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ICCI hails IHC decision to annul 200 percent hike in property tax

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Islamabad (DNA) :  Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) said that the business community of the federal capital has hailed the decision of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to annual the 200 percent hike in the property tax by the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI) as it has provided them a significant relief.

He said that MCI had unilaterally increased the property tax ranging from 200 to 300 per cent in one go due to which the citizens and the business community of Islamabad were facing great problems. He said that ICCI had challenged unjustified increase in property tax in the Islamabad High Court by filing a petition through Barrister Qasim Abbasi.

He said that the Islamabad High Court has now issued a decision setting aside the notification of MCI for 200-300 percent hike in property tax and ordered an audit of the amount recovered by the CDA under this head, which was laudable as it would provide justice to all stakeholders.

He said that the business community of the federal capital was thankful to the IHC for providing them justice by annulling an unjustified move of MCI.

He vowed that the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry would continue to fight for protection of the genuine rights of the business community so that they could play a more effective role in strengthening the economy.

Fatma Azim Senior Vice President and Abdul Rehman Khan Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry also lauded the decision of the Islamabad High Court on property tax and said that the court has provided necessary justice to all stakeholders by setting aside the notification of MCI regarding unjustified increase in the property tax, which was highly laudable.

Chairman Senate Condolence

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ISLAMABAD, 24 Dec 2020 : Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjarani has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of National Assembly Member Pir Noor Muhammad Shah Jilani from Thar Parkar. In his condolence message, the Chairman Senate said that in this hour of grief, we share in the grief of his family.

1,600 students graduate from the PepsiCo-Amal youth program

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Virtual graduation ceremony held for 1,600 fellows PepsiCo-Amal youth program 615 social projects by PepsiCo-Amal youth program fellow impacted 21,256 people 

Lahore, 24 Dec  2020 : On Wednesday, PepsiCo Pakistan hosted a virtual graduation ceremony for 1,600 fellows of the PepsiCo-Amal youth program.  The graduating cohort has a 40 percent female participation and has representation from 135 towns and villages across Pakistan.

The speakers at the ceremony were Mr. Furqan Ahmed Syed CEO PepsiCo Pakistan and Afghanistan, Benje Williams Co-Founder Amal Academy, Ali Siddiq the CEO of Amal Academy and Mr. Fawad Chaudhry, Federal Minister of Science and Technology. Jaqueline Novogratz, Founder and CEO of Acumen was the keynote speaker at the ceremony.

University graduates in Pakistan have immense potential however their transition from students to working professionals is often challenged by their lack of skill sets critical to acquiring meaningful jobs. Additionally, students are not always familiar with the career opportunities that are available to them. As a result, they often struggle to transition from their academic life to a working career.

PepsiCo has partnered with Amal Academy – an education start-up to fill this gap by providing professional skills to university graduates so they can realize their potential and launch into meaningful careers. The program focuses on a wide variety of skills. These include self-confidence, communications, stress tolerance, adaptability, team work to name a few. All of these have been identified as crucial skills to have by prospective employers.

The PepsiCo Amal Youth program was launched in 2018 as a pilot to train 1,000 students. In 2020, the program was expanded into Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A total of 3,000 students have graduated from the program.  The initiative has partnered with 16 universities and with the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC). This year, over 96% of job seeking graduates received either an offer of employment or ventured into entrepreneurship within three months of completing the program.

Speaking at the ceremony Mr. Fawad Chaudhry, Federal Minister of Science and Technology commented, ‘I want to congratulate the 1600 fellows graduating today. I want to wish them luck and would encourage them to pursue their passions. I also want to commend PepsiCo and Amal Academy on this important collaboration.’

In his remarks, Furqan Ahmed Syed CEO PepsiCo Pakistan and Afghanistan commented, ‘The PepsiCo – Amal Youth program lends itself to great opportunities for the youth of Pakistan. Our fellows graduating today are extremely passionate, motivated and keen to prove themselves. I am very excited to see what they will achieve for themselves and for the country.’

