President announces Rs 100 million reward for the Olympic Gold Medallist
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the award of Hilal-i-Imtiaz upon Arshad Nadeem for the Olympic Gold Medallist in recognition of his outstanding performance in Men’s Javelin Throw in the Paris Olympics 2024.
The president also announced a Rs 100 million reward from his side for the athlete.
The award was conferred during a special investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad on Thursday. Later, the athlete also met with the president.
Arshad Nadeem’s Coach Salman Iqbal Butt, Secretary Ministry of Inter-Provincial Coordination Nadeem Irshad Kayani, Director General Pakistan Sports Board Muhammad Yasir Pirzada, and senior government officials also attended the meeting.
While congratulating Arshad Nadeem, President Asif Ali Zardari stated that Arshad Nadeem had made the country proud by setting the Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters. He appreciated his remarkable achievement, sheer hard work, and dedication that not only elevated Pakistan but also inspired countless young athletes across the country.
President Zardari said that Pakistan needed to promote other sports, especially the Singles.
The president remarked that children of sportsmen should be granted scholarships, saying that he would ask the Sindh government to contribute Rs 250 million to Pakistan Sports Board’s Endowment Fund for the welfare of athletes.
The president said that Arshad Nadeem’s exemplary triumph encouraged our youngsters to break barriers and make their mark in the field of sports at the international level. He expressed the hope that the athlete would continue to win laurels for the country in future.
Arshad Nadeem thanked the president for conferring Hilal-i-Imtiaz and resolved to break the world record for the Javelin throw event.
The Olympian also thanked his family and the nation for their prayers and wishes.
President Asif Ali Zardari also appreciated the contributions of the athlete’s coach Salman Iqbal Butt for his guidance and contributions to Arshad’s success.
Work-life balance can be compared to a graceful dance—a delicate act of juggling between your career and the joys that lie beyond work. It’s about managing your professional ambitions while still making time for family, hobbies, and self-care.
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In today’s fast-paced world, with its endless to-do lists and constant distractions, achieving this balance can often feel like a daunting task. But it’s crucial. This balance is what keeps us grounded, content, and resilient in the face of life’s challenges. When we find that equilibrium, we’re not just surviving; we’re thriving—both in our careers and in the beautiful tapestry of our personal lives, as mothers, partners, and individuals.
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Maria Hameed is an MPhil Mass Communication student with a robust background in communication studies, research methods, and social issues. She offers expert analysis and insightful commentary on contemporary media trends and challenges facing today’s youth.
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RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza is paying an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
During his visit to Oman, the CJCSC held separates meetings with the Deputy Prime Minister for Defence Affairs His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq bin Taimur Al-Said, the Minister of the Royal Office General Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Namani, the Chief of Staff Sultan Armed Forces (COSSAF) Vice Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al-Raisi, Services Chiefs and Chairman of Strategic and Defense Academy.
During separately-held meetings, both sides discussed military cooperation including training, security, counter-terrorism, defence industry and regional security environment; and acknowledged the commonality of views to expand military to military relationship and forge deeper strategic ties.
The Omani dignitaries acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by people and Armed Forces of Pakistan in the war against terrorism.
The Interbank Closing Exchange Rate in Pakistan has been issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for August 29, 2024.
Interbank Dollar Rate Today in Pakistan – 29 August 2024
At the Closing of the Trading Session in the Interbank Market on August 29, 2024, the US Dollar (USD) settled at 278.64 against the Pakistani Rupee (PKR), appreciating by 0.07 percent.
The Euro (EUR) stood at Rs 309.59, the British Pound (GBP) at Rs 368.07, the Canadian Dollar (CAD) at Rs 206.96, the Australian Dollar (AUD) at Rs 189.64, the UAE Dirham (AED) at Rs 75.86, the Saudi Riyal (SAR) at Rs 74.25, the Chinese Yuan (CNY) at Rs 39.19, and the Turkish Lira (TRY) at Rs 8.17.
