FARUKH SHEHZAD

TOKYO/ISLAMABAD, NOV 25: Japanese government has appointed Mitsuhiro Wada as its new ambassador to Pakistan. He recently completed his term in Hong Kong as Consul General. 

The diplomatic circles are seeing the appointment of Wada, a career diplomat, in Pakistan as a very significant development, indicating the Japanese government's interest in the multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Known as the expert on CPEC, it is believed that Wada has been given a task by his government to explore avenues of cooperation and joint ventures in the corridor project. 

On previous occasions also, Japan has hinted investment especially in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) being established under the CPEC. 

The Incumbent Ambassador Matsuda has left Pakistan after completing his tenure, during which, relations between Pakistan and Japan touched new heights.

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Courtesy Daily Times

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BAKU, NOV 24: Shusha will be declared the cultural capital of the Turkic world in 2023, Minister of Culture Anar Karimov said, speaking at the conference ‘Great return: Revival of culture.’

“The announcement will be made at the TURKSOY session. Events will be held with the participation of all of our Turkic-speaking brothers,” the minister said.

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 24: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is commencing final examinations of programs offered in spring 2021 semester including MA, MSc, M Com, MBA, MLIS, M Ed and PGDs from December 2, 2021.

It is pertinent to mention here that these examinations were previously scheduled to be held from December 2, 2021 which were postponed due to some unavoidable circumstances.

Revised date sheet and roll number slips will be uploaded on the university website (www.aiou.edu.pk) soon and same are being dispatched to the students as well. Roll number slips, downloaded from the university website, would be acceptable in the examination halls.

Examination centres have been established in the nearby vicinities of the students and at the union council level to facilitate them upon the special directives of the Vice Chancellor, AIOU.

Moreover, examinations schedule for MSc (face to face) programs is being finalized and it would be uploaded on the university website soon.

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 24: Nearly a million children in Pakistan will not return to their classrooms due to the COVID-19 crisis. TCF is committed to bringing these children back into their classrooms and reigniting their dreams. 

This Season of Giving, make a gift for education and give less privileged children the joy of dreaming again. Donate now: https://link.tcf.org.pk/3r5tvVv

#TCFGivingSeason

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BAKU, NOV 23: Azerbaijan is moving rapidly towards the reintegration of the liberated territories, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov said in a video message posted on the Twitter page of Antalya Diplomatic Forum.

“As a result of the 44-day Patriotic War last year, we liberated our lands from the Armenian occupation. The victory opens a new era in the history of my country, restored international justice and the rights of 1 million people, forced to flee their homes,” he said.

“We are now facing the new task of demining and restoration of our liberated territories. We are moving rapidly on the way towards the reintegration of the liberated territories. In the nearest future, we will witness the return of the first families of the displaced persons to their homes,” Bayramov said.

The foreign minister expressed hope that lasting peace and stability would be established in the South Caucasus.

“Azerbaijan will continue efforts to strengthen peace, stability, and prosperity in the region,” he said.

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Courtesy report.az

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DUBAI, NOV 23: Dubai Cricket Council Chairman Abdul Rahman Falaknaz has offered to host Pakistan-India bilateral cricket series — almost a month after the arch-rivals played an ICC T20 World Cup match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The recently-concluded T20 World Cup, claimed by Australia, was staged across three venues — Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi — in the UAE while some matches of the preliminary round matches were played in Oman.

“The best thing would be to get India-Pakistan matches here. When Sharjah used to host India and Pakistan all those years ago, it was like a war. But it was a good war, it was a sporting war and it was fantastic,” Falaknaz was quoted.

Owing to political tensions, Pakistan and India haven’t played bilateral cricket series since 2013, when the Green Shirts visited India to play three T20s and two One Day Internationals. “I remember [Bollywood actor] Raj Kapoor came once with his family. During the awards night, he took the mic and said, ‘How wonderful it is to have these India-Pakistan battles in Sharjah. Cricket brings people together, cricket has brought us together and let us remain this way,’” recalled the DCC chief.

