FARUKH SHEHZAD

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 19: Leading Islamic scholar Dr Zakir Naik will visit Pakistan at the invitation of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Yousaf Raza Gilani.

According to a private television channel, former Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Sunday made a telephone call to the Islamic scholar and discussed issues related to the Muslim community across the world.

During the talks, the Opposition Leader in Senate also gave an invitation to Dr Zakir Naik to visit Pakistan that was accepted by the latter and expressed gratitude.

Dr Zakir Naik is an Indian preacher of Islam and founder of the Islamic Research Foundation and Peace TV Network, the largest religious satellite channel network in the world. Due to some objectionable content, his TV channel is banned in India, Bangladesh, Canada, Sri Lanka and England.

The Islamic scholar is also facing some allegations of terror financing and money laundering in India. He fled from India in 2016. He is currently residing in Malaysia where he has permanent resident status.

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BEIJING/ISLAMABAD, SEPT 19: The Chinese automobile manufacturer Chery Automobile Co. Ltd., has released images of its new mini electric vehicle called the QQ Ice Cream.

This electric vehicle (EV) is Chery’s first car in its iCar Ecology and will go up against manufacturers like Liuzhou Wuling Automobile Industry Co. Ltd.

It will be 298 cm in length, 149.6 cm in width, and 163.7 cm in height, with a 196 cm wheelbase. The QQ Ice Cream will also be extremely light, weighing around 700 kg.

Exterior

Compared to the Hongguang Mini, another small electric car that falls in the same category, the QQ Ice Cream is more luxurious with U-shaped Daytime Running Light (DRL) headlamps and tail lights. The lower intake has vertical cutouts, and blends into the black trim piece that has circular cutouts for the fog lamps.

Distinct creases on the side start on the fender, follow along with the doors, and blend into the rear. The back has a raised window near the rear pillar and circular reflectors on the bumper. The boxy-looking vehicle is dual-toned and will be available in at least seven colors.

The mini EV will have 12-inch wheels with 145/70 tires. Its greater wheelbase provides ample seating room for four passengers.

Interior

The released pictures of the QQ Ice Cream do not show the interior but it is reportedly more stylish than its competitors. The QQ Ice Cream will have a dual-layer dashboard and a digital touchscreen instrument panel with a two-spoke, multi-function steering wheel. Cherry will also use premium-looking materials for it.

Drive Train and Price

The QQ Ice Cream will have a 26.8 hp or 20 kW rear electric motor that will make 85 Nm of torque to give the car a top speed of 100 km/h. The motor will be paired with a lithium-iron-phosphate battery that will provide a range of up to 170 km.

Sources say it will be priced at 30,000 yuan (Rs. 0.77 million).

With Chery vehicles launching in Pakistan in recent years and with the recent launch of Pakistan’s electric vehicle policy, it’s safe to assume that we might see this car make it to Pakistan in the future.

COURTESY propakistani

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ISLAMABAD, SEPT 19: Argentina is planning to buy 12 JF-17A Block-III fighter jets from Pakistan, according to reports in the international media.

The reports surfaced after the Argen­ti­nian government proposed a $664 million allocation in its budget for the year 2022 presented before the national parliament.

The proposal for allocation does not mean that the deal has been closed because the sale contract is yet to be signed. However, it does show that JF-17 is being preferred by Argentina over the various options that have been under consideration.

Proposes $664m allocation in its budget for the purpose

Argentina has been considering this purchase since last year after Britain blocked its previous attempts to procure aircraft from other sources. The UK has been maintaining the embargo on Argen­tina since the Falklands War in 1982.

Buenos Aires has since 2015 tried to purchase fighter jets from Sweden and South Korea, but both sellers backed down because of British pressure.

Argentina had in 2015 tried to acquire Swedish JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets. Later, it remained interested in South Korean FA-50 Fighting Eagle.

The ejector seat in JF-17 jets built by UK has also remained a point of contention in the sale of the aircraft to Argentina.

The other complication in Argentina’s search for fighter jets for its air force has been the shortage of funds for going after costlier options.

Argentinian Air Force was significantly depleted in 2015 when it retired its aging fleet of Dassault Mirage III interceptor aircraft, which till then served as its backbone.

JF-17 Thunder is an advanced, light-weight, all weather, day / night multi-role fighter aircraft, developed as a joint venture between the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC), Kamra, and the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation of China.

The PAC says it possesses excellent air-to-air and air-to-surface combat capabilities. The state-of-art avionics, optimally integrated sub-systems, computerised flight controls and capability to employ latest weapons provide decisive advantage to JF-17 over adversaries of same class, it further says.

