Foreign direct investment in Pakistanfor the month of February 2014

Karachi, March 14, 2014 (PPI-OT):


FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN PAKISTAN-BY COUNTRY

(Million US $)

February-2014 (P) July-February FY14 (P) July-February FY13 (R)

Sr. Country Foreign Direct Investment Foreign Direct Investment Foreign Direct Investment

FPI* Total FPI* Total FPI* Total

Inflow Outflow Net Inflow Outflow Net Inflow Outflow Net
1 Argentina 0.0 – 0.0 – 0.0 0.2 – 0.2 – 0.2 – 0.0 – 0.0 – – 0.0
2 Australia – 0.0 – 0.0 – 0.6 – 0.6 9.4 0.0 9.4 – 1.9 7.5 20.1 – 20.1 – 15.8 4.3
3 Austria 3.0 – 3.0 – 3.0 32.2 – 32.2 – 32.2 27.6 – 27.6 – 27.6
4 Bahamas – – – – – – – – 7.3 7.3 – – – 3.0 3.0
5 Bahrain 0.0 0.4 – 0.4 – – 0.4 1.4 3.3 – 1.9 – 0.0 – 1.9 3.2 2.5 0.7 0.0 0.7
6 Bangladesh 0.1 0.0 0.1 – 0.1 1.2 0.0 1.2 – 0.0 1.2 1.7 0.0 1.7 – 1.7
7 Belgium 0.1 – 0.1 – 0.1 2.2 0.3 1.9 – 1.9 – – – – –
8 Bosnia Harzeguinia 0.0 – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – 0.0 – 0.0 – – – – –
9 Brunei 0.3 – 0.3 – 0.3 2.6 – 2.6 – 0.1 2.6 2.8 – 2.8 – 2.8
10 Canada 0.8 2.8 – 2.1 – 0.1 – 2.1 7.4 22.5 – 15.1 – 0.3 – 15.4 3.6 12.0 – 8.4 – 0.5 – 8.9
11 China 1.2 0.6 0.6 – 0.6 10.8 22.5 – 11.7 0.2 – 11.5 74.2 6.4 67.7 0.1 67.8
12 Congo – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
13 Denmark 0.3 0.0 0.3 – 0.0 0.2 2.2 0.0 2.2 – 0.1 2.0 0.9 0.0 0.9 – 1.4 – 0.5
14 Egypt 1.4 0.0 1.4 – 1.4 13.2 2.9 10.3 – 10.3 1.5 15.8 – 14.4 – – 14.4
15 Finland 0.7 3.1 – 2.4 – – 2.4 0.7 19.7 – 19.0 – – 19.0 4.7 0.8 3.9 – 3.9
16 France 6.4 0.4 6.0 – 6.0 48.0 0.4 47.6 – 47.6 24.3 5.1 19.2 – 1.8 17.4
17 Germany 7.2 0.6 6.7 – 1.4 5.3 12.7 16.1 – 3.3 – 1.5 – 4.8 14.0 9.5 4.4 – 0.4 4.0
18 Hongkong 21.0 0.1 21.0 0.5 21.5 145.6 0.8 144.9 – 7.2 137.7 150.1 1.6 148.6 46.9 195.5
19 Hungary – – – – – – – – – – 1.0 – 1.0 – 1.0
20 Iceland – – – – – – – – – 0.1 – 0.1 – – – – 0.1 – 0.1
21 Indonesia 0.0 – 0.0 – 0.0 0.1 – 0.1 – 0.1 – 0.0 – 0.0 – – 0.0
22 Iran 0.0 – 0.0 – 0.0 0.1 – 0.1 – 0.1 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.1
23 Ireland – – – – 8.0 – 8.0 – – – – 1.0 – 1.0 – – – 5.2 5.2
24 Italy 0.2 0.1 0.1 – 0.1 51.7 0.9 50.8 0.1 50.9 131.1 0.4 130.8 – 130.8
25 Japan 4.5 6.4 – 1.9 2.2 0.3 21.8 9.0 12.8 15.4 28.3 19.7 2.0 17.8 0.5 18.3
26 Kenya – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
27 Korea (South) 0.1 1.2 – 1.1 – 0.7 – 1.8 34.9 9.4 25.5 – 2.0 23.5 21.2 10.0 11.2 – 11.2
28 Kuwait 4.5 0.7 3.9 0.0 3.9 20.0 5.3 14.7 – 0.2 14.5 7.7 0.6 7.1 0.0 7.1
29 Lebanon 1.0 0.0 1.0 – 1.0 7.6 0.0 7.6 – 7.6 8.6 0.0 8.6 – 8.6
