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PR No.97 Meetings of Zonal/Districr Ruet-e-Hilal Committees for sighting the crescent of Rabi-us-Sani 1431 Hijri) will be held on Tuesday, the 16th March 2010 (29th Rabi-ul-Awal 1431 Hijri) in the evening at their respective, Headquarters. Chairman, Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will attend the meeting of Sindh Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee at Pakistan Metcorological Department, Camp Office, Karachi. Whereas the other members of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will join the meetings of their respective Provincial/District Committee. The Zonal Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of ICT will hold its meeting in the Building of Ministry of Religious Affairs, Near GPO, Islamabad. All Information about the position of crescent will be conveyed to the Chairman, Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee at Karachi on Cell # 0300-9285203, 021-6329300, 021-6314508 (Met Dept : 021-99261412,021-99261413 (Haji Camp : 021-5688307,021-9204761) (Al-Harmain Tower : 522970-82,9223983-341 Fax-021-3637888) for final anouncement on T.V. and Radio. The Chairman Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will announce the decision of cresetnt sighting or otherwise subsequaently on the basis of information received to this end. **AJM/Ahmad**
PR No.98 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has stressed the need for enhancing people to people contacts through Parliamentary and private sector exchanges to build upon the long standing links between Pakistan and Mauritius. Prime Minister said that Pakistan attached high importance to its relations with Mauritius, Madagascar, Seychelles and Union of Comoros and these ties need to be further strengthened in the political, trade, economic and cultural fields. He was talking to Major General (Retd) Muhammad Siddique, High Commissioner Designate of Pakistan to Mauritius also concurrently accredited to Madagascar and Union of Comoros who called on him, before his departure to take up his assignment in Port Louis. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s House this morning. The Prime Minister directed the High Commissioner Designate to build upon the existing goodwill and work for resuming high level visits between the two sides. The Prime Minister noted that the visit of Prime Minister of Mauritius which was due to take place before the General Elections in Pakistan had been postponed and must be revived. He would in due course be extending a new invitation to the Prime Minister of Mauritius and the High Commissioner Designate should follow it for its early materialization. The Prime Minister assured the High Commissioner Designate of full cooperation of the government in discharge of his duties and success of his Mission as High Commissioner of Pakistan in Mauritius with concurrent accreditation to the aforementioned other countries.
PR No.99 The Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that within a period of two years, important economic targets have been achieved and the economy is back on the path of stability and progress. He further said the foreign exchange reserves are at a respectable level, workers remittances have shown impressive growth and revenue collection has improved. He also observed that the investor’s confidence is also improving and manufacturing has started picking up. He termed this turn around as a result of prudent economic decision making by government. He further said ECC decisions reflect the true aspirations of democratically elected Government for the welfare of people and poverty alleviation. The Prime Minister while chairing ECC meeting at Prime Minister Secretariat this morning acknowledged the services of Mr. Shaukat Tareen both as Finance Minister and Chairman of ECC for conducting meetings in judicious manners and taking a number of prudent Economic decisions. In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister stated that the ECC is the highest and the most important forum for economic decision making, which has direct impact not only on the economic health of the country but also on the quality of life of the common man and poverty alleviation. The Prime Minister had chaired the last meeting of ECC on the 14th October, 2008. The Prime Minister said that he introduced the system of obtaining endorsement of the Cabinet to all decisions of the ECC with a view to provide broad-based ownership to these decisions and then decided to bring these decisions to the Cabinet for information and discussion. He wished to continue the practice of bringing ECC decisions before the Cabinet for information. The Prime Minister opined that we have to find a good balance in our decision making at this forum, both from the political perspective as well as from the economic and financial perspective, keeping in view our resources and the increased expenditure requirement due to war on terror and settlement of IDPs. He observed that these decisions must reflect the true aspirations of the democratically elected Government for the welfare of the people and poverty alleviation. Expressing his satisfaction, the Prime Minister said that the Government had taken a number of bold decisions with political commitment, which have directly impacted people at large. He mentioned that the Government’s subsidy of Rs. 3 billion through Utility Store Corporation on the occasion of Eids, the price control on sugar, intervention price mechanism on wheat and rice have resulted into people welfare and have recorded impressive growth in the Agriculture Sector reducing poverty from the rural areas. The Prime Minister urged the members of the ECC to ensure smooth and effective implementation of decision made here and in the Cabinet. He assured that all decisions will be taken in the best national interest and for the greater benefit of the common man. PMMO/Wsm
