Latest news with #B-Form
Business Recorder
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
PSB imposes strict measures to curb age fraud in junior events
The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) on Monday declared age fraud in junior-level sports events a serious violation of its Code of Ethics and Governance in Sports, announcing stringent new measures to combat the issue. According to a notification issued by the PSB, all athletes under the age of 21 participating in junior events must now submit either a National Identity Card (CNIC) or a B-Form, along with names of the selection committee members, dental examinations, and radiological tests. PSB announces Rs8.2m cash reward for Pakistan U-16 volleyball team In addition, medical reports verified by the president and secretary general of the respective sports federation, along with all supporting documents, must be submitted to the PSB for verification. The notification states that any athlete found submitting fake or suspicious documents will be declared ineligible for participation in training camps, financial assistance, or cash awards. Further disciplinary action may also be taken. Highlighting international concerns, the PSB underscored that age fraud at the junior level not only leads to unfair competition but also jeopardises the physical safety of athletes and undermines the integrity of sports systems. The notification highlighted that some athletes allegedly participate in age-specific categories using forged documents, thereby depriving genuine athletes of opportunities and increasing the risk of injuries due to physical mismatches. PSB seeks explanation over 'misleading' gold medal claim by Netball Federation The PSB further noted that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and other global sports bodies have repeatedly emphasised the importance of transparency and integrity in sports, advocating for a zero-tolerance approach to age falsification. Only athletes who submit verified and accurate documentation will now be eligible to participate in PSB training camps and receive financial support or cash awards, the notification concluded.
Business Recorder
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
National Identity Card Rules, 2002: NADRA makes major amendments
ISLAMABAD: The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has made major amendments to the National Identity Card Rules, 2002, aiming to modernise the identification system, eliminate forgery, and enhance overall security. Following the direction of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, NADRA prepared a comprehensive reform proposal which was approved by the federal cabinet. The NADRA has now initiated the implementation phase of these reforms, said a senior official, adding that the reforms aim to curb fake registrations and effectively prevent child trafficking. According the new rules, registration of birth at the Union Council will now be mandatory for acquiring a B-Form. Children under the age of 3 will no longer be required to provide biometric data or photographs, it says. However, children between 3 and 10 years must provide a photograph and undergo an IRIS scan. For children aged 10 to 18 years, a photograph, biometric data, and an IRIS scan will be mandatory, it says. As per the rules each child will be issued a separate B-Form with a validity period mentioned. Existing B-Forms will not be cancelled, but a new B-Form will be mandatory for passport issuance, it says. It says that the Family Registration Certificate (FRC) has been granted the status of a legal document. Applicants will now be required to submit a declaration verifying the accuracy of the information provided in the FRC, it says, adding citizens will be able to obtain the FRC based solely on NADRA's records. It says that all family members, including those previously unregistered, must now be entered into the system. Citizens can verify or update their family data through NADRA offices or via the mobile application, it says According to the rules details of all spouses and children of men with multiple marriages will now be included in the FRC. Women will have the option to include either their father's or husband's name on their identity card as per their preference, it says. It says that decisions regarding cancellation, confiscation, or restoration of CNIC cards must now be made within 30 days. The NADRA has also incorporated most features of smart cards into the non-chip-based ID cards, which will now be issued at a lower cost and within a shorter timeframe. These new cards will include both Urdu and English credentials along with a QR code, without any additional fee, it says. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Industrial, mine workers: CM announces free higher education for children
LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a landmark initiative offering free higher education to the children of industrial and mine workers at COMSATS University. Under the program, the Punjab government will bear all educational expenses, marking a historic step towards uplifting the working class through education. The CM talking about the initiative said, 'Children of workers will be admitted to seven campuses of COMSATS University, and the Punjab government will pay their fees.' She added that workers are the crown of the nation, and her government is determined to provide them with every essential facility, especially in the fields of education and healthcare. 'The doors of higher education are now open for every worker's child in Punjab. No child will be deprived of education due to financial hardship,' she affirmed, adding that these measures reflect a commitment to social justice that has no precedent in the province's history. CM Maryam Nawaz added that children of registered workers, including those of deceased and disabled workers, would be eligible for this opportunity across all major campuses of COMSATS University, Islamabad, Lahore, Abbottabad, Wah, Attock, Sahiwal, and Vehari. She noted that the initiative is a testament to her government's inclusive vision and dedication to improving the lives of labourers through meaningful, long-term support. Relevant authorities briefed the Chief Minister that the Worker Welfare Fund has opened the application process and that deadlines vary by campus, ranging from early July to mid-August. Applicants are required to apply online through the university's official website and must also submit relevant documents at the admission office. These include copies of the worker's CNIC, registered worker certificate, the student's CNIC or B-Form, and proof of social security or old age benefit enrollment.
