Category: Karachi

Karachi: The total liquid foreign reserves of Pakistan stood at US$ 16,189.3 million while the SBP reserves recorded as $ 11,448.7 million as of 17 January 2025.

The State Bank of Pakistan, informed in a statement issued here on Thursday, that liquid foreign exchange reserves held by the central bank 'decreased by US$ 276 million to US$ 11,448.7 million due to external debt repayments' during the week ended on January 17, 2025.

Meanwhile, the break up of the foreign reserves position shows that, commercial banks held net foreign reserves of

$ 4,740.6 million during the period under review.

Total liquid foreign reserves held by the country, in the previous week ended on January 10, 2024, were $ 16,450.9 million.

Among them foreign reserves held by the central bank were recorded as $ 11,725 million while net reserves of $ 4,725.9 million were held by commercial banks.

Karachi:Special Assistant to the Chief Minister (SACM) of Sindh on Investment and Public-Private Partnership Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar, during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, said that transitioning to environmentally friendly energy projects is the only way to save the world from the environmental disasters caused by fossil fuels.

He said that the governments around the world will have to work together to transition to environmentally friendly energy projects, said a statement issued here on Thursday.

Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said that Pakistan and especially Sindh province have been affected due to global climate change, however, a big project that the Sindh government has launched to build 2.1 million new houses for the flood victims of the province is truly a unique flagship project of its kind.

He said during the panel discussion that the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF), an institution of the Sindh Investment Department, is working to provide financial assistance and technical facilities to small and medium-sized businesses across the province, which is encouraging youth, women and other home-based product manufacturers and people are being able to earn their own livelihood on the basis of their skills, experience and intelligence.

During the discussion, Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar said that the Sindh government's public-private partnership model has encouraged private investors in the province and due to this model, private investment, development projects and employment opportunities have increased.

The SACM Sindh is participating in the Davos Economic Forum along with Secretary Investment Sindh Raja Khurram Shahzad, Project Director of Sindh People's Housing Scheme and Secretary Food Khalid Mahmood Sheikh, Chief Executive Officer of Sindh Enterprise Development Fund Khizar Pervez and Chief Executive Officer of Sindh Economic Zone Authority Faisal Mujeeb.

Karachi:Consul General of Trkiye in Karachi Cemal Sangu on Thursday said that there is a deep bond between Pakistan and Trkiye which is beyond words and does not rely on verbal expressions of love. The relationship between Pakistanis and Turkish people is deeper than the oceans and higher than K2.

He expressed these views in his addressed to the seminar titled 'Influence of Turkish History on Urdu Literature and Journalism' and a certificate distribution ceremony on the completion of a one-year certificate course in the Turkish language organized by the Yunus Emre Enstitusu of Turkish Language established at the University of Karachi. The event was held at the KU's Audio Visual Centre.

Cemal Sangu highlighted the significance of language as a bridge not only between individuals but also between cultures and nations.

He proudly acknowledged that students who completed Turkish language certificate courses at the University of Karachi were now expressing themselves in Turkish and even conducting the entire event in Turkish, which reflects their keen interest in the language.

The Turkish CG Sangu also discussed various scholarships provided by Trkiye to Pakistani students, covering financial assistance, tuition fees, accommodation expenses, health insurance, and opportunities for academic, social, and cultural engagement.

He encouraged students to benefit from these scholarships and spread the word to maximize participation. On this occasion, the KU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Khalid Mahmood Iraqi stated that mastering a language is an achievement and helps a lot in understanding a country's history, culture, and people.

He congratulated the students who have completed the certificate courses and acknowledged the efforts of Professor Dr Tanzeemul Firdous and her team at KU's Yunus Emre Enstitusu.

The KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi mentioned that language is not only a medium for exchanging ideas, emotions, and information, but it also provides a foundation for identity and relationships.

He expressed that mastering a new language is a fascinating and challenging endeavor. He encourages students to learn different languages besides studying different degree programs.

The KU's Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Professor Dr Shaista Tabassum highlighted the continuous effort and time required to master a language.

She termed the certificate courses as a stepping stone and stressed the importance of mastering Turkish to understand Turkish history and culture.

Dr Muhammad Sohail Shafiq from KU's Department of Islamic History discussed the teaching of the Turkish language in Pakistan from a historical perspective.

