IIU holds flag hoisting ceremony, seminar on Independence Day

Islamabad, August 13, 2021 (PPI-OT): Islamic Research Institute (IRI) of International Islamic University (IIU) organized a flag hoisting ceremony and a seminar on “ Role of Youth in shaping future of Pakistan” in connection with Independence Day celebrations that was addressed by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain who said Pakistan’s future lies in education, logic and argument.

The ceremony was also attended by Minister for State and Chairman Kashmir Committee Shehryar Afridi, MD Baitulmal Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokhar, Rector IIU Dr. Masoom Yasinzai , IIU President Dr. Hathal Homoud Alotaibi, IIU Vice Presidents, DGs, Deans, faculty members, students and children of Dar ul Ehsas Baitulmal (who also presented national songs) and DG IRI Dr. Muhammad Zia ul Haq.

Addressing the ceremony, Fawad hussain Chaudhary said Pakistan was envisioned as a modern Muslim state by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.

The Minister said the Ministries of Education and Science and Technology have a key role in building the nation and the future of Pakistan. He said universities should focus on quality of education and linking education with the economy.

Referring to the situation in Afghanistan, Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said Pakistan wants an inclusive government in Afghanistan that has representation of all the parties, groups and people. He said Pakistan made sincere efforts for peace in Afghanistan. He said the situation in Afghanistan has an impact on Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Shehryar Afridi said slogans and national songs are not enough but this day demands a commitment to make this homeland prosperous, peaceful and progressing. He said the world has waged war of Islamophobia against Muslims and called upon the Muslims societies and scholars to foil this attempt. He urged youth to not to be impressed of the glitter of west and urged them to follow the teachings of Islam.

He said the role of Pakistan in peace, environment and education is being hailed across the world, which is a positive sign. MD Baitulmal Malik Zaheer Abbas Khokar said that education and learning is Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH). He stressed upon the education of women adding that it is a key to success. He also appreciated the services of IIUI. He said the day of independence is a day to express immense love to the beloved homeland.

IIU Rector Dr Masoom Yasinzai while congratulating on the eve of Independence Day celebrations shared the news that the government has approved a sports academy for the university. He hailed IIUI for its special initiatives such as Kamyab Nojawan Program. IIUI Rector said IIU has prepared the Paigham e Pakistan narrative and guiding the youth in the light of this comprehensive narrative. IIUI Rector added that as many as 2 million youth are in the universities who are ray of hope for the Muslim world. He said acknowledgment of Pakistan in research and education globally is a positive omen.

Dr. Hathal Homoud Alotaibi , IIU President in his address on the occasion felicitated the Pakistani nation and announced that soon the university will have a Waqf grant of 15 million dollars from Islamic Development Bank as well as it will have a grand King Sulaiman bin Abdul Aziz Mosque and complex at campus. He apprised that a pc 1 project of 3 buildings is also being pursued by the university, while talks for as many as 400 scholarships for the students of IIU are also being held with a Kuwait Charity organization.

He told that the university has approved its strategic plan and its implementation is a top priority. He told that E-portal for distance learning has been established that will surely bring more foreigner students to IIU. He also told that the Institute of Professional Development of IIUI shall be made one of the leading training institutes to meet the training related needs of the university, while he also mentioned Iqra College telling that vocational training for students who miss the admission shall be arranged.

IIU President also briefed that a E-governance system shall be soon launched at IIU. Talking about the Pakistan and Saudi relations, he said both countries have shared objectives of disseminating the message of peace. He said ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are strong and getting stronger by every passing day. He said that IIU is a perfect example of Pak Saudi exemplary ties.

On the occasion, Dr. Muhammad Zia ul Haq, DG, IRI said that it is imperative to address the challenges of hour instead of being reactive. He said there is a dire need to discourage hatred and promote peace and tranquility through initiatives such as Paigham e Pakistan. On the occasion, Dr. Farkhanda Zia, Vice President Female also presented the copy of Dukhtran e Pakistan booklet to the chief guest and guest of honour. Later, Shehryar Afridi also inaugurated a book exhibition arranged in connection with the Independence Day celebrations.

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

Punjab Assembly leaves most of its agenda unaddressed amid protest

Islamabad, August 13, 2021 (PPI-OT): The Provincial Assembly of Punjab left most of its agenda unaddressed on Friday due to confrontation between treasury and opposition lawmakers, observes Free and Fair Election Network (FAFEN) in its Daily Factsheet.

Following are key observations of the House proceedings during the 12th and last sitting of 34th session:

Members’ Participation

The House met for an hour and 43 minutes.

The sitting started at 10:22 am against the scheduled time of 09:00 am.

