ISLAMABAD: A spokesperson for the Pakistani chapter of COMSTECH, the Ministerial Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), told Arab News on Wednesday the institution would give 500 fully funded scholarships to Palestinian students and scholars over the next two years.
COMSTECH was established by 57 OIC member states at the platform’s Islamic Summit in Makkah in 1981. One of its main goals is to enhance member states’ capabilities in science and technology.
The scholarships for Palestinian students were first announced on Tuesday by Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, the COMSTECH coordinator general in Islamabad.
The new grants are not a part of the existing quota of 100 yearly scholarships reserved for Palestinian students by the Pakistani government but new scholarships which COMSTECH has launched under a special program to cover research fellowships, technician training and workshop grants for all disciplines.
“These are 500 fully funded scholarships which will be given to undergraduate and postgraduate level students in partnership with the Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan (APSUP), and member institutions of the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence,” COMSTECH media adviser Murtaza Noor told Arab News, explaining that the initiative by the OIC-established institution was being supported by 24 private and 14 public sector Pakistani universities.
“The work on scholarships will start by the end of this month and they will be offered in the coming academic year, which is starting from September this year at most universities,” Noor said. “Each scholarship will cost around one million Pakistani rupees on average,” he added, saying that the amount could be increased depending on the discipline and whether the student planned to attend a private or a public university.
Noor said COMSTECH had decided to launch the initiative given that years of violence and conflict had “systematically destroyed the educational and socio-economic infrastructures of the Palestinian state.”
“In order to support them, COMSTECH has taken this initiative as higher education is our mandate and we want to provide them modern education at the best Pakistani universities,” Noor said. “We will cover students’ travel, other logistics, stay, academics and all other expenses.”
He said students needed to be residents of the state of Palestine or Palestinian refugees to be eligible for the scholarships.
“For selection, students shall meet eligibility criteria of the university for their respective discipline,” Noor said. “COMSTECH is establishing a project management unit with collaboration of universities to implement the scholarship scheme. We will also involve Palestinian embassy in Islamabad in the selection process to verify the nationality of these students.”
Palestinian Ambassador to Pakistan Ahmed Rabei conveyed his gratitude to Pakistan for providing the opportunity to Palestinian students to study at its institutions.
“We are grateful to Pakistan for opening up its educational institutions for Palestinian students,” the envoy said. “Our thanks go to COMSTECH for it’s initiative in cooperation with the government of Pakistan. This new scholarships scheme will be very beneficial for Palestinian students.”
OIC-backed institution announces 500 scholarships for Palestinians at Pakistani universities
https://arab.news/y2ej2
OIC-backed institution announces 500 scholarships for Palestinians at Pakistani universities
- COMSTECH established by OIC states at 1981 Islamic Summit with goal of enhancing member states’ capabilities in science and tech
- Scholarship initiative for Palestine residents and refugees will roll out over two years, supported by 24 private and 14 public universities
Pakistan orders four-day workweek, shuts schools to save fuel amid Middle East oil crisis
- The development comes as ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran disrupt oil supplies in Strait of Hormuz, push prices past $119 a barrel
- Islamabad bans government purchases, cuts fuel allocation for vehicles as well as workforce in public and private offices by 50 percent
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday announced austerity measures, including a four-day work week, cuts in government expenditures and closure of schools, to offset the impact of rising global oil prices due to an ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Global fuel supply lines have been disrupted in the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies nearly a fourth of world oil consumption, after Tehran blocked it following United States-Israeli strikes on Iran and counterattacks against US interests in the Gulf region.
Oil prices surged more than 25 percent globally on Monday to $119.50 a barrel, the highest levels since mid-2022, as some major producers cut supplies and fears of prolonged shipping disruptions gripped the market due to the expanding US-Israeli war with Iran.
In his televised address on Sunday night, Sharif said global oil prices were expected to rise again in the coming days but vowed not to let the people bear their brunt, announcing austerity measures to lessen the impact of fuel price hikes.
“Fifty percent staff in public and private entities will work from home,” he announced, adding this would not be applicable to essential services. “Offices will remain open for four days a week. One-day additional off is being given to conserve oil, but it would not be applicable to banks.”
Sharif didn’t specify working days of the week and the government was likely to issue a notification in this regard.
He said a decrease of 50 percent was being made in fuel allocation for government vehicles immediately for the next two months, but they would not include ambulances and public buses.
“Cabinet members, advisers and special assistants will not draw salaries for the next two months, 25 percent salaries of parliamentarians are being deducted, two-day salaries of Grade 20 and above officers, or those who are paid Rs300,000 ($1,067) a month, are being deducted for public relief,” he said.
Similarly, there will be 20 percent reduction in public department expenses and a complete ban on the purchase of cars, furniture, air conditioners and other goods, according to the prime minister.
Foreign trips of ministers and other government officials will also be banned along with government dinners and iftar buffets, while teleconferences and online meetings will be given priority.
“All schools will be off for two weeks, starting from the end of this week, and all higher education institutions should immediately begin online classes,” he said.
Sharif’s comments were aired hours after Pakistani authorities said the country had “comfortable levels” of petroleum stocks and the supply chains were functioning smoothly, despite intensifying Middle East conflict.
Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik said three oil shipments were due to reach Pakistan this week, state media reported.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Navy (PN) launched ‘Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr’ to safeguard national energy shipments, the Pakistani military said on Monday, amid disruptions to critical sea lanes due to the conflict.
The navy is conducting escort operations in close coordination with the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing. It is fully cognizant of the prevailing maritime situation and is actively monitoring and controlling the movement of merchant vessels to ensure their safe and secure transit.
“With approximately 90 percent of Pakistan’s trade conducted via sea, the operation aims to ensure that vital sea routes remain safe, secure, and uninterrupted,” the ISPR said on Monday. “Currently, PN ships are escorting 2 x Merchant Vessels, one of which is scheduled to arrive Karachi today.”
