HEDP holds its third Steering Committee Meeting

May 1, 2021

ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project held its third Steering Committee (SC) meeting at HEC office Islamabad.

Presided by the Executive Director HEC, Dr. Shaista Sohail, the meeting was attended by key SC members from all provinces.

The committee consists of senior officials from key federal ministries and provincial departments of higher education, Vice Chancellors of universities from across Pakistan, and industrial representative.

HEDP is a five-year project (2019/20 – 2023/24) being implemented by HEC to expand upon its key higher education priorities. It aims to support research excellence in strategic sectors of the economy, improve teaching and learning, and strengthen governance in higher education.

The project comprises of five key components which include improving and expanding research grants, roll out of the new undergraduate education policy, extending Pakistan Education & Research Network (PERN) to universities and affiliated colleges, Higher Education Management Information Systems and Data Repository, and establishment/strengthening of National Academy of Higher Education – NAHE.

Project Coordinator, Maryam Riaz gave an overview of the project, its restructuring and future plans. The restructuring focuses on the changes necessary due to the circumstances higher education faces due to COVID.

Extensive use of latest technology in higher education is a key element of restructuring.

The new technology initiatives include state of the art Learning Management System to help improve the quality of online learning and make it accessible even in the remote areas of Pakistan.

Blockchain technology will be implemented to ease the process of degree verification and attention thus saving the students money and time it takes to get degrees attested. It will help address and eradicate the issue of fake degrees.

Latest Enterprise Resource Planning system including Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence will be deployed at HEC to improve the efficiencies of the organization.

A central data warehouse linked to a powerful Business Intelligence platform will provide reports and insights to senior decision makers in higher education thus supporting evidence based policy and planning.

The research grants offered under the HEDP project during year 2020 covered sectors where there is a dire need of research to find practical solutions to issues Pakistan faces. For example, a grant award under Grand Challenge fund was awarded to a research proposal in Food Security sector, and will focus on making vaccines for animals to save their lives from ticks.

Another grant focuses on finding solution to locust issue and to save crops from locust attack. Rapid Research Grants covered issues related to COVID.

Participants also discussed the new undergraduate education policy which has been rolled out nation-wide.

Dr. Syed Zulfiqar Gilani informed the SC of the new distance and online learning policy and distance/online quality assurance framework.

HEC has implemented its own MOOCS (Massive Open Online Courses) which will be soon opened to faculty members across Pakistan and they will be able to use it for developing their own courses.

Rector NAHE, Dr. Shaheen Sardar briefed the members on the faculty and HEC employees’ trainings conducted over last six months.

NAHE also focused on training teachers on how to deliver courses online and use online learning management systems. NAHE is moving towards self-reliance and has generated significant funds through conducting some specialized trainings.

HEC provides internet and WIFI services to faculty and staff. This network has further expanded to remote universities and affiliated colleges.

Committee members were informed that despite the hurdles faced due to COVID the project is still on track and a successful World Bank mission has recently concluded.

SC appreciated the efforts of HEDP team and offered their support and cooperation to resolve any challenges faced by project team. The committee members expressed their interest to be more involved with the project and have frequent meetings.

The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from the Executive Director (HEC).

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PIA plane carrying over 300,000 vaccines from China arrives in Islamabad

Tanzeel Ahmed

April 29, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) special flight PK6852 landed at Islamabad airport from Beijing carrying over 300,000 coronavirus vaccines.

The second flight of the national airline will arrive in Pakistan in the afternoon.

PIA special plane arrived in Islamabad from Beijing carrying doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

According to sources, PK6852 landed at the Islamabad airport from Beijing carrying over 300,000 coronavirus vaccines.

Sources said that around one million vaccines are being brought to Pakistan by three Boeing 777 planes.

The second flight of the national airline will arrive in Pakistan at 12 noon and the third at midnight.

“Three more PIA 777s arrived in #Beijing – #China to carry another large consignment of #COVID19 vaccines as part of a larger initiative to combat the pandemic,” the national airlines said on Twitter.

