ISLAMABAD, MAY 22: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to China from May 23-26, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said on Friday.

Addressing a weekly press briefing, the spokesperson said the premier is visiting the brotherly country at the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

During the visit, PM Shehbaz will hold key meetings with Chinese leadership, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, Andrabi added.

The prime minister will also chair a Pakistan-China Business-to-Business Conference and attend a reception ceremony in Beijing.

Andrabi said that the visit will play an important role in further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

“The visit will provide an opportunity to reaffirm the abiding strength of the Pakistan-China all-weather strategic partnership and advance a shared vision of building an even closer Pakistan-China community of a shared future,” Andrabi said.

“The two sides will review bilateral relations, cooperation in political, economic, and strategic domains,” the spokesman added.

He said that Pakistan and China have recently marked the completion of 75 years of diplomatic relations with official-level celebrations. Andrabi added that both countries have supported each other in every difficult time over the past 75 years.

The spokesperson said that the relationship has expanded beyond diplomacy into strong partnerships in trade, industry, education, and people-to-people contacts.

Andrabi said that on the occasion of 75 years of diplomatic relations, Pakistan and China are reaffirming their “everlasting friendship” and commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation.

A day earlier, PM Shehbaz said that China has consistently stood with Pakistan with steadfast support through thick and thin, and the friendship between the two countries has grown stronger over time.

“China has stood like a rock with Pakistan in every difficult time,” said PM Shehbaz while addressing in Islamabad held on Thursday to mark the 75th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic relations.

He recalled that Pakistan was the first Islamic country to recognise China, adding that the event celebrating Chinese friendship was a source of great joy.

Separately, the government has decided to issue a commemorative Rs75 coin to mark the 75th anniversary. The coin will be available to the public from May 25 through exchange counters at the field offices of the SBP Banking Services Corporation. Pakistan and China formally established diplomatic relations on May 21, 1951.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 22 /DNA/ – The Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan held a meeting with the members of the National Curriculum Review Committee (NCRC) in the discipline of Computer Science here at the Commission Secretariat.  

The meeting aimed to review outcomes of the National Skills Competency Test (NSCT) 2026 and discuss future interventions required to futher strengthen the Computing Education in Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention here that HEC conducted NSCT nationwide on April 4-5, 2026 in collaboration with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), and the Virtual University of Pakistan. More than 33,000 students from higher education institutions across the country participated in the test.

The meeting participants held detailed deliberation on the key findings of NSCT, the gaps identified in Computing Education, and the measures required to align academic curricula with emerging industry requirements and national priorities.

Following the meeting, a Certificate Distribution Ceremony was held to acknowledge and appreciate the valuable contributions of stakeholders, committee members, and collaborating institutions towards the successful conduct of NSCT 2026.

ISLAMABAD, MAY 22 /DNA/ – A 13-member delegation of academia from Bangladesh, led by Chairman University Grants Commission (UGC) Bangladesh Prof. Dr. Mamun Ahmed, visited the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Secretariat as part of an ongoing academic engagement programme between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Chairman HEC Dr. Niaz Ahmad Akhtar and other senior officers of HEC warmly welcomed the distinguished delegates.

In a comprehensive session, the delegation was briefed on the mandate, achievements, and strategic initiatives of HEC Pakistan. On the occasion, senior HEC officers delivered detailed presentations on various aspects of Pakistan’s higher education system.

The Coordination Division presented an overview of HEC’s organisational framework and strategic functions, while the Academics & Accreditation Division briefed the delegation on the higher education landscape, access and expansion of higher education institutions, establishment of campuses, and recent policy reforms. The Quality Assurance Division shared insights into Pakistan’s Quality Assurance Framework and accreditation mechanisms, whereas the Information Technology Division highlighted initiatives related to digitisation and automation in higher education.

An interactive discussion was also held, during which both sides exchanged views on higher education governance, quality enhancement, research collaboration, digital transformation, and opportunities for future institutional partnerships between universities of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

Later, the delegation visited National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, where a guided tour of key academic and innovation facilities, including the Centre for International Peace and Stability (CIPS) and the National Science and Technology Park (NSTP) was arranged. The university officials briefed the delegation on NUST’s contributions to research, innovation, entrepreneurship, industry-academia collaboration, and technological advancement.

The engagement provided an opportunity for both sides to further strengthen academic relations and explore avenues for future collaboration in higher education, research, faculty development, and student engagement between Pakistan and Bangladesh.

The visit reflects the shared commitment of both countries to promoting academic diplomacy, faculty collaboration, student exchange initiatives, and mutual learning in the higher education sector. It marks an important step towards deepening educational cooperation and enhancing people-to-people connectivity between the two brotherly countries.

