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PR
No. 106 The Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim has directed the Chairman State Life Insurance Company (SLIC) to arrange for conducting tests and interviews locally at the regional offices of SLIC for filling the vacant seats in the Company. The tests and interviews for posting in the Company were scheduled in the month of February at the SLIC headquarter Karachi. The Federal Minister gave this direction to facilitate the applicants, hence saving their time and money. The applicants would now approach their nearest regional office tests. **SH/Ahmad**
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the government is according high priority to providing quality education to the people and would continue providing funds for this purpose. The Prime Minister was talking to Dr. Javed Leghari, Chairman Higher Education Commission, who called on him at the PM’s House this afternoon. He briefed the Prime Minister about the working of HEC and the steps being by the Commission for further improving the quality of higher education in the country. **PMMO/Ahmad**
The Federal Minister/MNA, Chairman, National Commission for Government Reforms (NCGR) Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, chaired the 19th meeting of the Commission in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. The Commission decided to revisit the recommendations of the previous Commission Report of 2008. Fresh recommendations will be placed before the Prime Minister before submitting the same in the Parliament for discussion. Director General, M.S. Wing of Establishment Division presented its report on the contribution of Establishment Division on implementation of NCGR’s recommendations. Secretary, Inter Provincial Coordination Division, briefed the Commission on the working of his Division. The Conveners of Sub-Committees on “Civil Service Reforms” and “Coordination between Federal & Provincial Governments” also submitted progress regarding finalization of their reports. Chairman appreciated the presentations and expressed his satisfaction on so far working of the Committees. The Commission thanked Almighty Allah for showing his blessing in the shape of rain which will not only benefit the crops but also will raise the much needed water reservoirs of the country. The meeting was attended by the members of Commission Mr. Khan Ahmad Goraya, Mr. Muhammad Hasan Bhutto, Dr. Nelson Azeem, Mr. Iftikhar Ahmed Khan and Mrs. Parveen Qadir Agha, Mr. Ahmad Mehmood Zahid, Secretary IPC Division, representatives of Finance, Establishment, Cabinet Divisions and senior officers for the Government of NWFP also attended. Mirza Shamsul Hasan, Secretary NCGR and Mr. Zafar Yab Ahmad, Director Reforms coordinated the meeting. **DO/Ahmad**
PR
No. 109 Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Mashallah Shakiri called on Federal Minister for Education Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali here today. They discussed the matters of mutual interest and emphasized the need to boost cooperation between the two countries in various sectors of Education. **AJ/Ahmad**
PR
No. 110 The government is keen to take measures to ensure enforcement of the people’s economic, social and cultural rights, said Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali, Federal Minister for Education while addressing the participants of Human Rights Education Workshop organized by Fazaldad Institute of Human Rights in Islamabad here today. He said that the teachers should participate in training workshops to learn and understand the teaching methodologies and techniques for better education delivery and understanding the various dimensions of the human rights. He also said that the entire curriculum taught in the schools of Pakistan is currently under review and Human Rights Education will be incorporated in it from Class 1 to High Levels to make the citizens of Pakistan and the students aware of their fundamental rights. The workshop participants said that it is necessary that the economic, social and cultural rights, such as the rights to education should be the fundamental rights of every citizen and the media and human rights activists should spread awareness of these rights. **AJ/Ahmad**
PR
No. 111 Federal Minister for Environment, Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said that the role of teachers is pivotal in promoting the sense of responsibility among students as teachers are role model for students. This workshop provides an opportunity for the teachers to learn the techniques and methods to have better understanding and create awareness regarding environmental issues. He expressed these views while addressing to the teachers/participants in closing/ certificate distribution ceremony of the “Three days workshop on teachers training on environment” organized by Ministry of Environment through Environmental Education Project here today. Federal Minister while addressing, appreciated the efforts of the Project in promoting environmental awareness among students and youth through a well conceived programme for the establishment of Green Club in all public and private schools of Islamabad territory. He told that the basic aim of this project is to create awareness among teachers and students about environmental degradation , protection and preservation of environment as well as to inculcate the importance of cleanliness, conservation of resources and greenery. Our religion Islam teaches us to adopt cleanliness so, we should follow these teachings as well. Ministry has conducted this workshop to enable the teachers to know about their responsibility to cope with environmental problems we are facing these days he added. Federal