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PR No. 23
PRESS RELEASE
Kashmir Solidarity Day Being observed in Malaysia
Islamabad: February 3, 2010

Like other parts of the world, “Kashmir Solidarity Day” will also be observed in Malaysia to mark the just struggle of Kashmiris for their right of self-determination and to remember the countless sacrifices of Kashmiris, thousands of whom laid their lives for the cause.

To express solidarity with people living in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, a Seminar is being organized by Global Peace Mission (GPM) of Malaysia, in collaboration with the Pakistan High Commission, at a local hotel, in Kuala Lumpur.

As a mark of respect to the valiant struggle of Kashmiris in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, one minute silence will be observed. Messages of the President of Pakistan and Prime Minister of Pakistan on the Kashmir Solidarity Day, will be read by the Acting High Commissioner, Dr. Imtiaz A. Kazi.

During the event, renowned Malaysian scholars and human rights activists including Prof. Dr. Abdullah Ahsan and Professor Arif Zaka of International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) will deliver speeches. The seminar is to be attended by students, teachers, business community, representatives of NGOs  and people from cross section of civil society including Kashmiris themselves.

The “Day” will be observed with an objective to transmit a message to the international community with respect to the just struggle of the Kashmiris for their right of self determination in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and urge them to play proactive role in pursing the peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant resolutions of the United Nation.

An exhibition is also being held on the side line of the seminar wherein artifacts related to Kashmir and various publications on the subject will be displayed.

**QB/Ahmad**

PR No. 24
PRESS RELEASE
Pakistan will continue to support people of Kashmir in their struggle FOR RIGHT OF SELF
DETERMINATION: Mehreen ANWAR Raja
Islamabad: February 3, 2010

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Mehreen Anwar Raja has stated in a statement that People and government of Pakistan  are with the people of Kashmir and will continue to extend our moral, political and diplomat support for their just and peaceful struggle.

In her statement on Kashmir Solidarity Day she stated that 5th February is the day to pay tribute to the valiant struggle and to sacrifices offered by the Kashmiris for realizing their right of self determination.we salute the steadfastness of the people of Kashmir in their Struggle. 

She further stated that Zulifqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto vehemently supported the cause of Kashmir in  their tenure. They highlighted the issue on all international forums and provided full moral and political support in this regard.

She also called for an end to atrocities and violation of human rights being committed in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.  

**TS/Ahamd**

PR No. 25
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: February 3, 2010 

Federal Minister  for Information & Broadcasting , Mr.  Qamar Zaman Kaira and State Minister for Information  & Broadcasting Syed Sumsam  Ali Shah  Bukhari have  strongly condemned the blast in Lower Dir today which resulted in the loss of precious lives.

They have expressed  profound condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of those who sustained injuries in the blast.

PR No. 26
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT CONDEMNS DIR BLAST
Islamabad: February 3, 2010 

President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday strongly condemned the blast in Dir.

In a message he deplored the loss of precious lives and ordered an immediate probe into the incident. He also directed that best possible medical facilities be provided to the injured.

PR No. 27
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad; February 3, 2010

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the government would continue to pursue its policy of reconciliation and of taking all coalition partners on board on all issues of national importance.

The Prime Minister said this while talking to Governor Punjab, Mr. Salman Taseer, who called on him at the PM’s House here this afternoon.

Matters relating to the province of Punjab including the working of federal government departments came under discussion during the meeting.

PR No. 28
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad; February 3, 2010

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the government is attaching high priority to the development of Balochistan and is providing increased funds for the provision of basic necessities of life in all parts of the province.

The Prime Minister was talking to Governor Balochistan, who called on him at the PM’s House here this afternoon.

The Prime Minister said that the recently announced Aghaz e Huqooq e Balochistan would go a long way in removing the sense of deprivation of the people of Balochistan while ushering in a new era of progress and prosperity in that area.

Matters relating to the province of Balochistan including the working of federal government departments came under discussion during the meeting.

