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Operationalisation of Gwadar Airport a milestone to strengthen regional connectivity: PM

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday calling it an example of Pakistan-China friendship, said that the operationalization of Gwadar International Airport was a great step forward to strengthen connectivity within Pakistan as well as the entire region.

The prime minister, in a statement, expressed satisfaction as a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight landed at the Gwadar Airport, making it the first commercial aircraft to arrive at the facility.

He said that with the inauguration of Gwadar Airport, another milestone has been achieved to link Gwadar with Central Asia and East Asia besides providing linkage between the Middle East and Gulf states.

The prime minister said that the opening of Gwadar International Airport would realise the dream of development of Pakistan and the region through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

"Today, we have come closer to fulfilling the joint commitment of the Chinese President Xi Jinping and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for the development of Pakistan and the region through the CPEC. By the grace of Allah, CPEC started during the tenure of Nawaz Sharif and is now achieving important milestones under his leadership," he remarked.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said that the entire nation was grateful to the Chinese leadership and the government as the country always played a key role in the development of Pakistan.

He also lauded Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and his government, security personnel and military leadership for their tireless efforts to ensure the completion of the airport.

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CM approves initiating evening shift in primary schools to reduce drop out ratio

Karachi: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday expressed concerns regarding the 46 per cent dropout rate among students who complete their primary education due to the lack of middle schools in the area, therefore, he directed the school education department to introduce afternoon shifts for middle school classes at primary schools, aiming to address this problem.

The meeting was held at CM House, with Minister of Education Syed Sardar Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, PSCM Agha Wasif, Secretary of School Education Zahid Abbasi, Chairman of P and D Najma Shah, Secretary of Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary of Colleges Asif Ikram, and other concerned officers in attendance.

Minister of Education Syed Sardar Shah and Secretary of School Education Zahid Abbasi briefed the Chief Minister and reported that there are 16.89 million children aged five to 16 enrolled in the province, which includes 5.20 million in public schools and 4.01 million in private schools. Additionally, schools under the Sindh Education Foundation have 93,000 students, non-formal education serves 5.66 million children, and madrasas have 1.03 million students.

During the discussion, the Chief Minister pointed out two major challenges facing the School Education Department, enrolling 7.8 million out-of-school children and reducing the dropout rate, which currently stands at 46 per cent.

He emphasised that these two challenges could only be addressed by strengthening both formal and non-formal education streams in terms of access, quality, and governance.

To a question, the CM was informed that there were 36300 primary schools and 4,600 post-primary/middle schools. The significant gap between the number of primary and post-primary schools contributes to the dropout rate.

Shah directed the education department to initiate post-primary schools during the second shift/afternoon shift in primary schools, with plans to upgrade them to the middle school level.

Murad Shah instructed the education department to convert the Sindh Textbook Board (STBB) into a company, restricting its role to book publication and distribution only. The responsibility for textbook development will be transferred to the Directorate of Curriculum, Assessment, and Research (DCCAR).

The Chief Minister also directed the Minister of Education to reform DCCAR by converting technical positions to market-based roles, bringing in efficient technical human resources.

He emphasized that private schools are significant stakeholders, catering to 40% of enrollment, and therefore must be properly regulated, monitored, and evaluated.

Murad Shah approved the creation of inspector positions within the Directorate of Private Schools to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation, including the implementation of a 10% freeship policy in private schools and proper inspections.

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TDCP introduces double decker bus service in Faisalabad

Faisalabad: The Tourism Development Corporation Punjab introduced double decker bus service

to explore Faisalabad for the general public and students of schools, colleges and universities.

According to official sources on Monday, the main terminal of the bus is Bagh-e-Jinnah and it will cover a 28-km distance on various city roads. The estimated travel time will be 3-hours with one-and-a-half hours stay.

The ticket price general is Rs 500 and students /children under 19 is Rs 400. Friday and Sunday will be for the general public, however, the bus can move on other days also if its seats are filled.

The special booking for 60 seats in a bus for a student's group will be in Rs 20,000 and for general

public with family Rs 25,000 per tour.

The TDCP also offered free travelling to Senior Citizens (65 plus) CNIC required, kids under-5 (FRC required) and disabled persons (card required).

