ISLAMABAD - Responding to queries about reports in certain section of the media claiming that the Prime Minister said Pakistan was under U.S. “pressure” to recognize Israel, the Spokesperson rejected the reports as fabrication.

The Spokesperson said the Prime Minister had clearly articulated Pakistan’s position that unless a just settlement of the Palestine issue, satisfactory to the Palestinian people, was found, Pakistan could not recognize Israel. The Prime Minister had stressed that Pakistan’s policy in this regard was rooted in Quaid-e-Azam’s vision.

The Prime Minister’s remarks are an unequivocal reaffirmation of Pakistan’s position on the subject, leaving no room for baseless speculation.

For a just, comprehensive and lasting peace, Pakistan will continue to support a two-state solution in accordance with the relevant United Nations and OIC resolutions as well as international law, with pre-1967 borders and Al-Quds Al-Sharif as the capital of Palestine.

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Kings beat Lahore Qalandars by five wickets in final

KARACHI - Babar Azam’s outstanding innings led Karachi Kings to their maiden Pakistan Super League (PSL) title after a five-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in the final at the National Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday. 

While chasing a small target on a tricky pitch, Azam played a remarkable knock of 63 not out off 49 balls as Kings chased down the target in the 19th over at the expense of five wickets.

For Qalandars, pacers Dilbar Hussain and Haris Rauf were the most successful bowlers as they claimed two wickets each.

Earlier, Lahore captain Sohail Akhtar won the toss and elected to bat first.

His decision, however, proved a disastrous one as Qalandars managed to post a modest total of 134-7 in their 20 overs, despite having a 68-run opening partnership.

Tamim Iqbal finished the innings with the top score of 35 off 38 balls.

For Kings, pacer Umaid Asif, Waqas Maqsood and Arshad Iqbal claimed two wickets each.

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Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday announced the goals and principles of the 11-party opposition alliance — the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM).

The ‘Charter of Pakistan’, established by the opposition alliance, lists a dozen goals which include:

• ensuring supremacy and protection of federal, democratic, parliamentary and Islamic constitution’s supremacy
• independence of Parliament
• distancing establishment and intelligence agencies from politics
• establishing an independent judiciary
• reforms for free and fair elections
• protection of the public’s basic and democratic rights
• protection of provincial rights and 18th Amendment
• establishment of an effective mechanism for local governments
• protection of freedom of expression and independent media
• elimination of extremism and terrorism
• introducing an emergency economic package to eliminate poverty, inflation and unemployment
• protection and implementation of Islamic sections of Constitution

The charter was announced by Rehman after a meeting of the PDM in Islamabad.

Addressing the media after the meeting, the JUI-F chief said that the alliance had “rejected” the results of the Gilgit-Baltistan elections, adding that the polls were a “replay of 2018 general elections”. He declared that the elections were “stolen” from the masses and “state machinery and institutions were used freely”.

Rehman, who is also president of the PDM, said that the GB polls had proven the PDM’s stance on the 2018 elections as true and vowed that the alliance will not “sit back until this selected government goes home”.

The complete but unofficial results of all the 23 constituencies, where polling was held on Sunday, show that the PTI has emerged as the single largest party with 10 seats, followed by seven independents. The PPP won three seats, the PML-N two and the Majlis Wahdatul Muslimeen, which had a seat adjustment arrangement with the PTI, got one seat.

With the possible inclusion of four, out of six reserved seats for women, and two out of three reserved seats for technocrats, the total number of seats of the PTI and its allies will become 16 in the 33-member GBLA, indicating that it will need the support of only one more winning candidate to form the government.

In his press talk today, Rehman also said that PDM’s “momentum will be increased” and all rallies and public meetings will be held as per schedule.

“We reject the decision that is being taken to suspend rallies and public meetings in the garb of coronavirus,” he told reporters. The PDM, which has already held public meetings in Gujranwala, Karachi and Quetta, is now scheduled to hold public meetings in Peshawar on November 22, in Multan on November 30 and in Lahore on December 13. The PDM has already given the call for a long march to Islamabad in January next year to seek the resignation of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

However, the government has hinted at banning public meetings and rallies in light of rising coronavirus cases.

