Day: September 9, 2020

(NATIONAL): NBP, PASDEC sign MoU to bolster Marble and Granite sector

KARACHI:A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) and Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) for collaboration between the two organizations for development and promotion of the Marble and Granite sector of the country and undertaking outreach and engagement initiatives.

Under the MoU, both organizations will collectively pursue opportunities for provision of access of finance to the Marble and Granite sector of Pakistan as well as endeavour to develop the export potential of the sector. Also amongst the objectives will be facilitation in knowledge programs, exploring opportunities for advisory services and evaluating potential avenues of joint venture projects to enhance local production of dimensional stone and exports.

PASDEC is a public limited company, incorporated under Section 42 of the Companies’ Act 2017. It is a subsidiary of Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) and working under the administrative control of the Federal Ministry of Industries and Production. PASDEC’s mission is to make Pakistan globally competitive and a socially responsible player of the international dimensional stone industry.

NBP is Pakistan’s largest public sector commercial bank, providing a diverse range of products and services to the SME sector. The Bank is taking initiatives for increasing market penetration and growth in the priority sectors of the economy. The Inclusive Development Group (IDG) within NBP is spearheading these initiatives and is engaged in focusing on financial inclusion of underserved sectors that have significant business potential.

(NATIONAL): Call to protect fundamental rights of Sindh’s people

KARACHI:Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) has expressed serious concerned over grave violation of human rights in Sindh as people are deprived of their fundamental rights of freedom of expression and right to fair trial.

Addressing a joint press conference organized by SHRDN at Karachi Press Club (KPC), Ali Palh, advocate, Coordinator of SHRDN and activists Naghma Shaikh, Inam Abbasi and Sorath Thebo said the fundamental rights of the citizens must be respected.

They demanded to end impunity to those who are supposed to protect the citizens, but violate the laws. They pointed out in recent months the abductions of human rights defenders (HRDs) and political workers in the province has increased.

The human rights activists said the defenders operate in a hostile environment, with threats and attacks by state and non-state actors, including abductions, disappearances, and killings. Space for civil society continues to shrink as the government continues to place restrictions on the activities of international and domestic civil society organizations.

Laws are used to restrict the rights of defenders and to criminalize their activities, they said adding that Pakistan does not have specific laws, policies or practices that protect human rights defenders.

Recently, Sarang Joyo, a political worker was abducted and was later released after a strong reaction from civil society and by the political parties and right groups. Many students groups are also complaining about the state’s restrictions and monitoring of their activities.

It has been reported that human rights defenders have been subject to sophisticated methods of state surveillance and targeted online through malware and phishing attacks.

Censorship of dissent in online spaces is steadily increasing; people are being abducted and legally charged on social media posts, they remarked.

There is misuse of Blasphemy law and in recent weeks a surge is noticed in registration of cases against a particular sect of Muslim. The government should take serious measures to end the misuse of this law.

Article 19 of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) states that ‘everyone shall have the right to hold opinions without interference’ and ‘everybody shall have the right to freedom of expression; his right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice.’ However, Right to Expression is globally recognized as the foundation of Human Rights but this right is seldom exercised in Pakistan due to red tape around.

The abduction and imposing fake charges on human rights defenders and political workers is a gross abuse of power by a democratic state to punish its citizens for exercising their right to political dissent.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) urges the authorities to immediately take measures to release all the missing persons. Further, the SHRDN also urges government to provide its citizen an enabling environment for full enjoyment of right to association and freedom of expression.

(HEALTH): Vietnam trade mission chief for enhancing economic ties with Pakistan

KARACHI:During the first meeting of Pakistan–Vietnam Business Council under the chairmanship of Saqib Fayyaz Magoon, a cake cutting ceremony on the 75th Independence Day of Vietnam was held and graced by Ms Nguyen Thi Diep Ha, Head of Vietnam Trade Mission.

In his welcome remarks, Saqib Fayyas Magoon Chairman, Pakistan- Vietnam Business Council stated that Vietnam had set an example to follow to develop socio-economic prosper country in the shortest time.

He further mentioned that Vietnam could establish import substitute industries in Pakistan and investment could be done in Technological sector as well. He also proposed arranging of B2B meetings, exhibitions and seminars for the promotion of bilateral ties between Pakistan and Vietnam.

Khurram Ijaz, Vice President-FPCCI welcomed Ms Nguyen ThiDiep Ha, Head of Vietnam Trade Mission for her kind presence at Federation house, Karachi. The Vice President also extended wishes to Ms Nguyen ThiDiep Ha for the 75th Independence Day of Vietnam. He pointed out that lack of information about each other’s economic, trade and investment potential, low level of interaction between the Private sector of both countries,

The Vice President further mentioned that due to COVID-19, business activities had come to halt but now as economic activities are reviving back, it is the need of an hour that efforts are shifted towards improving bilateral trade relations between Pakistan and Vietnam and tapping new opportunities for investment and joint ventures.

He further stated that Government of Pakistan has now introduced investment friendly policy and opportunity for joint ventures in Special Economic Zones Food processing and telecommunication sectors also possess potential.

