Noor

20pc raise in salary, pension likely for govt employees

2012-04-11T15:58:00.001+07:00

ISLAMABAD, April 4: The government is expected to announce in the next budget a 20 per cent increase in salary and pensions of government employees and six special honoraria payments to all officials of the finance ministry. Informed sources told Dawn on Wednesday that according to initial estimates of the finance ministry the financial impact of the salary and pension increase would be around Rs25-30 billion. An official said the authorities had initially considered to revise the basic pay structures of government employees, but later decided to offer an ad hoc relief to help them cope with inflation because there was no adequate time to call meetings of the Pay and Pension Commission to firm up long-term proposals. He said the 20 per cent increase would be across the board for all grades and cadres. The official said an additional option under consideration was monetisation of housing facilities of senior government officials of grade 20-22 by offering them Rs55,000 to Rs70,000 a month to pay as rent for houses of their choice on the condition that they would vacate official residences. In order to implement this scheme, he said, the authorities were taking into consideration the initial work done by a previous Pay and Pension Commission headed by State Bank’s former governor Dr Ishrat Hussain. He said a committee headed by Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Dr Nadeemul Haque was in the process of finalising its recommendations. The scheme will initially be for federal government officials in top three basic pay scales. The official said the government was expected to increase the house rent allowances by 200-300 per cent for employees of grades 1 to 19, but that would take some time. He said the finance ministry was proposing six special honoraria payments — equivalent to six basic salaries — for all officials working under five federal secretaries associated with the ministry of finance and economic affairs and the Federal Board of Revenue for their extra work in the budget-making exercise. Last year the government increased the salary and pensions by 15 per cent and also announced monetisation of transport facility for grade 20-22 officers with a monthly cash payment of up to Rs85,000. The monetisation policy has been implemented in a couple of ministries. In the 2010-11 budget, the government allowed an ad hoc monthly allowance of 50 per cent of the basic pay which was merged into the basic salary last year. The official said the PPP government had allowed a cumulative increase of 105 per cent over the past four years which, in terms of compound impact, worked out to about 135 per cent.

Link

10 Steps Towards Coping with Office Conflicts Article

2011-05-27T13:47:00.000+07:00

Read a nice guidance and reproducing with duly acknowledging the original author:

Our professional life and personal life are interlinked and have their overwhelming effects on each other. But life is like that and we are human beings because we have reason and emotions. We cannot defy the fact, so let's accept it, when we are frustrated and depressed in our personal life and relationships, our professional life is affected indirectly. If our professional life is driving us nuts, our personal life can be a living hell as well. Now, how to strike a balance in our emotions? Let us take our workplace problems in this article. Some of us are more vulnerable to our boss and our coworker's mischief.

Right?

The boss's angry statement and a coworker's remark is enough to put a question mark on our self respect and worth in our own eyes. As if whatever they said was capable of showing our real self, and we take it personally and then overreact. Here is the point where our vulnerability brings in anger in us followed by a series of incidents to spoil the atmosphere for you in office. Is this a desirable situation for you? No, never. Giving into the mischief will ruin your peace of mind causing professional as well as personal hazard.

The question is, how to grip the situation and bring it under your control? You will have to start the endeavour by not being vulnerable to your boss's and coworker's negative attitude. Then the other actions will follow....let's go step by step:

Step 1: Identify your coworker/boss's mischief. By understanding "this is mischief" you will not take it personally any more.

Step 2: Remember, self respect means realizing the fact that in spite of all your imperfections, you are a worthwhile human being.

Step 3: You have been taking coworker/boss's angry remarks personally, and trying to give him reasons to let him understand your point. Trust me, reason has nothing to do with his anger and his statements. Spot yourself taking his statements personally and trying to make him understand your points...then stop doing so.

Step 4: You are NOT avoiding or denying the fact. You are just gaining the power of being logical, so that you do not overreact. You are choosing to deal appropriately with mischief.

Step 5: Now, try to deduce what kind of reaction they expect when they do the mischief? Anger, threatening, begging, flattering; that means they expect mischief from us, so that we feel week and ashamed in our own eyes.

Step 6: Our goal is to respond to their mischief with self respect so that they cannot harm us. When the self respect is hurt, we lose peace of mind and our worth.

