BEIJING, Feb 26 (APP):Pakistan and China have agreed to intensify the cooperation in the education sector and promote the university to university linkages and academic interaction.
Pakistan Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid and President China Association for Higher Education (CAHE), Du Yubo reached an agreement during a recent meeting held at Chinese Ministry of Education.
During the meeting, Ambassador Masood Khalid expressed satisfaction over the cooperation in the education sector.
He noted that academic exchanges between the Chinese and Pakistani universities at the scholars and expert level are an important component of bilateral relations and the frequency of exchanges needs to be increased.
The ambassador highlighted that the cultural and educational corridors complement – the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) – is a flagship project of Belt and Road Initiative.
Du Yubo greed with the ambassador’s proposals to strengthen academic exchanges and vowed to make efforts to further deepen the cooperation in the education sector.
He also briefed the ambassador on the progress of the CPEC Universities Consortium established last year.
He invited the ambassador to attend the China Higher Education Expo, the 2nd Annual Conference of the CPEC Universities Consortium in Zhejiang University and the Inaugural Meeting of the Belt and Road Research Center of CAHE in Yunnan University.
Pakistan, China agree to enhance cooperation in education sector
National hockey camp for Commonwealth Games from March 1
LAHORE, Feb 26 (APP):The training camp for the national hockey
team for the Commonwealth Games, to be held in Gold Coast, Australia
from April 4 to 15, will be established at the Abdul Sattar Edhi
Hockey Stadium, Karachi from March 1.
Chief Selector Islahuddin announced the names of the 32 probables
who have been directed to report on February 28 to the manager of
the Pakistan team Hassan Sardar, said a spokesman of the Pakistan
Hockey Federation here on Monday.
Following will attend the camp:
Imran Butt, Mazhar Abbas, Amjad Ali
Mohammad Irfan Sr, Faisal Qadir, Mubashar Ali, Aleem Bilal, Tazeemul Hassan, Ammad Shakeel Butt, Abubakr Mahmood, Tauseeq Arshad, M.Rizwan Sr, Shafqat Rasool, Dilbar, Shan Irshad, M.Irfan Jr, Rana Sohail, Ateeq Arshad, Samiullah, Azfar Yaqoob, Ali Shan, Ajaz Ahmad, Arslan Qadir, Shajeeh Ahmad, Umar Bhutta, M.Rizwan Jr, Atif Mushtaq, Umar Hamdi, Taimoor Malik, Tasawwar Abbas, Khizer & Junaid Kamal.
China’s first super high-speed road set to open in 2022
BEIJING, Feb 26 (APP):China’s first 120 kph superhighway is currently under construction in eastern China and will open in 2022.
The 161-kilometer highway, with six lanes in both directions, is designed for speeds up to 120 kph, an increase of 20-30 percent from the current freeway average speed limit of 90 kph. In addition to the high speed, the road boasts smart technology, green development and safety.
The core concept of a smart road is to build an integrated sensing system as well as monitoring and prediction system for drivers, vehicles and road management, according to Zhejiang Provincial Communication Department.
The superhighway will integrate photovoltaic technology for the preparation of power generation, wireless charging for future applications, and large-scale data based cloud service for smart control.
With these smart technologies and enhanced infrastructure, the super highway will provide an all-weather fast pass, highly accurate positioning, convenience for unmanned driving, and realize ideal safety conditions for zero deaths.
This will be a replicable model highway featuring new technology and material, said a person in charge from the Department.
As scheduled, construction of the super high-speed road, connecting Hangzhou and Ningbo, two core cities in the Hangzhou Bay area of east China’s Zhejiang province, will be complete before the opening of 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.
Foreign diplomats visit SCCI
SIALKOT, Feb 26 (APP)::A 24-member delegation of foreign diplomats from different countries visited Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) here on Monday.
The foreign diplomats discussed in detail matters of mutual interest with exporters there.
On the occasion, SCCI Acting President Abdul Waheed and Vice President Abid Ahmed Khawaja gave a detailed briefing about the achievements, targets, future goals of Sialkot exporters and Sialkot’s socio-economic and human development on self-help basis.
The Sialkot exporters told the visiting diplomats that “Sialkot represents an industrial setup producing specialised products that are supplied to top brands and buyers all over the world. We produce sports goods, surgical instruments, leather products, and gloves of all sorts, textiles items, sports wear, martial arts uniforms and accessories, musical instruments, kitchen ware and tableware, hollow ware, hunting knives, table cutlery/flatware, and military uniform badges,” they added.
Sialkot is playing a vital role in strengthening the national economy
by earning US$2 billion annually.
The visiting diplomats pledged to make sincere efforts to ensure
easy access of Sialkot-made products in their countries, and promised promoting positive business image of Sialkot-Pakistan globally.
