In a bid to foster exceptional reporting on climate change issues, the Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, honored four journalists from various language-media with the inaugural ‘Climate Reporting Awards’. The event, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, aimed to highlight and encourage journalistic expertise in environmental reporting.

The awards ceremony, held for the first time, celebrated the outstanding contributions of journalists who participated in the Green Media Initiative boot camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and South Punjab. These camps provided intensive training to 24 journalists, equipping them with the necessary skills to report effectively on climate-related issues.

Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, commended the awardees for their invaluable contributions to the climate change discourse. He emphasized the role of journalists in enabling climate action through informative storytelling.

The awards were presented to four journalists—two from each province—for their exemplary news stories produced after attending boot camps in Swat and Rahim Yar Khan. The winners and runners-up included:

**Rahim Yar Khan**
– Winner: Irfan Ulhaq, Correspondent, Dawn Media Group
Story title: Salinity control plan reclaims 1.3 acres farmland
– Runner-up: Mahjabeen Abid, Producer/Anchor, PTV National Multan
Story title: Air pollution: A big reason for complications during pregnancy

**Khyber Pakhtunkhwa**
– Winner: Arif Ahmad, Reporter, Zama Swat
Story title: An entire village in Swat flooded due to climate change
– Runner-up: Laiba Hussan, Reporter, Aaj News
Story title: Solar energy’s unintended impact: Peshawar’s silent drought crisis

The winners were selected by a jury comprising senior journalists Shahzeb Jillani and Afia Salam from a pool of 20 entries submitted by alumni of the Green Media Initiative boot camps.

In addition to the awards ceremony, a resource book titled ‘Pakistan: On the Frontline of Climate Change’ was launched. Authored by Rina Saeed Khan and edited by Farahnaz Zahidi, the book provides journalists with essential insights and tips to enhance their climate change reporting skills.

Amber Rahim Shamsi, Director of CEJ, underscored the institution’s commitment to fostering high-quality journalism, particularly in the realm of climate reporting. She expressed gratitude for the partnership with GIZ and their shared vision for impactful reporting.

In his keynote speech, Ahmad Shabbar, Founder and CEO of GarbageCan, emphasized the importance of accurate reporting on environmental issues, highlighting humanity’s interconnectedness with nature and the urgent need for action.

The Centre for Excellence in Journalism at IBA Karachi continues to play a pivotal role in elevating journalistic standards across Pakistan, reaffirming its position as a leading journalism training institution in the country.

Related: IBA Karachi Hosts Provincial Dialogue on MHM and Tax Reforms

Renowned legal luminaries have emphasized the urgency of reforms within Pakistan’s judicial system to ensure affordable and expeditious justice for the common citizen. This call to action was echoed during a significant roundtable conference titled ‘The Role of Mediation in Enhancing Access to Justice in Pakistan,’ jointly organized by Punjab University (PU) Law College and the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy (ILRA).

Distinguished figures including Principal of PU Law College, Prof Dr. Shazia Qureshi, Vice Chairman of Punjab Bar Council, Kamran Bashir Mughal, Chairman Board of Directors of the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy, Syed Shahbaz Bukhari, Chairman Board of Advisors of the same institute, Zafar Iqbal Kalanauri, Associate Professor Dr. Naeemullah Khan, along with students, graced the occasion.

During the conference, Zafar Iqbal Kalanauri, an eminent legal expert, underscored the reliance of Pakistan’s judicial system on paper evidence and highlighted the presence of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms prevalent globally. He lamented the varying interpretations of laws by provincial courts within Pakistan, leading to prolonged disputes, particularly concerning matters such as marriage, dowry, finances, and land. Kalanauri advocated for the integration of mediation systems to address these issues effectively, warning that without systemic reforms, it could take up to 320 years to resolve the current backlog of cases in Pakistani courts.

Kamran Bashir Mughal emphasized the imperative for collaboration between bar councils and educational institutions, stressing the need for effective enforcement of existing laws. He acknowledged the role of bar councils in law implementation and proposed necessary amendments to existing legislation.

