Day: June 20, 2023

The Saudi government organized a Grand Hajj Symposium in Jeddah today to discuss Hajj arrangements and the implementation of modern facilities for intending pilgrims in Makkah Mukaramah.

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Talha Mehmood attended the symposium, chaired by the Imam of the Kaaba, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais.

Briefing the participants on Hajj arrangements, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah highlighted the implementation of modern facilities and streamlined procedures for pilgrims during the Hajj days in Makkah Mukaramah.

Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the Imam of Kaaba, extended a heartfelt welcome to the honorable guests of Allah Almighty on the sacred land of Hijaz.

He emphasized that Makkah would be the gracious host to millions of pilgrims arriving from every corner of the world.

After the symposium, Senator Talha Mahmood met with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, while also having a conversation with the Imam of Kaaba.

They exchanged good wishes and expressed their commitment to strengthen the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

The leaders of both countries expressed their commitment to further strengthen the strong and brotherly relations.

On the sidelines, during his interaction with Director General Hajj Abdul Wahab Soomro, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Hajj reiterated the commitment to provide best possible facilities to Hajj pilgrims this year.

Source: Radio Pakistan

The Saudi government organized a Grand Hajj Symposium in Jeddah today (Tuesday) to discuss Hajj arrangements and the implementation of modern facilities for intending pilgrims in Makkah Mukarma.

Minister for Religious Affairs Talha Mehmood, also attended the symposium chaired by the Imam of the Kaaba, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais.

Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, extended a heartfelt welcome to the honorable guests of Allah Almighty on the sacred land of Hijaz. He emphasized that Makkah would be a gracious host to millions of pilgrims arriving from every corner of the world.

After the symposium, Talha Mahmood met with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and the Imam of Kaaba.

They exchanged good wishes and expressed their commitment to strengthen bilateral relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina have reiterated their commitment to enhance bilateral relations in diverse fields.

The resolve was made during a meeting between Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sakib Foric, who paid a farewell call on the Speaker in Islamabad today.

During the meeting, both sides vowed to further enhance parliamentary exchanges and explore new avenues for collaboration in diverse areas. They also agreed to boost ties between two countries for benefit of their peoples.

Speaking on the occasion, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said Pakistan and Bosnia and Herzegovina share a long-standing bond based on common values and a shared commitment to peace and prosperity.

He said we look forward to deepening our collaboration in various fields, including trade, investment, tourism, and parliamentary exchanges.

He further said we are committed to promoting people-to-people exchanges, cultural understanding, and economic cooperation for the benefit of both our nations.

On this occasion, the Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed his gratitude for the warm wishes and hospitality extended to him during his stay in Pakistan.

He affirmed the commitment of his country to strengthen ties with Pakistan and further expand the bilateral cooperation.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pakistan’s IT and IT-enabled Services (ITeS) export remittances declined by one percent during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year 2022-23 and stood at $2.369 billion compared to $2.383 billion during the same period of last fiscal year.

According to the official data, on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, the sector’s exports remittances increased by around 28 percent to $236 million in May 2023 compared to $184 million in May 2022.

According to Arif Habib Limited, this is the highest level of monthly exports seen since December 2022.

On a month-on-month basis, the sector’s export remittances increased by 24 percent compared to $191 million in April 2023.

The IT and ITeS export remittances, including telecommunication, computer, and information services, reached an all-time high of $2.618 billion, a growth rate of 47.43 percent in the fiscal year 2022 compared to $2.108 billion in the fiscal year 2021.

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication had envisaged that the IT exports target of $5 billion would be achieved by June 2023. However, it had also warned the government that on account of the non-implementation of agreed incentives, lack of consistency in policies, as well as, without resolving the tax and banks-related issues, the telecom sector exports remittances may suffer besides compromising its digital vision.

The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication was informed recently that Pakistan’s IT exports are over $5 billion but exports of just $2.5 billion are documented.

The stagnation in IT exports and a possible contraction on the cards have created profound concerns and apprehensions in the IT industry as the IT and ITeS industry’s export remittances shrunk, sector experts stated.

They pointed out that the FBR, the SBP, the SECP, the TDAP, and the PSEB should work in tandem to align foreign exchange, taxation, companies’ regulations, export, and investment policies with international best practices.

This year, Pakistani IT exports are expected to be in the range of $2.5-2.6 billion; which can easily be jacked up to the psychological mark of $5 billion in a quick succession of two years – provided policies of the government institutions turn business-friendly and focus on ease of doing business (EODB) parameters – on which Pakistan ranks abysmally low at 108th number, they added.

Source: Pro Pakistani

A black Mercedes E-Class forced its way into the Peshawar Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Route near Chamkani this morning, prompting a high-stakes security pursuit. The reckless driver threatened a security guard with a gun and entered the restricted track.

The security crew pursued the rogue car however the assailant escaped after shooting a guard who approached him before fleeing. The critically wounded security guard was rushed to a neighboring hospital for treatment.

According to a report, the criminal exited the BRT track near Gora Qabristan, leaving officials to search for him and pursue justice. Law enforcement is on high alert, investigating the event and searching for the armed fugitive.

The Peshawar BRT administration is deeply concerned about this security breach and vows to improve route safety. The incident underscores the need for increased monitoring and fast action to protect commuters and staff.

As the search for the perpetrator escalates, residents are advised to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity to the authorities.

Source: Pro Pakistani