 PR No. 29
RESS RELEASE
Islamabad; February 3, 2010 

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at the PM’s House this afternoon and informed him about matters relating to the recently held London Conference in the UK.

**PMMO/Ahmad**


 PR No. 30
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad; February 3, 2010

Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Ms. Samina Khalid Ghurki held a meeting with Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Managing Director, Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, Mr. Zamurad Khan.

The meeting was held to discuss regarding the financial perspective pertaining to the initiative of 2500 marriages of poor families.

In the meeting, it was decided that the proposal must actualize before the month of Rabi-ul-Awal and also as a special dispensation case so as to avoid any delays. The province wise break up would be 500 females from each province and 500 from AJK.

Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education, Ms. Samina Khalid Ghurki said while talking to media that:

“It is indeed my pleasure to be part of an initiative which would help the poor people in fulfillment of their obligations.”

The meeting also decided that it should be a systematic effort so that this practice should continue in future.

 

**MZ/Ahmad**


 PR No. 31
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Punjab calls on President
Islamabad; February 3, 2010

           

Governor Punjab Mr. Salman Taseer called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.

Matters related to law and order situation, development in the province and overall political situation came under discussion.

**FU/Ahmad**

PR No. 32
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: February 3, 2010

Pakistan has conveyed to the United Kingdom that the regional approach towards Afghanistan would unlikely to produce fruitful results unless the sensitivities of the neighbouring countries, particularly Pakistan, are addressed. This was stated by Federal Minister for Defence, Ch.Ahmad Mukhtar, during a meeting with the visiting UK Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Rt.Hon Bill Rammell MP, who called on him here today. The Minister said that the coalition partners need to understand and address Pakistan’s concern in this regard.

The Meeting exchanged views on the existing level of defence cooperation, security needs of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, Pak-India ties and the geo-strategic situation of the region with special reference to Afghanistan. Talking to the UK Minister of State for Defence, the Minister said that Pakistan’s is sincere in bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan because a friendly, peaceful and stable Afghanistan was in the strategic interest of Pakistan.  He said that Pakistan is playing a positive role to train Afghan National Army. Pak-India relations and the involvement of India in Afghanistan also came under discussion during the meeting. The Minister informed Rt.Hon Bill Rammell MP that India is involved in sabotaging peace and creating trouble and instability in Baluchistan and Tribal Areas and the coalition partners and the international community require to take not of Indian involvement. He said that Pakistan wants India to restrict herself to the development of Afghanistan and stop supporting terrorist activities in Pakistan so that durable stability could be brought to the region.

Mr. Rt.Hon Bill Rammell MP responded that Pakistan’s concerns about India and Afghanistan need to be addressed for stability of the region. He said Pakistan and India require to create conditions to remove the trust deficit and start the process of composite dialogue. He said that all the regional powers need to play their role in bringing peace and stability in Afghanistan, saying Pakistan role is of critical importance in this regard.

The Minister briefed the visiting dignitary about the anti-terror efforts and the steps taken by Pakistan for the rehabilitation of about 2.6 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and the reconstruction of economic and social infrastructure of Malakand and other terror-affected areas. Mr. Rt.Hon Bill Rammell MP said his country deeply appreciated the role of the Security Forces of Pakistan in eliminating terrorist elements from the Swat Valley and adjacent districts.

The meeting also deliberated on the security needs of Pakistan. The Minister informed the UK side that the enhancing the capacity building of the Armed Forces of Pakistan is highly essential and the international community needs to assist Pakistan - in terms of equipment, finance and training- so as to effectively combat terrorism. He said that Pakistan has paid heavy economic and human cost while fighting the war on terror but, regrettably, the assistance being provided by the donors and the coalition partners does not commensurate with the losses suffered by Pakistan.

