MoITT, JICA unveil ambitious project to boost Pakistan’s ICT industry exports to Japan

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Fri, 15 Dec 2023, 5:10 PM

ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): The Federal Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is set to commence an EAD approved project to boost Pakistan’s ICT industry exports to Japan and promote collaboration between public and private entities.

The formal Record of Discussions was signed by Ali Asghar, Senior Joint Secretary MoITT\), Kinoshita Yasumitsu, Chief Representative JICA Pakistan Office, Zeeshan Khattak, Chief Commercial Officer, Pakistan Software Export Board and Hamid Karim, Deputy Secretary Economic Affairs Division, Japan, said a news release issued here on Friday,

The occasion was witnessed by Additional Secretary MoITT, Aisha Humaira, Asfand Yar Khan, Director General IT, MoITT, Raza Sukhera, Chief Industry Development Officer, PSEB and other officials from Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) and JICA.

This strategic partnership aimed to propel Pakistan’s ICT sector onto the international stage, fostering collaborations, joint ventures and export opportunities. The JICA-funded collaborative effort, titled “The Project for Strengthening the Business Collaboration of ICT Industry in Pakistan,” spans three years and will be executed by the PSEB.

The project aimed to increase Pakistan’s ICT industry exports to Japan, establish and operate a framework for promoting Pakistan’s ICT industry in Japan, develop a portal site for Pakistani ICT companies to facilitate business matching, promote the use of credit information for business matching with Japanese companies, strengthen the ICT export promotion planning capacity of the PSEB, and improve operational capacity for promoting business matching between Pakistan’s ICT industry and Japanese industries.

The JICA will provide insights into Japanese market dynamics, competition, and product positioning.
The collaboration will facilitate capacity-building programs, training workshops, and business networking events to enhance the skills of Pakistani ICT professionals, entrepreneurs, and startups.

The JICA’s expertise in digital marketing and branding will aid Pakistani ICT companies in developing effective online marketing strategies, optimizing their digital platforms, and enhancing their brand presence through SEO, social media marketing, content creation, and online advertising.

An aged man crossing road with his handbarrow loaded with dry woods, collected for domestic use in the Federal Capital

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Zia Ur Rehman

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Fri, 15 Dec 2023, 5:02 PM

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APP05-151223 ISLAMABAD: December 15 – An aged man crossing road with his handbarrow loaded with dry woods, collected for domestic use in the Federal Capital. APP/IFD/MAF/ABB

Paediatricians emphasize personal hygiene of kids to prevent colds, flu

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NNPS Desk

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Fri, 15 Dec 2023, 5:01 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): Dr. Shehzad Haider, a paediatrician, emphasized the personal hygiene of kids to prevent flu and colds during the winter season.

“Hand washing might be the best defence against cold and flu viruses. Teach your child the proper process and keep reminding them to do it before and after eating, after using the bathroom, and after coughing or sneezing,” he told PTV on Friday.

Advising parents to keep children healthy during the winter, he said kids must be educated on cough and sneeze etiquette.

Teach your kids to cover their coughs and sneezes, he said, adding that the best practice is to cover the mouth and nose with a tissue. If they have a sneeze or cough, encourage them to keep tissues with them for this purpose, he added.

Moreover, he said getting sufficient sleep is important for keeping kids healthy all year, but it is especially important when they are more likely to encounter germs that can make them sick. Being well-rested is good for immunity.

Another way to keep kids healthy this winter, he said was to feed them a balanced diet full of foods that contain key nutrients.

“This will help keep their bodies running on good fuel and boost immunity. You can consider giving them more foods that contain vitamin C,” he noted.

Fruits and vegetables are the best sources, but you can supplement if you feel it’s necessary. Also, give probiotic foods like yoghurt, Shehzad remarked.

A vendor is cleaning sugar cane before making pieces at his roadside setup

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Zia Ur Rehman

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Fri, 15 Dec 2023, 5:01 PM

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APP04-151223 ISLAMABAD: December 15 – A vendor is cleaning sugar cane before making pieces at his roadside setup. APP/IFD/MAF/ABB

Trees without leaves depicts the transformation of fall season to winter in the federal capital.

