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Islamabad, AUG 21 – Covid19 demands revisiting the planning and initiatives that aimed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This revisit is crucial, keeping the fact in view that the pandemic has resulted into new challenges and opportunities that need to be assessed properly as a way forward to achieve the SDGs. The speakers including the parliamentarians serving on SDGs Parliamentary task force,  said this while sharing their views with the participants at an online dialogue ‘COVID-19 and Pakistan’s SDG Agenda’ organized by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), in collaboration with Nestle Pakistan here on Friday.

Convener, Parliamentary Task Force on SDGs, Riaz Fatyana, while highlighting the overall impact of Covid19, said that education is the area that has been worst affected. He said that special focus is required to get education sector revived. He said that reopening of schools is being expected in mid September, depending on COVID-19 situation. On one hand we are mindful of the safety and health of our children. On other hand, we fear an increase in the number of out of school children. It is a challenge to maintain a subtle balance between the two situations.

He said that it is about time to initiate learning initiatives through involving civil society organization and other stakeholders so that education continues amidst pandemic. He also highlighted the importance of exchanges at parliamentarians’ level amongst different countries so that they may share experiences of how not to compromise on SGDs progress during these troubled times.

“Regular introspection about our response to Covid19 is need of the hour,” Mehnaz Akber Aziz, SDGs Taskforce Member and Chairperson Special Group on Child Rights, said while terming the pandemic as a huge challenge. She added further that unfortunately, the political commitment towards the programing and financing in social sector is not very strong while our healthcare and education sectors always remained ignored.

She said that the children-specific impacts of Covid19 haven’t been analyzed even though they are the ones that suffered the most during the pandemic. The pandemic is still far from being over and reopening of the schools would be a big risk, especially when the schools don’t have corona-financing available to ensure PPEs etc.  “As far as SDGs agenda is concerned, we need to identify 4 to 5 priority areas to focus upon keeping the available fiscal space in view”, she added. She also highlighted that online education has been expedited during the pandemic but we need to tackle digital equality now.

Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI, earlier highlighted the importance of a broader engagement with diverse stakeholders including the private sector to achieve SDGs. He said that good news is that COVID-19 has brought the policy focus back to social sector development. However,

“Digital divide has emerged as a key challenge that needs to be addressed at priority basis as we cannot leave anyone behind,” Dr Suleri remarked.

Waqar Ahmad, Head of Corporate Affairs, Nestle Pakistan, was of view that it’s time for all the stakeholders including the corporate/ private sector, to join hands for achieving SDGs. He said that venue should be provided for SME’s engagement around SDGs as SMEs are the backbone of our economy. He informed the participants that Nestle Pakistan has initiated Water Stewardship programme to benefit farmers and besides, an initiative for better nutrition for the children is also being implemented.

Economic Policy Advisor, SDG Support Unit, Ministry of Planning Development and Reform, Ali Kemal, while presenting the detail of pandemic impacts on SDGs, said that Covid19 has been a huge challenge for various sectors. However, the healthcare sector has shown improvement afterwards. He said that Ministry of Planning at present is in the process of mapping development expenditures in the context of progress on SDGs.

He said that Pakistan would be sharing its second Voluntary National Review (VNR) on SDGs and will be able to show progress towards achieving these goals.

The webinar concluded with the consensus that multidimensional challenges of SDGs can be tackled only through multi stakeholders engagement for which parliamentary task force is the right forum.

DNA

Karachi , AUG 21 – Mian Anjum Nisar, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry has urged upon the Government and the Private Sector to take proactive initiatives to explore the true potential of “Made in Pakistan” Products and to make niche in Global Market” while speaking to the gathering of Webinar organized by FPCCI on “Halal Industry” in Pakistan “Potential and Challenges” at Federation House, Karachi and Lahore Office. The President FPCCI asserted for improvement in quality of products, setting up accredited laboratories in order to meet standardization and conformity of Halal Food products to increase its exports manifold.

Mian Anjum Nisar, President FPCCI stated that globally the halal industry is expanding more rapidly in non-Muslim nations compared to Muslim nations due to safer, hygienic, reliable and nutritious products. He further added that the volume of global halal trade is more than US$ 3 trillion but the share of Pakistan is very minimal. He emphasized on the need to increase the halal food production and exports of semi cooked meat which is in highly demand in China and other Far East countries.

