Shehri TV – Pakistan News, Current Affairs, Entertainment

  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...

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi (Pakistan News & Features Services) Jumbo Publishing’s recently published dream book ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ happens to be a star attraction in the Online Book Fair 2020 being organized by Paramount Books, the market leaders in bookselling industry of Pakistan.  The ongoing event, having started on October 9, will continue until October 18. ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ is a compilation of articles and write-ups authored by the Lahore-based Asma Hassan, who has been launched as an author by Jumbo Publishing, having the reputation of promoting and supporting budding intellectuals besides working with the literary bigwigs.  ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ is a kind of book which will captivate the readers with its subjects which they come across in day to day life routinely. It’s quite refreshing to go through the observations of a young writer who has also offered possible solutions for the problems which keep confronting people of all ages.  ‘Mayar-e-Zindagi’ has been v...

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  (Pakistan News & Features Services) Prime Minister Imran Khan has urged people to wear face masks in public to avoid spreading of second wave of COVID-19 as winter was approaching.  “Compared to some other states, Allah has been kind to us in Pak & spared us worst effects of COVID-19. There is a fear onset of winter could result in 2nd wave. I urge everyone to wear face masks in public to avoid a spike. All offices & ed institutions must ensure masks are worn,” he tweeted on October 4.  Earlier, the National Command Operation Centre (NCOC), leading the country’s coronavirus response, had also asked all provinces and federating units to launch a crackdown on restaurants and wedding halls violating standard operative procedures (SOPs) framed to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the wake of a fresh surge in infections, particularly in Karachi.  The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has also issued a fresh warning over the increas...

  By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) The helipad built at the country's largest Jinnah Post Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi, which remained dormant for a very long time has now been restored with the landing of a chopper of Sindh government.  It was disclosed by Dr Seemi Jamali, Executive Director, JPMC, while talking on media on October 5.  She informed that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has allowed the restoration of air ambulance landing operations at the JPMC helipad.  It may be noted that the founder of Edhi Foundation, the late Maulana Abdul Sattar Edhi, had launched the Edhi Air Ambulance service.  The restoration of air ambulance service will greatly help patients needing immediate medical assistance, particularly those suffering from heart strokes.

  By Mukhtar Alam (Pakistan News & Features Services) Sindh registered another 267 new COVID cases, out of 9,918 suspected samples on October 3, against Pakistan’s 632 new infections during the last 24 hours, taking the tally of infection to 138,050 for the province. The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his daily COVID-19 status statement, informed that there were 4,719 infected people receiving treatment at Homes (4,440), isolation centres (7) and hospitals (272).  He further stated that of the patients admitted at hospitals, 201 were undergoing the critical phase, while another 39 were put on ventilators, as of morning of October 3.  In all, 1, out of 28 designated COVID-19 testing laboratories, handled the suspected samples during the last 24 hours.  These laboratories included LUMHS (5,188), Chughtai Lab (1,071), Indus Hospital (1,056), PMCD KU (894), AKUH (888) and others.  The district-wise breakdown of new cases came as: Karachi (195), Hy...

  By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) The Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhary, has disclosed that the government planned to ply electric buses in Karachi. "I have submitted my plan in this regard to the Sindh Governor, Imran Ismail" the federal minister informed the media persons in Karachi on October 3.  The Governor, the minister continued, would discuss the plan with the Sindh Chief' Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah.  Fawad Chaudhry further stated that he too would meet the Sindh Chief Minister in this regard during his next visit.

  By Mukhtar Alam (Pakistan News & Features Services) Amidst apprehension that COVID-19 was gaining momentum again in Sindh, Karachi’s daily infection rate remained almost static, though on the higher side, on October 2 when the authorities confirmed another 316 cases, with five related deaths, during the last 24 hours. The health authorities at Karachi registered 70.5% new cases out of Sindh’s daily tally of October 2. Earlier the megapolis reported 249 (69%) new cases on October 1, 221 (71%) on September 30, 297 (74%0 on September 29 and 185 (73.7% on September 27.  With five new relevant deaths the fatality tally for the province was pushed to 2,517 on October 2. However, no data and information related to deaths or cases specific status of districts were available on the Sindh health department’s website.  The only source of information relevant to COVID-19 was the Sindh Chief Minister’s statement which, according to an observer, was too little in this direction....

  By Masood Sattar Khan   (Pakistan News & Features Services) Oil prices fell five percent on October 2 after the US President, Donald Trump, tested positive for COVID-19 and negotiators failed to agree a US stimulus package just as rising global oil output threatened to overwhelm a weak price recovery.  Brent crude was reported to have slipped on the Trump news and was down $2.05, or 5.01 percent, at $38.88 a barrel by 1324 GMT. US oil was down $2.01, or 5.19 percent, at $36.71.  According to reports, the US and Brent crude were heading for drops of around nine percent and seven percent respectively this week for a second consecutive week of declines. “US unemployment data was a little bit below expectations but the oil price fall is part of the broader correction we’ve seen over the last few days driven by bearish macro sentimentand technical trading,” Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity research at BNP Paribas, was quoted as saying.  “We’ve moved belo...

  By Masood Sattar Khan (Pakistan News & Features Services) The insect-pest has long been a problem for Pakistani farmers, and the aim to ease the burden of farmers and improve yield has sparked Hafiza Javeria Ashraf, a Pakistani student, in learning agri-entomology and pest control in China.  "I hope I can play a role in integrated pest management (IPM) that emphasizes the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro-ecosystems and encourages natural pest control,” Javeria Ashraf, a female PhD scholar at the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) in China, remarked.  Javeria had graduated from the University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural entomology. She proceeded to China for higher studies and received master’s degree at the FAFU in 2018.  As one of the top 10 students, she was rewarded by the Chinese Scholarship Council (CSC) and the FAFU where she continued her PhD study in p...

  By Mukhtar Alam (Pakistan News & Features Services) Sindh, with two related fatalities, reported over a half of the new COVID-19 cases detected in the country during the last 24 hours, taking the overall tally of the infected people to 312,806 for the country. As many as 10,940 suspected samples were tested across the Sindh confirming 311 new cases with a positivity rate of 2.8% during the last 24 hours ending September 30 morning against a total 34,239 samples tested in the country. Pakistan’s overall new infection rate stood at 1.6% same day. The details related to two new deaths in Sindh were not available as the Sindh health department’s officers remained silent about it. The daily situation report was updated for the last time on the department’s website on September 29.  The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, in a COVID-19 related statement, disclosed that there were 4,255 active patients across the province on September 30, out of which 3978 (94%) were in ...

  By Abdul Qadir Qureshi   (Pakistan News & Features Services) The top functionaries of Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD) and Library Promotion Bureau (LPB), who jointly organized a seminar on the subject of COVID-19’s impact on libraries at the bureau’s record office, housed in Liaquat Memorial Library, Karachi, on September 30, have called for developing reading culture in the country in order to keep pace with the times.  “Whatever the circumstances or no matter how long this pandemic stays, we have to devise a strategy whereas people have the tools to access information so that they are not left behind in competing with those living in other parts of the world,” Jahangir Moghul, a former District Governor of Rotary International besides being Charter President of RCKD, reckoned.  Prof Dr Ghani-ul-Akram Sabzwari, Founder President of LPB, did not mince words in stating that the government should do much more in engaging the masses into reading, suggesti...