Governor of Sindh Kamran Khan Tessori, DG Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) Major General Azhar Waqas and other notables attend namaz-e-janaza of Nawab of Junagarh State, Nawab Muhammad Jahangir Khanji at Fatima Jinnah House Road
Korea to establish IT Centre in Karachi: CG Yi Sungho
KARACHI, Jul 21 (APP): Consul General of the Republic of Korea Yi Sungho, on Friday, informed that the Korean Government was setting up an IT Centre in Karachi to provide young IT startups an opportunity to start working with Korea.
The Korean envoy, during a visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), said that the Korean government was keen to support Pakistan in developing its IT sector and an IT center has already been completed in Islamabad.
He urged Pakistan to come up with strong policies to train and educate young people in the IT sector and must also invest more money in education and training to find some geniuses who could bring revolution not only in IT but also in other sectors of the economy.
Korean Envoy pinpointing the low volume of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Korea observed “Trade between the two countries kept growing until 2019, but it suffered setbacks after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic which was followed by some economic difficulties in Pakistan”.
Efforts were being made to enhance existing trade volume, he added while expressing optimism that trade between Korea and Pakistan will rebound again in the future.
He said, “To support Pakistan’s economy in its quest for fetching maximum workers’ remittances, the Korean Government encourages Pakistani workers to work in Korea, hence, we extended the maximum quota for Pakistani Workers to 4,000 workers, of which 3,000 workers have already been called to Korea.”
Commenting on the investment potential of Korean textile companies, the envoy pointed out that most of the Korean companies moved their manufacturing units to Bangladesh with the passage of time where they were doing quite well.
“If Pakistan provides a good business environment, these Korean companies will certainly move their units here in Pakistan mainly due to low labor cost which is the most important element of cost of doing business,” he said.
He mentioned that Korean companies moved to Bangladesh due to low labor costs but now, the cost of labor in Pakistan was even lower than what it was in Bangladesh which could encourage many Korean companies to move businesses to Pakistan but the other conditions for doing business must also be the same as being offered in Bangladesh.
The Korean CG informed that Pakistan’s Embassy in Korea will also be holding an Investment and Trade Promotion Conference next week wherein the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and Board of Investment (BoI) will be explaining the overall investment environment and regulations in Pakistan to Korean companies.
“A University in Islamabad has also started offering Korean Language Courses but no such course is, unfortunately, being offered here in Karachi”, he mentioned while expressing his willingness to open such Korean Language Learning Centre in Karachi.
Earlier, President KCCI Tariq Yousuf, while warmly welcoming the Korean Ambassador, stressed that Pakistan and South Korea need to accelerate bilateral trade volume and devise a clear roadmap for Free Trade Agreement which would pave the way for improved trade relations and open up new dimensions.
He urged Korean companies to explore JVs and investment in SEZs under CPEC and added that the One-Belt-One-Road initiative could prove to be beneficial for enhancing trade between the two countries whereas the Visa regime also needs to be eased for greater matchmaking between the two countries.
He was of the view that Korean corporations can also help the local economy by creating value addition in the textile sector, coastal belts, and Technology Parks. “Participation in trade fairs and exhibitions would be a great way for the business community of both countries to explore new trade avenues and promotion strategies”, he added.
Vice President KCCI Mohammad Haris Agar, Chairman Diplomatic Missions and Embassies Liaison Sub-committee Zia ul Arfeen, and KCCI Managing Committee Members attended the meeting.
Monsoon rains likely to continue till July 26: PMD
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Friday indicated chances of monsoon rains to continue in the coming days.
The monsoon currents were continuously penetrating in the country from Bay of Bengal and a westerly trough was also affecting its upper parts that might persist during next few days, the PMD said.
“Rain/wind-thundershower with few heavy to very heavy falls are expected in Kashmir, (Neelum valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch, Hattian, Bagh, Haveli, Sudhanoti, Kotli, Bhimber, Mirpur), Gilgit Baltistan (Diamir, Astore, Ghizer, Skardu, Hunza, Gilgit, Ghanche, Shigar), Murree, Galliyat, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Jhelum, Mandi Bahauddin, Sialkot, Narowal, Lahore, Sheikhupura, Hafizabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Kasur, Mianwali, Sargodha, Khushab, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Sahiwal, Bahawalnagar, Okara, Chitral, Dir, Swat, Shangla, Buner,Mansehra, Kohistan, Abbottabad, Haripur, Peshawar, Mardan, Swabi, Nowshera, Kurram, Lakki Marwat, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, Karak and Waziristan from July 22- 26 with occasional gaps,” it added.
