MNA Hamid Hameed calls on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif
New UK initiative will boost trade with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, Jul 18 (APP): The United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) has now entered into effect, providing tariff reductions and simpler terms of trade to Pakistan and 64 other countries.
The new scheme has replaced the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) and will help drive business between the UK and developing countries, reducing the need for aid.
UK Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston launched the scheme on Monday, during a visit to Ethiopia’s largest industrial business park, Bole Lemi.
Under the DCTS, Pakistan has retained its enhanced preferences status and will continue to benefit from duty-free exports to the UK on 94% of goods exported. It will also remove tariffs on over 156 additional products, and simplify some seasonal tariffs.
Total trade (goods and services) between the UK and Pakistan each year currently stands at £4.4 billion. It is expected that £120 million in tariffs will be saved on exports to the UK under the scheme.
Pakistan and other DCTS countries will be supported to participate in the international trading system through the UK’s Trade Centre of Excellence, which will provide specialist support to fully participate in the global trading system. This may include support on meeting trade standards, and participating in multilateral trade forums.
UK’s Trade Director for Pakistan and British Deputy High Commissioner, Karachi, Sarah Mooney, said:
“This is a major development in the trading relations between the UK and Pakistan. This important new scheme will further strengthen the economic ties between our two great countries, helping Pakistan to bolster its exports to the UK and harness the power of trade for development.’’
Maldivian envoy pays farewell call on foreign secretary
ISLAMABAD, July 18 (APP): High Commissioner of Maldives Farzana Zahir on Tuesday paid a farewell call on the Foreign Secretary Asad Majeed Khan here.
The foreign secretary appreciated the high commissioner’s efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation between two countries in various fields including political, economic, education and tourism, according to a Foreign Office statement.
PM visits Tariq Fazal Ch to condole death of his son
ISLAMABAD, July 18 (APP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday visited the residence of former federal minister and central leader of Pakistan Muslim League-N Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry to condole the death of his son.
The prime minister offered expressed grief and Fateha for the departed soul of Tariq Fazal’s son who lost his life in a road accident on Monday.
He also prayed to Allah Almighty for strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss.
Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Railways and Aviation Minister Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Information and Broadcasting Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Energy Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir and Advisor Ahad Cheema accompanied the prime minister.
First Muharram-ul-Harram to fall on July 20, Ashura on July 29
QUETTA, Jul 18 (APP): Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Syed Muhammad Abdul Khabir Azad on Tuesday announced that the crescent of Muharram-ul-Harram 1445 AH had not been sighted at any nook and cranny of the country.
Addressing a press conference after a thorough consultation with all stakeholders, he said the first of Muharram-ul-Haram would fall on Thursday, July 20 and Ashura on Saturday, July 29, 2023.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee met here for sighting the crescent of Muharram-ul-Haram 1445 AH. Meanwhile, the meetings of Zonal and District Ruet-e-Hilal Committees were held at their respective headquarters.
The sighting of the moon holds great significance for the Islamic community, as it marks the beginning of the holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram. To ensure the accurate determination of the new moon, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee collaborated with Zonal and District Ruet-e-Hilal Committees, which simultaneously held their meetings at their respective headquarters.
Ministry’s Spokesperson Muhammad Umar Butt said the announcement was made after thorough deliberations and mutual understanding with all stakeholders.
The committee’s decision was based on credible and solid testimonies from reputable sources, ensuring utmost accuracy, he added.
He said this important meeting aimed to facilitate the observance of Muharram-ul-Haram with harmony and unity throughout the country. Religious scholars, community leaders, and stakeholders were urged to cooperate in providing credible testimonies, fostering a spirit of consensus and togetherness, he maintained.
Umar Butt said the Ministry had requested all citizens to look for the new moon on this evening and promptly report any sightings to their nearest Ruet-e-Hilal Committee representatives. The cooperation of the public was vital in ensuring the timely and accurate announcement of the crescent sighting, he added.
He said the entire nation hoped for a blessed and peaceful Muharram-ul-Haram, commemorating the sacrifices and teachings of Islam’s revered figures.
He prayed to Allah Almighty that may this holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram bring peace, blessings, and harmony to all Muslims across the nation.
CDWP okays 10 projects worth Rs1,073.41bln
ISLAMABAD, Jul 18 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday chaired a meeting of the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) that approved 10 development projects worth Rs1,073.41 billion.
