Skilled persons are knitting the traditional bed (Charpai) and Stools for customers at their workplace
Digital News Ideathon gets overwhelming response
ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP):‘Click! The Digital News Ideathon’ has received an overwhelming response from the content creators who gathered at the Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ-IBA) to learn monetization of their content and diversification of revenue stream for the sustainability of their platforms.
Nearly 150 beginners, intermediate, established, and aspiring content creators participated in ‘Click! The Digital News Ideathon’, organized by the CEJ-IBA in collaboration with Deutsche Welle Akademie (DW).
Multimedia Journalist- Sabah Bano Malik kicked off the event with a warm welcome to the audience and spoke about the constant evolution of the digital landscape.
CEJ Director Amber Rahim Shams underlined the need to reinvent journalism by learning new ways of news gathering and dissemination as well as engaging the audience.
Ambassador Alfred Grannas highlighted the partnership between the CEJ-IBA and DW, and encouraged participants to learn how to monetize, with a caveat: “Make money- become millionaires! Just do not forget your duties as a journalist”.
The Ideathon also included a panel discussion to reflect on the Pakistani news audience’s desire for serious content, and the blurred lines between journalist, influencer, citizen journalist and vlogger.
Moderated by Amber Rahim Shamsi, the panelists addressed how to deal with negativity on social media platforms.
Broadcast Journalist Syed Muzammil spoke about the various models, platforms, and strategies available for content monetization, and gave several tips on how to get the most out of the digital space.
Content Creator and Entrepreneur, Amtul Baweja spoke about her personal journey in leveraging her social media to become an entrepreneur. She shared her experiences in discovering what kind of content worked and what did not, and the challenges she faced in dealing with trolls and haters. She also weighed in on whether influencers can be called the entrepreneurs of today.
Journalist Alia Chughtai moderated an engaging panel discussion on ‘Clickbait,’ where panelists including Munazza Siddiqui, Ali Warsi, Maria Memon, Zeeshan Ahmed, and Risham Waseem discussed the accusation that content creators and digital news platforms often use misleading headlines to bait audiences. They also examined the advantages and disadvantages of ‘Clickbait’ and discussed alternatives.
Officials collecting data from a citizen during the frist ever digital population and housing census in 10th districts of Gilgit-Baltistan
Vice Chancellor Quaid-e-Azam University Dr. Niaz Ahmed Akhtar called on the Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer
Planning ministry all set to formally launch PM’s Youth Development Initiatives on Tuesday
ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP): Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has finalized all arrangements to formally launch the PM’s Youth Development Initiatives, under the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Tuesday by unveiling 15 mega programmes for empowering the younger generation and equipping them with modern education.
The programmes that would be introduced include “Ba-Ikhtiyar Nujawan Internship Program, PM’s Youth Laptop Program; 5000 Scholarships for the students of Balochistan & Ex- FATA; 75 National Top Talent Scholarship Program;
Establishment of Seerat Chairs; Establishment of Sub Campuses of Public Sector Universities in the least Developed Districts of Pakistan; Youth Skills Training Program; Young Development Fellowship Program; Seven Centers of Excellence; Pakistan Innovation Fund Young Development Leader Award; Special Development Scheme for the Uplift of the 20 poorest districts of Pakistan; Young Peace and Development Corps and 250 Mini Sports Complex across Pakistan,” a news release said.
Planning Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal has been actively pursuing these initiatives since he assumed charge in April 2022.
During 2013-2017, Ahsan Iqbal under the vision of 2025 had started several initiatives, but some of the projects were stopped by the previous government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which are now being restarted again.
“The top priority of the government is to provide such facilities to the country’s youth so that they can excel in their respective fields,” the minister said while reiterating the government’s commitment to extend maximum incentives to youth that constituted 64 percent of the country’s population.
Under the PM’s ‘Ba-Ikhtiyar Naujawan Internship Programme, which is the largest initiative for the economic empowerment of the youth, around 60,000 paid internships would be awarded to young graduates from across the country.
National Workshop on potential CAREC-Wide Free Trade Agreement was organized by Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary EAD and Mr. Young Ye, Country Director, Asian Development Bank in Islamabad
Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf in a group photo with Rawalpindi Union of Journalist (RUJ) in Parliament HouseSpeaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf in a group photo with Rawalpindi Union of Journalist (RUJ) in Parliament HouseSpeaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf in a group photo with Rawalpindi Union of Journalist (RUJ) in Parliament House
Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf addressing the Senior Journalists & Anchorpersons of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists at Parliament House
Chaos at JC: Nine motorbikes given to policemen
ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP): Inspector General of Police Akbar Nasir Khan on Monday handed over nine motorbikes to policemen whose personal bikes were set on fire by PTI protestors outside Islamabad Judicial Complex (IJC) during the hearing of Imran Khan in Toshakhana case here on March 18
Following the directions of Minister for Interior Rana Sana Ullah Khan, IGP Islamabad Akbar Nasir Khan handed over these nine bikes to policemen. The motorcycles of these officials were burnt by the angry protesters of PTI.
The IGP said that the welfare of the force was on the top priority and the needs of its personnel would be taken care.
It is pertinent to mention that the agitated PTI workers damaged public and private properties in the vicinity of the judicial complex.
Ruet body to meet on Wednesday to sight Ramazan crescent
PESHAWAR, Mar 20 (APP): The meeting of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee for sighting the crescent of Ramazan-ul-Mubarik 1444 AH would be held on Wednesday, March 22, corresponding Shaban-ul-Moazzam 29, in the building of Auqaf Department, Peshawar.
However, the meetings of Zonal/ District Ruet-e-Hilal Committees would be held at their respective headquarters at the same time. Similarly, the meeting of Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, Islamabad Capital Territory would be held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, said an official notification received by APP on Monday.
Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Moulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad would announce the decision of crescent sighting or otherwise subsequently on the basis of information received to this end.
It is worth mentioning here that the committee besides members of the Ruet body would be comprised of representatives of religious scholars, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, Pakistan Meteorological Department, Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.
Earlier, Religious Affairs Secretary Dr Aftab Akbar Durrani expressed the hope that the new crescent of the holy month of Ramazan would be announced after forging consensus with all stakeholders.
He said there was a proper mechanism for moon sighting and the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee had always taken provinces on board into the matter.
Secretary Durrani said the committee had never been disrespectful to anyone and performed its job mandate professionally.
Meanwhile, the PMD had forecast the possibility of Ramazan moon sighting on March 22, (29th Sha’ban 1444 AH).
It said the new moon of Ramazan 1444 AH was expected to be born on the crossing conjunction point at 22-23 PST on March 21. “It will be clear or partly cloudy in most parts of the country on March 22,” the PMD forecast the weather condition pertaining to the particular day across the country.
It must be clarified here that after facing severe criticism from the public, the interim Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government had directed for immediate withdrawal of a tender notice issued by the Auqaf Department to arrange lavish dinner arrangements for the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee’s meeting scheduled to be held for Ramazan moon sighting in the provincial capital.