Sugar to be exported only under 'special conditions': Razak

Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce, Textile, Industry and Production Abdul Razak Dawood on Thursday said Pakistan will be exported only under special conditions.

While talking to media persons at a conference organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), he said that the government is working to provide cheaper commodities and items of everyday use to the consumers. Dawood said that sugar will now only be exported under special conditions and not as a regular item on the export agenda.

Dawood further said that sugar will only be exported after thoroughly checking the amount of it produced in the year, and if the production is in excess of the demand, only then it would be exported. He further said the government would provide subsidy on sugar at utility stores. The government will export rice. He added that a big delegation would be taken to Africa next month in this regard.

He further said industrial policy is in final stage. He also hailed the Pak-China Free Trade Agreement under which Pakistani traders will get the opportunity to export 313 new products to the Chinese markets. The two countries have completed all the legal procedures and formalities to start implementation of the agreement.

"It's not the number of years Babar Ali lives, it is the number of hearts that he touched and he touched my heart too," he said while narrating the story of how the LUMS was established by Babar Ali.

A galaxy of renowned leaders from different fields paid glowing tributes to Syed Babar Ali here at a grand plenary organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute on the last day of 22nd Sustainable Development Conference here under the title 'Living Legends of Pakistan Plenary: Life and Work of Dr Syed Babar Ali (Order of the British Empire).'

Syed Babar Ali, the businessman, philanthropist, educationist and founder of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), said that he enjoyed every moment of his life and wishes to continue his pursuit for the rest of his life. He also thanked SDPI and his friends to celebrate his life and work.

SDPI's Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri presented him the Living Legend shield in recognition to his meritorious services for humanity.

Chairman Higher Education Commission Dr Tariq Banuri said that the true history is constituted by those people who made and built this country through their matchless contributions, and they are the real heroes. He said Babar Ali is among those living legends who built institutions like LUMS which indeed was a great contribution in nation-building.

Former Finance Minister Sartaj Aziz said Babar Ali is an institution builder, great business leader and above all a patriotic Pakistani, who always cares for others around him.

Former Chairperson of National Commission on the Status of Women Khawar Mumtaz commended the Babar Ali for his efforts and love for conservation of art and heritage as well as his contribution for conservation of environment and wildlife.

Dr Parvez Hassan, senior advocate of Supreme Court of Pakistan, said that Babar Ali empowered and inspired so many individuals in various fields and is a role model in his life. He said Babar Ali is a man of principle, who never compromised on merit.

Earlier, speaking at a panel discussion on Achieving Food Security in Digitalized World, Androulla Kaminara, ambassador-designate, delegation of the European Union to Pakistan, said Pakistan has moved from 7th to 5th position in connection with vulnerabilities to climate change. She said only in Interior Sindh two million people are worst hit of food shortage due to drought.

Dr Arnold Elepano from University of Philippines recommended, "We need to develop roadmap for Smart Farm Development to include research agenda, pilot testing and information advocacy." He said the government should provide enabling environment to promote the use of digital technology to increase farm productivity.

Prof Dr Allah Bakhsh, Dean of Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Technology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, said that it is an established fact that adoption of appropriate technology enables farmers to modernize their management practices which result in increasing crop yields, reducing crop failure, and ultimately increasing farmer's income, i.e. leading towards profitable farming.

Speaking at a concurrent session on 'Digital Financial Inclusion: Challenges and Opportunities,' PPP MNA Syed Nadeem Qamar accused the banks of discouraging people in using electronic money transfer by imposing high taxes. He said that change in public behavior is the only challenge in the way of financial inclusion. The government policies and difficulties in account opening procedures have financially excluded a larger population, especially the old age people and women, he said and stressed the need for holistic approach towards forming effective policies.

Nadeem Hussain, founder of Easypaisa, said that there are enough elements in place to make Pakistan completely digital. Just like any other country of the world, Pakistan has also moved forward in terms of technology and prosperity, he said, adding, "We need to appreciate ourselves what we have done so far specifically in field of digital inclusion."

At a panel discussion titled 'Leaving No One Behind in the Skills Development Agenda in Pakistan,' Parliamentary Secretary for National History and Literary Heritage Division, Ghazala Saifi stressed the need for inculcating technical and soft skill development and trainings in the curriculum to prepare future generations to meet the challenges of digital revolution.

Michael Meyer, Executive Director of Democracy Reporting International, Germany, joined the conference via Skype. He highlighted the issues of how genuine social media debates are easily manipulated and what that means for genuine humanitarian or human right causes.