Ali Siddiq, CEO Amal Academy in his address said, ‘Amal Academy is committed to helping the youth of Pakistan and the Pakistani education system reach its full potential. With PepsiCo’s support, we hope to further expand the program and benefit more young people going forward.’

The graduation ceremony also highlighted the social impact aspect of the program which instills the importance of giving back to communities in the fellows. It is mandatory for each fellow to be part of a two-month project called the ‘Mega Project’ which requires for fellows to come with a workable solution to a challenge faced by their communities. Over the last two years, the fellows have delivered 615 such projects and impacted 21,256 people throughout the country.

Pakistan in the top five best markets in the world

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LONDON (Special Representative) The Pakistan High Commission recently organized a Zoom Webinar titled Investment Opportunities in Pakistan Capital Market in collaboration with London UK Pakistan Business Council and Pakistan Stock Exchange. It was attended by a large number of Pakistani business community from UK and Pakistan as well as from all over the world. Mr. Sahibzada Jahangir, Spokesperson to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for Trade and Investment, Mr. Farrukh Khan, CEO, Pakistan Stock Exchange, Mr. Shafiq Shehzad, Minister for Trade and Investment, Pakistan High Commission, London, Mr. Javed Malik, Chairman, UK Pakistan Business Council, Mr. Zahid Latif Khan, Chairman, ZL Security Usman Zahid Chief Executive AKD Group Badi-ud-Din Akbar CEO Central Depository Company of Pakistan Ahmed Chennai Board of Directors Pakistan Stock Exchange and President UK Pakistan Business Council Khurshid Barlas expressed their views and in the capital market of Pakistan. He highlighted the need to take full advantage of investment opportunities. Addressing the Zoom Session, Farrukh Khan, CEO, Pakistan Stock Exchange, said that this is a very important opportunity in which the overseas business community can invest in the capital market of Pakistan and at present the situation of Pakistan Capital Market is much better. And it is getting better day by day, so the overseas business community, especially Pakistani businessmen, should take full advantage of these opportunities. The Pakistan Stock Exchange is ready to provide all kinds of assistance to investors in this regard for investing in the capital market. Farrukh Khan, CEO, Pakistan Stock Exchange, also shared a presentation on behalf of the Pakistan Stock Exchange in the Zoom program and said that Pakistan’s market is very important not only in Asia but also in the world in terms of performance. He further said that if we look at the report of the international market, Pakistan’s market has achieved extraordinary growth. Farrukh Khan said that Pakistan’s market is considered as one of the top five best markets in the world and it is no less than a great honor for us and keeping this honor in mind, overseas investors got this confidence. That they can invest here without fear, relying on the Pakistani market. Farrukh Khan said that this is not the first time that Pakistan has received this award but for the last several years Pakistan has been among the top five countries in the world in terms of business. That is why investors come to Pakistan and not only reap the benefits by investing but also strengthen Pakistan’s market and economy. Speaking on the occasion, Badi-ud-Din Akbar, CEO, Central Depository Company of Pakistan, said that Roshan Digital Account is a great gift from the Government of Pakistan to overseas Pakistanis. Thanks to this account, the overseas community can now reap many benefits. Before that there were a lot of obstacles and a lot of problems.

ANF Seized 4703.47kgs Drugs Valuing Us$ 780.460 Million In 35 Operations

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Islamabad, 24 Dec 2020 : Proving its commitment to eradicate drugs from our homeland, Anti Narcotics Force Pakistan seized 4703.47 Kgs narcotics valuing US$ 780.460 Million internationally, arrested 28 culprits and impounded 12 vehicles conducting 35 counter-narcotics strikes throughout the country. The seized drugs comprised of 727.8 Kg Hashish, 715.446 Kg Heroin, 2492.8 Kg Opium, 5.120 Kg Methamphetamine (Ice), 552 Kg Morphine, 8.514 Kg Roche Tab, 200.790 Kg Amphetamine  & 1 Kg Suspected Powder.

