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PR
No. 132 Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira and Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Syed Samsam Ali Bukhari Shah have strongly condemned the two suicide blasts in Lahore today, which resulted in the loss of precious lives. The Ministers emphasized that terrorism will never be allowed to succeed in its nefarious designs. Such acts only strengthen our resolve to fight terrorism with more vigour. The Government and the people of Pakistan are determined to root out this menace. The Ministers expressed their profound condolence to the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of those who sustained injuries in the blast. **Ahmad**
PR No. 133 Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal has said that there is a huge potential for joint working between the brotherly countries of Turkey and Pakistan. He said that local Production of Hybrid Seeds, Development of High Efficiency Irrigation System, Food Processing and Supplementing Edible Oils Production are the key areas where Turkey can help Pakistan a lot. Mr. Gondal said that Turkish seed industries could enter into a joint venture with the Pakistani Seed Companies to locally produce the hybrid seeds of maize, cotton, fruits and vegetables. He said that Turkey has a long experience in High Efficiency Pressurized Irrigation System and Pakistan needs collaboration for capacity building and training of service providers and manufacturing of drip irrigation equipment. Mr. Gondal added that Turkey could provide an opportunity for Pakistan to get easier access for Pakistani exports to European Union countries. He said that Pakistan could offer co investment opportunities to Turkish fruits and vegetables processors and investors especially with reference to citrus, mango, guava, vegetables, fish, milk and Halal meat. The Turkish ambassador to Pakistan, H.E, Mr. M.Babur Hizlan, who called on the federal minister at his office, assured the honorable minister of the maximum possible support and cooperation of his country. He said that adding value to Pakistani agricultural products in Turkey and then exporting them to EU could be a productive venture. Turkey is a member of the EU’s Customs Union and has to pay no taxes on exports to EU. The Federal Minister said that apart from cooperation in Organic Farming, Food Security and Value Addition; Cool Chain (providing cold storages and refrigerated containers for milk) is a major area for the Turkish investors as Pakistan is one of the largest milk producers in the world. The Turkish president is scheduled to arrive at Islamabad on the evening of the 30th March and commence his official visit from the 31st of the month. A delegation of 60-70 businessmen will accompany the president to identify the potential areas for investment. The ambassador will be invited to Minfa once again before the presidential visit to finalize areas of joint interests. An extended MoU will be signed between the two countries. **MS/Ahmad**
PR No. 134 Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker and Faisal Karim Kundi, Acting Speaker National Assembly have strongly condemned bomb blast at Lahore cantonment and expressed their heartfelt grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives. In their separate messages, the Speaker and Acting Speaker said that it was a shameful act of terrorism, which reflected inhumane and callous nature of the perpetrators. They said that the elements involved in such cowardice act were the enemies of the country and humanity. They said that terrorist wanted to disrupt the peace in the country and create terror and fear amongst the people but they will not succeed in their nefarious design. They called upon the law enforcing agencies to apprehend the criminals involved in this act of terrorism and bring them to justice. The Speaker and Acting Speaker sympathized with the injured and their families and prayed for their speedy recovery. They also prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the souls of the victims in eternal peace and grant the bereaved families the courage to bear the irreparable loss. **MT/Ahmad**
PR
No. 135 Federal Minister for Labour & Manpower, Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah has strongly condemned the two suicide blasts in Lahore today, which resulted in the loss of precious lives. The Federal Minister emphasized that terrorism will never be allowed to succeed in its nefarious designs. Such acts only strengthen our resolve to fight terrorism with more vigour. The Government and the people of Pakistan are determined to root out this menace. The Federal Minister expressed his profound condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of those who sustained injuries in the blast. **SG/Ahmad**
