Category: Pakistan

Shahid Afridi to attend the event to celebrate the expansion of a charitable school in Karachi’s suburbs.

Sports celebrity, charity leader and Chairman, Shahid Afridi Foundation, Shahid Afridi will grace an event as Chief Guest on Saturday, to be held to celebrate the expansion of his NGO’s , one SAF School in partnership with Green Crescent Trust (GCT), aimed at enrolling out-of-school children in Sindh. He will formally inaugurate the newly constructed first floor of the charitable school in Wangi Goth in Karachi’s suburbs. The Wangi Goth, SAF School is jointly run by the non-profits Shahid Afridi Foundation (SAF) and Green Crescent Trust (GCT). With the expansion of the Wangi Goth School, the number of children from underprivileged families studying there will increase up to 400. The SAF and GCT jointly run eight charitable schools in Karachi’s suburbs having an enrolment of over 3,000 students from the deprived areas, as 50 per cent of them are girls. Both non-profits started a partnership four years back. In all, GCT runs 160 plus, charitable schools in Sindh with an enrolment of over 30,500 students from underprivileged families. The event will also be attended by SAF CEO, Zafar Malik, CEO GCT, Zahid Saeed, COO GCT, Habib Navaid, Saad Zia and other trustees, donors, well-wishers, of the two non-profits, and dignitaries from various walks of life.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

Caretaker Minister for Housing and Urban Development Punjab, Barrister Syed Azfar Ali Nasir, paid a visit to Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), where he was briefed on the CBD Punjab’s projects, especially the CBD Punjab Boulevard and Kalma Chowk Underpass remodeling. CEO CBD Punjab, Imran Amin Executive Director Commercial CBD Punjab, Mohammed Omer, Executive Director Technical CBD Punjab, Riaz Hussain, Director Business Development CBD Punjab, Ali Waqar Shah , Director Project Management CBD Punjab Asif Iqbal, Director Construction CBD Punjab, Asif Babar, officials of NLC and Nespak were also present during the visit. The Caretaker Minister visited the under-construction barrels of CBD Punjab Boulevard. CEO CBD Punjab, Imran Amin and Executive Director Technical CBD Punjab, Riaz Hussain updated the Caretaker Minister about the development work progress. Caretaker Minister showed his satisfaction and praised the efforts of CBD Punjab to complete the project on the timeline given by Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi. Speaking with media, Caretaker Minister lauded the CBD Punjab’s commitment to delivering the project on time and to a high standard of quality. He also noted the significant impact that the project would have on the city’s economy, as it would make it easier for people and goods to move around the city and would attract more investment and business opportunities to the area. The CEO of CBD Punjab, Mr. Imran Amin, expressed his confidence in his team’s ability to complete the project as per the timeline and to the highest possible standards. He highlighted the dedication and hard work of the CBD Punjab team and expressed his gratitude to Government of the Punjab for their support and encouragement. He also emphasized the CBD Punjab’s commitment to making history in the capital of Punjab, and to creating a world-class business district that would attract investment, tourism, and innovation to the region. He noted that the Kalma Chowk Underpass and Boulevard Project was just one part of the CBD’s broader vision for Lahore, which included the development of new commercial and residential spaces, modern transportation infrastructure, and state-of-the-art technology and communications systems. Overall, the briefing session highlighted the important role of CBD Punjab in modernizing Lahore’s infrastructure and positioning it as a global hub for business and innovation. Government of the Punjab and CBD Punjab expressed their commitment for continuing to work together in achieving this vision and to create a brighter future for the people of Lahore and the region.

Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, directed Provincial Governments to complete the Field verification/coverage of 7^th Population and Housing Census till 15^th May, 2023 in areas where Population growth is not in line with normal Demographic trends and close the field operation in all areas exhibiting natural trends.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) In pursuance of the 12^th meeting of the Census Monitoring Committee and meeting with Demographers and Political parties, a follow-up meeting was held on 30^th April 2023, with Provincial Chief Secretaries chaired by Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal to discuss the nomenclature for completion of fieldwork of the 7^th Population and Housing Census by May 15, 2023.

