ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said on Sunday that “terrorism” in the South Asian country was being conducted mostly from Afghanistan, a day after militants killed seven Pakistan Army soldiers in the country’s troubled northwestern province.
Pakistan has repeatedly blamed Afghan authorities for not cracking down against banned outfits that it alleges operate from Afghanistan and launch attacks against Pakistan’s security forces and civilians. Kabul denies the allegations and has repeatedly assured Islamabad it would not allow its soil to be used for attacks against any country.
Seven Pakistan Army soldiers, including two officers, were killed on Saturday when militants rammed an explosives-laden truck into a security forces’ checkpost in the restive northwestern tribal area of Mir Ali.
“Terrorism is being conducted mostly from Afghanistan against us,” Asif told reporters in Pakistan’s eastern city of Sialkot. “By people who are there but definitely they [terrorists] have sanctuaries here.”
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar accused former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of running a social media campaign against the army soldiers who were killed in Saturday’s attack. He alleged many social media accounts hurling insults at the slain soldiers were linked to the PTI and were being operated from outside Pakistan.
Khan’s PTI party condemned the attack in a statement on Sunday and prayed for the army soldiers killed in the attack. It demanded the government take stern action against the perpetrators of the attack.
Without naming the PTI, Asif said it was possible that those hurling insults at the deceased soldiers were the same ones providing militants sanctuaries in Pakistan.
“Several terrorists are coming through the border areas with Afghanistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan,” Asif said, adding that some of them are killed, others are caught but some manage to enter into Pakistani territory.
The minister said authorities in the past had traced militants’ sanctuaries in Pakistan and that Islamabad knew about their hideouts in Afghanistan as well.
“We have also raised this issue with Afghanistan,” he said.
The spike in militancy in Pakistan soured its relations with Afghanistan, leading Islamabad to initiate a deportation campaign against illegal immigrants, predominantly Afghans, in Nov. 2023. The move heightened tensions between the two countries further, as Afghanistan alleged Pakistani authorities mistreated Afghan citizens.
“The Afghan government does not want its citizens deported but Pakistan is a sovereign, independent country,” Asif said. “It can’t happen that 500,000-800,000 citizens of another country arrive here and start living here without documentation.”
He said Afghans who wanted to enter Pakistan could do so via valid travel documents such as passports and visas.
Asif’s allegations come a day after Pakistan’s newly appointed Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar expressed his preference to expand bilateral cooperation with neighboring Afghanistan in trade, counterterrorism and people-to-people contacts, in a telephonic conversation with his Afghan counterpart.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has developed a regulatory framework for over-the-top (OTT) services, including social media, digital streaming platforms and popular messaging apps, with the aim to exert greater control after eliciting feedback from stakeholders and finalizing it.
The PTA has posted a 14-page document containing all the provisions along with a list of questions for feedback.
The framework specifies three different kinds of OTT services, dealing with communication (such as Skype, WhatsApp and Facebook Messengers), application (like LinkedIn and X) and media (including YouTube, Netflix and Spotify).
It mentions the OTT authorization that these services will have to obtain from the PTA to maintain legal operations in the country.
“This OTT Authorization shall be valid for a period of fifteen (15) years,” it says. “The Licensed OTT Service Provider shall be required to enter into agreement with the TSPs [telecom service providers] licensees.”
It also mentions data localization, saying these services will not be able to store the personal data of local consumers beyond the country’s geographical territories without the PTA’s approval.
Additionally, it highlights the responsibility for the blocking of unlawful online content in accordance with “Section 37 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 and/or as determined by the Authority from time to time.”
The PTA has taken actions against platforms like TikTok, YouTube and Facebook in the past, citing reasons related to immoral, indecent and blasphemous content and even blocking these services.
This has also been criticized by free speech activists in the country that described such official decisions as a form of censorship and to stifle free expression and open access to information.
The final deadline for stakeholders to share their feedback with the telecom authority in July 10.
KARACHI: Dozens of mango varieties from Pakistan’s southern Sindh province were displayed at a three-day festival in Karachi on Saturday, aiming to introduce citizens to different types of the fruit and its products, according to the organizers.
