Infrastructure Development in Pakistan

[Muhammad Omar]

Pakistan Railways to operate Cargo Express from today (4th September 2014)


KARACHI: After revamping the railways’ falling system and entering the profit earning phase, Pakistan Railway is now set to operate “Cargo Express” from today (Tuesday).
According to railway sources, the Cargo Express will operate twice a week on Tuesday and Saturday between Karachi Cantonment and Badami Bagh Station, near Lahore and the first express will leave Tuesday at 11 pm.
The sources said, the frequency of the train will later be increased to one train a day.
It may be mentioned here that railway is already operates five to six freight trains on daily basis while this Cargo Express Train has been revived after a lapse of more than three years. The last cargo train was dispatched on June 20, 2011.
The Cargo express will consist of a load of 23=46 ZBCs (New Chinese Covered Wagons). The freight of each wagon is Rs 130,000 total freight of one full train will be Rs 03 million.
Sources said that expected monthly earning from this train is Rs 24 million and Rs 300 million expected annual earning.
The Cargo Express will carry general cargo like soaps, detergents, tissue boxes, imported household items, spare parts etc.
The expected running time of cargo express is 38 hours while a proper timetable has already been issued for this train on the lines of passenger Express Train.

 

[dexter]

kuch din baad green buses ki tarha ye baat bhi prove hojayegi ke ye Mustafa kamal nahi Qaim ali shah hai

 

[Edevelop]

Reconstruction of Karakoram Highway

Aerial view of the under-construction Gulmit-Shishkat bridge in Gojal, Upper Hunza.

Gilgit-Danyor bridge

Economic Corridor

 

[Edevelop]

Emporium Mall, Lahore

 

[Edevelop]

Sustainable Development of Walled City, Lahore

 

[Edevelop]

Hyderabad Towers

Project Description:
Hyderabad Towers Four residential towers based on podium at Hyderabad, Pakistan. The Project consists of four residential towers A, B, C & D - 55 storey's each, based on a 5 storey podium for entertainment and retail function with ice rink, cinema theatre and 6 storey basement for mechanical and parking services.

Owner/Client: Mr. Mohd. Yacoub

Location: Hyderabad, Pakistan

Total G.F.A.: 50440,88 sq.yds

Construction Value: -

Scope of Services: LEAD Consultant/Project Manager

Project Status: Under Negotiation

Paras Tower - Karachi

Project Description:
Paras Towers Consists of: Twin residential towers; Tower A -52 storey above podium Tower B - 46 floors based on 5 levels podium with entertainment facilities 7 underground levels for parking flying restaurant at 41 floor.

Owner/Client: Mr. Mohd. Yacoub

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Total G.F.A.: 20520 sq.yds

Construction Value: -

Scope of Services: LEAD Consultant/Project Manager

Project Status: Under Negotiation

Al-Karim Towers Karachi

Project Description:
Al Karim Towers Complex Consists of: Tower A - 100 storey residential tower with a revolving restaurant facility on top. Tower B & E - 54 storey residential towers. Tower C & D - 44 storey residential. Podium for Towers B, C, D & E- 5 levels floor services. Office Tower F - 70 storey twisted office for retail facilities. Office Tower G - 60 storey tower.

Owner/Client: Mr. Mohd. Yacoub

Location: Karachi, Pakistan

Total G.F.A.: 20234 sq.yds

Construction Value: 20234 sq.yds

Scope of Services: LEAD Consultant/Project Manager

Project Status: Under Negotiation

Credit: aftabsolangi ssc

 

[Edevelop]

Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metro

 

[Sulman Badshah]

About 15.1mn cotton bales production expected

ISLAMABAD: About 15.1 million cotton bales production is expected during the current crop season as cotton sowing witnessed 4.5 percent increase in Punjab and 5.8 percent in Sindh Province.

The Punjab Province had achieved over 94 percent of crop sowing target set for the current crop season, said Cotton Commissioner in the Ministry of Textile Industry, Dr. Khalid Abdullah.

Talking to APP here on Monday, he said that the crop was cultivated over 5.68 million acres as against the set targets of 6 million acres which was up by 4.5 percent as compared to the sowing of same period last year.

He said that cotton production in Punjab is expected to reach over 10.5 million bales as the area under crop production has registered significant increase.

Meanwhile, in Sindh Province crop production is expected to reach 4.5 million bales as the province has achieved 92 percent of the set sowing targets, he added.

