DNA

ISLAMABAD – 28 July: Enabling the youth by connecting them to what matters most, Telenor Pakistan has joined hands with Ministry of Information & Technology (MoIT) and Virtual University (VU) to introduce subsidized internet packages for students of DigiSkills Program. DigiSkills is an online training program that seeks to empower the youth with skills that are in-demand. The collaboration will enable the students to ‘learn and earn’ in the freelance market.

With the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown in the country, Telenor Pakistan feels strongly about creating ease of access for e-education and enabling students to capitalize on the opportunities to continue their learning journey. Telenor Pakistan’s collaboration with the program means that students can have easy access to internet to continue their learning journey.

“With increased focus on online mediums of learning and digital education, Telenor Pakistan has stepped forward to provide subsidized access to DigiSkills online resources to ensure that the students’ learning curve keeps growing.” said Kamal Ahmed, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Telenor Pakistan. “Online learning opens up a world of opportunities from the comfort and safety of home. By ensuring affordable access to the DigiSkills platform, we are enabling the country’s youth to get on with the new norm and help establish a digital economy.”

Telenor Pakistan subscribers who are enrolled in DigiSkills program can subscribe to this special internet bundle through a voucher containing electronic codes and strings that will be sent by DigiSkills.pk.

“DigiSkills.pk is a landmark national level program that is enabling our youth and masses to learn and earn online. Not only it is aligned with the government’s vision of creating livelihood opportunities, but it is also enhancing Pakistan’s digital economy. It is heartening to see responsible corporates like Telenor Pakistan joining hands with us in our journey towards a prosperous digital Pakistan,” said Dr. Zafar M. Alvi, Project Director, DigiSkills.

During this time, with an increase in focus on e-learning opportunities, Telenor Pakistan has remained at the forefront not only to provide access to these means but it has also actively contributed towards developing the online education ecosystem through strategic partnerships to promote skills for a digital future. Earlier Telenor Pakistan has also provided 1,000 free LinkedIn learning licenses to eligible individuals who are on the lookout for a job to help them up-skill and grow in their relevant fields.

ISLAMABAD, JUL 28 (DNA) – A distillery was raided in Khanna area which led to the recovery of a huge quantity of liquor and alcohol, police said on Tuesday.

Following directions and guidance of IGP Islamabad Aamir Zulfiqar khan police spokesperson said that renewed efforts are underway to curb bootlegging and drug peddling activities in the city.

DIG (Operations) Waqar Ud din has conducted special meetings with heads of police stations and directed them to accelerate efforts against anti-social elements.

On a tip off, SP (Rural) Malik Naeem Iqbal constituted a team to raid at a distillery in the area. This team under the supervision of ASP including SHO Khanna police station Mirza Muhammad Gulfaraz, ASI Naseer, constables Nazam, Abid Ali, Abdul Basit along with others conducted a raid and recovered huge quantity of liquor, alcohol and other materials.

Police team also nabbed Rauaid Gul resident of sector G-7/2 Islamabad during the raid. Case has been registered against those running this distillery and further investigation is underway.

DIG (Operations) Waqar Uddin has appreciated this performance and directed for further effective measures against those involved in bootlegging or anti-social activities. DNA

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Former PM Nawaz Sharif’s new medical reports were submitted in the Lahore High Court on Tuesday. Advocate Amjad Pervaiz submitted the reports to the Registrar’s Office.

The reports say that the doctors have advised Nawaz, who is currently in London for medical treatment, to stay inside his house because of the spread of the coronavirus.

He has a low platelet count, high blood pressure as well as heart and kidney problems. The doctors have told the PML-N leader to stay inside his house as the virus can prove to be fatal for him.

His medical reports were submitted in the court on December 4 and December 15.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUL 28 – Justice (R) Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB has approved filing of three corruption references in respected Accountability Courts as per law. The detail is as under:

First reference has been approved against Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Muhammad Hamza Shahbaz Sharif, Salman Shahbaz Sharif and others in accumulation of assets disproportionate to their known sources of income to the tune of Rs. 7328 million.

The proceedings of investigation have revealed that accused Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and his co-accused family members, benamidars, frontmen, accumulated assets disproportionate to their known sources of income to the tune of Rs. 7328 million. For the said assets, accused persons laundered their disproportionate funds under the garb of foreign remittances, loans, which have been proved to be fake/fictitious.

The accused persons were also operating benami companies held in the name of their employees / associates to place the proceeds of crimes for their own benefits.

Second, a reference has been approved against officers/officials of M/O Foreign Affairs and others regarding corruption and corrupt practices in sale of Embassy of Pakistan at Jakarta, Indonesia. During the period from 2001-2002, Major General (Retd) Syed Mustafa Anwar Hussain while posted as Ambassador of Pakistan at Jakarta, Indonesia sold out building of Pakistan Embassy at Jakarta at throw away price through non transparent procedure and without lawful authority.  The accused thereby caused loss of US$ 1.32 million.

