Business leaders welcome Federal Budget 2014-15

By Syed Sajid Aziz

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Ismail Suttar, Vice President, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) and President, Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has declared the federal budget 2014-15 as a difficult one but the incentives offered to the export sector was a welcome step which could help in accelerating exports from Pakistan.

He said that like the previous governments, this one too has refrained from taking revolutionary steps like imposition of income tax on agriculture sector and bringing big fishes into the tax net or even taking measures to prevent major tax evasions.

He remarked that the government, instead of scrapping Benazir Income Support Scheme, has not only extended it but increased the allocations from Rs75 billion to Rs114 which could be utilized in some productive schemes such as microfinance to the poor instead of turning them into beggars.

Ismail Sattar expressed his dismay over skipping proposed Hub Dry Port from the PSDP as demanded by the industrialists of Balochistan.

He opined that the budget outlay was quite complicated and it seemed that the government would have to depend on external resources than the internal ones in order to meet the budgetary allocations.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Tanners Association (PTA) South Zone, Fawwad Jawed, reckoned that the budget announced by the federal minister for finance was quite balanced one and full of incentives to the business communities especially the export sector. He also welcomed the establishment of Exim Bank and reducing the export refinance rate.

The Chairman of the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PRGMEA), South Zone, Arshad Aziz, praised the incentives given to the exports sector in the Budget 2014-15 wherein a four percent duty drawback is offered to the garments sector.

He stated that the establishment of Exim Bank was also a long time commitment by the exporters and hoped that it would be fulfilled this time. He hoped that government would clear all the pending claims of refunds as committed by the minister in his speech. 

The President of the All Karachi Industrial Alliance, Mian Zahid Husain, while welcoming the federal budget has declared it business friendly.

He said that Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, has taken a right step in right direction by bringing retail sector into tax net. He welcomed the imposition of advance tax on purchase of heavy vehicles, properties and electricity bills over Rs 100,000 per month. He however, regretted that government has refrained from imposition of tax on agriculture.     

Runh’s expertise to bolster power generation

By Syed Sajid Aziz
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

“As energy demand continues to exceed supply, companies are looking for innovative ways to solve not only short-term electricity and heating issues but also future power generation needs that are cost-effective, secure, and sustainable.”

This was stated by Sohail Lashari, President, Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI), while addressing a seminar, conducted by Runh Power Plant Engineering Technology Co Ltd, a global Chinese firm engaged in Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) of power plants. 

“Runh Power’s fossil fuel fired, waste to energy, and biomass power generation Technologies are particularly attractive to our country at this time,” the LCCI President added. 

“We have enjoyed a very cooperative business relationship with Pakistan since 2006, during last month, we were awarded 18MW co-generation power plant with Century Paper & Board Mills, and in the last year, we signed a 150t/h Biomass Boiler Island Project with Bullah Shah Packaging (Pvt) Ltd,” Dr Hui Jiang, Vice General Manager, Runh Power, remarked. 

The functionaries of Runh Power’s associates in the country from Century Paper, Board Mills Limited and Bullah Shah Packaging also delivered a speech highlighting Runh Power’s endeavor and services. Representative from private and government power sector were also present on the occasion and took active part in the interactive session of the seminar. 

Runh Power is a professional power plant EPC contractor, complete power plant equipment supplier and a global engineering firm that specializes in the construction of various types of power plants including coal-fired, gas-fired, oil-fired, biomass-fired, combined cycle and waste heat recovery. 

Its experience spans hundreds of power projects serving a range of industries such as steel, chemical, cement, paper, and sugar. Its branch office in Pakistan is located at Defence Housing Authority, Lahore.

Toronto’s Sindhi leaders meet Canadian Minister

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sindhi Community of Toronto held a meeting with Jason Kenney, Federal Minister for Employment, Social Development and Multicultural, together with Tim Hudak, opposition leader of Ontario Legislative Assembly to discuss various issues including visas to spouses, delays in immigration, educational, health, and culture.