Crop had been cultivated about 1.48 million acres of land as against the set targets of 1.6 million acres for the recent crop season, he added.

Cotton Commissioner said that filed formations has reported 25-30 maund crop output per acre in Sindh Province due to favorable weather conditions which was indicating a healthy crop.

He said that crop position in Fasilabad, Multan, Sahiwal, Rahimyar Khan regions of Punjab was satisfactory and upto the mark where plant population also increased with better development and less Cotton leave curl attacks.

Dr. Abdullah said that Gothki, Sarkand and Mirpur Khas regions of the Sindh Province has also witnessed better crop out-put during the recent season.

Cotton Commissioner said that fortunately upto now, cotton crop was not affected from the recent rains and floods as no any untoward situation was recorded in cotton growing areas.



Copyright APP (Associated Press of

Pak-China Investment Company to be revived

The two sides agreed that Pakistan-China Economic Corridor related projects including energy and infrastructure should be a good starting point for the private sector.— Reuters file photo
ISLAMABAD: Beijing and Islamabad have agreed to reinvigorate Pak-China Investment Company Ltd (PCICL) so that China Development Bank could directly finance private sector to take up energy and infrastructure projects.

The decision was taken in a meeting on Friday between Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and a Chinese delegation led by Deputy Director General of China Development Bank Ms Liu Hui. The delegation also included PCICL’s board of directors.

The two sides agreed that Pakistan-China Economic Corridor related projects including energy and infrastructure should be a good starting point for the private sector to be chipped in through the PCICL.

An official statement quoted Ms Hui as saying that the economic corridor would set a good example of cooperation between the two countries and the China Development Bank was playing an important role in developing bilateral friendship.

The bank would bridge the gap between the private sectors of both the countries, she said and added that Chinese investors wanted to explore Pakistani market as there was a great scope for joint venture to usher in a new shared era of development.

She also conveyed the sentiments of the China Development Bank’s governor to the finance minister.

Dar said China had always been a great friend of Pakistan and the political leaderships of both the countries had a common vision about robust economic cooperation. He said there was a great potential for investment by the private sector of China into energy and infrastructure projects.

He emphasised helping and financing the private sector to achieve economic goals.

The finance minister also briefed the visiting delegation about “the economic progress Pakistan made during the last one year as it achieved all the macroeconomic targets with considerable increase in revenue collection and foreign remittances”.

He said the trade deficit had also declined because of growth in exports and decline in imports while the stock exchange performed very well.

He told the delegation that hopefully the political stability in the country would lead to better performance of the economy during this fiscal year

PakWheels at the Audi A8 launch event in Pakistan


Audi launched the A8 to Pakistan in a festival of glitter, glamor, and music. We were sent the invitations to the launch event by Audi Pakistan’s country manager to be part of the welcoming festivities for Audi’s benchmark sedan; the A8, which by the way has been trailing the Mercedes S-Class since a while due to Audi’s focused approach on design rather the technological war which has been going on between them for decades. It is unspoken off, you won’t see it but you can realize it. It is a cold war.

If BMW M, Audi RS, and Mercedes AMG battle it out on the racing circuit to be the best, the benchmark sports sedan; than these ultra-luxury sedans do it on the technological front. The motive is simple. Eliminate human interaction, or just bring it to the minimum. Drivers aids, safety, massagers, engines, everything.

Neither of these three luxury sedans from the German automakers brag about design or anything but rather technology; Mercedes has so far dominated the realm of ultra-luxury sedans because every first was done by the S-Class. Radar? S-Class. Airbag? 25 years ago, the S-Class was the first to introduce them. Nightvision? S-Class.

Audi flaunts its LED Headlights but truth be told, Mercedes S-Class uses not a single light bulb to illuminate the road, in fact, 190 LEDs do that for you and it is the first series production car to fully use just LEDs as an illuminating source. S-Class’s resume is quite heavy than.

Coming back to the event, VJ and Model Waqar Ali Khan took the stage to introduce the car to everyone and it was quite clear that he knew less than the 12 years old sitting in front as he pointed towards the LED lamps of the A8 and tried to sell the entire car through those LEDs by making vague gestures toward the headlight. It was a pity because he made the car seem like it had no selling features other than the LEDs.

