DNA

Islamabad Oct – An online research seminar titled, “The Security-Development Nexus in Post-Conflict North Waziristan” was jointly organised by the NUST Centre for International Peace & Stability (CIPS) and the Hanns Seidel Foundation Pakistan (HSF) here the other day.

The principal aim of the seminar was to showcase findings of the research project titled, “Unravelling the Contextual Realities in Post-Conflict North Waziristan: Understanding Displacement, Resettlement and Post- Conflict Development.” The guest speakers at the occasion were Lt Gen Muhammad Masood Aslam, (Retd) and Dr Ingrid Nyborg, Associate Professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

Commenting on the State strategies in post-conflict contexts, the former remarked that “a holistic and people-centric strategy should be implemented and the war zones be converted into peace zones, which means that the writ of the state is not enforced through the military, but rather through the civilian law enforcement agencies.”

Echoing similar concerns, Dr Nyborg laid emphasis on the needs of the people in post-conflict environments and contended that “attention to human security was crucial to merge the security and development agendas.” These broader insights were sculpted to elucidate the research findings on the case of North Waziristan, presented by the research lead, Dr Muhammad Makki, the Head of Department (Research) at CIPS, who stressed the need for understanding thespecificities of contexts in post-conflict reconstruction, so that the policy and practice could be coalesced for sustainable development and durable peace.

The interactive session of the seminar included PhD and Master’s students of CIPS, and also brought together an audience including policymakers and academics. The seminar underscored the efforts of the Government of Pakistan for post-conflict development in North Waziristan.

Islamabad: October 28, 2020:  The Thirty first Annual General Meeting of ISE Towers REIT Management Company Limited formerly Islamabad Stock Exchange was held on October 28, 2020. Chairman ISE REIT, Zahid Latif Khan, chaired the AGM which was attended with the Board members. The shareholders of the Company approved the financial statements of the Company for the financial year 2020. The Company also announced final cash dividend of Re. 0.33 per share for Financial Year 2020 for its shareholders. The Company has been regularly paying the cash dividend since the financial year 2017 increasing every year.

The Board of Directors apprised the shareholders that Company has been recording a constant growth over the past few years. This year was another successful year in terms of profitability, revenue and return to the shareholders, despite the COVID-19 impact. The Company exercised control over its expenditure.

The Chairman apprised the shareholders about future REIT / real estate projects of the Company. He also briefed that the Company for diversification of its business, has been acquiring a registered trustee company as its subsidiary. The shareholders applauded the Company’s growth and the Board of Directors for their contribution for growth of the Company.

At the end, Zahid Latif Khan thanked the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and Government of Pakistan for their continued support and placed his gratitude to the customers, shareholders, board members and staff.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 28 (DNA) – The government has decided to celebrate Ishq-e-Rasool (P.B.U.H) week from Friday 12 Rabiul Awwal (October 30) to next Friday 18 Rabiul Awwal (November 6).

Minister for Religious Affairs Pir Noorul Haq Qadri proposed to celebrate Ishq-e-Rasool (P.B.U.H) week in the cabinet meeting to which Prime Minister agreed and issued directions to prepare final plan to observe the week in befitting manner.

All the provinces will also celebrate Ishq-e-Rasool (P.B.U.H) week as per the instructions of the federal government.

Earlier, the Federal Cabinet, while taking strong exception to the publication of blasphemous caricatures in France and hurting the sentiments of billions, Tuesday said disrespect for the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) was intolerable and unacceptable for any Muslim.

The cabinet, which met here with Prime Minister Imran Khan in chair, also condemned in the strongest terms the remarks of French President Emmanuel Macron that hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims.

During the meeting, it was reiterated that every available forum would be used for effective representation of the sentiments of Muslims regarding the blasphemous caricatures.

