VOLUME 15 | N o 290 Lahore Regd No. CPI 251 LAHORE 6P3 INTERNATIONAL 6P7

Yasmin reviews The Trump and revamping Biden hit the under drive trail in PM health An English Daily published simultaneously from Lahore and Faisalabad charged US election week PAGES 08 | R s 20 initiative Buwww.thesbusineiss.cnom.pk esRabi-ul-As wal 02 1442 Tuesday, October 20 , 2020 Afghans consider 22 to 35 percent raise in 253 Pak our second medicines prices LAHORE: The Drug Regulatory Au - home: Hekmatyar thority (DRAP) has increased prices of 253 By Our Staff Khan has said lasting medicines upto 22 to 35 percent. The noti - Correspondent peace can only be achieved fication in this regard has been issued by through a political settle - the regulatory body. ISLAMABAD: Veteran ment accepted by the peo - This is the second increase in the prices Afghan politician and ple of Afghanistan," of medicines in a month. President Hezb-i-Islami leader Gul - Qureshi said, adding that Drug Lawyers Forum (PDLF) Noor Mo - buddin Hekmatyar, who ar - he was pleased that Islam - hammad Mahar has demanded of the federal rived in Islamabad on a abad's stance was now government to take back the recent hike in three-day visit earlier on being recognised by the the prices of medicines. He said that notifi - Monday, said Afghans world. "Intra-Afghan talks cation which was issued on October 5 has think of Pakistan as their provide a unique opportu - been made public today. On September 24, second home, a statement nity to the leadership for Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) issued by the Foreign Office establishing lasting peace on Health Dr Faisal Sultan had said that the said. in the country," the foreign recent hike in prices of 94 essential life-sav - Hekmatyar made these minister said. ing drugs by the Drug Regulatory Authority comments during a meet - Pak playing sincere of Pakistan (DRAP) was ‘inevitable’ to en - ing with Foreign Minister role in Afghan peace ISLAMABAD: Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance, Hafeez Shaikh chairs a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). —DNA sure availability of the medicines. at Foreign Minister Shah Dr Faisal Sultan, while talking to media the FO. During the meet - Mahmood Qureshi said in Islamabad, said that a ‘reasonable in - ing, the two discussed mat - that Pakistan has been g crease’ was made in prices of 94 essential ters of mutual interest, playing its reconciliatory Approves registration procedure for export-oriented drugs by the DRAP. Pharmaceutical com - bilateral relations between role in Afghan peace panies usually stop production of some the two countries and the process with sincerity. sectors under concessionary regime medicines if prices are not increasing, he Afghan peace process, the Talking to Hezb-e-Is - said, adding a halt in production by the statement added. The for - lami Afghanistan leader pharmaceutical companies create a shortage eign minister said Pakistan Gulbuddin Hekmatyar in of drugs across the country. —DNA will continue to play the Islamabad on Monday, the role of a facilitator in the Foreign Minister said PM Afghan peace process. Imran stated that the only "Prime Minister Imran way for durable peace in ECC forms panel PTA unblocks TikTok after PSX gains 176.15 10 days ban points to close at for wheat support By Our Staff Correspondent ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecom - munication Authority (PTA) on Monday 40,340.17 points said that TikTok is being unlocked "after as - The Business Report companies were Unity price, urea subsidy surance from management that they will Foods Ltd with a volume ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coor - crease the supply of wheat in the mar - prepare a proposal on subsidy on fertil - block all accounts repeatedly involved in ISLAMABAD: The of 53,658,500 shares and dination Committee (ECC) of the Cabi - ket so that the flour prices are brought izers mainly on DAP which may be of - spreading obscenity and immorality". Pakistan Stock Exchange price per share of Rs17.72, net has constituted a committee to down. fered as a part of the package for the "TikTok will moderate the account in ac - (PSX) on Monday wit - P ak Int. Bulk with a vol - thoroughly evaluate the proposal for in - It was also discussed to have a better farmers to reduce their input cost. cordance with local laws," tweeted the au - nessed bullish trend as the ume of 36,636,000 and crease in the minimum support price of system for gathering data regarding the The ECC approved, in principle, the thority. The video-sharing app was blocked KSE 100 index gained price per share of Rs12.15 wheat. agriculture sector. The ECC decided to procedure for registration under the con - on October 9 for its “obscene and immoral” 176.15 (0.44%), closing at and Fauji Foods Ltd with a Adviser to the Prime Minister on Fi - form a committee with Syed Fakhar cessionary regime of electricity, RLNG content. PTA at the time had said it earlier 40,340.17 points against volume of 26,738,000 and nance Dr chaired Imam, Dr Hafeez Shaikh, Dr Ishrat Hus - and gas under the export-oriented sec - issued a "final notice" to TikTok and gave 40,164.02 points on the price per share of Rs15.36. the ECC meeting here at the Cabinet sain, Dr Waqar Masood, Nadeem tors (erstwhile zero-rated sectors) with the application "considerable time to