ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Training and Evaluation Rear Admiral Zahid Alyas was called on the Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood here on Tuesday.
During the meeting both the dignitaries discussed the issues pertaining to educational institutions being run by the Pakistan Navy.

Zahid Alyas said that topics related to Marry Times should be included in new curriculum. He asked the minister to increase the number of scholarships for the educational institutions being run by Pakistan Navy.
The minister assured fully cooperation in this regard and directed Secretary Education to contact with Chairman HEC regarding increasing the number of scholarships.
In another meeting, the minister met with High Sheriff for Greater Manchester Dr Robina Shah here at his office.

During the meeting, the education minister said that quality education is a big challenge for the government. He lauded the role of British government for promotion of education in Pakistan.

Dr Robina Shah said that ministry of education and health could jointly provide the health facilities to the school going children.
The minister said that we will welcome ministry of health in this regard.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):Pakistan High Commissioner to New Delhi, Sohail Mahmood Tuesday stressed the importance of changing the conflictual pattern of the past Pak-India relations to a cooperative pattern in the future.
In this context, he stressed the imperatives of sustained engagement, a result-oriented dialogue process, resolution of outstanding disputes, enhanced regional cooperation, and collective endeavours for shared prosperity, a message reaching here from New Delhi said.
He was talking to the 14th batch of Maharashtra Institute of Technology School of Government (MIT-SoG), Pune, which visited the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi.
The delegation included over 30 students, pursuing post-graduate degree programme in Political Leadership and Government. The group had wide-ranging interaction with High Commissioner.
Extending a warm welcome to the group, Sohail Mahmood stressed the need for more exchanges between intellectuals, academics, artists and sportsmen of the two countries.

Speaking of the historic Kartarpur initiative, the high commissioner expressed the hope that it would be instrumental in further facilitating and fortifying people-to-people bonds.
The high commissioner particularly stressed the role that the youth in India and Pakistan could play in transforming the quality of bilateral relations.
He urged them to be the ‘ambassadors of Pakistan-India peace’ as they go forth in life and pursue their professional careers in diverse fields.
He added that the media could also play a constructive role in creation of a conducive atmosphere by helping to break the stereotypes, remove misperceptions, and increase mutual understanding.
The high commissioner highlighted Pakistan’s geographical significance, democratic evolution, and current demographic make-up. He also shared an overview of Pakistan’s external environment, beset by myriad challenges and opportunities; relations with major powers, and ties with immediate neighbours.
Besides highlighting Quaid-e-Azam’s vision of Pakistan as a modern, progressive, democratic, Islamic welfare state, the High Commissioner outlined the national priorities of the new government including economic turnaround, improved governance, and accelerated socio-economic development.
He said free media, independent judiciary, and vibrant civil society were distinct features of contemporary Pakistan.
During the interactive session, the students asked questions on different aspects of India-Pakistan relations and evinced interest in regular interface and youth exchanges between the two countries. The possibilities of academic exchanges were also explored.
At the end, MIT-SOG Faculty Members Sankalp Singhai and Parimal Maya Sudhakar presented souvenirs to the High Commissioner, including a traditional Chaddar from Pune.
The high commissioner presented books containing pictorial overview of the Hindu, Sikh and Christian heritage in Pakistan.
The delegation’s visit was hosted as part of the High Commission’s outreach efforts and engagement with the youth.

QUETTA, Feb 12 (APP):Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal on Tuesday said setting up of online tax collection system was a positive initiative for up gradation of tax system in province, the process of development was dependent on financial sustainability.
CM Balochistan expressed these views while addressing the inauguration ceremony of online tax collection system at Department of Excise and Taxation here today.

Advisor to CM Balochistan for Excise Malik Naeem Khan Bazai, Provincial Minister for Transport Muhammad Omar Khan Jamali, Provincial Minister for Labor Sarfaraz Chakker Domki, Advisor for Sports and Culture Abdul Khaliq Hazara, Advisor for Education Mohammad Khan Lehri, Advisor for Livestock Mitha Khan Kakar, DG Excise Sohail ul Rehman Baloch and other officials were also present on this occassion The result of administrative disorder in the last 15-20 years in Balochistan has given rise to many problems today. The present bill of pension in Balochistan is Rs.
23 billion, which will go up to Rs.200 billion in the next five years, the CM added.

The CM said that there is a need for good governance in Balochistan. The annual income of Balochistan is Rs. 15 billion, our goal is to increase it by Rs. 40 billion in the next few years, He added.
“Although effective legislation and measures have been proposed in eight cabinet meetings, there’s still greater room for improvement in government departments”, the CM said.

