ISLAMABAD, DEC 16 (DNA) – Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured to fully back the youth to promote the tourism and IT industries.

He was addressing a ceremony in connection with distribution of cheques amongst successful applicants under Kamyab Jawan program in Peshawar on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister pointed out that small and medium enterprises have an important role to generate economic activities. He, however, regretted that this sector was ignored in the past.

Imran Khan stressed the need for evolving such a system under which the banks fully support the business ideas of the youth. He said this is important to exploit the true potential of our youth.

The Prime Minister also expressed satisfaction over the interest of the youth in the livestock sector. He hoped the youth will run this sector on scientific lines which will help significantly bolster its production. He said if we manage to double our milk production it will be greatly benefit the population.

The Prime Minister said loans will also be given to the people of tribal districts which lag behind in development. He announced that the next program of cheques distribution under Kamyab Jawan Program will be held in South Waziristan. = DNA

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DNA

ISLAMABAD: Work on beautification of city by Capital Development Authority (CDA) is underway. Fountains are being restored across the city. Fountains at F-10 roundabout, Shaheen Chowk, 9th avenue, and other places have been restored.According to detail, fountains which were installed for the beauty of the city were not in order due to minor issues since a long time.

CDA has been receiving various complaints from citizens regarding the restoration of fountains. Latest dancing fountains were also included in the said fountains.

Resultantly, the current administration of CDA has started work on restoration of fountains across the city upon the complaints of the masses.Fountains at Shaheen Chowk, F-10 roundabout, Green belt at Abpara G-7, and dancing fountains at Faisal Avenue have been restored so far.

Work on fountains of Round Park at F-11, G-9 Markaz, G-10 Markaz, and others is underway. Two fountains at 9th avenue are also being restored. Fire Brigade Fountains and fountains at Shakarparian and Serena Park will be restored soon.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 16 – President Arif Alvi has said that COVID-19 pandemic is an enormous challenge that also opened up new vistas of opportunities before the world to tackle the issues of sustainable development.

He was addressing the 23rd Sustainable Development Conference titled: Sustainable Development in the Times of COVID-19, organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Wednesday.

The President said that the pandemic has affected the societies, particularly the poor, across the world, which hindered progress of nations. He urged the world to uplift the poor by providing them better healthcare, quality education and all the basic necessities of life.

Highlighting the government’s efforts to fight the pandemic, President Alvi said that Pakistan has done tremendous work in tackling the disease by providing help to almost half of the population through Ehsaas programme. The Ehsaas cash transfer program has worked wonders to protect the poor, and also was acknowledged by every government in the world.

He said that poverty alleviation and development are linked to education. COVID-19 increases the opportunities rather than having bricks and mortar of schools and universities; it has provided the opportunity to reach out to people in a least expensive manner.

“As far as health efforts are concerned, prevention is the key to safety for the countries like Pakistan, which cannot afford curative approach and I believe that we have established structures of communication by which we can reach out to the people at grass roots level through different modes,” Dr Alvi said.

Of economic management amidst COVID-19, the President Alvi said Pakistan has managed its economy at the macroeconomic front, where balance of payment got better, imports got reduced and exports went up. At the same time, the prime minister has announced the construction package, which will help enhance employment opportunities, he added.

The COVID-19 has also triggered the digital transformation in a year, which may have taken a decade, he said, adding that societies which make progress in the world are those which are inclusive and ensure that education and health care facilities are accessible to the entire population. “We need to ensure that the development and progress is sustainable ecologically and environmentally.”

In his welcome note, SDPI Executive Director Abid Qaiyum Suleri thanked the President for patronizing thinking community in general, and SDPI’s annual conference in particular. “We have the fond memories of holding the inaugural session of our 22nd annual conference at the Presidency under your worthy guidance. This year too, your esteemed office had very kindly accepted our request to hold the inaugural session of 23rd SDC in the presidency but due to increase in COVID-19 cases, we had to opt for a virtual mode.

Discussing sustainable development in the times of COVID19 this year, Dr Suleri said, we are mindful of the fact how this pandemic has disturbed global agenda of achieving SDGs by 2030. He said the pandemic has incurred loss of precious lives and livelihoods across the world, forcing millions of students to stay away from their classrooms, and depriving non COVID patients from health care.-

DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 16 (DNA) – Moeed Yusuf, National Security Advisor to Prime Minister, said economic security, connectivity, regional peace and developmental partnerships are strong bases for our economy. That’s why, we want peace in Afghanistan to have connectivity with Central Asia and beyond. “We are also open to east and west but unfortunately our eastern neighbour undermines Pakistan and continue to oppress the people of occupied Kashmir.”

