AIOU issues instructions for admission candidates

Sat, 7 Oct 2023, 5:51 PM

ISLAMABAD, Oct 07 (APP):Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has closed admissions for matriculation and FA programs offered in the semester autumn 2023.

According to the admissions department, students who applied manually and paid the fee but have not sent the admission form and documents to the university are instructed to send these documents by October 13, 2023.

Admission will not be granted in the said semester and the candidate will be responsible for not dispatching documents in the given time.

Candidates of Matric and FA programs who have applied online but have not yet received the admission confirmation are directed to visit http://aiou.edu.pk/application.index.php online, If there is any objection on their form, then those students are instructed to remove objections as soon as possible and upload the required documents by 13th October to confirm their admission. In case of any delay, Admission will not be granted, and students will be responsible for that.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Vice Chancellor AIOU, Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood, has instructed all the Academic and Servicing Departments to ensure the timely completion of academic activities to facilitate he students.

In this regard, the admission department has sped up admission verification to complete the admission process within the stipulated time frame.

ICCI calls for better development of Blue Area to boost trade activities

Amjad Shafique

Sat, 7 Oct 2023, 5:48 PM

ISLAMABAD, Oct 07 (APP):Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Saturday urged the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to focus on the better development to Blue Area in order to facilitate the growth of trade activities in the federal capital.

It said that Blue Area is the largest commercial centre of Islamabad, which plays an important role in the development of the economy

While talking to a delegation of Traders Welfare Association, that visited ICCI Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI said that parking is the most serious issue of the Blue Area.

He urged CDA to allow parking of vehicles on the green area of Fazal Haq Road till the construction of a parking plaza is materialized.

He said that ICCI intends to organize a mega shopping festival in the Blue Area in collaboration with TWA Blue Area to boost trade activities and enable customers to get a chance of shopping at affordable rates.

Raja Hassan Akhtar, President, Traders Welfare Association Blue Area highlighted the important issues of traders of his market.

He said that the non-availability of parking, the old sewage system and non-functional street lights are the main issues of the Blue Area and stressed that the CDA to address them on an urgent basis.

He stressed to set up a flower market in Blue Area besides pruning trees. He demanded that the CDA to set up a food street in the Blue Area, which is the need of the hour for the traders and citizens.

He said that Ahsan Bakhtawari is working actively to resolve the problems of traders and hoped that he would address the unresolved issues of traders in his remaining tenure.

Faad Waheed, Senior Vice President ICCI said that Blue Area is the key hub of business activities in Islamabad and urged the CDA to develop it on modern lines.

Engr. Azhar ul Islam Zafar, Vice President ICCI said that ICCI would fully cooperate with TWA Blue Area in resolving the key issues of traders to facilitate them in business development.

A vendor waiting for customers to sell balloon while sitting near mall road

Zia Ur Rehman

Sat, 7 Oct 2023, 5:40 PM

APP14-071023 LAHORE: October 07 – A vendor waiting for customers to sell balloon while sitting near mall road. APP/AHF/ABB/FHA

A man is busy knitting traditional bed (charpai) in his work place at lakshmi chowk

Zia Ur Rehman

Sat, 7 Oct 2023, 5:39 PM

APP13-071023 LAHORE: October 07 – A man is busy knitting traditional bed (charpai) in his work place at lakshmi chowk. APP/AHF/ABB/FHA

Anti-Polio campaign underway in Peshawar

Amjad Shafique

Sat, 7 Oct 2023, 5:37 PM

PESHAWAR, Oct 07 (APP):A seven-day anti-polio campaign is underway in Peshawar, under the supervision of the district administration.

The polio campaign entered the fifth day on Saturday. Commissioner Peshawar Muhammad Zubair and Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Afaq Wazir are also supervising anti-polio teams in different areas.

Commissioner Peshawar is meeting the parents and informing them about the Anti-Polio campaign.

During the Anti-Polio campaign, 901,985 children were given Polio vaccines in Peshawar for which a total of 2496 teams were formed, said Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Afaq Wazir.

He said adequate arrangements were made for the security of these teams. Deputy Commissioner Peshawar Afaq Wazir appealed to parents to give their children polio vaccine to protect them from permanent disability and should cooperate with anti-polio teams.

“We will not have to play our role for the eradication of polio and it will be possible to eradicate polio only with our joint efforts,” he said.

Farmers advised for wheat cultivation from mid-October

Amjad Shafique

Sat, 7 Oct 2023, 5:35 PM

FAISALABAD, Oct 07 (APP):The agricultural experts have advised farmers to prepare their lands to start wheat cultivation from mid-October for getting bumper yield.

A spokesman for the Agriculture (Extension) Department said here on Saturday that mid-October to end-November was the most suitable time for wheat cultivation. Therefore, farmers should prepare their lands and use approved wheat varieties for cultivation.

