Day: December 19, 2022

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The 3rd Part of 12th Annual Convocation 2022 at Multan 

Lahore, December 19, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Virtual University of Pakistan (VU) held its third part of the 12th Convocation at Multan on Friday, December 16, 2022, in which 2150 degrees were conferred to graduates of various disciplines out of which there were 410 bachelors, 1449 Masters and 291 MS/M. Phil graduates. Furthermore, twenty-two (22) merit certificates and five (05) gold medals were also awarded to acknowledge the outstanding performances of position holders.

Prof. Dr. Masroor Elahi Babar Vice Chancellor, Agriculture University D.I Khan graced the occasion as the chief guest. He praised the Virtual University of Pakistan for its effort of imparting quality education.

Prof. Dr. Arshad Saleem Bhatti, Rector VU highlighted the achievements of Virtual University and its leading role in delivering technology-based quality education to the remotest areas of the country. He advised students to always remain respectful to their parents. Rector Virtual University also distributed degrees to all the graduates. Besides numerous dignitaries, faculty, staff, students, and their parents were present at the convocation.

For more information, contact:
Virtual University of Pakistan (VU)
M.A. Jinnah Campus, Defence Road, Off Raiwind Road,
Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-880-880
Fax: +92-42-99200604, +92-42-99202174
Website: www.vu.edu.pk

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Punjab University to promote national health card initiative 

Lahore, December 19, 2022 (PPI-OT):Punjab University and Punjab Health Initiative Management Company have signed a memorandum of understanding to raise awareness about Qaumi Sehat Card. In this regard, the MoU signing ceremony was organized at VC office here on Monday. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi, PHIMC CEO Dr Ali Razzaq, PU Director External Linkages Prof Dr Sobia Khurram, School of Communication Studies Director Prof Dr Noshina Saleem and others attended the ceremony.

Addressing the ceremony, Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi said that the national health card initiative was a revolution in health sector through which a poor person had been enabled to avail treatment from private hospitals as well in a respectable manner. He said that any person having national identity card could avail the national health card facilities from designated hospitals without any discrimination, which was a great service to the people.

He said that PU School of Communication Studies would play active role to raise awareness about Qaumi Sehat Card, its performance, features and processes so that the citizens of Pakistan could utilize the services to the maximum with ease. He said that PU teachers, employees and students could also avail the services of the health card when required. He said that PU would also facilitate the PHIMC officials in every possible way to raise awareness on the health card through airing a radio drama series on their FM Radio free of cost.

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/

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PU launches PGD in Chemistry and Entrepreneurship 

Lahore, December 19, 2022 (PPI-OT):Punjab University School of Chemistry’s Centre for Research in Ionic Liquids (CRIL) has launched the Post-Graduate diploma (PGD) in Chemistry and Entrepreneurship. Under the patronage of PU VC Dr Asghar Zaidi, it’s the first of its kind program in Pakistan to inculcate the urge of developing entrepreneurial skills in Chemistry graduates.

In the launching ceremony Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairman Prof Dr Shahid Munir, Faculty of Geo Sciences Dean Prof Dr Sajid Rashid, School of Chemistry Head Prof Dr Abdul Qadir, Director CRIL Dr Maliha Uroos, Professor Emeritus Dr Jamil Anwar, faculty members and students were also present.

In his address, Dr Shahid Munir lauded the efforts of CRIL for the initiative and highlighted the importance of initiation of such programs under current economic crisis of the country where job market was shrinking every passing day. He urged the need of setting up the own business by graduates through spin off companies based on local market demands of the country.

Dr Maliha Uroos thanked all who have contributed from establishment to the launch of this program. All distinguished speakers and guests highlighted and appreciated the practical importance of this diploma in comparison to our traditional theoretical based programs. In the pioneer batch 30 students have been enrolled, for which an orientation session was arranged after the launching ceremony.

Director PU BIC Dr Sania Zahra Malik, Senior Vice President Women Chamber of Commerce and Industries Neelofar Sikandar, Executive Director and Chairman, Standing Committee, Industry-Academia Linkages, Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries Dr Shahid Raza, Director IEECE and President ASA Engr Prof Dr Muhammad Azhar Naeem, Coordinator PU Blended Learning Program and DG-IT Prof Dr Kamran Abid, Prof Dr Farah Rauf Shakoori, Prof Dr Ahmad Bilal, Dr Asrar Chishti and others also congratulated and appreciated the initiative taken by the PU CRIL.

