HYDERABAD: October 09 –
HYDERABAD: October 09 – Students presenting a Naat during Exhibition of calligraphy at Government Collage University.
Students viewing the calligraphy work of Quranic verses during Exhibition of calligraphy at Government Collage University.
HYDERABAD: October 09 –
HYDERABAD: October 09 – Students presenting a Naat during Exhibition of calligraphy at Government Collage University.
Human rights and Women empowerment Mushaal Hussain Mullick talking to media persons at Mazar-e-Iqbal.
LAHORE: October 09 – SAPM on Human rights and Women empowerment Mushaal Hussain Mullick offering Fateha on the grave of National Poet of Pakistan Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
LAHORE: October 09 – SAPM on
Death anniversary of famous Urdu poet, writer Noon Meem Rashid observed
ISLAMABAD, Oct 09 (APP):Death anniversary of renowned Urdu poet and writer, Nazar Muhammad Rashid commonly known as Noon Meem Rashid was observed on Monday.
Born on August 1, 1910, in a in village near Wazirabad, Gujranwala, he earned a Master’s Degree in economics from the Government College Lahore.
Rashid served the UN and worked in many countries. He is considered to be the ‘father of modernism’ in Urdu Literature.
Along with Faiz Ahmed Faiz, he was one of the great progressive poets in Pakistani literature.
He rebelled against the traditional form of ‘ghazal’ and became the first major exponent of free verse in Urdu literature.
His first book of free verse, Mavra, was published in 1940 and established him as a pioneering figure in free form Urdu poetry. Other works of Noon Meem Rashid included Iran Main Ajnabi (A stranger in Iran), La = Insaan (Nothingness = Man), Gumaan ka Mumkin (Speculations) and Maqalat (Essays).
He died in a London Hospital on October 9, 1975.
Senator Irfan-Ul-Haq directs to revert all teachers on deputation in edu ministry
ISLAMABAD, Oct 09 (APP): Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training Senator Irfan-Ul-Haq Siddiqui on Monday categorically directed to revert all the teaching staff on deputation holding administrative assignments in Education Ministry to their parent departments with immediate effect.
The Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training which met here under the chairmanship of Senator Irfan-Ul-Haq Siddiqui here at Parliament House unanimously recommended sending all the employees back to their parent departments who were initially recruited as teachers and holding administrative posts at various ministries.
The committee debated that all such employees are politically powerful, blue-eyed individuals and does not like to render their services as teachers therefore manage to be posted on various administrative post through influence.
The committee observed that this practice is badly affecting the quality of education.
The Chairman Committee Senator Irfan Siddiqui concluded that all the teachers on deputation be sent back to their respective educational institutes immediately.
The caretaker Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Madad Ali Sindhi agreed with this viewpoint and assured the committee that immediate action would take place on committee recommendations.
The committee also discussed at length the progress on extension of time and details of proceedings of the Ministerial Committee constituted under Dr Niaz Ahmed Vice Chancellor Quaid-e-Azam University for regularisation, of daily wagers teachers and increase in their salaries.
The minister said that the list of employees recommended by the FPSC will be issued appointment letters within this week.
Similarly, the matter regarding daily wagers will be discussed in the same committee to permanently resolve this long-standing issue and the report in this regard will be submitted to the committee by 13th Oct 2023.
The committee was told that since the salary of daily wagers is being enhanced as per committee recommendations from 25000/rps to 32000/rps per month, the case is under AGPRs consideration, on which the chairman committee directed the Director General FDE to make sure that the salaries are paid immediately at the previous rates and the enhanced amount may be paid once the budget is approved.
The chairman committee Senator Irfan Siddiqui asked the HEC officials to invite the representatives of affected daily wagers to have their viewpoints.
The committee also discussed in detail the report on re-initiating summary for the National Technology Council Act and Service Structure of technologist. The chairman committee strictly inquired as to why the act is pending before the ministry for 7 months.
It was stated by the HEC representative that the committee constituted to look into this matter has been officially notified as directed by the Senate Committee in its last meeting and sought time to finalise the recommendations.
