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PR. No.1. Dr. Abdul Hameed Al Fattah Cultural Attache Saudi Embassy Islamabad called on the Advisor to Prime Minister on Religious Affairs Mr. Hamid Saeed Kazmi here today. He remained with the Advisor for some time and discussed matters of mutual and bilateral interest with special reference to Hajj 2008-09. He apprised the Advisor that Government of Saudi Arabia would sponsor some eminent educationalists from Pakistan for Hajj 2008-09. The Advisor appreciated the goodwill gesture of Saudi Government under the able leadership of Khadmeen-e-Harmain-e-Sharifain King Abdullah and said that people and Government of Pakistan attaché great importance to its brotherly strong relations with the people and Government of Saudi Arabia. He said that the goodwill gesture shown by the Government of Saudi Arabia will further strengthen the brotherly relations which already exists between the two brotherly countries. DKK/AR.
PR. No.2. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the new democratically elected government is giving high priority to the welfare of all segments of the society particularly the lower income groups. The Prime Minister said this while talking to a delegation of the Trade Union Alliance led by General Secretary, Mr. Liaquat Sahi which called on him during his visit to the State Bank of Pakistan in Karachi this morning. The delegation informed the Prime Minister that people are appreciative of the steps taken by the government including the release of detained judges and its commitment to their reinstatement. They also extended their warm felicitations to the Prime Minister on his unanimous election as the PM which shows the confidence the entire House has shown in his leadership. The Union representatives briefed the Prime Minister about various matters relating to the welfare of the employees of State Bank and other banks including the withdrawal of political cases against their leaders and the restoration of unions in banks. The Prime Minister assured them that their demands would be considered favourably. The Governor Sindh, Dr. Ishrat ul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Federal Minister for Finance, Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Labour, Mr. Khursheed Shah, Advisor to the PM on Social Sector, Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali and Advisor to the PM on Economic Affairs, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar also attended the meeting. DSG/AR.
PR. No.3. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed called on President Pervez Musharraf here today. He briefed the President about the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee meeting, held at Joint Staff Headquarters yesterday, in which important regional developments impacting on national security were discussed. The President said that all efforts are being taken for ensuring that all professional requirements of Pakistan Armed Forces are taken care of so that they are adequately equipped to face the challenges. AJ/AR.
PR. No.4. Governor Balochistan Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi called on President Pervez Musharraf here today. He briefed the President about the general law and order situation and ongoing development projects in Balochistan. The President appreciated the Governor’s efforts for maintaining stability in the province and said that he should take all necessary steps to ensure peace in the province and provision of the necessities of life to the people. AJ/AR.
PR. No.5. The Madam Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza has said that Pakistan values high its relations with US and both the countries have same perceptions on global issues. She said this while talking to US Congress Woman and Co-Chair Person Pakistan Congressional Caucus, Sheila Jackson Lee, who called on the Madam Speaker in the Parliament House today. The Madam Speaker said that people were having great expectations from the newly formed democratic Govt that was committed to come up to their expectations. The Speaker said that the challenges confronting the Govt would be overcome with the support of the coalition partners and the masses in general. The Speaker said that women representation in public affairs was central to the functioning and strengthening of democracy and struggle against oppression. She said that women were sufficiently represented in the Parliament in Pakistan and their performance in the Parliament was encouraging. The Speaker said that the February 18 election in Pakistan brought the moderate and progressive forces into the Parliament that showed Pakistanies were a moderate nation. The Speaker said that democracy today was formally established in Pakistan. She said that Pakistan needed support of the international community to strengthen democracy, alleviate poverty and lift up social well being of the people. The Speaker expressed her gratitude for US Govt support for the new democratic Govt in Pakistan and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country and expressed hope that US will continue its support in this regard. The US Congress Women and Co-Chair Person Pakistan Congressional Caucus, Sheila Jackson Lee while talking on the occasion said that US wanted long term relations with Pakistan. She said that US wanted Pakistan a prosperous, peaceful, democratic and sovereign country. Ms. Sheila Jackson Lee stressed the need for the up-lift of women in tribal areas and assured US Congress’s support in this regard. She underlined the need for enhanced interaction between the parliamentarians of the two countries and invited Madam Speaker to visit USA MT/ank
