On October 9 2020, CR-NORINCO Orange Line project successfully concluded handing over the project after its completion to Punjab Mass Transit Authority (PMA). Orange Line Metro Train (OLMT) project is the first officially launched urban mass transit project under the CPEC framework for the “One Belt And One Road” initiative, and also the first metro transit project of Pakistan. The agreement for this project was signed in April 2015 in the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, marking its great significance for both China and Pakistan. CR-NORINCO as a joint venture between China State Railway Group Co. Ltd. (CR) and China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) undertook the OLMT project and assumed responsibility for its specific implementation. The conceptual and detailed Engineering and Mechanical (E&M) work design of the OLMT project are completed by China Railway Design Corporation, whereas the soft loan was provided by the EXIM Bank of China. The main line stretches over 25.58km, including an elevated track of 23.80km and an elevated transition track of 0.71km, while a track of 1.07km has been built underground to protect Lahore’s historical sites. The route is served by 26 stations with 24 elevated and 2 underground ones, with a stabling yard at its southern end at Ali Town and a rolling-stock depot at northern end adjacent to Dera Gujran Station. Must Read: OPPO Pakistan Launches the Sleekest OPPO F17 Pro Compared to other projects of similar nature in other countries, OLMT has a higher cost-performance efficiency and it fully implements the most advanced Chinese standards, technology and equipment. The perfect blend of Chinese criterions as per Pakistan’s setting is also a representation of the former’s advanced design and equipment manufacturing capabilities. With the combined efforts of project teams from both the countries, CR-NORINCO has smoothly and successfully completed the project, and in the interim employed and trained 2,000 Pakistani staff members. Through this project, CR-NORINCO did not only play its role in spurring local employment and economic growth effectively, but also actively fulfilled its social responsibilities by making significant donations to a local primary school, and in the fight against COVID-19, CR-NORINCO organized all the Chinese members of the project to donate masks to the Mayo hospital. This ironclad friendship between China and Pakistan was further expressed through a song as both the countries move hand in hand towards a brighter future.
Zong 4G to offer unlimited Calls to China under its CPEC Initiatives
Pakistan’s leading telecommunication operator, Zong 4G has become the only network to offer unlimited calls to China. To make international direct dialing to China more convenient, Zong 4G has launched two dynamic call bundles. The China bundles have been developed to suit both pre-paid and post-paid customers and will provide ease to both private and business customers by enabling calls to China at the lowest rates in the industry. China under its CPEC Initiatives. The China bundles offer unlimited calls to China for both prepaid and postpaid customers with a weekly bundle worth PKR 250+tax for prepaid customers and a monthly bundle worth PKR 750+tax for both prepaid and postpaid customers. Zong 4G’s Spokesperson said, “Zong 4G has always strived to provide its customers with unmatched and innovative products and services. As the connectivity partner for CPEC, Zong 4G has undertaken many initiatives and the launch of this bundle is in-line with our strategy of connecting both private and corporate customers.” Must Read: Daraz launches express delivery in 19 cities to enhance customer experience Zong 4G understands the emerging needs of the people working thousands of miles away from home and the dynamic demands of its corporate customers. With its extensive network of over 12500 4G enabled sites, Zong 4G offers its customers the best-in-class connectivity experience. Zong 4G, China Mobile Pakistan (CMPak) is a 100% owned subsidiary of China Mobile Communications Corporation. Zong 4G has the largest 4G subscriber base and the widest 4G coverage across the country with 4G leadership, market leadership, network leadership and service leadership traits. Zong 4G is leading the 4G industry with over 14 Million 4G subscribers and more than 12,500 4G sites nationwide.
Telenor Pakistan brings 4G to Gilgit Baltistan
Telenor Pakistan is spearheading another leap towards empowering the Pakistani society through the roll out of its 4G services in Gilgit Baltistan. To bring the benefits of digital communications to the people of Gilgit Baltistan, Telenor Pakistan has used state-of-the-art satellite solution by refarming its network sites in Gilgit and Skardu. Gilgit Baltistan is home to one of the world’s highest mountain ranges where deployment of fiber optic is challenging due to its geographical terrain and extreme weather. To provide telecom services, Gilgit Baltistan was mainly served with Legacy VSAT satellite network. As a smart alternative, Telenor Pakistan is now using O3b satellite network to provide 4G services which is a constellation of numerous satellites that orbit only 8,000kms away from Earth. This low altitude reduces latency by up to four times while bringing it at par with long haul fiber transmission. “In this increasingly digital world where connectivity has become a need for growth and development opportunities, Telenor Pakistan is pleased to extend the benefits of high-speed mobile broadband to the people of Gilgit Baltistan where it was not possible through conventional means,” said Irfan Wahab Khan, CEO Telenor Pakistan and Head of Telenor’s Emerging Asia Cluster. “It’s a proud moment for us and a representation of our unwavering commitment to connect and empower the underserved areas and communities of Pakistan. I welcome the people of Gilgit Baltistan to this era of high-speed connectivity with the ambition to continue delivering and enhancing services in this region.” Must Read: Facebook helps to build Community Resilience Programs in Pakistan Hafiz Hafeezur Rehman, Chief Minister of Gilgit- Baltistan said,” We congratulate Telenor Pakistan on bringing 4G to the people of Gilgit Baltistan and appreciate their continued efforts to help Pakistan achieve its digitalization goals. We are moving towards a future where technology is increasingly becoming the cornerstone of the entire socioeconomic progress and if we don’t prepare for it, we would definitely be left behind. We are proud how massively Pakistan’s ICT sector is contributing to our national digital inclusion agenda, especially Telenor Pakistan with its bold initiatives to empower the Pakistani society. As we envision to transform Pakistan into a knowledge economy, continued support from key technology players like Telenor Pakistan will prove instrumental for reaching new milestones.” It is pertinent to note that in late 2015, Telenor Pakistan had launched 3G trials in Gilgit Baltistan via O3b satellite, becoming the first national operator to venture into the region’s tough terrain for delivery of mobile and broadband connectivity. Later, in 2018, the company powered the port city of Gwadar with 4G services through its state-of-the-art satellite solution. Owing to its strategic location, ongoing CPEC related developments with immense economic and geo-political potential, Gwadar is all set to emerge as a regional and global maritime hubthat was in dire need of quality NGMS services. The launch of 4G services in Gilgit Baltistan is the continuation of Telenor Pakistan’s unyielding efforts to ensure easy and affordable access to mobile internet. Telenor Pakistan has reached and empowered people through connectivity where no other network has reached before, and the latest initiative is another addition to this tradition of supporting and promoting digital inclusion for the masses. With over 44 million cellular subscribers and 15 million high-speed data users, Telenor Pakistan facilitates the growth of NGMS uptake in the country not only through network coverage, but also with its extensive portfolio of affordable 3G/4G devices and handsets.
ACCA Pakistan hosts discussion on “The Budget 2018–19: Challenges and Opportunities for Economic Reforms” in Lahore
ACCA Pakistan hosted an expert discussion on “The Budget 2018–19: Challenges and Opportunities for Economic Reforms” which was aimed at keeping professionals up-to-date with the relevant changes that were being made to the Finance Act through the Budget 2018 – 19. This event was an opportunity to deliberate upon the recent federal budget, the opportunities created and challenges posed by it for the ongoing economic reforms in Pakistan. The forum also raised a common voice of all tax experts of Pakistan to share their feedback with FBR and other tax regulators. Panelists included Muhammad Awais, Partner Taxation, EY & ICAP Council Member, Aamir Ijaz Khan, Executive Director ICMAP, Mr Omer Zaheer Meer, FCCA Chairman ACCA Pakistan Taxation Committee, Mr Kamal Mian, Chairman Standing Committee on Policy Advocacy, LCCI, Mr Monim Sultan, President LTBA. The panelists analysed the budget in light of the global standards of fair taxation, its impact on broadening tax base, ease of doing business and global competitiveness indices and CPEC. In the welcome address that was delivered by Mr Sajjeed Aslam, Head of ACCA Pakistan – he reiterated that the purpose of this session is to achieve the milestones of Emerging Pakistan which had been identified by ACCA as 7% plus GDP growth rate (next five years average) ranking in top 50 for ease of doing business; and ranking in top 50 for global competitiveness indices (GCI) He conveyed that ACCA pledged to create such capacity, competency and talent within the society that will not only provide support for the economic growth of the country but also assist in upholding the trust level of the society. He identified this to be the primary / key role for any accountancy body including ACCA, ICAP, ICMAP and ICAEW and also highlighted that the CPEC is not only about the opportunities but it has allied challenges as well. He elaborated on the 12 tenets of fair taxation in detail which were identified by ACCA through its global research base and represented in the rest of the world through ACCA’s global tax forum. Must Read: ACCA to drive the growth trajectory of an Emerging Pakistan Muhammad Awais Partner Taxation, EY & ICAP Council Member delivered the Keynote address. He conveyed that some of the changes that were proposed through this budget in reference to the indirect taxation system under the sales tax law or the custom law have now been implemented through notification with immediate effect, however rest of the budget announcements will be implemented with effect from 1st July, 2018. He suggested that our focus needs to be aligned with the taxation system in the other part of the world and must be primarily based on the direct taxes instead of indirect taxes. Currently, direct taxes account for 37% and indirect taxes account for 67% of the total tax revenue collection. He also highlighted that the filer tax regime promotes the indirect taxation system and until the elimination of the filer regime system, the burden from indirect taxation cannot be shifted to direct tax and income based taxation system. Mr Kamal Mian Chairman Standing Committee on Policy Advocacy, LCCI and representing the business community of Pakistan has highlighted that the most difficult thing to do in Pakistan is manufacturing. He endorsed the vision of ACCA for ease of doing business and emphasized upon the simplicity for ease of doing business. Mr Aamir Ijaz Khan, Executive Director ICMAP indicated that the key problem behind the ease of doing business is red-tapism. He emphasized that we need a regularized framework to deal with this issue and to promote the ease of doing business.
