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Murad Ali Shah, a Stanford graduate, secures third term as chief minister of Pakistan’s Sindh

Murad Ali Shah, a Stanford graduate, secures third term as chief minister of Pakistan’s Sindh
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Syed Murad Ali Shah speaks on the assembly floor after being elected the chief minister of Sindh province in Karachi, Pakistan on February 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy: Government of Pakistan)
Murad Ali Shah, a Stanford graduate, secures third term as chief minister of Pakistan’s Sindh
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Newly elected members elect speaker and deputy speaker at the provincial legislature of Pakistan's Sindh Assembly in Karachi, Pakistan, on February 25, 2024. (@TalalChandio/File)
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Updated 26 February 2024
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Murad Ali Shah, a Stanford graduate, secures third term as chief minister of Pakistan’s Sindh

Murad Ali Shah, a Stanford graduate, secures third term as chief minister of Pakistan’s Sindh
  • Shah was first elected as chief minister in 2016 midterm and in 2018 for a period of five years
  • He bagged 112 votes, while his opponent, Ali Khurshidi, from the MQM-P secured only 36 votes
Updated 26 February 2024
NAIMAT KHAN
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KARACHI: The provincial assembly in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province elected on Monday Murad Ali Shah, a professional engineer and banker who graduated from Stanford University, as the chief minister of the province for the third term.

Shah, whose father Abdullah Shah also served as the chief minister, was first elected for the top provincial office in 2016, when his party removed veteran politician, Qaim Ali Shah, from the post after criticism over his way of administering the province. In 2018, Shah was again elected as the chief minister after his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won majority in the province. He served on the post until August last year.

In the Feb. 8 national election, the PPP once again bagged the highest 84 provincial seats and nominated Shah as the candidate for CM’s office. In Monday’s election, he secured 112 votes in the 168-member House, while his opponent, Ali Khurshidi, from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) secured 36 votes.

After being elected as the CM, Shah said he would take along all political parties, including the MQM-P that fielded a candidate against him, and the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and ex-PM Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) opposition parties.

“We are never scared of criticism, no one is perfect... if you don’t criticize, then how we will learn,” he said, addressing Khan-backed independent candidates in the House. “I want to thank people on both sides [treasury and opposition] and also the people of this province.”

Shah promised to address the “immediate challenges” of militancy, rampant street crime and bandits hiding in riverine areas of the province, saying it would be a priority of his government.

The newly elected chief minister of Sindh is a seasoned politician with a diverse background in engineering and finance.

Born in the provincial capital of Karachi in August 1962, Shah acquired his early education from the St. Patricks High School and a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the NED University of Engineering and Technology. He pursued dual Masters of Science degrees in Civil-Structural Engineering and Engineering Economic Systems from Stanford University in California.

Shah has an extensive experience of working in both public and private sectors in Pakistan, UK, Kuwait, and the US from 1986 to 2002. He worked as an engineer at multiple positions before becoming an investment banker at prestigious institutions like Citibank and the Gulf Investment Corporation.

In 2002, Shah ventured into politics and has since excelled in navigating the tricky arena, winning five provincial assembly elections and holding key provincial portfolios like revenue, irrigation, finance, energy and planning and development.

His election to the CM’s office came two days after the provincial assembly in Sindh held its inaugural session, amid protests by opposition parties over alleged rigging of the election. On Sunday, Shah’s party had Owais Qadir Shah and Anthony Naveed elected as speaker and deputy speaker of the House.

Topics: Pakistan Sindh Assembly

PM Sharif seeks intervention from Lebanese counterpart to evacuate Pakistanis from Syria

PM Sharif seeks intervention from Lebanese counterpart to evacuate Pakistanis from Syria
Updated 35 sec ago
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PM Sharif seeks intervention from Lebanese counterpart to evacuate Pakistanis from Syria

