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‘A lot to offer’: Pakistan envoy to Saudi Arabia urges greater tech collaboration between both nations

Pakistan’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ambassador Ahmed Farooq (top right), is seen attending a virtual tech-talk session, “AI: The Story of the New Wave – Opportunities and Risks,” hosted in Islamabad by the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh on August 18, 2024. (Pakistani embassy in Riyadh)
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Updated 18 August 2024
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‘A lot to offer’: Pakistan envoy to Saudi Arabia urges greater tech collaboration between both nations

  • Ambassador Ahmed Farooq says Pakistan’s IT sector has grown over the decades and includes some of the best global IT service providers
  • GenAI enterprise strategist Tariq Khan sees space for Pakistani experts in Saudi market, especially in health care workflow automation
Updated 18 August 2024
NAIMAT KHAN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Ahmed Farooq, on Sunday emphasized the growing potential of collaboration between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in the field of information technology (IT), saying that both countries had “a lot to offer” to each other in this regard.

The remarks came at a virtual tech-talk session, “AI: The Story of the New Wave – Opportunities and Risks,” hosted in Islamabad by the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh.

The event featured discussions led by Tariq Khan, a generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) expert and enterprise strategist at Pakistan’s Systems Ltd. tech company, and drew representatives from leading Saudi firms.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Farooq said the Pakistani mission in Saudi Arabia had been diligently working over the past year and a half to strengthen ties between tech industries of both nations.

“We believe that both countries have a lot to offer each other,” he said. “Greater collaboration between the tech sectors of both countries would be mutually beneficial.”

The Pakistani diplomat underscored that Pakistan’s IT sector had grown over the decades and included some of the best global IT service providers, stressing the importance of IT in Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the opportunities it presented for Pakistani professionals.

Saudi Arabia is consolidating its economy on modern lines under Vision 2030, which is a strategic development framework intended to cut the Kingdom’s reliance on oil by developing public service sectors such as IT, health, education, infrastructure, recreation and tourism.

“Significant investments are being made for developing capacities of local human resource and startups, and now we are seeing a thriving tech ecosystem in this country (Pakistan),” Ambassador Farooq said, urging for more direct interactions between Pakistani and Saudi tech companies and startups to foster deeper connections.

He noted that Pakistani educational institutions produced around 25,000 IT graduates annually, who were gaining relevant work experience across sectors such as AI, cybersecurity, and gaming.

“It is important to note that Pakistani companies are developing products and services across all IT fields creating a skilled workforce in the process,” the Pakistani diplomat said. 

Additionally, he said, the Pakistani embassy in Riyadh maintained liaison with all relevant stakeholders. 

“For example, we have shared Saudi vocational curriculum and requirements with Pakistani training institutions so that training programs for the Pakistani workforce can be adapted according to Saudi requirements thereby ensuring that our skilled professionals are equipped to meet relevant Saudi market requirements,” the ambassador said.

In his speech, Khan discussed the relevance of GenAI, capable of generating text, images, videos, or other data using generative models, and its potential in various thriving sectors in Saudi Arabia. He said his firm, Systems Ltd, had been approached by petroleum and oil companies in Saudi Arabia to explore AI capabilities for process optimization.

“Smart building in residential projects has a lot of potential between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia in terms of AI and intelligent decision-making tools and optimization tools,” Khan said, highlighting the potential for collaboration in smart grid management, energy material development and optimizing electricity and water usage in new residential projects.

Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy strong economic, defense and religious ties. The Kingdom is home to over 2.7 million Pakistani expatriates, serving as the top source of remittances for the cash-strapped South Asian country.

In recent years, Pakistani tech firms have also been attending the annual LEAP exhibition, which showcases cutting-edge technology, artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives and innovations, in Riyadh to exhibit their IT prowess and innovative products.

AI could significantly benefit health care and insurance sectors in Saudi Arabia amid the Kingdom’s shift toward an insurance-based health care system, according to Khan. Pakistan’s expertise in health care workflow automation could be valuable in this context.

“Pakistan can help there a lot” the expert said. “We have not only AI companies that can automate health care processing and documentation, but we also have multiple companies in the country that already do, health care workflow automation.”

Speaking about concerns regarding displacement of jobs due to GenAI, Khan compared it to the airline industry and said while some jobs could be affected in the short term, new opportunities would emerge with the transformation.

“Gen AI will only increase the avenues and the places where we need help, and businesses will transform,” he said. “That’s why they will still require more people, just like airline industry that I mentioned, jobs are not going away in the long run.”

