June 11, 2013 – Page 9 – AsiaNet-Pakistan

June 11, 2013June 12, 2013

Pakistan State Oil successfully Upgrades In-House SAP System to Latest ECC 6.0 Version

Karachi, June 11, 2013 (PPI-OT): With an ideology of continuous self-improvement and as part of its ongoing efforts to streamline its operational efficiency, Pakistan State Oil (PSO), the nation’s leading public sector company has successfully upgraded its internal SAP system to the latest ECC 6.0 version.

The upgrading process involved seamless integration of 12 SAP modules, a database of over 1500 GB of data and the profiles and access protocols of over 500 SAP users. The entire system enhancement process was carried out jointly by the PSO-Information Communication and Technology (ICT) and Finance Departments in a period of just 5 days with minimum disruption in the Company’s business operations.

This revamp will allow PSO to provide business support at par with international standards to its employees and business partners. This initiative has been undertaken by the management keeping in view the role such system improvements play as success factors for the organization’s development.

With this technical upgrade, new horizons in business innovation, cost reduction and functional capacity improvements have opened up at PSO. Furthermore, the Company can now fully utilize the functional improvements provided in ECC 6.0 like enhanced reporting through New General Ledger features; enhanced management of Internal Controls for Corporate Governance; improvements to credit management and introduction of Treasury Risk Management techniques. Leading from the front, PSO is committed to do what it takes to provide for the fuel needs of the country in a timely and responsible manner.

For more information, contact:
Naimatullah Behan
DGM – Public Relations
Pakistan State Oil (PSO)
PSO House, Khayaban-e-Iqbal, Clifton,
Karachi 75600, Pakistan
UAN: 111 111 PSO (776) Ext: 230

June 11, 2013June 12, 2013

Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Administrator chairs meeting on removal of Encroachments

Karachi, June 11, 2013 (PPI-OT): Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, Commissioner Office, Police Department and District Municipal Corporations were starting mutual operation against encroachments and all arrangements in this regard have been finalized. Encroachments will be removed from roads, footpaths, storm drains, parks and play grounds and teams will be formed on division level.

This was decided in a meeting chaired by KMC Administrator Syed Hashim Raza Zaidi. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui, Additional I.G. Karachi Sheraz Nazeer, Metropolitan Commissioner Matanat Ali Khan, Deputy Commissioners and Administrators of five Districts, Legal Advisor Najam-ud-din Sikandar, Director Land Khurram Arif, Director Anti-Encroachments Abdul Malik and other officers.

He said that mutual strategy will be implemented for encroachments on large scale and encroachments will be removed from the locations of public use on priority basis. He said a good number of citizens leave for home in evening timings in Ramadan and traffic flow due to encroachments on roads was affected therefore removal of encroachments from roads was necessary before Ramadan.

He said that action against illegal and unauthorized constructions will continue non-stop and land mafia will not be allowed to occupy plots allocated for parks, play grounds and public welfare works. KMC Administrator said that land mafia in different areas was active once again and after establishment of encroachments on roads and footpaths commercial activities were going on.

He directed police and anti-encroachment cell to commence operation against them on large scale. He said the encroachments were like scar on forehead of the city and decreasing beauty and attraction of city. He said that effective action was only possible through mutual operation.

He said stalls and carts from roads of densely populated areas of the city should be removed so that traffic flow could improve and facilitate pedestrians as well. Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui said that Karachi Administration will work together for removal of encroachments and police and administration will be provided where required.

He said it was an important task to keep city free form encroachments along with cleanliness as citizens expect convenience and welfare works from us. He said that some shopkeepers have displayed their all shops on footpaths which was necessary to be removed. He said cantonment boards will also be included in this operation and they will remove encroachments from their areas.

Commissioner Karachi directed Deputy Commissioners to consider that encroachments should not be established after their removal and this action should go on without any hindrance. He said citizens also wish for provision of roads and footpaths free form encroachments and it was our responsibility to utilize our capabilities for public welfare works. It was also decided in meeting that a meeting for operation against encroachments will be held every week and labour and machinery will be provided where needed.

For more information, contact:
Administrator Secretariat
Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC)
City District Government Complex, 1st Floor, Civic Centre,
Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi
Tel: +9221 9923 2400 -01
Fax: +9221 9923 2406
Email: administrator@karachicity.gov.pk

June 11, 2013June 12, 2013

Prime Minister appoints Dr Asif Kirmani as his Political Secretary

Islamabad, June 11, 2013 (PPI-OT): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has appointed Dr. Asif Kirmani his Political Secretary.

Dr. Asif Kirmani is a close associate of the Prime Minister and played an important role during the election campaign. Mr. Kirmani is amply experienced in the political matters of the party and maintains close liaison with political leadership of the party in the provinces.