Pakistan produces nearly 200 varieties of mangoes, frequently described as the “king of fruits,” particularly in the southeastern province of Sindh, which is home to vast mango orchards.
The most famous of these varieties include Sindhri, Dusheri, Chaunsa, Anwar Ratole and Langra. However, growers emphasize that many people are unaware of other varieties, such as Fajri, Saroli, Neelum, Gulab Khasa, Al-Phanso, Bagan Pali, and Paraga, among many others.
The three-day mango festival, hosted by the Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, in collaboration with the Pakistan Maritime Museum, began on Friday and will conclude on Sunday.
“The primary aim is to raise awareness among our people, who already love mangoes, that it’s not just about Sindhri and Chaunsa,” said Dr. Zulfiqar Yousufani, a progressive grower whose mangoes are exported to Europe, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and other parts of the Middle East. “There are many varieties. Try them too.”
Dr. Zulfiqar Yousufani (left), a progressive grower, speaks to visitors at his stall during the second day of a mango festival, offering a wide variety of Pakistani mangoes, in Karachi on July 6, 2024. (AN Photo)
He said the idea behind the festival was to highlight that Pakistani mangoes were the best and loved across the world.
“Following Sindhri, Sonehri, Bagan Pali, and Chaunsa are also being exported in significant quantities,” Yousufani said, pointing to the mango varieties at his stall.
Tehseen Fatima, who teaches at the agriculture university in Tandojam, pointed out that mango products were also displayed to educate people about other uses of the fruit.
“You can see here, we have prepared various mango products to raise awareness among children, the community and students,” she said.
Tehseen Fatima, professor at the Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, inspects mangoes during the second day of a mango festival, offering a wide variety of Pakistani mangoes, in Karachi on July 6, 2024. (AN Photo)
She informed that mangoes are predominantly cultivated in Mirpurkhas in Sindh.
“You can observe different farmers displaying their varieties, from off-season to on-season, premature to late-season,” she said.
Fatima pointed out that mangoes produced in Sindh were renowned for their exceptional taste due to specific climate and soil conditions that enhanced their nutritional quality while giving them vibrant color and appealing taste.
“This is why mangoes from Sindh are imported by various countries,” she continued.
This photo shows the general view of the three-day mango festival, offering a wide variety of Pakistani mangoes, in Karachi on July 6, 2024. (AN Photo)
Speaking to Arab News, Lubna Aslam, a housewife attending the festival with her family, expressed surprise at the multitude of mango varieties.
“We were only familiar with a few types. After visiting the exhibition, I discovered the wide range of them,” she said, adding that she now wanted to explore and try other varieties as well.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday called for the early completion of two major hydropower projects in the country with the assistance of Chinese engineers while emphasizing their “foolproof security.”
Sharif presided over a meeting in Islamabad to review the implementation of agreements and memoranda of understanding signed during his visit to China last month, aimed at enhancing collaboration in various fields, including business, agriculture, information technology, mining and energy.
During his five-day stay in China, he interacted with representatives of various firms and held meetings with top political leadership, highlighting Pakistan’s gradually improving macroeconomic situation while seeking business collaboration and increased investment.
Days after his return to Pakistan, however, a visiting Chinese official in Islamabad mentioned the country’s internal security deficit, describing it as a major challenge undermining the confidence of Chinese investors.
“The prime minister instructed WAPDA [Water and Power Development Authority] to establish safe centers to ensure foolproof security for Chinese nationals working on the Dasu and Diamer Bhasha projects,” said a statement released by his office, referring to two hydropower projects on the Indus River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan regions.
“He also directed that these projects should be completed as soon as possible,” it added.
The prime minister said he would not tolerate any delay in the implementation of agreements with the Chinese authorities.
The meeting was told that a delegation of Chinese shoe manufacturing companies had visited Pakistan to discuss relocating their factories.
The statement said there was a potential for an investment of up to $8 billion by these companies.
