Latest news with #MuhammadAwais
Business Recorder
10-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Consultation session held to address the challenges facing textile and automobile sectors
KARACHI: The SITE Association of Industry, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), recently organized a consultation session aimed at addressing challenges faced by the textile and automobile sectors. The session focused on identifying key obstacles faced by enterprises and prioritizing incentives to support the formalization of SMEs and their supply chains. The session offered members a chance to provide feedback on the already identified issues, share practical recommendations and incentives for SMEs and assist in shaping the future national roadmap for the SMEs formalization. M Naeem Ansari, National Project Coordinator ILO, Syed Nazar Ali, Secretary General EFP, Mukesh Kumar, Deputy General Manager SMEDA and Muhammad Awais, Project Consultant SME Formalization were present in the consultation session. Welcoming the guests and members to the consultation session, SVP Khalid Riaz of SITE Association of Industry said that many of our member enterprises have, for several years, dutifully contributed to the Sindh Employees' Social Security Institution (SESSI) and the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI), in line with their legal obligations. Enterprises themselves see no return or recognition for their consistent financial input into these national institutions. We, at the SITE Association, strongly propose that the contributions to SESSI and EOBI should be rationalized with a defined ceiling or cap, especially for SMEs operating on thin profit margins. Our Association has always played a facilitative role on compliance matters. We are ready to deepen this role further, but reforms must go hand in hand with facilitation, he added. Khalid Riaz further said that formalization cannot succeed through regulation alone, we must ensure it is value-driven. This includes not just simplifying registration and inspection systems but also ensuring that employers who contribute to national institutions like SESSI and EOBI receive visible, timely services in return. The participants were informed that ILO in coordination with SMEDA is undertaking the development of a National Roadmap for the Formalization of SMEs in Pakistan. This strategic initiative aims to facilitate the transition of small & medium enterprises from the informal to the formal economy through evidence-based approaches and inclusive stakeholder engagement. The textile and automotive sectors, particularly their export-oriented value chains, are key focus areas of this roadmap. As part of this initiative, a comprehensive Baseline Study has been conducted to assess the current landscape of informality and analyse value chain dynamics within these sectors. Muhammad Awais, who led this study, presented the key findings of the baseline study insights during the consultation session. Speaking on this occasion as Former President of EFP, Former Chairman SAI, Majyd Aziz welcomed nomination of ILO representative in Karachi and appreciated SMEDA's role in promoting SMEs in Pakistan. He said that labour standards and environmental compliances are big challenges for Pakistani businesses. Textiles are our main exports but we remain under buyers' pressure all the time. Inspection, audit or checking is problematic for the SMEs. The SMEs should be given assurance for the social safety net by the government. Majyd Aziz suggested the government make 10-15% purchases from the SME sector so that they get orders and automatically come in the formal sector. Speaking about Occupational Safety & Health (OSH), he suggested that large industries should help out SMEs to follow these standards. Regional Chairman APTPMA Anwar Aziz expressed views on minimum wages and its overall financial impact. He suggested to charge a certain percentage of turnover on all industrial and commercial establishments to provide social cover to each and every labour, either covered or not. He also expressed views on gratuity law. Former Senior Vice President Abdul Kadir Bilwani, in response to the presentation, said that WHT should be abolished to reduce the burden, the definition of SME need to be revisited, contribution for all social related benefits has to be capped, expressing views on Valika Hospital he suggested the management control to be handed over to SITE along with the contribution share of Site, he strongly voiced the current SME sectors difficulties and burden of taxes. Secretary General EFP, Syed Nazar Ali said that despite many benefits, people are reluctant to come into the formal sector. Businesses should follow sustainable business practices including climate and social sustainability and economic viability. President Ahmed Azeem Alvi, Vice President Muhammad Riaz Dhedhi, Azeem Motiwala, Junaid-ur-Rehman, Ahmed Zulfiqar Chaudhry and representatives of textile and automobile sectors were also present in the session. Chairman of Labour sub-committee Muhammad Tahir Goreja proposed a vote of thanks. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
20-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
inDrive reshapes ride-hailing landscape
