PM unveils Naya Pakistan Card Initiative

Daily Briefs

Photo : The Express Tribune

09 December 2021, Thursday I Vol 2, No. 323

PM unveils Naya Pakistan Card Initiative

ADB to support Ehsaas initiative, Balochistan's suggestion to stop Sindh fishermen entering its waters, review of railway projects to Central Asia, EU appreciation for Pakistan on FATF

PR Daily Brief | PR Team

In Brief
INTERNAL
PM unveils Naya Pakistan Card Initiative
On 8 December, Prime Minister Imran Khan formally launched the Naya Pakistan Card initiative, bringing mega welfare programmes of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government covering health, education, food and agriculture sectors under one umbrella. The card aims to streamline various schemes likes Ehsaas Program, Kisan Card and Sehat Card for various groups of people in Pakistan. During the same political address, PM discsussed of building ten dams in the next decade. (“PM Imran unveils Naya Pakistan Card initiative,” Dawn, 9 December 2021)

Ehsaas Initiative gets USD 603 million support from ADB
On 8 December, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved a USD 603 million results-based lending program to strengthen and expand social protection programs in Pakistan. Using conditional cash transfers, the program will support the implementation of Ehsaas, Pakistan’s national social protection and poverty reduction strategy. Under the Integrated Social Protection Development Program, ADB will provide a regular loan of USD 600 million and a USD 3 million grant from the Asian Development Fund, and will administer a USD 24 million grant from the Education Above All Foundation. The program also supports improvements and fiduciary capacity for the Pakistan’s social protection program. (“Ehsaas initiative set to get $600m ADB support,” Dawn, 9 December 2021)

Balochistan suggests Sindh to stop its fishermen from entering its waters
On 8 December, the Balochistan government decided to ensure a complete ban on illegal fishing in the province’s waters and asked the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and the Sindh government to stop Sindh’s fishermen from entering Balochistan’s waters. Balochistan Chief Secretary Motahar Niaz Rana said, “The Sindh government should ask its fishermen not to violate the provincial jurisdiction of 12 nautical miles,”. (“Sindh asked to stop fishermen from entering Balochistan waters,” Dawn, 9 December 2021)

PROVINCES
Punjab-Sindh: Fertiliser Review Committee criticises provinces for urea leakage
On 8 December, the Fertiliser Review Committee censured the agriculture departments of Sindh and Punjab for not containing the flow of fertiliser into Sindh. Mr Bakhtyar directed the authorities concerned to ensure vigilant border monitoring to avoid interprovincial movement of urea and rationalise district-wise provision of urea for a market correction. Sindh’s agricultural department officials informed the meeting about the recent illegal movement of urea at the Sukkur bypass and the highway at the border with Punjab. The officials said Sindh had initiated punitive measures against hoarders in the area surrounding the provincial border. (“Urea flow from Punjab to Sindh draws panel’s ire,” Dawn, 9 December 2021)

ECONOMY
Pakistan, China renew Joint Economic Committee after 11 years
On 8 December, Pakistan and China resumed the Joint Economic Committee (JEC) meeting after an 11 year pause to strengthen bilateral ties under the broader framework. The forum of JEC was put on the backburner as everything was finalized through the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) for the last eight years. The Minister for Economic Affairs highlighted that Pakistan and China are entering into the next phase of CPEC, where Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are being established. The SEZs would attract foreign direct investment, establish industrial units, create employment opportunities and boost economic activities. Similarly, operationalisation of Gwadar Port will also create momentum in the external trade. China is Pakistan's largest trading partner for the last six consecutive years since 2015. At present, China is Pakistan's main source of imports and second-largest export destination, Omar said. (“China’s decision to hold Joint Economic Committee session welcomed,” Dawn, 9 December 2021)

EXTERNAL
Railway connectivity projects to Central Asia reviewed
On 8 December, the delegates from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Kazakhstan reviewed the progress on a project aimed at increasing regional connectivity through rail link highlighting the need for easy communications, swift transportation and minimised trade barriers for economic growth of regional countries. Mazar-i-Sharif-Kabul-Peshawar corridor is one of the designated rail corridors defined and planned under the CAREC Railways Strategy 2017-2030. The Trans-Afghan Railways providing access to Karachi, Bin Qasim and Gwadar will connect the Central Asian and Eurasian railway systems and attract significant cargo flow, besides reviving the region’s historical role as bridge linking Europe and Asia with the shortest land route. (“Progress reviewed on regional connectivity project,” Dawn, 9 December 2021)

Pakistan wants to engage with US on democracy "at an opportune time"
Pakistan conveyed to the United States on Wednesday that it would like to engage with Washington on the issue of democracy “at an opportune time in the future”, indicating that it may not attend President Joe Biden’s Democracy Summit. USA had invited Taiwan but not Beijing which had Pakistan in a difficult spot. Earlier, a US think-tank, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said in a report that the invitation was “presumably for strategic reasons” as the US relied on Pakistan for counterterrorism cooperation in the region. (“Let’s engage at opportune time, Pakistan tells US,” Dawn, 9 December 2021)

EU commends Pakistan effort on FATF action plans
On 7 December, the European Union (EU) welcomed progress made by Pakistan to implement action plans of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and lauded adoption of the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill by parliament that later became an Act with the presidential approval. The meeting was co-chaired by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Josep Borrell in Brussels on Tuesday. The two sides reviewed ongoing cooperation between Pakistan and the EU based on the Strategic Engagement Plan, said the joint communique shared by the Foreign Office in Islamabad on 8 December. (“EU hails Pakistan’s progress on FATF action plans,” Dawn, 9 December 2021)

New Border crossing opened with Iran
On 8 December, the Raajay area in Chagai district was all in chimes due to new the border opening with Iran which would enhance connectivity especially for people living in the border areas. Deputy Commissioner Mansoor Ahmed Baloch said “This is a historic moment for the people living on both sides of the border as this new border crossing will create job opportunities and remove hurdles being faced by the local people,”. (“New border crossing with Iran opened in Chagai,” Dawn, 9 December 2021)

Pakistan on Twitter

"Ah tremors in Karachi not felt as they were lesser in intensity what we karachiites feel throughout the day while banging our vehicles in ditch-rich roads #JusticeForEarthquake
-Journalist Mubashir Zaidi

The Election Commission asked Imran Khan not to visit Peshawar but he walked away trampling the law. There were videos and audios of the speaker, federal and provincial ministers violating the code of conduct came but the Election Commission is doing nothing but issue notices. This not an election, a selection and an election commission but a helpless commission.
-Journalist and anchor Salem Safi

Daily Briefs

PM unveils Naya Pakistan Card Initiative

ADB to support Ehsaas initiative, Balochistan's suggestion to stop Sindh fishermen entering its waters, review of railway projects to Central Asia, EU appreciation for Pakistan on FATF

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