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Over 70 local businesses show interest in collaborating with Chinese firms relocating to Pakistan

Over 70 local businesses show interest in collaborating with Chinese firms relocating to Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting regarding Pak-China cooperation in Islamabad on 20 July 2024. (Government of Pakistan)
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Updated 21 July 2024
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Over 70 local businesses show interest in collaborating with Chinese firms relocating to Pakistan

Over 70 local businesses show interest in collaborating with Chinese firms relocating to Pakistan
  • Government says Chinese firms in textile, medical, plastic and leather sectors will be brought to Pakistan
  • PM Sharif says the transfer of Chinese industries will improve economy, create jobs and strengthen exports
Updated 21 July 2024
Arab News Pakistan
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ISLAMABAD: More than 70 local businesses have expressed interest in collaborating with Chinese firms planning to shift their industrial units to Pakistan, according to a briefing given to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during a meeting on Saturday to review progress on bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting was a continuation of the prime minister’s five-day visit to China last month, during which he interacted with investors and participated in wide-ranging business-to-business engagements.

Sharif also met top Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping, and discussed the possibility of enhancing cooperation under the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Apart from that, he visited Chinese agricultural zones and reached an understanding to send Pakistani students interested in learning advanced techniques to increase crop yield amid mounting concerns related to climate change.

“A comprehensive roadmap for the transfer of Chinese industries to Pakistan was presented to the meeting,” said a briefing given to the prime minister according to an official statement released after the meeting. “Collaboration with Chinese companies will be established to transfer Chinese textile, medical and surgical instruments, plastic and leather industries to Pakistan.”

“Seventy-eight Pakistani companies have initially expressed deep interest in collaborating to transfer Chinese industries to the country,” it added.

Sharif was also told that a comprehensive plan to send 1,000 students to China for advanced agricultural training at government expense had been completed.

“The first batch of students will be sent to China at the start of this academic year,” the statement said. “The next batch will be sent to China’s advanced agricultural universities after learning the Chinese language in Pakistan for which the plan has been completed.”

The prime minister said that China was a long-standing friend that had always helped Pakistan in difficult times.

“The Chinese leadership is committed to further increasing investment in Pakistan,” he continued. “The transfer of Chinese industries to Pakistan will improve the national economy, create new employment opportunities and increase Pakistan’s exports.”

Topics: Pakistan China Ties

Pakistani IT experts call for joint AI ventures with Saudi firms in smart cities, healthcare

Pakistani IT experts call for joint AI ventures with Saudi firms in smart cities, healthcare
Updated 37 min 14 sec ago
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Pakistani IT experts call for joint AI ventures with Saudi firms in smart cities, healthcare

Pakistani IT experts call for joint AI ventures with Saudi firms in smart cities, healthcare
  • The Pakistani IT experts participated in the Global AI Summit in Riyadh this week, which covered key topics in AI
  • Pakistan has vast untapped talent pool, while Saudi Arabia has access to global enterprises and funds, they note
Updated 37 min 14 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani information technology (IT) professionals, who participated in the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit in Riyadh this week, have urged local IT firms to seize opportunities in Saudi Arabia through joint ventures, highlighting a significant potential in smart city projects and the AI-driven healthcare sector in the Kingdom.
The third edition of the summit, which took place in Riyadh on September 10-12, covered important topics in the field of AI, including innovation and industry trends, to shape a brighter future and cultivate an enabling environment for technology experts.
Four distinguished Pakistani IT experts participated as thought leaders in this year’s summit, according to the Pakistani mission in Riyadh. It came at a time when Pakistan is making efforts to boost its exports, particularly in the field of IT, and attract foreign investment to cut its reliance on foreign debt to support its $350 billion economy.
“Pakistani companies have strong potential to collaborate through joint ventures in Saudi Arabia, particularly in AI-driven sectors like smart city projects and healthcare,” Tariq Khan, vice president of AI practice at Pakistan’s Visionet and Systems Group who contributed to a session, namely “Transforming Healthcare: AI’s Role in Strengthening Supply Chains,” at the summit, told Arab News over the phone from Riyadh.
“With expertise in electronics, Internet of things (IoT) and AI, Pakistan can contribute to the growing need for automation, especially as Saudi Arabia transitions its healthcare system to insurance-based models, which require extensive AI-powered documentation.”

