ISLAMABAD, FEB 22 (DNA) – The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) and the Intellectual Property Organisation of Pakistan (IPO) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding on sharing of information and capacity building of enforcement staffs to effectively deal with the competition law and intellectual property violations.

The MoU was signed by the CCP Chairperson Ms. Rahat Kaunain Hassan and IPO Chairman Mr. Mujeeb Ahmed Khan in a ceremony held at the CCP office in Islamabad, which was also attended by Ms. Bushra Naz Malik, Member CCP, and other senior officers from CCP and IPO.

The major thrust of the MoU is to promote mutually beneficial cooperation between the CCP and IPO in the areas of advocacy, research, capacity development, awareness-raising, and outreach. The MoU will also allow the two regulators to not only exchange information on pertinent issues but also do consultations on matters relating to their statutory mandates.

The MoU further covers training of staff of both regulators with regard to their respective mandates, and to develop and bolster partnerships with other organizations that may assist in capacity building of both parties to the MoU.

Addressing on the occasion, the CCP Chairperson Ms. Rahat Kaunain Hassan said: “IP law creates and confers exclusivity on proprietor whereas competition laws seek to promote competition by keeping markets open through fair play. In this regard, however, innovation and creativity contribute in promoting competition and allowing consumers a fair share of the resulting benefit.”

She welcomed the signing of the MoU saying that it will help build the capacity of both organisations in the enforcement of the respective laws. She thanked the IPO Chairman for extending cooperation in accessing information and data, which would be helpful in the enforcement of Section 10 of the Competition Act, 2010.

The IPO Chairman Mr. Mujeeb Ahmed Khan said that the MoU reaffirms the long-standing association between the two agencies and leverage each agency’s comparative advantage to promote fair business practices in the economy.

The CCP is a statutory body mandated to protect and promote competition in Pakistan’s economy by, inter alia, curbing anti-competitive practices including deceptive marketing practices, while the IPO is a statutory body tasked with the responsibility of integrated and efficient intellectual property management through copyright, trademarks, patents and other general types of intellectual property regulation.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, FEB 22 (DNA) – The Capital Development Authority (CDA) administration has conducted operation against the land mafia on Lehtrar Road right of way demolished several encroachments. The chartered goods were confiscated and deposited in the CDA store.

According to the details, the influential land  Mafia has taken over the right of way from Lehtrar Road, Taramri Chowk to Khanna Bridge on a large scale and set up huts, dhabas, fences, stalls, tucked away stalls, puncture shops, toys, vegetable and fruit stalls, moving wheelbarrows.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has issued notices to the land Mafia several times to end its encroachments. Although operations were carried out against them, however, the influential land  Mafia would have re-occupied the aforesaid right of way and resumed commercial activities.

With the help of dozer, 65 sheds, 11 concrete walls, a wooden hut, 8 hut cabins, 5 iron fences, 10 goat markets, 6 cooking pots, locomotives including 13 billboards and dynamic encroachments have been demolished. Four truckloads of goods have also been seized on the spot.=DNA

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ISLAMABAD, FEB 22 (DNA) – Air Marshal Arshad Malik, Chief Executive Officer, PIA visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry along with his team and signed an MoU with Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President ICCI to offer a 10 per cent discount to ICCI members and their immediate families on domestic and international flights.

Addressing the business community Air Marshal Arshad Malik said that PIA was now focusing on corporate customers for business generation and signing of MoU with ICCI was part of such efforts. He said that with the improvement in airline’s financials, PIA would consider offering up to a 25 per cent discount to ICCI members. He said that the business community should facilitate PIA in improving its cargo business.

He said that PIA was ready to dedicate aircrafts for cargo flights if private sector supported it with more business volume. He said that PIA needed an advisory board with representation of chambers in it. He said that PIA would soon start direct flight to Baku from Lahore and to Uzbekistan from March this year.

Air Marshal Arshad Malik said that PIA was a very challenging organization, but he was determined to address its challenges.  He said that PIA in the past was not given commercial sense, but now with the efforts of his professional team, PIA has been put back on track. He said that unfortunately Covid-19 has badly hit the aviation industry.