In this regard, the reservations of Pakistani nation as well as Muslim Ummah would be conveyed to the world through the platform of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Cabinet said. = DNA

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DNA

Rawalpindi, OCT 28 – The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Pakistan South Africa Trade Federation(PSATF) aiming to boost trade, increase exports and networking between Pakistan and South Africa.

The document was signed by Chamber President Muhammad Nasir Mirza and Pakistan South Africa PSATF Chairman Muhammad Rafiq Memon.

The signing ceremony was held on a virtual platform while Senior Vice President Osman Ashraf, Vice President Shahraiz A Malik, members of the executive committee, Chairman Regional Trade Khursheed Barlas and other chamber members were also present on the occasion while TDAP Director Zulfiqar Langa, PSATF’s Saleem Shakur and Zulfiqar Abbasi participated through virtual platform.

President Nasir Mirza said that the Chamber has always strived to enhance trade relations with African countries. Under the Africa Trade Forum and the government’s Look Africa policy, our focus was to explore new markets. The MoU will strengthen the Chamber’s Charter, he added.

Trade and Investment Attache Humaira Israr said that all kinds of assistance was being provided to exporters to promote trade. The diplomatic mission is working hard to remove obstacles related to banking channels and NOCs. She welcomed Chamber’s suggestions and efforts to promote trade and improve networking.

PSATF Chairman Muhammad Rafique Memon said that the Chamber of Commerce and the Federation would work together for the exchange of delegations and organizing exhibitions.

Deputy Director TDAP Zulfiqar Langa welcomed the MoU and said that his organization has been working more actively than before. New marketing methods are being adopted so that Pakistani products can be better introduced in South Africa.

The provisions of the law stipulate that subject to the issuance of notice to show cause u/s 22, the Initiating Officer has to attach the benami property within 90 days in case the Initiating Officer intends to file the reference in the case. The law additionally provides 60 days to the IO for the drafting of the case statement to further forward it to the Adjudicating Authority

EXCLUSIVE

Naveed Miraj

ISLAMABAD: Benami Zone II, Lahore had taken up the investigation of 5 sugar mills for the verification of benami transactions. Purchasers with the largest quantities as declared by the mills in their sales tax returns were randomly summoned to ascertain their authenticity as buyers of sugar. The exercise unraveled the occurrence of benami transactions at a large scale during the preliminary investigation. Keeping in view the HR constraints, logistical limitations and narrow timelines involved in the proceedings, detailed scrutiny was initiated in two sugar mills initially i.e. Alliance Sugar Mills and Hunza Sugar Mills. As far as rest of the sugar mills are concerned, information will be gathered including information from the banks and proceedings will be started after concluding the already initiated cases.

Show cause notices u/s 22 of Benami Transaction (Prohibition) Act 2017 have been served upon M/s Hunza Sugar Mills and M/s Alliance sugar mill whereby the mills with the actual buyers of sugar and sugar mills brokers have been alleged to have conducted benami transactions. Perusal of the sales tax returns of Alliance Sugar Mills and Hunza Sugar Mills showed that sugar worth PKR 19,125,774,948 and PKR 5,164,464,58 respectively, for TY 2017-2020, had been sold by mills to unregistered persons. To check the authenticity of these buyers, Benami Zone II, Lahore issued summons to multiple purchasers who in their written statements denied knowledge of any such transaction.  During the course of investigation, it was extracted that the unregistered purchasers being shown in sales tax returns of the aforementioned sugar mills were ostensible owners including low paid workers or truck drivers, rather than the real owners, which to date remain unaware of their involvement in sugar purchase.

The provisions of the law stipulate that subject to the issuance of notice to show cause u/s 22, the Initiating Officer has to attach the benami property within 90 days incase the Initiating Officer intends to file the reference in the case. The law additionally provides 60 days to the IO for the drafting of the case statement to further forward it to the Adjudicating Authority. In case the IO finds no aspect of benami transaction during the course of investigation within 90 days of issuance of show cause notice, he is bound by law to drop the proceedings.