The meeting was also briefed by the information technology ministry about Huawei’s progress on technical training for 300,000 students, facilitating business through a one-stop operation, and developments in smart governance and smart city projects.
The prime minister said he would personally oversee the implementation of various projects agreed between the two countries.
Discussing the development of agriculture in Pakistan on advanced and technological lines, he said it was vital to send 1,000 students to China on government scholarships for advanced training.
“Students from all four provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, will be sent to China based on merit, with special preference given to students from underprivileged areas of Balochistan,” he said.
“The process of sending students for advanced agricultural training to China should begin from the next academic semester,” he added.
The prime minister also directed to expedite the development of Gwadar port, airport and industrial zone to turn it into a hub of regional trade.
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani scientist who was brought up in England and went to a medical university is among the first recipients of Saudi citizenship, according to a list published by the financial news portal Argaam.
Saudi Arabia opened its citizenship to highly skilled professionals as part of its Vision 2030, aiming to attract and retain exceptional global talent to enhance the kingdom’s economic and social development.
A royal decree to this effect was issued in November 2021, allowing people belonging to specialized fields such as science, medicine, culture, sports and technology to apply for citizenship.
Dr. Mehmoud Khan, who earned his medical degree from the University of Liverpool Medical School in England, was also mentioned in the list of all the high achievers who received Saudi citizenship.
Khan’s distinguished career includes a number of senior corporate roles, including Vice Chairman and Chief Scientific Officer of Global Research and Development at PepsiCo. and President of the Global R&D Center at Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
“I grew up in England. I haven’t had the chance to grow up in Pakistan,” he told OPEN Silicon Valley, an international organization of Pakistani entrepreneurs, in an interview wherein he said he was “proud to be Pakistani.”
Khan is now the CEO of Hevolution Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Riyadh that funds research through grants and provides investments in biotechnology to stimulate health sciences.
He has also managed academic programs like the Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Nutrition Trials Unit at the Mayo Clinic.
Other recipients of Saudi citizenship include: Islam Zween, CEO of Argaam
Mohammed Zween is deemed a pioneer in the Arab world of a media model that emphasizes qualitative and educational content aimed at profitability. (File/Argaam)
Zween holds a Master’s degree from Alexandria University in Egypt, with over 25 years of experience in technology, media, and business management.
Over the past 18 years, Zween has dedicated his efforts to building pioneering digital projects in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt, including “Argaam Financial Portal” and Akhbaar 24.com.
Since 2013, he has implemented a new strategy at Argaam, transforming it into the leading provider of financial media and data journalism in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. He also revamped the company’s business model, contributing to diversifying its revenue streams and achieving profitability.
Through Argaam, Zween has launched numerous initiatives and projects that enriched content related to financial data and investment awareness in the Kingdom. He has led many successful partnerships in the media and financial data fields with local and Gulf entities and made significant contributions to the development of financial media in the Kingdom and the Gulf. Under his leadership, Argaam won the Dubai Media Award for the best economic platform in 2023.
Jackie Y. Ying, Chair, Bioengineering & Nanomedicine Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center
Ying is an American scientist of Singaporean origin, who served as the founding executive director of the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore (2003-2018). She currently leads the NanoBio Lab and is a senior research fellow at the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). She has published extensively on biomedical engineering and nanotechnology topics. Professor Ying was elected a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, a member of the German National Academy of Sciences, and named one of the “100 Engineers of the Modern Era.” Professor Ying was elected a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a member of the German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina. Niveen Khashab, founding member of KAUST
Following the completion of her PhD at the University of Florida, Niveen Khashab joined KAUST and became a professor of chemical science. (Supplied)
Khashab is a Lebanese scientist with advanced expertise and contributions in bioengineering and nanomaterials. She is a founding member of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and has been an associate professor of chemical science and engineering there since 2009. She is one of the laureates of the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award in 2017 for her contributions to inventing innovative smart hybrid materials aimed at drug delivery and developing new technology to observe antioxidant activity between cells.
