FAISALABAD, AUG 11: Global Technology company, vivo, announced that it has started producing an expansive catalog of products locally at its first production base set up in the Industrial Estate of Faisalabad, Pakistan.
As one of the leading brands in the region, this marks vivo’s sixth such intelligent production base as it strengthens its footprint across the globe in line with the “More Local, More Global” strategy.
In order to strengthen its footprint in Pakistan, vivo has invested USD 10 million to set up a domestic manufacturing plant which is in alignment with the “Made in Pakistan” initiative to contribute to the development of the local economy and empowerment of the local workforce.
Pakistan currently has a local demand for 3.3 million mobile phones monthly. The new facility, spread over 4 acres, has a production capacity of 500,000 smartphone units per month.
Since 2014, vivo has been adhering to “More Local, More Global” strategy and readily establishing its global R&D and manufacturing network.
Aside from the newly inaugurated production base in Pakistan, vivo also has already established five such locations in Dongguan, Chongqing, India (Greater Noida), Bangladesh (Dhaka), and Indonesia (Tangerang), combining for a collective manufacturing capacity of hundreds of millions of cutting-edge devices every year.
This steady growth in production capability has become essential in safeguarding the global supply of vivo products and satisfying international user demands. “Pakistan is becoming an increasingly favorable destination for local manufacturing hubs,” said Eric Kong, CEO, vivo Pakistan. “The decision to set up this local manufacturing plant in Pakistan is not just our approach to enrich users’ lives with high-quality, homegrown technologies but also to empower the local workforce with more opportunities.”
“vivo believes in the Benfen philosophy which encourages us to build technology for the good of society,” he added.
With 8 assembly lines, the facility is already operational in Faisalabad and has produced the first batch of ‘Made-in-Pakistan’ mobile phones as of February 1, 2021.
Rawalpindi, AUG 11 /DNA/ – The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) in collaboration with Fair Finance Pakistan organized a roundtable moot titled” FinEx” on responsible banking in the country. The major aim of the conference was to strengthen multi-stakeholders’ dialogue and action on sustainable finance in Pakistan.
The FinEx Conference was well attended by RCCI members, deputy chief from the State Bank of Pakistan, senior representatives from leading commercial banks including HBL, UBL, National Bank, Askari Bank, Meezan Bank, Faysal Bank, Bank of Punjab, First Women Bank, Apna officials from the Pakistan Banks’ Association and civil society organizations.
A joint declaration was presented at the conference which puts forward recommendations to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Finance Minister, Governor, State Bank of Pakistan and Chairperson, Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan to play a more pro-active role in ensuring inclusive financing, especially for women.
RCCI President Mohammad Nasir Mirza in his address made a strong commitment that the joint communiqué presents a holistic picture for the regulators and is a collective voice from the business community that this is the time for reform to nurture the business and harness the environment by the regulator.
During the roundtable, Fair Finance Pakistan presented the findings of “Strengthening Sustainable Finance in Pakistan: A scoping review towards institutionalizing Fair Finance Pakistan,” authored by Dr. Abid Aman Burki from Lahore University of Management Sciences.
The scoping review gave an analysis on financial inclusion in Pakistan which is at 21% compared to the State Bank’s ambitious goal of 50% by 2020.
In her welcome remarks, Bernadette Victorio, Program Lead of Fair Finance Asia, said, “Pakistan is an important country for energy transition in Asia. The Fair Finance Asia coalition calls on Asian and international financial institutions operating in the region to urgently stop coal financing and divert resources towards renewable energy in order to align with the Paris Agreement.”
The meeting featured a panel discussion with banking sector experts on consumer financing and responsible banking. Banking sector representatives shared their current policies of integrating environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) guidelines in their operations at the strategic, portfolio and transaction level. Representatives from the State Bank of Pakistan highlighted the importance of integrating Bank’s Green Banking Guidelines to foster a culture of responsibility in the banking sector.
