MISHAL IN COLLABORATION WITH JOURNALISM SCHOOLS TO LAUNCH KNOWLEDGE EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES IN PAKISTAN

MISHAL IN COLLABORATION WITH JOURNALISM SCHOOLS TO LAUNCH KNOWLEDGE EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVES IN PAKISTAN.

MISHAL CELEBRATES 12 YEARS OF CREATING SHARED VALUE FOR MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AND JOURNALISM EXCELLENCE.

Islamabad, PK – 30 October, 2015 – Mishal has created a unique model in Pakistan for private businesses to play their role as social enterprises, working to improve the human security and dignity through knowledge empowerment and information management. Mishal has a vision for making knowledge as a primary resource for decision making for all its stakeholders including the policy makers, businesses and the information consumers.

Mishal’s foremost domain of activity is strategic communication with a spotlight on media development, behavior change communication, perception building and future scenario predictions using methodologies and resources that service the lifestyle and social needs of individuals, their families, the communities they live in and ultimately their larger domains.

On the twelfth anniversary of Mishal’s formation Amir Jahangir, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mishal Pakistan said, “Our research and media development initiatives have built the capacity of thousands of journalists and media professionals across Pakistan in the last twelve years”. He further said, “Under our creating shared values initiatives, Mishal is working closely with the leading research and academic institutions to develop interventions to improve the human capital and industry standards through knowledge-based initiatives”. This involves building a network of more than fifteen journalism schools across Pakistan for human resource development in the media industry. Mishal has plans to launch journalism scholarships, research initiatives for better industry-academia linkages and gold medal recognition in research and academic excellence for the students, researchers and professionals.

Mishal Pakistan is the partner institute of the Center for International Media Ethics and in collaboration with its international partners have successfully created appreciation mechanisms for ethical and quality journalism in the country. Mishal assists the forum in creating soft-data on Pakistan, identifying Pakistan’s competitiveness challenges including primary health & education and higher education.

Mishal’s initiative of Media Credibility Index and the annual AGAHI Awards to celebrate journalism excellence have been benchmarked by international media development organizations in other countries as well. Mishal will also be expanding its initiative of the TRUST Gold Medal recognition for the best public interest communication campaigns in the country.

Mishal is the country partner institute of the Center for Global Competitiveness and Benchmarking Network of the World Economic Forum. Mishal’s research and capacity building initiatives have assisted and helped successive governments to improve Pakistan’s global ranking on competitiveness, gender gap, trade and information technology indices.

Mishal Pakistan with academicians and researchers produced a literature review in 2014 assessing an overarching complexity and trivial underlying causes that has subjugated the communities to an idealistic narrative on education. The study witnesses “Education Governance and Accountability” as the most underreported area in the media. While the literature reviewed does speak volume of increasing public spending on education little does it discuss the possible Educational Governance Models. The study identified media and policy makers’ understanding-gap in terms of the importance of education in media.

Mishal is proud to serve the citizens of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and its representative government through the European Union assisted community driven local development (CDLD) initiatives. More than 30 experts from Mishal are building the capacity of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government in the Malakand division for social development and economic uplifting of the people and region.

Established in 2003, Mishal has been engaged with some of the most dynamic organizations, including media enterprises and global development agencies helping them develop their communication strategies and solutions for better understanding and creating synergies with their concerned stakeholders.

Pakistan Shows Improvements on the Global Competitiveness Report 2015 – 2016 of the World Economic Forum.

Pakistan Shows Improvements on the Global Competitiveness Report 2015 – 2016 of the World Economic Forum.

Pakistan showcases improvements of three ranks by attaining the ​position of 126, as compared to 129 in 2014 among 140 countries. (Pakistan's Scorecard on GCR 2015 - 2016)

The Government fails to improve regulatory bodies for more effective and efficient governance in the country.

Corruption tops as the most problematic factor for doing business in Pakistan.

