KARACHI: Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed Sindh Governor Imran Ismail to ensure timely completion of the federally funded development projects in Karachi.

He issued the directives during a meeting with Sindh Governor Imran Ismail at Governor House, Karachi.

During the meeting, both leaders discussed matters pertaining to ongoing development projects in Karachi, economic, overall political and Covdi-19 situation in the province.Earlier, the members of PTI Core Committee Sindh called on Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Governor House in Karachi on Tuesday.

During the meeting, matters related to party affairs and issues of the province were discussed in detail.

Governor Sindh Imran Ismail and Federal Minister for Marine Affairs Ali Zaidi also attended the meeting.

Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Karachi on a two-day visit to Sindh on Tuesday where he was welcomed by Governor Imran Ismail.

PM Imran Khan was accompanied by Ali Zaidi, Muhammad Mian Soomro, Dr Sania Nishtar, Lt Gen Retd Asim Saleem Bajwa and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Muhammad Afzal.

The prime minister will also meet the provincial lawmakers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) during his Karachi visit along with holding separate meetings with the leadership of coalition parties from the province, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) on Wednesday (tomorrow).

The premier will visit Larkana, a political stronghold of ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), on Wednesday morning, where he would visit Prime Minister Ehsaas Centre and would also meet healthcare workers. The premier would also meet with the provincial leadership of the party in Larkana.

After concluding his two-day visit, PM Imran Khan will depart for Islamabad on Wednesday evening.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 16 (DNA) – The anti-locust operations had carried out in 8,17330 square kilometers approximately 2 million acres across 40 affected districts of the country to eradicate the pests attack and to save agriculture land from its harmful impacts.

More than 939 joint teams took part in the anti-locusts operation in 40 districts of the country, according to details released by the National Locust Control Center(NLCC) on Tuesday.

The joint teams of the Ministry of National Food Security, provincial departments of agriculture and Pakistan Army conducting a comprehensive survey and control operation against locusts in different districts of the country and so far 70.11 million acres have been surveyed.

In Punjab Province, about 226,538 acres had surveyed during last 24 hours and more then 2,220 people and 320 vehicles took part in this exercise. Sofar, under anti-locust drive the survey was completed over an area of 20.22 million acres and operation completed over 837,440 acres.

Meanwhile, in Sindh Province survey was conducted over 198,400 acres, where as the locust presence was confirmed in three districts and anti-locust operation was carried out on 1,178 acres. More then 25 vehicles and 385 peoples participated in in this campaign.

In Sindh, the survey was completed on 10.83 million acres, where as the control operation was carried out over an area of 97,285 acres.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 185,823 acres surveyed during last 24 hours and locust infestation was confirmed in 08 districts including DI Khan, Tank, South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Karak, Karam, Orakzai and Khyber, where as anti-locust operation carried out over an area of 133,437 acres.

The operation was carried out with the help of 925 people and 119 vehicles. So far 10.08 million acres area has been surveyed and 133,437 acres area has been operated in the province.

In Balochistan, during last last 24 hours 315,800 hectare has been surveyed and infestation was confirmed in 11 districts like Khuzdar, Awaran, Noshki, Chaghi, Gwadar, Othal, Kharran, Panjgourr and Quetta and others.

More than 1,318 people and more than 120 vehicles took part in the operation. So far 20.63 million acres area has been surveyed and 951,217 acres area has been operated in the province.

In addition to aerial spraying with the help of airplanes and helicopters, non-conventional methods are also being used for effective control of locust during control operations. =DNA

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ISLAMABAD, JUNE 16 / DNA / = The infrastructural and governance level issues needs to be addressed by the governments to streamline the e-learning after Covid19 scenario in addition to efforts that the learning institutions are putting to be adaptive to new challenges.

The top academicians from different national learning institutions and abroad highlighted this while sharing their views with the participants during online dialogue ‘COVID-19 and the challenges to Higher Education in Distance Learning’ organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) in collaboration with Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU), here on Tuesday.

Dr Alastair Creelman, E- Learning Specialist, Linnaeus University Sweden, on the occasion said that we need to understand that there is a long way to go to overcome the challenges including using and developing the required tools effectively. He said that the students and the teachers need necessary skills for effective e learning whereas the issues such as home environment and connectivity also need to be assessed. The production of teaching and learning guides could play critical role in improving the quality of e-learning, he added.

