Author: Adnan Shamim

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar has expressed Pakistan’s support for the Global Development Initiative.

Addressing a High Level Meeting on Global Development Initiative Cooperation Outcomes on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York, he commended the milestones achieved in GDI implementation, the most recent being the successful launch of the Inter-Agency Task Force on GDI.

The Prime Minister highlighted that progress towards achieving the SDGs has suffered a serious setback due to the poly crises of Covid, conflict and climate change.

The Prime Minister stressed that China’s Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are vital vehicles for achieving the SDGs.

He highlighted the need for action in five key areas including food production, infrastructure investment, industrialization, resilient healthcare systems and the bridging the digital divide.

The Prime Minister further highlighted the necessity of adequate and appropriate finance at all levels of the development process and welcomed President Xi’s announcement of the setting up another fund of 10 billion dollars dedicated to the implementation of the GDI.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister said Pakistan looks forward to enhancing its cooperation with China and other members of the Group of Friends of GDI to realize their collective aspiration for implementation of the SDGs.

The event also heard opening remarks by Vice President of China Han Zheng, President of the General Assembly Dennis Francis, and other high-level dignitaries, as well as a video briefing and presentation on GDI cooperation.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Zong 4G, Pakistan’s leading telecommunications company, welcomed Mr Huo Junli as the new Chairman and CEO, marking a significant leadership transition.

Mr. Huo Junli has officially taken the helm, succeeding Mr. Wang Hua, who has admirably served as CMPak’s CEO and Chairman for over five years. Mr. Wang Hua has returned to CMCC, where he will undertake a new role within the organization.

Mr. Huo Junli holds a Master’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunication, and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Xi’an Jiaotong University.”

Mr. Huo Junli brings an extensive and diverse background with nearly three decades of experience in the telecommunications industry. His career, which began in 1997, has been marked by a series of notable roles within CMCC, including leadership positions such as heading the NOMC and Information Security department for China Mobile Shanxi Province Company. In 2017, he further advanced his career as a board member and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

Mr. Huo Junli enthusiastically shared his sentiments upon taking on the leadership role at Zong 4G, stating: “I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter at Zong 4G. The company has a well-earned reputation for its steadfast commitment to pushing boundaries, fearlessly addressing challenges, and consistently delivering exceptional results throughout its 15-year history.

I am wholeheartedly committed to guiding our journey towards excellence and playing a pivotal role in advancing and expanding the telecommunications industry in the country, aligning with the vision of a Digital Pakistan.”

With this transition, Zong 4G looks forward to Mr. Huo Junli’s visionary leadership, aiming to continue its commitment to delivering exceptional telecommunications services and spearheading innovation in the industry.

Mr. Huo’s rich experience and expertise are well-positioned to lead the company into a promising era of expansion and digital transformation.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication, Dr. Umer Saif, envisaged setting up a government-backed Venture Capital (VC) Fund to strengthen the startup and fintech ecosystems by providing financial support to new ventures and startups.

During his visit to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP),, the minister witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SECP and IGNITE, focusing on awareness sessions, regulatory compliance education, addressing challenges faced by Pakistani startups, fostering fintech innovation, and fostering investment-friendly environments.

Dr. Saif showed a keen interest in the SECP’s Regulatory Sand Box and the cutting-edge business models being considered, such as asset fractionalization.

Akif Saeed, Chairman of SECP, presented a detailed briefing to the Federal Minister, outlining the organization’s significant efforts in digitalization, innovation, regulatory support, capacity building, investment facilitation, and policy advocacy. The Chairman also informed Dr. Saif about the pioneering regulatory sandbox program implemented by SECP to facilitate fintech, seamlessly embed technology into conventional financial services, and bring innovation to them.

The SECP Commissioner Mujtaba Ahmad Lodhi, Executive Director of Specialised Companies Khalida Habib, CEO IGNITE Asim Shahryar Husain, and other senior officials were also present.

Khalida Habib briefed the Minister on the regulatory requirements for the formation of a government-backed VC Fund of Fund and provided detailed insights for effectively establishing a well-structured VC Fund of Fund.

The minister also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between SECP and IGNITE, focusing on awareness sessions, regulatory compliance education, addressing challenges faced by Pakistani startups, fostering fintech innovation, and fostering investment-friendly environments. The MoU was signed by Mujtaba Ahmad Lodhi, Commissioner SECP, and Asim Shahryar Husain, Chief Executive Officer of Ignite.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said that on September 19, the Armenian Armed Forces stationed in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan resorted to a number of military provocations and large-scale terrorist attacks.

She added, “As a result of the explosion of landmines planted by Armenian sabotage groups on the Ahmadbeyli-Fuzuli-Shusha road with the aim of terrorizing people, civilians and soldiers from the internal forces of the Ministry of the Interior were killed and wounded.” Moreover, units of the Azerbaijani army came under fire with mortars and small arms. As a result, two soldiers of the Azerbaijani army were injured.”

She continued: Azerbaijani army units revealed the fortification of positions and units that the Armenian Armed Forces raised to a high level of combat readiness.

She noted that limited-scale anti-terrorism measures have been launched in the region to prevent possible large-scale provocations by the Armenian Armed Forces located in the Karabakh Economic Region, and to ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Tripartite Statement, as well as the disarmament and withdrawal of units of the Armed Forces of Armenia from the territory of Azerbaijan, and the neutralization of its military infrastructure. , ensuring the safety of the peaceful civilian and military population participating in the restoration and construction work carried out in the region and restoring the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Source: International Islamic News Agency