Day: June 23, 2022

ISLAMABAD:The Higher Education Commission (HEC) organized on Thursday a ceremony to confer the Best University Teacher Awards for the year 2021 upon the outstanding faculty members of Pakistani universities in three broad categories, viz. Life Sciences and Medicine; Physical Sciences and Engineering; and Social Sciences and Humanities.

Dr. Syed Asghar Naqi, Professor, King Edward Medical University (KEMU), Lahore, Dr. Farah Naz Baig Assistant Professor Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi and Mr. Momin Ayub Uppal Associate Professor Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) have won the Best University Teacher Award in the category of Life Sciences and Medicine, Social Sciences and Humanities and Physical Sciences and Engineering respectively.

Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Mr. Rana Tanveer Hussain graced the occasion as chief guest. Chairperson HEC Dr. Shaista Sohail, Advisor (Academics, Accreditation and National Academy of Higher Education — NAHE) Engr. Muhammad Raza Chohan and a large number of Vice Chancellors, faculty members, and students attended the ceremony.

Addressing the audience, Rana Tanveer Hussain highlighted the importance of encouraging and incentivising teachers to promote quality education and research. He stated that teachers are the role models for the future generations, as they play a key role in nation-building and character-building of youth. Appreciating NAHE for its efforts to build capacity of university leadership, faculty and staff, he stressed the need for more effective measures to provide teachers with training opportunities. He emphasized the policies to promote skill-based education in the universities in order to equip Pakistani youth with the skill set required to address current and future challenges. He also stressed the need for paying special attention to producing quality PhDs and creating job opportunities for them.

Dr. Shaista Sohail highlighted the significance of teachers’ role for development of the higher education institutions, and how the higher education sector plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of any country. She informed the gathering about efforts that HEC has been continuously making for overall growth of the higher learning institutions, be it human resource development, quality assurance, physical and technological development, research and innovation, industrial liaison, entrepreneurship and other areas.

Announcing the winners of Best University Teacher Award 2021, Advisor Engr. Muhammad Raza Chohan said that knowledge is the key driver for socio-economic development of a country. He said that HEC is cognizant of the teachers role in transforming the country into a knowledge-based economy. He underlined that HEC received 57 nominations for the Best University Teacher Award 2021 from 243 public and private universities. And, he added, a rigorous process was adopted to select the Best University Teachers 2021.

ISLAMABAD:National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday dispatched relief goods for Afghanistan for the earthquake affectees.

The NDMA dispatched the relief goods on special directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The consignment of eight trucks comprise of tents, tarpaulin, blankets and necessary medicines was sent to Afghanistan, with an assurance that Pakistan would fully cooperate in this difficult hour. Meanwhile, at the United Nations, Pakistan called on world community to rise above political considerations and help Afghanistan in the wake of deadly earthquake in the country.

In a message released by Pakistan Mission to the UN in New York, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram said that international community must come to the aid of Afghans.

Pakistani envoy expressed solidarity with Afghan brothers and sisters who are already facing extreme hardship because of decades of conflict.

Munir Akram said, on its part, Pakistan has and will continue to support Afghanistan and its people through humanitarian assistance, economic support and comprehensive cooperation.

ISLAMABAD:Pakistan Navy Ship TAIMUR has been commissioned at Hudong Zhonghua (HZ) Shipyard, China. Head of Pakistan Navy Mission at China Commodore Rashid Mehmood Sheikh graced the occasion as Chief Guest.

PNS TAIMUR is the second ship of four Type 054 A/P Frigates constructed for Pakistan Navy. The first 054 A/P Frigate PNS TUGHRIL has joined PN Fleet in January 2022, while another two frigates of same class are presently under construction at China.

PNS TAIMUR is a technologically advanced and highly capable sea asset having hi-tech weapons and sensors, latest combat management and electronic warfare system to fight under multi-threat environment. These ships will provide sustainable boost to the combat capability of Pakistan Navy and enable to meet emerging challenges in the domain of maritime security and regional peace.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest underlined that induction of state-of-the-art Type 054 A/P Frigates will significantly enhance Pakistan Navy capabilities in strengthening defense of sea frontiers. He also praised the concerted efforts made by China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), China Shipbuilding Trading Company (CSTC), China Ship Development and Design Centre (CSDDC), HZ Shipyard and PLA (Navy) for the landmark achievement by timely delivery of the well-equipped and potent Frigate.

Later, Deputy Director General Military Product Department China in his address highlighted that Pakistan and China are cognizant of changing geopolitical environment and taking effective measures to deal with the added responsibilities and evolving challenges together. He underscored that friendship between the two countries is a pillar of peace and stability in the region. The ceremony was attended by high level dignitaries from BOMETEC, OIMC, SASTIND, PLA (N) and CSSC besides Chairmen of CSTC and HZ Shipyard along with prominent figures of Pakistan community in China.

ISLAMABAD:The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Thursday directed not to provide free electricity to the officers and employees of the power sector.

A meeting of the PAC was held with chairman Noor Alam Khan in chair. During the meeting, the PAC expressed resentment over situation of unannounced load shedding. Speaking on the occasion, the committee chairman asked why schedule for load shedding is not issued. He said that Secretary Power Division told the committee that power outages are high in areas where there is power pilferage and the power sector is stuck quagmire and it is unable to even meet the cost of generating electricity.

The secretary said that subsidy was being given to around 8 million power consumers, adding that how would it [power sector] meet its cost if subsidy would be given to two-third consumers. The committee accepted the proposal to give allowances to the officers and employees of the power sector instead of providing them free electricity.

Sheikh Rohail Asghar said that the Discos should have their security force to stop power theft, while Afzal Dhandla said that the big thieves are in alliance with WAPDA while the families with single-fan bore the brunt of power theft.

Noor Alam Khan also expressed anger over absence of K-Electric CEO. During the meeting, the PAC chairman while proposing giving documents to the media said that the masses must be aware about what question their representatives are raising. PTI Senator Shibli Faraz said that any unauthentic or unverified this shouldn’t be handed over to media.

Power tariff

As nation faces rising fuel cost and inflation, the power tariff is also likely to increase by whopping Rs11.34 for K-Electric consumers. According to sources, power tariff is likely to increase under the head of fuel price adjustment for month of May. Consumers will burdened by additional Rs22.65 billion.