Category: Pakistan

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Seed Association of Pakistan (SAP) has demanded that SAP should be given representation on the Provincial Seed Councils. In a letter written by the SAP Chairman Chaudhry Asif Ali to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Asif said claimed that the SAP had not been consulted in recent exercise of the government to amend the Seed Rules and the move of categorizing the seed companies on the basis of Tehsil, District, Provincial and National levels or placing performance guarantees on the seed companies is tantamount to restrict the business. He added that every Pakistani should be entitled to do business at any location. The letter said most of the companies producing the “certified seed” are located within Punjab and sell seed across other provinces. The letter further said varietal evaluation system is currently at the provincial level and needs to the moved to the National Seed Council. Moreover the criteria for the evaluation of the varieties need to be revised.

The varietal evaluation system at the National Seed Council level will ensure harmonious approval system for companies across the country and allow the private sector a higher success rate for bringing new varieties. Similarly, the Association said despite the National Cotton Varietal Trials, the provincial authorities conduct the spot examinations which is a visual observation and not a scientific/ statistical method for evaluation. Moreover, it is conducted at a location in Khanewal which is no longer the hub for best cotton varieties.

It further said that income out of sale of seeds be exempted from levy of Income Tax under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 through second schedule, alternatively the turnover derived from sale of seed be exempted from levy of minimum tax as allowed in several other cases under clause (11A) of Part-IV of Second Schedule to the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001 or at the minimum the tax on turnover should not be greater than 0.2%. Since the budget preparation will commence soon it is an appropriate time to propose the amendment in Clause (11A) Part IV of the Second Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, the letter added. SAP further said that the public research institutions should be restricted from auctioning or charging royalties on the varieties developed by them.

These institutions are funded by the public money and everyone should be entitled to have access to their research without prejudice. Similarly, it proposed that fees for testing of new seed varieties which are not charged from the public sector should also not be charged from the private sector to provide a level playing field. The letter further submitted that despite that the fact that DNA fingerprinting is not a part of the registration of seed varieties under the Seed Act, however the Federal and Provincial Authorities have started implementation of the DNA fingerprinting for the registration of the varieties. This not only adds cost of the registration of new varieties but also further burdens the company’s with additional documentation. This condition should be removed to ensure ease of business.

 

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Mr. Fawad Chaudhry said that as far as the situation of COVID is concerned, there is a crisis but no panic. He was in a webinar discussion held from the CPG Dialogue platform titled ‘Pakistan at the Crossroads’ with Muhammad Azfar Ahsan, Founder of Corporate Pakistan Group (CPG) and Nutshell Group.

Speaking at the webinar he said, “When the first wave struck, we were totally unprepared and were not making any of the required apparatus etc. locally, but in the past two years we have learned a lot and prepared ourselves, so we are tackling the situation even though we are facing the highest percentage that is 11%.”

Commenting on vaccinations in the country he mentioned that so far over 1.8 million people have been vaccinated in Pakistan. “Our first target is to vaccinate 26 million people and later scale it to 100 million individuals for vaccines in the second phase.”

The Minister was concerned about the increasing danger as the end of Ramadan is close where people usually flock at mosques and shopping centers; he expressed hope that people at large will act sensibly and consider the gravity of the situation.

He said he was thankful to the organizers of Raiwind annual congregation for cancelling their event. About shortages of vaccines, he said the government is making every effort to acquire them but at the moment only two countries – China and Russia – are exporting as India has stopped export of vaccines due to its current situation.

Fawad Chaudhry also talked about the Information Ministry and said that he is determined to revamp the ministry and its operations by bringing about structural changes. Expressing his views about The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), he said that APP needs to be digitalized to bring it at par with news agencies like Reuters, AFP and others in order to cope with the global challenges.

On a question by Azfar regarding image marketing of Pakistan as part of the Information Ministry responsibilities Fawad Chaudhry pointed out the paucity of capable human resources. On the subject of improving local talk shows he said he cannot interfere with private channels. He also pointed out that in other countries sports get the majority of advertisements followed by entertainment shows and politics, but in Pakistan it is quite the contrary.

Answering a question about entering into negotiations with TLP after declaring it banned, he said not only the government, but businesses should also stop supporting organizations that resort to violence. He said it is a formidable task and all concerned departments are looking into this.

