Ex-servicemen voices against military operation in Karachi

Bhatta Khor, parchi mafia destroying investment climate in Pakistan: PESA

Engaging Rangers, FC on police duties leave borders unguarded, force demoralised

Amnesty to Pakistani Taliban probably the only option that government can offer

Dated: August 30

The Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association (PESA) on Thursday said social or economic development is not possible until the worsening law and order situation is brought under total control.

Extortion and kidnaping for ransom has dented the investment climate which must be eliminated as major business centres and leading entrepreneurs are the worst victims of extortionists, it said.

Handing over of Karachi to the Army or targeted operations will not work unless civilian intelligence agencies do their jobs of pin pointing master minds.

This was observed in a meeting of the Executive Council of PESA with Lt Gen Ali Kuli Khan in chair. Vice Admiral Ahmad Tasnim. SJ & Bar, Air Marshal Masood Akhtar, Lt Gen Naeem Akbar, Brig Mian Mahmud, Ambassador Mr Salim Nawaz Gandapur, Brig Simon Sharaf, Brig Masud ul Hassan Major Farouk Hamid Khan and others were also present in the meeting.

The former military leaders appreciated Federal government’s plans to take nation into confidence over issue of terrorism through an All Parties Conference.

However, the government must announce its policy of dealing with terrorism in advance so that it can get input and masses could study implications. 

PESA has prepared comprehensive policy documents for dealing with terrorism and declaration of vital national interests. Detailed presentations have already been made for Mr Nawaz Sharif, PTI Chief Mr Imran Khan, Mr Raza Rabbani, Mr Shah Mahmud Qureshi and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and others.

The meeting observed that entire nation wants a quick end to the on-going war on terror through peaceful means. PESA do not oppose peace though talks but find it difficult to understand, what the government can offer to Taliban except amnesty of sorts.

The government must get approval from masses before accepting any demands of Taliban as the move could affect entire spectrum of our society and basic values, it was demanded.

Members expressed concern over employment of the Civil Armed Forces (CAF) like Pakistan Rangers and Frontier Corps on police duties for prolonged duration which is affecting their professional capabilities and morale and resulting in leaky borders paving way for smuggling of arms and ammunition, other items and free flow of terrorists.

Instead of relying on CAF, the provinces should increase strength of their police and give them better training and equipment. Furthermore, creation of a special federal force should help in relieving civilian armed forces from police duties but that should not become rebirth of the notorious FSF.

Former servicemen  were of the opinion that the on-going judicial cases against the force have a demoralizing effect.

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Embassies, IWCCI to jointly take women empowerment initiatives

Pakistani women have great potential to spark economic growth

Islamabad: August 29

Women's economic empowerment has a crucial role in the socio-economic development of Pakistan therefore we have decided to cooperate with the IWCCI to meet the noble objective.

This was the crux of the speeches delivered by the spouses of Ambassador of Australia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka at a function organised by Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Speaking to businesswomen, Ms. Susan Heyward, Herry Listyawati, and Kumari Weerakkody said that we will jointly take steps to ensure capacity building and empowerment of women so that they can play their due role in the national development.

They said that supporting entrepreneurship is the best way to empower women which helps them realise their potential and fulfil their aspirations.

“We will enrich the women with practical skills for future livelihood endeavours,” they said adding that we will look into introducing some unique income-generating projects for local women.

Advancing women’s participation in all walks of life has become imperative without which a country cannot develop, they observed.

Speaking at the occasion, founder president and incumbent President of the IWCCI Samina Fazil and Farida Rashid said that Pakistani women needs improved access to education, health care and economic resources so that culture of discrimination can be successfully eliminated.

They called upon the developed countries to help business chambers enhance their technical capacity and organizational capability so that businesswomen may not face serious hardships in future.

The leaders of women entrepreneurs said that we are committed to increasing the opportunities and well-being of women and consider gender equality as an integral part of sustainable development.