A failure to embrace long-term structural reforms that boost productivity and free up entrepreneurial talent is harming the global economy’s ability to improve living standards, solve persistently high unemployment and generate adequate resilience for future economic downturns, according to The Global Competitiveness Report 2015-2016, which is released today.

The report is an annual assessment of the factors driving productivity and prosperity in 140 countries. This year’s edition found a correlation between highly competitive countries and those that have either withstood the global economic crisis or made a swift recovery from it. The failure, particularly by emerging markets, to improve competitiveness since the recession suggests future shocks to the global economy could have deep and protracted consequences.

Pakistan has shown resilience in improving macro-economic indicators in the basic requirement pillars, while the pillars for efficiency enhancers, innovation and sophistication have shown weaknesses over the last one-year.

Amir Jahangir

“The gains have been significant, however institutional weaknesses have hampered Pakistan’s progress to achieve its true potential. Most of the institutions have shown deterioration in their performance and ranking except a few”, said Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer, Mishal Pakistan, the Partner Institute of Global Competitiveness and Benchmarking Network, World Economic Forum. .

On the twelve pillars of the Global Competitiveness Index Pakistan scored as following; Institutions 119, Infrastructure 117, Macroeconomic environment 128, Health and primary education 127, Higher education and training 124, Goods market efficiency 116, Labor market efficiency 132, Financial market efficiency 99, Technological readiness 113, Market size 28, Business sophistication 86 and Innovation 89

The government has been successful in improving the burden of government regulation from 103 in 2014 to an impressive 86 in 2015. Pakistan also improved the general government budget balance as percentage of the GDP by improving 28 ranks and securing 106th position.

While the indicators for quality of education system (75) has improved, availability of Internet access in schools has deteriorated to 103 this year from 89 in 2014. This signifies the widening gap between multiple education systems prevailing in the country.

Pakistan also benefited from its 3G and 4G rollout in the telecommunication sector, where the country improved on foreign direct investment and technology transfer indicator by 13 ranks and sits at 77 rank among 140 countries. Similarly the indicator for government’s procurement of advanced tech products has shown an improvement on 46 ranks, from 98 in 2014 to 52 in 2015.

Figure 1: Pakistan's performance on the Global Competitiveness Index 2015 - 2016 of the World Economic Forum

The Judicial independence has lost its ranking of 67 last year to 82 in 2015. The governments have shown greater favoritism in decisions of government officials ranking at 101 this year, where Pakistan lost 26 ranks.

Under the goods market efficiency Pakistan lost solid 16 ranks, where the extent of market dominance, which measures the characteristic of corporate activities has gone from 71 in 2014 to 110 in 2015. Similarly the performance of the Competition Commission of Pakistan’s effectiveness of anti-monopoly policy has gone from bad to worst 85 in 2014 to 106 in 2015. Similarly the performance of the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) has also been on the decline, with major indicators showing poor performance over the last year; burden of customs procedures has been ranked at 111 this year as compared to 87 in 2014.

Similarly the various regulatory bodies have shown weak governance indicators, losing ranks to other emerging markets. The Accountant General of Pakistan on the strength of accounting and reporting strength has gone from the rank of 90 in the last year to 117 in 2015. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, which gained success in the last few years has proved to be weak and ineffective for the last one year, as it lost 42 ranks, SECP ranks now at 93 as compared to 71 in 2014 among 140 regulators of security exchanges globally.

First place in the GCI rankings, for the seventh consecutive year, goes to Switzerland. Its strong performance in all 12 pillars of the index explains its remarkable resilience throughout the crisis and subsequent shocks. Singapore remains in 2nd place and the United States 3rd. Germany improves by one place to 4th and the Netherlands returns to the 5th place it held three years ago. Japan (6th) and Hong Kong SAR (7th) follow, both stable. Finland falls to 8th place – its lowest position ever – followed by Sweden (9th). The United Kingdom rounds up the top 10 of the most competitive economies in the world.

