President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi addressing the Inauguration of 1st Pakistan Polish International Scientific Conference organized by Federal Urdu University at Governor House. Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Zia-ud-Din and others also seen on the stage
President Dr. Arif Alvi chairing a meeting on the rights of persons with disabilities, attended by the members of the business community at Governor House
CDWP approves six youth programs worth Rs 47 bn
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): The Central Development Working Party (CWDP) on Monday approved six projects worth Rs 47 billion for the youth of the country.
The meeting of the CDWP was held here, under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning Development & Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal.
“Our approach is grounded in the provision of mentorship and upskilling opportunities to youth which we believe are critical for their employment prospects,” said the Minister for Planning, Professor Ahsan Iqbal while chairing the meeting.
The forum approved the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme (Phase-III) at the cost of Rs 146.162 million.
Under the program, the youth will be given laptops while continuing the old project initiative by the Pakistan Muslim League PML-N government in its previous tenure. Investment in youth has been realized in many emerging economies as a long-term investment for a prosperous future of the nation which is based on the demographic dividend.
Pakistan has also realized its strengths of having a large number of young people who are to be transformed into a skilled and educated workforce to have its share proportionate to the global economy. During the meeting, the Minister directed the relevant stakeholder to reorganize the technical committee to ensure the good quality of the laptops keeping in view the requirements of the students.
The investment in youth education to have an educated and skilled workforce available to support the country’s economy, or even beyond, to provide a skilled workforce to countries that are scarce of young and energetic skilled workforce.
Similarly, the forum also approved a project of Overseas Scholarships for MS/M.Phil leading to PhD in selected fields (Phase-III), at the cost of Rs 22.214 billion in order to provide opportunities to the students.
Under the Program, 75 Scholarships (40 PhD and 35 MS) under 75th National Independence Scholarships will be awarded to the students and HEC will be the sponsoring agency of this project. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has granted NOC to undertake Undergraduate Degree Programs in the leading Engineering Technologies i.e., to name a few (Civil, Electrical, Electronics, Mechanical, Chemical, IT).
“The goal of the youth internship program is to increase the marketability, employability and work-readiness of educated youth; break down their barriers to entry in the labor market and accelerate their school-to-work transition”, said Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Secretary Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.
Prime Minister’s National Award and Prime Minister’s Youth Development Center (YDC) at the cost of Rs 897.554 million were among the projects which were approved by the forum. The project Prime Minister’s National Award in the long run over the years will help in improving the entrepreneurship ecosystem of the country.
The federal government will finance this project through block allocation budgetary support of the Prime Minister Youth Program. The Prime Minister’s National Innovation Award (PMNIA), an initiative of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, is being executed by the HEC. This execution will help nurture innovative minds and make it possible for aspiring youth of the country to showcase their innovative skills.
Similarly, YDC will help in establishing an undergraduate student office wherein services related to undergraduate policy 2020 and other services related to Youth Development will be offered. The forum also approved the Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Students of Balochistan, FATA at the cost of Rs 8.66335 billion. The concept of the project is based on the provision of higher education opportunities to students from Balochistan and erstwhile FATA through enrolling them in HEC recognized Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and supporting them by paying their tuition fee and other living expenses.
The revival of undergraduate scholarships for the students of Balochistan and former FATA will strengthen national harmony and integration, said Member Social Sector and Devolution at Planning Commission, RafiUllah Kakar while highlighted the project. The scholarships will be awarded in every field of study subject to selection as per population. The project will provide access to 5000 students (5000 Undergraduate 4–5-year BS program) from Balochistan and erstwhile FATA to the quality education system.
The CDWP also approved Prime Minister ‘Ba-Salahiyat Naujawan’ Internship Program, initiated by the Ministry of Planning Commission at the cost Rs 4.73 billion. Under this program, the Ministry of Planning Commission will award paid internships for a duration of six months to all eligible applicants who qualify for the program through a competitive selection criterion.
Following their selection, the Ministry will facilitate the placement of interns in positions relevant to their skills and industry in host organizations spanning across the public, private and development sectors.
The interns will receive a stipend of RS 25,000/month. A total of 30,000 internships will be awarded through the one-year program. Upon the successful completion of their internship, interns will be awarded an internship certificate by their host organization and by the Ministry.
Parliamentarians asked to submit statements of assets by end of December
ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP): Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has asked all members of parliament and provincial assemblies once again to submit their statements of assets and liabilities including those of their spouses and dependents by December 31.
According to ECP, all parliamentarians have to submit their yearly statements of assets and liabilities including similar details of their spouses and dependent children as the preceding June 30 on Form B for the financial year 2021-2022.
The Commission, on the first day of January each year will publish the names of members, who fail to submit the requisite statement of assets and liabilities within the period specified under sub-section (1).
The commission will on January 16 by order suspend the membership of a member of an Assembly or Senate, who fails to submit the statement of assets and liabilities and such Member shall cease to function till (s)he files the statement of assets and liabilities.
The ECP further said that any member submitting a fake statement of assets and liabilities under this section in material particulars may, within 120 days from the date of submission of the statement, be proceeded against for committing the offense of corrupt practice.