Nguyen ThiDiep Ha expressed her desire of enhancing economic and trade relations between Pakistan and Vietnam. She further mentioned Vietnam is among the top 50 countries by COVID-19 in terms of safety

Appreciating the role of FPCCI, Ms Nguyen ThiDiep Ha stated that Joint Business Council (JBC) should be organized regularly followed by B2B meetings so that close interaction between Pakistan and Vietnam could be established

Shabir Mansha discussed the possibility of PTA proposed by Government of Pakistan to the Vietnamese Government as it will be mutually beneficial for both the nations to sign Free Trade Agreement. He also requested for information regarding Free Trade Zones in Vietnam and synthetic leather being imported from Vietnam.

The meeting was also attended by Shaukat Ahmed, Nadeem Mazher, Shakeel Ahmed, Jawaid Issani, Asif Riaz, Col (R). Tauqir and other prominent businessmen. The session ended with a cake cutting ceremony for the National Day of Vietnam.

Court: (Court indicts Zardari, Gilani in Toshakhana reference; seeks Nawaz’s property details)

ISLAMABAD:An Accountability Court in Islamabad has indicted former President Asif Ali Zardari and former Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in Toshakhana reference.

The
Judge Syed Asghar Ali heard the case. The court has also sought property details of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in seven days time.

Hearing of the case has now been adjourned till September 24.

KP: (Yousafzai announces compensation package for dead labourers in mine collapse incident)

ISLAMABAD:The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has decided to probe into the marble mine collapse incident in Ziarat area of District Mohmand.

This was stated by Provincial Minister for labour Shaukat Yousafzai during his visit to review rescue operations on the site of the incident.

Speaking on the occasion, he assured utilization of all possible resources and support by the government for the affectees. He also announced a compensation package for the dead labourers and free treatment for the injured.

(NATIONAL): Teli underscores need to intensify implementation of Karachi package

KARACHI:Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) and former President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Siraj Kassam Teli has stressed that the survival of entire Pakistan is dependent on the survival of Karachi hence, the implementation of Rs1100 billion package for Karachi has to be intensified; otherwise, the gigantic task of rebuilding Karachi’s infrastructure will neither be completed in the next three years, not even in five years.

While referring to his appeals and statements given to media since August 4, 2020 when the Federal government stepped in and engaged NDMA and FWO in the cleanup drive of rainwater drains/ canals which was followed by the extraordinary torrential rainfalls in the last week of August, Chairman BMG categorically stated that he stands by all these statements which were not against any individual or party but some elements are twisting his statements and presenting a wrong picture.

The crux of all these statements was to highlight Karachi’s dilapidated infrastructure which has completely ruined during the last 20 years while the recent spell of torrential rainfalls have further worsened and destroyed this city.

“It has become inevitable to immediately rebuilt Karachi’s infrastructure otherwise the massive revenue being generated from this city, which is utilized for running the entire country, will start declining if the infrastructure issue is not straightaway addressed. Any delay would not only destroy Karachi but also the economy as the national exchequer would be deprived from the huge revenue of more than 65 percent being generated from Karachi and 95 percent revenue in the provincial kitty”, he added.

He said, “I also demanded that the task to rebuild Karachi has to be outsourced and given to NDMA and FWO under army’s supervision while federal and provincial governments must also fund the infrastructure development of Karachi.

Initially, I demanded and then the entire Karachiites also demanded the same that led to the announcement of Rs1100 billion package for Karachi by Prime Minister and Chief Minister and we are thankful to them. Both the governments have provided funds and committees have also been formed but we still have reservations hence, instead of arguing over ‘who did what and how much’, it is very crucial to immediately start implementation of rebuilding Karachi as any delays would eventually give losses and intensify hardships not only for Karachiites but also for all the Pakistanis.”

“This was, this is and this will always be my demand until Karachi’s infrastructure is completely reconstructed. My demand has been supported by overwhelming majority of Karachiites and the business and industrial community. I have no issues even if there are people reluctant to give credit to me for bringing this serious issue to everyone’s notice and appealing to rebuilt Karachi. Nonetheless, my legitimate demand should not be negated which has led both the governments to sit together and come out with this package.

He said that if the task to rebuilt Karachi’s infrastructure is set to be completed in the next three years but the implementation is delayed, the task will neither be completed in three years and not even in five years. “Politics has to be set aside when dealing with Karachi’s infrastructure issue and everyone must seriously focus on initiating development work at the earliest.”

Teli was of the opinion that the entire infrastructure of Karachi including roads, sewerage lines and rainwater drains/ canals etc. have to be completely revamped and reconstructed while steps must also be taken on top priority to end KE’s monopoly and the industries should get uninterrupted gas supply at adequate gas pressure without any suspension of gas on Sundays that would certainly ensure improved industrial performance and prove prosperous for Pakistan’s economy.

IIOJK: (India extends ban on 4G internet service till Sep 30 in IIOJK)

ISLAMABAD:In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ and K), the authorities have extended ban on 4G internet service till September 30.

According to reports quoting an order issued in this regard, the ban will remain in force in all districts of the territory except Ganderbal and Udhampur.

Meanwhile, Indian troops arrested five more Kashmiri youth during cordon and search operations in Kulgam and Ramban districts on Wednesday.