Category: Information Technology

Technological advancements have always changed the way human beings work, interact, and live. In the last two decades, the world has witnessed unprecedented technological innovations in all fields, from computing and artificial intelligence to biotechnology and nanotechnology. These technologies have helped the world to solve some of the most pressing challenges.

Each year, the World Economic Forum (WEF), with the assistance of experts from across the globe, publishes a list of top ten emerging technologies that have the potential to bring a significant change in the world. WEF has done the same this year as well, and published the report titled “Top 10 emerging technologies of 2020.”

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Here are the top 10 emerging technologies of 2020.

1. Microneedles for Painless Injections and Tests
Having a width similar to human hair, microneedles prevent pain by avoiding contact with nerve endings.

Microneedles have been approved to administer vaccines and are currently being used in clinical trials for treating neuropathic pain, cancer, and diabetes.

2. Sun-Powered Chemistry
Manufacturing medicines, detergents, textiles, and fertilizers consume fossil fuels, which add to carbon dioxide emissions and climate change.

Sun-powered chemistry uses sunlight to convert excess carbon dioxide into molecules, which serve as raw materials for these common chemical materials.

3. Virtual Patients
This technology aims to replace human beings with computer simulations to make clinical trials faster and safer.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently using these simulations in place of humans in clinical trials being held to evaluate new mammography systems.

4. Spatial Computing
Spatial computing is being termed as the ‘next big thing’ after virtual reality and augmented reality.

This technology makes digital twins, not just of objects, but of people and locations. It uses GPS, LiDAR (light detection and ranging), video, and other geolocation technologies to create a digital map of a room, a building, or a city. Software algorithms integrate the digital map with sensor data and digital representations of objects and people to create a digital world that can be observed, quantified, and manipulated.

Tech giants, including Amazon and Microsoft, have heavily invested in spatial computing.

5. Digital Medicine
Several AI-based applications have been developed in 2020, which accurately detect mental and physical disorders.

Termed as “digital medicine,” these applications facilitate patients with limited access to healthcare facilities along with enhancing traditional medical care.

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital medicine. As the outbreak unfolded, dozens of applications for detecting depression and providing counseling were launched.

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6. Electric Aviation
In 2019, air travel accounted for 2.5 percent of global carbon emissions, a number that could triple by 2050.

Aerospace companies such as Airbus, Ampaire, MagniX, and Eviation are working on electric aviation to decarbonize air travel.

This technology will eliminate direct carbon emissions and also reduce fuel costs by up to 90 percent, noise by nearly 70 percent, and maintenance by up to 50 percent.

7. Lower-Carbon Cement
The manufacturing of cement releases a large amount of carbon dioxide, which accounts for 8 percent of the global human-produced emissions.

Currently, four billion tons of cement is produced every year, but due to increasing urbanization, that figure is expected to rise to five billion tons in the next 30 years.

This year, several lower-carbon approaches have been introduced, which decreases the emissions in cement manufacturing by 30 percent.

8. Quantum Sensing
Quantum sensing involves measurement to extreme levels of precision by exploiting the quantum nature of matter. It uses the difference between electrons in different energy states as a base unit to measure a physical quantity.

This technology can enable autonomous vehicles that can see around corners, underwater navigation systems, early-warning systems for volcanic activity and earthquakes, and portable scanners that monitor a person’s brain activity during daily life.

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9. Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen is produced through electrolysis, a process in which machines split water into hydrogen and oxygen with no other by-products.

This technology has the potential to decarbonize the parts of energy sectors that the current renewable technologies such as solar and wind could not electrify.

Big companies are making efforts to develop electrolyzers that can produce green hydrogen cheaply. A few of them are also working to integrate electrolyzers into renewable energy projects.

10. Whole-Genome Synthesis
Dubbed as the next-level cell engineering, whole-genome synthesis is an extension of the booming field of synthetic biology.

Researchers use software to design genetic sequences that they produce and introduce into a microbe, thereby reprogramming the microbe to do desired work such as making a new medicine.

The ability to synthesize an entire genome enabled researchers to reproduce the coronavirus in the early days of the pandemic and start the development of its vaccine without having to wait for physical samples after Chinese researchers uploaded the virus’s genetic sequence to the genetic databases.

The post These are the Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2020? appeared first on .

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The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has provisionally collected Rs. 340 billion against the assigned monthly target of Rs. 348 billion, reflecting a shortfall of Rs. 8 billion.

Top FBR officials told ProPakistani that the revenue collection will further increase by Rs. 4 to Rs. 6 billion on the compilation of final figures. A press release is also expected from the FBR by midnight.

