Some news you may have missed out on part 49.

-Public servants must give up foreign nationalities or job, rules SC

The Supreme Court on Saturday directed the authorities concerned to set a deadline for dual nationality holders to either rescind their foreign nationalities or resign from their job immediately. Headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, a three-judge bench of the apex court announced its judgement in a case pertaining to public servants holding dual nationalities.

It directed the authorities to develop criteria and standard operating procedures (SOPs) requiring disclosure of intent to seek such foreign nationalities and permanent residence permits and adopt methods to check such instances and enforce penalties for no-disclosure.

-Pakistan has been elected as the Vice President and the Rapporteur of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations convention on climate change

Pakistan has been elected as the Vice President and the Rapporteur of the Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, at COP 24 in Katowice, Poland. Pakistan was one of the two countries elected to the position from Asia-Pacific Group, by acclamation on December 15, a Foreign Office statement said. The other bodies in which Pakistan secured seats included the Executive Board of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Standing Committee on Finance (SCF), Adaptation Committee (AC), Consultative Group of Experts (CGE), and Technology Executive Committee (TEC).

-First ever ATM installed in North Waziristan

-COAS confirms death sentence to 15 hardcore terrorists

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday confirmed the death sentence awarded to 15 hardcore terrorists involved in heinous offences related to terrorism.

The terrorists who were tried and awarded capital punishments by special military courts were involved in attacks on the armed forces, law enforcement agencies, abetting suicide bombers in an attack on Christian Colony near Peshawar, destruction of educational institutions and killing of innocent civilians, according to the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR).

-Government to help in every possible way for PIA’s revival: minister

Federal Minister for Privatization Muhammad Mian Soomro has said that the PTI- led federal government will provide all possible help for the revival of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), ARY News reported on Sunday. The federal minister visited PIA Headquarters and met CEO of PIA, Air Marshal Arshad Malik to get briefing about the current position of the organization.

“Government will help in every possible way for PIA’s revival,” adding it [PIA] is moving in positive direction now. Mr Soomro said government is committed to transform PIA into profitable organization as it was in the past.

-Gas supply resumed to CNG sector

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan on Saturday announced that the supply of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) was estored in Karachi and Sindh at around 8PM. ddressing media in Karachi alongside Governor Sindh Imran Ismail, the petroleum minister said that the days long crisis will be over as the supply was restored to CNG sector at 8PM.

-“Japanese firms to invest in Pakistan’s steel, baby formula milk industries”

Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile and Industries Abdul Razak Dawood said that officials from major Japanese firms are scheduled to visit Pakistan next month for making investments in country’s steel and baby formula milk industries. Speaking at a press conference, Dawood informed that last month Japanese companies assured to invest in Pakistan during the bilateral trade talks in Japan. He said a delegation of Japanese companies, manufacturing steel and baby formula milk, will be visiting Pakistan after January 15. Moreover, the Japanese government also promised to allocate skill development and technology development funds for small industries in Pakistan, the PM adviser said.

-Aleem Khan vows initiate large-scale development projects in Punjab

Punjab Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan on Sunday vowed to initiate large-scale development projects across the province on emergency basis. Talking to journalists at Punjab secretariat, Aleem Khan said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government will soon devise policy to regularize the slums in the province. He said that provision of potable water to every locality is government’s responsibility and added that their party will fulfill all the promises made with the masses. The minister also listen public complaints on the occasion and said that the government will not make any compromise on public issues. He said that 908 complaints have been registered so far at the public secretariat and added that out of 815 complaints had been addressed.

-CPEC to increase Pakistan GDP growth by 3%

Muhammad Saleem Acting High Commissioner (HC) of Pakistan while speaking at Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) conference arranged by Carleton University said through CPEC Pakistan will become an energy secure country and its GDP growth will increase by 2-3pc. He said early harvest energy and infrastructure projects, created 40,000 local jobs and the new projects will usher into an era of development and prosperity.

Speaking on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Lu Shaye said that BRI is not a geo-political tool but it is a new approach to international development and prosperity and it aims to advance economic and trade coordination among regional countries. A large number of academics, diplomats, media persons, businessmen and students attended the conference.

-Yet another mini budget on cards from PTI government

Yet another mini budget is on cards from the PTI government in a bid to bridge the gap of the increasing revenue shortfall. Federal government is considering major revenue measures including raising the GST rate on POL products, slapping tax on the telecom companies, reversing the tax relief for salaried class by 50 percent and increasing the tax rate on cigarettes by reviewing the existing third tier taxation system. The jacking up of additional custom duty by 1 percent is also among the proposals floated by the FBR to achieve the revenue targets. The Federal Minister for Finance Asad Umar is currently visiting abroad so after his return the government could take final decision on finalising additional revenue measures to bridge the yawning revenue shortfall within the next couple of weeks.

