PR. No.24
PRESS RELEASE
THIRD PAK-CHINA JOINT MILITARY TRAINING EXERCISE BEGINS
July 2, 2010A contingent of Pakistan Army has reached China to participate in third joint military training exercise, YOUYI- III (Friendship) being held in China,says a press release received here today.
A week long exercise will continue till the 7th of July at Qixtonxia, Yeuhuan China. Troops of Special Services Group of both the countries will participate in joint exercise. The exercise has been designed to benefit from the professional skills employed by the two Special Forces Group at sub unit level.
The aim of the exercise is to practice counter terrorism mechanisms along with drills in mountains and developing interpersonal rapport between participants of both sides.
Pakistan’s unprecedented success in counter-terrorism operations has contributed to an environment in which Pakistan Army and PLA have sought to hold a joint exercise to benefit from each others’ experiences. This exercise is third in the series, in which Special Forces from both sides along with Chinese Air Force and Aviation are participating.
Senior Military leadership from both sides will also attend the Exercise. The YOUYI-III exercise will be a true manifestation to a famous Chinese phrase “Pakistan China friendship is higher than the mountains and deeper than oceans”.
PR. No. 25
PRESS RELEASE
Pak envoys (designate) call on President
Islamabad: July 2, 2010Pakistan’s envoys designate to Tunisia, Poland, Romania, Norway, Korea, Czech Republic, Iraq, Ukraine, Tanzania and Consul Generals-designate to Chicago and Kandhar called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr Wednesday and discussed matters relating to their new assignments.
The newly appointed envoys who called on the President included Ambassador-designate to Tunisia Mr. Athar Mehmood, Ambassador-designate to Poland Mr. Murad Ali, Ambassador-designate to Romania Mr. Rab Nawaz Khan, Ambassador-designate to Norway Mr. Faiz Mohammad Khoso, Ambassador-designate to Korea Mr. Shaukat Ali Mukaddam, Ambassador-designate to Czech Republic Mr. Aitzaz Ahmed, Ambassador-designate to Iraq Mr. Shah M. Jamal, Ambassador-designate to Ukraine Maj Gen ® Ahmed Nawaz Saleem , High Commissioner –designate to Tanzania Mr. Tajammul Altaf, Consul General-designate to Chicago Mr. Zaheer Pervaiz Khan and Consul General-designate to Kandhar Mr. Farmanullah Khan.
The President felicitated the designate envoys on their new assignments and urged them to concentrate their efforts on further strengthening and promoting political, economic, trade and commercial ties between Pakistan and the countries of their posting.
The President emphasized on economic diplomacy to be pursued and adopted by all diplomats for economic interests of the country as an essential component of the foreign policy.
The envoys-designate thanked the President for the confidence reposed in them and assured that they would do their best to boost Pakistan’s bilateral ties with the countries of their postings.
**FU/Ahmad**
PR. No. 26
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 2, 2010In order to implement the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in Suo Moto Case No. 5 of 2010, the Prime Minister has approved the composition of high powered Inquiry Committee, headed by Mr. Zafar Mehmood, Secretary, Commerce and Mr. Muhammad Azam Warraich, Legislative Advisor of Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Mr. Munir Ahmad former Chairman OGRA as its members to probe in to the allegations of illegalities and fixation of responsibility in award of contract for import of LNG.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 27
PRESS RELEASE
Mukhtar, Jatoi Condemn Suicide Attacks at Data Darbar
Rawalpindi: July 2, 2010Federal Minister for Defence, Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar and Federal Minister for Defence Production, Mr. Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi, have strongly condemned the suicide attack at Data Darbar in Lahore last night and have expressed profound grief over the loss of precious human lives. Denouncing the attacks, the Ministers said that the terrorists are the enemies of this country and wanted to weaken it but every effort would be made to eradicate them. They said it was a highly cowardly act to shed the blood of innocent people. The Ministers sympathized with the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of the injured.
**AM/Ahmad**
PR. No. 28
PRESS RELEASE
SENATE BODY FOR IMPROVEMENT IN POSTAL SERVICES
Islamabad: July 2, 2010The Senate Standing Committee on Postal Services has asked the government to allocate sufficient funds for the ministry of Postal Services to enable it computerize its record and to take steps for bringing about more improvement in the services being offered by Pakistan Post. The Committee met at the Pakistan Postal Headquarter under the Chairmanship of Senator Mir Muhammad Khan Mari in Islamabad today. Members of the Committee observed that the Pakistan Post has its presence in urban and rural areas of Pakistan however; there was a dire need to improve the infrastructure to make it more service oriented.
