ISLAMABAD: May 08 –
Country Representative of World Bank Najy Benhassine and Secretary Economic Affairs Division Dr. Kazim Niaz sign a joint communiqué on Mutual Cooperation between World Bank and the Government of Pakistan, in the presence of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD: May 08 –
World Bank’s Regional Vice President for South Asia Martin Raiser, along with a delegation including country representative Najy Benhassine called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD: May 08 – .
H.E. Reza Amiri Moghaddam, Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan called on Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, Federal Minister for Housing and Works at his office
ISLAMABAD: May 08
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi during his visit to Frontier Corps Balochistan (North) Headquarters
QUETTA: May 08 –
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi offering fateha at the Martyrs Monument during his visit to Frontier Corps Balochistan (North) Headquarters
QUETTA: May 08 –
Indonesian embassy partners with ‘All-Pakistan Women Universities Consortium’ for online sessions on Indonesia
ISLAMABAD, May 8 (APP):The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Islamabad has launched the first session of its 4th Online Internship Program (OIP) 2024 in collaboration with Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) in Rawalpindi and All-Pakistan Women Universities Consortium (APWUC) with the theme “Women Empowerment”.
The OIP has been divided into ten online lecture sessions with the participation of top speakers from Indonesia and will continue until June 6 2024, said a press release issued here on Wednesday.
The OIP 2024 was officially opened virtually by the Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Ambassador Siti Nugraha Mauludiah.
“I appreciate the friendship between the two countries and hope that OIP can encourage the young generation to understand the strong history between Indonesia and Pakistan, then implement it in the current context.”
Earlier, speaking at the opening ceremony of OIP held at the Fatima Jinnah Women University, the Chargé d’ Affaires of Indonesia Mr. Rahmat Hindiarta underlined the close Indonesia-Pakistan relations that had been built by the founders of both countries, President Soekarno and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
“Now, on the way to 75th Anniversary of Indonesia-Pakistan Diplomatic Relations, it is time to fill this excellent relationship with stronger cooperation in relevant areas of mutual interest.
For this reason, the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad has set up priorities for Indonesian diplomacy in Pakistan, including the economy and people-to-people contacts. And APWUJ is one of the right partners for the Embassy,” he said.
On this occasion, Prof. Dr. Uzaira Rafique, Vice Chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU) and chairperson of the All-Pakistan Women Universities Consortium (APWUC) in her remarks said that APWUC campuses are a free place for Pakistani female students to actualize their potentials.
“I invite all participants to seriously pay attention to the sessions to improve understanding on the dynamics of Indonesia and note various elements that are relevant for Pakistan. Hopefully in the future, we can visit Indonesia to see more about Indonesia’s progress,” she remarked.
The first session started with the lecture of Ms. Chusnul Mariyah, Ph.D. from the Faculty of Political Sciences, University of Indonesia on “Indonesian Politics : Between Islam and Nationalism.” She highlighted the trends of oligarchy, nepotism, and abandoning merit system in political recruitment in Indonesian domestic politics.
She also stressed that democracy cannot be taken for granted, but it must be continuously pursued at all times. “Elections with integrity are very important. (To campaign for it) we need the catchy terms, such as halal politics or halal elections”. Addressing hundreds of female students from women universities in Pakistan, Ms. Mariyah explained in detail on how to achieve certain position through halal ways.
The current OIP is more special this time since the Indonesian Embassy is collaborating with the consortium of 18 women universities throughout Pakistan. To further strengthen friendly relations between the young generation of the two countries, the Indonesian Embassy in Islamabad also showcased the Indonesian medley dances created by the Indonesian students at the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) along with the dancing performances of FJUW students.
The other speakers of OIP include Prof. Dian Masyita, Ph.D. from the Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII), Ms. Angela Tanoesoedibjo, Vice Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, and Fourth Indonesian President’s daughters, Ms. Alissa Wahid and Ms. Yenny Wahid, the activists of democracy, pluralism, and religious moderation.
KSrelief distributes 810 food baskets in DI Khan
ISLAMABAD, May 08 (APP):The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) distributed 810 food baskets in Dera Ismail Khan area of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The assistant programme benefiting 5,670 individuals from among vulnerable and needy groups in flood-affected areas, SPA reported.
This food aid distribution was part of the fourth phase of the Food Security Support Project in Pakistan for 2024, and is in keeping with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian and relief assistance to Pakistan, aiming to alleviate the suffering of people in need.
Vice President WB calls on Chairman FBR
ISLAMABAD, May 8 (APP): The Vice President World Bank (WB) Martin Raiser on Wednesday visited Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and met with Chairman FBR Amjed Zubair Tiwana.
He was accompanied by Country Director Najy Benhassine, Operations Manager Gailius J Draugelis, Haque Lead Country Economist , Tobias Akhtar and Public Sector Specialist Ms. Irum Touqeer, said a press release issued by the FBR.
Member Reforms and Modernization FBR Ardsher Saleem Tariq and Member Digital Initiative Karamatullah Khan Chaudhry also attended the meeting.
A detailed presentation on the FBR and its reforms agenda was made with special focus on initiatives under Pakistan Raises Revenue Project for harmonization of sales tax, track & trace system and improving Information Communication Technology (ICT) capacities of FBR.
Vice President World Bank was appreciative of the FBR’s policy for digitalized tax administration and emphasized that these initiatives will bear even greater fruits if coupled with elimination of exemptions overtime through a combination of social assistance and introduction of sales tax based on consumption.
Martin Riser echoed the sentiments of Chairman FBR and indicated that World Bank sees the current digitalization drive as an opportunity to strengthen its cooperation with the FBR.
Speaking on the occasion, Amjed Zubair Tiwana said that the FBR is working closely with all the stakeholders on the digitalization initiative and making tax administration more broad-based.
He said that that digitalization is not only important for revenue but for enabling FBR to make informed decisions for sustainable increase in the revenues.
USAID’s locally-led development in education, health transforms Buner, Upper Dir districts
By Rehan Khan
ISLAMABAD, May 08 (APP):The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Wednesday gathered government officials, local and international partners, and communities from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP)’s Buner and Upper Dir districts to celebrate the conclusion of $10 million Human Development Activity.
Over four years, the project empowered local communities and organizations to achieve sustainable development outcomes in health and education.
Through collaboration with the KP government, the project provided grants to Pakistani organizations to implement education and health interventions, including operating accelerated learning program centers and restructured and strengthened the Primary Care Health Committee to include women members.
The event underscored the instrumental support of the KP provincial departments of Education, Health, and Population Welfare.
These departments contributed to the interventions’ design, implementation, and oversight, fostering a deeper understanding of government priorities among local partners, addressing implementation challenges, and promoting the integration of health and education services.
The government officials expressed gratitude to USAID, the implementing partner Palladium, and the local organizations.
They affirmed their commitment to leveraging the insights and experiences gained from the project, including their continued support to over 1,000 out-of-school girl students enrolled in 34 accelerated learning program centers in Buner and Upper Dir.
In her closing remarks, USAID/Pakistan Mission Director Kate Somvongsiri lauded stakeholder’s collaborative efforts, especially the local partners and communities.
She acknowledged the pivotal role played by women and youth in making the initiatives inclusive of underserved groups, telling the communities that, “Your engagement made these outcomes possible.” She further emphasized USAID’s enduring partnership with the Government of Pakistan and reiterated USAID’s commitment to locally-led, equitable development.
The Human Development Activity leaves a legacy of strengthened partnerships, enhanced local capacity, and improved service delivery in Buner and Upper Dir. Notable achievements include the significant increase in school enrollment, with over 34,000 out-of-school children now attending formal and non-formal primary schools, with more than 90 percent of these being girls. Additionally, over 7,000 public service providers in health and education received training, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services. The project delivered maternal and child health messages to over 700,000 individuals, and it provided voluntary family planning services to more than 300,000 women and children.
SA Gardens, Wapda quality for National Challenge Cup semis
ISLAMABAD, May 08 (APP): SA Gardens and Wapda emerged victorious in the National Challenge Cup 2023 quarterfinals, securing their berths in the semi-finals here at the Jinnah Stadium of Pakistan Sports Complex on Wednesday.
In the first quarterfinal, SA Gardens edged past WSTC with a narrow scoreline of 1-0. Umar netted the lone goal of the match in the 38th minute. WSTC couldn’t break through SA Gardens’ defense despite a fierce battle.
The head coach of SA Gardens Zafar Iqbal conveyed his gratitude towards the Pakistan Football Federation for organizing such events. “I am very happy that my team qualified for the next stage,” he said.
“I would like to thank PFF for holding such events and I hope PFF will continue to organize such events in a professional and befitting manner.”
In the second quarterfinal, Wapda secured a victory against PAF with a 1-0 triumph. The decisive goal, scored by Shayek Dost in the 9th minute propelled Wapda into the semi-finals.
Commenting on the match, Wapda’s head coach, Muhammad Habib, expressed his team’s eagerness for the competition.
“We have been waiting for the competitions for so long,” he stated. “Both the teams played very well and we will continue to carry this momentum in semi-finals.”
With the stage set for the semi-finals, the Pakistan Army is set to clash with Wapda, while SA Gardens will face HEC. Both the semis are scheduled to take place on May 10 at the Jinnah Football Stadium.