It was also apprised that the act has been returned from the Cabinet Committee for Disposal of Legislative Cases (CCLC ) with certain observations. The committee chair directed to finalise report on the matter and submit within 15 days.
The meeting was attended by Senator Prof. Dr Mehr Taj Roghani, Fawzia Arshad, Engr Rukhsana Zuberi, Molvu Faiz Muhammad and Senator Falaz Naz.
The Caretaker Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Madad Ali Sindhi and other senior officials of related departments were also in attendance.
Speakers for urgent reforms to tackle Pakistan’s population growth
ISLAMABAD, Oct 09 (APP):The Speakers at a seminar on the country’s population growth on Monday called for urgent reforms to tackle the mounting challenge of population growth of the country showing a steady rise since independence.
The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), successfully concluded a seminar on ‘Mitigating Pakistan’s Population Challenges’, a news release said.
The distinguished speakers included Senator Dr Sania Nishtar and Samia Liaquat Ali Khan, Director Impact, Tabadlab. Air Marshal (R) Farooq Habib, Senior Director at CASS, delivered the Concluding Remarks; while Air Vice Marshal Nasser ul Haq Wyne (R) moderated the proceedings. Air Marshal Farhat Hussain Khan (R), Advisor on Aviation to the Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan and President of CASS, presented mementos to the distinguished speakers.
In his Opening Remarks, Air Vice Marshal (R) Nasser ul Haq Wyne underscored the intertwined significance of Water, Education, Economy, and Population as fundamental pillars influencing the well-being and security of a nation. Drawing attention to the National Security Policy 2022, hailed as ‘citizen-centric’, he acknowledged its emphasis on human security. However, he expressed concerns over the existing gaps between policy creation and its subsequent implementation. Reflecting on Pakistan’s demographic journey, he highlighted the country’s exponential population growth, from 32 million at its independence in 1947 to a staggering 250 million in the present year, marking an almost eightfold increase in 76 years.
Senator Dr Sania Nishtar, in her in-depth address on Population Dynamics and Socioeconomic Impacts, underscored the pressing challenge of population growth as a pivotal factor in Pakistan’s development trajectory, affecting vital sectors such as infrastructure, economy, and security. Highlighting the exponential growth in population, she illustrated that Pakistan had witnessed a growth rate that is notably higher than many other Asian nations. A primary concern she broached was Pakistan’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) which, alarmingly, has remained stagnant since 2005 at 3.6.
This statistic becomes especially concerning when juxtaposed with countries like Saudi Arabia, traditionally conservative societies that have nonetheless managed to significantly reduce their TFR. Dr Nishtar shared factors influencing fertility rates, spotlighting elements like female education, participation in the workforce, and societal standing. She fervently emphasized the urgency to engage with and address these variables to devise effective strategies against rapid population growth.
Shifting the focus to the crucial role of family planning services, she affirmed that their accessibility can greatly mitigate the challenges posed by population growth. She further championed the importance of robust family planning programmes, stressing underlining Pakistan’s low Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR), especially when compared to countries like Iran. Reflecting on the past, Senator Nishtar reminisced about a time when Pakistan was at the forefront of family planning initiatives, backed by dedicated budgets and institutions. However, she said that administrative issues and the devolution of powers to the provinces had adversely affected this infrastructure, resulting in the present-day problems.
Despite these challenges, Dr Nishtar expressed optimism about Pakistan’s future, emphasizing its vast potential. She remarked on the hardworking, entrepreneurial, and resilient nature of its people and a society that’s generous and supportive.
In her presentation on Pakistan’s Population and Gender Dynamics, Samia Liaquat Ali Khan shed light on pressing issues related to gender disparities, population growth, and economic development in Pakistan. She discussed the multifaceted challenges women face, particularly in health, education, political empowerment, and economic opportunities. Backed by alarming statistics, Ms Khan revealed that in 2020, Pakistan was ranked third among countries with high maternal and infant mortality rates. 40% of children under five suffer from malnutrition, with a staggering 12 million girls among the 20 million out-of-school children. Over 75% of 10-year-olds in schools grapple with basic reading comprehension, and a concerning 21.8 million youth, aged 15-29, are neither engaged in education nor employment.
