[Alam]

First HVI lab to be opened today

By our correspondent

KARACHI: Federal Minister for Textile Industry Mushtaq Ali Cheema will inaugurate today (Friday) the first High Volume Instrument (HVI) laboratory at the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) House Multan.

The installation of HVI laboratory is the first tangible step taken by the government to produce contamination-free cotton in the country. According to estimates of a government committee, Pakistan loses around $500 to $600 million every year due to cotton contamination, however, the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) puts the figure at more than $1,400 million.

“The installation of HVI laboratory has been completed in Vehari district, which will start operation soon, while work on two other laboratories in Rahim Yar Khan and Sanghar districts is underway,” Joint Director Pakistan Cotton Standard Institute (PCSI), Liaquat Ali Khan, told The News.

“In the second phase, such laboratories will be installed in Bahawalpur and Gothki districts to ensure production of clean cotton and improvement in standardisation of cotton,” he added.

The installation of an HVI laboratory costs around Rs25 million. The federal government has allocated about Rs71 million for setting up these laboratories, which will provide fibre-testing facilities ñ an approved standard criterion worldwide - for the growers, ginners and spinners.

The government awarded the contract for the import of the machinery to a Switzerland-based supplier - Oster Technologies - which imported the machinery from the US.

Although the country’s entire cotton crop is picked by hand and has good fibre properties, after ginning it contains trash averaging seven to eight per cent, which sometimes increases to more than 12 per cent. In machine-picked cotton, trash percentage is up to 30 per cent, but when packed in bales the trash content is reduced to two to four per cent.

Anything other than cotton is said to be trash or contamination and there are two types of trash - one is organic and the other inorganic.

Organic trash comes from plant itself such as leaves, bark, sticks, grass or any part of foliage, etc while inorganic trash consists of foreign matter such as piece of any metal, jute, strings, dust and piece of paper polypropylene.

Till 2000, cotton contamination was recorded in the range of 25 grams to 40 grams per bale in Pakistan, which was very high compared to other cotton-producing countries of the world. To control this situation, the government imposed a ban on the use of jute bags for the supply of seed cotton, which brought good results.

This year, the government has announced that the country will produce around 100,000 bales of contamination-free cotton, allocating around Rs70 million for the purpose.

Source: http://www.thenews.c...il.asp?id=19327

[Alam]

Jamia Qasimul Aloom – a hub of Islamic teachings

By Nadeem Shah

MULTAN: Jamia Qasimul Aloom, established by Sheikhul Tafseer Mufti Muhammad Shafi Multani, has been playing an effective role in spreading Islamic education and promoting peace and harmony in the City and its suburbs.

The decades old seminary, situated in the posh area of Gulgasht, is one of the seminaries established by the late great saint. He as the principal and founder of the institution brought Maulana Mufti Mahmood as a teacher to teach the students.

The Jamia, a Deoband school of thought seminary, has always remained aloof from any kind of political activities. “We are planning to launch computer classes in few months for at least 50 students. There is no room for hatred, prejudiced approaches or extremism at the seminary,” said Jamia assistant director Muhammad Sufiyian Siddiqui, while talking to this scribe here on Saturday.

Sufiyian, the late Mufti Shafi’s grandson, said that Islamic seminaries or madrassas in the country were playing a very positive role in imparting religious and scientific education to students, especially in remote areas. He lauded the contributions and services of the madrassas for imparting cheap education to the poor.

“The seminary has successfully been progressing and subjects like mathematics, computer sciences and English language have been introduced in the syllabus to bring the students at par with the students of the government institutions,” he maintained. He said that the seminary had been providing education in English and science subjects for the last 10 years.

Highlighting the services of great saint Mufti Shafi, Sufyian said he completed his Hadith education at Delhi seminary Aminiyia under the guidance of subcontinent’s Mufti-e-Azam Kifayatullah Dehlvi, Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Ghotvi, Hazrat Shahsahib Tlairi and Maulana Yar Muhammad Multani. He started teaching Islamic education at seminary Subhania in Multan, served at seminary Hafiz Tahir Muhammad Khalil for few years and at Imliwali Mosque Seminary Salimia for a long time. Later, he served at Jamia Qasimul Aloom till his death.

