FARUKH SHEHZAD

ISLAMABAD, MAY 25: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Microsoft Pakistan have announced 2 Pakistani National winners for Microsoft Student hackathon. 

The judges were impressed by the incredible breadth of ideas and the technology that brought them to life in the Virtual Semifinals held in Pakistan. 

Team “QueryCity” from FAST NUCES Peshawar Campus and Team “AI Based Ophthalmology Grading” from NUST CEME Rawalpindi have fetch the crown to represented Pakistan at world finals. 

The National Winners have been awarded with Rupees 100,000 cash prize each and as a World Finalist both teams also received USD 1,000 in Azure credits. 

The runner-up teams have also been given cash prices and Gift hampers which includes 12 Regionals winners from North, Center, South and Teams from Baluchistan. 

The announcement came in a virtual event held in Islamabad in which i, Federal Minister of Education Shafqat Mehmood, Microsoft Country Manager Shahzad Khan, Microsoft Country Education Lead Jibran Jamshad, Education Lead MCC Ms. Angela Nganga and other senior Management took part.

As an initiative of the Strategic Partnership with Higher Education Commission; Microsoft Pakistan & HEC reached out to more than 100 campuses through multiple virtual campaigns in a bid to create awareness around the competition which aligns with Microsoft’s global student competition – Imagine Cup.

This initiative resulted in record breaking project entries (600+) in this competition, almost double the number from 2019. 

A lot of remote and underprivileged areas were targeted specifically in the drive for this competition. Students were initially evaluated in regional finals, held virtually and the best teams competed to win the National Finals. 

Federal Minister of Education Mr. Shafqat Mehmood praised HEC and Microsoft Pakistan contribution in providing such platforms that encourage bright minds to show case their talent and present innovative solutions to most complex problems of the modern world. 

He further said “The Government is committed to the well-being of Pakistani youth, as it considers them a national asset. Competition like these plays vital role in bringing best out of our young talented minds and project them at global stage”.

Executive Director HEC Dr. Shaista Sohail shared her thoughts that “We have seen extremely innovative ideas coming in and many of the students, who have been participating in such competitions, have established their own start-ups which are now becoming multi-million-dollar companies.” 

Microsoft Country Education Lead Mr. Jibran said “This student hackathon competition is one of Microsoft’s efforts to transform skill development, nurture budding technologists and foster collaboration. 

It is all about innovation, transformation and what comes next. The talent we have in Pakistan is phenomenal and such competitions only help highlight this raw talent and give them a platform to reach the global community. 

I believe we will encourage these students to compete in the 2022 Imagine Cup which aims to cultivate a spirit of social and technological entrepreneurship, empowering students to use their creativity to address real societal problems through technology”.

Over the past 19 years, more than two million competitors have signed up for Microsoft’s global student technology competition to build something that matters to them, make a difference in their communities, and innovate for impact. 

In the 2021 Imagine Cup, the brightest young minds worked together virtually for a chance to win USD75,000 and to reimagine solutions to solve today’s global challenges in four categories: Earth, Education, Health, and Lifestyle and we look forward to supporting these great minds to enter in next year’s competition.

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BAKU, MAY 25: Chairman of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping has sent a letter of congratulations to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

“On behalf of the government and people of the People's Republic of China and on my own behalf, I am honored to extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you and the friendly people of Azerbaijan on the occasion of your country’s national holiday - the Republic Day,” the Chinese leader said in his letter.

“The China-Azerbaijan relations are experiencing dynamic progress. Our countries support each other on issues of mutual interest.

Xi Jinping: China-Azerbaijan relations are experiencing dynamic progress

The cooperation between our countries as part of the joint "Belt and Road" project continues to deepen, considerable results have been achieved in the joint fight against the COVID-19 pandemic,” Xi Jinping noted. “I attach special importance to the development of China-Azerbaijan relations.

 I am ready to make joint efforts together with you to ensure the further development of our friendly relations and cooperation to the benefit of our countries and peoples.”

“I wish you the best of health and success in all your endeavors, and the friendly Azerbaijan and its people prosperity and happiness.”

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EU leaders agreed to cut air links with Belarus on Monday, as leader Alexander Lukashenko's regime paraded a dissident journalist arrested after his flight was forced to land in Minsk.

