ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that the National Education Policy Framework was being devised to bring uniformity in the education system. He made these remarks after chairing a briefing on the policy framework here at Prime Minister’s Office. He said that the objective of the policy was to create a national education system. The Prime Minister emphasised that skill development of the youth should be focused so that their immense potential could be effectively utilised. Earlier, Minister for Federal Education & Professional Training Shafqat Mahmood gave a detailed presentation, identifying various challenges vis-a-vis out-of-school children, education apartheid, quality of education and skill development issues. Highlighting the contours of the National Education Policy Framework, the Minister mentioned optimum utilisation of the existing infrastructure, employing technology solutions, improvement in non-formal education systems, attracting quality teachers and incentivising education were some of the measures in the proposed framework. The Minister also suggested establishment of a National Curriculum Council for the purpose of engaging and creating broad consensus among stakeholders for common standards of education across Pakistan. Separately, Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki called on Prime Minister Imran Khan here at the PM Office on Wednesday. Bilateral issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting, a press release issued by the PM Media Office here said. Also on Wednesday, PM Imran Khan addressed the opening ceremony of 1st China International Import Expo as the keynote speaker. He said that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will cut costs and distances and make markets more competitive. He thanked Chinese President Xi for inviting Pakistani exporters in the CIIE and expressed his desire for close relations between China and Pakistan businesses and CIIE to be a massive success. On the other hand, Mr. Chen Siqing, the chairman of the Bank of China visited Pakistan pavilion allocated to exporters from Pakistan. He was accompanied by Dr. Li Tao, Country Head and CEO, Bank of China Pakistan Operations along with other senior members of Bank of China management. During CIIE, a three-day matchmaking conference was organized by Bank of China to bring Chinese importers and exporters from around the globe on one platform. A total of 900 international exporters and 15,000 Chinese importers attended the BOC matchmaking conference. Mr. Younus Dagha, Federal Secretary for commerce and Mr. Wang Zhihua, Economic and Commercial Counselor of China in Pakistan also witnessed the event. Bank of China Pakistan Operations with the help of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) played a central role in enrolling 53 Pakistani exporters for the conference. Over 200 meetings and presentations were organized between Chinese and Pakistani companies during the BOC matchmaking conference. Chinese importers particularly showed interest in textile, agricultural and leather products of Pakistan. Bank of China arranged a dedicated conference hall for exhibitors to display their presentations. About 22 pairs of Sino-Pak companies expressed willingness to extend their business relationship and 10 pairs signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the conference. Austerity drive at PM House saved Rs. 147 million: Durrani The government has saved Rs.147 million so far as a result of its austerity drive, Adviser to Prime Minister on Media Affairs Iftikhar Durrani said on Wednesday. He said the saved amount would be spent on public welfare projects, including health and nutrition sectors. Explaining the breakdown of these funds, he said repair and maintenance cost had been reduced from Rs.8 million to Rs.3.4 million, while daily expense had also been curtailed. Durrnai said that 200 out of 522 employees of Prime Minister’s House and Secretariat had been adjusted in other areas while 125 other employees would be phased out in the next step. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has full regard for the feelings of poor and has made it clear to all ministers during cabinet meeting to introduce austerity measures in their departments. Published in Daily Times, November 15th 2018.