US think-tank develops report on Pakistan economy

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Heritage Foundation, a US think tank, has developed a detailed document on the economical conditions of Pakistan and what actions the government of Pakistan must immediately take to revive the economy.

The document has been authored by Huma Sattar, a visiting Pakistani scholar, and James Roberts, senior analyst at the Heritage Foundation, with the title of the special report being ‘Pakistan’s economic disarray and how to fix it’ whose launching event was held on July 1 at the Lehrman Auditorium in Washington DC. 

Huma Sattar remarked on the ocassion that corruption, poor rule of law, regulatory inefficiencies among the myriad of problems that ail the Pakistani economy today have hindered sustainable growth and will continue to do so until the government implements structural reforms to overhaul the tax system and deregulate sectors such as the power sector. 

A large number of experts academia media people and others attended the event and talked about the report. 

Marc Schleifer, Director of Eurasia and South Asia, Center for International Private Enterprise Michael Kugelman, Senior Program Associate for South and Southeast Asia, Woodrow Wilson Center Mark Karns Multi-Sector, Advisor to the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs of USAID, were other experts to have shared views in the panel discussion. Lisa Curtis conducted the programme.

ABAD appeals for withdrawal of new taxes

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The top functionaries of the Association of Builders and Developers of Pakistan (ABAD) have expressed their grave concern over the Finance Bill 2015-2016 and imposition of 0.6% withholding tax on all banking transactions including withdrawal of Rupees fifty thousand cash in a day from bank accounts.

Junaid Ashraf Taloo, Chairman, Mohammad Hanif Memon, Vice Chairman, and Mohammad Hassan Bakshi, Chairman, Southern Region, in a joint statement, said that the levy of this tax was unjustified and could prove to be a disaster to all businesses including the housing sector. 

The ABAD chairman added that it was the policy of the of government to increase the tax net but in reality it depicted the sheer failure of Federal Board of Revenue which had made tall claims of increasing tax payers during the last many years. 

It is pertinent to mention that each and every member of ABAD is a taxpayer but even then their names do not appear on the list of active tax payers. Whereas their names do appear in the FBR portal thereby tax amount of 0.6% is being deducted on all transactions. 

Hanif Memon, Vice Chairman, ABAD, stated that the imposition of withholding tax on banking services will create parallel system of direct cash dealings which will affect the banking sector as non-banking channels will flourish. 

Hassan Bakshi, Chairman, Southern Region, ABAD, remarked that account holders have already started withdrawing cash from their accounts to keep it in their lockers and it seems that we are moving in the old times when gold coins were used to make transactions. 

Furthermore the ABAD chairman felt that with great difficulty the business climate was improving, the politicians should not indulge in any adventure which derailed the economy. 

“The memories of freezing foreign currency bank accounts is still fresh in minds of the business community,” Junaid Taloo recalled. 

He appealed to the Federal Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, to abolish the imposed tax as it was creating confusion and unrest as businesses are being subjected to double taxation. “This abolishment will also help builders and developers, businessmen and industrialists to engage themselves in business without the fear of double taxation,” the ABAD Chairman concluded.

IT expert appreciates HEC, Microsoft initiatives

 

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, participated in the Academic Day 2015, organized by Microsoft Pakistan with the collaboration of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The event was attended by the representatives from different universities which included vice chancellors, deans, professors and IT experts.

Microsoft Pakistan has signed an Education Alliance Agreement with the HEC following which the multinational has ingrained their technological solutions among academia all over the country. 

The HEC has been effectively implementing new technologies in academic sector. In collaboration with Microsoft, it launched Academic Initiative Programme which included free or subsidized OS licenses, technical trainings seminars, free academic license of office 365 imagine cup, faculty connections, technical conferences and workshops. 

“There is no doubt or ambiguity to admit that Microsoft office 365 cloud brought revolutionary growth in managing office documentation and correspondence, Abdul Moid Khan, an IT expert and System Manager, SSUET, remarked while sharing his valuable experience gained during implementing Microsoft Office 365, a cloud base technology and application at the campus. 

