Category: 1. Pakistan

PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court on Thursday directed an inquiry committee, probing recent multiple deaths due to flooding in Swat, to submit report after its finalisation.

A bench consisting of PHC Chief Justice Syed Mohammad Attique Shah and Justice Mohammad Faheem Wali ordered the government to conduct an impartial and across the board operation for removing encroachments along the Swat River.

The bench was informed by head of three-member inquiry committee Khayyam Hassan Khan that they had visited Swat and had been probing the incident for the last four days.

He said that they had observed lapses on part of some of individuals and departments during flash floods in Swat and would highlight it in the report.

Committee head says he will highlight negligence by some individuals and depts

The bench was hearing two petitions related to the Swat incident of June 27, during which 13 persons stuck in gushing floodwater were killed near Fizzagut, Swat.

One of the petitions is filed by a lawyer Naeem Ahmad Khattak, seeking directives of court for respondents including government to take effective measures and remove obstacles/encroachments throughout KP near riverbeds.

Another petition is filed by a citizen, Amir Alam, for ordering a judicial inquiry into the ‘circumstances’ that led to deaths of several people during the floods in Swat as well as a probe into the alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles by the provincial government for ‘political’ purposes.

The petitioner has sought directives for law enforcement agencies and accountability authorities to look into alleged misuse of Rescue 1122 vehicles and resources by the provincial executive for political purposes and proceed strictly in accordance with law if cognisable offences were committed.

Advocates Babar Khan Yousafzai and Nasir Khan appeared for the petitioners, whereas KP Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel appeared for the government.

The chairman of the inquiry committee, Khayyam Hassan, also turned up along with some of divisional commissioners.

When the bench inquired who was the inquiry officer probing the incident, Mr Khayyam, the chairman of Provincial Inspection Team, informed the bench that provincial government had constituted the inquiry committee under his chairmanship.

He stated that the other two members of the committee were the inspector general of prisons, Mohammad Usman, and the director (admin) of excise and taxation department, Sheharyar Qamar. He said that according to the notification, the committee had to complete its probe within seven days.

Mr Khayyam said that according to terms of reference of the committee, they had to inquire into multiple aspects of the incident. He said that they were assigned to conduct thorough and impartial investigation into the flash flood incident, which had resulted into loss of precious lives.

He said that that they would assess and identify lapses or negligence on part of government functionaries and tourists. He said that they would also identify the individuals or institutions involved in any lapse regarding compliance of safety and fix responsibilities.

He said that they would put forward recommendations in order to avoid such tragic incidents in future and ensure strict adherence to safety measures.

Shah Faisal Uthmankhel informed the bench that government and administration in Swat had started an anti-encroachments drive along the Swat River that was facing certain hurdles.

The PHC chief justice observed that the court was aware that certain quarters would be exerting pressure in the drive. The bench directed him to continue with the operation without extending favour to any person.

The petitioners’ lawyers stated that government was having two helicopters and if it intended it could have saved lives of the deceased persons. The petitioners have also requested the court to issue directives for the respondents to cancel all mining activities, carried out through auction or otherwise, in the Swat River.

They said that the failure of Rescue 1122 and provincial authorities to respond timely and effectively caused unnecessary and avoidable loss of lives.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025

DERA ISMAIL KHAN/KOHAT: Two main mourning processions and ‘Zuljinnah’ were taken out amid tight security on Thursday.

The mourners reciting Noha and beating their chests took out the first procession from Masjid Latu-Faqir which culminated peacefully at Imambargah Haider Shah Sherazi after passing through its designated routes.

Likewise, another mourning procession appeared from Imambargha Haider Shah Sherazi which ended peacefully at Masjid Latu-Faqir after passing through its traditional routes.

According to the district police, tight security measures were in place as personnel of the law enforcement agencies along with Shia community volunteers escorted mourning processions.

