Pakistan News Express

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said provincial government is committed to eradicate malnutrition to safeguard the future of children.

Speaking at a workshop in Karachi today, he said Sindh government is dedicated to overcome stunting rate.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Education Minister Sikandar Hayat has announced the decision to dissolve the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) as part of a comprehensive restructuring initiative.

During an interview with Samaa TV in Lahore, Minister Hayat outlined plans to consolidate four separate educational institutions into a singular entity. This strategic reorganization aims to streamline governance and improve the efficiency of educational administration under the centralized leadership of the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Elaborating on the reform agenda, Minister Hayat emphasized the merger of the textbook board, Punjab Education Commission, and teacher training institutions into a unified body. He underscored the creation of a dedicated department under the Chief Minister’s supervision, encompassing all four sectors of education.

The integration of curriculum development within this restructured framework marks a significant departure from the previous decentralized approach.

Under the revamped structure, direct over
sight of the education department will be assumed by the Chief Minister of Punjab. Minister Hayat also announced plans to incorporate individuals from private educational institutions into the department, fostering collaboration and expertise exchange.

Crucially, Minister Hayat stressed the active involvement of educators and stakeholders at all levels in the reform process. He emphasized the importance of incorporating teachers’ expertise and insights into the curriculum development process, ensuring that educational materials meet rigorous quality standards.

Furthermore, Minister Hayat reaffirmed the commitment to soliciting feedback from teachers and students for the continuous evaluation and enhancement of textbooks and examination papers. The emphasis on inclusivity and quality assurance underscores the government’s dedication to fostering excellence in Punjab’s educational landscape.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Education Minister Sikandar Hayat has announced the decision to dissolve the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board (PCTB) as part of a comprehensive restructuring initiative.

During an interview with Samaa TV in Lahore, Minister Hayat outlined plans to consolidate four separate educational institutions into a singular entity. This strategic reorganization aims to streamline governance and improve the efficiency of educational administration under the centralized leadership of the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Elaborating on the reform agenda, Minister Hayat emphasized the merger of the textbook board, Punjab Education Commission, and teacher training institutions into a unified body. He underscored the creation of a dedicated department under the Chief Minister’s supervision, encompassing all four sectors of education.

The integration of curriculum development within this restructured framework marks a significant departure from the previous decentralized approach.

Under the revamped structure, direct over
sight of the education department will be assumed by the Chief Minister of Punjab. Minister Hayat also announced plans to incorporate individuals from private educational institutions into the department, fostering collaboration and expertise exchange.

Crucially, Minister Hayat stressed the active involvement of educators and stakeholders at all levels in the reform process. He emphasized the importance of incorporating teachers’ expertise and insights into the curriculum development process, ensuring that educational materials meet rigorous quality standards.

Furthermore, Minister Hayat reaffirmed the commitment to soliciting feedback from teachers and students for the continuous evaluation and enhancement of textbooks and examination papers. The emphasis on inclusivity and quality assurance underscores the government’s dedication to fostering excellence in Punjab’s educational landscape.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The All Pakistan Naanbais Association (APNA) has rejected the government’s recent notification reducing the prices of naan and roti, threatening a strike in Islamabad, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) on May 8th. The association claims the government failed to consider the economic realities faced by tandoor owners before implementing the price cuts.

APNA President Shafiq Qureshi, along with Punjab President Aftab Gul and KP President Malik Iqbal Paindakhel, addressed a press conference on Thursday. They criticized the government’s unilateral decision, stating they were not consulted regarding the new pricing structure.

‘Reducing the price of bread without consulting the naanbai association is hurting our business,’ Qureshi said. ‘We cannot be forced to sell naan and roti below cost price.’

The association claims the government’s decision has negatively impacted their livelihood. Qureshi accused the authorities of filing cases against tandoor operators and arresting association members.

Highlighting b
roader industry challenges, the association members criticized the government’s failure to address issues such as gas load shedding and escalating utility tariffs. Proposing a potential solution, Qureshi advocated for subsidized wheat flour to be provided to registered tandoors to mitigate the financial strain caused by the price reduction mandate.

