Maqsood Ismail takes charge as president Lasbela chamber of commerce and industry

Lasbela, October 01, 2012 (PPI-OT): The Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry in a Press Release issued here today announced that Mr. Maqsood Ismail of M/s. Ismail Industry Limited and Mr. Fahad Shoukat of M/s. Shafi Gluco-Chem (Pvt) Limited have elected for the offices of President and Vice President respectively unopposed and have taken the charge of their respective offices of Lasbela Chamber, alongwith the newly constituted Executive Committee with effect from today, 1st October, 2012.

Earlier Mr. Anjum Rafatullah Khan of M/s. MAL Pakistan Limited, Mr. Faisal Lodhia of M/s. M/s. DFB Gypsum Industries, Mr. Umair Dawood of M/s. Dawood Engineering (Pvt) Limited, Mr. Tariq Rafi of M/s. Siddiqsons Limited from Corporate Member Class of the Chamber and Mr. Ali H. Mandviwalla of M/s. Mandviwalla Industries (Pvt) Limited and Mr. Badar D. Fakhri of M/s. Galadari Cement (Gulf) Limited from Associate Member Class were elected unopposed as the Members of Executive Committee for Two Years Term.

For more information, Contact:
Lasbela Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Ground floor, lieda office building,
hub, dist. Lasbela,
Tel: (0853) 303410, 304461
Fax: (0853) 302431
E-Mail: farhanprolcci@yahoo.com

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Vows to address Businessmen Problems on Priority

Islamabad, October 01, 2012 (PPI-OT): Mr. Zafar Bakhtawari assumed the charge as President of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) while M/s. Mehmood Ahmed Warraich and Saeed Ahmed Bhatti as Senior Vice President and Vice President of ICCI respectively in a handing and taking over ceremony held at Chamber House.

After assuming charge, Zafar Bakhtawari thanked the members for posing confidence in his abilities and assigning him this important responsibility. He vowed to put in his best efforts for resolving the problems being faced by the local business community on priority.

He said that economy of Pakistan was facing multiple serious challenges terming energy crisis as the biggest challenge and called for early resolution of circular debt issue to improve energy situation. He said energy shortage was the main reason of slowing down the pace of economy and government should give top priority to addressing this problem.

ICCI President also stressed upon the need of drastic economic reforms in all sectors to steer the economy out of current troubles. He said that the best approach for the government was to encourage a culture of public-private partnership for improving economy. For this this purpose, the government should play the role of regulator, formulate business friendly policies and leave the field open to private sector for promoting the economy. This is the right approach which has brought economic dividends to many countries, he said.

M/s. Mehmood Ahmed Warraich and Saeed Ahmed Bhatti also thanked members for their election. They said that the main mandate of the ICCI was to promote the interests of trade and industry and all available resources would be utilized for achieving these objectives. They said that the new management of ICCI would take traders and industrialists on board in their efforts for resolving their problems.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526 and 225 3145
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry to conduct sectoral studies to identify problems

Lahore, October 01, 2012 (PPI-OT): The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry will conduct sectoral studies to identify problems to their growth.

“Nothing can stop Pakistan from becoming a developed country if we find out our economic weaknesses and strengths through Research.”

These views were expressed by LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar while speaking at the Annual General Meeting of All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association (APPMA). LCCI Senior Vice President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad, outgoing president of All Pakistan Paper Merchants Association (APPMA) Khamis Saeed Butt, newly elected Chairman of APPMA Chairman Qayyum Raza, Vice Chairman Muhammad Bashir President Muhammad Ajmal, Vice President Nadeem Saeed Waeen, Secretary General Sheikh Saadat Hussain, former Chairman Muhammad Anees, former Vice Chairman Sohaib Ahsan, former Vice President Shabbir Bhatti former Secretary General Ahmad Hammad Khan and a large number of traders were present on the occasion.

The LCCI President said that all energies would be utilized for the promotion of research culture in this resource-rich country which has an average age of 22 years and trillions of dollars worth mineral resources.

“Had a little attention been given towards promotion of research culture, the economic situation would have been quite satisfactory today.”

Farooq Iftikhar said that government should provide maximum facilities to the trade and industry as economic stability will remain a dream in the absence of an enabling business doing atmosphere. The LCCI President said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry would not accept any business-related policy or SRO that would be designed or implemented without due consultation of stakeholders.

While congratulating the newly elected office-bearers of the APPMA, Farooq Iftikhar urged the APPMA leadership to prepare comprehensive proposals so that the same could be forwarded to the government for their implementation.

The LCCI Senior Vice President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh and Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad said that the LCCI would further strengthen its liaison with the government departments with an objective to win facilitation for the business community.

Speaking on the occasion, outgoing president of APPMA Khamis Saeed Butt and newly elected Vice President Nadeem Saeed Waeen said that unprecedented load shedding, deteriorating law and order situation and bureaucratic bottlenecks have ruined the economic activities.

Khamis Saeed Butt and Nadeem Saeed Waeen paid rich tributes to the Alliance leadership and congratulated them on the historical success in the LCCI elections 2012-13.

On the occasion, Annual Report of APPMA was also presented besides giving details about the APPMA performance during the outgoing year.

At the end APPMA leaders presented shields to the LCCI President Farooq Iftikhar, Senior Vice President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh and Vice President Mian Abuzar Shad.

