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205389
Mon, 09/05/2011 - 22:47
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Weightage-number of MCQs approved for Entrance Test 2011-12 for Medical & Dental colleges
LAHORE: The competent authority has approved weightage/number of multiple choice questions (MCQs) to various subjects in the Entrance Test 2011-12 for Medical and Dental Colleges, as recommended by the Chairman Administration Board/Vice Chancellor, UHS.
The MCQs numbers for physics 44, Chemistry 58, English 30 and for Biology 88 numbers have been approved as administration policy for the Medical and Dental colleges Punjab for the session 2011-12.
ZCZC
Weather-(More rain predicted across the country: Met)
ISLAMABAD: Scattered rain with heavy falls at isolated places is expected over Punjab, northeast Balochistan, Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while fairly widespread rain with heavy falls is expected over Sindh. According to Met report on Monday, moist current from Bay of Bengal is penetrating into Sindh up to 5000 feet. Sunday's trough of feeble westerly wave now lies over northern parts of the country.
Rain received during last 24 hrs in mm: Kalat=48,Palandri=47,Hyderabad=29,Nawabshah=05, Islamabad (Golra=23,Saidpur=05 & zeropoint=04) Kotli=20,Okara=19,Malamjabba=18, Mirpurkhas=17,Faisalabad & Phulra=15(each), Mithi=12,Balakot=01, Sahiwal=10,Jhang=09, D.I.Khan, Bahawalnagar 8, T.T.Singh & Kakul=07(each),Thatta, Chhor, Badin & Talhatta=06(each), Rawalkot & Parachinr=05(each),Murree=04, Besham & Mianw`li=03 (each),Ravi Syphon=02, Khanpur,Bhakkar,Hattian Bala, Mandibahauddin,Chattarkallas, D.G.Khan, Bunji & Shinkhari=01(each),Chilas, Gilgit, Skardu,Muzaffarabad,Quetta (Samungli),Karachi(Airport &Masroor),Sargodha, Astore,Sialkot(Airport) & Lahore(Airport& City.
ZCZC
Dr. Kashif Ikram appointed Principal of BDC
Karachi: Dr. Kashif Ikram has been appointed Principal Baqai Dental College (BDC), said a press release issued Monday.
Dr. Ikram is the first principal who is the graduate of the same college. He has acquired fellowship in the Oral and Maxillofacial surgery and Oral Medicine from the Royal College of Surgeon of England and Ireland.
Prior to his current appointment, he was head of department and a Consultant in Baqai Dental College Hospital. His special interest of practice is maxillofacial trauma, reconstruction of face and dental implants. The Chancellor F.U. Baqai, Vice Chancellor, Pro-VC and the faculty members of the college welcomed him and expected that standard of teaching and patient treatment will be enhanced through his expertise. The students of Dental College have also expressed joy and satisfaction on his appointment as principal.
ZCZC
Body with torture marks recovered from Orangi town
Karachi: Body of a man with torture marks on it was recovered from Orangi town No.13 on Monday, in the limits of Pakistan Bazar Police Station.
An official at the station said the body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities. The identification of deceased person could not be ascertained, police also said.
ZCZC
Four Pakistani women entrepreneurs participating in Paris fashion garment fair
Karachi: Four Pakistani women entrepreneurs are participating in 11th edition of Prêt-à-porter Paris, the prestigious fair of the high end fashion garment industry of France and Europe.
These Pakistani women entrepreneurs are participating in this exhibition under the aegis of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). They include Anila Iftikhar of M/s Al-Nafah Enterprises, Hina Mansab Khan of Laila Collection, Sara of Sarashoppe and Filza of Shah’s Boutique. Mostly they are presenting hand embroidered cloth/ clothing including antique jewelry.
Asad Rehman of Abdur Rehman & Co is also participating, but on their own. Known French and European brands are also present in the fair.
A large number of exhibitors are participating in this fair from various countries, including Italy, Spain, UK, France, Turkey, India, China, Romania, Indonesia, and Brazil. The fair attracts visitors not only from France, but also from various other parts of the world.
There are different sections including Heart of Pret, the Atmosphere and New Talent. The entrepreneurs told that French importers are taking keen interest in Pakistani fashion garments and that they had received an overwhelming response from other international importers as well.
