Pakistan Economy - News & Updates - Archive

[Owais]

Pakistan lucrative place for foreign investors: Musharraf

RAWALPINDI (November 29 2006): President General Pervez Musharraf said on Tuesday the geo-strategic location and with its business-friendly environment and consistency in policies, Pakistan had become a lucrative destination for foreign entrepreneurs, offering best of return with adequate legal safeguards on their investment.

Talking to Dubai-based Uniworld group Chairman, Byram Javat and his delegation, the President said Pakistan was making strong economic progress with wide scope of investment in diverse fields, especially energy, information technology, telecommunication, agriculture and infrastructure.

He informed the delegation that the policies of liberalisation, de-regulation and privatisation have resulted in greater inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) and both local and foreign investors enjoy similar incentives and opportunities. All sectors of the economy are open to foreign investors, he said, adding the government had put in place strong measures to remove procedural and other impediments in the way of investment.

Uniworld chairman said that Pakistan's economic upsurge, coupled with unprecedented incentives, had evoked great interest amongst foreign investors in the country. Like many other international companies, Javet said his group also plans to make investment in the country to the mutual benefit of both Pakistan and his group.

The company has shown interest in the country's expanding hotel industry and healthcare sector.

 

[Owais]

Pakistan has excellent opportunity for investment decisions: UK minister

KARACHI (November 29 2006): British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department of Trade and Industry Ian McCartney has said that Pakistan is at the crossroads between China and India, the Gulf States and Central Asia and presents an excellent opportunity to make investment decisions.

He was addressing a press briefing at the British Consulate on Tuesday, which was followed by an interaction between the media and the members of his delegation visiting Pakistan these days.

He said in 1980 Asia had 21 percent of global economy, in 2022 it would be 43 percent excluding China. "Pakistan can share in this," he added.

McCartney said that the United Kingdom was willing to partner in Pakistan's Development. "There is currently one billion pound sterling of bilateral trade between UK and Pakistan." He said the two countries could do more together.

He said Britain was historically one of the largest investors in Pakistan and there were already more than one hundred companies in Pakistan "We can do more together," he added.

He said Tony Blair had announced some relief and investment measures and investment in social and economic development in Pakistan. It would double from 236 million pound sterling to 480 million pound sterling. It was a sign of growing together, he added.McCartney said in Lahore nine million pounds sterling investment to develop community banking was coming. "This will help small business, women and community groups."

He said only in education, some 8,000 students from Pakistan would come to Britain for higher education. "We could do more together to bring our young people together to learn and improve links between our universities and local colleges," he said.

He said Lord Mayor of the city of London, where they were pioneering Islamic financial products, would visit Pakistan next year to promote working in developing expertise in services and helping Pakistani companies seeking new investment opportunities and markets including insurance, legal and banking services. "The lord mayor will bring a high powered delegation with him for an enlarged interaction between the investors of the two countries," he added.

McCartney said that he had fruitful discussion with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Privatisation and Investment and the Minister for Commerce.

He said he had extended invitation to the Minister for Commerce to visit London and meet the vibrant Pakistani communities in Manchester, Birmingham, Blackburn, Preston and Leeds.

Ibukun Adebay, London, from London Stock Exchange, Sir Thomas Harris, Standard Chartered Bank, Michael Hodges, HSBC, and David Raines, HCA, International Health flanked the minister. The Deputy High Commissioner of Britain Hamish was also present.

 

[Owais]

'UAE investment promoting modern technology in Pakistan'

LAHORE (November 29 2006): President Pakistan Muslim League Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi have said that people of Pakistan attach great importance to UAE investment due to which, in addition to generation of job opportunities, modern technology is also being promoted in the country.

They were addressing the participants of a reception hosted by Federal Minister for Education and Youth Affairs of United Arab Emirates Nahyan Mubarak Alnahyan near Rahim Yar Khan on Tuesday.

Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz Elahi said the projects executed in Pakistan with UAE investment are a shining example of unflinching ties between the two countries.