“On the behest of the Government of Pakistan, we would continue to serve this great nation at the time of crisis,” it added.

The spokesperson of the national flag carrier, Abdullah Hafeez Khan, had said a day earlier that three Boeing 777 planes had been sent to China for procurement of coronavirus vaccines.

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Over 1.4m Afghan refugees to get new PoR smartcards

Our Correspondent

April 15, 2021

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan, with the support of UNHCR, has launched a nationwide verification exercise for 1.4 million Afghan refugees during which new smartcards will be issued.

The Documentation Renewal and Information Verification Exercise, or DRIVE for short, was inaugurated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Islamabad by the Federal Minister for SAFRON Mehboob Sultan. The UNHCR Representative, Noriko Yoshida, and the Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Saleem Khan, were also present on the occasion.

During the six-month exercise, registered Afghan refugees who currently hold Proof of Registration (PoR) cards will be provided with new smartcards.

“The DRIVE exercise is a leap forward for everyone,” Yoshida said, welcoming its launch. “This step will allow refugees to have better, faster and safer access to services, including schools, hospitals and banks.”

Yoshida added that in addition to verifying existing data, the exercise will record Afghan refugees’ skill sets, level of education, socio-economic circumstances, allowing better targeted health, education and livelihood support in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees for four decades, and a lot has changed since the last verification exercise 10 years ago. It’s crucial that we update the data of Afghan refugees to understand their situation better,” said the Federal Minister for SAFRON.

Sultan added, “As the country hosting one of the most protracted refugee situation in the world, Pakistan has strived to play its part in assisting and protecting refugees. It’s important the international community also continue to come forward, and share the responsibility and help find solutions.”

The Federal Minister for SAFRON urged POR cardholders to participate fully in this exercise. He also requested that they take all precautionary measures and observe COVID-19 protocols.

Six hundred male and female staff – a combination of government and UNHCR – will be working at some 35 DRIVE verification sites around the country, and using mobile registration vehicles, to support refugees throughout the exercise.

Measures are in place at all DRIVE sites to mitigate COVID-19 risks through enhanced hygiene, physical distancing and the scheduling of set numbers of appointments each day.

DRIVE is part of a wider effort to assist displaced Afghans, through the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) (https://ssar-platform.org).

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Pakistan’s Radio and TV newsreader, artist Kanwal Naseer dies aged 73

Our Correspondent

March 26, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Radio and TV artist and renowned newscaster, Kanwal Naseer, passed away on Thursday after a brief illness in Islamabad.

Kanwal Naseer, who was first female announcer of Pakistan television, was suffering from diabetes and being treated in a private hospital for last few days.

She was Radio and television’s famous voice and entertained people with her outstanding skills as an artist. Kanwal recently said there were three things in her life, home, school and Radio.

Kanwal was daughter of legend actor Mohini Hameed (Apa Shamim) and mother-in-law of PTI Secretary Information Ahmed Jawad. She was born in Lahore in 1948.

PTI minister Ch Fawad Hussain shared a tribute to the late artist as he tweeted: ‘The first female voice of PTV, the legendary Kanwal Naseer is no more. RIP’

Among other showbiz stars, Humayun Saeed – recipient of the Pride of Performance award – also shared his heartfelt condolences to her family. May Allah bless her soul.

She had various feathers on her cap as she was the first female anchor, first female newscaster, and first female announcer of Pakistan Television.

The popular newscaster joined the media at the age of 17, remained associated with PTV and Radio Pakistan for five decades.

Kanwal Naseer made her first announcement at the PTV on 26th November, 1964. She has been awarded with Pride of Performance and numerous other national awards in recognition of her services.

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Pakistan Day Parade concludes with spectacular display of military might

Nuzhat Aftab

March 25, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military parade, which was postponed due to inclement weather on March 23, was held Thursday (today) in Islamabad, with the armed forces of Pakistan presenting displaying their military might for the world to see.

