LAHORE: MAY 25 –
LAHORE: MAY 25 – A view of fire work after Lahore Qalanders won the Pakistan Super League PSL-X T20 cricket Final match between Lahore Qalanders and Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium. APP/MTF/FHA
A view of fire work after Lahore Qalanders won the Pakistan Super League PSL-X T20 cricket Final match between Lahore Qalanders and Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium.
LAHORE: MAY 25 –
LAHORE: MAY 25 – A view of fire work after Lahore Qalanders won the Pakistan Super League PSL-X T20 cricket Final match between Lahore Qalanders and Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium. APP/MTF/FHA
Lahore Qalandars players pose for a group photo as their captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, lifts the trophy after winning the PSL-X T20 Final against Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium..
LAHORE: MAY 25 –
LAHORE: MAY 25 – Lahore Qalandars players pose for a group photo as their captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, lifts the trophy after winning the PSL-X T20 Final against Quetta Gladiators at Gaddafi Stadium. APP/MTF/FHA
One in 4 jobs globally threatened by generative artificial intelligence: UN Report
UNITED NATIONS, May 25 (APP): Women and clerical workers face the highest risk of their roles being radically transformed by Artificial Intelligence, prompting calls for inclusive policy responses.
One in four jobs worldwide is potentially exposed to what’s known as Generative Artificial Intelligence – or Generative AI (GenAI) – according to a new joint study from the UN labour agency (ILO) and Poland’s National Research Institute. The study finds that transforming job descriptions, not widespread job loss, is the more likely result.
GenAI refers to systems that can create content such as text, images, code or data summaries in response to user prompts. As such tools become more widely used, they are expected to reshape the tasks employees perform each day.
The new ILO-NASK index draws from nearly 30,000 real-world job descriptions using worker surveys, expert reviews and AI models to identify occupations most susceptible to AI driven change.
“Few jobs consist of tasks that are fully automatable with current AI technology,” the authors write. “Transformation of jobs is the most likely impact of GenAI.”
The study finds that in high-income countries, jobs considered at the highest risk of AI-driven task automation account for 9.6 per cent of female employment – nearly three times the share for men.
Worldwide, 4.7 per cent of women’s jobs fall into the highest-risk category, compared with 2.4 per cent for men.
This disparity is due largely to the overrepresentation of women in clerical and administrative roles, which are among the most exposed occupational groups.
These jobs often involve tasks such as data entry and document formatting and scheduling, functions that AI technologies can already perform efficiently.
While these roles are unlikely to disappear entirely, the report warns that partial automation could reduce job quality, leading to fewer responsibilities, stagnating wages and growing insecurity.
Without targeted training or role redesign, some workers – particularly women – may face limited opportunities to adapt.
The report also identifies stark differences across regions. In high-income countries, 34 per cent of jobs are in occupations exposed to GenAI, compared to just 11 per cent in low-income countries.
Middle-income regions such as Latin America and parts of Asia fall somewhere in between.
Europe and Central Asia show the highest gender disparities, driven by high female employment in clerical roles and widespread digital adoption.
Regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and the Arab States currently show lower overall exposure but could still experience significant disruption if AI technologies spread without safeguards.
The study cautions that lower exposure does not equal lower risk. In regions where digital access is limited or labour protections are weak, even small-scale automation could destabilize vulnerable sectors.
To ensure that the transition to generative AI supports rather than displaces workers, ILO urges governments, employers and workers’ organisations to act decisively.
Central to the recommended response is the need to strengthen access to digital skills and training, particularly for women and those working in clerical or administrative roles.
The agency also highlights the importance of integrating AI planning into broader labour market and education policies.
Preparing workforces for transformation will require not only technical training, but also supportive infrastructure, modernised curricula, and alignment between employers’ needs and national policies.
At the heart of this transition, authors stress, must be inclusive social dialogue. Workers should have a say in how GenAI is introduced and used in the workplace, and their experiences must inform decisions about implementation.
Without this engagement, the risks of unequal outcomes, including widening gender gaps and declining job quality, will be much greater.