 

PR No. 33
PRESS RELEASE 
Naveed Qamar  Reaffirms  Commitment to accurate, complete and up-to-date Electoral Rolls
Islamabad: 03-02-2010

The Federal Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Syed Naveed Qamar held a meeting with a delegation of the Citizen’s Group on Electoral Process (CGEP) formed by the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency.

The delegation apprised the Syed Naveed Qamar that its members, with no present affiliation with any political  party, were working to promote Electoral Reforms and for the development of Electoral Rolls in Pakistan. The interactive meeting brainstormed on developing the new accurate,complete and up-to-date electoral rolls in Pakistan as an important aspect of the electoral reforms process.

Syed Naveed Qamar,  reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring preparation of accurate,complete and up-to-date electoral rolls. He emphasized on clearing the whole process so as to eliminate any chances of bogus voting. He said that the technology was available and could be utilized effectively adding that in the presence of NADRA database, the need of any duplicate database seemed no more necessary. The status and amendments to various electoral laws also came under discussion.

The delegation comprised of the members Lt. General(Retd.)Moinuddin Haider(Former Governor Sindh), Mr. Arif Nizami(former Editor TheNation), Mr. Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami(Editor in Chief Daily Pakistan), Mr. Shahid Hamid(Former Governor Punjab), Mr. Ahmad Bilal Mehboob(Exec. Director,PILDAT), Ms. Aasiya Riaz(Joint Director PILDAT). 

 PR No. 34
PRESS RELEASE
E&P SECTOR FAIRLY UNDERUTILIZED, EXPLORATION  TO BE ACCELERATED : NAVEED QAMAR
Islamabad: February 3, 2010

The Federal Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources  Syed Naveed Qamar was called on by a delegation of the Hydrocarb Corporation from USA, headed by its CEO Kent P. Watts who was accompanied by Chief Operating Officer Mr. Pasquale V. Scaturro.

The company’s CEO  expressed interest in the upstream sector of the country in exploring and producing oil and gas in the unexplored and the under-explored areas in the country.

Syed Naveed Qamar  said that he looked forward to companies investing  in terms of their expertise and technology, as the E&P sector was  fairly underutilized. He  said  that the present policy entailed  transparency and a level playing field for all and offered many incentives for the investors and  the operators.

Syed Naveed Qamar shared  the view with Mr. Watts  that  a tremendous opportunity existed  in the upstream sector adding that venturing into difficult areas  could yield high returns. He said that taking on board stakeholders especially the indigenous ones was key to success.

PR No. 35
PRESS RELEASE
PROVISION OF SPEEDY JUSTICE TOP ON GOVERNMENT AGENDA.
Islamabad: February 3, 2010

This was stated by the State Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Mehreen Anwar Raja during a briefing about the Justice and Law Division in her office. During the briefing Minister was informed about the performance, function and different activities of different Wings which include Drafting & Legislation Wing, Opinion Wing, Administrative Wing and Solicitor Wing etc of the Division.

State Minister was also briefed about the different projects of the Division. She showed keen interest in the project “Access to Justice’ which is a programme to improve access to justice by opening roads to justice in fulfillment of State’s obligation to provide speedy justice. She directed the officials of the Division to strengthen the project and improve the utility of the programme.

She was also briefed about the Jail reforms and construction of Jails. She directed the division to coordinate with the provincial government and make it more result oriented. She was briefed about the current plans and project being undertaken by the Division and different issues related to them.

Mehreen Anwar Raja stressed the need for research on permanent basis in the Division. Administrative and financial matters of the Division also came under discussion during the briefing.


 PR No. 36
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: February 3, 2010 

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said drug trafficking and drug addiction is a challenge for the entire world requiring stern measures to curb this menace. Pakistan, he said, is suffering on account of being a neighbour of world’s largest poppy producing country as well as the demand of drugs in the west. Despite these factors of demand and production which are beyond our control, he added, Pakistan is committed to eliminate drug abuse in any form to save our youth and future generations. The entire nation has to become part of this campaign and strengthen the government efforts to make Pakistan a drug free country.

