Day: December 15, 2021

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ACCA, Bahria University sign MOU to develop future-ready finance professionals 

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):On Wednesday, 15th December 2021, ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Pakistan and Bahria University Islamabad, signed an MoU formalizing their long-standing partnership to develop a future-ready accountancy profession in Pakistan. In addition to enabling continuous learning opportunities for accounting and finance students via ACCA accredited programmes, the MoU aims to enhance academic cooperation between ACCA and Bahria University.

The MOU signing ceremony was held at the Bahria University (BU) campus in Islamabad and was attended by the leadership of both institutions including Mr. Assad Hameed Khan, Head of ACCA Pakistan, Rear Admiral (R) Habib UR Rehman HI(M) (Pro-Rector Academics).

The areas of collaboration include enabling the academic and professional development of students providing a pathway for students and graduates of the Accounting and Finance programme of BU to study the ACCA Qualification, in line in with ACCA’s global accreditation policy. The partnership will also provide the BU faculty access to ACCA learning and an online education hub.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Assad Hameed Khan, Head of ACCA Pakistan, said, “ACCA is excited to open up opportunities for the youth at Bahria University. With this collaboration, we are sharing our global expertise with the next generation of academics and professionals, who have a critical role to play in developing the economy and future of Pakistan.”

Dr. Muhammad Ali Saeed, Principal Bahria Business School, also speaking at the occasion, stated, “We look forward to empowering our students in adopting and thriving in the accountancy profession leverage ACCA’s world-class knowledge and training resources, allowing them to build a stronger foundation for their future career path and opening up opportunities from all over the world.”

For more information, contact:
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Pakistan (ACCA)
Office No. 5, 2nd Floor, SNC Centre,
Fazal-ul-Haq Road, Blue Area, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-111-222275
Fax: +92-51-2876605
Email: info@pk.accaglobal.com
Website: www.pakistan.accaglobal.com

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Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2021 debated at UNDP and PILDAT’s consultation forum by political parties, civil society and media representatives 

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):UNDP in collaboration with PILDAT organized a Consultation Forum today on the latest Electoral Reforms currently under debate in the Parliament. The objective of today’s event was to inform and engage citizens and policymakers to strengthen the electoral processes in Pakistan for free, fair and credible elections in 2023.

The Consultation Forum was attended by representatives of nine political parties including Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPP-P), Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan (JUI), Muttahida Quami Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Awami National Party (ANP), National Party (NP) and Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M). Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, MNA and Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting, provided the government’s perspective and overview of the proposed amendments in the bill.

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Aliona Niculita, Resident Representative a.i. UNDP Pakistan, said that UNDP’s project on Strengthening Electoral and Legislative Processes (SELP) works to promote accountability and transparency. She expressed her pleasure upon seeing all the major political parties of Pakistan as well as civil society and media together to discuss electoral reforms for credible, fair and inclusive elections in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Mehboob, President PILDAT said that the purpose of today’s forum was to discuss and debate those electoral reforms that are currently before the Parliament and take perspectives along with exchange of view among political parties, civil society and media. It was hoped that some level of consensus or a contribution may be made towards consensus on electoral reforms in Parliament.

Other political parties were represented by Engr. Khurram Dastgir Khan, MNA and Former Federal Minister and Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan from PML-N, Senator Taj Haider, Chair Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs from PPP-P, Senator Kamran Murtaza, Member Senate Standing Committee on Parliamentary Affairs from JUI, Senator Faisal Subzwari, Member Central Coordination Committee of MQM-P and Mr. Javed Hanif, MPA (Sindh), Member Central Coordination Committee of MQM-P, Senator Anwar ul Haq Kakar from BAP, Mr. Zahid Khan, Information Secretary ANP and Mr. Abdur Rahim Wazir, Member Central Working Committee of ANP, Senator Tahir Bizenjo from NP and Agha Hassan Baloch, MNA from BNP-M.

