Day: June 7, 2023

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President Asif Ali Zardari’s address to the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries Lahore

Karachi, June 07, 2023 (PPI-OT): Former President of Pakistan and President Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians Asif Ali Zardari was the chief guest at an event organized by the Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI) Lahore on Wednesday. Asif Ali Zardari in his address said that this is the place where he has been before as well. He said that the business community has seen the PPP government perform in the past. It may be not the best but as compared to other governments, the PPP government was better than all of them. It was not enough and we could do even better.

He said that he believes that Pakistan has to have double digit exports and that does not mean 20 billion but 200 billion. We lack nothing and we do not need to have foreign investors rather we can do ourselves. There are big businessmen in Punjab and when they will invest we will guarantee their investments. He said that he remembers one sentence of Mahathir Mohamad who said that tax the people after making them rich.

He said that we cannot juice out of the people who are already taxed. How long that businessman will survive. The economy is not for 5 to 10 years but for the coming generations. If your export is 250 or 300 billion, then you will forget what expenses are on what sectors. If our businessmen are not earning, then how they can pay taxes. We have to get above this mind-set. In Sindh whenever we get the opportunity we increase the support price of the grain. This gives our growers money in their pocket and we save dollars in buying wheat from abroad. When I increase the prices of commodities in Sindh, then it increases all over Pakistan. The federal governments do not like it and become angry. We do not have enough dollars to import wheat.

President Zardari said that the Sindh government built seven bridges on River Indus and all were built under Public-Private Partnership. Sindh has gone into P.P.P. even in the roads. The concept is the politicians make policies and the businesses are done by the public. I spent over eight years in jails in Punjab so I am more of a Lahori than any other place. Let’s sit down for charter of economy and let’s talk to each other. Let’s sit down for next generations.

The Silk Road is thousands of years old business route but it came to my mind to build Gwadar Port. If we make Gwadar Port operational, China saves 20 to 25 billion dollars and bring oil from Gwadar to central China. The port cities of China are developed not the main land China. That is where the opportunity to build the central China and make 5 to 6 billion dollars. The buses in Karachi do not belong to the government but to the private own transport. If they are running the buses so obviously they are making money.

Everything in the world is made by the private sector not the public sector. Public ownership is colonial idea. Dams are used for agriculture sector. I want to produce electricity from running canals not dams. The electricity from canal could be given to the villagers. We have gas in Sindh. I have to provide cheap input to the industries. The businessmen’ duty is to hold my policy and those are implemented.

Asif Ali Zardari said that the death is a reality but you are remembered for what you do. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto is remembered for she did. I will be remembered for Benazir Card, the 18th amendment in the constitution, gave presidential power to the parliament. No one gives up power in this world. No one asked me to give up my power. I was making history.

We lost our founder, his sons, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was warned not to come but she returned to the country and said that the Pakistani flag will be hoisted in Swat. When we were in power brother Muslim countries voted for war but Pakistan abstained. I told them that Pakistan has four million Afghan refugees and I know what happens in wars. We have to think collectively and the same goes for business community. I ask you to give your thought and energy for my policies to be implemented.

For more information, contact:

PPP Media Cell (Sindh)

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,

Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan

Cell: +92-305-3370383

Email: contact@ppp-tu.com

Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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PTI’s fascism and imposed thinking have caused irreparable damage to the country, Secretary General Pakistan People’s Party Syed Nayar Hussain Bukhari

Karachi, June 07, 2023 (PPI-OT): Pakistan People’s Party Secretary General Syed Nayar Hussain Bukhari has said that PTI’s fascism and imposed thinking have done irreparable harm to the country. Action should be taken against those who promote the anti-national agenda, Nair Bukhari has further said that PPP is the only party that can bring the country out of the crisis. While warning about the effects, she has said that democratic politics is necessary for a strong state.

