ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP):Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Prof Ahsan Iqbal Tuesday said the government believed in turning the country into a knowledge-based economy by investing in the higher education sector.
He expressed these views while chairing a meeting of Vice Chancellors organized here by Higher Education Commission (HEC) to review progress on higher education sector projects approved and funded under Public Sector Development Fund (PSDP) during the last five years.
The meeting also deliberated on the plans for the next PSDP projects, a press release said issued here.
The meeting was also attended by the Dr Arshad Ali, Executive Director, HEC, Dr G. Ghulam Raza Bhatti, Member Operation and Planning, HEC, and as many as 35 Vice Chancellors from across the country, in person and through HEC video conferencing facility.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Iqbal appreciated HEC and academic fraternity for a good teamwork for the uplift of higher education sector in the country. “The country’s future lies in knowledge-based economy,” he observed.
He strongly advised the universities to prepare quality PC-Is of their projects and submit them in due time frame so that they might be approved for implementation.
Serious efforts needed to be made to ensure quality of PC-Is, as compromise on quality of PC-Is leads to failure in project approval, he underscored.
Expressing concerns about serious capacity constraints, he stressed the need for proper project management. In the budget for FY 2018-19, 46 development projects had been unapproved, he informed. The minister stressed the importance of good management for execution of projects after due approval.
He said the government approved a total of 130 projects for various regions of the country during the last five years, adding that the sector had witnessed a remarkable increase in its development budget in this period.
The sector had only Rs 12 billion development budget in 2012, which has now reached to Rs 47 billion, he informed.
He said the government had launched Pak-US Knowledge Corridor under which it had funding, on annual basis, for 1000 scholars to study in best US universities.
“We need to ensure that the Pakistani scholars avail the opportunities being offered under this initiative to study in the best US universities,” he underlined.
He maintained the government had launched a similar programme named UK-Pakistan Knowledge Gateway which offered Pakistani students to acquire quality higher education as well as exposure by studying in the leading UK universities.
He also informed the meeting about the government’s plan to initiate Pak-Russian knowledge platform.
Sharing future vision for higher education sector, the Minister stressed the need for evolving a strong mechanism to annually evaluate progress on the seven pillars of Higher Education Vision 2025.
He said the seven pillars focused in the Vision 2025 include turning the universities into centres of excellence in instruction, research and innovation, strong academia-industry linkages, community engagement, technology enablement of universities, corporate governance of higher education institutions, and producing quality products.
The Minister emphasized on universities to develop a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) Matrix to examine development on the goals set under the Vision 2025.
He said the human resource development must be aligned with the Vision 2025, adding that project management needs to be given due importance to ensure proper execution of projects and utilisation of funds in the future.
Ahsan Iqbal also shed light on the key initiatives of Government in the higher education sector apart from the academic significance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
He said the government established FATA University, University of Gwadar and sub-campuses of various universities at district level, launched Technology Development Fund (TDF), set up National Centre for Excellence in Big Data and Cloud Computing, and initiated Faculty Development Programme for 2000 faculty members. “The security of our country depends upon the uplift of higher education sector,” he concluded.
In his closing remarks, Dr Arshad Ali said HEC was committed to keeping up with the Government’s expectations of playing it pivotal role in building the knowledge-based economy. He thanked the Minister for his personal interest in the uplift of higher education sector.
He said HEC and the Planning Commission closely worked for the holistic development of higher education sector and the coordination will be kept intact.
Govt believes in turning country into knowledge-based economy: Minister
UN officials call for strong, people-focused health systems
UNITED NATIONS, May 22 (APP):Everyone around the world must have equal access to quality health care, top United Nations officials said, while urging greater focus on comprehensive health and well-being.
In a video message to the opening of seventy-first session of World Health Assembly in Geneva on Monday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is a fundamental human right.
The World Health Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the World Health Organization, WHO. It determines the agency’s polices, supervises financial policies, and reviews and approves the proposed programme budget.
“We need strong resilient systems that place people at the centre,” Guterres said.
“Universal health coverage provides the foundation to help us overcome the inequities that continue to leave so many behind.”
Ensuring that everyone, everywhere has access to quality health care and services, is also vital for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stressed the UN chief.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO’s Director-General, also addressed the Assembly, emphasizing the importance of universal health coverage, as illustrated by the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).In particular, Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), which has specific targets to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all stages in life. In addition, health improvements feature prominently in many of the other ambitious Goals.