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18: Prime Minister Imran Khan said he believed US President Joe Biden was targeted with “unfair criticism” over troops withdrawal from Afghanistan, terming his decision to pull out troops “the most sensible thing to do.”

In an interview with Russian broadcaster RT, the premier referred to former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani fleeing the country and the army surrendering a week before departure of foreign forces.

“How can you prepare for that?” he asked.

“So there was so much unfair criticism of President Biden, and what he did was the most sensible thing to do,” said PM Imran while commending the US president for his decision. When asked about the kind of relationship he had with Biden, Imran said his government had ties with the US. “Our security chiefs keep exchanging views about Afghanistan,” he added.

The prime minister also said he wasn’t sure whether the US had any coherent policy on what they were going to do in the war-ravaged country.

He also called upon the United States to devise a strategy if a humanitarian crisis broke out triggered by a feared halt in international help to Afghanistan.

“There will be far-reaching consequences in terms of the refugee problem, which Pakistan and Iran will feel more as they have taken more number of refugees,” he cautioned.

The premier stressed the US had a big role to play, as it was there [in Afghanistan] for 20 years.

The only reason the US invaded Afghanistan, he said, was terrorism.

“What would be the achievement if Afghan soil becomes a place for terrorists again. We should not let Afghanistan drift towards another crisis,” emphasised the PM.

‘Deeply hurt by US senators’ remarks’

The premier said he was deeply hurt by the remarks of US senators against Pakistan over the Afghan debacle.

“Pakistan is the country that gave the greatest number of sacrifices for the US in its war,” PM Imran said.

“We were asked to become part of this coalition when Pakistan had nothing to do with 9/11 as there wasn’t any Pakistani involved. We had no reason to enter the war.”

He said it was painful to see the US making Pakistan a scapegoat for its failures.

‘Claims Pakistan helped Taliban are propaganda’

PM Imran also dispelled the impression that Pakistan allegedly helped the Taliban in the fight against US forces.

“If we believe this is the case, it means Pakistan is stronger than the US and the whole of the Europeans.”

He said it was all propaganda by the “puppet” Afghan government led by Ashraf Ghani to cover up its “incompetence, corruption and inability” to govern the country.

He also called out India for sponsoring propaganda to defame Pakistan, saying Delhi had heavily invested in Afghanistan for its nefarious designs.

The prime minister underlined that Pakistan was working with all neighbours of Afghanistan on a mechanism to recognise the Taliban government. He stressed upon the new Afghan rulers to form an inclusive government, which he said was a key to long-term stability in the country.

According to him, “There are people within the Taliban who feel the government will remain unstable unless they get all other minorities under the umbrella.”

‘The world has no choice’

PM Imran noted that the Taliban were a reality now and the world didn’t have a choice except to incentivise them for a stable country.

“The international community must encourage them to walk this path and hopefully it will lead to peace.”

He warned that Afghanistan will collapse if the world put sanctions on it. “Around 75 per cent of the country’s budget is through aid, and if this monetary assistance is stopped, the country will fall.”

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COURTESY DAWN NEWS

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Munaza Kazmi

Pakistan is now a severely water-stressed country. However, everyone is vocally concerned only.

The year 2025 has been marked as the year when Pakistan if it doesn’t mend its ways soon will turn from a “water-stressed” country to a “water-scarce” country. Warnings about water running out have been issued separately by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR). 

And as the alarm bells began to ring, the chief justice of Pakistan launched a campaign to build the DiamerBhasha and Mohmand Dam. In his inaugural speech, Prime Minister Imran Khan, too, has announced his backing for the plan.

However, still the people and the authorities seemed unconcerned and blind, am resident of Islamabad the capital of Pakistan and I observed it on daily basis, there are people, or I should say animals; but it would disgrace to animal as they seem more responsible to the these so called humans, who waste water for hours and hours and hours without realizing the importance of it.

Am writing this case today because I have no power other than to write and can put my effort in correcting a wrong.

My friend shifted to E11/4 Street 13 almost 6 months back and from that day we are observing a house who’s tank spill water from dawn to dusk, never less than 4 hours a day. And today it’s been spilling from 10:00 am and now it’s almost 4:00pm.

Although, we complained on 15 but you know about the police they are most inspired by the Bollywood: came after the incident is over, however in this scenario, they don’t even think this issue important and had never arrived, also I tried to complain Citizen Portal later I realized it’s also a thing of formality.

However, today a good police man heard me, and he came from the Golra Police Station with his van and men, to whom I have much of the gratitude, however unfortunately, we come to know that it was totally a rental building and the people who were spilling the water are on the other side.

