While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is posturing to increase cordial relations with China and is scheduled to visit Beijing in May this year, his Nation Security Advisor(NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval; former Chief of Indian Intelligence Bureau and a diehard member of Hindutva extremist organization RSS is organizing something real big to put China in double trouble in Xinjiang and Tibet, reveal the investigations of The Daily Mail, carried out in this direction.
These investigations indicate that earlier, Indian intelligence agency , the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW or R&AW) was sufficing on training ETIM militants from organized camps inside Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan while arrangements were also made to get the ETIM members trained and armed via Pakistan based TTP-Raw Network. However, after Pakistan army launched the mother of all operations, codenamed “Operation Zarb-e-Azab”, even TTP had to go on a run, leaving one to imagine as what could have been the plight of its students from ETIM. Similarly on the other side, new Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, after coming to power, started a policy of minimizing the Indian intelligence interference in Afghanistan and started clearing all the RAW organized ETIM and TTP training camps in a precise and calculated move, though with a constant, yet invisible resistance by certain Generals of Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan Intelligence i.e. National Directorate of Security(NDS), both having majority of Indian loyalists and patronage.

A bus travels toward the border with China in Kyrgyzstan

The Daily Mail’s investigations indicate that the situation however forced Ajit Kumar Doval, the Indian NSA who also controls the RAW, IB and Indian Military Intelligence by default, to move ETIM’s militant training camps from Wakhan Corridor area near China border and also from Kunnar and Nooristan areas near Pakistan border while TTP headquarters under the Command of Pakistan’s Most Wanted terrorist Mulla FazalUllah that was also supervising the ETIM training and Operations are also in the process of being moved to Kandahar. Similarly, for the ETIM operators, spots in Vietnam, along with China’s Guangxi region have been established through Indian intelligence agency, RAW.
The Daily Mail’s investigations indicate that RAW was earlier running similar training and operational bases for ETIM in Kyrgyzstan and some other central Asian States. However when in January last year with China’s restive Xinjiang province . However after the arrival of Doval to power in India and Ashraf Ghani becoming President of Afghanistan, things started to get deteriorating for Indians.
Earlier, eleven members of ETIM were killed in Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstani authorities stated they suspected them to be some Chechen terrorists, preparing for some new terror operation. Later, independent investigations exposed that it was the Indian intelligence that was actually running a training and operations camp of ETIM terrorists near a remote border village, bordering with China’s restive Xinjiang province. The Kyrgyz border service Chief said a group of militants, carrying hunting rifles and knives, was spotted in Pikertyk, 40 km from the border, by a park ranger who was killed in the violence. Kyrgyz border guards located and surrounded the militants, and a gunfight erupted when they refused to surrender. Eleven militants were killed. After the incident, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said Kyrgyzstan and China are working closely in the fight against the “evil forces” of separatism, extremism and terrorism and the both the Kyrgyz and Chinese came to know what was actually going on and that Indians were running this show.
After this development, things became very difficult for the Indians to keep the operation intact from there and thus these camps were also shifted from Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and to Pak-Afghan border areas inside Pakistan in early 2014.
The Daily Mail’s Investigations indicate that although Indians were much desirous of having a huge ETIM set up in Pakistan’s Waziristan Agencies as by doing so, they could not only cause huge damage to China but could also deeply dent Pakistan-China relations. However, due to unexpected launch of mega military operation by Pakistan Army in the area, Indian had to remove these assets of it from Pakistan first and later also from Afghanistan precisely.
Investigations of The Daily Mail indicate that Ajit Kumar Doval, who is considered as the specialist of arranging plane hijacking dramas, in the global intelligence community, is now reported to be planning the hijacking of a passenger plane by ETIM militant from Kyrgyzstan or Vietnam etc as his original plan of executing this hijacking from Islamabad airport could not be materialized due extraordinary security applied at all Pakistani airport after the start of operation Zarb-e-Azb. After this intelligence report surfaced, Chinese authorities introduced top level security measures at Xingjian’s Urumqi airports while they are jointly reviewing the security arrangements at relevant foreign airports, having flights to Urumqi.
The investigations further indicate that although the exact locations of RAW organized ETIM terror training and operations camps in Vietnam are not know, yet it stands almost confirmed that a few of these are at a location between Shuolong Town and Tang Loong towns of China Vietnam Border, an area, normally considered as safe haven for the smuggling operations. These operations are “mainly organized and controlled behind the scene by the East
Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) in efforts to spread religious extremism, and bewitch and incite people to flee abroad to take part in jihadist activities, while is actually masterminded from New Delhi-based RAW headquarters. Just recently, Chinese Border authorities killed a couple of ETIM activists of Uighur community in this border area, earlier in February this year. The Daily Mail’s investigations indicate that the Chhota Rajan Gang, that was created by Ajit Doval during his days at IB and was later comprehensively used by RAW as well, has now been tasked to manage the ETIM affairs in Vietnam as the Chhota Rajan Gang is on record to have an amazing network across Vietnam. Chhota Rajan Gang has come to a boom, boom situation after Doval took over as India’s NSA and became an undeclared chief of the entire intelligence mechanism of the country. These investigations indicate that in a recent meeting that was held in the last days of Januarry 2015, NSA Ajit Doval formally handed over Chhota Rajan Gang’s service to the incumbent RAW Chief Rajinder Khanna for the ETIM operations and for certain operations in Pakistan and Nepal. The details of these operations are still not available
The Daily Mail’s investigations indicate that Ajit Doval is also desirous of having a repeat of the RAW operation, codenamed “Ashes on Snow” that was carried out in Tibet region of China in 2008, using the services of some Arunachal Pradesh and Dharamshaal based Tibetan elements. Hyper activities at the training centers At Dharamshala state of India have been witnessed in past few weeks. Investigations indicate that Doval has planned of sandwiching Chinese security authorities between simultaneous disruption and violence in both Tibet and Xinjiang Regions of the people’s Republic.

