ICCI asks govt to come up with solid strategy for economic revival

ICCI asks govt to come up with solid strategy for economic revival

ISLAMABAD, JAN 10 - The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) has called upon the Government to come up with a clear cut and solid strategy for the revival of dwindling economy and put it on the path of sustainable growth as the prevailing aura of uncertainty on economic front was creating concerns in the business community.

Ahmed Hassan Moughal, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry said business community had lot of hopes from PTI government that it would create conducive environment for businesses enabling them to flourish smoothly, but there was no tangible improvement in the economic outlook due to which an impression of uncertainty was prevailing in the business circles and productive sectors.

He said the World Bank’s latest report “Global Economic Prospects, Darkening Skies” has projected Pakistan’s GDP to decelerate to 3.7 percent during 2018-19 and Pakistan could face financing needs due to large current account and fiscal deficits combined with low forex reserves.

He said that PTI leadership before elections had made many promises for implementation after coming into power which included strengthening institutions, turning around loss making public sector entities into profit generating PSEs, improving governance and enhancing tax collections.

However, despite the passage of four and a half months in the government, there was no significant progress on any of these fronts, which was cause of concerns.

He said the rupee has tumbled down to more than 11 percent during PTI government, but there was only one percent increase in exports, which was not encouraging.

He said this scenario warranted that government should come up with a solid strategy to turn around the shrinking economy.

He said such a strategy would give confidence to the business community and help it in finalizing its future business plans with better comfort level.

Rafat Farid, Senior Vice President, ICCI said that overall growth of large-scale manufacturing has decreased by 0.65 percent during July-Oct: 2018-19 compared to the same period of last year.

He said though the government has arranged financing needs from friendly countries for one-year period, however, it was still not clear how the government would tackle the economic challenges after the lapse of one year without significant promotion of tax revenue and exports.

Iftikhar Anwar Sethi, Vice President ICCI assured that business community would fully support the government in its efforts aimed at steering the economy out of prevailing challenges and putting it on the path of accelerated growth.

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AIOU to follow UK’s model to enhance its academic standing

AIOU to follow UK’s model to enhance its academic standing

ISLAMABAD, JAN 10 - Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will follow the distance learning model of Open University of United Kingdom to enhance its credibility and academic standard.

The Open University of UK was first one in the world introducing open distance learning system in 1969.  Its credibility and quality of education is well recognized worldwide and the AIOU that was first in Asia wishes to work on the same pattern so that its degrees and certificates get due importance.

This was announced by Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum while addressing a reception given in his honour by the Employees Welfare Association (EWA).

The University will bring into practice new technology in educational pursuits for achieving the ultimate target of quality education.

The process of automation and introduction of ‘State of the Art’ technology in admission, examination and other sectors will be completed within a period one and half year.

Elaborating his priorities and polices to be followed during his  four-years’ tenure, Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum said the betterment of the employees and  improving the University’s reputation and integrity will be his main focus.

Responding to points raised in the welcome address by the EWA’s President Sajid Janjua, he said he will always be open-hearted for improving their working conditions and providing them their due rights.

While urging the employees to show dedication and commitment in their work, he said any wrong-doing will not be spared.

Dr. Zia-ul-Qayyum assured the contractual and daily wages’ employees will be given preference in recruitment and while filling the vacant posts.  

He assured them that their residential facilities in University’s premises will be expanded.

Improving contents’ deliver system will be another priority area. All current University’s tutors will be de-registered this year and they have to meet a fresh appointment’s criteria.

The purpose of the revision of tutors’ appointments’ system will be to improve the evaluation and assessment mechanism in the teaching process.

President EWA, Mr. Janjua assured the VC his all-out support in further development of the University, enhancing its reputation and credibility among the people.

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‘FATF satisfied over Pakistan’s efforts to curb money laundering, terror financing’

‘FATF satisfied over Pakistan’s efforts to curb money laundering, terror financing’

ISLAMABAD, JAN 10 -: Pakistan’s efforts to combat money laundering and terror financing, to have an extent satisfied the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), according to sources.

The FATF session has also pointed out certain areas for betterment before May this year to get out of the grey list.

Pakistan’s delegation headed by Finance Secretary Arif Ahmed Khan is currently attending a three-day conference of the FATF in Sydney.

The delegation includes officials of the Financial Monitoring Unit, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta), Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).

The Paris-based global watchdog on anti-money laundering and terror financing has reviewed most of the 10-point action plan as some relatively insignificant areas were left for review on Thursday after which the FATF will give its final opinion on the matter, sources said.

The anti-money laundering and anti-terror financing body has mostly expressed its satisfaction over the steps taken by Pakistan, the sources further said.

It will provide time to Pakistani officials to work on the remaining demands of the FATF.

According to sources, a broader review of the compliance with international commitments will be held at another meeting in May. 

That meeting would decide about Pakistan being removed from the grey list of the FATF or not.

The international body had gone through the report sent by Pakistan last week before the review meeting.

The task force team appeared to be convinced over the measures taken by Pakistani authorities to combat terror financing and money laundering as per the resolutions of the United Nations.

