|
P.R.
No. 116 Pakistan highly values its economic partnership with USA. The USAID has played a crucial role in the economic development of our country. This was stated by Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser to PM on Finance while talking to the delegation of USAID, led by its Administrator Mr. Rajiv Shah, here today. The Adviser to Prime Minister said that the government wants to effectively utilize the foreign assistance in the projects which may directly benefit the ordinary citizens of the country. He also mentioned that an exercise is going on in Planning Division to rationalize the development programme. Referring to the recently concluded strategic dialogues in the USA and recent visits of US Congressmen to Pakistan, the Adviser said that both the countries share a much larger vision of development so this is a long-term relationship between the two countries. He said that whereas the government wants development in all economic and social sectors, it faces immediate challenges in energy and agriculture fields. We would certainly welcome foreign assistance in these crucial sectors, he added. Mr. Rajiv Shah, Administration USAID, while appreciating the pace of economic development in Pakistan, said that the USAID is encouraged by the positive outcome of recent talks between the two countries in the USA. Mr. Rajiv Shah also stressed the need for long term economic relationship between the USA Mr. Rajiv Shah also stressed the need for long term economic relationship between the USA and Pakistan. He said that the USAID is certainly willing to assist Pakistan energy, food security and education sectors. He also offered that his organization is ready to prioritize various projects’ assistance as per requirements of the Government of Pakistan.
P.R.
No. 117 Federal minister for Food & agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal has said that USAID must assist and invest in areas that could produce tangible results for the poor people of the country. The minister was speaking to the visiting USAID delegation here at his office in Islamabad. The minister stressed that agriculture is of paramount importance for Pakistan as majority of the people are related to the sector. He said that cooperation in water conservation, marketing of agriculture products; agricultural research and building grain storage capacities are the areas where USAID help can benefit a lot Pakistani people and could truly win their hearts and minds. Mr. Gondal explained that the agriculture sector of Pakistan is facing an acute water shortage and introducing the modern irrigation systems like drip irrigation and sprinkler are the only solution to the problem. He also added that the farmers do not get fair dividends for their crops due to the poor marketing and storage capacities of the country. Rajiv Shah, administrator USAID, led the visiting delegation. Other delegates included Ambassador Robin Raphael, Sean Carroll, Robert Wilson, Barry Primm, Christa Skerry, etc. Mr. Rajiv appreciated the presentation given to him on the ministry and the proposals for their solution. He said that he was willing to work on long-term strategies and plans. “We would work on a sophisticated and definite strategy with a known time frame”, said Rajiv. The administrator said that proper plans would be developed to guarantee financial sustainability. He further added that appropriate mechanism would be devised to directly help and support Minfa. Mr. Rajiv proposed to form a joint technical team for future collaboration. Secretary Minfa M. Zia-ur-Rehman, Chairman PARC Dr. Zafar Altaf, special advisor to PM on water, Kamal Majeedullah and other officials of the ministry also attended the meeting
PR
No. 118 Raja Pervez Ashraf, Minister for Water & Power presided over a meeting with 17- member delegation, comprising top executives of the leading German companies in energy sector here today. The delegation is currently on a 3-day visit of Pakistan on invitation of Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) to explore possibilities of investments in the Alternative/Renewable Energy (ARE) sector. Secretary, Adviser and Additional Secretary Ministry of Water & Power, Chairman WAPDA, MD PEPCO, MD PPIB, CEO AEDB and other senior officials of the Ministry and attached departments also attended the meeting; whereas, the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Excellency Dr. Michael Koch led the German delegation. The Minister on this occasion said that currently Pakistan was passing through a critical phase of power shortages; however, it possessed great potential of power generation, especially in the field of alternative/renewable energy particularly Hydro Wind and Solar Power. He said that presently Pakistan was looking for some immediate steps to overcome energy shortages to provide relief to its people. He said that the German was always helped Pakistan in different sectors and the current visit of top German companies would certainly strengthen relations between the two friendly countries. He invited the German companies to develop their businesses in Pakistan through direct investments, joint ventures or providing technical assistance, machinery, equipment etc. The Minister said that Pakistan was already offering very scores of attractive incentives for in ARE sector. However, a new policy which is only awaiting approval of the federal cabinet is ready