With the filing of reference, the Adjudicating Authority is under obligation to issue notice to the beneficial owner, benamidar and any interested party within 30 days of receipt of reference requiring them to file their reply. In case benamidar/beneficial owner is involved in the commission of benami transaction, the Adjudicating Authority would pass order holding the property referred in reference as benami property and passing order to that effect. The law binds Adjudicating Authority to decide reference within one year from the date of filing of reference. The Adjudicating Authority, after holding the property benami, initiates proceedings for confiscation of benami property.

Besides confiscation of benami property, the law provides prosecution of benamidar, beneficial owner and abettor etc. Subsequent to the trial, the law provides that the person involved in benami transactions would be sentenced to imprisonment extending from one year to seven years and additional payment of 25% of fair market value of the property involved.

DNA

Islamabad, OCT 28  –  The business community in a meeting at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) strongly condemned the remarks made recently by the French President Emmanuel Macron in which he criticised the Islamists and vowed not to give up cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H). They termed his comments highly provocative and irresponsible as the French President had deliberately chosen to provoke the sentiments of Muslim Ummah, which was highly condemnable.

Addressing the meeting, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry regretted that instead of contributing towards the peace and harmony in the Muslim world, French President has adopted an approach that has badly hurt the feelings of Muslims across the world and would create further rift in the world community. He said that French President had chosen to encourage Islamophobia by attacking Islam rather than the terrorists who carry out the violence. He said that by attacking the Islam without having any understanding of it, the French President has hurt the sentiments of millions of Muslims in Europe and across the world.

ICCI President said that such irresponsible statements on the part of a leader of a developed country was destined to create more negativity, Islamophobia and space for extremists. He said that giving people liberty to insult our Prophet (PBUH) under the garb of freedom of expression was not tolerable for the Muslim Ummah and stressed that French President should immediately withdraw his remarks to save the world from further polarisation. He said that the business community fully supported the stand of the Government of Pakistan on this burning issue and would follow whatever instructions were issued by the government towards the French products.

Ms. Fatma Azim Senior Vice President and Abdul Rehman Khan Vice President ICCI also condemned the stand of French President against Islam and said that the Muslim Ummah would not tolerate the publication of caricatures of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H). They warned that any such attempt would damage the peace of the world and create more division in the world community, therefore, French President should immediately withdraw his remarks to save the peace of the world from destructive consequences.

DNA

SIALKOT, OCT 28 – An exclusive one-day training session on, “Mastering the Essentials of Personal Development” was organized by Center for Global & Strategic Studies (CGSS), Islamabad at University of Sialkot, Sialkot.

The training session comprised of three segments and was organized to equip the students of University of Sialkot in basic academic skills for their personal and academic development.

Mr. Tariq Khattak, Entrepreneur and Member Board of Experts, CGSS delivered training on, “Personal and Professional Success, creating a balance through taking control of Circumstances”. He gave a detailed presentation on the axioms of a successful life. He explained the attributes of a successful life and what are the circumstances that govern a successful life. He discussed that the definition of success is different for every individual and every person has their own journey for achieving it. He stated that a balance between personal and professional life is the key. One most govern the circumstances and take control of life challenges. He explained the Attributes of life: Growth, Career, Recreation, and Contribution.

Ms. Palwasha Nawaz, Project Executive, CGSS addressed the students and explained the basics of interpersonal skills in everyday life situations. She highlighted the importance of Interpersonal Skills including Verbal Communication and Non-Verbal Communication. She explained how once can excel in academic and professional domain using effective interpersonal skills. She stated that Interpersonal skills are important for communicating and working with groups and individuals in your personal and professional life. People with strong interpersonal skills tend to build good relationships and can work well with others.

Ms. Minahil Shawal Afridi, Research Executive, CGSS conducted training on the essentials of Academic writing. She explained the students regarding basics of academic writing to pursue a goal oriented life and academic career. She emphasized on the importance of reading and writing for promoting national development. Furthermore, she stated that determination and encouragement is required to enhance academic skills.

