HAFIZABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif has finally joined the party’s electioneering ahead of the February 8 nationwide polls after keeping a long silence since his first public appearance on the October 21 homecoming.

Political parties are expediting their electioneering with a series of manifestos, new pledges and past performances. Besides, the PML-N and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are eyeing the Prime Minister’s Office and desperately swaying voters to elect them to power.

Just a day after Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s ‘lion is hiding’ tirade, Nawaz responded to his political rivals and addressed his maiden public speech in Hafizabad on Thursday in connection with the upcoming elections.

SAP S/4HANA Implementation at Tufail Multichem Industries Pvt Ltd.

Islamabad, December 18, 2024: The implementation of SAP S/4HANA positions Tufail Multichem Industries Pvt Ltd. as a technologically advanced and future-ready organization. This move not only ensures current competitiveness but also lays the foundation for scalability and adaptability in the years to come. TMC Pvt. Limited (Formerly Tallymarks Consulting), serving as the Systems Integrator (SI), played a crucial role in the successful execution of the project.

Saquib Ahmad, Managing Director, SAP Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan said, “The implementation of S/4HANA at Tufail Multichem marks the initial phase of an advancing technology roadmap. This implementation will provide an elevated standard of compliance and control for daily operations, offering a more profound, timely, and precise understanding of business operations and its finances.”

Tufail Multichem holds a significant position in the Chemicals industry. Their product portfolio, serving as the raw material for various well-known household items, coupled with a customer base that includes leading multinational brands and a continually expanding export business, renders Tufail Multichem a crucial and highly visible entity in SAP’s portfolio.

Adeel Shahid, Senior Executive Director, Tufail Multichem said, “At Tufail Multichem, the adoption of SAP S/4HANA marks a pivotal step in our commitment towards operations excellence. We believe this implementation will empower us to streamline processes, enhance critical decision-making, and elevate our business to new heights of efficiency and innovation. We are excited about the transformative potential this cutting-edge technology brings to our operations, enabling us to better serve our customers and drive sustainable growth.”

The project’s scope encompasses SAP modules covering Finance and Controlling, Sales and Distribution, Supply Chain, Production Planning, Plant Maintenance, Quality, and Human Capital Management. Additionally, SAP Fiori apps are integrated to enhance the user-friendly execution of daily tasks. Tufail Multichem needed an ERP system that could scale easily, be easily managed, possess robust built-in controls, and be integrated into a solutions ecosystem to meet future requirements. SAP S/4HANA emerged as the optimal choice.

These solutions are anticipated to enhance efficiency and transparency in business operations, leading to cost efficiencies (with an expected 10% – 15% cost reduction directly attributable to SAP controls and visibility), revenue growth, or both. Moreover, it will offer a scalable solution capable of addressing the operational requirements of a growing and diversifying business.

Abdul Haseeb, Managing Director, TMC Pvt. Limited, commented, “We believe in fostering a robust IT ecosystem. By incorporating SAP modules, we’re paving the way for seamless and user-friendly business operations. This strategic partnership with SAP, especially in implementing S/4HANA, not only ensures scalability and robust controls for Tufail Multichem but also envisions a future-ready solution that adds value to the entire industry, driving business productivity and creating boundless opportunities.”

Tufail Multichem will provide its customers with a better, more seamless, and predictable customer experience. An efficient sales and operations planning cycle assures greater predictability in customer order fulfillment. Integrated processes with real-time visibility will ensure customers have up-to-date information related to pricing, payments, lead times, shipments, returns, etc.  The controls embedded in SAP will guarantee the accurate application of customer-specific terms, minimizing transactional errors and the necessity for frequent reconciliations.

Furthermore, the distinctive nature of the project, involving the replication of an existing landscape, restructuring of business entities, and the transition from on-site hosting to the cloud, all within a single project, adds value from both a thought leadership and delivery approach perspective.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Senator Sherry Rehman Thursday termed Pakistan’s response to Tehran’s “unprovoked” attack a “thoughtful response”, as the country’s army launches strikes on terrorist hideouts operating in the Iranian territories. 

the senior politicians said Iran’s attack on Pakistani sovereignty was unexpected.

After Iran launched a surprise attack in Balochistan claiming to target a militant outfit late Tuesday night, Pakistan’s military targeted terrorist hideouts inside the Iranian border today.

Iran’s attack, which the Foreign Office termed “unprovoked and “unacceptable”, left two children dead and injured three girls, stating that it violated the country’s sovereignty.

Pakistan’s retaliation, however, killed a number of terrorists during the intelligence-based operation — codenamed “Marg Bar Sarmachar”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement today.

“This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran,” the FO mentioned.

“If Iran had any concerns, it should have informed Pakistan,” Senator Rehman insisted, highlighting the need for restraint by both countries.

She maintained that Pakistan has old ties with Iran and there is a need to improve relations. However, she also acknowledged that such skirmishes along the Pakistan-Iran border have been taking place for many years.

“It would be better if the two countries do not allow this kind of conflict to escalate further,” she added.

‘Fitting diplomatic and military steps’

Former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that Pakistan’s reaction was to ensure its territorial integrity and keeping the well-being of the citizens “paramount”.

Taking to X — formerly Twitter — the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president wrote: “Pakistan has taken fitting diplomatic and military steps for peace and security. We seek peace between our two neighbourly countries but reserve the right to defend ourselves.”

PM, FM cut short foreign visits; Pakistan’s action against terrorists, not Iran: Spox

          ISLAMABAD,):Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch on Thursday said that Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar and Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani had cut short their foreign visits in light of the developments, hours after Pakistan carried out a strike targeting the terrorists’ hideouts in Iran.

The spokesperson, in her weekly briefing, told the media that Pakistan’s action was against the terrorist outfits, not Iran as it desired peaceful relations with the neighborly country and always sought to address the challenges through dialogue.

“Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised,” she reiterated her remarks already issued a short after Pakistan carried out a series of “highly coordinated” and “specifically targeted” precision military strikes in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran.

She said the prime minister who was currently in Davos to attend the World Economic Forum and the foreign minister attending the NAM Summit and Third South Summit in Uganda, have cut their visits short “in view of the ongoing developments.”

Asked about any third-party mediation to de-escalate the situation, she said that she was not aware of any such development.

She said Pakistan considered the Iranian people as friends and brothers and had no interest in escalating the situation and hoped that “our adversaries understand this”. Pakistan had always chosen the path of dialogue and would continue to engage with neighbours including Iran to ensure peace prevailed, she remarked.

She said that ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’ was an Intelligence-based operation that killed a number of terrorists.

The spokesperson told the media that over the last several years, Pakistan had consistently shared its serious concerns and shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani-origin terrorists calling themselves Sarmachars on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran.

“However, because of lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large-scale terrorist activities by these so-called Sarmachars,” she remarked.

She said the action was also a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats besides being a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

“Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred… Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances.”

Spokesperson Baloch said as a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan upheld the principles and purposes of the UN Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states.

“Absolutely not” was the spokesperson’s response when asked whether the Iranian side had given prior intimation before violating Pakistan’s airspace.

She said Pakistan had remained engaged with Iran on multiple subjects like trade and energy citing the Mand-Pishin border market and Polan-Gabd transmission line, but it was “surprising what happened two days ago.”

Coming to the Gaza situation, she said January 14, 2024 marked a painful milestone for the human conscience.

“It was the 100th day of Israel’s war on Palestine, which has taken over 24,000 lives in Gaza – a toll that is escalating with each passing day. The indiscriminate violence by Israel has to end. Humanity must prevail. The international community must play its part in saving the people of Palestine from the barbaric acts of the occupation authorities.”

ISLAMABAD, JAN 18 /DNA/ – This morning Pakistan undertook a series of highly coordinated and specifically targeted precision military strikes against terrorist hideouts in Siestan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran. A number of terrorists were killed during the Intelligence-based operation – codenamed ‘Marg Bar Sarmachar’.

Over the last several years, in our engagements with Iran, Pakistan has consistently shared its serious concerns about the safe havens and sanctuaries enjoyed by Pakistani origin terrorists calling themselves Sarmachars on the ungoverned spaces inside Iran. Pakistan also shared multiple dossiers with concrete evidence of the presence and activities of these terrorists.

However, because of lack of action on our serious concerns, these so-called Sarmachars continued to spill the blood of innocent Pakistanis with impunity. This morning’s action was taken in light of credible intelligence of impending large scale terrorist activities by these so called Sarmachars.

This action is a manifestation of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve to protect and defend its national security against all threats. The successful execution of this highly complex operation is also a testimony to the professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan will continue to take all necessary steps to preserve the safety and security of its people which is sacrosanct, inviolable and sacred.

Pakistan fully respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The sole objective of today’s act was in pursuit of Pakistan’s own security and national interest which is paramount and cannot be compromised.

As a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan upholds the principles and purposes of the UN Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. Guided by these principles, and in exercise of our legitimate rights within international law, Pakistan will never allow its sovereignty and territorial integrity to be challenged, under any pretext or circumstances.

Iran is a brotherly country and the people of Pakistan have great respect and affection for the Iranian people. We have always emphasized dialogue and cooperation in confronting common challenges including the menace of terrorism and will continue to endevaour to find joint solutions.

Davos, JAN 17 /DNA/ – Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar met Mr. Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in Davos today on the sidelines of the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.

Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar appreciated the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s ongoing collaboration with Pakistan, especially its critical support across such sectors as public health, social initiatives, and financial inclusion, as well as during the COVID-19 pandemic and the floods of 2022.

The Prime Minister and Mr. Gates discussed a range of social support initiatives being undertaken in Pakistan,emphasizing the need to further consolidate the gains while scaling up efforts throughout the country.

The Prime Minister also outlined the Government’s collaborative efforts to combat poverty and malnutrition.

DNA

DAVOS, JAN 17: Iran’s foreign minister has said that the country’s Tuesday missile attack on areas in Pakistan adjacent to Iranian borders was directed at the so-called Jaish al-Adl terrorist group and no Pakistani national was targeted.

Speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said members of the terrorist group are Iranians who have taken shelters in Pakistan and that Tehran had repeatedly warned Islamabad to prevent their anti-Iran cross-border operations.

“None of the nationals of the friendly and brotherly country of Pakistan were targeted by Iranian missiles and drones,” he said.

“The so-called Jaish al-Adl group, which is an Iranian terrorist group, was targeted,” he said, adding that this was a response to the recent attacks on Iran by the group, which he said is linked to Israel.

The minister also touched on Iran’s attack into Iraq’s Kurdistan region, saying they were retaliation for recent anti-Iran attacks staged by Israel’s Mossad.

The Iranian minister said Tehran has shared intelligence with Iraq about Mossad activities in Iraq’s Kurdistan, adding that Israel is an enemy of both Iraq and Iran.

He cited a 2023 security pact between Iran and Iraq, saying it obliges Iraqi officials not to allow Iran’s security to be threatened from their soil.

The top Iranian diplomat said Iran respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan and Iraq but would strongly react to any attack on its national security.

“We respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan and Iraq, but we do not allow our national security to be compromised, and we have no compunction about [dealing with] terrorist parties inside Pakistan and Israeli movements in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.”

He said the attacks were aimed at protecting the security of Iran, its neighbors, and also the wider region.

“What we did was aimed at boosting the security of Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, and the region. We consider the security of Iraq and Pakistan to be that of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.