Free trade between provinces sought

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE (April 01 2004): Dr Khalil Ahmed a leading economist has stressed upon increased privatisation, lesser taxes, abolishing of income tax, reduction of tax rate for enhancing country's economy.

While speaking at one-day seminar on 'National Crises' held under the auspices of Liberal Forum Pakistan (LFP) here on Wednesday, Khalil said that free trade should be held between countries as well as provinces.

Referring to heavy taxation, he stated that it diminishes incentives in an economy. 'Independent judiciary, less regulatory hurdles, eradication of subsidies are basic requirements to boost economy of a country', he added.

Bilal Chaudhry, a member of LFP expressing his views on the occasion dubbed over regulation as a very bad form of protectionism for economy of the country.

'Where there is efficient private sector, it is seen that resource capacity is more in that economy', he added. Quoting example of textile industry, he said that experiment of over regulation had been a failure in the country. 'Due to protectionism, consumer has suffered in the country', he added.

'If an uneven relation existed between state and citizen, governance and ultimately tax system suffers there. In order to improve economy, democratic traditions as well as law and order situation need to be elevated', he pointed.

Ayesha Bazdar screened her documentary 'Roze-e-Qiza' showing atomic holocaust in aftermath of nuclear attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by Americans in Japan during World War-II.

Dr Sajjad Naseer in session on 'Political culture and systems of Pakistan' stated that people here have sometimes acted in influence of dictatorial trends prevalent in our system.

Abbas Qureshi said that US policies were never permanent and subject to vested interest. Israr Kisana averred that we should not be apologetic for being Muslim.

Referring further to Pak foreign policy, he said that it was reactive and not proactive.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2004

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SSGC to provide gas to 600 villages in five years

ISLAMABAD (April 01 2004): The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has launched a five-year comprehensive plan to provide gas to 600 new small cities and villages of Sindh and Balochistan

This was stated by SSGC Managing Director Munawar Baseer Ahmad on Wednesday while talking in PTV programme, 'News Morning',

Under the plan, he said the new small cities and villages will be linked with gas supply network near the areas of gas fields.

Munawar said the SSGC had crossed one billion cubic feet (CF) gas supply in the current year, and it was likely to jump to 1,600 billion CF during next five years.

To increase the total supply of gas, three gas companies are working in the offshore and Indus Delta areas, and carried out exploring work, he said, adding in case of any shortage of supply of gas, the demand will be fulfilled through import.

To a question, Munawar said out of the total one billion CF gas supply, the company is getting 86 percent gas from various gas fields of Sindh, while only 14 billion CF gas is being obtained from Sui field of Balochistan.

He said the SSGC has planned to provide gas to about 125 small cities and villages during the current financial year, adding the company has provided gas to 70 cities and villages, while gas will be provided to rest of the villages before the end of the year.

He said that the new gas projects in Sindh and Balochistan would also help in reducing poverty, unemployment, because gas supply will help creating new industries and business in the towns of these provinces.

To a question, he said the company has chalked out a plan to plant 0.1 million saplings in Ziarat (Balochistan), Shikarpur and Sukkur (Sindh) during the next one year, which would be a significant efforts of the SSGC to overcome the problem of pollution, and keep the environment free from hazards.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2004

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Wapda projects progress reviewed

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE (April 01 2004): In order to review the progress at the Water Wing projects under Vision 2025-National Water and Hydropower Resources Development Programme and others up to February this year, a meeting was held with Chairman Wapda Tariq Hamid in the chair.

A spokesman of Wapda said here on Wednesday that the meeting noted with satisfaction that the development activity was apace as per the set targets at the initiated ten priority fast track mega projects under the comprehensive Vision-2025 programme.

These include the projects to develop additional water resource for irrigation supplies like Raising Mangla Dam, Gomal Zam Dam, Mirani Dam, Sabakzai Dam, Greater Thal Canal, Kachhi Canal, Rainee Canal and Satpara Dam.

Under the projects over 4 million-acre feet of additional water resource for irrigation supplies would become available to irrigate around 3 million acres of virgin fertile land in all the four provinces.

