Day: May 11, 2022

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LCCI SOS call to cut import bill

Lahore, May 11, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tuesday called for a well-tailored strategy to cope with fast increasing oil import bill. In an open letter to Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, LCCI President Mian Nauman Kabir suggested measures to minimize oil usage by the masses to energize the economy. He said that cut in oil/fuel usage will save foreign exchange, reduce environmental impacts and will increase energy sustainability.

“In order for future generations to meet their energy needs, fuel sources should be developed from renewable resources”, Mian Nauman Kabir said and adding these are clean and efficient. The LCCI President said that the oil is a non-renewable resource, and we cannot sustain our current rate of use indefinitely.

Mian Nauman Kabir said that the government should declare Saturday and Sunday as complete holidays. He said “Sunday should be considered a complete petrol-free day except for medical reasons” and people should go for grocery and other necessary shopping on Sunday to the nearby shops by foot or bicycle. “Old and costly contracts in power sector should be reviewed immediately”, Mian Nauman Kabir said. He said that till the time international oil prices come down, the usage of more than 1800cc vehicles should be discouraged for the sake of economy.

The LCCI President said that these measures should be taken without wasting a single moment otherwise no sector would be left untouched by a severe crisis. While calling for daylight usage, Mian Nauman Kabir said that it would help bring down the skyrocketing utility cost. He added that by using daylight through installing effective skylights and panels, a business can cut its usage of traditional artificial lighting by as much as 80 percent, resulting in a substantially lower monthly utility bill. He said that according to various studies, daylight can be significantly healthier for workplace human resources.

The LCCI President said that conservation of energy and less reliance on energy produced from imported raw materials is the need of the hour. He said that Pakistan is one of those countries that are heavily dependent on hydrocarbon fuel for energy production. He said that this results in severe CO2 emissions that lead to climate change. He added that although renewable energy resources such as wind and solar are available in abundance, they have not been fully utilized and so energy crises in Pakistan increase every year.

“Energy plays an important role in shaping a country’s economy”, Mian Nauman Kabir said, adding that in identifying different sources of energy, environmental impact, fuel source, and social impact are very much under consideration. The LCCI President said that energy conservation is the practice of using less fuel and energy costs and reducing environmental impact. He said that this can use less oil, fuel, electricity, gas or any other form of energy that the people get from utility and pay for.

While energy conservation is the practice of trying to use less energy for cost and environmental reasons, energy efficiency means using specific products designed to use less energy. These two concepts are inherently similar but involve different methods. Examples of energy conservation include using smart appliances and energy-saving bulbs in your home. He added that to reduce energy consumption and increase energy savings, masses would have to adjust themselves day-to-day behaviours. Mian Nauman Kabir hoped that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif will immediately announce Oil/Fuel reduction measures for the masses to slow down oil usage by the people.

For more information, contact:
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-222-499
Fax: +92-42-36368854
Website: http://www.lcci.com.pk/

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ICCI demands urgent power sector reforms for ease of doing business

Islamabad, May 11, 2022 (PPI-OT):Electricity plays a vital role in the economic development of a country, but rising circular debt, surging transmission and distribution losses and poor performance of power companies is taking a heavy toll on the business and economic activities in Pakistan. Therefore, the government should take urgent measures to bring drastic reforms in the power sector in order to reduce the production cost and promote ease of doing business. This was said by Muhammad Shakeel Munir, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a statement.

Muhammad Shakeel Munir said that the circular debt has more than doubled in the last four years exceeding Rs.2.4 trillion, which reflected the bad governance in the power sector. This situation has increased the energy cost for domestic and commercial consumers as the electricity cost has gone up by almost 100 percent over the last 4 years. He said that growing at the current rate, the circular debt is estimated to reach Rs.4 trillion by 2025, which would badly affect the economic growth of the country.

ICCI President said that according to a research report of Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA), the average transmission and distribution losses of Discos and KE were recorded at 21 percent and 20 percent respectively in financial year 2020, which showed the poor performance of these companies as rising T and D losses are causing great financial losses to the national exchequer. He emphasized that the government should take urgent measures to control T and D losses and promote efficiency in the power companies to save the economy from further losses.

Jamshaid Akhtar Sheikh Senior Vice President and Muhammad Faheem Khan Vice President ICCI stressed that the government should focus on reducing the commercial and technical losses of power companies, disconnect the power connections of those consumers who do not pay bills and upgrade the transmission and distribution infrastructure to reduce losses and facilitate the better growth of business and economic activities.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2250526, 2253145, 8432676
Fax: +92-51-2252950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk, info@icci.com.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk

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UC chairmanship ticket awarded to PPP leader’s brother

LARKANA: Pakistan Peoples Party has awarded the party ticket for the Chairman slot of Hyderi Town, Union Committee-2, to Munir Ahmed Soomro, the elder brother of Jameel Soomro, who is political secretary to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Munir Soomro, a journalist by profession working for Hyderabad’s Sindhi daily, revealed this while talking to his colleagues here on Wednesday. He thanked the party leadership for reposing their trust in him adding the post of chairman had always been won by PPP candidates in the past and he hoped the residents would also make him successful as usual.

