ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP):Four-day National Book Fair, starting from April 6 at Pak-China Friendship Center, will bring more attractions for the book lovers through displaying a number of book stalls and arranging book related activities.
This was revealed during a meeting presided by Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage (NH&LH), Irfan Siddiqui on Tuesday at the division, to discuss the arrangements of the book fair.
National Book Fair is an annual activity arranged by National Book Foundation (NBF) to mark National Book Day.
Speaking during the meeting, Advisor to Prime Minister, Irfan Siddiqui directed the relevant officials to ensure best arrangements for the guests coming from abroad to attend this mega festival as well as the local participants.
Irfan Siddiqui also directed the officials to establish a Complaint Cell with presence of officials round-the-clock during the three-day activity to prevent the visitors from any unpleasant situation.
He called for adopting proper mechanism for providing books at the stalls of NBF and other publishers on discounted rates and ensuring display of quality books keeping in view the interest of students, women and children.
Irfan Siddiqui said promotion of book reading culture is a national responsibility and National Book Fair will prove as a milestone to fulfil this responsibility.
“Promotion of book friendly initiative can help countries regain their past glorious status and inculcate positive thinking approach in the people,” he added.
Irfan Siddiqui said “It is heartening to see that in Pakistan, book reading culture is flourishing with each passing day which is a good omen”.
Earlier Managing Director, NBF, Dr. Inam ul Haq Javed gave detailed briefing about the arrangements of the National Book Fair and informed that a large number of scholars from different countries including Turkey will participate in the book fair.
The meeting was attended by Federal Secretary, NH&LH division, Engineer Aamir Hasan, Joint Secretaries Capt r Abdul Majeed Niazi, Syed Junaid Akhlaq and other officials.
National Book Fair in April to bring more attractions for book lovers
New air chief calls on PM
ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP):Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan called on Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi here at Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister congratulated Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan on assuming his new responsibilities and expressed the hope that PAF would greatly benefit from his professional capabilities and leadership.
Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan thanked the Prime Minister for reposing confidence in him and assured that he would perform to the best of his abilities for further strengthening air defence of the country.
Professional matters pertaining to Pakistan Air Force came under discussion.
No action taken in corruption cases of others: Nawaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP):Quaid Pakistan Muslim League(N) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday said no action was
taken in the cases of rental power plants, Cotecna case, National Logistic Cell (NLC) and Employees Old
Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) cases.
Talking to
mediamen at the Accountability Court here , he said cases of those who inflicted
losses on national exchequer were not being heard.
He said corruption was proven in the case of Rental Power plants and other cases.
He said
there was nothing in their case but still they were put on trial to find something
against them.
He said the
prosecution was only looking into the business of his father, adding his family’s
accountability should be done from 1937, when Allah blessed them with business.
Supplementary
reference was a cover for the main reference. Nothing will come out of the new
reference, he added.
To a question, he said Amir Liaquat tried to join Pakistan Muslim League(N) a few
years ago.
Maryam Nawaz said there was no substance in the cases against them. Those who levelled
corruption allegations should prove them.
“Nothing was
proven in the last six months and nothing will be proven in the coming one and
a half months.”
She said all the documents presented in the court were provided by them.
To a question about the Pervez Musharraf, she said the person who damaged the country was now seeking security for himself.
Captain (R) Muhammad Safdar said that JIT report
was not against Nawaz Sharif but it was against the country’s progress.
Chinese govt targeting to generate around 13 million new jobs this year: Li Keqiang
BEIJING, March 20 (APP): Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Tuesday said the government was targeting to generate around 13 million new jobs during the current year.
He made these remarks while addressing a press conference along with newly-elected vice premiers at the Great Hall of the People here, following the closing meeting of the first session of the 13th National People’s Congress.
Premier Li answered questions on various topics including China’s reform and opening-up, economic strategy, foreign policy and people’s livelihood.
On China’s reform and opening up in the new era, he said China would open its door even wider to the world than before, with an aim to ensure both Chinese and foreign investors to compete in a fair market.