The striking feature of the exhibition this year is the participation in Catwalk by the 9 famous designers from Pakistan. The Catwalk was witnessed by large numbers of importers from around Europe. This is an initiative of Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC), a forum of luxury designers from Pakistan.
The designers include: Kamiar Rokni, Nina Khan, Shamoon Sultan, Moeed Yousaf, Hassan Shehreyar Yasin, Angela Braid, Zaheer Abbas and Adnan Perdesy.
The moving force behind all this is Sehyr Saigol, chair-person, executive Committee of PFDC. Hiba Sher, the consultant, said that the designers had really emphasized on value addition in existing concepts of fashions marketing. The Catwalk attracted the largest crowd in the whole event. It is hoped that the event will add to the business worth of Pakistani textile and fashion industry at international level.
ZCZC
Streets go littered as no cleanliness drive witnessed during Eid days
Karachi: The claims of City District Government Karachi (CDGK) of adopting rain emergency measures and ridding city of garbage proved to be wrong as heaps of rubbish were seen lying in many parts of the city with no municipal teams is sight to dispose them off.
During five-day holiday of Eid, all towns had cancelled the holidays of its staff due to rain emergency, however no municipal teams were seen carrying out cleanliness operations as majority of streets go littered due to non-disposal of garbage at designated landfill sites.
Areas where no garbage was lifted and disposed off include PECHS, Admin Society, Manzoor Colony, Allama Iqbal Colony, Chanesar Goth, Mehmoodabad, Lines Area, Korangi 2, 1/5 number, Rehri Goth, Model Colony, PIB Colony, Gulbahar, Liaquatabad, Bufferzone, North Nazimabad, North Karachi etc.
Many residential blocks in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Shah Faisal Town, Gadap Town and Gulshan-e-Iqbal had also poor conditions during Eid days.
Citizens of various areas have lamented the CDGK for resorting to lip-service while taking no pragmatic approach ridding the city of garbage. They have also expressed grave concern over possible spread of diseases owing to exposed garbage in residential localities.
ZCZC
Pakistan improves offer, but still no MFN status to India
New Delhi, Sept. 05 PPI: Pakistan is ready to double the number of goods it imports from India, but has stopped short of offering full-fledged most-favoured nation, or MFN, status it had promised earlier this year as part of bilateral confidence-building measures, Economic Times newspaper reported on Monday.
Nonetheless, the development is being seen an important first step for Pakistan administration, which may be wary of antagonizing political opponents by granting MFN status to India immediately. India had included Pakistan in the MFN category 16 years ago.
At an official-level meeting in New Delhi last week, Pakistan assured India that by November it would put out a negative list of imports in place of existing positive list of about 1,930 items. It also said it was working internally to meet its obligations towards India under South Asia Free Trade Agreement which would go beyond offering MFN status and would involve extension of tariff concessions agreed under the pact, ET report said.
"Since Pakistan does not ban imports from other countries, stopping even a small number of items from India would amount to discriminatory trade and violation of the MFN principle," an Indian government official told ET. Under the World Trade Organization's MFN rule, a country has to extend its trading partner similar treatment given to other trading countries.
Pakistan hinted that the negative list could be the size of existing positive list or even shorter, official said. This would mean that number of goods allowed to be imported would increase to over 4,000 items. Pakistan has a total of 6,800 tariff lines, or goods that are traded with other countries.
In April, Pakistan's Commerce Secretary Zafar Mehmood had told his Indian counterpart Rahul Khullar, that his government would work towards extending MFN status to India. The two secretaries will meet again in November to review progress on decisions taken in the last meeting which included removal of non-tariff barriers by India in form of high quality standards and allowing investments from Pakistan into the country.
At recent joint secretaries' meeting in New Delhi, India asked Pakistan to include it in MFN category in true spirit at the earliest as it too could reap benefits of avoiding higher costs of circuitous trade and bring down inventory costs for many Pakistan business enterprises.
According to Indian government's estimates, bilateral trade could double from $2 billion to $4 billion if MFN is offered as it would save businesses the trouble of shipping through third countries like Dubai. Other issues being discussed by the two countries included permitting trade of petroleum products and electricity.
