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PR No.28 Following is the average power generation/situation data. Total Generation: 7456 MW Demand: 9645 MW Shortfall: 2189 MW Export to KESC 710 MW ENDS.
PR No.29
All religious scholars must play collective role and come forward to curb the menace of extremism from the society and promote Islamic teachings of peace and brotherhood. Minister for Railways, Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour said while talking to media persons here Tuesday that the extremists and mercenaries once again shed blood of more than one hundred innocent people in Muslim Khel village of Lakki Marwat. “The extremist elements are ignorant of Holy Quran which says one who killed one human he killed whole humanity, “ the minister added. Bilour said in our province, hundreds of innocent people were killed and made mockery of holy religion that always promoted peace and harmony. He said that the self-proclaimed Muslims must know how much fun of Islam is being made just due to their inhuman acts. Meanwhile, he also asked the government to ensure full payment of compensation for the lives of Pukhtunkhawa without any discrimination. He said that the province has become a battle field so it is necessary that people are compensated for lives as well as property, if not more then at least equal or those of other provinces. Besides, he said the province should declared war-hit and the government should write off taxes and reduce markup rates of banks because people have lost their properties and business due to prevailing law and order situation.
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No.30 Constitutional issues can only be resolved through mutual consultations and not through any long march. Who else knows better than PML-N whose parliamentarians are part of the Constitutional Committee that constitutional amendments are now a matter of days and weeks and not months. Syed Naveed Qamar Federal Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources said in an informal chat with a group of media persons here today. Syed Naveed Qamar said that the all-political force including PML-N should come forward and facilitate the government in its endeavor to resolve the constitutional matters expeditiously and no one should take credit or political mileage out of it. The Pakistan Peoples Party under the leadership of Qauid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave a unanimous, federal and democratic constitution and its restoration in its real shape is the foremost duty of our government, he said. Our government believes in democracy and re conciliation among all stakeholders, which is being reflected through the unanimously adopted long due NFC Award, payment of royalties to the provinces, implementation of Baluchistan Package, reinstatement of sacked employees, without taking into account any political affiliations for the unity and integration of the country and the nation, he said. The Minister further stated that everybody knows who will benefit from the lifting of embargo on becoming third time Prime Minister, however, the government with open mind and heart taking all political and democratic forces on board on all issues through consultative process. The PML-N leadership has also been taken on board for the drafting of Accountability bill and the government will continue its efforts for the political, democratic and economic stability of the country, he added.
PR No.31 In his opening remarks while presiding over the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) meeting at the PM’s House here this afternoon, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that DCC is the most important forum for defence policy consultations and coordination. He said the purpose of today’s meeting is to comprehensively evaluate the security situation in the light of global and regional developments and their impact on Pakistan. The Prime Minister said that there is a need to review our ongoing counter-terrorism and law enforcement actions. The Prime Minister said, “Let me, first of all, express the appreciation of the people and the Government of Pakistan for the exceptional valour, patriotism, and professionalism with which our armed forces, paramilitary forces police, have prosecuted the counter-terrorism and law enforcement actions. Our armed forces and law enforcement personnel continue to render exemplary services and our nation will never forget their heroic sacrifices. I wish to assure you that the whole nation stands firmly united in support of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. The government convened All Parties Conference to develop complete national consensus to defeat militancy and terror. Our political leadership has shown that it is united in war against terror. Over the recent months we have registered considerable success against terrorists and militants. Law enforcement actions in Swat, Malakand, FATA and most notably in South Waziristan have been executed with precision and in record time. Pakistan has utilized its own national capacity to execute the counter terror campaign. The success of our efforts stands out in sharp contrast to what the Coalition Forces in neighbouring Afghanistan have been able to achieve over the past nine years. Pakistan has also utilized its own national capacity to care for the millions affected by terrorism. The exemplary unity, solidarity and generous hospitality of our people were critical to our success in enabling the dislocated persons to return to their homes in a short time. We are now providing rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance. These programmes are being expedited. Essential services are being restored. Those dislocated by ongoing operations will be enabled to return to their homes, as soon as