GILGIT: April 26
A vendor displaying mosquito protective nets to attract the customers at Charsadda road
PESHAWAR: April 26 –
Meeting held to streamline trade between Pak-Afghan , Central Asian Republics
PESHAWAR, Apr 26 (APP): A meeting of stakeholders was held with Director Transit Directorate of Transit Trade, Arbab Qaiser to discuss measures for streamlining trade between Pakistan-Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics (CARs).
The businessmen delegation was headed by President Frontier Custom Agents Association (FCAA), Zia-ul-Haq Sharhadi, said a press release issued here on Friday.
Others who attended the meeting included Additional Director, Dr. Wajid Ali, Deputy Director Transit Torkhem, Ms. Maliaka Ahmad, Vice President Frontier Custom Agents Association, Imtiaz Ahmad Ali, Central Chairman All Pakistan Custom Agents Association, Farooq Ahmad, former SVP SCCI, Engr Manzoor Elahi and others.
During the meeting, President FCCA, Zia-ul-Haq Sarhadi said APTTA 2010 has several lacunas as a result of which 70 percent of transit trade has been shifted from Karachi port to Bandar Abbas in Iran.
He also demanded revival of Goods in Transit to Afghanistan (GITA) service through lose cargo via train between Peshawar to Karachi and from Karachi to Chaman.
For this purpose, he continued, the SRO 121 be repealed for allowing GITA services through containers and lose cargo as well.
The documentation (DG) of all this cargo under GITA should be held under WeBOC at Azhakhel dry port so that custom clearing and forwarding agents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should also benefit from this trade.
Zia Sarhadi said in October 2023, Ministry of Commerce through issuing SRO 1380 imposed a ban on 14 items of Afghan Transit Trade which in larger context constitute around 212 items, besides enforcement of 100 percent bank guarantee.
The cargo goods were already covered under insurance guarantee and all the goods were going safely to Afghanistan for the last 13 years. He demanded revoking of 100 percent bank guarantee and revival of old insurance guarantee system.
Similarly, he continued, instead of imposition of ban on transit trade items, concentration should be given on improving monitoring and vigilance on border to curb smuggling.
Coordinator PAJCCI said hundreds of trucks are illegally bringing different items including petroleum production, food items from Iran on daily basis which needed to be stopped.
The measures taken for imposition restriction on Pak-Afghan transit trade are putting negative impact on commerce in the region, he opined.
Zia Sarhadi also pointed out the recent visit of Pakistan delegation to Kabul early in March 2024 in which many issues were discussed but no action is initiated.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Transit held out assurance of giving due consideration to points raised by business community and said decisions will be taken with their consultation.
Pakistan, US hold 7th TIFA meeting to strengthen trade and investment ties
ISLAMABAD, Apr 26 (APP): The 7th Intersessional meeting of the Pakistan-United States (US) Trade and Investment Framework (TIFA) was held here on Friday and discussed ways to strengthen trade ties between the two nations.
Federal Secretary Ministry of Commerce Muhammad Sauleh Ahmad Faruqui leading the Pakistani delegation and Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR), Brenden Lynch, heading the US delegation, said a news release.
During the meeting, both sides engaged in constructive discussions on a range of trade and investment-related matters, including agriculture, digital trade, intellectual property protection and enforcement, labor rights, good regulatory practices, and women’s economic empowerment.
The US side welcomed Pakistan’s progress on market access for US beef, while Pakistan appreciated US support for facilitating market access for its mangoes and fresh dates.
Both countries expressed their commitment to removing barriers for additional agricultural products on a reciprocal basis. The importance of protecting and enforcing intellectual property (IP) was also recognized, with the US appreciating Pakistan’s recent efforts to improve IP enforcement, it added.
Additionally, both sides acknowledged the successful collaboration on women’s economic empowerment initiatives, particularly the cooperation between The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and he Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).
Pakistan reiterated its request for the early renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) by the US Congress, which would enhance market access for textiles and apparel products from Pakistan.
The US side assured Pakistan that the request would be considered at the appropriate level.
The meeting concluded with both sides agreeing to hold the 10th TIFA Ministerial-Council meeting at the earliest, in order to continue dialogue on important bilateral trade issues, it added.
Minister proposes plan to remove congestion on busy roads in big cities
RAWALPINDI, April 26 (APP): Provincial Minister for Transport and Mass Transit Bilal Akbar Khan on Friday said that Punjab government is taking all necessary steps to provide comfortable travelling to people and for this, a comprehensive plan has been prepared to remove congestion on busy roads in different cities including Rawalpindi.
