Pakistan Tourism faces tough questions as Senate reviews PTDC’s future

Goods transporters have announced a 40-day postponement of their nationwide strike following talks with government representatives in Karachi. The negotiations were held at the Governor House in Karachi. Sindh Governor Nihal Hashmi, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab, Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan and All Pakistan Goods Transporters Association President Malik Shahzad attended the meeting. Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Malik Shahzad said transporters had decided to postpone the strike after receiving assurances from the government. He said the transporters had been on a nationwide strike for the past nine days. According to him, the Sindh government assured them that the parking issue would be addressed. Shahzad said the government had also sought 15 days to review the mechanism for determining petroleum prices. The issue of whether fuel prices should be revised every 15 days or once a month would be examined, he added. He said Federal Minister Abdul Aleem Khan had assured the transporters that a committee would be formed to review toll taxes and consider reducing the charges. The transporters were also assured that 10-wheeler vehicles would be allowed to carry an appropriate weight, Shahzad said. He added that the federal and provincial governments had already resolved some of their concerns. Other issues require decisions at the cabinet level, he said. Shahzad said meetings of the relevant committees would continue. He expressed hope that the government would fulfil its commitments. He clarified that the transporters were not ending their strike permanently. Instead, they were postponing it for 40 days. He warned that the transporters could resume protests if the government failed to implement the assurances given during the negotiations. Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan said the government had addressed the transporters’ issues that could be resolved immediately. He said some demands required formal procedures, which the government would complete. Several committees had been formed to work on the remaining issues, he added. Aleem Khan also criticised the condition of the Karachi-Hyderabad road. He said the existing road could not properly be described as a motorway. He announced that work on a new motorway from Sukkur to Hyderabad and onward to Karachi would begin this year. The minister said the government wanted to avoid decisions that could create unnecessary disputes. Sindh Governor Nihal Hashmi said the regional situation was currently unusual and had significant economic implications. He said the economic effects of conflicts were being felt not only in Pakistan but across the world. He added that the prime minister and the field marshal were making efforts to ensure that the impact on the public remained manageable. Hashmi said the government and transporters had listened to each other during the negotiations. Both sides, he added, agreed that they were prepared to make sacrifices for the country. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab said the authorities had spent the entire day trying to resolve the issues raised by transporters. He said the Sindh government would take action on matters falling under its jurisdiction. Wahab stressed that the authorities wanted to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than confrontation.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Japan President Malik Noor Awan has congratulated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, party leader Nawaz Sharif, the party leadership, and workers on the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s victory in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) elections. In his congratulatory statement, Malik Noor Awan said the people of Azad Kashmir had expressed their confidence in the PML-N’s agenda of development, stability, and public service by electing the party to power. He said the victory was not only a success for a political party but also a guarantee of a brighter future, a stronger economy, and sustainable development for the people of Azad Kashmir. Malik Noor Awan stated that the PML-N has always centered its politics on public service, development, and the promotion of democratic values. He said this was the reason the people had once again placed their trust in the party’s leadership. He expressed hope that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PML-N President Nawaz Sharif, new development projects would be launched across Azad Kashmir, employment opportunities would be created, and more effective measures would be taken to improve public welfare. He further said that PML-N workers and the Pakistani community residing in Japan were also delighted with the historic victory and extended their heartfelt congratulations to the party leadership. Reaffirming the commitment of overseas Pakistanis, Malik Noor Awan said they would continue to stand firmly with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and play their full role in supporting the country’s progress and development.

ISLAMABAD: Holders of the Pakistan Origin Card (POC) will now be able to perform Hajj under Pakistan’s official Hajj quota, according to sources familiar with the development. Sources said one per cent of Pakistan’s total Hajj quota will be reserved for POC holders. The decision is expected to provide an opportunity for overseas Pakistanis of Pakistani origin who no longer hold Pakistani citizenship or passports to perform Hajj through Pakistan’s quota for the first time. Under the arrangement, 1,792 POC holders will be eligible to perform Hajj using Pakistan’s allocated quota. The sources said Saudi Arabia has allowed POC holders to be included in Pakistan’s Hajj quota. The permission is being described as a significant development for people of Pakistani origin living abroad who have surrendered their Pakistani citizenship or passports but retain their connection with the country through the Pakistan Origin Card. POC holders will reportedly be eligible to benefit from both the government and private Hajj schemes. This will give eligible applicants the option of choosing between the two arrangements, subject to the applicable rules and requirements. The allocation of one per cent of the overall quota means that a specific number of pilgrims of Pakistani origin will be accommodated within Pakistan’s annual Hajj arrangements without holding Pakistani citizenship. The facility is particularly significant for overseas Pakistanis who have maintained strong links with Pakistan despite giving up their citizenship. The Pakistan Origin Card provides such individuals with a formal connection to the country and facilitates their access to several rights and services. Sources said the inclusion of POC holders in Pakistan’s Hajj quota has been permitted by Saudi authorities following discussions concerning arrangements for Pakistani pilgrims. The move is expected to benefit members of the Pakistani diaspora who have previously faced limitations in performing Hajj through Pakistan because they no longer possess Pakistani passports. The development comes as preparations for the upcoming Hajj season continue. A large number of Pakistani pilgrims are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia under both government and private schemes. The government has also been working on arrangements concerning accommodation, transportation, medical facilities and other services for Pakistani pilgrims. The inclusion of POC holders could further strengthen the connection between Pakistan and its overseas community, particularly those who continue to maintain cultural, family and social ties with the country.

KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has served a legal notice on former Federal Board of Revenue chairman Shabbar Zaidi. The party is seeking Rs1 billion in damages over remarks it says harmed its reputation. The notice relates to allegations made by Zaidi about the political party and its role in public protests. JI said the former FBR chief made the remarks during a podcast and later repeated them on different social media platforms. According to the party, the notice was issued on July 27 through Advocate Tahir Iqbal Malik. It was sent on the instructions of JI Karachi General Secretary Taufiquddin Siddiqui. JI has accused Zaidi of making serious and damaging claims. The party says the allegations suggested that it had received money to weaken or suppress public protests and political issues. The party also objected to comments in which Zaidi allegedly described JI as an “establishment firewall”. According to JI, the remarks created an impression that the party was working to dilute public concerns and protests. The legal notice claims that the statements included allegations of secret funding, bribery, corruption and political misconduct. It also alleges that the remarks suggested coordination between the party and state institutions. JI has demanded that Zaidi provide evidence to support his claims. The party has asked him to identify the person who allegedly made the payment and the individual who supposedly received it. The notice also seeks details about the alleged amount, including when and where the payment was made. JI has asked for information about the method of payment and any bank records or financial documents linked to the allegation. The party has further demanded evidence concerning the alleged protest or public issue. It has asked for the names of witnesses and any documents, recordings or other material that could support the claims. JI also wants Zaidi to disclose the source of the information on which his allegations were based. The party has said the claims should be backed by verifiable evidence. When approached for a response, Zaidi said he had forwarded the legal notice to his lawyer. He said he would seek legal advice on the matter. The dispute could now move into a legal phase if the former FBR chairman does not respond to the notice in the manner demanded by the party.