ACCA to drive the growth trajectory of an Emerging Pakistan
ACCA members have committed themselves to achieving an average GDP of 7% as well as improving the global ranking of Pakistan to top 50for the ease of doing business and global competitiveness Index. ACCA’s Pakistan Leadership Conversation (PLC) 2018was held in Lahore on March 27, 2018 and was the last of a series of conferences held previously in Islamabad and Karachi. The conversations were based on the theme ‘Collective Vision for an Emerging Pakistan’ with the main aim offormulating forward- thinking policy choices to drive economic growth and social development in Pakistan. Bruno Olierhoek, President OCCI and CEO Nestle Pakistan Limited, DrAmjadSaqib, Founder Akhuwat Foundation, JahanzebBurana, CEO, PBIT, Hasnain Sheikh, Chairman and CEO, Inov8 Limited Pakistan, Hassan Daud Butt, Project Director/CPEC Coordinator, Ministry of Planning and Development, Monis Rahman, CEO, Rozee.pk, Omer Zaheer Meer, Senior Partner at MLCC and Tughral T Ali, Business Head: Branchless Banking, FINCA shared their perspectives for an Emerging Pakistan and key strategic interventions which their organizations are undertaking.It was unanimously agreed by the conversation leaders and the delegates that realizing this agenda means collaboration between the private and the public sector. Must Read: Creating New Possibilities For Avid Cricket Fans ACCA has drawn a roadmap with key deliverables essential to setting the country in motion towards achieving economic prosperity. One of the big ticket items that everyone is discussing these days is the Belt and Road initiative. ACCA is playing its part by leveraging its global reach with belt and road countries. ACCA is undertaking several researches to share the key focus areas. In recent past ACCA has launched two reports; one around the Chinese perspective and the other is purely focused on the opportunity for Pakistan under CPEC. The other main drivers of change that can create an impact include exporting services and professional and technical expertise. The extent to which shared services and BPO will significantly change the nature of today’s organisation cannot be underestimated. ACCA has been the thought leader when it comes to the concept of encouraging companies to adopting shared services or outsourcing models and managing talent. ACCA works in public interest and ensures that the businesses operate as a force for good and it can only do that if it operates to strong ethical and professional standards. ACCA has 200,000 members across the globe and these members work all over the world to build the profession and make society fairer and more transparent. The actionable agenda and the collective vision of the conversation leaders at PLC resonate with the entire ACCA fraternity. Sajjeed Aslam, Head of ACCA Pakistan said, “ACCA is known to be a strong champion of public value – acting in the public interest, promoting ethical businesses and growing economies. Sessions like these reflect ACCA’s commitment to knowledge sharing and capacity building.”
Pakistan Council on China hosted annual forum to discuss prospects of CPEC
Pakistan Council on China (PCC) hosted its annual forum on the prospects and challenges of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) today in Islamabad. The aim of the conference was to help promote better understanding for the future opportunities and challenges in the implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). As key note speakers, Chargé d’affaires Chinese Embassy Islamabad Mr. Lijian Zhao and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Ms Tehmina Janjua shed light on this important project for the region. While discussing the opportunities of this strategically very significant initiative, Pakistan’s foreign secretary Ms Tehmina Janjua said that ” Pakistan believes its long-term prosperity is inextricably linked to peace and development and we need comprehensive approaches to regional peace, stability and prosperity. She further said that our long term vision of economic development is reflected in vision 2025 which emphasizes regional connectivity and economic cooperation. CPEC is a natural choice for Pakistan and china. Pakistan’s Eastern neighbor has publicly announced opposition to CPEC and we are well aware of the challenges. She said that as the flagship project of OBOR, CPEC is destined to serve as a game changer for the whole region. Chargé d’affaires Chinese Embassy Islamabad Mr. Lijian Zhao highlighted the role of Pakistan and china for regional connectivity and trade saying that ” BRI carries the virtue of peaceful cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning and win-win spirit. He further said that CPEC is an unprecedented undertaking in the history of China-Pakistan relations”. Forum also discussed cultural, educational and economic dimensions of CPEC. President of Pakistan Council on China Amb (r) Inam-ul-Haq said that Pakistan and China enjoy a unique history of mutual respect, trust and friendship. He said that PCC created in an effort to improve the level and content of communications between the two countries. He further stated that CPEC is the foundation for regional cooperation, improving economic growth and offering trade diversifications. Director of Pakistan Council on China, Hamayoun Khan said that PCC is without doubt a strong contributor to the concept of BRI and CPEC with our intellectual advantage. He further said that every Pakistani and Chinese are looking forward to great success of CPEC which will ensure the brighter future of the whole region. Pakistan Council on China (PCC), a think-tank that was established in 2012, a year before initiation of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in view of the significance of expanding Sino-Pak bilateral relation. PCC is an independent, non-political, non-partisan body constituted to promote Pak-China relations.