DPO Sajad Ahmad Sahibzada carried out a comprehensive inspection of Muharram procession routes and security checkpoints across the city to ensure foolproof arrangements during the holy month. During his visit, the DPO examined the entry and exit routes of processions as well as barricade points near Imambargahs.

He directed officers and personnel deployed at these sites to remain extremely alert and perform their duties with utmost diligence.

MPA Ahmad Karim Khan Kundi on Thursday visited village Ghulamay Wala and inspected the routes of mourning processions on Muharram 7th, following the directives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Khan Kundi.

During his visit, the MPA met with Imambargah administrators and mourners, acknowledging their efforts in maintaining peaceful observances.

In Kohat, mourning processions of 7th Muharram also concluded peacefully in the most sensitive areas of Hangu and Kohat districts amid tight security of army and frontier constabulary, while the main bazaars remained closed for allowing the processions to pass peacefully.

In Hangu district, mourners from about a dozen imambargahs met at the Qaumi imamabargah at Shahu where sermons were held.

Earlier, Commissioner Kohat Division Syed Motasim Billah Shah along with the Regional Police Officer (RPO) Kohat Abbas Majeed Marwat, Deputy Commissioner Hangu, Gohar Zaman Wazir and District Polcie Officer Hangu Khalid Khan, paid a surprise visit to various Imambargahs in the Hangu city late on Wednesday night, and inspected the routes of the mourning processions.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday set aside the conviction of suspects who had allegedly ransacked the Ramna police station on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

A divisional bench of the IHC resumed hearing the appeals filed against the conviction of the May 9 suspects.

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), on May 30, had convicted Member of the National Assembly (MNA) Abdul Latif of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and sentenced him to a cumulative 27 years of imprisonment for attacking the Ramna police station during the violent May 9 riots.

On May 9, 2023, PTI supporters, protesting the arrest of party founder Imran Khan, staged violent demonstrations across the country, vandalising military installations and state-owned buildings, and also attacked the Lahore corps commander’s residence.

Following the riots, thousands of protesters, including party leaders, were arrested.

ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra handed down the sentence under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code after finding the convicts guilty of attacking the Ramna police station during the riots.

MNA Abdul Latif, who was elected from NA-1 Chitral, was not present in court when the verdict was announced.

The judge told the convicts that 20 witnesses, including magistrates, had recorded testimonies against them, and noted that protests should be peaceful and participants should not take the law into their own hands.

Arguing before the division bench, PTI’s counsel Dr Babar Awan, along with his legal team comprising Barrister Abdullah Babar, Amna Ali and Advocate Sardar Masroof, rejected the prosecution’s claim that the suspects attacked the police station.

At the outset, when the judges took up the application seeking suspension of the sentence, Dr Awan argued that the case lacked evidence and acquittal was imminent.

He requested the court to hear the main appeals instead of the application for suspension of sentence.

During the course of arguments, Dr Awan stated that the accused could be charged with violating Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, but could not be prosecuted under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

He pointed out that the ATC law could not be invoked for exercising the fundamental right of peaceful assembly.

He claimed the prosecution had recovered a baton, a PTI-coloured cap, and the party’s flag from the suspects.

He argued that the investigating agency had not recovered any weapons from the suspects’ custody.

Dr Awan further pointed out that in the Noor Mukaddam case, the Supreme Court had termed CCTV footage a “silent witness.”

However, in the May 9 violence case, no footage had been produced before the trial court to substantiate the allegations against the convicts.

After hearing the arguments, the bench acquitted the accused who were present in court.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday acquitted four Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers who had been convicted in connection with the May 9 riots.

The convicts had challenged their sentences in the IHC.

Earlier, the ATC, headed by Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, had sentenced Sohail Khan, Mohammad Akram, Shahzeb and Mira Khan to 10 years in prison on May 30 for their alleged involvement in attacking a police station in Islamabad’s Ramna area.

