DNA

ISLAMABAD – President Islamic Republic of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi was the Chief Guest at EFP Exporters Recognition Awards 2020 ceremony held at Presidency on 28^th June, 2021.

The President strongly endorsed that country’s journey towards prosperity continued in spite the COVID-19 pandemic.  Exporters have played a pivotal role in economic growth and earning foreign exchange, the President said. Pakistan’s smart lockdown strategy successfully combated CORONA Virus and, by the grace of Almighty, we became among Nations which were least affected by the pandemic.

Dr. ArifAlvisaid that there is a great potential in trade and tourism in the country. We need to further enhance our exports to create a trade balance. The Employers Federation can play the pivotal role in this regard, he said. Poverty alleviation, hospitality and tourism can be developed as a main stream industry. GilgitBaltistan attracted 15 lac tourists the previous year in spite CORONA Virus, the President apprised.

The President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan stressed the need of poverty alleviation and asked the private sector to come forward and address this major issue. “Look Africa” policy will help a lot, the President said. Promotion of women entrepreneurship can be instrumental in this regard, he said. The private sector is encouraged to participate in women empowerment initiatives, the honorable President added.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. ArifAlvi pointed out that there was a great potential of bilateral trade with central Asian countries, especially Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. He urged the exporter to explore new markets and enhance product range. Amazon is in Pakistan now and the business community can make full use of it, the president exclaimed.

Abdul RazzaqDawood, Advisor to Prime Minister for Commerce, Textile and Investment, who was the Guest of Honor at the occasion, said that tariff rationalization has resulted in increase in exports. He advised the exporters to enhance product range for local as well as the global markets. Import duties on raw material were rationalized and in some cases brought to zero, he said.

Mr. RazzaqDawood said that Industry is the main source of exports. Textile industry takes the lead in this regard along with rice and others. Information Technology (IT) has a great export potential and need to be explored further, the Mr. RazzaqDaud said. Industry is the backbone for employment of people and enhancement of exports. Pakistan can achieve its goals in this regard by skilling people and providing good quality products and services for local market as well as exports.

The Advisor for Commerce apprised that rationalizing tariffs has ensured ease of doing business in the country. He apprised that many of Industrial Raw Materials are being imported on zero-rated basis. Diversification in both, product range and geographic perspective are needed. The Government is there to support any initiative from business community, he added.

Mr. Ismail Suttar, President Employer’s Federation of Pakistan, in his welcome address said that the Federation is representing all employers across the country and functional since 1950. He apprised that the EFP Export Recognition Awards were given purely on merit. The top most exporters of the country were rightly honored by the President Islamic Republic of Pakistan in recognition to their commendable services for the country.

The President Employer’s Federation informed that the federation has provided the Economic Vision 2030 with short and long term goals and objectives accordingly. Different Committees are working on different issues under the umbrella of Employer Federation. Committees on GSP, Hospitality & Tourism, raw material processing and fishery are worth mentioning, he said. Fishery sector has great potential for export, president EFP apprised and said that extensive planning has been done to promote this sector.

Mr. Ismail Suttar thanked honorable president Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Federal Minister Mr. Abdul RazzaqDaud, award winners, diplomats and members of business community for their valuable participation.

Mr. Zaki Ahmed Khan, Vice President EFP, also addressed at this occasion and thanked President, Federal Minister and honorable guests for gracing this memorable event. Textile, Garments, Rice and leather sectors have contributed massively in exports of the country, Mr. Zaki Ahmed said.

MianAkramFarid,Provincial Chief EFP Islamabad urged the need of establishing new industrial zones in Islamabad. He was informally talking to the Advisor to Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment.M. AkramFarid, Provincial Chief, EFP Islamabad and Northern Area, said that the government should work with the private sector and industry – the business community has an important role in tax revenue – the government should make laws to facilitate them.

And try to create a tax system that builds new confidence in taxpayers and helps boost investment. In the current budget, the industry in FATA and the PATA region will be given sales tax, customs duty, federal. Excise duty has been waived which will severely affect the entire steel industry of the country, the difference will be about 25000 tons in steel and the ghee industry has been given similar relief. The rest of the country’s industry will not be competitive – which has made it difficult to survey the rest of the country’s industry – the government should give relief to the rest of the industry to survive and sales tax input is allowed 90% to 100 The government should abolish all duties and taxes on the import of industrial machinery and plants so that the industrial sector can upgrade itself by importing modern machinery and plants.

