ISLAMABAD, FEB 9: Education in Pakistan is a topic of prime national importance. There can possibly be no two opinions about the fact that education is integral to the prosperity of our country.” 

These views were expressed by senior journalist ZarrarKhuhro while moderating the webinar, “Pakistan, Education & Agenda 2030” organized by Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA).

Panellists of the webinar included members of the Punjab assemblyUzmaKardar and Bushra Anjum Butt, senior journalist QuatrinaHosain and PYCA’s Executive Director Areebah Shahid. 

Areebah Shahid while sharing the findings of PYCA’s recently published whitepaper, “Public Investment in Education: An Appraised of SDG 4” pointed out, “SDG-4 talks about equitable education for all. 

Our whitepaper noted that the education departments/ministries and the SDG secretariats across the country were working in isolation. Owing to this Pakistan is yet to devise a mechanism that would allow the progress made under SDG-4 to be effectively gauged.” 

She also shared that the targets that Pakistan had set for itself under SDG-4 and the actual areas where education budgets were being allocated and spent did not have much in common.

Speaking about the role of the opposition in furthering the education agenda, PML (N)’s MPA Bushra Anjum Butt shared, “Pakistan's education dilemma cannot be addressed in isolation. We require strong coordination between governmental departments, between the NGOs, and between the provinces.” 

Senior journalist, Quatrina Hosain urged the state to declare an education emergency throughout the country. 

“We need to have an emergency declared for education. This should be followed by each MNA and MPA taking the responsibility of monitoring the schools in their respective constituencies. In all likability, this will quickly turn things around for the better.”

Chairperson of the provincial Standing Committee on Gender Mainstreaming, MPA UzmaKardaracknowledged that girls’ access to education across Punjab remained a challenge. 

“We are conscious of and committed to ensuring that greater resources are allocated to bring and retain more girls at the secondary level.” 

She also stated that the first step in this direction would have to be the allocation of greater resources for education. 

“We can't make any substantial difference at the current rate at which Pakistan is investing in its education system.”

The webinar was part of PYCA’s “Invest in Education, Strengthen Pakistan” campaign.

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ISLAMABAD, FEB 9: An agreement has been signed between AAA Octa and Kingcrete Builder at AAA Associates’ head Office, Phase 7, Bahria Town. 

The signing was done between Chief Strategy & Development Officer of AAA Octa and CEO of AAA Builders Mr. Farooq Bashir and Kingcrete’s General Manager Mr. Khurram Naseer. 

The agreement was witnessed by the high officials of both companies. AAA Associates Chairman Mr. Fawad Bashir, Managing Director Col. (R) Shahzad Kiani, Director Projects Engr. 

Anwar Ghani and Director Compliance Miss Nasira Bashir were present at the occasion. 

According to the agreement, Kingcrete Builder will be executing the construciton of grey structural work of AAA OCTA. 

Kingcrete is a leading engineering and project management company that is tasked by AAA Associates to lay foundation as per international standards. 

The overall duration of the project of completion of the grey structure is 18 months. 

Talking to the media, Chief Strategy & Development Officer of AAA Octa and CEO of AAA Builders Mr. Farooq Bashir has said, “After an extensive validation phase, we are happy to announce that all the necessary efforts are in place to in order to move into the next stage of the construction of AAA OCTA. 

For AAA Associates’ flagship project AAA OCTA we are trying our level best to take best of the best partner on board in order to ensure timely delivery with strict adherence to quality and specification” 

General Manager of Kingcrete Builder also lauded the mega project that will host a string of luxury amenities. He said, “AAA OCTA will be constructed by using best practices and Kingcrete Builder will utilize its rich experience in achieving the targeted result. 

We will work as a team where all the participants will work collaboratively in achieving the same goal which will maximize the utility of the project.”

Earlier another agreement was also signed between AAA Octa and Pearl Real Estate Holdings which conformed that Pearl Real Estate Holdings will provide the Management and Supervision Services for AAA Associate’s mega-project AAA OCTA hosting Pearl Continental Hotel.

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ISLAMABAD, FEB 9: Samrah Enterprises, the leading distribution company representing many international brands in Pakistan, has lived up to its name and has brought top American brands to Pakistan, in facilitation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). 