Besides, 160 megawatt of hydroelectric power would also become available from the multi-purpose dam projects.

On the hydroelectric power side, on-going Vision 2025 projects like Allai Khawr, Khan Khawr, Duber Khawr, Jinnah, Golen Gol, Neelum Jhelum etc were also observed as moving ahead as per the targets. The hydropower resource under development would provide around 1,500-megawatt capacity in next few years.

Satisfaction was also expressed over the work advancing as per the schedule at the under studies Basha Diamir Dam without any delay, Akhori Dam, Kurram Tangi Dam, Chashma Right Bank (Lift-cum-capacity) Irrigation Scheme and Sehwan Barrage Complex etc.

The meeting also noted that development activity at other on-going water sector projects was in advance stage.

These include Ghazi Barotha Hydropower Project fifth and last unit to come into commercial operation in near future and surface drainage Fordwah Sadiqia and RBOD projects.

The progress at the surface drainage projects showed nearly 54.9 million cubic feet of earthwork for construction of the drains and completion of 43 allied structures by February this year.

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15 percent growth recorded in industrial production

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE (April 01 2004): The industrial production has registered a growth of 15 percent, foreign exchange reserve position is comfortable, stock markets are buoyant, inflation rate is low, exchange rate is stable and GDP is expected to grow in the vicinity of 5.5 to 6 percent.

Far reaching capital market reforms, improved tax collection and establishment of tax collector units and tax friendly culture have invigorated businessmen's confidence in policies of the government.

The Federal Minister for Finance Shaukat Aziz expressed these views in a message to the Secretary General of Business Industry Promotion Association of Pakistan (BIPAP) Farooq Ali Awan.

"Government has been providing the means for industrial growth in the country through far-reaching structural and financial reforms, consequently the country has improved its economic condition. Moreover, the launch of eurobonds has brought Pakistan on International radar screen of emerging markets. International credit rating has improved and Pakistan is expected to archive around US $600 per capita income, its purchasing power parity per capita will be over US $2000", Shaukat said in his message.

According to a press release issued by BIPAP, Shaukat Aziz in his message also highlighted the government's efforts to provide investor-friendly tax regime, matching infrastructure including ports, shipping, road, rail and air links to Central Asia to create a competitive edge for Pakistani businessmen to substantially increase export oriented industry.

He hoped that business community under BIPAP would continue to grow from strength to strength.

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Austrian trade team coming in October

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE (April 01 2004): A 25-member Austrian delegation would visit Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad in the first week of October, said UAE-based Austrian Commercial Counsellor Dr Nikolaus Seiwald in a meeting with LCCI Vice-President Shahzad Ali Malik here on Wednesday.

Both sides expressed their concern over existing meagre trade volume between the two countries.

They, however, noted with satisfaction that the bilateral trade between the countries was on the rise.

The Austrian diplomat said that Pakistan was fast emerging new market in the region, and several Austrian companies are showing keen interest in making investment in Pakistan particularly, in the fields of information technology (IT), mechanical engineering and electronics.

The Austrian companies would also hold a catalogue exhibitions in Pakistan later this year, he added.

Shahzad Ali Malik assured all-out help to make the Austrian mission a success. He invited the Austrian companies to take benefit from the trade opportunities in fields like oil & gas exploration, construction and textile sectors.

Eulogising the strategic location of the two countries, he said Austria can serve as one of the gateways for Pakistani business entrepreneurs to enter the Eastern flank of the European Union, adding there are bright prospects for Pakistani products in Austria.

These include handicrafts, readymade garments & hosiery, textiles, fresh fruits & vegetables, dry fruits, garments, leather & leather made-ups, sports goods, surgical instruments, carpets & rugs, handicrafts etc.

He said Austria can also provide chemical plants, power generation units, low energy consumption cement plants, etc.

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HBL to start housing finance scheme
in Hyderabad from April 1

RECORDER REPORT

HYDERABAD (April 01 2004): Habib Bank Limited (HBL) has decided to start housing finance scheme in Hyderabad from April 1 to resolve housing problems of the people.

