ISLAMABAD, Mar 13 (APP):On the advice of Sindh Government, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday adjusted the dates of the Pak-West Indies Twenty-20 series to take place in National Stadium, Karachi.
The West Indies will play 3 T20 matches on April 1, 2 and 3, said a press release issued here.
The dates have been adjusted so that there is no match on the occasion of Barsi of ex Prime Minister of Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on April 4.
PCB adjusts dates of Pak-WI T20 series
Iran, Pakistan can emerge as strong economic partners: Iranian Foreign Minister
KARACHI, Mar 13 (APP):Iran and Pakistan have deep religious and cultural ties which should be transformed into strong economic cooperation to the benefit of the two nations.
‘Pakistan has emotional attachment to every citizen of Iran,’ reaffirmed
Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Mohammad Jawad Zarif while addressing business community of Karachi here on Tuesday.
As a part of celebrations of seventy years of Iran and Pakistan
diplomatic ties, the event was hosted by the Iran-Pakistan Business Forum, which has been working to bring the two business communities closer to promote bilateral trade and investment.
Iranian Foreign Minister is on a three-day official visit to Pakistan
and heading a high profile business delegation. Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Mehdi Honardoost and Consul General of Iran to Karachi Ahmed Mohammadi, accompanied the Iranian delegation.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Minister for
Information and Transport Syed Nasir Hussain Shah were also present.
The prominent businessmen were Federation of Pakistan Chamber of
Commerce and Industry’s Senior Vice President Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir, Vice Presidents Tariq Haleem and Waheed Ahmed, Senior Vice President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Abdul Basit Haji Abdul Razzaq, Dr Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Gulzar Feroz, S.Khalid Tawab.
Iranian Foreign Minister recalled that Iran was the first country who
recognized Pakistan as an independent country.
He said that there existed huge potential of trade and investment on
both the sides, which needed to be efficiently exploited. For this, increased interaction at the governments’ and private sectors’ levels was required. Besides, he continued, both the governments would have to sit together for removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers, simplification of the Customs procedures and establishing banking channel, earliest execution of Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, signing of Free Trade Agreement.
He said that Iran was ready to help Pakistan meet its electricity demand
to a great extent.
‘Iran can be a reliable source for Pakistan to get gas and electricity.
We are very much capable to produce as much electricity as Pakistan wants,’ he reaffirmed.
Dr Zarif said that both the countries could partner in many sectors
like energy, science and technology , infrastructure, chemicals and human resources development.
He said that today’s event, especially B2B meetings, would help promote
bilateral trade and find investment avenues on both the sides.
The Iranian Foreign Minister said that he had visited Karachi many times
and it was honour for him to be here among the business community and political figures.
A presentation was given by a member of Iranian business delegation to
highlight the economic potential of Iran and the opportunities for joint ventures with other countries.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah invited Iranian businessmen to
invest in Sindh; especially in Thar coal projects, wind and solar energy sector and infrastructure.
FPCCI Senior Vice President Syed Mazhar Ali Nasir maintained that both
the countries were not fully aware of each other’s economic potential, which called for enhanced exchange of information and trade delegations.
He said that there was need for holding Single Country exhibitions on
each other’s land.
He informed that Pakistan was going to hold its Single Country
exhibition in Tehran in May or June this year.
He regretted that Pakistan and Iran had strong air, land and sea
linkages but none was being efficiently utilized to promote bilateral trade and investment.
Smuggling major hurdle in Pak-Afghan trade
LAHORE, Mar 13 (APP):Smuggling is obstructing the legal trade
between Pakistan and Afghanistan, therefore, this issue should be
tackled through rationalizing and removing the tariff barriers.
This was stated by Secretary General of Pak-Afghan Joint Chamber
of Commerce & Industry (PAJCCI) Faiza Zubair while talking to LCCI
Acting President Khawaja Khawar Rashid, Vice President Zeshan Khalil
and Executive Committee Members here at Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry on Tuesday. Awais Saeed Piracha, Fahim-ur-Rehamn Saigol
and Lala Pervez were also present on the occasion.
