LAHORE, Dec 19 (APP): Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Punjab Board of Investment & Trade (PBIT)
here Monday inked a Memorandum of Understanding to pledge a closer working relationship between the two institutions and for the promotion of trade activities.
The MoU was signed by FPCCI Regional Chairman and Vice President Mian Rehman Aziz and PBIT Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Haroon Shaukat on behalf of their respective sides.
On this occasion, Muhammad Haroon Shaukat said they were looking forward to set a framework with FPCCI for trade stimulation and joining hands to make a ground for progressive economic growth.
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he added, was a big collection of projects worth US $ 46 billion mainly focused on four pillars Gwadar Port, communication infrastructure, energy infrastructure and industrial zones.
There was still no proper industrial plan appeared to capture investment
of CPEC while a lot of investment was being made in infrastructure and energy sector under China Pakistan Economic Corridor, (CPEC), he maintained. He said the business community should come forward in their respective sectors for industrial Joint Venture to cater to CPEC opportunities.
While, Mian Rehman Aziz emphasized over the PBIT objectives of facilitating new and existing businesses; creating a mutually beneficial business environment and said unfortunately there is lack of information being disseminated to the business community.
He said FPCCI and other Chambers of Punjab must be taken into loop while any foreign delegation was visiting Pakistan or our delegation was visiting abroad for trade promotion.
He underlined the importance of industrial estates and said Rahim Yar Khan was very suitable and ready for industrial estate and needed serious consideration by the quarters concerned.
In the end, FPCCI crest was presented to PBIT Chief Muhammad Haroon Shaukat by Mian Rehman Aziz Chan.h
FPCCI, PBIT agree to jointly promote trade activities
Tribute paid to Rumi at Lok Virsa
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): National Institute of Folk and
Traditional Heritage (Lok Virsa) in collaboration with Dastan Monday evening paid tribute
to Jalaluddin Mohammad Rumi at Lok Virsa Media centre.
Renowned Scholar Prof. Dr. Rasheed Hasan, Prof. Dr. Shagufta and large number of people from different walks of life attended the event.
Speakers highlighted the literary work of the most popular scholar, poet and well known for his six-volume Masnavi Ma’navi (spiritual couplets) which is considered by many to be one of the greatest works of both Islamic mysticism and literature.
Rumi was born in Balakh and passed away in Konya, Turkey, where he was laid to rest. He lived 66 years and left a legacy of major poetic and prose works.
Jalaluddin Muhammad Rumi also known as Rumi was a 13th-century Persian poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian and Sufi mystic.
Rumi’s influence transcends national borders and ethnic divisions:
Iranians, Tajiks, Turks, Greeks, Pashtuns, other Central Asian Muslims, and the Muslims of South Asia have greatly appreciated his spiritual legacy for the past seven centuries.
His poems have been widely translated into many of the world’s languages and transposed into various formats.
Rumi has been described as the ‘most popular poet’ and the ‘best selling poet’ in the United States.
Rumi’s poetry was also recited on the occasion and his popular poems presented with music.
Renowned Pashto singer Mashooq Sultan dies
PESHAWAR, DEC 19, (APP): Famous Pashto folk singer Mashooq Sultan died here on Monday. To honor contribution of the legendary Pashto language singer, the government had conferred a presidential award in 1996 on her for showing best performance while signing innumerable memorable songs at various platforms including TV, Radio throughout her career.
Late Mashooq Sultan who died from Hepatitis, released around 1500 albums in her successful career which had been widely appreciated by her lovers at home and world over for singing her magical and melodious songs.
She prevailed upon the music world for over 4o years and showed
excellent performance in singing, not only in Pakistan but other countries of the world as well including US, UK, Afghanistan, Belgium, France and Dubai. She also won several international awards for her best performance, abroad.
Despite her fame, Mashooq Sultan was modest. She dressed conservatively in aÂsalwar kameez and was rarely seen without a dupatta covering her head in her public performances.
