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New domestic cricket structure a better option if PM Imran believes so: Shahid Afridi

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ISLAMABAD : Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shahid Afridi on Thursday said if Prime Minister Imran Khan deems the new domestic cricket structure a good option for the development of the game in the country than it would be a better one to adopt.

The former Pakistan skipper said that every process takes time and it generally takes two to three years for any newly-introduced system to come to fruition.

The veteran cricketer said that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not contacted him. “No post has been offered to me yet.”

“Our success is in playing aggressive cricket,” he said, adding that the performance of the team would not improve until and unless we get rid of the habit of playing defensively.

Yesterday, the premier had said that the new domestic cricket structure being introduced in the country would provide an excellent platform for emerging talent to learn and refine skills.

Addressing a Signing of Agreements Ceremony between the Pakistan Cricket Board and the national broadcaster Pakistan Television Corporation (PTV), in Islamabad, the prime minister had said: “I have been a witness to the fact that we have always had immense talent and despite a faulty system, our talent managed to stand out internationally.”

“Pakistan can become unbeatable if we manage to mend and improve our mismanaged system,” he added.

The premier said that every newly-introduced system faces problems during the teething stages but the domestic structure is important as it will open doors of opportunity for the young and talented.

Referring to Australia as one of the best performing teams due to effective administration and meritocracy, the prime minister had said that competition leads to a better system and a finer team performance.

“There are two important things [needed in order to stand out in the game]: the first is to introduce healthy competition and secondly, to bring people on merit,” he had added.

ECP orders suspension of delimitation work in Sindh

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KARACHI :The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Thursday ordered suspension of delimitation of constituencies for local councils elections in Sindh .

The ECP heard a petition filed by Peoples Party’s Sindh chief Nisar Khuhro and Taj Haider in the election commission today.

The election commission after hearing of the petition suspended delimitation of constituencies in the province.The ECP had earlier issued a schedule for delimitation of constituencies for local government elections in Sindh from September 09.

The Sindh government has demanded fresh delimitation of constituencies with release of final figures of the population census.

In a previous meeting chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja, it was observed, “The data of the population census is a fundamental factor for delimitation of constituencies.”

“Government publication of the population census is necessary for the delimitation process”, the ECP session concluded.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah earlier said that the process of delimitation under the law, could be initiated after approval of the census results by the Council of Common Interest (CCI).

PPP had recently said that local government elections in Sindh could not take place until a final notification of the population census, carried out in 2017, be issued.

Nisar Khuhro after attending a meeting of the ECP on local government elections earlier said that the commission was informed that even carrying out delimitation of constituencies before publication of the final report of the census was unlawful.

BALANCED AND EQUITABLE FTA BETWEEN PAKISTAN AND TURKEY URGED

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Karachi :  The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchange of Turkey (TOBB) has urged upon the Governments to foster the process of signing equitable and balanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to unleash enormous potential available markets.

This was transpired in a joint meeting of the Board of Directors of Pak-Turkey Chamber of Commerce organized via zoom link, which was co-chaired by Mr. Amjad Rafi from Pakistan and Dr. Omar Bolt from Turkish side in presence of Ambassadors of Pakistan to Turkey Syrus Sajjad Qazi and Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan Mustafa Yardakul who acknowledge the efforts of FPCCI and TOBB towards promotion of bilateral economic cooperation.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Omer Bolat, Co-Chairman TPC Forum (Turkish chapter) said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Turkey is very low and and mutual efforts and initiatives of both Chambers will help us achieve our goal. Mr. Amjad Rafi, Co-Chairman TPC Forum (Pakistan Chapter) emphasized on the need of early implementation of FTA for enhancement of bilateral trade as decided in the recent visit of the Head of the States of both the countries.He however was of the opinion that being competitors in textile and denim fabric, Turkey should consider concession to Pakistani products at far with these availed by EU, so that Pakistani products could made vide and help balance trade gap.

