Pakistan has improved its rating by jumping towards 94th position out of 117 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2019 with a score of 32.6.
As per the latest GHI, Pakistan’s
ranking improved considerably by 12 points if compared with the last year’s
ranking of 106 while India is ranked on 102 points, the lowest any South Asian
country scored.
The Global Hunger Index or GHI scores countries on a 100-point “severity scale”, where zero is the best score which means no hunger and 100 is the worst. With a score of 32.6, Pakistan still suffers from a level of hunger that is serious but it is improving with time.
India has been ranked on 102 out of 117
countries, way behind from BRICS
While a year back, Pakistan had the
lowest ranking in South Asia. Now in 2019, India has the lowest ranking in
South Asian countries.
Pakistani lawyer Jalila Haider was named in British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)’s 100 women of 2019 list.
The Hazara-based human rights lawyer specialises in defending women’s rights in Pakistan and provides free legal services to women in poverty across the country.
She is also the founder of We the Humans, a non-profit organisation working with local communities to provide opportunities for women and children.
As per reports, she is the first female lawyer from the Hazara community, and in 2018 she went on a hunger strike demanding protection for her people.
Taking to the social media platform, Haider expressed deep joy and said it was an honour for her to represent Pakistan on the list.
Other women on the list include Precious Adams from the United States, Parveena Ahanger from Indian-occupied Kashmir, and Jasmine Akter from the Rohingya community.
After creating waves and winning hearts on the first day of their visit, the Duke and Duchess began the second day of their trip by heading straight to the beautiful mountainous North of the country.
On the third day of their five-day visit, Kate and William are visiting the mighty Hindu Kush mountain range to witness the effects of climate change, which is one of the key areas of focus of their visit.
They arrived in Chitral on a helicopter where they were gifted the traditional Chitrali cap and a book of photos commemorating the trip of Princess Diana, who visited the valley in 1991.
Upon receiving the book, William remarked “Fantastic,” as he sifted through the pages of the book. The residents also gifted an embroidered coat to the Duke and a shawl to the Duchess.
The Duchess wore a long taupe-coloured skirt and a darker coloured shirt under a leather vest for the visit. She opted for flat knee-high brown boots and accessoried with gold earrings and a beige pashmina, while William wore a teal shirt and beige chino trousers. People couldn’t help but compare her to Diana.
The couple then visited the northern tip of the Chiatibo Glacier in Broghil National Park and were shown how it has retreated rapidly in recent years due to global warming. It was the first time the couple had seen a melting glacier.
Standing between the snowy peaks of the mountain range, the duke said communities “vulnerable to change” needed “more education, more awareness and political action.”
Following that, they travelled to Bombaret village in Kalash valley, where they interacted with the locals and spent time with children. They also enjoyed performances of traditional dances and music by the local people.
The Duchess was all smiles as she took part in the festivities.
A special cultural show, focused on the life in the Northern Areas, was also held for the royal couple.
Jemima Khan called the designer and asked to design a dress for a celebrity whose name she yet reveals in 1996. Rizwan Beyg shares the story behind dressing the most famous and most photographed woman: Diana, Princess of Wales.
Princess Diana visited Pakistan in 1996 on Imran Khan’s invitation to help raise funds for Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital. Diana was accompanied by Lady Annabel Goldsmith, the mother of Khan’s wife at the time, Jemima Khan, and Jemima’s cousin Cosima Somerse.
Prince William and Kate Middleton’s maiden tour of Pakistan is in full swing and the two won the hearts of all the countrymen by arriving in a brightly-painted rickshaw for an event hosted by British High Commissioner Thomas Drew and his wife.
While Kate shimmered in a dress by Jenny Packham, William looked absolutely dapper in a sherwani by Karachi-based designer Naushemian. Kate accessorised her look with bespoke earrings by Onitaa, which were sourced from Pakistan.
Prince William also addressed the event which had Pakistan’s who’s who – from politicians to entrepreneurs – in attendance.
He started his speech, which he had penned himself, with a “Shukriya” to the people of the country for a warm welcome, adding that he was enjoying the delicious food here.
He then said: “For a country so young, Pakistan has endured many hardships, with countless lives lost to terror and hatred. Tonight I want to pay tribute to all those who have endured such sacrifice and helped to build the country that we see today.”
“The challenges ahead are great. But we cannot be daunted, nor distracted.”
He continued: “Instead we should draw strength from our shared bonds and heed the words of Muhammed Ali Jinnah as we do so. My message to you all is of hope, courage, and confidence.”
The royal reception was the last event in their jam-packed schedule.
The royal couple commenced their trip with a visit to Islamabad Model College for Girls where they interacted with the staff and students and visited classrooms.
Kate looked stunning in a beautiful custom Periwinkle Silk outfit by designer Maheen Khan. Her nude court shoes were from British high-street brand New Look.
Following their visit to the school, they went to Trail 5, Margalla to attend an event regarding environmental protection. They also set a leopard camera trap with children.
William and Kate are about to set a leopard camera trap with children in Margallah Hills National Park in Islamabad in the foothills of the Himalayas. There are two families of leopards here apparently. Not too close, I hope. pic.twitter.com/uwlBjE5xCw
After a change in outfit, Kate and William visited Aiwan-e-Sadr where they met with President Arif Alvi and his wife as well as Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and his wife.
Following that, they arrived at the Prime Minister House for a lunch hosted by PM Imran Khan in their honour.
Kate is wearing trousers by Maheen Khan and a tunic by Catherine Walker, with a scarf by Satrangi and earrings by Zeen.
Several members of PM Imran’s cabinet were present on the occasion including Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari, Federal Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood, Special Assistant to the PM for Overseas Pakistanis Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari and Special Advisor to PM for Information and Broadcasting.