While addressing the ceremony Advisor to CM for Excise Malik Naeem Khan Bazai said that Excise Department in Balochistan has set the target of collecting tax over Rs. 2.8 billion in the current financial year. Overcoming department issues may increase the rate of revenue, he added.

The Advisor said that Excise Department Balochistan collects six types of tax for provincial and federal governments.
The Advisor said a link has also been set up with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for registration of vehicles. A smart card based on seven security features has been introduced, which will replace the registration book.

“A memorandum of understating (MoU) has been signed between NADRA and Department Excise Balochistan to verify the identification of people in the procurement process of vehicles,” he said.

The Advisor said that sustainable economy is imperative for collective development of the country and provinces. Balochistan will be the first province, where online taxation system would be operative for all seven days of a week and 24 hours of a day, he added.

MIRPUR (AJK): Feb 12 (APP):AJK President Sardar Masood Khan said “AJK government is keen on enhancing the quality of higher education in the state by introducing cutting edge disciplines which are more germane to the ever growing and changing job market”.

The President made these remarks while addressing the management, faculty and students during a visit to Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI) in Swabi on Tuesday, AJK Presidential Secretariat said in a media release issued here on Tuesday.Sardar Masood said that AJK, after attaining considerable success in educational scores and fulfilling quantitative targets, is now focusing on improving its quality of education, especially at the tertiary level.

Public sector universities of AJK, he said, have a lot to collaborate on with GIKI which has become a standard bearer and leader for imparting
engineering education in Pakistan.

He added that the AJK government would explore avenues for collaborations in student and faculty exchange programs with GIKI and other leading universities of Pakistan.

He said that it was especially encouraging to see that this avant-garde institution of Pakistan is opening up to research in revolutionary and innovative specialities like the Internet of Things, photonics, cloud computing, biomechanics, nanotechnology, blockchain,supply chain management and climate change. He termed GIKI as a truly national university with representation from all over Pakistan.

The AJK President stressed that the future of Pakistan depends on our abundant investment on quality education and that, he said, differentiates a developed country from a developing country. While referring to the example set by GIKI, he said that closer collaborations and linkages between industry and academic institutions must be fostered in order to help understand opportunities, constraints and potentials.

He said that the incubation centre and startups here at GIKI are very
inspirational and a similar effort has also been made at Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), which he said, has given students the opportunity to implement their skills as entrepreneurs and innovators.

Directly addressing the students, the President said that you are the leaders of the not very distant tomorrow and you should take your destiny in your hands and help shape the destiny of this nation. Your personal compass, he said, must be for your self-development but your national compass should direct you towards service for your country.

He urged the students to inculcate within themselves a passion for competence and excellence. He said true confidence coming from competence and excellence can help you rapidly take Pakistan to new heights.

President Masood Khan emphasized the need to use digital technologies to project a true and peaceful image of Pakistan. He said that in the digital world we must put forward our narrative especially when it comes to the human rights situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

He said that the people of Kashmir are suffering for over 71 years under the illegitimate occupation of India and have been disenfranchised by being denied their right to self-determination. He said that we must use our newly found clout to fight for the rights of the Kashmiris and reach out to our peers and the global civil society.

Jahangir Bashar briefed on the institute’s achievements and the
various disciplines taught at GIKI. The President interacted with the Deans and senior faculty members in an earlier session and was also given a detailed tour of the campus, state of the art laboratories and “The Catalyst”- GIKI’s incubation centre.

In the Q&A session the President while replying to a question posed by a student said the AJK Government will consider the possibility of sponsoring a scholarship for AJK students at GIKI to help encourage students to apply to this prestigious institution.

The event ended with a vote of thanks by the Rector, who also presented the President with a memento.

Earlier, Shams-ul-Mulk, President Society for the Promotion of
Engineering Sciences and Technology (SOPREST), Shakeel Durrani, Executive Director SOPREST and Jahangir Bashar, Rector GIKI along with senior faculty members earlier received the President upon his arrival at the campus, it said.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir Tuesday said that the opposition making hue and cry over the government’s attempt to seek the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) assistance to tackle the country’s financial crisis.

Talking to PTV news, she said opposition’s disappointment increasing after the government’s successful negotiations with IMF.
Zartaj Gul said the PTI government was still facing economy crisis due to financial policies of PML-N government.
She said that the incumbent government was making all out efforts to overcome the challenges facing the country.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):Ambassador Designate of Japan to Pakistan Kuninori Matsuda Tuesday expressed his resolve to further strengthen the strong bilateral ties between Japan and Pakistan as well as people-to-people relations.Kuninori Matsuda further said Pakistan and Japan always enjoyed close friendly relations, a Embassy of Japan statement said.

