ANKARA, MAR 9 – Turkey and Uzbekistan on Tuesday have signed a memorandum of understanding to improve bilateral relations and cooperation.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, in a joint press conference at Uzbek capital Tashkent, announced the signing of a memorandum and said, “We have great potential to improve our economic relations, and we will make that happen.”
Çavuşoğlu said the memorandum “will further develop the relations between both our ministries and our countries; and in the upcoming period, to increase trade, we intend to sign a preferential trade agreement and a free trade agreement.”
As he hailed the bilateral relations between the two countries, the Turkish foreign minister noted that his country is among the top five trade partner countries of Uzbekistan and the country that invests in Uzbekistan the most.
Separately, Uzbek Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov said the delegations discussed how to improve bilateral cooperation, international and regional issues, and improve relations with international organizations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Turkic Council.
Prior to the joint press conference, Çavuşoğlu and Kamilov had a meeting where the countries’ delegations exchanged views regarding the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council’s agenda.
The Joint Strategic Planning Group meeting will take place today at Tashkent.
“As we start the preparations for the second meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, we will also follow the implementation of the decisions taken and the agreements we signed at the first summit,” Çavuşoğlu said.
“We will also discuss the Turkic Council, Afghanistan and other regional issues,” he added.
Regarding the high-level strategic cooperation between Turkey and Uzbekistan, Uzbek Foreign Minister said, “Uzbekistan held the meetings of Joint Strategic Planning Group and the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council with only Turkey.”
“There are very important issues on our agenda, and we aim to take strategic cooperation to the next level,” he said.
Kamilov also said that they would hold the Strategic Planning Group’s second meeting and discuss the preparation for the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting.
He stated that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev would also receive Çavuşoğlu, and the Turkish foreign minister would meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Investments and Foreign Trade Sardor Umurzakov.
Noting that Çavuşoğlu learned the Uzbek language very well during his three-day visit, Kamilov added, “Once again, you are welcome to Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan is your second home. You are well-known and appreciated in your fatherland, Uzbekistan.”
ISLAMABAD, MAR 09 (DNA) – The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Tuesday rejected an application moved by ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf for withholding the notification about declaring Yousaf Raza Gilani a winner in the recently-held Senate elections.
The Election Commission rejected the PTI application as incomplete. The ECP gave the remarks while hearing Ali Haider Gilani’s video scandal case. PTI’s counsel Barrister Ali Zafar, Parliamentary Leader for Railways Farrukh Habib and MNA Kanwal Shauzab appeared before the commission and recorded their arguments.
Ali Zafar claimed that rigging was carried out during the Senate polls through money and party tickets. Evidence of rigging was found a day before the elections, he told the ECP. The Punjab member in ECP, Altaf Qureshi, said that the PTI lawyer has already provided the transcript of the leaked video. He asked about making those who were offered money as party in the case over which Ali Zafar said they cannot be made party but the court can call them as witnesses.
The one who took the bribe and the other who gave it both were accused, Altaf Qureshi said. The ECP while directing the PTI leaders to club all the pleas into a petition and submit it again. Those who took the money and those who gave must be made respondents in the petition, the ECP directed. Ali Zafar said the PTI will move an amended application. PTI leader told the ECP “If Gilani becomes Senate chairman then it would be a blot on the Parliament,” she opined.
In reaction, Altaf Qureshi said this black blot remark tantamount to political speech. “Please, don’t do that,” he added. PTI leaders news talk The ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) said that it will file a new petition with the Election Commission against the election of Gilani.
Talking to the media men outside ECP offices in Islamabad on Tuesday, PTI leader Maleeka Ali Bokhari said that the opposition used all means and money to win the Senate seat from Islamabad.
Speaking on the occasion, PTI leader Farrukh Habib said Yousuf Raza Gilani is already an ineligible person so he does not have the right to become member of the Senate. In her remarks, MNA Kanwal Shauzab said that PTI is striving to bring transparency in the election process. PML-N withdraws plea
The PML-N has withdrawn its application it filed in the Election Commission of Pakistan in connection with 2018 Senate elections video scandal on the directive of the ECP, saying it will refile the plea.
During the proceedings, PML-N’s counsel Jahangir Jadoon urged the ECP to issue notices to Prime Minister Imran Khan, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, FIA director general and the Pemra chairman.