These investigations indicate that earlier, Indian intelligence agency

While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is posturing to increase cordial relations with China and is scheduled to visit Beijing in May this year, his Nation Security Advisor(NSA) Ajit Kumar Doval; former Chief of Indian Intelligence Bureau and a diehard member of Hindutva extremist organization RSS is organizing something real big to put China in double trouble in Xinjiang and Tibet, reveal the investigations of The Daily Mail, carried out in this direction.
These investigations indicate that earlier, Indian intelligence agency , the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW or R&AW) was sufficing on training ETIM militants from organized camps inside Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan while arrangements were also made to get the ETIM members trained and armed via Pakistan based TTP-Raw Network. However, after Pakistan army launched the mother of all operations, codenamed “Operation Zarb-e-Azab”, even TTP had to go on a run, leaving one to imagine as what could have been the plight of its students from ETIM. Similarly on the other side, new Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani, after coming to power, started a policy of minimizing the Indian intelligence interference in Afghanistan and started clearing all the RAW organized ETIM and TTP training camps in a precise and calculated move, though with a constant, yet invisible resistance by certain Generals of Afghan National Army (ANA) and Afghan Intelligence i.e. National Directorate of Security(NDS), both having majority of Indian loyalists and patronage.

A bus travels toward the border with China in Kyrgyzstan

The Daily Mail’s investigations indicate that the situation however forced Ajit Kumar Doval, the Indian NSA who also controls the RAW, IB and Indian Military Intelligence by default, to move ETIM’s militant training camps from Wakhan Corridor area near China border and also from Kunnar and Nooristan areas near Pakistan border while TTP headquarters under the Command of Pakistan’s Most Wanted terrorist Mulla FazalUllah that was also supervising the ETIM training and Operations are also in the process of being moved to Kandahar. Similarly, for the ETIM operators, spots in Vietnam, along with China’s Guangxi region have been established through Indian intelligence agency, RAW.
The Daily Mail’s investigations indicate that RAW was earlier running similar training and operational bases for ETIM in Kyrgyzstan and some other central Asian States. However when in January last year with China’s restive Xinjiang province . However after the arrival of Doval to power in India and Ashraf Ghani becoming President of Afghanistan, things started to get deteriorating for Indians.
Earlier, eleven members of ETIM were killed in Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyzstani authorities stated they suspected them to be some Chechen terrorists, preparing for some new terror operation. Later, independent investigations exposed that it was the Indian intelligence that was actually running a training and operations camp of ETIM terrorists near a remote border village, bordering with China’s restive Xinjiang province. The Kyrgyz border service Chief said a group of militants, carrying hunting rifles and knives, was spotted in Pikertyk, 40 km from the border, by a park ranger who was killed in the violence. Kyrgyz border guards located and surrounded the militants, and a gunfight erupted when they refused to surrender. Eleven militants were killed. After the incident, the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said Kyrgyzstan and China are working closely in the fight against the “evil forces” of separatism, extremism and terrorism and the both the Kyrgyz and Chinese came to know what was actually going on and that Indians were running this show.
After this development, things became very difficult for the Indians to keep the operation intact from there and thus these camps were also shifted from Kyrgyzstan to Afghanistan and to Pak-Afghan border areas inside Pakistan in early 2014.
The Daily Mail’s Investigations indicate that although Indians were much desirous of having a huge ETIM set up in Pakistan’s Waziristan Agencies as by doing so, they could not only cause huge damage to China but could also deeply dent Pakistan-China relations. However, due to unexpected launch of mega military operation by Pakistan Army in the area, Indian had to remove these assets of it from Pakistan first and later also from Afghanistan precisely.
Investigations of The Daily Mail indicate that Ajit Kumar Doval, who is considered as the specialist of arranging plane hijacking dramas, in the global intelligence community, is now reported to be planning the hijacking of a passenger plane by ETIM militant from Kyrgyzstan or Vietnam etc as his original plan of executing this hijacking from Islamabad airport could not be materialized due extraordinary security applied at all Pakistani airport after the start of operation Zarb-e-Azb. After this intelligence report surfaced, Chinese authorities introduced top level security measures at Xingjian’s Urumqi airports while they are jointly reviewing the security arrangements at relevant foreign airports, having flights to Urumqi.