The training session was attended by 150 students, faculty members from various departments of the University of Sialkot, Sialkot. Students appreciated this initiative by CGSS and expressed that more training sessions should be organized by CGSS to help in the capacity building of youth.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, OCT 28 – Justice (RETD) Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB chaired a meeting to review performance of NAB Rawalpindi. The meeting was attended by Hussain Asghar, Deputy Chairman NAB, Syed Asghar Haider, Prosecutor General Accountability (PGA) Zahir Shah, DG, Operations NAB, Irfan Naeem Mangi, DG NAB Rawalpindi and other senior officers at NAB Headquarters.

During the meeting, Irfan Naeem Mangi, DG NAB Rawalpindi informed that respected Accountability Court Islamabad has approved Plea Bargain of accused Zain Malik, Director, M/s Bahria Town (Pvt) Limited of Rs. 9,050,554,034/- in 06 x cases investigated by NAB Rawalpindi. The said plea bargain is more than Rs. 9 billion which is the highest plea bargain in the history of NAB due to NAB Rawalpindi’s efforts in the following cases. The details are as under:

During the meeting, it was informed that the respected Accountability Court Islamabad has accepted a plea bargain request of accused Mian Waseem alias Lucky Ali of Rs.1.95 Billion which is one of the highest recovery in the history of NAB. Furthermore, respected Accountability Court Islamabad has convicted accused Mati ur Rehman s/o Haji Surat Rehman in Modarba Case with 12 years of Imprisonment and fine of Rs. 170 million whereas another accused Atiq ur Rehman s/o Haji Surat Rehman has been declared as Proclaimed Offender. Furthermore, the respected Accountability Court Islamabad awarded a 10 years sentence to Ghulam Rasool Ayubi along with a fine of Rs. 3.7 billion in corruption reference of Mudaraba’ case which was filed by NAB Rawalpindi. The accused Ghulam Rasool Ayubi had been found guilty and all charges against all the accused persons named Ghulam Rasool Ayubi, Hussain Ahmad, and M Khalid were proved as per law.

During the meeting, it was informed that in another case of NAB Rawalpindi, the respected Accountability Court Islamabad awarded 10 years imprisonment and Rs. 9 billion fine to Mufti Ehsan-ul-Haq while his 9 other co-accused were imposed Rs.1 billion fine. That conviction was the maximum in the history of NAB. The accused Mufti Ehsan-ul-Haq, CEO of M/s Fayazi Group of Industries Modarba Case along with 9 other accused persons were convicted after detailed perusal of solid evidence presented by NAB Rawalpindi as per law in the Honorable Accountability Court Islamabad. The meeting was further informed that NAB Rawalpindi has recovered Rs. Rs. 23 billion in fake Accounts cases directly and indirectly. During the meeting DG NAB Rawalpindi further added that the former DG Sindh Building Control Authority Manzoor Kaka illegally allotted 506 acres land of Pakistan Steel illegally, out of which the documents of 300 acres land of Rs. 1 billion have been returned to Sindh Government.

Honourable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB said that eradication of corruption is top most priority of NAB. Honourable Mr. Justice Javed Iqbal, Chairman NAB appreciated the excellent performance of NAB Rawalpindi under the supervision of Irfan Naeem Mangi, DG NAB Rawalpindi and said that the performance of NAB Rawalpindi has contributed well in the overall excellent performance of NAB as NAB is committed for corruption free Pakistan. He directed all ranks of officers/officials of NAB Rawalpindi that all out efforts should be made for recovery of looted money from corrupt elements by adopting Zero Tolerance Policy across the board. The Chairman NAB also directed to pursue proactively corruption cases in respected accountability courts as per law transparently and on merit and take necessary measures to arrest corrupt elements, proclaimed offenders and absconders in order to return looted money from them and deposit in the national exchequer.