Aftab Gul and Iqbal Paindakhel underscored the government’s obligation to prioritize the welfare of both citizens and stakeholders, cautioning against measures that adversely impact the livelihoods of naanbais.

‘The government should prioritize providing relief to the people,’ said Gul and Paindakhel, ‘but it shouldn’t come at the expense of naanbai businesses.’

With negotiations seemingly stalled, the association’s strike threat looms large, potentially impacting bread availability in three Pakistani provinces.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The International Centre of Excellence (ICE) successfully organized ‘Future Work Connect 24,’ a high-profile event aimed at advancing Pakistan’s global competitiveness in education and fostering collaboration between industry and academia.

Held at the British Deputy High Commission Karachi, the event brought together esteemed panelists, thought leaders, and stakeholders from the corporate and education sectors to address the challenges and opportunities in talent acquisition and development.

The theme of the event, ‘Fourth Generation Universities,’ underscored the importance of innovative approaches in education to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and enhance Pakistan’s position on the global stage.

Through engaging discussions and insightful presentations, Speakers and the panelist’s explored strategies to bridge the gap between industry requirements and academic curriculum, ensuring graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for success in today’s competitive job market.

Keynot
e speakers at the event included Sarah Mooney, British Deputy High Commissioner; Dr. Gahram Spickett Jones, Dean of ICE; and a distinguished lineup of Speakers and panelists:

Fazal Niazi, CEO of Franklin Convey Education

Prof. Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman of HEC Sindh

Raza Ahmad Sukera, Chief Industry Development Officer from the Pakistan Software Export Board

Dr. Raheel Nawaz, Pro Vice Chancellor of Staffordshire University

Muhammad Raza, SEVP of Meezan Bank

Prof. Tariq Rahim, Rector of IOBM (Institute of Business Management)

Khawaja Tanween Saleem, CIO of United Energy Pakistan

Dr. Farooq e Azam Cheema, Provost of KSBL (Karachi School for Business and Leadership)

Dr. Irum Saba, Program Director at IBA (Institute of Business Administration)

Dr. Gulfam Baghoor, CEO of Skillsratar

Their valuable insights and expertise enriched the discussions and provided actionable strategies for driving innovation and excellence in education.

‘We are thrilled to have hosted such an impactful event that brought togeth
er leaders from various sectors to discuss the future of education in Pakistan,’ said Usman Akram, CEO at ICE. He added: ‘Future Work Connect 24′ served as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, laying the foundation for strategic partnerships that will propel Pakistan’s education landscape forward.’

Future Work Connect 24 received positive feedback from attendees, who praised the event’s relevance, insightful discussions, and networking opportunities. Participants expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations and initiatives aimed at advancing education and driving economic growth in Pakistan.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The International Centre of Excellence (ICE) successfully organized ‘Future Work Connect 24,’ a high-profile event aimed at advancing Pakistan’s global competitiveness in education and fostering collaboration between industry and academia.

Held at the British Deputy High Commission Karachi, the event brought together esteemed panelists, thought leaders, and stakeholders from the corporate and education sectors to address the challenges and opportunities in talent acquisition and development.

The theme of the event, ‘Fourth Generation Universities,’ underscored the importance of innovative approaches in education to meet the evolving needs of the workforce and enhance Pakistan’s position on the global stage.

Through engaging discussions and insightful presentations, Speakers and the panelist’s explored strategies to bridge the gap between industry requirements and academic curriculum, ensuring graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed for success in today’s competitive job market.

Keynot
e speakers at the event included Sarah Mooney, British Deputy High Commissioner; Dr. Gahram Spickett Jones, Dean of ICE; and a distinguished lineup of Speakers and panelists:

Fazal Niazi, CEO of Franklin Convey Education

Prof. Dr. Tariq Rafi, Chairman of HEC Sindh

Raza Ahmad Sukera, Chief Industry Development Officer from the Pakistan Software Export Board

Dr. Raheel Nawaz, Pro Vice Chancellor of Staffordshire University

Muhammad Raza, SEVP of Meezan Bank

Prof. Tariq Rahim, Rector of IOBM (Institute of Business Management)

Khawaja Tanween Saleem, CIO of United Energy Pakistan

Dr. Farooq e Azam Cheema, Provost of KSBL (Karachi School for Business and Leadership)

Dr. Irum Saba, Program Director at IBA (Institute of Business Administration)

Dr. Gulfam Baghoor, CEO of Skillsratar

Their valuable insights and expertise enriched the discussions and provided actionable strategies for driving innovation and excellence in education.

