FARUKH SHEHZAD

• DG ISI arrives in Kabul on day-long visit to meet with the Taliban representatives.
• Sources say that matters related to evacuation, border management will come under discussion.
• Security issues will also be discussed during the meetings, say sources.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 4: Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Saturday arrived in Kabul to meet with the Taliban representatives and discuss matters related to the safe evacuation of foreign nationals, border management and security in the region, sources said.

The intelligence chief will spend a day in the Afghan capital, sources said, adding he is meeting and working with Pakistan’s Ambassador Mansoor Ahmed Khan and his team on issues of repatriation and transit through Pakistan and the situation on the border.

Since the Taliban came into power last month thousands of foreign nationals have been evacuated from the war-ravaged country with Pakistan’s help. The Pakistani embassy in Kabul had been working 24/7 to assist in the evacuation efforts.

According to the sources, the ISI chief will discuss matters with the Taliban related to the issue of pending requests from countries and international organizations for repatriation/transit through Pakistan.

He will also deliberate on the need to determine a mechanism through which Islamabad could allow these, in coordination with the ground authorities in Afghanistan.

Sources said that border management is another important issue that will come under discussion during the day-long visit of Lt Gen Faiz Hameed.

The officials, according to sources, will look into the matter to ensure that the mechanism under which Afghans cross over the border on a daily basis as routine and then return, runs smoothly and only those allowed to avail this facility do so.

They said that the Western media reports suggesting huge refugee inflow or pressure at Pakistan borders from Afghanistan are “incorrect”.

DG ISI will also hold discussions on the overall security issue to ensure that spoilers and terrorist organisations do not take advantage of the situation.

--------------------------------------------

COURTESY GEO NEWS

---------

KABUL/ISLAMABAD, SEPT 3: Spokesperson of Taliban Zabihullah Mujahid has assured Islamabad that there will be no threat to Pakistan from Afghanistan in their government.

During his talk on September 3 he hoped that Islamabad will continue its help and support to Afghan nation in terms of its peace efforts and trade.

-------------------------------------------

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 3: Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell (ELFSC) has been jointly established by Centre for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad, Area Study Center (Russia, China & Central Asia), University Of Peshawar and Mian Abdul Rauf Law Associates, Islamabad.

The vision of Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell is to equip the coming generation with the requisite knowledge and producing experts in terms of Eurasian trade, commerce and investment laws and cross border regulatory framework.

The Eurasian Legal Framework Study Cell will help developing the soft component of regional economic and political integration by making efforts for harmonizing and coordinating the regional legal regimes. The Study Cell will also help synchronize the lawfare among the relevant institutions in Eurasian region.

The cell will also facilitate in exchange programs of scholars and legal experts. It will also conduct research on aligning national laws/regulatory framework with the SCO legal framework.

On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between Centre for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad, Area Study Center (Russia, China & Central Asia), University Of Peshawar and Mian Abdul Rauf Law Associates, Islamabad.

The MoU was signed by Mian Abdul Rauf, Former Advocate-General Islamabad & Prosecutor-General of Pakistan under the Protection of Pakistan Act,Prof. Shabir Ahmad Khan Director Area Study Centre, University of Peshawar and  Mr. Khalid Taimur Akram, Executive Director CGSSon behalf of their respective organizations.

-------------------------------------------------------------

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 3: Ambassador MATSUDA Kuninori extends congratulations to Mr. Haider Ali, Pakistan’s premier para-athlete, for showing his great talent by winning the Gold Medal in the final of men’s Discus throw (F37) competition in the Tokyo Paralympics and conveys best wishes for his future endeavors.

“I am truly delighted to see Pakistani athlete’s success in the Tokyo Paralympics.  My sincere congratulations to Haider Ali, his family and the people of Pakistan for this amazing success to achieve the Gold Medal.  

I believe that you have made your country proud and won many hearts back home for your brilliant performance in the world’s mega event. ”, said the Ambassador.

Haider Ali secured the Gold Medal in men’s Discus throw (F37) with a throw of 55.26m, which also was his personal best score.

-------------------------------------------

KABUL, SEPT 3 -Taliban co-founder Mullah Baradar will lead a new Afghan government that could be announced soon, sources in the group said on Friday, as it battled rebel fighters while striving to ward off economic collapse.

Baradar, who heads the Taliban’s political office, will be joined by Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, the son of late Taliban founder Mullah Omar, and Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, in senior positions in the government, three sources said.