The day was Pakistan day to commemorate the day when resolution of Pakistan was passed by All India Muslim League in 1940, demanding a separate homeland for Muslims of South Asia. The later was turned into a military day despite the day for democracy.

The grand event featured contingents of the all three wings of armed forces and the security forces conducting a march past as fighter jets presented aerobatic maneuvers.

The traditional military parade is the mega event of Pakistan Day celebrations and is held at the Parade Ground near the landmark Shakarparian hills in the federal capital.

Prime Minister Imran Khan did not attend today’s event as he is quarantining at home after testing positive for coronavirus.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, a limited number of spectators were allowed to witness the parade.

Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu led the formations of PAF fly-past aircraft during Pakistan Day Parade.

The impressive ceremony started with the fly past of fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy led by Air Chief Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu presenting salute to the chief guest President Arif Alvi.

Formations of fighter jets including F-16, JF 17 Thunder, Mirage, AWACs. C-130 and P-3C Orion participated in the fly past.

Contingents of Pakistan Army, Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Special Services Groups, Frontier Corps, Rangers, Islamabad Police, Frontier Constabulary, Airport Security Force and Boys Scouts, marched past the dais presenting salute to the chief guest.

Amidst applause by the audience, JF-17 and formations of Sherdils presented breath taking aerobatics spreading range of colors in the skies.

As a mark of strong bonds between Pakistan and Turkey, a Turkish fighter jet also presented a whole range of dazzling manoeuvres.

A Turkish military band on the occasion presented different tunes including that of Dil Dil Pakistan, Jaan Jaan Pakistan.

Floats depicted culture of Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and the four provinces.

The floats of Ministry of Science and Technology and the frontline healthcare workers against Covid-19 were also part of the parade.

While addressing the ceremony, President Arif Alvi said Pakistan has the capability to defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty, categorically stating that any misadventure will receive a befitting response.

He said we will defend our independence at all costs.

The president however said Pakistan desires peace, security and development in the whole region and has also taken practical steps towards that end.

He said peaceful coexistence is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy. He said the situation warrants that the leadership of South Asia reject the politics of hate, prejudice and religious extremism to guide the region towards prosperity.

He said Pakistan wants to move forward with good intent and peace but our desire for peace should not be construed as our weakness.

Alvi said Pakistan is a strong nuclear power. Apart from making progress in the socio-economic sectors, the country has achieved self-reliance in defence.

He expressed satisfaction that Pakistan is also exporting its defence products.

Voicing serious concerns over the human rights situation in Indian occupied Kashmir, the president said the resolution of the Kashmir dispute is imperative for ensuring peace in South Asia.

He said the entire Pakistani nation stands by their Kashmiri brothers and sisters in this hour of trial. He said Kashmir is a jugular vein of Pakistan and we will continue to raise their voice at all forums.

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Naya Pakistan scheme: Pakistan allots houses to 1,500 laborers, widows

Nuzhat Aftab

March 18, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan took out the names of 10 laborers and widows in a lucky draw and they will now be able to afford and own their own houses.

The premier inaugurated Labor Colony Phase-I and Phase-II in Islamabad on Thursday. The balloting was held for six women, two people with disabilities and two laborers. On Friday, electronic balloting will be held and houses will be allotted to 1,508 laborers.

People earning less than Rs500,000 would be given ownership rights of these homes. Around 3,000 individuals registered themselves under the Workers Welfare Fund. Of them, 1,500 will be handed over these houses and flats through a draw.

“No country in the world can allot houses to the poor,” said Prime Minister Imran Khan while addressing the ceremony. “What we have done is make it easier for people to afford houses.” He explained that laborers were already paying rent so now that rent will be used to pay off bank loans for their houses. He did not give the amount laborers will be required to pay.

The project spreads over 2,560 acres of land and comprises 1,008 apartments and 500 houses. This project was launched before but was abandoned due to a lack of funds. The government collaborated with the Workers Welfare Fund and completed the project under the Naya Pakistan Housing Program.