He revealed that the Sir Syed Univesrity is one of the pioneer universities who first successfully implemented Office 365 at the campus by its own team and expertise, however, migration process of 5000+ accounts and passwords from old system to Office 365 Cloud in a transparent way was a big challenge. The university is now moving towards automation and developing complete paperless environment at the campus. 

Moid Khan reckoned that it’s quite tough to introduce modern technology or new and innovative ideas in a pure traditional society. 

“Nevertheless, the HEC and its IT team must be appreciated for taking very dynamic step for introducing and implementing new technologies. The HEC is providing a great facility for the organizations to purchase costly software and hardware at very subsidized and economical rates,” he complimented.

SSUET budget of Rs 1,025 million approved

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 

The Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), Karachi, has passed its Rs 1,025 million budget  for the financial year 2015-16 showing a deficit of Rs 2 million.

 

The budget was passed at a meeting of SSUET’s Board of Governors held under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid H Rizvi, and attended, among others, by Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, Lt Gen (Rtd) Moinuddin Hyder, Prof M.D. Shami, Sardar Yasin Malik, Cmmdr. (Rtd) Saleem Siddiqi, Ms Aziz Fatima and Additional Secretary Education.

 

The budget showed the current expenditure at Rs 884 million with development incurring an expenditure of Rs 141 million.

 

During the upcoming fiscal year the university will be spending Rs 37.3 million on further upgradation of its laboratories while a record allocation of Rs 40 million has been made for award scholarships to the deserving talented students.

 

According to the salient features of the budget 2015-16, the university will spend Rs 13.9 million on research projects, Rs 1.9 million on establishment of research innovative and commercialization centre, Rs 6 million on provision of financial incentive to faculty for carrying out research projects, Rs 0.8 million for Ph.D graduate program, Rs 5 million on hiring foreign specialists faculty, Rs 14.9 million for Faculty development and development of new campus, Rs 27.4 million on construction of new academic block, Rs 5 million on purchase of new books, research journals and equipment for the library, Rs 8 million, for provision of financial help out of profit of Endowment Fund, which today stands at Rs 340 million, to students and employees.

 

It may be mentioned here that 2015-16 budget is higher by Rs 73 million as against the revised estimates of Rs 952 million of fiscal year 2014-15.

The university mainly derives its income from Tution and Allied fees which has been set at Rs 882 million besides Rs 101 million other income, Rs 33 million from profit on endowment fnd and Rs 7 million donations.

The current expenditure encompasses establishment cost of Rs 566 million, scholarships Rs 40 million.

ABAD’s initiatives for rehabilitation of Katchi Abadies appreciated

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The rehabilitation of Katchi Abadies was discussed in length in a meeting between the top officials of the Association of Builders & Developers (ABAD) and the government officials held at the ABAD House in Karachi.

Mohammad Nawaz Shaikh, Secretary Katchi Abedies & Special Development Board (SDB), Government of Sindh, exchanged views with the ABAD delegation comprising of its Chairman, Junaid Ashraf Taloo, Chairman Southern Region, Mohammad Hassan Bakshi, Vice Chairman, Mohammad Hanif Memon, and a few other senior members. 

Hassan Bakshi highlighted the plan and programme of the ABAD for the rehabilitation of Katchi Abadies though Special Development Board. 

He said that the laws of board have been passed by the Sindh Assembly and ABAD needed protection by the Government of Sindh for rehabilitation of Katchi Abadies. The ABAD Chairman added that the Special Development Board was designed as a local planning authority to provide all the requisite approval for redevelopment of Katchi Abadies under one roof. 

Hassan Bakshi observed that the majority of Katchi Abadies were being used as the hideout of criminals, pointing out that the crime was increasing and registering growth due to Katchi Abadies. 

Nawaz Shaikh, Secretary KA & SDB, appreciated the efforts of ABAD for their plan and programme about Katchi Abadies. He also appreciated ABAD’s initiatives to provide free medical and education facilities for the residents of Katchi Abadies. 

He disclosed that there were 564 Katchi Abadies who were thickly populated and the data of population was not available. 

He desired another meeting with the ABAD officials next week to exchange information and data available with them and also to maintain a robust relation between two bodies.

Mirpurkhas schools directed to observe summer vacations

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Director, Private Institutions, Mirpurkhas Division, Abdul Hameed Shaikh, has taken serious notice of the opening of private schools in Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts during the ongoing summer vacations.

Directing all the schools to observe summer vacations during the stipulated time, he has issued orders to suspend the registration of 16 private schools with immediate effect, advising them submit an explanation in this regard. 

Under the order the registration of Ideal School Hameedpura Colony, Tameer Millat High School, Green Pak School Hameedpura Colony, Ghousia School Hameedpura Colony, Child Care High School Hameedpura ColonyCity Grammar High School PM Colony, Askhia Progressive High School Adam Town, Al-Rehman School Adam Town, New Star High School Satellite Town, Junior English High School Gharibabad and Moon Light School Gharibabad of Mirpurkhas have been suspended with immediate effect. 

The Director has also suspended the registration of Kainat Public High School, Marvi Public School, Superior Public School, The Scholar Public School and Mehran Public School Mirwah with immediate effect and sought for clarification within a period of seven days.

ABAD appreciates budget, desires more relief

 

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) has welcomed the recognition of the construction industry at the national level as their proposal was incorporated in the federal budget for the fiscal year 20015-16.

Addressing a press conference Junaid Ashraf Taloo, Chairman, Mohammad Hanif Memon, Vice Chairman, and Mohammad Hassan Bakhshi, Chairman, Southern Region, observed that for the first time the construction industry was given its due importance with the acceptance of the ABAD proposal in the federal budget. Zaigham Mahmood Rizvi, housing expert, and Saleem Kassim Patel, Convenor Budget Committee, were also present on the occasion. 

“If our proposals would have been accepted in total, it would have reduced the housing cost by 15% and increased in revenue collection of government,” they declared. Junaid Ashraf Taloo appreciated the Federal Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, for taking some positive steps for construction industry. 

“We would have witnessed phenomenal growth of the construction industry if all our proposals were accepted. Further it would have provided greater relief to common man regarding low cost houses,” the ABAD Chairman stated. 

“A few automatic re-rolling mills hold monopoly and they are selling the steel bars at a much higher rate. In the local market steel bars are being sold through cartellization at the rate of Rs.85,000 per ton,” he pointed out. 

He appealed to the government to allow import of steel bars to the ABAD members directly whose benefit will be passed on to common man. He asked the government to abolish Federal Excise Duty on sale of cement may be abolished. The ABAD had proposed that sales tax on cement be charged at ex-factory rate instead of the market rate. 

He urged the government to establish Mortgage Finance Board to boost the housing sector so that the shortage of 80 lacs houses was minimized, besides asking the authorities to abolish Provincial Services Sales Tax on builders since they were not classified as service providers. 

“The government has to provide discount in Mortgage Financing and the Markup should be decrease to 4% or 5%, it will improve the purchasing power of common man. The ban on gas connection should be lifted,” the ABAD Chairman appealed. 

The ABAD proposals also included the start of first phase of Motorway M-9 from Karachi instead of Hyderabad, allocation of funds for K-IV water project to solve the water problem of Karachi, and the fixation of markup on house finance @ 3% only.

PEC elections on June 14

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The candidate for the post of Senior Vice President (SVP) of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), Engr Inam Ahmed Osmani, and Engr Jamshed Rizvi, in a joint press conference, complained that the election rules were being violated and the polling stations were being set up in far flung areas of Karachi in order to devoid voters casting their votes. They demanded the polling stations to be set up in North Nazimabad, Federal B Area, PECHS and Burns Road in Karachi.

The governing body elections of the PEC are scheduled to be held on June 14 on all Pakistan basis to elect 46 members including Chairman and Senior Vice Chairman through right of franchise by 180,000 registered voters. 86,127 registered voters are in Punjab, 66,774 in Sindh, 24,751 in Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa and 4,921 in Baluchistan who could cast votes to elect candidates. 

Engr Osmani and Engr Rizvi remarked that the governing body of the PEC has taken the decision to set up one polling station for 1,000 voters and one polling booth for 200 to 250 voters and the location of polling station would be set up in easy approach. 

They regretted that instead the present administration of PEC has set up ten polling stations in Karachi to deprive voters of their right of fanchise. They revealed that the PEC administration has set up three polling stations for 4% voters in District Malir, four polling stations for 10% voters in District South, only one polling station for 47% voters in District Central, just one polling station for 28% voters of District East and one polling station for 5% voters of District West, while not a single polling station was set up in District Korangi. 

They alleged that the administration had intentionally selected polling station sites at far and difficult to reach places. They said that some candidates and voters met with the members of election committee PEC and acquainted the issue but all in vain. They demanded Minister of Science and Technology and Election Committee PEC to set up polling stations at North Nazimabad, Federal B Area, Burns Road according to number of voters. 

Engr Osmani and Engr Rizvi said that the election was being held under the biometric system, which was pleasing on one hand but it may also cause delay as under the procedure one voter would consume 4 to 5 minutes for casting vote. 

They contended that under this condition approximately not more than 120 votes would be cast in ten hours and more than 80% voters would be deprived of their right to vote under the plan of administration of PEC. They said that the governing body elected in 2011 was scheduled to expire on December 31, 2014 but it unilaterally extended period by one year, which was illegal and contravening the rules of the PEC. 

They added that under the constitution of the PEC only those engineers are entitled to cast vote those were registered by June 30 of the election year but the governing body on its own changed the registration date to May 14 and decided to hold election on June 14, instead of June 30. 

They said that on the other hand less polling were set up all over Pakistan and in Lahore alone 5 polling stations are set up for 17,900 voters, two polling station in Multan for 3,100 voters, three polling stations in Peshawar for 5,238 voters, three polling stations in Islamabad for 8,790 voters and just three polling stations for 7,930 voters of Rawalpindi. They felt that the election committee PEC was striving to prevent voters from casting their votes.

Pakistan Railways launch drive against ticketless passengers

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

In a massive drive against ticketless travellers in Karachi Division of the Pakistan Railways apprehended a record 11,205 passengers during the month of May 2015.

The drive was carried out by the Divisional Commercial Officer, Nasir Nazeer, on the directives of the Divisional Superintendent Engr Nisar Memon as a follow-up of instructions from the Federal Railways Minister, Khawaja Saad Rafiq, for rooting out the menace of ticketless traveling which was causing huge losses to the organization.

Accordingly, the DCO raided various trains and caught 11,205 ticketless passengers and recovered over Rs 10.008 million as fine and fare and deposited the same in the government exchequer. 

It may be mentioned here that during April 2015, in a similar action, the DCO had apprehended 10,985 ticketless passengers and recovered over Rs 8,516 million,

It may be recalled here that in during an intensive checking carried out in August 2014, DCO Nasir Nazeer had recovered a record over Rs 17.1 million from passengers who were caught traveling without ticket.

According to the DCO, during May 2015, the trains raided to detect ticketless travelers included Awam Express, Pakistan Express, Allama Iqbal Express, Kara Koram Express and other trains.

Meanwhile, the Railways authorities have appreciated the performance of the young and energetic Divisional Commercial Officer with the directive that this campaign should continue with still greater intensification to curb the menace of ticketless traveling.

SSUET board meets on June 13

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Board of Governors of the Sir Syed University of Engineering &Technology (SSUET), Karachi, is scheduled to meet on June 13, under the chairmanship of Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawaid H. Rizvi. 

The board meeting, due to commence at 6 pm, will accord approval to the university’s budget for the fiscal year 2015-16. It will also consider and give approval to the recommendations of the university’s Academic Council which earlier met and gave approval to the recommendations submitted by the Joint Board of Faculties and Board of Advance Studies and Research. 

The recommendations mainly concerned the courses of studies, Semester and admission rules for the purpose of inclusion in the prospectus for the academic year 2016. 

The SSUET Board of Governors comprises of eminent personalities like Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, Lt Gen (Rtd) Moinuddin Haider, Prof Dr Ata-ur-Rehman, Justice Sadiq Hussain Bhatti, President KCCI, Secretary Education and others.