The investigations further indicate that although the exact locations of RAW organized ETIM terror training and operations camps in Vietnam are not know, yet it stands almost confirmed that a few of these are at a location between Shuolong Town and Tang Loong towns of China Vietnam Border, an area, normally considered as safe haven for the smuggling operations. These operations are “mainly organized and controlled behind the scene by the East
Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) in efforts to spread religious extremism, and bewitch and incite people to flee abroad to take part in jihadist activities, while is actually masterminded from New Delhi-based RAW headquarters. Just recently, Chinese Border authorities killed a couple of ETIM activists of Uighur community in this border area, earlier in February this year. The Daily Mail’s investigations indicate that the Chhota Rajan Gang, that was created by Ajit Doval during his days at IB and was later comprehensively used by RAW as well, has now been tasked to manage the ETIM affairs in Vietnam as the Chhota Rajan Gang is on record to have an amazing network across Vietnam. Chhota Rajan Gang has come to a boom, boom situation after Doval took over as India’s NSA and became an undeclared chief of the entire intelligence mechanism of the country. These investigations indicate that in a recent meeting that was held in the last days of Januarry 2015, NSA Ajit Doval formally handed over Chhota Rajan Gang’s service to the incumbent RAW Chief Rajinder Khanna for the ETIM operations and for certain operations in Pakistan and Nepal. The details of these operations are still not available
The Daily Mail’s investigations indicate that Ajit Doval is also desirous of having a repeat of the RAW operation, codenamed “Ashes on Snow” that was carried out in Tibet region of China in 2008, using the services of some Arunachal Pradesh and Dharamshaal based Tibetan elements. Hyper activities at the training centers At Dharamshala state of India have been witnessed in past few weeks. Investigations indicate that Doval has planned of sandwiching Chinese security authorities between simultaneous disruption and violence in both Tibet and Xinjiang Regions of the people’s Republic.

While there are still a few weeks until mangoes arrive in markets, farmers and orchard contractors estimate there may be a drop in the crop’s size this year due to weather variations.

The first batches of mangoes would start reaching markets by next month, while the period is considered crucial for the fruit’s growth. By June, its harvesting would be in full swing.

Weather conditions, say orchard owners, are currently not favourable, given the unusual velocity of winds. While same winds with moderate speed help the fruit gain in size, Mohammad Mir Zafarullah Talpur, an orchard owner from Tando Jan Mohammad, said changes in wind direction result in lower productivity.

Farmers say the impact of last season’s water shortage is also visible on the crop as the availability of water started improving only from October 2014, and supplies then remained somewhat satisfactory. According to Qazi Raheem Bux, who owns 150 acres of orchards in Mirpurkhas, fresh flushing in trees in March indicates better prospects for next year’s crop.

Contractors who buy orchards’ fruits for onward selling say they don’t rule out a 10-20pc shortfall in production
So far, while the fruit is still attaining maturity, the size and required colour have not been affected by any major pest attack. The presence of hopper and powdery mildew were, however, reported. Orchard owners who sprayed their orchards would benefit.

Owing to the seasonal variations, farmers and traders are not sure about the pricing of the fruit. They would be in a better position to state the price once the crop is fully matured and ready for harvest. A progressive farmer, Imdad Ali Nizamani from Tando Allahyar, expects to have lesser crop when compared with last year. He attributes this to a rotation in the crop cycle, which was affected by unusual vegetation.

Agriculture Research Director General Atta Soomro agrees with the farmers that variations in temperature did have a serious effect on the crop. Whenever unusual flushing takes place at the time of flowering, the uptake of nutrients in trees is diverted and this impacts productivity.

While he does expect impressive-sized mangoes, it would be the average-sized fruit that would dominate the market this year.

Contractors who buy orchards’ fruits for onward selling say they don’t rule out a 10-20pc shortfall in production.