He also highlighted that there was enormous opportunities for collaboration in various sectors including tourism, education, construction, infrastructure development, health, entertainment etc. He further said that Pakistan’s exports to Turkey is hampered by the imposition of countervailing duties by Turkey and the recent enhancement of custom duties on various items including textile resulting in further reduction of Pakistan’s exports. He also emphasized on the need of transfer of technology in various sectors and joint ventures under CPEC. He also informed the Turkish businessmen about the low housing scheme introduced by Pakistani PM which open vistas for the construction industry. He also suggested for operational ITI known as Gul Train.

The ambassador of both the countries made comprehensive presentations on economic issues and assured their full support to the BoDs of the forum to enhance the bilateral trade to US$ 5 billion as desired by the heads of the states. They further said that both the countries passing through Covid-19 pandemic which has badly hurt the trade of economy of both the countries reducing their economic activities. They advised to intensify interaction between the business communities of both of countries.

The Board of Directors also exchanged views on various specific sectors including power, solar energy, marble, textile, tourism, education, surgical instruments, construction etc and also discussed the need of organizing business road shows, forums, and trade fairs to explore new avenues of business and investment in both countries.

Sheikh Sultan Rehman, Vice President- FPCCI spoke about collaboration in education and SMEs sector, seeking the support of TOBB in both sectors. Naseer Hayatt Magoo Sr. Vice Chairman of TPCCIF also spoke about the exploration of new sectors and areas for joint ventures and non-traditional items.

Muhammad Iqbal Tabish
Secretary General

Virgin Atlantic Flights from Pakistan on Sale Now

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Islamabad  September 17,2020:-Virgin Atlantic is delighted to announce that flights from Pakistan to London Heathrow and Manchester are on sale now with return Economy fares starting from PKR 103,600/-per person, Premium from PKR 154,500/-and Upper Class from  PKR 353,100/-.

Flying three new routes from Lahore to London Heathrow, Islamabad to London Heathrow, as well as from Islamabad to Manchester, subject to applicable regulatory approvals; these new services will operate on one of Virgin Atlantic’s newest, most fuel efficient aircraft, the 787-9 boasting31 Upper Class suites,35 Premium and 192 Economy seats.

These new services will open up over 290,000 seats between Pakistan and the UK annually whilst also offering seamless, speedy connections and a consistent long-haul onboard experience for customers travelling from Pakistan to onwards destinations throughout North America, including New York JFK, Los Angeles, Washington, Boston and San Francisco via London Heathrow. Connections to European destinations will also be available through code share and interline partners.

Alex McEwan, Commercial Manager – Pakistan, Virgin Atlantic commented, ‘’ We are excited to open bookings for our first ever flights to Pakistan. This is a great opportunity to offer travellers from Pakistan even more choice when they travel to UK and connect to USA, experiencing our award winning service on one of our newest aircraft –787 Dream liner. Pakistan is one of the largest foreign-born populations within the UK and our flights will offer the opportunity to visit and reunite with friends and relatives. Alongside our Lahore and Islamabad services to London, the Manchester to Islamabad service is very exciting as it is our first route in Asia from Manchester.’’

Virgin Atlantic will also offer a fast, efficient cargo service presenting new opportunities for companies looking to export and import goods such as fresh produce and textiles between prime markets in the UK and US, and Pakistan.

Flights from Pakistan are on sale now. For further information or to book visit www.virginatlantic.com.

Islamabad to Manchester

Frequency:         Four times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat) starting on 11th December 2020

Timings:               ISB – MAN – VS363 – 03:30 / 07:00

MAN – ISB – VS362 –12:35 / 01:00

Fare:                      Return Economy fares start from PKR 103,600/-per person, Premium from PKR 154,500/-, and Upper Class from PKR 353,100/-

Lahore to London Heathrow

Frequency:         Four times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat) starting on 14th December 2020

Timings:               LHE – LHR – VS365 – 13:25 / 17:00

LHR – LHE – VS364 – 21:50 / 10:20

Fare:                      Return Economy fares start from PKR 115,100/-per person, Premium from PKR 184,100/- and Upper Class from  PKR 364,600/-

Islamabad to London Heathrow

Frequency:         Three times a week (Tue, Thu, Sun) starting on 13th December 2020

Timings:               ISB – LHR – VS379 – 03:30 / 07:00

LHR – ISB – VS378 – 12:30 / 01:00

Fare:                      Return Economy fares start from  PKR 115,400/- per person, Premium from  PKR 184,800and Upper Class from  PKR 364,900/-

ENDS

For further press information please contact the Virgin Atlantic press office on [email protected]

Volume of construction work performed in Uzbekistan makes up 55.5 trillion soums

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Tashkent, Uzbekistan  : The volume of construction work performed in Uzbekistan made up 55.5 trillion soums, and the growth rate in relation to the corresponding period of 2019 reached 6.5%.