Jameel Ahmed Khan, Senior Executive and Head of Retail Banking, Habib Bank, while talking to the members of Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HCCI) announced this at a reception arranged for him at the Chamber's Secretariat.

He said that the house financing schemes would have been introduced much earlier, but it has been delayed owing to problems of property entitlement.

He said, at present, 1,424 bank branches were operational across the country and were contributing their share in the socio-economic development of the country.

He said efforts were being made for the development of agriculture sector and agro-based industries.

A tractor financing scheme had already been launched and the production loan has been increased to help achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture produce, he added.

He said agro-based industries, particularly cotton and cotton ginning factories and other disciplines of agriculture sector, were being provided with financial assistance for modernisation.

Referring to small loans, he said, small loans of Rs 450 million have been provided to the workers of various organisations so that their financial and social problems could be solved.

To a question about the utility bills, he said, now facilities have been provided to the people to deposit their utility bills through Internet for which 80 automated teller machines (ATMs) had already been installed, while installation of another 40 machines were in progress.

He said poultry industry, which had sustained a setback following the bird flu, would be provided financial assistance to re-establish its production capacity.

Earlier, HCCI President Emad Siddique while welcoming the guests suggested various proposals for the resolution of problems faced by the industrial sector.

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Punjab Bank to expand network to districts

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE (April 01 2004): Bank of Punjab (BoP), Chairman, Hafeez Akhtar Randhawa has said that the Bank would expand its network up to district level to bring in to the loop all the transactions related to wheat, cotton, milk, sugarcane and other crops.

He was speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bank here on Wednesday. Among others, BoP Managing Director, Hamesh Khan, Directors, General Managers and majority of the shareholders attended the meeting.

Secretary Board presented the audited accounts as of December 31, 2003 and those were unanimously approved by the shareholders.

According to this, stock dividend of 25 percent would be paid to all shareholders.

The Bank made a profit of more than Rs 1 billion in the financial year ending December 31, 2003, which is 132 percent higher than the previous year.

The earning per share of the bank has also increased from Rs 2.83 to Rs 6.86.

The Bank's deposits and advances have increased by 47 177 percent respectively, which are Rs 34,938 million and Rs 18,344 million, respectively.

Chairman BoP said that the policies initiated by the new management were bold and in line with the current market realities and were clearly evidenced from the phenomenal results of last year.

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Setting up of data centres discussed

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD (April 01 2004): Sun Microsystems and Pakistan TechAccess in a meeting with defence officials discussed setting up of two data centres in Pakistan. The company also intends to set up special pricing model on the local GDP.

Addressing a press conference on company's plans for investment the senior officials said that the company intends to make an investment in IT sector in Pakistan.

Elie Simon, President EMEA; Dr Denis McClain, CTO for SUN and Chairman TechAccess UAE reiterated the commitment of Sun in Pakistan and the various opportunities that prevail in developing skills and data centers across the country.

Sun Microsystems is a US dollar 13 billion company which spends US dollar 1.8 billion in research and development. It has recently re-aligned its strategy and focused on 3 specific domains; data centers, edge computing and web services.

Their experience of developing cutting-edge technology is reflective of the mobile industry where Java, the language developed by Sun Microsystems, has helped benefit the global market place as hundreds of applications have been built around it and transformed the way communication has converged with IT.

Investment of chips with AMD, integrated infrastructure and commitment to develop Microsoft familiar environment called the JAVA Desktop System (JDS) are the cornerstone of the realigned strategy of Sun.

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PTA to issue 2 more licences for cellular business

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE (April 01 2004): The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) would soon issue two more licences through open auction for carrying out cellular business in the country, said PTA Chairman Major General Shahzada Alam (Retd).

During a meeting with Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industries Vice-President Shahzad Ali Malik, the PTA chief said as many as 33 companies, including 17 multi-nationals had submitted letters of interest to carry out this business, adding that two highest bidders would be given licenses that would ultimately create an atmosphere of competition in which the existing cellular companies would be forced to reduce its tariff and improve standard of services.

