ISLAMABAD, Mar 22 (APP):Head of visiting Chinese delegation and Director, China International Engineering Consulting Corporation, Mr. Du Zhenli has appreciated the initiative taken by the Board of Investment (BOI) to give Chinese experts an opportunity to look into the first hand knowledge of Petrochemical and Iron and Steel sectors of Pakistan by meeting their representatives / associations and leading businessmen.
Zhenli said that BOI was the focal point for Industrial Cooperation with Chinese. He also invited the Pakistani businessmen to visit China and assured full support to them in finding right Joint Venture partners for their businesses.
He expressed these views during meeting with Pakistani businessmen organized by BOI here, said a press release.
The meeting had three sessions and first session was attended by presidents and representatives of different Chambers of Commerce and Industry. It was the first one of its kind where private sector businessmen were given the opportunity to interact with Chinese Government experts to exchange their concerns / apprehensions and ways to co-operate among the businesses of both countries under CPEC’s Industrial Cooperation specially in Iron & Steel and Petrochemical Sectors.
It was resolved that it was high time for people to people contact between the time-tested friends.
The Second session was attended by President Pakistan Chemicals Manufacturer Association (PCMA) and its members comprising leading players of the industry including Engro and Sitara chemicals. M/s ENAR presented the house with the investment opportunity in Naphtha Cracker Complex in Pakistan as there was a dire need of such initiative in the country.
There were many plants working in Iran & India whereas China should extend its co-operation in Pakistani Petrochemical Sector to start a state of the art Naphtha Cracker Complex.
Ms. Qi Jingli, Deputy Division Director, China International Engineering Consulting Corporation, gave a detailed presentation on the opportunities available for mutual cooperation between the two countries in Petrochemical Sector.
Pakistan Steel Melters Association’s President along with its leading members was invited in 3rd session to meet with Chinese experts.
Representative of International Steel and Amreli Steel presented overview of steel sector in Pakistan.
Representative of Mughal Steel urged the Chinese experts to take initiative for investment in steel sector of Pakistan which was expecting a 100% increase in next five years.
Mr. LIU Zhixing, Division Director, China International Engineering Consulting Corporation, an Iron Expert from China also briefed about the steel sector of China.
Secretary, Board of Investment Ms. Samaira Nazir Siddiqui in her concluding remarks thanked the Chinese Experts Group for sparing their valuable time to meet with Pakistani businessmen.
She said that BOI always played pivotal role in providing the common platform for Pakistani businessmen to interact with Chinese authorities under CPEC.
She hoped that under the industrial cooperation, the youth of Pakistan would get employment and the industry would be re-vitalized with the transfer of technology from China.
She emphasized that both countries would share the prosperity under CPEC.
Chinese delegation appreciate BOI initiative for organizing meeting with Pakistani businessmen
CPEC project creates opportunities for profitable investment: Governor Balochistan
QUETTA, Mar 22 (APP): Governor Balochistan Muhammad Khan Achakzai said China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was
creating prosperous opportunities for profitable investment in Balochistan, while we want the companions of country
to take advantage of timely from the Russian Federation.
He said this while talking with Rassian’s Consul General Dr, Aleksander G Khozin called him at Governor House on Thursday.
He said that Russians investors would provide all facilities and security in Balochistan’s Gwadar.
During meeting, they discussed about relation of Pakistan and Russia and implementation of CPEC.
Governor Muhammad Khan said Balochistan is basically agricultural area where there is a special significance of various vegetable and fruit production.
He said Russian investor could get benefits from agricultural of Balochistan including production vegetables, fruits and its markets which is a profitable activity for Russian investors.
They expressed satisfaction over Russia and Pakistan growing relations. Russian Consulate General said that we could provide Russia an easy way to Central Asia for trade expansion.
He said that Russian country would promote its trade activities, despite the speed of global economic and social development is fast.
Governor Balochistan highlighted the importance of regional cooperation organization and regional unity, saying that due to the effective role of these organizations, the possibility of cooperation and development has been increased in the region.
He expressed the belief that Russia’s relations in Russia will be more stable in the coming days, which is in the benefit of the people of both the countries.
Governor Balochistan hoped that relations of both countries would be more stable in future which is for benefit of people of both the countries.
Gifts and memory shields were also exchanged among guest after the meeting.
