ISLAMABAD,  25^thFEB 2021 : Three Centers of Excellence of the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS), a Pakistan-based intergovernmental organization of 27 developing countries, signed general agreements for collaboration in various fields of science and technology in the presence of Prime Ministers of Pakistan and Sri Lanka, during hisvisit to Colombo. The agreements were signed by the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI), Sri Lanka, with the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), Pakistan, and the COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Pakistan. ITI was represented by its Director General, Dr. Radhika Samarasekera, while ICCBS and CUI were represented by the Pakistani High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Maj. Gen. (R) Muhammad Saad Khattak.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between ITI-Sri Lanka and ICCBS-Pakistan would provide platform for cooperation in the areas of natural products/medicinal plant chemistry, food chemistry, biotechnology, nanotechnology, tropical disease research, and analytical services. Under the MoU, the parties would undertake academic and research cooperation in terms of scholarships, fellowships, hands-on trainings on sophisticated equipment, joint supervision of students, conducting bi-institutional workshops, exchange of research scientists and faculty members, exchange of academic materials and publications, setting up of analytical service laboratories, etc.

On the other hand, the Intent of Cooperation (IoC) signed between ITI-Sri Lanka and CUI-Pakistan would provide basis for cooperation in education, research and capacity building through joint training programs, conferences and seminars; joint academic and research activities; exchange of researchers, staff and faculty members; short-term and long-term fellowships; implementation of short-term training courses; publishing joint research journals; sharing of scientific resources, etc.

Reflecting on this development, the Executive Director COMSATS, Dr. S. M. Junaid Zaidi, SI and HI , today talking to the press ensured that the signing of the afore-mentioned MoU/IoC would facilitate COMSATS’ Network of International S&T Centers of Excellence in achieving its mission of promoting South-South and Triangular cooperation for finding S&T-based solutions to the sustainability issues in the global South, and at the same time, would bring Pakistan and Sri Lanka closer for mutually beneficial cooperation in science, technology and innovation.

All indoor dinning, weddings to resume; cricket fans allowed to go to stadiums; work from home restriction also eliminated

Ansar M Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: The National Command Operation Centre (NCOC) on Wednesday decided to loosen coronavirus restrictions that it earlier put in place after carefully reviewing the second phase of precautionary measures or the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs).

The NCOC added that the decisions could be reviewed again in view of the increased disease prevalence, whenever deemed necessary. According to a statement issued in this regard, provinces can, however, enforce targeted NPIs where required, depending upon disease prevalence in a given area or sector.

Following are some of the decisions taken by the NCOC.

• Time-limit lifted from commercial activities and amusement parks;

• Condition of 50% work from home removed for office employees;

• Indoor wedding ceremonies will be allowed from March 15, 2021, with stringent COVID-19 standard operating procedures (SOPs) in place;

• Indoor dining allowed from March 15, subject to a review on March 10;

• Opening of cinemas and shrines allowed with strict COVID-19 SOPs with effect from March 15;

• Wearing of face masks, social distancing, smart lockdowns will continue and will be ensured;

• From a health perspective, the conduct of local bodies and cantonment board elections may be planned by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) by the end of May or early June 2021.

• Spectators’ attendance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Pool matches to be increased to 50 % from the current 20%. Whereas, full attendance will be allowed for play-offs with stringent COVID-19 SOPs in place.

ISLAMABAD, FEB 24 (DNA) – Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Wednesday has directed the concerned authorities to issue advertisement in newspapers to inform the political parties regarding the proceedings on illegal foreign funding case.

According to details, 15 out of 19 heads political parties appeared before the commission today while the remaining four didn’t attend the hearing. The ECP has adjourned the hearing till April 5.

Earlier, the election commission had summoned heads of 19 political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). The decision to summon the heads of all political parties was taken on the request of PTI. = DNA

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DNA

RAWALPINDI: General Nadeem Raza, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, who is on a two days official visit to UAE, called on Lieutenant General Hammad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithy, Chief of Staff UAE Armed Forces. CJCSC also held separate meetings with all Chiefs of tri-services.

During the meetings, both sides deliberated upon various areas of interest, bilateral cooperation including security, counter-terrorism and prevailing regional environment particularly with reference to Kashmir and Afghanistan. The dignitaries also dilated upon measures to enhance the level and scope of military engagements between both countries and reaffirmed to continue to forge deeper strategic ties.

Chairman JCSC also visited International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) and Naval Defence & Maritime Security Exhibition (NAVDEX) in Abu Dhabi. CJCSC visited the stalls established by different organisations from Pakistan as well as participating Pak Naval Ships.

Chairman JCSC lauded the efforts of these organizations in showcasing Pakistan’s indigenously manufactured defence related equipment at global level.On the sidelines of the exhibition, Chairman JCSC also called on General Enzo Vecciarelli, Italy’s Chief of Defence (CHOD). During the meetings, Chairman JCSC said that Pakistan defence manufacturing sector is capable of meeting the bulk requirements of foreign customers in the select areas of medium to high end technologies.