MOSCOW: June 03 –
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses a Jirga.
PESHAWAR: June 03 –
PESHAWAR: June 03 – Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses a Jirga.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses a Jirga.
PESHAWAR: June 03 –
SACM on Industries attends UoP’s Project Innovation Summit 2025
PESHAWAR, Jun 03 (APP): The Final Year Project Innovation Summit 2025 was held on Tuesday under the auspices of the Business Incubation Center (BIC) at the University of Peshawar.
The event showcased the creativity, research capabilities, and entrepreneurial spirit of graduating students. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Abdul Karim Tordher, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Industries.
More than 500 participants including students, faculty members, industrialists, development experts, and government officials attended the summit.
The one-day summit provided a high-level platform for students to exhibit their final year projects through live demonstrations and pitching sessions.
A total of 27 interdisciplinary projects were presented, spanning fields such as AgriTech, Artificial Intelligence, Green Construction, Circular Economy, EdTech, and Sustainable Design. Expert panels evaluated the projects based on innovation, feasibility, sustainability, and social impact.
In his address, SACM Tordher emphasized bridging the gap between academia and industry, especially in the face of rapidly evolving technological trends. He noted that university students can play a pivotal role in this regard by turning their creative work into practical solutions.
He underscored the importance of digitalization as a key to success in the modern age, stating that despite decades of adversity and terrorism, the youth of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continue to work hard and serve their province across all sectors. He encouraged students to leverage their skills and academic qualifications for real-world impact.
Referring to highly skilled technicians working in the Gujjar Garhi area of Mardan, Tordher highlighted the need for collaboration between PhD scholars, engineers, and local craftsmen to modernize machinery and enhance productivity.
He noted that the provincial government is actively working on facilitating cottage industries and small businesses through loan programs, as well as drafting Corporate Social Responsibility legislation.
The provincial government, he affirmed, recognizes and appreciates youth-driven innovation in science and technology and is committed to encouraging such initiatives.
The event also featured a welcome address by Dr. Shakeel Khan, Head of the Business Incubation Center.
A keynote speech was delivered on “The Role of Innovation in Shaping a Sustainable Future,” followed by a panel discussion titled “How Industry Can Benefit from University Talent.” Additionally, a documentary video showcasing selected student projects and their potential social impact was presented.
Prominent attendees included Sajid Hussain Shah (Director General, Science & Technology), Dr. Taza Gul (Director, Science & Technology), Dr. Hashim (renowned educationist), Quratulain (CEO, AIN Consultants and former Executive Member, Chamber of Commerce), Abdur Rehman (Islamic Relief), Faheem Hayat (District Youth Officer), Ayub Zakori (CEO, Zakori Group), Irfan (Dosti Foundation), Waleed Paracha (Director, Arfa Karim Incubation Center), and Karishma Zakaullah (World Bank Consultant), among others.
Three outstanding projects were awarded cash prizes of Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000, and Rs 10,000 respectively.
Ambs. Qureshi, Mackel discuss Pak-Luxembourg bilateral relations
ISLAMABAD, June 03 (APP): Ambassador of Pakistan to the EU, Belgium and Luxembourg Rahim Hayat Qureshi and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the EU Ambassador Nicolas Mackel discussed Pakistan–Luxembourg bilateral relations and agreed to enhance cooperation within the EU framework.
During a meeting, the two ambassadors also reaffirmed the importance of international law as a fundamental principle governing inter-state relations, a post on X said.
https://x.com/PakinBrussels/status/1929917397223235821
Five nations elected to serve on UN Security Council
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 03 (APP): The United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday elected Bahrain, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia, and Liberia to the U.N. Security Council for two-year terms, starting on Jan. 1, 2026.
These five countries will serve through the end of 2027 on the 15-member body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
They will join the five non-permanent members elected last year – Pakistan, Denmark, Greece, Panama, and Somalia – who will serve through 2026.
The Security Council has 15 members: five permanent members – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – who hold veto power, and ten non-permanent members elected by the 193-member Assembly for staggered two-year terms.
