PuNjAB CM oRdeRS to SIMPlIF y dePARtMeNtAl INduCtIoN PRoCeduRe FoR PolICe MARt yRS’ CHIldReN

LAHORE

S ta f f R e p o R t

CA R E TA K E R Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi has ordered to simplify departmental induction procedure for the children of police martyrs

These directions were issued during a meeting with Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar and CCPO Lahore Bilal Kamyana, who met with CM Mohsin Naqvi at CM Office on Saturday

It was decided to award 10 extra numbers to the children of police martyrs appearing on open merit during departmental induction Mohsin Naqvi apprised that rules would further be eased regarding departmental induction of police martyrs’ children and in case of nonavailability of a seat in the concerned district the children of police martyrs could be inducted in some other districts

It was also decided to enhance assistance package of brave ghazis for getting disabled during performing their duties and fighting against anti-social elements

On the direction of caretaker CM Inspector General of Police has constituted a three member committee to be headed by DIG Establishment, DIG Operations

Khalistan referendum to take place in Australia on Monday

The Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has announced that voting for the Australian chapter Khalistan independence referendum will be held at Federation Square in Melbourne on Monday (tomorrow)

Melbourne s Ravi Inder Singh a representative of the Miri Piri Gurudwara (Sikh temple), told Australian media that the voting exercise, known as the ‘Khalistan referendum , would be a significant step towards selfdetermination’ for millions of Sikhs around the world Singh said the main goal of the referendum was to seek a consensus among Sikhs to establish a separate homeland within India and to determine the extent of the demand for this separatist state that would be known as Khalistan (land of the pure), SBS Punjabi, an Australian news outlet quoted him as saying The voting in the referendum, which started in October 2021 had so far been held in the UK, Switzerland, Italy and Canada During a press conference in Melbourne on Wednesday, SFJ co-founder and general counsel Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said that the Indian government was trying to “criminalise” the attempt of Sikhs to demand a separate state

They were calling the ‘Khalistan referendum’ illegal and an act of terrorism, he added

According to media reports Australia is home to nearly 209,000 Sikhs, accounting for 0 8 per cent of the total population, and is the country’s fifth largest and fastestgrowing religious group, according to the 2021 census Commenting on the ‘Khalistan referendum’ in Australia, SBS media outlet Australia, quoted a spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and said that Australia valued diversity and inclusion, respects the right of individuals to engage in peaceful protest and supports the non-violent expression of views

ANP convenes conference to mark anniversaries of Bacha Khan, Wali Khan

ISLAMABAD martyrs to grant them respect and dignity owing to sacrifices being laid down by the brave martyrs of our dear homeland He directed to dispose off pending financial assistance cases of martyrs families at the earliest adding that arrangement of funds would be made forthwith to ensure financial assistance payment to the families of martyrs without any delay

The Awami National Party Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (ANP) organized a two-day conference titled “Bacha Khan Wali Khan and 21st Century on the occasion of Bacha Khan’s 35th and Wali Khan’s 17th death anniversaries here on Saturday

Political leaders, journalists, representatives of human and social rights, and a large number of party workers participated in the conference

The Central Development Working Party (CDWP) approved seven development projects worth Rs22 16 billion during its meeting held here with Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal in the chair

The meeting was attended by the Secretary Planning Ministry, Chief Economist, Members Planning Commission and representatives from the various ministries and divisions The forum considered seven projects related to the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives, Ministry of Maritime Affairs Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination and HEC, said a press release issued here

The forum approved Balochistan Urgent Response for Food Security Project at the cost of Rs 1,100 000 million, Maintenance Dredging of Navigation Channel of Gwadar Port at the cost of Rs 4,669 762m, Social Sector Accelerator SSA for Health, Nutri- and DIG IT The committee after formulating its recommendations within seven days and will submit them in the next meeting of the Executive Board Caretaker CM Mohsin Naqvi stated that it was a due right of the families of

The mega event of GB Dream Road Show will be held at National Library of Pakistan on Monday (tomorrow) to showcase the human development initiatives being taken in different sectors by the Gilgit-Baltistan government and their impacts

President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi is likely to grace the occasion as chief guest while Chief Minister, Gilgit Baltistan along with ministers will also be present on the occasion

