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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Updates

Oilseeds extraction plant set up in Rashakai SEZ

April 28, 2021

SOURCEpakobserver




An oilseeds extraction plant near CPEC’s flagship Rashakai SEZ is being established with a hefty amount of Rs. 600 million.

This will be on the background of rising demand for vegetable oils in China and concessions granted by Iron Brother to Pakistani exporters under the China-Pakistan Free Trade Agreement-II.

A report published by Gwadar Pro on Tuesday says, China has eliminated tariffs on 313 major export items from Pakistan under the upgraded FTA, which also includes various seed oils.

The plant is being set up by Engineer Syed Mehmood. The first-of-its-kind facility in KP shows how big opportunities have been brought about by the China-driven investment to Pakistan’s smallest and second-most deprived province.

The plant will be the second one of its nature in Pakistan, an official said.

Syed Mehmood told Gwadar Pro that the $4 million plant will have a capacity to extract 300 tones of oil per day from oilseeds including soybean, palm, canola, olive, or sunflower.

“At this stage, we have Afghanistan and Central Asian republics as our export targets.

However, in the long run, we are eyeing the enormous Chinese market for our products,” the investor said.

“We also have a plan to invest in Rashakai SEZ to further expand our production capacity after a sustainable export channel is established with China,” he said.

Syed Mehmood said that initially, they will rely on imported raw soybean and other oilseeds as the domestic production will not be sufficient to withstand their demand.

“However, the locally-grown soybean and olives will greatly benefit us in terms of competitiveness,” he said.

The Pakistani government is robustly promoting olives plantation in the country, especially in KP province.
Nowshera, where the plant is being established, has been declared as the most suitable region for olives, where Prime Minister Imran Khan launched a campaign for olive cultivation in March.

According to the data of the General Administration of Customs, China’s olive oil imports in 2019 were 53,699 tons, up 35.64% year on year, China Economic Net (CEN) earlier reported.

In an article published in CEN, Cheng Xizhong, Visiting Professor at Southwest University of Political Science and Law, stressed that technical assistance in olive cultivation and olive oil production should be the focus of China-Pakistan agricultural cooperation under the second phase of CPEC given the enormous potential of Pakistan.
 
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Asphaltic wearing course on 12.5 km Accelerated Implementation porgram ( AIP) scheme Devegar-Saidgi North Waziristan started .



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KP introduces mobile vans to vaccinate elderly at their doorsteps

  • In the first phase, three vehicles will roam the outskirts of the provincial capital to administer the Covid-19 vaccine to people of 50 years of age or above.
  • Following a successful trial, the service will be extended to other districts soon, he added.

Syed Ahmed
07 May 2021

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Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, on Friday, inaugurated the mobile vaccination service in Peshawar to vaccinate elderly citizens at their doorsteps.


In the first phase, three vehicles will roam the outskirts of the provincial capital to administer the Covid-19 vaccine to people of 50 years of age or above.

“The objective of launching the mobile corona vaccination services is to serve and facilitate the senior citizens who cannot go to hospitals or do not want to go due to the prevailing third wave will be vaccinated at their homes,” Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said.

Following a successful trial, the service will be extended to other districts soon, he added.


KP imposes lockdown on Eid


In a separate development, the provincial government has announced a partial lockdown during Eid days to control the spread of coronavirus.

The KP home department issued a notification in line with the recommendations of the National Command and Operations Centre’s decision to lock down the province from May 8 to May 16.

This was decided during a meeting of the Provincial Task Force on Covid-19, headed by KP Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.

It has been decided to close all commercial and recreational activities across the province. All businesses, shopping malls, and eid bazaars will remain closed during the designated days.

Public transport, however, will remain open on weekends to facilitate those going back home on Eid, whereas tourist destinations across the province will remain closed during the lockdown.

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KP govt moves to lease out 19 rest houses

Bureau Report
May 8, 2021


The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority on Friday advertised 19 government rest houses in different parts of the province for the purpose of leasing them out to private parties. — Dawn/File


The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority on Friday advertised 19 government rest houses in different parts of the province for the purpose of leasing them out to private parties. — Dawn/File


PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority on Friday advertised 19 government rest houses in different parts of the province for the purpose of leasing them out to private parties.
The expressions of interest seeking potential bidders for leasing the rest houses were issued on Friday with the bids likely to be opened on June 29.