ANF Sindh, intercepted a passenger Bus near Conference Hotel Hub River road, Karachi and recovered 2 Kgs Heroin from arrested accused namely Aziz Ahmed resident of Balochistan. In another operation, the staff of Police Station Korangi conducted a raid at Port Qasim Karachi and intercepted a UK bound container containing 500 x Cartons of Ladies Shirts. During search of the consignment 2.590 Kg Heroin was recovered which was concealed in embroidered  front neck from 25 x ladies shirts. The said consignment was Booked by Exporter namely Abdul Ghaffar Khan, HIBA Trading Company Shahrah-e-Liaqat Karachi. Accused namely Gul Khan resident of Peshawar was arrested on the spot. In third operation, the staff of Police Station Sukkur conducted a raid near Masjid on Plate form No.3, Rohri Railway Station District Sukkur and recovered 30 Kg Hashish from the arrested accused namely Hayat Ullah resident of Quetta. In fourth operation, the staff of Police Station Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi conducted a raid near Katti Pahari Mohallah Usman Ghani Colony Block-Q, link road Orangi Town Karachi and recovered 2 Kg Hashish from personal possession of arrested accused namely Noor Muhammad resident of Balochistan. In fifth operation, the staff of Police Station Korangi, Karachi intercepted a parcel at Courier Company, Karachi being sent to UK and recovered 1 Kg Heroin which was concealed in 2 x Blankets. Parcel was booked by Rabia Sadiq resident of Peshawar to Ehsan Hussain resident of UK.

ANF Balochistan, staff of Police Station Gwadar in coordination with Pakistan Navy recovered 99 Kgs Heroin & 200 Kg Amphetamine from Coastal area of Jiwani at District Gwadar. In another operation, Police Station Regional Directorate Balochistan, Quetta recovered 10.500 Kg Hashish from Main Bazar at District Qilla Abdullah. In third operation, Police Station Regional Directorate Quetta, Balochistan recovered 1210 Kg Opium & 522 Kg Morphine from Killi Rohani at Tehsil Chaman & District Quetta. In fourth operation, the staff of Police Station Regional Directorate Balochistan, Quetta recovered 932 Kg Opium & 577 Kg Heroin from General area Zardiband at Tehsil Gulistan & District Qilla Abdullah.

ANF KP, on a tip-off, ANF Shin Qamar Det in collaboration with FC (North) at Shin Qamar seized 2 x Packets of charas, weighing 1.600 Kg. The recovered drug was being smuggled from Khyber to Peshawar. In another operation, the staff of Police Station DI Khan conducted an operation at Pezu bypass near Indus Highway and recovered 3.600  Kg Hashish from shopping bag of the arrested accused namely Gohar Ayyub resident of Lakki Marwat. In third operation, Police Station Peshwar Shin Qamar Det in collaboration with FC (North) at Shin Qamar Det and recovered 5 Kg Hashish from arrested accused namely Muhammad Razaq resident of District Khyber. The recovered drug was being smuggled from Tirah to Bara. In fourth operation, Police Station Regional Directorate Peshawar in collaboration with 104 Wing, FC (North) recovered 13.200 Kg Opium, 2.400 Kg Heroin & 34.800 Kg Hashish from Honda Civic Car, which was tactfully concealed behind the back seat of seized car. In fifth operation, Police Station Regional Directorate Peshawar in collaboration with 104 Wing, FC (North) recovered 2.400 Kg Hashish from Toyota Corolla Car at Shaikhano Check Post which was placed under driving seat. Two accused namely Hameed Gul & Shamit Khan residents of Khyber were arrested on the spot. In sixth operation, Police Station Peshwar in collaboration with 144 Wing, FC (North) recovered     35 Kg Hashish conducted a search operation at Bazar Zakha Khel Sarsobi Sector District Khyber, which was thrown by unknown accused at Zero Line. The drug was being smuggled from Afghanistan to Pakistan. In seventh operation, Police Station Regional Directorate Peshawar  recovered 42 Kg Opium while intercepting Honda Hybrid Car near Rashakai Motorway toll plaza Mardan. Two accused namely Sher Alam & Amjad Hussain residents of Charsadda were arrested on the spot. In eighth operation, Police Station Peshawar in collaboration with 104 Wing, FC (North) intercepted a Motorcycle at Sheikhano and recovered 1.200 Kg Hashish from arrested accused namely Gul Shair resident of District Khyber. In ninth operation, Police Station Regional Directorate Peshawar intercepted a Daihatsu Hi Jet Van and recovered 1.600 Kg Opium & 33.600 Kg Hashish from the arrested accused namely Muhammad Arif resident of Peshawar. In tenth operation, the staff of ANF KP arrested a Pakistani national accused namely Niaz Mir resident of Hangu at Bacha Khan International Airport Peshawar who was travelling to Doha and recovered 1.630 Kg Heroin & 0.790 Kg Amphetamine which was concealed in baby formula milk cans. In eleventh operation, ANF Peshawar Shin Qamar Det recovered 1 Kg Hashish with the collaboration of 216 Wing Bara Riffles. Accused namely Atta Ur Rehman resident of Upper Dir was arrested on the spot.

