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Cabinet terms beginning of Pakistan’s term as UNSC member, big achievement on diplomatic front


Islamabad: A meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday termed Pakistan’s two-year term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a significant achievement on the diplomatic front.



Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar earlier, briefed the cabinet about Pakistan’s term at the UNSC which began today. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s House, according to PM Office Media Wing.



During the meeting, the prime minister directed that the details of public sector imports from Gwadar Port, over the past three months, should be presented in the next meeting of the cabinet.



The cabinet gave its principled approval for legislation on amendments to Section 3(7) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, on the recommendation of the cabinet division/secretariat.



It also recommended approval of the regulations for the appointment of Information Group officers as Press Officers at Pakistan’s diplomatic missions abroad, proposed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.



These regulations would ensure a more transparent and merit-based process for the appointment of Information Group officers at Pakistan’s foreign missions.



The cabinet approved the registration/recognition of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Thatta, on the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health.



The cabinet, in light of the judgment in Human Rights Case No. 623-P/2017 by the honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan and the recommendation of the Ministry of National Health, approved the reconstitution of a committee to determine the prices of life-saving medical equipment.



On the recommendation of the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, the cabinet approved sending the National Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health Authority Bill to Parliament.



It also ratified the decisions taken in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases held on December 17, 2024. However, the ratification of amendments to the Citizenship Act has been deferred.



The cabinet accorded its approval to the decisions taken in the meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee held on December 18.



The cabinet ratified the decisions made in the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on State-Owned Enterprises held on December 24.



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AJK Union of Columnists formed: Core Committee elects all office bearers unopposed

Mirpur: The core committee of the Azad Jammu Kashmir Union of Columnists, the first-ever AJK-level organization of columnists, has unanimously elected all of its central office bearers for the year 2025.

A meeting was held at Jammu Kashmir House in the federal metropolis with founder chairperson Ms. Sudra Iram Kabir in the chair, who elected unopposed the central office bearers of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Union of Columnists, says a press release released to the media here on Wednesday.

The newly elected office bearers include Sidra Iram Kabir, Chairperson from Rawalkot, Poonch Division; Zafar Mughal, President from Mirpur Division; Liaquat Bashir Farooqui from Muzaffarabad Division, Secretary General; Adeem Sulaiman, Sr. Vice President from Poonch; and Humira Tariq from Palandri, Vice President from Jhelum Valley. Zahid Awan, Vice President; Mirzajamil Ahmad Shahid, Vice President from Islamgarh; Ishtiaq Ahmed Atesh from Muzaffarabad, Additional Secretary; Bagh, Riyaz Geelani, Deputy Secretary General; Ijaz Chaudhry, Information Secretary from Samahni; and Saqba Khalid, Secretary Finance from Poonch.

Besides, the Core Committee also unanimously approved the induction of Professor Muhammad Asghar Maluti as Patron-in-Chief and Professor Syed Zahid Hussain Naimi as Patron.

The core committee meeting was attended, among others, by Sidra Iram Kabir, Syed Zahid Hussain Naimi, Zafar Mughal, Liaquat Bashir Farooqui, Dr. Abid Hussain Janjua, Professor Muhammad Sagheer Aasi, Mirza Jameel Ahmad Shahid, Hasher Rizwan, Javed Chaudhry, Qaiser Hussain Taib, Mohammad Farooq Jaral, Ejaz Chaudhry, and others.

Addressing the meeting speakers, including founder Chairperson Sidra Iram Kabir, President Zafar Mughal, and Secretary General Liaquat Bashir Farooqui, expressed gratitude to the core committee for unanimously electing them for one year. The office bearers will take an oath of office in Muzaffarabad this month.

The constitution of the union will be completed in one month, and the new membership will continue till the coming month of Ramadan, while the election of new office bearers will be conducted according to the constitution in the last ten months of every new year, speakers said.

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DPM/FM Dar chairs preparatory committee meeting on girls’ education in Muslim communities

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.

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7th agricultural census launched with integrated digital count

Karachi: The 7th Agricultural Census 2024 - Integrated Digital Count was officially launched here on Wednesday, marking a significant step towards modernizing data collection in the country's agriculture sector.

The event saw the presence of prominent figures, including Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries, Muhammad Ali Malkani, and Minister for Planning, Development, and Energy, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, along with Dr Naeem-uz-Zafar, Chief Statistician of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).

Dr Naeem-uz-Zafar, in his keynote speech, described the census as a trans-formative initiative for the agricultural sector, stating that this is the first time the census will integrate data on agriculture, livestock, and machinery into a single, digital operation. He emphasized the role of modern technology, including tablet-based data collection and GIS dashboards, in ensuring accurate and timely data. "This census will guide evidence-based decision-making for sustainable growth in agriculture," Dr Naeem noted.

