Day: June 18, 2021

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Sindh Assembly starts budget debate

Islamabad, June 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Provincial Government debated the budget statement for the financial year 2021-22 on Friday, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during 11th sitting of the 21st session:

Members’ Participation

The House met for three hours and 25 minutes.

The sitting started at 03:15 pm against the scheduled time of 02:00 pm.

The speaker chaired the proceedings for an hour and 58 minutes while the opposition leader presided over the rest of the sitting.

The leader of the House (Chief Minister) was absent.

The opposition leader attended the proceedings for an hour and two minutes.

As many as 45 MPAs (27 percent) were present at the outset and 26 (15 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.

The parliamentary leaders of PPPP, PTI, MQMP, GDA, and MMAP were present while the leader of TLP did not attend the sitting.

Eight out of nine minority lawmakers attended the proceedings.

Representation and Responsiveness

Thirteen lawmakers – PPPP (8), PTI (3) and GDA (2) – participated in general discussion on budget for the financial year 2021-22 as well as supplementary budget for the financial year 2020-21. They consumed two hours and 45 minutes of the proceedings.

Order and Institutionalization

A PTI lawmaker spoke on a point of order for one minute related to non-provision of hard copies of complete budget documents.

The House was adjourned to meet again on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 12:00 pm.

Transparency

‘Orders of the Day’ was available to the legislators, observers and public.

The attendance of lawmakers was available to the media and observers.

For more information, contact:
Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)
FAFEN Representative
FAFEN Secretariat 224, Margalla Road F-10/3 – Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-2211026
Fax: +92-51-2211047
Cell: +92-321-5017355, +92-301-8549188
Email: media@fafen.org
URL: www.fafen.org

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Budget 2021-22 presented in KP Assembly

Islamabad, June 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on Friday witnessed the presentation of annual budget for the financial Year 2021-2022 and the supplementary Budget for the financial year 2020-2021, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the proceedings during first sitting of the 19th session:

Members’ Participation

The Assembly met for two hours.

The sitting started at 03:20 pm against the scheduled time of 02:000 pm.

The speaker presided over the entire sitting while the deputy speaker was also present.

The leaders of the House and the opposition attended the entire sitting.

One hundred legislators (69 percent) were present at the outset and 120 (83 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.

The parliamentary leaders of PML-N, PPPP, ANP, BAP, PML-Q and MMAP attended the proceedings.

All the three minority lawmakers attended the sitting.

Output

Moved by the Minister for Finance, the House witnessed the introduction of the KP Finance Bill, 2021.

Finance Minister presented the annual budget for the financial year 2021-2022 and the supplementary budget for the financial year 2020-2021 in the House.

Order and Institutionalization

The House was adjourned to meet again on Monday, June 21, 2021 at 10:00 am.

Transparency

‘Orders of the Day’ is available for the legislators, observers and the media.

Attendance of the lawmakers is not available for the observers and the media.

For more information, contact:
Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN)
FAFEN Representative
FAFEN Secretariat 224, Margalla Road F-10/3 – Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-2211026
Fax: +92-51-2211047
Cell: +92-321-5017355, +92-301-8549188
Email: media@fafen.org
URL: www.fafen.org

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Teams unperturbed after rain washes out first day

Dubai, June 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):After a first day washout, the wait goes on for the start of the ICC World Test Championship Final, but the India team named will be ready for any conditions.

That is the view of India fielding coach R Sridhar, who does not expect any changes to the XI named for the game in Southampton.

While New Zealand’s final XI will not be confirmed until the toss, India has already decided on the team that will take on the Black Caps.

And even if rain could change the tactics, Sridhar is confident that the selection can perform in any conditions.

He said: “I think the XI which has been announced is an XI that takes the pitch and conditions out of the equation.

“I think it is an XI which can play and perform on any given surface, in any given weather conditions. Having said that, the toss is not yet over, so if it needs to be taken, a decision will be taken at the time of the toss.”

While a heavy day of rain put paid to the chances of any cricket on Friday, the possibility of a five-day Test remains thanks to the reserve day on Wednesday.

The ICC has confirmed the ICC World Test Championship Final reserve day could be utilised should the match not reach a result by the close of day five. The decision will be taken by the Match Officials on day five.

For now, the players have had to get used to the waiting game, but Sridhar believes that the experienced nature of the India team has helped in that regard.

He added: “To keep them in a good mental space, that is something that is very important because they are going to be on and off the field with the weather so they will have to know how to keep their concentration going, switching on, switching off.

“That is something all the players are aware of, they are a very experienced bunch of players. They have played a few finals, won a few tournaments and played a few Test matches, each one in that XI. So they all know how to do it and are in a good frame of mind, a good space.”

The Black Caps are yet to name a final XI for the match, with that expected to be decided by coach Gary Stead and captain Kane Williamson on Saturday.

For vice-captain Tom Latham, while there was understandable disappointment at not playing at all on day one, he admitted that it did not come as a huge surprise and praised the provision of a potential sixth day.

