PR. No. 112
PRESS RELEASE
MPOC of Malaysia Intends to donate Rs. 340 million (USD 400,000) to Pakistan
Islamabad, 8th September 2010Malaysian Palm Oil Council has shown its intension to donate Rs. 340 million (USD 400,000) to Pakistan to provide palm based food items to the flood affectees of Pakistan.
In a letter addressed to the Pakistan High Commissioner, Mr. Masood Khalid, the Chief Executive Officer of MPOC, Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Yusof Basiron said that Malaysian Palm Oil Industry which was the oldest and most consistent source of supply of Palm Oil to Pakistan meeting about 66% of its oil requirement was happy to come forward to help the flood affectees in Pakistan.
The letter further added that MPOB has initiated an emergency fund raising exercise by making an immediate donation of ghee to the value of US$ 200,000, whereas, individual companies have come forward to contribute additional US$ 200,000.
According to the letter, the funds would be channeled through MPOC office in Lahore, to buy essential palm based food items for distribution to the affected people.
Malaysians from all walks of life are coming to help their Pakistani brothers and sisters in need. In this regard, the President of Malay Chamber of Commerce committed food items worth Rs.2.8 million equal to (RM100,000/) containing biscuits and mineral water for the flood victims of Pakistan. .
The President of Malay Chamber of Commerce, Tuan Syed Ali Alattas handed over the donations of food items to the High Commissioner for Pakistan in Malaysia, Mr. Masood Khalid in a simple ceremony held in, Kuala Lumpur, today.
Later, while talking to media, the High Commissioner thanked the Malay Chamber of Commerce for their donation and hoped that in the same spirit, the Malaysian companies will also assist the government of Pakistan in reconstruction of damaged infrastructure including roads, bridges, telecommunication network, school, hospitals and houses once reconstruction phase starts.
The President of Malay Chamber of Commerce while talking to the media said that the Chamber was considering to sending a team of consultants, surveyors and architects to Pakistan, to assess the needs of the flood affectees and to identify an area to construct a model school or model low cast houses.
He said that the Chamber may contribute expertise, consultancy designing and construction material excluding the labour and construction material to construct the model low cost school or houses in an identified locality. The model, if found successful, can be emulated by other relief agencies, he added. He said the Chamber had successfully done construction of a school in Aceh Indonesia after Tsunami which had proved a model for other relief agencies.
As per data compiled by the High Commission for Pakistan in Malaysia, the contribution made by the Malaysian Government, companies and general public has reached US$17,65,399/-
In addition, Dr. Shahrizal Azwan Samsudin, the Director of Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA) who is providing relief to flood affectees in Charsada District of Pakistan, informed the High Commission today that the Agency so far had received RM 200,000/- from Malaysians to provide relief to the flood affectees, says a press release received here today from Malaysia.
**QB/Ahmad**
PR. No. 113
PRESS RELEASE
Indonesian socialite donates 50 million Indo Rp for flood affected
Islamabad, 8th September 2010Prominent Pakistan origin Indonesian socialite and medical practitioner, Mr. Badruzzaman accompanied by Chairman Kashmir Solidarity Forum, Jakarta, Dr. Zahir Khan here on Tuesday presented a cash donation of Indo Rp 50 million to Ambassador Sanaullah for disbursement among the flood affected in Pakistan, says a press release received here today from Jakarta.
Mr. Badaruuzaman said he was greatly moved by the plight of the millions of Pakistanis who were victim to the natural calamity and wished to contribute towards their well being, relief and rehabilitation.
Ambassador Sanaullah lauded the goodwill gesture of Mr. Badaruzzaman saying Pakistan really needed support from international community in the face of the gigantic challenge posed by wide scale floods. He briefed him about the latest flood situation in Pakistan saying his country was grateful to both the Indonesian government as well as the philanthropists who came forward to assist the people affected by floods. He however added that Pakistan had lot of expectations from the Indonesian friends for generous help to the flood affectees.
