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On Qatar visit, Pakistan minister says 'well-equipped' to meet Gulf nation's expanding IT needs

Pakistan's IT Minister, Umar Saif, leads a delegation from Pakistan in a meeting with Qatari officials in Doha, Qatar on December 2, 2023. (Photo courtesy: APP)
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Updated 04 December 2023
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On Qatar visit, Pakistan minister says 'well-equipped' to meet Gulf nation's expanding IT needs

  • Pakistan's first-ever IT delegation arrived in Doha on Saturday, seeking investment, and exploring opportunities for Pakistani tech firms
  • Qatari companies exhibited significant interest in fintech, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation, delegates say
Updated 04 December 2023
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Information Technology Minister Dr. Umar Saif said on Sunday the South Asian country was "well-equipped" to meet Qatar’s expanding IT requirements as he led representatives of 30 leading Pakistani IT companies at meetings with officials of Qatari firms in Doha. 

Pakistan's first-ever IT delegation to Qatar arrived in Doha on Saturday for a five-day visit, aiming to attract investment and explore opportunities for Pakistani software houses and freelance developers.  

In line with broader trends in the Gulf region, Qatar is actively diversifying its economy and focusing on the technology sector, taking smart city initiatives, launching tech start-ups and hosting technologically advanced events like the FIFA World Cup 2022. The strategic shift includes the adoption of advanced digital technologies, such as AI, cloud computing and cybersecurity, to transition into a knowledge-based economy. 

On Sunday, an event titled as 'Pak-Qatar Tech Connect' brought together distinguished speakers from public and private sectors, who stressed the need to enhance collaboration and trade between both countries, according to the Pakistani IT ministry. The event served as a platform for some impactful business-to-business (B2B) interactions. 

“Pakistan, a vast country just two hours away, boasts a robust IT infrastructure, a wealth of IT products, services, and a pool of skilled professionals that can undoubtedly cater to Qatar's growing IT needs,” Saif told Arab News from Doha. 

The minister said he highlighted Pakistan’s IT potential at the conference in Doha, which included "exciting meetings" with businesses in Qatar to establish collaboration with Pakistani IT firms. 

“This time, 30 Pakistani firms are taking part in this conference, but in the near future, Pakistan will be showcasing 300 IT firms in Qatar,” he said. “There is a huge potential for Pakistani companies to expand their business in Qatar.” 

Saif expressed hopes that the Pakistan-Qatar IT conference would serve as a catalyst for stronger ties, shared growth and enhanced technological cooperation between the two nations. 

“We also had a great meeting with CEO of Qatar Financial Center Yousaf Mohammad Al-Jaida and his team to help establish a process and incentive packages for Pakistani IT companies to expand their businesses to Qatar,” he said. 

The visit of the Pakistani delegation is aimed at forging a common, secure platform that enables professionals from both nations to seamlessly share knowledge, expertise and technological advancements, according to the Pakistani IT minister.  

Both countries can propel their technological landscapes to new heights by leveraging their technical knowledge. 

“This collaboration aims to create a secure technological ecosystem, aligning with Qatar's remarkable strides in automating various business sectors,” he said. 

“I extend an invitation to my counterpart Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed Al-Mannai to visit Pakistan at his convenience to witness firsthand the technological developments and collaborative potential between our nations.” 

He appreciated the role of Qatar Financial Centre and Qatar Free Zone in providing an international platform to Pakistani business houses to set up and launch innovative ventures in Qatar. 

Zohaib Khan, chairman of the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA), said today's primary focus were the B2B interactions, which included participation from top 30 Pakistani IT companies specializing in cybersecurity, digital transformation and various other IT services. 

“Qatari companies exhibited significant interest in fintech, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital transformation,” he told Arab News over the phone. “Numerous Pakistani businesses secured promising leads, expected to materialize in the upcoming weeks.”  

Khan said collaborations were underway with Qatari firms and several Pakistani entities were considering registration in the Gulf nation. 

The upcoming events would be centered around government-to-government (G2G) meetings, which are anticipated to have a highly positive impact on Pakistani IT exports through increased remittances, he added. 

Topics: Pakistan Qatar

Islam places no restrictions on girls’ education, MWL chief tells conference in Pakistan

Updated 18 sec ago
Usama Iqbal Khawaja
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Islam places no restrictions on girls’ education, MWL chief tells conference in Pakistan

  • Sheikh Abdul Kareem Al-Issa says anyone opposing girls’ education is deviating from global Muslim community
  • Top Muslim World League official says Muslim women always enjoyed significant presence in all spheres of life
Updated 18 sec ago
Usama Iqbal Khawaja