Asif Zardari strengthened the Parliament as the President, the People’s Party has guaranteed the provision of equal and equal constitutional human economic rights to the citizens under the Constitution. The Eighteenth Amendment strengthened democracy in the country, recognized Pakhtun and recognized the right to coasts and resources. Nir Bukhari has said that the non-political group will be thrown out of the political arena by the people’s power. After meeting with Asif Zardari, Chairman People’s Party is joining the People’s Party. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s efforts are the fruits of efforts that the country has come out of isolation.

For more information, contact:

PPP Media Cell (Sindh)

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,

Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan

Cell: +92-305-3370383

Email: contact@ppp-tu.com

Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Shazia Atta Marri emphasises to invest more on nutrition of most vulnerable population of the country

Karachi, June 07, 2023 (PPI-OT): In a statement released from Islamabad, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Shazia Marri emphasises on the need to invest more on nutrition of most vulnerable population of the country. Shazia Marri said that as a partner in the current unity government, the Pakistan People’s Party has been constantly pushing the adaptive social protection agenda and emphasising on the need to focus on the economic needs of the people. She said that it was extremely important to invest in the development of country’s human capital from all aspects and nutrition was one of the major aspects that we all need to focus on.

She further explained that through an intervention by Benazir Income Support Programme, Government looks after the nutrition of its most vulnerable population but more needed to be done. She said that under the Benazir Nashoma conditional cash transfer program, the assistance is linked with health and nutrition which addresses stunting prevention and promotes dietary diversity during the first 1000 days’ window of opportunity. Marri further explained, “This increases the uptake of health and nutrition services for its beneficiaries through provision of Specialized Nutrition Food (SNF) for Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLWs) and children from 6 months to 23 months, immunisation to Pregnant and Lactating Women (PLWs) and Children (0-23 months) including awareness sessions on Breastfeeding practices, Hygiene, Sanitation, Dietary diversity.”

Shazia Marri said that 0.643 million children and PLWs have been so far enrolled in Benazir Nashonoma Program and BISP was targeting to enroll 1.5 million children and PLWs by 2025. She said that Rs. 24 billion had been disbursed so far while 21.8 billion was the current year’s budget and a sum of Rs. 32 billion proposed in the upcoming budget. She informed that 487 Facilitation centers were currently operational at tehsil/district level health facilities of 157 districts of the country. Shazia Marri also informed that she had apprised Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif on the progress on nutrition program and proposed to invest more into nutrition of the most vulnerable population. “It is extremely important to focus nutrition in order to ensure both mental and physical growth of our children’, Shazia Marri stated.

For more information, contact:

PPP Media Cell (Sindh)

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)

Peoples Secretariat Shikarpur Colony,

Behind Mazar-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Karachi, Pakistan

Cell: +92-305-3370383

Email: contact@ppp-tu.com

Website: https://www.ppp.org.pk

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Head and Smith give Australia the edge on first day of the WTC Final

Dubai, June 07, 2023 (PPI-OT): A compelling 251-run unbroken partnership between Travis Head (146 not out) and Steve Smith (95 not out) was the highlight of the first day of the World Test Championship Final 2023, as Australia finished at a strong 327 for three at the end of the day’s play. The day began with India skipper Rohit Sharma winning the toss in overcast conditions and electing to take the field. India went in with four pacers on a wicket with a hint of grass, overlooking off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin in the process. Likewise, Australia have four pace options in skipper Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and all-rounder Cameron Green.

The first hour of play saw India’s new ball pair of Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj get the maximum bite out of the Dukes cherry. Australia opener Usman Khawaja departed for a duck in the fourth over after nicking a Siraj delivery behind the wicket. With this, the southpaw’s poor run in England continues, where he has scored at an average of 18.15. His partner David Warner, however, helped see off the new ball by adopting a more proactive approach. His 43 off 60 included eight boundaries, four of which came in pacer Umesh Yadav’s second over. Warner added 63 runs in a second-wicket stand with Marnus Labuschagne before mistiming a pull shot off Shardul Thakur right before the lunch break.

