Day: November 6, 2022

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Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training visits Arab Republic of Syria 

Islamabad, November 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):Rana Tanveer Hussain, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training held a productive bilateral visit of Arab Republic of Syria on invitation of Dr. Darem Tabba, Minister of Education, and Syria. His visit was a follow up visit of Syrian Education Minister to Pakistan last year.

During his visit, Rana Tanveer Hussain held meetings with H.E. Hussein Arnous, Prime Minister of Arab Republic of Syria, Mr. Bassam Bashir Ibrahim, Minister of Higher Education, Mr. Namir Habib Makhlouf, Governor Homs and Mr. Mahmoud Zanubua, Governor Hama, Syria.

Syrian Prime Minister while conveying his felicitations and best wishes for Prime Minister of Pakistan mentioned that Pakistan is a brotherly country which stood by Syria in its hard times. Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain also conveyed Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s best wishes to Prime Minister and People of Syria. During the meeting, which was also attended by Syrian Education Minister and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Syria, both sides agreed to further strengthen collaborations in the field of Education, Skills and Scientific research.

Besides, his visit to Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain also visited the Pakistan International School Damascus, which is considered as one of the top ranked educational institute in Syria. He, accompanied by the Syrian Education Minister and Governor Homs, also visited the National Center for Distinguished (NCD), Homs, where he was received and briefed by Dr. Hala Al Dakkak, President of the Distinction and Creative Agency, Syria.

Federal Minister while appreciating the NCD residential model aimed at selecting and nurturing the best talent, assured that Pakistan will provide teachers in basic sciences to serve in NCD for one year in response to the request made by Dr. Hala. Federal Minister Rana Tanveer, accompanied by Syrian Education Minister and Governor Hama, also visited the Hama Education Platform (HEP) meant to deal with distance educational learning operations, where he witnessed live lectures being broadcasted on Syrian Education channel.

Following HEP, the delegation also visited Industrial High School of Hama, which is a TVET sector training institute. Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain accompanied by his counterpart Syrian Education Minister also attended the launching ceremony of educational initiative “Iqra (read)” at the Basic Education School in Qatana City, Damascus.

During the delegation level talks at Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education, Federal Minister, Rana Tanveer Hussain offered 80 fully funded scholarships (Undergraduate and Graduate) to Syrian side under various programs and mainly in the fields including medicine, dentistry, engineering, physical, natural and applied sciences, agriculture, education and etc.

He also mentioned that out 20 slots out of 80 shall be offered at Pakistan’s top ranked Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) with preference to students from NCD, Homs. He also mentioned that six months fully funded (local hospitality) research fellowships at QAU were on offer for Syrian students and faculty members.

While understanding the importance of agriculture sector in both countries, Federal Minister proposed for consortium of agriculture and livestock universities between Pakistani and Syrian universities which will encourage MSc and PhD students / scholars to carry out joint research relevant to common agriculture and livestock issues of both sides. The consortium will nominate faculty for exchanger visits between Pakistan and Syria as well as to provide research facilities for joint research endeavours.

Federal Minister informed that Pakistan will be represented by Agriculture Universities in Faisalabad, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Tandojam and Multan as well as by University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore.

Pakistani side also offered capacity development program for Syrian school and university teachers at National Academy of Higher Education at HEC in various modules focusing on teacher’s development and leadership qualities for which the duration and need assessment will be agreed by both sides.

Allama Iqbal Open University and National Curriculum Council Pakistan will collaborate with Syrian Directorate of distance learning for knowledge exchange and proposal for establishment of AIOU campus in Syria. Federal Minister also informed that HEC will establish Pakistani cultural corners in Syrian universities mainly located in Damascus, Aleppo, Latakia, Homs and Hama. Syrian side also welcomed Pakistan Education Minister proposal for establishment of Visual Arts Center by National College of Arts at Syria.

