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HEC bans ‘incompatible’ events after Holi celebration at Quaid-i-Azam University

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2 years ago

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The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has expressed concern regarding the celebration of Holi — a Hindu religious festival celebrated during spring — in a university directing higher education institutions to “distance themselves” from activities “incompatible with the country’s identity and societal values.”

In a notification issued on Tuesday, the commission spoke about one such “widely reported” and “publicised” instance involving the fervour exhibited in celebrating Holi from the platform of a university, adding that it had “caused concern and has disadvantageously affected the country’s image.”

The commission’s order comes in the wake of Holi celebrations held at the Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) in Islamabad, which stirred controversy across the internet with some commending the show of diversity, while others criticising the organisers for going against Islamic values.

The Holi celebrations took place earlier this month, with a huge number of students partaking in the event. A Twitter account sharing updates of the Quaid-i-Azam University shared a video where students were seen celebrating the event.

In light of the much-talked-about celebrations, the commission has decided to restrict such events in order to preserve the nation’s ideology stating that HEIs have an ultimate responsibility to polish and nurture the exuberance of youth into learned, mature, and responsible citizens.

“Foregoing in view, it is advised that the HEIs may prudently distance themselves from all such activities obviously incompatible with the country’s identity and societal values, white ensuring that they rigorously engage their students and facutty in academic pursuits, intellectual debates, and cognitive learning besides identifying, creating, and fostering avenues for extra-curricular activities and rational discourse,” a notification released by HEC read.

The HECs notification. — HEC
The HEC’s notification. — HEC

In its notification, the commission wrote: “Unfortunately, it is sad to witness activities that portray a complete disconnect from our sociocultural values and an erosion of the country’s Islamic identity.”

“While there is no denying the fact that cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity leads towards an inclusive and tolerant society, that profoundly respects all faiths, and creeds; albeit it needs to be done so in a measured manner without going overboard,” it mentioned.

HEC reminded higher education institutions to “apprise students about being aware of the self-serving vested interests who use them for their own ends far from the altruistic critical thinking paradigm.”

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Drugs worth $1 million are seized by the Pakistan Navy in the North Arabian Sea.

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3 days ago

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Pakistan Navy Ship PNS MOAWIN, according to ISPR, used naval air assets to perform a boarding operation on a suspicious boat and confiscate the drugs that were concealed in the ship’s hidden compartments.

An estimated one million US dollars is the international market value of the narcotics that were seized.

International shipping lanes were being used to deliver this shipment of drugs.

Within the region’s maritime borders, the Pakistan Navy is always engaged in stopping all types of illicit activity, ISPR continued.

A spokesperson for the ANF Headquarters stated that earlier, during seven operations, another security unit of the nation’s anti-narcotics unit (ANF) seized more than 149 kg of drugs valued at more than Rs 40 million and detained four drug dealers.

He reported that 30 capsules containing heroin had been found in the stomach of a traveler at Peshawar International Airport who was headed to Jeddah.

Another operation resulted in the arrest of a suspect after 31 inebriated tablets were found in a package close to an Islamabad park.

150 grams of ice were found in a package that was shipped to Australia via a Karachi courier service.

90 kilograms of opium and 10 kg of heroin that had been concealed for smuggling were found during an operation in the Balochistani district of Chagai.

In the fifth operation, 45 kg of hashish was found in an uninhabited part of Balochistan’s Coastal Line Pasni. Three kilograms of hashish were found in Hyderabad on a suspect.

During the seventh operation, 500 grams of ice and 1 kilogram of heroin were found in the custody of a biker who was stopped close to the Iqbal Shaheed Toll Plaza Attock.

Additional investigations are underway, and cases have been filed under the Narcotics Control Act against the arrested suspect.

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Outsourcing of Airports: Deputy Prime Minister Commits to Transforming Aviation into a Profitable Sector

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Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has instructed the implementation of all feasible measures to render aviation a viable industry and to enhance service quality for travelers.

He provided these directives while presiding over a meeting in Islamabad concerning the outsourcing of airports and the advancement of the aviation sector.

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Punjab Food Authority Seals Mini-Factory Manufacturing Counterfeit Milk in Nankana Sahib

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5 days ago

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The Punjab Food Authority’s food safety team has sealed a mini-factory manufacturing counterfeit milk and has destroyed thousands of liters of contaminated milk.

The Punjab Food Authority spokeswoman stated that the team executed the operation in the Sayeddwala region of Nankana Sahib.

The food safety team conducted a raid on the milk plant, where counterfeit milk was being produced using hazardous and banned substances.

The crew secured the factory, confiscated the goods, and filed a case against the plant owners at Syedwala Police Station.

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