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Zia Ur Rehman

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Fri, 15 Dec 2023, 5:00 PM

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APP03-151223 ISLAMABAD: December 15 – Trees without leaves depicts the transformation of fall season to winter in the federal capital. APP/IFD/MAF/ABB

Former Pakistani Ambassador Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi expressing his view during the launching ceremony of his book “EXPRESSIONS” at IRS.

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Zia Ur Rehman

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Fri, 15 Dec 2023, 4:57 PM

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APP01-151223 ISLAMABAD: December 15 - Former Pakistani Ambassador Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi expressing his view during the launching ceremony of his book "EXPRESSIONS" at IRS. APP/SAK/MAF/ABB

Pakistan condemns terrorist attack at Rask Police HQ Iran

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Najam ul Hassan

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Fri, 15 Dec 2023, 4:53 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): Pakistan on Friday strongly condemned the terrorist attack at Rask Police headquarters in southeast of Iran, leading to the martyrdom of 11 Iranian officials.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences and stand in full solidarity with the government and people of Iran,” Ambassador of Pakistan to Iran Muhammad Mudassir Tipu said on X, formerly Twitter.

ECC allows signing of mediation agreements between K-Electric and government entities

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Muhammad Ashraf Wani

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Fri, 15 Dec 2023, 4:47 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP):The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet here on Friday decided to approve the proposal of Power Division for signing of the draft PPAA, ICA, TDA & Mediation Agreements between K-Electric and government entities.

According to press statement issued by the finance ministry, Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar presided over the ECC meeting, which among others was attended by Minister for Communication, Railways & Maritime Affairs, Shahid Ashraf Tarar; Minister for Privatization, Fawad Hasan Fawad; Minister for Power and Petroleum, Muhammad Ali; Advisor to PM on Finance, Dr. Waqar Masood; federal secretaries and other senior government officials of the relevant ministries.

On taking up the matter of approval of the draft PPAA, ICA, TDA & Mediation Agreements to be signed with K-Electric, the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) briefed the Committee on the observations made by the members of the ECC and provided the requisite additional data on the working of CPPA-G.

“After detailed discussion and deliberation, ECC decided to approve the proposal of Power Division for signing of the draft PPAA, ICA, TDA & Mediation Agreements between K-Electric & GoP Entities,” the statement added.

The cabinet committee also directed Power Division to present the matter related to KE’s generation enhancement plan to the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE), which should focus on reducing the cost of electricity as well as on the resultant subsidies.

Weekly inflation falls slightly by 0.06 %

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Muhammad Ashraf Wani

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Fri, 15 Dec 2023, 4:42 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP):The weekly inflation, measured by the Sensitive Price Indicator (SPI), witnessed a slight decrease of 0.06 percent for the combined consumption groups during the week ended on December 14, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported on Friday.

The SPI for the week under review in the above-mentioned group was recorded at 311.58 points as compared to 311.78 points during the past week, according to the PBS data.

As compared to the corresponding week of last year, the SPI for the combined consumption group in the week under review witnessed an increase of 43.16 percent.

The weekly SPI with the base year 2015-16 =100 covers 17 urban centers and 51 essential items for all expenditure groups.

The SPI for the lowest consumption group up to Rs 17,732, decreased by 0.19 percent and went down to 306.02 points from last week’s 306.59 points.

The SPI for consumption groups from Rs 17,732-22,888, Rs 22,889-29,517; Rs 29,518-44,175 and above Rs 44,175 it decreased by 0.14 percent, 0.09 percent, 0.06 and 0.04 percent respectively.

During the week, out of 51 items, prices of 19 (37.26%) items increased, 10 (19.60%) items decreased and 22 (43.14%) items remained stable.

The items, which recorded a decrease in their average prices on a week-on-week (WoW) included potatoes (12.18%), tomatoes (5.18%), tea lipton (2.57%), chicken (1.19%), rice basmati broken (0.52%), mustard oil (0.36%), garlic (0.33%) and vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (0.31%).

The items that recorded an increase in their average prices on a week-on-week (wow) basis, included sugar (6.02%), pulse gram (2.57%), eggs (2.33%), rice irri-6/9 (1.54%), pulse moong (1.23%), georgette (1.16%), onion (1.05%), cooked beef (0.76%), pulse masoor (0.69%), shirting (0.43%), long cloth (0.20%) and LPG (0.16%).