In Aug 2019, the government had handed over 169 rest houses of different departments in the province to the tourism department to promote tourism and increase tourist facilities on the directives of the prime minister.

Officials told Dawn that the tourism department initially conducted a survey of 169 rest houses handed over to it by various departments, and categorised them for outsourcing in different phases.

They said that of 169 rest houses, 47 were ready for operationalisation in the first phase, 80 required major repairs, while the others were occupied by different government departments.

Expressions of interest seeking potential bidders issued


The officials said a technical committee headed by the finance minister during its first meeting on March 6, 2020, decided to advertise those properties for outsourcing to the private sector.
They said that the first advertisement for the leasing of 48 rest houses for a period of 10 years and it was published on Aug 17, 2020.

An official said that after evaluation, no bid was found to be completing technical requirements.
He said that 84 rest houses, which required minor repairs, were also advertised but initially, no party could meet technical qualifications.

The official said that in the meanwhile, the government also transferred five other rest houses in Nathiagali, including Governor’s House, Chief Minister’s House, Karnak House, Police Rest House and Hamala House, to the tourism department for outsourcing.

He said that the authority advertised the Karnak House and Police Rest House on Jan 11, 2021.
The official said that 14 firms applied for the bidding of the Karnak House.

He said that the highest bid quoted by Rockwood Resort was Rs4,650,000 and the award of contract was scheduled for May 10, 2021.

The official said that for the Police Rest House, 11 firms took part in the bidding and the highest bid was quoted Apical Ways at Rs6,450,000.

He said that the award of contract was scheduled for May 10.

The official said the 19 rest houses were advertised today for leasing out to private parties and their pre-bid meeting was likely to take place on May 26, while the technical bid would open on June 28.

He added that the bid evaluation report was due to appear by July 12, while the financial bid opening was likely to take place on July 28.

The official said the tentative award of contract would take place on August 10.

He said that 28 rest houses were re-advertised on Feb 1, 2021, and 11 firms took part in the bidding.

The official said that the 28 rest houses were in the process, which was likely to be finalised after Eid holidays.

He said that the Hamala Rest House was advertised for lease on May 6, its technical bid would open on June 24 and the tentative award of contract was likely to take place at the start of August.


Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2021
 
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Kurram Garhi Power House is situated in North-West of Bannu district of Khyber Pukhtun-khwa at a distance of about 09 km from Bannu City.

The 04 MW Kurram Garhi Hydel Power Station (Power House No.1&2) was constructed in cascade and commissioned in 1957 by NWFP Irrigation Department. Later on, these Power Houses were handed over to WAPDA on 05-10-1961.
 
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Rs649m plan developed for biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism promotion


Bureau Report
May 13, 2021

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa wildlife department will spend Rs649 million on the conservation of biodiversity and promotion of eco-tourism through livelihood improvement at the Sheikh Badin National Park in Dera Ismail Khan district.

The Sheikh Badin mountain range, which was given the status of the national park in 2003, is a sub-project of the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Afforestation Programme (BTAP).

According to the official documents, Rs565.957 million of the total allocated funds will be utilised on conservancy and other works in the park.

The officials said PC-I of the project had been approved and the wildlife department, the executing body, was set to launch the scheme soon.

Three years initiative to be executed in DI Khan national park

This is the first major intervention under the 10 BTAP to ensure conservation of biodiversity in the province.

10 BTAP is a joint initiative of the federal and provincial governments with an aim to revive forest and wildlife resources in the country, improve the overall conservation of the existing protected areas, and encourage eco-tourism, community engagement and job creation through conservation activities. The estimated cost of the programme (2019-2023) is Rs125.1843 billion.

The Sheikh Badin National Park is spread over 15,540 hectares at the junction of Dera Ismail Khan and Lakki Marwat districts.

The park having sub-tropical pine forest and sub-tropical scrub forest serves as habitat for different wild species, including black partridges, grey partridges, chakor partridges, blue rock pigeons, foxes, hares, jackals, jungle cats, wild boars and wolves.

Flora and fauna apart, the Sheikh Badin National Park has historical significance. It has the British-era Old Dak Bungalow, shrine of Sufi saint Pir Sheikh Bahauddin, a 200-year-old mosque, gallows/well, and Circular Road built in the colonial period.

The British government had used the hill station as its summer headquarters housing all important offices, including police station, district magistrate, treasury, commissioners and a small hospice. The entire infrastructure was developed in 1860.