In response to a question about any hope of improvement in Karachi he said that unfortunately after the 18^th Amendment, it is not possible for the Federal Government to intervene much, and Sindh Government has no appetite for development of Karachi. He said that the Rangers have been in Karachi since 1990 and the Sindh Government pays them a hefty amount each year but has not been able to develop its own police force yet. He also iterated that Governor rule is not possible after 18^th Amendment.

About India Pakistan relations Mr. Chaudhry said India need to show solid steps that includes reversal of Kashmir to original position as we cannot make peace by ignoring people of Indian occupied Kashmir  

Answering a question about election manifesto points accomplished by PTI in the last three years he said that the first priority was making sure that the law is the same for the powerful as well as the weak; then the promised housing projects which are underway, and the EHSAAS program were undertaken.

To watch full interview, click on the link: https://youtu.be/QY26u8_Slgo

NUT (WEB DESK) The interior ministry has issued a notification allowing the provinces and federal territories to seek the help of the army to enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for curbing the spread of the coronavirus.

In a video message on Sunday, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid said as per the notification Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Islamabad will avail the services of the Pakistan Army for implementation of Covid-19 SOPs “as per their need”. He said Sindh had not opted to be part of the measure for now.

He added that this was a “big decision” taken because neighbouring India was reporting 350,000 or more Covid cases on a daily basis.

The minister said the Pakistan Army had always stood with the people when floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters hit the country, therefore, it was decided during a meeting of the National Coordination Committee (NCC) to seek the army’s services to enforce the coronavirus SOPs.

Meanwhile, the GB Home Department issued a notification for the deployment of army and Rangers personnel in cities with a Covid-19 positivity rate of more than five per cent. It also banned dining at restaurants and closed all parks in the region.

On Friday, Prime Minister Imran Khan said he had asked the Pakistan Army to assist the police and law enforcement agencies in enforcing Covid-19 SOPs, warning that Pakistan may soon be facing a situation similar to India if the current trend continued.

Addressing the nation after a meeting of the NCC, he said: “I am appealing to you to follow SOPs so that we don’t have to take steps that India is taking which means imposing lockdowns. Half the problem is solved when you wear face masks.”

A day later, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government requested the federal government to authorise the deployment of armed forces and civil armed forces in the province to ensure effective implementation of the Covid-19 guidelines

Likewise, the Balochistan government said the army would be called in if the people did not follow the SOPs to save them from the deadly virus.

NUT (Web Desk) Punjab government on Saturday sought deployment of Pakistan Army in five of its districts in order to effectively enforce COVID-19 SOPs in the province that has so far remained worst affected by the pandemic.

According to sources privy to the matter, the home ministry Punjab has written a letter to the interior ministry, seeking deployment of five companies of the military in the province to ensure SOPs implementation alongside district administration.

 The sources further claimed that the interior ministry has approved the deployment and the personnel of Pakistan Army would be deployed at five districts including Lahore.

Special Assistant to Chief Minister (SACM) Punjab Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan also confirmed the move saying that they had submitted a requisition for Pakistan Army deployment.

“The armed forces will work alongside police and civil administration in major cities of the province,” she said while confirming that Punjab has witnessed a worsening trend of COVID spread.

Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the deployment will take place the next week.

Prime Minister Khan announced that the government will seek the Pakistan Army’s help to enforce the SOPs.Warning that Pakistan could face the same situation as in India, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday appealed to the public to adhere to the government-prescribed SOPs to control the third wave of the coronavirus.

Islamabad (Muhammad Yasir) Shifa Foundation has launched Food for Daily Wagers Campaign for the needy and poor families including widows, daily wagers, elders who can’t afford and need help. The food package of 35KG each has been provided to the families in Islamabad and Jehlum. Under the food distribution package, Shifa Foundation has planned to provide food packs to as many as Two Thousand families in other cities. The food package includes flour, oil, sugar, tea, rice, seeds, dates, salt and soft drinks. Mr. Adil Rauf, Manager Outreach and Community Engagement, Shifa Foundation said that, Shifa Foundation distribute food package among the needy families every year and ensure that the deserving families get best quality food items. Shifa Foundation adopted a theme “Lockdown Mei Neiki Ko Unlock Kro” and nvite other institutions and philanthropists to join in this noble cause through Zakat and donations so that a large number of households could be served. The food distribution will continue in different cities throughout the month of Ramadan.

