Bureau Report

LAHORE: Delegation from Nuqus State Pedagogical Institute, Republic of Uzbekistan arrived in Pakistan for a two-day visit of University of the Punjab, Lahore. The delegation included Mr. Kalkhanov Jumabaevich, Vice-Rector, Nuqus State Pedagogical Institute, Mr. Alimjan Bimbetiv Utarbaevich, representative of International Relations Department, Nuqus State Pedagogical Institute, and Ms. Nargiza Babaniyazova, Head of English Department, Nuqus State Pedagogical Institute.

During the meeting between Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Akhtar, Vice-Chancellor, University of the Punjab, Lahore and the delegation from Nuqus State Pedagogical Institute, various collaborative projects under academic sphere were discussed. Furthermore, the meeting focused on initiating student exchange programs and faculty exchange programs. The meeting was also attended by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of the Punjab, Brigadier Mansoor Saeed (Retd), Senior Member Advisory Board, CGSS, and Dr. Fozia Hadi, Director, Regional Integration Center (RIC), University of the Punjab and other senior faculty members of University of the Punjab, Lahore.

The delegation also visited various departments of University of the Punjab, Lahore including Institute of Education Research (IER), Institute of Administration Sciences (IAS), Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Department of Agriculture Sciences, and Center for Applied Molecular Biology (CAMB). During the meetings with the Deans of the departments, various projects of common interests were finalized.

The meetings were followed by a Dinner organized by Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Akhtar, Vice-Chancellor, University of the Punjab for the Delegation from Nuqus State Pedagogical Institute. The dinner was attended by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, University of the Punjab, Dr. Fozia Hadi, Director, Regional Integration Center (RIC), University of the Punjab, Lahore, deans of various departments, and management of University.

On the second day of the visit, the tour of Lahore city was organized. Few of the prominent places visited by the delegation included Mizar-e-Iqbal, Badshahi Mosque, and Shahi Qilla. Additionally, the delegation also visited College of Art and Design (CAD), University of the Punjab, Lahore. During the meeting at College of Art and Design (CAD), the delegation expressed interest in facilitating cooperation between Art department of Nuqus State Pedagogical Institute and College of Art and Design, University of the Punjab.

The visit of Nuqus State Pedagogical Institute was facilitated by Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad. In this regard, Mr. Kalkhanov Jumabaevich, Vice-Rector, Nuqus State Pedagogical Institute appreciated the instrumental role played by CGSS in establishing academic relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and specifically between Regional Integration Center (RIC), University of the Punjab, Lahore and Nuqus State Pedagogical Institute, Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, Jun 18 :Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarian (PPPP) Bilawal Bhutto on Friday demanded of the Speaker National Assembly to issue production orders of detained parliamentarians.

Taking part in the budget debate, he said that the Speaker has the authority to issue production orders of Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Ali Wazir and Khawaja Muhammad Asif for full session so they could represent their respective constituencies.

He said the government only raised 15 per cent in the salaries of the employees during the last three years while 120 and 100 per cent increase was made in the salaries and pensions of government employees respectively during PPPP regime in order to give them relief. 

He said that PPPP government also made 175 percent increase in the salaries of personnel of armed forces.

He alleged that the government enhanced indirect taxes on various items which would cause further inflation in the country.

He claimed that all the provinces would suffer in case proper implementation on 18th constitutional amendment was not ensured.

Bilawal Bhutto said bills seeking electoral reforms would not be allowed to pass, in case, the government succeeded to get these proposal passed, we would challenge it in a court of law.

He also demanded of the government to take on board the opposition about the peace process in Afghanistan.

ISLAMABAD : Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed on Friday directed the authorities to take stern action against drug supply and land grabbing in Islamabad.

“Completely eliminating crime from Islamabad is our mission and I have directed police to eliminate criminal activities backed by powerful elements,” he said while speaking to media outside the Parliament House and added that improved law and order situation will help in the growth of economic activities besides promotion of tourism.

He directed the Inspector General of Police (IG) Islamabad to eliminate the capital city from drug supply. “Action should be taken against elements selling heroin and ice in the city,” he said.

He further directed strict action against elements involved in land grabbing and announced that they would not spare the land grabbers. He further said that the government has announced to earmark Rs55 billion for works on the Nullah Lai project.

While commenting on rumpus during the National Assembly session, the interior minister said that whatever happened for three days inside the Parliament has in no way helped in improving the stature of the legislature.

While rejecting the opposition’s criticism against the government, Sheikh Rasheed said that they were the ones who predicted the fall of the current regime in December 2020. “Their dreams have been shattered as Imran Khan-led government will complete its five-year tenure,” he said.

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi Thursday said that the final decision regarding the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in elections will be taken by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

According to a press release issued in this regard, the president was chairing a meeting of the sub-committee on emerging technologies in i-voting. He said government organisations would facilitate the ECP in executing the process of electoral reforms in a transparent manner.

President Alvi also called for addressing the reservations, raised by the ECP, regarding the amendment of the electoral laws. He emphasised that vote was a fundamental right of every citizen, and they could not be deprived of their basic right due to the weaknesses of the system.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication (IT&T) Syed Aminul Haq, Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, Secretary Ministry of IT&T Dr Muhammad Sohail Rajput, Acting Chairman NADRA Brig (retd) Khalid Latif, DG (IT) ECP Khizer Aziz, and other officials of the government.

Addressing the meeting, the president underlined the need for improving the existing electoral laws to enable about 9 million overseas Pakistanis to exercise their right to vote in line with the directions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.

He stressed the need for improving communication among the stakeholders concerned to address any misconceptions about i-voting for overseas Pakistanis. Referring to the Elections Act, 2017, Azam Khan Swati informed the meeting that 49 amendments were incorporated in the said Act with the consent of ECP and this time the relevant organisations should also support the ongoing reforms to ensure transparency and credibility of the electoral process.

EVMs only option to prevent poll fraud: PM Imran Khan

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan Thursday said electronic voting machines (EVMs) are the only option to prevent poll fraud and ensure transparency in the electoral process.

He was presiding over a briefing on the use of electronic voting machines in elections in the country, which was attended by Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz, Leader of the House in Senate Dr Shehzad Wasim, Minister for Railways Azam Khan Swati, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib and Advisor to the Prime Minister Babar Awan.

The PM was given a detailed briefing on the progress made so far in the use of electronic voting machines and legislation regarding electoral reforms. He reiterated his commitment to ensure transparency in the use of electronic voting machines and to meet all constitutional requirements.

“Overseas Pakistanis are an asset to the country; they must be involved in the election process,” he added. The prime minister emphasised that electoral reforms, electronic voting, and the voting process for overseas Pakistanis should be completed soon.