Roshan Digital Account big step for overseas Pakistanis to participate in nation-building: PM Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that the Roshan Digital Account is a big step for Pakistani expatriates to participate in nation-building.

The Roshan Digital Account is an initiative by the State Bank of Pakistan to serve the banking needs for overseas Pakistanis so it is easier for them to invest in their home country.

"Our biggest asset is the overseas Pakistanis and we were unable to tap their potential previously," said the premier, at the outset of his address to the launch ceremony in Islamabad.

The prime minister said that progress made by India and China can be linked to their expatriate community.

"The way we should have brought overseas Pakistanis back and helped them in nation-building, we couldn't do that unfortunately. Hence, the opening of this Roshan Digital Account is a big step for Pakistan."

Listing various new projects, such as the Ravi City waterfront project and the ML-1 railway project, he said the help of overseas Pakistanis is needed for all of them.

PM Imran said that nearly half of the government's revenue is spent on payment of loans and there is a need for the country to move towards wealth creation.

"We need to increase our economic activity to an extent where we are able to comfortably pay off these loans," he said, adding that this was the aim of the construction sector, as it is one that in turn, supports 30 other sectors.

He said when the government came into power, there was a $40 billion trade deficit. "Our exports stood at $20bn, whereas our imports were roughly at around $60bn."

"And of course, [we had] a record-high current account deficit of $20bn — after deducting remittances."

He said with a reduction in dollars, the rupee falls, there is inflation and people stop investing.

"This results in a decline in wealth and investment [...] this is why we need dollar investments from overseas Pakistanis. We have seen an increase in remittances but now wish for there to be greater investment in the country."

He said the government had been unable to present any "viable" options to overseas Pakistanis in the past, but the two aforementioned mega projects are an excellent opportunity for them to invest.

Speaking of the perception surrounding dual nationals in Pakistan, he questioned why they are considered "traitors". "They are viewed with suspicion".

"We must understand why these nine million people left in the first place. We were unable to provide them jobs. And a lot of them acquired qualifications from abroad. They are so qualified that we do not have suitable jobs for them here. And for the jobs that we do have here, we cannot afford to pay the remuneration they deserve."

The prime minister said we must all recognise that overseas Pakistanis are "our greatest asset".

"There is no greater asset. We have excellent minds, brilliant professionals sitting in countries abroad and entrepreneurs. As soon as we create the right conditions, a large resource pool can return [to serve]," he said.

A central bank initiative

In a press release issued earlier today, Prime Minister's Office said that the initiative by the central bank will work with commercial banks operating in Pakistan.

"For the first time in the country’s history, Non-Returning Pakistanis (NRP) will be able to remotely open an account through an entirely digital and online process without any need to visit a bank branch, embassy, or consulate," it said.

"The customer can choose either foreign currency or rupee dominated account, or both. Funds in these accounts will be fully repatriable, without the need for any regulatory approval," the statement read.

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PM Imran takes 'strict notice' of Lahore motorway, Marwah rape cases

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday took notice of the Lahore motorway rape case and the rape-and-murder of a 5-year-old girl in Karachi, urging authorities to take strict action against the culprits.

A tweet from the Prime Minister's Office said that PM Imran had taken "strict notice" of the incidents, stating that protection of women is the government's top priority and responsibility.

The prime minister has sought reports on the two incidents from the relevant IGs and urged the government to make existing laws effective to provide protection to women and children.

 Earlier today, the newly appointed Inspector-General of Punjab Police Inam Ghani claimed that police have secured “evidence” that will lead them to the culprits in the disturbing motorway rape and robbery case.

متعلقہ آئی جی صاحبان سے ان واقعات کی رپورٹ طلب

واقعے میں ملوث افراد کو جلد از جلد قانون کی گرفت میں لانے اور قرار واقعی سزا دلوانے کا حکم

وزیر اعظم کی معصوم بچوں اور خواتین سے زیادتی کے واقعات کے تدارک کے حوالے سے قوانین کو مزید موثر بنانے کے لئے اقدامات کرنے کی ہدایت

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) September 10, 2020

“We have done great work so far in the motorway rape case. We have located the village from which the suspects were from.