He said that government was fully cognizant of the travelling issues for which new feeder routs were proposed to provide comfort to daily road users.
Chairing ‘Integrated Urban Transport Plan’ committee’s meeting here at the Commissioner’s Office, the minister said that Chief Minister Punjab has given special directives to implement the “decongestion plan” of all major cities including Rawalpindi on emergency basis for which 78 eco-friendly air-conditioned buses have been sanctioned initially for the city. Six feeder routes of 52km have also been proposed for phase one project, to provide access to various metro bus stations including Saddar, Mareer, Liaquat Bagh, Chandni Chowk, 6th road and Faizabad stations,
he said adding that a study was in progress on Nespak’s traffic plan. The scheme is in the approval phase which would be included in the upcoming ADP, he said.
More buses and new feeder routes would also be added in the light of the study, making metro bus service more convenient for people, he stated.
Earlier, Secretary Rawalpindi Transport Authority (RTA) briefed the minister on proposed feeder routes for the buses. It was apprised that in the first route, 12 buses would be provided for a 9 km long route from Swan station to Railway Station via GT Road.
The second route would be 12km long from Islamabad Expressway to the Railway station via Airport Road, Chaklala, Dhok Kashmirian, Rahmanabad, Jinnah Park, Kachehri, Punjab House, Mareer Chowk to the Railway station for which 16 buses would be operated. As per plan, 12 buses to be provided for 7km long route from Dhok Kashmirian to Railway Workshop via Tipu Road. The fourth route would be from Dhok Kashmirian to TB Hospital via Rawal Road.
Similarly, 11 buses for 8km long route from Pir Wadhaee Morr to Mareer Bridge via GT Road, have also been proposed for the fifth route, and the sixth route is supposed to be 9km long from Faizabad Interchange to IJP Road, Sixth Road, Rahmanabad stop, Sadiqabad Chowk, Khanna Road to Khanna Bridge for which 15 buses have been proposed.
Commissioner Rawalpindi Engr Aamir Khattak directed the secretary RTA to take all stakeholders on board and to avoid duplication by identifying routes. He further directed that feeder routes should be finalized according to the updated data obtained from Nespak’s fresh study.
Secretary Transport Javed Ahmed Qazi, Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Engineer Aamir Khattak, senior political leader Tahira Aurangzeb, Deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Hasan Waqar Cheema, DG RDA Kanzi Murtaza, Director Development Nazia Sudhan, GM Mass Transit Authority Uzair Khan and heads of other relevant departments also participated in the meeting.
SECP Introduces SECP-XS: A swift complaint resolution platform
ISLAMABAD, Apr 26 (APP): The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced a new digital platform, SECP-XS (https://xs.secp.gov.pk), to promptly resolve user queries and concerns.
Following the successful introduction of the eZfile, the new fully automated corporate registry, SECP recognizes the need for a seamless mechanism to address user concerns and queries, according to a news release here on Friday.
SECP-XS is offering a user-friendly platform for reporting, managing, and resolving issues related to regulatory compliance and statutory processes.
SECP-XS is a centralized platform that seeks to simplify complaint management by providing regular updates, notifications, faster follow-up actions, and progress-tracking capabilities, thereby improving user satisfaction, internal efficiency, and service standards.
The SECP strongly recommends using SECP-XS for swift resolution of corporate registry, eZfile related issues.
The introduction of a one-stop complaint management solution reflects SECP’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence in the corporate sector, it added.
Keamari police bust major gutka smuggling attempt
KARACHI, Apr 26 (APP): The District Keamari Police on Friday successfully thwarted a nefarious attempt to smuggle over 18 mounds of hazardous Gutka/Mawa and betel nuts in the Mochko area.
According to SSP Keamari, the police operation unfolded, culminating in the seizure of a vehicle laden with contraband, while the perpetrators managed to evade arrest.
In a swift and decisive action, police officials confiscated the vehicle and its illicit cargo, which included 60 sacks of betel nuts, totaling a staggering 720 kilograms, along with 10 bags containing 200 packets of gutka/mawa.
A case has been promptly registered, signaling the commencement of further investigations into this illicit activity.
Mohsin Naqvi visits Police Facilitation center, directs 24 hour service for citizens
ISLAMABAD, Apr 26 (APP): Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Friday visited a Police Facilitation Center (PFC) in Islamabad’s F-6 sector to inspect the counters made for the convenience of the citizens.
