May 26, 2023 – Page 3 – Business Observer

May 26, 2023

Events of 9 May ‘Convince’ Govt to Amend Data Protection Bill

The government has decided to make further amendments to the draft of the Personal Data Protection Bill, in the aftermath of the May 9 incident to make it more comprehensive with respect to National Security.

The decision was taken in the last Federal Cabinet meeting which met with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the chair. The meeting deliberated on evolving security challenges faced by the country.

The decision was conveyed to the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITandT). This was revealed before the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology and Telecommunication met with Kauda Babar in the chair here on Friday.

Considering ‘The Personal Data Protection Act, 2023’, the Ministry revealed that points of Cabinet are yet to be shared, but it would be good to defer the discussion on the proposed legislation. International focus is also on this Bill, an official informed the committee.

The Senate panel was cognizant of MoITandT’s remarks and directed the authority to present the bill before the committee within 15 days.

Pertinently, the bill was almost finalized and was about to be presented for implementation before the federal cabinet’s decision to revamp it.

Telecom

Separately, the committee recommended the opening of letters of credit (LCs) for the telecom sector after Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) officials blamed excessive taxes and embargoes on telecom equipment harming companies operating in the sector.

Members also summoned officials State Bank of Pakistan and the Federal Board of Revenue to the next meeting. They also urged mobile phone operators to participate in the upcoming meeting to deliberate efforts on the establishment of a framework for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the telecom industry.

Source: Pro Pakistani

May 26, 2023

KP Announces Summer Vacation for Students

In a recent development, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has made an important announcement regarding summer vacations for both public and private educational institutions across the province.

The decision aims to provide relief to students and teachers amid the scorching heat.

In an official notification issued by the KP Elementary and Secondary Education Department, it has been stated that primary schools falling under the summer zone will be closed from 1st June to 31st August.

Middle/high schools and higher secondary schools within the summer zone will also observe a similar closure, starting from 15th June until 31st August.

On the other hand, primary, middle/high, and higher secondary schools located in the winter zone will remain closed from 1st July to 31st July.

The decision is appreciated by students, teachers, and parents alike. The scorching heat during the summer season often poses challenges for students, affecting their concentration and overall academic performance.

As the summer holidays draw near, students across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can look forward to a well-deserved break, basking in the joys of the season while replenishing their energy for the challenges that lie ahead.

Source: Pro Pakistani

May 26, 2023

Sindh Issues Guidelines to Prevent Crimean-Congo Fever During Eid-ul-Azha

The Sindh Health Department has issued a letter to District Health Officers (DHOs), underscoring the need for preventive measures against Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever during Eidul Azha.

Amid the ongoing trade of sacrificial animals, the department is urging heightened caution and preventive measures, particularly at sales points. It has delineated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for this purpose.

The letter highlights that Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever does not exhibit symptoms in infected animals, which makes proactive control and prevention imperative. Effective management necessitates vigilant monitoring of animal movement, in cooperation with the district administration.

The Sindh Health Department stresses the crucial role of communication between DHOs and the Animal Husbandry Department in ensuring efficient monitoring and control.

Furthermore, the letter recommends comprehensive inspection and decontamination of animals using pesticides to ward off infection. Animals should receive treatment at least 14 days prior to their introduction to sales centers. The potential risk of virus transmission between infected animals and humans warrants careful consideration.

To mitigate risks during Eidul Azha, several precautions are suggested:

Avoid contact with blood and remains: Individuals should avoid all contact with the blood and remains of sacrificial animals to minimize the risk of infections and diseases.

Avoid home slaughter: Instead of slaughtering animals at home, it is recommended to designate controlled areas for animal slaughter. This ensures a regulated environment, thus reducing the chances of accidents or mishaps.

Provide proper training for personnel: Those involved in animal care and abattoir operations should undergo proper training in animal care and correct slaughtering procedures. This guarantees the safety and well-being of both the animals and the personnel involved.

Emphasize hand hygiene: Maintaining high standards of hand hygiene is crucial during Eidul Azha. Regular and thorough hand washing helps to minimize the risk of contamination and disease spread.

Use protective clothing: To minimize exposure to animal residues or bodily fluids, the use of gloves and other protective clothing is recommended. This provides an added layer of protection.

Implement regular cattle inspections: Regular inspections for pests help to identify and promptly address any infestations, which in turn maintains the health and well-being of the animals.

Prompt bleeding of animals: Animals should be bled as soon as possible post-slaughter. Proper bleeding helps to remove blood from the body, reducing contamination risk and improving meat quality.

Limit access to premises: Access to animal slaughtering premises should be limited to rodents, insects, birds, and domestic animals to prevent the entry of unwanted pests, further reducing the risk of contamination.

Adhere to safe disposal practices: Safe practices for the disposal of animal waste and blood are important. Appropriate disposal methods should be employed to prevent discarding them into rivers and waterways, which could cause environmental pollution.

By following these precautions, individuals can celebrate Eidul Azha while minimizing health risks and fostering a safe and hygienic environment for all participants.

Source: Pro Pakistani

May 26, 2023

RLNG Rates Up by 1.3% in May

The government raised the average monthly sale price of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) by up to 17 cents or 1.3 percent for May 2023.

On Thursday, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) announced its decided RLNG weighted average selling preliminary pricing. It fixed RLNG pricing at $13.3997/mmBtu for SNGPL customers and $13.6569/mmBtu for SSGC customers.

This marks a 1.3 percent increase over the previous rate and comes after four months of reductions. The higher price will most likely have a minor influence on electricity generating costs, notably for RLNG-based power plants.

RLNG rates for SNGPL customers rose by $0.1681/MMBtu, while Sui SSGC customers saw their prices rise by $0.1768/MMBtu).

RLNG prices in May 2023 are 38.6 percent year-on-year (YoY) lower for SNGPL customers and 42.6 percent YoY lower for SSGCL customers compared to rates in May 2022. When compared to the same month last year, the new rates for SNGPL and SSGC were lower. In April 2022, the RLNG price for SNGPL was $15.6165/MMBtu and $16.9101/MMBtu for SSGC customers.

Pertinently, the new rates comprise fees for LNG terminals, transmission losses, port costs, and the margins of the state-run importers Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL). These new weighted average sale prices were calculated based on eight cargoes imported by PSO and two cargoes imported by PLL.

With the exception of a few months, the nation has been lowering RLNG costs for domestic customers since May 2022. As per research, the RLNG price in the domestic market in May 2022 was the highest ($21.8317/MMBtu for SNGPL and $23.7873/MMBtu for SSGC) since Pakistan began importing LNG in 2015.

Source: Pro Pakistani

May 26, 2023

Pakistan vs. India Match in Junior Hockey Asia Cup Rescheduled

The organizers of the Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2023 have announced a change in the schedule for the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Pakistan and India.

The thrilling match between the junior hockey teams of Pakistan and India originally planned for a later time, will now be played tomorrow slightly earlier.

As per media reports, the rescheduled match will commence tomorrow evening at 10 PM, ensuring an intense battle under the floodlights at Salalah in Oman.

The decision to change the match time aims to accommodate the growing excitement among hockey fans and provide a prime-time spectacle for eager spectators.

Both neighboring countries have a rich history in the realm of field hockey, making this clash a highly anticipated event for fans, players, and coaches alike.

In the lead-up to this pivotal match, Pakistan has displayed commendable form in the opening two matches of the tournament, placing them in a strong position.

In their first encounter, Pakistan demonstrated their dominance on the field by securing a convincing victory against Taipei, followed by another impressive win against Thailand.

Source: Pro Pakistani