Dr Zia Ul Qayyum, Vice Chancellor, AIOU, was of view that the focus on finding the ways to respond after Covid19 challenges could lead as to right strategies. He said that we have enrollment from all parts of Pakistan including remote areas with low and even no connectivity, and respond the needs of students accordingly. He said that the quality assurance is another critical aspect that needs our attention and be responded accordingly.

Dr Kam Cheong Li, Open University of Hong Kong, China, while highlighting various tools that are being applied by his institution in after Covid19 situation, said that the students and faculty hasn’t been much familiar with online learning mode earlier. However, he said, we have taken a number of initiatives including effective use of various social media tools, helpline desks etc. to bridge the learning gap.

Dr Saima Hamid, Vice Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Covid19 has accelerated the paradigm shift from the conventional to technological learn9ing. She said that the universities need to enhance collaboration on new learning techniques and embracing the technological mode of learning is the only way forward. The capacity building sessions for the students and faculty members are proving to be a great help in making this shift effective, she added.

Dr Shafiq ur Rehman, Head of English and E-Learning, Yumbu University College, Saudi Arabia, while sharing his thoughts with the audience, said that initially the challenge of shifting towards technological based learning was a huge challenge for his institution. However, despite the fact that our students were not much tech-savvy, we build our capacity of e-learning and it has been proving effective, he concluded.

Dr Imran Khalid of SDPI highlighted the issue of technological exclusion and said that many of the students lack the connectivity and gadgets He said that we must take them along while devising our strategies. Mr Shahid Minhas of SDPI, earlier presented an overview of e-learning challenges and opportunities in the after Covid10 scenario.

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 16 / DNA / =  Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser chaired a meeting of the Parliamentary Leaders in the National Assembly in Parliament House, today.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Shafqat Mehmood, Pervaiz Khattak, Ch. Tariq Bashir Cheema, Asad Umar, Minister of State Ali Muhammad Khan, Advisor to PM on Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Zaheer ud Din Babar, MNAs from Treasury and Opposition Khalid Hussain Magsi, Sardar Akthar Mengal, Syed Naveed Qamar, Rana Sannaullah, Rana Tanvir Hussian, Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Asad Mehmood.

The Parliamentary Leaders expressed their concern on the surge in number of corona virus patients which owe to the non-observance of precautionary measures and other Health SoPs. It was unanimously stressed that an apolitical appeal from Assembly should go to the people across the country to observe health guidelines in order to save themselves and their families from the deadly pandemic. They also expressed their deep sorrow over the loss of lives due to corona virus and prayed for speedy recovery of all those, tested positive.

While reviewing implementation status of decisions taken in previous meeting of the Parliamentary Leaders, satisfaction was expressed regarding conduct of proceedings of Assembly during Budget Session. They were apprised that the General debate on budget would be held for 40 hours out of which the Opposition would get 18 hours and 24 minutes whereas the Treasury would get 21 hours and 35 minutes according to their strength in the Assembly. It was further informed that as per tentative schedule of Budget Session, the General discussion will continue till 25th June, 2020 followed by its winding up on 26th June, 2020. The process of passage of Budget would conclude on 30th June, 2020 with consideration and passage of Finance Bill, 2020 and supplementary grants.

ISLAMABAD, JUN 16 (DNA) – With 4,443 new coronavirus cases reported in Pakistan during last 24 hours, the national tally of the cases has jumped to 148,921.

According to the latest figures released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), 55,878 coronavirus cases have surfaced in Punjab, 55,581 in Sindh, 18,472 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 8,327 in Balochistan, 8,857 in Islamabad, 1143 in Gilgit Baltistan and 663 cases have been detected in Azad Kashmir, so far.

The death toll from the virus stands at 2,839 with record 111 deaths reported over the last twenty four hours. 25,015 corona tests were also carried out during this period. 56,390 patients have so far recovered from the disease.

The number of Coronavirus infection cases across the world has reached nearly eight million while the pandemic has so far claimed more than 435,000 lives.

The United States is till occupying top position with over two point one million cases and more than 117,000 deaths. Brazil with over 867,000 cases and more than 43,000 deaths remains on second position. =DNA

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