The convicts had been charged under Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) Sections 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (unlawful assembly), 186 (obstructing official duty), 188 (disobeying order of a public servant), 324 (attempted murder), 353 (assault on public servants), 436 (arson) and 440 (mischief); Section 144 of CrPC; and Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.

They were sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 7 ATA, five years under Section 324 of PPC, four under Section 436, two each under sections 353 and 148.

In total, 11 PTI members, including MNA Abdul Latif, were sentenced, but only four were arrested while the remaining suspects are still at large.

May 9, 2023, refers to the day when former prime minister and PTI founding chairman Imran Khan was taken into custody by paramilitary Rangers from the Islamabad High Court premises on charges of corruption.

The PTI founder’s arrest sparked countrywide protests, during which demonstrators allegedly belonging to the former ruling party vandalized state-owned buildings and military installations, including the Lahore Corps Commander’s House, commonly known as Jinnah House.

Following the protests, several PTI leaders and workers were arrested on various charges, including setting government infrastructure on fire.

On Thursday, a divisional bench of IHC comprising Justice Azam Khan and Justice Khadim Hussain Somroo overturned the verdict of ATC, declaring the sentences void after hearing arguments from both sides.

PTI lawyers, including Babar Awan, Sardar Masroof and Amna Ali, represented the appellants in the IHC.

Awan argued that out of nine prosecution witnesses, only one — ASI Muhammad Sharif — identified the accused. He said no injuries were reported despite allegations of gunfire.

“Punish for crimes proven, but do not turn the system into a joke,” he told the court.

Justice Somroo questioned the prosecution about the evidence to which the prosecutor responded that evidence existed but requested additional time to present it. The court, however, rejected this plea, observing that all arguments had already been heard.

The bench noted that no medico-legal certificates (MLCs) or injured persons were presented and questioned the basis for convictions without proving the accused were present at the crime scene.

The IHC observed that none of the witnesses had stated in their testimonies that the accused were present at the site.

The bench further questioned whether the court was now expected to convict solely on the basis of an identification parade.

 

 

ISLAMABAD:

Salaried individuals have paid a staggering Rs555 billion in income tax in the last fiscal year, which were Rs188 billion more than the preceding year and also 100% more than the combined taxes paid by retailers and real estate sector.

The record-high contributions by people, who pay income tax on the gross salaries without having the luxury to adjust their expenses, substantially reduced the home-take salaries of a larger segment of society.

According to provisional figures compiled by the Federal Board of Revenue, the salaried persons paid Rs555 billion in income tax during the fiscal year 2024-25. The unwilling contributions were 51% or Rs188 billion more than the taxes collected from the salaried persons in the preceding fiscal year.

In the fiscal year 2023-24, the government had collected Rs367 billion from the salaried persons. The government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had phenomenally increased the tax burden of the salaried class and claimed it would generate only Rs75 billion in additional income taxes.

The highest ever contributions by the salaried persons in a single year showed how the voiceless people have been discriminated against the powerful sectors of the country.

Last month, the government marginally reduced the tax burden of the people earning up to Rs3.2 million annually, which it said would give them a benefit of Rs56 billion. This nominal benefit of Rs56 billion compared to the current contributions is like a drop in the bucket, which would not address the fiscal woes of the salaried individuals.

Despite putting enormous burden on the salaried class, the FBR missed its annual collection target by a margin of around Rs1.2 trillion.

The details showed that non-corporate sector employees paid Rs236.5 billion income tax in the last fiscal year, which is higher by Rs67 billion or 40%. Corporate sector employees paid Rs165 billion in income tax, also higher by Rs54.6 billion or 49%.

Employees of the provincial governments paid Rs99.5 billion in taxes, which was up by Rs49 billion or 98%. The federal government employees paid Rs54.2 billion, higher by Rs17 billion or 45%.

Total income tax payments during the last fiscal year were Rs5.8 trillion and the salaried class paid Rs1 out of every Rs10 collected from the entire country under the head of income tax.

