CM Sindh eyes USD 680m investment in tourism sector

 

• Gorakh hill station to be linked with Karachi through fast track train setup

KARACHI, JUN 2: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah has urged the investors to explore Sindh’s historic and compelling beauty by investing in uplifting the tourism sites across the province. CM presents Sind investment portfolio at Sindh Investment Conference which was held in sideline of World Economic Forum last week at Davos.  

Sind Investment Conference was organized by Pathfinder group of Companies in collaboration with Martin Dow Group. The conference was attended by Chairman Pathfinder Group Ikram Sehgal, Special Assistant to CM Sindh on investment Syed Qasim Naveed Qamar and co-founder Pathfinder Group Zarrar Sehgal while a large number of potential investors and government officials were present on this occasion as well.

The Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah addressing the conference highlighted some major steps taken by Sindh provincial government to ease international investors. CM ensured the investors for fair policies, transparency and attractive economic returns if they decide to enter different sectors in Sindh. We are working hard to make the province investment-friendly to invite the investors playing their role to improve provincial economy by creating employment and opportunities, Chief Minister added. 

During the conference, a detailed presentation was shared with the audience offering them different potential sectors for investment including Eco-friendly Tourism, Water & Environment, Trade & Development, Education & Technology, Urban ecosystem and food security. A large number of these projects like 90 percent would be completed under private public partnership while only few would be completed in traditional way. According to provincial government, an investment of approximately USD 6 billion would be utilized. 

Along with other sectors, government of Sindh believes that Tourism industry may play a pivotal role in uplifting the provincial economy by creating new jobs and development. By taking the advantage of Sindh’s rich tourism profile, provincial government has decided to invite local & international investments for a variety of tourism projects including up gradation of Gorkh Hill Station site, KMC Beachfront project, Thar Tourism Project and Keenjhar Lake Project. All these tourism projects would be casting around USD 680 Million. A fast track train route is being planned to ease the commute of 400 kilometers between Karachi and Gorakh Hill, a highest tourism site in the province.   

Earlier, Chairman Pathfinder Group of Companies Ikram Sehgal delivered a welcome note and introduce the Chief Minister. Chief Minister’s Special Assistant on investment Qasim Naveed Qamar briefed the participants on the efforts of Sindh government to enhance investment potential in the province. 

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Pakistan-born artist Shazia Sikander wins Japan's Fukuoka Arts and Culture Prize

 

ISLAMABAD, JUN 2: On May 26, Japan’s Fukuoka Prize Committee has announced the Fukuoka Prize 2022. Ms. Shazia Sikander, Pakistan-born miniature artist, has won this Fukuoka Prize in the category of Arts and Culture for introducing innovation in the traditional art forms using latest digital technology in the world of miniature painting, which follows conventions dating back to the Mughal Empire.

This Fukuoka Prize was established in 1990 by Japanese Fukuoka city and Fukuoka City International Foundation and is given to individuals, groups or organizations for their splendid work in preserving Asian culture. The prize aims to increase awareness of Asian cultures and to institute a broad framework for exchange and mutual learning among the peoples of Asia. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the inception of the Fukuoka Prize. Over the last 31 years, prize has been presented to 118 leading figures in their respective fields.

Fukuoka Prize is awarded in three categories that include Grand Prize, Academic Prize and Arts and Culture Prize. Besides Ms. Shazia Sikander, this year’s Prize laureates include Japanese Taiko Drummer Mr. Hayashi Eitetsu for Grand Prize and Historian Prof. Timon Screech from U.K for Academic Prize. In September this year, the laureates will be invited to Fukuoka, Japan officially for receiving their respective award.

There were three Pakistani recipient of the Fukuoka Prize in the past.  Late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, the legendary qawwali maestro, Dr Uxi Mufti, specialist in the preservation of folk heritage and Ms. Yasmeen Lari, architect, architectural historian, heritage conservationist. 

Born in Lahore, Ms. Shahzia Sikander earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1991 from the National College of Arts (NCA) in Lahore.  She was awarded “Tamgha-e-Imtiaz” (Medal of Excellence) by the Pakistani government in 2005 in recognition of her outstanding contribution in the field of arts. She now lives in New York.

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SC directs police, ISI to furnish reports on events of Imran’s ‘Azadi March’

 

• Court asks for intelligence reports on events of May 25, 26

• Justice Yahya suggests contempt proceedings against Imran

ISLAMABAD: While the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) finally approached the Supreme Court to seek its protection from the alleged ‘state torture’, the apex court on Wednesday directed the city administration and spy agencies to submit reports within a week explaining at what time PTI chairman Imran Khan had asked party workers to reach D-Chowk in violation of the last week’s court order and whether the crowds entering the Red Zone were ‘organised and supervised’ or their act was random.

Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, a five-member SC bench observed that peaceful protest was a constitutional right but it must be exercised subject to permission by the state.

The filing of the much-trumpeted petition by Barrister Ali Zafar on behalf of PTI secretary general Asad Umar on Wednesday coincided with the release of the damning order by the larger Supreme Court bench.

As the petition sought a restraining order against the use of ‘coercive measures’ or ‘intimidating tactics’ to stop supporters and leaders of the PTI from holding the next ‘peaceful Azadi March’ in Islamabad, PTI chairman Imran Khan linked the announcement of the next protest date with a decision of the apex court on the matter.

The PTI in its petition argued that locking down an entire province and restricting public movement amounted to illegal confinement and therefore contrary to the fundamental rights and asked the SC to restrain the federal and Punjab governments from restricting the movement of the people by any means. The petition also requested the court to stop the government from using force or any strong-arm tactics against anyone participating in the upcoming peaceful assembly.

The freedom of movement and the right to peaceful protest and procession is a fundamental right of all the citizens of Pakistan, under the 1973 Constitution, the petitioner emphasized, while claiming that the planned march was intended to be peaceful without violating any law.

The SC bench had earlier on May 26 dropped hints at taking cognizance of the unfortunate situation on the previous night.

In its order, the court observed that the high moral ground held by the parties (government and the PTI) diminished, because public rights, interest and property of the disinterested public were “breached” and “damaged badly”.

Authored by the CJP, the majority order of the court asked Islamabad police chief and chief commissioner, interior secretary, director generals of the Intelligence Bureau and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to furnish reports at what time did Mr Khan asked party workers to reach D-Chowk, and when, where and how did the crowd cross the barricade to enter a hitherto closed area.

It was further asked whether the protesters entering the Red Zone was ‘organised’ and ‘supervised’ or they moved randomly. Also, if there were any acts of provocation or breach of assurance by the government, it asked.

If any action or treatment meted out by the Islamabad police against the protesters was disproportionate to the actual or perceived wrong committed by the protesters, asked the SC.

Also, the court sought details of how many protesters managed to enter the Red Zone, which security arrangements were relaxed by the executive authorities, whether any security barrier cordons were broken or breached by protesters, how many protesters or party workers reached G-9/ H-9 ground and how many civilians were injured/killed/ hospitalised or arrested. The reports, the SC ordered, should reach within one week for perusal in chambers by members of the larger bench.

Contempt proceedings

In his additional note, Justice Yahya Afridi, a member of the larger bench, observed that Mr Khan, prima facie had disobeyed the May 25 court directions, therefore contempt proceedings be initiated against him for allegedly disobeying the directions instead of calling reports from the state agencies.

Justice Afridi also disagreed that no credible material was available before the court for initiating independent contempt proceedings against Mr Khan who allegedly disobeyed the May 25 court order.

The SC viewed the May 25 events with concern, observing that apparently the assurances conveyed to the court by counsel for PTI leadership may have been dishonored by its workers/ supporters/ sympathizers by proceeding to D-Chowk in the red zone area and by allegedly committing acts of arson and destruction of public and private properties on the way.

The court noted Mr Khan reached Jinnah Avenue leading to D-Chowk on May 26 early morning and announced the postponement of the Islamabad sit-in for six days. As a result, further damage to property or injury to human life was averted, it observed.

Responsibility

Nevertheless, the CJP noted, there remained the lurking question whether the responsibility for the events of May 25 evening comprising reckless acts of mob anger could be blamed upon the senior leadership of PTI.

So far, there was no evidence or allegation that such acts happened randomly or were committed on the instigation of any party, Justice Bandial remarked. At its most elementary level, the PTI leader appeared to have assured the holding of a political rally at G-9/H-9 ground and therefore not to assemble and stage sit-in at another venue including D-Chowk.

Also, the SC disposed of the petition of the Islamabad High Court Bar Association for becoming infructuous.

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Courtesy Dawn News

Country to head towards civil war if elections not announced: Imran Khan

 

PESHAWAR, JUN 2: PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday warned that the country would descend into a civil war if elections were not announced.

"We will see if they allow us to go towards elections through legal and constitutional means otherwise this country will go towards [a] civil war," he said in an interview with anchorperson Sami Ibrahim for Bol News programme Tajzia.

Imran further said there was "no question" of returning to the National Assembly as that would "mean accepting the conspiracy" that had removed his government.

He said he was waiting for the apex court to decide on his party's plea to provide protection to the protestors, after which he said he would issue the date for the next march.

'Did not have absolute power as PM'

The PTI chief admitted he did not enjoy absolute power as the prime minister, indicating that the actual centres of power in the country lay elsewhere and "everyone knows where that is."

In the interview, Imran was asked to recall the events of the night of the no-confidence vote against him, who was issuing orders and who had impeded the cases against the PPP and PML-N leaders.

