PCJCCI for utilizing local coal reserves of Pakistan

LAHORE:Pakistan China Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCJCCI) President Mr. Wang Zihai called for utilization of local coal reserves of Pakistan. He cited that coal is the most widely used cheap electricity producing source, which is currently generating 36 percent of world’s electricity.

Chairing a think-tank session here at PCJCCI secretariat, he added that Pakistan has large reserves of coal specially lignite coal which China has imported for US $ 8 billion in 2021 from other countries instead of Pakistan due to the lack of technology and modern methods. The government of Pakistan should introduce modern technology to facilitate the miners with latest mechanisms, to work on the coal reserves. PCJCCI Senior Vice President Ehsan Chaudhry shared his views by saying that Pakistan has large reserves of coal specially lignite coal which China has imported earlier. Pakistan has its coal deposits in Balochistan, Punjab and especially Sindh where Thar Desert having the 16th largest coal deposits.

He highlighted that owing to global energy insecurity caused due to continuing war between Russia and Ukraine, many European nations have been compelled to revive their decades-old coal-based electricity plants to avoid energy shortages for their respective countries. Vice President Sarfaraz Butt said that total coal reserves discovered in Pakistan are 185 billion tons but the coal mining in Pakistan is facing a lot of issues due to lack of up-gradation of equipments. The old methods of mining cause numerous deaths cases due to suffocation and blasts. He added that coal reserves in Thar could go a long way to make Pakistan an energy surplus country with least reliance on imported fuel for power production.

The joint chambers secretary general Salahuddin Hanif said that Pakistan can adopt a safe and balanced approach to exploit its vast coal reserve for power generation with least damage to the environment to overcome energy shortfall without burdening the economy.

Pakistan attaches high importance to its fraternal ties with Qatar: PM

DOHA:Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday reiterated that Pakistan attached high importance to its long-standing fraternal ties with Qatar, rooted deep in common history and shared aspirations for socio-economic development. The prime minister reaffirmed government of Pakistan’s commitment to deepen and diversify multifaceted engagement with Qatar in order to transform the two countries’ close political relations into a robust and comprehensive economic partnership.

The prime minister met with a delegation of Qatar Business Association (QBA), led by QBA’s Chairman, Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani, PM Office Media Wing said in a press release. During the meeting, key members of the cabinet and senior officials were present. From QBA side, leading Qatari business and corporate executives joined the Chairman, QBA. Lauding Qatar’s rapid economic growth and development under the visionary leadership of the Amir of Qatar, the prime minister appreciated the role played by the QBA in invigorating Qatar’s private sector. Emphasizing the importance of building diverse economic partnerships, the prime minister highlighted the enormous business and investment opportunities offered by Pakistan’s energy including renewables, food security, industrial and infrastructure development, information technology, tourism, and hospitality sectors.

He also apprised Qatari business leaders of the rigorous structural and policy reforms being undertaken by the government of Pakistan to improve and upgrade the business eco-system in Pakistan. Commenting on the upward trajectory in Pakistan-Qatar bilateral relations, the prime minister underlined the key role of the private sectors of the two countries to sustain the momentum for availing the opportunities in the business domain. He, in particular, stressed on building business-to-business linkages between the two countries. Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al-Thani recalled his longstanding association with Pakistan and expressed the Association’s desire to further enhance trade relations with Pakistan. In this regard, he apprised the prime minister that he would send a representative technical level delegation of QBA to Pakistan soon to explore the avenues of cooperation. He also accepted the prime minister’s invitation to visit Pakistan along with senior members of the association.

Qatar rolls out red carpet for PM Shahbaz Sharif

Monitoring Desk

DOHA: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was accorded a red carpet welcome as he landed in Doha on a two-day official visit to hold “in-depth consultations” with the leadership and interact with the business community to highlight Pakistan’s investment potential.

As the prime minister landed at the Doha airport, he was warmly received by Qatar’s Minister of Transport Jassim Saif Ahmed Al-Sulaiti.

On the invitation of the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, this is the prime minister’s first visit to Qatar since assuming office in April 2022.

The prime minister is accompanied by the federal ministers and will hold “in-depth consultations” with the Qatari leadership.

The visit comes as a $2 billion grant from Qatar was confirmed in bilateral support to help ease the South Asian nation’s funding crunch and the consequent risk of default.

During the PM’s meetings, the two sides will review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations, with a particular focus on advancing energy-related cooperation, deepening trade and investment ties, and exploring greater employment opportunities for Pakistanis in Qatar.

“Leaving for Qatar on Tuesday at the invitation of my brother HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani. The visit will renew the bond of brotherhood & friendship between our two countries,” the prime minister wrote earlier on Twitter before his departure.

He said Pakistan wanted to transform the historical bilateral relationship into a “more robust strategic relationship.”

He said that during his interactions with market and business leaders, he would highlight the “exciting investment opportunities” in Pakistan’s various sectors such as renewable energy, food security, industrial and infrastructure development, tourism and hospitality.

PM, COAS discuss relief, rescue operations in flood affected areas

Prime Minister Shehabaz Sharif on Sunday discussed with Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz the flood situation, rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations in the affected areas.

During the telephonic conversation, the premier and the army chief discussed the situation of flood victims and relief and rehabilitation operations in the flood-hit areas, especially in Sindh.

PM Shehbaz also stressed upon acceleration of the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts, the PM Office said in a statement.

Gen Bajwa apprised the prime minister of the army’s full cooperation in the rescue and relief operations in Sindh.

The prime minister directed for provision of helicopters as the road and bridges had been damaged in the province. He observed that helicopters would be helpful in the rescue and relief operations since the linking roads between Sindh and Balochistan provinces had been eroded.

He also appreciated the cooperation and passion of the Pakistan Army in the rescue and relief operations.

The army chief also informed that he had issued special direction to the Commander Southern Command over the relief activities in Balochistan.

The premier directed the relevant authorities of the Benazir Income Support Programme to immediately distribute supporting amounts among the flood victims of Sindh province.

The NDMA chairman apprised the prime minister of the latest situation of rainfall and floods in Sindh and also about the cooperation extended during the ongoing rescue and relief operations in the two provinces and the measures taken so far.

PFC to participate in China Eurasia expo at Urumqi

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Furniture Council, in collaboration with Chenone, will participate in China-EurAsia expo being held at Urumqi China on August 25-30 to showcase Pak products and identify new global markets besides luring foreign investments.

Chief Executive Officer PFC Mian Kashif Ashfaq while talking to a delegation of exporters led by Ahmad Waqar Ch said here Sunday that 6-day expo starting will provide an opportunity to present a world class range of Pak products and all other allied services. He said it is platform for import and export mainly with various and flexible pattern of trade.

He said PFC and Chenone will both hold series of meetings with other multi nationals and exchange their professional expertise with each other for further improving the quality of their products at par with international standards in order to bolster trade in the field.

He said nearly sizeable number of other top Pakistani companies are likely to participate which he added will help determine market potential and evaluate competition besides initiating joint ventures and project partnership. Mian Kashif urged Trade Development Authority of Pakistan to further manage series of a single country expos in all major countries for the effective and result oriented promotion of Pak products which can compete globally with their competitors in terms of its best quality.

He said these Pak expos will help find out new partnerships to increase the volume of exports and enter into new joint ventures in their areas of interest.