Elections are held annually by secret ballot, with seats allocated by regional group. Candidates must secure a two-thirds majority in the General Assembly to be elected.
SAPM Fatemi meets Russian FM Lavrov; reaffirms Pakistan’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties
ISLAMABAD, June 03 (APP): Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) Syed Tariq Fatemi Tuesday called on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Russia and reiterated Pakistani leadership’s commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Russia across various sectors, including energy, connectivity, and trade.
The SAPM during a meeting with the Russian foreign minister provided a detailed briefing on recent developments in South Asia, outlining Pakistan’s concerns regarding regional escalation risks.
In particular, the SAPM highlighted the serious implications of India’s threat to disrupt the Indus Waters Treaty by declaring it in so-called “abeyance.”
He also conveyed Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s warm greetings, Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a press release.
Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed satisfaction with the steady growth in bilateral cooperation, underscoring key collaborative projects such as the establishment of new Steel Mills and critical connectivity initiatives.
He reaffirmed Russia’s eagerness to strengthen ties with Pakistan within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), particularly in the area of counter-terrorism.
Regarding Pakistan-India relations, Foreign Minister Lavrov emphasized Russia’s support for the normalization of ties between the two countries, noting its positive impact on regional stability.
The SAPM also hand-delivered a letter from Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif to President Vladimir Putin.
From Osaka to Riyadh: Saudi Arabia launches five-year ‘Exponeur’ program to empower entrepreneurs worldwide
By Rehan Khan
OSAKA, June 03 (APP): The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia unveiled its ambitious global entrepreneurship initiative, ‘Exponeur’ at the Saudi Pavilion during Expo 2025 Osaka. Designed to connect entrepreneurs, innovators, and investors across borders, the initiative aims to harness the international Expo platform to strengthen entrepreneurship ecosystems worldwide.
Launched as a five-year program stretching from Expo 2025 Osaka to Expo 2030 Riyadh, Exponeur seeks to transform global challenges into opportunities for innovation. The initiative will offer capacity-building programs, showcase pioneering projects, and deliver measurable impact at each Expo edition, culminating in a major presentation at Expo Riyadh 2030.
Exponeur aspires to become the first Expo pavilion in history entirely dedicated to entrepreneurship, innovation, and investment. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing role in fostering a limitless entrepreneurial landscape and its strong commitment to promoting global collaboration and supporting emerging talent.
Among the flagship programs under the initiative is the Exponeur Academy, a six-month international training course designed to equip 150 entrepreneurs annually from over 20 countries. The academy offers mentorship, investor-readiness training, and opportunities to pitch business ideas to venture capital firms.
The initiative also features the Exponeur Competitions and Challenges, a series of innovation contests aligned with the themes of each Expo edition. These competitions will unfold through regional and global phases, with the top projects being showcased at the Exponeur pavilion during Expo 2030 in Riyadh.
In addition, the Annual Exponeur Event will be hosted in Riyadh and will serve as a hub for panel discussions, project presentations, networking sessions, and partnership-building opportunities. Complementing this, the initiative will establish an Entrepreneurship Development Fund aimed at supporting startups and addressing funding gaps, particularly in developing nations.
Exponeur is being implemented in collaboration with the Vision Leadership Association, the Ministry of Investment, and the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN), with sponsorship from SBI Holdings Japan, which has backed the initiative’s inaugural training and programming efforts at Expo 2025 Osaka.
Prince Fahad bin Mansour bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz, Chairman of the Vision Leadership Association and Head of the Saudi Startups Group at the G20 (Startup20), said the initiative reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting both national and global economic development. “Exponeur is about building bridges between nations to foster a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in the face of global challenges,” he stated.
Mansour Al-Sa’nouni, founder of the Exponeur initiative, noted that the idea first emerged during Saudi Arabia’s participation in Expo 2020 Dubai. “It was rooted in the belief that entrepreneurs have the power to deliver real solutions to global problems,” he said. “Now, it has evolved into a global platform to empower change-makers, beginning in Osaka and continuing through to Riyadh.”
