LALAMUSA, OCT 16 (DNA) – PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has said that The Pakistan Democratic Movement’s protest is against those who brought PM Imran Khan to power.

He said this while addressing a press conference in Lalamusa.

The army should ensure the security of our borders, not elections, he said.

The PM had promised to provide us with containers if we ever staged a protest and now he has placed containers to stop us from reaching the protest site, Bilawal said. “The government doesn’t even know how to handle this single protest.”

We are democratic people and we are not carrying any arms, Bilawal added.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD : Interior Minister Ijaz Shah on Friday rejected allegations of arresting Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) workers ahead of public gathering in Gujranwala.

In his statement, Ijaz Shah said that containers are placed only to stop the movement of the vehicles at the jalsagah route. No one is being stopped from going to Jinnah Stadium, he added.

The interior minister observed that such allegations are levelled by the opposition, whenever they hold public rallies.

Shah said no development has been made over the closure of cases registered against one of the coalition partner of the PTI government, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leaders.
Will act on the Prime Minister Imran Khan’s advise in this regard, he maintained.

Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) is all set to hold its first public gathering in Gujranwala’s Jinnah Stadium today.

Leaders of all major opposition parties including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz, chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and PDM president and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman will address the participants of the meeting.

ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Imran Khan has summoned a meeting of parliamentary leaders from the ruling and coalition parties where he will give new guidelines in view of the current political situation.

The meeting is scheduled to commence at 3:00 pm today at Parliament House where the premier will take the government and coalition lawmakers in confidence, whereas, Shah Mehmood Qureshi and other leaders will also address the participants.

It is pertinent to mention here that Prime Minister Imran Khan had chaired a meeting of the government’s spokesmen earlier on October 14 where he said that the opposition has launched an anti-government campaign to hide its corruption.Imran Khan had said that the opposition’s drive posed no threat to the government.

Those who were hurling baseless rigging allegations against the PTI-led government had not even filed complaints with the elections commission of Pakistan, he added. The prime minister maintained that he had made a sincere offer to probe the rigging allegations but the opposition failed to provide any evidence in support of their allegations.

The premier had said that the former governments had taken record loans and brought the country to the verge of economic disaster. Despite a difficult situation, the government put the country on the path of economic growth, the prime minister added.

He had said that the government was taking effective measures to control inflation and hike in prices of essential commodities. PM Imran claimed that the government will control inflation within a few days.

President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum and All Karachi Industrial Alliance, and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Prime Minister Imran Khan is determined to improve housing market which will resolve the issue of economic sluggishness.

His efforts will tackle the shortage of houses in the country, balance price of plots and reduce unemployment while over fifty industries will get a boost.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that the PM was very serious about providing affordable houses to the people but some issues were hindering the initiative including the cold response by the banks.

Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that now the situation has changed for good and all the concerned institutions are on the same page.

Central bank has directed commercial banks to issue housing loans however the success of the initiative is linked to an extension of six months in the amnesty scheme.

He said that apart from builders and developers, the first buyer of property has been given amnesty while the second or third buyer will have to provide a source of his or her income which should be relaxed for the success of the initiative.

Providing relaxation to buyers will add billions to the economy, he said, adding that foreclosure laws, land record, effective regulator, tackling black sheep among the developers, controlling patwari mafia and action against qabza groups can change the investment situation in this important sector.

He noted that majority of expats lose their lifetime earnings do mafia when they try to buy a plot or house in Pakistan and that if their investment can be shielded they would send home billions of dollars changing the entire economic landscape.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that recommendations of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) can help improve the PM’s package.

Islamabad, October 16, 2020: With digital technologies becoming the building blocks of the Pakistan’s intelligent society—and increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic recovery—Huawei is once again touching on an important driver of the digital transformation journey; nurturing ICT talent. The company runs the 4^th edition of its flagship annual Middle East ICT Competition in Pakistan to support preparing the next generation of leaders for an intelligent world.

This year’s competition is being held in partnership with the Higher Education Commission in Pakistan. Due to the restrictions placed by Covid-19, what were once traditional roadshows have been substituted by virtual roadshows, as well as awareness sessions — the first of which was conducted at Sukkur IBA, followed by Iqra University, and then Mehran University of Engineering and Technology. Both university professors, and executives from Huawei Pakistan were in attendance.

