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Author: Mrs. Anjum Shahnawaz

  • Documentary on ‘Buddhist heritage of Pakistan’ launched

    Documentary on ‘Buddhist heritage of Pakistan’ launched

    ‘Gandhara’ is a documentary jointly produced by the High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sri Lanka and Siddhivinayak Cine Arts (Private) Limited with the support of and in coordination with the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

    It takes the viewers on a visual journey along the Gandhara Buddhist heritage sites of Pakistan.

    The documentary will be launched on Tuesday at Temple Trees by His Excellency, Prime Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the presence of Venerable Buddhist monks, Cabinet and State Ministers, MPs, ambassadors of Buddhist countries, as well as business, tourism and media fraternity of Sri Lanka.

    One of the Tooth Relics of the Lord Buddha, discovered from the Gandhara region is preserved at Taxila Museum in Pakistan.

    It is the region where the Gandhara Buddhist civilization reached its pinnacle of glory from 1st century AD to the 7th century AD.

    The first anthropomorphic statue of Lord Buddha was created in the region now called Pakistan. Also known for one of the the world’s oldest Buddhist University, Thakshashila, Taxila in Pakistan is home to some of the most sacred Buddhist artifacts found during archeological excavations around the 12th century.

    A sapling from the sacred Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura, gifted by the government of Sri Lanka to the government of Pakistan, also grows in the gardens of Taxila Museum.

    In order to present this heritage to the Buddhist world in general and Sri Lanka in particular, the idea of “Gandhara: The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan” was conceived.

    Launched with the blessings of the Prime Minister and Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, His Excellency, Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, His Excellency Imran Khan, this documentary will open up new avenues in religious tourism as well as strengthening cultural and people to people ties between the brotherly countries of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

    With special permission from the Government of Pakistan, both local and foreign technicians including Director, Mateen Saherai & Production Controller Sajjad Mohommad (Gateway To Production, England) from England have contributed to this film.

    The film is based on a screenplay that explores the historical ruins and artifacts captured in a realistic way while also exploring background historical information.

    Ven. Agrahera Kassapa Thero is the Senior Adviser to the entire project. The concept and script has been prepared by the Project Consultant Director, Vidyajothi Prof. Nimal Silva. The film is co-produced by Siddhivinayak Cine Arts (Private) Limited, known for producing, marketing, distribution and exhibition of international films.

    The sound and movie editing is done by local artists. Ms. Kaushalya Wickramasinghe, the Chairperson of Siddhivinayak Cine Arts (Private) Limited mentioned that the film is expected to be screened in local cinemas as well as on local TV channels and abroad in collaboration with international organizations.

    Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, Tanvir Ahmed said that “Gandhara” was conceptualized with the aim of bringing the peoples of Sri Lanka and Pakistan together through their shared history and heritage.

    Venerable Dr Kirindey Assaji Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple while fondly recalling his visit to the Holy Buddhist Trail in Pakistan organized by the High Commission of Pakistan, gave his blessings for the success of the documentary and closer relations between the two countries.

    ‘Gandhara’ is a documentary jointly produced by the High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sri Lanka and Siddhivinayak Cine Arts (Private) Limited with the support of and in coordination with the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

    It takes the viewers on a visual journey along the Gandhara Buddhist heritage sites of Pakistan.

    The documentary will be launched on Tuesday at Temple Trees by His Excellency, Prime Mahinda Rajapaksa, in the presence of Venerable Buddhist monks, Cabinet and State Ministers, MPs, ambassadors of Buddhist countries, as well as business, tourism and media fraternity of Sri Lanka.

    One of the Tooth Relics of the Lord Buddha, discovered from the Gandhara region is preserved at Taxila Museum in Pakistan.

    It is the region where the Gandhara Buddhist civilization reached its pinnacle of glory from 1st century AD to the 7th century AD.

