Pakistan committed for CPEC projects’ timely completion

 By Masood Sattar Khan

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Prime Minister Imran Khan has declared that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was a transformational project and reiterated Pakistan’s strong commitment for timely completion of the CPEC projects. 

The Prime Minister expressed these views when he met the newly appointed Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, Nong Rong, at Islamabad on November 11.

“The Prime Minister congratulated the Ambassador on his appointment and extended best wishes for a fruitful term,” the statement issued by PM Office noted. 

The premier also accentuated the significance of special economic zones (SEZs), relocation of industry, and improved productivity in agriculture sector. 

The Chinese envoy on the occasion expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Imran Khan and reassured China’s support in completion of CPEC projects and enhancement in industrialization and agricultural sector in Pakistan.

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.

Pakistan's future linked with China: Imran Khan

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Prime Minister Imran Khan has forcefully declared that Pakistan's future was linked with China as it remained steadfast with Islamabad at times of weals and woes. 

In a television interview, marking the completion two years of his government, he divulged upon the achievements and accomplishments besides shedding light on the challenges being faced and steps taken to address the issues. 

The Prime Minister categorically told the interviewer that it was China that always came out and defended Pakistan. 

The Pakistani nation received with jubilation the Prime Minister's announcement that the Chinese President, Xi Jinping will be visiting Pakistan later this year.

Prime Minister reviews ML-1 progress

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Prime Minister Imran Khan on August 17 reviewed the progress made so far on the Pakistan Railways ML-1 project, one of the major components of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). 

The meeting deliberated upon the timelines set for its implementation and the benefits to be reaped from the project. 

The high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan was attended amongst others by Minister for Railways, Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad, Minister for Planning, Asad Umar, Adviser on Finance, Abdul Hafeez Shaikh. and Chairman, CPEC Authority, Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa.

Sri Lankan PM expresses gratitude to Imran Khan

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The newly elected Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa, has expressed gratitude to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan for congratulating him on his victory. 

“Many thanks to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for your phone call and warm wishes,” the Sri Lankan Prime Minister tweeted on August 8. 

"I look forward for mutual high level visits between our two countries to strengthen our friendly bilateral ties,” he added.

Pakistan to concentrate more on alternate energy sources

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

To ensure provision of low cost electricity to the masses, the government has decided to concentrate more on wind and solar energy sources, it was disclosed by the Federal Minister for Information, Shibili Faraz, while briefing the media after a weekly cabinet meeting that was presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad July 1.

The cabinet approved three hydro power projects including Kohala Hydro power project. The minister pointed out that it was the policy of the present government to generate low cost electricity, instead of going after expensive power. 

In this regard the cabinet emphasized to specially encourage setting up solar and wind energy projects in the country and any obstacle in projects would be removed, the minister informed while sharing the decisions of the cabinet to the media.

"Through these steps foreign investment would be pour in the country and on the other hand it will encourage generation of low cost electricity,” he stressed. 

“At the moment we have the capacity of generating 37,000 megawatts of electricity, including from some those plants at the cost Rs 24 a unit. After installation of renewal energy projects, the plants generating expensive electricity either by imported fuel or even coal would be displaced under a policy framework,” he maintained.

“The cabinet threadbare also deliberated on this subject and the Prime Minister stressed that the renewable energy should be promoted and investment in this regard should be encouraged. The Prime Minister also directed for the removal all bureaucratic obstacles in this regard,” he added.

Dreamworld official calls on Prime Minister; relief for hospitality industry sought

Pakistan News & Features Services


A top official of Dreamworld Resort, Hotel & Golf Course, called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in which matters pertaining to tourism and hospitality industry in the country were discussed. 

According to the details made available to PNFS, Dreamworld Resort was represented by its Director Business Development, Omar Saleem, while the meeting, taking place at the Prime Minister office in Islamabad, was also attended by Syed Zulfiqar Abbas Bukhari, Minister of State and Special Assistant for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, who also heads the national task force on tourism. 