Third, a s supplementary reference has been approved against Shahid Khaqan Abbasi ex-Prime Minister, his son Abdullah Khaqan Abbasi, Muftah Ismail, ex Chairman SSGC Board, Sheikh Imran ul Haq, Ex-CEO of EETPL & MD PSO, Agha Jan Akhtar, Ex-Chairman PQA, Saeed Ahmed Khan, Ex-Chairman OGRA, Aamir Naseem, Ex-Member Oil OGRA, Uzma Adil Khan, Ex-Chairperson OGRA, Shahid M. Islam, Ex-MD PSO, Husain Dawood, Chairman, Engro Corporation Limited, Abdul Samad Dawood, Director Engro Corporation Limited and others. The allegation is that the accused through non transparent process awarded the LNG Terminal-1 contract. The accused public office holder misused their authorities in active connivance with each other to give wrongful gains of Rs 14.146 Billion to EETL/ETPL/ECL in connection with LNG Terminal-1 of EETL and also caused a wrongful loss of Rs. 7.438 Billion (Approx) for non-utilization of unused capacity of 2nd LNG Terminal of PGPL from March, 2015 till September 2019. Hence, a total liability becomes Rs. 21.584 Billion (Approx) till September, 2019. In this respect, it is pertinent to mention here that further loss to be incurred for next 10 years will amount to Rs. 47 Billion (Approx) as the said contract will expire on March, 2029. During the period unexplained deposits of Rs. 1.426 billion were received in the accounts of Abdullah Khaqan Abbasi and Rs. 1.294 Billion was received in the bank accounts of Shahid Khaqan Abbasi during the period from 2013 to 2017, during which the above said LNG Terminal deal was struck. By concealing the origin of above said deposits and layering, the accused also committed offence of money laundering.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUL 28 – Experts have opined that industry would have to reemerge with new parameters and practices based on the knowledge economy than the previous human resource centric practices. Pakistan needs to develop a comprehensive framework for the new industrial look incorporating new technologies. Poverty struck and resource deficient Pakistan needs to develop more IT driven startups to engage youth for productivity.

They mentioned that preemptive measures would be crucial to avoid Covid-19 spread in the clusters. The UN organizations all together are engaged with the federal government and the Planning Commission of Pakistan to develop and finalize the Standard Operating Procedures (SPOs) for different types of industries including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The webinar on the “Industrial Outlook in the New Normal-Risks and Challenges for Pakistan” was organized by the Development Communications Network (Devcon-Pakistan) and DTNTV on Tuesday. The speakers included the UNIDO National Programme Coordinator Masroor Ahmed Khan, Faculty Head of HR and Business at the PIDE University Prof. Dr Nadeem Ahmed Khan, Focal Person of the Pakistan Ship-breakers Association from Gaddani (Balochistan) Jawed Ahmed, ILO supported Pakistan Workers Federation Assistant Secretary General Shaukat Ali Anjum, and Anwar ul Haq, a young small-scale industrialist from Attock. Webinar was hosted and conducted by the Devcom-Pakistan and DTNTV Director Munir Ahmed.

Talking about the post-covid19 impact on the industry, Masroor Ahmed Khan said unemployment and poverty would go high in the first phase where national GDP and exports would also suffer severely. Food processing and packaging, consumer goods, provision of logistic services, e-commerce, health technology, and promotion of digital world and tourism would have immense opportunities for all tech savvy people.

He said: As we navigate the current threats to human wellness, to economies and to the planet, the timely adoption of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) patterns is key to building back stronger and more resilient societies. In the wake of COVID-19, choosing more efficient production methods and implementing better use of natural resources is one of the most effective ways to reduce our impact on the environment while simultaneously advancing human wellbeing.

Dr Nadeem Ahmed Khan said: Human reliance on machines and robots will be enhanced in the New Normal. Since there would be least human interference preferred it would result in lesser number of Jobs. Systems will be automated, and will be made functional with lesser human interference. World is already of the view that Robotic medicine may be the weapon the world needs to combat the coronavirus. Critical thinking, complex problem solving, creativity, interdisciplinary knowledge, automation systems design will be the requisite skills in the job market.

He said “Work from anywhere” concept will prevail, which will work by forming virtual teams to carry tasks using virtual platforms. This will boost creativity and productivity. Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, Control Systems, Data science, Big data will be the most emerging fields of the future.

He mentioned as many as nine skills will be needed in the post-covid19 New Normal including adaptability and flexibility to the new environment, tech savviness, creativity and innovation, data literacy, critical thinking, digital and coding skills, leadership with new vision, emotional intelligence, and committing to a lifetime of learning of new ways and means to remain relevant in the market.

Devcom-Pakistan and DTNTV Director Munir Ahmed said Pakistan needs to urgently jump in revamping the industries at different tiers to mitigate the adverse impact of the covid-19. So far, we see no vigorous plans on the front. Slow pace would hamper economic activities and growth at all tiers. We need to learn from the Chinese Cottage Industry model to uplift the poor from the poverty line. It would also improve the macroeconomic indicators too.

Shaukat Ali Anjum said his organization is more interested in the SOPs implementation to ensure the health and safety of the workers as how the owners of the industries implement the SOPs ad who is going to monitor in letter and spirit.

Jawed Ahmad said the ship-breaking industry is already implementing SOPs in the ship-breaking sector according to instructions laid down in different ISO certification. Whatever the new SOPs come from the provincial and federal government would be implemented accordingly.

Anwar ul Haq said the small industrial units are passing through hardships due to the pandemic. Government should come up with the support mechanism to such small units that cannot approach to the soft loans. Our workers have suffered a lot, even we are gone hand to mouth.