APP01-040823
ISLAMABAD:
Ahsan Iqbal for translation, global knowledge exchange to foster innovation in Pakistan
RAWALPINDI, Aug 4 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday emphasized the importance of translation and knowledge exchange, urging Pakistan’s reconnection with the global community and embrace innovation.
Addressing the participants of an “Open House & Job Fair-2023” organized by the National University of Technology (NUTECH) here, he shed light on various development projects and initiatives undertaken by the incumbent government.
He shared his recent visit to the Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, where three significant centers were established including the Pakistan China Joint Research Centre, Pakistan China Joint Research Centre on Earth Sciences, Dr A Q Khan Institute of Material and Emergency Sciences.
Drawing parallels from history, he compared the establishment of these centers to the historical significance of Darul Hikma during the rise of Muslim knowledge in Baghdad.
Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of “translation and knowledge exchange, urging Pakistan to reconnect with the global community and embrace innovation.”
Highlighting the country’s journey towards progress, the minister recalled the challenges faced in 2013, including severe electricity shortages and a struggling economy.
He applauded the efforts made by the government to turn the situation around, leading to Pakistan’s recognition as an investment destination following China’s announcement of investing $46 billion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The minister praised the achievements of CPEC projects, which resulted in the addition of 8,000 megawatts of electricity and crucial infrastructure developments.
Focusing on the importance of continuity in policies, he emphasized that sustainable development and progress required consistent efforts and a shared vision.
He commended the National University of Technology’s focus on innovation and the establishment of several National Centers for various technological domains, positioning Pakistan as a potential information power in the world.
Addressing the youth, the minister urged them to protect their minds from the viruses of hatred and prejudice, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective effort for the nation’s progress.
He regarded the youth as Pakistan’s greatest asset and encouraged them to work hard, embrace digital skills, and contribute to the country’s knowledge economy.
Ahsan Iqbal called for a sense of purpose and unity among all segments of society, including academia, industry, and politics.
He urged everyone to work together towards making Pakistan a leading economy in Asia within the next ten years and a top ten to fifteen economy in the world by the time the country celebrates its centenary in 2047.
Concluding his speech, the minister expressed confidence in Pakistan’s potential for greatness and called upon everyone to embrace the spirit of development, peace, and continuity.
He expressed optimism that with collective efforts, the country would rise to new heights and achieve its deserved place on the global stage.
The Open House & Job Fair-2023 by the National University of Technology is aimed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, providing students with a platform to showcase their innovations and connect with potential employers.
Lawmakers for effective measures to root out menace of terrorism
ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): Lawmakers in the National Assembly while strongly condemning Bajaur’s blast incident on Friday called for taking effective measures to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
Speaking on a point of order, Muhammad Jamal Ud Din said that innocent people were targeted in the JUI-F gathering on July 30.
He said tribal people always supported Pakistan and never damage government properties. ‘Jirga’ of tribal people was being held which would decide the future course of action, he said.
He urged the government and law enforcement agencies to stop the reoccurrence of such gruesome incidents.
He thanked the Prime Minister for announcing Rs 2 million compensation each to the martyred of the incidents and inquiring about the health of injured people during his visit to Peshawar. He also thanked the governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Secretary and caretaker Chief Minister for providing a helicopter to transport the injured people to Peshawar’s hospitals and other necessary assistance.
Nuzhat Pathan said the entire parliament strongly condemned the tragic incident in Bajaur. She also condoled all the bereaved families and said our armed forces rendered supreme sacrifices in the war against terrorism.
Maulana Salahuddin Ayubi said innocent people including children were brutally killed in the terrorist attack. It was the responsibility of State and its institutions to provide security to the people, he said.
Speaking on a point of order Mosa Gillani called for a constitutional amendment on the pattern of the 18th amendment to strengthen local bodies’ system inn the country. The development funds should be spent through local bodies system, he added.
Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali sought immediate strict action against high-ups of the interior ministry for disrespecting the members of the National Assembly. He also urged the chair to direct the interior ministry to complete the process for armed licenses to the parliamentarians and handed it to them by Monday.
He also called for filing vacant 4800 vacancies in Peshawar Electric Supply Company immediately.
Fehmida Mirza also stressed the need for coercive measures to eradicate terrorism incidents.
ICC U19 Men’s CWC qualification begins on Sunday
ISLAMABAD, Aug 4 (APP): The qualification for ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka 2024 will start on Sunday as the Europe Qualifier was set to get underway in the Netherlands.
The most talented young cricketers from across six European countries will battle it out for the one available spot at the global showpiece event in January, said a press release.
A total of 14 teams have already secured their place for Sri Lanka 2024, including Nepal, New Zealand, and Namibia, who have joined the 11 automatically qualified nations by virtue of winning their respective regional Qualifiers in Asia, EAP and more recently Africa.
The Europe Qualifier in the Netherlands would see the three teams that progressed from last year’s Division 2 Qualifier; winners Italy alongside Norway and Guernsey, face up against the seeded teams from the last cycle; Jersey, Scotland and host nation Netherlands.
As many as 15 tournament matches were set to take place in a round-robin format where only the table-topping side will clinch qualification. Excelsior’20, Voorburg Cricket Club and VOC Rotterdam will provide the battleground for the teams, with each venue hosting five matches apiece.