ISLAMABAD: Islam places no restrictive conditions on girls’ education, and anyone opposing it is deviating from the global Muslim community, Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Kareem Al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League (MWL), said on Saturday at an international conference in Pakistan focusing on the issue.
Muslim communities have often faced criticism for not providing sufficient opportunities to women in fields like education, though many of their countries have made significant strides in promoting women’s participation across various fields.
The issue of girls’ education has drawn heightened attention recently, particularly after Afghanistan’s interim administration, led by the Taliban, imposed restrictions on girls’ education, including shutting down secondary schools and barring women from attending universities.
The two-day conference, co-hosted by Pakistan and the MWL, comes at a time when global leaders, organizations and activists have urged the Taliban to reverse their policies. The conference aims to address the issue by signing a consensus “Islamabad Declaration,” reaffirming that Islam does not prohibit women’s education in any way.
“Our Islamic faith has always celebrated the education of every Muslim, both male and female, because the message of Islam was to enlighten all, regardless of gender,” Al-Issa told participants. “Therefore, Muslim women in Islam had a significant and active presence in all spheres of life — in religious matters and in the sciences, politics, economics and societal affairs throughout history.”
The MWL chief said any reservations toward girls’ education must be understood as stemming from non-Islamic customs that have no basis in the Muslim faith.
“Those who deviate from this Islamic consensus are deviating from the ummah [community of believers],” he said, adding, “The Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, warned that whoever desires the best place in paradise must stick to the community.”
The global summit, which aims to find ways to advance girls’ education across the Muslim world, has brought together over 150 dignitaries from 44 Muslim and other friendly states, according to the foreign office of Pakistan.
Al-Issa noted all participants of the gathering unanimously agreed on the need for girls’ education.
“They are all here to say with one voice that Islam is innocent of depriving women of education in any field and at any level of education,” he added.
The MWL chief arrived in Pakistan a day earlier and held separate meetings with high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the keynote speaker at the conference’s inaugural session.

Topics: girls education Muslim World League (MWL)

New-look Pakistan squad announced for West Indies Test series

Updated 11 January 2025
AFP
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New-look Pakistan squad announced for West Indies Test series

  • Pakistan will host West Indies for the first time in 19 years, with both Tests held in Multan
  • Shan Masood is retained as skipper despite Pakistan losing both the Tests in South Africa
Updated 11 January 2025
AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan selectors Saturday recalled opener Imam-ul-Haq in a new look squad for the two-match Test series against the West Indies starting next week.
The 29-year old Imam has played 24 Tests for Pakistan but was dropped over poor form after a 3-0 defeat in Australia early last year.
The selectors have also named three uncapped players in opener Muhammad Hurraira, wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir and pacer Kashif Ali on the back of their good performances in domestic matches.
Pakistan will host the visitors for the first time in 19 years, with both Tests held in Multan, starting from January 17 and January 25.
Shan Masood is retained as skipper despite Pakistan losing both the Tests in South Africa last week.
Besides Masood, Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, and Salman Ali Agha kept their places from the South Africa series.
Off-spinner Sajid Khan and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed have been recalled to partner with left-arm spinner Noman Ali.
Noman and Sajid took 29 wickets in Pakistan’s 2-1 win over England last year.
Injured opener Saim Ayub is also left out of the Pakistan squad for the West Indies Tests.
Squad: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha.

Topics: Pakistan vs West Indies Pakistan cricket

Efforts underway to free atomic energy workers held by Pakistani Taliban — police

Updated 11 January 2025
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Efforts underway to free atomic energy workers held by Pakistani Taliban — police

  • TTP kidnapped more than a dozen Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission workers from Lakki Marwat this week
  • Police say the militant network has presented demands that are being evaluated by officials and tribal elders
Updated 11 January 2025
REHMAT MEHSUD & NAIMAT KHAN

PESHAWAR/KARCHI: Police in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province said on Saturday efforts were being made to secure the safe release of kidnapped workers of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) after a banned militant network released a video featuring some of them while listing demands for their release.
The Pakistani Taliban kidnapped more than a dozen workers of the sensitive government agency responsible for nuclear energy projects from the volatile Lakki Marwat district on Thursday.
Eight of them were later released through joint efforts by tribal elders amid a search operation conducted by police and security forces in the dense forest area where the militants had reportedly taken them.
While the government did not issue a statement on the incident, Shahid Marwat, a police spokesperson in the district, confirmed that a group of nearly 18 “civilians” working on “atomic and mining projects” had been kidnapped by armed gunmen. The militants later shared their credentials on social media, identifying them as PAEC employees.
Speaking to Arab News on Saturday, Marwat said the militants had made demands for the release of the abductees, adding that local elders and officials from security forces and the district administration were holding meetings to ensure their safe release.
“Local elders and police and security officials are evaluating the kidnappers’ demands,” he said. “Efforts are on to secure their safe release at the earliest. So far, officials are busy tackling the issue through negotiations.”
Asked if the video released by the Pakistani Taliban, also known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), featured the kidnapped PAEC workers, he responded affirmatively.
In the video, a man flanked by two others mentions the date, saying: “Today, it is 11th January 2025; this is our third consecutive day in the [Pakistani] Taliban captivity.”
“Day before yesterday, reports emerged that the mujahideen [freedom fighters] had released ‘these people,’ while the reality is that even right now, 10 of us are in their custody.”
He then read out the TTP demands, requesting the government to “immediately” accept them.
The demands included the release of militants arrested in Lakki Marwat, the release of families of militants allegedly in government custody, a commitment not to demolish the homes of militants and their relatives in the future, and compensation for the homes already demolished.
Lakki Marwat is situated on the edge of Pakistan’s northwestern tribal districts bordering Afghanistan, where the TTP has frequently targeted security force convoys and check-posts, in addition to engaging in targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.