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/

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AKUH opens its 300th Lab Sample Collection Unit

Karachi, December 19, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Aga Khan University Hospital commissioned its 300th laboratory sample collection unit on December 19th, 2022. The opening of the collection unit is in line with the institution’s guiding principles of Quality, Relevance, Access, and Impact.

The opening of the 300th collection point at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi is part of ongoing efforts by the Hospital to provide access to quality testing services throughout the country. This network of lab sample collection units has evolved over the years and achieved many milestones in the last 35 years.

The AKUH Clinical Laboratory with the Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine takes pride in being the first laboratory to achieve the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Accreditation for its tertiary and outreach laboratories.

It is a pioneer in specialized and highly complex manual testing in the field of histopathology, microbiology, and molecular pathology and in the introduction of fully automated biochemistry and hematology testing platforms in Pakistan. More recent academic advances at the Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine have resulted in specialized testing facilities in the fields of genetics and oncology.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President AKU, lauded the clinical laboratories team for its efforts in providing quality testing services that are accessible to people throughout Pakistan. Speaking at the inauguration, he said, “The inauguration of the 300th collection point is another big milestone.

We are continuously expanding our healthcare network to create access for everyone while maintaining the highest quality standards. Our actions set the precedence for others to follow which eventually benefits society on a larger scale. We will continue to find ways of serving the community in a meaningful way.”

Dr. Farhat Abbas, Interim CEO of AKUH Health Services, Pakistan, said, “We understand our responsibility as role models. Whether it is the inauguration of the Medical College, Hospital, Outreach Health Network, or other healthcare initiatives, such contributions uplift the healthcare system of Pakistan.”

The Clinical Laboratory at AKUH offers more than 800 test menus in the areas of hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, histopathology, molecular pathology, blood bank, and transfusion services. It is equipped with state-of-art fully automated computerized testing platforms that are overseen by highly qualified faculty.

The CAP-accredited four-tier lab system comprises of a main tertiary care lab in Karachi, 13 outreach laboratories in 9 cities across Pakistan, and 300 laboratory sample collection units in over 130 cities.

True to two of AKUH’s guiding principles of access and quality, AKUH collection units offer financial support to deserving patients through AKUH’s Patient Welfare Programme at over 240 collection points and the Patient Behbud Society for AKUH’s Zakat Programme at 101 lab collection points throughout the country.

For more information, contact:
Marketing and Communications,
The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH)
Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi – 74800, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-111-911-911
Email: akuh.information@aku.edu
Website: https://hospitals.aku.edu/pakistan/

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CM Chaudhry Parvez Elahi approves Rs.160 billion “SIEN” project for seven districts 

Lahore, December 19, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi has announced the biggest historic project of development of Punjab from Sutlej to Sindh and said that a wonderful plan has been devised to connect different cities with the motorway and the project will also generate millions of dollars. A new chapter of development and prosperity will open for farmers, traders, industrialists and investors.

Rs.160 billion worth of the Sutlej Indus Economic Network Project (SIEN) has been approved for Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Vehari, Bahawalnagar, Lodhran, Bahawalpur and it would be completed in different phases. These districts will be connected with motorways, GT roads and Indus Highway.

While giving details, the CM explained that in the first phase, the Kasur bypass to Lahore Ring Road G-1 SIEN Corridor will be completed with Rs.15 billion. Seven remote districts of Punjab will be connected with M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5 and M-11 motorways.

The CM said that access to 49% of commodity-producing markets will be improved through highways. 3431 industrial units of food, agriculture and metal products will be promoted in these districts as business activities in 9 towns and small towns will be increased.

Parvez Elahi said that the North-South Corridor will connect Depalpur, Pakpattan, Vehari, Multan Road, Head Sulemanki Minchinabad, Bahawalpur and Bahawalnagar Road. Changara East Interchange will be connected up to Bahawalpur N-5, he added. Meanwhile, Hasilpur will be connected with Rajana Motorway M-3 through Vehari, Burewala and Chichawatini.

