Islamabad: Chairman Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) Syed Qamar Raza Naqvi said that Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar taught humanity the values of love, tolerance, and service to mankind. He added that if the teachings of saints are adopted in practical life, half of society’s problems would automatically be resolved.

He expressed these views while addressing the concluding ceremony of “Sham-e-Qalandar”, jointly organized by the National Press Club and Daily Sada-e-Sach at the Mehdi Hassan Auditorium, Radio Pakistan, Islamabad where awards and honors were distributed among outstanding individuals from various fields across the country.

The evening began with soulful qawwali performances by Jawad Ali Malang and Bakht Ali Dhudial, which were taken to spiritual heights by renowned Pakistani qawwal Arif Feroz Khan. His distinctive style filled the gathering with deep spiritual emotion, leaving many in the audience moved to tears.

Addressing the ceremony, the OPF Chairman said that personalities like Arif Feroz Khan are a national pride who have spread the true message of Islam and introduced many non-Muslims to its teachings. He emphasized that the awards presented to high-achieving individuals from diverse fields are not merely honors but beacons of guidance for the entire nation, reminding everyone that true success lies in service and dedication.

Chief Editor Daily Sada-e-Sach, Syed Tabassum Abbas Shah, and President National Press Club, Azhar Jatoi, welcomed all participants. Prominent personalities and experts from various walks of life attended the ceremony. Chairman OPF Syed Qamar Raza Naqvi was the Chief Guest and Prime Minister’s Focal Person for the Youth Programme Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi attended as Special Guest.

During the awards ceremony, honors were conferred upon distinguished individuals for their exceptional services. Arif Feroz Khan (Qawwal) was awarded the title “Safeer-e-Mawaddat” for conveying the true message of Islam to non-Muslims. Renowned geologist Dr. Rafiq-ul-Hasan Baqri, author of over 100 books and discoverer of several oil and gas reserves, was also honored.

Dr. Hussain Ahmed, a PhD scholar who did PhD on Hazrat Ameer Kabeer Syed Ali Hamdan (Shah Hamdan) from NUML University, and Dr. Shahid Abbas, recognized globally for research in allergy, vaccines, and modern medicines, received awards for bringing international recognition to Pakistan.

Former Director General Federal Directorate of Education Dr. Ali Ahmed Kharal was honored for improving educational standards in the federal capital. Environmental writer Chaudhry Muhammad Arshad was recognized for raising awareness about climate change in Pakistan and abroad.

Raja Haroon Hafeez received an award for his valuable services in sports nationally and internationally, while businessman Chaudhry Farrukh Raza was honored for organizing Pakistan’s largest celebration on the birth of the grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Dr. Abbas Shah was awarded the title “Health Ambassador” for successfully treating thousands of patients and encouraging medical tourism to Pakistan. For promoting the message and remembrance of Imam Hussain (AS) among youth, Syed Joun Ali Kazmi (Salar Karwan-e-Shah-e-Chiragh) was awarded “Salar-e-Pakistan.”

Prime Minister’s Focal Person Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi received the title “Youth Ambassador” for his continuous efforts toward youth development beyond political affiliations. Chairman OPF Syed Qamar Raza Naqvi was conferred “Overseas Ambassador” for his services to overseas Pakistanis and for improving Pakistan’s global image.

Jawad Ali Malang and Bakht Ali Dhudial received “Young Singer Awards.” Principal Information Officer Press Information Department Mubashir Hassan was honored as “Best PR Professional” for strengthening government-media relations, while Ali Nawaz Malik received the “Best Press Minister” award for effectively highlighting Pakistan’s stance abroad and countering negative propaganda.

Awards were also announced for Provincial Secretary Information & Culture Syed Tahir Raza Hamdani, Director General Radio Pakistan Saeed Ahmed Sheikh, DG PID Lahore Shafqat Abbas, and Director Minister Office Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Amir Raza Malik for their services. Additionally, President PFUJ Afzal Butt was honored for his notable services for press freedom, Dr. Syed Nasir Ali Shah was honored for services in cardiac care, Dr. Tafazal Malik for rehabilitation of disabled patients in Pakistan and USA and Director Federal Government Employees Housing Authority Syed Kazim Abbas for his outstanding public service.

The event was gracefully hosted by Tassawar Zaman Babar who was also awarded Best Compere in recognition of his professional and dignified conduct.

The gathering not only highlighted spiritual devotion but also celebrated individuals who have made significant contributions to human welfare and societal development, a purpose highly appreciated by the participants.

By Shahmeer Shahnawaz

The much-anticipated clash between Pakistan and Sri Lanka once again delivered an exciting display of competitive cricket, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Both teams entered the match with strong line-ups and a clear determination to dominate, making the encounter a treat for cricket lovers.

