Board Changes of Samba Bank Limited

Karachi, Samba Bank Limited informed Pakistan Stock Exchange that due to resignation of Mr. Shahbaz Haider Agha, Mr. Tariq Javed has been appointed as Independent Director of the Bank after having the clearance from State Bank of Pakistan. Samba Bank Limited is a banking company incorporated in Pakistan. It is engaged in the business of Read More ...

Business community demands industry status for real estate sector

Islamabad, January 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): Tahir Abbasi, Senior Vice President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that real estate sector has great potential to grow and revive the struggling economy, but it was facing multiple problems due to tax measures and other unfavourable factors. He called upon the government to accord industry status to real estate sector and address its key issues so that it could play more effective role in the economic development of the country.

He said this while addressing a meeting of ICCI Real Estate Committee held at Chamber House under the chair of Ch. Masood, Convener. Ch. Nadeem ud Din, Ashfaq Chatha, Aslam Khokhar, Khalid Chaudhry, Naveed Malik, Sheikh Abdul Waheed, Ch. Irfan, Rana Istikhar, Ali Hassan, Khalid Rashid, Ch. Abdul Ghafoor, Ch. Zia and others were present at the occasion.

Tahir Abbasi said that growth of around 70 allied industries was associated with real estate sector and its better growth would not only accelerate industrial activities, it would also create plenty of new jobs. He stressed that government should pay high attention to the better development of this important sector for generating more economic activities. He assured that the representatives of FBR, CDA and Housing Foundation would be invited to ICCI to discuss the major issues of real sector with them for redress.

Speaking at the occasion, Ch. Masood, Convener, ICCI Real Estate Sector Committee said that due to government policies and FBR interventions, the business activities in real estate sector have come to a standstill. He said that due to slump in construction activities, unemployment was rising. He appealed to Shabbar Zaidi, Chairman FBR to take measures for resolving the tax related issues of real estate sector on top priority basis.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI)
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-2250526, 2253145, 8432676
Fax: +92-51-2252950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk, info@icci.com.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk

K-Electric conducts Annual Preventive Maintenance to Further Enhance Reliability of Electricity Supply

Karachi, January 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): K-Electric regularly conducts routine annual maintenance and upgrades on its power infrastructure, for which shutdowns are necessary. Planned maintenance and upgrades are often undertaken during the winter months to reduce inconvenience to customers. Registered customers are intimated about upcoming shutdowns via KE’s 8119 SMS service.

According to spokesperson KE, “Power supply in the city is as per routine but in order to constantly upgrade the system in line with K-Electric’s commitment to ensure smooth and uninterrupted power supply for its customers, annual preventive maintenance and upgradation shutdowns are periodically carried out. We apologies for any inconvenience to our customers as we undertake this essential work which is critical to ensure that the system continues to operate at an optimum level.”

For any queries related to power supply, customers can reach out to K-Electric through multiple customer care touch points including 118 call-centre, 8119 SMS service, through our social media platforms or the KE Live app.

For more information, contact:
Media and PR Department,
K-Electric
KE House, 39-B, Sunset Boulevard, Phase-II,
Defence Housing Authority, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-32637133, +92-21-38709132
Cell: +92-300-2281183, +92-346-8223641
Website: https://www.ke.com.pk

PCJCCI and ANTAL Collaborate to Spread Current Global Trends in Human Resource Development and Placement

Lahore, January 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) has launched a move to aware SMEs with the contemporary global trends in Human Resource Development and Placement by holding a one-day session in collaboration with ANTAL Pakistan, a UK based company which has been working in 5 continents. The key-note speaker of the session was a young enthusiastic and exuberant leader, Mr. Sheryaar Ahmed, CEO ANTAL, Pakistan. Others who spoke on this occasion were Mr. Zarak Khan, President, Mr. Moazzam Ghurki, Senior Vice President and Mr. Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI. The main focus of this session was “Current Global Trends in Human Resource Development and Placement”.

Inaugurating the session, Mr. Zarak Khan, President PCJCCI said that the session would prove to be a transformative tool for entrepreneurial thinkers in acquiring current global trends of Human Resource. There is a dire need of such organizations in Pakistan like; ANTAL, to engage the increasing population of youth on jobs, he added. He assured of the fullest efforts to promote entrepreneurship’s modern techniques in collaboration with the national and international business development organizations.

Mr. Sheryaar Ahmed, the keynote speaker shared about the untiring struggle of ANTAL in Pakistan and the company’s 26 years of experience around the globe and how he applied it to his 11 month journey in Pakistan. He discussed various facts about the Pakistani market and workforce’s culture and how to synergize between the local work force and the strict organizational rules of Chinese companies.

He highlighted the relations between Pakistan and China, their collaborative projects and how we can drive that friendship towards business growth of Chinese companies in the culture of Pakistan. He further added that, we want to expand practical, hands on learning approach through motley events and sessions so the Pakistan can have experienced and well organized professionals who can add value to the overall entrepreneurial and professional Eco-system of my beloved country.