Exchange Rates against Pakistani Rupees Today
USD to PKR – USD/PKR (1 US Dollar equals 278.64 Pakistani Rupees)
EUR to PKR – EUR/PKR (1 Euro equals 309.59 Pakistani Rupees)
GBP to PKR – GBP/PKR (1 British Pound equals 368.07 Pakistani Rupees)
CAD to PKR – CAD/PKR (1 Canadian Dollar equals 206.96 Pakistani Rupees)
AUD to PKR – AUD/PKR (1 Australian Dollar equals 189.64 Pakistani Rupees)
AED to PKR – AED/PKR (1 UAE Dirham equals 75.86 Pakistani Rupees)
SAR to PKR – SAR/PKR (1 Saudi Riyal equals 74.25 Pakistani Rupees)
CNY to PKR – CNY/PKR (1 Chinese Yuan equals 39.19 Pakistani Rupees)
It’s worth noting that like elsewhere around the Pakistan, exchange rates are not fixed in Pakistan as well and they can fluctuate everyday due to a variety of factors including market forces, interest rates, inflation, political & economic stability, and speculation.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday chaired a review meeting with representatives from Joint Venture Investment Companies including Pak-Brunei Investment Company Limited (PBICL) and Saudi-Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company (SPI&AIC).
The meeting centered on evaluating the progress, challenges, and future directions of these companies.
The meeting was attended by senior leadership from both companies including the Chairman PBICL Dk Noor ul Hayati Binti Pg Julaihi, the Chairman SPI&AIC Sultan M. Hassan Abdulrauf, and senior officers from Finance Division.
The CEO PBICL gave a brief overview about the portfolio of the company and its major initiatives in Pakistan.
Dk Noor ul Hayati apprised the finance minister about the role played by PBCIL in promoting economic cooperation between Pakistan and Brunei by facilitating investments in industry and agricultural sectors through financial services, real estate, and SME’s support, and how it has contributed to significant advancements in these areas, fostering bilateral trade and economic stability.
Similarly, theCEO Saudi-Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company (SPI&AIC), also gave a presentation about the major development initiatives of the company in the Country for promoting Islamic finance, food security, digital finance, trade, and agriculture and livestock.
The meeting also discussed various aspects of the operations of these companies, including investment strategies, performance metrics, and key impediments affecting their growth.
Both companies presented their achievements and challenges, highlighting areas that require policy support to overcome obstacles in their operational landscape.
The discussion also focused on potential areas for future investments and collaborations through more government-to-government initiatives in order to support priority sectors.
The Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb appreciated both companies and specifically applauded the implementation strategies of KSA’s Vision 2030 for achieving their targets within a few years, and stressed that Pakistan is keen on learning those strategies.
Muhammad Aurangzeb also expressed the government’s unwavering commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector investment, recognizing the critical role that joint venture companies like PBICL and SPI&AIC could play in driving economic growth.
The minister underscored the importance of these ventures in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).
In the end, the finance minister reaffirmed that the government is keen on introducing policy measures that will streamline investment processes, and provide incentives for foreign investors.
QUETTA, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday reached Quetta for a one-day visit amid the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan.
The prime minister was accompanied by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, and Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan.
وزیر اعظم محمد شہباز شریف ایک روزہ دورے پر کوئٹہ پہنچ گئے۔
Upon arrival at Quetta Airport, the prime minister was received by the Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly Abdul Khaliq Achakzai, Provincial Minister for Communication and Works Abdul Rehman Khetran, Chief Secretary of Balochistan Shakeel Qadir, Inspector General of Police, and other senior government officials.
During his visit to Quetta, Shahbaz Sharif will chair a high-level meeting on overall law and order.
Earlier on Tuesday, while presiding over the Federal Cabinet meeting in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the ongoing violence in Balochistan, and expressed the resolve to end terrorism in Pakistan.
“There is no room for terrorism. The time has come to end it. We will provide the military with whatever resources it needs,” the prime minister declared
Monitoring Desk: The project of the House of Goldsmiths looks crumbling as a strong reaction erupted at Oxford University against Imran Khan’s chancellor election.