30 Liberia 0.0 – 0.0 – 0.0 0.0 – 0.0 – 0.0 – – – – –
31 Libya – 0.5 – 0.5 – – 0.5 – 4.0 – 4.0 – – 4.0 – 0.2 – 0.2 – – 0.2
32 Luxembourg – – – 3.7 3.7 – 15.0 – 15.0 52.8 37.8 – – – 21.1 21.1
33 Malaysia 1.5 2.2 – 0.7 – – 0.7 16.8 26.9 – 10.1 – – 10.1 16.6 19.2 – 2.6 0.0 – 2.6
34 Malta – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
35 Netherlands 1.0 1.9 – 0.9 1.0 0.0 18.1 15.3 2.7 0.3 3.1 22.3 149.8 – 127.6 9.6 – 118.0
36 NewZealand – 0.5 – 0.5 – – 0.5 0.0 3.7 – 3.7 – – 3.7 3.0 5.1 – 2.2 0.0 – 2.1
37 Nigeria – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
38 Norway 5.7 0.1 5.7 – 5.7 50.7 97.7 – 47.0 – – 47.0 74.9 298.4 – 223.5 – – 223.5
39 Oman 0.1 0.1 0.0 – 0.0 35.8 0.4 35.3 – 35.3 1.8 0.9 0.9 – 0.9
40 Panama – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
41 Philippines – – – – – 0.1 – 0.1 – 0.1 93.1 – 93.1 – 16.6 76.6
42 Poland – 0.3 – 0.3 – – 0.3 1.5 2.2 – 0.7 – – 0.7 7.4 – 7.4 – 7.4
43 Portugal – 0.0 – 0.0 – – 0.0 – 0.1 – 0.1 – – 0.1 – 0.1 – 0.1 – – 0.1
44 Qatar 0.0 5.0 – 4.9 0.0 – 4.9 0.8 39.7 – 38.9 0.1 – 38.8 6.2 18.8 – 12.7 0.2 – 12.5
45 Saudi Arabia 3.1 6.4 – 3.3 – – 3.3 18.4 51.2 – 32.8 0.0 – 32.8 21.5 13.3 8.2 0.0 8.2
46 Seychelles – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
47 Singapore 0.2 4.2 – 3.9 – 0.0 – 4.0 2.3 33.4 – 31.1 – 11.5 – 42.7 9.1 16.4 – 7.3 9.2 1.9
48 South Africa – – – – – – – – – 0.0 – 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 – 0.3
49 Sri Lanka – 0.0 – 0.0 – – 0.0 – 0.0 – 0.0 – – 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 – 0.0
50 Sweden 4.4 0.1 4.3 1.5 5.8 16.7 6.4 10.3 – 32.0 – 21.7 5.4 19.4 – 14.0 – 0.2 – 14.2
51 Switzerland 25.6 0.2 25.5 2.2 27.6 196.7 18.4 178.3 – 6.0 172.3 98.1 6.3 91.8 – 0.4 91.3
52 Thailand – – – – – 4.0 – 4.0 – 4.0 1.1 – 1.1 – 1.1
53 Turkey 0.0 0.1 – 0.1 – 0.0 – 0.1 2.7 1.9 0.8 – 0.1 0.7 9.0 9.3 – 0.4 – – 0.4
54 U.A.E 12.8 12.8 0.0 1.4 1.4 119.3 120.0 – 0.7 5.1 4.5 164.6 183.5 – 18.9 6.0 – 12.9
55 United Kingdom 16.4 5.8 10.6 4.1 14.7 125.5 49.3 76.2 68.0 144.2 148.0 21.8 126.2 – 50.5 75.7
56 United States 17.7 4.1 13.6 – 6.4 7.2 207.8 45.8 161.9 – 38.4 123.5 193.3 38.8 154.5 156.9 311.4
57 Others 1.0 2.9 – 1.9 6.5 4.6 19.3 11.5 7.8 7.1 14.9 23.8 36.0 – 12.2 – 1.3 – 13.6
I- Foreign Private 142.4 63.2 79.2 5.7 84.9 1,262.5 656.2 606.3 54.0 660.3 1,418.6 904.4 514.2 169.9 684.1
II- Foreign Public – – – – 4.6 – 4.6 – – – 64.3 64.3 – – – – 3.7 – 3.7
Total 142.4 63.2 79.2 1.1 80.3 1,262.5 656.2 606.3 118.3 724.6 1418.6 904.4 514.2 166.2 680.4

