Day: February 10, 2022

Islamabad, February 10, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Board of Investment (BOI), Pakistan, and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China, have signed the much-anticipated Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation under CPEC on Friday, 4th February 2022.

The Prime Minister, Imran Khan, held a one-to-one meeting with the Chairman, NDRC, He Lifeng, at Beijing on Friday to deliberate on the progress of CPEC projects, which was followed by the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement on Industrial Cooperation under CPEC.

The agreement that holds a paramount significance for CPEC Phase II and its future course of action has been inked between BOI and NDRC, the lead agencies on CPEC Industrial Cooperation. Minister of State and Chairman BOI, Muhammad Azfar Ahsan and He Lifeng, Chairman NDRC were the signatories of the agreement.

“Today marks the beginning of enhanced Pak-China Industrial Cooperation as BOI and NDRC have signed the much anticipated Framework Agreement under the witness of PM during his ongoing visit of China. This will be a quantum leap for CPEC and would steer Pakistan into a new era of industrialization.” Chairman BOI The CPEC Joint Working Group on Industrial Cooperation was established in 2016 and a MoU was signed between the parties in 2018.

With the passage of time and as CPEC entered its second phase, the need for a comprehensive Framework Agreement became imperative. Both sides reached the consensus on the elevation of the MoU into a Framework Agreement in 2020, whereby BOI took the lead by sharing the draft agreement with its Chinese counterpart to kick-start the negotiations. Concrete commitments have been formalized through the agreement whereby the Government of Pakistan will ensure concerted efforts for a conducive business environment and timely development of the SEZs.

The agreement reaffirms prioritized development and operations of the 9 CPEC SEZs, with primary focus on the early completion of Rashakai SEZ in KP, Allama Iqbal Industrial City in Punjab, Dhabeji SEZ in Sindh and Bostan SEZ in Balochistan. For colonization of these SEZs, business-to-business matchmaking mechanism of Pakistani and Chinese enterprises has also been emphasized which will proliferate the people-to-people and institution-to-institution linkages.

The BOI leadership, including Chairman, Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, and Secretary Fareena Mazhar expressed their contentment over this milestone event and strongly believe that tangible outcomes will be achieved in the future under the ambit of CPEC Industrial Cooperation.

Mr. Ahsan shared that the Chinese government showed keen interest in signing the document during PM’s visit which is testimony to the diligent efforts of both countries to foster industrial cooperation. He added that the Framework will expedite SEZs development and ensure relocation of Chinese industries to Pakistan through effective B2B matchmaking and that direct and indirect economic benefits for the country will also follow.

For more information, contact:
Head Office,
Board of Investment
Ataturk Avenue, G-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9224103
Fax: +92-51-9207030
Email: investpak@pakboi.gov.pk
Website: http://invest.gov.pk

Islamabad, February 10, 2022 (PPI-OT):Investment Facilitation Wing of the Board of Investment (BOI) hosted e-kachehry chaired by Secretary BOI Ms. Fareena Mazhar. Various investors and members of the business community reached out to BOI with their queries and suggestions. They termed e-kachehry a positive initiative of BOI and appreciated the BOI team for timely resolution of complaints and facilitating investors in every possible way.

Current and potential investors came forward with a host of queries ranging from branch and liaison office, tax exemption, company registrations, issuance of business visas etc. Some of them also inquired about possibilities of joint ventures in the IT sector.

A representative of Islamic Chamber of Commerce shared that OIC member countries should be tapped as they are potential investors for Pakistan. The Secretary agreed and asked him to share project specific proposals with BOI whilst assuring him of maximum support from BOI in this regard. A few overseas investors shared that they were looking forward to invest in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), meat processing, livestock, tourism and hospitality sector of Pakistan.

Ms. Fareena briefed the investors about incentives offered to investors in SEZs and in Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and encouraged them to explore the business opportunities. She also informed them about the Global Investment Summit that is being organized by BOI end of March and invited them to participate. Secretary and BOI Officers promptly addressed majority of queries raised during the session.

As for issues pertaining to other departments, Ms. Fareena assured of their immediate communication to the concerned and devising a follow up mechanism for efficient resolution. The session continued for two hours and was a successful feat in regards to public outreach. Speaking to the relevant audiences via zoom and telephone, Ms. Fareena encouraged investors to share their project proposals and observations with the Board of Investment (BOI) for further coordination on matters of importance.

