Country Director CAIE calls on Education Minister

Wed, 5 Jun 2024, 7:29 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 05 (APP): Country Director of Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) Ms. Uzma Yousaf called on Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Dr. Khalid said that CAIE is playing a positive role in imparting quality education to the youth of Pakistan. He stressed that CAIE needs to expand the horizon of their role in Pakistan, a press release said.

He especially emphasised its role in creating enhance assessment capabilities of the local education boards. He said that transparency in assessment and enhanced engagement is the need of the hour. He appreciated the fact that now local schools can also conduct CAIE exams.

He was told that almost 25 big local schools are already conducting CAIE exams themselves.

Dr. Khalid was briefed that a National Seminar on Assessment Reforms will be conducted in coordination with CAIE to lay down a road map aimed at increasing the assessment capabilities of local boards.

Ms. Uzma invited the federal minister to visit Cambridge UK in order to fast track learning of local institutions from the global knowledge base of Cambridge UK. Dr. Khalid was also told that the role of CAIE will be enhanced in DARE and ASPIRE project as well.

Balochistan police determined to make province polio-free: IG

Kamran Muraad

Wed, 5 Jun 2024, 7:28 PM

QUETTA, Jun 05 (APP):Inspector General (IG) Police Balochistan Abdul Khaliq Sheikh on Wednesday said that the eradicating polio was a significant national duty and Balochistan Police was determined to make the province polio-free.

He expressed these views while chairing a high-level meeting at Central Police Office.

The meeting was attended by Commissioner Quetta Hamza Shafaqat, Coordinator for Balochistan Polio Zahid Shah, AIG Operation Dr. Sami, SSP Operation Muhammad Baloch, Captain Retired Anwarul Haque Coordinator National Emergency Operation Center Polio Islamabad, Brigadier Retired Abdul Hasan, and Ghulam Dastgir Ghalzai.

In the meeting, a detailed briefing was given on the measures taken to protect the anti-polio teams in the province this year.

The IG police was told that to make the campaign successful in every way and to provide foolproof security to the polio teams during the polio campaign.

The IG Balochistan was further informed that despite extreme heat, cold, and unjustified threats, necessary facilities have been provided to the police personnel assigned to protect the polio teams.

The IG was briefed in the meeting that in this way, the police personnel ensured the safety of the personnel on polio duty by playing for their lives but in this context more duties of officials should be imposed, in the areas where officials are facing difficulties in administering polio drops so that polio eradication is possible.

Addressing at the meeting, IG Balochistan said that eradicating polio was an important national duty. Balochistan Police was determined to make the province polio-free.

For the peaceful conduct of the anti-polio campaign, the police officers and soldiers had already sacrificed their lives to ensure the security of the polio workers, he said.

He said that brave police officers and soldiers would not hesitate to make any kind of sacrifice in the future and in this regard, your demands would be followed so that the eradication of polio was possible.

Low quality food for pilgrims unacceptable: Salik

NNPS Desk

Wed, 5 Jun 2024, 7:28 PM

ISLAMABAD, June 05 (APP): Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Wednesday took notice of media reports about food safety violations by catering companies in Makkah.

He, in a statement, lauded the monitoring team of the Pakistan Hajj mission for its efforts to find food agreement violations during surprise visits.

Minister Salik emphasised the importance of continuous surveillance during food preparation and round-the-clock monitoring of kitchens to ensure the timely and uninterrupted supply of hygienic food to the pilgrims.

He also stressed the need for rechecking the quality and quantity of food upon arrival at the residential buildings of pilgrims.

KP Governor meets federal law minister; discuss matters relating to provision of justice to people

Ali Ali

Wed, 5 Jun 2024, 7:27 PM

PESHAWAR, Jun 05 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Faisal Karim Kundi on Wednesday met with Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar in Islamabad and discussed matters relating to provision of justice to people.

KP Governor also discussed with federal law minister matters pertaining to supremacy of law and the role of judiciary and lawyer fraternity in provision of speedy and inexpensive justice to people, said a press release issued here.

He also highlighted problems being faced by district and high court bar councils and stressed the need of providing special grant to bar councils of KP. He said that supremacy of law is vital to protect basic right of each and every member of society.

Speaking on the occasion, federal law minister assured cooperation and assistance to address problems faced by bar councils in KP. He said that efforts would be made to solve problems of bar councils on priority basis.

Pakistan issues 962 visas to Indian Sikhs to participate in Guru Arjun Mela

Irfan Khan

Wed, 5 Jun 2024, 7:24 PM

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 05 (APP): Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi has issued 962 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in the annual festival (Jore Mela) scheduled on the eve of martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev Ji.

The festival will be held in Pakistan from 8-17 June, a press release on Wednesday said.

During the visit, the pilgrims would, inter alia, visit Gurdwara Panja Sahib, Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib.

Expressing his views on the occasion, Pakistan Charge d’Affaires Saad Ahmad Warraich extended his heartfelt felicitations and wished the pilgrims a fulfilling yatra.

“The issuance of visas is in the line with the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to fully implement the Bilateral Protocol on Visits to Religious Shrines of 1974,” it was further added.

Storm, rain cause power suspension to various feeders of IESCO

Ali Ali

Wed, 5 Jun 2024, 7:23 PM

ISLAMABAD, Jun 05 (APP):Power supply from several feeders of Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) on Wednesday suspended due to storm and rain in various areas.

Some 16 feeders of Islamabad Circle and 24 feeders of Rawalpindi City circle were affected due to severe storm and rain, said IESCO spokesman here.

Similarly, power supply to 17 feeders of Rawalpindi Cantt, 18 feeders of Chakwal circle and 18 feeders of Attock circles has been suspended, he said.

The IESCO teams were making all out efforts to restore power supply to the said affected feeders, he said.

The IESCO regretted for temporary suspension of electricity in the areas connected to the said feeders.

CM approves Rs 300,000 for treatment of Punjabi poet Tajjamul Kaleem

Kamran Muraad

Wed, 5 Jun 2024, 7:17 PM

LAHORE, Jun 05 (APP):On the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, financial aid worth Rs 300,000 for the treatment of a renowned Punjabi poet Tajjamul Kaleem has been approved.

The CM prayed for an early recovery of Tajjamul Kaleem. A bouquet was presented to the Punjabi poet Tajjamul Kaleem on behalf of the CM. The ailing poet thanked the Chief Minister on showing a kind gesture.

The CM directed the Health department to provide excellent treatment facilities to the under treatment poet. The officers of Information & Culture Department inquired after the under treatment poet Tajjamul Kaleem at Jinnah Hospital.