Category: Pakistan

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The government is all set to launch the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) programme today (Wednesday) which will be inaugurated by President Arif Alvi.

Confirming the news, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Shibli Faraz took to his official handle to say: “Excited to be leading the STEM pilot project by @MinistryofST.”

Excited to be leading the STEM pilot project by @MinistryofST. The step is taken to enhance problem based learning along with self directed learning in schools. Looking forward to the launch today alongside hon’ble president @ArifAlvi. pic.twitter.com/4ngjrhke2H

— Senator Shibli Faraz (@shiblifaraz) October 6, 2021

He added that the step is being taken to enhance problem-based learning along with self-directed learning in schools. In a short video message, the minister said: “Four subjects — Science, Technology, Engineering and Math — have gained importance worldwide.”

Sharing the details of the project, Faraz said that under this it — which was initiated in 2020 on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s directions — the project will be implemented in 50 schools during the first phase.  The minister clarified that the selection of these schools was based on merit and not on political basis. “Special laboratories will be established in these schools and teachers will be provided trainings,” he added.

Regarding the expectations from this project, Faraz said: “We hope that because of these STEM schools, we will move towards a new phase of development through which we can produce internationally-competitive youngsters.”

The programme is based on three parts including fab labs, teacher trainings and STEM modules.Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary  wrote on Twitter: “Pakistan Science Foundation is going to launch a programme today which will be a game-changer.”

In a series of tweets, the minister said he had designed the project to convert 450 government schools into STEM schools because “the country cannot change unless government schools are modernised.”

He added that after the first phase — which includes 450 schools — more schools will follow this model.
Chaudhry said universities have been asked to take schools under their wing and improve the quality of science education at the school level.

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar has removed Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan from the post of Punjab government spokesperson. The Punjab government has appointed Hasaan Khawar as the spokesperson in place of Chohan.

Khawar will now hold the position of official spokesperson of the Punjab government along with managing the post of the Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information and Special Initiatives.

Chohan had been appointed as the spokesperson of the Punjab government in August.

Chohan was previously serving as Minister of Prisons for Punjab since August 2018. He had also served as the provincial minister for information.

The Punjab government has appointed spokespersons to help streamline the information dissemination process, defend its stance, and notify the public of its policies. 

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Legendary comedian Umer Sharif’s body arrived from Turkey early Wednesday’s morning.

According to the aviation sources, Turkish Airlines flight TK-708 took off from Istanbul at 12:53 am. The scheduled flight landed at the Jinnah International Airport at around 5:33 am. Umer Sharif’s body was flown to Munich from Nuremberg, Germany, before being flown to Istanbul aboard Turkish Air flight TK-1634.

The deceased’s wife Zareen Ghazal also returned to Pakistan on the same plane. His sons and other relatives received his body at the airport. Among others, PPP leader and Sindh minister Saeed Ghani, MQM’s Kishwar Zahra also arrived at the airport’s cargo terminal.

The PPP leader paid tribute to the comic genius. “I call upon the people to attend Umer Sharif’s funeral in large numbers as a message to the entire world that Pakistanis remember their legends even after they had passed away,” Ghani said while talking to media. 

Later, his body wrapped in the national flag was shifted to the Edhi morgue at Sohrab Goth. Fans of the comedian showered the vehicle carrying his body with rose petals in tribute to him.  

Umer Sharif’s sons – Jawad Umer and Fawad Umer – have said that their father’s funeral prayers will be offered at 3pm at the Umer Sharif Park opposite the Ziauddin Hospital in Clifton. 

He will be buried in the cemetery adjacent to the Abdullah Shah Ghazi shrine in the area, as per his wishes. People are showing up in large numbers outside the comedian’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal residence to pay tribute to him. 

Sharif was born on April 19, 1955, to an Urdu speaking family in Liaquatabad, Karachi. The star was well-acclaimed as one of the biggest comedians in Asia. 

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Scores of people took to social media to wish Prime Minister Imran Khan on his 69th birthday Tuesday. Social networking platforms Twitter, Facebook and Instagram were abuzz with wishes for the prime minister. 

#HappyBirthdayPMIK quickly became one of the top trends in the country.

Highlighting the records broken by the premier during his days as a cricketer, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared a post highlighting a track record of his phenomenal performances.

The PCB wrote on Twitter: “3,807 runs and 362 wickets in Tests, 3,709 runs and 182 wickets in ODIs, the third leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in Tests.”

3807 runs and 362 wickets in Tests 🔴
3709 runs and 182 wickets in ODIs ⚪️
Third leading wicket-taker for Pakistan in Tests 🥉
A match-winning all rounder ⭐
A @cricketworldcup winning captain 🏆
And our Prime Minister 🇵🇰

Happy Birthday @ImranKhanPTI! pic.twitter.com/AJuhwir3yl

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 5, 2021

The PCB wished its patron-in-chief by referring to him as a “match-winning all-rounder and @cricketworldcup winning captain Happy Birthday!”

Many other users took to the internet to post messages of good health, happiness and long life to the incumbent premier, who is followed by millions of fans across all social media accounts. 

