Actor Atiqa Odho takes fans back to 1993
Actor Atiqa Odho just took her fans back to the 1993 set of her hit drama serial Nijjat. Taking to Instagram, she said: “Great times and happy memories making this iconic serial which still has a lot to say on social issues.”
The drama serial was directed by Saira Kazmi and starred Odho, Naumaan Ijaz, Marina Khan, Huma Nawab and Sajjid Hasan. It was written by Asghar Nadeem and aired on PTV in 1993.
Provision of basic facilities to common man top priority of the govt: Asad
ISLAMABAD, JUL 22 (DNA) – Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that the provision of basic amenities to the common people is the chief policy objective of the PTI government. He said that basic amenities especially the continuous supply of Electricity is the special concern of parliament.
He expressed these views while chairing the meeting on the issues of Electricity Supply in KPK in the Parliament House.
The Speaker directed PESCO that the issues of load-shedding, overbilling, transformer installation and tripping of electricity be resolved at the earliest.
He expressed his concern over the unannounced load shedding in the province. He also directed the PESCO to resolve the overbilling issues especially faced by the farmers in the KPK.
He also expressed his concern that repairing of transformers be the priority of the PESCO as delay in repairing cause a lot of miseries to the common especially in this hot season.
He said that official in PESCO should be public friendly and resolve issues related with electricity matters.
The Members National Assembly expressed their appreciation for Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser for taking keen interest to resolve the issues of masses. They expressed their deep concern over the inefficiencies of PESCO in the provision of uninterrupted supply of electricity in KPK.
They also apprised the meeting regarding issues of electricity n their constituency. They said that they have to face the embarrassment in front of their voters due to inefficiencies of PESCO.
The Speaker asked the members to present their issues in written so that these are taken up by PESCO and he directed the Chief Executive of PESCO to immediately address these issues.
Federal Minsiter for Power Division assured the august Committee that all issues related with Electricity in KPK will be resolved on priority basis.
He also said that government is fully cognizant of its responsibility to provide continues supply of electricity in KPk and other parts of the country as well. DNA
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Ambassador of Qatar meets COAS Gen. Bajwa
DNA
RAWALPINDI, JUL 22 – Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Ambassador of Qatar called on General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at GHQ.
During the meeting matters of mutual interest and cooperation in various fields were discussed. COAS congratulated the dignitary on assuming the office and hoped that Pak-Qatar relations will further prosper under his able leadership for the common goal of improved peace and stability in the region and increased economic prosperity.
The visiting dignitary appreciated Pakistan’s continuous efforts for peace and stability in the region and pledged to keep working for better relations between the two countries.
Negotiations with Japanese Special Representative for Afghanistan
On July 21, 2020, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev held online talks with Special Representative of Japan for Afghanistan, Katsuhito Takahashi.
During the conversation, the sides discussed Uzbekistan and Japan’s efforts on peaceful settlement of the Afghan crisis and launch direct intra-Afghan talks as soon as possible.The Japanese side highly appreciated Uzbekistan’s policy to peacefully resolve the long-standing Afghan crisis and integrate the country into the regional political and economic process.
Taking into account the high authority and role of Uzbekistan in promoting peaceful intra-Afghan negotiations, as well as in economic dimension, Katsuhito Takahashi suggested creating Japan – Uzbekistan – Afghanistan trilateral format of consultations.Views were also exchanged on the priority areas of Uzbekistan – Japan interaction in reconstruction of Afghanistan’s national economy, implementation of various infrastructure projects in the country.
Pakistan’s recoveries from COVID-19 top 210,400
ISLAMABAD, JULY 22 (DNA) – The country reported 1,332 coronavirus cases and 38 deaths over the past 24 hours, taking the national tally of infections to 267,428 and fatalities to 5,677.
1,332 new cases were detected after 18,331 tests were conducted in the previous 24 hours, according to the National Command and Operation Centre. 51,283 COVID-19 patients are undergoing treatment while 210,468 patients have recuperated from the disease. 17,76,882 tests have been conducted across the country so far.
114,104 cases have been detected in Sindh so far, 90,816 in Punjab, 32,523 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 11,469 in Balochistan, 14,701 in Islamabad, 1,878 Gilgit-Baltistan and 1,937 in Azad Kashmir. 18,331 corona tests were carried out during this period.
The overall number of global COVID-19 cases has increased to over 14.6 million while the deaths have topped to more than 6,09,000. The total number of cases stood at 1,46,55,405 while the fatalities rose to 6,09,198.
The US accounted for the world’s highest number of infections and fatalities at 38,25,153 and 1,40,957, respectively. Brazil came in second place with 2,118,646 infections and 80,120 deaths.