Moreover, he said that efforts were being made to bring down tax on cell phone connection to Rs 1,000 in the forthcoming federal budget.

Shahzad Ali Malik called upon cell phone companies to improve standard of its services, and bring down tariff to tap the potential of the telecom sector to the fullest.

He said that technical problems like congestion, line-drop, poor connectivity coupled with over-billing particularly hidden charges were posing a lot of difficulties to the cell phone-users.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority chairman also said the government would also issue license to a private company for fixed-line connections.

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Chinese keen to co-operate in textile sector

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI (April 01 2004): Wang Tian Kai, leader of Chinese textile delegation, and Vice Chairman of China National Textile Industry Council and President of China Hengtian Group, has said that the purpose of the delegation's visit is to see the possibilities of co-operation between Pakistan and China in textile sector.

Speaking at a meeting of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), he said that China is prepared for co-operation with the entire textile producing countries to meet the global challenges after enforcement of WTO regulations in 2005.

He hoped that the visit would succeed in bringing textiles sector closer. Good chances exist of establishing joint venture units in spinning, weaving and processing, he added.

Wang Tian Kai noted that Chinese textile industry has grown rapidly reapply in the last few years and is now facing raw material shortage which has resulted in increase of cotton prices.

He said that co-operation with Pakistan's textile sector would be aimed at meeting the requirements of textiles in the global market.

He said that it is time that cotton growing and textile producing countries must co-operate with each other to meet the global requirements and challenges.

The leader of the delegation said that they would visit Islamabad and Lahore during their stay and meet the officials of Board of Investment (BoI). The delegation has already met the officials of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). "These meeting will provide us the correct idea how to co-operate with Pakistani counterparts.

Riaz Ahmed Tata, President of FPCCI, said that enormous increase in exports of Chinese textiles and apparels has made it imperative for China to enter into joint venture for production and marketing of textiles in other countries.

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Rawalpindi uplift projects: Punjab minister annoyed over delays

REORDER REPORT

RAWALPINDI (April 01 2004): After taking serious note of delay in the completion of various development project, including Nullah Lai and use of sub-standard material, the Punjab government has directed the concerned departments to submit a report for the delay and fix the responsibility of those, who are causing hurdles.

The delay in Rs 4.13 billion Nullah Lai project was due to the lack of co-ordination among the heads and officials of the different organisations working on this project, said the sources in Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) here on Tuesday.

Nullah Lai widening project was being financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), they said, and added that this project and construction of two bridges on the Nullah at Gawalmandi and Dhok Charag Din was not completed even after three extensions granted to the contractors.

They said that Provincial Local Bodies Minister Mushtaq Kiani directed the District Nazim to submit a detailed report on the delay in various important development projects, and also asked him to fix the responsibilities so that action could be taken against those found guilty.

The minister also asked the District Nazim to submit a report why the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), the RDA and tehsil municipal administration were looking indifferent towards the problems of the people due to delay in the projects.

The sources said that the minister expressed dissatisfaction over the installation of distribution pipeline all over the district, and asked the authorities concerned to give justification of leakage's in the pipeline.

The ministry, in its report, indicated that the sub-standard material was used in this project.

They said that the ministry also took serious notice of the use of sub-standard material in the construction of roads in Rawalpindi as the roads in Dhok Kashmiryan, Sadiqabad, Satellite Town, Dhok Kala Khan and other areas were giving a shabby look.

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'Sarshar' to multiply rice production: NIA

ISLAMABAD (April 01 2004): The new variety developed by Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA) Tandojam will multiply rice production in the country.

According to NIA, the research work carried out at the Institute has already led to the development of five varieties of wheat, four varieties of rice, one variety each of cotton, sugarcane and mungbeans.

These varieties have played a significant role in raising the socio-economic status of the farmers particularly of Sindh by enhancing the agricultural productivity.