Then after introducing the LED headlights, he moved to introduce “three others models”, and I quote him, “one is infront of you and the other is around the corner, dinner would be served now, you can come onto the stage to check out the car, be sure to be back to your seats by 10.15 so the show can proceed as order.”



We kid you not! Q5 and A7 Sportsback were around the corner along the A4 sportsback while the A6 was infront. And they are the leading super-models of the car world these days, these Audis. The A6 is perhaps the most perfectly proportioned car I have seen amongst all the new cars and the A7 sportsback was just gorgeous.

Audi, is a brand full of exciting history. The Quattro from the 80s, 13 Le Mans Championships, just three shy of the record 16 wins of Porsche which has prompted the sister or parent company of Audi; Porsche to return and defend its record wins as Audi just won’t stop winning even after Peugeot and Toyota are breathing under its neck. The four rings which are representative of four automotive companies which got together to create Auto Union (known then and later Audi after the name of Audi’s founder “Horsch”, which meant listen in German and Audi means listen in latin, yeah! boring but bear with me.)

We don’t want to bore people with history but war, localized information and humor like you can’t drive your Audi on CNG (when in doubt, make a CNG joke) is always interesting and interactive with people.

Nevertheless, we cringed and sat tight for more musings from Waqar Ali Khan but instead began talking amongst ourselves about the amazing days of Group B rally where Audi just dominated! The Quattro S1 was one of the most powerful cars of that era, often called by rally drivers as too fast to be driven. They could out-accelerate Formula One cars of that era on gravel!

Anyways, continental dinner was served which was alright and then we moved to our seats to listen to the maestro Rahat Fateh Ali Khan as we tried miserably to get any attendant to get us tea without success.

Audi is well on its way to selling two million cars by 2020 and is doing consecutive record sales. The A8 now also has matrix LED lights but the S-Class stands in its way. Its like siblings; the eldest, which is the S-Class does something, and the rest follow. Rest being the A8 and the 7-Series.

Audi has figured that out now, late last year, they announced investment plans worth 30.3 billion US $ to just research and development. They’re going to need it if they want to introduce wireless charging to their cars soon and ultimate goal of defeating the S-Class. With looks like that, few technological firsts, and comfort can actually achieve that goal.

The thing is though, these ultra-luxury cars depreciate like hell, just adding tech to your cars like wi-fi, satellite support, time on mars sounds all cool and makes us gooey but you need to have the proper package of luxury to win.

We left a while before the event ended as we had things to do for the upcoming PakWheels Karachi Auto Show but it was a well crafted event hosted at Mohatta Palace, Karachi. An event which suits the taste of the one-percent Pakistanis targeted by the A8 but may be soon enough, we’ll bring you a test drive of an Audi in Pakistan.

 

[Sulman Badshah]

Who Owns Our Pakistani Television Channels?

Is our media really unbiased?

Are the news reporters and journalists who we look towards to find out what is happening in our beloved homeland really presenting a factual and objective picture? Or are there hidden puppet masters in the background with their own personal agendas who control what we watch in order to manipulate our emotions in order to reach their own secret goals?

Knowing who owns the media outlets can help us form an opinion. Here we present a list of Pakistani Television channels along with their owners…