A Karachi-based exporter-cum-contractor Mohammad Asif fears that the yield of the ‘chaunsa’ variety of mango may decline this year. He added that deals between orchard owners and contractors have witnessed a 20-25pc increase this year.

To combat fruit fly, department of plant production (DPP) field officers are surveying orchards of landowners, seeking registration. Last year, 140 applicants had applied for registration but only 30 received it. This year, says DPP Director General Dr Mubarak, the number of applications for registration has significantly increased.

It is necessary for a farmer intending to get his farm registered to adopt proper practices, ensure the required upkeep of the farm, avoid intercropping and take care of hygiene issues etc. DPP officials visit the farms at the time of harvest. This is a continuous process to ensure that all registration-related parameters are met, so the fruits become attractive for exporters.

But to make inroads into the high-end markets of the European Union, growers require Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) certification, which many of them do not have, according to Mahmood Nawaz Shah, a global GAP-certified farmer.

A Karachi-based exporter-cum-contractor Mohammad Asif fears that the yield

While there are still a few weeks until mangoes arrive in markets, farmers and orchard contractors estimate there may be a drop in the crop’s size this year due to weather variations.

The first batches of mangoes would start reaching markets by next month, while the period is considered crucial for the fruit’s growth. By June, its harvesting would be in full swing.

Weather conditions, say orchard owners, are currently not favourable, given the unusual velocity of winds. While same winds with moderate speed help the fruit gain in size, Mohammad Mir Zafarullah Talpur, an orchard owner from Tando Jan Mohammad, said changes in wind direction result in lower productivity.

Farmers say the impact of last season’s water shortage is also visible on the crop as the availability of water started improving only from October 2014, and supplies then remained somewhat satisfactory. According to Qazi Raheem Bux, who owns 150 acres of orchards in Mirpurkhas, fresh flushing in trees in March indicates better prospects for next year’s crop.

Contractors who buy orchards’ fruits for onward selling say they don’t rule out a 10-20pc shortfall in production
So far, while the fruit is still attaining maturity, the size and required colour have not been affected by any major pest attack. The presence of hopper and powdery mildew were, however, reported. Orchard owners who sprayed their orchards would benefit.

Owing to the seasonal variations, farmers and traders are not sure about the pricing of the fruit. They would be in a better position to state the price once the crop is fully matured and ready for harvest. A progressive farmer, Imdad Ali Nizamani from Tando Allahyar, expects to have lesser crop when compared with last year. He attributes this to a rotation in the crop cycle, which was affected by unusual vegetation.

Agriculture Research Director General Atta Soomro agrees with the farmers that variations in temperature did have a serious effect on the crop. Whenever unusual flushing takes place at the time of flowering, the uptake of nutrients in trees is diverted and this impacts productivity.

While he does expect impressive-sized mangoes, it would be the average-sized fruit that would dominate the market this year.

Contractors who buy orchards’ fruits for onward selling say they don’t rule out a 10-20pc shortfall in production.

A Karachi-based exporter-cum-contractor Mohammad Asif fears that the yield of the ‘chaunsa’ variety of mango may decline this year. He added that deals between orchard owners and contractors have witnessed a 20-25pc increase this year.

To combat fruit fly, department of plant production (DPP) field officers are surveying orchards of landowners, seeking registration. Last year, 140 applicants had applied for registration but only 30 received it. This year, says DPP Director General Dr Mubarak, the number of applications for registration has significantly increased.

It is necessary for a farmer intending to get his farm registered to adopt proper practices, ensure the required upkeep of the farm, avoid intercropping and take care of hygiene issues etc. DPP officials visit the farms at the time of harvest. This is a continuous process to ensure that all registration-related parameters are met, so the fruits become attractive for exporters.

But to make inroads into the high-end markets of the European Union, growers require Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) certification, which many of them do not have, according to Mahmood Nawaz Shah, a global GAP-certified farmer.

DUBAI: The outlook for most of the rich Gulf Arab economies has dimmed for this year and next as oil prices have remained relatively low, according to a Reuters poll published on Wednesday that showed economists cutting their forecasts.

Heavy state spending and strong private consumption are cushioning the impact of a plunge in oil export revenues. Nevertheless, some construction and economic development projects are being suspended, cooling economic growth.

Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product is now projected to expand 2.6 per cent in 2015, according to the median forecast in the poll of 18 analysts, instead of the 3.2pc foreseen by the previous poll in January. Last year, GDP grew 3.6pc.

In 2016, Saudi GDP is expected to grow 3pc instead of the previous forecast of 3.2pc.

A rebound in the past few weeks has taken Brent crude oil to four-month highs around $65 per barrel — still far below last June’s level of $115, but significantly above late March prices of about $55. This improvement may not yet be fully reflected in economic forecasts.

But Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said growth forecasts for the region might still be lowered again later this year as cheap oil slowed more development projects.

“If there is no greater recovery of the oil price, there may be more downside risk in the medium term,” she said.

Saudi King Salman unexpectedly carried out major reshuffles in the line of succession and his cabinet on Wednesday, after the poll was conducted. The economic policy significance of the changes is not yet clear.

DIVERSE DUBAI: This year’s growth forecast for the United Arab Emirates, which is less reliant on oil because of Dubai’s diverse economy, has been cut to 3.4pc from 3.8pc, and next year’s to 3.7pc from 3.9pc.

Qatar is expected to be by far the best-performing of the six Gulf Cooperation Council economies, as the world’s top natural gas exporter steps up a vast infrastructure building programme. Qatari GDP is projected to grow 6.7pc this year and 6.4pc next year.

Although the Gulf economies are managing to continue growing in an era of cheap oil, it is at a heavy cost to their state finances. Five of the six GCC states are projected to record budget deficits this year and next.

The forecast for Saudi Arabia’s fiscal deficit this year has been raised to a massive 14.8pc of GDP from 11.1pc predicted in the last poll, while next year’s deficit is expected to be 10.6pc of GDP.

The UAE is forecast to run a deficit of 4.1pc this year and Kuwait of 5pc. Only Qatar is seen staying in the black, with a surplus of 1.8pc.

Saudi Arabia has already started running down its financial reserves stored abroad to cover its budget deficit. Its reserves are so huge that it could continue to do this for years; the UAE and Kuwait are in similarly fortunate positions.

But the financial reserves of Oman, projected to run a fiscal deficit of 11.7pc of GDP this year, and Bahrain, with a forecast deficit of 12pc, are much smaller. They may be forced into painful spending cuts in coming years if oil prices stay below $70 a barrel.

Qatar is expected to be by far the best-performing of the six Gulf Cooperation

DUBAI: The outlook for most of the rich Gulf Arab economies has dimmed for this year and next as oil prices have remained relatively low, according to a Reuters poll published on Wednesday that showed economists cutting their forecasts.

Heavy state spending and strong private consumption are cushioning the impact of a plunge in oil export revenues. Nevertheless, some construction and economic development projects are being suspended, cooling economic growth.

Saudi Arabia’s gross domestic product is now projected to expand 2.6 per cent in 2015, according to the median forecast in the poll of 18 analysts, instead of the 3.2pc foreseen by the previous poll in January. Last year, GDP grew 3.6pc.

In 2016, Saudi GDP is expected to grow 3pc instead of the previous forecast of 3.2pc.

A rebound in the past few weeks has taken Brent crude oil to four-month highs around $65 per barrel — still far below last June’s level of $115, but significantly above late March prices of about $55. This improvement may not yet be fully reflected in economic forecasts.

But Monica Malik, chief economist at Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank, said growth forecasts for the region might still be lowered again later this year as cheap oil slowed more development projects.

“If there is no greater recovery of the oil price, there may be more downside risk in the medium term,” she said.

Saudi King Salman unexpectedly carried out major reshuffles in the line of succession and his cabinet on Wednesday, after the poll was conducted. The economic policy significance of the changes is not yet clear.

DIVERSE DUBAI: This year’s growth forecast for the United Arab Emirates, which is less reliant on oil because of Dubai’s diverse economy, has been cut to 3.4pc from 3.8pc, and next year’s to 3.7pc from 3.9pc.

Qatar is expected to be by far the best-performing of the six Gulf Cooperation Council economies, as the world’s top natural gas exporter steps up a vast infrastructure building programme. Qatari GDP is projected to grow 6.7pc this year and 6.4pc next year.

Although the Gulf economies are managing to continue growing in an era of cheap oil, it is at a heavy cost to their state finances. Five of the six GCC states are projected to record budget deficits this year and next.

The forecast for Saudi Arabia’s fiscal deficit this year has been raised to a massive 14.8pc of GDP from 11.1pc predicted in the last poll, while next year’s deficit is expected to be 10.6pc of GDP.

The UAE is forecast to run a deficit of 4.1pc this year and Kuwait of 5pc. Only Qatar is seen staying in the black, with a surplus of 1.8pc.

Saudi Arabia has already started running down its financial reserves stored abroad to cover its budget deficit. Its reserves are so huge that it could continue to do this for years; the UAE and Kuwait are in similarly fortunate positions.

But the financial reserves of Oman, projected to run a fiscal deficit of 11.7pc of GDP this year, and Bahrain, with a forecast deficit of 12pc, are much smaller. They may be forced into painful spending cuts in coming years if oil prices stay below $70 a barrel.

