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Chairman Senate Lauds HEC’s NOP for universities faculty, staff

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP):The Chairman Senate appreciated Higher Education Commission (HEC), National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) and Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) for creating and strengthening the culture of capacity building of higher education institutions.
HEC organised a flagship conference on Wednesday entitled Faculty Leadership & Management Excellence (FLAME) 2025 to showcase the success of National Outreach Program (NOP), a capacity building initiative executed by National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) in 85 public sector universities. Over 4,000 faculty and management staff members have benefited from the program.
Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani graced the closing ceremony of the conference as chief guest, whereas Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Mr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui honored the opening of the event. Governor Balochistan Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokhail also attended the conference alongside a big assembly of Vice Chancellors from across Pakistan, said a press release.
Addressing the conference, Chairman Senate highlighted the role of academia in nation building, saying that the faculty members are the architects of future, while the university representatives carry forward the vision and pursuit of progress.
He emphasized the role of education in development of nation, stating that education is the foundation upon which nations are built.
 He underlined that the nation must proceed with unity of purpose, courage in leadership, and faith in the transformative power of education.
 He also lauded NAHE’s Women Empowerment and Mentorship Programme (WEMP), stating that Pakistan cannot reach its full potential until all the women have access to playing their part in the country’s socio-economic development.
“Women Empowerment and Mentorship Programme is very close to my heart,” he added.
Federal Minister Mr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui expressed his pleasure for being part of FLAME-2025.
 He underlined that an education system aligned with the prevailing and future needs of the nation is a need of the hour.
He also highlighted the importance of skill-based education in the socio-economic development of the country.
In his address, Governor Balochistan Mr. Mandokhail said that the university leadership and faculty are the torch-bearers of excellence, adding that initiatives like FLAME-2025 are pivotal to achieve teaching excellence and administrative effectiveness.
Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed emphasized that the survival of Pakistan lies in reaching excellence in education, research, and innovation.
He stressed the need for making significant investment in higher education to enable the educational institutions to play a more effective role in the development of Pakistan.
He stated that the youth of Pakistan have a great potential that needs to be tapped.
He underlined that the Pakistani youth graduated from the local universities are playing a pivotal role in the development of this country.
He noted that there is a sheer need for qualified faculty around the world.
Project Coordinator HEDP, Awais Ahmad said that National Outreach Programme is a critical component of the HEDP, as it focuses strengthening of faculty expertise and effective academic management and directly supports national goals of innovation, quality, and competitiveness.
He also shed light on the objectives of HEDP to enhance the quality and capacity of Pakistan’s higher education sector.
The conference paid tribute to the module developers, trainers and mentors, and the universities for their contributions to make National Outreach Programme a success while congratulating the programme beneficiaries.
During the conference, detailed plenaries were held on ‘Empowering Faculty and Management Leadership through Professional Development’ and ‘Women’s Empowerment in Higher Education’. Renowned academic leaders and academicians shared their thoughtful insights.
The panelists of first plenary appreciated the outcomes achieved under National Outreach Programme and stressed the need for continuity of capacity building initiatives for sustainable outcomes.
They admired NAHE for developing well-structured modules and effectively executing them across the universities.
They were of the view that the growth of faculty and staff through such trainings will strengthen the universities and will lead towards having quality graduates.
The panelists of the second plenary shared experiences of their respective universities with regard to the execution of WEMP.
They expressed their views in support of the NAHE programme WEMP, highlighting that the programme has brought about a huge change, built up confidence of faculty, and nurtured mutual understanding among the faculty members from around the universities countrywide.
They emphasized the need for sustainability of this programme at both the HEC and university levels.
The panelists of the two plenaries also drafted and presented their recommendations in view of the experience and outcomes of the NAHE programme.
Managing Director NAHE Dr. Noor Amna Malik concluded the conference with a vote of thanks to the participants while acknowledging the contribution of NAHE team, module developers, and universities in the success of National Outreach Programme. She stated that National Outreach Programme brought a remarkable change in the ecosystem.
It is pertinent to mention here that NAHE designed the flagship initiative of National Outreach Program under Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP). The program aimed at bringing high quality professional development directly to university campuses across Pakistan, ensuring accessibility and impact.
Under two sub-components of the program, viz. National Outreach Program for Faculty and Capacity Building of University Management, NAHE conducted overall 66 faculty training program and 45 management training programme, in addition to holding three-month pilot mentorship program in 18 women universities under Women Empowerment and Mentorship Program (WEMP). As many as 71 public sector universities hosted four-week Tier-I faculty training program for Lecturers and Assistant Professors, while 50 universities conducted five-day management training program for early career officers including Assistant Registrars, Controllers, and Treasurers.