Topics: militancy in Pakistan KP militancy

Pakistan’s religious affairs minister meets Egypt’s grand mufti, stresses need for interfaith dialogue

Updated 11 January 2025
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Pakistan’s religious affairs minister meets Egypt’s grand mufti, stresses need for interfaith dialogue

  • Both officials seek eradication of militant violence and sectarianism for the establishment of peace
  • They also agree that the two countries should focus on enhancing economic, trade and cultural ties
Updated 11 January 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhary Salik Hussain on Saturday called for interfaith and intercultural dialogue to address growing intolerance worldwide and the challenges posed by militancy in Muslim states during a meeting with Egypt’s Grand Mufti, Dr. Nazir Mohamed Ayad.
Pakistan has made a conscious effort to promote religious pluralism and faith-based tourism in recent years, welcoming Buddhist monks as well as Hindu and Sikh devotees from India and beyond. However, the country continues to grapple with significant challenges, as religious minorities often complain of discrimination and marginalization.
The Pakistani minister’s meeting with Egypt’s grand mufti in Islamabad also sought the “eradication of terrorism, sectarianism, and the establishment of peace,” according to a statement released by the ministry.
“In light of the challenges and circumstances that Muslim countries are currently facing, there is a need to promote religious harmony, tolerance, and unity,” it continued. “There is an urgent need for dialogue between religions and cultures to establish peace in the world. An attitude of tolerance and respect is an essential component of Islamic teachings.”
Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation to foster religious harmony, peace, and tolerance globally. They also decided to enhance economic, trade, and cultural ties.
The grand mufti highlighted the Muslim world’s struggles against militant violence, suggesting joint efforts to combat extremism.
He reiterated his country’s plan to establish a campus of Al-Azhar University, one of the world’s oldest centers of Islamic education, in Pakistan.
He also proposed that Pakistani scholars visit Egypt to benefit from the institution’s teachings and expertise.

Topics: interfaith dialogue Arab News Pakistan

Pakistan, China reaffirm commitment to ‘CPEC 2.0’ focusing on industrialization

Updated 11 January 2025
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Pakistan, China reaffirm commitment to ‘CPEC 2.0’ focusing on industrialization

  • Since 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funneled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan
  • CPEC 2.0 will focus on industrialization and special economic zones as well as on clean energy, agriculture and livelihood projects
Updated 11 January 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and China have resolved to undertake high-quality of development of a second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, or CPEC 2.0, that would focus on industrialization, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said on Thursday.
The statement came after a 5th meeting of the CPEC Joint Working Group on International Cooperation and Coordination (JWG-ICC) was held in Beijing. It was co-chaired by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong.
China and Pakistan enjoy a close strategic partnership, with the latter’s location on the Arabian Sea providing Beijing an overland route toward the Gulf of Aden and onto the Suez Canal, and enabling Chinese ships to avoid the potential chokepoint of the Malacca Strait.
During the delegation level talks, the two sides reviewed with satisfaction the progress made since the 4th meeting of the JWG-ICC held in Islamabad in January 2024, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the high quality development of CPEC 2.0, with its emphasis on industrialization and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) as well as on clean energy, agriculture and livelihood projects,” it said in a statement.
“The meeting also acknowledged the pivotal role of CPEC in promoting regional connectivity, win-win cooperation and common prosperity, including through partnerships with other countries.”
Since its initiation in 2013, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funneled into massive transport, energy and infrastructure projects in Pakistan. But the undertaking has been hit by Islamabad struggling to keep up its financial obligations as well as attacks on Chinese targets by militants.
During a visit to China in June last year, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced both countries had mutually decided to enhance economic cooperation that would enter its next phase with five new corridors.
The Chinese vice foreign minister said 2.0 would focus on growth, livelihood and innovation, and reinforce Pakistan’s national development framework centered on ‘5 Es,’ representing exports, e-Pakistan, energy, environment and equity.
Foreign Secretary Baloch described CPEC as the cornerstone of China-Pakistan economic cooperation as well as a “shining symbol” of the enduring friendship between the two countries.
Both sides expressed resolve to deepen cooperation in the fields of media, cultural exchanges and people-to-people linkages to accelerate the building of a “China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future in the New Era.”
Separately, both countries also held a 4th round of Pakistan-China Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC), at which they reaffirmed commitment to further deepening their partnership.
The two sides also exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues and agreed to further enhance their mutual coordination and consultations, according to the Pakistani foreign ministry.
“Both sides agreed to further deepen their mutual partnerships in sectors such as information technology, agriculture and clean energy, driven by the concept of win-win cooperation and pursuit of people centric, inclusive development,” it said.
“The two sides underscored the need to strengthen their mutual coordination at the multilateral forums, including at the United Nations Security Council.”
Later, the foreign secretary also held a meeting with Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu and exchanged views on Pakistan-China relations as well as regional and international issues of common interest.

Topics: China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Pakistan China Ties

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