Additional Secretary Khasee-ur-Rehman, Director General Suriya Jamal and several other officers of BOI were also part of the Kachehry while regional BOI offices participated in the session virtually. The activity focused on strengthening of public trust and bolstering ties between government’s machinery and investors.

For more information, contact:
Head Office,
Board of Investment
Ataturk Avenue, G-5/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9224103
Fax: +92-51-9207030
Email: investpak@pakboi.gov.pk
Website: http://invest.gov.pk

Islamabad, February 10, 2022 (PPI-OT):Today, at a joint inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry of Narcotics Control, Government of Pakistan, Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Narcotics Control, in coordination with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) under the Japan-funded Border Security Project, offered his gratitude to the Government of Japan for its continuous official development assistance in Pakistan, as an old-time friend and a strategic partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

The inauguration ceremony was focused on prefabricated buildings donated to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, as well as body scanners which were already operational at the Multan, Sialkot, and Faisalabad International Airports. These facilities and equipment have been provided to the ANF under a UNODC project funded by the Government of Japan, entitled ‘Strengthening border security against illicit drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime (April 2016 – December 2021).

The inauguration ceremony was attended by His Excellency (H.E.) Mitsuhiro Wada, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Pakistan, Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam, Federal Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control, Dr. Jeremy Milsom, Representative of UNODC Country Office Pakistan (COPAK) and senior officials from the Ministry of Narcotics Control, ANF, the Embassy of Japan, and UNODC COPAK.

While welcoming the delegates, Dr. Milsom thanked Federal Secretary Imam and Ambassador Wada for their presence at the gracious occasion and their understanding in conducting this important event at the Ministry following strict SOPs, due to the prevailing COVID situation in the country.

He also recognized ANF’s whole-hearted counter-narcotics operations efforts and reiterated his utmost respect for all the ANF personnel who had laid down their precious lives in the fight against drugs and illicit crime in various parts of the country.

Dr. Milsom reiterated that “UNODC well recognizes ANF’s leading counter-narcotics role, and it will always remain our crucial partner in Pakistan. We also believe that multi-dimensional roles and cross-cutting mandates of various national stakeholders can be used as a force-multiplier, to address risks and challenges of drug trafficking in Pakistan”.

Mr. Saqib Khan – Programme Officer (Border Management) and Mr. Sajid Aziz Aslam, Senior Manager Training Development of UNODC COPAK highlighted the specificity of the ANF prefabricated facilities and the three body-scanner, which have already been operationalized by the ANF.

Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam, Federal Secretary Ministry of Narcotics Control, thanked the Embassy of Japan and UNODC COPAK for successfully implementing the capacity-building activities under the 5-year project that commenced in April 2016.

He also highlighted the emerging misuse of the internet for drug peddling and money-laundering, a predicate crime and a growing challenge for the rule of law and socio-economic development. “We highly appreciate the continuing capacity-building interventions by UNODC – our closest strategic partner in the UN family.

The ANF continues its leading counter-narcotics efforts not only in Pakistan, but we have also facilitated drug interdiction operations together with our international partners, through sharing of timely and accurate information. Following the drastic political changes in Afghanistan and its impact on the wider region, the Government of Pakistan continues its efforts to strengthen peace and socio-economic stability in Afghanistan.

While remaining cognizant of the impact of this situation in terms of drug production and trafficking from Afghanistan, the ANF has executed several drug interdiction operations to nab Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) existing in our region, that continue attempts to exploit Pakistan’s geographical location next to Afghanistan and the shortest distance it provides to the international maritime routes”, stated Dr. Kaleem Imam.

While concluding the inauguration ceremony, H.E. Mitsuhiro Wada, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Pakistan, highly appreciated the substantial efforts provided by UNODC, the Ministry of Narcotics Control, and the ANF in this project funded by Japan.

“We understand that these contributions have greatly assisted the Government of Pakistan in its path to achieving a drug-free state. Ensuring stability and peace are central to realizing sustainable development in Pakistan, and we are honoured to be part of this great journey.

We truly appreciate the dedication demonstrated by the ANF and other border law enforcement agencies in the line of duty, to combat illicit drug trafficking and associated money laundering more effectively”, expressed Ambassador Wada.

The ANF’s concerted counter-narcotics efforts had resulted in record-high drug seizures during 2020 and have had a wider impact beyond Pakistan’s borders. These efforts have been supported through capacity-building implemented by the UNODC, with the aim of creating a safe community free from the menace of drug trafficking and related transnational organized crime.