The delegation conveyed its grave concerns in relation to the worsening law and order situation in the region and requested the Canadian government to play its due role.

Senior community members, Khair Mohammad Kolachi and Shah Nawaz Shah thanked Canada’s ruling PC Party leader Jason Kenney for his support and further explained the dynamics of the Sindhi community in conjunction with its cultural integration to Canadian society and vibrant role to multiple the plurality of Canada.

The Secretary of the Sindhi Adabi Sangat, a society promoting Sindhi literature inCanada, Zulfiqar Shaikh, highlighted the efforts of the society with respect to literature and culture. He also expressed concern over visa issues that the Sindhi singers and artists are facing, whose presence to the events in Canadian society will promote cultural integration. Spousal and parental visa issues were also brought to light and that family reunion times should be shorter.

The Sindhi Association of North America’s Vice-President, Aijaz Ahmed Kolachi, praised the efforts of Kenney and apprised him of the continued philanthropic and social development activities including education, poverty and disaster relief in Pakistan.

Kolachi stressed the need for CIDA’s mutual co-operation with SANA and Literary Society so as to ensure the proper and transparent allocation of funds to the grassroots level.  He also brought to his attention the role of Central President SANA, Jamil Daaudi, General Secretary, Noornisa Ghanghro, and community donor Aijaz Turk for establishing a school system in Sindh for needy and poor people.

The Executive Council member of SANA Toronto Chapter, Khalida Memon, Rashid Pirzada, Rajesh Rathi and Vishan Lohana, expressed their concerns over intolerance and health issues and deteriorating standards of education in Sindh and other parts ofPakistan.

They also pledged their co-operation with the government of Canada and further added that, such meetings will surely bring a positive result. The both sides agreed upon to explore ways to work together in the sector of education being a best way to enlighten people, address issues of poverty and extremism. 

Federal Minister Jason Kenney praised Aijaz Kolachi for hosting and arranging such a high profiled meeting with the Sindhi community, Literary Society and SANA. He recognized the core issues inPakistan, especially those of Sindh and ensured his support in future.

In the end, Tim Hudak, Opposition Leader of Ontario, promised to solve the local issues and requested to join hands with him to help formulate and implement his manifesto. The Sindhi Diaspora presented Canadian leaders the gift of Ajraks a symbolic cultural identity of Indus Valleycivilization since 5000 years.

Fruit exporters seek VHT Plant installation

By Syed Sajid Aziz

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

While the axe is falling on Pakistan’s fruits’ exports to European Union (EU) due to fruit fly’s threat, the much talked about Vapour Heat Treatment (VHT) Plant has been cleared by the customs department and dumped at the backyard warehouse of Expo Center by Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).

Though the VHT Plant was imported in very dubious circumstances by the previous management of the TDAP, headed by Tariq Puri, about two years back, it however, became ultimate need of the hour as Pakistan’s fruits and vegetables exports remained under threat due to various reasons particularly fruit fly.

While stakeholders have earnestly demanded TDAP’s present leadership to install it immediately at some independent location so that country’s exporters could be able to utilize it and get away from possible threat of ban on their exports as EU has already slapped a ban on Indian mango due to the same reason.

According to the sources among stakeholders the country has to pay a massive amount on VHT Plant’s duties and demurrages and the cost of the machinery import has shot up to several millions. The TDAP has to pay an amount of Rs33 million in demurrages only, they say.

Despite a big urgency the new leadership of the TDAP is in deep slumber as the Secretary, a junior level officer, has her own priorities. She has looked more interested in foreign trips and some fashions shows than taking the responsibility to safeguard country’s exports.

It is pertinent to note that exports during April and may have dropped significantly, sources said adding that the newly appointed Chief Executive from private sector has proceeded to long vacation after making tall claims of bringing Pakistan’s exports to over $50 billion, while exporters have been left to suffer once again.