Tanveer chairs meeting to discuss sugar availability, future strategy

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, chairs a high-level meeting with representatives of the Pakistan Sugar Dealers Association to discuss sugar prices and nationwide availability in Islamabad on June 18, 2025.
ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP):Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Wednesday chaired a meeting on sugar prices and discussed the current availability of sugar across the country, its price and future strategies.
He held a meeting with representatives of the Sugar Dealers Association, said a news release.
The minister said that the government is committed to ensure the availability of sugar to consumers at reasonable prices, and for this purpose, it is essential to engage all stakeholders.
Tanveer urged the sugar industry to ensure transparency in production, supply, and pricing.
“We will not allow any unjustified increase in sugar prices under any circumstances. Cooperation between the government and the industry will not only stabilize the market but also protect the interests of both farmers and consumers,” he remarked.
The representatives of the Sugar Dealers Association assured the minister of their full cooperation with government policies to maintain uninterrupted supply and fair pricing of sugar.

Govt reaffirms push for quality in legal education, pledges action against unapproved law programs

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP): The Federal Law Minister Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar on Wednesday reiterated the government’s commitment to upholding legal education standards in Pakistan.
Chairing a high-level meeting here, the minister vowed to prevent the spread of unapproved law programs and assignment-based degrees that bypass academic regulations.
The meeting was attended by Chairperson of the Legal Education Committee Qalb-e-Hassan Shah, Director of Legal Education Barrister Usama Malik, and University of London’s Undergraduate Law Dean, Patricia McKellar.
The focus of the discussion was to review standards in legal education, particularly concerning institutions offering foreign law degrees in Pakistan.
Patricia McKellar assured participants that the University of London adheres to all regulatory requirements set by the Pakistan Bar Council and the Directorate of Legal Education (DLE). She said the university remains fully compliant with Pakistan’s educational policies regarding legal programs.
However, Legal Education Committee Chairperson Qalb-e-Hassan emphasized that no foreign university can operate in Pakistan without prior approval from the Pakistan Bar Council. He raised concerns over institutions replacing final exams with written assignments and warned that such practices harm academic credibility. He stated that this approach would not be allowed to continue.
Director Barrister Usama Malik supported the concern and stressed the need to block assignment-based law degrees. He added that maintaining exam-based assessment is key to preserving the legal profession’s integrity.
Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar made it clear that the government will not tolerate the unauthorized sale of degrees or adoption of open-book and assignment-based formats that bypass required standards. He said such systems damage the reputation of legal education and undermine trust in the profession.
He highlighted that, over the past two years, the Legal Education Committee and the Directorate of Legal Education have taken action against nearly 50 institutions for failing to meet the required standards. Many of these centers have already been shut down for offering substandard programs.
Under the revised regulations, no law college in Pakistan will be allowed to affiliate with a foreign law program without formal approval from the Pakistan Bar Council. The minister said the government is fully prepared to act against violations and will implement new measures before the start of the upcoming academic session.
The meeting ended with a strong message of coordination between stakeholders to improve legal education and stop unauthorized law programs across the country.

UN rights office calls for talks as Israel-Iran attacks escalate

By
NNPS Desk
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UNITED NATIONS, Jun 18 (APP): As the Iran-Israel crisis continued into a sixth day on Wednesday, the UN deputy human rights chief Nada Al-Nashif called for urgent talks to end the ongoing missile attacks between Tehran and Tel-Aviv.

Israel began targeting nuclear and military sites across Iran last Friday, prompting a barrage of Iranian retaliatory strikes on Israeli cities.

“The UN human rights office urges de-escalation and urgent diplomatic negotiations to end these attacks and find a way forward,” said Ms. Al-Nashif. “We are following closely and are aware of reports that many thousands of residents are fleeing parts of the capital, Tehran, as a result of warnings covering broad areas.”

Latest reports from the region indicate that more than 200 people have been killed in Iran and 24 in Israel to date. The violence continued unabated overnight in both countries.

Addressing the Human Rights Council in Geneva at a scheduled meeting to discuss Iran’s rights record, the Deputy High Commissioner highlighted serious concerns that populated areas have been hit in the escalation.

