Karachi: The wildlife department of Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh kicked off a five-day survey on Monday to count Indus dolphins, which are among the world’s rarest mammals, for conservation purposes.
“The survey is carried out by a 22-member team and will reveal the current population of blind Indus dolphins,” wildlife conservator, Javed Mahar, told Arab News on Monday.
Indus freshwater dolphins are usually described as “blind” since their eyes are not fully developed due to the murky river water, pushing it to “rely on echolocation, or sound sensors, to find fish, shrimp, and other prey inside the waters,” he added.
While the natural habitat for Indus dolphin existed in the river from Attock in Punjab to the Indus delta in the Arabia Sea, the survey team, comprising officials of the province’s wildlife and irrigation departments, would focus on the area between Guddu and Sukkur barrage, said Mahar.
“The constructions of dams and barrages restricted the movement of this freshwater mammal. In early 1974, a Swiss professor, Giorgio Pilleri, conducted a survey and subsequently recommended to preserve the dolphins through law,” he continued.
The count in the first survey was 150.
Consequently, the government of Sindh designated a 200-kilometer stretch of the river between Guddu and Sukkur barrage as the Indus Dolphin Reserve in 1974. The place is now a legally protected area with the largest population of aquatic animal.
Official claims that while the two of the world’s four types of fresh water dolphins – the Ganges river dolphin, called Susu, and Yangtze river dolphin, called Baiji – are almost non-existent the number of Indus dolphins has strangely grown from 150 in 1974 to 918 in 2012, when the last survey was conducted.
After a gap of six years, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Pakistan conducted an unofficial survey last year and claimed the existing population of Indus dolphin was about 1800. However, Mahar said the exact figure of the current population would come to light after the conclusion of the ongoing survey.
Despite their growing number, officials and experts say, the blind dolphins could be facing extinction due to the shrinkage of their habitat, shortage of water and increasing pollution in the river.
“Unlike Ganga, Yangtze and Amazon, there’s no shipping in Indus. Yet, the dolphins remain in danger due to multiple factors,” Mahar said.
Dr. Alia Bano Munshi, a marine life expert and recipient of the pride of performance award, urged lawmakers to tighten legislation to secure Indus dolphin and other rare aquatic species from vanishing altogether.
“Water population, slow movement of water, low levels of water and hot weather are some of the factors threatening these dolphins,” Munshi told Arab News.
She added that these rare mammals could be saved through preventive measures and continuous monitoring.
Sindh wildlife department kicks off survey to save Indus dolphins
Sindh wildlife department kicks off survey to save Indus dolphins
- The population of Indus dolphins has increased, official says
- This rare specie is ‘blind’ in murky river water and relies on echolocation to find prey
More than 3,400 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims arrive in Madinah via 15 flights
- Pakistan on Thursday launched its pre-Hajj flight operation which will continue till June 9
- Out of all, seven flights were operated from Islamabad, Karachi under Makkah Route initiative
ISLAMABAD: More than 3,400 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Madinah via 15 flights during the first two days of the country’s pre-Hajj flight operation, Pakistani state media reported on Friday.
Out of these, seven flights were operated from Islamabad and Karachi under the Makkah Route project, an initiative of the Saudi government to streamline the immigration process for pilgrims.
Currently, only Islamabad and Karachi airports in Pakistan are functioning under the initiative to facilitate pilgrims during the Hajj days.
“Filled with excitement and devotion, the pilgrims, who have been preparing for this moment for years, stepped foot in the Prophet’s (SAW) city, marking the beginning of the Hajj season,” the state-run APP news agency reported.
“Approximately three million pilgrims from around the world, including 179,210 Pakistanis, will converge on the holy cities to perform the sacred Hajj.”
From the airport, the passengers were transported to residential buildings located in Markazia, some 20-minute away from the Prophet’s Mosque.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime, if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, according to the Pakistani religious affairs ministry. Of them, 63,805 pilgrims will be performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest would be accommodated by private tour operators.
Pakistan began its pre-Hajj flight operation on May 9, which will continue till June 9. This year’s pilgrimage is expected to run from June 14 till June 19.
Pakistan signs contract with consulting giant McKinsey in push to digitize tax collection system
- IMF-led structural reforms require Pakistan to raise tax to GDP ratio from around 9 percent to 13 percent-14 percent
- Global lender wants Pakistan to broaden its existing tax base and improve tax administration
KARACHI: Pakistan signed an agreement with McKinsey and Company on Friday for the digitalization of its tax system, the finance ministry said, as the South Asian nation strives to deliver reforms amid talks with the International Monetary Fund for a new bailout loan.
