PTI protest: man without both arms arrested over a…

ISLAMABAD: Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmed has called for a major shift in Pakistan’s approach to higher education and research, saying universities must become central to the country’s economic, technological and social development. Speaking about his recent nearly two-week visit to China, Dr Niaz Ahmed said Pakistan could learn valuable lessons from China’s development model, particularly its close cooperation among universities, industry, research institutions and the government. The HEC chairman visited China with a delegation of senior vice chancellors from leading Pakistani universities on the instructions of the prime minister and at the invitation of Chinese education authorities and academic institutions. During the visit, Pakistani and Chinese universities discussed joint and dual-degree programmes, faculty and student exchanges, collaborative research and greater opportunities for Pakistani students to pursue higher education in China. He said efforts were also underway to strengthen the CPEC Consortium of Universities and establish 10 Sinology Centres in Pakistan. The Higher Education Commission has been asked to nominate 10 Pakistani universities for the initiative. Dr Niaz said his meetings with Chinese universities and research organisations showed that universities there function as more than degree-awarding institutions. They are closely connected with industry and government, helping develop new technologies, solve industrial problems, support startups and prepare skilled workers for emerging economic needs. He noted that research in China is increasingly focused on turning knowledge into practical solutions, new products and economic opportunities rather than simply increasing the number of research publications. The HEC chairman said China’s rapid progress in artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and digital technology was particularly striking. These technologies, he observed, have moved beyond laboratories and are now being used in factories, transportation, hotels and urban services. He also highlighted China’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle industry, saying the transformation demonstrated the importance of developing technology rather than simply consuming it. According to him, countries that build their own technological capabilities will be better positioned to compete in the future. Dr Niaz attributed China’s progress not only to investment and technology but also to discipline, punctuality, hard work and a clear national vision. He said the country’s experience demonstrated how coordinated efforts by government institutions, universities, industries and citizens could produce lasting national development. Reflecting on Pakistan’s traditional focus on Western academic models, he said his visit had strengthened his belief that China offers an important Asian development experience that Pakistan should study carefully. He stressed, however, that Pakistan should adapt successful practices to its own circumstances rather than simply copy the Chinese system. The HEC chairman said Pakistani universities now needed to examine whether they were merely producing degree holders or actually developing human capital capable of contributing to the national economy. He called for curricula to be aligned with future employment needs, with greater emphasis on artificial intelligence, data science, automation and other emerging fields. Universities, he said, must also strengthen faculty capabilities and build closer relationships with industry. Dr Niaz further stressed that research should focus on solving national and industrial problems, developing technologies and creating business opportunities rather than remaining limited to academic publications. After returning from China, he said, he shared his observations with university leaders across Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the federal capital. The objective was to encourage universities to reconsider their approaches to curriculum development, research, faculty training and industry partnerships. He said Pakistan already possesses a large network of universities, talented researchers and a young population, but these strengths need to be supported by a clear national strategy and sustained investment. “The real strength of a nation lies not only in roads, buildings and factories, but also in knowledge and human capital,” Dr Niaz said, stressing that Pakistan’s journey towards developed-country status must begin in university classrooms and research laboratories and eventually translate into stronger industries, a more productive economy and greater national prosperity.

ISLAMABAD: Differences within the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) have intensified as senior party figures Salman Akram Raja and Mashal Yousafzai exchanged allegations over party affairs and accusations related to the alleged sale of tickets. Salman Akram Raja criticised those who, according to him, were unable to pursue the matter through legal channels and had instead resorted to what he described as baseless allegations against Mashal Yousafzai over ticket-selling claims. Raja also said he did not know who had nominated Yousafzai as a senator, maintaining that the decision had been made on the instructions of PTI founder Imran Khan. He added that he did not have the authority to remove her from the Senate. In response, Mashal Yousafzai alleged that Raja had made his recent statements after apologising to the PTI founder. She challenged the party leadership to take action against Raja if it had the authority to remove him from the party. The dispute has also drawn comments from PTI leader Shandana Gulzar, who questioned Raja’s remarks concerning money. She raised questions over the whereabouts of millions of rupees allegedly received from the United States and said that those responsible would face serious consequences if the matter was investigated. The exchange has added to growing tensions within the opposition party, with allegations and counter-allegations emerging as its leadership continues to grapple with internal disagreements.