BRUSSELS, MAY 25: European Union leaders agreed on Monday to impose more sanctions on Belarus, including economic ones, called on their airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace and authorised work to ban Belarusian airlines from European skies and airports.

Meeting in Brussels, the 27 National leaders of the bloc demanded an immediate release of dissident journalist Roman Protasevich, as well as an investigation by the International Organization for Civilian Aviation into a Sunday incident during which Belarus forced a Ryanair flight to land in Minsk.

"We are closing our airspace to planes from Belarus and call on EU airlines not to fly over the country," said the head of the bloc's executive, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. "Further economic sanctions will be presented soon."

EU leaders agree to pile more sanctions on Belarus over Ryanair incident

The EU currently has a travel ban and an asset freeze in place on 88 Belarusians, including Alexander Lukashenko, and 7 companies, over Minsk's crackdown on protests following a contested presidential election last year.

Further individual sanctions could target oligarchs bank-rolling Lukashenko, diplomats said.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said the new restrictions must be put in place immediately.

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COURTESY Anews

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ISLAMABAD, MAY 25: A new private airline named ‘North Air’ has been provided with the TPRI (Tourism Promotion and Regional Integration) license by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). This new airline in Pakistan is reportedly planned to operate flights for a few major cities in the northern areas including Gilgit, Skardu, Chitral as well as the emerging port city of Gwadar in the south. 

North Air will initially operate flights between the capital city of Islamabad and all of the aforementioned destinations. The airline will be headquartered at the New Islamabad International Airport.

“North Air” New Airline Launched To Boost Tourism In Pakistan

There are three more private airlines that are due to be launched in Pakistan soon. The CAA is in the process of providing these airlines with their Regular Public Transport (RPT) after scrutinising their operation models. Q-Airlines, Fly Jinnah, and Jet Green are expected to start domestic flight operations in the near future.

The launch of these new airlines will take the number of private airlines operating in Pakistan to seven. As of now, Air North, SereneAir, Airblue, and AirSial are operating in the local private airline industry, mostly handling domestic flights as well as a few international flights. 

According to the new CAA regulations, private airlines would only become eligible for international flights after completing one year successfully with at least a fleet of three aircraft.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), which is the country’s national flag carrier, has also recently commenced direct flight operations from Lahore to the northern areas of Pakistan.  The PIA is using Airbus A-320 aircraft for the flight operation to Skardu. The fare of this flight starts from PKR 7,500 per person.

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COURTESY whenwherehow

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With some input from Farukh Shehzad / Editor-In-Chief

The Pakistani celebrity Mahira Khan recently on May 23 spotted on middle of the road making dance moves openly.

Mahira Khan has been setting up wrong trend and culture for young Pakistani girls by dancing on the middle of the road.

Mahira Khan is Muslim lady and for a Muslim lady is not allowed dancing openly and secretly at any stage of the life.

Mahira Khan dancing on middle of the road is purely against the Islamic values as well.

If Pakistani young girls start following dance moves of Mahira Khan on middle of the road so they will be start diverting from the path of truth.

We need to save the future of our Muslim girls to give them better results in the life to come. To achieve this target PTI govt should take legal action against the women dancing on middle of the road.

This is purely an Islamic country and it is not the European Country…  For Reminder!

Mahira Khan should also rethink about her recent act and should not repeat it in the days to come.

Earlier, Mahira Khan danced in the middle of the road and her video had gone viral on the social networking websites.

Mahira Khan said some loose character words too like, “Cuz if you lose that.. you’re nothin’, in which the actor said not to lose the craziness because if you lose that you would be nothing.

So, immediate action is need by the govt authorities to stop women dancing on middle of the road acts, trends and culture.

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ISLAMABAD, MAY 24: Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training, Islamabad, Pakistan: As the pandemic spread globally, schools all over the world were challenged with an unprecedented dilemma. 

Educational institutions became potential hubs of covid19 spread and were shut down. As per UNICEF, more 168 Million Children have been forced to stay out of school for more than a year missing integral years of education. 

This led to an urgent technological disruption creating a new era of virtual schooling allowing children to continue education using the power of the internet. Teachers had to bring themselves up to speed to new ways of engaging and imparting knowledge to children of all ages. 