The present Jamia mosque was constructed under his supervision, while the old and dilapidated portion of the seminary has been demolished and a female seminary has been established there. Mufti Shafi also established a branch of the seminary in Sabzazar Colony.

Source: http://www.thenews.c...il.asp?id=19709

[Alam]

Govt to promote women’s handiwork in world

By Our Correspondent

MULTAN: The federal government has planned to introduce a scheme 'one village-one product' in southern Punjab to introduce their handmade products in the world and earn more than $1 billion every year by exporting them.

The Ministry of Women Development and Youth Affairs has introduced the concept under its project Women's Political School (WPS) in order to make the women economically self-reliant. City District Assembly female members Munaza Hashmi and Moazma Hussnain said here on Monday that the ministry was focusing on making women economically empowered after raising their representation at the national and local level. “The ministry has been in touch with the donor agencies for funds for the ambitious plan and the WPS will hire the services of experts in a particular product like artificial jewellery or 'khusa',” they said.

They said that the plan was in vogue at different places across the world so the ministry wanted to put its plan on the same pattern to promote the expertise of a single village for a single product.

Besides other projects of the ministry, they said, the WPS was presently receiving wide appreciation for its crucial role of grooming lady councillors for effectively discharging their responsibilities of public offices at the grassroots level. The female members said that the ministry was highlighting the women’s participation in every sphere of life.

Referring to the other steps for women uplift, they said the ministry was working for the release of women prisoners besides launching 'Community Campaign to Prevent Violence Against Women' at a cost of Rs 38 million and the move was showing positive results.

Earlier, Multan DCO’s wife Shazia Iftikhar Babar inaugurated Sher Shah Town Phase-I’s four-day women councillors training workshop. The ministry has been holding these workshops in collaboration with the UNDP under women political school project. Multan city district assembly female members including Rahat Zartaj, Bushra Khatoon, SR Khan, Local Government Assistant Director Malik Khizar Abbass Khakhi spoke on the occasion.

Source: http://thenews.jang....il.asp?id=20789

[Abdullah Hayat]

Salam,

A billion dollar from handiwork exports...; its going to be a major export industry. I hope we can realize this dream. We HAVE TO diversify our exports. In the West, handicrafts seem to sell at much higher prices (depending upon the quality of work). We can certainly make it a source of income.

The earlier we can get out of this cotton-based economy, the better. That doesn't mean not increasong cotton-based exports... but rather increase the ratio of non-cotton-based exports.

Our neighbours are exporting billions of dollars of "software"...! i.e. basically a stream of 0s and 1s... They also export "billions of dollars" of gyms and jewelry..! We have to do a similar kind of diversification.

Peace.

[Alam]

17 road projects okayed

By Our Correspondent

MULTAN: The District Development Committee approved 17 projects costing Rs 150 million for the repair and construction of new roads.

The committee that met here with DCO Iftikhar Babar in the chair also approved the purchase of modern machinery for the WASA and sanctioned Rs 6.4 millions for the purpose. The main purpose of the machinery purchase is to solve sewerage problems being faced by the people.

The committee sanctioned Rs 2.8 million to upgrade Qadirpur Raan Rural Health Centre and set up a modern 10-bed ICU. The committee approved three other schemes for the construction of additional rooms at Government Girls Primary School, Ghareebabad and three livestock schemes under which farmers will be provided buffaloes of newly breed and Cholistani cows at cheaper prices. The farmers will have to pay the prices of animals in easy installments. The DCO directed the EDOs and officers concerned to complete the development schemes in the stipulated period.

Source: http://thenews.jang....il.asp?id=21442

[waseem]

Rs5 billion Multan sewerage plan

MULTAN, Oct 27: City district nazim Mian Faisal Mukhtar has asked Wasa to submit a Rs5 billion plan to the Punjab planning and development department for a final approval for 28 sewerage and water supply schemes.