The Prime Minister expressed these views while chairing a high level meeting of Narcotics Control Division here at the PM’s House today.

The Prime Minister directed the Narcotics Control Division to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign to educate the people particularly the youth about the negative impacts of drug abuse. He asked them to associate the Ministries of Health, Information & Broadcasting and Education in this regard and assure that the message reaches at all levels of the society.

The Prime Minister announced creation of an Inter-Agency Task Force to coordinate operational efforts against drug traffickers and smugglers. These criminals, he said, deserve no sympathy and have to be brought to book under any circumstances. The task forces he said, be headed by the Director General, ANF comprising Federal and Provincial Law Enforcement Agencies for better coordination on enforcement strategy.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the cases under trial against drug traffickers and smugglers be pursued with vigour so that they can be punished under the law. The efforts to accelerate the trial process should be visible to send a message to the drug traffickers and smugglers that the government is determined to catch hold of them and such like culprits would not be spared.

The Prime Minister announced to make Lahore as a Drug Free City and tasked the Ministry of Narcotics Control that Lahore is made a model to be later followed through a time-phased exercise for other major cities.

The Prime Minister accorded approval of special allowance equivalent to 20 daily allowance in a month for Anti Narcotics Force officials working in the field as an incentive to further improve their moral and performance. He also directed to post Drug Liaison Officer in our mission in Vienna which is the headquarter of International Narcotics Control Board and subsequently posting of four DLOs in Afghanistan, Iran, UAE and Thailand.

The Prime Minister directed to establish Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre for addicts in Adiala Jail where certain prisoners (convicted on under trial) are jailed for drug related cases. Similar Centres could also be made in other Jails if such like prisoners are withheld.

The Prime Minister directed the Narcotics Control Division to present the Drug Abuse Control Master Plan 2010-2014 in the next Cabinet meeting for approval. He also asked the Division to finalize the New Narcotics Control Policy at the earliest after getting inputs from relevant ministries / organizations. The policy, he said, should sink with the other national policies. He also directed the Division to conduct a National Survey of drug addicts urgently.

 

The Prime Minister emphasized that the ongoing projects of the Narcotic Control Division as well as their future projects be coordinated with the concerned Ministries and organizations to avoid determining the priority areas. He said that he would direct the elected MNAs of FATA and adjoining areas to personally supervise of the projects.

The Prime Minister was pleased to agree to inaugurate the Model Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre at Lyari, Karachi at his earliest convenience during the second half of the current month. 

 

The Prime Minister stressed the need for the training and capacity building of Anti Narcotics Force on modern lines in accordance with National Strategy for Narcotics Control. In this regard he asked the Narcotics Control Division to establish close liaison with international drug eradication organizations for sharing of information, knowledge and equipment.

The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts by the Ministry of Narcotics Control and the ANF in combating the menace of drugs in Pakistan and eradication of poppy crops. He also stressed the need to maintain the poppy free status of the country.

Earlier, Secretary Narcotics Control Division and Director General Anti Narcotics Force briefed the Prime Minister on the salient features of Drug Abuse Control Master Plan 2010-2014 prepared in accordance with the vision and guidelines given by the Prime Minister in a meeting on 1st January 2010. They also highlighted the main aspects of their performance in respective sphere of responsibilities.

The Secretary Narcotics Control Division at the very offset of the presentation he made, said that Prime Minister’s frequent meetings on the subject and regular instructions has not only helped in inculcating a new spirit among the officials of the Division and its affiliated departments but clearly reflect the concern of the Prime Minister to fight the menace of drug abuse.

During the presentation the Prime Minister was informed that the New Narcotics Policy is being finalized in consultation with all the stakeholders and would be presented before the Cabinet in March, 2010. The first Policy was made in 1993 and needs to be revised in accordance with the strategic vision given by the Prime Minister and in wake of national, regional and global developments. As regards Drug Abuse Control Master Plan, 2010-14, it was mentioned it would cost around Rs.10 billion spread over a period five years. Pakistan would share 25% of the expenditure while 75% would be given by the concerned international agencies. The Plan when approved by the Cabinet would also be presented in the International Narcotics Control Board in Vienna in its next meeting.

