Shehri Tv

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) Pakistan has too few diabetes specialists to treat the nearly 19.4 million people suffering from the disease according to the experts who spoke at a seminar at the Aga Khan University (AKU) held to announce the launch of a six-month certificate course in diabetes that seeks to expand access to the knowledge and skills needed to treat and manage the disease. The course, set to begin from January 2021, will offer the most updated and evidence-based knowledge to manage patients. The country has only one specialist, also known as an endocrinologist, for every 200,000 diabetes patients, according to Pakistan Endocrine Society. Similar shortfalls in training and awareness of diabetes are present at all levels of our healthcare system, speakers added.  The current deficits in managing the illness, which has no symptoms, mean that many patients often seek care when they are suffering from advanced complications from the ...

  By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) Pakistani movie ‘Parwaaz Hai Junoon’ has been premiered successfully in China, having earned praise from the Chinese movie lovers. It’s for first time in the 45 years when a Pakistani film has been screened on Chinese cinema houses.  The film had attracted a lot of attention in China even before its premiere as leading institutions like Wuhan University of Science and Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University and Southwest University participated in its promotion.  According to reports, as many as 57 universities launched online campaigns to advertise the film. In addition, a large number of celebrities spontaneously promoted the film as the Chinese netizens expressed their delight at having watched the movie.  A delegation of Chinese journalists visited the Capital Cinema, SDDYY, the largest cinema in China with a history of 70 years.  The head of marketing for S...

  By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) Prime Minister Imran Khan has declared that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a transformational project and reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment for timely completion of the CPEC projects.  The Prime Minister expressed these views when he met the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong, at Islamabad on November 11. “The Prime Minister congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment and extended best wishes for a fruitful term,” the statement issued by PM Office noted.  The premier also accentuated the significance of special economic zones (SEZs), relocation of industry, and improved productivity in agriculture sector.  The Chinese envoy on the occasion expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Imran Khan and reassured China’s support in completion of CPEC projects and enhancement in industrialization and agricultural sector in Pakistan.

  By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) The first consignment of Pakistani cherries is expected to arrive in China next year, Li Wei, business representative of Huazhilong International Trading Private Ltd. Pakistan, disclosed.  The Pakistani cherries are really good, nice sweetness and quality, Wei said in an interview with the China Economic Net television (CEN) in Beijing.  He was speaking at the third China International Import Expo (CIIE) being held in Shanghai.  In the past the Pakistani cherries could not be imported due to lack of cold chain management, market information system, packaging and processing facilities.  In this regard, Li Wei added that China can provide technical assistance to manage orchards, while Pakistan can provide work force so that both sides can achieve win-win cooperation. China, he disclosed, was willing to help Pakistan develop cold chain technology.  Li Wei reckoned that there was big business oppor...

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  (Pakistan News & Features Services) Introducing advanced practice nursing, particularly in countries with fragile healthcare systems, will be crucial to meeting the ever-increasing needs of patients and improving health outcomes said experts at a two-day virtual conference organized by the Aga Khan University Schools of Nursing and Midwifery in Pakistan and East Africa.  The current COVID-19 pandemic has placed nurses in the spotlight and revealed the need for nursing expertise and experience as never before. In 2020, the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, governments and healthcare institutions are being called on to support, empower and advance the nursing profession.  Advanced practice nursing, APN, is one of the most efficient ways of delivering high-quality, affordable and patient-focused care, accessible especially to those vulnerable groups and populations living in the remotest communities where other healthcare pro...

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) The Federal Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, has declared that the much publicized commercial project of Tijori Heights, located in Karachi’s bustling area of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, had been built on Railways' land and people must refrain from any investment in it or cooperating with the builders.  He made the announcement during a press conference at his camp office in Karachi adding that the unauthorized construction on the project had been put to halt by the railways' authorities. "As many as 14 kilometers of the 30 kilometers of the KCR loop line, from City to Orangi stations, have been made clear and serviceable whereas further can be proceeded only after construction of flyovers/underpasses by the Sindh government,” the Railways' minister disclosed while highlighting the desperate need of civil works by the provincial government in the green line area in Nazimabad.  The minister stated that 15 ...

  By Masood Sattar Khan      (Pakistan News & Features Services) The new Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong, has assumed his responsibilities and met with senior government officials in Islamabad on November 2.  During a meeting with the Foreign Secretary, Sohail Mahmood, Ambassador Nong Rong reaffirmed the strong commitment of his country to Pakistan-China all-weather strategic cooperative partnership.  The Foreign Secretary hoped that projects under the China Pakistan economic Corridor (CPEC) would be completed on fast-track.  Ambassador Nong Rong also presented a copy of his credentials to Zahoor Hassan, Director General of the Protocol Department at Foreign Ministry.  "It is a great honour to be the ambassador at a critical moment in future development of China-Pakistan relations,” the ambassador remarked.