It is known that the volume of construction work is formed according to their composition, carried out by large construction organizations, small enterprises and micro-firms, as well as by the informal sector.

Construction work is carried out by organizations of state and non-state forms of ownership.

As of 1 September 2020, the number of enterprises and organizations in the construction sector reached 39.5 thousand units and, compared to the same period of last year, it increased by 4,200 units.

The main factor in the growth in the number of construction enterprises and organizations was the increase in specialized works by 6.6% (their share of the total number is 58.0%); in the construction of civilian facilities, the number of enterprises and organizations increased by 21.6% (the share of them of the total number is 9.5%), in the construction of buildings and structures – by 19.4% (the share of their total number reached 32.5%).

The volume of construction work carried out by large construction organizations in January-August 2020 made up 14.88 trillion soums. Compared to 2019, in the period under review, the growth rate of construction work made up 27.2%, and their share in the total volume increased by 4.3% and made up 26.8%.

The volume of construction work performed by small enterprises and microfirms, in comparison with other organizations, decreased in January-August 2020, their share made up 55.7% of the total volume, which is 1.6% less if compared with the same period of last year. Thus, the volume of construction work performed by them made up 30.91 trillion soums and, in relation to January-August 2019, the growth rate reached 3.7%

The share of construction work in the informal sector made up 17.5%, or 9.71 trillion soums.

Construction work in the country as a whole, carried out by state organizations, reached 2.24 trillion soums, the volume of construction work performed by non-governmental organizations made up 53.25 trillion soums, and their share is 4.0% and 96.0% respectively.

A significant part of the work was carried out in January-August 2020 for the construction of new buildings and structures. Thus, 70.7% of the total volume of construction work, or 39.26 trillion soums, were directed to the creation of new production facilities in the economy, housing and communal services and other social facilities.

Large construction organizations carried out construction work on new construction for 13.22 trillion soums, or 33.7% of their total volume.

Small enterprises and micro-firms carried out construction work on new construction for 17.64 trillion soums, or 45.0% of their total volume.

In the informal sector, construction work on new construction was carried out for 8.39 trillion soums, or 21.4% of their total volume.

The share in the total volume of construction work performed by large construction organizations in the total structure of buildings and structures made up 26.2% and, compared to January-August 2019, increased by 6.2% points.

The share of small enterprises and micro-firms in this type of activity, compared to January-August 2019, decreased by 2.1% points and made up 49.8%.

The share of the informal sector, compared to January-August 2019, decreased by 4.1% points and made up 24.0%.

The specific weight of the volume of construction work carried out by large construction organizations for the construction of civil facilities made up 37.7% and increased by 1.9% compared to January-August 2019

Also, the share of small enterprises and micro-firms in the construction of facilities was 62.2% (decrease by 1.7%), and the informal sector – 0.1% (decrease by 0.2%).

In the total volume of specialized construction work, the share of large construction organizations decreased by 2.8 percentage points and made up 17.2%, as a result of which the share of small enterprises and micro-firms reached 82.8% (an increase of 2.8 percentage points).

The highest share in the total volume of work on the construction of buildings and structures in January-August of this year was noted in Jizzakh region (83.0% of the total volume of construction in this region, or 1 622.6 billion soums), Ferghana region (78.4 % of the total volume of construction in this region, or 2 454.5 billion soums), Navoi region (76.7% of the total volume of construction in this region, or 2 039.2 billion soums).

