Pakistan

Anomalies in Afghan Transit Trade corrected

Published

2 months ago

October 10, 2023

Admin

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate Standing Committee on Commerce was informed on Monday that the government took measures to rectify anomalies in the Afghan Transit Trade (ATT) system, as imports by Afghanistan were six times higher than its exports.

The committee met with its chairman Zeeshan Khanzada in the chair. The meeting took up several matters including the concerns raised by the media regarding the ATT. During the meeting, the commerce secretary gave a briefing on the transit trade.

The commerce secretary explained that Afghan exports were valued at around $1 billion but its imports during the current financial year jumped to $6 billion. “This difference is huge, and we have conveyed this along with statistics to the Afghan government,” he told the committee.

“The Pakistan government has also taken measures, including the prohibition of certain items and the imposition of a 10% processing fee by the FBR [federal Board of Revenue] on sensitive goods in order to rectify anomalies in the Afghan Transit Trade system,” he added.

Besides, he continued, the government had mandated a bank guarantee for Afghan imports, aligning with the requirements imposed by Afghan authorities for the Pakistani products transiting through Afghanistan to the Central Asian Republics.

However, the secretary made it clear that essential commodities had been excluded from the new measures. “The government has made policy decisions, and the current challenge lies in effective enforcement on the ground,” he said.

A commerce ministry official informed the committee that there was no ban on meat exports to the UAE. He added that Pakistan’s trade counsellor was in contact with UAE authorities regarding a specific incident where a consignment failed to meet standards and was returned.

He said that the UAE had revised its requirements for sea transportation of fresh chilled meat from Pakistan. Additionally, a third-party audit of transport, storage, and processing facilities for meat products in Pakistan would be conducted in coordination with the Animal Quarantine Department.

Regarding the seafood exports to the UAE, the committee was informed that there was no ban on it also. The commerce secretary explained that the government was focused on the fisheries and seafood sector, with a comprehensive policy expected by January next year.

The committee was also briefed on the export potential of G1 garlic. During the meeting, representatives of G1 garlic growers highlighted its advantages, including a better shelf life and being four times larger than other local varieties.

With the government support, this product could be developed for export within 3 to 4 years, they said. The ministry expressed its commitment to supporting farmers through agricultural extension services and providing initial funding for training and capacity building.

The committee was also apprised of the latest status of the second phase of the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The commerce secretary stressed the need for addressing the anomalies and enhancing the benefits of the agreement.

“A review committee is being activated to address issues within the FTA framework,” the secretary said. He highlighted the challenges in realising the full benefits of the agreement, citing inconsistencies in policy and the need for long-term planning.

Related Topics:Afghan Anomalies corrected trade transit

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Pakistan

Father of girl killed for ‘honour’ arrested in Kohistan

Published

56 mins ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

Police in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Tuesday arrested the father of the girl who was allegedly killed in the name of “honour” in Kohistan, officials said.

The suspect Arsala was presented before a local court which granted a seven-day physical remand. Three suspected accomplices, believed to have aided and advised the accused, have also been taken into custody.

On Sunday, a young girl was murdered and another rescued by the police in a case involving a viral video in which both the girls could be seen dancing with local boys.

The girl was killed in the Barsharyal village of Kohistan’s Palas — 150km northwest of Mansehra — allegedly by her own family members on orders issued by a local jirga.

The boys featured in the video, which went viral on social media around four days ago, had gone into hiding.

According to details, in the case registered under sections 114, 15AA, 302/311/109/34 PPC at Palas police station on November 28, 2023, the arrested suspect, Arsala, son of Mohsin, belonging to the Barsharyal tribe, was presented before the senior sessions judge/ Palas Assistant Commissioner.

The police had requested a 10-day physical remand for further investigation, but the judge approved a seven-day remand. The accused will be interrogated further in connection with the case.

Three other alleged accomplices in this gruesome murder have also been arrested. Among them, one is Arsala’s brother, one is his uncle’s son, and the third is a close relative. They have been apprehended on charges of abetment and will be presented before the court for physical remand.

Meanwhile, the boy, identified as Rahmat Shah, who featured in the viral images, has been rescued safely by the local police from Barsharyal.

The police had recorded his statement, and he will be presented in court for further legal proceedings.

Police teams are actively present in Barsharyal, conducting a thorough investigation into the matter.

Pakistan

PM Kakar arrives in Kuwait on two-day official visit

Published

2 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

KUWAIT:

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar on Tuesday arrived in Kuwait on a two-day official visit to meet the brotherly country’s leadership.

Upon his arrival at the airport, Kuwait’s Minister for Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ostad received the prime minister, PM Office said in a press release.

Pakistan Ambassador to Kuwait Malik Muhammad Farooq and other senior diplomatic officials were also present on the occasion.

Read more: Investment worth $10b on the cards

During his visit, the premier will meet Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.

Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar arrived in Kuwait for his two day official visit, today. Kuwait’s Minister for Electricity, Water and Renewable Enegery, Dr Jassim Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ostad received the Prime Minister upon his arrival. pic.twitter.com/ZmeVlZk3S8
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) November 28, 2023

During the visit, a new era of economic and economic cooperation between the two countries will begin.

A number of MoUs will be signed for mutual cooperation in various sectors including manpower, information technology, minerals and mining, food security, energy and defence, it was further added.

As a traditional Kuwaiti welcoming gesture, the caretaker prime minister was also presented “Kahwa” upon his arrival.

As a traditional Kuwaiti welcoming gesture to welcome guests, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar being presented “Kahwa” upon his arrival in Kuwait. pic.twitter.com/3RP94rclqz
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) November 28, 2023

Earlier this month, the interim federal cabinet gave the nod to seven memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with Kuwait for an investment worth $10 billion.

The MoUs would be signed by PM Kakar during the visit.

The MoUs will be inked for projects in various fields, including expansion of water reservoirs, mining facilities, protection and expansion of mangrove forests for coastal areas, investment in IT sector and food security.

The MoUs between the two countries became possible due to the efforts made by the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), according to a statement issued by the PM Office earlier.

It added that the interim premier, who chaired the meeting in the federal capital, and his cabinet members appreciated the efforts of the SIFC and the relevant ministries.

The caretaker prime minister issued directions to the federal authorities concerned to ensure cooperation with the provinces for early and fair execution of the projects.

Pakistan

Govt will support ECP in holding ‘fair polls’

Published

3 hours ago

November 28, 2023

Admin

ISLAMABAD:

Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi Tuesday said under Article 218(3) of the Constitution, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would fulfill its responsibility to conduct fair, transparent and impartial elections and the government would support it.

Talking to media in the federal capital, the interim minister noted that the Constitution comprised 280 articles, adding that it not only had the article pertaining to holding of elections in 90 days but also had Article 254.

“Everyone in Pakistan has freedom to express opinion, complain and criticize,” he said.

The minister maintained that the PML-N also had the same liberty as of the PPP and the other parties.

He said Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar had apprised the people about his visit to the UAE on Monday night through a video message.