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Malaysian varsity awards honourary doctorate in leadership to PM Shehbaz
- ‘Great privilege and honour’: PM Shehbaz on PhD degree.
- Premier reaffirms resolve to serve the nation with sincerity.
- Leadership a sacred trust, to be exercised with honesty: PM.
KUALA LUMPUR: The International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) on Tuesday conferred an Honourary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership and Governance on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to nation-building.
The conferment of the honourary degree took place at a Special Convocation Ceremony held at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation of IIUM’s Kuala Lumpur Campus, which was officiated by the university’s Constitutional Head, Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.
At the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart, PM Shehbaz is on a three-day official visit to Malaysia, wherein he met Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and held delegation-level talks, besides addressing an investment conference.
A day earlier, the two countries had signed six accords to strengthen bilateral cooperation covering different areas, including education, Halal certification, tourism and combating corruption.
In his acceptance address today, PM Shehbaz described the conferment as a “great privilege and honour,” emphasising his delight in being associated with IIUM, an institution renowned for championing the integration of knowledge, faith, and ethics.
Recalling his stints as Punjab chief minister, he highlighted his four-decade-long service as a “public servant” and noted that, now as the prime minister, he remained committed to serving the nation with sincerity and unwavering resolve.
Acknowledging the honour with “heartfelt gratitude,” he expressed the hope that his presence at IIUM would further strengthen academic partnerships and collaboration between the university and Pakistan’s leading institutions of higher learning.
The prime minister said that leadership was a sacred trust which should be exercised with honesty, sincerity, justice, and transparent accountability.
Highlighting the challenges facing the Muslim Ummah, he called for unity, compassion, and moral integrity and stressed the need to hold steadfastly to Islamic values and ethics to reclaim their rightful place in the comity of nations.
He called Pakistan’s youthful population a blessing and underscored the responsibility to provide them with platforms to serve suffering humanity with compassion and commitment.
In her address, Tunku Azizah said that for over four decades, [Shehbaz] Sharif had demonstrated visionary leadership, discipline, and compassion, dedicated to transforming lives and uplifting communities through advancements in education, healthcare, and opportunity creation.
“His initiatives, such as the Punjab Education Endowment Fund, have opened the doors of higher learning to thousands who might never have dreamed of university education.
“That is leadership that touches hearts and transforms futures [.…] At a time when the world often prizes image over integrity, His Excellency [Shehbaz Sharif] reminds us that good governance is about sincerity, service, and steadfastness,” she said.
Commending Pakistan’s longstanding friendship with Malaysia, she said the bilateral ties had further strengthened under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
“Today, our Pakistani students, academics, and alumni continue to enrich the university and uphold our shared mission of serving the Ummah. This conferment is more than a recognition of achievement. It is a celebration of the values we hold dear: justice, service, and excellence guided by faith,” she added.
The Italian government has slammed a proposal by a U.S. government official to replace the Iranian team with Italy in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Italian football team was not able to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament, despite being a four-time champion.
Iran’s participation in the mega event is in serious doubt amid the ongoing U.S.-Israel war against Iran. All the group matches of the Persian team are scheduled to take place in the United States.
Iranian officials have requested FIFA to reschedule Iranian matches in Canada or Mexico, the co-hosts for 2026 sporting showpiece.
The Iranian Ministry of Sports and Youth has clarified that all the necessary arrangements have already been made for the team’s effective participation in the tournament.
Despite the assurance, Paolo Zampolli, a U.S. envoy for global relations, presented the idea to replace Iran with Italy, saying, “With four titles, they have the pedigree to justify inclusion.”
Italian Sports Minister Andrea Abodi rejected the proposal, saying, “You qualify on the pitch.” Italian Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti also rebuked the suggestion, describing it as “shameful.”
Italian Olympic Committee President Luciano Buonfiglio was the third high-ranking official to say no to the idea, adding, “It’s not possible. In order to go to the World Cup, you have to earn it.”
FIFA responded by reiterating the Infantino’s statement, “The Iranian team is coming here, for sure.”
At least 10 people have been hurt in a horrific shooting incident at the Mall of Louisiana. According to the Baton Rouge Police Department, two of the injured are in critical condition.
Police Chief TJ Morse has ruled out any threat to public at this time; however, the shooter remains at large. He added that the incident was not a random act of violence.
Morse said: “Unfortunately there was some innocent people in the area that might have also caught some rounds.”
The initial investigation reveals that an argument between two groups of people sitting inside the food court escalated to the point that opened fire at each other.
Arounf six victims were taken to the hospital by emergency services while the others went for medical aid by personal vehicle. Some of the injured were undergoing surgery.
Officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were also present at the scene.
East Baton Rogue Mayor-President Sid Edwards was also present on the scene. He updated that all the civilians were excorted out of the building. He requested public to “keep the victims and their families in your prayers.”
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry also released a statement, saying, “I am aware of the active shooter schene at the Mall of Louisiana.” He urged public to avoid the area, adding, “Sharon and I are praying for those affected.”
He also praised the law officials for their quick response to the incident.
The incident comes just hours after the police arrested a man on his way to Louisiana allegedly with the intent to carry out a mass shooting at a festival in New Orleans.
Prince William took a turn behind the scenes of high-speed innovation this week, visiting the headquarters of Jaguar TCS Racing and putting the spotlight firmly on the future of electric motorsport.
Sharing a clip from his visit on Instagram, the Prince of Wales captioned it: “Going green with Jaguar TCS Racing and Formula E!” a nod to the team’s push toward electrification, sustainability.
William also brought his trademark curiosity to the table, joking with engineers about how far automation in racing could eventually go.
Speaking during the visit, he quipped: “At what point does the driver become the weak link?”
Before pushing the thought further: “(At what point do we think) get rid of drivers, we’ll get an AI person in? We’re probably not far off that, are we?”
The Prince also spent time speaking 22-year-old Phoebe Russell, where the conversation turned to careers in motorsport and the barriers still faced by women entering the industry.
William asked: “Was it easy for you to find your way into this world?” to which Russell replied: “Not at all,” explaining she had early exposure to the sport through family connections.
After the visit, Russell admitted the encounter left her overwhelmed, saying: “Being asked to do a little career talk was very exciting.
The fact that he had so much awareness of the sport and so much interest, and it ties into his whole sustainability project, it was very interesting.”
Before leaving, William signed off with encouragement for the team ahead of their next challenge, telling them: “I’m very excited to see you racing, I’m going to cheer you guys on.”
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