August 31, 2022 – Page 6 – PPI News Agency

August 31, 2022

Special Assistants to the Prime Minister, Attaullah Tarar and Romina Khurshid Alam in a meeting with Managing Director Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Amir Fida Paracha in Islamabad

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Narcotics Control, Attaullah Tarar and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and Convener Parliamentary Taskforce on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Romina Khurshid Alam discusses various relief activities for the flood affected families, in a meeting with Managing Director Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM), Amir Fida Paracha, held here in Prime Minister’s Secretariat.

On the occasion, the Managing Director apprised PBM’s initiatives to support the flood hit families. He also underlined the active participation of every citizen of Pakistan, keeping in view the losses at high magnitude as a result of torrential rains and flood. Discussing the effective measures to reduce the poverty as a part of SDGs, SAPM Romina Khurshid Alam articulated the Government’s practical measures and appreciated the PBM’s exemplary role in the regard.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM)
Government of Pakistan
St 7, H-8/4, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: 0800-66666
Email: info@pbm.gov.pk
Website: http://www.pbm.gov.pk/

August 31, 2022

PM thanks Indian counterpart for condolences over flood losses in Pakistan

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has thanked his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for his condolences over the human and material losses caused by floods. In a tweet today, he said we will overcome the adverse effects of this natural calamity and rebuild lives and communities with characteristic resilience of the people of Pakistan.

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

August 31, 2022

Ambassador of Qatar Sheikh Saud Bin Abdurrahman Al Thani, Calling on Chairman Senate, Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani at Parliament House Islamabad

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):In a meeting with the Ambassador of Qatar, H.E Sheikh Sauod Abdul Rahman Al-Thani, who called on the Chairman Senate here at Parliament House on Wednesday, Sadiq Sanjrani called for enhancing trade, diplomatic and institutional cooperation. Matters of mutual interest, bilateral relations and the prevailing flood situation in Pakistan were discussed during the meeting.

The visiting dignitary expressed solidarity and regretted the loss of precious lives due to the devastating flash flood in Pakistan. During the meeting, Sanjrani called upon the international community to step forward and support Pakistan in this hour of need as no country alone can tackle and cope with such natural disasters and emergencies. Sanjrani commended the support of the developed countries and especially Qatar extended to Pakistan during these testing time.

Chairman Senate underlined that Pakistan and Qatar have a common vision for the development and prosperity of the region, adding that trade, diplomatic, parliamentary and institutional cooperation needs to be enhanced further. Pakistani diaspora living in Qatar are playing an important role in the economic development of Qatar and cementing ties between the two countries. The meeting also discussed and agreed on speeding up exchanges of high-level delegations and taking economic ties to new heights.

While discussing the current flood situation in Pakistan, Chairman Senate stressed the need for speeding up the relief efforts as scores of people, particularly in Balochistan and Sindh have suffered due to the large-scale defacement caused by the flash floods.

Hailing the efforts of the Emir of Qatar, Sanjrani said that the Emir of Qatar has played a key role in the overall economic development and prosperity of Qatar. The efforts of the Emir of Qatar are praise-worthy and inspirational, he added. Both sides reiterated their resolve for supporting each other during hard times and further enhancing cooperation in diverse fields.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

August 31, 2022

Standing Committee on Commerce meets

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):32nd meeting of the Standing Committee on Commerce was held today, in the Ministry of Commerce, Islamabad, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Raza Rabbani Khar, MNA. The Committee considered “The Anti-Dumping Duties (Amendment) Bill, 2022” (Government Bill) and unanimously approved as referred to the Committee.

The Committee also considered “The Trade Organizations (Amendment) Bill, 2022” (Government Bill). The Committee recommended that the proposed Amendment in section 2 Clause (p) of the Trade Organization Act of 2013, be proposed as follows:

“Regulator means the Director General or any officer not less than grade 20 appointed by the division concerned to perform functions under this Act.

The Committee deferred further discussion on “The Trade Organizations (Amendment) Bill, 2022” (Government Bill) and decided to invite the representatives from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), along with the representatives of chambers from all the provinces, in the next meeting of the Committee.

The Committee was briefed on the import price of wheat 2022-23 in connection with Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat crop 2023-24. The Chair expressed displeasure at the absence of the Secretary National Food Security and Research and the Chief Secretaries of the Provinces. He directed all the representatives to attend the next meeting with their final recommendations on MSP, availability of fertilizer and the seed.

The representative from Ministry of National Food Security along with Food Secretaries from all the four Provinces briefed the Committee on fixing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat before the cultivation of wheat.

The Chairman emphasized the minimum support price of wheat should be fixed at maximum level so that Minimum wheat can be imported. After a detailed discussion, the Committee recommended that the Federal Government may announce the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of wheat in the mid of September and the MSP may be not less than PKR 3000/= as an incentive to our own grower.