The Global Competitiveness Index 2015–2016 Rankings

Among the members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) India leads the way at 55th, followed by Sri Lanka (68th, up five). Nepal (100th, up two), Bhutan (105th, down two), Bangladesh (107th, up two), and Pakistan (126th, up three) all rank 100th or below. Although last year all SAARC countries except Bhutan posted small gains, since 2007 only Nepal has managed to progress significantly (14 places gained); Pakistan lost 34 places during that period and India, despite leapfrogging 16 places this year, still ranks seven notches lower than it did in 2007.

Competitiveness

The report’s Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) also finds a close link between competitiveness and an economy’s ability to nurture, attract, leverage and support talent. The top-ranking countries all fare well in this regard. But in many countries, too few people have access to high-quality education and training, and labour markets are not flexible enough.

The Global Competitiveness Report 2015–2016 is being launched at a pivotal time for the global economy. On the one hand, economic development is characterized by the “new normal” of higher unemployment, lower productivity growth, and subdued economic growth that could still be derailed by uncertainties such as geopolitical tensions, the future path of emerging markets, energy prices, and currency changes. On the other hand, other recent developments show great promise - the so-called fourth industrial revolution and new ways of consuming such as the sharing economy could lead to another wave of significant innovations that drive growth. At the same time, across countries we are witnessing economic policymaking become increasingly people-centered and embedded in overall societal goals.

The fourth industrial revolution is facilitating the rise of completely new industries and economic models and the rapid decline of

Klaus Schwab

others. To remain competitive in this new economic landscape will require greater emphasis than ever before on key drivers of productivity, such as talent and innovation," said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.

“The new normal of slow productivity growth poses a grave threat to the global economy and seriously impacts the world’s ability to tackle key challenges such as unemployment and income inequality. The best way to address this is for leaders to prioritize reform and investment in areas such as innovation and labour markets; this will free up entrepreneurial talent and allow human capital to flourish,” said Xavier Sala-i-Martin, Professor of Economics at Columbia University.

Top Scientists Deplore the State of Science & Technology in Pakistan

Top Scientists Deplore the State of Science & Technology in the Country.

Adopt Resolution for Saving NARC from Land Mafia

Science is the foundation of economy. Inspired by historical recommendations of the 1965 Meeting of eminent scientists of that time in Swat, chaired by President Ayub Khan, the Pakistan Academy of Sciences convened a meeting of top scientists of the country on 9^th July, 2015 at the Academy’s headquarter in Islamabad. The Meeting in Swat, organized jointly by Pakistan Academy of Sciences and National Science Council, had made 20 recommendations for the development of S&T, including a salient recommendation of allocating 2% of GDP for S&T in the federal budget. 

After a lapse of 50 years, in 2015 it was noted with a serious concern that most of those recommendations were not heeded to till today, resulting in deplorable state of S&T and, hence, of the national economy. The leading experts believe that investing upto 3.5% of GDP in science, technology and innovation can be “the game changer” to help alleviate poverty, reduce inequalities, increase income and improve health. Therefore, the top scientists of the country observed with serious concern that a meager allocation of 0.2% of GDP for S&T in the federal budget has resulted in deplorable state of S&T. To improve upon this situation, it was unanimously urged that the budget allocation for S&T must be enhanced to 1% of GDP immediately.

The top scientists also resolved to launch an effective media campaign to educate the public and decision makers about salient achievements of scientific organizations and thus about the crucial need and benefits for allocating 2% of GDP for S&T in the federal budget. The Meeting also urged the Government to always appoint an eminent scientist as Federal Secretary of Ministry of Science & Technology, instead of a bureaucrat; to appoint an eminent scientist as Advisor Science to Prime Minister, with the status of Minister, for easy access to the decision makers; and reviving the National Science Council which has got redundant since the past 50 years.

A resolution was adopted unanimously to save NARC Islamabad from the land mafia. The Prime Minister was asked to turn down the CDA summary for conversion of NARC’s 1400 Acres research farm in to a housing scheme at the cost of national food security; rather CDA must be directed to immediately extend the NARC land lease for 90 years.

The meeting was participated by President of Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS), Dr. Anwar Nasim; Secretary General of PAS, Prof. Dr. Zabta K. Shinwari; Vice President of Islamic World Academy of Sciences, Prof. Dr. M.D. Shami; Coordinator General of COMSTECH, Dr. Shaukat Hameed Khan; Advisor (Science) COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. Qasim Jan; Executive Director of COMSATS, Dr. Imtinan Qureshi; Chairman of Pakistan Science Foundation, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf; Chairman of Pakistan Council for Science & Technology, Prof. Dr. Anwar-ul-Hassan Gilani; Chairman of PARC, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad; and President of ECO Science Foundation, Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro.

The top scientists resolved to work tirelessly under the umbrella of National Science Complex. It was decided to meet once every three months to review the situation and formulate future line of action.

Pakistan Academy of Sciences Becomes Member of Science Council of Asia

Pakistan Academy of Sciences Becomes Member of Science Council of Asia

The Science Council of Asia (SCA) is an international scientific organization founded in 2000 by Asian science academies and other national scientific organizations. SCA aims to provide scientists in all fields, including cultural and social as well as natural sciences and technology, a collaborative platform for promoting scientific exchange and cooperation in Asia, and to develop and promote a holistic vision focusing on sustainable development and improvement in quality of life. At present, SCA is comprised of 29 academic organizations in Asia. The SCA is governed by its Management Board which consists of one designated representative from each member country/region. The SCA Secretariat is housed at the Science Council of Japan in Tokyo. The SCA does not collect membership fees from member organizations. More information about SCA is at www.scj.go.jp/en/sca/

​President of Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Dr Anwar Nasim, with 

President of Science Council of Japan, Professor Takashi Onishi.

During 15^th SCA Conference held at Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia on 15–16 May, 2015, which was participated by President of Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS), Dr. Anwar Nasim, PAS has become a National Member of SCA. The SCA is governed by a Management Board consisting of one representative from each member country/region. PAS being a National Member of SCA, President of PAS has become its Management Board Member. Currently, the Management Board of SCA comprises of 19 National Members and current President of SCA is President, National Academy of Sciences of Sri Lanka, Prof. Vijya Kumar. The 16^th CSA Conference will be held in Sri Lanka during 2016.

National Accountability Bureau and Pakistan Peace Collective Project Recognized for Best Public Interest Communication Campaigns with the “TRUST GOLD MEDAL”

NAB and PPC Recognized for Best Public Interest Communication Campaigns with the TRUST GOLD MEDAL

The TRUST GOLD MEDAL - 2015

The Media Development Trust, a joint initiative of Mishal Pakistan and AGAHI organized "THE TRUST GOLD MEDAL" recognition ceremony at a local Hotel in Islamabad. Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Information and Broadcasting was the chief guest at the occasion.

The purpose of "THE TRUST GOLD MEDAL" recognition ceremony was to recognize and appreciate the best public interest communication campaigns during 2014 in Pakistan. The winners were Mr. Nawazish Ali Khan Asim, Director Media of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for Anti-Corruption Campaign and Ms. Bushra Taskeen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan Peace Collective Project (PPC) for developing Media Campaign on “Haq Haqdar Tak”, to raise awareness among the people of Pakistan about safer charity giving practices, lest our donations end up in the hands of banned organizations. Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for Information and Broadcasting presented the "THE TRUST GOLD MEDAL" to Mr. Nawazish Ali Khan Asim, Director Media of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) for Anti-Corruption Campaign and Ms. Bushra Taskin, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pakistan Peace Collective Project (PPC) for developing Media Campaign titled “Haq Haqdar Tak” for the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage.

