PM to address World Climate Action Summit tomorrow, present Pakistan’s ‘vision for change’

Britain's King Charles speaks with Prime Minister of Pakistan Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, as they walk to pose for a family photo during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 1, 2023. (REUTERS)
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Updated 01 December 2023
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PM to address World Climate Action Summit tomorrow, present Pakistan’s ‘vision for change’

  • COP28 conference clinched early win Thursday, with delegates adopting a fund to help poor nations fight climate disasters
  • PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar is expected to build on the momentum and call for further contributions from wealthy nations

ISLAMABAD: The foreign office has said Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar will tomorrow, Saturday, address the World Climate Action Summit in Dubai, part of the UN Climate Change Conference 2023 (COP 28), and present Pakistan’s “vision for climate change.”

A deal to create a “loss and damage” fund was hailed as a breakthrough for developing country negotiators, headed by Pakistan, at COP27 in Egypt last year, overcoming years of resistance from wealthy nations. But since the summit, governments have struggled to reach consensus on the details of the fund, such as who will pay and where the fund will be located.

“He will address the summit tomorrow, where he will present Pakistan's vision for climate change, advocating for common commitments in mitigation, adaptation, climate finance, and the loss and damage fund,” the foreign office said about Kakar’s schedule.

“He will also emphasize equity and global cooperation for climate resilience. At COP28, Pakistan aims to collaborate with developing countries, for the operationalization of the 'loss and damage' fund, a meaningful outcome from the Global Stock Take, and the fulfillment of the long-overdue goal of mobilizing US$100 billion annually in climate finance.”

The UN climate summit clinched an early victory Thursday, with delegates adopting the new fund to help poor nations cope with costly climate disasters. In establishing the fund on the first day of the conference, delegates opened the door for governments to announce contributions. Initial pledges include $100 million from the COP28 host United Arab Emirates, at least $51 million from Britain, $17.5 million from the United States, and $10 million from Japan. Later, the European Union pledged $245.39 million, which included $100 million pledged by Germany.

Another task for the conference will be the global stocktake, an assessment of countries' progress in meeting the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°Celsius (3.6°Fahrenheit).
 


Pakistan Super League 11th edition to kick off on March 26

Updated 48 min 57 sec ago
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Pakistan Super League 11th edition to kick off on March 26

  • The PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket league which features a mix of local and international players
  • Hyderabad, Sialkot will join the 11th edition of PSL after they were bought for record prices this month

ISLAMABAD: The 11th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) T20 tournament will kick off on March 26, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday, which will feature eight franchises competing across multiple venues.

The statement came after a meeting of the PSL governing council at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, which was presided over by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

The meeting began with the PCB chairman and all participants congratulating and welcoming the new team owners of Sialkot and Hyderabad, according to the PCB.

“Detailed discussions were held on various matters including the schedule of the HBL PSL 11, player retentions, adoption of the player auction or a unique combination of auction and draft termed as ‘drauction’ and the option of opening direct signings,” the board said.

“It was decided that the HBL PSL 11 will kick off on Thursday, 26 March as the fans, players and stakeholders look forward to entering the new era of the league.”

The PSL is Pakistan’s premier T20 cricket league which features a mix of local and international players. The league already had six city-based teams which include Karachi Kings, Multan Sultans, Lahore Qalandars, Islamabad United, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators.

Hyderabad and Sialkot will join the 11th edition of PSL after they were bought for record prices at an auction organized by the PCB this month.

The board will run the Multan Sultans team for the 11th edition before looking for a potential buyer. The previous owner of Multan Sultans, Ali Tareen, announced last month he was walking away from his ownership of the franchise.