Step 7: Start responding in an unexpected way. They do not expect us to agree with them. No, you do not have to agree with them, just allow them to feel they way they want.

Say "I do not blame you for being angry. I would feel the same if I were you." Let him understand that you are giving him respect in spite of his imperfections.

Step 8: Ask him to talk when he will be cool enough to discuss the matter, and ask him what actions should be taken to change the situation. Talk in a professional way, impersonating the whole issue, and talk to affect him.

Step 9: Agree to them on the fact that if you give them what they want, it would be nice. This will give him some relief from there painful anger while we stand on our ground. But you have not said that you will do whatever he wants.

Step 10: Your behavior would be of a person who is strong enough not be provoked by boss's and coworker's anger mischief. You are standing strong with self respect by answering to their questions, not being hostile but in a morally superior way.

When we are face to face with our anger provoking coworker/boss, our concentration is solely on their mischief and not on us. This way we forget that we are also a person and the mischief provoking man in front of us, is an imperfect human being. By changing focus from them to our own selves, we see how we should keep ourselves away from their provocations and thus keep away from doing the same mischief. This way we make ourselves morally superior to those mischief making coworkers and boss. And this realization of difference between you and them will give you the power to keep your self respect as well as mutual respect and save you from conflicts and depression in your professional life.

The author, Monalisa Hyden, addresses psychological issues. If you wish to help yourself and your loved ones to fight emotional problems, you can log on to [http://www.buy-xanax-online-now.com] for more information and advice.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Monalisa_Hyden

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/172382

Pakistan's Problem in respect of WATER

2011-05-25T12:36:00.003+07:00

Being a water related professional, following are water related problems of Pakistan:

1. Low freshwater per capita
2. Low water use efficiencies,
3. Absence of country level planning and decision support models.
4. lack of long term planning and Sustainability

Please add your comments and add to the list of problems, considering problem identification is first step towards solution:

Pakistan-meri Jan

2011-05-25T12:16:00.002+07:00

What the hell is going on..... Attack, attack and attack .

Be it PNS Mehran, or Abbotabad, or Peshawer, all are attacks on Pakistan's sovereignty. Obhama has vowed to attack again, to make himself safe, and safer.

At this tough time for Pakistan, I want to say "I AM WITH PAKISTAN" Pakistan is my JAAN, and I Can do any thing to protect my JAAN.

I can not change policies at Government Level, but I can change myself. I will invite all of you to change yourself, and

1. BE Honest to Pakistan
2. Be Honest to your Job (any profession you are attached to)
3. Be Honest to your friends, neighbors, and country fellow.

We are united, and will remain united.

May Allah Help us.

UET Lahore ranked on 281st in list of Engineering Universities round the World.

2010-09-22T14:16:00.001+07:00

QS World University Rankings 2010 - Technology

Professor Igor Shiklomanov passed away

2010-09-17T14:20:00.001+07:00

On 22 August 2010, Professor Igor Shiklomanov passed away at the age of 72. He was most recently the Director of the State Hydrological Institute in the St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.

Prof. Shiklomanov was most well known for his assessments of global water resources and its availability, needs, development, etc. His first article on this subject, "Exploitation of the Earth's water resources" was made in UNESCO-IHP's epoch-making publication World Water Balance and Water Resources of the Earth in 1974 where he and co-author G.P. Kallinin outlined an assessment of the world's water resources that is still used by many today.

With more than 250 publications to his name, his participation in many steering committees and working groups and his continual presence working with many international organizations over the course of his career, he was a highly respected member of the water community and his loss will be felt by not only UNESCO-IHP, but by many others around the world.

Main nahi Manta by habib Jalib

2010-03-15T18:42:00.001+07:00

Zulmet ko Zia by Habib Jalib

2010-03-15T18:39:00.001+07:00

Must Read this nara-e-mastana

Personal DNA

2009-10-06T15:50:00.001+07:00

2009-05-14T11:36:00.000+07:00

Selected for the post of Associate Professor in the selection board on 5 May 2009. Thanks to Allah.