Minister for Environment further said that environmental problems are critical and need engagement of general public particularly the young generation. He hoped that the Ministry with the participation of all stakeholders will be able to improve the living condition of our people both in urban and rural to achieve our objectives. He also hoped that after this training, participants of the workshop will inspire the students to engage more actively in different environmental initiatives. Hameed Ullah jan Afridi said on this occasion that hopefully, this workshop would produce good results and this project would be expanded though out the country. Federal Minister reiterated that if we are able to make our young generation to love and protect the nature we will be fulfilling our responsibilities to a great extent. He emphasized to work collectively for making Pakistan a clean and green country. He urged to play their due role to save our future generation from scarcity of water, energy and food for making a clean happy and healthy Pakistan. He ensured for cooperation and coordination at every level in this regard. It is important to mention here that so far 120 Environmental Clubs have been established with the passing out of 120 more Teachers in-charges the total number of environmental Clubs have increased to 220 in just 2 years. At the end of ceremony teachers were given certificates by Federal Minister for Environment. Mr. Kamran Qureshi, Addl. Secretary and Mr. Javed Ali Khan, Director General (Environment) were also present at the occasion. **MS/Ahmad**
PR
No. 112 The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the Cabinet met under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Finance, Mr. Shaukat Tarin at the PM’s Secretariat here today. The ECC approved the following recommendations of the PPIB Board for the revival of 10.5 MW power project by Davis Energen Limited: i. Implementation of the project and operation of plant on pipeline quality gas; ii. Extension in Required Commercial Operation Date upto 30th September 2010; iii. Take & Pay arrangement for power purchase during non-firm gas months; iv. Revised Reference Tariff; v. Revision in Financial Closing; vi. Necessary amendments in Security Package Documents. In order to ensure affective monitoring and vigilance system in sale of sugar, the ECC made it mandatory to produce national identity cards to get a pack of 2 kg sugar from the USC outlets. The ECC allowed allocation of additional 16 MMCFD gas to the Pakarab Fertilizer Limited from SNGPL system from 2012 upto 2019. While discussing Mashal LNG Project, the ECC decided: 1. Award of 2.75 MTPA on Medium Term for 6 years and upto 1.5 MPTA on Long Term for 20 years, at prices given below:- a. Medium Term supplies at 3.95% Brent + 75% Max (HH/NBP) + $1.58 per MMBTU. b. Long Term supplies at 15.2% Brent + $0.50 per MMBTU, subject to further improvement in the light of the final round of negotiations, to be undertaken with GDFSuez. 2. The Long Term price is for 10 years and is subject to review for the second ten year period. 3. Issuance of Sovereign Guarantee as per discussions by Ministry of Finance to cover the LNG supplies. 4. Award of letter of Acceptance of 4Gas for the FSRU in Phase-I at a maximum indicative tariff of US$ 0.50 per MMBTU, in accordance with the Term Sheet agreed by the PNC and subject to final conclusion of the IRR with 4Gas by the PNC. 5. The need for conversion of FSRU to conventional land based Regasification terminal will be reviewed in due course. 6. Negotiations for additional volumes if required beyond 6th year, be initiated at the earliest. 7. The process for putting up a second LNG terminal also may be initiated. The ECC was told that the overall CPI-based inflation registered decrease of 0.49 percent in December 2009 over November, 2009. The stock of wheat as on January 31, 2010 amounted to 5.9 million tons as against 1.7 million tons in the same period last year, thereby showing a higher stock of about 4.2 million tons compared with last year. The meeting was informed that trade deficit improved by 29.0 percent to $ 7.0 billion in July-December 2009-10 from $ 10.0 billion in the same period last year. The ECC noted that workers remittances amounted to $ 4,531.0 million in July-December 2009-10 as against $ 3,640.0 million, showing an increase of 25.0 percent over the same period last year. Foreign exchange reserves stood at $ 14.5 billion as on February 4, 2010 – up from $ 6.4 billion on November 25, 2008. The provisional FBR tax collection stood at Rs.693.3 billion on net basis during July-January 2009-10 as compared to Rs.630.5 billion in the same period last year, thereby posting an increase of 10.0 percent. **KS/Ahmad**
PR
No. 113 Federal Minister for Tourism, Mr. Atta-ur-Rehman has said that the National Tourism policy will be announced soon after the approval from the Cabinet. He said cognizant of the importance of National Tourism Policy, the Ministry has started a marathon of meetings not only with Provincial Tourism Ministries including AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan but also with public and private sector stakeholders to take all of them on board for developing a consensus policy document encompassing policy objectives, challenges for the future, short and long term strategic measures, economic importance of tourism, trends in future tourism demands. After taking all stakeholders on board, first draft policy document is under extensive review in the Ministry so as to make it compatible, acceptable and a workable document fulfilling the present and future needs and obligations. The draft policy document has recently been discussed with all stakeholders in meetings held at Karachi and Lahore under the Chairmanship of Federal Secretary, Ministry of Tourism. Based on their proposals/recommendations, the policy is being revised. **QZM/Ahmad**
