The objective of setting up NRCI at IUB is to give importance to agriculture and make farmers prosperous, Director NRCI

Bahawalpur, February 04, 2023 (PPI-OT):Dr. Muhammad Ali Raza, Director of National Research Center Intercropping Islamia University, has said that according to the vision of Vice Chancellor Engineer Prof. Dr. Athar Mehboob, the importance of agriculture in the country’s economy and the prosperity of the farming community, the National Research Institute for Mixed Farming (NR. C) Has been established which is the first of its kind in Pakistan and has been established for research on mixed farming of crops on a scientific basis.

In addition, this institute is also working on research and distribution of crops (such as soybean) which are important in the current situation in the country’s economy and national food security. A large-scale soybean cultivation has been initiated by the National Institute of Research for Mixed Farming to promote soybean farming.

He said that the soybean spring also offered some useful recommendations for this cultivation, in which after destroying the residues of the previous crop by plowing the land, Plow deep into the soil according to its texture. Later, after tilling the soil using a rotavator, make the beds with the help of a planter.

Spring it is suitable time for cultivation from 15th January to 15th February. Protect the seed with fungicides and insecticides before sowing. Weed growth can be prevented by applying an herbicide spray to the turf within 24 hours after sowing. Dr. Mohammad Ali Raza said that while sowing by hand, the seed rate should be 2 to 3, thus about 15 to 20 kg of seed will be used per acre. Its total duration is 110 to 120 days.

The procedure for this is to keep the distance and width of the bed to 18 inches. Keep plant to plant spacing of 3 to 4 inches so the total number of plants planted in the beds will be about 90,000 per acre. Give the entire bag of DAP at the time of delivery. Half a bag of urea 25 to 30 days after seed emergence and the remaining half bag 45 to 50 days after seed emergence.

Give later and give half a bag of potash when the beans are forming. After every seven to eight days, give the first water after 10 to 12 days of germination and the rest at 7 to 8 days interval, depending on the climatic and soil conditions. In this way, the crop will require about 10 to 12 watering’s until it is ready.

Avoid dehydration at all, especially when flowers and pods are forming. In the first 10 to 40 days of the harvest, be especially aware of the attack of sap-sucking insects and mites and ensure the use of insecticides as needed to prevent major damage to the crop. Spring this crop ripens from the last week of May to the first week of June.

Harvest when the leaves turn yellow and the fruits turn grey. The experience of the last six years has proved that the yield per acre of Bihar soybean is about 14 to 16 maunds and if the farmers take care of their crop diligently, this production can be taken up to 18 to 20 maunds.

For more information, contact:
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB)
University Chowk, Gulshan Colony, Bahawalpur,
Punjab – 63100, Pakistan
Tel: +92-62-9250235
Fax: +92-62-9250335
E-mail: info@iub.edu.pk
Website: https://www.iub.edu.pk/

Visit of the French Embassy Delegation to GIK Institute 

Swabi, February 04, 2023 (PPI-OT):A delegation from the Embassy of France in Pakistan comprising Dr. Sabine Vermillard, Scientific and Higher Education Attaché and Fabiha Aziz, Coordinator Campus France Pakistan visited the GIK Institute to discuss various research and educational cooperation possibilities. The delegation also delivered a seminar to the students and interacted with French Alumni at the institute.

For more information, contact:
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology (GIKI)
Topi 23640, District Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Tel: +92-938-281026
Fax: +92-938-281032, +92-938-281041
Website: https://www.giki.edu.pk/

World Cancer Day 

Karachi, February 04, 2023 (PPI-OT):​World Cancer Day is observed globally on 4 February. World Cancer Day is an effort to increase awareness about cancer, its prevention, and treatment options. The theme for World Cancer Day from 2022 to 2024 is “Close the Care Gap,” focusing on the need to create awareness about the inequalities in cancer care and on uniting our voices and taking action.

Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. According to Globocan 2020, the most common cancer in women is breast cancer (28.7%), while in males it is oral cavity cancer (12.9%). The highest mortality in Pakistan, secondary to cancer, is also because of the breast (11.7%) and oral cavity (9.1%).

WHO estimates between 30-50% of cancers are preventable. Cancer is usually also curable if detected and treated early. It is not a death sentence, provided there is a timely intervention. Screening is key to early detection and cures for some cancers.

The exact cause of cancer is not known but some factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle can be ascribed as contributing factors. Adopting healthy habits can help prevent cancer:

Exercise regularly

Choose a healthy lifestyle

Quit smoking and tobacco

Use sunscreen when outdoor

Educate yourself about the possible signs and symptoms

Avoid exposure to asbestos, pesticides, smoke and BPA

Get regular check-ups and screening

Vaccination against certain viruses such as Hepatitis B and HPV

World Cancer Day aims to mobilize friends, families, and communities in this war against cancer because united we are much stronger.​We can also unite voices by forming support groups and by providing a forum for cancer patients and survivors to share their experiences and stories.

We can start by taking small steps and with solidarity raise our voices, form alliances, and innovations, and help patients seek the care they need and deserve.

