SAHIWAL
Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari addressing to public gathering during Election Campaign at Hockey Ground
SAHIWAL
Pakistan, UK envoys discuss ways to deepen trade ties
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP): Pakistan’s High Commissioner to United Kingdom Mohammed Faisal and UK’s Trade Envoy to Pakistan James Daly on Monday discussed ways to further deepen trade and business linkages, especially export of Pakistani citrus and fisheries to UK.
According to a post on X, Dr Faisal welcomed Daly’s plan to lead a business delegation to Pakistan soon.
Security, law & order situation in Islamabad under control: ICCPO
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP): Islamabad Capital City Police Officer (ICCPO) Dr Akbar Nasir Khan on Monday said that security and law and order situation in the Federal Capital was firmly under control.
The ICCPO, in a video message, said that there was nothing to worry about the Capital’s security situation. Everything was under control and the people should not disrupt their daily routine lives.
Dr Akbar, in the message issued in the wake of closure of numerous educational institutions in Islamabad on the pretext of security concerns, said maintenance of security was a two-way process requiring the active cooperation of the masses.
Encouraging the residents of Capital to remain vigilant, he urged them to stay connected with the social media handles of Islamabad Police for timely updates. He cautioned against giving credence to rumours.
FM Jilani, Chinese Vice FM discuss bilateral ties
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP): Caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong on Monday here reaffirmed the All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership and held an in-depth discussion on the entire gamut of bilateral relations including CPEC and bilateral economic and financial cooperation.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the contributions of the Chinese Vice Foreign Minister in deepening Pakistan-China friendship and commended China’s unflinching support to Pakistan on all issues.
Expressing satisfaction at the steady development of CPEC, Foreign Minister Jilani emphasized the significance of CPEC for Pakistan. He said that Pakistan would continue making efforts for the realization of CPEC’s full potential for shared benefits. He appreciated China’s readiness and support for all CPEC projects in Pakistan.
Thanking the Foreign Minister for the generous hospitality, Vice Foreign Minister Sun highlighted that as iron brother and a reliable friend, China accorded immense importance to Pakistan in its foreign policy and looked forward to even deeper cooperation in all fields.
Pakistan fully committed to success of CPEC: PM
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Monday said that Pakistan was fully committed to the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and stressed the need for both sides to continue to work closely to ensure timely completion of the ongoing projects.
He was talking to Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong who paid a courtesy call on him.
The prime minister welcomed the Chinese vice foreign minister as well as members of his delegation and said Pakistan deeply valued its all-weather, strategic, cooperative partnership with China.
Recalling his visit to Beijing for the 3rd Belt and Road Forum in October 2023, he said that he was deeply touched by the warm sentiments of President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang towards Pakistan. He also conveyed his best wishes for the Chinese leadership.
In addition to Pakistan-China relations, the regional situation also came under discussion during the meeting.
The Chinese vice foreign minister thanked the prime minister for the courtesy call and briefed him regarding various meetings held during the visit.
He conveyed special greetings of the Chinese leadership to the prime minister.
He said China and Pakistan were “iron-brothers”. He assured that China would always remain a reliable partner in Pakistan’s socio-economic progress.
National Women’s T20 Tournament: Lahore, Quetta, Multan register wins
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP): Lahore, Quetta and Multan registered wins in the fifth round of matches of the National Women’s T20 Tournament, which saw action unfold at three venues across Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
At Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, aided by Bismah Maroof’s undefeated half-century, Lahore won a close encounter against Karachi as the former secured the game by just nine runs. At Ayub Park Ground, Tuba Hassan’s all-round efforts allowed Quetta a comfortable win against Peshawar.
In Islamabad, Multan inflicted a seven-wicket defeat over Rawalpindi, on the back of a four-wicket haul by Noor-ul-Iman and an unbeaten half-century by Gull Feroza.
Karachi v Lahore at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
In the match that was live-streamed on PCB’s YouTube channel, Fatima Sana won the toss and invited Lahore to bat first. Karachi’s captain provided an early breakthrough by dismissing opening batter Sadaf Shamas for just a run.
Syeda Aroob Shah cut short the 48-run second-wicket partnership between Sidra Amin and Bismah Maroof as the former fell for a 35-ball 41 that included an impressive tally of seven boundaries.
In the next over, captain Nida Dar was caught and bowled by Maham Manzoor after scoring 12 off 7 with the help of a four and a six. Iram Javed was trapped leg-before for a duck by Aroob to bring Lahore to 89-4 in 13 overs.
Wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz (13, 12b, 2x4s) was the next batter to fall, courtesy of off-spinner Rameen Shamim.
Bismah (54 not out, 47b, 6x4s), with an unbeaten half-century, was the highest scorer for Lahore and was adjudged player of the match as well. Ayesha Zafar (17 not out, 10b, 1×4, 1×6) was the other contributor with the bat as the side ended up with 149-5 in 20 overs.
Aroob got two wickets, while Fatima, Maham and Rameen returned with one each.
Karachi had a stuttering start to the chase with both the openers dismissed inside the powerplay. Javeria Khan fell to Fatima Khan for just two runs and Muneeba Ali (6, 6b, 1×4) was caught off Nida’s bowling.
Omaima Sohail and Yusra Amir built a 32-run third-wicket partnership to bring a semblance of stability to the chase. Iram ran out Yusra (16, 16b, 1×4, 1×6) to bring the Karachi skipper on the crease.
Fatima and Omaima stitched a 55-run fourth-wicket stand to bring momentum to the innings. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu brought an end to this partnership by rattling Fatima’s stumps, who walked back after 28 off 22, with the help of five fours.
Shortly after, Aroob (6, 4b, 1×4) was caught by Iram off Noreen Yaqoob and Ghulam Fatima trapped Omaima (46, 43b, 6x4s, 1×6) leg-before wicket.
Najiha Alvi (19 not out, 13b, 1×4, 1×6) and Huraina Sajjad (10 not out, 11b, 1×4) chipped in with some crucial runs to take Karachi close, however, the side could only manage 140-6 in 20 overs, losing by nine runs.
Fatima Khan, Nida, Nashra, Noreen and Ghulam Fatima all got a batter out each.
Quetta v Peshawar at Ayub Park Ground, Rawalpindi:
After being put in to bat first, Quetta posted 165-4 in the first innings. Fareeha Mehmood and Dua Majid gave their side a solid start with a 72-run opening stand.
Tehzeeb Shah got the first wicket for Peshawar on the first ball of the 11th over as Fareeha was pinned leg-before for a run-a-ball 41 that showcased six boundaries.
Seema Gul rattled Jannat Rashid’s stumps, who walked back for just five runs off eight deliveries. Dua was stumped off captain Aleena Shah’s bowling after a commendable half-century (56, 41, 8x4s).
Tuba Hassan, the fourth batter in, continued her remarkable form with the bat as she impressed with a 20-ball 46 on the back of seven boundaries until she got out on the last delivery of the innings. Khadija Chishti hit an undefeated run-a-ball 11, including one four.
Seema, Tehzeeb, Aleena and Momina Riasat each accounted for one wicket.
Left-arm spinner Saima Malik landed an early blow as she got Aleena out for 12 off 20, including two fours. The next batter in, Tehzeeb (1, 12b), fell victim to Tuba as Peshawar were reduced to 46-2 after 10 overs.
Momina (33, 31b, 5x4s) also fell to Tuba while Ayesha Asim got both Raahima Syed (4, 12b, 1×4) and Salwa Raheem (7, 16b, 1×4) out as trouble deepened for Peshawar.
Both Nayab Ishaq (9, 17b, 1×4) and Shabnam Hayat (5, 12b) were dismissed by Saima as Peshawar was restricted to 100-7 in 20 overs.
Saima grabbed three wickets, while Tuba and Ayesha accounted for two each as Quetta won by 65 runs.
Rawalpindi v Multan at Diamond Club Ground, Islamabad:
Multan opted to field first after winning the toss against Rawalpindi. Two run-outs in the fourth over put Rawalpindi on the backfoot as Farzana Farooq and Fajar Naved both walked back cheaply.
Opening batter Aima Saleem hit 27 off 26, including four boundaries, before she was caught by Tasmia Rubab on Ayesha Bilal’s bowling. In the subsequent over, Natalia Parvaiz (4, 16b) fell victim to Asma Shareef to bring Rawalpindi down to 40-4.
Captain Aliya Riaz produced a run-a-ball 18 with three boundaries and Arijah Haseeb scored 13 from 16 including one four before both fell to Noor-ul-Iman in the same over. In her subsequent over, Noor-ul-Iman got Kainat Gulalai and Lubna Behram out cheaply as well.
The seventh batter in, Humna Bilal, contributed 26 from 20 on the back of four boundaries, until her knock was cut short courtesy of a run out by Ayesha in the last over of the innings. In the same over, Ayesha dismissed Fatima Shah as Rawalpindi’s innings ended with 110 runs on the board in 19.4 overs.
