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June 2013

UK plans visa bonds for Pakistanis

LONDON: Britain is planning to force visitors from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and other countries whose nationals are deemed to pose a “high risk” of immigration abuse to provide a cash bond before they can enter the country, a report said Sunday.

The Sunday Times newspaper said that from November, a pilot scheme would target visitors from those three countries plus Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Ghana. Visitors aged 18 and over would be forced to hand over £3,000 ($4,600, 3,500 euros) from November for a six-month visit visa. They will forfeit the money if they overstay in Britain after their visa has expired. Initially the scheme will target hundreds of visitors, but the plan is to extend it to several thousand, according to the broadsheet’s front-page report.Read More »UK plans visa bonds for Pakistanis

Role of IT industry in Pakistan’s economy

By Salim Ghauri 

Pakistan is in a very exciting and decisive stage. Decisions taken now will have a far-reaching impact on our future. Politically things can’t be any better to steer our economy in a new direction. The need of the moment is to invest in gradually moving Pakistan away from an industrial base to a service based economy. IT Industry is a service industry that can provide a significant boost to our economic growth in next ten years.
Read More »Role of IT industry in Pakistan’s economy

Are Pakistani leaders willing to sacrifice?

By Brigadier (r) Farooq Hameed Khan

If common Pakistanis have to bear the burden of additional taxes in 2013-14 federal budget, then is the leadership willing to sacrifice its luxurious lifestyles? If the state treasury is empty, then are Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his cabinet and parliamentarians willing to become role models in austerity and simple living? Can poor Pakistani taxpayers afford their rulers’ extravagance?Read More »Are Pakistani leaders willing to sacrifice?

Donkey population rose sharply in Pakistan

 The donkey population in the country sharply rose during the five-year tenure of the Pakistan People’s Party-led coalition government, revealed the Pakistan Economic Survey 2012-13.

The donkey population welcomed 300,000 new members during the past five years, while the population of horses, camels and mules remained stagnant, according to the survey. Interestingly, the survey noted, it took General (retd) Pervez Musharraf almost a decade to add 600,000 donkeys during his eight-year military rule, while Nawaz Sharif only took two-years to add the same number to the donkey population.

Read More »Donkey population rose sharply in Pakistan

Solar energy strategy for Punjab

By Hassan Siddiq 

With its abundance of land, labour capital and entrepreneurs, Punjab in Pakistan is rich in all four factors of production required for economic growth. With a population approaching 100 million people, majority of which is young, and a GDP (Purchasing Power Parity basis) of nearly $300 billion, it has endless potential to grow exponentially over the next many years. However, the growth is being hampered by one single constraint: lack of energy. With a current demand-supply gap of about 4,000 megawatts (MW) in the province, the problem is expected to continue to exacerbate at the rate of 6.0 percent per annum in the business as usual scenario.Read More »Solar energy strategy for Punjab

CHINA ON A ROAD TO WISDOM

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PROFESSOR ALI SUKHANVER

 

The recent conflict between China and India in the Ladakh region of LAC has simply widened the already growing differences and increasing distances between the two countries. The situation remained very much tense and bitter for more than twenty days and the issue was resolved after intense negotiations during a flag meeting between Indian and Chinese commanders. The recent conflict started when fifty soldiers from China’s People’s Liberation Army crossed about 10 miles inside the disputed territory and set up a tented post. According to the DNA India, the Chinese soldiers subsequently put up four more tents and also deployed Molosser dogs. These fifty soldiers belonged to the Chinese Quick Read More »CHINA ON A ROAD TO WISDOM

Pakistan Bedget 2013-14: Salient features of PSDP allocations

The Public Sector Development Programme‚ worth Rs1‚155 billion is aimed at ensuring higher growth rate and achieving sectoral targets taking into consideration.

“This includes Rs540 billion development programme for the federal government and Rs615 billion for the provinces” said he while delivering the budget speech for the fiscal year 2013-14.Read More »Pakistan Bedget 2013-14: Salient features of PSDP allocations