P.R. No. 112
PRESS RELEASE
PPP Co-Chairman approves names of PPP candidates for by-elections
Islamabad, April 10, 2010.

The PPP Co-Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari Friday night approved the names of PPP candidates for the forthcoming by-elections to the National and Provincial assemblies seats in Punjab.

The decision was made after a three hour meeting of PPP parliamentary board held in Presidency late Friday night.

The meeting of the parliamentary board presided over by Co-Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari was attended by Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Mr. Rehman A. Malik, Mr. Abdul Qayyum Jatoi, Madam Faryal Talpur, MNA, Mr. Jahangir Badar, Dr. Babar Awan, Raja Riaz Ahmed, Senior Minister, Mr. Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, Mr. Mehmood Khan, MNA, Rana Aftab Ahmed, Mr. Iqbal Bajwa, Mr. Ashiq Baloch, Ms. Rukhsana Bangash, Ms. Fouzia Wahab, Ms. Fouzia Habib and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar.

The candidates selected for Party tickets are Mr. Jamshaid Dasti for NA-178 Muzaffargarh. His brother Mr. Javaid Khan Dasti will be his covering candidate. 

Mr. Nazir Jat was awarded Party ticket for NA-167 with Mr. Irshad Arain as his covering candidate.

PPP Punjab President Rana Aftab Ahmed has been awarded Party ticket for provincial assembly seat PP-63 with Mr. Usman and Mr. Taseer Iqbal as covering candidates.

Mr. Allah Wasaya (Channu Khan) Leghari has been given provincial assembly ticket for PP-259 with covering candidate Mr. Sami-ullah Leghari.

Secretary General PPP, Mr. Jahangir Badar presented the profiles of different candidates before the board for evaluation.

Announcing the names of PPP Party ticket holders for by-elections, Mr. Jahangir Badar said that the board also decided that the brother of Prime Minister Mr. Ahmed Mujtaba Gillani and his son will accompany Mr. Jamshaid Dasti for filing nomination papers for by-elections to NA-178.

The Co-Chairman of Party also directed that the services of Mr. Ahmed Mujtaba Gillani will be utilized in some responsible capacity, Mr. Jahangir Badar said.

**FU/Ahmad**

P.R. No. 113
PRESS RELEASE
MoU with Monsanto: The agreement would revolutionize the seed sector of the country and would drastically enhance the production of cotton crop in Pakistan. Nazar M.Gondal
Islamabad, April 10, 2010.

Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal has said that the technology transfer of the leading American seed company, Monsanto would bring an exceedingly positive change in the agriculture sector, especially in the production of cotton crop in the country.

The minister was speaking at the historic occasion of signing MoU with a leading American Seed Company, Monsanto here at Islamabad.

“The deal will increase our cotton production to fill the gap between supply and demand and meet our growing demands. 60% of our export is cotton related and progress in cotton means growth in our exports. Since the beginning of our government we were struggling hard to witness this day. It will prove to be a milestone in the agricultural history of the country”, said the minister.

Rick Gaudet, International Cotton Lead, and heading the delegation from the company’s side thanked the minister and other officials of the ministry for the warm welcome and keen interest in signing the MoU with company. He said that he was happy to know about the latest bills introduce in parliament to safeguarding the interests of the investors that would encourage other companies to invest in Pakistan.

Mr. Gondal said that the entire process was transparent as only Monsanto could meet the required needs of the country. He said about seven top companies of the world were written letter but only Monsanto responded positively to the request as only this company was competent enough to meet our requirements.

The secretary, Minfa Muhammad Zia-ur-Rehman and Rick Gaudet of Monsanto, signed the MoU. The minister for textile Rana Farooq Saeed Khan was also present at the event.

The Monsanto’s delegation included Rick Gaudet, International Cotton Lead, (St Louis, USA) John Winski, Business Development Lead, Asia Pacific, Paul Twine, Business Development Lead, Asia Pacific, Aamir Mahmood Mirza, Country Lead. The high officials of the ministry and representatives from the seed companies and other stakeholders also attended the event.

**MS/Ahmad**

P.R. No. 114
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT ZARDARI CONDOLES DEATH OF POLISH PRESIDENT
Islamabad, April 10, 2010.

President Asif Ali Zardari has condoled the death of Polish President and his wife in plane crash on Saturday.

President Lech Kaczynski and his wife Mrs. Kaczynski were among those killed in plane crash in the Russian Federation today.

In a letter to the Polish Prime Minister, President Asif Ali Zardari said that President Kaczynski was a respected leader and a good friend of Pakistan whose memory will always be honored.

The President said that he was deeply shocked over the tragic incident in which the Polish President, his wife and many other precious lives were lost.

The people and Government of Pakistan join me in conveying their deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved families and share the grief and loss of the people of Poland, the President’s letter said.

SAK/wh