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A vendor selling ‘dandasa’ (peel of walnut tree) used for natural teeth whitening in a local market
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A vendor selling ‘gurr’ at his roadside setup in Muslim Bazaar
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Dr. Saif expresses gratitude for warm hospitality extended by Qatari authorities
ISLAMABAD, Dec 6 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umar Saif Wednesday expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality and professional reception extended by Qatari authorities and business groups.
A delegation from the Ministry of Information Technology, led by Dr. Umar Saif, has returned to Islamabad after a fruitful 4-day visit to Qatar.
The government delegation included representatives from the Special Investment Facilitation Council and notable IT companies, including PASHA, said a news release.
During the tour, Dr. Umar Saif held crucial meetings with Qatari authorities, business groups, academia, and IT professionals.
The visit showcased the outstanding reception and visibility of Pakistani companies in Qatar, receiving notable coverage in Qatari media.
Dr. Umar Saif highlighted the potential role of Pakistani talent and IT companies in Qatar’s digitalization efforts.
He expressed optimism about the significant contributions that Pakistani IT professionals and companies could make in Qatar’s ongoing digital transformation.
An important outcome of the visit is the potential for Pakistani IT companies to provide professional services in Qatar after registration.
Dr. Umar Saif emphasized the commitment of Pakistani IT firms to deliver high-quality services in Qatar, contributing to the country’s technological advancement.
He also noted the extremely positive response received from Qatar, comparable to the enthusiasm seen from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Pak judokas to undergo training in Central Asian states
ISLAMABAD, Dec 06 (APP): Pakistan Judo Federation (PJF) will send a group of 10 to 12 talented athletes to three Central Asia countries for a training programme, commencing in May, next year.
“We are in talks with Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan’s national judo bodies for the training of our judokas in their countries,” Masood Ahmed, the vice president of PJF told APP.
Masood, who returned to the country recently after attending Asian Cadet and Junior Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan said the three-month training programme would help polish Pakistan judokas skills, preparing them for the future international assignments.
“These countries have excellent training facilities and top-level coaching staff. I’m sure the training there will help hone our judokas’ skills according to the demand of the current times,” he said.
According to Masood, the out-of-country training trip will expose the judokas to a new cultur. “Alongside the training they will also feature in various events, taking place in those countries almost at the same time (the period of their training).
“The opportunities of playing overseas with some of the world’s best athletes will help make them better,” he added.
He said the federation wanted to create a long-term pathway for talented cadet, junior and senior judokas.
Speakers flag growing regional coercion, Indian aggressive designs amid great power contestation
ISLAMABAD, Dec 6 (APP): The speakers at the Islamabad Conclave’s opening panel discussion on Wednesday flagged the growing regional coercion and Indian aggressive designs trampling global treaties and norms, jeopardizing regional peace amid great power contestation.
The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) has organized the third iteration of its flagship event ‘Islamabad Conclave’ under the theme “Pakistan in a Changing World”, whereas the opening working session was held under the title “Evolving Geopolitical Dynamics, Emerging Technologies, and Shifts in Strategic Thought”.
In his keynote address, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), General (R) Zubair Mahmood Hayat, said India, along with the US, Russia, and China, was being dragged as the fourth power in the world as many EU powers shy away from discussing it.
However, he said India had become the diary farm of empires, like Afghanistan as the graveyard of empires, as it was milking every great empire under its hegemonic designs. India, he said, was creating Muslim pogroms under state patronage and committing ethnic cleansing of Muslims with impunity, whereas it had crossed many red lines in the process.
“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was categorical in saying that the dark clouds of coercion and confrontation are casting their shadows on the Indo-Pacific, which needed attention. Moreover, former US President Barak Obama said if India is not going to protect the ethnic Muslim minority, then it may pull apart,” he added.
General (R) Hayat noted that India would become more dangerous in this scenario if it continued its anti-Muslim violence, and Pakistan should prepare itself to cope with such situations in the future.
Explaining the evolution of strategic thought, he said that in times of stability, there was a growth of strategic thought, but in times of crisis, it was stunted because of defensive and coercive thoughts that overtook. However, in times of polycrisis, the survival instincts kick in and overtake the process that put in the law of the jungle, which was a serious situation, he added.
The former CJCSC said, “There was a lack of strategic political leadership at the global level and a lack of political will to find solutions to the pressing issues faced by the world.”
“Independence, freedom, liberty, prosperity, and territorial integrity should be navigated through a mindset of power, strength, and mutual respect,” he said.
