DNA

ISLAMABAD, OCT 13: The Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan organised on Friday Seeratun Nabi (Peace be Upon Him) Symposium to shed light on the life and teachings of the Last Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed was the chief guest. Guest speakers included Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Nadeem, Chairman National Rehmatul-lil-Alamin Authority and Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, DG, National Language Promotion Department. The symposium was attended by Vice Chancellors, faculty members, students and HEC employees. 

Paying homage to the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H), Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed said the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provides us with complete guidance on every aspect of life. He urged the universities and degree awarding institutions to regularly organise events to highlight teachings of the Holy Messenger of Allah.

“It is our prime obligation to tell our children and youth about the importance of Seerah in our life, as it is a must for us, being Muslims, to follow our beloved Prophet (P.B.U.H) in every sphere of life,” he said, adding that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) taught us to be in this world as if we were strangers or travelers and indulge in worldly affairs as much as required.

Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Nadeem appreciated HEC for organising the symposium on a much-needed topic. He particularly addressed the youth in the audience and advised them to study Seerah of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and understand the purpose of their lives through Prophet’s teachings. “Unless you find out why were the Prophets sent by Allah, you will not be able to know the purpose of your life. When you start reading the life of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H), objective of your own life becomes obvious and it clears all the ambiguities about this life and the hereafter.”

Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar shed light on different aspects of the life of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and emphasised the significance of studying and understanding Seerah. He explained how Muslim scholars like Maulana Rumi and Allama Iqbal have elaborated and made it easy for us to comprehend the actual message to be derived from Quran and Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

Renowned Naat Khwan Ms. Hina Nasrullah and a few HEC employees recited Naats on the occasion.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 13 (DNA): President Arif Alvi on Friday emphasizing the need to raise awareness about children born with cleft lips and palates, said that treatment for cleft lips and palates could significantly improve the quality of life for children.

He was talking to a delegation of the Pakistan Cleft Lip Association and the British Plastic Surgery Team which called on him here.

The delegation was led by Chairman of the Association Dr. Ejaz Bashir while officials from the Federal Ministry of Health were also present in the meeting.

During the meeting, the president said addressing current health issues and adopting latest technology to meet future needs would be crucial.

The delegation briefed the president on the work and activities of the Pakistan Cleft Lips and Palate Association.

President Alvi was informed that the Association was providing free and international level treatment facilities to the deserving communities in Gujarat.

The meeting was informed that besides issues of eating and speaking, the affected children might also face discriminative attitude in the society.

The president highly praised the efforts of the Association in the treatment and surgery of children with cleft lips and palates.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, OCT 13: National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervez Ashraf has stated that there may be an “understanding” in place for the return of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif.

The statement comes a day after interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar dismissed the impression that Nawaz’s decision to return to Pakistan was a part of any deal with the caretaker government.

In an interview with World Echo News, PM Kakar had said: “The caretaker government has no soft corner for PML-N or any other political party … how can a caretaker government strike such a deal?”

He pointed out that Nawaz left the country as per the court’s decision “under the nose of Imran Khan’s government, and not the caretaker setup”.

However, if Nawaz returns and takes part in politics, he will have to face some legal obstacles, the premier said. “The answers to these legal questions lie in legal remedies.”

Nawaz, who has been in self-imposed exile since 2019, left for London in the middle of his seven-year jail term on medical grounds. In the four years that transpired, Nawaz was declared a proclaimed offender in the Al Azizia and Avenfield graft cases for his continuous absence from proceedings.

Last month, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif had confirmed that his elder brother was returning to the country on October 21. Subsequently, the PML-N had declared that Nawaz was ready to face “all kinds of circumstances” upon his return from London.

Last week, Nawaz’s legal team submitted his medical reports to the Lahore High Court, which said the PML-N supremo had “some residual anginal symptoms”. Separately, Shehbaz said the party’s legal team had cleared Nawaz’s arrival.

In an informal conversation with Dawn.com, the NA speaker said, “Obviously, there must be an understanding which is why he’s coming back.”

Ashraf also wondered why Nawaz did not return to the country earlier. “Now his health should also stay good,” he remarked.

Asked when elections were happening, Ashraf said, “You tell me, are elections happening?”

The NA speaker said that the fact that the PPP was talking about a level-playing field held some merit.

He said that members of the PML-N were among those inducted into the interim federal and Punjab cabinets. “All of the PML-N’s work is continuing,” he said.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 13 /DNA/ – The Directorate General of Special Education, Ministry of Human Rights marked White Cane Safety Day with an inspiring and inclusive walk, held on October 13, 2023. The event was organized to raise awareness about the significance of white canes in the lives of visually impaired individuals and to promote safety and inclusion in our society.

The walk commenced at China Chowk and proceeded towards D Chowk in the heart of Islamabad. It brought together an enthusiastic and diverse group of participants, including visually impaired students, their dedicated teachers, supportive parents, and members of the general community. The event emphasized the importance of unity and understanding among all citizens, regardless of their abilities.