Li listed several measures including to further widen market access to education, healthcare and financial services, to fully open up in manufacturing sectors, to better protect intellectual property rights (IPR), and to shorten the negative list of foreign investment.
Responding to a question regarding the transformation of government function, he pledged that the government would further cut the red tape and further streamline the accession process to the market.
He stressed that it was a must to undertake strong reform measures as “small steps are critical to achieving a bigger policy goal.”
To improve the business environment, the government would cut the time, it took for opening a business by another half, reduced the time required for reviewing a project application by another half and put in the national place a platform for accessing government services, he detailed.
Other measures included to let people get things done in one place without a need for a second trip and to ensure that any requirement for certification that had no basis in law or regulation would be abolished, Li told reporters.
On Korean Peninsula issues, he said China welcomed recent de-escalation on the Korean Peninsula, Premier Li said, saying China would continue its role in promoting dialogue and pushing for denuclearization process.
To a question on China-US trade relations, he said “No winners will emerge in a trade war,” said Premier Li when answering a question on China’s measures in case of a trade war between Beijing and Washington.
Li maintained that China would firmly protect intellectual property rights, and expressed hope that the US would ease restrictions on exports of high-value added goods to China and sought balanced China-US trade.
While commenting on China-Russia relations, he said China and Russia were each other’s biggest neighbors, Premier Li said, adding that the stable and friendly development of bilateral relations was beneficial to both countries and to the world.
On cross-Strait relations, he said China should not tolerate any external forces using Taiwan as a card to cause difficulties for the cross-Strait relations, Li said, adding that continuous efforts would be made to pursue the peaceful development of ties.
To a question regarding health care issues, Li said China improved its basic health care system over the past years, but some families still fall through the safety net, adding, the government would take measures to better serve those with serious diseases which could push families back into poverty.
Responding to a question about China-Japan relations, he said he was actively considering paying an official visit to Japan when he attended the China-Japan-ROK leaders’ meeting in the country later this year.
Pakistan, China to have dialogue for expanding cooperation in literature, art and culture
ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP):Pakistan and China will expand mutual cooperation in the fields of literature, arts and culture and have a dialogue in this regard in Beijing next month.
This was agreed by Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and literary Heritage (NH&LH), Irfan Siddiqui and Chinese Cultural Counselor, Mr. You Yi during a meeting held at the division on Tuesday.
Chinese Cultural Counselor, You Yi formally invited Advisor to Prime Minister, Irfan Siddiqui to China for this dialogue.
Irfan Siddiqui accepted the invitation and said cooperation between Pakistan and China on literary and cultural fronts will bring people of both countries close to each other.
He also appreciated the technical support being provided by China for establishing National Museum of Pakistan in capital and said this museum facility will play instrumental role in projection of rich historical and cultural heritage at international level.
Irfan Siddiqui said the division will conduct translations of literature of both countries in each other’s language to build strong ties between literary persons of both countries.
He revealed that work on Urdu-Chinese Dictionary is also in progress. This dictionary will be a gift for the people of Pakistan and China and a symbol of friendship.
Speaking during the meeting, Chinese Cultural Counselor, You Yi eulogized the contribution of NH&LH division under the leadership of Irfan Siddiqui for promotion of literature, art and culture.
He said cooperation between Pakistan and China in literature, art and culture is a welcoming sign and will further strengthen mutual relations.
Joint Secretary, NH&LH division, Syed Junaid Akhlaq was also present during the meeting.
Civilized societies gives esteem to teachers: Mushahid Hussain Syed
ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP):Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed on Tuesday said that every civilized society gave due esteem to teachers, as teachers deserved high honour and dignity being role models for their students.
He was addressing the concluding ceremony of a two-day international conference entitled Professional Development in Higher Education: Trends and Practices, Prospects and Innovations.
The international conference was jointly organised by HEC and Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Rawalpindi.
Dr. Arshad Ali, Executive Director, HEC, Mrs. Shaheen Khan, Adviser Learning Innovation, HEC, Fida Hussain, Director General LI, HEC and a large number of Vice Chancellors, faculty members and national and foreign researchers also present on the occasion.
