DNA

Islamabad, AUG 24: Pakistan’s largest Digital Bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank’s (MMBL) efforts to promote digital and financial inclusion across Pakistan, were recognized at the recent 5th edition of the Leaders in Islamabad Business Summit (LIIBS) 2022, organized by Nutshell Conferences. More than 1,000 delegates were in attendance, including senior dignitaries from local and international private organizations, the public sector, notable media personnel, entrepreneurs, and policymakers. MMBL also showcased its wide-ranging suite of financial products and services, focusing on the digital onboarding of customers and serving them through MMBL’s premium digital banking platform – DOST.

Ghazanfar Azzam, President & CEO, MMBL, and Sardar Mohammad Abubakr, Chief Finance and Digital Officer, MMBL shared valuable insights on talent requirements in the new normal and innovation for growth in their respective panel discussions. They addressed the audience by sharing MMBL’s role in promoting financial inclusion and digitalization efforts across the country, especially amongst the marginalized segments, to promote inclusive growth.

Addressing the delegates, Ghazanfar Azzam stressed the importance of transforming Pakistan’s banking ecosystem by promoting financial inclusion through technology-enabled products and services. He explained, “Pakistan ranks among the top freelance markets in the world. With high growth in freelance earnings recorded inrecent years, MMBL remains committed to creating more financial empowerment opportunities for freelancers, women entrepreneurs, Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs), farmers, and underserved/unserved segments through convenient access to digital financial products and services.” He further emphasized the importance of forging strategic partnerships with organizations that share the common goal of promoting financial inclusion.

During his panel discussion, Sardar Abubakr stated, “Digital innovation is critical for economic growth. There should be a greater focus on creating an enabling and thriving environment for developing innovative products & services. Through MMBL’s Women Inspirational Network (WIN), we have leveraged advancements in digital innovation and technology to help uplift marginalized segments, especially women, with the latest financial offerings and financial literacy trainings. Digitization efforts will not only make financial services more accessible but also help develop new revenue streams across the country.”

The two-day event titled “Imagineering The Future” provided an opportunity for speakers and delegates to engage in an open dialogue and address pressing issues of common and national interest. The forum allowed industry leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, economists, business strategists, academicians, thought leaders, foreign policy experts, and tech investors to discuss ideas and innovative strategies for a shared and sustainable growth of the nation’s economic landscape.

DOHA, AUG 24 /DNA/ – The Prime Minister has thanked His Highness Amir of State of Qatar for the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)’s readiness to invest US$ 3 billion in various commercial and investment sectors in Pakistan.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, at the Diwan-e-Amiri, in Doha today.

The Prime Minister was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Cabinet Ministers and senior members. Upon arrival at the Diwan-e-Amiri, the Prime Minister was welcomed by His Highness the Amir in an official ceremony and presented a Guard of Honour. The two leaders then held delegation-level consultations, which were followed by a lunch banquet hosted by the Amir in the honour of the Prime Minister and his entourage.During their extensive consultations, the two leaders exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues. They expressed satisfaction on the upward trajectory of Pakistan-Qatar relations and agreed to work together to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest.