Chairman National Commission for Human Development and Pakistan Cricket Board, Dr Nasim Ashraf, Chief Executive of Dhabi Group Bashir Tahir and prominent broadcaster PJ Mir were also present on the occasion.

Elahi said that by huge investment in Punjab, UAE has expressed its confidence in Pakistan. He said as a result of investment of 800 million in Trade Centre and Ravi City in Lahore as well as in banking sector, UAE has joined the rank of leading investors in Pakistan.

UAE Minister Nahyan Mubarak Alnahyan, while speaking on the occasion, said launching of various projects in Punjab has been a pleasant experience. He said that people of Punjab are hard-working, talented and loving and bilateral co-operation with Punjab will further increase in future.

 

[Owais]

SME zone to boost exports to China to be set up
ISLAMABAD (November 29 2006): Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) zone would be established in Northern Areas aiming to enhance exports to China, Minister for Northern Areas and Kashmir Affairs Tahir Iqbal said Tuesday.

Talking to the PTV he said PC-1 of the project has already been approved. Feasibility study was being reviewed at the moment. Exports of perishable items especially of cherry would be exported to China after ensuring their preservation.

A sum of Rs 992 million would be spent during the current financial year for overcoming the current 50 percent shortfall of electricity in Northern Areas. Target was to ensure up to 300mw power production in NA by 2020, he said.

Work was also continuing on a package of Rs 10.28 million to provide electricity to Gilgit. An 18mw power generating project would be completed in March 2007 near Gilgit.

Another 18mw power generation project would be initiated by mid of next year, he said. Feasibility study of another 24mw power generation project was ready. Likewise, 6 new generators have also been incorporated in the system for providing electricity facility to Gilgit, Skardu.

Six new grid stations are also being established for stabilising the distribution system there, he added. Efforts are underway for making progress in the field of agriculture. Tree plantation was continuing and around 90,000 saplings would be planted in Northern Areas.

Seeds of wheat and potato has been improved. It will increase production by 20 percent. A sum of 32.0 million is being invested for promotion of tourism in these areas. Three information centres would be established in Gilgit, Skardu and Sust for facilitating tourists, he added.

Website has already been developed and was in final stages. Anyone could get information about tourism. New avenues and sites would also be explored in a bid to attract more and more tourists. Karakoram Highway from China to Hassan Abdal will be doubled within a period of around three years. Nine new villages would be set up for victims of Diamer-Basha dam, he said.

 

[Neo]

Infrastructure project uplift plan launched

ISLAMABAD, Nov 28: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday urged the public and private sectors to build synergies and go hand-in-hand to meet the enormous development challenges facing the country.

He was inaugurating a two-day public-private partnership forum on "Integrating Resources for Development", which also marked the formal launching of Infrastructure Project Development Facility (IPDF) that will help identify viable projects for private investment.

Describing the private sector as an engine of growth, the prime minister said its involvement in infrastructure development was of vital importance for sustainable and accelerated economic growth. He observed that the fusion of the public and the private sector can bring a tangible difference to the lives of the people.

He was of the view that the development of human capital and infrastructure improvement and expansion were the two major prerequisites of sustained economic growth.

He said the Medium Term Development Framework (2005-2010) of the government underlines the importance of improving the quality and coverage of vital physical infrastructure such as power and water supply as well as transport and logistics chain.

Referring to the state of infrastructure, he said there were significant gaps to be bridged. "We have to expand the coverage and outreach of essential services such as gas, electricity, municipal services and telecommunications to our entire population," he remarked.

He said there was a need to improve the operational efficiency of key sectors such as power and transport. “Upgrading the entire supply chain is so critical to improving productivity and competitiveness. Above all, we have to ensure food, energy and water security for a growing population," he added.

He said one of the major strategic initiatives in the field of infrastructure development was the National Trade Corridor linking Pakistan's major ports in the south with its major cities and trade routes to the north. The ports, roads and railways along this corridor handle 95 per cent of external trade and 65 per cent of total land freight.

He said that serving regions that account for 80-85 per cent of the country's GDP, this initiative will significantly reduce the time and cost of moving goods and thereby improve the competitiveness of the industry.