Addressing the conference, “I compliment HEC for taking this very positive initiative by organising a conference on professional development in higher education,” he stated, adding that HEC had been the vanguard of higher education since 2002 and had brought about a revolution in the higher education sector.
He said learning was a continuous process and professional development of faculty was beneficial not only for teachers but also for students.
He underlined that provision of education needed to be ensured along with availability of equal opportunities to all men and women.
Senator Mushahid Hussain informed the conference that the vacant posts of Pakistan chairs, specified for Pakistani academics to serve the country from abroad, were being filled with the cooperation of HEC after a long wait for seven years.
He further said that seven out of 14 candidates to fill the positions were females. “Pakistan Chairs are very important means to project Pakistan’s soft image abroad,” he maintained.
The biggest battle, he observed, was the battle of ideas, and it was academia where ideas come from. So, he stressed, academia should come forward to serving the country amidst the prevailing information warfare.
In his welcome address, Dr. Arshad Ali said professional development in higher education was the key component that ensures quality of education.
“The role of a teacher is significant in today’s world where an average student has easy access to knowledge through internet,” he said, adding that a teacher enabled students through arguments and analyses to benefit from the right information.
He stressed the need for promoting student-centric learning, as students come from different backgrounds as well as different competencies.
He said HEC was committed to professional development of teachers, as it followed the policy of appropriately equipping teachers to enable them to enhance quality and groom leadership for future.
The Executive Director revealed that HIC LI Division trained 500 teachers annually under its four Faculty Development Programmes.
He assured that the recommendations of conference would be examined for materialisation.
Earlier, Fida Hussain shed light on the purpose of the conference and presented the recommendations made during its four sessions.
The recommendations, he said, include finalisation of roadmap regarding faculty development, designing of faculty development programmes, revision of pedagogy, learning from professional development theories, establishment of faculty development centres, making policy level changes, and driving professional development framework on the basis of research.
During the conference, four sessions were held which covered a number of topics including a Repertoire for Learning in Outcome based Education Paradigm; Improving Students’ Learning in Distance Education by Learning Style based Teaching; Courageous Fellowship in Higher Education Commission; Pedagogical Skill Development in Teachers’ Preparation; Faculty Development at Tertiary Level; and From Banking Model to Critical Pedagogy: Challenges and Constraints in University Classrooms.
The speakers also expressed their views on Quality Teachers for Quality Education; Prospects and Insufficiency of B.Ed (Honours) Curriculum for New Teachers; Conceptualising Core Practices for Professional Development of Novice; Professional Development of Academics in Malaysian Higher Education Institutions; Effect of Meta cognitive Instructional Strategies on Prospective Teachers Comprehension in Physics; Neuro-linguistic Programming and Effective Language Teaching in Pakistani Academe; Understanding the Epistemological Beliefs and Metacognition of Science Teachers; Articulating and Operationalising Pedagogic Messages; Teachers Attitude towards Need for Reflective Practice; Situating Teachers Professional Development; Problems and Challenges Faced at University Level; and Microteaching in Professional Development of Novice Teachers in Pakistan.
The second day session topics included ‘When Teaching Paradigm, Technology and Trend Meet Together’, Social Loafing: Nexus of Biometric Attendance System on Teacher’s Performance at Hazara University, Mansehra, Web-based Language Learning Tools, Role of Information and Communication Technology in Quality Enhancement and Value Education, Effectiveness of Reciprocal Teaching and Computer Assisted Instruction versus Traditional Teaching, Necessity and Applicability of Software and Internet for Better Classroom Teaching, Effectiveness of Digital Story Telling in ESL Classrooms, Using Social Networking Sites for Enriching Teaching Learning Process, Effect of Faculty Training Workshop on Research Attitude and Research, and Technology Mediated Educational Model.
