Tuesday, 7 June 2022
KARACHI: The Indian government on Monday sought to calm anger at home and abroad following derogatory remarks by BJP members about the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him), as Pakistan and other Islamic countries continued to put pressure on New Delhi to apologise for hurting the sentiments of millions of Muslims around the world.
According to Reuters, at least 38 people were arrested for rioting in Kanpur while another protest was held in Mumbai.
Top Indian officials remained engaged with managing the diplomatic fallout as more Muslim nations, including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Maldives, Jordan, Afghanistan and Iran as well as the influential Al-Azhar University in Cairo demanded an apology from the government in Delhi for allowing the derogatory remarks, an Indian foreign ministry official said.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in a statement, said: “These insults come in the context of the increasing intensity in hatred of and insults to Islam in India and the systematic harassment of Muslims.”
NA, SENATE PASS RESOLUTIONS OF CONDEMNATION; RIYADH, TEHRAN AND OIC SLAM DELHI FOR ‘INSULTS TO ISLAM’
The 57-member body cited the latest decision to ban the hijab at educational institutions in several Indian states and the destruction of Muslim property to highlight what it said was the Indian government’s bias.
Indian diplomats stationed in the Gulf and neighbouring Islamic countries like Iran and Pakistan were summoned by officials in those countries to protest against the comments by BJP officials.
Its external affairs ministry said in a statement the offensive tweets and comments did not, in any way, reflect the views of the government.
“Strong action has already been taken against these individuals by relevant bodies,” said Arindam Bagchi, a government spokesperson.
The BJP said on Sunday it had suspended a spokesperson and expelled another official for hurting the religious sentiments of a minority community.
Saudi Arabia welcomed the action taken by the BJP to suspend the spokeswoman, while a senior official at the Qatar Embassy in New Delhi said Modi’s government must publicly distance itself from the comments.
“Hurting our religious sentiments can directly impact economic ties,” the official said, adding they were checking reports about boycott of Indian goods by some supermarket owners in Qatar.
Similarly, Reuters reported that a Kuwaiti supermarket had also pulled Indian products from its shelves.
At the supermarket just outside Kuwait City, sacks of rice and shelves of spices and chilies were covered with plastic sheets. Printed signs in Arabic read: “We have removed Indian products”.
Iran followed Qatar and Kuwait by summoning the Indian ambassador to protest in the name of “the government and the people”, state news agency IRNA said late on Sunday.
Condemnations from parliament, military
In Islamabad, both houses of parliament unanimously passed resolutions condemning the BJP leaders’ remarks about the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
In the Senate, the chairman remarked that the resolution would be sent to the UN secretary general and a protest would be registered with him over the matter.
The resolution passed in the National Assembly demanded the Indian government take strict action against the offending BJP leaders and ensure that such remarks should not be repeated. It also urged the international community to take notice of Indias anti-Muslim policy.
According to the Foreign Office, the Indian Charge d Affaires was summoned and conveyed the government of Pakistan’s “categorical rejection and strong condemnation” of the remarks made by two senior officials of India’s ruling BJP).
APP reported that the Indian diplomat was told that these remarks were “totally unacceptable and had not only deeply hurt the sentiments of the people of Pakistan, but also Muslims across the world”.
The army’s publicity wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, also condemned the remarks, saying this was an indication of the extreme hatred the government held towards Muslims and other religions in India.
Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman termed the statements “shocking and provocative”, while Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb termed the incident “another manifestation of its extremist and seditionist mindset.”
Separately, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has recommended India and four other states for designation as ‘countries of particular concern’ in its 2022 report.
The 2022 USCIRF report, released last week, covers the events that happened in 2021. It notes that “religious freedom conditions in India significantly worsened” last year.
During the year, “the Indian government escalated its promotion and enforcement of policies — including those promoting a Hindu-nationalist agenda — that negatively affect Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits,” and other religious minorities.
