Earth hour observed at Benazir Bhutto International Airport

To show the commitment to the light against the climate change, Civil Aviation Authority (CCA) observed Earth-Hour by switching off all non-operational lights from 830 pm to 9.30 pm on Saturday night in the vicinity of Benazir Bhutto International Airport.
The officers and staff also gathered at the Airport and participated in a walk. The participants were holding candles and banners in their hands. The banners were inscribed with slogans regarding the awareness and importance of Earth-hour for the planet.
Speaking on the occasion, the Airport Manager, CAA, Benazir Bhutto International Airport highlighted the importance of this event and gave some tips for energy saving. It is worth mentioning that CAA had celebrated Earth-Hour in the last year also.
World Autism Awareness Day today : World Autism Awareness Day will be observed today across the world including Pakistan to increase people’s awareness about people, especially children, with autism.
The day often features educational events for teachers, health care workers and parents, as well as exhibitions showcasing work created by children with autism. World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) theme is “Autism: Early intervention is key “and slogan, “know the signs; Act now”.
Many events are organized on World Autism Awareness Day. These include: Panel discussions with autism experts, politicians and non-governmental organization (NGO) representatives. Informational events for parents of children with autism and Conferences and workshops for professionals working with people with autism. Autism is a developmental disability that remains with a person for his or her whole life. This condition affects the brain’s functions. Autism affects girls and boys of all races and in all geographic regions and has a large impact on children, their families, communities and societies.
The prevalence is currently rising in many countries around the world. Caring for and educating children and young people with this condition places challenges on health care, education and training programs. On November 1, 2007, the United Nations (UN) called for one day each year to be designated as World Autism Day. On December 18, 2007, the UN General Assembly designated April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day. It was first observed in 2008.
FJWU holds conference on human rights: A three-day international conference on ‘Implementing Human Right: A Way Forward’, was organised by the Department of Gender Studies at Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) in collaboration with the Department of Human Rights and Minorities Affairs, Government of Punjab.
The objectives of the conference were to review the human rights issues, challenges and practices around the world and to identify the issues of human rights in the marginalized groups of society as well as to provide a forum for the civil society organizations, policy makers, human rights activists and researchers to collectively analyze the constraints in provision of human rights to the citizens.
During the conference, 32 papers were presented by scholars, affiliated with universities of the country and around the world. Eight were from the universities of India, the USA, Australia, Spain and the UK.
The sessions were chaired by the eminent professors and human rights activists in their fields. Due to the current situation of Pakistan, only one speaker was able to mange to present her paper in person and other three presented their papers on line.
Scholars within country were from Lahore School of Economics, University of Sindh, University of Peshawar, University of Wah, University of Kohat, University of Iqra, Peshawar, Azad Jammu & Kashmir University, Muzafarabad, International Islamic University, Allama Iqbal Open University and Fatima Jinnah Women University. Some 200 participants attended this conference.
The papers were presented in 12 different themes in three days. There were three key note speakers: Justice (Rted) Nasira Javed Iqbal highlighted the situation of Violence, Justice and Human Rights in the world and specifically with reference to Pakistan, Dr. Mehtab Karim, affiliated Professor School of Public Policy, George Mason University, USA discussed the human rights with respect to women: National and International perspective in terms of reproductive control as a symptom women’s low status. Professor Dr. Maithree from Sri Lanka thrashed out the education and human rights particularly with reference to Sri Lanka.
The speakers said that Pakistan is one of the most violence facing countries today in the world in terms of cultural violence, domestic violence, criminal violence and religious sectarian violence and we ourselves are responsible for what is happening these days in Pakistan.
The parallel Legal System in the country is based on common law, Sharia law and Jirga system that also is a problem. The way the issues of minorities are handled in Pakistan needs serious attention.
Professor Karim discussed that this situation is prevailing the world over and in a more intense way in Muslim countries.
Professor Mitri discussed the serious gaps in practicing laws and written laws in Pakistan and Sri Lanka. She mentioned that gender violence and sexual violence has not happened in isolation, they are embedded in the structure of the society. Without critical understanding of education, it is difficult to understand change. Moreover advocating women rights does not mean to deprive the rights of another group in the society. Then panel discussion concluded the overall conference. Justice (Retd) Ali Nawaz Chohan was the chief guest for the closing ceremony. The guests were presented souvenirs by the worthy Vice Chancellor and certificates were also distributed among the participants.