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AJK President calls for the European Union’s role to help resolve Kashmir conflict

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MIRPUR, Mar 14 (APP): Azad Jammu Kashmir State President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry has said that the European Union can play an important role as a mediator between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir issue.

He expressed these views while talking to the Ambassador Dr Riina Kionka and Political Consul Rukiye Komurcu, who called on him at the Presidency in Jammu Kashmir House in the federal metropolis on Thursday, the AJK President’s office later said Thursday evening.

Speaking on the occasion, the AJK president said that the long-running dispute posed a serious threat to peace and security in South Asia.

Stressing the need for early settlement of the dispute, Barrister Chaudhry said that the Kashmir conflict could lead to a nuclear war between the two nuclear powers, Pakistan and India. “Any mishap, no matter how small or big, can be a precursor to a nuclear war between the two nuclear neighbors,”  the president said.

Given the volatile situation in the region, Barrister Chaudhry expressed that the European Union should appoint its special representative on Kashmir to help resolve the Kashmir issue amicably.

Steering Committee meeting held to enhance country’s olive sector

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Steering Committee

ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP): The 4th Steering Committee meeting for the “OliveCulture – Holistic and Multi-professional Mechanism for a Pakistani Olive Oil Value Chain” Project convened here on Thursday, marking another significant step towards enhancing country’s olive sector.

The meeting was chaired by Federal Secretary of the Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Capt. (R) Muhammad Asif and co-chaired by Ambassador of Italy in Pakistan Marilina Armellin, the meeting served as a platform for strategic discussions and collaborative efforts, said a press release.

Marilina Armellin expressed her appreciation towards the work done so far by the OliveCulture Project with the close cooperation of the Ministry and the provinces.

She said the notable and commendable pace maintained throughout the project was acknowledged and valued. The partnership between Italian and Pakistani experts is deemed essential for nurturing olive cultivation and enhancing olive oil production.

Without this fruitful collaboration, the objectives of the project would be unattainable. Capt. (R) Muhammad Asif expressed that the project’s significant success in Pakistan owes much to Italian collaboration. While Pakistan’s environment is inherently conducive to olive cultivation, prior government engagements at provincial and federal levels were limited in their impact.

He said the substantial success was truly realized with the technical assistance provided by Italian partners. The success goes to hard work, effort, and relentless pursuit by Italian experts, and project staff.

Director Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), Islamabad Francesco Zatta expressed his views by paying gratitude to all stakeholders.

He said the support and facilitation provided by AICS were assured for the extension period as well as for the scale-up of this project. This will be exactly aligned with the expected results of the project and action plan already proposed to the federal ministry, he added.

International Expert Dr Costantino Parma elaborated on the project’s financial progress and shared the work plan for the extension period. He underscored the commitment in completing extension phase activities within the designated timeframe, with the assistance of the Ministry and other stakeholders’ support.

Throughout the deliberations, the Steering Committee reaffirmed its commitment in fostering a comprehensive and multi-professional approach toward enhancing the value chain of olive oil cultivation and production in the country.

The Steering Committee approved all the items as per the agenda and decided to extend the project until June 2024.

AJK President to begin the state-wide mass public-liaison drive on March 16

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AJK President

MIRPUR, Mar 14 (APP): President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir State, Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry, will formally kick off a statewide mass public contact campaign from Mirpur on March 16, it was officially announced.

“As part of the drive, the President is scheduled to attend and address an Iftar dinner to be hosted by civil society in his honor at the Quaid-e-Azam International Sports Stadium in his native Mirpur city on Saturday,”  the AJK President’s office said in an official statement here on Thursday.

KP Govt to include high impact sports’ uplift project in ADP: CM’s aide

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CM’s aide

PESHAWAR, Mar 14 (APP): Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sports and Youth Affairs, Syed Fakhr Jahan Thursday said that the provincial government will make efforts for the development and promotion of various sports to provide opportunities of healthy activities for the young generation, and in this regard, a high impact project will be included in upcoming Annual Development Plan.

