Transforming lives: Zeeshan from Silgan
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8UyE2-tNVA
Zeeshan from Silgan, a remote valley of Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan, suffered from severe nose bleeding and heart palpitations as a child hailing. The local healthcare provider had little hope that he would survive beyond a month, and advised the family to take Zeeshan to Karachi for advanced treatment. With few resources, his mother prayed for a miracle.
In difficult times, the Socio Economic Development Programme (SEDP) provides financial assistance for healthcare and sustenance to help vulnerable patients like Zeeshan and their families. SEDP is an initiative of the Ismaili Council for Pakistan which aims to uplift marginalised communities living in the mountainous regions of Pakistan from the vicious generational cycle of poverty.
PAKISTAN INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Prime Minister Imran Khan lays the foundation for Hunza’s first IT Park
Gilgit, Pakistan, 30 April 2021 - Prime Minister Imran Khan today unveiled the plaque at a ceremony in Chinarbagh, Gilgit to lay the foundation of Hunza’s first Information Technology Park located in Nasirabad, Hunza. Established jointly by Special Communications Organization of the Government of Pakistan and the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan, the IT Park in Hunza will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure with un-interrupted power supply, high-speed internet facility and a co-working space for small and growing businesses, start-ups, freelancers, and chamber of commerce.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, while highlighting the opportunities in Gilgit-Baltistan, said, “I am pleased to witness the recent remarkable developments in the communication & information technology sector, which is reflected in the development of mobile services such as the launch of 4G and broadband services, as well as digital solutions related to cloud-based data centers, and these are all indicators of very positive progress in the region.”
The event was attended by Asad Umar, Federal Minister Planning and Development, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Major General Muhammad Shahid Siddeeq, DG Special Communications Organisation, Colonel Imran Mansoor, Sector Commander SCO Gilgit, Hafiz Sherali, President, Ismaili Council for Pakistan, Akhtar Iqbal, CEO Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan, Air Commodore Waqar Ahmed, Director Operations and External Affairs, Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan, Hammad Bin Abdul Khaliq, Joint Director Incubation, Punjab Information Technology Board and Osman Nasir, MD, Pakistan Software Export Board.
Major General Shahid Siddeeq, Director General of Pakistan’s Special Communications Organisation informed the participants about multiple projects by the Organisation in the region which include the China Optical Fiber Link, Fiber-to-Home Service, Satellite Communications for Remote Areas, Cloud-based Data Centre, Incubation Centre and IT Parks. Talking about the foundation of the IT Park in Hunza, he mentioned that they aim to create a web of such IT Parks which “will provide the youth an opportunity to stand on their feet and bring revolution in the software industry.”
The IT Park will strengthen cooperation between SCO, AKF and other Aga Khan Development Network agencies with the shared objectives of sustainable socio-economic development of Gilgit Baltistan through reliable internet and telecom infrastructure. It will enable the youth of the region to prepare for the digital-driven future of work opportunities in areas such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and other emerging areas. Business Process Outsourcing services and global software solutions from such IT Parks will boost local economic development in the areas.
Highlighting the significance of the IT Park, Akhtar Iqbal, CEO, AKF Pakistan, said, “the future of work is evolving fast, driven by exponential technological changes. Gilgit Baltistan has the potential to capitalise on the rapid changes by strengthening IT infrastructure which will act as the building block for digitally transforming the region’s economy.”
Strengthening the IT infrastructure will open access to increased knowledge for developing digital competencies and lead to global networking and collaboration for remote work, online marketplaces, and other national and global business opportunities
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/prim ... st-it-park
Gilgit, Pakistan, 30 April 2021 - Prime Minister Imran Khan today unveiled the plaque at a ceremony in Chinarbagh, Gilgit to lay the foundation of Hunza’s first Information Technology Park located in Nasirabad, Hunza. Established jointly by Special Communications Organization of the Government of Pakistan and the Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan, the IT Park in Hunza will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure with un-interrupted power supply, high-speed internet facility and a co-working space for small and growing businesses, start-ups, freelancers, and chamber of commerce.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, while highlighting the opportunities in Gilgit-Baltistan, said, “I am pleased to witness the recent remarkable developments in the communication & information technology sector, which is reflected in the development of mobile services such as the launch of 4G and broadband services, as well as digital solutions related to cloud-based data centers, and these are all indicators of very positive progress in the region.”