Under the plan, the Dak Bungalow, after the completion of restoration and conservation work, will be used as cultural, historical and natural history museum of the Sheikh Badin National Park.

Currently, the Old Dak Bungalow and other historical sites are in dilapidated condition. According to official documents, Rs21.518 million has been allocated for the preservation of the old bungalow.

“Sheikh Badin will be developed as a model national park,” an official of the wildlife department said, adding that the park would be a source of promoting eco-tourism centre in the southern region of the province.

He said KP had a total of six national parks and two of them were located in Chitral district. The official said the project also carried incentives for the local communities that included the provision of various natural resource and livelihood improvement trainings.

He said major components of the project are the conservation of flora and fauna through the participation of local communities and development of the park as a destination of eco-tourism.

The official said tourist lodges would be constructed over 6,000 squares feet area.

He said major objectives of the three years project were the promotion of eco-tourism, protection of indigenous fauna and flora along with habitat of the national park, improvement of socio-economic conditions of the local communities, and creation awareness of the

importance of the national parks and wildlife conservation among the local population.

The official said for the promotion of eco-tourism, the establishment of camping sites within the park, tourist lodges, park cafeteria, maintenance of the existing access road, and restoration of historical tracks and trails were major components of the project.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2021
 
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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Pakistan on Friday signed a $300 million loan agreement to finance the construction of a 300-megawatt hydropower plant in Balakot, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The ADB Acting Country Director, Cleo Kawawaki, and Ministry of Economic Affairs Division Secretary Noor Ahmed signed the loan agreement for the project, which was approved by the ADB on March 30, 2021.

Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan, Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan, and ADB Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov, witnessed the ceremony.

Total cost of this project is $755 million out of which the ADB has committed to provide $300 million, while AIIB will provide $280 million.

For this project, the ADB is providing financing at highly concessional rates, ie, LIBOR (6-Month) + 0.5 percent per annum (currently 0.7 percent per annum) for a period of 27 years including a grace period of seven years.

The Energy and Power Department, Government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will be the executing agency, while Pakhtunkhwa Energy Department Organisation (PEDO) will be implementing agency for the project, which is expected to be commissioned by 2026.

While speaking on the occasion, Omar Ayub stated that this run-of-river hydropower project will be constructed on Kunhar River in District Mansehra and generate 300 megawatt electricity. Balakot Hydropower Project will not only help unleash hydropower potential of the country but also improve energy security by increasing clean and affordable energy share in the country’s energy mix.

“The government is working on renewable energy policy to harness immense potential in solar, wind and hydel resources and have good opportunities for investments,” he added.

The minister appreciated the ADB’s valuable support for financing this highly important project.

Mahmood Khan reiterated that the government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is working on development of hydropower potential of the province on fast track basis.

He mentioned that the PTI government was already making huge investments in development of various hydro sites in the province.

Balakot Hydropower project will provide livelihood by providing more than 1,200 jobs during the construction of the project in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province.

Once completed, this hydropower project will provide reliable and cheap energy to national grid.

It will also improve provincial revenues streams for the provincial government and boost economic activities in the country.

“This project shows the strong commitment of PTI government to address the challenges of climate change through development of clean and renewable energy in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan,” the chief minister added.

Eugene Zhukov, director general ADB assured of the bank's continued support to help Pakistan diversify its energy sources, increase energy security through renewable and affordable energy mix and implement critical economic reforms.

The director general reiterated the ADB’s commitment to further strengthen and expand its partnership with Pakistan in the priority sector for socio-economic development of the country.

“As Pakistan’s largest development partner in the energy sector, the ADB has been supporting Pakistan as it aims to build its renewable energy resources and cut its heavy dependence on fossil fuels,” said Zhukov. “The Balakot hydropower project will play an important role in helping to advance this objective. ADB will continue to support Pakistan to diversify its energy sources, implement critical reforms, increase energy security, and grow the share of clean power in its energy mix.” The Balakot hydropower project will generate economic activity and improve the skills of local communities.

During construction, the project will generate more than 1,200 jobs, about 40 percent of which will be sourced locally.

A community development program will help to improve livelihood opportunities for affected households in the project surroundings. The project will help meet future national demand for clean and affordable energy and generate revenue for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

It is expected to be commissioned by 2027.
 