Rain/wind-thundershower with isolated heavy falls, the PMD further said, “are also expected in Zhob, Sherani, Barkhan, Musakhel, Kohlu, Naseerabad, Jhal Magsi, Loralai, Ziarat, Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, Lasbela, Awaran, Kech, Panjgur, Dera Ghazi khan, Rajanpur, Multan, Khanewal, Bhakkar, Layyah, Kot Addu, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Tharparkar, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Larkana, Jacobabad, Dadu, Shaheed Benazirabad, Hyderabad, Sanghar, Badin, Thatta and Karachi from July 22- 24 with occasional gaps”.
About the impacts, the PMD warned that heavy rains might cause urban flooding in low lying areas of Islamabad/ Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Gujranwala and Lahore from July 22-26, and trigger landslides in the vulnerable areas of Murree, Galliyat, Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and hilly areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during the period.
“Heavy rain may generate flash flooding in Kashmir, Dir, Swat, Kohistan, Shangla, Buner, Manshera, Abbottabad, Rawalpindi/Islamabad during July 22-26, and cause hill torrents in Dera Ghazi Khan and adjoining areas of northeast Balochistan on July 22 and 23.”
Heavy rains might also trigger water logging in low lying areas of Karachi and Hyderabad during July 22-24, the PMD said.
It advised the farmers to manage their activities keeping in view the weather forecast, and asked tourists and travelers to remain extra cautious to avoid any untoward situation during the wet spell.
The PMD urged the public to stay at safe places during wind-storm/heavy rains as loose structures like electric poles, solar panels etc might be damaged.
It also advised all the authorities concerned to remain alert and take necessary precautionary measures during the forecast period.
ICC U19 CWC qualification resumes next week
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): The Qualification for the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka 2024 resumes next week as Tanzania plays host to the Africa Qualifier from July 23 to 30.
The best young cricketers on the African continent would take to the stage over eight tournament days, all eyeing the ultimate prize of securing a spot at the global showpiece event in January, said a press release.
A total of 13 teams have already booked their tickets for Sri Lanka 2024, including Nepal and New Zealand, who joined the 11 automatically qualified nations by virtue of winning their respective regional Qualifiers in Asia and EAP earlier this year.
Taking to the field in Tanzania would be the most promising talent from six countries. Competing for the solitary spot available in the Africa Qualifier will be three teams that progressed from last year’s Division 2 Qualifiers; Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, along with Namibia, Uganda, and the host nation.
15 tournament matches were set to take place across two venues in Dar-es Salaam, the Dar Gymkhana Club Ground and the University of Dar-es Salaam (UDSM); the former hosting eight matches and the latter seven, in a round-robin format where only the table-topping side will clinch qualification.
With fierce competition predicted during the event, the tournament aims to continue the high drama witnessed during the qualification pathway ahead of the 15th edition of the celebrated U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup, an event which continues its rich legacy of forging the careers of some of the greats of the game.
Match Schedule- July 23: Namibia vs Uganda, Tanzania vs Kenya; July 24: Namibia vs Tanzania, Sierra Leone vs Nigeria; July 25: Sierra Leone vs Kenya, Nigeria vs Uganda; July 26: Uganda vs Tanzania, Kenya v Namibia; July 27: Tanzania vs Nigeria, Sierra Leone v Namibia; July 28: Kenya v Uganda; July 29: Uganda vs Sierra Leone, Kenya v Nigeria; July 30: Nigeria v Namibia, Tanzania vs Sierra Leone.
NA body unanimously approves PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on Friday unanimously approved the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Amendment Bill 2023.
The committee, which met at the Radio Pakistan with Javaria Zafar Aheer in the chair, termed the Bill a historic initiative for the welfare of journalists and appreciated all the efforts of all stakeholders, including the government, in that regard.
Besides The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023, the committee also discussed The Press Council of Pakistan (Amendment) Bill 2023.
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, briefing the committee, said amending the PEMRA law was the need of the hour as the entire scenario of the media had changed.
She said the PEMRA Ordinance, which was promulgated in 2002, was was being amended first time. Its nine clauses were amended while five new ones were added.
The minister said under the amended law, for the first time media workers were being given the right to file complaints in the Council of Complaints, whereas in the past they were sacked even for demanding salaries.
Under the new bill, a three-member committee would now have the powers to close down a channel instead of the PEMRA chairman, she added.
Marriyum said in the past, an unsuccessful attempt was made to bring a black law like the Pakistan Media Development Authority.
However, the incumbent government took 13 months to prepare the amended bill as extensive consultations were held with all stakeholders, including media workers organizations and owners of media houses.
The minister said that the definitions of fake news, disinformation and misinformation had also been included in the bill. Disinformation and misinformation had been interpreted separately.
She said under the new bill, the fine for deliberately spreading false news had been increased from Rs 1 million to Rs 10 million. In the past, the channels used to take the plea that the fake news by aired by them was filed by journalists in their personal capacity, but now they (channels) would also be made accountable.