The event was attended by Asad Umar, Federal Minister Planning and Development, Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Sania Nishtar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation, Major General Muhammad Shahid Siddeeq, DG Special Communications Organisation, Colonel Imran Mansoor, Sector Commander SCO Gilgit, Hafiz Sherali, President, Ismaili Council for Pakistan, Akhtar Iqbal, CEO Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan, Air Commodore Waqar Ahmed, Director Operations and External Affairs, Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan, Hammad Bin Abdul Khaliq, Joint Director Incubation, Punjab Information Technology Board and Osman Nasir, MD, Pakistan Software Export Board.
Major General Shahid Siddeeq, Director General of Pakistan’s Special Communications Organisation informed the participants about multiple projects by the Organisation in the region which include the China Optical Fiber Link, Fiber-to-Home Service, Satellite Communications for Remote Areas, Cloud-based Data Centre, Incubation Centre and IT Parks. Talking about the foundation of the IT Park in Hunza, he mentioned that they aim to create a web of such IT Parks which “will provide the youth an opportunity to stand on their feet and bring revolution in the software industry.”
The IT Park will strengthen cooperation between SCO, AKF and other Aga Khan Development Network agencies with the shared objectives of sustainable socio-economic development of Gilgit Baltistan through reliable internet and telecom infrastructure. It will enable the youth of the region to prepare for the digital-driven future of work opportunities in areas such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and other emerging areas. Business Process Outsourcing services and global software solutions from such IT Parks will boost local economic development in the areas.
Highlighting the significance of the IT Park, Akhtar Iqbal, CEO, AKF Pakistan, said, “the future of work is evolving fast, driven by exponential technological changes. Gilgit Baltistan has the potential to capitalise on the rapid changes by strengthening IT infrastructure which will act as the building block for digitally transforming the region’s economy.”
Strengthening the IT infrastructure will open access to increased knowledge for developing digital competencies and lead to global networking and collaboration for remote work, online marketplaces, and other national and global business opportunities
https://www.akdn.org/press-release/prim ... st-it-park
Harnessing the potential of science and technology in Pakistan
Through various initiatives, AKDN and Jamati institutions are helping increase rates of digital literacy in Pakistan and beyond.
Embracing new technologies and investing in innovation is perhaps no longer a choice, but a necessity. In line with this view, Imamat and Jamati institutions in Pakistan are harnessing the potential of digital transformation to improve lives across the region.
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) recently collaborated with the Government of Pakistan’s Special Communications Organisation (SCO) to open an IT Park in the Hunza District of Gilgit-Baltistan. The state-of-the-art facility — a first of its kind in the region — will provide a digital infrastructure with an uninterrupted power supply, high-speed Internet connectivity, and a co-working space for small to medium-sized enterprises, start-up companies, and freelancers.
The plaque unveiling ceremony was led by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Imran Khan, attesting not only to the significance of the programme in promoting socio-economic growth in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, but is also to the strong relationship between AKDN and the Government of Pakistan in pledging resources to promote the digital economy and IT infrastructure in Pakistan.
During the ceremony, the Prime Minister said, “I am pleased to witness the recent remarkable developments in the communication and information technology sector, which is reflected in the development of mobile services such as the launch of 4G and broadband services, as well as digital solutions related to cloud-based data centres, and these are all indicators of very positive progress in the region.”
Likewise, Jamati institutions in Pakistan, particularly the Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB), are also playing a pivotal role in enhancing knowledge and skills related to science and technology within the Jamat. One of the core priorities of AKEB is to promote interdisciplinary education in the Jamat by focusing on a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum. Adopted as a global best practice, the STEM curriculum can nurture the cognitive and psychological capabilities of youth by building critical life skills including creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, critical and analytical thinking, digital literacy, and leadership.
Through various platforms, AKEB is preparing Ismaili students for STEM-related careers, currently in high demand in both developed and developing countries. For example, AKEB for the Central Region conducted an innovative virtual programme entitled ‘Scientists of Tomorrow’ during the Covid-19 pandemic for students in grades one to eight. The programme helped students to reconnect with education whilst schools were temporarily closed, encouraging them to use domestic resources for learning essential concepts in science, such as density and surface tension of water, wind energy, air pressure, acid rain, and more. Over 150 students participated in the programme, after which 13 participants also took part in the Global STEM Festival.
