No extension in August 31 deadline for US withdrawal: Zabihullah Mujahid

By

-

KABUL, Aug 24 (APP): Rejecting any extension in the August 31 deadline for complete withdrawal of US and other international forces from Afghanistan, Taliban Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday urged Afghans not to leave and prefer to stay in their country.

Addressing a crowded press conference here, the Taliban Spokesman said that the road to Kabul airport was shut for the people of Afghanistan and was open for the evacuation of foreign citizens alone.

Reiterating Taliban’s announcement of general amnesty for all the people of Afghanistan, he assured that there would be no revenge or reprisal actions by Taliban against anyone.

Mujahid, in his second press conference after Taliban seized Kabul on August 15, said all that the ethnic groups and communities in Afghanistan were equal and would work unitedly for the progress and development of their motherland.

Zabihullah Mujahid said since the process of political consultations was continuing successfully, it is hoped that contours of the new government will become clear in the coming days.

He reiterated that Afghan soil will not be led used against any neighbouring or other country,

He said that after 20 years of unrest in Afghanistan, peace was being restored and public services institutions were being made functional to serve the country and masses.

Taliban Spokesman was also optimistic of the resolution of Panjsher issue through dialogue and there would be no war, adding, that as Afghanistan had seen many wars in the past, Taliban wanted peace in the country.

He further assured about the independent and the protection of women rights in the country, adding, there would be no violation of human rights in Afghanistan.

He, however, urged the woman employees to stay home till a fool-proof security of their workplaces and institutions was ensured.

Zabihullah Mujahid said that as all hospitals and educational institutions in the country were functioning, life was returning to normal in Afghanistan, adding, the transmission of state television and radio were also continuing.

He said that banks had opened and people were free to withdraw cash from their accounts.

Taliban Spokesman said that all diplomatic missions and embassies in Afghanistan were secure and protected, adding, in that respect they will also hold meetings with diplomats.

He assured all the international institutions in the country of full security and protection by Taliban and said they should continue their operations.

Zabihullah Mujahid said that Taliban leaders from Qatar have also reached Kabul and were in contact with diplomats.

He said that the United States should desist from misleading the people about their security and future in Afghanistan.

To a question, the Taliban Spokesman said that process for the formation of a national army of Afghanistan was also being deliberated.

Govt taking steps to build information highways, improve digital financial system: President Alvi

By

Asim Usman

-

0

Govt taking steps to build information highways, improve digital financial system: President Alvi — ISLAMABAD: August 24 - President Dr Arif Alvi virtually addressing the international conference on Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Aiwan-e-Sadr. APP

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):President Dr Arif Alvi Tuesday said the government was taking steps to build information highways and extend reach of the people to new fourth generation technologies.

Speaking at an international conference on innovation and entrepreneurship here, he said the goal of present government was to improve digital financial system, achieve women empowerment and ensure economic transparency.

He said Pakistan was making great progress with the use of emerging technologies. He noted that Pakistan was left behind during the industrial revolution.

In the fourth information technology revolution, the communication and spread of information had become very fast, he said adding the world was now witnessing the advent of fifth generation revolution.

He mentioned that immense information was accumulated by the world through cloud computing. Youth could gain advantage by gathering information and through innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship, he added.

He said the government was making efforts to attain one hundred percent literacy in the country and impart skills to the people who could not get education.

The stress was on making the youth familiar with artificial intelligence and technologies like block chain and computer networking, he added.

The president said the companies banking on gathering of information and intelligence had replaced the traditional top companies of the world.

He was of the view that economy of Pakistan could leapfrog to be among the top global economies. Pakistan had the necessary educational infrastructure to train its youth for the emerging challenges and the experienced businessmen should also provide mentorship to the young population, he added.

The president told that the government was working on setting up special technology zones and endeavouring to encourage investment and utilize its youth bulge.

He said the world needed the skilled youth of Pakistan but he wanted that the skilled youth should be retained in the country through joint ventures and other initiatives.

