Rivers Flows and Reservoirs Level Report February 28, 2014

Lahore, February 28, 2014 (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           19600            50000          Mean flows of 24 hours
Kabul At Nowshera           8900             8900          Mean flows of 24 hours
Jhelum at Mangla            9800            40000          Mean flows of 24 hours
Chenab at Marala            9200             3000          Flows at 0600 hours

Barrages                  Inflows          Outflows             Remarks
                        (In Cusecs)      (In Cusecs)
Jinnah                     63900            56900          Flows at 24 hours
Chashma                    50500            48000          Mean flows of 24 hours
Taunsa                     49500            39000          Flows at 0600 hours
Panjnad                     9700             6600          Flows at 0600 hours
Guddu                      40600            36300          Flows at 0600 hours
Sukkur                     32800             4600          Flows at 0600 hours
Kotri                       3470             Nil           Flows at 0600 hours

  Reservoirs       Present Level       Dead Level      Maximum Level      Present
(at 0600 hours)     (Above Sea         (Above Sea          (ft.)       Live Storage
                    Level) (ft.)      Level) (ft.)
Tarbela               1429.94           1378.00          1550.00         1.028 MAF
Mangla                1111.50           1040.00          1242.00         0.845 MAF
Chashma                642.20            637.00           649.00         0.077 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

State Bank of Pakistan’s Open Market Operation (Outright Sale)

Karachi, February 28, 2014 (PPI-OT):

State Bank of Pakistan conducted its Open Market Operation (Outright Sale) in following contracts on Feb 28, 2014, received and accepted as given below:

A: OMOs

      NO             OMO Tenor                Range         Number of Quotes Offered

      1           66-Days (Outright)      10.35 ­ 10.89%              25

B: OMO RESULT

(Rs. In Millions)

66-Days (Outright)

          OMO Tenor       Amount          Amount         Rate of Return        Number of
                         Offered         Accepted       Quotes Accepted     Quotes Accepted
                                                           (% p.a.)

          66-Days       381,100.00      289,100.00          10.65                 18

          Total         381,100.00      289,100.00

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

Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Federal Board of Revenue to work hand-in-hand to raise tax-to-GDP ratio

Lahore, February 28, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) on Friday decided to work hand-in-hand to raise tax-to-GDP ratio by educating the masses about the benefits of Prime Minister Tax Incentive Package.

The decision was made at an hour-long meeting between the Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue, Large Taxpayer Unit, Mustafa Ashraf and LCCI Vice President Kashif Anwar here at Tax House, Nabaha Road, Lahore. Chief Financial Officer LCCI Nasir Khan was also present in the meeting.

The Chief Commissioner was of the view that an increase in Tax-to-GDP ratio was a prerequisite to economic revival of the country and the package announced by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was a great opportunity for NTN holders non-filers and new taxpayers.

Mustafa Ashraf apprised that the very essence of the Tax incentives was to minimize the size of parallel economy that was growing at jet speed. He said that the data of all the non-filers who are spending luxurious lives had already been collected.

He emphasized that the scheme was not aimed at encouraging the tax evaders but it is for the expansion of tax net and things are moving in right direction. Mr. Mustafa Ashraf informed that no action for audit, default surcharge or penalty will be taken against the filers of returns under the present scheme.

The LCCI Vice President Kashif Anwar on the occasion urged the Chief Commissioner to extend the date for the tax incentive package as it has come into his knowledge that quite a few businessmen who wanted to avail this opportunity were out of country. He said that the FBR should launch a full-fledged campaign in print and electronic media to create awareness regarding the benefits of this scheme.

While appreciating the FBR role in general and Chief Commissioner Mustafa Ashraf in particular, Kashif Anwar gave a number of proposals to make the Prime Minister Scheme a big success. He also stressed the need for simplification of taxation procedures and bringing untaxed sectors into the tax net, downward revision in rate of taxes and cut in number of taxes to put economy back on rails.

The LCCI Vice President said that the business community was the backbone of the economy as more than 90% revenue is being generated through trade and industry, therefore, the sector should be given due facilitation. He said that it is very unfortunate that a businessman who is registered with Income Tax is not registered with Sales Tax and he has to complete all the formalities to get registrations with Sales Tax. So, this is a big anomaly that needs to be rectified.

The LCCI Vice President also appreciated FBR for authority given to the Chief Commissioner regarding action under section 122 of the Income Tax Ordinance 2001 in respect of PM scheme for new filers of returns.

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

Draft bill for cyber crime a landmark achievement: Anusha Rahman

Islamabad, February 28, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Minister of State for IT Mrs.Anusha Rahman has said that it’s a great achievement of the Ministry of IT, that the comprehensive draft of cyber crime bill which was finalized few days back has been vetted and endorsed by the Ministry of Law and Justice.

Now we are going to table it before the cabinet. The Minister lauded the strenuous efforts of the Ministry of IT, ISPAK, PASHA and Barrister-Mr.Zahid Jameel who played a pivotal role in the drafting of this important legislation after consultation with all the stakeholders including PTA and FIA.

