Nelson Mandela: An Extraordinary Life

Nelson Mandela: An Extraordinary Life I feel extraordinary sadness at the passing of such a heroic figure. He lived an extraordinary life of belief in a simple principle of fighting discrimination, the extraordinary struggle of all those years in prison then the immense trial against adversity and all he achieved for his country and to inspire people around the world. And then throughout all of this, there was an extraordinary...

The history may not be that kind to General Ashfaq Pervez as some of the analysts and journalists have been. He may be remembered as the man who took Pakistan to the brink of civil war. He was one of Pakistan’s most powerful men for almost a decade, first as the chief of Pakistan’s premier secret agency the Inter-Services Intelligence(ISI) during  2004-2007 and then as the army chief for a record six-year term. ...

*Trade concessions fruitless sans export policy: PEW**Lack of coordination among ministries marring int’l trade**June 25*The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Friday said trade concessions from west will be of little use in absence of an export policy which is yet to be announced by the government.Government wants to promote international trade and has inked favourable deals with some countries but volume of exports hasn’t witnessed any boost because of conflicting policies, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.He said that...

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Businessmen want enabling environment, peace of mind: Zubair Ahmed Malik

Govt assures FPCCI of resolution of problems, acceptance of demands

Directives issued to FBR for speedy implementation, other departments: Ishaq Dar

Dated: Sept 23

Government on Sunday assured The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) for resolution of all the justified outstanding problems being confronted by the business community.

Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Finance Minister contacted President of FPCCI Zubair Ahmed Malik to inform him about the decision of the government regarding acceptance of all the reasonable and appropriate demands.

Ishaq Dar told FPCCI chief that FBR and all the other departments have been directed to expedite the formalities and implement decisions as soon as possible.

He said that provision of enabling environment to the traders and industrialists is among top priorities of the government which is necessary to attain growth targets and overcome multiple problems including unemployment.

Dar said that government will frame policies with the help of business community which can help fulfil agenda of national development at a rapid pace.

At the occasion, Zubair Ahmed Malik said that business community has been facing multifarious problems which must be resolved so that we can play our due role in the national development with peace of mind.

Law enforcing agencies has restored our confidence to so extent but the genuine demand of the business community to bring changes in the federal budget 2013-14 were not accepted which disappointed us, he said.

He said that inflation has taken toll on masses and all the sectors which has left people hungry and Pakistani products non-competitive in the regional and international markets.

The FPCCI chief said that the situation has left local and foreign investors very frustrated which is casting negative shadow on the economy.

Malik Zubair Ahmed hoped that government will accept all the warranted demands of the business community so that they continue their businesses restfully.

It may be mentioned that FPCCI on September 17 announced to look into the option of protest if their demands were not met by the government.

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Govt asked to promote organic farming for a healthy society

Govt asked to promote organic farming for a healthy society

Businesswomen asked to explore economic benefits of organic farming

Organic agriculture benefits environment, production and conserve nature

Islamabad: Sept 22

Samina Fazil, founder President, Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Sunday asked the government to promote organic farming for a healthy society and prosperous farming community.

The government should adopt an organic farming policy, promote the use of genetically non-modified seeds, launch awareness campaign and bring at least 15 per cent of the land under organic farming, she said.

Businesswomen should to explore opportunities in the lucrative field of organic farming which promises good returns, benefits environment, boost production and conserve nature, she said while speaking at a workshop jointly organised by IWCCI and TheNetwork.

Samina Fazil said that there is a great demand of different varieties among growing number of organic food consumers which can be exploited by the business community.   

She said that organic farming can reduce cost by over 25 per cent by abandoning the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides; it minimise soil erosion by around 50 pc and increasing crop yields up to five-fold within five years.

Organic farming supports wildlife, improve entire ecosystems and reduce contamination in the ground water while dairies can ensure better livestock health, less sickness, and better milk and meat for consumers, said Samina Fazil.

Asking the business community to consider organic food stores across the country, she said that organically grown products are free from harmful chemicals, artificial flavours and preservatives which improve health and reduce healthcare costs.

It reduces the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cancer because it is not loaded with toxins and chemicals, she informed.

Those who cannot find organic food in the vicinity can start developing good eating habits and reduce the hazardous impact of pesticides from initiating kitchen gardening, she said.