Khan lamented that despite a significant proportion of women working in sectors like agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, financial inclusion remains elusive for many. Shockingly, only 7% of women hold bank accounts, a mere 14% partake in business, and property ownership is critically low, with just 3.3% of women owning homes either individually or jointly. On the political front, she underscored the underrepresentation of women, pointing out the stark disparity in elected female representatives and an 8% lower female voter turnout compared to men. Charting a path forward, Khan passionately advocated for an overhauled education system, wider societal acceptance of women as leaders, especially among adult males, and the imperative to reframe social and religious constructs with respect, tolerance, and empathy.
Delivering the Concluding Remarks and Vote of Thanks, Air Marshal Farooq Habib (R) reflected on Pakistan’s longstanding challenges, noting that even in 2023, the core issues identified by the panellists persisted. Drawing attention to Francis Fukuyama’s ‘getting to Denmark’ concept, he emphasised that for nations to reach the levels of development exemplified by countries like Denmark, they must wholeheartedly embrace principles like integrity, transparency, accountability, the rule of law, and meritocracy.
In conclusion, he urged the younger generations to actively challenge societal malpractices and champion change, envisioning a brighter future for Pakistan.
Recovery continues unabated: Rupee gains Rs1.03 against Dollar
ISLAMABAD, Oct 9 (APP): Pakistani Rupee on Monday witnessed the 23rd consecutive recovery session as it gained Rs1.03 against the US dollar in the interbank trading and closed at Rs281.65 against the previous day’s closing of Rs282.68.
However, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of the dollar in the open market stood at Rs278.75 and Rs281.5 respectively.
The price of the Euro decreased by Rs1.60 to close at Rs296.43 against the last day’s closing of Rs298.03, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The Japanese Yen went down by 01 paisa to close at Rs1.88, whereas a decrease of Rs1.78 was witnessed in the exchange rate of the British Pound, which traded at Rs342.95 as compared to the last closing of Rs344.73.
The exchange rates of the Emirates Dirham and the Saudi Riyal declined by 28 and 29 paisa to close at Rs76.68 and Rs75.08 respectively.
Despite macroeconomic challenges and slow progress of fiscal indicators, there is a glimmer of hope for improvement as the Pakistani rupee showcases remarkable resilience against the US dollar, which experts believe would have a positive impact on national economy.
On September 6, the caretaker government announced launching a massive crackdown against the elements involved in dollar smuggling, hoarding and organized crime cartels, causing loss to the national economy.
By adopting a ‘zero-tolerance’ stance towards the smuggling and hoarding, Pakistani rupee started gaining against the dollar and since September 5 it witnessed around Rs 25.44 appreciation and Rs281.65 in interbank trading during 23 consecutive recovery sessions, as of October 9.
Official sources told APP that strict action was being taken after the identification of facilitators and patrons of government officials indulged in illegal economic activities.
They said complete lists of the elements involved in illegal economic activities were ready; and accordingly, an extensive crackdown was underway.
The sources said the main reason to initiate and enforce administrative measures against hoarders, black marketers, and dollar smugglers were the constant devaluation of the rupee against the US dollar.
They said the government had ordered to take strict action against unauthorized money changers and other mafias operating in the country. “Major policy reforms are underway. Commodity/currency trading will be changed.”
Whereas, the sources said surveillance systems were being upgraded at land, sea and airports, adding “Illegal movement of goods and currency will not be allowed.”
On September 5, the rupee against the dollar in the interbank trading was at Rs 307.09 and by October 9 it came down to Rs 281.65, price of the Euro declined to Rs 296.43 from Rs 330.13, British Pound to Rs 342.95 from Rs 385.22, Emirate Dirham to Rs 76.68 from Rs 83.60 and Saudi Riyal to Rs 75.08 from Rs 81.87. Whereas the buying and selling of the dollar in the open market came down from Rs 320.8 to Rs 278.75 and Rs 324 to Rs 281.5 respectively.
Experts believe that all economic indicators would start moving in the right direction once the Pakistani currency got its real worth, strength and stability.
Minister for Finance Dr Shamshad Akhtar said the foreign exchange reserves position was stable, adding that Exchange Companies Reform and anti-smuggling operations did stabilize the rupee. “This stability came without any bank intervention.”
