Nadeem, Shah Jahan elected President, Secretary AFP

Sun, 8 Oct 2023, 7:02 PM

ISLAMABAD, Oct 08 (APP):Nadeem Aftab Sindhu and Col Shah Jahan Mir (R) have been elected as President and Secretary General respectively of Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) for a term of next four years.

General Council meeting of Athletics Federation of Pakistan was held in Lahore under the chairmanship of Major General Muhammad Akram Sahi (R).

Provincial associations (Punjab, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh), regional associations of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad besides Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Wapda and Higher Education Commission were present in the meeting.

In the meeting, new officials of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan were unanimously elected for the next four years.

Major Gen Mohammad Akram Sahi (R), would be the Chairman of Athletics Federation of Pakistan while Nadeem Aftab Sindhu has been elected as the President and Shah Jahan as the Secretary General, said a press release.

The Athletics Federation of Pakistan office bearers include Chairman Akram Sahi; President Nadeem Aftab Sindhu; Senior Vice President Wajahat Hussain; Vice Presidents Imdadullah Memon, Qaiser Mehmood Khan, Mehboob Dawood Vihra, Engineer Saif Salam Afridi, Nabil Ahmed Rana, Shahida Khanum, Noreen Sati, Secretary General Shah Jahan Mir, Treasurer Shahina Ishtiaq, Joint Secretaries Hasnain Syed and Niblah Kamran, Associate Secretary Chaudhry Asghar Ali Gul.

Other members of the executive committee include Skardon Leader Salman Chaudhry, Mumtazul Haque, Azhar Samdani, Rashid Mahmood Butt, Syed Jamal Hussain, Syed Zainul Abedin, Sikandar Mirza, Sami. Rizvi, Salma Fayyaz, Manza Ayesha, Syeda Tarim Jamal and Humira Mehmood Khan.

KP CS stresses joint efforts to wipe out polio virus from region

NNPS Desk

Sun, 8 Oct 2023, 6:56 PM

PESHAWAR, Oct 08 (APP): Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nadeem Aslam Chaudhary on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to vaccinate every child against the crippling polio virus.

He stressed the need for meticulous monitoring of anti-polio drives to ensure complete eradication of the virus from the region.

He gave instructions during his visit to several parts of the provincial capital including Hayatabad and Rigi to monitor the anti-polio campaign, along with Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Afaq Wazir.

Chief Secretary Chaudhry personally met with polio workers and appreciated them for their excellent performance during the campaign. He appealed to parents, urging them to cooperate with polio teams and vaccinate their children to protect them from permanent disability.

He reiterated the importance of collective action, saying that eradication of polio requires joint efforts of all stakeholders. It should be noted that a seven-day anti-polio campaign is currently underway in Peshawar, under the supervision of district administration, which aims to administer polio vaccines to 901,985 children. To achieve this, 2,496 teams have been formed, with robust security arrangements in place to support their efforts.

PAF’S 14 nation multinational air exercise INDUS SHIELD-2023 kicks off at ace

NNPS Desk

Sun, 8 Oct 2023, 6:45 PM

ISLAMABAD, Oct 08 (APP): In a magnificent display of international camaraderie and airpower, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Sunday proudly inaugurated its 14 Nation Multinational Air Exercise, Indus Shield-2023, at an operational air base of Pakistan Air Force.

Air Officer Commanding, Central Air Command, Air Vice Marshal Tariq Mehmood Ghazi was the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony, a PAF news release said.

While addressing the exercise participants Air Officer Commanding Central Air Command emphasized on the significance of multi-national air exercises in achieving common objectives in the face of the evolving dynamics of air warfare.

He commended the efforts of the Air Power Center of Excellence on the organization of the mega exercise, which would augment the existing partnership between the key allies in addition to bolstering interoperability amongst the participating Air Forces.

He also added that the planning and execution of Exercise Indus Shield-23 underscores the vision of the esteemed, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force regarding the crucial role played by PAF in advancing technology, modernizing its capabilities and employing contemporary combat tactics to effectively address shared challenges of aerial defence. Air Vice Marshal Tariq Mehmood Ghazi highlighted that the exercise would prove to be a step forward, to promote warm and brotherly relations amongst the leading air powers of the region.

Exercise Indus Shield-2023 will witness participation from 14 esteemed Air Forces including Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Egypt, Oman, Bahrain, Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Morocco, Uzbekistan, China, and Hungary.

The exercise not only offers a unique opportunity for participating air forces to bring their unparalleled skills and operational capabilities to the spotlight, but will also deepen mutual understanding between the participating contingents to promote interoperability. This mega exercise is a signature of excellence and professionalism which validates PAF’s aerial prowess in the region. In addition, the exercise offers an invaluable learning experience of aerial warfare employment tactics to the air and ground crew through simulation of real-time war scenarios and varied combat missions.

Minister inaugurates ‘Yahya Kemal’ exhibition

Amjad Shafique

Sun, 8 Oct 2023, 6:43 PM

KARACHI, Oct 08 (APP):Sindh Caretaker Minister for Law, Religious Affairs and Human Rights Omar Soomro on Sunday inaugurated an exhibition on Yahya Kemal, a portrait of a poet as the first Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, at Arts Council of Pakistan -Karachi.

Consul General of Turkiye to Karachi Cemal Sangu and Professor. Dr. Halil Toker Director Yunus Emre Institute Pakistan were also present on the occasion.

The exhibition was organized by the Yunus Emre Institute Pakistan.

A number of portirats were put on display.

Speaking on the occasion, the Sindh Caretaker Minister Omar Soomro said that Pakistan and Turkiye had old and brotherly relations. He said that Pakistan had been always with their Turkish brothers and sisters.

