PKI demands revival of fixed power tariff for growers
LAHORE (INP): The Pakistan Kisan Ittehad (PKI) decided on Sunday to boycott payments of the electricity  bills until the revival of the withdrawn subsidy on power tariff to farmers and threatened to launch ‘court arrest movement’ if the demand was not accepted. This was decided in PKI’s Central Executive Committee meeting held with Ittehad Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Anwar in the chair. The meeting was also attended by central president, office bearers and provincial and district presidents of the Pakistan Kisan Ittehad.  The CEC expressed its concern that officials were not giving time to meet the Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif.
The meeting took serious exception towards the government policies for its inclinations towards the Indian commodities and ignoring that of Pakistani soil. The PKI leaders were of their considered opinion that the government’s cold response towards domestic agriculture sector would further deteriorate the situation.
The meeting also decided to expand PKI’s organisational structure to other provinces and contact already working farmers’ bodies to mount pressure on government to accept the demand of the revival of fixed power tariff for the growers.

Sasta Bazaars, USC help increase
buying power of middle-class
ISLAMABAD (APP): The availability of edibles in Ramazan Bazaars, Utility Stores have increased the buying power of the middle and lower class significantly ensuring easy access to fruits and other necessary items. According to a survey conducted by APP the affordable prices of daily use items at Sasta Bazars have provided relief to the middle-class and poor people. The district administration has tightened the vigilance at prices and arrested a number of profiteers and black marketers. The prices of daily items have registered increase due to growing demand in the holy month of Ramazan.
The people are taking optimum benefits of the Ramazan Bazaars, which provide them with affordable prices and high quality vegetables, fruit, pulses, spices, edible oil, ghee, sugar, rice and a number of other daily-use items at one place.
Punjab government has set up 340 Ramazan Bazaars across the province aimed at the provision of relief to the masses during the holy month.
Utility Stores Corporation of Pakistan was also providing relief to the people specially salaried class.
People were getting relief due to timely and effective steps of the government, Sultan Khan a consumer said.
Economic approach pursued and important initiative taken by the government have palpably underpinned the purchasing power of the common man resulting in hike to the supply and demand of various edible items.
The whole sellers have attributed the upward trend in supply of eatable items to their rising demand in the wake of enhanced purchasing power of the customers from different segments of the society.

Shipping activity at Port Qasim

KARACHI (APP): One ships arrived at Port to Load/offload Containers at QICT, on 19th July, 2014. Berth occupancy was maintained at 50pc at the Port on Sunday where a seven ships namely M.V KPS-I Alican BEY- Powership, M.V Dong Hai 7001 (Dredger), M.V Kumasi, M.V Maersk Kalamata, M.T Khuran, M.T Ardmore Centurion, M.V Anna Maria are currently occupying berths to load/offload containers, diesel oil, palm oil, fertilizer. Cargo handling operations were carried out smothly at the Port where a cargo volume 31471 tonnes comprising 20044 tonnes import, 11427 tonnes exports and 402 TUEs was handled at the Port during last 24 hours. Departures: M.T Ardmore Centurion sailed on Saturday afternoon.
M.V Maersk Kalamata sailed on Saturday night.
Arrival Schedule: M.V MSC Alta Amira at QICT.
M.V Hain Jan Diego at QICT.
Arrival on 20th July, 2014 as per arrival schedule

Government measures for boosting
economy welcomed
ISLAMABAD (APP): Renowned economist Professor Tousif Akhtar has described State Bank of Pakistan’s announcement about the growth of country’s economy as welcome news. Talking to Radio Pakistan, he said that our economy is showing upward trend and growth rate has increased owing to the measured steps taken by the government. He added although our economy is on the move ahead, yet the responsibility falls on the State Bank and Finance Minister Senator Ishaq Dar’s team to maintain this pace. He said due to load shedding our exports have been affected in the last three months. He adde we can increase our foreign exchange through exports.

Enercon to hold series of training workshops
ISLAMABAD (APP): Energy Conservation Fund (ENERCON) has planned to hold a series of three-day Energy Efficiency Training workshops in Karachi, Lahore, Peshwar and Islamabad from next month. The free of charge training workshops will cover topics of improving energy efficiency in electric systems, improving boiler operating efficiency and tube-well energy audits. According to an ENERCON official, the potential participants may include manufacturers, trainers, engineers, technicians, consultants, farmers, industrialists, building owners, development authorities (CDA, LDA, DHA, KDA etc.), transporters, policy-makers, faculty members and students.
Representatives of Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) and Energy Auditing firms will attend the workshops on special invitation.
The persons interested in attending the workshops may register themselves at ENERCON website www.enercon.gov.pk through email by August 8, along with CV.