The former Joint Chief explained the great power rivalry between US-China, the Ukraine-Russia War spillover, and the Gaza conflict implications, which are incurring effects on the entire world and communities of nations, including the rise of disruptive technologies like nanotechnology, AI, quantum computing, and robotics that are changing human identity.
Former Foreign Secretary, Ambassador (R) Tehmina Janjua, via videolink, participated in the panel discussion. She said the world in general and the region in particular were facing US-China rivalry and the revival of regional block politics, taking the world back to a bipolar world where the US was a single eminent pole.
“Technology, politics, and climate change are shaping the world and having a major impact on countries’ politics and positions.
Moreover, the cutting-edge technologies developed by East Asian countries like China will have an impact on the global order and position of states,” she said.
She highlighted, “Climate change can cause uncertainties and uninhabitability amid the food security crisis, among others, at the global scale.”
The worsening state of glacial melting and erratic weather patterns were impacting South Asian countries, he added.
“Our dilemma is our close connectivity with the two contesting powers. We need to continue engaging with an approach that is a bridge between the two for positive implications,” she added.
Ambassador Janjua noted that the Middle East was in flux, whereas the country’s biggest challenge emanates from its eastern neighbor, where there was no possibility of any positive gesture.
Former Director General (DG) of ACDA, SPD, and Air Commodore (R) Khalid Banuri said, “The major power rivalries and revival of the arms race have put the world again in critical space.”
The world had become more complex, and there was a need to understand the balance and connectivity of it as the global economy had also changed from a materialistic to a knowledge-based economy that was insurmountable through conventional means of arms and aggression, he added.
Executive Director, Strategic Vision Institute (SVI), Dr. Naeem Salik, said the South Asia region has a structured problem, namely due to the huge disparity between larger and smaller states based on size and capacity, particularly in India, the Maldives, and Pakistan.
He added that the prevailing regional scenario was more focused on the India-China rivalry, which shelved the issues arising between Pakistan and India.
Additional Secretary, MoFA, Muhammad Kamran Akhar, said there was an arms race in South Asia threatening the deterrence capability of the regional states, whereas a lack of effective use of communication channels for strategic communication exposed ineffective systems, especially during the incidental fire of the Brahmos Missile 2022 and the Pulwama Incident.
He added that there had been a marked increase in the testing of missiles by India since 2016, while it was establishing new plutonium facilities beyond the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) thresholds.
“We offered a strategic stability regime to India, including a nuclear control regime and conflict resolution mechanisms, but received a cold shoulder response. However, the Indian claims of regional security do not match the on-ground realities,” he added.
Akhtar mentioned that a stable state should not be impacted by political and technological impacts, whereas political developments do impact strategic stability.
“We are working on socioeconomic development and interested in achieving strategic stability in the region, which cannot be achieved alone without a partner. The erosion of international treaties by India will have a trickle-down effect on the region,” he added.
CPEC paving foundation of sustainable development of Pakistan: Chinese CG
KARACHI, Dec 06 (APP): Pakistan and China achieved concrete progress under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which is paving the foundation of sustainable development and economic growth of Pakistan.
The people of Pakistan started reaping the benefits of the CPEC journey as several major projects have been completed while many more were in the completion process.
These views were expressed by the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Karachi, Yang Yundong in an exclusive interview with the Associated Press of Pakistan here at the Consulate.
Regarding progress on CPEC projects, Yang Yundong said the Gwadar Port had become operational for a few years, free zones were also in operation while the New Islamabad Airport, Sukkur – Multan Motorway and other major projects have been completed under the Economic Corridor.
The Consul General said the Havalian-Thakot section of Karakoram Highway, Jakla-DI Khan Motorway, Optical Cable, Eastern Expressway and Orange Line Metro Train Lahore projects were also completed which had started giving fruits to the common men.
He said that so far 14 energy projects including the Qasim Port Coal Power plant, Hub Coal power plant and Thar Coal power plant have been completed and the people of Pakistan were reaping the benefits of the projects.
He informed that in Gawadar, the Pak China Friendship Hospital project and China Aid Seawater Desalination plant were also completed and inaugurated for the facilitation of the people of the area.
Apart from the above projects, several solar, wind and Hydro power plants had also been completed and the electricity was being generated from them these projects were contributing to the socio-economic stability of the country, Yang said.