She said the measures being taken for the value of currency include strengthening the regulatory rules for exchange companies, along with the ongoing measures for smuggling and hoarding of foreign exchange because no country can allow playing with the currency.
Commerce Minister Dr Gohar Ejaz said one of the causes of depreciation of Pakistani currency was smuggling of transit goods from Afghanistan to Pakistan which had risen from $4 billion to $6.7 billion.
He said without any intervention by State Bank of Pakistan, the dollar went down to Rs 280 from Rs 330 due to government measures and crackdown on hundi-hawala set ups.
The appreciation of rupee was also acknowledged internationally as Bloomberg in a recent report said Pakistani currency was set to become the top performer globally in the last month (September).
“Many leakages were happening through illegal channels of hawala and hundi trade from the open market,” Khurram Schehzad, Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Beta Core Solutions Pvt. Ltd, a financial consultancy in Karachi told Bloomberg.
He said, “The dollar rate reverses everybody including hoarders, exporters who are holding their export proceeds, started selling their dollars.
Meanwhile, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) introduced structural reforms in the Exchange Companies’ sector as part of these reforms, following which leading banks remained actively engaged in foreign exchange business for establishing wholly owned Exchange Companies to cater to the legitimate foreign exchange needs of general public.
Talking to APP, General Secretary of the Exchange Companies Association of Pakistan (ECAP) Zafar Sultan Paracha confirmed that the crackdown against smugglers and hoarders of dollars had a “highly positive impact.”
He mentioned that exchange companies were depositing approximately $30-40 million to banks on a daily basis.
He pointed out that for the first time; the open market rates were lower than the interbank rates.
Muhammad Suhail, a noted economist observed that the winning streak of the rupee will depend on future economic fundamentals. “In the short run, we may see the PKR strengthening due to ongoing measures taken by the regulators for compliance with laws,” he added.
Lesco detects 446 power pilferers on 32nd day of anti-power theft campaign
LAHORE, Oct 09 (APP):The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) detected a total of 446 connections from where customers were pilfering electricity in all its circles of five districts (Lahore, Sheikhupura, Nankana Sahib, Kasur and Okara) on the 32nd day of the grand anti-power theft campaign.
A Lesco spokesman told the media here Monday that the company had also far submitted FIR applications against 444 electricity thieves, out of which 203 FIRs had been registered in respective police stations, while 30 accused had been arrested.
The anti-power theft operations against electricity thieves are being conducted on the directives of the Federal Power Division and the Lesco Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Engineer Shahid Haider was supervising these operations. The chief vowed that the operations would continue without discrimination until the complete end of electricity theft. The electricity pilferers as well as the Lesco officers and employees who facilitate them were also being brought to justice.
On the 32nd consecutive day of the anti-power theft campaign, the spokesman added, a large commercial consumers were also found involved in electricity theft and all of them were also disconnected and charged with detection units. Among the seized connections were 19 commercial and 427 domestic,
and all these connections were disconnected and charged with a total of 831,078 units as detection bill amounting to Rs 40.629 million.
He explained that the Lesco charged Rs 394,883 detection bill against 6,504 units to an electricity pilferer in Harbanspura area; Rs 330,946 fine in the form of detection bill against 5,427 units to another customer stealing electricity in Sanda Chishtiyana area of Kasur; Rs 314,650 detection bill against 5,694 units to a power thief in Saddar area of Kasur district; and Rs 304,977 as detection bill against 5,519 units to an electricity thief in Ganda Singh Wala area of Kasur.
During the 32 days of grand anti-theft campaign, the spokesman mentioned, the Lesco detected pilferage on 15,139 power connections and submitted 15,003 FIR applications against electricity thieves in the relevant police stations out of which 13,802 FIRs had been registered while 4,825 accused had so far been arrested by the police. The Lesco has so far charged a total of 31,904,701 detection units worth Rs 1,417,888,568 to all the power pilferers.
Pakistan eyes another victory in Hyderabad
ISLAMABAD, Oct 09 (APP):Pakistan had a perfect start to their ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign with a thumping 81-run win over the Netherlands at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium thanks to some outstanding performances.