Fauzia Zubair said that smuggling should be eliminated with iron
hands as it was equally destructive for the both countries. She said
that regulatory duty imposed by Afghanistan on Pakistani goods was
400 times more than RD imposed by Pakistan on Afghani products. She
said that mutual trade could not grow in the presence of such duty structure.
She added that there was a need of an Export House for check and balance of the quality specifications of export goods of both countries before full payments to overcome trust deficit. She said that Afghan Businessman loved to work in Lahore. They needed progressive support
of Lahore Chamber for work here. There were some hotel reservation
issues in Lahore, asserting that a comprehensive proposal from the
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry was required about bilateral
trade problems and their solutions in Afghanistan and central Asia.
She viewed, “Economically and socially we can resolve the political
issues of the two countries. That is why we are going to arrange a
grand combine meeting of all Chambers of Pakistan very soon to discuss
the export issue of the countries.”
On this occasion, LCCI Acting President Khawaja Khawar Rashid said
that bilateral relation between Pakistan and Afghanistan were very important for the peace and development in the region. If the relations between the both were not good due to some internal or external reasons,
it directly affectef their bilateral and transit trade.
He said that Pakistan was the best option for exports and imports
for Afghanistan. He mentioned that in 2010-11, the total volume of Transit Trade was $3.8 billion which was exceeded to $3.5 billion in 2015-16.
In 2016-17 with a decline the trade volume remain $2.9 billion. But hopefully it would be $3 billion by the end of fiscal year 2017-18.
He said that Pakistan’s exports to Afghanistan were wheat, sucrose, soap, tea, footwear, carpets, paper & paperboard, pharmaceutical goods
etc. Major imports from Afghanistan to Pakistan were carpets, textile
floor covering (knotted), seeds of anise, guts/bladders/stomachs of
animals etc.
He stressed the need to diversify trade patterns for the sake
of bringing some innovation.
LCCI Vice President Zeshan Khalil said that exchanges of businessmen delegations could produce better results in improving the trade links between two countries. He said there was a dire need to develop deeper
ties between the respective Chambers of Commerce & Industry so that
people to people contacts could be built up further. He said that there were issues that needed resolution and the two states were working
together to find solutions to these problems. This included possible defense cooperation and intelligence sharing as well as further enhancing the two-way trade and abolishment of visas for diplomats from the two nations.
Chines company keen to partner with locals to manufacture energy vehicles
ISLAMABAD, Mar 13 (APP):A delegation of Chinese companies from Lanzhou City of China visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and showed keen interest to find partners for escalators, elevators, lifts and energy vehicles in Pakistan.
The delegation was representing manufacturers of heavy duty escalators, elevators, lifts, battery vehicles and others.
Speaking at the occasion, Xuexian Pei, Head of Chinese delegation said that CPEC had put Pakistan and China on long-term business partnership and they have come to Pakistan to find partners for achieving win-win results.
He said that Lazhou Yatai Eastern Elevators Company Limited was manufacturing heavy duty escalators, elevators and lifts and it was looking for local partners in Pakistan for these products.
He said another member of the delegation was manufacturer of energy vehicles that operated on battery. He said the vehicle took 6 to 8 hours in full charging and ran up to 150 kilometers. He said that recharging station would be set up to recharge battery-operated vehicles.
He said their main purpose of visiting Pakistan was to identify local partners for these products in Pakistan. At this occasion, they gave a detailed presentation on their products.
Addressing the delegation, Muhammad Naveed, Senior Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that CPEC has created plenty of new business and investment opportunities in Pakistan and it was the right time for Chinese investors to bring technology and set up joint ventures in Pakistan.