    The first anthropomorphic statue of Lord Buddha was created in the region now called Pakistan. Also known for one of the the world’s oldest Buddhist University, Thakshashila, Taxila in Pakistan is home to some of the most sacred Buddhist artifacts found during archeological excavations around the 12th century.

    A sapling from the sacred Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura, gifted by the government of Sri Lanka to the government of Pakistan, also grows in the gardens of Taxila Museum.

    In order to present this heritage to the Buddhist world in general and Sri Lanka in particular, the idea of “Gandhara: The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan” was conceived.

    Launched with the blessings of the Prime Minister and Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, His Excellency, Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, His Excellency Imran Khan, this documentary will open up new avenues in religious tourism as well as strengthening cultural and people to people ties between the brotherly countries of Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

    With special permission from the Government of Pakistan, both local and foreign technicians including Director, Mateen Saherai & Production Controller Sajjad Mohommad (Gateway To Production, England) from England have contributed to this film.

    The film is based on a screenplay that explores the historical ruins and artifacts captured in a realistic way while also exploring background historical information.

    Ven. Agrahera Kassapa Thero is the Senior Adviser to the entire project. The concept and script has been prepared by the Project Consultant Director, Vidyajothi Prof. Nimal Silva. The film is co-produced by Siddhivinayak Cine Arts (Private) Limited, known for producing, marketing, distribution and exhibition of international films.

    The sound and movie editing is done by local artists. Ms. Kaushalya Wickramasinghe, the Chairperson of Siddhivinayak Cine Arts (Private) Limited mentioned that the film is expected to be screened in local cinemas as well as on local TV channels and abroad in collaboration with international organizations.

    Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, Tanvir Ahmed said that “Gandhara” was conceptualized with the aim of bringing the peoples of Sri Lanka and Pakistan together through their shared history and heritage.

    Venerable Dr Kirindey Assaji Thero, Chief Incumbent of the Gangaramaya Temple while fondly recalling his visit to the Holy Buddhist Trail in Pakistan organized by the High Commission of Pakistan, gave his blessings for the success of the documentary and closer relations between the two countries.

  • Wave-Singer receives Rs1.44 bn order from Coca Cola

    Wave-Singer receives Rs1.44 bn order from Coca Cola

    KARACHI: Wave Singer Pakistan Limited has received a corporate order worth around Rs1.44 billion from Coca-Cola, according to information shared with Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Tuesday.

    The company said that for the second consecutive year since its approval as a manufacturer for the supply of Coca-Cola branded Freezers, Waves Singer Pakistan has secured the largest corporate order from Coca-Cola.

    For fiscal year 2022, WSPL has received order for supply of 25,000 units of chest coolers and visi coolers worth around Rs1.44 billion.

    Last year, the company obtained orders for 22,850 units of chest coolers and visi coolers worth Rs944 million from Coca- Cola after approval of the factory consequent to detailed audits.

    Waves Singer Pakistan Limited has become a merged company with the acquisition of Cool Industries (Pvt) Limited by Singer Pakistan during 2017. After the approval of the Scheme of Merger by Sindh High Court, the combined company has acquired the name of Waves Singer Pakistan Limited.

    Singer’s history dates back to 1850, when Isaac Merritt Singer manufactured the first ever sewing machine in Boston, USA. I. M Singer & Company was duly incorporated during the same year.

    The name of the company was changed to Singer Manufacturing Company during 1853 when the factory of the Company was also relocated to New York, USA. Singer established its presence in the Indian sub-continent during 1877.

    Over the years, and after the independence of Pakistan, Singer continued its business of sewing machines in the country, but also started dealing in domestic consumer appliances, besides manufacturing and assembling light engineering products. In 1985, the Company became a public listed company.

    Singer Pakistan’s retail network has 140 shops in Pakistan alone, and covers every small town and metropolitan city of the country. Under the Singer brand, the Company produces a variety of consumer appliances-including refrigerators, air conditioners, LED TVs, washing machines, microwave ovens, in addition to its more traditional offerings of sewing machines, water heaters and gas ovens etc.