Source: State Bank of Pakistan

P: Provisional; (R); Revised

Notes:

’0′ means amount less than US$ 50,000

‘-’ means NIL

1. Foreign Direct Investment Inflows/Outflows include cash received for investment in equity, Intercompany Loan, Capital Equipment brought in/out and reinvested earnings. New format adopted from July 2012.

2. Others include IFIs and countries not mentioned above. The details of countries included in Others are available.

3. The data is based on Ultimate Controlling Parent Country concept and may not be compared with the data based on Immediate Investing Countries published for year F11 and earlier

4. Data from Q2 FY14 has been revised.

* FPI: Foreign Portfolio Investment

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN PAKISTAN-BY SECTOR

(Million US $)

Sr. SECTOR February-2014 (P) July-February FY14(P) July-February FY13(R)

Inflow Outflow Net FDI Inflow Outflow Net FDI Inflow Outflow Net FDI
1 Food 5.6 0.5 5.1 79.1 3.9 75.1 39.1 3.1 36.0
2 Food Packaging – – – – – – – 0.1 – 0.1
3 Beverages – 0.2 – 0.2 25.0 1.3 23.7 5.4 12.1 – 6.6
4 Tobacco and Cigarettes 10.0 – 10.0 70.5 15.0 55.5 25.1 6.5 18.6
5 Sugar – – – 7.9 – 7.9 3.2 – 3.2
6 Textiles 0.8 – 0.8 10.1 11.2 – 1.1 13.6 0.5 13.2
7 Paper and Pulp – – – – – – 0.2 – 0.2
8 Leather and Leather Products 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 – 0.1 3.1 – 3.1
9 Rubber and Rubber Products – 0.0 – 0.0 – 0.2 – 0.2 1.4 – 1.4
10 Chemicals 4.9 1.7 3.2 102.3 30.7 71.6 62.7 152.1 – 89.4
11 Petro Chemicals 0.1 – 0.1 0.9 – 0.9 6.0 – 6.0
12 Petroleum Refining 0.0 1.6 – 1.5 1.0 12.6 – 11.6 37.4 26.3 11.1
13 Minning and Quarrying 2.5 2.3 0.2 23.0 18.4 4.6 2.0 – 2.0
14 Oil and Gas Explorations 40.0 1.8 38.2 310.6 14.5 296.2 343.1 3.4 339.7
Of which Privatisation proceeds – – – – – – – – –
15 Pharmaceuticals and OTC Products 1.1 0.2 0.9 8.6 1.4 7.2 12.6 4.3 8.3
16 Cosmetics – – – – – – – – –
17 Fertilizers 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.2 – 0.2
18 Cement 2.5 0.7 1.8 19.3 5.4 13.9 5.6 0.2 5.4
19 Ceramics 0.4 – 0.4 1.3 – 1.3 2.3 – 2.3
20 Basic Metals 0.5 – 0.5 3.7 – 3.7 0.4 – 0.4
21 Metal Products 1.0 0.1 0.9 7.7 0.7 7.1 2.5 – 2.5
22 Machinery other than Electrical – – – 1.0 – 1.0 2.0 0.1 1.9