Both sides also agreed to send a group of 10-15 school level students to Islamabad and Damascus for 10 days to get familiarity about the education and culture of both countries. Federal Minister Rana Tanveer assured Syrian side of sending teachers in basic sciences to teach at NCD Hama fort one year. It was also agreed to sign a separate MoU in the field of TVET sector between NAVTTC Pakistan and Syrian side.

Syrian side while thanking Pakistan’s Education Minister also conveyed that President of Arab Republic of Syria has approved a special program for Pakistani students and faculty to avail scholarships in various Syrian universities. Syrian will also work out for establishing a cultural center in Islamabad. In order to materialize and monitor the overall engagements agreed between Pakistan and Syria, both sides agreed to form a Joint Working Group (JWG) consisting of senior officials from both sides in areas of School education, Higher education and TVET sector together with ambassador(s) of the two countries.

The group will meet biannually and submit its report to both sides. Both sides acknowledged the efforts of Air Marshal (Retd) Saeed Muhammad Khan, ex Ambassador of Pakistan to Syria for his active role in fostering the bilateral ties between both Countries.

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Member House of Lords, Lord Wajid Khan led delegation of prominent businessmen from UK calls on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar 

Islamabad, November 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):Lord Wajid Khan, Member House of Lords along with a delegation of prominent businessmen from UK called on Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar at Finance Division, today.

The business delegation comprised Mr. Zuber Issa, CBE, head of EG Group and ASDA, Mr. Mohammad Asim, Mr. Mohammad Tayyab and Mr. Shakoor Ahmed, Directors of EG Group, Mr. Mohammad Younas and Mr. Jaffar Iqbal. SAPM on Finance Mr. Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Mr. Tariq Mehmood Pasha, Secretary Finance and other senior officers also attended the meeting.

Finance Minister Mr. Mohammad Ishaq Dar welcomed the delegation and apprised them the current overall macroeconomic outlook of the country. The Finance Minister further shared about policies and measures being undertaken by the present Government for dealing with the challenges to the economy of the country and putting it in right direction.

He further said that through prudent policy decisions, the challenges to Pakistan’s economy are being effectively addressed. Finance Minister Mr. Ishaq Dar further said that the present government is placing high priority to facilitate the business community and highlighted the potential investment avenues available in Pakistan.

The delegation expressed gratitude to the Finance Minister and shared their business profile and business vision. The delegation appreciated business friendly policies of the government and showed keen interest for potential investment in Pakistan in different sectors. The Finance Minister assured full cooperation and support of the Government of Pakistan to the delegation for investments in Pakistan.

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Prime Minister’s visit to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Islamabad, November 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif left for Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt to participate in the “Sharm El-Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit”.

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Second phase of Khalistan Referendum in Canada

Ottawa, November 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):The second phase of voting in connection with the Khalistan Referendum in Ontario district of Canada will be held, today, (Sunday). Sikh representative organization, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) is spearheading the Khalistan Referendum campaign aimed at garnering support at the international level for separation of Punjab from India and declaring it a separate homeland for Sikhs. Since the launch of the voting on October 31, last year, from London, despite India’s protests, the governments in Canada, UK, Switzerland and Italy have allowed the Khalistan Referendum to take place in which more than 500,000 Sikhs have voted so far.

The SFJ has announced its plan to hold phase II of the Khalistan Referendum voting, today, in Toronto to accommodate those who were unable to vote on September 18, 2022. Thousands were unable to vote as the voting ended at 5pm and it was not possible for the organizers to accommodate nearly 40,000 Sikhs who were still in queues as the voting ended. On 29 October 2022, Khalistan Referendum Rally “1984 Sikh Genocide” was held in Toronto to highlight the genocide of Sikhs by Indian government in 1984 and the legitimacy of Khalistan movement.

In a report, Canadian Think Tanks have acknowledged Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which is rightly campaigning to raise awareness and pressurize India to hold an official referendum on the creation of Khalistan. SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannu has already called for a referendum on Khalistan in India by 26 January 2023. He has urged the Sikh community to support the Khalistan referendum to create a Sikh homeland in “Indian Occupied Punjab”. If India is a real democracy, it should accept the referendum results. The referendum result can be leveraged in ‘Lawfare Domain’ to ask India to hold an official referendum for the purpose.

