Zong joins hands with JoChaho.pk to offer discounts on online shopping
National Party’s Chief Dr. Abdul Malik Baloch addressing press conference regarding upcoming election in Quetta Press Club


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Man purchasing warm traditional shawl from vendor at Surajganj Bazaar


QUETTA
PU’s 132nd convocation on Saturday
Balanced system imperative to enhance farm productivity: FCCI
BII provides an additional 100 MW of clean, affordable power to over 100,000 residential consumers
ISLAMABAD, Jan 19 (APP): The Atlas Solar Farm, backed by the UK government’s development finance institution British International Investment (BII), provides an additional 100 MW of clean and affordable power to over 100,000 residential consumers in South Punjab.
The initiative would help avoid 106,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum, said a news release issued here Friday.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE, during her visit to a UK-supported solar farm contributing to climate change mitigation in South Punjab, said, “Pakistan has immense potential to lead in solar energy, which could power the entire country. The UK is already investing in this innovation, playing a crucial role in promoting a healthier and more sustainable future.”
While in South Punjab, the High Commissioner met with development partners, including Maries Stopes Society, Captain (Rt) Saqib Zafar, Additional Chief Secretary South Punjab and Eng. Amir Khattak, Commissioner Multan.
The UK has supported the government of Punjab in reducing its unsustainable debt by Rs. 469 billion by streamlining wheat operations and reducing liabilities by Rs.2.7 trillion through pension reform.
She also visited the MG Apparel manufacturing plant, a subsidiary of Mahmood Textiles Limited, one of Pakistan’s largest supporters and leading exporters of clothing to the UK.
Female minority candidate from Buner fully hopeful of getting support from Muslim electorates
PESHAWAR, Jan 19 (APP): The first female candidate from minority community for general elections seat in Buner district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is fully hopeful of getting support from her electorates, mostly Muslims.
Dr. Saveera Parkash has been fielded by Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) into the electoral arena for contest from general seat of PK-25 Buner.
“I have received very positive response from voters of my constituency almost one thousands time more than what I was expecting,” remarked Saveera while talking with media during election campaign in her constituency here Friday.
I appreciate the dwellers of Buner who did not let down a daughter of their area entered into the electoral politics with the sole objective of serving the people of the area and betterment of our district, she commented.
In the elections, Dr. Saveera is facing some political heavyweights including some former members of provincial assembly, but she is confident that people will break the stereo type and provide educated youth to work for development and prosperity of the area.
Graduate from Ayub Medical College Abbotabad, Dr. Saveera opted for taking part in politics in her hometown Buner soon after completing MBBS.
She said that she never faced discrimination from people on basis of religion and even in elections has not heard any comment expressing disguise on faith basis.
Saveera said her decision of serving people is because of inspiration she got from her father who was also a doctor and did a lot of activities for the welfare of people of the area.
In response to a question about giving preference to politics over medical service, Saveera said as a doctor she can benefit only her patients, but as a policy maker or member of legislative assembly, she can expand her focus and ambit of developmental effort.
She was very thankful to the people of her constituency who termed her as `Daughter of Buner’ and said she cannot find words to express thanks over this title reflecting pure love of people.
Dr. Saveera was also very much thankful to the leadership of PPP for reposing confidence in her abilities and giving her a chance to contest elections from a general seat.
She said that she was receiving appreciating comments from across of the country and from the countries of the region including India and Nepal.
“The support I am receiving from the people of my hometown, country and abroad is reflection of unity of the people and peace in Pakistan,” she remarked.
Her electioneering will sent a very positive image to the world about strong sentiments of interfaith harmony and respect for women in Pakistan, especially in a Pakhtun belt, she expressed.
SECP, ADB to host workshop on “Women in Finance Thought Leaders”
Former Pakistani special envoy for CPEC sees big changes in China, vowing to dispel misconceptions
BEIJING, Jan 19 (APP): With decades of work experience, from economic trade to cultural exchange, from helping China understand Pakistan to introducing China in Pakistan, Zafar Uddin Mahmood, former special envoy for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) noted that he has gradually transitioned from being China’s “guest” to becoming China’s “messenger,” as he gets even closer to the career he has been pursuing, said the expert during an exclusive interview with the Global Times.