A simple yet impressive ceremony, held at Greenvalley Diplomatic Enclave Islamabad, was graced by Mr. Christopher Rittgers, USDA Agricultural Counselor, US Embassy Islamabad, Mr. John Coronado, Commercial Counselor U.S. Mission to Pakistan, Mr. Rashid Yaqoob Raja, Agricultural Marketing Specialist, U.S. Embassy Islamabad, along with Mrs SamrahMunsub, Founder Samrah Enterprises, and Munsub Abrar, Director Naheed Supermarket.

The new brands introduced at the ceremony, including the famous food brands Midamar Halal meat, Freshly, and Mission Foods, in The addition to Andalou Naturals in the Health & Beauty segment.

Expressing her joy, Samrah Munsub, the Founder and Director Samrah Enterprises, said “House of Samrah is known for introducing quality products, from all over the world, and today we are here to introduce top brands from the United States of America, which also includes our entry to the beauty segment, in addition to the Food products” Referring to the Andalou Naturals a wide range of organic beauty products. “We are thankful to the USDA for facilitating the whole process and making this launch possible”.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Rashid Yaqoob Raja, representing USDA, U.S. Embassy Islamabad said, “We came together with Samrah Enterprises to bring the top American brands to Pakistan. It will be available through E-commerce, as well as in selected stores throughout the country”.

The America Pakistan Business Development Forum, led by Syed Nasser Wajahat Co-Founder Global Secretary-General AMPAK BDF, and Muhammad AmanPir, President Diplomatic and political affairs AMPAK BDF, also attended the ceremony to extend their support to the launch of American products.

The attendees were presented with mouthwatering Wraps by Mission Foods, quality meat products of Midamar Halal Foods, and Freshly products, loved and praised by all.

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QUETTA, FEB 8: Prime Minister Imran Khan and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa reached Balochistan’s Naushki district on Tuesday, where four members of the armed forces, including an officer, were martyred last week during a terrorist attack on a security camp.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that the army chief will spend the day with troops and also meet those who repulsed the attack on February 2.

During his visit, Gen Bajwa will be briefed about the security situation in the area as well as operational preparedness of the formation to counter-terrorist activities.

In its statement, the ISPR said the army chief and the prime minister will both be given a comprehensive briefing later in the day. They will also meet local tribal elders, it added.

Earlier today, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry shared that the weekly meeting of the federal cabinet had been cancelled because of the premier’s Balochistan visit.

Paying tribute to the armed forces, he said, “Soldiers whose determination is higher than the mountains and passion deeper than the sea are our pride and respect. These sons of Pakistan are ready to sacrifice for the motherland.”

Naushki, Panjgur attacks

Terrorists had on Feb 2 attempted to attack security forces’ camps in Panjgur and Naushki in two separate incidents. However, security forces had repulsed both the attacks and killed 20 terrorists in a subsequent clearance operation.

In Panjgur, terrorists had tried to enter a security forces’ camp from two locations. “However, timely response by troops foiled their attempt. During intense exchange of fire one soldier embraced martyrdom,” the ISPR had said.

In Naushki, according to the ISPR, terrorists attempted to enter a Frontier Corps (FC) camp which was “promptly responded”, adding that four terrorists were killed as a result.

The statement had said one officer was injured during the shootout.

A day later, the ISPR said the clearance operation in Balochistan, which was launched after the attacks, had been completed.

A total of 20 terrorists were killed during operations following the attacks, the military’s media affairs wing had said in a statement, adding that nine security personnel had embraced martyrdom.

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Courtesy Dawn News

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 7: Pakistan and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Monday reiterated the importance of further strengthening and diversifying bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.

This was discussed during a meeting between President Dr Arif Alvi and the visiting Saudi Minister for Interior Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, at Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Welcoming the Saudi interior minister, the president said that both brotherly countries enjoyed excellent relationship which needed to be further cemented for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

He thanked KSA for the valuable support in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Financial Action Task Force (FATF) as well as its participation in the 17th Extraordinary Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers held in December last year, in Islamabad, besides providing financial support to Pakistan.

He highlighted that both countries had shared concerns in Afghanistan and urged the international community to help the Afghan people in the honour of need to save them from human catastrophe.

Regarding the release of Pakistani prisoners in KSA, he hoped that the government of KSA would give positive consideration to release prisoners who had completed their sentences.

The president also expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for launching the “Road to Mecca” pilot project and said that the government of Pakistan was looking forward to its expansion to other cities of the country.

