LONDON: November 25
Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry talking to Malaysia’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Datuk Hasbi bin Habibollah.
LONDON: November 25
– Labourers pack freshly harvested tomatoes into wooden boxes at the vegetable market.
HYDERABAD: November 25
HYDERABAD: November 25 – Women labourers pack freshly harvested tomatoes into wooden boxes at the vegetable market. APP/FHN/MAF/TZD/FHA
HYDERABAD: November 25 – Labourer Girls busy in preparing the wooden boxes for packing tomatoes at vegetables market. APP/FHN/MAF/TZD/FHA
A view of basketball match played between Govt. Junior Model Girls Higher Secondary School Multan and Govt Girls Modal High School Multan teams during Inter school Basketball Tournament 2025-26 at BISE Ground.
MULTAN: November 25 –
MULTAN: November 25 – A view of basketball match played between Govt. Junior Model Girls Higher Secondary School Multan and Govt Girls Modal High School Multan teams during Inter school Basketball Tournament 2025-26 at BISE Ground. APP/SFD/MAF/TZD/FHA
MULTAN: November 25 – A view of basketball match played between Govt. Junior Model Girls Higher Secondary School Multan and Govt Girls Modal High School Multan teams during Inter school Basketball Tournament 2025-26 at BISE Ground. APP/SFD/MAF/TZD/FHA
MULTAN: November 25 – A view of basketball match played between Govt. Junior Model Girls Higher Secondary School Multan and Govt Girls Modal High School Multan teams during Inter school Basketball Tournament 2025-26 at BISE Ground. APP/SFD/MAF/TZD/FHA
MULTAN: November 25 – A view of Handball match played between Govt Millat High School Multan and Govt High School Mian Channu teams during Inter school Handball Tournament 2025-26 at BISE Ground. APP/SFD/MAF/TZD/FHA
MULTAN: November 25 – A view of Handball match played between Govt Millat High School Multan and Govt High School Mian Channu teams during Inter school Handball Tournament 2025-26 at BISE Ground. APP/SFD/MAF/TZD/FHA
A young vendor sells sunflower seeds at the I-9/4 weekly bazaar in the Federal Capital.
ISLAMABAD: November 25 –
Federal Minister for National Heritage & Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi meeting with Managing Director Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Muhammad Asim Khichi during his visit at APP Headquarters.
ISLAMABAD: November 25 –
ISLAMABAD: November 25 – Managing Director Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Muhammad Asim Khichi presenting shield to Federal Minister for National Heritage & Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi during his visit at APP Headquarters. APP/IFD/MAF/TZD
Govt allocates Rs400m for new universities, research institutions
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP): The federal government has allocated Rs400 million for the establishment of new universities and research institutions in the country in order to expand academic opportunities and build a stronger foundation for future technological advancement.
According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, an amount of Rs400 million allocated in FY2025-26 will be spent on the establishment of a public sector university in Muzaffargarh district, an institute of science and technology in Rajanpur, a campus of the Institute of Fashion Design in Karachi, and the establishment of an NCA Karachi campus.
As for the budgetary details, Rs150 million has been allocated for building a public sector university in Muzaffargarh District of Punjab, Rs50 million for the establishment of the Institute of Science and Technology, Rajanpur, Rs100 million for the establishment of a campus of the Institute of Fashion Design, Karachi, and Rs100 million for the establishment of NCA Karachi Campus, Karachi.
Besides this, the federal government has also taken some other initiatives. The plan to build the Danish University of Emerging Technologies, Islamabad is one of such steps. The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training is the custodian of the project, while the modalities, including the enactment of its Charter/Act, are in process.
Likewise, the plan to establish King Hamad University of Nursing and Associated Medical Sciences in Islamabad is in progress. The Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination is looking after the project. The modalities are expected to be completed in the upcoming months.
The enactment of the Charter/Act for the establishment of Jinnah Medical Complex and Research Centre (University) is also in process.
Moreover, the government has planned to establish the National University of Public Policy and Administration (NUPA), Islamabad.
According to the documents, the government also allocated a development budget through specific projects aimed at both hard and soft interventions in universities. These include infrastructure development such as new campuses, academic and administrative blocks, hostels, and laboratories; human resource development; establishment, enhancement, and upgrading of laboratories and equipment; faculty development; procurement of transport; improvement of ICT infrastructure; and support for extracurricular activities.
According to the documents, the HEC’s development portfolio for the FY2025-26 is Rs39.0 billion for 140 projects.