S. No.Channel Name Genre Language Owned By
18XMMusicUrduAPNA TV Channel (Pvt.) Ltd
2A TVEntertainmentUrduSports Star International (Pvt.) Ltd
3A PlusEntertainmentUrduSports Star International (Pvt.) Ltd
4Aag TVYouthUrduIndependent Media Corporation (Jang Group)
5Aaj NewsNewsUrduBusiness Recorder Media Group
6AbbTakEntertainmentUrduAPNA TV Channel (Pvt.) Ltd
7AJK TVEntertainmentKashmiri/PothohariPakistan Television Corporation
8AKS TVEntertainmentUrdu
9ALiteMiscellaneousUrduFun Infotainment Network (Pvt.) Ltd
10Aman TVMiscellaneousUrduSunBiz (Pvt.) Ltd
11APNA NewsNewsUrduApna Network
12ARY DigitalEntertainmentUrduARY Communications
13ARY MusikMusicUrduARY Communications
14ARY NewsNewsUrduARY Communications
15ARY QtvReligiousUrduARY Communications
16ARY ZauqFoodUrduARY Communications
17ATVEntertainmentUrduShalimar Recording and Broadcasting Co. and SSI Communications
18AVT KhyberEntertainmentPashtoKamran Raja
19Awaz TVEntertainmentSindhiSikandar Jatoi
20AXN PakistanEntertainmentEnglishSony Pictures Entertainment
21Azan TVReligiousUrdu
22BBC World News South AsiaNewsEnglishBBC Worldwide
23Business PlusBusinessUrduTimes Media Group
24Capital TVMiscellaneousUrduHB Media (Pvt.) Ltd
25Cartoon Network PakistanChildrenEnglishTurner International Pakistan
26Channel 5NewsUrduInteract (Pvt.) Ltd
27City 42MetropolitanUrduCity News Network (Pvt.) Ltd
28CNBC NewsNewsUrduVision Networks TV Limited
29CNBC PakistanNewsEnglishVision Networks TV Limited
30CNN International South AsiaNewsEnglishTurner International Pakistan and Turner International India
31Dawn NewsNewsUrduAurora Broadcasting Services
32Dharti TVEntertainmentSindhiMehran TV (Pvt.) Ltd
33Dhoom TVEntertainmentUrduDhoom Television Network (Pvt.) Ltd.
34Din NewsNewsUrduFortune Marketing (Pvt.) Ltd
35Dunya TV NewsNewsUrduNational Communications Services (SMC-Pvt)
36Dunya TV EntertainmentEntertainmentUrduNational Communications Services (SMC-Pvt)
37ESPN PakistanSportsEnglishStar TV & FOX
38Express 24/7NewsEnglishLakson Group
39Express NewsNewsUrduLakson Group
40Express EntertainmentEntertainmentUrduLakson Group
41Film WorldMoviesUrduLeo Communications
42FilmaxMoviesEnglishLeo Communications
43FilmaziaMoviesUrduLeo Communications
44Geo NewsNewsUrduIndependent Media Corporation (Jang Group)
45Geo SuperSportsUrduIndependent Media Corporation (Jang Group)
46Geo TVEntertainmentUrduIndependent Media Corporation (Jang Group)
47HBO PakistanEntertainmentEnglishARY Digital Network and Turner International Pakistan
48Health TVMiscellaneousUrduZiauddin Enterprises (Pvt.) Ltd.
49Hum TVEntertainmentUrduEye TV Limited
50Indus MusicMusicUrduIndus TV Network
51Indus NewsNewsUrduIndus TV Network
52Indus VisionEntertainmentUrduIndus TV Network
53JalwaMiscellaneousUrduAPNA TV Channel (Pvt.) Ltd
54Kashish TVEntertainmentSindhiKawish TV Network
55Kashish TVMusicUrduKawish TV Network
56Kay2 TVYouthUrdu
57Khyber NewsNewsPashtoKamran Raja
58Kohenoor TVMiscellaneousUrduAriel Broadcasting Services (Pvt.) Ltd.
59Kook TVMiscellaneousSaraiki
60KTNEntertainmentSindhiKawish TV Network
61KTN NewsNewsSindhiKawish TV Network
62Labbaik TVReligiousUrduAKS Communication Private Limited
63Madani ChannelReligiousUrduDawat-e-Islami
64Masala TVFoodUrduEye TV Limited
65Mashriq TVEntertainmentUrduDivine Intervention (Pvt.) Ldt
66Mehran TVEntertainmentSindhiIndus Link Media Communications (Pvt) Ltd
67Metro OneMetropolitanUrduMulti Plus Corporation (Pvt) Ltd
68MusikMusicUrduARY Communications
69News OneNewsUrduAir Waves Media (Pvt.) Ltd
70Nickelodeon PakistanChildrenEnglishARY Digital Network and Viacom
71OxygeneMusicUrduClassic Entertainment (Pvt.) Ltd
72Oye TVMusicUrduEye TV Limited
73Oye TVYouthUrduEye TV Limited
74Peace TVReligiousUrduIslamic Research Foundation
75Play TVMusicUrduSeven Media Network (Pvt.) Ltd.
76PTV BolanEntertainmentBalochiPakistan Television Corporation
77PTV GlobalEntertainmentUrduPakistan Television Corporation
78PTV HomeEntertainmentUrduPakistan Television Corporation
79PTV NationalEntertainmentUrduPakistan Television Corporation
80PTV NewsNewsUrduPakistan Television Corporation
81Punjab TVEntertainmentPunjabiIRIS Communications (Pvt.) Ltd
82Q TVReligiousUrduARY Communications
83Ravi TVMiscellaneousSeraikiTop End Network
84Rohi TVMiscellaneousSaraikiJahangir Khan Tareen
85Royal NewsNewsUrduRoyal Media Network (Pvt.) Ltd
86Rung TVMiscellaneousUrdu
87SabzBaat TVEntertainmentBalochiEast Films (Pvt.) Ltd
88SAMAA TVNewsUrduJaag Broadcasting Systems Pvt. Ltd
89Shamal TVEntertainmentHindko
90Silver ScreenMoviesUrdu
91Sindh TVEntertainmentSindhiDolphin Media (Pvt.) Ltd
92Sindh TV NewsNewsSindhiDolphin Media (Pvt.) Ltd
93Sohni DhartiAgricultureUrduTilton (Pvt.) Ltd
94StarliteMoviesUrdu
95Sun BizMiscellaneousUrdu
96Ten SportsSportsEnglishTaj TV
97TV OneEntertainmentUrduAir Waves Media (Pvt.) Ltd
98TVOne GlobalEntertainmentUrduInterflow
99Urdu 1EntertainmentUrduHorizon Media
100Value TVMiscellaneousUrduCentral Media Network (Pvt.) Ltd
101Vibe TVLifestyle and FashionUrdu
102VTV-1EducationUrduVirtual University
103VTV-2EducationVirtual University
104VTV-3EducationVirtual University
105VTV-4EducationVirtual University
106VSH NewsNewsBalochiVisionary Group
107Waqt TVEntertainmentUrduNidai Millat (Pvt.) Ltd
108Waqt NewsNewsUrduNawa-e-Waqt Group
109Waseeb TVEntertainmentSaraikiAirwaves Media Group
110WB Channel PakistanEntertainmentEnglishTurner International Pakistan
111ZAM Television NetworkEntertainmentUrduZam Television Network (Pvt.) Ltd
112ZaiqaFoodUrduTotal Media Limited