The webinar was organized and conducted by Sheikh Sultan Rehman, Vice President and attended by Vice Presidents FPCCI Dr. Muhammad Arshad and Qaiser Khan, Muhammad Ali Mian, Coordinator, FPCCI Regional Office Lahore,  Eng M A Jabbar Former Vice President FPCCI, Nasser Hyatt Maggo, Former President Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shaukat Ahmed Former Sr. Vice President FPCCI,Dr. Akhtar Ahmed Bughio, Director General, Pakistan Halal Authority, Representative of Punjab Halal Development Authority, Mufti Yousaf Abdul Razzaq, CEO SANHA Halal Associates, Muhammad Zubair Mughal, Research Associate, Halal Research Council, Muhammad Awais Khan, Managing Director, Global Halal Services, Mr. Asad Sajjad Convener FPCCI Standing Committee on Halal goods and Services, Mufti Zeeshan Abdul Aziz, CEO international Halal Certification (Pvt) Ltd, Ms. Sehrish Zuberi, Renaissance Inspection & Certification Agency (Pvt.) Ltd and Syed Farrukh Mazhar, Managing Director F&M Inspections.

In his remarks, Sheikh Sultan Rehman, Vice President FPCCI stated that Halal industry has emerged into fast growing industry; attracting 2.4 billion people from all over the world. Pakistan, with a huge Muslim population, stands a chance of becoming a global hub for halal business, if the government pays attention to this industry. While quoting the statistics, he added that the trade of Halal industry has crossed three trillion dollars but the share of Pakistan is negligible (0.25 percent). He further stated that Pakistan has direct access to 470 million consumers of halal products in Central Asia, Middle East and Europe; we may achieve great success, if we adopt proper strategy and planning for establishing this industry. This industry is not limited to foods and beverages; but includes pharmaceutical, food services, cosmetics, financial services, logistics, tourism etc, he added.

Dr. Akhtar Ahmed Bughio, Director General, Pakistan Halal Authority stated that standardization and conformity of halal products is need of the hour to increase halal sector related exports. He added that halal is value addition and we need to modify our standards as per international requirement. He informed that there is huge demand of Pakistani Gelatin to be used in halal medicines in Muslim countries. At present, only 5-6 companies are working in this sector and Pakistan is importing 75 million Gelatin capsule. A Representative of Punjab Halal Development Agency informed that Halal standards are not uniform in all countries which increase the cost of

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production and exports. There is need of development of one organization at OIC level which should develop their own rules and procedures of halal exports.

Dr. Muhammad Arshad Vice President FPCCI highlighted the potentials of halal meat which is highly demanded internationally due to texture and taste. He also informed that there is huge market of Pakistani meat in neighboring countries i.e. Afghanistan and Iran which can be explored by making new investment in cattle farming and slaughterhouses.

Muhammad Ali Mian Coordinator FPCCI Regional Office Lahore said that halal products cannot be deemed fully halal if they are produced through a process that is not entirely Shari’a compliance. A product will only be halal if its production and ingredients from start to finish, packaging, transportation and procedures are halal. As it happens, many halal manufacturers use interest-based borrowing or other Shari’a-repugnant methods of finance, therefore their products cannot be considered 100% halal.

Muhammad Awais Khan, Managing Director, Global Halal Services focused on the expansion of Pakistan Halal Development Council and requested to ban self developed halal logo which is creating problems in halal export.  Mufti Zeeshan Abdul Aziz, CEO International Halal Certification (Pvt) Ltd added that Pakistan has complete system of standardization which is internationally accepted by other countries. He further suggested that it should be mandatory for all imports of Pakistan to be halal certified. Moreover, there is a need of approval of Pakistan’s certification by other countries. Moreover, PSQCA should be strengthened to fulfill the mandatory standards requirement of other countries.

Muhammad Zubair Mughal, Research Associate, Halal Research Council proposed to introduce halal in tourism sector wherein Pakistan can earn millions of dollars.  Eng. M. A. Jabbar Former VP FPCCI underscored the need of development of Halal food industries through extending fiscal, monetary, trade policy adjustments along with regulatory framework. He further stated that Halal Development Authority should engage in facilitating mutual recognizing agreements on SPS to provide market access to our halal products. He added that Pakistan should take lead in exports of halal  meat as live stock contributed 60 percent in agriculture sector.

