Latest news with #PC-1
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
PM vows to transform Daanish schools, varsity into digital learning hubs
ISLAMABAD: In a bold push to revolutionise education for underprivileged youth, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday vowed to transform Daanish Schools and the upcoming Daanish University into beacons of modern, world-class learning – powered by digital classrooms, cutting-edge technology, and unwavering merit. Chairing a high-level review meeting on the status of Daanish Schools and the planned university, Sharif called for accelerated construction in underserved regions, while stressing the importance of transparency in recruitment and improved remuneration packages for teachers. 'Providing international standard education and training to the nation's children is my foremost responsibility,' Sharif said, urging that the new Daanish Schools in Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan be fast-tracked. He emphasised that the university should focus on delivering education in modern sciences aligned with global benchmarks. Sharif praised the success of the initiative, originally launched in Punjab, stating that 'by the grace of Allah, the seed planted in Punjab has now grown into a strong tree,' adding that hundreds of students from low- and middle-income backgrounds had gone on to succeed globally. 'The dream of serving economically disadvantaged children through Daanish Schools is becoming a reality,' he said. 'Thousands of children across the country will benefit, and I will always strive to provide equal opportunities for quality education and training to every class.' In a briefing to the prime minister, the officials said that construction of the Daanish School in Kurri, Islamabad, is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed by year-end. In Gilgit-Baltistan, schools in Sultanabad, Ghanche, and Astore are under construction and scheduled for completion next year. New projects in Bagh and Bhimber in Azad Kashmir have begun, while work on a school in Sharda, Neelum, will commence soon following PC-1 approval. PC-1 has also been approved for schools in Sibi, Musakhel, Zhob, QilaSaifullah, and DeraBugti in Balochistan, with a feasibility study underway for Hub. Land has been identified for schools in Chitral, Karachi, and Tando Muhammad Khan, while preliminary work is ongoing for proposed schools in Abbottabad and Waziristan, as well as a university in Rajanpur. Regarding the Daanish Schools University, the meeting was informed that a techno-feasibility study will be completed by the end of July. Of 12 international firms, seven have met the criteria for master planning, design, and construction, with the procurement process nearing finalisation. Details regarding academic programmes, admissions, and support facilities are also being developed. Sharif directed that the university's infrastructure remain simple and cost-effective, with significant investment channelled into modern software, digital learning tools, advanced laboratories, and emerging technologies. The Daanish Schools system, established to provide quality education to underprivileged children, is being expanded nationwide as part of the government's broader goal of bridging the educational divide. The meeting was attended by federal ministers AhsanIqbal, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Ahad Cheema, and Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, along with Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, and other senior officials. Chief secretaries and representatives from all four provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, joined via video link. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Minister asks to build N-25 as an expressway
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal directed concerned stakeholders to complete the Karachi-Chaman National Highway (N-25) into a high-standard expressway project by August 2027 and exert all their efforts in making it a landmark development milestone for the country. Calling for immediate completion of required formalities, the planning minister has directed the National Highways Authority (NHA) that the groundbreaking ceremony be scheduled for August 14, 2025. Iqbal, Monday, chaired a meeting with Ministry of Communications, NHA and Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) officials to review the progress of the N-25 project. During the meeting, the NHA officials briefed the minister on the project's status, highlighting that the dualisation of the Hub Bypass had been added to the revised PC-1 project, following the Minister for Communications' recommendation on June 20th. The revised PC-1 is expected to be submitted by July 2nd, they stated. Calling the N-25 a critical route for transportation between Sindh and Balochistan and a potential gateway for Central Asia, Minister Iqbal reaffirmed its potential to uplift the socioeconomic development of Balochistan. Earlier, in line with the minister's directives, NHA had invited bids from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) on June 17th, with bid opening scheduled on July 2nd. The Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) provided an update on the project's progress, stating that work is being carried out in four sections. Notably, 68 per cent of the work on the 51km stretch from Jiwa to Surab has already been completed. Calling for immediate completion of required formalities, the planning minister directed the NHA that the groundbreaking ceremony be scheduled for August 14, 2025. He also reviewed plans for construction of service areas along the expressway and emphasised the need for well-designed facilities catering to the needs of truckers. 