Among reforms the IMF will likely push for a new package, like the last two packages, are strengthening public finances including through gradual fiscal consolidation, broadening the existing tax base, improving tax administration, and debt sustainability.
In a media brief in December 2023, Pakistan’s main tax collection agency, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), said the country had a “very narrow tax base” of around 5.2 million people in 2022, out of a population of 240 million people. The FBR said it plans to add 1.5 million new taxpayers to the existing base during the current fiscal year.
A high-level meeting was held at the FBR headquarters on Friday, following the signing of the contract with the global consulting firm, McKinsey and Company. The meeting was attended by officials from the ministry of finance, FBR, McKinsey and Karandaaz, a not-for-profit company promoting access to finance for small and medium sized enterprises and financial inclusion for individuals.
“The digitalization of the tax system is a pivotal step toward modernizing tax collection which will enhance transparency and revenue growth,” the finance division said in a statement.
“Digital transformation is a key priority for the government, and this collaboration [with McKinsey] underscores the government’s commitment to improving tax collection for promoting sustained economic growth. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this initiative on Pakistan’s economy,” Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb was quoted as saying in the statement.
FBR Chairman Malik Amjed Zubair Tiwana said FBR was committed to enhancing revenue collection by leveraging technology to modernize its operations.
“This project [with McKinsey] is a significant step toward achieving FBR’s goals of transparency and efficiency to better serve the people of Pakistan,” Tiwana added.
With a chronic balance of payment crisis, Pakistan needs $24 billion in payments for debt and interest servicing in the next fiscal year starting July 1 — three times more than its central bank’s foreign currency reserves.
The South Asian nation is seeking yet another long-term, larger IMF loan, with finance minister Aurangzeb saying Islamabad could secure a staff-level agreement on the new program by early July.
If successful, this would be the 25th IMF bailout for Pakistan.
The IMF-led structural reforms require Pakistan to raise its tax to GDP ratio, stop losses in state-owned enterprise and manage its energy sector losses which run into trillions of rupees.
Pakistan’s finance ministry expects the economy to grow by 2.6 percent in the current fiscal year ending June, while average inflation is projected to stand at 24 percent, down from 29.2 percent in fiscal year 2023/2024.
Inflation soared to a record high of 38 percent last May but eased to 17.3 percent this April after staying above 20 percent for almost two years
Balbirnie leads Ireland to T20 win over Pakistan
- The opener’s innings was pivotal as Ireland reached a target of 183 with a ball to spare
- It was Ireland’s second win against Pakistan since their shock triumph at 2007 World Cup
DUBLIN: Andrew Balbirnie’s 77 helped guide Ireland to their first victory over Pakistan in 17 years as they won the opening Twenty20 international by five wickets in Dublin on Friday.
The opener’s innings was pivotal as Ireland reached a target of 183 with a ball to spare.
Victory gave Ireland a 1-0 lead in a three-match series against a Pakistan side they will also face in the group stage of next month’s T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.
It was just Ireland’s second win against Pakistan following their shock triumph at the 2007 50-over World Cup.
Pakistan skipper and star batsman Babar Azam top-scored for the tourists on Friday with 57 in a total of 182-6 that also featured Saim Ayub’s 45.
“I didn’t watch the last over. (I) went to the tent and put a towel over my head,” said Balbirnie, who shared a third-wicket stand of 77 with Harry Tector, at the presentation ceremony.
“I felt it was my job to get the team over the line... Harry said if we could bat normally till the 13th over, we could get the runs. That was a partnership which set it up.”
Azam, meanwhile, absolved his bowlers of blame for the defeat.
“I think 190 would have been a par score,” he said.
“We lost in the fielding and batting. (I) don’t think we executed the plans. Few fielding lapses cost us.
“We attacked in the first six overs but didn’t finish well.”
Ireland needed 40 to win from the last four overs, with Abbas Afridi dismissing George Dockrell for 24.
Next over, with Ireland requiring another 28 from 17 balls, Shadab Khan gave Balbirnie a reprieve by failing to hold a tough chance.
Come the penultimate over, Ireland’s target was down to 19.
