Category: Karachi

Battagram: Deputy Commissioner Battagram, Asif Ali Khan, in compliance with provincial government directives, inspected old and unserviceable government vehicles at various offices. Accompanied by District Nazir Battagram, Tehsildar Battagram, and Tehsildar SDC, the inspection aimed to identify unused assets and optimize resource management.

During the visit, DC Asif Ali Khan directed departmental heads to compile a comprehensive list of all non-operational vehicles and submit it to the DC office and provincial authorities. He emphasized that these vehicles will either be repaired for reuse or auctioned after completing the necessary legal processes.

The Deputy Commissioner highlighted that the initiative aligns with the government's efforts to ensure efficient utilization of resources and minimize unnecessary expenses. He noted that proper management of these vehicles would redirect government funds towards public welfare projects, enhancing overall resource effectiveness.

Karachi: Chairperson Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) Senator Rubina Khalid called on Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho here at her office on Tuesday.

During the meeting, mutual cooperation was discussed in terms of providing basic facilities to BISP beneficiaries through Benazir Nashonuma and other initiatives of the Sindh health department. In addition, issues such as development of pregnant and lactating mothers and their children, diseases caused by malnutrition, immunization, population growth and other issues such as organizing dynamic activities at the union council level were also discussed.

The meeting was informed that there are 140 facilitation centers and 39 mobile teams in Sindh province to provide services to the beneficiaries of Benazir Nashonuma program. Furthermore, emphasis was placed on the presence of NADRA staff at BISP Dynamic Registry Centers so that the deserving families can also get their children's birth registration done during BISP registration. Mutual consent was also expressed on bilateral data sharing between the Benazir Income Support Program and the Department of Health and Population Welfare.

The meeting emphasized the need to hold a joint meeting between BISP, Department of Health and Population Welfare and Nadir officials in which an effective strategy would be formulated to facilitate the registration process of the beneficiaries of BISP and Department of Health and Population Welfare.

Karachi: The Halal Certification, Testing, and Research Services (HCTRS), a part of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi, has reached a significant milestone by earning an accreditation certificate from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Accreditation Center.

This achievement was celebrated during an official meeting at the HEJ Research Institute by Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, Director of the ICCBS, University of Karachi, Prof. Dr. Syed Ghulam Musharraf, Incharge HCTRS, Mufti Dr. Syed Arif Ali Shah, General Manager HCTRS, Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, and Dr. Shakil Ahmed, said a spokesperson on Tuesday.

Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, Director of the ICCBS highlighted that HCTRS is Pakistan's first fully-fledged, government-backed Halal certification body, providing a comprehensive one-window solution for Halal certification, testing, training, and research. It is the only public-sector research institution in the country offering such Halal services and is committed to excellence and quality in laboratory operations, she said.

Prof. Dr. Shaheen further emphasized that this achievement reflects compliance with internationally recognized standards, including the GSO Standard GSO 2055-2: 2021 and OIC/SMIIC 2: 2019, solidifying HCTRS's role as a pioneering entity in Pakistan's Halal certification sector.

Previously, the Pakistan Halal Authority, operating under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, had awarded HCTRS a registration certificate, further establishing its credibility, she mentioned.

Speaking about the Gulf Cooperation Council Accreditation Center (GAC), Prof. Dr. Syed Ghulam Musharraf described it as a globally renowned institution dedicated to fostering international collaboration, promoting the recognition of accredited conformity assessment bodies, and harmonizing accreditation practices worldwide.

It is noteworthy that HCTRS offers Halal certification services across various sectors, including food of animal origin (slaughtering, meat, and meat products), food of plant origin, beverages, processed foods, food services, export and import logistics, distribution, retail, transportation, packaging, storage, and auxiliary services.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi, Prof. Dr. Khalid Iraqi, and Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology, also congratulated the HCTRS team on their outstanding achievement.

Karachi: The Halal Certification, Testing, and Research Services (HCTRS), a part of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) at the University of Karachi, has reached a significant milestone by earning an accreditation certificate from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Accreditation Center.

This achievement was celebrated during an official meeting at the HEJ Research Institute by Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, Director of the ICCBS, University of Karachi, Prof. Dr. Syed Ghulam Musharraf, Incharge HCTRS, Mufti Dr. Syed Arif Ali Shah, General Manager HCTRS, Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmed, and Dr. Shakil Ahmed, said a spokesperson on Tuesday.

Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, Director of the ICCBS highlighted that HCTRS is Pakistan's first fully-fledged, government-backed Halal certification body, providing a comprehensive one-window solution for Halal certification, testing, training, and research. It is the only public-sector research institution in the country offering such Halal services and is committed to excellence and quality in laboratory operations, she said.

Prof. Dr. Shaheen further emphasized that this achievement reflects compliance with internationally recognized standards, including the GSO Standard GSO 2055-2: 2021 and OIC/SMIIC 2: 2019, solidifying HCTRS's role as a pioneering entity in Pakistan's Halal certification sector.