He also shared that 20 police teams were working on the case and are being overseen by a deputy inspector-general.

Ghani shared that the victim of the heinous crime had provided ages and other identifying features of the suspects.

“Right now, we have a very good clue which will lead us to the suspects directly. However, we cannot share it with the media yet,” Ghani said.

He also shared that police have obtained the complete voter list and record from the National Database & Registration Authority of the area where the suspects are believed to have hailed from.

The Punjab police chief shared that they have narrowed down the list suspects to 70 people who fall in the same age bracket as the rapists and who have a past criminal record.

He added that police teams were tracking down the people who fit the profile.

Police also carried out geofencing in the area where the incident occurred and are awaiting the report.

IG Ghani said that the woman's children, who were forced to witness the horrific crime, were now with their family, who have been assured that they will be provided all kinds of support. He said the victims of the attack would be in a much better state when the suspects are arrested.

 

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Cooperation, not confrontation should drive international politics: Qureshi

Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said that "it is cooperation not confrontation that should drive international politics".

In a series of tweets following his address at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meet in Moscow, Qureshi wrote: "In today's environment, full of zero-sum prophecies, it is cooperation not confrontation that should drive international politics."

The foreign minister said in his address to the forum he had reaffirmed Pakistan's belief in "the centrality of the Shanghai spirit" and said that platforms like the SCO "exist as a beacon of hope".

During his address, Qureshi said any unilateral and illegal measures to change the status of disputed territories "run counter to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's objective of amity in the region and must be opposed resolutely".

He said that he had stressed on the peaceful resolution of outstanding disputes as per the United Nations Security Council's resolutions.

Qureshi went on to share that he had "highlighted the opportunity to foster greater regional [co-operation] in this time of [COVID-19] crisis".

"Pakistan has flattened COVID-19 curve to become a global best practice," he said.

The foreign minister said Pakistan offered to share its strategy with member countries "in cognisance of the spirit of the SCO and working together against common threats".

In my address to the #SCO FM meet, reaffirmed Pakistan’s belief in centrality of Shanghai Spirit. In today's environment, full of zero-sum prophecies, it is cooperation not confrontation that should drive intl politics. Multilateral platforms like SCO thus exist as beacon of hope pic.twitter.com/GpxneDvgyY

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) September 10, 2020

He said that stability in Afghanistan "is vital for regional prosperity" and was discussed during the meet.

"Pakistan has assiduously supported efforts for peace and reconciliation that is Afghan led and Afghan owned," said the foreign minister.

"I stressed on SCO as key for connectivity and CPEC, flagship of BRI, supplements SCO vision for regional integration," he added.

According to a statement by the Foreign Office, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the chair of the meeting, extended the invitation to the foreign minister.

The SCO-CFM is the highest forum of SCO after the Council of Heads of State (CHS) and the Council of Heads of Government (CHG), the statement said, adding that it deliberates on important regional and international issues and considers documents for approval and adoption by the Council of Heads of State.

“The Moscow SCO-CFM will consider more than 20 documents for subsequent adoption in the SCO Council of Heads of State. It will also adopt a Joint Communiqué reflecting member states’ unified stance on important regional and international issues,” the statement said.

The foreign minister will also have bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the CFM.

SCO’s major objectives include promoting confidence and good-neighbourly relations among member states; strengthening regional peace, security, and stability; and creating a framework for effective cooperation in political, cultural, trade and economy, science and technology, education, energy, transportation, tourism, environmental protection, among other fields.

Besides Pakistan, SCO’s current membership comprises China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

“SCO is an important forum for further enriching our deep-rooted historical and cultural links with member states, providing these ties a sound economic foundation, and promoting Pakistan as a regional trade and transit corridor,” the statement noted.