During the meeting, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has taken strict notice on the repeated extensions of field enumeration activities of the 7^th Population and Housing Census, therefore, targeted verification and enumeration operations should be carried out in areas with abnormal Population Growth, where gaps have already been highlighted using the digital systems architected by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics for the first-ever digital census. He stressed that special efforts should be made in urban areas of Punjab, Sindh and KP and ICT to counter issues of under coverage and low coverage. A uniform data-driven policy must be adopted to conclude the field enumeration in all provinces. Strict monitoring of fieldwork and daily sharing of progress with PBS headquarters for onward submission to Minister PD & SI, must be adopted to fill the gaps and successfully concluding this exercise. He further shared that along with under-enumeration, the digital system has also identified over-counting and cases where census exercise has been manipulated or tampered which has resulted in abnormal trends. He strongly directed concerned teams to address such cases strictly to avoid such incidences in future. He once again stressed on the completion of the exercise on 15^th May, 2023 for timely handing over data to the Election Commission of Pakistan.

Secretary PD & SI, Syed Zafar Ali Shah informed Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and stakeholders to redouble their efforts to complete the exercise till 15^th May, 2023 and to adopt a uniform policy in all blocks throughout the country to complete the exercise.

Chief Census Commissioner, Dr. Naeem uz Zafar, presented the latest updates and recommendations for the completion of the exercise within the stipulated time. He requested that for addressing gaps and timely completion of exercise the support of provincial governments in monitoring and deep surveillance of field exercise, along with the support of law and order agencies for provision of security to enumerators is critical.

He further added that there is a need to make efforts to ensure full coverage of restricted areas, collective residences and gated communities. Daily progress sharing with PBS head office and sharing of under coverage and no coverage complaints by civil society and stakeholders to respective provincial governments will play an effective role in quick decision-making and concluding the gigantic activity of field enumeration.

It was decided in the meeting that field operation should specifically focus on verification/coverage of leftover areas in Punjab (33 districts), Sindh (8 districts), KP (9 districts), Balochistan (3 districts) and ICT along with verification exercise in specific areas. Further, to conclude the exercise within the stipulated time, PBS higher management will hold series of meetings starting with Chief Commissioner Islamabad on 1^st May, 2023, with Provincial Government of Punjab on 2^nd May, 2023, KP on 3^rd May, 2023, Sindh on 4^th May, 2023 and Balochistan on 5^th May, 2023 and provide details of target areas showing negative growth, non-living units, single person/two persons’ households to districts for successful completion of task.

 

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

Canadian Ramgarhia Society has honoured Pakistan’s legend architects and educationists professor Pervaiz Vandal and professor Sajida Haider Vandal with lifetime achievement awards for their research work (book) in highlighting the architectural legacy of Punjab’s foremost architect Bhai Ram Singh. Both the architects were nominated for awards in August 2022 on the occasion of the 164th birthday celebrations of Bhai Ram Singh by prominent Sikh Scholar Jaiteg Singh Anant head of Hardarshan memorial International Trust Canada.

The dignities of Canadian Ramgarhia Society including president Dharam Singh Panesar, head of Hardarshan memorial International Trust Canada Jaiteg Singh Anant and Punjabi Poet Surindar Singh Jabal (Public Relations Officer), Avtar Singh Adampuri specially visited America’s city Seatle this week, to bestowed the honours to professor Pervaiz Vandal, who is in United States these days to meet his Son and Family.