He had joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Japan in April 1982 and later appointed as first secretary, Embassy of Japan in USA during 1996. Matsuda as an experienced diplomat also served on various positions including counsellor, Embassy of Japan in Russia, director, Overseas Public Relations Division, senior Fellow/director of Research Coordination the Japan Institute of International Affairs, director Russian Division, consul general, Consulate-General of Japan in Detroit and Consulate-General of Japan in Hong-Kong and so on.

LAHORE, Feb 12 (APP):United States Ambassador to Pakistan Paul W. Jones Tuesday said the US government would support Pakistan against crime, terrorism and corruption.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of US funded three-storey new administrative block here at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) headquarters, he said the construction of the administrative block
was a tesimony of the long-standing relationship between the US government and the Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) especially FIA of Pakistan.The US diplomat said it was painful that the building was destroyed by terrorists in 2008, adding that reconstruction and refurbishment of the building was a commitment that “we are not deterred by the terrorists and, though it took years, we can build it better than before.”
US Consul General, Colleen W. Crenwelge, CCPO Lahore B. A. Nasir, US officials, FIA officers and a large number of journalists were present at the ceremony.
Paul said the US government, since 1980s, had been supporting Pakistan to help build LEAs sustainable capacity building institutions, besides providing training, equipment, curriculum development and infrastructure.
Charge ‘Affairs US Embassay Paul W. Jones said inauguration of a brand-new building today is a testimony of our enduring relationship, adding that both the governments would work together
so that people of Pakistan have access to justice.
He said the FIA was faced with broad-range of crime and the US government was pleased to work together whether it was war against cybercrime or money laundering investigation.
He said the FIA had an important role in delivering and reform.
The envoy said, “We have strengthened relations, adding the US provided Pakistani law enforcement agencies with life-saving equipment worth 14 million dollars in 2018.
He said the US had also provided training so that Pakistani LEA’s had the best tools and skills meet challenges safely and effectively.
The administrative block was destroyed during the dastardly terrorist attacks in the years 2008 and 2009 and had been rebuilt with funding of 37.7 million rupees by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US, Department of State.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):Pakistan Post has invited potential candidates under fifteen years of age to submit their work for the international letter writing competition, an initiative of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) for which last date for submission is February 28.

Pakistan Post Director General Dr Naseer Ahmed Tuesday told APP that the theme selected for the 2019 competition was ‘Write a Letter to Your Hero’.
The winners of the contest would be awarded with Rs20,000, Rs10,000 and Rs5,000 respectively for first second and third positions respectively, he added.
He said the best letter (English version only) will be sent to the UPU where a jury would select winners to be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals bearing relevant inscription and their names as well as albums of the official postage stamps.
Dr Naseer Ahmed said the goal of the competition is to encourage children to exhibit their talent and to foster a passion to communicate their experiences,” the official added.
“Write a letter to your hero” is an inspirational theme of the 2019 International Letter-Writing Competition and its primary goal is to advance global literacy and education among young people.
It is closely bound to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals under Goal 4, which seeks to achieve an inclusive and equitable education for all. Every year, UPU announces a theme. Participating countries then organise the competition at the national level with support from their Posts, and often with the assistance of education authorities.
Each country chooses a national winner and submits their entry to the global round held by UPU. An international jury, chosen by UPU, judges the letters and selects the winners and entries worthy of a special mention.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):The United States Educational Foundation in Pakistan (USEFP) invites Pakistani students to apply for the prestigious and fully funded Fulbright Student from Master’s to PhD and Fulbright-Higher Education Commission (HEC) PhD scholarships program 2020 at top universities in the United States.

The application form is available online at www.usefpakistan.org, and the application deadline is May 15, 2019, a press release said on Tuesday.

Women, people with disabilities, and students from rural and underrepresented areas are highly encouraged to apply. All disciplines are eligible except clinical medicine.

Applicants studying energy, water, agriculture, public health, education, social sciences, journalism, mass communication, arts and culture management, including heritage conservation and museum studies, urban and regional planning, environmental science/studies, security/peace studies, and data science disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply.

“The Fulbright Program is a cornerstone of the strong ties between the American and Pakistani people,” said Minister Counselor for Public Affairs at the United States Mission in Pakistan, Christopher Fitzgerald.

