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Rawalpindi : Public was once against at the receiving end of the protest and blockage of roads, intersections and main highways in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad when activists of religious parties launched their protests against the Supreme Court’s decision in Aasiya Bibi blasphemy case.The protesters took motorcade processions from Westridge, Soan Road, Kutchery Chowk, Raja Bazaa and Committee Chowk. The processions after reaching Faizabad Chowk staged a sit-in.Murree Road was blocked at Faizabad, Shamasabad and Liaquat Bagh whereas Islamabad Expressway was blocked from Koral Chowk till Shakriyal; Jhelum Road near Ayub National Park, Kutchery Chowk; Jhanda Chichi also remained blocked by the protesters who had placed large vehicles on the roads for to stop movement of traffic. The traffic on Committee Chowk was diverted by traffic police towards Rawal Road, Chandni Chowk, Sixth Road, Double Road and onto 9th Avenue while in the city’s downtown areas the traffic from the Comm...

Rawalpindi : Public was once against at the receiving end of the protest and blockage of roads, intersections and main highways in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad when activists of religious parties launched their protests against the Supreme Court’s decision in Aasiya Bibi blasphemy case.The protesters took motorcade processions from Westridge, Soan Road, Kutchery Chowk, Raja Bazaa and Committee Chowk. The processions after reaching Faizabad Chowk staged a sit-in.Murree Road was blocked at Faizabad, Shamasabad and Liaquat Bagh whereas Islamabad Expressway was blocked from Koral Chowk till Shakriyal; Jhelum Road near Ayub National Park, Kutchery Chowk; Jhanda Chichi also remained blocked by the protesters who had placed large vehicles on the roads for to stop movement of traffic. The traffic on Committee Chowk was diverted by traffic police towards Rawal Road, Chandni Chowk, Sixth Road, Double Road and onto 9th Avenue while in the city’s downtown areas the traffic from the Comm...

Rawalpindi : All private particularly missionary schools in Rawalpindi and Islamabad will remain closed for two days on Thursday and Friday. The schools will reopen on Monday if situation cools down.Punjab government has imposed Section 144 for ten days.All Pakistan Private Schools Federation (APPSF) President Kashif Mirza announced closure of all private schools for two days due to tense situation in the country. “The schools will reopen on Monday dependent on situation,” he claimed.St Mary’s Academy Principal Nepoleion Gomes also confirmed to ‘The News’ that initially all missionary schools will remain closed for two days due to tense situation in the country. Schools will reopen from Monday after evaluation of the situation,” he added.The Punjab government notification regarding closure of schools had not reached to local management, Rawalpindi till the filing of this report. However Executive District Officer (EDO) Education Riaz Ahmed told ‘The News’ that he was not aware of any f...

Islamabad : Against the backdrop of the worsening water crisis in Pakistan and prompted by the potential threat of turning into a water scarce country, the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) has embarked on a robust countrywide campaign to raise awareness on water conservation among the general masses.The NUST kicked off the massive campaign, starting with an intra-NUST drive, wherein students, faculty and staff were educated about the imminent threats of water scarcity and the urgency both for individual and collective efforts to convert this disastrous situation into an opportunity.In a message to NUST students, faculty and staff, NUST Rector Lt Gen (R) Naweed Zaman stressed the need for spreading the word to their respective neighbourhoods, asking people to economise on water from its household to commercial usage.The NUST has already advanced to the second tier of its campaign, which aims to create awareness among common people to the looming water crisis.In th...