Julius Bitok invites KCCI to participate in trade, investment conference
KARACHI, Mar 22 (APP):High Commissioner of Kenya, Prof. Julius Kibet Bitok has invited Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to participate and support the forthcoming trade and Investment conference scheduled to be held in Karachi on May 2 and 3, 2018.
It will be attended by leading Kenyan businessmen, and Chambers of Commerce and Industry from different countries, he said this while exchanging views with the KCCI office-bearers and Managing Committee members at the chamber, said a KCCI statement on Thursday.
Kenyan diplomat said that the trade and investment conference would provide a perfect opportunity for B2B meetings with businessmen from Kenya and other parts of the world. The KCCI should collaborate and partner with us to make this event successful.
President of KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik, Senior Vice President Abdul Basit Abdul Razzak, Vice President Rehan Hanif, Chairman KCCI Diplomatic Mission and Embassies Liaison Sub-Committee Sohail Amin, Chairman Fairs and Exhibitions Sub-Committee Abdul Rehman Naqi, Chairman Special Committee for My Karachi Exhibition Muhammad Idrees also attended.
Julius Bitok, while expressing concern over limited trade volume between Pakistan and Kenya, advised the business and industrial community of Karachi to focus on diversifying their exports to Kenya to improve the existing trade volume between the two countries.
He said that rice and tea were two main commodities which were
traditionally being traded between the two countries. There were a host of many other Pakistani products which could not only be introduced in the Kenyan market but to many other African states via Kenya.
He also underscored the need to promote tourism opportunities between the two countries and enhance linkages between Nairobi Chamber and Karachi Chamber which would bring the business communities of the two countries more close to each other and yield positive results.
To a query, he said that Kenya, being an economically stable country, was a safe place for Pakistani business community who must visit this peaceful country where doing business was much easier as compared to other African states.
President of KCCI Muffasar Atta Malik assured full support and
cooperation to the Kenyan High Commission for making the Trade and Investment Conference successful. Seeking more details about the forthcoming event, he assured to make sincere efforts for maximum participation and B2B meetings between the business communities of Karachi and Kenya.
Pakistan High Commissioner hosts dinner in honour of visiting PPC delegation
LONDON, Mar 22 (APP):Pakistan High Commissioner to United Kingdom (London) Syed Ibne Abbas on Wednesday evening hosted a dinner in honour of visiting Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC) led by its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shabbir Anwar here at the High Commission.
The dinner was attended among others by Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner to London Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri, members of British parliament, Chairman World Overseas Pakistanis Congress, Syed Qamar Raza, British Pakistani community, councilors, diplomats and the staff members of the High Commission.
In his address of welcome, Deputy High Commissioner Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri welcomed the PPC delegation and appreciated their role for launching safer charity awareness campaigns against the menace of extremism and terrorism.
He said that Pakistanis contribute 1.5 percent of the GDP to Charity adding last year US $ 2 billion was given in charity by the Pakistanis.
In his remarks, Shabbir Anwar highlighted the aims and objectives of PPC and its positive impact in the society regarding safer charity. He added that he met British government officials about PPC and its campaigns regarding safer charity practies within the country and outside.
He told them that 99 percent Pakistanis do not believe in extremism and terrorism and believe in peace and hate violence.
The CEO PPC said the British government had also appreciated and acclaimed the safer charity and other campaigns launched by his organization against extermism and terrorism.
He said that PPC Safe Charity Campaigns had created awareness, increased resilience against extremism and terrorism.
Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC), Shabbir Anwar said that his organization’s effective safer charity campaigns like “Haq Haqdaar Taak and “Pur Azam Pakistan ” launched through print and electronic media had created awareness among the public, besides increasing resilience against the menace of extremism and terrorism from the society in the country.
Shabbir Anwar, who is currently on visit to the United Kingdom informed the audience about the initiatives of PPC launched for the safer charity and creating awareness among the different section of society against the menace of extremism and terrorism from the country.
Shabbir Anwar said that Pakistan Peace Collective (PPC) was a project of the Government of Pakistan which had helped to increase public support and bolstered resilience against extremism and violence in Pakistan.
The PPC, he said was working closely with Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage, relevant government and international organizations on developing media products and impart training to help eliminate extremism and violence from the society and promote peace and harmony.
Shabbir Anwar said that the PPC had also produced documents about the impact of terrorism on the lives of ordinary citizens by highlighting the indiscriminate nature of violence in the society.
