Disaster Risk Reduction: Early Warning System (Part II) on October 14, 2022Early Warning System (EWS) is the provision of timely and effective information; allowing vulnerable communities to avoid or reduce risk. It is an integration of four main elements–risk knowledge, monitoring and predicting, disseminating information, and response. EWS is recognised as an effective tool to improve preparedness and response to natural hazards. Social benefits include mitigating […]
Disaster Risk Reduction: An Institutional Framework (Part I) on October 12, 2022October 13 is celebrated as the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction by the United Nations, countries all across the globe are urged to focus on the prevention and minimisation of the risks posed by natural disasters. Disasters have a monumental impact on the economies, lives and basic infrastructure of those affected. In 2022, the […]
Panda on the Olive Tree (Part-III) on May 24, 2021During a cabinet meeting in September 2012, Netanyahu urged his ministers to multiply their visits to China while cutting their international travels to all other places due to budgetary constraints. Israel and China signed a 10-year multiple entry visa agreement in 2016. Under the new programme, Chinese businesspeople and tourists can enter Israel multiple times […]
Panda on the Olive Tree — 2 on May 23, 2021China’s main interests in Israel are advanced technologies and Israel’s strategic location. As a developing nation, China has a lot of domestic challenges—pollution, desertification, an aging population, etc. Israel is a global powerhouse in technologies and innovation and can help China solve these problems. China is particularly interested in Israel’s expertise in biotech, water tech, […]
Panda on the Olive Tree – I on May 22, 2021In very introduction of his book, China-Pakistan Axis, author Andrew Small mentioned that when a US delegate once confronted a Chinese delegate about Beijing’s uncompromising support for Pakistan, the Chinese General Xiong Guangkai reportedly responded with a heavily-loaded sarcastic remark: “Pakistan is our Israel”. Andrew S characterises this remark as part explanation, part sarcastic jibe, […]
Thermal power production in Pakistan Part 3 on February 6, 2021Efficient energy market needs to be created having multiple buyers to move away from ‘take or pay’ to ‘take and pay’ and competitive pricing. In this regard, ways and means are to be explored within framework of agreements through multilateral and bilateral negotiations. Reportedly some progress has been achieved in negotiations with IPPs and Government […]
Thermal power production in Pakistan Part 2 on February 1, 2021Currently installed capacity of IPPs is 17,266 MW and connected to grid is 16,250 MW. As per power purchase agreements price is split into two components, energy price and capacity price. According to capacity price mechanism, even if buyer is unable to evacuate energy due to lack of transmission line the power producer shall be […]
Thermal power production in Pakistan Part 01 on January 30, 2021Energy plays a vital role in the economic and social development of a country. Electricity being widely used form of energy is essential to keep a balance between supply and demand, to cater the need of high population growth and industrialization in a developing country like Pakistan. During the 20th century the governments had the […]
Arundhati Roy – Literatus Par Excellence on November 25, 2020The sun rises later and later now, and I, who only a month ago could sit with latte every morning watching the light walk down the green yard to the edge of grey structure house, now wait till six for dawn. All this point towards the transmogrifying month of November where everything seems amazingly beautiful […]
Green and sustainable energy in Pak (part III) on October 14, 2020Like geopolitical security, cross-border, water & food security, energy security, being linchpin of all economic-cum-social activities, commands prime importance. Pakistan is not richly endowed with oil & gas which have to be imported by sea & hence vulnerable to blockades. Its coal reserves are not easily exploitable. Hydel power is marred by low river flows […]