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President okays pharma industrial policy
President General Pervez Musharraf has overruled objections of the health ministry over industrial policy for pharmaceutical sector and has directed its immediate implementation.

Government attaching high significance to livestock
Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock Khair Muhammad Junejo has
said the government has taken several steps to promote the poultry sector, including facility of air transportation of poultry products on subsidised rates, and duty free import of egg grading machinery.

Government to take steps for boosting exports of perishable items
Federal Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood has said that the meeting of
Export Development Fund (EDF) scheduled for October 7 would consider the
proposal of providing Karachi like facilities at all the airports in the country out of
EDF so as to give boost to the exports of perishable items.

FAP expresses reservations on Cotton Standardisation Act
Farmers Associates Pakistan (FAP) while expressing reservations regarding newly announced "Cotton Standardisation Act, 2002", has asked the government to amend it according to the suggestions put forward by the growers.

Indus River System Authority panel projects 35 percent water shortage
The Technical Committee of Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has projected 35 percent water shortage in the Rabi season, official sources told Business Recorder.

Ground-breaking of Mangla Dam expansion on September 30
The ground-breaking ceremony of Rs 59 billion project for raising Mangla Dam reservoir is being performed on Monday (September 30) by President General Pervez Musharraf.

Sugar Mills Association urges government to rationalise sugar, cane prices
Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) has called upon the government to rationalise the sugar and sugarcane prices besides fixing the minimum sugar price in the domestic market and allow the industry export its surplus sugar.

Cotton crop faced with physiological disorder
The cotton experts of Sindh Agriculture Extension advised the cotton growers to
apply urea followed by proper irrigation to save the their early sown crop facing physiological disorder of the plant resulting in reddening of leaves or where the symptoms of physiological plant disorder has not appeared so far to save their
crop.

Pakistan expects over 10 million bales of cotton this year
Pakistan is likely to produce more than 10 million bales of cotton this year, said Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Live Stock, Khair Mohammad Junejo.

Government spending Rs 7 million on poultry promotion
Punjab minister for Irrigation, Khurshid Zaman Qureshi has said that government is spending Rs 7 million for the promotion of poultry industry in the province during the current fiscal.

Balochistan seeks permission for fish export to Gulf
The Balochistan government has sought the Federal government permission for direct export of fish to the Gulf states by fishermen from Gwadar and Pasni, official sources said here on Friday.

Commerce minister urged to allow only treated persimmon export
Pakistan Citrus Fruits and Kaki Processors Association has urged the Commerce Minister to allow export of only treated (astringency-free) persimmon fruits from Pakistan.

Rs 13 billion to be spent on Sindh irrigation
The Sindh government will be spending Rs 13 billion on revamping and restoration
of irrigation and drainage systems, including repair and rectification of all major
canals of Guddu, Sukkur and Kotri barrages in Sindh.

European Union defends sugar policy in face of WTO challenges
The European Union leapt to the defence of its sugar regime on Friday after Australia and Brazil took formal steps to challenge the bloc's subsidy policies in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Poultry exhibition opens on September 27
All is set for "International Poultry Congress and Exhibition-2002", being held
under the auspices of the Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA), here tomorrow.
Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Khair Mohammad Junejo will be the
chief guest at the inaugural session of the congress.

Survey team finds no serious virus threat in Badin District
Six-member team of experts of Agriculture Research and Extension rushed to Badin district to survey the crops following the growers' complaints of pest infestation and attack of white back hopper on rice and other crops in the district.

Merger of Sindh irrigation, agriculture departments hailed
Sindh Growers Organisation and leaders of farming community praised the Sindh government decision to merge the Irrigation and Agriculture Department into a single entity and hoped that it will play a vital role in the development of sector in the province.

Working group on Shesham disease meets on September 27
A study group to find out viable solution to cure drying of Shesham trees in the country will hold a meeting to review the pace of progress on September 27.

Punjab government policy delay pushes wheat prices up
The private sector is taking undue advantage of delay in announcement of wheat
policy by the Punjab government as the commodity prices per maund (40 kg) have gone up to Rs 336 from Rs 320 in a week.

