ISLAMABAD, DEC 10 /DNA/ – US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker called on the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50, today.
The DPM/FM highlighted the importance of close Pak–US relations and discussed bilateral matters of mutual interest. They also discussed key regional & international developments.
ISLAMABAD, DEC 10 /DNA/ – Ambassador of the UAE to Pakistan, Salem Mohammed Salem Al Bawab Al Zaabi, paid a courtesy call today on the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50.
The DPM/FM extended warm felicitations on the 54th Eid Al Etihad of the UAE, reaffirming the historic fraternal ties and strategic partnership between Pakistan and the UAE, which continue to grow across all domains.
He conveyed best wishes to the Ambassador for a successful tenure in Islamabad, as both nations work to further deepen their enduring bilateral relationship for mutual progress and prosperity.
ISLAMABAD, DEC 10 /DNA/ – Baroness Chapman, the UK’s Minister for Development, is set to launch a new chapter in the UK-Pakistan development co-operation relationship through the first bilateral Ministerial federal-level development talks in 8 years. This new chapter is set to be one of mutual partnership, bringing benefits to both nations.
The announcement comes as part of an ongoing effort by the UK to go from development donor to investor, using British expertise to support countries to utilise their resources to maximum effect, while delivering growth at home.
Her visit comes as the UK-Pakistan relationship has reached new heights, with bilateral trade for the first time crossing £5.5 billion, and over 200 British businesses operating in Pakistan, bringing growth to both economies.
Together with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, she opened her visit through launching a package of regulatory reforms that help make Pakistan a better operating environment for business, supporting Pakistan’s continued growth and creating future opportunities for UK business.
She then launched the next phase of the Pak-UK Education Gateway alongside Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui. Delivered in partnership between the British Council and Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission, this initiative will enable leading academics in both countries to collaborate on shared challenges including climate change and growth. It will launch a start-up fund which will help bring innovative research to the market. And it will promote UK University courses to Pakistani students, giving them the chance to build skills at a British university, without having to leave their home cities.
In her visit, she has expanded areas of collaboration between the UK and Pakistan. Alongside Minister for Climate Change Musadik Malik, she has launched a new Green Compact between the countries. This is set to establish a framework for how the UK and Pakistan will work together to tackle the climate emergency, protecting nature, and harnessing the green revolution, while pushing global climate ambition forward.
The UK’s Development Minister, Baroness Chapman, said:
‘Pakistan is a crucial partner for the UK. We work together to tackle the drivers behind organised crime and illegal migration, keeping both our countries safer. Our strong bilateral trading relationship brings jobs and growth to us both. And we’re working together to tackle climate change, a global threat.
We remain firm friends of Pakistan, including in times of crisis, as shown through our floods response; and we know to accelerate growth in both our countries, we must work together in partnership to tackle the problems we face.’
During her visit, the Minister is set to see the strength of the UK-Pakistan development partnership first-hand. This includes through seeing the UK’s work on health and education; meeting the communities who have been vital to the UK’s efforts to support 2.5 million Pakistani people to better adapt to the effects of climate change in the last year; and meeting the UK-trained officers who are preventing human trafficking at airports.
ISLAMABAD, DEC 10 /DNA/ – The National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE), Higher Education Commission (HEC), has launched a three-day leadership training workshop titled “Strategic Planning and Leadership Excellence” for Vice Chancellors and Pro-Vice Chancellors of public sector universities of Balochistan from 10th -12th December 2025. The workshop aims to enhance the leadership capacity of senior university management to effectively address the academic, administrative, and financial challenges faced by higher education institutions.
The training programme is designed to strengthen decision-making, policy formulation, financial sustainability, institutional self-reliance, strategic planning, governance, and innovation in research and learning. It also focuses on developing vision-based strategic planning aligned with institutional goals, applying data-driven decision-making tools, improving governance and accountability mechanisms, and strengthening collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Minister of State for the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, was chief guest of the opening ceremony. Chairman HEC Mr. Nadeem Mahbub, Executive Director HEC Dr. Zia Ul Haq, and Managing Director NAHE Dr. Noor Amna Malik were also present in the session.
Addressing the participants, Minister of State Ms. Wajiha Qamar highlighted her strong personal connection with Balochistan and emphasised the importance of presenting the positive and resilient image of the province to promote national cohesion. She stressed that academic leaders have a critical responsibility to identify challenges in the higher education sector and work collectively to find sustainable solutions. She also emphasised the role of legislation and policy reforms in strengthening the self-reliance of universities. In the context of rapid technological advancement, she underlined the need for institutions to enhance their capabilities to meet emerging demands.