During the meeting, the Dreamworld official briefed the Prime Minister and his team about the challenges being faced by the hospitality industry during the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic besides requesting for the reopening of the activities under specific guidelines and standard operation procedures (SOPs) to overcome the financial crisis. 

The Dreamworld executive expressed his appreciation at the initiatives of the Prime Minister aimed at boosting tourism in the country, pending a foolproof set of rules and regulations to ensure maximum protection from COVID-19. 

Upon the directives of the Prime Minister, the management of Dreamworld Resort agreed to facilitate the government in devising perfect COVID-19 precautionary SOPs based on their three decades long experience in running a safe and hygienic resort.

Dewan Yousuf suggests Prime Minister to refrain from creating another task force

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Dewan Mohammad Yousuf Farooqui, an eminent industrialist and a former provincial minister, has advised Prime Minister Imran Khan to avail the existing infrastructure instead of creating a task force for ration distribution among the masses.

Talking to PNFS in Karachi on March 30, he didn’t mince words in declaring that considerable resources will be required to build a new task force for the purpose of reaching out people affected by Coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Both time as well as funds will be needed for carrying out this task of creating a new infrastructure for such an activity which makes little sense to me. Instead the government should utilize the information which is already in possession of area Deputy Commissioners. NGOs and welfare organizations could also be pressed into service to do the job with the collaboration of DCs,” he suggested. 

Dewan Yousuf expressed confidence in the abilities of DCs and the social workers who could jointly perform the action to fulfill the Prime Minister’s cherished goal of reaching out the people in need. 

“The government should devote its energies and resources in helping out greater number of people in every nook and corner of the country, who are in desperate need of support, instead of thinking in terms of creating a new authority or task force for carrying out this purpose,” he concluded.

Proposal for revamping Railways submitted

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)


A proposal has recently been submitted to Dr Ishrat Husain Sahib, Advisor to Prime Minister on Institutional Reforms, Government of Pakistan, for investment in Pakistan Railways through Public Private Partnership. 

In view of the deteriorating condition of Pakistan Railways and increasing trend of train accidents the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, had entrusted Dr Ishrat Hussain to devise and prepare a comprehensive restructuring plan to make the organization a profitable department through public-private partnership. 

Mir Mohammad Khaskheli, Member, FPCCI Standing Committee on Railways, has submitted a comprehensive paper in this regard, a copy of which was also obtained by PNFS. 

In what has been described as an essential policy paper, it appears to be precisely well timed and could be extremely useful for future strategy of the government for the development of sustainable rail system in Pakistan. 

The paper gives an insight into the historical background besides critically analyzing the performance and financial aspect of Pakistan Railways. The gist of analysis and recommendations made in the paper are based on in-depth study of 39 years of public sector organizations and input of very senior officers of Pakistan Railways. 

As outlined in the paper, Pakistan Railways has been currently facing serious financial crisis due to circumstantial historic debt, exorbitant escalating fuel prices, pay and pension, inadequate running of freight trains, loss making passenger business, manufacturing and service units. 

In fact, the huge financial deficit had driven the Pakistan Railways to a fatal bankruptcy and government of Pakistan has been further burdened with an additional financial liability. 

It has been noted in the paper that the persistent losses incurred incur didn’t arise entirely from any public service function but gross mismanagement, incompetence and political interference also contributed significantly in mounting financial losses and escalating debt. 

The paper has pointed out that Pakistan Railways has been unable to rise up to the public’s expectations in terms of desired quality standards and efficiency of service, having failed to develop an entrepreneurial culture with respect to management, accountability for performance, assessing and reacting to the issues of tariff and fares when compared to other modes of transport, and in being innovative and capturing new opportunities. 

Mir Mohammad Khaskheli, well versed with the organization’s functions because of his long stint there, reckoned that Pakistan Railways’ ability to transform itself from non-profit making agency of government to a profitable entity depended mainly on its capacity to respond effectively to important structural challenges and the transformation required among other things, a basic change in the driving policy of rail infrastructure and operation. 

