ISLAMABAD, MAR 31 (DNA) – The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has reduced the price of LPG by Rs14 per kilo.

Announcing the decision on Wednesday, the Ogra fixed the LPG price at Rs146, decreasing the price of domestic LPG cylinder by Rs166 and commercial cylinder by Rs640.

The domestic cylinder will now be available for Rs1,719 and the commercial cylinder at Rs6,612. The consumers, however, said that the LPG is available for Rs110 in open market and the Ogra should the price which is available in the market right now. = DNA

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The Ambassador of Pakistan to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg, Zaheer A. Janjua, held the 3rd monthly Khuli Katchery in virtual format with Pakistani diaspora in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The event was organized by the Embassy of Pakistan, Brussels, in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, to maintain close engagement with Pakistani diaspora and to provide seamless services.

The virtual interaction was attended by diaspora members from different walks of life, including academia, professionals, business, social services and media.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Janjua informed the participants that the suggestions and inputs received from the community members during the previous two Khuli Katchery sessions, have been implemented. He underlined that the Embassy will continue to remain closely engaged with the community to extend best possible services and incorporate their inputs to improve service delivery.

The Ambassador appreciated the community members for participating in the webinar on Roshan Digital Account on 6th March 2021, and urged them to take full benefits of the scheme. The Ambassador also thanked the diaspora for the record increase in flow of remittances and hoped that this trend would continue in future.

In order to overcome the challenges posed by the 3rd wave of COVID-19, the Ambassador urged the community members to exercise extreme caution and comply with the instructions of the Belgium and Luxembourg governments. He also encouraged them to avoid all unnecessary travel, and get vaccinated as soon as their turn comes up.

The community members appreciated the Embassy’s outreach efforts and provision of efficient consular services.=DNA

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DNA

ISLAMABAD, MAR 31 – The Capital Development Authority (CDA) administration is conducting operations against illegal constructions and encroachments.

In this regard,.According to details, CDA has launched a large-scale operation against illegal constructions in Newmal villages and Mouza Riyadh by occupying very valuable government lands worth billions of rupees.The land mafia first established illegal encroachments on government lands through mud constructions, then started occupying government lands.

However, a mega operation was carried out by inforcement department in a timely and immediate. During the operation, 60 huts, 45 mud houses, 5 buffalo pens, four walls and other illegal structures were demolished on a large scale. During the operation, more than 200 kanals of government land worth billions of rupees have been relinquished. Meanwhile, in an operation against an illegal two-room house in G-8/4  it was demolished, and in I-9/4 a fruit and  vegetable stall has also been demolished while conducting operation against encroachments by inforcemnt department of CDA.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, MAR 31 – In the bilateral segment of his visit to Dushanbe, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held a range of meetings with the Tajik leadership, on 31 March 2021. The Foreign Minister called on President Emomali Rahmon, Chairman of the Lower House of Tajik Parliament Zokirzoda Mahmadtoir Zoir, and Defence Minister Sherali Mirzo. The Foreign Minister also held extensive delegation-level talks with Foreign Minister Sirojddin Muhrridin. The exchanges during these meetings were marked by exceptional cordiality and reaffirmation on both sides of the commitment to the abiding ties between Pakistan and Tajikistan.

In his call on President Rahmon, Foreign Minister Qureshi conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Imran Khan and felicitations from Pakistani leadership on his reelection as President of the Republic of Tajikistan. He also congratulated President Rahmon on successful hosting of the 9^th Ministerial Conference of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA-IP) in Dushanbe. In the wide-ranging review of bilateral relations during the meeting, it was agreed to comprehensively upgrade the Pakistan-Tajikistan relationship in all dimensions. It was decided to work together to enhance trade, investments, energy cooperation, aviation links, road and rail connectivity, and early completion of CASA-1000 project.

In the regional context, Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted Pakistan’s positive contribution to the Afghan peace process. He hoped that this historic opportunity would be seized by the Afghan parties so that durable peace and stability could be established in Afghanistan and the region.

Foreign Minister Qureshi also reiterated the Prime Minister’s invitation to President Rahmon to visit Pakistan. The President graciously indicated his intention to undertake the visit at an early date.

During his meeting with Chairman of the Majlisi Namoyandagan (Lower House of Tajik Parliament), Mr. Zokirzoda Mahmadtoir Zoir, the two sides expressed satisfaction at the inter-parliamentary cooperation and agreed to activate the already constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups. The Foreign Minister stressed that besides high-level parliamentary exchanges, the two sides should also intensify mutual collaboration between the relevant parliamentary committees.