55-year-old Simanach
Mallick presumed dead by his family members but he suddenly woke up before his
cremation in India.
As per reports, villagers rushed Simanach Mallick to the nearby community health center of the district after he woke up ahead of the cremation in the village. His condition was stated to be stable after treatment.
Reports reveal that Mallick had gone to graze
goats on Saturday but he did not return home, even though the animals returned
on their own. When his family members and villagers searched for him, they
found him unconscious at farmland.
Apparently, instead of
taking him to hospital, his neighbors and family members assumed that he was
dead and so decided to carry out his last rites.
Following the completion of funeral rites when
Simanchal’s kin lit the pyre, he suddenly woke up, shocking mourners and all
others present at the spot. Soon after the incident, Simanchal was rushed to
Sorada Community Health Centre (CHC) where he underwent treatment. His health
condition is stated to be stable now.
The man had fallen
unconscious due to high fever and weakness and his condition has improved after
getting proper treatment, said a doctor who attended him. He was later
discharged.
Happy to see her
husband alive, Mallick’s wife Soli regretted that as she did not take him to
the hospital before presuming him dead.
With the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, arriving in Islamabad as part of their royal tour of Pakistan, the former will be honouring his late mother and Princess of Wales, Diana, with a special visit.
The five-day visit to the country — which has been described by Kensington Palace as their “most complex” to date — will see William and Kate attend a series of engagements focusing on security and the effects of climate change beside education for girls and young women.
According to reports, during the trip that will see the couple visit Islamabad, Lahore, the mountains in the north and regions bordering Afghanistan in the west, the Queen’s grandson will also seek to honour his late mother Princess Diana’s humanitarian work.
In 1996 and 1997, shortly before she died in a fatal car accident, the princess visited the country to see her friend Jemima Goldsmith and then-husband Imran Khan, who is now the prime minister (PM).
During the latter trip to Lahore, Diana had helped Imran with raising funds for his Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital.
William is now due to meet the premier, who he has known since childhood, as well as President Dr Arif Alvi. It is also thought the Duke and Duchess, who have left their three children at home, will see sites visited by the Queen during tours in 1961 and 1997.
“The duke and duchess will be covering a lot of ground and are keen to put Pakistan back on the map as a country that is now much safer than people expect it to be,” reports quoted a royal source as saying.
Precise details of the trip — the first royal tour to the country in 13 years after Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall — haven’t been released for security reasons.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, touched down in Islamabad Monday night on their first official visit to the country.
The royal couple was welcomed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, his wife and British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew after their airplane landed at the Nur Khan Airbase.
Kate looked resplendent in a sky blue flowy outfit by Catherine Walker accessorised by earrings and clutch by Zeen.
Here’s a closeup of the Duchess’ accessories:
The five-day visit, which will end on October 18, has been organised at the request of the United Kingdom’s (UK) Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The last royal visit was in 2006.
With the Royals due in Pakistan, excitement levels in the country are high as everyone waits for the historic moment. Their schedule is being tightly guarded due to security reasons which means we don’t exactly know what is on their itinerary but media and social media has been lit with speculations of their four-day visit.
Kensington Palace in an official statement had shared that the royal couple’s trip “will range from the modern, leafy capital of Islamabad to the vibrant city of Lahore, the mountainous countryside in the North, and the rugged border regions to the West.”
UK envoy Thomas Drew said that Kate and William “hope to meet as many Pakistanis as possible during the course of the visit. They are looking forward to building a lasting friendship with the people of Pakistan.”
While the full guest list has not yet been revealed, here’s who is expected to meet the Duke and Duchess, according to our social media sleuthing:
Hina Butt
PML-N MPA Hina Butt, in a Tweet, shared that she will be attending a reception in honour of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Pakistan Monument on Tuesday.
Fashion designer Maheen Khan recalled Queen Elizabeth II’s first visit to Pakistan and said that she looks forward to meeting “TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in person.”
.The feverish excitement of both the press and the women of PK is so wonderful to watch .in 1961 i stood with my father and my sisters waving at H.M the queen as she drove past .on the 15th i look forward to meeting TRH the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in person! https://t.co/LYTxquPKMO
The day has finally arrived. Prince William and Kate Middleton are expected to arrive in Pakistan Monday night and extensive security arrangements have been made for their visit.
According to The Telegraph, more than 1,000 police officers will be deployed to ensure foolproof security to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Details of the five-day trip, described as “the most complex” by Kensington Palace, have also been kept under wraps. Officials privy to the matter have said their itinerary will be tightly guarded by the military, with local media being informed of details at the last minute.
The goal of such detailed arrangements is “to secure the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as Pakistan hopes the visit can repair the country’s image.”
Kensington Palace in a statement, earlier this month, had shared that the royal couple’s trip “will range from the modern, leafy capital of Islamabad to the vibrant city of Lahore, the mountainous countryside in the North, and the rugged border regions to the West.”
The royal couple is also scheduled to meet Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi on October 15 after which they will visit Lahore and Chitral.
Meanwhile, UK envoy Thomas Drew has said that the royal couple’s visit would show Pakistan as “a forward-looking country”.
In a video message on Twitter, Drew said, “Most importantly, they hope to meet as many Pakistanis as possible during the course of the visit. They are looking forward to building a lasting friendship with the people of Pakistan.”
Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while speaking on the royal visit said: “This is a goodwill visit, and they want to promote good relations between Pakistan, England and our new generation.”
Kate and William’s visit to the Commonwealth’s second-most-populous country was announced in June and planned at the request of Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. It will be the first trip to Pakistan by members of the royal family since Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, travelled there in 2006.
