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Rs41.7bn projects planned for education sector reforms

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Rs41.7bn projects planned for education sector reforms

ISLAMABAD, April 21 (ABC): The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training has proposed a development budget exceeding Rs41 billion under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2026-27 to strengthen education infrastructure, expand technical training, and sustain ongoing reforms.

According to official documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the proposal outlines 23 projects, including 16 ongoing and seven new initiatives. The plan reflects continued support for existing programmes while also focusing on targeted expansion in the education sector.

Breakdown of ongoing and new projects

For ongoing projects, the ministry has projected a total demand of Rs33.4 billion. This amount includes a foreign exchange component of Rs400 million. Projects directly managed by the ministry account for Rs29.86 billion, while National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) projects make up Rs3.56 billion.

In addition, the ministry has proposed seven new projects worth over Rs25 billion. It has sought Rs8.28 billion for these projects in the financial year 2026-27. Most of these initiatives are currently under review by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) for approval.

Key education initiatives

Among the major initiatives, the ministry plans to establish a Danish School at Subatpur. The project carries an estimated cost of Rs2.31 billion, with Rs1.18 billion allocated for FY27.

Furthermore, the government has proposed a Rs4.72 billion project to promote digital learning. This initiative focuses on introducing learning management systems and integrating technology within the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE). The ministry has demanded Rs732 million for this project in FY27.

At the same time, the ministry aims to solarise 200 educational institutions under FDE in Islamabad. This project costs Rs482.82 million, and the same amount has been requested for FY27. The initiative highlights a growing focus on energy efficiency and sustainability in public schools.

Focus on infrastructure and facilities

The ministry has also proposed Rs7.49 billion for Phase-II of a project aimed at providing basic educational facilities in FDE institutions. This is the largest allocation among the new projects. For FY27, the ministry has sought Rs1.9 billion for this initiative.

In addition, the government has earmarked Rs1.08 billion to upgrade science laboratories in 137 educational institutions across Islamabad. These upgrades will cover physics, chemistry, and biology labs. The ministry has requested the same amount for FY27.

Expansion of technical education

To promote technical education, the ministry has included a project worth Rs2.69 billion for the rollout of Matric-Tech in all federal schools in Islamabad. The project also aims to link technical education with intermediate-level studies. The ministry has sought Rs1.14 billion for this initiative in FY27.

Moreover, the PSDP 2026-27 includes a major scholarship programme for Intertech and Matric-Tech students. The programme has an estimated cost of Rs6.5 billion and aims to support students financially while promoting technical education. The ministry has demanded Rs1.7 billion for this programme in the upcoming fiscal year.

Conclusion

Overall, the proposed projects highlight the government’s focus on improving education infrastructure, expanding technical training, and integrating modern technologies. At the same time, the plan reflects a balanced approach between continuing existing programmes and launching new initiatives to strengthen the education sector.

Teachers honoured at IGCSE, A Level faculty gala in Islamabad

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Teachers honoured at IGCSE, A Level faculty gala in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD, April 21 (ABC): Dr. Faisal Mushtaq, Chairman and CEO of The Millennium Education Group, hosted a grand dinner in Islamabad to honour IGCSE and A Level faculty, according to a press release.

He organised the event as a gesture of appreciation for teachers who continue to deliver academic excellence with dedication and consistency. The gathering brought together leading educators and faculty members from across the network.

Recognising the role of teachers

During his address, Dr. Faisal Mushtaq said teaching serves as a powerful force for peace, progress, and transformation. He explained that teachers actively shape critical thinking, empathy, and global awareness among students.

Moreover, he described teachers as “silent revolutionaries” who influence society far beyond the classroom. He stressed that their contributions help build a more informed and responsible generation.

“By honouring them, we reaffirm our belief that education remains the most powerful tool to shape a better world,” he said.

He further added that teachers at The Millennium Education Group continue to play a central role in promoting values, knowledge, and social responsibility.