Sources said that while VHT Plant remains dumped in warehouse for the last several days and stakeholders are crying for its earliest possible installation as the mango crop is fully ripe and ready for export; the TDAP management has left it on the mercy of vested interests.

TDAP deprives Pakistan from World Expo participation

By Syed Sajid Aziz

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

At this juncture when the nation has been deprived of its representation in world’s most important and biggest trade event, the World Expo Milan 2015, Sartaj Aziz, the Advisor on Foreign Affairs has asked the UAE government to acquire its expertise in organizing the next similar event to be held in UAE in 2020.

The World Expo is considered as biggest trade event in the world and it held after every five years to the country declared successful in the bidding. This event is almost six month long in duration.

The previous World Expo was held in Shanghai China in 2010 and Pakistan participated in that event with a great enthusiasm. The forthcoming event is being missed by the Pakistanis due to incompetency and ineptness of the high ups in Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP).   

The World Expo that commences from May 1, to continue till October 31, 2015 in Milan, Italy would be participated by as many as 144 United Nations member countries. In the previous World Expo Shanghai, Pakistan had participated in a big way as the organizers had built a concrete replica of Shahi Qilla, Lahore.

The Pakistan pavilion was highly admired by the many international dignitaries and celebrities including many countries’ head of states and ministers.  The Pakistan pavilion was organized by a private organizer at a cost of   $2.8 million.

However,this time the newly appointed Secretary TDAP, Rabiya Javeri Agha, instead of inviting bidding for the event, had asked for a huge amount of nine million euro ($12 million) from the government and the request was denied.

As the deadline of the event was approaching near, the same organizer who had organized Expo Shanghai in just $2.8 million as against the bids of $12 and $16 million by the other organizers had tried to rescue Pakistan and asked the TDAP to outsource the event.

He even offered to organize World Expo on his own expenses but the TDAP Secretary refused to do so and let the deadline expire by saying that the event is not that important.

Pakistan, desperately in need of boosting its trade abroad, is losing many such opportunities to the whims of incompetent and inexperienced officers to run the organization responsible for the export promotion.

The exporters said that how the Advisor on Foreign Affairs, Sartaj Aziz can offer expertise of those to UAE for organizing World Expo 2020, who are not even able to manage their own participation?   

Sharjah to become centre of $3 trillion Halal market

By Syed Sajid Aziz

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is to be made center of World Halal Food (WHF) very soon, this was announced on the occasion of establishment of Gulf Halal Centre which was inaugurated by Chairman, Sharjah AWQAF, Sheikh Sagar bin Mohammad Al Qasmi, at Sharjah recently.

The setting up of WHF was a step in fulfilling the vision of Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid al Maktoum, to make UAE the center of world Halal Food trade. The opening of the cenrre coincided with Sharjah celebrating 2014 as the Islamic cultural capital of the world, and with Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah’s guidance and support to the Islamic world and great Islamic architecture that can be found and seen in all Sharjah government.

The ceremony was held at a local hotel in presence of  VIPs, senior government officials, diplomats, CIPs, business community and media, who witnessed the official launching of Gulf Halal Center (GHC), the pioneering Halal Certification body in the United Arab Emirates, offering  Halal Audit and certification services to Emirati companies, to help them convert to Halal Management System. Sheikh Sagar al Qasmi, declared it as part of the jubilation celebrating Sharjah as the Islamic Cultural Capital of the World 2014.

Chairman of Gulf Halal Center, Saif Mohammad Jasim al Midfa while talking to media said that the Halal market does not only include food products and ingredients but also food service establishments, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Personal care products, Animal & Poultry feed, Apparel & leather products, hospitality and tourism, banking, finance, Takaful and logistics, which will all be covered by the Gulf Halal Center.