Consul General of Turkiye to Karachi Cemal Sangu said that today was a very remarkable day. He said that Pakistan and Turkiye were celebrating their 75 years of diplomatic relations.

He said we were two countries but one nation. He further said we had the same culture and same values.

Minister reaches Cairo to attend health forum

NNPS Desk

Sun, 8 Oct 2023, 6:38 PM

ISLAMABAD, Oct 08 (APP): Caretaker Federal Minister for Health Dr Nadeem Jan reached Cairo on Sunday to participate in the regional health forum.

Ambassador Sajid Bilal welcomed the health minister.

The minister will represent Pakistan in the Eastern Mediterranean Region meeting starting tomorrow.

The minister has scheduled a sideline meeting with friendly countries, the spokesperson of the health ministry said.

Global Health Security Summit is part of the agenda to discuss along with other issues including the eradication of Polio.

Chairman NDMA urges federal, provincial stakeholders to collaborate closely to enhance disaster preparedness

NNPS Desk

Sun, 8 Oct 2023, 6:35 PM

ISLAMABAD, Oct 08 (APP): Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik on Sunday urged all federal and provincial stakeholders to collaborate closely to reduce disaster risks, enhance preparedness, and establish swift response mechanisms, given our vulnerabilities, through the usage of the latest technological tools.

In his message, Chairman NDMA on the occasion of “National Resilience Day” celebrated every year on October 8th said, “We commemorate this occasion with a mission and commitment to advance national preparedness by improving and increasing the nation’s resilience to natural and human-induced threats.”

Pakistan, he said is facing changing climatic conditions and frequent recurrence of unpredictable and extreme events.

In order to meet these challenges, NDMA is proactively working at reducing the vulnerability to disasters, and also providing coping mechanisms and framework for effective disaster management.

The disaster management system in Pakistan has traveled a long way in recent time with the formulation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Policy and National Disaster Management Plan but still, we have to go very far by implementing these policies and plan in their true letter and spirit.

We have also made considerable progress in mainstreaming disaster risk reduction in development processes, which will no doubt lead to greater national resilience against potential disasters. Our expedition for resilience is consistent and we need to make our utmost efforts to realize the ideals.

The Disaster Management System in Pakistan is currently undergoing a transformation, shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach.

This represents a significant change in how we collectively address unexpected crises. In the past, the primary focus was on responding to emergencies after they had already occurred, often resulting in substantial loss of life and property.

However, due to advancements in technology and a deeper understanding of natural disasters, Pakistan is now moving towards taking proactive measures.

This transformation involves the establishment of a modern National Emergencies Operation Center (NEOC) at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The disaster NEOC is now capacitated to create a common operating picture enabled by multiple satellite feeds, software, and Artificial intelligence tools that are expected to strengthen digital risk assessment, early warning systems, and preparedness strategies.

National Resilience Day prompts us to embrace best practices and implement policies and strategies aimed at fortifying our nation’s resilience.

Our policy initiatives should encompass various sectors, including the resilient and safe development of infrastructure, improved disaster preparedness, poverty alleviation, safer spatial land use planning, adherence to building codes, efficient water resource management, sound agricultural practices, and increased afforestation nationwide, including coastal areas.

Given our vulnerabilities, I urge all federal and provincial stakeholders to collaborate closely to reduce disaster risks, enhance preparedness, and establish swift response mechanisms through usage of latest technological tools. It is of utmost important that we prioritize the welfare of vulnerable segments of our society, including women, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities in all our endeavors.

On this occasion, I express our gratitude for the invaluable support and assistance provided by the international community, civil society, and private philanthropy in bolstering our national response efforts during the recent mega flood disaster. I also call upon the international community to extend their utmost support to Pakistan in mitigating the adverse impacts of the climate change phenomenon that it disproportionately affects.

We have, as a nation, witnessed the relentless force of nature through earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and other calamities. These events have tested our resolve, but they have also illuminated the remarkable spirit of unity, compassion, and resilience that defines us as a people.

I firmly believe that, as we have done in the past, the people of Pakistan will continue to show their generosity by assisting their fellow citizens struck by disasters through their contributions and tireless efforts.

May Allah guide and help us in building a strong and resilient Pakistan.

Minister advocates for Urdu as medium of education

Amjad Shafique

Sun, 8 Oct 2023, 6:33 PM

LAHORE, Oct 08 (APP):Caretaker Punjab Minister of Primary and Secondary Healthcare Dr. Jamal Nasir highlighted the loss of talent due to the predominance of English-based education in Pakistan instead of the national language.

He made these remarks as the special guest in an international conference on rehabilitation sciences organized by Riphah International University at a local hotel here on Sunday.

He noted that countries like Germany, Russia, China, Turkey, Iran, and Arab nations had made significant progress by providing professional education in their local languages. Dr. Nasir emphasized that offering higher education and conducting modern research in the Urdu language could propel the country towards progress and prosperity.

He underscored the significance of allied health sciences and rehabilitation as crucial fields and pointed out the shortage of professionals in these areas in Pakistan. Private universities and institutions are contributing significantly to the training of allied health professionals, he maintained.

During his address, Dr. Jamal Nasir highlighted how international conferences on scientific topics in Pakistan provide insights from the experiences of other countries. He also mentioned that Riphah University is paying special attention to the training of students in addition to delivering quality education.

The event was attended by Vice-Chancellor of Riphah University, Professor Dr. Anis Ahmed, deans, directors, foreign delegates, and scholars.

Later, the minister gave away honorary shields to the sponsors.