The two sides agreed inter alia to strengthen institutional engagement to increase bilateral trade; deepen collaboration in the agriculture and food sectors; boost cooperation in the fields of energy; encourage and facilitate Qatar’s investments in Pakistan’s renewable energy, tourism and hospitality sectors; provide more opportunities to Pakistanis interested in working in Qatar; and expand cooperation in defence, aviation and maritime domains.
Lauding Qatar’s remarkable economic transformation, the Prime Minister congratulated the Qatari leadership for its visionary and forward-looking approach and wished the Qatari people more success in the future.
Recalling Pakistan’s long-term partnership with Qatar in the field of LNG cooperation, the Prime Minister thanked His Highness the Amir for Qatar’s vital support in meeting Pakistan’s energy needs. The two sides also explored new avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation in the energy sector.
The Prime Minister stressed that the Pakistanis working and residing in Qatar were not only a source of strength for the economic progress of both countries but also a testament to the value of people-to-people linkages. He hoped that Qatar’s rapid economic growth would present even greater opportunities for Pakistanis in the future. 
The Prime Minister appreciated the extensive arrangements made by the Government of Qatar for hosting the FIFA World Cup 2022. He assured the Qatari leadership of Pakistan’s support for the successful organization of the mega event.
The Prime Minister and the Amir also exchanged views on the developments in the region. The Prime Minister appreciated Qatar for its long-standing and continuing efforts to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. The two leaders agreed to work together to help address the grave humanitarian and economic crises confronting the Afghan people, stressing that the situation warranted the international community’s scaled up assistance.
The Prime Minister highlighted the grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and underscored the importance of a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute for sustainable peace, security and prosperity in South Asia.
His Highness the Amir congratulated the Prime Minister on assumption of office and wished him full success. He also conveyed his best wishes for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of Pakistan.
The Amir reassured the Prime Minister of Qatar’s commitment to forge a stronger economic partnership with Pakistan. The Prime Minister thanked His Highness for the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA)’s readiness to invest US$ 3 billion in various commercial and investment sectors in Pakistan.
The Amir appreciated the important contribution of Pakistanis in the development Qatar, and shared Qatar’s resolve to provide enhanced employment opportunities for Pakistanis, in line with the Qatar Vision 2030.
The two leaders agreed on the importance of frequent high-level exchanges for maintaining the present momentum in bilateral cooperation. The Prime Minister extended a cordial invitation to His Highness the Amir to visit Pakistan at his earliest convenience.
Pakistan and Qatar enjoy long-standing, fraternal relations marked by shared faith, mutual trust, and close cooperation. This is the first visit of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif to Qatar since assuming office in April 2022.

Time ripe to rid country of cabal of thieves: Imran Khan

Says terrorism case not harm his reputation but of Pakistan globally

Vows journey of real independence now unstoppable

DNA

HARIPUR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan made it clear that time was ripe to rid the country of the cabal of thieves who mercilessly looted and plundered the country for the last 30 years, as the journey of real independence was now unstoppable.

Speaking at a mammoth public gathering here on Wednesday, he warned that imported government should announce the election date or else he was preparing the nation and would soon give the ‘final call’ for a march on the federal capital.

He said that on his new call, a sea of people would come from every corner of the country, as the imported government was just limited to Islamabad.

Imran Khan said that PTI ruled in Khyber-Pakhunkhwa (KP), Punjab, GB and AJK and the passionate tigers of PTI of these areas were ready to topple the government of thieves.

He asked Chief Minister KP Mehmood Khan and Pervez Khattak PTI KP President to compete the party organizational structure as they have left with little time, as the battle entered into defining moment.

Talking about terrorism charges framed against him, PTI chairman said that he only announced taking legal action against the police officials and female judge, but he was charged in a terrorism case. However, he stated that the step did not harm his reputation but of Pakistan around the globe.

He told the charged crowd that the imported government wanted to arrest him, so he got ready to go jail but they were baffled by spontaneous public response as they thought that PTI’s supporters were a ‘mummy-daddy’ crowd.

PTI Chairman stated that after back-to-back failures to defeat him, the imported government wanted him to knockout technically to disqualify him but now this Haqiqi Azadi movement would not stop as the people have awakened.

Hitting hard at the three stooges, he said that they would not forgive the three stooges Fazl Rehman, Shehbaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari, who looted the country mercilessly.

He urged them to do what they can but now the nation awakened and the true freedom movement was unstoppable, adding that they were filling cases against PTI leadership because they were scared and their defeat was unavoidable.

Talking about police highhandedness on PTI’s peaceful marchers on May 25, he said that Umar Ayub was subjected to torture on that day but he declared that cases would be registered against the police personnel who tortured him.

“I have never seen such a crowd in Haripur. We want political stability, and the only way is elections,” he added.

He said that the media houses which criticized PTI government and stirred a storm when inflation was only 16%, but they have zipped their lips on inflation going beyond 40%.

PTI Chairman stated that inflation was just an excuse to topple his government as there was no corruption in his government.