Speaking at the panel, Asim Jaffry, Program Lead, Fair Finance Pakistan said the regulator must shift voluntary reporting towards compliance for listed and non-listed companies.”
AFZAL JAVED ISLAMABAD, Aug 11: /DNA/ – Geo and Hum TV thrashed Dunya and Dawn TV and reaches in the final of RISJA Inter Media Independence Cup Cricket Tournament at National cricket ground Islamabad. Deputy Chairman Senate Mirza Muhammad Afridi was the chief guest of the prize distributing ceremony while deputy commissioner Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat, Chairman RISJA Abdul Mohi Shah, SJAL Senior Sports Journalist Muhammad Rafiq and others were also present in the ceremony which collaborated by Park View City and NasGas. Speaking on the occasion Deputy Chairman Senate Mirza Muhammad Afridi said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is committed to establishing sports grounds and to provide opportunity to sportspersons in the country, adding that Sports events send a message of peace to the world. He said that we have to build good grounds instead of hospitals and the role of media is important in the promotion of sports. Deputy Chairman Senate said that Kashmir Premier League (KPL) is an excellent event and new players will get a chance in KPL. Earlier in the first semi-final of the tournament, Hum TV defeated Dawn TV by five wickets after a tough contest. Batting first, Dawn TV scored 89 runs for the loss of seven wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. Waheed scored 27 runs and Sanaullah 15 runs. Hum Tv’s Sameer Butt took 2-5 and Samar Abbas 2-12 in the match. In reply, Hum TV achieved the target in the 17th over at a loss of five wickets thanks to Kamran’s 24 runs to reaches in the final of the tournament.
In the second semi-final, Geo outclassed Dunya Tv by 10 runs to qualify for the final encounter against Hum Tv on 14th august. Batting first Geo TV set the 118 runs target for victory. Geo TV’s Hussam Ahmed scored 39 and Ali Tanoli 34 runs respectively while Naseer Bhatti of Dunya TV took 5-16 in the match. In reply, Dunya TV managed to score 107 runs in the allotted 20 overs. Geo TV’s Arfa Feroze got three wickets and Ali Tanoli got two wickets.
ISLAMABAD, AUG 11: National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf said on Wednesday that social media accounts operated from Afghanistan and India were being used to malign Pakistan as Afghan authorities failed to stop sweeping territorial gains made by the Taliban.
Addressing a press conference alongside Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Yusuf regretted the “global silence” in response to India propagating disinformation against Pakistan.
But he said the government would keep presenting analytics-based data to show the “information warfare” being faced by Pakistan.
“Afghanistan has a volatile situation now, but let me tell you Afghan and Indian accounts are being used to malign Pakistan,” he added, noting that ‘Sanction Pakistan’ was widely trended on Twitter to create a narrative against the country.
He clarified that he had just returned from the United States and there was no talk of sanctioning Pakistan.
“Attempts are underway to blame Pakistan for Afghanistan’s failures. As the Taliban offensive is increasing, there are campaigns to shift its blame on Pakistan.”
Yusuf said senior Afghan officials, including his Afghan counterpart, were involved in such campaigns, adding that the government would expose everything through data and not fake news. “We won’t expose fake news through fake news,” he commented.
The remarks came as the Digital Media Wing of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting launched a “Deep Analytics Report” on “Anti-State Trends”.
The 135-page report covering “PTM, Political Parties, Indian and Fake News Nexus” dissects what it terms anti-Pakistan trends from 2019 to 2021.
According to NSA Yusuf, the five top themes used by the elements involved in the propaganda are:
Discredit the Pakistani government and especially Pakistan Army
Fan sub-nationalism
Target the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
Keep Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list
Blame Pakistan for all the chaos in Afghanistan
‘Stop blaming the victim’
Yusuf regretted that a number of people inside Pakistan too unknowingly believed such trends to be genuine and started promoting them. “These hashtags are initiated through 40 per cent of bot activity,” he said.
The NSA also called out the Afghan army, saying the force that was raised 20 years ago had surrendered before the Taliban and excused itself from putting up a fight.