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said the government would continue pursuing the policy of political reconciliation so that the fruits of collective wisdom could reach the people of the country and bring about a positive change in their living standard. The Prime Minister was talking to Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gul, a newly appointed Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs and member of Central Executive Committee of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party who called on him at Prime Minister’s House here this morning. The Prime Minister said that his government has taken all the political parties on board to evolve consensus on all major issues including the constitutional reforms. He asked the Advisor to further strengthen the government’s reconciliation drive to translate Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s vision of reconciliation into reality. Profile of Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gul, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gul, former MNA and a member of Central Executive Committee of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party has been appointed as Advisor to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs. Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gul did B.Sc. Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science and received his Bar-at-Law from Lincon Inn, London. He also did his Post Graduate Diploma in Law from Thames Valley University (TVU) from London. Nawabzada Ghazanfar Gul has graduated from Government College, Lahore and received a Role of Honour in debating as well. He is an Advocate in the Punjab High Court. The public life of his family dates back to 1826. Nawab Sir Fazal Ali Khan, MBE-OBE, his grand father became first un-official chairman of the District Board of Gujrat in 1928. Later on, he became member of the Legislative Assembly Punjab and also founded the famous Zamindara College, Gujrat. Nawabzada Asghar Ali Khan succeeded his father (Nawab Sir Fazal Ali Khan) as member Legislative Assembly Punjab and became chairman District Board, Gujrat. After his death in 1942, Nawabzada Mazhar Ali Khan (brother of Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gul) became MNA while Nawabzada Muzaffar Ali Khan (brother of Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gul) was elected as member of the provincial Assembly Punjab as well as chairman of the Zila Council Gujrat.
PR No. 137 Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that there is a need of enhancing journalist interaction and visits between Pakistan and Iran so as to improve understanding and cooperation between the two brotherly countries. He was talking to Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan H. E. Masha Allah Shakeri who called on him here today. The Minister said that Pakistan and Iran enjoy historical cordial relations as they are bound together by historical, cultural, geographical and religious ties. He said that there is a need to capitalize on these shared values and to find out ways to enhance cooperation in all fields. The Minister said that both countries can benefit from one another’s media experiences and they should pool human and technical resources to fill the gaps as people of the two countries want to know about one another. “The exchange visits of media persons between the two countries needs to be resumed as they can work towards removing differences and misunderstandings, if any, between the people of the countries”, he added. The Minister said that the real war against terrorism is to fight the extremist mindset of people, as without changing that mindset, it would not be possible to win the minds and hearts of the people completely. He said that the role of media becomes crucial as it can help truly win this war on terror. “A combination of different types of media can be used to deliver the message of rejecting this extremist mindset”, he added. He said that we have to join hands in this war against terror. The Iranian ambassador said that production quality of Iranian films and documentaries has markedly improved recently and this fact has been recognized all over the world. He said that Iran can share expertise with Pakistan to help with the growth of Pakistani media industry. He stressed the need to promote the message of peace in the teachings of Sufi saints and philosophers, especially the philosophy of Dr. Allama Iqbal, to help promote moderate values and behaviors in the society. The ambassador said that media heads from both the countries should join hands and collaborate in media development. He agreed with the need of exchange visits of journalist from both the countries and said that the press clubs of the countries can collaborate in this regard.