The reforms to be highlighted in this unique event include plastic free GB; Meal-a-Day Program; Tech-Fellow program; Computer Education and Entrepreneurship based upon SNC course guidelines by top-of-the-line trainers; Smart Schools Program; Blended Learning Technology Centres; Solarization of Schools; KIPS Coaching Program; Taleem Finance Scheme; Pink Bus Project to mainstream females by providing them safe commute; National College of Arts Campus; Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Certification provided by the leading science universities

A c c o r d i n g t o a n o f f i c i a l s o u r c e , t h e e v e n t w i l l s h o w c a s e t h e p r o j e c t s d e s i g n e d b y t h e s t u d e n t s f r o m p u b l i c s c h o o l s o f t h e p r o v i n c e u n d e r t h e S T E M i n i t i a t i v e w h i c h s p e a k s v o lu m e s a b o u t t h e p o t e n t i a l o f t h e y o u n g m i n d s S c h o o l k i d s f r o m G r a d e X I - X I I I w i l l p r e s e n t t h e i r p r o j e c t s i n t h i s s h o w

Some innovative projects created by the students studying in the public schools will be displayed in the category of Computer education STEM and Entrepreneurship” including technologically advanced projects of Vacuum Cleaner, Smart Dustbins, Smart Door with Audio, Laser Security tion, Education, Youth and Gender, National Priority Initiatives (2nd 9revised) at the cost of Rs 4,825 05m, Provision of Academic & Research Facilities and Girls Hostel at Quaid-e-Azam University at the cost of Rs3,860 355m, Establishment of Partnership between Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and GOP to address grand challenges in Health Sector at the cost of Rs 220 000m, King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud Hospital at Tarlai Islamabad at the cost of Rs2,499 993m, and Sanitary Sewerage System with Treatment Plant in Gilgit city at the cost of Rs4,988 704m

The CDWP approved Social Sector Accelerator SSA for Health Nutrition Education, Youth and Gender (HNEYG), National Priority Initiatives (2nd Revision) at the cost of Rs 4 828 05 million

The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives is the sponsoring agency of the project

To address this key issue, the Ministry of Planning and Development proposed a oneyear ôPrime Minister Youth Internship Programö for fresh graduates in Pakistan Under

Caretaker CM outlined that system would further be streamlined to enable the children of martyrs to acquire higher education and an admission policy would be chalked out in quality educational institutions of relevant districts for martyrs children He directed to make admission arrangements for the children of martyrs in the best medical, engineering, computer sciences and other quality educational institutions on preferential basis

The Inspector General of Police gave him briefing with regard to simplifying departmental induction procedure for children martyred policemen

On the first day of the conference, President ANP Pakhtunkhwa Aimal Wali Khan, President ANP Balochistan Asghar Khan Achakzai President ANP Sindh Shahi Syed and Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour addressed the conference

Meanwhile, Amir Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Qadir Nayel of Hazara Democratic Party, renowned journalist Asma Shirazi, Syed Ali Shah from Balochistan, Aizaz Syed, Chief of Pashtun Tahafuz Movement Manzoor Pashteen, and Chairman Pakistan Mazdoor Kissan Party Afzal Khamosh also expressed their views

The speakers discussed in detail the life, struggle, and need of Bacha Khan and Wali Khan s ideas in the present era

JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman described the moments with Bacha Khan and Wali Khan as historic and said he considered Wali Khan as his teacher in politics Journalist Asma Shirazi said there was a need to make Bacha Khan a part of the curriculum not only in Pakhtunkhwa but also in the whole country including Punjab

ANP’s Provincial President Aimal Wali Khan thanked all the participants, workers, political leaders, and people belonging to different schools of thought for participating in the event

Alarm System, Bluetooth Antenna, Hologram projector, clap-switch model, Electric Washing Machine, Vacuum cleaner, Bluetooth car, Magnetic Car, Hydro Power plant, Water Turbine, Wind Energy, Power plant, ATM Machine etc will be displayed during the event

The development initiative taken by the GilgitBaltistan government in the education sector included improving school ecosystems; establishing Smart schools to provide modern learning opportunities to students; arrangement of coding and artificial intelligence camps; establishment of 400 computer labs across province; promotion of libraries; partnership with KIPS to help students secure admission in top universities in Pakistan and abroad; Pink Buses initiative to mainstream females by providing them safe commute