“A 25-year-old project has been revived,” the premier remarked. Countries have to help those who can’t help themselves. “This is the right of the workers. Labourers should be able to own their houses.”

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Islamabad Security Dialogue: Food security, climate change part of national security: Imran Khan

Nuzhat Aftab

March 17, 2021

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Security Dialogue has brought different stakeholders together to define national security and make the process of nation-building more inclusive, Prime Minister Imran Khan said.

“Food security and climate change are now considered a part of national security too,” he remarked while speaking during the inaugural session of the two-day conference at Islamabad’s National Library.

No one used to talk about climate change five years ago but people are becoming more aware now. The federal government has launched its 10 Billion Tree Tsunami programme to fight the effects of climate change. He said that Pakistan will take steps agreed upon in the Paris Accord.

Pakistan is moving towards a food crisis, and no one is even thinking about it. We imported four million tonnes of wheat last year. “In April, we will announce a comprehensive plan for food security.”

There can’t be national security in a country with a pool of poor people being governed by a small rich minority. “We have to own our country and national security means that a nation stands united.”

Pakistan has been given subsidies on wheat and other products but we will plan on giving targeted subsidies on fertilizers, ghee, and other agricultural items to the farmers. “This will bring a revolution.”

We have to focus on economic growth too and for that, we have to improve our trading ties with our neighbors, the premier said. “We have access to the world’s two biggest markets” and we have to use this to our advantage, he remarked.

If Afghanistan becomes stable then it will prove to be beneficial for the entire region. He shared that Pakistan is in talks with Uzbekistan on making a train route with it.

With India, we are focusing on forming civilized relations. After August 5, 2019, there was a complete breakdown of relations between the two neighboring countries. “If they give Kashmiris the right to determination, then it will benefit both India and Pakistan.”

The conference has been organized by the National Security Division in collaboration with its Advisory Board, comprising five leading think tanks of the country.

A new strategic direction will be unveiled at the conference based on a comprehensive security framework in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of peace, regional connectivity, and development partnerships with the world, according to the conference’s press statement.

PM Khan even launched an advisory portal set up by the National Security Division to engage think tanks and academia in policymaking. The portal will be a dedicated and integrated platform through which major think tanks and universities working on the subject of national security will be able to share policy recommendations directly with the NSD.

Pakistan is hosting its first-ever security dialogue with an aim to define the country’s new strategic direction in line with Prime Minister Imran Khan’s vision of peace, regional connectivity and development partnerships with the world.

The Prime Minister inaugurated the two-day conference today (Wednesday) in Federal Capital city Islamabad. It is called Islamabad Security Dialogue and is being organised by the National Security Division in collaboration with its advisory board, comprising five leading think tanks of the country.

The think tanks are: Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies, Islamabad Policy Research Institute, Institute of Strategic Studies, Institute of Regional Studies and National Defence University’s Institute of Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis.

Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa will be a keynote speaker tomorrow Thursday.

Top scholars and diplomats will be participating in the summit. It is expected that the summit will be live streamed. You can watch it on their official Twitter account.

At the event, the Prime Minister will also launch the first of its kind advisory portal of the National Security Division.

This portal will be an integrated platform through which major think tanks and universities working on the subject of national security will be able to share policy recommendations directly with the national leadership.

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Pakistan is the world’s second most polluted country: report

Sara Maqsood

March 17, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is the world’s second most polluted country, said a report that monitored the 106 countries across the globe. Lahore stands most polluted city in the country while Islamabad as cleanest one.

Another bad news for Pakistanis on the climate front, as the country was declared second most polluted rund the world. Pakistan is the world’s second most polluted country, according to a new report by the global air quality data platform.

The most polluted country is Bangladesh. India is the third among the 106 countries monitored.

Last year, the PM2.5 concentration in Pakistan was five times above the Word Health Organisation’s recommendation. PM2.5 is particulate matter (PM) that is smaller than 2.5 micrometers. These tiny particles in the air we breathe are responsible for most lung diseases, heart diseases and cancer. Particulate matter includes dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets.