Ambassador of China in Pakistan H.E. Mr. Lou Zhaohui called on Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi here today and discussed matters relating to the problems, faced by the Chinese Muslims in respect of performing Hajj. He invited the Minister to visit China as a state guest alongwith a delegation to educate the Chinese Muslims by presenting them true picture of Islam. He sought cooperation and suggestions of Pakistani Government for the betterment of the system of Chinese arrangements for Hajj mission. The Minister welcomed the envoy and assured his full support and cooperation to him. He accepted his invitation and informed the envoy that he will visit China alongwith a delegation of experts in April this year to help Chinese Government to provide awareness to Chinese Muslims in this regard. Chinese Envoy thanked the Minister and Government of Pakistan for extending of such support and said that his visit will help China to take benefits of the experience of Pakistani Government in making better arrangements for Chinese Hujjaj in the coming Hajj season. **AJM/Ahmad**
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said in a meeting with Senator Syeda Sughra Imam that the public representatives should monitor progress of the development projects launched in their constituencies to ensure quality and timely completion of the schemes. He further said close supervision of the public representatives will improve the governance at the local level. The senator called on the Prime Minister at PM House today and apprised the Prime Minister of matters relating to her area. **PMMO/Ahmad**
PR
No. 116 Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has paid glowing tributes to mystics. He expressed that “Sufia and Aulia-e-Ikram spread true teachings of Islam in every nook and corner of the world, especially in the sub-continent.” He said this while addressing the “Mujaddadain Conference” organized by Anjuman-e-Jalalia Rizvia Islamabad/Rawalpindi here in memory of Imam Mujaddad Alf Sani Sheikh Ahmed Farooqi Sarhandi (RA) and Imam Mujaddad Deen-o-Millat Muhammad Ahmed Raza Khan Brailvi (RA). Kazmi said Islam was promoted in the sub-continent by mystics through spreading message of peace, love, harmony and co-existence, adding that no religion could get popularity among masses with the use of force. The minister, who was the chief guest, highlighted different aspects of Imam Ahmed Raza (RA) and Imam Mujaddad Alf Sani’s (RA) life, their preaching as well other contributions towards promotion of Islamic teachings. Commenting on the incidents of extremism and terrorism in the country, he said some elements are out to defame Islam and carrying out subversive activities to achieve their nefarious designs. The minister, who himself escaped a terrorist attempt on his life last year said, “terrorists have nothing to do with Islam. They are doing no service to the religion.” He said Islam is a religion of peace, love, brotherhood and it does not allow anybody to take lives of innocent people by carrying out terrorism activities. Kazmi termed the incidents of terrorism a conspiracy of infidels to distort image of the religion. Later, Minister Hamid Saeed Kazmi distributed prizes among students of the religious seminary, who secured three top positions in a quiz programme regarding life, teachings and services of Imam Mujaddad Alf Sani (RA) and Imam Ahmed Raza (RA). AJM/wh
PR
No. 117 A meeting of the Sub Committee of Cabinet was held here today to review process of reinstatement of 4200 sacked employees of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Labour and Manpower, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah. On this occasion Air Commodore (Retd). Junaid Iqbal, Director General, Civil Aviation Authority has informed the committee that 4177 sacked employees of CAA have been reinstated out of 4200 who have contacted for their reinstatement and services of 25 employees have yet not been regularized. The Federal Minister Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah said on this occasion that the present government would honour its commitment for reinstatement of sacked employees. He directed the authorities concerned that the services of those 25 employees should be regularized as early as possible as they have beared great loss earlier. The Federal Minister also directed that the reinstated employees should be given pays and allowances equal to regular employees. Secretary Defence, Lt. Gen (Retd) Syed Ither Ali, Director General, Civil Aviation Authority, Air Commodore (Retd), Junaid Iqbal and high officials of Ministry of Labour and Manpower also attended the meeting. SG/wh
PR
No. 118 A meeting was held today in the Presidency to discuss political and developmental issues in NWFP, Sindh and Balochistan. The meeting presided over jointly by the President and Prime Minister was attended, among others, by the Chief Ministers, Ministers for Local Governments and Chief Secretaries of the three Provinces.
Spokesperson to the President former Senator
Farhatullah Babar said that the Chief Ministers also briefed the
meeting about the He said that the meeting also decided that a meeting of the Inter Provincial Coordination Committee with all the four Chief Ministers will be convened by the Prime Minister for suggesting ways to adopt a uniform policy on local government and Police Order. The Prime Minister will now soon hold meeting of the Inter Provincial Coordination Committee with the Chief Ministers of all the four Province, he said. FU/wh
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