APNA Microfinance Bank gets new chairman

*February 27th*

Islamabad:

The Board of Directors (BoD) of Apna Micro Finance Bank has elected Mian M. A. Shahid as Chairman of the bank.

Shahid has already been serving as Chairman of the United International Group (UIG).

The board of directors appreciated his services and hoped that the new chairman will work hard for making organisation profitable and respected entity.

Mian Shahid expressed full confidence in the economy which he said is doing well despite hurdles.

He said that 56 per cent of the adult population has no access to formal financial services while only 10 per cent of SMEs are served by banks resulting in socio-economic disparities.

Low-income groups remain deprived of proper financial services which is impeding their development, he said

-- 

*Imran Amin*

PRO, UIG

Cell: 0323-5579080

Address: 212 Clifton Centre, Clifton, Karachi.

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PR-Pak exports to Malaysia grow by 6.15pc

*PRESS SECTION*

*HIGH COMMISSION OF PAKISTAN*

*132 Jalan Ampang,*

*Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.*

*Tel (603) 2161-1370, Fax 2161-0384*

* *

*Press Release*

Pakistan’s exports to Malaysia have risen by 6.15 per cent according to trade figures available for the period January-October 2012, says a press release issued by the Pakistan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

Quoting statistics from January till October 2012, the statement says Pakistan has exported goods worth US$232.81 million to Malaysia, registering a growth of 6.15 per cent or US$13.48 million over the US$219.33 million exports of corresponding period last year.

During both the years, rice stood as the highest contributor and a major export to Malaysia, contributing to 25 per cent (US$54.08 million) of the total exports in 2011, and 29 per cent (US$66.51 million) of the total exports in 2012.

From January to October 2012, the export of bed-linen increased by 13.96 per cent (US$0.62 million), electrical appliances by 76.15 per cent (US$1.42 million), rice by 22.97 per cent (US$12.42 million), potatoes by 164.14 per cent (US$3.15 million), maize by 58.88 per cent (US$14.36 million) and fish by 21.94 per cent (US$2.19 million).

 

However, the exports of onion decreased by 94.93 per cent (US$15.68 million), cotton yarn by 28.73 per cent (US$5.03 million), parts and accessories by 27.95 per cent (US$0.35 million) and woven fabrics by 6.47 per cent (US$0.27 million) in the same period.

Pakistan exports a number of goods to Malaysia, including fish, potatoes, onion, rice, maize, cotton yarn, woven fabrics and synthetic staple fibre, bed-linen, electrical apparatus for line telephony and parts and accessories.

Pakistan also imports palm oil, electrical and electronic equipment, machinery, chemicals, rubber, wood, synthetic filament yarn, insecticides, automatic data processing machines and parts and accessories from Malaysia. However, the overall imports from Malaysia to Pakistan have decreased from US$2.12 billion US$1.6 billion by 24.58 per cent. Palm oil was the major import from Malaysia in both years, standing at US$1.65 billion in 2011 and US$1.12 billion in 2012.

*Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 27th February, 2013*

-- 

Hamid Raza Khan

Press Attache

High Commission for Pakistan

132 Jalan Ampang

50450 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Email: hamidwattoo@gmail.com <kundi.wajihullah@gmail.com>

Office: +603-21611370

Cell: +6-0102441963

Fax: +603-21610384

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Pro-life groups call for Pepsi boycott over aborted fetal cell lines

by Rebecca Millette - May 26, 2011

LARGO, Florida, - Scores of prolife groups are calling for a public boycott of food giant, PepsiCo, due to its partnership with Senomyx, a biotech company that uses aborted fetal cells in the research and development of artificial flavor enhancers.

LifeSiteNews previously reported on Senomyx's partnership with major food corporations, most notably PepsiCo, Kraft Foods, and Nestlé. 

Pro-life watchdog group, Children of God for Life (CGL), is now joined by major pro-life organizations calling upon the public to target PepsiCo in a boycott.

Pepsi is funding the research and development, and paying royalties to Senomyx, which uses HEK-293 (human embryonic kidney cells) to produce flavor enhancers for Pepsi beverages.

"Using isolated human taste receptors we created proprietary taste receptor-based assay systems that provide a biochemical or electronic readout when a flavor ingredient interacts with the receptor," says the Senomyx website.

