Day: July 15, 2021

ISLAMABAD: The World Youth Skills Day 2021 was celebrated at the National Skills University Islamabad, Pakistan. Annually this day is globally observed on 15th July since 2014. Dr Shaista Sohail, Executive Director, Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan chaired this session. Prof Dr Habib Bokhari, Vice Chancellor, Kohsar University, Murree and Eng Sajid Baloch, Executive Director of the NAVTTC, were the guests of honor.

Among the youth leaders, Ayesha Sheikh, Asim Masoom Zubair, both recipients of the Diana Award 2021, and an eight-year-old Ibrahim Haider impressed the audience with their success stories through harnessing their extracurricular skills. Several students presented their technology inventions, including the low-cost cell phone and iPad chargers, homemade ventilators, and a robot. Students participating in the event voted robotics project by Muhammad Fozan Javed as the best one and was given a National Skills University technology shield.

The Executive Director elaborated on the importance of skills and briefed about several upcoming projects for the youth, including Prime Minister Kamyab Jawan’s Program various components, addressing the empowerment of youth and specifically skills-based training.

She advised the youth to work for the nation’s benefit and be part of the upcoming green campus initiative. This program will harness the potentials of youths in saving energy, keeping campuses clean and green, and recycling initiatives.

Dr Sohail appreciated the recognition of the National Skills University as a member of the UNESCO-UNEVOC network, the only university in the country having such credentials. She appreciated the Vice Chancellor’s efforts in the continued upkeep of the campus in every domain.

The Vice Chancellor, Kohsar University Murree highlighted the importance of skills and their role in socio-economic development. The NAVTTC Executive Director discussed the Prime Minister’s Hunarmand Pakistan Program and the overall NAVTTC contributions in skills education. In his concluding remarks, the NSU Vice Chancellor offered a vote of thanks and appreciation to the entire management team, engineering technologists from the Islamabad region, and students participating in this session.

KARACHI: Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force, expressed heartfelt condolences over the sad demise of former President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain.

“May Allah bless the departed soul; and give strength to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss, Ameen!,” said Chief of the Air Staff in a statement.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy Ship ZULFIQUAR (with embarked helicopter) visited Portsmouth, United Kingdom, as part of Pakistan Navy overseas deployment. Upon arrival at port, the ship was warmly welcomed by officials from Royal Navy, Deputy High Commissioner and Defence and National Advisor of Pakistan at UK.

During stay at port, the Mission Commander Commodore Syed Rizwan Khalid along with Commanding Officer PNS ZULFIQUAR Captain Rao Ahmed Imran Anwar called on Commander Naval Base Portsmouth Cdre J J Bailey. During the interaction, matters of mutual interest were discussed and contribution of Pakistan Navy to regional peace and maritime security were acknowledged. Mission Commander also conveyed well wishes from Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi for the people of UK in general and Royal Navy in particular.

The Mission Commander also extended his gratitude for whole hearted support provided in making the ship stay comfortable. The High Commissioner of Pakistan to United Kingdom H.E Moazzam Ali Khan also visited onboard PNS ZULFIQUAR and interacted with Mission Commander.

After the port visit, PNS ZULFIQUAR participated in 3rd PN-RN Bilateral Naval Exercise (WHITE STAR-III) with Royal Navy Ship HMS TYNE off Portsmouth. The exercise encompassed advanced Maritime maneuvers including Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) Boarding and Force Protection drills. The exercise was aimed to enhance military cooperation through naval engagement and augment interoperability between the two friendly navies.

The visit of PNS ZULFIQAR to United Kingdom will further foster navy to navy relations and will go a long way in strengthening diplomatic and military relations, between the two countries.

KARACHI: The leadership of Businessmen Group (BMG) and office bearers of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) have expressed heartfelt grief and sorrow on sad demise of Former President of the Islamic

Republic of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain who passed away after prolonged illness.
In a joint statement issued on Thursday, Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, Vice Chairmen BMG Tahir Khaliq, Haroon Farooki and Anjum Nisar, General Secretary BMG AQ Khalil, President KCCI Shariq Vohra, Senior Vice President Saqib Goodluck, Vice President Shamsul Islam Khan expressed condolences and sympathies with the members of bereaved family of Late Mamnoon who sincerely and honestly served Pakistan throughout his life.