PR
No. 138 A 10-member delegation of women entrepreneurs from Pakistan visited Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi. The women delegation is on a week long visit to New Delhi in connection with the exhibition arranged by FICCI Ladies Organization to introduce and encourage women entrepreneurs in business activities. The High Commissioner of Pakistan, Mr. Shahid Malik welcomed the delegates and expressed the hope for normalization of bilateral relations so that the great potential of bilateral trade available between the two countries could be explored and fully exploited for the benefit of both the countries. Minister (Trade) Pak High Commission Mr. Naeem Anwar discussed with the delegates various aspects of bilateral trade. The delegates included some famous names of Pakistan’s Fashion design industry like Faiza Sami, Zarlasht Ayaz, Dr. Farah Farooqi, Farida Qureshi, Sameera Sultan etc. Director FICCI/FLO Chipra Chatterjee and some prominent businessmen from India were also present on this occasion. Despite a strong desire, the delegates could not pay a visit to Ajmer Sharif and Agra as their visa had restricted their movement to the Delhi city areas only. **AS/Ahmad**
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No. 139 Government of Gilgit-Baltistan has thanked Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo for resolving issue of Diamer-Bhasha Dam Compensation for the affectees. The Minister for KA&GB, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo chaired the Cabinet Ministerial Committee of Diamer-Bhasha Dam compensation and resolved the issue of compensation on the priority basis with other members of Committee, Federal Minister for Water & Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Federal Minister for I&B Qamar Zaman Kaira, Federal Minister for Labour & Manpower, M Khurshid Shah and Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Syed Mehdi Shah. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yousaf Raza Gilani who took keen interest and appointed the Ministerial Committee for the resolution of the issue for the amicable resolution of this issue of national importance. The total amount of land to acquire is approximately 140240 Kanals and an amount of compensation Rs 40.679 will be paid to affectees within three years. The Ministerial Committee also approved the size of residential plot from 5 Marla free of cost to one kanal free of cost in model village. All non-technical positions in Dam project will be filled by the local people and in technical positions preference will be given on the basis of ability and availability to the local people. Federal Minister KA&GB keenly took interest in resolving the issue of compensation and the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are thankful to him for it **AZ/Ahmad**
Federal Minister for Science and Technology Senator Mohammad Azam Khan Swati has said that Our country is on the verge of dramatic change for how we power our cars, our homes and our businesses including innovations in bio diesel; the burden on the state exchequer from the import of diesel alone is alarming and a stable source must be found to alleviate this strain. With the development of bio-diesel in the country, we can certainly reduce our import bills on fuel and the money thus saved can be invested in the needy and all important sectors of health, education, industrial development and national security. While addressing the inauguration ceremony of the School of Chemical and Materials Engineering and the Launching Ceremony of the NUST “Fast Track Bio-Diesel Production Project” held here at National University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Friday the minister said that NUST has played a very important role in “going green” by planting eco-friendly energy crops.
Wind energy has to take on a
pioneering role in the electricity sector.
Biomass is important for all the three sectors: in the
electricity market, the heating market and
for fuels. Just as a benchmark,
USA alone produces 2
billion gallons of bio-diesel, which comes to nearly 5% of their total
liquid fuel bill. **AJ/Ahmad**
PR
No. 141 Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has strongly condemned the target killing of Karachi in which Maulana Saeed Jalalpuri along with five other ulemas were assassinated and Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Nadeem was injured by unknown persons. In a statement, issued here today, he expressed his grief and sorrow over the tragic incident and termed it a great loss to the country. He viewed that the nation has been deprived of veteran religious leaders with the martyrdom of Maulana Jalalpuri and his associates. He also prayed for recovery of good health of Maulana Ghafoor Nadeem. He termed the target killing of Ulemas as a wicked act of anti-Islamic elements who according to him were trying to create misunderstanding between the two Muslim sects. He expressed the hope that the people of the country would foil the nefarious designs of these elements and urged them to remain peaceful and avoid any kind of confrontation and violence in the country. He said that the terrorist have no religion, adding that they were bent upon creating terror in the masses which not only disturbed the routine life of the people but also damaged the soft image of Islam in the world. The Minister also condemned the twin suicide attacks of Lahore which caused number of casualties of innocent people and said that the terrorists were using innocent teenagers on the name of so-called jehad which is highly deplorable. He was of the view that Islam teaches peace and tolerance and discourages any kind of extremism, adding that terrorists have no faith in religion rather enemy of human being. He said that the people have seen the real faces of the extremists and hoped that by joint efforts, the war on terror can successfully be won. He urged upon ulemas and political leaders to come forward for maintaining unity among the people for combating the terrorist activities in the country. **AJM/Ahmad**
