Latest news with #MukhtarAhmed
Business Recorder
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
HEC, EDF sign MoU
ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the Export Development Fund (EDF), an autonomous body operating under the Ministry of Commerce, signed on Tuesday a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly work on projects critical to magnify the country's exports. Executive Director HEC Dr Mazhar Saeed and Executive Director EDF Syed Abbas Mehdi signed the MoU on behalf of their respective institutions. Chairman HEC Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and Secretary Ministry of Commerce Jawad Paul witnessed the signing ceremony. The MoU lays the groundwork for significant investment to enhance country's export-oriented research which will provide ways and means for technology transfer. The projects to be funded shall be selected through committee of experts comprising of officials from industry, HEC and EDF. The partnership directly tackles long-standing challenges faced by Pakistani exporters in value addition, promising to unlock new opportunities and boost the nation's global trade performance. The collaboration will focus on five critical areas such as boosting research grants, establishing advanced research and testing laboratories for provision of various services to exporters and start-ups, forging stronger industry-academia linkages, expanding international outreach through facilitating partnership of local institutions with international partnering , and elevating workforce skills. Expressing his views on this occasion, Chairman HEC Dr Mukhtar Ahmed termed the partnership between HEC and EDF a heartening development. He shed light on HEC's efforts for promotion of impact-based research initiatives while especially referring to Research for Innovation Portal (RFI), Offices of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORICs), and Business Incubation Centres (BICs). He maintained that HEC is heading towards a major shift from producing a high number of research publications to a heightened impact of research. He also highlighted HEC's collaborative endeavours with different government entities in this regard. The chairman appreciated the government's commitment to supporting joint efforts of national institutions for the national development. Concerted joint efforts will certainly yield more positive results than the outcomes the country's institutions are producing while working in silos, he affirmed. Secretary Ministry of Commerce Jawad Paul underlined the MoU as part of the government's targets to double the country's exports in the next five years. Highlighting various measures of the government to achieve this end, he said Pakistani companies are competing globally; however, the government aims to expand and enhance the capacity of firms. He appreciated HEC's programmes and initiatives directed towards promotion of research and innovation in the higher education institutions. He hoped that the collaboration between HEC and EDF will play its due part in the outcomes of government's efforts to enhance the country's exports. Earlier Engr Dr Mazhar Saeed, executive director HEC shed light on the background of the bilateral collaboration. He underscored that HEC is working together with different institutions on various fronts to strengthen research and innovation in the country. He added that the HEC-EDF partnership is part of the same series. This forward-thinking agreement sets a collaborative roadmap aimed at propelling Pakistan's export sector to new heights through innovative research and strategic initiatives, he noted. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Final review of HEDP project: HEC, World Bank successfully concludes
ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and the World Bank have successfully concluded their final joint review of the Higher Education Development in Pakistan (HEDP) project. The review highlighted strong progress and mutual satisfaction. Launched in 2019 and supported by the World Bank with USD 400 million, HEDP is set to conclude in June 2025. The five-year project has focused on strengthening research, enhancing quality education, improving access to modern technology, and building faculty and staff capacity through the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE). The 12th and final World Bank Mission, led by Inga Afanasieva, Task Team Leader and Senior Economist, and the HEC team led by Adviser Awais Ahmad, held a detailed wrap-up session with Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed and Executive Director HEC Dr Zia-Ul-Qayyum. The session reviewed implementation progress of all six components of the project and accomplishments against the targets. Dr Mukhtar Ahmed called the project a milestone for Pakistan's higher education sector. He emphasised ongoing efforts to promote excellence in academic research and governance of universities, and translating them into better student outcomes and professional success. The chairman expressed interest in future collaborations with the World Bank. 'HEC is looking forward to having similar partnerships with the World Bank in the future,' he said. Afanasieva praised HEC and the HEDP team for significant progress. 'There's been notable achievement of targets. We see great potential for future collaboration and need to connect the dots for stronger impact,' she said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Ministry on the hunt for HEC chair
The Federal Ministry of Education has initiated the process for advertising the position of Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), as the current chairman's term is set to end on July 29. Final approval to advertise the vacancy will be granted by the Prime Minister. Dr Mukhtar Ahmed was appointed the HEC Chairman for one year under the new HEC (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