Chairman HEC Mr. Nadeem Mahbub thanked the Vice Chancellors and Pro-Vice Chancellors for their participation and described it as a reflection of their commitment to improving higher education and shaping the future of youth. He highlighted the central role of universities in knowledge creation, skills development, and social progress. He emphasised that the leadership of Vice Chancellors is vital in setting the vision, performance standards, and direction of universities. He also noted that the youth of Balochistan possess immense potential and that universities must play a strong role in nurturing their abilities for national development. He reiterated that although the challenges faced by Balochistan’s universities are significant, they are not permanent, and HEC remains fully committed to supporting the province’s higher education sector.
Earlier, in her welcome remarks, Managing Director NAHE Dr. Noor Amna Malik appreciated the Governor of Balochistan for his guidance in initiating this exclusive leadership programme. She briefed the participants on the structure and objectives of the workshop and explained that the training modules cover key areas of higher education leadership. She expressed hope that the workshop would serve as a valuable learning platform and promote collaborative problem-solving among the participants.
The three-day workshop includes in-depth sessions on key areas of higher education management such as financial governance, quality assurance, research and innovation, financial sustainability, governance and strategic management, digital transformation, internationalization, strategic partnerships, and human resource development. The resource persons include senior officials and experts from HEC, former State Bank leadership, British Council Pakistan, and the Regional English Language Office of US Embassy.
The training initiative reflects the continued efforts of HEC to strengthen leadership capacity in the higher education sector and to support institutional development in Balochistan through structured learning and professional development.
Samraong, Dec 10 (AFP/APP):Half a million evacuees in Cambodia and Thailand were sheltering in pagodas, schools and other safe havens on Wednesday after fleeing fresh fighting in a century-old border dispute in which US President Donald Trump has vowed to again intercede.
Five Thai soldiers and seven Cambodian civilians have been killed in the latest fighting, officials said, while more than 500,000 people have fled border regions near where jets, tanks and drones were waging battle.
AFP journalists in northwestern Cambodia’s Samraong town on Wednesday morning heard the blasts of incoming artillery from the direction of centuries-old temples in disputed border areas.
By the afternoon, hundreds of families were leaving a shelter at a pagoda near Samraong where they had been staying since Monday.
“Authorities say it is not safe anymore,” said Seut Soeung, 30, as she rested alongside a road with her family and vehicles passed by loaded with people, dogs and bags of clothes.
A policeman who asked not to be named said the displaced families were being evacuated from the temple grounds due to safety concerns after a few Thai jets flew nearby.
Thailand and Cambodia dispute the colonial-era demarcation of their 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier, where competing claims to historic temples have spilled over into armed conflict.
This week’s clashes are the deadliest since five days of fighting in July that killed dozens and displaced around 300,000 before a shaky truce was agreed, following intervention by Trump.
Both sides blame each other for instigating the reignited conflict, which has expanded to five provinces of both Thailand and Cambodia, according to an AFP tally of official accounts.
Thai defence ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri told reporters Wednesday that more than 400,000 civilians have been evacuated to shelters.
– ‘Will it hit us?’ –
Sugarcane farmer Niam Poda fled her home — just five kilometres from the frontier — in Thailand’s border province of Sa Kaeo for the second time in five months.
The 62-year-old said she was doing laundry on Monday when a loud explosion rang out.
“I just had to run for my life as soon as I could,” she told AFP at an evacuation centre, adding that she grabbed some clothes but left her medicines behind.
“Whatever happens next, I hope peace will come so I can go back to caring for my sugarcane in peace,” she said.
In Cambodia, more than 101,000 people have been evacuated to shelters and relatives’ homes, defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata told reporters.
“The Thai army fired indiscriminately into civilian areas and schools and especially shelled Ta Krabey temple,” she said, calling the contested border temple a “sacred site of Cambodia”.
The Thai army, meanwhile, said Cambodian forces fired rockets early Wednesday that landed in the vicinity of the Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province — which was struck during previous clashes in July this year and in 2011.
Military personnel evacuated hospital staff and critical patients to a shelter on Wednesday, the army said.
Cambodia withdrew Wednesday from the Southeast Asian Games taking place in Thailand, with its Olympic committee citing “serious concerns and requests from the families of our athletes to have their relatives return home immediately”.
– ‘Make a call’ –
The United States, China and Malaysia, as chair of the regional bloc ASEAN, brokered the cessation of fighting in July.
In October, Trump backed a follow-on joint declaration, touting new trade deals with Thailand and Cambodia after they agreed to prolong their ceasefire.
But Thailand suspended the agreement the following month.
The US president said he was planning to “make a phone call” on Wednesday about the renewed clashes.