Pakistan could learn from the experiences of Japan and Germany to achieve digital transformation and better models of governance and economy.

The president said the importance of brick and mortar schools would decrease while the intellectual communication would gain speed. The industrial infrastructure had already changed in the next 15 to 20 years, he added.

“The new technologies have created vibrancy and youth should focus on these technologies.”

Dr Arif urged the world to focus on reduction of poverty and merit based distribution of wealth and democratization of societies.

“We have to be on guard against the accumulation of wealth as mentioned in so many books on capitalism.”

Govt release Rs 6 billion under DLTL schemes for industries: Razak Dawood

By

Zaka Ullah Ch

-

0

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood on Tuesday has released Rs 6 billion under Drawback on Local Taxes and Levies (DLTL) schemes.

This includes Rs. 5.6 billion for Textiles sector and Rs. 400 million for Non-Textile sector, the Adviser said this on his official twitter account.

“I hope this will contribute to improving the liquidity issues of our exporters and enable them to enhance Pakistan’s exports” he said.

Last Friday, I visited Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) where I had positive interactive session with members, he said.

The Adviser said that GCCI is a very progressive Chamber having diversified product range and substantial exports.

He said that Gujranwala has all the potential to become a major “Engineering Hub of Pakistan” and play a prominent role in Pakistan’s economic development.

Children filling their bottles with clean drinking water through a electric cooler fixed at a roadside

By

Khuram Maryam

-

0

APP44-240821 ISLAMABAD: August 24 Children filling their bottles with clean drinking water through a electric cooler fixed at a roadside. APP photo by Irshad Sheikh

A street vendor displaying light fitted balloons to attract the customers

By

Khuram Maryam

-

0

APP43-240821 ISLAMABAD: August 24 A street vendor displaying light fitted balloons to attract the customers. APP photo by Irshad Sheikh

Universities suppose to be centers of quality conventional: Shafqat

By

Zaka Ullah Ch

-

0

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Shafqat Mahmood on Tuesday said universities were supposed to be the centers of quality conventional and virtual education with highly qualified faculty.

Addressing the launching ceremony of Phase-II of the Digital Learning and Skills Enrichment Initiative (DLSEI), he said it was an initiative of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan in partnership with Coursera.

The ceremony was also attended by Dr. Shaista Sohail, Executive Director, HEC, Mr. Jeff Maggioncalda, CEO Coursera, Vice Chancellors, Senior faculty members and students
After the successful completion of the DLSEI Phase-I project, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has signed a contract with Coursera and officially launched the Program at a largely discounted pricing model.

HEC through its initiative “Digital Learning and Skills Enrichment Initiative” (DLSEI) intended to enhance online learning and skills development among passionate students with 1000+ Courses and 28 Learning tracks, said a news release issued here.

Addressing the ceremony, the Minister said Pakistan’s education system was facing a plethora of challenges, particularly lack of quality and relevance, amidst rising demand for universities.

He underlined the importance of interventions like Coursera for students and faculty. “There is a massive need for skill development in the country, and the courses offered through Coursera is a remarkable intervention especially at a time when Covid-19 has greatly enhanced the importance of online learning.”

He also appreciated the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE) for offering training to university leadership, faculty, and administrative staff to enhance their capacity.

Mahmood said many gaps were identified in the education system during the Covid-19 pandemic, including the digital divide in the country, faculty’s inability to teach online, and students facing difficulty understanding online classes.

He hoped that the online courses under DLSEI would make a huge difference by honing in the talent of Pakistani students and improving their employbility, enabling them to contribute to the country’s socio-economic development.

In her remarks, Executive Director HEC Dr. Shaista Sohail said DLSEI was launched in 2018 under an agreement between HEC and Coursera to enhance online learning and skills development among passionate students.

The students, who benefit from the courses, would be able to access courses and certifications from top universities of the world and get an opportunity to enroll themselves into the highest ranked and most expensive online courses.

