Ambassador of Ethiopia H.E. Jemal Beker Abdula along with Principal, Ms. Sobia Abid in a group photograph with students in connection with 77th Independence Day celebration at Roots International Schools & Colleges, H-8
Implementation of GSP- Plus Conventions to help Pakistan for enhancing trade with EU: Belgium Envoy
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Ambassador of Belgium to Pakistan, Charles DELOGNE on Tuesday said that the implementation of Generalized Schemes of Preferences (GSP- Plus) conventions, especially labour rights, human rights and environmental protection would help Pakistan to further improve its trade with the European Union.
The Ambassador said this while addressing the business community during his visit to the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), said in a press release issued here. Abid Hussain, Trade Commissioner of the Belgium Embassy also accompanied him on the occasion.
The Envoy said that Belgium is the 5th largest trading partner of Pakistan in the EU and it is interested in further enhancing cooperation with Pakistan in various sectors including trade, scientific research and education sectors.
He said that the IMF agreement was key to Pakistan as it has provided more flexibility to it and added that Pakistan should ensure its implementation to save its economy from more problems.
He said that PIA is in negotiations with the EU to reopen its flights and the start of PIA flights would facilitate Pakistan’s trade promotion with EU countries.
He said that Pakistani educated and skilled workers can directly apply to Belgium companies and his embassy is ready to facilitate them in signing employment contracts in case of their selection by Belgium companies.
Speaking on the occasion, Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, President, of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said that Pakistan and Belgium enjoy cordial relations, but their bilateral trade of just over US$ 1 billion is not matching with their actual potential.
He said that both countries should promote business linkages between their private sectors to explore new areas of promoting bilateral trade.
He said that Belgium can also cooperate with Pakistan in agriculture, food processing, IT, renewable energy and construction sectors.
He said that Pakistan is establishing many special economic zones under CPEC and investors of Belgium should explore joint ventures and investment in them.
He assured that ICCI would like to work with the Belgium Embassy to further strengthen connectivity between private sectors of both countries.
Engr. Azhar ul Islam Zafar, Vice President ICCI said that the Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF would address the balance of payment issues of Pakistan and stressed that Belgium should share its expertise in achieving better economic development with Pakistan to improve our economy.
Zafar Bakhtawari, former President ICCI and Secretary General UBG said that Pakistan has suffered huge human and economic losses due to being the frontline country against war on terrorism and EU countries should cooperate with Pakistan in overcoming its current economic challenges.
Kashif Zaheer, Khalid Chaudhry, Aslam Khokhar, Ch. Irfan, Malik Shabbir, Akbar Siddiqui Chughtai, Ms. Nagina Khaleeque, Ms. Nasira Ali and others were also present on the occasion.
NDMRF to kick off country’s first ever three-day DRR Expo tomorrow
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): The National Disaster Risk Management Fund (NDRMF) is going to inaugurate the country’s first-ever three-day disaster risk reduction expo at the Pak-China Friendship Center that will continue from August 16-18 with a vibrant gathering of local and international experts on the subject matter.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the NDRMF is organizing a national-level Pakistan Expo on Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR-23) under the title Making Resilient Pakistan.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of NDRMF, Bilal Anwar in a video message shared on the official Twitter handle of the Fund informed the masses regarding PEDRR-23. During PEDRR-23, a large number of high-level dignitaries, representatives from the international community, government officials, humanitarian organizations, academia, media, and members of the private sector would attend the event.
He said, “PEDRR-23 will comprise of multiple activities including seminars, panel discussions, green talks, student competitions, and academic paper presentations. NDRMF looks forward to collaborative efforts in making it a success.”
The Green Talks at PEDRR-23 is one of the important events focused on Climate-Induced Disasters to be led by CEO NDRMF, Bilal Anwar.
The Green Talks that aim to shed light on the lessons learned from Pakistan’s experience with disasters, showcasing stories of resilience, innovation, and community empowerment will highlight key lessons learned from past disasters, focusing on innovative approaches, community-driven initiatives, and sustainable solutions that have emerged from Pakistan’s experiences.
Moreover, a panel discussion under the title Investing in an Adaptive and Resilient Future of Pakistan would also convene key stakeholders to unearth the way forward in the rising climate crisis and vulnerability of the region.