  By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) China has denied it that pressured the Turkish government to remove Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's tweet that showed Taiwan's banner among those who gave a helping hand to earthquake-struck Turkey.  Erdogan had posted a series of tweets, which included the flags of aid-givers to Turkey. The country was hit by a magnitude-7 earthquake last week.  "Many thanks from the Republic of Turkey to all friendly nations and international organizations for their good wishes and statements of support, following the earthquake in Izmir," the Turkish President was quoted as saying.  Taiwan's flag was found on the initial version of Erdogan's tweet, which was first found to have been deleted on Sunday. In a new version of the tweet, there was no Taiwan banner.  “It is a fact recognized by the international community that Taiwan is not a country,” Wang Jianmin, a Taiwan affairs expert at the Chinese Acad...

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi   (Pakistan News & Features Services) The Founder President of the Library Promotion Bureau (LPB), Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, has left for the United States of America (USA) after an extended stay of nearly a year in Pakistan on November 1.  According to details, the LPB founder, who had originally arrived for five-month visit of his home country last November, could not return at the designated time which was in the last week of March this year as flights to USA had been suspended due to the outbreak of the pandemic.  Although life generally had come to standstill in most parts of the world, including Pakistan, with lockdowns and social distancing becoming norms due to coronavirus (COVID-19) since the mid of March, it went to the credit of Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari to have worked passionately from home all along.  As lockdown restrictions were relaxed after a few months, he resumed visiting the record office of LPB, a pi...

  By Masood Sattar Khan   (Pakistan News & Features Services) China is confident to lift impoverished rural population out of poverty by the end of this year thus achieving the UN's Sustain Development Goal on poverty eradication ten years ahead of schedule.  The spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Wenbin, has informed a media briefing in Beijing that China was committed to contributing to the global cause of poverty reduction and helping developing countries achieve poverty eradication.  The spokesperson also urged the international community to strengthen solidarity and cooperation to ensure no country is left behind in the global poverty alleviation cause.  In the last six years over 2.92 million registered impoverished people lifted off poverty in NW Xinjiang.

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), headed by Justice (Rtd) Majida Razvi, has ordered M/s Al-Ghazi Tractors Ltd to reinstate its two employees to their original cadres as their resignations were obtained illegally under duress and in violation of laws.  The HR Commission issued the order on petitions filed by Muhammed Jahan Zaib and Ms Iffat Khan charging the company of obtaining their resignations under duress and later terminating their services during COVID-19 pandemic.  The respondents, the Commission’s written order said, had clearly violated the law of Sindh COVID-19 Relief Ordinance 2020 and Sindh Terms of Employment (Standing Order) Act 2015 in the due course which also leads to violation of fundamental rights of the petitioners as they were not given the opportunity to be heard.  The SHRC ordered that the two petitioners be also compensated financially for the time they stayed away from t...

  By Masood Sattar Khan   (Pakistan News & Features Services) The newly designated Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong, is scheduled to meet President Dr Arif Alvi next week to present his credentials and deliver an important message from President Xi Jinping.  The first non-career diplomat for Pakistan for 40 years, Nong Rong assumed his assignment in Islamabad last week and had important meetings with senior top officers, including that of the Foreign Office.  He has brought a special message of goodwill of Chinese President Xi Jinping for the government and people of Pakistan that he would deliver to the President Dr Arif Alvi.  Ambassador Nong Rong has been dealing in foreign trade and economic affairs for the past three decades besides in various capacities. He, however, was never associated with the Chinese Foreign Office but he’s known to be having tremendous skill of negotiating and comprehending trade and economic matters.  Nong Rong, 53,...

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) Library Promotion Bureau (LPB), one of the pioneering non-governmental organizations of the country engaged in the field of education and research, befittingly hosted felicitation ceremony for Jumbo Publishing’s new book ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ at its record office, housed in Liaquat Memorial Library, Karachi, on October 28.  Having been branded as ‘Dream Book by Dream Team’ the LPB event brought to light the various aspects of the book, authored by the Lahore-based Asma Hassan, as three eminent scholars generously praised the publication for its unique content and excellent production.  Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, Founder President, LPB, and a former chairperson of the Library and Information Science department at the University of Karachi, described ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ as a multi-faceted book which covered the different aspects of life and it possessed all the ingredients to the keep the readers engrossed....