Barani area uplift project launched
In order to address the comparative backwardness of Barani areas and focusing
on the strategic poverty alleviation policies of the government, the phase II of
Barani Project was launched here on Thursday aimed at alleviation of poverty in
the Project area through, improved agriculture and natural resource management practices, enhanced community infrastructure to increase value and decrease
costs of village activities, and to improve livelihood opportunities and alternatives.

Azad Kashmir allows WPDA to raise Mangla reservoir by 30 feet
After Herculean efforts by the federal government, the Azad Kashmir government has agreed to allow Wapda to raise Mangla reservoir by 30 feet against an attractive package for the affectees.

Pakistan earns Rs 2.277 billion in sugar trade with India
In the light of pharmaceutical policy approved by the Economic Co-ordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC), the government has decided to formulate one
list of drugs by merging the existing two categories, (controlled and de-controlled).

Small and Medium Enterprises Dev. Authority to strive for boosting
Pakistan and India have traded Rs 16.36 billion sugar in the last five years.
In 1997-98 to 2001-02, Pakistan has exported Rs 9.321 billion sugar to India and imported Rs 7.044 billion white sweetener, the officials in the commerce ministry
told ENN.

Drugs categories to be merged into one list
In the light of pharmaceutical policy approved by the Economic Co-ordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC), the government has decided to formulate one list of drugs by merging the existing two categories, (controlled and de-controlled).

Farmers Associates Pakistan invites representatives of political parties
Farmers Associates Pakistan (FAP) has invited representatives of almost all the
major political parties of the country to attend the general body meeting of FAP scheduled for Sept 28, to apprise the FAP members about their agriculture policy given in their manifestoes.

Flower, honey shops set up at Punjab University
The Punjab University (PU) has established 16 new flower and honey shops at its
land near Sheikh Zayed Hospital to generate income from its resources.

Lahore High Court disposes of Millat Tractors' petition
The Lahore High Court (LHC) while disposing of a petition filed by Millat Tractors Limited (MTL), observed that the vice-commissioner Punjab Employees Social Security Institution (PESSI) could take necessary steps and asked for bank
guarantee and security in order to ensure compliance of his final order.

Rice Board to be launched on September 30
The Pakistan Rice Board to be launched on September 30, 2002 in Islamabad
would bear 75 percent cost of marketing of famous branded products of rice.
Federal Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood will announce the formulation
of the Board amidst representatives of exporters, growers, and millers.

Pakistan Tobacco Company takes a U-turn making Rs 1,983 million profit
Following a revolutionary slogan of 'Dare to be different', Pakistan Tobacco Company (PTC) has taken a U-turn by making gross profit of Rs 1983 million in 2001, after witnessing loss for the past seven years.

Panels to probe Rs 50 million bungling in veterinary laboratory project
Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Kher Mohammad Junejo on Monday commissioned two investigation committees to probe the alleged Rs 50 million irregularities in the National Veterinary Laboratory Project.

Economic Co-ordination Committee approves pharma. industrial policy
The Economic Co-ordination Committee (ECC) has approved the draft of 'Industrial Policy for Pharmaceutical Sector', which allows establishing 'Drug Registration and Pricing Authority' for transparency and good governance.

International Poultry Exhibition on September 27
Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) is organising 'International Poultry Congress & Exhibition 2002' here on September 27. A spokesman of the Pakistan Poultry Association (PPA) said here on Tuesday that this will be the first ever event of its kind to be held in Pakistan.

Canada appeals WTO decision on its dairy exports
The Canadian government on Monday appealed a World Trade Organisation decision that had ruled against Canada's controversial dairy export programme.

Founders-Piaf wins first phase of Lahore Chamber elections
The Founders-Piaf alliance won three executive committee seats out of four in the Chamber Class in the annual elections of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). According to the unofficial results Founders Group managed to bag only one seat on which a lady candidate Dr Shehla Javed Akram was declared successful.

Punjab Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party flays corporate farming
The Punjab Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party (PCMKP) has flayed the present regime for singing 99 years lease agreement with multinational companies to adopt Corporate Agriculture Farming (CAF) in rural Sindh and South Punjab that
would bring dirty feudalism in these areas, PCMKP secretary general Mehfooz
Khan Shujaat stated this here in a farmers' public meeting against the implement
of CAF.

World trend in crop management to be followed
The government has decided to establish a mechanism to monitor requirements and new trends of the international market before sowing of major crops, according to official sources.