The government, through special schemes/projects, also offers merit and need-based scholarships at undergraduate, postgraduate, and post-doctoral levels for students to promote higher education access.
Starting a faculty development program is among the schemes aimed at enhancing the teaching, research, and professional skills of the university faculty members to ensure high-quality education and academic excellence.
In order to improve the quality of research and education, the HEC supports research, innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the country to enable the higher educational institutions (HEIs) in Pakistan to become hubs of economic growth and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.
Such research programs include National Research Program for Universities (NRPU), Technology Development Fund (TDF), Research and Innovation Grants under Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project, Grand Challenge Fund (GCF), Local Challenge Fund (LCF), Technology Transfer Support Fund (TTSF), Rapid Research Grant (RRG), and Center of Excellence Grant (COE).
An official at the Higher Education Commission (HEC) described this strategic funding as a reflection of a long-term commitment to education, technology, and human capital growth, benefiting students and society alike.
Talking to Wealth Pakistan, he said the investment would promote research and innovation, encourage collaboration with international institutions, create skilled professionals, and strengthen Pakistan’s global competitiveness in science, medicine, and technology.
Police launch probe after video shows girl assaulted, hair cut
RAWALPINDI, Nov 25 (APP):The Rawalpindi Police initiated legal proceedings after a video emerged on social media showing a girl being assaulted and having her hair forcibly cut, a spokesman said on Tuesday.
According to the girl’s initial statement circulating online, the incident of alleged torture in Rawalpindi and Islamabad occurred about one-and-a-half months ago but had not been reported to the police earlier.
City Police Officer (CPO) Syed Khalid Hamdani took notice of the video and directed an immediate inquiry. The spokesman said the Rawalpindi Police had established contact with the victim and, on her request, registered a case at the Naseerabad Police Station.
He added that three suspects had been taken into custody in light of her statement.
“Crimes involving violence, coercion or exploitation of women will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” CPO Hamdani said, vowing that all those involved would be arrested and brought to justice.
FOSPAH launches nationwide activism campaign: “Hum Badlen Ge Soch” to transform mindsets enabling harassment
ISLAMABAD, Nov 25 (APP):The Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH), under the leadership of the Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar, has launched its nationwide 16 Days of Activism Campaign which is a global campaign against gender based violence from November 25 to December 10, every year; “Hum Badlen Ge Soch”, aimed at transforming attitudes and societal norms that allow workplace harassment and gender-based discrimination to persist in Pakistan.
Addressing national and local media at today’s press conference in Islamabad, Fauzia Viqar emphasized that combating gender-based violence requires more than awareness; it demands a shift in mindsets, behaviors, and institutional cultures.
“Real change begins not only in law, but in thought — in how we view women’s rights, dignity, and equal participation. ‘Hum Badlen Ge Soch’ is a call to action for every citizen, every institution, every workplace to step beyond tolerance and adopt zero tolerance,” she stated.
She emphasized that workplace harassment persists in Pakistan not due to a lack of legislation, but because enabling attitudes continue to silence survivors and protect perpetrators. Global indicators further support this urgency. Pakistan ranks 148 out of 148 countries on the Global Gender Gap Index 2025, with significant gaps in economic participation and political empowerment.
While 77.8% of global legal frameworks promoting women’s equality are in place, the impact remains limited when discriminatory mindsets go unchallenged. FOSPAH’s campaign responds directly to this challenge, pushing beyond compliance and awareness to societal transformation.
FOSPAH continues to expand its reach to ensure justice, dignity, and safety for women across workplaces in Pakistan.
Under Fauzia Viqar’s tenure since March 2023, FOSPAH has received 3,078 workplace harassment complaints, disposed of 2,736 cases, and kept only 292 cases under process, reflecting rapid and accessible case management. Additionally, in 2025 alone, more than 500 awareness sessions and trainings have been conducted nationwide, while 1,177 property rights complaints have been received since 2020. These numbers showcase increasing public confidence in FOSPAH’s mandate and effectiveness.
The “Hum Badlen Ge Soch” campaign will feature youth engagement through art exhibitions, mass awareness drives, workplace and university dialogues, community mobilization efforts, and media partnerships to amplify the message of zero tolerance for harassment.
The initiative calls on government institutions, private organizations, civil society, academia, and the media to join the movement and act as allies in dismantling harmful norms.
“Hum Badlen Ge Soch is not a slogan. It is a collective responsibility — a promise that together we will end harassment, break silence, and build workplaces where dignity is non-negotiable,” Fauzia Viqar affirmed.