He said that many big projects were under construction in Pakistan that needed heavy duty escalators, elevators and lifts and Chinese companies should shift their plants to manufacture these products in Pakistan.
He said Pakistan was an attractive market for automobiles and Chinese company should set up energy vehicles manufacturing plant in Pakistan. This way they would not only meet the needs of local market and they would be able to export their products to regional countries as well.
He said that ICCI would set up a CPEC Facilitation Centres where its members would also be taught Chinese language so that they could easily communicate and materialize successful business deals with Chinese entrepreneurs.
Naveed presents his book ‘Nigeria in the Whirlpool’ to DG PNCA
ISLAMABAD, Mar 13 (APP):Renowned scholar, columnist and political analyst Naveed Aman Khan Tuesday presented his award-winning book titled ‘Nigeria in the Whirlpool’ to the Director General Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA) at his office here.
In his book he has made the comparative analysis of Nigerian and Pakistani politics, society and behavior of both the nations, according to a press statement issued here.
In the book, the author has discussed the democratic systems of both the countries in detail and highlighted the reasons and impacts of discontinuation of such systems.
The leadership crisis has also been focused in the book, besides, elaborating the resemblances of both of the nations in resources, social judicial and political systems.
Chinese President Xi extends condolences over Bangladeshi airliner crash
BEIJING, Mar 13 (APP/Xinhua):Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday extended condolences over the Bangladeshi airliner crash in Nepal a day earlier,
in which 49 people were killed and 22 others injured.
In messages sent to President Md. Abdul Hamid of Bangladesh and President Bidya Devi Bhandari of Nepal, Xi expressed
regret over the crash and the heavy casualties it had caused.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and on his own behalf, Xi expressed deep condolences to the victims’
families.
On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent condolence messages to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of
Bangladesh and Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli of Nepal.
The privately-run U.S.-Bangla Airlines plane with 71 people aboard crashed while landing at the Tribhuvan International Airport
in capital Kathmandu and burst into flames. Of the 67 passengers, 32 were from Bangladesh, 33 from Nepal and one each from
China and the Maldives.
All Pakistan inter varsities women badminton tournament opens
MULTAN, Mar 13 (APP)::The 41st All Pakistan Inter varsities women badminton tournament opened here at Sports Ground Gymnasium on Tuesday.
As many as 22 teams are taking part in the tournament wherein around 150 players will feature.
The tournament is being organized by HEC in collaboration with Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Agriculture.
MNSUA VC Dr Asif Ali and DC Nadir chattha jointly opened the tournament.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Asif Ali urged the female students to participate in sports actively. He added that it would help to keep themselves healthy.
The VC stated that female students were not behind men in any sports these days.
DC Nadir Chattha said that the varsity had taken a good initiative by holding the tournament. He said that participation of a good number of players had added colours to the activity.
Dr Ishtiaq Rajwana, Dr Shafqat Saeed, Dr Irfan Baiq and others attended the opening ceremony.
Collective approach imperative for tackling child abuse: Marriyum
ISLAMABAD, March 13 (APP):Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting, National History and Literary Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday called for collective efforts to tackle the problem of child abuse in the society.
Speaking as chief guest at a workshop on “Child Protection Case Management and Referral System in Pakistan” organized
by UNICEF, she said that it was imperative to adopt a collective approach by the media, civil society and concerned stakeholders for tackling the problem and changing the social attitudes.
She said that media has the obligation to report and unveil incidents like Kasur, but it also has to fulfill its corporate social responsibility for creating awareness for prevention of such incidents.
Marriyum Aurangzeb, who is Chairperson of National Assembly’s Special Committee on Child Abuse, was all praise for Baluchistan and Gilgit Baltistan assemblies for enacting flagship, holistic and comprehensive legislation for child protection in
their respective provinces. Such legislation not only showed that the government was serious and committed to overcome this problem but it also inspired confidence among the people, she added.