When asked about Prime Minister Imran’s announcement regarding the introduction of electoral reforms earlier today, Rehman said: “They (government) are used to rigging. They are trying to pressurise other members [of Parliament] and this will not happen. We are taking measures to block this but we won’t tell you about this at this stage.”

The premier had said that the government has decided to move a constitutional amendment in Parliament to introduce a ‘show of hands’ during voting in the Senate elections, instead of secret ballots, as part of its efforts to bring about electoral reforms in the country.

In response to another question, the JUI-F chief said that PDM will not hold talks with the government as the latter “does not represent masses”.

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WICKET: Finally a breakthrough for Karachi Kings as Umaid Asif removes Tamim Iqbal, who departs after scoring 35.

Lahore Qalandars 68-1 (10.1 overs)

Famous singer Asim Azhar feels that the ongoing match between Karachi and Lahore is giving the feel of India-Pakistan fixture. Some words from the Karachi Kings’ interim coach ahead of the PSL 2020 final.

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This is an interesting start for our readers: Lahore Qalandars 30-0 (5 overs). Really interesting team selection by Karachi Kings where the team management opted for Iftikhar Ahmed, who has only scored 92 runs and has 2 wickets to his name in 11 PSL matches this year.

Lahore Qalandars playing XI:

Fakhar Zaman, Tamim Iqbal, Sohail Akhtar (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ben Dunk (wicketkeeper), David Weise, Samit Patel, Mohammad Faizan, Dilbar Hussain, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Afridi

Karachi Kings playing XI:

Babar Azam, Sharjeel Khan, Alex Hales, Chadwick Walton (wicketkeeper), Imad Wasim (captain), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Amir Shane Rutherford, Umaid Asif Arshad Iqbal, Waqas Maqsood

Team news is in and there is only one change in two teams where Karachi opted for Umaid Asif instead of Wayne Parnell.

It is going to be a mouth-watering contest between arch-rivals Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars.

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Last year, over 5,000 students from Pakistan were granted a UK student visa – a 20% increase on the previous year. In addition, 93% of Pakistani students were successful in receiving a student visa – showing that the vast majority of UK student visa applicants are granted

ISLAMABAD: The UK minister responsible for visas and immigration has encouraged even more students from Pakistan to choose the UK as a place to study as we mark International Students Day.

Kevin Foster MP, Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, used the annual celebration of international students to make clear the UK is open to students, highlighting visa flexibility around Covid-19, as well as the new Student Route, as reasons to continue choosing the UK for study.

Last year, over 5,000 students from Pakistan were granted a UK student visa – a 20% increase on the previous year. In addition, 93% of Pakistani students were successful in receiving a student visa – showing that the vast majority of UK student visa applicants are granted.

In addition, the UK’s new Student Route promises to make it even more streamlined and convenient for Pakistani students, with benefits such as applying up to six months in advance, and additional opportunities to extend student visas from inside the UK.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the UK was among the first countries to introduce visa flexibility for students, including permitting remote study for the whole 2020-21 academic year and replacing thousands of expired visas free of charge so Pakistani students could still travel.

Furthermore, in Summer 2021 the UK will be introducing the Graduate Route, a new post-study work visa that will allow eligible students two years (or three years for PHD students) to stay back after they graduate to work, or look for work in the UK.

Kevin Foster MP, Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, said: “Pakistani students have always been a huge part of our community – and we look forward to welcoming more to our world leading Universities. Put simply, we want the best and brightest to study in the UK, which is why we have made it easier to apply. “The UK will always value and welcome international students, and whether now or in the future, we want Pakistani students to choose the UK as the place to fulifll their potential.”

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Mike Nithavrianakis, said: “Last year, over 5,000 Pakistani students were successfully granted a visa – a 20% increase on the previous year. This is a testament to the strengthening links between the UK and Pakistan. “But, more than that, each successful visa means another student heading to the UK, to build their career, expand their horizons and find out more about all that the UK has to offer. We hope that this continues, and that many more students from Pakistan follow their compatriots on this journey.”