23 Electrical Machinery 0.1 0.4 – 0.3 0.2 11.5 – 11.3 9.2 1.5 7.7
24 Electronics 1.5 0.7 0.8 15.2 5.5 9.7 19.7 2.3 17.4
I) Consumer/Household 1.4 0.6 0.9 12.1 4.6 7.5 13.6 0.2 13.4
II) Industrial 0.1 0.1 – 0.0 3.1 0.9 2.2 6.2 2.2 4.0
25 Transport Equipment(Automobiles) 2.1 0.1 2.0 18.7 0.5 18.2 17.9 1.3 16.6
I) Motorcycles – – – – – – – – –
II) Cars 2.1 – 2.1 18.7 – 18.7 15.1 0.8 14.3
III) Buses,Trucks,Vans and Trail – 0.1 – 0.1 – 0.5 – 0.5 2.9 0.6 2.3
26 Power 24.0 10.6 13.4 154.1 132.6 21.6 120.5 79.9 40.6
I) Thermal 21.6 10.6 11.0 137.7 118.1 19.6 94.3 79.7 14.6
Of which Privatisation proceeds – – – – – – – – –
II) Hydel 2.4 0.0 2.4 18.6 14.4 4.2 25.9 0.1 25.8
III) Coal – – – – – – 0.2 – 0.2
27 Construction 2.2 0.6 1.6 19.2 5.2 14.0 30.2 2.6 27.6
28 Trade 4.4 8.9 – 4.5 18.3 26.8 – 8.5 40.4 38.0 2.4
29 Transport 0.3 1.0 – 0.7 2.9 8.1 – 5.2 98.4 37.4 61.0
30 Tourism 0.2 – 0.2 1.2 – 1.2 – – –
31 Storage Facilities – – – – – – 9.3 – 9.3
32 Communications 14.8 21.8 – 7.0 144.9 266.0 – 121.2 164.2 464.8 – 300.6
1) Telecommunications 12.0 19.0 – 7.0 127.1 258.5 – 131.4 140.5 456.2 – 315.8
Of which Privatisation proceeds – – – – – – – – –
2) Information Technology 2.8 0.2 2.6 17.8 4.9 12.9 23.7 7.8 16.0
I) Software Development 1.5 0.1 1.3 10.8 1.0 9.8 12.3 7.7 4.6
II) Hardware Development 0.3 0.0 0.3 0.8 0.0 0.8 0.7 – 0.7
III) I.T.Service 1.1 0.0 1.0 6.2 4.0 2.3 10.7 0.0 10.7
3) Postal and Courier Services – – – – – – – 0.8 – 0.8
33 Financial Business 18.5 6.6 11.8 155.7 52.9 102.8 254.7 52.0 202.7
Of which Privatisation proceeds – – – – – – – – –
34 Social Services 0.3 0.1 0.2 1.3 2.0 – 0.6 6.8 – 6.8
35 Personal Services 2.9 3.7 – 0.8 33.0 11.3 21.8 22.1 11.0 11.1
36 Others 1.6 2.4 – 0.7 23.0 21.0 2.0 57.3 5.0 52.3
TOTAL 142.4 63.2 79.2 1,262.5 656.2 606.3 1,418.6 904.4 514.2
TOTAL without Privatisation 142.4 63.2 79.2 1,262.5 656.2 606.3 1,418.6 904.4 514.2

Source: State Bank of Pakistan

P: Provisional; (R): Revised

Foreign Direct Investment Inflows/Outflows include Cash Investment and Disinvestment in equity, Intercompany Loan received and repayments, Capital Equipment brought in/out and reinvested earnings (+/-). New format adopted from July 2012.

