Sunday, 23 May 2021
ISLAMABAD, MAY 23: Palestinian Ambassador Ahmed Rabei on Sunday conveyed his gratitude on behalf of the Palestinian people for the solidarity and support shown to the Palestinian cause by the Pakistani people, government and political leadership.
In a statement, Rabei said: "On behalf of the Palestinian people [...] let me express our sincere gratitude to the brotherly people of Pakistan [...] for their solidarity with the Palestinians, for their courageous efforts to support our cause for a free and independent state of Palestine.
"I want to convey my heartfelt gratitude for their remarkable efforts to support the Palestinian freedom and condemn the Israeli atrocities being carried out against innocent and unarmed Palestinians while urging the international community to take concrete and immediate steps for the resolution of the Palestine issue," he said.
He added that Pakistan's efforts for speaking up and pushing for an emergency session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and for the UN General Assembly were "greatly appreciated".
"Pakistan played an important role in building, steering the discussion and building a consensus. This historical act will be remembered, not only by the Palestinians, but by the entire world," he wrote.
The ambassador added that Palestine Solidarity Day — which was observed on May 21 — as well as the unanimous resolution passed by the National Assembly condemning Israel's systematic oppression of the Palestinians would also not be forgotten.
"I convey warm regards to many delegates from the government, parliament, Pakistani non-governmental organisations and from different parties who have visited the embassy to express their solidarity.
"We thank you all for sparing your valuable time in order to show solidarity with us during this difficult time that we went through due to the series of attacks by Israeli occupation forces on innocent people, illegal settlement of the Israelis, and forced evictions of Palestinians.
"All these acts are serious violations of human rights and International law. It’s a real humanitarian crisis," said the ambassador.
"I am extremely grateful to all the people of Pakistan for the unwavering support you have given to Palestinians, your message of unity has strengthened and encouraged the spirits and boosted the morale of the beleaguered Palestinians.
"Although the war on Gaza ended but our struggle to get our freedom continues. By working with our Pakistani brothers side-by-side we will free Palestine and and we all will pray together in Al Aqsa mosque in Al Quds Al Sharif, the capital of Palestine," said Rabei.
Responding to the statement, the Foreign Office said on Twitter: "Pakistan will continue to steadfastly support the brotherly people of Palestinian territories till they get their legitimate rights."
Earlier today, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan supported the UN Security Council statement welcoming the announcement of a ceasefire.
"Equally, the statement’s call for humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians and for a comprehensive peace based on a two state solution is imperative," he said.
"Indeed the #UNSC statement’s recognition of the role of regional countries, of which the government and people of Pakistan played an important part, is important. China, Norway and Tunisia are admirable for persisting in securing this statement. Let us unite for #PeaceInPalestine," he said.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
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ISLAMABAD, MAY 23: Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS) comprehensively highlighted the role of Turkey and Central Asian states in the socio-economic development of Afghanistan and praised their extensive support to bring peace into the region.
He expressed these views during the second session of the Two-Day Online International Conference on ‘’ The Rise of Asian Geopolitics and Terrorism at the Threshold’’ was Conducted by Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Research (ANKASAM), Turkey. Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS) was the session Chairperson and speaker.
Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director, Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Session Chairperson and Moderator, extended his appreciation and gratitude for the Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Research (ANKASAM) for timely organizing the conference and highlighting crucial matters of concern for the international community.
Mr. Khalid during his speech on ‘’Central Asia, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the Rise of Asian Geopolitics’’ briefly discussed the significant imperatives.
He stated that regional connectivity is the main element of changing states’ alignments and partnerships.
In this multipolar world, the states are more inclined to cooperate and, therefore, avoid confrontations as it hampers economic development, peace and security.
Mr. Taimur gave his analysis on the major shifts in Asian geopolitics. He stated that with the rise of Asian geopolitics, different aspects of cooperation have emerged.
Wider regional collaborations and realignments are now shaping bilateral or multilateral relations among countries.