He said it was estimated that modernisation of this corridor alone will require investment of about $1 billion per year over the medium term.

He stressed that public-private partnerships can play a key role in mobilising resources and improving efficiencies through managerial expertise, new technology, better project design and implementation, and judicious use of resources.

"Our own experience so far has been quite encouraging. Past efforts to attract private investment, especially in the power and telecom sectors, have contributed to meeting the infrastructure gaps," he pointed out.

Adviser to the prime minister on Finance, Dr Salman Shah in his welcome address highlighted the objectives of the IPPF and said this programme will help the nation to revolutionalise the infrastructure in the country and bring an era of progress and prosperity.

Country Director of Asian Development Bank Peter Feldon and Country Director of World Bank John Wall appreciated the structural reforms being carried out by the government.

 

[Neo]

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Pakistan wants to initiate talks on FTA with EU: Shaukat Aziz

* UK trade minister praises Pakistan for passing Women’s Protection Bill
* Says the legislation will go a long way in providing justice and security to women

ISLAMABAD: Underlining the importance of long standing diplomatic, political and economic linkages between Pakistan and the UK, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said Pakistan desires to further strengthen the economic and trade relationship between the two countries through greater interaction between the private and public sectors of the two countries.

The prime minister was talking to Ian McCartney, UK Minister for Trade, who called on him on Tuesday along with a 10-member delegation comprising representatives of the London Stock Exchange, financial institutions and senior government officials. Expansion of economic relations between Pakistan and the UK, reform agenda of the government and the issue of better market access for Pakistani products in the markets of the European Union came under discussion.

The prime minister said Pakistan is an emerging market with a vast potential for growth, rising consumer spending and robust industrial development. The recent listing of Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) at the London Stock Exchange and the forthcoming listing of the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDC) is a clear evidence of international acceptance of stability in Pakistan's industrial and financial sectors.

He said as a result of the far-reaching reforms introduced by the government in every facet of life, Pakistan has been transformed into a country having high growth. The reforms introduced for de-regulation of the economy, transparent privatization, creation of a business-friendly environment, rationalization of taxes and tariffs and transparency in government transactions has restored confidence of the investors and Pakistan had received record foreign direct investment the previous year.

The prime minister said Pakistan has made significant progress on the issue of Intellectual Property Rights. A dedicated organization has been set up to deal with the issue in a focused manner and we are dealing with violations in a tough manner.

Mr Aziz said Pakistan is moving fast on the reform path to prepare itself to face the challenges posed by globalization. He said the government is working on increasing absorptive capacity and the training of the civil servants is one of the steps in that direction.

The prime minister said one of the basic paradigm shifts in the country is a clear distinction in the roles of ministries and regulators. While policy formulation is the responsibility of the ministries, regulators have been provided independence to deal with the implementation part of it. He said Pakistan desires to initiate talks on Free Trade Agreement ( FTA) with the European Union and said Pakistan being an open economy is in a position to enter into such agreements and implement them effectively. The prime minister asked the UK to extend their support to Pakistan in this regard.

Mr McCartney said the banks and financial institutions of the UK find the investment climate in Pakistan conducive and a number of them are planning to expand their operations in Pakistan. He said private sector companies are keen to invest in Pakistan in health care, financial and oil and gas sectors through joint ventures with Pakistani companies and on public-private partnership basis.

He praised Pakistan for passing the Women Protection Bill and said the legislation will go a long way in providing justice and security to women. He appreciated the role played by the Pakistani community in the development of UK. The British MPs of Pakistani origin are doing their job actively and enthusiastically, he added.

Sir Thomas Harris, Vice-Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank, said British financial institutions are watching with great appreciation the economic transformation of Pakistan. He said the expansion in their operations in Pakistan, by a number of foreign banks is an expression of their confidence in Pakistan's economic and banking sectors. The meeting was attended, among others, by Minister for Commerce Humayun Akhtar Khan, High Commissioner of the UK to Pakistan Sir Mark Lyall Grant and senior officials.

