PSF and NSFC signed a MoU on October 30, 1992 for joint research between Academic Institutions in both countries. The MoU with NSFC was re-activated in 2015 

ISLAMABAD, July 10 (DNA): The preliminary plans for 130 joint research projects were approved by Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Gwadar Pro reported on Friday.

There are four categories of research projects: Fossil energy conversion and materials,  Utilization of renewable energy and resources, Scientific ground of new energy utilization and technologies and Safety evaluation and adaptive mechanism research on water-energy-food nexus under CPEC in the context of climate change.

According to the official list released by NSFC, 149 proposals were submitted to the two Foundations this year and currently 130 joint research projects were approved.

PSF and NSFC signed a MoU on October 30, 1992 for joint research between Academic Institutions in both countries. The MoU with NSFC was re-activated in 2015.

The exchange of scientists, scientific information and materials between research and academic institutions of both countries is one of the prime objectives of this international link.

Since the founding of this alliance PSF and NSFC have conducted joint scientific research activities pertaining to different disciplines along with efforts to strengthen cooperation between S & T organizations of both countries.

ISLAMABAD : Taking notice of the prolonged power outages in Karachi making life difficult for people, PM Imran took notice of the incident and asked Asad Umar and Governor Sindh Imran Ismail to meet the K-Electric leadership to resolve the crisis, on Thursday.

Both the governor and the prime minister discussed the overall situation in Sindh, particularly related to the COVID-19. The governor Sindh also spoke highly of the prime minister’s vision and successful strategy to combat the coronavirus in the country.

Meanwhile, the prime minister appealed to the nation to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha with simplicity, strictly observing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) against the coronavirus. He was talking to reporters after inaugurating the state-of-the-art 250-bed Isolation Hospital and Infectious Treatment Centre here, which has been completed in record 40 days at the cost of about Rs980 million.

Imran urged people not to resort to carelessness shown during the Eid-ul-Fitr last year and strictly observe the SOPs this year, as the virus would spread fast if people gathered in large number. “Since we were careless, the virus spread very fast and as a result, pressure on our hospitals was massive and the frontline doctors and nurses also faced so much pressure. Unfortunately, we also lost lives,” he explained.

The virus, he noted, peaked and afterwards, the government took measures, including the smart lockdown, and with the blessings of Allah Almighty, the virus curve was coming down now. “We are also not expecting that infections will come down so fast, as we think the virus would peak by July end,” he maintained.

The prime minister cautioned that any carelessness during Eid-ul-Azha would lead to a fresh spike in the coronavirus cases. However, he expressed satisfaction that with the cooperation of all the departments concerned, the curve of coronavirus cases in the country was on the decline. He said the smart lockdown had yielded positive results. The premier said the government had come up with SOPs about how to sacrifice animals this year.

“I appeal to the entire nation to observe Eid with simplicity for the sake of your country, its economy, and especially the elderly. If we take care now, then we can manage, God willing, to come out of this pandemic better than other countries,” he said.

Commending the completion of a modern isolation hospital in a record short period, the prime minister said important tasks could be completed with political will.

Islamabad, JULY 10  (DNA) :  Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador (R) Muhammad Sadiq said that government of Pakistan has released RS 1.551 billion to Higher Education Commission to meet expenses of Afghan students who are currently studying under Pakistan’s scholarship program.

In his tweets, he stated that “Government has released Rs.1.551 billion to HEC to meet expenses of Afghan students who are studying under Pakistan’s scholarship program.” He further added that “This important program for Afghan youth was starving for resources over the last several months due to paucity of funds.” On the other hand, Afghan students who are currently studying in Pakistan appreciated the decision of the Pakistani government.

Economic Affairs Division Secretary Noor Ahmed thanked the Chinese government for providing the equipment 

ISLAMABAD, July 10 (DNA) – China will donate equipment worth Rs. 650 million to Pakistan’s vocational schools, supporting the country’s socio-economic development.

According to letter of exchange (LOE) signed by the two countries this week, equipment includie diesel generators, computers, printers, projectors and classroom furniture.

The donation will go to 50 vocational schools which will directly benefit over 10,000 people, Gwadar Pro reported.

Economic Affairs Division Secretary Noor Ahmed thanked the Chinese government for providing the equipment, adding that the equipment is critical for the upgradation of vocational schools and the improvement of vocational training capabilities of Pakistan.

The project will promote vocational training and enhance Pakistan’s productivity, Noor Ahmed mentioned, adding that China is a true friend of Pakistan that always extends a helping hand to Pakistan whenever Pakistan is in need, no matter it is the COVID-19 pandemic or the locust attack.

Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing noted that the equipment donation project is a part of the initial cooperation under the framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and CPEC phase II will focus more on vocational training, agriculture, poverty alleviation and health sectors.

China will continue to support Pakistan in the fight against COVID-19 and contribute to the implementation of the people-oriented cooperative projects between the two countries with CPEC as a major platform, Yao added.

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Information and Broadcasting General (retd) Asim Saleem Bajwa said on Friday Kohala and Azad Pattan power projects will generate 1,800 megawatts of cheaper electricity with 8,000 jobs.

Taking to the microblogging site Twitter, Bajwa, who also heads the CPEC Authority, said Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Farooq Haider Khan and chief executive officers of China Three Gorges and China Gezhouba separately met him.

During the meeting, he added, they thanked him for helping realise Kohala and Azad Pattan power projects and further coordination for their execution, adding that the projects involving $4 billion worth of investment will yield 1,800 MW cheaper Hydel power with 8,000 jobs.

On July 6, Pakistan and China had signed an agreement for construction of $1.5 billion Azad Pattan Hydel Power project under the framework of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Prime Minister Imran Khan witnessed the signing of the agreement with China Gezhouba Group Company Limited for Azad Pattan Hydropower Project at a ceremony in Islamabad.

Prior to that, PM Khan had witnessed the agreement signing of 1124 MW Kohala hydropower project which would be completed at a cost of $2.5 billion. The signing ceremony of a tripartite agreement was held in Islamabad.

KARACHI: All banks across the country will stay open from 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced on Thursday.

According to a circular put out by the central bank, the new timings will be effective from July 13 till further orders.

There will be prayer and lunch break from 1:30pm to 2 pm Monday to Thursday and 1pm to 2:30 pm on Fridays, it said, adding the banking hours for public dealings will remain the same as notified on April 23.

Earlier, the SBP had directed that all banks will remain open from Monday to Friday with minimum staff for ensuring essential banking services in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The central bank had said in a statement, all banks and their branches will stay open from 10 am till 4:30 pm on weekdays.