While speaking at the ceremony, Senator Pervaiz Rashid said Media is an important platform that serves the purpose of education and informing public opinion. NAB has adopted a proactive approach to highlight its performance, as corruption is an insidious plague that has a wide range of corrosive effects on Pakistani Society. He said NAB under the chairmanship of Mr. Qamar Zaman Chaudhry, Chairman NAB has been assigned the responsibility to eradicate corruption and corrupt practices from Pakistan. NAB devised a three-pronged strategy of Awareness, Prevention and Enforcement to curb corruption and corrupt practices through print and electronic media throughout the country. The independent Watchdogs like Transparency International (TI) and PILDAT have also appreciated NAB’s performance and achievements as the best ever position in Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in the history of Pakistan from 175 to 126.

The Minister also appreciated the work of Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC) a project of the Government of Pakistan, for their work, which has helped to increase public support and bolstered resilience against extremism and violence in Pakistan. PPC is working closely with Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage, relevant government and international organizations on developing media products and impart training to help eliminate extremism and violence from the society and promote peace and harmony. PPC also documents the impact of terrorism on the lives of ordinary citizens by highlighting the indiscriminate nature of violence in the society. PPC had developed media products on CT/CVE based counter narrative titled “Haq, Haqdaar Tak” and “PurAzm Pakistan”, which were successfully launched by the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage through media campaigns at national level.

On the occasion, Senator Pervaiz Rashid said that strategic communication and media engagement has had significant impact, which continues to show results. He further added, "We believe in empowering communities through information and knowledge so they are active participants in public sector policy dialogues".

He said that the joint initiative of AGAHI and Mishal through the Media Development Trust to recognize and acknowledge the best public interest communication campaigns is a milestone for Pakistan. This step will encourage other public sector institutions to launch awareness campaign in order to educate and empower the citizens with the knowledge about different facilities/functions and steps undertaken for a knowledge-based economy. He appreciated the efforts of Mishal Pakistan and AGAHI in close collaboration with the Media Development Trust (MDT), which had also successfully created the AGAHI Awards. He said the TRUST GOLD MEDAL recognition has been given to individuals and organizations to create value for citizens by developing best communication strategies for public information and knowledge on key issues and challenges faced by Pakistan.

Mr. Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of Mishal Pakistan and co-founder of the TRUST GOLD MEDAL, while sharing his views at the occasion said, “we must acknowledge and appreciate institutions, which are creating information and communication mechanisms and campaigns, which empowers citizens to make informed decision”. He further said, “in an attention economy information is a scarce resource and only institutions creating clear and precise messaging will be able to make an impact, rest of the organizations will be part of the noise in the system”.

Trust is a fundamental foundation in a society. Trust enriches and strengthens the relationships people can have with other people, institutes and government while the lack of trust greatly reduces and limits their interactions. To gain and understand this trust, communication plays a very important role. The level of communication institutes and government have with its people provides support and base for a progressive nation.

The TRUST GOLD MEDAL 2015 is conferred to professionals, institutions, voluntary organizations, civil society institutions and individuals in urban as well as rural areas in Pakistan involved in activities and programmes inter alia aimed at ‘Fostering Strategic Communication in Public Interest’ The Trust Gold Medal are given in recognition of excellence, result-oriented performance and commendable achievements.

Making Pakistan Science Conscious

Making Pakistan Science Conscious

The 5^th monthly brainstorming session on “Making Pakistan Science Conscious” was organized by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS), in collaboration with International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) on 7 May, 2015 (Thursday) in Allama Iqbal Auditorium of International Islamic University, located at old campus of IIU in the vicinity of Faisal Mosque. The objective of this series of monthly brainstorming sessions is to promote quality science education and research and development (R&D) in the country by enhancing stakeholder awareness about the crucial role of science and technology (S&T) in economic development and human well being.

The host of this important scientific event, Rector of IIUI, Prof. Dr. Masoom Yasinzai, welcomed the participants and appreciated this initiative of PAS for promoting S&T in the country. He stressed that the universities must impart quality education to the younger generation. However, this is not possible unless the faculty is involved in cutting edge research and knowledge generation. He shared that in Korea, with innovative research, one dollar spent on higher education gets translated into 1200 dollars worth of innovative products and services. Therefore, he emphasized for science-based innovative indigenous solutions to local problems in the county.