He said that the outlook of PIA would be changed and old aircraft would be swapped with better quality and competitive aircrafts. He said that PIA HQ was not being shifted, rather there was a shift in its business model as 70 percent commercial activity was now biased towards north and south regions due to which PIA was focusing on these regions for business promotion. He said that regulator should facilitate airlines. He said that a consultancy team has arrived Pakistan to prepare a business plan for PIA that would come out within 8 weeks.

Speaking at the occasion, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) appreciated the initiatives of Air Marshal Arshad Khan for bringing crucial reforms in PIA to revive its old glory. He said that airlines played an important role in business and economic development of a country, therefore, improving the performance of PIA was vital to promote Pakistan’s trade and exports to international markets.

He said that many areas of Pakistan including AJK and Northern Areas have great potential for tourism and said that PIA should start flights to Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, GB and other destinations to promote tourism. He thanked CEO PIA for offering discount to ICCI members and hoped that it would be helpful in exploring new markets for promoting business interests of Pakistan.

Mian Akram Farid Chairman Founder Group said that Air Marshal Arshad Malik has shown tremendous performance in Pakistan Air Force and hoped that he would turn around the sinking airline.

He said that PIA should give frequent travellers more incentives. He said that Pakistan should be connected through air links with more countries that would help in promoting Pakistan’s trade and exports. He assured that business community would fully cooperate in promoting PIA’s branding.

By signing the MoU, PIA has agreed to offer discount to ICCI members and their immediate family members on Economy & Economy Plus on its flights for international and domestic sectors.

The discount would be offered on request from ICCI secretariat letterhead with production of valid ICCI Membership Card by the Members. Both sides also agreed to form a Coordinating Committee comprising of representatives of both organizations that will work to promote PIA and ICCI business interests, will meet once in a month to further enhance the business relations and will work in coordination for addressing operational issues.

ICCI will display PIA branding material at prominent places in its premises while PIA will provide ICCI with branding material for promotion of PIA services. ICCI will extend support for promotion of PIA products and services from all its platforms including electronic, print and social media. ICCI members will declare PIA as Official Travel Partner and PIA will be preferred travel airline for all their visits on both international and domestic sectors.=DNA

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RAWALPINDI, FEB 22 – The Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar has said that Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad was launched to restore people’s confidence in the State and make terrorists completely ineffective.

In a media briefing in Rawalpindi on Monday on the completion of four years of Radd-ul-Fasaad, the DG ISPR said that the security forces carried out the operation under the two-pronged strategy of counter-terrorism and counter-violence with the support of people which has produced positive results in various areas.

The DG ISPR said that the war against terrorism could not be won without the support of the masses and unflinching resolve.

While giving details of the operation and its dividends, the DG ISPR said that significant achievements have been made in all the domains of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad to ensure durable peace across the Country.

Major General Babar Iftikhar said that a total of 375,000 Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) were carried out across the Country since the start of the operation in 2017. He said that the State’s writ was restored over 7,500 square kilometers through this operation.

The DG ISPR said that 353 terrorists were killed and hundreds of others were arrested during the operation.

The director-general ISPR said that most of the over 5,000 threat alerts were neutralized before their materialization during the last four years. He said that over 72,000 illegal weapons and five million ammunition were recovered. He said that 497 border posts were set up, adding that demining was also carried out in tribal districts.

Under capacity enhancement of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), Major General Babar Iftikhar said that 58 new wings of FC were raised and 15 others will be established. He said that police and Levies personnel were also trained.

The DG ISPR said that 96 percent Temporarily Displaced Persons (TDPs) have returned to their homes.

The DG ISPR said that several steps were taken under the National Action Plan (NAP) including the setting up of Military Courts. He said that 717 cases were referred to the Military Courts whereas 344 terrorists were awarded death sentences in these cases, and 58 of them were implemented. He said that 106 other terrorists were given life imprisonment.