The ECP said that the prescribed form, along with instructions and guidelines prepared in this regard, can be obtained free of cost from the Election Commission of Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, offices of provincial election commissioners in each province, Senate Secretariat, National Assembly, and secretariats of provincial assemblies. Form B can also be downloaded from the ECP’s website www.ecp.gov.pk.
Grand programme on Raisani’s JUI-F joining on Dec 7
ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP): A grand programme would be held at former Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani’s residence on December 7, for joining the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
On this occasion, JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman would deliver a special address, informed JUI-F Secretary General Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri.
According to the details, Senator Haideri held a meeting with Nawab Raisani who is also the chief of Sarwan Tribe, and discussed the current political situation of the country.
He also reviewed the security measures and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements of this political gathering.
Welcoming Raisani in the JUI-F, he said it would be a valuable addition in the party.
Meanwhile, JUI-F Spokesman Muhammad Aslam Ghauri told APP that today, Senator Dilawar Khan’s son Adnan Khan and brother Azam Khan joined the JUI-F.
He further informed that a worker convention of JUI-F was going to be held in Ayub Stadium Quetta on December 8.
He said the central leadership of JUI-F including Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Minister for Housing and Works Maulana Abdul Wasay, Minister for Communication Maulana Asad Mehmood, Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor and Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri would address in this mega political gathering.
Aslam Ghauri disclosed that a number of towering political figures including former Home Minister Balochistan Nawab Zafarullah Khan Zehri, former provincial minister and District Nazim Nushki Haji Ghulam Dastagir Badeni, former minister for Transport Balochistan Sakhi Mir Amanullah Notezai, independent candidate from PB-20 Pishin Agha Asmatullah, former Candidate for National Assembly from Pishin Malik Abdul Qayyum Kakar, and tribal elders Nawab Nauroz Khan Zehri and Sardar Zafarullah Khan Gachki would join the JUI-F.
He expressed the hope that JUI-F would get a huge mandate in the upcoming general elections from every nook and cranny of the country.
A view of submerged houses after flash flood water as millions of houses and roads damaged and washed away due to deadly flood hit the area of Brohi Mohalla near Qambar City
England cricket tour to go a long way to strengthen Pak-UK ties: PM
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday calling cricket a “common area of passion” between Pakistan and the UK, said the ongoing England cricket team’s tour to Pakistan would go a long way in building bridges between the two countries.
“Pakistan enjoys wonderful relations with Britain and cricket is one of the factors… And this is one common area of passion between Pakistan and Britain and that is cricket. I think your visit would go a long way in building bridges,” the prime minister said addressing a reception he hosted in the honour of England and Pakistan Cricket teams at Prime Minister’s House here.
He said that the Britains always supported the people in the cause of democracy and for their wellbeing by bringing investments through DFID in the education and health sectors.
The prime minister congratulated the England team for the win against Pakistan in the first of three test match series but was also cnfident to says that the Green Shirts would make a comeback in the next match.
He said the visit of England’s team after 17 years was a great moment as they had visited in 2005 when Pakistan was facing an unbearable level of extremism and terror attacks.
He said having sacrificed thousands of lives of soldiers, personnel of the security and law enforcement agencies, and ordinary Pakistanis, the country was finally able to “clean bowl” the terrorists.
The prime minister appreciated England’s support to Pakistan cricket and appreciated the team for showing “wonderful cricket.”
The prime minister also apprised the young cricketers of the past glory of Pakistan in cricket and mentioned Azhar Mahmood, late Hanif Muhamamd, known as “little master” and Asif Mahmood who had earned great fame in the world of cricket.
He said the Green Shirts had exhibited quality cricket in the recent past and hoped that they would continue to enhance their level to regain their place in the cricketing world.
The prime minister, who also gave away souvenirs to the captains of both teams, appreciated England Captain for his generosity of donating his match fee to the flood victims of Pakistan. This is perfectly in line with the British golden tradition of philanthropy, he said and conveyed his regards to Ben Stokes who could not attend the reception.
Sanjrani visits Najma’s home to offer Fatiha
ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP):Senate Chairman Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani on Monday visited late senator Begum Najma Hameed’s home in Rawalpindi to offer condolences.
She was the former president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) women wing.
The Senate chairman offered Fatiha for the departed soul and expressed his heartfelt condolences to member National Assembly (MNA) Tahira Aurangzeb, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Maryam Aurangzeb and other members of the bereaved family.
Sanjrani said that he was deeply saddened to hear the news of the demise of Senator Najma Hameed.
Paying moving tribute to unforgettable political and social services of the deceased, the chairman said he shares the grief of the family of the deceased in this hour of trial.
He prayed to Allah Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and patience to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
Senators Afnan Ullah Khan, Prince Ahmed Umer Ahmedzai and Haji Hidayatullah Khan were also present.
World looking for morality based world order rather than one based on vested interests: President Dr. Arif Alvi
KARACHI, Dec 05 (APP): President Dr. Arif Alvi on Monday said that the world at the moment is looking for some kind of morality-based world order instead of cooperation based upon vested interests.
