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PR.No.59. The visiting Pakistani Federal Minister for Labour and Overseas Pakistani, Syed Khrushid Ahmad Shah alongwith the Consul General of Pakistan visited Bin Ladan Camp, to meet the Pakistani Community in the Makkah Al-Makaramah yesterday. The Camp Manager Mr. Omar Al-Amoudi welcomed the Federal Minister and thanked him for gracing the Bin Ladon Camp, which is housing a large number of Pakistanis and other expatriates. Says a press release received from Jeddah here today. Lauding the contribution of Overseas Pakistanis in the development of the country, the Minister said that their role in strengthening the economy can not be underestimated for they are contributing a lot to the foreign exchange. He said that he is conscious of the problems of the Overseas Pakistan and is trying his best to work for the welfare of those who deserve to be given due importance. The Federal Minister said that democracy rules in the world but we have not allowed the people to participate in the government. It is the commitment of the new government to take along the people and allow them to share the governance, he added. The Federal Minister said that Pakistan has been bestowed with abundance of resources with a variety of seasons. Plateau, culture and colours of life but what is lacking is the honesty, sincerity and the service to the Nation. Mr. Khursheed Shah said that the role of independent judiciary in a free country is supreme and their government is committed to uphold the supremacy of law, tolerance, and justice. Responding to the issues raised by Overseas Pakistanis, he said that his Ministry has taken up all the matters relating to the education of their children, housing scheme, facilities to be given on the OPF cards, etc. The issues relating to Passport, Kafalat and ID cards will be discussed with the Consulate General and the Embassy, he added. Earlier Mr. Ghulam Mursleen, one of the expatriate Pakistani presented the problems of the Overseas Pakistanis. SG/AR.
PR.No.60. The visiting Pakistan Hajj delegation headed by Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah, Federal Minister for Hajj and Religious Affairs called on the Saudi Hajj Minister, Mr. Fawad Abdul Salam Al Farsi to discuss the arrangements for the forthcoming Hajj. Welcoming the guests, Mr. Farsi said that the welfare of Hujjaj is the Prime concern of this meeting. He invited the Minister to raise issues of their concern. Says a press release received from Jeddah here today. Mr. Khursheed Shah appreciated the role of Khadimul Haramain Al Sharifain King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz who devoted himself for the services to Hujjaj. He said that their services cannot be rewarded but they can pray for the life and health of the royal family. Allah may grant them strength to serve the Pilgrims, he added. The Minister said that the services of the King and the Kingdom to the Ummah are laudable and we keep them in high esteem. The Minister said that Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have deeply rooted historical relationship and these days we are equally confronted with the problem of terrorism. However, we do hope that we will succeed in overcoming this problem, he added. Mr. Khursheed Shah said that he is aware of the problems such as accommodation etc. but in view of our historical relations, he hoped that a large number of the pilgrims from Pakistan would be accommodated. The meeting discussed issues relating to transport, passport, accommodation in Makkah Al Mukarramah and Madina Al Munawara and services especially provision of the medical facilities to the Pilgrims. The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador Admiral Shahid Karimullah (Retd), Secretary, Hajj Mr. Wakil Ahmad Khan, Joint Secretary Hajj, Director General, Hajj, and a number of Deputy Ministers and high officials of the Ministry of Hajj. SG/AR.
PR.No.61. The Provincial Minister for Irrigation and Power, Mr. Muhammad Humayun Khan along with Member Provincial Assembly Muhammad Ali Shah called on the Federal Minister for Environment, Mr. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi and discussed matters pertaining to environmental issues of the province particularly Batkhela and Dargai areas, here today. The Provincial Minister said that there is a need to develop park and establish Zoo in the Kali toria Batkhela areas. Speaking on the occasion the Federal Minister said that Government is committed to initiate new projects for development of the forests so as to mitigate the environmental threats in the area. He assured the provincial minister for all possible support would be extended for tackling the environmental issues particularly fencing the Sawat canal to make it safer for humans and animals. DKKW/AR.
PR.No.62. This is with reference to a news item published in section of the press quoting Malik Qayyum Attorney General of Pakistan that he has written a letter to Mr. Farooq H. Naek Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs pledging that he is ready to hand over an amount of Rs. 100 million, which he owes to the Supreme Court Bar Association, to Mr. Farooq H. Naek Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. It is hereby clarified that Mr. Farooq H. Naek Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has received no such letter so far from Malik Qayyum Attorney General of Pakistan. AU/AR.
