PR. No. 105
Press release
RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS MINISTRY HAS NOT PASSED DIRECTIONS REGARDING MODIFICATIONS IN THE NIKAH NAMA
Islamabad 10, July 2010Ministry 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.
**AB/Ahmad**
PR. No. 106
Press release
Islamabad 10, July 2010President Asif Ali Zardari today visited the Pakistan and China pavilions at the Shanghai Expo 2010. Speaking at the pavilions that show case Pakistan and China’s historical growth and development through millennia, the President said that Pakistan and China’s relations were thousands of years old dating back to when Buddhism flourished in parts of the world that now constitute Pakistan. He said that China’s rapid economic progress was a model for the third world countries and that Pakistan had a lot to learn from the Chinese model of economic development. The President said that today China was the third largest economy of the world and because of its economic strength was destined to play a great role in the new world order.
“Indeed the New World Order cannot be conceived without China”, the President said.
The President said that the China Pavilion shows the soft power of China that extended to Asia and beyond. He said that Beijing Olympics, the Expo and forthcoming Asian Games are great examples of China’s soft power.
“I am inspired by the remarkable achievements of the Chinese people and the wisdom of its leaders. Pakistan is keen to learn from the Chinese experience and economic development model”, the President said.
The President said that there are great opportunities for Pakistan and China to collaborate. We are keen to learn from Chinese experience in fields of modern agriculture, industrial development, conservation and development of water resources, as well as urban planning and development, he said.
He said that tens of millions of people are expected to visit the Expo and most of them will definitely visit the China Pavilion. “I invite you to step out and visit Pakistani Pavilion, right next door”, the President said.
The President said that the people of Pakistan had a special feeling for Shanghai where the Expo is held as it was a sister city of Karachi.**FU/Ahmad**
PR. No. 107
Press release
Dr. Farooq Sattar addresses Overseas Pakistanis in Nottingham, UK
Islamabad 10, July 2010In order to give their due role in the democratic process of the country, the government is working to reserve seats for the overseas Pakistanis in the parliament and to grant them the right to cast their votes in the polls. We are also working on the formulation of the first ever National Policy for Overseas Pakistanis to serve our overseas Pakistani brothers and to streamline various incentives and services provided to them by the government of Pakistan. This was stated by the Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, who is on an official visit to the UK, while addressing a large gathering of Overseas Pakistanis in Nottingham, UK. He appreciated the role of overseas Pakistanis in the revival of the economy of the Pakistan, through direct investment and remittances. He said that in last financial year Pakistan’s Foreign Exchange Remittances touched 8.9 billion US $, which is record in the history of the country. He requested the overseas Pakistanis to subscribe to Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI) and send their remittances through normal banking channels.
The Minister also met with the representatives Overseas Pakistani Associations, Overseas Pakistani councilors in UK and the overseas Kashmiri community and listened to their problems and issues and expressed the resolve to address them.
The Minister would visit various cities of the UK and interact with Overseas Pakistani Associations, Overseas Pakistani councilors in respective cities and particularly the overseas Kashmiri community there.
Next day the Minister would be the guest of honour in a reception of overseas Pakistanis in Bradford and would also interact with the overseas Pakistani community in Halifax, UK.
**MS/Ahmad**
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF July 11, 2010
PR No. 108
PRESS RELEASE
Message of Mr. Asif Ali Zardari
President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
(On World Population Day on 11th July, 2010)
Islamabad: July 10, 2010The World Population Day is celebrated each year to create awareness among masses about population and development issues. Today is the 24th World Population Day. The theme this year “Everyone Counts” underscores the importance of not only each individual in the compilation of demographic data, a vital tool for policy planning and formulation.
Two decades ago Pakistan’s population was less than 80 million. Today according to some estimates it has almost reached the 200 million mark. This fast pace of population growth should make us pause and reflect on its impact on the available resources and infrastructure. If the population continues to grow at this rate, it will not be too long when our resources will just not be able to support the people.
World Population Day demands serious contemplation by everyone – from ordinary citizen to government leaders and policy planners – to think about the challenges and issues of exploding population. It is also imperative to sensitize the masses about the importance of demographic data collection and compilation. Individuals, households and communities should be encouraged to participate effectively in census and demographic surveys and birth and death recording systems.
On this occasion I appeal to every family and every individual to cooperate in cementing the efforts of the government for population planning. Our joint efforts will help in creating awareness about the importance of population planning which is critical to put the country on the path of progress and prosperity.
I once again reiterate the People’s government commitment towards formulation of a credible data base for population welfare and urge all of you to join hands in this national cause.
**DO/Ahmad**
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF July 11, 2010
PR No. 109
PRESS RELEASE
NA SPEAKER URGES FOR ADOPTION OF AN INTEGRATED APPROACH FOR SLOWING POPULATION GROWTH
Islamabad: July 10, 2010Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly has said that rapid growth in the country nullified development gains and it was imperative to adopt an integrated approach to slowdown the population growth. She said that due to scarce resources and present economic crisis, population explosion could result in a catastrophe. She said this in her message on the world population day being commemorated under the auspices of United Nations throughout the globe on July 11.
