Turki Al-Shabanah appointed new media minister of Saudi Arabia

Turki Al-Shabanah appointed new media minister of Saudi Arabia

RIYADH, JAN 01 - Saudi Arabia has appointed Turki Al-Shabanah as the new minister of media in the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

He is a media personality known for his association with Rotana, a popular TV network, as the chief executive officer.

The media group operates a network of 13 leading channels, several radio stations, and the world’s largest Arabic movie and music libraries.

Variety magazine recently ranked Al-Shabanah one of the 500 most influential media personalities of the world.

He has held several key positions in the Arab media industry. In 1996, he was in charge of the MBC office in the US. 

He also served as assistant to the general supervisor of MBC in London before it moved to Dubai.

In 1999, he was appointed as MBC deputy program production director, a position he held until 2003.  Al-Shabanah launched Khalijia channel in May 2005.

It was initially a music channel broadcasting mainly music videos from the Gulf region.

In 2008, Khalijia became a general-viewing channel broadcasting Saudi and Gulf region art and heritage, and taking the lead among others targeting the Gulf audience. 

He also served an adviser to Prince Alwaleed bin Talal between 2003 and 2007.

He also served as the general supervisor of MBC FM radio station and supervised the production of a number of programs produced at its stations in Cairo, Beirut, Amman and Riyadh. 

He was also the director of Rotana and LBC TV channels. He also co-founded Charisma Productions Co. with Ayman Al-Zyoud.

Al-Shabanah holds a bachelor’s degree in law from King Saud University in Riyadh, and a master’s degree in international trade law from Washington University, US.

Before starting a career in the media, he started out as an attorney in the US.

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Moulana Tariq Jameel suffers heart attack, shifted to hospital

Moulana Tariq Jameel suffers heart attack, shifted to hospital

LAHORE, JAN 01 – A prominent Pakistani religious scholar, preacher and public speaker Moulana Tariq Jameel has suffered a heart attack, and has been shifted to a private hospital in Lahore.

The eloguent speaker has promoted peace, harmony and tolerance in the society, and urged the general public to respect each other s contradictory views on religion.

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Malaysian MotoGP: Marquez wins, Rossi crashes out of lead

Malaysian MotoGP: Marquez wins, Rossi crashes out of lead

SEPANG, - World champion Marc Marquez won the Malaysian MotoGP Sunday despite starting in seventh position after being hit with a grid penalty, surging past Valentino Rossi who crashed out when leading.

Suzuki’s Alex Rins came in second after overtaking Yamaha rider Johann Zarco, who finished third, in the final stage of the race at Sepang.

Italian star Rossi finished 18th after tumbling off his bike on the 16th lap and losing the lead to Marquez, who was crowned world champion last month in Japan.

Nine-time world champion Rossi, second on the grid, looked to be heading for his first win in Malaysia since 2010 as he dominated the early stages.

 

However Marquez, who qualified in pole position but was hit with a six-place grid penalty for impeding another rider, slowly worked his way through the pack.

The Spaniard reached second place and was slowly closing the gap on Rossi, 39, when the Italian fell off his bike as he leaned into a corner.

He got up and continued but by that point victory had already slipped out of his grasp.

Marquez, 25, was dominant in the final stages of the race and opened up a big gap to the rest of the field.

“The start was not perfect but then I started to take out the riders step-by-step,” said Marquez. “I started to feel better and better, and I started to see I was catching (Rossi).”

Marquez also lost his pole position in the Grand Prix of the Americas in Texas in April and was dropped to fourth on the starting grid after being penalised for disturbing Maverick Vinales in qualifying.

He went on to win that race for the sixth consecutive time.

Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso, the winner in Malaysia in 2016 and 2017, could only manage sixth but retains second place in the overall standings, with Rossi’s crash leaving the Italian in third with one race remaining.

The rain stayed away after organisers shifted the start of the MotoGP two hours earlier in a bid to avoid tropical downpours, which usually occur in the late afternoon in Malaysia.

The decision came after Saturday’s qualifying session was delayed by more than an hour due to heavy rain.

Humidity and tropical rain are a constant challenge for riders at the Sepang circuit. The 2016 and 2017 editions of the MotoGP took place during heavy downpours.

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Govt to review decision of placing 172 names on ECL

Govt to review decision of placing 172 names on ECL

ISLAMABAD, DEC 31 – Federal government on Monday has decided to review its decision of including the names of 172 people being investigated for their alleged involvement in case pertaining to fake bank accounts.

A meeting of the federal cabinet summoned on January 10 to review the matter.

The federal cabinet meeting to be held on January 3 has been postponed following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s first official visit to Turkey after taking office.

The federal cabinet meeting will review matter pertaining to inclusion of the names of 172 people in fake bank account case.

Govt to review decision of placing 172 names on ECL

It is pertinent here to mention that Supreme Court had asked the federal cabinet to review its decision to place the names of 172 suspects of JIT report on ECL.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar hearing fake bank accounts case had expressed concern over placing the name of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and other politicians on the ECL before a proper review and directions from the apex court.

At the very outset the Attorney General informed the court that the JIT had recommended placing the suspects  names on the ECL. 