“It is imperative that both sides fully respect international law, in particular by ensuring the protection of civilians in densely populated areas and of civilian objects,” she said. “We urge all those with influence to engage in negotiation as a matter of priority.”

In a related development, the UN-backed nuclear watchdog said on Wednesday that two Iranian centrifuge production facilities had suffered major damage after being targeted.

“The TESA Karaj workshop and the Tehran Research Centre, were hit,” it said in an update. “At the Tehran site, one building was hit where advanced centrifuge rotors were manufactured and tested.

At Karaj, two buildings were destroyed where different centrifuge components were manufactured,” said the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Speaking at the Human Rights Council after the Deputy High Commissioner, Iran’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Ali Bahreini, condemned the Israeli strikes:

“There has been no violation worse than [the] 13 June act of aggression against Iran,” he said, pointing to “continuous blind attacks on residential areas, bombardment of vital supplies, explosion of drinking water resources and reckless strikes on nuclear facilities are immediately impacting the civilians and people of Iran.”

Such “deliberate targeting” of his country’s nuclear facilities risked exposing local communities to a “possible hazardous leak”, the Iranian ambassador added. “This is not an act of war against our country, it is war against humanity.”

In a short statement to the Council from which Israel announced its withdrawal earlier this year, Bahreini called for accountability and international condemnation of the Israeli attacks.

“This impunity must come to [an] end,” he said. “Israel activities are not just against one or two countries. It is acting against all humanity and their actions target all human rights.”

RDA seals pharmaceutical unit over building bylaws violations

By
Kamran Muraad
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RAWALPINDI, Jun 18 (APP):The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) had sealed a pharmaceutical unit on High Court Road over violations of building bylaws.
 According to an RDA spokesperson, on the directions of Director General RDA Kinza Murtaza, the enforcement squad sealed honing pharmaceutical company over violations of land use and construction bylaws.
The action was part of RDA’s ongoing campaign to ensure strict compliance with zoning and regulatory frameworks across the city.
The company was functioning without proper approvals and was in clear violation of existing zoning regulations.
Kinza Murtaza said that RDA was committed to upholding the law and maintaining order in the city’s development.
This decisive move underscores RDA’s zero-tolerance policy towards unauthorised commercial activities and illegal constructions.
She said that the actions follow direct instructions from the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who had mandated a zero-tolerance policy on encroachments and illegal developments.
The RDA also calls on the public to cooperate in preserving encroachment-free areas and contribute to making Rawalpindi’s streets safer, more accessible, and free of unnecessary congestion, she added.
The DG RDA directed the LU&BC Wing to take strict action against illegal commercial activities without any fear or favour.
She also directed the Building Control Wing to conduct survey for fees approval of illegal residential and commercial buildings, commercialization, complementary maps, plans of buildings and regularize all illegal residential cum commercial buildings in the controlled area of RDA.

PM Shehbaz for global standards in vocational training to boost overseas employment

By
Kamran Muraad
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ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday directed to align all vocational and technical training offered across Pakistan with international standards to enhance the global employability of the country’s youth and boost foreign remittances.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the operations of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), the Prime Minister emphasized the need for globally accredited training programs to strengthen Pakistan’s skilled workforce and increase its demand in international markets, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
“By ensuring international quality in our training institutions, we can create more opportunities for our youth abroad and contribute significantly to the national economy through increased remittances,” said the Prime Minister.
He instructed that all federal and provincial training institutes seek international accreditation.
The Prime Minister lauded the progress made and reiterated his government’s commitment to youth empowerment through skill development aligned with global labor market needs.
The NAVTTC officials briefed the Prime Minister on recent initiatives, including the mapping of vocational institutions nationwide and the activation of the National Technical and Vocational Training Data Management System.
The cabinet was informed that all public sector training programs are being integrated under a unified regulatory framework managed by NAVTTC, with curriculum standardization already underway. According to data shared in the briefing, 53 per cent of trainees from the 2023–24 training cycle secured employment within six months of completing their programs.
It was further briefed that over 25,000 individuals trained under NAVTTC from 2020 to 2024 have secured jobs overseas. This year alone, 146,000 individuals received training in diverse sectors including services, tourism, IT, banking, textiles, and construction. The target for the next year has been set at 350,000 trainees.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Education Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima, Chairman Prime Minister Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, and senior government officials.