Foreign diplomats included Shabir Ahmad Ahadi (Afghanistan),
Janelle Natoya Matthew (Antigua & Barbuda), Fariz Jafarov (Azerbaijan), Fahad M A W Rashed Alfaihani (Bahrain), Alesia Birylla (Belarus), Radoslav Georgiev Gergov (Bulgaria), Melville Robertson Roberts (Gambia), Sayyed Bahaoddin Hosseini (Iran), Mohammed Abdul Zahra Mohsin, Bilal Reda Mohamed (Iraq), Shali Evelyn Ngali (Kenya), Relebohile Moeti(Lesotho), Rajaa Oukhattar (Morocco), Mavis Nasilele Tungulu, Bornface Sinvula (Nambia), Moti Bahadur Shrees (Nepal), Sini Michael Namori, Farapo Korere (Papa New Guinea), Madolyn Yalu (Solomon Island), Maryan Mohamed Nawal Ahmed Nur (Somalia), Thobeka Dlamini, Nuria Hofmeyr Giralt (South Africa), Kapugama Geeganage (Sri Lanka) and Thembinkosi Bafana Mavuso (Swaziland). They also visited several leading industrial units in Sialkot.
PFC delegation leaves for Sri Lanka to explore new markets
ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP):A high level delegation of Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) Monday left for Sri Lanka on a 3-days to
explore new markets and strengthening existing bilateral trade relations with their counterparts in furniture industry during business-to-business contacts.
Prior to departure at airport, PFC Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq, heading the delegation, said members of the delegation would study about the latest trends of designing of products and modern technologies in their fields to better their trade to compete for global markets,” says a press statement issued here.
He said PFC is focusing on marketing activities in key foreign markets mainly United States, Japan, European Union, the Gulf region and South Asia.
He said Sri Lanka can provide huge opportunities to Pakistani exporters to market their products including handmade furniture in European markets in collaboration with Lankan companies.
Replying to a question about the future scope of trade with Sri Lanka, he said Pakistan can easily double exports to Sri Lanka in a year’s time by effectively using the duty concessions under the
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and if the steps would be taken timely in right direction, he expected Pakistan’s exports to Sri Lanka to be $500 million from the current $267 million within a year.
He said the trade balance is heavily in favour of Pakistan. “Its exports to Sri Lanka amounted to $267 million while Sri Lankan exports to Pakistan were worth just $58 million,” he added. “Sri
Lanka mainly exports textile products like men’s T-shirts while it imports bed wear, trousers, silk and synthetic textile and other ready-made garments.
“Pakistan’s exports are slowly growing and it can further increase its share.”
Mian Kashif said Pakistan needed to move from traditional cotton cloth to value-added furniture products to increase its exports.
He said furniture trade with Sri Lanka is at its lowest level and there is a dire need to explore furniture markets in this part of the region.
He said “we should focus on intra-regional trade so that this South Asia can foster to meet the modern challenges.”
Replying to another question, he admitted that lack of connectivity is a major reason behind low inter-regional trade in South Asia. However, he said South Asia has a trade opportunity of
$80 billion as against the actual trade of $28 billion.
“Remedial measures may push the regional trade to as high as $170 billion by 2020,” he added.
He said Sri Lankan furniture producers are targeting Middle East and European markets but Pakistani furniture industry is also equally enjoying a superb potential to compete.
He quoted the example of Japan that has a great scope for Pakistani furniture because they like Pakistani traditional hand-carved furniture designs with classic finishing and similar designs can be replicated in South Asian especially in Sri Lankan markets.
Therefore, efforts must be made to promote furniture exports by more regular participation in international shows.
All this can happen if there is government’s strong will for it and a vision among furniture traders.
President- elect SAARC Chamber Ruwan Edirisinghe for greater regional trade integration
ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP):President elect South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Chamber of Commerce and
Industry Ruwan Edirisinghe Monday stressed the need for strengthening of durable collaboration among the SAARC member countries to boost trade and investment volume in the region and fade out chronic hostilities.
Talking to Vice President SAARC chamber Pak chapter Iftikhar Malik by telephone Ruwan Edirisinghe said that with more than one-fifth of the world’s population, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region is home to two-fifth of the world’s poor.
“The region accounts for only three percent of global output and two percent of world exports,” he rued.
He said he believed that “more Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) can be secured for SAARC if we collaborate, rather than unhealthy and non-productive competition.”
Even trade within the SAARC countries is less than 6 percent, which is a big question mark, he added.
He said an investment-friendly environment to promote trade in the region will be insured if appropriate steps are taken to remove trade barriers and streamline custom procedures, intra-regional trade in South Asia would nearly quadruple from the current USD 28 billion
to over USD 100 billion.
He said now it is high time for the member states to focus on establishing regional value chains or regional value platforms like the Asean countries to attract foreign investment.
They should also work to remove the restrictions for incoming FDI, such as scarcity of land to set up business, he added.
