Labourers are busy packing mangoes in wooden boxes at their workplace
A view of kabaddi match played between Sargodha Green and Sargodha white kabaddi teams in connection with Independence Day organized by Sports Department at Company Bagh
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed honoured with Hilal-e-Imtiaz
ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (APP): The government has conferred Hilal-e-Imtiaz upon Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed for his outstanding services in the field of higher education.
Every year, the government confers civil awards to people from different walks of life for their exemplary contributions to their respective fields.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, who has been associated with the higher education sector for the last three decades, has played a key role to formulate and implement reforms in the higher education, be it increase in the access to university education, strengthening quality assurance systems, development of infrastructure, and promoting national and international collaborations.
His experience at national and international level includes teaching, research, administration, policy development, linking educational research to industry / commercialisation, introducing entrepreneurial approaches to education and a diverse range of educational development programmes.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed has also served as Deputy Director General, Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) based in Rabat, Morocco, where he was responsible for Directorates of Education, Science, Culture and Communication, ICPSR, CPID (Planning and Strategic Division) and ISESCO Regional Centres.
He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science from University of Agriculture, Faisalabad and Master’s in Business Administration and PhD from University of California, Riverside, USA.
PCB announces first-ever domestic contracts for women cricketers
Sohail Ali
LAHORE, Aug 16 (APP):In a significant development for women’s cricket in Pakistan, a total of 74 talented women cricketers have been awarded 11-month domestic contracts, the first of its kind in women’s cricket. Among the 74 players, 59 players belong to emerging and U19 categories, while 14 players have already represented Pakistan women’s team at the senior level.
This important advancement is set to provide a substantial boost to the confidence of women cricketers, as an action-packed women’s cricket season is all set to resume from 1 September.
These domestic contracts have been conferred upon individuals who have displayed remarkable performances across various cricketing platforms, including domestic cricket tournaments, emerging tournaments, U19 domestic tournament, and the ICC U19 Women’s World Cup.
The players have been selected by the national women’s selection committee led by former Test cricketer Saleem Jaffar, with recommendations from national and academy coaches.
The initiative aims not only to acknowledge their hard work and dedication but also elevate the standard of women’s cricket within the country.
The decision to offer these contracts underscores the commitment of the Pakistan Cricket Board led by the Management Committee Chairperson Zaka Ashraf to foster the growth of women’s cricket, provide a viable career path, and motivate more women to participate and excel in the sport. This step will have a ripple effect on women’s cricket, encouraging more players to aspire to play at the highest level.
PCB Management Committee Head Zaka Ashraf said on Wednesday : “I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the 74 women cricketers who have earned these contracts through their sheer talent and dedication. Today marks a significant and joyous occasion for the Pakistan Cricket Board as we take a historic step towards uplifting women’s cricket in our nation.
“This initiative isn’t just about signing contracts, it’s about investing in the dreams and aspirations of these extraordinary athletes.
Our women cricketers have consistently showcased exceptional skills and dedication on the field, and it is high time we provide them with the platform they deserve.
“It is our firm belief that empowering these athletes will not only elevate the standard of our women’s cricket but also inspire a new generation of girls to take up the sport.”
Head of Women’s Cricket Tania Mallick said :“We are thrilled to announce the awarding of domestic contracts to 74 of our finest women cricketers. This historic moment not only recognises their extraordinary skills but also aims to instill confidence and determination among our women athletes. As we approach a busy women’s cricket season, we are committed to providing the necessary support and resources to ensure their success.”
In addition to the domestic contracts, the PCB has also resumed facilities for women cricketers to train in eight cricket academies across the country, seven of which are operational.
The operational academies include National Cricket Academy in Lahore, Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre in Karachi, Inzamam-ul-Haq High Performance Centre in Multan, Qayyum Stadium in Peshawar, Abbottabad Cricket Stadium in Abbottabad, Bugti Stadium in Quetta and Women’s Sports Stadium in Bahawalpur.
Players who been offered domestic contracts will not be a part of the women’s central contracts 2023-24, which will be announced in due course.
The players in the domestic contracts, in addition to receiving monthly retainers, will also receive match fee, daily allowance, and a share in prize money.
The 74 players along with their cities in alphabetical order are:
Aima Saleem (Rawalpindi), Aimen Anwar (Karachi), Aisha Javed (Lahore), Aleena Shah (Peshawar), Aliza Khan (Karachi), Amber Kainat (Lahore), Anam Amin (Lahore), Areesha Noor Bhatti (Lahore), Arijah Haseeb (Karachi), Asma Amin (Faisalabad), Asma Shareef (Arifwala), Ayesha Asim (Quetta), Ayesha Bilal (Lahore), Ayesha Zafar (Lahore), Dina Razvi (Karachi), Dua Majid (Lahore), Fajr Naveed (Rawalpindi), Fareeha Mehmood (Lahore), Fatima Khan (Lahore), Fatima Shahid (Lahore), Fatima Zehra (Rawalpindi), Gul-e-Uswa (Multan), Gull Feroza (Multan), Gull Rukh (Dera Ghazi Khan), Haleema Azeem Dar (Lahore), Haniah Ahmer (Karachi), Humna Bilal (Rawalpindi), Huraina Sajjad (Karachi), Iram Javed (Lahore), Jannat Rasheed (Quetta), Javeria Khan (Karachi), Jaweria Rauf (Karachi), Kainat Imtiaz (Karachi), Kaynat Hafeez (Lahore), Khadija Chishti (Lahore), Kinza Wahab (Karachi), Laiba Mansoor (Rawalpindi), Laiba Nasir (Lahore), Lubna Behram (Hunza), Maham Anees (Islamabad), Maham Manzoor (Hyderabad), Maham Tariq (Karachi), Mahnoor Aftab (Peshawar), Masooma Zehra (Karachi), Momina Riasat (Abbottabad), Natalia Parvaiz (Bhimber), Neha Sharmeen Sheikh (Karachi), Noor-Ul-Eman (Bahawalpur), Noreen Yaqoob (Lahore), Quratulain Ahsen (Lahore), Rameen Shamim (Karachi), Rida Aslam (Lahore), Saba Nazir (Muridke), Saima Malik (Quetta), Saiqa Riaz (Lahore), Saira Jabeen (Chitral), Sana Talib (Rahim Yar Khan), Sania Rasheed (Rawalpindi), Shabnam Hayat (Karachi), Soha Fatima (Lahore), Subhana Tariq (Karachi), Syeda Taskyn Fatima (Karachi), Tasmia Rubab (Lahore), Tayyaba Imdad (Abbottabad), Tahzeeb Shah (Swabi), Waheeda Akhter (Lahore), Wajeeha Muneer (Multan), Warda Yousaf (Okara), Wasifa Hussain (Karachi), Yusra Amir (Karachi), Zaib-un-Nisa (Charsadda), Zamina Tahir (Lahore), Zunaira Shah (Karachi) and Zunash Abdul Sattar (Lahore).