India says it could start talks on a preferential trading arrangement proposed by Pakistan that would bring down tariff walls further between two countries only after Islamabad normalizes its trade policies with Delhi.
ZCZC
India, Pakistan set to ease ban on each other's investments
New Delhi, Sept. 04 PPI: India and Pakistan are set to ease a ban on each other’s investments, with a key meet of their Commerce Ministers slated in New Delhi later this month, The Telegraph, Calcutta newspaper reported on Monday.
“The proposal to allow investment by both sides is under consideration and is likely to be approved. The investments will be decided on a case-to-case basis. This is part of the confidence-building measures,” a senior Indian commerce ministry official told the newspaper.
According to officials, “There is no reason to block investments from Islamabad when we can regulate investments from China. Decisions can be taken by vetting each proposal on merit.”
NR Bhanumurthy, economist with National Institute of Public Finance & Policy, said the opening of investment would not result in a deluge of money flowing across both sides of borders, but would send a positive signal in improving relations. “Signals of closer economic co-operation would have positive political gains,” he said.
Pakistan is the only country in India’s negative list under Foreign Exchange Management Act. The government had deleted Sri Lanka in 2006 & Bangladesh in 2007. Indian Finance and Commerce Ministries are now examining the feasibility of removing Pakistan from the list.
At present, investments by even large multinational firms with a presence in Pakistan are opposed by security agencies in India. “With trust deficit running high on both sides of the border, businesses would wait and see for some time before investment actually comes through. There are also concerns about policy reversal given strained relations between the two countries,” analysts said.
Officials said talks between Commerce Ministers of India & Pakistan, Anand Sharma & Makhdoom Amin Fahim, respectively, could result in Islamabad granting most favoured nation status (MFN) to New Delhi. At the same time, non-tariff barriers which Islamabad claims are being imposed by New Delhi will also be looked into, officials said.
Pakistan maintains a positive list of 1945 items, which are allowed to be imported from India under South Asian Free Trade Agreement. It is expected that instead of the positive list, Pakistan will have a negative list of about 200 items, meaning a whole range of products other than the 200 items can be exported from India, newspaper report stated. MFN status will benefit a range of Indian products, including textiles, cotton, vegetables, coffee, tea and spices.
Pakistan, on its part, expects India to remove non-tariff barriers that restrict its exports. Some of the measures include inspection, quarantine, testing and certification for products and perishable items. Islamabad wants all items on the positive list to be traded through land route, which is cost effective.
Annual trade between India and Pakistan is estimated at about $2 billion, while trade between the two routed through third countries is estimated at another $2 billion. According to a study by Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, potential trade between India and Pakistan stands at $14.3 billion, with India exporting about $11 billion worth of goods to Pakistan and importing items worth $3 billion.
ZCZC
Pakistan's total liquid foreign exchange reserves $17,898.7mln
Karachi, Sept. 05 PPI: Pakistan's total liquid foreign exchange reserves stood at $17,898.7 million on August 27, 2011, State Bank of Pakistan said on Monday.
According to break-up, foreign reserves held by SBP were $14,447.6 million and net foreign reserves held by banks, (other than SBP) were $3,451.1 million.
ZCZC
Laborer dies after falling from building
Karachi: A laborer died after falling from an under construction building at Gaghar Pathak, Bin Qasim town.
According to Edhi Ambulance service, 24-year-old Fazal died while working at the building. The body was shifted to the JPMC for medico-legal formalities.
ZCZC
HSSC Pre-Medical group result on Tuesday
Karachi: Chairman Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) Prof. Anwar Ahmed Zai on Monday announced that the result of Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) annual examination-2011 of Pre-Medical group (Part-II) would be announced at 03:00 pm on 6th September, 2011 at Auditorium of BIEK.
Position holders and their parents will also attend the ceremony, he added.
ZCZC
Poultry, cotton businesses face contradictory circumstances in the calamity-hit District Badin
Talhar, Sindh: The business of poultry has suffered heavy losses here in the torrential rains, that lashed interior Sindh recently, as more than 100,000 chicken died in the talukas of District Badin including Matli, Pangrio, Tando Bhago, Khoski and others.
Poultry farm owners have expressed serious concerns on the nightmarish scenario as they are almost broke after the catastrophic downpour.
