DNA

ISLAMABAD, OCT 9 – Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser has said that the supporting the cause of Kashmir on every regional and international forum would continue till the resolution of Kashmir dispute.  He resolved to utilize all possible channels to highlight and sensitize the world about atrocities being committed on innocent Kashmiri people in Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir(IIOJk).

He said that Indian atrocities would not last longer and the people of Kashmir would soon get their basic right of self determination. He expressed these views while addressing the 15th anniversary of the establishment of Kashmir Orphan Relief Trust (KORT) in Mirpur Azad Jammu and Kashmir today.

Speaker NA Asad Qaiser remarked that highlighting the atrocities and violations of basic rights have always been the priority of the incumbent Government.

He said that the peace of the region as well as of the world   is dependent upon the resolution of the Kashmir dispute as per the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and as per the aspirations of the people of Kashmir.

He said that the brutalities inflicted by Indian Army were felt by each Pakistani and each Pakistani stood shoulder by shoulder with their kashmiri brethrens. He remarked that Parliament of Pakistan had raised the Kashmir issue at all national and international forums.

The Speaker said that the incumbent Government is especially focusing on the welfare of needy and destitute. He said that establishing welfare and rehabilitation centers with the help of different welfare organizations has been his priority.  He mentioned that establishing the welfare city for orphans and street children in Alamaabad Swabi is in progress. He also resolved to continue working for the welfare of the needy and destitute in all parts of the country. He assured his all out support to  legislate  for welfare of the needy people.

Mr Asad Qaiser lauded the passion and determination of Ch. Muhammad Akhtar for his endless efforts to establish and successfully manage Orphanage House in MirpurAzad Kashmir. He said that sincerity and persistency are required to achieve goals and objectives in life . He said that the expertise of Ch. Muhammad Akhtar would be utilized to make such centers. While addressing the children of Kort, he said that they should not feel themselves homeless and hapless as every Pakistani stands with them. He advised the children to dream big and then strive hard to achieve these dreams. He also advised to children to be hard worker to achieve their dreams.

Earlier Speaker National Assembly Asad Qaiser also inaugurated the Sports academy in Kashmir and prayed for the continuity of sports activity in the Mirpur Azad Kashmir. The anniversary ceremony was attended by Ex-Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, chief Patron of Orphan Refugee Trust Ch. Muhammad Akhat, Hurrait leader Rana Muhammad Ahmed, the Finance Minister of Azad Kashmir Sardar Farooq Skandar Khan ,  the large numbers of Pakistani expatriates from different countries.

DNA

Islamabad:-Infinix, Pakistan’s number one cellphone brand has launchedits latest flagship, the Infinix Zero 8. The highly anticipated Zero 8 will be launched in collaboration with the popular Atif Aslam and boasts the world’s first dual 48MP selfie camera and 64MP quad rear camera with Sony IMX 686 lens.

The Zero 8 will be available in three striking colors; Black Diamond, Silver Diamond, and Green Diamond. Retailing at (Rs. 39,999) Zero 8 is available to pre-order exclusively on Daraz in Pakistan from 11^th October.

The Infinix Zero 8 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G90T chipset with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage &has a 90Hz refresh rate FHD+smooth display. It also boasts World’s first 48MP Dual Selfie Camera and a unique diamond-shaped quad camera with a 64MP primary lens. Packing a 4500mAh battery with 33W super-fast charging support, the Infinix Zero 8 has a talk time of 36 hours and 26 days standby time. It runs on Android 10 based XOS 7.

The biggest seller on the phone is the legend camera. The Infinix Zero 8 flaunts a 64MP Sony IMX686 main sensor with 4K video recording, 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and two 2MP cameras for low light photography and depth. On the front, the smartphone packs a dual front camera setup, including a world’s first 48MP sensor coupled with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The 48MP sensor on the device is capable of recording 4K videos as well.

Talking about the launch of the new flagship device for the year, the CEO of Infinix Pakistan, Mr. Joe Hu, said, “Infinix continues to play a role in developing devices that meet the market and consumer needs, with trendy and high-end gadgets. The powerful hardware of Zero 8, coupled with the sharp photography features, will give our consumers the experience that Infinix has always committed to provide.”

With its artistic design, state-of-the-art technology, and powerful performance, Infinix is providing the most cutting-edge technologies, bold and stylish innovations, keeping consumers on trend and up to date.

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Due to prevalence of COVID-19, large scale public gatherings are banned in most of the countries around the world, being high risk activities, such gatherings have the potential to cause exponential increase in disease spread thus may jeopardize the success achieved against COVID-19, hence should ideally not be held.

