ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (DNA): The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed its Paris operations under an alternative arrangement. A flight carrying 260 passengers left the French capital for Islamabad, a month and half after the European Union Air Safety Agency (EASA) had suspended the national carrier’s authorisation to operate in its member states for six months.

The plane also had 2.5 tons of cargo on board. The passengers were seen

off by the PIA’s country and station managers.

The PIA has made alternative arrangements to resume its operations in

European countries through special charter flights.

According to Aviation Minister Ghulam Sarwar, government is utilising

all technical and diplomatic means to lift the ban and the PIA would

restore its normal flight operations in two months.

The European air safety regulator had imposed the ban in the wake of the

grounding of 262 Pakistani pilots whose licences were termed “dubious”

by the aviation minister. DNA

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (DNA): A Special Session of the D-8 Commission,
co-chaired by Turkey (as current chair) and Bangladesh (as incoming
chair), was held virtually.

The session was attended by D-8 Commissioners/Representatives and the
D-8 Secretary General. Director General EC&OIC Tariq Karim participated
in the meeting as Pakistan’s Commissioner for the D-8, the Foreign
Office said on Sunday.

In his remarks, the D-8 Secretary General Dato’ Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari
updated Member States on the activities and initiatives of the
Secretariat.

He informed about the steps taken by the Secretariat and D-8 Health and
Social Protection programme office (D-8 HSP) in order to provide support
and strengthen cooperation among Member States in response to the
Covid-19 crisis.  The Secretary General also updated on the status of
various D-8 projects/ initiatives.

The meeting discussed various issues related to preparations for the
10th D-8 Summit to be held in Dhaka. The D-8 Commissioner for Bangladesh
briefed on the programme and events being planned for the next Summit.

In his interventions, Pakistan’s Commissioner for the D-8 Mr. Tariq
Karim appreciated efforts to organize the Special Session of the D-8.
Highlighting unprecedented global health and economic challenges posed
by Covid-19, he stated that “smart lockdown” policy and other measures
taken by the government have led to a significant improvement in the
pandemic situation in Pakistan with notable reduction in new cases and
fatality rate.

He highlighted the Prime Minister’s major initiatives to combat the
pandemic including $8 billion relief package for vulnerable groups;
Ehsas Emergency Cash Program; and “Global Initiative on Debt Relief” for
developing countries. He expressed Pakistan’s readiness to enhance
international cooperation to combat the pandemic.

While speaking on the occasion, Mr. Tariq Karim also apprised the
participants of the worsening human rights and humanitarian situation in
Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) in the wake of
year-long inhuman military siege, communication blackout, and egregious
violations of human rights.

He stated that despite widespread international condemnation, the Indian
occupation forces continued to brutalize and disenfranchise the
Kashmiris.

He stressed the importance of the world community and brotherly nations
taking steps to alleviate sufferings of the Kashmiri people and to
promote the realization of their inalienable right to
self-determination.

Pakistan is a founding member and key contributor to the D-8 activities.
Other members include Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Nigeria and Turkey. DNA

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ISLAMABAD, Aug 16 (DNA): Former president Asif Zardari has decided

to appear before the accountability court in Toshakhana case.

An accountability court has summoned the former president to appear

before it on August 17 (Monday).

Zardari has decided to appear before the court on Monday.

According to sources, Asif Zardari and his sister Faryal Talpur will

reach Islamabad from Karachi tomorrow as the People’s Party has decided

to show its political muscle during hearing of the case.

The party leadership has directed its members of the Parliament and

People’s Lawyers Forum to reach Islamabad on August 17.

The court has issued warrants for Zardari in Toshakhana accountability

reference. Former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gillani has been granted

exemption from appearance in hearing of the reference.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday challenged his

summoning by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Toshakhana

reference in the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

The NAB had filed a reference with the accountability court against the

former heads of the state and governments for not depositing luxury

vehicles and valuable gifts received from the foreign leaders in the

treasury.

Zardari had received expensive cars as a gift from Libya and the UAE as

president but did not deposit it in the Tosha Khana, the sources added.

The reference states that Zardari and Sharif obtained cars from

Toshakhana by paying 15 per cent of the price of the cars. The bureau

further alleged that Gilani facilitated Zardari and Nawaz in this

regard. DNA

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 16 – As university admissions begin throughout the country, deserving graduates from The Citizens Foundation (TCF) schools from all over Pakistan are making their way to some of the top-tier higher education institutions of the country.The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and Institute of Business Administration (IBA) announced their admission results this month.

4 TCF alumni secured admission and scholarship under the LUMS – National Outreach Programme, while 8 TCF graduates made it to IBA on scholarship as part of its National Talent Hunt Programme. Other renowned universities where TCF graduates have successfully gained admissions include – Institute of Business Management (IoBM), Habib University and SZABIST.

Over the next few months, as more universities conduct their entrance tests, TCF is expecting that many more of its graduates will be offered admissions and scholarships at other private and government universities as well as colleges.“To break the barriers of class and privilege, low-income students must make it to good universities and colleges.

TCF, for the past 25 years, is making strides toward this goal,” TCF’s President and CEO, Syed Asaad Ayub Ahmad said while commenting on this achievement of TCF graduates. “We are so proud that our alumni are attending some of the top-ranked educational institutions of the country,” he added further.Right now, 100% of TCF alumni who get enrolled in undergraduate colleges are first-generation learners – the first in their family to go to college! For all of them, it means the chance to change the trajectory of their entire families’ and community’s future.