Sindh Abadgar Board welcomes amendments in Tenancy Act
Abdul Majeed Nizamani, President of Sindh Abadgar Board, welcoming the ordinance amending the Sindh Tenancy Act said that it would help in developing cordial relations between the farm labourers and the growers if implemented in letter and spirit.

Regular pest scouting on cotton stressed
Agriculture Minister Punjab, Khurshid Zaman Qureshi on Monday stressed the need for strict vigilance of cotton crop through regular pest scouting, although there was low infestation this year.

Comprehensive plan prepared to boost rural livestock production
The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) has prepared a comprehensive plan to boost the rural livestock production. Exclusive measures are being adopted to improve the livestock production in the rural areas, they are as follows: Improving the genetic potential of indigenous livestock through selection and crossbreeding.

Invitation for IPC2002 International Poultry Congress 2002 by PPA
Pakistan Poultry Association, is Pakistan's national poultry forum. Its establishment begins at the grass root level of poultry farmers in small villages and spreads through all towns and cities developing into a strong platform of the poultry sector in Pakistan.

Rs 86 million allocated for mini-dams in Barani areas
The Punjab government is actively considering constructing mini-dams in different barani areas of the province for which it has allocated Rs 86 million during the current fiscal year for the construction of mini-dams in Barani areas of the province, Official sources told Business Recorder here on Monday.

Malaysian Palm Oil Council wants end of bad business practices
There will be an acute shortage of meat, milk, butter, ghee, cream, and other related things after 10 years if Pakistan failed to utilise livestock potential of arid land.

Expert calls for utilising livestock potential
There will be an acute shortage of meat, milk, butter, ghee, cream, and other related things after 10 years if Pakistan failed to utilise livestock potential of arid land. This was stated on Monday by an agriculture and food expert while talking to this correspondent here.

Quality apples disappear from market
Fine quality of apple has practically disappeared from the local market. The reason for this is stated that huge quantity of apples has been exported while the season of this fruit is in full bloom.

Pakistan plans to earn $600 million from floriculture exports
Pakistan has planned to increase export of floriculture products from $119 million to over $600 million by 2003-04. Ideal incentives are being offered to agriculturist for maximum cultivation of flowers in the country.

Sugar industry facing multiple problems
Sindh sugar industry is facing worst kind of crises due to high sugarcane prices and subdued price of sugar resulting in carryover stock, which has increased their liquidity problem manifold.

National maritime policy approved
The Federal Cabinet on Friday approved the national maritime policy which focuses
on tapping vast sea resources within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extending up to 200 nautical miles in the Arabian Sea.

Call for keeping sanctity of Lahore Chamber
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is a representative body of
the business community, hence every one should maintain its sanctity.

Federation of Chambers of Agriculture Conference at NARC
The Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Mr. Khair Mohamed Junejo inaugurating the two-day Federation of Chambers of Agriculture(FCA), Pakistan Conference at NARC on Aug 6 said that the Government has devised a strategy for attaining progress in agriculture sector with special emphasis on food security, productivity enhancement, better marketing and increasing exports.

Research Advisory Committee Meets
Research Advisory Committee Meets PARC EMERGES AS FOCAL POINT FOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES he 4th meeting of Research Advisory Committee of PARC?s Board of Governors was held under the chairmanship of Dr. Badaruddin Soomro, Chairman PARC on Aug 10 at Islamabad.

Punjab government to encourage investment in corporate farming
Punjab Revenue Minister Malik Mohammad Aslam has said that the government will encourage local and foreign investors to make investment in corporate farming. He added that the government would provide all possible facilities so as to utilise barren land in agriculture sector.

Government warned against corporatising education, agriculture sectors
The representatives of various landless haris, labourers, students and fishermen organisations have warned the government against corporatising the education, agriculture and fisheries sectors.

Plan to set up countrywide agriculture technologies transfer chain
The Pakistan Agriculture Research Council in collaboration with National Research Council is planning to set up a chain of Technology Transfer institutes throughout the country to keep pace with the fast changing agriculture technologies the world over.

India has provided incomplete record of Baglihar Hydro Power Project
India has provided the record of the controversial 450 megawatt (MW) Baglihar Hydro Power Project being constructed on river Chenab in occupied Kashmir to Pakistan, which according to Islamabad is incomplete, sources told Business Recorder.