He observed that despite the shared history, culture, politics, and literature between Pakistan and Turkey, language has been a barrier.

He emphasized the importance of understanding Central Asian history and the cultural and political structure of Turks through learning the Turkish language.

One of the speakers, Dr Rana Khalid Mahmood presented a paper on the impacts of contemporary Turkish history on early 20th-century Urdu journalism.

He discussed how language differences have naturally hindered mutual understanding, and how history and journalism have played a crucial role in bridging this gap.

Assistant Professor Dr Nadia Raheel from the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology presented a paper on the Urdu translations of Turkish novels, emphasizing how languages and their literature nourish each other.

Earlier, the KU's focal person for Yunus Emre Enstitusu of Turkish Language established at the University of Karachi, Professor Dr Tanzeemul Fridous attributed the pioneering effort in Turkish language education in Pakistan to the University of Karachi.

Later, the Turkish CG Cemal Sanu and the KU VC Professor Dr Khalid Iraqi distributed the certificates among the students.

Karachi: One person was killed and two others injured in a road accident in Karachi’s Baldia Town area on Friday, according to rescue sources quoted by tv channels. Initial reports said that a rashly driven trailer struck a motorcycle passing through the area, killing the motorcyclist on the spot. Two other people also sustained injuries in the incident.

Rescue team rushed to the scene after receiving information about the accident and shifted the deceased and the injured to a nearby hospital.

Karachi:Special Assistant to Chief Minister for CM Inspection, Inquiries and Implementation Team (CMIIIT) and General Secretary PPP Sindh. Senator Waqar Mehdi has said that nine mega projects, collectively worth billions of rupees, are currently under construction in Korangi District. Once completed, these projects will significantly improve public amenities and simplify daily life for residents. Senator Mehdi expressed these views while speaking to media during visit to the site of development projects. He highlighted that the 136 ongoing development projects managed by the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) across the city are not mere symbolic initiatives, as seen in other provinces, but are thoughtfully designed to address Karachi's specific needs and serve its people effectively. He reiterated that there would be no compromise on the quality and timely completion of these projects and that all obstacles in this regard would be removed. He further said that he would personally oversee ongoing projec ts in all districts to guarantee their quality and timely completion. Meanwhile, Senator Waqar Mehdi chaired a key meeting at the office of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Korangi. The meeting was attended by DC Korangi Masood Bhutto, CMIIIT Department Member Abdul Salam Memon, KDA Chief Engineer, consultants, and other relevant officials. During the meeting, the KDA briefed Mehdi on the provincial development projects and mega projects underway in Korangi District. However, he expressed displeasure over the incomplete briefing provided by the KDA officers and consultants. He directed the KDA to requalify its consultants, conduct soil testing, and submit monthly progress reports on the projects to the CMIIIT Department. Senator Waqar Mehdi also instructed the DC Korangi to oversee the ongoing projects to ensure their quality for public benefit. Later, Senator Waqar Mehdi inspected several development schemes funded by the Sindh government in Korangi District. PPP Korangi District President Jani Memon, Gener al Secretary Sharjeel Rizwani, Senior Vice President Shiraz Waheed, Information Secretary Ahmed Raza, and others, were also present on the occasion.

Karachi: Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized a remarkable event to celebrate the 100th birthday of the renowned poet, writer, critic, and creator of patriotic songs, Jamiluddin Aali. Event was presided over by Hamid Shafqat, with distinguished speakers including Dr. Fatima Hassan, Iqbal Latif, Rajo Jamil, Mirza Naseeruddin, Dr. Rukhsana Saba, Humaira Kasuri, and Khalid Moin.

Event began with the screening of a documentary film, "Khawab Ka Safar," which chronicled the life and literary journey of Jamiluddin Aali. Documentary, written by Dr. Fatima Hassan and presented by Murad Jamil, set the tone for the evening.

In his presidential address, Hamid Shafqat reminisced about Jamiluddin Aali's style and character. He shared how Aali, often seen in his signature Jinnah cap and sherwani, he also said that while noble families hadn't contributed much, but , Jamiluddin Aali as a noble, had made significant contributions to literature. He also spoke of Aali's generosity, stating that he would always ensure that his staff was well-fed before retiring for the night, reflecting his deep empathy for the people of Pakistan and its underprivileged classes.