Highlighting academic excellence

The event also showcased the group’s strong performance in IGCSE and A Level examinations. Over the years, the institution has consistently achieved strong academic results across multiple campuses.

As a result, organisers credited the faculty’s professionalism, commitment, and passion for this continued success. They emphasised that teachers remain the backbone of the institution’s academic standards and achievements.

In addition, the leadership acknowledged that sustained performance in international examinations reflects both structured teaching methods and continuous faculty development.

An evening of appreciation

The gala took place at Islamabad Club, where faculty members gathered in a spirit of appreciation and unity.

Furthermore, organisers recognised teachers for their dedication, excellence, and lasting impact on students’ lives. The setting reflected a shared commitment to education as a purposeful mission rooted in values and long-term development.

At the same time, the event created an atmosphere of respect and recognition, where educators received appreciation for their efforts in shaping future leaders.

Focus on collaboration and inclusivity

The gala also highlighted the importance of collaboration and inclusivity within the academic community. Organisers recognised teachers as key stakeholders in Pakistan’s education system and acknowledged their role in driving educational progress.

Meanwhile, the event provided an opportunity for faculty members to connect, exchange ideas, and discuss the evolving landscape of international education in Pakistan.

In particular, participants discussed the need to adapt teaching methods to global standards while maintaining local relevance.

Conclusion of the event

Finally, the dinner concluded with a vote of thanks. Participants said the event strengthened their role as educators, mentors, and contributors to positive change.

Overall, the gathering reinforced respect for teachers and highlighted their continued role in shaping the future of education in Pakistan. It also underscored the importance of recognising educators who consistently contribute to academic excellence and national development.

چین کے صدر شی جن پنگ کا وژن برائے رابطہ کاری اور تعاون | مشاہد حسین سید

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چین کے صدر شی جن پنگ کا وژن برائے رابطہ کاری اور تعاون | مشاہد حسین سید

Punjab launches digital wheat procurement system as new crop arrives

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Punjab launches digital wheat procurement system as new crop arrives

LAHORE, April 20 (ABC): Fresh wheat is arriving in markets across Punjab as harvesting gains momentum. Meanwhile, the Food Department has started registering farmers for bardana (gunny bags) to support procurement.

Punjab expects wheat production to exceed 22.5 million metric tons this year. This comes despite weather disruptions such as rains and hailstorms. To stabilize prices near Rs3,500 per 40kg, the provincial government has launched its procurement drive.

Digital system to streamline procurement

Director General Food Department Punjab Amjad Hafeez said the government has introduced a fully digital procurement system.

“We have fundamentally reformed the wheat procurement framework by introducing a fully digital and streamlined system,” he told Wealth Pakistan.

He said the new system eliminates delays and reduces discretion. It also removes procedural bottlenecks seen in earlier procurement cycles. The government has approved a Rs6 billion bardana subsidy. Authorities are distributing it through a transparent digital mechanism.

Farmers must register through the Bardana App developed by the Punjab Information Technology Board.

Procurement centers and farmer support

Officials have set up 233 procurement centers across Punjab. These centers will buy wheat at the support price of Rs3,500 per 40kg.

The policy prioritizes small farmers. It sets an eligibility cap of 12 acres per farmer. It also fixes a procurement benchmark of 25 maunds per acre.

“Small farmers make up over 90 per cent of Punjab’s farming community. The framework ensures inclusive access and fair participation,” Hafeez said.

The policy also reduces the role of middlemen. Authorities will transfer payments directly into farmers’ bank accounts. This ensures transparency and faster payments.

The government plans to procure up to 3 million metric tons through aggregators. This move will help set a benchmark price in the market, including for flour mills and private buyers.

Market trends remain firm

Hafeez said the policy does not restrict open market purchases.

“Poultry and feed units can procure wheat from the open market, based on prevailing conditions,” he said.