Asad Sajjad, the CEO of Gulf Halal Center gave an eye opening presentation on how the Haram ingredients are used in our everyday use products and emphasized on the importance of Halal Certification as the demand of 1.7 billion Muslim consumers as well as a lot of non-Muslims, who prefer Halal food as its healthy and wholesome (Tayyab). 

Asad said that Halal Certified has emerged as an internationally recognized and established brand that is a big sales booster for the Emirati manufacturers and exporters to enter the 3 trillion dollar plus Global Halal market. Halal Certified removes the non-tariff barriers for many countries as Halal Certified products are able to enter countries with obligatory Halal requirements.

He said that GHC team consists of qualified professionals including Halal technical auditor, Shariah experts and food technologist, experienced in Halal Audit and certification work as per UAE Halal standards for food safety and Shariah, also compliant with OIC-SMIIC Halal standards that are accepted worldwide. 

The GHC also offers Marketing services for Halal Certified products as well as Halal Training and awareness services, for the company employees and management.   

Europe becomes popular in Pakistan after GSP status

By Syed Sajid Aziz

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

“Europe has become popular among Pakistanis after it has been granted GSP Plus by the European Union (EU) early this year.”

This was stated by Germany’s Consul General in Karachi Dr Tilo Klinner while addressing the office bearers and members of the Karachi Union of Journalists-D (KUJ) and the Karachi Press Club on May 21.

“The GSP Plus status is a proof of confidence shown by the European countries on Pakistan, because of which huge foreign investments are coming here in different sectors,” he remarked, adding that in order to fully exploit the GSP Plus, Pakistan should have to comply with the international conventions it signed earlier.

He said that a big potential of Pakistan’s agro products did exist but the Pakistani exporters must adhere to the European quarantine regulations, reminding Germany was already importing Pakistan’s rice and wheat.

The German Consul General praised the investment policies of the Punjab government due to which a number of foreign investors are being attracted to invest in the province of Punjab.

He was of the opinion that Pak-India bilateral trade is not only in the interest of both the neighbouring countries but beneficial to the region as well.     

Dr Kllinner reckoned that the conditions for the working journalists in Pakistan were getting harder day by day and it was the need of the hour to create awareness among the journalists about their safety and protection.

He agreed to the proposals given by the KUJ to hold training courses and workshops in collaboration with the German Consulate for journalists and initiate journalists exchange programme between the two countries.

He said that he would write to the Berlin Press Club to coordinate with the Karachi Press Club. He further agreed to facilitate the journalists in teaching German language.

Dr Klinner also informed that a large delegation of businessmen from Germany will be visiting Pakistan soon to explore the opportunities for trade and investment.

He offered full support to the KPC and the KUJ, committing to encourage and facilitate them in their professional activities. 

SSUET final semester exams start on May 26

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The final year’s semester examinations at the Sir Syed University of Engineering &Technology (SSUET), Karachi, are scheduled to start from May 26 and will last for about two weeks.

Teaching in all classes has already been completed on May 16 and the ongoing week has been allowed to students for examination preparations. The arrangements for the semester examination are in full swing and they will be completed by May 23.

Meanwhile the summer session will start from the middle of June according to the university officials who added that it will be spread over six to seven weeks  where after the new session for all batches will start from August 4, soon after Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

It may be mentioned here that the university is offering 4 year BS programs in the engineering disciplines of Computer, Bio-Medical, Civil, Electronics, Telecommunication, Bio-Informatics, Architecture and Software Engineering besides Computer Science.

The SSUET is also offering Ph.D and Master studies in various engineering disciplines under its continuing education program.

More than 25 countries to participate in POGEE 2014

By Syed Sajid Aziz

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The 12th International Exhibition for the Energy Industry-POGEE-2014 is scheduled to be held from May 28 to 30 at Expo Centre, Lahore. The exhibition is geared up for an extensive display of technological advancement and innovative services and is attracting a good number of visitors from cities like Faisalabad, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Muzzafargarh, Shaikhupura, Multan,  Lahore and Karachi.        

