Day: August 7, 2021

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IRD to launch two new books 

Islamabad, August 07, 2021 (PPI-OT):Two new books are being launched by the Iqbal International Institute for Research and Dialogue IRD) of International Islamic University (IIU) in the coming week. As the titles of both books reveal that these are important issues investigated by the authors. Ms Tabassum Majeed investigates the dynamics of the rise of Taliban in Swat valley, the havoc they brought in the region, and then the ultimate decline of the militants.

She looks into this entire violent process in three stages: a pre-conflict phase when the grounds were made; a conflict phase when the actual conflict emerged and spread out in the region; and then the last phase when after the successful military operation, the beautiful valley of SWAT entered a post-conflict situation. She also identifies several factors and actors that contributed to peacebuilding in the valley.

Ms Majeed is optimistic about the future of the valley but she is still worried that all conflicts have a cycle and if the initial causes of the conflict are not properly handled, then another turbulent situation is just ahead.

In his book, Pak-US relations during Musharraf era, Dr Manzoor Ahmad, critically examines the nature of Pak-US relations during Musharraf era specifically after the tragic incidents of September 11. He argues that Pakistan was surrounded by several key economic, social and political challenges, and Pakistan’s economy and society suffered a lot during that era. Pakistani extended all its support in the War on Terror and accrued some financial benefits as well but the quantum of loss to economy and society was huge.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations,
International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI)
Room No.118, Admin Block, New Campus,
H-10 Sector, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9019249
Fax: +92-51-9257909
Email: iiuipublicrelations@iiu.edu.pk
Website: www.iiu.edu.pk

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GSMC misinformation initiative to be showcased by Paris Peace Forum

Karachi, August 07, 2021 (PPI-OT):​A cross-border anti-misinformation initiative led by Aga Khan University’s Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC) has been selected by the Paris Peace Forum (PPF) to be showcased at its upcoming conference in November 2021.

The PPF is a global initiative that seeks to bring together hundreds of government leaders and civil society actors from around the world to solve some of the world’s biggest governance problems such as the COVID-19 crisis, gender inequality, threats to the global commons, ways to improve the digital world, and steps to fight fake news and threats to the press.

GSMC’s Informed Society Initiative is designed to counter mis-​and dis-information about critical global issues, such as health and vaccines, climate change, and violence against minorities. It is one of 30 projects from the Global South that the PFF says demonstrate “that in a deteriorated international environment it is still possible to advance governance solutions, scale-up project and launch new initiatives,” according to a PPF statement.

“As a communications school that is part of a global development organisation, we believe there is nothing we can do that is more important than battling the ‘Infodemic’ of false information that threatens the very fabric of society,” said Professor Lawrence Pintak, Dean of GSMC.

The Informed Society Initiative involves an array of activities aimed at helping journalists in East Africa and South Asia prevent the spread of false information. These include the development of media literacy curricula to be taught at the primary, secondary and university levels, and training for teachers in media and digital literacy. The project is currently in its pilot stage, with journalist trainings taking place in East Africa and a teacher training in Pakistan, in partnership with AKU’s Institute of Educational Development, IED.

“The Paris Peace Forum’s recognition of this GSMC project underscores the important real-world impact AKU has on the societies in which we operate,” said AKU President Firoz Rasul. Other partners in the overarching initiative include the University of Washington, George Washington University, NOVA Lisbon, The Hertie Public Policy School in Berlin, and two international civic technology organisations, Meedan and Code4Africa.

“Greater access to online platforms creates both the possibility of sophisticated forms of indoctrination and an opportunity for reflective, informed and imaginative education. Which way the tide will turn will depend, in part, on how our capacity to navigate knowledge claims is strengthened,” observed IED’s Dean, Dr Farid Panjwani. The Paris Peace Forum was founded in 2018 by the president of France and brings together some of the world’s most influential civil society and philanthropic organisations, including the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).​

For more information, contact:
Media Executive
Department of Public Affairs
Aga Khan University (AKU)
Stadium Road, Karachi
Tel: +92-21-34930051
Fax: +92-21-34934294, +92-21-34932095
Cell: +92-301-8258028
Email: rasool.sarang@aku.edu, public.affairs@aku.edu​
Website: www.aku.edu

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Undergraduate – Notification for Practical Examinations of Spring Semester Examinations 2021 

Karachi, August 07, 2021 (PPI-OT):It is notified for the information of students of NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi that the Practical Examinations of undergraduate programme of Spring Semester 2021 will be conducted after completion of Theory Examinations.