The WHO chief outlined a number of initiatives at the UN health agency to advance universal coverage and urged greater political commitment: “It’s clear that the twin messages of health security and universal health coverage resonate loudly with world leaders,” he said.
Tedros also highlighted critical upcoming events focused on global health, including two high-level meetings; on non-communicable diseases and on tuberculosis at the upcoming session of the UN General Assembly which begins in September.
“The people who suffer from these diseases all over the world are relying on us: the people who cannot get the care they need; the people who cannot afford the care they need; the people who are even aware they are infected with a potentially deadly pathogen,” he said.
“We owe it to them to ensure that we do not waste the opportunities”.
Separately on Monday, WHO announced that the vaccination of health workers in areas of the DRC effected by the Ebola virus, has begun.
Together with the Government and partner organizations, WHO is also preparing to start a so-called ring vaccination programme, whereby the contacts of confirmed cases and the contacts of those contacts will be offered immunization, using the experimental drug.
“We need to act fast to stop the spread of Ebola by protecting people at risk of being infected with the Ebola virus, identifying and ending all transmission chains and ensuring that all patients have rapid access to safe, high-quality care,” WHO Deputy Director-General for Emergency Preparedness and Response, Peter Salama said.
While the rVSV-ZEBOV Ebola vaccine is yet to be licensed, it was highly protective against Ebola in a major trial in 2015 in Guinea, WHO said.
Earlier results have been promising with the agency reporting that among the 5,837 people who received the vaccine, no positive cases were recorded nine days or more after vaccination.
DG Rangers Punjab visits CMH Sialkot, meets Indian firing victims
ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP):Director General Pakistan Rangers (Punjab) Major General Azhar Naveed Hayat Khan on Tuesday visited CMH Sialkot and met with the injured citizens who were targeted by unprovoked Indian Mortar
and heavy weapons firing along Working Boundary in Sialkot Sector.
According to ISPR, DG Rangers Punjab while inquiring about well being of injured assured them Security Forces unflinching resolve for their safety and security.
Amjad Javed Saleemi took charge as IG NH&MP
ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP):Inspector General National Highways & Motorway Police Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam handed over command to new Inspector General National Highways & Motorway Police Amjad Javed Saleemi in change of command ceremony held at NH&MP here on Tuesday.
IGP Amjad Javed Saleemi took the charge as Inspector General National Highways & Motorway Police. He is the 15th Inspector General of National Highways & Motorway Police. Before his posting
as IG NH&MP, he was working as Additional Inspector General Police in Punjab Highway Patrol.
Amjad Javed Saleemi started his carrier in Police Service as ASP in 1986 appointed in Narowal. He has vast professional experience in police during his 32 years service. He has an excellent track record of professional competence in Police department. He is considered as the most professional police officers who served in all units of police departments.
On his arrival at NH&MP Headquarters, Islamabad, Guard of Honour was presented to him by smartly dressed Police contingent. A Memento of NH&MP was presented to new Inspector General, NH&MP Amjad Javed Saleemi in change of command ceremony at NH&MP HQs by Inspector General
Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam.
He lauded that Motorway Police is well reputed police and we have to work with enthusiasm to enhance credibility level of NH&MP at national & international level.
In his opening address he emphasized upon the senior officers to promote help culture and courtesy with the road users, as this is the hallmark of the success of NH&MP.
He motivated by saying that NH&MP needs good persons like them, so strive to ensure a safe
and secure driving environment and implementation of road safety regime on National Highways and Motorways.
At the end of the ceremony souvenirs were presented to Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam by newly IGP NH&MP Amjad Javed Saleemi and NH&MP officers of all ranks.
Pakistan’s new election law encourages women participation in election process: US HR Report
ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP):Pakistan’s recently passed Elections Act 2017 stresses for taking special measures to increase the participation of women, religious minorities, transgenders and disabled persons in the election process.
According to US Human Rights Report on Pakistan 2017, under the new election law it is mandatory for every political party to give five percent tickets to women. The law also gives right of vote through postal ballot to the disabled persons.
The report said under the Elections Act 2017 if in any constituency women cast their vote less than 10 percent than the election results of such constituency or polling station could be suspended.
It said that the new election law also stresses the early issuance of Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) to non-Muslims, transgender and disabled persons, as CNIC is used for identity of a voter.
It added there were allocated special seats for minorities in the Senate and National Assembly.
The report said that around 94 percent internally displaced persons (IDPs) returned back to Waziristan after military operation against terrorists. The UN organizations like UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP had made joint efforts to support the IDPs, including their vaccination to protect them from various diseases.