In terms of cases, India ranks third (11,55,191) and is followed by Russia (7,76,212), South Africa (3,73,628), Peru (3,53,590), Mexico (3,49,396), Chile (3,30,930), the UK (2,96,944), Iran (2,76,202), Pakistan (2,65,083), Spain (2,64,836), Saudi Arabia (2,53,349), Italy (2,44,624), Turkey (2,20,572), France (2,14,023), Bangladesh (2,07,453), Colombia (2,04,005), Germany (2,03,325), Argentina (1,30,774), Canada (1,12,936) and Qatar (1,07,037). = DNA
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Razzak Dawod opens RCCI International Trade Forum
RAWALPINDI, JUL 22 (DNA) – Prime Minister Advisor on Trade and Commerce, Razzaq Dawood has said that the Government is keen to pursue Look Africa Policy aiming to explore new markets and product diversification.
Addressing the Virtual International Trade Forum organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), he said that the government was giving many incentives to Pakistani exporters.
Regulatory duties, customs duties and tariffs on many products have been reduced to boost trade with African countries. Now Pakistan has started exporting microwave Ovens and refrigerators to African countries. The Corona epidemic has caused many problems, but compared to other countries, Pakistan’s exports have declined by only six percent, while in other countries it is in double digits.
Ali Javed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that Pakistan’s ranking has improved in the business facilitation rankings, Ease of Doing Business (EODB). The role of the Rawalpindi Chamber in organizing the trade forum in a short span of time is commendable. He emphasized on improving the image of Pakistan, liaising with industry academia, promoting new sectors and products. The fastest growing economies in the world include five African countries, he added.
Saboor Malik in his welcome remarks said that this forum is the continuity of the Africa Trade Forum organized by RCCI last year.
The virtual forum was attended by commercial and trade consular from Pakistan and abroad, officials of the Ministry of Commerce and CEOs of the companies
The purpose of the trade forum was to make the business community aware of trade and export opportunities in African markets, he added.
He suggested that there is a need to emphasize on country specific policy and guidelines should be prepared for African destinations as every country has its priorities for exports & imports. A product/commodity specific approach along with competitiveness challenges be introduced. Air-links, banking channels and Tariff lines should be improved, he added.
Group Leader Sohail Altaf said that the Auto-Mobile sector should be prioritized; it is the only sector that can help in revenue collection and creating job employment.
Chairman Regional Trade Committee Khurshid Berlas, added that in the current difficult situation amid Covid-19, there is an important opportunity for us to re-examine our market and products.
Through virtual platforms, RCCI will be organizing more events on these lines and our ultimate goal is to promote a positive image of the country and explore new markets and strengthen trade ties among the countries. DNA
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Jofra Archer faces racial abuse once again
LONDON – England pacer Jofra Archer has stated that he was once again the target of racist abuse on social media. The Barbados-born fast-bowler was heavily criticised over breaching the coronavirus safety protocols after the first Test against West Indies in Southampton and was axed from the side for the following game.
Archer was cleared to play in the series-decider on July 24 by a disciplinary committee after being handed a fine for his actions.
“Some of the abuse I have taken over the past few days on Instagram has been racist and I have decided that enough is enough,” he wrote in his column in the Daily Mail. “Since Wilfried Zaha, the Crystal Palace footballer, was abused by a 12-year-old online I drew a line and I will not allow anything to pass, so I have forwarded on my complaints to the ECB and that will go through the correct process.”
Not the first time
It is not the first time that the fast-bowler has been a target of racial abuse.
A fan abused the fast-bowler when he was heading to the pavilion on the final day of the first Test against New Zealand in Mount Maunganui back in 2019.
The person found responsible was handed a two-year ban from attending international and domestic games in the country.
Cricket fraternity calls for action
Several players and associations have urged the world to take strict measures against racism.
Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy admitted that he was subjected to racial abuse by his Sunrisers Hyderabad teammates while participating in the Indian Premier League while legendary fast-bowler Michael Holding broke into tears when recalling the racial abuse faced by his parents.
West Indies and England, who are playing the three-match Test series with the Black Lives Matter (BLM) slogan printed on their jersey collars, took a knee before the start of both Test matches.
Cricket South Africa, who were banned from the game in the past during the apartheid-era, are once again embroiled in racism controversy. Paceman Lungi Ngidi has urged players to speak in favour of the BLM movement.
It triggered negative responses from former players Pat Symcox, Boeta Dippenaar and Rudi Steyn, who endorsed the “All Lives Matter” notion whereas the likes of pacers Makhaya Ntini and Vernon Philander have backed Ngidi’s stance.
