Turkish investment in Pakistan’s energy, infrastructure and municipal services

ANKARA, 28 July 2013: Mayor of Istanbul Dr. Kadir Topbash in a meeting with Ambassador of Pakistan in Turkey Mr. Muhammad Haroon Shaukat assured full support for initiating further development and investment projects specially in energy, low cost housing, infrastructure and municipal services.

The Mayor said that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality extended full support in successfully completing projects such as Lahore Metrobus and Lahore solid waste management to the satisfaction of the Pakistani authorities.

Ambassador Haroon Shaukat thanked Mayor Topbash and said the people of Pakistan appreciate these projects which could serve as the basis for initiating more projects in other cities. “We consider Turkey as a model country and look forward to rapidly enhancing economic and commercial cooperaton with Turkey," said the Ambassador.

The Pakistani Envoy said Turkish investors and businessmen should come forward and invest in Pakistan’s energy sector given a huge gap between demand and supply. Pakistan’s energy sector including hydel, solar and wind energy offers immense investment opportunities and high returns on investment, he added.

Read More

Punjab Govt assures just gas distribution, resolution of CNG sector problems

APCNGA demands 10-year CNG policy, help in LNG import to resolve crisis

Laws bring violated, misuse of natural gas should also be checked

Dated July 29^th

Government of Punjab has assured resolution of all the outstanding problems of the CNG industry including inequitable distribution of gas, misuse of natural gas and violation of laws by different departments.

The assurance came in a meeting held on the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif. The meeting was chaired by MNA Pervaiz Malik and participated by Minister for Energy Ch. Sher Ali, Secretary Energy, Chairman Planning and Development and other officials.

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) was represented by Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Abid Hayat, Captain (retd) Shuja, Fayaz Gillani, Anjum Niaz and Ashar Haleem.

During the meeting, the leaders of the CNG sector pointed towards elements involved in theft, misuse and unauthorised use of natural gas. They said that those who want to generate electricity through gas should have separate meters for it.

Ghiyas Paracha said that CNG sector is being destroyed due to unjust gas distribution, extended load shedding and violation of rules and regulations by different departments.

He said that gas sale agreements have openly been violated knowing that CNG industry has no alternative. He said that situation is horrible in Punjab where owners of 2200 CNG filling stations are at the brink and in urgent need of oxygen to resuscitate.

Paracha said that transport authorities have been harassing two million vehicle owners that include eight hundred thousand public transport vehicles on one pretext or other which should be stopped.

Demanding announcement of 10-year CNG policy, he said that government should include CNG operators in the process of LNG import or help us to import it to settle the energy crisis.

At the occasion, MNA Pervaiz Malik assured all out support to the representatives of the CNG sector saying that government will not allow anyone to hurt any business and that it would provide level playing field to all.+

Read More

Thar coal can transform Saarc into energy rich area

 Saarc most energy poor region in the world

Millions of lives, economies can be transformed by access to energy

Islamabad: Dated: July 29

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) on Sunday said Saarc is the most energy deficient region in the world which has made it home to the majority of the poor living on earth.

Tens of millions of lives can be transformed in Pakistan and whole region by giving masses the access to affordable energy, it said.

Economies can be energised by tackling the problem of energy scarcity for which best use of Thar coal has become imperative, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.

Talking to the business community, she said that proper management of Thar coal can resolve issues like stalled economic progress, wealth distribution gaps, high unemployment, soaring inflation and rising oil import bill.

She said that at the twelfth SAARC Summit, the heads of states agreed to strengthen energy cooperation for accelerated and balanced economic growth but little has been done in the last nine years.

Farida Rashid said that all the members of Saarc except Bhutan are energy deficient and oil importing countries which will face a minimum of 200 per cent hike in energy demand in the next fourteen years.

In the region, 29 per cent of energy demand in satisfied with oil, 48 pc with coal, 15 pc with natural gas, 7 pc with hydel and one pc with nuclear energy, she said adding that energy mix of majority of the countries is not sustainable.

Farida Rashid said that there is a direct relationship between economic growth and increased demand of energy as well as its continuous supply.

She said that it is very important to explore all possible options to ensure and enhance regular supply of energy to support the economic growth and help alleviate poverty.

Saarc is home to 23 per cent of total world population where 500 million lives below the poverty line that deserves a better life.