The route of the explore Faisalabad bus is main terminal (Bagh-e-Jinnah) to Serena hotel, Iqbal stadium, arts council, agriculture university, district council, Lyallpur museum, Allama Iqbal library, Clock Tower, Gumti, Chenab Club, railway station, Abdullahpur, canal road view, Fantasia Theme Park, Kashmir under-pass, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce, Lyallpur Galleria, Government Municipal Degree College, Koh-e-Noor shopping mall, NFC Institute, D-ground, Chen One road, Jhal flyover, GTS chowk and Bagh-e-Jinnah.

The buses can be booked by visiting WWW.TDCP.GOP.PK or cell number 0307-8777555 and 0300-7918456.

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TDCP introduces double decker bus service in Faisalabad

Faisalabad: The Tourism Development Corporation Punjab introduced double decker bus service

to explore Faisalabad for the general public and students of schools, colleges and universities.

According to official sources on Monday, the main terminal of the bus is Bagh-e-Jinnah and it will cover a 28-km distance on various city roads. The estimated travel time will be 3-hours with one-and-a-half hours stay.

The ticket price general is Rs 500 and students /children under 19 is Rs 400. Friday and Sunday will be for the general public, however, the bus can move on other days also if its seats are filled.

The special booking for 60 seats in a bus for a student's group will be in Rs 20,000 and for general

public with family Rs 25,000 per tour.

The TDCP also offered free travelling to Senior Citizens (65 plus) CNIC required, kids under-5 (FRC required) and disabled persons (card required).

The route of the explore Faisalabad bus is main terminal (Bagh-e-Jinnah) to Serena hotel, Iqbal stadium, arts council, agriculture university, district council, Lyallpur museum, Allama Iqbal library, Clock Tower, Gumti, Chenab Club, railway station, Abdullahpur, canal road view, Fantasia Theme Park, Kashmir under-pass, Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce, Lyallpur Galleria, Government Municipal Degree College, Koh-e-Noor shopping mall, NFC Institute, D-ground, Chen One road, Jhal flyover, GTS chowk and Bagh-e-Jinnah.

The buses can be booked by visiting WWW.TDCP.GOP.PK or cell number 0307-8777555 and 0300-7918456.

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Medicines distributed among children suffering from Thalassemia

Sargodha: The Rahmat-ul-Alameen Foundation organized a ceremony at the Hilal-e-Ahmar Thalassemia Center and medicines were distributed among children in the division.

The event was attended by notable dignitaries, including Superintendent District Jail Shahpur

Muhammad Abu Bakr Abdullah, Dr Arshad Shahid, Dr Ghulam Murtaza, Chairman Adam Foundation,

and people belonging to various walks of life.

Superintendent District Jail Shahpur Abdullah emphasized the importance of supporting children suffering from thalassemia, stating that raising awareness about the disease is a noble cause.

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US, China and UK top 3 destinations of Pakistani exports during Jul-Dec 2024

Islamabad: The United States (US) remained the top export destination of Pakistani products during the first six months of the current financial year 2024-25, followed by China and the United Kingdom (UK).

Total exports to the US during July-December 2024-25 were recorded at US $3017.563 million against the exports of US $2748.895 million during July-December 2023-24, showing an increase of 9.77 percent, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

This was followed by China, wherein Pakistan exported goods worth US $1286.437 million against the exports of US $1481.762 million last year, showing a decrease of 13.18 percent.

UK was the third top export destination, where Pakistan exported products worth US $1100.425 million during the month under review against the exports of US $1016.449 million, SBP data revealed.

Among other countries, Pakistani exports to UAE stood at US $1088.99 million against US $1000.719 million last year while the exports to Germany were recorded at US $843.722 million against US $732.978 million last year, data said.

During July-December 2024-25, the exports to Holland were recorded at $742.724 million against $670.394 million whereas the exports to Italy stood at $569.347 million against $568.293 million.

Pakistan's exports to Spain were recorded at $724.913 million against the exports of US $747.933 million while the exports to Afghanistan were recorded at $504.308 million against $262.583 million last year.

The exports to Bangladesh stood at US $386.562 million against US $299.082 million.

Similarly, the exports to France during the months under review were recorded at US $280.560 million against US $254.122 million while the exports to Belgium stood at US $298.951 million against US $277.960 million.

Pakistan's exports to Saudi Arabia were recorded at US $363.969 million during the current year compared to US $328.232 million last year whereas the exports to Turkiye stood at US $155.544 million against US $180.792 million.