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PR. No. 147. KCCI Delegation, comprising representatives from countrywide Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and led by its President Mr. Shamim Shamsi, held a meeting with Syed Naveed Qamar, Finance Minister in Islamabad . The KCCI delegation apprised the Finance Minister of latest increase in gas and power tariff of textile units and export related issues of the industry. It emphasized that recent 31 percent increase in gas tariff and increase in power bills has compounded the economic problems of textile industry all over the country. KCCI delegates informed the Finance Minister about commercial and designing stages of textile manufacturing units that uses gas and electricity as raw input to their value-added production that finally is meant to meet domestic needs and also takes on our export requirements in foreign markets. The textile sector now has assumed the status of an engine of employment and revenue generation that needs to be given GOP’s serious policy consideration for support and relief. The input cost of textile sector production units needs to be scaled down, they stressed. The small textile units merit GOP’s special power tariff related support and relief because of their business size. The matters relating to escalating cost of doing textile business and loss of competitive export market for Pakistani textile goods, citing comparison from India , China and Bangladesh , were also discussed. The Finance Minister assured the KCCI delegation that GOP shall review the latest power and gas related tariff applicable to textile industry’s captive power plants. The Finance Minister recalled that all previous discussions with countrywide Chambers of Commerce and Industry have been fruitful, and GOP is fully cognizant of textile industry’s power tariff related problems. What KCCI and other Chambers may appreciate is available fiscal space problems within the existing budgetary resources plus rising fuel prices in international market that need to be taken into account, Finance Minister stressed. Finance Minister assured the KCCI delegation that whatever GOP is able to squeeze in terms of providing relief to textile industry manufacturers, in consideration of existing budgetary constraints, shall be passed on to the industry. GOP shall encourage investment climate for nationwide textile industry. Finance Minister further added that going by GOP’s lego-contractual obligations with gas producing companies, the government shall do its best to reconsider change/revision in gas tariff to provide relief to the textile industry. GOP shall update textile industry representatives about progress on gas tariff within a week plus time. A review meeting over the subject is likely to be planned end of next week, Finance Minister and KCCI delegates agreed. Finance Minister further assured KCCI delegation that GOP shall workout best possible formula with regard to providing R&D support to textile industry which possibly would be based on textile industry’s efficient technical input, enabling the government to announce a final decision on the size of R&D support. The Finance Minister assured the KCCI delegation GOP’s all out support to resolve gas and power tariff related problems hampering textile industry’s growth and production. The Finance Minister assured the delegation to constitute a special committee in FBR, incorporating Chamber of Commerce and Industry representatives to consider taxation-related structure which could be mutually acceptable to all stakeholders and could help support textile industry.
PR. No. 148. Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Mr. Nazar Mohammad Gondal has said that that the government is taking concrete step to promote the agriculture sector on modern lines and there would be no shortage of wheat and essential food items from the next year in the country. He expressed these views while presiding over 29th meeting of Board of Governors of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), here today. Today, the country is facing serious food crisis and the government has set all eyes on the rapid development of agriculture sector, the minister observed. He said that budget 2008-2009 reflects these positions in the form of increased allocation for research and development, agriculture credits subsidies on fertilizers particularly DAP electricity, diesel, drip and sprinkler irrigation and exemption of taxes/duties on farm machinery. Mr. Nazar Gondal said that the government would improve the rural infrastructure, management of water resources, promote improved production technologies and subsidized farm machinery as well as improving farmer’s access to agricultural credit and improved extension services. He urged upon the agri-scientists to accelerate research and development activities with greater focus on food and water security, improve production and profitability of small holders, climate change mitigation strategies, prevention of trans-boundary diseases as avian flue and wheat stem. Chairman PARC, Dr. M.E. Tasneem briefed the meeting about the updated performance of the organization. He said that PARC is making concerted efforts for boosting the agri-production in the country. Secretary Minfal, Mohammad Zia ur Rehman and members of Board of Governors also attended the meeting. **EH/Ahmad**