ISSI & CLAS host seminar on “Weaponizing Water: The Indus Waters Treaty and Future of Regional Stability”

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP): The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), in collaboration with the Centre for Law and Security (CLAS), on Wednesday hosted a joint seminar titled “Weaponizing Water: The Indus Waters Treaty and Future of Regional Stability.”
The seminar brought together eminent experts, diplomats, legal scholars, and policymakers to discuss the deteriorating regional water security landscape in the aftermath of India’s unilateral and illegal holding of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) ‘in abeyance’, said a press release.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General, ISSI delivered welcome remarks. Others speakers included: Ambassador Sardar Masood Khan, President, TMUC, MiTE & Centre for Law and Security (CLAS); Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel, Member Board of Governors, SDPI; Mr Ashfaq Mahmood, Former Federal Secretary, Ministry of Water and Power; Mr Rehman Azhar, Executive Director, Centre for Law and Security (CLAS); and Dr. Bushra Bibi, Head of Department, Bahria Law School, Bahria University, Islamabad.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stated that the weaponization of water is a grave regional threat, particularly following India’s unilateral and illegal step to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) ‘in abeyance.’ He linked India’s actions to the ideological underpinnings of the BJP-RSS, manifest in the notions of Hindu Rashtra and Akhand Bharat.
He described this as part of New Delhi’s so-called ‘muscular’ approach and pan-securitization of the India-Pakistan relationship. He highlighted that India’s blockage of water and construction of several dams in the past years had not only violated the Treaty terms but also affected ecosystems and endangered the lives of millions. His key recommendation was for Pakistan to anchor its response in international law and diplomacy.
He urged the government to engage all relevant multilateral forums, mobilize water-stressed nations, and work closely with other regional stakeholders like China and South Asian states having trans-boundary rivers with India. He called for strengthened water governance internally and greater focus on the National Water Policy 2018 for enhanced water security.
Ambassador Masood Khan underlined that India has carefully timed its actions, building a cascade of dams that give it strategic advantage. He warned that Pakistan’s legal position needs to be firmly grounded in international principles.
He pointed out potential obstacles in bringing India to arbitration, including provisions in the Vienna Convention and India’s ability to avoid ICJ jurisdiction on issues related to Commonwealth nations. Ambassador Masood recommended Pakistan to apply pressure through the World Bank, the UN Security Council, and key powers like the P5.
He called for an assertive international campaign, while also urging Pakistan to maximize domestic water efficiency. Ultimately, Pakistan must choose between maintaining the status quo or pursuing a high-risk, proactive approach to safeguard its water future.
Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel highlighted the crucial link between Kashmir and water, emphasising that Pakistan’s rivers flow through the disputed region. He reminded that the IWT was not a water-sharing agreement but a river division arrangement heavily influenced by Indian demands.
India, he claimed, enjoys uncontested control over the eastern rivers, while seeking to maximize its use of the western ones while ignoring Treaty constraints.
Ambassador Kakakhel dismissed the claim that Pakistan opposes all Indian projects and pointed to India’s non-compliance with the Court of Arbitration’s decisions. He recommended activating Article IX of the Treaty to initiate formal dispute resolution and appropriately raising the issue in the UN Security Council. He emphasized preserving the IWT as a legal shield for Pakistan’s water security and promoting sustained international diplomacy.
Ashfaq Mahmood focused on the strategic objectives behind India’s moves, arguing that India seeks to both hegemonize water and prevent third-party involvement by insisting on bilateralism. He underscored the dangerous narrative linking terrorism with water rights.
He recommended a stronger legal posture from Pakistan, including strict enforcement of the IWT and referral to the Court of Arbitration. He called for improved water data collection, climate-related research, and internal technical preparedness.
Most importantly, he urged Pakistan to compel India to be transparent about the demographic and climate factors it cites and to push for structured dialogue.
Rehman Azhar viewed India’s actions as part of a broader domestic political strategy, likening the suspension of the IWT to the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A. He argued that water-related rhetoric and actions of the BJP serve its domestic electoral purposes.
He noted that legal and military options are limited, and called for a robust media and diplomatic campaign to expose India’s unilateralism. He recommended framing India’s actions as violations of international norms, linking the issue to environmental and nuclear risks, and involving global actors like China and the U.S. He emphasized the need for an immediate and louder response to raise global awareness and pressure.
Dr. Bushra Bibi warned that future wars will likely be fought over water, as only 0.3% of the world’s surface water is usable. She characterized India’s suspension of the IWT as a form of “environmental terrorism” and highlighted the growing risks of drought and floods in Pakistan.
She recommended fighting Pakistan’s case internationally by engaging global water and environmental organizations, building collaboration with China and Afghanistan, and exploring the legal recognition of rivers as ‘persons’—a concept that would offer enhanced environmental protection and global attention to the issue.
The panellists’ presentations were followed by a wide-ranging question-and-comments session.
In his closing remarks, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood recalled the World Bank’s recent stance that the Treaty is not subject to alteration unilaterally. He also highlighted the growing challenges posed by climate change and increasing pressure on water resources.
He emphasized that the emerging issues cannot be overlooked—and the central challenge now is finding effective ways to address them within the existing framework.

