Day: December 13, 2021

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Climate Change Malik Amin Aslam on Monday said that the European Union has agreed to provide €250 million to Pakistan for assisting its clean energy transition and nature-based solutions for ecosystem restoration.

He was addressing the panel discussion titled “COP26 @ Ecosystem Restoration” jointly organized by the Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC), United Nations Environment Programme and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Pakistan in Islamabad.

The SAPM said the clean energy transition grant was announced by the EU minister at the largest global moot on climate change held earlier in Glasgow, UK.

In his keynote address, Malik Amin Aslam said, “The world is merely talking about conserving the biodiversity and natural environment through nature-based solutions (NBSs). Pakistan is the only country that has implemented NBSs ahead of the entire world.”

The SAPM underlined that global trust has increased in the country due to its commitment and practical implementation of nature through green solutions.

“The prevailing decade is critical for ecosystem restoration as all natural habitats over the world are facing existential threats due to global warming and climate change,” he added.

Responding to various queries, he said the biggest positive thing at COP-26 was that nature was given top priority and many countries signed agreements on nature with Pakistan.

“Pakistan has been declared Nature Champion along with Congo and Costa Rica that are thickly forested countries due to the successful Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Plantation (TBTTP) implementation on the ground,” he added.

German Ambassador to Pakistan Bernhard Schalgheck in his statement mentioned that Germany is supporting Pakistan for the ecosystem restoration efforts, one of which is the independent third-party monitoring of the Ten Billion Tree Tsunami Programme.

He said Pakistan is among the countries most impacted due to climate change and faced massive deforestation in past. Countries like Pakistan need to focus on nature-based solutions. He also apprised that the ecosystem restoration initiatives of Pakistan like TBTTP are commendable. Germany is collaborating with Pakistan in many other nature restoration initiatives, he added.

Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Wendy Gilmour apprised that Canada is keen to address the climate change and gender-related issues in Pakistan and is now actively supporting such local initiatives.

She said the cataclysmic natural disasters in North America have incurred heavy economic losses to one of the most developed economies. Countries like Pakistan need to focus on innovative technologies and improved power supply systems to shift towards green energy. She mentioned that Canada along with Germany has increased its green climate fund for developing countries like Pakistan to assist nature-based solutions for ecosystem restoration.

Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman noted that the revised climate change policy of Pakistan is under development and soon will be sent to the Ministry of Climate Change for its review. Pakistan’s Nationally Determined Contributions have been updated and were presented at the COP26.

Chairperson Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) Rina Saeed highlighted the role of media at the COP26 and how the various events got reported at the conference.

She informed the participants that the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) has undergone massive encroachments of commercial, residential and institutional nature. Nature has massively revived during the lockdowns due to Covid-19 pandemic and the famous Trail-6 of MHNP became home to common leopards that were estimated to be around a dozen. During the lockdown, eight leopards were traced through 20 camera traps installed by the IWMB.

United Arab Emirates Embassy’s Deputy Head of Mission Rashid Abdul Rehman Al Ali mentioned that there was a need to fix responsibility on the developed countries to support developing countries to ensure climate change mitigation. Academia and civil society need to focus on tangible solutions based on innovation and cutting-edge technology to reduce environmental degradation and shift towards renewable energy, he said.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has clarified that the rate of service charges is Re. 1, instead of one percent being projected on social media, on the invoices issued by Tier-1 retailers integrated with the FBR electronic system of real-time reporting of sales.

Strongly rebutting the social media posts about POS [Point of Sale] integration, FBR has said in a statement that the posts are based on ‘disinformation’ against the proposed service charges of Rs. 1 set for all invoices of Tier-1 retailers integrated with FBR’s electronic system of real-time reporting of sales. “It is being insinuated as if the rate of the service charges is one percent instead of Re. 1 per invoice only,” explained FBR.

According to FBR, “this baseless propaganda by some vested interests is thoroughly malicious in intent and definitely suspicious in content.” FBR said that the nominal service charges of Re.1 per invoice of whatever denomination would be collected under Section 76 of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. “This petty amount will be utilized to ensure integration of all Tier-1 Retailers, promote ongoing publicity campaign, and finance a prize scheme for all customers who duly verify their invoices to determine the validity and genuineness of the invoices issued by the integrated Tier-1 retailers,” FBR further clarified.

It is pertinent to mention that FBR has already launched an awareness campaign on all the mainstream social, electronic, and print media to educate the general public on a prize scheme ballot worth Rs. 53 million to be held every month at FBR Headquarters, Islamabad. This first computer ballot on POS Prize Scheme will be held on January 15, 2022, announcing 1007 lucky winners.

The vested interests, being pointed out by FBR, seem to be those who tend to oppose POS integration. They continue to collect Sales Tax from the general public but are always reluctant to deposit the same in the government treasury.

