Day: May 19, 2023

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NAB decides to investigate allegations of irregularities in Punjab free flour scheme

The National Accountability Bureau has decided to investigate the allegations of corruption and irregularities in the Punjab Free Flour Scheme.

The decision was taken at the request of Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab Mohsin Naqvi.

The Caretaker Chief Minister, through a letter addressed to the Chairman of NAB, had requested the anti-corruption watchdog to probe the allegations of corruption and irregularities in the scheme.

The NAB Chairman directed the bureau’s Lahore office to ensure a transparent inquiry into the matter.

Source: Radio Pakistan

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flydubai and Air Canada Partnership Unlocks Multiple Travel Options Including Karachi

flydubai and Air Canada have joined forces in a code-sharing partnership, bringing a significant expansion of travel options between Canada and Middle East, East Africa, Indian Subcontinent, and Southern Asia.

This collaboration will introduce a minimum of 30 new destinations that are not currently served by Air Canada or its partner airlines.

Pending the necessary regulatory approval, Air Canada’s marketing code will be applied to nine routes operated by flydubai from Dubai. It means that passengers be able to book a single ticket to travel to these destinations.

The nine routes covered by this agreement include Bahrain, Karachi, Dammam, Jeddah, Madinah, Muscat, and Colombo.

flydubai and Air Canada have established an interline arrangement, allowing customers to connect in Dubai to over 60 destinations served by flydubai. This includes popular locations such as Djibouti, Kathmandu, and Maldives.

Additionally, the airlines have future plans to enhance the connection experience in Dubai. They are actively working on introducing additional features and benefits for members of each other’s loyalty programs, with details expected to be disclosed later this year.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Sindh to Compensate Citizens Who Lost Their Bikes During 9 May Protests

The Sindh government will compensate lower- and middle-class commuters whose motorbikes were burned by arsonists on May 9 during the protests in Karachi. Information and Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced this at a Thursday press conference.

He lamented that the motorcyclists who had been robbed by arsonists had been working to support their families. He told journalists that the provincial government was compensating innocent victims of the May 9 mayhem.

The minister stated that the arsonists who caused damage in the city on May 9 would be held accountable. He said those who burned buses and other vehicles would be punished to compensate the state and affected citizens.

He told journalists that the police had registered the FIR of Peoples Bus Service (PBS) destruction and other acts of vandalism in Karachi on May 9.

Memon recalled that the government had compensated traders for their losses in past Karachi arson and accidental fires, including the Bolton Market and Timber Market fires.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Islamabad Police Goes After Rude Public Transport Drivers and Conductors

On Thursday, a police Public Relations Officer (RPO) announced that the Islamabad Capital Territory Police (ICTP) will penalize public transport vehicles that fail to complete routes, misbehave with passengers, or overload.

SSP Traffic Islamabad reviewed the report from the special squads formed to monitor the public service vehicle (PSV) route completions. He told the media that the goal is to improve traffic within the federal capital.

The SSP has ordered all Zonal DSPs to take strict action against PSV drivers who committed repeated offenses. He promised more effective action against violators and regular squad progress reviews.

SSP Traffic said that special squads have been formed to check route violations. He added that the ICTP Helpline “Pucar-15” is available 24/7 to resolve public grievances on a priority basis.

He added that this helpline allows citizens to report PSV staff misbehavior, route non-completion, and other traffic issues. Future action against violators will be taken in an effective manner.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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IT Ministry Invites AI Experts From Industry And Academia to Join AI Policy Committee

The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) has invited Artificial Intelligence experts from Industry and Academia to join the AI Policy committee.

According to MoITT, the committee will lead the policy consultation process and finalize the draft of the National Artificial Intelligence Policy.

According to Member IT Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Syed Junaid Imam, the ministry has formulated the first draft of the National Artificial Intelligence Policy.

The policy aims to establish an ecosystem necessary for AI adoption by harnessing an agile framework for addressing different aspects of unique user journeys encompassing different market horizontals and industry verticals by ensuring the responsible use of AI. The initial draft of the Artificial Intelligence Policy is available on the Ministry of IT and Telecommunication website for feedback.

According to Member IT MoITT, the Ministry is also forming a Policy Committee that will lead the policy consultation process and finalize the draft of the National AI Policy.

The Policy Committee will comprise experts from industry, academia, and the government. The ministry encourages top experts in the field of AI from Industry and Academia to become part of this Policy Committee. Experts interested in becoming part of the policy committee may send their interest to the ministry along with the profile.

MoITT has recently prepared the initial draft of the National Artificial Intelligence Policy and uploaded it on the ministry’s website. The MoITT has sought feedback on policy from Industry, Academia, and the general public by June 16, 2023.

According to the initial IA policy draft, the government aims to train 1 million IT graduates in Artificial Intelligence and Allied Technologies by 2027. The government will prepare a sustainable model to produce 10,000 new trainers to impart high-impact AI and Allied Technologies education. The federal government will initiate a nationwide awareness campaign and AI fund & Centers of Excellence in IA will be created to support IA.

Source: Pro Pakistani

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Refineries Threaten Shut Down as Losses Mount

Oil refineries have warned that they will shut down plants unless a new refinery policy is implemented in the country.

Smuggled Iranian oil has reduced demand for locally produced petroleum products, and oil marketing companies (OMCs) are hesitant to replenish refinery stocks due to heavy losses from furnace oil exports, reported Express Tribune.

Due to low demand, refineries are operating at or near capacity and have even begun exporting fuel oil at a significant loss in order to keep the plants operational.

Refineries have also raised the issue of smuggled petroleum products with the federal government, but no resolution has been reached.

While refineries are already running below capacity, OMCs are refusing to lift fuel stocks. Pak Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO) and Pakistan Refinery Limited (PRL) have begun exporting fuel and furnace oil in a desperate attempt to continue operations, but are incurring losses of Rs. 30,000 per ton.

PARCO and PRL have already exported 150,000 tons and 50,000 tons and are planning to ship 50,000 tons and 15,000 tons more, respectively. Refineries were able to keep it all together when margins were relatively higher, but profits are at the brink of turning negative with current low margins and their only hope is a new refinery policy that incentivizes plant upgrades.

Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCOE) discussed a draft policy in its recent meeting and approved incentives for setting up new refineries, but it formed a committee to assess the duty collection and spending and sought details of diesel and petrol production while the refineries are also invited to the committee meeting.

Refineries have made it clear that legal businesses are turning unfeasible in the wake of a massive drop in sales and a huge influx of cheaper Iranian crude through informal channels. Committee was briefed that CCOE had resolved the deemed duty collection and spending with the previous government.

Deemed Duty (tariff protection) was aimed to enable refineries to self-sustain by upgrading and offsetting losses. A 10 percent tariff protection for diesel and 6 percent for JP-4 kerosene oil and light diesel oil was introduced to abolish the guaranteed return formula (10-40 percent) in 2002. Refineries collected 200 billion in deemed duty which they invested in upgrades.

Source: Pro Pakistani