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Mechanized farming key to food security: Rana Tanveer

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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ISLAMABAD, Jun 05 (APP):Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain on Thursday held a detailed meeting with a delegation from the Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM).
The meeting focused on strengthening agricultural mechanization in Pakistan by introducing a comprehensive National Tractor Policy to support both local productivity and export potential.
During the meeting, the delegation briefed the minister on the vital role the tractor manufacturing industry is playing in the national economy, contributing approximately USD 400 million annually.
They emphasized that with the support of a national policy, this contribution could potentially be increased to USD 1 billion, creating opportunities for enhanced exports, local employment, and technology transfer.
The delegation highlighted that the availability and affordability of modern and advanced-technology tractors were directly linked to improving the productivity of Pakistan’s agricultural lands.
Given the Ministry’s mandate to ensure food security, promote sustainable agriculture and enhance farmer prosperity, Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain acknowledged the importance of this proposal.
“The Ministry is committed to promoting mechanization in agriculture, which is critical for improving crop yields, reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring food security. A dedicated tractor policy can serve as a bridge between industrial innovation and agricultural development,” said the minister.
He further stated that the Ministry would engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Industries and Production and the Engineering Development Board, to develop a coordinated policy framework that supports local manufacturers, encourages exports, and ensures accessibility of tractors to farmers across the country.
Rana Tanveer also appreciated PAAPAM’s contribution to indigenization and localization of tractor parts and assured them of the government’s full support in aligning industrial capabilities with national food security goals.

SACM directs authorities to complete schemes with transparency

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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PESHAWAR, Jun 05 (APP):Special Assistant to KP Chief Minister on Science and Information Technology, Dr Shafqat Ayaz has directed the authorities of the department to complete all ongoing projects under ‘Digital Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’  vision with transparency and pace while keeping in view the principles of public welfare.
He issued these directives while presiding a meeting of the Science and Information Technology Department here Thursday. During the meeting, the Special Assistant to given a detailed briefing on annul development programmes for financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26.
The officers of the department informed the Special Assistant regarding funds, expenditures, releases and challenges through digital screens. The meeting especially reviewed projects including digital connectivity program in merged districts, digital economic and skilled centres (DESC) Mardan and establishment of the Common Facilitation Centres (CFCs) across the province.
During the meeting, the Information Technology (IT) Board also given briefing on the provincial level digital transformation program. Under the program, a project for the shifting of all provincial departments on digital system also come under discussion.

Outgoing World Bank Country Director meets Gandapur

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Shahzad Ahmad
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PESHAWAR, Jun 05 (APP):Outgoing World Bank Country Director Najy Ben Hassan met with the Chief Minister, Ali Amin Gandapur here on Thursday.
At the meeting, Chief Minister Gandapur paid tribute to the services of Najy Ben Hassan, acknowledging his contributions to the province’s development.
The Chief Minister expressed his appreciation for the World Bank’s continued support, describing the institution as a “backbone” in the progress of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Gandapur also conveyed his best wishes to Benh Hassan on his future endeavors, recognizing his role in strengthening development cooperation between the World Bank and the province.

SNGPL Facilitation Desk inaugurated at LCCI

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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LAHORE, Jun 05 (APP):A dedicated facilitation desk of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has been inaugurated at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) to address gas-related issues of the business community.
LCCI Acting President Engineer Khalid Usman and SNGPL General Manager Lahore West Bilal Asghar jointly inaugurated the SNGPL Facilitation Desk. This initiative is part of the LCCI’s efforts to strengthening public-private partnership.
The inauguration ceremony was also attended by LCCI Vice President Shahid Nazir Chaudhry, Chaudhry Mohsin Bashir, Chief Engineer SNGPL Lahore West Muhammad Khurram, Deputy Chief Officer Syed Rehman, LCCI Executive Committee Members Shouban Akhtar, Syed Hassan Raza, Abdul Majeed and former Executive Committee Member Chaudhry Muhammad Arshad.