Syed Shahbaz Bukhari raised concerns over rising divorce rates due to inadequate practice of family laws in Pakistan. He also highlighted the untapped potential for legal advisors in the corporate sector, suggesting that stricter adherence to legal regulations could boost employment opportunities for lawyers. Bukhari advocated for the overhaul of the arbitration system to expedite case resolutions and mitigate the burden on courts.

Expressing gratitude to Punjab University Law College for hosting the conference, Prof Dr. Shazia Qureshi applauded the convergence of academic and legal experts, emphasizing the educational value such events provide for both scholars and students. Dr. Naeemullah Khan echoed sentiments of reform, citing historical precedents and emphasizing the economic repercussions of unresolved commercial and domestic disputes.

The conference concluded with a collective call for comprehensive reforms within Pakistan’s judicial apparatus, underscoring the vital role of academia, legal practitioners, and policymakers in ensuring equitable access to justice for all citizens.

Related: PU Seminar Promotes Environmental Conservation

The University of Management and Technology (UMT) organized a special seminar on Pakistan’s Curriculum Development in which Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat Khan participated as a special guest. While talking to the students, he said that the decisions of one’s fate cannot be made sitting in closed rooms, so educational reforms will be brought in consultation with all stakeholders. Students will be taught all modern IT skills including Robotics and Python. The education minister said that it was a pleasure to come to UMT while seeing that the future of Pakistan is being prepared in a wonderful educational environment. The youth are the only hope and change. With the help of youth, Pakistan will stand on its feet again.

Rana Sikandar Hayat further said that he is determined to bring Punjab to number one in the ranking of education and make Pakistan a significant country in the export sector as well. He said that there is no shame in adopting a good policy of any party. We will come up with a curriculum that will be requirements of the modern era. The education minister said that now is the time to get out of the discussion of who is right and who is wrong, only work for the betterment of the country. We have to ponder why government educational institutions are not doing well as compared to private educational institutions.

Rana Sikandar said that the Punjab government will give 500 scholarships to the youth for higher education. The education minister told the students that he has started a series of surprise visits to ensure the immediate availability of basic facilities in the educational institutions. He said that he will go to the last extent to improve the schools and provide adequate facilities to the students. The education minister also promised the students to make all the government educational institutions of Punjab model educational institutions in the next 5 years.

Related: UMT and GCU Lahore Forge Academic Collaboration

Balochistan’s Chief Minister (CM) Sarfraz Bugti, has issued directives for the dismissal of around 2,000 teachers across various positions due to consistent absenteeism. This decision emerged from a session of the education department led by CM Bugti, with a primary focus on tackling the prevalent issue of teacher absenteeism, addressing the inefficiencies within educational institutions, and implementing reforms in the provincial education sector.

In an effort to combat the shortage of teachers in schools, the chief minister has instructed the appointment of teachers on a contractual basis. The responsibility of finalizing the termination process for absent teachers within a two-month timeframe has been assigned to the chief secretary Balochistan.

Furthermore, discussions during the meeting encompassed topics such as the literacy rate in the province, the allocation of necessary resources to public educational institutions, and the hurdles encountered by the education system.

A decision has been taken by the provincial government to introduce biometric attendance systems in educational facilities. The initial phase of this pilot project will commence in Dera Bugti and Musakhail districts, with plans for expansion to other districts in subsequent stages.

CM Bugti has directed relevant authorities to integrate representatives from local bodies into district education groups to ensure teachers adhere to their designated schedules. He emphasized the elimination of all forms of interference, including political influences, from the education department, emphasizing that appointments of teachers and officers would be solely based on merit.

Participants were briefed during the meeting about the educational landscape of the province, which comprises approximately 80,000 teachers and 7,000 single-room schools. However, concerns arise as approximately 3,300 schools were reported to be non-functional.

Related: Balochistan govt signs MoU with Google for youth scholarships

In a recent seminar held at Punjab University (PU), Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood emphasized the pivotal role of teachers and students in shaping the positive character of Pakistan’s economy. The seminar, organized by the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences to commemorate Pakistan Day and promote a Tree Plantation Campaign, saw the participation of esteemed guests including MNA Shaista Parvez Malik, MPA Kanwal Liaqat, and various faculty members alongside a large student body.