Time Business News
10-06-2025
- General
- Time Business News
Unmarried Certificate Pakistan With Quick Attestation
An Unmarried Certificate (also known as a Single Status Certificate or Celibacy Certificate) is an official document issued in Pakistan to verify that an individual is not married. This certificate is often required for legal, immigration, or matrimonial purposes, both within Pakistan and abroad. The Unmarried Certificate is a legal declaration confirming that a person has never been married or is currently single. It is commonly needed for: Marriage registration (especially for foreign nationals) (especially for foreign nationals) Visa applications (spouse visa, work visa, etc.) (spouse visa, work visa, etc.) Immigration processes (such as for the USA, UK, Canada, or UAE) (such as for the USA, UK, Canada, or UAE) Employment abroad (some countries require marital status proof) (some countries require marital status proof) Court cases or legal matters The certificate can be obtained from: Union Council / Local Municipal Office (Most common) (Most common) NADRA (National Database & Registration Authority) (National Database & Registration Authority) Notary Public / Magistrate (Affidavit-based certificate) (Affidavit-based certificate) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (For attestation if needed internationally) CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card) or B-Form (for minors) Passport-sized photographs Affidavit (declaration of single status on stamp paper) Family Registration Certificate (FRC) from NADRA (if required) Witnesses (in some cases) Visit the Local Union Council or NADRA Office Submit the required documents Pay the applicable fee (varies by location) Verification by authorities (may take a few days) Collect the certificate If the certificate is needed abroad, it must be: Attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Pakistan Further attested by the respective country's embassy Typically valid for 6 months to 1 year (depending on the issuing authority) (depending on the issuing authority) Expired certificates must be renewed for legal use Prevents fraudulent marriages (especially in international cases) (especially in international cases) Ensures legal compliance for visa and immigration for visa and immigration Serves as proof of single status in court or employment Obtaining an Unmarried Certificate in Pakistan is a straightforward process if you have the correct documents. Whether for marriage, visa, or legal purposes, this certificate is essential for verifying single status. Always check with the concerned embassy or institution for specific requirements before applying. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sindh Government's Mobile App for Teacher Attendance: A Bold Reform or Another Failed Gimmick?