“It’s not our fault. You must look at the Afghanistan map and see the territories captured by the Taliban. They are mostly areas which are far off from Pakistan,” he stressed.
Yusuf said a “targeted, deliberate and conscious” disinformation campaign was being constantly run by accounts in India and Afghanistan, some of which were linked to the state apparatus, in order to defame Pakistan in the international arena.
“I must remind you that Pakistan is a victim of the war in Afghanistan. We suffered more than 80,000 casualties with $150 billion loss in economy, therefore, stop blaming the victim,” he added.
The NSA emphasised that the actual failures were in the 20 years of what happened in Afghanistan. “This [propaganda] will not work because the kind of data we are showing you through forensics is irrefutable,” he said.
He added that many in positions of power at the global level were busy trying to shift the blame and create fake news about Pakistan, “but we will respond to it through data analysis”.
He also urged Pakistanis not to believe everything on social media, asking them to check and verify if they saw a trend going in a particular direction.
He assured the nation that the country was safe and would remain safe, saying the government would not shy away from calling out whoever was involved in defaming Pakistan.
‘India generating fake Twitter trends’ against Pakistan
Earlier, Information Minister Chaudhry said government teams had analysed Twitter trends from June 2019 to August 2021 and “it transpired that India led the top trends against Pakistan and the biggest player which helped India was PTM (Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement) and its activists.” He added that representatives of the Afghan government were also part of such activity.
Giving a breakdown of a few trends allegedly based on disinformation, Chaudhry said the PTM had initiated 150 trends against Pakistan in the last two years consisting of 3.7 million tweets — and it takes more than 1,000 hours to do tweets at this scale, he added.
He said the PTM had also actively supported Baloch activism and on Aug 14, 2020, the hashtag ‘#BalochistanSolidarityDay’ was trended with massive support from India, with around 150,000 tweets posted with the hashtag by Indian activists in a day.
RAWALPINDI, AUG 11: /DNA/ – Two days 242nd Corps Commanders’ Conference Chaired by General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) held at GHQ. The participants took comprehensive review of global, regional and domestic security environment.
Forum was given a detailed briefing on evolving situation along Pak – Afghan International Border, its implications on Pakistan’s Internal Security, particularly in the western zone, and measures being taken to tackle emerging challenges. COAS expressed satisfaction over stringent measures being taken for ensuring effective border control as part of the comprehensive Border Management Regime and asked for high level of vigil along the western Border.
Reinforcing Pakistan’s vision for peace, connectivity and shared prosperity, COAS said we have made every possible effort to facilitate Afghan Peace Process leading towards a negotiated settlement with utmost sincerity and will continue to do so. Being a collective responsibility, all stakeholders have to play their part positively for enduring peace in Afghanistan which is pivotal for stability in the region. Misperceptions and scapegoating must be avoided to counter designs of spoilers, COAS emphasised.
Taking holistic view of the multifarious security challenges faced by Pakistan in various domains in the evolving milieu, Forum underscored the need for adopting whole of nation approach.
COAS commended formations for maintaining high standards of operational readiness and providing sustained support to civil administration during ongoing national efforts against Covid-19, monsoons and National Polio Drive.
ISLAMABAD, AUG 11 /DNA/ – On the direction of the Capital Development Authority administration, the Enforcement Department on Wednesday with the help of the district administration and Islamabad police conducted illegal encroachments in different areas of Islamabad and Anti-construction operations were carried out at various places in which illegal buildings, houses and other illegal structures were demolished.
According to the details, the operations were launched from IJP Road area of Islamabad in which heavy machinery was used to demolish the walls of an illegal car parking on the green belt connected to Mandi turn and illegal parking of vehicles. The land was rendered useless by digging deep pits and hand over the land to the Environment Department of CDA so that tree planting could be started on the vacated land.
