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Pakistan’s frozen seafood makes splash in Xinjiang, China

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seafood

BEIJING, Dec 18 (APP): The Pakistan Frozen Seafood Exchange Conference took place in Urumqi, China last week, attracting local officials, importers, distributors, and representatives of logistics firms who gathered to discuss relevant policies and trade methods for importing Pakistani frozen seafood into Xinjiang.

This year marked the first entry of Pakistan’s frozen seafood products into Xinjiang through the Khunjerab Pass, the sole land entry and exit channel between China and Pakistan.

As many as 22 varieties of Pakistani seafood products were showcased at the event, including frozen pufferfish, eel, sardines, lobsters, and black tiger shrimp, China Economic Net (CEN) reported.

“With the collaborative support of the Government of Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous County and Khunjerab Customs, we achieved a historic breakthrough by directly importing the initial batch of full-container Pakistani frozen seafood to Xinjiang via land transportation, which takes merely seven days, significantly saving time and costs compared to sea transportation”, said Yu Caide, President of Xinjiang Jingyicheng Group.

“In the future, we will further deepen our cooperation with Pakistan and introduce more Pakistani seafood products.”

“During the event, Haihong International Food Logistics Port signed an agreement with Xinjiang Jingyicheng Group to establish the Pakistan International Food Hall.”

This initiative aims to facilitate the entry of more Pakistani food products and commodities into Xinjiang while also promoting the export of Xinjiang goods to Pakistan. Once completed, Xinjiang residents will enjoy easier access to high-quality Pakistani products.

Railways to restore Bolan Mail, Akbar Bugti Express

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): Pakistan Railways has decided to restore two more passenger trains from Quetta to Karachi and Quetta to Lahore to facilitate the passengers of the routes.

“The decision to restore trains including Bolan Mail and Akbar Bugti Express has been taken on the directions of the caretaker government,” an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP.

The official said that the Bolan Mail would resume its operations by the end of December this year, while Akbar Bugti Express would be restored in March next year.

He said the two trains would facilitate the people of Sindh and Punjab provinces to travel to Balochistan and vice versa. Currently, the Jaffer Express is the only operational passenger train in Balochistan being run between Quetta – Peshawar, besides local Chaman and Hurnai trains.

About the Bolan Mail, the official said the train would consist of 12 coaches with the facility of a dining car and bedding. The passengers would also be provided clean blankets, pillows and standard food, he added.

It is pertinent to mention here that, in October last, the department had restored train services at Sibi-Harnai section which was suspended 18 years ago after the miscreants destroyed main bridges and railway tracks in the year 2006.

NADRA clarifies false news about deadline on issuance of “Form B”

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NADRA

ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) on Monday clarified that no policy was changed in the issuance of “Form B” to the general public.

In a message, it said that no deadline was set for obtaining “Form B” but some elements spread wrong information on social media regarding the change of policy.

The clarification further said that some of the statements coming out on the internet from some quarters are contrary to the facts and are misleading the citizens.
Nadra also advised that being a responsible citizen requires avoiding to spreading such false news.

It said that there has been no change in the policy of issuance of “Form B” by NADRA and no change is contemplated.

LSMI output declines by 0.44% in first four months of FY 2022-23

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) in the country witnessed a negative growth of 0.44 percent during the first four months of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding period of year 2021-22, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported.

The provisional quantum indices of Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) for October 2023 with the base year 2015-16 have been developed based on the latest data supplied by the source agencies.

On a year-on-year basis, PBS posted a decrease of 4.08% in the LSMI sector compared to the industrial output of October 2022, according to PBS data.

The main contributors towards overall negative growth of 0.44% are Food (0.61), Tobacco (-0.71), Textile (-3.12) Garments (3.98), Petroleum Products (0.49), Chemicals (0.22), Pharmaceuticals (1.66), Cement (0.42), Iron & Steel Products (-0.10), Electrical Equipment (-0.50) and Automobiles (-1.51) and Furniture (-1.84).

The production in July-October 2023-24 as compared to July-October 2022-23 has increased in Food, Beverages, Wearing apparel, Coke & Petroleum Products, Chemicals, Fertilizers, Pharmaceuticals, Non-Metallic Mineral Products, Machinery and Equipment, and Other Manufacturing (Football) sectors, while it decreased in Tobacco, Textile, Iron & Steel Products, Electrical Equipment, Automobiles, other transport equipment and furniture areas.

COMSTECH, PASTIC sign MoU to propel Inter Library Network Resource Services

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COMSTECH

ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): COMSTECH- the OIC Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and the Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre (PASTIC) have officially inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards a landmark collaboration to advance scientific knowledge among OIC member states.

The MoU was signed during a ceremony held here on Monday. The MoU, signed by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Choudhry, Coordinator General COMSTECH, and Prof. Dr. Shahid Mahmood Baig, Chairman, Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), signifies a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the COMSTECH Inter-Library Network Resource Services.

