Sanjrani, britain HC Hold diSCuSSion on StrengtHening Pak-uk relationS

CHAIRMANSenate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani was called on by UK Acting High Commissioner at Parliament House on Tuesday and meeting focused on political relations, postflood recovery efforts, trade and investment, parliamentary cooperation, and people-to-people contacts. During the meeting, the Chairman Senate highlighted the historic partnership between Pakistan and the UK, emphasizing the upgraded Enhanced Strategic Partnership (ESP) and collaboration in sustainability, health, education, and technology.

Appreciation was expressed for the UK's support in post-flood recovery and its role as Pakistan's largest trade and investment partner in Europe. The inclusion of Pakistan in the UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) was commended, and the potential for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was discussed.

The importance of parliamentary cooperation and people-to-people contacts was underscored, recognizing existing friendship groups and productive discussions between the UK Parliamentary Friendship Group and the UK Acting High Commissioner. Commitment to the UK-Pakistan

Illicit tobacco identified as primary menace to public health: CHI

Karachi: In response to the misleading campaign by anti-tobacco organizations, undermining the volume and impact of illicit cigarettes, Citizens Health Initiative (CHI), a public health organization, emphasizes the need to counter illegal sales of cigarettes. CHI asserts that the illegal trade poses the biggest threat to public health and calls for reducing the price gap between legal and illegal cigarettes, as well as substandard cigarettes. "The unintended consequence of raising taxes on legal cigarettes has been an increase in the sales of illicit cigarettes. Due to a hike in Federal Excise Duty (FED), the price of legal cigarettes. PR

AIOU offers Russian language course

islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) in collaboration with Ural State Pedagogical University (USPU), Russia, is offering a three-month course in 'Russian Language'. Experienced trainers from Russian universities will teach this course online for the first three weeks, while the students will be taught face-to-face at "Russian Language and Culture Center for Pakistan" in AIOU for the remaining two months. Admission to this course is free and the form is available on the university website (www.aiou.edu.pk). Students from all educational institutions including AIOU can apply. Trainers from USPU will assess the language skills of students upon completion of the course to award

Returns & Readmission Agreement and progress in the licit migration track were reiterated. Collaboration opportunities were explored in trade, investment, climate change, health, technical education, and sports, with a focus on education sector cooperation and health capacity-building.

Sadiq Sanjrani expressed optimism for the future of Pakistan-UK relations, highlighting the mutual commitment to strengthening ties. Additionally, Chairman Senate extended felicitations on the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Consort Camilla on 6 May, expressing warm wishes for their reign and the continued prosperity of the United Kingdom.

Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) and Bahria Classification Society (BCS) signed MoU for capacity-building of BCS, imparting professional and sea training practically to BCS surveyors as PNSC resolve to the national cause. This will go a long way in national capacity-building and effort towards blue economy. PR

Shan Shares, Ismail Foundation inaugurate recreational park in Landhi

Karachi: Shan Shares, the corporate identity of Shan Foods committed to promoting sustainability, inaugurated a recreational park in Landhi, Karachi in partnership with Ismail Foundation, a not-forprofit organization and the CSR wing of Ismail Industries Limited that works for the development and improvement of the society. The park is constructed under WASL (Water and Sanitation Logistics), the flagship water project of the Ismail Foundation, in collaboration with Shan Shares which will also be overlooking the maintenance of the park. Being an industrial municipality, air and water pollution in the region is one of the biggest nuisances for the residents of Landhi. The newly constructed park in the area will not only serve as a scenic and recreational spot for the locals but will also help in bringing positive changes to their health and wellbeing by being a source of clean. PR