Dear media colleagues,

 

Your assistance for the coverage of the attached press release is requested.

 

The photo for the signing ceremony is also attached in annexure.

 

Photo Caption: Group photo at grant signing ceremony of representatives from Government of Pakistan, Japan along with JICA and UNICEF

 

 

(Press Release)

 

JICA agrees to fund UNICEF for procurement of polio vaccines

(Commitment for Polio eradication continues!)

 

 

Islamabad, November 3, 2011:  A Grant Agreement on the provision of funds worth Two Hundred and Three million (203,000,000) Japanese Yen for polio eradication in Pakistan was executed between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for the procurement of oral polio vaccine and social mobilization during 2011-12.

 

 

Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, His Excellency Hiroshi Oe and Representative of UNICEF Pakistan, Mr. Dan Rohrmann signed the Exchange of Notes. Mr. Toshiya Sato, Senior Representative of JICA and Mr. Dan Rohrmann signed the Grant Agreement for the release of funds for the said purpose.    

 

 

The Government of Japan has supported the Polio Eradication Initiative in Pakistan since 1996. Total grant assistance made so far by the Government of Japan comes up to approximately US$ 89.5 million, and has accounted for 26% of all oral polio vaccine procured so far. This is a significant contribution towards reducing the number of polio cases in Pakistan. For the past 16 years, Japan’s support has been instrumental in ensuring that sufficient quantities of vaccine are in place and to ensure a sustained cold chain to protect their potency.

 

 

JICA has also been involved with UNICEF, along with other partners and continues to provide technical assistance to the Government of Pakistan to support polio eradication activities. Since the programme was launched in 1994, the number of cases has been reduced from more than 30,000 in 1994 down to 132 in 2011.

 

 

In another venture, on August 15, 2011, JICA signed a Japanese ODA Loan Agreement with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to provide a loan of up to 4,993 million Yen (approx. 65million USD) for assistance for the Polio Eradication Project. The objective of the project is to optimize immunization of polio vaccines to children less than 5 years, by procuring vaccines and providing services necessary for polio immunization activities, thereby contributing to the eradication of polio in Pakistan.

                                                                    

 

(THE END)

With Regards

 

Muhammad Zubair,

Admin Officer (PR)

JICA Pakistan Office, Serena Business Complex,

Ramna 5, Kahayaban e Suharwardy,

G-5/1, Islamabad

Ph: 051-9244500~08

Fax: 051-9244508

 

 

Established as an independent administrative institution, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), aims to contribute to the promotion of international cooperation as well as the sound development of Japanese and global economy by supporting the socioeconomic development, recovery or economic stability of developing regions. The JICA Pakistan Office started its operations in 1983 at Islamabad. Currently, JICA is contributing to the development of Pakistan in sectors like Education, Health, Sanitation, Irrigation, Agriculture, Environment, Industries and Infrastructure with Technical Assistance, Grant Aid and Soft Loans. For details about JICA Pakistan Office, please visit www.jica.go.jp/pakistan/english 

 

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FBR asked to win confidence of taxpayers

Squeezing poor, ignoring wealthy is inhuman

Authorities taxing patience of masses

 

Islamabad: [Nov 03]

The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Thursday said FBR need to win confidence of taxpayers to overcome image problem and tackle menace of low revenue collection.

 

Majority of taxpayers see moves of FBR with suspicion which is an obstacle in national development, it said.

 

Failed revenue collection targets contribute to underdevelopment and dependence on foreign donors, said Fahim Talib Butt, Vice President Legal Affairs of the PEW.

 

Allegations of lack of integrity, wastage of funds, misrepresentation, inefficiency, indiscipline and arrogance has created a gulf between tax collectors and taxpayers that need to be bridged through serious efforts, he said.

 

He said that industrialists feel that they pay too much of taxes while majority believe that the amount they give to the government as tax is not properly utilised.

 

Taxpayers do not want to pay for the princely living of the people who earn billions but enjoy tax relaxations, said Fahim Talib Butt. This has contributed to general discontent that has resulted in falling tax-to-GDP ratio.

 

These are some of the reasons behind disappointing performance of FBR as far as achieving targets, widening of tax base, checking evasion, recovering arrears, or initiating meaningful reforms are concerned, he added.

 

At the occasion, Dr. Murtaza Mughal, President of the PEW said that frequent false claims of achieving or exceeding revenue collection targets has added to the unpopularity of the institution.

 

He said that over-reporting of figures and exaggeration in number of people who file returns has never helped FBR authorities.

 

Shifting tax burden from the rich to the poor is cruelty, said Dr. Murtaza Mughal adding that hurting fragile industrial and business environment and serving rich has made FBR a tool of oppression, he said.

 

Squeezing those who earn income below taxable limit while ignoring millionaires is inhuman, he added.

 

The intelligence and audit system of the tax body has become highly inefficient contributing only 8 per cent of the total collections. Over and under invoicing, penalising existing taxpayers while cooperating with tax evaders has become a standard practice, he alleged.

 

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said situation will not improve unless FBR decides put its house in order. It should reveal names of parliamentarians, businessmen, and bureaucrats, enjoying luxuries and paying mobile phone and utility bills in millions but not paying taxes.

 

It should take to task professionals making millions but hiding their real income, he demanded.

 

--

Dr. Murtaza Mughal

Cell:  0321-5157671

President Pakistan Economy Watch

www.pakistaneconomywatch.com


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Please note that,
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