Representatives from Media and Civil Society included Mr. Habib Akram of Dunya TV, Ms. Arifa Noor of Dawn TV, Mr. Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami of Daily Pakistan, Mr. Bilal Gilani of Gallup Pakistan, Dr. Taha Ali of NUST, Mr. Fahd Husain of Dawn, Mr. Nazeer Mahar of Democracy Reporting International, Ms. Benazir Shah of Geo, Mr. Mukhtar Ahmed Ali of CPDI, Mr. Kanwar Dilshad of NDF, Mr. Shabir Ahmed of IFES, Mr. Saleem Safi of Geo, Mr. Mudassir Rizvi of TDEA-FAFEN, Mr. Farrukh Patafi of PTV, Mr. Tahir Khalil of Jang and Syed Anwar ul Hassan of PTV.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT)
P.O. Box 278, F-8, Postal Code: 44220, Islamabad, Pakistan
Email: info@pildat.org
Website: www.pildat.org

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Zakir Mahmood appointed chairman of AKU’s Board of Trustees

Karachi, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Mr Zakir Mahmood, the former President of Habib Bank Limited, Pakistan’s largest bank, has been appointed Chairman of the Aga Khan University’s Board of Trustees by the University’s Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan.

In his message to the Trustees of the University, His Highness the Aga Khan mentioned that, “Mr Mahmood will bring to the Chair his profound experience in senior leadership roles, his extensive acumen in international institutional development and his thorough understanding of governance structures.” Mr Mahmood succeeds the distinguished Dr Haile Debas, former Chancellor of the University of California, San Francisco.

Mr Mahmood received his BE Engineering from NED University in Karachi and MBA and MS Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. In 2005, the Government of Pakistan honoured Mr Mahmood with the prestigious Sitara-e-Imtiaz award.

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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Week Long Entrepreneurial Drive commences at IIUI 

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):The week-long entrepreneurial drive of the Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS) of the International Islamic University (IIU) kicked-off here at the Faisal Masjid Campus on Wednesday. The drive contains workshops, series of talk with industrial experts and entrepreneurs, business plan competition (in which participants of 200 universities across Pakistan taking part), innovative ad competition and a number of networking and interaction opportunities between students and industrial experts.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Entrepreneurial summit, Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Khalid Mansoor apprised about the details of the objectives and roadmap of the next 15 years of CPEC project. He shed light on the improvement in the energy sector through CPEC. He said that in the second phase of the project, 5300 megawatt capacity has been achieved and work is also going on 3500 megawatt energy project. He told that special importance has been given to the renewable energy resources and projects. He informed about 820 kilometer optic fiber cable and added that the completion work is in process on the biggest airport in Gwadar.

He briefed the participants on the measures being taken by the government to facilitate the investors. He said that the industrial cooperation segment of CPEC holds great potential and significant work was underway to make full use of it. SAPM said that he will provide maximum cooperation to IIU youth to play role in the project.

Project Director, National Incubation Centre, Pervez Abbasi opined that world is changing fast as it is the age of technological advancements and incubations. He added that National incubation centre is dealing with hundreds of startups of thousands of students to encourage the entrepreneurial and compatible to the needs of hour projects. He said it is not easy for any country in the world to accommodate 10 lac graduating students through jobs, therefore, there is a need to think out of the box and being an entrepreneur is the key to success. Addressing the students, he said his centre will be fond of expanding university’s incubation centre and project in virtual technology, artificial intelligence and gaming industry shall be highly encouraged.

Rector IIUI, in his speech said that country is facing youth bulge, these are high times to guide youth to be involved in entrepreneurial projects so that they may become job providers instead of being job seekers. He said 56 million youth can play a vital role in economic stability. Appreciating the summit, he said it’s a great networking opportunity of interaction between industry and academia. “We can bring Pakistan out of difficult times through talented entrepreneurs and universities must play due role in this regard” he said. He said universities should work in the light of the needs of society with research, innovation and promotion of entrepreneurship.

On the occasion, Vice President, Administration and Finance, Prof. Dr. N. B. Jumani in his vote of thanks hailed the effort of Faculty of Managements Sciences and also thanked the distinguished guests for sharing their thoughts to the university students.