Who Owns Our Pakistani Television Channels? | Pakistan Insider

Branchless banking: Competition intensifies with new entrant

Money transaction via mobile is the emerging trend all telecom companies are focusing on. PHOTO: WARID

LAHORE:
An intense competition among telecom companies is forcing them to come up with innovative ideas to attract and keep subscribers hooked to their networks.

Their top-most priority is to provide quality coverage in distant areas. This goal has recently been achieved via strengthening of their network base with the third and fourth generation technology.

Money transaction via mobile is the emerging trend all telecom companies are focusing on. The latest entrant in this market is Warid Telecom, which gave second thoughts about quitting the market and decided to invest $400 million to strengthen and upgrade its network. For the company, Mobile Paisa is an important inclusion to the business plan.

“We always struggled to maintain a high level of customer expectation through our best services that are personalised around customer’s desires,” said Faisal Khan Sadozai, Director of Mobile Financial Services, Warid Telecom, in an interview with The Express Tribune.

“Mobile Paisa is a convenient cash management service available on mobile phone. It is mainly about facilitating money transfer for both the unbanked and banked customers. The service can be used for reloading airtime units and for payment of utility bills, and in future, also for goods and services,” he said.

At present, Warid has some 10,000 agents in 500 towns delivering services that they are aiming to triple in a couple of months. The company has aggressive plans to cover areas, which are still unexplored by other operators and have potential markets.

The management claims that they have a strong edge on the technology front, human resource and most prominently have entered into a partnership with Bank Alfalah, its sister concern.

“This is a perfect combination for Mobile Paisa to boost services and become a game changer,” Sadozai said.

Money lending: ADB set to approve $30m for Engro LNG project

The terminal – originally planned to be completed in November this year– is aimed at ensuring gas flows by coming winter season. PHOTO: STOCK IMAGE

ISLAMABAD:
The Asian Development Bank is set to approve $30 million loan for the construction of Engro Fast track Liquefied Natural Gas regasification project.

The project is aimed at facilitating imports of up to 400 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) gas to bridge the soaring gap between demand and supply.

The loan will be given at London Interbank Offered Rates (Libor), according to the ADB. It will help Engro Elengy Terminal (ETPL), a fully owned subsidiary of Engro Corporation, to significantly meet the total financing requirements of the project, according to the ETPL official.