School Milk Day on September 26
The International School Milk Day will be celebrated on Thursday (on September 26)
in Pakistan like elsewhere in the world.

Australia interested in importing Pakistani seafood products
Australia has expressed its keen interest in importing Pakistani seafood products
and a delegation is to soon visit Pakistan in this regard.

US business group cites Chinese WTO shortcomings
Nearly a year after joining the World Trade Organisation, China is falling short on many of its promises, a US business group said on Thursday, citing impossibly
tough rules on meat imports and new restrictions on foreign banks.

Call for steps to avoid negative impact of Trade
Sindh Health Minister Major General Ahsan Ahmed (Retd) has emphasised the need for prompt steps to avoid the foreseen negative impact of Trade Related and Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement on local pharmaceutical industry after the imposition of WTO regime by 2005.

Founders-Piaf manifesto
The Founders-Piaf alliance has announced its manifesto 'The Founders-PIAF Alliance Mission' for the forthcoming LCCI elections.This was disclosed by the alliance spokesman in a press release issued here on Thursday.

World Bank to organise workshop on agriculture
The World Bank is planning to organise a workshop on regional level at Agra (India) in March next year to ascertain what common problems of agriculture system are experienced in South-East Asian bloc and how the governments and the people can cope up with them with concentrated approach by bringing in foreign expertise to develop agriculture extension system.

Government enter to market to save rice growers from loss
The Cabinet has decided that the government will enter the market so that the farmers should not suffer loss on account of prices of rice, sources said on Friday.

Businessmen urged to get ready for World Trade Organisation challenges
Punjab Finance Minister Tariq Hameed has called upon the industrialists and business community to tighten their belts and prepare themselves to face the challenges of post World Trade Organisation (WTO) scenario.

Agri. Bank's changed to allow incorporation as public limited company
The legal charter of the Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan has been changed to allow its conversion into a public limited company. Preparations are on for the registration of the bank with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

Agriculture Research Council striving to evaluate entire agri system
Dr Badruddin Soomro, Chairman, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (Parc) said that the staff of Parc has carried out important and crucial exercise to evaluate entire agriculture system and to identify gaps and lacunas if any in the system and to find out how these shortcoming could be removed so that it could be commensurate with our own requirements to develop a sustainable agriculture system in the country.

Lahore markets flooded with poor quality ghee
The manufacturers of low price brands of comparatively poor quality of ghee have captured more than 60 percent market share, as people due to escalating price hike and poor purchasing power are buying 'sub-standard' ghee to meet their domestic budget at the cost of their health.

Cold storage facility planned at major airports, railway stations
In order to boost fruit and vegetable exports in Punjab, a comprehensive plan is on the anvil under which cold storage facilities would be provided at the major airports and railway stations.

Punjab govt. flour millers reach agreement on wheat transport policy
The third round of talks has proved successful as the Punjab government and flour millers have reached an agreement on controversial wheat transport policy and a formal announcement to this effect is expected on September 20 once the deal is approved by Governor Punjab, Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd).

Pakistan may impose higher duty on refined sugar import
The government is likely to impose higher duty on refined sugar import to protect the local industry having huge unsold stocks of sugar, as a bumper crop of sugarcane would flood the market soon.

Need to formulate drought management plan stressed
Mohammad Shafi Niaz, Adviser to the Chief Executive for Food, Agriculture and Livestock, has suggested that Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) in collaboration with South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) states should formulate a drought management plan to periodically review the availability of water, both surface and ground water, and disseminate it widely to the farmers.

Rice exporters demand waiver of Double Pre-shipment Inspection
The small and medium size rice exporters have appealed to Commerce Minister Razak Dawood and Tariq Ikram, Chairman, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) to immediately waive the condition of Double Pre-shipment Inspection (DPSI) by Quality Review Committee (QRC) as is done in the case of non-Basmati rice exports.

Labour package for corporate agri farm workers soon
The federal government has prepared a 'labour package' for corporate agriculture farming (CFC) according to which every worker would be required to work for 48 hours a week, sources told Business Recorder.

