Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

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Two day Capacity Building Workshop for Officers Begins at SALU Khairpur


Sukkur: A two day Capacity Building Workshop for officers of Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur commenced today at the Seminar Hall, Institute of Business Administration (IBA).



The workshop, organized under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Hissamuddin Shaikh and Inspector of Colleges Syed Muneer Rashdi, aims to enhance professional, technical and leadership skills of administrative officers with special focus on use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in official work.



Addressing online, Vice Chancellor Meritorious Prof. Dr. Yousuf Khushk appreciated the organizing committee and said such programmes are vital for enhancing administrative efficiency.



He highlighted the transformative role of AI in official work, noting that learning has no age limit. He announced that similar workshops will be organized regularly for officers and ministerial staff.



In his presidential address, Prof. Dr. Noor Ahmed Shaikh, Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, emphasized the importance of AI in modern office management and urged participants to apply the acquired skills in their offices.



Prof. Dr. Irum Rani Shaikh and Prof. Dr. Masiullah Jatoi also attended the inaugural session.



The event was attended by Registrar, Director Finance, Inspector of Colleges, Additional Registrar, Director Admissions, Heads of Sections, Administrative Officers, Senior Data Processing Officers and other officials.



Technical sessions were conducted by Dr. Mohsin Kazmi and Dr. Farhan Shahzad with practical demonstrations on AI applications in administration.



The workshop will continue on 31 July 2026 with further technical sessions and practical exercises.



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11 unsafe buildings sealed in Sialkot during monsoon safety drive


Sialkot: The Municipal Corporation Sialkot has sealed 11 dangerous and dilapidated buildings during a citywide safety drive launched on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Awais Mushtaq to protect lives and property during the ongoing monsoon season.



According to a spokesperson for the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the campaign is aimed at preventing accidents caused by unsafe structures during heavy rains. Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Sialkot Zubair Wattoo said building and enforcement inspectors had carried out inspections in different parts of the city and sealed 11 hazardous buildings.



He said the owners had been directed to safely demolish the unsafe buildings within the stipulated period. He warned that if they failed to comply, the Municipal Corporation would demolish the structures under the law and recover the cost from the owners.



The chief officer said the operation was being conducted under the Punjab Local Government Act, 2025, adding that the identification of other dangerous buildings and legal action against them would continue across the city.



He appealed to citizens to avoid living in or unnecessarily visiting dilapidated buildings during the rainy season and to immediately report any unsafe structure to the Municipal Corporation so prompt action could be taken. He said public cooperation was essential for safeguarding lives and property.



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UE concludes ‘Resurgence 2026’ conference, inaugurates Business Incubation Centre


Lahore: The University of Education (UE) Lahore concluded its two-day flagship research conference, ‘Resurgence 2026,’ with a renewed commitment to promoting research, innovation and entrepreneurship, while inaugurating the University’s Business Incubation Centre (BIC) to support student-led startups.



The concluding ceremony was attended by Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lahore Sun Yun as the chief guest. Secretary Special Education, vice chancellors of various universities, representatives of academia and industry, faculty members, researchers and students also participated in the event.



During the two-day conference, researchers presented studies, policy recommendations and startup ideas in the fields of Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), science and other emerging disciplines, focusing on challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving global landscape.



The chief guest inaugurated the UE Business Incubation Centre, established to nurture entrepreneurial talent, provide mentorship and networking opportunities, and help students transform innovative ideas into sustainable business ventures.



The university also honoured more than 30 researchers with certificates and shields in recognition of their outstanding contributions to research and innovation.



Addressing the ceremony, Sun Yun said the University of Education had earned a distinguished position in Pakistan’s higher education sector through its achievements in research, innovation and knowledge creation. He said the presence of Chinese students at the university reflected the growing educational and research partnership between Pakistan and China and appreciated the institution’s efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation through higher education.



Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Aqif Anwar Chaudhry highlighted the university’s research achievements over the past year, saying the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialisation (ORIC) and faculty members had demonstrated outstanding performance in advancing research and innovation.