    Beverage Cans IPO oversubscribed three times; raises Rs4.6 billion
  • Petroleum prices kept unchanged for next fortnight

    Petroleum prices kept unchanged for next fortnight

    ISLAMABAD: The government on Monday decided to keep prices of petroleum products unchanged at the level of November 05, 2021, for the next fortnight.

    The prices will remain unchanged from November 16, 2021, till the end of the month: Petrol Rs145.82 per liter; High-Speed Diesel (HSD) Rs142.62 per liter; Kerosene Oil Rs116.53 per liter; and Light Diesel Oil Rs114.07 per liter.

    A statement issued by the Finance Division said that despite rising petroleum products prices globally, the Prime Minister of Pakistan has kindly rejected the proposal for enhancement in the prices and desired that the prices of petroleum products from November 16, 2021, shall remain the same as notified on November 04, 2021, for providing maximum relief to the general public.

    The decision has been taken in the public interest. The government will bear the burden by making adjustments in the sales tax rates, etc.

    Muzzammil Aslam, spokesman to the finance minister in a Tweet said: “History has been made today. In today’s petrol prices the Sales Tax is effective zero per cent.”

    Petrol tax rate cut by 73% to lower global oil price impact
  • WCO holds training for Pakistan Customs officers

    WCO holds training for Pakistan Customs officers

    World Customs Organization (WCO) in collaboration with International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Section (INL), held a training program from November 8 to November 12, 2021, for officers of the Pakistan Customs Service.

    Directorate General of Training and Research (Pakistan Customs), Karachi has facilitated the conduct of the COPES-CECAC ‘Train the Trainer’ project.

    The Custom Enforcement Curriculum for Assistant Collectors is in line with Customs Operational Practices on Enforcement and Seizures (COPES) and is aimed at developing effective, professional, and transparent law enforcement institutions in Pakistan and increasing the capacity of Pakistan Customs in the realm of enforcement in the light of international best practices.

    The inaugural ceremony of the program was held at DGTR Karachi and was unveiled by Director General DGTR, Ms. Surraiya Ahmed Butt.

    She thanked WCO and INL for their support in this training and termed Train the Trainer program as an important milestone in the enhancement of the capabilities of the Pakistan Customs Service.

    DG DGTR hoped that the training of 12 officers from Pakistan will create a pool of instructors which would help in the capacity building of Pakistan Customs.

    Gilles Thomas from WCO gave a detailed introduction about the COPES program highlighting the gaps that exist in the Customs Officers’ professional standards and how the CECAC project would be an effort to bridge that gap by developing an enforcement curriculum.

    Later, Mark Kennedy from INL appreciated the working relationship with Pakistan Customs in the realm of training and expressed his desire to further strengthen this cooperation.

    Pakistan Customs seizes arms from Afghan vehicle
  • PTA issues procedure to block telemarketing messages

    PTA issues procedure to block telemarketing messages

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) on Monday issued the procedure to bloc telemarketing communication and unwanted/spam messages.

    The PTA said that unwanted calls/messages can be disruptive, but there are measures to minimize them.

    For blocking telemarketing communication, a person needs to register his number on the “Do Not Contact Register (DNCR)”. In order to register the person need to send a message by typing ‘reg’ and SMS to 3627.

    To allow telemarketing communication again, type ‘unreg’ and SMS to 3627.

    The PTA said that concerned service provider may be contacted in case of issue or for details about tariff/subscription charges.

    To block spamming/unsolicited communication, the PTA issued procedure under which a person should type spammer’s cell number, give a space, paste the received message and SMS to 9000.

    SMS charges of PKR 0.10 (inclusive of taxes) apply for each SMS to prevent abuse of facility.

    For blocking obnoxious/unknown calls and SMSs, the PTA suggested to dial *420# (for Jazz, Telenor & Ufone subscribers) or 420 (for ZONG subscribers). Concerned service provider may be contacted to get detail about tariff/subscription.