for implementation. The policy make Pakistan one of a very few country that offers remarkable incentives in the field of ARE. The Minister assured the German companies fullest Government support in their future investment in Pakistan in alternative energy sector. The CEO, AEDB on this occasion informed that Four 50 MW wind farms are expected to see their financial closure by the end of this year. The number would increase in the subsequent years. He also informed that with the support of AEDB more than 8 Hydro power plants (110 MW), are under implementation, 14 others are in advanced stages of preparation. Members of the German delegation informed the meeting of their proposed alternative energy projects and expressed their interest for joint ventures with Pakistani companies. They also discussed some other alternative energy like wind and solar projects. The German Ambassador thanked the Minister for supporting and facilitating the delegation. He said that the German companies are very eager to invest in the energy sector in Pakistan to meet its future electricity needs. The Minister appreciated the role of AEDB for their efforts to setting up of alternative energy projects and asked to enlist all the proposed projects submitted by German Companies and again assured the delegation of government’s utmost support in this regard. Earlier, The Secretary Water and Power, Shahid Rafi gave a detailed briefing on power sector, investment opportunities and incentive based power policies. Chairman Wapda, MD PPIB and MD Pepco also briefed the delegation and offered various projects for investment in their respective areas.
PR
No. 119 The Director General Special Education, Pakistan Prince Abbas Khan has disclosed that under the special directives of the President not only the number of special education centres is increased in the country but at least two Inclusive Education centers in each and every district are being established so that children with disabilities are also provided appropriate education facilities at their door step. Addressing a meeting of experts on education of people with visual impairment he said that the government has taken several initiatives for promotion of education for visually impaired children which included strengthening of National Braille Press, provision of Hostel facilities and arrangement of transport. The International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI) and Pakistan Community Development Council (PCCD) jointly organized the function in collaboration with Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education. It also transpired on this occasion that with special interest and directives of Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Samina Khalid Gurki over ten per cent increase has been noted this year in enrolment at the special education centres of the federal government. However, to ensure access to education for the children with disabilities, the government will also established the aforementioned inclusive education schools where children with disabilities will be provided all basic facilities so that these children could become useful citizens. It was emphasized during the meeting that Government along with private sector should make efforts to establish more special education centres for the Visually Impaired children and also to improve inclusive education system by sending the Visually Impaired Children to general education schools. Senior representatives of Directorate General of Special Education, Ministry of Education, Punjab Government’s special education department, special education departments of different private and public sector universities, Sight Savers Pakistan, Pakistan Association for the Blinds, and ICEV participated in the function.
PR
No. 120 President Asif Ali Zardari today accorded his assent to Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) Bill– 2010 at Aiwan-e-Sadr assigning PIDE greater responsibilities by making it a specialized degree awarding institution in major fields of economics and business. The signing ceremony was attended among others by Deputy Speaker National Assembly Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, Federal Education Minister Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali, parliamentarians and leading economists and academicians. Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) Bill– 2010 was passed by National Assembly and the Senate on 18th January and 24th March respectively. It became a law today after the President formally gave his assent to it. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the President said that signing the PIDE Bill into a law is recognition of the role played by PIDE and the confidence of the Government in the capabilities of the institution to produce internationally renowned and leading economists. The President said that there was a great need for replenishing the human resources of the country with highly trained economists in the public and private sectors. The Bill that would now enable PIDE to produce Ph.Ds, M.Phils and Masters in economics and business would help to meet this requirement, the President said. The President wished PIDE success in its new role as degree awarding institution and hoped that it would continue to make great strides and uphold its name as an institute of excellence.
PR No. 121
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