“All the top leaders have arrived in Kabul, where preparations are in final stages to announce the new government,” one Taliban official told Reuters, on condition of anonymity.

The Taliban, which seized Kabul on Aug. 15 after sweeping across most of the country, have faced resistance in the Panjshir Valley, north of the capital, with reports of heavy fighting and casualties.

Several thousand fighters of regional militias and remnants of the government’s armed forces have massed in the rugged valley under the leadership of Ahmad Massoud, the son of former Mujahideen commander Ahmad Shah Massoud.

Efforts to negotiate a settlement appear to have broken down, with each side blaming the other for the failure.

HUMANITARIAN CATASTROPHE

The government’s legitimacy in the eyes of international donors and investors will be crucial for an economy grappling with drought and the ravages of a conflict that killed an estimated 240,000 Afghans.

Humanitarian groups have warned of impending catastrophe and the economy, reliant for years on many millions of dollars of foreign aid, is close to collapse.

Many Afghans were struggling to feed their families amid severe drought well before the Taliban took power and millions may now face starvation, aid agencies say.

“Since August 15, we have seen the crisis accelerate and magnify, with the imminent economic collapse that is coming this country’s way,” Mary-Ellen McGroarty, the director of the World Food Programme in Afghanistan, told Reuters from Kabul.

The administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has no plans to release billions in Afghan gold, investments and foreign currency reserves parked in the United States that it froze after the Taliban’s takeover.

In a positive development, a senior executive of Western Union Co said the firm was resuming money-transfer services to Afghanistan in line with a U.S. push to keep up humanitarian work.

RECOGNITION

The Taliban enforced a radical form of sharia, when it ruled from 1996 to 2001.

But this time around, the movement has tried to present a more moderate face to the world, promising to protect human rights and refrain from reprisals against old enemies.

The United States, the European Union and others have cast doubt on such assurances, saying formal recognition of the new government, and the resultant flow of economic aid, was contingent on action.

The Taliban have promised safe passage out of the country for any foreigners or Afghans left behind by the huge airlift that ended when U.S. troops withdrew ahead of an Aug 31 deadline. But, with Kabul airport still closed, many were seeking to flee over land.

Thousands of Afghans, some without documents, others with pending U.S. visa applications or whose families have mixed immigration status, also wait in “transit hubs” in third countries.

---------------------------------------------

COURTESY Anews

---------

#TechBringsUsCloser

ISLAMABAD, Sept 2: Huawei Pakistan held a Microfilm Premiere recently at Serena Hotel. The Microfilms followed the stories of three Pakistani’s who ventured out of their country, to make a better life for themselves, their loved ones, and their family. Although these might just be films, this is the truth for millions of Pakistanis worldwide who have only a few ways to stay connected to their loved ones, and Huawei Pakistan has vowed to stand behind these people.

The Premiere was attended by the Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan, Mr. Fawad Chaudhary, Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunications, Dr. Sohail Rajput, Ambassador of People's Republic of China to Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Mr. Nong Rong, Deputy CEO Huawei Pakistan, Mr. Ahmed Bilal Masud and Mr. Wuhan, along with other distinguished guests.

Each of the microfilms depicted the life of different individuals; a construction worker working in the UAE to help send monetary support for his ailing mother. A salon girl, the eldest sibling in the house, breaking stereotypes to lend her father a helping hand to financially support their family, and a taxi driver, who dreamed of becoming the first engineer in his family but sacrificed that dream to make sure that he could give his son that future instead.

Federal Minister of Information and Broadcasting of Pakistan, Mr. Fawad Chaudhary stated at the event, “I would like to thank Huawei for making these emotionally evoking films that show the truth for many Pakistanis. With their help, we’ve accomplished a lot in the past in the realms of ICT and we are counting on Huawei’s continued support in different collaborations in the future. The way things are going, and with Huawei’s unwavering support, we are sure that Pakistan will fulfill its goal of becoming ‘Digital Pakistan’ quite soon.

Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunications, Dr Sohail Rajput resonated the same sentiment, saying, “On the front of Digital Transformation, Huawei is helping the Government of Pakistan in helping 1000 government officers in the field of digital technologies. We hope that in the future we can enhance this scope and engage in more partnerships in further training our youth as well.”

