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POL import bill shrinks by 16.93% in four months

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NNPS Desk
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PBS

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): The imports of the overall petroleum group contracted by 16.93 percent during the first four months of the current fiscal year (2023-24) as compared to the corresponding period of the last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported.

The total imports of the petroleum group during July-October (2023-24) stood at $ 5,029.011 million against the imports of $ 6,054.086 million during the same period of last year

Among petroleum commodities, the import of petroleum products declined by 23.99 percent, from $ 2,844.091 million last year to $2,161.833 million during the period under review.

Likewise, the imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) declined by 7.10 percent from $ 1,266.662 million last year to $ 1,176.718 million this year whereas petroleum crude dipped by 13.92 percent from $ 1,727.344 million to $ 1,486.957million.

The import of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) went down by 5.75 per cent in the first four months of the current fiscal year and stood at $203.463 million as compared to $215.884 in the corresponding period in 2022.

Meanwhile, on a year-on-year basis, the petroleum group imports witnessed an increase of 28.54 percent during the month of October 2023 as compared to the same month of last year, from $ 1,188.107 million to $1,527.147 million.

On a month-on-month basis, the petroleum imports into the country also increased by 14.76 percent during October 2023, as compared to the imports of $ 1,330.750 million in September 2023, said the data.

Govt decides to elect new PHF president through elections: Senate told

By
NNPS Desk
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Murtaza Solangi

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Tuesday informed the Senate that the government had decided to elect a new person for slot of president Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) through elections.

Replying during Question Hour, he said that under the National Sports Policy, the tenure of president PHF was four year and a person could not remain in the office for more than two terms.

The minister said issue of suspended PHF president Brig. (Retd) Muhammad Khalid Sajjad Khokhar had been settled last week adding that committee had been set up to hold election for the new president.

Regarding cricket team performance, he said interim committee had been set which had limited powers.

The committee could not change name of FATA Cricket Team due to its limited power, he added.

To another question, the minister said National TB Control Program (NTP) was working under the Common Management Unit, Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination.

The government had devised a concrete mechanism for checking the quality of medicines being provided to the patients under TB control Program in the country, he added.

All anti TB medicines were being procured by NTP Pakistan through the Global Drug Facility from WHO Prequalified sources with Pre-Shipment Inspection done by the international agents, he said.

Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal appointed as Bowling Coaches for Men’s National Team

By
Amjad Shafique
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0
PESHAWAR, Nov 21 (APP):Members of the 2009 T20 World Cup and 2012 Asia Cup winning squad, and former Pakistan cricketers Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal, have been appointed as the Fast Bowling and Spin Bowling Coaches, respectively, for the Pakistan Men’s Team. Their inaugural assignments in these roles include the Test series against Australia scheduled from 14 December 2023 to 7 January 2024 and the T20I series against New Zealand from 12 to 21 January 2024.
Umar Gul previously served as the bowling coach for the Pakistan Men’s Team during the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, and the subsequent series against New Zealand at home. He has also been the bowling coach for Quetta Gladiators in the last HBL PSL season and Afghanistan’s bowling coach in the ICC Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2022. He made his international debut in 2003, representing Pakistan in 47 Tests (163 wickets at 34.06), 130 ODIs (179 wickets at 29.34), and 60 T20Is (85 wickets at 16.97) between 2003 and 2016.
Former world no. 1 ODI bowler Saeed Ajmal will take charge as the Spin Bowling Coach. Saeed, who made his international debut in 2008, represented Pakistan in 35 Tests, 113 ODIs, and 64 T20Is, picking up 447 wickets across the three formats. He also served as the spin bowling coach with the HBL PSL franchise Islamabad United.
Umar Gul: “I am pleased to join as the bowling coach of Pakistan team and feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to contribute to Pakistan cricket by Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf. Having had previous working experience with the men’s side, I will bring my coaching expertise with the aim of elevating Pakistan’s bowling prowess to new heights.”
Saeed Ajmal: “I am truly honoured and grateful for the opportunity provided by Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf to serve as the spin bowling coach. I am delighted to contribute to the development of spin bowling talent within the Pakistan national team. I believe my career and coaching experience will help enhance the spin bowling arsenal of the team.”

NHMP beware travelers, dense fog envelops motorway sections

By
NNPS Desk
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NHMP

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) on Tuesday issued travel advisory for prevailing hazardous condition posed a significant threat to motorists as the dense fog engulfed two sections of the Motorway North Zone, reducing visibility to a mere 30-50 meters that could lead to accidents.

The NHMP issued travel advisory for the commuters specially at night times on Motorway North Zone sections.

The affected areas are identified from Haji Shah (KM 1620) to Attock Khurd (KM 1627), where visibility is at a perilous 30-50 meters.

Further north, from Khairabad Bridge (KM 1628) to Nihal pura (KM 1635), visibility is slightly better but still dangerously low at 50-60 meters, the NHMP public relations officer told APP.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department issued a warning urging motorists to exercise extreme caution when traveling through these areas.

