Day: January 25, 2022

Islamabad, January 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):A meeting was held on Monday at HEC Secretariat between Engr. Muhammad Najeeb Haroon MNA, Chairman, Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and Mr. Tariq Banuri, Chairman, Higher Education Commission (HEC) regarding the service structure of engineers and technologists.

Both the organizations expressed their commitment to work expeditiously for finalization of respective service structures for both engineers and technologists. It was expressed by the Heads of PEC and HEC that demand for separate service structures by engineers and technologists in their respective domain/cadre is a legitimate requirement to play their intended role in the engineering profession and thereby the socio-economic development of the country.

It was stressed to take all important and necessary actions in the country’s interest. Both organizations reiterated that the interests of engineers and technologists would be safeguarded in a balanced and nuanced manner.

For more information, contact:
Director (Media)
Higher Education Commission, Pakistan (HEC)
Sector H-9, Islamabad
Tel: +92-51-90402404, +92-51-90402412
Email: aikram@hec.gov.pk
Website: www.hec.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):28th meeting of the Standing Committee on Commerce was held today, in the Parliament House, Islamabad, under the Chairmanship of Syed Naveed Qamar, MNA. On an agenda item relating to Starred Question No. 89, moved by Ms. Shagufta Jumani MNA, the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce informed the committee that all the Businessmen who travelled to Uzbekistan with an official trip, paid their own expenses.

The mover asked number of question and expressed its dissatisfaction on the replies regarding the details of payments made by the delegation and the criteria for the selection of delegates. The Committee deferred the agenda item for its next meeting.

On another agenda item relating to Starred Question No. 88, asked by Mr. Ali Gohar Khan, MNA, the mover and the Committee Members observed that Ministry did not give any correct answer according to Starred Question. The Chair directed the Ministry to prepare answers according to the asked question. The Committee deferred the agenda item for the next meeting of the Committee.

The Chair took serious notice of the absence of the Secretary and Advisor, Ministry of Commerce. The Committee deferred all its Business including discussion on PSPD for the financial year 2022-23 of the Ministry and adjourned the meeting. The Committee unanimously approved the minutes of its previous meeting.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Muhammad Yaqoob Shaikh, Ms. Wajiha Akram, Ms. Sajida Begum, Rana Iradat Sharif Khan, Mrs. Tahira Aurangzeb, Ms. Shaza Fatima Khawaja and Syed Javed Ali Shah Jelani, MNAs. The meeting was also attended by Ms. Shagufta Jumani and Mr. Gohar Ali Khan, MNAs/Mover.

For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa says initiative for developing football infrastructure and young talent in Pakistan is a welcome step. Talking to Football legend Michael Owen on Tuesday, he said sports are source of promoting peace. He also appreciated efforts made by Michael Owen for promoting sports, particularly, football. The Army Chief also expressed gratitude to Football legend for visiting Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Imran Khan says 88,000 housing units will be completed this year under Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of PHA Officers Residencies at Kurri Road and PHA Apartments at I-16-3 in Islamabad on Tuesday. Prime Minister Imran Khan says government has started mortgage scheme for the salaried class keeping in view shortage of housing facilities in the country.

The Prime Minister said banks have been asked to provide housing loans so that people can have their own house by paying easy installments. He said housing projects worth 124 billion rupees have been started in last few months, while banks have approved loan worth 40 billion rupees for this purpose. Imran Khan congratulated the Ministry of Housing for completing housing projects in three years, which had been delayed for 12 years.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 25, 2022 (PPI-OT): The Senate was informed today (Tuesday) that the country’s foreign exchange reserves are touching twenty billion dollars as a result of effective policies of the government. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan told the house during question hour that our exports and growth rate are at record levels and the current account deficit is being reduced.

Acknowledging the issue of inflation, he said efforts are afoot to control it in the next three to four months. He said we have enhanced tax on import of luxury items under the Finance Supplementary Bill, 2021. He said initiatives have been taken to encourage local assembly of mobile phones, production of LED TVs and new investments in ceramic and tiles industry for import substitution.

Responding to a supplementary question, Ali Muhammad Khan said the government is investing in new varieties of cotton seeds in order to bolster its production. He pointed out there has been record production of wheat besides a record sale of tractors is also being witnessed.

Ali Muhammad Khan told the house that the volume of e-commerce has increased by one hundred and fifteen percent. Highlighting the scope of e-commerce in the country, he said this will also be linked up with the Special Economic Zones (SEZs).

Responding to a calling attention notice, Minister for Communications Murad Saeed said Prime Minister Imran Khan will perform the ground-breaking of Karachi-Quetta-Chaman highway N-25 next month. He said a contract has been awarded for the construction of the first section of 330 kilometers of this highway. He said the Dualization of this highway will become reality under the present government.

The Minister for Communications said the present government is currently executing road infrastructure projects of three thousand and eight hundred kilometers in Balochistan. Murad Saeed said we have completed road projects of 2032 kilometers across the country over the last three years.

Responding to another calling attention notice, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan said the economy is now on upward trajectory. He said there has been a significant increase in exports in the first six months of the current fiscal year with twenty five percent increase in exports of agricultural products. He said despite Covid-19, our economy has grown by 5.37 percent. He strongly criticized the economic policies of the previous government. The house has now been adjourned to meet on Friday at 10:30 am.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk

Islamabad, January 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Prime Minister Imran Khan has emphasized that all efforts must be made to increase bilateral trade relations through making optimal use of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement. He was talking to Minister of Trade of Sri Lanka Dr Bandula Gunawardhana and State Minister for Regional Cooperation, Mr Tharaka Balasuriya, who paid a courtesy call on him in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Fondly recalling his visit to Sri Lanka last year, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the strong fraternal relations that exist between the two countries. Stressing on the importance of regular high-level exchanges in strengthening bilateral cooperation the Prime Minister appreciated the initiative of Dr. Gunawardhana to visit Pakistan along with a business delegation.

Referring to the strong cultural bond between Pakistan and Sri the Prime Minister invited the attention of the visiting delegation on the rich Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan, and expressed hope that more Sri Lankans will come to the country for religious tourism. Dr Bandula Gunawardhana thanked the Prime Minster for extending warm hospitality and goodwill towards Sri Lanka.

He expressed keen desire to expand cooperation with Pakistan in diverse areas of trade, Islamabad Capital Territory, pharmaceuticals, minerals, textiles, education, defence, tourism, human resource development through Business to Business contacts, joint ventures, investments in high potential sectors and technology transfers. Dr Gunawardhana and Mr Balasuriya along with a Sri Lankan Business delegation are currently visiting Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk