-Calls for enhanced honey production by utilizing modern means
By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday urged the Ulema (religious leaders) to spread messages of social reformation through their Friday’s sermons and contribute towards promoting moral values, inter-faith harmony and tolerance.
Talking to a delegation of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (CRHC) led by its Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president also stressed raising awareness about important social issues, particularly the women’s right of inheritance. The president said Islam was the first religion that granted women their right of inheritance and emphasized upon Ulema needed to create awareness among the people, in this regard, through the platform of mosque.
He advised the Ulema to sensitize the people on importance of family planning in view of the impact of growing population and other issues such as climate change. He lauded the role of Ulema in promoting religious harmony in the country as well as guiding and educating the people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Allama Dr Muhammad Hussain Akbar, Maulana Hafiz Dr Abdul Ghafoor, Mufti Zameer Ahmad Sajid, Mufti Muhammad Yusuf Kashmiri, Mufti Fazal Jameel Rizvi, Allama Syed Ali Karar Naqvi, Mufti Faisal Ahmed, Mufti Qari Mehrullah, Pir Syed Habibullah Chishti, the ex-officio members of CRHC, members of Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and senior officials of the government attended the meeting.
Later on Monday, President Dr Arif Alvi urged the need of increasing the production of honey in Pakistan by utilizing modern beekeeping gear and imparting training to beekeepers on modern lines.
He added that the congenial climate and flora of the country provided conducive environment for expanding beekeeping which had great potential to earn foreign exchange and provide employment opportunities to the youth of country.
The President expressed these views while chairing a follow-up meeting on Honey Bee Farming and Harvesting here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to PM on Youth Affairs Usman Dar, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan, President All Pakistan Beekeepers and Honey Dealers Association (APBHDA) Naeem Qasmi, Secretary General APBHDA Nouroz Khan, Member APBHDA Prof Dr Syed Ishtiaq Anjum, senior officers of the Ministries of Climate Change, National Food Security and Research, Finance, Commerce and other government officials.
Ministry of Climate Change and the Arid Agriculture University briefed the meeting about the steps being taken for the training of beekeepers and the development of beekeeping sector in the country.
Chief Conservator Forest Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Gohar informed the meeting that his department would plant 6 million berry trees and 10 million Phulai (Acacia Modesta) trees in order to increase the yield of honey.
