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President Dr Arif Alvi chairing the 7th meeting of the Senate of National Skills University Islamabad, at Aiwan-e-Sadr
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Senator Seemee Ezdi, Chairperson Senate Standing Committee on Climate Change presiding over a meeting of the committee at Parliament House
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DG IOM calls on Secretary Interior
ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): Director General International Organization of Migration (IOM) Amy Pope on Thursday called on Secretary Interior Aftab Akbar Durrani and discussed issues of mutual interest.
He thanked the DG International Organization of Immigration for its outstanding support to the Government of Pakistan and assured full cooperation from NADRA, FIA and, Passport and Immigration Departments at various levels.
He said that the Ministry of Interior will also need IOM’s support in border management in future. Both of them reiterated their commitment to full cooperation.
The interior secretary informed DGIMO that the return of foreigners residing illegally in Pakistan will continue and so far, more than 500,000 people have returned to their homeland, out of which more than ninety percent have returned voluntarily.
Durrani said, “We are seeking dignified repatriation of all illegal and undocumented aliens.” The process was being ensured that no harassment of any kind was done against any individual, the Government of Pakistan has a zero-tolerance policy in this matter, he added.
Federal ministers hold talks with Baloch protestors
ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): A committee comprising caretaker federal ministers Murtaza Solangi, Fawad Hassan Fawad and Jamal Shah held talks with the Baloch protestors on Thursday.
“As soon as the negotiations with the protesting women were completed, the committee of federal ministers issued orders for the immediate release of the arrested women,” a news release said.
The process for release of the protesting women had been started, it added.
The committee members later proceeded to the camp of protesting men.
The committee, including Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi, Federal Minister for Privatization Fawad Hassan Fawad, and Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Jamal Shah, was formed on the orders of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.
Punjab governor awards 29,456 degrees at Sargodha University convocation
SARGODHA, Dec 21 (APP):Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman conferred degrees upon 29,456 students at the 10th convocation of the University of Sargodha (UoS), held on Thursday.
The ceremony was significant as it marked the graduation of around 64.5 per cent girl students, out of the total student population.
The ceremony was presided over by Chancellor Muhammad Balighur Rehman, accompanied by Chairman Higher Education Commission Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Vice Chancellor UoS Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas and deans of eight faculties at the convocation venue.
As many as 81 PhD degrees, 1098 MS/ MPhil/ MSc (Hons)/ LLM, 12,713 MA/MSc, 4741 BS/ BSc (Hons)/ BBA and 10,823 BA/ BSc/ ADP degrees were awarded to students from the faculties of Agriculture, Arts and Humanities, Computing and Information Technology, Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Science and Social Sciences. Moreover, 277 students with distinctions were honoured with medals.
Governor Balighur Rehman extended heartfelt congratulations to the graduates and scholars, stating, “Today is a day of joy and success for the students.” He expressed hope that the graduating students, through their unique research capabilities, would contribute significantly to the dignity of institutions, teachers, and the value of degrees earned.”
He emphasised the fortune of Pakistan, boasting a large youth population, stating that the youth are the most valuable asset for any nation. Furthermore, the governor highlighted the imperative use of fact checking in era of disinformation to counter the exposure of youth with false narratives across digital platforms. He applauded the efforts of University of Sargodha in skill development of the students. He appreciated efforts of the Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Qaiser Abbas to promote academic culture with emphasis on commercialization of the ideas generated by students.
HEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed praised the University of Sargodha’s journey, and said that securing the second position in Punjab and the third in Pakistan reflected the university’s strides in the right direction. He urged students to embrace a positive and constructive role in society, emphasising the importance of higher education in national development.
VC Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas expressed his gratitude towards the Punjab governor, HEC chairman and other guests. He congratulated students, their parents and teachers, on their achievement. He said: “The ceremony marks the academic zenith and prestige of the University of Sargodha,” adding that the number of degrees being conferred upon the graduates was a testimony to its tremendous achievement in the tertiary education sector of Pakistan. He also encouraged students to be pioneers of positive change, adopting a mindset of innovation and discovery. He also shared key progressive reforms implemented during his first year as the vice chancellor, and ambitious future plans as well.
After the formal ceremony, students celebrated their achievement with enthusiasm.
Jordan’s Ambassador to Pakistan explores collaborative initiatives with COMSTECH
ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP): Coordinator General COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, in a comprehensive meeting with the recently appointed Ambassador of Jordan to Pakistan, Dr. Maen KHREASAT at COMSTECH Secretariat here Thursday, discussed the establishment of a joint Water Resource Management Center and launch of a young scientists exchange program.
During the meeting, Prof. Iqbal highlighted the ongoing collaborative efforts between COMSTECH and Jordan, revealing that COMSTECH had spent around $1.5 Million in various active projects with Jordan to date.
