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I visited UK’s strictest pub... there’s a no phone policy & coats go on a hook – but one rule went too farAssets not liabilities There is no information if rowdy Pakistanis involved in such incidents were actually dual nationals A women holding her NICOP. — NADRA website/File A few days ago, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated in a nationally televised programme that Pakistanis should not be allowed to have dual nationalities. The minister opined that the facility to hold dual nationality, otherwise allowed by Pakistani laws, must be withdrawn and in case Pakistanis settled abroad would like to associate themselves with the country of their origin then they could only carry an identity card (NICOP) especially crafted for them. He said if these “foreign nationals” have invested in the real-estate sector or have business partnerships in Pakistan, then their investments must be treated at par with those made by non-Pakistani foreigners. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); It was not difficult for those who had watched the whole programme to construe that the federal minister was obviously perturbed by some recent events where a handful of overseas Pakistanis have misbehaved with or maltreated the leading members of the ruling party or a retired judge of the Supreme Court during their private visits to some European capitals. There is no information if the rowdy Pakistanis involved in such incidents were actually dual nationals. Khawaja Asif also said that those who have opted to abandon Pakistan for financial gains abroad should not be allowed to defame the country. However, they were not defaming the country. Politicians are often known for putting their feet in their mouths - making remarks that are outright intolerant, insensitive, imprudent and inappropriate. Many realise the mistake when confronted, apologise and retract. Others opt to remain stubborn and stick to their faux pride and bloated egos. As an overseas Pakistani and a dual national, I am fully cognizant of the debate generated in Pakistan in the last few years when courts and public servants were busy scoring points on the issue of dual nationality. Elected members of the parliaments were stripped of their offices and bureaucrats were made to renounce their acquired citizenships. But to stigmatise those Pakistanis who have opted to avail of the facility provided by Pakistani statute books purely on the basis of lopsided logic and septuagenarian anger is something that no sensible person would approve of. To jog Khawaja Sahib’s memory, his party leaders are on record praising the myriad contributions that dual nationals have made over the decades. Many high-profile Pakistanis have acquiesced when members of their immediate families opted to secure nationalities of countries with which Pakistan has bilateral arrangements and understanding. When in power, leaders of Pakistan have either been praising the routine financial contributions overseas Pakistanis have been making or have been urging Pakistanis abroad to play a similar role that has been played by the Chinese and Indian diaspora communities. One can imagine the politician in question modifying his statement by saying the target of his tirade were Pakistanis with dual nationalities only and that he respects and regards the millions of Pakistani labourers toiling in the Middle Eastern countries in order to fund and feed their poor families by remitting major portions of their meagre allowances. Making a clear distinction between overseas Pakistanis and Pakistanis with dual nationalities, let me help update the record regarding the services and contributions of the latter so that any future reference to this matter is steered by logic rather than anger. Pakistan currently has dual nationality arrangements with 22 countries. The government of Pakistan’s record puts the number of Pakistanis with dual nationality at 4,493,835. Dual nationality agreements with these countries, considered the most advanced in the world today, were not secured in a day. What would they make of the minister’s statement? There are over 11 million Pakistanis settled abroad, out of which around six million work in the Gulf and the Middle East. Most of them cannot have dual nationality as none of the Gulf states barring Bahrain allow such a facility. Out of the 22, only four countries are Muslim states. Settled in the West for generations, these dual nationals have not only kept their Pakistani nationality but have procured the same for their children, born and brought up abroad. For decades, they were the sole reason for which carriers like PIA had been flying to Western capitals for they made it a habit of bringing their children to Pakistan every year to see their grandparents and meet other family members. Today, they may not be remitting as much money as the workers in the Gulf are doing but they have invested billions of dollars in Pakistan’s volatile real estate sector even after losing their investments to fraud and corruption. North America and Western Europe are major markets for Pakistan’s feeble exports. In most cases, these 4.4 million dual nationals are the principal consumers of such exports. They are the ones who make it a point to buy Pakistani basmati rice, lentils, spices and mangoes purely