Rawalpindi: The newly elected ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) district Rawalpindi (rural) Raja Muhammad Jawad took oath of his office here at JI office on Wednesday.The outgoing JI district Rawalpindi ameer Shamsur Rehman Swati who had completed two terms in office, general secretary Zafarul Hasan Joya advocate, City district Rawalpindi ameer Syed Arif Shirazi, information secretary and party's other local leaders were also present on the occasion. from The News International - Islamabad https://ift.tt/2zm5Eo2

Islamabad: Two petrol pumps in the federal capital were sealed by Administration of Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) in violation of the weight and measurements laws.According to ICT Spokes-man Industries and Labour Welfare Department Islamabad have checked 6 petrol pumps and completely sealed 2 of them while 4 others found accurate weight and measures.Capital administration teams were supervised by Assistant Director Labour Welfare Hamid Nasrullah Ranjha to inspect filling stations in different sectors including F-10, G-9, G-8 and F-6. The campaign has been launched following the directions of Islamabad Director Industries and Labour Ahmed Usman.After checking the nozzles of A One filling station at G-9, and Capri filling station of PSO located in F-7 were sealed for selling less fuel to the public.While four other petrol pumps situated in F-10, G-9, G-8 and F-6 pumps were also checked and found safe.Purpose of the campaign was to ensure that petrol pumps were abiding by the weight a...

Islamabad: The International Islamic University (IIU) has been ranked among top 500 Asian universities.To celebrate its position among 351-400 Asian universities in Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) ranking, the IIU held a special ceremony on campus with rector Dr. Masoom Yasinzai in the chair.The rector said the accomplishment was a matter of pride."The recognition of Pakistani educational institutions in the world ranking is a good omen," he said. He asked educational institutions to work for maintaining balance in teaching and research.The rector said universities should come forward to serve society. He said the IIU, in terms of serving society, had formed the Paigham-i-Pakistan narrative, which had won recognition all over the world and even in the UN.“We will not disappoint the nation. We will come up with positive developments soon in the fields of academic excellence and quality higher education,” he said.Dr Masoom said the acceptance of the graduates in the market should be ...

Islamabad : Residents of the federal capital have demanded of the authorities concerned to immediately start a full-fledged Sunday shift at the Out Patient Department (OPD) of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), keeping in view the patients burden on working days.According to them, there is a need to open OPDs on Sunday as due to heavy load at the Out Patient Department on working days and limited hospital timings, several patients, who come from far-flung areas of the country, face several problems and fail to get consultation from the doctors.They said many people face hardships as despite serious nature of illness, they have to wait for Monday as the OPDs at PIMS remain closed on Sunday while the emergency department only receives different nature of patients like trauma or accident victims.“I visited hospital’s OPD on Sunday for follow up check-up after surgery to consult my doctor but due to closure of Out Patient Department, I had to move to emergency but the docto...

Islamabad : Out of 5000 university students from all over the country 171 passed the Huawei Certified Network Associate (HCNA) Certification Exam and top 150 appeared in National final exam in Huawei 3rd Information and Communication Technology (ICT) competition 2018.Out of 150 top 6 students will take part in International final which will be held in Huawei headquarters in Shenzhen, China on 25 November.To promote ICT in Pakistan Huawei in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched 3rd ICT competition 2018.In 2018, the 3rd ICT competition motivated more students into registering for the competition and elevated their ICT talent. Huawei is held awareness seminars, workshops and preliminary rounds of this year’s competition at Pakistan’s 14 running HAINAs. from The News International - Islamabad https://ift.tt/2zdXu0A

In conversation, commuters often wonder where the traffic police/wardens ‘disappear’ during the evening hours since they are generally not visible except in a very few places! After all, there is a lot of traffic on the roads at night, though the volume may not be as much as during the day and there needs to be some kind of deterrent against traffic rule violations. The Islamabad Traffic Police have set a benchmark of being duty conscious and good regulators but night time hours have not been given the same importance.Deciding to find out the reason I called the telephone numbers given on their web site but the Islamabad Traffic Office HQ numbers were constantly busy throughout the day. While it is a well-known fact that a lot of traffic chaos is seen on the roads at all times, during daylight hours there is some semblance of order when the wardens are on duty – drivers tend to be a little more careful for fear of getting a ticket. Since rules have become stricter and fines heavier, it...