PR.No.63. The UNICEF representative in Pakistan Mr. Martin Mogwanja called on the Federal Minister for Environment Mr. Hameed ullah Jan Afridi here today. The meeting was also attended by Secretary Ministry of Environment Mr. Ejaz Ahmed Quershi , Director Generals of Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency and Environment. Mr. Martin Mogwanja apprised the Minister that UNICEF, under the country program 2004-2010, has signed Annual Work Programme for the year 2006-2008 with the Ministry of Environment, Government of Pakistan to provide necessary support in implementation of Water, Environment and Sanitation Program (WES). He said that focus of this programme is on provision of water and sanitation facilities, promotion of safe hygiene practices in schools (School WES), promotion of latrine and hygiene in communities (Community WES) and strengthening policy and legislative framework for water quality and water resources management. He said that UNICEF is also co-chair of the Thematic Working Group on Environment along with UNDP, constituted in the UN Resident Coordinator office under the One UN Program to develop and finalize work program on environment in consultation with all stakeholders including Ministry of Environment. The Minister appreciated the support provided by the UNICEF and reiterated the need to further expand and reinforce the collaborative efforts between UNICEF and Ministry of Environment to effectively address the Water and Sanitation Agenda in Pakistan. The minister said that according to a recent WB study the estimated annual cost due to inadequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene is Rs.112 Billion. He said that there is a need to offset this situation through launching of a comprehensive national programme in collaboration with UNICEF under one UN Joint Country Program which is being finalized in the Thematic Working Group on environment and co-chaired by UNICEF. The Minister apprised the UNICEF representative that the Ministry of Environment has been able to promote health, hygiene and sanitation agenda in the country in collaboration with UNICEF. DKKW/ank
PR.No.64.
Appreciating the infrastructure schemes currently in place to improve the
efficiency of courts, Law Minister Farooq H Naek on Tuesday emphasized
that the Access to Justice Programme (AJP) should address the real issues
concerning people. AU/AR.
PR.No.65. Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly has said that lack of awareness among the masses was the main cause behind the increase in Thalassemia disease in Pakistan. She stressed for raising public awareness for prevention of the dreadful blood disorder. Dr. Fehmida Mirza said this in her message on the World Thalassemia Day being observed today all over the Giobe. Dr. Fehmida Mirza said that Thalassemia is a genetically blood disorder, which has, affects millions of people around the world and its further proliferation could only be slashed down by avoiding intra-family marriages. Dr. Fehmida Mirza called upon the Minister of Health to allocate necessary funds for establishment of more Thalassemia Centres to ensure health coverage and blood transfusion services to the deserving patients in both the rural and urban areas of the country. She also appealed to the Non-governmental organizations and philanthropist community to generously donate for establishment of such Centres where deserving Thalassemia patients could undergo clinical care besides having free blood transfusion services. Dr. Mirza also called upon the media to create awareness among masses to stop further proliferation of the blood disorder. MA/AR.
PR.No.66. Chief Minister Punjab Dost Muhammad Khan Khosa, called on the Senior Minister at his office. The matters relating to federal provincial relations were discussed. It was decided that MNAs and MPAs of coalition parties should be encouraged and empowered to carry out development work in their areas. District Administration should be directed to work in close harmony with people’s representatives to ensure justice and alleviate sufferings of the poor. The Senior Minister asked the provincial Government to positively and sympathetically see the needs and demands for urgent supply of wheat to the deficit provinces of Frontier and Balochistan. He impressed upon the Chief Minister the necessity to go the extra miles in alleviating the difficulties of the people of Frontier and Balochistan in the interest of Inter-Provincial harmony and good relations. The Chief Minister re quested Federal Government for speedy implementation of important federally financed projects like Multan-D.G. Khan dual carriage way and construction of bridge over Mazaffargarh Canal. It was decided that close liaison must be maintained between the coalition partners and at the same time merit and transparency adhere to all Government levels. NR/AR.
