Latest news with #Asghar
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- General
- New Straits Times
RMAF must transform to face future threats, says air force chief
KUALA LUMPUR: The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) must embrace transformation as a necessity to meet future challenges, said its chief, General Tan Sri Asghar Khan Goriman Khan. He said all members of the air force must be fully committed to implementing its strategic development plan, Capability Development Plan 2055 (CAP55). "Transformation is no longer an option but a necessity. "CAP55 is our strategic development plan that reflects our aspiration to build a lean, networked RMAF. It encompasses transformation across combat capabilities, logistics, training, intelligence, and future warfare systems. "I urge all members of the RMAF to carry out this plan with strong commitment and transparency. "Remember, CAP55 is not for me, but for the future generations who will safeguard our airspace," he said in a special address in conjunction with the RMAF's 67th anniversary today. Asghar also called for the strengthening of human capital development within the force, citing today's multi-faceted threat environment. "Today, we face multi-dimensional threats: cyber attacks, electronic warfare, autonomous drones, and hybrid conflicts. "Readiness is not just about weaponry, but also mindset. Investment in human capital development must be strengthened. "We need competent pilots, engineers, cyber operators, and leaders who are creative and forward-thinking," he said. Asghar said the RMAF's journey since June 1, 1958, had demonstrated its maturity as a credible and modern force. "This anniversary does not just represent our maturity as a key component of the Armed Forces, but also commemorates the spirit of struggle, sacrifice and unwavering commitment of our air force heroes. "Indeed, a lot has been achieved and we must continue to move forward with greater strength. "We are standing on the shoulders of giants who have paved the way for us. The transformation that we envision must be built on strong discipline, continuous training, dedication, and patriotism." Calling for the highest standards of conduct, Asghar also reminded personnel to uphold the principles of integrity and professionalism. "In realising our transformation goals, we must adhere to good governance, high integrity, and efficient resource management. "Safety must never be compromised. Avoid negligence, follow procedures, and ensure every operation, training, and administrative process is carried out professionally," he said. Asghar also added that a balanced work environment and support for families must be strengthened to enhance morale and performance.
Express Tribune
22-05-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
The scars of PK-8303 still linger
It has been five years since Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-8303 crashed near Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, claiming 97 lives and leaving behind harrowing stories of survival and loss. On May 22, 2020, amid eased Covid-19 restrictions, flight PK-8303 took off from Lahore for Karachi with 91 passengers and 8 crew members aboard, many heading home to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. However, the aircraft never made it safely to its destination. According to official findings, the aircraft attempted to land at Jinnah Terminal but its landing gear failed to deploy. Both engines repeatedly scraped the runway during the first landing attempt, causing sparks to fly. Instead of executing a belly landing, the pilot opted for a go-around, a decision that ultimately proved fatal. In the final moments, the captain issued a Mayday call. Cockpit recordings and flight data revealed that the crew violated standard descent protocols near Nawabshah and Makli, maintaining higher than advised altitude and speed during approach. The Airbus A320, weighing 80 tons, broke apart and crashed onto the densely populated Jinnah Garden residential area. The thunderous noise of collapsing metal, plummeting parts and erupting fuel painted a scene of apocalypse. One of the few survivors on the ground, Sohail Asghar, recounted the traumatic moments to The Express Tribune. On that fateful Friday afternoon, shortly after offering Jumuah prayers, he had just sat in his car parked outside his home to run errands for iftar. The engine had barely started and the door remained open when he heard an ominous roar, a grinding, growling sound unlike anything he had ever heard. Panicked and unable to comprehend what was happening, Asghar threw himself onto a small patch of garden next to his house. Seconds later, flaming metal shards, heavy aircraft parts, and boiling jet fuel began raining from the sky. "Everything was burning. The alley was shrouded in thick, black smoke. My screams were probably drowned out in the chaos," he said. Unseen to him, two young neighbours had noticed Asghar moments before he stepped out. Hearing the crash, they rushed through the smoke and dragged him inside their home. Rescue officials were eventually alerted, and Asghar was moved to the hospital. He remained under treatment for nearly eight months. Even today, Asghar says, he finds it difficult to revisit that memory. He no longer lives in Jinnah Garden, having relocated after the trauma became unbearable.