Beginning the second session at 73 for two, Australia were rocked early on after Labuschagne (26) was castled off a full Shami delivery that seamed back through the gate. However, any hopes of further breakthroughs for the bowling side in the session were dented by Smith and Head. Head was the fire to Smith’s ice as the duo combined to get Australia to 170 for three at the end of the second session. Driven by a net positive approach, Australia scored at a run rate of 3.46 in the middle session. Post-Tea, the duo put their foot on the pedal and made the most of a tiring pace attack. The scoring rate improved even further, remaining above four throughout the session, as Smith opened up to complement Head in his aggressive approach.

In the final session, Smith reached his 38th Test fifty, while Head smashed his sixth Test hundred and his first in overseas conditions. With this, Head became the first-ever player to score a century in a WTC final. This was also the first time a side has reached a score in excess of 300 in a WTC final. The unbeaten 251-run partnership between Smith and Head is Australia’s fourth-best stand against India. By the end of day’s play, India had tried their five bowling options in different combinations but failed to make it past the resilient duo. Come the second day, Smith will look to reach his 31st Test hundred, with play set to start at 10:30 local time on Thursday morning.

For more information, contact:

Headquarters,

International Cricket Council (ICC)

Street 69, Dubai Sports City,

Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE

Phone: +97-143828800

Fax: +97-143828600

E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com

Website: www.icc-cricket.com

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Top-Ranked Stars Gear Up for ICC World Test Championship 2023 Final

Dubai, June 07, 2023 (PPI-OT): The top-ranked players in all three lists of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings are part of the squads for the ICC World Test Championship 2023 Final to be played at The Oval from today, lending additional interest to the much-anticipated clash. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne goes into his 38th Test match as the top-ranked batter in the world and with a chance to consolidate his position with New Zealand’s Kane Williamson in second place and his own countryman Steve Smith in third position, 43 rating points behind Labuschagne aggregate of 915.

India captain Rohit Sharma is the top-ranked batter from his side, in 11th position, and with a chance of re-entering the top 10 by overtaking Rishabh Pant, who is out of action following a road accident. Virat Kohli, a formerly top-ranked Test batter, is not very far from the top 10 either, only two spots behind his skipper. Ravichandran Ashwin leads the bowling rankings with 869 rating points, but Australia captain Pat Cummins is not far behind in third position with 841 rating points and capable of wresting back the top position, which he had held for three years till James Anderson dislodged him in February.

The top two spots in the all-rounders’ list are held by Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin while Australia’s Mitchell Starc is in eighth position. Meanwhile, England batters Harry Brook (up one place to 18th), Ollie Pope (up 10 places to 23rd) and Ben Duckett (up eight places to 34th) have made substantial gains after the one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s. Brook had scores of 56 and 12 not out in the 10-wicket victory. Pope won the Player of the Match award for his first innings of 205 while Duckett reaped the dividends of his knock of 182.

Stuart Broad’s first innings’ five-for has lifted him back into the top 10 while Josh Tongue has entered the rankings at an impressive 82nd position after his five-wicket haul in the second innings. For Ireland, Andy McBrine has moved into the top 100 after a fighting 86 not out in the second innings while Mark Adair has progressed 32 places to 105th position after a valiant 88 batting ninth in the order.