In addition, 35 illegal houses along the rain drain behind CTTI College opposite IJP Road were demolished with the help of heavy machinery, so as not to create any untoward situation in view of the flood situation in the recent monsoon rains citizens Don’t face any unpleasant event
In addition, four illegally established cattle pens near a traffic sign on IJP Road in the same area of Islamabad were demolished and the land handed over to the Environment Department so that trees could be planted there as well.
Later, an illegal guard room, a drop-down barrier outside a residential house in Sector F-6/3, Street number 11, Islamabad was also demolished and the seized goods by the CDA and deposited in the store.
In addition, two illegal ordinary hotel constructed in Sector G-9 and Sector G-10 of Islamabad were also demolished.
It should be noted that for the last several months, the CDA in the Federal Capital has been engaged in continuous operations against illegal encroachments and constructions, which have resulted in the relinquishment of billions of rupees of government land.
Islamabad, Aug. 11: /DNA/ – COMSTECH organized coordination meeting with R&D institutions affiliated with Ministry of Science and Technology at COMSTECH Secretariat on Wednesday.
Secretary for Ministry of Science and Technology, Dr. Akhtar Nazir, chaired the meeting. He assured full support of the Ministry to the R&D institutions. Dr. Akhtar said, we need to develop a clear vision for all R&D and S&T organizations, review it and assess its feasibility and then go for capacity building and competitive growth initiatives. He suggested that we need to review and update statutes and rules of our organizations which need to align with the current needs. He appreciated the organization of the meeting and termed it a very useful initiative. Dr. Akhtar said, we believe that there is not superman or super organization, we need to build teams, and encourage teamwork to advance. He proposed to institutions the mechanism of collaboration between S&T and regulatory organizations including regular meetings.
Coordinator General, COMSTECH, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary said the objective of this meeting is to find ways to make COMSTECH a strongest organization in Pakistan, which is the only organization of OIC hosted by Pakistan. He said we have to find ways that how can COMSTECH play role for establishing linkages and joint collaborative projects among Pakistani R&D institutions and the institutions of OIC system and member states. Dr. Choudhary suggested that the COMSTECH strength needs to be utilized for promotion of Pakistan’s science diplomacy initiative as well as achieve competitive growth of S&T institutions of Pakistan.
Capacity building of R&D institutions, fostering collaboration, and developing international linkages of R&D institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Science & Technology. Identification of relevant partner institutions in the OIC region for R&D collaboration and capacity building initiatives and discussion on COMSTECH technology portal along with preparation of a brief roadmap and implementation strategy for review and approval of the Federal Minister for Science & Technology, were the thrust areas of the discussions.
Heads of 14 top R&D organizations and universities of Pakistan participated in the meeting and shared their views, suggestions and insights.
DUBAI, AUG 11: Emirates released a new advertisement featuring a woman standing on top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Later, it also shared a BTS video showing how the ad was filmed. The videos have gone viral on social media.https://www.youtube.com/embed/uQHhYRuaEtM?feature=oembed
Emirates, which is the largest airline and the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, has occupied the top spot on the trends list after it released a new advertisement featuring a woman standing on top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
The 30-second advert has gone viral on social media as users were left in awe after watching the clip. Nicole Smith-Ludvik, who is a professional skydiving instructor, features as an Emirates cabin crew member in the advert.
As the ad opens, Nicole in the Emirates uniform is seen holding up message boards that read, “Moving the UAE to the UK Amber list has made us feel on top of the world. Fly Emirates. Fly better.”
As the camera pans out, you will see that Nicole is actually standing on the tip of Burj Khalifa with a spectacular view of Dubai’s skyline in the backdrop. At 828 metres above the ground, the Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building.
Nicole also shared the ad on Instagram, saying, “This is, without a doubt, one of the most amazing and exciting stunts I’ve ever done. A big shout out to Emirates Airlines for your creative marketing idea! It was a pleasure being a part of the team!”
Nicole Smith-Ludvik is a “world traveller, skydiver, yoga instructor, hiker and adventurer” as described on her Instagram bio.
Meanwhile, social media users were absolutely stupefied after watching the Emirates ad and shared their thoughts and opinions in the comments section.