‘We are thrilled to have hosted such an impactful event that brought togeth
er leaders from various sectors to discuss the future of education in Pakistan,’ said Usman Akram, CEO at ICE. He added: ‘Future Work Connect 24′ served as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration, laying the foundation for strategic partnerships that will propel Pakistan’s education landscape forward.’

Future Work Connect 24 received positive feedback from attendees, who praised the event’s relevance, insightful discussions, and networking opportunities. Participants expressed enthusiasm for future collaborations and initiatives aimed at advancing education and driving economic growth in Pakistan.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The recent Agri-Connections 2024 conference and expo held in Lahore witnessed the unveiling of the most promising agricultural startups, marking a significant leap towards sustainable development in Pakistan’s agriculture sector.

Spearheaded by The Bank of Punjab and organized by the Pakistan Agricultural Coalition, the Zar Zaraat startup competition showcased groundbreaking ideas aimed at revolutionizing various facets of agriculture.

RemoteWell, an IoT device that offers wireless switching, scheduling, and controlling of watering systems of farms, Godaam Technologies, which aims to reinvent warehousing by digitalizing site availability and booking, giving end-to-end visibility of goods and Digitt+, an Agri-fintech that aims to enhance financial inclusion and sustainable agriculture by leveraging innovative technology, seeking to optimize transaction efficiency, empower smallholder farmers with timely financial support, and encourage innovative partnerships, came out as the Top Ideas of the ZarZaraat star
t-up competition at Agri-Connections 2024.

‘Agriculture, as a sector, hold the key to prosperity, food security, and the socioeconomic upliftment of our rural communities…Continuous innovation and development within the agricultural sector, therefore, are vital for the economic development and sustainability of Pakistan’ said Zafar Masud, President and CEO of The Bank of Punjab, while speaking at the BoP-sponsored ZarZaraat start-up competition at Pakistan Agricultural Coalition’s Agri-Connections 2024 conference and expo held in Lahore on April 24 and 25, 2024.

‘We at Pakistan Agricultural Coalition believe that the future of Pakistan’s agriculture relies on the transition of our farmers beginning to think of themselves as businessmen’ said Raashid Anwer, Convenor of Pakistan Agricultural Coalition, while explaining the ZarZaraat segment.

‘The idea behind this fascinating project is to create a pipeline for the investors in agriculture space.’ said Mr. Zafar Masud

Ms. Maria Saleem of Fatima Group explain
ed that 35 applications were received from various agri companies and shortlisted to seven which were then judged by a jury under the chairmanship of Mr. Yawar Ali of Nestle Pakistan. Other jurors included Mr. Sarfraz Hussain of Bank of Punjab, Ms. Naz Khan of IFC, Ms. Maria Saleem of Fatima Group, Mr. Muneer Kamal of Pakistan Banks’ Association, Mr. Kazim Saeed of Pakistan Agricultural Coalition, and Mr. Hasan Khurram Hanif, a progressive farmer.

The three companies shortlisted by the jury, Digitt+, Godaam Technologies, and RemoteWell, were invited to pitch in front of a group of investors representing various entities including Mr. Asif Riaz from The Bank of Punjab, Mr. Navid Goraya of Karandaaz, Mr. Habib Saqib of Fatima Gobi Ventures, Mr. Kashif Thanvi of Acumen Fund, Mr. Shahbaz Malik of Hilton Pharma, and Mr. Khurram Jamali of Din Ventures. Each finalist got a chance to explain their product/service in front of this panel to raise investment for their venture and also received cash prizes sponsored by
The Bank of Punjab.

Mr. Zafar Masud elaborated that Bank of Punjab is also evaluating to support the shortlisted companies through concessional financing under the Punjab Rozgar and the PM’s Youth Business and Agricultural Loans schemes.

