KARACHI: A Pakistan-based global telehealth and online training technology provider has partnered with the Islamic Development Bank and Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund to deliver critical support to Afghans in need of medical and livelihood assistance in their country, according to a statement on Wednesday.
Karachi-based Educast is a digital health and education platform that provides virtual training and telemedicine services. The Fund, established by the Islamic Development Bank in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has sought its assistance to help Afghan nationals.
“The Islamic Development Bank and Afghanistan Humanitarian Trust Fund have joined forces to provide critical humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, and their telehealth and clinical support program is making a significant impact,” said a statement released by the Pakistani firm. “Through its partnership with Educast … they’re able to reach remote and underserved areas.”
“The program’s operational details include deploying smart hubs for enhanced education, constructing and operationalizing health facilities, and providing essential health care services to vulnerable communities,” the statement added.
Educast said the key components of the programs include providing remote health services, training local health care professionals through online programs and setting up smart hubs to serve as educational facilities in 20 provinces of Afghanistan.
It also highlighted its aim to empower “thousands of Afghan female doctors,” medical students and health care workers in the field of digital health and telemedicine.
The statement informed the pilot phase of the project had already been carried out in six Afghan provinces, during which 1,000 consultations were provided, benefiting 5,000 individuals.
Educast also trained 1,500 local health care professionals, and work on setting up 20 medical education facilities is underway.
The statement further noted the partnership demonstrated the power of collaborative humanitarian efforts.
“The success of the pilot phase serves as a model for scalable, impactful interventions in conflict-affected regions,” it added.
Pakistan’s Educast partners with Islamic Development Bank to provide critical support to Afghans
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Pakistan’s Educast partners with Islamic Development Bank to provide critical support to Afghans
- Project plans to empower ‘thousands of Afghan female doctors’ in the field of digital health and telemedicine
- Educast provided 1,000 consultations during the pilot phase in six Afghan provinces, benefitting 5,000 people
Pakistan’s first female central bank governor dies at 71
- Shamshad Akhtar led the State Bank of Pakistan from 2006 to 2009 and later served twice as caretaker finance minister
- Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb describes Akhtar as an accomplished economist and an outstanding human being
KARACHI: Shamshad Akhtar, Pakistan’s first woman to serve as governor of the central bank and one of the country’s most internationally experienced economic policymakers, died at the age of 71, officials said on Saturday.
Akhtar led the State Bank of Pakistan from 2006 to 2009, becoming the first and only woman to lead the institution since its establishment in 1948. She later served twice as caretaker finance minister, overseeing fiscal management during transitional governments ahead of the 2018 and 2024 general elections.
According to local media reports, Akhtar died of cardiac arrest.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over her passing in a statement.
“The president paid tribute to her services in the field of economics and financial management, noting her contribution to strengthening economic governance in the country,” the presidency said, adding that he extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed soul.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb described Akhtar as a highly accomplished economist and an outstanding human being.
“Dr. Shamshad Akhtar was a dignified, principled and wise voice in Pakistan’s economic history,” he said.
He said she served Pakistan with integrity and dedication across several senior economic roles, adding that her national service would always be remembered with respect.
At the time of her death, Akhtar was serving as chairperson of the Pakistan Stock Exchange, a role that placed her at the intersection of Pakistan’s monetary policy, fiscal management and capital markets.
Beyond Pakistan, she held senior positions at major international institutions, including the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
Born in Hyderabad, she was educated in Karachi and Islamabad and held advanced degrees in economics from institutions in Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
Akhtar was widely regarded as a technocrat known for institutional discipline, policy continuity and a strong commitment to economic reform.
With input from Reuters
