Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Suzie Boss, Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy, Mosharraf Zaidi, Mian Imran Masood, Jessica White featured amongst 60+ international thought leaders on Day 2

ISLAMABAD, NOV 22 – The Non-Profit School of Tomorrow (SOT) Events – A World of Tomorrow: From Darkness to Light continued on DAY TWO featuring a crucial panel discussion on the insidious proliferation of gender-based censorship compromising the voice of the woman in every sphere of our lives. The session featured Mr. Adnan Malik, actor & director, Dr.Neelam Hussain, educationist & activist, and Ms Amber Rahim Shamsi, award-winning multimedia journalist.

A key highlight of the SOT Conference will be the exclusive interview of the iconic Dr Mahathir Mohamad, former Prime Minister of Malaysia by Mr Kasim Kasuri, CEO Beaconhouse on 22 November at 12 noon, Pakistan time.

The Sighs and Sorrows of Pakistan’s Single National Curriculum

Can the Single National Curriculum erase educational inequality?

On day 2, a key highlight was a panel discussion on the government’s proposed “Single National Curriculum” exploring its process, implementation, and consequences. The session featured education leaders Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy, Mian Imran Masood, President, Pakistan Education Council, and policy analysts Begum Shahnaz Wazir Ali and Mr. Mosharraf Zaidi.

Day 2 also featured an important presentation by leading environmental lawyer and activist, Mr.Ahmad Rafay Alam, on the relationship between environmental degradation, climate change, and human activity.

A thought-provoking panel discussion on the mystery surrounding artificial intelligence featured leading experts in emerging technologies and AI, Ms. Jessica White, EdTech/AI speaker, Dr. Ulrik Juul Christensen, CEO, Area9 Group and Mr. Sibel Ahmed Mufti, biomedical engineer and robotics expert.

Sessions ran concurrently with the workshop on critical thinking as an essential 21st-century learning skill with the renowned PBL advocate, Ms. Suzie Boss, along with the panel discussion moderated by MrRod Boswell, Principal, Beaconhouse Newlands, Islamabad, featuring students from a cross-section of schools across Asia recommending changes to high stake external examinations impacted by Covid 19. The critical need for collective action to build Post-Covid economies was explored with Mr. Simon Anholt, policy adviser and Founder, ‘Good Country’, Mr. Roland K. Jahnke, Founder and President, Global Sustainable Excellence Concepts, Ms. Andleeb Abbas, consultant and corporate trainer, and Ms. Lara Rathod, Creator & Host, Red Sofa Conversations.

Day 2 of the conference concluded with the discussion on whether or not to get the medically approved Covid 19 vaccine featuring panellists, Mr OmairRana, professional debater and actor, Dr Faisal Mahmood, Asst. Professor, Infectious Diseases, Dr Maryam RiazTarar, Professor of Pathology & Virology, and educationist, Mr. Ali Chattha.

Edition XII of The School of Tomorrow conference aims to answer difficult questions for a world facing challenges of the Covid 19 impact on education, economies and a safer, balanced future through a series of one-on-one conversations, panel discussions, presentations, workshops and parliamentary debates. The virtual conference continues to stream LIVE on 22 November on its website (www.sotevents.com), Facebook and YouTube (SOT Events & Beaconhouse School System Official).

SOT Events are made possible by the generous support of corporate sponsors. The organisers gratefully acknowledge the support of United Bank Limited as the Lead Sponsor for SOT Edition XII.

The non-profit School of Tomorrow Event Series was launched in 2000 and is organised by Beaconhouse as part of its ongoing commitment to its social responsibility.

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 22 - To aide national efforts towards capacity-building of human resource involved in disaster management, and exchange of trained resources to deal with natural and human-induced disasters, the Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) is forming synergies with relevant bodies.

COMSATS’ flagship project, COMSATS Internet Services (CIS), and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Government of Pakistan have entered into an agreement to support tele-health services through Resource Center housed at Isolation Hospital and Infectious Diseases Treatment Centre (IHITC) and COMSATS Telehealth (CTH) set-upby CIS.