Islamabad : The Acting Vice Chancellor at Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) has requested the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination to initiate process for appointment of a regular VC for the University that has been operating without a regular VC since January 6 this year.Highlighting need for regular VC at SZABMU through a letter written to the federal secretary at the ministry, the Acting VC Professor Abid Farooqi stated that in the absence of a regular Vice Chancellor, he had to take acting charge because of being the Pro Vice Chancellor at the time of retirement of the first VC of the university Professor Javed Akram whose tenure expired on January 6 this year.He stated that he continued serving in the capacity since January and now his retirement is due at the end of March 2019. Time is running short and a search committee needs to be announced to start the process of selecting a regular vice chancellor, reads the letter.He als...

Islamabad : Despite repeated public complaints no let-up is seen over collection of the garbage from the stuffed waste dumpsters by the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and residents are left with no option but to tolerate teasing odour and wait an outbreak of infectious disease.The placing of waste bins of different sizes across the capital, one of the archaic strategy of Capital Development Authority (CDA) to handle the total generated trash of Islamabad, has gradually left the capital's dwellers to breath in polluted air.The trash trollies aimed at giving the city a civilized look, are somehow becoming breeding places for mosquitoes and creating health hazards for the public as they were not being properly covered.The residents of the different sectors including G-6, G-7, G-8, G-9, G-10, I-8, I-9, I-10 and other complained about the untimely cleaning of these waste bins which was also making them more prone to communicable diseases like Malaria, Dengue and diarrhoea.Talking t...

Islamabad: Filthy water gushing out from choked sewage lines and gutters has created unhygienic conditions in Khadda Market located in Sector G-7 of the federal capital, besides affecting the business activities of workshops located in the area.A workshop owner, Shabbir while expressing his concern said our business have affected very badly due to accumulation of stinky water.“Sewage lines persistently blocked since last week,”he said. He said polluted environment had been causing hardship to pedestrians and, on the other it presents an ugly look to passers-by. A visitor Arsalan said cars crossing dirty water splash smelly water on passers-by. “I avoid visiting Khadda Market due to filthy stagnant water,” he added.When contacted an official of sanitation department of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) said sewage line system was a bit old system and second workshops workers threw trash directly in the gutters. “Our sanitation teams visit the area regularly whenever repairs are r...

Rawalpindi : Cantonment Public Library is the only library left in Rawalpindi after the demolition of Municipal Library Rawalpindi. The history of this library dates back to 1891, when Sardar Kirpal Singh Rai Bahadur and Sardar Sujan Singh Rai Bahadur founded a trust known as Landsdowne Trust and gave the plot and building to the government. General Zia ul Haq launched this library on March 24, 1983 and gave the initial funds. Its ground floor and upper floor are reserved for study and research purposes.Assistant Secretary Cantonment Board Rawalpindi Qaiser Mahmood, who is also the spokesperson for the library, while speaking to ‘The News’ said, “We have more than 44,000 books, the library is operating with different sections of subjects including a special room for ladies and children. Even though there are two systems that are working in the library, three to four more systems would be installed to facilitate the readers that would strengthen the e-library as well as linked to the Qu...

ISLAMABAD: Efforts are underway to pursue China for signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for making electronic Exchange of Data Information (EDI) fully operational between Customs authorities of Pakistan and China during the upcoming visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan.The purpose of signing MoU on EDI is aimed at controlling increasing menace of under invoicing ranging up to $6 billion per annum, causing heavy losses to economy of Pakistan.Different mafias are involved to stop electronic exchange of data between the two countries as some officials argued that the previous government spent money to install software for ensuring exchange of electronic data but some kind of lacuna always surfaced to block its smooth functioning in one way or the other. “The FBR’s Customs department has now made fresh request to China through our own Ministry of Foreign Affairs for signing MoU on EDI during this upcoming VVIP visit as Prime Minister Imran Khan is scheduled to visit Shanghai and Bei...

