Day: July 3, 2021

Islamabad, July 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):Jammu and Kashmir Young Mens League (JKYML) has denounced the ludicrous Indian allegations of drone attacks at its Air Force Station in Jammu carried out by Pakistan based groups. The JKYML Vice Chairman, Zahid Ashraf in a statement issued in Islamabad termed the allegations as rubbish. He said that it was the handiwork of the wily Indian spy organs aimed at diverting the world’s attention from their organised and systemic genocide of Kashmiri Muslims and defaming the Kashmiris’ genuine freedom movement.

Zahid Ashraf said that India was brazenly engaged in settling huge numbers of Indians in IIOJK to bring about a demographic change in the Muslim majority region and for that type of evil and colonial projects it was resorting to such ridiculous blame game. He maintained that India will not be able to mislead the world, which was well aware of its brutal expansionist and communal face.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
Phone: +92-51-4435548, +92-51-4435549
Fax: +92-51-4861736
Email: info@kmsnews.org
Website: www.kmsnews.org

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Islamabad, July 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):Today, the European Union and its partners launched a programme that aims to promote the rule of law and enhance the criminal justice system in Pakistan, with a specific focus on the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Baluchistan. Anchored in the vision that an enhanced and reformed justice sector is the only sustainable solution for addressing critical and systematic weaknesses in justice delivery, the programme spans from 2021 till 2025, and is financed with EUR20 million.

Jointly implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the programme aims to support reform processes to ensure delivery of people-centered justice, enhance access to justice for all, particularly women and less privileged/marginalized groups; and improve service delivery of the security sector in line with constitutional safeguards and international standards.

The project will provide technical assistance to legal reforms and the Rule of Law roadmaps in KP and Balochistan. Special focus will be set on access to justice through free legal aid and alternative dispute resolution, as well as legal literacy for citizens. On the institutional side, the project will assist in upgrading facilities and processes to enhance citizen friendly service delivery.

The launch event was held in a socially distanced setting, with many participants and key stakeholders attending virtually. Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Gulzar Ahmed graced the occasion as Chief Guest, along with Her Excellency Ms. Androulla Kaminara, EU Ambassador to Pakistan and Representatives of the three UN Agencies.

Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Gulzar Ahmed thanked the EU and UN agencies for their support and expressed his confidence in the programme. “I am certain that together, we will be able to enhance access to justice for all, particularly women, less privileged and the marginalized groups and improve service delivery. The Government of Pakistan will extend all its support to the programme, enabling it to achieve its goal.”

EU Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Ms. Androulla Kaminara thanked the UN agencies, provincial and federal government, and other important stakeholders for their support in strengthening the Rule of Law in Pakistan. “Inclusive access to justice for all is an important prerequisite for a peaceful and just society.

Today’s programme builds on the long-term commitment of the EU to improving the Rule of Law and access to justice for all in Pakistan. The new program is part of the priorities of the EU-Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan 2019 and financed under the EU Multi-Annual Indicative Program 2014-2020. Both strategic documents support the implementation of the Vision 2025 in the focal areas: rural development, education, good governance, human rights, and Rule of Law.”

Spokesperson to Government of Balochistan, Mr. Liaquat Ali Shahwani, thanked the EU and UN agencies for their continued support towards the justice system in Pakistan. “The Rule of Law programme is indeed an important milestone in advancing the provision of an enabling environment, peace, and security for the citizens of Balochistan and we are most grateful for this support.”

Finance Minister, Government of KP, Mr. Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra, expressed the KP Government’s appreciation for the programme, calling it a significant opportunity to address the various challenges faced by the province in securing citizen rights and access to justice. “The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has prioritized access to justice and strongly believes in the principle of “Leave No One Behind” in our development agenda as well.”

Speaking at the occasion, UNDP Resident Representative Mr. Knut Ostby said “I commend the European Union’s ongoing strategic support for key Rule of Law, security and Justice sector institutions for strengthened citizen’s access to justice. UNDP’s work strongly hinges upon the support that key government institutions have extended to our programmes over the years. We feel privileged and honoured by this support.

As we proudly partner with our sister UN agencies for inclusive and sustainable impact, our focus will be on taking forward the key lessons learned, on efficiently utilized resources, on inclusiveness and leaving no one behind. Being here today is a demonstration of our firm belief in rule of law, right to a fair trial, equality before law, as envisioned in the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. ”

UN Women Pakistan Country Representative Ms. Sharmeela Rassool stated that, “In Pakistan, women constitute of almost 50% of the entire population. Yet they are not represented proportionately in receiving or delivering of basic and critical services including effective service delivery in the justice sector. UN Women is committed to deepening our efforts to ensure inclusion of women in formal justice delivery mechanisms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to ensure their rights are safeguarded for promotion of a fair, efficient, gender-responsive and inclusive society.”