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Rashakai SEZ to be functional by the end of next year: Abdul Karim Khan

May 22, 2021

SOURCEthenews.com.pk




While speaking at an event held at Rashakai Special Economic Zone, the Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Industry and Commerce, Abdul Karim Khan has announced that China has made a huge investment for improving different sectors of the Pakistan economy.
He also said that CPEC has now entered Phase-3 successfully.
The event was attended by representatives from Chinese embassy and GoP. Khan also said that RSEZ will be made functional by the end of next year after ensuring power, gas and other utilities’ connections.


NOWSHERA: The Special Assistant to Chief Minister on Industry and Commerce Abdul Karim Khan said on Friday China made a huge investment for improving different sectors of the Pakistan economy.

“The game-changer China-Pakistan Economic Corridor [CPEC] has entered Phase-3 after successfully covering the earlier two phases,” he said while speaking at a function arranged here at the Rashakai Economic Zone on Friday to mark the 70th anniversary of the Sino-Pak diplomatic relations.

The officials of the Chinese embassy, representatives of the Chine Road and bridge Corporation, Industries Secretary Humayun Khan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Economic Zone Development and Management Company Chief Executive Officer Javed Khattak, Rashakai Economic Zone Estate Manager Sardar Ali and others spoke on the occasion as well.

A cake was cut and the national flags of the two countries were hoisted on the occasion by the special assistant to the chief minister and officials of the Chinese embassy.

Abdul Karim Khan said the Rashakai Economic Zone would be made functional by the end of next year after ensuring power, gas and other utilities there. “This economic zone will provide employment to a great number of local youth,” he pointed out.

The special assistant to the chief minister said that plots would be allotted in the Rashakai Economic Zone not through a draw but purely on merit on a first come and first-serve basis.

Abdul Karim Khan hoped the Rashakai Economic Zone would make this region a hub of trade with Central Asian Republics. He credited this zone to the efforts launched by the former chief minister Pervez Khattak and materialized by the present Chief Minister Mahmood Khan.
 
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University of Swat VC removed after inquiry suggested embezzlements


Web Desk
May 25, 2021


University-of-Swat-VC-removed-after-inquiry-suggested-embezzlements



SWAT: The University of Swat has on Monday suspended its Vice-Chancellor following the governor’s orders after monetary discrepancies and illegal recruitment emerged in his tenure calling for a probe, ARY News reported.

Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Shah Farman directed his removal after which Higher Education Commission (HEC), via a notification today, removed VC Doctor Muhammad Jamal from his post sending him on a 90-day suspension after a probe into discrepancies was launched.

The move came after an inquiry report suggested embezzlements in the university budget and illegal postings in the campus.

After the removal of the incumbent VC, the HEC appointed the dean of Life Sciences faculty Doctor Hassan Sher on the vacant top post for a period of two years.

Separately to report today, Punjab Health Minister Dr Yasmin Rashid announced the provincial government has decided to vaccinate all students of medical universities and colleges in the province.

The decision was taken in a meeting chaired by the Punjab Health Minister Yasmin Rashid at Civil Secretariat Lahore to review the coronavirus situation in the province.
 
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BRT Peshawar will run 30 new 18-meter buses from China on the operational route. 30 new 18-meter buses will run on the express route.

To further facilitate BRT passengers, new buses have been added to the BRT fleet. The total number of operational buses in BRT has increased to 158.



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KP Government to setup e-sports academies for gamers..


Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister Mahmood Khan has approved a summary to launch e-sports initiative in the province in a bid to help gamers achieve global recognition.

Under the initiative, e-sports academies will be set up at ‘Jawan Markaz’ across the province. The academies will be equipped with computers and proper internet connectivity.

The academics will help e-gamers develop and enhance their skills to take part in international e-gaming activities and competitions.

In a Twitter statement, he said e-sports will be a new sensation in Pakistan and the region and hoped that, “kids out there are all set to make to top teams…wishing you all the best guys.”



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40.8 MW Koto hydropower project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to be completed by Dec. 2021

About 90% work on the under-construction Koto hydropower project (Koto-HPP) has been done and it will be completed by December this year, said assistant project director while briefing a team of the district administration.

According to a local media report, he powerhouse would generate 40.8MW of electricity that would be added to the national grid.

The remaining 10 per cent work on the project would be completed by coming December.
Work on the project was started in Feb 2015 and according to its contract it was to be completed in Feb 2019
 
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