ANF Rawalpindi, the staff of Police Station Regional Directorate Rawalpindi recovered 3.150 Kg Hashish from school bag of a arrested accused namely Muhammad Janan resident of Orakzai Agency at established Naka at Motorway link road, Tehsil & District Islamabad. In another operation, Police Station Regional Directorate Rawalpindi in collaboration with ASF, intercepted a Mehran Car at Islamabad International Airport Car Parking and recovered 21.686 Kg Heroin from trolley bag lying in the said car. Accused namely Muhammad Amin resident of District Khyber was arrested on the spot. In third operation, Police Station Rawalpindi at Islamabad International Airport, apprehended two ladies namely Shahbana Bibi resident of Rawalpindi & Shahzia Gul resident of Islamabad, proceeding to Jeddah (KSA) on flight no.                SV-889 and recovered 43200 x Roche Tablets (Clonazepam) weighing 8.514 Kg from their travelling bags. In fourth operation, the staff of Police Station Dina established a naka at Tarkai Toll Plaza, main G.T road Sohawa, District Jhelum. During naka recovered 1 Kg suspected powder from personal possession of arrested accused namely Hidayat Ullah resident of Mardan. In fifth operation, the staff of Police Station Regional Directorate Rawalpindi in collaboration with ASF at Islamabad International Airport apprehended accused namely Saeed Khan resident of Khyber who was proceeding to Bahrain and recovered 2.700 Kg Soaked Methamphetamine (Ice) from his trolley bag. In sixth operation, the staff of Police Station Regional Directorate Rawalpindi at Islamabad International Airport apprehended two accused namely Muhammad Munir resident of Mandi Bahauddin and Naqeeb Akhtar resident of Sargodha who were proceeding to Jeddah (KSA). During preliminary investigation, the accused persons disclosed of having drug filled capsules in their stomach. Both accused arrested on the spot and were admitted to Banzir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi for medical checking/recovery of drug filled capsules. Total 185 x Capsules filled with Heroin weighing 1.210 Kgs recovered from the abdomen of arrested accused. In seventh operation, the staff of Police Station Regional Directorate Rawalpindi intercepted one suspected parcel from APX office Rail View Society, Rawalpindi being sent to UK and recovered 2.600 Kg Heroin which was tactfully concealed in 32 x Brake Pads out of 64 x Brake Pads of Buses. The said parcel booked by Muhammad Shafique resident of AJK to Yasir Ahmed resident of UK.