Participants attend the Global AI Summit in Riyadh on September 12, 2024. (AN Photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

After participating in the summit, Khan said, he gained valuable insights into the real potential of AI in the Saudi market and identified opportunities for his organization, which uses AI for diagnostic planning, discovering new biomarkers and drug discovery in the US pharmaceutical industry.
He said his experience was “excellent” as the event was well-organized with a diverse audience, and a focus on addressing various business types and concerns related to AI.
“There were discussions on responsible AI, the role of humans in AI systems, and human-AI interaction,” Khan added.
Additionally, he said, specialized talks at the summit addressed the transformation of healthcare through AI, the importance of health equity and how regulatory bodies could facilitate smooth integration of AI in different countries.
Khan emphasized that Saudi Arabia had a “lot of potential” as the government was investing a lot in AI.
“They are making different bodies to influence AI development, foreign companies and government bodies are also encouraged to work on joint AI initiatives,” he said, adding the Kingdom would be one of the world’s leading AI and technology hubs in the near future.

Participants attend the Global AI Summit in Riyadh on September 12, 2024. (AN Photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

Muhammad Haziq, chief executive officer of Pakistani IT solutions provider Grayphite, shared his thoughts in a session, titled “Delivering on the Innovation Promise of Startups.”
He said the summit had given them a chance to represent Pakistan, enhance collaboration between regional businesses and find potential growth opportunities in a new market.
“The potential of Saudi Arabia in AI, especially the way they are investing in this area, is amazing and they have set a global stage for discussion on AI,” Haziq told Arab News.
Both brotherly Muslim countries have a “huge common ground,” according to Haziq. Pakistan has a vast untapped tech talent pool, while Saudi Arabia has access to a lot of global enterprises and funds.
“Collaboration between the two countries, both at private and public levels, can foster the growth mindset among them,” he said.
The Pakistani embassy in Riyadh said the summit brought together visionary experts, academics, corporate leaders and policymakers from around the world to collaboratively shape the future of AI for the benefit of humanity.
“This event provided an excellent opportunity for networking and further strengthening collaborations between Pakistan and the international AI community,” it added.

Visitors attend the Global AI Summit in Riyadh on September 12, 2024. (AN Photo by Abdulrahman Bin Shalhoub)

 

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties Global AI Summit

Pakistan ruling coalition set to pass constitutional amendments to consolidate power in judicial appointments

Pakistan ruling coalition set to pass constitutional amendments to consolidate power in judicial appointments
Updated 13 min 17 sec ago
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Pakistan ruling coalition set to pass constitutional amendments to consolidate power in judicial appointments