-In a historical move, Smart Cards replace old registration books in Punjab

Punjab government starts issueing smart cards as replacement of vehicle registration books from tomorrow to facilitate the citizens. According to sources at Punjab Excise Department , all arrangements for the new registration system have been finalized. The source said the machines procured for the smart cards can prepare nearly twenty-two thousand cards daily.

-PM Imran Khan issues stern instructions to FIA, crackdown on cards across country in next 24 hours

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday has issued stern instructions to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). FIA has been ordered to keep its offices 24 hours open in Karachi while teams were formed for action against bitcoin and sell of illegal cards of foreign tv channels. Earlier on November 30, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed the concerned authorities to finalize a new legislation to effectively deal with the offences related to money laundering.

-Russia expresses desire to enhance trilateral partnership with Pakistan, China

Alexey Y Dedov, the ambassador of the Russian Federation in Pakistan, hailed the move of the South Asain giant to open the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims in India. According to details, the envoy, speaking at Pakistan Institute of International Affairs on the topic of “Russia’s Stabilising Role in South Asia”, stated that Pakistan’s decision of opening Kartarpur border shows the country’s commitment towards peace and stability in the region. He further appreciated Pakistan’s military crackdown against militants present inside its border under the operations of Radd-ul-Fasaad and Zarb-e-Azb.

-Canadian diplomats laud Pakistan as attractive tourist destination

A ten-member delegation of Canadian Embassy Islamabad Saturday visited the archaeological sites in Takhtbhai and evinced keen interest in the historical remains of Gandhara civilization. The members of the delegation in their comments on the occasion held Pakistan an attractive tourist country. Pakistan is a peaceful country and its people are peace loving and hospitable, they added.

-Pakistan Railways announces to launch VIP trains across Pakistan

Pakistan Railways minister stressed that steps are being taken to improve the standard of Pakistan Railways and to provide maximum relief to the people. “New passenger and freight trains will be inaugurated soon including a new train between Lahore and Rawalpindi,” he announced. Sheikh Rashid invited the private sectors to contribute in the development of railways, adding that VIP trains will be launched soon with the collaboration of private partners.

-Pakistan emerging as favourite tourist destination for French and European tourists

Pakistan is emerging as favourite and preferred tourists destination for French and European tourists, it has been revealed. More and more French and European tourists are opting for Pakistan as a ‘preferred destination’ for tourism purpose, Radio Pakistan reported.

According to details, the representatives of the top tour operators of France called on Ambassador of Pakistan to France Moin ul Haque in the French capital for a debriefing session. The representatives of French tour company recently visited Pakistan in September on a two-week long trip. They prepared their separate presentations to brief the Pakistani ambassador about their journey which gave them first-hand experience of tourism potential of Pakistan.

-Russia to support Pakistan in economic challenges: Ambassador hints at renewed pledge

Ambassador of Russia , Mr. Alexey Dedov has expressed Russian desire to enhance economic ties with Pakistan. The Ambassador of Russia remained with the Governor Sindh for sometime and discussed matters pertaining to mutual interests particularly on partnership in economy, trade and finance. The Ambassador said that Russia welcomes the determination of Pakistani Government to promptly respond to economic challenges of the Country and energy crisis.

-For the first time in history, Pakistan and Hollywood to come up with an interesting joint venture

Paksiatni directors and Hollywood filmmakers are collaborating for the very first time in history. The acclaimed filmmakers from the East and the West are working together on a supernatural thriller titled Djinn. A new production house ‘Wingman Films’ is going to mark an entry with this multicultural concept venture.

Pakistani producer Ali Murtaza, who is also working on "The Legend of Maula Jatt" these days, shared the details of upcoming venture Djinn saying that the movie will be based on a 17-year-old hero from Pakistan’s northern areas who will be struggling to recover ‘lost stones’ and keep the world from being taken over by djinns. Due to this reason, the show will be featuring episodes from the US and China in its first season.

-PM may set up poverty alleviation unit at his office

Prime Minister Imran Khan may set up a poverty alleviation unit at his office, to be headed by a special assistant, for implementing a new broad-based strategy to pull millions of people out of poverty. About 16 government and semi-government organisations will liaison with the office of special assistant on poverty alleviation and social protection, said sources in the PM Office.

-Govt finalises 5-year tariff policy

Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile and Industries Abdul Razak Dawood has announced that the government has finalised a five-year national tariff policy aimed at restricting duties on raw material and machinery imports for export-based industries. “We are making efforts to rationalise certain taxes and regulatory and customs duties,” he said. “At present, there exists roughly 34 different taxes and the government is planning to reduce them to 12 or eight in the next couple of years.” It would assist the leadership to remove a key impediment in the way of ease of doing business, the adviser emphasised, adding that he was well aware of the challenges faced by the business community regarding tax slabs and tariff lines.