On behalf of the Commission, the MOU was signed by Dr. S.M. Junaid Zaidi, Executive Director COMSATS while Muhammad Idrees Mehsud, Member DRR on behalf of NDMA, in a simple ceremony held at Prime Minister’s Office, in NDMA premises. Chairman NDMA, Lieutenant General Muhammad Afzal; Prof. Dr. Ghazna Khalid, Member of the Parliament and Member Task Force on COVID-19, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan; along with representatives from both sides were present on the occasion. The MoU is especially pertinent in the wake of current pandemic of COVID-19.

Operational since 2001, COMSATS Telehealth Programme has benefitted around 70,000 patients in 17 rural areas across Pakistan, in specialties like Dermatology, Gynecology, Antenatal care, ultrasounds and outpatient care. NDMA has been working to enhance disaster resilience in Pakistan and is the leading policy and coordination body for combating natural and human-induced disasters in Pakistan.

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 22– Allama Iqbal Open University has finalized arrangements for online examinations of spring 2020 semester for the students settled in Middle East including KSA, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain & Oman. As per schedule, these examinations commence today i.e. 23 November.

The central focus of the Vice Chancellor, AUOU, Prof DR Zia Ul Qayyum is to shift basic university operations, academic as well as administrative, from manual to digitally automated system which has finally enabled the university to conduct online examinations for the overseas Pakistanis within the backdrop of COVID -19 pandemic.

Roll number slips have been dispatched to the students and the same are also uploaded on the university website (www.aiou.edu.pk) or can be obtained by sending an email to overseas@aiou.edu.pk

For further information, the students may contact Directorate of Overseas, Education Programs & E Learning, Room No. LG-08, ICT Building, AIOU, Islamabad.

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Shaping the Future of Journalism by Strengthening Accountability and Content Diversity

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s most prestigious and sought-after journalism  Recognition, the AGAHI Awards, recognized 43 journalists for media excellence and ethics. The AGAHI Awards in its Eighth year received thousands of submissions in more than 40 categories from across the country. 

A jury of national and international experts, development specialists, academicians,  and  media  professionals,  evaluated  the  submissions  made  by journalists from print, television, radio, and the online media.

The  AGAHI  Awards  are  the  annual  event  in  Pakistan  to  benchmark  journalism excellence   in   Pakistan,   recognizing   courage   and   commitment   showcasing outstanding contributions of journalists from across the country. Over the years, the  winners  have  produced  work,  often  in  the  face  of  political  and  economic pressures  sustaining  public  trust  in  the  media  impacting  the  lives  of  people  all over the country.

The  AGAHI  Awards  aim  to  encourage  fact-based,  data-driven  news  reporting and investigative journalism in Pakistan. The AGAHI Awards celebrate content centric to human interest and impact driven journalism in the country.

Leading   opinion-makers,   field   reporters,   senior   journalists,   policymakers, ambassadors,    diplomats,    public    policy    experts,    academicians,    leading professionals  from  the  media  industry  and  representatives  from  think  tanks attended the award ceremony.

Puruesh Chaudhary, President AGAHI and the co-founder of the AGAHI Awards in her keynote address said, “the AGAHI Awards is a commitment to promote ethical   journalistic   practices   for   safeguarding   public   interest.   The   Awards encourage  journalists  to  use  the  AGAHI  Awards  evaluation  criteria,  to  gauge their  content  to  be  unbiased,  balanced,  and  accountable.  This  year  we  have seen the dramatic rise on the use of technology in education, health, information communications;  however,  we  need  to  equally  reflect  on  the  importance  of human  expression  and  media  freedom,  both  fundamentally  critical  to  our collective evolution.

Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer, Mishal Pakistan and co-founder, AGAHI Awards,  shared  his  vision  for  creating  the  awards  and  said  “the  media  in Pakistan is transitioning from passive consumption to an interactive model, this transition  is  not  only  confronting  media  sustainability  but  also  creativity  and skillset challenges as well. This change is also exposing media to be exploitedby both the state and non-state actors for information laundering. We must collectively ensure the journalists and content creators have freedom and independence to work in an environment that supports fairness, truth and accountability in Pakistan.”