He said that the PPC had developed media products on CT/CVE based counter-narrative titled “Haq, HaqdaarTak” and “PurAzm Pakistan”, which were successfully launched by the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting & National Heritage through media campaigns at the national level against the scourge of extremism, violence, and terrorism from the society.
He said that PPC’s campaign against violence and extremism has been acclaimed by the international community including the British government.
Highlighting the sacrifices of people and armed forces of Pakistan in the war against terrorism, he said that terrorism was not only an issue of Pakistan but its a global issue and it should be fought collectively.
He said due to these sacrifices the security situation in the country has improved. The CEO of PPC said that his organization went to eight districts and now they are going to more twelve districts in the country and would also reach provinces and launch safer charity campaigns so that charity should benefit only the deserving and registered charity organizations in the country.
He said that the PPC also informed the people in the districts about the genuine organizations working in their respective areas for their benefit and welfare.
Shabbir Anwar said that it was heartening to note that people first inquire the authenticity of the charity organizations and their activities before giving their Zakat and other donations which, he termed was a big development and a success of PPC campaigns.
He said that PPC also went to twenty-eight universities in the country and also involved the students in its safer charity campaigns which were producing good results. He said that in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC) and media a compulsory course was introduced and the PPC was also conducting training programmes for both journalists of print and electronic
media especially those who were covering terrorism-related activities in the country.
He added that in collaboration with Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) the PPC after five to six months of discussions had developed a code of ethics regarding the coverage of terrorism-related incidents and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was implementing it.
He on the occasion vowed to continue the campaign for safer charity and creating awareness among the public against the menace of extremism and terrorism for the prosperity of the country.
Shabbir Anwar also informed the gathering that NACTA in collaboration with PPC and other organizations in the country has developed an “Anti Extremists and Terrirists narative strategy” which would be announced by National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) after the approval of the Federal Cabinet in the Month April 2018.
“We have given valuable input to NACTA in this regard “,Shabbir Anwar remarked.
Chairman World Overseas Congress of Overseas Pakistanis (WCOP) Syed Qamar Raza appreciated PPC and its
CEO Shabbir Anwar for launching safer charity campaigns withing the country and abroad.
He said PPC campaign id not a project but a mission. He also lauded Pakistan High Commission London for arranging this event for the visiting delegation of PPC.He said that Pakistan is among top ten gerenous countries and therefore one should think twice before giving a carity to an organization so that the donations should reach to genuine and deserving people.
Painting exhibition by Mansoor Rahi starts at PNCA
ISLAMABAD, Mar 22 (APP):A two-week Solo painting exhibition by Mansoor Rahi started here on Thursday at National Art Gallery (NAG), Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
Director General PNCA Syed Jamal Shah, artists, students and a large number of people attended the event.
Mansoor Rahi is the leading abstractionist painter of Pakistan and his teaching and influence has led to the emergence of a larger number of prominent artists than any other master artist.
While viewing Rahi’s work one is struck by the prevalent dichotomy. Conventionality as well as non-conformity to cubism coexists within his artworks.
Mansoor Rahi’s fans and art lovers highly appreciated the solo exhibition of paintings in federal capital.
A book titled “Rahi” the cubist legend of Asia Life and Work of Mansoor Rahi was also launched on the occasion.
The very first book on Rahi was written by his son Danish Rahi. It’s very important book for the artists, art lovers and art educationists.
The readers will find all about Rahi’s, his passion towards art, his contribution to art world, life and all important points about making of painting to judgment of paintings.
In Rahi’s work the subject is easily perceived, therefore the intellectual process begins after its recognition, unless his intention is based on a purely visual aesthetic in which case the cerebral is rejected in favor of the physical.
Additionally, Cubism discards traditional perspective in an effort to avoid any imitation of nature and yet Rahi’s Grey Genesis Series is a testament to the pivotal role it commands within this particular body of work. Modeling was done away with for the same reason; still we come across it in Rahi’s drawings.
Cubism portrays the presence of light in a distinctive manner as it seems to be radiating from within the planes. In contrast, the Wild Horse Series shows how Rahi uses the visual imagery of Rayonism to stress the presence of light and thus departs from the cubist convention of creating subdued light.
Iranian artists enthrall audience at PNCA
ISLAMABAD, Mar 22 (APP):Iranian Folklore Music “Shabdiz group” on Thursday enthralled audience here at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).
