Rawalpindi, MAR 21: /DNA/ – During an encounter with the hard-core terrorists in general area Angoor Adda, South Waziristan, intense fire was exchanged. Brigadier Mustafa Kamal Barki from Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), while leading the encounter from the front, embraced Shahadat while 7 x members got injured (including 2 critically wounded).
Brigadier Barki and his team put up a valiant resistance against the terrorists during the encounter and the officer sacrificed his life for peace of the motherland.
Defence Forces of Pakistan and Intelligence Agencies pledge to reaffirm and demonstrate firm resolve to eliminate the menace of terrorism from every inch of the country.
ISI Brigadier embraces martyrdom in South Waziristan encounter with terrorists
PM Shehbaz felicitates newly elected APNS body
ISLAMABAD, Mar 21 (DNA): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday felicitated the newly elected members of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), an organization of major Pakistani newspapers and publishers.
The prime minister congratulated Nazafreen Sehgal Lakhani and Sarmad Ali as the unanimously elected president and secretary general, Imtenan Shahid as senior vice president, Muhammad Aslam Qazi as vice president, S.M. Munir Jilani as joint secretary, and Shahab Zuberi as finance secretary of the APNS.
PM Shehbaz expressed hope that the newly elected APNS body would take steps for the promotion of mass media in the country.
He urged the media to work towards ensuring peace and tolerance besides promoting ethical and democratic values.
The Prime Minister emphasized the role of newspapers in eliminating fake news and raising public awareness on issues concerning social problems, especially women, and persons with different abilities.=DNA
PM inaugurates Teleschool Pakistan Mobile App
ISLAMABAD, MAR 21 (DNA) — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday inaugurated One School for All, Teleschool Pakistan – Mobile App to provide online education to students from Grade-1 to 12.
Inaugurating the revolutionary step of materializing the vision of digital education in Islamabad this afternoon, he emphasized on promoting online education that can ensure continuity of learning in far flung areas as well as during catastrophes and pandemics.
He said we have to invest in our future generations to equip them with modern skills. He said vocational training centers should be established across Pakistan in cooperation with the provincial governments. He said private institutions can be hired in a transparent manner to impart skill education to students.
The Prime Minister also called for supporting orphan and poor students through Education Endowment Fund. He said the federal government is also planning to help Balochistan Government in establishing Danish Schools in the province to provide quality education to the children.
Highlighting importance of quality teachers’ training, Shehbaz Sharif advised the Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training to chalk out a coordinated programme in consultation with provinces to equip teachers with modern education and skills. He said teachers’ attendance should be digitized.
The Prime Minister, on the occasion, also distributed chrome books among students. Earlier, briefing the audience, Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain said 22.8 million children are out of school in Pakistan and this initiative will certainly help cater to the educational needs of such students.
He said efforts are being made to make Islamabad a model territory in terms of provision of education by bringing the number of out of school children to zero. He said we are also focusing on teacher training and girls’ education.
Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training Waseem Ajmal said digital content of high quality comprising around 6,000 video lessons has been created to impart education to students in all subjects through six digital channels. He said chrome books are also being provided to children with the cooperation of Google for Education. — DNA
Ruet-e-Hilal body meets on Wednesday for sighting of Ramazan moon
PESHAWAR, MAR 21 (DNA) — The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee is going to hold its session in Peshawar on Wednesday (March 22, 2023) for sighting the Ramazan moon. Maulana Abdul Khair Azad will chair the meeting.
The Met Office said there are strong chances of a Ramazan moon sighting on March 22, (29 Shaban 1444) and first of Ramazan is likely to start on Thursday. It said the Ramazan moon’s birth will take place on March 21 at 10:23 pm.
It has further said that in the event of 30-day Ramazan, then it will conclude on April 21 (Friday) and Eidul Fitr will be celebrated on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Besides that, there will also be meetings of Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committees in different cities across the country.