Since becoming a member in 2017, Pakistan has been “actively” contributing to working towards achieving SCO’s multi-sectoral agenda through participation in various SCO mechanisms.

From 2005 to 2017, Pakistan was an Observer in SCO, the Foreign Office added.

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Roshan Digital Account big step for overseas Pakistanis to participate in nation-building: PM Khan

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday said that the Roshan Digital Account is a big step for Pakistani expatriates to participate in nation-building.

The Roshan Digital Account is an initiative by the State Bank of Pakistan to serve the banking needs for overseas Pakistanis so it is easier for them to invest in their home country.

"Our biggest asset is the overseas Pakistanis and we were unable to tap their potential previously," said the premier, at the outset of his address to the launch ceremony in Islamabad.

The prime minister said that progress made by India and China can be linked to their expatriate community.

"The way we should have brought overseas Pakistanis back and helped them in nation-building, we couldn't do that unfortunately. Hence, the opening of this Roshan Digital Account is a big step for Pakistan."

Listing various new projects, such as the Ravi City waterfront project and the ML-1 railway project, he said the help of overseas Pakistanis is needed for all of them.

PM Imran said that nearly half of the government's revenue is spent on payment of loans and there is a need for the country to move towards wealth creation.

"We need to increase our economic activity to an extent where we are able to comfortably pay off these loans," he said, adding that this was the aim of the construction sector, as it is one that in turn, supports 30 other sectors.

He said when the government came into power, there was a $40 billion trade deficit. "Our exports stood at $20bn, whereas our imports were roughly at around $60bn."

"And of course, [we had] a record-high current account deficit of $20bn — after deducting remittances."

He said with a reduction in dollars, the rupee falls, there is inflation and people stop investing.

"This results in a decline in wealth and investment [...] this is why we need dollar investments from overseas Pakistanis. We have seen an increase in remittances but now wish for there to be greater investment in the country."

He said the government had been unable to present any "viable" options to overseas Pakistanis in the past, but the two aforementioned mega projects are an excellent opportunity for them to invest.

Speaking of the perception surrounding dual nationals in Pakistan, he questioned why they are considered "traitors". "They are viewed with suspicion".

"We must understand why these nine million people left in the first place. We were unable to provide them jobs. And a lot of them acquired qualifications from abroad. They are so qualified that we do not have suitable jobs for them here. And for the jobs that we do have here, we cannot afford to pay the remuneration they deserve."

The prime minister said we must all recognise that overseas Pakistanis are "our greatest asset".

"There is no greater asset. We have excellent minds, brilliant professionals sitting in countries abroad and entrepreneurs. As soon as we create the right conditions, a large resource pool can return [to serve]," he said.

A central bank initiative

In a press release issued earlier today, Prime Minister's Office said that the initiative by the central bank will work with commercial banks operating in Pakistan.

"For the first time in the country’s history, Non-Returning Pakistanis (NRP) will be able to remotely open an account through an entirely digital and online process without any need to visit a bank branch, embassy, or consulate," it said.

"The customer can choose either foreign currency or rupee dominated account, or both. Funds in these accounts will be fully repatriable, without the need for any regulatory approval," the statement read.

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PM Imran takes 'strict notice' of Lahore motorway, Marwah rape cases

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday took notice of the Lahore motorway rape case and the rape-and-murder of a 5-year-old girl in Karachi, urging authorities to take strict action against the culprits.

A tweet from the Prime Minister's Office said that PM Imran had taken "strict notice" of the incidents, stating that protection of women is the government's top priority and responsibility.

The prime minister has sought reports on the two incidents from the relevant IGs and urged the government to make existing laws effective to provide protection to women and children.

 Earlier today, the newly appointed Inspector-General of Punjab Police Inam Ghani claimed that police have secured “evidence” that will lead them to the culprits in the disturbing motorway rape and robbery case.

