Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Denial of Newsreport about President Mamnoon Hussain's Portrait
اسلام آباد: ایوان صدر نے صدرممنون حسین کے سرکاری پورٹریٹ پر کوئی بھاری رقم خرچ نہیں کی، پریس سیکریٹری
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) December 30, 2013
اسلام آباد: ایوان صدر کی جانب سے پورٹریٹ کے لیے کوئی ادائیگی نہیں کی گئی،پریس سیکریٹری صبا محسن
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) December 30, 2013
اسلام آباد: ایوان صدر کی جانب سے پورٹریٹ پر بھاری رقم خرچ کرنے سے متعلق خبربے بنیاد اور حقائق کے برعکس ہے، پریس سیکریٹری
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) December 30, 2013
اسلام آباد: مجھ سے منسوب بیان افسوسناک اور پیشہ وارانہ اصولوں کے منافی ہے،پریس سیکریٹری صبا محسن
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) December 30, 2013
صدرممنون حسین کےسرکاری پورٹریٹ پربھاری رقم خرچ نہیں کی،پریس سیکریٹری
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) December 30, 2013
GSP + | Pakistan going to grab larger share of Bangladesh
Pakistan set to grab larger share of Bangladesh's RMG exports to EU | LAST PAGE | Financial Express :: Financial Newspaper of Bangladesh
Monira Munni
Pakistan set to grab larger share of Bangladesh's RMG exports to EU Islamabad starts enjoying GSP facility from January .
Pakistan is set to grab a larger share of Bangladesh's apparel export orders as the European Union (EU) grants after getting the generalised system of preferences (GSP) facility from next month, industry insiders said.
Industry circles expressed their concern that Pakistan is going to enjoy the benefit at a time when the readymade garment (RMG) industry of Bangladesh is struggling hard to survive amid ongoing grave political turmoil.
The recent political crisis in Bangladesh has already given a negative signal to the EU member-states and many of them are looking for alternative destinations for a smooth supply of products. Pakistan might become a lucrative competitor for Bangladesh-made apparel products, they pointed out.
Earlier, on December 12, the EU granted GSP plus status to Pakistan coming into effect from January. The status will provide Pakistan duty-free or preferential duty access for a total of 3,500 products including textiles.
"Pakistan will emerge as a new competitor of Bangladesh as it will also enjoy the GSP benefit in the 27-nation bloc from January 2014," Reaz-Bin-Mahmood, vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said.
The GSP is one of the main factors for buyers to place orders in Bangladesh, Fazlul Hoque, former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) said. Pakistan will also avail the same benefit triggering a strong competition.
Moreover, Pakistan has a strong backward linkage industry as it is a cotton- producing country and has enough technology and expertise, he told the FE.
The EU is offering the GSP benefit to Pakistan at a time when Bangladesh's garment industry is struggling hard due to unstable political situation and other safety and compliance issues, he added.
Due to recent confrontational politics, buyers have already started shifting their orders to other competitors like India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia as they do not feel comfortable with us, he added.
"Before placing orders to Bangladesh, buyers will also consider Pakistan and this consideration will be a challenge for us," he added.
Orders for the next season has fallen to 30 to 40 per cent due to continuous disruptive political activities like strikes, hartals and blockades. Buyers are reluctant to place orders due to issues of security and timely shipments, said Md Shahidullah Azim, managing director of Classic Fashion Concept Ltd.
With the duty-free facility in the EU market, Pakistan will lure these orders, Mr Azim, also vice president of the BGMEA said. "We are now concerned whether these buyers will come back to Bangladesh or they will choose Pakistan as our alternative."
Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, additional research director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said, there is a possibility for buyers to take Pakistan into consideration if the political crisis lingers on here in Bangladesh.
With the GSP status, Pakistan could be a preferable destination for buyers. But how much it becomes a matter of concern for Bangladesh depends on the export basket of Pakistan and whether they will match with quality of Bangladeshi products, he added.
Bangladesh has been enjoying one-stage (garments made of imported fabrics, from any country in the world, will get the GSP and there is no value addition requirement for garment items) GSP facility in the EU market since January 1, 2011.
The EU is the largest destination for Bangladeshi garment products accounting for about 58 per cent of the total apparel exports.
