Tech education guarantees bright future of a nation, says Adnan Jalil

pESHAWAR

He added that the Toshakhana thefts allegedly committed by Imran Khan came forth before the nation and the institutions are conducting an investigation He said that he will be arrested soon He said that the dialogues with the PTI remained failed in the past and there is no chance of initiating the talks again He said that the government is not rejecting to hold elections and it will follow the constitutional procedure to conduct the polls He added that the National Assembly (NA) will complete its tenure as per the Constitution The interior minister said that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) is an independent institution to take decisions regarding the polls He added that they are fully ready to enter the election phase He further said that they are to contest polls in April or October He urged that the assemblies should complete their tenure

imran points to militar y ‘neglect’ as cause of increased terrorism

COntInuED fROM pAgE 01

However the ex-premier criticised Bajwa s stance on corruption, alleging that he “favoured some of the biggest crooks in the country” and sought to provide immunity to corrupt individuals Khan further claimed that Bajwa had a close relationship with Shehbaz Sharif, and that this relationship played a role in the regime change that took place Khan emphasised the importance of maintaining a balance of power between the elected government and military, and stressed that the elected government must have both responsibility and authority The former prime minister added that he believes the new military leadership has recognised the error of the experiment of regime change

Fo Bars Embassies In Eu States From Visas Issuance To Afghan Nationals

ISLAMABAD S ta f f R e p o R t

The Foreign Office (FO) on Sunday directed embassies in European countries not to issue visas to Afghan citizens till further orders following the surfacing of an alleged visa scandal According to officials, the foreign ministry has issued instructions to all embassies across Europe to stop issuance of visas to Afghan citizens The action was taken after an alleged scandal of the issuance of Pakistani visas to 1 600 Afghan nationals on fake residential cards of Sweden The FO issued the orders to the Pakistani embassies in the United Kingdom (UK) Spain Italy Germany Portugal Greece, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands Earlier in the day it was learnt that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched an inquiry into the issuance of visas to 1,600 Afghans by a Pakistan mission in Europe on bogus residence cards of Sweden According to sources the Pakistan embassy in Sweden has issued 1,600 visas to Afghan nationals on bogus residence cards Hours after the news broke the FO took notice and ordered an immediate inquiry and asked all Pakistani missions abroad to stop issuing visas of any category to Afghan nationals until further orders

S ta f f R e p o R t

KP Caretaker Minister for Revenue, Industries, Commerce and Technical Education Adnan Jalil expressed disappoint over stoppage of funds and salaries of the employees of TEVTA (Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority) for the past several months

He assured that he would make sincere efforts for earliest release of funds and salaries of the staff However he clarified that instead of becoming a burden on the public exchequer, TEVTA has to become a profitable and self-sustaining entity which depended on the hard work of its own staff he added

He was addressing a briefing on TEVTA’s performance at Civil Secretariat Peshawar On this occasion the TEVTA managing director Prof Abdul Ghaffar, told that 106 technical education and vocational training centers are working across the province under TEVTA wherein thousands of male and female students are equipped with technical education and training every year

A p p r e c i a t i n g T E V TA’s o v e r a l l p e r f o r m a n c e a n d role, the caretaker minister said that the bright future of a nation is also linked with the technical education, a n d m a n y n a t i o n s h a v e r e a c h e d t h e c l i m a x o f prosperity and development by paying attention to it

However, he said, organizations like TEVTA could o n l y e m e rg e t r i u m p h a n t w h e n i t s o u t c o m e s a n d b e n e f i t s o u t w e i g h t h e c o s t i n c u r r e d o n i t B u t unfortunately, he reminded, the wheel of development i s t u r n i n g u p s i d e d o w n h e r e t o o l i k e s o m a n y o t h e r sectors He deplored that TEVTA was rightly expected to g u a r a n t e e j o b s t o i t s o u t g o i n g y o u t h a s p e r m a r k e t demand, but situation will be quite different if it starts collecting the employment data of its students in the relevant fields as many of its youth and their parents are suffering from their unemployment Adnan Jalil said that an institution can only move f o r w a r d w h o s e t e a c h i n g a n d a d m i n i s t r a t i v e s t a ff i s proved cost effective but here expenditures of TEVTA staff surged from two to three billion rupees but the results and benefits are meager or almost non-existent He directed that the staff of TEVTA should work on a

s p e c t s i n N a n k a n a

S a h i b l y n c h i n g c a s e

nAnKAnA SAHIB S ta f f R e p o R t

Punjab police on Sunday arrested 12 suspects involved in the lynching of a man accused of blasphemy in Nankana Sahib, a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident

The arrests were made after the investigation and identification of suspects through videos, said police in a statement Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday took notice of a mob lynching of a man over blasphemy allegations in Nankana Sahib saying action would be taken against police officials who failed in their duty

The prime minister took notice of the incident as videos circulating on social media purportedly showed a man was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy “No one is allowed to take the law into their hands,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had said in a statement

Taking notice Punjab Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar suspended two senior cops for failing to prevent the mob lynching of a man over blasphemy allegations in Nankana Sahib

The police in a statement said that Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar has suspended Nankana Sahib Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaz Waraq and Warburton Station House Officer Feroz Bhatti

The police in a statement said that Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar has suspended Nankana Sahib Circle Deputy Superintendent of Police Nawaz Waraq and Warburton Station House Officer Feroz Bhatti

The IG further directed the Internal Accountability Branch Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Syed Muhammad Amin Bukhari and Special Branch DIG Raja Faisal to reach the incident location and submit an inquiry report

Strict departmental and legal action will be taken against those responsible for the incident ” the IG asserted The heinous incident comes months after a mob tortured and burned a Sri Lankan manager in Sialkot over alleged blasphemy r e a l i s t i c b a s i s b r i n g b a c k t h e p e r s o n n e l w o r k i n g i n o ff i c e r s ’ h o m e s t o t h e o ff i c e s a n d f i e l d w h i l e t h e existing staff and surplus pool employees should be engaged instead of recruiting new or additional staff T h e c a r e t a k e r m i n i s t e r f u r t h e r s a i d t h a t b e t t e r r e s u l t s a r e e x p e c t e d i f p u b l i c i n s t i t u t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g t h a t o f t e c h n i c a l e d u c a t i o n a r e r u n o n t h e b a s i s o f public-private partnership In the same way, he said, i n s t e a d o f r u n n i n g t h e t e c h n i c a l e d u c a t i o n a n d v o c a t i o n a l t r a i n i n g i n s t i t u t i o n s i n a u n i l a t e r a l t r a d i t i o n a l m a n n e r, t h e o u t g o i n g s t u d e n t s c a n g e t g u a r a n t e e d j o b s i f c o u r s e s a r e e v o l v e d w i t h t h e consultation and demand of the business industrialist community and the concerned chambers of commerce are taken onboard too Henceforth he directed that the T E V TA a u t h o r i t i e s s h o u l d p r e p a r e t r a i n i n g c o u r s e s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e l o c a l i n d u s t r y, t r a d e a n d e c o n o m i c n e e d s a n d r e q u i r e m e n t s , w h e r e i n i n f o r m a t i o n technology should be prioritized TEVTA high ups assured the minister of improvement in the performance and outcomes of the organization and seriously implementing the directives of the caretaker minister in this regard

World gradually realizing significance of early resolution of kashmir issue: barrister sultan

MuZAffARABAD

S ta f f R e p o R t

Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry has claimed that the world community was gradually realizing the significance of resolution of Kashmir issue and the people of illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) will sooner or later achieve their right to self-determination Addressing a gathering at his residence in Mirpur on Sunday after return from a weeklong foreign tour Barrister said that the main purpose of his recent visit to UK, Europe, America and Turkey was to expose the ambitious settler colonialism project, the Modi government has embarked on soon after changing the special status of the occupied Kashmir He said that during his visit, he had a series of important meetings in which he raised the issue of Kashmir and human rights situation in the region Terming his visit as the most successful, the president said that it was heartening to see that the world was gradually realizing the importance of early resolution of the Kashmir dispute “The Kashmir issue is on the agenda of the United Nations and the Secretary General of the United Nations is interested in resolving this issue he said

SBP to issue license to Bank of A zad Jammu and K ashmir

While appreciating the performance of Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (BAJK) to achieve Scheduled Bank status, Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)

Jameel Ahmed agreed in principle with the position to issue the license to BAJK Governor SBP expressed these views in a meeting with Chairman Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Khan

Abdul Majid Khan and President/CEO Khawar Saeed

He said that the government Financial Institution of AJK is playing a positive role in the socio-economic development of the State and the way BAJK is moving towards speedy progress

It is not difficult to predict that this bank will soon become one of the most successful banks

Azad Kashmir Minister for Finance, Cooperatives and Inland Revenue Khan Abdul Majid Khan, who is also the Chairman of the Bank s Board of Directors highlighted the importance of BAJK in the state economy, the association and interest of overseas Kashmiri diaspora with the institution