He comprehensively highlighted the role of Turkey and Central Asian states in the socio-economic development of Afghanistan and praised their extensive support to bring peace into region.
Mr. Khalid stated that the Afghan endgame is now precipitating significant re-alignments and repositioning by major powers at the regional level and beyond.
Mr. Taimur also suggested three main aspects related to the comprehensive work in the Afghan peace process that can be arranged in three areas.
First, developing a politically negotiated settlement. Second, increasing legitimacy for the Afghan Government. Third, building a national public consensus on the future relations between diverse groups.
He also stated that in the transitioned geopolitical contours of this region, countries like Iran, China, Turkey, Afghanistan, Central Asian Republics and Pakistan, are being interlinked into a very viable interdependent bloc within the ambit of the BRI-CPEC.
While concluding, Mr. Khalid stated that the cooperation that began with economic assistance can lead to partnership and collaboration in many other domains.
Therefore, exploring grounds for joint ventures and enhanced cultural exchanges would curtail differences and prejudices, increase people-to-people contacts, and benefit all states.
Prof. Mehmet SukruGuzel, ANKASAM Representation in Geneva (Switzerland) talked on the topic ‘’From the terrorist organization to a Non-state Armed Group by the UN Security Council and the International Responsibility of the Taliban’’.
He stated that from a terrorist organization to a Non-state armed group there must be some changings.
He elaborated in detail about the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Afghanistan, Taliban and US-Taliban peace deal of 2020. Mr. Mehmet stated that Taliban accepted the binding of UNSC resolutions.
However, the legal team of Afghanistan are making mistakes by not fulfilling the agreed resolutions of the accord.
While briefing on two preambles of UNSC, Prof. Mehmet explained that in first preamble the Taliban are defined as the terrorist organizations and in second preamble, Para 6, they are put into the peace negotiation.
He concluding by stating that the Taliban need to understand and have to obey the UNSC resolutions as it is binding and they have to fulfill their responsibility for a better solution.
Asst. Prof Ali BilginVarlik, Colonel ®, Istanbul ArelUniveristy (Turkey) discussed ‘’Afghanistan, Towards Reconciliation or a failed state?’’.
He gave a brief presentation on the topic and discussed the historical and contemporary perspective of Afghanistan.
He stated that Afghanistan has been a country of a power struggle between the regional and global powers.
Therefore, the reconciliation process will change the position of the country. There are geostrategic, geopolitics, energy-politics and cultural dimensions of Afghanistan.
He stated that it can be consider a potential country as it has colorful human geography. Mr. Alicomprehensively discussed the economic indicators of Afghanistan.
He stated that all the fundamental indicators are interrelated in Afghanistan. Therefore,the main indicators according to him will be the vacuum authority as US withdrawal its forces. Mr. Ali stated that in the absence of secular political life, a state always fails. Therefore, with the rise of Taliban, irreversible conditions will likely to prevail.
He concluded by saying that complete US withdrawal would make Afghanistan a total fail state.
There would be consequences of the withdrawal, however, can provide short to medium-term benefits. Regional instability may hamper China’s BRI or create internal issues that may trigger security problems for adjacent countries.
Dr. Mehmood ul Hassan Khan, Member Board of Experts, CGSS, (Pakistan) talked about ’Central Asia and Afghanistan in the Rise of Asian Geopolitics’.
He explained in detail about the changing dynamics of the region. He gave a profound analysis on the US incumbent government’s policies regarding the complete withdrawal.
Dr. Mehmood highlighted the role of Pakistan to support the Afghan cause and playing a pivotal role in the socio-economic reconstruction of Afghanistan.
He explained that dream of regional connectivity has been battling out in Afghanistan during last decades.
There has been socio-economic unrest, and ethnic division in the country. Dr. Mehmood also elaborated that US has injected $1trillion in a no-win war.
Therefore, the geopolitics of Afghanistan has serious repercussion on other regional states.He stated that the role of India in assisting proxy wars, initiating hybrid warfare with the west, and facilitating the warlords in the country, has detrimental ripple impacts.