As a result of research work, the scientists of NIA have evolved three new varieties, one each of rice (Sarshar) and cotton (Sohni).

Sarshar, the newly invented high yielding variety of rice was introduced by NIA aimed at multiplying rice production in the country.

According to the institute, NIA is actively engaged in the mutation breeding of rice and has evolved three high yielding and improved grain quality mutant varieties of rice which dominate in the province of Sindh.

Recently the Institute has succeeded in the evolution of a new high yielding and improved grain quality mutant IR8-151.

The mutant variety has been approved as "Sarshar" for general cultivation in the province of Sindh by the Provincial Seed Council in its meeting held early this years.

Evolved through gamma rays (150 Gy) mutagenesis of a coarse IRRI variety IR8. Sarshar has given consistently better paddy yield as compared to its parents, checks and other promising strains in micro, preliminary and station varietal trials at Tandojam, Sindh.

On the basis of three years average, it has shown 16 percent increase in paddy yield over its parent IR8 as well as check variety IR6.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2004

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Co-operation with China imperative for tourism

BEIJING (April 01 2004): Northern Areas (NA) in Pakistan possess rich potential to become world famous tourist destination, said President Mountain and Glacier Protection Organisation Aisha Khan.

Pakistan needs to strengthen its co-operation with China to develop and promote the areas, she said in an interview with APP in Beijing.

She suggested that an attractive incentive package should be given to the businessmen and the travelling agencies of the two countries to develop tourism industry.

The tourism potential in the Northern Areas (NA) is quite rich.

The beautiful landscape and the unique cultural heritage give the Northern Areas a competitive advantage attracting tourists, she said, adding, "Tourism can also play a major role improving the socio-economic life of the local people."

Aisha Khan, wife of Aziz Ahmed Khan, Pakistan's ambassador in New Delhi was in Beijing to attend the UN's conference on Millennium Development Goals.

She appreciated the World Body's targets to reduce poverty, but said these could only be achieved by exploiting the available resources of a particular area.

She emphasised that the official and private institutions should be fully involved improving environmental conditions in the mountain's areas.

This could help attracting tourists, particularly those from China and other neighbouring countries.

The Sino-Pak co-operation in tourism sector will be in line with the Chinese government's recent decision, declaring Pakistan a favourite destination for the tourists.

Earlier, addressing the conference, she said growth and development, poverty alleviation, education, healthcare and clean drinking water have all been identified as vital issues that need to be addressed to achieve the MDG's.

The responsibility for achieving these goals is placed squarely on individual nations and their ability to devise strategies that dovetail with the MDG's to achieve the targets within a stipulated time frame.

She also called for addressing external security environment that affects investment and growth, particularly in less developed areas.

If the MDG's are a serious goal then it is time to initiate debate on the international responsibility to formulate policies that create stability, balance and equity in the lives of people to secure the long-term goal of ensuring a sustainable environment, she added.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2004

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Chinese CNG buses to be introduced in Karachi

BEIJING (April 01 2004): Some 25 new Chinese buses with a latest design, having 30 percent less fuel-consumption capacity, will be introduced in Karachi in April.

These buses have been specially manufactured keeping in view the city-road conditions, said Ali Haider, a Pakistani businessman, who is engaged in a joint venture with a well-reputed China's Yuantai International Trade company.

Later, similar buses would be introduced in other major cities of the country.

The two-sides have also signed a contract to introduce CNG buses in Pakistan with latest technology. Under the contract, they can also transfer the technology to manufacture the same in the country.

Talking to APP, Haider hoped that the operation of CNG buses would help reduce environmental pollution and overcome the transport problem.

The China's Yuantai Company is a large-scale bus and passenger vehicles manufacturing enterprises in China, representing the advancement in the global buses and coaches industry.

The buses, being introduced in Pakistan, are newly-developed according to the requirements of a modern cosmopolitan city. These are the best choices for the city, like Karachi with green CNG energy, he added.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2004

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Pakistan to become transport hub between South Asia and Middle East

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE (April 01 2004): Federal Minister for Railways, Ghous Baksh Mehr has said that Pakistan would become the hub of transport between the South Asia and Middle East in future, however, before attaining this stature, Pakistan Railways (PR) would have to improve it's services and bring it at par with the international standards.