Professor Pervaiz Vandal thanked the Canadian Ramgarhia Society for special honour and said that this award will be cherished as a great memory as it is associated with Bhai Ram Singh, one of the greatest architect of British Punjab era and remembered as architect of modern Lahore. He paid glowing tribute to Bhai Ram Singh for his rich architectural legacy and outstanding work, which is still alive and visible in the form of beautiful arches, domes, brackets, pavilions, Jalis as his signature elements for various monumental buildings of Lahore and India. He also mentioned the cultural similarities and interfaith harmony between Muslim and Sikhs, which resulted in a peaceful atmosphere of co existing in Punjab for centuries. Canadian Ramgarhia Society also presented him books entitled “Ramgarhia Virasat” and “Chacha Vancouveria” written by S. Surindar Singh Jabal, Public relations officer of Canadian Ramgarhia Society. Prominent Punjabi poets Hardam Singh Mann, Avtar Singh Adampuri, his wife, and Pervaiz Vandal’s son were also present.

Jaiteg Singh Anant presented his tribute to Pervaiz Vandal for his great services as former Pro Vice Chancellor of the Institute of Art and Culture and CEO Thaap. He said Pervez Vandal has contributed immensely in the field of architecture and achieved the status of a legend among his peers. Professor Sajida Haider Vandal needs no introduction as she is a proud recipient of the French civil award “Chevalier de I’Ordre des Arts er Letters”, which reflects her immense contributions in the field Arts & Culture and heritage preservation. He praised the book of Perviaz vandal and Sajida Haider Vandal and also talked about the rich legacy of Bhai Ram Singh as master architect of Khalsa College Amritsar, inner design of Darbar Hall England, Senate Hall of Punjab University Lahore, Aitchison College, Christian College Lahore, Aitchison hospital, New Railway theatre Lahore and other buildings in Shimla, Amritsar, and other parts of India etc.

Public relations officer of Canadian Ramgarhia Society, S Surindar Singh Jabal acknowledged the research work of Pr. Pervaiz and Sajida Vandal’s on Bhai Ram Singh and said their research is very commendable for Sikh heritage and Diaspora. He added that their book entitled “Raaj Lahore and Bhai Ram Singh” is a prestigious contribution for all Sikh community living around the globe and Canadian Ramgarhia Society feels privileged for awarding such an authentic research work. Dharam Singh Panesar , head Canadian Ramgarhia Society, congratulated the receiving awards and said Sikh and Muslim shared common social customs & traditions and have lived peacefully for centuries in Punjab. He said that Pervaiz Vandal, along with Sajida Vandal, have achieved distinct place in Eastern Punjab for their precious research work on legend architect Bhai Ram Singh.

Overall unemployment *rate in Punjab is 6.7%, with highest unemployment by age-group found amongst youth (15-29) at 10.9% and female youth with degree in other subjects and Masters degree make up over 45% of all unemployed female youth: Within Punjab, Rawalpindi division has highest youth unemployment rate of 20%,

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)  Research conducted by Gallup Pakistan and PRIDE, using data from the Labour Force Survey 2020-21, shows that the overall unemployment rate of youth in Punjab is 6.69%. The overall unemployment rate in the Punjab province is 6.69%, with the unemployment rate of females being substantially higher than males (8.32% vs. 6.06%) and that of urban residents being relatively higher than the rate for their rural counterparts (7.94% vs. 6.11%). The analysis of division-wise youth unemployment rate in Punjab shows that the overall youth unemployment rate varies from a low as 4.45% for Bahawalpur division to as high as 17.78% for Rawalpindi division. The distribution of unemployed youth by level of education indicates that youth having education level of ‘matric but below Intermediate’, make up the highest proportion of unemployed youth at 20.01%, while youth having ‘less than one year of education’ comprises the lowest share of unemployed youth at 0.39%. 23.52% of unemployed female youth in Punjab have a Masters level degree. This share is over 7 times higher than the corresponding share of unemployed male youth (around 3% of unemployed males have a Masters degree). The research analysis shows that the Lahore division has the highest population (20.7 million) in Punjab province, whereas Sahiwal division has the lowest population at 7.9 million. Gujranwala division has the highest rural population of 10.9 million, and the Lahore division has the highest urban population of 14.4 million in the province. Pakistan benefiting from youth bulge has a large young population. Analysis reveals that in Punjab alone, there are 31 million youngsters aged (18-29). The youth population of Punjab alone is equivalent to the entire population size of Canada. Youth unemployment refers to the number of youth (15-29 years old) population that are economically active but currently without work and are in search of employment. This measure does not include people such as full-time students or those who are not looking for work, i.e., those who are considered economically inactive individuals. This indicator serves as a measure of potential youth labour market entrants that remain under-utilized. Gallup Pakistan & PRIDE have joined hands to analyze and disseminate useful and policy relevant economic and social data for wider policy circles in Pakistan. Bilal Gilani, Executive Director at Gallup Pakistan, said that study’s most alarming finding is that a higher share of educated youth are unemployed compared to their lesser educated counterparts. Education if seen to be not delivering dividends, would lead to people dropping off from the education stream, and the vast pool of educated urban youth could also cause social issues (if not already causing one)’ Dr. Lubna Shahnaz, CEO at PRIDE informs that ‘Labour force statistics usually available at national or provincial level do not adequately capture labour market dynamics across different regions even within a particular province. More disaggregated statistics at divisional level would enable a more in-depth examination of labour market situation and facilitate in development of relevant policies and programs at a grass roots level.’   

