Latest news with #FarahNazAkbar
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Cultural display highlights Meo identity
The National Institute of Folk and Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) has established a new cultural diorama dedicated to the "Meo community" at the Pakistan National Museum of Ethnology – Heritage Museum, showcasing the unique history, culture, and traditions of the Meo community, an important ethnolinguistic group within the diverse cultural landscape of Pakistan. Federal Minister for National Heritage and Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi inaugurated the display. In his remarks, the minister said: "The Meo community is a vibrant and integral part of Pakistan's cultural mosaic. Their rich heritage, values of resilience, and contributions to local traditions deserve to be celebrated and preserved. The creation of this cultural diorama at Lok Virsa is a commendable step towards acknowledging and honouring our diverse identities". This initiative not only documents the living culture of a historic community but also reaffirms the government's commitment to cultural inclusion and national unity, he maintained. The minister congratulated Lok Virsa for consistently promoting the voices of underrepresented communities through creative and meaningful platforms. Farah Naz Akbar, Parliamentary secretary, Asad Rehman Gilani, secretary, and a large number of people from the community attended the event. This display is an example of community engagement, as the display has been sponsored by the community. Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Dr Muhammad Waqas Saleem, Executive Director, Lok Virsa stated: "This diorama is part of Lok Virsa's ongoing commitment to inclusivity in cultural representation.
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
PNCA launches first-ever opera singing course
The Pakistan National Council of the Arts, in collaboration with the Embassy of Romania, launched its first-ever Opera Singing Courses at the PNCA Islamabad, marking a significant step in Pakistan's performing arts education and international cultural exchange. Parliamentary Secretary for National Heritage and Culture, Farah Naz Akbar, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, Dan Stoenescu attended the event. In her remarks, Akbar emphasised the importance of such collaborations in nurturing new talent and strengthening cultural diplomacy. Ambassador Dan Stoenescu delivered an inspiring speech highlighting the universal power of music and announced a generous initiative by offering scholarships for music students in Romania. This scholarship programme is a major opportunity for emerging Pakistani musicians to receive world-class training abroad. An engaging overview of the course, its vision, and methodology was presented by Georgiana Costea-Glug?, who will be closely involved in the training process. PNCA director general highlighted the role of PNCA for the promotion of music and arts in Pakistan. Many international cultural exchange initiatives were taken under the leadership of Muhammad Ayoub Jamali, who was the director general of PNCA. The event featured captivating live performances by PNCA students, including opera singing, violin, guitar, keyboard, and a cultural, folk fusion, showcasing the diversity and depth of local talent. This milestone initiative would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Ghulam Muhammad, incharge of music classes at PNCA.
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Diaspora celebrates culture at Lok Virsa
Lok Virsa Deputy Director Anwarul Haq said that the Lok Virsa aimed to preserve the cultural and historical value of Pakistan. PHOTO: A high-level delegation of overseas Pakistanis, currently participating in the Overseas Pakistanis Convention organised in collaboration with the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), visited Lok Virsa on Sunday. The Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, made special arrangements to welcome the delegation. The guests were greeted with traditional drumbeats and vibrant regional folk music, creating a festive atmosphere. Parliamentary Secretary for National Heritage and Culture, Farah Naz Akbar, officially welcomed the overseas delegates upon their arrival. Delegations from various parts of the worldincluding the United States, Europe, Gulf countries, and Africatoured the Lok Virsa Museum, Handicraft Bazaar, Craft Village, and cultural stalls showcasing Pakistan's rich heritage. The visitors also enjoyed live folk performances, featuring traditional melodies, instruments, and dances from different regions of the country. The performances were met with enthusiastic applause. Delegates visited provincial pavilions that represented the unique cultural identities of all federal units, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Lok Virsa officials briefed the guests on the diversity and vibrancy of Pakistan's cultural landscape. Speaking to the media, Farah Naz Akbar shared that approximately one thousand overseas Pakistanis are participating in this year's convention. She praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for facilitating this platform, calling it a positive initiative to strengthen connections with Pakistanis living abroad. She added that the convention would help formulate a comprehensive strategy to address the concerns and challenges faced by the overseas community.
Express Tribune
17-03-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
NA extends two ordinances
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP The National Assembly on Monday passed two resolutions, extending the duration of two ordinances for an additional 120 days. The resolutions passed by the house included, "That the National Assembly resolves to extend the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 (IX of 2024) for a further period of one hundred and twenty days with effect from 2nd April, 2025, under proviso to sub-paragraph (ii) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan." Another resolution passed by the lower house read, "That the National Assembly resolves to extend the Income Tax (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 (X of 2024) for a further period of one hundred and twenty days with effect from 27th April, 2025, under proviso to sub-paragraph (i) of paragraph (a) of clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The House referred two legislative bills to the relevant standing committees for further deliberation and consideration. The bills include the Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aimed at amending the Anti-Dumping Duties Act, 2015, and the Extradition (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeking to amend the Extradition Act, the Societies Registration (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024 (No. XI of 2024) was laid before the House, as required under clause (2) of Article 89 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Meanwhile, the lower house was informed that IT education has been introduced in 16 institutions across Pakistan, with five specialized courses, including Data Analysis, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence, being actively promoted. During the session, in response to a question by Aasia Naz Tanoli, Parliamentary Secretary Farah Naz Akbar stated that these initiatives are being implemented under the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), with a dedicated budget already allocated. She further revealed that each student enrolled in these courses receives a stipend of Rs105,000. The programme involves five universities: the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute (GIKI), the National Skills University (NSU), and NUST's School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. The courses are designed for students in their fifth semester, with evening classes to facilitate learning. NAVTTC closely monitors the program, which is currently in its pilot phase. If successful, it will be expanded to schools. Responding to a question from Syed Rafiullah, Akbar mentioned that discussions regarding launching the program in Malir had taken place with the minister, and updates would be provided to the Assembly. When questioned by Shehzada Gustasp Khan about higher education in Balochistan, she noted that the province currently lacks a public chartered federal university. However, campuses of two federally chartered universities have been established in the region. She also highlighted that in the first phase, 40 laptops were distributed in Balochistan, followed by 200 more in the second phase. In response to a question by Shahida Rehmani, Akbar mentioned that NAVTTC has established a clear procedure for laptop distribution, including a flowchart available on its website.
Express Tribune
19-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
HEC receives Rs65b grant, NA told
Parliamentary Secretary for Federal Education and Professional Training, National Heritage and Culture Farah Naz Akbar informed the National Assembly on Tuesday that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) receives a grant of Rs65 billion for higher education projects. A significant portion of this funding is allocated to the provinces as part of a new agreement aimed at strengthening Pakistan's higher education sector, she said while responding to a calling attention notice regarding the severe financial difficulties faced by public sector universities.