In contrast to Rs555 billion paid by the salaried persons, the retailers, mostly unregistered, have contributed only Rs38 billion on account of withholding income tax on their purchases. The amount of tax that traders paid under section 236-H was 1,360% less than taxes paid by salaried persons.

Besides, wholesalers and distributors also paid Rs25 billion withholding tax in the last fiscal year and almost half of them were unregistered with the FBR, said the sources.

PM Sharif could not live up to his promise of collecting due taxes from the retailers. The Tajir Dost scheme failed to yield desired results and the government has not announced any new measure in the budget to bring the retailers in the tax net.

Its biggest enforcement measure to ban the economic transactions by ineligible persons has become effectively useless after the government exempted more than 90% transactions from the purview of the new law. The government has allowed the ineligible persons, those having not enough declared resources, to buy up to Rs7 million worth of a car, Rs50 million worth plot and Rs100 million commercial property.

In the budget, the government had imposed 2.5% withholding tax on traders, in the hope that this would force them to come into the tax system. Though the increase in the rate did help collect Rs21 billion more from the traders, the intended objective could not be achieved. The traders passed on the cost of the additional tax to the end consumers.

In the last budget, the government had also substantially increased the tax burden of the real estate sector by increasing the rates for the non-filers and also introducing a new category of late filers in the budget.

As a result, during the last fiscal year, the government collected Rs237 billion on sales and purchase of properties. This helped increase collection by 19% compared to the previous fiscal year but it was still below the mark.

The combined taxes paid by both retailers and the real estate sector were 100% less than the total contributions by the salaried persons.

On the sale of properties, the government collected Rs119 billion on account of withholding taxes, which were one-fourth more than the preceding fiscal year. On the purchases of the plots, the government collected another Rs118 billion, also higher by 14%.

In the new budget, the government has abolished the federal excise duty on the real estate sector. The net taxes on the sales and purchases remained unchanged, although the government shifted higher burden towards the sellers by increasing their withholding tax rates.

ISLAMABAD:

Supreme Court Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has urged the Judicial Commission of Pakistan (JCP) to share the minutes of all its meetings during tenure of Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi.

In a letter written on June 25 to the JCP secretary, Justice Shah raised concern for not sharing the minutes of the JCP meetings to the public.

“I raise an issue of institutional concern: the commission’s discontinuation of the practice of releasing the minutes of its meetings to the public,” says the letter.

Justice Shah believes that the judiciary, as a trend-setter for other state institutions, must hold itself to the highest standards of openness and public accountability.

“The appointment of judges is a public act with far-reaching consequences. The people of Pakistan have a right to know how the judges of the top court in the country are selected, what deliberations take place, and whether constitutional standards are applied in good faith.

“The opacity that now surrounds the Commission’s workings is not healthy, not democratic, and not consistent with the Supreme Court’s image as the guardian of constitutional values,” says the letter.

He; therefore, urges the commission that the minutes of all JCP meetings held during the tenure of the current chairperson (CJP Afridi) be released to the public, in accordance with past practice.

Abdul Moiz Jaferii advocate said that the central premise of the newly instituted processes related to the judiciary was that the method and process of judicial appointments be made more transparent.

A basic feature of this transparency was the releasing of minutes which let the people see the process of determination. This has now ceased. Without reason, he adds.

After the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, the executive has dominancy in the process of judges appointment as well as selection of judges for the constitutional benches.

There is no explanation as why the senior judges were not nominated for constitutional benches in Supreme Court as well as Sindh High Court.

There is no explanation as to why dissenting judges are being sidelined by the commission.

Recently, the JCP ignored the appointment of senior most judges for their appointment as chief justices of the high court.

A lawyer says that they were just ignored because they were not government’s like-minded’ judges.

Similarly, with valid reason, some senior judges, especially Peshawar High Court Judge Ejaz Anwar, were not nominated for the appointment of SC judge.

There is no explanation as how the JCP altered its opinion about a judge whose integrity was under question one year ago.