The country fetched $12.56 billion from the EU market in 2012-13 fiscal while $5.17 billion came from woven products and $7.39 billion from knit items export.
Pakistan's textile and clothing exports to the EU currently constitute over half of the country's total $ 9.5 billion exports to the bloc.
Punjab to establish Liver Transplant center in Children Hospital
Liver Transplant center in Children Hospital
Punjab is establishing liver transplant center in children hospital Lahore. This news report was published in Daily WAQT dated December 30, 2013.
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| http://www.dailywaqt.com/12-30-2013/images/515.gif |
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Dictators regime will never come back : Pervaiz Rasheed
Radio Pakistan- Information Minister and Broadcasting says Tahir ul Qadri remains silent on the incidents of terrorism
Dictators regime will never come back : Pervaiz
Information Minister and Broadcasting says Tahir ul Qadri remains silent on the incidents of terrorisms.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid says the regime of dictators will never come back in Pakistan.
In a statement‚ he said that actors like Qadri always wait for dictators. He said that during the natural disasters and hour of need such people remained unavailable to the masses.
The Minister said that Tahir ul Qadri remains silent on the incidents of terrorisms.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Imran’s demands can lead Pakistan to int’l isolation: Rashid
Information Minister says those getting assistance from the US‚ are staging sit-ins.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid says demands of Imran Khan can lead the country to international isolation. In a statement‚ he said those getting assistance from the US‚ are staging sit-ins. Parvez Rashid asked Azam Swati to shift his business to Pakistan from the US. The Minister said that Azam Swati had run the election campaign of George W. Bush and now he is campaigning for Imran Khan.He said if we were not doing the politics of principles then we would have formed government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir.
http://radio.gov.pk/newsdetail-60924
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Number of railways passengers reaches 6.12mn in three months
Number of railways passengers reaches 6.12mn in three months
ISLAMABAD: The measures adopted by incumbent Pakistan Railways authorities are giving positive results as the number of passengers reached 6.12 million mark during last three months as compared to same period last year.
During the months of August, September and October this year, more than 61,21,786 passengers travelled through Pakistan Railways while during the same period previous year, 46,37,618 passengers travelled.
The difference of 14,84,168 passengers between both the periods showed that the steps taken by Pakistan Railways as per directions of Minister for Railways, Saad Rafique, are bearing fruits and passengers have started travelling through this mode of communication.
The data issued by Pakistan Railways on Thursday revealed that the number of passengers in August this year was 19,49,875 as compared to 16,21,999 passengers in same month last year.
Similarly, in September this year, 17,99,702 passengers travelled through Pakistan Railways as compared to 13,04,409 passengers during the period last year while the number of passengers reached 23,72,209 in October this year as compared to 17,11,210 passengers during the month previous year.
There are four (04) major indicators to determine the performance of Pakistan Railways.
As per details, there are four major indicators to help determine performance of Pakistan Railways which include punctuality of trains, revenue generation position, number of passengers and public facilitation.
The analysis of these four factors during the last three months as compared with same period of previous year indicates that there is substantial improvement in the performance of the department.
In punctuality area, during August this year it was observed 42% as compared to 32% during same month last year, in September the punctuality was observed 54% as compared to 34% in same month previous year and in October this year, the authorities observed 55% punctuality as compared to 40% in October last year.
With regard to revenue generation, the department earned Rs.5.319 billion during above mentioned last three months as compared to Rs.3.954 billion during same period last year.
In August this year, the revenue generation position was Rs. 1.823 billion while it was Rs.1.406 billion during same month previous year, during September this year Rs.1.633 billion were generated as compared to Rs. 1.147 billion last year and during October this year the department generated Rs. 1.862 billion as compared to Rs. 1.41 billion during the same month last year.
The difference of revenues generated by the department during the period in both the years was Rs. 1.365 billion.
In public facilitation area during the period, the department made all efforts to provide more facilities to the travelling public at the Railway stations as well as in the running trains.
The waiting areas were improved at major stations while standard of food was also improved through joint checking of Provincial Food Department and deputing of cleanliness staff with the running trains.
Besides this, rationalization of work force is in process and policy of right person for right job has been introduced.
Moreover, the embezzlement cases have been pursued vigorously and NAB has been requested to accord priority to the cases. This would help enhance the good governance in the organization.
