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Pakistan says ready to work with SCO members to make organization ‘stronger, effective’

Pakistan says ready to work with SCO members to make organization ‘stronger, effective’
Officials prepare for SCO summit 2024 at the media center in Islamabad on October 16, 2024. (AN Photo)
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Updated 1 min 43 sec ago
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Pakistan says ready to work with SCO members to make organization ‘stronger, effective’

Pakistan says ready to work with SCO members to make organization ‘stronger, effective’
  • PM Shehbaz Sharif meets SCO secretary-general Zhang Ming to discuss recently held summit in Pakistan’s capital
  • Reaffirms Islamabad’s commitment to SCO’s charter, says Islamabad will promote development priorities for members
Updated 1 min 43 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday assured the secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) that Islamabad was ready to work with member states to make the inter-government body “stronger, effective” as it seeks to forge deeper economic and trade ties with them. 
Pakistan hosted the SCO’s Council of Heads of Government summit from Oct. 15-16 this week in Islamabad where regional leaders representing China, India, Russia, Iran and other countries arrived. 
The SCO is a key Eurasian political, economic and security alliance founded in 2001 by China, Russia and several Central Asian nations. Over the years, it has expanded to include countries like India and Pakistan, making it a significant regional bloc.
Sharif received Zhang Ming, SCO’s secretary-general, who was in the Pakistani capital for the summit. The Pakistani premier thanked Ming for his support in conducting the regional summit. 
“He [Sharif] stressed that Pakistan stood ready to work with SCO Member States so as to make the organization more effective and stronger,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said. 
He reaffirmed Islamabad’s commitment to the SCO’s charter, adding that Pakistan would continue to work wholeheartedly to promote SCO’s development priorities for the benefit of its member states and the wider region. 
“Mr. Ming warmly felicitated the Prime Minister on the successful organization of the SCO CHG Meeting and its positive outcome,” Sharif’s office said. 
“He appreciated Pakistan’s constructive contributions to SCO’s work and activities across all domains and expressed satisfaction over Pakistan’s leadership role as SCO CHG chair.”
PAKISTAN, MONGOLIA TO FORM MINISTERIAL COMMISSION
Separately, Sharif met his Mongolian counterpart Luvsannamsrain Oyun-Erdene where the two leaders spoke about bilateral ties between their countries. 
Sharif suggested the two countries mark 2025 as the year of Pakistan-Mongolia friendship to enhance their bilateral relationship. 
“Both leaders agreed on forming a Joint Ministerial Commission to enhance cooperation in trade, tourism, agriculture and mining sectors,” the PMO said.
“Establishment of an inter-parliamentary union was also agreed in the meeting to expand the parliamentary relations between the two countries,” it added.

Topics: SCO Summit

Pakistan tottering at 43-3 in England Test after Bashir takes three

Pakistan tottering at 43-3 in England Test after Bashir takes three
Updated 30 sec ago
AFP
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Pakistan tottering at 43-3 in England Test after Bashir takes three

Pakistan tottering at 43-3 in England Test after Bashir takes three
  • Pakistan lead by 118 runs on day three’s interval after scoring 366 during first innings
  • England lead three-match series 1-0 following innings and 47-run victory in first Test
Updated 30 sec ago
AFP

MULTAN: England’s Shoaib Bashir took three wickets to restrict Pakistan to 43-3 at lunch in the second Test in Multan on Thursday after the visitors were all out for 291.
Pakistan led by 118 runs at the interval on day three after scoring 366 in their first innings.
Sajid Khan took 7-111, his second five-wicket haul, to dismiss England on a Multan stadium pitch — also used in the first Test — that started to offer sharp turn to the spinners.
Off-spinner then Bashir removed Abdullah Shafique (four), Shan Masood (11) and Saim Ayub (22) and had figures of 3-27.
Abdullah edged a turning Bashir delivery to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith with England successfully overturning a not-out decision on review.
Captain Masood then edged to slip off the same bowler.
In the last over before lunch, Bashir had opener Ayub caught in the slip, leaving first-innings centurion Kamran Ghulam unbeaten on five at the crease.
The morning session belonged to off-spinner Sajid.
The 31-year-old took three of the four wickets to fall after England had resumed at 239-6.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali was the only other Pakistan wicket-taker, finishing with figures of 3-101.
England added nine runs to their overnight score before Sajid struck in the fourth over of the morning, Brydon Carse caught at long-on for four.
In his next over, Sajid bowled Matthew Potts, who made six, off a sharply turning delivery.
Noman took his 50th Test wicket when he removed Smith, caught at mid-off by Ayub for 21.
Last pair Bashir and Jack Leach hung around to add 29 before Sajid had Bashir caught at short mid-wicket for nine to end the innings.
Leach was 25 not out having hit three fours.
England lead the three-match series 1-0 following their innings and 47 run victory in the first Test.

