Day: December 8, 2021

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International conference on public health research begins at GCU 

Lahore, December 08, 2021 (PPI-OT):The fourth international conference on “Innovative Biological and Public Health Research” has kicked off at the Government College University Lahore under the auspices of its Zoology Department. University of Baltistan, Skardu Vice Chancellor Prof. Muhammad Naeem Khan chaired inaugural session of the conference which was also addressed by GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Asghar Zaidi and Zoology Department Chairperson Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir.

About 400 participants from 42 Universities are participating in the conferences besides foreign speakers from USA, Netherland and Turkey. In his address, Prof. Naeem Khan said whole of the humanity is looking towards young scientists to fight the new challenges, diseases and viruses. He said GCU is giving tremendous leadership to the universities of Pakistan in all areas from science to art and culture. He shared his views about the role of scientific conferences in promoting research culture and academia-industry link to uplift the life standards of masses.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Zaidi welcomed the invited dignitaries and strongly encouraged the young researchers to come forward and play role in Zoological sciences and public health research. Prof. Asghar Zaidi announced “Prof. Dr. Nazir Ahmad Gold Medal” and research grant of 0.50 million rupees” for the Best Zoologist of the year. “The gold medal and research grant is sponsored by family of late Prof. Dr. Nazir Ahmad. The medal and grant will be conferred to the Best Zoologist in next IBPHR conference,” he said.

Prof. Dr. Michael Richardson from Leiden University, Netherland delivered facts on evolution of snakes and co-evolution of their prey. Prof. Dr. Kimberly Hammad-Schifferly from University of Massachusetts Boston, USA delivered his research on Exploiting the Nano-bio interface for low-cost infectious disease diagnostics. Prof. Dr. Zeliha Selamoglu from Turkey delivered insightful lecture on Apitherapy Applications on Women’s Health and Benefits of Hayit Honey.

Lastly, Prof. Dr. Nusrat Jahan of GCU Lahore presented her research on Semi-field evaluation of Wolbachia potential for population replacement of dengue vector Aedes aegypti from Lahore, Pakistan. Lastly, two lectures were delivered by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Khalid Mukhtar, University of Sargodha and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Irfan Khan from International Islamic University Islamabad.

For more information, contact:
Public Relations Department,
Government College University (GCU)
Squash Complex, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan
UAN: +92-42-111-000-010 Ext: 296
Tel: +92-42-99213343
Cell: +92-321-8440769
Email: registrar@gcu.edu.pk
Website: http://www.gcu.edu.pk

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Sialkot incident against the spirit of Islam: Punjab University Vice Chancellor 

Lahore, December 08, 2021 (PPI-OT):Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad has said that the Sialkot mob exceeded its limits and their act is totally against the teachings of Islam. He was addressing an international conference organized by the Centre for Clinical Psychology on clinical practice and rehabilitation, the interplay of mind, body and soul at Al Raazi Hall here on Wednesday. CCP Director Prof Dr Saima Dawood, Prof Dr Nashi Khan, senior faculty members and students were present on the occasion while Vice Chancellor Sialkot Women University Prof Dr Rukhsana Kausar and eminent researchers from various countries participated online.

Addressing the inaugural session of the conference, Dr Niaz Ahmad said that the person who usurped rights of others could not live a happy life. He said that the persons, who were cruel to others, would have to face the same one day. He said that no one can be allowed to take law into the hands. He said that we must realize that one day we would be accountable. He said that problems would be created automatically whenever we would exceed our limits. He said that every human being should be thankful for the blessings they enjoyed.

He said that we must understand the problems of others and try to solve them. He appreciated Dr Saima Dawood for helping humanity during the pandemic and making efforts for resolving psychological issues being faced by the society. Addressing the conference, Prof Dr Saima Dawood said that the conference had been organized to provide a platform to researchers to explore the interplay of mind, body and soul through knowledge and latest developments in the relevant subjects.

She said that renowned psychologists, speech and language pathologists were participating in the conference. She said that researchers would present their research work related to clinical psychology and speech language pathology. She said that a poster presentation would also be organized in which research posters would be displayed.

