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- The Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has said that the Government of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has conceded the demands of Pakistan to provide certain facilities to the Pakistani Hujjaj of Government sponsored Scheme in the coming season at Mina and Arafat. He said that Saudi government has relaxed its policy to exempt registration of Pakistani Private Tour Operators with International Air Traffic Association (IATA) for two years. He said this while talking to a group of media men on his return back to Pakistan from a weeklong official visit of Saudi Arabia where he led a high level delegation, comprising Federal Secretary, Joint Secretary and Director Hajj of the Ministry of Religious Affairs to discuss the coming Hajj related matters with the Minister of Hajj and other concerned high officials of the KSA Government. The Minister informed that the meeting of his delegation with the Saudi Government was very fruitful to compel them to accept Pakistan’s demands, adding that his meeting with Mr. Adnan Katib, Chairman of Mossisa for South Asia- an Organization of KSA to facilitate Hujjaj of South Asia, was very successful. He said that the Chairman agreed upon the Pak delegation’s demand to settle the Pakistani Hujjaj of Government sponsored scheme in the old Mina and promised to set up their ’Maktabs’ as well as provide ‘Khaimas’ (camp) to Pak Hujjaj, adjacent each other in order to facilitate them to have a close liaison and easy communication of each others. He added that the Chairman also agreed to accommodate sixteen Hajjis in a camp and provide Pak Hujjaj under Government Scheme, two times meals during their stay in Mina and Arafat. He informed that the Organization – Mosisa of South Asia will charge 200 Saudi Rial extra per hajji for providing these facilities to the Pakistani Hujjaj. He also thanked the Saudi Government for extending its support and hoped that the Hujjaj under govt scheme would avail these facilities in the coming hajj season.
PR No. 111 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani reiterated the resolve of his government to reinstate the 1973 Constitution in its original form. He was talking to Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Minister for Labour & Manpower Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah and Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources Syed Naveed Qamar at Prime Minister’s Secretariat this morning. Prime Minister appreciated the Constitutional Reforms Committee for their dedication and hard work. He discussed agenda for the upcoming Session of the National Assembly with the Ministers and gave guidelines in this connection. The Ministers apprised the Prime Minister of the status of development project undertaken by their respective Ministries.
PR No. 112 Syed Ibne Abbas High Commissioner for Pakistan to New Zealand presented his credentials to the New Zealand Governor General H.E. The Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand, at Wellington. The High Commissioner previously served in various diplomatic assignments abroad, including Los Angeles, New Delhi, Canberra, Geneva and Berne. His last assignment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was Director General (South Asia). He also served as Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Pakistan and New Zealand enjoy friendly and cordial relations. The volume of Pakistan- New Zealand bilateral trade during the period 2008 uptil June 2009 was US$ 107 million. Pakistan High Commission at Wellington was established in May 2006 to further strengthen the ties between the two countries. **DO/Ahmad**
PR No. 113
Ambassador Sanaullah called on Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro here Monday to discuss finalization of Defence Agreement between Pakistan and Indonesia. In this context, he expressed gratitude for inviting Pakistan’s Defence Minister to Jakarta for signing of the agreement and to discuss projects of mutual interest, says a press release received heretoday. Indonesian Defence Minister Purnomo Yusgianto endorsed the proposal that the defence forces of the two countries should promote opportunities to explore collaboration for use of indigenously developed weapon systems. He offered to arrange a meeting of the Defence Minister of Pakistan with the Indonesian Minister for Industry to promote joint ventures. **SJ/Ahmad**
PR No.
