CSS exams prospects bleak | UK refuses access to students

CSS Examination 2009. FPSC makes plans over fears of another strike
Islamabad, April 17: The Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) has sought staff from various ministries and divisions for conduct of the Civil Superior Services (CSS) examination as the commission's employees are planning to hold another strike against the senior management of the commission, sources said on Thursday.

A letter written by FPSC Secretary Bashir Ahmad Chauhan to the Establishment Division on April 16 reads: "The CSS examination has been rescheduled w.e.f April 25. In case of another strike, we shall have to make alternative arrangements. For that purpose full support of the Establishment Division is solicited in all respects."

In March, the secretary had said that the exam had been postponed due to the country's security situation.

The letter said further the secretary had held a meeting on April 13 with director generals, directors and other senior officers who were designated chief supervisors/supervisors for the exam. They assured the secretary that they would perform all duties assigned to them. However, for smooth conduct of the exam the commission will require staff on a short notice if the need arose.

The FPSC would pay them travelling and daily allowances, and also remuneration for examination duty at prescribed rate, the letter added.

Require: The FPSC will require around 466 officers, with 119 for the Lahore centre alone. The commission has also sought services of four BS-20 officers, 10 BS-19, 64 BS-17/18, 151 BS-11/16, 104 BS-6/10 and 133 BS-1/5 personnel for the 19 examination centres across the country. Daily Times

CSS exams prospects bleak
Islamabad: Employees of the Federal Public Service Commission have threatened to stage strike from 20th April against the Secretary FPSC, Bashir Ahmad Chohan whom they blamed for misconduct and embezzlement in the commission.

The employees of the FPSC alleged that Bashir Ahmad Chohan was responsible for massive embezzlement in the commission, as he ignored merit process and awarded jobs on his sweet will.

It merits mentioning here that the scope of CSS examination 2009 scheduled to start on April 25 seems to be a far cry as earlier it was scheduled for March 14 but due to the protest of workers it was put off. At that time the
higher officials of the government had assured the workers to solve their problems but did not happen according to employees.

One of the employees of FPSC said on anonymity that employees through a letter, had asked the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to immediately remove the FPSC Secretary Bashir Chohan and DG (Admin) Raja Pervez Akhtar failing which they would not resume duties. They also wrote to the prime minister that timely commencement of CSS-2009 exam would be at risk if their demand were not accepted, the employee said.

An official, meanwhile, said that Secretary FPSC had asked the establishment division that the smooth conduct of CSS exam as per schedule would require 466 staff in different cities if necessity arises on short notice.

They have set the deadline of April 20 for the removal of secretary FPSC, Bashir Ahmad Chohan.

When contacted Secretary FPSC, he said that all the allegations levelled against him were baseless and some insiders were spreading false reports to malign him.

He further said that CSS exam would start on schedule and there would be no further delay in it adding "We have made all the required arrangements for the purpose." The Nation

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AIOU entry test for MBA, MPA on 25th
Islamabad: Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) has announced entry test for admission in Commonwealth Executive MBA, MPA programme to be held on April 25. The entry test would be held in all the branches of AIOU across the country including Islamabad, Peshawar, Abbottabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Lahore, Sahiwal, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan and Karachi simultaneously.

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Degrees awarded to 365 students at G-10/4 college
Islamabad: As many as 365 students of Federal Government College for Women (FGCW), G-10/4 were awarded degrees at the 14th and 15th convocation held on Thursday.

The certificates and degrees were given to the 20 postgraduates and 345 graduates in both humanities and science faculties for the sessions 2005-06 and 2006-07.

Besides, 29 graduates received roll of honour for their outstanding performance in the university examination.

The students of the college secured first three positions in the M.Sc Mathematics in Punjab University session 2006-2008.

Tahira Bano secured first position by securing 89.10 percent marks. Asma Bibi secured second position with 81.15 percent and Tanzeela Shaheen got third position with 78.1 percent marks.