ANF Punjab, staff of Police Station, Lahore intercepted 1 x suspected parcel from Courier office Cargo Complex Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore being sent to Australia. The parcel was consisted of 9 x Track Suit (2 x Pcs) recovered 1.380 Kg Methamphetamine Ice which was tactfully concealed in 1 x Track suit. Parcel was booked by Imran Anthony resident of Lahore for Mrs Anna Morelto resident of Australia. In another operation, Police Station Sialkot establish a naka near Govt Girls Higher Secondary School Wazirabad road Ugoki Sialkot intercepted  Toyota Corolla Car and recovered 3 Kg Heroin from secret cavity made in driving side door of the seized vehicle. Accused namely Muhammad Afzal resident of Gujranwala was arrested on the spot. In third operation, Police Station Lahore intercepted 3 x vehicles near Pattoki Toll Plaza Multan road Kasur, Toyota Double Cabin Vigo Hilux, Toyota Hilux Double Cabin, Toyota Hilux Double Cabin and recovered 218.400 Kg Opium & 433.200 Kg Hashish from secret cavities made in 3 x seized vehicles. Accused Asif Ali resident of Nowshera, Muhammad Irfan resident of Khyber & Muhammad Asif resident of Sialkot were arrested on the spot. In fourth operation, the staff of the Police Station Sialkot raided near 4 Star Marriage Hall street corner Wazirabad Sialkot road Samberial Sialkot Intercepted Motorcycle and recovered 1.150 Kg Hashish from personal possession of arrested accused namely Muhammad Bilal resident of Sialkot.  In fifth operation, Police Station Lahore raided Ravi Toll Plaza Motorway Lahore and intercepted 57 x packets of narcotics which was unattended and hidden in bushes river bank and recovered 22.800 Kg Opium & 45.600 Kg Hashish from bushes on the river bank. In sixth operation, Police Station Lahore intercepted 1 x suspected parcel from Main Service Centre Kot Lakhpat, Lahore being sent to Australia. The parcel was consisted of 1 x Cookware Set (24 x Items) and recovered 1.040 Kg Methamphetamine Ice which was tactfully concealed in 1 x Cookware item (Degchi). The parcel booked by Muzhar Hussain resident of Kasur to Mr Joel Zayah resident of Australia. In seventh operation, the staff of ANF Punjab, Lahore raided at Ravi Toll Plaza Motorway, Lahore intercepted Toyota Single Cabin Dala and recovered 52.800 Kg Opium & 84 Kg Hashish from secret cavities of seized vehicle. Two accused namely Said Marjan resident of Khyber and Gul Jan resident of Afghanistan were arrested on the spot. In eighth operation Police Station, Lahore intercepted a suspected bag & parcel containing crockery items from courier office located at Main Service Centre Kot Lakhpat and 1.330 Kg Heroin recovered which was tactfully concealed in bottom of the bag. The said parcel was booked by Bilawal Sultan resident of Toba Tek Singh for Qatar.

All cases have been registered at respective ANF Police Stations under CNS Act 1997 and further investigations are underway.

PIAF concerned over new tax on cars as decision to put more burden on consumers

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Islamabad, 24 Dec 2020 : Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front (PIAF) has voiced its serious concern over the imposition of new tax on the sale of new cars to control ‘On Money’ practice, saying the move will further enhance the prices of already world most expansive Pakistani four wheelers. 

PIAF chairman Mian Nauman Kabir said that the government has decided to impose up to Rs200,000 additional withholding tax on the purchase of new cars on the plea of discouraging ‘On Money’ but actually the move has been aimed at achieving FBR’s target of tax collection. 

He said that the locally-assembled cars are very expansive mainly due to exorbitant government taxes and high profit margins of the assemblers despite the fact that their quality is very low. The additional withholding tax of up to Rs200,000 will put more burden on the consumers, who are already buying the very costly vehicles as compared to rest of world. 

He said that the consumers were upset due to unnecessarily long delivery time for vehicles by the manufacturers. In order to discourage the practice of “on money” the government, instead of taking some solid measures, has imposed additional Withholding Income Tax, which does not seem to be logical. 

He said that government can control prices by checking various costs and then ensuring 20 or 30% profit of the company. “Right now car manufacturers have 1-year advances, which is more than their total investment,” he said. “Secondly, the government can definitely intervene to ensure quality, as a car carries a human being and human life is dependent on its quality. The companies in India, Canada or USA have different features and different safety modes and features. Same models in Pakistan have almost zero safety features whereas price in Pakistan is much higher. Let’s forget price for sometimes but at least give us a safe vehicle with less oil consumption,” he argued.  