Islamabad Islamabad Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) has urged the government to promote women empowerment to ensure rapid social and economic development.It also asked the business community to match their words with action over the empowerment of women for the sake of future generations.This was observed during a workshop organized by IWCCI which was conducted by the chamber’s consultant Sara Ansari. The businesswomen observed that the companies run by women face difficulties while dealing with the state-run or privately owned businesses.Businesswomen are discouraged as they are provided little space for participation in economic activities which results in losses and frustration.The IWCCI members said that society should enable women to thrive in an environment that empower their strengths which would lead to increased performance and productivity levels which will benefit the country.Financial services institutions in Pakistan neglect women as a potential customer s...

Islamabad : Ministry of Human Rights is working with Ministry of Law to develop a systematic structure for provision of probono legal services and assistance to vulnerable especially women.Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari stated this in a meeting with a delegation of European Parliament led by Jean Lambert on Tuesday. The meeting was also joined by Joint secretary Human Rights Ministry Azam Khan and other high officials of ministry. They discussed various human rights related issues including the rights of women, children and minorities.Minister informed the delegation about the commitment of the government towards human rights according to constitution and International commitments and the steps taken by the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) for protection of human rights in the country.She said that besides implementation of existing laws, the ministry is also working on devising new legislations to safeguard the rights of citizens. “We are working on three new Bil...

The President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Sardar Masood Khan has said that Punjab Information Minister Fayazul Hasan Chohan’s scornful remarks about Kashmiris were hurtful to Kashmiris and Pakistanis alike and the strong condemnation of the minister was right and intense from all sections of the society.In an interview London, the AJK president expressed his sorrow over the “Kashmiri slur” that the Punjab information minister which caused protest by a large section of Kashmiris and political parties in Pakistan strongly condemned the minister for his racist and offensive remarks for Kashmiris who have historically laid their lives for Pakistan’s security and integrity.Sardar Masood Khan said that the scornful use of the word “Kashmiri” by the minister had stirred up widespread outrage among the Kashmiri people.After speaking to community members and media at Pakistan High Commission, the president was flooded with questions on Chohan by the reporters who told the minister that Kash...

Lok Virsa film Club Mandwa screened Director S.A.Bokhari's 1971 film ‘Ansoo’ for screening on Saturday.The film is loaded with superstars from 1971. Nadeem, Deeba, Allaudin and then upcoming Shahid are the leading names in the credits. However, it was Firdaus (in her first young-to-old role) which distinguished her from the rest. During mid and late-sixties, Firdaus was almost always bankable in leading roles for Punjabi films. Of course there were Urdu titles here and there (‘Insianiat’, ‘Khandan’, ‘Maikhana’). With good height and physique, she reigned supreme for kicks and jumps in the mustard fields of rural Punjab which at times were compromised with ‘Malik Ka Bagh’ on the outskirts of Lahore. Director Masood Pervaiz and producer-Ijaz Durrani's ‘Heer Ranjha’ in 1970 had further cemented status and reputation of Firdaus for Punjabi films. It is a fact that religious tourists from India on pilgrimage in early-seventies would ask if they could meet ‘Heer’ (Firdaus) on screen ...

Islamabad : Teachers can help foster social harmony in the country by promoting a culture of dialogue, entailing two-way interactions aimed at learning from each other. Starting off, teachers should equip themselves with the dialogue-enhancing skills and knowledge, before they pass on to others.These thoughts came in a two-day dialogue with college teachers, on “Role of Teachers in Social Harmony”, organized by Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), an Islamabad-based think tank. Around 40 teachers from different parts of northern Punjab attended the dialogue, with sessions led by leading scholars, educationists, and opinion makers.Former Chairman, Council of Islamic Ideology Dr. Khalid Masud wondered why despite many attempts to bring positive behavioural changes, much is yet to be achieved. This, he attributed, to a binary thinking pattern that sees the world in black and white. “It is fed from exaggerated, extreme, and out-of-context interpretation of religious texts. As a result, ...

