Traders pay about Rs4.5m as extortion money: IG informs IHC

Islamabad: Inspector General (IG) of Islamabad Police here Monday informed Justice Shaukat Aziz Sidddiqui of Islamabad High Court that the Fruit and Vegetable Market (Sabzi Mandi) traders pay approximately Rs4.5 million as extortion money to at least two different groups for running their business. The most astonishing revelations of collecting extortion money in the federal capital came up when IHC Justice Siddiqui resumed hearing in the writ petition of a fruit and vegetable trader Aman Ullah Sheeno who had stated before the court that the Sabzi Mandi Police Station registered fake cases against him after he refused to pay the extortion money. IHC bench on September 6 had issued notices to the IG Islamabad, the CDA chairman and deputy commissioner Islamabad directing them to appear before the court. IHC Justice Siddiqui directed the IG, CDA chairman and deputy commissioner Islamabad to work out a collective effort to eliminate the menace of extortion from the vegetable market otherwise the place would turn as ‘Sohrab Goth’. While hearing the case IHC judge observed that if the appropriate measures would not be taken, the evil of extortion would spread to the other business markets of the city. IG Islamabad Sikandar Hayat told the court that he already ordered a secret inquiry into the matter and it came to his knowledge that there were two groups collecting extortion money from the traders of Sabzi Mandi. He further told the court that the petitioner Sheeno has links with a group that collects extortion money. Justice Siddiqui of IHC, however, directed the IG Islamabad to appear before the court on September 18 and brief the court about concretive steps being taken. Justice Siddiqui also ordered the IG Islamabad to investigate whether some local politicians, officials of CDA or Islamabad administration are backing the extortion mafia and if found their involvement then to proceed against them in accordance with the law. The petitioner through his counsel Malik Saeed Khan advocate adopted before the court that Sabzi Mandi Police Station due to non-payment of monthly extortion money has registered fake case against him including encroachment and some others.Counsel for the petitioner argued before the court that if his client is involved in any crime, the case may be shifted from Sabzi Mandi Police circle to some other police circle. Source

Reduce Global Warming By Planting Trees

Reduce Global Warming By Planting Trees How does planting trees help the environment? Why planting trees is important to reduce global warming? This is what we are precisely going to talk about. Read on and find the answers about the many benefits of planting trees. According to the environmental protection agencies, planting trees is a must if we want to save our planet. Trees not only remove harmful chemicals from the soil, but also help reduce the greenhouses leading to global warming. Go on and see how planting trees helps the environment. Advantages of planting trees in reducing global warming 1. An average size tree creates sufficient oxygen in one year to provide oxygen for a family of four. 2. Planting trees in the right place around buildings and homes can cut air-conditioning costs up to 50 percent. 3. Planting trees for the environment is good as they are renewable, biodegradable and recyclable. 4. If we plant 20 million trees, the earth will get with 260 million more tons of oxygen. 5. Once acre of trees can remove up to 2.6 tons of Carbon Dioxide each year. 6. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. 7. Trees keep in cheek the air and water pollution. 8. Why planting trees is important is evident as they are the natural habitat of the animals and birds, as well as many endangered species. 9. Planting trees means more wood and paper products which can be easily recycled. 10. A newly planted whole forest, can change tones of atmospheric carbon into wood and other fibrous tissue, thus reducing global warming. So, start digging immediately if you have the means to plant a tree. There are still too few of them to fully offset the changes brought about by global warming. Automobile traffic, manufacturing and other human activities are playing havoc with our environment. Reduce global warming simply by planting trees for the environment. Source

Pak-China Business Forum from March 23-26, 2013

Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) in collaboration with COMSATS Institute of Information Technology is organizing Pak-China Business Forum & Expo from March 23-26, 2013 at Pak-China Friendship Center, Garden Avenue, Islamabad.

The main objective of this forum is to promote academia-industry collaboration in business and the economic sector for mutual benefit of the two countries. The objectives set forth for the Pak-China Business Forum are as under:
•    To provide a platform for interaction between Chinese and Pakistani entrepreneurs and businessmen.
•    To explore possibilities of attracting FDI from China.
•    To provide business opportunities for Pakistani entrepreneurs.
The event will comprise project exhibition, seminars, workshops and industrial academic exhibition of various products of different sectors. Major Chinese and Pakistani companies, small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, universities, and research and development organizations will attend the forum. 