Pakistan ruling coalition set to pass constitutional amendments to consolidate power in judicial appointments
  • Constitutional amendment package will set tenure of Supreme Court Chief Justice to three years, change process of CJ’s appointment
  • Opposition PTI party has called judicial reforms package an ‘attack’ on judiciary, threatened nationwide protests if amendments passed
Updated 13 min 17 sec ago
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Both the upper and lower houses of parliament are scheduled to convene today, unusual for a Sunday, as the government plans to table a history-making ‘constitutional amendment package’ that will increase the retirement age of superior judges by three years and change the process by which the Supreme Court chief justice is appointed.
The package of reforms, widely believed to include as many as 22 amendments to the constitution, has raised widespread concerns among opposition parties and independent experts who say the moves are aimed at increasing the government’s power in making key judicial appointments and dealing with the defection of lawmakers during house votes. The reforms also include changes to Article 63-A of the Constitution, which relates to the disqualification of legislators who cross party lines in voting for a constitutional amendment.
Ahead of the parliamentary session, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, a senior member of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) party, told reporters the government had the 224 votes, two-thirds majority, needed to pass the amendment. He also refuted reports that the amendment was being introduced to grant an extension to Supreme Court Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa, widely believed to be aligned with the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and in opposition to its chief rival, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party of jailed former PM Imran Khan, who has threatened nationwide protests against the reforms.
“It’s not going to be a person-specific or individual-specific legislation,” Information Minister Ataullah Tarar told reporters on Sunday. “Whatever is going to happen will be in the greater good of the people. It would be to benefit the people, the nation.”
PM Sharif’s office quoted him as saying at a dinner for legislators on Saturday night that the legislation would be passed “in the national and public’s interest” and to “ensure the sanctity of parliament.”
As of 8pm on Sunday night, separate consultations continued among the coalition partners and opposition parties on the amendments, according to the information minister.
“Consultations are ongoing among the government parties, while Maulana Fazlur Rehman is taking the opposition on board on the amendments,” Tarar told reporters. “Efforts are being made to reach a consensus.”
AMENDMENTS
The coalition government is proposing that the retirement age of superior judges be increased by three years. Currently, Article 179 of the Constitution envisages that a judge of the Supreme Court shall hold office until he attains the age of retirement of 65 years, whereas Article 195 of the Constitution says that a judge of a high court shall hold office until he attains the age of 62 years. The current CJ retires on Oct. 25.
The government is also mulling revising the seniority principle in the appointment of the top judge, the coalition government’s spokesperson on legal affairs Aqeel Malik told media this week.
At present, according to Article 175A of the Constitution, the senior most judge of the Supreme Court is appointed as the chief justice on the basis of the principle of seniority, but there are widespread reports that the constitutional amendment envisions the top judge chosen from a panel of five senior-most judges by a judicial commission and a parliamentary committee together.
The reform package also includes a proposal to allow the transfers of judges from one high court to another.
“If passed, the reforms could mark a seismic shift in the country’s judiciary, shaking up long-established procedures and leaving a lasting impact on how the judicial and executive branches interact,” Pakistan’s Express Tribune newspaper said in a news analysis.
In an interaction with reporters, PTI Chairman Gohar Khan said the constitutional package was an “attack” on the judiciary and its freedom.

“We believe the government is adopting an unconstitutional process,” he said. “Primarily, every aspect of the state needs to be independent, especially the judiciary, it cannot be compromised, … If there is any attempt to do this to the judiciary, we will strongly condemn it.”
RESERVED SEATS
The amendments have been proposed after a string of Supreme Court judgments that have ostensibly challenged Sharif’s coalition government, mostly notably a July 12 verdict by a 13-member bench of the Supreme Court that declared the PTI eligible for reserved parliamentary seats.
The verdict dealt a major blow to Sharif’s weak ruling coalition, which may lose its two-thirds majority in Pakistan’s parliament if the verdict is implemented. Sharif’s PML-N party has filed a review petition in the Supreme Court against the verdict.
PTI candidates contested the Feb. 8 general elections as independents after the party was barred from polls on the technical grounds that it did not hold genuine intra-party polls, which is a legal requirement.
Subsequently, the PTI-backed candidates won the most seats in the election, but the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) ruled independents were ineligible for their share of 70 reserved seats — 60 for women, 10 for non-Muslims. The reserved seats were then distributed among other parties, mostly those in the ruling coalition, a decision Khan allies contested in the court.
Reserved parliamentary seats for women and minorities are allocated in Pakistan in proportion to the number of seats a political party wins in general elections. This completes the National Assembly’s total 336 seats.
A simple majority in Pakistan’s parliament is 169 seats.

