PR No. 85 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad; August 7, 2010 Federal minister for commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim has said that Makhdoom Javed hashmi had struggled a lot for restoration of democracy in the country. He was remembering those old days of ARD (Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy) movement in the country, during his visit of PIMS hospital in Islamabad today. Makhdoom Amin Fahim reached PIMS hospital to inquire about the health of Javed Hashmi who is admitted there. Amin Fahim remained with him for some time and remembered those days of struggle for the restoration of democracy and rule of law in the country. The federal minister also offered a bouquet to Javed Hashmi as agesture of goodwill and prayed to Almighty Allah for early recovery.   PR No. 86 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad; August 7, 2010 Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that women being an important segment of the society can play a significant role in the relief and rehabilitation exercise being undertaken by the government for the flood affectees.  The women particularly those representing the political parties can motivate the women population in the collection of food items and other relief goods for despatching to the affected families through the system evolved by the provincial governments and National Disaster Management Authority. The Prime Minister was talking to Madam Faryal Talpur MNA and chairperson of PPP Women Wing and Ms. Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari who called on him at Governor House this evening. Prime Minister urged upon the women working in various NGOs to contribute towards this purpose and help to mitigate the sufferings of women and children in the relief camps.  The tasks for looking after the affected families is enormous he added and would require contribution from the women across the country.  Prime Minister specifically appreciated the efforts of Ms. Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari for raising the funds for the flood affected people. She would serve as an example for the women of the country.  Madam Faryal Talpur assured the Prime Minster that the Women Wing of PPP would do its best to extend a helping hand for the flood affected families.  She apprised the Prime Minister that women workers of the party are working in the flood affected areas to help women and children.  Ms. Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari briefed Prime Minister on her efforts to raise funds from different sections of the society for the flood affected families.  She further mentioned that the funds would be deposited in Prime Minister’s flood relief fund. PR No. 87 PRESS RELEASE HOUSING SECTOR HAS BECOME ATTRACTIVE FOR INVESTORS: KAKAR Islamabad; August 7, 2010 Federal Minister for Housing and Works Rehmat Ullah Kakar has said that housing sectors in Pakistan has become very attractive for local and foreign investors and they can participate in the ongoing housing projects under P.M’s housing for all program. He express these views while addressing international conference on housing.   The Minister said “it is the prime responsibility of the Government to take appropriate actions in order to promote, protect and ensure proper realization of provision of safe, sustainable and adequate housing for its citizens. However, there is a huge housing backlog of around 7 million units in the country and majority of our population is living in unsafe settlements.” The Minister urged upon the construction experts to introduce hi-tech in the housing sector so that cost effective housing units could be built for the shelterless people at a fast pace as enunciated in the Prime Minister’s housing for all program. He said that it was the first time in the history of our country that housing units at a large scale were being constructed which has opened widespread investment opportunities for the local and foreign companies to participate in the housing projects of their choice. The Minister said that it was the dire need for taking concrete steps to implement the building code by the construction companies and building planners for minimizing the human and material loss in the wake of any nature calamity. MD PHA Muhammad Ali Afridi, said that in endeavor to complete the Prime Minister housing scheme, inspite of PHA limited resources of 500 flats in joint venture with M/S nobles waters at Mauza Rawat, Islamabad are being completed. He said construction of 8700 flats at Islamabad and 1000 flats in Karachi would also be completed this year. He announced that would also be new project of Prime Minister housing scheme at Wafaqi Colony in Lahore comprising of 120 B, D and E type apartment will be constructed at ground plus 3 and 4 building blocks. This project will be completed in two and a half years period. PR No. 88 PRESS RELEASE Hillary Clinton Telephones Prime Minister Islamabad; August 7, 2010 US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rang up Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani about half an hour ago to express solidarity of the government and the people of US over the loss of lives and properties during flood.  She assured assistance from USA to Pakistan in this hour of need.  Pakistan, she said, may send its need in writing to USA for flood affected population.  She also mentioned that the government of USA would also try to mobilize the corporate and private sectors of USA for helping the flood affected population of Pakistan. Pakistan, she said, had made great sacrifices in war against terror and is still facing challenging times due to terrorist’s attacks in Peshawar and disruption of peace in Karachi.   She expressed condolences for the innocent people killed in terrorist’s activities in Pakistan. Ms Hillary Clinton appreciated that despite great difficulties, the government and people of Pakistan are facing the situation very effectively.  She apprised the Prime Minister that USA would do any thing possible to support Pakistan and he can pick up the telephone and give her ring any time he wants to convey the required support for the flood affectees.  She further said that NATO, Japan and Afghanistan have also offered complete support to the government and people of Pakistan in these difficult moments.  She further mentioned that USA is making effort to extend every possible assistance to Pakistan. The Prime Minister thanked Ms Hillary Clinton for conveying the sentiments of the President, Government and the people of USA in these hours of need.  He also thanked her for the assistance already given by USA for the flood affected people. He mentioned that exact assessment of damages including loss of lives and properties would only be possible once the flood recedes and thereafter the exact need would be determined.