On a Year-on-Year (YoY) basis, the items that witnessed decrease in prices included onions (25.11%), mustard oil (4.40%), vegetable ghee 1 kg (2.12%), bananas (1.05%) and vegetable ghee 2.5 kg (0.95%).

The commodities which recorded an increase in their average prices on YoY basis included gas charges for q1 (1108.59%), cigarettes (93.22%), chilies powder (81.74%), wheat flour (81.40%), garlic (71.17%), rice basmati broken (64.30%), rice irri-6/9 (60.64%), gents sponge chappal (58.05%), gents sandal (53.37%), sugar (50.52%), gur (50.42%), and pulse mash (44.80%).

Sarah Mahboob, Amna Ali to clash in Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan Tennis C’ship final

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NNPS Desk

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Fri, 15 Dec 2023, 4:40 PM

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (APP): Sarah Mahboob will face Amna Ali Qayum in the final of Ladies Singles of Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan National Ranking Tennis Championships 2023 on Saturday at PTF-SDA Tennis Complex Islamabad.

In the first semifinal on Friday, Sarah beat Amna Ali Qayum 6-4,6-2, while Sheeza Sajid overcame Esha Jawad 7-6(5),2-6,5-1(retd).

In Boys Singles 18 & under semifinals, Ahmed Nael outwitted Hamid Israr 6-0,6-0, while Hamza Roman thrashed Hamza Aasim 6-4,6-1.

In men’s doubles semifinals, Yousaf Khalil and Barkatullah beat M. Abid and Waqas Malik in an exciting contest 7-6(3),7-6(4), whereas Shahzad Khan and Jalil Khan overpowered Mudassir Murtaza and Abdullah Adnan 6-2,6-4.
Following are the results of all categories:

Mens Doubles Semifinals: Yousaf Khalil / Barkatullah bt M.Abid / Waqas Malik 7-6(3),7-6(4) ;Shahzad Khan / Jalil Khan bt Mudassir Murtaza / Abdullah Adnan 6-2,6-4

In Boys Singles 18 & under semifinals, Ahmed Nael outwitted Hamid Israr 6-0,6-0, while Hamza Roman thrashed Hamza Aasim 6-4,6-1.

Boys Singles 18& under semifinals: Ahmed Nael Qureshi bt Hamid Israr 6-0,6-0; Hamza Roman bt Hamza Aasim 6-4,6-1
Boys Single 14& quarterfinals: Abdul Basit bt Syed Mahd shehzad 5-3,4-2; M. Hazik Aasim bt Nabeel Ali Qayum 2-4,4-0,4-0; Haziq Areejo bt Razik Sultan 4-0,4-0; M. Hassan Usmani bt Muzammil Bhand 4-0,2-4,4-2
Boys / Girls Singles 12& under quarterfinals: Rashid Ali Bachani bt Zyad Zaman 5-4(4),5-4(4); Ahmed Hussain bt Zohaib Amjad 4-2,4-1; Shayan Afridi bt S. Shakeeb 4-1,4-2; Razik Sultan bt Ali Bacahani 4-1,4-1

Schedule for Saturday is as under:
Ladies Singles Final:
01:00 PM-Sarah Mahboob Khan vs Sheeza Sajid
Mens Singles Semi-Finals:
10:00 am -Muhammad Shoaib vs Mudassir Murtaza
11:15 am -Aqeel Khan vs Muhammad Abid

Associated Press Of Pakistan

MoITT, JICA unveil ambitious project to boost Pakistan’s ICT industry exports to Japan

An aged man crossing road with his handbarrow loaded with dry woods, collected for domestic use in the Federal Capital

Paediatricians emphasize personal hygiene of kids to prevent colds, flu

A vendor is cleaning sugar cane before making pieces at his roadside setup

Trees without leaves depicts the transformation of fall season to winter in the federal capital.

Former Pakistani Ambassador Afrasiab Mehdi Hashmi expressing his view during the launching ceremony of his book “EXPRESSIONS” at IRS.

Pakistan condemns terrorist attack at Rask Police HQ Iran

ECC allows signing of mediation agreements between K-Electric and government entities

Weekly inflation falls slightly by 0.06 %

Sarah Mahboob, Amna Ali to clash in Begum Kulsum Saifullah Khan Tennis C’ship final

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