The signing ceremony, held at COMSTECH, was attended by high-profile dignitaries, including Prof. Dr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh, Director General PASTIC, and senior officials from COMSTECH and PASTIC.

The event highlighted the shared vision of COMSTECH and PASTIC in fostering stronger ties within the scientific community, facilitating seamless access to resources, and ultimately contributing to the advancement of knowledge and technology across OIC member states.

Kerb currency market

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KARACHI, Dec 18 (APP): Following were the Opening Rates of foreign currencies in kerb market issued by the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), here on Monday.

F.C. LOW RATE HIGH RATE
U.S $ (Inter Bank) 282.90 283.40
U.S $ (Cash Free Market) 281.50 284.50
SAUDIA RIYAL 75.30 76.00
UAE DIRHAM 77.20 78.00
EURO 308.00 311.00
UK POUND 357.50 361.00
AUD $ 188.00 190.00
CAD $ 209.50 212.00
CHINESE YUAN 40.50 42.50

 

Foreigners can not stay in Pakistan indefinitely without visa: Solangi

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Murtaza Solangi

ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi on Monday said that foreigners including Afghan citizens could not stay in Pakistan indefinitely without a visa.

Talking to “Hum News” the minister said that some foreign countries had criticized Pakistan for sending illegal immigrants back to their countries. “There are about 20,000 Afghans in Pakistan who worked with the US coalition forces,” Murtaza Solangi said.

The minister said that the Taliban government was established in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, but the US and its allies were not yet able to shift these 20 thousand Afghans to their own countries.

He said that everyone knew the treatment of illegal immigrants across the world. When illegal immigrants were drowning in Greece, no one came to save them, Murtaza Solangi recalled.

Pakistan’s record about illegal residents was very good as compared to other countries of the world, Murtaza Solangi opined.

The minister said that millions of Afghan citizens legally present in Pakistan had access to all facilities including health, education and business activities.

About the foreigners who do not have documents or visas, he said “we only asked them to go back to their countries”. The minister said that Pakistan will have to decide how long foreigners could stay inside Pakistan.

Senate delegation visits Kuwait Embassy, condole death of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): A Senate delegation led by Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani paid a visit to the Kuwait Embassy in Islamabad to convey heartfelt condolences on the passing of the esteemed Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The delegation, comprising Senators Naseebullah Bazai, Mohammad Abdul Qadir, and Danesh Kumar, led by Chairman Senate expressed deep sorrow with the Kuwaiti Ambassador, over the great loss of the Emir of Kuwait, said a news release issued here on Monday.

As a gesture of respect, Sadiq Sanjrani penned poignant condolence remarks in the memorial book dedicated to guests, underscoring the significant loss felt not only by Kuwait’s royal family but also resonating profoundly with the people of Pakistan.

“In the demise of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, we have lost a true friend and a dynamic leader,” Chairman Senate remarked.

“His personal commitment to regional stability, global development, and his role in fostering international harmony will be remembered and cherished for generations to come”.

Sanjrani further conveyed his heartfelt condolences, sharing the grief of Kuwait and its people during this difficult time. “May Allah grant forgiveness and exalt the late Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,” he added.

The Chairman’s visit stands as a testament to the enduring bond between Pakistan and Kuwait, showcasing solidarity and sympathy during this period of mourning.

Van-truck collision claims four lives

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): Four people were killed and several others sustained critical injuries after a head-on collision between a passenger van and a truck at Chunawala road in Hasilpur a city of Bahawalpur District on Monday morning.
 According to rescue sources, a truck rammed into the passenger van and destroyed it completely, as a result, four persons lost their lives on the spot, a Private news channel reported. The injured were shifted to a hospital.
The accident occurred due to heavy fog, police said.

Sanjrani felicitates Qatar on National Day

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Chairman Senate

ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani Monday extended warm congratulations to the leadership and people of Qatar on the occasion of their National Day.

According to a press release, he commended the visionary and astute leadership of Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani. “Their unwavering commitment to progress and peace has garnered global admiration,” he said.

Qatar’s leadership has played a pivotal role in resolving longstanding global conflicts, notably in mitigating the Afghanistan crisis, he added.

The Chairman Senate added that in the face of the current escalation and humanitarian crisis arising from the barbaric Israeli bombing of Gaza, Qatar’s exemplary efforts to bring about peace are unparalleled.

Sanjrani emphasized the strong bonds of friendship between Pakistan and Qatar, rooted in shared religious, cultural, and people-to-people ties.

He expressed the deep respect of the Pakistani people for the Qatari Amir and his leadership.

Qatar, under distinguished leadership, has earned global recognition in various fields, standing as a true voice of the Muslim ummah. The Chairman applauded Qatar’s achievements in sports, investment, and trade, making it a world leader in every aspect of life.

As the two nations celebrate Qatar’s National Day, the Chairman Senate looks forward to the continued strengthening of the enduring friendship between Pakistan and Qatar, contributing to a more prosperous and harmonious future for both nations.