Further delay in exploitation of Thar coal will have very negative consequences for Pakistan, warned Farida Rashid.

Read More

Flawed education system a threat to future generations

Flawed education system a threat to future generations

Islamabad: (July 24)

Pakistan is going through a severe education crisis as ever tenth illiterate school-age child in the world is a Pakistani, an educationist said Wednesday.

Decades of apathy has placed Pakistan in second position on the global ranking of out-of-school children after Nigeria, said Dr Naeem Ghani, Chairman Sultana Foundation.

Majority of the poorest countries would allocate more resources to the education leaving Pakistan with one of the highest illiteracy rates in the world, he said while speaking at a seminar.

Dr Naeem Ghani said that lack of financial support and commitment on the part of governments has left a minimum of 25 million children without schools while their number could swell to 50 million in fifteen years with disastrous social and economic consequences.

He said that 17.6 per cent of children are working instead of going to school while 23 per cent of all school-age children, mostly girls in rural areas, are still out of school for various reasons that include absence of like separate toilets.

Currently a minimum of 1,000 schools have no building, 30,000 school buildings are shambling and many more have no boundary walls, he said.

Teachers and students in many government schools have to focus more of roof than education to save themselves from loose bricks that can fall on them anytime.

Education of the girl child is extremely important as no education policy can work without gender balance which is yet to be taken seriously, he said.

Child labour is a result of the poor economic conditions of the country which can be tackled through government’s move to ensure equitable distribution of wealth, the veteran educationist said.

He said that government funds are skewed towards higher education while the lower income classes are unable to enjoy subsidies and opportunities.

Quality of education is declining due to shortage and quality of teachers, out-dated curriculum, poorly equipped laboratories, cheating, lack of facilities and overcrowded classrooms, he noted.

Ghani said that policymakers can consider making government jobs conditional to providing education to few unschooled.

He said that Sultana Foundation has prepared special modules for all segments of school-less children which are being implemented in Moqa Schools set up in rural areas of twin cities.

Read More

Proper usage of borrowed money real test of the government

Nothing wrong in getting IMF loan as last option

Decision of equitable loadshedding questioned

July 08

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Monday said securing IMF loan was not a success unless the government ensures proper utilization of borrowed money to the satisfaction of all stakeholders.

Real test of the government will be to best utilize the money and fulfill promises with the international lender to improve economy and boost credibility, it said.

Pakistan was left with no option but to accept IMF conditions or face a default as the former government left Rs. 14.3 trillion of domestic loans, Rs. 500 billion circular debt, external financing requirements of $ 11.5 billion and budget deficit at 9 per cent, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

Pakistan would have been a developed country if if half of the money borrowed in past was utilized properly, he said adding that asses were expecting a good decision on taxing agricultural income to balance the taxation regime which hasn't happened.

Moreover, he said, many former governments ignored economical ways to secure energy and preferred the costly western solutions which has resulted in an energy mix where country is using 75 per cent of costly fuels and only 25 per cent of cheap solutions.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that this policy hiked the power generation cost to Rs. 14 per unit in which Rs. 5 is given as subsidy which is simply unsustainable for an economically challenged country like Pakistan.

He warned that energy theft has touched Rs. 250 billion mark which will register increase if the government continued to ignore the issue.

Decision of equitable load-shedding across country should be revisited. The areas with high theft ratio theft should face more load-shedding while the consumers of the regions with minimum theft should enjoy better power supply, he opined.

Such a decision will reward honest consumers and push people to point towards power thieves which will improve overall situation, said Dr. Mughal.

Read More

Ogra violating rules, misguiding courts to destroy CNG sector

Powerful mafia, corrupt officials takes CNG sector as hostage

PM should take note of plot, announce CNG-friendly policy

All countries including USA, India promoting CNG

Dated July 09

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Tuesday said Ogra has been violating its own rules and misguiding courts in a bid to destroy Rs 400 billion CNG sector to please powerful energy mafia.

Asking Prime Minister to taken note of plot, it said that the sector moving wheels of the economy in the most economical manner is victim of conspiracies of those who have been trying to wipe off the sector which will never be allowed.

Thousands of licences of the CNG operators have been cancelled illegally on the pretext of clause 18 of the CNG rules 1992 wherein there is no mention of cancellation oflicences, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA.