Among the approved varieties include Chakwal-50, NARC-2009, PARC-2009, Dharabi-2011, Pakistan-2013, Sehar-2006, Galaxy-2013, NN Gandum-I-2016, Johar-2016, Anaj-2017, Lasani-2008, Faisalabad-2008, AARI-2011, Punjab-2011, Millat-2011, NARC-2011, Shafaq-2006, Fareed-2006, Meraj-2008 and Aas-2011.

Farmers should also use seed graders before cultivating healthy and quality seeds as quality seed played pivotal role in getting better production, he said and advised the growers to use one-and-a- half bag of DAP fertilizer and at first watering 2-3 bags of urea fertilizer. A bag of Sulphate of Potash (SOP) should also be applied for getting good produce, he added.

Naqvi stresses collective efforts to achieve desired results

Amjad Shafique

Sat, 7 Oct 2023, 5:31 PM

LAHORE, Oct 07 (APP):Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on said that collective efforts were needed to achieve desired targets.

Addressing a press conference along with Caretaker Federal Minister for Commerce Dr Gohar Ejaz here on Saturday, the CM appreciated the role of the agriculture department, APTMA and Pak Army which provided technical support to control a whitefly attack on the cotton crop.

The CM said the whitefly attack had damaged almost 1.5 million cotton bales while floods in the Satluj also destroyed cotton grown over 70,000 acres of land.

“This year rice worth $2 billion will be exported,” he added. Mohsin Naqvi said special attention was being paid towards achieving maximum per acre yield of wheat this year.

The CM said that the provision of quality seed and fertiliser to farmers was necessary besides implementing a good strategy to obtained desired production targets. “It is the need of the hour to streamline research institutes,” he added.

To a question, he said that the price of sugar had been reduced from Rs 180 to Rs 140-150. “The

situation will further improve after smuggling completely stops,” he maintained.

He said that an all-out effort was being made to complete development work at the earliest. He also added that relevant departments were working to control smog.

People of all faiths enjoy complete religious freedom in Pakistan: Aneeq Ahmed

Amjad Shafique

Sat, 7 Oct 2023, 5:19 PM

PESHAWAR, Oct 07 (APP):Caretaker Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter faith harmony, Aneeq Ahmed here Saturday that there was a complete religious freedom in Pakistan and followers of all schools of faiths were free to perform religious obligations as per their beliefs.

He said Islam was a religion of peace, brotherhood and strongly prohibit bloodshed, extremism and terrorism.

The Minister was addressing Religious Interfaith Harmony Conference here at a local hotel attended by KP Caretaker Religious Minister Justice (r) Arshad Hussain, Khateeb Masjid Mohabat Khan Tayyab Qureshi, leaders of different faiths including Islam, Hindu, Sikh, Christian and others.

Caretaker Federal Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Aneeq Ahmed said the conference was an important event where representatives and leaders of different schools of thoughts came together to promote and broader understanding about mutual coexistence, peace, tolerance, and cooperation for the benefit of people.

He said the leaders of all faiths have already announced that there was no room for terrorism and militancy in Pakistan and have strongly condemned Mastung, Hangu and others terrorists attacks.

The people of Pakistan have strongly rejected terrorism in all forms and manifestation and all institutions were working together to wipe out menace of terrorism.

The Minister said great responsibilities rest on shoulders of religious scholars to promote message of brotherhood, unity, interfaith harmony, compassion and mutual coexistence imperative for a prosperous society.

He said the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was sent as Rehmatul Lil Aalamin and His life was a beacon of light for entire humanity.

He said youth are future of Pakistan and urged ulema and religious scholars to educate them about the teaching of holy Quran and Seerah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in its true perspectives.

Aneeq Ahmed said he was standing before participants of the confernce today with a deep sense of gratitude and hope as we were gathered here to work with unity for progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

It is a privilege to witness the unity and diversity that define the world’s religious landscape. Pakistan give equal rights to all minorities and they are living peacefully here. As the world that often seems divided, conferences like these serve as beacon of hope, said the minister.

The minister reminded that despite differences in beliefs, rituals, and practices, there is a commonality of kindness, empathy and respect that binds us together.

He said each religion has its unique teachings and traditions, offering a pathway to a meaningful life and a deeper connection with the divine but all are against terrorism and condemn terrorists attacks in Pakistan.

However, it is essential to acknowledge that sometimes, these differences have led to misunderstandings and conflicts. Therefore, it is our moral duty as leaders and representatives of different faiths to work towards interfaith harmony and mutual coexistence.

Interfaith dialogue is not about erasing differences or converting others to other beliefs, but building bridges of understanding, tolerance, and respect, said Aneeq.

He said it was about finding common ground and working together to address the shared challenges faced by humanity.

“Let us pledge to be the change by fostering harmony within our communities and extending a hand of friendship to those of different faiths for prosperity,” he added.

The other speakers said that as we engage in meaningful conversations and share our perspectives today, let us remember that true harmony begins within ourselves. It begins with open hearts and minds, willing to listen and learn from one another.

The speakers underscored the need to carry the spirit of the conference beyond these walls. “Let us return to our communities with a renewed commitment to promote religious interfaith harmony and mutual coexistence, for it is only through unity that we can create a more peaceful world for all.”