First Class of Fluid Mechanics-II

2009-01-28T12:43:00.002+07:00

Today I taught first time after a gap of 4 years. I am assigned subject of Fluid Mechanics-II for 6th semester students, and will share it with my senior Dr.Ashiq and Ms. Ambereen.

Today experience was wonderful and encouraging. I tried to link the teaching with the practical examples. Students are generally good, and raised some good questions.

Let us see how we (me and students) can make the learning process more effective.

Good-By AIT: Welcome to Pakistan

2008-12-24T22:50:00.005+07:00

Today (24.12.2008) I repatriated to Pakistan, after completion of my goals at AIT. In addition to the much awaited degree, I have got quite many social and religious experiences, which added my knowlesge of dealing with humans of different attitudes and background, and strngthened my belief in Allah.

The happiness of my friends (both Pakistanies, and others) on my success made me believe that all the good deeds pay you back, in one way or the other. It is possible that u don't immediately see the results of your tiny good deeds, but be sure that these are being credited to your accounts in others mind, and it will be paid back to you when you will be in need of them.

Thankyou friends. Friendship is a vital asset to go through difficult path of this world. Those who have this are lucky and I am one of them.

Good-By AIT. Welcome Back to Lahore, Pakistan.

Let us see what luck has for me in this Chapter of my Life...

Graduation Day Pictures

2008-12-21T13:49:00.003+07:00

Alhamdo Lillah. The day for whcih I used to count the days has arrived at last. Wonderful, joy, happiness and feel of accomplishment are the words of day.

Join me in celebrating the day through viewing and commenting the pictures of the Graduation day. You might have to install Picasa photo viewer from Google.

Intehai Shuaq Hadiqa Kiani

2008-12-21T02:13:00.001+07:00

My Hero: Muntazir Al-Alzaidi

2008-12-17T01:42:00.004+07:00

Muntazir Al-Zaidi: Master in Communication: TV journalist: But this is not why i respect him. I respect him as he has expressed the feelings of all the Muslims to the Firoon of the time. I respect him as he expressed feelings of all the Iraqis to the world against the STATE Terrorism lead by BUSH, in the name of preemptive attacks.

Salam to Al-Muntazir: Salam to your family.

Yeh jaan tu aani jani hay, is jaan ki koi baat nahi.

Further info about the hero: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muntader_al-Zaidi

MSA Farewell and Eid Milan Party

2008-12-11T12:03:00.003+07:00

Yesterday (10-12-2008) MSA-AIT bid farewell to graduating students, including myself. I will remember the love and respect that was expressed in the party when my name was called for receiving the souvenir. The Korea house was full and the clapping continued from calling my name till I came back to my seat, after receiving the gift and shaking hands with faculties sitting in the front row. Marvelous, and memorable. The moments are a real treasure for me, as a Nemat from my Allah who bestowed it on this sinful person.

Thank you Allah, thank you all the MSA.

Final Defense

2008-12-09T10:10:00.004+07:00

After Marathon Final Defense, which continued for 3 hours, the committee unanimously recommended that I should be graduating this Semester. Alhamd-o-Lillah.

Javed Anwer Sahib, Abbas Sahib, Imran, Zia ud Din, Dr. Asim Nisar, Waheed Noor, and Zeeshan Khan were there to congratulate me. Few of them even attended the presentation.

Now: I have to make some formatting changes in the Dissertation and have to change the way I responded to External Examiner's comments. Hopefully it will be done in couple of days. Also need to go for clearance procedure and Packing up.

See you after graduation on 19th. Dec. 2008.

Thanks to all those who helped me through material and means and prayed for my success.

More photos on Orkut

Need of Prayers for Final Exam

2008-12-05T19:50:00.002+07:00

Finally the comments of External Examiners are in my hand. Thanks to Allah that overall the comments are positive, although have many recomendations for improvement. I have made all the changes recommended, and submitted final copy to my committee, and mentioned that few of suggestions will be carried out in future.

Now the date of Final Comprehensive Exam and Open Seminar is fixed on 8th Dec. 2008. Thanks Allah that the day has come so close. Please pray for my success. May Allah make all of you successful.

See you after 8th. Dec. 2008.

I Bet My 40s Are Totally Going To Rock

2008-11-16T19:54:00.001+07:00

A nice reading for those turning 40 or recently turned 40.