Pakistan’s vulnerability to a range of climate-induced disasters underscores the urgent need for comprehensive strategies that enhance disaster resilience. This Panel Discussion, hosted by NDRMF aims to bring together experts, policymakers, and practitioners to delve into effective Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), climate adaptation, and Disaster Risk Financing (DRF) approaches tailored to Pakistan’s unique challenges.
The day one-panel discussion was titled Investing in an Adaptive and Resilient Future of Pakistan. The guest speakers included Bilal Anwar, CEO of NDRMF, Yong Ye – Country Director of Asian Development Bank, Najy Benhassine, Country Director, The World Bank, Philippe Steinmetz, Country Director, of Agence Francais De Developpement and Julien Harneis, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan.
Rupee extends losses against dollar
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): Exchange rate of Pakistan rupee weakened by Rs 3.01 against the United States dollar in the interbank trading on Tuesday and closed at Rs 291.50 against the previous day’s closing of Rs 288.49.
However, according to the Forex Association of Pakistan (FAP), the buying and selling rates of dollars in the open market stood at Rs 299.1 and Rs 302 respectively.
The price of the Euro increased by Rs 1.13 to close at Rs 318.38 against the last day’s closing of Rs 317.25, according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
The Japanese Yen remained unchanged and closed at Rs 1.99, whereas an increase of Rs 3.13 was witnessed in the exchange rate of the British Pound, which traded at Rs 369.80 as compared to the last closing of Rs 366.67.
The exchange rates of the Emirates Dirham and the Saudi Riyal increased by 82 paisa each to close at Rs 79.36 and Rs 77.71 respectively.
“Unpaid intership: Experience or Exploitation”
Shanzay Saeed
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP)::The pursuit of internships Maheen Mirza, a BBA student from Narowal University, currently undergoing her internship at a National Financial Institute here, candidly shared her challenges with this scribe. She expressed, “The financial burden I impose on my parents is substantial. They already shoulder the costs of my fees, accommodation, meals, and other necessities.”
This unpaid internship, as Maheen Mirza describes it, feels like an extra burden. “I recall a day when I had to choose between dinner for the night and the funds to commute the next day,” she shared with a heavy heart.
“In 2021, my inaugural tryst with internship was an absolute delight,” quipped Sherry Tipu, an intern at KNAQ Enterprises, and studying Information Technology at Quaid e Azam University.
With a touch of sarcasm, she added, “I even mastered the art of being a top-notch coffee maker by the end of it.”
Sherry found herself subjected to a series of unrelated odd jobs at the workplace, underscoring the less-than-ideal nature of her experience.
Shiza Haider, from NUML’s International Relations department, shared her transformative experience of an unpaid internship at an Islamabad think tank. Starting with op-ed writing, she now boasts multiple publications in international journals.
She emphasized that two months at Islamabad Policy Research Institute outweighed her 16 years of theoretical education, highlighting the importance of internships in shaping one’s career.
Shiza advocated for engaging, scheduled, interactive, stipend-based programmes to empower Pakistan’s youth and to lessen their parents’ burden.
Faisal Bari, LUMS Economics Professor, highlights the catch-22 of entry-level jobs: they demand experience fresh graduates lack.
This fuels unpaid internships, burdening remote students with reverse economic debt. With 43% of internships unpaid, this culture reflects a collapsing economy.
Peer pressure and university mandates push students into roles where they’re reduced to menial tasks.
Limited opportunities, especially for remote students, sustain this exploitation.
This dilemma exposes a flawed capitalist system favoring the privileged. Unpaid internships perpetuate this. Interns by certain organizations are treated as replacements for regular employees, overlooking wage and experience disparities.
This complex issue reveals the flawed and unjust dynamics within the modern workplace, Bari concluded his expert opinion on the issue.
“I recall my first internship offer from a prestigious institute. I had triumphed over countless candidates, yet I had to decline.
The meagre compensation wouldn’t even cover my fuel expenses. I couldn’t burden my father,” shared Hassan Fahad, a resident of Attock.