Topics: Pakistan Saudi Ties AI

Pakistan Senate committee approves bill to establish commission for minority rights

Updated 17 April 2025
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Pakistan Senate committee approves bill to establish commission for minority rights

  • Constitution guarantees equal rights and protection for all citizens, including religious minorities but disparities in practice persist
  • Minorities face persistent challenges in accessing public services and participating fully in social and economic life
Updated 17 April 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Senate Subcommittee on Human Rights on Thursday approved a bill to establish a commission on minority rights in accordance with the United Nations and international standards and regulations, a statement from the committee said on Thursday.
The Pakistani constitution guarantees equal rights and protection for all citizens, including religious minorities, but disparities in practice persist. While the constitution protects freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination based on religion, minorities face persistent challenges in accessing public services and participating fully in social and economic life. There is also widespread persecution of minority groups. 
On Thursday, the minister of law briefed the Senate committee on the National Commission for Minorities, which will constitute eight members, four from the government and four representing the parliament.
“There will be Parliamentary Committee consisting of four members: which will be nominated by the Speaker National Assembly, two from the treasury and two from the opposition benches,” according to a statement from the Senate.
“Besides this, two minority members from each province, who are Pakistani citizens not younger than 35 years of age and possessing considerable knowledge and practical experience in Human Rights advocacy, will be included in the commission.”
The statement said the recommended timelines for the process were a maximum of 45 to 60 days. The commission would hold the power to direct other local human rights institutions to take up matters in their own ambit of expertise. 
The committee reached consensus on two key points.
“First, the nomination for the National Commission for Minorities will be shortlisted within 30 days, and the Constitution of Commission will be completed within 45 days,” the statement said. “Secondly, the minimum age for nominated members will be 35 years.”
According to a copy of the bill widely reported by local media, the commission will “assess and monitor [the] implementation of the constitutional guarantees and safeguard for promotion and protection of rights of minorities.”
The commission will also review existing or proposed policies or programs to prevent discrimination and protect minorities and provide recommendations to the relevant departments.

23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry

Updated 17 April 2025
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23,620 Pakistani pilgrims to perform Hajj under private scheme this year — ministry

  • Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 for the pilgrimage this year
  • Nearly 90,000 Pakistanis to perform Hajj 2025 under government scheme
Updated 17 April 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: The ministry of religious affairs said on Tuesday only 23,620 Pakistani pilgrims would be performing Hajj under the private scheme this year.
The annual Islamic pilgrimage is expected to take place this year in June. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed the Hajj Agreement 2025 in January, under which Pakistan was given a quota of 179,210 for the pilgrimage this year. The quota is divided equally between government and private schemes.
Nearly 90,000 Pakistanis are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under the government scheme this year. 
“General public is hereby informed that only 23,620 pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj under the Private Hajj Scheme from Pakistan this year 2025,” the religious affairs ministry said in a statement.
“The list of service providers providing services with the Hajj 2025 quota has been updated on the website of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony and the Pak Hajj App.”
The ministry urged pilgrims who had made bookings with registered service providers to check the status of their application and contract on the ministry’s website.
“All organizing/service provider companies are directed to provide updated contract (Hajj Form) to Hajj pilgrims as per the approved quota of Hajj 2025 and ensure the process of issuing Hajj visas to pilgrims by April 18 as per the instructions of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” the ministry added. 
Hajj flight operations will begin from Apr. 29 when the first flight will depart from Pakistan’s eastern city of Lahore.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a three-member inquiry committee to probe why Pakistan had failed to use the whole 179,210 quota for Hajj 2025.

Topics: Hajj 2025

Soldier, four militants killed in armed operation in northwest Pakistan

Updated 17 April 2025
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Soldier, four militants killed in armed operation in northwest Pakistan

  • Military has launched frequent operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan in recent years
  • Pakistan says militants launch attacks using safe havens in Afghanistan, a charge Kabul denies
Updated 17 April 2025
Arab News Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: A sepoy was killed in an intelligence-based operation in the northwest of Pakistan, the military said on Thursday, as it battles a spike in militant attacks.
In recent months, the military has launched frequent operations in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan. The army’s target in the area are militants it says launch attacks inside Pakistan and against the army using safe havens in Afghanistan. The Taliban government in Kabul says it does not allow its territory to be used by insurgents against other countries.
Groups like the Pakistani Taliban, commonly known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have been waging a war against the Pakistani state for nearly two decades in a bid to overthrow the government and replace it with what they consider an Islamic system of governance.
In the latest operation, the army’s media wing said security forces had conducted an intelligence-based operation in general area Maddi in the Dera Ismail Khan district on Apr. 16, killing four militants.
“However, during intense fire exchange, one brave son of soil, Sepoy Basit Siddique (age: 23 years, resident of District Attock), having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced shahadat [martyrdom],” the army’s statement said. 
Militants have intensified their attacks since revoking a ceasefire with the government in late 2022, with recent months witnessing significant strikes targeting the military and its bases.

Pakistan to seek bids to sell national airline next week

Updated 17 April 2025
Reuters
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Pakistan to seek bids to sell national airline next week

  • Privatization board approves pre-qualification criteria for selection of prospective bidders
  • New expressions of interest in buying between 51-100 percent of airline would be sought next week
Updated 17 April 2025
Reuters

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government will seek expressions of interest next week for the sale of Pakistan International Airlines, the privatization ministry said on Thursday, days after it reported its first annual profit in over two decades.
Pakistan has been seeking to sell a 51-100 percent stake in the debt-ridden carrier, to raise funds and reform cash-draining, state-owned enterprises as envisaged under a $7 billion International Monetary Fund program.
Its failed attempt to privatise Pakistan International Airlines last year received a single offer, well below the asking price of more than $300 million.
The privatization commission board has approved seeking new bids, the ministry said in a statement.
“The board approved the pre-qualification criteria for selection of prospective bidders,” it said. It added new expressions of interest in buying between 51 and 100 percent of the airline would be sought next week.
Pakistan has shifted almost all of the national carrier’s legacy debt to government books after issues raised by bidders led to the failure of the last privatization attempt.
Muhammad Ali, government adviser on privatization, said last week all the issues raised at the time of last year’s failed attempt had been dealt with.