The Student Route and Graduate Route are part of the UK’s new points-based system, the new system of visas and immigration that the UK is opening in January 2021. This will create a fairer, clearer system, where what matters is the skills an individual has rather than their nationality.

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COURTESY DNA NEWS

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Results can be accessed through university website.  Result cards are also dispatched to the students

ISLAMABAD – Allama Iqbal Open University has announced the results of programs offered in spring 2020 semester including postgraduate and bachelor’s programs as well as diploma in forensic Science. The results have also been uploaded on the university website and result cards are being dispatched to the students.

Upon the special directives of the Vice Chancellor, AIOU, Prof Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum, examinations department has expedited the results compilation process for the rest of the educational programs to follow university’s academic calendar in true letter and spirit.

Prof Dr Zia Ul-Qayyum has directed the heads of all academic, administrative and servicing departments of the university to implement academic calendar in true spirit not only to main academic discipline but also to save precious time of 1.4 million students enrolled in different educational programs of the university at various levels.

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Islamabad - Infinix, a world-renowned consumer electronics brand, pioneered a game optimization engine, Dar-link 1.0. This is a major breakthrough made by the Infinix R&D team to improve the user's gaming experience. The technology enhances the system by making improvements to the graphics display, touchscreen sensitivity, and by optimizing the data load. At present, Infinix is the first to apply this technology to the 2020 flagship device Infinix Zero 8, bringing a brand-new gaming experience to users.

  

Infinix product manager, Matt said, "The Infinix R&D team has done multiple testing to optimize the Dar-link game engine by repeated polishing of several specific problems that users face. This is a major technological innovation of Infinix. It brings gaming interaction and display experience to a new level, and enhances the user's sensory experience in PUBG and other mobile games."

 

A smooth and stable graphics display

Dar-link 1.0's screen enhancement processing function uses multiple algorithms to optimize the game display screen, and recognizes different screen scenes through intelligent calculations, so that the game image processing rate matches the requirements of the relevant scenes, giving users a stronger visual impact. In addition, the frame rate prediction algorithm can generate pictures in advance, based on the different scenes in the game. By optimizing the screen, the game scene switching is faster and more stable. Realistic picture rendering creates an immersive gaming space for players, engaging them in a gameplay experience and bringing their in-game adventure to life.

 An improved touchscreen sensitivity

 The Dar-link game engine intelligently controls its computing power from the chip. The Infinix Zero 8 MediaTekHelio G90T chipset further optimizes the GPU image rendering capabilities and screen display to increase the sensitivity of the touchscreen and reduce latency when refreshing the screen. This improves the touching experience of gaming, which is particularly apparent for PUBG. With a stable switching of the scenes, users can quickly capture the target through a millisecond touch response rate, thereby increasing the rate of winning. A sensitive touch response let users experience the thrill of being integrated with machine. It also enables the gamer to be a notch faster in-game.

 To better regulate the data load

 The chip performance will deteriorate from long usage of a mobile phone, especially when running a large-capacity mobile game. This is due to the heat generated from the device and the reduced performance will affect the gaming experience. The technological innovation of Infinix intelligently adjusts the operating speed of CPU/GPU, manages and allocates resources according to different game scenarios to maintain the efficient operation of the mobile phone, solves the problem of mini-freezes while gaming, and makes the game run more smoothly. This in turn will reduce the temperature of the device.

 

 

About Infinix

Launched in 2013 and targeting the young generations, Infinix Mobile is a premium online-driven smartphone brand. With “THE FUTURE IS NOW” as the brand essence, Infinix aims to allow consumers to stand out in the crowd and to show the world who they really are. Infinix is committed to providing the most up-to-date technologies, bold and stylish designs, keeping consumers on trend. Infinix’s portfolio spans five product lines – ZERO, NOTE, HOT, S, and SMART; empowering users to own innovative technologies and experience intelligent lifestyles!