Foreign media team learns about green, high-quality development of Chongqing, China
CHONGQING, June 3 (APP): A group of foreign journalists on Tuesday visited Chongqing to learn about city’s practical measures for urban waste management, sewage water treatment, emissions control and comprehensive environmental conservation.
During a visit at Urban Non-Hazardous Waste Management Center, and “Huangshaxi Zero-Waste City” Education Base in Yuzhong district, they were briefed about the Center’s sewage water treatment processes.
The Center located at Huangshaxi Riverside Road in Chongqing’s Yuzhong district was established as a key project under Chongqing’s 11th Five-Year Plan and designated as a 2009 Chongqing Municipal Government Residents Livelihood Project.
The Center plays a vital role in processing fecal wastewater from the district that are not connected to the municipal sewer system, providing supplementary non-hazardous treatment for other central urban districts, thereby effectively protecting the water quality of both the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers.
Within the Center, the Huangshaxi Zero-Waste City Education Base has been developed as Chongqing’s first dedicated exhibition center focusing on zero waste.
The foreign journalists also visited the “Changhang Chaotian Xinghe” Cruise Ships which host over 3.5 million tourists annually, serving as Chongqing’s iconic tourism attraction.
These cruise ships are operated frequently at the confluence of the Yangtze and the Jialing Rivers. These ships have been in service for more than 6-10 years, having impacts on Chongqing’s central urban area’s air quality.
The district pioneered an innovative pilot project for inland ship emission treatment nationwide by installing SCR or Selective Catalytic Reduction system on the Two Rivers Cruise. This reduced nitrogen oxide emissions by approximately 90%.
“The project was selected as a model case for Promoting High-Quality Development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and Beautiful Chongqing Construction in 2024”.
It is also the first pilot project for exhaust gas treatment of inland river operating ships in China, offering a positive demonstration effect for comprehensive emission reduction in existing inland shipping.
At the Liangjiang New Area’s AT&S (Chongqing) Company Ltd., the media was briefed about practical cases of green and high-quality development of Chongqing.
Established in 2011 and located in Yuzui Township, Jiangbei district, the company produces world-leading semiconductor packaging substrates and system-in-package printed circuit boards. Its products are used in computer microprocessors, mobile devices, wearables, and high-end IoT products. AT&S is now the only manufacturer in China for new-generation high-end semiconductor substrates.
For wastewater treatment, different wastewater types are identified and collected through dedicated pipelines. These are temporarily stored in designated tanks before being pumped in batches based on compatible properties to the same treatment system.
In terms of waste gas treatment, the waste gases are also collected and treated according to their nature. In terms of waste management, in line with the principle of resourcefulness, harmlessness and minimization and as a pilot project of Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment’s “one item, one code”, the plant has formulated a color-coded classification of hazardous wastes, which are then handed over to qualified suppliers for treatment.
The also visited Chongqing Sanfeng Yulin Waste-to-Energy Co., Ltd. which operates the fourth waste-to-energy plant in Chongqing’s central urban area.
Designed with four 750-ton per day municipal solid waste incineration lines, the plant handles 3,000 tons of waste daily and generates about 600 million kWh of electricity annually which is enough for about 300,000 households. It also reduces approximately 451,800 tons of carbon dioxide emissions per year.
The project has four main highlights. First, the use of medium-temperature sub-high-pressure waste heat boilers, resulting in high power generation efficiency—”up to 650 kWh per ton of waste, surpassing similar facilities.
Second, the project adopts ultra-low emission flue gas treatment technology, with key pollutant emission indicators achieving levels below 10% of the EU 2010 standard limits, while achieving zero waste water discharge across the entire facility.
Third, the implementation of a smart factory system for intelligent management.
Fourth, the Inconel overlay welding technology developed by Chongqing Sanfeng Yulin.
The plant won the 2023 China National Quality Engineering Luban Prize, and was recognized as a national AAA-level waste incineration facility.
Upon completion, the project has achieved 100% harmless disposal, resource utilization, and volume reduction of household waste in the central urban area of Chongqing.