Already an exorbitant increase of rupees 80 per kg is being witnessed here in the sale of chicken meat. The rates are likely to go even higher, sellers say.
On the other hand, the prices of cotton has hit rock bottom and is being sold at its lowest price ever. Buyers are purchasing the commodity for rupees 1800-2000 per mund. Traders say the prices of cotton will shoot up to rupees 40,000 per mund as soon as the rain stops here.
It is pertinent to mention the torrential rains have played havoc in the region badly disrupting activities in interior Sindh particularly District Badin. So far heavy losses to lives, properties, crops and livestock have been witnessed here as the unforgiving downpour continues to devastate.
ZCZC
Educational institutions reopen after Eid holidays
Karachi: After five-day Eid holidays all private and government-run schools, colleges, universities and other education institutions reopened on Monday.
Most of the institutions organized ‘Eid Millan parties’ including University of Karachi, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Sir Syed University and Behria University where students and teachers exchanged Eid greeting.
Various colorful Eid programs were held in educational institutions in which songs and tableaus were presented by students.
ZCZC
15000 houses destroyed by rains in Khairpur district
Khairpur, Sindh: The hundreds of villages were badly affected while 15000 houses completely destroyed by current heavy rains in all eight talukas of district.
According to survey 75 union councils were badly affected while 23 partially and the crops on one million acres were also damaged while cotton crop was 100 percent damaged in the district.
Moreover, 115 school buildings and 500 kilometer roads were also damaged.
Three talukas including Naro, Faiz Gunj and Tharimirwah were among severely affected. Over 2 million people were affected in rains.
DCO Khairpur Muhammad Abbas Baloch told relief team were sent to affected areas for help while army was called in taluka Faiz Gunj for technical assistance. He said further survey is underway and rain affected people should contact emergency cell no 0243-9280222 for any kind of help.
He advised to contact further for information to emergency cell, however when contacted, a clerk attended the phone and told that he is sitting just to fulfill formalities and he has no any further information.
Meanwhile, over 500 families are still stranded in their houses in taluka Nara and no anybody came for their help. The roads from Nara to Sanghar, Sukkur and Khairpur are completely destroyed.
The people of affected areas told newsmen that district administration is only giving statements in newspapers and no practical steps are being taken in this regard.
ZCZC
EDU: Academic activities to resume at GCU from 12th Sept
LAHORE: The classes and semester work will resume at the Government College University Lahore from September 12 (Monday), said a press statement issued here.
GCU Registrar Prof. Anjum Nisar said that all classes including intermediate, graduate and post-graduate programmes will start from September 12, however, the university will reopen on September 5, after Eid holidays.
The Registrar also said that admissions to BA/BSc (Honors) programmes will open right after the declaration of intermediate results.
ZCZC
Distt (Pasrur): Rs. 50 million released for laying new water supplying pipelines in Pasrur
PASRUR: The provincial government has released a special grant of Rs. 50 million for the early replacement of more than 50 years old rusting water supplying pipelines in Pasrur city immediately with a sole aim to provide the potable drinking water to he people of Pasrur city and its outskirts as well.
Zahid Hamid reviewed the pace of construction of several social and public welfare oriented development projects in the large interties of the local people. He told the meeting that as many as seven water Tankies were established in various parts of Pasrur city with total cost of Rs. 70 million for providing the potable drinking water to the people but the underground water supplying lines were rusting, as they were more than 50 years old and were broken from many spots, due to which the supply of hygienic water was not possible.
He directed the Pasrur TMA officials to prepare a detailed feasibility in this regard, ensuring the early start of this project. He directed the AC Pasrur Samia Saleem to check and ensure
the use of quality material in the construction of all the ongoing development schemes in and around the Pasrur, besides, ensuring the cleanliness, removing the trash heaps lying there every where in Pasrur city for providing clean, health and pollution free atmosphere to the local people on priority.
ZCZC
No Polio case confirmed in any where in Punjab: DGHS
LAHORE: Director General Health Punjab, Dr. Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry has said that no case of polio has been confirmed in Muzaffargarh or anywhere else in Punjab so far.
He further said that the news item published in a national English daily on 05-09-2011 regarding the occurrence of polio case in Muzaffargarh is incorrect.