She hoped that the initiative would help the country turn its youth bulge into an asset. She informed the audience that over 50,000 curated licenses would be issued under the phase-II of the initiative and fist year HEC would distribute 24000 licenses to all public and private sectors universities as per enrollment basis.

She said two percent quota has been specified for people with special needs, in addition to formation of a subsidized model for public sector universities.

Jeff Maggioncalda highlighted the significance of DLSEI for skill development in youth, stating, “investment in youth is an investment in the future.”

Earlier, Mr. Nazeer Hussain, Director General IT, HEC presented the concept behind the launch of DLSEI. He said HEC joined hands with Coursera to provide students and faculty with an opportunity to acquire certifications from world-class universities.

Investors to be facilitated to transform Pakistan a hub of manufacturing economic activities: SAPM

By

Zaka Ullah Ch

-

0

Investors to be facilitated to transform Pakistan a hub of manufacturing economic activities: SAPM

FAISALABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Special Assistant to Prime Minister on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Affairs, Khalid Mansoor on Tuesday said the government was taking comprehensive measures to provide maximum facilities to investors at economic zones with an aim to transform Pakistan a hub of manufacturing economic activities.

He was talking to the media at Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC) office. FIEDMC Chairman Mian Kashif Ashfaq was also present.

He said the development work on CPEC phase-I was underway expeditiously and investment of $ 25 billion had so far been made in industrial estates under CPEC phase-I.

He said that $13 billion had been invested while another $12 billion investment was in the pipeline.

He said, “Now, we were working on CPEC phase-II, under which the foreign investors would be offered to make investment in much needed sectors of the country like agriculture, textile, pharmaceuticals, industry, IT and others”.

The SAPM said that two sectors-agriculture and textile would be specially focused in CPEC phase-II and maximum investment would be brought in these sectors.

About the security situation for Chinese, Khalid Mansoor said, “We have talked with law enforcement agencies for bringing a comprehensive security system for Chinese”.

To a question, he said that Pakistan wanted stability in Afghanistan, adding that stability in Afghanistan would provide more support to the CPEC.

Khalid Mansoor said that Pakistan was an agrarian country but unfortunately, we were far behind in boosting agriculture production due to certain reasons.

He said that legal issues faced by small medium industry who wanted to shift their industry into Allama Iqbal Industrial Estate’s special economic zone would be focused, and the same would be redressed
on priority basis.

To a question about negative propaganda being made by India, he said, he was informed that an investment of Rs 194 billion had been made in Allama Iqbal Industrial city so far, but it was not disseminated.

He urged for highlighting the investment projects of the country through social media to counter the negative propaganda.

The SAPM said the government had enforced a law and FIEDMC had also started implementation on it, under which plots in special economic zones would be canceled of that investor who didn’t start establishing industry after August 31.

Khalid Mansoor also visited Allama Iqbal Industrial City’s special economic zone and reviewed the development work there.

Earlier, he was briefed in details about the FIEDMC by the Chairman Mian Kashif Ashfaq.

PCB announces 2021-22 women’s cricket season

By

Zaka Ullah Ch

-

0

By Sohail Ali

LAHORE, Aug 24 (APP):In a bid to provide ample match training ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced a bumper 2021-22 women’s cricket season.

Over the course of the upcoming season, the country’s top women players are scheduled to compete in 33 matches – domestic and international – in the home season.

The women’s home season will commence on 9 September in Karachi with the 14-match, four-team Pakistan Cup Women’s One-Day Tournament and will be followed by the national side’s historic series against England Women, which will mark the current 50-over Women’s World Cup champions’ first-ever visit of the country.

The Heather Knight-led side will play two T20Is and three ODIs in October from 10 to 22 at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

At the back-end of 2021, the national side will travel to Zimbabwe for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, in which they will play seven matches – four group matches and three Super Six fixtures, subject to their qualification for the second round of the tournament – and the ACC Women’s Asia Cup, the details of which will be announced by the event organisers.