ECP member from Punjab Altaf Qureshi asked what evidence you have forwarded in support of your application. “Do we have to disqualify people on just videos. We cannot be pressured with tactics like this as we have to act in accordance with the Constitution,” he remarked.
He told the counsel “We will issue notices but first you have to satisfy us. Did you present any evidence against all these people.” The PML-N lawyer withdrew the application after the ECP asked to file a new one.
Vawda disqualification case The ECP has fixed Faisal Vawda disqualification case for immediate hearing and also rejected PML-N’s application for withholding the notification declaring Vawda a senator.
During the proceedings, PML-N’s lawyer Jahangir Jadoon told the ECP that filing a false affidavit is tantamount to electoral corruption. Altaf Qureshi asked Faisal Vawda had lied then why the high court had not disqualified him. “Give us some reason to black the notification,” he told the lawyer.
The Punjab member of the ECP remarked that the Commission can still take action even if the notification is issued. The ECP court adjourned the hearing till Wednesday. = DNA
ISLAMABAD, MAR 9: Noon Academy, a London based EdTech Startup with over 400,000 users in Pakistan, has entered into a Letter of Understanding with the Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Training (MoFEPT) for provision of Digital Education in Pakistan. The LoU was signed at a ceremony held at the Federal Education Ministry in Islamabad.
As per the understanding, Noon Academy, as a global e-learning platform, will use its expertise in technology to develop high quality content for the MoFEPT. MoFEPT will make the content accessible to students across Pakistan for free. The content will include recorded lectures, past paper review sessions, doubt clearing sessions and much more.
The content will be promoted through print, social and digital media, including the global award-winning Noon Academy app. The app includes live classes, practice exams, comprehensive courses, assessments, and many other social learning features.
Speaking at the occasion, Joint Secretary IC, Ministry of Federal Education & Professional Trainning, Mr. Waseem Ajmal Chaurdhary appreciated the efforts of Noon Academy and emphasized the positive impact of the private sector in the education space.
Mr. Umair Babar Chishti, Country Manager Pakistan, Noon Academy, said “Noon Academy has entered Pakistan with the vision to provide learning opportunities to everyone, and through our platform we want to make the best teachers in Pakistan affordable, accessible and available for all students in Pakistan and help them achieve their goals in life”.
Noon Academy will assist the MoFEPT in developing the concept of Tele-school on the PTV to provide learning opportunities in all provinces of Pakistan while maintaining standards and overcoming the language barriers.
NEW DELHI, MAR 09 (DNA) – Raising the Kashmir issue in his first press briefing after assuming charge as new High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to India, Alex W Ellis has said that the British government is concerned about the matter and is keen to analyze the ground situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
In his first press interaction in New Delhi, Ellis laid emphasis on changing global order and finding a just solution to the Kashmir conflict, Indian media reported.
The UK envoy also expressed the desire to travel Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. “We are keen to go. I think you know we talked to the government about Kashmir. We are keen to get up there to have a look,” he remarked.
Earlier, Pakistan Ambassador at the United Nations Munir Akram reminded the international community that Kashmir is not just a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan; it is mainly about what the people of Kashmir want. = DNA
ISLAMABAD, MAR 09 (DNA) – Ahmed Ali Sirohey, Ambassador of Pakistan paid a courtesy call on Brigi Rafini, Prime Minister Republic of Niger.
During the courtesy call, Ambassador conveyed a message of greetings and good will on behalf of Pakistani Leadership, says a press statement here on Tuesday.
Ambassador Sirohey briefed the Prime Minister on various areas of bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He informed about Pakistan’s food assistance program for Niger including arrival of two C-130s at Niger and PNS NASR carrying food assistance at Cotonou Port for Niger.
The Ambassador also informed the Prime Minister about Cash Assistance of FCFA 54 Million and 200 scholarships announced by the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. He further informed about the arrival of Pakistani Medical team in March to conduct Free Eye Surgery Camps & Training Workshops at Regional Hospital/ Medical Centers of Maradi and Agadez and National Hospital of Zinder.