 

[Neo]

PM says ROZs to help alleviate poverty

ISLAMABAD: November 29, 2006: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) being set up in different areas of the country including tribal areas, Balochistan, quake affected areas and the commercially dispersed zones of the country will help alleviate poverty, improve living standards and contribute to overall economic uplift of these areas.

The prime minister was chairing a meeting here on Wednesday to review progress on ROZs programme.

The prime minister said ROZs will greatly transform the less developed areas by strengthening infrastructure, generating economic activities and creating more jobs and better facilities of life for the people of these areas.

The prime minister appreciated that the proposal to set up ROZs also includes that goods manufactured in these Zones will be exported to the US markets on preferential terms.

The prime minister emphasised the need for providing skills training to the people of the areas where ROZs are to be set up to improve their prospects for getting employment. He said the entire physical infrastructure and support system including transport connectivity and supply of essential services to these areas will be strengthened to attract investments and facilitate efficient functioning of the industrial units set up in these areas.

Earlier Secretary Ministry of Commerce made a presentation to update the meeting on progress of the programme.

He said the Ministry is actively pursuing the proposal to set up ROZs with the US authorities and it is hoped that legislation on the programme including the exact locations of the ROZs and products to be manufactured there will be finalised soon between the Pakistani and the US authorities.

 

[ali ahmad]

Ecnec likely to approve 32 projects



ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) is expected to give approval to 32 projects worth Rs80 million when its meets here on Thursday.

Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr Akram Sheikh told Dawn that one of the important projects to be approved was the construction of an international airport at Gwadar. A road project aimed to link Quetta with other cities and towns of Balochistan was on the list, he added.

He said that projects like construction of an expo centre in Lahore and competitive support fund were also expected to receive the approval.

Answering a question, Mr Sheikh said that President Musharraf and the federal cabinet had approved a number of mega-projects in the water sector, including the Kalabagh, Diamer-Bhasha and Akhori dams.

"Now there is no question of reconsidering or reviewing those projects, including the three dams," he said, adding that the Central Development Working Party, which had met on Tuesday, did not have any objection on these plans.

He said the technical committee had already cleared and approved the dam projects, adding that no province could now challenge these plans.

 

[ali ahmad]

Electronic media attracts Rs5bn investment


ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: The recent developments in Pakistan’s electronic media have created over 80,000 new jobs and attracted an investment of over Rs5 billion during the last three years.

These figures are based on the licences issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to private enterprises in different sub-sectors of the electronic media.

PEMRA has also estimated an investment of Rs654 million in wireless cable (MMDS), some Rs580 million in direct-to-home technology, Rs154 million in FM radio sector and Rs2.6 billion in satellite TV field.

The teleport facility is likely to fetch an investment of Rs500 million, shows a report of PEMRA for June 2003 to June 2006.The report has, however, not mentioned any details of the increasing control of the private electronic media by the state and the shrinking space for freedom of information. But, it still depicts a very bright picture of the expansion of electronic media in Pakistan.

The investment would potentially give fillip to local production of complementary goods such as cable, digital receivers, dish, stabilizers, encrypted cards, antenna and TV sets. Nobel TV plans to produce 500,000 TV sets per annum while Sony, National and Singer are already assembling TV sets.

The report says that electronic media can serve as “mega employment generation tool”. Presently, the cable television sector is employing some 30,000 people who are the bread-earners of families comprising around 500,000 members. Pakistan Television (PTV) has 6,000 employees on its payroll while Radio Pakistan has manpower of over 3,000.By the end of 2005-06, the fast expanding private electronic media has generated employment for 50,000 to 60,000 people. The radio sector has employed about 1,000 people, while satellite TV generated direct employment for over 4,000 others. The direct-to-home (DTH) technology could potentially accommodate about 200 people and the cable sector around 10,000. The wireless cable (MMDS) has the capacity to generate 1,000 jobs.

At present, the report says, the electronic media is fetching annual advertisement revenue of more than Rs3 billion. The cable television is earning about Rs5 billion through subscriptions every year. With the establishment of new media outlets, the revenues of the electronic media are expected to shoot up to Rs7 billion by 2007. PEMRA is also hopeful that being a highly capital intensive and holding promising employment opportunities, the electronic media could contribute substantially to the country’s economic growth. It expects about Rs6 billion investments in the sector apart from the government’s spending on the state-run electronic media.

