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Sharjah 24
06-07-2025
- Sharjah 24
Al Dhaid Club members visit SRTI Park
Enhancing awareness of advanced technology The visit aimed to enhance participants' awareness of advanced technology concepts and introduce them to the latest practices in artificial intelligence, 3D printing, smart environments, and the connection between scientific research and the job market. This experience empowers students to envision the future and understand its practical tools. Diverse activities in the summer programme The "I Am Creative" week is one of five weeks included in the summer program at Al Dhaid Club. The program covers various themes such as "Here is Sharjah," "I Am the Community," "I Am an Athlete," and "I Am the Future." Each phase features a range of daily changing activities that align with participants' interests and mental and physical needs. Ongoing field programmes Al Dhaid Club continues its field programs under "Our Holiday is Different," organizing more visits, workshops, and community initiatives that strengthen youth connections to concepts of belonging, teamwork, and national identity in a safe and productive summer environment. Engaging experiences during the visit During the visit, participants aged 7 to 17 explored live models of research projects and advanced technological facilities. The tour included various sections such as the Environmental Innovation Zone, smart warehouses, and software development laboratories. They also attended demonstrations on supporting young entrepreneurs, adopting startup projects, and empowering researchers and innovators to turn their ideas into practical applications. Interactive demonstrations Participants enjoyed interactive demonstrations on sustainable energy, smart buildings, robotics, and virtual and augmented reality, leaving a significant impression on them. The management of the park ensured that explanations were delivered in a simplified manner suitable for the target age group, encouraging questions and active participation in discussions. Commitment to technological awareness Saeed bin Daloon Al Ketbi, Chairman of the Strategic Planning and Institutional Excellence Committee at Al Dhaid Club, emphasised that organising this visit aligns with the summer programme's objectives of building a generation with technological awareness, critical thinking skills, creativity, and initiative. He stated, 'We have ensured that our summer program includes educational and experiential stations that motivate participants to discover their scientific inclinations and open new horizons for understanding the role of technology in sustainable development. The visit to the Sharjah Research Park represents a living model of the innovative environment we want our children to engage with and draw inspiration from for the future.' A Diverse and comprehensive programme Al Ketbi added that this year's summer program stands out for its diverse segments and integrated themes that combine sports, leadership, arts, sciences, technology, and community, aligning with the aspirations of the Sharjah Sports Council and its strong support for summer activities that create a stimulating and safe environment for youth development.
Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Rs1.4b earmarked for Sindh PITP Phase-II
Listen to article Tech experts have expressed mixed views about Sindh's new IT initiative, agreeing that "something is better than nothing" while urging stronger implementation and industry involvement. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presented the annual provincial budget for 2025-26 in the Sindh Assembly on Friday and announced Phase-II of the People's Information Technology Programme (PITP). "Building on this momentum, I am excited to launch PITP Phase-II with an expanded vision. With a budget of Rs1.4 billion, this phase aims to skill 35,000 students in 12 high-demand IT domains — from data science and AI to cybersecurity and full-stack development," the CM said during his budget speech. Tech analyst Muhammad Yasir said the government should allocate a larger budget to promote IT education and digitise governance. He said PITP's scope must be expanded to underserved cities. The provincial government should not only increase IT seats in universities but also fund specialised IT universities in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur. He also stressed the need to digitise various public departments, including vehicle and property registration systems. Mehboob Shar, CEO of iCreativez Technologies and leading tech expert, said it bode well that the government was working on IT training, but added that while the current budget may not be enough for high-quality technical education, "Something is better than nothing," he said, adding that "The real challenge is ensuring transparency and strict monitoring by universities so the allocated funds utilised solely for their intended purpose," he said. Shar pointed out that training is often