DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 30- Anti Narcotics Force in collaboration with Pakistan Postal Services launched Commemorative Postage Stamp on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse & Illicit Trafficking, 26^th June 2020.

Today, On 30^th June 2020 opening ceremony of Postal Stamp held at Headquarters ANF, in which Director General ANF, Major General Muhammad Arif Malik, HI(M), Special Secretary Communication, Mr. Tanveer Ahmed Qureshi, DG Pakistan Postal Services, Mr. Muhammad Ikhlaq Rana and other senior officers of ANF were also present.

Special Secretary Communication and DG Pakistan Postal Services appreciated the Zero Tolerance Policy of ANF against drug barons irrespective of their rank and position. They also praised the countless efforts of ANF and its dedication towards eradication of narcotics and making Pakistan a “Drug Free Country”.

The Stamps have been issued after the approval of Prime Minister of Pakistan and are available at post offices throughout the country.

1. Tanveer Ahmed Qureshi

Special Secretary

Ministry of Communication (Tentative not yet confirmed)

2. Muhammad Ikhlaq Rana

DG Pakistan Postal Services

3. Muhammad Shakoor

Director ,International Mail (IM)

4. Hareem Ijaz Chief Post Master

LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar approved the setting up of a South Punjab secretariat on Tuesday, in a move that is expected to pave the way for the creation of the new province.

According to details, the headquarters for the police bureaucracy will be set up in Multan, whereas the civil bureaucracy’s headquarters will be established in Bahawalpur.

A few weeks ago, the chief minister had already approved the appointment of an additional chief secretary and additional inspector general (IG) for South Punjab.

“PTI is on its way to fulfilling its major promise by setting up a South Punjab secretariat,” said Buzdar. He added that the office will help resolve people’s problems at their doorsteps.

Buzdar issues notification for additional chief secretary South Punjab’s appointment

Earlier this month, the chief minister had issued the notification for the appointment of additional chief secretary and additional inspector general of police for South Punjab.

At the time, Buzdar had said that new postings would be carried out soon, adding that the officials would dispense their duties from July 1. Due to the measures taken by the government, the sense of deprivation is ending in the people of Punjab, he had said.

Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had said last month that a secretariat would be set up for the South Punjab province and that Rs3.5 billion had been allocated for this purpose.

Qureshi had previously stated that the ruling PTI will table a bill in the National Assembly for the creation of the South Punjab province.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 30 – With rapid urbanization, it is estimated that by the year 2030, 45.6 percent of Pakistan’s population will be living in cities. However, safety codes for the construction of buildings are often ignored in Pakistan due to which incidents of building collapses are quite common. Pakistan’s fragile built environment has given rise to frequent media reports of collapsed buildings in major cities.  Keeping in mind the current state of Pakistan’s construction sector and the quality of infrastructure, Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies (IIPS) hosted a live session that focused on pragmatically assessing the reasons for building collapses in Pakistan and recommending policy solutions to prevent such tendencies in future.

Various renowned experts and leading figures came forward to express their views on the matter, including Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi, Vice-Chancellor NED University of Engineering & Technology, Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed Sheikh, Additional Registrar-CPD (PEC), Dr. Shahid Mehmood, Member Planning and Design (CDA), Lt. Gen M. Haroon Aslam (Retd), President IIPS Advisory Board, Brig Khaliq ur Rashid Kiyani, CEO Architectural and Civil Engineering Services (ACES), Major Nawaz Minhas, CEO Kingcrete Builders, and Mr. Khurram Farid Bargatt, Member IIPS Advisory Board.

Experts stressed that that It is imperative to completely rethink our cities and urban spaces to encourage resilient, environment-friendly, and sustainable development practices.

While expressing his views on why buildings collapse in Pakistan, Lt. Gen M. Haroon Aslam (Retd), President IIPS Advisory Board, acting as moderator of webinar, highlighted that absence of regulatory compliance is one of the major causes of fragile built environment in Pakistan. He further stated that the construction industry is in a developing stage in Pakistan. There is an urgent need to eliminate bottlenecks such as corrupt practices in the industry, improve land regulation and building control, standardize and implement building laws across the board and impart latest skills to students for the future of the industry.