MNA Arifa calls on CM Shehbaz
LAHORE, March 20 (APP):Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday said if Allah Almighty bestowed
His blessings and the people reposed their confidence in the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) again, masses would be served in an unprecedented manner.
“All the people will have to work jointly to make Pakistan stronger and prosperous and everyone should play its due role for the national development,” he added.
During his meeting with Arifa Khalid MNA, the chief minister said that national development and prosperity was core agenda of the PML-N, saying that their past and present were reflective of the
public service and steps for their development.
“We have taken every step for national development while the opponents wasted their time in obstructing the journey of development. Niazi Sahib wasted his time in allegations instead of serving
the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The performance of those who criticize development projects in Punjab was zero in their provinces,” Shehbaz said.
He said that U-turn, sit-ins, allegation-levelling and falsehood were the identity of Niazi Sahib.
Those who were devoid of the passion of public service couldn’t tolerate public welfare in Punjab.
The Chief Minister said that the people would hold accountable, those responsible for negative politics in the next elections. Niazi Sahib must realise that time has come to sift facts from fiction. “We shall go to the court of people in next elections with the records of our performance and public
service,” concluded the Chief Minister.
During the meeting, discussion was held about development schemes and political matters.
Renovation of Ayub Stadium Quetta underway to host national games
ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP):Renovation and repair of Quetta’s historic Ayub National Stadium is underway at a cost of Rs 710 million to host 33rd National Games scheduled to be held from April 22 to 29 .
According to an official of Balochistan Sports Board, the work at the stadium, which had the capacity to accommodate over 20,000 spectators, would be completed in time for the national games.
The official told APP that Rs 300 million had been allocated to meet the lodging and transport costs of over 7,000 athletes, from across the country, who would take part in different sports competitions.
It may be mentioned that Ayub National Stadium was used to hold different sports events, especially football cricket matches. However, presently it is being used for political gatherings.The national games are expected to revive sports activities at the stadium.
A member of the inspection team, which was sent by Pakistan Olympic Association from Islamabad for reviewing the renovation of the stadium, expressed his dissatisfaction over the pace of work.
Talking to APP, he said the Ayub Stadium’s football ground lacked basic facilities, including pavilion, and it was denuded of grass. Similarly, running track, hockey ground, and volleyball, tennis and squash courts had not yet been renovated, while there was no track for cycling, he said, adding the construction of a swimming pool had not been initiated so far.
He, however, expressed the hope that the construction and renovation work would be completed well in time to hold the games.
In case the restoration of Ayub Stadium was delayed then the event could be shifted to some other city, he added.
The stadium had hosted a One Day International cricket match between Pakistan and India in 1978.
PPC safe charity campaigns created awareness, increased resilience against extremism and terrorism: CEO
LONDON, Mar 20 (APP):Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC), Shabbir Anwar has said that his organization’s effective safer charity campaigns like “Haq Haqdaar Taak and “PurAzam Pakistan ” launched through print and electronic media had created awareness among the public, besides increasing resilience against the menace of extremism and terrorism from the society in the country.
Shabbir Anwar, who is currently on visit to the United Kingdom stated this while briefing the media here at Pakistan High Commission London Monday evening, about the initiatives of PPC launched for the safer charity and creating awareness among the different section of society against the menace of extremism and terrorism from the country.
Shabbir Anwar said that Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC) was a project of the Government of Pakistan which had helped to increase public support and bolstered resilience against extremism and violence in Pakistan.
The PPC, he said was working closely with Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage, relevant government and international organizations on developing media products and impart training to help eliminate extremism and violence from the society and promote peace and harmony.
Shabbir Anwar said that the PPC had also produced documents about the impact of terrorism on the lives of ordinary citizens by highlighting the indiscriminate nature of violence in the society.
He said that the PPC had developed media products on CT/CVE based counter-narrative titled “Haq, HaqdaarTak” and “PurAzm Pakistan”, which were successfully launched by the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage through media campaigns at the national level against the scourge of extremism, violence, and terrorism from the society.
He said that PPC’s campaign against violence and extremism has been acclaimed by the international community.