Noor was the pick of the bowlers for Multan, registering the first four-fer of the tournament. Ayesha supported her with two wickets while Asma got one batter out.
In return, Tania Saeed ran out opening batter Samina Aftab (8, 13b, 1×4) in the fourth over. Gull Feroza and Gull Rukh stitched a 51-run second-wicket partnership to counter the earlier setback.
Gull Rukh (28, 33b, 3x4s) was caught behind on Fajar Naveed’s bowling to bring an end to the partnership. Wajeeha Muneer (5, 7b), the next batter in, was stumped off Tania’s bowling.
Saiqa Riaz added an unbeaten nine off nine, with one boundary. Gull Feroza, who scored an unbeaten half-century (61, 55b, 7x4s), hit winning runs on the third delivery of the last over of innings as Multan completed the target with seven wickets in the bag.
Noor-ul-Iman and Gull Feroza were jointly awarded players of the match.
All six teams will feature in sixth round of matches on 23rd January. The first ball will be bowled at 11 am.
Scores in brief;
Lahore beat Karachi by nine runs at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium:
Lahore 149-5, 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 54 not out, Sidra Amin 41, Ayesha Zafar 17 not out; Syeda Aroob Shah 2-22)
Karachi 140-6, 20 overs (Omaima Sohail 46, Fatima Sana 28, Najiha Alvi 19 not out; Fatima Khan 1-19, Nida Dar 1-20, Nashra Sandhu 1-27, Noreen Yaqoob 1-27, Ghulam Fatima 1-29)
Player of the match – Bismah Maroof (Lahore)
Quetta beat Peshawar by 65 runs at Ayub Park Ground:
Quetta 165-4, 20 overs (Dua Majid 56, Tuba Hassan 46, Fareeha Mehmood 41; Aleena Shah 1-13, Seema Gul 1-19, Momina Riasat 1-30, Tehzeeb Shah 1-35)
Peshawar 100-7, 20 overs (Momina Riasat 33, Aleena Shah 12; Saima Malik 3-9, Tuba Hassan 2-17, Ayesha Asim 2-19)
Player of the match – Tuba Hassan (Quetta)
Multan beat Rawalpindi by seven wickets at Diamond Club Ground:
Rawalpindi 110 all out, 19.4 overs (Aima Saleem 27, Hamna Bilal 26, Aliya Riaz 18; Noor-ul-Iman 4-15, Ayesha Bilal 2-17)
Multan 114-3, 19.3 overs (Gull Feroza 61 not out, Gull Rukh 28; Tania Saeed 1-13, Fajar Naved 1-22)
Player of the match – Noor-ul-Iman and Gull Feroza (Multan)
Speakers term Education Statistics Report data bank for policy-making organizations
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP): Speakers on Monday termed the Educational Statistics Report 2021-22 of Pakistan Institute of Education a data bank for policy-making organizations to take effective measures in improving educational facilities for out-of-school children.
Speaking as a special guest at the report’s launching ceremony, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani emphasized the need to address poverty, health issues, social, and societal problems to bring out-of-school children back into the education system.
Wani highlighted the crucial role of the education sector in controlling the population and advocated for conditional financial assistance from the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal and the Ehsaas Income Support Programme to enroll children in schools.
Commenting on the report, Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani mentioned that the teaching ratio in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir was commendable, but efforts were required in other provinces as well.
He stressed the need to work on educational matters at the provincial level, as provinces were more aware of educational affairs in their regions.
He highlighted the concept of home schools introduced in Gilgit-Baltistan, emphasizing its benefits in bringing out-of-school children into the education system.
Wani stated that collaboration between the ministries of education, health, information technology, and population, along with individual efforts, was necessary to enhance educational practices at the grassroots level.
He compared it to diagnosing a disease, stating that with the diagnosis in hand, the report provided insights into the problem, and now efforts must focus on addressing it effectively.
PIE Director-General Dr Muhammad Shahid Sardar, in his remarks, mentioned that the Institute had compiled its report after five years.
He said the officials of PIE gathered data from all four provinces, including Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and over 100 stakeholders using a global standard methodology. Four SDG 4 indicators had been considered in the data.
He stated that after the report’s release, the Institute would hold consultative sessions, intending to solidify policymaking and implement actions to bring out-of-school children into the education system.
According to the Pakistan Institute of Education’s report, despite challenges such as COVID-19, the country witnessed an increase of 12.28 million children in enrollment from 2017 to 2022.