AHHH now we might could not get the outcome, and might this water will spill forever, however perhaps there were too many of such cases around the city and around the country to whom we are blind eyed.

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Munaza Kazmi holds MPhil in Management Sciences (Bahria University Islamabad, 2020). She’s a travel writer, an author, & co-author of scientific contributions in national & international publications. Her main areas of research include tourism & quality management.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18:  Bahria Town Management and AAA Associates hosted a seminar on “awareness of FATF regulations and registration”. The event was organized at Pearl Continent, Rawalpindi. The honorable chief guests on this auspicious occasion were Directors HQ Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions Nasir Ahmed, and Zafar Iqbal, President Pakistan Realtor Federation Sardar Tahir and Chairman Realtor Federation Musarat Ejaz Khan.

Pakistan has been on the FATF’s grey list for strategic deficiencies in its counter-terror financing, anti-money laundering and proliferation financing rules since June 2018. The Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions has sought cooperation of real estate associations all over the country to meet requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in relation to non-financial businesses and professions to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism. The seminar aimed to assist Estate builders regarding the new regulations and hoped that Estate Builders would continue to comply with the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) laws and regulations.

The guest speakers Directors HQ Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions Nasir Ahmed and Zafar Iqbal apprised members of real estate associations about the FATF’s requirements in relation to DNFBPs and called for collective efforts of the government and real estate agents to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism.

Ejaz Khan and Sardar Tahir, Chairman and President of the Federation of Realtors Pakistan, and office bearers of Real Estate Associations partook in the seminar and assured the builders about the positive aspects of these regulations.

In this seminar various estate builders from twin cities of Islamabad and rawalpindi participated. The sole purpose of the event was to address challenges pertaining to construction industry amid FATF crises.The seminar was followed by delightful dinner.

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ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18: Former South African Top Class All Rounder Jonty Rhodes has said that in my opinion on New Zealand decision is this that they have tried to destroy Pakistan Cricket. But this cannot happen. Pakistan Cricket have to rise. It is necessary for World Cricket. World Cricket needs Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad. Pakistan is safe Country.

Former South African Top Class All Rounder Jonty Rhodes said I have visited many countries but found Pakistan most peaceful country. I request New Zealand to review its decision. Stay Strong Pakistan.

He further said that I know this is a difficult time for my Pakistani Fellows. But i know their Leader is a Champion. He knows very well how to handle such situation. I believe he will make Pakistan Cricket greatest of all. Pakistan is safe for all.

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RAWALPINDI, SEPT 18: Bahria Town Management and AAA Associates hosted a seminar on “awareness of FATF regulations and registration”. The event was organized at Pearl Continent, Rawalpindi.

The honorable chief guests on this auspicious occasion were Directors HQ Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions Nasir Ahmed, and Zafar Iqbal, President Realtor Federation Sardar Tahir and Chairman Realtor Federation Musarat Ejaz Khan.

Pakistan has been on the FATF’s grey list for strategic deficiencies in its counter-terror financing, anti-money laundering and proliferation financing rules since June 2018.

The Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions has sought cooperation of real estate associations all over the country to meet requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in relation to non-financial businesses and professions to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism.

The seminar aimed to assist Estate builders regarding the new regulations and hoped that Estate Builders would continue to comply with the anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) laws and regulations.

The guest speakers Directors HQ Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions Nasir Ahmed and Zafar Iqbal apprised members of real estate associations about the FATF’s requirements in relation to DNFBPs and called for collective efforts of the government and real estate agents to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism.

Ejaz Khan and Sardar Tahir, Chairman and President of the Federation of Realtors Pakistan, and office bearers of Real Estate Associations partook in the seminar and assured the builders about the positive aspects of these regulations.

In this seminar various estate builders from twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi participated. The sole purpose of the event was to address challenges pertaining to construction industry amid FATF crises. The seminar was followed by delightful dinner.

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• The abrupt cancellation of tour by New Zealand has taken entire Pakistan with shock including skipper Babar Azam. Fans had been waiting for the crisp and strong response from the cricketer.

ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18: Skipper Babar Azam has strongly reacted to the cancellation of the Pakistan tour by the New Zealand cricket team just ahead of the first match of the series on Friday.

The abrupt cancellation has taken entire Pakistan with shock including skipper Babar Azam. Fans had been waiting for the crisp and strong response from the cricketer. Babar Azam voiced his disappointment and showed full confidence in the capabilities of Pakistan’s security agencies.

“Extremely disappointed on the abrupt postponement of the series, which could have brought the smiles back for millions of Pakistan Cricket Fans. I’ve full trust in the capabilities and credibility of our security agencies. They are our pride and always will be! Pakistan Zindabad!,” said Babar Azam in a tweet.

