Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Home Blog Page 8189

AIOU expands its network worldwide

By
Imran Munir
-
0
AIOU

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP):Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is receiving global recognition due to its digitalization and considering that the university has expanded its reach worldwide.

In addition to Pakistanis residing in any country, the university offers 60 educational programs for international students, said a press release yesterday. In the Spring 2024 semester, 1,003 international students have been enrolled from 36 countries, with 47% being male students and 53% female students.

These countries include Australia, Russia, South Korea, Japan, China, the USA, the UK, Ireland, Canada, France, Spain, Sweden, Greece, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Turkey, Taiwan, Botswana, South Africa, Iran, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Qatar, Iraq, Kurdistan, Jordan, Oman, and Kuwait.

Admissions for the Fall 2024 semester are going on.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood has set a target to increase the number of international students to 50,000 over the next five years. He has directed Dr. Zahid Majeed, Director International Collaboration and Exchange Office, to utilize all available resources to achieve this target within the set time frame.

Following the Vice Chancellor’s instructions, the International Collaboration and Exchange Office has intensified its enrollment campaign through Pakistani embassies and high commissions worldwide.

25 retailers blocked on complaints of deduction from BISP beneficiaries

By
Imran Munir
-
0
BISP

LODHRAN, Aug 18 (APP):District Director, Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Lodhran, Irfan Malik, said that 25 retailers have been blocked while an FIR got registered against one retailer on complaints of deduction from financial assistance of BISP beneficiaries.

While talking to APP here on Sunday, District Director BISP Lodhran, Irfan Malik, further informed that the action was taken against retailers during disbursement of previous quarterly tranche.

He added that strict monitoring of the disbursement of quarterly tranche would also be ensured in upcoming tranche to provide full payment to the deserving beneficiaries in a transparent manner.

He stated that the arrangements for quarterly tranche of new financial year were in progress. He said that as many as 11 campsites would be established across the district in collaboration with district administration for disbursement of quarterly financial assistance which would likely be started by the end of the current month.

District administration would ensure security and other necessary arrangements at campsites.

He urged the BISP beneficiaries to get their re-survey before August 31,2024 to avert the stoppage of their stipend.

He also advised the beneficiaries to wait for a message regarding quarterly financial aid at their cell phones instead of visiting campsites unnecessarily.

Excise deptt adds 6500 new property units into tax net

By
Imran Munir
-
0

MULTAN, Aug 18 (APP):Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics departments added over 6500 new property units, both domestic and commercial, to the tax net, representing an increase of about Rs 40 million in property tax revenue annually.

ETO admin Khalid Hussain Qasoori, while talking to APP here on Sunday, said that the new property units were included after a survey by excise teams. He said that a Rs 900 million property tax target was set for the current financial year, and he hoped that they would achieve 60 percent of the total target by September 30.

The official further stated that the provincial government has announced a five percent rebate offer over full payment of new financial year property taxes through E-Pay.

He said that the process of distributing property tax notices with a rebate offer was underway, as 80,000 notices had been served and they would complete it by August 31.

He urged the business community and domestic consumers to take advantage of the opportunity and submit their property taxes before the end of the rebate offer.

He informed me that there were over 30,000 property tax defaulters who didn’t pay their dues until June 30.

Strict legal action, including arrest warrants and confiscation of properties, would be launched after the completion of the rebate offer, he concluded.

Food outlet fined

By
Imran Munir
-
0
SARGODHA, Aug 18 (APP):Punjab Food Authority (PFA) Director General Mohammad Asim Javed imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the owner of a food outlet at Bhera Interchange service area on Sunday.
According to PFA press release, the DG visited the Bhera service area and
during inspection, he imposed the fine on a food point for using substandard
oil and poor hygienic condition.
Muhammad Asim Javed said that inspection of motorway service areas was
ongoing, following the direction of the Chief Minister Punjab.
The PFA committed to safeguarding public health and maintaining high standards
in the food industry

Over 1m cotton bales arrival recorded at ginneries till Aug 15

By
Imran Munir
-
0
Cotton
MULTAN, Aug 18 (APP):Seed Cotton (Phutti) equivalent to over one million (10,75,028) bales have reached ginning factories across Pakistan till August 15, 2024.
According to a fortnightly report of Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) issued to media on Sunday, Punjab ginning factories recorded cotton arrival figures of 3,92,736 bales while arrivals to ginneries in Sindh recorded at 6,82,292 bales including 5,12,203 reaching ginneries in Sanghar district alone. Arrivals in Baluchistan were recorded at 26,100 bales.
Out of the total arrivals, seed cotton converted into bales was recorded at 10,34,675 bales.
Exporters/traders bought 400 cotton bales while textile  sector bought total 10,06,517 bales. Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) has not yet started procuring cotton in 2024,25, says the report. As many as 68511 unsold bales stock was present.
Total 296 ginning factories were operational in the country.