Similarly, the government and welfare organizations had paid special focus on polio immunization drive for children under five years of age to protect them from poliovirus as there were threats of affecting these children from this disease due to restriction on anti-polio drive from Taliban.
The Pakistan Army extended support to the government for internal security and continued operations at large level against terrorists with the support of civil and para military forces, the report said.
It added the government officials extended support to non-governmental organizations for labour inspection. It said that the officials openly allowed for labour inspection to monitor the implementation of labour laws, particularly child labour.
A number of countries sign agreements with Ukraine on visa-free regime
ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP):Briefing Journalists on the recent statement of Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko here on Tuesday, Ambassador of Ukraine to Pakistan, Volodymyr Lakomov said that a number of other countries had signed agreements with Ukraine on the introduction of the visa-free regime.
He said that more than 117 countries had opened doors for Ukrainians and the Ukrainian biometric passport had become one of the 30 most attractive passports in the world. The Ambassador said that the president stressed a firm confidence to follow the path of cardinal reforms in the country.
Quoting the text of the president statement, Volodymyr Lakomov said, “We will resolutely continue the reforms. I will not allow to stop the pace of reforms.”
He noted that the Parliament had supported the draft law on national security initiated by him in the first reading:
“I hope that in June, at the NATO summit, we will be able to present the already signed law”.
The Head of State said that today the Day of Europe was celebrated in Ukraine.
According to him, earlier this celebration was only an empty
formality and the state did not take any steps in order to finally ruin Ukraine’s ties with the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire and return to the family of European nations.
The President also reminded that the day before, the Government had made a decision on the implementation of the document signed by him on the visa-free regime with Qatar. The Head of State stressed that the visa-free regime with the Schengen area, with the European Union had been a matter of principle for the Ukrainian authorities.
Loss of precious lives due to heat wave in Karachi is very tragic and unfortunate incident : Mushahidullah
ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP):Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah said on Tuesday that loss of precious lives due to heat wave in Karachi was a very tragic and unfortunate incident.
In a statement here, he said that Ministry of Climate Change took a proactive approach and sent letter to all provinces and federating units in month of April to prepare themselves for any expected issue of heat waves.
He further added that rise in temperature and frequency of heat waves in the country demanded comprehensive steps at all level to deal with issue.
Ministry of Climate Change issued letter on 6th April 2018 to all provinces and federating units to take safety measures in advance to cope with any predicted heat wave issue.
A technical report on Karachi Heat wave June 2015 was also attached with these letters to provide the strategy and guidelines to all provinces and federating units for safety of citizen against heat wave.
This report was prepared under the direction of Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Mushahidullah Khan in 2015 when Karachi faced unpredicted phenomenon of Heat wave.
This report contains the reasons of heat waves and recommendations to take practical steps against this issue.
Turkish envoy discusses matters of mutual interest with Barrister Usman Ibrahim
RAWALPINDI, May 22 (APP):Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul Tuesday discussed matters of mutual interest with the Minister for Defence Production, Barrister Usman Ibrahim in his office at Rawalpindi.
Dignitaries expressed satisfaction on brotherly relations between the two countries besides the ongoing cooperation in defence technical field.
The minister appreciated the extent of cooperation between the two countries and emphasized on importance of continuation and expansion of strategic partnership/collaboration between two countries in other fields as well considering defence industrial/ technical cooperation integral part of Pak-Turkey strategic relationship.
They also lauded signing of MoU for purchase of Super Mushshak as an encouraging development in the defence relations between the two countries, said a press release.
Both sides also stressed on joint ventures in emerging technologies and opined that investment by private sector companies in these areas would be useful. Minister was impressed with the progress of Turkish Defence Industry. He also mentioned the high quality of Pakistan’s Defence Industrial Products.
Record-high Afghan opium production creates challenges for region and beyond, UN warns
UNITED NATIONS, May 22 (APP):Opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan reached a record-high last year, leading to unprecedented levels of potential heroin on the world market, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) said in a new report.
The report noted opium cultivation increased by 63 per cent; from 201,000 hectares in 2016 to an estimated 328,000 hectares in 2017.
UNODC said that it would be possible to produce between 550 and 900 tons of export-quality heroin from the poppies harvested throughout the country during 2017.
The report highlighted that the record level of cultivation creates multiple challenges for the country and its neighbours, as opiate-based illegal drugs make their way across the Afghan border.
Poppy production and illegal trafficking of opiates also fuel political instability, and increase funding to terrorist groups in Afghanistan who profit from the trade.