All concerned are requested to note the above.

For more information, contact:
NED University of Engineering and Technology
University Road, Karachi – 75270, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-99261261-8
Fax: +92-21-99261255
Email: registrar@neduet.edu.pk
Website: www.neduet.edu.pk

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PRCS and Health Department of Azad Jammu and Kashmir launch “Corona Free Kashmir Initiative” 

Islamabad, August 07, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Red Crescent Society in collaboration with Health Department of Azad Jammu and Kashmir has launched “Corona Free Kashmir” Initiative under which public will be vaccinated through mobile vaccination units in different districts of the AJK. An inaugural ceremony of the initiative was held at Kashmir House here on Friday.

The ceremony was attended by President AJK Sardar Masood Khan, Chairman Pakistan Red Crescent Society Abrar ul Haq, Chairman PRCS AJK Ejaz Raza, Secretary General PRCS Dr. Adeel Nawaz, IFRC Head of Delegation Peter (Piwi) Ophoff, health care workers, officials of GoAJK, PRCS and volunteers. Under this initiative, in the 1st phase vaccination mobile units have been established in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur, beside mobile units will also be set up in other districts of AJK. PRCS will deploy its ambulances and volunteers for the mass vaccination under this initiative.

Speaking on this occasion, AJK President Sardar Masood Khan lauded the efforts of PRCS in combating coronavirus pandemic, saying that the swift actions of the National Society played a key role in preventing the spread. He said PRCS volunteers have played an effective role in creating awareness among people against the pandemic.” The distribution of PPEs among health care workers, distribution of food and non-food items among the deserving during the pandemic were need of the hour and PRCS has always been in the forefront to help the vulnerable communities in AJK”, he added.

He paid tribute to philanthropists for helping the affected people and the government in coping with the challenge. The government, he said, was also helping the affected people from its own resources. In a statement on the occasion, PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq said that PRCS has expanded its recently launched campaign for door-to-door and mobile vaccination against Covid-19 virus in order to contain the spread of pandemic in the country. As part of the initiative, door-to-door vaccination drive is in full swing in the territorial limits of Islamabad Capital Territory and in different parts of Karachi and Rawalpindi in collaboration with government.

Abrar ul Haq said the Red Crescent Corona Care Hospital (RCCH) in Rawalpindi has selflessly served people during the pandemic wherein hundreds of Covid-19 patients were treated free of cost. He said it is a matter of great honour for the PRCS that the RCCH was designated by the government as a Mass Vaccination Centre for Covid-19 where more than 150,000 people have been vaccinated so far. “Corona Free Kashmir Initiative” is a great initiative under which PRCS and GoAJK will take all necessary measures regarding prevention and control to stop the spread of pandemic in all the districts of AJK.

He said PRCS in collaboration with the Health Department of Government of Sindh and National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC) has opened 3 mobile Covid-19 vaccination units in Karachi. “Preparations are also underway to establish mass vaccination centers at Pakistan Red Crescent Hospitals in different districts of Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and Tribal areas”, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman PRCS AJK Branch Ejaz Raza said that fight against the COVID19 is not over. He stressed the need to expedite the process of vaccination and appealed the citizen to get vaccinated against the virus as soon as possible. He said that AJK branch is grateful to National Headquarters for this initiative and its generous support to make Kashmir Corona free.

Earlier, the officials from the Health Department of AJK briefed the participants on “Corona Free Kashmir Initiative”. At the end of ceremony, President AJK Sardar Masood Khan along with Chairman PRCS Abrar ul Haq, Chairman PRCS AJK Ejaz Raza and others inspected the ambulances that will be deployed by PRCS at mobile vaccination units.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
PRCS National Headquarters, H-8, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-300-8508138
Ph: +92-51-9250404-5
Fax: +92-51-9250408
E-mail: hilal@isb.comsats.net.pk
Web: http://www.prcs.org.pk

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PRCS celebrates ‘World Blood Donor Day’ 

Islamabad, August 07, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Monday celebrated the ‘World Blood Donor Day’ to raise awareness among people regarding need for regular blood donations and thank all voluntary donors for their life-saving gift of blood to those in need.