For more information, contact:
Shahid Khalil
Information Department
Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI)
11-Shahrah-e-Aiwan-e-Tijarat,
Lahore -54000, Pakistan
Tel: +9242 111 222 499
Fax: +92 42 636 8854

40 thousand poor and deserving women are being given monthly stipend in Malakand

Peshawar, October 01, 2012 (PPI-OT): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Finance, Eng: Muhammad Humayun Khan has said that 40 thousand poor and deserving women were being given monthly stipend regularly in Malakand so that they could look after their off-springs.

He was addressing a public meeting held at Khar near Batkhela under the auspices of Awami Itihad Tanzeem, the other day. Haji Shakirullah, Aurangzeb, Sirajul Haq and Fareed Jal also spoke on the occasion.

The Provincial Finance Minister said that he was feeling pleasure to address from a non – political forum unanimously agreed upon for service of humanity with the aim to forcefully raise voice for early redressal of public grievances.

He said the people of Khar were dear to him and that was why he had spent a total of Rs. 80.47 million for providing them basic amenities of life including roads, potable water, education, health, pavement of streets, provision of land for graveyard. Electricity supply and protection spurs, which he said, has no precedence in the past.

Referring to mega projects, the Minister said Rs. 630.00 million were being spent on WSS Batkhela , Rs. 1000.00 million on construction of Batkhela – Totakan Road and Rs. 320.00 million on protection spur from Landaki to Batkhela on the bank of River Swat and announced that further Rs. 20.40 million would be spent during the current year on construction of spurs from Batkhela to Totakan. All these schemes would provide basic facilities to all the people of the area without any discrimination,

Engr. Humayun Khan in response to the demands announced the establishment of inter college for boys in Khar and work on which will be started within next one month with provision of Rs. 80 lac for WSS Farid. He also assured that the rest problems of the area would be solved o n priority basis.

For more information, contact:
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Tel: 091 921 1789
Email: info@khyberpakhtunkhwa.gov.pk

President’s message on International Day of Older Persons

Islamabad, October 01, 2012 (PPI-OT): On the eve of the International Day for Older Persons today let us reiterate our pledge to accord respect to the older persons as well as provide a congenial environment to them to cope with the challenges of old age.

Care for the elderly people is a strong social value rooted in our religion that lays special emphasis on showing respect to the elderly. That is why despite great socio-economic pressures, Pakistani society has adhered to the value of looking after the elderly and aged.

As the theme of the day “Longevity: Shaping the Future” suggests longevity and old age is increasingly becoming a dominant feature of the societies. At the same time the societies are becoming more and more fast paced leaving little time to attend to the needs of elderly. It is therefore important to remind both the policy makers and the general public to give special attention to the needs of the old people.

Let me reiterate on this day our commitment to continue working for the welfare and protection of our elderly people. On this day, I also call upon the philanthropists and the affluent members of society to step forward and play their role. Through concerted action by all, the private and the public sector, we can make the lives of elderly more comfortable and meaningful.

I greatly appreciate valuable services of all those who are involved in promoting the cause of welfare of the aged people. I also commend efforts made by the UN agencies, international organizations, NGOs and other representatives of senior citizens for continuously advocating and highlighting the rights of senior citizens and related issues. I hope that together with the provincial governments they will continue pursuing this important mission with commitment, zeal and enthusiasm.

I am confident that observance of the Older Persons Day today will further sensitize the people, the NGOs, the state functionaries and the provinces to the need for looking after the aged and not to abandon them to the mercy of life.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +9251 925 2323 and +9251 925 2324
Fax: +9251 925 2325 and +9251 925 2326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

Prime Minister’s message on International Day of Older Persons

Islamabad, October 01, 2012 (PPI-OT): Pakistan joins the world community today in observing the International Day of Older Persons. The day highlights the rights of older persons and our obligations at individual and collective levels to make sure that those rights are fulfilled. The theme for 2012 commemoration is “Longevity: Shaping the Future”, which emphasizes the need for benefiting from the experience and wisdom of the old generation in shaping our future.

Senior citizens are repository of experience, knowledge and wisdom as they have been through thick and thin in life.

Islam enjoins its followers to show utmost respect and reverence for the older persons. It gives a special place to them and makes the fulfillment of their rights obligatory upon them.

The young generation can benefit from the experience of the older generation on how to cope with the challenges of life. They are our best support and a great source of encouragement when our chips are down and we are in need of solace. They are our great friends when we need someone to listen to us and express our feelings and they connect us to our religious, cultural and social values and traditions.

We live in a society, which accords the highest respect to the senior citizens and holds them in high esteem. The norms of respect and reverence for older people have held ground despite socio- cultural blizzards that have swept the globe.

Media, religious scholars, and educational institutions have a huge responsibility on their shoulders to sensitize the young generation about the rights and privileges of the senior citizens. The best way to pay tributes to our older generation is to keep them engaged.

Let them not feel irrelevant. Let them feel that they are part and parcel of our lives, On this day, let us pledge to work for wellbeing of the elderly. The government, on its part, would continue to engage with all stakeholders in formulating policies aimed at improving the lot of our senior citizens.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +9251 925 2323 and +9251 925 2324
Fax: +9251 925 2325 and +9251 925 2326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

National Assembly Speaker and Deputy Speaker condole Death of Mother of Asma Jahangir

Islamabad, October 01, 2012 (PPI-OT): Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker and Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly have condoled the death of mother of Asma Jahangir, former President, Supreme Court Bar Association.

In their separate condolence messages to Asma Jahangir, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker expressed their heartfelt grief and sorrow over the sad demise. They prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to her and other members of family to bear the irreparable loss with equanimity.

For more information, contact:
Karamat Hussain Niazi
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Parliament House, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 922 1082 -83
Fax: +9251 922 1106