Latest news with #ShahAbdulLatifUniversity
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Shah Abdul Latif University organises post-budget seminar
HYDERABAD: The session, moderated by Prof. Dr. Naveed Ahmed Shaikh, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Shah Abdul Latif University, featured notable speakers including Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Bhutto, Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences at Sukkur IBA University; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yousuf Khushk, Vice Chancellor of SALU; Dr. Asma Arif, Chairperson of the Department of Economics at the University of Wah; Dr. Majid Hussain, Faculty Member at SALU. Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yousuf Khushk recognized the budget's focus on social concerns but stressed that more emphasis was needed on formal education and long-term human capital development. Dr. Majid Hussain critiqued the budget for its limited focus on growth, emphasizing that while it prioritized macroeconomic stability and fiscal deficit reduction, there was a critical need for increased investment in health and education. He supported his analysis with relevant facts and figures, drawing comparisons with the previous year to highlight the need for more balanced and sustainable fiscal policies. He highlighted concerns over the government's reliance on existing taxpayers for revenue generation and the reduced allocations for health and education. Dr. Asma Arif justified the increase in defense spending due to regional geopolitical tensions but emphasized the need for a better balance with investments in education and healthcare, which remain underfunded. Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed Bhutto criticized the budget's unrealistic targets, pointing out that austerity measures and reduced subsidies would likely dampen consumer spending, leading to lower economic growth than projected. He also expressed concern over the potential negative impact on the power sector and agriculture, given the cuts in subsidies and global geopolitical tensions. Taj Rind echoed concerns about the inadequate relief for the salaried class and the challenges faced by industries due to rising energy costs and insufficient policies to support exports. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, reflecting diverse viewpoints and highlighting the critical need for balanced economic policies to foster sustainable growth, improve social welfare, and manage fiscal stability. Our sincere thanks to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yousaf Khushk, the entire panel of experts, and the audience for their valuable insights, and we extend our gratitude to Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur for their collaboration in making this event a success. Pakistan Economics Frontier advocates for a comprehensive approach to economic policy, emphasizing balanced investment in health, education, and social welfare alongside fiscal stability. We call for broadening the tax base, encouraging industrial growth, and addressing consumer concerns through targeted relief measures. Moving forward, collaboration between academia, policymakers, and the private sector will be crucial to achieving sustainable economic development and stability. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
10-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Shah Latif University, Selçuk University Türkiye sign MoU
HYDERABAD: In a meaningful advancement toward international academic cooperation, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur Mirs, Sindh, Pakistan, and Selçuk University, Konya, Türkiye, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focused on fostering collaborative research, academic exchange, and cultural engagement. The agreement was officially signed by Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Ylmaz, Rector of Selçuk University, and Prof. Dr. Yousuf Khushk, Vice Chancellor of Shah Abdul Latif University. The ceremonial exchange of the MoU draft was held at Selçuk University, where Prof. Dr. Khushk met with senior leadership and academic officials of the host institution to mark this academic alliance. The MoU establishes a dynamic framework for mutual cooperation, including Faculty and student exchange programs Joint research initiatives. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
29-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan eyes major boost in date palm exports with UAE's assistance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan aims to boost its date palm exports beyond the current $50 million per annum with the help of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Pakistan's envoy to Abu Dhabi said on Monday. Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi was recognized by the UAE for his outstanding contributions to date palm cultivation and production alongside Pakistani scientist Dr. Ghulam Sarwar Markhand, who won the prestigious 'Influential Figure' award at the 17th Khalifa International Awards for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in Abu Dhabi on April 16. The event, under the patronage of UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, honored global leaders in agricultural innovation. During the awards, Pakistan and the UAE signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the second Pakistan International Date Palm Festival 2025 that will take place in the South Asian country later this year and marks a new chapter in agricultural cooperation between the two nations, according to the Pakistani mission in the UAE. Ambassador Tirmizi told Arab News that Pakistan's annual date production, which normally ranged between 500,000 and 600,000 metric tons, was expected to reach 800,000 metric tons this year. 'Pakistan currently exports 125,000 metric tons of dates, valued at nearly $50 million, with dry dates worth $35 million exported mainly to the UAE, while other destinations include Germany, the UK [United Kingdom], and Turkiye,' he said. 'Since the UAE market is a global re-export hub, it offers great opportunities for Pakistani agro-based products, including dates, to expand trade through different initiatives and marketing strategies.' Pakistan produces large quantities of dates in Khairpur district of its southern Sindh province, and in Turbat and Panjgur districts of the southwestern Balochistan province. The export of these dates helps the country earn substantial revenue. Dr. Markhand, who established a Date Palm Research Institute as a professor at Shah Abdul Latif University in Khairpur in collaboration with Pakistan's Higher Education Commission, said he was excited to see three decades of his hard work earn global recognition at the Abu Dhabi awards. 'We worked on various aspects of date palm research, with major achievements including the micropropagation and tissue culture of date palms using inflorescence explants, a rarely used method,' he said, describing the details of his work. The scientist said no one ever succeeded globally in producing female plants through this technique, but he successfully propagated several thousand plants, established a nursery, and distributed those plants among growers. 'These plants are now fruiting well, marking a major breakthrough in date palm tissue culture,' he said. Dr. Markhand said Pakistan, in collaboration with the UAE, could benefit greatly in further developing the sector and increasing its exports. At the Abu Dhabi awards, the UAE recognized Ambassador Tirmizi's key role in facilitating high-level exchanges between government officials, private sector leaders and experts that created new avenues for bilateral cooperation in the field of date palm production. 'These efforts have led to the signing of several important MoUs aimed at boosting bilateral trade, enhancing agricultural exports, and promoting joint ventures in agri-tech, food security, and sustainable farming solutions,' the Pakistani diplomat said. The Pakistani mission actively worked with Abu Dhabi's Khalifa Award management to help set up processing plants in key areas and boost Pakistan's value-added date chain, according to Tirmizi. 'Since dates are used in various ways in domestic, industrial applications and value-added product manufacturing, the UAE's potential investment in establishing processing plants would increase the shelf life of dates, maximize high-quality date product output, benefit farmers with additional income, and generate local employment opportunities in Pakistan's agriculture sector,' he shared
