Day: January 2, 2022

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GCU celebrates 159th Founders’ Day

Lahore, January 02, 2022 (PPI-OT): The Government College University Lahore, one of the oldest seats of higher learning in Pakistan, has completed 158 years of its academic excellence. Founded on January 1, 1864 with the first batch of nine students in the Haveli of Raja Dhyan Singh in the Walled City Lahore as the liberal arts and Science College, it served as a nourishing stream to the generations of talented men and women.

A grand ceremony was held at the University’s Amphie Theatre where Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi cut the 159th Founders’ Day cake along with the academic and administrative heads. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said that we enter 2022 with a renewed pledge to further improve our education and research standards. “The achievements of the past year offered us a momentum to show our true potential,” he said.

Talking about the achievements of past year, the Vice Chancellor said, “I have so much pleasure in saying 2021 has been the most exceptional year for GCU, and I’m grateful to my faculty and staff, but above all to my students who have been very helpful in implementing all those measures that made it possible to declare this year, the most exceptional year.”

He said that last year, GCU started academic activities at the new campus, established Allama Iqbal Law School, Institute of History, and long-pending Mass Communication Department. The Vice Chancellor said they ensured 100 percent admissions on merit, and announced the winners of sports trials on spot in grounds to ensure transparency. “We also worked on empowerment of female students, via the newly established Women Development Center, upgraded day-care center and for the first time offered admissions to female students on sports for the first time,” he added.

Prof. Zaidi said that GCU got development projects, worth Rs. 1.84 billion from the Punjab government and federal government in 2021, which included swimming pool, girls hostel and Abu Al-Hasan Ash-Shadhili Research Center on Sufism, Science and Technology. The Vice Chancellor also shared memories of hosting Pakistan’s biggest students societies summit in 2021, besides talking about the establishment of new and vibrant student societies.

Prof. Zaidi said that he believed in the student centric approach to leading higher education institutions. “That is why we take in the perspective of all our students so that we could bring about reforms that would uplift the standards of education in GCU,” he added.

The Vice Chancellor said they want to build a place where students are given the best possible opportunities in fulfilling their dream so that they can become future leaders of our nation. He thanked all faculty members and administrative officials for their hard work to ensure that our students keep receiving the quality of education they deserve at the prestigious GC University.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Department,
Government College University (GCU)
Squash Complex, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan
UAN: +92-42-111-000-010 Ext: 296
Tel: +92-42-99213343
Cell: +92-321-8440769
Email: registrar@gcu.edu.pk
Website: http://www.gcu.edu.pk

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Afghan Historiography: A hybrid threat to Pakistan

Islamabad, January 02, 2022 (PPI-OT): The existing mistrust between Afghanistan and Pakistan has largely resulted from the years-long distortion of facts that were influenced by politically motivated agendas. The need is now to project commonalities by identifying lacunas from the shared history of the two nations; and this can be done by the academia and civil society taking the lead, setting aside all fictions and fabrications, and shaping up a joint-narrative that is based on facts and ground realities, all aimed at ensuring peaceful coexistence and strengthening bilateral ties.

The exigency was stressed at a roundtable titled ‘Afghan Historiography: A hybrid threat to Pakistan’, which was held at IPS on December 29, 2021. The session was addressed as keynote speaker by Dr Farhat Taj, associate professor from the University of Tromso, Norway, chaired by IPS’ Vice Chairman Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain and participated as discussants by IPS’ Chairman Khalid Rahman, Akhunzada Chattan, a former parliamentarian, Brigadier (r) Said Nazir, strategic affairs expert, Juma Khan Sufi, a renowned author and Afghan affairs expert, Dr Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani, vice chancellor, University of Haripur, and Naufil Shahrukh, GM operations at IPS.

Commenting over the hybrid threats emanating from Afghanistan, Dr Taj underscored the role that the research institutions and academia from Afghanistan and Pakistan can play by carrying out genuine research sans any political or other kind of duress, to develop a narrative that is based only on historical facts. She stressed that the distortion of facts by presenting fables has rather widened the gulf of distrust between the two neighbourly countries.

The speaker, for instance, observed that the Durand line issue, which was a settled matter in light of historical evidences, was deeply inculcated into the false consciousness of Afghan people by their governments to achieve vested interests – a truth that needs to be popularized and brought into discussion by the academia so that the government, politicians, intelligentsia and other stakeholders and sensitized and apprised about it.

Speaking of the efforts Pakistan has made to address this wariness, Ambassador Abrar was of the view that the country has facilitated and accommodated thousands of Afghan students who have come to Pakistan over the years for higher education due to the prolonged instability in their country. He also highlighted the importance of the Pashto language in counter narrative building in response to fiction being presented as history by anti-state elements.

Stressing the need for employing methods to remove the existing mistrust, Khalid Rahman opined that religion can build the desired bond by bringing closer both nations who have shared traditions, culture and religion for centuries. However, he rued that governance crisis especially in former tribal areas and KPK have caused grievances among people who were left in the hands of enemies which could exploit them against the state.

