PR. No. 58
PRESS RELEASE
Masood Khan appeals to SCO to help Pakistan with flood relief
Islamabad: September 4, 2010Ambassador Masood Khan appealed to the (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) SCO for its support not only in the current phase of relief, recovery and rehabilitation but also in the even more critical phase of reconstruction. He said this while delivering a speech on the occasion of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Day and Regional Economic Cooperation Forum at the Urumqi Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Fair. The Fair is being held in Urumqi, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
The SCO Day and Regional Economic Cooperation Forum was held with a aim to boost regional economic cooperation of the SCO and to promote changes and cooperation among the industrial and business circles of the member states, observer states, and dialogue partners
Briefing the participants on the floods in Pakistan, the Ambassador said that the country is dealing with the consequences of the worst floods in living memory. He thanked the SCO Secretary General and SCO member states for expressing their solidarity with the people of Pakistan and providing relief assistance.
The Pakistan Ambassador conveyed his special gratitude to Ministry of Commerce of China and Xinjiang Government for sending a special humanitarian consignment to Gilgit-Baltistan.
Ambassador Masood Khan said that some 20 million people have been affected out of which more than 8 million people need immediate attention. Houses, roads, bridges, schools, hospitals have been destroyed and standing crops of rice, sugarcane, and cotton have been inundated, he added.
Masood Khan said that Pakistan is facing this challenge with determination and resilience, however it needs the continued support of SCO member states and the international community.
Ambassador Masood Khan said that Pakistan constitutes a natural link between the SCO and the Eurasian heartland.
Masood Khan said that Pakistan is developing its own North-South Trade and Energy Corridor which it hopes to connect with the SCO member states. The Pakistan Ambassador said that the Karakorum Highway (KKH) connects Pakistan with the western region of China and Central Asia and to make this link more productive, Pakistan is upgrading sea ports of Karachi, Gwadar and Bin Qasim.
“A rail link between Pakistan and China is under study. The Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan (TAP) pipeline project is being revived. Energy pipelines across Pakistan-China border are being explored”, Masood Khan said. This Forum will help us to identify the areas of cooperation, enhance awareness about this region’s needs, and suggest modalities to achieve greater economic integration of the SCO Member and Observer states, he added.
The Urumqi Trade Fair is China’s only trade fair with a focus on Central, West and South Asia. State Councillor Liu Yandong at the opening of the Fair on 1 September 2010 announced that the Fair will be upgraded to a state-level expo next year to enhance China’s ties with the neighbouring countries.
In his speech, the Pakistan Ambassador said that for deepening cooperation and for pursuing sustainable development for the SCO region, it is imperative that we have a stable and secure political, economic and social environment. Masood Khan went on to say that SCO is a platform for reviving the ancient Silk Road which will connect China’s eastern ports to Central, South, and West Asia, as well as the Middle East and Western Europe.
The Urumqi Trade Fair, the largest this year, has 117 booths booked by businessmen from 22 countries and regions, including Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Turkey and Kazakhstan. The number of booths are 60% more than last year and the fair covers a floor space of 30,000 square meters. In addition, there are 712 booths for domestic trade groups.
The Fair which opened on 1 September 2010 will last till 3 September 2010 with the final activity being the Inter-Bank Consortium of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
**DG/Ahmad**
PR. No. 59
PRESS RELEASE
PAKISTAN HIGH COMMISSIONER SAYS ICC’S ROLE ARBITRARY, BIASED
Islamabad: September 4, 2010Following is the press statement issued by the High Commissioner Wajid Shamsul Hasan about ICC and Pakistani cricketers:
“I have heard the press briefing on the on-going cricket controversy by two ICC Representatives today. I have also learnt that ICC has taken cricketer Amir’s name off from the list of ‘Players of the Year’. What happened to the general principle of law “innocent until proven guilty”.
“After the shocking, arbitrary and high-handed suspension of the three Pakistani cricketers through the ICC’s uncalled for action, nothing is coming to me as a surprise. Rather, my apprehensions that there is a rat in the whole affair are being strengthened. It is emerging as a fishy situation where pieces have now started falling in place to convince me that there is more than meet the eyes.