**SJ/Ahmad**
PR. No. 114
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, 8th September 2010The Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan has authorized the District Returning Officer, Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers appointed for Bye-Election in Constituency No. PS-94 Karachi-VI and the Presiding Officers appointed for each Polling Station of the said Constituency, to exercise the powers of a Magistrate of the First Class under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (Act V of 1898) on the 22nd September, 2010, the day appointed for polling for Bye-Election, in respect of the offences punishable under section 80, section 82A, section 83, section 84, section 85, section 86 and section 87 of the Representation of the People Act, 1976 and to take cognizance of any such offence under any of the clauses of sub-section (1) of section 190 of the said Code of Criminal Procedure and to try any such offence in a summary way in accordance with the provisions of the said Code, relating to summary trials.
**MH/Ahmad**
PR. No. 115
PRESS RELEASE
Celebration of International Literacy Day by National Education Foundation Punjab Province
Islamabad, 8th September 2010Minister for Education Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali, while addressing a seminar on International Literacy Day being organized by the National Education Foundation, has said that the Middle Management and all District Officers of NEF should make sure the provision of educational facilities to the disadvantaged and deprived rural community and should also make arrangements for the flood affected community. “ I would like to see maximum of my officers in the field, you must serve maximum time in field for illiterates”, said the Minister.
Additional Secretary Education Ghulam Abbas Sargana also addressed the seminar.
Mr. Faisal Shahzad Director NEF highlighted the importance of the occasion and assured the participants about commitments of National Education Foundation towards the achievement of Literacy Targets set by MDG(s) by year 2015.
Ms. Chiho Ohashi from Japan International Cooperation Agency also participated and highlighted importance of Literacy and Non Formal basic education. Mr. Abid Gill made presentation about Flood situation in Pakistan and role of literacy.
Literacy day walk was also organized by National Education Foundation. At the end participants of Capacity Building training on Non Formal basic education were awarded course completion certificates.
**AJ/Ahmad**
PR. No. 116
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, 8th September 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that National Oversight Disaster Management Council (MODMC) will monitor donations raising and ensure its transparent disbursement to the flood hit provinces. He felt relieved to know that some of the flood affectees have started going back to their homes in some of the flood hit areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.
The Prime Minister was talking to Mr. Najamuddin Khan, Minister for SAFRON who called on him at Prime Minister’s House this morning and presented a cheque of Rs. 05 million donations in the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.
The Prime Minister told Mr. Najamuddin Khan that since he was the member of NODMC and responsible for receiving all relief goods on behalf of his region as well as required for its equitable distribution in various flood affected areas.
The SAFRON Minister thanked the Prime Minister for his support to various development projects initiated by the government in areas of Frontier Regions. He apprised the Prime Minister of progress of ongoing and near completion projects including Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Universities’ Campus in Dir and Swat. He also reported that for the first time in history Nizam-e-Adl and Frontier Constabulary were enforced in Frontier Regions.
He added that as per announcement of the employment generation by the Prime Minister, 4000 people were employed and 6500 new posts were created for levees. Service structure of levees department has been revised to ensure timely disbursement of pay, pension and risk allowance for them. The scales of levees were upgraded for the first time. He also apprised the Prime Minister of relief activities taken up by his Ministry in flood hit areas of Frontier regions.
**PMCO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 117
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, 8th September 2010It is notified for general information that 10th to 13th September, 2010 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday) will be public holidays on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fiter, says a press release received here from Ministry of Interior.
**DO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 118
PRESS RELEASE
FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI TO VISIT BRUSSELS
Islamabad, 8th September 2010Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Commerce Secretary Zafar Mahmood would be arriving in Brussels tomorrow. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan is on a tour to the European countries. He will reach Brussels and meet the Belgian and EU leaderships on September 09.
Foreign Minister Qureshi will meet Mr. Steven Vanackere, Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium. The two Foreign Ministers would discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest particularly aftermath of devastations caused by unprecedented scales of floods in Pakistan. This is to mention here that the Belgian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Steven Vanackere participated in the UNGA Special Session on floods in Pakistan on 19-20 August 2010. He represented both his government as well as the EU in the Special Session. Belgium has donated Euro 2 Million while EU has donated Euro 140 Million for the flood affectees and the relief assistance from Belgium still continues.
