BEIJING: September 26 –
Transport Minister of Tajikistan, Azim Ibrahim & Federal Minister for Communications, Abdul Aleem Khan during a meeting.
BEIJING: September 26 –
A vendor displaying the (colorful pencils) and stationary items to attract the customers outside the Dehli gate in the Provincial Capital.
LAHORE: September 26 –
Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare Department Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho addressing during the first SMBBMU International Conference on Family Planning ” Way Forward For A Sustainable World” at Chandka Medical College auditorium Hall.
LARKANA: September 26 –
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LARKANA: September 26 – Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare Department Dr. Azra Fazal Pechuho talking to media persons after inaugurating the first SMBBMU International Conference on Family Planning ” Way Forward For A Sustainable World” at Chandka Medical College.
Cooperation of tribal elders, people with security forces crucial for durable peace; CM Bugti
QUETTA, Sep 26 (APP): Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Thursday said that the cooperation of the tribal elders and the people with the security forces are essential for durable restoration of peace in the province.
He expressed these views while addressing tribal elders at a Jiga in Zhob.
The tribal elders informed the Chief Minister about their issues. Assuring them, Balochistan Chief Minister said that measures were being taken to solve the issues of masses at their doorsteps who expected the incumbent government for solution of problems and provision of basic facilities.
He also directed concerned official on the occasion to address legal issues of public being faced by them in Zhob district soon.
An ambulance was sent to Shirani district and an armored vehicle was also provided to police immediately on directive of Chief Minister who gave these orders on the public demand of providing an ambulance.
He also issued orders for immediate deployment of teaching staff in Zhob Regional College with the aim to improve quality of education in the area.
The CM ordered to speed up work on Zhob Bypass and repair of communication towers in Khurasan.
On public complaints, the Chief Minister instructed for the appointment of Assistant Commissioner Kakar Khurasan and
Tehsil Dar on vacant posts.
He said that he would visit to every district of the province and examine the public issues personally so that they would provide maximum facilities in the area.
The Chief Minister said that the cooperation of the tribal elders and the people with the security forces are essential for durable restoration of peace.
He said the departments would be mobilized only with the improvement in governance.
Mir Sarfraz Bugti directed the administrative officers to focus all their abilities on solving public problems.
“Local problems should be solved at the local level and the people should not be made to wait in a long process”. he said.
PM Shehbaz meets EU President Ursula Von der Leyen
NEW YORK, Sep 26 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday met the President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen, on the margins of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
A wide array of topics, including bilateral relations, and regional and global issues came under discussion during the meeting.
The prime minister congratulated Ms Ursula on her re-election as the President of the European Commission and commended her unwavering commitment to advancing the interests of the European Union.
The prime minister emphasized Pakistan’s dedication to strengthening its relationship with the European Union, underlining the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation in advancing shared goals.
Commenting on the GSP Plus Scheme, the prime minister mentioned that Pakistan had demonstrated consistent political commitment to fully implement the GSP Plus-related international conventions.
This exchange between the prime minister and the EU president underscores the commitment of Pakistan to proactive engagement and collaboration on a global scale on issues of mutual interests.
Kamal reviews transhipment policy; seeks proposals for E-Commerce development
ISLAMABAD, Sep 26 (APP): Federal Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan here on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting to revamp the country’s transhipment policy.
According to press release issued by the ministry, the meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs, FBR, Customs, Railways, Commerce, and other key stakeholders.
Discussions focused on addressing various issues such as alternative routes, transhipment modes, and regulatory measures to remove obstacles, with the goal of making Pakistan a regional transhipment hub.
The revised policy aims to facilitate cargo movement for both intra-regional and inter-regional trade, with a special focus on serving landlocked countries in the region.
The initiative is expected to boost revenue for the FBR, create employment opportunities for skilled workers, and spur overall development in the country.
Jam Kamal Khan directed all stakeholders to expedite pending matters to ensure the timely implementation of the policy, and emphasized the importance of consulting the private sector for their input.
Meanwhile, the minister also chaired the first meeting of the IT & E-Commerce Council, aimed at accelerating the growth of Pakistan’s IT and e-commerce sectors.
Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja also participated in the meeting virtually.
During the session, Minister Jam Kamal Khan asked council members to submit proposals for further review by the Executive Committee of Commerce, chaired by the Commerce Minister himself.
These proposals would then be forwarded to the National Export Development Board (NEDB), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for comprehensive decision-making on key issues.