Pakistan found themselves three down for 38 after being inserted, but a sparkling partnership worth 120 off 114 between Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel, the World Cup debutant, rebuilt the innings before all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz put together a 64-run stand for the seventh wicket to lift their side to 286, said a press release.
While Rizwan made 68 off 75, which was his seventh half-century of the year, it was Saud, playing only his seventh ODI, who got the limelight with a 52-ball 68, hitting nine fours and a maximum. The next best score in the innings came from Nawaz, who made 39 off 43, and Shadab scored 32 off 34.
There were initial hiccups in Pakistan’s defence as half-centurions Vikramjit Singh and Bas de Leede added 70 off 76 for the third wicket, before Haris Rauf’s two wickets in three balls thumped Pakistan’s authority in the contest. Hasan Ali, returning to ODI cricket after a gap of over 15 months, finished with two wickets, and Shaheen Afridi, Iftikhar Ahmed, Nawaz and Shadab picked up a wicket each.
Pakistan managed the net run rate of 1.620 for rolling out the opposition in 41 overs. De Leede, who made 67 off 68, threatened to take the proceedings further deep that could have lowered Pakistan’s net run rate but a Nawaz ripper undid the right-hander in the 34th over.
They play Sri Lanka tomorrow in what will be their final outing in Hyderabad in this tournament, and are eager to leave the city with two wins in two matches. Speaking to PCB Digital ahead of the contest, Nawaz, said, “It is very important to start a big tournament on a positive note and that is what we were looking for.”
“We have played two practice matches here and our tournament opener in Hyderabad. It all, however, boils down to playing good cricket on the day and executing your skills perfectly. We are hopeful of carrying the momentum that we have gained by beating the Netherlands and finishing the Hyderabad leg with a win.”
That Pakistan were able to set a defendable score after initial dismissals was because of some brilliant rearguard partnerships in the middle and lower-middle order. While reflecting on those partnerships and Saud’s incredible half-century, Nawaz said, “It was an outstanding partnership between Rizwan and Saud Shakeel considering the circumstances it came in. Saud played some brilliant counterattacking cricket after going in at 40 for three (38 for three) and it gave us a good stand.
“Shadab and I were looking to take the innings deep and the plan was to keep building the partnership till the 45th, 46th over and then finish on an attacking note. Unfortunately, we could not provide that finishing but we were able to get a good total for the team.”
After that 27th over by Haris, Pakistan had a tight grip on the match, but de Leede continued to provide resistance. He was finally undone, thanks to a scorcher from Nawaz that had everything that a left-arm orthodox can imagine.
“It is a dream ball of any left-arm orthodox to bring the ball in with drift and then turn it away,” Nawaz, who finished with figures of one for 31 from seven overs, said. “Bas de Leede is a good all-rounder and he was looking good at that time. His wicket was crucial.”
Nawaz also shares the notion that the bowlers will need to be disciplined here in India to get rewards in conditions which are largely tilted towards the batters, but he feels that the spinners will have a role to play as the tournament goes on.
“Most of the venues in India are more batting conducive, but the pitches will offer more turn as the tournament will progress,” he said. “Boundaries are a bit smaller here which is why it is tough here for the bowlers, but we have tried to adjust according to the conditions … I have gotten confidence from bowling in the last match and I want to build on it so I can deliver my best according to the team’s requirements.”
Though Pakistan enjoy an impeccable record against Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup since 1975 defeating them on all seven occasions, the Islanders have recently outdone them. They lost a last-ball thriller in Colombo in the One-Day iteration of the Asia Cup last month and faced back-to-back defeats in the tournament’s T20 edition last year, with the last of the two matches being the final.
Nawaz, however, suggested that the past results would have no bearing when the two sides meet tomorrow. “They have won important matches against us in the last one year in white-ball cricket, but that is in the past and it should not affect us. We will go in with ‘new game, new day’ and positive mindset on Tuesday.”
Worker busy in carving designs on the wooden sheet with the help of a machine at his workplace.
MULTAN: October 09 –
Vehicles passing through sewerage water accumulated on the road at Latifabad.
HYFERABAD: October 09 –