(City): PM help sought to end monopoly of food delivery companies

Karachi:All Pakistan Restaurant Association (APRA) on Saturday expressed grave concern over the monopoly of food delivery companies, saying that Food Panda had made it a routine to blackmail the restaurants for increasing the commission.

In a statement, APRA requested Prime Minister Imran Khan to take immediate notice of this monopoly and formulate a policy at the government level for food delivery companies so that any kind of monopoly in this sector could be ended.

The association drew the attention of the Prime Minister to the important issue facing the restaurant industry, saying that the restaurant industry operates at a profit of 10 to 12 pc only and Food Panda is paid 18pc delivery commission. Despite this, Food Panda is increasing the pressure on restaurants to increase their commissions and have threatened if the delivery commission of 25% to 30% was not done, they will stop the delivery of food.

“Food delivery companies do not comply with any agreement made with restaurants and they force to the restaurants to fire their food riders so that only food companies’ riders can give the food delivery,” APRA opined.

In addition, food delivery companies take customer’s data and then transfer the order to their favorite restaurants, which has made restaurant owners fed up and now they are thinking to don’t work with these companies like Food Panda.

APRA requested Khan to issue directives for formulating policy for food delivery companies under which they could be bound by rules and regulations; otherwise, it would be extremely difficult to work for the restaurant industry, which was already facing financial crunch due to COVID-19 pandemic.

(National): PM announces Rs1,100 billion Karachi package

Karachi: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday announced a 1,100 billion development package for Karachi under the Karachi Transformation Plan to resolve city’s water, sewerage, solid waste and transport issues.

This he announced in a media briefing at Governor’s House in Karachi. Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah were also present on the occasion. The Prime Minister said the federal and provincial governments will contribute to the Karachi package. He said National Disaster Management Authority will cleanse the storm-water drains in the city.

He said the Karachi Circular Railway project will also be completed under the Karachi package. A Provincial Coordination and Implementation Committee will be formed to ensure implementation of the decisions regarding Karachi package, he added.

PM: (Annual development programme for South Punjab will prosper region: PM)

Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said a separate annual development programme for South Punjab will usher in a new era of development in the region.

Chairing a meeting about establishment of South Punjab Secretariat and its working here on Friday, he directed that devolution of powers should be gradually advanced so that administrative matters could be run in a better way.

He said practical steps taken by the government to give identity to South Punjab reflects the PTI government’s affiliation with the people of South Punjab and understanding of their problems as well as their solution.

PM: (PM directs to expedite process of redesigning master plan of major cities)

ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed to expedite the process of redesigning master plan of major cities and to update the progress in this regard on regularly basis.

Chairing a weekly meeting of National Coordination Committee (NCC) for Housing, Construction, and Development here on Thursday, he directed all chief secretaries to ensure completion of establishment of digital portal for the facilitation of construction sector till mid of the current month.

The Prime Minister also instructed all the chief secretaries and heads of development authorities to ensure presence of information about approved residential projects on the website of concerned development authority.

He ordered to regularly ensure update of the information on daily basis so that overseas Pakistanis, who have interest in these residential projects, can be kept updated. He said it will also help curb fraud and deceit in the name of residential colonies.

Besides, information related to unapproved housing projects should also be regularly publicized so that people can be kept abreast of this, he said. Imran Khan said promotion of construction sector is vital for economic stability to give impetus to the economic process and that is why the government is determined to support this sector.

Briefing the meeting about ongoing construction activities in Sindh, it was informed that 19 construction projects have been approved as a result of which 3.8 million square feet area will come under construction at a cost of Rs13.8 billion, which will generate economic activity of Rs30 billion.

Representatives of Association of Builders and Developers Arif Habib, Aqeel Karim Dhedhi, and others informed the Prime Minister about various construction projects, including construction of low-income houses, of different private construction companies.

Appreciating Prime Minister’s personal interest and government’s steps, the ABAD representatives said that various processes relating to construction sectors are being completed amicably as a result of the establishment of high-level committee and prime minister’s participation in its weekly meetings.

The Prime Minister was briefed about progress made on modernization and digitization of state land in three big cities of the country, which includes Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

Chairman Federal Board of Revenue briefed the meeting about construction projects registered with the FBR and portal established for the facilitation of people relating to the construction sector.

Provincial chief secretaries, including chief secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan, briefed the Prime Minister about ongoing construction activities in the provinces, approved and under consideration projects, and measures to make the system online and reduce human interference.

PM: (PM warns world of serious implications of breakout of conflict between Pakistan, India over Kashmir)

ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister Imran Khan has warned the world of serious implications of breakout of any conflict between Pakistan and India over the disputed region of Kashmir.

In an interview with Al-Jazeera, he said Pakistan has raised the lingering dispute at all the forums and it will continue doing so.

He said the world is not responding on the issue as unfortunately they are willing to ignore the huge travesty of justice for their commercial interests with India.

He said it does not mean we sit down quietly and accept the injustice. He expressed the strong commitment to continue to draw the world attention towards the dispute.

Imran Khan said eight million people in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are in an open prison and eight hundred thousand troops are oppressing them.

Responding to a question, the Prime Minister said Saudi Arabia will always remain friend of Pakistan. However, Pakistan wants the OIC play a bigger on Kashmir dispute.

Imran Khan said he never believes in any military solutions. He said this is the reason he extended a hand of friendship to India after assuming the power.

He said the tragedy of India is that it is being ruled by an extremist government inspired by the ideology of Nazis.

When asked about the Afghan peace process, the Prime Minister warned against the spoilers. He said there is one country India which does not want to see peace in Afghanistan.

Imran Khan said Pakistan has tried its best to get the Taliban and the Afghan government on the table of negotiations. He said we have reached close to peace and political reconciliation. This is a miracle that this is happening in Afghanistan and we pray this happens.

He said Pakistan has a stake in a peaceful Afghanistan. Whatever the Afghans think good for them is good for us.

When asked about multi billion dollars China Pakistan Economic Corridor project, Imran Khan said we have excellent relations with China.

He said our economic future is linked to China. He said Pakistan can really benefit from the way china has lifted people out of poverty.

He said Pakistan also has a very good relationship with the United States as both the countries are partner in the Afghan peace process.

When asked about normalization of relations between the UAE and Israel, the Prime Minister said if Palestinians are not allowed to have a just and viable state, the issue will not die down even some countries recognize Israel. He said the issue will keep festering.

Turning to the domestic situation, the Prime Minister said Pakistan has been put on the right direction over the last two years. He said we have introduced economic reforms and facilitated the businesses.

Imran Khan said Pakistan is a country with tremendous potential. He said new changes are taking place in Pakistan. Our whole policies are aimed at lifting the people out of poverty.

Regarding Covid-19 situation, the Prime Minister said Pakistan made probably the best but difficult decision of not imposing the complete lockdown. We went for a smart lockdown to control the pandemic and protect the vulnerable segments of the society from its impacts.

Reaffirming the government’s stance against corruption, Imran Khan said this is the first time that the powerful are being held accountable.

The Prime Minister said both the civilian government and the military have the most harmonious relationship. He said we are working in complete coordination and cooperation. He said the military is standing together with the government’s policies related to India or Afghanistan.

PM: (PM directs to expedite tabling anti-torture bill in NA)

ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Interior Ministry to expedite tabling an anti-torture bill in the National Assembly.:Prime Minister Imran Khan has directed the Interior Ministry to expedite tabling an anti-torture bill in the National Assembly.

In a tweet on Thursday, he said torture is unacceptable in a civilized democratic society and goes against the spirit of Islam, our constitution and international legal commitments.