Speaking at a hurriedly called press conference, he said that Supreme Court in its decision on July 5, 2013 has not ordered cancellation of licences while it order number SCMIR-705 (1995) says that licences of pumps having NOC cannot be cancelled on safety concerns.

He said that Ogra has been hatching conspiracies against the CNG sector since long leaving the CNG sector and the owners of 3.5 million vehicles converted on CNG in the lurch.  

Whole world accepts the benefits of environment-friendly and economical fuel. Many countries including US have been promoting CNG while those having no natural gas have been importing LNG to convert it to CNG before providing it to masses and public transport, he informed. 

However in Pakistan, he said, some corrupt economists and pseudo intellectuals who are backed by a cabal of the wealthy and influential have been trying to form a negative public opinion against CNG sector while offering costly alternatives.

Ghiyas Paracha said that we have established world’s No. 1 CNG industry by investing Rs 400 billion which reduced environmental degradation, reduced inflation, saved billion in oil import bill and facilitated masses in every nook and corned of the country.

The leader of the CNG sector said that we helped convert 90 per cent vehicles on CNG, paid highest taxes while using minimum amount of natural gas on 100 per centefficiency and provided jobs to millions.

Some incidents attributed to CNG were result of negligence of poor taxi drivers and transporters who were forced to use petrol and LPG in unsafe manner due to CNG loadshedding.  

He added that the corrupt government officials were involved in the theft of gas for masses pay the price.  

He said that incompetent bureaucracy has been misguiding courts while the APCNGA lacks resources to pay heavy fees to the lawyers of superior courts every now and then.

APCNGA will never tolerate conspiracies of mafia dreaming to grab whole energy market of Pakistan on the cost of economy and masses, he vowed.

Paracha asked the Prime Minister to judge everything on merit and announce a CNG-friendly policy to benefit masses.

Read More

Pakistan inching towards food crisis: PEW

Pakistan inching towards food crisis: PEW

July 07

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Sunday asked the government to act immediately as country is inching towards severe food crisis.

The food insecure masses of Pakistan will have to pay the heavy price if government continued to delay decision regarding import and export of wheat as local stocks are not enough to meet food requirements until the next crop, it said.

The situation of wheat reserves is far from satisfactory as around 7.5 million tonnes of commodity with the federal and provincial governments is insufficient, said Dr Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

According to an independent estimate, Pakistan produced a total of 22.8 million tons of wheat in 2013 which was 2.2 million less than the set target of 25 million tonnes, he added.

He said that further delay in taking the right decision will harm masses and government while hoarders will stand ultimate benefices as usual.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that increasing smuggling, hoarding and exports have put additional strain on wheat reserves which can be controlled through a ban on exports which has reached above 1.5 million tonnes.

On the other hand, wheat imports have become meaningless for many in presence of five per cent WHT which must be abolished or reduced to avert threat of food insecurity.

Otherwise, he said, soon there would be a shortage only to benefit hoarders who remain untouchable for the authorities concerned.

Dr Murtaza Mughal said that currently ample quantity of wheat is available in the international market at reasonable price but delay in the decision will jack up international prices for which masses will have to pay.

The current situation is test of the new government while a failure will have a heavy political cost, he said.

Read More

Pakistan’s future linked to elimination of power subsidies

Pakistan’s future linked to elimination of power subsidies

Islamabad: July 07

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) said on Sunday lauded the decision of the government to phase out power subsidies gradually terming it in the best interest of country.

It is very difficult for Pakistan to survive without foreign aid in presence of power sector and energy subsidies, she said.

Talking to Chairman Coordination FPCCI Sheikh Abdul Razzaque, VP FPCCI Muhammad Ali, Chairman Media FPCCI Malik Sohail and others, Farida Rashid said that subsidies have not benefited poor but rich while it misbalances the budget.

She said that subsidies leave little funds with government to spend of public welfare, it boost demand while reduces investment in renewables.

Subsidies also contributes to social injustice, discourages private sector and push up the global warming, she added.

She said that losses of the power subsidy have reached to an extent that it has become an issue of national security.

At the occasion, Sheikh Abdul Razzaque said that different national are paying around two trillion dollar in power subsidies which if abolished will reduce global demand and decrease global warming by 13 per cent.

Last year our oil import bill was $ 14 billion which will touch mark of $ 50 billion in seven years, enough to leave Pakistan bankrupt, he said.

