GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY A Celebration of History and Culture
Greece celebrates its Independence Day on March 25th every year, commemorating the start of the War of Greek Independence in 1821. The day coincides with the Greek Orthodox Church’s celebration of the Annunciation to the Theotokos, when the Archangel Gabriel appeared to Mary and told her that she would bear the son of God.
BABAR AZAM AND BISMAH MAROOF Receive Prestigious Awards for Services to Cricket
Pakistan’s cricket team captains, Babar Azam and Bisma Maroof, have been awarded prestigious civil awards by the Pakistani government. Babar Azam received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz, the third-highest civilian honour in Pakistan, making him the youngest recipient of the award. This honour puts him in the ranks of several legendary cricketers, such as Javed Miandad and Younis Khan. Babar expressed his gratitude and dedicated the award to his parents, fans, and the people of Pakistan. His achievement was celebrated by fellow cricketers, including Kamran Akmal, Ajmal, and Mohammad Haris.
Pakistani-British politician Dr. James Shera honoured with civil award
Dr. James Shera, a prominent Pakistani politician and educationist who formerly served as Mayor of Rugby in the UK, has been awarded the Hilal-e-Quaid-i-Azam civil award on the occasion of Pakistan’s diamond jubilee of independence. Dr Shera has been previously awarded the Sitar-e-Pakistan, MBE, and other honors for his exceptional contributions to politics, interfaith harmony, community cohesion, education, and healthcare. He is the first Pakistani to have been elected as a Mayor in the UK and has served on the boards of Coventry University and Newman University Birmingham, among others. Dr Shera attributes his success to his efforts to build bridges between communities and his commitment to serving the community without discrimination.
Robin Lynn Raphel Recognized with Second-Highest Civil Award in Pakistan
Robin Lynn Raphel, a well-known American diplomat, ambassador, and expert on Pakistan affairs, has had a distinguished career in the U.S. government. She was appointed Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs by President Bill Clinton in 1993 and later served as U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia from 1997 to 2000. Throughout the 2000s, Raphel held various diplomatic positions related to South Asia and worked as a senior adviser on Pakistan under Richard Holbrooke at the State Department from 2009 to 2014.
CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE Honouring Achievements and Service to the Nation
Established on March 19, 1957, the Pakistan Civil Awards were created in recognition of the country’s independence on March 23, 1956. Every year on Independence Day, August 14, the announcement of civil awards is made, and their investiture takes place on Pakistan Day, March 23. According to Article 259 of the Constitution of Pakistan 1973, the President of Pakistan confers civil awards on Pakistani citizens for acts of bravery and excellence in various fields, as defined by the Decorations Act, 1975.
THE AI REVOLUTIONA Game-Changer for Society
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has become an indispensible element of our everyday life. AI has made our lives easier and more convenient, from voice assistants like Siri and Alexa to personalised suggestions on streaming platforms. However, the influence of AI goes beyond simply making our lives easier. It is altering the way we live and interact with our surroundings.
RAISING VOICES, DEMANDING JUSTICE The Aurat March and Women’s Rights in Pakistan
Each year on March 8th, women from all corners of Pakistan come together to march for their rights and advocate for an end to gender-based violence and discrimination. The Women’s Empowerment Movement, formerly known as the Aurat March, has become a significant force for women’s rights in Pakistan. Despite progress, the challenges faced by women remain pervasive and deeply rooted in the patriarchal society.
SPORT AS A TOOL FOR UNITY AND SOCIAL COHESION Promoting Peace, Tolerance, and Understanding
Sports are a powerful tool that can bring people together and promote peace, tolerance, and understanding across boundaries, cultures, and religions. The values of teamwork, fairness, discipline, and respect that are inherent in sports are universally understood and can be utilized to advance solidarity and social cohesion. The benefits of sports go beyond just physical activity and recreational space. It is a place where individuals converge to improve their social skills, strengthen cultural values and adapt to rules, promoting a healthy lifestyle through physical and mental development.
FROM RIVALS TO ALLIES China’s Role in the Historic Restoration of Saudi-Iran Relations
Following a seven-year hiatus, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran recently decided to re-establish diplomatic relations with the help of China. Both countries have expressed their appreciation and gratitude to Iraq, Oman, and China for their good contributions to the discussions’ facilitation, hosting, and sponsorship. The restoration of diplomatic ties is a great development, but key differences between the two states, which are polarised by religion, geopolitics, and geostrategic interests, are unlikely to be overcome.
BREAKING THE SHACKLES How Politics are Holding Pakistan’s Economy Hostage
Pakistan has always been plagued by political insecurity, which has had a substantial influence on the country’s economy. Despite having enormous natural resources and a relatively big population, Pakistan has struggled to achieve long-term economic progress. The influence of politics in the country’s economic development is one of the key reasons behind this.