Category: Business News

Anti-India, pro-freedom banners appear in IOK

Srinagar, December 23, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, anti-India and pro-freedom banners and posers were witnessed at many places in the Kashmir valley. According to Kashmir Media Service, these were displayed on behalf of Jammu and Kashmir Students and Youth Forum. The posters and banners were posted in Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and Islamabad districts against the steps taken by India particularly in the wake of 5th August action.

Student and Youth Forum Chairman Manzoor Ahmad Butt in a statement strongly condemned the Indian state terrorism and atrocities in the occupied territory, saying that it had exposed the brutal face of India, the so-called champion of democracy. He denounced the international community’s silence over the ongoing atrocities in the occupied Kashmir and warned that if Kashmir was not resolved, it would have serious consequences not only for the region but for the whole world as well.

Manzoor Ahmad Butt said that the Kashmiri people were hopeful that the civilized world and human rights activists would take action against the inhuman and cruel practices of India and would put pressure on New Delhi to end the ongoing military siege in occupied Kashmir. Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement Vice Chairman, Abdul Majid Mir in a statement urged the UN and human rights organizations to launch a probe into war crimes being committed by India in occupied Kashmir.

Zahid Ashraf, Vice Chairman of JK Young Men’s League in a statement criticized the Modi regime for continued siege of the occupied valley and escalating tension on the Line of Control. He castigated the Modi regime for its jingoism and warned that it was preparing to stage a false flag operation on the LOC only to offset the public outrage against recently passed anti-Muslim Citizenship Amendment Act.

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

‘Role of Jammu in resolution of Kashmir’ conference in Gujranwala

Gujranwala, December 23, 2019 (PPI-OT): A conference on “The role of Jammu in the resolution of Kashmir dispute” was organized by Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar, the convener of the Jammu and Kashmir Peerpanjal Civil Society, in collaboration with the Hurriyat leaders in Gujranwala.

The participants of the conference said that Kashmir dispute was passing through a critical phase in the history of Jammu and Kashmir. They said that India was confiscating the properties of the Kashmiris who are migrating towards Azad Kashmir. They said that the identity of Jammu and Kashmir was at stake due to the steps taken by India.

The speakers reiterated that the Kashmiris would never accept any imposed solution except a settlement as per UN resolutions. The participants expressed their determination that the refugees would continue to play their role till the attainment of the right to self-determination. Hurriyat leaders Mohammad Hussain Khatteeb, Dr. Zahid Ghani Dar, Mahmud Akhtar Qureshi, Ali Hasnain Naqvi and other political and social figures participated in the meeting.

Besides others, the conference was addressed by Subaidar Ghulam Rasool Lone, Nisar Baig, Ilyas Aadil, Manzoor Hussain Janjua, Malik Muhammad Azad, Malik Mushtaq Noori, Sardar Muhammad Azeem, Mirza Khaleel, Abdul Rauf Zargar, Malik Binyamin, Master Lal Hussain, Chaudhry Muhammad Hussain, Aslam Lone, Subedar Karamat, Mirza Shakeel, Malik Shahbaz, Malik Sabir and Malik Zahid.

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

Two policemen injured in Kishtwar town attack

Srinagar, December 23, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, two Indian police personnel were injured in an attack in Kishtwar town. The police personnel identified as Mohammad Saleem and Ajay Kumar were critically injured in an attack at Filter Plant police post in Simna Colony near Kishtwar town.

The Indian troops and paramilitary personnel launched a siege and search operation in several areas of the town. Meanwhile, Indian troops during cordon and search operations arrested two youth in Sopore and Tral towns.

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

Normal life remains crippled in IOK on 141st day of lockdown

Srinagar, December 23, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, normal life remains crippled in the Kashmir Valley and Muslim majority areas of Jammu region due to continued military lockdown and siege on the 141st consecutive day, today. People continue to suffer due to restrictions imposed under Section 144 and continued suspension of prepaid mobile phone, text messaging and internet services in the territory.

Representatives of several social and political organizations met in Jammu under the chair of Hurriyat leader and Chairman of Jammu Kashmir People’s Movement (JKPM), Mir Shahid Saleem, to discuss the situation arising out of the anti-Muslim Citizenship Act passed by the RSS backed BJP in the Indian parliament recently. The participants strongly condemned the bill and described it as a part of larger conspiracy to target the Muslim community in India and drive them out of the country.

Mir Shahid Saleem, speaking at a seminar organised at Ghandi Peace Foundation, New Delhi said ever since Indian forces landed in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, India has been treating the territory with a colonial mindset. The event was jointly organized by the Gandhi Peace Foundation, JandK Forum for Peace and Territorial Integrity, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Movement Bangladesh Bharat Pakistan People’s Forum, Haq Insaf Party, JandK People’s Democratic Movement, Khudai Khidmatgar, Samajwadi Samagam, National Alliance of People’s Movements, Socialist Party (India).

The Delhi seminar was organized to make the Indian civil society feel the pain and sufferings of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from representatives of Jammu and Kashmir, a large no of socio-political activists, writers, thinkers and human rights activists attended to the event. Meanwhile, two Indian police personnel were injured in an attack in Kishtwar town. The police personnel identified as Mohammad Saleem and Ajay Kumar were critically injured in the attack in Simna Colony near Kishtwar town.

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

JI IOK leader martyred in Indian jail

Srinagar, December 23, 2019 (PPI-OT): A detained leader of Jamaat-e-Islami, occupied Kashmir, Ghulam Mohammad Butt, was martyred at Allahabad Jail in Uttar Pradesh, India. Ghulam Mohammad Butt, 65, who was arrested in July this year and was shifted to Allahabad jail in Uttar Pradesh after being booked under Public Safety Act (PSA) in July was martyred on Friday night. Ghulam Mohammad Butt, who was son of Mohammad Sultan Butt, was a resident of Kulangam, Handwara.

