Info we should know

Ramzan Rituals After a hiatus of two years, a large number of faithful are going to observe Nafli and Sunnah Aitekaf in the holy month of Ramzan with religious fervor across the country. A religious organization Dawat-e-Islami’s spokesman Mahmood Attari informed that due to the COVID-19 standard operating procedures, the Nafli and Sunnah Aitekaf remained suspended since 2019.  However, the 30-day Nafli Aitekaf and 10-day Sunnah Aitekaf were being resumed this year in Ramzan to seek forgiveness and blessings of Allah Almighty, he added. Giving break-up of the participating faithful, he said almost 200 people were observing Nafli Aitekaf in Faizan-e-Madina Sector G-11 Markaz while 4,000 were expected in the Faizan-e-Madina Karachi. The preparation of Nafli Aitekaf was in full swing and arrangements for the incoming faithful had been completed at the administration’s end, he added. Mehmood Attari said the faithful would be provided free of charge food and other basic facilities in the...

ISLAMABAD, Mar 29 :The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) has initiated 10 new projects which would provide about 35,000 job opportunities during the construction. The project would also be enhanced hydel generation capacity to cross 18,000 MW with an addition of 9,000 MW, a Wapda source said.  Wapda has initiated 10 projects aimed to enhance the gross water storage capacity in the country from 13 million acre-feet (MAF) to more than 24 million MAF which would be also sufficient to irrigate another 1.6 million acres of land. The Wapda projects include five dams, three hydropower projects, one canal, and one water supply scheme that were under construction which would be completed in a phased manner from 2023 to 2029. Diamer Bhasha Dam, Mohmand Dam, Dasu Hydropower Project, Nai Gaj Dam, Kachhi Canal Extension, Sindh Barrage, and K-IV Project were among the projects, said official sources. The per capita water availability in Pakistan had come down from 5650 cubic meters t...

BEIJING, March 28: An offshore wind farm in the coastal area of Shapa Town, south China's Guangdong Province, had generated one billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity by March 25 this year, the Science and Technology Daily reported Monday. The amount of electricity generated can replace 307,600 tonnes of standard coal and reduce 840,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to growing 3,309 hectares of broad-leaved forest, according to the news report. The wind farm, providing green energy for the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, was funded and constructed by the China Three Gorges Renewables (Group) Co., Ltd, with a total installed capacity of two million kW. It consists of 315 offshore wind turbines, four offshore booster stations and almost 1,000 kilometers of submarine cables. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area can receive about 5.6 billion kWh of clean power generated by the wind farm each year, meeting the annual electri...

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is all set to hold the largest public meeting themed under “Amr Bil Maroof” to be held at Parade Ground Islamabad on March 27 (Sunday).  In a statement, PTI leader Federal Minister for Education, Professional Training and National Heritage Shafqat Mahmood said the biggest public meeting “Amr Bil Maroof” would be held in Islamabad on March 27.  He said the public meeting would be the largest one in the history of the country and would have a great impact. He said the impact of the largest rally on corrupt gang would be visible on those who moved so-called no-confidence motion.  He said they all should make efforts to attend this historic public gathering and asked people to invite maximum people with them to the be part of the rally to be held in the federal capital.  “We all should repose confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan and express solidarity with our leader”, he remarked.  Talking to media at Parade Groun...

International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) has been ranked among top 200 young universities of the world and booked the slot of 194th in the recent Times Higher Education Young University Rankings list of the world’s the best universities 50 years old or younger. International Islamic University stood second in Pakistan in the list of Young Universities. This ranking table is based on the same 13 performance indicators as the flagship 'THE World University Rankings'.  The universities are judged across all their core missions – teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook – to provide the most comprehensive and balanced comparisons available. The 2022 ranking included 539 universities, up from 475 in 2021. The university Rector and President had congratulated the IIUI community on another milestone of success.  The recent positive results generated by IIUI were the outcome of continued reforms and initiatives introduced by the university management t...

Traffic Challan Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP)  issued 15,187 tickets to drivers during last two months under the ongoing road safety campaign to check lane violation. The main objective of the campaign was safety of the people besides ensuring road discipline in the city, said a news release. Under the campaign Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Rai Mazhar Iqbal constituted a special squads to control lane violation on various roads following directions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Muhammad Ahsan Younis to ensure smooth flow of traffic in the city.  ITP’s squads remained present on all important roads including Islamabad Expressway, Srinagar (Kashmir) highway to educate road users about traffic rules. Pamphlets and leaflets were being distributed to create awareness about traffic laws among citizens.  ITP’s FM Radio 92.4 was also disseminating the messages about road safety and to educate audience about traffic rules. Senior Superintendent ...