Finally, the report emphasises that regions with limited digital access must not be left behind. Expanding infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to technology are critical steps in enabling all countries to shape the future of work on their own terms.
Lahore Qalanders player Fakhar Zaman playing shot during the Pakistan Super League PSL-X T20 cricket Final match between Lahore Qalanders and Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium.
LAHORE: MAY 25 –
LAHORE: MAY 25 – Lahore Qalanders player celebrates after winning the Pakistan Super League PSL-X T20 cricket Final match between Lahore Qalanders and Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium. APP/MTF/FHA
LAHORE: MAY 25 – Lahore Qalanders player celebrates after winning the Pakistan Super League PSL-X T20 cricket Final match between Lahore Qalanders and Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium. APP/MTF/FHA
UNHCR highlights plight of Rohingya refugees amid alarming reports
UNITED NATIONS, May 26 (APP): The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) on Friday released a statement expressing grave concern over reports that two boats carrying Rohingya Muslim refugees sank off the coast of Myanmar earlier this month, with an estimated 427 people dead.
According to reports, one boat carrying 267 people from Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh and Rakhine State in Myanmar, sank on 9 May, with only 66 survivors, UNHCR said.
The following day, a second boat fleeing with 247 people capsized, leaving just 21 survivors. In a separate incident, reports indicate that on 14 May, a third vessel carrying 188 Rohingya was intercepted while departing from Myanmar.
Since August 2017, mass violence, armed attacks and human rights violations have forced hundreds of thousands of mainly-Muslim Rohingya to flee Myanmar’s Rakhine State to seek refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh, particularly in the Cox Bazar’s region.
Last week, UNHCR voiced alarm over reports that Rohingya refugees had been forced off an Indian navy vessel into the Andaman Sea. News reports said that dozens of refugees were detained in Delhi, blindfolded, flown to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, then transferred to a naval ship and forced to swim ashore.
In Friday’s statement, Hai Kyung Jun, Director of UNHCR’s Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, warned that the worsening humanitarian situation exacerbated by funding cuts to UN agencies is pushing more Rohingya to risk dangerous sea journeys.
She stressed the urgent need for stronger protection in first-asylum countries and greater responsibility-sharing to prevent further tragedies.
Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq highlighted that, with the annual monsoon season now underway, the perilous sea conditions reflect the desperation of those attempting to flee.
He also noted that so far this year, one in five people undertaking such sea journeys in the region has been reported dead or missing, underscoring the scale of risk and despair facing the Rohingya.
According to UNHCR data, as of 30 April, there are 1,272,081 Rohingya refugees officially displaced and stateless from Myanmar. Some 89 per cent are seeking asylum in Bangladesh and 8.8 per cent in Malaysia.
The refugee agency requires $383.1 million to sustain essential support for Rohingya refugees and host communities across Bangladesh, Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and Thailand in 2025. To date, only 30 per cent of that funding target has been met.
Pakistan, Turkiye renew commitment to further deepen multifaceted cooperation
ISTANBUL, May 25 (APP): Pakistan and Turkiye on Sunday made a renewed commitment to further deepen the multifaceted cooperation, reiterating the resolve to elevate the strategic partnership to greater heights.
The bilateral ties and cooperation were discussed in a meeting between Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan here, which reaffirmed the deep-rooted, historic, and brotherly ties between Pakistan and Turkiye, anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision for progress and prosperity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, who arrived on an official two-day visit to Turkiye, held a “warm and most cordial” meeting with President Erdogan wherein they pledged to continue working closely for regional peace, sustainable development, and the shared prosperity of their peoples.
The prime minister, who was accompanied by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the government and people of Turkiye for their unwavering support to Pakistan during the recent developments in South Asia, underscoring the strength of the fraternal bonds between the two nations.
He lauded Turkiye’s principled stance and the outpouring of support of goodwill of the Turkish people for Pakistan and termed it as a source of great comfort and strength for Pakistan.
