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Govt taking steps to increase investment in petroleum sector: Dar

By
Imran Munir
-
0

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP):Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday said the government was taking steps to increase foreign investment in the petroleum sector by resolving the key issues of the sector.

The Deputy PM, presiding over the first meeting of a committee, formed to consider the issues faced by the petroleum sector’s E&P companies and to resolve issues of the industrial sector, resolved to take every possible step to provide all facilities to the foreign companies that would help attract further investment in the country.

The meeting considered the recommendations to improve the financial system for off-shore exploration.

Deputy PM also directed to prepare a framework to implement the recent amendments made in the Petroleum Policy 2012.

Heads of local and foreign E&P companies, on the occasion, highlighted concerns about the security and stability of the sector due to increased circular debt.

Deputy PM directed the relevant authorities to resolve the issue of circular debts in the power sector on priority.

Private sector members of the committee also expressed their concerns regarding the downstream gas sector and stressed the need to open up the sector to private companies to improve its sustainability.

After detailed discussions, the forum directed the Petroleum Division to work closely with the industry and other stakeholders.

The forum also directed the Petroleum Division to suggest appropriate amendments to the Ogra Ordinance to introduce a mechanism for the adjustment of gas rates on a monthly or quarterly basis.

On security issues, the Forum directed the Interior Division to work closely with E&P companies and other stakeholders.

The Interior Division was also mandated to develop a dedicated one-window facility system at the federal and provincial levels to ensure security for operations in challenging areas.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Petroleum Musadiq Malik, Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari and other members of the committee.

 

AIOU expands its network worldwide

By
NNPS Desk
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0
AIOU

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP): Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) is receiving global recognition due to its digitalization and considering that the university has expanded its reach worldwide.

In addition to Pakistanis residing in any country, the university offers 60 educational programs for international students, said a press release yesterday. In the Spring 2024 semester, 1,003 international students have been enrolled from 36 countries, with 47% being male students and 53% female students.

These countries include Australia, Russia, South Korea, Japan, China, the USA, the UK, Ireland, Canada, France, Spain, Sweden, Greece, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Turkey, Taiwan, Botswana, South Africa, Iran, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Qatar, Iraq, Kurdistan, Jordan, Oman, and Kuwait.

Admissions for the Fall 2024 semester are going on.

The Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Nasir Mahmood has set a target to increase the number of international students to 50,000 over the next five years. He has directed Dr. Zahid Majeed, Director International Collaboration and Exchange Office, to utilize all available resources to achieve this target within the set time frame.

Following the Vice Chancellor’s instructions, the International Collaboration and Exchange Office has intensified its enrollment campaign through Pakistani embassies and high commissions worldwide.

Harris, Donald Trump neck-and-neck in 4 critical battleground states: Poll

By
NNPS Desk
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0

NEW YORK, Aug 18 (APP): US Vice President Kamala Devi Harris is closing the gap with former President Donald Trump in several key U.S. battleground states as the November presidential election inches closer, according to a new poll.

The poll from The New York Times/Siena College found Harris is leading Trump in Arizona (50 percent to 45 percent) and North Carolina (49 percent to 47 percent).

Battleground states are where the number of Democratic and Republican voters is about the same.

The vice president’s momentum has in recent weeks led her campaign to declare that North Carolina, where Trump had built a solid lead when facing former President Joe Biden, is back in play for Democrats.

In Nevada and Georgia, Harris has largely closed the gap with the former president. Trump leads the vice president in Nevada 48 percent to 47 percent, and in Georgia, 50 percent to 46 percent, as per the survey.

As an average of the four Sun Belt states — Arizona, North Carolina, Georgia and Nevada — Trump and Harris are tied at 48 percent, the survey shows. A win in at least one of these states with a sweep of the other three battleground states — Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania — would likely be enough to clinch the presidency.

Harris has steadily gained in national polls since Biden announced last month he would withdraw from the race and endorsed her to run in November. She became the official Democratic nominee earlier this month, and will formally accept the nomination alongside her running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz next week at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

A separate survey from The Times/Siena earlier this month found Harris leading Trump by at least four points Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Before Biden withdrew his candidacy, the former president was leading him by three percent in the three battleground states.