The meeting was apprised that 14 projects in the agricultural sector and 4 projects in the infrastructural sector which were initiated in the FATA region had good impact in providing alternative source of income to the people. The Model Drugs addiction treatment and rehabilitation centres in Islamabad and Quetta it was maintained are functioning well and over 7000 patients have been treated. The third state of the art centre in Lyari, Karachi, it was mentioned, is complete and awaits Prime Minister’s approval for inauguration.

The meeting was further informed that 90 % of the opium around 6900 metric tones is produced in Afghanistan and smuggled in various forms of drugs to Europe and beyond which are the main consumption and demand regions. The cost of opium produced in Afghanistan is US$ 4 billion in Afghanistan while its cost in Europe and beyond is over US$ 61 billion. It was mentioned that heroine laboratories and poppy production has been completely eradicated from Pakistan. Nevertheless some individuals/militants in FATA are involved in the business but the facts and details are not available because of ongoing operations in those areas. The ANF Chief added

that they have registered over 9000 cases against drug traffickers/smugglers as well as abusers out of which 88% had been convicted. The assets of criminals amounting to Rs.6.55 billion have been frozen and would be disposed off in accordance with the law. The foreigners arrested in drug cases, it was mentioned are 78 and they belong to Europe, Africa and Far East.

 

The meeting was also apprised about the drug seized by the ANF in March 2008 was the biggest ever in world record and was internationally recognized. It resulted in the busting of world’s major network of drugs traffickers. The ANF it was added have close links with international anti narcotics agencies as well as with 46 Drugs Liaison Officers of foreign missions in Islamabad which is facilitating their efforts to check the activities of drugs traffickers and abusers.

PR No. 37
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: February 3, 2010

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed the Balochistan Government to accelerate work on the Aghaz-e-Huqooq Balochistan besides timely completion of development schemes approved under the Prime Minister’s Special Initiative so that its benefits should start reaching to the people of Balochistan.

The Prime Minister gave these directions while chairing a high level meeting here at PM’s House today to review progress on Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan. The meeting which was attended by Chief Minister’s Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raeesani and other members of the Balochistan Cabinet discussed at length various aspects of Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan and its positive impact on the Balochistan’s economy.

The Prime Minister asked the Balochistan Government for early completion of verification/selection process for employment of 10,000 candidates to enhance their share both at the provincial and federal government services. The meeting was informed that more than six thousand applications have been received for 5,000 jobs announced by the Prime Minister and necessary scrutiny process is underway to ensure transparency and merit in the selection process.

Nawab Aslam Raeesani, Chief Minister Balochistan while thanking the Prime Minister for his special attention towards addressing the longstanding issues of his province, said that the economic progress of his province after completion of the projects launched under the Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan would go a long way in addressing the sense of deprivation of the people of Balochistan.

The Prime Minister said that in order to avoid the over run cost of the projects, priority should be accorded to the already approved schemes and the provincial government should be more focused in its approach towards constructing water reservoirs so as to bring more land under cultivation in the province.

Enhancement of provincial Police salaries was also discussed and the meeting was informed that additional funds are required to bring the salaries of provincial police at par with other provinces. The Prime Minister directed the provincial government to liaise with the Finance Ministry in this regard. 

The Prime Minister said that the Federal Government is making concerted efforts to enhance financial capacity of the Balochistan through a number of schemes.  He said that out of 50% share of the Federal Government, 30% share has been handed over to the provincial government with the sole objective of financial empowerment of the province. 

Increase of Balochistan share in the gas companies was also discussed in the meeting. The meeting was briefed that out of a list of 998 missing persons which was published in the media, only 62 families have so far confirmed missing of their family members and accordingly the provincial government is trying to locate these people through the Ministry of Interior and other security agencies.