 

Infinix has a presence in more than 70 countries around the world, covering Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and South Asia.

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Munaza Kazmi

The pandemic of Coronavirus had changed the globe by shifting the minds sets of people. It has a profound impact on hotel industry throughout the World, impacting hotels’ ability to generate cash flow to cover operating expenses and debt service.

For examining the new expectations of hotel guest, a Software company METOVA had conducted a blind survey of more than 1,000 people in the United States who have stayed at a hotel, resort or casino in the past 2 years regarding their response about COVID-19 practices, concerns, and technology in the hospitality industry.

According to the Metova's Fall 2020 Hospitality Survey:

• 78% have avoided staying in a hotel, casino, or resort specifically due to COVID-19 
• 90% say it is very or extremely important that the facility they stay at enforces COVID-19 safety policies 
• Nearly 90% prefer that the hotel they stay at has a mobile app offering the ability to completely manage a stay without having to interact with a person 
• 86% say other things being equal, they would choose one hotel over another if one offered the option of a fully contactless mobile check-in, concierge, check-out, and facility reservation app 
• 60% have stayed in a hotel, casino, or resort in the past 6 months 
• 82% feel the COVID-19 pandemic will bring about changes to the onsite lodging experience that will last well into the future 
• Mobile check-in and alerts for on-site amenities (68%), access to room via mobile app (61%), and online concierge services via mobile app (55%) are the changes of most value to in a future hotel stay

Further, Jonathan Sasse, chief strategy officer at Metova said, "COVID-19 has accelerated customer demand for technologies such as mobile check-in apps, keyless entry, and mobile concierge services that enable a contactless experience while adding convenience that did not exist in the past, "and not only are these technologies a deciding factor when a customer has the choice to pick one hotel, casino, or resort over another, but the overall desire for them is here to stay."

Certainly the change brought in response of COVID-19, carried a new era for the hotels.

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GILGIT: The Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has emerged as the leading party after it bagged nine out of the 23 Gilgit Baltistan (GB) Legislative Assembly seats in the elections held on Sunday.

According to unofficial results, the PPP came in second with three seats, while the PML-N secured two seats. JUI-F and MWM secured one seat each. Seven seats went to independent candidates, who are expected to play an important role in the formation of the next GB government.

PPP GB President Amjad Hussain Advocate managed to win from two constituencies — GBA-1 Gilgit-1 and GBA-4 Nagar-1. It is for the first time that any candidate has won two seats in the regional election.

PTI’s Col (retd) Obaidullah won GBA-6 Hunza, where independent Noor Muhammad was the runner-up. PTI’s Raja Zakria won GBA-7 Skardu-1 with former chief minister Syed Mehdi Shah of the PPP as the runner-up.

PTI’s Shamsul Haq Lone won GBA-14 Astor-2 with PPP’s Dr Muzaffar Ali as runner-up. Muhammad Kazim of Majlis-e-Wahdat Muslimeen won GBA-8 Skardu-2 with PPP’s Syed Muhammad Ali Shah as the runner -up. PPP’s Engineer Muhammad Ismail won GBA-24 Ganchha-3 with PTI’s Syed Shamsuddin as the runner up.

Independent candidate Mushtaq Hussain won GBA-22 Ganchha-1 with PTI’s Muhammad Ibrahim Sanai as the runner-up. PTI’s Raja Azam Khan won GBA-12 Shigar-1 with PPP’s Imran Nadeem as the runner-up. PTI’s Haji Gulbar Khan won GBA-18 Diamer-4 with independent candidate Malik Kifayat as the runner-up. Nationalist leader and independent candidate Nawaz Khan Naji won GBA-19 Ghizer-1 with PPP's PTI Zafar Shadam Khail as runner-up.

Independent candidate Abdul Hameed won GBA-23 Ganchha-2 and defeated the Amina Ansari of PTI. PTI’s Khalid Khurshid Khan won GBA-13 Astor-1 with PML-N’s Rana Farman Ali as runner-up.