Earlier, Dean Faculty of Management Sciences, Dr. Abdul Rahman highlighted the objectives and details of the week-long entrepreneurial drive. He said that it is an opportunity provided by university to bridge the gap between industry and academia as well as it will also help in promoting the opportunity to youth to assess the market requirements. The activity was also joined by Vice Presidents Professor Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed, Professor Dr. Ayaz Afsar, DGs, Deans, faculty members and a large number of students.

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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PTI made people cry because of its anti-people policies: Shazia Atta Marri 

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):Central Information Secretary PPP-P and MNA Shazia Atta Marri has said that people of the Pakistan are worried due to PTI-led government’s skyrocketing inflation and joblessness while selected Prime Minister Imran Khan is dreaming about being re-elected. She added that Prime Minister Imran Khan wants to be selected by electronic voting machines but has no worry regarding the solutions of problems faced by the poor people. This she said in a statement issued hereon today.

Shazia Marri uttered that Election Commission of Pakistan has also raised technical and constitutional objections over the use of electronic voting machines and even majority of the developed countries of world have rejected the practice of electronic voting machines. Electronic Voting machines are not being used in any European countries and in 2009, the Supreme Court of Germany gave decision that the use of electronic voting machines was unconstitutional.

While slamming the government, said that PTI’s government made people cry because of worst anti-people policies and now they are planning to reimpose on the people once again while country couldn’t afford another new bitter experience in the shape of PTI government. Ms Marri said that there is scarcity of gas and electricity in the country and People’s miseries have been increased due to highest price hike of essential commodities and today every child of the country is indebted to approximately 2 lakhs rupees due to foreign loans that has borrowed PTI’s government.

She said that PM Imran Khan has handed country to IMF and people are relying on Allah. Imran Khan is a that clown who has made people to cry instead of making nation to laugh. She said that PTI led government’s ministers only vituperate opposition parties except solving the country’s problems while there is dire need to strengthen country economically, politically and socially. Ms Marri said that Imran Khan’s policies have damaged the country and if we want to save the country from further damage, we have to get rid of this PTI’s incompetent government.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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In-House meeting with Dr Barnett R. Rubin

Islamabad, December 15, 2021 (PPI-OT):The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) had an In-House meeting with Dr Barnett R. Rubin, Senior Fellow at Center on International Cooperation, Non-Resident Fellow at Quincy Institute and a leading expert on Afghanistan and South Asia.

The distinguished guests included: Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Director General ISSI; Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BOG ISSI; Ms Amina Khan, Director CAMEA, Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin; Ambassador Masood Khalid; Lt. Gen. Sabahat; Mr Hassan Khan; Ambassador Ayaz Wazir; Ambassador Aziz Ahmad Khan; Admiral Tahir; Mr Taimur Shamil; Mr Oves Anwar and Mr Hashim Pashtoon.

The topic on the agenda was the evolving situation in Afghanistan. In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Chaudhry said that the most burning topic for the region is Afghanistan and there is a feeling that the new political reality in Afghanistan is not being accepted by the world. The humanitarian situation is dire and there is an economic collapse happening as well, he said.

Dr Barnett said that the sanctions against the Taliban go back to 1999 and are now part of US law. On Al-Qaeda he said that the Taliban have never been one to make a break with Al-Qaeda because of religious solidarity and provision of assistance. He went on to say that as a political matter the US cannot have good relations with the Taliban. He also said that right now, the Taliban need a functioning economy and relations with other countries.

Although there are efforts being made by humanitarian organisations, a lot still needs to be done. The Taliban this time around have been engaging very actively in regional diplomacy. Their only objective is to be secure. Afghanistan is now a marginal issue for the US as evidenced by President Biden’s decision to withdraw the troops. The Taliban this time around, have a good regional strategy, and their only international objective is to get recognition, he said.

For more information, contact:
Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI)
Sector F-5/2, Islamabad – 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9202481
Fax: +92-51-9204658
E-mail: strategy@issi.org.pk
Website: http://issi.org.pk/