MIRPUR, Azad Kashmir: Pakistan has launched rehabilitation activities in the quake-affected areas of Azad Kashmir and northern Punjab following Tuesday’s devastating seismic activity that claimed more than three dozen lives and left several hundred injured.
39 people were killed and over 700 injured in the 5.8-magnitude earthquake which struck Azad Kashmir and other parts of Pakistan on September 24, 2019.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lt. Gen. Muhammad Afzal on Friday briefed Prime Minister Imran Khan about the situation over the phone since Khan is currently visiting New York.
The prime minister was given the details of loss of lives, injuries and damages to properties in the quake-affected region, including districts Mirpur and Bhimber in Azad Kashmir and Jhelum in Punjab, the NDMA said in a statement.
Khan directed that financial assistance must be provided on an urgent basis to those in need, particularly to the families of those who lost their lives in the devastating earthquake.
“He further directed that the assessment of losses must be carried out as early as possible to provide assistance to people and restore communication links and other services in the areas,” the NDMA statement added.
Rehabilitation phase kicks off in quake-affected areas
Rehabilitation phase kicks off in quake-affected areas
- Pakistan’s disaster management body apprised PM Khan about the situation
- The prime minister asked the authority undertake damage assessment and provide financial support to those in need
Pakistan showcases smart solutions, tech innovation at ITCN Asia expo in Lahore
- ITCN Asia is Pakistan’s largest information and communications technology exhibition and conference
- It highlights developments in cybersecurity, cloud computing, AI, e-commerce and digital governance
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is showcasing its growing technology sector at the 27th edition of ITCN Asia at the Expo Center in Lahore, bringing together innovators, startups, investors and policymakers for one of the country’s premier technology exhibitions, Pakistani state media reported on Saturday.
ITCN Asia is Pakistan’s largest information and communications technology exhibition and conference, which is regularly held to highlight developments in fields including cybersecurity, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, e-commerce and digital governance.
The three-day event, which began on Saturday, focuses on networking, knowledge-sharing and lead generation, with conferences facilitating a learning environment for tech enthusiasts and professionals.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja called ITCN Asia a “distinguished” global event showcasing tech advancement in Pakistan, the Radio Pakistan broadcaster reported.
“Pakistan’s use of cybersecurity has put the country on the forefront of technological advancement and strengthened global trust in our technology sector,” she was quoted as saying.
The exhibition features more than 850 booths, over 3,000 global brands, international delegates, investors and government leaders, according to the organizers.
Pakistan’s Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) is showcasing electric vehicle and electronics assembly by global brands, including BYD, Samsung and Google at the exhibition.
The STZA has set up a national pavilion at the exhibition with facilitation from the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), according to a statement issued by the cabinet division.
The move is part of Pakistan’s efforts to boost foreign investment in its technology sector as the country’s startups and software houses have attracted global interest in recent years. Pakistan’s IT exports rose by $180 million to $1,057 million during
July-September last year, compared with $877 million in the same period of 2024, according to the information technology ministry.
Pakistan’s technology sector is also advancing in AI and cloud computing, marked by the launch of Pakistan’s first sovereign AI cloud in November, designed to keep sensitive data domestic and support growth in the broader digital ecosystem.