The current series of Reports would be looking at Labour Force Survey 2020-21 which is a large scale survey covering close to 100,000 households, conducted by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir)

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, visited the Kalma Chowk Remodeling CBD Punjab Boulevard project site in Lahore. The project, which is being carried out by Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), aims to remodel the Kalma Chowk area, including the underpass, road networks, water supply and drainage lines. The Prime Minister was briefed about the project by CEO CBD Punjab, Imran Amin and other senior officials.

The project, which started on December 4, 2022, was originally scheduled to be completed on June 2, 2023, with a contract price of Rs 4.2 Billion However, the project will be completed one week ahead of schedule, with no revision of PC1 and well within the allocated budgets and estimates. The contractor for the project is NLC Engineers, and the consultant was NESPAK.

The Kalma Underpass, which has a total length of 925m, has been remodeled, along with the Ali Zeb underpass, with a barrel length of 377 meters, and the CBD Quaid District, with a barrel length of 280 meters. The road networks, totaling 4.98km, have also been rehabilitated. The main Kalma Underpass and allied at-grade roads Ali Zaib Road with Service Lanes are now functional for traffic.

During his visit, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction with the development pace of the project and lauded the contractor. He also ordered the hiring of a third-party technical validation consultant for the Kalma Chowk remodeling project and also gave the directive to complete the upgradation of Walton Road in two months

In addition, the entire Kalma underpass was opened for traffic on February 24, 2023, upon the instruction of the Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab, Syed Mohsin Naqvi. All the water supply, sewerage and drainage lines, and two wells, falling under the project area, have been upgraded. A water retention tank with wells at Saint Mary’s Park has also been constructed. The underpasses’ width, Ali Zeb Road width, Main Boulevard width, and Saint Mary’s Road width have been expanded for the easy flow of ongoing traffic.

Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, Commissioner Lahore Division, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, COO CBD Punjab Brigadier (R) Mansoor Janjua, Directorate heads of CBD Punjab, MD Nespak Dr. Tahir Masood. Brigadier Umar Farooqi PD NLC, officials of NLC, NESPAK, and senior government officials were present during the visit.

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Punjab Central Business District Development Authority (PCBDDA), also known as Central Business District Punjab (CBD Punjab), has been prioritizing the development of the CBD Punjab Boulevard and Underpass project. With the directives of Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi, the project is being fast-tracked to provide maximum relief to the general public in their daily commute.

Mr. Imran Amin, CEO of CBD Punjab, visited the CBD Punjab Boulevard and Underpass site to review the progress of the project. During his visit, he lauded the efforts of the CBD Punjab team and contractor National Logistic Cell (NLC), for making the main underpass and adjoining roads functional for traffic.

The construction of Ali Zaib Road barrel raft concrete pouring is currently in progress and will be completed soon. The Ali Zaib Road barrel will be a gift for the general public. To combat environmental hazards, CBD Punjab is also planting 10,000 plants in the vicinity of the project which will have a clean and green impact on the project.