“Fulbright is not just an academic scholarship – it is a program that produces strong leaders who return to Pakistan upon completion of their studies and make a difference in improving their communities. And because Pakistani Fulbrighters come from diverse backgrounds and regions, the impact is felt nationwide across society, spanning the nearly seven decades of Fulbright in Pakistan. We expect the Fulbright program to receive applications from dedicated students who seek to develop academically, participate in the opportunities the United States offers, and who will build a more secure and prosperous Pakistan.”

The Fulbright Program in Pakistan covers travel, living stipends, health insurance, and tuition for the entire period of study.

“I would like to encourage anyone who is eligible and interested in graduate education to consider applying to the prestigious Fulbright Program. Among successful applicants, some are fresh graduates, others are working professionals, and in recent years more than half are women. To become a Fulbrighter, it’s important to have a good academic record but it’s just as important to have a commitment to returning to Pakistan and using the degree to make a positive difference,” said USEFP Executive Director Rita Akhtar.

USEFP, a bi-national commission established in 1950 by the governments of Pakistan and the United States, is one of 49 Fulbright Commissions throughout the world. Since its inception, over7,000 Pakistanis and more than 900 Americans have participated in USEFP-managed exchange programs.Its mission is to promote mutual understanding between the people of Pakistan and the United States through educational and cultural exchange programs. In addition to the Fulbright program, USEFP manages a number of scholarship programs for undergraduates, teachers, journalists, and other professionals.

The Fulbright-HEC PhD program is made possible through financial support from the Higher Education Commission. Demonstrating their commitment to higher education and the U.S.-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor, the Government of Pakistan has agreed to provide more than $25 million USD, which will support up to 125 PhD students.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):The intending Government Hajj Scheme pilgrims planning to perform the sacred religious obligation this year from country’s Southern and Northern regions will have to pay Rs 11,910 and Rs 12,910 respectively for their accompanying each infant to Saudi Arabia.

According to official sources in Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, the parents travelling from Southern Region will have to pay 10 percent of Hajj airfare which is Rs 10,000 as Hajj dues for each accompanying infant. The parents travelling from country’s Northern Region will have to pay Rs 11,000 as Hajj dues for each accompanying infant, born after September 15, 2017. While the accompanying adult children of intending pilgrims are required to pay normal Hajj dues, the sources added.
The breakup of total charges, the parents have to pay Rs 500 on account of Hujjaj Mohafiz Fund and Rs 1,000 will be charged as vaccination charges and lastly Zamzam charges for both Northern and Southern region will be Rs 410 for each accompanying infant.
Meanwhile, the intending pilgrims must have international machine readable passport having validity up to February 10, 2020 to avoid inconvenience.
According to Hajj Policy 2019, the intending Hajj applicants, who do not possess a valid international machine readable passport, would not be able to perform the sacred religious ceremony this year.
The applicants must also have a valid Computerized National Identity Card and medical certificate.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Media Affairs Iftikhar Durrani Tuesday said that previous governments were responsible for the current financial crisis in the country and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government was committed for economic revival.

Talking to private news channel, the previous governments had done many objectionable activities which had damaged the economy of Pakistan, adding, our government is determined to put Pakistan’s economy on the right path.
He explained , Pakistan is facing current fiscal deficit and has been trying to introduce economic reforms, adding, going to IMF for a bailout package is the need of the hour.
He further appreciated that the historic address of Prime Minister Imran Khan at World Governments Summit.
He said the inherited balance of payment is due to negligence of previous governments and there is no other available option other than approaching the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but this will be last time in this regard.
He said everyone is aware of the difficult economic conditions left by the previous governments for the country, which was
why the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led (PTI) government had decided at the start of its term to take measures to bring the country out of the crisis.
Iftikhar Durrani said , Pakistan now needs IMF support to overcome fiscal deficit as Pakistan is now in a better position to negotiate with IMF because the government will aim to have a minimum impact on low-income classes, he added.
As a result of previous economic policies, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer but the incumbent government will try to abolish discriminatory economic policies across the country, he mentioned.
Durrani hoped that in coming five years, imports would be decreased and the country’s exports would further increase.
PTI government would not compromise on the ongoing accountability process in the country, he mentioned.
He said for the previous governments of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for destroying the state institutions through corruption.
Durrani was of the view that PTI government had inherited ‘financially empty institutions’ and added that Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) , Pakistan Post and Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) among other institutions have been destroyed.
Replying to a question , Iftikhar Durrani said, the government believed that Shahbaz Sharif was using the PAC as a shield against corruption cases he was facing and he should honorably resigned from his seat.
In another question he said , Opposition still demanding for the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) but Prime Minister Imran Khan will never give it to them.