In its headline, the Daily Mail gave Imran Khan the title of Disgraced Ex-Prime Minister—-Imran Khan. Oxford University received angry emails and protest petitions against Imran Khan’s chancellor contesting the election. Backed and morally sponsored by the House of Goldsmiths, the candidacy of Imran Khan is a political move in a bid to save him from legal charges of corruption, vandalism, and sedition against the state of Pakistan. However, a strong reaction is coming from former staff members and former students who are sending a flood of e-mails to the University administration, describing the development as the most unsuitable candidate for the chancellorship of Oxford University.
According to Daily Mail, the majority of the content of emails says that it is not acceptable for a person convicted in corruption cases to contest the chancellor election of a major educational institution like Oxford University, the petition states.
Imran Khan’s extremist stance based on enthusiastic support of the Taliban and Osama bin Laden became a major obstacle in the way of becoming the chancellor’s candidate. According to the Daily Mail, the founder of PTI has on many occasions supported the Taliban and propagated their extremist agenda.
Further personal and public interest conflicts have also been mentioned in the petition received by the university against the founder of PTI. There are many stains on the personal life of the PTI founder. Imran Khan’s statement downplaying the heinous crime of men raping women’s short dresses also fell on Imran Khan’s throat. The short dress of women is the main reason for the incidents of their disgrace, the effect of such dress is not only on robots, Imran Khan’s old position
Imran Khan’s supporters are harassing opponents of his candidacy, report claims. Supporters of Imran Khan are also using social media violence to stop criticism of him, and the complaints of the opponents.
Oxford University rejects to election a Disgraced Ex-Prime Minister despite the strong support of the House of Goldsmiths
Oxford University has a rich history of respect for humanity, moral values, and high standards of leadership, Imran Khan’s chancellor election will tarnish it, British newspaper
The University of Oxford will shortlist candidates for the Chancellor’s election in early October. Imran Khan is a supporter of terrorists in his address to the National Assembly, he called Osama bin Laden a martyr, said in the petition
LAHORE, Pakistan: The Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched the ‘Chief Minister Internship Program’ for bright future of the youth.
The provincial government has allocated a sum of Rs 1 billion for the program.
The youth aged between 18 to 25 years can register for the internship program at www.cmip.punjab.gp.pk.
The selected interns will get placement opportunities in prominent private sector institutions.
In a statement, the Chief Minister said that 6,000 internships spanning over six months duration will be offered in Phase-I, and the interns will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 25,000 during their internship period.
The Chief Minister said that preference will be given to graduates who have completed their degrees in the last two years.
وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب @MaryamNSharif نوجوانوں کے روشن مستقبلِ کے لئے متحرک
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Centre for Afghanistan, Middle East and Africa (CAMEA) at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organised the launch its latest book, ‘The Return of the Taliban: International and Regional Perspectives,’ edited by Director Amina Khan.
The Chief Guest for the event was Ambassador Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s Special Representative on Afghanistan.
Distinguished discussants included Mr. Zahid Hussain, Journalist and Analyst; Ambassador Omar Samad, Non-resident Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Centre, Washington; and Ms. Rangina Hamidi, Former Minister of Education, Afghanistan.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood, Director General, ISSI; Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman BOG, ISSI; and Ms. Amina Khan, Director CAMEA also spoke on the occasion.
Launched our new Book: “The Return of the Taliban: Intn’l & Regional Perspectives”, covering their 3 years in power. SR Amb.Asif Durrani & other eminent speakers from key stakeholder nations share deep insights into evolving landscape and hi-light challenges & opportunities. pic.twitter.com/qMivfD3egx
— Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (@ISSIslamabad) August 28, 2024
In his address, Ambassador Asif Durrani appreciated ISSI for the launch of the book, underlining that individual contributions of scholars on Afghanistan and the region offer a better insight into the governance aspects of the country since the takeover by the Afghan Interim Government in 2021.
On terrorism, he said that valuable insights by the authors should help policymakers and security community to take a serious note and tailor their responses.
Talking about the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship, he said that the two countries are bound in a symbiotic relationship and have suffered together in the last four decades. It was important for Afghanistan to address the issues relating to cross-border terrorism.