In the statement, FBR has reaffirmed its resolve to continue integrating Tier-1 retailers across the country with full vigor.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin on Monday said the government is keen to provide a conducive environment to facilitate small and medium enterprise growth and ease of doing business.

He made these remarks while chairing a meeting to review small and medium enterprises (SME) policy at Finance Division.

The adviser emphasized making the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) more effective and fully functional in order to cater to the SMEs and increase the penetration of the regional SMEs across the country.

Secretary Industries & Production briefed the meeting on proposed SME policy and the concerns of stakeholders on key policy recommendations in regulatory and tax environment, SMEs access to finance, institutional strengthening of SMEDA and SME development fund.

The meeting deliberated in detail the concerns of all stakeholders to agree to the framework of the policy to reach a consensus.

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar, Adviser to PM on Commerce & Investment Abdul Razak Dawood, Secretary Finance, Secretary Commerce, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Governor State Bank of Pakistan, CEO SMEDA and other senior officers also attended the meeting.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) launched a new initiative, Asaan Mobile Account (AMA), under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy, with the objective to bring further ease in remote account opening under branchless banking.

This means that the customers would be able to open and operate their accounts in the comfort of their homes without having to visit the branches with any of the participating branchless banking providers.

The solution has been developed through a collaboration of SBP, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), 13 Branchless Banking (BB) providers, all Cellular Mobile Operators (CMOs), and Virtual Remittance Gateway (VRG). For AMA, the branchless banking providers and CMOs are collaborating to deliver an interoperable platform, allowing any Pakistani to open an account with a bank.

How AMA works?

Through the Asaan Mobile Account (AMA) platform, any Pakistani holding a valid CNIC can open a bank account digitally in any AMA participating bank, from anywhere, at any time, by using the SIM of any mobile operator. The scheme allows individuals to access the AMA platform using a short code, i.e., *2262#, and make transactions through their basic/smart mobile phone without the need for internet connectivity.

AMA Services

Send Money: Transfer funds to any bank account maintained at any Pakistani bank in a secure manner from your phone.

Bill Payment: Pay mobile top-up and utility bill payments (electricity, telephone, gas, etc.) with ease from your phone.

Balance Inquiry: Inquire the balance of funds in your account instantaneously from your phone.

Change Account PIN: Change your bank account PIN code securely with ease from your phone.

Mini Statement: Obtain a statement of account activity instantaneously from your phone.

Account Closure: Instantaneously close your account from your phone.

Opening an account through AMA is extremely easy and quick, while it also provides the facility to link your existing Branchless Banking. AMA will play a crucial role in reaching out to the low-income segments that do not have access to the internet. Moreover, AMA will be a perfect conduit to onboard women customer segments as well.

AMA will particularly help low-income segments with non-digital phones and no access to the internet to enjoy banking as it offers a simpler process, such as dialing a code, to avail of financial services. Moreover, AMA will be a highly suitable platform to onboard Pakistani women customer segments as well, since they face greater obstacles in accessing formal financial services due to mobility, cultural, and documentation issues. AMA, with its ease of use, will be instrumental in bringing 50 million Pakistanis under the banking ambit.

This initiative is also in line with the Government of Pakistan’s holistic approach of the “Digital Pakistan” initiative to enhance access & connectivity, digital infrastructure, and innovation. Now, the Government will also have the option to use this channel for disbursing money under the flagship poverty alleviation Ehsaas Program to reach 15 million beneficiaries.

Reza Baqir Unveils Asaan Mobile Account

Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Dr. Reza Baqir, unveiled the Asaan Mobile Account (AMA) in a launch ceremony held at SBP headquarters in Karachi. While speaking at the occasion, Dr. Reza Baqir thanked the stakeholders for their contributions that culminated in the successful launch of the AMA initiative. He said that AMA is expected to bring a significant increase in bank account opening, and the lack of internet access or proximity to branchless banking outlets/bank branches would no longer be barriers for Pakistanis to access financial services.

Governor Baqir highlighted that the AMA would play a significant role in enhancing digital access and the use of formal financial services in the country. He added that Pakistan has over 187 million biometrically verified mobile subscribers with a Tele-density of around 85 percent, however, there are only 106 million 3G/4G subscribers with mobile internet penetration standing at 48 percent. This gives us the potential market of around 81 million mobile subscribers who don’t have access to the internet and could become users of AMA if provided with the right value proposition, he added.

The launch ceremony was chaired by Dr. Reza Baqir, Governor SBP, and attended by Deputy Governor SBP, Sima Kamil, Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Amir Azeem Bajwa HI (M), Chairman NADRA, Muhammad Tariq Malik, Ikram Sehgal, Chairman VRG.