Trade facilitation at Chamman border top priority of the Govt: Arbab Shahzad
DNA
Islamabad: 22 July, – Arbab Shahzad Special Assistant to Prime Minster on Establishment said that trade facilitation and ease of doing business is the priority of the PTI government. He said that COVID-19 has damaged the interests of trader and business man especially in and around Chamman area which is directly related with the common people.
He said that exporters and importers facilitation will increase bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He expressed these views while addressing the meeting on the closure of chamman border and the difficulties being faced by common people of Chamman District in the Parliament House Islamabad.
The meeting proposed to coordinate with the provincial authorities regarding the issues faced by the traders and businessmen in and around chamman border as people of the same tribe are settling across the border. The meeting also decided to recommend the provincial and district authorities to facilitate the locals immediately in this regard.
The meeting was attended by Members National Assembly, Madam Shandana Gulzaar, Mohsin Darwar, Ali Wazeer, Mr. Muhammad Sadiq Shaikh, Ms.Nafisa Khattak and officers from Ministry of Commerce, Interior, Health and officers of Finance Ministry were present in the meeting.
Task force of Pak-Afghan Parliamentary Friendship Group on Tracking & Scanning of Containers destined for Afghanistan deliberated that Scanning and tracking should not be hurdle for traders. The task force decided to make proposals for making scanning and tracking of the containers at border upto international standards keeping in view of international standards of facilitating the exporters and importers at Afghanistan border. Mohammad Sadiq Khan Pakistan’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan said that both Pakistan and Afghanistan can take benefit from mutual trade. He suggested to make scanning easy and comfortable for the traders especially the scanning of perishable items. The task force meeting was chaired by Honourable Member Mr. Muhammad Yaqoob Sheikh.
Second Task force of Pakistan Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group in Customs related issues recommended giving one time waiver regarding exponential demurrage charges owing to COVID- 19 Pandemic which are stuck at Pakistan Afghanistan Transit trade. The task force recommended that regional trade is imperative for the prosperity of the common man in both counties and suggested that special concession be given to exporters and importers at this time of emergency due to COVID-19 Pandemic. The task force also recommended to take provincial
authorities and all government stake holders on board immediately to resolve the issues of demurrage charges. The participant appreciated the Initiative of The Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser who believes in the parliamentary initiative to resolve the all issues faced by traders and business men especially the trade with Afghanistan.
TPL Trakker will Power foodpanda’s Mapping for Delivery Services in Pakistan
DNA
KARACHI: foodpanda Pakistan, Pakistan’s leading delivery platform, has partnered with TPL Maps, Pakistan’s only licensed digital mapping company and the mapping arm of TPL Trakker, to power its food and grocery delivery app.
With operations in over 30 cities nationwide and a vast partner base, foodpanda Pakistan is the largest food delivery platform in the country. TPL Maps’ largest location based dataset covering over 400 cities, 4.5 million geocoded addresses and 600,000 km of road network across Pakistan is set to provide value, scalability, and performance via TPL Maps’ Location Based Service (LBS) APIs. This will not only optimize foodpanda’s time efficiency and restaurant selection but also enhance their delivery services with orders delivered to the correct address at the right time.
A growing number of startups and established businesses in Pakistan are testing and choosing TPL Maps’ LBS APIs to make their digital assets location-enabled. With the power of LBS, such organizations are providing their users with pertinent location information for restaurants, tourist spots, retail and other critical Points of Interest (POIs). As the leading local LBS provider in the country, TPL Trakker is poised to power the development of the on-demand digital economy – creating a modern, digital, productive and globally competitive Pakistan. With the highest number of POIs and housing addresses data compared to any other mapping service in Pakistan, TPL Maps APIs will play a critical role for food delivery apps, ensuring customers are connected with the right restaurants at the right time.
Speaking on the collaboration, Sarwar Ali Khan, CEO, TPL Trakker said: “A leading food delivery service, like foodpanda Pakistan, choosing TPL Maps’ LBS APIs is a testament to the innovative work being done at TPL Trakker and the quality of our services. Our mapping arm is becoming the preferred Location Services and Solutions provider for leading brands in Pakistan at a very fast pace. Our strength in data, technological performance and dedication to superior customer support is creating a loyal following with multiple industries.”
Nauman Mirza, CEO of foodpanda Pakistan said: “Location intelligence is a critical component of success for delivery companies. There’s a tremendous potential in the Pakistani market, and we are proud to be partnering with TPL Maps to achieve improved location accuracy and address triangulation. We are the leaders in quick commerce in Pakistan and this partnership will allow our users to get their food and grocery deliveries through foodpanda even faster”.