Independent candidate Javed Ali Manwa won GBA-5 Nagar-2. PTI’s candidate and general secretary Fathe Ullah won GBA-2 Gilgit-2 with PPP’s Jamil Ahmad as the runner-up. PML-N’s Hafiz Hafeez-ur-Rehman, the former chief minister of GB, clinched the third position.

Engineer Muhammad Anwar of PML-N won GBA-16 Diamer-2. Nazir Ahmed of PTI has won GBA-20 Ghizer-2. PML-N candidate Ghulam Muhammad won GBA-21 Ghizer-3 with PPP's Muhammad Ayub as runner-up.

PTI’s Shamsul Haq Lone won GBA-14 Astor-2. PTI candidate Haji Fida Mohammad Nashad has lost GBA-9 Skardu-3 to independent candidate Wazir Mohammad Saleem. Independent candidate AIG (R) Dilpazeer Ahmad won GBA-15 Diamer-1 with independent candidate Haji Shah Baig as runner-up.

JUI-F candidate Rehmat Khaliq won GBA-17 Diamer 3 with PTI’s Haider Khan coming in second place.

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COURTESY GEO.TV

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Pakistan has reaffirmed its opposition to adding new permanent members to the UN Security Council (UNSC), adding that India does not qualify for a seat on the 15-member body.

India — along with Brazil, Germany and Japan — has been campaigning for a permeant UNSC membership.

Speaking to the UN General Assembly (GA) on Monday, Pakistan's Permanent Representative Ambassador Munir Akram, in an apparent reference to India, said one country has waged 20 wars since independence and fomented terrorism and instability across the region, especially in Pakistan.

“We have clear and ample evidence of this state-sponsored terrorism,” the Pakistani envoy told the 193-member GA, which is debating reforms aimed at making the UN body more representative, responsive, democratic and transparent.

“It stands in violation of UNSC resolutions in occupied Kashmir,” Akram said, adding that it had deployed 900,000 troops to crush the Kashmiri people’s legitimate freedom struggle. In addition, settlers from outside Jammu and Kashmir were being brought in to transform the region's demography, he said.

“It threatens aggression against Pakistan and resorts to daily artillery and small arms fire targeting innocent civilians on our side of the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

“This country has no qualification for a UNSC membership — permanent or even non-permanent,” the Pakistani envoy added.

Full-scale negotiations to reform the council began in the General Assembly in February 2009 on several key areas. These include the question of veto, regional representation, membership, the working methods of the council and its relationship with the GA.

Despite a general agreement on enlarging the council, member states remain sharply divided over the details.

The G-4 countries have shown no flexibility in their campaign to expand the council by 10 seats, with six additional permanent and four non-permanent members.

On the other hand, the Italy and Pakistan-led Uniting for Consensus (UfC) group firmly opposes any additional permanent members, saying that such a move will not make the body more effective and will also undermine the fundamental principle of democracy that is based on periodic elections.

The UNSC currently comprises of five permanent members — Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States — and 10 non-permanent members.

In his remarks, the Pakistan envoy said the UfC’s proposal reflected the most suitable basis for an agreement on comprehensive reforms.

“If it is approved, it will obtain the largest possible support in the GA and the essential ratification of all the five permanent members."

The UfC proposal, he said, was also flexible and through variable arrangements, could accommodate the aspirations and interests of a majority of the UN membership, including African and other regional groups such as the Arab Group and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

"The UfC looks at Africa’s collective desire for representation differently; its absence is a historical injustice. Africa is seeking a larger number of non-permanent and two empowered permanent seats for the continent.

“The UfC is prepared to explore with the African Group how their regional approach could be adapted to enable all regions to be able to select their own candidates for membership in an expanded Security Council.”

Ambassador Akram added: “The UNSC reform must be part of a broader revival of the multilateral system as it was conceived under the Charter.

“At the same time, the balance between the council and the GA, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and other UN organs must be restored to reinvigorate the entire multilateral system," he said.

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