Pakistan urges Afghanistan to address terrorism as ‘shared concern’
In the wake of a recent deadly attack in Kandahar, Pakistan has called upon Afghanistan to collectively tackle the issue of terrorism as a ‘shared concern’, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts to combat this persistent threat.
The statement was issued by the foreign office, highlighting the imperative of joint action following the tragic incident. The attack, which occurred just a day prior, involved a suicide bombing that claimed the lives of three individuals and left 12 others wounded in Kandahar, a city at the heart of Taliban-controlled territory in Afghanistan.
Expressing solidarity and sympathy, the foreign office had issued a press release strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Kandahar. The release conveyed sincere condolences from the people and government of Pakistan to the bereaved families, alongside prayers for the swift recovery of the injured. Furthermore, the foreign office reiterated Pakistan’s staunch condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Emphasising the necessity of collective action, the foreign office stressed that terrorism remains a shared concern that demands mutual cooperation and concerted efforts from both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
This call for joint action aligns with Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to addressing terrorism through dialogue and collaboration with its Afghan counterparts.
New Team at PBA
Zafar Masud, President and CEO of the Bank of Punjab (BOP), has been elected as the new Chairman of the Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA).
This change was made after Muhammad Aurangzeb, the sitting PBA Chairman, assumed the role of Federal Minister of Finance and Revenue for Pakistan in March. In addition, PBA’s sitting Vice Chairman, Yousaf Hussain, President and CEO of Faysal Bank, has been elected as Senior Vice Chairman,
Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA) Executive Committee has also unanimously selected Muneer Kamal as the chief executive officer (CEO) and secretary general of the association, after retirement of Tawfiq A Hussain from the said positions, while Member of the Executive Committee, Ahmed Khan Bozai, Managing Director and Citi Country Officer – Citibank N.A., Pakistan, has been elected as the new Vice Chairman of the Association.
“After more than a decade of meritorious service to the association, Tawfiq Hussain leaves behind a legacy marked by notable achievements and substantial growth of the organisation. His strategic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence have raised the profile of the PBA and positioned it as a leading industry body in Pakistan,” the PBA said.
The Association firmly believes the new leadership will effectively represent the banking sector through further nurturing close relationships with all the key stakeholders, including the State Bank of Pakistan.
Pakistan seeks investment, not loans: PM
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked friendly countries that Pakistan needs the injection of critical investment in different projects, instead of loans that add to its debt burden, to rejuvenate the faltering economy.
Addressing members of the cabinet at a meeting, the premier appreciated the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), observing that the forum was playing an effective role in enabling Pakistan to realise its growth potential, especially by facilitating foreign investment into the country.
He shared with the cabinet that he had told friendly countries that Pakistan required investment this time around, but not loans. The PM emphasised that youth potential needed to be optimally harnessed through providing world-class training in income-generating skills. He also called for promoting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by inculcating a culture of entrepreneurship, incentivising self-employment and supporting start-ups.
Pakistan is currently looking towards the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait along with other nations to stimulate investment in mining, agriculture, industry and energy sectors.
Pakistan, China to form WG on 5 new economic corridors
Pakistan and China agreed to establish a Working Group (WG) on five new economic corridors under the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), aligning with the 5Es framework prepared by the Planning Ministry.
This agreement came during a meeting between Federal Minister of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal and Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong at the Planning Ministry.
Chinese envoy Jiang Zaidong congratulated Ahsan Iqbal on assuming the role of Planning Minister for the fourth time. Both sides agreed to expedite phase two of the CPEC and decided to establish a working group on five new economic corridors, including the Corridor of Job Creation, Corridor of Innovation, Corridor of Green Energy, and Inclusive Regional Development.
The Planning Ministry and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China would prepare separate concept papers on the new economic corridors, providing a clear road map for each sector. “These concept papers will be consolidated before presentation at the upcoming Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) meeting expected in 2024,” stated the Planning Ministry.
The Planning Ministry has already initiated the implementation of the 5Es framework, which includes Export, Energy, Equity, E-Pakistan and Environment.