News18
22-04-2025
- Climate
- News18
Ramban Flash Floods & Hailstorm: What Caused Overnight Deluge in Kashmir? Explained
Last Updated: The topography of Ramban region in Jammu and Kashmir is such that a strong spell of rain can trigger massive mudslides and landslides. The region is highly vulnerable to flash floods Even as temperatures soared to 44℃ in the plains of Northwest India, intense heavy rainfall and hailstorm pounded parts of Kashmir region on Sunday with winds gusting up to 40-50 kmph intensifying the damage. Over 60 mm rainfall fell in just two hours in the Ramban district situated on the banks of Chenab river triggering flash floods and devastating landslides. As of Monday morning, the extreme weather has killed at least three people, while a few remain missing as the rescue operations continue. More than 100 people from the adjoining villages have been rescued so far, as the deluge has swept away houses, shops and damaged local infrastructure. A detailed assessment is awaited, but local reports suggest that parts of Jammu-Srinagar highway have also been blocked. 'It was not technically a cloudburst, but intense heavy rain caused by a high-intensity weather system," said Mukhtar Ahmed, senior meteorologist and director, IMD Srinagar, referring to the intense weather disturbance which impacted the north-western Himalayas, and caused heavy rains over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan & Muzaffarabad. 'Nearly 60 mm rainfall was recorded over Ramban in just two hours. The topography of the region is such that a strong spell of rain can trigger massive mudslides and landslides. The region is highly vulnerable to flash floods. Normally, we do not expect heavy rain/snow during this time, but it depends on the formation of weather systems," Ahmed told CNN-News18. Bandipora recorded 30 mm rain. The IMD had earlier warned of an approaching western disturbance till April 20, with peak intensity on April 18 and 19. The temperatures had plummeted significantly across the Kashmir-Ladakh region over the past few days with a fresh spell of snowfall in the upper reaches, and hailstorm hitting many areas. The freaky weather also affected the local crops, especially apple blossoms and horticulture production. What Are Flash Floods? Flash floods occur due to excessive or continuous rainfall over a period of days, or during particular seasons, which can lead to stagnation of water. The US's meteorological agency, the National Weather Service, says flash floods are caused when rainfall creates flooding in less than six hours. It adds that flash floods can also be caused by factors apart from rainfall, like when water goes beyond the levels of a dam. In India, flash floods are often associated with cloudbursts – sudden, intense rainfall in a short period of time. Most Himalayan states face the challenge of overflowing glacial lakes, formed due to the melting of glaciers. Flash flooding commonly happens where rivers are narrow and steep, so they flow more quickly, as per the Met Office, UK's national weather service. What Are Western Disturbances? Western Disturbances are these extra-tropical storms which originate from the Mediterranean Sea and travel eastwards. They bring rain/snow over northwest India once they impact the Himalayas. Extratropical storms are a global phenomenon that carry moisture in the upper atmosphere, as opposed to tropical storms, which carry moisture in the lower atmosphere. During the winter, western disturbances become more frequent and stronger. The latest forecast suggests the weather system has passed, and the intensity of rainfall is gradually falling, however parts of Himachal Pradesh may experience hailstorm in some areas. What Is MeT Prediction? The MeT has warned of isolated to scattered rain, lightning and gusty winds for the next 24 hours in the Kashmir region, following which the weather is likely to remain dry. Another fresh western disturbance is likely to impact the western Himalayan region on April 24. The maximum temperatures are currently above-normal in many parts of Kashmir region peaking at 31.5℃ in Muzaffarabad (Kashmir), and 36.6℃ in Kathua (Jammu). The minimum temperatures also remain above-normal, with the lowest of 0.6℃ in Gulmarg (Kashmir) and 36.6℃ in Banihal (Jammu).
Al Jazeera
20-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
In Yemen's Sanaa, fear and defiance after US bombs
Sanaa, Yemen – Mukhtar Ahmed was riding his bike in northern Sanaa's al-Jiraf area when the ground trembled beneath him. Thunderous explosions echoed through the air, followed by the sound of terrified screams. It was Saturday just after sunset, a time when people were home for iftar during the holy month of Ramadan 'I got off the bike and darted towards an alley. I thought it would be impossible to survive,' the 26-year-old restaurant delivery courier told Al Jazeera. 