Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Prime Minister's Coordinator, Rana Ehsan Afzal said on Monday that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as a democratic party, has always supported dialogue in the national interest.

Talking to a private news channel, he highlighted that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had repeatedly invited by PML-N for dialogue in the past to maintain democracy and improve the economy.

PTI's sole objective was to achieve a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), he added.

Afzal further stated that PTI's agenda in these discussions was always focused on securing an NRO for former chairman.

He also criticized PTI for threatening to create anarchy when they realized the ruling party was focused on dialogue in the national interest.

He said that PTI's track record shows they have always chosen the path of anarchy.

Islamabad: In a significant step toward improving healthcare access for families, the Parliamentary Secretary for National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination, Nelson Azeem, announced on Monday that a state-of-the-art Mother and Child Health Hospital is being established in Islamabad's Sector I-14.

The project, titled 'Establishment of Mother, Neonates, and Child Health Center (MNCHC) in ICT Islamabad,' is being developed under the Ministry of NHSR and C and aims to provide essential primary and secondary healthcare services to the local community.

During the National Assembly's Question Hour session, Azeem highlighted that the new hospital will significantly reduce the patients burden on Islamabad's tertiary care hospitals by offering critical healthcare services closer to home for residents of I-14 and surrounding areas. The facility will serve as a referral center for nearby primary healthcare centers, delivering specialized maternal and child health services alongside general healthcare.

Azeem also shared updates on the hospital's progress, noting that equipment procured during the last financial year has already been installed. The recruitment process for essential staff is underway, with applications currently under review.

He said tests and interviews for potential candidates will be scheduled soon, ensuring that the hospital is staffed with qualified professionals.

Additionally, he said the technical evaluation of remaining physical assets, including machinery, equipment, furniture, and fixtures, is in progress and is expected to be completed by the end of May this financial year. Once the procurement of these assets and the recruitment of staff are finalized, the hospital will be fully operational, marking a major milestone in the region's healthcare infrastructure.

He said this initiative reflects the government's commitment to strengthening healthcare services, particularly for mothers and children, and underscores its focus on bringing quality medical care to the doorsteps of citizens. The new hospital is poised to become a vital healthcare hub, offering hope and support to families in Islamabad, he added.

Islamabad: Nutritionist Hina Anees, on Monday, recognized the importance and vital role of pulses as a key component of a healthy diet.

Speaking to a private news channel on the International Day of Pulses, she explained that pulses, such as lentils, chickpeas, and beans, are rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients.

She highlighted that proper intake of pulses could improve digestion, support heart health, and provide a great source of energy.

She also encouraged people to include pulses in their daily meals, emphasizing their role in preventing malnutrition and promoting overall well-being.

Pulses, including beans, peas, and lentils, had been consumed for at least 10,000 years and were among the most widely used foods globally, she added.

She further noted that the phytochemicals, saponins, and tannins found in pulses possess antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties, suggesting that pulses might have significant anti-cancer effects.

Islamabad: Prime Minister's Coordinator, Rana Ehsan Afzal said on Monday that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), as a democratic party, has always supported dialogue in the national interest.

Talking to a private news channel, he highlighted that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had repeatedly invited by PML-N for dialogue in the past to maintain democracy and improve the economy.

PTI's sole objective was to achieve a National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), he added.

Afzal further stated that PTI's agenda in these discussions was always focused on securing an NRO for former chairman.

He also criticized PTI for threatening to create anarchy when they realized the ruling party was focused on dialogue in the national interest.

He said that PTI's track record shows they have always chosen the path of anarchy.

Islamabad: A 15-day training workshop for authors commenced on Monday at Allama Iqbal Open University(AIOU).

Writers of religious books from various regions of the country are participating in this workshop to enhance their writing skills.

The inaugural session was presided over by the Dean of the Faculty of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Prof Dr Shah Mohyuddin Hashmi, while the Director of Al-Mustafa International University, Dr. Kazim Saleem, was the chief guest.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Shah Mohyuddin Hashmi emphasized that the world is undergoing significant changes, and it is crucial for authors to understand this paradigm shift.

He stated that this shift has provided numerous facilities, and it is essential to comprehend how to handle and benefit from them effectively.

Dr. Shah Mohyuddin Hashmi further elaborated that the workshop will cover various topics, including selecting a research topic, research framework, research paper formatting, analysis of research material, thesis binding, citations, footnotes, references, bibliography, and the ethics of academic discourse.

In his address, Dr. Kazim Saleem highlighted that, unfortunately, research and academic projects are scarce in Pakistan.

However, due to the dedication of intellectuals, some institutions continue to organize academic events consistently, with Allama Iqbal Open University leading the way.

He mentioned that Al-Mustafa International University and Allama Iqbal Open University have jointly initiated these academic activities, yielding significant results.

The training workshop has been organized collaboratively by the Department of Islamic Thought, History and Culture at Allama Iqbal Open University and Al-Mustafa International University.

During an open forum, the participating authors introduced themselves and shared their academic, religious, and literary contributions.

It is worth noting that, under the directives of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasir Mehmood, professional development training workshops are being regularly conducted at the university. This workshop was also a part of that ongoing series.

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Housing and Works Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada on Monday acknowledged the need for residential schemes for federal government employees but confirmed that no such schemes are currently under consideration.

He also provided clarity on the roles and responsibilities of federal and provincial governments in regulating housing societies and addressing the housing needs of federal employees.

During the Question Hour of the National Assembly Session, the minister emphasized that, under the 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan, housing is a provincial subject. This means provincial departments are empowered to handle regulatory functions, including the processing and approval of No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for new housing societies. However, in the case of Islamabad, this responsibility falls under the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which operates under the Ministry of Interior.

Responding to a supplementary question, Pirzada explained that, as per the Rules of Business 1973, the Ministry of Housing and Works is not tasked with granting NOCs to housing societies. Instead, two specialized entities-the Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) and the Pakistan Housing Authority Foundation (PHA-F)-are mandated to develop housing schemes.

The FGEHA is specifically responsible for planning and developing housing schemes for serving and retired federal government employees, as well as other specified groups. Meanwhile, the PHA-F focuses on constructing apartments and housing schemes for federal employees and low-income groups.

To ensure timely completion of projects, the FGEHA collaborates with joint venture partners under Joint Venture Agreements and Construction Agreements. Similarly, the PHA-F engages reputable national and international engineering consultants and contractors through an open bidding process, adhering to the rules and regulations of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), he added.