The number of existing television viewers of 50 million is increasing by half a million every year, the report claims.

PEMRA is of the view that in the present conditions, the country can easily sustain the establishment of over 230 FM radio stations, at least 12 to 15 satellite TV channels, around 3,000 cable networks, more than 25 MMDS stations and about two DTH operations. In the satellite television sector alone, PEMRA estimates that 36 to 44 channels may become viable until the year 2010.

PEMRA has also issued 86 licenses, in three phases, for establishing FM radio stations in 56 cities.

 

[ali ahmad]

TDAP inks agreement

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: The government has allowed the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to sign an agreement with Argentine Trade Authority for the promotion of bilateral trade.

An official said that the decision was taken in the federal cabinet meeting headed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz here on Wednesday.

The official said that the agreement would help in promoting export of various products to Argentina besides exploring market for new products

 

[ali ahmad]

Move to sign PTA with 57 OIC states\

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has approved a proposal of the commerce ministry to ink a protocol with the OIC secretariat for initiation of talks on preferential trade agreement (PTA) with 57 members of the Islamic bloc.

A senior official told Dawn on Wednesday the proposed PTA, which would lead to a free trade agreement, would help in facilitating movement of trade resulting in greater intra-OIC trade.

Under the proposed PTA, all the OIC member countries would scale down tariff to 10 per cent on 7 per cent of the tariff lines of their respective countries in a bid to encourage more intra-OIC trade.

The official said that Pakistan would sign the protocol in the next meeting of the OIC, which was expected to be held in the next three months.

The 57-member Organisation of the Islamic Conference represents almost 1.8 billion people. The OIC countries meet almost 75 per cent of global energy needs and supply the world with 40 per cent of its raw material.

The official said the trade among OIC countries was not substantial.

He said that the proposed PTA among the OIC member-countries deserves close attention. In the emerging global atmosphere of free trade, such an arrangement can help promote greater economic cooperation among the member countries, he added.

 

[Owais]

Industrialists urged to benefit from deals with China: Cabinet briefed on Pak-India talks status

ISLAMABAD (November 30 2006): The Cabinet, which met here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, has urged the local manufacturers to utilise their full potential to benefit from the recent agreements signed between Pakistan and China.

It expressed hope that the historic visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Pakistan would give further impetus to the promotion of bilateral relations in all fields.

Briefing the journalists after the meeting, Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said that the Cabinet appreciated the cooperation between Pakistan and China in defence, energy, trade and investment.

Regarding cooperation for establishment of new nuclear power plants, he said that China would continue to co-operate in positive developments in this field. "China will extend cooperation for all such positive development activities," he added.

About imposition of penalty on currency dealers for violation of rules and regulations, he said that this issue did not come under consideration of the Cabinet. However, an official told Business Recorder that the summary had been withdrawn, by Finance Ministry, without citing any reason.

The Cabinet appreciated Chinese government for establishing China-specific investment zone in Lahore to boost trade between the two countries, which has been established to promote economic relations between the two countries.

He said that the signing of development cooperation agreement would bring the two countries further closer by promoting cooperation in development and economic sector. The people-to-people contact would help a great deal in cementing the already existing very cordial and friendly relations between Pakistan and China.

He said that the Cabinet welcomed the signing of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China. Under this agreement Pakistan's trade with China would touch $15 billion.

The Cabinet greatly appreciated that the world's fastest growing market had been opened for Pakistan's exports. The people of Pakistan warmly welcomed the friend from a friendly country with great love and enthusiasm, he said.

The Cabinet also approved signing of an agreement between Pakistan and Zimbabwe on deputation of Pakistan Air Force Flight Instructors to Zimbabwe. Durrani said that Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri and Foreign Affairs Secretary Riaz Muhammad Khan briefed the Cabinet on the status of Pak-India composite dialogue, including development on contentious issues like Siachen. The Cabinet said that Pakistan is a peace-loving country and wants to promote peace in the region, he added.