"What they do not tell the public is that they are using HEK 293 - human embryonic kidney cells taken from an electively aborted baby to produce those receptors," stated Debi Vinnedge, President for CGL, the watch dog group that has been monitoring the use of aborted fetal material in medical products and cosmetics for years.

The aborted fetal cells are not in the product itself. However, "there are many options PepsiCo could be using instead of aborted fetal cells," noted Vinnedge.

The revelation about Senomyx's research techniques motivated Campbell Soup to sever all relations with Senomyx.

However, PepsiCo continues their business relationship despite the abortion connection. They drew public ire earlier this year when they responded, saying, "our collaboration with Senomyx is strictly limited to creating lower-calorie, great-tasting beverages for consumers."

When pressed further, PepsiCo sent out a form letter response saying they had been accused of conducting aborted fetal tissue research.

Bradley Mattes, executive director of Life Issues Institute, said, "While aborted fetal cells aren't actually in the product itself, the close relationship is enough to repulse most consumers.  To our knowledge, this is the first time a food product has been publicly associated with abortion."

The pro-life groups noted that additional companies collaborating with Senomyx will be targeted for boycott next.

The pro-life organizations are asking the public to boycott all Pepsi drink products and encourage consumers to contact Pepsi management requesting that they sever all ties with Senomyx.

For a list of Pepsi Beverages included in the boycott: http://pepsico.com/Brands/Pepsi_Cola-Brands.html

To Contact PepsiCo:

Jamie Caulfield, Sr. VP

PepsiCo, Inc.

700 Anderson Hill Road

Purchase, NY 10577

(914) 253-2000

Email form.

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Pepsi & Food using aborted fetal cells

Food containing fetuses targeted under new Oklahoma bill

By Nicole Burgin

You might think this is a story out of 'The Onion' but it is a real story.

An Oklahoma lawmaker files a bill to ban the making and selling of food or products that use aborted human fetuses.

State Senator Ralph Shortey says he's done research and found reports that companies have used stem cells in the research and development of food.

"I don't know if it is happening in Oklahoma, it may be, it may not be.  What I am saying is that if it does happen then we are not going to allow it to manufacture here," says Shortey

The lawmaker that represents Oklahoma County couldn't give any specific examples.

"There is a potential that there are companies that are using aborted human babies in their research and development of basically enhancing flavor for artificial flavors," says Shortey.

Some argue there has to be more to the proposed bill and believe it is a back door attempt to ban stem cell research.

Shortey says it is not, although he admits, he would support and vote for a ban on stem cell research in the state.

A number of food makers have denied the claims.

Pro-life groups call for Pepsi boycott over aborted fetal cell lines.

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PR--APCNGA questions ban on use of generators by CNG outlets

*APCNGA questions ban on use of generators by CNG outlets*
*800 CNG stations remained closed during power failure*
*Govt’s policy depriving masses of inexpensive fuel*

*Dated Feb 25*
The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Monday criticised the policy of government for barring CNG filling stations from using diesel generators to run business during electricity loadshedding.

Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA demanded immediate reversal of the policy which is only adding to the miseries of masses which are already stressed due to much criticised gas loadshedding schedule and unjust distribution of the hydrocarbon resources.


The policy of discouraging CNG owners from running business during loadshedding is not according to the ground realities as no area in Pakistan is immune to the power loadshedding which leaves many without CNG during operational days, he said

Ghiyas Paracha said that one of the worst power breakdowns that left over half of the country in darkness and stopped production in most of the country also took toll on the CNG business.

800 CNG outlets out of 1200 in Region I including Faisalabad, Bhawalpur, and Potohar remained closed due to the failure of the power network, he informed.


He said that closure of 800 stations resulted in additional burden on operational CNG filling stations resulting in longer lines of cars, cabs, and public transport vehicles.

A country having largest user base of CNG in the world, with highest number of CNG stations and almost two-thirds of all cars and small commercial vehicles using this fuel deserve a better treatment, the leader of CNG sector said.

Paracha said that masses faced problems in getting their vehicles refilled with economical fuel as CNG stations have been barred by the government to use diesel generators during power loadshedding.

He said that most of the policies for CNG sector framed by politicians and bureaucracy who remain unconcerned with plight of masses have negative implications.