ISLAMABAD: inDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, has reshaped the ride-hailing landscape in Pakistan with its pioneering 'Set Your Fare and Choose Your Driver' model, giving passengers full control over their ride experience. Unlike other ride-hailing apps where pricing is driven by automated algorithms, inDrive offers a fresh, human-centric approach. Passengers can propose their own fare and choose a driver based on key criteria such as ratings, vehicle type, estimated time of arrival, and distance. This unique model ensures greater freedom, transparency, and fairness – enabling both customers and drivers to make informed, mutually beneficial decisions. Muhammad Awais, Country Lead at inDrive Pakistan, said: 'Since its launch in Pakistan in 2021, inDrive has expanded to 20 cities for local rides. We were the first to introduce the 'Set Your Fare and Choose Your Driver' model in the country – and the response has been incredible. Pakistani users appreciate the flexibility to negotiate fares and personalize their ride options according to their preferences. This level of autonomy has helped build trust and foster a strong sense of community on our platform. It's one of the key reasons inDrive has become the second most downloaded ride-hailing app globally and the fifth most downloaded app in the travel category.' inDrive's commitment to fairness and inclusivity has earned it global recognition. According to leading market intelligence firm Sensor Tower, inDrive was ranked as the second-most downloaded ride-hailing app worldwide for the third consecutive year and secured the fifth spot in the global travel app category. In December 2024 alone, the app was downloaded over 6.1 million times globally, reflecting its growing appeal across diverse markets. 'inDrive is built on fairness, creating an ecosystem where both passengers and drivers thrive. They decide the price and choose their ride themselves. This is why our users – both passengers and drivers – love us. Every ride with inDrive is a happy ride,' he added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Al Arabiya
03-05-2025
- Al Arabiya
India-Pakistan tensions hit tourism in Kashmiri valley
Hotels are empty and roads deserted at the start of what is normally peak tourist season amidst the towering peaks and lush valleys of Pakistan's Kashmir valley, as the threat of attack from India looms. Tensions between the nuclear-armed arch-rivals have soared since India accused Pakistan of backing a shooting that killed 26 civilians on the Indian side of the disputed territory on April 22. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his military 'full operational freedom' to respond while Islamabad earlier this week warned they had 'credible intelligence' that India was planning imminent strikes. High season in the cooler climes of the Neelum Valley, the tourist center of Pakistan administered-Kashmir, begins in May as temperatures around the rest of the country rise. 'It's been a really bad start,' said Muhammad Awais, a 22-year-old photographer at a popular picnic spot. Tourism is the Neelum Valley's lifeline, drawing over 300,000 visitors each year from all over Pakistan, according to the district administration. Much of the local population depends on roughly 350 guesthouses, which employ thousands of families. 'Our livelihoods depend on tourism, and without it, we suffer,' Awais told AFP. 'The way things are unfolding is very slow, and it's affecting our work badly.' This week police and soldiers at army check points barred tourists from entering the valley, allowing only local residents through the checkpoint. Tourists were instead told to return the main town of Muzaffarabad. 'It's extremely disappointing that the government did not warn us or advise against visiting,' said Saleem Uddin Siddique, who travelled from the capital Islamabad with his family. 'Our hopes are now dashed,' the 69-year-old retired accountant said. 'We don't want war' Islamabad has denied any involvement in last month's attack at Pahalgam and the uneasy neighbors have issued a raft of tit-for-tat punitive diplomatic measures. The two South Asian nations have exchanged gunfire for nine consecutive nights along the militarized Line of Control, the de-facto border, according to Indian defense sources. On Saturday, Pakistan's military said it tested a surface-to-surface missile system with a range of 450 kilometers (280 miles) aimed at 'ensuring the operational readiness of troops.' International pressure has been piled on both New Delhi and Islamabad to settle their differences through talks. India and Pakistan, which both claim Muslim-majority Kashmir in full, have fought several wars over the Himalayan territory since the end of British rule in 1947. On India's heavily fortified border, residents of farming villages along the Chenab river have sent families back from the frontier, recalling the terror of the last major conflict between the rival armies in 1999. There has been an exodus of tourists on the Indian side of the border too since the attack which targeted Hindu men enjoying the open meadows with their families. Indian authorities have heavily promoted the region as a holiday destination, both for skiing in winter and to escape the sweltering heat of the summer. The regional government of Pakistan-administered Kashmir has ordered religious schools to close and urged residents to stockpile food. However, some tourists continued to arrive undeterred. 'We don't think the threat of possible war is serious,' said Mudasar Maqsood, a 39-year-old factory worker from the eastern city of Kasur, over 630 kilometers away, who was blocked along with his friends from entering the valley. 'We should not disrupt our routine life,' he added. Raja Iftikhar Khan, the president of private tourism association, said the situation could become 'extremely dire.' 'This disruption has been devastating for all those tied to tourism,' he said 'We don't want war -- no sensible businessperson ever does.'