For more information, contact:
Registrar,
University of the Punjab
Quaid-e-Azam Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-99231102
Fax: +92-42-99231103
E-Mail: registrar@pu.edu.pk
Website: http://pu.edu.pk/

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National Narrative promotes shared identity: Wajeeha 

Islamabad, December 08, 2021 (PPI-OT):Ms Wajeeha Akram, Federal Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training, in her address as chief guest, said on Wednesday that since National Narrative promotes shared identity, the government was happy that academia and researchers besides other state institutions, think tanks and civil society organizations were playing their role in achieving national integration and cultural harmony.

It is need of the hour that all these pillars of the state join hands, merge their efforts and support each other’s efforts to bridge the gap among the federating units and federation, minimize the difference of opinion among the provinces and the nation on the route to development as one nation, she said while speaking at Orientation Session on National Narrative here.

The National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Islamabad and the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad had organized the event at the QAU premises. KPK Provincial Minister for Education Kamran Khan Bangash said that Pakistani national identity is a sense of belonging to the Pakistani society. Various symbols have been invoked from time to time to construct Pakistani national identity, he said while addressing the participants as guest of honour through online link from Peshawar.

Accordingly, he said, different conceptions of cultural identity based on Islam, pluralism and nation-state are also prevalent in Pakistani society. National Narrative based on National Integration and Cultural Assimilation through unity in diversity promotes shared identity as the national culture of the country thus achieving the noble objective of unity, cohesion and political stability, Bangash said.

Talking about the Sialkot incident, he said if we enforce a discipline on our people, we will never be able to coerce them into resorting to violence. Highlighting the role of Paigham-e-Pakistan’s National Narrative against terrorism and extremism, Prof Dr Ziaul Haq, Director General, Islamic Research Institute of the International Islamic University, Islamabad said that Paigham-e-Pakistan was framed after the National Action Plan to root-out terrorism and extremism in the country showing “Kesa Ho Ga Pakistan.” He was deeply shocked at the Sialkot tragedy.

He stressed for changing mindset for accommodating people from all segments of society. Speaking on Rationale of National Narrative, QAU Dean of Social Sciences Prof Dr Muhammad Idrees said National Narrative cannot be imposed superficially as it is developed in a gradual evolutionary process. Hence, it is the right time to begin a journey towards a positive end by highlighting unity in diversity, he said.

He greatly hailed the government’s initiative of One Nation – One Curriculum. In his Vote of Thanks, the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali said that in addition to “Unity, Faith, Discipline”, the nation wanted another slogan which must be “Compassion” so that Sialkot-like incidents should not happen again. He revealed that the QAU is going to organize a conference in January 2022 on “Hum Pakistan” highlighting services and achievements of both notable and ordinary Pakistanis to the country.

In his welcome address, Dr Sajid Mahmood Awan, Director, National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research, Centre of Excellence, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad said that the idea of National Narrative is linked with modern nation states where it is important to create national harmony to keep the people united at a certain level for which common points of pride and historical achievements are highlighted to create a feeling of oneness among different people living in one state.

Prof Dr Waseema Shehzad, former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Air University, Islamabad explored role of diversity through her seminal yet critical presentation on Lingua Discourse: Cultural Identity of Pakistan. Muhammad Kashif Irshad, Director and Academic Coordinator, KPK spoke on Integrating Silk Route to Explore Cultural Diversity of Pakistan.

The chief guest along with the QAU VC distributed shields and certificates among the speakers, dignitaries and event organizers. Earlier, the event started with recitation from the holy Quran. National anthem was played upon arrival of the chief guest. The NIHCR Senior Research Fellow Dr Rahat Zubair Malik moderated the event.

For more information, contact:
National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (NIHCR)
Quaid-e-Azam University, New Campus, Shadara Road,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2896153-54/102
Fax: +92-51-2896152
Email: dirnihcr@gmail.com, nihcr@yahoo.com
Website: www.nihcr.edu.pk

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Sindh Local Government Amendment Bill will empower the people of Karachi and deliver on all the promises: Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari 

Karachi, December 08, 2021 (PPI-OT):Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2021 passed by the Sindh Assembly will empower the people of Karachi and all the promises made to them will be delivered.

