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Masood urges diaspora to scale up investments in Pakistan

Islamabad, July 20, 2023 (PPI-OT): Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Stated Masood Khan has urged Pakistani-Americans to scale up their investments in the country as Pakistan is witnessing economic and digital revolution.

Addressing a session on ‘Investment Opportunities in Pakistan’ during conference on Diplomacy for Development arranged by International Academy of Letters USA, he said that time is ripe for the investors to bring their excess capacity to Pakistan and reap huge economic dividends.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Elizabeth Horst, Senior State Department officials, Pakistan’s Consul General in Houston Mohammad Aftab Chaudhry and community leaders, entrepreneurs and members of business community were present during the session.

The participants noted that despite economic constraints during recent times, Pakistan presented itself as an attractive destination for investment. The presence of abundant natural resources and 60 percent young population is an asset for Pakistan which needed to be harnessed. It was pointed out that Per capita GDP of Pakistan needed to be increased exponentially. This is possible only by enhancing the investments by both public and private sector.

The Ambassador thanked participants for valuable suggestions for enhancing investment in Pakistan. He said that contrary to the impression of shortage of skilled workforce, the youth of Pakistan nowadays was equipped with the state of the art knowledge and expertise from leading universities of the world.

He said 200 universities of the country are injecting new graduates into the country’s workforce including women entrepreneurs. He said this is a huge transformation that has taken place.

The Ambassador said unicorn companies across the world including US, UK, UAE and China are supporting start-up business ecosystem in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, co-chairing a session on “Role of Trade Diplomacy in Pakistan-US relations” Texas with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Elizabeth Horst, Masood Kha urged Pak-American business community to partner in transitioning to new technologies

The Conference was organized by International Academy of Letters USA, Rupani Foundation and Ismaili Council for the South Western USA.

Masood Khan said that IT sector of the country as an important sector which is not competing with any other sector. Discussing efforts being made by Pakistan and the United States to strengthen economic ties, he appreciated U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome for his efforts and also visiting industrial hubs in Pakistan, boosting confidence of the business community and promoting investment in Pakistan.

He appreciated Pakistani entrepreneurs for contributions towards growth of GDP in Pakistan and said they are doing a great job in Pakistan. He also recounted manufacturing, oil and gas sector and tourism, especially eco-tourism, adventure tourism, religious tourism, hospitality sector as growth industries in Pakistan.

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst in her remarks acknowledged the successes being made by Pak-American business community and professionals and said that amount of knowledge and expertise is staggering and news shared ideas and goodwill will enable us to find a future which is better for both Pakistan and the US.

The session was attended by thirty five leading Pak-American businessmen, entrepreneurs, professionals and area experts who are not only undertaking successful business ventures in the US but have been investing in different projects in Pak’s economy.

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

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Eight dead after landslides and flash floods hit IIOJK

Srinagar, July 20, 2023 (PPI-OT): Eight people, including a toddler have died in separate incidents of landslides and flash floods triggered by a fresh spell of rainfall in the hilly parts of the Jammu region in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Two houses collapsed in the Surjan area of Kathua’s Bani due to heavy rain. “A total of five persons, including children and a woman, got buried under these houses,” said a police officer.

“The houses belonging to Mushtaq Ahmed and Abdul Qayum collapsed in Surjan Morha Aruad Block in Bani due to heavy rainfall. Five persons, including children, got buried under the debris of these houses. A rescue operation is underway to retrieve the bodies,” said Arjun Mangotra, Station House Officer Bani. In three other separate incidents died after coming under a landslide in the Bani area of the district.

Meanwhile, rain lashed various parts of Jammu, damaging roads with all major rivers, including Tawi, Chenab, Basanter, Devak, and Ujh, flowing above the danger mark. Authorities ordered the closure of all schools in Kathua, Doda, Rajouri, and Kishtwar districts because of heavy rain causing swelling of water bodies. Vaishno Devi Yatra and the passage of pilgrims on the Amarnath Yatra were also temporarily suspended.

They said that a fresh batch of 4,900 pilgrims, which left for the Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir valley, has been halted at Yatri Niwas Chanderkote in Ramban due to shooting stones and landslides. Jammu-Pathankot road in Kathua was also closed and a bridge in Chadwal suffered damage. Four passengers were injured after a Tata Sumo vehicle they were traveling in plunged into a rivulet in Mendhar area of Poonch district.

For more information, contact:

Kashmir Media Service

Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549

Fax: +92-51-4861736

Email: info@kmsnews.org

Website: www.kmsnews.org

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Ukrainian FM arriving in Islamabad today on 2-day visit

Islamabad, July 20, 2023 (PPI-OT): Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba is arriving in Islamabad today on a two-day official visit to Pakistan.

During the visit, he will call on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and hold detailed talks with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The visit is expected to further strengthen bilateral ties between Pakistan and Ukraine.

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

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Muslim youth dies in police lockup in Jharkhand

New Delhi, July 20, 2023 (PPI-OT): A 22-year-old Muslim youth died in the police custody after he was held by the local police over the suspicion of theft in Indian state of Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district. While the police claimed that the deceased Mohammed Ashfaq Khan has died by suicide, the family members alleged that Khan was tortured whole night in the police custody.

Following the death, family members along with local people blocked the Hazaribagh-Jhanbad Road and raised slogans against the administration. A video which has gone viral shows that wailing mother and sister of the deceased are pleading before senior police official demanding that her son is given back. His mother also points fingers towards police official saying that her son has been beaten to death by the police.

