Day: July 15, 2023

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15-Member delegation visiting China

Islamabad, July 15, 2023 (PPI-OT): Upon invitation from Fudan University, Shanghai, a 15-member composite delegation from Pakistan including diplomats, senior academics, researchers and media persons, will depart for China today on a week-long visit. Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General ISSI, shall lead the delegation.

The other members include: Prof. Dr. Engr. Attaullah Shah, Vice Chancellor, University of Karakoram; Dr. Ayesha Alam, University of Hazara; Prof. Dr. Ayesha Sohail, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; Amb. Babar Amin, Former Ambassador; Mr. Dost Mohammad Barrech, University of Balochistan; Dr. Fouzia Hadi Ali, University of Punjab; Prof. Dr. Kausar Takrim, University of Peshawar; Mr. Muhammad Ali Baig, Research Fellow, ISSI; Dr. Mukesh Khatwani, University of Sindh; Mr. Shaukat Piracha, Senior Anchor, Aaj News; Dr. Tahir Mumtaz Awan, COMSATS University, Islamabad; Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC), ISSI; Mr. Tanveer Hashmi, Jang Group and Ms. Misbah Mukhtar, Research Associate, ISSI.

The delegation members come from all provinces of Pakistan as well as from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. As practitioners and academics, they have long-standing experience of China studies, regional and global matters, Pakistan-China relations, and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The delegates will participate in a Seminar hosted by Fudan University in Shanghai and the 3rd Pakistan-China Think Tank Forum hosted by the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) in Beijing. Besides, a visit to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs also scheduled. The delegation shall also visit various academic and commercial facilities and receive briefings for first-hand information.

The delegation’s visit would serve to further promote academic and people-to-people exchanges between Pakistan and China. Interaction with Chinese academicians, scholars and government officials would help identify opportunities for enhanced cooperation in diverse sectors including trade, technology, and infrastructure development. The delegation’s members would also be keen to foster academic collaboration, facilitate knowledge exchange, and enhance mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation in the field of education and beyond.

The delegation will return to Islamabad on July 23, 2023.

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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PU faculty member to Receive ASIS and T; 2023 James Cretsos leadership award

Lahore, July 15, 2023 (PPI-OT): The Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS and T;) has announced that Punjab University Institute of Information Management Director Prof Nosheen Fatima Warraich is the 2023 recipient of the ASIS and T; James M. Cretsos Leadership Award. The award’s purpose is to recognize a new ASIS and T; member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities in professional ASIS and T; activities. Prof Nosheen Fatima Warraich has been serving as Director PU Institute of Information Management. She is a young academician and has got Fulbright Post-Doc, SUNY at Albany (2015-2016) NY.

She has authored more than 85 publications, including scholarly journal articles, conference proceedings and book chapters. She is the Editor of the Pakistan Journal of Information Management and Libraries. Prof Nosheen said, ‘I am incredibly honoured and humbled for this recognition to receive the James M Cretsos from ASIS and T.

She said that ASIS and T; provided her opportunities to network, collaborate and work with wonderful people. She said that for her, ASIS and T; is like a family that supports, motivates and inspires in academic and professional career, giving a sense of ownership and training as a leader. She will receive the award at the 2023 ASIS and T; Annual Meeting to be held 27-31 October, in London, UK.

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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Transparency International Pakistan Hosts Youth Anti-Corruption Conference in Sindh

Karachi, July 15, 2023 (PPI-OT): Transparency International Pakistan organized a one-day ‘’Sindh Youth Anti-Corruption Conference on the theme – “Role of Young People in Promoting Transparent, Accountable and Good Governance’’, at a local hotel in Karachi. The primary objective of the conference was to empower young individuals to actively participate in governance processes and promote transparency and inclusivity in their communities and the wider society.

