DUBAI: The principal curator of Pakistan Pavilion at Dubai Expo described the facility as a “game changer” for the country shortly before the much-awaited global trade show opened with a 90-minute glittering ceremony on Thursday.
Rulers of the United Arab Emirates along with a large number of foreign dignitaries from across the world were present at the star-studded event that featured leading Grammy and Golden Globe Award winners.
Over 910 cast members, representing 64 nations, participated in the ceremony.
The highly publicized global trade show has brought together representatives of 190 nations who will display their cultures, human resource and investment opportunities for the next six months to enhance their country’s trade and commerce with the rest of the world.
Pakistan, too, is set to shine on the global stage to attract greater number of tourists along with more international investment.
“The Pakistan Pavilion at Expo 2020 will be a game changer for the country,” said Noorjehan Bilgrami, the principal curator of the 3,521 square meters of stall who also conceptualized its internal structure. “People have a certain image of Pakistan, but they will not be able to resist the temptation of visiting the country after simply walking through the pavilion.”
Bilgrami, who spoke to Arab News exclusively, said it was important to raise the comfort level of foreign nationals, adding that the Pakistan Pavilion was designed to highlight the country’s natural beauty along with the hospitality of its people.
“This will bring tourism which also be followed by trade and investment,” she said.
Under the theme of “Pakistan: The Hidden Treasure,” the pavilion has been conceived in a way that it informs, inspires and ignite conversations which are likely to leave a lasting impact.
Bilgrami, a Pakistan-based visual artist, textile designer, researcher and educationist, said the pavilion’s façade had been designed by world famous Pakistani artist Rashid Rana.
Asked about the internal structure of the facility, she said the building was divided in eight parts and was a combination of narrow passages and open spaces.
“I had to create a seamless experience and decided to use multimedia to describe different places and happenings in Pakistan,” she said.
Visitors will start their journey by learning about the country’s history through a display of ancient civilizations going back to about 7,000 years. Artisans from Pakistan have replicated pottery from the premodern period, and the organizers have prominently displayed these pieces at the pavilion.
“People will keep walking through the facility without missing the lovely timeline that shows Pakistan’s history until it evolves into a modern-day state,” she continued.
Bilgrami informed that a separate area had also been dedicated to promote different Pakistani cuisines.
According to a statement issued by the country’s commerce ministry on Thursday, the pavilion, which has been constructed at an estimated cost of $21.4 million, will also promote the government’s campaign to attract greater foreign investment in Pakistan.
“Multiple business events will be held in which government entities, private entrepreneurs and SMEs [small and media enterprises] will be projecting their opportunities,” the statement added. “This initiative is highly prioritized throughout the agenda and will be highlighted through further panel sessions, seminars and lectures.”
Organizers call Pakistan Pavilion ‘game changer’ as Dubai Expo opens with star-studded launch
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Organizers call Pakistan Pavilion ‘game changer’ as Dubai Expo opens with star-studded launch
- The principal curator of the facility says the pavilion has been designed to highlight the natural beauty of the country and hospitality of its people
- Pakistan’s commerce ministry says the event will help promote the government’s campaign to attract foreign investment in the country
Punjab health minister says lack of ‘informed consent’ led to blindness caused by experimental drug
- Nearly 70 patients of diabetes across the province suffered vision loss after being administered Avastin medicine
- The drug is primarily used to treat cancer but is also prescribed for diabetic retinopathy-related edema in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: Punjab’s interim health minister Dr. Javed Akram announced on Tuesday an experimental medication suspected of causing vision loss among dozens of diabetics across the province was administered by hospitals without following proper procedures that included obtaining “informed consent” from patients.
Nearly 70 individuals from various districts in Punjab reported eye infections leading to blindness in recent weeks after receiving injections of Avastin. The medication is primarily used to treat cancer but is also prescribed off-label in Pakistan for diabetic retinopathy-related edema.
Pakistan imposed a temporary ban on the drug earlier this week after patients began losing their vision and initiated an inquiry to assign responsibility.
In a media briefing in Lahore, the provincial health minister said the off-label use of any medication required prior authorization from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
“This did not happen,” he clarified. “Moreover, the good clinical practice of securing informed consent [from patients in such cases] was also not followed.”
Dr. Akram emphasized that it was mandatory to seek a patient’s consent “in the local language when administering an experimental drug.”
He disclosed that the government had now decided to require audiovisual recordings from hospital authorities, demonstrating that patients had been clearly informed of the benefits and risks associated with off-label medication use.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to bringing those responsible for this criminal negligence to justice and confirmed that Avastin would be available only for cancer treatment while the inquiry continued.
