DNA

ISLAMABAD: In Pakistan, persons with disabilities are often not visible in the community. A lack of understanding of their basic needs and accessibility have left PWDs somewhat shunned from the general public. According to World Health Organization (census 2017), estimated 30 million people are living with some form of disability in Pakistan.

With this in mind, Founder Niaz, Hussain Odhwani developed an innovative social enterprise to increase the integration of disabled individuals into society through providing them customised wheelchair based on their body measurement and disability needs. The initiative also involves PWDs in its manufacturing process, hence providing employment opportunities.

Niaz is unlike anything we have seen in past,” says Hussain Odhwani, which is a platform to connect people with deserving persons with disabilities suffering from extreme poverty. “Given the lack of opportunities for people with disabilities in our community, we sought to find a creative solution in form of a disability gift store and one that could also engage overseas Pakistanis. We will continue to research on disability needs to offer socially responsible gifts that can transform lives.”

“Many prominent individuals were enthusiastic about the initiative and have joined the network as Honorary Ambassadors from around the globe, particularly to be part of an innovative solution to address a pressing social issue.” Hussain added.

Niaz website has been officially launched, where gifter can select a person with disability from the verified list, order a customised wheelchair and get it delivered to the gift recipient. The gifter will also receive delivery confirmation in form of a video as a token of gratitude along with a quarterly impact report on how these gifts are transforming lives of PWDs. To find out more about Niaz, visit www.niazsupport.org.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 24: Senior journalist and anchorperson Arshad Sharif died in an accident in Kenya, reported on Monday.

Family sources and colleagues have confirmed that journalist Arshad Sharif has died in Kenya.

Journalist Arshad Sharif died in Kenya reportedly after being shot, his wife Javeria Siddique confirmed early on Monday morning.

“I lost friend, husband and my favourite journalist [Arshad Sharif] today, as per police he was shot in Kenya,” she tweeted.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar said Pakistan’s High Commission in Kenya was ascertaining information from the authorities.

Authorities in both countries are yet to confirm the journalist’s death and the circumstances surrounding it. Some Pakistani media outlets had initially stated that Sharif was shot dead but later said he died in an accident.

However, Sharif’s wife later tweeted that the journalist was shot dead in Kenya.

Sharif, who was a fierce critic of the incumbent government and the country’s establishment, had left Pakistan earlier this year after sedition cases were registered against him in different cities.

Condolences

Condolences poured in from colleagues and politicians on the journalist’s death.

President Dr Arif Alvi termed Sharif’s death a loss for journalism and Pakistan. “May his soul rest in peace and may his family, which includes his followers, have the strength to bear this loss,” Alvi said. “My brother, my friend, my colleague Arshad Shareef was shot dead in Kenya … I still can’t believe it. It’s beyond heart breaking.

This is just wrong … this is painful … I love u brother,” ARY News anchorperson Kashif Abbasi tweeted.“Unbelievable. May Allah rest the soul of Arshad Sharif in peace. Ameen,” journalist Hamid Mir tweeted. Geo News anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada said he was extremely sad to hear the devastating news. “Arshad Sharif, not just a colleague, a brother, is no more. From Islamabad to Moscow, from Dunya News to ARY, I’ve not known a finer gentleman.

Shot dead. Too young. Too brutally,” Hum News anchorperson Meher Bokhari tweeted. PTI Secretary General Asad Umar and Senator Azam Swati also said they were shocked and devastated by the news of Sharif’s death. Journalists Kamran Khan and Shahbaz Rana called for an investigation into Sharif’s killing.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways is planning to upgrade five of its major railway stations across the country on modern lines to facilitate passengers and help the department generate more revenue. 

The purpose to upgrade the railway stations is to make them commercial hubs for business activities and facilitate the passengers,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP on Sunday.

He said the stations include Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Peshawar and Quetta. The official said that the decision was made in line with the direction of Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique.

The official said that the government was taking several steps to improve the performance of Pakistan Railways and would provide maximum facilities to the masses.

Responding to a question, he told that the railway infrastructure in Balochistan was being maintained as per available resources in order to provide safe and secure travelling to the passengers. The tracks include Sibi-Quetta-Chaman, Spezand-Taftan, and Sibi-Hurnai and some portion of Jacobabad-Sibi Section, he added.