Presiding over a meeting of the Multan Development Authority (MDA) and Wasa, the nazim who is also chairman of the MDA, identified the faulty sewerage as the most grievous problem of the city and pledged to solve it on a priority basis.

“Poor planning by past regimes has forced the present government to replace the old system by a new one.” He said that 17 new schemes had been added to the proposed plan and new areas had been included where no sewerage system was operational.

Wasa director Malik Tasaduq Hussain said more than one billion rupees were required to complete on-going six ADP schemes. These schemes included sewerage and water supply pipelines, upgradation of pumping stations, replacement of sewerage lines from Chungi 9 to Jamalpura, and laying of new sewerage lines from old Shujabad road and Sultan colony to Vehari road.

He said that another sum of Rs337 million was needed to complete some non-ADP development schemes like sewerage system at Garden Town, purchase of machines for removing sewage blockade, repair of sewerage systems of Muhammadpur Ghota, Qasim Bela, Moza Jhakarpur, Gulshan Shujat, and Ghosia Colony, and replacement of old water supply lines in Multan city under the Chief Minister’s special programme.

The director said that new schemes included sewerage and water supply schemes at Bosan Road, New Shah Shams Colony, Sameejabad, bypass road, and north and south zones.—APP

[Alam]

26,000 water filtration plants to be installed

MULTAN: Under Clean Drinking Water for All (CDWA) 26,000 water filtration plants, one at each Union Council will be installed. In first phase, 6,500 plants would be installed through out the country.

A total of 544 water filtration plants, one in each Tehsil, were to be installed under CDWI and so far 341 plants have been installed in different parts of the country to provide clean drinking water to the masses as it is the top priority of the government and all efforts would be made to fulfil this objective.

Official sources said here on Sunday that government has initiated a CDWA project.

Source said every effort would be made to implement and effectively run the water projects assigned to the Ministry of Industries, Production and Special Initiatives by President Musharraf. It was decided that Provincial Governments will execute CDWI as their involvement in the projects in necessary for its effective implementation, and running once completed.

Sources said the Federal Government will do the overall supervision and will also provide funds to the provincial governments for the implementation of CDWI.

Source: Pak Tribune

[waseem]

Setting up of food industry to boost economy: MGAP

Associated Press of Pakistan

MULTAN: The setting up of food industry in south Punjab will boost the country's economy, said Mango Growers Association Pakistan (MGAP) President Zahid Hussain Gardezi here on Wednesday.

Mr Zahid Hussain Gardezi said by facilitating the agricultural sector, which provides livelihood to 70 percent population, will make Pakistan strong and prosperous. The MGAP has been demanding upgraded transportation and air cargo facilities in the mango cluster region of Multan and Mirpur Khas (Sindh) for value-added export of mango, he said, adding it also requires a modern Mango Research Institute at Multan to combat the "quick decline" syndrome and other mango diseases. He stressed the need of establishing a mango export processing zone at Multan to help develop value-added fruit for export and local needs.

"The Agro Food Processing (AFP) project being set up in Multan's industrial zone by the Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) and SMEDA at a cost of Rs 180 million initially on a four-acre plot area will produce mango pulp, guava pulp, citrus concentrate and tomato puree," he said.

The Mango Growers Association Pakistan (MGAP), Multan Chamber of

Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC), SMEDA, Ministry of Industry, Production and Special Initiatives will jointly operate the project.

MGAP president said a 10-member board of management has been set up in this regard, whose members include Mughis Ahmed Sheikh, Mumtaz Manias, Major ® Zahid Bukhari, Shahid Mehmood Sahu and Khawaja Muhammad Usman would represent the private sector.

while Punjab Small Industries Corporation managing director, SMEDA provincial chief and a representative of PAMCO being the public sector members.

[Alam]

Bureaucratic snags delay Multan airport upgradation

MAQBOOL BUKHARI

MULTAN (April 27 2007): The Federal government has dropped establishment of new international standard airport for the people of Multan and decided upgradation of existing structure which lays in doldrums and freezes the cargo export, fruits, vegetables and handling of other exportable items from this agrarian region, it is learnt.