Islamabad : There is a young lady, Ms Rabia Sarfraz, hardly 23 years old. She has lost her father when she was still a child back in 2002 and is living with her mother in Lahore. She managed to do her B.Com and found a job in a bank, earning a meagre salary of Rs30,000 per month. She was the lone breadwinner for her family of four, including mother and two brothers.Some time back she developed some health issues and went to see the doctor in a hospital. Apparently there was a very bad case of erroneous diagnostic. She underwent surgery for removal of fibroids and was discharged with the recommendation that she still need to have another surgery.The poor girl returned to her job in the bank on expiry of her medical leave after 15 days but was too malnourished and too weak to take the pressure of work and crashed to the floor, fainted. The people in the bank called her mother, who came and took her home.The bank was not too eager to help the young lady, who has yet not completed one year...

Islamabad : Worried about its adverse impact on the environment, Pakistan has planned to take up the issue of smog with India for corrective measures."We are concerned about the menace of smog coming in from across the border and will raise the issue with India through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to prevent the burning of crop waste there," Adviser to Prime Minister on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam told a visiting delegation of European Parliamentarian here.The delegation comprised George Philipp Anton Mayer, Jean Lanbert, Javeria Rizvi Kabani and Wajid Khan.The adviser highlighted the environmental threat caused by smog and said the adaptation of new methods would help mitigate the adverse impact of smog."We need to look for new methods so that environmental degradation may be alleviated. Also, the cooperation of NGOs and civil society is very imperative for the protection and preservation of the environment," he said.The adviser highlighted the potential of ...

Islamabad: Streets criminals have badly beaten a senior journalist of a private TV channel, Muhammad Nouman Mazhar, near Khanna Pul Monday night. The street criminals threw the journalist near a nullah after snatching his purse and mobile phone.The unfortunate journalist was shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.Muhammad Nouman Mazhar is the son of Mazhar Iqbal, President, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalist (RIUJ) Dastoor Group and nephew of Khalid Iqbal Staff Reporter ‘The News’.Koral Police Station has registered an FIR and started investigation.Muhammad Nouman Mazhar told ‘The News’ that he was going home after his duty. “As I reached near Khanna Pul, three muggers stopped my motorcycle on gunpoint. They demanded money and started to beat me. They snatched my purse and cell phone and threw me near a nullah. They also wanted to snatch my motorcycle but luckily my bike did not start and they left it,” he added.Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalist (RIUJ), Nationa...

Islamabad: The 94th Islamic Orientation Programme organised by Dawah Academy of the International Islamic University for ‘Aima and Khutaba (scholars and sermon deliverers)’ of the armed forces of Pakistan concluded at Faisal Masjid campus.As many as 40 officials of the forces participated in the three-month long course which was consisted of recreational trips, special interactive session, IT basics, and lectures of the veteran scholars.The concluding ceremony was presided over by IIU Rector Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, who was warmly welcomed by the officials of the university on his appointment by President of Pakistan.“Islam is the religion of peace and humanity. It advocates hugs and discourages pushes,” he said.He stressed upon the participants that they must disseminate true teachings of Islam. He said scholars were the most important people of the society who are torchbearers of the teachings of Islam.The programme was also attended by Vice President Dr. Muhammad Munir, Director General...

Islamabad: The government has planned to introduce such a system on the style of successful models of developed countries, which will not only improve the quality of education but also enhance the standards and provision of skills, said Federal Minister for Education & professional Training Shafqat Mahmood on Tuesday.Addressing a meeting at the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission headquarters here, the minister said vocational education would be made part of traditional education in the schools so that the children unable to continue education could be attracted to getting skills.He said education and skill development was the top priority of the government.The minister said Pakistan’s future lied in providing marketable skills to youths and enable them to earn respectable livelihood.“We will introduce trades at the school level,” he said.The minister called for provision of international-level skills to youths so that they were in a better position to secure jobs...