The opposition on Tuesday submitted no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan with the National Assembly Secretariat. The motion was submitted by a delegation of opposition lawmakers including Rana Sanaullah, Ayaz Sadiq, Shazia Marri and Marriyum Aurangzeb and others.  In order to make the no-confidence move successful, the opposition requires the support of 172 members of the National Assembly.  Over 80 MNAs have reportedly signed the motion. Meanwhile, the the opposition also submitted a requisition with the National Assembly Secretariat to convene the session.

International Women’s Day will be marked on March 8 across the globe including Pakistan to celebrate Women’s achievements throughout history and across nations. International Women's Day celebrates women's achievements worldwide. The purpose of International Women’s Day (IWD) is to uphold women's achievements, recognize challenges, and focus greater attention on women's rights and gender equality. It is celebrated worldwide to spotlight women, their issues and achievements, and has a different theme each year. Like seminars, marches, and concerts, the events celebrate women and highlight the inequalities that women experience worldwide. The focus at the events picks up on various themes such as innovation, the portrayal of women in the media, or the importance of education and career opportunities. Women of all backgrounds: Political, community, and business leaders, as well as leading educators, inventors, entrepreneurs, and television personalities, are usually invite...

Islamabad police on Friday held a facebook open court (kutcheri) to give the residents direct access to the police high ups as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Inspector General (IG) police Islamabad, Muhammad Ahsan Younus responded to the public queries via facebook live and phone calls.  Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations), AIG (Operations), SP (Headquarters) SDPO (Kohsar) and other senior police officers were also present on the occasion.  Speaking to the citizens, the IG said police were striving to redress public issues at the earliest. He said purpose of open forums was aimed at bridging gap between police and the public. People from across Pakistan presented their proposals to the IG. Most of the issues related to traffic, delay in registration of First Information Report, activities of land-grabbers, drug-peddlers, and police attitude. Responding to request of a resident of Khanna, Burma town IGP directed the deployment of an Eagle Squad for patrol...

March 1: The first nationwide polio immunization campaign of the year 2022 continued to immunize more than 43 million children. According to official sources, in order to immunize a maximum number of children during the drive, a workforce of 339,521 polio frontline staff were providing polio vaccines at every doorstep.  “Government of Pakistan remains committed to eradicating polio and focusing on well-coordinated efforts at both the federal and provincial level to realize the dream of making Pakistan a polio-free country,” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations, and Coordination Dr. Faisal Sultan said. He stressed the important role of parents and caregivers towards the success of repeated vaccination campaigns. “It’s every Pakistani’s national duty to ensure that their own children, as well as children around them, are administered the polio vaccine in each campaign.”  Pakistan marked a major milestone with no wild polio case reporte...

Feb 28: Prime Minister Imran has addressed the nation in which he has announced major relief package for Pakistan nation.  Relief Package detail:  An internship programme for unemployed graduates Reduce petrol and electricity prices Increase cash assistance for Ahsaas beneficiaries  Educational scholarships 100% tax exemption for IT sector Tax-holiday for overseas Interest-free loans to the youth He has announced an internship programme for the unemployed youth, under which those with a graduate degree, would be offered Rs 30,000 per month through a transparent and merit-based system. Moreover ,  Rs 10 per litre reduction in petroleum prices, Rs 5 per unit cut in electricity tariff and some other measures also was the part of PM relief Package. The prime minister also announced to enhance the cash assistance, provided to eight million families under the government’s Ehsaas Programme, from the current Rs 12,000 to 14,000 to help the poor people. Imran Khan announ...

After successful completion of Kalam and Galiyat snow festivals that attracted thousands of tourists and adventure sportsmen, the Government of KP is going to organize a three days snow festival at scenic Gabin Jabba in Swat district from February 25-27, 2022 to promote adventure and winter sports in the province. As per Junaid Khan, Deputy Commissioner Swat, traditional stalls, food court, sports, ice village, kids play area and cultural events have been planned for Gabbin Jabba snow festival starting from February 25 in the newly explored tourists resort of Pakistan. Gabin Jabba would be yet another major event of winter sports in Swat bringing together thousands of skiers, skaters, snowboarders and adventure enthusiasts from across the country. Besides, culture events, music, traditional singers, khattak dance and Rabab with Tabla would  also enthrall tourists. Free mountain bike, bicycle race, archery and rock climbing would add colours to the festival. Like Kalam and Gilyat sn...

