Ahmed Chinoy welcomes export incentives, industrial cost relief measures

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Ahmed Chinoy, Chairman, Pakistan Cloth Merchants Association (PCMA), has welcomed the Prime Minister’s announcement of major relief measures for exporters and the industrial sector, terming them a timely and positive step towards strengthening the country’s export competitiveness and industrial growth. 

He appreciated the government’s decision to reduce the Export Refinance Scheme (ERS) rate by 300 basis points to 4.5% from 7.5%, stating that the move will significantly ease working capital constraints for exporters and improve their ability to compete in international markets. 

He also lauded the reduction of approximately PKR 4 per kWh in industrial electricity tariffs, along with a PKR 4.04 per unit cut in wheeling charges, noting that lower energy costs will provide much-needed relief to industries facing high input costs. 

“These measures send a strong pro-export and pro-industry signal. Reduced financing costs combined with lower energy tariffs will improve liquidity, reduce operational pressures, and enhance competitiveness across key sectors, particularly textiles and other energy-intensive industries,” Ahmed Chinoy observed. 

The PCMA Chairman further noted that the relief package was expected to support export growth, improve debt-servicing capacity for exporters, and contribute to more stable and sustainable industrial activity. While welcoming the announcement, he emphasized the importance of timely and transparent implementation guidelines to ensure that the benefits reach businesses efficiently and without delay. 

“The PCMA looks forward to continued engagement with the government to further strengthen the textile value chain and support sustainable export-led growth,” Ahmed Chinoy concluded.

AKU graduates over 400 students; installs Princess Zahra Aga Khan as Pro-Chancellor

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Aga Khan University (AKH) graduated 461 students from as many as 18 degree programmes at its 38th Convocation in Pakistan and formally installed Princess Zahra Aga Khan as the University’s first Pro-Chancellor. As Pro-Chancellor, Princess Zahra will guide AKU in its continuing efforts to improve quality of life. 

In his message, the AKU’s Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, noted that the AKU and its graduates carry ‘both an extraordinary responsibility and an extraordinary opportunity: to create, to disseminate, and to apply knowledge in ways that improve the quality of human life.’ 

This year saw the graduation of the first cohort from the Institute for Educational Development’s Bachelor of Education programme. 

The programme offers a rigorous blend of academic and field-based learning that prepares graduates to teach effectively in diverse school contexts. 

“The University’s geographic expansion has seen AKU’s presence expand across Pakistan, into more cities and villages than ever before. From Karachi to Matiari, from Lahore to Gilgit, the University’s health care professionals, educators, and researchers are part of the fabric of people’s lives,” the AKU’s Pro-Chancellor, Princess Zahra Aga Khan, remarked. 

The AKU continues to address Pakistan’s critical development challenges through a commitment to access and excellence. With nearly 70 percent of the graduating class being women, the University is actively addressing the gender gap in a country where millions of girls remain out of school. 

Muhammad Taha Nasim thanked the AKU’s faculty, noting how they challenged graduates to ‘reach our highest standards while teaching us that excellence without empathy is empty.’ 

The AKU’s graduates are filling important workforce gaps. For example, in a country with a nurse-to-population ratio of just 5.2 per 10,000, the AKU alumni now hold high-level leadership positions in approximately 80 schools of nursing and midwifery. 

In 2025, the AKU secured more than USD$100 million in research funding, a sign that leading global institutions hold its research capabilities in high regard. Across AKU, 27 faculty members were ranked among the top two percent of scientists globally in a well-known study conducted by a researcher at Stanford University. 

“Pakistan’s young people are inclusive, comfortable across faiths and perspectives, and aware that a divided society cannot meet shared challenges. Digitally fluent, they see technology not as disruption but as opportunity to expand knowledge, build skills, and apply learning in practical ways,” Dr Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of the AKU, noted. 

 To ensure talented students with limited financial means are able to attend AKU, the University provides financial assistance, to a large portion of the student body. 

In the last academic year, the University provided assistance to 72 percent of students across all classes and programmes in Pakistan. Noorish Khan, Syeda Tasmiya Mohiuddin, Dr. Hamzah Jehanzeb, and Sara Karim Sadruddin received Best Graduate Awards in their respective undergraduate programmes in Dental Hygiene, Education, Medicine, and Nursing. 

Also present at the ceremony was Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, Founding President of AKU and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Asia, a sister university of AKU within the Aga Khan Development Network. 

The University conferred Awards of Distinction upon several faculty and staff, recognizing their sustained contributions to innovation, research and leadership. 

Professor Emeritus Mushtaq Ahmed received the President’s Medal, one of AKU’s highest honours, in recognition of his extraordinary service as an eminent surgeon and academic leader.

Senator Dr Sarmad Ali conferred doctorate degree by Greenwich University

By Dr Beenish Khalid

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Senator Dr Sarmad Ali, one of the icons of the media industry, was conferred doctorate degree by Greenwich University, in recognition of his exceptional track record, during the 17th Convocation of the institution held at the Sindh Governor House in Karachi on January 17. 

On the occasion, honorary degrees, Honoris Causa, were also awarded to Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, Zafar Masud, and Jerjees Seja for services in their respective fields. The Governor of Sindh, Kamran Khan Tessori, was the chief guest in the ceremony which was declared open by the Chancellor of Greenwich University, Dr Seema Mughal. 