PR.No.67. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the newly elected democratic government is committed to bring about change in the life of the people and every effort would be made in that direction. The Prime Minister was talking to Nawabzada Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti, Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister said the government is well aware of the difficulties of the poor segment of society and efforts are underway to provide them basic necessities of life at an affordable price. In this context, he said, the concerned authorities have already been directed to prepare a database of the needy/poor in the country in order to ensure provision of subsidized food items to them. The Prime Minister said the government has started disbursing financial assistance to the needy/poor through Pakistan Baitul Maal for patients of hepatitis “C”, Cancer and other fatal diseases. Similarly, he added, scholarships are being provided to the deserving students studying in various institutions across the country. The Prime Minister said that expansion of educational facilities at all levels is government’s top most priority as it is the key for prosperity and development. In this context, he said, the development goals could only be achieved by building a knowledge-based economy. The Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education updated the Prime Minister about various initiatives taken by Pakistan Baitul Maal for supporting the deserving and needy people. He also apprised the Prime Minister of the working of his Ministry including Special Education programs going on under the Ministry. DSG/ank
PR.No.68. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan has rich cultural heritage and there is a dire need of promoting this aspects to attract tourists around the globe. The promotion of cultural activities would also provide a healthy outlet to the common man, he said. The Prime Minister was talking to Khawaja Saad Rafiq, Minister for Culture who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister asked the Minister to devise a comprehensive policy which could promote cultural activities in the country and prepare programs which could involve the youth to participate in these activities. He further said that our cultural activities should reflect the Islamic values which are essence of our society. Khawaja Saad Rafiq briefed the Prime Minister about the working of his Ministry and various initiatives being taken for promoting the culture of Pakistan. DSG/ank
PR.No.69. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that all the provincial governments and other concerned organizations should be taken on board and consulted on the report of the National Commission for Government Reforms. Accordingly, he added, the recommendations would be debated in the National Assembly so as to achieve the desired result of good governance and better delivery of services to the common man. The Prime Minister said while chairing a high level meeting in which Dr. Ishrat Hussain, Chairman of the National Commission for Government Reforms presented the interim report along with recommendations, here at the Prime Minister’s House today. The Prime Minister said that reforms in any sector need to target the common people who should benefit from the change. Redressing the grievances and minimizing the difficulties of the people is our ultimate goal which needs to be kept in view while formulating these reforms, he added. The Prime Minister also underlined the need of changing the Thana culture by making it people-friendly with focus on resolving the problems of the people. He said that the government is promoting e-government system for ensuring fast delivery of government business and restoring people’s confidence on the elected government in addition to ensuring general public’s access to information. While talking on provincial autonomy, the Prime Minister said that he has already announced the abolition of concurrent list within one year and expressed the confidence that this would lead towards resolving the problems of the people at the local level. The Prime Minister also called for the inclusion of jail reforms in the report for addressing the problems being confronted by the inmates. He also underlined the need for the replacement of centuries old Patwari system by using modern technology and learning from the experiences of the developed world aimed at facilitating the masses and eradicating corruption. The Prime Minister said that the government is also focusing on improving the social services across the country and would extend all possible resources for the provision of education and health to the people. The reforms, he said, also need to focus on better management of the social sector both administratively and professionally. Earlier, in his presentation, Dr. Ishrat Hussain briefed the Prime Minister about the salient features and recommendations of the report. The interim report presented to the Prime Minister claimed that it would bring change in governance besides improving the efficiency of the government servants towards resolving people’s problems. The Prime Minister in his remarks said that since parliament is the supreme forum for making policy decisions, therefore, the report should be thoroughly deliberated upon in the National Assembly after due consultation with all the four provinces. The final approval of the recommendations, he added, would later be given by the Federal Cabinet. DSG/ank
PR.No.70. Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf has said that coalition Government would take every possible step to address the difficulties of the people and come up to their expectations. He was talking to the Chief Minister Punjab, Sardar Dost Muhammad Khosa, who called on him here today in the Ministry of Water and Power. Mr. Ashraf said that the democratic and public friendly governments both at the Centre and Provinces were confronted with a lot of challenges but expressed the resolve to address these issues on a priority basis. He specifically mentioned the energy crisis, and said that the Ministry is taking various measures to increase the power generation to bridge the gap between demand and supply and to reduce the suffering of the people in this respect. He said that Pepco has been asked to avoid unannounced load shedding and there should be no discrimination between urban and rural areas. The Minister apprised the CM about federally funded provincial projects of water sector and stressed the need for early completion. The Minister also said that both PPP and PML(N) were committed to the Charter of Democracy (COD) signed by their leaders which extended ample opportunity to lead the country towards real democracy. The CM while talking to the Minister said that both the coalition partners are committed to address the difficulties of the people and to provide basic facilities to all of them. He also apprised the Minister of the measures being taken for betterment of the people of the province. Both, the leaders also discussed possibilities of run of river hydel generation projects in the province. AJM/ank.