The unabated delay not only waiting for Rs 1 billion release commitment made by President Musharraf two years back but also waiting for proper handing over the army lands for upgradation and extension said sources.

Businessmen and industrialists revealed that US diplomats visited Multan in the current week had shown their keen interest to allowing Pakistani mangoes to US markets from 2008. The delay is not only suffered the passengers but also deeply affected frequent export of fruits and vegetables from the agrarian region.

The mango growers were of the view that Multan, South Punjab was one of the major mango-producing regions in the country but mango export handling from Multan airport in present structure was quite impossible. A mango exporter said that they were facing huge financial losses from mango export from Lahore or Karachi due to fruit damage on long route travel.

The packing and grading infrastructure is required at Multan airport, but is not available there due to delay in upgradation of the airport and the country depriving from foreign exchange, said mango exporters. When contacted Multan airport manager Muhammad Ayaz Jadoon said that the government was very keen to upgrade the present infrastructure and things were in process and pipeline.

He said that the CAA has deputed a separate chief engineer to carry out the task and he would have to resume his post to initiate upgradation activities.

Sources said the Federal government has allocated Rs 35 billion for newly establishment of Islamabad international airport while Multan international airport was required Rs 14-15 billion.

However, only upgradation of Multan airport has been decided instead new airport with estimated cost of Rs 2.8 billion including Rs 1.8 billion shares from Civil Aviation Authority. President Pervez Musharraf also took very keen interest on upgradation of airport and promised releasing Rs 1 billion. The commitment could not be honoured after lapsing two hectic years.

The Multan airport has been earning at least Rs 1 billion on sale of international tickets compared to Faisalabad. The passengers travelling on international routes complained of discriminating the people of South Punjab in providing direct international flights.

Experts say the wide body aircraft operations are not possible at the airport owing to runway, apron's limitations, and inadequate handling capacities of the terminal and saturation of the landside car parking. Sources said the available space for apron; passenger terminal and car park cannot be possible which needs extension in land size. Presently, the CAA has been using 145 acres of land out of total 185 acres at Multan airport, which needs extension in north side of the terminal with additional piece of land.

There is 43 acres of piece of land in army's possession lying vacant in north side including EME workshop, firing range and cultivated land. Sources said that there was mutual agreement between army and CAA had developed in the past but it was waiting for handing over the piece of land for airport extension.

The former member of airport upgradation committee Khawaja Muhammad Yousaf told this scribe that the matter has been settled with army to connect the 43 acres of land to the rest of land.

He said that non-availability of facilities to handle fresh fruits at the Multan airport, the area exporters preferred to send their consignments abroad either through Karachi or Lahore airports. The business community in general and mango exporters in particular had been demanding that Multan airport should be upgraded. "If the proposed facilities are made available here, exporters from other parts of the country will prefer to send their consignments through Multan airport," he added.

Sources said that proposed map for upgraded airport is included relocation of ASF camp, residences, commercial facilities, external services, electrical, external services civil, improvement of landscape and horticulture and other civil works to make one of the international standard airport in Multan.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2007

Source: Business Recorder

[waseem]

PC-1 for restoration of historical wall


MULTAN, Sept 25: An over Rs31 million feasibility plan (PC-1) has been prepared for preservation of historical fortification wall around old Shujabad city, officials say.

The plan, which has been sent to Punjab government for final approval, envisages three phases for the completion of the project.

According to the plan, Rs4 million will be spent on the project during current year, Rs15 million in the next fiscal and Rs12.36 million during 2009-10.

Restoration of the brickwork and construction of parts of the wall would be the main features of the project, the officials said.

They said removal of encroachments which were blocking the wall’s view on its eastern, southern and western sides was necessary for execution of restoration work.

They hoped the work on the project would begin within a month of PC-1’s approval.

There used to be a deep ditch around the wall to keep enemies away and the 18-40 feet area has been mentioned as Nazool land in the revenue record.