Punjab Seed Corporation begins wheat, gram seed sale in barani area
Punjab Seed Corporation (PSC) has started the sale of its certified seed of wheat and gram, especially in barani and hilly areas, to facilitate sowing after the recent rains.

Balochistan fishermen protest lack of facilities
Balochistan fishermen have protested to the government against absence of physical infrastructure for more than 35 fishing villages stretching across 770-km provincial coastal belt with potential of 300,000 tonnes of fish annually.

Musharraf approves Indus River System Authority overhauling
President Pervez Musharraf has approved the overhauling of Indus River System Authority (Irsa) and directed the Ministry of Water and Power to move summary to the Cabinet for formal approval, sources in the Chief Executive Secretariat told Business Recorder here on Tuesday.

KESC announces 'package' for Malir, Gadap farmers
The Managing Director of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation, Brigadier Tariq Saddozai, has announced an 'Agriculture Support Package' for payment of electricity bills in consultation with the drought-hit small farmers of Malir and Gadap at Yusuf Bagh of Gadap Open Katchery on Tuesday morning.

WTO rules against US on anti-dumping payments law
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruled on Monday that the United States had violated key trade agreements with a law that channels anti-dumping duties on imports to US firms making similar products.

US gets WTO panel on EU steel counter-measures
The United States on Monday forced establishment of a World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute panel against the European Union over measures taken by Brussels to counter the effects of special US steel tariffs.

Farmers developing consensus to set up agri chamber
A consensus among the farmers is developing to create a forum of Chamber of Agriculture to protect farmers' rights, institutionalising agriculture marketing and to review, abolish the culture of surplus production in the country which lands the growers in very critical financial crisis towards the fag-end of every crop season.

Large wheat stocks feared spoiled due to rains
A large stock of wheat worth billions of rupees in Rawalpindi Division of Punjab Food Department is feared to have been spoiled in monsoon due to inadequate storage facility.

Equitable distribution of irrigation water directed
Provincial Secretary Irrigation Mohammad Hashim Leghari has directed the irrigation engineers to prepare a work plan to ensure equitable distribution of water and to resolve the problems of growers on permanent basis.

ADBP starts probe into tractors smuggling
The Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) has started enquiry into the smuggling of tractors from Pakistan to Afghanistan.

Sugar mill-owners meet finance, commerce ministers on September 19
Much depends on the outcome of crucial parleys regarding sugar industry as Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz and Commerce Minister Abdul Razak Dawood will have a joint meeting on Thursday with the mill-owners to find a solution to problems faced by them, reliable sources told Business Recorder on Monday.

Ayub Agricultural Research Institute scientists praised
Dr Badaruddin Soomro, Chairman, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (Parc), has appreciated the efforts of Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad scientists in developing a new high yielding varieties.

Punjab Provincial Co-operative Bank disburses Rs 621.244 million loans
Punjab Provincial Co-operative Bank Limited (PPCBL) has disbursed loans to the tune of Rs. 621.244 million for Kharif Crop 2002 in Multan zone.

Government launches Rs 100 million plan to counter cotton virus attack
Dreaded by the leaf curl virus breakthrough in Punjab and Sindh, the federal government has launched Rs 100 million plan to counter the deadly virus attack.

Fertiliser maker benefited through customs error; Rs 22.5 million recover
By erroneously benefiting a leading fertiliser manufacturer, the custom officials had exempted commercial consignment of fertiliser from 6 percent withholding tax, terming it as raw material.

Fish seed stocking drive launched
With a view to saving certain fish varieties from extinction in the natural waters of the province, Fisheries Department Punjab has launched `Public Water Fish Seed Stocking' campaign.

Tree plantation drive launched
The Forest Department of district government has been instructed to ensure extensive afforestation during current tree plantation campaign and in this connection target of planting 1.5 lakh saplings of various species, would be completed by the department.

ADB pressing for compensation to remaining victims of Chashma nuclear..
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is pressing the government for compensation to the remaining victims of Chashma nuclear power project (Chashnupp) as, according to the Bank's visiting Vice President (Operations), Myoung-Ho Shin, they are not properly accommodated, sources in the Finance Ministry told Business Recorder.

Five rice exporting nations meeting in Bangkok on October 9
Commerce ministers of five rice exporting countries -- Pakistan, India, Thailand, Vietnam and China -- are expected to meet in Bangkok on October 9 to evolve joint strategy against continuous decline in rice prices in the international market, official sources told Business Recorder.

