Coronavirus Update: Sindh ahead in fatalities

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Amidst a rain interrupted field activities, Sindh added three more COVID-19 deaths to the national tally on August 29 when it registered 89 infections during the last 24 hours across the province.

According to the national COVID-19 dashboard managed by the government, country had in all four related deaths reported by Sindh (three) and Punjab (one). 

The provinces that reported new confirmed cases on August 29 were Sindh (89 cases), Punjab (42), KPK (46) and Balochistan (38). 

Sindh’s overall number of infections came as 129,268, with total 2,398 relevant deaths, while the number of people cured of COVID-19 in the province stood as 122,902, including 67 who recovered from the disease on August 29. 

There were still 3,968 patients receiving treatment at homes, hospitals and isolation centres in the province.

China's resilience lauded

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Iranian Ambassador to China, Mohammad Keshavarzzadeh, has praised Beijing’s resistance against the US desire to impose its will on other nations. 

Keshavarzzadeh lauded China’s standing against the US bullying at the United Nations Security Council to exert more pressure on Iran, according to a report. 

He wrote on his twitter page on August 29 that China’s position was actually rejection of the US unilateral policies. 

In relevant remarks, the Iranian Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Majid Takht Ravanchi, was critical of the US violation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and the UNSC Resolution 2231, claiming that Washington's unilateralism was threatening the UN's authority. 

The US President, Donald Trump, a stern critic of the historic deal, had unilaterally pulled Washington out of the JCPOA in May 2018 and unleashed tough sanctions without being able to push Tehran to the negotiating table.

UAE, Israel mull setting up banking ties

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

After agreeing on setting up diplomatic relations, talks for potential business partnership is underway between Dubai’s leading bank Emirates NBD and Bank Leumi of Israel, an Arab newspaper quoted market sources.

“The fact that Emirates NBD has not denied earlier reports of talks with the Israeli bank and the recent normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries point to something really happening between two entities,” an insider reckoned. 

Although the talks between the two entities were significant as a first step towards the normalization of business between the two countries, any deal of cooperation will require board level approvals of both banks and regulatory approvals of the central banks from both countries. 

“The formalization of ties with the state of Israel through this new law will pave way for more businesses in both countries to explore business opportunities,” the sources added. 

The analysts were of the opinion that the normalization of ties would be mutually beneficial to both countries in terms of business and scientific cooperation.

KFC to gift chicken for school teachers

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

In order to pay respect to the dedication of their job, the KFC has announced donation of one million pieces of chicken for the school teachers that go back after the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. 

For this noble cause the world renowned fast food entity in its social media account announced that this time they will be supporting teachers across the country as they head back to school, people can help KFC recognize the dedicated teacher in their life time by hashtag # KFCback2School. 

Historically, KFC was founded by Colonel Harland Sanders, an entrepreneur who began selling fried chicken from his roadside restaurant in Corbin, Kentucky, during the Great Depression. He had identified the potential of the restaurant franchising concept and the first Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise was opened in Utah in 1952.

PKR 10.5 billion allocated for rehabilitation, implementation of KCR

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The government has allocated an amount of PKR 10.5 billion for rehabilitation and implementation of the Karachi Circular Railways (KRC) project under the auspices of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

According to details, the amount will be spent in phases in the identical manner as the ML-1 project, with the first phase to be followed shortly by the second phase. 

For the restoration of KCR, the most pressing demand of the people of the mega city, the Project Director, Amer Muhammad Daudpota, has informed that there was complete unanimity between the federal government and the provincial government. 

All bottlenecks in restoration of the much awaited KCR has finally been removed, he declared, much to the relief of the residents of Karachi.

Coronavirus Update: Sindh cases upto 129,000

By Mukhtar Alam

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Sindh witnessed its overall COVID-19 cases surpassing 129,000 on August 27 as authorities declared detection of another 204 positive cases, with six related deaths, across the province during the last 24 hours.

According to the national COVID-19 dashboard, Sindh’s number of infections reached to 129,081, against the country’s overall infection figure of 295,053.

The provincial authorities told a meeting on August 28 that as many as 3,953 infected people were under treatment at homes (3,637 patients), seven at isolation centres and 309 at the various hospitals. 

The meeting was further told that 210 patients were in critical condition, while 31 of them had been put on ventilators during the last 24 hours ending August 27 afternoon. 