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
NADRA Chairman Issue | Ch Nisar's Speech In National Assembly
NADRA Chairman Issue | Ch Nisar's Speech In National Assembly
Dated December 05,2013
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Media frenzy over Punjab CM’s jacket
Media frenzy over Punjab CM’s jacket
LAHORE - A political, diplomatic and media frenzy has erupted around Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s jacket during his stay in Indian capital of New Delhi.“He [Shahbaz] had the full right to wear ‘this dress of revolutionaries’,” said a diplomat, who had been very much impressed with chief minister’s speech, in a reception the other day.
He said he was surprised to see Shahbaz Sharif in this dress, but today after listening to his speech, he came to the conclusion that he had the full right to wear this dress of revolutionaries.
Shahbaz Sharif meanwhile said Pakistan would accept cooperation of any country to generate energy and offset the power shortfall.
In his address during his visit to Mahatma Gandhi Power project in Haryana, Shahbaz Sharif said he had already visited Turkey, Germany and China to acquire cooperation in the energy sector and his efforts had proved to be useful. He said the basic purpose of his visit to India was to benefit from its experiences in power generation.
He said he was pleased to know that 1600-MW electricity was being produced through the Mahatma Gandhi power plant using local and imported coal. He said as the quality of Indian coal was close to that found in Pakistan; therefore, there was no reason Pakistan could not set up a similar plant.
He said during the next two days of his tour, he would visit solar energy and coal-based power plants in more Indian cities. He said technology was not the exclusive right of anyone and it was a matter of pleasure that Indian government and power companies had displayed sincerity towards providing useful information to Pakistan as regards the energy sector.
Shahbaz said if India could produce surplus power, then the people of Pakistan could also overcome loadshedding through hard work, honesty and better strategies.
He said that darkness was not the destiny of the Pakistanis and Pakistan would also be able to eliminate darkness and join those countries which had electricity in abundance.
He said the dream of industrial and agriculture development could not be realised without overcoming shortage of energy and that is why the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz was attaching top priority to the very subject.
Later, talking to newsmen, Shahbaz Sharif said he was ready to visit any country to seek cooperation for resolution of Pakistan’s energy crisis. In reply to a question, the chief minister said Pakistan would welcome Indian offer of power supply at reasonable rates.
Saturday, December 14, 2013
GDP growth improved from 2.9 to 5.1 percent
GDP growth improved from 2.9 to 5.1 percent: PM
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Friday said the country's economy had improved as compared to last year with GDP growth raised from 2.9 to 5.1 percent.
"We want to take GDP rate to 7 percent in next four years," the Prime Minister said while talking to a group of parliamentarians from Sahiwal and Multan Divisions who called on him here.
He said the economy was better in 1991 during his first tenure of government and the country was at parity with the neighboring countries and even ahead in some aspects.
"But lack of decisions on important projects has led us to the situation we are facing today," he added.
The Prime Minister said the GSP plus would benefit many sectors including textiles and leather industry.
He said the decision of Asian Development Bank to invest in Jamshoro coal power plant will would pave way for investment in Gadani coal power project.
He said with these projects, Pakistan would be able to achieve its energy targets within three to four years.
The Prime Minister said the newly launched Youth Business Loan Scheme would benefit around three million people in its first phase.
He rejected the impression that the inexperienced youth would waste the loan and said he had the belief that youth were responsible citizens and would utilize the loan in effective and efficient manner.
Nawaz Sharif said banks had been giving large loans to big industrialists. However there was a need to trust and invest in small and medium enterprises, he added.
He said that the SMEs are the backbone of USA, Japan and Germany.
He said the projects had proved that the promises made during election campaign, were being fulfilled.
He said the issue of electricity shortage could not be resolved overnight and added that long-term and short-term plans had been made to overcome energy shortages.
On terrorism, the Prime Minister said the path of dialogue had been chosen according to the decision taken at All Parties Conference and expressed the hope that the dialogue would bear fruit.
He said the operation in Karachi was being carried out successfully and added that necessary legislation had been enacted to bring the culprits before the law so that they could be held for their misdeeds.
The parliamentarians expressed confidence in the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and said the revolutionary steps taken by him would change the destiny of the country.