The highest share in the total volume of work on the construction of civilian facilities in January-August of this year was noted in Surkhandarya (26.3% of the total volume of construction in this region, or 789.4 billion soums), Syrdarya (24.3% of total volume of construction in this region, or 331.8 billion soums) and Khorezm (22.0% of the total volume of construction in this region, or 406.9 billion soums) regions.

The highest share in the total volume of specialized construction work in January-August 2020 was noted in the city of Tashkent (21.3% of the total volume of construction work in this region, or 2.47 trillion soums), Namangan (18.4% of the total the volume of construction work in this region, or 508.7 billion soums) of the region and the Republic of Karakalpakstan (16.8% of the total volume of construction work in this region, or 427.9 billion soums).

Water-saving technologies to be introduced more extensively

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Tashkent, Uzbekistan : President Shavkat Mirziyoyev chaired a video session on measures for the introduction of water-saving technologies and the implementation of public-private partnership projects in water management.

In our region, water shortage has been gaining in significance. Over the past 10 years, the volume of water resources in Uzbekistan, for example, has decreased by 12%, and by 15% this year compared to last year.

The level of energy and water consumption is rather high in growing cotton and grain crops. In particular, 8 billion kilowatt-hours of power and 2.4 trillion soums of budgetary funds are spent annually to ensure the operation of more than 5 thousand pumps for irrigation of 2.5 million hectares of land. An average of 800 thousand soums is spent for the supply of water by pumps per hectare of land. As a result of furrow irrigation, about 5-6 billion cubic meters or 20% of water is lost in the fields every year.

In these circumstances, water saving and accounting gain in extreme significance. Over the past two years, the President and the government have adopted 11 resolutions in this area, and everything conducive for proper operation of the water industry have been delivered.

Nevertheless, the efforts undertaken so far, as it was noted at the meeting, are still far from satisfactory. Thus, water-saving technologies have been introduced only on 285 thousand hectares, which is 7% of the land. In this regard, the lags are especially noticeable in the Kashkadarya, Bukhara and Khorezm regions. Furkat, Buka, Chinaz, Sardoba, Takhtakupyr, Karauzak, Kasbi, Kyzyryk, Muzrabat districts have not seen a single water saving project implemented.

Therefore, the state of affairs in water resources management in Karakalpakstan, regions and in the context of districts was critically analyzed at the meeting, so were the urgent tasks to address the situation. The President urged, for instance, to expand the area of land with water-saving technologies next year to cover 600 thousand hectares. Directives were voiced on the allocation of necessary funds from the national budget for these purposes, on the provision of subsidies to cover part of the expenses of entrepreneurs, as well as the assignment of loans to farms and clusters through commercial banks with the use of funds from international financial institutions.

The widespread introduction of water-saving technologies will lead to growth in demand for them. Yet the capacities of 13 companies manufacturing such equipment in our country will barely be enough to cover even half of the demand projected for the next year. To this end, responsible executives were tasked with creating such enterprises in Samarkand, Tashkent and Namangan regions.

Thanks to an innovative solution in the sector, the laser leveling of the land, the clusters have managed, when cultivating more than 3 thousand hectares of lands, to cut water consumption by 20-25%, reduce application of fertilizers by 15%, and increase yields by at least 10%. The head of state stressed the importance of spreading this experience, laser leveling of cotton, grain and rice fields. The Ministry of Finance was instructed to assign at least 250 billion soums of loans from the Agricultural Development Fund for the introduction of such technology.

This year, water facilities in Kuyichirchik, Narpai, Bulungur, Sardoba, Nishan, Kasbi districts were given to entrepreneurs on principles of public-private partnership, and a standard project is under implementation. That would allow for the modernization of facilities and significantly lessen operating costs. The President instructed to implement similar schemes in other districts, too.

Another challenge that hinders the rational use of water is that today only 2% of more than 3 thousand water metering stations and 2.5% of 400 major water structures are outfitted with automated control systems. In this respect, the Ministry of Water Resources was instructed to introduce an automated system for monitoring water in real time mode at 150 posts by the end of this year and in all posts starting from next year.