PR. No.6. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan accords high priority to its strategic relationship with the United States and is desirous of expanding bilateral cooperation in all fields including economic cooperation, defence, security, education, health, energy and science & technology. The Prime Minister was talking to the US Congressional delegation led by Congressman Gary Ackerman, who is the Chairman of the Sub-committee on the Middle East and South Asian Affairs, who called on him here at the Governor’s House this evening. Other members of the delegation included Ms. Sheila Jackson (co-chair of the Pakistan-Caucus), Mr. Thad McCotter, Mr. Randy Neugebauer, Mr. Russ Carnahan and Mr. Al Green. US Ambassador in Pakistan, Ms. Anne W. Patterson was also present during the meeting. The Prime Minister said that the government is determined to fight terrorism. He however stressed the need to address the root causes of terrorism which stem from socio-economic disparity and poverty. He said that the international community should do more to help Pakistan improve its economy, especially in view of the steep rise in the price of oil and food commodities. He said Pakistan is fighting terrorism and has sacrificed a lot in this regard, including the assassination of its leader Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The Prime Minister observed that the early setting up of the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs) will stimulate economic activity in the designated areas of NWFP and Balochistan in addition to assuring access to the US market for the goods produced in the tribal areas. He said that the economic development of tribal areas will play an effective role in defeating the treat of terrorism and extremism. The Prime Minister said that moderate forces have emerged victorious in the elections and have formed progressive governments both at the Centre and in the provinces especially in the NWFP and Balochistan. He said his government has the backing and support of the vast majority of the people to fight poverty, hunger and the scourge of terrorism and extremism. He said that his government in consultation with its coalition partners has adopted a three-pronged strategy to fight terrorism by entering into political dialogue with those elements who have renounced terrorism by laying down arms, accelerating the pace of economic development in the country especially in tribal areas and resorting to military means only if the agreements are violated. He said his government has not signed any agreement with the militants nor will allow foreigners to use Pakistan’s soil against another country. The Prime Minister said that in his opinion the best way to deal with extremism is to improve the socio-economic conditions of the people so that they are not attracted by the religious bigotry and demagoguery. The Prime Minister said that the government is committed to restoring the 1973 constitution in its true form to ensure sovereignty and supremacy of parliament, rule of law and independence of judiciary. He said that all important policy matters and decisions on important national issues are being taken by the parliament. While discussing the situation in Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan desires Afghanistan to be stable and prosper because a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan and the region. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is making strenuous efforts to strengthen security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border including the installation of biometric system on entry points. He said Pakistan has also offered to fence the border. He said that there is a need for better monitoring of the border from the Afghanistan side as our side has 900 check posts compared to about 100 such posts on the Afghanistan side, which is inadequate. Talking about India the Prime Minister said that Pakistan is keen to have good neighbourly relations and stressed the need for an early settlement of the Kashmir dispute. The delegation appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in fighting extremism and terrorism and expressed the confidence that democracy would lead Pakistan towards progress and prosperity. They said that the US Congress would extend all possible support to Pakistan as the US has great affection for the people of Pakistan and its newly elected government. The delegation also congratulated the Prime Minister on his unanimous election as the Prime Minister of the country which they said is a rare honour. The Advisor to the PM on National Security, Mr. Mehmud Ali Durrani, Acting Foreign Secretary and senior government officials also attended the meeting.