The performance was organized by Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the occasion of the 70thanniversary of the establishment of relations between Iran and Pakistan and the beginning of Iranian New Year “Nowruz”.
Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Mehdi Hunar Dost was the chief guest on the occasion. Director General PNCA Syed Jamal Shah and a large number of people attended the musical show.
Iranian artists Shabdiz group performed on the occasion to rapturous applause from the audience. They played a number of traditional Iranian string, wind and percussion instruments including the double-chested, plucked lute Persian Tar.
Iranian folk music is the traditional music of the people of Iran. Despite several common roots the folk music in each part of Iran varies and several music styles are completely distinct.
The modal concepts in Iranian folk music are directly linked with that of the Iranian classical music. However, improvisation plays a minor role as folk tunes are characterized by relatively clear-cut melodic and rhythmic properties.
The majority of the classical instruments are too elaborate and difficult for the folk musicians. Instead, there are literally dozens of musical instruments of various sorts found among the rural people.
The melodic and modal aspects of these compositions maintain basically Persian elements. The most famous personalities in Iranian folk music are Pari Zangeneh and Sima Bina.
The senior officials of Embassy of Iran, diplomats and senior officials of PNCA also attended the musical performance. The performance was attended by a large number of people of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The audience highly praised the performances by the Iranian folklore music group at PNCA.
International cyclist Mohsin wins Pakistan Day Cycling Race
PESHAWAR, Mar 22 (APP):A 28 kilometer Elite Class Pakistan Day Cycling Race held here on a Northern By-Pass, Motorway on Thursday.
Director General Sports KP Junaid Khan was the chief guest on this occasion. Secretary General Pakistan Cycling Federation Syed Azhar Ali Shah, President KP Cycling Association Nisar Ahmad, AD Sports Nimat Ullah Marwat, international cyclist Murad Ali, officials, players were also present at this occasion.
International cyclist Mohsin Khan, who recorded a clock time of 36 minute and 31second by crossing a distance of 28 kilometers.
Currently Pakistan ranking No. 4 Mohsin from Sui Southern Gas was closely followed by another promising cyclist Muhammad Farman with 37 minute and 33second while Abdul Basit claimed third position with 37 minute and 50 second.
Apart from the Elite Class Cycling Race, in the Individual Time Trials Imran Khan clinched the trophy after crossing a distance of 14 kilometer in 19 minute and 17 second, Tanzeel Khan finished with a slight different with his clock time 19 minute and 53second, and Muhammad Nabil shown a clock time of 19minute and 59second.
Govt put country on path to progress: minister
FAISALABAD, Mar 22 (APP): State Minister for Finance Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan on Thursday said the PML-N government had put the country on the path to progress and prosperity and the nation would get its fruits very soon.
He was addressing the concluding ceremony of the First Pakistan Halal Assembly 2018 organized by the Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF) in collaboration with Pak-China Agriculture Forum at GCUF here.
“Our elders have created Pakistan after laying down unprecedented sacrifices while the PML-N government has dragged the country out of crises and put it on the road to progress and prosperity,” he said.
He said the PML-N government had the credit to launch China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project which had changed destiny of Pakistan after linking it with international market.
He said that due to the best policies of the PML-N government, special economic zones were being set up besides establishment of 51 new industries and two vehicle plants.
He also paid tribute to Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and said that he had taken revolutionary steps for improvement in education,agriculture and health sectors.
He said the Punjab government had earmarked billions of rupees for endowment fund which would be provided in shape of scholarships to talented and needy students for higher education.
The minister also advised students to concentrate on studies and play their dynamic role in promotion of Halal food industry.
He said that before 2013, the country was plunged into darkness besides rampant occurrence of terrorism incidents.
However, due to sincere efforts of the PML-N leadership, menace of terrorism was eliminated besides overcoming loadshedding and now in all parts of the country people were enjoying electricity supply,he added.
On this occasion, State Minister for Maritime Affairs Chaudhary Jaffar Iqbal said that Pakistan is rich with fertile land. The new generation especially graduates should come forward and prove their mettle by conducting marvelous research for enhancing Halal food and agriculture products.
He said:” Pakistan is an agrarian country and Halal food industry depends on agriculture, therefore, we should avail the opportunity of agrarian land and produce maximum Halal food items for meeting our domestic needs as well as enhancing its exports”.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor GCUF Prof Dr Muhammad Ali presented welcome address.