Sources said on Friday that public gatherings may be banned in future in order to avoid COVID impact.

Sources further said however, if at all some public gatherings are unavoidable then these must be organized with strict compliance of SOPs; for which currently deliberations are underway to be subsequently decided at NCC.

All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) has sought for upward revision of duty drawbacks on exports to make them realistic with the current incidents of duties and taxes. The existing duty drawback notification was issued about 11 years ago in 2009. Since then, the whole tariff rates have altogether changed and require immediate update.

These views were expressed by Secretary General/Executive Director APTMA Punjab Mr Raza Baqir who was heading a delegation of the Association during a meeting with senior officers of Directorate General, Input Output Coefficient Organization (IOCO) North Zone the other day. The meeting was held to evaluate rates of duty drawbacks on exported goods of garment industry.

It may be noted that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has established the Directorate General Input Output Coefficient Organization (IOCO) with he responsibility to constantly  evaluate rates of duty drawbacks on exported goods and rates of input output of goods in liaison with the private sector. The Pakistan Customs has revised upwards rates of Duty Drawback for various sectors in accordance with the factual determination by IOCO after revision in valuations of input items under the government vision of “Make in Pakistan” to increase the global competitiveness of products and contribute towards export-led growth.

APTMA delegation stressed the need for amending rules, simplifying tax laws and automating business processes to bring transparency in the system, so that the SME sector of the value-added textile industry could be facilitated and exports could be enhanced.

It also called for implementing the vision of the PM Imran Khan to simplify the export scheme, providing new incentives for the business community to help export industry keep abreast of latest developments and trends in the technology.

APTMA delegation further pointed out the severe cash flow crunch that has squeezed productivity resulting in reduced exports as billions of rupees are blocked and demanded of the government to release all stuck-up claims of exporters immediately. Almost half of the exporters find it hard to comply with trade-related regulations or procedures in the country and abroad. A better integration with the global value chain and increased exports are important for Pakistan’s economic development through job creation, especially for youth and women.

APTMA delegation observed that billions of untapped export potential is at risk, due to market frictions such as lack of transparency and related non-tariff measures, especially for small businesses. It continued to cite the high costs of doing business, saying that the industry has been competing in the global market without the support or a proper plan while major competitors like India and China had been utilizing all channels and resources.

It also shared a copy of the proposed export-oriented rules drafted by APTMA with the intent to merge and harmonize different existing rules like DTRE, EOU, Manufacturing Bond etc. Explaining the proposed rules, Mr Raza Baqir informed that  the said rules cover the whole value-added chain fro. Ginning to garments and made ups and provide for duty/tax free movement of all inputs and intermediary goods from one manufacturing unit to another under bond. IOCO officers committed to examine the proposed rules and send their recommendations to FBR in due course of time.

DNA

KARACHI: “There is an imperative demand by many SITE Karachi industrialists to conduct a forensic audit of all former Chairmen and Presidents of SITE Association of Industry from 1990 to 2020 in order to ascertain whether any of them took undue advantage during their tenure.

The audit should be done by any reputed Chartered Accountants firm and monitored by NAB”. This proposal was made by Former Chairman Majyd Aziz, on behalf of himself and many past Chairmen/Presidents, at the AGM of SITE Association of Industry.

Elaborating further, Majyd Aziz said that there have been unconfirmed allegations and innuendos against some past leaders and therefore, he demanded that the Managing Director of SITE Ltd must take into his custody the complete files of companies owned by these Chairmen, Presidents.

“The forensic audit may reveal the names of those officials of SITE Ltd who were hand in glove with these leaders if any allegations are proved correct. He said the audit should investigate whether any of the past Chairmen/Presidents got allotment on open drains (Nullahs), got extra water connections, or received waiver on Non-Utilization Fees by circumventing approvals by the Board of Directors of SITE Ltd”, he opined.

He further added that since he was first elected Chairman in 1990, the audit should begin with him. Siraj Kassam Teli, former Chairman and also Patron-in-Chief of SITE Association, also endorsed this demand and also offered himself for such forensic audit and stated that office bearers, especially belonging to Businessmen Group, are all elected to serve members.

Majyd Aziz disclosed that there was no opposition to his proposal at the AGM. This indicated that the SITE industrialists are keen to introduce accountability, transparency, and equality in the SITE Association of Industry. He advised the industrialists who are on the Board of Directors of SITE Ltd as well as the newly elected office bearers to ensure that the modalities of the forensic audit are decided on top priority in the larger interest of nearly 5,000 industrialists of SITE Karachi.