It is also witnessed that majority of the government-backed lawyers are appointed as judges of the high courts during the tenure of CJP Afridi.

The lawyers whose integrity and competency are beyond doubt were not nominated for appointments as they were not the government’s like-minded’

CJP Afridi so far could not evolve a strategy to minimise the influence of executive in the appointment of judges.

Around 50 judges are appointed in high courts as well as Supreme Court after passage of 26th constitutional amendment.

During the tenure of ex-CJP Qazi Faez Isa, minutes of committee working under the Supreme Court Practice and Procedure Act was being shared on the Supreme Court website. However, this practice has been discontinued during ex CJP Yahya Afridi tenure.

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday stressed implementing the digital transaction system across the country, saying it was vital to bring transparency to the economy.

He was chairing a weekly meeting on cashless and digital economy at the Prime Minister’s House.

On the occasion, the prime minister emphasized the need to facilitate payments between citizens and businesses and to raise awareness about the use of digital systems.

He instructed the committees formed for the cashless economy to work closely with all stakeholders to present doable recommendations.

During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed that following the previous meeting, the Digital Payments Innovation and Adoption Committee, the Digital Public Infrastructure Committee, and the Government Payments Committee had been established.

A detailed briefing was given in the meeting with respect to the committee’s proposals and strategies regarding the digitization of the economy.

It was informed that the State Bank of Pakistan was developing a strategy to simplify and ease digital payment methods for merchants.

A simplified package will be introduced to encourage and include small businesses in digital payments.

The target is to increase the number of mobile app users for digital payments from 95 million to 120 million, and the number of merchants using QR codes will be increased from 0.9 million to 2 million.

The total volume of digital payments is aimed to increase from Rs 7.5 billion to Rs 12 billion. The prime minister directed that all these targets should be doubled.

The meeting was further informed that the “Digital National Pakistan” project for the digital economy had been initiated. The Islamabad City mobile application has so far recorded 1.3 million downloads, offering 15 services.

Through the Islamabad City App, Rs 15.5 billion has been collected under ICT Excise and Taxation, the meeting was informed.

Work is progressing rapidly on the completion of the Digital Pakistan ID project, while E-stamping facilities will also be launched in Islamabad soon.

The meeting was further informed that efforts were underway to provide Wi-Fi internet services across Islamabad, particularly in hospitals, educational institutions, government offices, parks, and metro bus lines.

The prime minister instructed that all these facilities should also be introduced in all federal areas, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Information Technology and Telecom Shaza Fatima, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Prime Minister’s Advisor Dr. Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior government officials.

Polio case

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, stressing accelerated efforts to eradicate polio from the country, on Thursday expressed the resolve that despite all challenges and difficulties, the government, with the support of international, provincial, and local teams, will soon achieve the goal of a polio-free Pakistan.

“We are committed to protect every child in Pakistan from this crippling disease and achieve a polio-free Pakistan,” the prime minister said while chairing a meeting of the Anti-Polio Task Force here.

He stressed the need for full dedication and seriousness to ensure that every child across the country receives multiple doses of the polio vaccine and remains protected.

The prime minister acknowledged significant progress in the fight against polio due to the dedication of frontline workers, the commitment of the government of Pakistan, and support from the partners.

He praised the efforts and cooperation of provincial governments, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, and law enforcement agencies in the anti-polio campaign.

“The safety of polio workers is our top priority,” he said adding that all stakeholders, including provincial governments, must unite and intensify their efforts to eradicate polio.

The prime minister expressed gratitude to all partners supporting the government in its polio eradication efforts.

He extended special thanks to Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, for his comprehensive support of Pakistan’s polio eradication efforts.

The prime minister also appreciated the vital and commendable role of the Gates Foundation and all partners in the anti-polio campaign in Pakistan.

During the briefing, it was informed in the meeting that specific polio campaigns were being designed for each district in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, based on the unique challenges faced in each area, to ensure complete eradication of the polio virus.