They also underlined the need for proper training of the staff and introduction of modern marketing techniques to efficiently operate in the highly competitive environment.
The Committee directed the higher authorities of Pakistan Post to strictly follow the regional / provincial quota in the recruitments and ensure fair play, merit and transparency in the recruitments. It also directed the Ministry to expand the network and provide services in every nook and corner of the country and ensure secure and timely delivery of the mail.
Minister of State for Postal Services Senator Abdul Raziq Khan agreed with the views of Committee and expressed the hope that timely allocation of funds for computerization would help achieve the desired objectives and would bring about a qualitative change in the system.
Earlier, the Director General Pakistan Post informed the Committee about the working and performance of the organization. He said that lack of modern technology, poor incentives for staff etc. were the main hurdles in the way of smooth working. He further said that there is huge potential to expand the existing services and to introduce new ones. The Committee assured all out support to the Ministry to overcome the deficiencies to further improve the working and performance. It termed the Pakistan Post as a valuable national asset. The Meeting was attended by Senators Hafiz Rashid Ahmed and Sabir Ali Baloch besides Secretary Postal Services and senior Officials of Pakistan Post.
**RAQ/Ahmad**
PR. No. 29
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 2, 2010The outgoing Acting Secretary Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis Ms. Neelam Ali paid a farewell call on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at PM’s Secretariat here this afternoon.
The Prime Minister while appreciating the services of Ms. Neelam Ali said that her services for the institutions, she had worked, would be remembered. He also wished her the best of luck in the future.
Ms. Neelam Ali thanked the Prime Minister for his guidance during her tenure of posting as Acting Federal Secretary.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 30
PRESS RELEASE
Health Minister chairs meeting of Board of Governors of HSA
Islamabad: July 2, 2010Federal Minister for Health Makhdoom Shahaduddin chaired a meeting of the Board of Governors of Health Services Academy Islamabad here today. The meeting was attended by Secretary Health Khushnood Akhtar Lashari and WHO country representative Khalif Muhammad bile and other members of the Board.
Executive Director Health Services Academy Dr Assad Hafeez briefed the participants on major achievements of HSA, challenges and strategies for overcoming these challenges. He informed the participants that in order to make an academic centre of excellence in public health for undergraduate, post graduate and doctoral levels, Health Services Academy plans to upgrade into National University of Public Health Sciences. He said that a preliminary proposal amounting to PKR 3 billion has been prepared and being presented to various forums for seeking funds, both from public and private sector at national and international level which maybe be pursued at full capacity. He said that Health Services Academy has successfully signed agreements with national and international universities for exchange of knowledge, expertise, faculty, students, facilities and assistance in development of curriculum for launching for new programs. He said that the Academy has also successfully developed collaboration with government organization and non government organization at national and international level for developing collaborations and seeking assistance in the field of research and development, dissemination of knowledge, student support and capacity building of public health professionals. He said Health Services Academy has successfully launched Masters of Science in to produce Trained Human Resource in Health Economics and Management with specialized focus on health economics. 1st batch comprising of 30 students is likely to be inducted in fall 2010. He said that Academy is planning for re-launch of one year MPH programme as an evening programme on self finance basis for generating revenues. Two batches each of 30 students are planned to be inducted every year. He said that Academy is getting into new tracks and exploring new areas of education such as MSPH in (HRH, Reproductive Health and health systems as well as re-launching of previous shorts certified courses in collaborative arrangements using innovative educational methodologies such as video conferencing, distant learning and web learning.
Minister for Health expressed pleasure over the achievements of the Academy and assured full support and cooperation from the government to make this institution of international repute.
Earlier the Minister launched a new Master level Program in Health Economics and Management. Inauguration the program, the minister said that there is dearth of health economics professionals in the country. He said that this dearth of health economics professionals in the country will be fulfilled by the Academy with the introduction of these programs. The launching ceremony of this program was attended by a number of distinguished guests from academia, Ministry of Health, Planning Commission of Pakistan, allied medical and health care institutions, NGOs and other partner organizations. All the dignitaries welcomed the start of this new programme and extended support and collaboration to make this a success.
