PR. No. 96 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad 09, July 2010 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has stated that Pakistan and US should undertake concerted efforts to bridge the trust gap which unfortunately persists with a potential of diluting the common objective of combating terror. The Prime Minister added that the Government of Pakistan was doing its utmost to strengthen cooperation with the US in intelligence sharing and in the fields of defence to root out the menace of terrorism and militancy from its territory and expected friendly countries like US to share with it credible and actionable information rather than indulging in blame game, in order to achieve our shared and common goal of succeeding against militancy. The Prime Minister was talking to US Senator Carl Levin, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee and US Senator Jack Read, Member of the Committee who called on him at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat this afternoon. The Prime Minister said that the entire Pakistani nation including all its institutions is working in harmony with synergized efforts to curb the threat of terrorism and extremism.  He emphasized the importance of rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the cleared areas while regretting that pledges of assistance to Pakistan towards that end still remained unfulfilled.  He said the situation had become further exacerbated under the circumstances as Pakistan was now constrained to divert its development budget towards the war efforts. The Prime Minister stated that the existing support of people of Pakistan for Pakistan’s military operations can dissipate unless there was a socio-economic development and rehabilitation of the infrastructure in the affected areas.  He also added that the US and other economic partners must realize that time was fast running out on addressing the root causes of terror i.e. poverty, illiteracy, hunger disease and un-employment. He said if we all failed to timely and effectively tackle the real reasons behind the phenomenon of militancy, the sympathies in the affected region of Pakistan and Afghanistan grow and the for militants and terrorists would undermine our common aim of succeeding against this menace. The Prime Minister underlined the need of a fair and non-discriminatory approach on the part of US in its relations with the regional countries particularly when people and Armed Forces of Pakistan were making unparalleled sacrifices in this war.  He said his government has always tried to address the public misperceptions about the Pakistan-US relations and expected the US Government to also do the same on its side and attach the importance of its relations with Pakistan that it deserved.   The Prime Minister said that Pakistan wants to have good neighbourly relations with India and seeks peaceful resolution of all the contentious issues between the two countries particularly Kashmir and water disputes, to be able to entirely focus its attention on its western border for rooting out terrorism. The Prime Minister said that peace and stability in Afghanistan is of foremost importance to his government as it is inextricably linked to the peace and stability in Pakistan.  He said Pakistan has repeatedly offered its assistance for building the Afghan institutions, providing training to Afghan Army, Police and bureaucracy.  He stated that Pakistan is constructively engaging with the US and other international partners to promote the shared goals of peace, security and development in Afghanistan.  Pakistan was ready to help the Government of Afghanistan in its reconciliation and reintegration policy, if it so desired. He informed the US Senators that the Afghan Foreign Minister who had recently visited Islamabad had been asked by his government to share with it Afghan Government’s plans and Pakistan is awaiting the Afghan response to that request.  Pakistan, he said, believes that all the ethnic groups in Afghanistan need to be engaged politically to supplement efforts for sustainable stability. Senator Carl Levin and Senator Jack Reed acknowledged the fact that bilateral relations between Pakistan and the US have remained on an upward trajectory and had been significantly strengthened since the installation of democratic government in Pakistan. They commended the Prime Minister for his constructive and pro-active role in pursuing cooperation with the US in the war against terror and normalizing the ties with Afghanistan and India. They agreed with the Prime Minister that there was an urgent need to remove the mistrust which regretfully still prevailed on both sides, in the interest of a long- term sustained and robust friendship between the two countries.  