He said pavers had been laid in most of the streets of UC-2 and sewage drains had been repaired adding if anything was still lacking behind, the citizens should contact him for resolution of their problems. He said he would not sit in the office but would visit every UC daily to resolve the fundamental issues faced by the residents. He said the PPP’s basic motto was to serve the masses and he would ensure that people’s fundamental rights were fulfilled.

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PPP always promoted sports at local level: Wahab

KARACHI: Administrator Karachi, Sindh governments Spokesman Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday said that the PPP has always promoted sports at the local level to provide opportunities for young and emerging players to showcase their talents at the highest level.

“Football is the favorite sport of the poor and middle class which requires constant hard work and training to move forward,” the Administrator said this while addressing the prize distribution ceremony after the final match of the football tournament held at Punjab Colony Football Ground. PPP leader Karamullah Waqasi, CBC Vice Chairman Najeeb Wali, Councilor Hameed Chandio, Jamil Ahmed, Babar Jamal and others were also present on the occasion.

Barrister Murtaza Wahab appreciated the performance of the players who showed excellent performance in the final match and commended them for their standard performance. He said that in order to be a good footballer, one needs physical fitness and stamina as well as basic technique, skill and understanding of the game.

“The game of football is very advanced and new methods and techniques are being used all over the world. We also have many international standard footballers and coaches who can play an important role in training young players along these lines,” he added. The Administrator said that there are numerous football clubs in Karachi and the competitions between them are the focus of attention of the spectators.

He said that in order to develop football, there should be more and more football grounds in every district of the city. “The city administration is playing its role in this regard and we want the quality of football tournaments at the local level to be further improved so that Pakistani youth can play in the same way and make their country famous at the international level,” he added.

The Administrator Karachi also spoke to the players and organizers participating in the final match. Administrator Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab spoke to the players and organizers participating in the final match on the occasion and urged them to continue working hard and improve the quality of their tournament.

Wahab concerned over Indus Highway accident

Meanwhile, Administrator Karachi, Sindh governments Spokesman Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday expressed sorrow over the tragic traffic accident on Indus Highway and offered condolences to the families of the victims and.

He said that he was deeply saddened over the loss of precious lives. The Administrator said that best medical facilities were being provided to the injured on the directives of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

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Elahi refuses to take over as acting Punjab Governor

LAHORE: Speaker Punjab Assembly Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi on Wednesday refused to take charge as the acting governor of Punjab after removal of Omar Sarfaraz Cheema .

Pervaiz Elahi had sought legal opinion over assuming charge as acting Governor of Punjab. He said that PML-N’s actions were unconstitutional. The federal government on Sunday removed Punjab Governor Omar Sarfraz Cheema, who was appointed to the post by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government earlier this month.

Cheema was sacked amid reports that he has sought an inquiry report from the Punjab Assembly speaker over the election of the new chief minister that was won by Hamza after a violent confrontation between the PML-N and lawmakers of the PTI and PML-Q. Cheema has also refused to step down from the office despite his removal order from the federal government as saying that the president had rejected the prime minister’s summary for his sacking.

A heavy contingent of police is stationed in Governor House while Omar Sarfaraz Cheema is consulting with the constitutional experts regarding the issue. Due to the absence of a Governor in Punjab, constitution of Punjab cabinet has also been delayed.

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British High Commissioner calls on Punjab CM

LAHORE: British High Commissioner Christain Turner met Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz at Chief Minister Office here on Wednesday and vowed to continue cooperation with the Punjab government in the education, health and other social sectors adding that England cricket Team will visit Pakistan in September.

Matters pertaining to mutual interests, promotion of Pakistan-UK relations and enhancing cooperation in the social sector came under discussion during the meeting. He also felicitated Hamza Shahbaz on assuming the office of the chief minister.

The chief minister talking on this occasion, said that Pakistan and UK are an important partners in journey of progress and prosperity. He appreciated the British cooperation and role for the promotion and improvement of education, health, law and order and other social sectors.

Hamza Shahbaz said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, a result-oriented strategy has been formulated for the uplift of education, health, law and order and other social sectors. He said the government would work to further promote ties with the UK in various sectors.

The CM maintained that the present government is advancing forward with a new vigour and resolve for ensuring the progress of the country. Hamza Shahbaz categorically remarked that it is a mission to make Pakistan an enlightened and progressive country.

The British delegation comprised Alex Ballinger representative to Punjab, Political Advisor Talal Raza and Development Advisor Sana Zia. Chairman P and D, Secretaries Finance, Industries, school Education, Higher Education and food along with CEO PBIT and concerned officials were also present on this occasion.

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Hamza wants water supply to Punjab as per quota

LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shahbaz held a telephonic talk with the Federal Minister for Water Resources Syed Khurshid Shah in which matters relating to shortage of water and water supply across Punjab especially to South Punjab came under discussion.

The chief minister demanded the provision of water supply to Punjab according to its allocated quota and emphasized that water be provided to Punjab with the same proportion in which it was provided to the other provinces, said a handout issued here.

Hamza Shahbaz underscored that the whole country was facing shortage of water and joint efforts were needed to cope with this problem. “By formulating a joint strategy, we will overcome the situation created due to water shortage,” he maintained. Federal Minister Syed Khurshid Shah gave complete assurance to the CM with regard to resolving the water shortage issue as soon as possible.