ISLAMABAD, Feb 20:International Mother Language Day will be marked on February 21 (Monday) across the globe including Pakistan to celebrate language diversity and variety worldwide. On International Mother Language Day the UN's Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UN agencies participate in events that promote linguistic and cultural diversity.  They also encourage people to maintain their knowledge of their mother language while learning and using more than one language. Governments and non-governmental organizations may use the day to announce policies to encourage language learning and support. On November 17, 1999, UNESCO proclaimed February 21 to be International Mother Language Day and it was first observed on February 21, 2000. Each year the celebrations around International Mother Language Day concentrate on a particular theme.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 18:Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday said Scholarship Complaint Portal will ensure coordinated and timely resolution of students complaints. In a tweet on social media platform Twitter, he said, “Yesterday we launched a dedicated Scholarship Complaint Portal under umbrella of PM Portal.”  “This will ensure coordinated and timely resolution of students complaints. During CFY 2.6mn scholarships are being awarded to talented & deserving students across Pak amounting to Rs. 28.3bn,” he added. Pakistan Citizen’s Portal (PCP) is the most effective public complaints resolution platform, promptly addressing complaints and issues of the Pakistanis.

ISLAMABAD, Feb 17: The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) is going to establish a network of modern air quality monitoring low cost sensors in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad to enhance capacity of the environmental watchdogs for gathering realtime air pollution data.   Under the Duke University project, a total of 55 low cost sensors will be given to NUST for developing a network of air quality monitors in the twin cities to augment ambient air quality monitoring capacity of the two mega cities. The university has developed a state-of-the-art air quality monitoring station and become the only varsity in the country to possess such a sophisticated piece of latest equipment.  The NUST through its indigenous and US embassy assisted initiatives managed to develop a locally made conventional air quality measuring gadget in collaboration with local technicians/engineers, also received latest low-cost sensors given by the US State Department under...

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony on Thursday said legislation was under process to establish a recycling plant for sacred papers in the Federal Capital.     According to a ministry official, the ministry had drafted ‘The Publication of the Holy Quran Printing and Recording Amendment Bill 2020’ by suggesting amendments in the Quran Act 1973. The proposed law, he said, would cover the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), and was with the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, which in its last meeting had recommended to present it in the House after incorporating its amendments.  The official said at present no proper mechanism existed to ensure the sanctity of sacred papers. However under the new law, a ‘Quran Board’ would be set up to ensure high standard of printing of the Holy Book, besides taking optimum steps for sanctity of the sacred papers. It may be added that Religious Affairs and Interfaith ...

ISLAMABAD, Feb 17:Microsoft co-founder, and co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Thursday termed Ehsaas “a state of the art program”. Bill Gates was speaking during a meeting held with the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Dr. Sania Nishtar during his first ever visit to Pakistan. Dr. Sania thanked him for his words of appreciation for Ehsaas and his support.  Dr. Sania briefed him about Ehsaas and the focus on data, digitization and transparency as key drivers of all Ehsaas programmes.  Ehsaas programmes and initiatives are end-to-end digitized, reducing human discretion and exploitation.  Bill Gates was also briefed on governance reforms under Ehsaas and the Building and Rebuilding Institutions Initiative (BRI) of Ehsaas where changes have focused on a three-pronged approach around institutionalizing efficiency through digitization, embedding good governance, and minimizing financial and statutory risks....

At Beijing Olympics, tourists overcame the language barrier by using high-tech apps and a smartphone-like device to avoid getting lost in translation. Visitors to the Olympics village can have a pleasant time even though they don't speak Mandarin. With the help of high-tech apps tourists can translate from Mandarin Chinese and keep the tills ringing. Thankfully, help is at hand in the form of devices like the iFLYTEK Jarvisen, an artificial intelligence (AI) smart translator developed in China. That aimed to achieve "barrier-free communication" so that all may enjoy the Winter games and do so in a safe environment. Though China's "zero COVID" policy has stopped the influx of sports fans who would normally be cheering on their favourites, there are still thousands of athletes, coaches, journalists and technicians in China, who want to be a part of Winter Games. With staff and volunteers often wearing masks and visors, communication can be difficult, and Manda...

FAST University Islamabad Campus student have designed a smart cricket ball. This ball will provide a portable and inexpensive solution for measuring ball speed and spin rate. A group of three students from FAST university Islamabad has invented smart ball. As per students, conventional method of ball speed measuring was too much expensive and countries like Pakistan could not afford that technology at grassroots level.  “We have designed an inexpensive solution that provides reliable speed and spin rate of cricket ball without any special expertise and man power to operate the system” the group said. Students said that smart Cricket ball embedded with specialized microcontrollers that transmitted the data through Bluetooth to a mobile device which would help to improve analysis and bowling skills as well. This  smart ball had a power button, 3 axis- accelerometer that had ability to endure high level of stress 10000g and used I2C interface to communicate data, microcontroller...

Pakistan Embassy in Kabul has announced admissions in the 29th session of English Language & Basic Computer courses for Afghan students at the Vocational Training Institute of the Embassy. "The courses are free of cost and will start with effect from 27th Feb 2022,” Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq said in a tweet posted on social media account. https://twitter.com/AmbassadorSadiq/status/1493570192928088066?t=oo11azUbgqneJ0wdGQzIpg&s=19