Mufti Yousaf Abdul Razzaq, CEO SANHA Halal Associates informed that Europe is currently generating 80 percent of global halal revenue and Pakistan has an opportunity to increase its export of halal commodity as 90 percent of our raw material are halal. He urged the government to give tax and monetary incentives to investors for promoting halal brands like other nations Brazil, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. Moreover, Pakistan has to participate in international halal exhibitions for promotion of Pakistani products.

Mr. Farrukh Mazhar, Managing Director F&M Inspections underscored the need of creating awareness in our foreign missions as they can play important role in enhancing Pakistani exports.

Ms. Sehrish Zuberi, Food Manager Renaissance Inspection & Certification Agency (Pvt.) Ltd stated that the acceptance of halal standards is a big issue as all countries have their own standards. Mr. Asad Sajjad Convener FPCCI Standing Committee on Halal goods and services also talked about the activities of his standing committee and requested to take membership in it.

DNA

KARACHI, AUG 21 – The inauguration ceremony of new state of the art Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre (JMICC) held at Karachi.  Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi graced the occasion as Chief Guest and inaugurated the new setup.

Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre (JMICC) functions as a nerve centre to harmonise the efforts of all maritime  related organizations/ agencies. It helps generating a coordinated response to maritime security challenges within Pakistan’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), primarily through information sharing and inter department/ agency coordination. The centre was established in February 2013 and is manned round the clock by a competent team which include reps of relevant stakeholders.

The new setup of JMICC has been equipped with indigenously developed Joint Maritime Information Sharing (JMIS) software, a modern Operations Room and associated infrastructure.  The capacity enhancement will enable JMICC to effectively knit maritime entities of Pakistan and International Information Fusion Centres (IFCs) to augment safety and security in the maritime domain.

During the ceremony, the Naval Chief termed the event an important milestone, which will further support PN’s effort to promote maritime security in the region.  He appreciated the indigenous efforts to develop such a state of the art system.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief of Staff (Operations), Commander Pakistan Fleet, Commander Coast, Commander Karachi and other Senior Naval Officers.

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ISLAMABAD, AUG 21 –  President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum and All Karachi Industrial Alliance and former provincial minister Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday said administrative action and threats have failed to reduce prices flour and sugar therefore strategy should be changed to negotiate to get the desired results.

The government has pushed IPP to reduce the electricity price through negotiations and it should follow the same path for flour and electricity, he said.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that the government should stop blaming former government to inflation and other problems as they are ruling the country for two years and now masses will not buy their accusations.

Talking to the business community, the veteran business leader said that former governments took interest in keeping prices balanced and frequently help price committees meetings but the present government has not held any reported meeting so far.

He noted that district administrations should also follow the footsteps of former district administrations to improve the situation.

The business leader noted that lack of investment opportunities has pushed many to invest in food items, local currency has eroded substantially, taxes on fuel are very high, while not a single kilogram of wheat or sugar has been imported since the crisis gripped the country.

The production of sugarcane is lowest in the last five years and the sugar production in 2019-20 was lowest in a decade which should also be noted, he demanded.

Islamabad: PARC and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) agreed on joint research and implementation of the project on Solar Irrigation for Agricultural Resilience in South Asia (SOLAR-SA) through signing an MOU at PARC, Islamabad. In the presence of Chairman PARC Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Wiqar Ahmed, Secretary PARC and Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Country Representative, IWMI signed the document.

Dr. Muhammad Azeem Khan, Chairman PARC, while expressing his views, said that the best way to meet the nutritional needs of the depleted agricultural water and the growing population is to discover high yielding crops per acre. At the same time, modern methods of irrigation should be adopted instead of traditional methods of irrigation. The Chairman also spoke on MoU and told that with the project of SOLAR-SA, PARC and IWMI will be able to seek the potential of solar irrigation pumps by replacing it with existing diesel and grid connected pumps. Furthermore, Dissemination of the research results and technical support will be provided through organizing joint workshops, training programs, scientific conferences, forums and seminars.

Dr. Mohsin Hafeez, Country Rep. IWMI revealed, under this agreement both parties will promote policies and strategies for sustainable, gender inclusive and equitable renewable energy transition in irrigation sector, in ways that will mitigate the existing groundwater issues in Pakistan.

Solar irrigation pumps which are sustainable, climate resilient and beneficial for the end users, also provide a best alternative in the areas where there is no electricity. Dr. Mohsin Hafeez also appreciated the efforts of PARC scientists in the development of agriculture sector.