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Air Force Chief wows Lima '25 crowd, personally pilots RMAF Su-30MKM
LANGKAWI: Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Chief General Tan Sri Mohd Asghar Khan Goriman Khan wowed spectators at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25) today by taking to the skies in the RMAF's Sukhoi SU-30MKM fighter jet. Adorned with the distinctive Jalur Gemilang livery known as "Toruk Makto", Asghar, whose callsign is "Gunjiz" showed his finesse in handling the Russian multi-role combat aircraft in a spectacular 12-minute display of advanced aerial manoeuvres. This also marked the first time in Lima's 17-year history that the RMAF chief himself has piloted an aircraft. Asghar was accompanied by Colonel Mohd Norazan Othman, callsign "Sting", as his backseater during the performance. The display showcased the exceptional capabilities of the Su-30MKM, including complex manoeuvres that few other fighter jets can perform. The RMAF said Asghar's direct participation highlighted his leadership and commitment to professionalism, bravery, and excellence within the air force. The Lima exhibition, now in its 17th iteration since its inception in 1991, is scheduled to run for five days starting today.
North Wales Chronicle
16-05-2025
- Politics
- North Wales Chronicle
Senedd debate considers impact of smartphone-free schools
Carolyn Thomas, who chairs the petitions committee, led a debate in the Senedd on May 14 amid a growing chorus of calls for restrictions on mobile phone use in schools. The committee launched an inquiry in response to a 3,369-name petition submitted by Zena Blackwell, publishing a report with recommendations for the Welsh Government. Ms Thomas told the Senedd her committee found no clear consensus, urging Welsh ministers to introduce national guidance rather than an outright ban. Pointing out that 83% of children have a smartphone by year six, she said: 'Classroom teachers… told us phones cause all sorts of problems in schools, we heard some quite shocking evidence on this.' But she raised evidence from the children's commissioner, NSPCC, Barnardo's and Parents Voices in Wales, which all expressed concerns about a ban. The Labour politician, who represents North Wales, pointed to evidence from Diabetes UK that smartphones help children manage their condition throughout the schoolday. Carolyn Thomas MS (Image: Chris Haines, ICNN Senedd Reporter) Ms Thomas added that exemptions could be required for young carers and disabled or neurodivergent children who may similarly rely on their smartphones. 'We all struggle with the addictive nature of phones,' she said. 'There's the strong argument that children are that much more vulnerable and need greater protection. 'But they also need to learn how to safely function in a digital world. Legislators, and society in general, are still struggling to find the right answers.' She said: 'The evidence base is still quite limited but growing all the time. As a committee, we felt strongly that 'something has to be done' but actions need to be evidence-based.' Calling for guidance to ensure a consistent approach across the country, she emphasised the importance of parental engagement and being mindful of teachers' workloads. Natasha Asghar, the Conservatives' shadow education secretary, similarly said: 'We cannot continue with the… status quo – something needs to give.' But Ms Asghar went further than the committee in supporting an outright ban on smartphones, save for exceptional circumstances such as medical needs. She told the Senedd: 'Mobile phones can indeed be a major distraction, taking our students' focus away from learning, which is exactly what schools are for.' Ms Asghar pointed to research showing pupils in schools with an effective ban achieved GCSE results up to two grades higher compared to children in schools with laxer policies. Criticising plans to let Welsh schools set their own restrictions, she said: 'The evidence shows that simply doesn't work, with one in eight pupils saying schools never confiscate phones even when rules forbidding them are indeed ignored.' With more and more countries 'waking up to the damage phones are doing in our schools", Ms Asghar called for a non-ambiguous approach to ensure consistency. She said: 'I believe a ban, which sees phones locked up at the start of each school day in lockers and retrieved at the end of the day, is the best approach. It's the right thing for teachers, it's the right thing for children and it's the right thing for parents.' Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru's shadow education secretary, suggested national guidance with local implementation by schools would be the best way ahead. Mr Campbell said: 'We have to strike the right balance… between not harming learners – and there is evidence, of course, that that's happening – and, on the other hand, preparing them for the technical world we live in today.' John Griffiths emphasised the importance of considering screen use at home as well as in school, with children from 'alarmingly' young ages spending a lot of time on smartphones. The Labour Senedd member, who represents Newport East, expressed concerns about psychologists being drafted in to make mobile phone games as addictive as possible. 'I see evidence of that in my own family, as I'm sure just about everyone else does,' he said. Rhys ab Owen, an independent member of the petitions committee, agreed phones can be more of a problem at home with children staying up late at night. 'Very often that's when the bullying happens, at home rather than at school,' he said. Backing an outright ban, the Tories' Gareth Davies raised restrictions introduced by France from 2018 with a 'digital pause' seeing pupils hand over phones at the start of the day. Lynne Neagle set out the Welsh Government's formal response to the report, accepting three of the committee's five recommendations in full and the other two in principle. Wales' education secretary said: 'Like the committee, I recognise that an outright national ban does not allow the space for schools to manage the needs of their learners. 'Our approach has always been to give schools autonomy to make decisions on the use of mobile phones… however, I also recognise the need for additional support.' Ms Neagle told the Senedd an expert group will examine mobile phone use, developing national guidance and exemptions alongside the wider school community.