**DKK/Ahmad**
PR. No. 31
PRESS RELEASE
SUGAR STOCKS SATISFACTORY IN THE COUNTRY……MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE
Islamabad: July 2, 2010Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani chaired a Ministerial Committee constituted by the ECC here today. The meeting was attended by the Federal Ministers for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Food and Agriculture, Minster of State for Finance, Revenue and Economic Affairs, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Secretaries Industries and Production, Commerce Division, Special Secretary Finance, Chairman TCP, M.D. USC and Additional Secretaries Industries and Production, along with Senior Representatives of State Bank of Pakistan, PPRA and other stake holding Ministries.
The TCP briefed about its stocks position and shipments of sugar arriving in the country and their schedule. The vessels MV ‘olmeca’ “BM defender, ‘diamond falcon, Khadiza Jehan, Fraternity Wisdom had arrived and had already offloaded while some were being offloaded. MV Polar Star, Tala, Golden Falcon, Zenobia and Royal Pearl would be reaching in the first ten days of July 2010. It was ascertained that the stocks position in the country was satisfactory and there was no truth in the misconception of stocks insufficiency being attempted by certain unscrupulous elements to raise sugar price and make money.
In 2009-10 the domestic production of sugar was 3.1 million tons against a consumption of 4.2 million tons which is worked out as 0.35 million tons per month @ 25 kg per person annual consumption. To meet the gap of 1.2 million tons, the TCP has already contracted 725,000 tons sugar to date which is arriving regularly.
Ministry of Industries and Production briefed that in the crushing season 2009-10 the total sugar production in the country remained 3,124,070 million tons in addition to old stocks worth 72,119 tons which cumulatively show stocks of 3,196,189 tons of sugar. Out of this 1.95 million tons have been consumed so far since 1st December 2009. The domestic sugar in the country stands at 1.245 million tons which including the imported sugar that is arriving steadily is amply sufficient till the next crushing season begins. It was said that the imported sugar is going to stabilize price and ensure availability even in the next sugar season. The Committee directed Utility Stores Corporation’s intervention may continue to ensure sugar availability to the lower income group on cheaper rate. The Ministerial Committee also decided that the stocks available with the TCP in addition to those to be reserved for USC will be off-loaded in the market in appropriate quantities at appropriate times.
The Committee will also be suggesting further measures to the ECC to ensure that unscrupulous elements do not try to create any situation to make profits before, during or after the Holy Month of Ramadan by creating misconceptions. This will include administrative measures by the respective provincial governments and by ensuring that sugar supply remains in abundance i.e well above the monthly demand in the open market.
**MAB/Ahmad**
PR. No. 32
PRESS RELEASE
Water conservation and introduction of high efficiency irrigation practices is the presidential initiative for overcoming water shortage. Rs. 18 billion project for high efficiency system to take up this month. Nazar M. Gondal
Islamabad: July 2, 2010Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Nazar M. Gondal has said that Pakistan has no option but to adopt the latest irrigation systems and conserve water in the face of growing water scarcity in the country. He satisfactorily announced that after much deliberations and addressing the provinces reservations the project “Water Conservation & Productivity Enhancement through High Efficiency Irrigation System would start working from this month.
The minister was chairing the meeting regarding the project here at the ministry.
“The project is crucially important and must be effectively implemented to protect the agriculture sector of the country. A team of experts will visit Gilgit Baltistan (G.B) and help the newly formed provincial government in the implementation of the project. Both FATA and G.B would be exempted to chip in anything and their share would also be contributed by the federal government”, added the minister.
Implementation of the project will be with provinces, FATA and AJK. The farmer’s contribution in system cost is fixed at Rs.5, 000 per acre. Maximum limit of subsidy is fixed at Rs. 3.0 million per farmer. Farmers will be paid Rs. 10,000 per acre for the construction of water storage tanks. Provinces will contribute their share of 20 % in the project cost and rest will be picked up by the federal government excluding the farmers’ share of Rs. 5000 per acre.
Mr. Gondal said that the project is handed over to the provinces after their demand. Effective Monitoring system will be established by PARC. Material Quality and Hydraulic Testing facility will be set up at NARC.
The meeting was attended by the agriculture ministers of Punjab and GB, Secretary Minfa Junaid Iqbal, Chairman PARC, Dr Zafar Altaf and officials of the ministry and all the provinces including AJK and FATA.