So far, around 300 students have participated in these sessions, with more virtual roadshows planned at universities throughout Pakistan till the first week of November by Huawei team and its learning partners. 30+ universities are expected to be virtually visited before the roadshows come an end.

Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Sukkur IBA, Dr. IrshadNazeer, spoke about the importance of these roadshows, “The event was very beneficial for students as they were motivated towards skilled based learning and global competition. This sort of initiative from Huawei has always helped our students and faculty on the path of Industry Academia Linkage.”

Mr. Shahzad Akbar from Channel Service of Huawei Pakistan further added, “I have been part of this ICT competition since it began in 2016 and I have seen how it has changed lives of students. Initiatives like these can act as a platform to teach the youngsters about the power of ICT and excite them about this booming industry, this competition will help tap into the potential of the rising generation and empower you to lead the development of Pakistan’s ICT industry.”

Huawei annually invites students from colleges and universities all around Pakistan to participate in the ICT competition, in order to promote ICT technology certifications, transfer ICT knowledge, and develop the local ICT industry ecosystem.As a perk of participation in the competition, Huawei offers all participants access to free courses and learning materials, as well as opportunities for free online exchanges, learning, and preparation.

This year will also see the introduction of the Huawei Innovation Competition, held in parallel to the ICT Competition. It focuses on supporting undergraduate students and teachers in using innovative technologies such as AI, cloud computing, and big data to create valuable and meaningful applications for society. Huawei has invited universities and colleges across the Middle East to participate in the new Innovation Competition, with a total of ten teams to be selected for the regional final this year. 

Winners of the regional competitions will receive a certification, future learning opportunities, a USD$20,000 cash prize, exam vouchers, Huawei mobile and more.This version of the competition was first conceived in 2016, and was designed for the betterment of students, not just domestic, but globally.

Last year, 12,000+ students from across Pakistan applied for the Middle East ICT Competition from leading colleges and universities. The competition was supported by ministries, various ambassadors, and academic chancellors from some of Pakistan’s top-ranking universities. Two teams traveled to China to compete at Huawei’s headquarters in Shenzhen, China, where they came in second and third places in the Global Final; a great accomplishment on an international scale.

The current aim is to provide an international competitive and communication-based platform for Huawei ICT Academy and college students who wish to become a part of these ICT academies; this would enable an increase in students’ ICT knowledge, improve their practice and application skills, as well as spread innovation awareness. While all these things are being achieved, the competition has become an international talent exchange and cooperation platform alongside these successes. The future of a Digital Pakistan remains within reach.

Information Minister Shibli Faraz on Friday hit back at the opposition for criticising the government for rising inflation, stating that they were the ones responsible for the country’s sorry state.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate, he said: “[The opposition] says that inflation is rising [but] you are its root cause. It is because of your policies and the collapse of government institutions over the last 40 to 50 years [yet] you expect us to fix this in two years.

“We will fix it and will enable the country and government institutions to stand on their own two feet.” Admitting to a rise in inflation, the minister added that it was a “temporary thing” and would be resolved within the next few weeks.

“But if [the opposition] thinks that they can put us under pressure, like they did when it came to the Financial Action Task Force laws and National Accountability Bureau laws, that will not happen.”

President Dr Arif Alvi had summoned regular sessions of both houses of parliament today (Friday) — the same day the opposition-led Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) prepares for its first rally in Gujranwala.

The opposition has claimed that the rally will lay the foundation for the ouster of Imran Khan’s government.

During the Senate session, the information minister said that the opposition was staging the Gujranwala rally not in favour of “the likes of Saad Rafique” but to protect the “two royal families” who considered it their right to come into power.

“They say the elections were rigged […] gather the data and see how many election petitions you filed and how many PTI filed.” What double standards are these, he questioned, adding that the opposition was only happy when things proceeded according to their wishes.

He said that the opposition had “exposed themselves” and would not be coming back into power. “Their [days in] politics are up.”

During today’s session, the Senate passed two resolutions expressing grief and sorrow over the deaths of former senators Syed Qurban Ali Shah and Hazrat Hameeduddin Sialvi, Radio Pakistan reported. The Senate also offered prayers for the security personnel and private guards martyred in two separate terrorist attacks on Thursday.

During the question hour session, Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar said that the country’s economic indicators were positive with foreign remittances witnessing a 20 per cent increase as compared to previous years.