We will continue to raise public awareness, try to gain influence with decision makers, support and promote women’s leadership agenda, and advocate for a change, said Samina Fazil and Farida Rashid.

Women comprise more than 50 per cent of total population but they have been forced into a systemic gender subordination which has pushed Pakistan at the bottom of Global Gender Gap Report.

Women need to be included in economic activities in order for countries to truly experience development and peace, said Farida Rashid.

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First-ever meeting of Pak-Thai Joint Working Group held

Close partnership to lift millions out of poverty agreed

Both sides agreed to boost trade and investment

Islamabad: August 21

The private sector of Pakistan and Thailand has agreed to boost trade and economic cooperation in various fields and hold meetings of Joint Business Council biannually for future growth and prosperity.

Noted Thai investors have lauded the investment policies and environment of Pakistan and decided to visit Pakistan next month to explore new avenues of investment and economic cooperation.

The development came during the first-ever meeting of joint working group comprising private sector of the two countries.

Pakistan side was headed by President FPCCI Zubair Ahmed Malik while Thai side was led by Mr. Isara Vongkusolkit, Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking of Thailand and Chairman of the Board of Trade Thailand.

Both sides agreed to explore investment opportunities in energy, food processing, agriculture, pharmaceutical, auto parts, fisheries, marble, granite, tourism and health tourism and ensure significant progress.

Speaking at the occasion Zubair Ahmed Malik said that Pakistan market presents great opportunities to Thai investors and that we can help enhance their market access to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and some Gulf and Middle Eastern nations.

He said that Thailand is world leader in food processing, auto parts manufacturing while it is exporting fisheries worth 10 billion dollars per annum.

Thai investors can explore opportunities is Pakistan’s robust auto industry, food processing and agricultural sector, he said, adding that fish products of Pakistan match western standards.

The FPCCI President said that Pakistan’s marble and granite sector  exports to China and Hong Kong are picking up and he expects Thailand to consider this promising sector for investment.  

Mr. Isara Vongkusolkit took keen interest in the discussion and raised many question regarding reforms agenda, quality of Pakistani products including pharma and rice. He informed that Pakistan can export orange and its juice to Thailand where people prefer it over any other nectar.

He stressed preservation and processing of agriculture and fisheries products terming them important national resource of Pakistan. Thai side also took interest in Pakistan’s energy, gemstones and education sectors and offered scholarships to Pakistani students.

Vongkusolkit encouraged Pakistani businesses to look towards Thailand, a market of 70 million people for business expansion. Thailand can help enhance presence of Pakistan in whole ASEAN region, a market of 600 million people which will become a single market in 2015, he said.

The two sides agreed to forge close partnership to help lift millions of people out of poverty and build a stable, prosperous and democratic future for their respective countries.

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Govt asked to promote new investments in energy sector

No poverty reduction sans ample energy

Provision of energy imperative to transform lives

Energy enables people to work their way out of poverty

August 19

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday asked the government to promote new investments in the energy sector by introducing better regulations as poverty cannot be reduced in presence of energy scarcity.

Access to energy is imperative to transform lives which is not getting proper attention on the national and global level as majority of Pakistanis as well as a third of the world’s population has no access to modern energy services, it said.

Tens of millions in Pakistan and 1.3 billion people worldwide are still without any form of electricity and 2.7 billion people still cook over open fires despite availability of solutions, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

Estimates say in the next seventeen years three billion will cook with traditional fuels, more than 30 million people will have died due to smoke-related diseases and hundreds of millions will be confined to poverty due to lack of energy, he informed.

Of those who don’t have access to modern energy around 70 per cent are women who spend significant time and money to obtain energy that is not only unpredictable, expensive, unsafe, and highly polluting, he said.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that lack of access to electricity also prevents the development of key social programmes like education, health, sanitation and provision of clean drinking water, continuing a cycle of poverty that is very difficult to break.

He said that energy is vital to escape poverty but unfortunately lack of interest on the part of governments has left a third of the world’s population has no access to modern energy services which is impeding global growth.

He said that Pakistan government should boost efforts to tame energy crisis and promote new investments as provision of electricity is linked to development of agriculture, industry, trade,  jobs, medicine, sanitation and water purification.

Every dollar invested in a solar energy generates more than $46 in economic benefits in the first year alone; it results in a stronger economy, a healthier population, and enables parents to ensure a bright future for their families.

He said that energy enables people to work their way out of poverty, it provides better access to basic services while improving health and wellbeing of everyone, especially that of women and children.

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MoU signed to provide free healthcare facilities to masses

MoU signed to provide free healthcare facilities to masses

August 15

Tehreek-e-Sehat Pakistan (TSP) and Minsa Clinic Bahria Town have entered into a deal to provide free healthcare facilities to masses through free medical camps in Rawalpindi.

In this regard a MoU was signed between TSP and Minsa Clinic Bahria on the Independence Day.

Speaking to the MoU signing ceremony Dr Murtaza Mughal, President TSP said that allopathic system of medicine is costly while may ends up catching additional diseases while attempting to cure one.

He said that homeopathic system of medicine has no side effects but it is also costly for poor. Therefore, he said, some doctors in the TSP have decided to provide free healthcare facilities to masses using their own resources.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that we will use homeo and biochemic system of medicine to cure ailing masses.

People of the twin cities can avail free healthcare facilities while those who are away can get free advice through phone or email.

He said that our experts, some of them with MD and PhD degrees from foreign countries in alternate medicine can cure diabetes, arthritis, jaundice, hepatitis, kidney and gall stones, piles, viral warts, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, and child problems including intestinal worms, teething troubles and atopic dermatitis.

He informed that patients can come to Rise School Building, Lane No 3 near Govt. Girls High School, Gulishatn Colony Rawalpindi from 5 to 6 pm or contact on 0300-9898552 or minsaclinc1974@gmail.com for free advice.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that nation and economy cannot progress in presence of an ill nation as government has not been focusing on provision of affordable healthcare facilities to the masses.

Pakistan can tackle problems of health and education if rich consider earning for six days and returning on the seventh, he said.

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Cell phones most effective poverty alleviation tool

Mobile phone penetration directly linked to GDP growth

Govt asked to reduce taxes on telecom industry to empower masses

Islamabad: August 01

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Thursday said mobile phones are one of the most effective tool to lift people out of poverty and provide opportunities to entrepreneurs therefore government should reduce taxes on telecom industry.

Pakistan’s telecom industry has been paying Rs 57 billion tax per year which is one of the most heavily taxed sectors in the Saarc region, it said.

Mobile phones have brought about remarkable social progress in low-income countries while its impact has been estimated at a quarter of trillion USD in the poverty belt that includes South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

Mobile phones is a great productivity tool which make citizens economically strong who in turn make their governments more accountable and friendly to worthy causes including a peaceful and prosperous world, she added.

Farida Rashid said that according to a study of 120 countries conducted by the World Bank, a 10 per cent increase in mobile phone penetration results in a 0.8 per cent increase in economic growth.

From 1996 to 2011, mobile phone penetration in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa combined rose from zero per cent to 63 per cent. During the 15- year period the poverty belt experienced on average an additional one per cent economic growth rate due to mobile phones, the study says.

Within this same period, the combined GDP of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa grew, from $811 billion to $1,870 billion, an average annual growth rate of 5.72 per cent.

Without the impact of mobile phones, these economies would have grown at an annual rate of 4.72 per cent, and the economy of the poverty belt by 2011 would be only $1,620 billion.

Mobiles are not a luxury product became a mass product that advances economic situation of consumer by saving time, money, labour, transportation, and opportunity costs.

Cell phones have resulted in continued economic and social progress in low-income countries therefore telecom industry must be promoted by policymakers, Farida Rashid demanded.

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