The Committee deferred briefing on E-Commerce, Foreign Trade, TDAP, and performance of trade and investment Ministers/Counsellors posted in Pakistani’s Trade Missions abroad, for the next meeting of the Committee. The Committee unanimously approved the minutes of its previous meeting held on 26th July, 2022.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Muhammad Aslam Bhootani, Mr. Usman Ibrahim, Ms. Shaista Pervaiz, Mrs. Tahira Aurangzeb, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja Syed Javed Ali Shah Jilani, Me. Ahmed Hussain Deharr, Ms. Farrukh Khan and Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, MNAs. The meeting was also attended by the Secretary Commerce, representatives from the Ministry of National Food Security and Agriculture and Food Departments of the provinces.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

August 31, 2022

Senator Syed Ali Zafar, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice Presiding over a Meeting of the Committee at Parliament House Islamabad

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice, under the Chairmanship of Senator and Barrister Syed Ali Zafar on Wednesday discussed two important constitutional amendments. The first amendment related to Article 62(1) (f) of the Constitution under which if a person is not sagacious, honest and Ameen then he is liable to be disqualified as the member of the Parliament.

The amendment proposed that the word “Ameen” be deleted. Barrister Zafar suggested that the wording of Article 62(1)(f) is vague because it is highly difficult to determine who is sagacious and advised that a debate should take place on the matter.

The Committee members suggested that it should also be debated as to whether there should be any time limit set if the person is disqualified under Article 62(1) (f). Barrister Zafar pointed out that the matter of time limit has been settled by the Supreme Court in a judgement in which it has been decided that if a person is found to be dishonest then he disqualifies from being a member for life.

However, Barrister Zafar further pointed out that this was for the Parliament to debate and decide if they want to restrict the time limit of disqualification for future matters. The Chairman then directed the Law Ministry to provide a written reply as to whether the Law Ministry is accepting or opposing the amendment and also directed the Islamic Ideology Council to give its comments.

The second constitutional amendment related to Article 142 which was moved by Senator Farooq H. Naek to the effect that power should be given to the Federal Legislature to make amendments in the Civil Procedure Code, Contract Act and other matters. Barrister Zafar pointed out that this was a matter which is related to the 18th Amendment and therefore requires consideration and accordingly directed the Law Ministry to give comments in writing as well.

The Secretary, Ministry of Law and Justice, pointed out that the Ministry has no objection, however, Barrister Zafar directed that the Ministry should give its comments in writing and give reasons whether the amendment is acceptable or not. The discussion on other Constitutional Bills was deferred as the movers were not present.

The Senate Law and Justice committee met under the Chairmanship of Barrister Syed Ali Zafar here at the Parliament House today. The meeting was attended by Senator Farooq Hamid Naek, Senator Muzaffar Hussain Shah and Senator Rana Maqbool Ahmed. Officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice were also in attendance.

For more information, contact:
Senate of Pakistan
H.No.7, Cat-II, G-8/2, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9204564534
Fax: +92-51-9205703
E-mail: senate@comsats.net.pk
Website: www.senate.gov.pk

August 31, 2022

FBR issues five SROS to provide exemption from taxes/duties on import and supply of flood-related goods

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):In order to alleviate the sufferings of the people due to the unprecedented devastation caused by recent floods, the Prime Minister of Pakistan ordered urgent relief measures so as to ensure an uninterrupted supply of relief goods to the people of the affected areas. Elimination of all taxes and duties in procuring the relief goods will help ensure maximum use of resources for lessening the hardships being faced by affected people.

In line with the vision of the Prime Minister, and on the directions of the Federal Government, the FBR has exempted all duties and taxes on import of goods that are needed for relief operations in the flood affected areas. Such imports will be duty and tax free upon certification by NDMA or PDMA. The goods being sent as donations by the foreign government or international organizations and donors are also exempted from customs duties and taxes.

For more information, contact:
Second Secretary (Public Relations)
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
FATE Wing, Federal Board of Revenue,
Constitution Avenue, Sector G-5,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone: +92-51-9217267
Fax: +92-51-9208456
Email: mujeeb.talpur@fbr.gov.pk, talpur35@gmail.com
Website: https://www.fbr.gov.pk/

August 31, 2022

Businessmen can import onion, tomatoes from Iran, Afghanistan to stabilize prices: Planning Minister

Islamabad, August 31, 2022 (PPI-OT):Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal says government has allowed the businessmen to import onion and tomatoes from Iran and Afghanistan to stabilize hiking prices after flood and rains in the country.

Addressing a news conference along with Minister of State for Finance and Revenue Finance and Revenue Dr. Aisha Ghaus Pasha, in Islamabad today, he said Pakistan is facing an unprecedented devastation as a result of flood and rains.

He said a price monitoring mechanism has been reactivated which will be monitored on weekly basis and will take strict legal action against the hoarders. The Minister said federal government is fully supporting provincial governments to facilitate the flood affected people. He said provincial governments are utilizing all their resources for rehabilitation of affected people.