QUETTA: Balochistan government has taken a significant step towards reforms and modernization in the education sector by formally launching the Digital School Census (DSC) and the modern attendance management information system for the first time in the province.

Under the Digital School Census, comprehensive data of all government schools across the province would be digitized under which all important information including school infrastructure, condition of buildings, number of rooms, student enrollment and teacher details would be integrated.

This initiative would not only help in proper planning of the education sector but would also ensure effective utilization of resources.

Similarly, the modern Attendance Management Information System would enable online monitoring of the attendance and performance of administrative officers, which would increase transparency and promote effective monitoring of the education system.

The implementation of this system would also help in improving the quality of governance and strengthening institutional accountability. These modern digital systems were the result of the tireless work, professionalism and integrated strategy of the Performance Management Cell team who played a key role in implementing this vision.

In a unique and encouraging move during the ceremony, Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, instead of inaugurating himself, called the officers of the districts who performed outstandingly in the admission campaign deserving of this honor to come forward in recognition of their services.

He invited Deputy Commissioner of Lasbela District Humaira Baloch, who secured the first position, and Deputy Commissioner of Sherani District Hazrat Wali Kakar, who secured the second position, to the stage and inaugurate the projects.

Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti said on the occasion that the government was committed to the principles of merit, efficiency and transparency and through such measures, not only those who perform best were being encouraged but the entire system was being developed on modern lines.

He reiterated that this series of reforms in the education sector would be continued so that the children of Balochistan could be provided with quality and modern education.

Islamabad: Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon on Sunday dismissed as fake a notification circulating online that claimed all public and private offices in the federal capital and Rawalpindi would remain closed from April 20 until further notice.

At the same time, he clarified that all educational institutions in Islamabad will remain open on Monday, saying no decision has been taken yet regarding their closure.

In a post on X, he urged citizens not to share unverified or misleading information and to rely only on official government sources for updates.

“Citizens are requested to refrain from sharing unverified or fake news. Please rely only on official handles of the district administration, Islamabad, for authentic updates,” he said.

However, a separate late-night notification from the Cabinet Division said all ministries, divisions and federal government offices located in Islamabad’s Red Zone will work from home on April 20.

It added, “All officers and secretarial staff shall remain at the station and be prepared to attend office when required at a short notice.”

In another notification, the Islamabad district magistrate said entry into the Red Zone will remain suspended on April 20. It added that public and private offices, as well as schools in the area, “may adopt a work-from-home arrangement on the said date in order to avoid any inconvenience”.

Police said the Red Zone has been closed to traffic as the capital prepares for possible foreign delegations, with alternative traffic routes in place.

Public and heavy transport in Islamabad has also been suspended until new directions are issued. Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi district administration has suspended all public and goods transport from Sunday noon until further directives.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday said his envoys would arrive in Islamabad on Monday evening, one day before a two-week ceasefire ends.

A White House official had said the US delegation would be headed by Vice President JD Vance, who led the war’s first peace talks a week ago, and also include Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner. Trump had separately told ABC News and MS Now that Vance would not go.

Pakistan, which has served as the main mediator, appeared to be preparing for the talks. Two giant US C-17 cargo planes landed at an air base on Sunday afternoon, carrying security equipment and vehicles in preparation for the US delegation’s arrival, two Pakistani security sources said.

Authorities in the capital city of Islamabad halted public transport and heavy-goods traffic. Barbed wire was rolled out near the Serena Hotel, where last week’s talks were held. The hotel told all guests to leave.

ISLAMABAD: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and University of Central Punjab (UCP), Lahore to strengthen think tank-academia collaboration for promoting young talent through joint research, academic exchange, policy engagement and capacity-building initiatives.

Under the MoU, both institutions will collaborate on research projects, joint publications, conferences and consulting assignments, while providing internship and volunteer opportunities for students and training support for faculty, said a press release issued on Sunday.

The partnership also includes exchange of experts for guest lectures and workshops, access to research and training facilities, participation of students in SDPI’s international sustainable development conference, and joint grant-writing opportunities. Both sides agreed to promote institutional linkages through knowledge sharing, resource facilitation and professional development programmes with financial arrangements for activities to be finalized through separate project-level agreements.

During the virtual MoU signing ceremony, Dr. Sajid Amin Javed, Deputy Executive Director, SDPI and Dr. Mohammad Irfan Ali Fani, Department of Political Science and International Relations, UCP Lahore signed the document.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sajid Amin Javed said the Institute looks forward to build this collaboration strong through effective implementation of this MoU in multiple collaborative domains.

He said SDPI believes that academia is the factor of ideas that nurture and nestle young minds by imparting modern skills and education and generates best talent relevant to the market. “Our partnerships go beyond student internships and consider it beyond that as it involves joint researches, projects and study initiatives, conferences, symposium and seminars of mutual interest,” he added.

He added that the Institute is based in Islamabad and its partners linked through MoUs are its arms and eyes to function within the provinces that also helps it improve its rankings among academic institutions. He said the MoU implementation makes an MoU more effective and SDPI will be extending all-out support in this regard to the UCP.Dr. Mohammad Irfan Ali Fani said think tank and academia collaboration is critical to ensure efficacy of education imparted to students to compete in the market.

He added that UCP students’ association and attachment with the institutions like SDPI will help improve their scope in the industry. “Many industry sector partners hold events and conferences in UCP-Lahore and seminars and SDPI is also welcome to hold such events at our venue,” he said.

Dr. Irfan underlined that the UCP also sends its faculty members in industry and it is mandatory for them to engage with industry to monitor its contemporary trends to impart advanced training to its students.

He also mentioned that the PhD and MPhil students are writing different theses and require data, in the pursuit, those students can serve SDPI’s research endeavours that can benefit both students and SDPI.

Anam Naeem from Career Services Office, UCP said the Office is striving to develop MoUs in the industry and relevant sectors to initiate mutual beneficial collaborations for its students. She hoped that SDPI will collaborate with the University to facilitate its students for internship opportunities, conferences and beyond.