Latest news with #RanaTanveerHussain
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Tobacco exports surpasses $100m
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Friday said that Pakistan's tobacco exports have surpassed the US$100 million, signaling a notable boost in the country's foreign exchange earnings. The minister during a meeting with a delegation from Philip Morris International, issued directives for the early issuance of the Minimum Indicative Price (MIP) notification, emphasising that timely administrative decisions are crucial to prevent financial uncertainty for farmers and exporters. During the meeting, they also discussed various issues related to the tobacco sector, including export performance, regulatory challenges, and future prospects. Hussain reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring a predictable and efficient regulatory process that supports agricultural industries and protects the interests of growers. He emphasised that agriculture-linked sectors such as tobacco play a critical role in employment, rural development, and foreign exchange earnings. The minister said that the role of multinational corporations operating responsibly within Pakistan's legal and regulatory framework and contributing positively to national development. He stressed the importance of maintaining centralised oversight at the federal level to ensure coherence in policymaking and to avoid regulatory fragmentation, which can hinder sectoral growth. He reaffirmed that the Ministry of National Food Security and Research will continue to work proactively with all stakeholders to promote a stable, investment-friendly environment. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Olive value chain breathing new life into economy: minister
ISLAMABAD: Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain on Thursday said that Pakistan's olive industry is playing a key role in transforming barren lands into productive assets and is laying the groundwork for an agricultural revolution in the country. Addressing the 'Uraan Pakistan' Startup Vision event at SZABIST, the minister said that the olive value chain is breathing new life into the national economy. 'The olive sector has evolved into a comprehensive industrial model that extends beyond agriculture, creating new opportunities for employment, exports, and innovation,' he said. Hussain highlighted the success of over 85 olive-based startups operating through e-commerce platforms, with active participation from women and youth. He stressed the importance of integrating agriculture with digital commerce in the modern era and affirmed that the government is taking concrete steps to support this transition. The minister also cited the growing international recognition of Pakistan's olive brand 'LO' as evidence of the sector's progress. The minister said that the government is committed to promoting the processing, branding, and export of high-quality olive products. He added that his ministry is implementing a comprehensive strategy to attract investment in the olive sector while ensuring adherence to international standards. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
21-05-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Balochistan's olive oil shines at global contest
Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, hailed the international recognition of Pakistani olive oil as a landmark achievement aligned with the ministry's vision of agricultural self-sufficiency. According to a press statement released on Tuesday, the minister referred to the news of Loralai Olives — a premium olive oil brand from Balochistan's Loralai district — winning the Silver Award at the 2025 New York International Olive Oil Competition, the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest. Out of over 1,200 global entries, Loralai Olives was recognised for its quality, sustainable production, and packaging. 'This global recognition is a proud moment for every Pakistani and validates our long-standing efforts to build a self-reliant agriculture sector,' said Tanveer. He credited the government's Olive Cultivation Initiative, launched in 2012, which provided certified saplings, extraction units, training, and export support. Loralai Olives, or 'LO,' partnered with Balochistan growers and used cold extraction technology, meeting international standards for acidity, purity, and flavour. 'At a time when Pakistan imports $4.5 billion worth of edible oil annually, this recognition proves we have the land, climate, and talent to reverse that trend,' said the Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain, hailed the international recognition of Pakistani olive oil as a landmark achievement aligned with the ministry's vision of agricultural self-sufficiency. According to a press statement released on Tuesday, the minister referred to the news of Loralai Olives — a premium olive oil brand from Balochistan's Loralai district — winning the Silver Award at the 2025 New York International Olive Oil Competition, the world's most prestigious olive oil quality contest. Out of over 1,200 global entries, Loralai Olives was recognised for its quality, sustainable production, and packaging. 'This global recognition is a proud moment for every Pakistani and validates our long-standing efforts to build a self-reliant agriculture sector,' said Tanveer. He credited the government's Olive Cultivation Initiative, launched in 2012, which provided certified saplings, extraction units, training, and export support. Loralai Olives, or 'LO,' partnered with Balochistan growers and used cold extraction technology, meeting international standards for acidity, purity, and flavour. 'At a time when Pakistan imports $4.5 billion worth of edible oil annually, this recognition proves we have the land, climate, and talent to reverse that trend,' said the minister.