While elaborating the role of regional countries, Dr. Mehmood gave brief overview of role of Turkey, Qatar,Russia, and other Central Asian states in the Afghan peace process.
While concluding his speech, Dr. Mehmood lauded about China’s role in regional connectivity within the ambit of CPEC and revival of ancient Silk Route.
He suggested that there is a need to create confidence building measures (CBM) among all the stakeholders in Afghanistan.
It will lead towards durable and sustainable political solution of Afghanistan. This would hold immense importance in regional economic integration between South and Central Asia. He also highlighted Pakistan’s role in achieving peace in Afghanistan and stated that the benchmark should be the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned solution.
Collective journey from the ashes of geopolitics from the greenery of geoeconomics and cooperation would make the region a land of integration and peace.
Prof. Dr. Shabir Ahmed Khan, Member Board of Experts, CGSS & Director, Area Study Center (Pakistan) shared analysis on ‘’peace prospects in Afghanistan’’.
While elaborating the prospects, Prof. Shabir stated that the Doha peace process has provided historical opportunities to the Afghans to reach a consensus for power sharing and achieve sustainable peace.
Dr. Shabir elaborated three main options for resolving the power sharing issue. First, the incumbent government should become a part of the Taliban dominant government as an inclusive political settlement with modifications in present constitution not entirely replacing it with new one.
Second, an interim setup in consensus through intra-Afghan negotiation for a specific period followed by election. Third, Taliban become part of the current government.
Dr. Shabbir stated that among these options, the third one seems quite difficult as the emboldened Taliban may not opt for becoming part of the current government.
According to Dr. Shabbir, Taliban are inspired by forcing US/NATO to come to negotiations. They consider the US/NATO and Kabul regime intend to win a war on table which they have lost on grounds.
Therefore, Taliban seems not averse to first and second options.Prof. Shabbir, while concluding his speech stated if any of these options agreed upon by the Afghan new political setup and ceasefire to end the violence, shall be declared and practiced upon simultaneously.
It is obvious that without reaching to a consensus on a new political setup there will be no end to violence.
Assoc. Prof. AskinInciSokmen, Istanbul ArelUniveristy (Turkey) gave detailed presentation on the non-state actors in conflicts: Afghan warlords.
Dr. Smruti S. Pattanaik, Research Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (India), discussed the Return of Taliban: Emerging Contours of Regional Geopolitics in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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WASHINGTON, MAY 23: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told US lawmakers on Saturday that Pakistan was seeking a broad-based, strategic partnership with America, which would also cover Afghanistan.
In virtual meetings with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate, the foreign minister invited a group of 15 US lawmakers to visit Pakistan in June for consultations with their Pakistani counterparts and officials on how to improve bilateral relations.
During his meeting with the members of the House Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, Mr Qureshi stressed the need for “a broad-based strategic partnership” that looks after the interests of both countries, said a statement issued after the meeting.
“Such a partnership will improve bilateral ties and will also help protect mutual interests within the South Asian region,” he said.
Encouraging regional trade and development would also be good for US-Pakistan ties, he added.
The foreign minister highlighted Pakistan’s efforts for promoting “a peaceful political settlement” in Afghanistan. “Peace in Afghanistan is a collective responsibility of all Afghan groups and of key external stakeholders” he said.
Members of the House Subcommittee appreciated Pakistan’s efforts for peace in Afghanistan and praised the role of the Pakistani-American community in promoting US-Pakistan relations, said another statement issued after the meeting.
In a separate meeting with another group of lawmakers, the foreign minister discussed the importance of regional peace and security in South Asia and suggested strengthening people-to-people ties with the United States.
Later, the foreign minister told journalists that he also discussed the Covid-19 situation with American lawmakers, informing them that the country had enough vaccines for now but may needed more to fight back the pandemic.
Mr Qureshi suggested maintaining regular virtual contact with American lawmakers to keep them informed of the regional situation, particularly of the developments in Afghanistan.
