December 18, 2013

Rivers Flows and Reservoirs Level Report December 18, 2013

Lahore, December 18 2013 (PPI-OT): The position of the river inflows/outflows and the reservoirs levels today is as under:

Rivers                         Inflows              Outflows                  Remarks
                              (In Cusecs)          (In Cusecs)
Indus at Tarbela                19000	              35000           Mean flows of 24 hours
Kabul At Nowshera                6100	               6100           Mean Flows of 24 hrs.
Jhelum at Mangla                 7900	              32000           Mean flows of 24 hours
Chenab at Marala                 5900	               1000           Flows at 0600 hours

Barrages                       Inflows              Outflows                  Remarks
                              (In Cusecs)          (In Cusecs)
Jinnah                           56400	             49400           Flow at 24 hours
Chashma                          47400               46000           Mean flows of 24 hours
Taunsa                           44300	             36300           Flow at 0600 hours
Panjnad                           4800	               NIL           Flow at 0600 hours
Guddu                            35700     	     31600           Flow at 0600 hours
Sukkur                           31700	              3700           Flow at 0600 hours
Kotri                             3693	               NIL           Flow at 0600 hours

Reservoirs                   Present Level         Dead Level          Maximum level     Present
(at 0600 hours)             (Above Sea Level)    (Above Sea Level)      (ft.)            Live Storage
                                 (ft.)                 (ft.)
Tarbela                       1474.87	             1378.00 	         1550.00	 2.761 MAF
Mangla                        1164.85	             1040.00 	         1242.00	 2.586 MAF
Chashma                        641.30	              637.00 	          649.00	 0.060 MAF

For more information, contact:
Muhammad Abid Rana
Director Public Relations
Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA)
G-32, WAPDA House, Lahore
Tel: +9242 9920 2633 and +9242 9920 2211 -2033 -2029
Cell: +92333 445 8293
Email: mabidrana@gmail.com

December 18, 2013

Minister of State for Water and Power chairs meeting of Islamabad Electric Supply Company

Islamabad, December 18, 2013 (PPI-OT): Minister of State for Water and Power Ch. Abid Sher Ali while chairing the meeting of IESCO officials passed the directions that the commercial meter should be installed at offices, beauty parlors, restaurants, schools, hostels established in residential areas of Islamabad within 15 days.

The strict action would be taken against the owners of the offices after passing of said period. He also directed the Chief Executive, IESCO to issue final notice to all government offices to pay their bills and liabilities till 26th December. After 26th December, the connection of all offices and buildings whose liabilities would not be cleared would be disconnected. Minister of state Water and Power said that all EXEN would establish open court for public hearing.

Earlier in a meeting with a delegation of investors of Czech Republic, he said that Pakistan has great potential in hydel, solar and coal energy. In this regard lot of projects on the runs of river and small dams are in progress.

He said that Pakistan provide safety to investments of all those investors who are keen to invest in Pakistan. The visitors of Czech Republic expressed deep satisfaction over security and friendly policies for investors by Pakistan government.

For more information, contact:
Federal Minister for Water and Power
Ministry of Water and Power
Room No. 201-204, 2nd Floor, A Block Pak Secretariat,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone: + (92-51) 9212442, 9210533
Fax: + (92-51) 9224825

December 18, 2013

State Bank of Pakistan rates for conversion of Foreign Currency Deposits, Dollar Bearer Certificates, Foreign Currency Bearer Certificates, Special United States Dollar Bonds and profit thereon December 18, 2013

Karachi, December 18, 2013 (PPI-OT): Domestic markets and monetary management department

Average rates for authorized dealers following are the conversion rates valid for:

A) Customer transactions on December 19, 2013 for the conversion of FC deposits, DBC /FCBC, special us dollar bonds and profits thereon and forward cover for deposits (excluding fe-25)

B) SBP settlement value date December 23, 2013.

Currency         Rate in Pak Rupee

U.S. Dollar          106.5970

Japanese Yen           1.0359

Pound Sterling       174.3500

Euro                 146.5602

For more information, contact:
Syed Wasimuddin
Chief Spokesman
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
Tel: +9221 3921 2562
Fax: +9221 3921 2563
Email: syed.wasimuddin@sbp.org.pk

December 18, 2013

Punjab Government and its people would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with their Baloch brethren in hour of trial: Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly

Karachi, December 18, 2013 (PPI-OT): In accordance with the resolve of Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, the Punjab Government and its people would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with their Baloch brethren in the hour of trial and tribulation, while Punjab Government would also continue provision of relief goods, till rehabilitation of Baloch brethren, who were earthquake victims.