Business Recorder
18-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Meeting on food security finalises agri innovation plan
LAHORE: Federal Minister for National Food Security and Research Rana Tanveer Hussain chaired a consultative session on Saturday to finalize the 'national innovation and growth action plan in the agricultural sector.' The meeting held at PASSCO head office here was attended by Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Punjab Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman (via video link), Federal Secretary for National Food Security and Research Waseem Ajmal Chaudhry, Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, Secretary for Livestock Punjab Saqib Ali Ateel, Secretary Forest, Wildlife and Fisheries Punjab Mudassir Riaz Malik, Secretary for Commodities and Price Control Department Punjab Muhammad Ajmal Bhatti. Also present were member of the Planning and Development Board Aslam Pervez, Director General of Agricultural Information Punjab Naveed Asmat Kahloon, and other officials. On this occasion, Federal Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that the Prime Minister's goal is to enhance agricultural growth and increase agricultural exports to US$125 billion by 2030. He further noted that the Prime Minister envisions a second green revolution at the national level. To achieve this, 28 transformational initiatives will be taken across key sectors such as agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, aiming to enhance their value chains and significantly boost foreign exchange earnings. In line with the Prime Minister's given task, improvements will be brought in these sectors through six working groups. These groups will focus on technology and IT integration, research and farmer capacity building, promotion of agricultural mechanization, financial empowerment of farmers, development of legal and regulatory frameworks and overall growth in agricultural development. The Federal Minister appreciated the progress in agriculture and livestock sectors in Punjab and commended the farmer-friendly initiatives of the Chief Minister Punjab. He emphasized that measures will be taken to ensure digital empowerment of farmers so they can access all necessary facilities at their doorstep. Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Punjab Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani speaking at the meeting stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, implementation is underway on an agricultural transformation plan worth over Rs400 billion. He added that key priorities include increasing crop yields through new seed technologies and promoting high-tech mechanization. This year, four Agri Malls are being established, with plans to increase the number to 10 in the next fiscal year. Efforts are also underway to provide modern agricultural machinery for rent at the tehsil level. The Punjab Kissan Card has been introduced for the financial independence of farmers, through which Rs55 billion in interest-free agricultural loans have been disbursed. For the first time in the country's history, 9,500 farmers have been provided green tractors with a subsidy of one million rupees each. To improve agricultural extension services, 1,000 young agricultural graduates have been hired to offer technical guidance to farmers. Furthermore, in the next fiscal year, an extension mobile office and laboratory will be established in every union council to offer free soil and water testing. Chief Secretary Punjab Zahid Akhtar Zaman noted that agriculture and livestock sectors are improving under the farmer-friendly initiatives of the Chief Minister. He stressed the importance of introducing advanced seed production technologies in Pakistan to increase cotton yields. Secretary Agriculture Punjab Iftikhar Ali Sahoo highlighted that there is a 25 percent duty on local machinery and 35 percent on imported machinery, which needs to be reduced to promote agricultural mechanization in the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
News18
17-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan Vows To Rebuild LeT Terror Hub Muridke Struck By India In Operation Sindoor
Islamabad had claimed that it was a mosque and an educational complex that were hit in the strikes at Muridke, located at about 40 kms from Lahore. The Shehbaz Sharif-led Pakistani government has reportedly vowed to rebuild the mosques and Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) headquarters in the Muridke area —one of the nine terror bases hit by India during Operation Sindoor. The Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, a political wing of the banned JuD and a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), on Saturday said that the government has assured them Muridke would be developed at its own expense, reported news agency PTI. Earlier this week, Pakistan's federal minister Rana Tanveer Hussain had visited Muridke and said that the Pakistani government has pledged to rebuild the area at its own expense. 'Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief General Asim Munir will personally finance the reconstruction of a mosque damaged in the operation," he had said as reported by India Today. On May 7, India launched Operation Sindoor and struck nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) including the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) stronghold of Bahawalpur and the LeT's base at Muridke, the two terrorist organisations responsible for major attacks on Indian soil, in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. advetisement Islamabad had claimed that it was a mosque and an educational complex that were hit in the strikes at Muridke, located at about 40 kms from Lahore. Called the Markaz-e-Toiba, the LeT headquarters operates under the facade of a charitable organisation, JuD. The Markaz complex, like the headquarters of the Jaish-e-Mohammad in Bahawalpur, is the nerve centre of the LeT. India has maintained that it targeted terrorists, saying more than 100 were killed, resisting civilian casualties. Meanwhile, the IMF in its board meeting in Washington on May 9 had cleared a USD one billion tranche for Pakistan as part of its USD 7-billion funding programme for the country. In his address to air warriors at Gujarat's Bhuj Air Force station this week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said Pakistan has again started trying to rebuild the terror infrastructure destroyed by India last week. Islamabad will 'spend the money collected from the common citizens of Pakistan to pay around Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the head of the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad" and a UN designated terrorist. Operation Sindoor came after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack claimed the lives of 26 people. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, had claimed responsibility for the massacre in Jammu and Kashmir. (With inputs from PTI) Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Lahore, Pakistan First Published: May 17, 2025, 20:04 IST