The process of industrial development in the country will accelerate and value-added products will be produced. He said that there is a need to develop skilled manpower as per the demand of the market so that people can get employment in the context of C-Pack. He further said that training of youth should be done. For this, the government can use modern lab facilities at the cost of industries like pharmaceuticals, flour mills, steel oil and ghee and others. More than 70 million of us are employed in other countries, most of them young people taking short-term courses in technical education and serving abroad, certainly countries that have vocational education as part of their general education. Has made its motto and its economic growth rate is high.

 By equipping young people with skills, an annual income of 24 24 billion could be increased to 40 40 billion in two years. Furthermore, he said, the industry has played a key role in creating jobs, with students benefiting from the use of industrial labs and other equipment. We lag far behind other countries in manufacturing products and are spending heavily on foreign exchange imports. We need to harness the potential of our youth for the production and development of goods so that they can steer the technical and productive sectors in the right direction and move the country forward.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUN 30: Nadeem Irshad Kayani, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), Government of Pakistan visited the Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) on June 30, 2021, to discuss the PAS’s functions and constructive dialogue between the Ministry of Sciences and Technology and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences for Science, Technology and Innovation based development in the country.

Prof. Dr. Tasawar Hayat, Secretary General PAS welcomed the Federal Secretary MoST and his colleagues Mr. Zahir Shah (Joint Secretary MoST) and Dr. S. Zaheer Hussain (Dir. Policy Wing, MoST). Prof. Dr. Anwar ul Hasan Gilani (Fellow PAS & VC, University of Haripur) was also present in the meeting.

Dr. Riffat M. Qureshi (Director Administration PAS) gave an overview of the PAS scientific and academic activities. There was valuable discussion among participants to streamline the mechanism for S & T development and innovation.

In the meeting, the following recommendations were given;  There is a need to groom the youth in Pakistani Schools and Colleges for awareness about· scientific developments and innovative technology.  In Pakistan the component of supply and demand is facing an issue, Students usually opt for· conventional natural science subjects (such as Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Maths).

Similarly, engineering students opt for conventional engineering subjects (Such as Electrical, Mehcanical, Chemical, Civil engineering, etc.) as a career.

This practice is posing a dearth of human resources in other very important innovation disciplines such as Artificial Intelligence, aerospace engineering, Cyber Security, and Robotics, etc.  There is a need for technical education alongside Conventional education to acquire technologybased change to compete the world in scientific and industrial developments.

·Venture capital is a big resource and to utilize maximum benefits, it should be invested property· at right time.  In Pakistan, Institutions/Organizations have a tradition of doing similar work at different· platforms such as practice is a waste of resources and must be optimized for maximum benefit.

 Secretary MoST appreciated PAS for the establishment of “Scientific Advice to Government Unit/Policy Unit”and the effort of its official/experts in reviewing and up-gradation of policy documents including S & T policy 2021. He also appreciated the idea of the PAS policy unit to join hands with Industrial stakeholders to upgrade policy documentation in a professional manner.

Secretary General assured Secretary MoST of his utmost and timely cooperation and collaboration in matters related to Science, technology and Innovation. Furthermore, Secretary MoST elaborated that PAS hosts a very useful think tank of its Fellows in almost all domains of interest to the Ministry. Therefore, officials of MoST and PAS must meet frequently in matters related to S & T for proper solutions and advice to Government.

DNA

Islamabad, JUN 30 – PML-Q Punjab Deputy Secretary Information Khawaja Rameez said that the education system in Pakistan needs to be reformed.

Implementing an educational emergency in the country for at least 20 years could change the country’s destiny.

Allocating funds on an emergency basis in the field of science and technology to provide employment opportunities to the youth by making them technically skilled is an important need of the hour. He said that eradication of unemployment would lead to eradication of crime.

The illiterate youth are easily targeted by miscreants and foreign conspiratorial gangs due to lack of employment.

Educated unemployed youth is easier target for the anti state elements to provoke them against their state in modern ways likely Social media and fifth generation war tactical.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUN 30: SSP Traffic Islamabad Qarar Hussain has said that the traffic police of Islamabad will work to solve the issue of parking. He will visit all the markets in turn. He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of the business community in Islamabad at his office here today. He said that he has always tried to bring local citizens and traders along.

Gone and now he will work with the citizens of Islamabad to solve Islamabad’s traffic problems. We will start touring the centers together with the officials of all the markets. Zafar Bakhtawari, former president of the Islamabad Chamber and secretary general of the UBG, said on the occasion that the problem of parking in Islamabad has become serious in the last few years, which requires special attention from the traffic police.

 He said that temporary and permanent parking areas should be set up in the marakaz and temporary parking should be reserved only for customers. All the vacant areas around the markets should be converted into parking lots.

Saif-ur-Rehman, Chairman, Police Committee, Islamabad Chamber He introduced the officials of the business community of Islamabad and requested them to cooperate with the business community of Islamabad to solve the traffic problems and make Islamabad an ideal city in terms of traffic.