He was addressing the opening ceremony of a seminar arranged by Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport. General Manager Railways Aurangzeb Khan presented the welcome address while Chairman Railway Board Khurshid Ahmed Khan, Secretary Railway Board Liaquat Arian and General Manager Manufacturing and Services Hamid Hassan also attended the seminar.

Mehr mentioned that Railways was still the most widely used and the cheapest mode of transport in Pakistan, which needed to be improved. It was a sad that Pakistan Railways in 1999 had come to a stage when proposal was floated to shut the entire system down, however, General Musharraf's regime had taken radical steps and this important transport sector saw a turn around.

"Now we are at a stage where we hope to become a transport hub and Railways would play a vital role in this regard," he added.

The objective of becoming the transport hub could only be achieved if Railways manage to improve its infrastructure, obtain state-of-the-art engines and high capacity coaches, initiation of new trains and connecting Gawadr coast with main railway line.

He said that the Railway staff was performing better than in the past, however, they would have to fix targets and make efforts for achieving them.

General Manager Railways, Aurangzeb Khan in his addresses pointed out that huge amounts were spent in the past on the projects, which were not necessary for the growth of Railways.

Had the management of the past spent the money on running electric trains between Karachi and Lahore, Railways would have been in a far better position then.

Appreciating the policies of President Musharraf which have helped in reviving Railways, he said that the annual passenger turn over had increased from 65 million to 72 million passengers and similarly, railways had registered significant growth in its cargo handling.

All those positive indicators could be supported by the fact that the Pakistan Railways' income had reached the figure of Rs 14 billion per annum.

He was of the view that if the government considered the suggestions put forward by the management, Railways would be able to earn Rs 25 billion per annum by the year 2011-12 after which this institution would become an independent entity and its dependence on aid from government would end.

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KESC performance improves

KARACHI (April 01 2004): The KESC performance in many areas of the Defence Housing Authority including Phase 6 and Phase 5 showed improvement on Wednesday and there were no phone calls from any resident of these areas to the newspaper offices complaining about power breakdowns.

One of the housewives, however, rang up news agency UPP and said that the KESC must maintain the good performance they have shown today in the DHA and Clifton area by ensuring uninterrupted power supply.

Copyright United Press of Pakistan, 2004

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Red Crescent network should be expanded

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI (April 01 2004): Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said that to make the Red Crescent Society effective its network should be expanded and extended to the grass roots level in different districts.

The governor was talking to Red Crescent team, which called on him at the Governor House here on Wednesday.

Ibad said that the work of the RCS was not visible and the people had no idea about its usefulness.

He said it would be necessary to work even at the lowest level in a village and register your presence.

The RCS team said that the Society was functional in Hyderabad, Khairpur and Sukkur and in coming months its activities would be introduced in other areas.

The governor ordered the excise and taxation secretary to vacate RCS building at its earliest.

Those who attended the meeting included secretaries, excise and taxation, finance and health. Provincial RCS Vice President Sardar Mohammed Yasin Malik, RSC Chairman Major General Mohammed Bashir Khan (Retd), Vice Chairperson Shamim Kazmi and Secretary Kunwar Waseem.

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More foreign trawlers to start deep-sea fishing

By Imran Ayub

KARACHI: As many as 12 more deep-sea fishing trawlers from the Far East countries are expected to begin operations next month, raising the total number of foreign trawlers to 27.

Sources in the federal fisheries authorities said that the Marine Fisheries Department had received applications from 12 deep-sea fishing trawlers from Thailand, China and Korea seeking license to catch seafood in Pakistan’s territorial water limits.

"Procedural matters to grant licenses are in final stages and hopefully they would get those (licenses) in the first week of April. They should start the operations the same month," said a source in the federally administrated MFD.