The importance and usefulness of issuance of license for conferring scheduled status, the recent steps taken in this regard by AJK State Governments and BAJK to develop and attain scheduled bank status, including notable, implementation of core banking software redesigning of all credit products hiring of consultant for completion of legal formalities and preparation of business case for lodgment of application with SBP wish of people of AJK especially overseas Kashmiri diaspora and corporate sector of AJK for BAJK to acquire scheduled bank status

The Chairman further said that the Bank of AJK needs development and patronage of the federal Government

The Bank needs to be included by the Government of Pakistan’s Special Incentives Schemes like hydropower, tourism, women economic empowerment, agriculture and housing sector which will accelerate further the growth In addition, nomination of a focal person from SBP to assist/guide BAJK for obtaining licensing while opening the corporate office of the bank in Islamabad will have positive business results

MUSHAHID PROPOSES ‘5 - POINT ACTION PLAN TO PROMOTE BLUE ECONOMY’ WORTH $100B

ISLAMABAD

STAFF

He said apart from Blue Economy, marine and mineral resources plus China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and building on a strategic partnership between Pakistan, China and Saudi Arabia would be a catalyst for an alternative development approach that can help ‘bid goodbye to IMF’, said a press release issued here.

Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Faisal Rasul Lodhi and other senior officers of Pakistan Navy plus representatives of 50 countries, participating in PIMEC, were also present. Outlining his presentation, Senator Mushahid Hussain said that it’s now clear that Pakistan needed a new development path.

HAIRMAN of Senate Defence Committee, Senator Mushahid Hussain while chairing two sessions of Pakistan International Maritime Expo & Conference (PIMEC) 2023 proposed a 5-point Action Plan to promote Blue Economy.He focused on exploring and exploiting marine resources by a strategy for Blue Economy, which, according to the World Bank, has resources worth at least $ 100 billion.

He added that 50,000 square kilometers were added to Pakistan’s continental shelf as an exclusive economic zone in 2015, a huge mass of water, almost like a 5th province. “Added to this maritime economy is the immense mineral wealth, huge reserves of natural gas and 175 billion tons of coal in Thar, all of which cumulatively add up to a hidden wealth of

Ahsan lauds NDMA for swift relief, stresses mobile medical teams for quake-hit countries

ISLAMABAD STAFF REPORT

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Dr Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday appreciated the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for swift relief assistance and laid stress to arrange mobile medical teams along with essential medicines for quakehit countries. Dr. Ahsan Iqbal chaired the meeting through video link whereas Chairman NDMA, Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik and Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci joined the session, a news release said.

The NDMA held a special National Emergencies Operation Centre (NEOC) session to review humanitarian assistance package for quake-hit Turkiye and Syria.

The session was attended by Ambassador of Pakistan in Turkiye Dr. Yousaf Junaid, Ambassador of Pakistan in Syria DG NLC, Air Marshal (R) Shahid Akhter and representatives of Ministry of Health Services, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Pakistan Navy and PDMAs. The minister said that a fundraising campaign was also launched in educational institutions across the country to collect funds for victims of the earthquakes. The drive was launched in schools, colleges, and universities in response to the prime minister’s call.

Ambassador Khan urges more linkages between Pak-US educational institutions

WASHINGTON AGENCIES

Second, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs should have a Secretary, who is from Pakistan Navy, like the Ministry of Defence has a Secretary from Pakistan Army. “That will make the Ministry of Maritime Affairs a proactive and pivotal player on the Blue Economy.” almost a $ 1 trillion (one trillion dollars), that has not been tapped at all due to an absence of policy on these areas.”

Third, a special non-governmental Task Force be established comprising experts, academics, think tanks and relevant private sector for devising a Work Plan in 2023 for promoting awareness about Blue Economy amongst opinion leaders and relevant stakeholders.

Senator Mushahid Hussain then called for developing an alternative economic developmental strategy through a 5-point Action Plan.

First, the government should immediately establish a National Authority for Blue Economy (NABE), to prepare a comprehensive strategy that involves Pakistan Navy, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and the private sector as principal stakeholders.

Fourth, as part of alternative economic development strategy for Pakistan, develop a linkage between Blue Economy, marine and mineral resources, CPEC, TAPI and developing triangular relationship between Pakistan, China and Saudi Arabia, so that Energy Security becomes a key pillar of Blue Economy framework.

Fifth, media mobilisation was a force multiplier for promoting Blue Economy and in this regard, Media Workshops be organised in Gwadar, Ormara, Keti Bandar and Karachi, so that ‘sea blindness’ ends with an awareness of the future potential of Blue Economy.