“To attract foreign investment, South Asia can also take certain steps to reduce corporate and personal income taxes in high priority sectors, subject to avoiding counterproductive regional
competition,” he added.
He further said in order to tap full resources, first of all three major challenges facing South Asia in process of integrating this region should be addressed immediately that include addressing
political interference, finding ways to restructure both production and export processes, and ensuring infrastructural development.
He said South Asia has tremendous potential in the global market and can seize the opportunity to become the next manufacturing and export powerhouse through the right mix of reforms and investments.
Iftikhar Ali Malik said South Asia will be home to more than a quarter of the world’s working adults by 2030 and should take advantage of a confluence of positive forces, such as favorable demographics, increasing education levels, growing cities, and
rising labor costs in East Asia.
“To realize this potential, South Asian countries should work diligently to increase regional and global integration, take advantage of agglomeration economies, strengthen firm capabilities, and improve the business environment.
Turning to Asia’s economic potential, he said “Asia is rising (and) it is the most competitive region, because it is the main source of global reserves and sovereign wealth funds.
Also, the capital of South Asian countries also lies in the region.”
CCI directs provinces for establishment of priority SEZs under CPEC
ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP):The Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Monday directed provinces to submit bankable proposals/documents for establishment of priority Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for early implementation.
Board of Investment (BOI) briefed the CCI regarding development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) under CPEC. Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi chaired 35th meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) held in the PM Office.
Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervaiz Khattak, Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Quddus Bizenjo and Punjab Finance Minister Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha attended the meeting. Senior officials from federal and provincial governments were also present.
The CCI reviewed the implementation status of decisions taken during its meeting held on November, 24, 2017.
Minister for Federal Education & Professional Training briefed the CCI on matters pertaining to Higher Education and other similar bodies in Post-Eighteenth Amendment Scenario.
The CCI noted that as per the Constitution, formulation of standards in institutions for higher education and research, scientific and technical institution is the responsibility of the federal government.
It was agreed that both the federal and provincial governments would undertake monitoring, evaluation and accreditation of such institutes. CCI also directed the Federal Ministry of Education to work on a proposal in consultation with all stakeholders for establishment of a national level testing body for unified assessment standards across the country.
To further enhance representation of provinces in Higher Education Commission (HEC), it was decided that among the seven members (prominent educationists) being appointed by the Prime Minister, representation of all the provinces will be ensured.
The CCI discussed Gas and Electricity management by the Provinces including generation, transmission and distribution.
The CCI deliberated upon the issue of problems being faced by the Sugarcane growers in timely payments on prescribed rates. Expressing concerns, the Prime Minister directed Ministry of National Food Security to work with provinces for early resolution of the issue.
While discussing Power related issues of Balochistan, the CCI directed Planning Commission and the Power Division to expedite energy projects in the province.
The CCI considered and assented to place draft Bill for the Establishment of National Metrology Institute of Pakistan, (NMIP) before the Parliament.
NEPRA presented its Annual Report 2014-15 & State of Industry Report 2015 and Annual Report 2015-16 & State of Industry Report, 2016 before the CCI.
The CCI also decided that the federal government may devise a National Policy Framework for ensuring wellbeing of the Senior Citizens in consultation with the provincial government and relevant federal ministries.
The document would serve as a guiding document for all the governments for having their own respective policy and legal instrument by meeting the broad parameters set forth in the policy framework.
While discussing the allocation of additional water supply for Karachi City (K4 Project), the meeting decided that the issue would be taken up after a detailed presentation by the Ministry of Water Resources on the availability and distribution of water under IRSA Accord.
Ahsan stresses use of modern technology, innovative methods for water management
ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP):Federal Minister for Interior and Federal Minister for Planning Development and Reform Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Monday said that use of modern technology and innovative methods for water management is need of era to secure water reservoirs in large benefits of the country.
“The main objective of the conference is to promote the use of space technology applications in water management to the benefit of the developing countries as water is a lifeline for agriculture and economy in these countries”, said Ahsan Iqbal addressed as chief guest in “4th International Conference on the Use of Space Technology for Water Management” jointly organized by United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) on behalf of government of Pakistan here.
In his address the minister extended greetings to the foreign participants and said that Chairman SUPARCO Qaiser Anees Khurrum, along with Focal Person of UNOOSA, Dr. Mohamed Tarabzouni , Mr. Lorrent Czaran and Dr. Abed Al Ataway of PSIPW were also present at the occasion.
He said that “The objective of the conference is to promote the use of space technology applications in water management to the benefit of the developing countries as water is a lifeline for agriculture and economy in these countries.“
“Water-resources management issues have become so pressing that the World Economic Forum named water as one of its top challenges two years in a row”, honorable Minister added.
