(Govt): Data-based tools to improve efficiency

Quetta:Planning and Development Department, Government of Balochistan mulls over on developing data-based tools to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public investment.

In this regard, Planning and Development Department plans on developing a 20-year Spatial Strategy for Balochistan (BSS) with Decision Support System (DSS).

The latter will compromise data-based tools that integrate information about various indicators of socio-economic development into harmonized measures. In order to accomplish the foregoing tasks, Planning and Development Department, Government of Balochistan has requested Secretary, Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (PDSI),

Government of Pakistan, Islamabad to provide access to detailed datasets of the last two Census (1998 and 2017) at Village/ Mauza/ Urban Block level with the associated GIS shape files along with data on age-breakdown and socio-economic indicators so as to develop data-based tools that can help greatly in improving public investment planning and monitoring.

(National): Raising standard of legal education in Pakistan a must: Farog Naseem

Karachi:Federal Minister for Law Dr Farog Naseem has said that raising standard of legal education in a Pakistan is a must to produce quality lawyers.

According to details, a high level delegation of Justice Helpline led by JHL President Nadeem Sheikh called on the federal law minister and discussed with the matter related to law, legal education and court related matters.

Barrister Dr Farog Naseem congratulated the JHL for holding its initiatives of Pakistan Digital Law Academy and Charter of Law. He said it is crucial that the standard of legal education and training of young lawyers is further enhanced and he would render all-out assistance in this regard. On the occasion, Muhammad Farog Naseem was extended invitation to attend the fifth National Judicial Conference which he accepted and assured of his patronage to this prestigious moot.

Nadeem Sheikh told the federal minister that the recently Pakistan Digital Law Academy was inaugurated by Mr Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar of Sindh High Court (SHC) in Karachi. He said senior legal experts including former attorney general of Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan, former Justice Shuhab Sarki, Mian Zahid Hussain of Federal Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Chairman Appellate Sindh Revenue Board Justice (retd) Nadeem Azhar Siddiqui, Prof Dr Farhan Essa Abdullah, Advocate Haseeb Jamali, general secretary Sindh High Court Bar Association, and Prof G N Qureshi had graced the occasion.

Nadeem Shaikh said they suggest that senior and seasoned lawyers and judges after their retirement should train and guide young lawyers to build their successful careers. Legal education is a never ending process. The use of digital technology in training and education is the need of the hour. He said they have already been working on training of lawyers and providing legal assistance of jail inmates and other vulnerable sections of society.

He said this idea of digital platform to raise legal awareness of masses and capacity building of young lawyers is a great idea and as the training of young lawyers and easy access to legal process for citizens would benefit whole society.

Advocate Nadeem Shaikh further said there are three main objectives of the PDLA: digitalization of legal process, e-courts and e-justice. He said the basic aim of their academy is to enhance the knowledge of lawyers, and to bring the young lawyers in mainstream. As the young lawyers of today would become the judges of future, their sound training in basic laws is crucial.

S Michal Advocate of Justice Helpline briefed the federal minister about the matters and suggestions related to minorities. Deputy Attorney General Abdul Jabbar Qureshi was present. Separately, JJL President Nadeem A Sheikh has welcomed the stay order on $6billion fine in Reko Diq case and termed it a great success. He said this development would augur well for the economy of Pakistan which has been facing constraints. He hoped that things would further improve and provide ease to the national economy in future.

(Commerce): Turkey, Pakistan to explore new avenues of collaboration

Karachi:Pakistan and Turkey to explore new avenues for promotion of bilateral trade, economic relations and other socio-economic sectors particularly education, health and tourism this was stated by Sheikh Sultan Rehman, Vice President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) in a meeting with Consul General of Turkey Tolga Ucak accompanied by Trade Attache Eyyup Yildrim.

During the course of meeting, wide range of discussion and views were exchanged on various issues and matter of mutual interest. Sheikh Sultan Rehman, Vice President FPCCI particularly emphasized on the need of collaboration in education institutions. Pakistan should make use of Turkish education sector which in terms of technology and knowledge are well advanced he added. He urged that there is also scope of joint ventures possible in education sector. Pakistani students are getting higher education from UK and USA while same education of such standard is provided by Turkey.

He also emphasized that Pakistan and Turkey should join hands in exploration of tourism prospects. Turkey is earning substantial foreign exchange through tourism and it is considered the six popular tourist destinations in the world. He also invited the Turkish investors for the development of infrastructure at tourist places of Pakistan.

Turkish Consul General Tolga Ucak welcome the proposals and assured that the office of Consul General would to do utmost best to take up all recommendations with Concerned Ministries and potential investors. He also emphasized on the need of intensive interaction between business community of both countries so that new avenues could be explored.

Both sides also discussed in detail the potential of bilateral trade which is currently stood at US$ 803 million and is in favor of Turkey. FPCCI also showed its concern over the imposition of countervailing duties and additional regulatory duties by Turkish Government on imports which has badly hurt Pakistan’s export to Turkey. The meeting also discussed the signing of FTA between both countries and implementation of Strategic Economic Framework. Both sides also exchanged views on infrastructure development, railway, low housing schemes etc.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Amjad Rafi, Chairman Turkey Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Forum and Pakistan Turkey Business Council of FPCCI, Mian Nasser Hyatt Maggo Senior Vice Chairman Turkey Pakistan Business Council and Secretary General FPCCI Iqbal Tabish.

(District): Three youngsters making Tick Talk videos drown in Karachi

Karachi:Three youngsters were drowned in a river in Karachi’s Baldia town area on Sunday.

According to rescue sources, three youth, Zubair, 22, son of Yousuf; Sajjad, 20; and Shahzad, 21, son of Siddique, were making Tick Talk videos in the river when they drowned in deep water.

The bodies were shifted to a local hospital for medico-legal formalities and later handed over to the heirs. The incident has created a mourning atmosphere among victim families.

(City): Man lost legs in gas cylinder blast

Karachi:A man lost his both legs in a blast of gas cylinder here on Sunday.

Police and rescue sources said that gas was being filled in cylinder of a bus at a petrol pump in Korangi Industrial Area. As a result, a 33 years old man Rameez lost both his legs. He was rushed to the JPMC in critical condition.

(District): Youth electrocuted near Tando Allahyar

Tando Allahyar:A youth was electrocuted in village Dhigano Bozdar near Tando Allahyar on Sunday.

A 20-year-old youth, Hyder, son of Hakim Ali Khaskheli, received severe electric shocks while bathing in tubewell water in village Dhigano Bozdar near Tando Allahyar.

He was shifted to a local hospital where doctors pronounced him dead. The incident has created a mourning atmosphere among the victim family members.