9 Feb 2018

6
Friday, February 9, 2018
Biz
CPEC enhances Pak Geo-political importance,
make country prime choice for investors
P E S H A W A R :
Economics and political
experts here Thursday said
China Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC) signed
during PMLN Government
tenure, has enhanced the
geo-political importance of
Pakistan and made the
country a prime choice for
local and foreign investors.
The experts said CPEC
was a game changer project
for Pakistan that would
not only make very positive
effects on Pakistan’s
overall security but would
make its western and eastern
borders safe from
external threats and hostile
foreign agencies.
Talking to reporter,
MPA Saleh Muhammad
said CPEC was not a myth
but a strong reality carrying
immense importance
for all sectors including
I S L A M A B A D :
Minister of State for
National Food Security
Syed Ayaz Ali Shah
Sherazi called on Prime
Minister Shahid Khaqan
Abbasi here on Thursday.
He apprised the Prime
ABBOTTABAD: Workers busy in construction of road under CHINA Pakistan
Econiomic Corridor (CPEC) project.
economic development,
energy, communication,
and security perspective.
In presence of massive
Chinese investment, he
said, foe elements and hospital
foreign agencies
could not dare even to cast
an ugly eye on our soil as
attack on Pakistan would
be tantamount an assault
on China.
Terming CPEC as a gift
of PML-N Government for
people of Pakistan, he said
it had not only restored
confidence of foreign
investors but will make the
country a hub of trade and
investment besides making
its borders safe from foreign
aggression.
Pakistan would make a
lead role in the security,
trade, communication and
economy of the region
once the Gwadar Sea Port
was fully operational, he
said, adding Government
has made full arrangements
for protection of CPEC
projects and foreign
investors.
Punajb Government has
raised Special Protection
Unit (SPU) for security of
CPEC projects and
Chinese nationals,
enabling foreign and local
Federal Govt fully aware of
problems of cane growers: PM
Need for greater cooperation
in Sri Lanka, Pakistan urged
KARACHI: Maj Gen (R) Jayanath Lokuketegodege High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in
Islamabad and G.L. Gnanatheva, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Karachi, listening
National Anthem at the inauguration of Sri Lankan food festival at a local hotel on the
Occasion of the 70th Independence day. Photo shows Ahamed Mazahim,Manager
SriLankan Airlines and Azeem Qureshi, GM, Beach Luxury hotel and others also present
on the Occasion.
KARACHI: Sri Lankan
High Commissioner to
Pakistan Major General
(Retd) Jayanath
Lokuketogodoge and
Consul General in Karachi
G.L.Gnanatheva have
underlined the need for
greater cooperation
between Sri Lanka and
Pakistan in different sectors
through enhanced interaction
at the government and
people-to-people level
including more trade and
cultural delegations.
There is a big scope to
increase bilateral trade and
economic cooperation , and
to further strengthen seven
decade old political and cultural
relations of the two
countries, they said.
Sri Lankan envoys were
speaking at three -day Sri
Lanka Food Festival-2018,
inaugurated here at Avari
Hotel on Wednesday late
evening. The event linked
to 70th independence celebrations
of Sri Lanka was
also graced with Lankan
cultural dance and musical
show.
Diplomats from various
countries, and prominent
business and political personalities
also attended.
The
High
Commissioner, said Sri
Lanka-Pakistan relations
spread over last seven
decades were characterized
by a true spirit of mutual
respect, good understanding
and excellent co-operation
also in defence and security
matters. Pakistan’s assistance
in fighting against terrorism
in Sri Lanka would
always be appreciated by
the people of Sri Lanka.
The two countries had
possessed rich cultural heritage.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka
shared many similarities on
this account. However, the
cultural connectivity
between our peoples should
be developed into greater
cooperation, he said..
As a step in this direction,
Sri Lankan embassy
had decided to celebrate the
independence by providing
the opportunity to the people
of Pakistan to taste
authentic Sri Lankan cuisine
and witnessing the traditional
and rich culture of
the island at this food festival.
Being a rich in natural
beauty, Sri Lankan tourism
industry had grown tremendously
and their government
had identified
Pakistan as a key market to
promote tourism, he said.
The Consul General in
Karachi said Sri Lanka had
1600 years of written history,
which embodied its rich
culture, long traditions and
high values of human existence.
Minister of problems being
faced by cane growers of
Sindh in selling their crop
and payments according to
the procurement prices.
The Prime Minister said
that the federal government
is fully aware of the problems
of cane growers. He
said procurement of cane
and ensuring payments
according to the procurement
prices is the sole
responsibility of the
provincial governments.