These views were expressed by Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, while handing over relief goods, worth Rs. 10 crore, to Balochistan Government, under Winter Relief Package.

Member Provincial Assembly and Parliamentary Secretary on Literacy Sardar Atif Mizari, Director General Provincial Disaster Management Authority Capt. R. Muhammad Asif, Colonel of 33 Battalion Furqan Moazzam and Deputy Commissioner Awaran Abdul Rasheed, besides other concerned officers of Balochistan Government, were also present on the occasion.

Giving details of the relief goods to earthquake victims, Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani said that 30000 blankets, 60000 warm quilts have been made available to earthquake victims in Awaraan by transporting them in 100 trucks. He said, the people of Punjab have sent, so far, relief goods worthRs. 28 crore 70 lac, alongwith depositing an amount of Rs. 25 crore 50 lac to the Balochistan Relief Fund. He said Punjab Government would establish a modern hospital at Awaraan, alongwith construction of a model village

While talking to earthquake affectees at location of Mashi, in Awaraan, Deputy Speaker said that there is close coordination between Balochistan Government and Punjab Government regarding provision of relief goods to earthquake victims.

He assured the earthquake affectees that, alongwith construction of modern hospital and a model village, the children of Awaraan would also be granted admissions in medical colleges of Lahore.

Deputy Speaker Punjab Assembly Sher Ali Gorchani distributed winter relief packets, sent by Punjab Government, among the earthquake victims, during which local administration and Army authorities were also present. Talking on the occasion, Deputy Speaker gave details of relief goods made available to flood affectees of Balochistan by Punjab Government.

He pointed out that Punjab Chief Minister had handed over his helicopter to the Balochistan Government, to carry out the relief activities, on the next day of the earthquake. This helicopter provided relief goods from Karachi in its 38 sorties, during one and half month, while on its return it continued transferring earthquake victims to the Karachi Hospitals. Punjab Government also sent relief goods to Awaraan, through 300 trucks, consisting of food hampers, quilts, medicines, mosquito nets and bottles of milk and water.

For more information, contact:
Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA)
40-A, Lawrence Road, Lahore
Phone: (92-42) 99203301-2, 99204409
Fax: (92-42) 99204405
Email: info.pdma@punjab.gov.pk
Emergency Helpline (UAN): 1129

December 18, 2013

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, United Nations join hands for development of the province

Peshawar, December 18, 2013 (PPI-OT): The first meeting of the Provincial Steering Committee for the One UN Programme II (OP II) was held in the KP Civil Secretariat in Peshawar. Mr. Khalid Pervaiz, Additional Chief Secretary, Planning and Development Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Mr. Jacques Franquin, Head of Office, UNHCR Peshawar co-chaired the meeting.

Mr. Timo Pakkala, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator was also present at the meeting. The Secretary P and D, Dr. Aftab Durrani and representatives of other provincial departments were also in attendance.

The One UN Programme 2013 – 2017 is the five-year strategic development framework developed jointly by the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations system in the country after extensive consultations with provincial governments, civil society and other development partners. Key areas of UN support include: access to social services, economic growth and employment, resilience against disasters, governance and social justice as well as food and nutrition security.

In line with the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, joint Government-UN Steering Committees were established at the federal level and in each administrative area in order to provide strategic guidance, monitoring and also review the implementation of One UN Programme in their respective province/areas.

“We warmly welcome the United Nations colleagues in Peshawar and take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to working together with the United Nations for the development of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province” said Mr. Khalid Pervaiz in his opening remarks.

On behalf of the KP Government, he appreciated the work undertaken by the UN, especially in the challenging security environment. Mr. Jacques Franquin thanked the KP government for its ownership of the OP II plan; he expressed the need to form synergies during implementation within the province to enhance the effectiveness of the OP II planned for 2013-2017.

Mr. Timo Pakkala, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator said that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remained one of the most active partners for the development of the ONE UN Programme 2013-17 and its strong engagement is instrumental to the successful implementation of the plan and to the overall operations of the United Nations in the province.