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) All is set for Library Promotion Bureau (LPB), one of the most respected non-governmental organizations of the country, to organize felicitation ceremony for the newly published book ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ at its record office, housed in Liaquat Memorial Library, Karachi, on October 28.  Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, Founder President, LPB, and a former chairperson of the Library and Information Science department at the University of Karachi, will be the first speaker and he will be followed by Prof Dr Nasim Fatima, Chief Editor, Adab Wa Kutub Khana, and also the first lady chairperson of the Library and Information Science department at the University of Karachi.  Dr Amna Khatoon, Lecturer, Allama Iqbal Open University, and Editor, Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal (PLISJ), will be the third and final LPB speaker to share her views about the book ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ having been authored by the...

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi   (Pakistan News & Features Services) Pakistan Library and Information Science Journal (PLISJ), a quarterly publication of the Library Promotion Bureau (LPB), Karachi, has successfully completed 51 years of its non-stop publication by bringing out its October-December 2020 issue (Volume 51, Number 4) recently.  It has lived to the reputation of braving all challenges as the quarterly journal has come out in time once more even though the life in general still remained disturbed by the pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) whose second wave has already caused concerns in Pakistan and many other countries.  Besides overcoming the unforeseen obstacles, as a result of the virus from the beginning of the current year, the LPB management has had to continuously tackle the lukewarm response from the library professionals in matters relating to subscription and its timely remittances.  The PLISJ Chief Editor, Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, wh...

  By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) As many as eight hundred Afghan students avail scholarship to get education in various universities of Pakistan.  This was announced by the Pakistan Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mansoor Ahmed Khan, during a ceremony at the Pakistan Embassy in Kabul.  The event was attended by the group of 800 Afghan students, leaving for Pakistan for getting education under a scholarship scheme, according to a twitter message.  The Afghanistan Minister for Higher Education, Dr Abbas Basir, was the chief guest on the occasion.

  By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) A Pakistani movie is a part of the hectic preparations having got underway to celebrate 2021 the year of Pakistan-China establishment of diplomatic relationship.  ‘Parwaaz Hai Janoon’ is a film, packed with action, romance and war, which would be screen across China from November 13. The movie was made in 2018.  It’s going to be the first Pakistani film to be shown in China in last 45 years. It’s a contrast of action and romance being shown as part of commemorations of upcoming 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China next year.  The relationship between Pakistan and China has been very strong over the years and it has also been referred to as iron clad brotherhood.

  By Masood Sattar Khan   (Pakistan News & Features Services) The Orange Line Metro Train, developed with financial and technical assistance of China, is scheduled to be inaugurated by the Punjab Chief Minister, Usman Buzdar, at Lahore on October 25.  For the auspicious occasion, the new Chinese Ambassador, Rong Nong who arrived in Pakistan a couple of days ago, has also been invited.  The metro train for the public will be available from October 26. A fare of Rupees 40 has been fixed initially and it will be reviewed after six months. The metro train will cover 27-km distance in 45 minutes. In the first phase, the train would start operation from 7 in the morning and end operation at 8 in night. A team of Chinese experts has imparted training to Pakistani train drivers and other associated staff.  The commissioning of metro train has fulfilled another project launched under the auspices of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

  By Masood Sattar Khan  (Pakistan News & Features Services) The Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KP) government has distributed over nine thousand saplings of olive free of cost to the Bajore districts in order to boost its production.  The KP government has planned to plant olive saplings in 15,000 acre of land that would help create jobs, generate income for the local population as well as the country could save a lot of precious foreign exchange being spent on import of edible oil made of olive.  The federal government has also been proactive in this matter and efforts are being made for boosting this particular sector.

  By Masood Sattar Khan  (Pakistan News & Features Services) The local olive harvest cultivation in the country during the current season is projected to cross 11,000 tons, showing a significant development towards reducing reliance on the imported edible oil as well as to exploit the export potential of this particular agriculture produce. “The country is expecting to extract about 13,000 tons of extra virgin olive worth millions of dollars that would help to boost the farm income with less investment and use of inputs,” Project Director of Olive Cultivation on Commercial Scale in Pakistan, Dr Muhammad Tariq, disclosed in an interview.  He pointed out that olive has been successfully cultivated over 27,000 hectares of land across the country and it was set to extend its cultivation to over 70,000 hectares to turn the marginal lands into productive for enhancing the income of small scale growers.  Under the olive cultivation project the farmers were provided abou...

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) Library Promotion Bureau (LPB), one of the oldest serving non-governmental organizations of the country, will be organizing felicitation ceremony for the newly published book ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ at its research office, housed in Liaquat Memorial Library, Karachi, on October 28.  According to details, Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, Founder President, LPB, and a former chairperson of the Library and Information Science department at the University of Karachi, Prof Dr Nasim Fatima, Chief Editor, Adab Wa Kutub Khana, and also the first lady chairperson of the Library and Information Science department at the University of Karachi, and Dr Amna Khatoon, Lecturer, Allama Iqbal Open University, will share their views about the book ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ having been authored by Asma Hassan.  Eminent social worker, Nasreen Masood, who has contributed foreword to the book, will be the guest of honour on the occasion while ...

