ISLAMABAD, Dec 05 (APP): The second batch of Afghan Professors completed a three-week Capacity Building Training Program at NUST Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS), as a part of the strategic initiative of the Government of Pakistan to help revive higher education in Afghanistan and simultaneously strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
As many as 30 Afghan university professors were part of the second batch.
The programme aimed at familiarizing the Afghan professors with best teaching and research practices in order to emulate those practices in their respective universities in Afghanistan.
Dr Osman Hasan, Pro-Rector Academics at NUST, graced the closing ceremony as chief guest and distributed certificates among the participants.
In his remarks, he congratulated the Afghan academics on completion of the training programme at NUST, which, he asserted, would go a long way in raising the education standards in their country.
He also underscored the significance of strong Pak-Afghan relations, which are critical for the socioeconomic development of the region.
He also appreciated the NUST team for a well-organized programme, which would see more Afghan professors visiting NUST for capacity building training.
Prominent among others present at the occasion were Mr Muhammad Sadiq, Chairman of Pakistan Foreign Ministry’s Afghan Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell; Dr Qalandar Abad, Afghan Minister of Health; and Maj Gen (Retd) M Salim Raza HI (M), Principal NUST Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 5 (APP): Federal Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch said that rehabilitation of the flood-affected areas is one of the top priorities of the incumbent government and Balochistan National Party (BNP) is working hard to facilitate the affected people.
He expressed these views while talking to a delegation from Balochistan headed by Rashid Kakar called on him here today and briefed the minister about the situation of the flood-affected areas and rehabilitation activities.
The Minister said the severity of the cold has increased significantly in Balochistan during last few days and will further increase by end of the month.
He called upon the federal and provincial governments, NGOs and the international community to speed up relief activities to facilitate the affected people.
Agha Hassan Baloch emphasized that the relief operation in Naseerabad, Qila Saifullah and Jaffarabad should be accelerated and resources should be diverted toward the people who are struggling with the severe cold weather under the open sky.
He said that the infrastructure of Balochistan was already backward which was further damaged by the recent floods.
There is a dire need for experts in planning and establishment of sustainable structure at the district level to deal with such calamities in future.
The Minister at the outset assured the delegation that BNP will continue to work continuously for the relief, rehabilitation and safe future of the affectees and actions will be taken to draw the attention of all state and international organizations towards the issue.
QUETTA, Dec 05 (APP): The Balochistan government, in a landmark decision, has made unprecedented amendments in the Prison Rules 1975 allowing the inmates get their sentences commuted by appearing in the exams of Balochi and Brahvi languages.
Bengali, Urdu, Sindhi and Pashto literature was part of the Jail manual made by the British rulers under which the prisoners have been allowed to commute their sentences, while the Balochi and Brahvi natives had been deprived of the facility.
“It was violation of basic human rights and a sheer discrimination with the Balochi and Brahvi speaking prisoners”, Parliamentary Secretary, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Rubaba Buledi deplored.
The issue was taken up with the parliament, and with the grace of Allah Almighty the Balochistan government has been able to amend the Rules (1) 215 sub-section 2 of the Balochistan Jail Rules 1975.
“A notification in this regard has been issued allowing Balochi and Brahui literature course participants to get benefit from the facility,” she maintained.
Inspector General of Prisons Balochistan Shuja Kasi, hailing the historic move, said that their efforts to include Balochi and Brahvi languages in the Jail manual bore fruit as amendments in the rules had been made successfully.
“Pashto, Sindhi and Punjabi, Bengali and other languages existed in Balochistan Jail Rules 1975, but Balochi and Brahvi languages were not mentioned in the syllabus. “Basic rights of Balochi and Brahvi speaking prisoners were being violated since long”, the IG recalled that a letter was written to the Home Department after which the Cabinet unanimously approved the amendment in the Jail Rules.
He hoped that continuation of jail reforms would gradually help improve the condition of prisons. “The facility will allow prisoners to prepare for exam and get their jail term reduced. This reduction in sentence will range from two months to one year”.
Besides, the IG Prisons noted that prisoners were also encouraged to opt for the schooling and madrassa classes to get their sentences commuted.
RAWALPINDI, Dec 05 (APP):England pacers James Anderson and Ollie Robinson exhibited their class in reverse-swing bowling claiming four wickets each to help their side pull off a historic 74-run win over Pakistan at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi on Monday.
Captain Ben Stokes and Jack Leach took a wicket each for 69 and 56 runs, respectively.
Imam ul Haq (43) and Saud Shakeel (24) began Pakistan’s innings from an overnight score of 80-2.
Imam, who had hit a ton in the first innings, remained unfortunate on the final day as he was out for 48 just 2 runs behind in scoring a half-century.
He was dismissed by Anderson in the first 20 minutes of the game, when the opener attempted to nudge the ball, giving it straight into Ollie Pope’s gloves.
Pakistan reached 100 runs in the 35th over while 150 in the 49th over on the final day.
Saud Shakeel (63) and Mohammad Rizwan (42) were standing tall as Pakistan reached 169 for 3 at lunch.
But as the play resumed, Anderson bowled beautifully and took his second wicket of the day by dismissing Rizwan when he was just 4 runs away (46 off 92 balls) to score a half-century.
Rizwan, who was edged to the keeper, provided an 87-run partnership to the fourth wicket alongside Shakeel.
However, Rizwan achieved yet another milestone during the first Test as he got passed 5,000 runs in international cricket, becoming the 28th Pakistani player to achieve the landmark.
Azhar who was retired hurt on Sunday came to bat again as he was fit to play.
Shakeel who was playing top-notch cricket on 76 runs ended up hitting in the air (Ollie Robinson over) and was taken by Ben Stokes at short cover. His innings of 76 off 159 included 12 4s.
Meanwhile, Pakistan gained 200 runs in 61.4 overs (375 balls) and were 217 for 5 at drinks, needing 126 runs to victory.
Pakistan reached 250 runs in 75 overs. Salman who was pinned lbw by Jack Leach in the 76th over went on for the review and was saved. Pakistan were 257 for 5 in 77.0 overs at tea.
Pakistan lost the sixth wicket when Salman (30 0ff 64 balls) tried to hit an inswinger.
A review was taken by England which showed he was pinned lbw by Robinson in the 81st over. Salman and Azhar provided a 61-runs partnership to the sixth wicket.
Azhar also didn’t stick around much and was gone in the 83rd over again.
Azhar who tried to flick Robinson was taken at leg slip by Joe Root thus going for thus going for 40 runs.
Pakistan’s wickets kept on coming as Zahid Mahmood (1) and Haris Rauf (0) were downed by James Anderson in the 88th over.
Though Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali stopped the wicket for almost 9 overs but Leach was determined to win it for England as he pinned Naseem lbw, taking his team to a historic 74 runs victory against the hosts.
Pakistan skipper said he was disappointed to see his side losing when it was very much in the game right from the start.
“The way we build partnerships (was encouraging) and till lunch we were very confident. But (unfortunately) our back-to-back wickets fell, but you have to give credit to England like the way they fought,” he said in a presser after the end of the match.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam addressing a press conference at the end of the first Test match played between Pak England on Monday December 05.2022.
According to Babar, Pakistan fieled the best playing XI in the game.
“Every team has a different way of playing and one match can’t change it.
Yes you have to play according to the situation and plan, but we tried to do the best,” he said.
To a question, he said the problem with the Pakistan team was that they remain unable to finish the game.
“We commit mistakes when we are close to the match.”
At Pindi stadium, he said they did not get the pitch they were looking for because of the weather or preparations therefore plans could not executed.
“When we lost Agha and Azhar it seemed that we were getting behind the match. Naseem and Ali dragged the game but we (batters) should have taken the responsibility.”
Babar said absence of Shaheen Shah Afridi was felt but Naseem and Ali also bowled well as Haris was injured.
“We are looking closely at the injuries of our fast bowlers….will see how to plan for the future. But Haris’s injury is severe and don’t know whether he will be there but we will try to win the second Test and win the series,” he said.
About the crowd, he said Rawalpindi crowd turned up in masses all five days of the game and supported both teams which was a very good response by them.
English captain Ben Stokes said Test cricket generally looked exciting when with a declaration both results were possible and one of those was not that of a draw.
England Test captain Ben Stokes’ press conference at Pindi Cricket Stadium.
“The way our batters went out there and played with freedom and the enjoyment allowed us to be where we were on day five” he said.
“When we went out to bowl, and picking up two early wickets was massive, and (afterward) a lot of things went our way,” he added.
