Finance Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a virtual meeting with H.E. Andrew Mitchell Britain’s Minister of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chairing the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions (CColGCT)
New scheme replaced GSP to help boosting Pakistan, UK trade : Naveed Qamar
KARACHI, Jun 20 (APP): Federal Minister for Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar has said the new scheme had replaced the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) and will help drive business between the UK and Pakistan, reducing the need for aid.
According to a press release issued here on Tuesday, Pakistan retains enhanced preferences status and will continue to benefit from duty-free exports to the UK on 94% of goods exported.
The United Kingdom’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) has now entered into effect, providing tariff reductions and simpler terms of trade to Pakistan. It will also remove tariffs on over 156 additional products, and simplify some seasonal tariffs, it added.
Some of the specific goods which benefit most from the DCTS in Pakistan include over £ 250 million ($320 million) of average annual exports to the UK of bedlinen and almost £100 million of jeans which will each receive a 12% reduction in import duty.
The DCTS covers 37 countries in Africa and 26 in Asia. Oceania. Middle East and 2 in the Americas.
The scheme was announced last year, and legislation has since been finalised to bring it into force, Federal Minister of Commerce Syed Naveed Qamar’s visit to the UK this month was vital to bring this into effect for Pakistan.
The total volume of trade in goods and services between the UK and Pakistan each year currently stands at £4.4 billion ($5.63 billion). It is expected that £120 million ($153.6 million) in tariffs will be saved on exports to the UK under the scheme.
The international trading system through the UK’s Trade Centre of Excellence, will provide specialist support to fully participate in the global trading system. This may include support for meeting trade standards and participating in multilateral trade forums.
“This important new scheme will further strengthen the economic ties between our two great countries, helping Pakistan to boost its exports to the UK and benefit from the power of trade for development”, said Syed Naveed Qamar.
Speakers call for practical steps to channelize border trade
ISLAMABAD, Jun 20 (APP):Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday called for taking practical measures to properly channelize the border trade from the Balochistan province in order to formalize this practice for the ultimate benefit of people.
The Seminar – Developments in Balochistan – was organized by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI).
They also called for initiating dialogue to sort out the issues and resolve differences in this regard.
Former Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan, Senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar, former federal minister Zubeida Jalal, MNA Danesh Kumar, MPA Sanaullah Baloch and Sarfaraz Bugti were the panelists, said a news release.
President IPRI Amb. Raza Muhammad highlighted the need to bridge the gap between elite and downtrodden in the province, which was rich in natural and human resources.
Jam Kamal said that liaison between stakeholders and common strata ought to be restored in order to boost people’s confidence.
He said that the poverty level in Balochistan was very high as compared to other areas of the country due to minimal infrastructure in the province. “This leads to insurgency as deprivation is cashed by vested forces,” he elucidated.
Sarfaraz Bugti said that small things could make a big difference, and it was time to start afresh.
He said uneven development was not specific to Balochistan and added there were two paradigms — law & order and other development in the province.
MNA Danesh Kumar talked about the social cohesion, adding there was no specific treatment with the minorities, especially Hindu in the province.
He called upon the government to allocate sufficient funds to develop the province at par with other areas of the country.
Kumar proudly shared that minorities were free to practice their religion in the province.
Sanaullah Baloch said the mega development projects would ultimately ensure the uplift of people in the province.
Zubeida Jamal, former federal minister, pointed out the widening gaps in the development sectors of the province.
She said 75 percent of Baloch population was below 30 years, and it was a challenge for the government, in terms of unemployment and imparting quality education.
A vendor displaying the stationary items (colorful pencils) to attract the customers outside the Dehli Gate
Project launched to protect intellectual property rights of skilled women
MULTAN, Jun 20 (APP):World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan on Tuesday launched a novel project in south Punjab to protect the intellectual property rights (IPRs) of less privileged skilled craftswomen for branding, commercialization and trademark registration of the products they prepare.
Women from different sectors attended the brainstorming sessions at the ceremony at a local hotel where Chairman IPO Pakistan Farrukh Aamil, joined proceedings via video link and underlined the need for establishing a closer liaison with skilled women from middle class and rural areas for their capacity building to enable them extract maximum benefits from their skills for their financial strengthening and independence.