Pakistan, China to cooperate in radio broadcasting
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Director General Radio Pakistan Khurshid Ahmed Malik Monday said Pakistan would extend every possible cooperation to China Radio International (CRI) for transmission of Dousti Channel.
He said this during a meeting here with Vice President China Radio International Hu Bengsheng.
Talking to visiting Vice President CRI, Khurshid Malik said programmes of the CRI were listened in Pakistan with keen interest and launching of
Dousti Channel had added local flavor to this broadcast.
He said experience of cooperation between the CRI and Radio Pakistan was pleasant one.
He informed that Radio Pakistan was broadcasting programmes in eleven foreign languages, including Chinese.
He suggested that training of Chinese Service staff by the CRI would help to improve this service further.
The CRI vice president said his organization would provide three staff
members to Chinese Service of Radio Pakistan at its own expenses.
The two sides agreed on mutual training of staff members of both
organizations to enhance cooperation and understanding, and strengthen ties in field of broadcasting.
Director General Khurshid Malik proposed to set up a dedicated
CPEC radio channel jointly by Radio Pakistan and the CRI with its transmitters from Kashgar to Gwadar to highlight activities related to this multi-billion dollar project and culture of areas through which it would pass.
He informed that Radio Pakistan had already upgraded its stations in Gilgit and Gwadar for this purpose.
Hu Bengsheng said such channel could be set up in two-phased strategy.
The first was to strengthen Dousti Channel and second to work on feasibility of CPEC channel.
He said cooperation between two media organizations would further strengthen people to people contact between Pakistan and China.
The vice president CRI also invited director general Radio Pakistan to
visit the CRI.
PM for identifying sites for industrial zones along CPEC
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif Monday directed setting up of industrial zones at sites that were economically feasibile and viabile for maximum economic returns and benefits both for China and Pakistan.
Chairing a meeting to review progress on different projects under the umbrella of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) here at the PM House, the prime minister directed the formation of a committee to suggest and advise the Chinese government on the economic practicability and benefits of these sites.
He said China helped Pakistan a great deal in the economic revival at a crucial juncture for which the government and people of Pakistan were grateful to the Chinese leadership and people.
China and Pakistan have translated their long-term strategic ties into a strong and durable economic partnership that would greatly benefit both the countries, he added.
The meeting reviewed the benchmarks set for numerous energy, transport infrastructure and industrial projects with particular focus on development and socio-economic uplift projects in Gwadar.
The prime minister was briefed on the tentative agenda items for the upcoming meeting of China and Pakistan’s Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC).
Explaining the procedures for inclusion of a project in CPEC, the meeting was informed that approval by the concerned working group, before it was finally approved by JCC.
The prime minister directed that Karachi Circular Railways and Keti Bunder Port project must be taken up in the next JCC for inclusion in CPEC, as conveyed by the Sindh government.
He said the Chinese government should be briefed on the immense economic viability of these projects so that they were included in CPEC.
The prime minister directed Minister for Planning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal to consult all the chief ministers for finalization of industrial zones’ locations in their respective provinces.
The meeting was also briefed on the energy projects under CPEC including coal, hydel, wind, solar, as well as transmission lines. It was informed that infrastructure projects including road, rail, aviation and data connectivity were being executed on fast track.
The meeting was attended by, Federal Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar, Minister for Panning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Water & Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Ports and Shipping Mir Hasil Khan Bizenjo, Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, SAPM Tariq Fatemi and other senior officials of the government.
PM to visit Bosnia on Dec 20-22
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif
is undertaking an official visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina on December 20-22 at the invitation of Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister), Dr. Denis Zvidvic.
The Prime Minster will hold one-on-one meeting with the Chairman and will exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The two sides will also hold delegation-level talks.
“Both countries will review the entire range of bilateral relations with a special focus on political, trade and economic ties, inter-parliamentary linkages and enhancing cultural and educational relations,” a Foreign Office statement said issued here Monday.