 

Topics: National Assembly of Pakistan Pakistan judges Supreme Court of Pakistan

Pakistan government says recently proposed judicial legislation to be in ‘greater good’ of people

Pakistan government says recently proposed judicial legislation to be in ‘greater good’ of people
Updated 15 September 2024
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Pakistan government says recently proposed judicial legislation to be in ‘greater good’ of people

Pakistan government says recently proposed judicial legislation to be in ‘greater good’ of people
  • The government plans to bring constitutional amendments in parliament to increase retirement age of apex court judges
  • Ex-PM Khan’s PTI opposition party has criticized the move and alleges it is designed to favor the country’s top judge
Updated 15 September 2024
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said on Monday a proposed judicial legislation to reportedly extend retirement age of top court judges among other things would be in “greater good” of the masses, with the opposition criticizing the intended constitutional amendment.
The coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is planning to get a constitutional amendment passed from parliament to allegedly give an extended term to the country’s top judge. The amendment requires a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament, which are currently in session.
Pakistan’s main opposition party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has criticized the move and alleges that it is designed to favor the country’s top judge. Former PM Imran Khan, the PTI founder, this week warned of countrywide protests if the amendment was approved.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the presentation of the amendment before the cabinet, Tarar said judicial reforms were essential to provide speedy justice to the masses and any legislation would be made in collective interest of the nation.
“We are positive about the number game,” he said. “It’s not going to be a person-specific or individual-specific legislation. Whatever is going to happen will be in greater good of the people. It would be to benefit the people, the nation.”
Tarar said it took the courts decades to resolve the cases and measures needed to be taken to ensure speedy justice. Many times, the cause list is not issued, notices are not issued and orders are issued, there should be a balanced system,” he said.
On Saturday, PM Sharif said parliament was the “supreme institution” through which important matters should be resolved.
“To ensure the sanctity of the parliament is maintained, it is necessary that legislation in the national and public’s interest takes place,” Sharif’s office quoted him as saying at a dinner for legislators on Saturday night.
Sharif’s weak coalition government is trying to muster support of enough lawmakers for a two-thirds majority to get the constitutional amendment passed, fearing it can lose a portion of its existing number of seats after an earlier ruling by the Supreme Court on reserved parliamentary seats for women and minorities.
In a verdict on July 12, a 13-member bench of the court declared the PTI eligible for the reserved seats after the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) forced the party’s candidates to contest the Feb. 8 polls as independents.
The ECP took the decision after the PTI lost its election symbol in the wake of a prolonged legal battle for not holding proper intra-party polls. Subsequently, the election body refused the reserved seats to the PTI on technical grounds, saying they were only meant for political parties instead of independent candidates.
The Supreme Court overturned the ECP decision, saying it had misconstrued an earlier verdict related to the election symbol by depriving the PTI of the reserved seats. Instead of giving the seats to the party, however, the election body filed a petition, seeking guidance on the matter and questioning the validity of the party’s organizational structure under the circumstances.
In a short order on Saturday, the apex court censured the election regulatory authority for its “dilatory tactics” to avoid the implementation of the judgment.
As per the official tally, the ruling coalition is short of at least 13 lawmakers in the National Assembly and nine in the Senate to gain the required two-thirds majority.

Topics: National Assembly of Pakistan Pakistan judges Supreme Court of Pakistan

Pakistan’s Multan to host first T20 international series featuring South Africa women

Pakistan’s Multan to host first T20 international series featuring South Africa women
Updated 15 September 2024
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Pakistan’s Multan to host first T20 international series featuring South Africa women

Pakistan’s Multan to host first T20 international series featuring South Africa women
  • The three matches provide an opportunity for both sides to gear up for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled in UAE
  • South Africa, who were runners-up in the last ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, are touring Pakistan for the second time in as many years
Updated 15 September 2024
Shahjahan Khurram