For more information, contact:

Headquarters,

International Cricket Council (ICC)

Street 69, Dubai Sports City,

Sh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE

Phone: +97-143828800

Fax: +97-143828600

E-mail: enquiry@icc-cricket.com

Website: www.icc-cricket.com

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Focus on killer food inflation, worsening joblessness in budget, labour leaders ask rulers

Karachi, June 07, 2023 (PPI-OT): Labour leaders, expressing a grave concern about failing economy and a looming human crisis in the country, asked the rulers to take drastic steps in the coming budget to check uncontrollable food inflation and rising joblessness. Addressing a joint press conference at Karachi Press Club (KPC) here Wednesday, Nasir Mansoor of National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), Gul Rehman of Worker’s Rights Movement (WRM), Qazi Khizer Vice Chairperson of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Sindh, Zehra Khan of Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF), Ghulam Mehboob of PC workers union, Saira Feroz of United HB Garments Workers Union, Sara Khan (Advocate), Taufeeq Ahmed, Chairperson NTUF, Aqib Hussain of Alternate and Saeed Baloch of PFF said that the wrong economic policies of the rulers have resulted in a grave crisis for workers. More than 100 million workers have gone beneath the poverty line. To take the country out of this economic crisis it needs taking urgent and basic steps.

They asked to fix the minimum wage at Rs50000 per month, and slashing non-productive expenses by fifty percent. Nasir Mansoor of NTUF said that the crucial agreement with the European Union GSP plus (yearly 13 billion Euro support for the Pakistani industries especially textile and garments industry) if not revived would result in a massive joblessness which estimated around 1 million, and the revival of this agreement rests with following the conditionality’s if the deal by our government. Mansoor said that during the last five years the real wages of workers have fallen by 65percent and the millions of workers face poverty and hunger. He further said that in 2018 the minimum wage of Pakistani workers was equal to US dollars 133 and it is now just 87 US dollars.

Gul Rahman of Workers’ Rights Movement said the growing price hike, especially the highest food inflation in the history of Pakistan, has compelled millions of worker families to live a miserable life. The price hike rate in the country is 50 percent which is also the highest in the history of this country and Pakistan has even left Sri Lanka behind in chances of default. He said due to sharp inflation there is no purchasing power left with workers. He further said that as per an estimate by the year end 4 million more worker families would fall beneath the poverty line. They said hunger, joblessness and poverty is everywhere in the country.

Zehra Khan of HBWWF said that the past and present rulers have adopted wrong policies to put brakes to the production process. The growth rate would likely to go in minus territory. Workers are being forcefully sacked from factories. Presently there are more than 2.25 Crore jobless people in Pakistan, about 8.5percent of the national population. In coming six months one million more workers are likely to be sacked. There is no relief expected for theses jobless workers in budget. The earnings of the people of Pakistan are spent on costly foreign loans and their interest, defence expenses and expenditures of the federal government and nothing is left for the welfare of people. She further said the killer debt trap has affected this nation dangerously.

She added that unfortunately political parties, parliament, judiciary and establishment instead of fighting the economic crisis are fighting amongst themselves, as they are the least concerned about the plights of the poor Pakistanis. Aqib Hussain of Alternate said that the violent incidents of May 9 are the result of the policies of those elements and powerful personalities who groomed an undemocratic gang and introduced it to politics and it cast negative effects on both economy and politics. These antidemocratic gangs are using one another to play the musical chairs game of our politics. It needs that the working class should reject these gangs.

Speakers of the press conference demanded that the minimum wage should be fixed at Rs50000 per month and should also work on fixing living wages for the workers. Social security and pension should be made mandatory. Pension should be at least equal to minimum wage. Quality education should be provided by the State free of cost. Public transport fares should be slashed by fifty percent. Electricity to users consuming up to 300 units should be made on fixed charges. Agricultural reforms should be introduced and government lands should be given to landless Haris free of cost. Agricultural tax should be recovered from landlords.

They asked to supply gas and electricity to export industry without load shedding. Subsidies should be given on basic food items. Relations should be improved with neighbour’s especially India. Disappearance of political workers should be stopped and civilian accused should not be tried in military and anti-terrorist courts.

For more information, contact:

Home Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF)

726, Mashrique Centre, Block 14, Gulshan-e-Iqbal,

Karachi, Pakistan

Tel: +92-21-37075324

Website: https://hbwwf.org/