He said: “It’s disappointing – the rain today, it was forecast unfortunately, but it’s one of those things that as cricketers you need to adapt. It’s something we can’t control, it’s just about waiting and when we get the opportunity to come on, making sure we’re ready.

“The beauty of it is there is day six as well, so there is a little extra time that we can use then. We’ll wait and see and have a look tomorrow.

“I guess for us it’s just about waiting and trying to adapt to whatever weather conditions we’re facing, whether it’s tomorrow or whenever it may be. It’s important we aren’t caught on the hop and that we’re ready when called upon. We’ve been in this situation many times as cricketers, so it’s about trying to stay ready.

“Looking at conditions and the amount of water that has fallen since yesterday afternoon, there probably wasn’t a huge chance that we were going to play today. So guys have just been trying to relax, there has been a lot of table tennis, a lot of darts being played up in the team room. Guys are pretty relaxed and we’ll have to give it another shot tomorrow and see what happens.”

For more information, contact:
Headquarters,
International Cricket Council (ICC)
Street 69, Dubai Sports City,
Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Phone: +97-143828800
Fax: +97-143828600
E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com
Website: www.icc-cricket.com

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NCEAC approves launching of Data Science at GIK Institute

Peshawar, June 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):GIK Institute has received the approval from National Computing Education Accreditation Council, HEC. GIK had sought the approval as part of its tradition to introduce the innovative programs in line with its mandate to impart quality education in modern disciplines of engineering sciences and technology. It has been planned to launch a new Bachelor of Science program in Data Science from Fall 2021.

In the modern data age, interconnected technologies enable meaningful use of data through advance and predictive analytics aimed at optimization for actions, products and processes in global landscape. Such analysis are used for informed decision making through anticipating the trends for deriving efficiency and productivity gains by the organizations and enterprises all around. Involvement of data to business related activities and questions through such analysis is considered as essential measure of success.

The program is popular in view of its peculiar features and benefit in terms of research, improvement of computational, mathematical and other skills of the students for the larger contribution to the society. The Institute is considering collaboration with renowned local and international companies in the field of Data Sciences to actively pursue the cutting-edge trends and technologies and to proactively meet the future demands of industry.

For more information, contact:
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI)
Topi 23640, District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Tel: +92-938-281026
Fax: +92-938-281032, +92-938-281041
Website: https://www.giki.edu.pk/

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NUST to collaborate on digital innovation initiatives with Total Parco Pakistan Limited

Islamabad, June 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):An MoU signing ceremony with Total Parco Pakistan Limited (TPPL) was held in Lahore on June 16, 2021. The ceremony was organised as a follow-up, by both NUST and TPPL, to collaborate on digital innovation initiatives, thus contributing towards accelerating the Digital Transformation of Total Parco.

Speaking at the event, Air Vice Marshal Dr Rizwan Riaz SI(M) Pro-Rector Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (RIC), highlighted the importance of inducting digital technologies in the oil and gas sector. These technologies have a key role to play in the future for oil extraction and management of fuel stations.

Furthermore, TPPL offered induction of top students from multiple engineering and non-engineering backgrounds on an immediate basis. NUST and TPPL have also agreed to initiate student exchange programmes, talent acquisition, professional development of the employees, and contribution in NUST endowments as part of this MoU.

For more information, contact:
Director Press and Media Release
National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
NUST Campus, H-12, Islamabad, Pakistan
UAN: +92-51-111-11-6878
Tel: +92-51-90851381
Fax: +92-51-90851382
Email: prnust@gmail.com
Website: www.nust.edu.pk

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PARB Chief visited Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi, June 18, 2021 (PPI-OT):Dr Abid Mahmood, Chief executive officer (CEO) Punjab Agriculture Research Board (PARB) visited Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR), on June 16, 2021 to inspect PARB funded Project “Evaluation and introduction of some exotic kiwi cultivars”.

The project was aimed to climatise kiwi plants according to the Potohar region which can be highly valuable and profitable for the locals. The Department of Horticulture PMAS-AAUR has been carrying out research and development work on promotion of kiwifruit in the Potohar region. Dr Abid Mahmood said that Potohar region is very suitable for the production of fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants and also has great potential for growing Kiwi, as its agro-climatic conditions are most suitable for the fruit.

PARB chief visited the Kiwi Plantation field at University Research Farm koont (URK) and also did inspection of KiwiGerm Plasm Unit (GPU) at Main campus. He praised the efforts of the Project team to complete the activities for the year 2021 well in time. While talking to Deans/Directors of the university PARB chief highlighted the efforts of Punjab Agriculture Research Board to provide the funding for quality research in Agriculture and also emphasized to motivate young faculty members to compete for Agriculture research grants announced by PARB.

Earlier, Dr. Muhammad Azam Khan, Project Manager/Chairman Department of Horticulture briefed the PARB Chief about the progress of the project. He informed that the project results are encouraging and hoped that Kiwi farming can improve livelihood by providing a good source of income.

For more information, contact:
Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi
Shamsabad, Muree Road Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-051-9290466
Fax: +92-051-9290459
Email: registrar@uaar.edu.pk
Website: www.uaar.edu.pk