Major General Babar Iftikhar said that over 1200 sub-nationalists have laid down their arms before security forces. He said that spread of hate-speech was also controlled considerably.

The director-general ISPR further said that the initiative of Paigham-e-Pakistan has considerably helped control extremism in the Country, and the religious scholars have played an important role in this regard. He said that under de-radicalization, over 5,000 people have been reintegrated to the society.

The DG ISPR said that Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad has contributed a lot to improve the law and order situation in Karachi as well. He said that the City’s position on Crime Index has dropped from sixth in 2014 to 106 today.

Major General Babar Iftikhar said that the socio-economic dividends of the operation have been witnessed in the tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that 831 development projects worth over Rs 31 billion are being carried out there. He said that several development projects are also being implemented in Balochistan. He said that sports activities have also been restored across the Country.

KARACHI, FEB 22 (DNA) – Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi visited Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) Headquarters at Karachi. Upon arrival, the Naval Chief was received by DG PMSA, Rear Admiral Shuaib. The Admiral was presented Guard of Honour by smartly turned out contingent.

Thereafter, Chief of the Naval Staff was given briefing on roles & tasks of PMSA. The Naval Chief visited Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) where he was apprised regarding operational readiness of PMSA to enforce laws in the maritime zone of Pakistan.

While interacting with the officers and staff members of PMSA, Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi lauded the commitment and efforts of PMSA in maritime domain. Naval Chief emphasized that being the only maritime law enforcement agency, PMSA has responsibility to safeguard national maritime interests.

The Admiral stressed that PMSA has to play an active role in Governments initiatives related to development of Blue Economy. Naval Chief also appreciated the agency’s efforts in facilitating fishermen community and ensuring their safety and security at sea.

The Admiral expressed satisfaction over operational capabilities tasks performed by PMSA.  He also assured that Pakistan Navy will continue to provide all out support to PMSA.=DNA

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LAHORE, FEB 22 (DNA) – With the world gradually moving back to normal, the day when international borders of top study destinations of the world will open for foreign students, is coming closer. It is time that the students gear up and start preparing themselves to realize their dreams to study at top-ranked international universities.

With over 5000 alumni and 200,000+ IELTS registrations, AEO Pakistan over the past two decades has established itself as Australian & Global Education Specialists, the most trusted IELTS Official Test Centre and now the official OET Test Centre in Pakistan. AEO Pakistan operates as the official Liaison office for over 40 leading Australian Universities/Institutions and facilitates the enrolment of International students at these Universities / Institutions. Since 2002, AEO Pakistan has been conducting Australian Education Expos providing an excellent opportunity to Pakistani students planning to Study in Australia. Over the years thousands of students have benefitted from AEO expos held twice annually, across all major cities of Pakistan.

This February once again AEO Education Expo is being organized across 9 major cities of Pakistan i.e., Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Multan, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Abbottabad, Peshawar and Hyderabad. The AEO expo is providing an ideal platform to prospective students across the country, to get free expert advice and counselling about how to apply to study in at top ranked international universities in Australia, USA, Canada and UK. Representatives of more than 19 universities/institutes are participating at the expo providing golden opportunity for Pakistani students to get free guidance and counseling for their future study endeavors. Information about IELTS test and preparatory classes is also being provided at the expo.

The first exhibition of the series was successfully held today in Lahore at PC Hotel. Hundreds of students along with their parents participated at the expo with great interest and excitement to enroll for admissions at top ranked Australian and other leading International Universities. The participants appreciated AEO’s effort in provision of a perfect platform offering free counselling sessions with official representatives of international universities to explore the options of enrolling for a degree of their choice.

The next expo of the series is scheduled to be held in Sialkot on 24^th February Hotel the Jeeven’s, Islamabad 25^th February Serena Hotel, Faisalabad 25^th February Hotel One, Multan 26^th February Hotel One, Karachi 27^th February Movenpick Hotel, Abbottabad 27th February Hotel One, Peshawar 28^th February PC Hotel and Hyderabad 28th February Indus Hotel. Entry to the exhibition is FREE with a mask and Scholarships up to 75% opportunities are also available.