TheNetwork was represented by Rubina Bhatti, Dr. Sobia Faisal, Waheed Iqbal,  Saira Khalid, Sahaab Farooq and Arish Naseem. 

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SBP asked to do more to stem free fall of rupee

SBP asked to do more to stem free fall of rupee

Sept 20

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) on Friday said the efforts of State Bank of Pakistan have stabilised the eroding currency to some extent but more should be done to stop its free fall.

Many among the business community think that monetary sovereignty has been surrendered to the IMF which has resulted in defeat of rupee at the hands of dollar on all fronts, said Muhammad Ali, Vice President FPCCI.

Speaking to the business community, he said that inter-bank as well as open market continues to see fall of the rupee which has lost around 7 per cent value since the current pro-business government has taken.  

Rupee may soon join club of other currencies which have seen double digit depreciation against the dollar, he said.

He said that inaction on the part of the government has resulted in a panic-like situation among masses putting additional pressure on the local currency.

Muhammad Ali said that the local currency has lost ability to resist the onslaught of dollar because the government has adopted a cool attitude towards the problem.

Government was deliberately devaluing the local currency without an announcement which indicates that there is something worth hiding from the general public.

India, Brazil and other countries have taken serious measures to save their currency while our economic managers have decided that local currency must shed points on daily basis, he observed.

The agreement with the IMF or paying back loan has failed to strengthen the rupee or the economy and it seems that the depreciation would not stop as long as IMF desires, said Muhammad Ali.  

Import of petroleum products alone are enough to create imbalances on external account, reduce the country’s import capability and hit the exchange rate for further devaluation of local rupee.

Devaluation will make imports costly reducing their demand while exports cheaper depriving manufacturers of incentive to cut costs and become more efficient which will increase production cost over time.

Why the government and the SBP have failed to foil the plans of speculative forces, he questioned.

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SC lauded for taking notice of illegal drug price hike

Supreme Court grants another gift to poor of Pakistan

Action demanded against officials involved in the mega scam

Impact of unlawful drug price hike calculated at Rs 90 billion annually

Dated: September 20

Civil society has lauded the Supreme Court (SC) for putting twenty-two pharmaceutical firms on notice for illegal overpricing of drugs on false grounds pushing healthcare out of the reach of millions of the downtrodden.

Many local and multinational companies are exploiting masses with the help of health authorities therefore the government functionaries should also be taken to the task, said President Health Watch Mian Aftab.

Talking to representatives of the civil society, he said that SC has again moved to safeguard the rights of masses and that every penny looted by the pharma mafia should be recovered.

He said that the SC move is another gift to the people and a turning point in the history of Pakistan which will save the poor from brutal onslaught of multinationals prone to increasing their wealth on the cost of downtrodden.

Mian Aftab said that this is a scandal bigger than the Ephedrine scam but media and civil society is not bothered about it since no big names are involved.

He added that the federal government on July 13, 2012 reduced prices of 92 pharma products but influential company Rocha refused to cut price and continued to sell Pegasys, used for treatment of hepatitis, at Rs 1300 against the fixed price of Rs 6500. The company is making Rs 2billion annually from selling the medicine.

He said that some of the companies involved in illegal extortion of money from poor include Martin Dow, High Noon, Searl and CCl Lahore. The growth of Martin Dow due to arbitrary increase has gone up to 37 per cent from 2 pc. Rotacap, a product of Highnoon which was previously sold at Rs 182 is now priced at Rs 1040, an increase of 471 per cent.

Searle Pakistan has illogically increased the price of Paediatric (ORS Sachet) from Rs 10 to Rs 27, a hike of 170 pc and price of Hydryline Syrup from Rs 30 to Rs 59, an increase of 99 pc which is illegal and unethical. The total sale of ORS is Rs 667 million per annum while the price hike has burdened masses by another Rs1267 million.

Sale of Hydryline Syrup is at Rs 623 million and with the present increase of 99 pc it will go up to Rs 1246 million. Likewise, CCL Lahore has increased price of Pulmonol Junior Syrup Rs 22, a 122 pc surge in the price, he informed.

At the occasion, Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that pharma industry is acting like a mafia and the situation speaks of rampant corruption in the ministries while the end-user is the ultimate victim who is made to pay Rs 90 billion additionally per annum.

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Ogra pushing country towards another crisis: PEW

Ogra decision to put a mln vehicles out of service, hurt 80m commuters

Daily life badly hurt by the decision taken to please LPG mafia

Sept 19

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday said Oil and Gas Regulator Authority (Ogra) is pushing country towards another severe crisis on the behest of powerful LPG mafia.