“Its adoption of public and private sector partnership, customer driven, commercially viable and market oriented system to make this national organization to function on sustainable and financially viable footings to maintain sustained economic growth,” he wrote. 

He regretted that despite of tall claims of improvement in the performance of department by the top management more than 100 train accidents occurred during the year 2019 alone.

“Huge investment is required for the development in rail infrastructure and safety of train operation. This requires complete replacement of existing obsolete signalling and communication system, rehabilitation of old aged bridges, up-gradation and standardization of railway track & rolling stock and invigorating maintenance facilities in major shops/sheds and depots,” he suggested. 

“It seems difficult to revive the past glory of Pakistan Railways and bringing trains back on tracks in the present circumstances. The situation may not change until unless a high powered honest and dedicated team is entrusted with the task to undertake important structural changes that should make the best use of its assets efficiently and wisely to revitalize this largest vital public sector organization,” he added. 

“The Government of Pakistan may invite and offer the private sector for the development of railway’s core functions to put the organization on commercially viable footings through public-private partnership,” Mir Mohammad Khaskheli suggested. 

“The objective to revive Pakistan Railways under the CPEC-related projects is praiseworthy; yet they can only scratch the surface of the dismal situation of PR which needs both institutional reforms and instrumental investments. On the institutional side one change that should take place is the broader representation in the Railway Board in existence since 1959 and reconstituted in 2015 for more informal decision making,” he continued. 

“In addition to the representatives from Ministry of Railways, Communication and Finance; representation from Ministry of Economic Affairs & Statistics, Law & Justice, Planning & Development and FBR is very vital to obtain more significant input and guidance on bilateral, multilateral and technical partnership issues,” he concluded.

Imran Khan’s message on World Tourism Day

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his message on the World Tourism Day (WTD) 2019, pointed out that the country was blessed with natural beauty and had enormous opportunities of tourism. 

“The tourism sector plays a pivotal role in socio-economic growth. It also provides an impetus for employment opportunities and promotion of entrepreneurial activities, globally,” he recognized. 

“The tourism experience provides synergies between communities having diverse cultural backgrounds. It also enables people to adapt themselves to the cutting-edge traveling facilities of modern days,” the Prime Minister remarked. 

“Pakistan has immense potential in tourism sector. It generates economic activities, brings in valuable foreign exchange and generates investors' interest in the tourism sector by attracting myriad foreign tourists. Influx of visitors is also correlated to law and order situation,” Imran Khan added. 

“The present government is giving due priority to the tourism sector. The government is devoted to introduce policies, infrastructure development, institutional empowerment and improvement in service delivery for attracting tourists,” he assured.

Pakistan to host World Tourism Forum

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Pakistan will be playing host to the World Tourism Forum (WTF) in 2020. The decision in this regard was taken during a meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and a delegation of the WTF in Islamabad on August 9. 

The WTF delegation was led by the President of its executive board, Bulut Bagci while the chairman of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Syed Zulfikar Abbas Bukhari, was also present in the meeting. 

Over 1,000 foreigners are expected to attend the five-day proceedings of the forum in Islamabad next year. The date of the event will be announced later.

The WTF is an Istanbul-based organization, dedicated to developing tourism around the world with its annual meetings. It was founded under Bulut Bağcı’s leadership in 2014. 

The WTF principally intends to develop tourism around the world. Accordingly, it was launched in 2015 following the extensive connections in 2014. 

The event is organized four times a year in global centers around the world under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey. It brings together global tourism leaders and tourism industry representatives. Regional meetings are held three times a year in different cities around the world, and one annual Global Meeting is held annually in February, in Istanbul.

New tourist resorts planned in Balochistan

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Prime Minister Imran Khan has declared that the government was making all out efforts for promotion of tourism in the country and new tourist resorts would be developed in coastal areas of Balochistan. 

Maintaining that there existed great potential in different areas of tourism in the country needs to be exploited, the Prime Minister made the announcement during his meeting with a delegation of the World Tourism Forum (WTF) which called on him in Islamabad on August 9. 