Previously, the Pakistan Halal Authority, operating under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, had awarded HCTRS a registration certificate, further establishing its credibility, she mentioned.

Speaking about the Gulf Cooperation Council Accreditation Center (GAC), Prof. Dr. Syed Ghulam Musharraf described it as a globally renowned institution dedicated to fostering international collaboration, promoting the recognition of accredited conformity assessment bodies, and harmonizing accreditation practices worldwide.

It is noteworthy that HCTRS offers Halal certification services across various sectors, including food of animal origin (slaughtering, meat, and meat products), food of plant origin, beverages, processed foods, food services, export and import logistics, distribution, retail, transportation, packaging, storage, and auxiliary services.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi, Prof. Dr. Khalid Iraqi, and Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology, also congratulated the HCTRS team on their outstanding achievement.

Battagram: Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Hazara Region, Nasir Mehmood Satti, paid an official visit to Battagram and also chaired a high-level meeting with police officers and addressed a police Darbar.

During the meeting, DPO Ayaz presented a comprehensive briefing on the performance of Battagram police, regional challenges, and key operational updates. Commending their efforts, DIG Satti directed officers to strengthen their actions against criminals by forming specialized teams to apprehend wanted suspects and taking firm measures against drug dealers, land grabbers, and other habitual offenders.

He emphasized a zero-tolerance policy for corruption and any affiliations with criminal elements. Acknowledging the unique geographic challenges of Battagram, he instructed collaboration with other departments for search and strike operations and urged practical measures to resolve traffic issues in the city.

He also recommended integrating CCTV systems in public spaces with the police control room for improved monitoring.

Later, DIG Hazara addressed officers and personnel at a police darbar, where challenges and concerns were discussed. Immediate resolutions were directed to address their issues.

He lauded the professionalism and bravery of the Battagram police and assured regular performance evaluations to enhance accountability.

DIG Satti reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of police personnel and highlighted plans to ensure safety and travel facilities for tourists visiting Battagram.

He concluded by urging officers to focus on public welfare, maintain justice, and uphold transparency in their duties.

Karachi: The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) organized an awareness seminar on the Model Assessment Framework (MAF) 2024 to transform assessment practices in Pakistan.

The seminar, held at Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, brought together education leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to emphasize the need for standardized, transparent, and equitable assessments aligned with global standards.

The Executive Director IBCC Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah delivered the opening remarks, highlighting the transformative potential of MAF in promoting critical thinking, conceptual understanding, and lifelong learning. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Naeem Khalid, former DG Academics HEC, delivered a keynote presentation on 'Revolutionizing Education with TPACK+ Model and the Future of Hybrid Learning Aligned with NCP 2023,' addressing the role of technology and pedagogy in advancing education.

Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah graced the event as the Chief Guest and expressed his gratitude to Dr. Mallah for initiating this progressive seminar in Karachi. He stated, 'We welcome innovative input, no matter where it comes from and appreciate such initiatives that aim to improve our education system. However, we must also honor the rights and powers of provincial governments as outlined in the constitution.'

He further congratulated all stakeholders and board chairpersons for their efforts and highlighted the upcoming examinations as a crucial challenge. 'The next examinations will be a significant test for us and will determine whether we are capable of implementing this framework effectively,' he added.

The Vice Chancellor Dawood University of Engineerg and Technology (DUET) Engr. Prof. Dr. Samreen Hussain graced the seminar as the Guest of Honour, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to reform Pakistan's education system.

A key highlight of the seminar was a panel discussion moderated by Munira Mohammad, Lead Specialist at AKU-EB. The panel included esteemed educationists such as Dr. Naveed Yousaf, CEI, AKU-EB, Muhammad Shafique Awan, Chairman, BISE Abbottabad, Prof. Dr. Shazia Naeem, CEO, CANTAB Publisher, Lahore, Dr. Fatima Rehan Dar, CEO, Oak Consulting; and Ms. Huma Arshad, Educational Leadership/AI Trainer. The discussion explored the challenges in the current assessment landscape and the role of MAF in the development of fairness, inclusivity, and conceptual learning.

The seminar also outlined the key features of MAF, including alignment with the National Curriculum, focus on higher-order cognitive skills, integration of digital tools, psychometric analysis, and comprehensive capacity-building initiatives.

IBCC announced plans for nationwide training sessions to ensure the effective implementation of MAF, aiming to address regional disparities and improve assessment quality.

Dr. Ghulam Ali Mallah concluded the seminar by expressing his gratitude to the partnering organizations for their support. He also appreciated the efforts of the IBCC team, including Ejaz Ahsan, Director Regional Office Karachi; Dr. Shahzad Ali Gill, Director Capacity Building, Imran Khan, Deputy Director IBCC, Ms. Sadia Naz, Deputy Director IBCC, and Baddar ud Din, Assistant Director, for their invaluable contributions to making the event a success.

With the support of education leaders, the MAF initiative is set to pave the way for a unified and transparent assessment system in Pakistan, promoting equity and excellence in education.