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Maj-Gen Shahzad Naeem Khan (retd) has joined Nutshell Group as Chief Public Affairs Officer, whereas Brigadier Riaz Ahmed (Retd) has joined as Group Executive Director.

Maj Gen Shahzad Naeem Khan (retd) has had an illustrious 40-year career in the Pakistan Army; he remained on various important positions, notably Division Commander and General Officer Commanding at Karachi, Brigade Commander at Multan, and Director General at Joint Staff Headquarters, Rawalpindi.

He is a graduate of Command & Staff College Quetta, and National Defence University (NDU) Islamabad. He also has overseas experience, including a stint in a UN Peace Mission in Africa and as Defence Attaché in Pakistan High Commission, Dhaka.

Brigadier Riaz Ahmed (retd) brings more than 30 years of professional experience in strategic and operational planning, policy formulation, security operations, management of large organizations, building and leading high-performance teams, administration, and human resource management.

He served as Commander Station HQ Karachi, President Cantonment Board Clifton / DHA, and Director Combat Evaluation and Doctrine Formulation at General Headquarters (GHQ). Brigadier Riaz Ahmed (R) is currently a PhD scholar of Public Administration at the University of Karachi.

He holds an M Phil from NDU Islamabad, a Masters in Management & Defence Studies from Canberra University, Australia, and another Masters in Political Science from Peshawar University. He is also a graduate of Command & Staff College Quetta, and Australian Command & Staff College, Western Creek, Canberra.

Expressing his views on these appointments, Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder & CEO, Nutshell Group, said “I am elated that Maj Gen Shahzad Naeem Khan (retd) and Brigadier Riaz Ahmed (R) have become part of the Nutshell Group. I am confident that the rich and diverse experience they bring with them will contribute significantly in the growth and advancement of the organization and its future endeavors.”

Nutshell Group comprises Nutshell Conferences, Nutshell Communications (Private) Limited and Nutshell Solutions (Private) Limited. The group has been in the business of convening, attracting, harnessing, and sharing excellence for the last 18 years.-PR

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated his government’s much ambitious Kamyab Pakistan Programme (KPP) under which soft loans worth Rs1.4 trillion will be given to 3.7 million families.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony in Islamabad, Prime Minister Khan said that such a programme should have been launched 74 years back.

“We made the biggest mistake 74 years ago. We thought we should first collect revenue and then the country would prosper. This was a wrong decision,” he lamented, stressing the need for zeroing in on public welfare to alleviate poverty in the country.

“The Medina state’s was the most successful model in world history,” the prime minister maintained, adding that our country will move forward if it follows the Medina state’s principles of humanity and justice.

He regretted that our system benefits only a handful of elites, noting that inequality and injustice lead to the downfall of societies. Efforts are on to change priorities to uplift the living standards of the downtrodden, he said.

Talking about skyrocketing inflation, PM Khan said the government is well aware of the problems facing the poor due to price hike. He announced that a programme is being launched to provide targeted subsidy on essential commodities like flour, ghee and sugar.

The Kamyab Pakistan Programme consists of five components, including interest-free loans for farmers under the Kamyab Kisan programme, financing of up to Rs500,000 for setting up a business under the Kamyab Karobar programme, financing for construction of housing units under Sasta Ghar scheme and provision of skilled based scholarships to youth. Sehat Insaf Card will also be linked with the KPP.

 

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Legend Comedian Omar Sharif‘s Namaz-e-Janaza will be held today in germany. According to the latest reports that It has been decided to offer funeral prayers in Germany before the body of comedy king Omar Sharif is brought back to Pakistan.  Funeral prayers will be offered this (Monday) afternoon. Friends present there are requested to attend. Apparently return to Pakistan seems possible by Tuesday or Wednesday. After the return flight is finalized, the family will inform the details of the funeral prayers in Pakistan, God willing.

Star comedian Omar Sharif was being transported to the United States by air ambulance for heart treatment. They had to stop in Germany. Omar Sharif was being treated at a German hospital but died the previous day after undergoing kidney dialysis.

Omar Sharif’s death certificate has been issued by the hospital. However, his death certificate could not be issued by the municipality due to Saturday and Sunday holidays. An official death certificate will be issued by the German municipality on Monday, after which Omar Sharif’s body will be brought back to Pakistan. In Pakistan, his funeral prayers will be offered by Mufti Taqi Usmani, while his burial will be in the Abdullah Shah Ghazi Cemetery.

It is pertinent to mention that King of Comedy Umer died in Germany after a prolonged illness on Saturday. He was admitted to a hospital in Germany’s Nuremberg on Wednesday after his health condition deteriorated during his flight to the United State.

 

 

Lahore (NUT-DESK)

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiative Asad Umar Wednesday announced relaxation in eight cities with the highest level of COVID vaccination from October 01 (Friday).

“The National Command and Operation Center (NCOC) has decided to relax restrictions in eight cities- Quetta, Peshawar, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Gilgit and Skardu,” he said while addressing a virtual press talk along with Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Health Services Dr Faisal Sultan here after chairing the meeting of NCOC.The minister also announced to impose restrictions on adults not fully vaccinated from Friday.