The Honourable Prime Minister thanked brotherly people and government of Pakistan on this generous assistance. He appreciated the gesture of brotherly country and praised the role of Pakistan Embassy for urgent assistance in food, health and education sector. He asked the Envoy to convey a message of greetings and good will to the Prime Minister and people of Pakistan. = DNA
ISLAMABAD, MAR 9 (DNA) – The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) while concluding an enquiry has issued a show-cause notice to M/s Hyundai Nishat Motor (Pvt) Limited for, prima facie, deceptive marketing practices in the marketing campaign for its new SUV, “Hyundai Tucson,”, in violation of Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010.
The CCP took a suo motu notice of the advertisements published in print media and on various social media platforms publicising the ‘introductory price’ of Hyundai Tucson with a disclaimer, ‘for a limited period only’. In these advertisements, though the ‘introductory price’ was visibly printed in large font size, yet the disclaimer was not easily noticeable as it was printed much smaller font size.
Moreover, it was also brought to the CCP’s notice that the initial booking period for Hyundai Tucson with the ‘introductory price’ lasted for less than 24 hours, and then the price was raised by PKR 200,000. Within 24 hours of the initial bookings, the company declared that all units of Tucson at the introductory price were booked and the introductory price list was removed from its website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
The CCP’s Office of Fair Trade (OFT) in its enquiry found the advertisement to be problematic in that the position of the disclaimer could potentially mislead the consumers. Moreover, the advertisement left the overall impression that the company did not clearly indicate to consumers: (i) the period in which the introductory prices would apply, and (ii) the number of vehicles that were available at that price point, thereby, prima facie, violating provisions of Section 10 of the Competition Act.
On the enquiry’s recommendations, a show cause notice has been served on M/s Hyundai Nishat Motor (Pvt) Limited company and the company has been given 14 days to respond.
CCP is mandated under the Competition Act to ensure fair competition in all spheres of commercial and economic activity to enhance economic efficiency and to protect consumers from deceptive marketing practices including deceptive marketing practices.=DNA
LAHORE/SAN FRANCISCO, MAR 9 /DNA/ – Pakistani technology startup RemoteBase, has raised almost 220 million rupees funding in its seed round of investment so that it can enable Pakistani software engineers and developers to get international exposure. RemoteBase finds, hires, trains and places Pakistani software engineers and developers in Silicon Valley startups. Famous Silicon Valley startups include Google, Facebook and Apple.
This investment by Pakistan based Indus Valley Capital and US Billionaire Tim Draper in RemoteBase are considered to be a huge boost in Pakistan’s tech ecosystem since it reflects a growing trend of Pakistani tech startups raising millions of dollars.
Dr Umar Saif, former chairman of Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) and founder of Plan9, a tech incubator that gave Pakistani startups exposure to investors in Silicon Valley said: “I am super proud of Qasim and his team on the fundraising. Having seen him work in the past, I can see Remotebase playing a pivotal role in placing Pakistan on the global map.” “As companies go remote, they are looking to hire software engineers from all over the world and Pakistan can benefit from this immensely.
Pakistani engineers are some of the most talented engineers I have worked with in the past. All they require is good training and direction, and I can see Remotebase doing that.” The founder of RemoteBase, Qasim Asad Salam who has also worked closely with Umar Saif and Plan9 said that his only goal is to help Pakistani engineers compete internationally and that remote working during COVID-19 made it possible.
Qasim further added, “Pakistani talent has always amazed me. Engineers from Pakistan are on par with the best engineers in the world. They just don’t have the right direction or the right opportunities. With Remotebase, we want to change that.” “Remotebase is all set to completely disrupt how work is done. Being a remote worker for most of my life I was always passionate about enabling people to build companies entirely in the cloud and giving them access to top talent from all around the globe. Where better to start the company from than Pakistan, a country where I have personally witnessed an immense amount of talent, and super hungry individuals just looking for opportunities to learn and grow,” Qasim said. RemoteBase currently has 40 software engineers but the company plans to hire 150+ Pakistan engineers by the end of 2021 after gaining this investment.
US billionaire Tim Draper, who has invested in Skype, Twitter and Hotmail has backed this Pakistani startup and believes that it has the potential to significantly disrupt the tech ecosystem of the world. Tim Draper said, “Remotebase’s mission is to create a world with no physical boundaries and help engineers in emerging markets have the same access to working with innovative companies as those in developed nations.”
