Capital Smart City emerges as Pakistan’s AI and …

  Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has written a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, challenging the Election Commission of Pakistan’s decision to delist the Awaam Pakistan Party. In his letter, Abbasi expressed concern over what he described as an unjustified decision by the Election Commission to remove the party from its list of registered political parties. He said he was surprised that Awaam Pakistan had been delisted on the grounds that it had failed to conduct intra-party elections. Abbasi rejected the allegation and maintained that the party had already conducted intra-party elections for its National General Council and national office-bearers. According to him, the elections were held between March 26 and April 2, within the deadline provided by the Election Commission of Pakistan. The former prime minister said that Awaam Pakistan fulfilled the requirements set by the electoral body and completed its intra-party election process within the prescribed period. He added that the party submitted the election results along with detailed documentation to the Election Commission on April 6. Abbasi argued that the party had therefore complied with the Election Commission’s instructions and questioned the basis on which it was subsequently delisted. The letter stated that a total of 12,084 members participated in Awaam Pakistan’s intra-party elections. Abbasi described the electoral process as democratic and transparent, saying that the participation of thousands of party members demonstrated the party’s commitment to democratic procedures. He further expressed concern over what he termed the unfair and unusual manner in which an active political party had been delisted. According to Abbasi, the decision was difficult to understand, particularly because the party had conducted its intra-party elections and submitted the required documents to the Election Commission. Abbasi also objected to the fact that the party was delisted without being given an adequate opportunity to present its position. He said that removing an active political party from the electoral list without hearing its case was beyond comprehension and raised questions about due process. The former prime minister urged Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja and the Election Commission to conduct an immediate hearing into the matter. He requested that Awaam Pakistan be provided an opportunity to explain its position and present the relevant evidence regarding the intra-party elections. Abbasi’s letter comes amid continued debate over the legal and procedural requirements that political parties must meet to remain registered with the Election Commission. Intra-party elections are an important requirement under Pakistan’s political and electoral framework, as they are intended to ensure democratic participation and accountability within political parties. The former prime minister maintained that Awaam Pakistan had fulfilled this requirement within the deadline and had provided the Election Commission with the necessary election results and supporting documents. He called on the electoral body to review its decision and hear the party’s case before taking any further action. Abbasi stressed that Awaam Pakistan should be given a fair opportunity to clarify the circumstances surrounding its intra-party elections and the documents submitted to the Commission. The controversy has placed renewed focus on the relationship between political parties and the Election Commission, particularly regarding compliance with electoral laws and the right of political parties to be heard before facing major administrative decisions. Abbasi’s appeal now seeks an immediate hearing and a review of the delisting decision, with the party arguing that it followed the prescribed procedure and conducted its intra-party elections in a democratic and transparent manner.

  HARIPUR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has honoured Ammad Ali, founder and Chief Executive Officer of RankingGrow, with the Youth Excellence Award for his contributions to youth development, digital skills training and efforts to create greater opportunities for young people, particularly those living in underserved areas of the province. The award was presented by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand during a ceremony organised by the Directorate of Youth Affairs to mark International Youth Day. Ali founded RankingGrow, a digital marketing and IT services company that has been involved in initiatives aimed at equipping young people with practical digital skills and improving their access to professional training and employment opportunities. Through RankingGrow and other youth-focused initiatives, Ali has supported training programmes, workshops and community-based activities in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These programmes have particularly targeted areas where young people have fewer opportunities to access modern technology, professional education, career guidance and exposure to the digital industry. The training initiatives have focused on practical and market-oriented skills that can help young people become financially independent and participate in the growing digital economy. Areas covered by these programmes include digital marketing, search engine optimisation, social media marketing, graphic design, video editing, web development, artificial intelligence, freelancing and entrepreneurship. The programmes aim to bridge the gap between traditional education and the skills increasingly demanded by employers and clients in the digital marketplace. By providing young people with relevant technical and professional skills, the initiatives seek to help participants explore employment opportunities, start freelancing careers or establish their own businesses. Ali has also received recognition for his work on other occasions. He was previously awarded the Pride of Pakistan Award under the patronage of the President of Pakistan in acknowledgement of his services and contributions. In addition, he has received other recognitions for his efforts in youth empowerment, digital skills development and community-oriented initiatives. Speaking at the award ceremony, Ali said the recognition would encourage him and his team to expand their efforts to provide young people with skills that are relevant to the changing job market. He expressed his commitment to continuing initiatives that can help young people gain access to professional opportunities and participate more effectively in the digital economy. Ali emphasised the importance of ensuring that young people from smaller cities and underserved communities are not left behind as digital technology continues to transform the employment landscape. According to him, access to digital skills and professional opportunities should not be limited to young people living in major urban centres. The Youth Excellence Award also highlights the growing importance of cooperation between government institutions, private-sector organisations and community-led initiatives in addressing challenges related to youth employment, entrepreneurship and skills development. With Khyber Pakhtunkhwa having a large and growing youth population, initiatives focused on digital education and employable skills can provide young people with alternative pathways to employment and entrepreneurship. The recognition of Ali’s work reflects the contribution of such initiatives towards creating opportunities for young people and strengthening their participation in the province’s economic and social development.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Armed Forces have extended warm greetings to the nation on the country’s 79th Independence Day, paying tribute to the founders of Pakistan, martyrs, veterans and all citizens who have contributed to the country’s progress and security. According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with the Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff, conveyed their Independence Day wishes to the Pakistani nation. The military leadership paid homage to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the countless individuals who made sacrifices for the creation and protection of Pakistan. The statement highlighted that the vision, courage and determination of the country’s founders continue to guide the nation and inspire people to uphold Pakistan’s core values. The Armed Forces also honoured the sacrifices of martyrs and acknowledged the contributions of veterans and former service personnel who served the country with dedication. ISPR further recognized the efforts of law-enforcement personnel and citizens serving the nation in different capacities. It said the sacrifices of martyrs, the courage of ghazis, the commitment of law-enforcement agencies and the collective efforts of Pakistanis have played a vital role in strengthening the country’s resilience. The Armed Forces reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals on which Pakistan was founded and called for continued national unity, dedication and service to the country on this historic Independence Day.