Highlighting the sacrifices of people and armed forces of Pakistan in the war against terrorism, he said that terrorism was not only an issue of Pakistan though “we are in the center of the storm” but its a global issue and it should be fought collectively.
He said due to these sacrifices the security situation in the country has improved.
The CEO of PPC said that his organization went to eight districts and now they are going to more twelve districts in the country and would also reach provinces and launch safer charity campaigns so that charity should benefit only the deserving and registered charity organizations in the country.
He said that the PPC also informed the people in the districts about the genuine organizations working in their respective areas for their benefit and welfare.
Shabbir Anwar said that it was heartening to note that people first inquire the authenticity of the charity organizations and their activities before giving their Zakat and other donations which, he termed was a big development and a success of PPC campaigns.
He said that PPC also went to twenty-eight universities in the country and also involved the students in its safer charity campaigns which were producing good results.
He said that in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC) and media a compulsory course was introduced and the PPC was also conducting training programmes for both journalists of print and electronic media especially those who were covering terrorism-related activities in the country.
He added that in collaboration with Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) the PPC after five to six months of discussions had developed a code of ethics regarding the coverage of terrorism-related incidents and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was implementing it.
He on the occasion vowed to continue the campaign for safer charity and creating awareness among the public against the menace of extremism and terrorism for the prosperity of the country.
Press Councillor Pakistan High Commission London Muneer Ahmed was also present on the occasion.
PN ships HIMMAT, BASOL leaves port of Qasim after successful visit
ISLAMABAD, Mar 20 (APP):After a successful visit to Qatar Pakistan Navy Ship HIMMAT and Pakistan Maritime Security Ship BASOL have left Port Hamad, Doha, said a press release issued here by directorate of general public relations of Pakistan Navy on Tuesday.
The ships, headed by Mission Commander Commodore M. Faisal Abbasi participated in the recently held Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition (DIMDEX-2018).
The ships were seen off by seen off by QENF officers and Defence Attaché of Pakistan in Doha, Qatar on Monday.
The ships had reached Qatar on March 11. PN Ship HIMMAT is state-of-the-art indigenously built Fast Attack Craft (Missile) of Pakistan Navy, whereas PMSS BASOL belongs to latest HINGOL Class Maritime Patrol Vessels of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) also being indigenously constructed in Pakistan.
Upon arrival at Port Hamad, Doha, Pakistani ships actively participated in DIMDEX-2018, which was hosted by Qatar Armed Forces. Various events were arranged under DIMDEX-2018, which were attended by Defence and Security Ministers, Chief of Staffs, Chiefs of Navies, Coastguard Commanders
and representatives of Defence Ministries of the region and beyond.
In addition to PN units, ships from Bangladesh, Italy, India, Oman, Qatar, UK and USA
participated in DIMDEX-2018.
During this period, a reception dinner was also hosted onboard PMSS BASOL with an overwhelming response. The event was attended by Minister of Defence Production of Pakistan, DG PMSA, Ambassadors, Defence/ Naval Attaches and embassy officials from several foreign countries. In addition, Commander QENF and prominent members of Pakistani diasporas also attended the reception.
After culmination of DIMDEX-2018, first-ever Bilateral Exercise Asad Al Bahr-I between Pakistan Navy and QENF was conducted from March 15-18.
Besides Pakistani ships, QENF ships HUWAR, AL DEEBEL and AL LUWSAIL along with two MRTPs (Multi-Role Tactical Platform) participated in the exercise. The exercise is considered a historic benchmark which will certainly further solidify existing defence relations between the two brotherly Muslim countries.
Exercise Asad Al Bahr-I was planned to mutually benefit from each other’s experiences and enhance interoperability between the two navies.
The exercise involved tactical to operational level exercises in harbour and at sea including Air Defence, Force Protection and Maritime Infrastructure Protection exercises.
The exercise also laid a special focus on Combat Search & Rescue and Boarding Operations. The exercise remained professionally rewarding and will grow in scale, complexity and participation level of forces in times to come.