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Proper parenting key to success of children

*Local school holds parenting seminar*

*Proper parenting key to success of children*

*Successful parenting skills shape children's behavior  *

*Better parenting tied to social responsibility, economic prosperity*

* *

*Islamabad: Feb 24*

A school chain held a well-attended parenting seminar to prepare parents to deal with their children in a way that ensures their success in future which was seen imperative to achieve goal of national development and economic prosperity.

Parenting, one of the most important jobs of one’s life, is a topic that is not appreciated or frequently discussed that is why the administration of Pak-Turk International Schools and Colleges decided to hold a series of seminars to provide necessary training to parents to help build long-lasting character into hearts of their children.

Hundreds of parents of preschool, elementary-age and teenagers wishing success for their children by acquiring successful parenting skills to shape children's behavior attended the seminar to know how to develop cooperation and responsibility among their kids.

Speaking at the occasion, the trainers said that it is not always easy for parents to communicate with their children in today’s fast-paced culture but it is important as proper parenting shapes the coming generations, and the way they will behave affecting the world around them.

Engaging children in difficult issue which can be daunting but it cannot be ignored as is it not only tied to family’s success and future of children but to the social responsibility and prosperity of the country, they said.

The trainers said that Pakistani students are highly gifted and they deserve best possible support in the practical life for which every possible effort should be undertaken including latest teaching and learning strategies, confidence, praise, responsibility and self-trust.

Many children fail to achieve desired results not because of standard of schooling or poverty but due to lack the necessary parental skills among parents to support their children, they said.

They called upon the parents to do their best to inculcate importance of values among their children without which success will remain incomplete. Everything we mentioned would hold absolutely no water and crumble to failure if it is not being done with consistency which is the backbone to discipline, the trainers underlined.

During the question-and-answer session, parents appreciated helpful suggestions and raised many points. Some parents requested regular counselling session which was accepted by Pak-Turk administration.

Later prizes were distributed among those who demonstrated positive attributes of effective parenting.

*--*

Ebubekir HASPOLAT

Cell-0321-5552883

Ph-051-2615781-2

Fax- 051-2298672

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CNG import ban lifted temporarily to please an influential group

*ECC’s CNG import decision shocking: PEW*
*CNG import ban lifted temporarily to please an influential group*
*CNG parts’ imports during ban and later clearance seems collusion *
*Revoking decisions of former FM may be linked to his resignation*

*February 23*

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Saturday expressed shock over decision of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to temporary lift ban on the imports of CNG cylinders and kits terming it against the government stance, claims and decisions.

Top government functionaries have been publicly blaming that CNG sectorhas become a burden responsible for all the ills of the energy sector and that the economical fuel will be phased-out to save economy from total collapse.

However, by allowing conditional import the government has violated its own stance to benefit an influential group in the CNG sector that imported huge quantity of cylinders and kits during ban, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President PEW.

Questions are also raised about the taxes paid by the group and record of imports which officials say has been stolen while in the possession of FBR that merits a probe by NAB and superior judiciary, he added.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that ECC has used the name of Italian company to justify decision while ensuring benefit of Rs 1 billion to powerful CNG group who were allowed to run their filling stations throughout the load-shedding.

Insiders say that the concerned already knew about the decision and a sizable number of the imported items have already been sold.

It is astonishing that former finance minister slapped ban on CNG cylinders and kits on Dec 16, 2011 on the summary of petroleum ministry apparently in the national interests and now the ban was lifted on the summary of same ministry, again in the national interest.

The decision taken in the first ECC meeting with Finance Minister Saleem H. Mandviwalla in chair, few days after he took charge, is very important as a total of three critical decisions taken by former FM have been reversed including changing priority to the gas consuming sectors and tax breaks to a refinery.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that these decisions of ECC may be linked to the resignation of former FM Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.

It seems difficult to justify the ECC’s CNG decision in the backdrop of Government claims that Pakistan is short of gas and that economical fuel has not only become a liability but bringing whole economy down.


The ECC decision also reaffirms the notion that nothing is final in politics, said Dr. Mughal adding that worse could be lying ahead.

--
Dr. Murtaza Mughal
Cell:  0321-5157671
President Pakistan Economy Watch

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