Listen to article The Sindh government has once again announced an ambitious digital initiative—this time, a biometric attendance app for teachers, featuring Iris Recognition Technology and geofencing to monitor attendance in real time. The application, according to Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, will be linked directly to the Accountant General's office, ensuring automatic salary deductions for unapproved absences. The project, unveiled via a series of X posts and reported by Dawn, also aims to integrate student enrollment records with national identity data (B-Form) for better tracking. It sounds like a game-changer—but is it? For a province where education reforms routinely fail due to corruption, bureaucratic inertia, and weak infrastructure, skepticism is warranted. Sindh's history is littered with high-profile education initiatives that collapsed under their own weight, from the Reform Support Unit (RSU) to the Sindh School Daily Monitoring System (SSDMS). Given this track record, is the government genuinely committed to fixing the education system, or is this yet another hollow promise aimed at securing donor funding? A Bold Technological Leap—At Least on Paper On the surface, the Sindh government's biometric attendance initiative appears well thought-out. The Iris Recognition System is among the most secure biometric technologies available, and geofencing ensures that teachers cannot mark attendance remotely. The mobile app will also feature: • Offline functionality (to accommodate areas with poor connectivity) • Daily, weekly, and monthly attendance reports • Tardiness and absence notifications • A leave application system By linking attendance data directly to salary disbursements, the government aims to crack down on 'ghost teachers'—educators who draw salaries without attending classes. Yet, for all its technological sophistication, this initiative faces enormous practical challenges—many of which have doomed past efforts. A Legacy of Failed Reforms: What Went Wrong Before? Sindh's education sector has seen multiple 'digital' monitoring efforts, all of which started with grand promises and ended in quiet failure. The two most notable examples: Reform Support Unit (RSU) - Funded by the World Bank and DFID, the RSU was supposed to revolutionize school monitoring. Instead, it became a bureaucratic black hole—hindered by: • Teacher resistance and union pushback • Corrupt officials manipulating attendance data • Technical failures, especially in rural areas lacking infrastructure Sindh School Daily Monitoring System (SSDMS) - Launched in 2022 with backing from the European Union and UNICEF, SSDMS aimed to provide real-time school monitoring. It struggled with: • Unreliable internet connectivity • Lack of adoption by teachers and administrators • Failure to scale beyond a pilot phase If multi-million-dollar donor-backed projects couldn't overcome these hurdles, why should we believe this new app will succeed? Follow the Money: Who's Really Paying for This? One major red flag: the Sindh government has not disclosed the funding source for this initiative. While officials frame it as a 'provincial innovation,' history suggests otherwise. Sindh's education projects have heavily depended on international funding from organizations like: • The World Bank • The EU and UNICEF • The Asian Development Bank (ADB) • Bilateral donors (UK's FCDO, USAID, JICA, etc.) The Sindh School Daily Monitoring System (SSDMS) and STA DEEP (Sindh Technical Assistance for Development through Enhanced Education Programme) were both donor-funded digital projects that never fully materialized. If this new initiative follows the same pattern, what happens when the funding runs out? Challenges - Can This Actually Work? Even if this initiative is well-intentioned, its success is far from guaranteed. Some of the biggest roadblocks include: 1. Infrastructure Failures • Many schools lack reliable internet, smartphones, or even electricity • Offline functionality is helpful but doesn't solve the problem of teachers lacking the necessary devices 2. Teacher Resistance and Bureaucratic Sabotage • Teacher unions could push back, citing privacy concerns and fears over salary deductions • Local education officials have a history of manipulating attendance data to protect corrupt networks 3. Funding Sustainability • Sindh's education budget is already stretched thin—how will the government sustain the system once donor funds disappear? 4. Corruption and Political Instability • Procurement scandals, kickbacks, and implementation mismanagement have plagued past projects • Political changes could derail the initiative before it even gets off the ground A Path to Success—If the Government Is Serious To avoid another RSU-style collapse, Sindh's government must take concrete steps: 1. Ensure Schools Have the Necessary Infrastructure—Provide teachers with smartphones and guarantee power/internet availability. 2. Engage Teachers & Unions Early—Without buy-in from educators, this initiative will fail. 3. Plan for Long-Term Funding—Relying on short-term donor money won't work. The government must commit provincial funds for sustainability. 4. Create a Corruption-Proof Monitoring System—Third-party oversight is essential to prevent data manipulation and financial mismanagement. 5. Pilot First, Scale Later—Launching in phases will allow for real-time problem-solving before a province-wide rollout. Final Verdict: Game-Changer or Gimmick? The biometric attendance app has the potential to transform Sindh's education sector—but only if the government commits to real reform. Given the province's history of failed digital projects, skepticism is justified. If proper infrastructure, long-term funding, and anti-corruption safeguards are in place, this initiative could be a step forward. But if it follows the pattern of past education 'reforms,' it will end up as yet another forgotten project—hyped in press conferences, quietly abandoned later. For now, the burden of proof is on the Sindh government. Will this be the reform that finally breaks the cycle of failure? Or will it become just another failed promise, buried under donor reports and bureaucratic excuses? Only time will tell.