'Like-minded' ministers to meet in Geneva on September 20
Commerce Ministers of 'Like Minded Group' (LMG), including Pakistan, are meeting in Geneva on September 20 to devise joint strategy in World Trade Organisation (WTO) on issues relating to agriculture sector.

China says not dragging feet on WTO promises
China denied on Friday it was dragging its feet in opening several key industries as part of its World Trade Organisation entry and insisted it was serious about meeting its pledges.

Sugar mills considering to delay cane crushing season for two months
The Pakistan Sugar Mills Association on Friday said that due to huge stock of over 0.851 million tonnes in hand, the millers are seriously considering to delay sugarcane crushing season for at least two months.

Kissan Board Pakistan wants comprehensive marketing system
Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) has asked the government to chalk out a comprehensive plan for the improvement of marketing system of the agriculture commodities.

US business group sees gaps in Chinese WTO record
China has fallen short of its commitments to open its market to more foreign goods and services in a number of areas since joining the World Trade Organisation nine months ago, a leading business group said in a report obtained by Reuters on Wednesday.

Kissan Board, mills agree to resolve sugar industry's problems
Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) and Kissan Board Pakistan (KBP) have agreed to wage joint efforts towards resolution of problems confronted to the 'sugar sector' of Pakistan for the benefit of both the sugar industry and sugarcane growers.

Committee on wheat marketing system suggests 'single department'
The committee on wheat marketing system, which met at the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) in Karachi, has suggested several measures to improve quality of the produce and boost up commodity export including setting up of a 'single department' to handle all related activities.

Meat-sellers resent undue favour to the exporters, go on strike on Sep. 13
Meat-sellers Welfare Association has triggered off a country-wide shutter down strike against uninterrupted export and smuggling of meat and selected Gujranwala as first station from September 13.

Agri. Bank issues guidelines for Rs 35 billion
The Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) has issued guidelines for all managers to disburse the amount of Rs 35 billion in loans during the current financial year (2002-03) under one-window operation to be launched soon.

Disbursement of loan for tunnel farming
City District Government Lahore will complete disbursement of interest-free loan for tunnel farming by the end of current month. An amount of Rs 90000 will be given to each one of the selected farmers under the projectof introducing tunnel farming in the districts said Khurshid Ahmed Raja District Officer Agriculture Lahore talking to APP here on Monday.

Govt. support to agriculture sector assured
Food Minister Khair Mohammad Junejo said on Tuesday the agriculture sector must get ready for a better position in the WTO regime which needed better quality standards.

Foodgrains market in comfortable conditions
Mixedtrend was witnessed on the Karachi commodity wholesale markets during last week as the reports of comfortable ready position curtailed the panic-buying from commercial and brokerage houses.

Sindh Chief Secretary calls for information to farmers
Sindh Chief Secretary K B Rind has called for providing the farmers complete information and feedback which is the basic requirement for promotion of agriculture sector. He directed that the latest knowledge and feedback be communicated to them through seminars and workshops to be organised near their places of work and residence, instead of in five-star hotels.

Agri Bank extends golden handshake scheme
The Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan has extended the deadline for golden handshake scheme to September 12. Earlier, the last date to apply for the scheme was August 31.

Government urged to set up Dairy Export Cell
Dairy farming experts have urged the government to set up a Dairy Export Cell within the ministry to chalk out a strategy for exporting milk.

CBR agrees to refund 15pc GST on drugs
The tax authorities have in principle agreed with the representatives of the pharmaceutical sector to chalk out modalities for refunding the amount accruing on account of 15 per cent General Sales Tax on their unsold stocks.

Cultivators fear due to water shortage
The cultivators of Southern belt in Punjab feared massive damage to the agriculture infrastructure due to water shortage as Punjab government has wound up installing tube-well on subsidy rates following the closure of all irrigation channels in order to divert water to Sindh.

(PAEC) agri research centres improved varieties
The three agriculture research institutions of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) have evolved 40 improved varieties of crops to increase crop production. "The centres situated ideally in distinct agronomic zones have helped increase the crop production of the country manifold," PAEC sources said here on Thursday.

