Category: Lahore

Lahore: Former president of the SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Iftikhar Ali Malik, has commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for implementing transformative and inclusive policies to revitalise Pakistan's economy.

In a statement issued on Sunday, he highlighted the PM's direct engagement with business leaders and his focus on pragmatic reforms aimed at strengthening the economy and restoring investor confidence.

Malik highlighted the government's efforts to improve the ease of doing business by reducing bureaucratic hurdles, simplifying tax processes, and enhancing transparency. Key initiatives include infrastructure development, energy security, and digital connectivity to foster a business-friendly environment.

He also praised the prime minister's focus on attracting both foreign and local investments by addressing structural challenges and ensuring policy consistency. Efforts to stabilise the macroeconomic environment, manage inflation, and promote public-private partnerships have been instrumental in creating opportunities in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

Malik concluded that these policies had positioned Pakistan as a competitive player in the international market, laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth.

Lahore: The Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) has announced a free specialised training programme for convicts in Punjab jails to produce highly skilled woodworkers.

The initiative was discussed during a meeting between PFC Chief Executive Officer Mian Kashif Ashfaq and Inspector General of Prisons Punjab Mian Farooq Nazeer, on Sunday.

Mian Kashif stated that Pakistan is currently facing a severe shortage of skilled woodworkers. To address this issue, the PFC has decided to train convicts using modern techniques to meet market demands. He also assured that upon successful completion of the training, the convicts would be offered employment in furniture manufacturing factories with attractive salary packages.

Dr Waqar Chaudhry, advisor to the PFC, suggested that the council might consider providing a reasonable monthly stipend to trainee convicts to encourage maximum participation. The training program will initially include a six-month course in the central jails of Lahore, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi. The PFC will deploy top-class trainers and organise special lectures on the importance of planting more trees to combat climate change and meet the country's wood requirements.

Inspector General Mian Farooq Nazeer appreciated the PFC's goodwill gesture and formed a high-level committee to assess the feasibility of launching the training courses.

Lahore: Three leading Chinese companies have expressed strong interest in signing memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Pakistani counterparts in the food sector, indicating a promising boost for bilateral trade and technological cooperation.

Shahid Imran, convener of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Regional Committee on Food and leader of a Pakistani food exporters' delegation, shared these developments with the media on Sunday upon his return from China.

He disclosed that the Chinese companies, renowned for their expertise in food machinery and technology, aim to capitalise on Pakistan's expanding food industry to broaden their market presence and promote mutual growth. These potential partnerships underscore the rising interest of Chinese enterprises in Pakistan's food sector, driven by the country's strategic location, rich agricultural resources, and growing demand for processed foods.

Shahid highlighted that the MoUs, if signed, could pave the way for technology transfer, skill development, and enhanced trade relations, benefiting both nations economically and socially. He detailed the profiles of the three interested Chinese companies:

1. Taizhou Fulida Electromechanical Co. Ltd: Based in Taizhou, this company is recognised for its expertise in manufacturing advanced food processing and packaging machinery. With a focus on innovation and efficiency, Fulida aims to introduce cutting-edge technology to Pakistan's food sector, helping local businesses improve productivity and comply with international standards.

2. Taiwan High Dream Intellectualised Machinery Co., Ltd: Headquartered in Foshan, High Dream specialises in intelligent food processing equipment. The company's state-of-the-art machinery, designed for automation and precision, has the potential to transform Pakistan's food production processes. By collaborating with Pakistani firms, High Dream seeks to establish a strong presence in South Asia while supporting the modernization of Pakistan's food industry.

3. Nantong Wealth Machinery Technical Co. Ltd: Located in Rugao, this company offers a diverse range of machinery for food processing, packaging, and preservation. Known for its reliable and cost-effective solutions, Wealth Machinery is keen to partner with Pakistani businesses to address local challenges and enhance food security through advanced technology.

Shahid Imran emphasised that these prospective collaborations reflect a significant opportunity for Pakistan to upgrade its food processing capabilities, attract investment, and strengthen trade ties with China. The FPCCI is optimistic that the MoUs will lead to sustainable growth and development in the country's food sector.