UNODC Pakistan Country Representative Mr. Jeremy Milsom hailed the programme as a milestone achievement and reiterated that, “UNODC is committed to working as a strategic partner to the Federal and provincial Government of Balochistan, implementing and strengthening transformative reforms across the chain of rule of law institutions towards delivery of a free and fair justice for all, including vulnerable and marginalized groups to support inclusive, just and citizen-friendly rule of law for the people.”

For more information, contact:
Communications Analyst
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan
4th Floor, Serena Office Complex,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-8355650
Cell: +92300 535 8225
Fax: +92-51-2655014-15
Email: fatimah.inayet@undp.org
Website: http://www.undp.org.pk

The post European Union launches a new Rule of Law programme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Newly merged Districts and in Balochistan appeared first on Official News Pakistan.

Islamabad, July 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):U.S. Embassy Minister Counsellor for Public Affairs Ray Castillo welcomed more than 70 Pakistani women entrepreneurs to celebrate the launch of the first-ever Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in Pakistan. This U.S. Department of State program supports women worldwide in building their own enterprises. Its launch in Pakistan is part of an ongoing effort to empower Pakistani women to realize their economic potential and create conditions for increased stability, security, and prosperity for all Pakistanis.

Pakistan’s participation will build on ongoing support for women leaders and raise the profile of local startups. Mr. Castillo lauded the accomplishments of young Pakistani businesswomen and spoke about the determination that all entrepreneurs need to succeed: “As your skills and confidence grow throughout this program, it is my hope that you can build your businesses based not on the views of nay-sayers, but on a well-grounded belief in yourself and belief in your abilities to adapt to changes in the market.”

With mentoring and guidance from established Pakistani entrepreneurs, AWE program participants will undertake a three-month, rigorous course of online study using the Dream Builder platform developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management and American natural resource company Freeport McMoran. AWE is designed to cultivate entrepreneurial know-how, help women entrepreneurs connect with funding opportunities, enhance opportunities for business expansion, and increase the likelihood of entrepreneurial success.

Four of the U.S. Mission to Pakistan’s Lincoln Corners (public event spaces that connect Pakistanis and Americans) in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Larkana, and Peshawar will lead AWE Pakistan with support from the Pakistan American Cultural Center and the DOVE Foundation. Toward the end of their AWE journey, participants will have the opportunity to compete for seed funding from the U.S. Mission to Pakistan to further grow their enterprises. Upon completion, they will join the global AWE network, which offers further growth opportunities as well as the community of U.S. exchange program alumni.

For more information, contact:
Spokesman
Information Office Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad- Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2082911, +92-51-2081136
Cell: +92-300-5012640
Fax: +92-51-2278607
Email: webmasterisb@state.gov

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Karachi, July 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):SBP has notified revisions in foreign exchange regulations for export of goods from Pakistan (Chapter 12 of the Foreign Exchange Manual). The key changes include amendments in regulations to facilitate export transactions through the Pakistan Single Window when it becomes operational. This will eliminate the requirement of Electronic Form-E (EFE) for carrying out exports from Pakistan. Another key amendment introduced in the revised export regulations is the framework for facilitating Pakistani exporters/ entrepreneurs to sell their products through international digital marketplaces including Amazon, e-Bay, Ali Baba under Business to Business to Consumer (B2B2C) eCommerce model.

These regulations would pave the way for Pakistani exporters particularly the SME exporters to reach out to millions of international consumers for selling their products. This would open up the window of new opportunities for the Pakistani business community and result in boosting the economic activity and creation of new employment opportunities in the entire value chain. It is pertinent to mention here that considering the market dynamics and keeping pace with changing business environment, SBP is in process of revising the foreign exchange regulations, in consultation with relevant stakeholders in a phased manner.

The primary objective of these revisions is to promote ease of doing business by simplifying the existing instructions, removing the redundancies and delegating more powers to the Authorized Dealers for facilitation of the stakeholders. Earlier, SBP and Pakistan Customs had joined hands in 2015 and switched from manual export form to electronic export form by implementing EFE Module in WeBOC system.

EFE is an electronic declaration submitted by exporters to the Pakistan Customs and is required before filing of Goods Declaration to the Pakistan Customs for clearance of each export consignment. However, once the Pakistan Single Window (PSW) becomes operational, the requirement for EFE will be eliminated thus enhancing ease of doing business for exporters. PSW system is a facility that will allow parties involved in trade and transport to lodge standardized information and documents with a single-entry point to fulfil all import, export, and transit-related regulatory requirements.