“Despite resistance from some quarters, the government has strengthened money laundering laws,” he said, adding that it has now been declared a cognizable offense. He stated that Pakistan’s progress in this regard will be noted by the FATF at the next meeting.

•PML-N asks workers across Punjab to attend protest
•Fazl, Bilawal will also be present
•Nawaz will address rally, says Maryam
•Number of containers placed on Gujranwala roads

LAHORE: The opposition is confident about making its first rally in Gujranwala on Friday (today) a success with a claim that the event will lay the foundation for the ouster of Imran Khan’s government.

The recently-formed Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) — which comprises 11 parties including the PML-N, PPP and JUI-F — has vowed to turn the Gujranwala rally into a ‘big power show’, asking Information Minister Shibli Faraz to resign if the venue is jam-packed.

Mr Faraz had thrown a challenge to the opposition to fill the Jinnah Park since the government had allowed it to hold a public gathering there. “Tell us will you resign forthwith if the venue is full,” PML-N Senator Pervaiz Rashid asked the minister.

Gujranwala is a stronghold of PML-N, but the party is not banking on that fact alone. The PML-N leadership has mobilised its workers and supporters across Punjab and asked them to reach the venue while Maulana Fazlur Rehman has also committed to bringing a large number of his followers.

PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari arrived in Lala Musa in Gujrat at the residence of Qamar Zaman Kaira on Thursday evening. It is expected that he will lead PPP workers from there to the venue of the rally.

PML-N vice-president and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Maryam Nawaz announced that she would leave for the venue from her Jati Umra residence in Lahore at the head of a caravan. The PML-N’s Lahore chapter has been tasked with ensuring that a lot of supporters and workers accompany her to the venue.

Although she would leave in the afternoon, the party did not confirm whether she would reach the venue early in the evening. “Who knows how much time Maryam’s caravan takes to reach Gujranwala,” said a party leader.

PDM president Maulana Fazl will leave for Gujranwala from Jamia Ashrafia on Ferozepur Road, Lahore. The JUI-F leadership has directed its supporters to reach the rally venue directly.

“We have ensured that Friday’s power show is phenomenal as this will decide the fate of the PTI government. All leaders of the opposition are convinced that this rally will set the momentum for ouster of the government,” a senior PML-N leader told Dawn.

As a good number of PML-N leaders have already reached Gujranwala, the PTI government has placed a number of containers on the roads there, indicating its mood to block the way of as many opposition workers and supporters as it could. But the opposition is confident that with a large number of people heading towards Gujranwala, such barriers won’t be able to stop them from reaching the rally’s venue.

On the other hand, the administration removed all the banners and panaflex posters related to the opposition’s rally in the provincial capital on Thursday. The district administration of Gujranwala and Lahore remained on high alert to deal with any untoward situation.

According to an opposition leader, it has warned the administration that its supporters and workers may start a long march towards Islamabad if police create hurdles to stop them from reaching the venue.

All Pakistan Anjuman Tajran secretary general Naeem Mir said that it would have to take shelter under the umbrella of the opposition after facing frustration over the PTI government’s anti-trader steps like unleashing Tiger Force at them.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court sought a reply from the Punjab government on a petition by PML-N Lawyers’ Forum, which challenged the alleged arrest of party workers and placing of containers on the roads to obstruct the Gujranwala’s meeting of the opposition parties.

Advocate General of Punjab Ahmad Awais undertook before the court that no illegal action would be taken by the government.

The court directed the AGP to submit a detailed report on behalf of the government on Friday (today).

Deputy Commissioner of Gujranwala Sohail Ashraf granted an NoC to the PDM for holding the rally at Jinnah Park. He directed the participants of the public meeting to wear face masks and observe social distancing.

“As per the notification, the organisers are prohibited to allow the entry of members of banned outfits inside the venue and on stage… (and) their speeches are also not allowed. Slogans and speeches against the state institutions are prohibited,” it says.

Punjab police have already booked over 400 workers of the PDM, mostly from the PML-N, in different parts of the province for reportedly violating the Covid-19 SOPs during corner meetings.

Maryam Nawaz said Nawaz Sharif would also address the rally. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has already imposed a ban on Mr Sharif’s speeches for being an absconder.

PML-N secretary general Ahsan Iqbal told a presser on Thursday that Prime Minister Khan had become unnerved over the PDM’s protest drive. “I would like to remind Imran Niazi that he had promised to give the opposition a container for protesting… now he will have to listen — ‘Go Imran, go’ — from 220 million people of the country for making their lives miserable,” he said.