Noreddine Ghaffour, Water Desalination and Reuse Center, KAUST
Ghaffour is a French scientist who holds a PhD in membrane separation techniques from the University of Montpellier (1995) and is currently a professor of environmental science and engineering at KAUST. He specializes in water desalination techniques and has published articles and research on environmental science, renewable energy, and membrane separation. Faraz Khalid, CEO of Noon
Khalid, who holds an MBA from The Wharton School, played an instrumental role in the success of Namshi, which was launched in 2012. (Supplied)
Khalid is an Indian entrepreneur with an MBA in entrepreneurial project management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is the CEO of the e-commerce platform Noon and co-founded Namshi, where he served as managing director and was responsible for creating, launching, and expanding the website. Dr. Moutassem Azzubi, Chief Pediatric Neurosurgery at King Abdullah Specialized Children’s Hospital
Neurosurgeon Dr. Moutassem Azzubi has been recognised for his expertise and success in numerous conjoined twins separation surgeries. (X: @Moutasem7)
Azzubi is a Syrian neurosurgeon who has performed numerous conjoined twin separation surgeries in the Kingdom and abroad. He was recognized for his extension contributions to the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme and the team of surgeons under Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, adviser to the Royal Court, supervisor general of KSrelief. Rami Al-Qawasmi, CEO of Mawdoo3.com
Rami Al-Qawasni holds a bachelor`s degree in Economics from Sussex University in the United Kingdom and started his business journey in Jordan. (Supplied)
Al-Qawasmi is known for his passion for artificial intelligence and startup development. He has created and developed over 10 companies before the age of 30. Under his leadership, Mawdoo3.com raised $23.5 million in a funding round. Ahmed Mirghani, partner at BIM Ventures
Ahmed Mirghani has contributed to bringing many traditional investors into the world of venture capital. (Supplied)
Mirghani is a Sudanese entrepreneur with an MBA in entrepreneurship from Prince Mohammed bin Salman College of Business and Entrepreneurship. He is a co-founder and a leading figure at BIM Ventures and founded the “Angel Investor Mine” network, which has significantly contributed to bringing many traditional investors into the world of venture capital and the entrepreneurship ecosystem.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and ex-finance minister Miftah Ismail formally launched a new political party on Saturday, calling for individuals with “ability and influence” to join their ranks to bring about change in the country amid a deeply polarized environment.
Both politicians were senior members of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party but recently decided to part ways due to growing differences with its leadership.
Ismail, who took over as finance minister two years ago during a critical period for Pakistan’s economy, advocated for strict structural reforms recommended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which led to significant economic hardships for the population. His decisions were later criticized by party colleagues for being detrimental to PML-N’s political standing, leading to his sidelining by the current deputy prime minister, Ishaq Dar, who is closely aligned with the Sharif family.
Abbasi criticized the broader approach of PML-N politics, arguing that despite multiple opportunities to govern, the party had failed to effect meaningful change for the people.
Together, the two politicians have decided to mobilize the public to “change the system” to create promising economic opportunities for everyone.
“To be in Awaam Pakistan, you need ability and influence,” Abbasi said while launching the new political faction. “If you have neither, you cannot be a part of this party.”
He said there was a long list of the political parties which had been created by the establishment, a euphemism for the country’s powerful military that has directly ruled the country for nearly three decades since independence in 1947.
“People ask us directly or indirectly, is the establishment with you? Have you got their permission? This is the biggest argument that highlights the failure of Pakistan’s politics,” he continued.
“Today, a common man in this country realizes and thinks there is no politics without the establishment,” he said, adding that all state institutions should have a constitutional relationship.
Addressing the gathering, Ismail said that Pakistan had become a “predatory” state where the rulers and the state were like a hunter and the public had been reduced to a prey.
“This budget is a reflection of the rulers’ priorities,” he said, referring to the finance bill approved last month while lamenting that taxes had been doubled for the salaried class.
“You all have to join politics,” he continued. “Politics can’t be left to politicians only, common people have to join it as well.”
The former finance minister informed all positions in the newly launched party had a term limit.
“No one will have a position for more than two terms,” he added. “Merit must be promoted on every level.”