KARACHI: Repatriation of dividends and profits on overall foreign investment (including portfolio investment) rose by 22 per cent to cross $1 billion during the first nine months (July-March) of this fiscal year compared to $823 million a year earlier, the State Bank reported on Monday.

However, in terms of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), Pakistan failed to perform better as it received $710m FDI during the nine months compared to $709m in the same period of last year.

The country paid $824.8m on FDI, higher than inflows, compared with last year’s payments of $677.7m which were lower than inflows.

However, the ratio of repatriation to FDI would change if the Chinese investment is materialised.

The details show that oil and gas exploration witnessed the highest inflows of $204m during July-March while the payments made on this FDI were $55.5m.

The communication sector showed an inflow of $96m versus the payments of $161m. Since the Information Techno­logy registered an outflow of $29m, it reduced the overall inflows in the communications.

The power sector, which has vast potential to grow, could attract $97m while the payments as dividends and profits on this sector rose to $95m.

The government has signed multibillion-dollar projects with the Chinese government, particularly related to the power sector. Pakistan’s economy has long been suffering due to energy shortage but the government has so far failed to bring any major change in this regard.

Financial business also attracted FDI of $83.5m during this period while the repayments to this sector were $133.9m. It shows the previous investment has yielded much better results for this sector, particularly banks.

By contrast, the food sector noted a disinvestment of $14.7m but the payments made to this sector were $73m. Similarly, the metal sector also noted a disinvestment of $41m while the payments to this sector were $80m.

The repatriation of about $1.005bn during July-March 2014-15 by foreign companies did not distress Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves situation as they crossed $17bn. The trend, however, is alarming and could generate difficulties in the future.

The communication sector showed an inflow

KARACHI: Repatriation of dividends and profits on overall foreign investment (including portfolio investment) rose by 22 per cent to cross $1 billion during the first nine months (July-March) of this fiscal year compared to $823 million a year earlier, the State Bank reported on Monday.

However, in terms of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), Pakistan failed to perform better as it received $710m FDI during the nine months compared to $709m in the same period of last year.

The country paid $824.8m on FDI, higher than inflows, compared with last year’s payments of $677.7m which were lower than inflows.

However, the ratio of repatriation to FDI would change if the Chinese investment is materialised.

The details show that oil and gas exploration witnessed the highest inflows of $204m during July-March while the payments made on this FDI were $55.5m.

The communication sector showed an inflow of $96m versus the payments of $161m. Since the Information Techno­logy registered an outflow of $29m, it reduced the overall inflows in the communications.

The power sector, which has vast potential to grow, could attract $97m while the payments as dividends and profits on this sector rose to $95m.

The government has signed multibillion-dollar projects with the Chinese government, particularly related to the power sector. Pakistan’s economy has long been suffering due to energy shortage but the government has so far failed to bring any major change in this regard.

Financial business also attracted FDI of $83.5m during this period while the repayments to this sector were $133.9m. It shows the previous investment has yielded much better results for this sector, particularly banks.

By contrast, the food sector noted a disinvestment of $14.7m but the payments made to this sector were $73m. Similarly, the metal sector also noted a disinvestment of $41m while the payments to this sector were $80m.

The repatriation of about $1.005bn during July-March 2014-15 by foreign companies did not distress Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves situation as they crossed $17bn. The trend, however, is alarming and could generate difficulties in the future.

MULTAN: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan Friday said special centers and control rooms had been established in the wheat growing areas to address the complaints of the people pertaining to the “Wheat Purchasing Campaign.”
“Even last grain of wheat will be purchased from farmers,” the minister said while addressing a “Fruit fly Control Conference” organized by Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) here. According to a PARC statement, the minister said the conventional negative role of middleman had been eliminated by purchasing wheat directly from farmers to provide them maximum benefit to them.
The minister said the government was working for the development of agriculture sector on priority basis. It had been encouraging all such programmes aimed at growth promotion in agriculture sector.
The minister said the government in coordination with farmers and other stakeholders had successfully eliminated the fruit-fly disease which helped boost mango exports from the country during the last season.
He said that Pakistan was producing best mangoes, however it had to face export problems due the fruit-fly disease in the past.
He said the government had been providing fruit-fly control technology to the farmers to overcome the disease which would further boost the exports from the country.
He said the government had recently amended the seed act to ensure that farmers are provided certified and healthy seed to enhance healthy and nutritious food production.
The minister warned that the government would take strict action against those who are found guilty of selling defective seeds to the farmers.
He said the farmer-friendly policies of the current government had benefited the farmers to a great extent adding that the government would carry on these policies to uplift the farming community.
Agriculture scientists and farmers including Tariq Khan, Ameer Hamza, Dr. Anjum Akbar, Dr. Ahsan-ul-Haq, Dr. Abdul Ghaffar, Haji Azam Malik and Malik Shafi also addressed the conference and highlighted the importance of advanced technologies for the promotion of agriculture in the country.