ChatGPT sees a surge in website traffic as schools reopen
ChatGPT witnesses a surge in website traffic as students return to school and seek help from the AI chatbot for their homework.
As per the reports of Similarweb, ChatGPT’s traffic dropped over the summer. However, since the start of August, the traffic is now increasing. A possible explanation for this is the return of students to school.
As per Similarweb, “in the US, traffic dropped 10% in May, 15% in June, and another 4% in July, while over those same months the percentage of users in the 18-24 year age bracket – which had been pushing 30% in April – dropped to less than 27% by July”.
The surge in traffic post the start of the academic year in schools is alarming for many. From plagiarism to generating content for homework instantly, ChatGPT has been giving a tough time to educational institutes.
US diplomat visits Napa
US Consul General in Karachi Conrad Tribble visited the National Academy of Performing Arts (Napa) to discuss various possibilities of collaboration between the two organisations.
He was received by Napa chairman Syed Jawaid Iqbal, along with board members, former Senator Javed Jabbar, Anwar Rammal, Mahtab Akbar Rashdi, Shahrukh Hasan, and Satish Anand, and Napa chief executive Junaid Zuberi.
The two sides discussed matters of mutual interests, while Mr Tribble expressed the desire of more collaboration with Napa. He was briefed on the activities of theatre and music departments of Napa by their respective department heads.
Sarah Ahmad wins prestigious award
Child Protection Bureau Punjab Chairperson Sarah Ahmad has become the first woman in the nation to be honoured with the prestigious `Pakistan`s International Woman of Courage Award` presented by US Ambassador Donald Blome.
This accolade recognises Sarah Ahmad`s unwavering bravery, dedication and leadership in safeguarding the children of Pakistan. Sarah Ahmad`s remarkable journey spanned five years of fearless advocacy, from confronting criminal networks exploiting child beggary to leading legal actions against perpetrators of child abuse. Her tireless efforts have earned her the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz from the government, in addition to representing the country at the United Nations on Child Rights.
The Child Protection Bureau Punjab under the supervision of Sarah Ahmad had rescued and rehabilitated thousands of abuse victims and child beggars, facilitated the adoption of over 100 abandoned infants into loving families, and successfully reunited numerous lost children with their loved ones in the last few years. Currently, she was looking after 1,000 plus children across Punjab in protection bureau`s centers.
Pakistan eyes $300m by selling Panda Bonds
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb says he is keen to tap Chinese investors by selling as much as $300 million in Panda bonds for the first time this year.
In an interview with Bloomberg, the minister said, selling Yuan-denominated debt would allow Pakistan to diversify its funding sources and reach investors in a new market. It’s something “we should have looked at quite frankly some time back,” he said. China has the “second-largest and deepest bond market in the world” and it is the “right thing to do for the country” to tap the market, given Pakistan has already sold dollars and Eurobonds, he said.
Aurangzeb said the initial Panda bond sale would be about $250 million to $300 million, which would be followed by further issuances. The finance minister said the government’s cash balances are strong enough that it’s able to pay its debts on time. Pakistan’s rupee is up 1.3% this year, according to local pricing compiled by Bloomberg, among the best-performing currencies in Asia. According to a Bloomberg report, Aurangzeb’s most pressing challenge is negotiating new loans with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to help bolster the country’s reserves right after the current bailout program ends in April.
Tunnel becomes the latest flashpoint in India-China border tensions
A tunnel constructed high in the mountains of northeastern India has become the latest flashpoint in a simmering border dispute between India and New Delhi.
The Sela Tunnel, inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March, has been hailed in India as a feat of engineering – blasted through the Himalayas at an elevation of some 13,000 feet (3,900 meters) – and a boon for the military, enabling faster, “all-weather” access to a tense de facto border with China.
That’s caught the attention of Beijing, whose long-running dispute with New Delhi over their contested 2,100-mile (3,379-kilometer) border has seen the two nuclear-armed powers clash in recent years.
That includes in 2020 when hand-to-hand fighting between the two sides resulted in the deaths of at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers in Aksai Chin-Ladakh in the western stretches of the border. And, decades ago, the dispute led to war.