Speaking  on  the  occasion,  Moonis  Abdullah  Alvi,  Chief  Executive  Officer,  K-Electric,  said,  “Journalists  are information  guardians.  It  is  because  of  their  efforts  that  people  can  learn  about  the  world  around  them.  I remember reading news stories as a young executive and imagining the events unfolding in my own mind as I read on. That is the power of journalism. To inform, educate and empower the mind. It is an honor for KE to be part of the Agahi Awards. We look forward to supporting and recognizing the efforts of Pakistan’s journalistic community even more in the future.”

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 22 – The Friends of Business and Economic Reforms (FEBR) President Sunday welcomed the government’s reforms plan of the FBR, Steel Mills and Railways, saying that transparent appointments of these institutions’ chiefs are the prerequisite of their growth and development.

FEBR President Kashif Anwar said there is a need to build a structure in the country, which is in accordance with the requirements of time, as it is easy to weaken institutions but it takes a long time to rebuild them. Whatever appointments government makes to the heads of the institutions should be based on transparency and merit, he said.

He said that at present the government is funding all existing institutions in the country and the restructuring will improve these institutions.

FEBR President said that among those institutions the FBR acts as the backbone of our economy and its automation and integration of the data would ultimately broaden the tax base and the government would be in a position to reduce rates of taxes and lessen burden on the existing taxpayers.

Kashif Anwar said that making the FBR stronger through improved tax collection will be immensely beneficial for the country.

It is appreciable that the government has decided to expand the tax base under a fully-automated system, which should need to be improved as it has still many flaws.

The Federal Board of Revenue has introduced Fully Automated Sales Tax e-Refund (FASTER) system for five export-oriented sectors to promptly issue sales tax refunds to exporters by electronically Communicating Refund Payment Orders (RPOs) but the business community has also reservations on it and hopefully the officials will try to remove them.

FEBR President said that the automation would reduce human interaction between the tax officials and the taxpayers, which will ensure transparency and enhance people’s trust.

The integration of data including third-party data would disclose actual income and expenditures of filers as well as non-filers.

According to reports, Pakistan Railways will be divided into five companies under the restructuring plan to enhance its performance. One of the five companies will comprise a regulator, which will be independent of Pakistan Railways, and it will regulate safety measures and take action on accidents, he added. The second company will look after ML-1, the third company will take care of railways track and be solely supervised by the government, while fourth and fifth companies will deal with freight and passenger issues, respectively.

The FEBR chief also hailed the package that has been prepared to make Pakistan Steel Mills functional. Under the package the PSM will be handed over to a private company to enhance its production by up to three million tons, which is a good news.

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KARACHI - Opener Imran Butt revealed the jersey of Pakistan Shaheens for the New Zealand tour in a Youtube video.

Butt, who had named in the 35-members squad for the tour, said it was exciting for him to be named in Pakistan’s squad for the first time.

“It was overwhelming cum exciting for me that I got a chance in Pakistan’s squad,” he said. “Here, I am unveiling the jersey of Pakistan Shaheens and I am so excited to wear Pakistani star on my chest,” he added.

It must be noted that the men’s team is scheduled to play three T20Is and two Tests while Shaheens will play five T20s and two four-day matches. The green shirts will travel to New Zealand on November 23.

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He recalled that Armenia is currently going through a domestic crisis “which is natural because a military defeat, let alone such a humiliating one”

BAKU – Baku is ready to establish normal relations with “sensible forces” in Armenia if they come to power, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said in an address to the nation following the restoration of Baku’s control over the Adgam region.

“Armenia is currently going through a domestic crisis, which is natural because a military defeat, let alone such a humiliating one, may lead to protests in any country. If sensible forces come to power in Armenia after the crisis is over, we will be ready to establish normal relations with them,” Aliyev pointed out. According to him, it will be possible if Armenia “makes the right choice and improves relations with its neighbors.”

“As the country’s President and Commander-in-Chief, I am interested in making sure that animosity ends in our home region of South Caucasus and normal business relations are established,” the Azerbaijani president noted. “I said during the war that we have no issues with the Armenian people. We did not carry out an ethnic cleansing against them like they did against us. We did not destroy their historic sites, we protect them,” Aliyev stressed.

Renewed clashes between Azerbaijan and Armenia erupted on September 27, with intense battles raging in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The conflict over the disputed territory, primarily populated by ethnic Armenians, broke out in February 1988 after the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Region announced its withdrawal from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. In 1992-1994, tensions boiled over and exploded into large-scale military action for control over the enclave and seven adjacent territories after Azerbaijan lost control of them.