PUC, IIHC appeal for calm amidst religious tension in Jaranwala
ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (APP): The leadership of Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) and International Interfaith Harmony Council (IIHC) Wednesday stepped forward to de-escalate the situation that erupted in the wake of Jaranwala religious incident.
The incident, which has raised alarm bells, prompted influential religious figures including Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, Pir Allama Zubair Abid, Maulana Muhammad Aslam Siddiqui, and Maulana Muhammad Asim Makhdoom, to issue a joint statement urging both communities to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
These esteemed figures implored both the communities to exercise patience and seek peaceful resolutions rather than resorting to violence.
Highlighting their commitment to interfaith cooperation, the leadership of PUC and IIHC underscored the shared responsibility of safeguarding worship places and residences of all communities.
They assured that the protection of the religious places was not only the duty of the Muslim populace but also a responsibility upheld by the state.
In a noteworthy move, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, who holds the dual positions of IIHC President and PUC Chairman, said the religious leaders had personally visited Jaranwala, a tehsil of Faisalabad, to address the situation.
Collaborating closely with local authorities, the religious leaders were actively engaging with the community to stabilize the situation and foster an environment of understanding.
As tensions simmer, the unified stance taken by the PUC and IIHC signified a positive step towards resolving the issue at hand.
Their proactive efforts and commitment to preserving peace demonstrated the significant role that religious leaders could play in defusing conflicts and promoting interfaith harmony.
SIFC to continue working uninterrupted for fast-track foreign investment: PM
ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Wednesday said that the recently-instituted Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) would continue to work as before to lay the foundations for fast-track foreign investments, particularly from Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister, in a meeting with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Malkiy, who called on him here, highlighted energy, infrastructure, agriculture, IT and manpower as potential sectors of cooperation.
The Saudi ambassador congratulated the prime minister on assuming office and conveyed best wishes and greetings on behalf of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, as well as Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, and the people of Saudi Arabia.
The prime minister said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoyed historic and deep-rooted ties.
He thanked the Saudi government for its consistent support for Pakistan’s economic stability and development.
He particularly mentioned the large number of Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia and requested the Saudi side to continue to extend all possible facilitation to them.
Prime Minister Kakar lauded the vision of the Saudi leadership and said that Saudi Arabia could always count on Pakistan as its trusted and reliable partner.
Ambassador Nawaf reiterated that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were bound together in a fraternal relationship, which was characterized by mutual trust and understanding, and close cooperation on all bilateral and regional issues of common interest.
Samina Alvi for creating awareness to ensure special person’s rights
ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (APP):First Lady Begum Samina Alvi on Wednesday urged the relevant officials authorities, media, civil society, health institutions and welfare organizations to organize awareness campaigns to ensure basic rights of the persons with disabilities.She also called upon the government institutions to increase facilities to address the social and health issues being faced by the special persons, besides improving the primary healthcare system.
“I also appeal to people from all walks of life to work collectively for safeguarding the rights of differently-abled persons and their welfare, and ensuring a healthier, comprehensive and equality-based society,” the first lady said in a message.
She said the persons with disabilities, who accounted for around 10 to 12% of the country’s population, were facing difficulties to live a normal life and move around easily.
However, now people were more aware about their problems and that was because of the campaign conducted through seminars, conferences, walks and ceremonies, and messages sent to millions of mobile phone consumers, she added.
Similarly, she said, the welfare organizations and hospitals had also extended facilities to them.
She appreciated the role of electronic media, newspapers, social media, NGOs and civil society that supported their efforts in creating public awareness about the health issues.
She regretted that the persons with disabilities were facing multiple barriers in their access to health, education and employment opportunities.
“We have to make them financially empowered by providing skilled-based education and health facilities,” she added.
Samina Alvi said an ignored segment of society were the people suffering from psychological issues, who hesitated to talk about their problems or go to a psychiatrist for treatment because of ‘social stigma’.
Around 24% of the country’s population was suffering from various psychological issues, she added.
The first lady also asked the women to spare five minutes every month for self-examination for early detection of breast cancer. A number of women died in Pakistan every year due to breast cancer, she added.
A view of ongoing construction work of Red Line Bus Service named as (Peoples Bus Service) at University Road in Provincial Capital
Labourers busy in unloading sacks of onion from delivery truck at Vegetable Market
A vendor is busy in preparing traditional summer drink (Sardai) for customers at his roadside setup