He said that improvement of passengers’ amenities had been carried out by providing washrooms, drinking water and renovation of waiting rooms at the buildings of various stations.

Regarding the Sama Satta-Amruka section, he said that the contract for the rehabilitation of the track had been awarded to the Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) which was signed in March 2021 at a cost of Rs 7,735 million.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 23 /DNA/ – Pakistan Council on Foreign Relations (PCFR), Karachi based registered think-tank, organized a seminar on“Pakistan’s Economic Crisis and Foreign Policy Challenges”at a local hotel yesterday. Dr. Shamshad Akhtar Former Federal Minister of Finance & Former Governor State Bank of Pakistan and Ambassador (R) Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry former Foreign Secretary & former Ambassador to the U.S. deliberated on the subject. Ahsan Mukhtar Zubairi Secretary General PCFR greeted the distinguished guests in his welcome address.Addressing the audience, Zuberi maintainedthatsinceindependencePakistanhasfacedanumbereconomicchallenges including soaring foreign debt, trade deficit, inflation, and depreciating currency. Ambassador Shahid M Amin,ChairmanPCFRhighlightedthesignificanceofthesubjectinhisintroductoryremarks.Ambassador Amin said that economy and foreign policy are intrinsically linked with each other. While commenting on foreign policy Ambassador Amin maintained that instead of putting all eggs in one basket we should have multiple foreign policyoptions.

The former Federal Minister of Finance and former Governor SBP, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar shared her thoughts on “Pakistan’s Economic Challenges: Present and Future”.She highlighted the challenges Pakistan has been facing on the economic front for last many years. She stressed upon the need of prudent and skillful economic management to deal with uncertainties and risks Pakistan is exposed to. Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry deliberated on “Pakistan’s Foreign PolicyChallengesAmidstEconomicVulnerabilities”.AmbassadorChaudhrymaintainedthatPakistanisfacing anumberforeignpolicychallengesthatincludenavigatingbetweenU.S.-ChinaRivalry,balancingbetween Iran and Saudi Arabia, Modi’s India, unstable Afghanistan, and several non-traditional threats. He also highlightedthatPakistan’seconomicvulnerabilitieshavelimitedtheoptionsfordealingwiththechallenges at foreign policy front. The talks were followed by lively question and answer session. The event was attended by a foreign Consul Generals, businessmen, retired ambassadors, academics, and researchers.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 23 /DNA/ – Terrorists from inside Afghanistan across the international border, opened fire on a military post in Hassan Khel Sector, North Waziristan District. Own troops responded in a befitting manner. During fire exchange 1  soldier, Assistant Lance Daffadar Waqar Ali (Age 32 Years, resident of Chota Lahore, Swabi) embraced Shahadat. 

Pakistan has consistently been requesting Afghanistan to ensure effective border management. Pakistan strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for activates against Pakistan.

Pakistan Army is determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 23 /DNA/ – Each year, the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics provides a platform for academics and policymakers to exchange ideas on Pakistan’s pressing economic and social problems. In addition, it provides an important forum through the Annual General Meeting and Conference for economic professionals, policymakers, business people, and various schools of interested observers for debate concerning development issues.

According to the Press Release issued by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), it was stated that the annual conference, held continuously for the last 36 years, is an essential platform for researchers, intellectuals, and economists.

This year PIDE is hosting the 36th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the PSDE from 22 November to 24 November at Baluchistan University of Information Technology, Engineering, and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Quetta.

The conference will have 6 Invited Keynote Lectures, 6 Panel discussions, two debates, and papers to be presented from across Pakistan. Renowned Academicians, Businessmen, Practitioners policymakers will be joining us for the event to contribute to the 36 years old tradition

It is hoped that the local academia, policymakers, and the business community will actively participate in the conference.

The PIDE Press Release further stated that Pakistan has been experiencing a youth bulge for over a decade now but has not been able to reap a demographic dividend because young people lack the opportunity to let their talent flower.

According to the PIDE statement, PSDE wants Pakistan to be a place that allows people to identify, avail, and maximize opportunity. How would this happen? What is the role of the state, markets, and society in identifying, allowing, and maximizing ‘opportunity’? This would be the focus of debate for the 36th AGM and conference of the PSDE. The PIDE and PSDE also want to examine the society and economy in the context of the 4th Industrial revolution, what opportunities the revolution offers, and what the society needs to let people avail the opportunities and embrace the revolution.