Departments asked to follow timeline for ADP formulation

LAHORE: Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, on Friday, directed all the departments to ensure following the timelines issued in connection with the formulation of the Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2024-25.

He gave this instruction while presiding over a meeting of the Administrative Secretaries Committee held at the Civil Secretariat. The meeting reviewed, in detail, the formulation of the Annual Development Programme 2024-25.

The chief secretary said that every department should prepare at least five high-impact projects and three public-private partnership schemes. He mentioned that public interest must be taken into account while preparing the uplift projects.

He said that there are vast opportunities for public private partnership in education, health and energy sectors. Planning and Development Chairman Iftikhar Sahu gave a briefing and said that the guidelines had been issued in connection with the formulation of the Annual Development Programme 2024-25 and the financial ceiling had been fixed for each department. The Additional Chief Secretary (South Punjab), Senior Member Board of Revenue and administrative secretaries of all departments participated in the meeting.

HEC holds debating contest

The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan has organised regional round of Pakistan Universities Debating Competition at Khorana Auditorium of Punjab University Institute of Chemistry.

On this occasion, Punjab University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, HEC’s Regional Director Ghafoor Ahmed, Director PU Directorate of Students Affairs Dr Muhammad Ali Klasra, faculty members and students were present.

University of Sargodha won first position in Urdu declamation contest while University of Child Health Sciences bagged second position. Punjab University won the third position in the Urdu declamation competitions. In English debates, King Edward Medical College Lahore won the first position, Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design second and Government College University Lahore won the third position. Students from 48 universities participated in the competitions.

In his address, PU VC Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood praised the HEC for organising successful competitions. He said that such activities improve the hidden abilities of students. He said that PU would continue to play its role in increasing the skills of students with education. HEC Director Ghafoor Ahmed while congratulating the successful students said that to take the country forward, constructive and critical thinking must be highlighted among the students.