The CJP observed the JIT should work as per its mandate.

Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi appeared before the court on being summoned to explain the matter. 

He assured the court that no cabinet minister will give any statement on the subjudice case.

The court directed all concerned parties and media not to comment on the subjudice matters.

Supreme Court also ordered PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari and PPP MPA Faryal Talpur to submit their reply in the fake banks accounts case this week.

During the proceedings, the court rejected the plea of Asif Ali Zardari and Faryal Talpur s counsel, Farooq H Naek to recuse himself from the case on being placed on the ECL.

The Court directed him to continue advocating the case. The next hearing of the case will be held on Monday next.

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France committed to boost ties with Pakistan: envoy

France committed to boost ties with Pakistan: envoy

ISLAMABAD, DEC 31 - Ambassador of France in Pakistan, Marc Barety has said his country is keen to develop strong business contacts with Pakistan, and also focusing on the promotion of the small and medium enterprises in Pakistan.

He expressed these views while giving a message on the occasion of the start of 2019 New Year celebrations.

Ambassador said the year 2018 marked the enhanced cooperation between France and Pakistan and bilateral resolve to explore new opportunities to further our relationship.

As we round up year 2018 we remember the visit of Secretary General of French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, to Pakistan in July in connection with 13th round of Bilateral Political Consultations.

A delegation of six major companies of France visited Karachi in September to explore the investment opportunities in Pakistan.

French and German embassies in Islamabad jointly organized the musical tour of “Stradivaira” in different cities of Pakistan.

French Senator and President of France-Pakistan Friendship Group in Senate, Allizard Pascal participated in the Standing Committee meeting of Asian Parliamentary Assembly in Gwadar in October.

Embassy of France in Pakistan stands committed to boost further our bilateral relationship in 2019.

An important delegation of renowned French universities will visit Pakistan in April 2019 as part of our resolve to increase our contributions towards higher education in Pakistan.

Our economic agenda for Pakistan includes the visit of bilateral trade commission of ministerial-level and the visit of French companies led by French Business Council and the largest French Chamber of Commerce in Middle East based in Dubai.

The French Alliances in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi will continue to play important role in furthering our cultural cooperation in the country he added.

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AIOU new admissions to begin on February 1

AIOU new admissions to begin on February 1

ISLAMABAD, DEC 31 - The new admissions (Spring 2019) of Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will begin on February 1.

Admissions will be available from Matric to PhD level. Teachers’ training programs will also be introduced.

As per the policy of the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum, major focus will be laid on the quality education, improving contents’ development and delivery system.

In carrying out the academic programs, smart use of new technology will be applied intensively. 

The AIOU primarily focuses on the educational needs of masses by providing quality education at their doorsteps all over the country and by blurring spatial and temporal boundaries.

Currently, the university offers unique educational opportunities to a huge proportion of nearly 1.4 million students in a diverse and dynamic range of programs starting from Matriculation to the PhD level.

The University exclusively focuses on enhancing female literacy ratio in the country so that women can perform their vital role in the process of national progress and development.

The university takes same special initiatives for the underprivileged and marginalized segments of the society not only for their economic empowerment but also for poverty alleviation in the country.

The university’s academic staff is constantly engaged in the process of curriculum revision to meet the challenges of ever changing dynamics of higher education.

The University is committed to provide state of the art facilities to our students by opening up new portals of academic and professional excellence.

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Kyrgyzstan important destination for businessmen: Faisal Niaz Tirmizi

Kyrgyzstan important destination for businessmen: Faisal Niaz Tirmizi

RAWALPINDI, DEC 31 - Kyrgyzstan is an important destination for Pakistani traders and they must explore new avenues of cooperation in different fields including fruits, vegetables, pharma, sports goods and services sector.

Situated on the Pamirs and the Tian Shen range; the Kyrgyz Republic is the 4th largest country amongst the Central Asian States offers great opportunities for businessmen and Pakistan can double its exports as last year it has signed a protocol during 3rd session of Pak-Kyrgyz Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC).

These views were expressed by Faisal Niaz Tirmizi Ambassador Designate to Kyrgyzstan during his visit to the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on Monday.

Kyrgyzstan important destination for businessmen: Faisal Niaz Tirmizi

He appreciated RCCI efforts in promoting trade activities and promoting positive image of Pakistan through exhibitions.

He assured his full cooperation and assistance for sharing relevant trade information for the promotion of trade ties between the chambers of both countries.

He urged chambers to work hard and must took extra mile for enhancing exports.

 

RCCI president Malik Shahid on this occasion said that regional trade ties with Central Asian Republics (CAR) including Kyrgyzstan are imperative to boost exports.

“Pakistan, Afghanistan and the Central Asian states can become a new economic zone which if connected with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) can take Pakistan economy to new heights,” said the RCCI President.

He said CPEC is an unique opportunity for traders and investors of not only Pakistan and China but also for the entire regional countries especially for Central Asian states.

He also exchanged views on promoting bilateral cooperation in sectors including Pharmaceutical, marble, Rice, sports goods, textile and information technology.

Senior Vice President Muhammad Badar Haroon, Vice President Fayayz Qureshi, members of the executive committee and members were also present on the occasion.

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