Ahmed Ali Aulakh thanked the federal ministry for incorporating the recommendations of Punjab in the revised PC-1 and the representatives of FATA and G.B were grateful for exempting them to make any financial contribution in the scheme.
**MS/Ahmad**
PR. No. 33
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 2, 2010Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Batistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo has condemned Data Darbar Lahore Blast in the strongest terms possible and termed it as a heinous conspiracy against Pakistan.
Federal Minister expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of lives and sympathized with the relatives of martyrs. Federal Minister said that government of Pakistan is trying its level best to get rid of cancer of terrorism and nation will defeat the coward acts of terrorists with national unity and courage.
**AZ/Ahmad**
PR. No. 34
PRESS RELEASE
GOVT. TO EXPLOIT THEIR COAL FOR OVERCOMING ENERGY SHORTAGE-HAFEEZ SHAIKH
Islamabad: July 2, 2010“Thar coal can play a crucial role in the economic development of Pakistan. The present government has an unwavering commitment to exploit coal for the benefit of national economy particularly overcoming the energy shortage”.
This was stated by the Federal Minister for Finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh while chairing the meeting on the Thar Coal Energy Project here today. Dr. Hafeez Shaikh further stated that the government would use all possible resources to solve the problem of energy shortage which is hampering the process of economic development. He said that whereas the countries like Australia, China and USA are using coal as a major souce of energy, it is quite unfortunate that despite having the 7th largest coal reserves in the world, no one took the initiative to use this source of energy. He assured the participants of the meeting of his Ministry’s full support in development of this project.
Earlier, the meeting was briefed by the Thar Coal and Energy Board about the background, significance and potential of the project, along with updates on the progress.
The meeting was attended, among others, by the senior officials of Ministries of Petroleum, Finance and Water and Power, Planning Commission, Thar Coal Energy Project, Thar Coal Energy Board and representative of the Government of Sindh.
PR. No. 35
PRESS RELEASE
NEW CHINESE AMBASSADOR, MR. LIU JIAN CALLS ON PM
Islamabad: July 2, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani while expressing his satisfaction over Pakistan’s longstanding comprehensive strategic partnership with China and ensuring multi-faceted cooperation in diverse fields has called for re-doubling of efforts by both sides to take the bilateral relations to the new heights. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the new Chinese Ambassador would continue the tradition of the previous Ambassador in further strengthening friendship between the two countries. He assured the Ambassador of his government’s complete cooperation in pursuing his Mission and in supplementing his efforts, in this regard.
The Prime Minister was talking to Mr. Liu Jian, the new Chinese Ambassador who called on him at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat this afternoon.
The Prime Minister stated that Pakistan deeply valued the contributions of Chinese government and its cooperation for the economic development of Pakistan. He added that Pakistan had always adhered to ‘One China Policy’. It considers Taiwan as a province of China and regards Tibbet as an inalienable part of China. The Prime Minister noted that both countries were committed to fight the three evils of terrorism, separatism and extremism and Pakistan had unequivocally condemned the ETIM nefarious activities. He reaffirmed that Pakistan will continue to extend its fullest cooperation to China in countering and fighting the ETIM threat, even in the future.
The Prime Minister termed the regular contacts between the two countries at all levels particularly the people to people and youth exchanges as vital for passing on the excellent Pakistan-China ties to the future generations. He was of the view that President of Pakistan’s visit to China, next week, would open up new vistas of bilateral cooperation as a number of MOUs and Agreements were to be signed by the two sides during that visit. He also reiterated his invitation to the Chinese Premier to visit Pakistan and asked the Chinese Ambassador to convey it to the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao that the government and people of Pakistan were keenly looking forward to welcome him, later this year.
The Prime Minister thanked the Chinese government for its prompt action to send its technical team for assessing the damages caused to Karakuram Highway by Ata Abad lake. He hoped that on submission of Chinese Team’s report, both sides will jointly take the required measures to immediately address the problem. While welcoming satisfactory progress in on-going Karakuram Highway upgradation project, the Prime Minister stated that Pakistan would also welcome the investment by the Chinese Corporation to develop infrastructure and connectivity projects linking Gwadar to up county and establishment of transportation, communication and oil and gas pipelines corridors. He also hoped that Chinese government would continue assisting Pakistan in the defence field and the on going joint defence production projects would be resolutely pursued.