The project will involve the construction and operation of LNG terminal at Port Qasim including a 24 kilometre (km) branch pipeline to transport re-gasified LNG. About 21km of the pipeline is located within the Port Qasim Authority.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank is also expected to give about $30 million loan for the construction of the terminal. Out of the total cost, estimated over $100 million, ETPL will add $31 million as its equity, while the remaining 70% will be arranged from international and domestic financial institutions, according to the official.

Both IFC and ADB are expected to convert parts of their project financing into equity that will allow their representatives to sit on the Board of the company.

The terminal – originally planned to be completed in November this year – is aimed at ensuring gas flows by the upcoming winter season. However, the project is now delayed and will be completed in March, due to requisite approvals from government agencies.

The Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had vowed to minimise gas load shedding in the winter season this year –a promise that is unlikely to be met as the authorities have yet to finalise a deal for its import.

The project involves the use of a floating storage and a regasification unit which will store imported LNG
and re-gasify it before transporting the gas through a 24km pipeline to the existing Sui Southern Gas Company network near Port Qasim.

Following a public tendering process in 2013, the ETPL has signed a 15-year LNG service agreement with the SSGC. The ETPL would provide the handling facility with toll charges and later increase imports to 400 mmcfd from 200 mmcfd which would be set in the beginning.

The company has already begun work on the project and has completed 15% dredging besides initiating the process to lay down the pipeline. As the international financial institutions are yet to approve the loans, the ETPL has arranged bridge financing to meet all the requirements.

The government has also initiated the process for issuing tenders for the import of gas. With the assistance of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the government has hired legal and commercial consultants aimed at facilitating in awarding the LNG import deal.

It has been simultaneously engaging with Qatar authorities, in addition to initiating process to issue a tender for the private parties. The country is seeking a government-to-government arrangement with Qatar but it has so far remained unable to strike a deal due to a high price demand, according to Ministry of Petroleum officials.

During the previous PPP government, Doha had offered to export LNG at a price equivalent to 14.7% of Brent crude oil rate when it was hovering around $110 per barrel in the international market. Later, Qatar pushed the price down to $17.437
per mmbtu, a 0.5% discount over the previous rate of $18.002 for the 20-year lifetime of the project.

Cement dispatches increase 23.2%

Burden: The 1% import duty on coal has put further stress on the cost of fuel, damaging the industry. PHOTO: FAUJI CEMENT

KARACHI:
Total cement dispatches have shown an increase of 23.2% during August 2014, compared to the same month of the previous year, according to data released by the All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association (APCMA).

Cement dispatches (local sales and exports) in August 2014 increased to 2.778 million tons as compared to 2.254 million in August 2013. Exports during August 2014 were 828,000 tons against 677,000 during the same period of the previous year.

Local cement sales to domestic markets during August 2014 were 1.95 million tons, compared to 1.57 million tons, showing an increase of 23.6%. A healthy growth was witnessed both in exports and domestic consumption despite the prevailing political turmoil in the country. The growth was registered in both northern and southern parts of the country. Exports from north increased from 437,917 tons last August to 502,845 this year, while cement exports in the southern region increased from 261,938 tons in August 2013 to 300,271 in the corresponding period this year.

An APCMA spokesman said that the negative domestic consumption in July 2014 was compensated with the rise in August, resulting in higher overall consumption. He added that exports suffered a decline of 32% in July 2014 and despite an increase of over 22% in exports during August, the overall exports in the first two months of this fiscal year declined by 6.7% to 1,331 million tons from 1,426 million tons during the same period of the previous fiscal year.

“Issues impacting the cement sector have still not been addressed by the government,” said the spokesman.

“The Federal Bureau of Revenue has not mitigated the tax burden put on the industry through previous year’s federal budget.”

The 1% import duty on coal in the recent federal budget (2014-15) has put further stress on the cost of fuel, as the cement industry consumes almost 95% of the 4.5 million tons of annual coal import.

“The industry has spent millions of dollars to convert furnace oil into coal to reduce the cost of production,” he said. “This can result in a loss of international market, which causes the foreign exchange earned by the cement exports to be at risk.”

He further added that the cement sector of the country is already facing grave issues including massive load-shedding, shortage of labour, slowdown of construction activities and less exports; therefore, this duty is just to add to the woes of the sector.

 

[Edevelop]

Dhana Irrigation & Water Supply, FATA

Create efficient management system for water sources.