Secretary General of PAS, Prof. Dr. Zabta K. Shinwari, briefed the audience about current activities of the Academy in general and the background and objective of these brainstorming sessions in particular. He emphasized that younger generation is the future custodian of Pakistan, and, thus, the Academy has decided to encourage and motivate young scientists to promote S&T with the guidance and support of senior scientists. Dr. Shinwari appreciated the flag bearer of this initiative, Dr. Hamid Saleem, for his continued commitment to this noble cause.

Postgraduate students of IIUI presented a skit to emphasize the need and benefits of interdisciplinary scientific research. Two female postgraduate students of IIUI recited Urdu poetry and a female postgraduate student of QAU recited Pushto poetry.  The postgraduate students of IIUI also shared a professional Qawali to express their serious concern about skyrocketing inflation in the country. Dr. Imran Khan, Assistant Professor at Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences (CIRBS) of IIU, presented an informative talk on “German-Pakistan Research Collaboration: Post-PhD Funding Opportunities in Germany“. The Director General of Iqbal International Institute for Research & Dialogue shared his views regarding Allama Iqbal’s vision and emphasis for science in the service of humanity.

The Coordinator of this initiative, Dr. Hamid Saleem, emphasized for the need and benefits of interaction, dialogue and effective collaboration between experienced and young scientists for promotion of S&T in the country with the ultimate objective of benefit of S&T to the society.  Also, he stressed upon the benefits social activities along with scientific pursuits.

The President of Pakistan Academy of Sciences, Dr. Anwar Nasim, shared his vision regarding making Pakistan science conscious. While appreciating the efforts of Prof. Zabta Shinwari and Dr Hamid Saleem and willing collaboration and support of the Universities (including IIUI), Higher Education Commission and Pakistan Science Foundation, he emphasized for effective and continued interaction and collaboration of old and young generation to bridge the ‘generation gap’. A senior Fellow of PAS, Dr. N.M. Butt, elaborated upon the nature of Science Academies in the East (e.g., in Russia, China) and the West (like UK, USA). Also, he offered tips to young scientists and PhD student for effective harnessing of German funding opportunities.

This important scientific event was participated by almost all the stakeholders in S&T, i.e., postgraduate students from various Universities, university professors, senior scientists, and heads of academic and scientific organizations, Fellows of PAS. Prof. Zabta Shinwari announced that next consultative session on “Making Pakistan Science Conscious” in Islamabad will be held on first Thursday of June 2015, and the Academy also intends to organize such brainstorming sessions in the provincial capitals, i.e., Karachi, Quetta, Lahore, and Peshawar.

Mishal Pakistan and AGAHI in Collaboration with Media Development Trust Creates the TRUST GOLD MEDAL (TGM)

Mishal Pakistan and AGAHI in Collaboration with Media Development Trust Creates the TRUST GOLD MEDAL (TGM)

Recognizing The Best Public Interest Communication Campaigns in Pakistan with THE TRUST GOLD MEDAL (TGM) to Recognize the Best Strategic Communication Campaign on Public Interest Issues. 

Pakistan has produced a legacy of brave hearts since times immemorial. Probably there is not enough space to measure their sacrifices and achievements. However, we cannot close our eyes to those people who have made our country proud by excelling in their own fields and bringing us international recognition. In order to commemorate their achievements, Mishal Pakistan and AGAHI in collaboration with the Media Development Trust are pleased to announce The TRUST GOLD MEDAL recognition to the exceptional service of professionals and organizations towards the advancement of strategic communication in Public Service Campaign of the highest order.