They assured the Prime Minister that they, in their personal capacities, will continue striving for further strengthening of the intelligence sharing and defence cooperation and better understanding of each other positions. US Ambassador Ms Anne W. Patterson, Minister for Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister for Interior Senator A. Rehman Malik, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Secretaries Defence and Foreign Affairs and other seniors officers were present in the meeting. **PMMO/Ahmad** PR. No. 97 PRESS RELEASE Dr. Farooq Sattar to address gathering of Overseas Pakistanis in UK Islamabad 09, July 2010 Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, Dr. Farooq Sattar, who is on an official visit to the UK, would attend receptions by the overseas Pakistani community in various cities of the United Kingdom. Today the Minister would be the guest of honour in a reception in Nottingham. On Saturday he would meet with the overseas Pakistani community in Halifax and Bradford, UK. In these receptions the Minster would interact with the Overseas Pakistani Associations, Overseas Pakistani councilors in respective cities and particularly the overseas Kashmiri community in these cities. **MS/Ahmad** PR. No. 98 PRESS RELEASE WORLD BANK COMMITMENTS TO HYDRO POWER PROJECTS IN PAKISTAN Islamabad, July 09, 2010 This is with reference to a series of news items appearing in a section of press indicating that World Bank has changed its policy stance for funding of hydropower power projects in Pakistan. World Bank has been supporting a series of hydropower projects aimed at overall economic development in Pakistan. This Ministry is pleased to clarify the factual position concerning World Bank’s institutional support to Pakistan’s power sector as under:- a.    Tarbela IV Hydro Projects: Preparatory Studies & Feasibility studies are already being financed under Water Sector Capacity Building Project. This is expected to be approved by the World Bank Board this year. b.    Dasu Hydro Project: The Government is at an advanced stage of discussion for preparation of feasibility and Bank financing for the project. This project is already located in Northern Areas. c.    Sukhi Kinari Hydro Project: The World Bank, in Collaboration with IFC, is in advanced stage of discussions with the sponsors as well as Government on Bank’s Group Financing for Sukhi Kinari Hydropower Project. In view of the Bank’s existing engagements in Hydro Power Development, totaling billions of dollars, no further project are being discussed with the World Bank for funding. 2.         There is no truth to the argument that has been put forward in the newspapers that the World Bank has refused to support Bhasha Dam Project on the grounds that it is in disputed territory. It is evident to conclude that there is no lack of support from the World Bank in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. It is reiterated that Asian Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank and other Donor Agencies have already committed funding for Bhasha Dam Project in Northern Areas – for which an elaborate mechanism has already been put in place.   PR. No. 99 PRESS RELEASE PRIME MINISTER’S OPENING REMARKS AT THE BRIEFING AT MINISTRY OF FINANCE Islamabad 09, July 2010 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Ministry of Finance has to face the twin challenges of leveraging on new avenues for additional resource creation and allocation of the existing fiscal resources prudently and optimally to meet competing demands of various sectors of the economy.  He added that Ministry of Finance must ensure that allocated funds for PSDP projects are timely released and procedural difficulties are promptly addressed. Expressing these views in his opening remarks during a briefing at Ministry of Finance today, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Finance to realize pledges made by Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) and under Kerry Lugar Law to make additional funds available for enhancing PSDP size during the course of the year. The Prime Minister urged the Ministry of Finance to look at the performance of its own organizations like State Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), National Savings, Zarai Taraqiati Bank and Joint Investment Companies to make them model institutions for others to follow. The Prime Minister asked the ministry to carry out a review of the on-going development projects and monitor the performance of project management units and specialized companies more intensely.  He said, restructuring and austerity must begin at Ministry of Finance and others will follow.  He said that Ministry of Finance should propose policies which would enable sustained economic growth promoting a decent living standard for the people. The Prime Minister said that Ministry of Finance has been assigned a further key role in reform and restructuring of public sector enterprises.  This is essential, he said, to release pressure on public finances and make these enterprises healthy.  I would urge the Ministry of Finance to expedite work in this area. The Prime Minister observed that the government has largely achieved economic targets set for the first two years.  He said macro-economic stability has been restored and economy is back on its growth path.  He said that foreign exchange reserves are at a respectable level and workers’ remittances are increasing.  FBR revenue collection is growing and manufacturing is picking up while exports have begun to rebound as well. The Prime Minister said that during the last two years, major long pending issues were resolved including the 7th NFC Award and payment of Net-Hydel Profit to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and payment of royalty on oil and gas to Balochistan.  