Aamil said, usually women entrepreneurs from elite class benefit from such initiatives and stressed that the project highlights be explained to women from lower income groups so that they can better plan marketing, trademark, branding and sale of their products. They should own IPRs of their products and be financially strong and stable, IPO Pakistan chairman said.
He advised program officials to use local languages to make the guidelines clear for women from poor segments of society adding that the literature in English be translated into Urdu besides regional languages including Seraiki, Punjabi and others for more awareness among them.
DG IPO Pakistan Shazia Adnan said that the pilot project was launched in Multan and south Punjab and it would be gradually expanded to rest of the country.
It will help skilled women have IPRs of their embroidered or other products protected making them solely entitled to claim benefits.
Pakistan’s representative at the UN and other international forums, ambassador Khalil Hashmi said that Pakistani women were talented and can play dynamic role in all spheres of life.
He said that active participating of women in the mainstream national development process was essential for economic development in the country and their financial strength and independence.
Deputy DG WIPO Hassan Kaleeb said that the project would help skilled women from poor segments of society have their products projected at national and international levels with their own trademark stamp.
Presidents of women chamber of commerce and industry Multan and Bahawalpur said that Pakistani women were talented and ambitious and all they need is the right direction with a bit of support to excel in what they were adept in.
A number of women associated with different cottage industry skills were registered under the project.
APP/oh/ifi
A labourer pushing handcart loaded with iron rods to deliver in a local market outside Dehli Gate in Provincial Capital
Yadgar, Bagh-e-Dastoor, a symbolic tribute to Pakistan’s constitutional ideals: NA Speaker
ISLAMABAD, Jun 20 (APP): Speaker National Assembly Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that Yadgar-e-Dastoor & Bagh-e-Dastoor were envisioned as symbolic initiatives intended to honor, and uphold the principles enshrined in Pakistan’s constitution.
They would stand as a testament to the country’s unwavering dedication to democracy, justice, and the rule of law, he said while presiding over the 8th meeting of the Advisory Committee constituted to oversee the preparations of the Golden Jubilee of the Constitution here in Parliament House.
During the meeting, the committee thoroughly examined and deliberated upon the proposed designs of Yadgar-e-Dastoor presented by the Capital Development Authority. After extensive consultation and voting among the Members, a final design was selected and approved.
The meeting also approved the basic design of Bagh-e-Dastoor but instructed CDA to present a comprehensive working design that encompassed all aspects.
Furthermore, the concerned body was directed to ensure that the design aligns fully with the fundamental structure of the Constitution.
During the discussion on the restoration of the Old National Assembly Hall, he emphasized necessity for collective efforts from all stakeholders and urged for the immediate commencement of restoration process.
In response to the suggestion of the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Advisory Committee formed a two-member committee to oversee the aspects of awarding and technicalities involved in the restoration process.
The Advisory Committee emphasized importance of strictly adhering to austerity measures during the execution of all commemoration-related activities, as was practiced in the past.
Besides Speaker, the meeting was attended by MNAs Engr. Sabir Hussain Kaim Khani, Dr.Nafisa Shah, Mohsin Dawar, Asiya Azeem , Senior officers from NA, CDA, NADRA and NCA.
PTA urges safe, responsible use of social media
ISLAMABAD, Jun 20 (APP):The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has released guidelines highlighting the significance of safe and responsible use of social media due to its increasing popularity and the potential risks it poses to public convenience.
In an article titled “Principles, Responsibilities, and Ethics of Social Media,” Director Muhammad Farooq emphasizes the profound impact of social media on society, both positive and negative. While these platforms offer numerous benefits such as digital literacy, access to local content, business opportunities, and instant information, they also have the capacity to undermine our social and moral values.
One of the primary concerns highlighted in the article is the challenge of addressing false, defamatory, misleading, inappropriate, and hate-inducing content, as it threatens cultural and ethical values.
Moreover, the online platforms themselves are vulnerable to various risks. Users who are unaware of local laws and community guidelines often fall victim to financial fraud, encounter online predators, or engage in illegal activities that can lead to legal consequences.
To ensure public convenience and safety, the article stresses the importance of following the necessary guidelines for the responsible use of social media.
Users are advised to exercise caution when sharing content and protect personal information. It emphasized that while sharing information on social media may only take seconds, once uploaded, it becomes a permanent part of our digital footprint and can be exploited for negative purposes.