Tim Draper further said that: “Knowing Qasim and having seen him work right outside my office, I can say that he and his team are going to take Remotebase to the moon. We are so proud of what they have achieved so far and are looking forward to helping him and his team on this incredible journey.” The Co-founder of RemoteBase, Talha Masood said, “No individual should be discriminated against in terms of race, colour, nationality or gender and the world should be made more inclusive as a whole.”
“Working remotely my entire life with Silicon Valley companies has been an incredible ride. I had immense freedom, meaningful work and I got to learn from the best companies in the world. One went on to become a multi-billion dollar startup. I want other Pakistani engineers to have the same experiences and opportunities I had,” Talha said. With this fresh round of funding, Remotebase aims to hire more engineers, power Remotebase hackathons, and encourage women to get into tech through Remotebase for Women.
A former senior executive at popular business networking app, Linkedin, Aatif Awan from Indus Valley Capital expressed excitement about investing in a new Pakistani startup. Aatif said: “Remotebase has been crushing it. Growing 28% month over month since they started in April, and crossing $1 million in Accounting Rate of Return (ARR) in less than a year.
We are super excited to be partnering with them and helping Pakistani engineers receive global recognition.” Pakistan’s tech ecosystem has been growing at a rapid pace and has the potential to earn significant foreign currency whilst also providing lucrative employment opportunities for the youth of Pakistan. It will also boost the economy of Pakistan.
ISLAMABAD, MAR 9 (DNA) – House Business Advisory Committee (HBAC) of the Senate met here at the Parliament House on Tuesday. The Committee, presided over by Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjrani, discussed in detail legislative business to be transacted during the 308th Session of the Senate.
Besides legislative business, the session would take up discussion on current situation of important national and international issues. The HBAC decided that the current session would continue for three days. However, this would be the last Session of the current Parliamentary Year.
The outgoing Senators would be provided ample opportunity to express their views and share experiences with their colleagues to make the House more robust and dynamic in resolving issues of public concern. The HBAC paid rich tribute to the outgoing Senators, especially the services of Leader of the Opposition Raja Muhammad Zafar ul Haq and extended warm wishes for their future life.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman Senate Saleem Mandviwalla, Leader of the House Senator Dr. Shehzad Waseem, Leader of the Opposition Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar ul Haq, Senator Sherry Rehman, Chief Whip in Senate Senator Sajjad Hussain Turi, Senator Mir Kabeer Ahmed Shahi, Senator Molana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Senator Dr. Jehanzeb Jamaldini, Senator Usman Khan Kakar, Senator Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Minister for Railways Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan, Secretary Senate Mohammad Qasim Samad Khan and other senior officers of the Senate Secretariat.
ISLAMABAD, MAR 9 (DNA) – Justice (RETD) Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB has chaired a meeting to review the performance of the Awareness and Prevention Division at NAB Headquarters.
Chairman NAB took notice of not submitting the details of contracts of over Rs50 million projects by some public sector departments to the Bureau for scrutiny under section 33-B of NAO, 1999 and directed all regional bureaus of NAB to ensure submission of copies of such projects by the relevant departments to Awareness and Prevention Division as per law.
Chairing meeting at NAB Headquarters to review overall Awareness and Prevention Division of NAB, since he took over the responsibilities of Chairman NAB, has said that all public sector departments are duty bound to submit the copies of contracts of Rs50 million or above to NAB for scrutiny under its prevention regime.
The chairman NAB said that the policy of Accountability for All is being followed in letter and spirit across the board and now accountability of big fish is being seen to be done. The corrupt are being dealt with iron hands as eradication of corruption from the country is the top priority of NAB.
The Chairman NAB directed all DGs of NAB to ensure submission of copies of all contracts of Rs 50 million or above from public sector departments comes under their areas of jurisdiction to NAB as per law. Strict action would be taken against the failure officers as per law. Chairman NAB directed operations, prosecution divisions and all regional bureaus to make all-out efforts to conclude all ongoing complaint verifications, inquiries and investigations within the prescribed time frame after collecting concrete and solid evidence as per law.=DNA
Pakistan, one of the most naturally beautiful country on the planet,the only requisite is that, its tourism and hospitality industry needs to showcase its hidden diversity and rich heritageand colorfully attractive cultural. Good news is that, the Tourism in places like the scenic northern areas and the historical region of Punjab and Sindh has amplified in the past few years, due to the fact, many big hotel chains of the world had shown interest in building projects countrywide, reasoning thecareful steps taken by the contemporary government of Prime Minister.