He also stressed on the importance of giving the ZarZaraat platform to Agric companies to come and pitch their ideas and raise investments while giving examples of successful startups around the world which are transforming the global agriculture sector, such as, Kiva, Hello Tractor in Africa, and Bigbasket in India, and others.

Navid Goraya, Chief Investment Officer of Karandaaz, an investment platform of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, announced that each finalist will get one day of counselling and advice from Karandaaz experts to improve their business models and financability.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The recent Agri-Connections 2024 conference and expo held in Lahore witnessed the unveiling of the most promising agricultural startups, marking a significant leap towards sustainable development in Pakistan’s agriculture sector.

Spearheaded by The Bank of Punjab and organized by the Pakistan Agricultural Coalition, the Zar Zaraat startup competition showcased groundbreaking ideas aimed at revolutionizing various facets of agriculture.

RemoteWell, an IoT device that offers wireless switching, scheduling, and controlling of watering systems of farms, Godaam Technologies, which aims to reinvent warehousing by digitalizing site availability and booking, giving end-to-end visibility of goods and Digitt+, an Agri-fintech that aims to enhance financial inclusion and sustainable agriculture by leveraging innovative technology, seeking to optimize transaction efficiency, empower smallholder farmers with timely financial support, and encourage innovative partnerships, came out as the Top Ideas of the ZarZaraat star
t-up competition at Agri-Connections 2024.

‘Agriculture, as a sector, hold the key to prosperity, food security, and the socioeconomic upliftment of our rural communities…Continuous innovation and development within the agricultural sector, therefore, are vital for the economic development and sustainability of Pakistan’ said Zafar Masud, President and CEO of The Bank of Punjab, while speaking at the BoP-sponsored ZarZaraat start-up competition at Pakistan Agricultural Coalition’s Agri-Connections 2024 conference and expo held in Lahore on April 24 and 25, 2024.

‘We at Pakistan Agricultural Coalition believe that the future of Pakistan’s agriculture relies on the transition of our farmers beginning to think of themselves as businessmen’ said Raashid Anwer, Convenor of Pakistan Agricultural Coalition, while explaining the ZarZaraat segment.

‘The idea behind this fascinating project is to create a pipeline for the investors in agriculture space.’ said Mr. Zafar Masud

Ms. Maria Saleem of Fatima Group explain
ed that 35 applications were received from various agri companies and shortlisted to seven which were then judged by a jury under the chairmanship of Mr. Yawar Ali of Nestle Pakistan. Other jurors included Mr. Sarfraz Hussain of Bank of Punjab, Ms. Naz Khan of IFC, Ms. Maria Saleem of Fatima Group, Mr. Muneer Kamal of Pakistan Banks’ Association, Mr. Kazim Saeed of Pakistan Agricultural Coalition, and Mr. Hasan Khurram Hanif, a progressive farmer.

The three companies shortlisted by the jury, Digitt+, Godaam Technologies, and RemoteWell, were invited to pitch in front of a group of investors representing various entities including Mr. Asif Riaz from The Bank of Punjab, Mr. Navid Goraya of Karandaaz, Mr. Habib Saqib of Fatima Gobi Ventures, Mr. Kashif Thanvi of Acumen Fund, Mr. Shahbaz Malik of Hilton Pharma, and Mr. Khurram Jamali of Din Ventures. Each finalist got a chance to explain their product/service in front of this panel to raise investment for their venture and also received cash prizes sponsored by
The Bank of Punjab.

Mr. Zafar Masud elaborated that Bank of Punjab is also evaluating to support the shortlisted companies through concessional financing under the Punjab Rozgar and the PM’s Youth Business and Agricultural Loans schemes.

He also stressed on the importance of giving the ZarZaraat platform to Agric companies to come and pitch their ideas and raise investments while giving examples of successful startups around the world which are transforming the global agriculture sector, such as, Kiva, Hello Tractor in Africa, and Bigbasket in India, and others.

Navid Goraya, Chief Investment Officer of Karandaaz, an investment platform of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, announced that each finalist will get one day of counselling and advice from Karandaaz experts to improve their business models and financability.

Source: Pro Pakistani