The anti-polio campaign in Pakistan is not only targeting polio cases among children but also working to eliminate the virus’s environmental presence.

The meeting was attended by the chair of the Anti-Polio Oversight Board, Dr. Christopher Elias, who is also the President of the Global Development Program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Besides members of the Board Dr. Hanan Balkhy — Regional Director, World Health Organization (WHO), Sanjay Wijesekera — Regional Director, UNICEF, Dr. Ziad Memish — Representative of KS Relief, Saudi Arabia, Mike McGovern — Rotary International and Aziz Memon, Trustee, Rotary International also attended the meeting.

Minister for National Health Services Syed Mustafa Kamal, Minister of State for National Health Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, PM’s Focal Person on Polio Eradication Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chief Secretaries from all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Chief Commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory, National Coordinator for Polio Eradication and other senior government officials were also present in the meeting.

SAHIWAL: As three investigations into the deaths of 20 babies at paediatric ward of the Pakpattan DHQ Hospital continue, a letter by Senior Head Nurse Salma Tufail has surfaced online in which she had warned the hospital medical superintendent of impending oxygen shortage and the urgent need to maintain supply records.

The letter — dated first week of June — was circulated on social media. It contradicts the statements of Pakpattan district health authority chief executive officer Dr Sohail who had categorically stated that there was no shortage of oxygen in the pediatric ward during the first three weeks of June.

Dr Sohail told the media that the children had died due to malnutrition and that they were brought to the hospital in critical condition from ‘outside’.

Speaking to Dawn, Deputy Commissioner Maria Tariq questioned the letter’s authenticity, stating, “She (Salma Tufail) submitted that oxygen was available and her letter only requested better documentation”.

The DC confirmed that all relevant records had been confiscated for review. One of the most pressing issues is the reported disappearance of ward-level documents, including the pediatric death register and deceased children’s medication charts. These omissions have prompted earlier internal committees to recommend a “refresher course” on documentation protocols for pediatric staff.

Adding to the complexity, the whereabouts of the hospital’s contracted oxygen supplier remain unknown, raising serious concerns about availability and verification of oxygen inventory during the critical period.

The local administration remained on alert on Thursday amid rumours that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz might visit the hospital to meet the bereaved families and announce financial assistance for them.

On the other hand, Prof Dr Shahid, the head of ICU, Sahiwal Teaching Hospital and head of the high level inquiry, confirmed to Dawn that he had submitted his report to the commissioner but declined to share further details.

There are concerns among the stakeholder who raised the question as to how the inquiries by three separate authorities would be consolidated into a comprehensive and transparent account of the tragedy’s underlying causes.

Meanwhile, acting on directives from the chief secretary, senior divisional and district officials — including Commissioner Sahiwal Dr Asif Tufail, RPO Mahboob Rasheed, Deputy Commissioner Pakpattan Maria Tariq and a provincial government representative — held separate meetings with the grieving parents in Pakpattan city.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2025

ISLAMABAD: Amid serious financial constraints and governance challenges, Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed has reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan’s higher education sector under Vision 2047, with a strong focus on accessibility, technology integration, and institutional development.

Speaking to the media, Dr Ahmed stated that Pakistan currently spends less than 1.9 percent of GDP on overall education sector and around 0.2 percent on higher education which is the lowest in the region.

However, he said the government aims at ensuring modern educational facilities for 1.5 million youth.

He was optimistic that several universities would be among the top universities of the world in coming years.

Under the P-10 project, the top 10 universities in the country will be selected for targeted quality enhancement. In the first phase, 100 smart classrooms have already been established, while 200 more are under construction.

Highlighting the significant progress since the formation of HEC in 2001, Dr Ahmed noted that the number of universities has grown from 59 to 370 (both public and private), and the student population has increased from under 3.5 million to over 8.5 million. Yet, he stressed that this number is still insufficient given Pakistan’s growing youth population. “Our target is to expand access and capacity further, especially in underserved regions,” he said.