He was speaking at a plenary titled: Economic Outreach Initiatives and Non-Traditional Security Threats Facing Pakistan at the 23^rd Sustainable Development Conference organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Wednesday.

“Today the government is not taking developmental assistance, but we are talking about developmental partnership as part of our goal. Our dream for Pakistan is to become the melting pot for global economic interests. We are not in favour of providing military bases anymore, but ready to provide economic bases to the world to use Pakistan as a hub of interdependences.”

Dr Moeed said the future of Pakistan lies on economic diplomacy and outreach to the world. Economic stability cannot come at the cost of military security and human security. The challenge is too big to overcome and needs a broader national response.

About Pak-US relations, he said that we need to change the mode of conversation with the US. Mostly we focus on Afghanistan and aid when in conversation with the US, whereas we need to discuss development partnerships and economic stability.

Speaking at a session in the morning on Access to Healthcare and Competition, Dr Joseph Wilson, the former chairman of Competition Commission of Pakistan, discussed about the Constitution of Pakistan which ensures healthcare facilities as well as compulsory licensing.

Pradeep S Mehta from CUTS International India called upon the global civil society to take lead in pressing for a second version of the Doha Declaration on TRIPs and Public Health in order to deal with the emergency after the rejection of a proposal on waiver of IPRs on COVID-19 vaccine in the recent WTO TRIPs council meeting.

Teresa Moreira from UNCTAD debated the competition and consumer policies for the efficient working of health care markets the worldwide. This will provide affordable healthcare by restoring competition.

Allan Asher of FEMAG, Australia pointed out that incorporating ‘TRIPs Flexibilities’ may not be effective in the present-day world with plethora of ‘TRIPs-Plus’ bilateral trade agreements, which can hinder access to the relevant know-how at affordable costs.

Hardin Ratshisusu of South African Competition Commission shared the case study of South Africa countries and their Intellectual Property Policy (2018) to protect public health.

Speaking at session on Tobacco Greenwashing: Misinformation / Disinformation in the Times of COVID-19, Dr Nausheen Hamid, Parliamentary Secretary Health, said saving life in this pandemic is not only doctor’s job, but it is the duty of every citizen.

Khurram Hashmi, Coalition for Tobacco Control, said provision of health care is a challenge for Pakistan, as vaccines are being introduced but there is no clear picture of the situation. Various studies have depicted the relation between COVID and smoking as it affects lungs directly, but governments have no control over tobacco industry, which influence policy regulators by funding environmental projects.

Waseem Iftikhar Janjua from SDPI said that 32.4 MT of tobacco crop produces 6.48 MT dry tobacco which causes huge depletion of water and fossil fuel. He demanded a comprehensive tobacco control policy that should be devised without tobacco industry interference.

Nadeem Iqbal, CEO, NCRP, Pakistan said our dilemma is that the government is promoting prevention from tobacco and tobacco-based products and Pakistan Tobacco Board charges Rs3/kg on tobacco.

Speaking at a session on ‘Climate induced migrations in times of COIVD-19: A case of south Asian countries’, Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul said that both climate-induced migrants and refugees are living in Pakistan. She said sudden and gradual migration is a rising issue at urban level, but instead of holding discussions there is a need to take practical steps to address the issue.  The Minister suggested that SAARC should add the issue of climate induced migration on their agenda.

Harjeet Singh, Global Climate Lead, said that 25 million displacements were recorded in 2019 and the number is increasing. He warned that out of all these displacements, one third falls only in South Asia. However, good news is that the UN has recognized the term displacement and migration.  Sanjay Vashist, Director CANSA, India said the random migration won’t help in increasing human resilience.  Raana Rahim, ICMPD, Pakistan said that the topic of climate-induced migration has become important for research, as researchers argue that these displacements are temporary.

Speaking at a session on the Role of Regional Cooperation for Asia-Pacific’s Energy Transition in the COVID-19 Era, Milou Beerepoot (Regional Energy & CCM Specialist, UNDP, Regional Office, Bangkok said that sustainable development is not possible without sustainable energy and without regional collaboration through technological interventions. She said the concept of shifting great economy to green economy will ultimately help in job creation specifically in the times of pandemic.