conducted by academic instructors instead of industry experts. This gap needs to be closed to improve job readiness. "If industry professionals conduct hands-on training, 55-70% of graduates can realistically secure jobs," he noted. He said if the CM refers to Rs60,000 as a probation salary, it's fair, but added that practical, industry-aligned training is essential to help graduates eventually earn over Rs100,000 per month. "We must significantly scale up the IT budget and involve private-sector professionals. I appreciate the CM's appointment of a capable and visionary secretary, whose leadership is starting to yield progress. This gives hope for long-term IT development," he said. Shar added that the IT sector is the only industry that can bring billions in foreign remittances "without shipping goods, just by exporting the brilliance of our youth." Syed Azfar Hussain, Project Director at the National Incubation Centre (NIC) Karachi, called the move encouraging. "The fact that they are investing in 12 high-demand IT domains shows that they are serious about building a digital future for the province. Now, of course, when you look at global training costs in areas like AI or cybersecurity, you will see that budgets can vary widely depending on how deep and hands-on the programmes are. But I believe it's not just about the amount — it's about how the budget is utilised. If the training includes real projects, mentors from the tech industry, internships, and connections with startups or companies, this funding can go a long way. Programmes like DigiSkills, we have seen how practical, focused training can turn fresh graduates into professionals or even founders of startups." Analysing the Sindh CM's budget speech, he called it a positive step, noting Pakistan's youth bulge is only an asset if properly invested in. He welcomed the IT training focus but urged more support for startups, women in tech, and rural students. He stressed the need for long-term infrastructure like tech hubs, university innovation labs, and better internet. "Sindh has immense talent. With mentorship, access, and strong public-private partnerships, it can lead Pakistan's digital and startup economy," he said.
Jordan News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Shar' Announces Start of Syria's Reconstruction Phase - Jordan News
Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shar' announced on Tuesday that the reconstruction of his war-torn country has 'just begun,' calling on citizens to unite. اضافة اعلان Shar's remarks came during an event titled 'Aleppo: The Key to Victory.' Aleppo, the country's economic capital, was the first major city to fall into the hands of opposition factions that overthrew President Bashar al-Assad's regime last December. Before Shar' delivered his speech, large screens at the event displayed images of fighters who died in the Battle of Aleppo. In his address, Shar' stated: "O great Syrian people, the battle of rebuilding has just begun. Let us stand together and seek God's help to create a bright future for an ancient nation and a people who deserve it." The new Syrian government inherits a country devastated by a 14-year civil war that claimed over 500,000 lives. Western sanctions on Syria were recently lifted, a key step toward enabling any meaningful reconstruction efforts. Shar' added: "Let us seize this opportunity and fulfill our duty with integrity." He continued: "Let our motto be, as it has always been: we shall neither rest nor be rested until we rebuild Syria and make it a source of pride before the entire world."
Express Tribune
25-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Sindh to put price caps on branded goods in Karachi to curb profiteering
Listen to article The Sindh government has announced plans to impose official price caps on branded products sold in Karachi's supermarkets and superstores, Express News reported on Friday. The Directorate General of Bureau of Supply and Prices will collect data on production costs and profit margins to set the pricing structure. This will help establish fair prices for essential goods in the market. The decision was made following a meeting chaired by Zahid Hussain Shar, the Director General of the Bureau of Supply. Senior officials and representatives from major retail chains were present at the meeting. Shar explained that retail businesses in Karachi will now be required to register their warehouses with the Bureau of Supply and keep them up to date. He emphasised the significance of enforcing the Consumer Protection Act to protect consumers' rights. The government now holds the authority to regulate the prices of branded items produced or sold in Karachi. This pricing mechanism is expected to be rolled out next month. Data on production costs and profit margins will be gathered first to ensure transparency and fairness in the process. The goal is to ensure that Karachi residents can access branded goods at reasonable prices while addressing the ongoing inflationary pressures.