Ambassador of People's Republic of China to Islamic Republic of Pakistan，Mr Nong Rong also added, “By perfecting Huawei’s technical support, product supply and other services, strengthening technical exchange and local talent training, as well as seriously implementing social responsibilities, they can, together with their Pakistani partners, make incessant contribution of wisdom and force to the implementation of “Digital Pakistan Initiative”, to the economic and social development of Pakistan, and to the building of a closer China-Pakistan community.”

Deputy CEO Huawei Pakistan Mr ABM also remarked, “We will continue to work together, we all need to treat the improvement of digital skills as a priority and tackle the challenges facing governments, enterprises, and even technology firms themselves to be able to bring the benefits of digitization to more people, homes, and organizations than ever before.”

Additionally, the winning Pakistani team that grabbed the first prize in the 2020-2021 Huawei Middle East ICT Competition was awarded a prize of 20,000 USD.

The films were highly emotional and depicted Huawei’s quiet but strong support in showing that #TechBringsUsCloser.Furthermore, by providing HCIA and HCIP certifications to bridge the gap between industry and academia, the company is giving Pakistan’s youth the ICT skills it needs to ensure the vision of Digital Pakistan.

--------------------------------------------------

SWAT, SEPT 2 (Raja Furqan) - An 8-year-old girl was crushed to death in Swat on Wednesday by a vehicle of the security squad belonging to Special Assistant to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on Information, Kamran Bangash. According to the details, Bangash was on his way back from Kabal, Swat rally when the incident took place in the Pari area.

The deceased child, identified as Afshah was hit by one of the vehicles present in the security protocol provided to Bangash. She was rushed to the hospital by K-P Housing Minister Amjad Ali but she succumbed to her injuries while being provided medical treatment.

Meanwhile, the Police arrested the driver and a first information report (FIR) has been registered against him. “The parents and family members of the deceased child also reached the hospital and met Dr Ajmad,” said a local police official.

“The driver has been handed over to the police and he is currently in custody. The convoy was going on full speed and one of the vehicles in the squad hit the child due to overspeeding. The final decision will be taken by the parents and family of the deceased child but for the time being, an FIR has been registered in the case,” said the policeman.

ISLAMABAD, SEP 1: Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin called on the Federal Minister of National Food Security and Research Fakhar Imam in his office in Islamabad Wednesday.

The meeting was also attended by the Vice Chancellor of Quaid-e-Azam University Mr. M. Ali and Director General Islamic Research Institute, International Islamic University, Dr. M. Zia-ul-haq. Federal Minister for National Food and Security Syed Fakhar Imam said that the trade between the two countries is approximately $60 million. He said that the trade between the two countries has huge potential and can be increased significantly.

He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan has put high priority on the development of high tech, construction and agriculture sector. Minister said that technological exchange between Kazakhstan and Pakistan can enhance the agricultural sector of the country.

The two dignitaries discussed agricultural trade between the two countries. Fakhar said that Pakistan has immense agricultural capacity which can allow Pakistan to increase its exports. Minister said that in the last 40 years, 2 million Chinese students have attended foreign universities which has become the backbone of the rise of the Chinese economy.

He said that Pakistan needs to focus on its human resource if it wants to successfully tackle the challenges of the day. Fakhar said that the business community of the two countries should have direct linkages which can lead to transfer of relevant technologies and can lead to increase in FDI in the country as well.

Fakhar Imam said that cooperation amongst countries at every level needs to be increased if the world wants to move towards sustainable and nature friendly development. He further stressed that the future is in the hands of the youth and hence their quality of education needs to be at par excellence.

Fakhar welcomed and appreciated the 200 scholarships offered by Hungary to the Pakistani students. Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin extended an invitation to Fakhar Imam to attend the “KazAgro/KazFarm-2021”.

He said that KazAgro is a major exhibition of modern technologies, equipment, tools and services for the production/ storage/ processing/ logistics of agricultural products in Kazakhstan.

Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Yerzhan Kistafin said that the agricultural bilateral trade between the two countries has immense potential.

He said exchange of agricultural technologies can enhance the productivity of agriculture in Pakistan and thus should be a primary area of focus. Both dignitaries agreed to enhance trade and exchange of technologies in the agriculture sector. 

=======================

KARACHI, SEPT 1: Several areas of Karachi faced power outages on Wednesday which were caused by the tripping of an extra high tension (EHT) transmission line in Sindh's Jamshoro district, K-Electric said.