He said that the government will take step to encourage the talent across the province by providing them all necessary facilities in the sports complexes and grounds.

He expressed these views while presiding over the meeting held regarding the annual development plans of the sports department in the conference room of the sports department.

Additional Secretary Sports, Director General Sports, Chief Planning Officer and other relevant officers participated in the meeting.

On this occasion, the Sports Advisor was given a detailed briefing on various ongoing development projects regarding sports promotion activities and infrastructure for them across the province, while on this occasion, the forum decided to retain the development projects with high impact and importance as future development programs.

In the meeting, the Advisor on Sports said that we will take all possible steps to promote sports in the province so that recreational opportunities are available here for the development of a healthy society.

Sports Advisor directed to convene a meeting next week to remove the obstacles in the construction of the newly constructed cricket stadium in Kalam Swat.

CCP authorizes acquisition of ‘Pakistani Microfinance Bank by Dutch Company’

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CCP

ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP): The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of Advans Pakistan Microfinance Bank Limited by a Dutch-based holding company, MNT–Halan Pak B.V. This transaction marks a significant development in the microfinance banking sector of Pakistan.

MNT – Halan Pak B.V. is a holding company incorporated in the Netherlands, with a presence in Pakistan through its subsidiaries, Halan Wallet (Private) Limited and Halan Finance Limited. On the other hand, Advans Pakistan Microfinance Bank Limited is a public limited company operating in the microfinance banking sector of Pakistan, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

The acquisition involves the purchase of 100% shareholding of Advans Pakistan Microfinance Bank Limited from Advans S.A SICAR, a Luxembourg-based financial services company. Following a thorough review of the pre-merger application, the CCP determined that there are no overlaps between the merging parties, and the market conditions will remain unchanged post-merger.

The approval of this acquisition is significant for Pakistan’s microfinance banking sector, which plays a crucial role in the country’s financial inclusion agenda. According to the World Bank, the sector serves 76% of all borrowers from the financial sector and accounts for approximately a third of all outstanding agriculture advances.

Foreign investment in this sector is expected to bring in new technologies, innovative products, and improved services, benefiting both the industry and the consumers.

Volunteers distributing Iftar to the fasting people at Govt Allam Iqbal Teaching Hospital.

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APP43-140324 SIALKOT: March 14 - Volunteers distributing Iftar to the fasting people at Govt Allam Iqbal Teaching Hospital.
Volunteers distributing Iftar to the fasting people at Govt Allam Iqbal Teaching Hospital.
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SIALKOT: March 14 – .

PMDC drafts new accreditation standards

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PMDC

ISLAMABAD, Mar 14 (APP): Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) has prepared new upgraded drafts for accreditation standards.

In a statement, the President PM&DC Prof. Dr. Rizwan Taj said that these accreditation standard drafts were prepared for Medical Colleges (Undergraduate), accreditation Standards for Teaching Hospitals (Undergraduate), Guidelines for MBBS Curriculum, Competencies of a Medical Graduate and Medical House Job Competencies, 2024.

He said that PM&DC has been actively working on the upgradation of medical and dental standards for the past three months, and these standards will be implemented after the approval of the Academic Board and Council.

He said that accreditation standards for medical colleges at the undergraduate level will serve several important purposes, each of which will ultimately benefit both students and the healthcare system.

He said that after extensive hard work all these medical dental accreditation standards, rules and regulations have been forwarded Academic Board Committee for deliberation and approval.

These accreditation standards will set high standards for the quality of education provided by medical colleges, including faculty qualifications, curriculum content, teaching methods, facilities, and resources.

These standards ensure that students receive high-quality education that meets specific quality and rigor standards, protecting them from investing time and money in substandard programs.

With these accredited standards, medical colleges will be able to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary for success in their future medical practice.