LAHORE: The competent authority has approved weightage/number of multiple choice questions (MCQs) to various subjects in the Entrance Test 2011-12 for Medical and Dental Colleges, as recommended by the Chairman Administration Board/Vice Chancellor, UHS.
The MCQs numbers for physics 44, Chemistry 58, English 30 and for Biology 88 numbers have been approved as administration policy for the Medical and Dental colleges Punjab for the session 2011-12.
ZCZC
Weather-(More rain predicted across the country: Met)
ISLAMABAD: Scattered rain with heavy falls at isolated places is expected over Punjab, northeast Balochistan, Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while fairly widespread rain with heavy falls is expected over Sindh. According to Met report on Monday, moist current from Bay of Bengal is penetrating into Sindh up to 5000 feet. Sunday's trough of feeble westerly wave now lies over northern parts of the country.
Rain received during last 24 hrs in mm: Kalat=48,Palandri=47,Hyderabad=29,Nawabshah=05, Islamabad (Golra=23,Saidpur=05 & zeropoint=04) Kotli=20,Okara=19,Malamjabba=18, Mirpurkhas=17,Faisalabad & Phulra=15(each), Mithi=12,Balakot=01, Sahiwal=10,Jhang=09, D.I.Khan, Bahawalnagar 8, T.T.Singh & Kakul=07(each),Thatta, Chhor, Badin & Talhatta=06(each), Rawalkot & Parachinr=05(each),Murree=04, Besham & Mianw`li=03 (each),Ravi Syphon=02, Khanpur,Bhakkar,Hattian Bala, Mandibahauddin,Chattarkallas, D.G.Khan, Bunji & Shinkhari=01(each),Chilas, Gilgit, Skardu,Muzaffarabad,Quetta (Samungli),Karachi(Airport &Masroor),Sargodha, Astore,Sialkot(Airport) & Lahore(Airport& City.
ZCZC
Dr. Kashif Ikram appointed Principal of BDC
Karachi: Dr. Kashif Ikram has been appointed Principal Baqai Dental College (BDC), said a press release issued Monday.
Dr. Ikram is the first principal who is the graduate of the same college. He has acquired fellowship in the Oral and Maxillofacial surgery and Oral Medicine from the Royal College of Surgeon of England and Ireland.
Prior to his current appointment, he was head of department and a Consultant in Baqai Dental College Hospital. His special interest of practice is maxillofacial trauma, reconstruction of face and dental implants. The Chancellor F.U. Baqai, Vice Chancellor, Pro-VC and the faculty members of the college welcomed him and expected that standard of teaching and patient treatment will be enhanced through his expertise. The students of Dental College have also expressed joy and satisfaction on his appointment as principal.
ZCZC
Body with torture marks recovered from Orangi town
Karachi: Body of a man with torture marks on it was recovered from Orangi town No.13 on Monday, in the limits of Pakistan Bazar Police Station.
An official at the station said the body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities. The identification of deceased person could not be ascertained, police also said.
ZCZC
Four Pakistani women entrepreneurs participating in Paris fashion garment fair
Karachi: Four Pakistani women entrepreneurs are participating in 11th edition of Prêt-à-porter Paris, the prestigious fair of the high end fashion garment industry of France and Europe.
These Pakistani women entrepreneurs are participating in this exhibition under the aegis of Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP). They include Anila Iftikhar of M/s Al-Nafah Enterprises, Hina Mansab Khan of Laila Collection, Sara of Sarashoppe and Filza of Shah’s Boutique. Mostly they are presenting hand embroidered cloth/ clothing including antique jewelry.
Asad Rehman of Abdur Rehman & Co is also participating, but on their own. Known French and European brands are also present in the fair.
A large number of exhibitors are participating in this fair from various countries, including Italy, Spain, UK, France, Turkey, India, China, Romania, Indonesia, and Brazil. The fair attracts visitors not only from France, but also from various other parts of the world.
There are different sections including Heart of Pret, the Atmosphere and New Talent. The entrepreneurs told that French importers are taking keen interest in Pakistani fashion garments and that they had received an overwhelming response from other international importers as well.