He said that nowadays 25% of the price is being charged in the name of on money. Even if you pay 100% you cannot get a car and have to pay ‘ON’ in lakhs, which is almost 25 percent of the total price that is right under the government nose and in knowledge of the concerned authorities, he added. 

PIAF leader appealed the government to devise some mechanism to regulate the automotive sector in view of the quality as well as the prices in consultation with all stakeholders including the industry as well as the consumers. 

Mian Nauman Kabir said that local manufactures revise their cars prices whenever they desire and that too without getting due approval from any authority, which affect the common people badly.  

The Engineering Development Board (EDB) will have to devise some rules and regulations to benefit the consumers along with securing the interest of the auto assemblers in the upcoming auto policy, he said. PIAF also suggests the Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production to take the notice of exorbitant and ever-soaring prices of cars in Pakistan along with illegal practice of charging ‘on money’ or premium, he added. The Senate Standing Committee on Industries and Production, the Engineering Development Board, FBR, Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association and major Consumers Welfare Associations should sit together and finalize some mechanism to bring down the prices of automobiles in line with the rates of international market, by revising profit margins and decreasing taxes and duties in the larger interest of the public.

Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjarani met with the Ambassador of the UAE Hamad Obaid

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Islamabad,24 Dec 2020(DNA): The Chairman of the Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjarani met with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al-Zabi at the Parliament House on Thursday Cooperation was discussed.

The Chairman Senate said that the relations between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates are based on common traditions, religious values and social similarities. The Chairman Senate called for enhancing ties between the two countries for economic development.

He said that there was a need to further enhance mutual cooperation and contacts at the parliamentary level to exchange delegations and take advantage of investment opportunities in Pakistan. The UAE can take advantage of investment opportunities in the trade and economic sectors in Pakistan.

The Chairman Senate said that there is exemplary cooperation in the Asian Parliamentary Assembly and other important forums. The Senate Chairman thanked the UAE government and people for taking care of the Pakistani community in the UAE during the Karuna epidemic.

He said that he wanted to further expand bilateral cooperation. He appreciated the steps taken by the government of Pakistan to control the Karuna epidemic and said that the lockdown had created difficulties but the steps taken by the government were commendable.

Chairman Senate Sadiq Sanjarani met with the Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong

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Islamabad, 24 Dec 2020 (DNA): Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjarani was received by Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong at Parliament House on Thursday.

Bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest were discussed during the meeting. The Chairman Senate said that the long standing relations between Pakistan and China have entered a new era for the economic and social development of the region. Pakistan is proud of its exemplary friendship with China.

He said that the exchange of parliamentary delegations has further enhanced bilateral relations and parliamentary diplomacy plays an effective role in strengthening important bilateral ties. Mohammad Sadiq Sanjarani said that institutional support between the two countries needs to be further strengthened and further strengthening of bilateral ties at the grassroots level would further strengthen the long-standing partnership.

He said that C-Pac is the result of a common vision for the strengthening of fraternal relations and regional development between the two countries, which has the potential to embarrass the dream of not only the region but also regional prosperity and development.

Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong Appreciating the vision of the Chairman Senate, he said that Pakistan is a very important country for China. The two countries share a common vision of development and prosperity and the C-Pac project will make the region a hub for international trade.

Huawei and Zalmi Foundation Signed Agreement to Develop Entrepreneurial Ecosystem for local Communities

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Islamabad, 24 Dec 2020 : A strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Zalmi Foundation and Huawei Pakistan on talent development activities. This serves as a stepping stone for both organizations to further develop and expand their relationship. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Javed Afridi, the Chairman of Zalmi Foundation, Mr. Muhammad Akram, the Head Coach of Peshawar Zalmi, and Mr. Gaoweiji, the Managing Director of Huawei Enterprise Business group along with management from both sides.