Ambassador Asif Durrani concluded by saying that given the neglect that Afghanistan faces, the book is a breath of fresh air for scholars searching for intellectual inputs about Afghanistan.
Expressing his views, Ambassador Sohail Mahmood stated that the volume comes out at an important time, just as the Taliban rule marks completion of three years. He further said that August 2021 indeed marked another crucial turning point in the history of Afghanistan, as the Taliban regained power. This was a development fraught with wide implications for the region and the world. The concomitant completion of withdrawal of US forces further enhanced the salience of that moment. Ever since, the international community’s attention has been focused on questions relating to governance, security, and human rights issues as well as regional and international diplomacy.
Ambassador Sohail Mahmood also said that Pakistan has long stressed that a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is in its vital interest.
Similarly, regional economic integration and connectivity including through initiatives like the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), would greatly benefit Afghanistan, Pakistan and the broader region. For this to materialise, however, sustainable peace remains indispensable requirement. The interim government in Kabul needs to abide by the pledges they made in Doha, relating to inclusivity, respect for the rights of all Afghans, and above all, not allowing its territory to be used against any country. The Afghan side must address Pakistan’s specific concerns relating to terrorism, in an effective, credible and sustainable manner.
With meaningful forward movement on this account, he underlined, the two countries should be able to work together to realise the full potential of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations in all dimensions.
While introducing the book, Ms. Amina Khan said that CAMEA’s 4th edited book comes out at a very important juncture in Afghanistan’s history, as the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ completes three years in power as the de facto, though not de jure, political authority in Afghanistan.
Ms. Amina Khan added that over the past 3 years, the Taliban’s governing structure has evolved and taken shape, into what can be defined as an authoritarian yet selectively pragmatic governing style. The IEA have managed to establish a fair degree of stability and security throughout the country. They have increased their diplomatic outreach and enhanced trade with neighboring and regional countries.
Ms. Amina Khan concluded by saying that achieving durable peace necessitates a comprehensive approach on the part of the international community but more so the Islamic Emirate, who must fulfill their responsibilities by ensuring governance is inclusive, responsible, accountable and one that serves the Afghan people.
While expressing her views, Ms. Rangina Hamidi appreciated the diverse perspectives in the book and stated that in her opinion, the Taliban movement is not strictly Pashtun movement, although the movement mainly comprises of Pashtuns. She further said that the Pashtun people have suffered on both sides of the border.
Ms. Rangina Hamidi spoke of the importance of education for both boys and girls and lamented the restrictions on girl’s education and women’s rights. She concluded by saying that while the Taliban have not changed, the international community must promote engagement as there was no alternative and no military solution.
In his remarks, Ambassador Omar Samad said that Afghanistan is a complex country and this comes across in many of the chapters in this book, not only as a pre and post-colonial nation state in the region with shifting allegiances and emerging power centers.
Ambassador Omar Samad also said that the country is also a multi-ethnic society, a geostrategic linchpin, a resilient and unconquerable land, a proxy battlefield, and as a crossroad for trade and movement of people and ideas over the centuries.
He concluded by saying that it is incumbent on the Islamic Emirate leadership to seek stability and prosperity.
Mr. Zahid Hussain, in his remarks, stated that the book’s timing is ideal, given the Taliban’s unexpected return to power after twenty years of war.
While legitimate concerns exist regarding women’s education and human rights, the Taliban now fully control Afghanistan and are not isolated despite lacking formal recognition. He stressed the need for Afghanistan and Pakistan to work together, particularly on issues like the TTP, and emphasized resolving other issues.
Ultimately, he argued that the Taliban must evolve internally to gain international recognition.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, in his concluding remarks, was of the view that the book gives several perspectives, giving a holistic picture of Afghanistan and is a valuable addition to the current discourse.
The book includes individual chapters form scholars, experts and practitioners from Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, Central Asian Republics, Gulf States, Japan, Europe, US and Afghanistan.
The event was attended by a cross-section of people including academics, practitioners, foreign diplomats, and members of civil society and the media.
LAHORE, Pakistan: The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) organized a briefing in Lahore on Wednesday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the landmark judgment on minorities’ rights (SMC No. 1/2014) authored by the former Chief Justice Tassaduq Hussian Jillani.