According to the report, the Indian government continued to “systemize its ideological vision of a Hindu state at both the national and state levels” through the use of both existing and new laws and structural changes hostile to the country’s religious minorities.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
ماہرین تعلیم وصحت کا پاکستان کے حوالے سے اہم مکالمہ
اسلام آباد: معاشی بحران اور انتہا پسندی جیسے ہمارے بڑے مسائل کے تدارک کے لیے پاکستان کو تعلیم کے شعبے میں بھرپور سرمایہ کاری کی ضرورت ہے تاکہ ضروریات سے ہم آہنگ تعلیمی حکمت عملی وضع کی جا سکے جس کے زیر اثر تعلیم کا حق سب کو میسر ہو سکے۔ پاکستان میں تعلیمی نظام کمرشل ازم سمیت سنگین مسائل سے دوچار ہے اور اپنے پائیدار اہداف کے حصول کے لیے تعلیمی ایمرجنسی وقت کی ضرورت ہے۔ان خیالات کا اظہار ممتاز ملکی و غیر ملکی ماہرین تعلیم اور صحت نے ایکاعلی سطحی پینل ڈسکشن کے دوران کیا۔
پاکستان میں تعلیم کے فروغ اور صحت عامہ کی بہتری کے حوالے سے ورلڈ اکنامک فورم کے موقع پر پاکستان پویلین میں "ارتقاٸے تعلیم وصحت عامہ" کے موضوع پر منعقد کیے گٸے اس اہم مباحثے کا اہتمام کراچی کونسل آن فارن ریلیشنز نے سوئس ایشین چیمبر آف کامرس کے تعاون سے کیا تھا۔
مباحثے کے شرکا میں ڈاکٹر ہما بقائی، ماہر تعلیم و سینئر وائس چیئرپرسن کے سی ایف آر، ڈاکٹر لنڈا زنگ ویل، پروفیسر یونیورسٹی آف کیلیفورنیا، ڈاکٹر مارک سیگل، سی ای او سیگل ایسوسی ایٹس، اور جناب علی شاہ، سی ای او آئی پیتھ شامل تھے، جبکہ سینئر صحافی فیصل عزیز خان نے سیشن کی نظامت کے فراٸض سر انجام دیٸے۔
مباحثےکا آغاز کرتے ہوئے فیصل عزیز خان نے پاکستان میں تعلیمی نظام اور صحت عامہ کی سہولیات کا ایک مختصر جائزہ پیش کیا۔ حکومت اور سرکاری اداروں کی جانب سے فراہم کردہ معلومات کا اشتراک کرتے ہوئے فیصل عزیز نے ملک میں تعلیمی صورتحال کو ابتر قرار دیتے ہوئے کہا کہ پاکستان اس وقت 5 سے 16 سال کی عمر کے بچوں کے لیے عالمی درجہ بندی میں نائیجیریا کے بعد دوسرے نمبر پر ہے۔ جبکہ اسی عمر لڑکیوں کی ایک بہت بڑی تعداد، تقریباً 59 فیصد مختلف وجوہات کی بناء پر اسکول نہیں جاتیں۔ فیصل عزیز نے کہا کہ ملک میں تعلیمی نظام کی باگ ڈور پرائیویٹ سیکٹر کے ہاتھ میں چلی گئی ہے جو اس مقدس مشن کو منافع بخش کاروبار بنا رہا ہے۔
پاکستان میں صحت عامہ کی سہولیات کے بارے میں بات کرتے ہوئے فیصل عزیز نے کہا کہ ملک میں 70 فیصد طبی سہولیات پرائیویٹ سیکٹر فراہم کر رہا ہے اور اس حوالے سے پبلک سیکٹر شدید دباؤ کا شکار ہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ علاج بنیادی انسانی ضروریات میں سے ایک ہے لیکن یہ ایک منافع بخش کاروبار میں تبدیل ہو چکا ہے۔
ڈاکٹر ہما بقائی، سینئر وائس چیئرپرسن کے سی ایف آر نے پاکستان کے بگڑتے ہوئے تعلیمی نظام پر روشنی ڈالتے ہوئے کہا کہ سرمایہ داری نے پاکستان میں تعلیم کو تباہ کر دیا ہے کیونکہ ہم نے آہستہ آہستہ تعلیم کو حق کے بجائے ایک استحقاق میں تبدیل کر دیا ہے، اور مزید یہ کہ ہم نے نجی شعبے کو کیسے اجازت دی کہ ہمارے پبلک سیکٹر کو مکمل نظر انداز کرتے ہوٸے تعلیمی ضروریات پوری کرے۔
"ہم دنیا کا پانچواں بڑا ملک ہیں اور ہمیں اپنے نوجوانوں کو معیاری مہارت پر مبنی تعلیم دینے کی ضرورت ہے۔ پاکستان کو کثیر الجہتی تعلیمی حکمت عملی کی ضرورت ہے اور ایسا کوئی طریقہ نہیں ہے کہ ہم اس طرح کے محدود انداز کو جاری رکھ سکیں،‘‘ انہوں نے کہا۔
پاکستان کی کم شرح خواندگی کا ذکر کرتے ہوئے انہوں نے کہا کہ جو بھی اپنا نام پڑھ یا لکھ سکتا تھا اسے پڑھا لکھا سمجھا جاتا تھا لیکن یہ خواندگی بالکل نہیں تھی۔ ہما نے تعلیمی نظام کی مخدوش صورتحال پر گہری تشویش کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ پاکستان میں تعلیم کو بنیادی حق کی بجائے تجارتی پیداوار بنا دیا گیا ہے جو کسی صورت قابل قبول نہیں۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ اگر پاکستان میں ہنگامی اقدامات کی ضرورت ہے تو تعلیمی ایمرجنسی سب سے آگے ہونی چاہیے۔
ڈاکٹر لنڈا زنگ ویل نے شعبہ صحت کے انتظام کار کے حوالے سے اپنے تجربات شیئر کیے اور صحت کے اداروں کو درپیش مسائل پر قابو پانے کے لیے استعمال کی جانے والی جدید ٹیکنالوجیز پر روشنی ڈالی۔ ڈاکٹر زنگ ویل نے حاضرین کو بتایا کہ دنیا صحت کی دیکھ بھال میں مصنوعی ذہانت کے استعمال کی طرف بڑھ رہی ہے جو کہ مستقبل قریب میں صحت کی خدمات میں انقلاب برپا کرے گی۔
مارک سیگل، جو ایک بین الاقوامی یونیورسٹی میں سپلائی چین مینجمنٹ بھی پڑھاتے ہیں، نے مشورہ دیا کہ نوجوان گریجویٹس کو کاروباری مہارتیں بھی فراہم کی جانی چاہئیں تاکہ وہ دنیا بھر کی بڑھتی ہوئی مارکیٹوں میں مقابلہ کر سکیں۔
علی شاہ، سی ای او آٸی پاتھ نے جدید دور کے ہیلتھ کیئر سسٹم پر روشنی ڈالی جو صحت کی دیکھ بھال کرنے والے پیشہ ور افراد کو مخصوص مریضوں کے ذاتی ڈیٹا تک رسائی کے قابل بناتا ہے۔ انہوں نے پاکستانی حکام پر زور دیا کہ وہ نیشنل الیکٹرانک ہیتھ ریکارڈ پلیٹ فارم قائم کریں کیونکہ دنیا بھر کے دیگر ممالک نے اپنے صحت کی دیکھ بھال کے نظام کو ہموار کرنا شروع کر دیا ہے۔ علی شاہ کا مزید کہنا تھا کہ اگر ایسا پلیٹ فارم تیار ہو جائے تو مریض کی تمام متعلقہ معلومات ان کا قومی شناختی نمبر درج کر کے حاصل کی جا سکیں گی۔ انہوں نے اس پلیٹ فارم کو صحت کے شعبے میں گیم چینجر قرار دیا۔
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• Experts shed light on the evolution of education and healthcare in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, JUN 7: Pakistan needs to invest in the education sector by devising a need-driven strategy allowing the right of education to all, to avert our major problems like economic crisis and extremism,.. The education system in Pakistan is suffering from severe issues, including commercialism, and to achieve our sustainable goals, an educational emergency is the need of the hour.