Contributing to the issue, Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi, Vice-Chancellor NED University of Engineering & Technology highlighted that the most fundamental cause of building collapse is the non-observance of construction codes and safety codes. He highlighted that there are multiple factors leading to structural failure in Pakistan which include poor design, lack of testing before and after construction, foundation failure, and lack of maintenance or a combination of these factors.

According to Dr. Shahid Mehmood, Member Planning and Design (CDA), old buildings that have outlived their useful life are more prone to collapse. Poor maintenance of buildings can reduce the life of structures and need periodical checks and inspection for faults. In the absence of preventive measures, buildings become more susceptible to collapse.

Giving his insight on the matter, Brig Khaliq ur Rashid Kiyani, CEO Architectural and Civil Engineering Services (ACES) demanded that “Building authorities must exercise authority over the construction companies.”

Major Nawaz Minhas, CEO Kingcrete Builders, shed light on one of the most important but often neglected causes of building collapse in Pakistan which is the uneven consistency of concrete used in construction.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, JUNE 30 – Pakistan Businesses Forum (PBF), President Sahibzada Mian Usman Zulfiqar urged the government to abolished all companies specific SRO’s which was issued in last fifteen years; as Statutory Regulatory Orders (SRO) culture have ruined the country’s economy which badly effect the level playing field amongst all stake holders.

“Powerful lobbies have been given huge tax exemptions through SROs and that the whole tax system is now like an NRO for the elite class”

Talking to media men on Tuesday, he is of the view that the concessions and zero rating allowed through SROs should be routed through parliament and it should be the discretion of the latter to maintain or drop these concessions. Though SRO culture was introduced in the era of 90’s for political engineering through benefiting the individual businesses.The PBF viewed the fact remains that parliament itself lacks the moral muscle to play an effective role and, as such, has never challenged the FBR’s encroachment into its domain because it suits the interests of many of its members coming from the business class who have succeeded in this bargain by getting themselves virtually exempted from any tax on their income.

It was under the Customs Act of 1969 that parliament had delegated powers of issuing the SROs to the FBR, but since it is more than manifest now that these powers have been and are being misused, the parliament should revisit the law and, if found necessary, it should be repealed.

The SROs were meant to be an instrument for running the day-to-day affairs but, unfortunately, over the years these have assumed the status of a policy in the country. The SRO culture has, according to an estimate, caused some Rs 900 billion worth tax exemptions in the country.

President PBF also stated by definition, the use of SRO’s should be restricted to framing rules and procedures for implementing a tax law or laws. Or it can be used to remove ‘hardships’ and ambiguities — without involving new levies, exemptions, concessions and waivers.

“The practice of handing out massive financial favours in the name of tax exemptions, concessions and waivers is not restricted to one particular government or the other even in the last one year around 40 SRO’s have been issued.” he added.

LAHORE, JUNE 30 – Veteran Pakistani business leader Iftikhar Ali Malik on Tuesday assumed the office of the President of SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SAARC CCI) for two years term. 

Out going President Ruwan Editisinghe handed over the charge at the two days Joint session of executive committee and general assembly  commenced today through video link  and Khairuddin Mayel Ahmadi, VP Afghanistan, Mahbubul Alam VP  Bangladesh, SVP Designate and former President, Dasho Ugen Tsechup Dorji,  Vinod Juneja VP India,  Chandi Raj Dhakal, VP  Nepal, and Dr. M. Rohitha Silva, VP  Sri Lanka present on the occasion congratulated Iftikhar Ali Malik and reposed full confidence in his sagacious and dynamic leadership.

 Briefly speaking on the occasion Iftikhar Ali Malik thanked the SVP and VPs from all member countries for their full fledged and overwhelming  support to him for promotion of intra trade and further establishing strong business linkages amongst the entrepreneurs of the South Asia. He said all out efforts will be made to strengthen regional economic cooperation besides achieving Chamber South Asia vision 2030 which he added will usher an era of progress, prosperity and development in the region.

         He said that entire emphasis will be laid on achieving the objectives of chamber in true letter and sprit with consensus and VPs of all countries will be taken into confidence.He paid rich tributes to Ruwan for contributing towards encouragement of trade, Industry, small and medium enterprise and agriculture sectors in addition to safeguarding the economic and business interest of the region.

Iftikhar said that he will formulate viable strategies to take regional cooperation to new levels by exercising his sphere of influence which he added will result into betterment of the people of the region as well besides strengthening of economies in all member states.He said that in the larger interest of the region especially small countries, the avenues of economic cooperation with China will also be further explored which will ultimately benefit the business community of the region.