PM Sharif seeks intervention from Lebanese counterpart to evacuate Pakistanis from Syria
  • Around 1,200 Pakistanis live in Syria and nearly 140 Pakistani pilgrims are stranded in Sayyidah Zaynab city near Damascus
  • Pakistani embassy in Damascus says closure of Syria’s airports, borders with Jordan and Oman pose “major challenge” to repatriation
Updated 35 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday spoke with his Lebanese counterpart Najib Mikati and sought his “personal intervention” to ensure the evacuation through Beirut of Pakistani expats stranded in Syria.
Syrian opposition forces seized the capital of Damascus unopposed on Sunday after a lightning advance that sent President Bashar Assad fleeing to Russia after a 13-year civil war and six decades of his family’s autocratic rule. The shakeup has left over 1,300 Pakistanis stranded in Syria, with the Pakistani foreign office saying on Monday they would be evacuated once the Damascus airport reopened.
“Both leaders exchanged notes on the evolving situation in Syria,” Sharif’s office said in a statement after his telephonic conversation with Mikati.
“Prime Minister sought Mr. Mikati’s personal intervention and support in facilitating immediate evacuation of Pakistani nationals, currently stranded in Syria through Beirut.”
Following the phone call, Sharif also spoke to Pakistan’s ambassadors in Syria and Lebanon and instructed them “to extend all possible assistance and cooperation to the stranded Pakistanis in Syria and facilitate their safe return home,” the PM’s office said.
Earlier in the day, Sharif chaired a meeting on the evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria, directing relevant authorities to formulate a plan of action to move expats from Syria through neighboring countries.
He ordered that an information desk and a helpline be set up to contact Pakistanis at the embassy in Damascus.
“The Crisis Management Unit of the Foreign Office and the information desks in Pakistani embassies in Syria and its neighboring countries should remain active 24 hours a day until the law and order situation improves,” a statement from Sharif’s office after the meeting said. 
Pakistan’s embassy in Syria said on Monday it would accommodate Pakistani nationals at a school run by the mission so they could have a secure place to stay while repatriation flights were arranged. 
Muhammad Nafees, an official at the Pakistani embassy in Damascus, told Arab News Syria’s airports and borders with Jordan and Oman were currently closed, posing a “major challenge” to the repatriation effort.
The official said there were around 1,200 Pakistanis living in Syria, while around 140 Pakistani pilgrims were stranded in the Sayyidah Zaynab city near Damascus.

Topics: Pakistan Syria Ties Syrian opposition Damascus

Washington invites Pakistani companies to SelectUSA Investment Summit in May next year

Washington invites Pakistani companies to SelectUSA Investment Summit in May next year
Updated 09 December 2024
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Washington invites Pakistani companies to SelectUSA Investment Summit in May next year

Washington invites Pakistani companies to SelectUSA Investment Summit in May next year
  • Forum is highest profile event in US to connect investors, companies, economic development organizations and industry experts
  • SelectUSA Investment Summit draws more than 5,000 attendees, will be held next year from May 11-14 in National Harbour, Maryland
Updated 09 December 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

KARACHI: The United States Consulate in the Pakistan city of Karachi on Monday invited Pakistan companies to participate in next year’s SelectUSA Summit, the highest profile event in the US to facilitate business investment by connecting thousands of investors, companies, economic development organizations (EDOs) and industry experts.
The SelectUSA Investment Summit draws more than 5,000 attendees and will be held next year from May 11-14 in National Harbour, Maryland, where Pakistani companies can expect to meet EDOs representing the US states and territories, more than 2,500 business investors with representation from over 90 international markets, and industry experts who can provide insights and advice on how local companies can move into the US market. 
“We look to Pakistan to bolster the US economy through our SelectUSA program, which promotes foreign direct investment in the United States,” U.S. Chargé d'Affaires Natalie Baker said on Monday at the Fifth Pakistan-America Business Forum Summit held in Islamabad.
“SelectUSA is a valuable opportunity for companies … that are now looking to take their business to the next level by expanding operations into the United States. I hope all of you will consider participating in our next SelectUSA Summit.”
The US is Pakistan’s largest export market, accounting for 16 percent of its annual exports. Over 80 US firms operate in Pakistan, directly employing 120,000 Pakistanis and supporting over a million others. Since 2021, USAID initiatives have contributed $13 million (Rs3.6 billion) in foreign direct investment and boosted US-Pakistan bilateral trade by $41 million (Rs11.42 billion).
“This economic relationship is important for the United States – that’s why we continue to invest in Pakistan. We recognize Pakistan’s enormous potential. It is one of the world’s most populous countries, with a growing and dynamic young population,” Baker said, adding that she saw economic opportunities for Pakistani companies in the US, especially in sectors like technology, business, trade, climate resilience, and security.  
“If Pakistan realizes its potential in these areas for growth and development, the result will not only benefit Pakistan, but also the region and the world,” she added.
The diplomat also highlighted the USAID’s Pakistan Investment Promotion Activity in 2021, a project that organized Pakistan Investment Roadshows in Dubai, Riyadh, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, showcasing 48 companies that are now engaged directly with international investors. 
“Many of these investors are part of the Pakistani diaspora,” she said. 
“Collectively, these initiatives have helped firms raise $13 million in foreign direct investment, while increasing US-Pakistan bilateral trade by $41 million and generating $14.5 million in private sector investment.”