The total number of educational institutions, including public and private schools, stands at 313,418, with a breakdown of 227,506 (73%) formal schools, 43,613 (14%) religious schools, 25,106 (8%) non-formal basic education institutions, 10,087 (3%) education foundations, 4,182 (1%) technical and vocational institutes, and 2,487 (1%) degree colleges, 220 universities, and 217 teacher training institutions.
Out of the total 313,418 educational institutions, 176,184 (56.2%) are affiliated with the government sector, while 137,234 (43.8%) belong to the private sector.
The report reveals a total registered student population of 54,870,964, with 29,359,376 (53.5%) students enrolled in government institutions and 25,511,588 (46.5%) in private institutions.
The report further provides insights into the number of teachers, with 889,885 (42%) belonging to government institutions and 1,249,746 (58%) to private institutions.
It also highlights the challenges in enrolling new students in primary education, revealing that in Punjab, 74% of eligible children are enrolled, 55% in Sindh, 68% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 35% in Balochistan, and 91% in Islamabad Capital Territory.
The report indicates that the global standard of 30 children per class in classrooms is being pursued, with the current student-teacher ratio improving to 37 in the academic year 2021-22.
The officials from Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, World Bank, Foreign Commonwealth Development Organization, UNESCO, UNICEF besides other stakeholders, attended the event.
The provincial education departments officials also joined the event through video links.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to China visits Rashakai SEZ
PESHAWAR, Jan 22 (APP): The Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Khalil ur Rahman Hashmi visited Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to oversee development projects related to the CPEC initiative here on Monday.
Accompanied by the Consular, Commercial Consular and Honorary Investment Consular of Pakistan in Beijing, the Ambassador was briefed by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zones Development and Management Company (KP-EZDMC) teams on the development progress and challenges.
Following a comprehensive tour of the zone to gain firsthand insights into the vital collaboration, the Ambassador expressed his appreciation for the notable progress and efforts carried out for the implementation of the project.
IHC announces to hear CAA employees’ case regularly
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP):The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has decided to hear the case of Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) employees pertaining to the areas and pensions for more than thousands of employees.
Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan of IHC heard the case on Monday. The court announced to hear the case on regular basis and adjourned the hearing till January 23.
Pakistan-Qatar agreements to boost job prospects, SAPM meets separately with Qatari Ministers
ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (SAPM OP&HRD), Jawad Sohrab Malik, led a successful official visit to Qatar, culminating in the signing of several Agreements & Letter’s
of Intent (LOIs) with top Qatari companies intended to significantly enhance employment opportunities for the Pakistani workforce in Qatar.
The signing of these agreements with renowned Qatari firms, including Qatari Diyar-Saudi Bin Laden Group Construction (QD-SBG), Hamad Bin Khaled Contracting Company W.L.L (HBK), Ali Bin Ali Holding W.L.L, Sheikh Jabor Bin Mansour
Bin Jabor Bin Jassim Al Thani (JMJ) Holding, Tabeeb Care Medical Services, and Al Rawnaq International Commercial Projects, marks a crucial step in strengthening bilateral relations between Pakistan and Qatar in the field of human resource development, a news release said.
In addition to these agreements, the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Jawad Sohrab Malik held a significant meeting with Hamad Saleh Al Qamra, Chairman of Al Qamra Holding, focusing on the recruitment of Pakistani manpower for various company projects. The visit also included a tour of the View Hospital, a part of Elegancia Health Care, where the recruitment of Pakistani health professionals is underway following a recent MoU between Elegancia Health Care and the Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) of Pakistan.
The primary objective of these initiatives is to create enhanced employment avenues for Pakistani workers in Qatar. SAPM Malik highlighted the potential of Pakistan as a key manpower exporter and detailed the government’s efforts to streamline this process through quality recruitment agencies, skill development, and addressing foreign employers’ needs.
The CEOs of the Qatari companies expressed satisfaction with the Pakistani workforce and their willingness to increase Pakistani manpower in their companies, adhering to the governmental regulations of Qatar. The meetings also shed light on the growing demand for skilled labor in sectors like services, maintenance, hospitality, and construction, following Qatar’s significant infrastructural development.
Jawad Sohrab Malik also held separate in-depth one to one meetings with Qatar’s Labour Minister, Interior Minister,and Qatar’s Education Minister during his 3-day visit.
These agreements and discussions represent a significant stride in increasing the presence of the Pakistani workforce
in Qatar, paving the way for mutual economic growth and stronger bilateral ties.