They also discussed political matters relating to their constituencies.
Shiekh Aftab, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Captain (r) Safdar, MNA, and Hamza Shahbaz, MNA also attended the meeting.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
EU grants GSP Plus status to Pakistan
EU grants GSP Plus status to Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) on Thursday granted Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) Plus status to Pakistan with an impressive count of 406 votes, granting Pakistani products a duty free access to the European market.
According to media reports, 406 members of the European Parliament expressed their support for Pakistan while 186 lawmakers voted against the status, which has been granted till 2017.
The GSP Plus status will allow almost 20 per cent of Pakistani exports to enter the EU market at zero tariff and 70 per cent at preferential rates.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif congratulated the nation over the European Union award.
“Award of GSP Plus status shows the confidence of international markets in the excellent quality of Pakistani products,” he said in a statement.
The prime minister said: “gaining access to European markets was the top most priority of the government as part of economic development agenda, which has been achieved due to continuous hard work of the ministers and officials from the ministries of finance, commerce and foreign affairs and friends of Pakistan in Europe.”
This status would enable Pakistan to export more than US$1 billion worth of products to the international markets. Only the textile industry would earn profits of more than Rs1 trillion per year.
EU trade concessions will benefit the country’s largest manufacturer and exporter, the textile and clothing industry, the most by enabling its products to compete with those of regional rivals like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, which already have duty free access to the bloc’s market.
PM Sharif further said that increase in exports would resultantly facilitate in economic growth and help in generation of millions of additional jobs in the country.
Meanwhile expressing his pleasure over the development, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said the EU status will help Pakistani exports to rise by up to $2 billion.
Monday, December 9, 2013
#RoshanPakistan | 8 Billion issued for construction of DAMS
8 Billion issued for construction of DAMS
Federal governemnt has issued 8.18 billion PKR for water storage and dams projects in various parts of country. Among the projects are Gomal Zam dam, Kuram Tungi Dam and various other small projects. |
| Express Dated 09-12-2013 (Business page) |
Saturday, December 7, 2013
Parvaiz Rasheed Reply to Haroon Rashid Rants
Archvies | Column
These columns were written in reply to the baseless rantings of Haroon Rashid. These columns were published in February 13 & 14, 2012 and . Presented here for making the records correct.
Govt defends sacking of NADRA chairman
National Assembly: Govt defends sacking of NADRA chairman
The federal government challenged the reinstatement of NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik in the Supreme Court.
ISLAMABAD: The government put cold waters on opposition’s seemingly charged plan of slamming the government over dismissal of NADRA chairman through a few disclosures.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Pakistan Peoples Party had teamed up against the government over sacking of NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik — who was immediately reinstated by Islamabad High Court — as they built up their case that the move was aimed at concealing rigging in general elections through verification of voters’ thumb impression.The opposition, perhaps, had not done its homework to make its case stronger but Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was waiting for the opportunity to hit hard at both the opposition groups separately. Though Nisar responded to the questions raised by the opposition, he did not answer one question: Why the government sacked NADRA Chairman in the middle of night?
Responding to opposition’s allegations, he said that the matter was sub judice as the government has challenged IHC decision in the Supreme Court and he was sharing details of the case out of compulsion to put the record straight.
He assured the house that the government will implement court’s decision on the case, whatever it is, contrary to the practice of past regime. Nisar started with appointment procedure of Malik and said he was taken as General Manager of NADRA, without following the due process. Later on he was taken as Deputy Chairman, a post which does not exist as per rules and then was promoted to the office of Chairman.
“The previous government appointed Malik as chairman through relaxation of rules,” Nisar said and added “I can produce documentary evidence before this house.” The minister revealed that the incumbent Chairman had been denying, despite two letters, to present the accounts of NADRA for audit.
In addition, he said, the chairman had been ‘leaking’ news to the media without prior approval of his ministry. “I had told the Chairman in the middle of a meeting, and in front of everyone present, that I will sack you if NADRA accounts are not audited,” he added.
In response to PTI’s questions, Nisar said that “the government was ready to go for thumb impression verification of all 272 seats (directly elected) of the National Assembly under the supervision of PTI’s member Justice (retd) Wajihuddin Ahmed.”