Breach in Bahawalpur’s canal damages crops

By
Imran Munir
-
0
APP23-010524 LAHORE: May 01 - Youngsters jumping for bathing in water canal to get relief from hot weather in the city.
BAHAWALPUR, Aug 18 (APP):Breach occurred in a canal in the Head Rajkan area of the Bahawalpur district, causing extensive damage to standing crops spread over hundreds of acres of land.
Reports here suggested that a breach had occurred in a canal passing through Bangla Khutri, Head Rajkan area which had badly damaged standing crops spread over hundreds of acres of land. “Cotton crops standing on hundreds of acres of land in Khutri Bangla, Head Rajkan area have been inundated by a flash flood caused by the breach in a local canal passing through the area,” local people said.
Water has also entered houses of nearby villages. However, local people have started to fill the gap in the canal.
Teams of Irrigation Department and the Government of Punjab have reached the area to join rescue and relief operations by filling the breach in the canal.

Sindh University Jamshoro announces holiday on Aug 20

By
Imran Munir
-
0

HYDERABAD, Aug 18 (APP):Sindh University Jamshoro, all its campuses and other model schools will remain be closed on August 20 (Tuesday) on the occasion of the Urs of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai

The registrar Professor Dr. Mushtaq Ali Jarikoin has announced in a notification that Sindh University Jamshoro, all its campuses, Syed Panah Ali Shah Model School Jamshoro and Dr NA Baloch Model School Hyderabad will also remain be closed due to a public holiday in the province on the occasion of the annual Urs of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai.

Harris, Donald Trump neck-and-neck in 4 critical battleground states: Poll

By
Imran Munir
-
0

NEW YORK, Aug 18 (APP):US Vice President Kamala Devi Harris is closing the gap with former President Donald Trump in several key U.S. battleground states as the November presidential election inches closer, according to a new poll.

The poll from The New York Times/Siena College found Harris is leading Trump in Arizona (50 percent to 45 percent) and North Carolina (49 percent to 47 percent).

Battleground states are where the number of Democratic and Republican voters is about the same.

The vice president’s momentum has in recent weeks led her campaign to declare that North Carolina, where Trump had built a solid lead when facing former President Joe Biden, is back in play for Democrats.

In Nevada and Georgia, Harris has largely closed the gap with the former president. Trump leads the vice president in Nevada 48 percent to 47 percent, and in Georgia, 50 percent to 46 percent, as per the survey.

As an average of the four Sun Belt states — Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia and Nevada — Trump and Harris are tied at 48 percent, the survey shows. A win in at least one of these states with a sweep of the other three battleground states — Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania — would likely be enough to clinch the presidency.

Harris has steadily gained in national polls since Biden announced last month he would withdraw from the race and endorsed her to run in November. She became the official Democratic nominee earlier this month, and will formally accept the nomination alongside her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz next week at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

A separate survey from The Times/Siena earlier this month found Harris leading Trump by at least four points Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Before Biden withdrew his candidacy, the former president was leading him by three percent in the three battleground states.

An August 10 poll from the New York Times/Siena found that Harris leads Trump by four points in the three states. Earlier in the year, Trump led Biden by three percent in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, three must-wins for Democrats to hold the White House.

Analysts regard Sunday’s poll as a significant improvement for Democrats compared to a similar survey conducted in May, in which Trump led Biden by 50 percent to 41 percent in Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. That poll did not include North Carolina.

The latest poll results also come after the independent election handicapper Cook Political Report shifted Arizona, Georgia and Nevada from “lean Republican” to “toss-up,” as Harris continues to chip away at Trump’s lead in most battleground states.

Democrats are said to be far more excited about the presidential race with Ms. Harris at the top of the ticket compared to Biden, with 85 percent saying they are at least somewhat excited for their candidate and the election, which is also far higher than the May poll.

Roughly 85 percent of Republicans are also at least somewhat excited to vote, which is close to the same as May.