In the meeting with Defence Minister Colonel General Sherali Mirzo, the two sides expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral security and defence cooperation. Foreign Minister Qureshi recalled that the visits of Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC) in November 2020 to Dushanbe and of Tajik Defence Minister to Pakistan in April 2019, had contributed to strengthen defence ties between the two countries. Both sides resolved that common evils of extremism, terrorism, and cross-border organized crimes necessitated closer bilateral cooperation in areas of defence and security.

During the wide-ranging delegation-level talks, the two Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction at the growing bilateral ties in diverse fields and agreed to optimally utilize the existing institutional frameworks including Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) and multiple Joint Working Groups (JWGs) to further enhance collaboration between the two countries in diverse areas including political, economic, tourism, culture and connectivity.

Foreign Minister Qureshi highlighted that Gwadar seaport offered the shortest route for Tajikistan’s connectivity with South Asia, Middle East, Africa and beyond. Emphasizing the importance of economic integration and regional connectivity as drivers of economic development and growth, the Foreign Minister expressed the hope that Tajikistan would become part of the regional traffic-in-transit arrangement, which would further facilitate direct land route connectivity.

The Foreign Minister also underlined the importance of early completion of CASA-1000 project. He highlighted the need for closer collaboration between the trade authorities and business communities of the two countries and identified tourism and culture as priority areas for enhancement of people-to-people linkages.

Foreign Minister Qureshi appreciated close cooperation between the two countries at multilateral fora including the UN, OIC, ECO and SCO, and thanked Tajikistan for its support to Pakistan’s full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Foreign Minister briefed the Tajik side on Pakistan’s efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan and positive contribution to the Afghan peace process.

The two Foreign Ministers expressed hope that the forthcoming 5^th Round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) would help in delineating future course of action to further deepen and diversify bilateral relations.

The two Foreign Ministers agreed to remain in close contact to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges and further strengthen joint efforts for enhanced cooperation in all areas.

At the conclusion of delegation-level talks, the two Foreign Ministers jointly addressed the media. Earlier, the Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhrridin hosted an official reception in honour of Foreign Minister Qureshi and his delegation on 30 March 2021.

The Foreign Minister concluded his highly productive visit to Dushanbe by visiting the monument of Ismail Somoni, founder of Tajik nation, paying homage and laying a floral wreath.

Relations between Pakistan and Tajikistan are based on common faith, shared history, and cultural and civilizational affinities. The bilateral relationship is marked by cordiality, trust and understanding, and mutual support. Sharing similar views on major regional and international issues, the two countries collaborate closely in multi-lateral fora. Both sides have been working assiduously to build a robust partnership covering all aspects.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, MAR 31 – Chairman NEPRA, Tauseef H. Farooqui, has said that the government is eying to increase Hydropower projects, under the umbrella of Renewable Energy in the to 30% from current 3-5% under the umbrella of Renewable Energy (RE). Therefore, the target is increasing the share of renewable energy in the country to 60% in the next 10 years.  He said this while sharing his view with the participants of webinar ‘Impact of COVID on Energy Sector of Pakistan: Opportunities and Challenges,’ held by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Wednesday.

While highlighting the impacts of Covid-19 on the sector, he informed the participants that the pandemic has affected investment in the energy sector globally from 20-30% and in Renewable Energy sector by 15%. He added further that there have been several challenges on the demand side as commercial activities were ceased for a while leaving a bad impact on the country economy. Therefore, the government provided 25% discount to industrial sector SMEs was provided with 50% relief.

Ms Anne Sackville-West, Economic Officer US Embassy, Islamabad, informed the participants thatthe United States and Pakistan have been working on Renewable Energy for the last many years. Besides, USAID has recently made investment in several clean energy projects within the country. In the context of Pakistan, she said, the structural changes are expected in tariff and thus, the energy would be getting expensive in coming days.

She added further that the price of the electricity would ensure that Pakistan moves out of the current situation regarding circular debts.  However, on other hand, a lot of people are still not having access to electricity. It signifies the need of having an holistic approach and a broader stakeholder’s engagement to resolve several technical and policy level issues including the affordability and sustainability of the energy. Financial incentives are the key for market to come up with appropriate solutions. Therefore, Long term integrated conversation approach is required, she added.      