Other speakers also felt the need for highlighting the fact that putting the disputed matters on the back burner in the hope of resolving it would not fetch desired results. Rather, a proactive approach towards clearing the air surrounding disputed historical matters between the two countries as well as the factual reporting of the historical events was seen as need of the hour.

During the discussion, it was also mentioned that both countries need to live in a peaceful coexistence as their survival depends on each other. It was accentuated that this narrative, if made part of national discourse of both neighbouring nations, can serve both countries well for the generations to come.

For more information, contact:
Outreach and Publications,
Institute of Policy Studies (IPS)
1, Street 8, F-6/3, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-8438391-3 (Ext: 122)
Fax: +92-51-8438390
Website: www.ips.org.pk

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Construction of new mosque begins at GCU

Lahore, January 02, 2022 (PPI-OT): The construction of the new Jamia Masjid on Friday began at Government College University Lahore. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and a large number of teachers and staff members were present on this occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Zaidi said construction of a new mosque had become very crucial for the University. He said GCU students, teachers, and staff have donated more than rupees 10 million for the construction of the mosque, while a large number of Old Ravians also wished to participate in this sacred cause.

Prof. Zaidi revealed that renowned industrialist Anwar Ahmad Khan has pledged to provide all the glass for the entire mosque. The Vice-Chancellor said that the new mosque would also house a library, reading room, separate prayer from female students, and conference hall.

The Vice-Chancellor also formed a committee to oversee all the matters related to the construction of the mosque. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Zaidi also highlighted the importance of mosques in practical activities in Islam. Dr. Naeem Anwar Khan was also addressed at the ceremony.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Department,
Government College University (GCU)
Squash Complex, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan
UAN: +92-42-111-000-010 Ext: 296
Tel: +92-42-99213343
Cell: +92-321-8440769
Email: registrar@gcu.edu.pk
Website: http://www.gcu.edu.pk

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ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup team records

Dubai, January 02, 2022 (PPI-OT): Fans across the globe are counting down the days to the start of the 2022 ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the chance to watch the brightest young superstars in action.

Fans across the globe are counting down the days to the start of the 2022 ICC Under 19 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the chance to watch the brightest young superstars in action.

Sixteen teams will be bidding for glory as the very best U19 players in the world come up against each other on the biggest stage, with West Indies hosting the tournament for the first time ever.

But while silverware will be the primary goal, the teams will also be looking to etch their names in the history books by beating some of the long-standing records set over the last 34 years.

And ahead of the latest edition, here’s a look at some of the most impressive team records from the ICC U19 Men’s CWC since the tournament first came into being in 1988.

Highest inning totals

Brace yourselves for this one.

Australia U19s bludgeoned 480 for the loss of just six wickets against Kenya back in 2002 – with a run rate of 9.6 an over – in what can only be described as a stunning display in Dunedin.

That innings score would be the second-highest in ODI history if the senior side hit it, and they weren’t bad with the ball either, bowling Kenya out for 50 inside 22 overs.

Craig Simmons starred that day, hitting 155, but Shaun Marsh was also outstanding.

Marsh’s 125 runs from 81 balls along with George Bailey’s blockbuster 56 from 26 balls were enough to make 20th January 2002 a historic day in Australian cricket.

New Zealand are some way off with the second-highest total, but their score of 436 for four against Kenya in Christchurch during the 2018 tournament shouldn’t be sniffed at either.

India can claim the third-highest innings total thanks to their score of 425 for three against Scotland in Dhaka in 2004 while Sri Lanka hit 419 for four against Kenya in 2018.

Lowest Inning totals

A record no team will want to usurp in this year’s tournament is currently held by Scotland, who finished with the lowest innings total in ICC U19 Men’s CWC history back in 2004.

Their total of 22 against Australia in Chittagong means they hold the unfortunate distinction of being the tournament’s only team ever to possess a run rate below one an over.

In response, Australia knocked off the 23 runs needed to win in 3.5 overs to secure a 10-wicket victory with 277 balls remaining as Cameron Huckett (four for seven) played a starring role.

Canada, Japan, and Bangladesh are all tied for second place with totals of 41.

Canada slumped to their total against South Africa in Auckland during the 2002 tournament, while Japan’s performance came against India in Bloemfontein in the 2020 edition.

Bangladesh suffered a similar fate in Kuala Lumpur in 2008, with South Africa bowling them out for 41 to win by 201 runs after skipper Wayne Parnell had helped his side to 242 for eight.

Most tournament wins

India became the only side to win four ICC U19 Men’s CWC when they came out on top at the start of 2018 in New Zealand and they have won 63 of their 83 matches overall.

Their previous tournament wins came in 2000, 2008, and 2012, making them the most successful side in history having never missed a tournament in the competition’s history.

Bangladesh won the competition in South Africa for the first time two years ago and now they will be looking to become only the second side to win back-to-back titles.

