PR No. 40 Press release Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Calls on Secretary Information Technology Islamabad: November 04, 2011 Japanese ambassador to Pakistan Hiroshi OE called on Federal Secretary for Information Technology and Telecom, Saeed Ahmad Khan on Friday, 4th November, 2011. Various bilateral issues were discussed in the meeting. The Japanese ambassador appreciated that the growth of IT and Telecom sectors in Pakistan and assured Japanese government’s assistance in these sectors. Secretary IT & Telecom highlighted the friendly relations of Pakistan with Japan. He further stated that Japanese had always helped Pakistan in rehabilitation activities in the wake of natural calamities. He also briefed the Japanese ambassador about various projects of Universal Service Fund and ICT R&D Fund of the Ministry of Information Technology to spur the culture of information technology and ICT research in the country. Japanese ambassador lauded the initiative of the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani to establish 1000 telecenters in rural areas of Pakistan for the training of youth. Various areas of cooperation in the field of IT and Telecom were discussed. Secretary IT thanked the Japanese ambassador and invited Japanese companies to invest in Pakistan in IT and Telecom sectors. PR No. 41 Press release Business Community is the Backbone of our Economy Healthy Environment for Investment Would be Ensured By Protecting IP Rights in the Country ----- Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi Islamabad: November 04, 2011 Chairman Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO-Pakistan) and Member National Assembly Mr. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi has said that there is dire need to protect interests of local as well foreign investors to put our country on the path of progress and prosperity. Proper implementation on IP laws is being ensured to take legal action against all such elements who are damaging the reputation of different organizations by misusing their registered trade marks and patents. He expressed these views while taking to a delegation of local business community at Islamabad on Friday. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said on the occasion that all out efforts are being made to shelter the IP Rights at gross roots level so that sustainable and healthy environment may be provided to business community. IPO is taking comprehensive steps to initiate different regional and national development programs. Chairman underlined that our investors are compelled to shift their investments to other countries which is quite alarming. He further said that collective efforts must be taken in this regard to discourage shifting of investments in other regions. Business and job opportunities can be increased by promoting economic and industrial activities throughout the country. Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan is taking important initiatives by involving concerned stakeholders with regard to under take different projects, he added.    PR No. 42 Press release Islamabad: November 04, 2011 According to a press release issued by the spokesperson for the Senior Minister for Commerce, Mr. Makhdoom M. Amin Fahim that some conmen and fraudulent people are busy in collecting donations from some personalities using Honorable Senior Minister, Mr. Makhdoom Amin Fahim and his brothers’ name for flood affected areas whereas Mr. Makhdoom Amin Fahim and his brothers have no linkage whatsoever with such people.  The Spokesperson further stated that legal action may kindly be taken against any such person who contacts anyone using the Makhdoom M. Amin Fahim’s name or his brothers’ name. PR No. 43 Press release FOOD SECURITY: We shall soon resolve fertilizers’ availability and prices issues which is crucial to enhancing production.   The sharp increase in the prices of urea could harm the poor farmers and agricultural out put of the country.    Mir Israrullah Zehri Islamabad: November 04, 2011 Federal Minister for National Food Security & Research, Mir Israrullah Zehri has taken a notice of the increase in the prices of urea saying that fertilizers is a key input to the agriculture sector and sufficient availability of urea at reasonable prices would be maintained at all cost. The minister further said that a meeting with the fertilizers companies would be held after Eid ul Azha to convince them and bring down the urea prices to a rational level. The minister said it while chairing a meeting with the officials of the ministry. “The recent increase in the prices of urea is too high and we will hold a meeting with fertilizer companies to bring the prices down. The increased prices could impact the agricultural growth in the country and we definitely need to convince the fertilizers companies to reduce the prices”, said the minister. Mr. Zehri said that it is the mandate of his ministry to ensure the availability of fertilizers according to the domestic requirements of the country after consultation with all stake holders. He further said that enhanced coordination with all provinces would be maintained to take timely decisions and the country does not face any challenges in the availability of agricultural inputs. The newly established ministry is tasked to perform duties like Economic Coordination & Planning in respect of food, Import & Export of Food Grains and food Stuff including quality control/assurance, availability and storage, Collection of Statistics regarding production, consumption, prices, imports and exports of food grains, coordination with aid/assistance agencies in respect of food sector, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council and other Federal agriculture research organizations, FAO of United Nations in respect of Food, Plant Protection. The ministry would also work for Pesticide import and standardization, Aerial Spray, Plant Quarantine and Locust Control in its international aspect and maintenance of locust warning organizations, Federal Seed Certification and Registration, Standardization and import of fertilizer. Administrative Control of Pakistan Central Cotton Committee, Agriculture Policy Institute, Administrative Control of PASSCO, Pakistan Dairy Development Company, Livestock and Dairy Development Board (LDDB)  and Fisheries Development Board (FDB), PR No. 44 Press release Foreign Minister Khar receives Saudi Ambassador Islamabad: November 04, 2011 The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia Mr. Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim bin Salih Al-Ghadeer called on the Foreign Minister Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar on 04 November 2011. The Foreign Minister lauded the efforts being made by the Ambassador in further strengthening the existing fraternal relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways and means to strengthen the existing cooperation between the two brotherly countries in various fields. They noted with satisfaction that there existed similarity of views between the two countries on a number of issues. PR No. 45 Press release Abdullah Hussain Haroon calls on President Karachi: November 04, 2011 Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Abdullah Hussain Haroon called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at Bilawal House on Friday.       Abdullah Hussain Haroon briefed the President about Pakistan’s election as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as well as the country’s re-election to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board for a period of four years.       The President said the election of Pakistan as a non-permanent member of UNSC as well as its re-election to UNESCO Executive Board proved that it enjoys the support of world community and it is not isolated as portrayed by certain people.       The President appreciated the efforts made by  Abdullah Hussain Haroon  Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN .       Abdullah Hussain Haroon thanked the President for the encouragement and reposing confidence in him.