The encroachments along 1,270-feet long eastern side of the wall include two mosques, two primary schools, one girls’ high school, sixteen TMA shops and some other shops and houses.

Similarly, a house and five TMA latrines are located adjacent to the western side of the wall near Chotaqa gate. On the southern side, near Rasheed Shah gate, people have built houses by occupying the space between two bastions of the wall.

Some people have also built houses at the top of the wall which has a width of around 8-14 feet.

Punjab archaeology department officials said, they had sent a letter to Shujabad TMA askig it to remove encroachments from the wall.

Supreme Court had ordered the district government and tehsil administration to restore and rehabilitate the wall after removal of encroachments.

—APP

[MAA]

Rs 4.5 billion earmarked for Multan airport upgradation

KARACHI (December 27 2007): As part of its ongoing efforts aimed at upgradation of airports across the country, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has earmarked Rs 4.5 billion for further development of Multan airport, which will be upgraded to international status.

Of this total allocation, Rs 3.5 billion is being spent by CAA from its ADP, while the remaining Rs 1 billion will be contributed and covered by the government. This was announced by Farooq Rahmatullah, Director-General, Civil Aviation Authority, while addressing a press briefing on Wednesday.

Vikram S Sodha, Director, Planning and Development, CAA, at present spearheading the project, Air Cdre Junaid Ameen (CEO, Airport Services), Yousuf Kamal (Director, Works) and other CAA officials were also present.

Highlighting the recent developments on the ongoing upgradation process, Farooq said that efforts were being made to facilitate all domestic and international passengers at Multan airport. The project, he said, encompasses two important phases--expansion of terminal building, and upgradation of 'Airside Facilities' in Phase Two.

He said that army was providing 43 acres land to CAA, free of cost, and Pakistan Air Force has allowed extension of runway on its land. About various aspects of the ongoing project, Vikram said that CAA has also hired services of a well known consultant consortium comprising ECIL the Lois Berger Group (LBG), FNMH & VOROW International, which have undertaken the planning and design-related aspects of the project.

All concepts related towards the planning and designing of the 'Airside facilities' of Phase One for the airport have been specially designed by these consultants, he said.

He said that the runway length of the new Multan international airport would be increased to 11,000 feet from the present 9000 feet, raising the width of the runway to 150 feet, and 25 feet wide shoulders on either side against the present width of 100 feet. And, the runway would be upgraded to Category 'E' (B-747) design aircraft. He further said that strengthening of parallel taxiway and construction of new apron and overruns on both ends of the runway, as per NAFCP/ICAO recommendations, is also a part of this upgradation plan.

Regarding the completion time of the project, Farooq said that following the tender documentation, which is expected to be completed by the end of January 2008, airside work phase-one for the airport project is expected to commence from April 2008 with the expected completion time of up to 36 months.

source: http://www.brecorder...8...m=&supDate=

[JADI]

New projects by Khan Group in Multan:




Multan Trade Center


Khan Centre Multan


Khan Medical City


Khan Village residential colony

www.khanvillage.com/
www.khangroup.com
www.kpdmarketing.com

[Zain Abbass]

Multan is a very boring city but it wouldn't be too difficult to build high quality infrastructure and organize the city better.

[Tekno Arkitect]

Quote

Master plan for Multan uplift

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MULTAN: District Nazim Faisal Mukhtar has said the City District Government Multan (CDGM) has launched a 20-year master plan for the development and beautification of Multan.

Addressing a meeting the district nazim apprised the meeting that Nespak had evolved a short-term plan for this purpose with the help of satellite-taken maps and the same would be presented before the city district government Multan soon so that the project could be started in new fiscal year.

The city nazim said the Nespak had been directed to evolve a plan quickly for the execution of Multan Package announced by the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani under the 20-year plan. On the occasion, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Fazeel Asghar asked the officials concerned to keep the prime minister's package in view before chalking out the future plan. He asked the Nespak to include Multan Education city project in the master plan so that the science and technology university, Women University, Cadet College and Degree Colleges could be established in the same vicinity.

