Author: Our Correspondent

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan must place universities, research and human capital at the centre of its national development strategy if it is to move from a developing to a developed country, the Higher Education Commission chairman, Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, has said. Speaking about his nearly two-week visit to China, Akhtar said the country’s remarkable economic, scientific and technological progress was closely linked to strong ties between universities, industry and government. He said Chinese universities were not simply institutions that awarded degrees but had become engines of national development. Pakistan, he added, needed to similarly connect higher education with…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Karachi is expected to remain mostly cloudy and humid over the next 24 hours, with the Meteorological Department forecasting light drizzle in parts of the city during the morning and night. The minimum temperature in Karachi was recorded at 28°C, while the maximum temperature is expected to remain between 33°C and 35°C. Humidity levels in the city were recorded at 78%, while south-westerly sea breezes were blowing at around 11km per hour. According to the Meteorological Department, cloudy and humid conditions are expected to persist across Karachi, with chances of light drizzle during the morning and…

By our correspondent PESHAWAR: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has welcomed the defence agreement signed in Mecca, describing it as an important development for countries across the Muslim world. Speaking at a press conference in Peshawar, Naeem said efforts should be made to bring Iran and other countries into the agreement. He called for the pact to be developed into a stronger regional network. Naeem said maintaining law and order in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the responsibility of the government and called for creating conditions conducive to peace. He said external plots could succeed when internal conditions were unstable. He urged…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) has held a hands-on training session on infection prevention and control to improve healthcare professionals’ practical skills and awareness of standard precautions and patient safety. The session was organized under the direction of JPMC executive director Professor Dr Khalid Sher and with the guidance of deputy executive director Dr Nosheen Razi. Dr Umbereen Usmani, principal of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, attended as guest of honor, while Dr Suleman, joint executive director of JPMC, was the special guest. The session was attended by Professor Dr Nighat Shah, head of gynaecology; Dr…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Customs officials at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi have seized cameras and other electronic goods worth around Rs5.5m from a passenger arriving from Dubai. According to customs sources, the passenger was found carrying 29 cameras and five camera lenses. The seized items also included 19 digital cameras, 10 fitness bands and other electronic devices, officials said. The total value of the goods recovered from the passenger was estimated at approximately Rs5.5m. Customs authorities are investigating the shipment and the circumstances under which the goods were brought into the country. #Karachi #KarachiAirport #Customs #PakistanCustoms #Dubai #JinnahInternationalAirport #Cameras…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari described the joint defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey as a historic development and a major milestone in the country’s history. Read More: https://metro-morning.com/the-makkah-agreement/ In a statement, Bilawal said the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement would strengthen Pakistan’s defence capabilities and create a new framework for closer security cooperation among the three countries. He described the agreement as a guarantee of a secure future for Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Bilawal praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir for their role in making the…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and New Zealand agreed to deepen cooperation in agriculture, education, trade and investment as senior officials from the two countries held a Joint Trade Committee meeting and political consultations in Wellington. The third meeting of the Pakistan-New Zealand Joint Trade Committee and the fifth round of bilateral political consultations were held on Thursday. The meetings provided an opportunity for both sides to review existing ties and identify new areas for practical cooperation. A key outcome was the signing of an Education Cooperation Arrangement between Pakistan and New Zealand. The agreement was expected to strengthen institutional…

By our correspondent ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari held a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to discuss the prevailing political situation and other matters of national importance, according to sources. The meeting focused on recent political developments and issues requiring the attention of the federal government. The two sides exchanged views on the evolving political landscape and the challenges facing the country. Sources said the meeting also covered a range of national matters, although details of the discussion were not immediately made public. The meeting came amid continuing political activity and consultations among senior government figures. The president and…

By our correspondent KARACHI: Sindh Governor Syed Muhammad Nahal Hashmi held separate meetings with delegations from the Pakistan Youth Parliament and the Thar Education Alliance, stressing the importance of modern education, artificial intelligence and new skills in preparing young people for Pakistan’s future. The delegations discussed issues relating to youth development, education and opportunities for young people. The governor highlighted the role of the younger generation in shaping the country’s social and economic future. Hashmi said the youth would form the foundation of a strong and prosperous Pakistan by 2047. He said the country’s progress would depend largely on how…

By our correspondent KARACHI: The Contractors Association of Pakistan (CAP) has urged the Sindh government to immediately clear outstanding payments to contractors, warning that prolonged delays were disrupting development projects and putting thousands of jobs at risk. CAP Chairman Altaf Hussain Rajput, speaking at a press conference in Karachi, said contractors had continued working on public infrastructure schemes despite rising construction costs and growing financial challenges. However, he said many projects had now slowed down or come to a halt because payments were not being released on time. Rajput said the construction sector, one of the country’s major contributors to…