Provide portable water to the locals in the area.

Harness seasonal runoff to provide additional water for irrigation.

Conserve and recharge ground water table.

It is designed to facilitate the catchment area of 13000 acre.

 

[Edevelop]

Bannu Miranshah Ghulam Khan Road, FATA

Increase accessibility to remote areas of SWA / NWA through const and improvement of existing roads Generate economic opportunities for the tribesmen through improved market access.The economic activities may include transportation of the agriculture products and goods.Improved linkage of SWA / NWA to the provincial and national highways Better connectivity b/w major cities of settled areas and SWA / NWA.

 

[Sulman Badshah]

BALOCHISTAN: Jinnah Naval Base, Ormara

ISLAMABAD: Under-construction Sheraton Golf City Resort Hotel. Project of Bahria Town in Bahria Golf City near Bara Koh

 

[Edevelop]

Kalma Underpass, Lahore

Azadi Chowk, Lahore

Ring Road, Lahore

 

[Sulman Badshah]

GILGIT-BALTISTAN: Aerial view of the under-construction Gulmit-Shishkat Bridge in Gojal, Upper Hunza

PAK-AFGHAN BORDER: Pakistan has started digging a 480-km long, 8 ft. deep and 10 ft. wide trench along its border with Afghanistan in Balochistan Province. The trench will not only delineate the physical boundary between Pakistan and Afghanistan but will also prevent vehicles carrying terrorists, weapons, illegal immigrants, smugglers and smuggled goods from crossing the border into Pakistan from Afghanistan. A 235-km trench has been dug while the remainder would be completed by the end of 2014

Hassan Rana talks Yalghaar, Shaan and future of Pakistan's cinema

Left to right – Hassan Waqas Rana, Shaan Shahid, Sana Bucha and Bilal Ashraf.
After the success of Waar, the film’s producer, Dr Hassan Waqas Rana, is busy pulling together his next big venture.

Rana’s upcoming film, Yalghaar, is highly anticipated – not only for it’s star-studded cast, but also because it’s said to be Pakistan’s most expensive film to date.

Rana, who will be directing, writing and producing the film, talks to Dawn.com about what makes Yalghaar so expensive, his team, and the people behind the success of Pakistan’s film Industry.

It's all about equipment, crew
“The funds are going to equipment, equipment, and then some more equipment," says Rana.

"There is a technical revolution happening at the moment and I intend to make full use of it. I want to make my film a cinematic experience for my audience and something that all of you can love to call your own. Making a closer to life cave system is just one of the things we did, you cannot give the audience anything substandard, they will literally tear you apart and my team is extremely aware of that,” Rana added.

Left to right: Hasan Waqas Rana, Adnan Siddiqui and Bilal Ashraf. – Publicity photo
Rana also believes that social media is the best platform to connect with your fans.

"Social media is going to play a major part in our plan [for promotions]", says Rana. “It is the only medium where you can directly speak to your fans.”

Yalghaar’s promotion is expected to start in November, and the film will also be ready for release early November.

"The movie has not been delayed at all... my stars, my most wonderful team are extremely dedicated to the project and are totally committed to it."

Rana says that sheer size of production and the number of people involved with the project is the only major obstacle in making this film.

“The number of people is exceeding 5,000, so the production management takes most of our valuable time.”

The main sequences of the film were shot in Swat, Gilgit, and Chitral.

“It was a logistical challenge but, our team, including our stars are the ones who revel in the challenging environment, sometimes I think they really don’t like normal easy shooting conditions!” Rana adds, jokingly.

Yalghaar won't be 'preachy'
So what does Rana envision for Yalghaar, after the success of Waar?

"I am so proud of the fact that Waar is considered the genesis of this revolution. That is worth more than all the gold in Fort Knox. As a producer I would want a bigger and better response than Waar, but the reality of things in this business is that one cannot predict anything. One can always end up with the most expensive “Home Movie” ever made instead of the most successful one.”

He further adds, "I consider 021, Namaloom Afraad and every other movie coming out as my own projects. I want them to do exceedingly well, because if they succeed, I succeed with them, so my fingers are always crossed."





Responding to what makes Yalgaar different, Rana says, “This is not just another action “war” film, it’s more about the life and times of the people involved in a horrible situation, and it’s not preachy at all. I have been extremely careful this time – both as a director and as a writer – to make sure that the story drives the action and not the other way around.”