Senator Dr Sarmad Ali, Managing Director, Jang Media Group, was lavishly praised by the fellow high-achievers in advertising and marketing arena like Senator Javed Jabbar, Numan Nabi Ahmed and Ahmed Kapadia. 

Having headed the marketing arm of Jang Group, the leaders in newspaper and media sector in Pakistan, with distinction for over three decades, he has also played a pivotal role in energizing the print as well as electronic media in general. 

He is currently the President of the All-Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), besides being the Chair of Library Committee at the Senate of Pakistan. He has been instrumental in the successful takeoff of the Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries (KFBL) and remains committed to play his part in launching similar events in Lahore and Islamabad, besides other cities, later this year.

Greenwich University celebrates 17th Convocation at Governor House

By Dr Beenish Khalid

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Greenwich University, living upto its big reputation, organized its 17th Convocation with usual grace and enthusiasm at the Sindh Governor House in Karachi on January 17. 

As many as 501 degrees were awarded on the occasion which included 362 undergraduates, 82 graduates and 57 post graduates in various disciplines. 

Gold medals were presented to 35 students in recognition of their outstanding performance in front of the dignitaries, diplomats and, most importantly, their parents. 

On the occasion, honorary degrees, Honoris Causa, were conferred to the eminent quartet of Senator Sarmad Ali, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan, Zafar Masud, and Jerjees Seja for their monumental contributions in their respective fields while gold medals were also given to the Consul Generals of various countries. 

The Governor of Sindh, Kamran Khan Tessori, was the chief guest of the evening. His inspirational speech, also touching social practices, was warmly applauded by the audience. 

He congratulated the graduating students and urged them to work proactively to launch their careers on solid footing. 

He appreciated the efforts of Greenwich University in promoting academic excellence, building leadership skills, and preparing students for the challenges of the modern world. 

The Chancellor of Greenwich University, Dr Seema Mughal, in her address, observed that the university, for nearly four decades since the establishment in 1987, has remained committed to education by continuously evolving, adapting, and serving generations of students. 

She highlighted that the university has carried out extensive work in sustainable development across social, economic, and environmental domains at national, regional, and global levels. 

Dr Seema Mughal further remarked that behind every graduate standing there were years of patience, sacrifice, prayers, and unconditional support from their parents, whose fundamental role in shaping the success of their children merited recognition. 

The theme of the convocation ‘Fasal-e-Gul’ symbolized renewal and growth, as it aims to rejuvenate a positive image of our beloved country among the youth. 

Fireworks followed the declaration of closure of the Convocation 2026 by the Chancellor and the graduating students celebrated the dream moment of their life in a befitting manner.

It was a day to remember for everyone present on the occasion because the event was so nicely held at the lawns of the historic Governor House in the most pleasant of weather conditions. 

Greenwich University gearing up for convocation on January 17

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Greenwich University, having emerged as one of the leading educational institutions of the country in the private sector, is set to organize its 17th Convocation at the Sindh Governor House on January 17. 

The details about the upcoming event, besides sharing an overview of the progress made by the university over the years, were unveiled in a media briefing by Seema Mughal, Chancellor, Greenwich University, at the campus on January 10. 

She appreciated the presence of a large contingent of media at the presser, and extended them the invitation to attend and cover the convocation at the Governor House. 

The Convocation 2026 follows the theme of ‘Fasl-e-Gul’ as it intends to rejuvenate the positive image of the beloved country amongst the youth in particular. 

Elaborating upon the programme, she Chancellor revealed that the Greenwich University’s Convocation 2026 was expected to witness over 500 successful scholars at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, phasing into their professional lives. 

As many as 25 high achievers will receive Gold Medals for their outstanding academic and co-curricular performance. The gold medals, she added, have been sponsored by the industry. 

With conferment of Associate, Undergraduate, Graduate, M.Phil, and Ph.D. degrees, the Convocation will also honour the parents of graduates, the graduates for their achievements, and overall, the efforts of Greenwich fraternity in nurturing the Pakistani youth for the betterment of society. 

During the interactive session, Chancellor Seema Mughal, spoke about the significance of inculcating values among the students in order to make them better citizens. 

“The students will become more responsible, productive and compassionate when they are paid the due attention and taught these vital aspects by the teachers as well as parents,” she reckoned. 

Dr Naveed Mughal, Provost, Greenwich University, and Dr Rab Nawaz, Director, Quality Assurance, Greenwich University, also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the accomplishments of their institution in the recent past.

Public defence of PhD theses at Greenwich University on January 8

By Iqbal Jamil 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The public defence of PhD theses will be held at the main campus of the Greenwich University in Karachi on January 8. It will feature doctoral candidates from the academic departments of economics, education and business administration. 

Four PhD scholars will be defending their thesis publicly at the department of economics while there will be three and two candidates at the departments of business administration and education respectively. 

The faculty members, researchers, students, academicians, and members of the general public have been cordially invited to attend this important academic event. The event reflects Greenwich University’s commitment to research excellence, transparency, and scholarly engagement. 

It may be recalled that the Greenwich University had started its cherished journey in 1987 with a mission to alleviate illiteracy from the country. It became an autonomous degree-awarding varsity in 1998 under the Act of Sindh Government. It is ranked among the top business universities in Pakistan with global outreach, making it an internationally acclaimed institution of higher-learning.