Why Did Roads Constructed After 2022 Washed Away? Murad Shah Initiates Inquiry.

on 25/09/2024

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over a meeting to assess the damage caused to city roads by the heavy rainfall in 2024. He approved Rs1.5 billion for repairs and directed the Local Government Department to initiate an inquiry into the roads that were constructed or repaired after 2022, which have since been washed away.
“It is unacceptable for the quality of work to fall short of standards, and strict action must be taken against those responsible,” the Chief Minister stated, emphasizing the need for accountability in the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure.
The meeting, held at the CM House, was attended by Minister for Planning and Development Nasir Shah, Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani, Mayor of Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Chairman of Planning and Development Najam Shah, Secretary for Local Government Khalid Hyder Shah, Secretary for Municipal Corporation Karachi Afzal Zaidi, and Special Secretary for Finance Asghar Memon.
The Chief Minister directed Minister Saeed Ghani to initiate an inquiry into the roads constructed or repaired after 2022 that have since been damaged. “This indicates that the quality of work was not maintained, and those responsible must be held accountable,” he said.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab informed the Chief Minister that 17,861,500 square feet of roads were damaged during the 2024 rainfall. The damage breakdown is as follows: District South—909,500 square feet, East—795,000 square feet, Central—832,000 square feet, West—13,750,000 square feet, Korangi—5,555,000 square feet, Malir—625,000 square feet, and 395,000 square feet of flyovers and bridges.
The Chief Minister was informed that 120 roads, flyovers, and underpasses in the city require patchwork. This includes 20 roads in District South, 22 in East, seven in Central, 38 in West, 11 in Korangi, 12 in Malir, and 10 flyovers.
He noted that approximately Rs1.5 billion is required to repair and reconstruct the damaged roads, bridges, and flyovers, which he approved with directives to ensure quality work.
Mayor Murtaza Wahab also informed the Chief Minister that under the CLICK program, six major projects will be initiated, including the construction of a flyover at the railway line on Khalid Bin Waleed Road in District Malir, the construction of Mehrunnisa Hospital Road leading to Nasir Jump in Ibrahim Hyderi, rehabilitation of the road from Bab-e-Khyber to Sector-4 in Orangi, construction of a road and drainage system from Khawaja Ajmer Nagri Roundabout to Manghopir via Dadex Factory in North Karachi, construction of Captain Kamal Sher Khan Shaheed Football Stadium and Sports Complex in District West, and construction of Shahzad Football Stadium in Malir.
In a separate meeting, Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah identified that 219 roads, totaling 3,545.39 km, in the Hyderabad Division and 178 roads, totaling 124.81 km, in the Sukkur Division, have been damaged by floods. He directed the Water and Sanitation Department to estimate the damages and begin repair works.
This meeting was also held at the CM House and attended by Minister for Planning and Development Nasir Shah, Minister for Works Haji Ali Hassan Zardari, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Chairman of Planning and Development Najam Shah, Secretary of Finance Fayaz Jatoi, Secretary of Works Mohammad Ali Khoso, and other concerned officials.

Pakistan’s Proposal for a New Steel Mill in Karachi.

on 25/09/2024

The Pakistani government is considering a proposal to establish a new steel mill in Karachi with cooperation from Russia. Both countries have agreed to form working groups to advance the project.
This month, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, Aleksei Gruzdev, met with Pakistan’s Minister for Industries, Production, and National Food Security, Rana Tanveer Hussain, in Islamabad. The minister revealed that the government has earmarked 700 acres of land from Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) for the new mill.
Despite possessing substantial iron ore reserves estimated at 1.887 billion tonnes, Pakistan imports approximately $2.7 billion worth of iron and steel each year. There is a consistent gap between domestic production and demand, estimated at 3.1 million tonnes last year. Pakistan’s per capita steel consumption is lower than that of many developing countries, indicating significant growth potential over the medium to long term. The minister noted that the efficiency of Pakistan’s steel industry is hampered by fragmentation, with 600 small units, and reliance on outdated technology.
The proposed site in Karachi is conveniently located near Port Qasim, which will help reduce transportation costs for raw materials. Experts from Pakistan’s industrial and agricultural sectors are scheduled to visit Russia, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral ties.
The meeting included several officials: Denis Nevzorov, Deputy Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in Pakistan; Saif Anjum, Secretary for Industries and Production; Ali Tahir, Secretary for National Food Security and Research; Amir Mohyudin, Additional Secretary for National Food Security; Abdul Samad, Deputy Chief of Industries and Production; and Engr. Muhammad Shoaib, Executive Engineer at PSM.
Moreover, Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan welcomed Mr. Gruzdev for discussions aimed at enhancing trade relations. They focused on economic cooperation and exploring new trade opportunities. Jam Kamal highlighted the untapped potential in Pakistan-Russia trade, emphasizing that with active engagement, trade volume could significantly increase.
The upcoming 5th Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting, scheduled for September 26-27, 2024, in Islamabad, was also discussed. The agenda will include industrial cooperation, customs, investments, transport and logistics, and agricultural trade.
Mr. Gruzdev expressed satisfaction with current trade relations but acknowledged that there is significant room for improvement. He outlined areas for future cooperation, including the supply of mineral fertilizers, modernization of Pakistan’s fertilizer plants, export of agricultural machinery, railway machinery supply, collaboration in the pharmaceutical industry, and digital technologies.
He also expressed Russia’s willingness to provide expertise in modernizing Pakistan’s fertilizer plants and offer training programs for Pakistani farmers to enhance productivity. Both ministers recognized strong growth potential in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, livestock, and steel, expressing optimism for the future of Pakistan-Russia economic relations.
A Glance at Defunct Pakistan Steel Mills
The Pakistani government spent billions of rupees on Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) to cover worker salaries through bailout packages. Initially expected to be a key driver of economic development, PSM became a wasted opportunity that could have strengthened the economy. The mill’s production eventually fell to zero. Outdated machinery failed to meet modern standards, and financial and administrative constraints prevented self-reliance.
Production at PSM halted in June 2015 when Sui Southern Gas Company stopped gas supply due to unpaid bills. By the end of FY 2008, the mill reported losses of PKR 16.9 billion, which ballooned to PKR 118.7 billion within five years and reached approximately PKR 200 billion in 2018, later touching around PKR 400 billion.
Experts say one of the main reasons for PSM’s failure was the interference of successive political governments, which prioritized political affiliations over merit when appointing CEOs and key personnel. This led to poor management over the years.
Another significant factor in PSM’s decline was its reliance on imported steel. Despite its potential, PSM failed to meet domestic demand and struggled to compete with countries like China, which produced high-quality steel using advanced technology and skilled labor. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) further increased steel imports. The State Bank of Pakistan indicated that cheap imports from China and Ukraine harmed local production, which fell by 8.6% in the first half of FY16 compared to a growth of 31% in the same period of FY15.
Comparing PSM to steel industries in developed countries like Japan highlights the importance of a skilled workforce. Unfortunately, PSM lacked qualified labor. In developed nations, workers are selected based on expertise, ensuring efficiency. However, PSM was overstaffed; while 9,000 employees would have sufficed, 17,000 were hired, creating an additional financial burden. – ER Report