Pakistan showcased disciplined bowling and aggressive batting intent, applying pressure at crucial moments of the game. The bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths, while the batters played with confidence, rotating the strike effectively and capitalizing on scoring opportunities.

Sri Lanka, known for their resilience, responded with fighting spirit. Their players showed composure under pressure, combining solid defense with timely attacking shots. The team’s fielding effort and tactical awareness added intensity to the contest, reflecting their growing strength in international cricket.

The match highlighted the depth of talent on both sides and reinforced the historic rivalry between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Moments of brilliance, strategic battles, and passionate performances made the game a memorable one for fans across the globe.

As both teams continue their international campaigns, this encounter served as an important benchmark, offering valuable insights and momentum for upcoming fixtures. Cricket enthusiasts now eagerly look forward to the next chapter in this exciting rivalry.

By Nisar Hussain

Column: Diwan-e-Aam

The world is passing through a new industrial and technological wave that can rightly be described as the digital era. Mobile phones, the internet, cloud infrastructure, robotics, artificial intelligence and advanced IT services have transformed not only communication and commerce but the very foundations of education, healthcare, governance and economic development. Any nation that delays adopting these technologies risks falling behind in the global race for competitiveness.

This reality compels Pakistan to treat these domains not as slogan-driven initiatives but as true national priorities. The essential question, however, is whether the steps taken by the Government of Pakistan are sufficient to meet the demands of this new age.

One of the most significant developments in recent years is the approval of the National AI Policy 2025, which has opened the path toward building a comprehensive artificial intelligence ecosystem in the country. The policy sets ambitious targets.

These include developing a large skilled workforce, establishing national AI funds, launching thousands of AI-enabled public projects, supporting the creation of over a thousand indigenous AI products, and opening new avenues for research and education. Alongside this, the federal government has also announced the formation of an AI Council and a Master Plan to ensure that the policy moves beyond paperwork and enters the realm of practical implementation.

In the national budget, the government has allocated substantial funds for digitalisation, artificial intelligence and IT parks. Consequently, more than twenty software technology parks have been established or are under development across the country. The major IT parks in Karachi and Islamabad are emerging as significant centres for new tech start-ups as well as companies exporting software and IT-enabled services.

The surge in Pakistan’s IT exports further validates this digital transition. In the previous financial year, exports of IT and IT-enabled services grew by nearly twenty four percent, contributing to a positive foreign exchange surplus. Likewise, capacity-building programmes such as the Cloud Applied Generative AI initiative have equipped thousands of young Pakistanis with cutting-edge skills that can consolidate Pakistan’s presence in the global technology marketplace in the years ahead.

Yet despite this progress, several critical gaps remain, and they cannot be ignored. Announcing a policy is always the easiest step. The real challenge is implementation. Even if research and training centres are established, they will remain confined to files and reports unless they generate genuine opportunities for learning, innovation and industry collaboration.

Another reality is that Pakistan’s digital infrastructure is not uniformly developed. Major cities enjoy robust mobile connectivity and digital services but many smaller towns and rural areas still face limited access. If this disparity persists, the digital divide will widen and could evolve into a new form of socioeconomic inequality.

Another challenge is that training a few thousand or even a few hundred thousand individuals will not be sufficient. Pakistan is a young nation, and millions of its youth are waiting for modern technological education and employment opportunities.

Training only creates meaningful impact when it is accompanied by job creation, investment and tangible connections with industry. Pakistan must also reduce its reliance on foreign AI tools, platforms and cloud services. Excessive dependence will weaken technological sovereignty and delay the development of AI technologies that understand local languages, social realities and cultural contexts.

Concerns related to data privacy and cyber security are even more sensitive. As digital systems expand, the laws and regulatory frameworks that govern them must be strengthened proportionately.

Pakistan’s future can only be secured if the government moves beyond announcements and places performance at the centre of its approach. An autonomous authority should be established to oversee the effective implementation of the National AI Policy. This body must remain independent of political pressure and publish annual progress reports.

The country must prioritise the development of indigenous cloud and data centre infrastructure to ensure data protection and support local industry. Training initiatives must not remain confined to major cities. They must reach rural areas, women and underprivileged communities so that every segment of society can participate in this digital age.

Educational institutions should integrate high-quality courses in artificial intelligence, data science and cloud computing while research must be funded so that Pakistan evolves from being a technology consumer to becoming a technology creator.

If these measures are pursued with consistency, transparency and seriousness, Pakistan can meaningfully alter the trajectory of its development. New employment opportunities will emerge for the youth. Exports will continue to grow.

Governance will become more efficient and transparent. The country will be able to carve out its place in the global digital economy. However, if we continue to rely solely on policy announcements without translating them into concrete action, this historic opportunity may slip away. Pakistan stands at a crossroads.

This moment can either become the beginning of a new direction or the world will continue to advance while we remain stationary. The choice ultimately depends on our collective resolve and our willingness to act.