Day: April 16, 2024

The Federal Ministry of Education has decided to discontinue the centralized examination system for grade 5 in the schools under the control of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). According to a statement by the education ministry, the decision was taken to alleviate exam stress and anxiety and eliminate unwarranted comparison and competition among peers. 'By removing this pressure, we can create space for children to focus on developing other essential life skills and engaging in sports activities,' the ministry added. Despite discontinuing the centralized exams, it has been decided that the summative internal diagnostic assessments will continue to ensure teachers' accountability. 'We believe that learning extends far beyond the stress of exams and that the early years of schooling should be joyful and enriching,' the education ministry said. The ministry also announced a range of co-curricular activities and non-assessed initiatives to provide children with opportunities for holistic developm ent and exploration beyond traditional academic measures. Earlier this month, teachers conducting centralized primary and middle standard exams raised concerns regarding unpaid remuneration and the expenses they have incurred during exam duties over the past three years. After being disappointed by unfulfilled promises and financial strain, these teachers urged the authorities to transition towards local exams to alleviate their difficulties. According to them, despite promises by the FDE, they have not received their deserved remuneration for conducting exams and assessing papers. It is pertinent to mention that the FDE previously organized centralized examinations for grades five and eight annually. The students from private schools were also allowed to participate in these exams. Talking to a local media outlet, an official for the FDE stated that the eighth-grade exam will continue to be conducted as usual. Source: Pro Pakistani

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, held a meeting with Regional Vice President of International Finance Corporation for Middle East, Central Asia, Turkiye, Afghanistan and Pakistan Hela Cheikhrouhou in Washington DC and briefed her on the ongoing reforms in the taxation, energy and privatization sectors. The Finance Minister expressed Pakistan's resolve to work closely with IFC in the priority areas of securitization of remittances, mining, airport management and capacity-building. Source: Radio Pakistan

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has revealed that the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) overcharged consumers in Lahore and its adjoining districts for 830 million units last year. He made this revelation during a press conference at the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) provincial headquarters on Monday. Naqvi revealed that they have evidence that 830 million units were over-billed by LESCO last year. He added that the FIA has launched an investigation into the matter and two executive engineers of the power supply company have been arrested so far. According to the interior minister, consumers using just 300 units were also overcharged by LESCO. Giving an example of over-billing, Naqvi stated that a consumer who was to pay a Rs. 20,000 bill against the units he used had to pay a Rs. 40,000 bill against the overcharged units. He announced that those responsible would be dealt with according to the law. The Interior Minister said that FIA will continue its crackdown against over-billing. On the other hand, Lesco officials on Monday observed a strike against the FIA's action, which they described as harassment. The officials demanded the federal agency share the data regarding the overbilled units with proof. It should be noted that the jurisdiction of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) includes Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Sheikhupura, and Nankana districts. Source: Pro Pakistani

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif says Pakistan and Saudi Arabia need to work closely to expedite first phase of Saudi investment in Pakistan under new arrangement. Talking to a high powered Saudi delegation led by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud in Islamabad today, he underscored the significance accorded by Pakistan to its longstanding fraternal, economic and strategic relations with Saudi Arabia. He said both the countries have always stood together at all times. The Prime Minister said that the visit of the Saudi delegation immediately after his visit is a manifestation of the strong commitment of both countries to further strengthen bilateral relations. The Prime Minister informed the delegation about the Special Investment Facilitation Council and its initiatives to promote investment in Pakistan. He also highlighted the key role of Chief of the Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and the cooperation of all institutions for the promotion of investment in the country thr ough SIFC. On his part, the Saudi Foreign Minister highlighted that Saudi Arabia attaches high importance to its strong and close ties with Pakistan. He also conveyed the Kingdom's commitment to an enhanced strategic and economic partnership with Pakistan. The escalating situation in the occupied Palestinian Territories was also discussed. Source: Radio Pakistan

A senior official of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has been kidnapped from Rawalpindi for ransom. Reliable sources told Propakistani that Rahmatullah Khan Officer Bs-18 office of inland revenue service, who is posted in FBR Headquarters, has been kidnapped by unknown persons. He was posted at the FBR Management Wing at the Board's headquarters. Details revealed that the official left home during the Eid holidays to meet friends for Eid greetings. Later he was untraceable. The family members made all efforts to contact him but in vain as the mobile phone had been off since April 12, 2024, An FIR was lodged on April 15, 2024, by the relevant police station. However, the officer's brother-in-law said that he received a call from a person speaking in Sindhi for a ransom of 10 million. Kidnappers claimed that Rahmatullah Khan was in their custody in the Gothgi Kachay area. It is a challenging job for the FBR chairman to get an early recovery of the officer. This incident has created distress among all of ficers and officials who play key roles in the tax collection. Source: Pro Pakistani

Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir has expressed the resolve that armed forces and law enforcement agencies, fully backed by the resilient nation, remain determined to permanently eliminate this menace from Pakistan, Presiding over the Corps Commanders' Conference held at GHQ in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, he directed the commanders to pro-actively deny any space to the terrorists. Forum paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of Shuhada including officers and men of the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and the citizens who have laid their lives for peace and stability in the country. The Army Chief appreciated the untiring efforts of Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies in successfully thwarting several terrorist attacks and neutralizing key terrorist commanders during ongoing counterterrorism operations. The forum condemned heartless terrorist attack against Chinese nationals in Besham as well as heinous killings of innocent civilians in Balochistan. The forum was briefed on how te rrorist groups operating from Afghanistan pose a threat to regional and global security, besides acting as proxies against Pakistan and its economic interests, especially China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. It expressed serious concern over the ongoing Indian aggression in Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and reiterated that Pakistan will continue to provide political, diplomatic and moral support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. The forum expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and condemned serious human rights violations, war crimes and genocide being perpetrated in Gaza. It also expressed concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East and noted that a wider regional conflict could ensue if both sides did not de-escalate immediately. The forum noted with concern the malicious propaganda campaign meant to demoralise the armed forces and underscored that unfounded and baseless allegations on law enforcement agencies and security forces have become a fashion and are part of the l arger design to drive a wedge between the people and the armed forces of Pakistan. The forum said we will not allow such efforts to succeed and as per the law and constitution, stern action will be ensured". It also expressed the resolve to provide full support to the government towards achieving sustainable socioeconomic growth in the country including wholehearted assistance in countering the illegal spectrum, particularly smuggling, hoarding, electricity theft and safe repatriation of all illegal foreigners. The Army Chief directed field commanders to ensure the highest standards of operational preparedness and motivation within their outfits and to pursue professional excellence through objective training. Source: Radio Pakistan