The drivers are advised to reduce their speed, use their fog lights, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.

In addition to the fog, two sections of the Motorway North Zone are also experiencing roadwork from Wali Interchange (KM 450) to Near Wali Interchange (KM 451), the North Bound 2nd Lane and 3rd Lane are closed from Near Swabi Interchange (KM 422) to Near Swabi Interchange (KM 422.400), the South Bound 1st Lane and 2nd Lane are also closed.

The motorists traveling through these areas are advised to be aware of the road closures and plan their routes accordingly.

Peshawar win Inter-Schools Football C’ship

By
Iqra Yousaf Iqra Yousaf
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0
football
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Defending Champions Peshawar retrained the Inter-Schools Football Championship title by downing Sohdra in the final at Mohammad Rasheed Football Ground, Wazirabad.
The championship was organized by Muslim Hands for the promotion of football among the youth, said a press release.
A total of 12 teams participated in the championship from cities including Peshawar, Islamabad, Rollakot (Azad Kashmir), Kotli (Azad Kashmir), Bagh (Azad Kashmir), Gujarkhan, Wazirabad and Sohdra.
Peshawar beat Sohdra by 1-0 to win the championship. Earlier in the semifinals Peshawar defeated Wazirabad Falcon while Sohdra outplayed the Rawalakot Eagles.
The sensational final of the Inter-Schools Muslim hands have also been supporting to Pakistan Street Football Children team and in this regard, tournaments were being organized. On the other hand, training was also being provided to players from qualified coaches.

Pakistan re-elected by acclamation to a key UN committee

By
NNPS Desk
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0

UNITED NATIONS, Nov 21 (APP): Pakistan was re-elected to the United Nations Committee for Programme and Coordination (CPC), during elections held in the U.N. General Assembly on Monday.

The election, on the recommendation of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), was by acclamation, reflecting the international community’s recognition of the country’s positive role at the U.N.

Pakistan has been a member of this 34-member committee since 1973, and with its latest re-election, would serve on it from for another three-year term, beginning January 1, 2024

The committee functions as a main subsidiary organ of the ECOSOC and the General Assembly for planning, programming and coordination.

The CPC is charged with reviewing UN programmes as defined in the strategic framework; recommending priority programmes; guiding the Secretariat on translating legislation into programmes and making recommendations; developing evaluation procedures; and, assisting ECOSOC in its coordination functions.

The committee also carries out periodic reviews of the implementation of important legislative decisions. It is directed to cooperate with the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ) and consult with the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU).

CDNS realizes Rs 715 billion targets in fresh bond

By
NNPS Desk
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0

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): The Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) has attained a target of Rs 715 billion in fresh bonds in the current fiscal year, from July 1 to November, 20.

The CDNS surpassed the annual target and achieved the target of Rs 1.6 trillion in fresh bonds in the current fiscal year, the senior official of CDNS told APP here on Tuesday.

He said this was Rs 200 billion additional annual targets than the target of Rs 1300 billion for the previous financial year 2021-22.

“The CDNS has set a reviewed saving target of Rs 1.4 trillion for the current financial year (2021-22) which will promote savings culture in the country,” he said.

In view of the current market trend in the country, the ambitious target had been set to further improve the savings culture, he said.
The official said that work was being done on institutional reforms in CDNS and new reforms and innovations were being introduced.

“At this time Automated Teller Machine (ATM) has also been introduced in CDNS which will provide enough facilities to the users,” he added.

Replying to a question, he said the CDNS had collected an investment of Rs 16 billion in the month of July 2023-24,through Islamic investment bonds. He added that the directorate has set a target of Rs 75 billion for the new financial year 2023-24 for Islamic finance bonds.
Replying to a question, he said the CDNS’s aim was to introduce new dimensions in the Islamic finance sector.
He informed the directorate had reviewed and set a target of Rs 60 billion in the fiscal year (2022-23) for Islamic investment to introduce the new products in the market.

“Islamic finance has a very important role in the global financial sector at this time, and a large part of the economy of many major countries currently includes Islamic finance,” he added.

PR all set to procure 230 passenger coaches, 820 High Capacity Wagons

By
NNPS Desk
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0
Railways

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Pakistan Railways is set to procure 230 passenger coaches and 820 High Capacity Wagons under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) aiming help to improve the speed of the trains and ensure adherence to fixed timings.

“Out of the total, around 46 Completely-Built-Up (CBU) passenger coaches have been procured up till now while the remaining 184 would be manufactured in the country and the couches would be able to travel at the speed of 160km/h,” said an official in the Ministry of Railways.

“Pakistan Railways is putting maximum efforts to complete rehabilitation and reconstruction work on the railway track, improving the speed of the locomotives to carry passengers to their respective destinations on time,” he added.
The infrastructure, including the track and signalling system from Karachi to Peshawar, Main Line-I (ML-I), and doubling of track from Lahore to Peshawar (462.20 Km) was also being revamped, he added.