Meanwhile, the PCB is also in talks with an ICC member for an ODI women’s series prior to the national side’s departure for Zimbabwe.

To continue to provide more competitive and quality-based cricket to the women players, the PCB has increased the number of matches, as well as the number of teams across all One-Day and T20 domestic tournaments. While this will help the players in enhancing their skills in match-situations, increased number of matches will also provide financial incentives in terms of more match fee.

As the player pool continues to increase gradually, the PCB has included a fourth team for the upcoming season, a move that will provide opportunity to more players to prove their mettle in domestic competitions.

The PCB has also made an U19 T20 tournament part of the domestic calendar this year. This event will help in the identification of quality players from young age and prepare them for the first edition of the U19 World Cup, scheduled for 2023.

The 2021-22 women’s domestic season will end with the 14-match National Women’s T20 Cup, to be played in June-July next year prior to the national team’s departure for Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

During the upcoming season, the national women’s team will also feature in the third cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship, which will commence after the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand next year.

Urooj Mumtaz, the chairperson women’s selection committee said : “We are pleased to announce what promises to be an action-packed women’s cricket season for 2021-22. The upcoming season holds a great significance in Pakistan’s women’s cricket history as we have not only planned quality-based competitive domestic tournaments, but also a major team such as England Women, will also be touring the country for the ever first time.

“Pakistan has never before seen such a jam-packed women’s cricket season. The domestic events and the bilateral international series have been designed in a way to provide effective opportunities to the players to prepare themselves for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

“The gradual growth in the player pool through our emerging team and Skills2Shine programme, has led to the addition of a fourth team in our domestic cricket. The increased number of matches will provide an opportunity to a larger group of players, thereby allowing greater opportunities, to polish and enhance their skills, temperament and game awareness.

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we could only organise a T20 event in Rawalpindi last season, but this year we are scheduled to hold both One-Day and T20 events, including the addition of an U19 T20 tournament into our domestic calendar. This event will help identify and develop talented individuals keeping in mind the inaugural women’s U19 World Cup is scheduled for 2023.

In addition, it will also enhance the player pool at the age-group level, creating a development pathway and feeder system for the national level.”
The PCB will announce the match schedule, teams and other details about the domestic tournaments closer to the start of the events.

Italy appreciates Pakistan’s support for political settlement in Afghanistan

By

Zaka Ullah Ch

-

0

Italy appreciates Pakistan’s support for political settlement in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Aug 24 (APP):Former Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the second largest political party in both houses of the Italian Parliament Senator Matteo Salvini on Tuesday appreciated Pakistan’s support to a political settlement and inclusive dispensation in Afghanistan.

Senator Matteo Salvini called on Pakistan’s Ambassador in Italy, Jauhar Saleem at the embassy of Pakistan, Rome, said a press release received here.

During an hour long meeting, bilateral relations with particular emphasis on economic cooperation and international issues of mutual interest, including the evolving situation in Afghanistan, came under discussion.

He expressed hope that Italy and Pakistan could work together to strengthen the international cooperation for achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The possibility of Italy extending an invitation to Pakistan for participating in the G-20 Summit scheduled to be held in Rome under Italian Presidency also came under discussion.

Ambassador Saleem and the former Deputy Prime Minister, who is widely seen as a possible future Prime Minister of Italy, exchanged views on the possibility of enhanced bilateral engagement, with particular focus on Pakistan’s key role for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

Ambassador Saleem briefed Salvini at length on the historical context of the Afghan conflict and Pakistan’s endeavors over the decades to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan.

He hoped that the Taliban leadership would keep their commitments regarding protection of fundamental rights and rights of women, and underlined the importance of international community staying engaged with Afghanistan.

He underscored that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was integral for promoting regional connectivity and economic development.

Senator Salvini expressed keenness to visit Pakistan and exchange views with the Pakistani leadership on fostering greater bilateral cooperation, as well as coordinating efforts towards the two countries’ shared objective of supporting peace and stability in Afghanistan.