Amreli Steels Temporarily Shuts Down Karachi Plant Amid Economic Turmoil.

on 24/09/2024

Amreli Steels Limited, a leading steel manufacturer in Pakistan, has announced the temporary closure of its Karachi production facility due to severe economic challenges. The company, which is known for producing high-quality steel products used in various construction projects, has cited rising operational costs, inflation, and a volatile exchange rate as the main factors behind this decision.

In an official statement to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), Amreli Steels explained that the current economic environment has made it increasingly difficult to sustain normal production levels. The rising cost of raw materials, coupled with the depreciation of the Pakistani rupee, has significantly increased the company’s expenses, making it unfeasible to continue operations at the Karachi plant for the time being.

The company emphasized that this shutdown is a temporary measure, and it plans to resume operations as soon as the economic situation improves. However, the exact timeline for this remains uncertain, as the broader economic challenges facing Pakistan’s manufacturing sector show no signs of immediate resolution.

This move by Amreli Steels reflects the broader struggles within Pakistan’s industrial sector, where companies are grappling with the impact of inflation, high energy costs, and fluctuating currency values. These issues have not only affected the profitability of many manufacturing firms but have also led to widespread disruptions in production and supply chains.

Amreli Steels’ decision to halt operations at one of its key facilities highlights the severity of the economic difficulties facing Pakistan’s manufacturing industry. It also raises concerns about the potential impact on employment and the broader economy, as the steel industry plays a crucial role in the country’s infrastructure development.

The company reassured its stakeholders that it is closely monitoring the situation and remains committed to maintaining its position as a leading player in the steel industry. However, the current economic challenges have forced Amreli Steels, like many other companies, to take difficult decisions in order to navigate through this turbulent period.

For more detailed information, you can read the full article on Business Recorder’s website.

AI Integration in Pharma: PPMA Workshop Explores New Frontiers in Drug Discovery and Personalized Medicine.

on 24/09/2024

The Pakistan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association (PPMA) recently hosted a workshop to emphasize the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the pharmaceutical industry. The event focused on AI’s potential to revolutionize drug discovery and personalized medicine, offering innovative approaches to healthcare solutions.

Experts at the workshop highlighted how AI can streamline the drug development process by significantly reducing research time and costs. AI-driven technologies enable the identification of novel drug candidates, predicting patient responses to treatments, and optimizing clinical trials, thereby increasing efficiency in the pharmaceutical sector.

In addition to drug discovery, the discussion also focused on personalized medicine, where AI can be leveraged to tailor treatments to individual patients based on their unique genetic makeup and medical history. This approach has the potential to improve patient outcomes and minimize side effects, representing a major advancement in healthcare delivery.

The PPMA’s workshop underscored the importance of integrating AI into Pakistan’s pharmaceutical industry to keep pace with global innovations. By adopting AI, the sector can achieve greater efficiency and ensure that Pakistan remains competitive in the evolving global healthcare landscape.

Navigating AI Regulations: Balancing Innovation with Oversight.

on 23/09/2024

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance at a rapid pace, governments around the world are grappling with the challenge of regulating this powerful technology. In Pakistan, the debate on AI regulation is gaining momentum, with concerns over both the potential benefits and the risks associated with unchecked AI development.

The article discusses the need for a regulatory framework that not only fosters innovation but also addresses the ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI. This includes ensuring that AI systems are transparent, accountable, and aligned with human values. The push for regulation is driven by the fear that without proper oversight, AI could lead to unintended consequences, such as privacy violations, job displacement, and biased decision-making.

Moreover, the article highlights the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in shaping AI policies. Policymakers are urged to engage with technologists, ethicists, and other stakeholders to create guidelines that can adapt to the rapidly evolving AI landscape. There is also a call for international cooperation to develop global standards for AI governance.

Ultimately, the challenge lies in finding a balance between encouraging technological advancement and ensuring that AI is developed and deployed responsibly. As Pakistan moves forward in its AI journey, the establishment of a robust regulatory framework will be crucial in harnessing the potential of AI while mitigating its risks.