These views were expressed by eminent national and foreign education and health experts during a panel discussion.
The discussion “Evolution of Education and Healthcare” was held on Day 1 at the Pakistan Pavilion during the World Economic Forum. This important discussion session on Pakistan was organized by the Karachi Council on Foreign Relations in collaboration with the Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce.
The panel comprised Dr. Huma Baqai, Senior Vice Chairperson KCFR, Dr. Linda Zangwill, Professor University of California, Dr. Marc Siegel, CEO Siegel Associates, and Mr. Ali Shah, CEO iPath, while senior journalist Faysal Aziz Khan moderated the session.
Opening the discussion, Faysal Aziz Khan gave a brief overview of the education system and public health facilities in Pakistan. Sharing the information provided by the government and government agencies, he termed the educational situation in the country as deteriorating and said that Pakistan, at present, had made a global ranking for out-of-school children between the ages of 5 and 16.
Pakistan is second only to Nigeria, with a very large number of girls of the same age, about 59%, that do not go to school for various reasons. Faysal Aziz said that the running of the education system in the country had gone into the hands of the private sector which was making this sacred mission a for-profit business.
Talking about the public health facilities in Pakistan, he said that 70% of the medical facilities in the country were being provided by the private sector, and that the public sector was under severe pressure in this regard. He said that the medical treatment was one of the basic human needs but it had also turned into a lucrative business.
Dr. Huma Baqai, Senior Vice Chairperson KCFR, while shedding light on Pakistan's deteriorating education system, said that capitalism had destroyed education in Pakistan as we gradually turned education into a privilege instead of a right, and more so how we allowed the private sector to impart the good education by leaving our public sector in shatters.
“We are the fifth largest country in the world and we need to impart quality skill-based education to our youth. Pakistan needs a multipronged education strategy and there is no way we can continue with such a limited approach,” she said.
Mentioning Pakistan’s low literacy rate, she said that anyone who could read or write his name was considered to be literate, but it was not literacy at all. While expressing deep concern over the precarious situation of the education system, Huma said that education in Pakistan had been made a commercial product instead of a fundamental right which was not acceptable in any way.
Dr. Linda Zingwell shared her experiences in health sector management and shed light on modern technologies being used to overcome the problems being faced by health institutions. Dr. Zingwell told the audience that the world was moving towards using Artificial Intelligence in healthcare which would be revolutionizing health services in the near future.
Marc Siegel, who also teaches Supply Chain Management at the University of California, suggested that business skills should also be imparted to young graduates so that they might compete in growing markets around the globe.
Ali Shah, CEO iPath, shed light on modern-day healthcare system which enables the healthcare professionals to access the personal data of specific patients. He urged the Pakistani authorities to establish National Electronic Heath Record Platform as many other countries around the globe had begun to streamline their healthcare systems. If such a platform is developed, all relevant information of a patient would be accessible by entering their national ID number, he said. He termed the platform as a game-changer in the health sector.
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Monday, 6 June 2022
RIYADH, JUN 6: Saudi Arabia joined a host of Muslim countries — including Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iran and Pakistan — that took strong exception to derogatory remarks made against Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) by leaders of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to Hindustan Times, BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and another party leader, Naveen Kumar Jindal, made disrespectful remarks about the Prophet (P.B.U.H) and after worldwide condemnation, India’s ruling party had to distance itself from their statements, announcing disciplinary action against the duo.
Qatar, Kuwait and Iran summoned India’s envoy to register their protest on Sunday, while Pakistan issued a strong demarche to the Indian charge d’affaires on Monday.
Qatar has sought a public apology from India for allowing such “Islamophobic” views without retribution.
Kuwait, in a statement, said it had handed over an “official protest note expressing the State of Kuwait’s categorical rejection and condemnation of the insulting statements against the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H), Islam and Muslims issued by one of the officials in the ruling party”.
Saudi Arabia also issued a statement condemning the remarks and called for respect for religions.