At the culmination of the walk, the Federal Minister for Human Rights, Mr. Khalil George, and the Director General of Special Education, Sheikh Azhar Sajjad delivered inspiring speeches. These speeches highlighted the importance of promoting an inclusive society, where the rights and potential of visually impaired individuals are acknowledged and respected.

Mr. Khalil George, the Federal Minister for Human Rights, expressed his deep appreciation for the event and emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring the rights and well-being of individuals with disabilities particularly the persons with visual impairment. He stated, “White Cane Safety Day serves as a reminder that we must work tirelessly to create a society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can participate fully in all aspects of life. The purpose of this day is to raise public awareness of the rights of the visually impaired and to mobilize the general public in support of their cause. It is an honor to stand with the Directorate General of Special Education in celebrating this occasion.”

Sheikh Azhar Sajjad, the Director General of Special Education, echoed these sentiments, saying, “Our visually impaired students, their dedicated teachers, and supportive parents are a testament to the strength and resilience of our community. We are committed to providing them with the support and resources they need to thrive.”

The Director General of Special Education extends his appreciation to all those who joined in this meaningful walk and those who support the cause of inclusion and accessibility for visually impaired individuals. As a society, it is imperative that we continue to work together to ensure that no one is left behind.= DNA

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This significant event brought together a diverse array of participants, including public sector representatives at federal and provincial levels, national and international knowledge partners, civil society organizations, development partners, and academia

ISLAMABAD, OCT 13 /DNA/  – Education is the cornerstone of progress, and in recognition of its paramount importance, Oxford Policy Management (OPM) Pakistan organized a one-day Research Agenda Co-Creation Workshop under the Data and Research in Education – Research Consortium (DARE-RC) program.

This significant event brought together a diverse array of participants, including public sector representatives at federal and provincial levels, national and international knowledge partners, civil society organizations, development partners, and academia.

The workshop aimed at setting the direction for the entire program through chalking out the contours of the research agenda with a focus on learners, learning environment, and the overall education landscape in Pakistan. The research agenda will serve as a roadmap to prioritize and define the areas in which rigorous and impactful research will be conducted as part of the DARE-RC initiative.

The discussants included Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, Secretary, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional training (MoFEPT); Abdur Rauf Khan Gandapur, Country Director at OPM Pakistan; Haris Khalique, Program Director, DARE-RC; Muhammad Zaigham Qadeer, Research Director at Pakistan Institute of Education (PIE); Kim Bradford Smith, Education Team Lead, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO); Dr Jamila Razzaq, Research Director, DARE-RC; Dr Dilshad Ashraf, Deputy Research Director, DARE-RC; and Anza Saqib, Consultant Media and Research Education Parliamentarians’ caucus, Senate of Pakistan. The session was addressed as Chief of Guest by Madad Ali Sindhi, Federal Minister, MoFEPT

In his opening remarks, Abdur Rauf Khan highlighted the role DARE-RC is going to play in shaping the education landscape. He was of the view that DARE-RC is committed to promoting data-driven education policy that is rooted in comprehensive research as the program places a strong emphasis on strengthening the research capacities of local academic institutions and think-tanks, enabling them to actively contribute to the educational transformation of the nation.

In his address as the Guest of Honour, Waseem Ajmal emphasized the foundational challenges in the education sector and the crucial role of researchers and relevant expertise in translating learning objectives into effective teaching materials. He also pointed out the pressing need for comprehensive data to address the multifaceted issues being faced in the education sector. He hoped DARE-RC would be able to connect researchers across Pakistan and work collaboratively with government and policy actors too ensure the research aligns with real-world needs and priorities.

The Federal Minister for Education welcomed the efforts of the NGOs and the civils society in raising the pertinent issues related to the sorry state of education affairs in the country. He rued the indifference shown by political parties towards ensuring that children, especially from the marginalized community in the country, have access to quality education.

Transparency, accountability, and accessibility were recurring themes during the workshop. It was emphasized by the participants that research findings must be made publicly available, as transparency is crucial for holding the government and implementers accountable and for driving improvements in education service delivery. It was also stressed that the research produced under the DARE program should be easily understood and applicable by non-academic audiences, including policymakers and the public.

During the group activities, the participants identified several gaps in the existing data vis-à-vis education. They believed reliable and timely data is missing to address educational woes in the country. They also shed light on the digital divide hindering education expansion and highlighted the intersectionality of gender, climate, and education in the face of climate vagaries and disasters.

The DARE-RC program, championed by OPM and funded by the FCDO, has a mission to forge a comprehensive and accessible body of evidence pertaining to pivotal issues within the education service delivery framework of Pakistan. These issues encompass enabling greater access to education for girls, nurturing an environment for prolonged and improved learning, enhancing teaching quality, fostering accountability, reaching out to marginalized girls and boys, and leveraging technology to enrich the educational experience.= DNA

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