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/

Fakhar, Haris and Sharjeel on making of aggressive openers 

Lahore, February 04, 2023 (PPI-OT):One of the most crucial aspects in T20 cricket is to start strongly as gaining an early momentum in an innings that spans only 20 overs often provides an upper hand over opposition. Whether it has been Test cricket or One-Day Internationals, the openers have always had their work cut out as they are required to provide solid platforms to those next in the batting order.

T20 cricket has added a layer of difficulty as the format demands the runs to be scored at a brisk rate all the while ensuring the wickets stay intact in the Powerplay. As the T20 format continues to evolve, there are various methods and philosophies opening batters have deployed to deliver the goods for their sides.

PCB Digital spoke to Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Sharjeel Khan. The three batters have established themselves as attacking openers and will be in action in the HBL Pakistan Super League 8, which commences on 13 February in Multan.

Fakhar played an integral role in Lahore Qalandars’ successful HBL PSL 7 campaign. His 588 runs were the most for any batter and his staggering strike-rate of 152.72 was the best amongst the top five run-getters last year. Amongst the batters playing in the upcoming edition, Fakhar’s 73 are the most sixes behind Islamabad United’s Asif Ali’s 79.

Fakhar:

“As an opener, I try to exploit the opening six overs as there are gaps with two fielders outside the 30-yard circle. I try to go for boundaries from the very first ball and make the most of the good balls by rotating the strike.

“There are many factors that shape up an aggressive openernatural game, the mindset and the demand of the team. I think having an attacking mindset is of the utmost important.

“The approach usually differs in the second innings as you are going after a target. If you are going after a small total, then you have time to adjust and the pressure is not that much. But, you have to attack in case you are chasing a big total.”

A product of age-group cricket, Haris, who played the ICC Men’s U19 Cricket World Cup in 2020, took the HBL PSL by storm last year as he smoked 166 runs at a strike-rate of 186.51 in five matches. His strike-rate in the Powerplay was almost a run better (187.32) and he smashed a boundary every third ball.

Haris, who turns 22 on 30 March:

“It is very important to anticipate so I am continuously reading the fields. I see which two fielders are outside the circle and that helps me predict what two to three balls the bowler is looking to deliver and that is how I plan my shots. Like, if the bowler has positioned a deep square leg, I know that a bouncer is on the cards. Thankfully, the success rate to date is around 80 per cent for me.

“You need a strong and solid technique to be aggressive and attack the bowler. For me it is about dominating the bowler no matter who he is.”

Sharjeel Khan was the first batter to score a century in the HBL PSL. He clubbed eight sixes in his 62-ball 117 for Islamabad United against Peshawar Zalmi in the second qualifier and Islamabad were eventually crowned champions of the inaugural edition. He has, to date, smashed 72 HBL PSL sixes, one less than Fakhar.

Sharjeel, who since his return to the HBL PSL in 2020 has been in Karachi Kings, has hit a boundary every 4.5 ball in the HBL PSL and that is because of his desire to make the most of the Powerplays.

Sharjeel:

“I believe 70 to 80 per cent of the match is defined by how the first six overs go. What I have learned over the years that a team which has the most boundaries wins the match, so I try to milk the first six overs.

“I am also looking to lay a solid platform for my side and if I continue to bat after the completion of the first six overs then I look to make sure that I carry that momentum.

“It is important to not to forget the basics and try to gauge the conditions. So usually, I do try to take four balls or an over as every day is a new day and conditions are different. Whether I am facing a spinner or a pacer, the plan remains the same, examine the conditions and then go for the attack and this often proves to be beneficial for the team as well.”

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Super League (PSL)
Pakistan Super League Secretariat, Gaddafi Stadium,
Ferozepur Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Email: info@psl-t20.com
Website: http://www.psl-t20.com/

Sedition laws must be abolished

Lahore, February 04, 2023 (PPI-OT):The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expresses its deep concern over the spate of recent arrests and cases filed against opposition leaders and journalists on charges of sedition, treason, and making statements conducing to ‘public mischief’ and incitement to violence. The sheer impunity with which such arrests have been made, often without warning in the early hours of the morning, with some of those arrested alleging that their families were harassed and their property damaged, is cause for alarm.

Successive governments have brazenly weaponised archaic, colonial-era laws to stifle dissent. Never has this served any democratic purpose. While we do not condone abusive or threatening language or slander, in light of the recent arrests of leaders such as Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed and Fawad Chaudhry under Sections 153-A, 505 and 124-A, HRCP urges the government to abolish the sedition law, as it is currently worded, from the Pakistan Penal Code, given its long history as a tool of political victimisation. A political process to do so, which was initiated in the Senate in early 2020 but could not come to fruition, must be revived immediately.

Section 124-A constitutes a constraint on the legitimate exercise of constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and expression. Dissent and criticism of the government are essential ingredients of robust public debate in a vibrant democracy and should never be construed as sedition.

For more information, contact:
Chairperson,
Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP)
Aiwan-i-Jamhoor, 107-Tipu Block,
New Garden Town, Lahore-54600
Tel: +92-42-35864994
Fax: +92-42-35883582
Email: hrcp@hrcp-web.org
Website: www.hrcp-web.org