President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also called out the comments made by the BJP leaders.
The president noted that the remarks had hurt the feelings of Muslims around the world. “India under [Prime Minister Narendra] Modi’s Hindutva philosophy is trampling religious freedoms of all its minorities and persecuting them without any impunity”. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz tweeted, “… Have said it repeatedly that India under Modi is trampling religious freedoms & persecuting Muslims. World should take note & severely reprimand India.”
He said the love of Muslims for the Prophet (P.B.U.H) was supreme and they could sacrifice their lives for the Holy figure.
In a statement, Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry said it “reaffirms its permanent rejection of prejudice against the symbols of the Islamic religion and refuses to prejudice all religious figures and symbols”.
The country also welcomed the BJP’s decision to suspend Sharma, the statement added. Qatar summoned the Indian envoy and handed him an official note that expressed Qatar’s disappointment and “its total rejection and condemnation [of] the controversial remarks made by an official in the ruling party in India against Prophet Mohammed … Islam and Muslims,” according to a statement issued by its foreign ministry.
Qatar said it is “expecting a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks from the Government of India”.
It noted that allowing such Islamophobic remarks to continue without punishment constituted a grave danger to the protection of human rights and may lead to further prejudice and marginalisation, which will create a cycle of violence and hate.
Meanwhile, Pakistan said the remarks made by two officials of the ruling BJP were “totally unacceptable” as they hurt the sentiments of billions of Muslims around the world.
“BJP’s attempted clarification and belated and perfunctory disciplinary action against these individuals cannot assuage the pain and anguish they have caused to the Muslim world,” the Foreign Office said, urging India to ensure that decisive and demonstrable action was taken against those responsible for making derogatory remarks and attacking the dignity of Prophet (P.B.U.H).
A day later, Pakistan summoned the Indian charge d’ affaires in Islamabad and issued a strong demarche.
In a statement issued today, Pakistan strongly urged the BJP leadership and the Indian government to “unequivocally condemn the sacrilegious comments of the BJP officials and ensure that they are held accountable through decisive and demonstrable action for attacking the dignity” of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H).
The ministry further called upon the international community, including the United Nations (UN) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to take notice of and stop “the dangerously rising ‘Hindutva’ inspired Islamophobia in India, and prevail upon the Indian authorities to prevent the systematic human rights violations against minorities in the country”.
Later in the day, the Pakistan Army also condemned the “blasphemous remarks by Indian officials” in a tweet. Meanwhile, the grand mufti of Oman, Sheikh Ahmad bin Hamad Al-Khalil, tweeted that the “obscene” comments of the spokesperson of India’s ruling party amounted to a “war against every Muslim”.
OIC Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha also said that the BJP leaders’ remarks came in “context of intensifying hatred and abuse toward Islam in India and systematic practices against Muslims”.
India told both Qatar and Kuwait that the offensive views did not reflect those of the government of India, instead attributing these to “fringe elements”. It said that “strong action” had been taken against those responsible for the derogatory remarks.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
ISLAMABAD, JUN 6: Huawei was named Champion at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) 2022 Forum's Prizes Ceremony in Geneva yesterday. The WSIS 2022 Prizes Campion, was presented to Huawei for its use of their intelligent net-zero carbon campus solution at the Yancheng Low-carbon & Smart Energy Industrial Park project. A total of 996 projects were considered for this award, and the selection process took five months.
WSIS is the world's largest annual gathering of the ICT for development community. The event aims at advancing global sustainable development goals is co-organized by the ITU, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other UN organizations and WSIS action plan facilitators. The WSIS Prizes contest awards prizes for outstanding sustainability projects in 18 categories, including information and communication infrastructure, E-government, E-environment, E-health, and E-agriculture. Huawei's intelligent net-zero carbon campus solution was nominated for this year's environment category.
The Yancheng Park project was jointly developed by Huawei and the Yancheng Power Supply Company, a subsidiary of the State Grid Corporation of China. The project uses the triple-dimensional model for energy transformation, decarbonization, and digital transformation. By focusing on the three scenarios of smart energy management, carbon management, and campus management, this project delivers real-time monitoring of energy equipment, strong carbon emission management, intelligent and convenient access control management, and intelligent and coordinated micro-grid control. The campus is powered by complementary energy sources and integrates its energy consumption system with on-campus terminals. The project is a showcase of an intelligent and low-carbon campus that contributes to a green, low-carbon, safe, and efficient modern energy system.
To learn more about WSIS, please visit: https://www.itu.int/net4/wsis/forum/2022/
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Sunday, 5 June 2022
NEW DELHI, JUN 5: Muslim countries have taken strong exception to derogatory remarks made against Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) by leaders of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with Qatar, Kuwait and Iran summoning India’s envoy to register their protest.
Qatar has sought a public apology from India for allowing such “Islamophobic” views without retribution.
Kuwait, in a statement, said it had handed over an “official protest note expressing the State of Kuwait’s categorical rejection and condemnation of the insulting statements against the Holy Prophet (PBUH), Islam and Muslims issued by one of the officials in the ruling party.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also called out the comments made by the BJP leader and urged the world to take notice and reprimand India.
“… Have said it repeatedly that India under Modi is trampling religious freedoms & persecuting Muslims. World should take note & severely reprimand India.”
He said the love of Muslims for the Prophet (PBUH) was supreme and they could sacrifice their lives for the Holy figure.