The aim of this co-operation is to substantially work towards realizing the dream of “The Digital Pakistan”. Huawei and Zalmi Foundation will work together to promote innovation and develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem for the future digital economy of Pakistan.

Huawei and Zalmi Foundation are going to provide programs and activities to enhance and develop the full potential of local people as well as promote digital skills, innovation and tech entrepreneurship.

Mr. Javed Afridi, Chairman, Zalmi Foundation said, “The goal of Zalmi Foundation and Huawei’s partnership will result in the provision of 21st-century skills across communities in Pakistan. Due to advancements in technology, there is a need to rethink our approach towards education. Education needs to be more skills-based now than ever before. Zalmi Foundation is committed to preparing the youth of today for the workplace challenges of tomorrow. And, today’s partnership will play a crucial role in this.”

Addressing the ceremony, Mr. Gao stated, “The talent in Pakistan has no bounds; there are numerous individuals who are hardworking and passionate. However, due to limited exposure and opportunities, we are yet to utilize all this potential. This initiative will produce a pool of highly skilled and sought-after professionals who are not only job-ready but also capable of creating new opportunities. This as a result will not only benefit these individuals but will also contribute to the growth of the nation.”

Zalmi Foundation is a not-for-profit skills development and competence-building organization which aims to motivate, educate, and inspire future generations to be prepared and well-equipped with the challenges of tomorrow. Zalmi Foundation has a record of demonstrating sustained success in achieving its key objective and outcomes. The Foundation has already achieved appreciable, measurable, and progressively improving results in terms of a significant portion of its mandate.

Huawei continues its efforts to bring the latest ICT technology to Pakistan, by putting dramatic efforts on ICT talent enablement. Currently, there are 1,500 employees, 91% of whom are Pakistani; who not only cover local business responsibilities but also contribute towards the whole Middle East region, using leading technology design and remote deployment like 5G, Cloud etc. The company has established several programs including ICT Certification, Huawei ICT Competition and the ‘Seeds for the Future’ program.

This strategic alliance is going to be the first of the many steps taken by both companies to substantially work towards realizing the dream of “Digital Pakistan”. Huawei and Zalmi Foundation will work together to promote skills development, creativity and innovation, and develop an entrepreneurial ecosystem for the future digital economy of Pakistan.

Karima’s Mysterious Killing and Balochistan

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Prof Imran Jamali

That the European Union countries established a DisinfoLab; that it started dissecting the deluges of information coming from different directions; that it has honestly reached an impartial conclusion that the EU territories are being used as a hub of world intelligence agencies, including Indian RAW and its collaborators; and that it has rightly and very timely taken the decision that the EU soil must not be used any more for fulfilling the nefarious designs of other countries against their rival countries or agencies.

This also means that the European Union has come to know about something very serious, otherwise such a collaboration had understandably been going on since ages because intelligence agencies operate under covers and therefore do not get detected or unearthed, which is called a successful intelligence functioning. Usually, such agencies try to buy loyalties of inside people and therefore such activities do not come to limelight. But what has gone wrong on part of RAW and its collaborators, which has infuriated the saner elements within the EU is yet to be known. However, the very effective DisinfoLab has done a very good job by unearthing the source of disinformation and its target areas. Thankfully enough, this has come out as a blessing when the Indian government under Nazist Modi is reportedly poised to launch another false flag operation against Pakistan. But the disclosure of EU’s DisinfoLab have seemingly turned its tables.

At the same time, the disclosures have alerted the Indian intelligence agency as well as its collaborating agencies and therefore they have seemingly started clearing their own mess. The same lab, through its dissecting investigations, reportedly identified a RAW operative working from the Canadian city of Toronto who Mama Qadeer, a Baloch human rights activist, had also previously declared ‘missing’. That operative namely Karima Baloch was found dead in her apartment some days ago, as the DisinfoLab calls it a RAW act aimed at removing its assets, after the unearthing of grand designs of India and its friends. The question that why RAW considered it appropriate to use her and then remove her from its way is very much obvious that the enemy is stooping so low by using even females from Pakistan’s province of Balochistan.