Talking to local media, Khan’s father said “the police administration killed my son. The man who killed my son should be given death penalty”. A relative of Khan said that on Monday, a neighbor claimed that something has been stolen from his house. They suspected that it’s Khan who is involved in this. They dragged Khan to the Barhi Police Station. The police kept him in the custody without informing his parents.

“The police kept him whole night. No one knows that what they did to him. In the morning, I came to know about his dead body… I suspect that he was brutally beaten up in the custody. When they brought him to the hospital, he was declared as “dead”,” said the relative. Khan was the only earning member of his house and he worked as a car driver. Manzar’s father suffers from paralysis.

Zahid Khan, uncle of Khan, refused to believe that his nephew hanged himself calling police claim “weird”. “When Khan was caught allegedly for stealing, I was told that police beat him up. Also, the whole theory that he strangled himself is very weird. We were told that he tore his trousers and hung himself. Now, I am listening to something new that he strangled himself. It is not possible, and I am assuming that he was beaten up in the lock-up,” Zahid was quoted by Indian media as saying.

For more information, contact:

Kashmir Media Service

Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549

Fax: +92-51-4861736

Email: info@kmsnews.org

Website: www.kmsnews.org

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Hajj expenses can be reduced upto 50% next year: Talha

Islamabad, July 20, 2023 (PPI-OT): Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Muhammad Talha Mahmood says the next year’s Hajj expenses can be significantly reduced by up to fifty percent due to timely measures taken by the government.

Addressing an event organized by Pakistan Citizens Forum in Islamabad, he credited the success of this year’s Hajj to the exemplary arrangements made by Saudi Arabian government.

The Minister assured to return the surplus funds from pilgrims’ expenses and announced the provision of free medicines worth millions of rupees through pharmaceutical cooperation.

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

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President, PM urge nation to follow teachings of Holy Prophet in practical lives

Islamabad, July 20, 2023 (PPI-OT): Extending greetings to the nation on advent of new Islamic year 1445 Hijrah, President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have urged the countrymen to make a pledge to follow the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him) in their practical lives.

The President in his message said the new Islamic year has a great significance for Muslims all over the world and reminds of the immense sacrifices rendered by their forefathers.

He called for a united approach to overcome any challenge and make the future of our coming generations bright.

The Prime Minister in his message stressed the need to promote tolerance, understanding and respect for each other in the society.

He prayed that the New Year may bring ease in lives of Muslims suffering across the world, especially the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

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Pakistan ready to support peace initiative for lasting stability in region: FM Bilawal

Islamabad, July 20, 2023 (PPI-OT): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts through dialogue and engagements, and that Pakistan is ready to support peace initiative for lasting stability in the region.

Speaking at a joint news conference along with his Ukrainian Counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Islamabad on Thursday, he said as a country in a volatile region, we understand how longstanding regional conflicts can endanger our collective security.

He said Ukrainian War has also brought difficulties for redeveloping countries in the global arena, particularly in terms of fuel, food, and fertilizer shortages and Pakistan is no exception. He said Pakistan has great interest in promoting peace and reconciliation as well as peaceful resolution of disputes through dialogue and diplomacy.

The Foreign Minister particular appreciated the Ukrainian Government for its principle stance in supporting the resolution on countering religious hatred, consistent incitements to discrimination, hostilities and violence at the Human Rights Council in Geneva. He expressed the confidence that our joint efforts to strengthen bilateral relationship will be beneficial for the people of both the countries. He said we resolve to move forward in fostering cooperation and friendship between the people of Pakistan and Ukraine.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari further said we aspire to build mutually beneficial relationship that contributes to the prosperity and wellbeing of our nations. He said we agreed on the importance of regular dialogue and engagement to further strengthen our bilateral ties. It was also agreed to hold meeting of various institutional mechanisms in due course.

Talking about the situation in Ukraine, the Pakistan Foreign Minister expressed a deep concern and offered Islamabad’s condolences on loss of precious lives and immense human sufferings. He said despite our own economic challenges, Pakistan has sent humanitarian assistance as a gesture of solidarity with the people. He said Pakistan believes that prolonged conflict brings immense hardships and sufferings to civilian population. He hoped that peace will prevail so that the people of Ukraine and Russia can enjoy peace dividends.

Speaking on the occasion, Ukrainian Foreign Minister we are thinking of boosting trade and solving existing problems of Pakistani students studying in Ukraine. He said Ukraine can offer digitalization of state services to make government more convenient to engage with its own citizens. He said we will be looking forward to hold the inaugural meeting of a Pakistan-Ukraine commission on economic cooperation. He said Ukraine considers Pakistan a good partner and is ready to work in the area of food security.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister also thanked Pakistan’s humanitarian assistance for the people of Pakistan.

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

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National Seminar on Information Technology underway in Islamabad

Islamabad, July 20, 2023 (PPI-OT): A National Seminar on Information Technology is in progress in Islamabad.

The seminar is aimed at unifying efforts of all stakeholders for the common goal of promoting IT exports. Leading IT companies have established their stalls at the event

The seminar will also feature Destination Pakistan, Tech Lift Boot Camp, First Knowledge Park for Women in Azad Kashmir, Agri-Tech Incubator Faisalabad and Centre of Excellence in Gaming and Animation.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will launch IT projects.

Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir will be the guest of honour at the ceremony.

For more information, contact:

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Government of Pakistan

4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Tel: +92-51-9103557

Email: info@moib.gov.pk

Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

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