Category: Lahore

Lahore: Pakistan can bring a revolution in online business with the help of Chinese companies already working in the country.

This was stated by Pakistan China Joint Chambers of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Nazir Hussain at a think-tank session, held here at the PCJCCI Secretariat on Wednesday. He said that 10 legal fintech companies are working in Pakistan. Four of them are Chinese companies including Seed Creed Financial Services, Micro Creed Financial Services Limited and Hammra Financial Services Limited are active in the country.

Nazir Hussain said that those companies could also connect Pakistani fintech industry with WeChat and Alipay. He said that WeChat has already revolutionized online business in China. Users can buy and sell their daily items online through WeChat. He added that there is a dire need to synchronize these brands with the fintech industry of Pakistan and the state-run financial institutions.

PCJCCI Senior Vice President Brig. (Retd.) Mansoor Saeed Sheikh said that any Pakistani fintech company such as UBL Omni, Jazz Cash and EasyPaisa etc. could be developed on the pattern of WeChat. Currently, local fintech companies are moving in the opposite direction of international fintech firms. We need to coordinate and make it a unique and common platform, which is accessible to everyone. Pakistan has a good 4G system and it is also moving towards 5G. Pakistan should make its network capable of new technology, he maintained.

The joint Chamber's Vice President Zafar Iqbal added that Pakistani youth could be engaged to develop human resources by introducing training courses in collaboration with Chinese trainers for technological transfer. He asserted that according to the data provided by WeChat management to WealthPK, the monthly deals of the firm reached 1.309 billion, registering an increase of 3.7 percent. In January 2022, the WeChat Open Class disclosed to the media that mini-programmes of the company were growing rapidly in overseas business, with the number of monthly deals increasing by 268 percent, and the monthly average number of daily transactions increasing by 897 percent. "In this way we can also train our companies to boast our economy and to facilitate our people," he remarked.

PCJCCI Secretary General Salahuddin Hanif said that this is the best time to improve the skills of people. People have already latest mobile phones, local machines and latest equipment so they just need to improve their skills.

Lahore: An unbroken partnership of 66 runs between Ibrahim Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi helped Afghanistan reach 103-3 in the 25th over of their innings against England in an all-important fixture of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Gaddafi stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Zardran and Shahidi got together when Afghanistan were in a point of bother after losing three wickets in 9th over of the innings as they decided to bat first on winning the toss. The two batters did the repair work after the early damage and took the team to a safer territory with eyes on 250 plus total.

Ibrahim Zadran 52 (67) scored 13th half-century of his career in the course of the 66 run partnership while captain HAshmatullah Shahidi batted on 32 (55) runs.

Earlier, Jofra Archer inspired English pace attack put brakes on the Afghanistan batting machine as he claimed three wickets off his five overs and restricted Afghanistan to 37-3 in the first powerplay of the match at the Gaddafi stadium here on Wednesday afternoon.

Jofra Archer bowled with pace and precision to claim the scalps of the top three Afghanistan batters including Rahmanullah Gurban 6 (15), Sediqullah Atal 4 (4) and Rehmat Shah 4 (9) for 21 runs.

Mark Wood was more economical of the two and conceded 14 runs off four overs without any wicket. James Overton, who replaced injured Brydon Carse in the second match for his first ever ICC event, conceded two runs in his first over.

Joe Root 4-0-13-0 continued the containment work with Livingstone conceded 11 runs off his two overs in search of the fourth scalp.

Lahore: Ibrahim Zadran hit a fluent 100 not out to propel Afghanistan to 200 in 37.2 overs against England in an all-important tie of the Champions Trophy 2025 at the Gaddafi stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Zadran's sixth career century is the first against England in 35 ODIs while it is the 10th century of the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. Zadran's century included six boundaries and three 6s.

Zadran found a worthy partner in all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai 39 (23) who was involved in a 60* run partnership after a 103 (124) run partnership with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi 40 (67).

Ibrahim Zadran and Hashmatullah Shahidi helped Afghanistan reach 140 in the 30th over of their innings against England in an all-important fixture of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at the Gaddafi stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Zardran and Shahidi got together when Afghanistan were in a point of bother after losing three wickets in 9th over of the innings as they decided to bat first on winning the toss. The two batters did the repair work after the early damage and took the team to a safer territory with eyes on 250 plus total.