PR. No. 149. The Ambassador of Iran, Mr. Mashallah Shakeri called on the Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mr. Rehmatullah Kakar and discussed with him matters pertaining to promoting bilateral ties in diversified fields including the housing and construction sectors. The Minister informed the Iranian Envoy that the government has chalked out a plan to construct one million houses annually for the poor, needy, shelterless and government employees under the PM’s “Houses for All” program across the country. He said that six pilot projects were being launched soon in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Multan and Larkana for which all the arrangements have been finalized. The Minister said Pakistani would welcome Iranian companies to participate in the upcoming mega housing projects which had diversified expertise in the vital field. The Minister said that Pak-Iran cooperation in housing sector would benefit the people of the two brotherly countries to share their experiences. The Iranian Ambassador said that Iranian companies had excellent expertise in the housing and construction sectors and interaction in the housing sector would open up new avenues of bilateral cooperation. Secretary, Housing & Works, Sami ul Haq Khilji and senior officials of the Ministry, MD PHA, DG FGEHF were also present during the meeting. **EH/Ahmad**
PR. No. 150. A meeting of the Cabinet Committee comprising of Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, Minister for Information Technology, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Minister for Finance, Syed Naveed Qammar was held here today to discuss the recent countrywide protest against the management of the PTCL employees under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis. The Meeting reviewed the problems of the employees of Pakistan Telecommunication Company (PTCL) and work out means to resolve the same. Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis stated that we have gathered here to discuss the recent issue of protest of PTCL employees and the problems faced by both sides, the reason behind it and to seek a solution. He asked the District Administration to brief the situation. Minister for Finance, Mr. Naveed Qamar stated that we will hopefully resolve the issue but it is not understood that how the ranger was involved and why PTCL management called to the ranger directly. Syed Kamal Shah, Secretary Interior briefed the participants and stated that the incident occurred due to moving out to one Mr. Ismail Taha, Senior Vice President (Sudane National), from the premises of PTCL and to withdrawal of demand of the unified pay scales. The Secretary stated that we remain involved with the situation in whole incident. PTCL management is requested to make payment to the workers on 30th July, 2008 and PTCL employees agreed to call off the strike. Minister for Information Technology, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira stated that the inquiry should be held at once. It will be a fact finding inquiry and not a court inquiry. He also informed the Committee that strike has called off in Islamabad and not in Lahore and Karachi. In the last Minister for Labour & Manpower stated that we will go on reality and all are equal and inquiry should be held properly for amicable solution. He directed the Islamabad Administration to present report of the inquiry committee within two days. The meeting also suggested measures to deal with the situation and discussed means for resolution of the problems of the PTCL employees. Secretaries M/O Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Information Technology, Interior, DG Rangers, Punjab, I.G. Police, Islamabad, Chief Commissioner, Islamabad, DC Islamabad and High Officials of M/O Labour & Manpower were also participated in the meeting. **MSG/Ahmad**
PR. No. 151. KCCI Delegation, comprising representatives from countrywide Chambers of Commerce and Industry led by its President Mr. Shamim Shamsi, held a meeting with Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Finance, Privatisation & Investment here today. The KCCI delegation apprised the Finance Minister of latest increase in gas and power tariff of textile units and export related issues of the industry. It emphasized that recent 31 percent increase in gas tariff and increase in power bills has compounded the economic problems of textile industry all over the country. KCCI delegates informed the Naveed Qamar about commercial and designing stages of textile manufacturing units that uses gas and electricity as raw input to their value-added production that finally is meant to meet domestic needs and also takes on our export requirements in foreign markets. The textile sector now has assumed the status of an engine of employment and revenue generation that needs to be given GOP’s serious policy consideration for support and relief. The input cost of textile sector production units needs to be scaled down, they stressed. The small textile units merit GOP’s special power tariff related support and relief because of their business size. The matters relating to escalating cost of doing textile business and loss of competitive export market for Pakistani textile goods, citing comparison from India, China and Bangladesh, were also discussed. The Finance Minister assured the KCCI delegation that GOP shall review the latest power and gas related tariff applicable to textile industry’s captive power plants. The Finance Minister recalled that all previous discussions with countrywide Chambers of Commerce and Industry have been fruitful, and