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The PML-N has withdrawn its application it filed in the Election Commission of Pakistan in connection with 2018 Senate elections video scandal on the directive of the ECP, saying it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

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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.

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.