The majority of teachers had not yet been properly equipped with the knowledge and certification needed to teach remotely and digitally. 

To address this issue, the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training joined hands with Tech Valley and Google to scale up the Google for Education pilot program in government schools across Islamabad.

Under the pilot program previously, Tech Valley Pakistan’s Google certified team added and incorporated 4500+ students and 500+ faculty members in Google for Education Admin Portal. 

100+ teachers from all the schools were trained on how to use Google tools to carry out distance and digital learning at their schools, and more than 20 Google classrooms were activated in schools across  Islamabad. 

After the success of the pilot program, Google has decided to step up the program and partner up with the Ministry to revamp 450 more schools & colleges in Islamabad. 

Nick Bauer, Public Policy Manager at Google, said, “We would like to thank the Ministry of Education for giving us this opportunity to demonstrate how Pakistani students and teachers can achieve learning outcomes with Google Workspace for Education’s free suite of tools. 

The tools are specifically designed to make collaboration easier, streamline instruction, and keep your learning environment secure.” 

To officially launch the program, an MOU was signed between the parties at the Ministry of Federal Education where representatives from Google, Ministry and Tech Valley Were present. 

In this regard, Federal Secretary for Education, Farah Hamid, said, “We have a great working relationship with Tech Valley Pakistan projects and look forward to scaling up this program. 

In the future, we hope to include more Google programs and build a long term relationship with Google to work in the digitising of the education sector”.

Umar Farooq, CEO Tech Valley Pakistan said, “Our team is extremely excited to digitize the government education institutes of Islamabad as per the vision of Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan. 

Throughout the pilot project, Google & Ministry of Education have been highly supportive in transforming the schools & colleges of Islamabad.”

The Ministry of Federal Education has been putting in constant efforts throughout the pandemic to safeguard the student’s future and their educational interests along with putting their lives on priority. 

The present government is extremely invested in different Ed-tech initiatives and it has been included in core plans of government policy. 

COVID has triggered technology intervention and digitizing the schools with Google tools will help ensure the safety of the students as well as enable them to continue learning in a distant virtual environment even after the pandemic.

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KARACHI, MAY 24: CEO Asif Peer has announced a new initiative of Systems Limited where the company will collaborate with The Citizens Foundation (TCF) to provide underprivileged students with a chance to attain formal education. 

As part of the company’s CSR drive, the initiative is geared towards promoting meaningful educational programs that bring about an empowering social impact for the community.

Systems Limited Joins Hands with Citizens Foundation 

The first-of-its-kind initiative will see Pakistan’s premier technology organization join hands with one of the largest privately owned networks of low-cost formal schools in Pakistan. 

It all started with the exchange of Eid greeting letters between the management of Systems Limited and TCF students. 

While the letters exchanged warm, positive messages of staying hopeful during these testing times, one of them revealed a student’s wish to have a secondary school in his hometown of Burewala, Punjab, so that he could pursue his studies further. 

This wholesome exchange was picked up by the social media influencers like Dua Amjad, Tasmiah Khan, Hibbah Waqar, Haddiya Azer and Kompal Iqbal, and ultimately resulted in Systems Limited’s management deciding to help these young children fulfill their dreams.

“I’m committing to you all that we’ll be building a school in Burewala with TCF, who have done wonders in educating masses of needy kids. 

We would like to participate in their initiative and this won’t be the only school.

We’ll continue doing this because this is our future and as a responsible organization, we will continue to do such CSR activities,” said Asif Peer in a heartfelt video response to Dua Amjad, who is famous on social media for her strong association with the education sector. 

Literacy plays a huge role in the development and progress of any country. It strengthens the youth with knowledge, which fuels a culture of innovation and growth.

Systems Limited Joins Hands with Citizens Foundation 

At just 58%, Pakistan’s literacy rate is low as compared to the neighboring countries China (80%), India (74%), and Iran (85%). 

This considerably limits opportunities towards acquiring skills and technical knowledge to achieve higher productivity and financial growth. Over 60% of Pakistan’s total population resides in rural areas which don’t have proper access to formal education. 

Such initiatives are instrumental in promoting education and increasing the country’s overall literacy rate which will result in better employment opportunities and economic growth.