This was certainly in line with our policy, he added, to give full autonomy to provinces as it is our firm belief that only strong provinces can guarantee a strong Pakistan. The Prime Minister noted that despite all these achievements, we still face multiple challenges like war on terrorism continues to impose heavy costs on economy.  He said energy shortages and water and food security require large public investment.  Similarly, he added, more investments are needed in health, education, sanitation and environment to secure decent living standards for our people. Mentioning the fiscal constraints, the Prime Minister said that it has led to a contraction in the size of Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) this year, thus adversely affecting the development agenda of the Government.  He noted that it is a matter of serious concern which we need to address and find resources to meet commitments that we have made with the people.  The Prime Minister said that Ministry of Finance is the most important ministry of the Federal Government which is tasked to manage public finances of the country both in terms of their mobilization and allocation to various sectors of the economy.  The role of the Ministry of Finance, he added, is critical to the overall performance of the Government and the growth of the    economy. The Prime Minister said that an important task for the Ministry is to design procedures that ensure optimal utilization of allocated resources.  Procedures, he said, should facilitate the Ministries rather than create obstacles for them. He congratulated Minister for Finance Dr. Hafeez Shaikh and his team on presenting a balanced Budget in difficult times and wished them well during the course of the year.  The challenge now is to achieve the targets set under the Budget, he emphasized. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Minister for Finance and his team fully understands the problems of the common man and development priorities of our government.  PR. No. 100 PRESS RELEASE YOUNG PARLIAMENTARIAN FORUM DELEGATION TO VISIT NATO HEADQUARTERS (13-15 July 2010) Islamabad 09, July 2010 A twenty-member delegation of Young Parliamentarian Forum led by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Faisal Karim Kundi will be arriving Brussels on 12 July 2010 to visit NATO Headquarters and SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) on the invitation from Public Diplomacy Division of NATO, says a press release received from  Embassy of Pakistan, Brussels, (Belgium) here today . The purpose of the visit is to strengthen political dialogue and to create greater awareness among elected representatives of Pakistan about NATO’s role and engagement in Afghanistan. The delegation will be meeting a number of high ranking NATO officials including the Secretary General Mr. Anders Fogh Rasmussen; Mr. Michael Ruhle, Deputy Head of the Policy Planning Unit, Private office of NATO Secretary General; Ambassador Jacek Bylica, Head of Weapons of Mass Destruction Centre, Defence Policy and Planning Division; and Ambassador Giampaolo Di Paola, Chairman of the Military Committee. Besides briefing on, ‘NATO New Strategic Concept’, ‘NATO–Pakistan Relations’, and ‘Prospects for NATO-Pakistan public diplomacy cooperation’ the delegation will also visit SHAPE and European Parliament. The delegation will have a meeting with EU- Pakistan Parliamentary Friendship Group headed by Mr. Sajjad Karim, MEP. During their stay in Brussels the delegation will also attend briefing at Kashmir Centre, Brussels and meet Barrister Majeed Tramboo, Chairman Kashmir Centre. PR. No. 101 PRESS RELEASE BRITISH BUSINESS COMMUNITY URGED TO  INVEST IN PAKISTAN Islamabad 09, July 2010 A seminar on Business Prospects in Pakistan was informed of the investment opportunities in the South Asian country and the British entrepreneurs were urged to take advantage of liberal incentives offered by the Pakistani Government held last evening at Pakistan High Commission, it was organized by the London Chamber of Commerce and Industries and addressed by business leaders. The seminar provided an ample opportunity for obtaining information on business prospects in Pakistan and networking with companies already doing business in Pakistan, says a press release received from Pakistan High Commission, London here today. Those who spoke on the occasion included Robert Gibson,  British Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan and Director UKPTI with his presentation on  “Economic Outlook,  Market Overview and  Current Opportunities in Pakistan “,  Vince Harris, Chief Executive, Hub Power Company, Karachi, shared his views and experiences on  “Doing Business in Pakistan”. Sir Thomas Harris, Vice Chairman, Standard Chartered Capital Markets chaired the seminar.  