Category: Islamabad

Islamabad: The China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) hosted an In-house Roundtable discussion titled 'Pakistan-China relations' here on Wednesday.

Pakistan's Ambassador to China Khalil Hashmi was the Keynote Speaker.

The event brought together senior diplomats and renowned scholars to reflect on the enduring partnership between Pakistan and China and evaluate its future trajectory in the wake of the evolving bilateral, regional and global context, said a press release issued.

In his welcome remarks, DG ISSI Ambassador Sohail Mahmood reaffirmed the Institute's commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue on Pakistan's strategic relationships, particularly the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership.

He highlighted the steady progression of Pakistan-China relations since the founding of the People's Republic in 1949, the salience of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), and the implications of the evolving global order marked by major-power contestation and growing multi-polarity.

Ambassador Khalil Hashmi provided a comprehensive analysis of China's rise, Beijing's engagement with the region and globally, and the current state of play in bilateral relations.

He also underlined the efforts of the Pakistan mission in Beijing towards imparting greater depth and substance to the trade, investment and economic dimensions of the relationship.

The participants engaged in a wide-ranging exchange of ideas during the interactive session, emphasizing the importance of sustained collaboration, improvement of the business-to-business (B2B) interface, and enhanced people-to-people exchanges.

The participants stressed the vital importance of policy foresight and preparedness to maximize the potential of this critical partnership in a changing global order.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment to further strengthening the Pakistan-China relationship in light of contemporary challenges and opportunities.

Islamabad: During a meeting with Dr Rana Imran Sikandar, Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), he commended the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for prioritizing healthcare reforms.

He said that efforts are underway to address public healthcare challenges and to plan large-scale developmental projects for various departments of PIMS.

Dr. Sikandar provided a comprehensive briefing on the hospital's performance, challenges, and the state of medical facilities.

The Deputy Chairman praised PIMS as a vital healthcare institution serving patients from across Pakistan but acknowledged the immense pressure it faces as a primary healthcare provider.

'The provision of medical facilities is becoming increasingly challenging due to the rising number of patients,' Syedaal Khan added. He expressed concerns over the frequent breakdown of hospital equipment, which often forces patients to seek diagnostic tests from external facilities.

To address these issues, he underscored the urgency of procuring new machinery through adequate funding. He also called for significant improvements in the hospital's infrastructure, particularly the wards, and urged both administrative staff and medical professionals to take collective responsibility for enhancing patient care.

Highlighting inefficiencies in the hospital system, Syedaal Khan pointed to the long queues patients endure for blood sample collection.

'This system needs to be reformed to save patients' valuable time,' he stated, stressing the importance of streamlining operations for better service delivery.

The Deputy Chairman reiterated the government's commitment to resolving healthcare challenges and ensuring accessible, high-quality medical services for all citizens.

Islamabad: During a meeting with Dr Rana Imran Sikandar, Executive Director of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), he commended the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for prioritizing healthcare reforms.

He said that efforts are underway to address public healthcare challenges and to plan large-scale developmental projects for various departments of PIMS.

Dr. Sikandar provided a comprehensive briefing on the hospital’s performance, challenges, and the state of medical facilities.

The Deputy Chairman praised PIMS as a vital healthcare institution serving patients from across Pakistan but acknowledged the immense pressure it faces as a primary healthcare provider.

‘The provision of medical facilities is becoming increasingly challenging due to the rising number of patients,’ Syedaal Khan added. He expressed concerns over the frequent breakdown of hospital equipment, which often forces patients to seek diagnostic tests from external facilities.

To address these issues, he underscored the urgency of procuring new machinery through adequate funding. He also called for significant improvements in the hospital’s infrastructure, particularly the wards, and urged both administrative staff and medical professionals to take collective responsibility for enhancing patient care.

Highlighting inefficiencies in the hospital system, Syedaal Khan pointed to the long queues patients endure for blood sample collection.

‘This system needs to be reformed to save patients’ valuable time,’ he stated, stressing the importance of streamlining operations for better service delivery.

The Deputy Chairman reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving healthcare challenges and ensuring accessible, high-quality medical services for all citizens.

Islamabad: The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) hosted a thought-provoking policy clinic titled "Survival of the Greenest" led by Dr. Amir Lebdioui from Oxford University.

The event shed light on the urgent need for green economic transitions in the face of escalating climate change challenges, particularly for vulnerable nations like Pakistan, said a press release issued here on Wednesday.

Dr. Sajid Amin Javed, Deputy Executive Director SDPI, shared reflections on the institute's journey in fostering impactful policy discussions. He underscored SDPI's commitment to advancing climate resilience and sustainable development initiatives in Pakistan.

Dr. Amir Lebdioui, the keynote speaker, drew inspiration from Charles Darwin's Survival of the Fittest, reimagining the concept to emphasize the survival of economies that embrace green transitions. 'It's not only species but economies that are in a race for survival, driven by technological advancements and climate imperatives,' he stated.

Dr. Lebdioui highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations like Pakistan, which contribute minimally to global emissions yet face severe penalties, including economic losses, increased borrowing costs, and disrupted supply chains. He presented the 1970s decline of Nauru, once a wealthy island nation, as a cautionary tale of unsustainable resource dependence.

'Green transitions are not just environmental necessities but acts of macroeconomic resilience,' he emphasized. The discussion outlined three primary avenues for sustainable economic transformation namely Green Windows for Industrialization: Large-scale adoption of low-carbon technologies to drive industrial growth, Energy Transitions: Leveraging energy innovation as a cornerstone of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Environmental Upgrading: Embedding green practices within supply chains to enhance productivity and sustainability.

Dr. Lebdioui critiqued global economic distortions, noting how industrialized nations dominate renewable energy investments despite developing countries' greater potential due to lower costs. 'The global north's green protectionism limits opportunities for industrial decarbonization in nations like Pakistan,' he observed. He also stressed that effective green transitions hinge on skills development rather than resource availability.

The keynote underscored the need for tailored green industrial policies aligned with local realities. Inter-ministerial coordination and private sector inclusion were identified as critical enablers of successful transitions. 'Green policies must evolve and adapt to future outcomes rather than imitate models from elsewhere,' Dr. Lebdioui advised.

In an era defined by intersecting crises, industrial policy offers a strategic tool to manage transitions, according to Dr. Lebdioui. However, he lamented the global failure to prioritize climate commitments, pointing out the disparity in funding mobilized for wars versus environmental resilience.

Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has offered over 80 educational programs for overseas Pakistanis and international students in its admissions for the Semester Spring 2025.

These programs include Matriculation, FA, I.Com, Associate Degrees in Arts, Commerce, and Education, BS programs, B.Ed programs of 1.5, 2.5, and 4 years, and Diploma Programs in 12 disciplines.

The university is offering these educational programs to international students through an online management system.

All academic activities, from admissions to examinations, will be conducted online. For monitoring online examinations, MS Teams or a monitoring application approved by the authorities will be used.

The last date for admissions is February 10. Students can apply online through the link http: //fmbp.aiou.edu.pk.

It is noteworthy that to facilitate international students, Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Nasir Mahmood has activated and empowered the International Collaboration and Exchange Office at the university.

This office maintains continuous contact with international students, provides them with extensive guidance, and arranges orientation sessions for new international enrollees.

While discussing international admissions, the Vice-Chancellor stated, "It is a matter of pride for us that 1,007 students from 37 countries have already enrolled, and we aim to increase this number to 5,000 within the next five years."

Overseas Pakistanis and international students can contact the International Collaboration and Exchange Office for further details via email at [email protected] or phone at +92519572495.