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ISLAMABAD, MAY 24: Samrah Enterprises commemorates the launch of Dandy in an exclusive event held at Naheed Supermarket on the 22nd of May.

The announcement was made at the event, by Mishal M. A. A. Al –Ansari, Consul General of the State of Qatar who graced the occasion as Chief Guestand inaugurated the launch of Dandy.

The event was attended by top management officials from all the key partners along with other dignitaries and eminent businessmen.

Dandy is one of Qatar’s number one selling ice cream brands. The event highlighted how Dandy offers a wide range of ice cream flavors with a unique twist. They offer cube-shaped ice cream pieces which is a completely different take on the product.

At the occasion, Munsub Abrar, Director of Naheed Supermarket, said, “The event was a huge success. 

It’s an honor to host it as it is a step to further strengthen bilateral relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and The State of Qatar.”

Samrah Enterprises Latest Brand Dandy Launches in Pakistan

SamrahMunsub, Director Samrah Enterprises, also added, “We’re extremely humbled and proud of not only hosting this great event but also of the fact that the ConsulGeneral, Mishal M. A. A. Al –Ansari, was able to join us and help us commemorate the launch of our latest brand. 

We believe that this is a great move ahead to strengthen ties between the two states.”

Sheikh Mansour Bin Mohammad Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Dandy Company Ltd said, “It gives us great pleasure to launch the ice cream range of Dandy in Pakistan. 

From using the choicest ingredients to getting the perfect flavour combinations, we promise our consumers a delectable ice cream experience.”  

M. Salman, VP Marketing, Samrah Enterprises, added, “After a lot of market research and trying out different products, we have now introduced an exclusive product and added it to our vast portfolio. 

We are committed to bringing new and unique products for our customers to entice their taste buds. This is such a perfect model of partnership between the Qatar and Pakistani market.”

His Excellency Mishal M. A. A. Al –Ansari, Consul General of the State of Qatar, further added, “This is not only a proud moment for Dandy as a brand, but a matter of immense pleasure for the State of Qatar. 

Dandy is considered to be our number one selling ice cream brand and the fact that it is now being introduced in Pakistan is very exciting for Pakistani consumers as well. We hope this collaboration will help strengthen the friendship between our two states.”

The event was a collaboration between Samrah Enterprises and Naheed Supermarket. All the flavors offered by Dandy BON BON and Premium range will be available for purchase at Naheed Supermarket in store and online. 

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ISLAMABAD, MAY 23: Palestinian Ambassador Ahmed Rabei on Sunday conveyed his gratitude on behalf of the Palestinian people for the solidarity and support shown to the Palestinian cause by the Pakistani people, government and political leadership.

In a statement, Rabei said: "On behalf of the Palestinian people [...] let me express our sincere gratitude to the brotherly people of Pakistan [...] for their solidarity with the Palestinians, for their courageous efforts to support our cause for a free and independent state of Palestine.

"I want to convey my heartfelt gratitude for their remarkable efforts to support the Palestinian freedom and condemn the Israeli atrocities being carried out against innocent and unarmed Palestinians while urging the international community to take concrete and immediate steps for the resolution of the Palestine issue," he said.

He added that Pakistan's efforts for speaking up and pushing for an emergency session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and for the UN General Assembly were "greatly appreciated".

"Pakistan played an important role in building, steering the discussion and building a consensus. This historical act will be remembered, not only by the Palestinians, but by the entire world," he wrote.

The ambassador added that Palestine Solidarity Day — which was observed on May 21 — as well as the unanimous resolution passed by the National Assembly condemning Israel's systematic oppression of the Palestinians would also not be forgotten.

"I convey warm regards to many delegates from the government, parliament, Pakistani non-governmental organisations and from different parties who have visited the embassy to express their solidarity.

"We thank you all for sparing your valuable time in order to show solidarity with us during this difficult time that we went through due to the series of attacks by Israeli occupation forces on innocent people, illegal settlement of the Israelis, and forced evictions of Palestinians.

"All these acts are serious violations of human rights and International law. It’s a real humanitarian crisis," said the ambassador.

"I am extremely grateful to all the people of Pakistan for the unwavering support you have given to Palestinians, your message of unity has strengthened and encouraged the spirits and boosted the morale of the beleaguered Palestinians.