The striking feature of the exhibition this year is the participation in Catwalk by the 9 famous designers from Pakistan. The Catwalk was witnessed by large numbers of importers from around Europe. This is an initiative of Pakistan Fashion Design Council (PFDC), a forum of luxury designers from Pakistan.
The designers include: Kamiar Rokni, Nina Khan, Shamoon Sultan, Moeed Yousaf, Hassan Shehreyar Yasin, Angela Braid, Zaheer Abbas and Adnan Perdesy.
The moving force behind all this is Sehyr Saigol, chair-person, executive Committee of PFDC. Hiba Sher, the consultant, said that the designers had really emphasized on value addition in existing concepts of fashions marketing. The Catwalk attracted the largest crowd in the whole event. It is hoped that the event will add to the business worth of Pakistani textile and fashion industry at international level.
ZCZC
Streets go littered as no cleanliness drive witnessed during Eid days
Karachi: The claims of City District Government Karachi (CDGK) of adopting rain emergency measures and ridding city of garbage proved to be wrong as heaps of rubbish were seen lying in many parts of the city with no municipal teams is sight to dispose them off.
During five-day holiday of Eid, all towns had cancelled the holidays of its staff due to rain emergency, however no municipal teams were seen carrying out cleanliness operations as majority of streets go littered due to non-disposal of garbage at designated landfill sites.
Areas where no garbage was lifted and disposed off include PECHS, Admin Society, Manzoor Colony, Allama Iqbal Colony, Chanesar Goth, Mehmoodabad, Lines Area, Korangi 2, 1/5 number, Rehri Goth, Model Colony, PIB Colony, Gulbahar, Liaquatabad, Bufferzone, North Nazimabad, North Karachi etc.
Many residential blocks in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Shah Faisal Town, Gadap Town and Gulshan-e-Iqbal had also poor conditions during Eid days.
Citizens of various areas have lamented the CDGK for resorting to lip-service while taking no pragmatic approach ridding the city of garbage. They have also expressed grave concern over possible spread of diseases owing to exposed garbage in residential localities.
ZCZC
Pakistan improves offer, but still no MFN status to India
New Delhi, Sept. 05 PPI: Pakistan is ready to double the number of goods it imports from India, but has stopped short of offering full-fledged most-favoured nation, or MFN, status it had promised earlier this year as part of bilateral confidence-building measures, Economic Times newspaper reported on Monday.
Nonetheless, the development is being seen an important first step for Pakistan administration, which may be wary of antagonizing political opponents by granting MFN status to India immediately. India had included Pakistan in the MFN category 16 years ago.
At an official-level meeting in New Delhi last week, Pakistan assured India that by November it would put out a negative list of imports in place of existing positive list of about 1,930 items. It also said it was working internally to meet its obligations towards India under South Asia Free Trade Agreement which would go beyond offering MFN status and would involve extension of tariff concessions agreed under the pact, ET report said.
"Since Pakistan does not ban imports from other countries, stopping even a small number of items from India would amount to discriminatory trade and violation of the MFN principle," an Indian government official told ET. Under the World Trade Organization's MFN rule, a country has to extend its trading partner similar treatment given to other trading countries.
Pakistan hinted that the negative list could be the size of existing positive list or even shorter, official said. This would mean that number of goods allowed to be imported would increase to over 4,000 items. Pakistan has a total of 6,800 tariff lines, or goods that are traded with other countries.
In April, Pakistan's Commerce Secretary Zafar Mehmood had told his Indian counterpart Rahul Khullar, that his government would work towards extending MFN status to India. The two secretaries will meet again in November to review progress on decisions taken in the last meeting which included removal of non-tariff barriers by India in form of high quality standards and allowing investments from Pakistan into the country.
At recent joint secretaries' meeting in New Delhi, India asked Pakistan to include it in MFN category in true spirit at the earliest as it too could reap benefits of avoiding higher costs of circuitous trade and bring down inventory costs for many Pakistan business enterprises.
According to Indian government's estimates, bilateral trade could double from $2 billion to $4 billion if MFN is offered as it would save businesses the trouble of shipping through third countries like Dubai. Other issues being discussed by the two countries included permitting trade of petroleum products and electricity.
India says it could start talks on a preferential trading arrangement proposed by Pakistan that would bring down tariff walls further between two countries only after Islamabad normalizes its trade policies with Delhi.