The Cabinet was of the view that to ensure durable peace in the subcontinent it was imperative that the Kashmir issue should be resolved in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he said. "Confidence-building measures (CBMs) can only be beneficial if there is progress on real issues," he added.

The Cabinet congratulated the Prime Minister on the passage of the Women Protection Bill (WPB). It was viewed as a first step towards the long journey of women's emancipation in Pakistan. The Cabinet also discussed the political situation in the country, but MMA's resignations issue did not come under discussion.

The Prime Minister said that the government was making efforts to strengthen the democratic institutions in the country. He said that the present Parliament would complete its tenure and elections would be held according to schedule.

The Cabinet approved Family Laws (Amendments) Bill 2006 in compliance with Supreme Court order. The Supreme Court in a Constitution petition, No 16 of 2004, had passed the order on 24.4.2006 to suitably amend Section 310-A PPC.

The Cabinet approved a cooperation agreement between Export Promotion Bureau and Export Promotion Agency of Argentina with a view to institutionalise the strong linkages with the export promotion agencies of the two countries. The agreement would promote economic, commercial and business cooperation between Argentine and Pakistan.

The Cabinet approved signing of the protocol on Preferential Tariff Scheme for (IPS-OIC/PRETAS) among the participating member states of OIC. The Pretas aims at reducing tariff of 7 percent of total HS lines in the National Tariff Schedules of member states.

The Cabinet approved for signing of agreement between Vietnam and Pakistan on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports. The Cabinet granted approval, in principle, to start negotiations on the draft agreement between Pakistan and Morocco on combating terrorism.

 

[Owais]

Economic, social sectors developing in tandem: Prime Minister

ISLAMABAD (November 30 2006): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday said that the economic and social sectors are developing in tandem and after achieving macroeconomic stability, the government is now focusing on providing better facilities of health, education and other amenities of life to the people to ensure sustainable development for the country.

Talking to Bjorn Stigson, president, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, (WBCSD) Geneva who called on him Wednesday, the Prime Minister termed the improvement in the standard of living of the people at grassroots level as the real criterion for the success of any reform agenda.

He said the broad based, multidimensional structural reforms introduced by the government during the last seven years have put the economy on a high growth trajectory and all sectors of the economy are showing growth.

The Prime Minister said sustaining a high level of investment and growth is a major challenge and the government is focusing on the development of human capital, infrastructure strengthening, health care and gender parity as part of the Medium Term Development Framework.

Shaukat Aziz underlined the major role of private sector in ensuring sustainable development and said the economic philosophy of the government based on three broad principles of liberalisation, deregulation and privatisation.

He said continuity, consistency, transparency of policies and good governance have facilitated the private sector to innovate, grow and lead the development process.

The Prime Minister welcomed the setting up of Business Council for Sustainable Development of Pakistan. Bjorn Stigson said the World Business Council for Sustainable Development is a leading business advocate on sustainable development that brings together some 180 international companies in a shared commitment to sustainable development through economic growth, ecological balance and social progress.

 

[Owais]

Musharraf asks pharmaceutical companies to cut prices

ISLAMABAD (November 30 2006): President General Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday said that the government was working on a comprehensive strategy to provide primary healthcare to all, and asked the pharmaceutical companies to bring down prices to within the reach of the common man.

Inaugurating the 'Health Expo 2006', showcasing Pakistan's health sector, the President spoke of several initiatives the government had taken to provide healthcare to the masses. Medical practitioners, experts, and a large number of medical students and nurses attended the opening of the two-day event.

The President said that the government was transmitting the economic gains to all sectors including health. "We cannot achieve much unless we have a strong economy," he said, referring to the increase in allocation for the health sector.

The allocation for health sector in the federal and provincial budgets, combined, was up by about 300 percent over previous allocation, he said. "But this is not enough. We have to allocate more for the health sector, and it will be done," he added. He pointed to four key areas the government is addressing in providing healthcare at primary and secondary levels.