PR No.100 President Asif Ali Zardari has approved Tuesday increase in the salaries and judicial allowances of the judges of Supreme Court and high courts. On the recommendations of the Prime Minister, the President signed the order during a ceremony held here at the Presidency. The ceremony was attended among others by Dr. Babar Awan, minister for Law & Justice, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sardar Latif Khosa, Advisor to the Prime Minister and other senior government officials. Under the revised pay structure a Supreme Court judge will now get a salary of Rs245, 457 while a high court judge Rs231, 563 per month. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has been given an increase of Rs.60, 000 per month and will now draw Rs259, 838. A Supreme Court judge will now draw Rs. 245,457 per month against his earlier salary of Rs.188, 813. The chief justice of a high court would get Rs. 240,825 per month instead of Rs. 185,250 while a high court judge would now fetch a salary of Rs. 231, 563 per month as against Rs. 178,125, which he is drawing at present. Apart from the salary, the judicial allowance of the judges of Supreme Court and high courts has also been increased. Chief Justice and judges of Supreme Court would now be taking a judicial allowance of Rs. 113, 750 per month as against Rs. 87,500. Similarly Chief justice and Judges of High court will now be getting 91,000 as against 70,000 after increase in their judicial allowance. The increase in salary and judicial allowances of the judges of superior judiciary shall come into force at once and shall be deemed to have taken effect on and from July 1, 2009. The salary and allowances are allowed to the judges of the Supreme Court under paras 1 and 2 of the Fifth Schedule of the constitution (Supreme Court part) while the salary and allowances of the judges of High court are allowed under paras 1 & 2 of the Fifth schedule (High Court part) to the Constitution. It may be mentioned that under the provision of the Fifth schedule to the Constitution the President fixes the salary and allowances of the judges of Supreme Court and high courts through President’s order. **FU/Ahmad**
PR No.101 The Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that within a period of two years, important economic targets have been achieved and the economy is back on the path of stability and progress. The foreign exchange reserves are at a respectable level, workers remittances have shown impressive growth and revenue collection has improved. The investor’s confidence is also improving and manufacturing has started picking up. This turn around is a result of prudent economic decision making by the government. The ECC decisions reflect the true aspirations of democratically elected Government for the welfare of people and alleviation of poverty. The Prime Minister while chairing the ECC meeting at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat this morning acknowledged the services of Mr. Shaukat Tareen both as Finance Minister and Chairman of the ECC for conducting meetings in a judicious manner and taking a number of prudent economic decisions. In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister stated that the ECC is the highest and the most important forum for economic decision making, which has direct impact not only on the economic health of the country but also on the quality of life of the common man and poverty alleviation. It may be recalled that the Prime Minister had chaired the last meeting of ECC on the 14th of October, 2008. The Prime Minister said that he introduced the system of obtaining endorsement of the Cabinet to all decisions of the ECC with a view to providing broad-based ownership to these decisions and then decided to bring these decisions to the Cabinet for information and discussion. The Prime Minister opined that we have to find a good balance in our decision making at this forum, both from the political perspective as well as from the economic and financial perspective, keeping in view our resources and the increased expenditure requirement due to war on terror and settlement of IDPs. He observed that these decisions must reflect the true aspirations of the democratically elected Government for the welfare of the people and poverty alleviation. Expressing his satisfaction, the Prime Minister said that the Government had taken a number of bold decisions with political commitment, which have directly impacted people at large. He mentioned that the Government’s subsidy of Rs. 3 billion through Utility Store Corporation on the occasion of Eids, the price control on sugar, intervention price mechanism on wheat and rice have resulted into people welfare and have recorded impressive growth in the Agriculture Sector reducing poverty from the rural areas. The Prime Minister urged the members of the ECC to ensure smooth and effective implementation of decision made here and in the Cabinet. He assured that all decisions will be taken in the best national interest and for the greater benefit of the common man. The Prime Minister said that any proposal / item brought before the ECC should be put up after consultation and taking all stake holders on board. The decisions thus taken will have broad-based ownership ensuring speedy implementation. The Prime Minister said that competitiveness and transparency be ensured in all government tendering both for the purpose of good governance and to satisfy the people. In pursuance of earlier decision of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister directed that in order to protect the common man from the scourge of artificial price hike and machinations of hoarders and profiteers, Price Control Committees be established at the district, tehsil and town level throughout the country. The