      Welcoming Iftikhar Malik outgoing president Ruwan hoped that new leadership especially Iftikhar Malik during his tenure will take  all stakeholders on board and make strenuous efforts to implement the objectives and manifesto of the chamber mainly aimed at promotion of intra trade among member countries.

New VP from Pakistan Senator Haji Ghulam Ali along with newly nominated members in executive committee and general assembly in SAARC Chamber were also present and acting Secretary General Zulfikar Ali Butt were also present on the occasion.

DNA

LAHORE June 30 – Third time Pakistan will lead the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry  with Iftikhar Ali Malik. in chair in  alphabetically rotation for a term of two.

It may mentioned here that he will be 14th president and it’s  first president late SM  Inam also belonged to Pakistan.

Malik a seasoned business figure  has been associated with this chamber since  its inception and served for regional integration and economic cooperation for 25 years. Also served as  President of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1990 and President Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, an apex body in 2000. Prior to his elevation HEC the senior Vice president and  also enjoyed vice presidency of SAARC Chamber for a record five consecutive terms.

     As entrepreneur, is Group Chairman of Guard Group a Lahore based conglomerate, involved in business of automobile filters, to leading brands in Pakistan, using as OEM parts. His business owns over 80% of Pakistan OEM market share. In addition, the Guard group also own major share of rice exports in Pakistan. As renowned Philanthropist, Mumtaz Bakhtawar Memorial Trust Hospital is a magnum-opus for the welfare of public. Pakistani patients, who are unable to bear the expenses of modern medical treatments, find Mumtaz Bakhtawar Memorial Trust Hospital as a complete support for their survival. Emergency and Chronicle cases are brought to the hospital by free mobile squad.

In recognition of his remarkable services his name has also been included in international book “WHO IS WHO”

DNA

ISLAMABAD, Jun 30 : Pakistan Post has re-branded Post Offices in Bahria Town and other areas with new outlook and services including compurization.

Pakistan Post has recently taken number of initiatives, besides performing its core business of delivery of mail and remittance of money, an official of Pakistan Post told..

The new re-branded post offices include uplifting of counters and waiting area for customers. “Computer systems were also installed to make them online and start services like Electronic Money Order Service (EMO) etc.

He said that an action plan for the implementation of the agenda had also been finalized and its  implementation underway. He said that major reforms and new financial was introduced in the department.

Islamabad, june 30 : Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry said on Tuesday that all the controversial laws, including those involving the National Accountability Bureau, should be reformed.

Addressing the National Assembly that continued on with its second consecutive session, the federal minister said that the government should spend money on the youth now.

“We have spent a lot on old businessmen and industrialists… Now we need to spend on our youth,” he said. Chaudhry said urged politicians to move forward, give up bickering among one another and unite when confronted with national issues.

The minister, in his speech, informed the house about the production of ventilators during the pandemic, revealing that the first batch of the locally-made ventilators for the critically-ill COVID-19 patients will be handed over to the National Disaster Management Authority on Thursday.

Chaudhry, in his speech, said that Pakistan was initially importing the safety gear kits until February 26. “Today Pakistan is making safety gear and making exports worth $100 million.”

The minister said that the locally-made ventilators cost one-third of their imported counterparts and likewise the imported kits, which are now being locally producedm are quite inexpensive.

Testing kits and ventilators

Earlier, the minister said that the ventilators are in the final phase of testing while he announced that the government has achieved another landmark as Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) approved the country’s first COVID-19 testing kit.

Earlier this month, the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Health signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the indigenous development of Electro Medical devices.

Electro-medical devices are being regulated by DRAP and 15 ventilators were in various phases of trials at the time. Machine trials of four ventilators by the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) were expected to be completed as well.

Noting that currently export orders worth $10 million are pending, the minister said that his ministry will also enhance cooperation with local surgical goods manufacturing companies.

NA session continues after budget approval

A day ago, the National Assembly of Pakistan approved the federal budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021, despite the opposition’s vow to not let it sail through the House.

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Hammad Azhar had presented a Rs7.14 trillion budget for fiscal 2020-21 on June 12.

The government benches were also successful in getting approved the Finance Bill 2020 to give effect to the financial proposals.

The amendments proposed by the Opposition in the bill were rejected by the House.