Dr. Iqbal further briefed the Ambassador about the existence of two COMSTECH-affiliated organizations in Jordan, namely the Islamic Academy of Sciences (IAS) and the Inter-Islamic Network on Water Resources Development and Management (INWRDAM).
In a groundbreaking proposal, the CG COMSTECH demanded the establishment of a joint Jordan-Pakistan Water Resource Management Laboratory under COMSTECH’s auspices at the Panjwani Hisaar Water Institute (NED University).
He also recommended the initiation of a young scientists exchange program between COMSTECH and Jordan, for scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange.
Dr. Iqbal also informed the Ambassadors about 500 free scholarships for Palestinian students by COMSTECH and Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP)
Ambassador KHREASAT expressed Jordan’s commitment to sustaining cooperation with COMSTECH, emphasizing Jordan’s role as a technology hub in the region.
He envisioned joint programs with COMSTECH to explore new technological frontiers and enhance higher education initiatives.
He appreciated the COMSTECH’s initiative of 500 scholarships for Palestinian students and offered all kinds of support from Jordan. The proposed joint Water Resource Management Center and the young scientists exchange program will stand as witness to strengthening ties between Jordan and Pakistan under the COMSTECH framework, he said.
The two sides concluded the meeting by affirming their commitment to mutual benefit and the exploration of opportunities for further collaboration.
No more U-turn, breaches to ensure smooth traffic
MULTAN, Dec 21 (APP):The district administration has decided to close all U-turns and plug breaches in the road dividers on the main city roads temporarily to observe its impact and thrash out a comprehensive traffic plan to address the traffic muddle problem and minimize the risk of accidents.
The initiative would practically ensure one-way traffic on main city roads where motorists and motorcycle riders would find U-turns only at the next cross-section and none in between the two Chowk. A meeting of the regional transport authority, chaired by deputy commissioner Captain (Retired) Rizwan Qadeer, also decided to launch a vehicle inspection system under which all vehicles including the motorcycle rickshaws would undergo fitness tests and those found fit would be issued fitness certificates, according to an official release issued here Thursday.
Chief Traffic Officer Rana Muhammad Naeem and Secretary RTA Mohsin Nisar gave a detailed briefing to DC. They said that over a Rs 200,000 fine was imposed on violators last month in the ongoing Axle-Load-Management campaign. They said that Axle Load Checking Points were set up at the motorway section from Naag Shah Chowk to Jalalpur Pirwala. The Brands Road in the Gulgasht area would be converted into a one-way road to lessen traffic load. DC ordered that checking points be set up at the entry/exit points of the city to discourage overloading practices. He also ordered action against illegal bus/wagon stands without any discrimination.
Seminar held on development journey of Bangladesh
ISLAMABAD, Dec 21 (APP):The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives on Thursday held a seminar titled “Development Journey of Bangladesh: Lessons Learnt for Pakistan” in collaboration with International Growth Center (IGC) and Consortium for Development Policy Research (CDPR).
Country Director International Growth Center (IGC) Dr Ijaz Nabi, Chief Economist Zafar ul Hassan, Additional Secretary Kamran Rehman, representatives from think tanks, economic institutions, academia, private sector, civil society and various government organisations participated in the seminar, a news release said.
Vice Chairman of Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh Dr Sadiq Khan gave a comprehensive presentation covering Bangladesh’s early challenges, including quantitative restrictions, economic deregulation, banking reforms, trade with India, sectorial policies, special bonded warehouse systems, raw material imports, and strategies for food self-sufficiency and private investments.
He emphasised the pivotal role of GDP growth, citing a remarkable average of almost 6 per cent per year from 2001 onward.
Discussing Bangladesh’s inclusive growth strategy, Dr Sadiq highlighted the importance of job creation, diversified agriculture, export-oriented manufacturing, and support for micro and small enterprises while commending Bangladesh’s economic strength built on strategic trade agreements and sustainable industry practices.
Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Mohammad Jehanzeb acknowledged Pakistan’s economic challenges, including gender disparities and the need to leverage the youthful population, especially women for economic progress.
He underscored the importance of stable leadership, robust infrastructure, and an unwavering focus on growth, drawing valuable lessons from Bangladesh’s success.
Addressing decision-making procedures, the deputy chairman outlined the Federal Government’s responsibility for the national agenda and emphasised provincial investment in human development.
Despite challenges and limited resources, he stressed the importance of focusing on economic development, women’s empowerment and transformative policies.
Expressing gratitude to Dr Sadiq for an excellent presentation, the deputy chairman encouraged participants to draw lessons from Bangladesh’s experiences for Pakistan’s economic stability.
Later, he presented a souvenir to Dr Sadiq Khan as a token of appreciation.
Youngsters from Christian community preparing Christmas Crib in connection of Christmas celebrations at G-7 area
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Gypsy children enjoying jump on trampoline during sunset at G-7 area
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