The census aims to provide detailed insights into Pakistan's agrarian structure, crop patterns, livestock, and mechanization. Extensive training has been conducted for nearly 1,700 enumerators and supervisors in Sindh, ensuring a high standard of data collection. Sindh, with its 8.2 million acres of cultivated land, plays a crucial role in Pakistan's agricultural economy, contributing significantly to cotton, rice, sugarcane, and wheat production.

Muhammad Ali Malkani highlighted the importance of the census in addressing food security, climate resilience, and rural development. He emphasized that the data collected would be instrumental in driving sustainable progress and uplifting farmers. Syed Nasir Hussain Shah also expressed the government's commitment to using technology to overcome challenges in the agriculture sector.

Journalists raised questions about the 16-year gap since the last agricultural census and the effectiveness of this census amidst the ongoing climate crisis. Field operations for the census will continue until February 10th, with final results expected by August 2025. This initiative represents a collaborative effort between federal and provincial governments to leverage technology for sustainable development in agriculture.

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Rescue 1122 Khanewal reviews 2024 performance

Khanewal: A special meeting to review the annual performance of Rescue 1122 was held at the Rescue Station under the chairmanship of District Emergency Officer Dr Khalid Mahmood.

Dr Khalid Mahmood assured the public that Rescue 1122 remains fully prepared to respond to any emergency situation. He said all emergency vehicles are in excellent condition and are available 24/7 for public service. "Our mission is to provide timely assistance to those in need," he said, urging citizens to only dial 1122 in genuine emergencies to avoid unnecessary delays.

Control Room In-charge Shehzad Chaudhry briefed on the district's performance in 2024. According to the report, the control room received 222,506 calls, of which 40,255 were emergencies. These included 8,585 traffic accidents, 25,949 medical cases, 361 fire incidents, 1,259 crime-related emergencies, 18 drowning cases, and 10 building collapses. Rescue teams provided first aid to 16,329 individuals and transported 41,581 patients to hospitals.

The district recorded an average response time of seven minutes. Under the Punjab government's Patient Referral Service, 4,090 patients were shifted from smaller healthcare facilities to major hospitals. The Community Safety Program also conducted 58 training workshops and trained Community Emergency Response Teams in all Union Councils.

The meeting was attended by Rescue Safety Officers Muhammad Yasir Raza (Mian Channu) and Imtiaz Ahmed (Kabirwala), Station Coordinators Muhammad Saleem, Samiullah, and Muhammad Sajjad, along with Media Coordinator Rashid Chaudhry.

The review highlighted Rescue 1122's unwavering commitment to public safety and efficient emergency response in Khanewal district.

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Sufi teachings vital for peace in troubled times: Minister

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, underscored the critical role of Sufi teachings in fostering peace, harmony, and brotherhood during the launch of Kalyam Kooch-i-Ishq, a book celebrating the life and teachings of Hazrat Mian Fazluddin Kalyami.

The ceremony, held at the Pakistan Academy of Letters, marked the 133rd death anniversary of the revered mystic.

The book, co-authored by Syed Ahmad Iqbal Tirmazi and Iftikhar Ahmad Hafiz Qadri, explores the biography and discourses of Hazrat Mian Fazluddin Kalyami, a spiritual disciple of Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar.

The event drew a distinguished audience, including former president of the Islamic International University, Sahibzada Dr. Sajid ur Rehman, who presided over the session, and Professor Dr. Abdul Aziz Sahir, Dean of Social Sciences at Allama Iqbal Open University, as the guest of honor.

Professor Dr. Najeeba Arif, President of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, also graced the occasion alongside other prominent academics and scholars.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Pirzada lauded the authors for their contribution to Sufi literature, emphasizing the timeless relevance of mystics in shaping Islamic teachings and spreading the values of humility, tolerance, and love.

"The teachings of Hazrat Mian Fazluddin Kalyami remain a beacon of hope and inspiration, especially in today's fractured world," the minister remarked.

He called for preserving and promoting Sufi literature to bridge divides and instill harmony among communities.

Dr. Sajid ur Rehman elaborated on Hazrat Mian Kalyami's spiritual guidance, highlighting his role in inspiring generations through his devotion and wisdom.

"His teachings continue to offer guidance to seekers of truth, even more than a century after his passing," he stated.

Professor Abdul Aziz Sahir praised the authors for shedding light on the life of the great mystic, calling the book a vital effort to preserve the spiritual heritage of the region.

Similarly, Professor Najeeba Arif highlighted Hazrat Mian Kalyami's miraculous abilities and profound understanding of Islamic mysticism.

Sahibzada Professor Rashad Masood Kalyami commended the authors for narrating the Sufi's emphasis on introspection, self-reflection, and inner purification, central to the Sabriya branch of the Chishti Order to which he belonged.

The ceremony concluded with a unanimous call to ensure Sufi teachings reach younger generations to promote values of compassion and humanity in an era of uncertainty and despair.