respond last working day. Gold price increases Division on Monday. The ECC had a Baber, Abdul Razak Dawood, Asad instructions to ensure better targeting of and comply with" instructions for develop - A total 319,563,161 Rs350 to Rs116,000 detailed discussion on the minimum Umar and Khusroo Bakhtiar as mem - the recipients of this subsidy. ment of an effective mechanism for proac - shares were traded during The price of 24 karat support price of wheat in the session. bers, to thoroughly evaluate the pro - The ECC decided that the previous tive moderation of "unlawful online content". the day compared to the gold increased by Rs350 The Ministry of National Food Secu - posal for the increase in the minimum list of manufacturers or exporters de - The Chinese social media giant TikTok trade of 254,204,675 and was traded at rity and Research briefed the ECC on support price of wheat for the 20-21 clared zero-rated by FBR (under condi - issued a cryptic statement on Saturday shares the previous day Rs116,000 on Monday different estimates gathered from Pun - crops. tion (xii) of the SRO 1125) may be which called for lifting of the ban on the app whereas the price of shares against its sale at jab, KP, Balcohistan and the federal It was also decided that the provinces adopted in export-oriented sectors. The in return for a vague assurance centred on stood at Rs7.963 billion Rs115,650. Likewise, the capital. During the discussion, it also should increase the release of wheat to FBR may register new manufacturers or the “allocation of resources” to the Pak - against Rs 7.730 billion price of 10 grams gold istani market. “If the Govt of Pakistan de - previous day. As many as also increased by Rs300 came to the fore that there was a need reduce the price of flour in the market. It exporters of five export-oriented sectors to increase the MSP to support the was decided that the local governments (erstwhile five zero rated sectors), in ac - cides to reopen access to our services in the 392 companies transacted and was sold at Rs99,451 future, we will certainly assess our alloca - shares in the stock mar - as compared to it s sale at farmer and to grow enough quantities will also be directed to specially moni - cordance with past precedents of in the next sowing season. tor the prices of wheat and flour in the STGO-117, under Commerce Divi - tion of resources to this market,” the care - ket, 233 of them recorded Rs99,151, Karachi Sarafa fully worded statement said. gain and 140 sustained Association reported. The forum also discussed the need to markets so that its prices may not be al - sion’s O.M No.1 (18)/2019 in manner losses whereas the share The price of per tola and rationalize the prices of inputs for mak - lowed to escalate for the common man. specified by FBR. The FBR, Petroleum price of 19 companies re - 10 gram silver remained ing them more affordable to the farm - The committee shall present its proposal Division and Power Division may for - Bahrain, Israel mained unchanged. constant at Rs1260 and ers, to support the rural economy in the next meeting of ECC. The meet - mulate periodic rechecking/monitor - The three top traded Rs1080.24 respectively. through various measures and to in - ing decided that the committee shall also ing/withdrawal strategy for previous ink communique Sanctity of Quaid’s mausoleum for relations ‘Businessmen should The Business Report Safdar arrested, KARACHI: Bahrain and Israel signed a joint communique in a bid to formalise ties during a visit by an Israeli and US delega - released on bail tion to Manama, local media reported on KARACHI: Pakistan tion of Quaid-e-Azam’s help play role in PRMI’ Monday. The aim of the pact is to broaden Muslim League-Nawaz mausoleum. ISLAMABAD: Advisor to the Prime gions, representatives of private sector consultants, issues highlighted by (PML-N) leader Captain This was announced by cooperation and boost economic activities Minister on Commerce and Investment and Pakistan’s international develop - Chambers of Commerce regarding im - between Israel and the gulf state. (R) Safdar Awan has been Maryam during a press Abdul Razak Dawood has requested the ment partners (World Bank, DFID and pediments being faced by Businesses arrested by police for violat - conference with other The documents were inked by Bahraini business community to work in close li - JICA) attended the meeting (in person and a feedback mechanism. Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani and ing the sanctity of the mau - PDM leaders in Karachi. aison with the BoI and provincial gov - and through videoconferencing). He briefed that this digital platform is soleum of Quaid-e-Azam She said that she was in - Israel's National Security Adviser Meir Ben- ernments and play their role in Fareena Mazhar, Secretary, BoI open for all, including government De - Shabbat while U.S. Treasury Secretary Muhammed Ali Jinnah. formed of the development regulatory modernisation in the country. shared the progress since the previous partments and Businessmen who can The case was registered by party spokesperson Steve Mnuchin witnessed the signing agree - Highlighting the role of business meeting of Steering Committee while provide feedback, highlight any dis - against Pakistan Muslim Marriyum Aurangzeb. ment. Both sides agreed to establish diplo - League-Nawaz (PML-N) Earlier, City Court had community