Topics: Pakistan vs England Multan Test

Police detain over 150 in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi for protesting against alleged Lahore rape

Police detain over 150 in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi for protesting against alleged Lahore rape
Updated 3 min 27 sec ago
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Police detain over 150 in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi for protesting against alleged Lahore rape

Police detain over 150 in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi for protesting against alleged Lahore rape
  • Legal action and the process of identifying more students through video footage and photographs are underway
  • Punjab chief minister terms the incident a ‘lie’ concocted by the PTI to create student unrest in the province
Updated 3 min 27 sec ago
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: More than 150 people were detained in Rawalpindi on Thursday for vandalism during protests against the alleged rape of a girl in Lahore, which officials described as a fabrication aimed at inciting students and creating unrest in the province.
The incident was first reported on social media over the weekend, with varying accounts suggesting the rape took place last Thursday or Friday evening in the basement of a Punjab College for Women campus in Lahore. Police said no victim had come forward to file a complaint, and the college dismissed the allegations as “false.”
Despite the official account, hundreds of students staged protests at the start of the week, prompting Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to form a committee to investigate the alleged incident following clashes between students and police.
She also accused her political rival, former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, of spreading the “lie” about the incident to incite students and create unrest in the province.
“More than 150 people involved in vandalism have been detained and legal action has been taken against those involved in illegal activities,” the Rawalpindi police said in a social media post on X. “The process of identifying students through video footage and photographs has started.”
https://twitter.com/RwpPolice/status/1846812858270863828 
The police said all the persons accused of vandalism, arson and any illegal activities would be dealt with according to the law and no one will be allowed to endanger the lives of fellow students, teachers and citizens.
The police urged parents to keep a close watch on their children and keep them away from any illegal activities because criminal records could ruin the future of students.
“Rawalpindi Police personnel are deployed at various locations across the city who are fully prepared to deal with any law and order situation, vandalism under the guise of protest, or violation of law,” the statement added.

Topics: lahore protest

Pakistan PM advocates economic empowerment on World Poverty Day

Pakistan PM advocates economic empowerment on World Poverty Day
Updated 58 min 37 sec ago
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Pakistan PM advocates economic empowerment on World Poverty Day

Pakistan PM advocates economic empowerment on World Poverty Day
  • Shehbaz Sharif terms poverty eradication a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development
  • He says government wants to bring down the cost of living amid global economic uncertainties
Updated 58 min 37 sec ago
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday efforts to alleviate poverty must focus on long-term solutions that lead to economic independence, according to an official statement issued to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.
The day, observed globally on October 17, raises awareness about the need to eliminate poverty and improve living conditions worldwide. In September last year, the World Bank reported that nearly 40 percent of Pakistan’s population was living below the poverty line due to the country’s ongoing economic challenges.
“We believe that lifting people out of poverty is not just about immediate relief but about creating sustainable pathways to economic empowerment,” the prime minister said. “Eradicating poverty is not just a moral duty but a fundamental cornerstone for achieving sustainable development and ensuring peace and prosperity for all.”
Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to the global community in ensuring a world where successful opportunities were not limited to a person’s background or circumstances, he said the government was making efforts for poverty alleviation.
“Our targeted efforts aim at empowering communities, especially women and children, and giving them the tools they need to build a better future,” he added. “As we face global challenges, including inflation and economic uncertainty, the Government of Pakistan remains committed to making life more affordable for its people.”
The prime minister noted Pakistan would continue collaboration with global partners in the inclusive growth, education, health care and environmental sustainability sectors.
“Poverty eradication is also at the forefront of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which Pakistan remains fully committed to achieving,” he said. “We are also proud of the progress made in empowering women and ensuring that their contributions are integral to the nation’s economic and social fabric.”
Sharif expressed confidence in Pakistan’s “unwavering dedication” to alleviating poverty, urging people to join their efforts of building a more “equitable and inclusive” world.
“On this day, I extend my deepest appreciation to all those, both in Pakistan and around the world, who are working tirelessly to eradicate poverty,” the prime minister concluded.