متعلقہ آئی جی صاحبان سے ان واقعات کی رپورٹ طلب

واقعے میں ملوث افراد کو جلد از جلد قانون کی گرفت میں لانے اور قرار واقعی سزا دلوانے کا حکم

وزیر اعظم کی معصوم بچوں اور خواتین سے زیادتی کے واقعات کے تدارک کے حوالے سے قوانین کو مزید موثر بنانے کے لئے اقدامات کرنے کی ہدایت

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) September 10, 2020

“We have done great work so far in the motorway rape case. We have located the village from which the suspects were from.

He also shared that 20 police teams were working on the case and are being overseen by a deputy inspector-general.

Ghani shared that the victim of the heinous crime had provided ages and other identifying features of the suspects.

“Right now, we have a very good clue which will lead us to the suspects directly. However, we cannot share it with the media yet,” Ghani said.

He also shared that police have obtained the complete voter list and record from the National Database & Registration Authority of the area where the suspects are believed to have hailed from.

The Punjab police chief shared that they have narrowed down the list suspects to 70 people who fall in the same age bracket as the rapists and who have a past criminal record.

He added that police teams were tracking down the people who fit the profile.

Police also carried out geofencing in the area where the incident occurred and are awaiting the report.

IG Ghani said that the woman's children, who were forced to witness the horrific crime, were now with their family, who have been assured that they will be provided all kinds of support. He said the victims of the attack would be in a much better state when the suspects are arrested.

 

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Cooperation, not confrontation should drive international politics: Qureshi

Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Thursday said that "it is cooperation not confrontation that should drive international politics".

In a series of tweets following his address at the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meet in Moscow, Qureshi wrote: "In today's environment, full of zero-sum prophecies, it is cooperation not confrontation that should drive international politics."

The foreign minister said in his address to the forum he had reaffirmed Pakistan's belief in "the centrality of the Shanghai spirit" and said that platforms like the SCO "exist as a beacon of hope".

During his address, Qureshi said any unilateral and illegal measures to change the status of disputed territories "run counter to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's objective of amity in the region and must be opposed resolutely".

He said that he had stressed on the peaceful resolution of outstanding disputes as per the United Nations Security Council's resolutions.

Qureshi went on to share that he had "highlighted the opportunity to foster greater regional [co-operation] in this time of [COVID-19] crisis".

"Pakistan has flattened COVID-19 curve to become a global best practice," he said.

The foreign minister said Pakistan offered to share its strategy with member countries "in cognisance of the spirit of the SCO and working together against common threats".

In my address to the #SCO FM meet, reaffirmed Pakistan’s belief in centrality of Shanghai Spirit. In today's environment, full of zero-sum prophecies, it is cooperation not confrontation that should drive intl politics. Multilateral platforms like SCO thus exist as beacon of hope pic.twitter.com/GpxneDvgyY

— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) September 10, 2020

He said that stability in Afghanistan "is vital for regional prosperity" and was discussed during the meet.

"Pakistan has assiduously supported efforts for peace and reconciliation that is Afghan led and Afghan owned," said the foreign minister.

"I stressed on SCO as key for connectivity and CPEC, flagship of BRI, supplements SCO vision for regional integration," he added.

According to a statement by the Foreign Office, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the chair of the meeting, extended the invitation to the foreign minister.

The SCO-CFM is the highest forum of SCO after the Council of Heads of State (CHS) and the Council of Heads of Government (CHG), the statement said, adding that it deliberates on important regional and international issues and considers documents for approval and adoption by the Council of Heads of State.

“The Moscow SCO-CFM will consider more than 20 documents for subsequent adoption in the SCO Council of Heads of State. It will also adopt a Joint Communiqué reflecting member states’ unified stance on important regional and international issues,” the statement said.

The foreign minister will also have bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the CFM.

SCO’s major objectives include promoting confidence and good-neighbourly relations among member states; strengthening regional peace, security, and stability; and creating a framework for effective cooperation in political, cultural, trade and economy, science and technology, education, energy, transportation, tourism, environmental protection, among other fields.

Besides Pakistan, SCO’s current membership comprises China, Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

“SCO is an important forum for further enriching our deep-rooted historical and cultural links with member states, providing these ties a sound economic foundation, and promoting Pakistan as a regional trade and transit corridor,” the statement noted.

Since becoming a member in 2017, Pakistan has been “actively” contributing to working towards achieving SCO’s multi-sectoral agenda through participation in various SCO mechanisms.

From 2005 to 2017, Pakistan was an Observer in SCO, the Foreign Office added.

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Ronaldo reaches century of international goals for Portugal

Add 100 international goals to the extraordinary list of milestones achieved by football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

The 35-year-old Ronaldo become just the second male player to reach a century of goals for a national team when he curled a free kick into the top corner from 25 metres for the first of his two strikes in Portugal’s 2-0 away win against Sweden in the Nations League on Tuesday.

Scoring one of the best goals of his international career was a fitting way to enter the “100 Club,” where he joins former Iran striker Ali Daei, and he wheeled away in delight in an empty Friends Arena in Stockholm before performing his trademark celebration — the mid-air pirouette.

Ronaldo, who was playing in his 165th game for Portugal, then added a second goal — another curler into the top corner — and needs nine more to surpass the international record of 109 scored by Daei from 1993-2006. The five-time world player of the year already holds the record for goals in the Champions League with 131 — 16 more than nearest rival Lionel Messi — and has now scored an international goal for the 17th straight calendar year.

“They are two important goals because it means I managed to reach this mark I’d been seeking,” Ronaldo told Portuguese public television RTP.

“I’m very happy, first because the team won and of course to score the 100th and then the 101st, two great goals.”

Portugal have won its two opening group games after beating Croatia 4-1 on Saturday, when Ronaldo was absent because of a toe infection.

Belgium and France also have maximum points. The top-ranked Belgians beat Iceland 5-1 and France defeated Croatia 4-2 — the same scoreline as the 2018 World Cup final.

England drew 0-0 at Denmark in Copenhagen.

France see off Croatia

At the Stade de France, Eduardo Camavinga became France’s youngest international in 106 years as Les Bleus won a repeat of the 2018 World Cup final over Croatia.

Midfielder Camavinga, aged 17 years and nine months, replaced N’Golo Kante in the second half and is only surpassed by Julien Verbrugghe, aged 16 years and 10 months in 1906, and Maurice Gastiger, at 17 years and 4 months in 1914.

Deschamps made seven changes from Saturday’s win over Sweden in Solna with Wissam Ben Yedder and Anthony Martial leading the attack after Kylian Mbappe contracted Covid-19.

Antoine Griezmann, Dayot Upamecano, Olivier Giroud as well as an own goal from the visitors’ goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic secured a repeat result from Russia two years ago after Dejan Lovren had opened the scoring for Croatia, Wolfsburg’s Josip Brekalo adding their second in the 55th minute.

Kevin De Bruyne celebrated becoming English football’s player of the year by setting up two of Belgium’s goals in their comeback win over Iceland to follow up on their 2-0 win over Denmark.

The Islanders opened the scoring through an 11th-minute deflected shot from Holmbert Fridjonsson.

But a reshuffled Red Devils outfit hit back almost immediately through Axel Witsel in the 13th minute, before a Michy Batshuayi double (17, 70) coupled with goals from Dries Mertens (50) and new cap Jeremy Doku (80) combined to put the game out of sight.

Belgium’s win moves them to the top of League A Group 2 ahead of their trip next month to England, who were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw away to Denmark in Copenhagen on Tuesday.

England held

A difficult few days for England coach Gareth Southgate ended with his team being held to a tame draw against Denmark, though Harry Kane came close to snatching victory when his late shot was cleared off the line.

England were without highly rated youngsters Mason Greenwood and Phil Foden, who were sent home for breaching coronavirus rules in Reykjavik after making their international debuts in the 1-0 win over Iceland on Saturday. Video posted on social media video appeared to show the players meeting women from outside the team bubble.

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