In a statement issued from Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP stated that the suffering of Pakistan is evident and the aim of Pakistan Peoples Party is to reduce the issues of the common man. He said that people will continue to suffer till this selected government’s rule remains and the IMF deal goes on. He also said that its PPP’s mission to expose the poverty and unemployment the country is currently facing, and PPP will keep protesting against atrocities such as the rising petrol prices and the shortage of gas.

Chairman PPP emphasized that to deliver to the people of Karachi, a local government system is necessary. “Sindh is the only province in which the local government has completed its term for the first time, and now under the new local government system, the education, health and all other institutions will be accountable to the local bodies,” stated Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He said that division into towns will help in managing the city better and this has become evident from the results. Murtaza Wahab has delivered just a few months after he was elected.

He also said that once PPP forms the government, further improvements will be made to the country. “We collect 1 billion in property tax from Karachi. If the local body is able to collect this amount, we will be able to generate a large amount of revenue to cater to the problems of the people,” said Chairman PPP. “Waste management, local policing, education etc will be answerable to the local government and weekly reports will be given with the local bodies.”

Chairman PPP also stated that Pakistan Peoples Party will not mix politics and religion. He also said that it is essential for everyone to work together in order to achieve success. “People are trying to divide us based on our languages,” he said. Chairman PPP said that further amendments and improvements are yet to be added to the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, 2021 and that PPP does not believe in passing laws without consensus.

“The opposition has probably not read this law even once. If they had read it, they would have known that if the new local government system is compared with the local government system of 2015, it will be clear that the powers have been increased.” Chairman PPP also objected to the ethnicity-based divisions Sindh has been a victim of since decades and stated that now is the time to move forward. “We have to eliminate Altaf Hussain’s politics from the city,” he said.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari stresses for more access to Human Rights victims to legal tools for justice 

Karachi, December 08, 2021 (PPI-OT):Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has admired Sindh government for celebrating Sindh Human Rights Week from December 6-10 to mark the International Human Rights Day in the province and stressed for more access to the victims of HR violations to legal tools for justice.

During a meeting with Surendar Valasai Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Human Rights at Bilawal House on Wednesday, the PPP Chairman said there is a scope for expanding the Human Rights Department and provision of free legal aid to the victims of Human Rights abuse in every district. Surendar Valasai apprised the Party Chairman about activities being carried out under the Sindh Human Rights Week across the province where in Awareness Walks, Seminars, Speech and Essay Competition among students of colleges and universities are being organized.

For more information, contact:
PPP Media Cell (Sindh)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)
Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,
Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan
Cell: +92-305-3370383
Email: contact@ppp-tu.com
Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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MQI leader calls on Sri Lankan High Commissioner to express sympathies 

Lahore, December 08, 2021 (PPI-OT):On the directions of MQI founding-leader and patron-in-chief Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, Nazim-e-Aala Nizam-ul-Madaris Pakistan Allama Mir Asif Akbar called on the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Islamabad and expressed his deep sense of grief and sorrow with him on the Sialkot incident. He said that all segments of Pakistani society have condemned the incident of the killing of the Sri Lankan national and conveyed their condolences and sympathies with the bereaved family.

Allama Mir Asif Akbar said that the people of Pakistan are peace-loving. He said that the government and people of Sri Lanka showed responsible attitude in the aftermath of the tragedy in Sialkot, adding that our respect for Sri Lanka has increased manifold. He said that the incident is not the work of any group or thought. Rather those who perpetrated this heart-rending incident had a criminal mindset.

He hoped that the perpetrators would not be able to escape justice. Allama Mir Asif Akbar gave peace curriculum compiled by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri to Sri Lankan High Commissioner Mr. Mohan Wijewickrama. The High Commissioner thanked Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri and MQI.

For more information, contact:
Minhaj-ul-Quran International (MQI)
365 M, Model Town, Lahore, Pakistan
UAN: +92-42-111-140-140
Tel: +92-42-35169111
Email: tehreek@minhaj.org
Website: www.minhaj.org