'Well-equipped service areas should be constructed on both sides of the expressway, providing rest areas, fuel pumps, restaurants, vehicle workshops, and other essential amenities,' he stressed. The minister further directed that input be taken from representatives of truck companies to determine ideal locations for these service areas. Among the mini service areas to be constructed along the expressway, some of them should be larger, offering comprehensive services to truckers, stated the minister. Expressing concern over security, the minister stated that 42 FWO workers lost their lives during the construction of N-85. He emphasised the need for strict security measures and conveyed this to the Balochistan government, stressing that Gwadar city and N-85 must be secured under all circumstances. The minister also advised that a dedicated security force be established for N-25, with security deployment aligned with the work schedule. Furthermore, the planning minister emphasised the importance of considering potential future expansion of expressway lanes due to increased regional connectivity. 'Considering flow of traffic in the next few decades, the development of this expressway must be executed in a way that it's easier to expand it into six lanes, whenever needed in future,' stated the minister. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Punjab plans uniform development under CM's vision
LAHORE: Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq has said that planning has been done for the work on the Punjab Development Programme as per the Chief Minister's vision of uniform development in all areas. He expressed these views while chairing a meeting held on Tuesday to review the progress on the Punjab Development Programme (PDP). Special Secretary Arshad Baig and Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi attended the meeting while Syed Zahid Aziz, Managing Director of Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC), gave a briefing on the development made so far. On this occasion, the Minister directed the implementation of PC-1 as per the guidelines issued to PMDFC, saying all possible steps are being taken for the early start of the project. He urged that work should be done on the lines of the Lahore Development Programme (LDP) and it should be adopted as a model. 'The completion of the project will meet the needs of the cities for the next 25 years,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Rs40bn uplift plans for Bahawalpur division approved
LAHORE: The Punjab Local Government and Community Development Department has approved development schemes worth over Rs 40 billion for four cities in Bahawalpur division which include Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Bahawalnagar and Hasilpur. In this regard, Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq chaired a meeting; Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul and Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi were present in the meeting while the Commissioner Bahawal-pur, concerned deputy commissioners and municipal officers participated through a video link. While addressing the meeting, the Minister said that under the supervision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, continuous progress is being made in the Punjab Cities Development Programme. He urged the deputy commissioners to pay special attention to the master planning of the cities; 'the deputy commissioners will be responsible for completing the projects under the Punjab Cities Development Progra-mme,' he added. He further said that under this mega project, not only will the existing infrastructure be restored in the cities, but it will also be further expanded. 'Programme Implemen-tation Units (PIUs) will be formed to ensure quality work in each scheme, while Punjab Municipal Development Fund Company (PMDFC) will be responsible for third-party validation,' he added. He added that special attention should be paid to the construction of parks, street lights and rainwater storage tanks. He also directed the officials to review the cantonment areas of Bahawalpur, stressing if there is any dirt road or broken road in the cantonment, it should also be taken into consideration. During the meeting, it was decided to increase the capacity and number of disposal stations in Bahawalpur city. The Minister, while directing the deputy commissioner to review PC-1 for Rahim Yar Khan, said that all disposal stations in every city will be shifted to solar energy. 'It is gratifying that solarisation in Bahawalpur alone will save about Rs 20 million on monthly electricity bills. With an annual saving of Rs 240 million, many more civic amenities can be provided,' he observed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
03-06-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Substandard hospital mats seized in Swat
The announcement was made by Professor Syed Mohammad Sultan of the Khyber Teaching Hospital's Psychiatry Department. PHOTO: EXPRESS Anti-Corruption authorities in Swat have taken swift action against a contractor for supplying substandard foam mats to Saidu Group of Teaching Hospital, Saidu Sharif. A total of 180 non-compliant mats were confiscated on-site for failing to meet approved PC-1 specifications. The crackdown followed a citizen complaint filed by Arbab Naveed with the Directorate of Anti-Corruption Establishment, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The contractor was accused of violating procurement rules by delivering poor-quality mats from unauthorized manufacturers. An investigation led by Assistant Director Anti-Corruption Malakand Division, Malik Khan Afsar Khan, confirmed the allegations. The contractor was found guilty of deliberate non-compliance. Authorities gave the contractor one week to replace the substandard items with 320 mats that meet official standards. The directive was fulfilled within the deadline, and the case has now been referred to the Directorate for further legal proceedings.