    The regulator further said that in case an issue is not resolved, the complaint may be lodged to PTA through an online complaint management system:

    http://complaint.pta.gov.pk/registercomplaint.aspx

  • Miftah Ismail highlights key reasons behind rupee fall

    Miftah Ismail highlights key reasons behind rupee fall

    Miftah Ismail, Former Federal Minister for Finance, has pointed out key reasons behind the massive depreciation in Pak Rupee (PKR) against the dollar.

    (more…)
  • Pakistani workers send $2.52 billion in October 2021

    Pakistani workers send $2.52 billion in October 2021

    KARACHI: Pakistani workers living abroad have sent $2.52 billion as remittances to their homeland in the month of October 2021, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said on Sunday.

    The SBP said that the workers’ remittances continued their strong streak as inflows recorded $2.5 billion in October 2021, up 10.2 percent (y/y) and only marginally lower compared to last month (5.7 percent).

    In addition to remaining above $2 billion since June 2020, this is the eighth consecutive month when remittances have been close to or above $2.5 billion.

    On a cumulative basis, remittances have risen to $10.6 billion during the first four months of FY22 (July-October 2021), which is 11.9% higher than the same period last year.

    Remittance inflows during the first four months of FY22 have mainly been sourced from Saudi Arabia ($ 2.7 billion), UAE ($ 2.0 billion), UK ($ 1.5 billion) and USA ($ 1.1 billion).

    Proactive policy measures by the Government and SBP to incentivize the use of formal channels and altruistic transfers to Pakistan amid the pandemic have positively contributed towards the sustained improvement in remittance inflows since last year.

    Overseas Pakistanis remit $8.03bn in first quarter
  • State Bank enhances CRR 6% to ease pressure on PKR

    State Bank enhances CRR 6% to ease pressure on PKR

    KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Saturday enhanced the cash reserves requirement (CRR) for banks to 6 per cent in order to ease pressure on Pak Rupee (PKR).

    The SBP decided to increase the average (CRR), to be maintained during a period of two weeks by scheduled banks, from 5 percent to 6 percent and minimum CRR to be maintained each day from 3 percent to 4 percent.

    CRR is the amount of money that banks are required to keep with State Bank of Pakistan and is applicable on demand liabilities and time liabilities with tenor of less than a year.

    Time liabilities with tenor of more than one year shall continue to be exempted from maintenance of cash reserves.

    With the economy recovering briskly from last year’s acute Covid shock, there is a need to gradually normalize policy settings, including the growth of monetary aggregates.

    In recent months, real money supply growth has drifted above its trend. Today’s measure will moderate this growth as well as domestic demand, thereby helping to sustain the current economic recovery, achieve the government’s medium-term inflation target, and reduce pressures on the Pak Rupee (PKR). 

    In addition, this measure is likely to have positive impact on deposit mobilization as the banks would be encouraged to generate more deposits to cope with additional liquidity requirements for their operations.

    This would incentivize banks to offer better returns on deposits to attract these funds; thus serving the SBP objective of encouraging savings.

    It may also be highlighted that waiver of CRR on Time liabilities with tenor more than a year will encourage banks to raise more long-term deposits, which will facilitate asset-liability matching and enable banks to extend long term loans for construction and housing financing.

    Baqir meets governors of Saudi, Indonesia central banks
  • Pakistan sees 70% rise in diabetes cases in two years

    Pakistan sees 70% rise in diabetes cases in two years

    KARACHI: Ahead of World Diabetes Day, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has released new figures showing that the prevalence of diabetes in Pakistan has increased significantly as 33 million adults in Pakistan are now living with diabetes – a 70 per cent increase in past two years or since 2019.

    According to IDF, in 2021, diabetes will be responsible for 400,000 deaths in the country– the highest number in the Middle-East and North Africa Region.

    These findings from the 10th Edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas, which will be published on December 6th, report that one in four adults (26.7 per cent) in Pakistan are living with diabetes – the highest national prevalence in the world.