"The MFD has already issued 15 licenses to foreign trawlers mostly from China and Thailand. Currently almost all (trawlers) are operating," he added.

Sources said that the MFD had registered almost a dozen cases of limit violations by the deep-sea trawlers mostly from China and Korea.

The National Fisheries Development Board in its Fishing Policy 2001 allowed deep-sea fishing to the foreign trawlers.

As per the policy, the trawlers can operate and make catch (fish) in an area between 12 to 35 nautical miles of the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Deep-sea fishing was banned in December 1999 on complaints of the local fishermen who alleged that the trawlers do not only violate fishing limits but also devastate seafood resources of the country.

However, the board enhanced the penalties on violations of deep-sea fishing vessels from Rs200, 000 to Rs1 million and the penalty on fishing beyond the period of the validity of the license from Rs200, 000 to Rs1 million per vessel.

Besides, the board also increased the license fee from Rs0.5 million to Rs1 million. "The MFD has now well-equipped system to curb violations by the foreign trawlers. That’s why they have been able to catch the violating trawlers," added the source.

A source said that the federal authorities had cancelled license of a foreign fishing trawler on limit violations and on catching species not allowed to the deep-sea trawlers.

"The Suria (trawler) from Korea was found violating fishing limits. When MFD personnel checked the trawler they also seized shrimps caught by the Koreans," said a source.

"Shrimps catching is not allowed to deep-sea trawlers," he said adding the trawler was anchored at once and later its license was cancelled. He said that the operators had also paid Rs1 million fine and was returned home.

The source claimed that the MFD had registered almost a dozen cases of limit violations by the deep-sea fishing trawlers mostly from China and Korea.

Deep-sea fishing activities got picked -up in August 2002 with seven foreign trawlers having a capacity between 100 and 250 gross registered tonnage (GRT), began catching seafood in Pakistani water limits.

Later, the number of trawlers reached 15, comprising Chinese, South Korean and Thai flagged fishing trawlers.

jang.com.pk

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Pakistan invited to join World Sugar Forum

By our correspondent

LAHORE: The International Sugar Organisation (ISO) has invited Pakistan to join the global sugar forum that this ninth largest sugar producer country of world is yet to join.

The Executive Director of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) Dr. Peter Baron extended an invitation in a meeting with the Punjab Chief Minister, Chaudhary Pervez Elahi, a spokesman of the Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) Punjab Zone said on Wednesday.

Dr. Peter Baron discussed the salient features of the ISO and its working through which it is serving the interests’ of the sugarcane growers of sixty one member countries.

Baron said that Pakistan being the ninth largest sugar producing country of world is still lacking its presence in the forum like the ISO.

Dr. Peter Baron was of the view that Pakistan should send its official delegation with the PSMA members to attend the forthcoming conference of the ISO in the Dominican Republic.

Baron said; that India has been regularly participating in all the meetings of the ISO, which provides a platform to understand issues relating to the sugar industry globally.

Dr. Peter Baron also discussed issues arising from the WTO and its repercussions but was hopeful that Pakistan would act prudently to adopt safeguard measure to protect the local industry.

Javed Kayani said, that under the WTO regime, Pakistan has a right to levy up to 150 per cent import duty. Currently, this duty is around 25 per cent.

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Ministry Receives Proposals For Long-term Sugar Policy

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Ministry of Industries and Production has received proposals from all stakeholders regarding formulation of long term sugar policy to resolve problems on permanent basis.

Sources said the provincial governments, growers, mills association and Ministry of Food and Agriculture have submitted their proposals and suggestions to the Ministry in this regard. The Ministry, on the directives of Minister for Industries and Production, Liaquat Ali Jatoi will thoroughly study the proposals and submit to the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet for approval. Sources said that government has decided to resolve the problems of the growers, millers and other stakeholders on permanent basis and a long term policy is being formulated with their consensus.

However, short term measures would also be taken for the current season. The Minister is of the view that problems of all stakeholders should be resolved once for all and there should be no grievances with each other, which normally emerge every year. The long term measures are complete solution of their problems.

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