The government has revived the Basic and Rural Health Units and was ensuring that doctors, medicines and equipment were available at these facilities. He said the BHUs and Rural Health Centres cater to 70 percent of the population, and it was essential to do it. This, he added, would lower the load on major hospitals.

He said that salaries of doctors at the BHUs have been increased to Rs 25,000, and they are also being provided residential accommodation. He said that in the case of Punjab the performance of these centres would be regularly monitored through Chief Minister's Evaluation Cell.

"However we must improve the quality and post-operative care at the tertiary hospitals," President Musharraf said, adding that they could even draw patients from the entire region. He identified the high incidence of water-borne diseases as an area of key concern, and said that the government was aiming at providing clean drinking water to the people by December 2007.

He said Rs 7 billion has been allocated for this purpose and at least filtration plants would be provided at Union level. He said that since it was vital to regularly check the quality of water, the project was being implemented by the Ministry of Science and Technology, under his direct supervision.

The President said that the government was also addressing the area of high mother and child mortality rates and has increased the number of Lady Health Visitors to 96,000 to provide better health care at grass-roots level.

Regarding immunisation, he said that at present about 70 percent of the area was being covered. He, however, directed the Ministry to ensure that the entire population is protected. He said that only 33 cases, mostly from the Afghan refugee camps, were reported in Pakistan this year. He said that Pakistani and Afghan health authorities were tackling the matter together.

He appreciated the role of National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) in providing primary healthcare and improving the capacity of the district governments in addressing health issues.

He also commended the role of medical community after the October 8 earthquake and said that the local and foreign medical teams had done a remarkable job that was even acknowledged by international organisations, owing to the low ratio of dead to the injured. The President said that efficient medical services in the wake of the earthquake had proved wrong all those who were predicting breakout of epidemics.

He also appreciated the role of the pharmaceutical industry and asked it to increase its exports. He also asked the industry to lower the prices of medicines to make these within the reach of the common man.

He said that the surgical instruments industry also needed to become high-tech industry and should go for value-addition. In this regard, he said that a university was being set up in Sialkot to teach relevant subjects to the industry.

Health Minister Nasir Khan said the government was providing free medical services to the poor sector, and added that about 96,000 health visitors, mostly in remote areas, were contributing significantly to reduce the mother and child mortality rate.

Similarly, he said, free diagnostic services were being extended for hepatitis and free vaccination was being provided to the most vulnerable segments. The Minister lauded President Musharraf for his commitment to the uplift of healthcare sector.

About the immunisation campaign, he said that some 32 million children were administered polio vaccine. Free treatment against HIV was being provided, and the health ministry was also undertaking a comprehensive programme to prevent blindness, he added.

Pakistan, he said, also has a booming pharmaceutical industry and its turnover has increased to $1.5 billion, from 800 million dollars in 2003. The country is also known for its best surgical instruments and the industry exported items worth 200 million last year, he said, adding that it was targeting $300 million surgical exports for next year.

Health Secretary Anwar Mehmood said that the 'Expo' had brought together all those related to healthcare and it aims to project what Pakistan has done in this area. He underlined the importance of good health and said his ministry was working on various projects to ensure best of the facilities, especially to the marginalised segment.

The Secretary also noted that there had been impressive growth in the pharmaceutical industry in the country and increase in exports of surgical instruments to many developed countries like the United States, the UK, Germany and the Middle East.

Later, the President also conferred 'Lifetime Achievement Award' on Abdul Sattar Edhi for selfless service to the suffering humanity and for operating the largest network of volunteer ambulance service in the world, and providing shelter to the homeless and the destitute. The international fame Edhi received a standing ovation. Other recipients included Dr Ruth Fow, known as 'mother of leprosy control', and has been serving the people in Pakistan since 1960s.

Similar awards were given to Professor Adeebul Hassan Rizvi of Sindh Institute of Urology, Dr Fariduddin Baqai, and Professor Khawaja Sadiq Hussain for promoting health education, Dr Syed Mohibur Rehman, Professor Dr Nasiruddin Azam Khan and Mrs Khadija Mushtaq--pioneer of nursing profession in the country. The President also took a round of various stalls set up by hospitals and pharmaceutical companies at the exhibition.