CARs states can benefit from vast opportunities in Pakistan: President
ISLAMABAD, Mar 22 (APP):President Mamnoon Hussain Thursday said that Pakistan was a land of great opportunities from which friendly countries particularly countries from Central Asia could benefit the most.
He said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has opened up several avenues of investment in Pakistan for the Central Asian Countries which will also be mutually beneficial for these countries.
The President said this while talking to the key participants of International Seminar on “Pakistan: a land of opportunities for the Central Asian Republics” who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. ® Nasser Khan Janjua and senior officials were also present on the occasion.
The President emphasized that there were deep historical and cultural links between Pakistan and Central Asian Republics which make our cooperation more meaningful in other fields of life. He underlined that CPEC would create vast opportunities of development and progress in the region and Central Asian Republics could especially benefit from these openings.
Therefore, it is necessary for this purpose to further enhance our cooperation at all levels, he added.
The President underscored that there should be frequent exchange of visits of the experts from various fields of life so that they could explore different opportunities and work for the progress and prosperity of the people.
The President stated that extremism and terrorism in the region also affected the bilateral trade and other economic activities. He pointed out that Government of Pakistan has eradicated this menace through Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fassad. Hideouts of the terrorists are being destroyed which have resulted in the restoration of peace while trade and Industrial activities are on the rise, he added.
The President highlighted that Pakistan was producing various state of the art products including defence equipment. He said that Central Asian Republics could benefit from Pakistan’s experience and products in these fields. Similarly, young officers from Central Asian Republics can also benefits from the training institutes of Pakistan in various fields including defence, he added.
The delegation included Former Vice Prime Minister and Presently Chairman Federation of Chamber of Commerce of Uzbekistan Ikramov Adham Ilhamovich; Deputy Director, National Institute of Strategic Studies of Kyrgyz Republic Baidoletov Nuradil Esenbekovich; Director Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies Georgiy Dubovtsev; Director, Center for Strategic Studies under the President of Tajikistan Dr. Khudaberdi Kholiqnazar; Deputy Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan Merdan Bayramdurdyyev and the Ambassadors of Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Pakistan Day to be celebrated on Friday with traditional zeal, fervour
ISLAMABAD, March 22 (APP):The 78th Pakistan Day will be celebrated across the country on Friday with traditional national zeal and fervour.
The day will dawn with 31 gun salutes in the federal capital and 21 gun salutes in the provincial capitals, followed by a joint parade of all three forces of the military – Pakistan Army, Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force at Shakarparian Parade Avenue in Islamabad in the morning.
Pakistan Day is celebrated to mark the Lahore Resolution on March 23 each year. The Lahore Resolution, also known as Pakistan Resolution, passed on March 23, 1940, is considered a major milestone in the Muslim struggle for an independent state.
Contingents from friendly countries including China, Turkey and UAE are also scheduled to participate in the parade at the official ceremony. This year, it is the first time that a contingent from the UAE military will parade along with Pakistan armed forces.
The special feature of this year’s parade is Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena’s participation, who will be the guest of honourof the event. The participation of Sri Lankan president in the parade is a demonstration of close friendly ties between the two countries.
President Mamnoon Hussain will be the chief guest of the event. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Defence Minister Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan, Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of Air Staff Mujahid Anwar Khan will also witness the parade.
Mechanised columns of various prestigious services of the country will exhibit inventory of highly sophisticated and modern weaponry and arsenal. Pakistani armed forces will display tanks, jets, drones and other weapon systems in the parade.
Civil organisations will also show their material presence at the parade by exhibiting floats, depicting developments achieved by the country, besides the regional culture and heritage.
Change of guard ceremonies will be held at the mausoleums of national poet Allama Iqbal in Lahore and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in Karachi
People all over the country will renew the pledge to work hard in their respective fields for progress, peace and prosperity of the country and give every sacrifice for defence and protection of motherland.
The Day’s highlights will be students and civil society association rallies and peace walks besides seminars, symposiums and conferences where speakers will shed light on the role of Pakistan Resolution in the creation of Pakistan.
It will be the public holiday and national flag will be hoisted on all the main government and private buildings of the country.
Radio and TV channels will air special programmes and documentaries while newspapers will publish special supplements in connection with the Day.
Elaborate arrangements have also been made by the Pakistan embassies abroad and the community organisations in other countries to celebrate the Pakistan Day.