The hydrocarbon regulator has issued another illegal order asking provinces to remove all the CNG cylinders from the commercial vehicles disregarding the fact that they have been cleared by almost a dozen of other government departments, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

He said that all the provinces, especially Punjab has started acting upon the unlawful and unclear directives of the Ogra without considering its outcome.

The controversial decision has left owners of Toyota Hiace, Suzuki pickups and taxis on the mercy of police and provincial transport authorities. CNG cylinders are being removed from hundreds of vehicles while hundreds others ferrying masses have already gone off the road indefinitely, he said.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that Ogra wants to destroy the transportation system in Pakistan as around one million vehicles operating commercially are using CNG fuel while 80 million use public transport fuelled by the alternative and clean energy.

Commercial vehicles consume a lot of gas which have forced them to install additional cylinders due to CNG loadshedding, he said adding that nowhere in the world there is any law limiting the number of CNG cylinders or specifying their location in vehicles.

However, Dr. Mughal said, the regulator has been playing negative role by violating its own rules for petty interests, it has failed to make any law or ensured amendment in the existing CNG laws in the last 21 years.

Supreme Court in 2009 directed massive conversion of commercial transport on CNG to cut down pollution in urban centres which also reduced oil import bill.

He called upon the CNG operators to defy the orders which are part of a conspiracy to deprive masses of economical fuel.

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HRCP’s concern over rising violence against women

HRCP’s concern over rising violence against women

Lahore, September 17, 2013: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced alarm over increasing violence against women in Pakistan.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Commission said: “HRCP has watched with grave concern the rising incidence of violence against women in Pakistan in recent days. Unfortunately, such incidents have always been commonplace in the country but now such reports are coming not from far-off places but from the main cities. Several cases of rape have been reported from the Punjab in the past few days, including that of the five-year old child.

To give a scale of the problem, in the city of Lahore alone, police had registered 113 cases of rape from January 1 to August 31 this year. Over the same period, police in the provincial capital of Punjab had registered 32 gang-rape cases.

The problem in hardly confined to Punjab. The plight of Kainat Soomro, a young rape victim in Sindh, and the excesses she has had to endure in her efforts to bring her tormentors to justice are there for all to see. Her ordeal represents how rape victims who have the courage to pursue their rapists are left to fend for themselves.

Earlier this week, Three women were shot dead by family members in the name of ‘honour’ in Kohat, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

According to media monitoring by HRCP, until the end of July this year, at least 44 women had become targets of acid attacks, seven of whom had died as a result of their injuries. As many as 44 women had been set on fire; 11 had died in such attacks. As many as 451 women had been killed in Pakistanin the name of honour in 2013 by the end of July, compared to 918 killed in 2012.

Furthermore, HRCP is acutely concerned that risks have grown for all those who try and help the victims is any manner or try to expose the excesses. Human rights defenders who try to highlight excesses against women have become particularly vulnerable. In fact, an HRCP staff member had to be relocated just a fortnight earlier because his reporting of a woman’s beating by her relatives upset the family so that they threatened to kill him and started following him around.

Such targeting of a section of population solely on account of gender is utterly unacceptable and it is a matter of shame that the society at large has not felt compelled to raise a strong enough voice to putting an end to this travesty.

A combination of factors has contributed to this culture of violence against women and impunity for the perpetrators. One is the perpetual living in denial and a persistent refusal to acknowledge as a society that we have a problem of pervasive violence against women that needs to be addressed urgently. As women have struggled to gain greater say in decisions that affect their lives—from getting education to finding gainful employment and speaking their mind about marriage or choice of their spouse—they seem to have invited ever greater degree and incidence of violence. It is unfortunate that such violence has not been adequately condemned by prominent members of society and political leaders. The conditions that enable the perpetrators to avoid paying for their crime have also directly contributed to the growth of violence.

HRCP calls upon the authorities to include ending violence against women and impunity for the violators to its list of priorities in order to do justice by half the population of the country. HRCP hopes that these steps would include awareness raising and would not merely be confined to making changes in laws that then remain unenforced. The Commission also hopes that at least some meaningful steps would be taken to ensure a safe working environment for journalists and human rights defenders who train a spotlight on violations of women’s rights.”

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