Day: October 1, 2021

Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called for reform of the international financial and taxation architecture and the necessity of recovering and returning stolen assets to developing countries. He said this while delivering a video statement at the Ministerial meeting of the Group of 77 (G-77) on the eve of the 15th Quadrennial session of United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) being hosted in a virtual format by Barbados.

Sharing Pakistan’s perspective on the contemporary global development challenges, the Foreign Minister underscored the urgency of vaccine equity, debt relief, and enhanced concessional finance to address multiple inequalities. Noting the solidarity and support that defined the G-77’s ethos, the Foreign Minister paid tribute to the members for safeguarding and advancing the legitimate development, trade and investment interests of the developing countries.

The Foreign Minister acknowledged the seminal contribution made by UNCTAD, in terms of producing high quality analytical reports, providing policy advice and technical assistance to developing countries to enable them to participate and benefit from the dividends of international trading, financial, investment and taxation regimes.

UNCTAD and the Group of 77 were established in 1964 to protect and promote the development interests of the Global South. Pakistan has been an active member of both and has made valuable contributions to their debates, policies and outcomes.

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

Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Shaukat Fayyaz Tareen, Industries and Production Minister Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Advisor on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razzak Dawood, SAPM on Health Dr Faisal Sultan, SAPM on Political Communication Dr Shabaz Gill, CEO Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistani (DRAP) Asim Rauf, representatives of Pharmaceutical and Salt sectors and senior officers concerned.

The Prime Minister was briefed on the potential of diversification of exports, especially in salt and pharmaceutical sectors. The Prime Minister was briefed that Pakistan is lucky to be blessed with all types of salt available in the world. These include rock salt, sea salt and lake salt. With a reserve size of 6.2 Billion tons, Khewra Salt Mine is the second largest salt range in the world. Pakistan has also sea salt reserves along 1050 KM long coastline.

Almost 60% of total 350 Million tons global salt consumption is made by the chemical industry. Pakistan’s current annual salt production is 4 Million tons, whereas just 3 lac tons are being exported each year. Hub Salt and Governments of Balochistan has initiated a new Solar Salt Project to tap Pakistan’s huge potential in salt export.

This new Solar Salt Project will be the world’s largest salt works facility, and will boost the salt exports by $400 Million in 2023 and will continue to grow by $200 Million per annum in subsequent years. Moreover, it was told that currently Pakistan’s pharmaceutical exports are worth $275 Million with a growth potential of $74.3 Billion.

This growth potential can be materialised by investing in the machinery and equipments, streamlining the registration process for Pakistani medicines, entering into Joint Ventures with reputed Multinational Companies (MNCs), and the appointment of sales and marketing teams in international markets for brand building.

The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to take all necessary measures to exploit full potential of exports diversification in salt and pharmaceutical sectors. The Prime Minister reiterated that the government is focused on creating business friendly environment in the country for further strengthening the economy and increasing employment opportunities. The Prime Minister emphasized that business community should adopt modern technologies to achieve maximum value addition.

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Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):The meeting was attended by SAPM for Youth Affairs Usman Dar, Provincial Ministers Rai Timur Khan Bhatti, Raja Nasir Ali Khan Maqpoon and concerned senior officials. The meeting was briefed by SAPM Usman Dar on the National Youth Council and steps taken for Youth under Kamyab Jawan Program.

A comprehensive National Youth Development Framework comprising six thematic areas has been made that is in line with Prime Minister’s vision to empower youth to play the role of a major contributor in national development. Social Protection, Health and Wellbeing, Youth-Focused Institutional Reforms, Mainstreaming Marginalized Youth, Employment and Economic Empowerment and Civic Engagement will collectively help the youth to bring positive change in the country. Kamyab Jawan Youth Entrepreneurship scheme plans to disburse PKR 100 billion till 2023 out of which PKR 23 billion has already been distributed which has led to creation of 33 thousand jobs.

Moreover, under the program 200000 Hunarmand Pakistan Scholarships are to be given to impart market competitive skill set to the youth. The program emphasizes on converting the youth bulge into demographic dividend. In addition to that, Kamyab Jawan Youth Engagement Initiatives include Kamyab Jawan Markaz (106 public universities), Kamyab Jawan Talent Hunt (22 games, National Sports league, Youth Olympics), Sports Academies (including Ski and Sports Tourism in GB), Green Youth Movement and Kamyab Innovation League (Entrepreneurship). National Youth Council is one of the initiatives of Kamyab Jawan Program that focuses on youth inclusion in policy making, youth empowerment and development and meaningful engagement of youth.

It includes 33 members hailing from different regions of the country and also have trans-genders, minorities and specially enabled people whereby both genders have equal representation. Addressing the delegation, the Prime Minister emphasized on the significance of youth in development of a country and said that the progress of our country depends on the development of the youth. For this the government is ensuring the supremacy of merit in the country.

Pakistan is fortunate as the major portion of its population comprise youth. Pakistan is rich in resources, talented youth is one of our most valued assets, he added. Youth must struggle to achieve success as the hard work is the path that leads to glory he said. Youth must follow great leaders. Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the only greatest leader in history. A leader is always truthful and honest. Emphasizing the skill development, Prime Minister said that Pakistan needs to increase the exports of value added goods. When the government came to power, Pakistan’s exports stood at only USD 20 Billion. The government focused on increasing exports that resulted in an increase by 35% in exports.