ISLAMABAD, AUG 11 /DNA/ – Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, Federal Minister of Interior said that due to the changing dynamics in this part of the world, Pakistan is going to play a vital role in the regional economies and the coming 4-5 months are crucial for the country.
He said that Imran Khan’s policies to steer the economy out of the troubled waters and tackle the Covid-19 pandemic are bearing fruits due to which the country has been put on the path of sound economic growth.
He said that when the current government had come into power, there were predictions that Pakistan would default, but the government’s good business and economic policies have set the country in the right direction. He expressed these views while addressing the business community during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said that the business community is playing an important role in the economic development of the country and the government is taking many policy measures for ease of doing business. He said that a specific women market would be inaugurated soon to promote the businesses of women entrepreneurs.
About issuance of armed license, he said that a merit based policy has been adopted for this purpose. He said that chambers of commerce & industry should own brilliant students for their grooming and promoting entrepreneurship.
Speaking at the occasion, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry lauded the initiatives of the Ministry of Interior for improving the security situation that would facilitate better growth of business activities.
He said that ICCI was working actively for the placement of 3000 students as interns in local industries to provide them practical job experience. He said that the government should introduce a fixed tax regime and self-assessment scheme to broaden the tax base and improve tax revenue. He said that the government should recognize the high taxpayers that would promote a tax culture in the country.
He said specific counters for taxpayers at NADRA, Passport Office and other public places should be set up that would facilitate the business community. He said armed licenses should be issued to the business community for self-defence on the recommendation of ICCI.
Mian Akram Farid, Chairman Founder Group appreciated the government’s initiatives for improving transportation networks that would greatly facilitate the transportation of goods and reduce cost of doing business. He also lauded the efforts of Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad for establishing schools, colleges, universities and hospitals in this region.
Fatma Azim Senior Vice President, Abdul Rehman Khan Vice President ICCI, Ejaz Abbasi, Mian Shaukat Masud and a large number of the business community was present at the occasion.=DNA
RAWALPINDI, AUG 11 /DNA/ – Punjab Law Minister Basharat Raja has said that Pakistan is playing the most important and leading role in tackling the serious global problem of environmental pollution and global warming.
He said this while talking on the occasion of planting a sapling in connection with the tree plantation drive organized by District Range Forest Office, Chakwal, Forest Department (Extension), Rawalpindi Division. District Range Forest Officer Chakwal Sher Afzal Raja and Forest Department officials from the division were also present on the occasion.
He said that the Punjab government is taking historic steps to bring a truly green revolution across the province by turning long-neglected barren lands into forests. Basharat Raja said that an ideal and co-ordinated working relationship between the District Administration and Punjab Forest Department is doing what we want. “Punjab government is bringing revolutionary steps for the development and density of forests in the province”, he added. He said the Punjab government will bear all major expenses of making private barren lands fertile and turn the same into forests.
The provincial minister said that the Punjab government was ensuring effective enforcement of laws for the protection of existing forests, as a result of which it would not be possible for the timber mafia to cut down forests in future.
Praising the officers and staff of the District Range Forest Office for making fruitful efforts to turn thousand kanals of waste and barren lands into dense potential forest in the district, the provincial minister said that we should all follow these steps. “We are receiving the admiration and commendation from the whole world for the best efforts and contribution in lessening the environmental pollution and global warming issues”, he mentioned.
On this occasion District Range Forest Officer SherAfzal Raja apprised the provincial minister of the details of the tree plantion campaign and said morethan 800,000 plants of different species of fruits and medicinal value would be planted with the active participation of the masses in the district during the ongoing tree plantation campaign. In addition, under the ‘Up Scaling of Green Pakistan Program’, all the barren lands of the farmers would be resettled and Miyawaki forests would be grown there to make the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Movement of Prime Minister Imran Khan a success.
The provincial minister also inspected the work of planting trees on barren lands with the forest department officials and directed them to take full care of the plants so that our efforts would bear fruit. DNA