He informed the delegation that eight new tourism resorts would be developed in eight coastal areas in Balochistan, emphasizing that natural beauty, social values and environmental protection would be ensured for promotion of tourism.

Earlier this year, the government had announced a new visa policy for 175 countries to promote tourism and investments in the country. The visitors from these countries will be able to apply for an online visa. As per the new visa policy, e-visa facility will initially be provided to five countries namely Turkey, China, Malaysia, United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Sir Syed Express inaugurated in Karachi

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Divisional Superintendent, Pakistan Railways, Karachi Division, Syed Mazhar Ali Shah, got the much talked about the newly introduced Karachi-Rawalpindi Sir Syed Express inaugurated on July 4 through Muhammad Suleman, the first passenger to have booked the ticket from Karachi. 

Talking to media on the occasion, he informed that the train having a total capacity of 646 seats, offers three classes of AC Sleeper, AC Business and Economy. It had 100% booking for the opening day. The train, branded as luxurious, had the facilities of dining car and wi-fi.

The train will reach its destination in 21 hours via Faisalabad. Upon completion of ML-1, the travel time of the train will reduce to 10 hours. 

Besides facilitating passengers it’s being expected to earn the much-needed revenue for the Pakistan Railways. 

The train, named after the legendary scholar and thinker, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, is an important addition to passengers’ service as it would serve three different segments of the passengers market with a focus on economy class service (72%).

The Divisional Superintendent remarked that the train aims at facilitating the passengers from Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir who travel to Karachi and other southern cities of the country. 

DS Syed Mazhar Shah told PNFS that at present some 60 trains operate Up and Down from Karachi Division out of which 40 were mail and express trains.

According to him, on 100 percent booking, the Sir Syed Express will generate an income of Rs two million on one side in a day. 

Mazhar Shah said that in Karachi Division alone some 1.2 million passengers were added to an existing roughly seven million passengers during the last financial year contributing to the railway's exchequer. 

Earlier the Sir Syed Express was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister, Imran Khan, during a high-profile ceremony in Rawalpindi.

Imran Khan invited as guest of honour at China International Import Expo

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

China has extended an invitation to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan to be the guest of honour at the China International Import Expo (CIIE) due to be staged in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, 2018. 

The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, met his Pakistani counterpart, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in Islamabad on September 8where he extended invitation to Prime Minister Imran Khan to be the guest of honour at the CIIE. 

China and Pakistan also agreed to strengthen the strategic cooperation in a one-on-one meeting between the two Foreign Ministers.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman, Dr Muhammad Faisal, informed the delegation-level talks between the two delegations led by the two foreign ministers were also held at the Foreign Office. 

"Chinese State Councillor Yi underscored Beijing’s firm support to Pakistan’s socioeconomic progress and development," the FO spokesperson said. 

"China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), economic cooperation, cultural and educational exchanges and regional situation were discussed during the meeting," the spokesperson added. 

Shah Mahmood Qureshi assured the Chinese minister of his country’s support of CPEC, reassuring that it was important for Pakistan’s socio-economic development. 

China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, is on a three-day visit to Islamabad during which he is scheduled to meet the President, the Prime Minister, the National Assembly Speaker and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

China reiterates supporting Pakistan on CPEC, deepening bilateral ties

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, has reiterated his country’s support to Pakistan for accomplishment of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

"China is willing to support Pakistan to uphold its sovereignty and right to development and make joint efforts with Pakistan to boost the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, as well as to deepen the bilateral all-weather strategic cooperative partnership," Wang said while meeting with Chairman, Senate of Pakistan, Sadiq Sanjrani, in Beijing. 

Pakistan has just held a successfully general election, Wang said, adding that he believes Pakistan's national construction would gain new achievements under the new government. 

Reciprocating the sentiments on behalf of government and the people of Pakistan, Chairman Senate, Sadiq Sanjrani, said that his country would always uphold the friendly policy towards China, a consensus that reached between the two sides.

