Author: Maryam Khichi

District administrations across various provinces have declared a public holiday for educational institutions on Monday, August 26, in observance of the chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain, honoring the martyrs of Karbala. This holiday will affect all schools, colleges, and universities within the municipal areas of Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi. The official notification confirms the closure of all educational institutions due to chehlum processions and related activities. In Karachi, the Sindh Education Department has also announced a public holiday for both government and private schools on August 26, to accommodate the observance of the chehlum and to manage traffic and security…

Pakistan’s celebrated Paralympian, Haider Ali, has completed his rigorous preparations for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, fueling the nation’s aspirations for yet another prestigious medal. Director General of Pakistan Sports Board (PSB), Muhammad Yasir Pirzada, met with Haider Ali at Jinnah Stadium to review his progress and expressed his best wishes for his upcoming performance. PSB has established a specialized training camp in Islamabad for Haider, covering his airfare, daily allowances, and uniforms to ensure he is fully equipped for the competition. Haider Ali has been a source of immense pride for Pakistan with his extraordinary achievements, including medals…

Advisor to the Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Eman Shah, announced that the regional government has established a Rs 5 billion endowment fund to bridge the healthcare gap in the region. This fund will cover treatment costs for deserving patients, alleviating their financial burdens and ensuring access to timely medical care. The government plans to increase the fund annually, reflecting its commitment to prioritizing the health and well-being of its citizens. This initiative aligns with the Chief Minister’s vision of a healthier Gilgit-Baltistan. The fund aims to reduce the financial strain of medical expenses on low-income families, providing hope and improved…

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), under the direction of Director General Kinza Murtaza, held an intensive training session for its officials on the E-Filing and Office Automation System (EFOAS). The session, organized by RDA’s IT Wing, is a major step forward in the Authority’s efforts to boost efficiency, transparency, and accessibility. The training focused on equipping officials with the skills needed to effectively use EFOAS, a crucial part of RDA’s digital transformation. This system aims to streamline the filing process, reduce paperwork, and improve workflow management. The RDA plans to continue offering similar training sessions to ensure all departments are…

The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has inaugurated a new IT lab at the F-11 Government Girls College, marking a significant step towards enhancing digital literacy in Islamabad. The lab was set up in just three days, according to the ministry. By mid-September, 70 state-of-the-art IT labs will be established in government schools and colleges across Islamabad, with 50 of these labs located in rural areas. Currently, 33 labs are fully operational, setting the stage for a digital transformation in the city’s education sector.

Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, announced on Friday that the government will establish a state-of-the-art Teachers Training Center within two years to enhance education quality and prepare a workforce aligned with contemporary demands. Speaking at the launch of the District Education Performance Index-2023, he highlighted that this initiative was initially started during the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) government’s previous tenure but was halted due to political instability. The center, developed in collaboration with provincial education departments, will be the best in South Asia, focusing on critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. Iqbal emphasized that…

Pakistan Railways is set to procure 230 passenger coaches and 820 high-capacity wagons under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) to improve train speed and ensure timely arrivals. Of the 230 passenger coaches, 46 Completely-Built-Up (CBU) coaches have already been acquired, while the remaining 184 will be manufactured locally. These coaches will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 160 km/h. Pakistan Railways is also working on rehabilitating and upgrading the railway infrastructure, including the Main Line-I (ML-I) from Karachi to Peshawar and the doubling of the track from Lahore to Peshawar. The track’s length is 1,726 kilometers, and…

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that spectators can enjoy free entry for the remaining fourth and fifth days of the first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This decision, aimed at maximizing weekend attendance, encourages families and students to come out in large numbers to support their cricketing heroes in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 series. Spectators need to bring their original CNIC or B-form for entry and can access the action from any of the VIP (Imran Khan and Javed Miandad) or premium (Miran Baksh, Shoaib Akhtar, Sohail Tanvir, and…

The Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE) has announced the 2024 Intermediate Annual Examination results, highlighting exceptional performances by female students across various academic streams. In the pre-medical group, Arooba Asif secured first place with 1065 marks, followed by Tehreem Imran with 1054 marks and Aafia Wajid with 1053 marks. In the engineering group, Huda Ali topped with 1045 marks, while Abdullah Jawad claimed the second position with 1043 marks. For the science group, Hooriya Mubasher achieved first place with 1036 marks, with Isha Siddique and Aman Ajmal from Islamabad securing second and third positions, respectively. In the…

The Punjab government has declared a public holiday in Lahore on Monday, August 26, 2024, in celebration of the 981st Annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA). This holiday will be observed in all government offices within Lahore, except for the Punjab Civil Secretariat, its Attached Departments, and Regional Offices. The three-day Urs festival, which honors the revered saint Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri (RA), will take place from August 24 to 26, 2024. The Auqaf Department has allocated Rs 13.5 million for langar and other activities for visitors. The event will be inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister…