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GOVT TO PROVIDE ICT TRAINING TO 300,000 YOUTH IN COLLABORATION WITH HUAWEI: PM Monday, 10 March, 2025 I 9 Ramazan, 1446
PM SHEHBAZ REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT g NOTES ICT TRAINING PROGRAM WILL NOT ONLY TO EQUIP YOUTH WITH MODERN SKILLS, BOOST IT EXPORTS BUT ALSO CREATE EMPLOYMENT ENHANCE THEIR DIGITAL CAPABILITIES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
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Rs 20.00 | Vol XV No 244 I 8 Pages I Islamabad Edition
LAHORE
STAFF REPORT
RIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government's commitment to equipping youth with modern skills, emphasizing that all possible support is being provided to enhance their digital capabilities. Chairing a review meeting in his camp office in Lahore on Sunday, he discussed the implementation of the initiative to provide ICT training to 300,000 youth in collaboration with Huawei Technologies. Representatives from Huawei Technologies also attended the meeting. The discussion focused on measures to equip the youth with advanced digital skills and deliver world-class IT training. The meeting also reviewed the progress of agreements made with Huawei Technologies during the Prime Minister’s visit to China last year. Shehbaz Sharif underlined the crucial role of youth in driving technological advancement and the digital revolution. He noted that Huawei's ICT training program will not only boost IT exports but also create employment opportunities for young professionals. Huawei Technologies representatives reiterated their commitment to launching advanced training programs in Pakistan. Under this initiative, training will be provided in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and other emerging technologies. The Prime Minister was informed that 300,000 young Pakistanis will receive online ICT training. To facilitate this, an ICT training portal will be officially launched by Shehbaz Sharif. It is noteworthy that Huawei Tech-
nologies has already trained 20,315 students under this initiative. The program aims to upskill students, trainers, and ICT professionals, with master trainers, trained by Huawei, conducting sessions at the local level. PM Urges Elected Representatives to Stay Connected with People Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif directed the elected representatives to maintain close contact with the people in their constituencies and actively address their concerns. He gave these instructions during a meeting with Members of the National Assembly Muhammad Azhar Qayoom Nahra and Abdul Ghaffar Wattoo on Sunday. During the discussion, the MNAs briefed the Prime Minister on various issues and development projects in their
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respective constituencies. Additionally, Member Punjab Assem-
bly Fida Hussain Wattoo also met the Prime Minister to discuss regional matters.
capital and facilities on a priority basis to businesswomen in the cottage industry. He also instructed measures to offer low-cost loans to women under the Youth Loan Scheme, enabling them to expand their businesses. Stressing the importance of supporting educated and skilled women, especially in rural and remote areas, he urged for initiatives that help them achieve financial independence through entrepreneurship. The prime minister ordered the establishment of facilitation centres and training institutes to support women engaged in small-scale businesses and ensure their easy access to these resources.
To strengthen this initiative, he announced the formation of a special committee tasked with developing a comprehensive plan for empowering women through business opportunities. The committee will soon present its recommendations to the prime minister. The PM further directed authorities to guarantee women’s access to facilitation centres and training programmes and reaffirmed that low-cost loans would be made available to female entrepreneurs under the Youth Loan Scheme. During the meeting, the prime minister was briefed on Smeda’s initiatives for the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises.