PR No. 142 Federal Minister For Environment Mr. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi has said that Police is one of the most important department of our country. Police department has offered many sacrifices while performing its duty to maintain law and order situation specially in the war against terror. Besides its normal duties, police department always took part in other activities of national importance. He urged the police to play its affective role for raising mass awareness about environment and climate change. He expressed these views while launching a tree plantation campaign in Police Lines, Headquarters, Islamabad, here today. Federal Minister said that comprehensive policies, projects, several plans and programs with the involvement of all stakeholders including, students of schools, colleges and universities, civil society organizations, private sector companies, farmers and local community are initiated to increase forest cover in Pakistan. He said that new forest policy will be announced very soon. Federal Minister told that last year, Pakistan secured a world record by planting 541176 trees in one day. However recently, India broke Pakistan’s record. He expressed his commitment to beat record holder (India) again by planting most trees in one day. Minister further added that government is taking different initiatives to raise awareness about environment, which is the most important issue for all of us. Although lack of funds and other resources are major hurdles yet, we will face this challenge, he told. Afridi said that role of media is very important in this context and hope that media will continue to support us. He also said that climate of whole world is changing rapidly; global warming and environmental change has become major threat for the entire world. Pakistan is also facing environmental problems. He told that deforestation is the main reason of these problems, however, government is committed to take necessary measures in this regard. Afridi also mentioned that, due to environmental effects, our glaciers are melting in speed. He also highlighted recent incident of Atta Abad, Gilgit Baltistan Landslide situation. Federal Minister told that Ministry of Environment is arranging different activities with the coordination of Police. With reference to Earth Day, Federal Minister said that Special programs are being arranged with the cooperation of Islamabad Police. He said, it is a matter of appreciation that our police remained with us at every level. Role of our police is not only admirable to maintain law and order situation but also to manage other administrative affairs. Federal Minister said that our police is facing big challenge of war on terror with high national spirit and whole nation is proud of them. He hoped that Police department will further share its role to raise awareness about environment and climate change among masses. He announced to give a plant nursery to the Islamabad police. He urged to ensure coordinated efforts to make this country, a “Green Pakistan”. I. G Police Syed Kaleem Imam said on this occasion that Police Department feels proud to share its role in national tree plantation campaign. He said that there is 144 acre. area of Police Lines, Headquarters Islamabad and we have plan to plant 10, 000 trees in the month of March. Federal Minister appreciated and asked concerned authorities of the M/O Environment to provide 20,000 trees to Police H.Qs. Islamabad. I. G. Police expressed his all possible cooperation and coordination. Earlier, Federal Minister for Environment was received by I.G Police Syed Kaleem Imam. A smart contingent presented Guard of Honor. He also visited martyrs memorial, laid wreath and offered dua. Federal Minister inaugurated tree plantation campaign in Police Lines, Headquarters by planting a sapling (Sterculia). On this occasion, Federal Secretary Javed Malik and I.G Police Syed Kaleem Imam also planted saplings. Federal Minister also visited different parts of Police Lines, Headquarters and saw series of photos, taken on different occasions in Police H.Qs. I.G Police Syed Kaleem Imam also presented shield and bouquet to Federal Minister for Environment(End)
PR No. 143 Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani called on the Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House here this afternoon and discussed security situation in the country.
PR No. 144 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has changed the portfolio of Mr. Arbab Muhammad Zahir from the Minister of State for Defence to Minister of State for Narcotics Control. The portfolio of the Narcotics Control Division was being looked after by the Prime Minister and subsequent to the launching of campaign to control drug abuse, it has been decided to appoint a full time Minister for effective implementation of government’s special initiative. The Prime Minister also appointed Mr. Istiqbal Khan as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister. Mr. Istiqbal Khan is a member of the Parliament from Malakand.
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No. 145 President Asif Ali Zardari today appointed seven Additional Judges in the Peshawar High Court, for a period of one year, with effect from the date they make the oath of their offices. Following are the names of newly appointed additional judges of PHC. i Mr. Yahya Afridi. ii) Mr. Ziaur Rehman Khan. iii) Mr. Imtiaz Ali. iv) Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah. v) Mr. Sher Muhammad Khan. vi Mr. Abdul Samad Khan. vii)Sardar Shaukat Hayat. Spokesperson to President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the appointments have been made on the advice of the Prime Minister and under Article 197 of the Constitution.