The Minister of State for IT further said that in this technological era, a comprehensive cyber law was direly needed to check unauthorized access to Information systems and growing tendency of cyber crimes so that such criminals, offenders could be effectively prosecuted. It’s also pertinent to mention that over recent past incidents of cyber crimes have been increasing significantly due to absence of appropriate law.

“While on the verge of introducing 3G/4G services in the country, we are happy that we would also be having a comprehensive cyber law which is prepared in accordance with International best practices so that we have effective legal cover to cope with the new challenges due to this technological advancement”, the Minister added.

The Minister of State for IT has also said that through this cyber crime legislation, electronic/cyber crimes such as illegal access of data, hacking, interference with personal data and information systems, electronic forgery, e-frauds, cyber terrorism and e-crime against woman would also be effectively addressed and abuse of technology would be checked appropriately.

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

Chinese Defence Minister calls on Prime Minister

Islamabad, February 28, 2014 (PPI-OT): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has said that China and Pakistan enjoy a unique relationship. He deeply appreciated the Chinese support for the projects included in the China-Pakistan Economic corridor in the recent Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting. Prime Minister made these remarks while talking to Chinese Defense Minister General Chang Wanquan who called on him at PM house.

Prime Minister said that China-Pakistan economic corridor would not only benefit both nations, but transform the region’s economy and dovetail perfectly with the strategy of developing and connecting the south and central Asian regions of the world.

PM said that Pakistan deeply values China’s support on issues of Pakistan’s national security and territorial integrity. Solid foundation for our time tested and all weather friendship is provided by strong mutual trust, excellent cooperation and convergence of views on regional and global issues, PM added.

PM said that Security of Chinese nationals is an utmost priority for Pakistan and government has taken all possible steps to provide them security. PM expressed his confidence that Pakistan-China cooperation, including in the field of defence will continue to grow to the benefit of both the countries.

Chinese Defence Minister reiterated his governments support for Pakistan. The meeting was also attended by Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and Special Assistant to PM Mr. Tariq Fatmi.

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

Operation against terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Peshawar, February 28, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Health, Shaukat Ali Yousafzai has said that the federal government must take the provincial government on board regarding operation against terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said the issue should not be taken easy as it was a matter of lives of thousands of innocent people. He said pre-arrangements were mandatory to save the seven lac innocent people of Waziristan. He was talking to media on the occasion of seminar regarding Pashto Day arranged at Khyber Medical College Peshawar on Thursday.

Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Housing, Malik Amjad Khan Afridi, Principal KMC, Chairman Department of Pashto Peshawar University Abasin Yousafzai and other social and literal persons were also present on this occasion.

The Health Minister Shaukat Yousafzai while appreciating the cultural and literal activities arranged by the students of KMC said that it was highly appreciable to arrange such activities in untoward situation. He said terrorism had badly affected our national institutions as well as economy, therefore restoration of peace was need of the hour to promote our culture and stabilize the national economy.

Talking about the operation against terrorism in Waziristan, he said provincial government had not been taken in confidence by federal government in this regard. He said in the past millions of people had suffered due to operation against terrorism and the poor people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could not afford such situation any more.

He said protection of innocent masses should be ensured before taking action against terrorism. On this occasion, Malik Amjad Khan Afridi also addressed the seminar and lauded the efforts of KMC to promote cultural and literal activities. The Health Minister and Amjad Khan Afridi also announced Rs. 2 lac on their behalf for the literary society of college for its best performance.

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

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government initiating uplifts projects in Science, Information Technology to facilitate youth in getting update knowledge: Minister

Peshawar, February 28, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Science and Information Technology, Shahram Khan Tarakai has said that the provincial government initiating various uplifts projects in Science and Information Technology sector to facilitate the youth in getting update knowledge and to bring about positive change in the province.

He was speaking at a grand certificates distribution ceremony of about 1000 trainee students under the auspices of Directorate of Science and Technology (DoST) at “Nishter Hall Peshawar”. It may be mentioned here that free trainings in various sectors i.e. Advance Construction drawings, Electrical drafting etc under the uplift schemes “establishment of design facilitation and training centre (DF and TC) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa” in which the trainees had completed their practical skills in related sectors.

He, while appreciating the efforts of the department in the field of related activities hoped that the provincial government will go ahead to train more and more trainees in this field. The minister, on this occasion lauded the power generation and communication fields by the manpower of this sector in far flung district of Chitral as well as Mardan district and these efforts will continue in future too across the province.

Shahram Khan Tarakai disclosed that an Information Technology University will be established very soon in the province to educate and train more and more youth in the modern technology sector adding that steps were being taken to promote cottage industry as well.

He urged upon the young generation to come forward and get training from the facilities being initiated by the provincial government in related disciplines. Later, Shahram Khan Tarakai awarded certificates to the top trainees who got practical trainings and hoped from the younger generation to best use their knowledge in uplifts of the province.

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