Michael Williamson, Section Chief, Energy Division, UNESCAP, Bangkok pointed out that emissions have reduced due to COVID-19 because of less economic interventions and now there is a need to improve the decoupling phenomena for decarbonization and promotion of better environment.

Zheng Baihua, Director-General, Development Bureau, GEIDCO, China suggested the enhancement of synergies in development and plans for the renewable energies which will ultimately promote the implementation of key projects in this regard.

Dr Michael Jakob, Senior Researcher, Mercator Research Institute, Berlin, Germany and Dr Hina Aslam from SDPI highlighted the economic perspective in COVID time and highlighted that carbon pricing can increase the tax base and ultimately impact on the low- and medium-income countries.

Ahsan Javed, Research Fellow, Renewable Energy, SAARC Energy Center, Islamabad  emphasized on exchange of knowledge, enforcement of rules and regulations and capacity building of states as key aspects for the regional cooperation.

Speaking at a session titled: Finding the Way Forward in Post-COVID-19 Pakistan with the Doing Good Index, Dr Waqar Masood Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime minister on Revenue, said that this is not the first time that country is hit by the crises; the government is happy to see the assistance provided by philanthropy organizations during the pandemic.

Mehvesh Mumtaz, Director Research, Centre for Asian Philanthropy and Society, Hong Kong said that the world is suffering , but the good news of vaccine is still a far cry.

Ahmed Chinoy, ex-chairman of Cloth Merchant Association, Karachi said that 60% white collar and middle-class people who were in dire need to help during pandemic were provided no relief even in the form subsidy in bills and medicines

Muazzam Arsian Bhatti, Alfzoe Technologies, Islamabad suggested that corporate sector should be linked and engaged in corporate social responsibility.

Speaking at session titled: Cultural and Knowledge Partnerships through Museums, Sayed Zulfiqar Bukhari, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis, and Chairman of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, highlighting the impact of COVID-19 on Cultural and Knowledge through Museum said that the sector has been neglected since years. PTDC operating gusthouses and marking, branding and making the business. he said, adding that commercialization of old properties to private sector is under consideration.

We are planning the branding of Lahore and Taxila museums, he said, adding that we have moved a summary to make this sector more archaeological, less bureaucratic, and more cultural.

Qasim Jafri, Goethe Institute Lahore, said we have a domestic tourism to start with. “We are sitting on a treasure of civilization on which we need to work upon. We need not to destroy our natural environment in case of future development.”

Dr Karen Exell, UCL, Qatar talking about the regional development of Pakistani museum as a change maker said that both Lahore and Taxila museums have a great potential but there is a lack of professionalism in the administration of Pakistani museums

Dr Nadhra Shahbaz Naeem Khan from LUMS, Lahore said that we are not making these museums into cultural hubs but just stores.

A day earlier, speaking at a plenary titled: COVID-19 Challenges for SDGs and Human Development, Dr Ishrat Hussain, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms and Austerity, said climate change, digital divide, multi-dimensional inequality and disruption of the integrated supply chain systems are the biggest threats in the way of SDGs. SDGs canot be achieved unless a more inclusive international involvement, not only from the governments but also from the private sector and civil society organizations is sought.

At the regional level, Dr Ishrat said, cooperation with regard to efficient use of depleting water resources is the need of hour. “This will mitigate the risk of food, water and energy in the region on the one hand and help create livelihood opportunities on the other.”

On the national level, he said, the government is taking the institutional reforms agenda very seriously with focus on structural issues, including trade imbalance, revenue mobilization, skills and technology development, agriculture efficiency and public sector reforms.

Dr Ishrat said he understands that reform measures require a vision and patience and if this vision continues, he is optimistic that Pakistan will resolve these issues.

LAHORE – PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday said he was ready to give up his party’s government in Sindh for the sake of democracy, but the final decision in this regard would be taken according to the joint opposition’s strategy.

“I have said this before and am reiterating that if sacrifice of the Sindh government and the National Assembly is needed for the sake of democracy […] then we are ready to make this sacrifice, but the strategy and process for it will be decided by the PDM leadership,” he said while speaking to reporters in Lahore.

Bilawal said the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) would use these resignations as “atom bombs” and it will be mutually decided when and how to best use them. He reaffirmed that the PDM had decided that lawmakers of opposition parties would hand over their resignations to their respective party leaders by December 31.

While stating that the opposition will also stage a long march after the resignations if the PTI government refuses to quit, Bilawal conceded that in the past, “third-party forces” had used the political vacuum created in the wake of such measures.