                                                                                                   

More than 200 companies from around 25 countries will be participating in the show including with a majority from China, Germany, Iran, India, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, UAE, UK, USA, Ukraine, Malaysia, Egypt, Australia, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Thailand and Turkey. 

The exhibition provides an opportunity to bring together the international business professionals and the leading local industry players to exchange their technical and business expertise to acquaint the local industry with the latest developments in the energy sector.

POGEE-2014 will also be featuring a highly focused Conference program that is aimed at bringing South Asia’s Energy Industry into the limelight. The POGEE Conference offers an excellent platform for exchange of views & information to the highly targeted audience from Oil, Gas and Energy Industry.

The 10th international conference will commence on May 29 and will be based on the theme “Empowering Pakistan’s Energy Future: Innovation and Investment”. Ms Saniya Awais, Managing Director, Punjab Power Development Board (PPDB) will grace the POGEE Conference as the special guest.

The first session of the Conference will have participation of eminent speakers from Board of Investment (BOI), Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB), Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), GE and NSR Group China.

Adding further value to the conference, an Exclusive Panel Discussion on “Exploring Prospects for Coal Based Power Generation” will be conducted by Dr. Muhammad Bilal Khan, National University of Science and Technology (NUST). The panelists include Mr. Shamasudin Shaikh, CEO, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, Mr. Zubair Shafi Ghauri, Chief Marketing Manager, Pakistan Railways, Dr. M. Ashraf Moten, Chief Chemist, Coal and Energy Development Department, Underground Coal Gasification Project, and Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir, Director, Centre for Coal Technology, University of Punjab.

POGEE will be an ideal platform to display the latest in technology, equipment and machinery as well as allied services, while providing investors with a definite outlook of the regional energy industry and an opportunity to meet their prospective counterparts and business partners.

This globally recognized platform anticipates that participation of each individual brings benefit and success in their businesses and enables the country to move a step forward towards its economic growth. 

SSUET’s salutation to Maulana Hasrat Mohani

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tributes were paid to the eminent freedom fighter, Maulana Hasrat Mohani, at a seminar organized by the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, on May 14. 

The speakers on the occasion, who included renowned poet and scholar Sehar Ansari, noted scholar Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi and research scholar Khawaja Razi Haider, shed light on the life and achievements of the great poet and freedom fighter. 

The Chancellor of the SSUET, Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, who chaired the seminar, observed that Maulana Hasrat Mohani always led a simple life, free of wants, which re-strengthened his character and infused in him a spirit to live up to his convictions and support the cause of truthfulness. 

He brought awakening among the Muslims of South Asia through sheer dint of his dynamism and steered them to achieve their cherished goal, the Chancellor pointed out that Hasrat Mohani played a significant role along with Quaid-e-Azam and actively participated in the movement started by the Quaid for political emancipation of Indian Muslims and to achieve a dignified and peaceful place for them in the socio-economic structure of India. 

Engr Adil Usman remarked that Hasrat Mohani is acknowledged as the founder of modern poetry who concentrated mainly on the sincerity of thought and simplicity of sentiments and diction. 

His poetic contribution paints true and dignified sentiments of love and portrays multifarious phases of human passions, he said adding that Hasrat Mohani was a true product of his time and his verses are full of revolutionary thoughts and reflective of aspirations of a person whose life was not soothing.

Renowned poet and writer, Professor Sehar Ansari, highlighted the qualities of Hasrat Mohani, crediting him for having introduced the modern form of ghazal which portrayed true picture of the society and experiences of real human life. 

Noted scholar Prof Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi added that Hasrat Mohani transformed ghazal on modern lines. His poetic works touches upon variety of subjects with vision and can be described meaningful and unique for reflecting the political atmosphere of that time. 

On the occasion, research scholar Khwaja Razi Haider shed light on the life and achievements of Hasrat Mohani with special reference to his poetic contribution.