“So this is what we would like to do. If we can convince India to come and play here against Pakistan once a year or twice a year, it would be fantastic.”

‘India welcome to play IPL matches in Dubai’

The DCC chief also expressed willingness to host more Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in future.

“In 2014, when they shifted the IPL to the UAE due to elections, we gave them a warm reception. It all depends on the BCCI to decide what they want to do,” Falaknaz recalled.

“We are very friendly with them,” he said, adding that the BCCI had seen “our potential in 2014 and more this year. In 2014, they played 20 matches. Out of the 20 matches, 19 were fully sold”.

“So, I would invite BCCI to come and hold their IPL matches. Even if it is part of IPL to start here and finish in India or to start in India and finish in Dubai,” he suggested.

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Courtesy Dawn News

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ISLAMABAD, NOV: Zonergy Solar development Pakistan has actively participated in 17th International Trade and Industrial Fair of Pakistan. The 3 days exhibition is organized by E-commerce pvt Ltd which has witness leading traders and manufacturers from the industry who displayed their top-of-the-line products.

Zonergy Showcased its Portable devices, Panels, On-grid and Hybrid Inverters and heating plates for visitors to experience our products. The event is graced by Governor Sindh Mr. Imran Ismail and Ministry of Commerce Mr. Dawood Ibrahim who visited the booths and appreciated the participants. They visited Zonergy Booth along with others booths to get brief about company products.

The Exhibition witness massive crowd from leading Industry producers and distributors. Center of attention is Zonergy Booth which has provided products experience and customer dealing to more than hundreds potential business Clients.

The various renowned companies from Solar Energy Sector, SME, Engineering firms and existing customers approached Zonergy to extend business cooperation. Some of the leading firms senior representatives shown interest in collaboration with Zonergy.

The 3 Days Exhibition attracted 5000 visitors from the industry to forge partnership and sign business deals. The Electronic Media channels provided extensive coverage to event in which Zonergy Sales Lead from South, Central and North region brief the TV channels about Zonergy projects and company footprint in Pakistani Market. 

Zonergy Team have taken lead in the exhibition to represent Zonergy as leading Solar brand of Pakistan with largest renewable energy market share.

GM Sales Mr. Zhang appreciated the E-Commerce for organizing Industry oriented Exhibition he further said “The exhibition played vital role in bridging the gap between end user and the industry. 

It’s a good omen in Post COVID Scenario and provide opportunity to give first hand experience to end product users.

Zonergy always believe in providing experience base products to its customers and welcome the client feedbacks to offer best competitive solar solutions. We’ll continue our journey towards excellence to elevate the solar industry in Pakistan and ensure to raise the bar for highest standards.

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AIOU has offered admission in these programs in accordance with HEC 's
revised notification dealing with the subject matter.

HEC has granted special permission to the universities to invite
applications for admission in master's degree programs in the context of
COVID-19 pandemic till June 22.

Two-year MA Programs include M Com, History, Urdu, Islamiat, Arabic,
TEFL and Library and Information Sciences whereas M Sc programs include
Administrative Sciences, Economics, Sociology, Gender and Women Studies,
Mass Communication, Pakistan Studies as well as Public Nutrition and
Sustainable Environmental Design.

Moreover, one year M Ed programs include Elementary Teacher Education,
Special Education, Teacher Education and Science Education. On the other
hand, M Sc (face to face) programs include Physics, Chemistry,
Mathematics, Botany, Microbiology and Environmental Sciences.

It is pertinent to mention here overseas Pakistanis and foreigners can
also apply for admission in these programs. For international students,
these programs will be offered through university's uniquely customized
learning management system. All academic activities including
examinations will be conducted online.

However, Pakistani students will appear in face-to-face examinations.
Admission application forms and prospectuses for all programs are

ISLAMABAD, NOV 22: Since early 2020, Covid-19 put a stop to all social activities including fundraising events, across the globe. In Pakistan, education got a big hit! It became a challenge to continue the education process online for children in all educational institutions, in particular children of lower income groups. 