Other prominent speakers included Anwar Zaidi, Deputy CEO and Director Habib Bank Ltd. UK , Jawad Raza, Senior Partner Danmirr Consultants and Mudassar M. Malik, Chief Executive, BMA Capital who  spoke on topics related to financial and banking solutions in the context of trade finance, upcoming opportunities in Islamabad and Lahore and potential of investment opportunities in Pakistan. Pakistan ’s High Commissioner to the UK Wajid Shamsul Hasan  in his welcome address mentioned measures taken by the democratic government to address the economic challenges facing the country and said it was dealing with the energy problem on a fast track basis. He mentioned that during 1994-1996 when the Pakistan People’s Party was in Government under late Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, the country had invested in power sector through Independent Power Producers which generated five thousand megawatts of electricity but the later governments ignored this sector which has led to present crisis. He said due to supply shortfall, investment opportunities exist  in wind, hydro and thermal energy and British companies could invest in this sector as the Government is providing 100 per cent profit dividend. The High Commissioner spoke of the growing UK-Pakistan trade relations and said in 2009, the trade between the two countries stood at 1.1 billion pounds sterling and is growing steadily. Sir Thomas Harris said his bank has 174 branches in 41 cities of Pakistan and is doing quite well despite strong competition from private Pakistani banks. He said the business climate in Pakistan was very positive and beneficial and incentives offered by the Government are also very attractive. Robert Gibson in his presentation cited several facts that make Pakistan an attractive place for overseas entrepreneurs. He said Pakistan is the sixth largest country in the world with a population of 170 million with 60 per cent of people under 25 years of age. It is also the third largest English speaking country which is strategically located. He spoke of the opportunities existing in various sectors such as power, alternate energy, textile, agriculture, oil and gas, real estate, health, education, infrastructure improvements, housing, road and rail transport. Gibson said the British International Aid Department was working with the Punjab Government to improve the output of milk production by introducing new technology. He noted that Pakistan is the fifth largest milk producer in the world and the local production is 35 billion liters. He said there is limitless potential for establishing milk collection, processing, packaging and marketing firms. In the retail sector, he said there are plans to construct between 10 to 15 shopping malls of international standard in the next 5 to 10 years. In the energy sector, the British diplomat said Pakistan is keen to tap its vast coal reserves in Thar desert and the British expertise in this regard could come very handy. Similarly, he said Government is offering licenses for off-shore drilling and also opening new areas for gas exploration in Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab. Vince Harris pointed out the vast potential available in the energy sector and the need to modernize and refurbish power plants to enable them operates at full capacity. He said 14,000 megawatts of electricity was presently available in Pakistan against the demand of 19,000 megawatts. He said electricity remains the driver of economy and no country could develop without availability of ample power. Harris said the generation of power was linked with the population growth and as Pakistan has a growing population hence its energy needs is going up. He said the foreign companies have a very good opportunity to invest in this vital sector. He also said that Wapda is an excellent organization but could improve further through better management. Anwar Zaidi said the State Bank of Pakistan has stopped allowing new foreign banks to operate in the country except those who wish to go for Islamic banking. He said the foreign banks in Pakistan face strong competition from local banks. PR. No. 102 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad 09, July 2010 Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik has expressed deep sense of grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Ghulam Muhammad, the elder brother of Principle Information Officer (PIO) Rasheed Ahmed, who breathed his last on Thursday. The Minister in a message conveyed his condolences to Rasheed Ahmad and other members of the bereaved family. He also prayed to Almighty Allah to shower His blessings on the departed soul and grant courage to bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude. PR. No. 103 PRESS RELEASE RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MINISTRY HAS NOT PASSED DIRECTIONS REGARDING MODIFICATIONS IN THE NIKAH NAMA Islamabad 09, July 2010 Ministry of Religious Affairs has clarified that the directions have not been passed to the Punjab government regarding the addition of some clauses in the Nikah Nama. In a Press Release issued by the Ministry, it has also been added that Peshawar High Court has in fact issued directions in this regard taking into considerations the proposals in the petition of the applicant. The subject of Nikah has been given to the provinces in the Eighteenth Constitutional Amendment, now it is a provincial subject and the provinces are authorized to modify any clause. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has no authority now to direct the provinces, the Press Release added. PR. No. 104 CONDOLENCE RAJA PERVEZ ASHRAF CONDOLES WITH PIO Islamabad 09, July 2010 Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf has expressed his deep sorrow and grief over the sad demise of (late) Ghulam Muhammad, the elder brother of Ch. Rashid Ahmed, PIO, who breathed his last the other day. In his condolence message to PIO, the Minister prayed that Allah Almighty may rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant fortitude and courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. (End).