“As I said in my statement yesterday that after the request by the three players to PCB, through me, for their voluntary withdrawal from playing in the current tour until their names have been cleared and their honour vindicated, ICC’s action was not only in a bad taste but was also self-serving, mala fide and intriguingly sinister.
“I would rather add that ICC’s hasty decision was aimed at covering up its own acts of omission and commission. Its notice to the players appears to have been aimed at influencing the legal process and to prejudice the ongoing police investigation. In contrast, Pakistan side has fully cooperated with the police in their inquiry and this cooperation would continue.
“The public declaration by ICC officials that there is a co-operation between ICC and the police under some protocol signed after the incident is strange. It is also strange that as per the ICC official’s account, the police had shared evidence with ICC while ICC conducted its own investigations. This, in our view, constitutes a breach of trust and the PCB being an aggrieved party would be justified to consider the sharing of information between the ICC and the police as prejudicial to the interests of the Pakistani players.
“In the interest of justice and fair play and in order to protect and respect the rights of the players no other investigation should be started until the British police, who have primacy in the matter, have completed their investigation, says a press release received here today from London.
**DO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 60
PRESS RELEASE
ACT Indonesia pledges Indo Rps 500 million for relief assistance
Indonesian media zealously covering flood situation
Islamabad: September 4, 2010The Director, Corporate Sector of ACT, (Aksi Chapat Panggat), known Indonesian welfare organization, Mr. Imam Gozali here Friday met Ambassador Sanaullah pledging 500 million Indo Rps in relief assistance to flood affected in Pakistan.
Mr. Gozali said two of the ACT’s teams were already taking part in medical relief activities in the flood hit areas in Pakistan. He informed the Ambassador that ACT had provided 100 million Indo Rps worth of medicines as part of the medical aid to flood victims and wanted to extend more assistance in the next two months. He added that assistance in future would not be confined to medical aid but also encompass provision of food, clothing and other necessities of life for which a sum of Indo Rps 500 million had been earmarked by the ACT.
The Ambassador apprised Mr. Imam Gozali of the latest flood situation in Pakistan, saying that the medical aid and food were the most urgent requirements but later when there would also be need for items like house-hold effects, clothing, footwear, shelters . But for now he said, food, drinking water and medicines were the top priority. He emphasized that the damage caused to life, property and infrastructure by floods was so enormous that it was impossible for Pakistan alone to address the complexity of the problem. The International community had to come forward and contribute to the process of both relief and rehabilitation. The Ambassador appreciated the brotherly gesture of the Indonesian government to send the second tranche of relief assistance to Pakistan taking the total aid to 3.3 million dollars in kind and cash. He also praised the efforts of ACT in providing medical aid to flood affected in Pakistan.
It may be mentioned here that adding impetus to the fund raising campaign by the Embassy, are important Indonesian media and humanitarian organizations which have been regularly uploading pictorial coverage of floods in Pakistan to their websites besides carrying news reports, thus generating fresh sympathetic response from the public in extending help to the flood affectees. Among the print media, Jakarta Post, Jakarta Globe, Republika and Kompas have covered the flood situation in detail backed by pictorial coverage. Among the electronic media, TV One has topped the coverage as it had a special team stationed in Pakistan for the last three weeks. Metro TV mostly aired clips taken from Islamabad based foreign TV channels. Metro and TV One telecast live interviews of the Ambassador who reached out to the Indonesian people and humanitarian organizations for prompt assistance to the flood affected. TV Indosia, another prominent channel specially covered the Pakistan cuisine show organized in coordination with Indonesian health magazines, “Chic” and “Prevention” on 14th August as part of the Embassy’s fund raising campaign. Mohammadiayah, the top religious organization, National Zakat Agency, Baznas and National Disaster Management Agency, BNPB in coordination with the Embassy organized joint press talks by their respective heads and the Ambassador with a view to make appeals for funds. Republika and Rakyat Merdeka carried pictorial coverage of Embassy’s Fund raising dinner hosted on 29th August. The ceremonies concerning dispatch of relief items by the Indonesia government on 5th August and 1 September were also covered by the media. In short local media has played a key role in creating awareness among the Indonesian people about the severity of floods in Pakistan, says a press release received here today from Jakarta.
