Category: Lahore

Lahore: Member of National Assembly (MNA) Abdul Ghaffar Wattoo and Member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA) Fida Hussain called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif here on Sunday and discussed with him issues of their respective constituencies.

MNA Usman Awaisi also met the premier, separately.

The parliamentarians also discussed with the prime minister overall political situation in the country.

Former federal minister Khawaja Saad Rafique and Prime Minister's Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan also called on the PM and exchanged views on the political situation of the country.

Lahore: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned firing on the convoy of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly speaker.

He prayed for early recovery of those injured in the firing incident. He said that attack on the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly speaker and his convoy was a coward act. He directed the authorities concerned to arrest the attackers at the earliest.

Lahore: SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry former President Iftikhar Ali Malik has emphasised the need for strengthening regional trade that could be a more effective substitute for achieving comparative advantages in international trade and enhancing prosperity.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, he said South Asian countries can take all the advantages of regional economic integration that will enhance their bargaining power in international trade by representing a market that accounts for approximately 25.29 percent of the world's population.

He said integration will also improve the region's attractiveness for foreign and local investments, similar to EU, ASEAN and USMCA. Unfortunately, South Asia is currently the least economically integrated region in the world, with regional trade accounting for only about 5 percent of total trade, he added.

Iftikhar Ali Malik said the potential for intraregional trade in South Asia is estimated to be two times its current level which indicates a significant 67 percent of unrealised trade opportunities. If potentials are exploited, the region could see a benefit of approximately 3 percent of its GDP. He said the primary barrier to increased regional trade is political issues. When political considerations are prioritised over economic benefits, the costs can be significant for the region.

As a result, around 40 percent of the world's poor reside in South Asia, making it the region with the second-highest poverty rate after Africa. He said Political leadership must recognise this reality and learn from the experiences of the EU and ASEAN understanding that economic development should not be sacrificed for political gain.

He said US President Donald Trump and other populist leaders in the West share a common goal of industrial policy (IP) which are state-led government programmes - such as trade protection, subsidies, tax incentives and R and D funding -that support strategic industries or sectors that aim to promote the competitiveness of local industry, protect jobs and enhance growth,he concluded.

Lahore: Convener Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry(FPCCI) regional committee Food,Shahid Imran on Sunday highlighted Balochistan's strategic importance as a global business gateway and a key hub for trade with Central Asia and Europe, driven by its geographical advantages and abundant natural resources.

Talking to media here to a delegation of traders from Quetta,he highlighted FPCCI president,Atif Ikram Shaikh dedicated focus on Balochistan's development, stressing that inclusive growth and robust economic planning are critical for the province's economic prosperity.'Without economic development,we cannot achieve sustainable prosperity in Balochistan.We need to move beyond superficial Public Sector Development Programs (PSDP) and initiate projects that benefit all,'he added.

Shahid Imran pointed out the need for enhanced infrastructure in Balochistan's industrial zones,citing the lack of basic facilities like water,electricity and gas as major obstacles to industrial growth.

He noted that while Hub industrial zone near Karachi has flourished others such as the Quetta Industrial Zone and the Bostan special economic zone,remain underutilized. He called for urgent attention to establish projects like expo centers,special economic zones and border markets.

'Balochistan holds immense transit potential and was a vital link for global trade routes.However,economic growth requires collective effort from all stakeholders.Without industrial development,challenges like unemployment and reliance on government jobs will persist.'Shahid added.

He also called for measures to improve trade relations with neighboring countries like Iran and Afghanistan, including organizing a trilateral trade exhibition.

Lahore: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday strongly condemned firing on the convoy of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly speaker.

He prayed for early recovery of those injured in the firing incident. He said that attack on the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly speaker and his convoy was a coward act. He directed the authorities concerned to arrest the attackers at the earliest.

Lahore: The Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC) on Sunday initiated the process of collecting budget proposals from stakeholders in the furniture industry for the upcoming fiscal year. According to a spokesperson,Chief Executive Officer(CEO),Mian Kashif Ashfaq said the aim was to present these recommendations to the federal government in a comprehensive and consolidated form,ensuring that the industry's concerns and priorities are addressed effectively in the national budget. PFC emphasized the need for stakeholders,including manufacturers,exporters and retailers to contribute their insights and suggestions on key issues such as tax reforms,raw material availability,export incentives and infrastructure development. The council highlighted that the furniture sector was a significant contributor to the national economy with immense potential for growth and job creation. Mian Kashif Ashfaq also stressed the importance of creating a favorable policy environment to enhance the sector's global competitiveness.It c alled for measures to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs), reduce production costs and promote innovation through research and development. The collected proposals will be compiled and submitted to the federal government as part of PFC's efforts to advocate for the industry's growth and sustainability. Stakeholders have been urged to actively participate in the process to ensure their voices are heard in shaping future policies,he concluded.