Rawalpindi : Surgical Unit 2 at Holy Family Hospital in collaboration with Society of Surgeons of Pakistan Rawalpindi-Islamabad Chapter organized 2nd Master Class Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery training workshop here at the HFH.The workshop included two-day intensive course for senior trainees and consultants aiming at practicing Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery. Director of European Academy of Robotic Colorectal Surgery Dr Amjad Pervaiz was the international director of the course while national directors include Dean of Surgery at Rawalpindi Medical University Professor Dr. Idrees Anwar, Professor Dr. Muhammad Hanif, Professor Dr. Naeem Zia and Professor Dr. Jahangir Sarwar Khan.Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon from The Royal Bournemouth Hospital UK was the international faculty for the course where as national faculty included Dr. Tariq Nawaz, Dr. Faisal Murad, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Dr. Atif Khan, Dr. Maryam Barkat and Dr. Waqas Ayub. Dr. Qasim Ali from SU 2 of HFH was the cours...

A seat for the disabled inside the Metro Bus is reserved for special persons only. Everyone knows exactly who is supposed to be allowed to sit there and who shouldn’t. So why do some people who clearly aren't disabled decide to use this seating facility? Do they think that this silly rule shouldn't really apply to them or something?“When I entered the bus at the Saddar Metro station, a young man in the Metro Bus was seen seated on a facility meant for the disabled. The man was smartly dressed and didn't appear to have any problems with his body giving him the right to be seated there. In fact, he appeared to be as fit as a cheat can. And the man even didn't appear too old that he could be asked to avail of this facility in the absence of a deserving person,” says Altaf Hussain, a passenger.“This is typical of the kind of selfish behaviour that seems to be becoming acceptable these days. More and more people put themselves first and disregard the needs of the disabled. F...

Islamabad : Pakistan has made sub-optimal progress towards achieving the targets set out under the MDGs; however, with completion of the process of localization of health-related SDG indicators, the country is centrally positioned to monitor progress as it inches closer to achieving the SDG Agenda.Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services Dr. Nausheen Hamid made this observation at the National Launch of SDG 3 Localization in Pakistan here on Tuesday. She was flanked by Director General Health Dr. Asad and Representative of the World Health Organization Dr Ni’ma Abid Saeed.Dr. Nausheen said the Ministry of National Health Services considers SDGs as the national goals of Pakistan and is committed to implementing SDG3 Agenda through integration with country health strategies and plans both at the national and provincial levels. “The first step towards attaining the SDG3 targets in Pakistan starts with understanding the ground realities today. The health indicators are not up t...

Islamabad : The Air University has announced to organise the CPEC Career Summit on 15th November on its main campus here with the collaboration of industry partners, including Obortunity and BrightSpyre.According to a press release issued, the first-ever career summit will aim to explore the emerging career opportunities and strengthen industry-academia liaison in the context of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Makhdum Khusru Bakhtyar and Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing along with other high profile dignitaries are invited to grace the event. On the occasion, experts will also share their worthy views related to many topics including CPEC industry-specific training & skill building, and CPEC-driven entrepreneurship.Vice Chancellor AVM (R) Faaiz Amir, in his invitation message, said as the second phase of the national mega-project China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), also known as the 'Industrial Cooperation...

Rawalpindi : Sadeeqa’s Learning System (SLS) Montessori & High School held its annual Inter-SLS debate competition, says a press release.A total of 58 students from higher secondary and high school classes from nine campuses participated in Urdu and English debates. The English debate competition was held at the Lalazar campus whereas the Harley Street campus hosted the Urdu debates.For the English declamation, the 7th graders debated on whether money can buy happiness or not, 8th graders debated on whether our education system is preparing us for the upcoming challenges whereas the 9th and 10th graders gave their views on Global Warming and debated whether it is real or a conspiracy.In English 7th graders category, Ayesha Nasir from the Peshawar Road Senior branch got the first position, Sania Rafi of Gulraiz Senior branch and Raveen Ali of Satellite Town Senior branch bagged the second position and Rabia Sandhu from Tufail Road branch stood third. In grade 8th category Alishba Na...