A Pakistani woman was injured in unprovoked Indian firing across the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir, the Pakistani military said Saturday.

Indian border forces resorted to unprovoked firing in the LoC’s Khuiratta sector, the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement.

The Pakistan Army effectively responded to the unprovoked fire by engaging the Indian outposts, it added.

The injured woman was shifted to a hospital.

DNA

Islamabad: AUG 16 – In connection with 74th Independence Day Celebrations, Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences Pakistan, largest network of Pakistani universities and Government College University Lahore jointly organized webinar on the topic ‘’Reshaping Pakistan’s Future: Lessons from the Leadership of Quaid-I-Azam for Youth’’. Addressing on the occasion, Senator Walid Iqbal highlighted the close interaction between Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

He also urged the current and future leadership to follow the footsteps of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammmad Ali Jinnah.Justice (r) Nasira Javed Iqbal highlighted the importance of individual’s participation in development and betterment of society. She also expressed that when we talk about the term “individual” we also count women as well.

She also highlighted the role of Fatima Jinnah (Māder-e Millat) in support of her brother and as a women leader in formation of Pakistan.She specifically explained three terms “Ishq”, “Khudi” and “Fard” by giving reference of Iqbal’s poetry. She said that Pakistani youth is full of potential, but due to lack of opportunities, they are unable to play their effective role. She urged that the higher authorities should have to work on capacity building and creation of opportunities for proper facilitation of young talent. 

 Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Shah Vice-Chancellor QAU Islamabad and Chairman Vice-Chancellors Committee of Pakistan said the realizing importance of education, Quaid-i-Azam donated his own property to three educational institutions. Pakistan needs to declare education emergency to overcome challenges being faced in education and higher education. 

 Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Sheikh former Vice Chancellor Sindh Madressatul Islam University and Quaid-i-Azam’s biographer, highlighted the vision of Quaid-i-Azam about the youth. He said that Quaid-i-Azam always highlighted importance of effective role of youth and emphasized over inculcating values of tolerance, co-existence and responsible citizenship among the youth. 

Dr. Iqbal Chaudhary Coordinator General COMSTECH Islamabad said that as per vision of Quaid-i-Azam, the young generation needs to be equipped with modern knowledge. He insisted that social investment on youth is need of time, he said that the returns can be drawn by effectively engaging the two-third majority of youth through education and other means.

  Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi Vice Chancellor Government College University Lahore (GCUL) reiterated the importance of promotion of merit and understanding of religion and ethics in higher education. He emphasised the role of teachers and their incentives and training.

Mr. Murtaza Noor National Coordinator IUCPSS has stressed upon collaborative efforts for empowering youth in every sphere of life as per vision of the founder of nation. Released by Murtaza Noor National Coordinator Inter University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences Pakistan. 

DNA

ISLAMABAD, AUG 16 – Skilled Birth Attendants (SBAs) are the frontline workers in a telehealth system catering to maternal health and childcare needs. Dealing patients on a one-to-one basis to provide the medical care of a very sensitive nature, these attendants are the backbone of sexual and reproductive healthcare system.

Realizing the need for the necessary capacity building and skill development in Sexual, Reproductive and Maternal Health (SRMH) domain, the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) in collaboration with WHO, Pakistan, held the second round of virtual training on SRH tailored for SBAs. The first phase of the training had benefitted doctors from various telehealth clinics across Pakistan.

The present phase of the training was held in two batches of 5-days each, wherein twenty-six SBAs, including the Lady Health Visitors (LHVs) and Community Midwives (CMWs) from telehealth clinics of Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan provinces learned new concepts and techniques in SRH along with a recap refresher of the older ones still in use.

Professionals that imparted and coordinated training in this phase belonged to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSR&C), Government of Pakistan – COMSATS’ partners for the training. Besides, experts and consultants from Health Services Academy Islamabad, Dow Medical College and Civil Hospital in Karachi, and COMSATS Telehealth Islamabad, also conducted the various sessions of the training.

Interactive lectures supported by visual aids and video demonstrations were given to the participants on topics which, inter alia, included: effective ways for visual data collection and video interaction; pre-natal care with special considerations for COVID19 in pregnancy and when to refer; routine care in labour, delivery and post-partum care as per guidelines provided by WHO; significance of good mental health; effective postpartum stress management; adolescent health; and SRH self-care interventions.

Dr. Nirmini Hemachandra from WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean joined the closing ceremony from Egypt. Mentioning these trainings first of its kind initiative in the EMRO region, she appreciated the efforts of the organizers and congratulated participants on successful completion of the training.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Atiya Aabroo, Deputy Director (Programmes) at MoNHSR&C, deemed scaling up of such trainings important so as to benefit relevant actors all across Pakistan. In her closing remarks, Technical Officer WHO, Ms. Ellen Thom, appreciated COMSATS and thanked Executive Director of COMSATS for supporting the activity. Representatives from participating organizations, Sehat Kahani and Human Development Foundation, also provided feedback and considered the training useful in upgrading participants’ knowledge and skills.

The training also helped address existing misconceptions and taboos on SRH as SBAs are the first point of care from where such issues can be duly addressed.

Building on its competitive advantage of having an ISP, COMSATS is the pioneer in the field of Telehealth in Pakistan. Since its inception in 2001, COMSATS Telehealth has benefitted around 70,000 patients in 17 rural areas across Pakistan, in specialties like Dermatology, Gynecology, Antenatal care, ultrasounds and outpatient care. It focuses on the importance of capacity building of Telemedicine providers to improve their medical knowledge and clinical skills.