He said 14 faculty members of the university had been included among the world’s top two per cent scientists, describing it as a landmark achievement for the institution. He added that the university had also secured prominent positions in national and international rankings, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence.



The vice chancellor said the newly established BIC would promote entrepreneurship and commercialisation by enabling students to develop innovative ideas into successful business ventures. He added that the University of Education, with campuses in seven cities of Punjab, remained committed to providing affordable, modern and quality education across the province.



The conference concluded with a pledge to strengthen research collaborations, encourage innovation and promote entrepreneurship to address national and global challenges. A large number of researchers, faculty members, students and industry representatives attended the event.



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FTO urges FBR to launch faceless income tax refund system


Islamabad: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to launch a Faceless Income Tax Refund System to enable the automated processing of eligible tax refunds and their direct electronic transfer into taxpayers’ bank accounts, saying the move would reduce delays and improve taxpayer facilitation.



The recommendation came while deciding a complaint filed by M/s Sprint Oil and Gas Services FZC, which sought the release of an income tax refund of Rs 42.86 million for tax year 2025. The company had submitted its online refund application on April 13, but alleged that the refund remained pending despite the expiry of the statutory 60-day processing period.



According to the complaint, the delay constituted maladministration under the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance, 2000. The complainant also referred to an Islamabad High Court directive calling for the implementation of an automated refund mechanism under Section 170A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, to minimise taxpayer interaction with tax offices and speed up refund payments.



In its response, the Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Corporate Tax Office (CTO), Islamabad, stated that refund applications were being processed on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis under FBR instructions and that the taxpayer’s claim was still under verification after notices were issued seeking supporting documents.



After reviewing the record, the Tax Ombudsman Zafar Hijazi ruled that the refund application had remained pending beyond the statutory timeframe and that such delay amounted to maladministration due to departmental neglect and inattention. The FTO rejected the department’s reliance on the FIFO policy as a justification for prolonged delays, observing that administrative procedures could not override taxpayers’ legal rights.



The FTO directed FBR to instruct the Commissioner Inland Revenue (Refund Zone), CTO Islamabad, to decide the pending refund claim in accordance with the law after determining the nature of the taxes paid or deducted and submit a compliance report within 30 days.



In a significant policy recommendation, the Ombudsman advised FBR to operationalise a Faceless Income Tax Refund System under Section 170A of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001. The proposed system would allow refunds, verified through the Board’s computerised system, to be transferred electronically into taxpayers’ notified bank accounts without requiring formal refund applications, similar to the faceless customs clearance and assessment regimes already introduced by FBR.



The FTO said such a mechanism would enhance efficiency, reduce taxpayer hardship and promote a modern, technology-driven tax administration.



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Ayaz mourns loss of lives in Soranj coal mine tragedy


Islamabad: Speaker National Assembly, Sardar Ayaz Sadiq on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the coal mine accident in the Soranj area on the outskirts of Quetta.



In a statement, the Speaker termed the incident as a tragic and deeply unfortunate accident, saying that hardworking labourers were a valuable asset to the country.



He extended his heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families and said that he shared their grief in this difficult time.



Ayaz Sadiq directed the relevant authorities to ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment to those injured in the incident.



He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls, patience and fortitude for the bereaved families, and the speedy recovery of the injured.



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President, PM express deep grief over coal mine explosion near Quetta


Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives in a coal mine explosion in the Sorange area of Quetta, where several workers were killed.



In separate statements, the president and the prime minister directed the relevant authorities to rescue all workers trapped in the mine and ensure the provision of the best possible medical treatment to the injured.



They extended their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of those who lost their lives in the incident. They also prayed for grant of strength to the bereaved families to bear the loss with patience.



They emphasized the need for strict implementation of safety measures in coal mines to protect the lives of workers and prevent such tragic incidents in the future.



President Asif Ali Zardari said the contribution of workers to the country’s development was invaluable and that ensuring their safety was a shared responsibility of the state.



Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and other relevant departments to continue rescue operations in an effective and expeditious manner until all affected workers had been rescued and provided with the necessary relief.



He said the country’s workers were a valuable national asset and stressed the need for permanent safety measures to safeguard the lives of coal mine workers.