The minister said nine clauses, including 2, 6, 8, 11, 13, 24, 26, 27 and 29 had been amended whereas five news ones 20, 20-A, 29A, 30B and 39A were added to the bill.
She said in the preamble of the bill, instead of “the news”, words like “certified news, patience and tolerance, economic and energy development and children-related content have been added”.
Under the bill, the scope of public entertainment, education and information had been expanded, she added.
Marriyum said the electronic media would have to use authentic news, besides the content related to tolerance in the society, general development, energy and economic development.
She said as per the amended bill, “timely payment refers to payments made to electronic media employees within two months”.
The electronic media would be bound to abide by all decisions and orders of PEMRA and the grievance council for timely payment of salaries.
She said at the federal and provincial levels, government advertisements would not be given to the electronic media houses for non-payment of salaries.
The duration of airing advertisements would not exceed five minutes during a regular programme on the electronic media, he added.
The minister said the broadcast media licenses would be issued for 20 years and the distribution licenses for 10 years.
She said a violation falling under the category of “violation of Article 19” would be considered a “serious violation”.
Marriyum said for the first time, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) had been given representation under the new PEMRA law, while the condition of not broadcasting “disinformation” had also been included in the news channels’ code of conduct.
The minister said the grievance councils would be based at Islamabad and provincial capitals to redress the grievances of the people, institutions and others.
The councils would also ensure implementation of the government policy of minimum wages in the electronic media and timely payment of wages to the employees, she added.
“The grievance council shall consist of a chairman and five members, serving for a term of two years,” she said, adding an appeal could be made against the decisions of PEMRA in the high court of the respective province.
On the occasion, MNA Nafeesa Shah said the committee members should be given time to review the amendments in the bill. On this, the minister said all the details regarding the bill had been provided to the members. Nine amendments were made in the bill, with addition of five new clauses, she added.
MNA Zeb Jafar said that the bill should be approved by the committee.
PEMRA Chairman Saleem Baig told the panel that all electronic media channels were legally bound to submit a copy of their annual audit reports every year.
Besides the committee members Naz Baloch, Zeb JAfar and Nafeesa Shah, Secretary Information and Broadcasting Sohail Ali Khan, PEMRA chairman PERMA Saleem Baig and Director General Radio Tahir Hassan and senior officers from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also attended the meeting.
Sardar Akhtar Mengal calls on Prime Minister
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): Member National Assembly and Chairman Balochistan National Party Sardar Akhtar Mengal called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif here on Friday and discussed matters relating to the Balochistan province.
Overall political situation also came under discussion during the meeting.
Minister for Economic Affairs Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Advisor to the prime minister Ahad Cheema were also present on the occasion.
Program launched to help Somalian students in science & technology, higher education
ISLAMABAD, Jul 21 (APP): In order to support Somalian students in their endeavors in science and technology as well as in the higher education sector, COMSTECH-the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation has launched a specialized “Somalia Science and Technology Cooperation Program” in a ceremony here on Friday.
The initiative was launched with the efforts of the Embassy of the Republic of Somalia here in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Addressing the ceremony, COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary emphasized the need for joint collaborative country-specific programs to address the specific needs of each OIC member state with tailor-made solutions.
He appreciated the efforts of Somalian Ambassador Shirwa Abdullahi Ibrahim and the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Science and Technology, Pakistan, for launching this program.
The Charge de Affairs, Embassy of the Republic of Somalia, Shirwa Abdullahi Ibrahim appreciated the visionary initiative taken by the COMSTECH leadership to address the Science and Technology needs of his country.
He thanked Prof. Choudhary for starting country-specific programs for OIC member states specifically in the African continent, adding the program will contribute to further mutual collaboration.
The High Commissioner of Pakistan in Nairobi, Kenya, Saqlain Syedah addressed the launching ceremony online and appreciated the COMSTECH initiative for Somalia, and other African OIC member states.
The University of Lahore Rector Dr. Muhammad Ashraf applauded the efforts of COMSTECH for expanding collaborative programs with African countries, stating being a member of CCoE the University of Lahore is an active partner in all its programs.
He informed that over 500 foreign students including 360 African students were enrolled at the University of Lahore and it has also established a Medical College in Uganda.
Chairman, Association of Private Sector Universities of Pakistan, Prof. Dr. Ch. Abdul Rehman extended his heartfelt support on behalf of his university and the Association of Private Sector Universities to the COMSTECH-Somalia Science and Technology Cooperation.
He said, “We will foster scientific and technological advancements, promote collaboration, and contribute to the development and progress of Somalia and the entire OIC region.”
The Ambassador of Pakistan to Niger, Mr. Ahmed Ali Sirohey, and Justice Dr. Syed Mohammad Anwar Ali, Aalim Judge, Federal Shariat Court Islamabad appreciated the COMSTECH efforts for the Science and Technology development in the OIC region and expressed their full support for COMSTECH programs.