The conference was attended by more than 130 youngsters from all over Sindh. Diverse speakers including Justice (R) Zia Perwez, Former Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan and Chairman TI Pakistan, Mr. Kashif Ali, A. Executive Director, TI Pakistan, Justice (R) M. Shaiq Usmani, Former Judge, Sindh High Court and Board of Trustee, TI Pakistan, Ms. Nausheen Wasi, Asst. Professor of International Relation, UoK and Board of Trustee TI Pakistan, Mr. Abdul Hafeez, Siddiqui, Director Investigations, NAB Karachi, Mr. Jawaid Ahmed Khan, A. Director Prevention and Awareness NAB Karachi, Mr. Qamar Raza Baloch, Especial Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sindh, Mr. Syed Hussain Haider, Integrity Expert, UNODC Pakistan, Mr. Malheer Khan, DSP Nawabshah, Ms. Marvi Awan, Executive Director Women Protection Centre Sindh, Mr. Junaid Malik from FIA on behalf of Addl. Director Imran Riaz, Mr. Ahmed Hasan, Monitoring and Evaluation expert, UNDP SDGs Support Unit, Dr. Muhammad Ali Shaikh, RTI Expert Former VC, SMI Karachi, Mr. Sheikh Hammad Amjad, Youth Trainer and Corporate Consultant were among the distinguished guests.

Mr. Kashif Ali A. Executive Director, TI Pakistan gave opening remarks and highlighted that engaging the youth in promotion of transparency accountability and good governance is critical because young people of today will be our leaders of tomorrow. He emphasized that TI Pakistan recognize the need to invest time and resources in training our youth on the importance of transparency, accountability and ethical leadership. He encouraged young people to use the opportunity of education, technology and social awareness, to participate in matters of governance and refrain from corrupt practices.

Ms. Nausheen Wasi, Asst. Professor of International Relation, University of Karachi and member board of trustee TI Pakistan, spoke on different types and styles of leadership, and the significance of youth engagement in fostering inclusive governance. She said that it is imperative for the younger generation to possess a thorough awareness of their rights, roles, and responsibilities before actively participating in politics.

Dr. Muhammad Ali Shaikh, RTI Expert and Former VC, SMI Karachi spoke on the topic “Social accountability using Right to Information” and said that it is youth’s social responsibility to use their Right to Information. He said that instead of complaining about the system, our youth should raise their voices and ask the governments about the lack of facilities and service delivery gaps where they see it. Mr. Malheer Khan, DSP Nawabshah shared his life struggle and motivated youth to aim high and achieve their goals. He said that no one can stop a young, talented and full of potential individual to be successful who works hard for his dreams.

Mr. Hammad Amjad, Youth Trainer and Corporate Consultant led a very interactive session. He said it’s important that every young individual is aware about their rights, constitution of Pakistan, laws and regulation. Mr. Ahmed Hasan, Monitoring and Evaluation expert, UNDP SDGs Support Unit Sindh, spoke on “Youth-Driven Governance: Empowering Agents of Transparency and Accountability for Monitoring and Evaluation”, and emphasized on the active participation of youth for achieving the SDGs goals.

Justice (R) M. Shaiq Usmani, Former Judge, Sindh High Court and Board of Trustee, TI Pakistan, in his key note speech said that youth is not represented adequately in formal political institutions and processes such as parliaments, political parties and public administrations. He said that empowering our talented youth can turn Pakistan into most prosper nation. Mr. Syed Hussain Haider, Integrity Expert, UNODC Pakistan urged that our young generation should not consider themselves weak. They are the leaders of today and tomorrow. He emphasized on integrity and ethical leadership and highlighted that young people must not remain voiceless and encouraged them to be the active participants in the society.

Mr. Abdul Hafeez Siddiqui, Director Investigations, NAB Karachi gave comprehensive overview of NAB efforts in the fight against corruption. He highlighted that the mission of NAB is to eliminate corruption through a comprehensive approach encompassing prevention, awareness, monitoring, and combating. He encouraged young people to practice self-integrity and play their part in the promotion of good governance and fighting corruption.

