ISLAMABAD, JUNE 21 (DNA) – A virtual meeting of COMSATS’ officials and the Torch Hi-tech Industry Development Centre of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) was held to place a Memorandum of Understanding of COMSATS with the Chinese Ministry of S&T for cooperation in various fields of science and technology for the benefit of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries and COMSATS Member States. This meeting was arranged to benefit from the expertise available with the Torch Centre for the establishment and management of S&T Park on Biotechnology in Pakistan.

The meeting was attended by Dr. S. M. Junaid Zaidi, Executive Director COMSATS; Mr. Mo Tan, Director of the Division of International Cooperation, Torch Centre, Chinese Ministry of ST; as well as other senior officials of COMSATS and Torch Centre.

During the meeting, Gen. (R.) Muhammad Tahir, Advisor (China Desk), COMSATS, greatly appreciated the help being rendered by China to Pakistan for dealing with the current coronavirus and locust crises. He considered China’s good practices and experience in the field of agriculture important for Pakistan and other COMSATS Member States in battling impending threat to food security.

Gen. (R.) Tahir informed that for the construction of S&T Park on Biotechnology in Jhelum, Punjab province of Pakistan, the land is being provided by the Government of Pakistan and the modalities have been worked out. He stated that the S&T Park would be based on the model of one of the Centers of Excellence of COMSATS, i.e., the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB), China, which has excellent research and commercialization facilities. He noted that the scope of herbal medicines both in Pakistan and China is immense and both countries can collaborate in this field. He added, the S&T Park once established will work in pharmaceutics, agriculture, green textiles and biosciences spheres and will also benefit other COMSATS Member States and BRI countries.

Mr. Mo Tan, appreciating this initiative, considered the working areas of S&T Park most pertinent to the emerging global needs and assured support of Torch Centre in this connection. He stated that China gives top priority to anything related to Pakistan and any proposal to help the country is always welcome. He gave a detailed overview of the working of Chinese Science / Technology Parks and explained their various facets. In this regard, Mr. Tan shared Torch Centre’s role in policy making and management of S&T Parks in China. He extended offer of participation to stakeholders from Pakistan in Torch’s annual workshops on planning, construction and management of S&T Parks for knowledge-sharing and capacity development. He also invited teams of Pakistani officials to attract Chinese investments as well as to learn from the experience and expertise of Chinese S&T Parks.

Dr. Zaidi appreciated the offer of support extended by Torch Centre to facilitate the establishment of S&T Park in Pakistan. It was agreed that relevant proposals shall be shared with the Torch Centre for advice as well as projection on relevant platforms.

ISLAMABAD, June 21 (DNA): Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has launched ‘One Window operation’ here at the main Campus for facilitating its students, in wake of  current crisis, COVID-19.

The students have been advised to strictly follow the prescribed SOPs while visiting the University’s main campus or the regional offices. They must wear Masks and maintain social distance.

The Open Window Operation has been started on the advice of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum, who wished that the students should not have any problem in getting resolved any query or complaint.

According to the Directorate of Students’ Advisory and Counseling Services, the students’ issues will be attended on priority basis and they will have no problem, as ifacliating arrangements have been under ‘one-roof’ near the University’s main entrance.

Meanwhile, the staff of University’s Helpline and the Call Centre has been activated to provide effective support to the students in addressing their matters, either these relate to admission, examination, workshops, mailing books or issuance of certificates and degrees.

Prompt handling of students’ problems will be ensured so that while sitting at their home and work places, they could pursue their study, without any inconvenience, especially during the on-going crisis period.

M. TAHIR

FAISALABAD: The first solar eclipse of this year in Pakistan was witnessed on Sunday. The whole city was overshadowed. However, the ring of fire did not appear.

The eclipse began at 9:26 a.m. this morning in Pakistan In which the moon began to block the path of the sun’s rays reaching the earth, After 11 o’clock the eclipse reached its climax.

At the height of the eclipse, 92% of the sun was hidden behind the moon. A total solar eclipse was observed in some parts of Pakistan And somewhere I saw a partial solar eclipse

People said that due to the eclipse, the evening view was seen during the day. Eclipse prayers were offered in different cities of Pakistan.

LARKANA: Local police claimed to have recovered large quantity of medicines stolen from government hospitals in a raid at a house in Larkana.

The police on a tip-off, conducted raid at a house in Murad Wahan neighborhood of Larkana and recovered several cartons filled with government medicines which had stamps of ‘Government of Sindh’ and ‘not for sale’, police officials said.

House owner, Saddam Unar fled from the scene after the police raid on his house. It is to be mentioned here that police had earlier on Wednesday claimed to have recovered huge quantity of stolen medicines of government hospitals from a private godown in Larkana.

The police conducted raid at a godown in Ahsan colony area of Larkana and recovered hundreds of cartons filled with government medicines, officials said.

The police also arrested a suspect from the godown and apprehended an owner of a private medical store in connection with the scam.

On the other hand, Larkana’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Masood Ahmed Bangash has formed a joint investigation team to probe into the drug scam.

Earlier on May 15, a child who had been bitten by a ‘mad dog’ and contracted rabies, died due to non-availability of vaccination for the age-old disease.

The child had been admitted in a hospital but after a month’s effort, lost his life battling the disease. Rizwan along with four more people had been bitten by a ‘mad dog’ a month back.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Imran Khan has said Pakistan is partially opening its airspace for international flights today to facilitate the stranded overseas Pakistanis to return home.

In his tweet message, the Prime Minister said, this is being done specially to help our Overseas workers who have suffered most in this pandemic, but have shown great courage & made us proud.

Welcoming the expatriates returning to their homes, he assured them that the government will provide them all the facilities.

The prime minister also appreciated the philanthropic role played by the overseas Pakistani community in helping their countrymen abroad during COVID 19.

DNA

RAWALPINDI JUNE 21 : Indian Army Troops initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation in Hajipir and Bedori Sectors along LOC last night targeting civil population. Due to indiscriminate fire of Indian troops  in Mensar village, Bedori Sector,    a 13 years old innocent girl  Iqra Shabbir embraced shahadat, while her mother and a 12 year old boy sustained serious injuries.

Pakistan Army troops responded effectively to Indian unprovoked firing.