K-Electric, the utility company responsible for electricity supply in the metropolis, initially said it had received reports of power outages from multiple areas and was "actively monitoring" the situation.

Several residents also shared messages on Twitter reporting outages in their areas.

In an update, K-Electric said power supply to Karachi was disrupted due to the tripping of an EHT transmission line in Jamshoro which caused a disconnection between the circuits of KE and the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC).

However, KE's power plants were operating in island mode which enabled swift restoration of power while the power connection between KE and NTDC circuits was also restored, it said in the update.

The Ministry of Energy said lightning struck the Jamshoro grid station at 4:09pm today (Wednesday) which damaged its isolator related to the circuits of the 220kV Jamshoro-Tando Mohammad Khan line.

The circuits were restored at 4:46pm, it added.

All KE teams were on "high alert" and were making efforts to restore electricity supply, a spokesperson for the company said.

Supply restored at 68 grid stations

In another update, KE said the electricity supply at 68 grid stations in the metropolis was restored. Power was restored in several localities of Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Federal B Area and North Karachi, Surjani Town, Malir, Baldia Town, Liaquatabad, Korangi, North Nazimabad, Gizri and Defence Housing Authority (DHA), it shared.

A similar breakdown occurred in Karachi in May after a high-tension transmission line of 220 kV tripped, affecting the supply of electricity to the associated grids.

A massive power breakdown took place at the start of the year, plunging the entire country into darkness.

The blackout was reported a little before midnight of January 10 by citizens on social media from across the country, including major urban centres such as Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Multan, as well as smaller towns and cities.

Power was restored to most parts of the country by the evening.

------------------------------------------

COURTESY DAWN NEWS

-------------

BALOCHISTAN, AUG 31: The TVET Sector Support Programme has arranged a comprehensive media tour of the Technical Training Centres operating in the Balochistan region. These Technical Training Centres have a vital role in providing industry-driven technical education and vocational training to the youth. The programme is being implemented by GIZ Pakistan and NAVTTC, which is being funded by the European Union and the governments of the Federal Republic of Germany and Norway.

A group of senior journalists from leading media outlets was invited to tour the facilities and to get a first-hand experience of the learning environment of a Technical Training Centre that uses the Workplace-Based Training (WBT) approach to develop skilled human resource in-line with market demands and increasing graduates' chances of getting more employment opportunities.

When the media delegates arrived at the institute, the Principal of the Women’s Technical Training Centre (WTTC) held a briefing session to provide a detailed overview of the institute's working progress and in-house training facilities provided by TVET Sector Support Programme.

Following the introduction, the media team was escorted to the technical training laboratories and other facilities in the institute, where they had one-on-one interaction sessions with trainees to discuss their learning experiences.

WTTC offers training for the occupations of Computer Operator, Office Assistant, and Cook. Boys Technical Training Center (BTTC) is preparing skilled labourers such as Computer Operators, HV AC Technicians, and Auto Electricians. A total of, 120 students (male and female) are enrolled in various training courses in the projects supported at WTTC and BTTC through the training fund initiative of TVET Sector Support Programme, which is working with NAVTTC, provincial TEVTAs and PVTC since 2011 for bringing reforms in TVET Sector. The second phase of programme has funding of 62.5 mn euro for implementation of reforms in the TVET sector of Pakistan on national, provincial and regional level.

The Programme is funded by the European Union, Federal Republic of Germany and the Royal Norwegian Embassy. In second phase of its implementation, programme is supporting competency-based-training of 36,800 men and women on the indigenous and industry-demand-driven trades.

The Programme has been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and is being implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

These projects aim to introduce Workplace-Based Training and Cooperative Vocational Training in selected trades in Balochistan. This training opportunity also supports in increased engagement of private sector in Balochistan. It will also make the active participation and contribution of the partnering enterprises as priority from the inception to the end of the project.

--------------------------------------------------

ISLAMABAD, AUG 31: Japan has extended grant assistance of JPY3,445 million (approx. US$31.4 million) to Pakistan for the extension of maternal and child health care facilities in Sindh. Notes to this effect were signed and exchanged between MATSUDA Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and Zulfiqar Haider, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, in Islamabad on August 31st, 2021. 

Subsequently, Grant Agreement was signed and exchanged between Mr. FURUTA Shigeki, Chief Representative of JICA Pakistan Office and Adeela Bokhari, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

New Maternal and Child Health Center will be established

Under this project, a new maternal and child health center will be established at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, which is a public medical institution serving as the regional hub hospital in Hyderabad district. 