The decision about the sighting of the moon and announcement will be made by the Central Ruet-i-Hilal Committee. Representatives from central and zonal committees from Peshawar, ministry of religious affairs and ministry of science and technology will participate in the meeting. — DNA
Rana Tanvir for enhanced Pak-Maldives collaboration in technical education
ISLAMABAD, MAR 21 (DNA) — Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Rana Tanvir Hussain has called for enhanced collaboration between Pakistan and Maldives in the field of technical and vocational education.
He was talking to Higher Education Minister of Maldives Dr. Ibrahim Hassan who called on him in Islamabad on Tuesday. Rana Tanveer Hussain said a Memorandum of Understanding on Education and Professional Training to oversee, pursue and coordinate the collaboration between two countries should be formulated and implemented soon.
He said that Maldives National University has been connected with the leading Universities in Pakistan including LUMS, NUST, Arid Agricultural University and others. The visiting dignitary told Rana Tanveer Hussain that Maldivian students are pursuing their higher education especially MBBS in Pakistan’s medical institutes as 6-8 seats are offered to them annually. — DNA
FM Bilawal, Iranian Foreign Minister hold telephonic talk
ISLAMABAD, MAR 21 /DNA/ – Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian of the Islamic Republic of Iran, today.
Extending warm felicitations on the signing of the Joint Trilateral Statement by Iran, Saudi Arabia and China, on 10 March 2023 in Beijing, the Foreign Minister termed the resumption of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran as a testament to the wisdom and farsightedness of the leadership of the two countries. The Foreign Minister also commended the important role played by China in facilitating this process.
Underscoring Pakistan’s close fraternal relations with both Iran and Saudi Arabia, the Foreign Minister stressed that the renewal of diplomatic ties between the two brotherly countries would serve as a harbinger for peace, prosperity and development for the entire region.
Taking note of the upward trajectory in Pakistan-Iran relations, the two Foreign Ministers expressed their resolve to further intensify cooperation across the entire spectrum of bilateral ties.
Panel Discussion on Pakistan’s Fabled Miniature Art organized in Brussels
BRUSSELS, MAR 21 /DNA/ – The Embassy of Pakistan Brussels organized a Panel discussion about Pakistan’s renowned Miniature art at the Chancery, today. The discussion was organized by the Embassy in collaboration with the Red Moon Art Incubator.
The event was part of the Pakistan Panorama Series, featuring Pakistani artists, presenting a representative selection of Pakistan’s most interesting and emerging contemporary art to the Belgian audience. The first exhibition of the series took place in December 2022 with the young artist Ms. Mina Arhram. Whereas, the weeklong upcoming exhibition of the Pakistani Miniature paintings by the visiting Pakistani couple will be held from 22nd March to 26 March in Brussels.
The lead speakers on the panel included renowned Pakistani Miniature artists, Mr. Shiblee Munir and Ms. Noreen Rashid. The founder and curator of the Red Moon Art Incubator Ms. Ellora Julie moderated the discussion.
The panalists underscored that Pakistan has produced a number of iconic and world-famous artists, like Sadiquain, Abdur Rehman Chughtai, Ismail Gul Jee, Ustad Allah Bakhsh, Anna Molka Ahmed, Zubaida Agha, etc. They also highlighted the history and development of miniature art in the Flanders region of Belgium and indicated the cross-cultural influences and linkages between the respective techniques and styles of the various art centers of medieval times.
While speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shiblee Muneer described the history of miniature paintings in Pakistan and the role of his forefathers in development and evolution of the miniature art in Pakistan.
In her remarks, Ms. Noureen Rashid explained the contours of the contemporary art scene in Pakistan. She also briefed the audience about the techniques involved in the formation of specially prepared colors as well as handmade art paper called wasli.
The moderator Ms. Elora Julie expressed gratitude to the Embassy of Pakistan for patronizing the event. She underscored that such event would act as a bridge between the people of the two countries.
The event was attended by art enthusiasts, civil society members, members of the diplomatic corps and media representatives.
The event was followed by traditional Pakistani cuisine which was highly appreciated by the participants.
