Imran Abbas expresses gratitude as ‘Ehraam-e-Junoon’ hits 300M views
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP):Pakistani heartthrob, Imran Abbas expressed gratitude as his much-loved serial ‘Ehraam-e-Junoon’ has shattered viewership records with over 300 million views on YouTube.
Starring Imran Abbas and Neelam Muneer in lead roles, “Ehraam-e-Junoon promises to take viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as it explores the themes of love, pride, and class differences”
The ‘Thora Sa Haq’ sensation, took to his official Instagram account, shared the enchanting drama poster along with caption “Thank you for proving Ehraam-e-Junoon to be the most viewed serial on TV these days”
Sharing the blockbuster serial’s record breaking views with his huge fan following, the starlet wrote “Crossed 300+ Million views on YouTube”
Furthermore, the local television channel also penned heartfelt gratitude note as the drama secured highest TRP on the slot “We couldn’t be more grateful for our fans who have helped us reach the top spot on the TRP charts. Thank you for your love and support”
Produced by Abdullah Kadwani & Asad Qureshi under the banner of 7th Sky Entertainment, the much-talked-about serial is penned by the man with a golden pen Jahanzeb Qamar and directed under the vital direction of Syed Ramish Rizvi.
On the professional front, Abbas is riding high on the success of his ongoing serial ‘Tumhare Husn Ke Naam’ alongside the epitome of talent Saba Qamar.
950 officials to be deployed to regulate traffic during Muharram
RAWALPINDI, Jul 20 (APP): The City Traffic Police (CTP) have finalised all the arrangements for Muharram under a comprehensive traffic plan formulated to ensure the security of the mourning processions.
According to Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Rawalpindi Tamoor Khan, there would be a complete ban on parking of any vehicle or pushcart on the route of the procession. As many as 950 traffic officials including DSPs, inspectors, traffic wardens and traffic assistants would perform duties on city roads to control the traffic flow during Muharram, he added.
He said, traffic police officers and wardens had also been directed to take action against rules violators. Fork lifters would also move with Muharram processions, he said.
The CTO informed that the wardens had been directed to remove all kinds of encroachments from the procession routes besides keeping a vigil on suspected persons and things.
Entry of vehicles on the route of the processions would be blocked by erecting barricades and other hurdles, he added.
He informed that a special campaign had been launched to check the tinted glass and without number plate vehicles.
NUST, UNFPA observe World Population Day
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP): To commemorate the World Population Day, NUST School of Social Sciences and Humanities (S3H) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) jointly organized a seminar “Envisioning a Resilient Future for Pakistan’s Population: Challenges and Way Forward” on Thursday.
Assistant Country Representative UNFPA, Dr Rubina Ali in her keynote address, congratulated S3H on the establishment of Center of Excellence on Population and Wellbeing Studies (CePwS) – a research centre committed to population and demographic studies.
Dr. Rubina said that although the population growth rate is exponential in Pakistan, focus must remain on ensuring the rights of every individual.
She stressed the need for capacity building of individuals as well as institutions to address population related issues.
In her opening remarks, Director CePwS, Ms Rehma Rabab Hyder shared the vision and purpose of the newly established center.
Dean S3H, Dr. Salma Siddiqui underlined the importance of pursuing Sustainable Development Goals towards ensuring quality of life and wellbeing of population.
The Country Representative UNFPA, Dr Luay Shabaneh joined the panel discussion through a video message.
He acknowledged the significance of CePwS-NUST in navigating the current population landscape of the country.
He emphasized evidence-based decision-making through collecting, combining, analysing and presenting data and statistics.
He maintained that by engaging all stakeholders, issues can be better evaluated and addressed.
Other distinguished panelists included Dr G M Arif (Former President PAP and Ex Joint Director PIDE), Dr Muhammad Fahim Khokar, Professor IESE-NUST and Dr Durr-e Nayab, Joint Director PIDE.
In her concluding remarks, Principal S3H, Dr Ashfaque Hasan Khan touched upon some crucial statistics vis-à-vis ever-increasing global population.
He hoped that the establishment of CePwS would augur well for educating the masses, conducting advanced studies and, in so doing, arriving at plausible solutions to challenges emanating from the exponential rise in population of Pakistan.
The closing remarks were followed by prize distribution amongst winners of essay writing and photography competitions.
CePwS organised these nationwide competitions on the themes of amplifying women’s autonomy and wellbeing.
Two cops martyred in Regi attack
PESHAWAR, Jul 20 (APP):At least two cops embraced martyrdom and two others were injured in a fierce attack by terrorists on a police check post in Regi area here in the wee hour of Thursday morning.
According to city police, the terrorists used heavy arms and ammunition including SMG rifles, sniper thermal vision, and M4 weapons and targeted police personnel from
a distance of 30 meters.
The police personnel on duty retaliated back however the two personnel were shot in the head and embraced martyrdom on the spot while two others were injured.