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Only 8% of Mohenjo Daro excavated
Renowned historian and researcher Prof Dr Ghulam Mustafa Shar has revealed that only eight per cent of the ancient archaeological site Mohenjo Daro has been excavated, with the vast majority still unexplored. He made these remarks during a lecture at the University of Sindh's Institute of Sindhology in Jamshoro. The event was organised in collaboration with the M H Panhwar Institute of Studies. Dr Shar highlighted the immense potential for new discoveries through further excavation. He added that Mohenjo Daro is not merely a site of historical interest, but a treasure trove of ancient knowledge and cultural sophistication. "Mohenjo Daro isn't just an archaeological site; it is a living archive of knowledge that reflects the grandeur, intellect, and cultural brilliance of ancient Sindh," he added. Challenging conventional views, Dr Shar argued that the language of Mohenjo Daro was neither Dravidian nor related to any known script but was a unique local language that remains undeciphered. He called for a re-evaluation of the site's historical importance, highlighting its advanced system of knowledge, technical education, social structure, and trade networks. He urged the government to allocate increased funding for scientific research at the site and advocated for global recognition of Mohenjo Daro's significance as a centre of ancient learning and innovation. Speaking at the same event, University of Sindh Vice Chancellor Dr Khalilur Rehman Khoumbhati lamented the lack of academic research into Sindh's history, particularly its post-partition period. He pointed to a shortage of credible reference material and stressed the need for collaborative research efforts. Dr Khoumbhati called upon the Sindh Culture Department to take a more active role in promoting historical scholarship. He also announced that, in partnership with the Abdul Majid Bhurgri Institute, efforts are underway to preserve and promote the Sindhi language in the era of artificial intelligence. As part of these initiatives, the University of Sindh will begin issuing academic degrees in both English and Sindhi. Although the policy for bilingual degrees had previously been approved, it had not been implemented until now, he said. The lecture was attended by a number of prominent scholars and academics, including Director of the Institute of Sindhology Ghulam Murtaza Siyal, former Vice Chancellor of the Shaheed Allah Bakhsh Soomro University of Art, Design and Heritage Dr Bhai Khan Shar, Dr Fayaz Latif Chandio, Dr Riazat Buriro, Dr Wazir Ali Baloch, Prof Dr Lachhman Das Dhomeja, and Sajid Qayoom Memon, among synchronised campaign of digital disinformation using a Chinese social media platform to undermine China's $65 billion investment is a clear act of hybrid warfare. CPEC is a lifeline for Pakistan's economy and the flagship project of China's massive Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and any threat to this colossal project should be a joint responsibility. There is a need for collaborative efforts in different domains to counter the weaponization of TikTok by Baloch groups. On the diplomatic level, Pakistan should engage with China to raise concerns regarding the exploitation of TikTok's algorithm against CPEC. The two countries can set up a joint "tech task force" to oversee all CPEC-related digital security matters and coordinate a joint response. On operational level, joint intelligence-sharing mechanisms could be established to track and analyse the origin and spread of anti-CPEC content. For this purpose, cyber surveillance capabilities should be enhanced to monitor radical online activities in real time. The two countries should also collaborate on academic research to study hybrid warfare, digital propaganda, and their implications for national security. They can engage pro-CPEC influencers to blunt extremist narratives besides establishing partnerships with fact-checking organisations to debunk fake news and disinformation campaigns against CPEC. On the monitoring front, efforts should be made to identify and expose foreign digital interference aimed at magnifying anti-CPEC sentiments. Relentless attribution of hostile actors - whether state or non-state - should be made part of the national cyber defence strategy. On the part of TikTok, a local content moderation team should be set up in Pakistan to flag and take down harmful content swiftly. Accounts affiliated with banned groups such as BLA and BYC should be identified and blocked in coordination with Pakistani authorities. AI-driven tools could also be implemented to detect and neutralise emerging digital threats against CPEC. On China's part, effective steps need to be taken to address the algorithmic vulnerabilities of TikTok, ensuring that it doesn't amplify radical or anti-CPEC narratives.