According to Hindustan Times, BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and another party leader, Naveen Kumar Jindal, made disrespectful remarks about the Prophet (PBUH) and after worldwide condemnation of these remarks, India’s ruling party had to distance itself from their statements, announcing disciplinary action against the duo.
Qatar summoned the Indian envoy and handed him an official note that expressed Qatar’s disappointment and “its total rejection and condemnation [of] the controversial remarks made by an official in the ruling party in India against Prophet Mohammed … Islam and Muslims,” according to a statement issued by its foreign ministry.
Qatar said “it is expecting a public apology and immediate condemnation of these remarks from the Government of India.”
It noted that allowing such Islamophobic remarks to continue without punishment constituted a grave danger to the protection of human rights and may lead to further prejudice and marginalisation, which will create a cycle of violence and hate.
The grand mufti of Oman, Sheikh Ahmad bin Hamad Al-Khalil, tweeted that the “obscene” comments of the spokesperson of India’s ruling party amounted to a “war against every Muslim”.
BJP suspends party membership of leaders
Following a strong reaction from the Muslim countries, the ruling BJP suspended Sharma and expelled Jindal from the party for their remarks, according to Hindustan Times.
The statement issued by the party did not name anyone but it underlined that the party did not condone insults to any religion and respects all faiths.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party is also against any ideology which insults or demeans any sect or religion. The BJP does not promote such people or philosophy…During the thousands of years of the history of India every religion has blossomed and flourished. The Bharatiya Janata Party respects all religions,” the statement said.
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COURTESY DAWN NEWS
عالمی اقتصادی فورم کے موقع پر معاشی ماہرین کا مباحثے میں اظہار خیال
اسلام آباد: ڈیجیٹل مالیاتی شمولیت کے ذریعے پسماندہ طبقات کو قومی دھارے میں شامل کرتے ہوٸے انکی زندگیوں میں مثبت تبدیلی لاٸی جا سکتی ہے۔ ان خیالات کا اظہار بینکنگ رہنماؤں اور معاشی ماہرین نے عالمی اقتصادی فورم کے موقع پر ڈیوس میں قاٸم کیے گٸے پاکستان پویلین میں منعقد کیے گٸے مباحثے میں کیا۔
پاکستان میں مالیاتی شمولیت اور اس ضمن میں ڈیجیٹل ذراٸع کی اہمیت کے حوالے سے منعقدہ مباحثے کا انعقاد کراچی کونسل آن فارن ریلیشنز (کےسی ایف آر) نے سوئس ایشین چیمبر آف کامرس(ایس اے سی سی) کے تعاون سے کیا تھا۔ مباحثے میںمررین کے پینل میں بنکنگ شعبے سے وابستہ معروف ماہرین بشمول ظفر مسعود، صدر بینک آف پنجاب، شہزاد دادا، صدر یونائیٹڈ بینک لمیٹڈ، کبیر نقوی، صدر یو مائیکرو فنانس بینک (یو بینک)، سلمان علی، سی ای او وی آر جی، رسک ایسوسی ایٹس کے آفتاب رضوی اور سی ای او فٹافٹ عماد چشتی نے شرکت کی۔ مباحثے کی نظامت علی شاہ، آٸی پاتھ کےسی ای او نے سر انجام دی۔ متعدد ممکنہ سرمایہ کاروں اور معاشی ماہرین کی ایک بڑی تعداد حاضرینمیں میں موجود تھی۔
کراچی کونسل آن فارن ریلیشنز (کے سی ایف آر) اور پاتھ فائنڈر گروپ آف کمپنیز کے چیئرمین اکرام سہگل نے مباحثے کے شرکا اور مہمانوں کو خوش آمدید کہا۔ اس۔موقع پر اکرام سہگل نے اپنی ٹیم کی جانب سے عالمی سطح پر پاکستان کا مثبت امیج ابھارنے کے لیے کی جانے والی کوششوں کے بارے میں حاضرین کو آگاہ کیا۔ سہگل نے اس موقع پر ان تمام افراد اور اداروں کا شکریہ ادا کیا جنھوں مےمالی۔او اخلاقی سطح ان کی جدوجہد میں تعاون کیا۔ پینل ڈسکشن کے موضوع پر اپنے نقطہ نظر کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے، کے سی ایف آر کے چیٸرمین کا کہنا تھا کہ "مین سٹریمبنکنگ استعمالنہ۔کرنے والے افراد کو بنکنگ کی جانب ماٸل۔کرنا ایک بہت بڑا چیلنج ہے لیکن اس امر میں کامیابی پاکستان میں معاشی استحکام کے حوالے سے انتہاٸی کارآمد ثابت ہو گی"۔ انکامزید کہنا تھا کہ کہ معاشرے کے غریب ترین افراد کو بینکنگ کے مرکزی دھارے میں لانا بہت اہم ہے اور مالیاتی شمولیت میں ڈیجیٹل سروسز کے مناسب استعمال کے ذریعے اس میں کامیابی حاصل کی جا سکتی ہے۔