THE TRUST GOLD MEDAL was born out of a strange paradox. Every profession recognizes annually the superlative performance of one of their own. There are few opportunities for truly great people and organizations to be recognized by their peers. Therefore, we honour individuals as well as organizations, whose exemplary efforts over long periods of time in difficult environments have inspired us to greater heights. The purpose behind recognizing these professionals and institutions is intended to locate, identify and recognize the initiatives of the public sector institutions, corporate sector, voluntary/non-profit organizations and individuals who are addressing and fostering excellence in the field of strategic communication in public interest.

Eligibility Criteria

The TRUST GOLD MEDAL 2015 is conferred to professionals, institutions, voluntary organizations, civil society institutions and individuals in urban as well as rural areas in Pakistan involved in activities and programmes inter alia aimed at ‘Fostering Strategic Communication in Public Interest’ The Trust Gold Medal shall be given in recognition of excellence, result-oriented performance and commendable achievements on the following prerequisites:

• Measurable impact on Public Sector i.e. Knowledge empowering communities through improving strategic communication between citizens and institutions or key stakeholders;
• Consistent pursuit of promoting activities encouraging efficiency in the public service delivery;
• The extent and range of the nominee’s activities stimulating similar action by other individuals/institutions in Pakistan.
• The impact of the communication campaign should lead to mobilization of new resources for improving overall status of the public service delivery.
• Extent of convergence and networking with other organizations.
• The communication should work as a multiplier effect on the critical thinking capability of the stakeholders.
• Building public sentiments of ownership and pride contributing towards a more informed society.

VALUES AND ETHICS CELEBRATED AT AGAHI AWARDS – BEYOND 2015

VALUES AND ETHICS CELEBRATED AT AGAHI AWARDS – BEYOND 2015

The AGAHI AWARDS, Pakistan’s most sought after journalism awards held on 25th April, 2015 at the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) in Islamabad. Leading opinion makers, senior journalists, policy makers, diplomats, academicians, leading professionals from the media industry and representatives from think tanks attended the award ceremony.

The Agahi Awards recognize and celebrate the work of dedicated journalists, promoting ethical journalism and quality reporting shaping the future of journalism.

An annual series of journalism awards in Pakistan, the platform was co-founded by Mishal Pakistan and AGAHI. The awards are effort to create appreciation mechanism in Pakistan for ethical and quality content. The evaluation methodology and criteria of the awards have been designed by AGAHI on the pillars of Media Development Indicators of UNESCO, in collaboration with the Center for International Media Ethics (CIME) and input from UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

The ceremony was presented by Syed Shamon Hashmi and Sanaa Ahmed; This year AGAHI Awards received an overwhelming response by the journalist community, where more than 3000 nominations were received from all over the country across more than 50 different categories in print, television, radio and online content. Peoples’ Choice Awards categories included “Current Affairs Anchor of the Year” and “News Channel of the Year” in Pakistan. The team reached out to more than 5 million people through social media and 1.5 through SMS campaign and direct feedback.

Peoples’ Choice Award for the “Most Favourite News Channel”, third consecutive year went to GEO NEWS. Mubasher Lucman and Meher Abbas won the most favourite “Current Affairs Anchor of the Year” Awards. Agahi Awards – Beyond 2015 ‘Investigative Journalist of the Year’ went to Amir Zia for his cover story in the Newsline “Is the Party Over?”. Nadeem Malik from SAMAA TV was awarded the “Most Credible Anchor” based on the Media Credibility Index developed in collaboration with more than fifteen journalism schools in Pakistan.

