PR. No. 65
PRESS RELEASE
Madam Ding Shu Miao, Chairperson Broad Union Investment Management Group Co. Ltd provides RMB 1.3
million assistance for the flood affected victims of Pakistan
Islamabad: September 5, 2010Madam Ding Shumiao, Chairperson Broad Union Investment Management Group Co. Ltd called on Ambassador Masood Khan at the embassy here today and donated RMB 1.3 million (approximately US$200,000) for the affectees of floods in Pakistan, says a press release received here today from Beijing China.
She expressed her heartfelt condolences at the natural calamity which hit Pakistan and said that “we share the pain and agony of our Pakistani friends. Pakistan is a dear friend and this is a humble contribution to alleviate the sufferings of its people.”
The Ambassador thanked the Chairperson and appreciated her generous gesture. He said the Chinese government and its people have always stood by Pakistan in its difficult times.
Masood Khan said “this amount will help save lives, heal wounds and kindle new hopes for thousands of flood affectees.” It will contribute to removing the anguish of thousands of people who have lost their kith and kin, houses and crops in this unprecedented disaster, he added.
Madam Ding Shumiao is a well known business person and philanthropist of China. She has dedicated her life to looking after the needs of the poor people and has always stood out with her charity work. Her efforts have been recognized by the leadership of China which bestowed on her the prestigious China Charity award.
Ambassador Masood Khan appreciated her efforts in alleviating the sufferings of the deprived people and termed her as a role model. He said her contribution would further help in strengthening the eternal bonds between the two countries.
“China was one of the first countries to announce humanitarian assistance for the flood victims. This timely gesture from a close friend and dear brother helped in meeting our most immediate needs”, Masood Khan said.
Madam Ding Shumiao has so far donated more than RMB 150 million in charity work. She started her life by selling eggs and later through hard work rose to become one of the leading entrepreneurs of China. She is a member of CPPCC and Shaanxi Provincial Commission.
The Pakistan Ambassador lauded her efforts for being a pioneer in charity work. He informed her that Pakistan is facing this challenge with determination and resilience and that all national resources have been mobilized for rescue and relief.
**DG/Ahmad**
PR. No. 66
PRESS RELEASE
Mr. Chen Guangbiao, Chairman of Jiangsu Huangpu Renewable Resources Utilization Ltd
provides RMB 1 million assistance for the flood affected victims of Pakistan
Islamabad: September 5, 2010Mr. Chen Guangbiao, Chairman of Jiangsu Huangpu Renewable Resources Utilization Ltd. donated an amount of RMB 1 million for the flood affectees of Pakistan, says a press release received here today from Beijing, China.
Mr. Chen in his meeting with Ambassador Masood Khan at the Embassy expressed deep sorrow and grief on the loss of precious lives and property. He said that “Pakistan and China enjoy a special relationship and he feels the same as our Pakistani brothers are feeling at this moment of grief.”
Ambassador Masood Khan thanked Mr. Chen for his generous contribution and said that the Pakistan-China friendship is a model relationship between nations.
Mr. Chen is a member of the standing committee of Jiangsu Provincial Committee of China Zhi Dong Gang, Vice Chairman of Red Cross Society of Jiangsu and Vice Chairman of Federation of Charity.
“The friendship is rooted in the ethos of our two people and evokes spontaneous love, admiration and touches a receptive chord in every heart”, Masood Khan said. The Ambassador said the help extended by Chen Guangbiao in these testing times will further energize this unique relationship between the two countries.
Mr. Chen has been playing an active role in charity work and has been listed as the youngest among China’s top ten philanthropists. His charity work has earned appreciation from all quarters of the society and has been awarded numerous awards for his cause for the poor and needy.
**DG/Ahmad**
PR. No. 67
PRESS RELEASE
NA SPEAKER AND DEPUTY SPEAKER CONDEMN UMAR CHEEMA’S ABDUCTION
Islamabad: September 5, 2010Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker and Faisal Karim Kundi, Deputy Speaker National Assembly have strongly condemned the incident of abduction and torture of Umer Cheema, Senior Reporter of the News Investigation Cell and had asked the government for inquiry into the incident.