During a speech to supporters in the US on Tuesday, Trump listed various conflicts he has become involved with diplomatically, concluding with Cambodia and Thailand.
“Tomorrow, I have to make a phone call, and I think they’ll get it,” he said of the Southeast Asian neighbours.
“Who else could say, ‘I’m going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries’?”
The French Ambassador highlighted that since 2016, France and Germany have marked International Human Rights Day, observed on December 10, by honoring individuals who have shown exceptional courage in defending fundamental rights
ISLAMABAD, DEC 10 /DNA/ – The French and German Embassies in Pakistan jointly hosted a ceremony to present the 2025 Franco-German Prize for Human Rights and the Rule of Law to Mr. Pirbhu Satyani, a distinguished human rights advocate from Sindh.
The award was formally presented by French Ambassador Nicolas Galey alongside German Ambassador Ina Lepel, in the presence of civil society representatives, previous award recipients, diplomats, journalists, and members of Mr. Satyani’s family.
Ambassador Galey congratulated Mr. Satyani for being selected among 14 laureates worldwide, noting that embassies from both countries had submitted numerous nominations. “Only 14 individuals were selected, including Mr. Satyani — félicitations!” he said. He warmly acknowledged the presence of Satyani’s children, remarking that they could be proud of their father’s unwavering commitment to human rights.
The Ambassador highlighted that since 2016, France and Germany have marked International Human Rights Day, observed on December 10, by honoring individuals who have shown exceptional courage in defending fundamental rights. The prize recognizes journalists, activists, and civil society leaders who work against torture, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, discrimination, and violence, while promoting equality, dignity, and freedom of expression.
Recalling the previous Pakistani recipients, Ambassador Galey acknowledged Sarah Belal, founder of Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), awarded in 2016, and Nayyab Ali, a prominent transgender and minority rights activist honored in 2020, who was also present at the ceremony. He commended JPP for its continued partnership and impactful work.
Addressing the contributions of this year’s laureate, Ambassador Galey described Mr. Pirbhu Satyani as a “fervent defender of minority, women’s, and children’s rights, particularly in Sindh,” noting his extensive work with the National Commission for the Rights of the Child. The Ambassador also paid tribute to the Commission’s Chairperson, Ayesha Farooq, for her ongoing commitment to child rights.
Mr. Satyani’s research and advocacy for the Dalit community, which faces double marginalization within religious minority groups, were highlighted as key factors in his selection. Ambassador Galey praised his “discreet yet persistent and efficient” efforts to champion minority rights — an issue of significant importance not only to France and Germany but to the broader European Union, particularly within the context of the GSP+ monitoring framework.
He expressed hope that the award would inspire human rights defenders across Pakistan to continue their work with renewed strength, knowing that their contributions are recognized globally.
The ceremony concluded with Ambassador Lepel’s address and the formal presentation of the medal and diploma to Mr. Satyani.
Saifullah Ansar
ISLAMABAD, DECE 9 /DNA/ – A special investiture ceremony was held at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday, where President of Indonesia was conferred the prestigious Nishan-e-Pakistan, the country’s highest civil award. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly, and senior military leadership, marking a significant moment in Pakistan-Indonesia bilateral relations.
A dignified ceremony was also held in honour of the visiting Indonesian President, reflecting the deep-rooted ties and mutual respect between the two nations. Later, President of Pakistan held a one-on-one meeting with the Indonesian President, during which the two leaders discussed historic relations and reaffirmed their shared values and longstanding goodwill.
Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. President of Pakistan expressed heartfelt condolences over the recent floods and landslides in Sumatra, praying for the departed souls and wishing speedy recovery for the injured.
Reiterating their commitment to promoting interfaith harmony and tolerance, the two Presidents decided to build the future partnership on principles of inclusive and comprehensive development. Satisfaction was expressed over the steady growth in bilateral trade, with emphasis on diversifying and balancing economic exchanges. The Joint Trade Committee was acknowledged as an effective platform for strengthening business-to-business ties.
Pakistan and Indonesia agreed to expand collaboration in information technology, agriculture, energy, and tourism. Both leaders underscored joint efforts to tackle climate change, disaster management, and sustainable development. They also expressed the resolve to advance defence cooperation, including training and joint production initiatives.
The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to counter Islamophobia at global forums. President of Pakistan highlighted the need for regional peace and development and briefed the Indonesian President on the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Later, ministers, senior officials, and top military commanders from both sides joined the delegation-level talks aimed at deepening the multidimensional partnership between Pakistan and Indonesia.