Nawaz Sharif will meet the members of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Presidency and the leaders and members of the lower and upper houses of Parliamentary Assembly and also the Reis-ul-Ulema, Husein ef Kavazovic.
The Prime Minister will also address Bosnia and Herzegovina’s
Business Forum and meet the members of Foreign Trade Chamber and
Foreign Investment Promotion Agency.
Waqar believes Salman Butt deserves another go
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Legendary pacer and former coach Waqar Younis believes former Salman Butt should be brought back into the national side on the back of a good domestic season.
The left-handed opener, who had an ordinary start to the first-class season this year, capped it off with two centuries in the final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy against Habib Bank Limited, helping his team Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) win the tournament.
In the last five matches, the former skipper stroked four centuries and amassed 516 runs at an average of 72.28.
Salman Butt was the captain of Pakistan team when the infamous
spot-fixing scandal took place in the 2010 Lord’s Test.
After being found guilty, he along with pacers Mohammad Amir Mohammad Asif was banned from all forms of cricket.
“He (Butt) was playing really well and also he has served his
sentence and punishment and I feel personally that everyone deserves
a go,” Waqar was quoted as saying by prominent sports website
sport.bt.com.
“People are going to have different views. He is a good player, he is playing really well,” Waqar added.
Butt, who finished as the second-highest run-getter in the
National T20 Cup this year, with 350 runs from eight innings,
followed it up with 749 runs in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He even struck
a half-century in the opening match of the Departmental One-Day Cup.
Graduation ceremony held at PAF Finishing School
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): The graduation ceremony of the 41st batch of students of PAF Finishing School, Islamabad was held here at the Officers’ Mess, Air Headquarters.
Major General (Retd) Shahida Badshah, former Principal of Army Medical College, was the chief guest on the occasion, a press release said.
On her arrival, the chief guest was received by Begum Talat
Sohail, President Pakistan Air Force Women Association and Patron-in-Chief of PAF Finishing School Islamabad.
The chief guest awarded certificates to the graduating students.
Earlier, Director Finishing School Nasreen Aurangzeb presented a report highlighting the main aspects of the training, which are aimed at transforming young girls into useful members of society.
Later, Begum Talat Sohail presented the crest of PAF Finishing School to the chief guest.
The PAF Finishing School was established in July 1996 for girls.
It offers various courses in communication skills, languages, management, art of self presentation, domestic science, general culture, cuisine, protocol, art, child care, introduction to psychology and spiritual enrichment.
PAF Finishing School is the first of its kind in Asia, which is a step by Pakistan Air Force towards the promotion of education and literacy in the country.
China to set up large steel factory at Gwadar: Envoy
ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Acting Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Zhao Lijian Monday said that his country would set up a large steel factory at Gwadar to further expedite economic developments being carried out under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework.
“Both China and Pakistan would very soon sign an agreement to establish the steel factory, three times bigger than the free economic zone being set up in Gwadar city,” he made this announcement while addressing participants of a day-long conference on CPEC: Potential and Prospects organized by Strategic Vision Institute (SVI) here.
He said, industrial cooperation was the forth pillar of CPEC initiative and both the country would discuss it in the next meeting of Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) of CPEC to be held in Beijing this month.
“After completion of energy projects, transport infrastructure and development of Gwadar Port, industrial cooperation between China and Pakistan will be the main topic at the next JCC,” he added.
Zhao Lijian informed that China was working a lot for the development of Gwadar Port which was built with the Chinese government’s assistance.
He said, after completion, the port was handed over to Singapore but there was no improvement even after passage of five years.
Finally, it was given to the Chinese government by Pakistan government and the port was made functional and a ship carrying Chinese goods left for Africa.
He said, a business centre, hostel for different companies, fisheries processing plant with cold storage facility had been established in the free economic zone spread over around nine kilometers.