Earlier, Jofra Archer inspired English pace attack put brakes on the Afghanistan batting machine as he claimed three wickets off his five overs and restricted Afghanistan to 37-3 in the first powerplay of the match at the Gaddafi stadium here on Wednesday afternoon.

Jofra Archer bowled with pace and precision to claim the scalps of the top three Afghanistan batters including Rahmanullah Gurban 6 (15), Sediqullah Atal 4 (4) and Rehmat Shah 4 (9) for 21 runs.

Mark Wood was more economical of the two and conceded 14 runs off four overs without any wicket. James Overton, who replaced injured Brydon Carse in the second match for his first ever ICC event, conceded two runs in his first over.

Adil Rashid claimed the important scalp of Hashmat Shahidi who was himself to blame for indecision and an uncalled for adventurous stroke in the 30th over.

Joe Root 6-0-24-0 continued the containment work with Livingstone conceded 26 runs off his four overs in search of the fifth scalp.

Lahore: Punjab Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani inaugurated the FoodAg Manufacturing Exhibition at the Expo Centre on Wednesday.

The event, organised by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), attracted local and international stakeholders from the agriculture and food industries.

Those attending the event were: TDAP CEO Faiz Ahmed Chadhar, Secretary Shehryar Taj, FPCCI Vice President Athar Sultan Chawla, LCCI President Mian Abuzar Shah, and Punjab Agriculture Secretary Iftikhar Ali Sahoo. Minister Kirmani praised the expo for fostering investment in Punjab's food and agriculture sectors, noting participation from major companies from China, Korea, and the U.S.

He highlighted the Punjab government's commitment to agricultural development, including the Rs. 400 billion Agriculture Transformation Programme, Rs. 75 billion Kissan Card initiative, and Green Tractor Programme, offering Rs. 1 million subsidies to farmers. Other initiatives include solarizing tube wells, hiring agricultural graduates, and promoting agritech through public-private partnerships.

The three-day exhibition (Feb 26-28) showcases 150 stalls featuring innovations in food processing, packaging, and supply chain solutions. A strong international presence, including exhibitors from South Korea, China, and the EU, reflects global interest in Pakistan's growing agriculture sector.

TDAP CEO Faiz Ahmed Chadhar expressed confidence in the event's success, emphasizing its role in value addition and export growth. The first day featured panel discussions on logistics, packaging innovations, halal labeling, and opportunities in Pakistan's olive sector, attracting industry experts and investors.

The exhibition continues with sessions on organic horticulture, agritech business, and success stories in value addition, aiming to drive Pakistan's agricultural progress and international trade partnerships.

Lahore: Chairman Punjab Public Service Commission Lt. Gen. (R) Muhammad Abdul Aziz called on Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan and presented annual report 2024 to the latter during a meeting at the Governor's House, here on Wednesday.

Secretary PPSC Afzaal Chaudhry was also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan said that transparency and supremacy of merit in institutions are very important for good governance in the country. He commended Punjab Public Service Commission's role in recruitment of candidates on merit to various posts. He said that the Punjab Public Service Commission is a credible institution. The Governor Punjab underscored the need for further improvement particularly leveraging Information technology to enhance efficiency.

Chairman PPSC Lieutenant General (retd) Muhammad Abdul Aziz apprised the Governor Punjab about the reforms undertaken for the betterment of the institution. He said that they are promoting digitalization to enhance the efficiency of Punjab Public Service Commission.

Lahore: Jofra Archer inspired English pace attack put brakes on the Afghanistan batting machines as he claimed three wickets off his five overs and restricted Afghanistan to 39-3 in the first powerplay of the match at the Gaddafi stadium here on Wednesday afternoon.

Jofra Archer bowled with pace and precision to claim the scalps of the top three Afghanistan batters including Rahmanullah Gurban 6 (15), Sediqullah Atal 4 (4) and Rehmat Shah 4 (9) for 21 runs.

Mark Wood was more economical of the two and conceded 14 runs off four overs without any wicket. James Overton, who replaced injured Brydon Carse in the second match for his first ever ICC event, conceded two runs in his first over.

Opener Ibrahim Zadrdan 21 (28) while captain Hashmatullah Shahidi 1 (4) are on the crease.