The police spokesman said that it was an informal check post that was targeted by the terrorist as a soft target, adding the terrorists managed to escape from the
scene while taking advantage of the dark.
A team from the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) reached the spot, obtained the CCTV footage of the crime scene, and started an investigation.
Meanwhile, the IGP Akhtar Hayat Gandapur informed the terrorists would soon be traced out, adding progress has also been made into a suicide attack on the FC vehicle
in Hayatabad.
Ukrainian FM arrives in Pakistan on two-day visit
ISLAMABAD, July 20 (APP): Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba arrived here Thursday on his two-day maiden visit to Pakistan.
This is also the first-ever ministerial visit from Ukraine since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Ukraine in 1993.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari received his Ukrainian counterpart on his arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Both foreign ministers held detailed talks covering diverse matters of interest. They also planted a sapling in the lawns of the ministry.
Pakistan and Ukraine enjoy close and cordial relations, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture, and higher education.
The visit is expected to contribute to further strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries.
President condoles with families of soldiers, martyred in Zhob terrorist attack
ISLAMABAD, Jul 20 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday condoled with the family members of Pakistan Army soldiers who embraced martyrdom in a terrorist attack in Zhob, Balochistan on July 12.
He paid tributes to the martyrs and appreciated their services for their country.
The president contacted with the family members of Havaldar Muhammad Usman, Subedar Sikandar and Naeb Subedar Mustafa via telephone to offer his condolences and sympathies to them.
He also extended his sympathies to the family members of Lance Naek Gul Hameed, Neak Javed Shehzad, Sepoy Muhammad Yousuf, Faheem and Maqsood.
Paying tributes to the services and sacrifices of the martyrs for their country, President Alvi thanked the families of the martyrs on behalf of the nation.
He also acknowledged the martyred troops’ sacrifices and love for their country.
President Alvi prayed to Almighty Allah for the elevation of ranks of the departed souls in paradise.
Rohail Nazir to lead Pakistan Shaheens in Darwin series
PESHAWAR, Jul 20 (APP): The Pakistan Cricket Board Thursday appointed wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir as the Pakistan Shaheens captain for the Top End T20 Series in Darwin, Australia, which is being organized by Northern Territory Cricket (NTC) from July 30-August 6.
“Apart from the NTC side, NT Strike, and Pakistan Shaheens, Australian Capital Territory’s ACT Comets, Melbourne Stars, Melbourne Renegades, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) will participate in the six-team tournament in a T20 format with the top-two sides progressing to the final,” says a PCB release issued here Thursday.
At the backend of the T20 matches, Shaheens will also play two 50-over matches against PNG and NT Strike on August 8-9, respectively. The Darwin tour is part of the PCB’s policy to create more opportunities for emerging cricketers to play away cricket in different conditions against different oppositions across all formats so that they can hone their skills and also expand the pool of players.
In this relation, Pakistan Shaheens recently toured Zimbabwe and are presently in Sri Lanka for the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The squad will also take part in the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 from Sept. 19-Oct 8.
Rohail Nazir has played 33 first-class matches and has previously captained Pakistan Shaheens. He recently toured Zimbabwe where the Shaheens’ squad played two four-dayers and six 50-over matches in May.
Aaliyan Mahmood made his first-class debut in the 2022-23 season, while Basit Ali and Shawaiz Irfan featured in the U19 series against Bangladesh in Multan in 2022. Faisal Akram and Mohammad Irfan Khan were on the roster of Karachi Kings for the HBL Pakistan Super League 2023, while Mohammad Imran was part of Karachi Kings in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2022. Right-arm fast Syed Zeeshan Zameer featured for Islamabad United in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2023.
Moreover, the side also includes seven teenagers who were part of the Pakistan U19 squad that toured Bangladesh for a four-dayer, five 50-over and one T20 match series in May 2023. They are Amir Hassan, Ali Asfand, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Sajjad Ali, Shamyl Hussain and Wahaj Riaz.
Pakistan Shaheen’s squad:
Rohail Nazir (captain), Aaliyan Mahmood, Ali Asfand, Amir Hassan, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Basit Ali, Faisal Akram, Mohammad Imran, Sajjad Ali, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Shawaiz Irfan, Syed Zeeshan Zameer and Wahaj Riaz
Schedule of Pakistan Shaheens’ matches:
30 Jul – vs NT Strike (T20)
31 Jul – vs ACT Comets (T20)
1 Aug – vs Melbourne Renegades (T20)
2 Aug – vs Melbourne Stars (T20)
4 Aug – vs PNG (T20)
6 Aug – Final
8 Aug – vs PNG (50-over)
9 Aug – vs NT Strike (50-over)
Speakers at Houston conference call for boosting US-Pakistan economic ties
WASHINGTON, Jul 20 (APP): Speakers at a ‘Conference on Diplomacy for Development”, held in Houston, Texas, called for deepening the economic relationship between Pakistan and the United States in order to bring the two countries even closer together.
