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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.

Pakistan recorded 1,914 reported cases of child abuse during the first six months of 2026, with child sexual abuse making up the largest share of incidents, according to a new report released by child rights organisation Sahil. The report, based on cases published in national and regional newspapers, revealed that 1,015 children were victims of sexual abuse between January and June. It also documented 558 abductions, 101 missing children, 35 child marriages and 98 cases involving child pornography linked to sexual abuse. In addition, 49 newborn babies were found abandoned in different parts of the country during the reporting period. Girls accounted for 58 percent of the reported victims, while children between the ages of 11 and 15 were identified as the most vulnerable group. The report also noted that children aged 16 to 18 and those between six and 10 years old were among the frequently affected age groups. According to Sahil, many victims were abused by people they knew. Acquaintances were identified as the alleged perpetrators in 43 percent of the reported cases, while strangers accounted for 34 percent. The findings further showed that nearly half of the abuse incidents occurred inside the victims’ homes, highlighting the hidden nature of child abuse. Other cases took place in the homes of the accused or at various public locations, while the location was not specified in several reports. Urban areas recorded a higher number of reported incidents than rural regions. Punjab accounted for around 80 percent of all reported child abuse cases nationwide, followed by Sindh with 15 percent. The remaining cases were reported from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The report also stated that police registered cases in 89 percent of the reported incidents. However, a small number of cases were either not reported to law enforcement or allegedly faced refusal in the registration of a First Information Report (FIR), while the registration status of some cases remained unknown.

QUETTA: Security forces have killed 15 terrorists during a series of intelligence-based operations conducted across several districts of Balochistan, security sources said on Sunday. The operations were carried out under the ongoing Operation Rad-ul-Fitna-3, targeting militant networks in Mastung, Bolan, Washuk, Awaran, Sibi, Khuzdar, Harnai and Noshki. According to security sources, the operations were launched following intelligence about the presence and movement of militants in the targeted areas. A significant quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered during the actions. Officials said the operations dealt a major blow to militant networks and disrupted their ability to move and operate across parts of the province. Security forces, they added, remain committed to continuing intelligence-driven operations until terrorist activity is eliminated. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised the security forces for what he described as successful operations against militant groups. He commended the personnel for their professionalism and said the government would continue supporting efforts to counter terrorism. The latest operations come amid heightened security concerns in Balochistan, where militant attacks have targeted both civilians and security installations. Security forces have continued intensified operations in the province following a series of deadly attacks. Earlier, security forces reported killing 12 militants during intelligence-based operations in the Washuk and Mastung districts. Authorities have also launched joint operations involving the Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps and Balochistan Police following recent attacks on security personnel and civilians. Pakistan has witnessed a significant rise in militant violence in recent years, with Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa remaining among the most affected regions. Security agencies say intelligence-led operations will continue as part of broader efforts to prevent further attacks and dismantle militant networks.

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made an unannounced visit to the under-construction headquarters of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Islamabad and expressed concern over the slow pace of development work. During his inspection, Naqvi reviewed the progress of the headquarters upgrade project and questioned officials about the delays. A worker informed the minister that only nine workers were currently assigned to the site and that construction activities had remained suspended for several days. Expressing dissatisfaction over the situation, Naqvi contacted the relevant authorities on the spot and instructed them to immediately accelerate construction work. He stressed the need for timely completion of the project and directed officials to ensure that progress was maintained. The surprise inspection comes as the government seeks to strengthen the country’s institutional capacity to tackle cybercrime through the NCCIA.