ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan offered huge potential for e-commerce which will generate employment opportunities and help in economic growth.
The prime minister expressed these views in a meeting with Group CEO of Daraz (online E-Commerce platform) Bjarke Mikkelsen.
The Prime Minister Imran said that the government is providing full support to foreign investors under the ‘ease-of-doing-business’ policy.
CEO Daraz Bjarke Mikkelsen expressed interest in further investment and expansion of e-commerce in Pakistan.
Advisor Finance Shaukat Tarin, Chairman Special Technology Zones Authority Amir Hashmi, Senator Aon Abbas Bappi, MD Daraz Ehsan Saya and Emmad Khan from Daraz were present during the meeting.
About Daraz
Daraz is the leading online marketplace in South Asia, empowering tens of thousands of sellers to connect with millions of customers. Daraz provides immediate and easy access to 10 million products in more than 100 + categories and delivers more than 2 million packages every month to all corners of its countries.
ISLAMABAD: Jazz’s investment in Pakistan, which has crossed $ 10 billion including $ 560 million in the last two years alone on 4G network expansion – taking the total number of 4G users to 34.2 million, cementing Jazz’s position as the number one 4G operator.
Kaan reiterated the Group’s full support towards the Government’s Digital Pakistan agenda.
VEON, a leading global provider of connectivity and internet services, is embarking on a journey to be a world-leading digital operator with over 213.8 million subscribers in nine countries, including 71.9 million in Pakistan through its operating company, Jazz.
Kaan apprised the Prime Minister about Jazz’s investment in Pakistan, which has crossed US$ 10 billion including US$ 560 million in the last two years alone on 4G network expansion – taking the total number of 4G users to 34.2 million, cementing Jazz’s position as the number one 4G operator.
During the meeting, Kaan also talked about the role Jazz is playing in improving digital infrastructure, enhancing connectivity, investing in digital skills and literacy, promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, and driving financial inclusion through JazzCash.
Prime Minister Imran Khan valued the Group’s commitment to Pakistan including the sustainability initiatives that empower the young with digital tools and resources.
“The government launched the ‘Digital Pakistan’ initiative to provide a platform to the youth and it is heartening to see private sector companies like Jazz carry the mantle,” the prime minister said. He also highlighted the key role mobile operators play in a country’s economic growth by bringing in foreign investment, fostering connectivity, and enabling other sectors to thrive.
“Pakistan is a key market for VEON, and we see tremendous growth potential as the country continues to implement its ‘Digital Pakistan’ vision. To accelerate this and to encourage private sector investment in broadband connectivity and network expansion, a forward-looking regulatory regime in line with next-generation connectivity requirements, and a policy framework facilitating innovative business models are needed,” said VEON Group CEO KaanTerzioğlu.
“Utilising our leadership position and global expertise, we are focused on creating a flourishing digital ecosystem in Pakistan. Constantly investing in expanding access to 4G to rural and semi-urban areas, and in innovating and adapting our digital services to become a digital lifestyle partner for our customers is at the core of this journey,” said Jazz CEO Aamir Ibrahim.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said that the government has focused on increasing investment in the export industry to create employment opportunities.
The prime minister chaired a review meeting of PM’s Priority Sectors which was held in Islamabad.
The prime minister said that the government is taking steps on a priority basis to increase economic activity in the country and is focused on increasing investments in the export industry for creating employment opportunities.
All government institutions are working together to provide a conducive environment for investors. The government is taking steps to speed up work on Phase II of CPEC.
The meeting was given a detailed briefing on the progress of Phase II of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The meeting was informed that work on gas and electricity supply in Rashakai, Dhabeji, Allama Iqbal, and Bostan Special Economic Zones (SEZs) is in full swing.
Electricity and gas are mainly available for the construction of industries, while the rest of the required electricity and gas will be supplied with further development of industries.
In this regard, Plug and Play Model have been proposed by CPEC Authority, which is being worked on.
Under the model, all the requirements of the investors will be met through one window operation to ensure the speedy construction of industries in these areas.
At the same time, the Board of Investment is working on a portal to provide investors with information related to the construction of industries, approvals from various institutions, and other ancillary information, which will be launched soon.
The meeting was also informed that a comprehensive system has been launched to review the progress of projects under CPEC and to expedite the development work.
In addition, steps are being taken to increase investment in SEZs by identifying export industries. In the agriculture sector, not only work on corporate farming is in full swing, but also agreements are being made to increase the exports of the sector.