4. Data from Q2 FY14 has been revised.

’0′ means amount less than US$ 50,000

‘-’ means NIL

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

Supreme Court takes suo moto action after rape victim commits suicide

Islamabad, March 14, 2014 (PPI-OT): This morning we had taken suo moto notice on a media report that a young girl Amna was raped in the area of Police Station Mir Hazar, Muzaffargarh; that although a criminal case was registered but the same was cancelled despite the statement of the victim and other evidence available on record; that the said girl, her mother and other relatives protested in front of the Police Station where the said girl burnt herself within the view of the policemen. She was admitted to hospital yesterday.

2. We had called learned Advocate General Punjab who is stated to be in Lahore, instead Mr. Muddasir Khalid Abbasi, Assistant Advocate General has appeared but by this time we have received another news through office note that the victim has succumbed to the injuries and died in the hospital.

3. The news is not a flattering commentary on the justice system and in particular the working of police. The incident is not only violative of Articles 9 but also Articles 4, 25(3) and 37(d) of the Constitution. The incident is also reflects violation of the mandatory provisions of law, Police Rules and a judgment of this Court reported at Salman Akram Raja vs. Government of Punjab through Chief Secretary (2013 SCMR 203).

4. In the afore-referred circumstances, we are persuaded to issue notice to Inspector General of Police and District Police Officer, Muzaffargarh to personally appear on 17.3.2014. The I.G. Punjab shall file a report in writing about the allegations leveled by the victim, the evidence recorded by the Investigating Officer, the findings of the medico lego report / DNA report, if any, and why the Investigating Officer declared the accused innocent. The report shall also apprise this Court as to whether the finding of the Investigating Officer was verified by the higher police officer i.e. SDPO or DPO or not? The Advocate General Punjab shall also appear on the next date. To come up on 17.3.2014.

For more information, contact:
Shahid Hussain Kamboyo
Public Relations Officer
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Tel: +9251 920 4184
Fax: +9251 920 1001
Email: pro_scp@yahoo.com

Anti Narcotics Force conducts 5 operations at Rawalpindi, Lahore and Peshawar recover heroin, opium, charas and arrest 5 persons

Islamabad, March 14, 2014 (PPI-OT): ANF homed on Airports, Highways and Courier Companies of Punjab and KPK. Operations resulted in recovery of 1 Kg Opium, 2.14 Kgs Heroin and 25.2 Kgs Charas, which were mostly destined abroad.

According to details, ANF Rawalpindi Spot Check Team acting upon an information intercepted a Suzuki Bolan Registration No. LEB-3413 near Burhan Motorway Interchange and recovered 1 Kg Opium and 25 Kgs of Charas tactfully concealed in secret cavities of the vehicle. Driver of the vehicle Muhammad Sikandar s/o Ghulam Muhammad r/o Faisalabad has been arrested at the spot.

ANF Rawalpindi Airport Team arrested Fayyaz Ali s/o Niaz Ali Khan r/o Nowshera from Islamabad Airport who confessed of having 40 Heroin filled capsules in his stomach. He was travelling by Shaheen Airlines, Flight No. NL-221 from Islamabad to Dubai.

ANF Peshawar Airport Team arrested Hasnian Zaman s/o Qamar Zaman r/o Fatima Jinnah Colony, Sargodha and recovered 1 Kg and 200 Gms of Heroin tactfully concealed in his hand baggage. He was traveling from Peshawar to Riyadh via Sharjah by Air Arabia Airlines, Flight No. G-9558. The accused has been arrested at the spot.

ANF Lahore arrested Muhammad Sadiq s/o Mehr Bahadar r/o Layyah and Syed Muntazir s/o Mehdi Hassan r/o Layyah and recovered 0.5 Kg of Heroin from their personal possession. The accused were arrested near Hamza Cotton Mill, Multan Road, Mianwali.

ANF Lahore intercepted a parcel dispatched through World Logistic Office from Gulberg-III Lahore destined for UK. Detailed search of parcel resulted in recovery of 200 Gms of Heroin, tactfully concealed in Cushion Cloth. Cases have been registered in ANF Police Stations and further investigations are under process.