RAWALPINDI, MAY 22 /DNA/ – Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M), HJ, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, during an official visit to the Republic of Turkiye, held high-level meetings with General Ziya Cemal Kadıoglu, Commander Turkish Air Force, H.E. Yasar Guler, Minister of National Defence, and Mr. Selcuk Bayraktar, Chief Technology Officer Baykar Technologies, reaffirming the growing strategic convergence and shared commitment of both nations towards enhanced collaboration in defence, aerospace innovation and emerging technologies.

At Turkish Air Force Headquarters, he received a Guard of Honour and discussed enhancing interoperability through joint exercises, training programmes, and professional exchanges. The Turkish Air Chief appreciated Pakistan Air Force’s support in training Turkish pilots.

During his meeting with Defence Minister Yasar Guler, both sides reaffirmed the strong historical and strategic ties between Pakistan and Türkiye, while exploring deeper cooperation in training, capacity building, and aerospace collaboration.

In yet another significant engagement, Chief of the Air Staff met with Mr. Selcuk Bayraktar, Chief Technology Officer of Baykar Technologies. The interaction focused on advancements in aerospace innovation, unmanned aerial systems and emerging technologies, reflecting the shared vision of both sides to pursue greater collaboration in next-generation defence technologies.

DNA

ISLAMABAD:  The European Union (EU)-funded ‘Deliver Justice Project’ concluded in Islamabad, marking five years of strengthening access to justice, improving people-centred justice services, and advancing rule of law reforms across Pakistan.

Jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the project worked across Islamabad, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) to support justice and security institutions, civil society, and local communities.

The closing event brought together representatives from the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, provincial justice and security institutions, civil society, media, and communities to reflect on the project’s impact and the partnerships that made it possible. Champions of justice from KP and Balochistan were also recognized for their contributions to promoting more accessible and inclusive justice services.

On the occasion, H.E. Mr. Raimundas Karoblis, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, said, “The EU is committed to helping Pakistan provide an improved, more efficient, safer, and more accessible justice system to its citizens.  Through this project, we’ve been able to support the justice sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.”

The event highlighted the project’s impact through testimonials and conversations with women lawyers, women police officers, and community members who benefited from legal awareness, legal aid, and justice services under the initiative. An interactive Impact Hub showcased achievements, research, and personal stories from across the project areas.

Honourable Justice Shahid Waheed, Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan, attended the event as the Chief Guest. In his remarks, he noted, “The justice sector across the world is undergoing profound transformation. Courts and justice institutions are increasingly expected not only to decide disputes, but also to deliver justice that is accessible, inclusive, efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of society. In developing democracies, particularly, justice institutions carry an even greater responsibility: to reinforce public trust, protect constitutional rights, and ensure that no individual or community is left behind.”

A panel discussion on the future of the rule of law in Pakistan explored how sustained collaboration can help make justice systems more responsive, inclusive, and accessible for all. Moderated by Ms. Shahzada Ahmad, Programme Manager, UNDP Pakistan, the discussion featured insights from Judge Muhammad Amir Munir, Director, Federal Judicial Academy; Ms. Munizae Jehangir, Senior Journalist; Mr. Muhammad Mudassar Javed, CEO, SHARP; and Ms. Huma Akhtar Chughtai, Member of the National Assembly.

“We have much to be proud of,” said Ms. Van Nguyen, Officer-in-Charge, UNDP Pakistan. “Over the past five years, the Deliver Justice project has reminded us that behind every policy reform or institutional improvement are real people – women accessing legal aid, police offers serving communities with greater confidence, and citizens better able to understand and claim their rights. Ultimately, justice matters only when people can experience it in their everyday lives with fairness, protection, and dignity. That is the true measure of progress.”

At the occasion, Mr. Troels Vester, Representative UNODC Pakistan, said, “The Deliver Justice Project (DJP) reflects what can be achieved through strong partnerships, institutional ownership, and long-term commitment to rule of law reforms. Over the past five years, the DJP has strengthened criminal justice institutions across Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through legislative reforms, digital transformation, citizen-centric policing, prison modernisation, and enhanced access to justice. Most importantly, these reforms are now being sustained and institutionalised by the Government, ensuring that the impact of this partnership will continue well beyond the project lifecycle.

To highlight the link between the rule of law, rehabilitation, and economic empowerment, prison industries from KP presented handmade handicrafts, furniture, and artwork produced by inmates as part of their vocational training. The dedicated marketplace underscored how skills development can support dignity, rehabilitation, and future livelihoods.

Mr. Jamshed M. Kazi, Country Representative, UN Women Pakistan, remarked: “Delivering justice means ensuring that every woman and girl, especially those facing multiple forms of discrimination, can access safe, responsive, and gender-sensitive justice services. Through this partnership, we have worked closely with institutions, communities, and women leaders to strengthen pathways to justice, amplify women’s voices, and promote accountability. The progress achieved under the Deliver Justice Project demonstrates the power of collaborative action in advancing gender equality and upholding the rights and dignity of all. The momentum should continue to serve women and girls in Pakistan.”

The 20-million-Euro Deliver Justice Project was funded by the European Union.