ISLAMABAD: The World Meteorological Organisation of the United Nations has unanimously re-elected Dr Qamar-uz-Zaman Chaudhry vice-president of WMO for Asian Region for four years.
Dr Qamar, adviser to the ministry of defence on climate affairs, was elected to the post during the 15th regional conference held in Qatar last week.
A well-reputed figure in the field of meteorology and climate sciences, Dr Qamar has been a member of the WMO’s executive council from 2003 to 2007 and WMO’s vice-president for Asia region from 2009 to 2012.
Interestingly, in spite of Dr Qamar’s candidature having been approved by the minister of foreign affairs, formal nomination for his election from the Foreign Office did not reach the WMO in time. Japan, China and South Korea jointly submitted his nomination and all other countries elected him unanimously.
PESHAWAR: Seven miners were killed when the roof of a coal mine collapsed in a tribal region of northwest Pakistan, officials said yesterday.
The accident happened on Sunday night in the Dowli area of Orakzai, one of the seven semi-autonomous tribal regions which are home to Taliban and Al Qaeda-linked militants.
The top local administration official, Khushal Khan said the bodies of the seven had been recovered and taken to their home town of Shangla.
Two other local officials confirmed the incident.
Most coal mines in Pakistan are notorious for poor safety standards and facilities. Similar deadly accidents have occurred in the past.
LAHORE: The third passenger train under public-private partnership will start running between the capitals of Pakistan’s two provinces of Punjab and Sindh from the first week of January.
The Night Coach Express would cover the distance between Lahore and Karachi in 18 hours, an official said yesterday.
Comprising one AC sleeper, two lower AC, seven economy class coaches, a dining car and a luggage van, the express train would be leaving Lahore at 6pm to reach Karachi at 12noon the next day.
The Night Coach Express would have stoppages at Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rohri, Nawabshah, Hyderabad and Karachi Cantt.
Internew/AFP