اس موقع پر اپنے خیالات کااظہار کرتے ہوٸے دی بنکآف پنجاب کے سربراہ ظفر مسعود نے پاکستان میں بینکنگ سیکٹر کا تفصیلی جائزہ پیش کرتے ہوٸے کہا کہ کٸی بڑے چیلنجز کے باوجود پاکستان معاشی طور پر متعدد کامیابیاں حاصل کر چکا ہے۔ ہے۔ ظفر مسعود کا کہنا تھا کہ پاکستان ترقیاتی اہداف کے لیے پرعزم ہے اور اقوام متحدہ کے پائیدار ترقی کے اہداف سمیت قومی اور بین الاقوامی ترقیاتی اہداف کے حوالے سے اہم اقدامات اٹھاٸے جا رہے ہیں۔ اس موقع پر پنجاب بنک کے صدر نے ہاکساتن کے مالیاتی شعبے کو درپیش متعدد مشکلات کی بھی نشاندہی کی۔ ظفر مسعود پاکستان کی آبادی کے حوالے سے اعدادو شمار کا زکر کرتے ہوئے حاضرین کو بتایا کہ پاکستان کی 61 فیصد آبادی 15 سے 54 سال کے درمیان ہے جو کہ بینکنگ سروسز استعمال کرنے کے لیے موزوں ترین طبقہ ثابت ہو سکتا ہے۔ مالیاتی شمولیت کے حوالے سے گفتگو کرتے ہوٸے ان کا کہنا تھا کہ "ڈیجیٹل سپورٹ کے بغیر حقیقی مالی شمولیت کا استعمال تقریباً ناممکن ہے"۔ ظفر مسعود نے کہا کہ انکاادارہ بینکنگ استعمال نہ کرنے والے افراد کو قومی بینکاری کے دھارے میں لانے کے لیے مختلف انقلابی اقدامات کر رہا ہے۔ خواتین کی بینکنگ کے استعمال میں انتہاٸی کم تعداد پر اپنی تشویش کا اظہار کرتے ہوٸے انکاکہنا تھا کہ کل آبادی کا 51 فیصد ہونے کے باوجود صرف 17 فیصد خواتین بینکنگ سروسز استعمال کر رہی ہیں۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ آبادی کے اتنے بڑے اور اہم طبقے کو صرف ڈیجیٹلائزڈ مالیاتی شمولیت کے ذریعے ہی بینکنگ کے دائرے میں شامل کیا جا سکتا ہے اور اس سلسلے میں متعدد اقدامات کیے جا رہے ہیں۔
اس موقع پر یوناٸیٹڈ بنک لمیٹڈ کے صدر شہزاد دادا نے اپنے خیالات کا اظہار کرتے ہوئے کہا کہ پاکستان تیزی سے ترقی کرنے والے ممالک میں سے ایک ہے اور ملکی حالات سرمایہ کاری کے لیے انتہائی سازگار ہیں۔ پاکستان میں مالی شمولیت کی اہمیت پر بات کرتے ہوئے انہوں نے کہا کہ روایتی بینکنگ سروسز کے استعمال میں کمی کی بہت سی وجوہات ہیں جن میں سب سے اہم وجہ بینکوں تک رسائی ہے کیونکہ ملک کی زیادہ تر آبادی دیہی علاقوں میں رہتی ہے لہذا بینکوں تک رساٸی ایک اہم۔مسلہ ہے۔ دادا کا کہناتھا کہ پاکستان میں ایک لاکھ افراد کے لیے صرف 10 بینک برانچیں ہیں جب کہ ایشیا میں یہ شرح 16 کے قریب ہے، ایسی صورت حال میں مالیاتی شمولیت بہت مفید ثابت ہوسکتی ہے، خاص طور پر جب ڈیجیٹل وسائل کے درست استعمال کو یقینی بنایا جائے۔
مالیاتی شمولیت میں ڈیجیٹل خدمات کی اہمیت پر ایک سوال کا جواب دیتے ہوئے، یو بینک کے صدر کبیر نقوی نے سامعین کے ساتھ کچھ زمینی حقائق شیٸر کیے۔ ان کے مطابق، صارفین اور ان کی ضروریات کو سمجھنا مؤثر مالیاتی شمولیت کے سیٹ اپ کے لیے سے سب سے اہم عنصر ہوتا ہے۔ انہوں نے یو بینک کی جانب سے دور دراز رلاقوں میں برانچوں کے قیام کے ذریعے دیہی آبادی تک رسائی کے لیے کی جانے والی کاوشوں کازکر کرتے ہوٸے بتایا کہ ان دوردراز برانچوں میں یوبینک کا عملہ مالی شمولیت اور ڈیجیٹل وسائل کے استعمال کے بارے میں صارفین کو براہ راست تربیت اور آگاہی فراہم کرتے ہیں۔
مباحثے میں وی آر جی کے سی ای او سلمان علی نے مالیاتی شمولیت کے حوالے سے ایک بالکل مختلف نقطہ نظر پیش کیا۔ انہوں نے حاضرین کو بتایا کہ پاکستان میں 192 ملین لوگ موباٸل فون استعمال کرتے ہیں اور ان میں سے اکتالیس فیصد کے پاس سمارٹ فون ہیں جبکہ باقی لوگ عام فیچر فون استعمال کرتے ہیں جس میں انٹرنیٹ کی سہولت میسر نہیں ہوتی۔ سلمان علی کاکہنا تھا کہ فیچر فون استعمال کرنے والے یہ لوگ درحقیقت بنکنگ سے دور ہیں اور ان کے لیے مالیاتی شمولیت انتہاٸی اہمیت کی حامل ثابت ہو سکتی ہے۔ ان کا کہنا تھا کہ انکی کمپنی اس ضمن میں کام کر رہی ہے اور فیچر فون استعمال کرنے والے صارفین کو یو ایس ایس ڈی کوڈ کے زریعے منٹوں میں کسی بھی بڑے بینک میں اکاٶنٹ کھولنے کی سہولت فراہم کر رہی ہے جس کے لیے انٹرنیٹ یا سمارٹ فون کی کوٸی ضرورت نہیں ہوتی۔
اس موقع پر رسک ایسوسی ایٹس کے آفتاب رضوی، سی ای او فٹا فٹ عماد چشتی اور ممبر بنک آف پنجاب آصف ریاض نے بھی اپنے خیالات کا اظہارکیا۔۔۔۔
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ISLAMABAD, JUN 5: In order to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and tighten people-to-people bonds between different countries, China Soong Ching Ling Foundation launches the 2022"Junior Cultural Ambassadors" Event. The event is expected to build a platform for young people all over the world to make the acquaintance of each other both online and offline, and bring out more junior cultural ambassadors who would make their own share of contribution to people-to-people exchanges.
