ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP):The Large Scale Manufacturing Industries (LSMI) of the country witnessed an impressive growth of 6.24 percent during the first eight months of the current fiscal year compared to the corresponding period of last year.
The country’s LSMI Quantum Index Numbers (QIM) was recorded at 145.28 points during July-February (2017-18) against 136.75 points during July-February (2016-17), showing growth of over 6.24 per cent, according to the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
The highest growth of 4.08 percent was witnessed in the indices monitored by Ministry of Industries, followed by 1.54 percent growth in the products monitored by Provincial Bureaus of Statistics (PBOS) and 0.62 growth in the indices of Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC).
On year-to-year basis, the industrial growth increased by 5.52 percent during February 2017 as compared to same month of last year, however, on month-to-month basis, the industrial growth decreased by 1.51 percent in February 2017 when compared to growth of January 2017, the PBS data revealed.
Meanwhile, the major sectors that showed growth during July-February (2017-18) included textile (0.47 percent), food, beverages and tobacco (2.33 percent), coke and petroleum products (10.26 per cent), pharmaceuticals (9.44 percent), non metallic mineral products (11.87 percent), automobiles (19.48 percent), iron and steel products (30.85 percent), electronics (38.79 percent), paper and board (8.06 percent), engineering products (5.21 percent) and rubber products (6.83 percent).
On the other hand, the LSM industries that witnessed negative growth, included chemicals production of which declined by 0.63 percent, while the fertilizers production declined by 7.36 percnet, leather products by 7.91 percent and wood products by 27.32 percent.
It is pertinent to mention here that the provisional QIM is being computed on the basis of the latest production data of 112 items received from sources including Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC), Ministry of Industries and Production (MoIP) and Provincial Bureaus of Statistics (PBoS). OCAC provides data of 11 items, MoIP of 36 items while PBoS proved data of remaining 65 items.
LSMI grows by 6.24 % in 8 months
Exports increased 13.14 percent in 3 quarters
ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP):The exports from the country increased by 13.14 percent during the first three quarters of the current fiscal year against the exports of corresponding period of last year.
The exports from the country during July-March (2017-18) were recorded at $17.080 billion compared to the exports of $15.097 billion during July-March (2016-17), showing growth of 13.14 percent, according to the latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
Meanwhile, the imports into the country during the period under review increased by 15.66 percent by going up from $38.369 billion last year to $44.379 billion during the current fiscal year.
Based on the figures, the trade deficit during the first three quarters of fiscal year 2017-18 increased by 17.30 percent by growing from the deficit of $23.272 billion last year to $27.299 billion during the current year, the PBS data revealed.
Meanwhile, on year-on-year basis, the exports from the country increased by 24.36 percent during the month of March 2018 against the exports of March 2017.
The exports during March 2018 were recorded at $2.231 billion against the exports of $1.794 billion in March 2017, according to the data.
The imports on year-on-year basis also increased from $4.977 billion in March 2017 to $5.280 in March 2018, showing growth of 6.09 percent.
Based on the figures, the trade deficit on year-on-year basis declined by 4.21 percent by going down from the deficit of $3.183 billion in March 2017 to the deficit of $3.049 billion in March 2018.
On month-on-month basis, the exports from the country increased by 17.30 percent in March 2018 when compared to the exports of $1.902 billion in February 2018.
The imports into the country also increased by 10.07 percent in March 2018 when compared to the imports of $4.797 billion in February 2018, according to the PBS data.
Learning Chinese language key to success of CPEC
BEIJING, April 10 (APP):Learning Chinese language by people in Pakistani will play a pivotal role in communication and understanding China and it will ensure the success of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative.
Pakistan has taken several measures to ensure smooth execution of the CPEC. There are currently four Confucius Institutes in Pakistan, dedicated to teaching Chinese language and culture, and several thousand young Pakistani people are enrolled, according to an article published by Chinese newspaper Global Times on Tuesday.
There are more Confucius Institutes in the pipeline and a need for many more in Pakistan to meet demand. In addition to Confucius Institutes, there are Confucius Classrooms. The classrooms are more flexible in the way they teach language and culture.
Around 19 universities in Pakistan have China Study Centers. Establishing such centers in our leading universities creates awareness of China and encourages research on various aspects of China, the B&R and the CPEC, with courses on Sinology and Chinese language. These centers are producing the human resources the CPEC requires.