    Pakistan now has the third highest number of people living with diabetes in the world, after China (141 million) and India (74 million). An additional 11 million adults in Pakistan have Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), which places them at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

    More than quarters (26.9 per cent) of adults living with diabetes in Pakistan are undiagnosed. When diabetes is undetected or inadequately treated, people with diabetes are at risk of serious and life-threatening complications, such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and lower-limb amputation. These result in reduced quality of life and higher healthcare costs.

    IDF says that 537 million adults are now living with diabetes worldwide — a rise of 16 per cent (74 million) since the previous IDF estimates in 2019. “The rapidly rising level of diabetes in Pakistan presents a significant challenge to the health and wellbeing of individuals and families in the country,” says Professor Abdul Basit, Director, Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Baqai Medical University.

    This year marks 100 years since the discovery of insulin. This milestone presents a unique opportunity to reflect on the impact of diabetes and highlights the urgent need to improve access to care for the millions affected. An estimated 1 in 2 people with diabetes across the world who need insulin cannot access or afford it.

    “We must do more to provide affordable and uninterrupted access to diabetes care for all in Pakistan, and around the world. Policy makers and health decision-makers must turn words into action to improve the lives of people with diabetes and prevent the condition in those at high risk of developing it,” concludes Basit.

    Globally, 90 per cent of people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. The rise in the number of people with type 2 is driven by a complex interplay of socio-economic, demographic, environmental and genetic factors. Key contributors include urbanisation, an ageing population, decreasing levels of physical activity and increasing levels of overweight and obesity.

    Much can be done to reduce the impact of diabetes. Evidence suggests that type 2 diabetes can often be prevented, while early diagnosis and access to appropriate care for all types of diabetes can avoid or delay complications in people living with the condition.

    In Pakistan, the Diabetic Association of Pakistan has initiated the Diabetes Registry of Pakistan (DROP) and signed MOUs with a selection of provincial ministries and private organizations to ensure the accessibility, affordability and standardization of diabetes care in the country.

    Key global and regional findings from the IDF Diabetes Atlas 10th Edition include:

    One in ten (10.5 per cent) adults around the world are currently living with diabetes. The total number is predicted to rise to 643 million (11.3 per cent) by 2030 and to 783 million (12.2 per cent) by 2045.

    1 in 6 adults (73 million) are living with diabetes in the Middle-East and North Africa Region.

    An estimated 240 million people are living with undiagnosed diabetes worldwide – 27 million in the Middle-East and North Africa Region.

    Diabetes was responsible for an estimated USD 966 billion in global health expenditure in 2021. This represents a 316 per cent increase over 15 years. The Middle-East and North Africa Region accounts for 3 per cent (33 billion USD) of the global expenditure.

    Excluding the mortality risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 6.7 million adults are estimated to have died as a result of diabetes, or its complications, in 2021. That’s more than one in ten (12.2 per cent) of global deaths from all causes. The Middle-East and North Africa Region accounts for 12 per cent (796,000) of total diabetes-related deaths.

    Around 541 million adults, or 10.6 per cent of adults worldwide, have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), placing them at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Almost one in nine (48 million) people affected by IGT live in the Middle-East and North Africa Region.

    The theme selected by IDF for World Diabetes Day – 14 November – is Access to Diabetes Care. IDF is calling on national governments to provide the best possible care for people living with diabetes and develop policies to improve diabetes screening and type 2 diabetes prevention, especially among young people.

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  • President Alvi orders two banks to pay victims of fraud

    President Alvi orders two banks to pay victims of fraud

    ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Dr. Arif Alvi has ordered two banks i.e. Al Baraka Bank Ltd (ABBL) and Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) to pay their customers in order to provide relief in fraud cases.