Serena Hotels, that enjoys the luxury of being Pakistan’s big name in the hospitality sector has alsobecome anexemplary in promoting activities that fall within the framework ofCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a concept under which companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and interaction with their stakeholders. Serena Hotel has a fair history of empowering communities by consistently implementing a comprehensive program to strengthen efforts of the Government in promoting causes of the country and addressing central concerns of the communities.
Among other CSR projects, Serena Hotels’ “Karighar” a vocational center that established back in the year 2016, has been making a significant contribution to provide entrepreneurship training to various segments of communities mainly women in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan,for a sustainable growth and quality of life. Karigharprovides skills trainings to locals, thereby empowering them to supplement the household income.
Initially Karighar was set up to facilitate and develop a value chain where women are the primary actors, but later a new initiative namely “Honey Bee-Farming” took place under the banner of Karighar, that involve both men and women.Since Gilgit Baltistan is naturally blessed with an abundance of flora and honey bee farming has traditionally been a primary source of income for many inhabitants in the area. The Karighar Honey Bee Farming project aims to empower people involved in honey bee farming by providing them with professional trainings and subsequently purchasing their production at a premium price with guaranteed purchase, hence promoting sustainable livelihood in these remote regions, thereby meeting some of the unique challenges of the region.
Gilgit-Baltistan widely beautiful, land of fairies, djinn and gigantic marvelous mountains and beautiful landscapes however remote as well, the region is somehow a lonely planet, reasoning the topographical, environmental and strategic reasons. Located in north of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Gilgit-Baltistan borders Afghanistan, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Indian Occupied Kashmir and China.Gilgit-Baltistan is the meeting point of three high altitude mountain ranges namely the Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush. The topography and climate, therefore, are not conducive to economic activity, particularly during the winter season, which is marked by extreme weather conditions. Moreover, the area doesn’t have much facilities, even there are a few areas where one can have the ease of transport and communication.
Here Serena Hotels operated by Tourism Promotion Services (TPS) of Agha Khan Development Network (AKDN) have taken the pioneer step, in building the luxury hotels, that not only contributed in heightening the tourism of Pakistan in international market but also provided employment along with education and trainings to the communities, that resulted in a drastic increase in literacy rate, financial uplift of communities, empowering of locals, along with elimination of corruptions. On my visit to the region, I was surprised and equally happy to find out that in Gilgit-Baltistan region the Corruption rate is zero percentage, moreover I even failed to witness any beggar here and there, since the communities there are self-sufficient and empowered.
Karighar the CSR project of Serena Hotel aims to empower communities by providing them with education and training related to the bee-farming, besides stitching and embroidery, also supporting in setting up their own small business houses, which is the success story for the institution.Furthermore, Serena Hotel has attempted to hire the most deserving of the skilled trainees and they include a widow and a girl living with disability.
Besides, Karighar goes beyond simply providing skills trainings, as the center creates distribution channels and develops supplementary sources of income through the sales of the unique, handmade products and raw honey.
Serena Hotels provides the women with raw material and purchases the finished products to use in Serena Hotel’s properties, showcasing them for the much wider audience of guests. Through cottage industry production, local women are empowered to reach national and international market. Thus, in addition to supporting the community Serena Hotels is able to provide its own properties with unique products, such as linens, corporate gifts, carpets, bathroom amenities and others, that are not only tailor-made but handmadealso, depicting the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan and showcasing the uniqueness of the crafts of Gilgit-Baltistan. By now, Karighar is making the uniforms, bedding and Food & Beverages Linen for Serena Hotels properties all across Pakistan.
Hence, it can be contemplated that, by such CSR initiatives, highlighting “Krighar” Serena Hotel is proving to be helpful inintroducingthe financial independence and empowering of communities. And on the broader end Serena Hotel is helping in strengthening the economy of Pakistan.
I believe, the CSR activities by Serena Hotels are worthemulating and there are reasons to believe that economic and social landscape of Pakistan can change for the better if other companies too initiate their corporate social responsibility with the same zeal as is being done by Serena Hotels.