They mentioned that besides serving as President of Pakistan, Late Mamnoon Hussain also served as President Karachi Chamber in 1999 but had to soon resign from this post to take charge as Governor of Sindh. Indeed, it was an honor for all of us that one of our colleagues attained some of the highest and most prestigious positions.

They said that Late Mamnoon Hussain was an active and dedicated BMGIAN who will always be remembered for his contribution and support to the business and industrial community of Karachi.

BMG Leadership and KCCI Office Bearers stated that Mamnoon Hussain possessed a very unique personality which admired thousands of people who had the opportunity of interacting with him because of his calm and polite nature.

They prayed to Almighty Allah to shower His blessings upon the departed soul and give patience to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.

KARACHI: Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) and former President KCCI Zubair Motiwala and President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) M Shariq Vohra, while expressing deep concerns over the decision to once again close down dining facility at all restaurants and many other businesses, stated that shutting down businesses to contain further spread of the pandemic was not the solution as it would only intensify the hardships for people hence, the government should devise effective strategy for strict implementation of SOPs instead of closing down businesses.

In a statement issued, Chairman BMG and President KCCI said that millions of people associated with restaurants, hotels, cafes, cinema houses, indoor gyms, indoor sports and inland tourism etc. would die of starvation instead of dying due to diseases triggered by the pandemic therefore, the government must understand the gravity of the situation and withdraw the unjust decision to once again close down numerous businesses.

“After going through the toughest time of their lives, the owners of restaurants, cinema houses and other businesses took the much-awaited sigh of relief as they were allowed to carry out their businesses but unfortunately within a few days, the Home Department has once again ordered them to close down which is highly unfair”, said Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala, adding that majority should not be subjected to penal action like closing down.

He was of the view that all types of businesses have to be allowed to operate at full capacity with strict implementation of SOPs which is the only way to save the economy and the businesses from total collapse.

Chairman BMG stated that various businesses including restaurants, hotels, cinema houses, sports facilities, and educational institutes etc. have remained completely closed since long that has resulted in plunging all these businesses on the verge of complete collapse. “These businesses are already going through terrible crises and the curbs imposed once again would wipe them out forever that would lead to further intensifying the hardships not only for the business community but also for the already ailing economy, besides triggering massive unemployment which would prove more dangerous than the coronavirus pandemic.”

Zubair Motiwala, therefore, stressed to withdraw the fresh order issued by Home Department while the administration should be effectively utilized for strict implementation of SOPs. “If the administration is able to strictly get the shops/ businesses closed then why it is not being used for strict implementation of SOPs”, he asked, adding that the Sindh government will have to alleviate the predicament of businessmen instead of aggravating them and it is high time that the administration must actively play its due role.

President KCCI Shariq Vohra said that the government, instead of taking action against those who were not abiding by the SOPs, had penalized all the businesses by ordering them to remain closed till July 31 which had triggered a lot of anxiety amongst businessmen who have been constantly approaching KCCI to seek assistance.

Keeping in view the overall situation and grievances suffered by the business and industrial community, President KCCI hoped that the Sindh government would provide the desperately needed relief to local businesses by completely revoking the order issued by Home Department on top priority so that the businesses and the economy could be saved from further disaster.

Chairman BMG and President KCCI prayed that may Almighty Allah save all of us from the pandemic which has terribly affected all the segments of the society.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has stressed for deepening business and economic relations between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

Addressing the Pakistan-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent on Thursday, he was confident that this bilateral relationship will further grow.

He expressed satisfaction over the contracts signed by Pakistani business houses with their Uzbek counterparts. He hoped his visit will further deepen these business connections.

Alluding to the historic, cultural and spiritual connections between the two countries, the Prime Minister stressed that Trans-Afghan railway project is of paramount importance for Pakistan and Uzbekistan to improve their trade relationship.

He noted this connectivity project will connect Uzbekistan with Pakistan’s seaports and open new markets for it.

He said Pakistan is keen to see peace and political settlement in Afghanistan to reap the benefits of connectivity. He also called for more frequent flights between Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

ISLAMABAD: World Youth Skills Day is being observed today (Thursday) to raise awareness about importance of skill development in the youth.

The Day is an annual celebration under the auspices of United Nations and is being celebrated this year under the theme ‘Reimagining Youth Skills Post-Pandemic’.