While expressing his views CEO of CBD Punjab, Mr. Imran Amin, said, “Our utmost priority, as per the directive of Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab, is to provide maximum relief to the general public in their daily commute. I am pleased to report that the CBD Punjab Boulevard and Underpass project is 90% complete, and we have opened all the adjoining roads for traffic. Just like PSL 8, CBD Punjab has taken all the important measures for smooth traffic flow during the Pakistan Vs New Zealand T20 series.”

Several high-ranking officials of CBD Punjab, including Executive Director Commercial Mr. Mohammad Omer, Executive Director Technical Mr. Riaz Hussain, Director Project Management Mr. Asif Iqbal, and senior officials of CBD Punjab and NLC were also present during the visit.

The CBD Punjab Boulevard and Underpass project will be a significant development in the province of Punjab. It will provide much-needed relief to daily commuters by easing traffic

congestion and improving travel times. The project will also benefit the environment by planting thousands of trees in the vicinity, making it a sustainable initiative.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

Provinces and District Governments Responsible for Census Coverage are Working to Ensure 100% Coverage with the oversight and support of PBS

The provincial governments are playing a major role to ensure 100% coverage while ensuring the quality and credibility of the whole census process. The real-time data progress monitoring dashboards, provided by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics down to provincial and district governments, allows for a completely transparent process and continuous oversight of field operations. The dashboard also helps provincial governments in identifying any abnormalities, any areas missed and any other emerging anomalies on a daily basis. The data received is analysed on a daily basis by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics headquarters and immediately communicated to the provinces for their resolution to ensure timely response and universal and complete coverage.

The digital census is a huge success and a moment of pride for the nation. So far 40 million households have been counted and geotagged and 92% of the census work has been successfully completed (95% KP, 95% Punjab, 92% Sindh, 6% Baluchistan). The smooth workflow and technology innovations, data of almost 10 million people is daily synched without any issues or technical glitches. This is a huge win for Pakistan.

In a historic and exemplary move, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), with the support of Provincial and District Governments for census coverage and NADRA and NTC for technology, is currently holding the first-ever digital census of Pakistan and the largest digital census of its kind in South Asia.

The move towards digitization has allowed provincial and district governments, who are responsible for the field operations for the 100% universal and inclusive census coverage, to immediately identify the missed areas using the geotagged houses and the quality of data entered for them by the enumerators in real-time. Therefore, immediately addressing any issues or gaps. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics provides the design, strategic approach, oversight and support to all activities of the census.

Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has further supported the provincial and district governments by setting up a helpline 080057574 and SMS gateway 9727 where people can call for queries or report anyone or any area missed. Recently, on the directions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the 495 Census Support Centers are now also working as points of referral for all missed areas.

The success of the current census is also attributed to the rigorous, universally standardized training provided by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to 121000 field enumerators that were identified and selected by the provinces, along with 126000 tablets to digitize the data collection process, hence increasing accuracy and efficiency while significantly reducing the time taken in entering, reconciling and analysing the data.

PBS designed the digital census as a solution to the questions raised on the process during the previous census in 2017. The methodologies and processes were finalized following international best practices and extensive consultations with all stakeholders at all levels. On the recommendation of the Census Advisory Committee, PBS started work with technical support provided by NADRA and NTC and field operations executed by Provincial and district governments. It is a commendable initiative as it increases transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

Mr Sarwar Gondal, Member SSRM and Spokesperson, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics took an exemplary initiative to use an integrated multi-technology approach to digitize the census process. Hence, eliminating any shadow of doubt about the census results. Working day and night, Mr Gondal, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics talented team supported by stakeholders developed a comprehensive and extensive digitized methodology and approach for the census.

The main objective of the Census is to provide data for informed decision-making for policy planning for the people living in particular areas so that required resources can be provided for the provision of basic necessities like schools, hospitals, roads etc. Questions asked in the census pertain to the number of people and living standards. Census is not linked to the voter nor does it have the ability to discriminate. It is a mandatory civic duty which all of us need to participate in, for our future, for the future of our children and for the future of the country.