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The Federal Board of Revenue’s provisional revenue collection figures amounted to Rs. 1,337 billion during July-October (2020-21) against the target of Rs. 1,322 billion, reflecting an increase of Rs. 15 billion.

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Silk Bank has maintained a healthy profit recovery of Rs. 150.84 million from January to September 2020, despite the prevailing scenario of the COVID-19 outbreak across the country.

The bank reported a significant loss of Rs. 2.76 billion in the same period of 2019. The bank closed the past year with nearly Rs. 3.9 billion in losses, and then gradually improved its situation by curtailing its losses drastically.

As a result, the bank’s deposit base grew to Rs. 88 billion by the end of September 2020.

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The bank claims to be one of the three top banks, which witnessed increased credit card payment through digital banking. The bank’s paid-up capital value stood at Rs. 10.4 billion, whereas the capital adequacy ratio stood at 4.16 percent against the target level of 11.5 percent. The bank’s management assured the central bank that it would be able to meet the regulatory requirement by the end of March next year.

The management’s next strategy is to maintain the profitability of the bank with controlled expenditures.

The management will also look to increase deposit mobilization, in addition to the revival of the mortgage financing business. The bank has obtained approval from the State Bank of Pakistan for setting up the Islamic Development REIT Fund. This approach is targeted for the resolution of the bank’s massive non-performing loans (NPLs), including the disposal of non-banking assets.

Silk Bank is operating with 123 branches, including 30 branches of Islamic banking, across the country.

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In order to enhance Pakistan’s exports, Prime Minister Imran Khan has given approval for setting up a National Export Development Board (NEDB) under the Strategic Trade Policy Framework (STPF) 2020-25

The approval was granted during Prime Minister’s meeting with his Commerce Advisor Abdul Razak Dawood.

The Prime Minister will be the President of the Export Development Board, while all stakeholders relating to exports are given representation in the board.

“The National Export Development Board will hold its meetings monthly where all the issues relating to Pakistan’s export will be discussed,” revealed the adviser through his Twitter account.

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The 5th Meeting of the Joint Working Group on Gwadar was held through a video link, today.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Planning, Development, & Special Initiatives (MoPD&SI), Mathar Niaz Rana from the Pakistan side, and Director-General, National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Ying Xiong, from the Chinese side.

In his opening remarks, Director General, NDRC said that the development of the Gwadar is a priority and will be pushed forward with vigor and zeal. The Secretary, PD&SI acknowledged the continuous support extended by the Chinese government for the development of Gwadar and assured the Chinese side of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to accelerate the development projects in Gwadar.

The meeting reviewed the progress of projects in Gwadar. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the progress made in port development and the Chinese side appreciated the support provided by Pakistan in the port operationalization particularly enabling the Afghan transit trade through Gwadar.

The Chairman, China Overseas Ports Holding Company Pakistan Pvt Ltd (CoPHCL) explained the development of the port in detail and highlighted the renewed interest of the entrepreneurs in investing in Gwadar port and Free Zone area. It was informed that the Eastbay Expressway will be completed in 2021 and all pending issues have been resolved on priority. The Expressway will connect the port with the 2nd Phase of the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) which will facilitate the business climate of the zone and the port alike.

It was agreed that this step would greatly reduce the logistic cost and facilitate the transshipment trade.

Other projects discussed included New Gwadar International Airport (NGIA) and M-8 Motorway for seamless connectivity of Gwadar with the rest of the country and beyond. The progress on the NGIA was noted with satisfaction.

The Chinese side appreciated progress on the Energy Project in Gwadar. The Power Purchase Agreement of the 300 MW Coal Power Project was made as a deliverable for the forthcoming 10th JCC. The project upon completion will energize the industry in Gwadar and will improve the social and economic well-being of the local community.
Other projects in the social sector discussed during the meeting include Pak-China Friendship Hospital in Gwadar and the Vocational & Technical Institute in Gwadar.

The Secretary, MoPD&SI highlighted that the hospital project is of vital importance for the people of Gwadar and needs to be expedited. The Secretary suggested expediting work for timely completion of the project. For the Vocational & Technical Institute, both sides agreed to push ahead create job opportunities for the youth.
For the development of Gwadar as a smart port city, it was reiterated that the provision of freshwater is of utmost importance.

In this regard, the 1.2 MGD Desalination plant project was termed critical. Both sides agreed to take the necessary measures to complete the project in time.

The dredging of Berthing Areas is important for large vessels to access the Gwadar port which will improve the operationally of the port. For the construction of Breakwater, the timely completion of the project was stressed as a crucial intervention required for the fishermen community in Gwadar.