As of August 27, the district-wise breakdown of overall COVID-19 cases in Sindh came as: Karachi (91,463 infections), Badin (1,095), Dadu (1,236), Ghotki (3,518), Hyderabad (4,785), Jacobabad (999), Jamshoro (1,430), Kambar Shahdadkot (1,017), Kashmore (973), Khairpur (3,024), Larakana (2,152), Matiari (593), Mirpurkhas (,1241), Naushero Feroze (989), Sanghar (1,432), Shaheed Benazirabad (1,913), Shikarpur (1,768), Sujawal (545), Sukkur (3,812), Tando Allahyar (806), Tando Mohammad Khan (573), Tharparkar (1,191), Thatta (939) and Umerkot (744). 

An official report, in the meantime, revealed that 6,337 samples were tested across the province during the last 24 hours, out of which 259 were found COVID-19 positive, including 204 new infections.

On August 26, the testing rate was around 43% of the maximum collective capacity of 14,950.

A source in the provincial health department confided to this scribe that the overall COVID-19 surveillance and testing activities were affected due to the heavy monsoon pour.

It was further learnt that only 100 of the 409 intensive care beds were occupied by critically ill patients at Karachi hospitals on August 27. According to a report, the four COVID-19 patients who lost their lives on August 26 included three from Karachi and one from Hyderabad.

Is PIA mandated to carry out civil work at airport, runway?

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), on August 24, is reported to have signed the construction contract of the main runway upgrading project of Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, with a joint venture led by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). 

The main works of this project include refurbishing the runway and upgrading the drainage ditch and avionics system. 

According to an official of the CCECC, advance techniques and professional experts will be deployed into the upgrading so that the condition of Allama Iqbal International Airport will be improved significantly. 

The implementation of the project will further expand external connectivity window of nation. Meanwhile, it is also expected to promote local employment and economic development as well. 

The question to be asked, however, is that if the PIA was mandated to carry out repair, maintenance and upgradation of runway or airport building or it’s the domain of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

Pakistan plan to set up Railway University

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan is ready to establish, in cooperation with China, the most modern international standard Railway University in Rawalpindi. 

This university will be the biggest-ever educational institution of high learning in the entire South Asia and it will be funded by China, the Railways Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, announced. 

One of the most popular political leaders to have emerged from Rawalpindi, he has been in the headline news quite frequently of late as he revealed that tender for the much talked about ML-1 will be issued either at the end August or next month.

China's top film festival missing Bollywood stars

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The cooperation between Chinese and foreign filmmakers which suffered hugely since the COVID-19 pandemic is getting a morale boost with the 10th Beijing International Film Festival which opened on August 24. 

 According to the details, the number of co-productions between China and other countries in 2020 will be far fewer than the 95 co-production applications received in 2019. 

The cooperation between the Chinese mainland filmmakers and Hong Kong and Taiwan studios has not been greatly affected according to Liu Chun, manager of the China Film Co-production Cooperation at the Sino-Foreign Film Co-production Forum. 

The data showed that as of August 26, the Chinese film authorities had received 39 China-foreign co-production applications including one with the US, one from UK and two with Japan.

As many as applications have been filed for co-productions between mainland filmmakers and those based in Hong Kong.

Amazingly no Indian guests had been included on the guest list despite the growing influence of Indian films in China.

It may be recalled that the China-India Film Co-production Dialogue was held in 2019 and the event was attended by the Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan and Kabir Khan. An exhibition of Indian films posters was also held during the festival.

Several Chinese film experts reckoned that the China-India border clashes in the recent past played the key role in the non-presence of Indian guests. Shah Rukh Khan, also known as King Khan, had taken the Chinese crowds by storm during the event last festival. 

Pakistan Railways undertaking three CPEC projects

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan Railways has three Main Line projects by the name of ML-1, ML-2 and ML-3 and the upgradation of all these will be carried out in phases under the auspices of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

The first phase upgradation and doubling of 1872 Kilometers long ML-1 starts from Karachi and will pass through country's major cities and culminate in Peshawar. 

However, it will pass through Havalian dry port to be built with an estimated cost of USD 40 million. 

The distance between Havalian to Kashi (China) by railway is around 1,059 kilometers. This railway connection between Pakistan and China would be the shortest and most convenient particularly for traders of the two countries. 

There is an alternate scheme of Gwadar Port passage that will connect Gwadar with Karachi to facilitate goods services. 