Minister says Pakistan to finalize first artificial intelligence policy by December
- The information technology minister says it is important to help people develop AI skills since they are quite valuable
- The government is setting up a policy committee of experts from IT industry and academia to finalize the draft policy
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interim information technology minister Umar Saif said on Tuesday his team had prepared the draft of the National Artificial Intelligence Policy and was currently in consultation with relevant stakeholders to finalize it by December.
Artificial intelligence, often abbreviated as AI, refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. These tasks include learning from data, recognizing patterns, making decisions, and solving problems. AI aims to create machines that can mimic human-like thinking and decision-making processes.
With this technology becoming more readily accessible, governments and private sectors across the world are beginning to reap its benefit while performing day-to-day functions. Pakistan’s planning ministry also acknowledged in April the AI incorporation in different government sectors would lead to better decision-making processes, personalized medical treatments, and enhanced learning experiences and solutions that were previously unattainable.
“There are far reaching consequences of this policy,” the information minister told Arab News in a brief conversation. “We have put it for public consultation. There is a draft which helped us get public comments from outside as well as inside the country … We need to train people to develop AI skills according to the policy since they can be quite valuable.”
“My goal is to finalize and notify this AI policy by December,” he continued.
Syed Junaid Imam, the spokesperson for the information technology ministry, also informed Arab News the country’s official artificial intelligence would be finalized after consultation with all stakeholders before being sent to the federal cabinet for approval.
“It is based on four main points,” he said while sharing details. “Enabling AI through awareness and readiness, AI market enablement, building a progressive and trusted environment, and its transformation and evolution.”
A recent notification by the information ministry said it was “forming a policy committee that will lead the policy consultation process and finalize the draft,” adding that the members of the committee would have experts from industry, academia and the government.
“The National AI Policy is crafted to focus on the equitable distribution of opportunity and its responsible use, having the defining attributes such as evidence-based and target oriented, user-centric and forward-looking, objective and overarching,” according to the draft of the policy, a copy of which was seen by the Arab News.
The draft also outlined how Pakistan would collaborate with other countries to share best practices and expertise in the AI field.
“The policy proposed the establishment of an AI regulatory directorate that ensures the ethical and responsible use of AI,” it read.
The draft policy also addressed the potential job displacement that could result from the global proliferation of the new technology.
“AI can help to promote economic growth by encouraging investment in AI research and development which can lead to the creation of new jobs and industries, as well as improved productivity and efficiency,” it said.
It further stated that owing to the impact of artificial globally, the Pakistani government envisioned embracing it by appreciating human intelligence and stimulating a hybrid intelligence ecosystem for equitable, responsible and transparent AI use.
Russia confirms delivery of first LPG shipment to Pakistan via Iran in expanded energy ties
- Pakistan imported 100,000 tons of discounted Russian oil under a government-to-government arrangement in Juna
- Consultations on second LPG shipment are underway after the first was routed through Iran’s Special Economic Zone
KARACHI: In a move marking an expansion of energy ties between the two countries, the Russian diplomatic mission in Islamabad confirmed the delivery of 100,000 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Pakistan through Iran on Tuesday.
The delivery follows an earlier government-to-government (G2G) deal that saw Pakistan import 100,000 tons of discounted Russian crude oil on June 11, which prompted former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to describe it as a “transformative day” for the economically struggling South Asian nation.
The LPG shipment, announced by the Russian embassy in a social media post, comes as Pakistan seeks to diversify its energy portfolio with more affordable options.
“Russia has delivered the first batch of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the amount of 100 thousand metric tons to Pakistan through Iran’s Sarakhs Special Economic Zone,” it said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “Consultations on the second shipment are underway.”
Pakistan has already started blending Russian oil with imported crude from the Gulf markets.
Zahid Mir, a top official at Pakistan Oil Refinery, told Arab News last month that the Russian crude had been successfully processed by the country, adding that the spot deal with Moscow was both technically and commercially viable.
He also informed negotiations for further cargo imports were underway.
Pakistan plans to import about 20 percent of its crude oil from Russia at discounted rates to meet its growing energy demand.
It meets about 43 percent of its LPG requirement, with a total annual consumption of 4,600 metric tons, through local production, according to data compiled by the Petroleum Club of Pakistan.
Pakistani officials could not be approached for comments on the story.