Elections results of PPA Sindh zone for the year 2002-2003
Following were elected un-opposed as Chairman/members of Zonal Executive Committee, PPA Sindh Zone and delegates on Central General Body for the year, 2002-2003.

Fatal diseases hit residents
The residents and livestock at Katcha areaof Dadu district are exposed to various fatal diseases due to drought conditions persisting for last few years.

Meat export ban report refuted
Food Minister, Khair Mohammad Junejo, has showed concern over the news appeared in a section of press regarding ban on export of meat by the government issued by the butchers associations.

Faisalabad Chamber seminar on WTO
Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), in collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (Smeda) is holding a seminar from September 4 to 5 on the effects of World Trade Organisation (WTO) on agriculture and textile industries at conference room of the chamber here.

Farmers advised to conduct pest scouting
Punjab Agriculture Department has advised the rice farmers to be vigilant and conduct regular pest scouting of the crop for timely and appropriate control against the pest attack.

Sindh Governor, "traditional mismanagement"
Lamenting the "traditional mismanagement" of irrigation and drainage system which is causing huge loss of arable lands and hampering the desired growth and increase in agricultural yield due to increased proportion of salinity, Sindh Governor Mohammad mian Soomro has called for introducing the latest participatory management concept in agriculture sector.

Dates export may fetch over $250 million, says Export Promotion Bureau
Pakistan follows Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia on the list of the top dates producing countries with 11 percent share of the global production of this delicious fruit.

South Punjab crop pattern at stake due to water shortage
The south Punjab agriculture infrastructure and crop pattern is at stake due to critical water shortage as the Punjab government has wound up installation of tube-wells at subsidised rates following the closure of all irrigation channels in a sacrifice bid for Sindh which would mainly damage the farmers' interests of south Punjab, observed cultivators.

Minister stresses on standards to avoid trade barriers
Minister for Commerce & Industries Razak Dawood on Friday feared trade barriers against Pakistan if quality standards are not placed under the WTO agreement.

Europe hails WTO $4 billion ruling against US on tax breaks
European trade officials said on Friday a World Trade Organisation (WTO) award of $4.043 billion in compensatory sanctions against the United States was a major incentive for Washington to scrap a tax break scheme.

Thailand economist Supachai brings quiet skills to WTO
Following in the wake of a sometimes short-fused New Zealander, Thailand's Supachai Panitchpakdi brings the skills of a veteran economist and expert chess player to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Fisheries contracts to be given through open auction: Sindh Minister
The Sindh Minister for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Sardar Mohammad Muqeem Khan Khoso, has said that all the contracts of fisheries would be given through open auction now on and his ministry is keeping a close watch over the corruption and mal-practices of officials in this regard.

Pakissan.com briefing in Ayub Agricultural Research Institute
Pakissan.com briefing in Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (ARPI) Faisalabad on September 02, 2002 Monday 10:00 AM in Seminar Room.

Agri Bank restructuring aims at uplifting agriculture, rural sector
The Chairman, Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP), Istaqbal Mehdi, said on Friday the bank's restructuring process would be completed within the next six to eight months time.

New Sales Tax Refund Rules issued: Condition of chain invoices withdrawn
While repealing 'The Sales Tax Refund Rules 2000', the government has withdrawn the condition of producing chain invoices in all processes of manufacturing under the new sales tax refund rules 2002. Now, the manufacturer-cum-exporters can claim refund on tax invoices without completion of chain.

Punjab to expand agriculture sector
The Punjab government has chalked out a multi-pronged plan for promotion and expansion of agriculture sector with special emphasis on raising the farm produce, official sources told APP here on Friday.

Export zones to be set up in 10 Sindh districts
The Provincial Minister for Agriculture and Life Stock, Sardar Muqeem Khosa, has said that the government will establish export zones in 10 districts of Sindh at 10 acres of land.

Need for reforming agri sector, feudal structure
In Pakistan, about 47 million people are living below the poverty line, says an Asian Development Bank report.

Northern Areas to get three technologies
The Chairman, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Dr Badaruddin Soomro has approved three technologies to improve the agriculture infrastructure in Northern Areas and primary stage of scientists' appointment has been carried out by the authorities, and their appointments to be made within a couple of months, Karina sources told APP here on Friday.

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