Foreign Minister will also meet Mr. Karel De Gucht, EU Trade Commissioner and Baroness Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy. He would apprise them of the scale of devastating floods which has severely hit the economy. The objective of this visit is to lobby for greater market access for its exports for revival of economy. The floods have exacerbated the current economic challenges of Pakistan whilst the global financial crises and climate change have also adversely impacted Pakistan’s economy. The Government of Pakistan is taking all necessary measures to provide succor to people in need, but the scale of disaster, however, is so catastrophic that Pakistan cannot deal with it without international assistance. Hence, the EU can certainly play a formidable role in such endeavours, says a press release received here today from Belgium.
**MR/Ahmad**
PR. No. 119
PRESS RELEASE
GERMAN PUBLIC DONATIONS INCREASE TO OVER US$ 110 MILLION FOR FLOOD RELIEF
Islamabad, 8th September 2010Donations from the German public for the victims of the unprecedented floods in Pakistan have increased to over US$ 110 million, as per latest statistics gathered from various German relief and humanitarian organizations, presently involved in flood relief operations in Pakistan, says a press release received here today from Berlin, Germany.
All major German relief and humanitarian organizations have received substantial funds as a result of an upsurge in donations by the public and the German corporate sector.
Appeals for donations by the German leadership and intensive coverage of the floods by the German media have raised awareness of the catastrophe caused by the floods and the need to contribute funds for the welfare of the flood affectees.
Donations from the public have been received by leading relief agencies such as ADH alliance of 10 organizations, BEH-Group of 5 organizations and several other well-known non-governmental organizations.
Assistance in form of relief goods, include food, water purification, clean drinking water and medicines.
PR. No.120
PRESS RELEASE
VICE PRESIDENT WORLD BANK CALLS ON THE PRIME MINISTER
Islamabad, 8th September 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that Pakistan is facing the biggest human and economic crisis in history because of devastating floods and it is beyond of any single country’s capacity to meet a challenge of such magnitude. Pakistan, he mentioned, is simultaneously fighting war against terrorism as a frontline state in the interest of international peace and prosperity. Despite enormous challenges, he added, Pakistan is committed to economic reforms, improved governance and democracy.
The Prime Minister was talking to Ms. Isable Guerrero, Vice President of World Bank who called on him here at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon.
The Prime Minister acknowledged that the presence of Ms. Isable Guerrero, Vice President of the World Bank shows the concern and solidarity of the major international financial institution. He thanked the World Bank for provision of US $ 01 billion funding for floods related early recovery and reconstruction projects as well as for financing flood related imports. He hoped the World Bank would favourably consider easing the conditionalities on the economic support being extended. He further expressed confidence that keeping in view the colossal losses at the hands of ravaging floods, the world community and financial institutions would consider provision of additional resources for relief and reconstruction activities.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan on its own has taken a number of steps to raise its own resources to meet the needs of the floods affected population. These measures, he added, included reprioritizing the budget, freezing expenditure on last year level, diverting some of the development funds, increasing tax base and austerity in all the government departments.
As regards disbursement and utilization of assistance being pledged by the international community, the Prime Minister mentioned that the matter was thoroughly discussed in the Council of Common Interest (CCI), the highest body at the national level with representation of all the provinces.
A National Oversight Disaster Management Council, he said, has been formed which would have credible names to ensure transparency and just distribution of assistance both in kind and cash. Beside all the details and information would be available on the website, he added.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan has strong economic and financial institutions to manage the funds including the Auditor General of Pakistan’s office to conduct the audit of expenditures. It would facilitate, he mentioned, if the funds being committed by the international financial institutions are channelized through the government of Pakistan’s existing systems, which includes the Public Accounts Committee headed by the Leader of the Opposition.
The Prime Minister urged upon the World Bank to play a lead role in sensitizing the international donors to the difficulties being faced by the flood affectees in Pakistan. He expressed apprehension that delay in the rehabilitation of the flood affectees could impact socio-economic and political environment thus restricting Pakistan’s efforts to curb the menace of terrorism. He suggested that the World Bank could make a global appeal to mobilize the financial support for Pakistan.
Ms. Isable Guerrero, Vice President of the World Bank apprised the Prime Minister that the entire Board of the World Bank consisting of 185 members were greatly concerned with the situation arising out of drastic floods and all of them were considerate toward helping Pakistan in this time of need. The World Bank, she mentioned, is providing US $ 01 billion for the flood related activities and expressed optimism for increase in assistance and financial support after consultation with the members.