This year, the World Blood Donor Day slogan is ‘Give Blood and Keep the World Beating’. A ceremony was arranged at the PRCS National Headquarters in Islamabad to mark the day. National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri was the chief guest at the event, also attended by PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq, Secretary General Dr Adeel Nawaz, senior officials and volunteers.

Speaking on the occasion, National Assembly Deputy Speaker Qasim Khan Suri said that today is a reminder of the fact that blood transfusion is important in healthcare and medical treatment all over the world. The whole world knows Abrar-ul-Haq for his service of humanity. The service of humanity is the only way to reach Allah. He said that millions of people around the world get new life through blood donation on a daily basis.

He said the services of the Regional Blood Donor Centre under the auspices of the Red Crescent are commendable. PRCS is proud to have developed an app for the timely availability of blood donors. The door-to-door campaign for Corona Vaccination is commendable. “Reducing blood donations during the Corona epidemic has made it a challenge to meet the needs of thalassemia patients”, he added. He urged all the segments of the society to wholeheartedly help the PRCS in this humanitarian cause.

Addressing the ceremony, Chairman PRCS Abrar-ul-Haq said that we had started a campaign to collect blood donations in front of the Parliament House and Qasim Suri was the first to donate blood. I am proud of that. He emphasized the need to promote a culture of blood donation on a voluntary basis. He said voluntary and regular blood donation will also increase the quality of transparent and safe blood.

Abrar-ul-Haq said that the PRCS has always strived for the management and supply of blood to deserving patients, emergencies and accidents. Red Crescent volunteers are active in collecting and timely availability of blood donations. Volunteers themselves donate blood regularly and participate in awareness campaigns.

Abrar ul Haq said the World Blood Donor Day also provides an opportunity to urge governments and national health authorities to provide adequate resources and put into place systems and infrastructures to increase the collection of blood from voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors.

General (retd) Mustafa Kamal Akbar, who donated blood 170 times at the age of 82, addressed the event. Murtaza Burhani, who donated blood 158 times, also delivered a motivational speech on this occasion. At the end of the ceremony, shields and gifts were distributed among the distinguished guests. PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq presented a commemorative shield to Deputy Speaker Qasim Suri.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
PRCS National Headquarters, H-8, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-300-8508138
Ph: +92-51-9250404-5
Fax: +92-51-9250408
E-mail: hilal@isb.comsats.net.pk
Web: http://www.prcs.org.pk

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Punjab University School of Communication Studies organizes training workshop

Lahore, August 07, 2021 (PPI-OT):Punjab University School of Communication Studies training workshop on peace and harmony in collaboration with Media Foundation 360. Shahpara Salim, Mubasher Bukhari and other journalists were resource persons on the occasion while faculty members and students attended the workshop. Shahpara Salim, Mubasher Bukhari suggested the students to think upon the values that lead to peace and tolerance in a society. Speakers discussed how culture could help promote peace and harmony in the country. They said hatred could be eliminated by promoting culture.

They presented examples from lifestyle of Lahorites in 1960s. They said Lahore had produced famous singers and musicians in the sub-continent and had been center of literary giants. However, they said, due to various issues, violence against women and children have shaken our society. They said that extremist attitudes needed to be addressed for the welfare of Pakistan. They said media should have played its positive role to discourage attitude of anarchy and intolerance.

Many concepts including acceptance to all forms of diversity, equity, freedom of thought and speech and positivity were discussed with the students. After that the students had been involved in discussion on peace and harmony; what paradigms of thought and action relates to extremist behaviours and how can these be avoided through knowledge gained from educational institutions.

Furthermore, the speakers discussed the root cause of extremist behaviours, i.e. lack of quality communication of individuals with their family members, peers and teachers/supervisors in social and educational settings. The speakers advised the students to start conversations at university with the spirit of tolerating the others’ view point to promote harmony. The session brought to light, the awareness and significance of peace and tolerance at individual as well as institutional levels to bring a positive change in the society.

For more information, contact:
Registrar,
University of the Punjab
Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99231102
Fax: +92-42-99231103
E-Mail: registrar@pu.edu.pk
Website: http://pu.edu.pk/