In Pakistan, she said in most cases good laws exist but problem lies in their effective implementation. The minister said that Zainab and Asma cases were highlighted by the media but countless such cases remained unreported.
She said that Zainab and Asma cases became eye-opener for the society and all the assemblies had started working on
child protection laws.
She said that a special committee on child protection had been constituted by the Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq which would present its recommendations within 30 days after thorough consultations with all the stakeholders. The
committee was examining the laws, legal frameworks and regulations for effecting improvement in them, she said.
The minister said that prosecution area was the most important part as in many cases the parents had to run from pillar to
post for getting the case registered.
She said that Zainab and Asma were being treated as case studies and the Punjab government was assisting the committee
to check what problems were faced by the parents of the victims particularly in registration of cases.
She said that the committee would also include the input of the civil society and other stakeholders in its recommendations.
Marriyum said that there was also a need to include the subject of child protection in the curricula to create timely
awareness among the children and parents as well.
She said that the Punjab government had launched an information technology based system and a forensic lab had been established which could also be helpful to other provinces.
The minister thanked international partners for their support and contribution in fighting the scourge of child abuse and
provision of data regarding best practices at the world level. She also lauded UNICEF for its contribution in health and education sector, provision of data and its help in capacity building.
She also appreciated the role and contribution of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and National Commission on the
Status of Women for child protection.
Marriyum said that Article 35 of the Constitution called for protection of mother and child and the government was striving to take concrete steps in that regard.
She said that under the 18th Amendment, the provinces had become more empowered and they were also doing legislation
for the resolution of their local problems and issues.
She said that the federal government was ready to provide all possible support and facilitate them to fulfill their responsibilities in this connection.
She said that Sustainable Development Goals task force was working for child protection issues at both the federal and provincial levels. It was providing data and equipment to the legislators in their respective assemblies, she added.
The minister said that SDG task force was the brain-child of Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq and Pakistan
had become the first and only country to have a full fledged secretariat of SDGs.
Punjab contingent all set to defend its titles: Punjab sports minister
LAHORE, Mar 13 (APP):Punjab Minister for Sports Jahangir Khanzada has expressed his optimism that the Punjab contingent will defend all its titles successfully in the upcoming 4th Inter-Provincial Games, scheduled to begin in Peshawar from March 18.
He expressed these views during his visit to Punjab training camps functioning to prepare for the Games at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium on Tuesday.
Jahangir Khanzada witnessed camp training of wushu, volleyball and karate at Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium. Deputy Director Hafeez Bhatti was also with him during his visit.
Minister said that Punjab players were working hard at the training camps under the supervision of qualified coaches and trainers. “The Punjab contingent will feature in 28 disciplines of games during the mega event. We are the defending champions and our athletes are capable enough to defend their titles comfortably,” he added.
Jahangir Khanzada said Sports Board Punjab is providing all modern facilities including residence to all trainees during the camp training. “Now it’s players’ turn to show handsome performances in their respective games during the mega event. The upcoming games will be a golden opportunity for talented youth to demonstrate their potential,” he asserted.
Zarif reiterates Iran’s commitment for improving relations with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD, March 13 (APP):Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif Tuesday reiterated his country’s commitment for improving relations
with the neighbours.
Talking to a private news channel, he said Iran would not allow its soil to be used for activities against Pakistan.
Neither Pakistan would take any action to harm Iranian interests nor his country, he added.
As regards Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was caught by Pakistan in March 2016 while crossing over from Iran, he said Iran had shared all the intelligence and information with Pakistan.
To a question about Pak-Iran gas pipeline, he said the project was in the interest of both the countries. “We have done our part, and invested some $2 billion in the project,” he added.
Commenting on the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (CPEC), he said it was important to develop infrastructure in the region. Such projects would benefit the people of the entire region.
To another question, Javad Zarif said that former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had made efforts to improve relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Both Pakistan and Iran could play a vital role in the regional stability, prosperity and progress, he added.