Meanwhile, the Railways Minister, Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, has recently disclosed that after approval from Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) and tendering work on the ML-1 project will be initiated in next two months.

Electric buses to ply in metropolitan cities

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Electric buses are planned to be imported from China for plying them in Pakistan’s major cities in order to overcome the transport problems and improving the system.

A signing ceremony of strategic alliance agreement between Daewoo Pakistan and Skywell Automobiles China has already taken place in this regard. 

The agreement entails setting up electric vehicles value chain in Pakistan. These electric buses will help reduce environment pollution. 

The Chief Executives of Daewoo Pakistan, Faisal Siddiqui, and Skywell China, Howang Hangxin, signed the agreement in which the Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Chaudhary Fawad, was the chief guest. 

According to reports, initially these buses will be imported from China with the provision of transfer of technology. In the first stage, a plan has been prepared to ply these buses in three mega cities of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.

220 KV Grid Station inaugurated in Lahore

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Federal Education Minister, Shafqat Mahmood, inaugurated the 220KV Grid station in Ghazi Road Lahore that will help bring improvement in transmission and reliability in the system. 

The National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) has successfully commissioned the grid station completed with a cost of RS 5664 24 million. The major portion of the cost has been provided by a German firm. 

The project has strengthened the NTDC Transmission network along with reduction in load on 220/132 KV transformers. With the commissioning of the new grid station the voltage profile and system reliability will improve in different areas of Lahore.

Pompeo hopeful of more Arab states establishing ties with Israel

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The US Secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, arrived in Israel on August 24 and expressed the hope that more Arab states would establish ties with the country, a Middle East newspaper reported. 

"I'm very hopeful that we will see other Arab nations join in this," he observed in Jerusalem, standing next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“The deal with the Emirates, brokered by US President Donald Trump is a boon to peace and regional stability. I think it heralds a new era where we could have other nations join. I hope we'll have good news in the future, maybe in the near future," Netanyahu remarked. 

Pompeo spoke of the opportunity awaiting future partners to work alongside to recognize the state of Israel. 

The US Secretary of state is on the first leg of his Middle East visit to press the momentum of the Trump administration’s Arab-Israeli peace push.

Deepening Pak-China business ties Pakistan’s foremost priority: Imran Khan

By Masood Sattar Khan 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan accorded great importance to strengthening its relations with China as both countries had shared destiny. The strengthening of business-to-business ties of the two people was the foremost priority, Prime Minister Imran Khan informed a Chinese delegation on August 25. 

He was talking to a delegation of 10 leading Chinese companies, undertaking business ventures in vital sectors including energy, communications, agriculture, science and technology, financial sector and industry which called on him in Islamabad. 

The delegation comprised of representative of Power Construction Corporation of China (Power China), China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), China Gezhouba (Group) Pakistan, China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Company Ltd, China Railway Group Limited, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, China Machinery Engineering Corporation and China Mobile Pakistan Limited. 

The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, and Javed Afridi, CEO Haier, were also present on the occasion alongwith Minister for Communications, Murad Saeed, Minister for Industries Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Finance Advisor Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Commerce Advisor Abdur Razaq Dawood, Chairman Board of Investment, Atif R Bokhari, and Chairman CPEC Authority, Lt Gen (R) Asim Saleem Bajwa.

The Prime Minister assured the Chinese investors that the Pakistan government would accord highest priority for the provision of every possible facility to the Chinese investors. He also suggested to the Chinese business houses to establish their regional offices in Pakistan. 

The Chinese investors thanked the Prime Minister for his personal interest in facilitating Chinese investors and business community in Pakistan. They expressed satisfaction over the business-friendly policies of the present government, especially in improving ‘ease of doing business.’ 

They reaffirmed commitment to further expand their investments and explore more business opportunities in various sectors of the economy. 

“Various reforms introduced at policy and implementation levels have enhanced confidence of the Chinese business community and Pakistan is being looked upon as a major partner in development in the post COVID-19 environment,” the Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing stated.

Railways inspection of Karachi division concludes

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The two-day annual inspection by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Federal Government Inspector of Railways (FGIR) for the Karachi division concluded on August 25. 

The FGIR Special team comprised of FGIR Asif Mateen Zaidi, Chief Engineer (Open Line), Shahrukh Afshar, Divisional Superintendent Karachi, Arshad Salam Khattak, Chief Commercial Manager, Rubina Nasir, besides representatives of different branches from the Railways headquarters at Lahore and divisional officers from the Karachi division. 