However, stakeholders say prices remain firm despite fresh arrivals.

“The price of wheat depends on quality. Rain-affected wheat is available at Rs3,300 per 40kg. Good-quality grain is selling at Rs3,500 or higher,” said Iftikhar Ahmad Matto, former chairman of PFMA Punjab.

He said prices may stay at this level during harvesting. They may rise further in the coming months.

Atta chakki owners shared similar concerns.

“Wheat from South Punjab, especially Bahawalnagar, reaches Lahore at about Rs3,600 per 40kg, excluding transport,” said Liaquat Ali Malik, Chairman Atta Chakki Owners Association.

He said prices will likely remain firm throughout the year.

Farmers express concern over slow procurement

Farmers have raised concerns about the pace of government procurement.

“The Food Department has not procured a single grain so far,” claimed Khalid Mahmood Khokhar, Chairman Pakistan Kissan Ittehad.

He said the procurement target is too low compared to the expected crop. He warned that it may not help stabilize prices.

Karachi $100m water, sewerage project nears completion

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Karachi $100m water, sewerage project nears completion

ISLAMABAD, April 19 (ABC): The first phase of the $100 million Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-I) is nearing completion.

According to documents available with Wealth Pakistan, the broader programme is estimated at $1.6 billion. It will be executed in four overlapping phases over 12 years. Moreover, the project is jointly financed by the World Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, and the Government of Sindh.

Approved in June 2019, the project became effective in February 2020. Phase-I, also called SOP-1, has a duration of five-and-a-half years. It is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2026.

Project progress and contracts

According to official documents, 26 work contracts were awarded under Phase-I. Of these, 17 have been completed. Meanwhile, five are in progress. In addition, four contracts have been shifted to Phase-II.

Similarly, 13 consultancies were awarded. Out of these, five have been completed. Four are ongoing, while four have been moved to the next phase.

In terms of procurement, six goods contracts were awarded. Of these, four have been completed. One is under execution, and one has been transferred to Phase-II.

Infrastructure upgrades across Karachi

A large portion of infrastructure development has been completed. This includes the repair and replacement of old water supply and sewerage lines.

The work covers multiple districts, including Karachi Central, Korangi, Malir, East, West, and Kemari. As a result, the project aims to improve service delivery across the city.

Additional components are also progressing steadily. These include the construction of customer service centres and operational facilities. Several have been completed, while others are underway.

Modernisation and pending components

However, some planned initiatives have been moved to Phase-II. These include the enhancement of geographic information systems (GIS) and the asset management programme.

The project also focuses on modernisation. It includes the installation of consumer and bulk flow meters. Furthermore, SCADA systems are being introduced to improve efficiency and monitoring of water distribution.

Overall, Phase-I is progressing steadily. Therefore, it remains on track for completion by mid-2026.

Pakistan expands hybrid wheat research to boost yields, climate resilience

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Pakistan expands hybrid wheat research to boost yields, climate resilience

LAHORE, April 19 (ABC): Pakistan has stepped up research to develop high-yield hybrid wheat. The move aligns with global efforts to produce climate-resilient crop varieties.

Leading agricultural institutions in Punjab are collaborating under a unified programme. Moreover, international experts are providing technical support.

“Hybrid wheat research is a joint project launched by various research institutes in Punjab,” said Dr Javed Ahmad, Chief Scientist at the Wheat Research Institute Faisalabad. He said the goal is to develop a variety with strong yield potential.

Talking to Wealth Pakistan, he said the initiative is led by Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture Multan. In addition, the University of Agriculture Faisalabad and WRI Faisalabad are active partners.

He said the collaboration aims to strengthen food security. At the same time, it helps the agriculture sector respond to climate change.

Joint research and global collaboration

Under the project, MNS University is working on hybrid wheat using Australian Blue Aleurone (BLA) technology. This method introduces a gene to control specific breeding traits.