Topics: Pakistan US Ties SelectUSA

Meet Pakistani running 1,000 miles cross-country to raise $1 million to educate 7,000 children

Meet Pakistani running 1,000 miles cross-country to raise $1 million to educate 7,000 children
Updated 09 December 2024
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Meet Pakistani running 1,000 miles cross-country to raise $1 million to educate 7,000 children

Meet Pakistani running 1,000 miles cross-country to raise $1 million to educate 7,000 children
  • Tabarak Rehman set out on Nov. 3 from Attock in Pakistan’s Punjab en route to Karachi in the country’s south
  • 27-year-old who works in New York has raised $130,000, received pledges for more than half a million dollars
Updated 09 December 2024
BURAQ SHABBIR

KARACHI: Tabarak Rehman attended a prestigious boarding school in Pakistan, completed his undergraduate education from one of the country’s top business schools, got a master’s degree from the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University and then began working in New York city.
But the plight of the children of Pakistan, millions of whom can’t afford even a basic education, was never far from the mind of the 27-year-old, who currently works as a consultant at AlixPartners, an international business advisory firm known for its work in corporate turnarounds, bankruptcy assignments and restructuring.
Pakistan has the world’s second-highest number of out-of-school children at an estimated 22.8 million kids between 5 to 16 years of age, or 44 percent of the total population in this age group.
On Nov. 3, Rehman set out to play his part to make a change and started running 1,000 miles across Pakistan for The Citizens Foundation (TCF), a non-profit organization that operates a network of 1,833 low-cost schools with 280,000 students enrolled. His goal was to raise a $1 million to educate 7,000 out-of-school children in Pakistan. 
“I started my journey on Nov. 3 at my high school, Cadet College Hasan Abdal,” Rehman told Arab News on Sunday after reaching Karachi, referring to the boarding school he attended in Attock district of Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province.

In this handout photograph, posted on December 8, 2024, Pakistani activist and business analyst Tabarak Rehman (5L) gestures for a group photograph with his team after a victory lap for his marathon campaign in Karachi, to raise $1 million to educate 7,000 children in Pakistan. (Photo courtesy: Instagram/tabarakruns)

“The goal was to get here to my undergraduate college, IBA [Institute of Business Administration] Karachi, to make this a symbolic journey of my own educational path so that I can make it hard for me, because it is very hard for 22 million out-of-school kids in Pakistan who never see the inside of a school.”
The activist was speaking from his third stopover in Karachi at the Mellennium Mall in the city’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area, just 13 miles from his final destination.
“We are already 1,589 kilometers [987 miles] into our journey. So, this is already the longest distance done across Pakistan in multi-days.”

In this handout photograph, posted on December 8, 2024, Pakistani activist and business analyst Tabarak Rehman gestures after a victory lap for his marathon campaign in Karachi, to raise $1 million to educate 7,000 children in Pakistan. (Photo courtesy: Instagram/tabarakruns)

Rehman, who was not always a runner, said he prepared for six months to undertake the challenge.
“I have been averaging between 20 and 25 kilometers every day. That’s how much I was running and walking, and then, I go to the gym twice or thrice a week. I do a lot of leg strength training,” he said.
But why did he pick running over some other challenge?
“I love numbers and running is a very calculated game. You have to calculate the amount of calories you are taking in and how much running you will do every day.”
In over five weeks since the challenge began, Rehman and his team have raised $130,000 through donations from Pakistanis, both in the country and abroad, as well as from friends, colleagues and the corporate sector.

This handout photograph, posted on December 7, 2024, shows Pakistani activist and business analyst Tabarak Rehman (2R) during his marathon campaign to raise $1 million to educate 7,000 children in Pakistan. (Photo courtesy: Instagram/tabarakruns)

“We have some more pledges. Once that money kicks in, we would be close to $200,000 for this campaign. And beyond this campaign, we have pledges for up to half a million dollars,” he added, expressing gratitude for the support he had gotten from his team, which managed his food, preparations and campaign posts on social media, as well as to people from different parts of the country who joined in the run to show solidarity.
“It’s a huge success and I hope this money can create an impact on so many families [that] are going to get educated.”
The activist said he was glad to be the first person to run this distance across Pakistan to raise funds to educate underprivileged children and in the process prove that Pakistan was “a very safe country.”
“Cross country running is a tool that is used across the world to raise funds for causes,” Rehman said. “I am also paving a path for so many other athletes who are way better runners than me.”

