Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will attend the “One Water Summit” in Riyadh on December 3–4, the Foreign Office (FO) announced. Islamabad and Riyadh have a long history of working together in defense, trade, culture, and economics.

Initiated by Saudi Arabia, France, Kazakhstan, and the World Bank, the summit seeks to foster international collaborations and advance a common strategy for water resource management. PM Shehbaz is anticipated to give the keynote lecture during a roundtable discussion centered on the adaptation, protection, and restoration of wetlands and freshwater resources.

The prime minister’s speech will also highlight Pakistan’s initiatives to improve water quality, increase climate resilience, preserve water, and support biodiversity. In order to tackle the problems brought on by climate-induced flooding, erratic weather patterns, and heat stress on water supplies and ecosystems, he will underscore the vital need for international cooperation.

ALSO READ: Pakistan increases the price of petrol, diesel and LPG with inflation on the rise

According to the FO, the prime minister will “underline the importance of international cooperation” to combat the impacts of climate-induced floods, extreme and unpredictable weather patterns, and heat stress on ecosystems and water supplies. PM Shebaz would also call for “meaningful international collaboration for sustainable water resource management.” On the sidelines of the summit, the prime minister is expected to engage in bilateral meetings and engagements.”

The prime minister earlier today congratulated the two nations on their long-standing friendship and conveyed his happiness with the progress made in Saudi-Pakistani investment and cooperation projects.

The prime minister, who chaired a review session, highlighted the strategic partnership that is still thriving by pointing out the expanding cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan in several areas. Additionally, he emphasized the resolve to further enhance this relationship and hailed Saudi Arabia as a reliable partner, particularly during difficult times for Pakistan.

The cooperation between the two countries has been crucial, particularly during Pakistan’s economic downturns. In June of last year, Saudi Arabia made a $2 billion deposit into Pakistan’s State Bank, which helped unlock a $3 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This action was vital in keeping Pakistan from going into default on its debts.

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The finance ministry announced new rates as part of the fortnightly adjustment, raising the price of petrol by Rs 3.72 per litre and high-speed diesel by Rs 3.29 per litre.

Following the hike, the new prices for petrol and HSD are Rs 252.10 and Rs 258.38, respectively. Additionally, the prices of light diesel oil and kerosene oil were reduced by 48 and 62 paise per litre, respectively.

Since the rates of daily commodities fluctuate along with the inflation rate in Pakistan, the prices of petroleum products are closely correlated with it. Reductions bring respite, and price increases cause the inflation rate to rise as well, burdening the general populace.

According to the facts, the new LPG price for December is Rs 254.30 per kilogram.

A household LPG cylinder now costs Rs 3,079.79, up from Rs 2,999.47 in November. The increase in the value of the US dollar is the reason for the hike in LPG costs.

ALSO READ: Lahore’s air quality continues to hover around the “hazardous” threshold despite a minor improvement

The updated prices will take effect on December 1st, according to a statement released by OGRA. It’s anticipated that this price increase would further strain customers, who are already dealing with growing inflation and fuel costs.

According to the administration, these shifts are indicative of worldwide patterns in oil pricing. Consumers, who are already dealing with inflation and the growing cost of necessities, have responded to the move in a variety of ways.

Changes in the domestic economy and the global oil market are anticipated to influence future changes in fuel prices.

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In terms of air quality, the capital of Punjab is the second most polluted city worldwide today. Following over a month of detecting dangerously high levels of pollutants in the atmosphere, the Swiss air quality monitor, IQAir, has reported that the capital of Punjab has been hovering around the 300 mark, the threshold deemed harmful to human health, for about ten days.

ALSO READ: Punjab schools announced winter vacation schedule: Holidays will start on Dec 20

Punjab, which is home to almost half the 240 million people in the nation, has been covered in a thick layer of haze for almost two months. During this time, there have been several instances of significant increases in the AQI, indicating “unprecedented” levels of pollution in Lahore and Multan. This led to the province government implementing lockdown-style measures early this month in the most smog-affected districts, such as closing schools for weeks, prohibiting people from entering public places, and limiting the hours that eateries and stores were open. According to data from air quality monitors, the initiatives have somewhat assisted the government in reducing smog levels.

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Every winter, Punjab is blanketed by a combination of low-grade fuel emissions from companies and automobiles, which are made worse by farmers’ seasonal crop burn-off. The region is kept confined by slower-moving winds and colder temperatures.

The WHO warns that prolonged exposure to hazardous air can cause respiratory disorders, heart disease, strokes, and lung cancer, among other devastating health effects. Air pollution has worsened in New Delhi, the capital of India, creating similar dangerous circumstances. According to experts, the solution to the haze that paralyzes millions of Indians and Pakistanis each year is to modernize automobile fleets, reevaluate farming practices, and switch to renewable energy sources.

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Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a scheme to give three-marla plots to worthy individuals in the province under the “Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar” initiative.

The plan will start in Chistian, where 666 plots will be distributed, according to the Chief Minister.

Ninety-seven applicants have received their first loan installment under the “Apni Chhat Apna Ghar” scheme, the meeting was informed.

ALSO READ: Punjab schools announced winter vacation schedule: Holidays will start on Dec 20

Additionally, she authorized the donation of furniture and other necessities for the first five houses finished under the scheme. This initiative is part of the provincial government’s broader strategy to address the housing crisis and improve living conditions in Punjab, the most populous region in the country.

In order to qualify for the program, the applicant must be a Punjab resident, a government employee without prior homeownership, and a member of a low-income family with an income under Rs 60,000. According to the Punjab government, “interest-free loans of up to Rs1.5m would be given to owners of 1-5 marlas of land in urban areas and 1-10 marlas of land in rural areas to build homes.”

Applications for the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar Program 2024 are open to all Punjabis. Online registrations and applications are now being accepted. There is also a 100,000 housing unit district-by-district quota available. Additionally, the new registration form is available at acag.punjab.gov.pk. The Punjab Housing and Town Planning Agency (PHATA) is in charge of this project.

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