“What’s this? Almost every leader is beating his drum to draw the hungry common man’s attention towards his party manifesto that promises cheap ‘roti’, ‘kapra’ and ‘makaan’ to all the poor and homeless people.”Perplexed citizens have many questions pertaining to social and economic life. They say “hardly any leader has seriously tried to solve them; if he planned to do that the others joined hands to oppose him.” Is it ‘na kheda’n gay, na khedan daya’n gay’?(We shall not play, nor shall we allow any other to…)There’s only one answer to all such questions/problems. And that’s unity the need for which has never been as dire as it is today in the wake of challenges to Pakistan and people.Why one should ignore the designs of the forces hostile to Pakistan’s peaceful existence as nuclear state with dignity and honour?There’s an outside attempt to destabilise the country economically. The common people themselves have to be boldly able to address successfully the problem of national cohesion...

Smoke rises from the chimney of a paper factory outside Hanoi, Vietnam May 21, 2018. REUTERSGENEVA: Asia could reap massive benefits in health, environment, agriculture and economic growth if governments implement 25 policies such as banning the burning of household waste and cutting industrial emissions, according to a UN report.Air pollution is a health risk for 4 billion people in Asia, killing about 4 million of them annually, and efforts to tackle the problem are already on track to ensure air pollution is no worse in 2030, but huge advances could be made, the report said.The report’s 25 recommendations would cost an estimated $300 billion-$600 billion annually, a big investment but loose change compared with a projected $12 trillion economic growth increase.The publication of the report, “Air Pollution in Asia and the Pacific: Science based solutions”, on Tuesday coincides with the World Health Organization holding its first global air pollution conference in Geneva this week.The...

Chimpanzees   tend to be faster than humans at making decisions  that are aimed at  benefiting  others, a study revealed.The search from University of Michigan comes after decades of observation on primates for their biological similarity with humans to determine their quick responses to situations that test cooperative behaviors."Chimpanzees are an important comparative model for human cooperation," said Alexandra Rosati, U-M assistant professor of psychology and anthropology.The study examined how chimpanzees think about cooperative decisions and their response time in situations involving prosocial behavior— which involves how one’s actions benefit others, such as giving time, effort or resources.A chimpanzee while looking out for food would either get food for both himself and a partner, or choose to only get food for self. The researchers discovered that in case of a quick decision, a chimpanzee would opt for the prosocial option owing to gut reaction.The l...

Rawalpindi: The ‘chehlum’ of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and martyrs of Karbala will be commemorated amid tight security today (Tuesday).More than 5,000 policemen have been deployed while 10 companies of Pakistan Army and four companies of Rangers would also be deployed to maintain peaceful atmosphere on the occasion.The local management has cordoned off all traditional routes of processions here at Raja Bazaar, Trunk Bazaar, Barra Bazaar, Committee Chowk, Dalgaran Bazaar, Narnkari Bazaar and Jamia Masjid Road. The law enforcement agencies have also blocked all roads with big containers.The local administration has devised a plan of action to maintain law and order on ‘chehlum’ while control rooms have been set up at the offices of the commissioner, DCO, CPO and DIG (Operations) to monitor the security situation.Under the security arrangements, no one would be allowed to stand on rooftops of commercial and residential buildings situated along the procession routes. Special checking of the...

Islamabad: The Patron-in-Chief of the Supreme Shia Ulema Board and chief of Tehreek Nafaz Fiqh-e-Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi has said that owing to sacrifices rendered by ‘Aseeran-e-Karbala’, the Message of Imam Hussain (AS) is echoing in every nook and corner of the world, says a press release.“From ‘Harmain Sharifain’ to Karbala the oneness of the Islamic World is visible,” he expressed these views in a message delivered on the occasion of ‘Arbaeen-e-Hussaini Chehlum Shuhada-e-Karbala’ that is being observed throughout the world on 20 Safar with complete devotion and respect.Agha Moosavi said that caravan of the ‘Aseeran-e-Karbala’ reached Karbala after their release from Syria on the occasion of ‘Arbaeen-e-Hussain’ (‘Chehlum Shuhada-e-Karbala’ on 20 Safar) headed by Hazrat Zainab Binte Ali (SA) and Imam Zainul Abideen (AS), they welcomed these personalities (who made the ‘Paigham-e-Hussainiyaat’ eternal), by Hazrat Jabir Ibne Abdullah Ansari, renowned companion of Prop...