The Prime Minister directed to complete all the steps related to CPEC Phase II within the stipulated time. The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Asad Umar, Hamad Azhar, Advisors Shaukat Fayyaz Tareen, Moeed Yousuf, Special Assistant Dr Shahbaz Gill, Chairman CPEC Khalid Mansoor, Chairman Board of Investment Azfar Ahsan, and relevant senior officers.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday launched the online monitoring of supply and production of various items in order to plug revenue leakages.
Taxes vital for country’s economic stability and survival, the prime minister hoped and said that the use of technology will help check tax-pilferage and take revenue collection to the tune of Rs 8000 billion per annum.
“Our biggest issue is that we have to take loans to run the country. Countries cannot be run without taxes. We have our stability at stake,” the prime minister added.
The prime minister congratulated the Advisor of Finance Shaukat Tarin, FBR, and other relevant institutions for introducing the technology-based system for which the efforts were being done since 2008.
The Prime Minister said that the introduction of the track and trace system was a big and positive achievement, which will have a far-reaching impact.
According to details, the FBR’s track and trace system will ensure electronic monitoring of the production and sale of important sectors like tobacco, fertilizer, sugar, and cement.
With the electronic monitoring of goods’ movement from production to the use of consumers, the track and trace system besides increasing the country’s revenue will also help ensure transparency and check the pilferage of taxes.
After the implementation of the track and trace system in the tobacco sector, the FBR was now going to introduce this system in the sugar sector, which will follow the implementation of electric monitoring of other sectors as well.
Under the new system, no sugar bag can be taken out from the production site, factory or manufacturing plant without a stamp and individual identity mark. The FBR was also planning to implement the new system in the beverages and petroleum sectors.
The Prime Minister said that with a reasonable tax-to-GDP ratio in the West and highest in Scandinavian countries, Pakistan could not promote the tax culture due to different reasons including the aristocratic lifestyle of the ruling elite in the past, which shattered the confidence of taxpayers in governments.
The practice of not paying due taxes was continuing since the colonial era, when people used to think that their hard-earned money was being taken out by the foreign rulers and they were not being provided basic facilities, he remarked.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday directed the authorities to ensure all facilities on a priority basis to Chinese industrialists, who are ready to start operation in the country.
In a meeting with Chinese businessmen, the prime minister said the country will support Chinese businesses in Pakistan on a priority basis and are grateful to them for their keen interest in accelerating their investment in Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
The Chinese business delegation led by Chen Yan from Challenge Fashion (Pvt) Ltd.
During the meeting, the prime minister was told that Chinese businessmen are almost ready to start operations in the glass, ceramics and information technology sectors.
The prime minister said that Pakistan and China were connected not only in the past or present but would remain united through their future generations too.
“We appreciate the valuable relationship of the peoples of the two countries,” he added.
It is worth mentioning that OPPO, one of the leading tech manufacturers in the world, is going to establish a local mobile manufacturing unit and a research and development centre in Pakistan.
It would not only save a lot of foreign exchange reserves on the import of smartphones annually but would also create employment opportunities for our tech graduates.
The meeting was also attended by Energy Minister Muhammad Hammad Azhar, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, SAPM on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill, SAPM on CPEC Affairs Khalid Mansoor and Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong along with senior officers concerned.
In his remarks, Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan Nong Rong said that he was very happy as since the prime minister’s previous meeting with the Chinese businessmen on September 13, a lot of issues had been resolved and great progress had been achieved.
He said that the Chinese entrepreneurs were encouraged and hoping great progress after this meeting.
“We will send more positive information to China to encourage more Chinese businessmen to make decision to invest in Pakistan,” he commented.
A Chinese entrepreneur representing OPPO, said that the company had already been present in Pakistan for more than seven years and had made around $150 million investment in the country.
He said like other companies, for OPPO too, it was a very good environment in Pakistan to continue to invest there and the interaction with the prime minister helped the swift resolution of the issues.
He thanked the prime minister for helping the Chinese businessmen by extending facilitation to them.
“If anybody comes to me and ask should they invest in Pakistan, I will say yes,” he remarked.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday launched the automation of power of attorney for overseas Pakistanis at a ceremony held at Prime Minister House.
The Prime Minister said that it was a historic day for overseas Pakistanis as the digitalization of Power of Attorney will facilitate around 75,000 overseas Pakistanis annually.
While stressing the need for digitalization, he said that technology helps in the simplification of procedures and the government was taking all possible measures for digitalization of various sectors.
The issuance of the Succession Certificate by NADRA was also a step in this direction. The Prime Minister added that Overseas Pakistanis were an asset to the country.