The Secretary, PD&SI proposed to divide the project into two phases for better implementation of the project. DG, NDRC replied in the affirmative and appreciated the idea. The Secretary PD&SI also appreciated the projects under Corporate Social Responsibility including Fraternity Emergency Care Centre of the Red Crescent Society of China, Pak-China Faqeer Colony School, and other initiatives of the China Overseas Port Holding Company.

In the end, the Secretary, PD&SI apprised about other social sector development projects, being undertaken by GoP under the Prime Minister’s development package for South Balochistan. The Director-General, NDRC applauded the development package and reiterated China’s full support for the socio-economic well-being of the region.

The meeting was concluded with the signing of the minutes along with the finalization of the agreed deliverables of the JWG on Gwadar for the forthcoming 10th JCC.

The meeting was also attended by other senior officials of the M/o PD&SI, representatives of the Government of Balochistan, Civil Aviation Authority, Board of Investment, and Ministry of Maritime Affairs amongst others.

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The Government of Pakistan in its endeavor to provide maximum relief to the public has decided to absorb most of the increase in international prices of petroleum products.

The prices of MS (Petrol), Kerosene (SKO) and Light Diesel Oil will remain the same w.e.f. 01 December 2020 for the next fifteen days.

However, due to a significant increase in the international price of High-Speed Diesel (HSD), the price of High-Speed Diesel has been increased by Rs. 4.00 per liter for the same period.

The following new prices will be effective from 01 December 2020 onwards: –

(Rs. / Liter)

Product
Existing prices
w.e.f.

16.11.2020

New prices
w.e.f.

01.12.2020

Increase/
(-)Decrease

MS (Petrol)
100.69
100.69
+0.00

High-Speed Diesel (HSD)
101.43
105.43
+4.00

Kerosene (SKO)
65.29
65.29
+0.00

Light Diesel Oil
62.86
62.86
+0.00

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The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has recommended the initiation of proceedings against M/s Hilal Foods (Pvt.) Limited for disseminating false and misleading information regarding the exclusivity and affiliation of the brand name “HAJMOLA”.

According to the inquiry report of the CCP, M/s Dabur India Limited and M/s Dabur Pakistan (Pvt.) Limited Jointly (the ‘Complainant’) through The Tareen Chambers, filed a complaint against M/s Hilal Food (Pvt.) Limited (the ‘Respondent’) with the Competition Commission of Pakistan (the ‘Commission’) for alleged violation of Section 10 of the Competition Act 2010 (the ‘Act’), pertaining to Deceptive Marketing Practices.

It was alleged in the complaint that the Sindh High Court (hereinafter referred to as “SHC”) had passed interim orders to permit both the Complainant and Respondent to use the trademark “HAJMOLA”, But the Respondent in his recent letters to Pakistan Broadcasting Association (the ‘PBA’) has circulated misleading/false information regarding the association and use of trademark “HAJMOLA”, and by doing so has distorted healthy competition in the market.

Based on the preliminary fact-finding, the Competent Authority initiated an inquiry in accordance with sub section (2) of Section 31 of the Act by appointing Mr. Mohammad Salman Zafar, Director (OFT), Ms. Marryum Pervaiz, Joint Director (OFT), and Mr. Amin Akbar, Management Executive (OFT) as inquiry officers (collectively the ‘Enquiry Officers’) to conclude the inquiry.

The Complainant is a well-known registered Company under relevant laws of India and Pakistan and carrying on International and countrywide business under the trade name “HAJMOLA”. The Complainant was founded in 1884, in Kolkata India with the largest herbal and natural product portfolios in the world.

The flagship product of Complainant namely “Dabur Hajmola” is an Ayurvedic digestive tablet, having a vibrant presence in Pakistan and worldwide, including countries like India, the United Kingdom, United States of America, and the United Arab Emirates.

It is a well-known mark protected under the Paris Convention and material provisions of the trademark laws of Pakistan, inter alia, s. 86 of the Trade Marks Ordinance 2001.

The inquiry report concluded that in light of the facts, it appears that the conduct of the Respondent, prima facie, amounts to disseminate false and misleading information regarding the exclusivity and affiliation of the brand name “HAJMOLA” despite the interim order of the Court which is still intact, in violation of Section 10(1) in terms of Section 10 (2)(b) of the Act which prohibits the distribution of false or misleading information to consumers related to character, place of production, properties and quality of goods.

In view of the analysis, it can also be concluded that the conduct of the Respondent, prima facie, has the potential to inflict harm upon the goodwill and business interest of the Complainant and cause confusion among customers through the dissemination of false and misleading information related to ownership of the disputed brand name of “HAJMOLA”, in violation of Section 10(1) in terms of Section 10(2) (a) & (b) of the Act.