The president asked the visiting dignitary to convey his sincere wishes to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The Saudi minister informed that steps were being taken to help address the issue of Pakistani prisoners by the technical teams of the two countries.

He thanked the government of Pakistan for extending a warm welcome and hospitality to his delegation during their stay in Pakistan.

The president appreciated the role and support of KSA for hosting over 2 million Pakistanis and its benevolent approach towards them during the pandemic.

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Courtesy APP

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Munaza Kazmi

Since the re-opening of the global economy, inflation has been rising around the world. This sudden change of macroeconomic conditions caught policymakers off-guard in terms of updating inflation forecasting models to a fast-evolving scenario as well as assessing the causes of this sudden surge and, remarkably, whether such causes are transitory or permanent.

Considering the facts. The figure above shows the monthly time series of 12-month CPI inflation rates across three large countries: the US, the UK, and Germany.

Emphasizing three macro-periods: (1) the pre-COVID-19 era, categorized by low and stable inflation rates globally; (2) the COVID-19 era, when large parts of the global economy were artificially shut down and consumer prices declined; and (3) the post-COVID-19 era, when inflation surged and reached levels unseen for decades.

However, to assess the magnitude of this rise, note that in the US the average inflation rate in September and October 2021, at 5.6%, was almost three times higher than the average inflation rate in the six months before the COVID-19 crisis hit.

Despite the rapid surge, this increase in inflation was hardly unexpected. Because of the strict lockdown policies and COVID-19 closures across the globe, both the supply and demand of goods and services suddenly dropped to zero – perhaps for the first time in human history. 

While production stopped, many consumers started to accumulate savings as they did not face income cuts and had fewer opportunities to spend. 

In many countries, the surge in savings was also fueled by generous fiscal support through various fiscal policy measures.

Once the global economy reopened, as would happen with any car whose engine was shut down for months in the cold weather, production activities and supply chains needed time to restart: many workers had reallocated to different jobs, machinery was obsolete, and so on. 

In contrast, consumers immediately jumped at newly available spending opportunities, thus putting substantial demand pressure on a supply side that was already stressed. 

It is thus unsurprising that a slowly adjusting supply and fast-growing demand determined supply bottlenecks, backlogs in orders, and ultimately a sharp rise in prices. 

In addition to demand pressures and supply-chain disruptions, labor market pressures were a third factor: with a substantial share of the working population retiring early after months of inactivity and other groups having enough liquidity to search for better employment matched, absenteeism and manpower constraints put additional pressure on the recovery and restart of productive activities worldwide.

Moreover, we have observed for the first time in decades substantial wage increases. 

Initially, wage increases were concentrated in the lower parts of the income distribution, but towards the end of 2021 noticeable increases reached the middle of the distribution, too. 

Large firms announced that they budgeted average wage increases of around 4% for 2022. 

Similarly, higher wages imply higher marginal costs for firms. And the shortage of raw materials and increasing energy prices put additional upward pressure on firms’ costs of production.

Based on this assessment of the causes of the post-COVID-19 surge in inflation, it can be concluded, alongside the ECB, that such causes are likely to be temporary and resolve in the medium run (18 months to 2 years) as supply activities adjust.

If so, no monetary policy actions would be needed because inflation would turn back to its long-term target in the medium run. 

From the perspective of Pakistan, there comes the issue of increase in the prices of fuel, devaluation of currency and on top poor law and order. 

Let’s say if a commodity’s price increases 1% by the corruption from middle man, or other sales people it reaches to the end consumer with the further increase of 5% or more.

However, the Government of Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan is taking careful steps in order to curtail this menace. Prime Minister’s policy for boosting the agriculture, enhancement in travel and tourism, growing the exports and to provide maximum benefits and privileges to the business community and private sector will improve the economy circulation, moreover will aid in decreasing the inflation factors.

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Munaza Kazmi holds MPhil in Management Sciences (Bahria University Islamabad, 2020). She’s a travel writer, an author, & co-author of scientific contributions in national & international publications. Her main areas of research include tourism & quality management.

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8 Cute Mehndi Designs for Kids

8 Cute Mehndi Designs for Kids

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Cricket Australia on Friday announced the revised schedule for Australia’s tour of Pakistan next month — its first since 1998 — during which three Tests, three one-day internationals and one Twenty20 International will be played.