AIOU Vice Chancellor Mehmood-ul-Hassan Butt, as a chief guest, urged the students to instil real human values of love, brotherhood and fraternity. Quran is the primary source of learning from which one can get the guidance to put his life on prosperous way, he said and advised the students to read Quran and implement its instructions in letter and spirit. The students are the future builders of the nation and they must adopt values derived from Holy Quran to create an Islamic, democratic, progressive and enlightened Pakistan, he said.

The quranic teachings have the solution of all the social and economic problems and people who have strong belief on its teachings find great moral strength to face the obstacles in life. Principal of the College, Rehana Shabbir presented the college report and said that the college is providing ample opportunities to the students for participating in extra curricular activities along with study.

The teaching faculty is striving to cultivate the creative abilities in associated spheres of learning including Naat, Qirat, English and Urdu debates.

Nighat Akseer has been declared an outstanding debater and Saleena the best singer throughout the session, she said.

The college was also awarded trophy of overall best institution in sports and best in Athletics by the Federal Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (FBISE).

Asia Ilyas was declared as the best gymnastic player and Maria Khan the best cyclist.

Rehana Shabbir said that computerised students information system has been lodged constituting all the relevant information of the enrolled students while computerisation of library and website development project is underway to be completed in near future. While highlighting the future requirements of the college, she said that the college is facing inefficiency of teaching faculty in geography, health and physical education and especially in Computer Science to run the newly started four years BS programme amicably.

For extensive repair and rehabilitation work in building has been undertaken for which the college need co-operation and assistance of the Federal Directorate of Education. The college requires a well equipped language lab and a separate M.Sc block as per university requirement. It also needs a basketball court and a gymnasium as for practice of the students, she maintained. The News

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UK refuses to grant consular access to students
Islamabad: The authorities in London have turned down Islamabad's request for consular access to Pakistani students held in the United Kingdom allegedly for plotting a 'major terror attack'.

Pakistan had asked its High Commission in London to obtain details of the 11 students and seek consular access to them.

Most of the men were arrested last week on suspicion of planning to blow up shopping centres in Manchester.

Sources informed that after a meeting between officials of the Foreign Office and the UK High Commission here that London had turned down Pakistan's request saying that only the detainees could seek the facility.

According to the sources, it was likely that Britain would deport the arrested Pakistanis rather than charging them in a court because investigators had not found sufficient evidence to link them to the plot.

One Pakistani student released from an anti-terrorist detention centre has been handed over to immigration authorities and is awaiting deportation.

The failed 'Operation Pathway' is likely to cause embarrassment to the British government, particularly Prime Minister Gordon Brown, as he had accused Pakistan immediately after the disclosure of the arrests of not doing enough to curb terrorism.

According to the sources, British officials said at the meeting that there was intelligence information regarding involvement of the arrested men in the terror plot, but that could not be presented in court. Pakistan insisted that the detainees should be released in case of lack of evidence. Dawn

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PAL fails to pay dues to writers
Islamabad: Arrears of the writers to be given by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) as the outstanding dues are yet to be given against the books they submitted to the awards and sales section of PAL about a year ago, it was learnt on Wednesday.

The "efficiency" of awards section is evident from the facts that it could not submit the cases of payment for formal approval to higher authorities even after the lapse of several months.

A short stories writer, author and broadcaster Munir Ahmed has written a letter in this context to the Chairman of the academy in which he stated that his case was not moved by section concerned till 14 April.

The letter says that hundreds of authors submitted their books and were waiting for payment for last many months.

This is the case with an author living in the federal capital what to say about the writers and authors of far-flung areas and those who live in the interior of the four provinces.

It is relevant to note here that sales and award section is looked after by a couple Mir Nawaz Solongi Assistant Director, and his wife who works in his section as his assistance. It is also learnt that PAL is going to adopt a policy to purchase books from the authors at 50 percent discount like the private book-sellers. Writers termed it as exploiting and against the mandate of the PAL.

The academy is to promote and protect benefits of the writers but not to practise like the private and commercial concerned that are to exploit writer.

