SWABI: Two young relatives belonging to Peshawar drowned in the Pehur High Level Canal while beating the heat here on Monday, a Rescue 1122 official said.

He said that a divers’ team dispatched to the area immediately after the incident retrieved the bodies. The deceased were identified as Mohammad Hayat, 26, and Abdul Hafeez, 31.

EVENT: Provincial caretaker minister for science and technology Shahid Khan Khattak has affirmed the government’s commitment to fostering innovation.

He was speaking at an event at the Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology here on Monday.

The three-day Zindgi event, jointly launched by the GIK Institute, Directorate General of Science and Technology and a private bank, showcased talented students, cutting-edge research and new ideas from across Pakistan.

The minister praised the projects and talent on display, underscoring science and technology’s key role in economic progress. He stressed the importance of supporting young innovators financially and through encouragement.

“Seeing such dedicated young minds fills me with immense pride,” he said. “Their ideas could catalyse breakthroughs in respective fields. The provincial government is committed to supporting such talent and institutions like GIK Institute moulding future leaders.”

Rector GIK Institute Dr Fazal Ahmad Khalid echoed the need for government support to stimulate innovation and enable youth contributions to national progress. He urged financial backing and a nurturing environment for innovative student projects.

“Government support is critical for research and innovation growth,” Dr Khalid affirmed. “With the right support, we can enable youth to play a pivotal role in national progress.”

The event concluded with an awards ceremony, recognising the outstanding students.

The University of Science and Technology, Peshawar, team claimed the top Rs100,000 prize for their innovative project. Other winners included Fatima Jinnah University Rawalpindi and CECOS University, Peshawar, students, who received the prize of Rs50,000 each.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2023