KARACHI-NdcTech, a subsidiary of Systems Limited, recently won the banking tech award for “Best Digital - IT Services” at Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2023. With its 3rd edition this year, the Asian Technology Excellence Awards hosted by Asian Business Review recognized exceptional projects and innovations, from technology companies that pioneered ground-breaking IT products and solutions to innovative technology initiatives that made an impact on businesses. The bank was looking for a technology partner to unify complete commercial loan offerings on a centralized cloud native modern platform and maximize operational efficiencies. NdcTech used its own commercial loan origination solution on Temenos Digital Platform and itsinnovations to enhance and streamline the bank’s entire operational workflow. Our pride extends to our teams, who have delivered exceptional digital IT services and innovations to the bank.

The recent financial crisis in the national air carrier has turned out to be a boon for private airlines operating in the country. They have taken their domestic fares to unprecedented heights, exploiting the situation. Even the so-called budget airlines are charging exorbitant fares. I was recently charged a one-way fare in excess of Rs50,000 for my travel from Karachi to Lahore. AAMIR MALIK- Advertisement -KARACHI

Mandana Karimi’s favouritesHer hobbies include travelling and collecting new gadgets. Mandana Karimi’s modelling careerAt the age of 20, when her friends encouraged her, she prepared a portfolio for modelling assignments. Mandana Karimi in Bigg BossMandana Karimi participated as a contestant in the famous reality show ‘Bigg Boss Season 9.’ She emerged as the second runner-up of the show. Mandana Karimi’s film projectsSome of the films that Mandana Karimi has worked in are Roy (2015), Xuanzang (2016), Main Aur Charles (2015), Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 (2016), and Thar (2022). Mandana Karimi appeared in a web series called ‘The Casino.’ It is an ongoing show since 2020.

MIAMI: The LIV Golf League released its 2024 regular-season schedule on Wednesday even as merger talks continue between LIV’s Saudi backers and the PGA Tour over a framework agreement. Some of LIV’s events are opposite PGA Tour signature events. Since then, other groups have sought equity deals with the PGA Tour. Adelaide will play host to LIV Golf on April 26-28 with a Singapore stop on May 3-5. “We’re thrilled to announce an exciting slate of events that reflects our commitment to bringing world-class players and premier competition to new and repeat markets every year,” LIV Golf Commissioner Greg Norman said.

In a few recent articles, I have focused on the importance of local languages being used. That also means big languages, such as Urdu, and it means smaller languages and vernaculars, including dialects. It is important that people get a chance to use local languages, indeed their mother tongue, in as many situations as possible, and that the written languages are maintained. One could even argue for local languages to be used more even at university, and then there would be a need for courses in those languages related to scientific work. In a way, Pakistan should be grateful to the Brits in this field, and English is widely use, albeit at the expense of Urdu and local languages.

PHOTO: PIDCaretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday said peace in the region could not be guaranteed till the resolution of the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir between Pakistan and India. " The prime minister strongly condemned the ongoing grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The prime minister highlighted that the rapidly changing geo-strategic environment had a profound impact on Pakistan and rest of the region. Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu received the prime minister on the venue. The prime minister witnessed a thrilling fly-past of the formations of PAF jets including Mirage, F-7P, JF-17 Thunder and J-10C.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Wednesday repeated his call on the “traditional old guard politicians” to step back, emphasising that the country’s youth deserved a chance to shape their future without anyone else’s political baggage. Read more: Bilawal slams ‘traditional politics of electables’“Over the last 18 months, our coalition partners claimed to tackle citizens' challenges. 18th AmendmentExpressing optimism for change, the PPP chief championed the need for a transfer of leadership to younger figures, saying the upcoming February 8 general elections would serve the masses only if entrusted to youthful leadership. Also read: Send old guard home, Bilawal tells peopleTo realise the dream of development of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the PPP chairman stressed the need for a strong chief minister in the province. We will invite Aseefa Bhutto Zardari [Bilawal’s sister] to contest the election for the National Assembly seat from Chitral.

Former federal minister for privatisation and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senator Waqar Ahmed Khan on Wednesday announced his decision to join the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Uniting all political parties on a common platform demands skill, he noted, emphasising the country’s requirement for stability and experienced leadership. Waqar emphasised that political stability was essential for any country, serving as a prerequisite for achieving economic stability. Read more: PPP, PML-N will form a coalition govt: Makhdoom predictsAmir Maqam stated that, guided by Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, politicians nationwide are aligning themselves with the PML-N. He said that all political parties have the aim of coming to power by hook or crook.