Govt to integrate women-linked industries, businesses with SME sector PROFIT APP
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the government will integrate women associated with cottage industries and small businesses into the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector. The announcement was made on International Women’s Day during a review meeting on ongoing reforms under the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda). Speaking at the meeting, the prime minister emphasised the need for women’s economic empowerment and directed authorities to provide essential
Barrister Aqeel hints at updating banned outfits’ list with US help ISLAMABAD
STAFF REPORT
Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik on Sunday said that the government will be updating its list of proscribed and banned organizations with the assistance of US agencies, including the State Department. He also stated that individuals associated with these organizations may face travel bans imposed by the US. Speaking to a private TV channel, barrister Aqeel affirmed that there is no risk of a travel ban on Pakistanis. “People need not get worried that there is some visa ban on Pakistan or that they will be denied entry,” he said. “We are not looking at an outright ban on Pakistanis entering the US.” The minister said that lists of banned organisations in both Pakistan and the US need to be updated. “The list of proscribed groups needs
to be updated, and I am sure that the State Department will update their own lists as well,” Aqeel said. “We will share information with them — there is intelligence sharing — and based on our list, they will update their lists about banned Pakistani organisations as well,” the minister stated. “If any individuals maintain links with these organisations, their entry may be denied, and their visas may be revoked.” Responding to a question, the minister reiterated that ordinary Pakistanis will not be denied entry to the US. “I do not believe there will be any blanket ban or restriction on Pakistani nationals travelling to the US,” he stated. On Friday, the Punjab home department released a list of 84 proscribed organisations, urging the citizens to refrain from give charity and donations to these banned organizations. and and “Providing any kind of assistance to banned organisations is
a crime under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997,” the Punjab government statement said, adding that the law would punish those assisting banned organisations involved in terrorism and anti-state activities. The statement also emphasised the importance of ensuring that donations reach legitimate beneficiaries and do not end up supporting terrorism or criminal activities. Details of registered organizations can be found on the Charity Commission's website. The statement also encouraged citizens to report fraudulent or suspicious activities, including those involving organizations that may be funding terrorism, state anti-activities, or personal gains. Complaints can be lodged with the Punjab Interior Department, and individuals can report fundraising activities by banned organizations through toll-free numbers 080011111, or helpline numbers 04299214871 and 042-99214872.
With the victory in the Champions Trophy 2025 final, India have now won the tournament for a record third time in history. India were off to a flying start in their chase as their openers gave them an opening stand of 105 in 18.3 overs before Shubman Gill’s dismissal after scoring 31 off 50 balls. Virat Kohli then joined his Rohit Sharma in the middle and his inning lasted just two balls in which he made one run. Shreyas Iyer arrived at the crease to take on the chase alongside Rohit Sharma.
The India captain’s 76 off 83 balls inning, however, came to an end on the very first delivery of the 26th over as India lost their third wicket on 122 runs. Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel then stitched a 61-run partnership to take India to 183 in 38.3 overs. Iyer was dismissed after scoring 48 off 62 deliveries, bringing wicketkeeping batter KL Rahul to join Axar Patel. Patel departed after scoring 29 off 40 balls as India needed 49 runs to win the Champions Trophy 2025 final. Hardik Pandya scored 18 off 18 deliveries and was involved in a crucial 38-run partnership with KL Rahul. Ravindra Jadeja arrived at the crease to join KL Rahul, with India needing 11 off 15 deliveries to win the ultimate game. Rahul remained unbeaten on 34 as India chased down the 252-run target in 49 overs. Earlier, Daryl Mitchell scored an anchoring fifty as New Zealand set a 252-run target for India in the Champions Trophy 2025 final. Opening batters Will Young and Rachin Ravindra looked solid after New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first in the ultimate game of the tournament.
India outperform New Zealand to lift Champions Trophy 2025 for a third time
DUBAI STAFF REPORT
Rohit Sharma led India mounted a successful chase of a 252-run target against New Zealand on Sunday to win the ICC Champions Trophy at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Skipper Sharma was the top scorer with 76, while Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul helped take the Indian side to victory after losing five wickets. Set to chase 252, India got over the line over the loss of six wickets and six balls to spare to lift the trophy.
Spanish police nick 10 Pakistanis over terrorism charges Spanish authorities claimed to have arrested 10 Pakistani nationals on terrorism charges in a largescale operation targeting an alleged extremist network involved in inciting violence. According to a statement issued by the Spanish authorities, the arrests were made in a joint operation conducted by the Mossos d’Esquadra (Catalan police), the Spanish National Police, and Italian law enforcement. One additional suspect was taken into custody in the Italian city of Piacenza. The latest arrests took place on the night of March 3 in various locations, including Montcada i Reixac, Sant Adrià de Besòs, Sabadell, and Santa Coloma de Gramenet. The operation follows earlier detentions of five individuals in 2022 and 14 in 2023, bringing the total number of suspects held in connection with the case to 30. Authorities have so far ruled out any external connections, stating that the organization’s center of operations was within Spain. The alleged leader of the group is said to be a 55-year-old Pakistani citizen. Investigators have linked the group to an extremist organization that used encrypted messaging platforms to issue violent directives and glorify attacks carried out in Europe and Pakistan over accusations of blasphemy. Some individuals within the network had reportedly begun identifying specific targets in Europe for potential attacks. Authorities also revealed that a separate online group, led by one of the arrested women, was exclusively made up of female members. The group was allegedly involved in spreading extremist propaganda and assisting in the selection of potential targets.