Imran said his government had been "weak" when it came to power and had to seek coalition partners, adding that if the same situation were to arise again, he would opt for reelections and seek a majority government or none at all.

"Our hands were tied. We were blackmailed from everywhere. Power wasn't with us. Everyone knows where the power lies in Pakistan so we had to rely on them," he said without elaborating any further who he was referring to.

"We relied on them all the time. They did a lot of good things too but they didn't do many things that should've been done. They have the power because they control institutions such as NAB (National Accountability Bureau), which wasn't in our control."

He claimed that while his government had the responsibility, it did not have all the power and authority.

"No management works if I have responsibility but have no complete power and authority. A system works only when responsibility and authority are in one place."

Imran said it was imperative for the country to have a "strong army" due to the threat posed by the enemies but said there was also the need to strike a "balance" between having a strong army and a strong government.

'If establishment doesn't make right calls, country will head towards suicide'

The PTI chief said the current political situation was a problem for the country as well as the establishment. "If the establishment doesn't make the right decisions then I can assure in writing that [before everyone else] they and the army will be destroyed because what will become of the country if it goes bankrupt," he said.

"Pakistan is going towards a default. If that happens then which institution will be [worst] hit? The army. After it is hit, what concession will be taken from us? Denuclearisation."

Imran said that if Pakistan were to lose its nuclear deterrent capability, it would be fragmented into three pieces. "If the right decisions aren't made at this time then the country is going towards suicide," he warned.

Prodded further to share his thoughts on the night of the no-confidence vote, Imran declined to go in details and said: "History never forgives anyone. Things come out. If you ask me, I won't go into details, but when history will be written then it'll be counted as such a night in which Pakistan and its institutions were damaged a lot.

"Those same institutions weakened Pakistan which give it its foundation and strengthened it."

Imran said he had "clearly told the neutrals" that the PTI government's economic performance, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, was nothing short of a "miracle".

"I told them if you do this and if this conspiracy [to remove my government] is successful then our economy will go down," he said, adding that he had also sent former finance minister Shaukat Tarin to give a presentation.

He said the country stood on the cusp of a "defining moment", calling it a "trial for the establishment". "Everyone knows they're the powerbrokers, so they're on trial. This is a trial of the judiciary and the Supreme Court [as well]."

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Courtesy Dawn News

Imran says will announce next march as soon as SC decides on petition

 

ISLAMABAD, JUN 1 – PTI Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday that the party had filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking its protection, and he would announce the date for the next march to Islamabad as soon as the apex court rules on the matter.

Addressing a social media conference in Peshawar, Imran said he wanted the Supreme Court to grant protection to the PTI’s march and answer whether Pakistanis have the fundamental right to hold a peaceful protest.

He highlighted the way the federal and Punjab governments had responded to the PTI’s recent Azadi March on May 25 by “firing [tear gas] shells and wrongfully using Punjab police” and said this was why the party wanted a ruling from the SC.

“As soon as their decision comes, I will announce [the date for the next march] and we will leave [for the capital].” The PTI chairman said the party’s planning would be better this time. “After [the previous] Supreme Court ruling, we believed the path would be clear and no one would be picked up. We will not repeat the mistakes.”

PTI’s Azadi March on May 25 was preceded by the authorities invoking Section 144 — a measure used to curb gatherings. Shipping containers were put in place on major thoroughfares to block their path.

Undeterred by the moves, the marchers tried to force through the containers to make their way to Islamabad amid intense shelling and baton-charge by the police. PTI supporters were also arrested in cities across Punjab.

The PTI’s march towards Islamabad’s D-Chowk and the shelling of teargas by police took place despite the Supreme Court directives for the former to hold its protest in Islamabad’s H-9 area and orders for the government to not make arrests or use force in connection with the march.

However, Imran had chosen to turn back from the 9th Avenue after giving a six-day deadline to the government for announcing elections and dissolving assemblies and warned that he would return to the capital with the “entire nation” otherwise.

In his speech today, Imran exhorted party workers to continue their struggle against “criminals”, telling them that what they were doing was “jihad, and not politics”.

“The violent, barbaric way in which shelling was done … law enforcement agencies do not do this violence on their own people. Only criminals do this.”

Pakistan’s biggest problem was injustice, he said, adding that citizens would have to get their right through jihad.

“This is the most important time for the nation. If we defeat them (the incumbent government), Pakistan will progress. And if we do not, then your children will have to fight this war.”

The PML-N-led coalition government was “threatening people and scaring them”, he alleged and claimed that according to evidence collected by the PTI, the shells fired at party supporters were “the ones used only against terrorists”.

The PTI chief called on his supporters to defeat the fear, saying, “I do not fear anything because I believe we are fighting this war for our [future] generations.”

He claimed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah were “criminals” and “the most cowardly people”.

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Courtesy Dawn News

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