Pakistan’s cement industry boosted by another bulk export order

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

After having exported cement in bulk quantity to China, Pakistan has secured yet another export order, this time from the Philippines which will boost the country's cement industry.

The Advisor on Commerce, Abdul Razzak Dawood, tweeted on July 9 that DG Khan Cement Company Limited (DGKCC), one of the largest cement manufacturers in Pakistan, has earned orders for export of cement to the Philippines. 

“Congratulations to DGKCC on making a breakthrough in winning orders for export of cement to Philippines. This follows on their success in China,” Razzak Dawood was quoted as saying. 

“Exporters should follow this example of extending their market reach across the globe. Once market reach extends, then market share will increase. Increasing geographical diversification is an important part of our strategic trade policy," he added. 

After declining for three months, cement sales in Pakistan rose during the month June. It meant that the industry had started to rebound from the COVID-19 epidemic.

According to a report released by the All-Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA), cement sales rose 30% to 4.623m tonnes, with exports surging 124 % to 787,000 tonnes in June.

In 2014, the DGKCC had signed a cooperative EP Contract for 1×30 MW coal-fired power station with Sinoma Energy Conservation Limited of China. 

It was reported that the cooperation between Pakistan and China in cement sector covered several aspects. China is one of the biggest foreign markets for Pakistani cement. 

Meanwhile the Chinese enterprises such as CNBM have invested and provided technical support to Pakistan cement manufacturing. In 2019, China imported 2.33036 billion tons of cement, and the prices of cement kept going up. 

The volume of China's cement import continues to grow substantially. China imported cement clinker 22.74 million tons with an average CIF price of $44/ton. Therefore, under CPEC projects, Pakistan's cement export to China is expected as a positive tendency.China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, CPEC, Masood Sattar Khan, Pakistan News and Features Services, PNFS

China to help Pakistan setting up vocational schools

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs to the Government of Pakistan, Noor Ahmed, signed a letter of exchange for the equipment and materials project of the Chinese government aided vocational school in Pakistan.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Yao observed that the initiative was one of the early projects in the social and livelihood field of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

"Under the joint guidance of the leaders of China and Pakistan, the second phase of the corridor pays more attention to the development of Pakistanis livelihood,” a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy quoted the Ambassador on July 8. 

The implementation of the aid and equipment project for the vocational schools in Pakistan will help to upgrade the hardware facilities of the vocational education system in Pakistan and create better conditions for young people to obtain modern education and improve labor skills. 

While continuing to assist Pakistan in its epidemic prevention work, China will pay more attention to Pakistan’s economic recovery and people’s well-being, and work together with the Ministry of Economic Affairs to implement follow-up assistance projects in the field of livelihood. 

Vocational education is an important area of focus for the Pakistan government. The implementation of this project is very timely, which is conducive to upgrading the infrastructure of vocational training schools, creating good conditions for employment for more people, and conducive to the economic recovery of Pakistan.

Pakistan gets positive response from China on locust handling

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan has received positive response from China for cooperation in agriculture sector including locust handling. 

This was revealed in a tweet from the Chairman of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) authority and Prime Minister’ Special Assistant on Information and Broadcasting, Lt Gen (retired), Asim Saleem Bajwa, on May 3. 

It said that the first joint working group meeting on agriculture with the Chinese counterpart got positive response for cooperation on locust handling, pest control, use of latest technology, germ plasma for certified seeds, use of agriculture machinery and training of agri-human resource. 

The meeting also focused on enhancing yield and food security

Ambassador explains Chinese role in curbing COVID-19

By Masood Sattar Khan 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, attended the preparation and response plan of the new crown epidemic on April 24. According to the details shared by the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, Ambassador Yao Jing was invited to attend the Pakistan New Crown Outbreak Preparation and Response Plan (PPRP) on video conference.

The meeting, organized by the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was also attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister of Economic Affairs, Khasro Bakhtiar, Prime Minister’s Health Adviser Dr Zafar Mirza, Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority, General Muhammad Afzal, WHO Director-General, Tan Desai besides the representatives of World Bank, United Nations, UNICEF, UNHCR, Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank and envoys from more than 20 countries. 

Besides China, envoys from the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea were also in attendance 

The Pakistani side explained the government’s plan to introduce a new crown epidemic PPRP, stating that it was inconsistent with the basic framework of the Strategic Preparation and Response Plan issued by WHO, which aims to strengthen Pakistan’s internal coordination, support epidemic monitoring and diagnosis, case management and infection prevention and control, increase grassroots participation in the community, and reduce morbidity and mortality. It is being hoped that the international community will pay attention to the situation of the epidemic and provide financial support and technical assistance for the prevention and control of virus in Pakistan. 