Prospective Participants

Following are the people likely participating in the Pak-China Business Forum 2013:
•    Chinese firms (around 50)
•    Chinese firms active in Pakistan
•    Pakistani business houses/SMEs
•    Universities and R&D organizations with products in the thematic areas.

Highlights

•    B2B Meetings
•    Textile Pavilion
•    Seminars
•    Food Court
•    Culture Show 3 Nights (Chinese performers and Pakistani performers)
•    Renewable Energy Technologies
•    New Energy Technologies
•    Information and Communication Technologies
•    Water Conversation Purification and Sanitation
•    Biomedical Materials
•    General [1]

Opening Ceremony of Pak-China Business Forum 2013 will be held on Saturday March 23rd, 2013 at 1000 hours (at Pak-China Friendship Centre, Islamabad)

 

The official time would be from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM on all four days of the event. The Rent of the stall is from Rs. 10,000 for all days of the event.

Why participate?

The main features of the event include:

• An exhibition of products, processes and technological ideas developed at CIIT and other participating organizations;
• Products display by the local and Chinese businesses;
• Seminars, workshops and road shows;
• Side meetings with Chambers of Commerce & Industry and related government entities.



Long Live Pak-China Friendship



*The exhibition will be open to the general public. [2]

When The Hail Hit Islamabad March 14, 2013

HAIL and the BeautifuL city ISLAMABAD, PakistaN

The twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad turned white today (14.03.2013) when heavy hailstorm coupled with rain lashed the cities, bringing the mercury down and making the weather a pleasant.

Light rain continued after the hailstorm and people along with their children came out of their houses and enjoyed the weather. They were seen on the roadsides taking pictures of hailing that was spread everywhere on green belts, car parking, open areas and roofs of buildings.
Hail spread everywhere looked just like snow, said a shopkeeper in Blue Area, Tofial Rehman, and added, “It is ironic that the skies have joined in the celebrations of the masses on getting rid of the corrupt government that was a burden on the shoulders of the citizens.”

Rabia Jamal, a costumer to Super Market, recalling her previous trip to Murree to enjoy snowfall there said she had come to the market for shopping, when heavy hailstorm started.
“We don’t know it is good or bad for agriculture sector but it is fascinating to see hail spread everywhere,” she added. 

On the other hand, traffic came to a standstill during the hailstorm and several commuters got off their cars to enjoy the weather and started taking pictures and recorded videos to capture the beautiful moment.


After the end of hailstorm, the business activities in various parts of the city remained low while the sale of chicken soup, pakoras, samosas, dry fruit and tea and coffee was high as huge rush of customers was witnessed outside the outlets.
Met Office official said the hailstorm will have negative impact on crops while the rain would be beneficial for agriculture sector, adding that it would also increase the water level in reservoirs.

CDA for ‘clean and green Islamabad’

ISLAMABAD: Capital Development Authority (CDA) Chairman Syed Tahir Shahbaz on Tuesday launched a ‘Spring Tree Plantation Campaign’ by planting a sapling between the green belt of sector E10 and E11.

Various members of the CDA Board, officials of the civic authority, students from different schools and universities, environmentalists and representatives of various NGOs were also present on the occasion.

The CDA chairman said, “Environmental pollution has become the biggest threat to human life and can only be prevented by maximum plantation of trees. The CDA is making efforts for fulfilling this national responsibility.” He also said, “Tree plantation is our national as well as religious responsibility, as deforestation in the country has increased the demand for tree plantation on a mammoth level to meet the required green cover for a better environment. Every citizen should plant trees to overcome the shortage of forests.”

Syed Tahir Shahbaz added that the participation of a large number of children in the tree plantation campaign highlighted the importance of environment, as children are the true catalyst of change. He also said that strict monitoring should be carried out to ensure maximum survival of the planted saplings. He called upon the participants to inculcate the message of love for trees to the people they interact with. CDA Environmental Member Dr Kazim Niaz informed the media that during this campaign, 500,000 saplings would be planted in urban and regional areas of the Capital.