The prime minister highlighted the commitment, courage and the spirit of sacrifice of the Pakistan armed forces and the resolute patriotism of the people of Pakistan that was demonstrated in an unprecedented manner which contributed greatly to Pakistan’s overwhelming victory in Marak-e-Haq and Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in the defence of their homeland.
Emphasizing the need to further strengthen economic cooperation, particularly through joint ventures and enhanced bilateral investment, Prime Minister Shehbaz highlighted key sectors including renewable energy, information technology, defence production, infrastructure development, and agriculture as areas of mutual interest and potential.
The two leaders conducted a comprehensive review of the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and reiterated their resolve to elevate the strategic partnership to greater heights.
They also followed up on the implementation of key decisions taken during the 7th session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), held in Islamabad on 13 February 2025. Both sides agreed to take steps for achieving 5 billion USD annual bilateral trade target as agreed earlier by the two leaders.
In addition to bilateral issues, Prime Minister Shehbaz and President Erdogan discussed pressing regional and international developments. Both leaders reaffirmed their principled support for each other’s core concerns, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
They also expressed deep concern over the grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, urgently calling for an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to the affected Palestinian population.
Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Information & Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkiye Dr. Yusuf Junaid were also part of Pakistan’s delegation.
President Erdogan also hosted a dinner in honour of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the accompanying delegation.
Following the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz took to X, thanking President Erdogan for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan-India standoff which resulted in Pakistan’s overwhelming victory.
“Had the honor of meeting my dear brother President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul this evening. Thanked him for his resolute support to Pakistan in the recent Pakistan-India standoff, which resulted in Pakistan’s overwhelming victory. Alhamdolillah!” he wrote on his timeline
The prime minister also conveyed the sentiments of gratitude from the people of Pakistan to their Turkish brothers and sisters.
He said that during their meeting, both sides also reviewed the ongoing progress of multifaceted bilateral engagements particularly in trade and investment and reaffirmed our resolve to continue working closely to further strengthen the unshakable bond of brotherhood and cooperation.
Rich tributes paid to Pak Navy during PSL X final
LAHORE, May 25 (APP):Rich tributes were paid to the officers and jawans of the Pakistan Navy in the innings break during the PSL X final played between Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium, here on Sunday night.
A special ceremony marked by performances by renowned singers like Abrar Ahmed showed solidarity with the Pakistan Naval force. The ceremony was attended by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, US embassy Islamabad Charge D’affaires Natalie Baker, senior civil and military leadership were present on the occasion.
Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi welcomed the distinguished guests at the Gaddafi stadium.
The stadium resonated with celebratory slogans while green and white flags of Pakistan created an patriotic atmosphere in filled to capacity stadium. The spectators praised the valor and professionalism and readiness of the Pak Navy.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi the enemy could not dare to breach our waters due to the preparedness of the Pak Navy, adding that living nations always remember their heroes.
Mohsin Naqvi said May 10 is the bright chapter in the defense history of Pakistan.
CM grieved over death of 2 more Khuzdar attack victims
LAHORE, May 25 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has expressed profound grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of two more girls, who succumbed to their injuries sustained in the tragic incident in Khuzdar.
In a statement issued here, the CM said that the blood of innocent children will not go in vain. She expressed heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families.
The CM reaffirmed solidarity with the victims’ families during this time of immense loss and sorrow.
CM extends best wishes to Lahore Qalandars, Quetta Gladiators
LAHORE, May 25 (APP):Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif extended heartfelt congratulations to Lahore Qalandars and Quetta Gladiators on reaching the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), commending both teams for their perseverance under challenging circumstances.
In her message, she said, “Whether it is Lahore Qalandars or Quetta Gladiators who lift the trophy, the real winner is Pakistan. The players participating in the PSL have demonstrated remarkable determination and courage, setting an inspiring example.”
The chief minister further said, “Cricket is a deep-rooted passion among Pakistanis, and it is heartening to see the vibrant atmosphere return to our cricket stadiums.” She emphasized that Pakistan is a peace-loving and sports-loving nation.
She also lauded the efforts of the administration and law enforcement agencies for ensuring the successful and secure organization of the Pakistan Super League.