Business Recorder
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
India-Pakistan tensions hit tourism in Kashmiri valley
NEELUM VALLEY: Hotels are empty and roads deserted at the start of what is normally peak tourist season amidst the towering peaks and lush valleys of Azad Kashmir valley, as the threat of attack from India looms. Tensions between the nuclear-armed arch-rivals have soared since India accused Pakistan of backing a shooting that killed 26 civilians on the Indian side of the disputed territory on April 22. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his military 'full operational freedom' to respond while Islamabad earlier this week warned they had 'credible intelligence' that India was planning imminent strikes. High season in the cooler climes of the Neelum Valley, the tourist centre of Pakistan administered-Kashmir, begins in May as temperatures around the rest of the country rise. 'It's been a really bad start,' said Muhammad Awais, a 22-year-old photographer at a popular picnic spot. Tourism is the Neelum Valley's lifeline, drawing over 300,000 visitors each year from all over Pakistan, according to the district administration. Much of the local population depends on roughly 350 guesthouses, which employ thousands of families. 'Our livelihoods depend on tourism, and without it, we suffer,' Awais told AFP. 'The way things are unfolding is very slow, and it's affecting our work badly.' This week police and soldiers at army check points barred tourists from entering the valley, allowing only local residents through the checkpoint. Tourists were instead told to return the main town of Muzaffarabad. 'It's extremely disappointing that the government did not warn us or advise against visiting,' said Saleem Uddin Siddique, who travelled from the capital Islamabad with his family. 'Our hopes are now dashed,' the 69-year-old retired accountant said. 'We don't want war' Islamabad has denied any involvement in last month's attack at Pahalgam and the uneasy neighbours have issued a raft of tit-for-tat punitive diplomatic measures. The two South Asian nations have exchanged gunfire for nine consecutive nights along the militarised Line of Control, the de-facto border, according to Indian defence sources. On Saturday, Pakistan's military said it tested a surface-to-surface missile system with a range of 450 kilometres (280 miles) aimed at 'ensuring the operational readiness of troops'. International pressure has been piled on both New Delhi and Islamabad to settle their differences through talks. India and Pakistan, which both claim Muslim-majority Kashmir in full, have fought several wars over the Himalayan territory since the end of British rule in 1947. On India's heavily fortified border, residents of farming villages along the Chenab river have sent families back from the frontier, recalling the terror of the last major conflict between the rival armies in 1999. There has been an exodus of tourists on the Indian side of the border too since the attack which targeted Hindu men enjoying the open meadows with their families. Indian authorities have heavily promoted the region as a holiday destination, both for skiing in winter and to escape the sweltering heat of the summer. The regional government of Azad Kashmir has ordered religious schools to close and urged residents to stockpile food. However, some tourists continued to arrive undeterred. 'We don't think the threat of possible war is serious,' said Mudasar Maqsood, a 39-year old factory worker from the eastern city of Kasur, over 630 kilometres away, who was blocked along with his friends from entering the valley. 'We should not disrupt our routine life,' he added. Raja Iftikhar Khan, the president of private tourism association, said the situation could become 'extremely dire'. 'This disruption has been devastating for all those tied to tourism,' he said 'We don't want war – no sensible businessperson ever does'.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
India-Pakistan tensions hit tourism in Kashmiri valley
Hotels are empty and roads deserted at the start of what is normally peak tourist season amidst the towering peaks and lush valleys of Pakistan's Kashmir valley, as the threat of attack from India looms. Tensions between the nuclear-armed arch-rivals have soared since India accused Pakistan of backing a shooting that killed 26 civilians on the Indian side of the disputed territory on April 22. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave his military 'full operational freedom' to respond while Islamabad earlier this week warned they had 'credible intelligence' that India was planning imminent strikes. High season in the cooler climes of the Neelum Valley, the tourist centre of Pakistan administered-Kashmir, begins in May as temperatures around the rest of the country rise. "It's been a really bad start," said Muhammad Awais, a 22-year-old photographer at a popular picnic spot. Tourism is the Neelum Valley's lifeline, drawing over 300,000 visitors each year from all over Pakistan, according to the district administration. Much of the local population depends on roughly 350 guesthouses, which employ thousands of families. "Our livelihoods depend on tourism, and without it, we suffer," Awais told AFP. "The way things are unfolding is very slow, and it's affecting our work badly." This week police and soldiers at army check points barred tourists from entering the valley, allowing only local residents through the checkpoint. Tourists were instead told to return the main town of Muzaffarabad. "It's extremely disappointing that the government did not warn us or advise against visiting," said Saleem Uddin Siddique, who travelled from the capital Islamabad with his family. "Our hopes are now dashed," the 69-year-old retired accountant said. - 'We don't want war' - Islamabad has denied any involvement in last month's attack at Pahalgam and the uneasy neighbours have issued a raft of tit-for-tat punitive diplomatic measures. The two South Asian nations have exchanged gunfire for nine consecutive nights along the militarised Line of Control, the de-facto border, according to Indian defence sources. On Saturday, Pakistan's military said it tested a surface-to-surface missile system with a range of 450 kilometres (280 miles) aimed at "ensuring the operational readiness of troops". International pressure has been piled on both New Delhi and Islamabad to settle their differences through talks. India and Pakistan, which both claim Muslim-majority Kashmir in full, have fought several wars over the Himalayan territory since the end of British rule in 1947. On India's heavily fortified border, residents of farming villages along the Chenab river have sent families back from the frontier, recalling the terror of the last major conflict between the rival armies in 1999. There has been an exodus of tourists on the Indian side of the border too since the attack which targeted Hindu men enjoying the open meadows with their families. Indian authorities have heavily promoted the region as a holiday destination, both for skiing in winter and to escape the sweltering heat of the summer. The regional government of Pakistan‑administered Kashmir has ordered religious schools to close and urged residents to stockpile food. However, some tourists continued to arrive undeterred. "We don't think the threat of possible war is serious," said Mudasar Maqsood, a 39‑year‑old factory worker from the eastern city of Kasur, over 630 kilometres away, who was blocked along with his friends from entering the valley. "We should not disrupt our routine life," he added. Raja Iftikhar Khan, the president of private tourism association, said the situation could become "extremely dire". "This disruption has been devastating for all those tied to tourism," he said "We don't want war -- no sensible businessperson ever does". sq-zz/ecl/stu