President Asif Ali Zardari today announced a grant of 20 million rupees for the office building of Sindh Bar Council. The President also announced the setting up of Benazir Housing Colonies for lawyers in all districts of Sindh on state lands and soft loans from HBFC for lawyers to build their houses. The President made these announcements during a meeting with members of Sindh Bar Council here at the Presidency on Friday afternoon. The President said that Pakistan Peoples Party acknowledges the important role played by the lawyers’ community in the fight for democracy, establishing rule of law in the country, constitutionalism and independence of judiciary. The government would facilitate the lawyers’ community in every possible manner so that the goal of easy and speedy dispensation of justice to the ordinary citizen could be accomplished, he said. Besides members of the Bar Council, the meeting was also attended by Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mr. Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Vice Chairman, Sindh Bar Council and other senior government officials. The President said that cheap and speedy dispensation of justice to the ordinary citizens is the foremost priority of PPP government and the government being aware of the problems of the lawyers’ community is taking all possible measures to address them. The President urged the lawyers’ community to gear up their efforts to meet the litigants’ expectations. Vice Chairman, Sindh Bar Council, also put forth various demands of the lawyers community of Sindh that included allocation of a piece of land for SBC Housing Society, construction of a hostel and hospital for Bar members, regular grant in aid by the provincial government, free medical facilities, the establishment of a Lawyers Welfare Fund and additional allocation of Rs. 100 million for improvement of the Sindh Advocates Benevolent Fund. The members of Bar Council also demanded the facility of free medical treatment for all practicing lawyers and their dependant family members at all government hospitals, special institutions, Children Hospitals and DHQ hospitals. The President said that lawyers will be given medical facilities in government hospitals as admissible to grade 17 and 18 officers. The President also assured the Bar Council that their legitimate demands would be forwarded to the federal and provincial government for early redressal. The Sindh Bar Council thanked the President for meeting them and assured their continued full support to the efforts of the President and the Government for strengthening of democracy, establishing supremacy of the Parliament and rule of law and facilitating dispensation of justice in the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday chaired a meeting of the PPP core group Karachi here at the Presidency on Friday afternoon. The meeting was attended among others by Madam Faryal Talpur, MNA, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Minister for Labour & Manpower, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh, Mr. Nabil Ahmed Gabol, MOS for Ports & Shipping, Agha Siraj Khan Durrani, Minister for Local Government Sindh, Mr. Muzzaffar Ali Shujra, Minister for Prisons Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Minister for Irrigation & Power Sindh, Pir Mazhr-ul-Haq, Minister for Education & Literacy Sindh, Mr. Mohammad Ayaz Soomro, Law Minister Sindh, MNAs Ms. Fauzia Wahab and Ms. Farahnaz Ispahani and other senior goverenment officials. PPP Parliamentarians and party office bearers from Karachi were also present in the meeting. Matters regarding forthcoming local bodies elections, law and order situation in the province and developmental issues in Malir, Lyari and other parts of Karachi were discussed during the meeting. The President said that year 2010 is local bodies election year and asked the Party parliamentarians and workers to gear themselves up for the forthcoming local bodies polls. He said that negotiations were going on with coalition partners in Sindh for holding of smooth and friction free elections. He added that it will test the popularity of the Party at grass root levels. Our parliamentarians, office bearers and the Party as a whole will be called upon to prove their worth before the masses in these elections, the President said.