The Conference was organized by the International Academy of Letters USA, the Rupani Foundation, and the Ismaili Council for the South Western USA.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US, Masood Khan, and the US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Elizabeth Horst, jointly chaired a session on the “Role of Trade Diplomacy in Pakistan-US relations”.
The session was attended by thirty-five prominent Pak-American businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals and area experts having successful business ventures and who are also investing in different projects in Pakistan, according to a press release of the Pakistan embassy.
Dr. Tanvir Ahmed, a businessman, underscored the importance of investment in education and health sector which he said was critical in enhancing productivity of the young population.
Dr. Azeem-ud-Din, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist in Houston, highlighted his efforts in promoting and projecting Islamic art. He emphasized the need for greater efforts to introduce Pakistan, its culture and its products to the US audience.
Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, President, Houston Karachi Sister City Association, underscored the need for greater exchanges, especially trade delegations between Pakistan and the US for building strong linkages between the business communities of the two countries.
Nasruddin Rupani, Chairman Rupani Foundation and the Ibn-e-Sina Foundation, called for putting greater focus on ‘impact investment’. He briefed the participant about GB Invest initiative which aims at promoting investments in Gilgit Baltistan, ab region most suited for ‘impacy investment.’
Ilyas Baig, alsso a businessman, appreciated the establishment of Special Facilitation Investment Council which he said was critical for improving investment climate.
Mohsin Siddiqui, Oil and Gas sector expert, underscored the need for ensuring rule of law and providing necessary support and facilitation to businesses coming from the United States.
Ms. Mehnaz Zaidi highlighted the importance of ensuring greater female participation in the workforce and providing them with more opportunities to emerge as successful entrepreneurs.
Farhan Shabbir suggested that indigenous resources of energy should be explored for inexpensive energy. Another participant emphasized upon the need for ensuring necessary infrastructure and protections to the investors.
Other speakers, including Maryam Khan, Sarah Sheikh, Ilyas Chaudhry, highlighted existing potential and the issues in way to greater investment and strengthening of Pak-US economic relations.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Masood Khan said efforts were being made by Pakistan and the United States to strengthen economic ties. In this regard, he lauded the efforts being made by the U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Donald Blome, especially his visits to industrial hubs in Pakistan.
Discussing the availability of funds, Masood Khan noted that U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) was offering one billion dollar a year if the investors qualified by having required competence and credentials. Previously the DFC was reluctant to lend money if there was no American in any project. He also highlighted the role of International Finance Corporation in supporting funding requirements of the investors and the business community.
He identified IT sector of the country as an important sector which was not competing with any other sector. “It has its own domain and dimensions,” he said. He also recounted manufacturing, oil and gas sector and tourism, especially eco, adventure and religious tourism.
The Ambassador said that the American-Pakistani business community could help Pakistan in making transition to new technologies. He said that universities all over Pakistan were teaching new technologies to the students and preparing them to brace the challenges of the modern world.
In response to an observation regarding women participation in the development process, Masood Khan said that the women of Pakistan were not only becoming part of the workforce but outcompeting men in various sectors of economy.
Ms. Horst, the principal deputy assistant secretary of state acknowledged the successes being achieved by Pak-American business community and professionals.
“The amount of knowledge and expertise is staggering. Your success is inspirational. If we could find a way to harness these ideas and the goodwill that you have shared, I am confident that we would be able to find a future which is better for both Pakistan and the United States” Ms. Horst said.
At another session of the conference, Masood Khan urged Pakistani-Americans to scale up their investments in the country,
“Pakistan is witnessing economic and digital revolution with its tech-savvy youth, new sectors of economy opening up and the womenfolk joining its workforce,” he said, pointing out that Pakistan’s rich natural resources and enormous investment opportunities in multiple sectors of the economy. Indeed, “Pakistan is a treasure trove.”
Addressing the session on ‘Investment Opportunities in Pakistan’, the Ambassador said that time was ripe for the investors to bring their excess capacity to Pakistan and reap huge economic dividends.
Moderated by Sobat Khawaja, the panelists included renowned expert in energy and asset management Riaz Siddiqui, Shahzad Bashir, skilled in Management, Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Governance, Start-ups, and leadership and healthcare expert Mohammad Shafiq Ahmed.
Salaman Lalani, Pakistani-American Assembly member in Texas State Capitol, gave the opening remarks which were followed by moderated discussion between the panelists.
Attending the session were Ms. Horst, State Department officials, Pakistan’s Consul General in Houston, Mohammad Aftab Chaudhry, and community leaders, entrepreneurs and members of business community were present during the session.
The participants were of the view that the diaspora needed to be a proactive partner and not a spectator in the economic development of Pakistan.
Despite economic constraints during recent times, Pakistan presented itself as an attractive destination for investment, they said. The presence of abundant natural resources and 60% young population was an asset for Pakistan which needed to be harnessed.
Masood Khan said that contrary to the impression of shortage of skilled workforce, the youth of Pakistan nowadays was equipped with the state of the art knowledge and expertise from leading universities of the world.