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Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):Ministry of Human Rights held an awareness-raising and sensitization workshop on laws related to ‘Child Abuse’ and ‘Transgender Persons’ for Peshawar Police at Peshawar. More than 30 Police representatives from different offices of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police participated in this session. Addressing the occasion, the Regional Director Peshawar, Ministry of Human Rights, Zahid Rehan said: ‘Ministry of Human Right’s commitment to ensure the protection of Human Rights especially the rights of Children, Women and Transgender Persons – is in line with Pakistan’s constitutional and international obligations.

“Apart from introducing landmark legislation, Ministry of Human Rights is also playing its role in capacity building and awareness-raising of relevant stakeholders with respect to these laws so that Human Rights violations can be prevented”, he said. It is intolerable that in the year 2021, Children and Transgender persons still have to live in an unsafe and exploitative environment and frequently face abuse.”

Encouraging the efforts of the Ministry of Human Rights for arranging this session, DSP, Mr. Imtiaz Ali, during his welcome address said that: ‘Police is one of the most significant institutions that works for the protection of the people of Pakistan, therefore, it is necessary to engage them in awareness-raising and sensitization programmes where they can be informed about the legislation protecting Human Rights.

Such informative sessions should be held by the Ministry more often to raise awareness of Police officers about newly enacted laws as they help them in the field.’ The workshop focused on two main legislations i.e. Zainab Alert Response and Recovery Act 2020, and Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018. The participants were also informed about Government’s Redressal Mechanism that is in place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially Regional Directorate of Human Rights in Peshawar that provides referral to the survivors of Human Rights violations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):Two days NATIONAL REHMATUL-LIL-AALAMEEN CONFERENCE will be held on 11/12th RABI-UL-AWWAL 1443 A.H. (19th October 2021 subject to the sighting of moon) at Islamabad. Mehfil-e-Milad and Seerat prize distribution ceremony will be held on 11th Rabi-ul-Awwal 1443 A.H. from 04:00 pm to 08:00 pm at Pakistan National Center of Arts (PNCA) Auditorium, Islamabad.

Moreover, National Rehmat-Ul-Lil-Alameen Conference will be held on 12th Rabi-Ul-Awwal 1443 A.H. from 10:00 am to 04:00 pm at Aiwan-e-Saddar, Islamabad. The Honorable President and the Prime Minister will chair the session of this august event. Eid-e-Milad-Un-Nabi would be celebrated all over the country with full zeal and religious fervour.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):Secretary Board of Investment (BOI), Ms. Fareena Mazhar received Bulgarian Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Ms. Irena Gancheva in her office here on Friday, October 01, 2021. The ambassador expressed special interest in Pakistan’s IT sector from investment point of view and underscored the significance of Pakistan’s strategic location as a gateway to Asian market.

She further added that Bulgaria shares its border with Turkey, making it the first country of European Union in terms of its geographical location with respect to Asia and it can serve as a gateway to the European market for Pakistan’s products.

Secretary BOI apprised the ambassador on regulatory reforms being introduced by the Board of Investment that have been making the business climate of Pakistan immensely investor friendly. She further shared that the COVID situation in Pakistan has been improving and the government has handled the pandemic efficiently, making it easy for foreign investors to visit and safely stay in Pakistan.

Elaborating on priority areas of investment, Ms. Fareena said that the Pakistan government is encouraging investment in value-added textiles and food processing sector. The ambassador shared that food processing specifically yogurt and cheese manufacturing were Bulgaria’s areas of specialty and it would be a favourable sector to invest in Pakistan.

Both sides discussed the potential of tourism in the countries and agreed that organized tourism can act as an area of mutual interest for both. They also emphasized on the importance of increased cooperation in tourism sector in coming future.

The ambassador further highlighted that there are a lot of opportunities and potential in terms of mutual investment between the two countries. An MoU was signed between Invest Bulgaria Agency and Board of Investment which needs to be implemented with full force.

The Secretary assured that a virtual meeting between the Board of Investment and its Bulgarian counterpart: Invest Bulgaria Agency will be organized by end of this month to rejuvenate the MoU and further explore possible areas of cooperation.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk

Islamabad, October 01, 2021 (PPI-OT):President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the need to promote higher education so as to put the country on fast-track of socio-economic development. He underscored the need for enhancing the volume of hybrid education which was cost-effective and would help increase the number of highly educated and skilled professionals in the country.

The President made these remarks during a briefing on Foundation University Islamabad (FUI), at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. President FUI, Mr Waqar Ahmad Malik, Rector FUI, Major General (r) Nasir Dilawar Shah, Director FUI, Major General (r) Professor Dr Jawad Khaliq Ansari, attended the meeting.

President FUI briefed the meeting about the remarkable job done by the university in promoting higher education, including in the fields of health sciences, engineering and technology. He informed the meeting that FUI was contributing towards the development of human resources through excellence in education, research and innovation.

It was apprised that during 2015-2020, 8960 students had graduated from the university in various degree programmes and FUI was focusing on increasing the number of PhD graduates. It was highlighted that the university was also providing merit scholarships, need-based financial assistance and fee-waivers to deserving students through the university’s endowment fund.

The President asked the management of the university to implement HEC’s policies on drug abuse in higher education institutions and the welfare of students with disabilities which waived off all institutional charges, including tuition fees, hostel fees, and utilities fee. He urged the university to revise its strategy and vision with special focus on increasing its outreach, promoting hybrid and virtual education and producing quality graduates.

The President emphasised that the world was undergoing change at a rapid pace and Pakistan needed to adopt emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing and Data Analysis in order to meet the requirements of the 4th Industrial Revolution. The President appreciated the performance and achievements of FIU towards the promotion of higher education in the country, particularly in the fields of health sciences and engineering.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk