Day: June 21, 2024

Balochistan budget for next fiscal year will be presented in provincial assembly in Quetta on Friday. Finance Minister Mir Shoaib Nosherwani will present budgetary proposals in the provincial assembly at 04:00 pm. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain has said the government is committed to support the fertilizer industry for the uplift of farmers. He was talking to a delegation of All Pakistan Fertilizer Dealers Association, which called on him under the leadership of Chairman Ghulam Ahmed in Islamabad today. The delegation apprised the Minister about the concerns of retailers on implementation of withholding tax on sales. The delegation of Fertilizer Dealers Association also sought support from the Minister of Industries and Production to take up the matter with the relevant authorities to support the fertilizer industry. Speaking on the occasion, Rana Tanveer Hussain informed the delegation that increasing the tax base to generate revenue for the country is the top priority of the government. He assured that suggestions presented by the delegation will be submitted to the authorities concerned for due consideration. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Chaudhry Salik Hussain has visited Main Control Office of the Pakistan Hajj Mission in Madinah and got briefing on arrangements for the post-Hajj operation. Radio Pakistan Correspondent in Saudi Arabia, Bilal Khan Mehsud reports that during the month-long post-Hajj flight operation, approximately 160,000 Pakistani pilgrims will be transported from King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah to major cities in Pakistan. Director Zia-ur-Rehman of Madinah MCO briefed the minister on the arrangements made to facilitate Pakistani pilgrims visiting the Prophet's city after performing Hajj at holy sites in Makkah, including Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifa. The director emphasized the priority of facilitating pilgrims' visits to Riaz-ul-Jannah. The minister took round of various sections of the MCO, including the Lost and Found Cell, Madinah Departure Cell, Complaint Centre and the adjacent main hospital. He commended the dedicated staff of Madinah for their round-the-clock service to the guests of Allah Almighty. Chaudhry Salik praised the Saudi government's arrangements for ensuring a smooth Hajj operation, particularly the initiative of "no Hajj without a permit," which significantly reduced the burden on Makatib during the Hajj days. Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima says government is taking effective steps for the promotion of Information and Communication Technology in the country. She was talking Chief Executive Officer Huawei, Pakistan Ethan Sun in Islamabad. During the meeting, views were exchanged on digitalization, IT and Telecom infrastructure and skills development. She said under the vision of the Prime Minister of Pakistan youth of the country are being given training in information technology. Shaza Fatima said government wants Huawei to assist in launching one-stop service platform for registering businesses and quick services delivery to citizens. Source: Radio Pakistan

The National Assembly is continuing discussion on the budget for the year 2024-25. Taking part in the discussion, Dr. Farooq Sattar stressed the need to do away from the continuity of traditional budgeting and suggested that deliberate efforts should be made to make the budget pro-people and pro-business for sustainable growth. He said there should be a difference between an overtaxed or wrongly-taxed budget and growth-oriented budget. Farooq Sattar said exorbitantly higher prices of electricity, gas, potable water and petroleum are the fundamental issues of the common people, which need to be addressed on priority basis. He said agricultural income of feudal and big landlords should be brought under the tax next instead of overburdening the salaried class with more taxes. Asia Naz Tanoli said whenever Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz has come to power, it always gave priority to safeguard state's interests instead of party politics. She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conducted successful visits to var ious countries and launched the second phase of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. She expressed the confidence that the country will make progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. She also demanded the government to extend metro bus service from Rawalpindi to Taxila. Umar Farooq suggested that more relief should be given to farmers and their produce should be procured at compatible rates. He also proposed immediate withdrawal of tax on packed milk. Raja Khurram Shahzad Nawaz suggested that better travel, education and health facilities should be provided to the residents of the federal capital. He also stressed the need to address the issue of potable water in Islamabad. He proposed to withdraw capital gain tax on the real estate business in the Islamabad Capital Territory. Zulfiqar Ali Bhatti urged all the politicians to get united and lodge joint efforts to steer the country out of crises. Sajid Khan proposed to open all the twelve routes with Afghanistan for trade. He said the un due taxes imposed on merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa either by the federal or the provincial government should be withdrawn. Shahram Khan suggested that the enhanced sales tax on pharmaceuticals should be taken back. Jamal Shah Kakar said corruption and smuggling have become cancerous in the country and the dream for development and progress cannot be materialized without eliminating this menace. He said funds should be allocated to address issues of Balochistan pertaining to water, gas, electricity, infrastructure as well as law and order. He said more NADRA centres should be opened in Balochistan to facilitate common people. Mujahid Ali Khan emphasized the need to construct more dams to produce affordable hydel energy to address the issue of power shortage in the country. Mian Khan Bugti highlighted Balochistan's issues pertaining to road infrastructure, electricity, water and gas as well as law and order. Shamsher Ali Mazari proposed to allocate funds for the Dajal Canal project. He said elemen ts involved in electricity theft should be nabbed instead of carrying out load-shedding for a whole area. Those, who spoke on the occasion, also include Rana Atif, Amjad Ali Khan, Arshad Abdullah Vohra, Muhammad Ahmed Chattha, Anwar Taj, Khurram Shahzad Virk, Usama Ahmed Mela, Shahid Ahmed, Ihsan Ullah Virk, Abdul Latif, Sohail Sultan, and Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah. The House will now meet tomorrow at 11 a.m. Source: Radio Pakistan

Ambassador of Pakistan to Mexico, Shozab Abbas has presented his credentials to President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) at ceremony held in the presidential palace in Mexico City. During his meeting with President López Obrador, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral diplomatic, political, economic, and scientific relations between Pakistan and Mexico. He highlighted the potential for enhanced cooperation in various sectors, reaffirming the commitment of both nations to deepen their ties. He recalled historic cooperation between Mexico and Pakistan during the 1960s Green Revolution, initiated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This period witnessed collaborative efforts between agro-scientists from both countries, leading to the development of the high-yield wheat variety known as Mexi-pak. The Ambassador Abbas congratulated President López Obrador on the successful elections held this month. He advocated for the reopening of the Mexican embas sy in Islamabad, a move that President López Obrador principally agreed to. Pakistan and Mexico enjoy cordial relations and support a consensus on United Nations Security Council reforms. However, high-level political interactions are essential to further promote bilateral relations and bring the people of both countries closer together in areas of mutual interest. Source: Radio Pakistan

All the mainstream political parties of Pakistan have displayed exemplary consensus to back the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. The leaders while speaking at the CPEC Pakistan-China Political Parties Forum and 3rd Meeting of CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultative Mechanism in Islamabad today reiterated their unwavering commitment to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China by thwarting all nefarious designs. Besides Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the senior leadership of all major political parties including MQM's Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Maulana Fazlur Rehman of JUI-F, Hina Rabbani Khar of PPP, Senator Syed Ali Zafar, Munazza Hassan of Istehkam Pakistan Party, National Party's Senator Jan Muhammad, senior politicians Afrasiab Khattak and others attended the event. Addressing the JCM, Chairman Senate Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said all the political parties are committed to CPEC as it promoted collaboration in heal th, education, information technology and other sectors besides its contribution to addressing the power woes of the country. He urged both sides to work together for a green and resilient future besides strengthening partnership in education and tourism sectors. National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said the Parliamentary Committee on CPEC ensured vigilant oversight of the government and followed up on the progress of the projects under CPEC through regular reporting to the Parliament of Pakistan. He reaffirmed the resolve of the parliament, government, and people of Pakistan to build on past successes and in ensuring that CPEC reaches its full potential. JUI-Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman expressed gratitude to the Chinese leadership for their unconditional support of the Kashmir cause and reiterated Pakistan's support on the Taiwan issue. Minister for Federal Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Munazza Hassan called for an enhanced focus on education, information technology and artificial intelligence t o harness the youth's potential. Syed Ali Zafar called for accelerating CPEC projects while Chairman of Pakistan-China Institute Mushahid Hussain Sayed reiterated the political parties' commitment to take the CPEC-II forward. National Party's Senator Jan Muhammad called for technical training of Balochistan's youth, while Afrasiab Khattak cautioned against the designs of the hegemonic forces in the region trying to disrupt peace. Source: Radio Pakistan

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has reaffirmed Pakistan's commitment to enhance people to people linkages with China to deepen the sentiments of mutual respect, trust and understanding between the two countries. Delivering his speech at China-Pakistan Political Parties Forum and the Third Meeting of the CPEC Political Parties Joint Consultation Mechanism in Islamabad today, he said Pakistan-China friendship is a relationship of the past, the present and the future. He said our strategic trust is unshakeable and nothing can undo it. The Deputy Prime Minister said this meeting is a manifestation of a shared commitment to preserve and protect this relationship from the vagaries of the national, regional and international politics. Ishaq Dar said there is a complete unanimity amongst all political parties in Pakistan on CPEC's importance for Pakistan's economic growth and sustainable development. The Deputy Prime Minister said the CPEC is not merely a symbol of Pakistan-China friendship. It is a shining emblem of a new vision for international cooperation. He said the people of Pakistan will never forget China's support in crucial times. Referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's recent visit to China, Ishaq Dar said there was renewed consensus on upgradation of the corridor project. He said we are prioritizing industry, modern agriculture, Information Technology and mining and minerals. In his remarks on the occasion, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Liu Jianchao said his country is determined to build the upgraded version of CPEC. He said China and Pakistan will always stand shoulder to shoulder to forge a stronger and more solid all weather strategic partnership. Liu Jianchao said the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will invite three hundred representatives of political parties to visit Pakistan in the next three years. He said we should create more platforms for China P akistan practical cooperation to better design our national development strategies. He said we are also ready to work with the political parties of Pakistan to promote exchanges at different levels including the youth, media, think tanks and academia to pass on this friendship to future generations. Liu Jianchao said the determination of our leaders to strengthen the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership sends out a clear signal to the rest of the world that China Pakistan friendship is unbreakable. He said both the countries enjoy a solid foundation and there are great prospects of synergizing development strategies and strengthen the mutually beneficial cooperation. In his remarks, Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal stressed that CPEC serves as a beacon of stability, regional integration, and economic interdependence. He said the development of Gwadar Port, a crucial component of CPEC, was noted for its strategic significance, providing China direct access to the Arabian Sea and pr omising economic revitalization for Pakistan. He said Phase II of CPEC aims to enhance Pakistan's manufacturing capacity through industrial cooperation, attracting Chinese investment, and relocating industrial units to Special Economic Zones. Ahsan Iqbal said the two countries have agreed to expedite initiatives for modernizing Pakistan's agricultural sector with advanced technologies. Cooperation will also extend to B2B links, industrial cooperation, science and technology, artificial intelligence, and exploration of offshore oil and gas resources. The Minister for Planning said the Government is committed to ensuring the security of Chinese personnel working in Pakistan. He said measures have been implemented to provide foolproof security, and continuous updates are shared with the Chinese Embassy regarding these actions. Source: Radio Pakistan