PR. No.7. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that a series of administrative measures have been put in place by his government in a short span of three months to improve the human rights situation in the country. The Prime Minister said this while talking to Mr. Kenneth Roth, Ex- Director Human Rights watch who called on the Prime Minister at the Governor’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister said that in keeping with the PPP’s manifesto, his government is committed to introducing legislations to institutionalize improvement in the legal framework. The Prime Minister said that his government has also presented a comprehensive constitutional package to make the judiciary truly independent. Without an independent judiciary the sanctity of human rights can neither be observed nor their violations prevented. He said that the government is also committed to reinstating the deposed judges and consultations are going on the technical modalities of re-instatement with the coalition partners. About the various steps taken by the government, the Prime Minister said that it has been decided that the death penalty awarded to the thousand of convicted prisoners will be converted into life imprisonment. Jail-sentences of prisoners have also been reduced especially of women and children, he said. Similarly, the Prime minister said that the government made possible the release of hundreds of prisoners who had completed their jail terms but were not in a position to pay the fines imposed on them. The Prime Minister said that the government is also trying to build a broad consensus on ending the practice of imprisoning the under-trial persons without proving their cases in the court. The Prime Minister said that his government is taking institutional measures to introduce jail reforms with a view to turning jails into reformatories so that prisoners, instead of becoming hardened criminals, leave the jail as reformed citizens ready to contribute to the society as useful citizens. The Prime Minister said his government is also committed to protecting the rights of women who constitute 50% of the population. He said that his party while in opposition supported the previous government’s Women Protection Bill which would not have become law without our support in the Parliament. The Prime Minister said that the top most priority of the government is eradication of violence against women and in this regard a Bill on Domestic Violence is currently before the Parliament. Mr. Kenneth Roth lauded the various steps taken by the new government to improve the human rights situation in the country. He said that he was particularly impressed by the way the lawyers’ long march was handled by the government. He said that the democratic government has made important progress especially in restoring the freedom of the press. He also expressed his condolences over the tragic assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed who, among other things, will always be remembered for her championship of human rights. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms. Sherry Rehman, Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Mr. Farooq H. Naek, Secretary Information and senior government officials also attended the meeting.
PR. No.8. According to a press note issued by Director General (Gas), Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources, it is clarified that the actual increase in the price of natural gas being supplied to CNG stations is Rs 4.3/Kg and not Rs 13/Kg as inadvertently replied to a question during the briefing. The factual position is that revised price of natural gas being supplied to the CNG stations, as notified by OGRA is Rs 388.32 per million Btu, while the previous price was Rs 291.36 per million Btu. This increase of Rs 96.96 per million Btu corresponds to an increase of Rs 4.3/Kg, which due to a conversion/calculation error, was stated to be an increase of Rs 13/Kg instead of actual increase of Rs 4.3/Kg excluding the government taxes. Thus the net increase in natural gas price for CNG stations including government taxes works out to be 5.58/Kg. The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.
PR. No.9. Economic Co-ordination Committee(ECC) which met here under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, reviewed the overall economic situation in the country with the confidence that the economy will be brought back on track as the policies of the present Government will create an enabling environment to stimulate the economy that had been badly hit by the domestic and external factors. Chairman Federal Board of Revenues (FBR) disclosed in the meeting that the total tax collection has already crossed Rs.1000 Billion by June 30. The Chairman added that there were indications that FBR will collect more than Rs. 1 trillion. The ECC approved that wheat be released to the food deficient areas along with import by private sector to bring parity in the prices. The Prime Minister directed MINFAL to take immediate measures in consultation with provincial governments to streamline Atta prices especially in the wheat deficient provinces. Minister for Water and power, Deputy Chairman Planning commission and the Secretary Water and Power reaffirmed the resolve of the government that there will be no load shedding in the country after December next year as they had already made all necessary arrangements to feed more than 3000 MW to the national grid system. The Prime Minister while directing the Ministry of Water and Power to save the people from the rigours of load shedding, set up a committee consisting of Minister for Finance, Water & Power, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and Secretary Water & Power to look into the problems of KESC and investigate as to why rural Sindh was subjected to excessive load- shedding. Secretary Finance informed the ECC that gap between the imports and exports had to be narrowed down by taking additional measures to discourage non essential import items and increasing exports for which various incentives had already been announced by the government. The Finance Secretary apprised the ECC that the foreign remittances are expected to exceed 6 Billion dollars, judging from the trend during the previous financial year. The ECC meeting was informed about the fact that sky rocketing prices of POL, edible oil and food items were the major factors that had shrunk the fiscal space and inflationary trends in the economy. The ECC approved the summary of Ministry of Industries regarding incentive package for investment in petrochemical complex Naphtha cracker, polyethylene and polypropylene. The ECC, in principle, approved the import of wheat through Gwadar Port if the port authorities gave an assurance that the facilities do exist for handling a large quantity of imported wheat. The ECC reviewed the position of the supply and demand of essential items in the country. The meeting was informed that there were sufficient stocks of sugar and pulses in the country. The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Industries to open utility outlets in every union council to provide basic items of use at reasonable prices.
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