Earlier this year, water tax benefits for agricultural enterprises were canceled. In the meantime, the tax rate for water use has been reduced by 50%. The President stressed the need to uphold this abridged rate next year.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev outlined tasks for bringing the methodology for calculating irrigation rates in line with requirements of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), for stimulating consumers who have installed water meters.

The head of our state urged Uzbekbaliksanoat Association to develop fish farming in collector waters.

Instructions also included those to expand hydrogeological exploration based on the Namangan practice and effectively use underground water resources.

Special attention at the meeting was paid to the development of science and education in the field of water management.

The President pointed out that it is important to engage the scholarly community in the construction and reconstruction of irrigation and reclamation facilities. The scientists will participate in the entire process from the elaboration of pre-project documentation for facilities through to their commissioning, and provide academic and technical support for construction works. Integration of science and practice will allow for more thorough project development.

Heads of ministries and agencies in charge, hokims of regions and districts reported on issues discussed at the video session.

PDF, PCFAinitiate plantation drive in COMSATS University

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DNA

PESHAWAR – September 12, 2020: Following the moto of green and clean Pakistan, the Pakistan Development Foundation (PDF) and Pakistan China Friendship Association Khyber Chapter (PCFA) planted plants under the banner of their ongoing joint project Pak China Friendship Tree Plantation Campaign 2020 at COMSATS University, Abbottabad the other day. The project aims at planting 20,000 trees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The Chairman of the PDF, Muhammad Bilal Sethi and Secretary General of PCFA, Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani planted honorary saplings that symbolically initiated the plantation campaign on campus. On this occasion, senior faculty members of COMSATS University and President of Transgender Development Association, Shah Faisal Khan Sudam were in attendance.

The Secretary General of the PCFA, Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani and expert of Pak China diplomatic matters while addressing the ceremony remarked that students can play a role of paramount importance in tree plantation campaign. He said that the youth should voluntarily plant trees as one tree contributes in many ways. Chairman of the PDF, Muhammad Bilal Sethi said that in order to curb global warming, we have to plant trees which inevitable for this. While condemning deforestation, he said that it adversely impacted our environment and the only way to undo this damage is planting trees everywhere.

“PDF Chairman, Bilal Sethi has urged youth to play their roles in discouraging cutting of trees and create awareness among the general public on importance of trees”

The President of Transgender Development Association, Shah Faisal Khan Sudam announced that they would also indulge transgenders in this activity of planting trees. At the end, shields and souvenirs were presented to the Chairman Pakistan Development Foundation, Muhammad Bilal Sethi and Secretary-General Pakistan China Friendship Association, Syed Ali Nawaz Gilani on behalf of the COMSATS University by Dr. AfzaalMoshadi.

EU-Indonesia reaffirm commitment to Green Growth

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We are aware that the post-pandemic-economic recovery period would be challenging, especially on how to keep the economic recovery efforts still on the sustainable development track 

