PR No.77
PRESS RELEASE

SENATE BODY ASKS HEC TO EXPEDITE VERIFICATION FOR NIP

Islamabad: March 6, 2010

The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Youth Affairs has asked the Higher Education Commission to expedite the process of verification for the applicants of the National Internship Programme(NIP), adding that delays are not only creating frustration among the applicants but would lead to lapse of funds allocated for the programme.

The Sub-Committee which was presided over by Senator Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi at the Parliament House today has urged the universities to evolve ways and means for prompt verification the credentials and documents of the candidates who have applied for internship under NIP. The sub-committee endorsed the suggestion by some members to stop the funds of those universities which are causing unnecessary delays in the verification of the applicants.

The Members of the Sub-Committee recognized the importance of the programme as it was providing opportunities to the educated youth to earn decently and become an active member of the society. It however, observed that the bureaucratic red tapism was making it difficult for NIP to move ahead and to achieve its desired objectives. The Members also  expressed their deep concerns over reports that payments were being delayed at district level particularly in NWFP, thereby creating uncertainty among the internees regarding efficacy of the programme. The Committee also decided to visit all the four provinces to assess the problems being faced by the provincial governments in the smooth implementation of the programme. It expressed its resolve to remove the bottlenecks in the way with a view to provide opportunities to the young generation to benefit from the programme.

The meeting was also attended among others by Senators Naeem Hussain Chattha and Afia Zia besides Secretary Ministry of Youth Affairs and senior official of the ministry.

**RAQ/Ahmad**


 PR No.78
PRESS RELEASE

NA SPEAKER LEADS PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION TO TURKEY.

Islamabad: March 6, 2010

A 5 members Pakistan Parliamentary delegation led by Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan will leave for Turkey on March 7, 2010 on a 6-day official visit.          

During its stay in Turkey, the delegation will attend International Women’s Summit. The Prime Minister of Turkey will inaugurate the summit. The Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza will address the summit on March 8, 2010. The Members of the delegation will participate in the workshop of the summit and also meet Parliamentarians of the other countries on the side lines of the summit.

The Madam Speaker will also meet the President of Turkey, Speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly and Chairman Foreign Relation’s Committee of Turkish Parliament during her visit. The delegation will also visit Ataturk Mausoleum and will lay floral wreath.    

The delegation comprises the MNAs, Mr. Nawab Ali Wassan, Sardar Shahjehan Yousaf, Ms. Bushra Gohar and Ms. Saira Tarar.


PR No.79
PRESS RELEASE

PAKISTAN
  - SUDAN BILATERAL POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS
Islamabad:
March 6, 2010

Bilateral Political Consultations were held between Pakistan and the Sudan in Islamabad on 5 – 6 March 2010. Mr. Rahmatullah Mohamed Osman, Director General at the Sudanese Foreign Ministry and Mr. Muhammad Aslam, Additional Secretary (Middle East & Africa) at the Pakistan Foreign Affairs Ministry led their respective sides.

The Consultations were held in a warm and cordial atmosphere. The two sides expressed satisfaction at the existing level of bilateral relations. They agreed to further enhance and diversify bilateral ties, especially in the fields of agriculture, textile, banking and infrastructure development. The two sides also discussed bilateral cooperation at international organizations including the United Nations and Organization of the Islamic Conference.

The visiting delegation handed over an invitation letter from the Foreign Minister of Sudan to Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi to visit Sudan.

The delegation called on Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, besides visiting the FPCCI and Foreign Service Academy in Islamabad.


PR No.80
PRESS RELEASE
HUJJAJ TO BE PROVIDED ALL COMFORTS NEEDED DURING HAJJ

Islamabad
: March 6, 2010

Pakistan Hajj delegation headed by  Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs called on the Saudi Minister for Hajj Dr. Fawad Abdul Salam Al-Farsi and discussed arrangements for the forthcoming Hajj, says a press release received from Consulate General of Pakistan, Jeddah here today.

Welcoming the guests, Mr. Farsi said that the welfare of Hujjaj is the Prime concern of this meeting and Pakistan being the dearest friend and a brother was invited to discuss these arrangements. Dr. Fawad Al-Farsi said that  we keep Pakistan in high esteem and  would provide all possible comforts to Pakistani Hujjaj. 

The Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi appreciated the role of Khadimul Haramain Al Sharifain King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz in promoting prosperity in the Kingdom and provision of services to Hujjaj and added that they always pray for the Kingdom, its leadership and the people.

He conveyed the gratitude of the President, Prime Minister and the people of Pakistan for the selfless services Saudis perform for the welfare of Hujjaj. He also thanked the Saudi Government for grant of extra Quota for Hujjaj last year and requested for the enhancement of quota for the forthcoming Hajj and its timely announcement for the benefit of the intending Hujjaj. 

The delegation was briefed about the matters relating to accommodation, transport, logistics, the performance of Tour Operators, movement of Hujjaj and the clearance procedure at the Airport. 

It was decided that request for extra Quota for the forthcoming Hajj should be submitted in time for further process. It was also decided that the deputies and in-charge officers of various Wings of Saudi Hajj Ministry will be available to the Pak Hajj Mission for working out the modalities for the execution of Hajj Plan. 

The meeting was attended by H.E. the Ambassador of Pakistan Mr. Umar Khan Alisherzai, Secretary, Religious Affairs, Agha Sarwar Raza Qazilbash, Director General (Hajj) Rao Shakeel Ahmed, Joint Secretary Religious Affairs, Mr. Aftab ul-Islam Raja,  Director Hajj Mr. Behrullah Hazarvi and a number of  Saudi  Deputy Ministers and high officials of the Ministry of Hajj.