Punjab Govt. issues security directives to implement vision of “Safe Punjab”
ATTOCK, Nov 25 (APP):Government of Punjab has issued comprehensive security directives to all departments, institutions, educational establishments, police, and administrative officers across the province as part of the implementation of Chief Minister Punjab’s vision, “Safe Punjab.”
According to APP correspondent, the Home Department of Punjab has released an official notification instructing all government bodies to strengthen coordinated measures aimed at maintaining peace, ensuring public safety, and improving the overall security environment in the province.
The “Safe Punjab” vision seeks to establish a peaceful, law-abiding society where strict adherence to legal frameworks is ensured, enabling the protection of citizens’ lives and property.
The notification directs all institutions to play an active role in identifying suspicious activities, criminal elements, and threats to public order while promoting mutual cooperation among departments.
Citizens have also been encouraged to become “partners in peace,” with instructions that any emergency or suspicious activity should immediately be reported through the Police Helpline 15 or the district administration.
The Punjab Home Department has additionally issued a dedicated WhatsApp number, 0311-4340000, enabling the public to share information directly with authorities.
The notification further emphasizes enhancing security measures at sensitive installations, educational institutions, hospitals, markets, and places of worship. It highlights the need for improved security audits, strict adherence to SOPs, and stronger monitoring systems.
With the support of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority, efforts are underway to expand surveillance through modern technology to ensure timely identification of potential threats.
The Home Department has directed all institutions to effectively communicate these instructions to the public and to encourage responsible civic cooperation in security matters so that the Chief Minister’s vision of a “Safe Punjab” can be fully realized.
Education Minister vows to eliminate corruption from education sector
QUETTA, Nov 25 (APP):Balochistan Education Minister Rahila Hameed Khan Durrani said that the policy of the current provincial government is clear: making the education department free from corruption is our top priority. She said that under the vision of Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, the current government has taken practical steps to make this entire system based on merit and transparent.
She said this while addressing a ceremony organized by the Directorate of Colleges and Higher Education Balochistan and the National Accountability Bureau Balochistan on the occasion of the successful organization of provincial-level competitions at Government Girls Postgraduate College Quetta Cantt in collaboration with the Directorate of Colleges and Higher Education Balochistan and the National Accountability Bureau Balochistan.
The Education Minister said that we are living in a society where corruption comes to the fore in some form or the other despite hard work and efficiency. There is an urgent need to give a positive direction to the thinking of especially female students and the younger generation. She said that Pakistan is a blessing that was obtained in the name of the word, and came into existence through the sacrifices of our ancestors.
She said that today, it is our responsibility to make honesty and integrity the foundation in the construction and development of this country. The Education Minister said that we have a complete code of life like Islam, which shows a clear path for everything. If we correct our thinking and behavior, then society can improve itself. Sometimes a sentence changes a life, I pray that even a single word spoken in today’s ceremony will bring about a positive change in all of your lives.
She clarified that no job has been sold in the education department, nor would it be allowed to be sold.
She said that we have made all the recruitment processes transparent and have given first priority to merit, the teachers who are being recruited are being selected purely on the basis of merit and competence.
The Education Minister expressed her determination that the Balochistan government would continue to take all possible steps to eliminate all types of corruption in the education sector and establish transparency so that a better, cleaner and stronger education system could be provided to the young generation.
It should be noted that these competitions were organized in collaboration with the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Balochistan, with the aim of promoting honesty, transparency, creativity and positive activities among the youth. Additional Director NAB Balochistan Imran Akhtar Majeed, Director Colleges Professor Muhammad Hussain Baloch, Joint Director Professor Sadia Niaz, Principal Government Girls Postgraduate College Quetta Cantt Sadia Farooqi were present at the ceremony.
Other speakers at the ceremony appreciated the performance of the students and said that such competitions play an important role in developing positive thinking, moral values and creative abilities among the young generation. They said that students are the assets of the country and the nation, we all have to play our role together in eliminating corruption. Its prevention is the need of the hour so that our country could move on the path of development.
The students participating in the competitions participated with great enthusiasm and performed brilliantly. Teachers and participants appreciated this joint effort of the Directorate of Colleges and NAB Balochistan.
The Directorate of Colleges and Higher Education Balochistan thanked all the participants and organizers for organizing the successful competitions.
Earlier, competitions were held in various categories in the ceremony, including Urdu speech competition, English speech competition, Urdu essay writing, English essay writing, poster making, painting, and creative writing. 53 students from colleges across Balochistan participated in these competitions.
Finally, the Minister of Education distributed prizes among the students who showed outstanding performance.