“The increased role and responsibility conferred upon the provinces through the 18th Amendment has made the UN’s engagement all the more crucial to the success of the OP II. In line with the spirit of devolution, the joint Government-UN led Steering Committee is constituted to ensure coherent programme implementation and enhanced coordination at the provincial level,” said Mr. Jacques Franquin, Head of UNHCR Sub Office, Peshawar and co-chair of the Steering Committee Meeting.

Participants in the meeting, including provincial secretaries as well as EAD and United Nations representatives, discussed the provincial steering mechanism, its composition and terms of reference and possible communications activities.

For more information, contact:
Ms Duniya Aslam Khan
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Quaid-e-Azam University Road, Diplomatic Enclave 2,
Sector G-4/2, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 282 9502 -6
Cell: 0300-501-7939,
Fax: +9251 227 9455
E-mail, khand@unhcr.org

December 18, 2013

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry launches Information Technology training Course for members

Lahore, December 18, 2013 (PPI-OT): The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday launched IT Training Course for its members to equip them with latest computer knowledge and enable them to deal with their global counterparts more efficiently and with lesser cost. The eleventh batch of LCCI IT Training Courses was inaugurated by the LCCI President Engineer Sohail Lashari while IT specialist Qamar Ali was also present on the occasion.

Addressing the course participants, the LCCI President Engineer Sohail Lashari said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry had designed the course keeping in view the need of the businessmen.

He said that there were two components including Basic IT and Networking Essentials. Basic IT Course (Level 1) is specially designed to quickly equip our members with Basic know-how of IT such as use of Windows, Emails, Safe web browsing and MS Office applications in only 15 hours of knowledge-sharing.

The prime objective of this course is to provide essential IT awareness and its appropriate use in every business. Networking Essentials Course is professional course tailored to provide hands-on experience to LCCI members who have some computer knowledge and want to make best use of computers in a networked environment. The very objective of this course is to enable LCCI members to establish, troubleshoot and maintain local area networks as well as Internet connectivity.

“Whether you want to establish a workgroup or a server-managed domain, this precisely designed course is for you.” The LCCI President was of the view that global business requirements have registered sea change and only those businesses could win global partners who are well versed with the computer knowledge. He said that the business promotion is one of the prime tasks of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and it would continue to support its members by imparting them latest IT techniques.

Engineer Sohail Lashari also urged the LCCI members to develop their products in accordance with world standards and develop their company websites having their product line on display as a majority of foreign businessmen often recognizes those business that are online. About 35 member companies of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry are participating in these courses.

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

December 18, 2013

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry urges Federal Board of Revenue to bring down rate of taxes, duties on professional cameras to save imaging industry

Lahore, December 18, 2013 (PPI-OT): The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday urged the Federal Board of Revenue to bring considerably down the rate of taxes and duties on professional cameras to save the imaging industry.

The LCCI President Engineer Sohail Lashari was talking to a two-member Japanese business delegation comprising Mr Mitsuhiro Tanaka and Shinobu Ikuta called on him here at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry. LCCI former Executive Committee Nasir Saeed was also present in the meeting.

The LCCI President said that the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry believes that the government could get more revenues by lowering the rate of taxes on duties on various items and 45 per cent taxes and duties on professional camera should be curtailed to 10 per cent. He said that he was unable to understand the logic of subjecting the cameras of high duty structure when mobile phones fitted with latest cameras are being imported on comparatively lower duty tariff.

The LCCI President also gave a detailed briefing to the Japanese delegation about the working of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its role for the betterment of economy.

He suggested to the visiting delegates to arrange a countrywide photo exhibition in Pakistan as it would not only promote professional cameras but would also help highlight the image of Pakistan. Mr Mitsuhiro Tanaka thanked the LCCI President for paving the way for the revival of imaging industry in Pakistan. He said that Japanese private sector was planning to increase their investment in Pakistan as the grant of GSP plus status to Pakistan by European Union had sent a good message to the foreign businessmen.

He said that Pakistan was a good business destination as its strategic location gives it an edge on a number of other regional players in many ways. He said that there was no second opinion about it that investment made in Pakistan finds its way to land-locked Central Asian States.