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Pakistan gets Rs70m bomb disposal robot from EU

Pakistan gets Rs70m bomb disposal robot from EU

RAWALPINDI, JAN 09 - The European Union on Wednesday gave Rawalpindi’s Department of Civil Defence a robot worth Rs70 million as a new addition to its bomb disposal unit.

The robot can electronically diffuse bombs as well as detecting and breaking circuits of bombs buried under the ground.

The formal inauguration of the bomb disposal unit will be held by the Director General of Civil Defence  Hanif Khattak and Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Omar Jahangir next week.

Officials from bomb disposal squad will also test out and demonstrate the use of the technology.

Moreover, a special air conditioned control room has also been built at a cost of Rs2.5 million to house the modern bomb disposal equipment.

It has a standby power supply arrangement, which can power the control room for three days.

The unit is equipped with electronic robots and water cannon guns.

The kit is laced with modern cameras and video surveillance technology which can work in the dark and diffuse all types of manually and electronically operated bombs, including time bombs.

The robot can also save the lives of people trapped in fire and smoke. It can also be operated through an electronic laptop at the office and is effective within a two-kilometer radius.

The kit also has a modern cannon gun to diffuse any explosives through the use of water.

The modern cameras and laptop tells the bomb  squad about the nature of explosive devices, hand grenades and mines for as far as 300 kilometers.

According to Bomb Disposal Squad Commander Khalil Anwar, the modern unit can diffuse all sorts of explosives after shifting them to a safe place.

Currently, the range of the unit spans five districts including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal.

According to Civil Defence District Officer Talib Hussain, the unit can also operate under water, fire or smoke and save a lot of precious human lives.

“It can detect any mine explosives as well. In wake of the recent wave of terrorism, we have added five more technicians in Rawalpindi’ bomb disposal squad,” Hussain said.

He added that the machinery is laced with modern technology and can even diffuse rockets after shifting them to a safe place.

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AIOU to bring digital transformation in its working

AIOU to bring digital transformation in its working

ISLAMABAD, JAN 09 - Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will bring about digital transformation in its working for achieving the ultimate target of quality education and to provide possible services to the students.

This will be aimed at improving the University’s effectiveness and efficiency in the academic and administrative work.

The process of automation and introduction of ‘State of the Art’ technology in admission, examination and other sectors will be completed within a period one and half year.

This was announced by the Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum while addressing a ‘Well-come’ reception given in his honour by the Employees Welfare Association (EWA). Former VC Dr. Shahid Siddiqui was also present on the occasion.

Dr. Zia-Ul-Qayyum was view that technology-based network is imperative for the efficient distance learning system.

There is dire need to apply computer- technology for properly monitoring and managing the huge academic network of the University that caters educational needs of around 1.4 million students annually and having 44 regional campus countrywide.

Elaborating his priorities and polices to be followed during his  four-years’ tenure, he said the betterment of the employees and  improving the University’s reputation and integrity will be his main focus.

Responding to points raised in the welcome address by the EWA’s President Sajid Janjua, he said he will always be open-hearted for improving their working conditions and providing them their due rights.

While urging the employees to show dedication and commitment in their work, he said any wrong-doing will not be spared.

Dr. Zia-ul-Qayyum assured the contractual and daily wages’ employees will be given preference in recruitment and while filling the vacant posts.  He assured them that their residential facilities in University’s premises will be expanded.

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PEMRA directs TV channels not to air dramas with 'indecent content'

PEMRA directs TV channels not to air dramas with 'indecent content'

ISLAMABAD, - After receiving complaints from viewers, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has directed all channels not to air television dramas containing ‘indecent content’.

 

“Such content is not only distressing for viewers but is also against the commonly accepted standards of decency,” the media regulatory body stated in a notification issued on Tuesday.

The notification further adds that Pemra has been receiving massive public complaints on Pakistan Citizen Portal (PCP), Pemra Complaints Call Center and Feedback System as well as through social media and Whatsapp.

The directive comes after viewers slammed content shown in dramas which are depicting indecent scenes, extramarital relations, violence, inappropriate dressing, rape scenes, use of drugs and alcohol and physical intimacy.

 

In order to be safe from any violation, all television channels are required to stop airing such content in dramas and produce content in consonance with the socio-cultural norms as per aspirations of our society.

The TV channels are advised to ensure compliance of provisions laid down in Pemra laws and the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.

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AIOU’s tutors’ selection system to be revised

AIOU’s tutors’ selection system to be revised

ISLAMABAD, JAN 08 - Tutors’ selection system of the Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) will be revised from this year to enhance credibility and efficiency of the distance learning.

This was announced by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zia-Ul Qayyum while addressing the University’s tutors from Rawalpindi region here on Tuesday on the eve of autumn semester, 2018.

The purpose of this revision will be to improve the evaluation and assessment mechanism of the teaching process, he said adding there will be fresh tutors’ appointments and the credentials of the existing tutors will rechecked. Their appointment might on basis of each academic session.

Dr. Qayyum also announced that the entire tutorial system will be transformed to make the contents’ delivery system best one and to achieve the target of quality education.

Terming the regional campuses as the backbone of the University, he said these will also be transformed with the induction of new technology and upgrading their infrastructure network.

There will be smart use of online teaching and learning process. Manual and human intervention will be minimum, so that the efficiency of evaluation and assessment could be ensured.

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