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan women under the leadership of Fatima Sana are set to take on Laura Wolvaardt-led South Africa in the three-match T20 series commencing at the Multan Cricket Stadium from Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Sunday, adding that this would be the first T20 international series in the city.
The second and third T20Is will be played at the same venue on 18 and 20 September, respectively. The first and second matches will start at 7pm Pakistan time, while the third will begin at 10am.
This will mark the first time that the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium will host a T20 and a women’s international series. Previously, the stadium has hosted 11 ODIs and six Test matches.
“The three matches provide an opportunity for both sides to gear up for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled in the UAE,” the PCB said in a statement.
South Africa, who were runners-up in the last edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup held in South Africa, are touring Pakistan for the second time in as many years.
“The players have been working hard in training, and the series against South Africa is a great opportunity for us to prepare ourselves well before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled next month. South Africa are a strong side and playing against them will help us assess our game under pressure situations,” Sana said ahead of the T20I series.
“We are excited to play at the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium, especially as the stadium is hosting its first-ever international women’s T20I series. The support from the fans in Pakistan is always incredible and with free entry to the stadium, it is a great opportunity for people to come and cheer for both sides.”
During their last visit, South Africa played a white-ball series, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs (part of ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25). Pakistan whitewashed South Africa in the three-match T20I series held in Karachi on September 1-4.
To encourage fans to come to the ground, entrance to the stadium will be free, according to the PCB. The spectators will be required to bring their original identity cards to get inside the stadium.
After the series, South Africa will depart for the UAE on September 21, while Pakistan will leave on September 23. Pakistan are in Group A of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, along with Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, while South Africa are grouped with Bangladesh, England, Scotland and the West Indies.
Following warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh on September 28 and 30 respectively, Pakistan will face Sri Lanka on October 3 in Sharjah, followed by matches against India on October 6 in Dubai, Australia on October 11 in Dubai and New Zealand on October 14 in Dubai.
18-member Pakistan squad for series:
Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani

Topics: Multan Pakistan vs South Africa

Saudi Arabia, other friendly states to invest $27 billion in Pakistan in five years — minister

Saudi Arabia, other friendly states to invest $27 billion in Pakistan in five years — minister
Updated 15 September 2024
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Saudi Arabia, other friendly states to invest $27 billion in Pakistan in five years — minister

Saudi Arabia, other friendly states to invest $27 billion in Pakistan in five years — minister
  • The development comes amid Islamabad’s efforts to attract foreign investment to drive economic growth, development
  • In recent months, Pakistan has reached investment deals mainly with Gulf states in maritime, energy and other sectors
Updated 15 September 2024
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has said that friendly countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), have pledged to invest $27 billion in Pakistan in the next five years, Pakistani state media reported on Sunday, amid a push for foreign investment in the South Asian country.
The development comes amid Islamabad’s efforts to attract foreign investment to drive economic growth in Pakistan that has been engulfed in an economic crisis due to decades of financial mismanagement.
In recent months, the South Asian country has reached multiple investment deals with a number of countries, mainly the Gulf states, in infrastructure, energy, maritime, ports and other sectors.
Iqbal said his government was making efforts to bring socio-economic reforms to put the country on the path of fast-track economic development, the state-run Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Saudi Arabia has announced to invest five billion dollars, while the UAE and Kuwait will each invest ten billion dollars and Azerbaijan will invest two billion dollars,” he was quoted as saying.
China has also shown willingness for the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative through which it has pledged over $60 billion in investment projects in Pakistan, according to Iqbal.
Beijing has given assurances for the establishment of five new corridors, including that of growth, livelihood, innovation, green economy and open regional inclusive development.
Since avoiding a default last year, Pakistan has been making attempts to boost investment and trade to revive its fragile economy, and reached a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in July for a new $7 billion loan.
The IMF executive board is due to meet on September 25 to discuss the bailout, with Pakistani officials saying that all matters with the lender have been “settled amicably.”
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said this week that friendly countries had played a major role in helping meet requirements placed before Islamabad by the IMF, which included arranging additional external financing and debt rollovers.
Islamabad has for years relied on China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE for assistance to meet such external financing requirements.

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties Ahsan Iqbal

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