Leader Live
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Senedd debate considers impact of smartphone-free schools
Carolyn Thomas, who chairs the petitions committee, led a debate in the Senedd on May 14 amid a growing chorus of calls for restrictions on mobile phone use in schools. The committee launched an inquiry in response to a 3,369-name petition submitted by Zena Blackwell, publishing a report with recommendations for the Welsh Government. Ms Thomas told the Senedd her committee found no clear consensus, urging Welsh ministers to introduce national guidance rather than an outright ban. Pointing out that 83% of children have a smartphone by year six, she said: 'Classroom teachers… told us phones cause all sorts of problems in schools, we heard some quite shocking evidence on this.' 'Addictive' But she raised evidence from the children's commissioner, NSPCC, Barnardo's and Parents Voices in Wales, which all expressed concerns about a ban. The Labour politician, who represents North Wales, pointed to evidence from Diabetes UK that smartphones help children manage their condition throughout the schoolday. Ms Thomas added that exemptions could be required for young carers and disabled or neurodivergent children who may similarly rely on their smartphones. 'We all struggle with the addictive nature of phones,' she said. 'There's the strong argument that children are that much more vulnerable and need greater protection. 'But they also need to learn how to safely function in a digital world. Legislators, and society in general, are still struggling to find the right answers.' 'Something needs to give' She said: 'The evidence base is still quite limited but growing all the time. As a committee, we felt strongly that 'something has to be done' but actions need to be evidence-based.' Calling for guidance to ensure a consistent approach across the country, she emphasised the importance of parental engagement and being mindful of teachers' workloads. Natasha Asghar, the Conservatives' shadow education secretary, similarly said: 'We cannot continue with the… status quo – something needs to give.' But Ms Asghar went further than the committee in supporting an outright ban on smartphones, save for exceptional circumstances such as medical needs. She told the Senedd: 'Mobile phones can indeed be a major distraction, taking our students' focus away from learning, which is exactly what schools are for.' 'Damage' Ms Asghar pointed to research showing pupils in schools with an effective ban achieved GCSE results up to two grades higher compared to children in schools with laxer policies. Criticising plans to let Welsh schools set their own restrictions, she said: 'The evidence shows that simply doesn't work, with one in eight pupils saying schools never confiscate phones even when rules forbidding them are indeed ignored.' With more and more countries 'waking up to the damage phones are doing in our schools", Ms Asghar called for a non-ambiguous approach to ensure consistency. She said: 'I believe a ban, which sees phones locked up at the start of each school day in lockers and retrieved at the end of the day, is the best approach. It's the right thing for teachers, it's the right thing for children and it's the right thing for parents.' TOP STORIES TODAY Cefin Campbell, Plaid Cymru's shadow education secretary, suggested national guidance with local implementation by schools would be the best way ahead. 'Right balance' Mr Campbell said: 'We have to strike the right balance… between not harming learners – and there is evidence, of course, that that's happening – and, on the other hand, preparing them for the technical world we live in today.' John Griffiths emphasised the importance of considering screen use at home as well as in school, with children from 'alarmingly' young ages spending a lot of time on smartphones. The Labour Senedd member, who represents Newport East, expressed concerns about psychologists being drafted in to make mobile phone games as addictive as possible. 'I see evidence of that in my own family, as I'm sure just about everyone else does,' he said. Rhys ab Owen, an independent member of the petitions committee, agreed phones can be more of a problem at home with children staying up late at night. 'Very often that's when the bullying happens, at home rather than at school,' he said. 'Autonomy' Backing an outright ban, the Tories' Gareth Davies raised restrictions introduced by France from 2018 with a 'digital pause' seeing pupils hand over phones at the start of the day. Lynne Neagle set out the Welsh Government's formal response to the report, accepting three of the committee's five recommendations in full and the other two in principle. Wales' education secretary said: 'Like the committee, I recognise that an outright national ban does not allow the space for schools to manage the needs of their learners. 'Our approach has always been to give schools autonomy to make decisions on the use of mobile phones… however, I also recognise the need for additional support.' Ms Neagle told the Senedd an expert group will examine mobile phone use, developing national guidance and exemptions alongside the wider school community.