The 2022 event, under the theme of "Get Connected Through Art: My Favorite Chinese Arts", encourages young people to exchange ideas and tell stories about Chinese culture through videos. With the support of the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China and Guangming Online, the event is hosted by the China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Center for Young People and China Cultural Centers Overseas.
Exchange among civilizations spurs diversity, mutual learning promotes the richness of civilizations. Different civilizations complement each other and together constitute a world that blooms with cultures. In order to further strengthen communication and understanding and write a new chapter of friendship among young people around the world, China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, with the support of the Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China, and working together with China Cultural Centers Overseas, is delighted to invite teenagers aged 13 - 16 around the world to participate in the 2022 China Soong Ching Ling Foundation "Junior Cultural Ambassadors" Event.
The arrangements of the event are as follows:
I. Main Theme
Bridge of Friendship & Ambassadors of Culture
II. Theme of Year 2022
Get Connected Through Art: My Favorite Chinese Arts
III. Organization
Sponsored by: China Soong Ching Ling Foundation
Supported by: Bureau of International Exchange and Cooperation, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China; Guangming Online
Organized by: China Soong Ching Ling Science & Culture Center for Young People; China Cultural Centers Overseas
IV. Participants Eligibility
Teenagers aged 13 and 16 (born between January 1st, 2006 and December 31st, 2009) are eligible to participate.
V. Awards
1. Title of "Junior Cultural Ambassador"
A total of 30 "Junior Cultural Ambassadors" will be selected and awarded certificates and prizes.
2. Excellence Award
Certificates and prizes of “Excellence Award” will be presented to 30 teenagers.
3. Excellent Organizer Award
Institutions that actively promote teenagers to participate in activities and perform outstandingly, will be conferred with Excellent Organizer Award.
4. Others
Other awards such as the Popularity Award will be set up when necessary, and commemorative certificates will be awarded to participants.
VI. Entry Format
1. Languages
It is recommended to use UN working languages in the video. These include Chinese, English, French, Russian, Arabic, and Spanish. Participants who are not of Chinese origin using Chinese, will be given extra points during the review.
2. Video Length
The total duration of the video should be less than 4 minutes. The duration of the self-introduction and ending part of the video should be less than 1 minute, and that of the main body should be no longer than 3 minutes.
3. Content
(1) Self-introduction
(2) Main body: Videos should be created under the theme of "Get Connected Through Art: My Favorite Chinese Arts". Participants could show a Chinese art in the fields of painting, calligraphy, architecture, costumes, folk arts and crafts, etc., or tell your stories about Chinese arts through writing, performing, producing etc. The video shall be rich in content, closely linked to the theme of Chinese art, beautifully produced, and have strong expressiveness and appeal.
(3) Ending: Good wishes for the event.
4. Video Format
The video should be clear, stable, well-composed, and the image should be synchronized with the sound. The video should be an uncompressed .avi, .mov, .wmv or .mpg file. The resolution ratio should be 1920×1080, and the video must be shot in landscape (widescreen panoramic). Non-original videos will not qualify, and please do not add watermarks or subtitles to the video.
VII. Online Registration
1. A registration port is now available on the web-page of the event. Applicants should fill in the registration information online and submit videos as required.
Registration link:
https://vote6.gmw.cn/photo-list.html?collection_id=489
Scan QR code to enter the registration port
2. Deadline for submission is by midnight of July 31st, 2022 (subject to the time of submission on the web-page).
3. For further information：
E-mail：hdzj@sclc2017.org
Tel.：(+86) 010-53935571，(+86) 13511080846
VIII. Online Display and Poll
A web-page for the 2022 "Junior Cultural Ambassador" Event has been created on the website of Guangming Online (https://topics.gmw.cn/node_145214.htm). Outstanding entries will be displayed on the web-page and polled. Detailed arrangements will be announced later.
The award ceremony will be held in December 2022. More information will be released from the web-page of the event.
1. The entries should be consistent with the theme of the event, featuring healthy and positive content, and demonstrate understanding and enthusiasm for Chinese arts.
2. All entries submitted should be original and with no infringement of the copyright, patent rights, trademark rights, reputation rights, and/or other legal rights of any third party. In the case of any unqualified entry, the organizer has the right to unilaterally cancel qualifications of participation or awards at any point.