President Dr. Arif Alvi passed these remarks in his speech as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of 1st Pakistani-Polish International Scientific Conference organized by the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology – FUUAST’s department of International Relations here at Governor House here.
He said that the borders have now become irrelevant because the challenges are going to be across borders, therefore, the approach should also be adapted accordingly.
Talking of the impacts of global warming, President Dr. Arif Alvi said that the effects of climate change also cross borders.
Dr. Arif Alvi said that cooperation in present times is no longer dependent on travel documents like visa because nowadays people stay in one country while they work in an other one.
He appreciated FUUAST for organizing such knowledge-sharing and collaborative platforms for the students and academicians of the country and said that the conference theme “Pakistan-Poland Relations: Challenges & Opportunities in the Changing World Order”, is also very important”.
Speaking about the growth of information technology sector, he said that the IT sector has proved that even a small company can also make a big impact.
Earlier, in his welcome address, sharing details of 1st Pakistani-Polish International Scientific Conference, Chairman IR department Dr. Asghar Ali Dashti said the conference will be held on December 6-7 at IBA city campus here.
It has been jointly organized by FUUAST’s IR department and the Institute of Political Science, University of Warmia and Mazury Poland, he said.
He said that the conference aims to provide an opportunity for academicians, professionals and students to exchange innovative ideas on the emerging fields between both states. He said that this was the 1st conference being organized with Polish University under MoU signed between Federal Urdu University (FUUAST) and the University of Warmia and Mazury Poland last year.
In his address, Director of the Institute of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury- Poland Prof. Arkadiusz Zukowski said that we are engaged in research and educational works at international level and we want to cooperate in various fields.
He recalled that the FUUAST and the University of Warmia and Mazury – Poland inked an agreement of mutual cooperation last year.
Prof. Arkadiusz Zukowski said that the topic of the conference is impressive and termed it a kind scientific diplomacy.
Acting Vice Chancellor FUUAST, Prof Dr. Mohammad Ziauddin expressed gratitude to President Dr. Arif Alvi for gracing the opening ceremony with his presence.
He said that Poland is an important country in Europe, which is located at a significant geographical position as it is also considered a gateway to Europe.
He said that the relations between Pakistan and Poland need to be further strengthened and this conference will be a breakthrough in political, diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.
He said that FUUAST is also providing guidance and counseling to the students and the students will learn a lot from this conference.
Executive Director Institute of Business Administration (IBA Karachi), Akber Zaidi said that the IBA- Karachi is also a public sector university like the FUUAST and we are committed to cooperate with other institutes for promotion of education and research activities.
Akber Zaidi said that we feel pleasure to share with all the universities what the IBA has achieved.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Acting Vice Chancellor FUUAST, Prof Dr. Mohammad Ziauddin, Director of the Institute of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury Prof. Arkadiusz Zukowski, Rector of the University of Warmia and Mazury Poland Jerzy A Przyborowski, Executive Director IBA Karachi, Akber Zaidi, Dr. Faisal Javed of FUUAST’s IR department, Assistant Professor FUUAST’s IR department Dr. Rizwana Jabin and other notables.
The conference is jointly organized by FUUAST, University of Warmia and Mazury – Poland, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan along with other partners including IBA Area Study Centre for Europe (ASCE) | University of Karachi.
Pakistan to export over 10,000 workers to S.Korea through EPS
ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP):Ministry of Overseas for Pakistanis and Human Resource Development and the Ministry of Employment and Labour (MOEL) of the Republic of Korea has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the Sending and Receiving of Workers under the Employment Permit System (EPS) in 2006.
The MoU is renewed after every two years. So far, Overseas Employment Corporation (an attach department of the MOPHRD) has dispatched more than 10,000 workers to the Republic of Korea under EPS, said a press release here Monday.
The signing ceremony of the renewal of EPS was held on 5th December, 2022 in the Ministry for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development , Islamabad.
Federal Minister Overseas Pakistanis & Human Resource Development Mr. Sajid Hussain Turi signed the MoU on behalf of the Government of Pakistan. Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, H.E Suh Sangpyo, presented the signed copy of the MoU from the Minister for Labour and Employment, H.E Lee Jung Sik, on behalf of the Republic of Korea.
Mr. Turi said that “ Pakistan and Korea relations have grown from strength to strength in all fields. Pakistan and Korea are enjoying long-standing relations which are based on decades-old economic partnerships.”
On the request of the Federal Minister for OP&HRD, Ambassador of Korea also gave the assurance that Korea will consider the hiring of Skilled Workforce and IT Professionals from Pakistan under a separate MoU/Agreement during their Minister for Labour and Employment visit to Pakistan in the next year.
Minister for OP&HRD also appreciated the efforts of the incumbent Korean Ambassador for the enhancement of quota for Pakistan from 1100 to 2400 during the current year out of which 1600 workers have already proceeded to Korea.
Both the sides agreed to enhance the cooperation and extend it further to other sectors like Construction, Fisheries and Agriculture.