He said the federal government
has given clear
directions to the provincial
governments to fulfill their
responsibilities in this
regard so that the crop can
be procured and payments
to farmers can be ensured
well in time.
Miftah directs
timely completion
of development
projects
ISLAMABAD: The
Advisor to the Prime
Minister on Finance Dr.
Miftah Ismail on
Thursday emphasised the
need for timely completion
of the development
projects.
While chairing a meeting
on Thursday that was
held to review the
progress of various projects
being financed by
international development
partners and agencies., he
directed the officials of
Economic Affairs
Division to ensure effective
follow up with executing
agencies to ensure
timely completion of the
projects as per approved
timelines.
Senior officials of
Economic Affairs
Division briefed the
Advisor on the portfolio
of economic assistance
relating to different multilateral
and bilateral development
partners including
World Bank and Asian
Development Bank. The
briefing included the latest
status of disbursement
of funds under these projects.
The Adviser said that
effective dissemination
and utilization of the
funds was very important
for achieving optimum
results of development
projects. The meeting
was attended by senior
officials of the Finance
and Economic Affairs
Divisions.
KARACHI: President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry Muffasar Atta Malik exchanging views with leader of
Chinese Trade Delegation Mr. Li Zongtao, who led a delegation to KCCI. Senior Vice President KCCI Abdul Basit Abdul
Razzak, Former President Shamim Ahmed Shamsi and Members of Managing Committee KCCI are also seen in the picture.
investors to perform their
duties without any fear and
praised CM Punjab for
raising SPU.
By linking Kashgar
with Gwadar port through
state of the network of
roads and railway lines, he
said, CPEC project has a
vast potential to inject new
life into the region’s
economies besides making
Pakistan a prime choice for
investment.
The CPEC project
would not only help
Pakistan and China but
other countries in South
and Central Asia as well.
Balochistan and KP
would be largely benefited
from this mega project and
less developed areas of
these regions would come
at par with developed parts
of the country.
The project would help
Pakistan’s investmentstarved
economy besides
bringing massive improvement
in the KP ramshackle
transport, economy and
energy infrastructure.
Provide fastest,
economical Postal
Services to public top
priority: Minister
RAWALPINDI: Federal
Minister for Postal Services,
Molana Ameer Zaman
Bukhari has said that our top
priority is to provide fastest
and economical Postal
Services to the public. Same
Day Delivery Service has
been introduced in twin cities
(Rawalpindi & Islamabad)
for general public specially
for business community and
departments keeping in view
their requirements. He was
addressing at the inauguration
ceremony of newly started
service at Post Mall
Islamabad.
Federal Secretary Postal
Services, Mr. Saqib Aziz,
Director General, Pakistan
Post Madam Rubina Tayyab,
Dy. Director General, Dr.
Naseer Ahmed Khan,
Postmaster General,
Northern Punjab Circle
Rawalpindi Rana
Muhammad Ikhlaq and
Postmaster General Federal
Area Mr. Arshad Khan were
also present in the ceremony.
The Federal Minister said
that to deliver the mail on
same day is best effort of the
Pakistan Post, and hope that
public will take full benefit of
this economical and safe
mail service. Pakistan Post
desperately need economic
support to implement the
reforms agenda, and meetings
with Prime Minister in
this regard remained very
successful.
LAHORE: A five-member
delegation of Asian
Development Bank (ADB),
headed by country director
for Pakistan Ms Xiaohong
Yang, called on Chief
Minister Punjab Muhammad
Shehbaz Sharif, here on
Thursday.
On the occasion, progress
on different projects started
in collaboration with the
ADB was reviewed. The
meeting agreed to further
extend mutual cooperation in
different sectors including
public-private partnership
based projects.
Speaking on the occasion,
the chief minister said a number
of development projects
were being completed in collaboration
with the ADB in
different sectors including
irrigation and energy. He said
that ADB was providing
$500 million funding for irrigation
and energy projects.
“The ADB should provide
development funds worth
$1.5 billion every year for
health, education and other
sectors. Financial support of
ADB for development
schemes aiming at public
CORPORATE CORNER
ENGRO announces association
with quetta gladiators
KARACHI: Engro came on board as the official sponsor of Quetta Gladiators –
afranchise of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for PSL Season 3. Engro – regarded
widely as one of the largest conglomerates of Pakistan – sponsored the franchise as
a conglomerate of multiple brands and entities including Olper’s (the flagship brand
of its subsidiary Engro Foods), Engro Fertilizers, Engro Energy, Engro Foundation,
Engro Polymer and Chemicals and other Engro entities. These brands will be prominently
featured as part of the Quetta Gladiator’s team kit among other elementsthroughout
the year.