Committees should ensure availability of essential food items particularly sugar at the affordable prices to the common man, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure implementation of the Cabinet decision regarding import of sugar so as to ensure smooth supply of white sugar in April. The ECC was informed that sufficient stocks of sugar are available and the government would be able to purchase sugar at the most competitive rates which would reflect a saving of US $ 180 million. Approving the import of 0.4 million tons of Urea through TCP and its distribution by NFC / NFML for Kharif 2010, the ECC decided that Urea up to 0.1 million tons out of 0.4 million tons for remaining Rabi and Kharif season 2009-10 be imported by TCP through Karachi Port immediately. The ECC also endorsed its earlier decision of restoration of Pakistan Oilseeds Development Board (PODB). While considering incentive package for investment in petrochemical complex Naphtha Cracker (NC), Polythylene (PE) Polylene (PP), the ECC allowed extension in the financial closure for a period of 12 months with effect from date of issuance of the approval. Regarding deepening and widening of Port Qasim Navigation Channel, the ECC decided to accord approval for Sovereign Guarantee, enabling loan financing for the project. In the light of recommendations of the Tariff Anomalies Committee, the ECC approved imposing 5% regulatory duty on the import of pigment thickener (PCT 3906.9030) and acrylic thickener (PCT 3906.9040). In order to discourage export of waste and scrap of aluminium and copper and promote export of value-added products manufactured from locally available raw materials, the ECC approved imposing 25% RD on the export of waste and scrap of aluminium and copper alongwith bars, rods, ingots, slabs and billets, etc made of these materials. During the meeting, Ministry of Industries and Production made a Presentation on the National Fertilizer Strategy. The ECC set up a Ministerial Committee to make final recommendations. While discussing post Balancing, Modernization and Replacement (BMR) concession for feed gas for M/s Pak American Fertilizer Limited and allocation of 16 mmcfd gas from SNGPL system for expansion in fertilizer expansion by Pak Arab Fertilizers Limited, the ECC accorded approval to the following recommendations of the ECC’s Committee on this issue: a. The deadline for signing of GSA as given in Fertilizer Policy 2001, under clause 2.1.4 may be extended to 30th June, 2012. b. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Industries & Production need to review the cross subsidy / fertilizer feed gas price provisions under Fertilizer Policy 2001.
While considering the report of Ministry of Food and Agriculture to apprise the ECC on the mechanism for procurement of rice directly from the small farmers, the ECC decided:- a. The State Bank may ensure in time availability of Commodity Finance by the consortium of banks to enable PASSCO to start physical operation from 1st October in Sindh and 1st November in Punjab. b. Limit on maximum quantity to be accepted from a single farmer up to 500 Mds should be strictly enforced. c. Verification of land record by the Provincial Agriculture Department / Revenue Authorities to ascertain the authenticity of the growers by a committee constituted by the Provincial Government be ensured. d. Provincial Government / Local Administration shall monitor the rice mills operation and facilitate PASSCO in its operation of procurement of paddy. e. Capacity Building of PASSCO & Provincial Agriculture / Food Departments, to enable these organizations for timely and responsive intervention in procurement of Paddy / other crops.
The ECC reviewed the indicators of the national economy. The ECC was informed that core inflation excluding food and energy decreased from 10.7% in December 2009 to 10.3% in January 2010. House Rent index has also declined from 18.4% in May 2009 to 13.4% in January 2010. CPI based inflation stood at 10.8% in July – January 2009-10 as compared to 23.9% in the same period last year. During July – January 2009-10, the average CPI-based inflation stood at 10.8% as against 23.9% in the same period last year. Food inflation stood at 10.9% as against 29.8% last year. Whereas non-food inflation stood at 10.7% as against 19.3% in the corresponding period of last year. The Sensitive Price Index (SPI) for the week ending March 04, 2010 increased by 0.40% over previous week (Feb 25, 2010) and averaged 16.99% over the corresponding week of last year. Inflation (Y-o-Y) on the basis of SPI has been showing decreasing trend since first week of February 2010. There are 11 items whose prices have observed decline in the week ending March 04, 2010. These include Tomatoes (10.5%), Kerosene (2.3%), Diesel (2.5%), L.P.G. (11 Kg Cylinder) (1.9%) Petrol (0.8%), Sugar (0.4%) and so on. Prices of 20 items remained unchanged in the week ending March 04, 2010. The stock of wheat as on March 01, 2010 amounted to 5.1 million tons as against 1.2 million tons in the same period last year, thereby showing a higher stock of about 3.9 million tons compared with last year. As far as allocation and lifting position of wheat made from PASSCO for the year 2009-10 are concerned, the Provinces / Agencies have so far lifted 62.0% (1,085,864 m/tones) of their total allocated quantity (1,762,801 m/tones). The Quantum Index of Large-Scale manufacturing (QIM) has registered a positive growth of 1.4% during July-December 2009-10, against negative growth rate of 5.4% during comparable period last year. Whereas it grew by 6.8% during December 2009 over the same month last year. Imports recorded growth of 31.3% in January 2010 over the same month of last year. Trade deficit improved by 22.0% to $ 8.4 billion in July-January 2009-10 from $ 10.8 billion in the same period last year. Workers remittances