Topics: PM Shehbaz Sharif

Pakistan dispatches relief aid to Lebanon for victims of Israel’s military campaign

Pakistan dispatches relief aid to Lebanon for victims of Israel’s military campaign
Updated 17 October 2024
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Pakistan dispatches relief aid to Lebanon for victims of Israel’s military campaign

Pakistan dispatches relief aid to Lebanon for victims of Israel’s military campaign
  • The relief goods include medicines, ready-to-eat meat, warm bedding and winter clothing
  • This is Pakistan’s second aid shipment to Lebanon since Israel started targeting its cities
Updated 17 October 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday dispatched a consignment of relief items to Lebanon, confirming in a statement that the initiative is part of the government’s effort to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by Israel’s military campaign in the Middle East.
Israel besieged the Gaza Strip and launched airstrikes after a surprise attack by Hamas in October last year, which the group said was in response to the worsening conditions of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
The war has lasted for over a year, resulting in nearly 43,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children.
More recently, Israel opened another front in Lebanon, with the stated aim of destroying Hezbollah, which attempted to provide military assistance to Palestinians, raising fears of a broader regional conflict, potentially involving Iran.
“On the directives of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, National Disaster Management Authority continues to provide humanitarian aid to the war-affected people of Gaza and Lebanon,” the NDMA said. “On Thursday, the second consignment of aid was dispatched from Karachi to Lebanon.”
“This aid shipment, sent by NDMA in collaboration with Al-Khidmat Foundation, comprises approximately 100 tons of supplies, including medicines, ready-to-eat meat, tents, tarpaulins, warm bedding, winter clothing, and powdered milk,” it continued.
It informed the send-off ceremony, held at Jinnah International Airport, was attended by representatives from NDMA, the foreign ministry, Al-Khidmat Foundation and the local administration.
“This is Pakistan’s 12th aid shipment to Palestine and Lebanon,” the statement said. “Prior to this, 10 aid consignments were sent to Palestine, and Thursday marked the second shipment to Lebanon.”
The government has already established the prime minister’s relief fund to collect public donations to support the people in Gaza and Lebanon.

Topics: Israel-Lebanon War on Gaza National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan (NDMA)

Pakistan’s Educast partners with Islamic Development Bank to provide critical support to Afghans

Pakistan’s Educast partners with Islamic Development Bank to provide critical support to Afghans
Updated 17 October 2024
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Pakistan’s Educast partners with Islamic Development Bank to provide critical support to Afghans

Pakistan’s Educast partners with Islamic Development Bank to provide critical support to Afghans
  • Project plans to empower ‘thousands of Afghan female doctors’ in the field of digital health and telemedicine
  • Educast provided 1,000 consultations during the pilot phase in six Afghan provinces, benefitting 5,000 people
Updated 17 October 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: A Pakistan-based global telehealth and online training technology provider has partnered with the Islamic Development Bank and Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund to deliver critical support to Afghans in need of medical and livelihood assistance in their country, according to a statement on Wednesday.
Karachi-based Educast is a digital health and education platform that provides virtual training and telemedicine services. The Fund, established by the Islamic Development Bank in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has sought its assistance to help Afghan nationals.
“The Islamic Development Bank and Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund have joined forces to provide critical humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, and their telehealth and clinical support program is making a significant impact,” said a statement released by the Pakistani firm. “Through its partnership with Educast … they’re able to reach remote and underserved areas.”
“The program’s operational details include deploying smart hubs for enhanced education, constructing and operationalizing health facilities, and providing essential health care services to vulnerable communities,” the statement added.
Educast said the key components of the programs include providing remote health services, training local health care professionals through online programs and setting up smart hubs to serve as educational facilities in 20 provinces of Afghanistan.
It also highlighted its aim to empower “thousands of Afghan female doctors,” medical students and health care workers in the field of digital health and telemedicine.
The statement informed the pilot phase of the project had already been carried out in six Afghan provinces, during which 1,000 consultations were provided, benefiting 5,000 individuals.
Educast also trained 1,500 local health care professionals, and work on setting up 20 medical education facilities is underway.
The statement further noted the partnership demonstrated the power of collaborative humanitarian efforts.
“The success of the pilot phase serves as a model for scalable, impactful interventions in conflict-affected regions,” it added.

Topics: Educast

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