She said that this day highlights the fragile relationship between human beings and earth where massive growth in population has resulted in dangerous depletion of resources, deforestation, pollution and emissions of carbon dioxide to unprecedented levels, altering the global climate. She said that an integrated approach to reducing poverty, slowing population growth, and protecting the environment was imperative for achieving the desired objectives.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza stressed the need for empowering and including women in the decision making for achieving the goals of universal access to education, reproductive health care and family planning. She said that women make up more than half of the world’s population, yet they are often denied the right to learn, to own or inherit land, and to control their own fertility. She was confident that by enhancing opportunities for women would enable them to make informed choices about family size—and to break the vicious cycle of poverty and environmental degradation.
The Speaker said that let us all, without delay, begin to tread more lightly on the earth, and take steps towards better use of its resources. She said that the world’s population has increased manifold, therefore, we must stabilize our numbers, and equally important, we must stabilize use of resources and ensure sustainable development for all.
The Speaker said that the present economic crisis in the country could be resolved through collective efforts by health experts, community leaders, politicians and religious leaders with the special cooperation of masses. She said that awareness and advocacy could be instrumental in sensitizing the masses about the population issues, including the health of mothers and children.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF July 11, 2010
PR No. 110
PRESS RELEASE
SYED YUSUF RAZA GILANI
MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF WORLD POPULATION DAY
(JULY 11TH 2010)
Islamabad: July 10, 2010World Population Day is being observed across the globe today. The theme for this year” Everyone Counts” highlights the importance of population data for planning and framing policies both at the micro and macro levels. Knowledge of the correct size of population, its growth rate, rural and urban migration patterns, housing, education etc are vital for formulation and implementation of measures for the uplift of masses. It has a special significance for a developing country like ours because incorporating accurate information can lead to measured steps aimed at improving the quality of life of teeming millions in Pakistan.
Since its inception, the elected government has accorded high priority to the social sector schemes, particularly in the areas of population, health and education as envisioned by our great and beloved leader Shaheed Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto. The Population Welfare Programme has been provided the much needed political support, adequate resource allocation and patronage to promote its activities to the farthest corners of the country.
It is encouraging that Ministry of Population Welfare with the collaboration of its partners has been instrumental in generating, analyzing and disseminating population data for making sound and successful development policies and programmes to help in reducing the morbidity and mortality among the communities particularly in women and children.
I would appeal to the wisdom of opinion makers and public representatives to come forward and play a lead role in mobilizing public opinion for building a conducive environment to promote participation of masses in the national census and other data collection efforts.
Our government is 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 which can be accurately forecasted if everyone is counted.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST OR TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF July 11, 2010
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST/ TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF JULY 11, 2010
PR No. 111
PRESS RELEASE
PM GREETS MONGOLIAN COUNTERPART ON NATIONAL DAY
Islamabad, July 10, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to Prime Minister of Mongolia Mr. Batbold Sukhbaataryn, on their national day falling on July 11,2010.
In his message, the Prime Minister said “on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan and on my own behalf it gives me great pleasure to extend warmest felicitations to Your Excellency and the Government and people of Mongolia on the occasion of the National Day of Mongolia.
Pakistan and Mongolia have close bilateral relations. We cherish these excellent ties and are confident that in future they will grow from strength to strength and will contribute positively to the development and prosperity of our two people.
I avail myself of this opportunity to convey best wishes for Your Excellency’s good health and happiness and continued progress and prosperity of the friendly people’s of Mongolia”
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST/ TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF JULY 11, 2010
PR No. 112
PRESS RELEASE
FOREIGN MINISTER CONDEMNS KILLING OF 13 PAKISTANIS IN AFGHANISTAN
Islamabad, July 10, 2010Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi has strongly condemned the heinous attack on a vehicle carrying 16 innocent Pakistanis in Paktai, Afghanistan today, which left 13 dead and three injured. They were on their way from Parachinar to Peshawar. On the instructions of the Foreign Minister, the Pakistan Ambassador in Kabul immediately contacted the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and conveyed our sentiments. The Government of Afghanistan has been urged to arrest the assailants and brought them to book, as well as to share details of the attack.
The dead bodies of the 13 have already been transported back into Pakistan.
PR No. 113
PRESS RELEASE
LAW MINISTER MEETS PRIME MINISTER
Islamabad, July 10, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani directed the Ministry of Law & Justice that pro-people legislation be accelerated which could give relief to the citizens. He further directed that the process of presentation of New Accountability Law before the National Assembly be expedited in the standing committee of Law and Justice.
The Prime Minister was talking to Dr. Babar Awan Minister for Law & Justice who called on him at the Prime Minster House here this evening.
The Minister for Law & Justice while briefing the Prime Minister on Lego-Constitutional matters as well as Muslim Family Laws regarding marriage, Nikah, divorce etc, mentioned that these are Federal Statutes and only the federal parliament can amend or pass laws in this regard. He apprised the Prime Minister that there is no such proposal of amending the Nikah-Nama pending with the Ministry.
The Minister also informed the Prime Minster that in order to provide relief to the prisoners, amendments are being brought in section 497-of CRPC as a result of which the prisoners under trial will get relief of bail after two years if their trial is not finished and the convicted prisoners will get relief of suspension of their sentence after two years if their appeals are not heard.
The Prime Minster appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Law & Justice for preparing relief oriented legislation.
The Minster also briefed the Prime Minster about the process of the hearing of Cases on 18th Amendment which were before the Supreme Court of Pakistan