China also claims the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, where the tunnel was constructed, as its own, even as the area has long functioned as Indian territory.
Chinese officials in recent days have slammed the tunnel project and Modi’s visit to the state, accusing New Delhi of taking steps to undermine peace along the border.
India’s ‘Silicon Valley’ is running out of water
The water tanker arrives once every two weeks, its 1,000 liters expected to serve hundreds of people in this suburb of India’s most high-tech metropolis, where women carrying empty buckets come clamoring to quench their thirst. The sight is not unusual, says Susheela, a resident of the suburb of Bandepalya, who goes by one name and needs the water for her family of four.
Susheela’s taps – like millions of others – in the southern city of Bengaluru have run dry and the borewells that supply water to her household are empty. The tech hub, known as India’s “Silicon Valley” and home to giant multinationals like Infosys and Wipro, requires about 2 billion liters (528 million gallons) of water for its nearly 14 million residents every day. But those numbers dwindled to alarming levels, falling about 50% over the past few weeks, according to the chairman of the city’s water supply and sewerage board, V. Ram Prasat Manohar.
Residents have been advised to use water sparingly – encouraged to bathe on alternate days, use disposable cutlery, and limit washing clothes and utensils. It’s a crisis that has been described as dire by those who live in Bengaluru – and experts warn it is only going to get worse as mercury levels climb in the lead up to summer.
New Delhi summons US diplomat over Kejriwal’s arrest remarks
India summoned a top US diplomat over Washington’s remarks on the arrest of key opposition leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal just weeks before the parliamentary elections.
The US State Department had urged India to ensure a “fair, transparent, and timely legal process” for Kejriwal, who was arrested last week.
India strongly objected to the remarks two days after Washington said it is closely following reports of Kejriwal’s arrest and that it encourages a fair legal process.
“We take strong objection to the remarks,” India’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “In diplomacy, states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others.”
Earlier, Germany also had raised its concerns about the arrest of Kejriwal, The foreign ministry said it had also summoned Germany’s deputy ambassador.
World’s super rich attend pre-wedding bash of Mukesh Ambani’s son
Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Ivanka Trump were among the high-profile international figures who jetted to India for billionaire heir Anant Ambani’s extravagant pre-wedding party, which wrapped up in March third week.
Featuring performances from pop superstar Rihanna and magician David Blaine, the three-day celebration welcomed around 1,200 guests from Silicon Valley, Bollywood and beyond, with Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and actor Shah Rukh Khan among the many Indian celebrities pictured in attendance.
Ambani is the youngest son of Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, who has an estimated fortune of $117 billion, according to Forbes. The 28-year-old serves as a director at an energy business operated by Reliance, the Indian conglomerate founded by his grandfather. Guests were served some 2500 dishes created by around 100 chefs.
The festivities took place in Jamnagar, in the western state of Gujarat, close to Reliance’s main oil refinery. The city’s airport, which typically handles fewer than 10 flights a day, reported a surge in activity. Airport authorities said around 130 flights had arrived for the extravaganza. Chartered jets from New Delhi and Mumbai were made available to guests, as were the services of hair stylists, makeup artists and others.
Shahid Afridi and Mushtaq Ahmed Demand Censorship
Former Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi and Mushtaq Ahmed became part of PSl special transmission of show “Zor Ka Jor”, hosted by Sina Pasha. In one of the episodes of the show, both the senior players demanded self-censorship on media and social media.
When the host discussed the topic of hooting on Imad Wasim by Babar Azam’s fans, Shahid Afridi said, “The players more often face public hooting like Baber faced, Amir faced and now the same happened to Imad, nowadays, media is everywhere, and social media is another curse on people. Why can’t we see the social media trolls in real life, they never came across me in real life, I have not met with such people in my life”
Mushtaq Ahmed also said, “this is what we teach our kids in this programme that don’t judge players or celebrities on the basis of social media trolling as they are going through a lot of struggles in real life. They have families so we should refrain from negativity.”