The annual CEO & FGIR inspection is the highest level inspection of railway infrastructure, especially its track, followed by annual DS Special, quarterly inspection by Divisional Engineer, monthly by Assistant Executive Engineer and weekly by Permanent Works Inspector and daily by mates. 

Almost 408 km of railways' track of Karachi division, 227 km from Karachi to Tando Adam on ML-I and 181 km from Kotri to Dadu on ML-II, along with different stations, manned and unmanned level crossings and bridges were thoroughly inspected.

The level between the rails was repeatedly examined during the CEO & FGIR inspection with special focus at curvatures, level crossings and bridges.

Preparedness of staff at level crossings was judged by inquiring them the troubleshooting of accidental and tricky scenarios. Cash prizes were also given to the staff possessing expertise and skills in coping with risky situations.

The paraphernalia available to the level crossing staff was checked and works stores en route were visited by the CEO & FGIR special team. The strength and durability of bridges were also gauged.

The CEO Pakistan Railways, Dost Ali Laghari, said that provision of safe journey to the passengers was the top priority of Pakistan Railways. He directed the officers for ensuring a fully safe and secure journey besides overcoming the loopholes in the system.

Waseem Asghar elected ACEP President

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Engr Muhammed Waseem Asghar of KASIB Associates was elected as the President of the Association of Consulting Engineers Pakistan (ACEP) in its Annual General Meeting held at the Osmani House in Karachi. 

The AGM also elected Engr Khalid Mirza of Engineering Consultants International as Vice President.

Engr Wasif Nazar Siddiqi of Asif Nazar (Pvt) Ltd and Engr Muhammed Shafiq of MS Engineering Associates were elected as Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer of the ACEP respectively. 

A five-member Executive Council of the ACEP comprising Engr Asim Inam Osmani, Engr Rehan ul Ambia, Engr Kamran Siddiqi, Engr Muhammed Zia-ul-Mustafa and Engr Fahad Hasan was also elected.

Gwadar-Chabahar ports considered win-win for Pakistan, Iran

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A group of diplomats and experts on foreign relations from Pakistan and Iran have called for cooperation between Iran’s Chabahar and Pakistan’s Gwadar ports that would bring prosperity and enhance ties between the two neighbouring countries.

The diplomats and experts expressed the views during the webinar on the subject of Iran-Pakistan Economic Partnership in the Post-Corona era which was hosted by Golden Ring Economic Federation (GREF) in Lahore with the cooperation of the embassy of Iran. 

The speakers from Iran called for the use of the capacity of regional economic cooperation organizations, including ECO, and said that the Islamic Republic of Iran was ready to join the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

The Pakistani experts stressed the importance of Iran’s joining CPEC project, saying that it would strengthen the long-term cooperation between Tehran and Beijing. 

At the webinar, Mashallah Shakeri, Advisor to the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran and former Ambassador to Pakistan, and Madoud Mohammad Zamani, senior expert from the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS), shared their thoughts on the bilateral cooperation between the two neighboring countries through video link. 

The other speakers at the webinar were Hasanin Reza Mirza, director of the Golden Ring Economic Research Institute, Defence Analyst Lieutenant General Sikander Afzal (retd), Arif Kamal, and Sanaullah former Pakistani ambassadors, and Qandil Abbas, Professor of international relations at the Quaid-e-Azam University in Islamabad. 

The participants explained the important and key policies of the two countries, especially in the geopolitical scenario in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, the developments of the subcontinent, and their impact on security and economic stability in the region. 

Emphasizing the Islamic Republic’s effective vision for the development of economic relations with Pakistan, China, and Russia, the Iranian experts pointed to obstacles noting a delay on the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project from Pakistan, they said Iran was ready to export gas to the neighboring country. 

The Iranian diplomats considered the development of cooperation between the private sectors of the two countries as a key factor in the expansion of Iran-Pakistan relations and said that linking the ports of Chabahar and Gwadar will pave the way for regional cooperation between the two neighboring countries. 

They stressed the importance of advancing energy projects in the region, including the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project with China, to avoid the US pressure and sanctions. 

The Pakistani speakers called for the establishment of a joint working group with the participation of the two countries’ private sectors to find ways of development, the establishment of excellent joint centers for advanced research and development, and the acceleration of exchange programs between Iran and Pakistan. 

The participants in the webinar also suggested to develop and expand public relations between the two countries, especially in the fields of culture and tourism.

Coronavirus Update: Another spike in Sindh

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Sindh’s tally of new COVID-19 infection cases increased by 16%, compared to the preceding day’s figure, on August 23 when authorities in the government declared 319 more cases, with nine more related fatalities, during the last 24 hours across the province.

Sindh tested on average 8,785 samples daily during the last week (August 17 to 23), out of which 300 were detected as new cases of the infection. About 3.5% of all 9,027 tests performed in the province, against the collective capacity of 14,940, on August 23 were new cases. 

As many as ten COVID-19 testing laboratories, including one at Sukkur, did not conduct any tests during the last 24 hours ending on August 23 afternoon. 

The official data further suggested that Sindh needed to witness stability in its numbers of deaths as well. It had on average registered six deaths daily from August 16 to 22, while nine deaths were reported alone on August 23. 

The authorities did not reveal the details related hospitalization, age, gender and area of living of the deceased persons but a report indicated that the only death that occurred on August 22 in Sindh was of a patient living in Karachi who died at home.

Keen observers believed that a majority of the nine patients who lost their lives on August 23 were not hospitalized.

The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his related statement on August 23, shared said that at present 4,002 COVID-19 patients were under treatment at homes (3,677), hospitals (318) and isolation centres (7). He informed that the number patients occupying ventilators in the various hospitals had decreased by just one.

According to his updates, Karachi had 160 (50%) of the total new infection on August 23, followed by Dadu (26), Hyderabad (19), Kambar Shadadkot (15), Sanghar (13), Thatta (10), Khairpur (9), Tando Allahyar (7), Jamshoro (7), Matiari (5), Shaheed Benazirabad (5), Mirpurkhas (4), Tando Mohammad Khan (4), Ghotki (4), Sujawal (4), Badin (3), Umerkot (3), Naushero Feroze (2), Jacobabad (1), Larkana (1), Shikarpur (1) and Sukkur (1). 

Sindh’s overall infection rate remained 13.46%, while the daily infection rate was 3.53% with a CFR of 1.84%.

Three marble cities being developed in Balochistan

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Three marble cities being developed in the province of Balochistan will be able to extract marble by using modern machinery. 

These three marbles cities are being developed in the cities of Khuzdar, Loralai and Dalbandin where big stones and marble reserves were available but they lacked the proper excavation and other facilities. 

The area earmarked for marble cities are Khuzdar (200 acres), Dalbandin (500 acres) and Loralai (506) acres. 

The PC-1 for these cities for provision of basic necessities including power supply (grid station), water distribution network, development of internal roads sewerage system and BHU has already been prepared. 

These three projects will create jobs, major economic opportunities besides uplift of socio-economic conditions of the area and the people in general.

Pakistan seeks Chinese assistance to preserve relics of Bhasha Dam

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan has sought Chinese assistance to preserve cultural relics near the under-construction Bhasha Dam.

The Federal Secretary, National Heritage & Culture Division, Nausheen Javaid Amjad, informed the Chinese Cultural Counselor, Zhang Heqing, during a recent meeting in Islamabad. 

She stated that, for the preservation of cultural relics in the construction site of Bhasha Dam, building an underground museum was a huge project, which was also very expensive. 

“The Chinese friends will be approached in this regard to provide the necessary assistance. Pakistan is rich in cultural heritage, which should be well preserved, excavated, restored, and exhibited. Both Pakistan and China should strengthen the exchange and cooperation in this area,” Nausheen Javaid observed. 

She added that the Chinese people were fond of the Gandhara Civilization and the 19 antiquities exhibited in China have attracted many visitors. 

She remarked that the creative cultural industry played an important role in the social economy with China having done it very well and was willing to cooperate with Pakistan to carry out workshops and seminars. 

Zhang Heqing reckoned that both sides appreciated mutual support in the fight against COVID-19, fully demonstrating yet again the brotherly friendship between Pakistan and China.

First mobile police station set up in Quetta

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The first-ever mobile police station with all modern facilities has been set up in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan. 

The mobile police station is expected to be greatly helpful for the local population to lodge their complaints with the law enforcers. 

The Chief Minister of Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan, has stated that the mobile police station will help citizens for swift registration of their complaints.