MoU signed

PESHAWAR, Nov 1: The University of Peshawar has reached agreements with twelve universities and research institutes of South Korea for mutual educational and cultural exchange programmes.

A Memorandum of Understanding in this regard was signed between the presidents/rectors of these institutes and Vice-Chancellor of the UoP Prof Qibla Ayaz during his recent visit to Korea.

Under the agreements, Korean institutes and the UoP would collaborate in carrying out joint research activities and take benefit from resources available with both sides. The two would also exchange faculty and students for training and development.

The Korean institutes have also recognised the UoP as a potential partner for collaboration in mega international projects of mutual interest.

The Korea Pakistan Centre established lately at the Institute of Management Studies would also be made more operational under the agreements, said Dr Qibla Ayaz on his return on Thursday. —Bureau Report

Govt to secure shrines

NOWSHERA, Nov 1: PPP provincial president Senator Anwar Saifullah Khan has said the government is trying what it can to secure the holy places like mosques, shrines and schools from the attacks of terrorists

He claimed that PPP would form the next government without the support of any political party.

“There is no room for other political party in the next government as PPP was following real vision of party founding leader Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and his daughter late Benazir Bhutto,” he told media persons during his visit to meet families of victims of attack on Ziarat Kaka Sahib shrine the other day.

The PPP provincial chief was accompanied by provincial Minister for Excise and Taxation Laiqat Shabab, chief of Kaka Khel tribe Mian Feroz Jamal Shah, Yahya Shah and others.

Mr Saifullah urged the workers to spread the mission of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. —Correspondent

Contractors reject new policy

PESHAWAR, Nov 1: The government contractors belonging to Charsadda district have rejected the pre-qualification condition for awarding of contracts, and alleged officials of communication and works department were awarding contracts to blue-eyed people.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, Mian Masood Shah, a contractor from Charsadda, said the contractors had rejected the new policy of awarding contracts and the condition of pre-qualification for carrying out development works.

Accompanied by other contractors, he maintained that decision was meant to deprive the contractors of their livelihood.

He informed that during 2009-10, there was no such condition for awarding of contracts to small contractors, who he said, had now been deprived of their right to apply for getting contracts under the new policy.

He said the new policy was aimed at paving way for corruption and manipulating the rights of small contractors. —Bureau Report

Women’s share in inheritance

TIMERGARA, Nov 1: Religious scholars have urged the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata to ensure women’s share in inheritance as per the Sharia and teachings of the holy Quran.

They said this while addressing a seminar arranged by a local NGO, the Falahi Tanzeem Ahalian-i-Dherai Talash and the Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) at Talash on Thursday.

President of the Tanzeem Mohammad Ayaz briefed the participants on organisational activities and objectives of the seminar.

The speakers highlighted basic human rights recognised by the holy Quran and Sharia, adding Islam was the first religion that not only recognised women’s rights but also gave due status to them in society.

“Women were deprived of their basic rights before Islam,” said Mr Rahi, adding Quran had clearly specified women share in family property and inheritance. He said western society had been exploiting women one way or the other. —Correspondent