Daily Balochistan Times

Islamabad:Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Wednesday held a meeting with the Turkish Ambassador, Dr. Irfan Nazir Oglu and discussed various proposals regarding religious harmony, respect for humanity, and providing more job opportunities for Pakistani workers in Turkiye.

Minister Salik said Pakistan and Turkiye are like one soul in two bodies, bound by the eternal ties of religion, history, and culture. Both brotherly countries share a similar stance on regional and global issues and have always supported each other's positions on regional and international forums, he added.

Dr. Irfan Nazir Oglu expressed sorrow over the deaths of Pakistanis in the Morocco boat incident and reaffirmed the commitment to providing more job opportunities for skilled Pakistanis in Turkiye.

He also said Turkiye is working on increasing the supply of machinery to Pakistani industries and expanding technical training and educational projects in Pakistan.

Several Turkish companies are successfully operating in Pakistan; however, there remains significant potential to increase joint investment and trade volume, he said adding that there are sincere fraternal relations between Pakistan and Turkiye, and both countries can achieve many milestones in the economic field.

Minister Salik mentioned that the Government of Pakistan is taking more effective steps to prevent human trafficking.

In the past year, 600,000 Pakistanis went abroad for employment, and by December 2024, overseas Pakistanis sent a record remittance of 3.1 billion dollars to Pakistan, he added.

He said the establishment of better banking channels between Turkiye and Pakistan is also essential for promoting mutual trade.

The meeting concluded with an agreement to enhance cooperation towards eliminating extremism and terrorism, promoting interfaith harmony, and providing skilled Pakistanis with modern technical education.

Islamabad:The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued a consultation paper proposing launch of a Registration and Trading Platform (RTP) for public unlisted companies at Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (PSX).

Registration of eligible unlisted public companies at PSX coupled with public dissemination of financial results will significantly increase visibility of Pakistan's corporate sector, said a press release issued here on Wednesday.

This measure is expected to motivate companies to adopt improved corporate governance practices, disclosures and documentation; and embrace a culture of increased transparency and public accountability.

A phased implementation approach has been suggested in the consultation paper, companies with paid-up capital of Rs. 200 million or more will be required to register in first phase, following which, companies with paid-up capital between Rs. 25 million and Rs. 200 million will be registered on RTP.

RTP provides unlisted companies a unique opportunity to reach a much wider investor base, given the local penetration and international visibility of PSX amongst global investors and media outlets.

On gaining familiarity with the fully automated and digital capital market infrastructure, unlisted companies will find it easier to pursue listings on the PSX Main board or GEM board in future.

The concept paper provides proposes mandatory registration of unlisted public limited companies on the RTP.

This registration would enable existing shareholders and sophisticated investors, such as high net-worth individuals, financial institutions and corporates to trade in shares of RTP registered companies.

It is important to note that RTP registration does not equate to formal PSX listing.

RTP-registered companies will not enjoy the benefits of being listed on PSX, nor can they raise funds from the stock market without going through the SECP and PSX approval process.

The paper finalized after input from the market infrastructure institutions placed on the SECP website.

Stakeholders have been requested to submit feedback to SECP by February 06, 2025.

Islamabad:The Higher Education Commission(HEC) has nominated Professor Dr. Muhammad Kamran, Vice Chancellor, MNS University of Engineering and Technology, Multan, as the Vice Chairperson of the National Technology Council(NTC).

The notification in that regard has been issued by HEC, said a press release on Wednesday.

Experts, teachers, and students associated with the field of engineering from across the country have congratulated Professor Dr. Muhammad Kamran on his nomination as Vice Chairperson of the National Technology Council, terming it a recognition of his professional competence and leadership at the national and global levels.

Islamabad:Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada, stated on Wednesday that his Ministry is developing a new vision for low-cost housing schemes by incorporating advanced construction techniques.

The minister stated during a meeting that investing in smart and green housing techniques and research has become a key aspiration and goal.

He commended the idea of exhibitions, emphasizing that such events are essential to move away from conventional construction methods that waste valuable non-renewable resources.

He further said that such platforms are the need of the hour as this industry have a great potential that needs a right vision and impetus to grow and flourish.

Minster asserted that conventional mode of construction and Theka (contract) system must be discouraged and become obsolete as they promote corrupt practices and illegal activities.

He reiterated that as per the vision and directions of prime minister we are eager to learn new ideas and capture opportunities through these expos to introduce advance technologies like fiber construction for low cost housing schemes.

The minister's meeting with Saleem Khan Tanoli, CEO of Fakt Exhibitions (Pvt), a Karachi-based exhibition company, was also attended by the Secretary of Housing and Works, Dr. Shahzad Khan Bangash, and other senior officials from the ministry.

Tanoli briefed the minster on the idea of 'Build Pakistan' that is the first ever exhibition and conference on infrastructure and construction industry under the patronage of Ministry of Housing and Works. The exhibition will be held in August 2025 at Expo Centre, Lahore and its main objective is to foster networking; strategic promotion by attracting international companies and investors; to boost infrastructure industry, to highlighting success stories and to transfer construction techniques and technology.

Islamabad:Azerbaijan's Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, has emphasized the need to further strengthen the deep historical, cultural, and fraternal ties between Pakistan and Azerbaijan.

He stated that new initiatives and projects must be undertaken to promote trade cooperation between the two countries.

He expressed these views during a meeting with the Secretary General of the Federation Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry(FPCCI) UBG, Zafar Bakhtawari, at his office, said a press release issued here on Wednesday.

Also present at the meeting were Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari, a member of the UBG Central Core Committee, and Waqar Zafar Bakhtawari, an Executive Member of FPCCI.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on enhancing trade between Pakistan and Azerbaijan. Khazar Farhadov revealed that the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, is scheduled to visit Azerbaijan next month, a visit expected to play a vital role in strengthening bilateral relations.

He expressed his desire for prominent Pakistani business personalities to be part of this visit so that opportunities for mutual trade and investment could be explored. The ambassador shared that the Azerbaijani government is interested in investing $2 billion in Pakistan and is evaluating various projects in this regard.

He further stated that Pakistan is an important partner, and such investments would prove mutually beneficial for both nations.

Ambassador Khazar Farhadov highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between the two countries and expressed his wish to expand trade relations further.

He stressed the urgent need for immediate steps to increase the trade volume and strengthen economic relations.

Zafar Bakhtawari noted that Azerbaijan and Turkey are among Pakistan's great allies.

He emphasized the need for these three countries to take further steps to enhance trade and economic ties.

He stated that these three nations are like one family and should work on joint ventures to deliver the benefits of trade cooperation to their people.

Ahsan Zafar Bakhtawari announced that he would visit Azerbaijan in February and meet with business personalities there to take steps toward promoting mutual trade.