The WHO Director-General, Tan Desai, said that the challenge of the new crown epidemic was unprecedented and required united response of the international community. 

The WHO appreciated the efforts made by the Pakistani government and supported the Pakistani side in introducing relevant plans. This reflected the determination of the Pakistani government, the United Nations and various development partners to work together to respond to the epidemic, and it met the requirements of the United Nations sustainable development goals. 

The WHO pledged to continue providing strong support and assistance to the prevention and control of the Pakistani epidemic and reduce the impact of the epidemic on the population, especially the most vulnerable groups. 

Ambassador Yao said that the new coronary pneumonia epidemic posed a huge threat to human health and a huge challenge to global public health security. “As a responsible country in the international community, China actively supported international cooperation in epidemic prevention,” he stated. 

It was recalled that at the G-20 special leaders’ summit held recently, the Chinese President Xi Jinping had emphasized that what the international community needed the most was firm confidence, concerted efforts, and united response, comprehensively strengthened international cooperation, united and strong force to overcome the epidemic to win the fight against major infectious diseases.

It was pointed out that China remained willing to continue to work in an open, transparent and highly responsible manner, strengthen cooperation with the WHO and the international community, and contribute to maintaining global public health security. 

Ambassador Yao reiterated that China fully supported Pakistan’s fight against epidemics. President Xi held a phone conversation with Prime Minister Imran Khan while President Dr Arif Alvi visited China last month, and State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a couple of telephonic conversations with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, emphasizing the stand of mutual support between China and Pakistan. 

The Chinese government and all sectors of the society have extended their helping hands, and have provided Pakistan with a large number of anti-epidemic materials such as test kits, masks, ventilators, protective equipment, medicines, and helped Pakistan establish temporary isolation hospitals. 

The Chinese experts also held a video conference with Pakistan, and China sent a medical expert group to share Chinese experience with Pakistan on epidemic prevention and control, monitoring and testing, and clinical treatment. 

China has, on a regular basis, praised the efforts of the Pakistani government to fight the epidemic and expressed its willingness to continue to provide Pakistan with assistance within its ability to jointly cope with the challenges of the epidemic. 

The representatives of other international organizations and diplomatic envoys of various countries in Pakistan stated that the new coronary pneumonia epidemic was a challenge faced by all mankind and they were willing to continue to provide support to Pakistan in fighting the epidemic through bilateral and multilateral channels.

Chinese ambassador confident of timely execution of energy projects

By Masood Sattar Khan 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chinese ambassador to Pakistan, Yao Jing, has said that the execution of the under-construction energy projects in Pakistan is being carried out as per schedule keeping in accordance with the government prevention steps (SOPs) to stem out coronavirus (COVID-19).

Ambassador Jing expressed these views while addressing a video conference of Chinese-funded enterprises in Pakistan working under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Energy Project, according to a statement issued by the Chinese embassy in Islamabad on April 22. 

Counselor Wang Zhihua and the leaders of 13 corridor energy companies attended the meeting. 

Ambassador Yao remarked that since the outbreak of the epidemic, the corridor energy project had been seriously implemented under the domestic and Pakistani government's epidemic prevention and control requirements, comprehensively carried out all anti-epidemic work, actively fulfilled its social responsibilities, worked hard to ensure Pakistan's power supply, and promoted the smooth progress of the ongoing projects.

At present, Pakistan's epidemic prevention situation is complex, he said, adding that all enterprises must attached great importance to epidemic challenges, strengthen risk awareness, strengthen epidemic prevention skills and confidence, need to do a good job in epidemic prevention and control. 

He emphasized that, while carrying out the construction job, they should strengthen the care and protection of the Chinese and the Pakistan employees. 

He said that, by doing a good job of self-protection, it will provide Pakistan with support within its ability and strive to make new contributions to the fight against the epidemic and enhance the friendship between China and Pakistan. 

The Corridor Energy Project enterprises thanked the relevant domestic departments for their help and guidance, and said that they will continue to adopt all necessary steps in epidemic prevention and control as required to ensure the health and safety of project personnel to ensure timely accomplishment of construction of these projects.

SSUET takes initiative for students exploring CPEC

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) has launched a far-reaching academic initiative aimed at acquainting its students of the background and benefits of multi-billion dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

In this regard a group of some 40 students, 10 faculty members and supporting staff of the university were taken to a visit to Gwadar through the Makran Coastal Highway to show them on the ground implementation of various projects being carried out under the auspices of the CPEC. 

The visit was organized in collaboration with the Pakistan Navy officials during which the students were taken around the Gwadar Port and the ongoing development sites. 