Similarly, AKEB for the South Region collaborated with ‘Science Fuse’ to launch the Year of Science for students in grades two to seven. Science Fuse is a social enterprise that aims to promote science education as an option for youth to spend their leisure time. The curriculum featured an eight-week project, introducing students to a new hands-on science topic or experiment each week. After the course, participants were inspired to channel their curiosity to learn more about science and research.
Recently, AKEB successfully adopted an approach to introduce robotics and promote STEM-based education. Robotic projects provide students the opportunity to unleash their creativity by working in teams to solve complex problems using a basic set of instructions and their own scientific knowledge. During the pandemic, a virtual robotics programme was launched in which 13 students engaged in online classes and physically convened together towards the end of the course to share their learning. Moving forward, AKEB aims to expand its robotics programme to encourage Jamati students to explore a wide spectrum of scientific concepts including distance, speed, principle of pulleys, inertia, elasticity, and more advanced computation and engineering concepts.
Through these initiatives, AKDN and Jamati institutions are unleashing the potential of science and technology and contributing to growing rates of digital literacy.
https://the.ismaili/global/news/institu ... y-pakistan
Through various initiatives, AKDN and Jamati institutions are helping increase rates of digital literacy in Pakistan and beyond.
Embracing new technologies and investing in innovation is perhaps no longer a choice, but a necessity. In line with this view, Imamat and Jamati institutions in Pakistan are harnessing the potential of digital transformation to improve lives across the region.
The Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) recently collaborated with the Government of Pakistan’s Special Communications Organisation (SCO) to open an IT Park in the Hunza District of Gilgit-Baltistan. The state-of-the-art facility — a first of its kind in the region — will provide a digital infrastructure with an uninterrupted power supply, high-speed Internet connectivity, and a co-working space for small to medium-sized enterprises, start-up companies, and freelancers.
The plaque unveiling ceremony was led by the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr Imran Khan, attesting not only to the significance of the programme in promoting socio-economic growth in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, but is also to the strong relationship between AKDN and the Government of Pakistan in pledging resources to promote the digital economy and IT infrastructure in Pakistan.
During the ceremony, the Prime Minister said, “I am pleased to witness the recent remarkable developments in the communication and information technology sector, which is reflected in the development of mobile services such as the launch of 4G and broadband services, as well as digital solutions related to cloud-based data centres, and these are all indicators of very positive progress in the region.”
Likewise, Jamati institutions in Pakistan, particularly the Aga Khan Education Board (AKEB), are also playing a pivotal role in enhancing knowledge and skills related to science and technology within the Jamat. One of the core priorities of AKEB is to promote interdisciplinary education in the Jamat by focusing on a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) curriculum. Adopted as a global best practice, the STEM curriculum can nurture the cognitive and psychological capabilities of youth by building critical life skills including creativity, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, critical and analytical thinking, digital literacy, and leadership.
Through various platforms, AKEB is preparing Ismaili students for STEM-related careers, currently in high demand in both developed and developing countries. For example, AKEB for the Central Region conducted an innovative virtual programme entitled ‘Scientists of Tomorrow’ during the Covid-19 pandemic for students in grades one to eight. The programme helped students to reconnect with education whilst schools were temporarily closed, encouraging them to use domestic resources for learning essential concepts in science, such as density and surface tension of water, wind energy, air pressure, acid rain, and more. Over 150 students participated in the programme, after which 13 participants also took part in the Global STEM Festival.
Similarly, AKEB for the South Region collaborated with ‘Science Fuse’ to launch the Year of Science for students in grades two to seven. Science Fuse is a social enterprise that aims to promote science education as an option for youth to spend their leisure time. The curriculum featured an eight-week project, introducing students to a new hands-on science topic or experiment each week. After the course, participants were inspired to channel their curiosity to learn more about science and research.