Shaza Fatima Khawaja highlighted the government’s target to increase IT exports from $3.223 billion to $25 billion by 2029, as directed by the Prime Minister. She assured that all necessary support to enhance IT exports would be provided.
Representatives from leading e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba, Daraz, and P@SHA attended the meeting. The presentation by P@SHA outlined significant challenges in the sector, including payroll taxes, internet connectivity, and global perceptions about Pakistan’s security, all of which hamper growth.
The council also discussed potential strategies to enhance regional trade, address the brain drain, and develop a robust local IT ecosystem.
Minister Jam Kamal Khan appreciated the efforts and presentation of the stakeholders and assured the government’s full support.
He also directed all parties to expedite pending matters to ensure timely implementation of the new IT and e-commerce policies and recommended consultation with the private sector for a broader perspective.
The e-commerce sector aims to reach $5 billion in exports by 2030, and the council emphasized that achieving this target will require strategic improvements in logistics, digital payments, and infrastructure development.
Reforms must to make current IMF programme last one: Finance Minister
ISLAMABAD, Sep 26 (APP): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb said Thursday that fundamental economic reforms were needed to make the existing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme the last one for the country.
Transformation of the economy into an export-driven one necessitates structural reforms, only then could the country move forward in the next three years, the minister said in an interview with Voice of America after the IMF loan program’s approval.
It is pertinent to mention here that IMF board on Wednesday approved the 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme of $7 billion for Pakistan and has authorized the immediate release of the first tranche of about $1 billion.
He said, the friendly countries have assured financial support to meet the financial needs through the new IMF program.
The minister said the government had no choice but to implement economic reforms, which included bringing sectors currently outside the tax net into the fold.
He said that the burden on salaried and manufacturing classes would be reduced and highlighted the need to bring into tax net the retailers, wholesalers, agriculture, and property sectors.
He said that despite a 29% increase in revenues last year, the tax-to-GDP ratio remained at 9%, which is insufficient to stabilize any country’s economy.
He mentioned that the government was abolishing the term “non-filer” and will impose restrictions on tax evaders, limiting their ability to conduct various activities.
The minister noted that the government possesses data on individuals’ lifestyles, including the number of vehicles owned, international travel, and other expenditures. This information will enable the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to bring tax evaders into the tax net without arrest, he added.
The minister said Pakistan’s undocumented economy has been valued at Rs.9 trillion, which needed to be documented.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif believed that business should be handled by the private sector and not by the
government. To achieve this, the cabinet’s privatization committee has advanced the privatization process of government institutions to its final stages, he added.
PM meets Bill Gates, founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF)
ISLAMABAD, Sep 26 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif met Bill Gates, founder and co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) on the sidelines of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (PM at UNGAPM at UNGA2024) Session.
Recalling Gates’ recent visit to Pakistan in June this year, the prime minister thanked him for the invitation to visit the Gates Foundation in Seattle in December 2024.
He also appreciated the Gates Foundation’s engagement and support to Pakistan on polio eradication, maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, digitization, and financial inclusion.
The prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to ensure complete eradication of polio from the country. He thanked the BMGF for its longstanding support in this effort and underscored the need for sustained efforts and supports to Pakistan, particularly for health system strengthening and maternal and child nutrition in this regard.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s efforts Bill Gates stressed polio eradication was vital to protect its future generations from this crippling disease. He appreciated the prime minister’s personal supervision and engagement of the Provincial governments in the polio vaccine program across the country.
Gates shared updates on a comprehensive Health Dialogue with Afghanistan and requested support for the initiative. He also communicated his willingness to focus more on the pockets where the number of missed children or refusal of polio vaccines is higher especially where the morbidity of children is higher.
He also shared with the prime minister on King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre’s support for polio and other health relief-related initiatives.
He also shared with the Prime Minister BMGF’s work on nutrition especially the micronutrients for pregnant women and how it can be increased by providing them additional vitamins in support of UNICEF.
The prime minister complimented the Gates Foundation for its Polio campaign in Gaza given the challenges there and the plight of children.
He emphasized on immediate ceasefire and the resolution of the conflict as per the UN Resolutions. He also complimented BMGF for being a trusted ally in Pakistan’s socio-economic development and expressed interest in broadening collaboration in areas such as information technology, STEM education, agriculture, and livestock.
An artisan meticulously applies the final touches to mosque slabs and minarets at his workshop, crafting pieces of beauty and devotion.
LAHORE:September 26-
Minister SAFRON and Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam briefs the press at Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees.
QUETTA: September 24-