He said after the completion of the Sukkur- Multan Motorway, the travel time had reduced from 11 hours to less than 5 hours while the Lahore Orange Line Metro project has also been put into operation and several Industrial and Special Economic Zones became operational under the Corridor projects, attracting investment from China and other countries.
He said the Chinese and Pakistani leaders in the meeting held in Beijing last month, have shown commitment and consensus for further fast-paced progress on the CPEC projects so that future cooperation could be enhanced. He said these projects are people-centric and would solidify the economic foundations of Pakistan.
While replying to a question, the Chinese Consul General said the CPEC will prove to be a livelihood-enhancing corridor where new technology would be used to make the project more sustainable and environment and climate-friendly. He also invited other parties to join the corridor to benefit from it.
Responding to a query regarding the Thar Coal power plant, the Consul General said the Chinese companies made sizeable investments in the project that had become operational and power generated from the project was being added to the national grid.
Due to its dependence on local mineral resources rather than on imported ones, the Thar Coal project will provide sustainable foundations for Pakistan’s economic growth, he noted.
On another question regarding cooperation in the field of education, the Consul General said that over 30000 Pakistani students were getting education in Chinese universities, colleges and other educational institutions. Moreover, several Chinese Engineers were also working on CPEC projects here in Pakistan, while Pakistani Engineers were obtaining training in China to gain expertise, he added.
The CG advised that more Pakistani students should go to China to get higher as well as technical and high school education so that they could become more beneficial for their homeland.
China was increasing the quantum of scholarships for Pakistani students and conducting exchange programs between universities of both countries to provide Pakistani students more educational opportunities in China, he said adding that we would like to see Chinese students come to Pakistan to get an education here as well.
He said Karachi University and other Pakistani Educational Institutions had started Chinese language courses for those who want to learn the Chinese language.
He expressed hope that such kind of skill development programs would prove beneficial for people of both countries as more and more Pakistanis were showing interest in learning the Chinese language with the intent of working with CPEC projects, enhancing cooperation and strengthening traditional friendships. We need a young generation of both countries to learn from each other for the bright future of their countries, he stressed.
Replying to a question regarding Pakistan’s premier news agency, Associated Press of Pakistan, the Chinese Consul General said APP was playing a very important role in vast-scale coverage of China-Pakistan friendship and cooperation and there was a permanent journalist of APP in Beijing.
He hoped that cooperation of the media of both countries would be beneficial for Pakistan and China and it would keep playing a key role in reporting for Pak China’s friendship, CPEC and other matters related to the development of both countries.
Samina Alvi for inclusive approach to mainstream persons with disabilities
ISLAMABAD, Dec 6 (APP): Samina Alvi, wife of President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday emphasized the need for providing opportunities to persons with disabilities to help them become part of mainstream economic activities.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony at Network of Organizations Working with Persons with Disabilities Pakistan (NOWPDP), she said it was the joint responsibility of the State and the society to accommodate such people by ensuring inclusive approach.
Samina Alvi said persons with disabilities comprised 10 to 12 percent of the country’s population, however, lacked enough representation in society and public domains.
She regretted that due to negative attitudes towards disability, the families restricted their such members to homes and avoided their outdoor activities.
Also, the lack of infrastructure such as access ramps at public buildings and parks restricted the mobility of persons with disabilities.
Samina Alvi urged providing education to such students at mainstream schools to ensure their inclusion in society.
She stressed training teachers and sensitizing society that persons with disabilities could play a positive role in society if provided with ample opportunities including assistive technology and rehabilitation services.
She recalled that a comprehensive awareness campaign was launched from the platform of the Presidency to raise awareness about mainstreaming persons with disabilities.
She mentioned that the campaign was supported by non-governmental organizations, chambers of commerce, and the media.
Also, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority relayed 120 million short messaging services on sensitization about persons with disabilities.
She urged the public and private sector departments including banks, chambers of commerce, and welfare foundations to adopt inclusive policies to accommodate persons with disabilities.
She lauded that the government and banks were extending easy loans to persons with disabilities to ensure their financial self-reliance. Also, the government is extending scholarships and fee waivers to such students at universities and other educational institutions.
Samina Alvi emphasized fulfilling the quota reserved for persons with disabilities in public jobs and also urged the private sector to follow suit.
She expressed satisfaction that NOWPDP was giving skill-based training to such persons as per market needs and helping them get employment.