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Singer Abdul Rashid – ‘Reshma of Kashmir’ passes away in Srinagar

Srinagar, November 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):The famous transgender Kashmiri singer Abdul Rashid popularly known as “Reshma of Kashmir” passed away early Sunday morning. Quoting some neighbours of the noted singer, local media reported that Abdul Rashid breathed his last at SMHS hospital Srinagar. He died early Sunday morning.

Reshma was known for the typical and unique song “Hai Hai Wesai, Yaran Hai Tadepevnas” sung at various wedding functions that went viral on social media. A resident of the Nawa Kadal area of Srinagar, Rashid as per his neighbours was a humble, friendly, and great human being. Interestingly, “Reshma” used the only instrument, the Tumbaknaer, an instrument endemic to Kashmir while signing.

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IIOJK HC quashes PSA detention of two persons 

Srinagar, November 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):The High Court of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has quashed the illegal detention of two persons booked under black law, Public Safety Act (PSA), and directed the authorities to release them immediately. A bench of Justice Sanjay Dhar quashed the detention of Farooq Ahmad Chopan and Ishtiyaq Azam Butt under PSA and directed the authorities to immediately release them.

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LFK holds In-house discussion on 75 years of horrendous genocide in IIOJK 

Islamabad, November 06, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Legal Forum for Kashmir (LFK) hosted an in-house discussion titled “75 Years of Horrendous Genocide in IIOJK” to connection with the November 1947 massacre, also known as the ‘Jammu Genocide,’ which was carried out by armed forces under the command of Dogra ruler Hari Singh in Jammu.

During the in-house discussion, the panellists elaborated on the horrifying planned genocide of Muslims that resulted in the conversion of Jammu’s Muslim majority into a minority. One of the panellists cited a report from The Times of London dated August 10, 1948, which detailed the Jammu Genocide, “237,000 Muslims were systematically exterminated by the forces of the Dogra State headed by the Maharaja in person and aided by Hindus and Sikhs.

Another panellist emphasised how Indian Hindu extremists were complicit with the Dogra ruler, and how a convoy of 70 trucks loaded with Jammu city Muslims left for Suchetgarh on November 6, with the Dogra ruler promising safe deportation to Pakistan. However, a few miles outside of town, the trucks were stopped, attacked and burned by armed jathas of Sikhs and Dogra state forces, leaving all the people burned beyond recognition.

After 75 years of mass genocide in Jammu, the Indian government is executing a similar patter by settler colonial machination in IOJK. Since Aug 05, 2019 when India repealed the special status of the territory, they have normalized the settler colonial project by bringing a massive change in constitution and other laws which paved the way for non-Kashmiris to settle and seek job in Muslim majority region.

Online Speakers from IIOJK said India is doing similar thing in Kashmir to change the demographic status of Muslim majority into minority. The participants agreed unanimously that India’s atrocity crimes in IIOJK, such as the Jammu genocide, necessitate an independent and impartial international investigation to reveal the actual amount of lives lost, the number of rapes, the extent of torture, and the multitude of plundered properties.

They went on to say that the status and number of survivors/refugees, as well as their current conditions, must be assessed to evaluate the true miseries and sufferings endured by Jammu Muslims and hold perpetrators accountable for horrendous crimes. The attendees paid honourable homage to those who were martyred in the Jammu genocide because of their religious identity and affiliation at the hands of Dogra ruler and Hindu extremists.

The panellists among other experts included Justice Ali Nawaz Chowhan, former UN judge, honorary Chairman – LFK; Qadri, Executive Director – LFK, Musaib Malik Program Coordinator, Nayeem Hurrah, Zain-ul-Abideen and Fayaz Mehar attended the discussion.

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