out of their love for their parent country. More importantly, thousands of dual-national Pakistanis have risen from being members of an immigrant community to becoming part of mainstream societies. They are not only considered prized members of the host societies but also offer invaluable services by being a bridge between countries like the UK and US and Pakistan. There are around 25 members of Pakistani heritage in the British parliament. They have held important cabinet posts in cross-party governments. The mayor of London has created personal history by winning three terms but is always referred to as a Pakistani by extraction in the British and international media. Hundreds of others are part of the British local government system and dual national Pakistanis at the same time. There are over 12,000 doctors of Pakistani origin in the British National Health Service – valued and respected. From politics to public service, education to entertainment, literature to science and technology, law and justice to sport, dual-national Pakistanis have made us proud. Fewer in numbers but similar examples are being set in other European countries and North America too. Dual-national Pakistanis have used their influence and expertise to win favours for Pakistan in multiple ways. They do not merit any of such disrespect shown to them. In fact, they deserve an apology. Will they get it? The writer is the chairman of the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation’s board of governors.City Office REIT Announces Dividends for Fourth Quarter 2024
Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal's Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal. Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. "For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached," he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan cornerback Will Johnson has joined defensive tackle Mason Graham in the NFL draft. Johnson declared for the draft on Wednesday, one day after Graham decided he would also skip his senior season with the Wolverines. Both preseason All-America players are expected to be first-round picks. Johnson was limited to six games this year due to an injury. He had two interceptions, returning them both for touchdowns to set a school record with three scores off interceptions. Johnson picked off nine passes in three seasons. Graham played in all 12 games this season, finishing with 3 1/2 sacks and seven tackles for losses. He had 18 tackles for losses, including nine sacks, in his three-year career. Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson is The Associated Press offensive player of the year in the Southeastern Conference and South Carolina defensive lineman Kyle Kennard is the top defensive player. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was voted the top newcomer on Wednesday while the Gamecocks' Shane Beamer is coach of the year in voting by the panel of 17 media members who cover the league. Sampson led the SEC and set school records by rushing for 1,485 yards and 22 touchdowns. He is tied for third nationally in rushing touchdowns, recording the league's fifth-most in a season. Sampson was chosen on all but two ballots. Mississippi wide receiver Tre Harris and his quarterback, Jaxson Dart, each got a vote. Kennard led the SEC with 11-1/2 sacks and 15-1/2 tackles for loss. He also had 10 quarterback hurries and forced three fumbles. Beamer led the Gamecocks to just their fifth nine-win season, including a school-record four wins over Top 25 opponents. They've won their last six games and ended the regular season with a win over eventual ACC champion Clemson. South Carolina plays Illinois on Dec. 31 in the Citrus Bowl. Pavia helped lead Vandy to its first bowl game since 2018 after transferring from New Mexico State. He passed for 2,133 yards and 17 touchdowns with four interceptions. He ran for another 716 yards and six touchdowns, directing an upset of Alabama. AMES, Iowa — Matt Campbell, who led Iowa State to its first 10-win season and became the program's all-time leader in coaching victories, has agreed to an eight-year contract that would keep him with the Cyclones through 2032. University president Wendy Wintersteen and athletic director Jamie Pollard made the announcement Wednesday, four days after the Cyclones lost to Arizona State in the Big 12 championship game. “Given all the uncertainty currently facing college athletics, it was critical that we moved quickly to solidify the future of our football program,” Pollard said. “Matt is the perfect fit for Iowa State University and I am thrilled he wants to continue to lead our program. Leadership continuity is essential to any organization’s long-term success." The Cyclones won their first seven games for their best start since 1938 and are 10-3 heading into their game against Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Florida, on Dec. 28. BRIEFLY FLAG PLANT: Ohio Republican state Rep. Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state. His proposal comes after the Nov. 30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield. MALZAHN: Gus Malzahn, who resigned as UCF’s coach last month to become Mike Norvell’s offensive coordinator at Florida State, said he chose to return to his coaching roots rather than remain a head coach distracted by a myriad of responsibilities.