GOP is fully cognizant of textile industry’s power tariff related problems. What KCCI and other Chambers may appreciate is available fiscal space problems within the existing budgetary resources plus rising fuel prices in international market that need to be taken into account, the Minister stressed. Naveed Qamar assured the KCCI delegation that whatever GOP is able to squeeze in terms of providing relief to textile industry manufacturers, in consideration of existing budgetary constraints, shall be passed on to the industry. GOP shall encourage investment climate for nationwide textile industry. Finance Minister further added that going by GOP’s lego-contractual obligations with gas producing companies, the government shall do its best to reconsider change/revision in gas tariff to provide relief to the textile industry. GOP shall update textile industry representatives about progress on gas tariff within a week plus time. A review meeting over the subject is likely to be planned end of next week, Finance Minister and KCCI delegates agreed. He further assured KCCI delegation that GOP shall workout best possible formula with regard to providing R&D support to textile industry, which possibly would be based on textile industry’s efficient technical input, enabling the government to announce a final decision on the size of R&D support. The Minister assured the KCCI delegation GOP’s all out support to resolve gas and power tariff related problems hampering textile industry’s growth and production. The Finance Minister assured the delegation to constitute a special committee in FBR, incorporating Chamber of Commerce and Industry representatives to consider taxation-related structure, which could be mutually acceptable to all stakeholders and could help support textile industry. **NQ/Ahmad**
PR. No. 152. Quran khawani was held here today for the deceased sister of Tahir Parwaz, a poet, writer, journalist and Director Media/ PR of Ministry of Privatisation & Investment, to pray for the forgiveness of the departed soul and for the patience for the members of the bereaved family. She was daughter of subcontinent’s renowned Urdu, Punjabi & Pashto poet, writer, journalist and broadcaster late Mr. Altaf Parwaz. She was sister-in-law of Begum Nargis Naeem Sindhu former MNA, Parliamentary Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs and member CEC of Pakistan Peoples Party during Z.A Bhutto’s tenure. She was wife of Javed Iqbal Awan Senior Pipeline Supervisor Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, Faisalabad. The deceased died on July 15, 2008 (Tuesday) and was buried at Sargodha-Chiniot road Faisalabad on the same evening. The brothers of the deceased Tahir Parwaz, columnist Major ® Sohail Parwaz, MCB’s Zubair Altaf and Ministry of Housing’s Aamir Altaf Alvi have expressed their gratitude to all those who conveyed their condolences through telegrams, mails, phone calls and in person. **NQ/Ahmad**
PR. No. 153. The Governor State Bank of Pakistan Dr. Shamshad Akhtar called on the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Ministerʼs Secretariat here today. The Governor State Bank briefed the Prime Minister on several initiatives taken by SBP to increase the flow of agri credit to farmers. As a result of these initiatives the disbursement of agricultural loans increased from Rs. 169 billion during 2006-07 to Rs. 212 billion during 2007-08. The total number of agri borrowers has reached the mark of 2 million by end June 2008. She also informed that SBP has developed a strategy to increase the number of agri borrowers over 3 million in the next three years. Governor SBP said that SBP has adopted a forward looking approach to expand the outreach for meeting credit needs of priority sectors of the economy including micro, SME, agriculture and housing sectors. In this regard, an agreement has also been recently signed with Department for International Development (DFID) of UK whereby DFID will provide UK Pounds 50 million to improve access to financial services for poor and marginalized groups in Pakistan. This program will be a central piece of the Governmentʼs poverty reduction strategy and will go a long way in deepening and broadening the financial sector. SBP has also developed a strategy for extending microfinance outreach which has envisaged the increase in microfinance borrowers to three million by 2010 while seeking options to further increase this number to 10 million in next 5 years. Under this strategy various initiatives are in the process of implementation including development of branchless banking, transformation of NRSP and Khushali Bank, entry of international players in MF sector, using Pakistan Post for extending microfinance, developing financial literacy plan, etc, she added. The Governor SBP also informed about the launching of a crop loan insurance scheme for farmers throughout the country from coming Rabi crop season. The scheme has been developed by a Task Force constituted by the Governor SBP last year. The Task Force has developed a commercially viable and sustainable crop loan insurance scheme to mitigate the risk of losses suffered by agricultural borrowers due to the natural calamities and risks of defaults to banks by such borrowers. The introduction of crop loan insurance scheme will not only facilitate the banks in expanding their outreach to agricultural credit but will also reduce burden on the national exchequer.
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