The dissemination of false and misleading information has a direct impact on the public at large. It is in the interest of the general public and to create fair competition in the market, the Respondent should be stopped to circulate the information in an unfair and misleading manner and be encouraged to resort to the marketing practices which are transparent and give consumers/customers true and correct information.

Therefore, in light of the above-mentioned findings, it is recommended that the Commission may consider the initiation of proceedings against M/s Hilal Foods (Pvt.) Limited under Section 30 of the Act for the prima facie, violation of Section 10 of the Act, CCP added.

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Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh chaired a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) today.

The National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) reviewed the price trend of the essential commodities namely wheat flour, sugar, tomatoes, onions, vegetable ghee, potatoes, and chicken on weekly basis. The Finance Secretary while presenting the price trend of essential commodities informed that according to the latest SPI released by PBS, there is a decline in the prices of 10 essential commodities, for instance, wheat flour, sugar, onions, tomatoes and chicken while the prices of 11 commodities have increased slightly.

The price of 30 items remained stable. Adviser Finance expressed satisfaction over the declining price trend in wheat flour, sugar, onion, and tomatoes as compared to October 2020.

During the meeting, Adviser Finance urged the need to take necessary administrative measures to reduce the high-profit margin between Wholesale and Retail levels. It is our responsibility to ensure the availability of the essential items for the consumers at affordable prices, he stressed.

The Chair held a detailed discussion with the Provincial Chief Secretaries regarding the position of wheat and Sugar stocks in the Provinces and it was informed that at present, sufficient quantities are available to meet existing demand. Adviser Finance emphasized the provincial governments to ensure a smooth supply of essential items.

Secretary National Food Security and Research presented a brief update on the import of wheat during the meeting. The Logistics Committee played a key role in resolving issues related to wheat and sugar stocks among provinces, he underlined.

Provincial governments and USC should reassess their import requirements for wheat and sugar and take up with the Ministry of NFS&R accordingly and the matter may be placed before ECC for approval. M/o Industries & Production will take up the requirement of wheat and sugar for USC with PASSCO & TCP immediately.

The Chair appreciated the efforts being taken by all the Federal Ministries, Provincial Governments and other relevant stakeholders for price control. He added that the same momentum must be maintained to provide maximum relief to the general public. He also stressed that Provincial governments should work out a plan to ensure a smooth supply of perishable items to avoid any undue price hike.

Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar, SAPM on Revenue Dr. Waqar Masood, Federal Secretary Finance, Federal Secretary National Food Security and Research, Secretary Industries and Production, Secretary Commerce, Chairman TCP, MD PASSCO, Chairperson CCP and Manager Utility Stores Corporation also participated in the meeting. The Provincial Chief Secretaries joined the meeting through video link.

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Governor of Punjab Ch. Mohammad Sarwar recently inaugurated the ‘Governor House Café’ in the designated public area of the Governor House. Set up in a double-decker bus, the café will remain open for public and families from 11am to 6pm.

Talking to the press during lunch with kids from the Sarwar Foundation, the governor’s wife commented that only a few children were invited due to coronavirus.

We have received a lot of donations and we will use them for their (children) benefit only.

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In addition to the café, the Sarwar Foundation also inaugurated Quran Garden, Corona Heroes Wall and Souvenir Shop in the governor house. Governor

The governor commended efforts of the Sarwar Foundation for their commitment to helping children.

The reason why we have established a Quran Garden in the governor house is to promote Islamic Heritage.

The Sarwar Foundation’s Vice-Chair Mrs. Parveen Sarwar also launched a campaign to provide winter clothing to 50,000 poor children in Punjab. The Vice-Chair has requested notable philanthropists to contribute in this massive community service drive.

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Aneela Naz, a DSP serving in KP Police, has been appointed as the head of the Motor License Authentication wing of the City Traffic Police Peshawar, becoming the first female officer ever to be elevated to the post.

Aneela, 48, hails from Lakki Marwat and had joined the KP Police as an ASI in 1996 when she was 25.

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She had also led a contingent of Pakistan’s police force during an international police conference in the UK where she was conferred with an award for her services for the department.

Aneela has worked her way up to the promotion ladder through hard work and dedication in a male-dominated department.

While recalling the time she joined the police department, Aneela said that she and her family were heavily criticized by their neighbors and relatives over her career choice.

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However, times have changed as the number of women serving in the provincial police department has increased considerably during the past decade.

Aneela said that she wants to become an inspiration for young girls who aspire of becoming police officers.

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