Modern cannabis seed banks play a pivotal role in the cultivation and distribution of cannabis. With the rise in demand for specific strains catering to medicinal and recreational needs, genetic testing has emerged as a game-changer in the cannabis industry. But what exactly is genetic testing, and why is it important? Genetic testing involves analyzing the DNA of cannabis plants to determine their traits, such as potency, flavor, aroma, resistance to pests, and growth patterns. By understanding these traits at a genetic level, seed banks can ensure better quality and consistency in their offerings. The Role of Genetics in Cannabis Cultivation Cannabis consumers often look for specific strains with particular effects, such as relaxation, energy, or pain relief. Genetic testing helps seed banks maintain consistency in these strains by verifying their genetic makeup. This ensures that consumers get the same experience every time they purchase a strain. Genetic testing allows seed banks to identify plants with natural resistance to pests and diseases. By cultivating these resilient strains, growers can reduce the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers, making the cultivation process more sustainable. Why Genetic Testing is Crucial for Cannabis Seed Banks One of the most significant advantages of genetic testing is the precision it offers in breeding programs. Seed banks can crossbreed plants with desirable traits, such as high THC or CBD content, faster flowering times, or unique terpene profiles. This precision leads to the creation of new, high-quality strains. Occasionally, genetic mutations can occur in cannabis plants, leading to undesirable traits such as low yield or susceptibility to diseases. Genetic testing helps identify these mutations early, allowing the best seed banks to remove faulty plants from their breeding programs and maintain high-quality standards. Many regions have strict regulations regarding cannabis strains, especially concerning THC and CBD levels. Genetic testing ensures that seed banks comply with these regulations by accurately determining the chemical profiles of their strains. Benefits of Genetic Testing for Consumers Genetic testing empowers seed banks to develop strains tailored to specific needs, such as pain relief, anxiety reduction, or enhanced creativity. This customization ensures that consumers have access to the right strain for their requirements. Consumers deserve to know what they are purchasing. Genetic testing provides detailed information about a strain’s potency, cannabinoid content, and effects, improving transparency and safety. Strains with consistent genetics lead to predictable effects, ensuring that consumers have a reliable experience every time they use a product. How Genetic Testing Supports Cannabis Research Medical cannabis relies heavily on strains with specific cannabinoid and terpene profiles. Genetic testing facilitates the development of these strains, contributing to advancements in medical cannabis research and treatments. Terpenes and cannabinoids work together to create the “ entourage effect ,” which enhances the therapeutic potential of cannabis. Genetic testing helps researchers understand these interactions, leading to the development of more effective medicinal strains. Challenges in Implementing Genetic Testing One of the barriers to widespread adoption of genetic testing is its cost. Advanced equipment and skilled professionals are required, which can be expensive for smaller seed banks. Cannabis has a highly complex genetic structure, making testing and analysis a challenging process. Despite advancements, there is still much to learn about cannabis genetics. The Future of Cannabis Seed Banks with Genetic Testing As technology evolves, genetic testing is becoming more accessible and cost-effective. In the future, it is likely to become a standard practice in all cannabis seed banks. This will lead to: Conclusion Genetic testing is revolutionizing the cannabis industry, particularly in the operations of modern seed banks. By ensuring strain consistency, improving plant health, and supporting legal compliance, genetic testing enhances the quality and reliability of cannabis products. For consumers, it offers tailored strains, improved safety, and a better overall experience. While challenges such as cost and complexity remain, the future of genetic testing in cannabis seed banks looks promising. It not only benefits the industry but also paves the way for groundbreaking research and sustainable cultivation practices.Australia to delay 2035 climate target as Trump disrupts global action