In a statement, the PCB said the Australian Test team will arrive in the country on February 27. After isolating in Rawalpindi for one day, they will start practicing at Pindi Cricket Stadium for the first Test that will be held at the same venue from March 4 to 8.

They will then travel to Karachi for the second Test, scheduled to be held from March 12 to 16. Following that, they will travel to Lahore for the third Test that will take place from March 21 to 25.

The visiting team’s white-ball players will arrive in Lahore on March 24, having already completed their isolation period in Australia. Following one-day isolation in Pakistan, they will integrate with other members of the team and travel to Islamabad for the three ODIs and T20I.

The three ODIs will be played on March 29 and 31 and April 2, respectively while the T20I will be played on April 5.

The tourists will leave for Australia the next day, according to the statement.

Schedule of matches:

• First Test: March 4 to 8 in Rawalpindi
• Second Test: March 12 to 16 in Karachi
• Third Test: March 21 to 25 in Lahore
• First ODI: March 29 in Rawalpindi
• Second ODI: March 31 in Rawalpindi
• Third ODI: April 2 in Rawalpindi
• T20I: April 5 in Rawalpindi

The Tests will be part of the ICC World Test Championship, while the ODIs are linked to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League from which the top eight sides, including hosts India, will qualify directly for the 2023 fifty-over World Cup, according to the statement.

The PCB said the dates for the tour had been revised to “ease logistical and operational challenges as well as to avoid Pakistan Day rehearsals, which usually commence in Islamabad in the second week of March”.

“We are pleased that the Cricket Australia Board has formally approved their side’s five-week tour itinerary and confirmed that their best available players will visit Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. We are really excited to host Pat Cummins and his players, and look forward to a competitive series,” PCB Chief Executive Faisal Hasnain was quoted as saying in the statement.

He noted that Australia were visiting Pakistan after their Ashes series triumph while the Green Shirts had been playing “excellent cricket” which had resulted in Pakistan’s players sweeping the ICC awards recently.

“This braces for a keenly contested series, something that the fans will thoroughly enjoy and remember for a long time,” he added.

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Courtesy Dawn News

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Top 7 Mehndi Designs of 2022

Top 7 Mehndi Designs of 2022.

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ISLAMABAD, FEB 02: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is taking various initiatives to equip Pakistani youth with vocational skills to earn respectable livelihood under the banner of Prime Minister’s Hunarmand Pakistan Program.

University is offering various skills-based courses including hotel management to Pakistani youth located in distant and underdeveloped areas of the country.  According to Prof Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum, Pakistani youth faces a lot of difficulties in getting employment despite of being highly qualified.

Therefore, it is the primary responsibility of the universities to provide them skilled training besides formal education so that they can play their due role in the process of social and economic development of the country.

In order to achieve this objective, AIOU has initiated hotel management course in collaboration with Alight Pakistan with the slogan of ‘learn a skill and be skillful’. The primary objective of this six-week training course is to equip Pakistani youth with hotel management skills to promote tourism and to boast tourism industry in GB and Skardu.

This training program would be expanded to other tourism popular regions of the country gradually. It is expected that this training program will play a pivotal role in the social and economic development of the country as hotel industry is progressing by leaps and bounds.

Admission application form can be downloaded from the university website. In case of any further details, interested candidates may contact Gilgit regional office as well as Skardu regional offices on 05811-960378/9606030 and 0585-960258 respectively.

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ISLAMABAD, FEB 02: Wada Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Shaukat Tarin at the Finance Division Wednesday.

Extending warm welcome to Wada Mitsuhiro, the Finance Minister stated that Pakistan and Japan have enjoyed cordial and friendly relations over the years and this relationship will continue to become even stronger with every passing day.

The Finance Minister appreciated the support extended by the Government of Japan for infrastructural and institutional development in Pakistan. He further said that Japan is a major development partner of Pakistan.

The Finance Minister also highlighted the initiatives taken by the Government for economic progress and social uplift of the masses.   Wada Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan said that Japan greatly values its bilateral relations with Pakistan.

He highlighted operations of the Japanese entities in Pakistan and expressed confidence that business and economic linkages would further strengthen between the two countries.  Both reviewed the spectrum of business and investment relations and identified areas for further strengthening and expanding economic cooperation.

He congartulated the Finance Ministet on achieving important economic reforms. The Finance Minister thanked Mr. Wada Mitsuhiro for his sentiments and hoped the bilateral collaboration between the two countries would further grow during his tenure.

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