**SJ/Ahmad**
PR. No. 61
PRESS RELEASE
Parliamentarians meet the Prime Minister
Islamabad: September 4, 2010
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has stressed upon consolidated efforts to provide relief to the distressed people in flood hit areas. It is not the time for point scoring rather all efforts should be directed to enhance the pace of relief activities he added. He said the vast scale of devastation is a big challenge that should be converted into opportunity through unity.
The Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to Parliamentarians who called on him in groups as well as separately in his Chamber at the Parliament House here today.
The Prime Minister urged upon all the parliamentarians to focus on the relief activities in their respective constituencies, and concentrate on the provision of tents, clothes, portable water, food items and health facilities.
The Prime Minister observed that flood water has started receding and the next phase of reconstruction and rehabilitation will start soon. The Prime Minister reiterated that the government will frame a National Strategy of Rehabilitation by taking all the stakeholders on board. The Strategy will be finalized in the meeting of Council of Common Interests (CCI) which will send a message to the world that the entire Nation is united to help their brethren in the flood affected areas.
The Parliamentarians lauded the Prime Minister for his dedicated efforts for the relief and rescue of the flood victims. They also appreciated the Prime Minister’s decision to spend Eid day among the flood victims to alleviate their sufferings. They also apprised the Prime Minister of the details of relief activities in their respective areas and peculiar requirements in the affected areas.
The Parliamentarians included Dr Babar Awan Minister for Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Nazar Muhammad Gondal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Ms Kashmala Tariq MNA, Mr Nadeem Afzan Chan MNA, Ms Naseem Ch MNA, Mr Israr Tareen, Mr Mudassar, Ms. Palwasha Zia Khan MNA.
**PMCO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 62
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: September 4, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has appreciated the spirit of people demonstrated to galvanize the efforts of Government for the rehabilitation of the distressed people in flood hit areas. He ensured the equitable and judicious distribution of the funds among the flood hit provinces. Better coordination among various organizations of the state will synergize the relief activities, added the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister expressed the views while talking to Ms.Samina Khalid Ghurki Federal Minister for Social Welfare who called on him in his chamber at Parliament House today to present a cheque of Rs. 05 Million for Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.
The Prime Minister appreciated the kind gesture of the employees of Ministry of Social Welfare who contributed one day salary to help their brethren in the flood hit areas.
Minister for Social Welfare apprised the Prime Minister of various relief activities undertaken by her ministry in flood hit regions.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 63
PRESS RELEASE
PRIME MINISTER CONDEMNS TORTURE AGAINST JOURNALIST
Islamabad: September 4, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has strongly condemned the kidnapping and torture of a Journalist Mr Umar Cheema, Correspondent of the Daily “The News” by unknown culprits in Islamabad today.
The Prime Minister directed the Minister for Interior for thorough investigation into the matter by the concerned law enforcement agencies. He asked the Minister for Interior to submit a report to him at the earliest.
The Prime Minister said that his government believes in the freedom of expressions and independence of media. Such acts of violence against media persons, he said, are deplorable and the culprits would be brought to the book.
The Prime Minister further ordered for holding of a judicial inquiry into the incident.
The Prime Minister also asked the Minister for Information & Broadcasting to convey his sympathies to the Journalist and assure him that the matter will be thoroughly investigated to bring the culprits to book.
PR. No. 64
PRESS RELEASE
PRIME MINISTER TELEPHONE CALL TO MR UMAR CHEEMA
Islamabad: September 4, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani rang up Mr Umar Cheema, Correspondent of the Daily “The News” to express grief and sorrow over the unfortunate incident of kidnapping and torture.
The Prime Minister assured him that the matter would be thoroughly investigated to bring the culprits to book. He further apprised him that he has already issued orders for judicial inquiry.
The Prime Minister during his telephonic conversation with the Journalist said that Pakistan Peoples Party believes in the freedom of press and its leadership had given sacrifices for the independence of media. He further said that he himself has a journalistic background and strongly believes in freedom of expressions. He further mentioned that he has personally called him to express his solidarity with him and the journalist community.
