JEDDAH, 5 December 2003 — The Consulate General of Pakistan has announced that it has finalized arrangements for the timely return of Umrah pilgrims.
The welfare wing at the consulate has been given the task of felicitating Pakistanis who came to the here to perform Umrah and were faced with problems due to loss of ticket or passports, changes in flight reservations, or problems related to Umrah companies.
“All such Pakistanis can approach the welfare wing for assistance,” a consulate press release said yesterday.
“These arrangements have been made as many complaints have been received about difficulties faced by Umrah pilgrims,” the statement said, adding that the Ministry of Haj had announced Dec. 9 (Shawwal 15) as the last date for all Umrah pilgrims to leave the Kingdom,” the Pakistani consulate said and advised pilgrims not to overstay even for a single day.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan government has approved a major program to attract Ph.D. level scientists and engineers as well as academics back to the country and place them in suitable positions in its universities and research centers.
The Foreign Faculty Hiring Program was approved on July 5 at a cost of 3.29 billion Pakistani rupees, with an allocation of 200 million rupees for the fiscal year 2003-04.
“The program aims to recruit highly qualified faculty from abroad for rendering services in graduate research program in different public sector universities and institutions in Pakistan,” the statement added.
The government has invited applicants for positions of professor, associate professor and assistant professor in all fields, particularly in academic disciplines related to science, technology and engineering The duration of the contract will be at least a year and may be extended.
In this regard a comprehensive package has been announced in addition to various mechanisms already available for procuring research grants and infrastructure.
The consolidated salary package for a foreign faculty hired under this program ranges from 150,000 rupees to 250,000 rupees per month. A website for this program can be accessed at www.hec.gov.pk for details.