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No. 148 NGO’s, civil society and community notables are being included in the Poverty Survey being conducted nationwide by Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) to maintain transparency and ensure speedy delivery of benefits to the deserving families, said Federal Minister/Chairperson BISP Farzana Raja on Friday. Addressing the media at a ceremony for submission of proposals by private firms for the nationwide Poverty Survey, Ms Farzana Raja said BISP has set a new trend by inviting the media to the ceremony for submission of proposals by private firms for execution of Nationwide Poverty Survey. She said this will help maintain transparency. In the first phase of Poverty Survey 16 districts have been surveyed and 0.6 million families have been registered, whereas, for the nationwide survey NGO’s, civil society and community notables have been taken aboard to ensure transparency in the whole process. Farzana Raja said survey teams will go door to door so that deserving families get relief under this programme. She said under the Aaghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Baluchistan package, Poverty Survey will first be concluded in the province. BISP had declared 11 firms eligible for the Poverty Survey, out of which 10 submitted their proposals. The firms which submitted the proposals are Rural Support Programme Network, Islamabad, Anjum Asim Shahid Associates (Pvt Ltd), Karachi, Kher Khegera Tanzeem, Peshawar, Fincon Consulting Services Pakistan, Islamabad, Avais Hyder Liaquat Nauman Chartered Accountancy, Islamabad, Europe Pvt Ltd, Hungary, Socio-Economic and Business Consultants (SEBCON), Islamabad, Sustainable Development Policy Institute, Islamabad, Creative Consultants, Peshawar, Contech International, Lahore. Farzana Raja said the deserving families in surveyed districts will be given Benazir Cards and in the next phase they will be provided Health Insurance and Technical Training for one member of the family to enable it to become self-sufficient.
PR
No. 149 The Government is working on the launching of convertible bond at about 7.75 percent for Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (OGDCL). The Federal Minister for Privatization Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan said during an informal chat with the media persons in his chambers today. He said that Foreign and strategic investors were eager to invest in Pakistan due to its investment friendly policies, opportunities, consistency of economic policies and political stability. The Council of the Common Interest (CCI) has given approval for privatization of 58 state-owned enterprises. The Minister said that through privatization process government intended to improve the efficiency and performance of the State owned entities for getting optimal production and to assess their true potential so that they could contribute to the national exchequer instead of causing a loss of billions of rupees to the national kitty. “We want to make these entities profitable assets of the country for the relief of the people”, he remarked. Senator Waqar said ‘We want to develop these state owned entities by improving their performance through restructuring and value addition for the benefit of the country. “We want to realize maximum potentials of the state-owned enterprises (SOE) by enhancing their cash value through value addition, besides enhancing their efficiency and competitiveness for getting higher process in the process of privatization for the benefit of the country”. The Minister for Privatization said that the government has already decided the restructuring of the institutions including PIA, Pakistan Railways, Pakistan Steel Mills and PEPCO, and suggested for transparent formation of boards to restructure the loss incurring institutions with the induction of professionals from the private sector. He said that experienced, efficient and competent Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and Chief Operating Officers (COOs) would be appointed on merit in these institutions. The CFOs and COOs shouldn’t be political appointees and they should be based on merit to run the boards in a transparent manner,” he added. Senator Waqar said that President and Prime Minister were taking keen interest in the welfare of the workers of these state owned entities. The Minister for Privatisation highlighting the launching of pro-worker Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme (BESOS) said that the scheme was historic and would usher a new era of workers revolution who were being given free of cost 12 % of the GOP shares in the SOEs and the entities already privatized. The scheme is not limited only to the non-privatized entities as it also includes all the privatized entities having GOP shares. The Minister added that Under BESOS the employees of various SOEs have been given shares certificates (12 % of GOP shares). He added this scheme would benefit the workers across the country. The Minister said that President Asif Ali Zardari and the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani attach great importance to the scheme, which ensures empowerment of the workers who have devoted their sweat and blood for the development and progress of their respective entities.