According to Syed Raza Abbas, Director of Operations at Abbas Consultancy Services SMC Pvt Ltd, retaining interns as full-time staff post-internship is a challenge due to the existing workforce density. Furthermore, imparting comprehensive organizational insights within a short 1-2 month internship is unrealistic.
As regular employees delegate tasks to interns, acknowledging their shared experience, the need for societal awareness becomes evident.
This pervasive issue often goes unheard amidst missed opportunities.
Enthusiastic students aspiring to excel in Pakistan’s professional arena deserve encouragement, promotion, and fair compensation for their labour, regardless of minimal averages.
Organizations must redefine internship boundaries to create a positive experience that motivates every aspiring professional towards a promising future.
In the tapestry of internships, the struggles of students like Maheen, Sherry, Shiza and Hassan echo loudly—a testament to the inequalities faced by those from distant areas.
Their stories urge us to reevaluate and reshape the internship landscape, ensuring every student’s journey is marked by opportunity, not obstacle.
It’s time to bridge the gap, to create a realm of learning that knows no bounds and a future that holds promise for all.
President assures support on PEMRA (Amend) Bill 2023
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): President Dr Arif Alvi on Tuesday assured media workers and the journalist community of his support for the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Amendment Bill 2023.
The president was talking to a delegation of representatives of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND), who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release.
The delegation included Afzal Butt, Arshad Ansari, Naz Afreen Saigol, Sarmad Ali, Shahab Zuberi, Shakeel Masud, Ijaz ul Haq, Kazim Khan, Ayaz Khan, and Azhar Abbas.
Talking to the delegation, the president appreciated the collective efforts of the media community for introducing amendments to the PEMRA law, especially to protect the rights of media workers.
He said that the linking of government advertisements with the payment of dues to electronic media employees would help address their issues.
The president discussed in detail various aspects of the bill with the visiting delegation, adding that the amendment bill had brought improvements to the existing media law.
He also asked the members of the delegation to volunteer to educate the youth about fake news and disinformation and highlighted that teenagers were among the most vulnerable populations to the scourge of fake news, saying that they needed to be educated and sensitized about its implications.
He further said the media, especially senior journalists, should enhance linkages with academia and universities to guide and educate students about fake news and the new developments taking place in the field of journalism.
The president also urged the need to promote diversity of thought and opinions by promoting dialogue in society and free exchange of ideas.
He said that the dynamics of new forms of media, especially social media, should be understood, adding that it was the responsibility of media to educate the people on morality and the use of social media in a responsible and constructive manner.
The delegation briefed the president about various provisions of the new bill that would benefit the journalist community as well as media employees. They thanked the president for his support and for taking interest in addressing the issues faced by the media community.
Kashmiris observe India’s Independence Day as black day
MIRPUR (AJK), Aug 15 (APP):Kashmiris living in Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday observed India’s Independence Day as a black day to mark protest against long forced and illegal occupation of a large part of Jammu and Kashmir State by India.
According to the report, in district Mirpur, a protest rally was staged to observe the black day, through a unanimously passed resolution warning India to abstain from launching any aggression against Pakistan or Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
“Every individual of AJK is fully prepared to make a defense of inch after inch of the motherland – shoulder to shoulder with valiant armed forces of Pakistan if India dared to launch any attack against Pakistan or AJK”, the rally declared.
The rally thanked and paid rich tributes to the people of Pakistan for their unequivocal full support of Kashmiri’s struggle for right self-determination.
The Indian independence day was marked with mass anti-India protest rallies and demonstrations in all small and major towns in the liberated territory including the capital city of Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Kotli, Bhimbher, Rawalakot, Bagh, Palandri, Neelam Valley, Jhelum valley, Havaili and other towns and villages.
People from diverse segments of civil society including social, political, and other public representative organization
attended the rallies holding black flags and wearing black bands around their arms to mark Indian Independence Day as black day.
In Mirpur, elders of the city representing all segments of life including social and political workers, employees of private and public sector organizations besides senior officials led the rally which marched through major city streets including Quid e Azam Chowk, Mian Muhammad Road, Allama Iqbal Road, and central Shaheed chowk raising zindabad slogans for Pakistan and the valiant armed forces of the country.