Following findings are important to note: The tactic of placing females as leaders of BSO-Azad is a direct result of Mama Qadeer’s success in using Karima Baloch in his missing persons’ marches. Its ideological basis was provided by founder of BSO-Azad Dr Aala Nazar to use soft power of terrorist groups. Karima Baloch aka Karima Marri was picked by Mama Qadeer and made chairperson of BSO-Azad. She successfully served as head of this banned organization, but didn’t get charged or prosecuted because she was a female. She publicly made anti-state speeches, but nothing happened to her. She successfully served as the face of many protests and rallies of Mama Qadeer’s “missing persons’ campaign”. She also became a driving force behind getting more female Baloch students joining the banned organization, using their soft power for benefit of BLA-BLF terrorists. Mama Qadeer groomed her and she travelled with him to Geneva, Switzerland, where they used their contacts with Indian RAW sponsored network in Switzerland to maximize their propaganda against Pakistan. She maligned Pakistan at the UN’s 39th session of Human Rights council. She also used her and Mama Qadeer’s links with the Indian funded anti-Pakistan networks sponsored by RAW such as the ‘World Sindhi Congress’ in Switzerland. She used to attend conferences organized by them, made speeches at anti Pakistan forums and was widely covered by the Indian media. Just like Farzana Majeed, she used her ‘activism’ as part of Mama Qadeer’s ‘missing persons’ or ‘enforced disappearances campaign’ and the leadership of banned BSO-Azad to claim asylum in Canada where she continued with her anti-Pakistan activities in close coordination with her RAW handlers.

These facts indicate that all what is going on in the media campaign especially on Twitter is also part of propaganda campaign that is aimed at putting a blanket on RAW’s activities. This has established that she was not only directly linked to Indian intelligence network, but also her other activities were aimed at maligning Pakistan. In her own words she uttered while speaking to Indian media, wishing “Modi Ji” to help her in the “war against Pakistan”, which is available on web. Question is why hasn’t Hammal Haider, her husband, demanded investigation into his wife’s ‘murder’, rather called for ‘privacy’ instead? As various tweets of officials suggest, Karima was very much part of the ‘Indian Chronicles’ and Srivastava Group’s disinfo campaign against Pakistan.

The EU DisinfoLab has exposed the fake news organizations like “Geneva Times-GT”, which have been using Karima like people for propaganda against Pakistan. For example, one news seen here quoting Karima Baloch, who was invited from Canada to Geneva to take part in anti-Pakistan anti-CPEC propaganda. Karima was heading the BSO-Azad that worked as recruiting arm for BRA, BLF and BLA, which have been banned by Government of Pakistan. Likewise, another information says: in 2009, at a BLA gathering, BSO-Azad militants had taken over Tootak High School near Khuzdar as a base for BLA’s “violent revolution”. One must suggest that the Pakistan government should investigate as to why the “Aurat March” like organizations are alleging “murder” while her family and husband are silent and the Toronto police have not ruled out an accident or suicide?

This is high time for the Pakistan government, Pakistan’s diplomatic corps, and Pakistan’s intelligence agencies that once the EU DisinfoLab has unearthed RAW’s anti-Pakistan network worldwide, which Pakistan might have helped in its unearthing, now the follow-up must be to the finishing line aimed at extensively doing their part of job to unmask the other networks which have not yet been exposed and are working covertly against Pakistan. Our media and intelligentsia must play role in showing the world the enemy’s true face that should lead to exerting pressure on India and its ‘friendly’ countries to stop state sponsored terrorism in Pakistan or other countries, and eschew the path of intimidation through sabotage, exploitation of local populace and perpetration of violence. The world must be known to understand that Pakistan is a country that religiously follows the policy of peaceful coexistence. It must also understand that the people of Balochistan have nothing to do with the enemy agenda and those who are playing in the hands of the enemy. This part of world is going to emerge as a great economic hub that will benefit not only the regional countries but also the coming generations.

(The writer is freelance columnist from Dera Rojhan Jamali)

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