possible. I wish to express my profound gratitude to the people of Pakistan for responding generously to my appeal for contributions. Rs. 2.4 billion were deposited in the Prime Minister’s Special Fund for Relief of Victims of Terrorism. We also appreciate the solidarity and support of the international community for our efforts to help the dislocated persons. Rs. 10.2 billion were released to NWFP Government during the past six months as cash grant for food and Relief & Rehabilitation. Additionally, Rs. 2.56 billion have been released for South Waziristan. These funds are being utilized for cash assistance, relief and rehabilitation in a very transparent manner. Separately, we have provided Rs. 7.1 billion to the NWFP Government for law and order capacity building as well as for compensation payments. This is the first installment of the total of Rs. 25 billion allocated for LEAs capacity building. Rs. 332 million have been given to the Interior Ministry for meeting essential security related expenses. A total of Rs. 20.2 billion has been sanctioned during the last six months for the aforementioned purposes. The total allocation from our budget for relief, rehabilitation and capacity building is Rs. 50 billion. For reconstruction phase, the first step i.e Damage Needs Assessment has been completed with the help of World Bank and Asian Development Bank. This was a pre-requisite for moving to the next stage of operationalizing the Malakand strategy already approved by the Friends of Democratic Pakistan. The government is determine to complete this phase also on fast track. Our hearts go out in sympathy and solidarity with the families of those who fell victim to acts of terrorism. The enormous civilian casualties have not dented our spirit but only further fortified our resolve to defeat terrorism. To look after the affected families, I have decided to contribute an amount of Rs. 500 million for “Shuhada Trust Fund” and additionally Rs. 50 million for each province has also been allocated for Shuhada Trust Fund. In recognition of the sacrifices rendered by our Armed Forces, despite resource constraints, the Government has already announced a pay increase of defence services. The impact of this pay increase will be an additional amount of Rs. 46 billion annually. Defence needs and requirements will continue to receive our utmost attention. Pakistan is a peace-loving country. We will continue to endeavour to promote peace, security and stability in our region. We have for over three decades shouldered the burden of 3.5 million Afghan refugees. We continue to be directly impacted by the conflict in Afghanistan. Restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan, is a matter of direct and legitimate interest to Pakistan. We will continue to play a constructive role in this regard. Strategic stability in South Asia is a pre-requisite for enduring peace and prosperity for the peoples of this region. We are mindful of the policies and trends that could undermine strategic stability in our region. Pakistan will be obliged to counter such negative trends by all appropriate means. No one should underestimate the strong resolve of our people, political leadership and the capability of our defence forces to protect the honour, dignity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of our motherland. All state institutions with the full support of the nation are determined to work in unison for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. The strength and resilience of our nation has been tested before. I have no doubt that at this particular juncture with Grace of Almighty Allah, we shall overcome all transient challenges and emerge even stronger and victorious.”
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No.32 The Defence Committee of the Cabinet met under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at the PM’s House here today. The Meeting was attended by Cabinet Ministers, members of the Committee, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and the Services Chiefs. The DCC reviewed the security challenges faced by Pakistan and expressed satisfaction on the defence preparedness. The Committee took stock of the challenges faced by Terrorism and expressed satisfaction on the anti-terrorism and law enforcement actions undertaken by the security forces. It was decided to prosecute with full vigour the counter-terrorism campaign. The DCC noted that the nation was united in its resolve to counter-terrorism and stood fully behind the armed forces and law enforcement agencies in combating terror and for the sacred defence of the motherland. The Committee renewed the Government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism and effectively foil the nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan. The Committee also commiserated with the families of all those who had fallen victims to terrorism and underscored that the proud Pakistani nation will never forget their sacrifices. The DCC also deliberated on global and regional developments that were impacting on peace and security of Pakistan. In this context the DCC affirmed the strong commitment of the Government and people of Pakistan to defend the country’s honour, dignity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. The DCC took note of efforts to disturb the regional balance in south Asia and underscored that Pakistan will never allow its security to be jeopardized in any manner. Pakistan’s defence forces and its strategic and conventional capabilities will continue to be strengthened. PMMO/wh