114 Active participation of Parliamentarians is crucial for improving the effectiveness of DRM in the country and especially in the Province of Balochistan. Given the importance National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) places on these Parliamentarians for Disaster Risk Management (DRM), a policy dialogue on “Effectiveness of Disaster Risk Management - Engaging Parliamentarians” was held here in Quetta supported by UNDP. Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) organized the dialogue, which was chaired by Mr. Abdul Wasy, Senior Minister/Minister for Planning & Development, Balochistan. The dialogue was attended by the members of Provincial Assembly of Balochistan belonging to various political parties across the political arena and Civil Society Organizations, Media representatives and Bar Associations from across the province. General ® Farooq Ahmed Khan, Chairman NDMA welcomed the support NDMA has had from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority and stressed for continued cooperation and effectiveness of building linkages with PDMA and the DDMAs. He also mentioned the need for political will to achieve an effective implementation of National Disaster Management Ordinance (NDMO) in the province of Balochistan especially and in the whole country in general. The Ziarat earthquake of 2008 was another reminder of the importance of effective linkages between federal, provincial and district level disaster management authorities. Mr. Mushtaq Ahmed, Director General, PDMA, Balochistan gave a presentation on the status of PDMA Balochistan and the issues faced by it. He thanked the members of Parliament for extending their support to a cause which is close to the people of Balochistan. He stressed that the political will is critical to ensure the effective role of PDMA in Balochistan and suggested institutional response to disasters must be well informed and well coordinated. Mr. Abdul Wasy appreciated the efforts of the organizers of the policy dialogue and assured his full support towards the accomplishment of the objectives for the PDMA in the province. Mir Mohammad Rahim Mengal, Provincial Minister for Tourism and PDMA emphasized the need to be prepared in future for any unforeseen disasters at national as well as at provincial and local levels. He said that the Government of the Balochistan would leave no stone unturned in bringing about a vibrant and fully functional PDMA in the province. He added that all the political support and financial resources would be made available to have an effective and comprehensive system in the province with close linkages with the NDMA. The members of the Balochistan Assembly, who participated in large number in the policy dialogue, showed their keen interest in the subject of disaster management and expressed their willingness to champion the cause of DRM. **CMI/Ahmad**
PR No. 115 President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday called for greater interaction between the think tanks and academia of Pakistan and China to further enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries. This he said during a meeting with Chinese delegation led by ambassador Cai Jinbiao, Vice – President of Chinese Peoples Institute of Foreign affairs, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Lue Zhouhui, Chinese ambassador in Pakistan was also present besides high officials of Chinese embassy. The meeting was also attended by Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Foreign minister, Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, MOS for foreign affairs, Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, federal secretaries of Foreign affairs, interior, defence and other senior government officials. The President hoped that the visit by Chinese Peoples Institute of Foreign affairs (CPIFA) would further augment the people to people contacts between the two countries and enable the Chinese scholars to understand Pakistan and its society. Pakistan plans to send students to china to acquire expertise in different disciplines, which would help boost our friendship from generation to generation. The President while referring to his previous four visits to China said that Pakistan wanted to learn from the Chinese economic and development miracle and benefit from its expertise in diverse areas of agriculture, education, communications, commerce, energy and industry. He said that the current level of bilateral trade is much below the available potential and urged for jacking it up to $ 15 billion by 2011. The delegation thanked the President for meeting them and for the hospitality of the Pakistani people. **FU/Ahmad**
PR No. 116 President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday called for greater interaction between the think tanks and academia of Pakistan and China to further enhance the bilateral relations between the two countries. This he said during a meeting with Chinese delegation led by ambassador Cai Jinbiao, Vice – President of Chinese Peoples Institute of Foreign affairs, who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Wednesday afternoon.
**FU/Ahmad**
PR
No. 117 The Cabinet today approved the restructuring of major Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) with a view to bringing about financial discipline, revival and good governance. The Cabinet was considering a report of the Cabinet Committee on Restructuring (CCOR) of Public Sector Enterprises which has made recommendations to save these enterprises from loss of billions of rupees. In pursuance of the decision to introduce austerity measures, a Cabinet Committee on Restructuring (CCOR) of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) was constituted in a Special Cabinet meeting held on 16th December 2009. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, while chairing the meeting of the Cabinet, declared that it was imperative to devise ways and means to stop this ill management and lack of commitment which was resulting in massive losses of public funds which, he said, could have been used for the development of the country and welfare of the people. He further said that better management of these Public Sector Enterprises through restructuring would be able to create fiscal space to provide relief to the common man. The objective of restructuring, he added, should be to improve the performance of the PSEs and reduce burden on national exchequer. The Cabinet expressed its strong resolve to optimize the functional ability of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) and emphasized that those have a critical significance not only for the national economy but also for better living standards of all segments of our society. The Cabinet highlighted their role in nation building and how those have an impact on the socio-economic well being of the public. In view of the above, the Cabinet decided to carry out restructuring of the following mega PSEs through a definite road map:- i. Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) ii. Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) iii. Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) iv. Pakistan Railways (PR) v. National Highway Authority (NHA) vi. Pakistan Agricultural Storage and Services Cooperation (PASSCO) vii. Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) viii. Utility Stores Corporation (USC). The salient features of the road map are as under:- i. Formation of an independent and professional Board of Directors (BOD) by 30th of April, 2010 in each PSE. ii. Hiring of professional CEOs (nominated by the respective BOD) by 15th June, 2010. iii. Approval of Restructuring Plans of respective PSEs by Cabinet Committee on Restructuring (CCOR) by 31st August, 2010. The Cabinet approved these proposals which were evolved through intensive deliberations by the Economic Reforms Unit of the Ministry of Finance. It was also decided that the formation of independent and professional Boards of Directors and appointment of CEOs would be proposed by the line Ministry in consultation with the CCOR and the restructuring plan would be presented by each Ministry to the Cabinet for decision. The Prime Minister in his opening remarks directed the Cabinet Division to submit a progress report on the implementation status of Cabinet decisions in the next Cabinet meeting. He also directed that recommendations of the 19 Sub Committees of the Cabinet on different subjects should also be submitted in the next Cabinet meeting. Such a monitoring of the Cabinet’s decisions has indeed been effected for the first time. The Cabinet granted approval, in principle, to start negotiations with the Government of South Korea on MoU on mutual cooperation for environmental education development. The purpose of the proposed MoU is aimed at sharing benefit from the Korean experience in the field of environmental training and education. It will also help foster capacity building, share the experiences in the development of environmental technology and industry and sustainable development for creating clean environment for better quality of life. The Cabinet approved signing of MoU on geosciences cooperation between the China Geological Survey and Geological Survey of Pakistan. Areas of cooperation would include research and correlation of basic geology, geological maps compilation and metallurgic correlation, geo-database on construction and sharing, mineral resources assessment and exploration technology, geological environment and geo-hydrology, and modern technology and methodology of geo-samples analysis. The Cabinet granted approval, in principle, for initiation of negotiations on the draft agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the Government of Pakistan and the Government of the United Mexican States. The main objective of the agreement is to initiate, encourage and promote science & technology cooperation in the areas of bio-technology, engineering sciences, material sciences and renewable energy resources. The Cabinet accorded approval to sign MoU on “Australia-Pakistan Development Partnership” with the Government of Australia. This will broaden the area of development assistance in the areas of health, education, technical training, rural development, agriculture, livestock, economic reform programme, good governance, and reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas affected by terrorism. The signing of MoU will lead to Australia’s enhanced assistance during the period 2010-13 which would be in the range of Aus $ 211.2 million. The Cabinet also accorded its approval to start negotiation for signing of MoU with Republic Of Tunisia aiming at close co-operation between Trade Development Authority of Pakistan and Export Promotion Centre of Tunisia. The signing of MoU will lead to further improve and build the existing level of co-operation between the two countries in the areas of trade relations, sharing of information, organize training programmes as well as ensure participation in the fairs and exhibitions arranged in the two countries. **PMMO/Ahmad**
PR
No. 118 Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, British Foreign Secretary’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan called on President Asif Ali Zardari in the Presidency on Wednesday afternoon. Matters relating to the bilateral relations between the two countries, access to Pakistani products in EU markets, regional issues, Pakistan’s fight against militancy and the forthcoming Pak-EU Summit were discussed in the meeting. Those who attended the meeting included Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, Senator Sughra Imam, federal secretaries foreign affairs, defence, and interior and senior government officials. British Deputy High Commissioner in Pakistan Mr. Peter Tibber was also present. The President said that Britain and Pakistan needed to work closely to further enhance their partnership in diverse areas mainly in trade, investment and educational development with a view to eliminate militancy and terrorism from Pakistan and promote peace and security of the region and the world. The President said that Pakistan look forward for the continued support of the British Government in the EU for access to Pakistani products into the EU markets and initiation of the process towards Free Trade Agreement. This would help boost Pakistan’s economy and alleviating poverty by generating employment opportunities in the country. President Asif Ali Zardari said that any initiative on Afghanistan should ensure Afghan ownership of the process as well as territorial integrity of the country and that its soil was not used against any of its neighbors. Pakistan stands for peaceful, stable, friendly and united Afghanistan, as Pakistan is directly impacted by any development relating to Afghanistan, the President said. The President while referring to the military surge in Afghanistan stressed the need for close coordination to avoid negative fallout on our side and cautioned against any actions that may result in pushing afghan insurgents into Balochistan province. Development in Afghanistan should be a matter of high priority as prosperity can help stem the rising tide of terrorism and militancy, the President said and added that Pakistan is making significant contribution in reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. The President during the meeting also invited attention of the international community towards the early return of over 3 million afghan refugees still residing in Pakistan. The President appreciated UK’s development assistance worth £665 million and additional £50 million assistance to support Pakistan’s development plans. The President underlined the need for greater cooperation in the education sector as a long term measure to fight the extremist mindset and expressed the hope that the Pakistan-UK Education Task Force already set up would make speedy progress. **FU/Ahmad**