The Speaker and the Deputy Speaker denouncing the incident said that it was an attack on the freedom of expression which has been protected under the constitution. Both the leaders termed the physical torture on the senior reporter during illegal captivity, highly deplorable and necessitate thorough inquiry. They also expressed sympathies with Mr. Umar Cheema.
**MT/Ahmad**
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 6TH SEPTEMBER, 2010
PR. No. 68
PRESS RELEASE
MESSAGE OF PRESIDENT ASIF ALI ZARDARI ON DEFENCE DAY 6TH SEPTEMBER, 2010
Islamabad: September 5, 2010Following is the text of the message of President Asif Ali Zardari on the Defense of Pakistan Day on September 6.
“September 6 is a memorable day in the national calendar. For it was on this day in 1965 when the people of Pakistan demonstrating unprecedented unity and singularity of purpose solidly stood behind the armed forces in facing a grave threat to the country.
“On this day we salute the nation for its unity, the armed forces for their valor and courage and pay homage to our martyrs.
“The critical lesson of September 6 is that national unity and singularity of purpose can conquer aggression as well as vagaries and storms of time.
“On September 6 this year the nation is confronted with an existential threat from fanatics, zealots and extremists on the one hand and from the material devastation caused by the history’s worst floods on the other.
“While the former is testing our will to survive and live in accordance with our values and ideology, the latter is testing our ability, resourcefulness and resilience to rise like a phoenix from the ashes of a natural disaster. In some ways the threats to the country on September 6 this year outweigh the threats on this day anytime ever in the past.
“The need for national unity and a singularity of purpose is therefore greater than ever before on this day.
“It is reassuring that once again the people and the armed forces have risen to the challenge. Our armed forces backed by the power of the people and the Parliament are chasing the militants in a fight to the finish and the people and state institutions have joined hands to meet the challenge of devastating floods.
“On this occasion I wish to pay tributes to our brave people for their resilience and courage in facing the disaster. But for their unmatched endurance and resilience and a will to fight back it would not have been possible to withstand the vagaries of time.
“On this occasion let me also reiterate that we will eliminate the militants and at the same time with the help of the people and international community rehabilitate and reconstruct the devastated infrastructure. Let there be no doubt or mistake about it.
Pakistan Paindabad”
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 6TH SEPTEMBER, 2010
PR. No. 69
PRESS RELEASE
BISP KICKED OF COUNTRYWIDE POVERTY CENSUS
MS. Farzan Raja inaugurated the survey, termed the initiative instrumental to establish transparency.
Islamabad: September 5, 2010In order to develop more effective and transparent identification of deserving families in regard with eligibility for cash grant, Benazir Income support Programme (BISP) Sunday kicked off countrywide poverty census. The poverty survey has been completed earlier in 38 Districts of the country as an initial phase of the census. The Chairperson of the BISP said that the scope of the programme has been expanded further with the enrollment of recent devastating flood victims which would enhance the registered families with BISP up to 7 million and more than 35 million individuals. Ms. Farzana Raja, Federal Minister and Chairperson BISP inaugurated the survey by completing a survey form of a poor family after a random ‘knock at door’ here in the locality of Sidu Pura. Besides others, Raja Riaz Ahemad, senior minister of Punjab was also present on the occasion.
On the occasion, Ms. Farzana raja, informed the media representatives that new deserving families would be included in the programme as beneficiary as soon as poverty survey is completed in respected districts. She said that the survey teams of the BISP have already been sent to Punjab Sindh, Khaiber Pakhtoonkhaw, FATA, AJK and Gilgit Baltistan to complete countrywide poverty survey. She said that survey is absolutely free of charge and if someone demands even a rupee for the completion of survey, a complaint could be made at 080026477 immediately.
MS. Farzana Raja said that this is first ever poverty survey being conducted in Pakistan and every effort has been made to make this survey fool proof and comprehensive. She said that service to poor and underprivileged of Pakistan was dream of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto has scarified her live while her struggle to complete this mission. She said that the BISP is carrying forward same dream and it has set 20 percent decrease in the poverty during next 3 years. She said that the programme has been attributed with the name of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto; therefore we would leave no stone unturned to make this programme a complete success.
“BISP not only provides monthly cash grants to its beneficiaries ’’, she said and elaborated that under the Waseela e Haq and Waseela e Huner initiatives of the programme, small entrepreneurship and skill development among under privileged segments of the society are being promoted to enable these segments to live self sustained lives. Moreover, health insurance initiatives for the beneficiaries of the BISP would soon be introduced, she said.