Speaking on the occasion Khawaja Jalal-ud-Deen Roomi, president Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) hailed the CDGM's efforts for implementing ban on establishment of industries in residential areas. He demanded of the government to include the uplift project of Industrial Estate in the master planner.

Traders protest long-hour power cuts: The local business community staged a protest demonstration against the unscheduled load-shedding of 10 to 14 hours and condemned the Mepco management for its failure to ensure smooth flow of power supply.

[Tekno Arkitect]

[Tekno Arkitect]

[Tekno Arkitect]

[Tekno Arkitect]

[Tekno Arkitect]

[MAA]

'Prime Minister to announce master plan for uplift of Southern Punjab'

RECORDER REPORT
MULTAN (July 28 2008): Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani will announce a master plan of development projects for Southern Punjab which was finalised by the Chambers of Commerce and Industry Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Khanewal and Sahiwal at a meeting chaired by Khawaja Muhammad Jalal-uddin Roomi president of MCCI.

This meeting was jointly organised by MCCI, SMEDA , AHAN ,PCGA and others for short-listing the development schemes and setting the priorities for execution of the schemes. Khawaja Jalal-uddin Roomi said that this master plan would change the destiny of this backward and neglected area .It would also change the socio-economic condition of the people of this zone.

The meeting expressed its satisfaction on the role of the present regime which had completed the fruits and vegetable procession plant in Multan for agro-food processing facilities like washing, grading, waxing, freight forwarding and cool chain etc. This project would start commissioning in October of this year. Khawaja Muhammad Yousaf told that government had also taken initiative to construct a bridge on Nishtar Ghat (Kot Mithan).

Briefing the meeting SMEDA's Syed Iqbal Qidwai and Alamgir Chaudhry said that Chambers of southern Punjab had identified 49 development projects in Master plan. Of them 20 project by Multan Chamber, Seven by Khanewal, six each by Sahiwal, and Bahawalpur and 10 by Dera Ghazi Khan. Now which were short-listed to 19 only which were to be got approved on top-priority basis from the Federal as well as provincial governments.

A master plan for the development of SMEs in Southern Punjab would bring a revolution for backward areas besides providing jobs to maximum number of people, said Muhammad Alamgir Chaudhry, Provincial Chief of SMEDA Punjab while addressing the member of Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Women Entrepreneurs.

The meeting declared the following projects feasible for southern Punjab's districts of Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan etc.

THESE ARE: Fruit and vegetable processing Industry through facilitation centre, Milk processing and dairy products, goat sheep, cattle fattening farm, upgradation of cotton ginning industry, fabric dying, finishing and printing industry, drainage system for big industries (Water Treatment Plants) Pesticides and insecticides industry, handicraft buying house, paper mill, animal poultry feed industry, wood seasoning plant/furniture, hi-frequency furnace, organic fertiliser, small plants of sugar, cement and fertilisers, facilitation centre for home textile dying, finishing and stitching, fish farming, upgradation of power looms to rapier looms, upgradation of Hanke Dying to Winch and Cone Dying and low tech engineering.

He said that small and medium enterprises are contributing 30 percent in GDP, 35 percent in exports, and 80 percent in job provision and mostly SMEs are in non-formal sector. He said that our website was contributing a lot to the new investors and more than 30,000 people visited our website this year.

Adnan Rashid said that Prime Minister's programme 'Aik Hunar Aik Nazar' (AHAN) to introduce our traditional handicraft and skill internationally like blue pottery of Multan, silver-wares of Bahawalpur, Furniture of Chiniot.

Adnan Ahmed Khan Vice President of MCCI said: "we had set a history by finalising a master plan of development projects for Southern Punjab which indicates that we are walking in the right direction," He threw light on the problems faced by the small and medium enterprises and said that SMEDA should ensure execution of development schemes in Southern Punjab as mere lip service cannot compensate the people of this zone which was neglected in the past.

source: http://www.brecorder...7...m=&supDate=