Recently, AKEB successfully adopted an approach to introduce robotics and promote STEM-based education. Robotic projects provide students the opportunity to unleash their creativity by working in teams to solve complex problems using a basic set of instructions and their own scientific knowledge. During the pandemic, a virtual robotics programme was launched in which 13 students engaged in online classes and physically convened together towards the end of the course to share their learning. Moving forward, AKEB aims to expand its robotics programme to encourage Jamati students to explore a wide spectrum of scientific concepts including distance, speed, principle of pulleys, inertia, elasticity, and more advanced computation and engineering concepts.
Through these initiatives, AKDN and Jamati institutions are unleashing the potential of science and technology and contributing to growing rates of digital literacy.
https://the.ismaili/global/news/institu ... y-pakistan
Environmental sustainability: Restoring the natural world
In a recent poem by Jordan Sanchez, Reimagine, Recreate, Restore, she reminds us, “We are a fraction of a second in Earth’s lifetime, yet she is our only lifeline.” In an effort to align with this thinking, Ismaili youth, governmental and civil society institutions, and AKDN agencies in Pakistan are working hand-in-hand to reimagine our lifestyles, recreate our approaches, and restore our ecosystems.
Communities across the world, whether they reside in mountains, deserts, pastures, urban settlements, or coastal areas, are affected by changes in the natural environment, mainly due to climate change. The natural environment has been particularly exploited by human activity in the last few decades. We cannot turn back time, but as a united global society, we can reflect on our personal and social priorities to take responsibility for a healthier environment. After all, a conducive natural environment is a precursor to ensuring an improved quality of life for humanity.
Recognising the growing challenges of environmental sustainability, the world has joined hands to commemorate the United Nations (UN) Decade on Ecosystem Restoration from 2020-2030. This year was particularly important for Pakistan, as it hosted World Environment Day and called on the global community to focus on ecosystem restoration around the theme of “Reimagine. Recreate. Restore.”
Aligned with the global efforts on environmental sustainability and the Government of Pakistan’s role in spearheading the environmental cause, the Ismaili community launched the Ismaili CIVIC initiative in Pakistan under the theme of environmental protection. A flagship activity is ‘Darakht se Hayat’ (Tree for Life), under which community members worked with representatives from the public, private, and civil society sectors to plant over 162,000 trees across Pakistan.
At the forefront of all activities under the Ismaili CIVIC initiative are the young Ismaili Boy Scouts and Girl Guides who, along with their peers from the sister communities, play a major role in contributing towards environmental sustainability through awareness walks, garbage collection, and planting trees in local settlements. Environmental stewardship is a crucial aspect of the Islamic ethos, with a rich historical tradition in Muslim history, and the practice is continuing among Ismaili youth engaged in institutional initiatives from an early age.
For instance, in 2019, the Ismaili Girl Guides in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, were recognised by the Pakistan Girl Guides Association (PGGA) and won a national award for their unique clean-up project to tackle the increasing pollution in Hunza due primarily to the influx of tourists. Adopting a comprehensive approach, the Girl Guides raised funds by making and selling handicrafts and homemade treats. They joined hands to clear the litter in areas by installing dustbins and arranging walks and other community-based initiatives to educate locals on how to keep the area clean.
Similarly, the Ismaili Boy Scouts across Pakistan have pioneered several projects such as cleaning the beaches and public areas, awareness campaigns and innovative social impact concepts for a healthy environment. Such activities contribute towards a cleaner, greener environment, and also empower the younger generations to act as responsible global citizens who take ownership for the natural environment.
In addition to the Ismaili community Institutions, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) has been working for nearly four decades for the mountain communities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral in Pakistan to contribute towards environmental sustainability. AKRSP has gained national and international recognition for its community-centric programmes on natural resource management, micro-hydel energy and improved agricultural practices in close collaboration with public, private and civil society stakeholders.
The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) has also led several initiatives to address climate change issues and contribute towards environmental sustainability. For instance, AKAH has initiated community-based infrastructure initiatives for water and sanitation, benefitting over half a million people in the mountain communities in Pakistan. Recently, AKAH is also supporting the Government of Pakistan in its ambitious efforts to plant 50 million trees in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Appreciating the commitment of AKAH in addressing the issues related to climate change, David Ireland, Chief Executive of World Habitat, noted, “What makes AKAH’s work exceptional is that it’s not just responding to the effects of the climate emergency but is being proactive in protecting people from its effects - through using technology and the knowledge of the communities themselves…The potential for this approach to be adapted and used in similar areas in Pakistan and elsewhere is absolutely huge.”