Progress of special schemes approved by the Prime Minister under “Peoples Works Programme” was also reviewed in the meeting.  It was stated that Rs 1.5 billion have already been disbursed to the province for schemes under  “Peoples Works Programme” while orders for release of the remaining amount of Rs. 1.5 billion have been issued.

Public Sector Development Programme was also discussed in the meeting. The provincial government requested the Prime Minister that the cut proposed for PSDP Schemes on account of enhanced allocations to the provinces under the new NFC award should not be applied on projects announced for Balochistan.

The Prime Minister inquired about the progress of his special “Quetta Package” amounting Rs. 3 billion. He said that he intends to visit Quetta in near future to inauguration the project.

The provincial government also thanked the Prime Minister for his special attention to harness the full economic potential of Gwadar port. It was stated in the meeting that 81 ships had berthed at the port uptill now and 81000 trucks haulaged the cargo upcountry without any incident.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to complete construction work on the remaining portion of the road connecting the port to all parts of the country. He also inquired about the feasibilities of providing drinking water schemes to the port city. Three projects; Shadikor Scheme, Sunsar Scheme and Swarzai scheme for provision of water to Gwadar were discussed in the meeting.

The meeting was attended by senior provincial Minister for P & D Maulana Abdul Wasey, Ministers for Finance Mir Muhammad Asim Kurd, C&W Mir Sadiq Umrani, Irrigation & Power Sardar Aslam Bizenjo, Youth Affairs Capt. (Rtd) Abdul Khaliq Achackzai, Population Haji Toor Utman Khail, Industries Syed Ehsan Shaha, Revenue Board Eng. Zamurk Khan, Home Mir Zafar Zehri, Begum Parveen Magsi, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and IT, Chief Secretary Mr. Nasir Mehmood Khosa and senior officials of the province.

PR No. 38
PRESS RELEASE
INDUSTRIES MINISTRY WOULD WORK WITH AUTO INDUSTRY AS PARTNER
AND NOT AS AN ADVERSARY….MIR HAZAR KHAN BIJARANI
Islamabad: February 3, 2010

Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani today held a meeting with Pakistan Auto Mobile Association (PAMA) here today. This was the Minister’s first ever meeting with PAMA since he took over tile charge of this Ministry. The Minister in his opening remarks welcomed the PAMA delegation and said that he and his Ministry wanted to flourish auto Industry The more it flourishes the more would be the prosperity and increase in government revenues and jabs in the country. Me and my Ministry would extend every kind of due help and cooperation to address the genuine grievances of my country’s auto industry. My Ministry and Auto Industry have to work as partner and not as an adversary. Soon I would visit each and every unit of auto industry and have a detailed briefing. Please pin point the genuine problems, the Auto Industry is facing and which can be redressed at government level. I need a complete and comprehensive proposal from PAMA in this regard, the Minister added. Being a public representative, my first and foremost duty is to address the genuine grievances of the poor class of the country. I have to protect the interests of the lower middle class at every cost. The present government has three main concerns regarding auto industry. The first is high prices of cars. The second is unnecessary lengthy delivery time, the menace like premium charged and owning of cars. The third is the quality of cars we have to remove these concerns with mutual cooperation of PAMA, the minister further added,

