Pakistani stores eye Indian markets

April 23, 2012
Pakistani
New Delhi, April 23: From running a single franchise store for 12 years in Delhi to planning to open 200 more across Mumbai, Delhi and smaller cities, Pakistan's largest fashion retail chain Sefam is the stuff businesses dream of.

After a successful showing at the first-ever Lifestyle Pakistan exhibition in Delhi, Sefam said the demand for Pakistani couture in India is too huge to be met through the one store they have in India.

The retail chain with eight brands including Barezee, is first planning a flagship store in Delhi , and also scouting for partners, said Zain Aziz, Sefam's head of international business.

They are one of several Pakistan lifestyle businesses ambitious about expansion plans in India following the huge response to the April exhibition.

Over 100 Pakistani lifestyle companies showcased their products and services in Delhi from April 12 to 15. The companies were from a wide range of segments , including textiles, couture and pret wear, designer furniture , leather accessories, food products, marble ornaments and handicrafts.

The exhibition has spurred 36-year-old designer Asim Jofa to plan exclusive outlets in India. Jofa has been selling in India through a distributor for the last three years, but is now eager to have his own stores. "I can't wait to start my own stores in India. It would be brilliant if we could trade with each other. After the wonderful response at the exhibition , I feel more than at home now," said Jofa.

Kashif, group CEO of leading Pakistani retail brand Chen One, which specializes in lawn prints and dresses, pret dresses and home textiles, said he is encouraged by the significant sales and bulk enquiries in Delhi. The retail chain is also looking to setting up stores across India once trade norms ease.

"Up until now, trade between the two countries has been indirect . But now we don't want that. It will be a win-win situation for both countries if we could increase trade," Kashif said. The brand is all set to come back for an exhibition in Mumbai to be held after two months, which will enable it to look for local partners. "We are looking for a joint venture here. We are very keen to work with India," he added.

With huge demand for Pakistani muslin and lawn dresses, Pakistani retailers said India could figure as their largest market after the US and UK if trading were to be opened up.

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Agencies
January 11,2020

New Delhi, Jan 11: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the curative petition of two death row convicts in 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case on January 14.

A five-judge Bench of Justices N V Ramana, Arun Mishra, R F Nariman, R Banumathi and Ashok Bhushan will hear the petition filed by Vinay Sharma and Mukesh.

The duo had moved a curative petition in the top court after a Delhi court issued a death warrant in their name and announced January 22 as the date of their execution.

Besides them, two other convicts named Pawan and Akshay are also slated to be executed on the same day at 7 am in Delhi's Tihar Jail premises.

They were convicted and sentenced to death for raping a 23-year-old woman on a moving bus in the national capital on the night of December 16, 2012.

The victim, who was later given the name Nirbhaya, died at a hospital in Singapore where she had been airlifted for medical treatment.

A curative petition is the last judicial resort available for redressal of grievances. It is decided by the judges in-chamber.

If it is rejected, they are legally bound to move a mercy petition. It is filed before the President who has the power to commute it to life imprisonment.

The court after issuing a black warrant in their name gave them two weeks' time to file both the curative and mercy petition.

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News Network
January 27,2020

Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 27: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to arrange for airlifting the Indians stranded in Wuhan province of China, the epicentre of coronavirus, saying the ground situation there has further worsened.

In a letter to Mr. Modi, he said since the situation in Wuhan was grave, it would be appropriate to operate a special flight to Wuhan or a nearby functional airport and airlift Indian nationals stranded there.

Mr. Vijayan also wanted the Prime Minister to give necessary instructions to the Indian Embassy in China to act pro-actively and provide necessary assistance and reassurance to Indians, including Keralites, stranded in Wuhan and Yichang.

The Chief Minister offered assistance of medical professionals from the State in case of evacuation of the Indians from Wuhan.

Chinese health authorities have announced the death toll due to coronavirus has sharply increased to 80 with 2,744 confirmed cases.

The confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by the novel coronavirus officially described as 2019-nCoV included 461 patients who are in critical condition.

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Agencies
August 2,2020

New Delhi, Aug 2: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Sunday issued fresh guidelines for international passengers coming to India amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The new guidelines will be implemented from 12:01 am on August 8.

The ministry has also asked all passengers to submit a self-declaration form online at least 72 hours before travel.

"All travellers should submit self-declaration form on the on the online portal (www.newdelhiairport.in) at least 72hours before the scheduled travel," the guidelines said.

It also said that those coming to India must give an undertaking that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days as prescribed by the government. "They should also give an undertaking on the portal that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days i.e. 7 days paid institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by 7 days isolation at home with self-monitoring of health," it added.

Giving exemptions in some cases, the guidelines mentioned, "Only for compelling reasons/cases of human distress such as pregnancy, death in the family. Serious illness and parent (s) with children of 10 years or below, home quarantine may be permitted for 14 days."

"If they wish to seek such exemption, they shall apply to the online portal at least 72 hours before boarding. The decision taken by the government as communicated on the online portal will be final," it said further.

The guidelines further said that travellers could request for exemption from institutional quarantine by submitting a negative RT-PCR test report on arrival.

"This test should have been conducted within 96 hours prior to undertaking the journey. The test report should be uploaded on the portal for consideration," it added.

Passengers have also been asked to download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones.

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