Islamabad: Epidemiologists and health experts have urged the community particularly the high risk population to get vaccinated against Influenza A disease that appears in winter every year and causes considerable morbidity and mortality.This is high time for creating awareness among public that prevention from influenza A virus is the best option and people particularly those who can afford must opt for getting themselves vaccinated against the infection since the vaccine is available in the market. The vaccine made available in market against influenza A has been developed from strains of viruses circulating in the world in previous year. The new vaccine comes into market in October each year.Additional District Health Officer at ICT Health Department Dr Muhammad Najeeb Durrani expressed this while talking to ‘The News’ on importance of prevention from influenza A that may start hitting population in the coming days.At the same time, the concerned health authorities must direct all pu...

Islamabad: To bid farewell to the ambassador of Austria, Dr Brigitta Baha, the high commissioner of Australia, Margaret Adamson and spouse Marek Krol hosted a dinner at their residence. The event was attended by close friends of the guest of honour, both from the diplomatic community and local residents.“I was delighted to meet Brigitta again when I came to Pakistan,” she said after extending a warm welcome to her guests. “We had been together in Vienna when we were young diplomats.” She then spoke of the many pleasant times they had spent together; their interaction in diplomatic affairs and concluded by wishing Dr Baha bon voyage and hoping they would meet up again somewhere.Dr Baha thanked the hostess for her hospitality and other guests for their love and support during her stay in Pakistan; related a couple of humorous anecdotes of how people kept mistaking ‘Austria’ for ‘Australia;’ how it had been challenging as well as exciting to be posted in Pakistan; the support she had rece...

Islamabad: Two days are left for free cancer screening at Nuclear Medicine Oncology & Radiotherapy Institute (NORI) under the drive conducted every year in the month of October to create awareness among masses about the fatal disease.Every year October is being celebrated as an awareness month against the cancer. Last year more than 500 patients of cancer especially breast cancer were screened free of cost during the month.Spokesman for Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) Shahid Riaz Khan told this agency that they have organized number of events throughout the country to create awareness among people including seminars, workshops, symposiums, walks apprising people that cancer can be treated if diagnosed at earlier stage. He informed that people could avail the free screening facility in working days from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm free of charge. from The News International - Islamabad https://ift.tt/2PrSpMt

Islamabad: The latest postings and transfers of the police and the district administration officials in the Punjab done by the Pakistan Tehreek-insaf (PTI) government speak volumes about their inability to gauge the performance, credibility and integrity of the officers.It was reliably learnt that majority of these officers were on the ‘Negative List’ prepared by Nasir Durrani after he was made head of the committee to work on ‘Police Reforms in the Punjab’. One wonders who prepared the list of these officers to be posted and transferred and what was the criteria set for judging their credentials.Something somewhere in the system seems to be very wrong. Either the bureaucracy has mocked the political leadership trying to run the province or the politicians themselves are interested in getting such officers posted in their areas to continue to use the ‘strong arm of police’ for their objectives.To give only one glaring example is the transfer of BA Nasir, the CCPO of Lahore. BA Nasir en...

Islamabad: In a backdrop of Zainab’s murder case, a report of a task force, constituted by Federal Ombudsman to diagnose systematic issue of child abuse suggested some certain measures to curb the menace.The report titled ’Mapping of Issues & Response to Sexual Violence Against Children’” recently submitted before the Steering committee on ‘Kasur Tragedy & Redressal of systematic issues proposed 11-point remedial measures to prevent and control the rising cases of shameful acts with children in different parts of the country, especially Kasur.The document also highlighted the concerned authorities’ failure in controlling the incidents and tracing the culprits of certain mafia involved in child pornography. Unfortunately the report revealed Punjab’s most pathetic situation where some 1,089 cases of sexual violence, out of 4,139 in the entire country in 2017, were reported. Lahore was among top where majority of the incidents occurred.Kasur-based study was conducted in six months...