President Dr Arif Alvi addressing the concluding ceremony of the Global Rehabilitation Leadership Institute Course
President Dr Arif Alvi addressing the concluding ceremony of the Global Rehabilitation Leadership Institute Course
Member National Assembly & Chairman Balochistan National Party Sardar Akhtar Mengal call on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs the 2nd meeting of Apex Committee of SIFC
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs the 2nd meeting of Apex Committee of SIFC
Tencent’s ‘weixin pay’ enhances mobile payment experience for overseas users visiting China
BEIJING, Jul 21 (APP): Tencent is deepening its collaboration with international card organizations including Visa, Discover Global Network (including Diners Club), JCB, and Mastercard in order to further improve overseas users’ digital payment experience in China.
The move coincides with the full resumption of travel and international business to China and major international events in the country.
The latest development fully opens Weixin Pay’s merchant network in China to international card organizations in gradual steps.
In 2019, Weixin Pay began supporting overseas users in linking their international credit cards for use with various pilot services, said a press statement issued here on Friday.
The expanded merchant network includes categories such as dining, transportation, shopping, hotel accommodation and more. Users can enjoy multiple payment methods such as scanning QR codes, presenting payment codes, Weixin Mini Programs and in-app payments, enhancing users’ payment experience both online and offline.
After linking an international card, overseas users will be able to conveniently access over tens of millions of merchants, including small and medium-sized merchants. Transaction fees are waived for single transactions of less than or equal to 200 RMB to fulfill users’ small-amount and high-frequency payment needs, subject to the details specified on the payment page.
People entering the Chinese Mainland can use their passports, Mainland Travel Permit and Mainland Residence Permit for Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan residents, or Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card to set up their Weixin Pay, link an international credit card or debit card, and start enjoying mobile payments across the country.
Previously, Chinese regulators encouraged the refinement of mobile payment solutions for visitors to improve their payment experience. Domestic payment service providers are also encouraged to partner with overseas card issuers to provide mobile payment to overseas visitors in accordance with rules and regulations.
With the upcoming international sporting events such as the FISU World University Games in Chengdu and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, the number of incoming overseas tourists continues to rise. Tencent strives to improve mobile payment experience and offer more convenience for overseas users, through initiatives such as supporting international cards on Weixin Pay and connecting overseas local wallets with the Mainland of China.
Arshad Iqbal’s five-haul takes Pakistan Shaheens into grand final
COLOMBO (Sri Lanka), July 21 (APP): Arshad Iqbal’s five-wicket haul and half-centuries by Omair Bin Yousuf and Mohammad Haris led Pakistan Shaheens to a 60-run victory over Sri Lankan-A in the first semi-final of the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium here on Friday.
Defending Champions Shaheens will now play against the winners of the second semi-final which is taking place between Bangladesh-A and India-A at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The final will take place on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium, where the first ball will be bowled at 2.00 p.m local time.
Chasing 323 to win, Sri Lankan-A lost three wickets in quick succession with 33 runs on the board. Opening batter Avishka Fernando and Sahan Arachchige got together and added 128 runs for the fourth wicket.
After the departure of Fernando 97 of 85 balls with a dashing 12 boundaries and two towering sixes, Sri Lankan-A lost wickets at regular intervals which included the prized scalp of Arachchige, also on 97 off 109, with twelve cracking boundaries and one six, and were bundled out for 262 in 45.4 overs.
Arshad, playing a key role, ended up with match figures of five wickets in his 7.4 overs off 37 runs – his maiden list-A five-wicket haul. Mubasir Khan and Sufiyan Muqeem grabbed two wickets each.
Earlier after opting to bat first, Shaheens lost opening batter Sahibzada Farhan on 12 runs off 22 balls hitting one boundary in the sixth over to Lahiru Samarakoon. Saim Ayub was joined by Omair Bin Yousuf and the pair added 37 runs for the second wicket before Saim was caught behind for 22 off 41 balls, which included three fours as Shaheens’ scorecard read 61 for two in 13 overs.
Omair – the top run-getter for his side in Friday’s match – partnered with Tayyab Tahir, who scored 26 runs off as many balls with four boundaries and stitched a 61-run partnership for the third wicket. After Tayyab and Qasim departed with the score at 145 for four in 26 overs, captain Mohammad Haris and Omair knitted a 48-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Omair scored 88 off 79 balls, smashing 10 fours and a six. Haris and Mubashir, who made 42 off 45 balls with two boundaries and as many sixes added another 73 valuable runs for the sixth wicket stand.
Haris made a quick-fire 43-ball 52, hitting five boundaries. Shaheens were dismissed for 322 on the final ball of the innings.
For Sri Lankan-A, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Samarakoon and Pramod Madushan bagged two wickets each.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan Shaheens beat Sri Lanka A by 60 runs
Pakistan Shaheens 322 all out, 50 overs (Omair Bin Yousuf 88, Mohammad Haris 52, Mubasir Khan 42; Lahiru Samarakoon 2-42, Chamika Karunaratne 2-55, Pramod Madushan 2-56)
Sri Lankan-A 262 all out, 45.4 overs (Avishka Fernando 97, Sahan Arachchige 97; Arshad Iqbal 5-37, Sufyan Muqeem 2-44, Mubasir Khan 2-45) Player of the match – Arshad Iqbal (Pakistan Shaheens).