PR
No. 150 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed the Ministries of Water and Power, Petroleum and Natural Resources and Finance to find out a permanent solution to the circular debt of energy sector. The circular debt, he said, be regularly monitored and dues and claims of different organizations be settled. The Prime Minister was chairing a high level meeting on energy situation in the country at PM’s House here this afternoon. In order to resolve the existing situation and adopt long term measures the Prime Minister further directed to hold Inter-Ministerial level meetings on weekly basis and Secretaries level meetings on alternate days. The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Petroleum to ensure smooth supply of fuel to the Thermal Power Units enabling these to run at their full generation capacity in the period of reduced water availability for hydel power production. He further stressed for preparation of an integrated energy plan to ensure energy security in the country by bridging the supply and demand gap. As regard the deregulation of Inland Freight Equalization Margin (IFEM) charged on petroleum products particularly High Speed Diesel (HSD) and Premier Motor Gasoline (PMG), the Prime Minister directed that the matter be brought before the ECC for detailed discussions. The Prime Minister directed that both Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) should focus on reducing losses on account of leakages and theft. He asked the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources as well as OGRA to urgently hold meeting with the management of the both gas companies for resolution of their operational issues. The Prime Minister said that in wake of the current energy shortage and spiraling oil prices the IPI project would prove a milestone to meet the growing energy demands in the country. He said that usage of imported gas for power generation as well as by industries in the country would result in annual saving of foreign exchange of millions of dollars in furnace oil imports. Earlier the Prime Minister was briefed by the heads of various organizations of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and Water and Power about the circular debt situation. The Prime Minister was apprised that the IPI gas pipeline project is progressing as per schedule in accordance with the decision of the Cabinet. The Operational Agreement, it was mentioned, between Pakistan and Iran will be signed on 16th March in Tehran, after which work on the project could be initiated. The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Petroleum, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Minister of State for Finance Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Secretaries of the concerned Ministries, MD SNGPL, MD, PSO, MD SSGC, CEO PEPCO and other senior government officials.
PR
No. 151 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has cancelled his program to attend the Horse and Tatto Show in Lahore on Sunday as the Chief Guest. He took this decision in wake of loss of precious lives as well as injuries to many others in the explosions at R. A. Bazar and Moon Market, Allma Iqbal Town today. He also expressed his heartfelt condolences and sympathies for the families of the victims in these unfortunate incidents. The local administration, security agencies and medical authorities he felt, should focus on their immediate responsibility to look after the bereaved families as well as the safety of the citizens.
PR
No. 152 President Asif Ali Zardari Friday night directed the federal government departments to complete all developmental projects that were promised in the constituencies in Punjab where by-elections were held on Wednesday but the Party lost them. This he said during a meeting with the PPP core group from Punjab at Aiwan-e-Sadr which had been convened to review the performance of the Party in the By-elections in Punjab. Those who attended the meeting included among others Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar, Mr. Abdul Qayyum Jatoi, Mr. Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Mr. Mumtaz Alam Gillani, Mr. Rehman A. Malik, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Ms. Samina Khalid Ghurki, Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Mr. Imtiaz Safdar Waraich, Sardar Salim Haider Khan, Ghulam Farid Kathia, Mr. Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi, Raja Riaz Ahmed, Muhammad Afzal Sindhu, Mr. Tanvir Ashraf Kaira, Ms. Fauzia Habib, Ms. Rukhsana Bangash and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar. By-elections were held on one National Assembly (NA-123 of Lahore) and two provincial assembly seats of Punjab—PP-82 of Jhang and Bahawalnagar’s PP-284. The meeting took stock of the current political situation and deliberated upon the results of the by-elections. It also discussed strategies for better performance in the future elections. Law and order situation in the province and developmental projects also came under discussion. The President called upon the Party’s office bearers and leaders from Punjab to gear up their efforts for the forthcoming local bodies elections and to immediately undertake the task of evaluating candidates for Party tickets for local bodies elections. The President advised the Party leaders that in the local bodies elections tickets must be awarded to genuine workers to reward those who have remained steadfast with the Party and whose nomination would promote the democratic process. The President also urged the Party leaders to reach out to the people of far flung areas and to apprise them of the various achievements of the PPP government during last two years. The President said that no efforts should be spared to provide relief to the down-trodden people who are the real asset for the Party. It is the poor people who have always been in the forefronts in offering sacrifices for the Party since its very inception, the President remarked. He said that we firmly believe in being answerable to the people who have voted for us and these local bodies elections would be a litmus test for their confidence in the Party and its leadership. The participants also discussed various issues related to their constituencies.
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