Credible News from Pakistan!
Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid inaugurated the start of work on Section 3 of the historic Astore Valley Road project.
It will be completed under public sector development program to connect Gilgit-Baltistan to Islamabad via Muzaffarabad after completion of Shunter Tunnel project in future.
This project is an important part of Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid’s vision to connect Gilgit-Baltistan with Islamabad through 3 alternative routes.
Source: Radio Pakistan
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the commencement of night landing operations at Gwadar International Airport.
Instructions have been issued to airlines and aviation companies to initiate these operations in September. However, overnight parking of aircraft will not be permitted.
In March, Federal Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed the CAA to complete all development projects for the airport before September 2023.
He also requested a plan of action within three days for the execution and implementation of the remaining tasks.
The construction of the airport is a joint effort between China and the Pakistan Aviation Authority (PAA) under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) will have the capacity to handle various aircraft models, including ATR 72, Airbus (A-300), Boeing (B-737), and Boeing (B-747), for both domestic and international routes.
The anticipated opening of the “largest” airport in Pakistan for international flights is scheduled for September of this year.
Source: Pro Pakistani
“The nature of Change has changed.” I loved this line from an article I read. How many of us acknowledge the continuous and comprehensive metamorphoses that we stand amidst? Systems collapsing, evolving, expanding, digitalizing – this era has proven to be a great showcase for agents of change propelling the world forward without a preliminary phase for readiness or consent.
The digital sphere has taken the geographical and physical lines away and replaced them with an equally significant virtual presence – perhaps not as tangible, but far more productive and time efficient.
The systems, as we know them, are up for the test and, honestly speaking, giving in to the new, either at the cost of a new identity or a new soul altogether.
“I think, therefore, I am!” was Descartes in the 17th century, and he had encapsulated the basic need for continuous transformation, which is, of course, ‘thinking.’ Combined with Socratic logic and a critical aspect, you get a solution for the present dismembering and reconstruction of the world as ‘Re-Think.’
I would also like to connect to an ever-elusive Ayn Rand and her conflicting romantic realism, heavily influenced by Aristotle and Thomas Aquinas, where she prioritized reason or objective above any influence or altruism.
I would like to enthusiastically applaud the disruptions of Ghazali with his Neo-Platonism, Khaldun with his Islamic Economics, and Ibne-Sina bringing Metaphysics to the theological streams.
Whether it was Russell highlighting the popular in his ‘Unpopular Essays’ or Nietzsche’s existentialism being found in Ghalib’s poetry – the times and eras have always been a patchwork of strong thoughts, disrupting the monotonous or the regular, for a change and for the better.
We have our thinkers of today too. Theoretically, Gu Su or Gayatri Spivak are taking Liberalism and Deconstructionism to a new level, Ken Robinson, having defined the new meaning and understanding of school-based education, has overhauled the concept of learning, but many entrepreneurs who are thinking on their feet via innovating, changing paradigms, and inventing new technologies, are changing the world at an unprecedentedly fast pace where, as somebody rightly said, excellence is no longer a destination – because the very definition of excellence changes so rapidly.
How do we tame this tempest, this tumult without letting go of the set navigation? What should be the judging criteria for the ‘deadness’ of a system? Do we revive a business or go towards a Renaissance? Or perhaps re-enter a new age of Reformation and Enlightenment as we are all learning afresh. How will the new digital world need us to behave? What can be done, and how it can be done?
These are all pertinent questions that kept us engaged in deciding the theme for our upcoming conference in Islamabad.
The 6th Edition of the LEADERS IN ISLAMABAD BUSINESS SUMMIT #LIIBS is set for May 31st and June 1st, 2023, at the Islamabad Serena Hotel, and the trail of responses that ensued for these questions brought us our theme as ‘The BIG Re-think.’ We look forward to our guests and esteemed speakers on the two days of the Summit addressing these queries and more. We would also be excited to debate extensively on the following streams as well, with the perspective of the needed BIG Re-Think.
Global Challenges; the world is a small place now in terms of the immediate impact of events and strategies. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion #DEI, Education, Health, Food Security, Disruption via Technology, Leadership, etc. require recalibration for innovative solutions.
Environmental stewardship: power production and consumption, and waste management have new alternatives that need to be looked at for a sustainable future.
Digital Disruption: transformation, innovation, entrepreneurship, and new employment opportunities have to be thoroughly explored and understood.
The objective is, as always, a successful and prosperous Pakistan that is strong on inclusivity. We hope to see a large gathering of mindful thinkers at the Summit and wish us all a great learning experience.