He said the farmer-friendly policies of the current government

MULTAN: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan Friday said special centers and control rooms had been established in the wheat growing areas to address the complaints of the people pertaining to the “Wheat Purchasing Campaign.”
“Even last grain of wheat will be purchased from farmers,” the minister said while addressing a “Fruit fly Control Conference” organized by Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) here. According to a PARC statement, the minister said the conventional negative role of middleman had been eliminated by purchasing wheat directly from farmers to provide them maximum benefit to them.
The minister said the government was working for the development of agriculture sector on priority basis. It had been encouraging all such programmes aimed at growth promotion in agriculture sector.
The minister said the government in coordination with farmers and other stakeholders had successfully eliminated the fruit-fly disease which helped boost mango exports from the country during the last season.
He said that Pakistan was producing best mangoes, however it had to face export problems due the fruit-fly disease in the past.
He said the government had been providing fruit-fly control technology to the farmers to overcome the disease which would further boost the exports from the country.
He said the government had recently amended the seed act to ensure that farmers are provided certified and healthy seed to enhance healthy and nutritious food production.
The minister warned that the government would take strict action against those who are found guilty of selling defective seeds to the farmers.
He said the farmer-friendly policies of the current government had benefited the farmers to a great extent adding that the government would carry on these policies to uplift the farming community.
Agriculture scientists and farmers including Tariq Khan, Ameer Hamza, Dr. Anjum Akbar, Dr. Ahsan-ul-Haq, Dr. Abdul Ghaffar, Haji Azam Malik and Malik Shafi also addressed the conference and highlighted the importance of advanced technologies for the promotion of agriculture in the country.

The agreements were signed by the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Mail and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Guangzhou Daily Media Group at a simple ceremony, attended by both Chinese and Pakistani journalists and thinkers, writers and intellectuals of Pakistan. The Agreement was also signed by the Editor-in-Chief of weekly China Economic Digest and Guangzhou Daily Media Group for the professional collaboration and cooperation.
Speaking at the Agreement Signing Ceremony, The Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Guangzhou Daily Media Group Mr. Zhou Chenghua said that his organization was very much impressed by The Daily Mail’s dedication and passionate approached towards expanding China-Pakistan relations through media endeavors .He said that since Guangzhou was a very important component in 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, One Belt and One Road and the China Pakistan Corridor, it was very desperately looking for some media partners in Pakistan for syndication and cooperation to highlight not only these projects abut also to elaborate other aspects to promote China- Pakistan relations through joint media exercises. He said “when we discovered that The Daily Mail, for the past ten years plus was making great contribution in the same direction through the platform of Pakistan-China Media Friendship Association and had signed agreements of cooperation with almost all the leading Chinese Media organization, we wasted no time to join hands with the Daily Mail and Pakistan’s Consul General to Guangzhou Hiss Excellency Mr. Babar Amin helped us a lot in this and arranged our meeting with Mr. Makhdoom Babar during his recent visit to China and that is how we have today been able to sign the formal agreement in this regard,” the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Guangzhou Daily Media Group asserted. He said that they were also very much impressed by China-focused high quality weekly magazine of the Mail Media group and since it was also being published under the able editorial command and supervision of Mr. Makhdoom Babar, they also decided to expand their area of cooperation and collaboration to China Economic Digest and thus also signed a similar agreement with it.

Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Mail and China Economic Digest Makhdoom Babar said that it was really matter of immense pleasure and pride of a new Chinese media group joining he family of Pakistan-China media Friendship Association and joining hands of cooperation and collaboration with his two publications; The Daily Mail and China Economic Digest. He said that The Daily Mail and China Economic Digest both hold China at a very high esteem and on top of their professional priorities. He assured that he and his publications will make all out efforts to promote Pakistan-China Friendship and to make maximum contributions to the cause of China Pakistan Economic Corridor and other mega projects like 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and One Belt and One Road. He assured his Chinese guests of full and comprehensive support and cooperation from The Daily Mail for the promotion of bilateral and interests and matters of mutual benefits for Pakistan and China.
Pakistan’s Consul General to Guangzhou, China, Mr. Babar Amin, who was present at the landmark media ceremony, paid rich tribute to The Daily Mail and said it was just the result of selfless and sincere as well as dedicated efforts on part of Mr. Makhdoom Babar that he is gaining constant success in enhancing Pakistan-China Relations through joint media exercises and today agreement between his media group and one of the top most Chinese media group was a proof of the same. He said that few other media organizations in Guangzhou had contacted him formally; showing interest in signing similar agreements of cooperation and collaboration with Mr. Makhdoom’s Mail Media Group and in very near future, these agreements would be signed.