About Gwadar airport up-gradation, he said, the new international airport would have landing facility for all the modern aircraft including A-380 Airbus after completion, adding, prior to the up-gradation only C-130 or propeller-planes could land at the old airport.
The Acting Chinese Ambassador said, a 150-bed hospital was being built for the treatment of local people while a vocational institute had been set up for imparting training of different skills especially for the fishermen.
Talking about different energy project being completed under CPEC initiative in different parts of Pakistan, he particularly mentioned about the coal-based power plants which were being built in accordance with environmental standard set by the World Bank (WB) and other concerned international organizations.
He said, China produces around 60 percent of its total power generation through coal based power stations using modern and state of the art technology.
“The environmental concerns will be taken into consideration during the completion of these power stations,” he added.
Zhao Lijian pointed out hydro power plant, coal based power plants, wind power plants and solar based power plants were being set up to meet the electricity shortage in Pakistan.
He informed that the Karot Power Plant was being financed by the Silk Bank established by the Chinese government.
The groundbraking of Suki Kinari, Kohala Hydro Power Project would be held early next year, he said and added, Sahiwal Power Plant and Port Qasim Power Plant would be completed by next June and December respectively.
He said, a power plant set up at Thar coal site would also be inaugurated in next June.
He said, HUBCO power plant, one of the biggest coal-based power plant, would provide constant and stable power supply throughout the year.
The Acting Chinese Ambassador said, the 50MW wind power plants and the 100-MW solar power plant set up at Balochistan would boost the power production and hoped there would be no loadshedding in Pakistan after completion of all energy projects.
Giving overview of transport infrastructure projects, he said, the Multan-Sukkur section of Peshawar-Karachi motorway would be completed at a cost of US$ 2.8 billion.
He pointed out that no other country was ready to support this project because of being less populated and having less-transport.
China came forward to build this project on Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis in three years.
He said, KKH Phase-II would be completed at a cost of US$ 1.3 billion, adding, its Phase-I had already been completed while Phase-III would soon be planned.
About railways upgradation, he said, after completion of dual tracks, speed of trains could be enhanced upto 160 km per hours.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman, Parliamentary Committee on CPEC, Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed said, the CPEC initiative would be beneficial for not only Pakistan and China but also the South Asia and regions beyond.
He said, at a time when nobody was coming forward to help Pakistan, China extended support and confidence to its time-tested friend.
He informed that the land route of CPEC would connect 65 countries through Pakistan’s Gwadar port.
He said, China’s cooperation in energy sector, transport infrastructure development including railways upgradation, Gwadar port, development of Thar coal, Karachi-Peshawar motorway, employment to 10,000 Pakistanis and early harvest projects under CPEC had given a new impetus to economic growth.
“These projects have not only pushed Pakistan economic revival but also help integrate different parts of our country,” he added.
Mushahid opined that importance of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) had increased manifold for regional cooperation and after India’s stubborn attitude regarding South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
In his welcome address, President, SVI, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema said that the CPEC was not only a game changer for South Asia but also for Central Asia and regions beyond.
He said, CPEC would have global implications over the time, adding, it would promote trade and economic activities in the entire region.
Students contribute pivotal role in national development: Jhagra
PESHAWAR, Dec 19 (APP): Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Engineer Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has said that students are the precious asset to contribute a pivotal role in making the country developed in accordance with the present day needs.
With quality education, imparted today to youth he added, our nation
will come at par with socio economically developed countries of the world.
Indeed the universities can play immensely vital role in creating cream
of the nation by providing quality education.
He expressed these views while presiding over the Senate meeting of the Kohat University of Science and Technology at Governor’s House, Peshawar on Monday.
Besides others, the meeting was also attended by MPA Ziaullah Bangash, Vice Chancellor of the University and members of the senate of the university.
The Governor urged the University administration to ensure utilization
of funds with transparency and in accordance with the financial action plan.
Earlier, the VC university briefed the meeting regarding administrative,
research, curriculum activities in the varsity. The senate also approved budget for the year, 2016-17.