ISLAMABAD, DEC 9 /DNA/ – QJ Diagnostic, a leading provider of healthcare services, and Nayatel, a premier telecommunications and services company, have formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The agreement, signed by senior representatives of both organizations, establishes a collaborative framework aimed at enhancing accessible and quality health services. The primary focus of the partnership is to promote comprehensive wellness programs for employees and extend innovative healthcare solutions to the wider community.
This collaboration leverages Nayatel’s extensive network and customer reach alongside QJ Diagnostic’s medical expertise and diagnostic capabilities. The union is driven by a shared commitment to corporate social responsibility and a vision to improve overall community health standards.
In a joint statement, the organizations expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting that it aligns with their core values of service excellence and innovation. “Together, we look forward to designing and implementing initiatives that make a meaningful and tangible impact on health and wellbeing,” the statement read.
The MOU outlines plans for collaborative health awareness campaigns, facilitated diagnostic services, and the development of tailored employee wellness packages. This initiative marks a significant step by both corporations to integrate health promotion into their service ecosystems, setting a new benchmark for corporate-led community care in Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 09 (APP/DNA): Iqra University Islamabad (H-9 Campus), on Tuesday hosted a high-impact professional development session on “Career Trends in Pakistan and Abroad 2026–2030,” reinforcing the university’s role as a national driver of educational innovation. The session was organized in collaboration with EduVision, serving as a strategic training partner.
Bringing together representatives from 19 public and private institutions and over 40 participants — including school leaders, principals, vice principals, and faculty from regions such as Peshawar and Azad Kashmir — the event underscored Iqra University’s expanding influence as a hub for nationwide academic engagement.
The training equipped educators with future-ready insights on global career shifts, emerging skill demands, curriculum modernization, and evolving workforce expectations.
Participants examined how Pakistan’s education sector must re-align teaching methodologies and learning frameworks with international standards to remain competitive through 2030.
Speaking at the session, Yousaf Almas, CEO of EduVision, emphasized the accelerating pace of global career transformation and the need for educators to remain adaptable, data-informed, and globally aware.
Professor Kashif Muhammad Khan, Faculty of Business Administration, highlighted the central role of educators in shaping societal and economic progress. He noted that initiatives like this reflect Iqra University’s commitment to build educator capacity and strengthening linkages between academia, industry, and global best practices.
Beyond curriculum and pedagogy, the session also guided participants on career positioning and leadership development within the education ecosystem — an area of growing importance as institutional roles evolve.
With this initiative, Iqra University Islamabad reaffirmed its commitment to empowering educators, advancing academic excellence, and preparing Pakistan’s education community to meet the opportunities and challenges of the coming decade.
ISLAMABAD, Dec 09 (APP):Hazara University Mansehra is preparing to host Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s largest technology summit and expo, as the Hazara Tech Fiesta 2025 is scheduled to take place from December 12 to 14. The three-day event, organised in collaboration with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the District Youth Office Mansehra, Metrix Pakistan and Hazara University, is expected to attract over 25,000 participants from across the country.The annual showcase is powered by Resecurity, a global organisation known for intelligence-driven cybersecurity solutions and its work in big data, artificial intelligence and data science. The partnership aims to strengthen the Fiesta’s focus on digital security, cyber resilience and advanced investigative technologies supporting the fight against cybercrime and emerging threat actors.
Organisers said that this year’s edition features an extensive lineup of national and international speakers, including Hisham Sarwar, CEO of Innovista, and cybersecurity expert Rafay Baloch, along with several other specialists representing Pakistan’s leading technology sectors.
Hassan Sajjad, CEO of Thrive Pakistan, told APP that Hazara Tech Fiesta 2025 represents a “historic shift in the region’s technological aspirations,” adding that the youth of Hazara and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa “are ready to take their place in the global digital economy.” He said the initiative aims to bring industry, academia and government stakeholders together on a single platform to build an innovation-driven ecosystem in northern Pakistan. “Our goal is to ensure that young people from this region gain direct access to modern skill development, industry linkages and global opportunities,” he added.
The first day of the summit will open with an exclusive VIP dinner in honour of national and international speakers. The second and third days will feature a series of conferences, workshops, exhibitions, and networking sessions, with discussions on artificial intelligence, blockchain, Web 3.0, cybersecurity, women empowerment, career development, entrepreneurship and e-commerce, in addition to Hazara’s first large-scale hackathon.
A job and career fair, awards and recognition ceremonies, and dedicated startup sessions are also planned.
Organisers noted that the Fiesta aims not only to highlight emerging technological disciplines but also to position Hazara as a rising hub of digital learning and innovation within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They said the participation of global firms and prominent experts is expected to provide significant value to the region’s youth and contribute to long-term skills development.