For more information, Contact:
Secretary
Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF)
Minister for Narcotics Control
+92-51-9260207
Tel: +92-51-9260535
Fax: +92-51-9260208
Email: mnc@anf.gov.pk
Website: www.narcon.gov.pk

Pakistan, United Kingdom agree to review Enhanced Strategic Dialogue during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s forthcoming visit to United Kingdom

Islamabad, March 14, 2014 (PPI-OT): Adviser Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary William Hague met to further the strategic relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, which underpins the enduring partnership between both countries.

They reviewed progress on bilateral commitments and discussed future plans to develop a deeper dialogue between the two countries, strengthening friendship and promoting mutual interests. The dialogue represents a long-term commitment by both countries to work together for greater security and prosperity.

Adviser Sartaj Aziz and Foreign Secretary William Hague discussed priority areas of the bilateral relationship including; renewing commitment to increase bilateral trade to £ 3bn by 2015; promoting investments; enhancing Pakistan’s EU trade access recently secured with significant UK support; the UK’s commitment to stand alongside Pakistan to tackle militancy, terrorism and extremism while acknowledging the huge sacrifices the Pakistani nation has made.

They also welcomed the positive contribution made by the British Pakistani community to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries. The two sides agreed to review the whole spectrum of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s forthcoming visit to the UK.

After the meeting the Foreign Secretary William Hague said:

“Pakistan and the UK share longstanding ties. I was pleased to have this opportunity to discuss plans to reframe the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue into a deeper and more focused agreement between our two countries, which strengthens our partnership and promotes our mutual interests. This dialogue represents a continuing, long-term commitment by both countries to work together to create the conditions necessary for greater security and prosperity. ”

Adviser Sartaj Aziz said:

“I was delighted to hold substantive discussions with Foreign Secretary William Hague and other key British cabinet members on the progress of bilateral cooperation in areas of common interest. I emphasized the importance of greater international recognition of Pakistan’s security concerns. We agreed to intensify efforts to achieve meaningful and mutually beneficial progress in a holistic manner under the framework of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue. The UK remains, as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said, one of Pakistan’s closest allies and the leading development partner.”

The Enhanced Strategic Dialogue was signed in 2011 and sets out the UK and Pakistan’s strategic partnership in 5 areas: trade and business relations; financial, macro-economic stabilization and development cooperation; Education and health; consultations on defence and security; and cultural cooperation.

For more information, contact:
Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Ch
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: 051-9205494
Fax: 051-9204202
Cell: 0336-5644459

Economy of Pakistan reflects positive trends: Minister

Islamabad, March 14, 2014 (PPI-OT): “The economy of Pakistan is moving in the right direction and all economic indicators reflect positive trend”, said Senator Pervaiz Rashid, Minister for IB and NH / Spokesman to the Prime Minister in his statement today.

He said that it was due to the vision of Prime Minister, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the hard work of the Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar that we have been able to register an all around performance indicating a solid turn around in the country.

It was indeed, due to good governance, transparency, honesty and austerity measures adopted by the Government of PML(N) which has resulted not only in inspiring the confidence of International Community for investment in Pakistan, but has also led us on the path of stability, progress and prosperity, the Senator Pervaiz Rashid emphasized.

He said that after coming into power the government of PML-N, in line with its manifesto, introduced several structural reforms in the economic sector to overcome the challenges it confronted. He said that today, thanks to Allah, all economic indicators are on the positive trend.

Growth is moving up, inflation is going down, foreign exchange reserves are growing, value of rupee is appreciating and the stock market is moving up. He added that the economic scenario of the country is moving in the right direction and we will be able to contribute in prosperity of our people.

The Minister further said that during the last eight months tax collection has witnessed an increase of 17.7 per cent as compared to corresponding period of the last year. He emphasized that this is no small achievement of our revenue machinery.