One of the most remarkable statistics he shared was that approximately 48 per cent of university students in Pakistan are female, a figure he called “a surprise to the world” and a testament to the country’s evolving education landscape.

Dr Ahmed emphasised the importance of technology in education. Under the High-Performance Computing (HPC) initiative and cloud computing, students can now attend classes remotely, and teachers can deliver lectures from home — a shift that ensures academic continuity during emergencies. He added that the reliance on expensive computing infrastructure is being reduced, making education more accessible.

Despite the progress, challenges remain. Only 28 per cent of university faculty holds PhDs, up from a previous 24 per cent, and efforts are underway to increase this ratio. Over 6,000 students have been sent abroad on scholarships, reflecting the country’s focus on building a skilled academic workforce.

He also acknowledged resistance from some Vice Chancellors regarding the implementation of the Higher Education Data Repository (HEDR), a system meant to improve digital governance in higher education.

The chairman stressed that academic-industry linkages are being promoted, with two universities recently recognised internationally for producing globally competitive graduates.

Meanwhile, the $400 million World Bank-funded Higher Education Development Project (HEDP) is supporting faculty development, research, innovation, infrastructure upgrades, and strengthening the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE).

Dr Ahmed concluded by stating that the HEC is not only enhancing higher education in urban centres but is also extending resources to backward regions to ensure equal opportunities for all. He emphasised that instead of merely increasing the number of institutions, the focus will remain on improving the quality and governance of existing universities.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister and Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon, has said that the Sindh government has made foolproof security arrangements for Muharram.

He stated that the Sindh chief minister held meetings with scholars from various schools of thought and reviewed the security plan for gatherings and processions during the mourning period. Memon added that 14,546 police personnel will be deployed for gatherings and 35,116 for Muharram processions, with over 14,000 additional personnel assigned to ensure the security of all events.

Addressing at a press conference in Karachi, Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, announced that a total of 49,662 police personnel will be deployed across Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad from the 8th to 10th of Muharram to prevent any untoward incidents.

Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that the Commissioner of Karachi had issued a notification on April 15, 2025, imposing a ban on the movement of rickshaws on 11 major highways in the city. He clarified that the ban does not apply to all of Karachi but is limited to specific main roads. This measure, he added, has been implemented under the Sindh Motor Vehicle Ordinance, 1965.

He stated that it is the administrative authority of the government to regulate traffic and ensure convenience for citizens. He also questioned whether rickshaws operate on major highways in any other part of the country.

Speaking about the education sector, Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government has recruited 93,118 teachers across the province, including 58,613 men and 31,075 women. He added that 2,100 teachers were appointed under the minority quota, while 1,330 positions were filled by individuals with special abilities.

He said that the recruitments were carried out through the IBA test with complete transparency, leaving no room for criticism. As a result of these measures, 5,000 previously closed schools have been reopened. Currently, 5.5 million children are enrolled in government schools across Sindh, 4 million in private schools, and 1 million in Sindh Education Foundation schools.

Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon further stated that the Sindh government has taken revolutionary steps in key sectors such as health, energy, infrastructure, and climate change. He noted that after the devastating floods of 2022, the government successfully began achieving its target of constructing 2.1 million houses. He also emphasized that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari raised his voice on climate change at the global level, while the Sindh government undertook extensive mangrove plantation efforts to promote environmental protection.

Sharjeel Inam Memon remarked that Ali Amin Gandapur does not require an opposition, as he acts as his own opposition. He criticized the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that the Chief Minister is focused on making threats to attack Islamabad while remaining oblivious to the pressing issues within his own province.

He said that Jamaat-e-Islami has never fulfilled its responsibilities in Karachi and has consistently engaged in the politics of sedition. He said that while the Sindh government tolerates criticism, it will not allow anyone to dictate its policies. He added that the government had also proposed allocating a large designated area for protests to ensure that public life remains unaffected.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025