“I can tell you the results right now that thousands of votes would not be verified as magnetic ink was not used.” It is either the Election Commission of Pakistan or the caretaker government responsible for not using the specific ink, he added.
He said that NADRA chairman had nothing to do with the verification of the votes as election tribunals or courts would order that.
Earlier, PTI chairman Imran Khan said the government removed the NADRA chairman to disrupt the process of thumb impression verification. The chairman was under pressure for quite some time and was removed at the end, he added.
Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Shah said he was concerned because there were allegations of rigging in general elections and NADRA chairman’s removal at this juncture gave credence to that.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi of the PTI questioned the government as to why it had removed the chairman in the middle of the night and as to why due process had not been followed in the action.
After Nisar’s reply, both the PTI and the PPP were taken aback as they said they have nothing to do with the administrative issues related to the case. But both were sticking to their views regarding allegation of rigging in elections.
Govt moves SC
The federal government challenged the reinstatement of NADRA Chairman Tariq Malik in the Supreme Court. In its petition, the federal government through its counsel Akram Sheikh stated that NADRA Chairman holds dual nationality of Pakistan as well as Canada.
“It is humbly submitted that NADRA database contains, critical, confidential and highly sensitive information pertaining to the citizens of Pakistan which information if placed in the hands of a person whose allegiance is not solely to Pakistan is potentially in the possession of a foreign national and hence may be available to any foreign entity,” the government pleaded in its petition also made available with The Express Tribune.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2013.
Friday, December 6, 2013
#RoshanPakistan | Ground Breaking of NALTAR-V Hydro Power Project
Radio Pakistan- PM announces a number of Development Schemes for GB
PM announces a number of Development Schemes for GB
The PM said a cardiac center will be established in Gilgit & work on Diamer Basha & Dasu dams will be started immediately.
Addressing party workers in Gilgit on Friday‚ he said a cardiac center will be established in Gilgit so that the heart patients do not go to Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for treatment.
He also announced establishment of a special police force for the area saying it will be equipped with latest weapons and equipment in order to deal with security issues in the area.
The Prime Minister said the government is in the process of purchasing new aircraft for Pakistan International Airlines and with the procurement of these aircraft‚ the service of PIA to Skardu and Gilgit will be improved.
He said focus is being given to the development of Gilgit Baltistan and soon this area will be bracketed among the developed areas of the country.
He said good governance and transparency will be ensured in the development schemes.
Referring to economic trade corridor from Kashgar to Gwadar‚ Nawaz Sharif said this project will benefit Gilgit Baltistan the most as compared to other parts of the country.
This project comprising of motorway type road and railway line‚ will enhance exports of Gilgit-Baltistan's local products including fruits and vegetables. It will pave way for establishment of more industries in the area and thus help generate employment opportunities.
He said work on Diamer Basha and Dasu dams will immediately be started while work on Bunji dam will also be started soon. These projects‚ he said‚ will produce over 15 thousand megawatt of electricity.
Nawaz Sharif said Youth Business loans scheme‚ which has been extended to Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan‚ is being launched tomorrow to help the youth stand on their own feet.Sharing main features of the scheme‚ the Prime Minister said under this scheme‚ the skilled and educated youth can obtain loans up to two million rupees.
Earlier‚ The Prime Minister inaugurated the newly constructed terminal at Gilgit Airport. He visited different parts of the building.Speaking on the occasion‚ he directed to ensure proper maintenance of the airport and passenger lounge to facilitate passengers.
The Prime Minister was informed that new terminal has covered areas of over 39000 square feet having a capacity of 180 passengers.
The Prime Minister presided budget session of Gilgit-Baltistan Council in Gilgit.Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir Affairs Barjees Tahir presented the budget.
Later‚ Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif laid foundation stone of Naltar-5 hydro power project in district Gilgit today (Friday).The 14.4 MW project would cost 3.84 billion rupees and would be completed in 2016 with Chinese cooperation.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had an aerial view of Atta Abad Lake in Gilgit-Baltistan.
He also had an aerial view of the area where Economic Corridor project would pass through. He was briefed about impact of the project on Karakoram Highway.
Earlier on his arrival in Gilgit Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was warmly received by the Governor and Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan at the Airport.
Updates on #KarachiOperation
Details presented in National Assembly
This news report was published in Daily Waqt dated December 06, 2013