ZCZC
India, Pakistan set to ease ban on each other's investments
New Delhi, Sept. 04 PPI: India and Pakistan are set to ease a ban on each other’s investments, with a key meet of their Commerce Ministers slated in New Delhi later this month, The Telegraph, Calcutta newspaper reported on Monday.
“The proposal to allow investment by both sides is under consideration and is likely to be approved. The investments will be decided on a case-to-case basis. This is part of the confidence-building measures,” a senior Indian commerce ministry official told the newspaper.
According to officials, “There is no reason to block investments from Islamabad when we can regulate investments from China. Decisions can be taken by vetting each proposal on merit.”
NR Bhanumurthy, economist with National Institute of Public Finance & Policy, said the opening of investment would not result in a deluge of money flowing across both sides of borders, but would send a positive signal in improving relations. “Signals of closer economic co-operation would have positive political gains,” he said.
Pakistan is the only country in India’s negative list under Foreign Exchange Management Act. The government had deleted Sri Lanka in 2006 & Bangladesh in 2007. Indian Finance and Commerce Ministries are now examining the feasibility of removing Pakistan from the list.
At present, investments by even large multinational firms with a presence in Pakistan are opposed by security agencies in India. “With trust deficit running high on both sides of the border, businesses would wait and see for some time before investment actually comes through. There are also concerns about policy reversal given strained relations between the two countries,” analysts said.
Officials said talks between Commerce Ministers of India & Pakistan, Anand Sharma & Makhdoom Amin Fahim, respectively, could result in Islamabad granting most favoured nation status (MFN) to New Delhi. At the same time, non-tariff barriers which Islamabad claims are being imposed by New Delhi will also be looked into, officials said.
Pakistan maintains a positive list of 1945 items, which are allowed to be imported from India under South Asian Free Trade Agreement. It is expected that instead of the positive list, Pakistan will have a negative list of about 200 items, meaning a whole range of products other than the 200 items can be exported from India, newspaper report stated. MFN status will benefit a range of Indian products, including textiles, cotton, vegetables, coffee, tea and spices.
Pakistan, on its part, expects India to remove non-tariff barriers that restrict its exports. Some of the measures include inspection, quarantine, testing and certification for products and perishable items. Islamabad wants all items on the positive list to be traded through land route, which is cost effective.
Annual trade between India and Pakistan is estimated at about $2 billion, while trade between the two routed through third countries is estimated at another $2 billion. According to a study by Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations, potential trade between India and Pakistan stands at $14.3 billion, with India exporting about $11 billion worth of goods to Pakistan and importing items worth $3 billion.
ZCZC
Pakistan's total liquid foreign exchange reserves $17,898.7mln
Karachi, Sept. 05 PPI: Pakistan's total liquid foreign exchange reserves stood at $17,898.7 million on August 27, 2011, State Bank of Pakistan said on Monday.
According to break-up, foreign reserves held by SBP were $14,447.6 million and net foreign reserves held by banks, (other than SBP) were $3,451.1 million.
ZCZC
Laborer dies after falling from building
Karachi: A laborer died after falling from an under construction building at Gaghar Pathak, Bin Qasim town.
According to Edhi Ambulance service, 24-year-old Fazal died while working at the building. The body was shifted to the JPMC for medico-legal formalities.
ZCZC
HSSC Pre-Medical group result on Tuesday
Karachi: Chairman Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) Prof. Anwar Ahmed Zai on Monday announced that the result of Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) annual examination-2011 of Pre-Medical group (Part-II) would be announced at 03:00 pm on 6th September, 2011 at Auditorium of BIEK.
Position holders and their parents will also attend the ceremony, he added.
ZCZC
Poultry, cotton businesses face contradictory circumstances in the calamity-hit District Badin
Talhar, Sindh: The business of poultry has suffered heavy losses here in the torrential rains, that lashed interior Sindh recently, as more than 100,000 chicken died in the talukas of District Badin including Matli, Pangrio, Tando Bhago, Khoski and others.
Poultry farm owners have expressed serious concerns on the nightmarish scenario as they are almost broke after the catastrophic downpour.