Govt’ s tourism initiative to put Pakistan’s hidden gems on Map: CM’s Aide

By
Imran Munir
-
0
ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP):Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Eiman Shah on Sunday highlighted the government’s focus on promoting tourism, leveraging the country’s unique natural treasures to attract visitors and drive economic growth.
 Pakistan’s hidden treasures, long waiting to be discovered, are now being polished for the world to see thanks to the government’s new tourism initiative,  Eiman Shah said while talking to PTV news channel.
   Special Assistant to the Chief Minister said Pakistan is home to a treasure trove of unexplored natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and ancient history, waiting to be polished and presented to the global community.
Shah noted that the government’s tourism promotion strategy includes infrastructure development, facilitation of travel procedures and marketing campaigns to showcase Pakistan’s unique cultural and natural heritage.
  This multi-pronged approach aims to attract a significant increase in tourist arrivals, generating revenue and creating employment opportunities, he mentioned.
 The Special Assistant also highlighted the government’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that the growth of the sector benefits local communities and preserves the country’s natural environment.
 By engaging with stakeholders and implementing eco-friendly initiatives, the government aims to create a responsible and thriving tourism industry, he highlighted.
 Shah also expressed optimism about the potential of tourism to drive economic growth, citing examples of successful tourism destinations around the world.
 By leveraging its natural treasures and cultural heritage, Pakistan can become a premier tourist destination, contributing significantly to the country’s economic development and prosperity, he added.
 Eiman Shah revealed that the government is actively investing in the development of Gilgit-Baltistan’ s tourism infrastructure, with a focus on opening new hotels and resorts to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
This initiative aims to provide comfortable and modern facilities for tourists, while also creating new employment opportunities for local residents, he added.
 The Special Assistant highlighted that the government is identifying new sites and destinations in Gilgit-Baltistan to explore and promote tourism.
  This includes hidden gems such as the majestic mountains, serene lakes, and ancient cultural heritage sites, which will be developed and showcased to attract adventure seekers, nature lovers, and cultural enthusiasts, he said.
 Shah emphasized that the government’s efforts in Gilgit-Baltistan are designed to promote sustainable tourism practices, ensuring that the region’s fragile environment and unique cultural heritage are protected for future generations.
  This includes initiatives to reduce waste, promote eco-friendly accommodations, and support local communities in benefiting from tourism, he added.
   Shah expressed optimism about the potential of Gilgit-Baltistan to become a premier tourist destination, rivaling other popular destinations in the world. With its breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality, the region is poised to attract visitors from across the globe, driving economic growth and development

‘Kashmiri Students’ rights under attack, Int’l community must act ‘ : Tayyaba Mughal

By
Imran Munir
-
0
APP01-050824 ISLAMABAD: August 05 – Students holding demonstration against India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to mark Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir (Exploitation Day) at D-Chowk.
ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP):Courageous Kashmiri student Tayyaba Pervaiz Mughal Sunday exposed dire consequences faced by Kashmiri students in Indian and occupied universities for exercising fundamental rights like free speech, and urged recognition of their democratic rights to education.
Talking to PTV news channel, she decried that the rights of Kashmiri students are under brazen attack with their access to education being systematically denied and their voices being brutally suppressed.
 Tayyaba’ s impassioned plea to the international community seeks urgent intervention to safeguard the democratic rights of Kashmiri students, ensuring they can pursue their education without fear of reprisal or persecution.
    The international community can no longer afford to remain silent in the face of such blatant human rights violations, she said, adding, it is imperative that global leaders take immediate action to safeguard the democratic rights of Kashmiri students, ensuring they can pursue their education without fear of reprisal or persecution.
  The world must recognize the intrinsic value of education as a fundamental right and work towards creating a safe and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their geographical location or political context, she stressed.
  The time for action is now the international community must rise and defend the rights of Kashmiri students, she added.
 Tayyaba Pervaiz Mughal emphasized that students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) enjoy relatively more freedom of expression compared to their counterparts in Indian universities.
  In AJK, students can engage in political discussions and debates without fear of reprisal, whereas in Indian universities, Kashmiri students are denied even this basic right, she mentioned.
 Tayyaba lamented that the denial of fundamental rights to Kashmiri students in Indian universities is a deliberate attempt to stifle their voices and suppress their aspirations.
 She emphasized that education should be a platform for fostering critical thinking, creativity, and free expression, not a tool for political oppression.
1...8,1888,1898,190...30,954Page 8,189 of 30,954

ABOUT US

Serving the nation since 1947 by providing an accurate, objective, uninterrupted flow of news to the people, the national news service is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to transform the existing news operations into a forward-looking service – APP Digital for its diverse subscriber-base and the public.

Contact us: news@app.com.pk

FOLLOW US

Copyright © Associated Press of Pakistan