Ms. Isable Guerrero specifically referred to the forthcoming Conferences, as UN General Assembly Session on Floods in Pakistan on 19th September in New York, Asia-Europe Summit on 4rd October in Brussels, FODP Ministerial level meeting in October and Pakistan Development Forum in Islamabad in November, as important platforms for mobilizing requisite economic support for Pakistan. She expressed confidence that Pakistan would be able to utilize these opportunities aptly through highest level representation.
Secretary of Economic Affairs Division, Chairman Federal Board of Revenue and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.
PR. No. 121
PRESS RELEASE
BISP TO DISBURSE RS. 327 MILLION AMONG FLOOD AFFECTEES OF GILGIT BALTISTAN (GB)
MS. FARZANA RAJA ASSURED CHIEF MINISTER (GB) THAT THE NEEDS OF
THE AREA WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF
Islamabad, 8th September 2010Federal Minister and Chairperson BISP, Ms. Farzana Raja has said that relief under BISP’s Emergency Relief Package is being provided in all flood hit areas across the country. She said that the poor victims of flood in the Gilgit Baltistan deserve equal attention and BISP has responded to their needs on immediate basis. She said this while talking to Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan, Syed Mehdi Shah, who visited BISP Secretariat on 7th September 2010.
Earlier, Syed Mehdi Shah apprised MS. Farzana Raja about the damages occurred in the Gilgit Baltistan due to flood and said that the poor people of the area need an immediate relief to cope with the enormous problems created by these floods. He urged for an immediate relief effort for the people of Gilgit Baltistan and said that a large numbers of the flood affectees in the area belong to poor segments of the society and they are in dire need of immediate relief.
Ms. Farzana Raja assured Chief Minister G-B that BISP has already released 10 billion rupees for BISP’s flood affected beneficiaries across the country and in total Rs. 327 million will be disbursed to flood affected BISP beneficiaries in G-B.
She said that under this emergency relief package, Rs. 12, 000 are being provided to each affected family in 3 equal installments (Rs. 4000 each). She said that the first installment of Rs. 4, 000 has already been released and would be disbursed among the affectees immediately after Eid. Syed Mehdi Shah invited Ms Raja to visit the Gilgit Baltistan, which she accepted and promised that she would visit the area as soon as possible.
Ends
PR. No. 122
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, 8th September 2010The competent authority in the Ministry of Interior has decided that Home Departments of provinces/ICT Administration may issue instructions to all police Stations to provide information regarding all the licences in their jurisdiction on prescribed format after physical inspection of the original licence and the weapon. This information alongwith photocopy of the licences would then be furnished to the Ministry of Interior where it will be tallied with the record of the Ministry of Interior for verification.
The above instructions are being issued to the holders of arms licences issued by the Federal Government in exercise of the powers vested in the Federal Government under Section 11 of the Surrender of Illicit Arms Act, 1991. Non-compliance of the instructions is punishable under Section 12 of the said Act with imprisonment which may extend to 10 years but shall not be less than 3 years and confiscation of the weapons.
PR. No. 123
PRESS RELEASE
US AID WILL ASSIST FLOOD AFFECTEES IN THE AREAS OF HEALTH AND EDUCATION: SHEHNAZ WAZIR ALI
Islamabad, 8th September 2010.USAID will assist flood affectees in the areas of health and education. In a meeting between a USAID delegation and Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Sector, the issues pertaining to Education and Health in flood affected areas of Pakistan came under discussion. The delegation pledged its full support and cooperation in this regard.
Suzanne Olds, a senior delegate of USAID, told Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali that USAID is planning to provide prefabricated schools to ensure an early resumption of the schools education in the affected districts. She also briefed Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali about their plans and efforts for the amelioration of health situation and restoration of the healthcare facilities in these areas.
Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali told the delegation that damage to the educational infrastructure is enormous. More than 11,000 schools have been destroyed/damaged in the wake of unprecedented floods. More than 6.5 million school going children, after losing their homes and everything, are out in the open skies. Resumption of the schools needs provision of tents, text books and reading and writing materials to the children. This audios task of reconstruction and rehabilitation demands huge funding.