Pakistan to export medical professionals to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan to export medical professionals to Saudi Arabia
Updated 09 December 2024
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Pakistan to export medical professionals to Saudi Arabia

Pakistan to export medical professionals to Saudi Arabia
  • Saudi healthcare industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, driven by the Vision 2030 initiative
  • This has led to high demand for highly skilled healthcare professionals from around the world, including Pakistan
Updated 09 December 2024
Hasaan Ali Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC) will export medical professionals to Saudi Arabia, state-run APP news agency reported on Monday, outlining qualifications for interested applicants who meet the criteria for various job postings. 
Saudi Arabia’s healthcare industry has been experiencing rapid growth and development in recent years, driven by the country’s Vision 2030 initiative. This has led to an increased demand for highly skilled healthcare professionals from around the world, including Pakistan. From basic healthcare services in the early 20th century, Saudi Arabia has now established a comprehensive healthcare network that includes modern hospitals, specialized clinics, and advanced medical facilities. This evolution has been supported by substantial government investments aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure and services. 
Historically, Saudi Arabia has relied heavily on expatriate healthcare workers to meet its growing demand for medical services. Over the years, the influx of international healthcare professionals has continued, with a notable presence of Pakistani doctors, nurses, and allied health workers.
“Medical professionals who meet the following prescribed qualifications and experience could apply for the jobs,” APP reported, outlining the job requirements. 
Interested candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine (MBBS) or an equivalent qualification from an accredited institution, have completed the HIMAA ICD-10-AM/ACHI/ACS introductory course and have at least four years of position-related experience or as a processor or auditor of insurance claims at a similar health institution or insurance company, the report said. 
All candidates applying for the jobs, male of female, must be under the age of 50. 
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong trade, defense and cultural ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates and serves as the top destination for remittances to the cash-strapped South Asian country.
The Gulf market absorbs around 77 percent of Pakistan’s labor force. The main destinations for Pakistani workers are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar.
The Bureau of Emigration & Overseas Employment (BEOE) said in 2023 Pakistan aimed to increase its manpower exports to one million per annum. The South Asian country has exported over 12.7 million people to about 50 countries since 1971, official data shows.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties

Pakistan introduces country’s first carbon market policy

Pakistan introduces country’s first carbon market policy
Updated 09 December 2024
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Pakistan introduces country’s first carbon market policy

Pakistan introduces country’s first carbon market policy
  • New guidelines will establish regulatory framework for governing both voluntary and compliance carbon market activities in Pakistan
  • Carbon markets are carbon pricing mechanisms enabling governments and non-state actors to trade greenhouse gas emission credits
Updated 09 December 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has introduced the country’s first carbon market policy, Radio Pakistan reported on Monday, with the aim to achieve climate targets and implement action costs effectively.
To cement Pakistan’s commitment to participation in the new global carbon market, the country’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination (MoCC&EC) marked Nov. 16 as the Pakistan Pavillion’s “Carbon Market Day” and also organized a high-level event on carbon markets at the UN COP29 climate summit. Nearly 200 governments agreed on the framework that sets up a centralized global mechanism with clear rules and procedures for countries and companies involved in carbon credit transactions.
Carbon markets are carbon pricing mechanisms enabling governments and non-state actors to trade greenhouse gas emission credits. 
There are two types of carbon markets, compliance and voluntary. In compliance markets such as national or regional emissions trading schemes, participants act in response to an obligation established by a regulatory body. In voluntary carbon markets, participants are under no formal obligation to achieve a specific target. Instead, non-state actors such as companies, cities or regions seek to voluntarily offset their emissions, for example, to achieve mitigation targets such as climate neutral, net zero emissions.
“The policy aims to foster investments in the energy, agriculture and forestry sectors,” Radio Pakistan said. “Through these carbon markets, businesses will be encouraged to adopt eco-friendly technologies and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Global investors and organizations have been invited to collaborate in Pakistan’s carbon market, the report added.
Under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (PACM), developing countries can host emissions reduction and removal projects and trade the resulting carbon credits internationally as a means to generate new revenue streams and unlock investment in ambitious climate action.
“Adopting this policy is only part of the many ongoing carbon market readiness efforts. With the support from the USAID, World Bank, the German government, the , UN Environment Program, and Global Green Growth Institute, we are developing carbon market regulations, integrating carbon market in our new NDC, assessing new sectoral potential, and developing a pipeline of carbon market projects,” Aisha Humaira, Secretary, MoCC&EC, said in a statement.
The new guidelines aim to establish a clear regulatory framework for governing both voluntary and compliance carbon market activities in Pakistan, following international requirements and good practices.
As per the website of the UN Environment Program, Pakistan’s “Carbon Market Policy Guidelines” outline a cohesive strategy and authorization criteria, which prioritizes investment in resilience and climate change adaptation, and works closely with provincial governments. 
“While these guidelines offer cultural and geographical nuance for each province’s differential needs, they set stringent quality control criteria, thus ensuring high-quality project development with substantial co-benefits. Finally, countries will experience a competitive and cost-efficient framework that emphasizes fairness in benefit distribution,” the document says. 
A number of project opportunities have already been identified on the basis of which the government of Pakistan intends to initiate dialogues on Article 6 collaboration, the UN added.

Topics: pakistan climate change

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