The foreign minister’s meeting with the lawmakers followed a congressional hearing on Afghanistan in Washington last week.
During the hearing, several US lawmakers and America’s chief negotiator for Afghanistan, Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, discussed Pakistan’s role in the Afghan peace process.
They also discussed a recent claim by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that bringing peace to Afghanistan now was “first and foremost a matter of getting Pakistan on board” as the withdrawal of US troops would greatly reduce America’s influence in the country. “The US now plays only a minor role. The question of peace or hostility is now in Pakistani hands,” Mr Ghani said.
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a California Democrat, read Mr Ghani’s quote during the hearing and asked Ambassador Khalilzad “what specifically are you doing to ensure” that Pakistan continued supporting the US peace plan?
“I know there are challenges inside Pakistan, but I believe that Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s last visit to Kabul was positive. They have discussed some steps that the two sides will take … to improve bilateral relations…,” he said.
Congressman Ted Lieu, another California Democrat and a former US Air Force colonel, asked if Pakistan was so important for the success of the Afghan peace process, why was it not being treated accordingly.
“It seems to be disrespectful to not have invited the Pakistani leader to a climate summit (in Washington earlier this year) when the leaders of India and Bangladesh were invited,” he said.
“Of course, you are right. Pakistan is an important country. We have had periods of great cooperation with Pakistan. And Pakistan has a critical role to play in Afghanistan going forward and in a number of other issues,” Ambassador Khalilzad replied.
Responding to a question about this congressional hearing, Mr Qureshi said Pakistan plans to maintain regular contact with US lawmakers.
If the UN General Assembly held a physical meeting this year, Pakistan would invite some lawmakers to New York for a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said, and another group would be invited to visit Pakistan in October.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
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Munaza Kazmi
Rohtas Fort built by General Sher Shah Suri, between 1541 and 1548,Jhelum.
2500-year-old Jain temple in Tharparkar Sindh
Sheikupura
Fort Lahore built in 1607.
The
shrine of Hazrat Shah Burhan, a 17th-century Mughal-era monument.
Walled
city of Lahore established around 1000 CE.
Hindu
temple in Hassan Abdal.
Baradari
in Attock.
11
Century Nandana Fortress in Chakwa.
Hindu
Temple in Attock.
------------------------------------------------
Munaza Kazmi has recently done Master of Philosophy from Bahria University Islamabad. Her debut novel is Unrequited Love.
She’s an author, columnist writing in different newspapers and a researcher having seven publications till yet, she’s been writing since 2016.
You can connect to Kazmi at twitter @munaza_kazmi or on research gate as munaza kazmi.
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Saturday, 22 May 2021
LAHORE, MAY 22: Punjab University administration on Friday took out a massive rally to express solidarity with the innocent people of Palestine and condemn the terrorism and war crimes committed by Israel.
The rally was led by PU Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmed and was taken out from VC office to Gate No 2. Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Saleem Mazhar, Registrar Dr M. Khalid Khan, President Academic Staff Association Prof Dr Mumtaz Anwar, Secretary ASA Dr Amjad Abbas Khan Magsi, deans of various faculties, teachers, officers, employees and Christian community of PU also participated in the rally.
The rally expressed anger over war crimes and human rights violations by Israel in the illegally occupied Palestinian land. They chanted slogans condemning Israel’s terrorism and carried Palestinian flags and banners to express solidarity with Palestinians.
Addressing the rally, PU VC Prof
Niaz Ahmed said that the success of the ceasefire belonged to the valour of
Palestinians, not to the United Nations as the UN even could not condemn Israel
over killings of innocent civilians. He said that the UN had totally failed to
handle this issue in the recent crisis.
He said that the UN Security Council met four times but failed to condemn a small country that was openly involved in terrorism. He said that the issue of Palestine should be resolved according to the spirit of a two-state solution. He said that Israel must vacate illegally occupied territory. He said that the Muslims would never compromise over the sanctity of the Holy places.