PR.No.71. Representative in Pakistan Mr. Martin Mogwanja called on Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Nawabzada Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti, in his office today. The Representative of UNICEF for Pakistan, Mr. Martin Mogwanja has offered the Minister to support the Pakistan to overcome the problems of Child Labour. He assured the Minister that UNICEF would bring the laws and policies adopted by the other South Asian countries to solve the problems. Federal Minister Nawabzada Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti, appreciated the UNICEF full support to Pakistan to eradicate the problems, especially in the field of child labour. Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Nawabzada Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti, has also met with Mr. Phill Cooper, Consultant U.K Charity Commission in his office KA/ank.
PR.No.72. Nawabzada Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti, Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education visited Women Welfare and Development Centre, G-7/1, Islamabad, which has been working under the Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education since 1993. DG (Social Development) and Incharge Women Welfare and Development Centre conducted the visit. The Minister took round of various training classes where different trades (List attached) were in session. The Centre is imparting skill development training to 1200 women per become instrumental to supplement family income this rising the overall social and economic conditions of Women. The Minister highly appreciated the activities of the centre and lauded the devotion dedication and working of the staff of the Institute. On this occasion the Minister pointed out that the Ministry of Social Welfare has formulated a comprehensive plan for the replication of such Women Welfare & Development Centres in the remote / rural area of the country in a phase-wise Programm. This would supplement the great efforts for poverty alleviation. In addition to that the Ministry has also planned to extend the Social efforts for poverty alleviation. In addition to that the Ministry has also planned to extend the Social Services (Medical) Projects in the District Headquarter Hospitals lacking this facility to help out the poor patients in provision of free medicines, clinical tests blood and other related services pertaining to full recovery and rehabilitation of the patients. KA/WH
PR.No.73. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the government gives priority to the independence of judiciary and the rule of law in the country as per the manifesto of Pakistan Peoples Party. The Prime Minister said this while talking to the Federal Minister of Law, Justice, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Farooq H. Naek who called on him at the PM’s House this evening. The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights to immediately start working on important national issues like provincial autonomy, accountability, jail reforms and police reforms. He said that while formulating police reforms special attention should be paid to the welfare of constables and other low-paid staff. The Prime Minister said that in this regard the report of the National Commission for Government Reforms should also be consulted and all the stakeholders be taken along including all the provinces as well as the civil society organizations. The Prime Minister said that jails should act as correction facilities and directed that in future jails should be called Reformatory Centers instead of Prisons or Jails. Mr. Farooq H. Naek briefed the Prime Minister about the various steps the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights is taking for ensuring independence of judiciary in the country. DSG/wh
PR.No.74. The Federal I.T. Minister has said that the present government desires to use IT to bring about greater efficiency and transparency within the government, streamline the functioning of the government and at the same time facilitate the citizens by providing them services at their doorsteps. Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira expressed these remarks during his visit to Electronic Government Directorate of the Ministry of Information Technology here today. Honorable Minister was briefed by Mr. Raza Abbas Shah, Executive Director EGD, about the organizational structure of EGD, its growth since inception and major accomplishments to-date. The Federal Minister was informed that 40 different IT projects are being executed by EGD for various federal government organizations. The Federal Minister appreciated the efforts of Electronic Government Directorate, which he stated is doing a remarkable effort in automating various processes of the federal government and assisting federal government organizations in making their services available online to citizens. He further stated that e-government could significantly contribute to the government’s hundred days programme and beyond and desired that a briefing on this subject may be arranged for the benefit of the concerned offices. He informed that e-government has been used worldwide for streamline the working of the government. He particularly showed keen interest in using IT to bring greater transparency in the electoral process. The Minister stressed on the need for judicious utilization of public funds and acknowledged the necessity of continued support for sustainability of projects. AS/wh
PR.No.75. Government functionaries should serve the public with honesty and dedication. All efforts should be made to provide relief to the public. The problems of the people should not only be appropriately identified but should be solved swiftly and judiciously. These views were expressed by Ms. Sherry Rehman, Minister for Information and Broadcasting and Health during her visit to Press Information Department (PID), Islamabad. Mrs. Rizwan Khan, Director General/Principal Information Officer briefed the Minister on the role, composition and working of Press Information Department. Press Information Department not only highlights the policies of the government and facilitates the development of media but also serves as a link between the government and the public, the Minister was told. Mrs. Khan informed the Minister that there are 816 employees working in PID and Regional Information Offices, Secretary of the Ministry for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Akram Shaheedi was also present on this occasion. The Minister issued instructions for improvement of the functioning of the department and also visited different sections of the department. NA/ank |
