lights of science need to be celebrated while shadows are to be shunned and discouraged. He also elaborated world- wide focus on freshwater availability and cautioned that Pakistan will face a major destabilizing situation if water management is not addressed at the highest priority. Dr. Shahid Ahmed Khan, Campus Director, CIIT, Islamabad, welcomed the distinguished guests and participants of the seminar and stressed the need for capacity-building events in sensitizing societies and proffering research-based solutions for development issues. Consensus prevailed to make increased efforts to promote water cooperation among nations to ensure poverty reduction, socioeconomic development, protection of environment, and promotion of peace and sustainability. Four technical talks were delivered on the occasion by experts on topics pertaining to Climate Change and Irrigation. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry, Senior Advisor, LEAD Pakistan, explicated the concept of water cooperation and highlighted its importance in the wake of Pakistan s status in terms of water availability declining to a critical level of 1000 m3 per person per year. He cautioned that serious steps must be taken in time to address the depleting water resources of the country, which is vulnerable to climate change effects that may lead to grave issues such as water, food and energy security. Other speakers of the seminar were: Dr. Amir Haider Malik, Professor from CIIT, Abbottabad Campus; Dr. Zulfiqar Ahmad, Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Quaid- e- Azam University; and Dr. Hassan Abbas, CIIT, Wah Campus. The speakers advocated efficient use of latest science and technology, especially in the field of water resource management to enhance per capita water availability in the country. Dr. Abbas introduced a new concept of sub-irrigation that may help Pakistan to save water at least 4 folds, increase agriculture yields by 64 per cent and improve water- use efficiency by 6 folds.

4 November 13, 2013 Water shortage has affected agriculture, energy production * Scientific methods can help overcome situation, say experts Staff Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is being dragged towards acute water scarcity which is badly hampering agriculture, the mainstay of the country s survival, evaporating potable water and creating energy crisis. However, if scientific methods are applied effectively, they can ensure optimal usage of the available water resources, boost agriculture yield with less labour and lessen many other water-related issues. These views were expressed by speakers at a one-day seminar organised by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), at the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT). The seminar was organised to commemorate the World Science Day for Peace and Development here on Tuesday. The title of the seminar was Science for Water Cooperation: Sharing Data, Knowledge and Innovations. Presiding over the inaugural ceremony, Dr Ishfaq Ahmad, a veteran Pakistani scientist and former advisor to prime minister, underscored the importance of the World Science Day for Peace and Development and reviewed it in its historical perspective. In his keynote address, he stressed the need to keep water-related issues on high priority by organisations like the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), the UN and the COMSATS. He said the COMSATS had held an extensive discussion session on water issues in 2001 and published the proceedings of the event in a book. He said Pakistan had the distinction of being the country on whose request the United Nations had decided to celebrate the World Science Day every year. Earlier, COMSATS Executive Director Dr Imtinan Elahi Qureshi, while stressing the importance of the title of the day, gave a broader perspective whereby science had been used both for the betterment of mankind as well as for the purpose of war and destruction. Only the lights of science needed to be celebrated while shadows were to be shunned, he added. He elaborated worldwide focus on freshwater availability and cautioned that Pakistan would face a major destabilising situation if water management was not addressed as the highest priority. CIIT, Islamabad Campus Director Dr Shahid Ahmed Khan welcomed the guests and participants of the seminar and stressed the need for capacity-building events in sensitising societies and proffering research-based solutions for development issues. Consensus prevailed at the seminar to make increased efforts to promote water cooperation among nations to ensure poverty reduction, socio-economic development, protection of environment and promotion of peace and sustainability.

5 November 13, 2013

6 November 15 th, 2013 F.P Report Water scarcity can drag Pakistan to more troubles Islamabad: Pakistan is being dragged towards acute water scarcity which is badly hampering agriculture, the mainstay of the country s survival, evaporating potable water and creating energy crisis, however, if scientific and innovative methods are applied effectively it could ensure optimal usage of the available water resources, boost agriculture yield with less labour and lessen many other water-related issues. These consensus views were expressed by speakers at a seminar organized by the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) to commemorate the World Science Day for Peace and Development here at Islamabad. Title of the seminar was Science for Water Cooperation: Sharing Data, Knowledge and Innovations. Presiding over the inaugural ceremony of the event, Dr. Ishfaq Ahmad, a veteran Pakistani scientist and former advisor to prime minister, underscored the importance of the World Science Day for Peace and Development, and reviewed it in its historical perspective. In his keynote address, he stressed the need to keep water-related issues on high priority by the organizations like IIASA, UN, and COMSATS. He recalled that COMSATS had held an extensive discussion session on water issues in 2001 and published the proceedings of the event in a book form. He revealed that Pakistan has the distinction of being the country on whose request, the United Nations had decided to celebrate World Science Day every year. Earlier, Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi, while stressing the importance of the title of the Day, Dr. Qureshi gave a broader perspective whereby science has been used both for the betterment of mankind as well as for the purpose of war and destruction. Only the lights of science need to be celebrated while shadows are to be shunned and discouraged. He also elaborated world-wide focus on freshwater availability and cautioned that Pakistan will face a major destabilizing situation if water management is not addressed at the highest priority. Dr. Shahid Ahmed Khan, Campus Director, CIIT, Islamabad, welcomed the distinguished guests and participants of the seminar and stressed the need for capacity-building events in sensitizing societies and proffering research-based solutions for development issues. Consensus prevailed to make increased efforts to promote water cooperation among nations to ensure poverty reduction, socio-economic development, protection of environment, and promotion of peace and sustainability. Four technical talks were delivered on the occasion by experts on topics pertaining to Climate Change and Irrigation. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry, Senior Advisor, LEAD Pakistan, explicated the concept of water cooperation and highlighted its importance in the wake of Pakistan s status in terms of water availability declining to a critical level of 1000 m3 per person per year. He cautioned that serious steps must be taken in time to address the depleting water resources of the country, which is vulnerable to climate change effects that may lead to grave issues such as water, food and energy security.