He urged the Islamic countries to use their influence to settle the issue once and for all. He said that the Muslims must remember that they defeated Rome and Persia when they were nothing. He said that the Pakistani nation saluted the Palestinians who faced Israeli airstrikes and missiles with stones.
He said that the sacrifice would result in the liberation of Palestinian land from the illegal occupation of Israel. He said that the Pakistani government and the nation would not disappoint Palestinians. He said that we stood with any innocent nations facing barbarism like the innocent civilians facing in Palestine and Indian Occupied Kashmir.
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COURTESY academiamag
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ISLAMABAD/BEIJING, MAY 2021: On 21 May, the top leadership of Pakistan and China exchanged special messages to congratulate the peoples and governments of the two countries on 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China. The messages were exchanged between the Presidents, the Prime Minister/Premier and the Foreign Ministers of the two countries.
In their messages, President Dr.
Arif Alvi and President Xi Jinping hailed Iron-Brotherhood between Pakistan and
China which has been elevated to all-weather strategic cooperative partnership
between in last seven decades. They paid rich tribute to the successive
generations and leadership of the two countries who made great sacrifices to
lay a sound foundation of this fraternal relationship.
Exchanging their special messages
on the occasion of the 70th anniversary celebrations, Prime Minister Imran Khan
and Premier Li Keqiang highlighted that Pakistan-China ties are rooted in
bilateral trust, mutual understanding and commonality of views on major global
challenges. Reviewing the steady development of economic and trade relations,
Prime Minister Imran and Premier Li observed that Pakistan and China would
continue their successful cooperation to make CPEC a high quality development
project of the Belt and Road Initiative.
In their messages, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted with satisfaction that bilateral ties are expanding in diverse fields of cooperation as per the aspirations of peoples of both nations. They highlighted that by virtue of close coordination and communication at all tiers, both countries have extended unflinching support to each other on their respective core issues both bilaterally and at multilateral fora.
In their messages, the Chinese
leadership extended strong support to Pakistan in its fight against COIVD-19
and assured that China would continue extending unwavering assistance to
Pakistan for provision of COVID-19 vaccines to defeat the pandemic.
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BEIJING, MAY 2021: On 21 May, A grand reception was held at the Diaoyutai State House to mark the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China. The reception was attended by the diplomatic envoys, high ranking Chinese officials, businessmen, intellectuals, representatives of media organisations and prominent citizens from both sides.
The event was jointly hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan in China and Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with the Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).
Wang Qishan, the Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China especially graced the event. Speaking at the occasion, Vice-President paid glowing tribute to the succeeding generations and leadership of two countries for their sacrifices to deepen Pakistan-China friendship.
Reaffirming China’s strong commitment to
strengthening strategic ties with Pakistan, the Vice-President said that
Pakistan-China ties were driven by mutual respect, bilateral understanding and
commonality of interest. Vice-President Wang added that the two countries would
continue deepening their friendship for the prosperity of their peoples and
regional peace and stability.
Thanking Vice-President Wang for
his warm sentiments for Pakistan, Ambassador Moin-ul-Haq said that friendship
between Pakistan and China was unprecedented in history of inter-state
relations due to its scope and depth. He added that 70th anniversary was an
opportune moment for the two sides to take pride in their past achievements and
reaffirm their resolve to expand bilateral friendship to new areas of
cooperation.
During the reception, Vice-President
Wang and Ambassador of Pakistan also cut a special cake to celebrate the event.
The children of Pakistan and China, dressed in traditional dresses, sang
national songs which were deeply appreciated by the audience.
The event was moderated by Mr. Lin
Songtian, the President of CPAFFC.
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BEIJING, MAY 2021: On 21 May, Ambassador of Pakistan Moin-ul-Haque met with Wang Qishan, the Vice President of People’s Republic of China. The meeting was held at the Diaoyutai State Guest House at the side-lines of the reception held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China.