PR
No. 119 The Representative of Cyprus to Pakistan Ms. Hasibe Sahoglu held a meeting with Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan Federal Minister for Privatisation here today. Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan Federal Minister for Privatisation stressed the need to further improve the existing relations between the two friendly countries and to transform them in into strong bilateral economic relations. The business groups of both countries should come forward to identify the areas for economic interaction, he said. The Minister suggested the exchange of the members of chambers of commerce and strong business community delegations of both the countries to learn from each other’s experience and to work together for the economic uplift of both the countries. The Representative of Cyprus to Pakistan Ms. Hasibe Sahoglu informed the Minister that tourism, education, construction and agriculture were the main areas for economic interaction between the two countries. She extended invitation to the Minister to visit Cyprus alongwith Pakistani business groups for the promotion of relations and to meet the business groups of Cyprus. Mr. Shahab Khawaja Federal Secretary Ministry of Privatisation was also present during the meeting. **TP/Ahmad**
PR
No. 120 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani called upon the elected members of the Parliament to take account of the development work in their respective areas and assess the benefit and relief to common man. Relief to common man citizen, he added has been the priority of the government. Prime Minister was talking to a group of Ministers and Parliamentarians who called on him in Prime Minister’s Secretariat. The Prime Minister said Public Private Partnership needs to be promoted to give boost to the economy. He advised the Ministry of Overseas Paksitanis, Chairman, Board of Investment and Ministry of Finance to take all the stakeholders on board to make investor friendly policies. The law and order situation, he added, has improved after successful operations in Swat, Malakand and Waziristan. The Economic Indicators, he said are also improving due to result oriented and prudent economic policies of the government. The Parliamentarians lauded the monthly radio address of the Prime Minister since he directly addressed the common man of the country, and explained the efforts of the government in plain and simple language. The meeting was attended by Dr. Babar Awan, Babar Ghori, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Dr. Farooq Sattar, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Mr Qamar Zaman Kaira, Mr Ejaz Jakhrani, Senator Waqar and Ministers of State for Information & Broadcasting and Finance. **PMMO/Ahmad**
The Chief Election Commissioner of Pakistan has authorized the District Returning Officer, Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers appointed for Fresh Election in Constituency No. PS-15 Jacobabad-III 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 18th March, 2010, the day appointed for polling for Fresh 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. **AC/Ahmad**
PR
No. 122 The issue of Diamer- Bhasha Dam compensation has been resolved. Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo while chairing the Cabinet Committee meeting congratulated all the members of committee, officials and the nation for the resolution of the most important issue of Pakistan-Diamer-Bhasha compensation package. The Meeting was chaired by Federal Minister for KA&GB, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo and attended by Federal Minister for Labour & Manpower, Chief Minister GB, Syed Mehadi Shah, Secretary KA&GB, Secretary Water & Power, Chief Secretary, Chairman Wapda and other officials of the Ministries. The Minister for KA&GB will address the press conference alongwith Minister Water & Power & CM G.B. at PID at 1600 hours on Thursday 11 March 2010. AZ/wh
PR
No. 123 Federal Minister for Environment Mr. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi Presided over the follow up meeting to review the landslide situation at Atta Abad, Gilgit-Baltistan here today. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr. Qamar Zaman Qaira, Home Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, Representatives of Wapda, FWO, ERRA, SPARCO, experts from other government and civil organizations, 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, representative of FWO gave detailed briefing about the situation of landslide in Atta Abad, Gilgit-Baltistan. He also explained about the progress of work being made by FWO. He highlighted several aspects of the lake with reference of consultations, survey and decision made by the organization. He told that FWO is working there in different steps and expected that in mid of April 2010, the work will hopefully complete. Representative of SPARCO also gave presentation in which he briefed about land slide situation and detailed analysis about that area. He also told that, the situation of the area is being monitored and being up-dated on daily basis. During the meeting participants expressed their concerns on this issue. Different suggestions and point of views were shared during the meeting. On this occasion, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Qaira, and Federal Minister Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi emphasized to expedite the over all work before any disaster. They urged district and local administration to analyze and assess the issue and make all possible safety arrangements. Qamar Zaman Qaira asked FWO to make special arrangements to work day and night so that situation may be controlled well in time. He expressed his support at every level in this regard. During the meeting it was decided that FWO should continue its work with high spirits and make all possible arrangements to complete the task as soon as possible. Federal Minister for Environment said that the basic aim of the meeting also was to develop better understanding among District government and other related departments to mobilize their activities in this regard. He urged to cooperate and coordinate to manage this issue. He ensured that government is committed to provide all possible assistance to manage this sensitive issue. It is important to mention here that first meeting was held yesterday in which 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 and ideas were also shared during the meeting. AS/wh
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