COMSTECH in close coordination with the OIC General Secretariat, Jeddah, has launched several new initiatives and programs for the capacity building of OIC states, particularly for the African OIC LDCs.
Somalia, being one of the largest OIC member states in the African continent, will play a leading role in the implementation of COMSTECH programs in the region.
Under this program, the top two universities of Somalia will be able to join the COMSTECH Consortium of Excellence (CCoE) as associate members.
COMSTECH will offer 10 fellowships to Somalian students, researchers, and technical personnel and will organize thematic workshops and training courses on emerging technologies relevant to national and regional needs in collaboration with the relevant institutions in Somalia.
COMSTECH in collaboration with Islamic Development Bank and OIC General Secretariat will conduct health camps for high-quality cataract services to improve vision-related quality of life and reduce blindness-related poverty.
It also in collaboration with the relevant institutions in Somalia and Pakistan will also arrange training programs in ophthalmology and neuro-critical care for Somalian healthcare providers.
Women in science fellowship program will be launched in which Somalian women scientists will be able to conduct research studies in leading Research and Development (R&D) institutions of Pakistan, and other COMSTECH member states.
Similarly, in collaboration with local universities, it will launch a skill development program for technicians in different areas according to the needs of the country.
This program will enable the R&D institutions of Somalia to collaborate with CCoE institutions for the exchange of knowledge, expertise, technology, and resources to develop their capacities.
President urges society, family role to address disability, rehabilitation issues
ISLAMABAD, July 21 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Friday emphasized that society and the family system would have to play their due role to facilitate the lives of disabled persons as well as those needing rehabilitative care.
The president, addressing the concluding ceremony of a course held by the Global Rehabilitation Leadership Institute, said the community welfare had been the basis for all religions including Islam, Christianity and Judaism, citing the examples of holy prophets, Prophet Muhammad and his companions.
He said at a time when the world lacked morality and humanism in its affairs, it was the society that would have to play its part, particularly for the welfare of persons with disabilities and those who could benefit from rehabilitation.
Citing a research study, the president told the gathering that around 24 percent of Pakistan’s population suffered mental stress including 60-70 percent of the students.
He said the situation could not be addressed at a time when the country had just 600 psychiatrists and 1200 psychologists. In such a case, the family system could prove to be a good anchor to extend its support in the form of group therapy and stress sharing.
President Alvi said without depending on the state, the family system would have to come up to play its part as in Islamic societies where the communities always promulgated laws.
He stressed the need for the Pakistani society to show compassion towards the persons with disabilities as generally, their attitude towards them was not welcoming. He said all the deprived segments of society including women and 27 million out-of-school children required due attention for redressal of their woes.
He said the enrollment of 27 million out-of-school children could take decades if left up to the state while Pakistani society could address the issue far earlier by utilising the already available infrastructure of mosques.
The president said children with physical disabilities should be enrolled in regular schools as it would sensitise other children towards their challenges.
Besides, he said more than a state, the society would have to make efforts to ease the movement of visually impaired people.
The president thanked the World Health Organisation (WHO) for extending support to Pakistan to address the issues of disability and rehabilitation.
He urged the countrymen to respect their legacy of love towards humanity, the environment and nature to bring a change just by investing the intellect, not money.
Earlier, WHO Representative in Pakistan Palitha Mahipala spoke hight of the “incredible” leadership and role played by President Alvi towards the issues of disabilities and rehabilitation.
Similarly, he also lauded the contribution and efforts by First Lady Samina Alvi on the issues including her traveling and interactions with the people on multiple health-related issues.
The WHO representative called for the integration of the health system to include rehabilitation and assured the world health body’s cooperation in this regard.
He also appreciated Pakistan’s “tremendous” work in the primary healthcare sector.
Dr Goerge of Curatio Foundation of Georgia highlighted the journey of his country to integrate the health system by allocating more funds and carrying out capacity building.
Dr Alarcos Cieza from WHO Headquarters told the gathering that the countries’ approach towards rehabilitation was changing as 40 countries had sought their support.
Calling for strengthening leadership and governance, she said around six million people in Pakistan lived with disability and around 47 million could benefit from rehabilitation.
Dr Abdul Ghafoor Bachani of Johns Hopkin University said around 2.4 billion people across the world needed rehabilitation services and one in every five people of Pakistan need that support.
He advised against limiting the rehabilitation to just physiotherapy or disability rather every human in his life could need this service at any time in life.
However, he said so far less than 10 percent of the people could benefit from the rehabilitation which necessitated enhanced focus, funding and integration of the health system.
In his welcome address, Dr Abdul Ghaffar said the five-day course was being participated by experts and stakeholders from across Pakistan and Uganda.
A vendor along with his son busy arranging and displaying bread trays and other domestic-use items to attract customers at his roadside setup