Pakistan cricket team departs for India to participate in World Cup
- Bowling coach Morne Morkel to join squad in Dubai, Team Director Mickey Arthur to meet team in Dubai
- Pakistan last played cricket on Indian soil in 2016 when Shahid Afridi led them in the T20 World Cup that year
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan men’s cricket team left for India late Tuesday night to participate in the 50-over World Cup, which kicks off on Oct. 5.
It is the first time in seven years that the South Asian country is sending its cricket team to India. The last time Pakistan’s men’s cricket team set foot on Indian soil was in 2016 to take part in that year’s T20 World Cup.
Political tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors mean they only play against each other at international venues. Skipper Babar Azam’s side will play two warm-up matches against New Zealand and Australia on Sept. 29 and Oct. 3 respectively before they begin their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on Oct. 6.
“Pakistan cricket team are at the Lahore airport to depart for India to participate in the World Cup,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
A short video clip shared by the PCB showed Azam, vice-captain Shadab Khan, and the other cricketers enjoying snacks at the airport lounge before their departure.
“The travel contingent consists 18 players and 13 player support personnel,” the PCB said, adding that South African bowling coach Morne Morkel will join the team in Dubai while former Pakistan coach and current Team Director Mickey Arthur will join the squad in India.
“Pakistan are scheduled to land in Hyderabad, India at 8:15pm (local time) on 27 September,” the PCB said.
In his pre-departure press conference, Azam told reporters the team was enjoying a “very high morale” heading into the showpiece tournament.
“We are leaving tonight for the World Cup and as a team our morale is very high, there is confidence,” Azam said. “We will try to play our best cricket.
“We could not deliver up to the mark [in Asia Cup], but we learned from it. We just don’t point out our errors, but we also talk about how to improve those sides.”
Pakistan started the Asia Cup on a high note, beating minnows Nepal and Bangladesh and also bowling India out for 266 in the group fixture match between the two sides on Sept. 2.
However, the hosts suffered a mammoth defeat of 228 runs at India’s hands in the Super Four stage of the tournament before a last-ball defeat against Sri Lanka meant they couldn’t qualify for the final.
Only two players from Pakistan’s current squad have traveled to India before: Mohammad Nawaz, who was part of Pakistan’s 2016 T20 World Cup squad, and Agha Salman, who was in the Lahore Lions’ squad for the Champions League T20.
“I’m very excited to play in Ahmedabad. It is the biggest stadium in the world and will be jam-packed for the India-Pakistan clash,” Azam said about playing in India for the first time in his years-long career.
“I have spoken to former cricketers about the condition and they are not that different … I will try to perform to the best of my ability. I can’t exactly tell you how I will do since I’m not an astrologer.”
Ex-PM Khan shifted to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail on court’s orders
- A day earlier, Islamabad High Court ordered authorities to shift Khan to Adiala Jail
- Khan had filed a petition seeking to be transferred from high-security prison in Attock
ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Imran Khan was moved on Tuesday to Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail from a prison in Attock two days after orders from the Islamabad High Court, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said earlier during the day that its chairman was not shifted to Adiala Jail despite the Islamabad High Court’s (IHC) directives on Monday. The cricketer-turned-politician was arrested on Aug. 5 and taken to a high-security prison in Attock after a trial court in Islamabad found him guilty of “corrupt practices” in a case involving the unlawful sale of state gifts during his tenure as prime minister from 2018 to 2022.
The IHC suspended Khan’s sentence on Aug. 29 but he remains in jail on remand in another case, popularly called the cipher case, in which he is charged with leaking state secrets. The latest extension of the remand order will keep Khan in jail until Oct. 10. Meanwhile, the former PM had filed a petition with the IHC seeking his transfer to Adiala Jail.
“PTI Chairman Imran Khan, who has been serving a three-year sentence in the Toshakhana case at the Attock Jail, was on Tuesday shifted to Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail on directives of the Islamabad High Court (IHC),” Pakistan’s English-language daily Dawn said.
Separately, the PTI shared a video from the Islamabad Toll Plaza in which a few party supporters could be seen showering rose petals at the convoy of police cars transporting Khan.
On Monday, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq observed that under-trial prisoners (UTPs) of all the courts in the federal capital were kept at Adiala, issuing directions to shift Khan to that prison.
In the state secrets case, Khan is charged with making public the contents of a confidential cable sent by Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States and using it for political gain, according to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
Khan alleges that the cable proves the United States had pressed Pakistan’s military to orchestrate the fall of his government because he had visited Russia shortly before its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Washington and the Pakistani military have denied Khan’s accusations.
The former prime minister also faces a range of other legal cases he says are politically motivated.