The Pakistan Super League has grown in outreach, size and stature in the first two
seasons, allowing brands and corporations space and time to strategize, activate and
market their respective messages and products.
Speaking at the occasion of theofficial announcement, Ghias Khan, President of
Engro Corporationsaid, ‘With over a hundred million viewers worldwide and a
galaxy of national and international stars The Pakistan Super League is the crown
jewel of Pakistani Sport which is why we are very excited to announce our association
as official team sponsor of Quetta Gladiators. Quetta Gladiators has consistently
been one of the most exciting teams to watch in the PSL. They share our passion
for winning and our love for putting the country on the map for the right reasons.”
Adding to his thoughts, Quetta’s owner Nadeem Omar said, ‘Engro and Quetta
Gladiators are starting this relationship with the hope to capitalize on the true value
of franchising in cricket. The franchise, and the game in general, need the support
of corporations and sponsoring partners to grow and become self-sustaining entities.
We are beginning an exciting journey with Engro and are hoping to elevate the
game’s reach and stature in Pakistan with their support. Beyond conventional sports
sponsorship, their arm of support allows us to execute ideas that bridge the gap
between cricket and the masses. This also was a founding goal of initiating the PSL
and for us to invest in the league.’
Quetta Gladiators is a Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise owned by Omar
Associates. The franchise is captained by Sarfaraz Ahmed, who is also the captain
of the Pakistan National Cricket Team with former Captain Moin Khan as the head
coach and Sir Vivian Richards as the franchise’s mentor. The team finished as runners
up in both the first two seasons of the Pakistan Super League. The team also
has Kevin Pietersen as their icon player and former Australian all-rounder Shane
Watson on its roster.
President ZTBL meets CBA,
officers union delegation
ISLAMABAD: President Zarai Tarqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL),
Syed Talat Mehmood Thursday met with delegation of CBA union and
Officers Association under the leadership of Chairman Malik Shamaiz
Awan.
They discussed issues including promotion of employees, approval
of pay-scale, 10% increment after restoration of pension formula 2.33,
employees’ children recruitment, restoration of promotion policy of
1961 and other issues during the meeting. Special Assistant to
President Waheed Ahmed Khan, Malik Shamiaz Awan, Zulfiqar Khan Tanoli, Rana
Muhammad Javed, Bashir Ahmed, Malik Khurshid and Rana Akbar were present
during the meeting.
President ZTBL approved restoration of pension formula 2.33 for bank employees
and 10% increment and approval of 1961four year promotion policy. He also
promised to give pay package to bank employees after approval of Board of
Directors (BoDs).
The delegation thanked the President ZTBL said that Syed Talat Mehmood is an
experienced banker and the employees pose full confidence and assure their cooperation.
They vowed to resolve the issues of the employees through mutual talks.
On this occasion, Chairman All Pakistan ZTBL Employees Union, Malik
Shamaiz Awan said some black-mailers and black sheep are defaming the prestige
of the institution. He made it clear there elements would be rooted out. He added
employees are cognizant from these opportunists. He said the employees have no
connection with the blackmailers as these opportunists are blemishing the institution
and president for personal interests.
ADB delegation calls on Punjab Chief Minister
welfare during the next five
years in Punjab will be appreciated
by the government,”
he added.
He said that Greater Thal
Canal and Greater Cholistan
Canal projects would also be
completed with the ADB
funding and added that water
reserves would be developed
in the outback of Cholistan to
save canal and flood water.
The vast areas of
Cholistan would be made
green and cultivable through
Water Resource
Management Project. The
Cholistan would be developed
as a green basket not
only for Punjab but for the
whole of the country as well
and contacts with Gulf States
would be further improved
by providing different facilities
in Cholistan including
airport. He said that ADB’s
support for water treatment
plant in Faisalabad was
praiseworthy.
Meanwhile, he said that
the best doctors from around
the world would be invited to
work in Multan Institute of
Kidney Diseases (MIKD).
He said that helicopter service
was also being introduced
for transportation of specialist
doctors in remote areas.
Country Director Ms
Xiaohong Yang said the reputation
of Punjab Speed had
spread the world-over and
due to the completion of
Punjab Safe City project,
Lahore had become a fully
secured city for investment
and tourism. She said, development
vision of Chief
Minister Muhammad
Shehbaz Sharif was commendable
and exemplary and
development projects had
catalyzed positive change in
the province.