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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said that being rich with immense scenic beauty, particularly the Northern Areas, Pakistan could turn these resources into a great opportunity. The prime minister said addressing the launching ceremony of the “Salam Pakistan” brand and e-portal that would help promote tourist attractions across the world and guide tourists. He said Pakistan was a great place for promoting tourism and cultural heritage. He instructed his Advisor on Tourism Aoun Chaudhry to do maximum efforts to promote tourism, though the government was about to complete its term very soon. Prime Minister Shehbaz instructed the advisors…

BEIJING: “The cooperation in the realm of education, be it university-to-university linkages, academia-industry collaboration, or the number of Pakistani students studying in China, are all reflective of the confidence and stability of the unique ties between Pakistan and China,” said Ms. Afifa Shajia Awais, Education Attach of Pakistani Embassy in China. She made these remarks at the 2023 “Shared Aspirations, Beyond Khunjerab Pass” Pakistan Theme Day China-Pakistan Education Cooperation Promotion Conference held recently by Pakistan China Center at SCO Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Ms. Afifa Shajia Awais noted that the growing economic ties between the two countries…

BEIJING : Pakistan Ambassador to China, Moin-ul-Haque Thursday said that building high-quality infrastructure and enhancing connectivity and regional integration would be prioritized in the second phase of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development. The first phase of the CPEC was about fixing the “hardware” side of development, and the upcoming second phase would upgrade the “software” of development by focusing on agriculture, science and technology, skill development, innovation, industrialization, economic growth, health, and education, he told Global Times on the development of the flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In that context, Pakistan and China would hold…

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Thursday called for efforts to deepen and widen the relationship between Pakistan and Iran, particularly in the areas of trade, economy, culture, and people-to-people contacts. The president, talking to Pakistan’s ambassador-designate to Iran Mudassir Tipu, who called on him here, underlined that Iran was a brotherly neighbouring country and Pakistan greatly valued its relationship with Iran rooted in history, culture, and religion. He underscored that in the regional context, it was important that efforts were reinforced to highlight the plight of hapless people living in the Indian Illegal Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to…

ISLAMABAD,: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday inaugurated three centres including Pakistan China Joint Research Centre, Pakistan China Joint Research Centre on Earth Sciences, Dr A Q Khan Institute of Material and Emergency Sciences at the Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad. These Higher Education Commission (HEC)-sponsored centres, approved by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP), were formally launched during a ceremony held at the QAU which was attended among others by QAU Vice Chancellor Dr Niaz, Chinese officials and a large number of students. Speaking at the occasion, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the centres…

LOS ANGELES: As the Hollywood writers’ strike approaches the 100-day mark, Writers Guild of America (WGA) negotiators will meet on Friday with representatives of the major studios for the first time in three months to discuss whether contract talks can resume. The 11,500 members of the guild walked out May 2, citing an impasse over pay, streaming residuals and other issues such as setting curbs on the use of artificial intelligence. Next Wednesday marks the 100th day of the strike. Ahead of the meeting, the WGA’s negotiating committee issued a statement to union members, saying it was time for the…

LAHORE  – Minister of State for Petroleum Musadik Malik has confirmed that Saudi Arabia has hinted at investing $24 billion investment in Pakistan. Talking to a local news channel, he said there were several avenues to invest in agriculture, energey and information technology. Earlier, Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar had confirmed during a press conference that Saudi Arabia had deposited $2bn in the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The cash-strapped country is already struggling with high inflation, dwindling foreign direct invetsment (FDI) and foreign exchange reserves and debt restructuring challenges. Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan…

KARACHI  – Foreign exchange reserves held by the State Bank of Pakistan dropped by $32 million to $8,153.8 million during the week ending on July 27 on account of debt repayments, the central bank said. The total reserves of the country stood at $13,463.7 million including $5,309.9m held by commercial banks.

ISLAMABAD  – The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and other coalition partners have put their faith in Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in nomination of the caretaker prime minister. The government has paced up consultation to finalise the caretaker setup as it has decided to prematurely dissolve the National Assembly on Aug 9. A day earlier, PM Shehbaz told the allies at a dinner hosted by him in the federal capital that the assembly would be dissolved on Aug 9. He added that the decision about the caretaker prime minister would be taken in consultation with Leader of the Opposition in the…

Grammy-winning singer Lizzo denied claims made in a lawsuit filed by three of her former dancers that she created a hostile work environment by engaging in denigrating behavior and body-shaming, calling the accusations “false” and “outrageous.” Lizzo’s response on the social media platform X comes two days after the dancers filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court. It alleges harassment based on sex, religion, race and disability. In addition to Lizzo, whose hit singles include ‘Juice’ and ‘Truth Hurts,’ the lawsuit names her production company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc and Shirlene Quigley, the captain of her dance…