WITH a view to further promote Pakistan-Hungary bilateral trade, the Embassy of Pakistan in Budapest is on the look for new opportunities and ways to enhance investments from Hungary to Pakistan; identify opportunities for promoting Pakistan’s quality exports; and pin-point most potential sectors for joint ventures between suitable Hungarian and Pakistani companies for technology transfers.

These views were expressed by Pakistan ambassador in Hungary Dr. Muhemmed Aejaz, while addressing a webinar organized by the All Pakistan Business Forum. He said Pakistan was one of the important trade partners of Hungary and both countries have the ability to further strengthen mutual trade and economic ties.

Among other leadership and office-bearers, APBF President Syed Maaz Mahmood, APBF founding chairman and Chairman PIEDMC Syed Nabeel Hashmi, Mian Haseeb Safdar, Amir Munir, Amir Ata Barry, Haroon Ali Khan, Muhammad Naeem, Yaqoob Saifi, Dr. Saman Yazdani, Mian Haseeb Safdar, Salman Asif, M.S. Baber, Asif Rafiq Rajwana, Faisal Saleem, Manzoor ul Haq Malik and Mr. Zeeshan Sandal also participated the seminar.

The Pakistan ambassador in Hungary appreciated the APBF board members and gave a comprehensive briefing about the significant business opportunities existing between Pakistan and Hungary.

The Ambassador said that under the vision of  Foreign Minister of Pakistan Shah Mehmood Qureshi to use all available economic diplomacy tools to make Pakistan economically self-reliant, he has been engaging with leading Hungarian authorities and business entities on a regular basis.

Dr. Muhemmed Aejaz said efforts were required to transform cordial and brotherly relations into two-way trade for enhancing economic prosperity in both countries.

Ambassador informed that Hungary has made impressive progress in agriculture sector by introducing modern technology, research and good agricultural practices.

He said that Pakistan Embassy in Hungary is focused on a wide range of programs to collaborate with Hungarian business community including trade, education, public diplomacy, culture, gender equity, and development to seek good partners.

Dilating on the similarities between Pakistan and Hungary, Muhemmed Aejaz informed that like Pakistan, agriculture remains the foundation of Hungarian economy. The country has however, adopted a scientific approach and different modern technologies in making its agricultural practices efficient, with a much higher per acre yield. Pakistan can greatly benefit from Hungary’s experience in this regard.

“Hungarian development-experience model was very relevant for us, as it has successfully overcome all the road blocks, many of which were still serious issues in Pakistan.” The Ambassador therefore invited Pakistani companies to send their queries, and any new ideas on future collaboration with selected counterparts in Hungary in any of these or other areas.

Interestingly, both Pakistan and Hungary had strong production base available for producing products of international quality in these sectors. He reassured that the Embassy will provide maximum facilitation to anyone approaching with a serious interest towards promoting Pakistan’s trade and economic relations with Hungary. He also shared his personal coordinates with the members inviting them to contact him directly, if they so required.

APBF founding chairman and Chairman PIEDMC Syed Nabeel Hashmi said that we should promote engineering sector of Pakistan in Hungary due to its great potential.

APBF president Syed Maaz Mahmood, addressing the ceremony, said that the Forum through the Hungarian and Pakistani Embassies would arrange B2B meetings, conducting business delegation visits for sector specific match-making and interaction between development initiatives and the stakeholders. He said that these activities will also increase educational ties and support on social development, especially for the development of Women Entrepreneurs. This collaboration will promote, trade, health, education, culture, gender equity and other development programs in Pakistan, he added.

He said the Forum will extend full cooperation and support to strengthen trade and economic ties between Pakistan and Hungary.

He said that the APBF has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Embassy of Hungary in Pakistan in Feb this year to promote trade links through exchanges of business delegations to nurture closer understanding between Pakistan and Hungary.

“We are effectively striving to bring business leaders, chambers and associations on a united platform to endeavor for a strong and prosperous Pakistan with sustainable growth, ensured through effective policies followed in continuity, resulting in better quality of life for the people of Pakistan.”

President APBF informed that APBF has made numerous valuable contributions towards the progress and growth of the national economy. “We are making consistent efforts to identify and engage resourceful organizations and entrepreneurs to create new opportunities and mutual benefits through our shared values and wisdom.”