She maintained that after life saving, health is the most important sector that requires the immediate attention and focus. The government has successfully controlled diseases like Cholera, Malaria and diarrhea etc. with the efforts of the Federal Health Ministry and provincial health departments.
PR. No. 124
PRESS RELEASE
ANGELINA JOLIE CALLS ON THE PRIME MINISTER
Islamabad: 8th September 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has called on the high profile persons like UNHCR’s Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Angelina Jolie to help the flood affectees in Pakistan by sensitizing the international community and creating better awareness about the plight of millions of flood victims as well as to mobilize support for the immediately required assistance for relief and rehabilitation.
The Prime Minister was talking to Ms. Angelina Jolie, Goodwill Ambassador on UNHCR who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House this evening.
The Prime Minister thanked Ms. Angelina Jolie for her expression of solidarity and support with the people of Pakistan and termed her visit as timely for drawing the world’s attention to the distress and despair of Pakistani flood victims. He also appreciated the fact that she had made personal financial contribution for the relief efforts immediately after the onset of unprecedented floods. While apprising her of the massive devastation caused by the natural calamity, the Prime Minister underlined the vulnerabilities of affected women and children in particular and the imperative of providing them shelter, medical care, and proper nutrition. He also underscored the need for provision of educational facilities to the displaced children through make-shift schools so that the displaced children do not miss their education as the new academic year has already started.
Prime Minister apprised the Goodwill Ambassador that his government was determined to use every possible resource at its disposal to help the affected families but given the volume and magnitude of catastrophe was constrained to seek international help to cope with the enormity of this challenge. He said that his government has started disbursing the first installment of cash donation for their urgent needs. He said that he would be spending the Eid holidays with the affectees in all the four provinces and would be distributing over the cash assistance to them as well.
The Prime Minister commended UNHCR’s role in alleviation of sufferings of dislocated peoples in floods and in war against terror as well as its efforts for alleviating the sufferings of the Afghan Refugees. He welcomed UNHCR’s revised appeal of US $ 120 million for assistance to the flood victims issued on August 25th and hoped that the international community will positively respond to it. The Prime Minister noted that despite Pakistan’s own IDPs in the war against terror and serious economic constraints, he had again extended the time frame for the return of Afghan Refugees to their homeland on humanitarian grounds and is continuing to finance them in spite of huge ecological and economic cost even though the world at large had forgotten about them. He reiterated that Pakistan will keep looking after the Afghan Refugees.
Ms. Angelina Jolie said that she was deeply moved by her visit of flood affectees and refugees camps. She said that she was pleased to see that the Pakistani people are not loosing hopes and are confronting the challenges courageously. She appreciated the resilience of the flood affectees and the government’s endevour to help them in these testing times. She assured that she will do everything possible to generate help for their assistance.
PR. No. 125
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: 8th September 2010Federal Minister for Finance Mr. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh who is on two days visit to France raised the issue of greater access to the European markets for Pakistani products, during a meeting with French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, says a press release received from Paris here today.
Mr. Abdul Hafiz Sheikh discussed the possibilities of enhancing economic cooperation between two countries. Mr. Kouchner agreed that there was ample space for enhancement of bilateral cooperation in economic as well as other fields. Mr. Sheikh briefed Mr. Kouchner on economic reforms being carried out by the Government of Pakistan and their impact on the economy of the country. However, he said that the pace of economic development is likely to be hampered adversely by recent devastating floods. The Minister also discussed with Foreign Minister the possibilities of greater economic cooperation between Pakistan and European Union countries. He drew the attention of Mr. Kouchner towards the question of greater access of Pakistani products including textile to European Union markets.
Mr. Kouchner expressed the concern of French Government at the sufferings of huge population in Pakistan because of floods. He lauded the efforts of Government of Pakistan for relief and rehabilitation. He informed the Minister of the assistance the French Government is providing in current phase of relief operations and the steps it proposes to undertake during the next phase which will include rehabilitation and reconstruction in coordination with European Union partners.
PR. No. 126
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: 8th September 2010
Army chief General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyani Wednesday night called on President Asif Ali Zardari in Bilawal house Karachi.Security situation and flood relief measures were discussed during the meeting.