When contacted Assistant Director of sale and purchase section of PAL, Mir Nawaz Solongi said that all allegations levelled against him were baseless. He said that PAL had been paying regularly to writers since 26 years.

Mir Nawaz said, "There are about one dozen writers who are waiting for payment.

I admit that writers' payment was delayed first time in the history of PAL but this happened due to some internal matters of the academy like budget issue," he added.

Director of sale and purchase of PAL Dr Rashid Hameed said that PAL was facing immense shortage of funds "Our budget has already been reduced by 20% by the government" he said.

He said all literary organisations of the country got books free of cost from writers for the awards adding that PAL is the only organization, which pays money to writers.

He said that PAL was committed to solving all problems of writer and promote literature in the country as it did in the past. The Nation

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Graduating ceremony at PAF academy held
Islamabad: The graduation ceremony of 102 Non GD, 95 Accts and 31 BLPC courses of College of Flying Training was held at PAF Academy Risalpur on Thursday. 

Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (Personnel) Air Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt who was chief guest on the occasion, addressing the cadets said, "Remember, there is no shortcut to excellence; it can only be achieved through your consistent efforts and tenacity of purpose.

"You must be mindful of the fact that the nucleus of the PAF's war potential resides in its aircrew and manpower directly operating and maintaining the fighting arsenal.  However, as support elements, your contribution to the PAF's operational readiness is in no way less significant. As doctors, engineers, administrators, educators, financial managers and information technology experts, your role would be equally important. Therefore, your personal commitment and devotion to the service will reflect in the overall efficiency of the PAF.  Thus, you are destined to a great future and are, therefore, under obligation to devote yourselves to the PAF's mission," he said.

Aviation Cadet Usama Zafar was awarded the trophy for Overall Best Performance in 102 Non GD Course and Aviation Cadet Awais Younas won the trophy for Overall Best Performance in 95 Accts course and Aviation Cadet Abdul Waheed was awarded the trophy for Overall Best Performance in 31 BLPC Course.

The ceremony marked successful culmination of academic and professional training at PAF Academy Risalpur. Officer Cadets and Aviation Cadets from Engineering, Education, Met, Accounts and Medical Branches were awarded Branch Insignias. Additionally Branch List Permanent Commission Officers were also granted commission in their respective fields.

Earlier, on his arrival at PAF Academy the Chief Guest was received by Air Vice Marshal Hafeez Ullah, Air Officer Commanding PAF Academy Risalpur. App

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Bahrians awarded cash prizes
Islamabad: The chief of the Naval Staff has given cash awards to two students of Bahria College Islamabad, in recognition of achieving laurels in all Pakistan National Physics Talent Contest-2008.

The chief of Naval Staff awarded Rs20,000 as award to each of the two students including Aamir Ayub and Anum Jang Sher. The contest was organised jointly by HEC, PIEAS/PAEC.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic careers programme is a joint venture of Higher Education Commission and Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) for grooming talented students for careers in different disciplines.

National Science Talent Contest (NSTC) is an extension of the National Physics Talent Contest (NPTC) launched by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in 1995. The purpose of the NPTC is to select and prepare five top most students to represent Pakistan in the international Physics Olympiad every year. The News

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AAUR students show talent in stage drama
Rawalpindi: The students' week being observed at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid-Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) continued on Thursday.

On third day of the week, the university students took part in various competitions related to sports and cultural activities. Seven teams participated in inter-faculty drama competition for which the theme was "Unity, Faith and Discipline". Zahid Butt, Bushra Iqbal and Sonia Zahoor judged the drama competition.

The participants' performance showed that today Pakistan was in need of practical implementation of Quaid-e-Azam's epoch-making motto: unity, faith and discipline' to achieve progress. The audience gave a big hand to the performers, saying such dramas renewed the spirit of patriotism.

Tweleve students participated in 'Arfana Kalam' competition. Haseeb Jamal, Muhammad Wahab and Saba Haider secured first, second and third position respectively.

Speaking on the occasion, PMAS-AAUR Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood Khan said the students' week was aimed at providing ample opportunities of extracurricular activities to students. Daily Times

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