-Number of taxes to be reduced from 34 to eight for ease of doing business: Razzak Dawood

The business community is suffering a lot in shape of multiple tax slabs and tariff lines. The government is working to rationalize taxes, regulatory and customs duties, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood said while addressing the ‘Emerging Pakistan’ ceremony organized by the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI). There are around 34 different taxes and the government is planning to shrink to 12 or eight in next couple of years, he said, adding that this would help in meeting the challenge of one core impediment in ease of doing business. He said that the government had finalized the five-year national tariff policy to bring down tariffs on raw material and machinery imports for export-based industries.

-Services exports jump 14.28pc, trade deficit falls 49pc in October

The services exports from Pakistan surged by 14.28 per cent to $470 million in October, as compared to the exports during the same month of the previous year.

The trade deficit of services also fell sharply by 49.05 per cent during the month as it decreased to $195 million against the trade deficit of $382 million in the same month of previous year, according to latest data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). The imports of services declined by 16.25 per cent to $665 million in the corresponding month as compared to import of $794.02 million in October 2017. Meanwhile, the trade deficit of services during first four months of current fiscal year (2018-19) also shrank by 33.75 per cent as exports increased by 2.13 per cent and imports fell by 15.47 per cent during the period, as compared to the period from July-October of 2017-18.

-Govt to promote Pakistan-made furniture at international markets

Advisor to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile and Industrial Production and Investment, Abdul Razak Dawood, Sunday said that the government was taking all possible measures to promote Pakistan-made products at local and international markets and special incentive packages would be given to strengthening manufacturing in furniture sector to boost the exports. The advisor was speaking at the prize distribution ceremony at the concluding day of 3-day “Interiors Pakistan” international exhibition at Expo Center, organised by Pakistan Furniture Council (PFC). Dawood also appreciated PFC Chief Executive Mian Kashif Ashfaq for holding a successful exhibition and said PFC deserved appreciation for promoting the culture of local brands to strengthen the national economy.

-Economic revival, industrial boost top agenda of govt: Usman

Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Youth Affairs Usman Dar Sunday said that economic revival and boosting industries were the top agenda of the present government and all-out efforts were being made in that regard. In a meeting of surgical instruments’ manufactures and exporters in Sialkot, Dar said that PTI government was taking the business community and other stakeholders on-board for economic progress and development. Punjab Minister for Special Education Ch Muhammad Ikhlaq, SIMAP Chairman Khalilur Rehman Mughal and Muhammad Jehangir Bajwa were also present.

-Govt Likely to Allow More Than One Duty Free Phones for Overseas Pakistanis

After facing strong criticism, as well as concerns from the overseas Pakistanis on new mobile import policy, the government is considering revising the policy and may allow at least two duty free phones.

-SBP Orders Installation of CCTV Cameras at Exchange Companies to Curb Money Laundering

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is planning to tighten the monitoring of exchange companies through CCTV cameras in order to curb money laundering and terror financing in the country. The central bank said that the directives regarding the monitoring of exchange companies are mandatory for continuing their business in Pakistan.

-PIA takes multiple initiatives to come out of huge losses

Air Marshal Arshad Malik apprised the Aviation Minister about the current management initiatives such as reopening of routes, new destinations being planned to increase the airline’s network, improvement in food service, scheduling, and cost savings.

-Pakistan Economic indicators start to take 'u turn' towards positive trajectory: Report

Various stats and figures.

-Punjab's first Vehicle Registration Card or Digital Vehicle Smart Cards by the Excise and Taxation Department being Printed on site

-Pak China Steel Mill inaugurated at Port Qasim

A joint venture of Pak-China, Jianbang Group of China and a well-established of Pakistan has installed a first ever pig iron plant at Port Qasim Karachi, which is now inaugurated. The plant is now operational, as per the information the inauguration of this mill has been done on December 2018, there was big presentation of media at the event. The inauguration is done by the Chairman of Jianbang Group, Mr Wu Xianonian, whereas the partner of Pak China Steel, Mr. Lee Feelix as well as the directors Mr. Jam Asif and director Mr. Mustafa Dawood and Head of Marketing Mr. Sheharyar Khan hosted the event, Production capacity of the plant is 8000 tons per month total, at the current the stage company is only producing is 5000 tons.

-Islamabad Police To Reward Citizens Over Good Driving

Good Citizen Patrol Team will observe the drivers in Islamabad Capital Territory. Islamabad (Pakistan Point News – 15th December, 2018) The Islamabad police will now reward the citizens over following traffic rules. Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi launched the Good Citizen Patrol Team on Saturday. The patrolling team will observe the drivers in Islamabad Capital Territory. Not only that, they will give some reward to the good drivers in Islamabad.