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No.33 Pakistan People’s Party is proud to be the representing voice of the poor, middle and working classes of the people. Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto defended the rights of the people till death instead of bending in front of tyranny, said the federal minister and chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme Ms. Farzana Raja in her address to a public meeting at Liaquat Bagh on the occasion of the 82nd birth anniversary of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. She said that Shaheed Bhutto struggled for a democratic and developed Pakistan. He gave Pakistan its nuclear programme. He fought for the rights of the poor and labour class and raised the slogan of Roti, Kapra aur Makaan. Shaheed Bhutto initiated administrative reforms. Mohtarma Farzana Raja said that Shaheed Bhutto held Islamic Summit in 1974 to unite the Muslim world and it was Shaheed Bhutto who negotiated the return of 93,000 Pakistani soldiers, and it was also Shaheed Bhutto whose efforts let the nation have a unanimous constitution in 1973. She further said that the present government is taking the mission of Shaheed Bhutto ahead under the guidance of the president Mr. Asif Ali Zardari and the prime minister Mr. Yusuf Raza Gilani. The government enjoys full support of the public. She said that the government is following a policy of reconciliation. We gave Baluchistan its rights. We freed all political prisoners and we are taking the nation along with us in the war against terrorism. SK/wh
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No.34 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has expressed grief and sorrow over the recent devastating land sliding in a Hunza village resulting in loss of lives and material destruction and announced a compensation of Rs 300,000/- to the family of each deceased and Rs 100,000/- to each injured person. The Prime Minister has also directed the Gilgit – Baltistan Government to carry out the assessment of the damages caused to the property and submit a report in this regard to the Prime Minister immediately. PMMO/wh
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No.35 National Trust for Population Welfare (NATPOW) and National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), on Tuesday inked hallmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for coordinated and concrete national level efforts for reducing alarming maternal mortality and infant mortality rate in the country. The MoU entitled “Literacy for Family Health Programme”, signed between the two sides, aims at raising awareness on Safe Motherhood and Child Health Care for improving general health status of masses, especially the young women and men of reproductive age. The MoU was signed by NCHD Chairperson, Nafisa Shah, MNA and NATPOW Chairperson, Senator Suriya Amiruddin, during a graceful ceremony here at local hotel. Federal Minister for Population Welfare, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan was the Chief Guest on the occasion while Director General NCHD, Zulfiqar Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer NATPOW, Iftikhar Durrani, Vice Chairperson NATPOW Bahramand Khan Tangi, representatives of Embassies, national and international Civil Society Organizations were also Present on the occasion. According to MoU document, NATPOW and NCHD will mainly be focusing on thematic support areas, including the personal hygiene, parental care, safe delivery, post natal care, birth spacing and Islamic perspectives of the family care initiatives. Addressing the ceremony chief guest Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan said that it was a historic moment as the Commission and the NATPOW have pledge to share expertise, of education and the population sectors, respectively, for the purpose – thus taking a significant start for better service delivery and mass awareness under available human as well as material resources. She said that NATPOW was established under auspicious directions of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto during her second tenure as Prime Minister in 1994, for ensuring cohesive efforts regarding family welfare. The present Government is fully cognizant of the importance of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) 5 and 4, aiming to Improve Maternal Health (MDG 5) and Reduce Child Mortality (MDG 4). And in this context, I am convinced that closer links and joint collaboration between NATPOW and the NCHD will draw upon enhancing awareness & knowledge and skills of families / women, men and adolescents & youths, to bring about the behavior change necessarily required for realization of MDG 5 and 4, and decreasing MMR and IMMR in the country. Ms. Nafisa Shah, Chairperson National commission for Human Development said that NCHD in collaboration with NATPOW aims to raise awareness on Safe Motherhood and Child Health Care for improving general health status of masses, especially the young women and men of reproductive age. The collaboration will lead us to the human development and especially the empowerment of the women. She said, female participation in health literacy courses can improve the health of the whole family by leading to better sanitation and nutrition practices and increasing the likelihood that children will be immunized. Director General NCHD Mr. Zulfiqar Ahmad said that literacy plays an essential role in improving the lives of individuals by enabling economic security, good health and it also enriches societies by building human capital, fostering cultural identity and tolerance, besides promoting civic participation. NATPOW CEO Iftikhar Durrani said that coordination and progress sharing was also on cards for future both at the federal and the provincial level. Unfortunately, non formal sector was not catered, therefore, NATPOW and the NCHD have joined hands to team up for reaching maximum family welfare targets while utilizing the existing infrastructure. AZA/wh
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