An August 10 poll from the New York Times/Siena found that Harris leads Trump by four points in the three states. Earlier in the year, Trump led Biden by three percent in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, three must-wins for Democrats to hold the White House.

Analysts regard Sunday’s poll as a significant improvement for Democrats compared to a similar survey conducted in May, in which Trump led Biden by 50 percent to 41 percent in Arizona, Georgia and Nevada. That poll did not include North Carolina.

The latest poll results also come after the independent election handicapper Cook Political Report shifted Arizona, Georgia and Nevada from “lean Republican” to “toss-up,” as Harris continues to chip away at Trump’s lead in most battleground states.

Democrats are said to be far more excited about the presidential race with Ms. Harris at the top of the ticket compared to Biden, with 85 percent saying they are at least somewhat excited for their candidate and the election, which is also far higher than the May poll.

Roughly 85 percent of Republicans are also at least somewhat excited to vote, which is close to the same as May.

Women workers must receive minimum wages, additional social welfare benefits: women laborers

By
Imran Munir
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0
Women workers busy in preparing traditional oven (Tandoor) at their workplace outskirts in the Provincial Capital
APP45-040324 LAHORE: March 04 – Women workers busy in preparing traditional oven (Tandoor) at their workplace outskirts in the Provincial Capital. APP/MTF/TZD

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP):Women workers must receive at least minimum wages, should not be paid less than men, and should be given additional social welfare benefits, including mother and child health concessions.

This was stated by women laborers, highlighting their grievances.

Zainab Bibi said, “She is working with her husband in the field for crop cultivation. Like her, many women are now working in the cultivation field along with domestic responsibilities.”

“It is difficult for her to work as a laborer without labor,” she added.

“To address the plight of all women workers affiliated with cultivation, fisheries, poultry, and animal husbandry, these women should be given the same rights as workers in formal industries,” Zainab Bibi said.

Civil society activist Samina Nazir said, “Political parties must give more attention to this important piece of legislation to safeguard women agri-workers and apply the needed pressure to the Provincial Assembly to pass this law and build the momentum for other provinces to do the same.”

Rain likely to persist in Bahawalpur

By
Imran Munir
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0

BAHAWALPUR, Aug 18 (APP):The local Met Office has forecast that Bahawalpur region might receive rain during the next 24 hours.

The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded were 32 degrees centigrade and 25 degrees centigrade during the last 24 hours.

Partly cloudy to cloudy weather with chances of rain has also been forecast for rest of the region.

It is recalled here that heavy rain had already lashed Bahawalpur during the last three days.

Civil society activists demand regulatory body to resolve brick kiln worker issues

By
Imran Munir
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0
Women’s rights activist, Farzana Bari delivering keynote speech in a seminar titled “Women Empowerment : Challenges & Opportunities in a Changing World”, in commemoration of International Women’s Day organized by the Alliance For Good Governance Foundation at a local hotel.
APP11-070324 ISLAMABAD: March 07 – Women’s rights activist, Farzana Bari delivering keynote speech in a seminar titled “Women Empowerment : Challenges & Opportunities in a Changing World”, in commemoration of International Women’s Day organized by the Alliance For Good Governance Foundation at a local hotel.
ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP):Civil society activists had demanded a regulatory body to resolve the issues of brick kiln workers.
Talking to App here on Sunday, Farzana Bari, a human rights activist, said that the majority of the brick kiln workers complained about the low wages of their work, violating the minimum level of wages under labor law and making it hard for them to meet both ends of their lives.
She added that it was revealed that bonded labor, harassment, child labor, exploitation, and not paying minimum wages to employees were common.
She said, “Workers are facing severe challenges, including lack of basic facilities, long working hours, leaves in emergencies, medical facilities, and hazardous working conditions.”
Ayub Malik, a human rights activist, said, “There are a number of women who are facing plenty of challenges but continue their work to feed their families.”
Afshan Tehseen Bajwa, former Chairperson of the of the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (NCRC), said, “The brick kiln industry is actually run by businessmen, and owners don’t register their kilns with the labor department so that they don’t have to provide social security and old-age benefits to the workers.”
She said, “Their living condition is alarming, with a lack of basic amenities throwing them into a vicious cycle of poverty.”
She urged the proper implementation of existing laws towards the most neglected sector, whose workers are largely deprived of their legal rights and entitlements and forced to work in unhealthy and unsafe environments, and demanded new laws for their protection and safety.