The AGAHI Awards – Beyond 2015 winners included, Mubarak Zeb Khan (Foreign Policy), Waleed Tariq (Business and Economy), Allah Bux Arisar (Water and Food Security), Yusuf Sohail (Innovation), Imran Malik (Corporate Social Responsibility), Meera Karim (Economic Opportunity), Saleem ur Rehman Afridi (Community Driven Local Development), Almas Naqvi (Democratic Values), Irfan Haider (Anti-Corruption), Zahir Shah Sherazi, Alia Chughtai, and Asad Hashmi (Extremism and Terrorism), Amber R. Shamsi (Law and Order), Aneela Ashraf (Judiciary), Umar Bin Ajmal (Infotainment), Sara Farid (Photojournalism), Mureeb Mohmand (Human Rights), Saba Eitizaz (Disaster and Catastrophe), Zahid Gishkori (Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights), Hanif Samoon (Child Rights), Syed Babar Ali (Dignity), Riaz Sohail (Interfaith), Lala Hassan (Journalist Safety), Hassan Belal Zaidi (Media Ethics), Muhammad Atif Sheikh (Youth Empowerment, Vocational and Technical Training), Khalid Khattak (Education), Mansoor Malik (Curriculum Reform), Sultan Dogar (Education Infrastructure and School Condition), Sehrish Wasif (Out-of-School Children), Shabbir Wahgra (Children with No Access to Schools), Fayaz Ahmed (Girls’ Education), Abdul Shakoor (Public Spending on Education), Dr. Irfan Ahmed Baig (Energy), Bina Shah (Women Empowerment), Zia Ur Rehman (Governance), Bushra Qamar (Culture), and Salman Haqqi (Open Government).

The Awards have created appreciation for journalism in fifty different categories including business and economy, democratic values, conflict, anti-corruption, crime, education, infotainment, the nexus between water, energy and food security, gender and governance, health, extremism and terrorism, peace journalism, rule of law and dignity among other categories; thus creating media diversity across print, television, radio and the online media.

The AGAHI Awards have been the foremost media development initiative for media and journalism in the country. The awards have identified some of the most talented and diligent journalists in the industry. The Agahi Awards winners have now acquired decision-making and leadership position across the media industry for “Shaping the Future of Journalism” in Pakistan.

The AGAHI Awards aims to ensure diversity in content and inclusion of social issues to be highlighted in media, Mishal Pakistan in collaboration with Ilm Ideas (a four year UKaid supported initiative) created the Education category further dividing them into eight sub-categories. This has not only increased the quantum of education content in media, but has also encouraged journalists to write more on the socio-economic and political challenges on education reporting in Pakistan.

The support for the AGAHI Award for work and journalism on corporate social responsibility came from support from Philip Morris International Pakistan (PMIP). The AGAHI Awards recognized the National Rural Support Program, Bunyad, Idara-e-Taleem o Agahi and Duplex for their work for creating social dividends for the communities and society in general.

The Awards have been organized in collaboration with leading press clubs, local and international media development institutions, regulatory authorities, civil society organizations, private and public sector bodies and other stakeholders.

Mishal Pakistan is the country partner Institute of the Center for Global Competitiveness and Benchmarking Networks at the World Economic Forum. Established in 2003, Mishal has been engaged with key stakeholders in Pakistan to improve the state of media and competitiveness through good governance initiatives.

AGAHI is a not for profit working since 2011 to create non-paid communication strategies and strategic foresight. AGAHI encourages and advises individuals and institutions in pursuing and supporting initiatives to improve the state of development in Pakistan. It works on developmental frameworks facilitating information and knowledge sharing platforms on understanding challenges in global perspective. It’s research work mainly focuses on national and international security, ICT, human capital development, and governance.

Inaugurated on March 28th, 2012, the AGAHI Awards are an annual series of awards for journalism in Pakistan. These are Pakistan’s first ever journalism awards recognizing the best journalists across print, television, radio and the internet on more than 40 different journalism thematic beats. AGAHI and Mishal Pakistan in collaboration with leading press clubs across the country, local and international media development bodies, regulatory authorities and the private sector organize these awards.

The AGAHI Awards are the most sought after awards for journalism in Pakistan, and have been the foremost media development initiative for media and journalism in the country. The awards have identified some of the most talented and diligent journalists in the industry. The Agahi Awards winners have now acquired decision-making and leadership position across the media industry for “Shaping the Future of Journalism” in Pakistan.

AGAHI AWARDS – Beyond 2015 | WINNERS