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• KCFR hosted exclusive panel discussion on Financial Inclusion at WEF
ISLAMABAD, JUN 5: Banking the unbanked population through digitized financial inclusion may bring positive change in the lives of the underprivileged populations and the national economy. This was stated by banking leaders and financial experts while sharing their views during a panel discussion “Digital Affairs: Financial Inclusion in Pakistan” hosted by Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) in association with Swiss Asian Chamber of Commerce at Pakistan’s Pavilion on the sidelines of World Economic Forum Davos last week.
The panel comprised of lead bankers including the keynote speaker Zafar Masood, President Bank of Punjab (BoP), Shazad Dada, President United Bank Ltd (UBL), Kabir Naqvi, President U Microfinance Bank (UBank), Salman Ali, CEO VRG, Aftab Rizvi, Risk Associates, and Imad Chishti, CEO Futafut. The discussion was moderated by Ali Shah, CEO iPath while a large number of potential investors and economic experts were present in the audience.
Ikram Sehgal, Chairman Karachi Council on Foreign Relations (KCFR) & Pathfinder Group of Companies welcomed the guests and briefed the audience regarding the efforts being made by his team to build a positive image of Pakistan globally. Sehgal extended his gratitude to the people who stood beside his team in making such patriotic efforts. While sharing his viewpoint on the panel discussion topic, KCFR Chairman said “banking the unbanked is a huge challenge but it may lead us to the glory of economic stability and national growth”. Bringing the poorest members of the society into the mainstream of banking is the most important achievement and it seems to be possible through financial inclusion equipped with digital facilities, he added.
Delivering his keynote address, BOP President Zafar Masood shared an overview of the banking sector in Pakistan and mentioned that despite massive challenges, Pakistan went way ahead of many other countries in terms of economic success. BOP President said that Pakistan has been committed to development goals and huge strides were being taken by the country in terms of national and international development goals including UN’s sustainable development goals. Masood also pointed out major hurdles which were being faced by Pakistan’s financial sector in banking the unbanked. While mentioning different proportions of Pakistan’s population, he said that Pakistan’s 61 percent population is between the 15-54 age group which would be most suitable for using the banking services while 35 percent of the Pakistani population is below 15 years of age and they would be ready for tomorrow’s banking. Terming financial inclusion as a heart-touching subject, BOP President said “true financial inclusion without functional deployment of a digital solution is almost impossible”. Zafar Masood stated that Punjab Bank is taking various revolutionary measures to bring non-banking customers into the national mainstream banking. Expressing his concerns BOP President said that despite being 51 percent of the total population, only 17 percent of women are using banking services. He said that such a large and significant section of the population could be included in the banking circle only through digitized financial inclusion and several steps were being taken in this regard. Masood also acknowledged KCFR Chairman Ikram Sehgal and his team for their patriotic efforts in making such events a massive success around the globe.
UBL President Shazad Dada, while sharing his views said that Pakistan is one of the fastest-growing countries and the conditions are very conducive to investment. Discussing the importance of financial inclusion in Pakistan, he said that there are many reasons for the decline in the use of traditional banking services, the most important of which is accessibility as most of the country's population lives in rural areas. He said that there are only 10 branches for 100,000 people in Pakistan whereas in Asia this rate is close to 16. In such a situation, financial inclusion can be very useful, especially when the proper use of digital resources is ensured.
While responding to a question on the importance of digital services in financial inclusion, Kabir Naqvi, President UBank shared some valid facts and ground realities with the audience. According to him, understanding the customer and their requirements would be the most important factor in terms of an effective financial inclusion setup. He elaborated the efforts being made by UBank to reach the unbanked rural population through establishing far-flung branches where UBank officials provide direct trainings and awareness to the customers on financial inclusion and usage of digital resources.
Salman Ali, CEO VRG offered a very different perspective on financial inclusion. He told the audience that 192 million people in Pakistan use mobile phones and 41 percent of them have smartphones while the rest use simple feature phones. Salman said that the majority of people using feature phones is actually unbanked due to certain reasons while the financial inclusion can prove to be of utmost importance for them. VRG is working in this regard providing the customers a many-to-many business solution which enables them to open an account in any major bank by using a USSD code on their feature phone without internet.
Aftab Rizvi of Risk Associates, CEO FutaFut Imad Chishti, and Asif Riaz, Member Bank of Punjab also expressed their views on the occasion.
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BRUSSELS: EU countries and lawmakers are set to agree on a common charging port for mobile phones, tablets and headphones on June 7 when they meet to discuss a proposal that has been fiercely criticised by Apple, people familiar with the matter said.
The proposal for a single mobile charging port was first broached by the EC more than a decade ago after iPhone and Android users complained about having to use different chargers for their phones. The former is charged from a Lightning cable while Android-based devices are powered using USB-C connectors.
The trilogue next Tuesday will be the second and likely the final one between EU countries and EU lawmakers on the topic, an indication of a strong push to get a deal done, the people said.
The EU lawmakers also want to include wireless charging systems to be harmonised by 2025, while the EU countries and the Commission want a longer lead-in period for technical reasons. Apple was not immediately available for comment. It has previously said the inappropriate use of dated international standards stifles innovation and that forcing users to change to new chargers could create a mountain of electronic waste.
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Published in Dawn, June 4th, 2022
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