PSX loses 157 points

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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ISLAMABAD, Jun 5 (APP):The 100-Index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) shed 157.87 points on Thursday, showing a negative change of 0.13 percent, closing at 121,641.00 points as compared to 121,798.87 points on the last trading day.
A total of 854,617,208 shares were traded during the day as compared to 710,591,203 shares the previous trading day, whereas the price of shares stood at Rs 25.793 billion against Rs 35.216 billion on the last trading day.
As many as 478 companies transacted their shares in the stock market, 217 of them recorded gains and 208 sustained losses, whereas the share price of 53 companies remained unchanged.
The three top trading companies were K-Electric Limited with 179,677,072 shares at Rs 5.83 per share, Unity Foods Limited with 62,902,228 shares at Rs 26.89 per share and WorldCall Telecom with 52,373,487 shares at Rs 1.42 per share.
Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited witnessed a maximum increase of Rs 114.29 per share closing at Rs9,855.72 whereas runner-up was Pakistan Engineering Company Limited with Rs81.93 rise in its share price to close at Rs 901.23
PIA Holding Company LimitedB witnessed a maximum decrease of Rs 3,198.89 per share price, closing at Rs 28,789.98, whereas the runner-up Khyber Textile Mills Limited with Rs 303.91 decline in its per share price to Rs 2,735.17.

Science, tech, AI are game changers: Federal Education Minister

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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KARACHI, Jun 05 (APP):Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqi on Thursday said that the convergence of science, technology, and artificial intelligence has introduced a paradigm of possibilities and challenges, where those who rise to the challenge will reap the benefits.
He was speaking at the inauguration of as chief guest of the inauguration ceremony of China Pakistan TVET – Industrial Center of Excellence – (CPTICE), at the Government Technical College Kareemabad here.
It is worth mentioning here that the national-level partnership is driven by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT), TANG Chinese Education and Technology Ltd, and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission  (NAVTCC).
He said that the nations and people who will not be able to make any decisions right now for themselves and, for their nations, after 30 to 35 years, they will be out of every race.
He said that the world will change so much that even today’s most advanced artificial intelligence technology cannot tell what the world will be like after 35 years. According to an estimate, around one billion people will become irrelevant, he said.
He said that there is a great possibility in Pakistan at the moment, as if approximately 150 million young Pakistani men and women are made students, it will be great.
The world is starting to be affected by the population crisis right now and in this scenario; the 150 million young Pakistanis are a great opportunity.
He said that other countries have proved that the population is not liability and they have changed the population into asset.
The Federal Minister said that we should accept that the 18th Constitutional Amendment which was basically enacted for the devolution of power has yielded in accumulation of power.
He said that the city that generates 97 percent revenue of this province and, this city should not have any problem at all. A lower middle class area “Liaquatabad” of this city pays GST higher than the second largest city of Pakistan, he added.
He said that why the electricity distribution system in Karachi is different from the rest of Pakistan and many electric companies should be given a chance to serve Karachi, to increase competition and quality. In this, the MQM  Pakistan is going to take a big decision, he added.
He said that more than 80 percent of the mandate of the urban areas of Sindh is given to MQM Pakistan and this is our authority and democracy also says that whoever has the mandate should have his own authority and we will use our authority.
The Federal Minister said that we have made space for the girls in the educational institutions, but we are neither able to make it in the hearts nor in our society.

RWMC finalizes Eid cleanliness operation

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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RAWALPINDI, Jun 05 (APP):On the special instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, the Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC) has finalized the cleanliness operation plan for Eid-ul-Azha for all districts of the Rawalpindi Division.
Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, RWMC Chief Executive Officer Rana Sajid Safdar said leaves of all the staff had been cancelled for the Eid cleanliness operation.
He said about 11,687 workers would perform cleanliness duties across the division starting from one day before Eid and continuing until the third day, with 2,823 vehicles to be deployed for collecting sacrificial animals’ waste.
He said 73 permanent and 168 mobile transfer stations would be set up in all six districts, including Rawalpindi.
For complaint registration, he said, the RWMC Helpline 1139, control rooms, and special mobile numbers 0316-4801718, 0316-4801719, and 051-9291108 would remain fully active throughout the Eid operation.
A team of 54 personnel would man some 22 control rooms to manage operations, he added.
Rana Sajid said that the RWMC would distribute approximately 1.026 million biodegradable waste bags and more than 100,000 awareness pamphlets, while 467,500 kilograms of lime powder would be used to eliminate odor and germs.
He said the sanitary workers with vehicles and equipment would begin their duties from 8 p.m. on the night before Eid.
At 135 major collective slaughter points, 497 workers and 206 vehicles would be present, while handcarts would be used for collecting waste from narrow streets, he added.
The TWMC chief said biodegradable waste bags were being distributed for collecting offal. In all 22 tehsils, 45 model camps and 312 union council camps would be set up for distributing bags, registering complaints, and raising awareness.
He further said over 12,000 large and small awareness banners had been displayed across district and tehsil headquarters, with helpline and contact numbers prominently mentioned. Awareness messages, he added, were also being broadcast through social media and text messages.
Rana Sajid said to achieve a zero-waste city, comprehensive cleaning would begin tonight (Thursday night) across streets, markets, roads, Eid grounds, slaughter points, and mosques.
During the Eid days, he said, large quantities of lime would be used citywide.
The control rooms and dedicated mobile numbers, he reiterated, would remain active throughout the Eid operation, and any complaints received would be promptly addressed. The helpline would be monitored through the central control room.
He said work would continue 24/7 at 17 dumping sites. Some 34 large trenches would be dug for safe disposal of animal waste, which would be filled with soil and treated with lime after completion of the operation.
To eliminate foul smell and germs, phenyl and rose water would be used to wash slaughter areas, transfer stations, and waste containers, he added.
The entire machinery would operate round the clock during Eid days, he said.

