Point scoring on flooded Karachi
Pakistan’s financial capital Karachi is flooded by unprecedented rains with power cuts, streets under water and cell phone outages caused by these heavy rainfalls during the week. More than 50 peoples, including women and children, died in different accidents like electric current, wall and roof collapses and drowning.
Pakistan’s Meteorological Department recorded 230.5 mm of rain in Karachi on a single day, the highest ever recorded in a single day. Rainfall in August is the highest since records began 89 years ago.
Karachi has been ruled by PPP for the last 12 years, the first 5 of which were in coalition with MQM before that MQM ruled Karachi for 9 years. During all this time Karachi has been deteriorating. So for MQM and PPP are trying to evade responsibility. Many areas of Karachi are under water are people are suffering. But all stakeholders and political leadership are trying to score points by their press statements on Karachi vulnerable condition after rains. Despite severe bad weather the Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and provincial ministers Nasir Hussain Shah and Saeed Ghani visited many affected areas in the midst of blame game on various TV channels.
Arrival of first wheat shipment at Karachi Port
In pursuance to government directives to overcome national wheat shortage, the first marine vessel “YM Summit” carrying 60,804 metric tonnes of Ukrainian wheat reached Karachi Port during the week. This Marshal Island flagged geared vessel, backed by four cranes on board, is capable of carrying and discharging bulk wheat efficient at destined ports world over that will come alongside KPT berths during high tides.
Marine vessel “YM Summit” registered under IMO No. 9802229 has 199.90 meters length overall, 32.26 meters beam and 13 meters draft. Her Gross Registered Tonnage and Dead Weight Tonnage are respectively 35,607 metric tons and 63.993 metric tons. Secretary National Food Security also visited KPT and held a meeting with Chairman KPT Rear Admiral Jamil Akhtar HI(M) for facilitating wheat carrying ships in early berthing and best possible arrangements. KPT high Officials had assured all the stake holders of its fullest support in every aspect of the efficient berthing and efficient unloading of cargo. Another vessel carrying 130,000 tons of wheat will be docked at the Karachi Port soon said by Port authorities.
FPCCI holds webinar on ‘COVID-19: Trade and Trade Related Measures’
Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) organized an interactive webinar on “COVID-19: Trade and Trade Related Measures” via Zoom Video link jointly by Sheikh Sultan Rehman, Vice President FPCCI along with Engr. M.A. Jabbar, Convener FPCCI Standing Committee on WTO Affairs.
Sheikh Sultan Rehman, Vice President FPCCI while opening the debate said that we should watch the ongoing advisory and other guiding role of WTO, which should be under our focus in the CoVID-19 situation to remain compliant with the obligations of World Trading Rules. We should also take benefit of the relaxations as are available and agreed to under arrangement of special and emergency clauses allowed by the world trading system under WTO.
He further said that the trade and trade facilitated allowances should also be capitalized for making appropriate pressure on public sector to structure the temporary policies towards the gain of trade and economy in present economic crisis generated by declining world trade due to COVID-19. He said that the successful temporary policies may eventually convert into permanent policies for time to come to conduct World trade. The Prominent speakers were: Sohail Hanif, Joint Economic Adviser Ministry of Finance, Shahid Sattar, Secretary General of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA), Zaka ur Rehman Chairman of Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Association (PPMA), Dr. Amir Hussain Siddiqui from Academia and Jamil A. Naz Prominent Member of FPCCI.
Misbah Khalid joins RINSTRA as Chief Creative Officer
Pakistan’s first short-form digital media platform RINSTRA Technologies has announced during the week that an innovative filmmakers Misbah Ishak Khalid is joined as their Chief Creative Officer.
She served as a freelance director and producer in GEO TV, AAJ, HUM Network and ARY as Head of Content. She has also been very conscious of the environment and the climate change challenges faced by Pakistan and worked on campaigns for “Million Tree Tsunami”, responsible waste management as well as recycling initiatives for Karachi.
Dr. Adil Akhtar, Co-founder and Chairman of RINSTRA said, “We are delighted to have Misbah as the Chief Creative Officer for RINSTRA. Her experience in the creative industries in Pakistan will be a source of inspiration, both within and outside the organization.