The rally expressed grave concern over the fast-deteriorating conditions of the people in strife-torn and fully-locked indefinite curfew-riddled Indian held Jammu and Kashmir for the past 10 days. India, it said, has latterly turned the occupied J&K state into the world’s largest jail and garrison.
The rally, through another resolution, called upon the international community especially the United Nations to immediately move for getting the special status of the disputed Jammu & Kashmir state restored – for onward early peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue in line with the UN resolutions.
It urged the world body to take immediate notice of history’s worst Indian act of state terrorism and aggression let loose against the innocent people in occupied Jammu Kashmir by forcibly revoking the special status of the disputed state.
Through another unanimously passed resolution, the rally called upon the world body – UNO, international human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Red Cross, Human Rights Watch, and others to immediately move for ensuring the supply of food and medicines to save the lives of the house-detained people in curfew-riddled occupied Jammu & Kashmir state in general and the Muslim-majority areas of the troubled valley in particular.
The rally warned the international community through another resolution that since India was moving for committing the world’s largest phased massacre of the freedom-loving population of the Muslim-majority occupied Jammu Kashmir state, it was enjoined upon the United Nations and the United States like super powers, besides another civilized world to immediately move for keeping extremist Indian Prime Minister Modi to abstain from this act of state terrorism. “Otherwise entire world in general and South Asia, in particular, may suffer with the unending global war”, it underlined.
PRA sets over Rs. 80 billion target of revenue collection from key sectors for current fiscal: Spokesperson
LAHORE, Aug 15 (APP): With an overall target of Rs 240 billion, the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA) has set an ambitious over Rs 80 billion target of revenue collection from diverse key sectors including digital platforms, Real Estate, and Hospitality for the current fiscal year against last year’s collection of Rs. 12.6 billion.
According to a PRA Spokesperson, the Authority under the dynamic leadership of Chairperson Javed Badar was taking proactive measures to diversify revenue streams and strengthen fiscal resilience.
In this regard the focus lies on expanding tax compliance and realizing due arrears from different sectors and prominent business houses operating in the province.
The spokesperson further said that real estate sector had been identified as a potential source of significant revenue as over 1400 societies were operating under the jurisdiction of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) covering vast area, taxable at a rate of Rs 100 per square yard.
In the area of property developers and promoters an ambitious revenue target of Rs 48 billion has been fixed for the fiscal year 2023-24 as compared to a meager collection of Rs 0.478 billion in 2022-23.
“Focus is on compliance regarding revenue from services of property developers, promoters, construction, real estate management, advertisement services, janitorial services, commission agents, contractors for land and development, services provided by the property dealers, architects, town planners, landscape designers and legal professionals, attracting the withholding provisions. “
In the construction sector a target of Rs 14.6 billion has been fixed for the current fiscal year as compared to the previous year’s collection of Rs.4.08 billion.
The spokesperson told that as per LDA data, show cause notices against all major contractors, malls, housing societies, town planners, and also assessment work based on the agreements, bank statements, Financial Statements of high-rise buildings in Lahore involving tax amount of over 1 billion have been issued.
The spokesperson said that while concentrating upon the broadening and realization of due arrears under withholding and service provisions from digital platforms having turnover in billions with digital presence, a target of Rs. 4 billion has been set for the current fiscal year as compared to Rs. 2.45 billion revenue collection achieved during the last fiscal year.
In the hospitality sector, a number of popular and luxurious hotels are now under the radar of authority for withholding of construction, building maintenance, and franchise payments.
The tax authority has already issued show-cause notices to recover outstanding amounts of Rs. 209 million. A target of Rs. 4 billion has been set in this sector for current fiscal year as compared to last year’s collection of Rs. 2.14 billion.
In the Commission Agents (Corporate) sector, attention has been directed towards the data of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on income tax deduction of commission under Section 233 of Income Tax.
In this area a target of Rs. 3 billion target has been fixed for the current fiscal year as against the last year’s collection of Rs.1.5 billion.
According to the spokesperson, compliance with dues is emphasized, particularly an amount of Rs 413 million for the years 2017 and 2018. Additionally, a broadening approach will extend to the commission of steel, cement, and fertilizers.
Ride-hailing services sector will now face enforcement of tax payments based on the gross value of the invoice rather than the share-basis. In the ride hailing services Rs. 1.5 billion target has been fixed for the current fiscal year as compared to the previous year’s collection of Rs. 0.89 billion.