Highlighting the importance of Space Science & Technology Mr. Iqbal said that “The applications of this technology have proven time and again to be cost effective, accurate and worthwhile in many areas, and undoubtedly efficient water management would be possible with the use of this technology.At this juncture, it is imperative to raise awareness amongst the policy makers to employ this technology in this and other allied fields. “
The Federal Minister welcomed all the participants of the conference, appreciated the efforts of SUPARCO for creating awareness amongst decision makers about the benefits of space sciences and technology and said that “It is also estimated that over the next 20 to 25 years, cities in developing countries will double and so will their demand for integrated approaches to managing water supply, water quality, sanitation, drainage and flood management.”
Over a 100 participants, scientists, eminent scholars from America, Australia, China, Saudia, Africa, Canada and Pakistan will take part and present papers in this five daylong conference.
In his welcome address Chairman SUPARCO Qaiser Anees Khurrum said thanked UN-OOSA for selecting Pakistan as the destination for this conference along with the national and foreignparticipants for attending it.
Highlighting the concern over water management Chairman SUPARCO said that “Water being the second most important element for sustaining life on the planet after air, has infact itself become a huge sustainability issue.
He said the increasing stress on freshwater resources brought about by ever-rising demand and profligate use, as well as by growing pollution worldwide, is of serious concern.”
Signifying the importance of space sciences in national development Chairman said that “SUPARCO has undertaken landmark projects such as development of geospatial systems for irrigation management, glaciers mapping and monitoring, river and flood vulnerability assessment, crop damage assessment, sea water intrusion mapping and ground water prospection etc.
He said these projects helped in providing accurate information to stakeholders for pragmatic decision making regarding conservation of important resources”.
Chairman SUPARCO thanked UN- OOSA and PSIPW for their unstinted support and appreciated Team SUPARCO and ISNET for their efforts in making this conference a reality.
On behalf of ISNET, Member Space Application and Research (SAR), SUPARCO Imran Iqbal said that “water is a crucial element in the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He said that both as a separate goal and as a cross-cutting issue, over 1.4 billion people in the developing countries have no access to clean and safe drinking water and more than 450 million people are facing water shortage.”
United Nation (UN) and Pakistan-PSIPW 4th International Conference on the Use of Space Technology for Water Management will continue for the next five days on the pivotal issues of Space applications for water security and risk management, geospatial Information in water Resource Management, Using Space Technology to Address Water Challenges in Mountain Regions, Capacity Building and Cooperation’s Initiatives, Case Studies Presentations.
Concluding ceremony of the conference will be held on March 2, 2018 in Islamabad and Federal Minister for Energy, Power Division Mr. Awais Laghari will be the Chief Guest of the ceremony.
Economic Zones, Gwadar port, hospitals, int’l airport to largely benefit people of Pakistan: Mushahid
ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP):Chairman Parliamentary Affairs Committee on China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Mushahid
Hussain Syed Monday said that construction of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Gwadar Port, hospitals and
international airport would largely benefit the people of Pakistan.
The people of all provinces including Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa, Balochistan would have opportunities and benefit from the CPEC projects, he said while talking to PTV.
“CPEC would alleviate poverty and unemployment from the country, ” he said.
To a question, the Chairman said that Pakistan was availing the expertise of engineers, technicians, and other
skilled workers from China in various projects initiated under the CPEC program.
Two power projects producing over 2000 mega watt electricity had been completed under CPEC plan, he said.
To another question he said that CPEC would not only connect the people but would also improve cultural and business
relations between the two countries.
Mushahid Hussain Syed said that despite many challenges, China had made huge investment through CPEC projects which
he added “this shows china’s full confidence in Pakistan.”
Replying to a question he said that the people living in less developed parts of Pakistan would benefit from the project besides creating job opportunities for them.
He said some 20,000 students of Pakistan were completing education in various disciplines from Chinese institutions.
Second phase of ‘Ghar Ghar Aik Shajar’ campaign inaugurated
ISLAMABAD, Feb 26 (APP):Ministry of climate change has inaugurated second phase of ‘Ghar Ghar Aik Shajar’ campaign at G- 6/2 Model School.
While addressing the inauguration ceremony Parliamentary secretary for Climate Change and Member National Assembly Romina Khursheed Alam said, this campaign is launched to recognize the efforts of such environment-loving students.
She also delivered the lecture on the importance and awareness of plantation.
In the second phase 5000 sapling would be given to the student, in the inauguration ceremony 300 saplings have been given to the students of G 6/2 model school.
In the second phase 5000 sapling would be distributed among the students to grow trees in their houses and share the pictures with the ministry.
Under the plantation campaign, in first phase 10,000 free saplings have been distributed from door to door in Islamabad for which more than 100 students volunteered themselves.
The purpose of this campaign is to spread public awareness of plantation. The volunteer students from the local universities are distributing plants to the people in different sectors of Islamabad.
The event was attended by ministry official, students and teachers.