Addressing the audience, Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood underscored the importance of sacrifices beyond warfare, stressing the need for a collective spirit to navigate Pakistan through its current challenges. He highlighted the significance of research conducted within educational institutions, asserting that the country’s development hinges upon the quality of scholarly endeavors. Prof Dr Mahmood expressed confidence in Pakistan’s defense capabilities and urged the youth to channel their efforts towards national progress, affirming that guided by proper mentorship, they could enhance the global standing of the Pakistani passport.

Shaista Parvez Malik, in her remarks, extolled the indispensable contribution of teachers to societal development and called for unified efforts to address Pakistan’s challenges. She advocated for a culture of positive thinking to counteract societal discord and emphasized the importance of inclusivity, particularly advocating for women’s participation across all sectors. Malik pledged to address student grievances concerning transport and hostel facilities at Punjab University.

Echoing similar sentiments, Kanwal Liaqat voiced optimism about the youth’s potential to drive Pakistan’s development and emphasized the responsible use of social media as a tool for national betterment. She called for civility in political discourse and urged critics to engage constructively in shaping the political landscape.

Dr Muhammad Saleem Haider commended the diverse contributions of Punjab University students to various fields and emphasized the educational significance of events like the Pakistan Day celebration and tree planting campaign. Preceding the seminar, competitions including quizzes, speeches, and national song performances were organized to engage students actively.

Concurrently, an awareness walk organized by Punjab University’s Institute of Geography highlighted the importance of environmental conservation, with Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood and Director Prof Dr Isma Younis joining faculty members, students, and employees in planting saplings as part of the plantation campaign.

The seminar and associated events underscored the University’s commitment to fostering a spirit of national responsibility and environmental stewardship among its academic community, echoing a broader call for collective action towards a prosperous and sustainable Pakistan.

Related: PU HCBF to Introduce Five New Degree Programs

In a significant move towards addressing the challenge of out-of-school children in Pakistan, Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Takmil – Teach A Kid Make Individual Life. The agreement aims to foster cooperation and facilitation in bringing out-of-school children into the education network, marking a pivotal step towards inclusive education.

The signing ceremony, held at AIOU, saw the presence of notable figures including Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Dr. Fazal ur Rahman, Director of Coordination and Follow-up, Prof. Dr. Syed Amir Shah, Chairman of the Department of Distance, Non-Formal and Continuing Education, Dr. Muhammad Ajmal Chaudhry from AIOU, and Dr. Sania, a board member from Takmil.

Under the MoU, Allama Iqbal Open University pledges to extend educational and technical support to facilitate the enrollment of out-of-school children into the educational network. This support encompasses teacher training, conducting sessions for master trainers, and aiding in organizing educational activities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Fazal ur Rehman highlighted the significance of tangible actions over mere paperwork. He emphasized the commitment of AIOU to ensuring that MoUs translate into meaningful benefits for the community, particularly addressing the challenges faced in educating out-of-school children.

Dr. Syed Amir Shah reiterated the importance of enrolling out-of-school children as a noble cause and exemplary community service. He underscored the vision of Vice Chancellor, AIOU, Prof. Dr. Nasir Mehmood, emphasizing the university’s dedication to ensuring every child has access to education.

Dr. Sania, representing Takmil Foundation, shared insights into the organization’s efforts to provide free basic education to out-of-school children, particularly in remote areas of Pakistan. With the support of AIOU, Takmil aims to enhance its outreach and serve these communities more effectively.

Dr. Ajmal highlighted AIOU’s commitment to providing technical and capacity-building support, along with teacher training, to the 160 schools operated by Takmil. Dr. Tahira Bibi provided context to the MoU, emphasizing its significance in addressing the pressing issue of out-of-school children.

The collaboration between AIOU and Takmil signifies a concerted effort towards achieving educational equity and ensuring that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to learn and thrive. With combined expertise and resources, the partnership is poised to make a substantial impact in reshaping the educational landscape of Pakistan.

Related: AIOU Launches Training and Development Center