The spokesperson said that various clubs were undergoing tax recovery procedures to settle arrears. Show-cause notices have also been issued to these establishments. In this domain Rs. 3 billion target has been fixed for the current fiscal year as compared to the last year’s collection of Rs. 0.42 billion.
Leading fashion designers are also being reviewed based on their bank statements and online website operations. The tax authority seeks to ensure compliance with tax on payment gateways realizations through online sales.
In the area of fashion designing Rs 6 billion target has been fixed for the current fiscal year as compared to the last year’s collection of Rs 06 billion.
The spokesperson said that the advertising and media marketing services sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years, making it an important area for potential revenue generation. PRA has also expanded its revenue target in this sector from Rs. 0.55 billion to 2 billion.
Exorbitant prices of back-to-school supplies haunt inflation-stricken parents
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP): With back-to-school essentials in demand amid opening of the educational institutions in the federal capital after summer vacation break, majority of the parents are grappling with the exorbitant prices of all school items.
Most of private schools start their new academic session after the summer break when most of parents have to purchase back-to-school essentials for their kids by physically visiting the stationary stores or ordering through online suppliers.
The price of school supplies from glue, color pencils, markers, lunch box, water bottles, geometry boxes, school bags, and cut boxes to textbooks, notebooks, and uniforms has registered a significant increase which made it difficult for families, especially salaried class, to manage the educational expenses.
“I have spent around Rs 20,000 to purchase only the textbooks of my son studying in Grade II while I still have to buy the stationary items and uniform as per the list provided by the school administration”, Shaista Adil, a mother of two children said.
“Although it has become difficult to bear the expenses of my one school-going son who is studying in private school, we have no option left when the government institutions lack facilities and educational standards, she lamented.
Abid Shah, another parent said, “I was surprised to hear the price of the trolley bag which was Rs 12,000 during my visit to the school supplies shop what to talk about the other items”.
Talking to APP, he said, “Getting education in a private school has become a luxury keeping in view the increasing fee structure and a long list of stationary and other items they give. The fee of my son studying in early year class is Rs. 23,000 besides annual charges of Rs 25,000 which is too hard to afford during the prevailing price hike situation”.
Another parent, Farah Hamid said that instead of making things easier for the parents, the private schools provide a long list of stationary items to the parents for buying which are hardly used during the whole year.
“Not only the parents have to buy all the stationary themselves but these schools also grab annual charges for stationery too in the name of artwork, overburdening the parents”, she observed.
She urged the concerned authorities to keep check on unusual increase in the prices of school items in the markets and take action against the unjust price hike.
Tahir Mehmood, who is associated with the profession of teaching for a long time, said that parents already struggling amid rising inflation and facing a cost of living are forced to pay high prices of essential school items for their kids.
He said that back-to-school shopping is really stressful for them but they have to pay as being parents they consider these items as an essential category in their shopping list.
They are making some real sacrifices and leading uncomfortable life in these days due to soaring inflation, high-priced fuel, electricity, and gas.
Prices of school items like shoes, uniforms, backpacks and lunch boxes, crayons, markers, notebooks, chart papers, binders, papers, pens, erasers, and pencils have increased substantially due to the prevailing inflation.
When contacted the owner of a prominent book and stationery shop in F-8, he said that the inflation has not only distressed the parents of the school-going kids but every section of life.
He said that since our country import paper and the price of paper has increased due to which the prices of textbooks and notebooks have registered a 40 to 45 percent stationery increase this year which is very unusual.
“We cannot less the price of stationery items on our own as we are getting these items on increased prices too. Ultimately, we are left with no option but to shift this burden on the customers”, he said.
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Jam Kamal calls on Caretaker PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar
ISLAMABAD, Aug 15 (APP):Former Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Kamal called on Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar here on Tuesday and discussed matters relating to mutual interests.
During the meeting, Jam Kamal congratulated Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on assuming the charge of Caretaker PM. He also extended best wishes to him.
Caretaker PM Anwaar-ul-Haq thanked Jam Kamal for his best wishes.
Politician Ali Mardan Domki was also present on the occasion.