Topics: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) PIA privatization

Pakistan’s top diplomat meets Bangladesh’s Yunus as first foreign office meetings in 15 years held

Updated 17 April 2025
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Pakistan’s top diplomat meets Bangladesh’s Yunus as first foreign office meetings in 15 years held

  • Interactions in Dhaka come amid political shifts in Bangladesh following the ouster of pro-India PM Sheikh Hasina Wajid in student uprising
  • While Hasina’s removal from office was followed by cooling of relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, exchanges with Islamabad are growing
Updated 17 April 2025
SAIMA SHABBIR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch met Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus on Thursday to discuss trade, investment, youth linkages and regional integration, following the first Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the two nations in 15 years.
The two countries, which were once one, have shared a tumultuous history, with Bangladesh gaining independence from Pakistan in 1971 after a bloody war of independence. 
The latest meetings in Dhaka come amid significant political shifts in Bangladesh following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid in a popular student uprising last year. Hasina’s government was hostile toward Pakistan but closely allied with India, where she remains exiled. While her removal from office was followed by the cooling of relations between Dhaka and New Delhi, exchanges with Islamabad have started to grow.
“During the Foreign Secretary’s call on the Chief Adviser, Yunus, inter alia, trade and investment opportunities, youth linkages, regional integration, and revival of SAARC [South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation] remained the focus of discussion,” Pakistan’s foreign office said in a statement.

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch speaks during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka on April 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Handout/MOFA)

A separate statement from Yunus’ office said he “put the emphasis on strengthening ties with Pakistan to boost mutual cooperation and explore trade and business potentials.”
“There are certain hurdles. We have to find ways to overcome those and move forward,” the chief adviser told Baloch who was in Dhaka for the 6th round of Foreign Secretary Level Consultations (FSLC). 
A 7th round will take place in Islamabad in 2026. The consultations are expected to pave the way for a visit by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh at the end of the month, the first such visit by a Pakistani foreign minister since 2012.
The chief adviser said that Bangladesh and Pakistan should exchange more youth and cultural programs to increase people-to-people bonding.
“We kept missing each other for a long time as our relationship was frozen. We have to overcome the barriers,” he said.
“WE CAN’T MISS THE BUS EVERY TIME”
The statement from Bangladesh quoted Pakistani Foreign Secretary Baloch as saying ways must be found to “harness the potentials between the two countries.”
“We have huge intra-regional markets on our own rights. We should use it,” Baloch said. ” “We can’t miss the bus every time.”
She said that there was a need for regular B2B (business to business) interactions between the private sectors of the two countries and the exchange of visits at all levels.
“Both sides had a constructive and forward-looking engagement in a cordial environment where entire spectrum of Pakistan -Bangladesh bilateral relations came under discussion, including political, economic and trade relations, cooperation in agriculture, environment and education, cultural exchanges, defense relations and people to people contacts,” the Pakistani foreign office added.
“The focus of talks on economic cooperation and people to people relations is a realistic and pragmatic agenda for the revival of ties,” Former Pakistani diplomat Ali Sarwar Naqvi, an executive director of the Center for International Strategic Studies in Islamabad, told Arab News, commenting on the latest interactions in Dhaka. 

Pakistan Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch shakes hands with her Bangladeshi counterpart, MD. Jashim Uddin, in Dhaka on April 17, 2025. (Photo courtesy: Handout/MOFA)

In regional terms, Naqvi said growing ties between Islamabad and Dhaka were a “setback” to India’s hegemonic ambitions in South Asia.
Former Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry said the people of Pakistan and Bangladesh were bound by history, faith and culture, and it was encouraging to see their bilateral ties on an “upward trajectory.”
“It was unfortunate that during Sheikh Haseena’s time, all these relations and relations were cut off, but now that the change has come, the situation has improved,” he told Arab News, saying any differences in the future should be resolved through “diplomacy and dialogue.”
“The cooperation between Pakistan and Bangladesh is not aimed against any third country, and India should see it as a natural interaction between two sovereign nations,” he added.
Another former ambassador, Masood Khalid, said Pakistan and Bangladesh were once one country and it was “illogical and unnatural” for them not to have diplomatic contact for decades. 
“Both countries deciding to explore cooperation in multiple fields and restore their historical bonding finds resonance among the people of two countries,” he told Arab News. 
“I am confident that this headway in bilateral ties will be of mutual benefit and conducive to regional peace and stability.”

Topics: Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch Pakistan Bangladesh Ties Dr. Muhammad Yunus

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