'The sheer terror of those explosions could kill.' Mukhtar had no idea what had caused the deafening roar heard across Yemen's densely populated capital. But he later came to realise, the United States was bombing Yemen. A wave of American air strikes had killed more than 50 people. The bombs pounded the vicinity of the political office of the Houthi rebel group (officially known as Ansar Allah), the de facto rulers of Yemen's populous northwest. It marked the beginning of an ongoing US bombing campaign that may usher in a new phase of war and instability for Yemen. Who can stop the US? On March 7, a week before the US strikes began, the Houthis gave Israel a four-day deadline to lift its blockade on the entry of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. If it did not, the Yemeni group promised to resume attacking Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza. Those attacks had stopped when the now-broken Gaza ceasefire began in January but for the 15 months before that, the Houthis had paralysed shipping in one of the world's most important waterways and fired projectiles towards Israel. The United Kingdom and the US launched hundreds of air strikes on what were reportedly Houthi targets, including weapons depots, missile launch pads and airports. Israel has also attacked Yemen. The ostensible purpose of these attacks was to 'degrade' the military capabilities of the Iran-allied Houthis. But the renewed US air strikes have hit residential areas where senior Houthi members are believed to reside, showing little regard for civilian lives. Second, the Houthis had not carried out any attacks despite their threat. With this shift under US President Donald Trump, fears of war, shortages, and displacement haunt Yemeni civilians, who have endured years of hardship since the beginning of the country's civil war in 2014 between the Houthis and Yemen's Saudi-backed, United Nations-recognised government. The conflict on the ground in Yemen has been largely frozen since 2022 with the Houthis and Saudi Arabia involved in negotiations. But those talks have done little to end the humanitarian crisis in the country, where millions of people are hungry. Many Yemenis now believe things are going to get worse, a fear strengthened by Trump's rhetoric. 'Hell will rain down upon you like nothing you have ever seen before,' the US president said in a threat to the Houthis. And for Mukhtar, he fears Gaza has set a precedent for how bombing campaigns are conducted in the region. 'The US is like Israel, and Hamas is like the Houthis,' Mukhtar said, 'so if the US-Houthi war continues, the US will do to Sanaa like what Israel has done to Gaza. Who will stop them?' Fear of chaos In a bustling street in Maeen in western Sanaa, Faisal Mohammed carried a blue bag filled with new clothes for his five children, purchased in preparation for the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which is expected to fall on March 30. But 38-year-old Faisal says Eid will be overshadowed by the US attacks. He is afraid of what is to come. 'The Americans aim to kill Houthi officials who run Sanaa and other provinces,' he said. 'Killing the [Houthi] leadership will spark chaos, and this will hurt us.' The Houthis took control of Sanaa in September 2014. Since then, the group has firmly embedded itself and proven itself on the battlefield. But as the US intensifies its attacks on Yemen, the Houthis rivals may see the tide turning in their favour – and that worries Faisal. 'Pro-government forces could be motivated by the American air strikes and begin pushing towards Houthi-controlled provinces,' Faisal said. 'This will mean an all-out civil war and an additional cycle of misery.' Faisal has thought about leaving Sanaa and moving to a safer area. 'The Houthis will not surrender, and their Yemeni rivals, if supported by America, will not back down,' Faisal said. 'It will be disastrous.' Prices and explosions In Bani Hushaish on the northeastern outskirts of Sanaa, Ali Abdullah filled his gas cylinder at a cooking gas station, but he did not plan to use it. He was stocking up in anticipation of a potential price rise. 'We fear sudden price hikes. They are an ugly companion of war,' the 48-year-old told Al Jazeera. Even before the renewed US bombing, Washington's actions have left Yemen – and particularly its Houthi-controlled regions – in a precarious position. In January, Trump redesignated the Houthis as a 'foreign terrorist organisation' (FTO) over their attacks on Red Sea shipping and Israel. 'The FTO squeezes the larger economy, limiting access to international financing, making it difficult for traders to acquire letters of credit and insurance to import everything from food, fuel to household goods and beyond,' wrote April Longley Alley, a senior expert on the Gulf and Yemen at the US Institute of Peace. Defiant The Houthis, having ridden out a years-long bombing campaign and motivated by belief in their ultimate victory, are unlikely to back down – at least not in the short term. The group's supporters massed in Sanaa on Monday in defiance of the US, many of them brandishing firearms. Mohammed, a Houthi fighter who only wanted to give his first name, said the US bombing of Yemen was proof the US is 'a habitual aggressor'. 'Americans seek to intimidate and humiliate us. But that won't happen,' he said, standing with a rifle on his shoulder near a market in central Sanaa. 'We were not born to live forever,' he added. 'We will certainly die. It is better to die with honour. The honour is confronting an arrogant aggressor like the US.' Anti-US sentiment has surged in Yemen over the past months. American support for Israel's war on Gaza and its air strikes on Yemeni cities have fuelled resentment. The Houthi leadership remains defiant. Houthi Abdel-Malik al-Houthi warned in a televised speech on Sunday that the US attacks will only lead to more violence. 'We will confront escalation with escalation,' he said. That rhetoric has many in Sanaa fearful of what is to come. Mukhtar is still haunted by what he saw and heard on Saturday. He wondered aloud what happened to the civilians killed when the bombs hit. 'They must have turned to ash,' he answered himself, worrying that is what the future will bring. 'The Houthis are stubborn, and Trump is impulsive,' Mukhtar said. 'The result will be catastrophic – deaths, injuries, food and fuel shortages, and relentless fear. 'Today, we're desperate for peace – nothing else.'