amounted to $ 5,198.1 million in July-January 2009-10 as against $ 4,277.3 million, showing an increase of 21.5% over the same period last year. Foreign exchange reserves stood at $ 14.8 billion as on March 03, 2010 – up from $ 6.4 billion on November 25, 2008. **PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No.102 “Pakistan Peoples Party Government is giving high priority to education and it is the goal of the present Government to enhance budget allocations for education upto 7% of budget by the year, 2015”, says Minister of State for Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs Mehreen Anwar Raja while addressing the students of Jinnah Institute of Informatics and Commerce, Rawalpindi at their Annual Sports Gala – 2010, here today. She said that the Government announced the national education policy after intensive consultations with all stakeholders including Provincial Governments and huge amount is allocated for education during the current financial year to translate the policy into reality. Since illiteracy is basic cause of terrorism we are making efforts to promote education to help discouraging menace of terrorism, extremism; she stated. She further added, “We have to excel in the field of education to join the rank of developed countries and the private sector is also supplementing Government’s efforts in the promotion of education”. The present Government is establishing Mohtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University at Karachi and one of its campuses will be set up at Malakand. Moreover, the Government intends to establish separate Universities in the federal capital in the field of Law and Social Sciences. She also expressed that Government’s commitment to put the country on the road of progress and prosperity is very much evident from the fact that it has started the Benazir Youth Development Programme. At the end of the Annual Sports Gala, the Minister of State said that PPP leadership recognizes that we have a mammoth task ahead in pursuing our goal of providing access to quality education to every citizen of our country. **NS/Ahmad**
PR No.103 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said the development work in backward areas needs to be given priority to bring these at par with the other areas of the country. The under-development regions, he added not only require educational institutions and basic facilities, the quality of basic needs has to be improved as well to produce useful citizens for the society. The Prime Minister expressed these views while chairing a special meeting to review the progress on Public Service Development Projects (PSDP) and examine the inflow of pledges made by the Friends of Pakistan. The meeting was held in the Prime Minister’s Office at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat here this afternoon. The Prime Minister said the setting up of indigenous small industries and improvement of existing industries could help in generating employment opportunities at the local level. The proposals in this context can be given by the stakeholders as well as Ministry of Science and Technology. The Prime Minister said development at local level could bring about a change in the lives of the people and help reduce the influence of extremist tendencies. The Prime Minister also stressed for acceleration of work on mega projects and in this regard mentioned about early completion of Gawadar-Ratodero road and Gawadar Airport. The mega projects, he added would help to bring the people of different regions closer to each other. It was observed in the meeting that capacity of the provincial governments for timely utilization of allocated funds has to be further improved. The provinces it was mentioned also need to absorb the capital generated by themselves within their provinces to accelerate the process of economic prosperity. The socio-economic change it was felt would also help attract local and foreign investment. The meeting was attended by Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani Minister for Industries and Production, Mr. Babar Khan Ghauri, Minister for Ports and Shipping, Mr. Azam Khan Swati, Minister for Science and Technology, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Mr. Saleem Raza, Governor State Bank of Pakistan, Mr. Saleem H. Mandviwalla Chairman, Board of Investment, Mr. Salman Siddique, Secretary Finance and Mr. Sohail Khan, Chairman Board of Revenue. **PMMO/Ahmad**
PR
No.104 A Parliamentary delegation from NWFP called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Tuesday afternoon. The delegation comprised of Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan, Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, Senator Sardar Ali Khan, Syed Murid Kazim Shah and Mr. Pervez Khattak. The delegation discussed issues relating to their constituencies. FU/wh
PR
No.105 Federal Minister for Environment Mr. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi has said that government is committed to make all possible arrangements to control the landslide situation in Atta Abad, Gilgit-Baltistan. He said that necessary and rapid measures should be taken in this regard. He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting to review the landslide situation at Atta Abad, Gilgit-Baltistan here today. Meeting was attended by stakeholders including Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan, Home Secretary Gilgit Baltistan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Additional Secretary Interior, Joint Secretary KA&GB, representatives of Wapda, ERRA, Agha Khan Development Network, FOCUS, NESPAK, Ministry of Water and Power and Secretary Ministry of Environment Javed malik, Additional Secretary Kamran Ali Qureshi , D.G Environment Javed Ali Khan and other official of the Ministry of Environment attended the meeting. During the meeting, Federal