Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: Deputy Prime Minister/ Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the preparatory committee for the international conference on 'Girls' education in Muslim communities: challenges and opportunities," to be hosted by Pakistan from 11-12 January.

The meeting was attended by the Minister Youth Affairs Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Chairman CDA, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.

The committee reviewed the preparations for the conference, which would feature a comprehensive agenda, including discussions on barriers to girls' education; the social and economic benefits of girls education; and innovative approaches to advancing education equity.

Islamabad: The University of Haripur on Wednesday successfully concluded the month-long National Outreach Programme for Faculty, a landmark initiative organized in collaboration with the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE-HEC).

The program aimed to develop faculty members into Trainers of Trainers (TOT), empowering them with modern teaching, research, and leadership skills to drive academic excellence across the country, said a press release.

Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum, Executive Director HEC, was chief guest in the closing ceremony, which was attended by the Vice Chancellor, Deans, Directors, and faculty members. Addressing the gathering, Dr. Zia Ul-Qayyum commended the University of Haripur for its dedication in fostering faculty development and emphasized the significance of continuous professional training in advancing the quality of higher education.

The Executive Director lauded NAHE's coordination and strategic execution of the programme, highlighting its pivotal role in ensuring the program's success. He praised NAHE's team for their tireless efforts in designing and implementing training modules that align with international best practices and cater to the unique needs of Pakistani academia.

He assured participants that HEC, through NAHE, remains committed for supporting such initiatives that contribute to academic innovation and institutional growth.

The programme, facilitated by NAHE-approved resource persons, provided targeted training to 30 faculty members, including 16 Assistant Professors and 14 Lecturers from diverse disciplines. The diverse cohort included nine female participants, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity in higher education. Participants gained expertise in innovative teaching methodologies, research skills, leadership, and technology integration-key areas for fostering a modern and dynamic academic environment.

Dr. Shafiq Ur Rahman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Haripur, extended his gratitude to NAHE, HEC, and all stakeholders for their invaluable contributions. He acknowledged the efforts of Dr Aziz Ullah, Director HRDC, and the Program Coordinator Tahir Abbas Zaidi for their dedication to the programme's success.

During the ceremony, participants shared positive feedback, emphasizing the programme's transformative impact on their professional growth. To symbolize growth and sustainability, Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum, alongside the Vice Chancellor and other officials, planted a tree on the university campus.

Islamabad: The Washington Post in its latest edition has reported India's nefarious designs in carrying out terrorism activities and target killings in Pakistan, exposing its dark face before the world.

Indian agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) targeted at least six people in Pakistan through professional killers using Afghani weapons, the Washington Post reported.

Two masked men killed Aamir Sarfraz alias Tamba in Lahore and escaped in April 2024, according to the newspaper.

'This incident is a continuation of India's covert assassination campaign, similar to operations in other countries,' it further reported.

RAW has targeted several individuals in Pakistan and evidence also clearly indicates India's involvement in the killing of Pakistani individuals, it added.

'Since 2021, India's intelligence agency RAW has reportedly been running a secret operation to assassinate several individuals in Pakistan, targeting a score of Pakistani citizens', it said.

The interior minister of Pakistan has also revealed the direct involvement of India in the target-killing incidents. In 2014, National Security Advisor of India Ajit Doval said, 'Attacking Pakistan directly is unrealistic, but we can achieve our objectives through covert means,' it added.

India has already faced severe international criticism due to RAW's assassination campaigns in the US, Canada, and other Western countries.

The Indian intelligence carried out extrajudicial killings in the US, Canada, and Western countries and RAW killed Sikh leaders in Canada and the US, it further reported.

'RAW officer Vikash Yadav, in New Delhi, directed his agent to hire a local professional killer for an attack on a Sikh leader in New York,' the newspaper said.

The Canadian authorities also exposed the involvement of Indian diplomats and RAW in terrorist activities, the Newspaper further said.

According to diplomatic experts, the evidence of India's involvement in the targeted killings of Pakistani citizens Muhammad Riaz and Maulana Shahid Latif also came to the fore.

Earlier, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had also presented evidence exposing Indian terrorism on Pakistani soil, they said.

The diplomatic experts urged the international community to take serious notice of India's aggression, terrorism, and violations of international laws. India's interference, terrorism, and target killings in other countries posed a severe threat to global peace, the experts said.