The current methodology ensures universal inclusion, which means that each and every individual living in the location for six months, or planning to live there for another six months, and will be using resources around that location, regardless of their nationality, geography, ethnicity, identity, affiliations, politics, caste or creed, will be counted. As per the General Statistics Reorganization Act 2011 and UN Conventions, the census is a national duty to inform policymaking, decision-making, future planning, and development for the progress of the country and people. Pakistan Bureau of Statistics has digitally transformed the census for ease of use while ensuring verifiability, transparency and accountability.

In an environment wrought with economic challenges and deteriorating living standards, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics gave us hope with modernising and digitizing the census, bringing it at par with those developed nations that conduct their census using technology to various degrees. These include United States, United Kingdom, India, Iran, Egypt, and Bangladesh among others.

The only surest way to ensure that the census is credible is for people to provide their complete and reliable information, and actively notify their Provincial or district governments in case any area has been left behind.

 

 

 

 

 WHO to rebuild 150 Health facilities in 21 districts of Sindh

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir) The World Health Organization (WHO) will rehabilitate 150 primary healthcare centers in 21 districts of Sindh that were badly damaged in the year 2022 monsoon rains and heavy floods and provide them with the required medical equipment and furniture.

The Health Department of Sindh signed a MoU with the WHO at a signing ceremony held at EOC Sindh on 7th April 20223 on the Occasion of World Health Day 2023.

The ceremony was attended by Dr. Palitha Mahipala WHO Representative and Head Of Mission Pakistan; Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho Minister of Health Population Welfare Sindh, Dr. Muhammad Juman Bahoto Director of General Health Service Sindh, Dr. Saqib Shaikh Deputy Director DHS Karachi, Dr. Ahmed Ali Sheikh TFP EOC Sindh, Dr. Sara Salman Head of WHO Sub Office Sindh, and Dr. Asif Zardari WHO Team Lead for Polio.

Under the MoU WHO will rehabilitate a total of 150 health facilities. Whereas, as per the agreement, the provincial health department will ensure the continuity of health services through human resources and ensure supplies from the health system.

In response to recent Floods, WHO has supported the improvement of mother and child health services, nutrition, and Immunization across Sindh. WHO has strengthened 76 labor rooms, 05 Neonatal ICUs, and 05 comprehensive maternal service centers in flood-affected districts of Sindh and has also strengthened and established a total of 45 nutrition stabilization centers in the Sindh province. For the improvement of routine immunization, WHO has supported the refurbishment of 414 EPI centers all over Sindh, 66 of these being refurbished and renovated during 2023 alone.

On this occasion, the Minister of Health Sindh remarked that WHO’s continued support for the flood emergency response and now for the rehabilitation, which has strengthened the health systems and improved service delivery throughout the province.

Pakistan (Muhammad Yasir)

The renowned real estate brand AAA Associates ensures it will continue its commitment to social responsibility by supporting social uplift activities.  The company carries out these social activities through its NGO named Yousaeid Foundation. There are a number of social uplift activities that come under the framework of the NGO. This year, the same activities will be continued as part of the social corporate responsibility.

Yousaeid Foundation manages food distribution campaigns that target hundreds of people living in destitute and absolute poverty.This food distribution campaign continues in Ramzan as well. This year the food distribution campaign will target needy individuals in twin cities. During the floods in Balochistan and Sindh Yousaeid Foundation distributed food among the affected people through an organized campaign. The campaign involved distributing food packages and parcels to be transported to the inundated regions and relief camps of the two provinces.

Pakistani society is also filled with people who are deserving of help but are not identified. Yousaeid Foundation identifies such individuals in society and then takes initiative to help them out. This activity is not included as part of the social campaigns. Yousaeid Foundation actively supports Sustainable Development goals such as education, gender equality, better living and working conditions, and environment.