The journey with China began in 1976 when he arrived to study Chinese at the Beijing Language Institute (the current Beijing Language and Culture University). “I have so many memories of my school. I remember taking classes inside tents after the 1976 Tangshan Earthquake happened. I remember making many friends who were studying Chinese at our school and have now become important political figures in different countries,” he said. But one of his more cherished memories was spending the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year with his teacher’s family.
At the time, ration coupons were needed for many necessities and household items in China as the country grappled with a shortage of food and materials. His teacher’s family didn’t eat meat for an entire year just to save up the coupons to buy beef and flour to make dumplings for the Muslim students.
The teacher even bought a new pot to boil the dumplings in, as his old pot may have been used to cook pork, Mahmood recalled emotionally. “I am moved to this day. It was not his job.
Meanwhile, it showed how Chinese people treat guests and their spirit of inclusiveness despite the hardships back then. China has so many people and different ethnic groups who respect and embrace each other, which is very important,” he said. “I had a strong bond with my school. The teachers didn’t just teach me the language but also teach me about Chinese culture.”
In 1977, Mahmood began his university life in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong Province, in the same year when China’s national college entrance exams, Gaokao, resumed. A special cohort of students comprised Mahmood’s class, ranging in age from early 20s to late 40s. Driving force “And now China’s education system has achieved great things.
Take universities for example; the quality of China’s higher education is top-level and the majors are becoming more and more refined, so there are specific talents in almost any field. I think this is probably the biggest driving force for China’s development,” Mahmood noted.
During his college days, he made the acquaintance of famous painter Lin Yong and calligrapher Su Hua. He introduced them to the Pakistani Embassy, which led to several visits by the two artists to Pakistan under the government’s invitation and the hosting of exhibitions.
He accompanied Lin and Su on their visits to Pakistan as an interpreter, and assisted Lin in publishing his collection in Pakistan, where he was later awarded the Medal of Excellence by the Pakistani president for his work. “We are still very good friends now, and I visited them last week when I went to Guangzhou,” Mahmood said.
After graduation, he made promoting China-Pakistan-friendly exchanges his career goal. “In 1982, I began a nine-year stint at an international bank’s branch in China. That experience was crucial for me to accumulate diplomatic experience and broaden my international perspective, laying the foundation for my later involvement in various China-Pakistan affairs,” he said.
This job led him to work in different cities across China and gain more comprehensive insights about the nation. He got the opportunity to meet a lot of Chinese diplomats and important national leaders. When he returned to Pakistan after his posting at the bank ended, he started a career in business consultancy, specifically focused on promoting cooperation between China and Pakistan.
Building bridges “As the China-Pakistan friendship deepened, I was fortunate to be increasingly recognized by more people,” said Mahmood. In 1999, he began serving as the Commercial Counselor at the Pakistani Embassy in China. In 2004, he was appointed as the first Consul General at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Shanghai.
“This was a precious opportunity that allowed me to expand my work from the economic and trade to the cultural field, and it also elevated my mission of promoting Pakistan-China friendship to a new level.” In 2014, Mahmood was appointed as the special envoy for the CPEC, having witnessed the benefits brought to and changes faced by Pakistan through the Belt and Road Initiative. To dispel misconceptions and foster a deeper understanding of contemporary China globally, he later founded the Understanding China Forum, a Pakistan-based think tank.
I hope the forum will help more people to accurately comprehend China and provide them with correct and new information about China.” When asked what resonated with him the most in his decades in China, Mahmood said culture. “Culture is the soul and pillar of a country, containing a nation’s historical traditions and spiritual demeanor.
My experience as a special envoy for the CPEC has also made me more profoundly realize the importance of culture in international exchanges. The cultural values in the trade of goods, the cultural genes preserved in personal exchanges, the cultural traditions engraved in strategic communications all of these are important factors in how culture influences the direction of relations between two countries.
 “My bond with China began with the appeal of its excellent culture, and ultimately it will return to the cause of conveying culture and genuine emotions between peoples of different countries. My story with China will continue to be written, welcoming a better future.”