Mr Khurram Lalani, the expert in energy sector, was of view that a key learning from Covid-19 is that the scientific economic diversity should be accepted in policy making process. In energy sector, he said, the grid modernization framework is lacking in Pakistan. The subsidy retargeting regime need to be addressed as majority was not able to pay bill in the times of pandemic, he added.

He highlighted that that the investors loose out hope when it comes to tariff. Thus, the competitive market regime is required. Besides, good financing as well as technical base is the required for a clean, stable regime. The Covid-19 has provided with an opportunity to reassess and come up with a comprehensive framework with reference to the fuel pricing, mitigating cost.

General Manager Engro Energy Limited, Dr. Fatima Khushnud, highlighted that slow economic activity was observed after Covid-19 occurrence. It is a positive sign however that the supplier regulation is out for the consultation process and we are moving effectively on the policy side. Therefore, a lot of market reforms are expected because of the impacts of pandemic.  

She opined that many industries were now aware of the Renewable Energy, especially in the textile industry and steel industry and it is also moving towards green energy for a better financing. She added further that we need to move towards electrification of the transport sector and better financing opportunities exist if we are inclined towards green energy.    

Dr Sajjad Amin, Research Fellow SPDI, earlier highlighted the importance of fiscal stimulus and said that we need to explore possible actions as fiscal stimulus is not aligned with green recovery. He said that the demand for green energy needs to be explored. Dr Hina Aslam of SDPI also highlighted various aspects of the topic, especially in the context of Pakistan’s transition towards the green energy.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, MAR 31- The new Managing Body of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) was unanimously elected at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held here at the National Headquarters on Wednesday. 

Punjab Governor Ch Muhammad Sarwar, Sindh Governor Imran Ismail and Gilgit-Baltistan Governor Raja Jalal Hussain Maqpoon virtually attended the EGM as president of respective provincial branches of the PRCS. 

PRCS Balochistan Branch Chairman Akram Shah Advocate, erstwhile FATA Branch Chairman Asif Khan, AJK State Branch Administrator Lt Col (r) Tahir Younas, representatives of Ministry of National Health Services, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as well as ICT Commissioner Office also attended the meeting. 

President Arif Alvi was scheduled to chair the EGM, however he could not attend for having caught Covid-19 and delegated the responsibility to PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq, who chaired the meeting as President of the Society. 

The meeting was held in line with the provisions of the constitution of the PRCS after necessary permissions from the President’s Secretariat and as per past precedence. Dr Irshad Muhammad, Asif Bajwa, Syed Hashim A Hassan, Dr Parvez Ghaffar Rajwani, Brig (r) Abdul Hadi and Brig (r) Dr Mowadat Hussain Rana were elected unopposed as new members of the PRCS Managing Body through show of hands process for a period of two years. Safety precautions in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic were strictly observed during the meeting. 

Speaking on the occasion, Governors of Punjab, Sindh and GB appreciated the services rendered by PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq for strengthening the Society. They said Abrar ul Haq has injected a new life to the PRCS, and also assured their all-out support to the organization in delivery of humanitarian services. 

In the end, special prayers were offered for fast recovery of President Arif Alvi. 

KARACHI, MAR 31 (DNA) – In recognition of promoting UNGC Principles and Sustainable Development Goals, Engro Corporation has won the first prize for “Living the UN Global Compact Business Sustainability Award 2020? in the Large National Category, for the third year in a row.

The award was presented at the Living the Global Compact Best Practices Sustainability Award ceremony, organized by Global Compact Network Pakistan.

The Award signifies Engro’s continued commitment towards UNGC principles in the areas of no so , environment, and anti-corruption. Through its CSR arm of Engro Foundation, the Company has adopted an inclusive business model approach that targets low-income communities where its businesses are based.

This approach enables underprivileged members of the society to emerge as potential business partners and become vendors, customers, and employees in Engro’s business value chains. Further, Engro Foundation’s strategic community investments are focused on the provision of quality education, health, and livelihoods to underprivileged communities across Pakistan.

Sharing his thoughts on receiving the Award, Favad Soomro – Head of Engro Foundation, said that, “we are humbled to be recognized with the UNGC Sustainability award for the third consecutive year, which is a testament to our commitment of upholding the UNGC principles. In the post-COVID world, we pledge more than ever to create a long-lasting socio-economic impact in the communities with our inclusive business model approach”. = DNA

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