Already an exorbitant increase of rupees 80 per kg is being witnessed here in the sale of chicken meat. The rates are likely to go even higher, sellers say.
On the other hand, the prices of cotton has hit rock bottom and is being sold at its lowest price ever. Buyers are purchasing the commodity for rupees 1800-2000 per mund. Traders say the prices of cotton will shoot up to rupees 40,000 per mund as soon as the rain stops here.
It is pertinent to mention the torrential rains have played havoc in the region badly disrupting activities in interior Sindh particularly District Badin. So far heavy losses to lives, properties, crops and livestock have been witnessed here as the unforgiving downpour continues to devastate.
ZCZC
Educational institutions reopen after Eid holidays
Karachi: After five-day Eid holidays all private and government-run schools, colleges, universities and other education institutions reopened on Monday.
Most of the institutions organized ‘Eid Millan parties’ including University of Karachi, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Sir Syed University and Behria University where students and teachers exchanged Eid greeting.
Various colorful Eid programs were held in educational institutions in which songs and tableaus were presented by students.
ZCZC
15000 houses destroyed by rains in Khairpur district
Khairpur, Sindh: The hundreds of villages were badly affected while 15000 houses completely destroyed by current heavy rains in all eight talukas of district.
According to survey 75 union councils were badly affected while 23 partially and the crops on one million acres were also damaged while cotton crop was 100 percent damaged in the district.
Moreover, 115 school buildings and 500 kilometer roads were also damaged.
Three talukas including Naro, Faiz Gunj and Tharimirwah were among severely affected. Over 2 million people were affected in rains.
DCO Khairpur Muhammad Abbas Baloch told relief team were sent to affected areas for help while army was called in taluka Faiz Gunj for technical assistance. He said further survey is underway and rain affected people should contact emergency cell no 0243-9280222 for any kind of help.
He advised to contact further for information to emergency cell, however when contacted, a clerk attended the phone and told that he is sitting just to fulfill formalities and he has no any further information.
Meanwhile, over 500 families are still stranded in their houses in taluka Nara and no anybody came for their help. The roads from Nara to Sanghar, Sukkur and Khairpur are completely destroyed.
The people of affected areas told newsmen that district administration is only giving statements in newspapers and no practical steps are being taken in this regard.
ZCZC
EDU: Academic activities to resume at GCU from 12th Sept
LAHORE: The classes and semester work will resume at the Government College University Lahore from September 12 (Monday), said a press statement issued here.
GCU Registrar Prof. Anjum Nisar said that all classes including intermediate, graduate and post-graduate programmes will start from September 12, however, the university will reopen on September 5, after Eid holidays.
The Registrar also said that admissions to BA/BSc (Honors) programmes will open right after the declaration of intermediate results.
ZCZC
Distt (Pasrur): Rs. 50 million released for laying new water supplying pipelines in Pasrur
PASRUR: The provincial government has released a special grant of Rs. 50 million for the early replacement of more than 50 years old rusting water supplying pipelines in Pasrur city immediately with a sole aim to provide the potable drinking water to he people of Pasrur city and its outskirts as well.
Zahid Hamid reviewed the pace of construction of several social and public welfare oriented development projects in the large interties of the local people. He told the meeting that as many as seven water Tankies were established in various parts of Pasrur city with total cost of Rs. 70 million for providing the potable drinking water to the people but the underground water supplying lines were rusting, as they were more than 50 years old and were broken from many spots, due to which the supply of hygienic water was not possible.
He directed the Pasrur TMA officials to prepare a detailed feasibility in this regard, ensuring the early start of this project. He directed the AC Pasrur Samia Saleem to check and ensure
the use of quality material in the construction of all the ongoing development schemes in and around the Pasrur, besides, ensuring the cleanliness, removing the trash heaps lying there every where in Pasrur city for providing clean, health and pollution free atmosphere to the local people on priority.
ZCZC
No Polio case confirmed in any where in Punjab: DGHS
LAHORE: Director General Health Punjab, Dr. Muhammad Aslam Chaudhry has said that no case of polio has been confirmed in Muzaffargarh or anywhere else in Punjab so far.
He further said that the news item published in a national English daily on 05-09-2011 regarding the occurrence of polio case in Muzaffargarh is incorrect.