The maternal and child health center will have the departments of obstetrics and pediatrics, including a labor room, an obstetrics ward, a neonatal intensive care unit, a maternal and fetal intensive care unit, a laboratory and outpatient consultation rooms. In addition, around 120 items of medical equipment including newborn incubators and ultrasonic diagnostic device are to be installed.

The project is scheduled to be completed by August 2024. With the opening of the center, access to maternal and child health services in the area will be substantially improved. For example, three years after completion, the maternal and fetal intensive care unit will have nearly 100 patients and the neonatal intensive care unit will have more than 400 patients annually. 

In addition, the annual number of deliveries and outpatients will also increase significantly. As a result, local patients will not have to travel a long distance to Karachi.

Japan attaches importance to the health & medical sector in Pakistan

For decades, Japan has put a priority on the health sector in the economic and social development of Pakistan, such as enhancement of maternal and child health, polio eradication, routine immunization and counter-COVID-19 measures.

In the last decade prior to the project in Jamshoro, Japan has implemented the following projects in Karachi and Islamabad in terms of maternal and child health:

-              The Project for the Extension of Intensive Care at Maternal and Child Health Care Centre and Children’s Hospital in Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) (April 23, 2019, approx.$33 million)

-              The Project for the Improvement of Child Health Institute in Karachi (December 21, 2012, approx. $13 million)

Furthermore, Japan has been supporting the Polio Eradication program in Pakistan since 1996. The grant and loan contribution from Japan has amounted to $226.37 million.

As far as COVID-19 is concerned, Japan has extended a total of $23.5 million in grant to Pakistan for supplementing its counter-COVID-19 measures as follows:

-   Feb 2020:  Delivery of diagnostic kits

-   Apr-May 2020:  Disbursement of a total of $7.41 million to UNICEF, IOM, IFRC, UNHCR and UNOPS for providing hygiene items, training health workers, providing alternative learning opportunities etc.

-  Dec 2020:  Grant Assistance of $9.5 million to NDMA for procuring medical equipment.

-  Mar 2021: Grant Assistance of $6.59 million to UNICEF for improving vaccine cold-chain.

In addition to the above, Japan and Pakistan agreed on debt deferral amounting to \40 billion (approx. $370 million) for making fiscal space to fight COVID-19 in Pakistan. Through JICA projects, personal protective equipment and masks were provided to PIMS, WHO Polio Laboratory (Islamabad), and immunization project workers in KP province.

Ambassador MATSUDA added, “Provision of health and medical service is the most basic human necessities in every country across the world. Among them, women and children are still in a vulnerable position, which is reflected in the high maternal and infant mortality rate in Pakistan. Japan will continue to provide assistance that will directly benefit vulnerable people in Pakistan.” 

Mr.FURUTA also remarked, “A number of care facilities to treat mothers and babies with complications is very limited in Sindh. As a result, patients are concentrated in advanced medical facilities. This project will not only alleviate the pressure of tertiary hospitals in Karachi and Hyderabad, but also open up opportunities for families from all over southern part of Sindh, with improved accessibility and better chances of saving lives.”

Japan provides aid in human capitals

On the same day, the Notes and grant agreement for the the project of the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) was also signed so that the fourth batch of the project to be commenced.

The aforementioned grant aid is worth JPY312 million (approx. US$2.9 million) which allow maximum 20 Pakistan Government officers to study in Japanese Universities to obtain Masters’ or Doctoral Degree. The purpose of JDS is to strengthen the Government officers’ administrative capacity through the study in Japan and to build a solid friendship as well as diplomatic relations between Japan and Pakistan.

The project started in 2018 in Pakistan and 51 persons in total have joined the project and started the Japanese Universities. JDS fellows are studying in the field either (1) Public Administration and Finance, (2) Energy policy, (3) Industrial Promotion, Investment climate and Trade, (4) Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Development, and (5) Disaster Management. 

There are six Japanese partner universities and the fellows are studying with Japanese/International students from various parts of the world for two or three years depending on the type of the degree they wish to obtain.

As the application for this fourth batch will hopefully be starting from Autumn 2021, It is hoped that many officers who are willing to contribute to Pakistan in formulating and implementing social and economic policies for the development of the country, will actively apply for the project to make the best use of this opportunity.

-------------------------------------------------------