The official noted that the length of the track was 1,726 kilometres and the department has planned to improve speed up to 160 kilometres per hour in the project of up-gradation of ML-I under the China-Pak Economic Corridor (CPEC).

He said the rolling stock being procured under this project would be capable of running at a speed of 160 km/h whereas the department had a dedicated fleet of 55 diesel-electric locomotives of 4000-4500 HP for freight operation to cater maximum haulage at higher speed.

“The Computer Based Interlocking (CBI) system is installed on 48 stations of ML-I, to improve signalling and interlocking for higher speed and safety of train operation,” the official added.

To a question, he said Pakistan Railways was a big organization comprising around 63,000 employees and its network was spread throughout the country.

The official said the employees were well cared for owing to having several welfare activities, including healthcare facilities through an intensive network of hospitals, dispensaries, and child healthcare units.

He said that the provision of government accommodation according to entitlement and priority list, staff benevolent funds, benefits and incentives provided through the Prime Minister’s Family Assistance Package policy for deceased employees’ families were part of these facilities.

While the other facilities included benefits and incentives provided through policy for disabled employees’ families, monthly grants to widows scale-wise, the establishment of primary and high schools, industrial schools to teach handicrafts, sports activities, pick and drop facility for schools/offices, installation of water filters plants, a special provision of five medical seats in Riphah Islamic Universities with the reduction of 50 percent in admission and tuition fees.

Exports increase by 29.96% to Rs 2.7 trillion in 4 months

By
Muhammad Ashraf Wani
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0
export

ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP):The exports from the country in the rupee term witnessed an increase of 29.96 percent during the first four months of the current fiscal year as compared to the corresponding period of last year, the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) reported.

Exports during July-October (2023-24) were recorded at Rs. 2,767,606 million as against Rs.2,129,652 million during the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 29.96 percent, according to provisional data released by PBS.

On a year-on-year basis, the exports during October 2023 increased by 43.42 percent and were recorded at Rs.754,073 million compared to the exports of Rs. 525,782 million in October 2022.

On a month-on-month basis, the exports increased by 2.28 percent when compared to the exports of Rs.737,295 million in September 2023.

The main commodities of exports during October, 2023 were knitwear (Rs. 104,025 million), readymade garments(Rs. 76,920 million), bed wear (Rs. 68,298 million), rice others (Rs.66,558 million), cotton cloth (Rs. 47,758 million), oil seeds, nuts and kernals (Rs.33,897 million), towels (Rs.26,312 million), cotton yarn (Rs.25,838 million), rice basmati (Rs.18,783 million) and madeup articles excluding towels & bedwear (Rs.17,980 million).

On the other hand, Imports during July–October (FY2023-24) totaled Rs.4,924,337 million as against Rs. 4,660,743 million during the corresponding period of last year, showing an increase of 5.66 percent.

On a year-on-year basis, imports into Pakistan during October 2023 amounted to Rs. 1,363,574 million as against Rs. 1,010,474 million in October 2022, showing increase of 34.94 percent.

On a month-on-month basis, imports into the country witnessed an increase of 14.67 percent in September 2023 when compared to the imports of Rs. 1,189,167 million in September 2023.

The main commodities of imports during October, 2023 were petroleum products (Rs. 181,138 million), petroleum crude (Rs.151,331 million), natural gas, liquified (Rs.78,020 million), electric machinery & apparatus (Rs.73,778 million), plastic materials (Rs. 57,994 million), palm oil (Rs. 57,674 million), Iron & steel (Rs.51,121 million), mobile phones (Rs.46,523 million), wheat unmilled (Rs.33,815 million) and fertilizer manufactured (Rs.31,994 million).

E&T Department launches vehicle registration drive at Kachnar Park

By
Iqra Yousaf Iqra Yousaf
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0
ISLAMABAD, Nov 21 (APP): Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon has launched a vehicle registration drive at Kachnar Park to facilitate citizens, where a mobile unit will be available on Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m.
In addition to excise staff, the Facilitation Center’s Doorstep ICT Vehicle will also be present at the drive to provide a variety of services, including Domicile Certificate, Birth Certificate, Power of Attorney, International Driving Permit, Fuel Permit (Domestic/Commercial), Motor Vehicle Registration, ICT Spokesman Dr Abdullah Tabasum said.
Vehicle owners can take advantage of this opportunity to register their vehicles, transfer ownership, or pay token taxes without having to visit an excise office.
This drive is important because it will make it easier for vehicle owners to register their vehicles and pay taxes. It will also help to reduce congestion at excise offices.
Vehicle owners can benefit from this drive by saving time and money. They can also avoid the hassle of visiting an excise office.
Vehicle owners who want to register their vehicles, transfer ownership, or pay token taxes are encouraged to take advantage of this drive.
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