“The PPP remains sensitive to this, that is why […] we will want to implement such a strategy and use it in such a way that the country is not thrust into that difficult situation,” the PPP leader stressed.

He lashed out at the government for its handling of the sugar crisis, flour crisis and petrol crisis, saying “the government is making no effort for reducing these difficulties for the people.”

He said if this was the promised “change” where people had to bear the burden of such crises, then all of the nation was saying with one voice “Imran Khan must go”.

Citing the examples of his mother and grandfather, Bilawal said, “We know the workings of resistance and negotiations both.” He said the “time for talks has passed,” but when “Imran Khan goes and vacates his seat then […] us democratic forces can talk and discuss”.

Bilawal was addressing the media on the sixth anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) attack in Peshawar and criticised the government for allegedly letting the “killers of our APS children” escape, saying it did not have the “strength and effort to take action against terrorists”.

Instead, he alleged, the government only clamped down on “political opponents, bloggers and media owners”.

LAHORE – PPP chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Wednesday said he was ready to give up his party’s government in Sindh for the sake of democracy, but the final decision in this regard would be taken according to the joint opposition’s strategy.

“I have said this before and am reiterating that if sacrifice of the Sindh government and the National Assembly is needed for the sake of democracy […] then we are ready to make this sacrifice, but the strategy and process for it will be decided by the PDM leadership,” he said while speaking to reporters in Lahore.

Bilawal said the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) would use these resignations as “atom bombs” and it will be mutually decided when and how to best use them. He reaffirmed that the PDM had decided that lawmakers of opposition parties would hand over their resignations to their respective party leaders by December 31.

While stating that the opposition will also stage a long march after the resignations if the PTI government refuses to quit, Bilawal conceded that in the past, “third-party forces” had used the political vacuum created in the wake of such measures.

“The PPP remains sensitive to this, that is why […] we will want to implement such a strategy and use it in such a way that the country is not thrust into that difficult situation,” the PPP leader stressed.

He lashed out at the government for its handling of the sugar crisis, flour crisis and petrol crisis, saying “the government is making no effort for reducing these difficulties for the people.”

He said if this was the promised “change” where people had to bear the burden of such crises, then all of the nation was saying with one voice “Imran Khan must go”.

Citing the examples of his mother and grandfather, Bilawal said, “We know the workings of resistance and negotiations both.” He said the “time for talks has passed,” but when “Imran Khan goes and vacates his seat then […] us democratic forces can talk and discuss”.

Bilawal was addressing the media on the sixth anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) attack in Peshawar and criticised the government for allegedly letting the “killers of our APS children” escape, saying it did not have the “strength and effort to take action against terrorists”.

Instead, he alleged, the government only clamped down on “political opponents, bloggers and media owners”.

ISLAMABAD – The only zoo in Islamabad — which drew international condemnation for its treatment of lonely elephant Kaavan — closed on Wednesday after its final occupants were relocated abroad.

Two Himalayan bears named Bubloo and Suzie were the last to leave the Islamabad facility, almost three weeks after the country’s only Asian elephant was flown to a wildlife sanctuary in Cambodia.

“The Islamabad zoo is now completely closed for both public and officials,” Saleem Shaikh, a spokesman for Pakistan’s ministry of climate change told AFP.

“Both the bears will be flown to a sanctuary in Jordan.”

Shaikh said the move was arranged with the help of Four Paws International — the same group that spearheaded the relocation of Kaavan whose plight was championed by singer and Oscar-winning American actress Cher.

She flew to Pakistan to see the elephant’s departure, and then to Cambodia to watch him arrive.

The ailing health of Kaavan, an overweight, 35-year-old bull, highlighted the woeful state of Islamabad’s zoo, where conditions were so bad that the Islamabad High Court judge in May ordered all animals to be moved.

Two lions died during their relocation when zookeepers attempted to pry them from their pen by setting ablaze piles of hay. An ostrich also died in the move.

Islamabad Zoo was established in 1978 on 10 hectares of land as a home for indigenous species. Authorities now plan to expand it as a wildlife conservation centre.

With little legislation to safeguard animal welfare, zoos across Pakistan are notorious for their poor conditions. In 2018, some 30 animals died within months of a new zoo opening in the northwestern city of Peshawar, including three snow leopard cubs.

Earlier this week, the IHC observed that the “bears’ natural habitat was the high altitude plateau of Deosai National Park in the Himalayas”. “It was indeed inhumane to have deprived them of living in their natural habitat, merely for the entertainment of humans.”