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

June 11, 2013June 12, 2013

Ban Ki-Moon congratulates Prime Minister

Islamabad, June 11, 2013 (PPI-OT): Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon telephoned Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif this evening and congratulated him on the assumption of the office of the Prime Minister.

The Secretary General expressed good wishes for the Prime Minister and the popularly elected government in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister thanked the Secretary General for his good wishes.

June 11, 2013June 12, 2013

Minister for Railways vows to make Pakistan Railways a Profitable Institution

Islamabad, June 11, 2013 (PPI-OT): “All possible options will be explored to increase revenue generation of Pakistan railways so that it stands on its on legs”.

Khawaja Saad Rafique Federal Minister for Railways said this while being briefed by senior officials of the ministry. The Minister said that is was his prime object to make Pakistan Railways a profitable institution. Federal Minister also directed the officials to prepare a plan at the earliest to earn revenue through placing advertisements at rail wagons and railway stations.

The Minister also asked the officials to take all possible measures to minimise the delay of trains and in case of any delay respond time should be quick and urgent so that people do not suffer. The Minister also sought details of an agreement signed in 2008 with China for the provision of 75 locomotives and directed that no further advancement should be made unless the contents of agreement is thoroughly studied and scrutinised. Federal Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique also took a detailed briefing on Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project in which Pakistan Railways has 60% share while the provincial government of Sindh has 40% share.

The briefing continued for nine hours from 10 am to 7 pm in which senior officials of the Ministry participated.

June 11, 2013June 12, 2013

Minister of State for Information Technology chairs briefings of attached departments and organizations

Islamabad, June 11, 2013 (PPI-OT): Minister of State for IT Ms. Anusha Rahman chaired briefings with various attached departments and organizations working under the Ministry of Information Technology which included National Telecommunication Corporation, Universal Services Fund, Virtual University, Pakistan Software Export Board and National ICT R and D Fund. The Minister explained that the focus of the present government would be on human resources development in ICT sector for creation of better employment opportunities, moreover, this sector will contribute in economic growth and revenue generation.

The Minister directed Pakistan Software Export Board to develop a database of all the entrepreneurs in the software industry and help them in contacting the global market which will eventually help in increasing export earnings. PSEB was further directed to make a plan for establishing of Software Technology Parks across the country through joint ventures with local and foreign investors.

The Minister further advised the Virtual University and PSEB to jointly prepare VU ICT curriculum after consultation with the industry in order to mitigate the gap between academia and IT industry so that young graduates have better employment opportunities.

The Minister directed ICT R and D to make proposals on focusing on research and development in next generation telecom networks and new technologies instead of wasting resources on those activities which are not mandate of the company. The Minister further desired USFCo to provide ICT services to un-served and underserved areas especially in schools, colleges and libraries of these areas.

The Minister has directed to fill all vacant positions on priority specially the Chief Executives of TF, PSED and USF through a transparent and merit based system so that competent professionals from all over the world be considered for selection on these posts.

June 11, 2013June 12, 2013

Minister of State for Housing and Works chairs meeting of Ministry officials

Islamabad, June 11, 2013 (PPI-OT): Minister of State for Housing and Works Barrister Usman Ibrahim chaired a meeting of Ministry officials here today.

In the very beginning of the meeting, the Minister referred to the remarks made by PM in the cabinet. As per PM’s directions, the Minister accentuated that every project should be achieved within shortest possible time and all efforts should be result-oriented.

The Minister emphasized that there is need to put an end to the culture of sluggishness and corrupt practices. He put emphasis on to reduce all non-development expenditure up to 30% or even more.

Nasar Hayat, Secretary for Housing and Works briefed the Minister of State about the administrative structure of the Ministry.

Later on, the heads of all departments apprised the Minister about the working, projects, problems of their respective department along with suggestions and proposals.

The Minister appreciated the Public Private Partnership mode projects run by the attached departments and wish to continue with this practice in future as well. He also directed the estate officer to update the General waiting List as soon as possible to ensure the meritocracy during allotments.

A roadmap has been given to heads of all attached departments that they will submit weekly reports to the Minister based on a plan of action regarding ongoing projects or assignment, along with goals, targets and timelines. The Minister laid emphasis on achieving the goals within stipulated time.

The Minister emphatically stated that there will be zero tolerance against officials with poor performance. The officials who could not deliver will be weeded out of the organization. The Minister stated that we need to work collectively to ensure meritocracy and eliminate the corrupt practices.

The meeting was attended by Nasar Hayat Secretary Housing and Works, Ms Amna Imran Joint Secretary Housing and Works, Tariq Mahmood Pirzada Managing Director Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA), Sarwar Awan DG Pak PWD, Engineer Hasan Haqqani Managing Director National Construction Limited (NCL), M. Irfan DG National Housing Authority (NHA), Ms Naseem Qureshi Estate Officer and other senior officials of the Ministry.