The system will help reduce the time and cost of doing business by making trade related business processes more efficient, transparent and consistent. More information regarding PSW can be accessed at https://www.psw.gov.pk/. See the circular at: https://www.sbp.org.pk/epd/2021/FEC5.htm

For more information, contact:
Chief Spokesman,
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
Central Directorate
I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-111-727-111
Tel: +92-21-39212562
Fax: +92-21-39212433 – 39212436
Email: chief.spokesperson@sbp.org.pk
Website: www.sbp.org.pk

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Islamabad, July 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):The SECP has accorded approval for registration of the first Shariah Compliant Developmental Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Scheme in Pakistan under the revamped REIT regulatory framework. Earlier this year, SECP had significantly revamped the REIT Regulation, 2015. This signifies that the amendments introduced after an exhaustive stakeholder consultation process have proven to act as the much-needed catalyst for the REIT sector.

The REIT sector was previously relatively dormant, with the launch of only one REIT Scheme since 2008. Amendments to the REIT Regulations in 2015 only yielded launch of one rental REIT Scheme, whereas successive amendments in 2018 could not provide desired outcome of mobilizing further REIT Schemes within the country. The REIT Scheme envisages investment in un-developed land in Karachi, aiming to uplift the area and develop the real estate, including construction and sale of apartments and commercial units by REIT Management Company for generating income for unit holders.

Pursuant to registration of the REIT Scheme and approval for issuance of units, the REIT Scheme can raise funds through offer of units to Private Investors for acquisition and development of the proposed real estate. Growth in the REITs sector will be led to better documentation, formalization, governance, and transparency and investor protection in the real estate sector and provide opportunity to small investors to benefit from growth in the real estate sector.

For more information, contact:
Head, Internal and External Communication
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)
NIC Building, 63 Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-9214005 or +92-51-9214009 (Ext. 378)
Fax: +92-51-9206459
Cell: +92-302-8552254
E-mail: shakil.chaudhary@secp.gov.pk
Website: www.secp.gov.pk

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Mirpur, July 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST) held its sixth annual convocation on Friday in which 2100 students were given graduation degrees. Forty students won gold medals for their outstanding performance in various disciplines and five students were conferred PhD degrees.

President Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Chancellor of the University, Sardar Masood Khan was the chief guest of the event held at an open space outside the main campus of the university while a large number of university graduates, their parents, faculty members and residents of the city attended the event.

Addressing the prestigious convocation ceremony, President Sardar Masood Khan congratulated the students on their brilliant success and lauded the faculty and administration of the University for producing graduates of international standard.

He said that the convocation in the academic life of the students is the time of fulfillment of their dreams as it is the moment when the fruits of their hard work and diligence are handed over to them in the form of degree. Congratulating the parents on the wonderful achievement of the students, he said that it was the vision of the parents, their dedication to education and the spirit of sacrifice that led their children to this destination of success. “Parents’ sacrifices for their children are invaluable and no one can take the place of them,” he said.

“Likewise, your teachers also deserve appreciations for giving you the candle in the form of knowledge that will give you light and guidance to find your destination in the future,” he said. The President said that we are proud of MUST for producing graduates year after year and sending them out to contribute for the good of the society.

Describing MUST primarily as science and technology institutions, the president said that it was not a time to be complacent but to focus on improving our standards. If we can’t compete with other people at home and abroad, we should at least be at par with them. “In today’s world, no one can live alone as we are all global citizens in one way or the other, and our young people should have the ability to compete when they go to study or work in universities and institutions in any part of the world,” he added.

The President urged the students to equip themselves with new and modern sciences by making excellence and maintaining the standard. “Today is certainly a milestone in the fulfillment of your dreams, but it is not your destination,” he said. He said that nations that compete and excel are now considered advanced and they are defined by quantum of knowledge being produced.

The State President also congratulated the new Vice-Chancellor of Mirpur University of Science and Technology, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Younis Javed on assuming new responsibilities and expressed the hope that under his dynamic leadership the University would cross new milestones of development and quality. Earlier, the President inaugurated the new academic block of Mirpur University of Science and Technology and the newly constructed buildings of the Department of Civil Engineering where he was briefed about the cost incurred on these buildings, facilities, and quality of construction work.

For more information, contact:
President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir
President Secretariat, Muzaffarabad Azad Jammu and Kashmir
Kashmir House, F-5/2, Islamabad
Tel: +92-582-2920401, +92-519-214692
Email: presidency@presidentajk.gov.pk
Website: https://www.presidentajk.gov.pk/

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Islamabad, July 03, 2021 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Imran Khan has felicitated Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for providing free of cost treatment to 250,439 patients under Sehat Card Plus Programme. In a tweet today (Saturday), he said we are moving towards a Pakistan that was envisioned by our founding fathers Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Dr. Muhammad Iqbal.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

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