He said that the council has also prepared drafts for accreditation Standards for Dental Colleges for Undergraduate Dental Education, Inspection Proforma for 50 BDS Admissions, accreditation Standards for Dental Clinical Teaching Facilities, Hospital for Undergraduate Dental Education, Competencies of BDS Graduates and Dental Surgeons, Guidelines for BDS Curriculum, 2024.

He said that the accreditation standards are crucial in dental education, ensuring that dental colleges maintain high-quality educational programs.

These standards will cover faculty qualifications, curriculum content, teaching methods, and clinical training facilities.

These will help design curricula that prepare students for future dental careers, developing competencies in areas like patient care, communication, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making.

He said that accreditation standards will improve the system of licensure and certification, ensuring graduates meet the necessary educational requirements to practice dentistry safely and competently.

He said that the ultimate goal of designing these standards is to produce competent, well-rounded dental professionals who can meet patients’ oral health needs and contribute positively to the dental profession.

He said that PM&DC has also devised the drafts of PM&DC Powers and Functions Rules, PM&DC Code of Ethics of Professional Conduct, PM&DC Licensing Regulations, PM&DC National Medical Scholarship Fund and Trust Rules, PM&DC Finance Rules, M&DC Examination Regulations, Amendment to Admissions Regulations, PM&DC Student Registration Regulations, 2024.

It is need of time as PM&DC is responsible for regulating medical and dental education, practice, and related matters in Pakistan.

Its Powers and Functions Rules should ensure medical and dental colleges to adhere specific standards of education, faculty qualifications, infrastructure, and curriculum.

The PM&DC Code of Ethics of Professional Conduct promotes professionalism, integrity, and patient-centered care and it was a dire need to prepare an upgraded code of ethics to safeguard the doctors.

PM&DC Licensing Regulations will improve the process of issuing licenses to practitioners, while the PM&DC Student Registration Regulations will track student progress.

The PM&DC National Medical Scholarship Fund and Trust Rules will provide scholarships to deserving medical and dental students, addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals in underserved areas.

The PM&DC Finance Rules ensure transparency, accountability, and efficient resource allocation.

This will ensure examination regulations establish standards for conducting medical and dental examinations, ensuring fairness, reliability, and validity.

Amendments to admissions regulations will enable to govern the admission process, preventing malpractices.

Overall, PM&DC upholds medical and dental education, practice, and governance standards, contributing to safe, effective, and ethical healthcare services.

He was determined to uplift the PM&DC and medical and dental education so the health sector of Pakistan may be strengthened.

Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti cast his vote while polling for By-Senate Election at Balochistan Assembly.

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APP45-140324 QUETTA: March 14 - Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti cast his vote while polling for By-Senate Election at Balochistan Assembly.
Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti cast his vote while polling for By-Senate Election at Balochistan Assembly.
APP45-140324
QUETTA: March 14 –Balochistan Chief Minister, Mir Sarfraz Bugti cast his vote while polling for By-Senate Election at Balochistan Assembly.

APP44-140324
QUETTA: March 14 – .Member of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) casting their votes at Balochistan Assembly where polling organized for three vacant seats of Senate.

A view of rain water and mud creates problem to the customers at Fruit and Vegetable Market, needs the attention of the concerned authorities.

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APP08-140324 ISLAMABAD: March 14 – A view of rain water and mud creates problem to the customers at Fruit and Vegetable Market, needs the attention of the concerned authorities.
A view of rain water and mud creates problem to the customers at Fruit and Vegetable Market, needs the attention of the concerned authorities.
APP08-140324
ISLAMABAD: March 14 – 

Youngster busy in washing alloy rims before selling at his workplace near Shoba Bazar.

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APP37-140324 PESHAWAR: March 14 - Youngster busy in washing alloy rims before selling at his workplace near Shoba Bazar.
Youngster busy in washing alloy rims before selling at his workplace near Shoba Bazar.
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PESHAWAR: March 14