The report revealed that the record-high production led to a rapid expansion of the illegal economy in 2017. Being worth between $4.1 billion to $6.6 billion in 2017 – or 20 and 32 per cent of gross domestic product – the value of the opiate-based economy exceeded by far, the value of Afghanistan’s legal exports of goods and services during 2016.
Opium poppy production has become so engrained in the livelihood of many Afghans, that it is often the main source of income for not only farmers, but also many local and migrant workers hired as day-labourers on farms. In 2017, opium poppy weeding and harvesting provided the equivalent of up to 354,000 full-time jobs to rural areas.
The report concluded that addressing the opiate problem in Afghanistan remains a shared responsibility. Reducing production, requires an international approach that targets the supply chain of opiates at every stage; from source to destination.
Pakistan needs 1.3mln additional jobs every year: UNDP
ISLAMABAD, May 22 (APP):Pakistan needs to generate 1.3 million additional jobs on average every year as the plethora of people attaining the working age most likely to rise from the current 4 million to around 5 million by 2035.
According to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s National Human Development Report (NHDR) opined that growth in employment creation is necessary to match the unprecedented number of young people entering the working age. The additional jobs to be created per year were for the next five years, the report added.
The report has clearly indicated that current labour force participation and unemployment rates suggest that Pakistan’s working age population includes around 3.5 million unemployed individuals. An additional 1.4 million or more people of working age will join the labour force every year for the next five years.
At the current participation and unemployment levels and considering the number of retirees, Pakistan needs to create 4.5 million jobs over the next five years (0.9 million jobs annually).
The report suggested that the gradual increase in labour force participation rates means added pressure on the labour market with increased demand for employment opportunities.
The survey of the report believed that job creation has been relatively fast in Pakistan. A coherent strategy adopted at the provincial and district level across multiple sectors with clear annual targets can help generate 0.9 million jobs a year. It added that the challenge lay in creating jobs that also ensure better living standards.
“Expanding the formal sector, supporting entrepreneurship, building the human capital of youth and active labour market policies are key instruments to ensure that the required growth is inclusive and sustainable”.
Interestingly, there is an exchange between creating limited work opportunities that are high in quality and offering a larger number of jobs that do not meet quality conditions. The report recommended that complete concentration on quality and not on creating enough jobs would be equally problematic while failure to produce additional employment opportunities could lead to 43 million people being unemployed by 2050.
“The caseload for Pakistan to create additional jobs is unprecedented. According to estimates, the country needs to generate 0.9 million jobs every year for the next 30 years, without interruption, even to maintain unemployment at the current levels. It is also clear that the country’s few urban centres, or any one sector of the economy, cannot create all these jobs. Every sector of the economy and every city, town and village would have to contribute to employment generation to meet the target”.
The agricultural sector, constituting Pakistan’s main source of employment (42.3 percent), has immense potential for employment generation at both the farm and non-farm levels.
However, suffering from declining shares in the national GDP and low productivity, this sector will require the right set of investments and policy reforms to improve. Apart from reforms in the traditional farming sector, rural enterprise development has significant potential for employment generation.
The report also revealed another key sector of Pakistan’s economy, manufacturing, currently absorbs around 15.3 percent of the total employed labour force despite being hindered by energy shortages and the poor law and order situation.
The services industry, currently employing 42.4 percent of Pakistan’s total employed labour force, is another important sector with great untapped potential. It’s some sub-sectors function at a far lower rate than their capacity.
The hospitality sector, accommodation and food, directly linked to tourism, accounts for only 1.6 percent of the country’s total employment. This sector can contribute significantly to employment generation if supported and promoted with a clear policy direction for employment generation.
Sub-sectors of this industry, finance and insurance services, contribute just fewer than two percent to Pakistan’s employment, while information and communication contribute less than half a percent.
Increasing economic activities and improving access to finance and technology would encourage significant growth and employment creation in these sectors.
Overall, with the rapidly growing services sector becoming a major source of jobs in the country, Pakistan must ensure that this sector provides the young with a chance at long-term career progression.
According to estimates by International Labour Organization (ILO), unemployment between the ages of 15 and 24 in Pakistan is 10.8 percent. This is higher than other countries in the region, like India, Bangladesh and Nepal although better than Sri Lanka.
The report claimed that developing a clear strategy focused on employment generation and implementation is the first step in the necessary task of creating 0.9 million jobs a year in the country of close to 200 million people.