Out of these, three projects worth Rs9.41 billion have been approved by the CDWP, while the forum also recommended seven projects worth Rs 1,064 billion to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for its consideration, a news release said.
Among others, the meeting was attended by, Secretary of the Planning Ministry Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Additional Secretary, Senior Joint Economist, Members of the Planning Commission and representatives from various Ministries and Divisions.
The projects discussed in the meeting covered sectors such as Agriculture & Food, Education, Transport & Communications, and Water Resources.
One of the projects, namely “Prime Minister’s National Programme for Socialization of Agriculture Tube Wells,” with a cost of Rs. 377,236.275 million, has been recommended to ECNEC for its consideration.
The Ministry of Education presented a project titled “Establishment of Federal Government College of Home Economics Management Sciences and Specialized Discipline, F-11/1 Islamabad,” worth Rs2,637.769 million, which was approved by the CDWP.
The forum also approved a project called “Establishment of Women Sub-Campus, University of Swat, Charbagh Swat, KPK,” worth Rs 1,360.266 million.
The Transport & Communications sector presented five projects in the forum.
The first project “Lahore Ring Road Southern Loop Construction of Road from Raiwind Road up to Multan,” worth
Rs 17,785.8250 million has been recommended to ECNEC for its consideration.
The second project namely the “Punjab Arterial Roads Improvement Program,” worth Rs188,965.060 million, has also been sent to ECNEC.
While the third project, the “Construction of Yariq – Tank Road” with a length of 35 km and a cost of Rs. 5,414.450 million, was approved by the CDWP forum.
Whereas the fourth project “Construction of Hyderabad – Sukkur 306 km, 6 Lane Divided Fenced Motorway on Built Operate Transfer,” worth Rs. 308,194 million, has been recommended to the ECNEC for further consideration.
The fifth project “Construction of KhawazaKhel – Besham Expressway” spanning 48 km and costing Rs. 79,130.878 million, was also sent to the ECNEC.
The Ministry of Water Resources presented two projects “Garuk Storage Dam District Kharan” worth Rs 27,553.186 million and “Remodeling of Pat Feeder Canal System” worth Rs 61,793.367 million, which the form recommended to ECNEC for consideration.
Pakistan, Azerbaijan can boost business, cultural ties through road linkages
ISLAMABAD, Jul 18 (APP): Minister for Communications Maulana Asad Mahmood on Tuesday said that Pak-Azerbaijan could further enhance bilateral relations in terms of trade & commerce and strengthen public, cultural ties through land links and highways.
He expressed these views during a meeting with a seven-member Azerbaijan delegation led by Minister for Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev to discuss road trade agreement and move towards a legal framework for trade.
The minister praised the delegation of Azerbaijan for coming to Pakistan and holding meetings with various ministries and officials to strengthen bilateral ties.
Rashad Nabiyev apprised the Minister for Communications that Azerbaijan has paved new roads for the promotion of trade and public transportation by laying its network of highways connecting up to Bandar Abbas, Iran.
In response, Asad Mehmood expressed Pakistan’s desire to expand land connection to Iran, Azerbaijan, Russia and Eastern Europe to boost the economy of regional countries and raise the living standards of the people. He said the Government of Pakistan stands ready for all kinds of assistance regarding road transport and trade.
During the meeting, a task force was formed to develop a legal framework for road trade agreements, and the Federal Secretary Communications & Chairman NHA Captain (Rtd.) Muhammad Khurram Agha will be the focal person on behalf of Pakistan.
The Minister of Communications appreciated the fact that Azerbaijan supports Pakistan’s position regarding Kashmir. Similarly, he added, Pakistan’s position in some other matters was a mirror of mutual harmony. A road trade agreement will help in furthering bilateral ties to new heights, he added.
He also told the delegation that the Government of Pakistan is expanding its land routes to nearby countries by laying a vast network of important national highways in Balochistan.
Azerbaijan Minister of Digital Development and Transport Rashad Nabiyev emphasized that coordination between the two countries in terms of roads and transport was a guarantee of economic development throughout the region. “Azerbaijan has heavily invested in road infrastructure, railways, and airports in some of its newly developed land areas, and the minister encouraged that Pakistan may benefit by using Azerbaijan as a transit route to the West”, he said.
The minister said that the process of laying land links and highways between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, through Iran, will promote trade, industry, tourism and culture between the two countries.