  • DNA
  • BRUSSELS: The Minister for National Development Planning/ Head of Bappenas of the Republic of Indonesia Suharso Monoarfa, together with the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Mr Vincent Piket, launched the EU-Indonesia Cooperation Publication 2020 in a virtual online event in Jakarta on Thursday (17/9). Encapsulating efforts in advancing sustainable development to mitigating the impacts of climate change, the publication also highlights key achievements of the EU and its Member States’ development programmes with Indonesia.“We are aware that the post-pandemic-economic recovery period would be challenging, especially on how to keep the economic recovery efforts still on the sustainable development track. The sustainable environment is one of the national priorities and agenda that needs to be considered on all sector’s targets. We believe that efforts to pursue quality economic growth can only be obtained if, at the same time, we also preserve the environment,” Minister Monoarfa said via video conference.With a partnership that spans over 40 years, the EU and Indonesia have made great progress in addressing joint priorities and global challenges, including addressing the current health crisis and addressing climate change. EU and EU Member States’ cooperation with Indonesia support economic growth, the health system, education, social inclusion, and environmental protection. In all these areas, cooperation projects aim at exchanging knowledge, developing skills and building capacities, which is reflected in this year’s publication theme, “Building Capacity for Green Growth”.In response to the global health challenge, the EU and its Member States have recently launched a “Team Europe” package to support Indonesia’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. A total of EUR 200 million (approximately IDR 3.4 trillion) have been dedicated to supply protective equipment, work with civil society and vulnerable groups, and investments to strengthen the health sector. Looking forward, cooperation with Indonesia will include innovative methods to finance the green transition, urban development and the sustainable management of natural resources.“The coronavirus pandemic is the most abrupt and biggest social and economic shock of our generation, affecting all societies globally. As “Team Europe”, the EU and its Member States are determined to cooperate with Indonesia to face the crisis. Through joint efforts, we can overcome the health crisis and ensure a green and sustainable recovery”, said H.E. Vincent Piket, EU Ambassador to Indonesia.Recent highlights of EU-Indonesia cooperation include:
    • ARISE Plus – Indonesia: the new trade-related assistance programme will promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, boost job creation, and contribute to Indonesia’s trade competitiveness;
    • Three new projects, blending EU grants with loans from EU Member States development banks, will support priority reform areas and sustainable infrastructure investments in areas such as renewable energy;
    • The launch of the Marine Biodiversity and Support of Coastal Fisheries in the Coral Triangle project, to enhance capacity for marine ecosystem management in North Maluku and North Sulawesi;
    • Continued support to mobility in higher education, including over 1,600 annual scholarships awarded to Indonesian students through the EU’s Erasmus+ programme and Member States’ scholarship schemes.

Rice traders organizes training workshop for rice value chain

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ISLAMABAD, Sep 17 : The rice traders organized safety and capacity building training workshop for rice millers and other agriculture sector stakeholders in rice value chain, especially to protect the work place rights of woman rice transplanter.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted another Phase-III training workshop to train the agri-workers associated with rice value chain to create awareness of field work for women agri-workers,said a press release issued here on Thursday.

The development sector organizations also involved in the training process to sensitize the agriculture women workers about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers,especially the rice transplanters.

The Rice Partners Pvt Ltd (RPL) one of the top rice exporter of Pakistan in collaboration of Helvetas Pakistan and Swiss Solidarity piloted a training workshopato train the rice millers, development sector organizations to sensitize them about fundamental rights of the children of female agriculture workers,á especially the rice transplanters, said a press release issued here on Thursday.

More than 40 rice mills including organizations from development sectors, academia and media personnel participated in the event.

Manager Sustainability RPL, Zafar Iqbal while giving the opening remarks highlighted the initiatives of RPL to promote and ensure decent working conditions in rice value chain of Pakistan.

He said that RPL started its philanthropic work from the development of farmers and now it has expanded to the labourers of agriculture sector.

Zafar said that RPL has trained more than 2,8000 farmers on sustainable rice production and also provided them the facility of land laser leveling on 50% cost sharing basis..

Manager Sustainability RPL also narrated that RPL is also working for welfare of agriculture labor. RPL established Community Mother Centers at multiple villages of district Sheikhupura in which decent environment was provided to the children of agriculture labour particularly female rice transplanters.

He added that Free Medical Camps were also organized to provide free medication to the rice transplanters at their working places throughout the rice transplanting season.He said that around 15,000 families engage in rice transplanting every year only from district Sheikhupura and more than 100,000 from all over the Punjab.

A common practice is that all members from a family take part in transplanting work and children from those families also accompanied their parents.

Renowned Senior Child right activist and consultant Ms Sadia Hussain said that physical, emotional and psychological health of children belonging to agriculture labour must be considered for a conducive working environment in the rice value chain.

She said that the protection of children and vulnerable adults is a collective societal responsibility.

She said that we must protect the fundamental rights of children particularly right to name, education, health, safety, security; freedom of expression, freedom of association without any discrimination on the basis of race, colour, gender, religion, caste and creed.

She further added that children particularly children of agriculture sector labour must be protected against abuses, violence, forced labor and any physical or emotional torture.

Senior Corporate and Development sector Consultant, Annan Waffi Qureshi on the occasion said that juvenile rights should be prioritizedin every sector including the agriculture sector.

He highlighted the mode of communication to create the awareness for a children’s rights and their protection, especially who belongs to the  families working in the rice value chain.