He added that the government is making efforts to increase the tax net and at the same time saving money from expenditure side. He said that due to prudent economic policy we are hopeful that this year we will achieve growth target of above 4 per cent and in year 2014-15 we expect it to be around 5 per cent. We have introduced several medium to long term structural reform in our economy.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid concluded that, it was all due to these positive indicators, the value of Rupee has enhanced and it consequently marks a beginning of a long journey to attain the economic prosperity for the future generations.

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 reviews Karachi’s Law and Order situation

Islamabad, March 14, 2014 (PPI-OT): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif chaired a high level meeting to review law and order situation in Karachi today. The meeting was attended by Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh, Mr. Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Interior Minister Ch. Nisar Ali Khan, Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Federal Commerce Minister Engr. Khurram Distagir, Chief Secretary Sindh, Inspector General of Police Sindh and Director General of Intelligence Bureau.

Keeping in view the protection of witnesses, investigators, prosecutors and Judges, the Prime Minister directed to shift Anti Terrorism Courts to Malir Cantonment. Prime Minister also directed to lift ban on recruitment in all civil armed forces of Pakistan. It was also agreed in-principle that additional police stations to be established in Liari, Karachi.

On the recommendation of D.G. Rangers, the Prime Minister directed that Army Recruitment Centres should be utilized for recruitment. He further directed that recruitment should be purely on merit and without any favourtism, observing strict transparency in the process. The Prime Minister also directed that Sindh Government should expedite establishment of isolated high security Prisons in Sindh for imprisoning terrorists.

Prime Minister directed Ministry of Interior to expedite the blocking of illegal mobile phone SIMs and further directed to ensure use of biometric system for issuance of SIMs in the future. Prime Minister directed Sindh Provincial Government and Rangers to take action against land-mafia that is illegally grabbing state lands.

Prime Minister said that “Karachi operation will continue. The sacrifices rendered by our security agencies are invaluable. Karachi operation is not a routine issue for the government and I will regularly monitor and supervise operation and will help the provincial Government in resolving the issues”. PM further said that a high level meeting in the next week is being called wherein all Chief Ministers, Chief Secretaries and IGs will participate to review the overall security situation of the country.

Prime Minister said that “We will also discuss coordination mechanism regarding border control, intelligence sharing and combating terrorism”. Police and Rangers should use new Anti- Terrorism Laws to combat terrorism, extortion and land- grabbing, said the PM.

Earlier, Chief Secretary Sindh briefed the Prime Minister on law and order situation. He apprised the Prime Minister that 393 cases of heinous crimes have been registered. Prime Minister was apprised that illegal migration of foreign nationals is also causing law and order problems. Fresh inductions in the Police force are needed in order to strengthen the force. Prime Minister appreciated the fast-track procurement of high-tech equipment for security purposes.

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 approves nine projects for Gwadar

Islamabad, March 14, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Kamran Michael said that Prime Minister of Pakistan has approved nine projects for Gwadar port, that include Airport, Schools, Hospital, Vocational Training Institutes, projects for uplifting fisher men and fish industry, and upgradation of infrastructure. He said that Government is going to invest 1.20 billion dollars at Gwadar Port for next two to three years’ projects.

Senator Kamran Michael has said that talks with C.E.O of a Chinese company remained very positive, optimistic and Chinese delegation after completing ITS three day visit to Gwadar Port has departed to China.

Ambassadors of some European countries had also paid visits to Karachi and Gwadar and Ambassadors of Netherlands and Belgium had invited him to their countries. Ministry of Ports and Shipping will sign Memorandum of Understandings with these countries by the end of this month and he is likely to visit Rottordam port and zeebrugge in Netherlands and Belgium to explore new avenues of cooperation.

Federal Minister will meet business community of both countries who are interested to expand their trade with Pakistan. The Minister said that he maneuvered to lift ban on Pakistan’s fish export to European markets. Pakistan’s fish export has considerably increased in the recent months, he added.

The Federal Minister strongly refuted a news item telecast by a private T.V. channel that Gwadar Ports Authority wants to cancel contract of a Chinese company.

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