 

[Owais]

Sindh sugar mills stop cane crushing

KARACHI (November 30 2006): Sugar mills across the Sindh province halted the ongoing sugarcane crushing on Wednesday afternoon, sources told Business Recorder. They said that an important high-level meeting of the members of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) was held here on Wednesday to take a decision about cane crushing.

Some of the senior members of PSMA Sindh zone dispelled the impression that the issue of suspension of sugarcane crushing had been discussed during the PSMA's meeting and termed it a 'routine meeting'.

Furthermore, PSMA Sindh zone Chairman Aslam Farooq denied the rumours that all 28 sugar mills in Sindh had been brought to a halt, saying that some 10 such mills had temporarily suspended the sugarcane crushing due to several problems they had been facing since first day of the crushing season. "The major reason for the suspension of cane crushing operation was the lack of sufficient sugarcane supply to them," he added.

He said that other 18 mills, which had been provided with the required sugarcane by the growers, were properly operating and would not suspend crushing process. Aslam avoided to reveal the decisions taken at Wednesday's PSMA meeting and said that it was part of the association's regular process and nothing had been decided about the closure of sugar mills.

He said other ten mills had halted sugarcane crushing only on the basis of their individual decisions and may resume crushing operation within a week or so, as soon as the situation got better. However, he dismissed the allegations that sugar mills had been brought to a halt in line with the PSMA's policy supported by all its members. "Growers should improve sugarcane supply to mills as they have supplied only 20 percent of their produce since the crushing season started," he urged.

About the dispute on support price, Aslam said that there was no dispute on support price as it had been agreed by the PSMA Sindh zone with the government to receive sugarcane from growers on Rs 67 per 40-kg and millers are bound to follow the agreement.

"Our agreement with government is Rs 67 per 40-kg sugarcane as a support price on which all mills will get it from growers and there is no ambiguity on this issue in the minds of millers," he elaborated. Regarding situation in Punjab, he said he did not have any idea of the situation prevailing there, however, he observed that some of the sugar mills were operational in Punjab province.

President Sindh Growers Association (SGA) Qurban Ali Shah announced two-pronged policy to press their demands for resumption of sugarcane crushing in Sindh province, which he said, was halted by the millers as their deliberate intention to create 'monopoly' in the market.

He alleged PSMA Sindh zone had already decided that millers would not initiate sugarcane crushing before January 15, 2007 and claimed that SGA had proofs of two meetings held under the PSMA umbrella. "They (PSMA members) have declared in their two important meetings including one held in Lahore that sugarcane crushing will not be commenced before January 15," he added.

Replaying to a question, Qurban Ali Shah said that PSMA had initiated sugarcane crushing only on Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim's pressure. Elaborating his two-pronged policy, he said that first the SGA would approach Arbab Rahim and then it would raise the issue in the Sindh Assembly on December 1. The issue will also be raised in the National Assembly, he added.

"We (SGA) will submit a requisition in Sindh Assembly as an adjournment motion to press the growers' demands and put pressure on millers to take their decision back on the sugarcane suspension issue," he said.

Qurban termed the suspension of sugarcane crushing as a 'conspiracy' against the farmers and said all sugar mills had stopped crushing at once, as a pre-planned policy to bring the grower on their keens. However, he said that if the SGA failed to get the sugarcane crushing resumed through Sindh Assembly and CM Sindh's involvement then as a third option it would resort to other means to get the operation done in line with growers demands.

He said that growers would not shy away from staging sit-in in front of mills, on superhighway and on railway tracks to make their demands more prominent and against the suspension of crushing operation.

Moreover, he also underlined that growers would take over the sugar mills by force to run them for sugarcane crushing if the millers did not respond to their demands immediately. "Several recommendations came forward in today's meeting in which one is to take over the mills by force to resume the sugarcane crushing and deliberations in this regard are underway with the SGA's sister origination," he maintained.

He demanded of the Sindh chief minister to resolve the issue on a permanent basis and force the millers to resume their operation immediately.