President of the PAMA, Saqib H Shirazi welcomed Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani as Minister for Industries and Production. The PAMA president assured the Minister that they would extend 1heir full cooperation to Ministry of I &P !n removing the above said concerns. PAMA would hold a meeting within next few days with Engineering Development Board (EDS) in this regard. We’ll prepare a practicable proposal with the consensus of EDB, that, what steps, the PAMA can take and what steps. the government has to take to address above mentioned concerns. We’ll came up with positive note, the PAMA president added, He also told the Minister in short about the grievances and problems, the auto industry is facing. Chief Executive of Toyota Motor Company and member of PAMA Parvez Ghazi briefed the Minister about the overall Auto Industry. The office bearers of the two wheelers, three wheelers and four wheelers of light and heavy vehicles also briefed shortly to Minister. There was consensus in today’s meeting from both the sides to discourage the menace like premium charge and owning of cars. Ensure delivery of cars in maximum short time. To discourage the unorganized units from the auto industry to the maximum level so that the quality of cars can be maintained and government revenue can be increased and tax evasion can be rooted out from this sector, These steps are inevitable to flourish our auto industry, The Minister would also soon hold a meeting with the unit holders who are not members of the PAMA and listen their grievances.

PR No. 39
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: February 3, 2010

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo said on Wednesday that he will take interest for the developmental projects of Azad Kashmir especially higher education, tourism, infrastructure, hydel power generation and healthcare.

He was addressing a public gathering at Rawalpindi. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira also attended the gathering. Other important political leaders from Kashmir were Ex-PM AJK, Sardar Yaqub, PPP president AJK, Ch Abdul Majeed, Khawaja Bashir, Fida, Abdul Islam Butt, Miss Shaheen and other AJK leaders.

Federal Minister Wattoo said that he would benefit from the experience of Qamar Zaman Kaira who worked for the Kashmiris during his tenure of the Ministry for Kashmir Affairs and he welcomes all Kashmiri leaders to come to him any time. Kaira appreciated Watto and said that a seasoned politician with a vision had taken the charge of the Ministry of KA&GB and it would impact Kashmir Affairs positively.

Watto said that he would fulfill all his promises. He said that the Solidarity Day will be commemorated with great reverence to show solidarity with Kashmiri brethren. Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yousaf Raza Gilani will address joint session of AJK parliament and PM will address convention at PNCA in Islamabad on Solidarity Day.

Every Pakistani from President to common man will show solidarity with Kashmiri brethren on solidarity Day and Kashmiris should also show their solidarity with Pakistan by arranging such events, the minister said.

PR No. 40
PRESS RELEASE
THE BOARD OF INVESTMENT (BOI) - UNDER ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL OF PRIME MINISTER SECRETARIAT.
Islamabad: February 3, 2010

The Board of Investment (BOI) has come under the administrative control of Prime Minister’s Secretariat. In the current scenario, the Beard of Investment would be able to make policy decisions more efficiently and directly have access to the highest level of policy makers, as informed by Mr. Saleem H. Mandviwalla, Minister of Sate/Chairman, Board of Investment (BOI).

This is an important step in order to remove day-to-day operational hurdles, as per the Rules of Business; thus will help further simplifying the procedure for investment

The decision of the Prime Minister to make BOI under the administrative control of Prime Minister’s Secretariat has empowered BOI to follow investment projects more

vigorously. BOI will promote investment, domestic as well as foreign, which stood at $3.7 billion during the FY 2008-09, compared to a meager amount of $ 322 million in FY 2002.

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 4, 2010
PR No. 41
PRESS RELEASE
PM GREETS SRI LANKAN COUNTERPART ON NATIONAL DAY
Islamabad: February 3, 2010

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to the Prime Minister of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Honourable Ratnasiri Wickramanayake on their national day falling on February 4.

In his message, the Prime Minister said that “I have great pleasure in extending warmest felicitations of the Government and people of Pakistan to you, the Government and the people of Sri Lanka on the auspicious occasion of the 62nd National Day of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka have enjoyed very close and friendly ties which have been nurtured over the years through active cooperation in trade, commerce, education, culture and tourism. It is my sincere desire to further strengthen and deepen the bilateral relations between our two countries.

This, the National Day celebrations also mark the beginning of an era of peace and prosperity for the people of Sri Lanka.

On my own behalf and on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan, please accept my best wishes and prayers for Your Excellency’s good health, well being and for the continued prosperity of Sri Lanka.

NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF FEBRUARY 4, 2010