Christian to Burewala and Sahiwal to Samundari link road will be built, he said. Bahawalnagar to Sahiwal will be connected with M-3 Motorway via Arifwala. SIEN Corridor will also be constructed from Minchinabad to Sahiwal via Pakpattan. Due to the development and creation of employment opportunities in the backward and remote districts, the pressure on the big cities will be reduced, he noted.

Allahabad will be connected to the Jaranwala Interchange M-3 Motorway through Chunian, Pattoki and Halla. Sharqpur Interchange M-3 Motorway will be connected with Raiwind Road Ring Road. The establishment of specialized potato machinery centers in Pakpattan and Okara will provide economic benefits to potato farmers. By installing solar dryers and colour sorters in Bahawalnagar, red chilli farmers will be able to get a better price for the crop. Vehari Industrial Estate will be converted into Agro-Industrial Park.

Economic activities will increase in Kasur Small Industrial Estate and Dry Port. He said that a multi-modal freight terminal will be established in Pakpattan. Agro-industrial parks will be established in Bahawalnagar and Okara, he added. A meeting was held in the Chief Minister’s Office under the chair of Chief Minister Parvez Elahi, in which the “SIEN” project was approved.

Chief Secretary Abdullah Khan Sumbal, former federal secretary and Chairman of Planning and Development Board Salman Ghani, Secretary C and W, Secretary Planning and Development, Secretary Transport, Secretary Finance, Senior Specialist Economics Urban Unit and others attended the meeting.

For more information, contact:
Mediacell, Pakistan Muslim League
30-C, Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi Road,
Gulberg-II, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35878428
Fax: +92-42-35877329
Website: www.pmlmediacell.com

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Sindh Assembly unanimously passes key human rights legislation to strengthen Sindh Human Rights Commission

Karachi, December 19, 2022 (PPI-OT):Sindh Assembly has unanimously passed a much-needed Sindh Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Bill, 2022, to strengthen the Sindh Human Rights Commission and make it more effective institution to achieve its mission.

As per the newly-passed amendment, the Sindh Human Rights Commission will be comprised of two Members of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, nominated by the Speaker of the Provincial Assembly, while the four other members, with demonstrable experience in the field of Human Rights, at least one of whom shall be from the minority community and one shall have considerable experience in Business and Human Rights, to be appointed by Chief Minister. Either an Additional Secretary or Deputy Secretary of the Human Rights Department shall be nominated by the Department.

The new law states that no member shall be above 60 years of age, while the Chairman and members shall hold office for a period of four years unless they themselves resign or are removed from office. The criteria for the appointment has also been changed through the fresh amendment, under which human rights activists with 15 years or more demonstrable experience in the field will also be eligible besides as retired judge of the high court or any person qualified to be the judge of the high court.

Speaking on the floor of the House, Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Human Rights Surendar Valasai said that in accordance with the vision of Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari for the protection and promotion of human rights this amendment bill will serve as an effective mechanism to safeguard the human rights of citizens without any discrimination.

The Bill reads that the amendment will serve as an alternate dispute resolution and accountability mechanism for business-related abuse of human rights and provide easy access to remedy;” The SHRC can visit any business enterprise or corporate entity, with prior intimation to the concerned corporate entity’s supervisory body or authority, to ascertain the reported violations or abuse and the working conditions of employees, workers or inmates of the supply chain or the value chain.

It has be empowered to review the safeguards provided by or under the Constitution or any law for the time being in force for the protection of human rights and also in the sphere of Business and Human Rights and National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights to ensure accountability and access to remedy as an alternate dispute forum and to recommend measures for effective implementation of laid down procedure and for due diligence in business enterprises.

Regarding the objects and reasons of the new legislation of Sindh Human Rights Department says: “in view of the country’s international commitment to UN conventions Generalized Scheme of Preference (GSP+) and United Nations Guiding Principles on Human Rights and to make Sindh Human Rights Commission an effective institution to cater contemporary demands and challenges, the capacity and role of the SHRC is required to be strengthened and enhanced so as to make it work in a proactive and response manner and to serve as a Provincial Alternative Dispute Resolution Forum, in the domain of Business and Human Rights.

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