Quaid-i-Azam University faces severe financial crisis

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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ISLAMABAD, Jun 05 (APP):Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad (QAU), one of Pakistan’s premier institutions of higher learning, is currently facing an acute financial crisis that has severely impacted its operations.
This month, in a deeply concerning development, the university was only able to disburse partial salaries to its employees ahead of Eid al-Azha, while pensions for retired faculty and staff remain unpaid.
This marks the second such incident in the current fiscal year, said a press release from the Academic Staff Association(ASA) of the university
Earlier in January, the salary disbursement was also delayed, compelling the university to secure a loan from a private bank—a debt which remains unsettled.
The financial strain has further crippled the university’s ability to meet essential obligations.
Since Fall Semester 2023, QAU has been unable to pay medical reimbursements, compensation for extra courses, internal and external reviewers’/examiners’ bills, visiting faculty payment and research grants.
The institution is currently operating under a budget deficit exceeding one billion Pakistani rupees.
Despite repeated appeals and formal communications to the relevant authorities throughout the past year, no substantial action has been taken to address the financial crisis.
If an immediate and comprehensive financial support/bailout package is not extended, the university risks lowering its performance.
Academic Staff Association (ASA-QAU) urgently appeals to the authorities concerned to take swift and decisive action.
The integrity, reputation, and future of this prestigious institution depend on timely intervention and sustained financial support.

Qalam Karwan holds session to commemorate historic announcement of Pakistan’s creation

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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ISLAMABAD, Jun 05 (APP):Qalam Karwan, a literary organization, has held a commemorative session to mark the historic announcement of the creation of Pakistan under the June 3, 1947, plan for the Partition of India.
The event featured a keynote address by the esteemed senior jurist, Advocate Kokab Iqbal Noorani, who presented a scholarly paper offering a historical justification for the creation of Pakistan.
The special event took place at the premises of Qalam Karwan the other day.
In his address, Advocate Noorani argued that the foundation of Pakistan was made possible primarily through the efforts of religious movements, Islamic scholars, freedom fighters, and the deeply rooted Islamic sentiments of the general public. He also criticized secular interpretations of history, which, in his view, have distorted the ideological basis of Pakistan’s creation.
Following the presentation, attendees engaged in a thoughtful discussion on the contents of the paper.
The session concluded with a presidential address by Professor Aftab Hayat, who offered a reflective summary of the key themes discussed during the event.

Event held on ‘Deepening Educational Cooperation & Advancing Localization of Chinese Language Education

By
Shahzad Ahmad
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ISLAMABAD, Jun 05 (APP):The China-Pakistan TVET Industrial Center of Excellence (CPTICE) hosted an event at the Government College of Technology, Kareemabad, Karachi, titled “Deepening Educational Cooperation and Advancing the Localization of Chinese Language Education.”
This gathering was jointly organized by TANG International Education and Technology and the Government College of Technology, Kareemabad, and is part of a broader commitment to youth development and academic collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The event was attended by Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, as Chief Guest.
Addressing the audience, Federal Minister emphasised the need for transformation through self-empowerment, stating, “Only those nations that change have the power to change themselves.”
He highlighted the double-edged nature of modern technological advancement, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), which he said would both create and eliminate jobs in the near future.
Dr. Siddiqui further elaborated on Pakistan’s youth bulge, calling it a potential national asset that must be strategically utilized through education, skills training, and targeted opportunities.
He also made a passionate appeal for gender equality, stating, “Women are a very important part of this society and should be provided with equal opportunities. They must not be suppressed due to misinterpretations of religion by those lacking true understanding.”
The event aimed at promoting the localization of Chinese language education and the expansion of skill development programs. These efforts aim to prepare Pakistan’s workforce for the evolving regional job market and strengthen bilateral cooperation in education and technology.
As a gesture of appreciation, the Principal of Government College of Technology, Kareemabad, presented a commemorative souvenir to Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, acknowledging his valuable presence and continued support for educational progress in Pakistan.
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