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Oxford launches new Pakistan programme

Published

2 years ago

Farwa

The University of Oxford has launched the Oxford Pakistan Programme (OPP) — the first initiative of its kind through which a concerted effort is being made to generate momentum on various Pakistan-related activities at the varsity.

The OPP launched its constituent initiatives on Thursday at Lady Margaret Hall (LMH) — situated at the University of Oxford — where both ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai studied for their undergraduate degrees.

The ceremony was attended by around 200 distinguished guests, including Malala, High Commissioner for Pakistan to UK Moazzam Ahmad Khan, MP Naz Shah, MP Yasmin Qureshi, and businessman Sohaib Abbasi, a statement from the programme read.

Meanwhile, senior academics and administrators from within the University of Oxford were also in attendance — including Professor Christine Gerrard (Principal of LMH), Helen Mountfield QC (Principal of Mansfield College), Dr Saira Sheikh (Academic Registrar), Dr Samina Khan (Director of Undergraduate Admissions & Outreach), Dr Nadia Pollini (Director of Graduate Admissions & Recruitment) and Liesl Elder (Chief Development Officer).

According to the statement, the OPP has three core objectives:

To address the underrepresentation of Pakistani and British Pakistani students at Oxford
To raise the academic profile of Pakistan and Pakistan-related areas of interest amongst Oxford’s faculty
To promote the global connectivity of Pakistani academic institutions by promoting academic exchange between them and Oxford

Dr Talha J Pirzada, a co-founder of the OPP, revealed that the programme has secured commitments of just under £1million over the next five years to fund various initiatives as part of the OPP, including a scholarship programme for graduate students at Oxford of Pakistani origin.

He explained that over 20 students from Pakistan each year are unable to take up graduate offers to study at Oxford due to a lack of funding, while there are only 13 undergraduate and 45 graduate students from Pakistan at the University, despite over 60% of Pakistan’s population of 220 million people being under the age of 30.

Dr Pirzada announced that the OPP would be offering up to three scholarships in its initial round, with the first set of OPP graduate scholars commencing study at LMH in October 2022, allowing these students to take advantage of Oxford’s world-class facilities and teaching programme, as well as its plethora of wider academic opportunities.

He also announced the launch of the OPP’s Visiting Fellow Programmes, including a programme developed in partnership with the Malala Fund, the Government of Sindh and non-profit Durbeen, to provide opportunities for Pakistani academics to take advantage of Oxford’s research facilities and global academic network.

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Five IPP contracts are being terminated, according to PM Shehbaz.

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

He stated that this was carried out with the owners of the IPPs’ mutual approval while presiding over today’s federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad.

The Prime Minister notified the Cabinet that no interest will be paid; only the remaining sums owed to these IPPs will be settled.

He emphasized that breaking these contracts will benefit the national exchequer by around 411 billion rupees and save power users roughly sixty billion rupees.

Shehbaz Sharif claimed that it was the result of the government team’s tireless efforts working together. In this regard, he acknowledged the associated parties’ contributions and support as well. In particular, he brought up General Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, who showed a personal interest in the entire situation.

The Prime Minister explained that the breakthrough marked the start of a path that will ultimately lead to the wealth and advancement of the populace.

Shehbaz Sharif also brought up the assistance given to power users in the summer by the Punjabi and Federal governments.

The prime minister expressed happiness that the economy is steadily approaching stability. He made note of the fact that remittances for the first quarter reached a record-breaking $8.8 billion. This indicates that Pakistan’s economy is progressing, he remarked.

The administration, according to Shehbaz Sharif, also took action to lower the inflation, which is currently only one digit. He said that this was the PML-N’s election manifesto pledge being fulfilled.

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Special Jirga for Peace in KP: Consultation of Parliamentary Leaders During the Jirga

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi departed for Peshawar to take part in the special jirga on the political and peace conditions in the province.

He was asked to participate in the jirga, which was called by the Provincial Assembly to discuss provincial matters, by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur.

Following discussions with the parliamentary leaders of all of the Provincial Assembly’s political parties, this Jirga has been called.

According to Ahmed Karim Kundi, a Pakistan People’s Party provincial assembly member, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s predicament worries all of the province’s major groups.

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The Interior Minister is scheduled to attend the Grand Jirga in Peshawar.

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

To examine the political and security situation, Mohsin Naqvi, the federal minister of interior, will be present at the Grand Jirga in Peshawar.

Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur is hosting the Grand Jirga, which will take place at the Chief Minister House in Peshawar.

This jirga is intended to examine the province’s present political and security landscape and develop a collective action plan.

Discussing the issues that surfaced following the Pakhtun Jirga, which was organized by the outlawed Pashtoon Tahafuz Movement, is the purpose of the current Jirga.

Political party leaders, tribal elders, and members of the Provincial Assembly Khyber Pakthunkhwa will also be present at the Jirga.