They were the largest source of foreign remittances and their services must be recognized. The Prime Minister stressed that Overseas Pakistanis needed to be facilitated by all possible means.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood, and Chairman NADRA Muhammad Tariq Malik were also present.
The Foreign Minister, in his remarks on the occasion, congratulated the teams of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as NADRA for making the project a success.
He highlighted that this project involved extensive legislative and technological work and was completed in a very short span of time.
Qureshi reiterated that the government attached utmost importance to the welfare of overseas Pakistanis under the guidance of the prime minister.
He stated that the welfare of the Pakistani community was one of the major functions of our Missions abroad along with economic diplomacy.
During the ceremony, an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NADRA, under which NADRA will provide 24/7 uninterrupted online services for attestation of Power of Attorney.
Automation of attestation of Power of Attorney has been a longstanding demand of the Overseas Pakistanis and will facilitate those who have to travel long distances from different cities and far-off places to the Missions.
This automated system will reduce costs and minimize hassle by providing attestation services at the doorsteps.
The automation of Power of Attorney has been initially launched as a pilot project in ten Pakistan Missions/Sub-Missions in the United States and the United Kingdom and will be replicated shortly at all Pakistan Missions Abroad.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the electronic monitoring of production and supply of sugar on November 23, 2023, a spokesman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) said on Tuesday.
“PM will inaugurate the Track & Trace System (TTS) of FBR for sugar industry on November 23, 2021,” the spokesman said through a Tweet.
TTS will ensure electronic monitoring of manufacturing and sales of products of important sectors i.e tobacco, fertilizers, sugar and cement.
The FBR on November 11, 2021 taken a major step for electronic monitoring of sugar production and supply by banning the movement of sugar bags from mills.
The FBR banned the removal of sugar bags from mills without affixation of tax stamps / Unique Identification Marking (UIMs). The condition is applicable from November 11, 2021. The monitoring has been launched for sugar crushing season 2021/2022.
The FBR said that sugar bags must have tax stamps, which are to be procured from FBR’s Licensee M/s. AJCL/MITAS/Authentix Consortium.
Previously, the FBR through a notification on February 26, 2019, issued rules for the implementation of the track and trace system. Further, in March 11, 2021 the revenue board issued a Sales Tax General Order (STGO) to notify that the monitoring system
According to the rules, all manufacturers of sugar products are warranted under the law to make necessary arrangements for importation of application and other equipment required for successful installation and implementation of track and trace systems at their production facilities.
The electronic monitoring would help the FBR to record the actual quantity of sugar production and utilization of raw material by the sugar millers.
By implementing the track and trace system, the FBR would get data of online monitoring from the sugar mills when they commence purchasing sugarcane from growers and start production of sugar products and subsequent selling to their dealers.
The FBR has planned online monitoring of production lines of five sectors, including tobacco products, beverages, sugar, fertilizer and cement.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday said that currently inflation is the core issue in Pakistan. The prime minister said that due to recent inflationary trend in international commodity market, inflation is the core issue in Pakistan currently.
“We are working hard to ensure effective monitoring of prices of essential commodities through good governance and better price control mechanism.”
Ensuring a proper control on supply chain, effective price enforcement and a strict check on hoarding are being made more effective for this purpose, he added.
The prime minister directed the authorities concerned to take all necessary measures to provide maximum relief to common man by making the Market Committees at district and tehsil levels more effective.
Earlier the Prime Minister was apprised that a successful pilot project was launched in Rawalpindi/Islamabad by PTIs Good Governance Team which resulted in substantial drop in prices of essential commodities by ensuring strict enforcement of Government notified rates.
The prime minister was also informed that stay orders secured by the ineffective market committees need to be vacated at the earliest to reconstitute robust price monitoring mechanism at district and tehsil levels.
The meeting was attended by Advisor on Finance Shaukat Fayyaz Tarin, Senator Saifullah Niazi and other officers concerned.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that Pakistan will emerge from a food deficit to a food surplus country.
The prime minister on Sunday said that the prices of oil, gas and edible oil were not in the government’s control. “However the owing to the record crops this year, Pakistan would emerge from a food deficit to a food surplus country.”
He said that Pakistan had comparatively managed “much better” than other countries amidst unprecedented price hike of commodities caused by the COVID lockdown.
In a Tweet, the prime minister said that an unprecedented rise in commodity prices internationally had adversely affected most countries in the world as a result of the COVID lockdowns.
However, he said, “Pakistan MashaAllah has fared relatively much better.”