    President Dr Arif Alvi has upheld two different decisions of the Banking Mohtasib (BM) ordering Al Baraka Bank Ltd (ABBL) and Habib Bank Ltd (HBL) to pay Rs9.145 million to Mrs. Zahida Naseem and Rs 5 million to Mushtaq Ahmed Bajwa, respectively, who had been swindled out of their money by the management of the banks.

    The President rejected the appeals of both the banks against the decisions of the Banking Mohtasib.

    He regretted that the victims of fraud, including an Overseas Pakistani, suffered a lot at the hands of the banks’ management and no relief was provided to them.

    He urged the public to avail the services of the Banking Mohtasib to seek relief in fraud cases as well as against the maladministration of bank officials/officers.

    According to details of both the cases, Mrs Zahida Naseem (complainant) opened her PKR Account on 03-03-2017 and British Pound Sterling on 28-03-2017 with Al Baraka Bank, at DHA Branch, Lahore. She applied for Term Deposit for an amount of Rs 10.7 million for one year after signing her cheque and TDR Application Form.

    The then Branch Manager, Omer Ikram, provided her fake and fabricated Account Statement and TDR Certificates on bank’s Letter Head.

    However, in July, she came to know that the given account statement and TDR certificates were fake and fabricated.

    The Bank Manger had fraudulently used her cheque and requested for Real Time Gross Settlement instead of TDR. It was later revealed that Ikram had allegedly committed fraud of huge amount of Rs 125 million and was an expert in making and providing tampered and fake bank statements to his clients.

    This was admitted by the bank which had cancelled the policies of clients and had refunded money to respective accounts in different cases. In this case, an amount of Rs 9 million was transferred to the bank account of Mr Ikram’s personal driver.

    Mrs. Naseem requested ABBL to credit the lost funds to her account but without any result. Subsequently, she approached the Banking Mohtasib for the redressal of her grievance.

    In a similar case, Mushtaq Ahmed Bajwa (complainant), an Overseas Pakistani living in Holland, was maintaining a PLS Saving Account with Habib Bank Ltd’s branch in Faisalabad.

    He handed over cash of Rs 5 million to the then branch manager, Akhtar Hussain, on 14-04-2017.

    Hussain filled in the deposit slip, and after signing and stamping it, handed over the counterfoil to the complainant. Later on, his brother informed him in Holland that an internal fraud had been perpetrated and funds deposited by several depositors had been embezzled by the ex-Branch Manager.

    The manager had deceitfully mentioned some imaginary cheque numbers on his deposit slip instead of cash amount personally handed over to him.

    Further, the bank lodged an FIR with FIA Faisalabad against the main accused and his accomplices. The bank did not pay Bajwa his claim despite acknowledging his complaint, after which, the complainant approached the Banking Mohtasib to seek justice.

    The Banking Mohtasib investigated both the cases and, after perusal of facts, ordered that the complainants may be refunded their lost money by the respective banks.

    Wafaqi Mohtasib held that the complainants had entrusted their hard earned money to the concerned banks and it was fiduciary duty of the banks to protect their customers.

    It noted that the appointment of vigilant bank officials, honest and professional staff was the responsibility of the bank and not of the complainants.

    The Ombudsman noted that the bank officials had been duly posted by the management of the banks and they were performing the employer’s business, when the complainants had suffered financial losses due to the unethical and fraudulent activities of the authorized bank officers.

    The bank cannot escape the liability in such cases when the commission of fraud with the accountholder by its management is established and admitted, the BM held.

    The Mohtasib ordered that both the banks were responsible to make good the loss of the complainants without further delay. Subsequently, the banks filed separate appeals against the decisions of the BM.

    President Dr Arif Alvi upheld both the decisions of the Mohtasib on the grounds that banks were given ample opportunity by the Mohtasib to defend and controvert the claims of the complainants, however, banks had failed to discharge the burden and statutory liability cast upon them under the law.

    “No justification has been made to upset the order of the learned Banking Mohtasib”, the President wrote while rejecting the representations of the banks.

    President rejects Soneri Bank’s appeal in fraud case