Later, while addressing a press conference, MS. Farzana raja said that keeping in view the effectiveness and transparency of the programme; World Bank, Asian bank and US Aid are also providing funds to BISP. She said that the programme is not only instrumental in poverty alleviation but it has also served the cause of women empowerment as only female head of a registered family is authorized to receive cash grant.
Moreover, she said, one million women, after the initiation of the programme, have applied for their National Identity cards which are a prerequisite to receive the cash grant. She said that the disbursement system of the cash grant is being improved further. In this connection, she said, Benazir Smart Card has already been introduced in the four districts and it would be expended to all over Pakistan in a short span of time.
PR. No. 70
PRESS RELEASE
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN FLOOD AID STRESSED
Islamabad: September 5, 2010A meeting of senior party leaders presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani held Sunday night in Bilawal House Karachi resolved to ensure complete transparency and accountability in the relief and rehabilitation operations in the flood affected areas throughout the country.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Water & Power Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Law Minister Dr. Babar Awan, Petroleum Minister Syed Naveed Qamar, Food & Agriculture Miniter Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Labour Minister Syed Khursheed Shah, Advisor to PM Mian Raza Rabbani, Communication Minister Arbab Alamgir, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Sheikh and spokesperson to President Farhatullah Babar.Farhatullah Babar said that the meeting expressed resolve to use modern technology including satellite imaging and web based information system with regard to receipts of aid in cash and kind and its further distribution.
All foreign and national aid for flood victims received will be put on dedicated website and everyone will have access to information regarding receipts and distribution, he said.
PR. No. 71
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT ZARDARI – SONIA GANDHI TELE TALK
Islamabad: September 5, 2010
President Asif Ali Zardari Sunday evening had a telephonic conversation with Indian Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and felicitated her on election for the fourth time as President of the Congress Party. She thanked the President for message of felicitation.
The Indian Congress leader also offered condolences and sympathies over the flood devastation in Pakistan and expressed the hope that the people and Government of Pakistan will triumph over the tragic devastation.
The President said that the floods may have been caused by climate change and emphasized that countries in the region needed to work together for meeting the challenges of climate change.
Concurring with the President, Sonia Gandhi said that climate change was a transnational issue that could best be addressed through regional and international cooperation in addition to efforts by individual countries.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 6TH SEPTEMBER, 2010
PR. No. 72
PRESS RELEASE
PRIME MINISTER SYED YUSUF RAZA GILANI’S MESSAGE ON DEFENCE DAY, 6TH SEPTEMBER 2010
Islamabad: September 5, 2010September 6th is a red letter day in the history of Pakistan when our armed forces with the solid support of the people exhibited unprecedented valor in thwarting grave threats to the country. On this day, we pay homage to our valiant martyred and courage of our ancestors who defended their country heroically.
Pakistan is facing gigantic and myriad challenges and is passing through a critical period of history. Our security is challenged by multi-dimensional and multi-directional threats. Our adversaries taking full advantage of the situation on the one hand are adding to the difficulties of Pakistan and on the other extremists and terrorists are threatening the basic values and character of our society. Recent devastating floods have further compounded our difficulties.
It is not the first time that our Nation is confronted with serious challenges. Pakistani Nation has always braced formidable challenges with unity and courage. With the proverbial resilience of our people, we are destined to overcome the present challenges and will soon emerge as a stronger country. Our people are committed to eliminate terror from the fabric of our society. Our security agencies have successfully wiped out the sanctuaries of terrorists and now these inimical elements have entered into cities and towns and targeting innocent people. But that time is not far when our security agencies with the support of the people will completely banish them and restore peace in every nook and corner of the country.
The federal and provincial governments are making every possible effort to mitigate the sufferings of flood victims. Our armed forces, other state institutions and the entire Nation have come forth to help the peoples affected by the devastating floods. We are determined to rehabilitate our brethren in their homes without any waste of time. This challenge is not bigger than the challenge we faced at the birth of our Country.
On this occasion, let us renew our pledge to make Pakistan a strong and invincible country by inculcating Unity, Faith and Discipline in our lives.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 6TH SEPTEMBER, 2010