There are more than three dozen private Chinese language institutes of various sizes and capacities in Pakistan. Most are Chinese-owned, some are joint ventures and the rest are Pakistani-owned.
These private institutes are even more useful as they are flexible in their class timings, in courses and some of them provide doorstep services. They cater to people who work and cannot afford to become full-time students. Sometimes, these institutes offer tailor-made programs for small groups or companies.
They also provide in-house teachers for companies and teach Chinese to their employees in the workplace. These language centers are actually more productive and add more value – they may charge more, but it suits the requirements of businesses. It is a good business as well and private institutes are making good money.
Yet, there are still only around 20,000 people in Pakistan learning Chinese, which is much less than current demand. The estimated demand is for 100,000 people who have some level of Chinese, and this demand can only grow as the CPEC enters the next phase of mass industrialization.
Some 20,000 Pakistanis have already graduated from higher education institutes in China, and there are now around 25,000 Pakistani students in China enrolled in various programs, that include engineering, natural sciences, social sciences and medicine, but they are also learning Chinese language, culture and systems at the same time.
“We are optimistic, with greater efforts, that the gap between demand and supply for Chinese language teaching in Pakistan will be closed soon.”
The CPEC is a flagship project of the China-proposed Belt and Road (B&R) initiative which is the largest initiative of its kind in recent history. It involves more than 60 countries and regions and more are expected to join. It caters to more than half of the world’s population and includes six planned economic corridors connecting several countries.
The CPEC is one of the six, and as the first, has been declared a flagship project. Both China and Pakistan are giving it the highest priority and commitment so it can be a role model the rest of the corridors can follow.
SACOSAN to enhance quality of peoples’ life: Mushahidullah
ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP): Minister of Climate Change Mushahidullah Khan Tuesday said, SACOSAN conference was aimed to speed up the progress in sanitation and promote hygienic conditions in South Asia in order to improve quality of life.
Addressing the introductory conference in connection with 7th International three-day conference SACOSAN scheduled from April 11 -13, the minister said, SACOSAN intend to develop a regional agenda for sanitation which would enable to learn from past experiences and set productive goals for the future.
Mushahidullah said, overcoming the sanitation and hygienic crises was the most vital challenge in South Asia and tackling it would reduce unnecessary deaths besides facilitating people to live more dignified life, improve gender equality and health.
He said, the conference lauded the transition from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and recognized that this will require a new vision strategies, strong system and more diverse participation.
Through SACOSAN we have recognized that access to sanitation and safe drinking water as a fundamental right, asserts that giving “national priority to sanitation is imperative” and significantly, the declaration commits member states to strengthen regional collaboration and promote independent monitoring, one of the key demand made by the civil society degradation.
The minister said he felt honour to host the conference for the second time as the first conference was held in Dhaka in 2003, second in Islamabad in 2006, third in New Delhi in 2008, fourth in Colombo in 2011, fifth in Kathmandu 2013 and sixth in Dhaka 2016.
The participating country from the south Asia are Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Maldives.
The heads of delegations from the participating SACOSAN member countries were also briefed about composition of their country delegation, sanitation situation (key challenges and government commitments) in their respective countries, and their expectations from the ministerial conference.
PML-N to win general elections on performance: Talal
ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP):Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry Tuesday said Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) would win upcoming general elections on the basis of its performance and policies.
Talking to a private news channel, he said people were supporting the PML-N and they endorsed narrative of its Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.
He said popularity of the PML-N had further increased after disqualification of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
The minister of state said the PML-N wanted free fair and transparent elections and that should be held on time.
He said the government had enhanced development budget of South Punjab and lot of development work was done there.
Commenting on party Members National Assembly (MNAs) who announced to leave the PML-N, Talal Chaudhry said they were never sincere for establishing South Punjab province rather they were using it for general elections campaign.
He said if those MNAs were honest with the cause,they should have raised the matter in the Parliament but they never did.
Talal Chaudhry said the PML-N was in favour of establishing new provinces on basis of administration.
To a question regarding appointment of interim prime minister, he expressed optimism that the PML-N government would develop consensus among all stake holders like it had done on all matters of national interest in the past.
Shehbaz Sharif carried out record development projects in South Punjab: Nawaz Sharif
ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP):Leader of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Tuesday said Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif carried out record development work in South Punjab and the election in Lodhran was reflection of trust in the projects of PML-N.