Gov’t taking steps to increase investment in petroleum sector: Dar

By
NNPS Desk
-
0

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Sunday said the government was taking steps to increase foreign investment in the petroleum sector by resolving key issues of the sector.

The deputy PM, presiding over the first meeting of a committee, formed to consider the issues faced by the petroleum sector’s E&P companies and to resolve issues of the industrial sector, resolved to take every possible step to provide all facilities to the foreign companies that will help attract further investment in the country.

The meeting considered the recommendations to improve the financial system for off-shore exploration.

The deputy PM also directed to prepare a framework to implement the recent amendments made in the Petroleum Policy 2012.

Heads of local and foreign E&P companies, on the occasion, highlighted concerns about the security and stability of the sector due to increased circular debt.

The deputy PM directed the concerned authorities to resolve the issue of circular debts in the power sector on priority.

Private sector members of the committee also expressed their concerns regarding the downstream gas sector and stressed the need to open up the sector to private companies to improve its sustainability.

After detailed discussions, the forum directed the Petroleum Division to work closely with the industry and other stakeholders.

The forum also directed the Petroleum Division to suggest appropriate amendments to the Ogra Ordinance to introduce a mechanism for the adjustment of gas rates on a monthly or quarterly basis.

On security issues, the Forum directed the Interior Division to work closely with E&P companies and other stakeholders.

The Interior Division was also mandated to develop a dedicated one-window facility system at the federal and provincial levels to ensure security for operations in challenging areas.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Petroleum Musadik Malik, Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari and other members of the committee.

Abbas Afridi’s all-round show in vain as Shaheens concede defeat

By
Imran Munir
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0
APP39-250224 MULTAN: February 25 - Multan Sultans bowler Abbas Afridi appealing to umpire for LBW of Quetta Gladiators batter Khawaja Nafay during the PSL-9 T20 cricket match between Multan Sultans and Quetta Gladiators at the Multan Cricket Stadium. APP/QSM/FHA

DARWIN, Aug 18 (APP):Pakistan Shaheens fell 30 runs short against Adelaide Strikers in the first semifinal of the Top End T20 series as they scored 167 all out in reply to Strikers’ 197-5 on Sunday at the DXC Arena in Darwin.

Mohammad Abbas Afridi’s quickfire 29-ball 54 went in vain as the Shaheens ran out of batters with 11 balls still left in the bag. Earlier, Abbas also took three wickets.

In pursuit of the 198-run target, Pakistan Shaheens lost a wicket in second, third, fourth and fifth over as they were reduced to 33-4 in 4.1 overs. Mohammad Haris got off to a steady start scoring 19 off 11 balls with the help of three fours before falling to Tim Oakley in the third over.

Mubasir Khan (18, 12b, 2x6s) and Usman Khan (32, 20b, 2x4s, 1×6) stitched a 32-run fifth-wicket partnership but both fell in the eighth and 11th overs respectively as with the scorecard reading 65-5 and then 91-6.

Abbas, who walked into bat at seven, belted five fours and three sixes during his 29-ball stay on the crease but with no support from other end. Arif Yaqoob (15, 17b, 1×4) and Mohammad Imran Jnr (11, 5b, 1×4, 1×6) chipped in with small contributions but all in vain as the team was bundled out for 167 in 18.1 overs.

Liam Scott picked up three wickets while Jordan Buckingham and Lloyd Pope had two each to their names. Oakley, Tim O’Connell and Noah Mcfayden dismissed one batter each.
Earlier, after Shaheens opted to bowl first, Strikers’ opening batter Jake Winter smashed a 61-ball 104 hitting six fours and eight sixes to take the game away. He was joined by Harry Manenti (52, 32b, 9x4s, 1×6) in the ninth over as the duo stitched a 73-run fourth-wicket partnership in 7.4 overs, taking the team score from 57-3 to 130-4 in 15.4 overs when Manenti departed.

Sam Rahaley remained unbeaten on 13 off 10 hitting one four as Winter was finally dismissed in the last over of the innings. For Shaheens, Abbas took three wickets while Faisal Akram chipped in with two.

This semi-final loss brings an end to the Pakistan Shaheens tour of Darwin which began with a two four-day match series against Bangladesh ‘A’ in July followed by two 50-over matches against Bangladesh ‘A’ and NT Strike. Pakistan Shaheens played seven matches in the Top End T20 series winning five and losing two.
Scores in brief:

Adelaide Strikers won by 30 runs Adelaide Strikers 197-5, 20 overs (Jake  Winter 104, Harry Manenti 52; Mohammad Abbas Afridi 3-51, Faisal Akram 2-58)

Pakistan Shaheens 167 all out, 18.1 overs (Mohammad Abbas Afridi 54, Usman Khan 32; Scott 3-44, Lloyd Pope 2-32, Jordan Buckingham 2-33)

Punjab Speaker emphasizes power of unity in fighting plastic pollution

By
Imran Munir
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0

ISLAMABAD, Aug 18 (APP):Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Ahmad Khan has called upon citizens especially students and educated individuals to join forces in the fight against plastic pollution, emphasizing that it is a collective responsibility that requires immediate attention and action.

By treating plastic pollution as a national duty, we can work together to create a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for ourselves and future generations, he said while talking to PTV news channel.

He appealed to the public to adopt eco-friendly alternatives and make conscious choices in their daily lives to reduce plastic usage.

Khan’s call to action underscored the critical need for a paradigm shift in our behavior towards plastic use, recognizing the intrinsic link between environmental conservation and national responsibility.
He stressed that schools and universities must incorporate environmental education into their curricula, empowering students with knowledge and skills to become eco-warriors.
By instilling a sense of environmental stewardship in the younger generation, we can create a ripple effect of change that can help mitigate the plastic pollution crisis, he mentioned.
Furthermore, Khan emphasized the need for community-led initiatives to tackle plastic pollution.

He encouraged citizens to organize clean-up drives, participate in beach cleanups, and support local organizations working on environmental conservation.

Responding a query, he also highlighted the importance of climate education and awareness, suggesting that schools and universities should integrate climate literacy into their curricula.

Khan emphasized the need for policy-makers to prioritize climate action, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, and supporting climate change research and development.
“By working together, we can reduce our carbon footprint, protect our planet, and ensure a livable future for generations to come,” he added.

Diminishing cotton production affecting textile sector

By
Imran Munir
-
0
Cotton

MULTAN, Aug 18 (APP):The breathable cotton fabric makes suitable attire given the hot weather conditions which at times turn extreme and is still the choice fabric for many whether at home in casual mood or out to enjoy a party. However, the fluffy cotton flowers that used to dominate the South Punjab landscape are not that much dominating these days. And textile sector does not like the story to go this way.

Khawaja Muhammad Usman, an Industrialist associated with textile and former president of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) said that Pakistan agriculture does not grow as much cotton as the textile millers’ need, to spin, weave and stitch enough yarn, fabric and garments that can turn cotton chain into a smart forex earning machine. The operations chain of cotton economy employs a larger work force from field to ginning factories and onward to textile mills and garment factories.

Pakistan’s total work force, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) survey 2020-21, was 71.76 million out of which 67.25 million were employed. Over 37.4 per cent were associated with agriculture, and 37.2 per cent in services sector. Some 25.4 per cent human resources earn working for industry, a significant portion of which is associated with textiles.

They earn livelihood for families by developing products ranging from yarn, towels, bed sheets, fabric, garments, sports garments that fetch dollars from lucrative foreign markets and this national scale effort contributes 60 per cent in the total yearly export earnings for Pakistan.

Recently, Vice President, Pakistan Central Cotton Committee (PCCC), Dr. Yusuf Zafar raised concerns over the statistics of ongoing cotton season and forecast the production would likely be around 6-7 million bales, far below what the textile sector and the overall national economy expected.

He attributed the decline to a smaller cultivation area, prolonged heatwaves, unexpected rains, and severe whitefly infestations. It would be far below the textile industry’s demand of 16 million bales and the shortfall will necessitate the import of approximately 5-6 million bales, the PCCC top scientist said.

The PCCC media focal person and head of CCRI technology transfer wing Sajid Mahmood recalls that cotton production decline started after 2016 due to lack of funding on research. He said that the country’s ace cotton research body PCCC had faced financial crisis owing to non-payment.

He said, Pakistan achieved over 14 million bales production once and later it remained oscillating between 11-13 million bales. However, after 2016, the production started declining and had touched new low in 2022 with 4.5 million bales when floods had swept away crop lands in South Punjab.

South Punjab Secretary Agriculture Saqib Ali Ateel described climate change as a big trouble confronting cotton and everybody was worried about the unpredictability of weather patterns. Farmers got good results from early farming last year but early sown crop was confronted by heatwave this season. He admitted that cotton area was less this year by around 22 per cent, however, adding that despite troubles, the crop was overall good with better fruiting and flowering. Statistics show that average cotton production remained 8.8 million bales in a decade from 2008 to 2018 but only 5.1 million bales from 2019 to 2022.
Khawaja Usman said that several textile units are closed owing to higher power tariff that left them uncompetitive compared to international rivals. However, if we consider a scenario where all textile units are functioning to full potential, then they would need total 17 to 18 million bales for processing. This also includes three million bales of long fiber lint textile sector must import every year to add quality. This means they would need at least 12-14 million bales of domestic cotton per annum when all units are functioning.

However, in the current scenario when around 30 per cent of textile units are closed, this requirement would be down to 8-9 million bales, said Hussain, another forward looking entrepreneur textile miller who also runs a software house in Multan.

Exports of textile manufacturers witnessed a remarkable increase of 25.5%, US$ 19.33 billion in FY 2021-22 in comparison to US$ 15.40 billion in previous year.

According to figures from Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), country’s total export earnings in 2022-23 stood at US$ 27700 million of which textiles contributed US$ 16501 million. Textile sector earnings from EU countries in 2022-23 stood at US$ 6528 million (39 %), USA US$4405 million (26%), UK US$1563 million (9%), China US$586 million (4%), and others US$3419 million (22%).

It may be noted that exports of home textiles, bed wear, towels, knitwear, and ready-made garments increased in value and quantity in 2022 due to high demand in post-Covid scenario. Knitwear exports grew by 34.2% in value despite a decline of 6.1% in quantity. Garments export increased by 49.2 % in quantity and 28.8 % in value. Cotton yarn and cloth also witnessed surge in exports.

Textiles and Apparel Policy, 2020-25 is aimed at fully utilizing potential of home-grown cotton augmented by manmade fibers/filaments to boost value-added exports and become one of the major players in global textiles and apparel supply chain.

According to the provisional figures compiled by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, overall exports from Pakistan in January, 2024 amounted to $ 2,792 million (provisional) as compared to $ 2,822 million in December, 2023 showing a decrease of 1.06% but increased by 24.81% as compared to $ 2,237 million in January, 2023.

The PCCC Vice President Dr. Yusuf Zafar highlighted the need for protecting farmers’ interests by reducing their cost of production and ensuring higher returns to farmers. He also sought higher funding for research and development and tougher measures to eliminate the role of middle men and cotton price manipulation.

Meanwhile, two important developments have taken place at federal and provincial level. A Variety Evaluation Committee (VEC) has been set up by federal government with PCCC VP as its chairman. This committee met recently in Multan and discussed 22 new cotton varieties evaluating them on tough standards put in place before their submission to Punjab Seed Council for final approval for general cultivation.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has formed an Agriculture Price Commission (APC) tasked with formulating a policy on two key points, making agriculture profitable for farmers by making it a sustainable earning activity.

Secretary agriculture Saqib Ali Ateel said that scientists at were now working on CRISPR/Cas9 system involving gene editing in cotton to keep productive traits intact and deletion of aspects that affect production and quality negatively. This technology could be a ray of hope in developing climate resilient varieties of cotton, he added.

Despite the troubles, Khawaja Muhammad Hussain was upbeat on cotton survival and textile prospects. “We still hope for the best for cotton and textiles if corrective measures are taken timely.” Saqib Ali Ateel described cotton as a thread of hope that can weave a better future for Pakistan’s economy.

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