Mohsin Naqvi directed the officials to keep the PFC open for 24 hours for the convenience of the citizens. He said that the citizens should be able to avail the services at facility centers at any time according to their convenience.
The minister inspected various counters of the PFC and appreciated the staff for serving the citizens. He directed the authorities to provide comfortable chairs to the applicants coming for driving licenses.
Naqvi met the citizens who came to the PFC and asked about the solution to the problems.
Citizens welcomed the announcement of keeping the Police Service Center open 24 hours and thanked Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Inspector General Police Islamabad Ali Nasir Rizvi gave a briefing about PFC to the minister.
DPO inaugurates blood donation camp
KHANEWAL, Apr 26 (APP): District Police Officer (DPO) Rana Umar Farooq inaugurated and inspected the blood donation camp organized by Khanewal Police in collaboration with the Regional Blood Center Multan on Friday.
DSP Headquarters Masood ul Haq Bhatti, Incharge Welfare Malik Waqas, Syed Asim Raza, Assistant Manager RBC, Dr. Jawaria, and other police officials were present.
DPO reviewed the donation of blood to thalassemia-affected children by Khanewal police personnel and commended the determination and courage of the police personnel.
DPO Rana Umar Farooq, while talking to the media on the occasion, said that saving the life of one person was equal to saving the life of all of humanity. Punjab police was fully aware of its social responsibilities along with the journey of successes against criminal elements to maintain law and order.
He assured the district police that they would extend every type of cooperation to give blood donations to thalassemia patients. In any emergency, citizens should call the 15-hour police helpline in case of blood need.
He further said that blood tests, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, malaria, and hemoglobin-free tests, were also conducted on the occasion of a blood donation camp.
The doctors and staff of Regional Blood Center Multan thanked DPO Khanewal Rana Umar Farooq and said that we should be a part of the mission of serving children affected by thalassemia.
UK higher Education leaders visit CUI
ISLAMABAD, Apr 26 (APP): Higher Education Leaders from the UK along with British Council officials visited COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) on Friday to explore avenues of cooperation in higher education sector.
The visit was aimed at building sustainable person-to-person and institution-to-institution contacts and collaborations with British universities.
The delegation is visiting Pakistan from April 21 to 27 under the Pak-UK Education Gateway – a partnership project between HEC and the British Council.
Delegates from the University of Glasgow, University of Salford, Cardiff University, University of London, Queen Mary University of London, Staffordshire University, University of Exeter, INTO University and Bangor University were part of the visit. Senior officials from the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, Department for Education and Office for Students and the British Council also accompanied the delegates.
Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar, Rector of CUI welcomed the delegates on behalf of COMSATS University and shared the historic exchanges with UK that had contributed to the development of CUI as one of the leading institutions of learning in Pakistan.
In his welcome address, Rector Prof. Dr. Sajid Qamar said, “CUI has had a longstanding affiliation with the universities in UK. It is really heartening to have UK Higher Education Leaders here to explore and potentially discover more opportunities and avenues where our faculty and students can be engaged with UK universities”.
He thanked the Scottish Higher Education Trade Envoy for their cooperation in providing scholarships to female students of CUI.
Dr. Hammad Omer, T.I., Head International Office informed the delegates on CUI’s past engagements with the United Kingdom. He revealed that former Prime Minister of the UK, The Rt Hon Lord Cameron visited CUI in April 2011. Around 20 collaborative agreements have been signed with UK universities.
Since its inception, over 190 delegates from UK higher education institutions have visited CUI, with over 110 CUI officials reciprocating visits to various research and development organizations and universities in the UK.
One hundred fifty (150) UK Alumni are currently serving as faculty members, officers, and staff across all CUI campuses, further cementing the enduring bonds between our nations.
A memorandum of understanding on research cooperation between the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and COMSATS University was signed at the occasion.
During the visit, the delegates interacted with the faculty and students.
A certificate distribution ceremony for Scottish scholarship recipients for female students of CUI was also arranged by the university. Prof. Moyra Boland, Dean for Global Engagement – Central and South Asia on behalf of the Scottish Higher Education Trade Envoy and the UK delegation, said, “We are delighted to be here and very much looking forward to what we can achieve together. How we can conclude mutually beneficial partnerships together between the UK and Pakistan”.
Ms. Sarah Parvez, Head of Education, British Council Pakistan revealed that the British Council is planning to launch the second phase of the Pak-UK Education Gateway project in May 2024 as per the latest directive of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
The project will develop collaboration between the UK universities and Pakistani universities.
This will help create opportunities for students, faculty and for joint research.