KTH Chairman felicitates Dr. Shahid Hassan
LAHORE, Dec 06 (APP):Government of the Russian Federation has nominated Pakistan-origin Dr. Shahid Hassan as the chairman of the Association of Pakistani Graduates from Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as ambassador of the Russian Federation for Education and Science in recognition of his untiring and devoted services for promoting quality education, besides cementing friendly relations between the two countries.
Chairman of Kyrgyzstan Trade House (KTH) in Pakistan Meher Kashif Younis, in a felicitation letter issued here on Wednesday, said that Dr. Shahid had a long history of devoted and matchless services in arranging different seminars and meetings of educational institutions of both the countries and provided all kinds of assistance to interested stakeholders for signing MoUs and agreements between Pakistan and Russia.
Meher, who is also Coordinator to Minister of State and Federal Tax Ombudsman and Vice President Gold Ring Economic Forum, a strategic think tank, said that this is not only a great honor for Dr. Shahid and his family but also for whole of country. He, on behalf of business community, congratulated Dr. Shahid for earning this laurel and wishing him more honors, success and good health.
Senate Secretariat, IPC sign MoU
ISLAMABAD, Dec 6 (APP):A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Secretariat of the Senate of Pakistan and the International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC) for Institutional Cooperation.
Secretary of the Senate Mohammad Qasim Samad Khan and Secretary General of IPC Sitara Ayaz signed the MoU, marking a pivotal step towards increased cooperation in areas of mutual interest and recognizing the need for closer collaboration, said a news release issued here.
The signing ceremony, preceded by detailed discussions, reflects the commitment of both entities to forge a deeper partnership for addressing global challenges and promoting collaborative initiatives.
The MoU outlines a range of joint initiatives, including the enhancement of international representation, collective advocacy for global human rights, exchange of research-based materials to bolster legislative support, addressing the impacts of climate change on food security, and collaboration on health-related initiatives to tackle global health challenges.
This collaborative effort between the Secretariat of the Senate of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the International Parliamentarians’ Congress for Institutional Cooperation exemplifies a shared commitment to global progress, cooperation, and addressing the pressing challenges.
Speakers calls for women’s easy access to justice to end gender-based violence
ISLAMABAD, Dec 6 (APP): The speakers at a panel discussion called gender-based violence a ‘public safety crisis’ and emphasized the need for women’s easy access to justice and implementation of laws protecting vulnerable communities.
The discussion titled ‘Ending gender-based violence: Challenges, strategies, and resources’ was organized by the U.S. embassy here at the mission in Islamabad.
Director, Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, Lori J. Antolinez said the United States was advancing a comprehensive, government-wide effort to prevent and address sexual and gender-based violence.
In this regard, she stressed a holistic approach that encompassed prevention, well-being, economic security, housing stability, online safety, and legal and justice systems.
In Pakistan, she said, the U.S. embassy was, in particular, implementing four programmes that specifically addressed gender-based violence.
These programs increase women’s access to justice through improved law enforcement response to gender-based violence and extending services to the survivors, she added.
“More women working in the criminal justice sector will lead to better services for women and an overall improvement in women’s access to justice,” she said.
Antolinez highlighted that the U.S. embassy supported Pakistan’s efforts to increase women’s recruitment, retention, and advancement across the criminal justice sector to build a representative and responsive police force and justice system.
Already, the services include increasing the number of women police in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by over 20 percent, she added.
She mentioned that the Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) partnered with the Anti-Narcotics Force to develop its gender strategy, which commits to having 20 percent women in its workforce by 2030.
“We want to maintain this momentum and expand our efforts throughout Pakistan so victims of crime can access the justice services they need,” she said.
She said that given the media’s role in raising awareness, INL was conducting training for journalists to shape a narrative on the protection of survivors, including rape victims, rather than vilifying them.
Executive Director at Asma Jahangir Legal Aid Cell, Nida Aly said gender-based violence was experienced by individuals from all backgrounds and could occur at any point in a person’s life.
She said the factors contributing to gender-based violence included women’s lack of representation in the justice sector and workforce, low literacy rate, limited access to justice, and non-implementation of laws protecting women and vulnerable communities.
She said the government of Pakistan was working extensively on the legislative of rights protection, however, emphasized the need for its implementation.
Mission Spokesperson Jonathan Lalley moderated the panel discussion that aimed at educating and informing the public about the root causes of gender-based in Pakistan, the current country-wide scenario, and where and how to access resources and support.
The students of gender studies, journalism and law programmes from Fatima Jinnah Women University, National Defence University, and the National University of Science and Technology attended the panel discussion.