03 May 2004 Monday 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425 Deadlock in the NFC A continuing deadlock in the National Finance Commission (NFC) is a failure of a centralized system of tax collection and revenue distribution which is supported an archaic political dispensation. ... Doing away with tax avoidance Foreign educated business executives and financial experts have been maintaining that while tax evasion can be actionable and criminal, tax avoidance is smart. ... Dilemma of easy monetary policy The State Bank needs to be congratulated for 2nd Quarterly report for the FY04. The analysis of recent price flare-up in the country sets it apart from many of its predecessors. ... Expanding patent empire: US concerns Once again the United States has accused Pakistan of failing to adequately protect intellectual property owned by both local concerns and the multinational corporations operating here and has again placed it on the "Special 301" Watch List. ... Areas of Sino-Pakistan cooperation Chinese fast growth, on average of 9 per cent a year, since the reforms began in 1978 has been the envy of the world and a boom to global market. ... Delaying MFN status harming Pakistan It is too long a time to take a decision on an issue which could benefit Pakistan's relationship with the neighbouring countries, or could take our country far away from the trade bloc of the littoral states on Indian Ocean. ... Education fails to turn into development For over a decade, the country has been aiming at mass literacy and mass education. The goal remains as elusive now as it did when education was first pronounced as a desirable target to achieve. ... Challenge of compliance to WTO regime The textile industry world wide is standing on the verge of uncharted territory as it prepares to deal with the rapidly evolving business environment emerging in view of fast approaching quota abolition. ... Low borrowing cost: is it a good thing? The traditional response to lower borrowing costs is positive and enthusiastic. Pundits pontificate that availability of credit at affordable rates is the catalyst for promoting both industrial and agricultural production and thereby ensuring economic growth. ... Productivity and workers' efficiency There are no authentic figures of unemployment in the country. Numbers released by the government are looked upon by most people with suspicion. The government claims that it is moving forward in its efforts to alleviate poverty and job creation. ... Efficient transport must for economic growth An efficient transport and communication system is a pre- requisite to the attainment of higher economic growth, rapid human sector development and timely integration with global trade and commerce. ... Development of quality manpower for industries Development of quality manpower for industries is the urgent need of the day for survival and socio-economic progress. Production of quality products to compete in the international market ... Threat to Indus Delta eco-system Pakistan's coastline of 1,050 km comprises two major lines: Sindh and Balochistan. The Sindh coast, about 350 km in length, extends from Karachi to the Indian border. ... Livestock wealth needs more to bloom The horse and cattle shows, organized to boost the agrarian economy of Punjab, are traditional components of provincial rural populations. These are arranged to sustain animal wealth and encourage farmers to breed and maintain those animals which provide us with poultry, milk and meat ... Setting global standards for exports The nature has blessed Pakistan with good human and land resources, placing it amongst the top 10 countries of the world in terms of agricultural potential. It has a vast cultivable area, various ecological zones, sufficient water resources, abundant sunshine, four seasons and, above all, hard working people. ... Packaged food technology Adulteration in milk, beverages, oil, ghee, spices, flour and other food products has assumed massive proportions in the country. It has indeed become a full-time business, with those involved in it being least concerned with the severe health risks they are passing on to consumers. ... Thunderous bulls make a comeback to stock exchange After having received massive battering earlier in the week, Karachi stocks roared back to their pre-reaction levels as bulls were back in the market and made active short-covering at lower levels on all counters. ... Central bank sells PIBs worth Rs15bn On April 27, the State Bank of Pakistan sold six-month Treasury bills for one billion rupees against the target of Rs5 billion and the cut-off yield remained unchanged at 1.84 per cent. ...

© The DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2004