A member of panel of chairpersons presided over the entire sitting in the absence of speaker and deputy speaker.

The leaders of the House (chief minister) and the opposition were absent.

As many as 17 MPAs (five percent) were present at the outset and 107 (29 percent) at the adjournment of the sitting.

The parliamentary leader of PPPP attended the proceedings.

Three out of eight minority lawmakers attended the sitting.

Output

The House did not consider six private members’ resolutions and a statutory report.

Representation and Responsiveness

The House took up five out of 31 starred questions while lawmakers also asked six supplementary questions.

Thirteen zero hour notices and nine calling attention notices remained unaddressed.

Order and Institutionalization

Eight lawmakers spoke on points of order for 20 minutes.

Lawmakers belonging to treasury benches protested for 11 minutes during the proceedings against remarks of PML-N lawmakers about their leadership. Following this protest, the Chair suspended the proceedings for 44 minutes.

A PML-N lawmaker pointed out the quorum at 11:48 am but it was found complete upon counting.

The Chair suspended the membership of two PML-N lawmaker for the same day’s sitting due to their remarks about PTI’s leadership and reportedly misconduct with the Minister for law during the proceedings.

The session was prorogued sine die.

Transparency

‘Orders of the Day’ was available on Assembly’s website.

Information on Members’ attendance is available on Assembly’s website.

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

Four-run first innings lead gives Rawalpindi title

Lahore, August 13, 2021 (PPI-OT): Rawalpindi won the Northern-leg of the two-day City Cricket Association Tournament 2021-22 on first innings lead basis after their final against Islamabad ended in a draw at the Shalimar Cricket Ground on Thursday.

Rawalpindi successfully defended their first innings score of 206 to dismiss Islamabad for 202. When the match ended, Islamabad were 52 for one after Rawalpindi had set them a 239-run victory target.

The stars of Rawalpindi’s victory were Hamza Arshad and Raheel Wakeel, who scored 54 and 50, respectively in their side’s modest 206, and Kashif Ali, who grabbed four wickets for 54 runs to help his side dismiss Islamabad four runs short.

In the two-group 11-team Northern-leg, Rawalpindi topped Pool A with two wins and two draws from five matches, while Islamabad topped Pool B with one win and one draw from four outings.

Rawalpindi’s Hamza, who scored 54 and 69 in the final, was the most successful batsman with 550 runs at 78.57 with a best score of 129 not out.

Second on the batting chart was Sarmad Hameed from Jhelum who scored 431 runs from five matches at 86.20 with unbeaten 157 his best in the tournament. The right-handed batsman had scored two centuries and one half-century in the tournament, while his teammate Mohammad Ajmal finished as the third leading run-getter with 335 runs at 67.

Rawalpindi’s Kashif Ali, Jhelum’s Shoaib Amir and Attock’s Nadeem Sikander shared the bowling honours with 26 scalps apiece.

Kashif bagged two five-fers and one 10-wicket haul, leg-spinner Shoaib’s best figures in an innings were six for 38, while left-arm spinner Nadeem’s best returns in an innings were six for 93.

Triangular stage commences in three City Cricket Association Tournaments

The triangular stage of the CCA Tournaments has commenced in Central Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh.

In the three-group 19-team Central Punjab-leg, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Sheikhupura qualified for the triangular stage. Faisalabad and Sialkot topped their respective pools with two wins and two draws from five matches each while Sheikhupura topped Pool A with four drawn games from six outings in the tournament.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, amongst 19 teams, divided in three groups, Bannu, Mardan and Haripur qualified for the triangular stage.

In Sindh, amongst 17 participating teams, divided in three groups, Sukkur, Zone VI and Zone VII qualified for the triangular stage.

Thirteen teams in the Balochistan-leg of the CCA Tournament are competing in the group stage to secure the two spots in the final. These teams are divided into two groups.

The final of the 14-team Southern Punjab-leg will be played between Muzaffargarh and Vehari from 15 August.

Scores in brief:

Final

Result – Match drawn (Rawalpindi won the final on first innings lead)

Rawalpindi 206 all out, 63.5 overs (Hamza Arshad 54, Raheel Wakeel 50; Mohammad Amir 6-47) and 234-4d, 51 overs (Hamza Majeed 133, Hamza Arshad 69; Hammad Khan 2-20)

Islamabad 202 all out, 62.3 overs (Mohammad Irfan 52, Umar Nawaz 49; Kashif Ali 4-54) and 52-1, 6 overs (Azeem Bari 25 not out)

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-5717231-4
Fax: +92-42-5711860
Website: www.pcb.com.pk