On November 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement on a complete ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh starting from November 10. The Russian leader said that Azerbaijan and Armenia would maintain the positions that they had held and Russian peacekeepers would be deployed to the region.

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 21 – Center of Global and Strategic Studies (CGSS) Islamabad, Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WCCI), Lahore Division, and Uzbekistan Business Women Association, Tashkent jointly organized the Online Training Week on “Pakistan-Uzbekistan Women Entrepreneurs in Textile Industry” on Saturday.

The session aimed to bring together business experts and women entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan and Pakistan on one platform to discuss and exchange ideas for the strengthening of bilateral ties between the business communities of both countries.

The session was commenced with a panel discussion with speakers from Uzbekistan and Pakistan and was moderated by Ms. Palwasha Nawaz, Project Executive, CGSS & Director, Women Wing, Uzbekistan Pakistan Business Council, and Ms. Odilbekova Dilnoza Muradalievna, Business Coach, Association of Business Women, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

The discussion was initiated by Ms. Yunusova Zamira Gafarova from Uzbekistan. She stated that it is very important to develop a relationship between the entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Uzbekistan. In the past few years, the bilateral ties are increasing and we are thankful to our friends in Pakistan and Uzbekistan. She mentioned they had a successful interaction with women entrepreneurs of Lahore during the fashion week. She appreciated the session and suggested that we must organize more joint online conferences as well.

Ms. Qaisra Sheikh, Coordinator, Women Entrepreneur Seat, FPCCI highlighted that Pakistan is one of the largest manufacturers in the Textile industry. It is one of the most important sectors for the economy of Pakistan. She mentioned that because the wave of COVID-19 is much lesser in Pakistan compared to other countries, Pakistan has been receiving many international orders. She also stated that the Pakistan government has given important initiatives to the Women Chambers. She emphasized that Pakistan and Uzbekistan must work together for trade enhancements and inter-governmental projects in various sectors. Uzbekistan is the best cotton producer and Pakistan is the best in manufacturing we should combine our strengths to enhance our economies.

Prof Dr. Ahmed Bilal, Head of Design Department, College of Arts and Design, Punjab University, Lahore discussed that there are a lot of things and aspects that must be shown and displayed on the mainstream media. Talking about the media perspective he mentioned that we are searching for inspiring stories from the women entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan and Pakistan that display the culture and of both countries. He highlighted that it is important to share stories of both sides so students can relate to the textile and entrepreneurs of Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

Ms. Shah Bano, CEO Malkani & Shahbano Official, Pakistan suggested initiating exchange programs for the designers of Pakistan and Uzbekistan. She stated that this may help in better understanding the culture and traditional designs of Uzbekistan.

Ms. Shah Bano emphasized that the government of Uzbekistan and Pakistan should collaborate to initiate a brand that represents the cultures of both countries. She also advised the panel for increased online platforms for better people to people contact.

Ms. Kamola Tashmatov, Senior Researcher, Institute of History, Uzbekistan, discussed the history of the textile industry in Uzbekistan. She discussed that since the beginning of time, Uzbekistan has been on the main route of the Silk Road. She highlighted that the Uzbek cotton and Uzbek fabrics are famous globally, and we will be glad to further strengthen our trade with Pakistan.

Ms. Asna Mubashara, Assistant Professor of Textile Design, College of Arts & Design, Punjab University, Lahore highlighted the significance of involving academia in discussions. She stated that Punjab University, Lahore is one of the oldest institutions in the region and we have talented students who are willing to showcase their work in Uzbekistan. She invited entrepreneurs from Uzbekistan to visit Punjab University, Lahore, and interact with the students and faculty of the College of Arts and Designs.

Dr. Naeela Aamir, Associate Professor, College of Arts & Design, University of Lahore discussed the similarities between the cultured and languages of Uzbekistan and Pakistan. She suggested exchange programs for the students and professors of Pakistan to visit Uzbekistan and learn about the culture and traditions there. She also Welcomed faculty members from Uzbekistan’s Universities to Punjab University, Lahore so students in Pakistan can be familiarized with the cultural significance of specific colors motifs, and symbolism in Uzbekistan’s textile and fashion.