FM Bilawal phones Saudi counterpart
ISLAMABAD, MAR 21 /DNA/ – Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held a telephonic conversation with His Highness Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) today.
The Foreign Minister congratulated the Saudi Foreign Minister on recent normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran announced through “Trilateral Joint Statement” and appreciated the leadership of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this positive development. The Foreign Minister added that this agreement will pave the way for initiation of meaningful dialogue for peace, security, trade and development in the entire region.
Reaffirming the fraternal relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, the two Foreign Ministers reiterated their mutual commitment to further expand and diversify the bilateral strategic partnership. They also Ministers stressed the vital role of high-level exchanges for cementing ties between the two countries.
CAA returns lost pouch containing $9500 to traveller
ISLAMABAD, MAR 21 (DNA) — Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) staff has returned a lost wallet containing $9500 to a passenger, setting an example of honesty in a country full of corrupt officials.
According to CAA spokesman, a passenger Anwar Aman and his family had flown from America to Islamabad by flight number QR-632. He, however, left his hand pouch on the chair while retrieving luggage from the belt in the lounge. He left the arrival lounge at 2:30 am with luggage. At 3 am, he returned to airport at 3 am and started looking for his pouch in the lounge.
After failing to locate his pouch, he requested the authorities to check the CCTV footage, but since there was no CCTV surveillance at the place of disappearance, nothing could be done.
Later, Adviser to the Prime Minister Aun Chaudhry called to the passenger complaint cell and CAA Vigilance Assistant Rab Nawaz re-investigated the matter through CCTV. Similarly, the civil aviation team checked each passenger with the help of cameras.
A family was suspected in this connection and the data of the female passenger and her other family members were collected. Moreover, the husband of the female passenger in the UK was also contacted and informed of the entire incident. Thus, the CAA team was able to recover the pouch containing $9500 from the woman. The recovered currency worth Rs2.7 million was handed over to the owner Anwar Aman. — DNA
Jamal Nasir assures to further reform healthcare system in Punjab
Islamabad, MAR 21 /DNA/ – Jamal Nasir, Minister for Primary and Secondary Healthcare Department, Government of Punjab said that efforts are being made to further reform and strengthen the critical aspects of the healthcare system in Punjab in order to deliver better quality healthcare services to the community. He said that the healthcare system would be made more efficient and effective in terms of service delivery that should be easily accessible, affordable and sustainable. He said this while addressing a dinner reception hosted in his honor by Zahid Bakhtawari, Chairman, Pakistan Chemists & Druggists Association Punjab.
Dr. Jamal Nasir said that drugs rules are being reviewed to facilitate the pharmaceuticals manufacturers and save them from unnecessary and unjustified fines. He assured that every effort would be made to protect the dignity and respect of the business community of pharma trade and increase their importance in the society.
Liaquat Ali Chatha, Commissioner Rawalpindi in his address said that all delayed development projects including the Rawalpindi Ring Road project would be completed within the stipulated time period. He further said that the Ring Road project is a game changer and very important for the people of twin cities, which would provide ample employment opportunities, besides promoting business activities.
Speaking at the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry briefed the Minister about the key issues of the business community of pharma trade and hoped that he would take measures to address them. He said that druggists and chemists are rendering great services to the community by providing them needed medicines and said that the drugs rules should always be amended in consultation with them as unilateral amendment in such rules often creates problems in promotion of trade activities.
Waqar Bakhtawari, President, Chakwal Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that Dr. Jamal Nasir had established Gymkhana clubs in Faisalabad, Gujrat and other cities during his employment and said that he should also play a role in establishing a Gymkhana club in Chakwal.
Zahid Bakhtawari Chairman PCDA Punjab, Zafar Bakhawari Secretary General UBG, Abid Bakhtawari Chairman Islamabad Citizens Forum and others also spoke at the occasion and said that pharma trade related legislation without consultation mostly creates numerous problems, therefore, stakeholders should always be taken on board on such moves to achieve win-win outcomes.