Religious affairs ministry set to launch early registration for Hajj 2026 pilgrims

By
NNPS Desk
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0

By Rehan Khan

ISLAMABAD, June 18 (APP): The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony is finalizing preparations to begin early registration for Hajj 2026 within the next few days, official sources confirmed on Wednesday.

In a move for streamlining the pilgrimage process, the ministry has made advance registration mandatory for all intending pilgrims under both the government and private Hajj schemes.

According to sources, applicants will be required to submit a specific amount as a token money along with their registration forms. This amount will be adjusted against the total cost of the Hajj package at a later stage. Only those who complete the registration process will be considered eligible for Hajj 2026, sources added. Registration will be facilitated through designated banks across the country.

After completing registration, pilgrims will have the option to choose between the government-run or private Hajj schemes.

Sources also revealed that individuals who missed out on Hajj 2025 under the private scheme will also be required to register afresh to be eligible for the Hajj 2026.

The initiative comes in response to a directive from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which has signaled the commencement of preparations for Hajj 2026. “The registration data will be shared with the Saudi authorities, who will use it to allocate Pakistan’s official Hajj quota,” an official said.

A formal advertisement outlining the registration process and requirements is expected to be issued within the next a couple of days, marking the beginning of the nationwide campaign.

FACE, Punjab Agri Dept mark milestone in advancing smart farming

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
LAHORE, Jun 18 (APP): The Punjab Agriculture Department, in collaboration with the Food Security and Agriculture Centre of Excellence (FACE), a not-for-profit development organization,  commemorated a significant milestone in their ongoing partnership during a ceremony here on Wednesday.
The ceremony was attended by Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, senior field officers, academia, FACE management, and farmers’ representatives, underscoring a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability, and food security in the province.
The Food Security and Agriculture Centre of Excellence signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Punjab Agricultural Department in December last year.
According to a FACE news release, the public-private collaboration was designed to modernize Punjab’s agriculture landscape by building capacity, introducing digital tools, and integrating technology-driven solutions at the grassroots level.
A key focus was enhancing the technical capabilities of field officers through advanced training in crop yield improvement, drone-assisted farming, satellite data utilization, and AI-based crop monitoring.
To deliver impactful and high-quality training, FACE engaged international agricultural specialists and designed a series of crop-specific seminars, hands-on workshops, and learning modules tailored to Pakistan’s local context.
“A major highlight of the initiative is the deployment of 60 Digital Pest Traps across key agricultural zones in Punjab. These smart devices enable real-time detection and identification of crop-damaging pests, helping mitigate losses – estimated at 20 to 30% of crop output annually due to pest infestations,” the news release said.
Additionally, it added, 30 top-performing agriculture students from local universities “have been inducted into a three-month paid internship programme, where they will work alongside field officers from the Agriculture Extension Department.
“This hands-on exposure aims to bridge the academic-industry gap and groom the next generation of agri-tech leaders.”
To further accelerate digital adoption, FACE also donated laptops to the Agriculture Department, allowing frontline officers to leverage satellite imagery, crop analytics, and precision monitoring tools – ushering in a new era of data-driven agriculture.

15 vehicles fined as Pak-EPA continues action on high-emission vehicles

By
Kamran Muraad
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0
ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 (APP): The Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (Pak-EPA) and Islamabad Police fined 15 vehicles for exceeding emission limits during a joint anti-pollution drive on IJP Road, a major transit route between Islamabad and Rawalpindi, on Wednesday.
According to EPA spokesperson, 15 vehicles emitting smoke levels above the 50% permissible limit, while 20 vehicles passed with emissions between 10-40%.
No vehicles were impounded as none crossed the 65% threshold for confiscation.
Authorities issued warnings to multiple vehicles with emissions between 40-50%, urging owners to address their vehicles’ conditions.
The operations will continue to enforce environmental regulations and combat air pollution in the federal capital.
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