He further conducted an interactive session with the participants in which he discussed regarding the services of ANTAL in Pakistan also talked about the rising issue of unemployment among the youth of Pakistan. Mr. Sheharyaar Ahmed said that, my aim is to eradicate unemployment from my beloved country and to introduce the new trends of human resource development.

Mr. Moazzam Ghurki, Senior Vice President PCJCCI said that, Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry and ANTAL had joined hands to conduct such sessions and workshops to spread awareness among the business community and young entrepreneurs to add more value to their skill for self-sustenance.

The event was also followed by a cake-cutting ceremony in the celebration of Chinese New Year, according to Chinese this year is the “year of Rat”. PCJCCI Office bearers extended greetings to the Chinese community working in Pakistan wishing them good luck on the advent of their new year. Mr. Salahuddin Hanif, Secretary General PCJCCI said that, PCJCCI aims to assist aspiring entrepreneurs become capable in both entrepreneurship roles and job markets. He hoped that the session will open up new doors of success for the young people.

For more information, contact:
Media Manager,
Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI)
Mega Tower, 309 – 6th Floor,
Main Boulevard, Gulberg II,
Lahore, Punjab – Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-35777460-02, +92-42-37032203, +92-42-35874353
Fax: +92-42-35777524
Cell: +92-324-4925611
Email: info@pcjcci.org
Website: www.pcjcci.org

Gwadar port will be a valuable addition in extending alternative avenues to business community: Zubair Motiwala

Karachi, January 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry has always been a strong proponent of facilitating trade and transit for the economic well-being and regional connectivity. Chairman PAJCCI while commenting on operationalization of Gwadar port for handling Afghan Transit stated that the ease of doing business can only be complemented through provision of alternative options and initiation of Gwadar port has always been one of ours fundamental request, seeing it fulfilled creates broader economic viability and choices for the business community. He further added that chaman being the most plausible connection via Gwadar also needs development in terms of infrastructure, security concerns and policy execution, if benefits are to be reaped fully.

Zubair Motiwala iterated that first consignment arrived at Gwadar port destined for Afghanistan is major breakthrough and now is the time to take advantage from this newly developed alternative, however, shipping line deposits and detention, port demurrage free days, availability of proper scanning and custom operations will make a real difference in determining the impact. He highly acknowledged the vision of Prime Minister Pakistan who is keenly focused on improving parameters for trade as a whole and exclusively transit regime with Afghanistan.

The success of handling bulk cargo at Gwadar port will pave way for improving congestion problems at other ports and will also nourish competitive landscape that would ensure provision of reasonably priced, high quality services to both domestic and international clients. Pakistan, no doubt, is geographically well placed with unmatchable port locations that can be supplemented greatly by providing access to services of international standards.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PAJCCI)
Tel: +92-21-99218024-7
Fax: +92-21-99218028
Email: info@pajcci.com
Website: http://www.pajcci.com/

The United Nations family is deeply saddened over the loss of human lives in Pakistan

Islamabad, January 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): The Resident and Humanitarian coordinator, Mr. Knut Ostby and the United Nations Country Team in Pakistan are deeply saddened over the loss of precious lives resulting from the heavy snow and rainfall in Baluchistan and the avalanches in the Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK), Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.

Mr. Ostby says, “I send my condolences to the people and government of Pakistan for the painful loss the nation has sustained over the last weekend where tens of children, men and women lost their lives due to the harsh weather conditions and avalanches” “I commend the National rescue teams for a very well done job saving the lives of hundreds of people affected by the same conditions. I send my sincere wishes to the wounded for a swift and full recovery as well”, he added.

As the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, my teams and I are in constant meeting and are coordinating with the authorities on the ground, and the NDMA in Islamabad to find the best way forward to providing the people with the shelter and food they need to pass through this unprecedented snow fall. We are discussing with the authorities and donors the need to mobilize additional resources to support the humanitarian aid to those in need. We shall act tirelessly to ensure support is provided timely.

For more information, contact:
National Information Officer
United Nations Information Centre (UNIC)
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-8355720
Cell: +92-300-8553790
Email: ishrat.rizvi@unic.org

Meeting of the Foreign Minister with President of the General Assembly (15 January 2020)

Islamabad, January 16, 2020 (PPI-OT): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi held talks with the President of UN General Assembly, Mr. Tijjani Muhammad-Bande in New York today. The two dignitaries discussed a range of issues including recent trends and developments at the global and regional levels. It was agreed that the United Nations remained an indispensable institution for advancing dialogue, cooperation and pursuing collective solutions to global challenges including poverty alleviation, access to education, agriculture, illicit financial flows, climate change and achievement of 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Noting the convergence in the priorities being pursued by the General Assembly President and Pakistan Government’s “people-centric” socio-economic agenda, the Foreign Minister apprised Mr. Tijjani about the launch of landmark national programs by the Prime Minister such as Ehsaas (Compassion) Program on poverty alleviation and the Sehat Sahulat Program on universal health care.

For more information, contact:
Principal Information Officer,
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323, +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325, +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com
Website: www.pid.gov.pk