Lahore: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting on Sunday to review the initiative of information and communication technology (ICT) training to 300,000 Pakistani youth, in collaboration with Huawei Technologies.

Stressing the critical role of young people in driving the digital revolution and advancing technology in the country, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to equip young individuals with modern skills.

During the meeting, the PM stated that the government was providing all possible support to ensure youth were prepared for the evolving digital landscape. He highlighted that Huawei's ICT training programme would not only enhance IT exports but also create employment opportunities for young professionals.

A delegation from Huawei Technologies attended the meeting, where various initiatives aimed at imparting digital skills and providing world-class IT training were discussed. The progress of agreements signed last year with Huawei Technologies in China was also reviewed.

Representatives of Huawei reaffirmed their commitment to launching an advanced training programme in Pakistan. Under this initiative, young individuals will receive specialised training in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and other cutting-edge technologies.

The PM was told that 300,000 Pakistani youth would receive online training as part of the initiative. To facilitate the programme, PM Shehbaz would officially inaugurate the ICT Training Portal. Officials also informed the premier that Huawei Technologies had already trained 20,315 students under the initiative, with the programme focusing on upskilling students, trainers, and the ICT professionals. Master trainers trained by Huawei would further impart knowledge at the local level to expand the programme's reach.

PM Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to ensure swift implementation of IT training projects and to maximise the accessibility of the ICT Training Portal across Pakistan. He also instructed that the initiative be extended to all provinces, including Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, to ensure that young people nationwide benefit from the program.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Haroon Akhtar, Chairman of the PM Youth Program Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, and other senior government officials.

Lahore: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced a major initiative to integrate women associated with cottage industries and small businesses into the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector.

The announcement was made on International Women's Day during a review meeting on ongoing reforms under the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA), held on Saturday.

Speaking at the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized the need for women's economic empowerment and directed authorities to provide essential capital and facilities on a priority basis to businesswomen in the cottage industry. He also instructed measures to offer low-cost loans to women under the Youth Loan Scheme, enabling them to expand their businesses. Stressing the importance of supporting educated and skilled women, especially in rural and remote areas, he urged for initiatives that help them achieve financial independence through entrepreneurship.

The Prime Minister ordered the establishment of facilitation centers and training institutes to support women engaged in small-scale businesses and ensure their easy access to these resources. To strengthen this initiative, he announced the formation of a special committee tasked with developing a comprehensive plan for empowering women through business opportunities. The committee will soon present its recommendations to the Prime Minister.

Addressing the attendees, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that almost half of Pakistan's population consists of women, and the government is committed to making them economically stable through priority-based initiatives. He assured that all necessary resources and training would be provided to ensure dignified employment and business opportunities for women. He directed authorities to guarantee women's access to facilitation centers and training programs and reaffirmed that low-cost loans would be made available to female entrepreneurs under the Youth Loan Scheme.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on SMEDA's initiatives for the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises. Federal Ministers Dr. Musadik Malik, Ahsan Iqbal, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Program Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, and other senior officials were also present.

Lahore: The Department of Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education has decided to appoint permanent medical superintendents to 24 teaching hospitals across Punjab.

Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved formation of a search committee to oversee the appointment process.

According to a spokesperson from the Health Department on Saturday, the decision was made to ensure better administration and improved healthcare services in major hospitals across the province.

The teaching hospitals where permanent medical superintendents will be appointed include: Mayo Hospital, Mayo Cancer Care Hospital Manawan, Services Hospital, Jinnah Hospital, General Hospital, Punjab Institute of Cardiology, Gangaram Hospital, Lady Aitchison Hospital, Syed Mitha Hospital, and Punjab Institute of Mental Health, Gujranwala Medical College Teaching Hospital, THQ Hospital Shakargarh (Narowal), THQ Hospital Zafarwal (Narowal), Government Sardar Begum Teaching Hospital (Sialkot), Rawalpindi Teaching Hospital, Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology, Benazir Bhutto Hospital (Rawalpindi), Faisalabad Institute of Cardiology, Children's Hospital (Faisalabad), Sahiwal Teaching Hospital, Nishtar Hospital (Multan), Bahawal Victoria Hospital (Bahawalpur), Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology (Bahawalpur), and Sahiwal Institute of Cardiology.