The only team able to make that claim as of 2022 is Pakistan, who won the tournament in 2004 and 2006 and have the third most wins with 56 from 81 matches played.

The second most successful team in the competition’s history is Australia, who won the first tournament as hosts before winning the 2002 and 2010 editions in New Zealand.

They remain the only side to win on home soil and have 57 wins from 79 matches.

England, South Africa, West Indies and Bangladesh all have one title to their name.

That means only seven of the 16 teams competing at this year’s competition have won it before.

Group C will see at least one potential new winner progress to the Super League.

Most consecutive wins and losses

Unsurprisingly, India also hold the record for the most consecutive wins, registering 11 consecutive victories from their 2018 title triumph through to the 2020 edition.

Australia sit in second place again, with nine wins in a row that includes their 2002 title success through to the 2004 edition, while four teams have eight consecutive wins.

India have achieved that feat on three occasions while Bangladesh, Pakistan and Australia have also registered eight consecutive wins in the history of the ICC U19 Men’s CWC.

The unwanted record for most consecutive losses belongs to Papua New Guinea, who hold the top two spots with 21 defeats in a row and 13 consecutive losses.

That first record started on their tournament debut in 1998 and concluded in 2008, defeating Bermuda by seven wickets in Johor to put an end to their losing streak.

Papua New Guinea also lost 13 in a row between the 2012 and 2018 editions of the tournament, while Namibia have lost 11 consecutively (2008-2014) and Canada lost 10 in a row (2002-2004).

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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Waste Segregation Competition in Orangi Town raises awareness in the community

Karachi, January 01, 2022 (PPI-OT): Pakistan Red Crescent-Sindh, with the support of the German Red Cross, organized a Waste Segregation Competition under Urban Action Kit (UAK) Project at Al-Aghza Colony Orangi Town, Karachi. More than 250 people from local communities attended the event, and participants received prizes.

According to a press release, PRC-Sindh provided proper waste management training and subsequently announced a Waste Segregation Competition two weeks ago. The residents of Orangi Town showed a high level of enthusiasm and participation in the competition held on Friday. Participants prepared various items such as different gift and decoration items from the discarded plastic bottles, cardboard and paper. They also made compost from the kitchen’s wet garbage. PRC-Sindh distributed hundreds of prizes in the form of five prizes to five households in each street. Prizes included juicer machines, dinner sets, electric blenders, sewing machines and dustbins.

Arzo Kanwal, UAK Project Officer, addressed the audience and stated that proper waste management has a positive influence on people’s lives. PRC-Sindh is also encouraging handwashing practices in schools, as well as other actions such as changing sanitation workers’ behaviour and distributing dustbins to separate garbage, she added.

Muhammad Sajjad, PRC-Sindh Program Manager for Disaster Management, urged that now is an ideal time to consider Reducing, Reuse and Recycle household garbage in order to build a clean environment and mitigate the effects of climate change.

Ghulam Rasool Farooqui, Program Coordinator German Red Cross in Sindh, said that this initiative is a part of the Urban Action Kit (UAK) project. UAK is a quick-start, low-cost, do-it-yourself guide to urban resilience activities that increase a community-based organization’s visibility and engagement on urban issues, he added.

Officials of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board and Al-Waseela Trust attended the event and appreciated the efforts of Pakistan Red Crescent Sindh in raising awareness about proper waste management in backward communities in urban areas.

For more information, contact:
Sindh Provincial Branch,
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
Hilal-e Ahmar House, G 2 Khayaban-e-Iqbal, Zone A Block 7,
Teen Talwar, Main Clifton Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35306227, 35306228, 35306229
Fax: +92-21-35830376
E-mail: phq@prcsindh.org.pk
Website: http://www.prcsindh.org.pk/

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All Pakistan Newspapers Society expresses dismay over the Order of Islamabad High Court indicting media persons relating to Jang Group in a contempt of court case

Karachi, January 01, 2022 (PPI-OT): The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) expresses its dismay over the Order of the Islamabad High Court indicting media persons relating to Jang Group in a contempt of court case. The All Pakistan Newspapers Society in a statement, has stated that the above Order of the Court, would impact on the existing state of beleaguered freedom of press and would discourage journalists from reporting on matters in public interest. It reiterated that the reporting a story which was not denied, would not damage the respect of the court but framing charges against the journalists would tantamount to suppress the “Freedom of Expression” and denial of “Peoples Right to Know”.

The journalists indicted for charges of contempt of court, have reported the matter in performance of their professional duty to highlight the facts in the public interest with no malafide intention. The APNS has appealed to the Islamabad High Court to drop the contempt proceeding against the journalists for publishing a verified statement which was based on internationally accepted norms, ethics and journalistic standards.

For more information, contact:
All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS)
32, Farid Chamber Abdullah Haroon Road,
Karachi Post Code 74400
Tel: +92-21-5671256, +92-21-5671314
Fax: +92-21-5671310
E-mail: apns@apns.com.pk
URL: www.apns.com.pk