"Although the war on Gaza ended but our struggle to get our freedom continues. By working with our Pakistani brothers side-by-side we will free Palestine and and we all will pray together in Al Aqsa mosque in Al Quds Al Sharif, the capital of Palestine," said Rabei.

Responding to the statement, the Foreign Office said on Twitter: "Pakistan will continue to steadfastly support the brotherly people of Palestinian territories till they get their legitimate rights."

Earlier today, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan supported the UN Security Council statement welcoming the announcement of a ceasefire.

"Equally, the statement’s call for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians and for a comprehensive peace based on a two state solution is imperative," he said.

"Indeed the #UNSC statement’s recognition of the role of regional countries, of which the government and people of Pakistan played an important part, is important. China, Norway and Tunisia are admirable for persisting in securing this statement. Let us unite for #PeaceInPalestine," he said.

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ISLAMABAD, MAY 23: Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS) comprehensively highlighted the role of Turkey and Central Asian states in the socio-economic development of Afghanistan and praised their extensive support to bring peace into the region.

WASHINGTON, MAY 23: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told US lawmakers on Saturday that Pakistan was seeking a broad-based, strategic partnership with America, which would also cover Afghanistan.

In virtual meetings with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the foreign minister invited a group of 15 US lawmakers to visit Pakistan in June for consultations with their Pakistani counterparts and officials on how to improve bilateral relations.

During his meeting with the members of the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Mr Qureshi stressed the need for “a broad-based strategic partnership” that looks after the interests of both countries, said a statement issued after the meeting.

“Such a partnership will improve bilateral ties and will also help protect mutual interests within the South Asian region,” he said.

Encouraging regional trade and development would also be good for US-Pakistan ties, he added.

The foreign minister highlighted Pakistan’s efforts for promoting “a peaceful political settlement” in Afghan­istan. “Peace in Afghanistan is a collective responsibility of all Afghan groups and of key external stakeholders” he said.

Members of the House Subcommittee appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace in Afghanistan and praised the role of the Pakistani-American community in promoting US-Pakistan relations, said another statement issued after the meeting.

In a separate meeting with another group of lawmakers, the foreign minister discussed the importance of regional peace and security in South Asia and suggested strengthening people-to-people ties with the United States.

Later, the foreign minister told journalists that he also discussed the Covid-19 situation with American lawmakers, informing them that the country had enough vaccines for now but may needed more to fight back the pandemic.

Mr Qureshi suggested maintaining regular virtual contact with American lawmakers to keep them informed of the regional situation, particularly of the developments in Afghanistan.

The foreign minister’s meeting with the lawmakers followed a congressional hearing on Afghanistan in Washington last week.

During the hearing, several US lawmakers and America’s chief negotiator for Afghanistan, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, discussed Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process.

They also discussed a recent claim by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that bringing peace to Afghanistan now was “first and foremost a matter of getting Pakistan on board” as the withdrawal of US troops would greatly reduce America’s influence in the country. “The US now plays only a minor role. The question of peace or hostility is now in Pakistani hands,” Mr Ghani said.

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a California Democrat, read Mr Ghani’s quote during the hearing and asked Ambassador Khalilzad “what specifically are you doing to ensure” that Pakistan continued supporting the US peace plan?

“I know there are challenges inside Pakistan, but I believe that Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s last visit to Kabul was positive. They have discussed some steps that the two sides will take … to improve bilateral relations…,” he said.

Congressman Ted Lieu, another California Democrat and a former US Air Force colonel, asked if Pakistan was so important for the success of the Afghan peace process, why was it not being treated accordingly.

“It seems to be disrespectful to not have invited the Pakistani leader to a climate summit (in Washington earlier this year) when the leaders of India and Bangladesh were invited,” he said.

“Of course, you are right. Pakistan is an important country. We have had periods of great cooperation with Pakistan. And Pakistan has a critical role to play in Afghanistan going forward and in a number of other issues,” Ambassador Khalilzad replied.

Responding to a question about this congressional hearing, Mr Qureshi said Pakistan plans to maintain regular contact with US lawmakers.

If the UN General Assembly held a physical meeting this year, Pakistan would invite some lawmakers to New York for a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said, and another group would be invited to visit Pakistan in October.

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