Ahsan Iqbal terms Pakistani students at Harvard University as pride of Pakistan

Thu, 22 Aug 2024, 7:58 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP): A delegation of 10 Pakistani students enrolled in the MBA program at Harvard University met with Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday.

The students, who have experience working with top companies in Pakistan and abroad, were briefed on the ministry’s affairs by Member Social Sector Rafiullah Kakar. He informed the students that the ministry was a key center for all development-related planning and initiatives in the country.

The minister asked the students that they were the future stars of Pakistan, and universities like Harvard were always on the lookout for future leaders. He said that the doors of the public sector in Pakistan were always open to young people like them.

Ahsan Iqbal shared his own political journey, from his time at the University of Pennsylvania’s Business School in 1983 to his election as a member of the National Assembly in 1993.

He highlighted key policies he had been involved in, including the first IT policy in 1998, the Overseas Scholarship Scheme, and the launch of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project in 2013.

The minister stressed that stability and continuity in policies are crucial for the country’s development, citing the need for a five-year development plan under the 5Es framework.

He acknowledged the current economic challenges facing the country, including a debt crisis, but expressed optimism about Pakistan’s potential, saying: “We have all the knowledge, but it’s limited to reports; now we need to bridge the gap between knowledge and action.”

The minister emphasized that the future of the country was in the hands of young people, and that they must work together to bring Pakistan back into the race for development.

Rain beneficial as 3 cash crops cover 11.3m acres in Punjab

Imran Munir

Thu, 22 Aug 2024, 7:37 PM

MULTAN, Aug 22 (APP):Agricultural experts said on Thursday that the ongoing rain spell was beneficial for three cash crops including paddy, sugarcane and cotton, that cover overall 11.4 million acres area in Punjab. However, they cautioned farmers not to leave cotton fields water-logged and recommended immediate water drain out.

In a statement issued here, Agriculture Department spokesman said that paddy cultivation had reached six million acres, sugarcane two million acres and cotton 3.4 million acres in Punjab. He said that the rain impact on crops was mixed, adding that it was beneficial for paddy and prevailing weather conditions were suitable for growth of sugarcane.

The atmospheric Nitrogen that rain brought to crop fields would prove beneficial, he added.

However, he said, cotton crop sown on 3.4 million acres in Punjab needed special care in the prevailing situation. He said cotton crop should get spray of Urea liquid (2pc) after rain and advised regular pest scouting to ensure application of spray as per experts’ advice as and when the pest incidence reaches economic threshold level (ETL). He said that vegetables crops also needed special care during ongoing weather conditions.

ECC accords conditional approval to 0.1 mln sugar exports

Muhammad Ashraf Wani

Thu, 22 Aug 2024, 7:36 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP):The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet here on Thursday gave conditional approval to the export of an additional 0.100 million metric tons of sugar, the summary for which was submitted by the Ministry of Industries and Production.

According to press release issued by finance ministry, the ECC put condition that in view of procedural delays encountered during export of sugar, the period allowed for export of sugar from the date of allocation of quota by respective Cane Commissioner should be extended from forty-five (45) days to sixty (60) days.

In addition, it said, export proceeds should be received in advance in case of Afghanistan only through banking channel however, export proceeds in case of LC may be allowed within a period of 60 days of opening of LC for export of sugar to other destinations.

It said, the benchmark for retail price of sugar may be delinked from the permission to export sugar as retail price is not directly under the control of sugar mills.

The condition of revoking of export quota in case of non-payment of dues of the growers from proceeds of export of sugar should be applicable only to the non-compliant mills rather than PMSA as a whole, it added.

Moreover, the ECC decided to monitor the market situation on a monthly basis and review its decision as per emerging needs, and instructed the Sugar Advisory Board to develop a comprehensive sugar policy within two months to address the sector’s challenges and ensure sustainable growth.

Meanwhile, the ECC also considered and approved the following Technical Supplementary Grants including Rs. 276.250 million in favor of the Ministry of Interior to HQ Frontier Corps KP (N) TSG for Project Implementation Letters (PILs).

It also approved Rs. 1951.995 million on account of payment of security charges – Reko Diq Project to Frontier Corps Balochistan (South) and Rs. 20 billion as a special allocation for Operation Azm-e-Istehkam during CFY 2024-25.

Among others, the meeting was attended by Minister for Industries & Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain; Minister for Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan; Minister for Privatization, Abdul Aleem Khan; Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal Chauhdry; Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema; Minister for Petroleum, Mussadiq Masood Malik; Minister for Power, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari; Dy Chairman Planning Commission, Federal Secretaries, and other senior officials of the relevant ministries.

Secretary Industries directs allocation of land for cold storage

Imran Munir

Thu, 22 Aug 2024, 7:35 PM

PESHAWAR, Aug 22 (APP):Secretary Industries, Commerce and Technical Education Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Aamir Afaq has directed Small Industries Development Board (SIDB) to allocate land for cold storage in the new industrial estate as a common facilitation centre.

He issued these directives during a briefing here at SIDB headquarters on Thursday. Managing Director (MD) SIDB, Habib Ullah Arif gave him a detailed briefing the operation of the board. Besides, Deputy Managing Directors (DMDs) Zulfikar Ali Sahibzada and Nauman Fayyaz, Director (Finance) Mohammad Sher, Assistant Director Attiq-ur-Rehman were also present on the occasion.

He said that though traditional industries are running successfully in the province, but there is a need to promote industries in the new sectors also.

He said that the purpose of their efforts is to attract investors towards industrialization and provide them the required facilitation. So, to not only usher economic development rather also generate employment opportunities for the people.

During the briefing MD SIDB informed the Secretary Industries that construction work on all new projects particularly Industrial Park Peshawar is in full swing and investors have given robust response in making investment and more response is expected when the results of the construction of the new state are revealed.

Health ministers inaugurate ‘Early Disease Warning Centre’ at IPH

Imran Munir

Thu, 22 Aug 2024, 7:31 PM

LAHORE, Aug 22 (APP):Punjab Health Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique and Khawaja Imran Nazir inaugurated the ‘Early Disease Warning Centre’ at the Institute of Public Health (IPH) on Thursday, marking a significant step in the province’s public health initiatives.

During the inaugural ceremony, Khawaja Salman emphasized the importance of the new center, stating that it would serve as a critical hub for monitoring and managing disease outbreaks. He announced that a specialized dashboard for tracking monkeypox and other diseases is being developed at the center. Additionally, airports across Punjab have been instructed to implement passenger screening procedures as a precautionary measure.

He reassured the public that no cases of monkeypox have been reported in Punjab to date. He further highlighted that nine centers have been established in key cities including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot, and Bahawalpur to bolster the province’s disease monitoring capabilities. Instructions have also been issued to Children’s Hospitals in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan to ensure preparedness.

Expressing gratitude, he thanked former health minister Professor Javed Akram for his technical support in setting up the center.

Khawaja Imran Nazir, speaking at the event, highlighted the critical role the Early Disease Warning Center will play in compiling and analyzing statistics on monkeypox and other diseases. He stressed that all relevant institutions have been directed to remain vigilant and ensure the availability of isolation wards and vaccines in government hospitals.

In his address, Professor Javed Akram confirmed the ongoing support from a technical group dedicated to providing expertise on monkeypox and other public health threats.

The event was attended by Additional Secretary Technical Dr. Waseem from the Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education, Professor Mohsin Aftab, and other faculty members. Both health ministers also met with the staff of the Early Disease Warning Center to review the monitoring systems in place.

Ahsan seeks solution to carry 500 cusecs of water from Kachhi canal in two months

NNPS Desk

Thu, 22 Aug 2024, 7:29 PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 22 (APP): Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday chaired a meeting on the Kachhi Canal project, which would irrigate 713,000 acres of land in Balochistan.

The meeting was attended among others by Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, provincial ministers and officials via video link, according to a news release.

The Member Planning Infrastructure briefed the meeting attendees on the Kachhi Canal project.

Ahsan Iqbal directed experts to submit workable solutions for carrying 400-500 cusecs of water from the canal within two months.

He emphasized the importance of restoring the canal and reviving the 500 cusecs of water before developing a strategy to address future flood situations.

The minister stressed that providing water to the local population was a top priority for the government.

He noted that a cut of Rs 300 billion had been made in the development budget, and solutions must be found within the limited available resources.

Ahsan Iqbal lauded the Punjab Urban Canal model, suggesting it be adopted for its durability.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti informed the meeting that the 2022 floods had severely affected the province’s urban canal system, and the cultivation in the command area was on the halt due to the closure of the Kachhi Canal.

He expressed the optimism that under the Planning Minister’s supervision, water would soon be restored to the canal, alongside the formulation of a comprehensive plan to address future challenges and provide the best possible facilities to the people of Balochistan.

PTI public gatherings aimed at creating unrest: Azma

Imran Munir

Thu, 22 Aug 2024, 7:27 PM

LAHORE, Aug 22 (APP):Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari said on Thursday that the purpose of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf public gatherings was to create unrest in the country.

In a statement issued here, she said, “The PTI has nothing to do with democratic values and politics of development.”

She said that political people believed in peaceful struggle, adding that it was unfortunate that those behind May-9 violence were claiming to be peaceful people.