He said that country will be unable to cope with Rs 500 billion circular debt in presence of power subsidies which is deterring local and foreign investors.

Thar holds 99 per cent more energy than whole gas reserves of Pakistan put together but the speed of development is frustrating, he observed.

He said that plight of poor of the country must be considered while abolishing subsidies.

The masses and business community will soon see the positive impact of the decisions of the government which are presently viewed by some as unfavourable, remarked Sheikh Abdul Razzaque.

Read More

CJP, PM asked to take note of well-orchestrated conspiracy against CNG sector

APCNGA says Ogra becomes part of conspiracy against CNG sector, illegal notices issued to 1000 operators

All CNG outlets established after NOC from twelve departments, why Ogra woke up after 23 years

Ogra, all concerned departments would be responsible for laying waste to Rs 400 billion investment

Dated July 04

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Thursday said Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has become part of a well-orchestrated conspiracy against CNG sector and it has issued illegal show cause notices to over 1000 CNG operators to get their stance for business on current location before cancellation of their licences.

Orga has started dancing on the tune of influential lobbies to destroy world’s No 1 CNG industry by violating its own rules and regulations, it said.

All the petrol pumps and CNG operators had taken NOC from twelve different departments under the policy of ministry of petroleum before commencing commercial operations.

These departments include Ogra, Explosives Department, Traffic Police, TMA, Environmental Protection Agency, electricity and gas distribution companies, district administration, national and provincial highway authorities, and Civil Aviation Authority, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA.

Moreover all CNG operators have also ensured NOC from neighbours before establishing business, he said.

In a statement issued here today, he said that all the government agencies are responsible for it if supposedly any wrongdoing has taken place during the while process.

Similarly, Ghiyas Paracha said, all these departments would be responsible for harassing masses as well as investors who have invested around Rs 400 billion in the vibrant CNG sector.

He said that Ogra has allowed construction of all CNG outlets on their current locations but the regulator work up to the so called reality after 23 long years which is amazing. Why rest of the departments have not initiated any action so far if something is wrong about locations of CNG outlets, he questioned.

Paracha said that targeting CNG stations on the pretext of residential areas is a conspiracy as all the business in the residential areas are established on commercial patches after permission from authorities.

Shifting CNG outlets out of city is simply an unworkable idea which will add to the sufferings of masses, he said.

The leader of the CNG sector said that CNG sector lacks lobby in the corridors of power therefore it is held responsible for everything and harassed on one pretext or other.

He asked the Chief Justice Pakistan and the Prime Minister to take note of the situation as CNG operators have not violated any law.

Read More

Eye diseases rising to alarming level in children: say expert

Eye diseases rising to alarming level in children: say expert

RAWALPINDI (July 03)

Eye diseases like Glaucoma, Cataracts, and cancer of Retina has been rising among children due to lack of healthcare facilities and low level of awareness, a leading eye care hospital announced Wednesday.

Parents and teachers should get some information which can help them keep an eye on signs of vision problems in kids for timely treatment as healthy eyes and vision are a critical part of kids’ development, it said.

By the time people visit doctors for symptoms of some diseases, it might already be too late, said Chief Consultant Al-Shifa Eye Trust Dr Wajid Ali Khan while briefing the students at Institute of Ophthalmology.

Vision screening can be part of child's routine check-ups if the problems are noted or not, he said adding that comprehensive eye exams by an eye care professional should not be avoided.

Most of the time, vision problems aren't obvious, and the best way to catch issues early is through vision screenings, he added.

“I will strongly recommend screening at school level that can prevent blindness,” said Dr Wajid Ali Khan.

He said that there are many eye conditions and diseases that can affect a child’s vision therefore every new-born should be checked thoroughly at the age of 14 days and treated immediately in case of any problem. Any delay can result into permanent blindness, he warned.

Dr Wajid said that the main problem in treating children is non-availability of trained doctors therefore we have embarked upon a programme to train doctors and paramedics at home while providing the facility to doctors from Afghanistan, Egypt and Bangladesh.

On average, Al-Shifa Trust has been treating 100 children per day free of cost while we have set a target of 200 children per day for the next year and we will have the capacity to check and treat 500 children daily within three years’ time, he informed.

It may be mentioned that a World Health Organisation report says that the number of people around the world with visual impairment is 285 million, of these; 246 million have low vision while 39 million are blind.

Read More