Dr Ahmad said Richard Trethowan of the University of Sydney is providing technical support. He has developed a non-GMO hybrid wheat system after decades of research.

The system prevents self-pollination. As a result, it enables cross-breeding. Consequently, yields can rise by more than 20%. In addition, crops gain better resistance to disease and tolerance to heat and drought.

However, Pakistan’s environmental laws do not permit genetically modified crops. Even so, scientists can develop both GMO and hybrid varieties.

No commercial variety yet

Despite ongoing work, Pakistan has not developed a commercially viable hybrid wheat variety so far.

Dr Ahmad said hybrid wheat could deliver higher yields. Furthermore, it would offer better resistance to pests and diseases.

He added that China leads global research in hybrid wheat. Meanwhile, the United States, Australia and France are also making progress. However, no country has introduced hybrid wheat for large-scale commercial cultivation.

“Several global companies are preparing to introduce hybrid wheat commercially,” he said. Therefore, this could set a precedent for others.

Need for continuous innovation

Dr Ahmad stressed the need for continuous innovation in crop development. He said crop varieties lose yield potential over time. In addition, they become more vulnerable to pests and diseases.

“Agriculture is a constant contest between scientists and evolving pests,” he said.

Biotechnologists have welcomed the initiative. They are optimistic about its impact.

“The development of crops like rice, cotton and maize has already supported farmers,” said Dr Kausar Abdullah Malik, a former interim federal minister for food security.

He said researchers worldwide are working on hybrid wheat. However, no commercial variety has been launched yet.

He added that once commercialised, hybrid wheat could mark a major breakthrough. It could be comparable to the introduction of high-yielding varieties in the 1960s.

Honour Without Justice

Sassi Nasir Ali
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Honour Without Justice

Sassi Nasir Ali

Every day, social media in Pakistan carries yet another tragic headline — a daughter, sister, or young woman killed in the name of “honour.” Yet one question remains largely unanswered: why are these crimes almost always committed against women? Why do we rarely hear of men being killed in the name of honour?

So-called honour killings continue to persist across Pakistan, particularly in regions such as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan. In some communities, deeply rooted cultural beliefs restrict women’s freedom and confine them to rigid social roles. Within such mindsets, a woman’s choices — especially regarding marriage — are often seen as a threat to family honour.

The scale of the problem is alarming. In 2024 alone, around 405 women were reportedly killed in the name of honour, with some estimates placing the number as high as 547. Between 2021 and 2024, approximately 1,553 such cases were documented across Pakistan. These figures, however, likely understate the true extent of the issue, as many incidents go unreported or are not properly investigated.

Beyond honour killings, violence against women remains widespread. Over the same period, nearly 74,000 cases of gender-based violence were recorded, including thousands of instances of domestic abuse, rape, and physical violence. In many cases, the perpetrators are not strangers but family members — the very individuals expected to provide protection.

This raises a deeper and more troubling question: why is “honour” tied almost exclusively to women’s actions? When men make similar choices, they are often forgiven or ignored. But when a woman chooses her partner or asserts her independence, she risks being labelled a source of shame — and, in extreme cases, punished with death.

Recent incidents highlight the brutality of this mindset. In April 2026, a 19-year-old girl, Khalida, was reportedly killed in Khairpur following a jirga decision. Surrounded by dozens of men, she had no voice, no power, and no opportunity to defend herself. Such parallel systems of justice continue to operate despite being unlawful, raising serious concerns about enforcement of the rule of law.

It is important to recognize that these practices have no basis in Islam. The teachings of the Holy Quran and the life of Prophet Muhammad emphasize dignity, justice, and kindness toward women. Islam grants both men and women the right to choose their spouses and strictly prohibits injustice and violence. The misuse of religion to justify honour-based crimes reflects a distortion of these teachings rather than their application.