 

Study of 24 countries shows the pandemic is prompting billions¹ to consider more sustainable behaviors

 

• 80% of adults in the Middle East are more mindful of their impact on the environment since COVID-19, far higher than global average of 3 in 5 adults

 

• Almost three quarters of adults (72%) in the region admit companies behaving in more sustainable and eco-friendly ways is more important than before the pandemic

Lahore (Muhammad Yasir) As Earth Day is observed around the world today, new research on sustainability, commissioned by Mastercard, reveals a marked increase in consumer passion for the environment, as personal attitudes toward the environment evolve as a result of COVID-19.

In the Middle East region, 9 in 10 people, stated that they’re willing to take personal action to combat environmental and sustainability issues. This compares to 8 in 10 globally. Over 80% of adults in the Middle East also said they are even more mindful of their impact on the environment since COVID-19.

Social media seems to be driving an increase of environmentally conscious consumers, especially among Gen-Z, with 43% globally seeing social media posts from influential people showcasing climate change or environmental issues since the beginning of the pandemic. Additionally, almost a quarter (24%) of the global respondents say social media has made them more aware of their environmental and sustainable choices.

This signals a growing trend toward eco-conscious spending and consumption among people who want to turn their efforts and purchases into meaningful action for the planet.

Eco-actions essential for forward-thinking brands and businesses

Over 72% of adults in the Middle East think it’s now more important for businesses and brands to do more for the environment, and over 25% said they are going to stop using or buying from brands that do not have a plan to help the environment or behave sustainably. Nearly 15% admitted that for the first time, they have boycotted companies that have not adopted sustainable values.

Buying less impulsively by being more aware of purchases is the top change regional respondents will make as a result from COVID-19.

Specifically, respondents in the Middle East region highlighted the top three issues they want companies and brands to focus on, besides dealing with the pandemic. They want brands to focus on the health and wellbeing of their employees, reduce air and water pollution, and offer more sustainable and durable products.

“Companies, consumers and communities must work together to make the significant changes needed to effectively address climate change,” said Jorn Lambert, Chief Digital Officer, Mastercard. “By embedding sustainability into the very fabric of our business – from pay-on-demand solar energy products to tools that help inform consumer spending – we can unlock the power of our network, reaching billions of consumers and partners, to create positive change for the environment.”

Eco-conscious consumers more aware of their actions

Among adults surveyed in the Middle East, 7 in 10 see reducing their carbon footprint more important now than pre-pandemic. Globally, 58% of respondents have become more conscious about how their actions can impact the environment than ever before, with Gen-Z and Millennials (65%) leading this shift.

The trend toward more conscious consumption has grown over the last decade. However, changes in attitudes and actions have increased at a rapid rate as a direct result of COVID-19.

Mastercard is equipping its global network to be a positive force for the environment

Last year, Mastercard formed the Priceless Planet Coalition which unites the efforts of consumers, financial institutions, merchants and cities to fight climate change. The coalition continues to expand and now includes more than 50 members. Collectively, the coalition has committed to the restoration of 100 million trees. Planning is already underway for the restoration of 1.2 million trees in Kenya’s Makuli Nzaui landscape.

Mastercard continues to support partners, customers and consumers by offering environmentally focused products and services, such as cards made from sustainable materials to reduce plastic waste. The company has also pledged to reach net zero emissions by 2050, building on existing commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions aligned with 1.5-degrees Celsius. Mastercard has also issued a $600 million sustainability bond and recently announced changes to its executive compensation model to help accelerate progress around three global ESG goals: carbon neutrality, financial inclusion and gender pay parity. This is all in support of the company’s goal of building a more sustainable and inclusive digital economy.

(NUT Desk)LAHORE: Islamists in Pakistan have released 11 police officers that were taken hostage during violent anti-blasphemy protests against France over the weekend, the interior minister said on Monday.

The officers were snatched by members of the Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) during clashes outside the group’s headquarters in the eastern city of Lahore. Three TLP members were killed during the violence, according to the Islamists.

Photographs of the captured police, with their heads, legs and arms heavily bandaged, were posted on social media by their captors.

“They’ve released the 11 policemen they had held hostage,” the interior minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, said in a video statement.

He said negotiations had with the TLP had begun. The government outlawed the TLP last week after it blocked main highways, rail tracks, and entry, exit routes to major cities, attacking police and burning public property.

 

(NUT Desk) RAWALPINDI: A large number of workers of the proscribed Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) gathered outside Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed’s Lal Haveli in Rawalpindi on Monday.

The charged workers kept chanting slogans against the interior minister and government.

On getting information, heavy contingents of the Rangers and police reached the minister’s residence and took steps to deter any untoward incident.