The WHO target is 10µg/m³. Pakistan’s current measurement is 59, which falls in the unhealthy category.

“Pakistan has shown numbers that have come in very poorly in the past, with many of its megacities creating vast amounts of smoke, haze and deadly smog that permeates the air,” the World Air Quality Report 2020 says.

The cleanest city in the country is Islamabad with an AQI of 110. The most polluted city is Lahore — also the world’s 18th most polluted city — with an AQI of 163.

Major sources of pollution in Pakistan are:

Vehicle emissions and road dust

Domestic biomass burning

Industrial activity, especially steel mills

Agricultural burning

Garbage burning

Negative effects on health

Air pollution kills around seven million people worldwide every year, according to the WHO.

More than 20% of deaths in Pakistan can be linked to the negative impacts of air pollution exposure, IQAir says.

Major health issues are respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema and aggravated asthma attacks.

Experts said that the air in the country can be lethal for people with asthma and result in healthy children developing the disease.

PM2.5 can also enter the blood causing heart issues such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, heart attacks, arrythmias, as well as damage to the blood vessels and filtration organs such as the liver.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a temporary improvement in the air quality levels worldwide.

“Many parts of the world experienced unprecedented, but short-lived, improvements in air quality in 2020, as restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic caused a steep drop in fossil fuel consumption,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), who also contributed to the report.

“This improved air quality meant tens of thousands of avoided deaths from air pollution. By transitioning to clean energy and clean transport we can realize the same improvements in a sustained way.”

An early study, however, shows that between seven and 33% of deaths from COVID-19 worldwide can be linked to long-term air pollution.

These deaths may have been prevented by reducing human-made air pollution, IQAir concludes.

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PIA to operate direct flights to Turkey

Our Correspondent

March 15, 2021

KARACHI: The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to resume direct flights to Turkey from Lahore and Islamabad.

The national airline plans to operate flights to Turkey’s Istanbul city from Lahore and Islamabad thrice a week from mid-May. The PIA had stopped operating flights on this route many years back.

The decision to resume flights from Lahore and Islamabad to Turkey will help fetch significant revenue for the loss-making national entity that is striving to cut operational cost.

It is noteworthy that Federal Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan had last week met Turkey’s Ambassador in Islamabad Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul and discussed the matters relating to promoting bilateral ties in diverse fields including aviation.

During the meeting, the two sides stressed the need for further strengthening the existing long-cherished brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey.

With input from INP

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Etisalat team meets key government stakeholders on Telecom Sector & national economic growth

Our Correspondent

March 12, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Etisalat delegation comprising of top management held meetings with Federal Ministers and other key government stakeholders in Islamabad.

The delegation led by Group CEO Etisalat Hatem Dowidar met with the Federal Minister for Finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Federal Minister for Privatization, Muhammad Mian Soomro and Chairman, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Maj Gen. (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa.

During the meeting, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh welcomed the delegation from Etisalat to Pakistan.

Matters of mutual interest were discussed with a focus especially on Telecom Sector and its significance on the national economic growth.

Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh commended the efforts of Etisalat and PTCL for their tremendous coordination and support in developing a strong infrastructure that would surely transform Pakistan into a digitalized economy.

The Minister elaborated Prime Minister of Pakistan’s vision for a Digital Pakistan and highlighted its role in today’s digital world.

Federal Minister for Privatization, Muhammad Mian Soomro, during his meeting, appreciated their interest in Pakistan and contribution in the Telecom Sector. He emphasized that there are tremendous opportunities which should be availed.

The per capita ratio of cellular phones in Pakistan is amongst the highest globally. Etisalat and Privatization teams resolved to expedite the pending issues and to have continued sittings.

Hatem Dowidar, Group CEO, Etisalat, commended the efforts of the Government of Pakistan including Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Privatization.

He further emphasized on their role in re-shaping Pakistan’s Telecom Sector on the pattern of leading economies of the world.

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