The Netherlands would be looking to benefit from their home advantage, although they will face stiff competition from previous Europe Qualifier winners Scotland, and the other sides who will each enter the competition knowing that they are just five wins away from securing a spot at the celebrated event, which has historically forged the careers of some of the most recognisable cricket icons.
Hot on the heels of the Africa Qualifier which concluded last week, the Europe Qualifier aims to continue the high drama witnessed so far during the qualification pathway ahead of the 15th edition of the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the event, ICC Europe Regional Development Manager Andrew Wright said, “The U19 Men’s Europe Qualifier has a rich history of helping to develop and showcase Europe’s best young talent. In the last three months, we have seen Harry Tector scoring a Test half-century at Lord’s, Josh Little playing in an IPL final, Vikramjit Singh hitting an ODI century to help the Dutch to the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup and Tomas Mackintosh help his Scottish team secure a place at the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup.”
Match Schedule- August 6: Jersey vs Norway, Guernsey vs Scotland, Italy vs Netherlands; August 7: Norway vs Italy, Netherlands vs Guernsey, Scotland vs Jersey; August 9: Netherlands vs Scotland, Italy vs Jersey, Guernsey vs Norway; August 10: Guernsey vs Italy; Scotland vs Norway, Netherlands vs Jersey; August 12: Jersey vs Guernsey, Norway vs Netherlands, Italy vs Scotland.
President signs three bills into law
ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday gave his assent to three bills following their passage by the parliament.
The president approved Elections (second amendment) Bill 2023 aimed at amending the Election Act 2017.
He assented to Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund Bill 2023 that provides for establishing the Pakistan Sovereign Fund.
President Alvi also approved Pakistan Airports Authority Bill 2023 aimed at establishing the Authority for improving the management, operations and transport services.
The president approved the said three bills in exercise of the powers conferred on him under Article 75 of the Constitution.
Pakistan always forcefully raised plight of Kashmiris at world forums: NA told
ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi on Friday informed the National Assembly that Pakistan has always forcefully raised the plight of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) at all world forums.
Replying to a question during Question Hour, he said all the political parties of the country have a united stance on the Kashmir dispute.
Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) defended issues, complaints and related matters on human rights through Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said.
He said the concerns were usually conveyed by United Nations, EU, and USA State Department. Some INGOs such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch also share their concerns against the state of Pakistan on human rights issues.
Such concerns include freedom of expression, custodial torture, extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearance, protection of minorities, women rights and child rights etc, he said.
He said accordingly, the MoHR submitted its responses through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as per the given mandate under the rules of business. Additionally, various UN treaty bodies communicate their observations/ recommendations as a result of a review of obligatory reports submitted by Pakistan on ratified human rights conventions.
The Minister for Parliament Affairs said our departments concerned are alert to counter the negative propaganda against Pakistan.
He said besides, the Universal Periodic Review Report of Pakistan which provided a holistic overview of the human rights situation, was also presented in Human Rights Council after every 4 years.
Pakistan has recently defended/ presented its fourth Universal Periodic Review report in Human Rights Council on 30 January 2023, he said.
During review of Pakistan’s Human Rights record, concerns shown by various states on human rights issues were vehemently defended by a high-level delegation of Pakistan comprising the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the Secretary Ministry of Human Rights, and representatives from the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Religious Affairs, he said.
He said additionally, the Government of Pakistan, submitted Periodic Reports on ratified human rights conventions and optional protocols through MoFA and defended before relevant treaty bodies.
Lastly, the minister said Pakistan is the GSP + beneficiary regularly submitted biannual implementation reports on 27 Conventions related to human rights, labor, environment, anti-narcotics, and good governance to European Union through the Ministry of Commerce.
Nation to never forget sacrifices of its martyrs: PM
ISLAMABAD, Aug 4 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that the Pakistani nation would never forget the sacrifices of its martyrs.
The prime minister, in a message on Police Martyrs’ Day, observed on Friday, said the whole nation paid tribute to their dutiful countrymen who sacrificed their lives to protect lives and properties of citizens.
He said just like the armed forces, the police personnel also left no stone unturned to thwart the nefarious designs of the enemies.
On this day, we salute all of our sons and daughters and their respective families for their services to the country, the prime minister remarked.
Khursheed Shah seeks Chair’s ruling to ensure implementation of Special Committee on Affected Employees’ recommendations
ISLAMABAD, Aug 04 (APP): Minister for Water Resources Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah on Friday sought the Chair’s ruling to ensure implementation of the recommendations of the National Assembly Special Committee on Affected Employees.
Speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly, he said that a committee was set up in light of the resolution passed by this august House to provide relief to the sacked employees under the chairmanship of Qadir Khan Mandokhail. However, he regretted that 80 percent of its recommendations were not yet implemented.
He went on to say that Parliament was a supreme body and no one was above this august forum. However, he said that despite of the orders of the committee, the secretaries were creating hurdles in the implementation of its directives.
Khursheed Shah urged the Chair to give a ruling and take strict action against those who were not giving due respect to the Parliament.
In response to the point raised by Khursheed Shah, Deputy Speaker Zahid Akram Durrani, who was chairing the National Assembly session, in his ruling, directed all public sector departments to ensure the implementation of the recommendations of the Special Committee on Affected employees, instantly.
He warned that the Parliament would take strict action if orders of the Committee on the Affected Employees were not implemented.