in regulatory reforms, he the delegates from provinces and re - crepancy in mapping, and also approach matic relations. Earlier, the peace deal leaders including PML-N reserved the judgment on emphasized that with regulatory mod - gions briefed the Steering Committee BoI to highlight sector specific issues. known as the "Abraham Accord” was struck vice president Maryam the remand application of ernization, carrying out business in the about reforms undertaken by them and Govt asked to avert forthcoming between Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Nawaz, her husband Capt Captain (retd) Muhammad country will be simplified resulting in their initiatives on regulatory moderni - food crisis through imports Emirates. (R) Safdar Awan and 200 Safdar. Safdar Awan was inflow of investment resulting in sation. Abdul Razak Dawood appreci - Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectu - The initiative aimed to herald a dramatic others at the Brigade Police produced before Judicial growth and employment generation. ated the progress made by BoI and als Forum President Mian Zahid Hus - shift in Middle East power dynamics and Station for chanting slo - Magistrate East Wazir Advisor to the Prime Minister on provinces / regions regarding PRMI. sain on Monday asked the government give the US president a boost ahead of the gans at the Mazar-e-Quaid. Memon. He was brought to Commerce and Investment Abdul Mukarram Jah Ansari, Additional to prevent looming food crisis by expe - November election. Israeli Prime Minister Another report adds: the City court from Aziz Razak Dawood said this during the 4th Secretary, BoI apprised the forum that diting wheat imports. Wheat prices have Benjamin Netanyahu signed agreements Pakistan Muslim League Bhatti PS in an armored meeting of the Steering Committee on BoI has created a digital platform for been increased by five percent in the in - with Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Ab - Nawaz (PML-N) leader vehicle under tight secu - Pakistan Regulatory Modernisation Ini - PRMI. He gave a detailed review of the ternational market in last twelve months dullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Bahrain’s Maryam Nawaz has said rity. More than 400 per - tiative (PRMI), in the Board of Invest - website on PRMI which included a li - while it jumped by 72 percent in the Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani. that City Court Karachi sonnel have been deployed ment (BoI) in Islamabad on Monday. brary of all documents and records, local market, he said. Zahid Hussain Moreover, the first commercial passenger has granted bail to PML-N outside the City Court to The Advisor to PM on Institutional progress made and future programmes, said that mismanagement, corruption flight to Israel by a carrier from the United leader Captain (retd) Saf - deter any law and order sit - Reforms, Secretary Commerce, Secre - a digital catalogue of mapping exercise and slow imports can trigger a severe Arab Emirates landed near Tel Aviv on dar in the case of desecra - uation. —DNA tary BoI, delegates from provinces & re - undertaken by BoI and World Bank wheat crisis in the country. —DNA Monday, further cementing a normalisation Prime Minister orders strategy for early return of Nawaz ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister now the opposition will not get any said we have set an ambitious target , while deciding to adopt concession. The Prime Minister also of planting 10 billion trees, while an aggressive strategy against the op - directed to expedite the steps for the keeping our cities clean by manag - position, has directed to expedite steps return of Nawaz Sharif. The meeting ing solid waste is next objective. for the return of Mian Nawaz Sharif also deliberated on the anti-state He said efforts are also being from London, says in media reports. rhetoric of the opposition parties and made to generate electricity from the Important meeting of the politi - decided to give a strong reply. solid waste as being done in rest of cal committee was held under the Cleanliness of cities, plantation the world, adding that we have to chairmanship of the Prime Minis - of 10 billion trees govt's target clean air and water pollution, for ter in which the latest political sit - Prime Minister Imran Khan on which we have to first change mind- uation of the country was Monday said that cleanliness of set to get them realized its impor - discussed. cities and plantation of 10 billion tance. Imran also hinted at The Prime Minister has decided to trees is government’s target. introducing a system of reward and adopt an aggressive strategy against Addressing Clean-Green Index punishment to overcome climate the opposition and has briefed the Encouragement awards distribution change hazards. He said DCs and party leaders on the guidelines. ceremony in Islamabad on Monday, other officials, who perform well in ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi welcomes leader of Hizb-e-Islami It was decided in the meeting that he emphasized on reforestation in this movement of Clean-Green Pak - Afghanistan, Gulbadeen Hekmatyar at his office. —DNA corruption cases would be brought Pakistan to save future of the com - istan, should be rewarded and this to a logical conclusion in any case, ing generations. The prime minister should be reflected in their Annual