Quoting the data of Food and Agriculture Organization, he said from September to October this year, food prices increased by 1.9 per cent, World Cereal Index by 3.2 per cent, edible oil prices by 9.6 per cent, and dairy products by 2.6 per cent.
However, he said despite the worldwide inflation trend, Pakistan’s exports recorded an increase of 17 per cent in October and are likely to touch $30 billion mark this year. Textile exports are expected to reach $22 billion this year.
He said consequent to the government’s timely measures, the non-oil imports of the country reduced by 12.5 per cent last month making a difference of $750 million.
He said due to increasing income, tax collection also surged with 32 per cent increase in four months making the government to receive additional Rs 151 billion compared to last year.
He said according to the latest data, country’s cotton crop increased by 81 per cent during the last four months. In August, the industry recorded a growth of over 12 per cent and companies’ profits by 21 per cent.
“All this shows that the country’s economy is heading fast and employment would be required in the coming days,” the spokesperson commented.
Addressing a question about any relief for the middle class in PM’s recently announced Rs 120 billion relief package, he said the government had already announced a concession of Rs5-7 on every electricity unit to be consumed more than the previous year’s consumption during November to February.
Moreover, he said the sugar prices would fall in the near future owing to record sugarcane crop.
“All these things will appear on the ground in coming days,” he remarked.
ATTOCK: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday directed the law minister to pursue the cases against sugar mills on urgent basis for the benefit of general public and for addressing price hike of the commodity.
To address the ongoing sugar crisis, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday directed the law minister to urgently get vacated various stay orders obtained by the sugar mill owners from courts against the government.
Addressing a public gathering after the foundation-laying of a 200-bed mother and child hospital, the prime minister said closure of sugarcane crushing by three sugar mills in Sindh and the subsequent hoarding was the reason behind the current spike in sugar prices.
The sugar price soared as wholesale rate touched Rs150 per kilogram in most parts of the country and retail rate up to Rs160kg.
Also, the other stay order was against Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in line with its action on tax evasion and the ‘off-the-books’ activity of sugar mills.
On overall inflation, he said Pakistan was bearing the impact of global price hike of commodities, mainly due to shortage of supplies in the wake of pandemic.
He said the sharp increase in global petroleum prices from $45 to $85 dollar greatly affected Pakistan as the country relied on imports of several items, including petrol, palm oil, and pulses.
Despite such a situation, he said, Pakistan had the lowest rate of petroleum at Rs 146 per litre among importing countries compared with India at Rs 250 and Bangladesh at Rs 200 per litre.
Imran Khan hoped that as the world businesses open up after decline in pandemic following the coming winters, things would improve.
To reduce the financial impact on poor, he said the government had recently provided food subsidies to 130 million people across the country through Ehsaas programme.
He mentioned that other socio-welfare initiatives such as Kamyab Pakistan would provide interest-free loans to two million households for house building, start-ups, and skills training. Also, the Kamyab Jawan is providing loans to youth across the country, he added.
The prime minister said establishment of five mother and child hospitals in two years would ensure provision of health facilities to women on health issues related to gynecology and obstetrics.
He said it was shameful that due to the apathy of previous governments, a rise in deaths of women during pregnancy was recorded in the wake of non-availability of medical facilities.
He said by March, all households of Punjab would get health insurance of Rs 0.7 to one million for their medical treatment.
He termed the health card a proper system where the private sector would also be encouraged to establish hospitals in rural areas so as to expand the network of healthcare facilities.
Imran Khan said the priority of his government in its tenure was to uplift the people and provinces that lagged behind in development.
On completion of five years, he said, his biggest success would be to bring a positive change in the lives of common man.
He regretted that Pakistan in the past suffered the rule of two political families in 30 years that incurred a huge loss to national exchequer.
The prime minister mentioned that under his government, the country for the first time was witnessing an era of long-term planning besides the boom in industrial growth, exports and historic foreign remittances.
Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar said the mother and child hospital in Attock would provide quality healthcare facilities to two million residents, particularly women, of the Attock district and in the suburbs.
He said the Punjab government would complete the 200-bed hospital equipped with modern facilities in two years at a total cost of Rs 5.3 billion. The federal government has already released Rs 2.66 billion to Punjab for the project.
He said establishment of 21 different universities in the province was also under consideration.
Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid said the mother and child hospitals would help the women get timely medical advice and treatment.
She said after 50 years, the second phase of Nishtar Hospital would be constructed in Multan to meet the medical needs of the growing population.