Forced marriages further compound the problem. Many women are compelled to marry without consent, often leading to unhappy and abusive relationships. Denying women the right to choose their life partners not only violates their rights but also contributes to cycles of domestic violence and social instability.

The persistence of honour killings also reflects gaps in enforcement. While laws exist, their implementation remains inconsistent. Informal mechanisms such as jirgas continue to influence decisions in some areas, undermining the formal justice system.

Ultimately, this is not just a legal issue but a societal one. Until attitudes change, violence will continue. Honour cannot be defined by control over women’s lives, nor can it be preserved through fear and coercion.

A society that fails to protect its women fails to protect its humanity. And a society that kills its daughters in the name of honour has already lost its honour.

PVARA, Huawei discuss cybersecurity, digital exchange infrastructure

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PVARA, Huawei discuss cybersecurity, digital exchange infrastructure

ISLAMABAD, April 19 (ABC): A senior delegation from Huawei Technologies met Bilal Bin Saqib, Minister of State and Chairman of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), to discuss cooperation on cybersecurity and digital exchange infrastructure.

According to official details, the meeting reflected a shared recognition that robust security architecture is essential for the credible and sustainable growth of Pakistan’s virtual asset sector.

During the meeting, both sides discussed Pakistan’s cybersecurity infrastructure requirements for its emerging digital asset ecosystem. They also reviewed Huawei’s international experience in cybersecurity assurance, cryptographic technologies, and compliance frameworks aligned with global standards.

Furthermore, the discussions covered the role of advanced cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and data infrastructure in supporting a secure digital exchange environment in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib said Pakistan’s digital exchange infrastructure must be built on strong foundations of cyber resilience, consumer protection, and regulatory integrity. He noted that PVARA’s framework aims to position Pakistan among the most secure and innovation-driven virtual asset jurisdictions in the region.

The Huawei delegation, led by Ahmed Bilal Masud, expressed commitment to supporting this agenda as an industry collaborator.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to continue technical discussions and explore structured cooperation mechanisms in the coming months.

The Huawei delegation also included Corey Deng, Chief Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection Officer for the Middle East and Central Asia region, along with Adnan Adhami, Saad Saeed Talha, and Lydia Zhang.

IT minister, Huawei discuss digital transformation for Gilgit-Baltistan

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IT minister, Huawei discuss digital transformation for Gilgit-Baltistan

ISLAMABAD, April 19 (ABC): Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Ghulam Abbas met a delegation of Huawei Technologies Pakistan to discuss opportunities for digital transformation and ICT development in Gilgit-Baltistan.

The minister visited Huawei’s Pakistan office, where both sides held detailed discussions on promoting information and communication technologies in the region, with a focus on youth development and digital infrastructure.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed initiatives to enhance digital literacy among the youth of Gilgit-Baltistan. The Huawei delegation expressed interest in supporting capacity-building efforts through its ICT Certification Program. The programme aims to equip young people with essential digital skills for emerging opportunities in the technology sector.

The delegation also sought the minister’s support in promoting the Prime Minister’s ICT Training Initiative in the region. The initiative is designed to help young people gain technical skills and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce.

Both sides also discussed the importance of technical and vocational training. They agreed that such programmes can create immediate employment opportunities and strengthen the region’s workforce.

In addition, the meeting reviewed opportunities to digitize key sectors of the Gilgit-Baltistan government. These sectors include tourism, healthcare, and mining. Officials noted that digital transformation can improve service delivery, enhance transparency, and increase operational efficiency.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to continue cooperation and take practical steps to strengthen the ICT landscape in Gilgit-Baltistan. Both sides reaffirmed their shared vision of expanding digital access and promoting innovation across the region.

کپاس کی پیداوار کیوں گر رہی ہے؟ پنجاب کا نیا ماسٹر پلان کیا ہے؟

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کپاس کی پیداوار کیوں گر رہی ہے؟ پنجاب کا نیا ماسٹر پلان کیا ہے؟
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