Talking to media persons at the hearing of Accountability Court here, he said those who left PML-N never belonged to their party and they did not have background of Muslim League.
“These people never voted when I was elected as president of the party,” he added.
He said the party knew about these people who brought a bad name to politics as they joined a dictator when he was in power and in the democratic period, these people joined PML-N.
Some people suddenly start feeling love for the people of South Punjab, he remarked.
The progress in South Punjab under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif was appreciable and people of South Punjab acknowledged the development work done in their areas, he added.
He said he was hopeful that people would vote for their party symbol “lion”.
He said nine seats of Punjab province were reduced and PML-N accepted it in the national interest, adding all parties should do politics of principles.
Nawaz Sharif said decision in court case against him should be based on justice.
He was of the view that presence of Imran Khan in the politics of the country was not a good omen.
To a question, he said the issue of missing persons was an important matter.
Kidnapping someone was a big crime and the parents and children of the missing persons were going through a painful time as they did not know whether their loved ones were alive or dead.
Maryam Nawaz said those who carried out development work in the country were being dragged in courts.
She said PML-N completed development projects like Neelum Jhelum hydro project, which was kept pending by the previous governments.
NA adopts condolence resolution to pay tributes to late MNA Ayaz Soomro
ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP):National Assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted a condolence resolution to pay tributes to Ayaz Soomro, Pakistan Peoples Party’s late Member of National Assembly from Larkana, for his services rendered to the people of his constituency in particular and country in general.
At the very outset of the proceedings of the Lower House of the Parliament, MNA Syed Naveed Qamar moved a motion to suspend the routine business of the House for adopting a condolence resolution.
The House passed the motion. Shazia Marri moved the condolence resolution paying tributes to late Soomro for his services especially in the movement for restoration of democracy against General (Retd) Zia ul Haq. The resolution said that the death of Ayaz Soomro was an irreperable loss to the nation.
Speaking on the occasion Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said Ayaz Soomro was a genuine political worker. He offered unmatched sacrifices for restoration of democracy in the country. Soomro endured incarceration during the era of dictatorship.
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmed said Ayaz Soomro was an active member of the National Assembly. His departed soul may rest in peace and Allah Almighty may grant courage to his family to bear the irreprrable loss with equanimity.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said Soomro always followed discipline of his party.
Jamiat Ulema e Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Asiya Nasir said the absence of Ayaz Soomro would be felt for a long time.
Mutahidda Quomi Movement (MQM’s) Shaikh Salahuddin said Soomro had cordial relations with all of his colleagues.
Chief of Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party Mehmood Khan Achakzai said Soomro always gave importance to the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Ayesha Syed of Jamat-e-Islami said Soomro was a thorough gentleman and always talked with arguments. GG Jamal from FATA said Ayaz Soomro was a good human being and a man of principals.
Mehmood Bashir Virk, Nawaz Yousaf Talpur, Shazia Marri, Maulana Amir Zaman, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and Chaudhry Ashraf expressed deep sense of grief and agony over the demise of Ayaz Soomro and also paid tributes to the deceased.
PML-N Parliamentarians from Southern Punjab call on CM
LAHORE, Apr 10 (APP):PML-N Parliamentarians belonging to southern Punjab called on Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif at Model Town here on Tuesday.
They reposed their complete confidence on the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif and said that resources worth billions of rupees have been provided for the development and prosperity of southern Punjab under his leadership.
Shehbaz Sharif has got completed a lot of development works in southern Punjab and due to it, PML-N vote bank has been increased manifold in southern Punjab. They said that vision and hard work of Shehbaz Sharif for solving the problems related to southern Punjab was known to everyone.
Talking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the PML-N government had provided resources worth billions of rupees for the progress and prosperity of southern Punjab.
During the current fiscal year, 36 percent of the ADP was being spent on southern Punjab, he added. He said that development projects worth Rs.229 billion were being completed in southern Punjab during the current fiscal year.
unluckily, past rulers used the slogan of creation of province of southern Punjab for their political purposes. He said that PML-N got approved resolutions from the assembly for setting up of southern Punjab province and restoration of defunct province of Bahawalpur. We are committed to the demand of creation of new provinces. He said that no other party had dared to get approve resolutions for the demand of creation of southern Punjab and Bahawalpur provinces.
