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NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF JULY 11, 2008
PR. No. 75. “It is heartening to note that the World Population Day is being observed today. The theme for this year “It’s a right, let’s make it real” highlights the importance of family planning programmes in the lives of teeming millions across the globe. It has a special significance for developing countries like ours because today with an estimated population of over 160 million, Pakistan is ranked as the 6th most populous country in the world. The elected government has accorded high priority to the social sector, particularly in the areas of population, health and education with an aim to bring improvement in the quality of life of the fellow countrymen. The Ministry of Population Welfare has been assured of political support, adequate resource allocation and patronage to foster its activities and for achieving population stabilization by the year 2020 as envisaged in the Population Policy. I am pleased to learn that the recent initiatives launched by the Ministry of Population Welfare to extend quality FP/RH service network to the remotest corners of the country would yield positive results and help in reducing the morbidity and mortality, among the communities particularly among women and children. To launch population welfare programme services at the grass roots level, extraordinary efforts, commitment and dedication from various segments of the society are needed. I would appeal to the wisdom of leaders and opinion makers to come forward and play a leading role in mobilizing public opinion for building a conducive environment to promote these services. I firmly believe that mass-education and personal influence will be a decisive factor in promoting the concept of small and healthy families and all of us must augment our efforts in this direction. I am convinced that the people are the ultimate resource of a nation and we must realize that their prosperity depends upon a balance between population and economic resources. I urge upon the private sector, the civil society and other nation building institutions to rise to the occasion and join hands with the government for strengthening the population welfare activities in the country”. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF JULY 11, 2008
PR. No. 76. I am glad that Pakistan alongwith the global community is observing the World Population Day to reaffirm our commitment made at the International Conference for Population and Development (ICPD) held at Cairo in 1994. Since then significant progress has been made in this direction, but we still need to adopt measures to arrest rapid population growth, address the issues of poverty, gender equality and achieve the goal of Population Stabilization as enunciated in the Population Policy (2002) of the Country. This year’s theme “Family Planning is a right, lets make it real” would not only raise awareness about the benefits of family planning but also motivate individuals to seek information and services. Access to quality family planning services is the right of every individual and should not be denied. The population factor plays a pivotal role in the development equation and requires a comprehensive approach in order to strike a balance between population increase and resources needed for sustainable development. It is, therefore, imperative to promote a shared perception through appropriate policy initiatives and programmes that focus on individuals, households and communities. The Population Welfare Programme in Pakistan has been actively advocating voluntary adoption of small family norm and providing nationwide services with the support of their partners – the private sector and civil society. However, the programme needs enhanced cooperation of all segments of society in order to ensure acceptance of the small family norm by all communities. I am happy to note that considerable progress has been made in bringing down population growth to 1.8 percent and that maternal and infant mortality rates are also on the decline. However, there is no room for complacency as we still have a long way to go. I take this opportunity to urge the society at large to participate and promote this national cause for the benefit and well being of the people of our beloved country. May Allah Almighty be our Protector and Guide. Ameen!
PR. No. 77. US Ambassador, Ms. Anne W. Patterson called on Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Finance here today. The Minister apprised the Ambassador of Government of Pakistan’s budget implementation plan in various social and economic sectors which now is ready for execution through relevant Government Agencies. During the discussion, Finance Minister and US Ambassador exchanged views on Pak-US cooperation in food and agriculture sectors. US Ambassador reiterated US Government’s commitment to provide economic and security related assistance to Pakistan, and assured that US would remain sensitive to existing shortage of wheat in the country and would provide necessary food assistance to Pakistan. The quantum of US wheat support to Pakistan for a soft white wheat would be discussed and finalized between the relevant authorities of the two countries. Finance Minister stressed that entire process of any possible wheat shipment from US to Pakistan has to be transparent. Its distribution in Pakistan is likely to focus the population in less developed areas of Balochistan and NWFP. Both the sides agreed to start economic dialogue during August, 2008 to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation in all possible fields of mutual interest that finally would form significant part of the agenda of Prime Minister’s forthcoming visit to USA. Finance Minister said that Pakistan’s latest privatization initiatives which now are getting processed through Cabinet Committee on Privatization for a fast track implementation focus enhanced domestic and foreign investment in years to come.
PR. No. 78. Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf has directed the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) to improve its services further in order to provide best services to the customers. He asked the company to create conducive environment and consumer friendly situation in the company so that a best quality of services could be provided to the people. He was of the view that with coordinated and concerted efforts this goal could be achieved. He said this while addressing to the officers and staff of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) during his first visit to the Company’s Headquarters here today. Secretary Ministry of Water and Power/Chairman PEPCO, Mr. Ismail Qureshi and senior officers of Ministry and IESCO were present on the occasion. The Minister observed that due to restructuring and reform introduced in the power sector, greater independence and financial autonomy was being given to the power companies with the objectives to enable them to work under the corporate culture and ensure better delivery of service to the customers. He said that being an important company among other discos, the IESCO has great responsibility to go a mile ago to strengthen its system further to deliver more. He directed that every employ of the company should work with dedication and with coordinated efforts they should pay heed to the grievances of the consumers on war footing basis to further improve the image of their company. He assured them of giving reward to good performers but there would be no place for poor performers and they would have to face the consequences in case of any lapse on their side, he added. He directed the CEO of IESCO to further strengthen costumer services centers to abruptly remove the grievances of the consumers. The Minister said that today country is facing great challenges including energy crises but we have to meet these challenges with adopting rationale strategy to cope with the energy crises and the present government is fully committed to overcome this problem to generate more energy, he added. He also underscore the importance of alternate energy resources including coal-based energy, solar and wind energy to add more power to National Grid System in the coming days which would not only help to reduce the gap in supply and demand of electricity but also diminish the misery of the consumers by averting load shedding in the country. He informed the participants that the World Bank and Asian Development Bank has offered 80 billion rupees to undertake improvement in the existing transmission lines which would help reduce in the line losses and make power sector viable. The Minister pledged once again that by the end of next year the Load shedding would be eradicated in the country. Earlier, the CEO of IESCO gave a detail briefing about the function of the Company. The Minister appreciated the performance of the company and urged for further improvement.
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