Asad Umar said the NCOC had set the target of vaccinating at least 40 percent of eligible population (15 years and above) which had been met by the 8 cities where the restrictions were being relaxed.

He said ban on shrines was being lifted that would be opened completely for the vaccinated people only. Similarly, cinema halls are also going to open from the said date and the entry would be linked to showing vaccination certificate.

The dining would continue as per guidelines whereas marriage halls and restaurants are allowed to keep open seven days a week in the 8 cities, however marriage halls and restaurants would remain close at least one day in a week in other cities. Pakistan on Wednesday morning recorded another 52 coronavirus deaths and 1,560 infections, according to the statistics released by the National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC).

The meeting was chaired by Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar in Islamabad.

Addressing the press conference flanked by SAPM on health Dr Faisal Sultan, NCOC chief Asad Umar said it has been decided to relax restrictions from October 1 (Friday) in eight cities where forty percent population aged fifteen and above has been vaccinated against the COVID-19.

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Lahore (NUT-DESK)

The air ambulance itinerary for the legendary comedian Omer Sharif has been issued. The aircraft, being operated by a German charter airline, would make two-hour stopovers in Germany, Iceland and Canada.

The air ambulance, along with five crew, is expected to land at the Jinnah International Airport on September 26 at 11pm and would leave for Washington on September 27 at 5:30am.

However, the actor’s family members won’t be able to travel with him in the air ambulance. The family will leave for the US on a commercial flight.

Omer was diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation (a condition in which blood leaks backwards instead of flowing out to the rest of the body) after being admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital for congestive heart failure.

He will be treated at the George Washington University Hospital by a team of eight specialists, including Cardiologist Syed Tariq Shahab, the husband of actor Reema Khan.

“It’s a new and technically tough procedure which requires a complete team and special equipment that’s why he needs to be here,” Dr Tariq said in a statement on Saturday.

“A bed has been arranged at the George Washington University Hospital for Omer,” he said.

 

Islamabad – (NUT-DESK)

Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally launched Digital Media Development Program (DMDP). Digital Media Development Program, a flagship initiative as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan is launched by Digital Media Wing (DMW), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). DMWP is a multifaceted program that focuses on the development and growth of the Digital Media Industry of Pakistan along with increasing effective networking between the government and the youth of Pakistan.

Speaking at the event, the PM said, “The Pakistani Youth should never underestimate their abilities and set a very high goal for themselves to achieve. You should never give up in the face of failures, and the hurdles are there only to make you stronger. Choose objectives that are bigger than yourself and serve a higher purpose. Further, he said that he is delighted to see this initiative that will involve the youth of Pakistan in furthering Pakistan’s narrative. He stressed the importance of truth and said that those who remain truthful in their life are respected.”

Pakistan’s digital media community is growing rapidly, with over 100 million internet users, 185 million mobile subscriptions, and over 50 million people active on social media. On this occasion, Minister for Information & Broadcasting Fawad Chauhdry said, “The previous governments used the state media to further their party narratives. They did not build the state media institutions for projecting Pakistan’s interests internationally. Imran Khan led government ever since assuming charge has focused on improving the state media to fight the battle of narratives internationally to highlight Pakistan’s role as a responsible state in the comity of nations. ”

DMW has partnered with the world’s leading social media organizations and Digital Media industry experts to give workshops to the interns, including YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter. With UNDP’s support, the students will also get monthly stipends upon successful completion of tasks.

Regarding UNDP’s support to the internship program, the UNDP Resident Representative Knut Ostby said, “UNDP is pleased to support the government of Pakistan in this effort to equip the youth in relevant digital skills and to provide young women and men with on-the-job training in government offices. This kind of professional exposure will be an essential step to enhance youth’s future career prospects.”

This program aims at bridging the gap between the students, the Government of Pakistan, and the Digital Media industry by training the youth. In the first batch, 100 capable interns have been selected. They will be placed at Federal Ministries and departments for the period of 3 months, where they will get to directly work with the government leadership to enhance their skills.

Dr. Arslan Khalid, Focal Person to PM on Digital Media said, “Quality human resource is the key to success in any field. DMDP is precisely designed to polish the talent of youth without limiting their ability to think and innovate. It’s not just any usual internship program as  candidates selected in it have already gone through series of interviews and only those who will successfully finish all their modules and project will get the completion certificate. We believe this DMDP program will go a long way in giving a fresh direction to Pakistan’s digital media space.”

General Manager, DMW Imran Ghazali said, “the objective of DMDP is to create and mentor a cadre of empowered students and graduates who are equipped with the new-age skills required to operate in the Digital Media Industry and to empower this talented Pakistani youth to work for national and international organizations.” During the internship program, the interns will also be guided to conduct digital media seminars in their respective universities in order to engage the youth of Pakistan. The interns will also work on a project to address issues such as fake news that Pakistan faces in this particular industry.

With DMDP, a more collaborative and agile digital ecosystem will be created, where all stakeholders work towards a common goal of transforming Pakistan’s Digital landscape for the betterment of the country.