The speakers included the Executive Director at CSJ Peter Jacob, Saroop Ijaz Advocate, and Saqib Jillani Advocate while Naina Samson was the master of ceremony.
The briefing was attended by lawyers, journalists, and human rights defenders, wherein the speakers raised their serious concerns over the lack of seriousness on the part of the federal and provincial governments to address human rights violations, and called upon the government to take concrete measures to protect religious freedom and minorities’ rights in accordance with the directions of the Judgment on minorities rights.
Speaking on the occasion, Peter Jacob expressed deep resentment over the persistent non-compliance with the Supreme Court Judgment on minorities’ rights, citing systemic weaknesses at all tiers of governance and the lack of progress made by federal and provincial government institutions over the past decade.
Peter Jacob said that the executive’s continued failure to develop a curriculum in line with Article 22(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan, along with its half-hearted attempts to establish a national commission for minorities’ rights in conformity with the UN Paris Principles on national human rights institutions, amounts to contempt of court.
The CSJ executive director urged the government to make serious efforts to address the dysfunction within implementing bodies, and emphasized the need for a manifested will and commitment to fully comply with court orders, to protect minorities’ rights, and to address the broader challenges hindering the country’s democratic development.
Peter Jacob noted that the Supreme Court’s implementation bench has not conducted a hearing for over a year and a half.
Therefore, he called for the reconstitution of the implementation bench to resume regular proceedings and urged the court to consider empowering the One-man Commission with contempt powers, which would significantly enhance the effectiveness of the commission and improve the implementation of the judgment.
The Advocate Supreme Court Saqib Jillani stressed the need for coordinated efforts across all branches of government including the executive, parliament, and judiciary as well as all other state institutions, to implement the constitutional promise of equality and non-discrimination for all citizens of Pakistan.
Saqib Jillani emphasized that the Supreme Court needs to adopt a more proactive role in ensuring the enforcement of its directives in the judgment of 2014 regarding minorities’ rights. He expressed the need for all tiers of courts in Pakistan, including High Courts and trial courts to approach cases involving minorities and other vulnerable groups with greater empathy and compassion. An empathetic approach to justice will lead to a significant and transformative improvement in the quality of justice in Pakistan.
Saroop Ijaz Advocate stated that the findings and directives of the judgment had the potential of reforms and scope to contribute to advancing religious freedom, and building a tolerant society. Unfortunately, the federal and provincial governments failed to capitalize on this verdict to realize the equality of rights and respect for diversity in Pakistan. He said that the lack of compliance with this judgment is due to a lack of capacity and political will among government stakeholders.
Saroop Ijaz underlined that it is the government’s responsibility to implement court directives, therefore, the government must give attention to the recommendations for effective implementation at both provincial and federal government levels to protect the minorities’ rights in the light of the judgment, and consider bringing the matter of non-compliance to the political agenda, particularly in cabinet and standing committees.
The CSJ’s assessment report “A Decade of Non-Compliance” was launched which assessed the level of compliance with the Supreme Court verdict on minorities’ rights.
The report revealed that none of the original seven directions issued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan were fully complied with by either the federal or provincial governments despite the implementation Bench of the Supreme Court conducted 34 hearings, and issued a total of 89 supplementary directions over the last decade.
The report revealed that the Sindh government achieved the highest compliance score with 9 out of 25, followed by the Punjab government with an 8/25 score. Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governments achieved implementation scores of 6/25 and 5/25 respectively. The federal government had the lowest compliance score, reflecting stalled progress in adhering to court directions.
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza is paying an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman,...
Interbank Exchange Rates in Pakistan
The Interbank Closing Exchange Rate in Pakistan has been issued by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for August 29,...
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday chaired a review meeting with representatives from Joint Venture Investment...
QUETTA, Pakistan: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday reached Quetta for a one-day visit amid the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan.The prime...
Monitoring Desk: The project of the House of Goldsmiths looks crumbling as a strong reaction erupted at Oxford University against Imran Khan's chancellor election.In...