Thanking Vice-President Wang for
the meeting, Ambassador Moin conveyed to him best wishes of Pakistani
leadership for his contributions to Pakistan-China friendship. He highlighted
that due to massive support of the government and people of the two countries,
Pakistan and China were celebrating the 70th anniversary with tremendous
enthusiasm and passion.
Ambassador Moin underscored that friendship
with China was a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and that the
government of Pakistan would resolutely continue to deepen bilateral ties with
China in all areas of mutual interest.
In his remarks, Vice-President
Wang Qishan said that Pakistan and China were all-weather strategic cooperative
partners, iron-brothers and most reliable friends. He highlighted that
Pakistan-China friendship would serve the best interests of the peoples of two
countries and also remain as the guarantor of regional peace and security.
Vice-President added that China attached immense importance to its ties with
Pakistan and would continue developing bilateral strategic relations as
envisaged by the leadership and peoples of two countries. Recalling his visit
to Pakistan in 2019 as an element of high level bilateral engagements,
Vice-President Wang conveyed message of goodwill to the government and people
of Pakistan.
The meeting was also attended by high level officials of two sides including Mr. Luo Zhaohui; Chairman of CIDCA; Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao; Mr. Lin Songtian, President of Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Ambassador Sha Zukang, President of China-Pakistan Friendship Association.
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NAB says he isn’t cooperating in the investigation
ISLAMABAD, MAY 22: The Islamabad
High Court has extended interim bail of B4U owner Saif-ur-Rehman’s till June 9
for scamming the public in the name of investment.
Saif-ur-Rehman did not appear before the court on Thursday as he had tested positive for Covid-19. His request to remain absent from the hearing was accepted.
A written reply from the National
Accountability Bureau was made part of the record.
NAB requested the court to dismiss Saif-ur-Rehman’s petition against its call-up notice. Rehman’s lawyer, however, sought time to respond to NAB.
The anti-graft body informed the court that Saif-ur-Rehman’s companies were in deficit. The profit made by them for the public was apparently unrealistic, it said.
NAB opposed Rehman’s plea for the
extension of bail. “In the public interest, the petition of the accused should
be rejected,” it said.
But the court granted the plea
and adjourned the hearing till June 9.
Earlier, Rehman and his son
Ahmar’s name were put on the Exit Control List so they couldn’t leave the
country as their company is being investigated for a fraud.
The two men have been accused of
fraudulently encouraging people to invest in their company.
NAB has asked victims of the B4U
Global fraud to contact it in Rawalpindi.
B4U Global Investment grew 4.5
times in less than a year with its investor base rising from 100,000 in June to
450,000. It is estimated that the company has attracted billions of rupees in
investment.
The Malaysia-returned Pakistani
uses a controversial multi-level marketing business model to offer people
unrealistic and guaranteed profits. The promise ranges from 7% to 20% a month
(or 2.4 times a year), depending on one’s network size.
Earlier in December last year, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan warned people against investing in any fraudulent schemes that promise hefty profits and unrealistic incentives. B4U was on its list.
“This entity is raising unauthorised deposits from the general public in the name of different investment plans,” the SECP said. It added B4U is working with different companies registered with the SECP, and that the watchdog has already initiated legal proceedings against these companies and their directors.
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COURTESY SAMAA
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Friday, 21 May 2021
Infrastructure transformation enables enhanced data-driven capabilities and faster and better-informed decision-making
KARACHI, MAY 21: IBM (NYSE: IBM) and GBM Pakistan (Private) Limited (GBM Pakistan), an IBM Business Partner, today announced that Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan (Honda Pakistan) has selected IBM Systems and IBM Storage solutions to run its real-time planning solution, based on SAP S/4HANA.
The move was designed to enhance customer experience
across Honda Pakistan’s 35 dealerships in the country and boost its after-sales
services. Today, Honda Pakistan benefits from an approximately 80% acceleration
in spare part planning for its customers.