In the current geopolitical situation in Afghanistan, there remains a need for continuous capacity-building support, to address the emerging trends and challenges more effectively, such as the Afghan-origin opiates, New Psychotropic Substances (NPS), and synthetic drugs flowing into Pakistan. It could help in further stabilizing peace and socio-economic development in Pakistan and the wider region.

For more information, contact:
Embassy of Japan in Pakistan
53-70, Ramna 5/4, Diplomatic Enclave 1,
Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9072500
Fax: +92-51-9072352
Email: culture@ib.mofa.go.jp
Website: http://www.pk.emb-japan.go.jp

Islamabad, February 10, 2022 (PPI-OT):U.S. donations of COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan surpassed 50 million doses this week, as Washington continues its commitment to deliver life-saving vaccines to the people of Pakistan. “With the shipment of an additional 4.7 million Pfizer vaccine doses this week, U.S.-donated vaccines to Pakistan have now reached over 52 million,” said U.S. Embassy Islamabad’s Charge d’affaires Angela P. Aggeler.

The United States delivered the most recent tranche of 4.7 million Pfizer vaccine doses to Pakistan late last week, bringing the total to over 52 million U.S.-donated COVID-19 vaccine doses to Pakistan. Charge Aggeler said the United States, as the single largest contributor in support of COVAX efforts, continues to work with Pakistan to improve infection prevention and control and enhance patient care and is also supporting Pakistan to expand its capacity to deal with diseases in the future.

“This shows our important partnership with Pakistan to improve this country’s national health infrastructure,” she said. “I especially congratulate the Government of Pakistan for administering a record-breaking 2 million vaccines in one day and 187.9 million vaccines overall,” she added. “With these remarkable efforts, the United States and Pakistan can make real progress together in addressing the scourge of COVID-19 across the globe.”

In addition to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the United States has also provided Pakistan with more than 1.2 million N95 masks, 96,000 surgical masks, 52,000 protective goggles, one million COVID-19 rapid diagnostic tests, 1,200 pulse oximeters, and 200 ventilators for 64 Pakistani hospitals.

The U.S. government also trained over 30,000 female health workers across Pakistan on home-based care for COVID-19 patients and established a national network of disease surveillance and response units and teams. This is all part of the nearly $70 million the U.S. government has donated to assist the Pakistani people in the fight against COVID-19.

For more information, contact:
Spokesman
Information Office Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
U.S. Embassy, Islamabad- Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2082911, +92-51-2081136
Cell: +92-300-5012640
Fax: +92-51-2278607
Email: webmasterisb@state.gov

Islamabad, February 10, 2022 (PPI-OT):The IGP said that the purpose of holding these khuli katcheries is to resolve public issues immediately and purely on merit. The IGP while listening public complaints strictly directed all zonal officers to take immediate and strict action against land grabbers. “No one would be allowed to grab property of any citizen” he added.

Islamabad police chief said that it is our prime responsibility to provide protection to the lives and property of the citizens and resolve their problems on priority. He said that citizens at ‘Open Court’ should be behaved in a respectful manner and their trust on police department to be won through resolving their issues. He said that interaction with people also ensures accountability of the policemen and they should address public complaints on merit by considering them their own issues.

He said that positive image of policemen should be ensured before them through unbiased approach towards anyone. The IGP hoped that interaction during ‘open kutcheries’ would help to promote friendly policing. Such interaction with citizens are aimed to promote community policing, resolve the issues of people at their door steps through merit and curb activities of anti-social elements, he added.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Police
Data centre H-11, Admin Block,
Police Head Quarter, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9258371 Ext (160)
Fax: +92-51-4443180
Email: webmaster@islamabadpolice.gov.pk
Website: https://islamabadpolice.gov.pk

Lahore, February 10, 2022 (PPI-OT):Inspector General of Police Punjab Rao Sardar Ali Khan has taken notice of the murder of nephew of Naib Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami in Muzaffargarh and sought a report from RPO Dera Ghazi Khan. Orders have been issued to form special teams for the arrest of the accused and to maintain close contact with the family of the deceased. IG Punjab has also issued orders to arrest the accused and punish them by using all available resources to provide justice to the family of the deceased.

For more information, contact:
Punjab Police
Punjab Police Computer Bureau,
5th Floor, Central Police Office (CPO),
Punjab, Lahore
Tel: +92-42-99213019, +92-42-99213013
Fax: +92-42-99213012
Email: sapcb@punjabpolice.gov.pk
Website: www.punjabpolice.gov.pk