Day: June 24, 2024

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said that government is committed to extend full support to the emerging technologies like semiconductors industry, Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Technologies. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of International Nathiagali Summer College on Physics and Contemporary Needs today. The Minister said the government has taken proactive steps to support the development of quantum technologies in Pakistan. As a first step in this direction, the Minister announced to setup a National Centre for Quantum Computing this year. Ahsan Iqbal said the government is investing in human capital development in the field of quantum science and technology through scholarships, training programmers and capacity building initiatives. He lauded Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission for playing an effective role in the development of medical, agriculture and energy sectors. The Minister stressed the consistency of policies for a strong economy and implementation of sens e of mission to steer the country towards path of development and prosperity. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja has expressed the confidence that IT exports will cross the mark of three billion dollars this year. Taking the floor in the National Assembly, she said the IT exports are expected to touch the mark of 25 billion dollars in next five years as per the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Minister of State said the IT sector remained one of the key sectors during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's visits abroad. She said an agreement was signed with the Huawei Company of China under which Islamabad will be made a smart city, while the safe city project will be extended to other cities of Pakistan. She added that 300,000 youth will be trained under this understanding which is beginning from the next month. Shaza Fatima Khawaja said training will be started with Google, Microsoft and other leading IT companies of the world to prepare at least 1.5 million IT certified individuals over the next five years. She said the D igiSkills programme will be further expanded. She said we are working on establishing the Centre for Excellence for Gaming to promote the gaming industry in the country and start-up ecosystem where all the students have uniform opportunities to grow in the IT sector. On the legislative side, the Minister of State said Pakistan's first ever Cyber Emergency Policy, draft of the National Artificial Intelligence policy, and Personal Data Protection Bill have been prepared, while a committee on National Semiconductor policy has been formed. Shaza Fatima Khawaja said Pakistan's National Digitization plan has been prepared, which include Digital Economy, Digital Governance, and Digital Society. Source: Radio Pakistan

Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Ali Amin Gandapur says more than three hundred thousand foreigners from the province have been repatriated to their native countries. Talking to a delegation of UNHCR in Islamabad today, he said the government is providing all possible facilities to the foreigners who are voluntarily repatriating to their countries. Ali Amin Gandapur said the government is ready to provide healthcare facilities to the Afghan nationals if UNHCR issues health cards to them. Source: Radio Pakistan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar has lauded the services of Pakistani women diplomats for their tremendous contributions in the field of diplomacy. In his message on social media platform X on the occasion of International Day for Women in Diplomacy, he said stalwarts like Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan, Madam Shaista Ikramullah, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and many other who broke barriers and set the path of hundreds of women diplomats who continue to represent Pakistan at the international stage with grace and dignity. The Foreign Minister applauded them all and thanked them for their services and contributions. Source: Radio Pakistan

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chairman Gates Foundation, Bill Gates visited National Emergencies Operations Centre today. Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik gave a comprehensive briefing about NDMA and NEOC encompassing the pre and post disaster mechanisms that are in place. The Prime Minister and Chairman Gates Foundation visited different sections of the NEOC whereby experts briefed them about the operations of the organization. The Chairman Gates Foundation appreciated the state of the art facilities at NEOC and underscored the importance of predictions of disasters to mitigate the losses and to expedite reconstruction and rehabilitation in the aftermath. He also appreciated the efforts of the current government in prioritizing this important area as climate change is adversely affecting the vulnerable countries as happened in Pakistan during the floods of 2022. Afterwards, an interactive session including the Prime Minister, Chairman Gate s Foundation, Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Cultural Heritage Attaullah Tarar, Coordinator to Prime Minister on Climate Change Romina Khurshid Alam, Entrepreneurs, Climate Change Activists and Experts was held. The session discussed innovative steps and tailor made solutions for Pakistan regarding health, nutrition, gender balance, preventive diseases, climate change, disaster management, climate resilient agriculture and other multiple areas. The meeting concluded with a firm resolve of cooperation between Gates Foundation and Pakistan to come up with solutions to the issues with mutual cooperation. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif thanked Chairman Gates Foundation Bill Gates for his resolve to help Pakistan in multiple areas that will benefit the common man. Source: Radio Pakistan

President Asif Ali Zardari will visit Sukkur today. He will chair a meeting there regarding security and law order situation in Sindh province. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah will attend the meeting. Source: Radio Pakistan