Rana also hopes to change the image of Pakistan that is portrayed in films.

"All of us know what the world thinks of us, anyone who has traveled abroad knows this first hand. I want to show the world a resilient and wonderful country, a country, which chooses hope over fear. Cinema is the only medium which can bring about change, you pay money to go and sit in a dark room, undisturbed, ready to listen to whatever I have to say. So, I choose the words I use in that period of time very carefully.”

The Shaan factor

Hassan Rana and Shaan
Rana gives great credit to his team that consists of actors from diverse working backgrounds, and he is particularly proud of Shaan.

“There are stars, but Shaan is the sun; he lends his light to other stars for them to shine brighter."

“I cannot imagine making any film without his involvement, whether it’s behind the camera or in front of it. He is my friend, a brother; most importantly he is my intellectual partner, who pushes me to be better. He brings so much to the project that I cannot really quantify it. I have casted him in Yalghaar, for he embodies every facet of the character plus, he has already done an amazing amount of weapons and tactics training during Waar, which added to how he fitted the character like a glove. For me, working with him is pure joy. We trust each other implicitly.”

Left to right – Bilal Ashraf, Sana Bucha, Shaan Shahid, Uzma Khan and Armeena Khan. – Publicity photo
“I am so fortunate to have Shaan, Humayun, Adnan Siddiqui and Asher Azeem Gill (who previously ruled our hearts with the TV serial, Dhuan), in the film. They collectively represent the best talent we have in this country, and boy, have they made us proud!”

Rana promises that the cast members of Yalghaar will make the fans fall in love with them all over again.





“Humanyun has just amazed me with the way he embodied the character and made it his own, and above all, these guys have an attitude of gold, which is a dream come true for any director and producer. If you are making a film in Pakistan and you don’t have these guys on board, then believe me you are missing out."

On Sana and Ayesha

Yalgaar team at film's shooting. – Photo courtesy galaxylollywood.wordpress.com
The film also stars former TV news anchor Sana Bucha and actor/singer Ayesha Omar.

“Sana, we all know as an anchor par excellence, but the girl can act. She brings the screen to life, she stunned all of us with her sheer presence and acting ability; she came, she saw and she conquered... Ayesha probably has the toughest job at hand – she has an image and is a household name. The role she is doing is very anti-her, but she stepped up to the plate and knocked it out of the park from day one.”

Humayun Saeed and Ayesha Omer on Yalgaar’s set. – Photo courtesy galaxylollywood.wordpress.com
Rana also shares an anecdote about one of the debutantes, Aleeze Nasser.

Trained at the NYFA for acting, Aleeze astonished the team by actually dropping her heart rate at will for a scene where she was hooked to a heart monitor.

“We thought of that scene as a special effects scene because we had to show her heart rate dropping rapidly, but guess what, she actually dropped her heart rate dramatically at will, which was astonishing to watch,” shares Rana.

"If Shaan, Humanyun and Adnan are the pioneers of the new Pakistani cinema, then for me Bilal Ashraf, Umair Jaswal, Ahmed Taha Ghani, Gohar Rasheed, and Naeem Haq are brilliant torch bearers. These guys are definitely the brightest possible prospects of the new Pakistani cinema right now,” says Rana

"Everyone involved in this industry has to work cleverly and in collaboration with each other. If we do, only then I can see our industry being right up there with the best of them, Inshallah."

 

[Edevelop]

Quba Saeed Khan (QSK) Khuzdar – Shadad Kot (M-8) Section-IV Pakage (V)

The 57.77 Km two lane road will stretch from Wangu hill to Quba Saeed Khan. The new road will cut travel time, boost trade and the purpose of project is to link Gwadar Port with Indus Highway. This road will provide a convenient link between the two provinces. Respect for the local community is among the top concerns on the Khuzdar – Shahdadkot Road. Thinking locally makes good environmental impact as well as business sense and will leave a positive legacy of economic growth and a stronger skill base in the town.

Makeen Razmak Miranshah Road

Increase accessibility to remote areas of SWA / NWA through const and improvement of existing roads.

Generate economic opportunities for the tribesmen through improved market access. The economic activities may include transportation of the agriculture products and goods Improved linkage of SWA / NWA to the provincial and national highways

Better connectivity between major cities of settled areas and SWA / NWA.