TOBA TEK SINGH: The Technical Education & Vocational Training Authority (Tevta) should formulate market driven syllabus by using artificial intelligence (AI) to make it flexible and progressive to cater the domestic as well as export needs, said Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) Vice President Asim Munir.

He was addressing a meeting with Tevta officials on Tuesday.

He also discussed new diploma courses to be started at the Faisalabad Government College of Technology Samanabad and Government College of Technology Chiniot. He expressed satisfaction that industrial units were hiring highly-skilled human resources to improve the quality of their products.

“The government should increase the number of technical institutions to train maximum human resource in this field,” he said and added that Tevta must give priority to AI in all relevant fields to get benefits of the emerging technologies and skills. He recommended introducing three-year mechanical, electrical, civil, glass & ceramics technology diplomas and a two-year food technology and health safety & environment courses.

He further said that collaboration between the FCCI and Tevta could play a key role in modernising technical education in accordance with the industrial requirements.

Government College of Technology Samanabad Principal Arshad Swan, Tevta Assistant Director Ayesha Iqbal and Tevta District Placement Office Asghar Ali also spoke on the occasion.

BALOCH CULTURE: The University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) hosted an Iftar dinner for Baloch students on the eve of Baloch culture day.

Punjab Higher Education Commission Chairperson Dr Iqrar Ahmad Khan, Commissioner Raja Jahangir Anwar, and UAF VC Dr Zulfiqar Ali were the guests of honour.

Dr Iqrar said that all possible efforts were being made to expose the younger generation to modern sciences and achieve a knowledge-based economy.

The commissioner said that the culture day was a reflection of the identity, traditions and great historical heritage. He said that the youth should make all out efforts to acquire modern knowledge and make tangible research by adapting to the demands of the present era.

Dr Zulfiqar said that brotherhood and unity in the society were a prerequisite to address different challenges. He said that the university organised the programme to highlight the Baloch culture.

Baloch students presented beautiful cultural tableaus in their traditional dresses and presented Balochi poems.

ARRESTED: A vagabond was arrested for allegedly raping a six-year-old girl in the Mehdi Town locality in Samundri on Tuesday.

Police claimed that the accused lured the child to a deserted place and fled after raping her. The girl was shifted to the Samundri THQ Hospital.

A Samundri City police team led by lady sub inspector Rabia Shahzadi traced the whereabouts of the accused and arrested him in a successful raid. A case had been registered against him under section 376 of PPC.

Published in Dawn, March 4th, 2026