He was arrested on July 10 by Police Post Chogal and then shifted to Police Station Mattan, Islamabad. Two days later, he was shifted to Allahabad Jail. Butt was also arrested during 2016 uprising and remained in detention for more than six months under PSA. He is survived by his old aged wife, two sons and two daughters.

Meanwhile, United Jihad Council Chief, Syed Salahuddin, addressing a meeting in Muzaffarabad said that India was killing detained Kashmiri leaders under a well-thought out plan of Modi led Indian government. He paid rich tributes to martyr, Ghulam Muhammad Butt and said that he was a true champion of the Kashmir cause.

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

IMF Executive Board Completes the First Review of Pakistan’s Extended Fund Facility

Washington D.C., December 23, 2019 (PPI-OT): The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on December 19, 2019 completed the first review of Pakistan’s economic performance under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The completion of the review will allow the authorities to draw SDR 328 million (about US$ 452.4 million), bringing total disbursements to SDR 1,044 million (about US$ 1,440 million).

The Executive Board approved the 39-month, SDR 4,268 million (about $6 billion at the time of approval of the arrangement, or 210 percent of quota) EFF for Pakistan on July 3, 2019.

Following the Executive Board’s decision, Mr. David Lipton, First Deputy Managing Director and Acting Chair, issued the following statement:

“Pakistan’s program is on track and has started to bear fruit. However, risks remain elevated. Strong ownership and steadfast reform implementation are critical to entrench macroeconomic stability and support robust and balanced growth.

“The authorities are committed to sustaining the progress on fiscal adjustment to place debt on a downward path. The planned reforms include strengthening tax revenue mobilization, including the elimination of tax exemptions and loopholes, and prudent expenditure policies. Preparations for a comprehensive tax policy reform should start early to ensure timely implementation. Enhanced social safety nets will help alleviate social costs and build support for reforms.

“The flexible, market-determined exchange rate remains essential to cushion the economy against external shocks and rebuild reserve buffers. The current monetary stance is appropriately tight and should only be eased once disinflation is firmly entrenched. Strengthening the State Bank of Pakistan’s autonomy and governance will support these efforts.

“Faster progress is needed to improve the AML/CFT framework, supported by technical assistance from the IMF and other capacity development providers. Swift adoption of all the necessary measures is needed to exit the FATF’s list of jurisdictions with AML/CFT deficiencies.

“The authorities have adopted a comprehensive plan to address the accumulation of arrears in the power sector. Its full implementation is key to improve collection, reduce losses, and enhance governance. Timely and regular adjustment of energy tariffs will bring the sector in line with cost recovery.

‘Efforts are ongoing to further improve the business environment, strengthen governance, and foster private sector investment. Reform of the state-owned enterprise sector will help put Pakistan’s public finances on a sustainable path and have positive spillovers by levelling the playing field and improving the provision of services.”

For more information, contact:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
IMF External Relations Department
Phone: 202-623-7100
E-mail: media@imf.org
Website: https://www.imf.org

‘Mind the Gap’ workshop concludes with commitment on advancing gender equality in private sector companies

Karachi, December 23, 2019 (PPI-OT): Mind the Gap, a three-day workshop concluded here with commitments from Human Resources (HR) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practitioners from sixteen leading private sector national and international companies to adapt to global best practices on women economic empowerment and advance gender equality within private sector companies in line with Women Empowerment Principles (WEP).

UN Women Pakistan led this 3-day impactful workshop that focused on workplace equality, inclusion and diversity. This event was led and supported by Fareeha Ummar, Portfolio Manager, Women’s Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Livelihoods (WEE and SL), UN Women Pakistan; and Jamaluddin Khan, Programme Officer WEE and SL.

During three days of the workshop, participants were enlightened on gender equality dynamics, diagnostics and the way forward. Ms. Asma Yousaf, Head HR Services, Unilever Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, shared highlights of the White Paper that Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OICCI) has presented for approval to the Government of Pakistan.

The workshop facilitator, Shahnaz Kapadia Rahat, CEO Mera Maan, also shared the Women Empowerment Principles (WEP) which is an initiative of the UN Global Compact and UN Women, and is the first global code of conduct for businesses on gender equality. The 7-principles provide a framework for implementation on gender equality.

In Pakistan, 66 private sector companies have signed as supporters and promoters of WEP. Through an activity, participants also mapped their CSR and HR practices regarding contributions to creating women friendly workplaces, responsive and diverse C-suite management, inclusion of female entrepreneurs in procurement and supply chain, and gender responsive HR policies and structure. The participants were introduced to some of the best practices that are happening in Pakistan about priority areas for advancing women inclusion and economic empowerment.

On the last day, the participants conceptualized a way forward and developed a Gender Responsive Action Plan – 2020. Twenty participating organizations presented their action plans, including JS Bank, Nestle, Schneider Electrics, Soorty Enterprises, Pak Suzuki Motors, Engro Corp, EY Ford Rhodes, Bulleh Shah Packaging, PepsiCo, EFU General Insurance Ltd, Sindh Microfinance Bank, TPL Corp, ICAP, Novo Nordisk Pharma, Midas Safety, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, Arthur Lawrence, Gharo Solar Ltd, National Foods Ltd.

Some of the actions included development of policies and implementing actions to recruit more persons with disabilities and transgenders; investing in developing women for leadership and CEO level management; gearing CSR practices so that it is more business driven, sustainable, and able to support women; improving recruitment, retention and growth through women friendly policies, in particular establishing and improving day care centers.

For more information, contact:
National Information Officer
United Nations Information Centre (UNIC)
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-8355720
Cell: +92-300-8553790
Email: ishrat.rizvi@unic.org