The trip was enriched with briefings from Army, Navy, Gwadar Port Authority and Gwadar Development Authority officials on CPEC progress, future plans and their impact on Pakistan. 

The tour was followed by report writing and presentations by students on what they had learnt and the outcome of the visit. 

In connection with more exposure to the CPEC the visiting SSUET students along with faculty members participated in number of events which included an International Conference on Economic, Business and Social Research organized by Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Science l at Uthal Campus; a seminar on CPEC Priorities and Challenges, organized by Express TRIBUNE at a local hotel and a seminar on CPEC Myths and Challenges, Organized by Institute of Engineering Pakistan.

Besides, the SSUET is planning to invite Vice Chancellors of both public and private universities from Sindh and Baluchistan to share the valuable information on current and future scenario of the CPEC and its impact on Pakistani youth.

Pakistan Railways aims high

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Parveen Agha, Chairperson and Secretary of the Pakistan Railways (PR), has unveiled plans for the further development of the organization to transform into a most viable entity while it has attained financial autonomy with revenue generation having gone up from Rs 18 billion 3 years back to 36 billion at the financial close.

Ruling out the privatization of the PR, she made it absolutely clear to all concerned that the resources were being mobilized to turn it around in the larger national interest. 

She said that none of the trains have been privatized but only their operation handed over to private sector operators. 

She stated that the private operator of business train was in default of around Rs one billion and the train was now being run by the PR itself. 

Talking to media at the Divisional Headquarter, during her ongoing visit to Karachi, she dispelled the impression that any proposal on privatizing the PR was being considered at the highest level. The Divisional Superintendent Railway Engr Nisar Memon, and the SSP Railway, Robin Yamin, besides the Deputy DS (Operations) were also present on the occasion. 

Parveen Agha informed that under the umbrella of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the railway infrastructure is being upgraded in collaboration with Chinese and major ingredients of the project were finalized during a recent meeting of a high level Pakistani delegation which included Federal Planning Minister, Ahsan Iqbal and Federal Railway Minister, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, besides herself which undertook a tour of China.

Under the project railway system will be upgraded from Peshawar to Lahore and then from Lahore to Karachi sector wise with Lahore-Multan Sector to start first. 

She said that upon completion the train will run at a speed of 160 km as against 100 km/hour at present reducing the travelling time substantially. 

She informed that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved the funding of Rs 2.5 billion for the Lahore-Multan project while the Lahore-Karachi segment has been aligned with the CPEC. 

Parveen Agha was optimistic about getting the momentous projects completed by 2018 by which time the capacity of PR will be enhanced manifolds. 

The Secretary Railways informed that Railway is set to earn another all time high Rs 13 billion revenue through transporting imported coal from Bin Qasim to the site of 660 MW Sahiwal Coal-fired power plant. She said that coal transportation will start from April 2017 while trial transportation will begin in November with the import of Consignment. 

Parveen Aga revealed that the freight revenue generation has tremendously increased from Rs 1 billion to Rs 11 billion had high praise for Karachi Railway Division for its contribution. 

She said that, with the efforts of present Divisional Superintendent Nisar Memon, this Division alone shared Rs 9.7 billion towards freight revenue. 

While referring to running high speed trains, she informed that Railway has finalized an agreement with the General Electric under which 75 locomotive of 4 to 4.5 thousand HP would be imported. 

She said that delivery of 55 locomotives will start from November while talks were underway with regard to financial implication for the remaining 20 engines. 

To a question, she stated that the much talked about Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) was now a provincial subject and the Government of Sindh was taking care of it. 

“The Sindh Government had approached us on this matter a couple of years ago and we had assured them of our wholehearted technical support and facilitation in upgrading and operating the project,” she said. 

To another question, she remarked that the PR was tackling the menace of encroachment in the most efficient manner all over the country. 

“We have had partial success in this regard. We have succeeded in getting some of the encroached lands vacated, like the Chanesar Halt and the Kalapul in Karachi, besides ensuring that no fresh encroachments took place during the last three years. But a lot has still to be done in this regard to get back our invaluable lands in the larger interest of the PR,” she conceded, adding that the regained lands would be channelized for revenue generation. 

To a question she said that the Jaffer Express incident in Balochistan was an unfortunate on, having occurred primarily due to law and order situation while the Patoki train-bus accident had taken place due to negligence of railway staff and the matter was being investigated. 

Meanwhile DS Railway Nisar Memon shared with PNFS that the Federal Secretary during her trip has visited Bin Qasim Port, Marshaling Yard besides Karachi City and Karachi Cantonment railway stations, having reviewed the working at length. The PR chief was due to visit the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on October 10.