Law enforcement agencies can utilize illegal material to trace the original uploader, even deleted content, and initiate legal action if necessary.
Therefore, the article underscores the need to be cautious when posting or sharing personal or family information. While nothing on the internet is entirely private, it is crucial to keep personal information confidential to prevent potential misuse.
Users are encouraged to share online content only when confident it will not compromise privacy or safety.
Most social media platforms offer security features that can be adjusted according to individual needs, and users are advised to familiarize themselves with these features and regularly review privacy settings.
The article also highlights the importance of understanding and mitigating online risks such as cyberbullying, sexual harassment, scams, and phishing emails.
It recommends keeping personal profiles private and confidential, using strong passwords, and keeping antivirus software up to date. It further advises against making sensitive information, including family pictures, phone numbers, credit card images, email addresses, and date of birth, public unless necessary.
In addition to individual responsibilities, the article addresses the role of parents in monitoring and restricting their children’s online activities. It suggests the use of private parental control software to ensure appropriate levels of access and safety.
Lastly, the article emphasizes the significance of respecting other beliefs and exercising politeness, tolerance, patience, and respect when interacting with others on social media. It advises against uploading or sharing sensitive material that may disrupt the peace and security of the country. Overall, the PTA’s guidelines underscore the importance of responsible social media use, aiming to protect public convenience, promote digital literacy, and preserve cultural and ethical values.
By adhering to these guidelines, users can navigate the online world safely and mitigate potential risks associated with social media platforms.
PM assures utilization of resources to strengthen, facilitate police force
ISLAMABAD, Jun 20 (APP):Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday said the incumbent government would utilize all possible resources to upgrade the capacity and performance of the Islamabad Capital Territory Police by extending different facilities.
Addressing a stone laying ceremony of the National Police Hospital at Police Lines, the prime minister appreciated the sacrifices and contributions of the police force.
He said the entire nation felt pride over the police force as they were the protectors of the nation and expressed the confidence that the police force would not tolerate any lapse in maintaining law and order.
The prime minister assured to strengthen the skills and capacity of the police force and all the recommendations in that regard would be fulfilled despite economic constraints.
On the occasion, the prime minister also unveiled plaques for Dolphin and SPU Headquarters and an educational institute for the families of the police force projects. Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Federal Education and Training Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah, parliamentarians, ambassadors and a large number of police officers and jawans were present.
Appreciating the efforts of interior minister, the prime minister said the plan for the establishment of Dolphin force in Islamabad should be immediately prepared on the pattern he had introduced in the Punjab province with the assistance of Turkiye.
Instructors from Turkiye should be brought to impart training and a comprehensive programme in that regard should be introduced, he added.
The prime minister further said that a hospital for the police force and their families in Islamabad should have been constructed in the past. Now, the police force and their families would be provided with the latest health and educational facilities.
Commending the interior minister for his efforts for payment of the Shahuda Package arrears, he also assured that he would take up the issue of police law and order allowance with the finance minister.
The prime minister said about 2000 jawans had been inducted on merit which should be the standard emulated across the society.
He said with such like merit-based inductions, the nation would move on path of progress whereas corruption and favourtism wreaked havoc during the previous government’s tenure. Meritocracy should be maintained at all levels, he stressed.
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Minister for Interior Rana Sanaullah said the present government paid prompt attention to address all the issues faced by the Capital Police.
He referred to the payment of arrears to families of Shuhada and said over Rs 1 billion was paid within three days, in that regard, on the direction of the prime minister.
He said deserving children of the deceased police force were given jobs on merit.
Rana Sanaullah said salaries of the Islamabad Capital Territory Police were made equivalent to those of the Punjab police.
He said the Dolphin force, special protection unit and anti-terrorism force would be soon made operational in Islamabad.
Lauding the sacrifices of Shuhada of police force, he said they had sacrificed their lives for the protection of countrymen and securing peace.
The interior minister said the entire nation stood against those who attacked and disgraced the monuments of Shuhada on May 9, adding the police force very bravely faced the onslaught of a political party and protected the Capital city.
Inspector General of Police Dr Akbar Nasir Khan also highlighted the performance and contributions of the police force in maintaining law and order in the Federal Capital.