But Pakistan quick Shaheen Shah Afridi bowled Balbirnie with a low full toss to end the opener’s impressive 55-ball innings, which featured 10 fours and two sixes.
With Ireland needing 11 off the last over, Curtis Campher under-edged a boundary off Abbas and eventually sealed victory with a leg bye.
The teams meet again in Dublin on Sunday and Tuesday.
Pakistan to play Japan in Azlan Shah Hockey Cup final today
- This is first time Pakistan have advanced to tournament’s final since 2011
- Pakistan have won the Azlan Shah Cup title thrice, in 1999, 2000 and 2003
OSLAMABAD: Pakistan remained unbeaten in the Azlan Shah Hockey Cup on Friday as their match against New Zealand ended in a tie, and will take on Japan in the final today, Saturday.
Pakistan are already through to the final which will take place at 5:30pm (PKT) on Saturday at the Azlan Shah Stadium in Ipoh. This is the first time Pakistan have advanced to the tournament’s final since 2011.
Friday’s match ended in a draw, with both teams securing one point each, the Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) said.
“Pakistan has managed to make it to the finals with a total of 11 points from five matches on the points table,” PHF said. “Pakistan won the bronze medal in the last event [Thursday] by winning the third-place match. The final match between Pakistan and Japan will be played tomorrow [Saturday].”
Six teams are participating in the event, including host team Malaysia, Pakistan, Korea, Japan, New Zealand and Canada.
Pakistan have won the Azlan Shah Cup title thrice — in 1999, 2000 and 2003 — and came third in the last edition which was also held in Ipoh in 2022. Malaysia are the defending champions of this year’s edition.
Addressing the squad via video link, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar reiterated the government’s commitment to hockey, state-run Radio Pakistan said, adding that the prime minister had ordered focusing on removing obstacles in the development of hockey in Pakistan.
“The entire nation is praying for the victory of Pakistan and is looking forward to welcome a champion team,” Tarar said.
Pakistan is now 18th in hockey rankings after being consistently among the top four and winning a record four World Cups. The nation has not won a single hockey medal at the Olympics since 1992.
Over 50,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims to benefit from Makkah Route Initiative this year — ministry
- This year Saudi Arabia extended Makkah Route Initiative to Karachi airport, was previously available only in Islamabad
- Around 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj pilgrimage this year under both the government and private schemes
ISLAMABAD: The religious affairs ministry said on Friday 26,000 Pakistani Hajj pilgrims had benefited from the Makkah Route Initiative last year, with the government planning to double the figure this year with the inauguration of the project in Karachi.
Pakistani officials last month confirmed Saudi Arabia’s decision to expand the Makkah Route Initiative, previously available only in Islamabad, to the airport in Karachi, the country’s largest and most populous city.
Launched in 2019, the Makkah Route Initiative allows for the completion of immigration procedures at the pilgrims’ country of departure, making it possible to bypass long immigration and customs checks on reaching Saudi Arabia. The facility significantly reduces waiting times and makes the entry process smoother and faster.
“Last year, the count of pilgrims utilizing the ‘Route to Makkah’ stood at 26,000 while this year, concerted efforts have been made to double the number of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims benefiting from this streamlined process,” state-run APP news agency said, quoting Secretary Religious Affairs Zulfiqar Haider, who alongside Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Pakistan, formally inaugurated this year’s ‘Route to Makkah’ project at the Islamabad International Airport on Friday.
“Saudi immigration and customs procedures for Hajj pilgrims departing from Islamabad would now be efficiently conducted in Islamabad itself,” Haider said.
“Consequently, these pilgrims would swiftly navigate through the Saudi airport and proceed to their destinations without delay.”
This year, around 179,210 Pakistanis will perform Hajj under both the government and private schemes, for which a month-long flight operation started on May 9.
Out of 179,210 pilgrims, 89,605 each will embark on the holy journey under the government and private schemes, while a quota of 25,000 and 44,802 pilgrims, respectively, has been allocated to the sponsorship schemes.
Under the Hajj flight operation, five airlines – Pakistan International Airlines, Saudi Airlines, Airblue, Serene Air, and Air Sial – will operate 259 sorties to transport around 68,000 intending pilgrims from eight major cities of Pakistan, namely Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Multan, Quetta, Sialkot, and Sukkur, to Jeddah and Madinah under the government scheme.
The first set of Hajj flights took off on Thursday early morning.