He also said that saplings would be planted in sectors I9, I10, G6 and G7, whereas 0.35 million saplings would be planted at the Margalla Hills and the National Park. The CDA management also organised a walk from Sector F11 to Sector E11 as part of the campaign. CDA Media Assistant Director Muhammad Saleem Aktar, describing the purpose of the walk, told Daily Times that the aim of the walk was to involve the general public in the efforts for a “clean and green Islamabad”.

During the walk, members of the CDA Environment Wing displayed posters, banners and streamers in different areas of the city and car-stickers, paper-bags and badges carrying slogans for planting trees and other informative material were distributed among participants of the walk.

Though the CDA conducts a two-day tree plantation campaign every year, in which hundreds of thousand of saplings are planted, surprisingly, the end result is quite opposite, as the tree cover in the capital has been decreasing at an alarming rate. A CDA official said, “The survival rate of the saplings is also a matter of great concern because the CDA’s directorate concerned shows enthusiasm only during the campaign but the passion subsidises with the passage of time.” The official also said, “There is no effective mechanism to monitor the newly planted trees and not enough staff to look after the saplings.”

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Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggest measures to Resolve Energy Crisis

Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggest measures to Resolve Energy Crisis - Press Release issued by Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Following is the text of press release issued by Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Quote

The Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) said on Tuesday government should push power companies using furnace oil to switch to coal driven low prices, stability and vast supplies for years to come.
Coal is the cheapest and the most common fuel used to produce electricity and heat in the world, its share in world's energy mix has hit record high with 5.4 per cent increase, it said.
With 1004 billion tonnes of known coal reserves left on earth and global consumption estimated at 9.98 billion tonnes per annum by 2030, Pakistan can become a major player with 175 billion tonnes of coal, said Farida Rashid, President IWCCI.
Thar coal is sufficient to meet our fuel requirements for centuries and help export electricity to regional countries opening door for prosperity but it remained largely ignored, she said.
Speaking to business community, she said that we are paying a very heavy price for running power plants on furnace oil and natural gas while the slow pace of the government's decision to convert some the furnace oil based power plants to coal is frustrating.
Conversion of furnace oil based power plants on Thar coal can save around 5 billion dollars of foreign exchange per annum as furnace oil imports stands at 40 per cent of total petroleum imports that are over 12 billion dollars.
Farida Rashid adding that switching on coal should be made easier for the private power producers seeking permission since long as conversion to imported coal will also save billions, she observed.
Conversion will cut oil import bill, reduce borrowings, clip subsidies and bring production cost down providing relief to domestic, commercial and industrial consumers, she added.
Farida Rashid said that conversion will also help cull circular debt which is biggest threat to the economy, bridge budgetary gap, make funds available for new investment on public welfare and power sector betterment and improve balance of payments position.
She said that some two billion dollars could also be saved by ensuring merit in provision of gas to the power plants, a decision implementable within an hour. This can be ensured by preferring most efficient power plants irrespective of the fact that they are state-owned or privately owned units.
Alternatively, government can take steps to improve productivity of inefficient public sector electricity generation companies which are preferred in provision of gas.
Business community believes that the resolution to power woes lies in conversion to relatively stable fuel because volatile global oil prices have resulted in huge circular debt and unmaintainable generation cost.
Government can consider asking IPPs to convert to coal, largest carbon-emitting energy source of all, otherwise the circular debt will soon cross Rs one trillion rupees mark, she warned.
Economy cannot be salvaged in presence of unstable power sector which is facing many problems none of which is impossible to solve.
Presently, coal is responsible for 41per cent of global electricity generation, with 1932 coal power plants, coal account for over 50 per cent of all US electric generation while India with 126 plants is expected to overtake America by 2025.
South Africa's 93 per cent and China's 68.7 per cent electricity comes from coal while Pakistan's coal-based power production is insignificant. We should take steps to balance our energy mix and improve dismal per capita energy consumption to boost economy.
For more information, contact:
Samina Fazil
President
Islamabad Women's Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Mobile: +92323 5343199
Tel: +9251 2252256
Unquote

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