“Inflation is today literally breaking the poor and middle class today. They had promised to reduce inflation,” he added.

Talking about the flood situation playing havoc across the country, Imran Khan directed the Punjab and KP chief ministers to leave no stones unturned in rehabilitation and relief efforts for flood-affectees.

Imran Khan asked the Sindh government to at least try once spending the money on its people while he flayed Shehbaz Sharif for visiting Qatar at the time when Pakistan was confronting with calamity situation, as no country was ready to give loan.

He advised Shehbaz that he and his elder brother should bring the looted the national wealth instead of carrying a begging bowel worldwide.

Talking about media curbs, Imran Khan said that the imported government imposed curb on media and banned live telecast his speeches, besides framing terrorism cases, however he added that the PTI social media deserved all applaud for their tremendous efforts to convey his message to the people everywhere.

Imran Khan said that they did not criticism of state institutions other than constructive and for the sake of improvement because our life and death are in Pakistan and this is our country, unlike those who were part of the government and bashed the state organs.

PTI Chairman went on to say that they were the people who want to see a stabilized Pakistan which would be achievable only through free and fair elections, adding that the revival of the economy was also subjected to free and fair polls.

Talking about country foreign policy, Imran Khan stated that the country should not be sacrificed for anyone else interest and policy should be made while keeping the interest of the country supreme.

He said that Pakistan was plunged into a war on terror and sacrificed over 80,000 people, besides inflicting billions of loss to the country. He said that the country’s decisions must be taken in the country.

About Shahbaz Gill, Imran Khan said that Gill was stripped naked, assaulted and sexually abused as he lamented that such kind of practices were still happening in Pakistan.

He said that the female magistrate remanded Gill into police custody again despite that a medical report had established that custodial torture.

“In which country Shehbaz Gill would have been kidnapped, and then tortured mentally and physically? He asked. Gill left everything to fight for Naya Pakistan, as he is being tortured for being in PTI, he added.

DNA

Islamabad, AUG 24: The Education Testing Council (ETC), HEC has announced that its portal etc.hec.gov.pk will remain open until September 9, 2022 midnight for the second batch of students who wish to take the Undergraduate Studies Admission Test (USAT). Their USAT will be tentatively held on September 18, 2022.

It is pertinent to mention here that ETC, as advertised nationwide on July 24, 2022 has tentatively scheduled the USAT for September 4, 2022 for the first batch of students. The registration process for the Batch-I was closed on August 19, 2022. The ETC will keep its online registration portal open until September 9, 2022 in order to facilitate further registrations for the upcoming USAT Batch-II. Accordingly, the test for Batch-II is tentatively scheduled for September 18, 2022.

The ETC conducts USAT for admission at the undergraduate level in universities operating all over Pakistan. The USAT is designed on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) pattern and covers all known disciplines of Engineering, Medicine (Allied Health), IT, Management and Social Sciences at the undergraduate entry level. The students after qualifying respective USAT would stand eligible to all relevant universities like the SAT.

The students who have passed the Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) or equivalent/Grade 12 education and those who have appeared in the final examination and awaiting results can apply for USAT.

The ETC conducts the USAT in six categories based on relevant academic streams, including USAT-E for Pre-Engineering, USAT-M for Pre-Medical, USAT-A for Arts & Humanities, USAT-CS for Computer Science, USAT-GS for General Science, and USAT-Com for Commerce.

Islamabad, AUG 25 /DNA/ – To talk about 75 years’ journey, from where we started to where we are and where we want to be, a National Seminar is being held today (Thursday, August 25) by the Planning Commission of Pakistan and the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).

The National High-Level Seminar of Development Leaders on PAKISTAN@75: The Development Journey will be held today (Thursday, August 25, 2022) from 03:00 PM to 05:00 PM at P & D Auditorium, Islamabad.

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal will be the chief guest at the ceremony. Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Dr. Hafeez Pasha, Mr. Shahid Hafeez Kardar, Mr. Asfandyar Faruukh, Mr. Zouhair Khaliq and Dr. Gohar Ejaz will be the key Speakers.