Biden, Netanyahu hold first call in over a month
US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke in March third week, the White House said, their first call in more than a month amid growing tensions over Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
The pair last spoke on February 15, and Biden has been increasingly vocal in his criticisms of the Palestinian death toll and dire humanitarian situation in Gaza as Israel responds to Hamas’s October 7 attacks.
“President Biden spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel to discuss the latest developments in Israel and Gaza, including the situation in Rafah and efforts to surge humanitarian assistance to Gaza,” the White House said in a statement.
Since then nearly 32,000 people have been killed in Gaza, most of them women and children, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
Telenor Pakistan launches female sales trainee program
Telenor Pakistan conducted a two-day orientation boot-camp on 6th and 7th March, for its newly on-boarded Parvaaz female sales trainees. Parvaaz, the industry’s first-of-its-kind sales trainee program, is dedicated to cultivating diversity and inclusion within sales roles, empowering fresh female graduates to challenge conventional views of sales as a male-dominated field. Held at the Telenor 345 headquarters, this boot-camp marks a significant milestone in Telenor Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to nurturing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. With 11 on-boarded sales trainees having placements in major cities including Peshawar, Faisalabad, Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and AJK, the program aims to create a more representative workforce while tapping into fresh talent pools.
During the boot-camp, top management from Telenor Pakistan mentored the trainees on the organisation’s overall vision including their sales strategy and distribution network. Sessions on design thinking and Telenor’s open and transparent culture were also conducted. The trainees also actively participated in the Women’s Day celebrations, highlighting Telenor’s commitment to creating a supportive environment for female employees. The Parvaaz Sales Trainee Program is a testament to Telenor Pakistan’s mission of driving innovation and fostering diversity. With a firm commitment to empowering female talent and breaking down barriers, Telenor Pakistan remains dedicated to creating an inclusive workplace where every employee can thrive.
NBP’s Annual Corporate Briefing
President and CEO, National Bank of Pakistan, Mr. Rehmat Ali Hasnie and Chief Financial Officer NBP, Mr. Abdul Wahid Sethi, along with other senior executives briefed stakeholders on the bank’s strategic plan and financial performance for the year 2023 at the Annual Corporate Briefing at NBP Head Office.
Sailor martyred in operation against Indian fishermen
A Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) sailor was martyred and two Indian fishermen went missing at sea when an Indian fishing boat carrying eight fishermen tried to escape and capsized after they were caught fishing in Pakistani waters in the Arabian Sea, a PMSA statement said.
It said that a PMSA ship while patrolling Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) encountered around eight Indian fishing vessels engaged in illegal fishing activities well within Pakistani waters.
To evade capture, it said, one of the fishing boats accelerated its speed and started to move towards Indian waters. During hot pursuit, the fishing vessel continued to evade capture despite multiple warnings and instructions to stop and cooperate, it added.
“Eventually, the fishing vessel slowed down, allowing the PMSA ship’s boarding team to embark,” said the PMSA statement. “However, after PMSA personnel were on the fishing vessel, it suddenly accelerated speed and altered its heading, thereby colliding with the PMSA ship. Consequently, the fishing vessel capsized and sank with all personnel on-board i.e. PMSA boarding team and fishermen, being thrown into the sea.”
Pakistan urges Afghanistan to address terrorism as ‘shared concern’
New Team at PBA
Pakistan seeks investment, not loans: PM
Pakistan, China to form WG on 5 new economic corridors
ChatGPT sees a surge in website traffic as schools reopen
US diplomat visits Napa
Sarah Ahmad wins prestigious award
Pakistan eyes $300m by selling Panda Bonds
Tunnel becomes the latest flashpoint in India-China border tensions
India’s ‘Silicon Valley’ is running out of water
New Delhi summons US diplomat over Kejriwal’s arrest remarks
World’s super rich attend pre-wedding bash of Mukesh Ambani’s son
Shahid Afridi and Mushtaq Ahmed Demand Censorship
Biden, Netanyahu hold first call in over a month
Telenor Pakistan launches female sales trainee program
NBP’s Annual Corporate Briefing
Sailor martyred in operation against Indian fishermen
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