  By Syed Sajid Aziz (Pakistan News & Features Services) “The whole world knows about Hakim Muhammad Said as a legendary scholar, author, researcher and philanthropist but let’s not lose sight of the fact that he was also a visionary entrepreneur who created jobs for millions of people during his lifetime by founding an organization like Hamdard Laboratories,” Shariq Vohra, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), complimented on the occasion of the death anniversary of Hakim Muhammad Said on October 17.  “The services of Hakim Muhammad Said the great in trade and commerce have not been particularly highlighted because of his awesome stature in the fields of tibb, medical science, literature, education and social work,” he added. “We salute him and we remember him for his accomplishments which continue to be the source of inspiration for all of us,” the KCCI President acknowledged. Hakim Said was born at Delhi on January 9, 1920.  He was a quick lea...

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  (Pakistan News & Features Services) Prof Dr Jawaid Hassan Rivzi, a former Vice Chancellor and Dean Applied Sciences of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) passed away on October 16.  A learned mathematician and a proactive administrator, he had earned the reputation of being a thorough gentleman man and a kind human being whose forte was courteous attitude towards his associates and fellow professionals.  He’s recognized for having played a pivotal role in the progress, success and development of the SSUET and his services will be remembered for a long time.  Sports in general and cricket in particular were among his favourite pastimes and he followed the big events very keenly despite his preoccupations at the SSUET.

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) The Divisional Superintendent of Pakistan Railways, Karachi, Arshad Salam Khattak, has vowed that their institution will mobilize all resources to overcome train derailments and prevent accidents.  He conducted an extensive inspection of railways infrastructure from Karachi City to Karachi Bunder, commonly called KBX yard, on October 12.  He was accompanied by Divisional Transportation Officer (P) Ghulam Farid Asad, Divisional Engineer-1, Khadim Hussain Bhambro, Divisional Medical Officer Dr Abdul Samad, Assistant Officers and related staff.  The pedestrian inspection, primarily focused on the track, was so holistic that it took four hours in covering almost one mile distance.  The staff deputed enroute was inquired about the recent derailments happened in yards.  The DS pinpointed the spots of derailments along the track and directed the concerned officers for utilizing all the available reso...

  By Mukhtar Alam (Pakistan News & Features Services) To the disbelief of many, Karachi, the worst affected, among big cities of Pakistan, due to COVID-19 reported its daily new cases very marginally on October 11, which was 22 during the last 24 hours, taking the tally of the infections to 140,294 for the entire province. The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his daily COVID-19 statement on October 11, shared that in all 163 new cases were detected out of 8,497 tests across the province.  According to him, Karachi division’s four districts registered a total 22 new cases, while two others, South and Korangi, did not report any cases during the last 24 hours ending October 11 morning.  Karachi was the city which reported the first COVID-19 case of the country on February 26 and since then there had been no letup in term of the infection here. Since the outbreak the city reported on an average 400 new cases daily until October 10.  Keen observers were ...

  By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) China has placed itself among three additional countries to have signed on to a global initiative aimed at ensuring fair and equitable access to a coronavirus vaccine once developed, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), a UN specialized agency.  Together with South Korea and the tiny Pacific island of Nauru, China joined the COVAX Facility this week, bringing the total number of participating nations and economies to 171, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has announced during his regular media briefing in Geneva on the pandemic.  “The world is eagerly anticipating the results of trials of vaccines against COVID-19, which are needed for WHO authorization. Once we have an effective vaccine, we must also use it effectively, and the best way to do that is by making sure it’s available to all countries equitably through the COVAX Facility,” Tedros said.  The global mechanism will wo...

  By Mukhtar Alam (Pakistan News & Features Services) Though there was an impression that cases of COVID-19 were on increase again in Sindh, the authorities on October 10. confirmed an almost 50% decrease in number of samples tested for the virus across the province during the last 24 hours. The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his COVID-19 status statement, revealed that as many as 7,515 suspected samples were examined at different laboratories by October 10 morning, against the collective daily maximum capacity of 14,940 tests.  No reason was given for the reduced testing activities, while the daily new infection rate remained static around 3%.  The designated COVID-19 testing services had handled 11,138 samples during the 24 hours ending on October 9 morning, out of which 376 (3.37%) were found positive for the lethal virus.  According to the chief minister’s statement, as many as six new relevant fatalities were registered on October 10, while th...