A gypsy family traveling on tricycle cart at Mohenjo-Daro Airport Road
A worker repairing watch at his roadside setup near Jinnah Bagh
Guards on duty at Haveli Barod Khana Shahi Fort. Haveli Barod Khana is an 18th century mansion. It was built by a commanding general of the Sikh Army in the 18th century during the Sikh Era
HF’s dialogue mulls over knowledge-based development strategy towards economic recovery
ISLAMABAD, May 31 (APP):As a part of their efforts to deal with the situation in Pakistan’s scenario and come up with an effective strategy, Hashoo Foundation (HF) together with the government on Wednesday organized an exclusive and innovative Round Table Dialogue as the first of a series of a pilot initiative demonstrating the Pakistani resilience and wisdom in seeking insights from the international intellectual capital available in Islamabad.
Hashoo Foundation is a knowledge based and nonpartisan not-for-profit organization with the mission to leverage knowledge as capital to help bring about socio-economic uplift, a news release said.
The Round Table Dialogue invited a select group of committed people from Ambassadors to Business leaders to Academicians to give input towards trade and economic recovery solutions under the current context.
The event resonated with positive discussions and resulted in a wide range of practical opportunities for economic growth with a special focus on the themes of economic policies in times of uncertainty, small industries and value addition in the Pakistan context, technology transfer for economic growth, and suitable fiscal strategies for sustainable development. Experts of the field also discussed how trade can facilitate economic recovery and social development.
Such situations of recessions and uncertainties result in inequitable economic growth, but economic activities do not come to a halt rather they adapt to the context and the risk is that they are concentrated in small groups.
As knowledge leaders and global partners, all stakeholders of the global polity often engage to facilitate how best nonpartisan SDGs actors in both private and public sectors can continue with their services to consumers or citizens in such situations.
Country Director, Hashoo Foundation, Ayesha Khan welcomed the participants and shared that HF since the last 7 years, has focused on using knowledge or intellectual capital to produce actionable input for the betterment of individuals and communities.
The Foundation’s motto has always been “Together we make a difference” hence the collective wisdom from today’s session will help us find new and unique problem-solving ideas for technological and innovative approaches towards sustainable economic growth.
She emphasized the need to strengthen institutions and our development strategies to post-pandemic and Climate Change emergency realities emphasizing innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Director General, International Islamic University Prof. Dr. M. Zia Ul Haq joined the round table discussion as the guest speaker. He thanked Hashoo Foundation on bringing up this very important issue and working towards finding solutions. He highlighted the role of academia and researchers in working together with all stakeholders towards formulating a strategy for economic growth. He stressed on the need for an innovative, reform-based strategy for sustained economic growth acceleration in Pakistan.
Stakeholders from around the world as well as the public and private sector appreciated the initiative and actively participated in the process of supporting home-led solutions for socio-economic development.
Delhi Gate’s renovation work is in progress, this is one of the six remaining historic gates of the city
Govt determined to bring prosperity to masses across the region; AJK PM
MIRPUR [AJK]: May 31 (APP):Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said that his government was determined to bring economic prosperity to all sectors of the economy in the region.
Addressing a consultative meeting on the upcoming budget at Jammu and Kashmir House in the federal metropolis late Tuesday, the prime minister said that it would ensure equal distribution of resources in various sectors including education and health. “Special importance should be given to education, health, tourism, agriculture, livestock and information technology,” he emphasized while talking to the officials of the State government. He said, the continuity of providing facilities to the people should be maintained by presenting a balanced and people-friendly budget.
The meeting was attended among others by the Most Senior Minister Colonel (Retd) Waqar Ahmed Noor, Government Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Chief Secretary Dr. Muhammad Usman Chachar senior officers of the State government including Additional Chief Secretary Development, Secretary Finance and others.
Addressing the meeting, the AJK prime minister said that the budget should be enhanced for every department in order to achieve institutional stability and strength. He said that the health and education sectors needed special focus.
Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said that provision of balanced funds to all sectors, including hydraulic power, education, tourism, information, electronics, public health, physical planning, local government, electronics, livestock, agriculture, sports, information and agriculture should be ensured in the budget. He said that a viable work plan should be devised to spend the surplus of the budget on the welfare of the people. We need to improve our universities, colleges and schools, he added.
When resources are given, they will deliver results. There is a need to improve the quality of divisional, district and tehsil level hospitals so that the people can get the best health facilities, new ideas are needed in the field of tourism, agriculture, live stock and information technology, so that the society as a whole can improve, he expressed and added, innovative ideas are encouraged in the new budget. He further said that any idea bringing the overall benefit and increasing convenience for people will also be encouraged.
AHR.
NDMA issues warning about potential impacts of rainfall in central, northern regions
ISLAMABAD, May 31 (APP): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning regarding the possible impacts of light to moderate rainfall in the central and northern regions of the country.
According to the NDMA, there was a possibility of isolated heavy falls and hailstorms in some areas. Moreover, the NDMA has identified potential risks of landslides in mountainous regions, flash flooding, and hill torrents in vulnerable areas due to rain.
Besides, property, crops, and vegetation might also be damaged due to hailstorms.The NDMA has advised people in vulnerable areas, including mountainous regions to take extra caution.
The authority has also urged citizens to stay up-to-date with the latest weather reports and follow advisories issued by the Provincial authorities to minimize potential damage. NDMA further added that in case of an emergency, citizens should reach out to the relevant authorities for immediate assistance.