He said that people of southern Punjab were fully served by the provincial government along with their elected representatives during the worst floods of 2010.
Meanwhile, southern Punjab was given more development budget as compared to its population. Shehbaz Sharif said that he had always been standing with the people of southern Punjab and disclosed that Fort Munro was being developed as a tourist spot by the government. He said that marked improvements have been brought in different sectors in the southern Punjab including health, education and infrastructure development.
The people have also been given best transport facilities through latest infrastructure, concluded the Chief Minister.
Those who called on Chief Minister included Federal Minister Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Minister of State Abdul Rehman Kanju, Member National Assembly Sardar Amjad Farooq Khan Khosa, Malik Sultan Mehmood Hunjra, Sardar Ashique Hussain Gopang, Member Provincial Assembly Zeshan Gurmani and former MNA Saddique Khan Baloch whereas Provincial Minister Rana Mashhood Ahmad and Special Assistant to CM Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan were also present on the occasion.
National Steering Committee reviews development of road safety plan for highways, motorways
ISLAMABAD, Apr 10 (APP):The third National Steering Committee for the Development of Road Safety Plan for National Highways & Motorways of Pakistan met Tuesday here at the National Highway Authority (NHA) headquarters to deliberate on decisions to improve road safety on all roads’ across the country.
Hosted by the Ministry of Communications, the meeting approved the national consultation process for the ratification and implementation of the National Road Safety Strategy 2018-2030 and Action Plan 2018-2022, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Department for International Development (DFID) of the United Kingdom, as well as the National Road Safety Awareness Campaign.
Federal Secretary Communications Furqan Bahadur Khan in his address said that road safety was a common responsibility. “The new strategy sets the overall long-term direction which can only be met, if the national government, local authorities, development partners, and civil society work together as one, under a coordinated approach.”
NHA Chariman Jawwad Rafique Malik said during the last five years a considerable development and extension had been made to road network of Pakistan. he said increasing road accidents posed immense challenge and in order to overcome the same, coordinated efforts among all the stakeholders were needed. He assured to follow the mechanism to be adopted to control the accidents in the country.
“As Pakistan is investing big to upgrade its transport and road infrastructure, matching efforts are required to catch up with other countries in boosting road safety standards,” said Xiaohong Yang, ADB Country Director for Pakistan. “Improving road safety not only means saving precious lives, but also ensuring sustainable and inclusive economic development through smooth and efficient connectivity between growth centers.”
To deliver more effective road safety management at all levels of government, he said the ministry proposed the activation of the National Road Safety Council to coordinate delivery of the strategy and achieve the sustainable, system-wide changes required to improve road safety in the country.
The proposed strategy, he said, was based on a safe system approach, which included key focus areas of action to deliver safe roads, safe road users, safer vehicles, and improved post-crash care.
Besides NHA chairman, DFID Pakistan Economic Growth Group Head Patricia Seex, as well as senior officials from federal and provincial government agencies, and representatives of transport industry and business leaders, academia, and civil society attended the meeting.
Head of Election Commission optimistic about high turnout in presidential election
BAKU, Apr 10 (APP):Azerbaijan’s Central Election Commission (CEC) on Tuesday showed optimism regarding
high voters turnout which is expected to touch 80 per cent mark during presidential election, scheduled for
Wednesday (April 11).
The Head of CEC, Mazahir Panahov, in an exclusive talk with APP here, said that society was showing good interest in
election which would help raise voters turnout as compared to previous
elections when it exceeded 72 per cent at presidential election in 2013, 75
percent in 2008 and 62 percent in 2003.
He said that 11 parties had registered
their observers for the election and added that CEC had registered about 900
international and more than 60,000 Azerbaijani observers. He said that the media
at election would be represented by 118 journalists of both print and electronic
from 21 countries.
Replying to a question, he said monitoring
of election through installation of cameras in polling stations
had been introduced by Azerbaijan which was
unprecedented, adding that the process of
1000 cameras in Wednesday presidential election had already been
completed and basic objective behind this initiative was to ensure transparency.
The CEC said these 1000 cameras had been installed in different polling stations
across the country and could be monitored by common citizens through web for
which there would be no need of prior registration.
‘All arrangements regarding presidential election have been made in a way that no one could raise finger. We are trying
our best to maximum facilitate voters and they can cast their right in a good
atmosphere,’ he added.