The ceremony also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) among 13 branchless banking service providers. The MoU was signed to affirm its commitment to facilitating customers through the continued collaboration for more innovations in line with the NFIS vision.

Source: Pro Pakistani

Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance and Revenue Shaukat Tarin on Monday said the government will resolve the problems facing the fertilizer industry as it admires its critical role in the country’s economic progress.

He made these remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the fertilizer industry at Finance Division.

The delegation thanked the adviser for providing a platform to the fertilizer industry for coordination and resolution of the industry’s issues. The delegation members highlighted the positive role of the government in keeping the prices of urea in Pakistan at a low level as compared to the international market for the benefit of farmers.

The delegation apprised the adviser of various issues in the industry and sought help from the government to address these issues. The adviser issued orders for resolution of the problems shared by the delegation to enable the fertilizer industry to play its due role in fostering the national economy.

Tarin assured the delegation that the fertilizer industry’s problems would be resolved as a top priority, as the government appreciated the industry’s role in the economic progress. He, however, emphasized that the industry should continue to play its due role in providing urea at the most reasonable prices to the framers.

The delegation thanked the adviser for cooperation and positively addressing the issues.

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar and senior officers also attended the meeting.

Source: Pro Pakistani

The government is planning to revise the legal and institutional framework of the Universal Service Fund (USF), which has provided Rs. 87 billion in subsidies during the last 15 years, to expand telecommunication services in un-served and under-served areas of the country.

Official sources told ProPakistani that the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication had initiated the process of amending the rules and framework of USF and it would be completed soon. They opined that there was a need to revise the legal and institutional framework of USF to bring more productivity, efficiency, and accountability.

Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Syed Amin Ul Haque said that the 15 years journey of USF had been a success, however, during the last three years, it did much better than it had done in the earlier 12 years. He said this had been substantiated by data.

He underlined that in 2018, only six projects were enrolled by USF, while in 2019, the number got doubled and 12 projects were enrolled, and 25 projects were registered in 2020. The target for the current year is set as 28 projects.

In the last 15 years, Haque said, USF has contracted 106 projects worth Rs. 87 billion. These projects will serve approximately 25 million people living in over 12,000 Mouzas [a type of administrative district] across the country. More than 10,500 kilometers of Optic Fiber Cable has been laid and 1,929 kilometers of unserved road segment has been connected under National Highways & Motorways Programme, Haque added.

The total subsidiary incurred on USF projects was Rs. 52 billion in the first 12 years, while during the last three years, USF has spent Rs. 31 billion. In addition, during the current year, Rs. 18 billion has been earmarked for USF projects.

USF was established by the Government of Pakistan under the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication in December 2006 to spread the benefits of the telecommunication revolution to all corners of Pakistan. The Fund is celebrating 15 years of empowering communities by making high-speed internet available and affordable for all.

During the last three years, USF contracted over 40 projects worth Rs. 31 billion, which shows its commitment to empowering communities by bridging the digital divide between urban and rural communities, he added.

Federal Secretary for IT and Telecommunication Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput said that Pakistan had witnessed good growth in teledensity, mobile subscribers, and broadband services users. According to him, the teledensity has reached 87 percent, mobile subscribers after growth of nine percent reached 187 million active SIMs, while mobile broadband users increased by 24 percent and reached 109 million during the last year.

He said the data showed that the country was on the path of increasing connectivity and better service delivery for the digital economy. The success of USF was a good example of public-private partnership and showed how the collaboration of the public and government led to better service delivery, he explained.

He underscored that in light of the Prime Minister’s Digital Pakistan vision, USF had diligently worked under the supervision of the Federal Minister for IT & Telecom and launched a record number of projects in the last three years.

He remarked that USF promoted the development of telecommunication services in un-served and under-served areas throughout the length and breadth of the country. It consisted of contributions by the telecommunication operators with no government funding involved, he said, adding that this was a great example of a public-private partnership and a role model for others to follow.

The USF’s core values of Diversity, Integrity, Growth, Innovation & Teamwork have been the guiding principles for the company’s phenomenal growth over the years, he observed.

Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput remarked that the USF had rolled out several High-Speed Mobile Broadband Projects in the under-served and unserved areas of Pakistan. Optic Fiber Cable to Union Council Program, he added, had also been rolled out to create a digital highway for future technologies like 5G. He noted that the Connectivity on Highways and Motorways Program had earned laurels from national and international stakeholders alike.

According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) USF, Haris Mahmood Chaudhry, the mission and vision of the Fund are to empower unserved and underserved communities through Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to achieve a digitally inclusive Pakistan. Improving lives of un-served and under-served communities by making High-Speed Internet available and affordable for all, he added.

Source: Pro Pakistani