The Chairman Senate, leading a 9-member parliamentary delegation, pointed out that the strengthening of relationship between the two countries is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy. 

"The new government is ready to work with China to push forward the construction of Belt and Road Initiative and the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor," Sanjrani was quoted as saying by the Chinese state media. 

The members of the delegation include Senators Mrs Nuzhat Sadiq, Sitara Ayaz, Muhammad Akram, Dilawar Khan, Kauda Babar, Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Barrister Muhammad Ali Khan Saif and Mirza Muhammad Afridi. Secretary Senate, Amjed Pervez Malik. 

Earlier, the Chairman Senate and his delegation were accorded a warm welcome upon arrival at the airport. The Vice Chairman, Chinese Foreign Affairs Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, Han Fangming received the chairman and his delegation. 

Pakistan's Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid and other senior officials of Pakistan and China were also present on the occasion.

Special teams study China’s model of poverty reduction

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

The newly elected Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, who had cited examples of China's poverty alleviation programme during an interview with the Chinese media, has already moved in this direction by sending a special team to China for in-depth study of its poverty reduction model.

The globally-admired initiative which China had undertaken has enabled millions of people to escape from poverty and Pakistan’s new leadership also considers it a way forward in this regard. 

The representatives of the ruling party, Pakistan Tehreek Insaf (PTI), have already visited China's Yunnan province where the local government briefed them how they attained the poverty-reduction goals, said a report appeared in China.org.cn, a news web portal. 

Pakistan, one of the forefront countries supporting New China in its initial opening-up years, is today being repaid by assisting it in becoming a trade and economic hub on the Arabian Sea. 

The two countries are natural partners and support each other on matters of international politics and economy. That is why Imran Khan is now banking on the goodwill of the past for a stable and far-reaching cooperation in the future.

The new Pakistani government has a single major agenda of bringing the economy back on track. 

Imran Khan, whose political party emerged victorious in the country's recent election, appears ready for some drastic moves, and building on China's ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is one of them. 

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship BRI project, is the largest Chinese investment in Pakistan to date. Often termed a game changer, the US$62 billion mega-project involves a massive financial inflow into Pakistan to promote infrastructure, energy and trade development and create many jobs.

Imran Khan has promised continued support to CPEC involving all sectors of Pakistani society. While he has taken up the challenge of turning State-owned companies into profit-generating machines, his plan also has the potential of engaging private industry to ensure success for the CPEC.

 

The national cricket hero-turned-politician laid out his intentions for engaging with Pakistan's closest ally in an interview with the Chinese newspaper the Guangming Daily last month. 

He considers the CPEC as a medium and long-term project, pledging to guarantee the corridor's construction so that both Pakistan and China benefits. 

Imran Khan’s party has identified several areas where cooperation with China will be expanded. 

Clean energy is one area where his neighbour has achieved monumental success. After the industrial boom, China was faced with heavy pollution which had to be tackled by taking radical measures. 

The new Pakistani government also plans to focus on developing indigenous resources and promoting local value-addition approaches. 

This can be worked out by establishing more vocational training institutes in Pakistan and sending young people to China to acquire higher education and better skills. If this goes as plan, the indigenous resource pool will witness augmented benefits from engagement in CPEC projects.

Pakistan has immense manufacturing potential owing to ample availability of raw materials. As the incoming government looks to revitalize Pakistan's industry on modern lines, companies will eventually be looking for global consumption and should be ready for integration with various global supply chains. 

The CPEC and BRI specifically aim to achieve this. Being trade routes in the classical sense, they will provide transportation facilities that can help remodel local industry centers into globally-competitive economies. 

As proclaimed in Khan's election manifesto, he intends to focus on partnerships in development projects undertaken by Chinese entities. This will increase the transfer of knowledge to local firms, improve the skill level of the workforce and bring about sustained results. 

Joint ventures will be encouraged, which will also help Chinese companies to benefit from the local knowledge of their Pakistani partners.