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah termed the zoo a ‘dungeon for animals’, and said a zoo, no matter how well equipped, is no less than a concentration camp for living beings.

They were subjected to unimaginable pain and there is no justification for it as the bears’ behaviour was unnatural while imprisoned, he added.

He said it is time to end imprisonment of sentient animals in cages at zoos and let balance be restored so they could live with dignity in their respective natural habitats and enjoy their natural rights.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, DEC 16 –  The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has concluded its enquiry in the matter of prima facie violation of the Section 4 (Prohibited Agreements) Competition Act, 2010 by all Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association and its member undertakings

The enquiry was initiated based on the information gathered through various media reports, concerns and complaints expressed regarding increase in cement prices, in North region, particularly during the month of April, May & June 2020. The reports indicated that an increase of Rs. 45 – Rs55 per cement bag, was apparently decided by the cement manufacturers under the umbrella of APCMA. From the information gathered, it was revealed that during the months of June-July 2019, a sharp increase in cement prices was recorded in Islamabad (Rs. 63/50 kg bag), Lahore (Rs. 101/50 kg bag) and Karachi (Rs. 32/50 kg bag) translating into a hike of 11.4%, 18.6% and 5.0% respectively.

Various factors among others lower demand of cement in the first two quarters of 2020, and almost parallel increase in cement prices and data collected from Pakistan Bureau Statistics and the cement companies, became the basis of CCP’s enquiry. Sudden rise in price by the cement manufacturers at a time when there was low demand compared to the installed capacity of the manufactures and considering the fact that the input cost (fuel cost (coal and oil), and interest rate had declined, raised suspicion of a collective rise in prices by cement companies.

On 24th September 2020, the CCP conducted search and inspection of the APCMA main office and the office of Senior Vice Chairman of the APCMA’s Executive Committee; a senior employee of a major cement company in Lahore. The evidence suggested possibility of a cartel/collusive arrangement between the cement manufacturers.

Evidence gathered during raids on the premises of APCMA and DG Khan Cement demonstrates active participation in the collusive decisions by all major companies including DG Khan, Askari Cement, Fauji Cement, Lucky Cement, Cherat Cement, Pioneer, Fecto and Bestway. Decisions were taken at the highest forums i.e. CEOs, Chairmen and senior executives including Directors with orders for strict compliance and adherence of the same.

The CCP’s search and inspections conducted were challenged in the Sindh High Court in which the petitioners wanted protection from the search inspections conducted both in the North and South regions. However, Sindh High Court restricted itself to the search inspection that was conducted in South Region and restrained CCP and its officers from using the material collected during the raid conducted on November 19, 2020 (in the South Region) from the premises of the plaintiffs. In compliance, the Commission restrained from relying on the evidence from the search and inspection conducted in the South till the next date of the hearing i.e. December 22, 2020.

The enquiry report found hard core evidence of cartelization in cement industry and collusive behaviour in respect of production, division of markets by territory, fixing of dispatch quota and price fixation from the documents recovered during search and inspection in the North region. The data recovered highlighted the presence of a WhatsApp group named “APCMA Marketing Officials” which was created on 15th November 2018 and was used as a medium to communicate and decide on the fixation of price.

Similarly, scrutiny and forensic analysis of the electronic data revealed that representatives of cement companies located in the North region exchange information through WhatsApp and text messages, and emails regarding the fixation of cement price and its underlying cost factors, quota allocation, etc. Moreover, companies in the North region have been found discussing and deciding upon the cost components of cement which include; freight, axle load, fuel prices and taxes and duties.

It was observed that the cement companies located in the North region are being directed not to distribute cement in South region apparently due to different price levels and quota arrangement. North region is further divided into major cities/zones and for each city/zone some companies are designated as ‘premium brands’  which allows them to sell at a higher maximum retail price, whereas, all others sell at a price lower than the premium brands.

From the examination of the dispatch data it is noted that irrespective of the actual production the share of each cement plant in total dispatches remains equivalent to its share (as per quota) in the total installed capacity in the North region. From the assessment of the impounded evidence it is noted that quota allocation agreed is implemented on daily basis as prescribed by APCMA for manufacturers located in the North region. Dispatch quantities are discussed and agreed upon either through the WhatsApp group or in meetings.

The enquiry Committee has recommended that the Commission, in light of hard core evidence of collusive behaviour and cartelization of cement industry, many consider initiating proceedings under Section 30 of the Act against the APCMA and its members’ undertakings in terms of the findings of the enquiry report.