Minister was briefed about landslide situation at Atta Abad, Gilgit-Baltistan. Participants gave presentations on this occasion and highlighted different aspects of this sensitive issue. It was observed that a massive landslide occurred on 4th January, 2010 at Atta Abad in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan, killed 19 people, moreover a large landslide lake has developed on the upstream side of the landslide that was recorded as 11.5 km long and 60m deep. The lake level is currently rising at 0.6 m per day. It was observed that about 25,000 populations would be cut off from the downstream communities in case of an outburst. Moreover if such an even occurs, there is the potential for a large flood wave to travel downstream as far as Terbela Dam. It would greatly endanger the downstream population and could cause substantive damage to infrastructure downstream, and the impact of the flood will pose problems in terms of livelihoods and welfare. Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan, told about details of currently on-going efforts during the meeting. On this occasion, different aspects for the construction of spillways were raised. Likewise, matters related to relocation of affected population, Monitoring and alert systems, availability of funds, food, medicines, health care facilities and other emergency arrangements were deliberately shared. They ensured that necessary arrangements are being made in this context. Different Recommendations were also given during the meeting. It was recommended that there is an urgent need to prepare for a large outburst flood event which may affect the population and infrastructure along the Hunza/Indus River valley from Atta Abad to Terbela. Such preparation should start immediately. Whilst constructing the spillway, a great deal more work is urgently required in terms of the management of the hazard, in particular outside of the area between Atta Abad and Gilgit. The downstream communities are facing a level of risk that is not tolerable so immediate action is required at national level to protect the population. Moreover, a robust communication plan is necessary for awareness strategy and evacuation plans for the potentially- affected population. It was recommended that there is a need to monitor continuously the state of the dam and to have an appropriate early warning system in place. Ti is essential that a 24 hour monitoring service should be initiated as soon as possible and must be fully in place at the earliest. There is also need to develop a set of alert states such that controlled evacuations and preparations can be arranged. Moreover, It was recommended that China is only country which has expertise to manage such sort of situations so there is need to get assistance from China in this regard. Federal Minister Mr. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi assured that government will do its level best to provide all possible assistance to control this situation. He realized that effective and quick measures should be taken to manage the issue. Second follow up meeting in this regard will be held tomorrow in Ministry of Environment at 04:00 pm in Ministry of Environment so that in light of given recommendations and other information, reliable and long lasting measures may be taken to settle down this sensitive issue. AS/wh
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No.106 The visiting Special representative of British Foreign Secretary for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Sir Sherard Cowper accompanied by High Commissioner at Islamabad, Mr. Adam Thamsan called on the NWFP Governor, Mr. Owais Ahmed Ghani at Frontier House, Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon. They remained with the Governor for some time and discussed matters of mutual interest with special reference to the geo-political situation in the region. Talking on this occasion the Governor briefed the guests about the prevailing situation in the province and FATA especially in wake of the successes of the government in curbing militancy and terrorism. Responding to a point the Governor said, the developments in this part of our country are closely linked to the situation in Afghanistan and therefore, any positive approach for bringing over all normalization in this part of the World will always be welcomed. Pakistan, he added, fully supports the initiatives of the World community including Great Britain for bringing peace and normalization in Afghanistan and is also playing its due role as a responsible nation in this respect. Matter relating to ongoing efforts for rehabilitation of the internally dislocated persons and reconstruction of the affected areas also came under discussion and the Governor said that concrete plans have been chalked out in line with the available resources.
PR No.107 The Governor Punjab, Mr. Salman Taseer called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House this evening. He briefed the Prime Minister about the overall law and order situation in Punjab. The Governor also informed the Prime Minister about the status of the ongoing socio-economic development projects being undertaken in the province. PMCO/wh
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No.108 President Asif Ali Zardari, while addressing the APNS award ceremony Tuesday night at Aiwan-e-Sadr, expressed the hope that the Constitutional reforms package will be finalized by the end of the current month. Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that a misunderstanding had arisen whether the President had spoken of Constitutional reforms by the end of the current month or end of the next month. The Spokesperson said that President Asif Ali Zardari has all along hoped that the Constitutional reforms will be finalized this month. SH/wh
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