Author: dailybalochistantimes.com

Posted on

PM hopeful of achieving economic targets in next six months


Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday expressed the hope that due to untiring efforts of the economic team, the government would achieve the economic targets in next six months.



Speaking at the cabinet meeting, the prime minister noted that during first five months of current fiscal year, the remittances posted record $15 billion that he hoped would expand to $35 billion by the end of the fiscal year.



He said that the government managed to achieve the macro economic stability despite the fact that the opponents made no stone unturned to sabotage the efforts of the government.



Wishing the participants of the meeting happy new year, the prime minister said that the sun of 2025 will rise with the promise of progress and prosperity for Pakistan.



He prayed that the economic, political and law and order crises that the world faced in 2024 would be overcome by positive progress in the new year.



He said the ambitious homegrown five-year plan titled “Uraan Pakistan” that was launched yesterday would prove to be a milestone for the country’s future provided “we remain on track and work hard to achieve the goals set in the plan”.



He specifically appreciated the efforts of Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and other cabinet members along with the relevant government officials.



He said having achieved economic stability, the country had now entered the growth stage. “If we want to achieve the economic development, then we will have to focus on export-led growth and we have no other option.



The prime minister also appreciate the efforts of Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Finance Minister and Chairman FBR for collecting additional Rs 72 billion under ADR (advance-to-tax ratio) due to which the government’s target of tax revenue for December 2024 had almost been achieved.



Similarly, he said due to funding by the Bill Gates Foundation of $6 million, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) would become completely digitized.



The early results of this project were that the the 39% time duration of container inspection had been reduced while the businessmen got relief of 89%.



Additionally, he said smuggling of sugar through Afghanistan had been reduced to zero which was a positive sign for the country’s economy. He gave the credit of reducing the smuggling to Minister for Industries and Production Rana Tanvir Hussain, the institutions and the Army Chief.



He said during first nine months of the government, no scandal surfaced which reflected the government’s commitment to ensure transparency in all sectors.



As regards, terrorism in the country, the prime minister vowed that the law enforcing agencies were fully committed to halt the nefarious designs of the enemies.



Posted on

2-member bike lifters gang busted


Rawalpindi: The Airport Police on Wednesday busted a two-member bike lifters gang and recovered six stolen motorcycles from them.



The arrested accused were identified as Saleem and Muhammad Ali, a Rawalpindi Police spokesman said.



Posted on

2-member bike lifters gang busted


Rawalpindi: The Airport Police on Wednesday busted a two-member bike lifters gang and recovered six stolen motorcycles from them.



The arrested accused were identified as Saleem and Muhammad Ali, a Rawalpindi Police spokesman said.



Posted on

Taliban ban on Afghan women in NGOs ‘absolutely’ wrong: UN rights chief


United nations: The United Nations has told the Taliban to revoke a ban on Afghan women working in NGOs after the de facto government issued a circular warning international groups that they faced suspension and possible revocation of their license if they were found in violation of a decree first issued in 2022.



The measure, issued by the de facto Ministry of Economy on 26 December, enforces a two-year-old decree prohibiting women from working with both national and international NGOs.



In a statement, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rughts, emphasized the devastating impact on the delivery of critical humanitarian aid in Afghanistan the decree will have, where more than half the population lives in poverty.



NGOs, he noted, are essential to the survival of millions of Afghans, offering life-saving support to women, men and children alike.



‘This is absolutely the wrong path,’ Turk said, urging the de facto authorities to reconsider what he described as a ‘deeply discriminatory decree.’



Since coming to power, Afghanistan’s de facto authorities have restricted the rights of women and girls, barring them from education, work, healthcare, and movement.



These measures, including the latest crackdown on NGO employment, effectively erase women from public life, undermining Afghanistan’s prospects for progress.



The High Commissioner called on Afghanistan’s leaders to rethink their course, not just for the sake of women and girls but for the future of the nation as a whole.



He also highlighted the broader implications of these policies for the global community, noting that restricting women’s participation in public life exacerbates poverty and hampers efforts to build a stable and resilient society.



‘For the future of Afghanistan, the de facto authorities must change course,’ Turk added.



Posted on

Taliban ban on Afghan women in NGOs ‘absolutely’ wrong: UN rights chief


United nations: The United Nations has told the Taliban to revoke a ban on Afghan women working in NGOs after the de facto government issued a circular warning international groups that they faced suspension and possible revocation of their license if they were found in violation of a decree first issued in 2022.



The measure, issued by the de facto Ministry of Economy on 26 December, enforces a two-year-old decree prohibiting women from working with both national and international NGOs.



In a statement, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rughts, emphasized the devastating impact on the delivery of critical humanitarian aid in Afghanistan the decree will have, where more than half the population lives in poverty.



NGOs, he noted, are essential to the survival of millions of Afghans, offering life-saving support to women, men and children alike.



‘This is absolutely the wrong path,’ Turk said, urging the de facto authorities to reconsider what he described as a ‘deeply discriminatory decree.’



Since coming to power, Afghanistan’s de facto authorities have restricted the rights of women and girls, barring them from education, work, healthcare, and movement.



These measures, including the latest crackdown on NGO employment, effectively erase women from public life, undermining Afghanistan’s prospects for progress.



The High Commissioner called on Afghanistan’s leaders to rethink their course, not just for the sake of women and girls but for the future of the nation as a whole.



He also highlighted the broader implications of these policies for the global community, noting that restricting women’s participation in public life exacerbates poverty and hampers efforts to build a stable and resilient society.



‘For the future of Afghanistan, the de facto authorities must change course,’ Turk added.



Posted on

PFC showcases excellence at 17 global expos in 2024: CEO

Lahore: The Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) participated in 17 major international expos across the globe in 2024, showcasing high-quality Pakistani furniture and craftsmanship to boost exports.

Chairing first board of directors meeting of the year here on Wednesday, CEO PFC Mian Kashif Ashfaq said these expos provided an excellent platform to project the diversity, durability, and unique designs of Pakistani furniture, attracting buyers and investors from various countries.

He said: " Through participation we successfully promoted Pakistan's traditional and contemporary furniture, including handmade woodwork and modern designs, which resonated with global markets". The council's efforts aimed at fostering trade links, exploring new markets, and enhancing the visibility of Pakistan's furniture industry internationally.

He said exhibitions not only strengthened Pakistan's trade relationships with other countries but also helped generate valuable export orders, contributing significantly to the national economy. The PFC remained committed to promoting local artisans and expanding the country's footprint in the global furniture market, he concluded.