DNA

ISLAMABAD – On the occasion of the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Prime Minister Imran Khan has sent a message of felicitations to Xi Jinping, President of People’s Republic of China and the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the CPC.

In his message, the Prime Minister highlighted that the founding of the CPC was a seminal event with far-reaching impact on world history. Paying rich tribute to the CPC and its leadership, the Prime Minister highlighted that China’s liberation and its subsequent rise lay in sacrifices and endeavours of the Communist Party.

Prime Minister Imran Khan lauded CPC’s efforts for the well-being of the Chinese people, particularly in the realm of poverty alleviation and socio-economic development. He hoped that under the wise and dynamic leadership of President Xi Jinping, China would continue its march towards the ‘Great Rejuvenation’ of the Chinese Nation.

The Prime Minister also appreciated CPC’s role in the nurturing of Pakistan-China friendship. Recalling that 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Prime Minister expressed optimism that friendship between Pakistan and China would continue flourishing, as aspired by the leadership and peoples of the two countries.

DNA

Karachi: Gerry’s dnata, the leading ground services provider in Pakistan, has been awarded the Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certification for the safe and reliable pharmaceutical handling services at the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Karachi.

GDP is a program focused on systems for warehouses and distribution centres that store and distribute products that are medicinal or carry active pharmaceutical ingredients. Setting stringent standards, the scheme ensures that consistent quality management systems are in place throughout the entire supply chain.

Gerry’s dnata handles temperature-sensitive goods inan ultramodern cargo facility at Jinnah International Airport (KHI),facilitating the independent adjustment of the temperature in each holding room to suit the needs of the product. Pharmaceuticals and vaccines are given priority loading and unloading to ensure that they are moved quickly with minimised temperature fluctuation. Gerry’s dnata’s handling team also receives specialised training for the handling of such niche products.

Syed Haris Raza, Vice President of Gerry’s dnata, said: “We are proud to become the first handler in Pakistan to achieve the prestigious GDPcertification at a time when demand for the rapid and safe transportation of vaccines and pharmaceutical products is on the rise.  This accreditation demonstrates our ability to move these products under the strictest international standards, providing world-class safety and quality to our customers and their customers. We continue to invest in infrastructure and equipment to consistently deliver service excellence across our operations, every day.”

Gerry’s dnata opened its new, state-of-the-art cargo centre in Karachi in 2019.  The 72,000 square foot facility is equipped with the latest technologies, including an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) and a Material Handling System (MHS), ensuring safe and efficient handling and storage of all types of cargo, including temperature-sensitive goods. To achieve the highest possible operational efficiency, Gerry’s dnata applies automated and semi-automated equipment in its new centre.

Gerry’s Group and dnata, a global leading air services provider, joined hands in 1993 to provide ground handling services at Karachi Airport. Since then, the joint venture has continually expanded its operations in the country and today serves more than 15 airline customers at seven Pakistani airports. Gerry’s dnata’s dedicated employees handle 150,000 tons of cargo annually.

DNA

QUETTA, JUN 30: Under the EU funded GLO.ACT – Global Action to Address Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT – Asia and the Middle East), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), will conduct sessions on trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants for the Balochistan Police, Federal Investigation Agency, community elders, media, academia and civil society organisations. The sessions will be held at Quetta, the provincial Headquarters of Balochistan in Serena Hotel on 29-30 June 2021.

The purpose of conducting these sessions is to raise the awareness of relevant stakeholders to prevent and respond to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.

The main objective of the sessions is to deepen the understanding of the on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and help differentiate between Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants crimes. The sessions also aim to enhance awareness and understanding of The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018 and The Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2018, enacted in Pakistan and to understand the Human Rights and gender aspect of the laws on TIP and SOM.

Sessions will be delivered by Ms. Shahida Gillani, National Programme Officer from UNODC Country Officer Pakistan, Mr. Sardar Zaheer Ahmed, Director Anti-Human Smuggling, FIA and Mr. Qasim Khan Mandokhail, UNODC Expert.

The sessions will emphasize upon challenges being faced by LEAs related to combatting TIP and SOM crimes. It is a common perception that FIA is the only competent Agency to deal with the crimes of TIP and SOM, which is not the case. The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2018 clearly refers that all internal trafficking cases must be dealt by Police, whereas all external trafficking cases shall be dealt by FIA.

The lack of awareness and lack of coordination among relevant law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders including civil society, media and academia is a key challenge. Lack of trust in law enforcement agencies was also flagged as a concern. Victims of these crimes also do not come forward to report perpetrators which, in turn, negatively impacts the cases.