Ambassador Liu Jian conveyed to the Prime Minister, the best wishes of the Prime Minister of China. He termed his appointment as Ambassador of his country to Pakistan as a singular honour and assured the Prime Minister of his determination to work for further strengthening and promotion of bilateral relations between Pakistan and China during his tenure. He expressed the hope that GOP will also accord him the same level of cooperation which his predecessors had enjoyed. Ambassador Liu thanked the Prime Minister for GOP’s measures to provide security to the Chinese nationals in Pakistan and for the continued support to his country against ETIM’s threat. He termed Pakistan-China friendship as an important factor not only in the peace and stability of both countries but of the region and world at large. The Chinese Ambassador said that he would convey Prime Minister’s invitation to the Chinese Premier and hoped that Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit would materialize by the end of this year.
The Ambassador conveyed to the Prime Minister his condolences and commiserations on the loss of precious lives and injuries sustained by the innocent people in the last night’s terrorist attack in Lahore.
On the bilateral cooperation side, the Chinese Ambassador assured the Prime Minister that his government will offer all possible help to Pakistan to overcome the Ata Abad lake problem and for repairs and restoration of the affected sectors of Karakuram Highway. He undertook to build upon the existing bilateral cooperation between the two countries during his tenure of duty, in trade, economic, investment, agriculture, defence and cultural fields.
PR. No. 36
PRESS RELEASE
OUTGOING AMBASSADOR OF POLAND PAYS FAREWELL CALL ON PRESIDENT
Islamabad: July 2, 2010
The outgoing Ambassador of Poland in Islamabad Dr. Krzystof Debnicki paid farewell call on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.The President appreciated the services rendered by the outgoing ambassador for bringing the two countries further closer and strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The President wished him every success in his future assignments.
Dr. Krzystof Debnicki thanked the President and the Government of Pakistan for the support and cooperation he had received during his tenure.
PR. No. 37
PRESS RELEASE
MR. IMRAN GETS HIS BIRTH RIGHT OF CNIC THROUGH TIMELY INTERVENTION OF THE PRESIDENT
Islamabad: July 2, 2010The timely intervention of President Asif Ali Zardari has enabled one Mr. Imran, who due to unknown parentage was vainly seeking CNIC, not only to get his CNIC but also to get a job in NADRA.
Mr. Imran was recovered by the Edhi Foundation from a dustbin in Islamabad in 1988 when he was merely a few days old. Now 20, he was vainly seeking to get his CNIC that was denied to him because of unknown parentage—a fault not of his own.
Upon learning the predicament of Imran, the President directed Chairman NADRA and the Interior Minister Mr. Rehman A. Malik for appropriate policy formulation either through administrative or legislative action to address the issue of such citizens whose parentage was not known and were invariably denied CNIC for no fault of their own. Chairman NADRA Mr. Ali Arshad Hakeem then sent special staff to locate Mr. Imran, examine the case and remove bottlenecks and impediments in the issuance of a CNIC in accordance with the law. Mr. Imran was located in H-8 graveyard of Islamabad who was residing there for last ten years after leaving the Edhi Centre. Imran also narrated to NADRA the hardships and sufferings he had to face in the absence of any legal identity which not only restricted his free movements but also preempted his every effort to get even a menial job.
Noting that Imran may not be alone in suffering this fate and there may be some more suffering a similar fate, NADRA was also advised to adopt appropriate policy formulation for assisting such unfortunate citizens.
PR. No. 38
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TAKES NOTICE OF MEDIA REPORTS REGARDING ONE MILLION WHEAT BAGS LYING IN THE OPEN SKY.
Islamabad: July 2, 2010President Asif Ali Zardari has taken notice of the media reports that said that around one million wheat bags were lying in the open sky in Sanghar and were damaged by the rains due to inadequate storage facilities.
The President directed the Sindh provincial Government to look into the matter and take necessary action in this regard. He also asked for report.
PR. No. 39
PRESS RELEASE
CLARIFICATION
Islamabad: July 2, 2010
There has been speculation in a section of the media about the Presidency having authorized a federal Minister to use a PAF Air craft for inland travel for performing official duties.Clarifying the reports, Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the Presidency is authorized to requisition special Air craft for the travels of the President, or members of his entourage or any Ministers and state functionaries for official use. Federal Ministers have been asking for such permission in the past and such permission given.
There is nothing unusual about the permission given to a federal Minister recently for using special aircraft for the performance of his duties.