Honda Pakistan is a joint venture
between Honda Motor Company Limited and the Atlas Group of Companies and
produces over 50K units per annum. In 2015, it turned to IBM Global Business
Services (GBS) to deploy its initial SAP ECC Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
system to benefit from real-time planning and in turn, improve customer
experience.
Recently, IBM GBS completed an IBM HANA Impact Assessment, which helped Honda Pakistan plan for the technical and operational requirements of the SAP S/4HANA move. To further enhance and nurture long-term customer loyalty, the company decided to revamp its after-sales services, which include maintenance, repairs, and vehicle servicing and collaborated with IBM and GBM Pakistan to implement IBM Power Systems and IBM FlashSystem Storage for its new SAP S/4HANA environment.
“In just a few years, rapid
economic growth in Pakistan has caused dramatic changes both in the competitive
landscape and consumer expectations,” Mr. Maqsood-ur-Rehman Rehmani Vice
President, Honda Pakistan. “At Honda Pakistan, customer experience lies at the
core of everything that we do and our after-sales service is no different. It
is incredibly important for maintaining customer loyalty which is why we have
turned to IBM processing and storage solutions and GBM Pakistan to revamp our
services and further enhance customer satisfaction.”
Through the deployment of IBM
Power Systems, Honda Pakistan today benefits from optimized performance and
real-time planning. It also was able to drive up server utilization and reduce
its spending on power and cooling in its data center.
As part of the transformation,
Honda Pakistan also moved SAP S/4HANA to the IBM FlashSystem 5000 for fast
access to its growing data volumes. With the addition of the FlashSystem and
the greater availability to data the company is able to fuel analytics to make
better-informed decisions, more quickly. In the past, generating reports on
spare parts orders from its dealerships across Pakistan required up to 20
minutes to complete. Today, this process only requires a few minutes—a
reduction of approximately 80 percent, freeing up the time of employees for
more strategic initiatives.
“In a growing sector like the
automotive industry in Pakistan, digital transformation and implementation of
new technologies such as IBM Power Systems and IBM FlashSystem storage
determines how much data can be stored and how fast it can be transmitted,
processed and accessed,” says Asif Ahmad, Country General Manager, IBM
Pakistan. “The improvement in efficiency for Honda Pakistan’s unique business
requirements truly demonstrates the importance of continuing to evolve
technology provisions within enterprises.”
“We are delighted to be
announcing yet another landmark IT project, this time for a leading automotive
company, Honda Pakistan,” said Saqib Ahmad Khan, Country General Manager, GBM
Pakistan. “Honda Pakistan has been taking bold, innovative steps to redefine
customer experience, and this project is yet another testament to the company’s
commitment to its customers.”
GBM Pakistan is a member of IBM PartnerWorld, IBM’s partner program that empowers businesses with the tools and resources they need to help transform clients into industry leaders.
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(Japan-Pakistan think-tank cooperation)
ISLAMABAD, MAY 21: Developing intellectual exchange between two countries by facilitating exchange of sophisticated information and various perspectives through experts will contribute to mutual understanding. From this viewpoint, the Embassy of Japan has always been committed to promoting think-tank cooperation between Japan and Pakistan.
In this context, we welcome that the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE-JETRO) in Japan and the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) held the first online workshop on May 17, 2021.
Starting from the opening remarks and mutual introductions by FUKAO Kyoji, the President of IDE-JETRO and Nadeem Ul Haque, the Vice-Chancellor of PIDE, experts from both sides have made presentations and discussed about topics such as Labor Force Participation of Women, Reform Agenda for Accelerated and Sustained Growth, Geographical Simulation Model of IDE, and Tax Policy Design and Options for Reform.
MATSUDA Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan is very pleased with the development of cooperation between two institutions. “Although it is not easy to arrange physical people to people exchange between two countries under current COVID-19 situation, it is remarkable that two institutions have taken initiatives to realize this mile-stone event.
The Embassy of Japan will continue to support think-tank cooperation towards the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationship between Japan and Pakistan in 2022”, he said.
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