This article is written by Muhammad Azfar Ahsan. Muhammad Azfar Ahsan is the Founder of Nutshell and Ex Minister of State for Investments. He is a visionary thinker exploring the challenges of the digital era and advocating for a comprehensive re-think to drive innovation and prosperity.
Source: Pro Pakistani
A delegation from the Association of Builders and Developers Pakistan (ABAD) recently met with Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi at the CM’s Office to discuss the challenges faced by the construction industry and propose solutions for its promotion.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Naqvi assured the delegation that he would enforce actionable proposals to support the construction industry. It was decided to review the building laws in consultation with experts from the construction industry.
One of the proposals discussed was the establishment of Residential Management Committees in private housing societies. Chief Minister Naqvi emphasized the importance of revitalizing the construction industry to restore employment opportunities for thousands of people.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Naqvi directed the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and other institutions to focus on making building laws more accessible to the public. A committee, led by Commissioner Lahore/DG LDA, was formed to gather input from stakeholders and formulate final recommendations.
The delegation included Gohar Ijaz, Engineer Akbar Sheikh, Hafiz Muhammad Nauman, Sheraz J Manoo, Ayub Sabir Izhar, and others. Commissioner Lahore division/DG LDA Muhammad Ali Randhawa also participated in the meeting.
In a separate meeting, President of the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) Rana Intizar Hussain led a delegation to discuss the issues faced by the lawyer community with Chief Minister Naqvi.
Chief Minister Naqvi assured the delegation that the problems of the lawyer community would be addressed on a priority basis. He expressed his commitment to improving the treatment facilities at hospitals dedicated to serving the lawyer community and mentioned his intention to visit the hospital soon.
Chief Minister Naqvi also expressed his willingness to review the construction of a parking plaza outside Aiwan-e-Adal to alleviate traffic and parking problems. He directed the deputy commissioner to allocate land for the parking plaza, assuring the delegation that the government would take necessary steps to support the lawyers.
The LHCBA delegation included Senior Vice-President Asif Amin Goraya, Vice-President Nadeem Anjum Khan, Vice-President Model Town Courts Hadi Hussain Bhatti, Vice-President Cantt Courts Farrukh Ahmad Khan, Secretary General Malik Kafeel Khokhar, Secretary Omar Waqas Warraich, and others.
Provincial Information Minister Amir Mir, Additional Chief Secretary, Secretary Law, CCPO Lahore, and Deputy Commissioner were also present during the meetings.
Source: Pro Pakistani
Government schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa may suspend classes under the afternoon shift due to teachers reportedly refusing to teach over unpaid salaries.
The provincial education department introduced the second shift classes in September 2021 to promote education and reduce the dropout rate, targeting schools with over 60% enrollment.
Currently, approximately 80,000 to 100,000 students are enrolled in the afternoon classes.
Former education minister Shahram Khan Tarakai stated that the program aimed to provide educational opportunities to children who couldn’t attend regular classes due to various reasons.
However, the program was partially suspended in January 2023 when the previous government ended afternoon classes in 167 primary, middle, and higher secondary schools across different districts. The government also instructed education officers not to demand salaries.
According to the Education Department, there are around 3.2 million out-of-school children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the tribal areas, with a higher dropout ratio among girls. In tribal areas, 97% of girls quit school at the primary level due to lack of permission to attend schools in remote areas.
Reports claim that approximately 8,000 teachers involved in the second shift program have not received salaries for four months. However, the current additional education secretary assured that the necessary funds have been allocated and the employees will soon receive their salaries.
An amount of Rs3.3 million has been released to the relevant deputy commissioners and district education officers, and an investigation will be conducted to determine the delay in salary payments.
Source: Pro Pakistani
MCB Bank Limited (PSX: MCB) is set to conduct due diligence of Silkbank Limited (PSX: SILK), the bank told the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Monday.
“Subject to the approval of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the Board of Directors has accorded its in-principle approval to the Management of the Bank (MCB) to conduct a detailed due diligence of M/s Silkbank Limited, a commercial bank listed on the PSX,” the filing stated.
“However, the potential transaction will be pursued subject to favorable outcome of due diligence, internal and regulatory approvals and definitive documents,” it added.
This comes after Silkbank on May 2, 2023, first considered a proposal to formally pursue a potential merger with United Bank Limited (PSX: UBL).
Prior to the aforesaid deals, SILK also received a letter of intent from the International Commercial Bank of South Sudan to subscribe to its shares up to the extent of 50 million euros.
Source: Pro Pakistani