Prof. Dr. Samina Nasim, Head of Fine Arts Department, University College of Arts & Design, appreciated the discussion and highlighted that students and professors must learn about the new techniques and technologies in the textile industry. She specifically suggested increasing the exchange of information from the experts in Uzbekistan and Pakistan through symposiums, seminars, joint workshops, lectures, and interactive sessions.

Mr. Nadeem Alam, Assistant Professor, College of Arts & Design, Punjab University, Lahore stated that the academia of Uzbekistan and Pakistan must introduce textile designing as a subject from the primary level. He stated that students should know about the basic and simple techniques, designs, and knowledge regarding this sector. He further suggested that students from Pakistan and Uzbekistan should be introduced to the cultural similarities of both countries for enhanced cooperation in the textile and academic sector.

Mr. Jasur Saidahmedov, Third Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan discussed the statistics of Pakistan and Uzbekistan trade in the past few years. He discussed that we have seen a significant rise in the trade volume. He further suggested that Uzbekistan is willing to trade its finest cotton and fabric as well to partners in Pakistan.

The women entrepreneurs and business community from the Republic of Uzbekistan highly appreciated the panelists from Pakistan and welcomed all kinds of cooperation in the field of textile, fashion, and academia as well. They extended gratitude to the Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad, Pakistan for organizing this informative session.

The session was concluded by closing remarks of  Lt. Col Saadullah Tashmatov, Chargé d’affaires, Embassy of Uzbekistan, Pakistan. He stated that this online training week was a milestone in developing relations between the entrepreneur and business communities of Pakistan and Uzbekistan. He highlighted that Pakistan and Uzbekistan enjoy brotherly ties and we look forward to enhancing them further with the help of our women entrepreneurs of Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

Ms. Minahil Shawal Afridi, Research Executive, CGSS in her concluding remarks, thanked the panelists and participants from Pakistan and Uzbekistan and stated that CGSS will be organizing more conferences and seminars for our sisters in Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

The Online Training Week was concluded by presenting certificates of appreciation to the organizers including, Ms. Odilbekova Dilnoza Muradalievna, Business Coach, Association of Business Women, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Ms. Kamola Tashmatov, Senior Researcher, Institute of History, Uzbekistan and Ms. Palwasha Nawaz, Project Executive, CGSS & Director, Women Wing, Uzbekistan Pakistan Business Council.

The online training session was attended by 70 participants from Uzbekistan and Pakistan including women entrepreneurs and business experts.

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 21 – The work of Capital Development Authority (CDA) on the restoration of infrastructure and provision of facilities to the masses of the city is continued.

According to a press release of the CDA, the projects upon which the authority has started work include provision of clean drinking water, production of new resources of water, carpeting of roads, repairing and restoration of footpaths, and restoration of street lights.

CDA is taking remarkable steps upon the special directions of the Chairman CDA to ensure the betterment of the life standard of the citizens. In this regard, the authority is taking steps for provision of clean drinking water in the first phase.

The old water pipes are being repaired, repairing of tube wells is also taking place, the work on restoration of the provision of water from Rawal dam is also underway, and the remarkable steps are being taken to improve the quality of drinking water, the PR added.

Besides this, the work on repairing of roads, footpaths, Kerb stone painting, lane marking is also going on to ensure the provision of best traveling facilities to the citizens. CDA’s officials are working in two shifts to complete the developmental work as soon as possible. Steps are being taken to restore the green character of capital.

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40-year-old to captain side in absence of Sarfaraz Ahmed

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has been reportedly named captain of Galle Gladiators for the 2020 edition of the Lanka Premier League.

Sources close to the matter reported that the franchise were considering to hand over the captaincy role to wicketkeeper batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed.

However, Sarfaraz will not be able to take part in the inaugural edition of the tournament as he is part of Pakistan squad which is touring New Zealand.  

Afridi will be leading the unit which includes star players like Mohammad Amir, Azam Khan, Chadwick Walton, Milinda Siriwardena, Lakshan Sandakan and Shehan Jayasuriya.

The 20-over tournament will be contested from November 26 to December 16 in Hambantota, Sri Lanka.

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