Climate-related threats: IT Minister announces five-point framework
She made the announcement, while delivering a keynote speech at the National Conference on Climate Challenges.
Highlighting the rapid growth of Pakistan's IT sector, the minister emphasised that sustainable development is only possible through the effective use of data. 'Data plays a pivotal role in policymaking and decision-making,' she stated.
She termed the Digital Nation Pakistan Act a groundbreaking legislative step that will establish systems for data exchange and interoperability across government departments.
Khawaja also announced the establishment of a specialised National Incubation Centre for Climate Agri Tech and noted that young innovators are being supported through IGNITE with facilities for research, incubation, and commercialisation.
The minister said Pakistan Stack, a new initiative, will connect youth-led innovation with government data, opening new pathways for digital solutions.
She noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally chairs meetings on environmental issues, showing his strong commitment to tackling climate challenges.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Globally consistent accounting standards urged for carbon-related instruments
KARACHI: A new joint study by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith Business School highlight the urgent need for globally consistent accounting standards for carbon-related instruments. The research, titled Reality of accounting for carbon-related instruments, reviewed 300 companies in high-emitting sectors and found significant inconsistencies in how these instruments are treated in corporate financial reports. Currently, there is no dedicated IFRS Accounting Standard for carbon-related instruments, leading companies to create their own accounting policies. According to Professor Ioannis Tsalavoutas from the University of Glasgow, this discretion results in a lack of transparency and comparability, with inconsistent terminology and methodologies undermining confidence in sustainability claims. To address this gap, ACCA and the University recommend developing a globally applicable accounting standard. This would guide companies on defining the scope, recognition, measurement, and disclosure of carbon-related instruments, ensuring faithful representation of their financial and environmental impact. They also suggest adopting a unified term—'carbon-related instruments'—to promote harmonized communication across markets. ACCA has supplemented the report with two practical articles offering insights for decision-makers and finance teams, including workflows based on current IFRS standards and the broader implications for ESG reporting, tax risk, and reputation. Aaron Saw, Head of corporate reporting insights, at ACCA, emphasized that quality information on these instruments is vital for stakeholders. ACCA calls on regulators, standard-setters, and finance professionals to engage with the findings, to build a more transparent and trustworthy carbon market. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15 hours ago
- Business Recorder
KP CM takes exception of ‘misrepresentation' of his statement
PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Khan Gandapur has expressed strong concern over the Indian government's misrepresentation of his recent statement, describing it as a deliberate attempt to deflect attention from India's longstanding involvement in sponsoring terrorism and destabilizing peace in the region. In his detailed policy statement issued here in this regard on Friday, he condemned Indian longstanding involvement in terrorism across Pakistan and the entire region, stating that India has consistently played a destabilizing role, both directly and through covert means. 'As ex-Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs, I am fully aware of the ground realities,' he said. 'I am writing to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and will personally appear before it to expose what India has done, and continues to do, in Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan', he added. The chief minister said that India's involvement in orchestrating terrorism in Pakistan is undeniable, particularly highlighting India's network of over a hundred consulates in Afghanistan — which, according to him, were never meant for diplomacy or trade but served as operational hubs to orchestrate terrorism within Pakistan. He vowed to expose India's role in fuelling instability, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying: 'I will go there personally and tell the whole world what India has done. I will reveal how deeply your government is involved in terrorism in Pakistan. Our entire party, led by Imran Khan, and the Pakistani nation, are united in defending our country.' He further said that India orchestrated attacks on Chinese nationals, strategic infrastructure, and other assets in Pakistan, saying that all such incidents are ultimately linked to Indian interests. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
15 hours ago
- Business Recorder
IT minister hails Agri Stack as transformative platform
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja hailed the Agri Stack as a transformative platform for Pakistan's agriculture sector during her visit to the Land Information and Management System (LIMS) facility. Developed by LIMS as a complete digital ecosystem and e-commerce platform under the Ministry of IT and Telecom (MoITT), Agri Stack aims to modernise agriculture through real-time advisory, land intelligence, and AI-driven solutions. Accompanied by the director general of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the minister reviewed the live demonstration of Agri Stack, which currently serves over two million farmers. The system has already contributed to saving Rs5 billion through automated pest attack mitigation—most notably during the whitefly outbreak in 2023. DG LIMS Maj Gen Muhammad Ayub Ahsan received the delegation, while Dr Col Waqar briefed attendees on the role of LIMS in enhancing food security and transforming land management. Discussions also covered a suite of digital tools including the Pak Sar Zameen Card, a GIS/remote-sensing-based smart card enabling farmers to access land records, subsidies, and agri-advisories. The visit also spotlighted broader initiatives such as promoting tech-based job creation for youth in agriculture, smartphone distribution, improved digital connectivity, and the use of AI for crop yield prediction. A proposal to form a steering group to coordinate and support LIMS in scaling these innovations was tabled during the meeting. Minister Shaza emphasised that LIMS must be fully accessible via smart phones, enabling real-time access to land records and location tracking for users across Pakistan. She highlighted the importance of digital integration in land governance to boost transparency and ease of access. The DG SIFC noted that LIMS reflects the Whole-of-Government approach, jointly driven by the SIFC and Pakistan's Armed Forces, and reaffirmed the Council's commitment to a tech-enabled and sustainable future for the country's agricultural and environmental landscape. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