Mr. Junaid Iqbal represented Mr. Imran Riaz, Additional Director FIA Karachi and discussed in detail the work conducted by the FIA. He outlined the areas and mechanisms in which the FIA operates, defining its jurisdiction and briefed youth about the mechanisms which exist for the general public to reach out to FIA for registering complaints. Ms. Marvi Awan, Executive Director Women Protection Centre Sindh said that young women face more challenges than young men. She said that almost half of our population which is women, have difficulty to have opportunities to educate themselves, to learn, to grow, to work and to earn. And with that less awareness and education, women face greater obstacles to participate in political processes and being elected.

Mr. Qamar Raza Baloch, Special Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sindh highlighted Sindh government’s commitment towards addressing the problems faced by youth and increasing opportunities for them to utilize potential of young people. In the closing remarks, Justice (R) Zia Perwez, Former Judge Supreme Court of Pakistan and Chairman TI Pakistan said that he hopes that all participants, as youth representatives, would be able to emerge as active citizens and actively engage in politics. He said that change starts with us. Our actions today will shape the world we inherit tomorrow and our youth can be crucial part of this change.

For more information, contact:

Executive Director

Transparency International Pakistan (TIP)

5-C, 2nd Floor, Khayaban-e-Ittehad, Phase VII, D.H.A.,

Karachi, Pakistan

Tel: +92-21-3539 0408-9

Facsimile: +92-21-3539 0410

Personal E-Mail: saadr2@gmail.com

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Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Launches Dhabeji SEZ: A Landmark CPEC Project

Karachi, July 15, 2023 (PPI-OT): Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has laid the foundation stone of Sindh Government’s flagship priority project, Dhabeji Special Economic Zone. The project will involve an investment of more than $5 billion. Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that his party will spread the industrial revolution starting from Karachi and Thatta to the whole country, adding that now it has been proven that other parties are just talkers, but PPP is a party of action.

According to a statement issued by Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, while addressing the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone project to be built under Public Private Partnership, said that his party’s provincial government has started another milestone project today. He said that the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone will create more than 150,000 employment opportunities and help eradicate poverty and unemployment. He said that the Sindh government working under the leadership of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has broken the myth created by a conspiracy against the party that the true political parties of the country have failed. “People have also seen the destruction in the name of change,” he added.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that PPP was criticized even then, when President Asif Ali Zardari was making frequent visits to China during his tenure, adding that at that time it was said that the visits of the President put a burden on the country’s exchequer. “These were the visits of President Asif Ali Zardari, as a result of which the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project came into existence,” he contended.

Chairman PPP said that Public-Private Partnership was the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, which is being carried forward by the Sindh Government. He said that projects like Karachi-Thatta Dual Carriageway, Jhirk Bridge on River Indus and Thar Coal Mining project are successful and ahead of schedule projects completed under PPP-mode, adding that the projects run by the Government of Sindh under PPP mode are recognized worldwide. “Sindh government’s PPP mode projects have been ranked 6th among the best projects in Asia,” he pointed out.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while referring to the unique performance of the Sindh government, said that in the public health sector, the existing projects in the form of NICVD, SIUT, GIMS and emergency treatment for children with the collaboration of Child Life Foundation, Poverty Reduction Programme, measures taken during the Covid-19 pandemic and recent floods, people have seen the performance and now they have accepted that the role of PPP was earlier undermined.

He further said that when youth are given responsibility, they perform. He appealed to the people of the entire country, including the youth and the business community, to support the PPP and assured the people that when his party is successful in the upcoming general elections, it will perform in the same way as it has done for public health, infrastructure and development of Sindh.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Information and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Sindh Cabinet Members Gianchand Essrani, and Sajid Jokhio, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant to Chief Minister Sindh for Investment and Public Private Partnership Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, MPA Ali Hassan Zardari, diplomats, senior government officials, business community representatives and dignitaries were also present.

The Dhabeji Special Economic Zone project to be built under public-private partnership is the flagship priority project of the Sindh government situated at the gateway of the country with close proximity to main airport and two ports of the country.