After a gap of nearly 2 years, the Supporters of TCF (STCF) organised an exciting event, Cycle For Change for much needed funds and support, in order to continue the journey of literacy. This was a wholesome and fun experience for individuals and members of leading cycling clubs of Karachi. The cyclists dedicated this day to cycle and raise funds for the children of TCF. Over 250 cyclists from Karachi as well as a few from Lahore participated in the event. 

They cycled early morning from Seaview and other areas of Karachi to TCF Qayummabad Campus where they met TCF students and took a tour of the school. They applauded the efforts of TCF to promote quality education in Pakistan and to nurture the dreams of the most deserving children.

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 22: Getz Pharma Pvt. Ltd.,in partnership withTabba Heart Institute, announced the launch of Pakistan Study of Premature Coronary Atherosclerosis in Young Adults (PAK- SEHAT)

Cardiovascular diseases continue to have a significant impact across the world among different populations. To address the issue of the rising health burden of ASCVD in Pakistan, Getz Pharma Pvt. Ltd and Tabba Heart Institute (THI) formally launched PAK-SEHAT- Pakistan Study of Premature Coronary Atherosclerosis in Young Adults, a nationwide study conducted through Pakistan's first state of art mobile lab. PAK SEHAT project is the largest, first-of-its-kind, longitudinal cohort study on Atherosclerotic Risk Assessment in Pakistani Population. This 10-year joint venture of Getz Pharma &THI (PAK SEHAT) will help determine risk factors for coronary heart disease so that early detection can be done and disease can be prevented rather than treated. 

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, causing approximately 32% of annual deaths. The risk of cholesterol-associated CVD varies among different ethnicities; however, the risk is four fold in the South Asian (SA) Population compared to other races. Furthermore, almost 75% of all CVD deaths are in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), where there are finite health resources and a multitude of health-seeking barriers. 

The state of heart diseases in Pakistan also reflects a concerning picture. According to the World Health Organization data published in 2018, coronary heart disease deaths in Pakistan reached 20% of total deaths, and Pakistan ranks 18 in cardiac mortality in the global ranking. Moreover, the numbers of potential CVD risk factors, including hypertension and diabetes, are also alarming in Pakistan, with 50% hypertension and 17.1% diabetes in the adult population. There is a drastic shift in CVD occurrence in young ages in the SA population, as evidenced by the groundbreaking INTERHEART study suggesting 10.6% of SA participants presented with a heart attack at <40 years of age. Therefore, this study primarily envisions screening the Pakistani individuals at a younger age to prevent increasing CVD burden in the future.

This study aims to recruit healthy volunteers <40 years of age, from selected urban and rural areas of Pakistan, who are asymptomatic and have no cardiovascular disease. This would allow for assessing the participants' risk factor profiles and follow them up for at least five years to document the incidence of ASCVD. The objectives of PAK SEHAT includes: 

1. To characterize the prevalence and severity of subclinical coronary atherosclerosis among young Pakistani men and women free of clinical CVD

2. To understand the impact, in terms of 5-year rates of cardiovascular events, by using the prognostic information provided by cardiac CTA and the other study tests and measurements to optimize cardiovascular prevention management in young Pakistanis.

While Pakistan is the second-most populous country in South Asia, most of the data on the prevalence of ASCVD from South Asian regions is derived from India. As a result, the Pakistani Population is highly underrepresented in global research, as there is currently no comprehensive database on the native Pakistani Population to assess the likelihood of developing ASCVD. Due to this high burden of disease, there is an urgent need for primary prevention and early screening for ASCVD in Pakistan. 

The findings from a study of this scale can provide groundbreaking results. It would help in informing future health policy targeting the native Pakistani Population, and it would allow early interventions for patients with risk of ASCVD from a younger age. Getz Pharma and Tabba Heart Institute are proud to lead an initiative of this scale with the aim to contribute to the growing research database in Pakistan and promote early screening and prevention for cardiovascular diseases in the country.

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