The agreements were signed by the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Mail

The agreements were signed by the Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Mail and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Guangzhou Daily Media Group at a simple ceremony, attended by both Chinese and Pakistani journalists and thinkers, writers and intellectuals of Pakistan. The Agreement was also signed by the Editor-in-Chief of weekly China Economic Digest and Guangzhou Daily Media Group for the professional collaboration and cooperation.
Speaking at the Agreement Signing Ceremony, The Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Guangzhou Daily Media Group Mr. Zhou Chenghua said that his organization was very much impressed by The Daily Mail’s dedication and passionate approached towards expanding China-Pakistan relations through media endeavors .He said that since Guangzhou was a very important component in 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, One Belt and One Road and the China Pakistan Corridor, it was very desperately looking for some media partners in Pakistan for syndication and cooperation to highlight not only these projects abut also to elaborate other aspects to promote China- Pakistan relations through joint media exercises. He said “when we discovered that The Daily Mail, for the past ten years plus was making great contribution in the same direction through the platform of Pakistan-China Media Friendship Association and had signed agreements of cooperation with almost all the leading Chinese Media organization, we wasted no time to join hands with the Daily Mail and Pakistan’s Consul General to Guangzhou Hiss Excellency Mr. Babar Amin helped us a lot in this and arranged our meeting with Mr. Makhdoom Babar during his recent visit to China and that is how we have today been able to sign the formal agreement in this regard,” the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Guangzhou Daily Media Group asserted. He said that they were also very much impressed by China-focused high quality weekly magazine of the Mail Media group and since it was also being published under the able editorial command and supervision of Mr. Makhdoom Babar, they also decided to expand their area of cooperation and collaboration to China Economic Digest and thus also signed a similar agreement with it.

Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Mail and China Economic Digest Makhdoom Babar said that it was really matter of immense pleasure and pride of a new Chinese media group joining he family of Pakistan-China media Friendship Association and joining hands of cooperation and collaboration with his two publications; The Daily Mail and China Economic Digest. He said that The Daily Mail and China Economic Digest both hold China at a very high esteem and on top of their professional priorities. He assured that he and his publications will make all out efforts to promote Pakistan-China Friendship and to make maximum contributions to the cause of China Pakistan Economic Corridor and other mega projects like 21st Century Maritime Silk Road and One Belt and One Road. He assured his Chinese guests of full and comprehensive support and cooperation from The Daily Mail for the promotion of bilateral and interests and matters of mutual benefits for Pakistan and China.
Pakistan’s Consul General to Guangzhou, China, Mr. Babar Amin, who was present at the landmark media ceremony, paid rich tribute to The Daily Mail and said it was just the result of selfless and sincere as well as dedicated efforts on part of Mr. Makhdoom Babar that he is gaining constant success in enhancing Pakistan-China Relations through joint media exercises and today agreement between his media group and one of the top most Chinese media group was a proof of the same. He said that few other media organizations in Guangzhou had contacted him formally; showing interest in signing similar agreements of cooperation and collaboration with Mr. Makhdoom’s Mail Media Group and in very near future, these agreements would be signed.

During her visit, Minister Bishop will hold meetings with Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal,” a spokesman for the Australian High Commission to Pakistan told media.

She would also deliver a speech on women empowerment and gender equality issues in order to highlight the support of the Australian government to Pakistan in this regard. Her speech would have the audience of senior government officials and lawmakers.

The Australian foreign minister would moreover visit Lahore on May 7 and meet with Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

She is also scheduled to inaugurate a project funded by the Australian government.

The foreign minister’s visit comes nearly two months after Pakistan and Australia agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of defence and security, including military training.

The two sides agreed to enhance defence cooperation during talks between Australian Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at Army General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.

he foreign minister’s visit comes nearly two months after Pakistan

During her visit, Minister Bishop will hold meetings with Advisor to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal,” a spokesman for the Australian High Commission to Pakistan told media.

She would also deliver a speech on women empowerment and gender equality issues in order to highlight the support of the Australian government to Pakistan in this regard. Her speech would have the audience of senior government officials and lawmakers.

The Australian foreign minister would moreover visit Lahore on May 7 and meet with Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

She is also scheduled to inaugurate a project funded by the Australian government.

The foreign minister’s visit comes nearly two months after Pakistan and Australia agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of defence and security, including military training.

The two sides agreed to enhance defence cooperation during talks between Australian Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at Army General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.