The health sector reforms included renovation and up-gradation of health infrastructure across the region, hiring of 66 medical professionals in collaboration with Shifa International to serve the locals, arranging free medical camps at remote locations as a regular feature, work on comprehensive health program with experts from Aga Khan University, engaging youth in meaningful education sports and various festivals for mental and physical health The development initiatives in Sports and Tourism sectors include the development of the first of its kind tourism app to facilitate tourists, tourist police, prefabricated toilet facilities as well as beautification of the region from lightening of Konodas Bridge to installation of wooden sign boards all across the region GB Sports Gala 2022 Sarfranga Summer Festival, Winter Sports Festival, Renovation of Gilgit Sports Complex and two-day cricket festival in Nagar with matches at the highest cricket ground in the world the program, the Ministry will award paid internships to all eligible applicants that qualify for the program through the proposed selection criterion for a duration of six months

Following their selection, the Ministry will facilitate the placement of interns in positions relevant to their skills and job function in host organizations spanning across the public, private and development sectors

Furthermore, the Interns will receive a stipend of Rs 25 000/month A total of 30 000 internships will be awarded through the oneyear program Upon the successful completion of their internship, interns will be awarded an internship certificate by their host organization and by the Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives The sixmonth internship program will include three online mentorship sessions culminating in an individual career development plan, one online training course on soft skills, one online training course on industry-relevant technical skills, one two-day voluntary activity, recurring monthly work plans and monthly progress reports, and one final internship re- port along with internship outputs

The second day of the conference will be held on Sunday, in which Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, prominent political leaders and journalists will express their views

Fine upheld: President orders SHIFA to refund Rs2.9m to patient’s daughter

ISLAMABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

President Dr Arif Alvi on Saturday directed the Islamabad Healthcare Regulatory Authority (IHRA) to issue instructions to Shifa International Hospital Islamabad (SHIFA) to refund an amount of Rs2 9 million to the daughter of a patient who died due to negligence, professional misconduct, and malpractice of the doctors of the hospital

The president also upheld the imposition of a fine of Rs900,000 on SHIFA as maladministration and medical negligence had been proven against the hospital, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Saturday

The president issued these directions while rejecting a representation filed by IHRA against the orders of the Wafaqi Mohtasib (WM) in which the Mohtasib had held that the complainant (deceased patient’s daughter) had been discriminated against as in a similar case in the past, IHRA had not only imposed a fine on SHIFA but had also issued the directions to the hospital to refund the amount in lieu of medical bills

The forum approved Balochistan Urgent Response for Food Security Project at the cost of Rs 1,100 000 million The Ministry of Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs is the sponsoring agency of the project The project envisages the revival of agriculture production in the severe flood-affected districts of the Nasirabad Division which is considered the granary of the province The project will support the provision of rice seeds for increased productivity to 60,000 farm households in the target districts Each beneficiary farmer will receive 40 kilograms of rice seed which will be sufficient for cultivating rice on 2 to 2 5 acres (0 8 to 1 0 hectares) of land

Furthermore, the project will provide climate adaptive (resilient) certified rice seeds such as short-duration varieties having tolerance to abiotic drought, heat and biotic disease-free stress to ensure resilience The project will provide small farming toolkits for agricultural activities and gumshoes for safer rice transplanting for at least 60 000 women á Maintenance Dredging of the Naviga- tional Channel of Gwadar Port at the cost of Rs 4,669 762 million was also approved by the forum The Ministry of Maritime Affairs is the sponsoring agency of the project The revised Project envisages, Maintenance Dredging of a 4 70-kilometre-long Navigational Channel, basin and berthing area of Gwadar Port

Its Internal Navigational Channel and Turning Basin design depth is 13 8 meters for safe navigation of deep draft vessels and the Berthing Area and Outer channel are dredged to 14 5 meters to permit safe berthing and sufficient clearance from the bottom in low tides The channel is designed for the navigation of 50 000 DWT ships during all weather

The forum also approved the Provision of Academic and Research Facilities and a Girls’ Hostel at Quaid-e-Azam University, at the cost of Rs3,860 355m The HEC is the sponsoring agency of the project The prime objective of the project is to strengthen PhD/MPhil programs and to strengthen newly started BS programs