I Bet My 40s Are Totally Going To Rock

By Ed Heidegger
39-Year-Old

You know what I'm really excited about? Turning 40! The Big Four-Oh. I've got one hell of a landmark birthday coming up, and I'm pumped! I may have spent these past 39 years meandering through life, focused only on petty concerns, without any direction or drive, but not anymore. My unremarkable....

Read more on The Onion

Paper is published online

2008-11-15T13:31:00.004+07:00

Today my first journal paper is published online. Its Title is

Optimization and simulation of reservoir operation with sediment evacuation: a case study of the Tarbela Dam, Pakistan
Noor M Khan, Tawatchai Tingsanchali

Copy and paste

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/121519566/abstract

http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hyp.7173

Or Just Click on following Links

Link1
Link2

You can access Abstract free of cost,but for full article, an account with Wiley Inter science is required.

Regards,

Noor

The Mayors of the Moment

2008-11-12T16:25:00.002+07:00

An American magazine Foreign Policy, has listed Nazim Karachi, Syed Mustafa Kamal as second among the three of the World's top mayors for the year 2008. Congratulations to All the Pakistanis, on this Global Acclamation.

The Link is

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4509&page=3

There is a debate going on, if the magazine listed the ranking of the mayors or not (http://fiverupees.blogspot.com/2008/11/mustafa-kamal-worlds-second-best-mayor.html). But for me, listing in the World's Top Mayors, as the Mayor of the moment is enough to buck up the guy for his efforts.

2008 Universities Ranking

2008-11-03T00:08:00.003+07:00

The recent ranking may be seen on LINK

http://www.topuniversities.com/university_rankings/results/2008/overall_rankings/fullrankings/

My University in Pakistan, the University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, is at 590 Number. The Web Site of the university, mentions that "We are proud of being in the list of top universities" I thin for the first time?

BUT I am proud because the UNIVERSITY is providing Graduate Level Education to Charging a small fee of just 120 US$/year. Compare it with the charges of AIT where I am studying. Its annual tuition charges from a student are about 5,250 US$/year (28 credits @ 375US$/credit). Further compare it with that of Harvard Univ (ranked No, 1) which are of order of 32,000 US$/year.

Should not I be proud of being affiliated to an institute, providing nearly free professional education of Masters level?

Passing of a Colleague, a Friend

2008-10-29T14:36:00.003+07:00

Today I got a sad news that one of my colleague, Fayyaz Ahmed in WAPDA died last year due to cardiac arrest. He was 40, and was married a few years back. Ina Lillah-e-Wa Ina Aleh-e- Rajeoon.

We were in the same batch of WAPDA induction, 1992 batch. He was sincere, friendly, hard working and intelligent. He had two Masters Degrees, one in Structure Engineering from UET Lahore and one in Water Resources from Delft, Netherland. He was promoted to the rank of XEn, just a few days before the death and was waiting for posting.

When I left WAPDA (2001), he replaced me in GM P&D Office, and even afterwards, I used to go to him and had good conversation on cups of tea.

My last meeting with him was in Feb 2006, when I visited Pakistan for my PhD data collection. He helped me in all respects. Even till his death he was in touch with me through emails. Since last few Eid's my good wishes to him are being Bounced Back. I could not think that he is no more in this World. What I thought was that he might have gone abroad for another course/PhD.

Today a common friend on my inquiry told that he is no more in this world.

Aey Moat Tujhay Moat he Aaie Hoti..............

If we could...

2008-10-25T02:36:00.001+07:00

"....If we could produce electric effects of the required quality, this whole planet and the conditions of existence on it could be transformed. The sun raises the water of the oceans and winds drive it to distant regions where it remains in state of most delicate balance. If it were in our power to upset it when and wherever desired, this mighty life-sustaining stream could be at will controlled. We could irrigate arid deserts, create lakes and rivers and provide motive power in unlimited amount. This would be the most efficient way of harnesing the sun to the uses of man......" ( Nikola Tesla, June 1919 )

Pakistani Dance on this Eid at AIT

2008-10-24T23:59:00.001+07:00

Wish the spirit of brotherhood at AIT last for ever.