The NDMA reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens throughout the country. As the weather situation develops, NDMA will continue to monitor the situation and issue relevant advisories accordingly.
Training to enhance child protection, welfare in KP concludes
PESHAWAR, May 31 (APP): A two-day Child Protection Information Management System Training to enhance child protection and welfare in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa concluded here on Wednesday.
The training was organized by KP Child Protection and Welfare Commission, in Collaboration with UNICEF.
The training was chaired by Salama Begum, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Social Welfare Department.
Sohail Ahmad, a Child Protection Specialist from UNICEF, highlighted the objectives of the workshop.
He mentioned that UNICEF, in collaboration with KPCPWC, recently handed over a well-functioning Child Protection Case Management and Referral System to the Child Protection Units established across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the Newly Merged Districts.
The system aims to identify and register cases of child abuse, conduct investigations, monitor and follow up on interventions and referrals, and facilitate the rehabilitation of children who have experienced various forms of abuse, he added.
Sohail emphasized the imminent launch and deployment of the KP CP-IMS to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Case Management and Referral System.
The KP CP-IMS will integrate and streamline data throughout the Child Protection Units and will be connected with other line departments and referral partners.
He highlighted the critical role of Child Protection Units in the referral process, documentation, and operational considerations to optimize the system’s functionality to address the unique challenges faced in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and provide a safe and secure environment for all children.
42 participants from Child Protection Units, Zamung Kor, Police Department, Social Welfare Department and Child Protection Staff from Newly Merged Districts attended the training.
The Oxford Policy Management Team structured the training to allow participants maximum time to enter actual cases in the system received from the field.
They also addressed and noted down all the queries of the participants, which will help in customizing the CP-IMS to address the challenges faced by children in the province.
During the training, the participants received hands-on training on all modules of the CP-IMS, empowering them to become master trainers capable of conducting future training sessions for other system users in their respective departments.
Additionally, the workshop provided a comprehensive overview of the software’s data consolidation and analysis modules, particularly the dashboard and reporting module.
In her concluding remarks, Salama Begum commended all the participants for their dedication and commitment to the cause of Child Protection in their respective roles.
She strongly encouraged the participants to apply the knowledge and skills gained from the training to their roles, ensuring and safeguarding the rights of the children.
She added that the integration of the Child Protection Case Management and Referral System with the CP-IMS is a significant step towards efficient data management and effective responses to the needs of vulnerable children.
Salama Begum highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing the complex challenges of child abuse, violence, exploitation, and neglect.
She emphasized the need to remain proactive and responsive to emerging challenges in this ever-changing world.
She said that with the successful completion of the training, the stage is now set for the imminent and sustainable launch of the KP CP-IMS.
This milestone marks a significant step in protecting the rights and well-being of children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reinforcing the commitment of UNICEF and the KP Government to ensure a safer environment for every child, she noted.
British CGS lauds Pakistan Armed Forces’ sacrifices in fight against terrorism
RAWALPINDI, May 31 (APP):Chief of General Staff (CGS) UK Army, General Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Syed Asim Munir at General Headquarters (GHQ) on Wednesday and acknowledged the sacrifices and achievements of Pakistan Army in the fight against terrorism and efforts for bringing peace and stability in the region
Upon arrival at the GHQ, CGS UK Army, laid floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented the guard of honour to the visiting dignitary, an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release said.
During the meeting, regional security issues and matters of mutual interest were discussed.
Earlier, the CGS UK had also called on Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza at Joint Staff Headquarters, Rawalpindi.
Shaza Fatima unveils plan to distribute 100,000 laptops among talented students in next year
ISLAMABAD, May 31 (APP):Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs Shaza Fatima Khawaja on Wednesday unveiled the Federal Government’s plan of distributing 100,000 laptops among talented students of universities and colleges during the next one year.
“Laptops have an important role in building a knowledge economy which ultimately creates massive job opportunities for youth,” the SAPM said in an exclusive interview with APP.
She said the laptop scheme, which was halted by the previous government, had been resumed.
It was a flagship project of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) which was launched during the last government tenure of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who had a vision to empower the youth by creating an enabling environment in the country, she added.
“Half a million laptops were distributed by the Federal Government during 2013 to 2018 by keeping the importance of technology in mind which is crucial to acquire modern education in the current era,” she added.
The SAPM recalled that the youth continued their employment and educational activities through laptops during the Coronavirus pandemic.
She also shared details about a proposal of allocating Rs 100 billion in the upcoming budget for the distribution of subsidized loans among the youth under the ongoing scheme.
Half of the allocated money would be dedicated for the agriculture sector while the rest would be distributed for promoting entrepreneurship in the country, she added.
She explained that the agri loan would help the youth add innovation and technology in the agriculture sectors to bring it at par with international level.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, she said, inaugurated the loan scheme on January 24 and loans amounting to Rs 22 billion had been disbursed so far, while the target was Rs 30 billion by June 30.
Discussing the innovation awards, she said 100 students would be given the awards and 500 children would be invited to a boot camp in that regard.
“Tops 20 ideas will be awarded Rs 1 million each and others Rs 500,000 each,” she added.
The SAPM said national development was not possible without women’s participation. Therefore, efforts were being made to ensure more inclusion of women, persons with disabilities, minorities and transgenders in various youth programmes.