He said that to engage the children in labour work whether forcefully or voluntarily is now a crime in Pakistan and everyone who is present here must raise his/her voice against this crime. He also highlighted the referral mechanism to report the cases of violation of rights of children. He further added that there are a number of government and non-government organizations that are working for protection of rights of children.

Child Protection and Welfare Bureau and Search for Justice are the prominent institutes which are particularly working for protection of children and stopping violations of their rights.

Field Manager, Helvetas Swiss Inter cooperation, Mr. Zahid Rehman also addressed the participants on the occasion.

He said that working conditions of the farms were highly hazardous and exposed children to several risks of insect bites,injuries and infections, exposure to extreme heat and pesticides without any shelter.

Rehman added that keeping in view the hazardous conditions of farms Helvetas and RPL provided moveable backpack canopies covered from all sides to the children of rice transplanters to avoid the insects and provision of shelters along with the dry food, repellents, and water coolers in rice cultivation region of the Punjab.

He further added that similarly, for the larger group of families working jointly at farm

level, a bigger shelter tent along with solar plates, fans, air cooler, water cooler and first aid boxes were provided to keep the children in a healthy and safe environment at farm level.

Zong 4G plays an important role under CPEC

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FIAZ CH
Islamabad, Sep 17 : Among the major catalysts and enablers of CPEC’s sustained progress has been Pakistan’s preferred connectivity partner Zong 4G, Gwadar Pro reported on Thursday.

In a majority of CPEC projects, Zong 4G is playing the role of primary connectivity provider, mainly because of its unrivalled network footprint and best-in-class high-speed data products and services that have stimulated digital penetration in the country.

With over 36 Million subscribers the 100% owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation, Zong 4G, has seen exponential growth in the last few years to increase it by 10 folds to about 22%.

Being the Chinese communication company in Pakistan, Zong 4G has also helped foster economic activities creating 3,500 direct and over 200,000 in-direct employment opportunities in Pakistan.

Zong 4G’s remarkable contribution to CPEC is made possible by the operator’s passion for empowering Pakistan and its people. Having a strong faith in the ability of technology to alter lives and elevate lifestyles, Zong has spearheaded the country’s digital transformation for many years.

From being the pioneers of 4G in Pakistan, first successful 5G testing to MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) and NB-IoT trials, Zong continues to lead the industry through its technological prowess.

“Most of us don’t even realize the level of interaction that we will have with technology in years to come, and we’re not even talking about some distant future,” shares Wang Hua, Chairman and CEO Zong told Gwadar Pro.

“The things are changing rapidly but we’re glad that Pakistan is keeping its pace with technological transformation. The fact that Zong 4G has a key role to play in the nation’s progress toward Digital Pakistan is a matter of sheer pride for us,” he adds.

“CPEC is moving ahead at an impressive pace and we’re satisfied with how we at Zong have helped in the realization of projects with seamless connectivity that’s also affordable,” shares Wang Hua.

“Interestingly, CPEC and Digital Pakistan are will complement each other. Together CPEC and Digital Pakistan are a unified goal to which we’re marching with one enabling the other,” he said, adding: “CPEC is bringing long due prosperity and opportunities to the regions.”

In essence, the project is all about connecting people and creating linkages. With multiple projects and organizations coming together to build synergies, Zong is serving them as an enabler of the initiative.

Geared to connect far-flung areas of Pakistan, Zong has made investments amounting to over $ 3 billion in Pakistan and is providing super-fast connectivity along the route of the Corridor.

The company is acting as a key facilitator by providing connectivity along the length and breadth of CPEC and is helping various projects connect seamlessly.

“We are here to serve Pakistan and Pakistanis in all ways possible, and for CPEC, no other network could be as natural a connectivity partner as Zong 4G is,” Wang Hua said.

“We’re powering Pakistan and the CPEC project with our widest network of over 13,000 towers, best-in-class 4G, and unbeatable bundles and packages that are tailored to the project’s requirements.

We’re geared to go farther in our support of the project and we will let this country achieve prosperity and a better life for its citizens,” he said.

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