“It is reform or rupture,” he said, outlining unfolding fractures in global economic and financial systems. This rupture manifests itself in Pakistan in the evolving socio-economic, financial and development policy landscape saddled by a myriad of fast-converging challenges. Published this month, the 2024 UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Human Development Report (Pakistan included) tells us that the region’s human development story is one of ‘progress, disparity, and disruption’. Pakistan must therefore work towards building a resilient economy that deliberately chooses innovation and reform or risk stagnation. As such, the choice may appear clear between ‘reform or rupture’, but it must be translated into bold and decisive action to pave the way for a prosperous, resilient Pakistan.

0 0Author: Dr Shalini Chawla, Distinguished Fellow, Centre for Air Power StudiesKeywords: TTP, Pakistan Military, Afghan Refugees, Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations, Af-PakPakistan’s tensions with the Afghan Taliban have intensified and recent developments have been significant, suggesting alterations in Pakistan’s Afghan policy. [3] This was mainly to encourage trade with Afghanistan and also allow trade with Pakistan without pressuring its depleting foreign reserves. Other than this, till now, 64 Afghan citizens were killed while fighting Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies during the counterterrorism campaign”. The TTP has imitated the tactic of the Afghan Taliban of naming ‘shadow governors’, who oversee five or six regional deputies. [9] Kamran Yousuf, “Pakistan Shifts Stance on Afghan Taliban”, The Express Tribune, November 09, 2023, https://tribune.com.pk/story/2445604/pakistan-shifts-stance-on-afghan-taliban.

The tunnel where workers are trapped in Uttarkashi in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, November 21, 2023. PHOTO: REUTERSThe first images emerged on Tuesday of 41 men trapped for more than a week in a highway tunnel in the Indian Himalayas, showing them standing in the confined space and communicating with rescue workers. Read also: Rescuers drill to send more food to trapped workers in Indian tunnelDrilling had been suspended on Friday after a machine snag and fears of a fresh collapse. The trapped men are low-wage workers, most of them from poor states in India's north and east. "He said he is doing fine," Sunita Hembrom, the sister-in-law of one of the workers trapped in the tunnel, Surendra Kisko, told reporters after she spoke to him.

Dr. Ishrat Hussain’s astute observations regarding the challenges stemming from frequent changes in government leadership offer profound insights into Pakistan’s political landscape. The incessant alterations in policies accompanying shifts in leadership thwart sustained development and plunge our nation back to square one. For over 25 years, Pakistan has witnessed a staggering turnover of 12 prime ministers, exacerbating political uncertainty and stymieing consistent policy execution. Dr. Hussain’s emphasis on political stability, consensus building, and meritocracy resonates as vital components for effective policymaking and implementation. Excessive dependence on external borrowings, as cautioned by Dr. Hussain, stifles the nation’s investment and savings initiatives, impeding self-sufficiency and long-term stability.

Namira Salim (left) and Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi. — Facebook/Namira Salim/APP/FileISLAMABAD: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Tuesday said that first Pakistani Astronaut Namira Salim was pride of the nation, and a torchbearer for the youth and inspiration for women. Addressing a press conference along with Namira Salim, the minister said that the government was proud that it had supported Namira’s space mission. “It was my dream to represent Pakistan,” Namira Salim said, “and I proudly carried the Flag of Pakistan to space.” The first Pakistan astronaut said through space diplomacy, she was giving the message of peace in the world. She said after commercialization, the cost of space travel had decreased and aspiring Pakistani astronauts would be able to fulfill their dream of space tourism in near future.

The prime minister strongly condemned the ongoing grave human rights situation in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The prime minis­ter highlighted that the rapidly changing geo-strategic environ­ment had a profound impact on Pakistan and rest of the region. “Therefore, the situation de­mands advancements in space networks, cyber technology, nano technology and artificial in­telligence,” he said. Earlier, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu received the prime min­ister on the venue. The prime minister witnessed a thrilling fly-past of the formations of PAF jets including Mirage, F-7P, JF-17 Thunder and J-10C.

Despite a slight widening in the rupee-dollar exchange rate between the markets to Rs2, it remains within the IMF-recommended level of 1.25%. Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER)In October, Pakistan’s Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER), which measures the local currency against the currency basket of trading partner countries, experienced a significant appreciation of 6.9 within just a month. The central bank has traditionally maintained REER around 95-96 during periods of satisfactory foreign exchange reserves. The positive stance from the IMF and the subsequent boost in foreign exchange reserves are contributing factors. However, experts advise cautious optimism, emphasising the need for continued economic reforms to ensure sustainable growth and stability in the foreign exchange market.