Aim of celebrating International Education Day to highlight role of teachers: Governor

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024, 9:43 PM

QUETTA, Jan 25 (APP): Governor Balochistan Malik Abdul Wali Khan Kakar Thursday said that the purpose of celebrating International Education Day was to highlight the role and dignity of teachers in the society because teachers were the soul of the education system.

In his message on the occasion of International Day of Education 2024, he said that education was the basis of all kinds of development, until we do not make education the centerpiece of the policies and plans made at the national level, then the long-standing dream of an educated Balochistan would remain a dream.

He said that the purpose of celebrating International Education Day this year was to ensure lasting peace and harmony, the outstanding progress of the developed nations of the world was due to their quality education.

We should realize that the secret of eliminating unemployment and controlling various crimes lies in promoting economic activities and popularizing technical and technical education, he said.

The Governor said that the sad fact was that even in this advanced era of science and technology, millions of boys and girls of Balochistan were deprived of education which was a matter of concern for all of us.

He said that we should bring the light of knowledge where there was darkness and adorn those who were deprived of this blessing with the jewel of knowledge.

He urged that the purpose of celebrating International Education Day was to highlight the role and dignity of teachers in the society because teachers were the soul of the education system.

Apart from this, whether it is the education system or the proper training of children, the importance and role of an educated mother cannot be neglected in any case, he mentioned.

He said that it was important that we need the help and guidance of national and international institutions to increase the capacity of teachers of all our educational institutions.

India’s so-called democracy & secularism world’s worst farce: AJK PM

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NNPS Desk

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024, 9:40 PM

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MIRPUR, Jan 25 (APP): Azad Jammu & Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq stated on Thursday that India was using democracy as a fig leaf to deceive the world.

It was rather a pseudo-democracy and its secularism was the biggest farce, he said in a statement on the eve of India’s Republic Day, which falls on January 26.

The AJK prime minister said that India had devolved into a totalitarian nation where religious minorities were no longer protected

There was no place for minorities in Modi’s India, he said. “They neither have religious freedom nor their places of worship are safe in the country that has been virtually overtaken by the extremists.”

“These shocking incidents of violence directed towards minorities demonstrate the growing influence of rabid fanatics who believe in the Akhand Baharat policy being promoted by the BJP and other right-wing parties,” he said, adding that “the demolition of the historic Babri Masjid, attack on the Golden Temple, and burning of churches by extremists aided and abetted by the government speak volumes about the growing fascism in India.”

He said, “India has deprived Kashmiris of their basic political and human rights.” Despite lapse of 76 years, the country was still unprepared for the referendum that it had promised to the Kashmiri people in front of the international community.

He said that a reign of terror had been unleashed in occupied Kashmir by India. One of the main causes and effects of human rights abuses in the area had been the enforcement of black laws in Valley.

The AJK PM said the occupied region of Jammu and Kashmir was transformed into an outdoor detention facility for the Kashmiri people on August 5, 2019.

He described India’s actions on August 5, 2019 as a flagrant breach of UN resolutions, stating that the country had disregarded decisions from the UNSC that demand a vote be held in the area.

The prime minister also paid a homage to the Kashmiri martyrs who gave their lives to ignite the flame of independence.

The AJK PM expressed gratitude to all of the nations, establishments, and groups that spoke out in support of the Kashmiris. He also thanked the Pakistani people and administration for continuously endorsing the Kashmiris’ justifiable fight for their right to self-determination.

He stated that it was imperative that the international community pay attention to the deteriorating political and human rights conditions in the area and contribute to the much-needed resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with UNSC resolutions that protect the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

Fawad chairs meeting of privatization commission

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Amjad Shafique

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024, 9:36 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):Caretaker Minister for Privatisation, Fawad Hasan Fawad on Thursday chaired a meeting of the Privatisation Commission with Earnest & Young, financial advisor for divestment of Pakistan International Airlines Company Limited (PIACL).

In the meeting, the financial advisor presented a business plan forecasting the investment roadmap of PIACL together with the immediate funding requirements of the airline.

The proposed plan covered the capital and fleet requirements of the airline in the short and medium term to make it

a viable and globally competitive airline.

The minister advised further rationalization of the projections before the submission of the plan for approval of the federal cabinet. The legal segregation plan and transaction structure together with the business plan and valuation methodology shall be taken to the federal cabinet for final approval.

PEC hold 2nd Federal, 4th Engineering Capstone Expo 2024

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Amjad Shafique

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024, 9:31 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP):Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) conducted the 2nd Federal Capstone Expo (FYDP- Final Year Engineering Design Projects Exhibition) and 4th Regional Capstone (A project of PEC Pakistan Development Committee – PPDC) at “Pak-China Friendship Center” was participated by 27 Universities and 252 shortlisted projects were showcased out of which 72 projects were PEC sponsored.

Capstone Engineering Universities showcased their Engineering students’ projects that pertain to market/industry, in which industries were present along with the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce to participate and select projects as per their business needs. Capstone is the PEC initiative 1st time in Pakistan by the PEC Pakistan Development Committee.

This opportunity is granted by PEC free of cost to help our universities gain more market exposure as well as be able to network with world-class manufacturers of different varieties of engineering products. Market-compatible projects being sponsored by PEC. More than 2000-foot fell at the inauguration ceremony whereas visitors over 4000, a news release said.

Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Engr Muhammad Najeeb Haroon inaugurated the ceremony as chief guest along with the guests from the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce (President ICCI, Mr Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawri, SVP ICCI, Faad Waheed, Ambassador from Indonesia, Jiflawan G.P and Ambassador from Kyrgyz republic, UlanbekTotiaev).

Engr Muhammad Najeeb Haroon highlighted the Engineering community’s critical role, especially in such a situation in which Pakistan is currently trapped.

It’s a continuous and consistent struggle that can make a difference and bring the country back on track to the development journey. Old mistakes and practices to end up and have to come up and work upon to make the country self-sufficient is the only bailout for Pakistan and that’s possible only when Engineers play their role with the state and PEC support.

Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawri, SVP ICCI, in his address, appreciated the efforts of PEC PPDC and highlighted that PPDC is named for delivering very valuable to the engineering community and society via multiple projects initiatives.

He mentioned that not only PEC but also industries should come forward and sponsor such projects catering to industry and business needs.

He emphasised industry localisation to increase exports and decrease Imports. He also asked engineers for renewable energy projects as one of the major challenges Pakistan is facing. He showed great confidence in engineers to play their role.

In the Closing ceremony of the Capstone project Engr Mir Masood Rashid (Convenor PEC PPDC and advisor to Chairman PEC) mentioned the key contributors who made this 4th Regional and 2nd Federal Capstone Expo successful.

He also briefed on the Capstone Expo theme and highlighted the initiatives of the PEC for the period 2021-24, among which one is the Engineering Capstone Expo.

PPDC has ten milestone projects successfully launched with propelling consistent deliverables for the Engineers and society.

SIFC urges stakeholders to fast-track initiatives for investor-friendly environment

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NNPS Desk

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024, 9:30 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP): The Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) on Thursday directed the stakeholders to expedite various initiatives for providing a comprehensive enabling environment to investors through seamless connectivity, essential services and well-trained labour force in line with international standards.

The directives were given at the second session of the 8th Executive Committee Meeting of SIFC, which was convened to deliberate on agendas of remaining ministries.

The meeting was chaired by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Muhammad Sami Saeed, according to a news release.

Among others, the meeting was attended by the federal and provincial ministers concerned and high-level government officials.

The ministries concerned presented progress on sectoral projects and policy initiatives under the SIFC’s ambit and gave detailed plans to steer future endeavours.

The committee reviewed the ongoing efforts to strengthen the domestic dispute resolution mechanism, a pivotal policy initiative to enhance investors’ confidence.

The lines of effort in human resource development and investments in mega infrastructure projects were also reviewed by the committee.

The SIFC undertook thorough discussion for developing consensus on cross-sectoral aspects and recommended various policy initiatives to further refine the investment climate.

Caretaker Sindh govt taking steps to ensure foolproof security for general elections: Baqar

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Amjad Shafique

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024, 9:18 PM

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KARACHI, Jan 25 (APP):Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retired) Maqbool Baqar on Thursday said that general election is scheduled to take place on February 8, 2024, and for this, all necessary security arrangements are being finalized to conduct the elections in a peaceful environment.

Addressing a press conference at CM House after presiding over a meeting to review election arrangements,

he said that a security force comprising 133,000 policemen, Rangers and Pak Army would be deployed to guarantee the election’s transparency. He was accompanied by Minister for Home Brig (retd) Haris Nawaz, caretaker minister for Information Ahmad Shah and Special Assistant Advocate Moiz Baig.

The caretaker government of Sindh is making all-out efforts to hold free, and fair elections in the provincial areas of Sindh, the caretaker CM said. He said that general election would be held to elect representatives of 61 national and 130 provincial assembly seats in Sindh.

Giving details of polling stations, he said there would be 19,006 polling stations for next elections, out of them some 6531 were declared sensitive while 6496 are highly sensitive.

“I had a detailed meeting with the Chief Secretary, IG Police and DG Rangers in which all divisional commissioners and DIGs and provincial election commissioner, Sindh participated,” he said. He said that overall law and order situation, provision of facilities and arrangement of security staff had also been discussed during the meeting.

After the security audit, the police have worked out a requirement of 109,000 police force against which 105,000 were available, he informed. The caretaker CM disclosed that there was a shortfall of 4000 policemen. The shortfall, he said, would be met by the auxiliary force of the provincial government such as the anti-encroachment force, Excise police, anti-corruption Civil Defence, and frontier constabulary. Apart from the police, 10,000 Rangers and 14,000 Pak Army personnel would also perform election duty, he added. The caretaker CM said that the Election Commission of Pakistan has trained the policemen as master trainers and they would further provide training to the remaining officials and auxiliary force, he said. He said that Election Cell had been established at CPO which was working round-the-clock.

He said that control room has also been established at CPO which would work in close coordination and liaison with the Control Room of the Ministry of Interior.

To a question, the caretaker CM said that the districts which had a history of violence in the last few elections have been termed as sensitive where necessary measures were taken to keep the situation normal during the election day.

To a question, Maqbool Baqar said that in his review meeting, an update has been taken from the

Commissioners about the repair of schools where polling stations were being established. He said that almost all school buildings have been repaired, adding that all necessary facilities have been ensured in these schools.

To another question, he said that the Provincial Election Commissioner told him in the meeting that printing of the ballot papers has been started.

“We would help the ECP to ensure safe and secure transportation of ballot papers to their destinations well in time,” he said. Maqbool Baqar said that Provincial Election Commissioner Sharifullah told him that the arrangements for the Feb 8, general election have been completed and the provincial, divisional and district administrations are supporting the ECP to their best.

Meanwhile, the caretaker CM told the media that vehicles provided to the election staff were in good condition.

“We would also ensure to provide uninterrupted electricity, transport, proper security, water, sanitation and other facilities to all the polling stations,” he said.

He said that in the vicinity of polling stations, an ambulance equipped with necessary facilities including doctors, fire tenders would also be deployed. The CM told that provincial election commissioner was satisfied with the support, necessary help and facilitation extended by the Sindh government.

SC issues written judgement regarding PTI’s intra party elections, symbol

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NNPS Desk

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Thu, 25 Jan 2024, 9:18 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 25 (APP): The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a detailed written judgment regarding the intra party elections of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its election symbol ‘cricket bat’.

The 38-page judgment, authored by Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa, read: “The petition of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is converted into an appeal and allowed by setting aside the impugned order and judgment of the PHC (Peshawar High Court),; resultantly, the order of the ECP dated 22 December 2023 is upheld.

“The ECP had issued a notice on 24 May 2021 to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (‘PTI’) to hold intra party elections, which was followed by a show cause notice stating that section 208 of Elections Act, 2017 (‘the Act’) mandates that intra party elections in PTI must be held and it had been five years since the last one was held, and ECP stipulated the consequences, mentioned in the Act, which would follow if elections were not held. PTI did not dispute that elections had not been held but submitted that because of Covid-19 the time for holding its intra party elections may be extended by one year. Time was granted and PTI was directed to hold intra party elections no later than 13 June 2022 and told that ‘no further extension will be granted’.

“The ECP vide its order dated 13 September 2023 held that ‘a lenient view has been taken with direction to the PTI to hold its intra party elections strictly in accordance with the prevailing party constitution, within twenty days positively’ failing which it ‘would be ineligible to obtain an election symbol for elections.

“ECP has been calling upon PTI to hold its intra party elections since 24 May 2021; at that time the PTI was in the Federal Government and in some provinces. Therefore, it cannot be stated that ECP was victimizing PTI. Nonetheless, we wanted to satisfy ourselves that the ECP had not acted mala fide or for ulterior reasons or that PTI was discriminated against.

“It transpired that ECP had passed orders against thirteen other registered political parties which were far more severe than the order passed against PTI.

“ECP wanted to ensure that PTI holds intra party elections. The mere production of a certificate stating that such elections were held would not suffice to establish that intra party elections had been held when a challenge was thrown to such an assertion. Nor, in our opinion, should ECP concern itself with minor irregularities in the holding of a political party’s elections. However, in the instant case not even prima facie evidence was produced to show that a semblance of elections had been held.

“Fourteen PTI members, with stated credentials, had complained to ECP that elections had not been held. These complaints were brushed aside in the writ petition by simply asserting that they were not members of PTI and thus not entitled to contest elections, but this bare denial was insufficient, particularly when they had credibly established their long association with PTI.

“And, if any member of a political party is expelled it must be done in accordance with section 205 of the Act, but no evidence in this regard was forthcoming.

“Democracy founded Pakistan, a fundamental aspect of which is the ability to put oneself forward as a candidate and to be able to vote, both within a political party and in general elections. Anything less would give rise to authoritarianism which may lead to dictatorship.

“The ECP is a constitutional body and amongst its duties are those mentioned in the Constitution, Article 219(e) of which stipulates that ECP must also undertake such functions as prescribed by law, which would include those mentioned in the Act. Section 208 of the Act mandates that political parties must hold intra party elections periodically, and that a period not exceeding five years elapse within two elections. It further stipulates that every member of a political party ‘be provided with an equal opportunity of contesting election for any political party office.

“Members of PTI were not provided nomination papers when they went to get them nor were any intra party elections held. Incidentally, the notice issued by the PTI Secretariat stated that the elections were to be held in Peshawar but did not mention the venue, and then the venue was shifted to Chamkani, which is a village adjacent to Peshawar.

“Neither before the LHC nor before the PHC any provision of the Act, including section 215(5), was challenged.

“We also do not agree with the learned Judges that the ECP did not have ‘any jurisdiction to question or adjudicate the Intra Party Elections of a political party.”