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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Islamia University of Bahawalpur organized a beautiful ceremony on the occasion of World Music Day 2023

Bahawalpur, July 15, 2023 (PPI-OT):Islamia University Bahawalpur organized a beautiful ceremony on the occasion of World Music Day organized by IUB Performing Arts Society, Directorate of Student Affairs, in which the great singers of Pakistan, Sheshanshah Ghazal Mehdi Hasan, King of Music Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. And Queen Sahara Reshmaji was paid homage. The highlight of this event was that the singers of the Performing Arts Society sang the songs of famous singers and paid tribute to her. Ahmed, Mahim Tahir, Ayesha Munir, Talha Rajput, Shahan, Akash Bukhari, Najaf, Shafqat and Waleed presented film and non-film songs, folk ghazals and qawwalis of the three great singers.

A very beautiful stage was designed for this program titled Nostalgia. In preparation for which the students of the Performing Arts Society worked continuously for three days while the singers practiced for two months for this program. of The evening started with an audio documentary paying homage to the great artists of music and in the semi-dark environment of the hall, the artists’ songs, songs and Agha Sadaf Mehdi’s narration created a mesmerizing atmosphere. The whole auditorium lit up and erupted with applause as the enthusiastic listeners were welcomed. President of Performing Arts Society Hasan Muhammad and Senior Vice President Zainab Durrani thanked all the guests at the beginning of the program and said that it was a difficult task to present this untouched idea but under the guidance of Advisor Agha Sadaf Mehdi, everyone was Thanks to the support and patronage of Vice Chancellor Engineer Professor Dr. Athar Mehboob, we were able to present this program.

Adviser IUB Performing Arts Society, Agha Sadaf Mehdi, while delivering the welcome speech in the program, paid tribute to these singers in a great way, he said. That sound is the first sign of life which gives colour to fragrance, touch to rose and spring to spring. Sound creates a new image in every mind. This is the reason why the songs of these great singers take us to a new world whenever we hear them. Vice Chancellor Islamia University Bahawalpur Engineer Professor Dr. Athar Mehboob Tamgha Imtiaz while congratulating the male and female singers participating in the program said that accepting challengers and seeing them to the end is the way of successful people and you have joined these successful people. are There is no doubt that it is not possible to capture and pay the heads of these artists but you have started this work in a very auspicious manner.

Noorul Arafeen, Rashid Khurshid, Ayesha Ilyas and Jahanzeb Rahmat were congratulated for organizing the wonderful program. Chief guest of the program Bahawalpur Commissioner Dr. Ehtisham Anwar said that it was an untouched idea which has left a deep impression on the minds of music lovers. Everything from the opening documentary, stage decoration, researched script, song and voice selection to the music of the musicians was meticulously executed. And the most beautiful thing was that the presenter of this program also carried the program with a very smart hand. He praised the comparing of Mudassar Maqbool, Nawal Mehdi, Hasan Muhammad and Zainab Durrani and said that it was a pleasant feeling for me that Such an important and big program was handled very well by the young compers. Appreciating the creativity of Advisor IUB Performing Arts Society, he said that if the creator is literary, creative and talented, such programs can be created. I congratulate Agha Sadaf Mehdi for training the students in this way.

And I wish That such programs should be conducted on a regular basis in the future. He praised actors Shahryar and Jawaria for a performance presented on the occasion in which the two artistes impersonated famous actors Muhammad Ali and Zeba on Mehdi Hasan’s song. A large number of faculty members and their families, elders and students participated in the program. And the students continued to sing songs and qawwalis.

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/

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APNS Mourns the Demise of Mr. Afzal Butt’s Mother, Extends Condolences and Support

Karachi, July 15, 2023 (PPI-OT):Nazafreen Saigol Lakhani President and Sarmad Ali, Secretary General of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society have expressed profound grief on behalf of APNS office Bearers and members of Executive Committee over the sad demise of mother of Mr. Afzal Butt, President PFUJ.

The APNS offered condolence to the bereaved family and prayed that Almighty Allah rest the departed soul in eternal peace and give them courage and patience to bear the great loss.

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