FM visits houses built for flood/Rain victims in Vakiya Sangi village Larkana
LARKANA, Jul 21 (APP): Chairman PPP and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited the village Vakiya Sangi of Larkana district on Friday evening and inspected the houses being built for the flood victims.
During the visit, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah was also along with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Chief Operating Officer of Sindh People’s Housing for flood victims Malik Najaf Khan briefed the Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari was also briefed by Chief Executive Officer Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) Dital Kalhoro about the houses to be built for flood victims in the village.
CEO SRSO also briefed the Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari about the construction of 147 houses out of 266 flood-damaged houses in village Vakiya Sangi has been started.
He also briefed Foreign Minister Bilawal that the first instalment for the construction of houses for 138 village Vakiya Sangi flood victims, the second instalment for 102 and the third instalment for 60 have been released.
FM appreciated the efforts of Sindh People’s Housing for flood victims and SRSO for flood victims.
First Global Media Forum begins in Azerbaijan
SHUSHA (Azerbaijan), Jul 21 (APP): President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev inaugurated the first-ever Global Media Forum on “New Media in the Era of the 4th Industrial Revolution” here on Friday.
The media forum was organized on the occasion of the 148th anniversary of the Azerbaijan National Press which brought together 150 participants from 49 countries, including 34 state news agencies – Associated Press of Pakistan among them – and 12 international and media organizations, besides 60 local media heads and representatives.
President Ilham Aliyev, addressing the audience, said the role of media was significant in educating the people and highlighting their problems.
He hailed the role of social media, saying he also got information from social media tools about the issues, besides the traditional media.
Talking about liberated areas and war, he said “From the first day, even I would say, from the first hours of the Second Karabakh War, Türkiye, its people and its leader were side by side with us. The statement of President Erdogan in the first hours of the Second Karabakh War that Azerbaijan is not alone was a great moral support to us.
“After the victory in the Second Karabakh War, Azerbaijan and Türkiye formalized their relationship, which, actually, were de facto relations between allies.”
The Forum is scheduled to discuss critical issues of global importance in the media and information communication fields. The world’s illustrious media leaders, experts, professors will deliberate about new tools of journalism and communications in the digital era, digital transformation, media management and sustainable media business models, and media literacy in the new media, methods of fighting disinformation and fake news, and the safety of journalists.
The Non-Aligned Movement Media Platform initiative will also be put forward by the Forum.
It is the first time that the city of Shusha has brought together heads of the world’s leading media and journalist organizations, media and communication experts, and renowned journalists.
Dr. Qibla praises China’s model of religious freedom, inclusivity
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) Chairman Dr. Qibla Ayaz on Friday lauded China’s commitment to religious freedom and inclusivity, dispelling any negative impressions of interfaith disharmony in the country.
He, in an exclusive interview with APP, highlighted that China ensures the protection of legal rights for minority communities, including Muslims, without any discrimination or bias.
Sharing his recent personal experience, Dr. Qibla Ayaz revealed that he had visited various regions of China alongside a delegation of prominent religious scholars and leaders. They were invited by the Chinese foreign affairs ministry to assess the state of religious pluralism in the nation.
The chairman expressed that he was impressed to witness a country where people from all segments of society enjoy equal rights and have the freedom to practice their religious rituals without hindrance.
During this trip, Dr. Qibla observed that minority communities in China joyously celebrated their religious festivals and other social and cultural events, alongside the majority population.
The Chinese government played an active role in supporting and promoting these religious and cultural activities, extending all possible assistance, he maintained.
Dr. Qibla also had the opportunity to meet with key religious figures during his visit. He met Muhamad Ismail, Imam of a Masjid in Guilin, Khawaja Abbas, another Imam in Kashghar, and Abdul Raqeeb Al-Sini, head of the Islamic Academy in Aksu, Xinjiang.
These religious leaders disclosed that the religious seminaries in China received full official financial sponsorship for various purposes, including salaries, construction, repair, maintenance, and preservation of buildings.
One of the highlights of the visit was the observation of the Islamic Academy, which offered a congenial environment to its students. The academy provided a comfortable hostel and hygienic food to the students free of charge.
The facility spanned 25 canals and included gardens and playing grounds to keep the students physically fit. Additionally, the academy boasted a state-of-the-art library with a wide array of informative materials for students of all levels.
Dr. Qibla also praised China for its efforts to make religious texts accessible to all, including the translation of the Holy Quran into Chinese and Uyghur languages. These translations are widely available throughout the country, demonstrating China’s commitment to making religious knowledge easily accessible to its diverse population, he added.
Overall, Dr. Qibla’s visit to China left a positive impression, showcasing the country’s model of religious freedom and inclusivity. The religious leaders’ insights shed light on China’s efforts to promote harmony among different faiths and provide equal opportunities for all religious communities, including Muslims.
The delegation was comprised of Dr. Qibla Ayaz, Israr Madani, Tehmeed Jan Azhari, Muhammad Tayyab Tahiri, Maulana Fazl-e-Aali Haqqani, Rashid ul Haq, Maulana Atta ur Rehman, Asif Luqman Qazi, Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali, and Maulana Yousuf Shah.