Collective efforts to preserve the natural environment of Pakistan, and of the world, are the responsibility of every citizen. Remember, protecting the planet starts with us all.
https://the.ismaili/global/news/feature ... ural-world
In a recent poem by Jordan Sanchez, Reimagine, Recreate, Restore, she reminds us, “We are a fraction of a second in Earth’s lifetime, yet she is our only lifeline.” In an effort to align with this thinking, Ismaili youth, governmental and civil society institutions, and AKDN agencies in Pakistan are working hand-in-hand to reimagine our lifestyles, recreate our approaches, and restore our ecosystems.
Communities across the world, whether they reside in mountains, deserts, pastures, urban settlements, or coastal areas, are affected by changes in the natural environment, mainly due to climate change. The natural environment has been particularly exploited by human activity in the last few decades. We cannot turn back time, but as a united global society, we can reflect on our personal and social priorities to take responsibility for a healthier environment. After all, a conducive natural environment is a precursor to ensuring an improved quality of life for humanity.
Recognising the growing challenges of environmental sustainability, the world has joined hands to commemorate the United Nations (UN) Decade on Ecosystem Restoration from 2020-2030. This year was particularly important for Pakistan, as it hosted World Environment Day and called on the global community to focus on ecosystem restoration around the theme of “Reimagine. Recreate. Restore.”
Aligned with the global efforts on environmental sustainability and the Government of Pakistan’s role in spearheading the environmental cause, the Ismaili community launched the Ismaili CIVIC initiative in Pakistan under the theme of environmental protection. A flagship activity is ‘Darakht se Hayat’ (Tree for Life), under which community members worked with representatives from the public, private, and civil society sectors to plant over 162,000 trees across Pakistan.
At the forefront of all activities under the Ismaili CIVIC initiative are the young Ismaili Boy Scouts and Girl Guides who, along with their peers from the sister communities, play a major role in contributing towards environmental sustainability through awareness walks, garbage collection, and planting trees in local settlements. Environmental stewardship is a crucial aspect of the Islamic ethos, with a rich historical tradition in Muslim history, and the practice is continuing among Ismaili youth engaged in institutional initiatives from an early age.
For instance, in 2019, the Ismaili Girl Guides in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, were recognised by the Pakistan Girl Guides Association (PGGA) and won a national award for their unique clean-up project to tackle the increasing pollution in Hunza due primarily to the influx of tourists. Adopting a comprehensive approach, the Girl Guides raised funds by making and selling handicrafts and homemade treats. They joined hands to clear the litter in areas by installing dustbins and arranging walks and other community-based initiatives to educate locals on how to keep the area clean.
Similarly, the Ismaili Boy Scouts across Pakistan have pioneered several projects such as cleaning the beaches and public areas, awareness campaigns and innovative social impact concepts for a healthy environment. Such activities contribute towards a cleaner, greener environment, and also empower the younger generations to act as responsible global citizens who take ownership for the natural environment.
In addition to the Ismaili community Institutions, the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) has been working for nearly four decades for the mountain communities in Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral in Pakistan to contribute towards environmental sustainability. AKRSP has gained national and international recognition for its community-centric programmes on natural resource management, micro-hydel energy and improved agricultural practices in close collaboration with public, private and civil society stakeholders.
The Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) has also led several initiatives to address climate change issues and contribute towards environmental sustainability. For instance, AKAH has initiated community-based infrastructure initiatives for water and sanitation, benefitting over half a million people in the mountain communities in Pakistan. Recently, AKAH is also supporting the Government of Pakistan in its ambitious efforts to plant 50 million trees in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Appreciating the commitment of AKAH in addressing the issues related to climate change, David Ireland, Chief Executive of World Habitat, noted, “What makes AKAH’s work exceptional is that it’s not just responding to the effects of the climate emergency but is being proactive in protecting people from its effects - through using technology and the knowledge of the communities themselves…The potential for this approach to be adapted and used in similar areas in Pakistan and elsewhere is absolutely huge.”
Collective efforts to preserve the natural environment of Pakistan, and of the world, are the responsibility of every citizen. Remember, protecting the planet starts with us all.
https://the.ismaili/global/news/feature ... ural-world