Disappointment in Pakistan

Massive reactions have been poured in on Twitter as Pakistani citizens from all over the world are strongly reacting and demanding an explanation from the New Zealand cricket board for abandoning the tour at the eleventh hour despite being given the highest security.

Cricketers, netizens, and government dignitaries have expressed their remorse over the sudden cancellation of the tour.

Netizens have shown full confidence in the efforts and services of the Pakistan Cricket Board to international teams in a bid to resume international cricket in Pakistan.

They are also expecting a strong response from the newly-sworn in PCB Chairman, Ramiz Raja.

Cricket fans were hoping to witness the cricket in full swing as other international teams were expected to visit Pakistan in the next few months.

The return of the New Zealand cricket team has made the tour of other international cricket teams of Pakistan uncertain. Fans have called it a major setback but are expressing solidarity with the security agencies of Pakistan.

However, a timely and expected response from skipper Babar Azam has won the hearts of cricket fans once again.

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COURTESY globalvillagespace

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ISLAMABAD, SEPT 18: The government is all set to fully implement the first ever National Cyber Security Policy 2021 by end of June 2022 to monitor, detect, protect and respond on time to the international threats against the country's digital ecosystem.

The policy would enable the country protecting against cyberattacks like the one the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) faced very recently.

Dr. Sohail Rajput, Federal Secretary (IT & Telecommunication), said on Thursday the Federal Cabinet approved the policy on July 27, 2021.

The policy implementation is on the stage that there will be a national level overarching committee which will provide the governance framework for the entire country.

"We are hopeful that the national CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team) will be in place by the end of current financial year," Dr. Rajput said while speaking at the 13th International Information Security Conference – Infosec 2021 organized by Total Communications.

The government has allocated Rs2 billion for the project in the budget.

“We have some sectoral CERTs including for financial, telecommunication and power sector, but those are acting in silos," he said."The national CERT will be responsible for overall operational mechanism for integration of all sectoral CERTs into one body."

Besides, the government is also actively working on Data Protection Act and Clouds Policy in consultation and collaboration with the international community. "The Clouds Policy is expected to be rolled out over the next two to three months," Dr. Rajput said.

Pakistan's IT exports grew 47% to $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2020-21 from $1.4 billion in the previous fiscal year 2019-20."This year we are targeting a growth of 75%, which is ambitious and very much achievable as well, provided that investment in our human resources and our technology is made."

Irfan Ali, Managing Director, Deposit Protection Corporation, said that the work from home model has created new set of cyber security threats globally.

"We don’t have the same high security measures in place while working (online) from home on smartphones and laptops like the one we do have at office," he said and asked institutions to pay attention to this.He said the central bank has put almost all the security measures in place to make sure online banking transactions by overseas Pakistanis through Roshan Digital Account (RDA) remain safe and sound."We have extended the online bank accounts opening and operational services to resident Pakistanis from yesterday (Wednesday) as well."

Sagheer Mufti, Chief Operating Officer, HBL, said that ensuring cyber security is not the job of IT team, but rest with the Human Resource (HR) department.

Dr. Imran Batada, CTO & Director IoBM – CIT, said that more than 99% cyberattacks are launched from inside the organization instead outside the organizations.

Talib Karim, President, IoBM urged upon the institutions to do maximum research and development (R&D) to continue to detect potential cyber threats and respond them on time.

The one-day conference also featured three panel discussions on (1) Latest Cyber Threats and Protection Approaches, (2) Fireside Chat: Data Protection Law of Pakistan 2021 and (3) Fireside Chat: How to Fulfil in The Talent Gap.

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KARACHI, SEPT 18: Continuing the tradition, METRO Pakistan was the recipient of the “Consumer Choice Award” in the Wholesale Super Store category, at a ceremony held in Karachi recently organized by the Consumer Association of Pakistan (CAP). Mr. Amin ul Haque, Federal Minister for Information Technology & Telecommunication was the chief guest for the occasion, and presented the award and certificate to Mr. M. Thiru, Sr. Head of Operations METRO Pakistan.

The Consumer Choice Award, in its 15th year of recognition, is adjudicated by a renowned jury, comprised of leading professionals from all walks of life. The objective is to promote consumerism in Pakistan by creating awareness among consumers to protect their legitimate rights whereas on the other hand promoting healthy competition among business leaders/manufacturers for making quality consumers goods and providing best services to Pakistani consumers.

The simple but impressive ceremony was attended by a large number of corporate organizations, diplomats, media persons and other notables.

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