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PR. No. 104. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) would provide financial and technical assistance to tackle the environmental problems in Pakistan particularly to mitigate the affects of climate change, vehicular emissions, deteriorated sanitation conditions, glaciers melting and air pollution. This was agreed in the meeting of Resident Representative of JICA Mr. Takao Kaibara and the Federal Minister for Environment, Mr. Hammed Ullah Jan Afridi. The JICA Resident Chief called on the Federal Minister at Ministry of Environment today. Secretary Ministry of Environment, Mr. Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi and the senior officers were also present in the meeting. The Minister said that Pakistan has declared 2009 as the year of Environment and comprehensive programmes are being chalked out to create awareness in the masses for addressing the environmental issues. He said that duty on CNG buses has been abolished in the budget to promote healthy environment in country. The Resident Representative JICA said that Japan give utmost importance to the environment sector and would extend all out assistance to Pakistan for redressing the environmental issues. The Minister appreciated the JICA for providing assistance to set up Air Quality Monitoring Stations, upgrading EPAs laboratories and providing mobile units for checking industrial emissions. The JICA has already provided an amount of Rs. 580 million out of its commitment of Rs. 973 million for the project. The Minister asked that the release of remaining amount of Rs. 393 million may be expedited. The Resident Representative of JICA said that inauguration of the Air Quality Monitoring System and Vehicular Testing Laboratory at EPA would be expedited. The Federal Minister said that government is recently approved a project for establishment of emission testing/ motor vehicle examination system for Islamabad at a cost of Rs. 240 million. He said that the project is based on Japanese model and Government of Pakistan would seek the assistance of JICA to extend this facility at Provincial capitals of the country. The Minister said that we are seeking Japanese technology transfer to Pakistan regarding water soluble plastic shopping bags and waste dumping as in Fukuoka Municipal Authority, Japan. Speaking on the occasion the Secretary, Ministry of Environment Mr. Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi said that JICA may provide assistance for implementation of National Environment Policy Action Plan and Sanitation Policy to off-set the huge cost of environmental de-gradation to be Rs. 365 billion per annum or 6% of the GDP caused mainly due to poor water sanitation conditions, air pollution, lead pollution, land degradation and deforestation. He said that Federal Government, Provincial Governments and Donor agencies may cooperate for implementing the Sanitation Action Plan to address these issues. **DKK/Ahmad**
PR. No. 105. Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi met with his Iranian counterpart on the sidelines of International Conference in Support of Afghanistan in Paris. During the meeting both leaders discussed bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Minister said Pakistan greatly valued its relations with Iran which are rooted in commonalities of history, geography, faith and culture. The Foreign Minister said IPI will play an important role in cementing the already close ties between Pakistan and Iran. It is, therefore, important that necessary steps should be taken amongst the concerned parties to finalize the formalities for implementation of the project at the earliest. The Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki recalled his last visit to Pakistan and thanked the Foreign Minister for hospitality extended to him in Islamabad. He reiterated Iran’s commitment to IPI project. Foreign Minister Mottaki informed Foreign Minister Qureshi that Iran has decided to withdraw import duty on Pakistani rice to facilitate the increase in rice imports from Pakistan. Foreign Minister Qureshi thanked him for the Iranian gesture and said it would reduce the imbalance in bilateral trade and help the agricultural sector in Pakistan. The two Foreign Ministers also discussed various aspects of economic and commercial relations and Pakistan-Iran cooperation in international organizations. **NH/Ahmad**
PR. No. 106. A condolence meeting of the staff, officers and consultants of Ministry of Privatisation & Investment was held here today under the chairmanship of Mr. Ahmed Jawad Federal Secretary Ministry of Privatisation & Investment to pay homage to their colleague late Malik Aslam Private Secretary who passed away on June 10, 2008. The Secretary Ministry of Privatisation & Investment while lauding the services of late Malik Aslam said that Mr. Aslam served with dedication, commitment and honesty till his last breath. He termed his death as an irreparable loss for his family and the colleagues of the deceased. He will always be remembered for his hard work and humbleness. Other senior officers and staff members also paid tribute to the deceased and expressed their deep sense of grief and sorrow over the death of Malik Aslam. Later Fateha was offered for the departed soul and it was prayed to Almighty Allah to shower His blessings over the departed soul and give courage and fortitude to the members of the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with patience and equanimity. **TP//Ahmad**
PR. No. 107. Mr. Maa’shallah Shakri, Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan called on Finance Minister, Syed Naveed Qamar here today. Finance Minister apprised the Iranian Ambassador about GoP’s Pre-Budget preparations and Post-Budget legislative debate in the Parliament along with other development related economic initiatives. Both the sides discussed institutional economic framework of their respective countries. Finance Minister stated that Pakistan currently is passing through the most challenging time since the democratic government took over and special measures are underway to reform the national economy. Pakistan would continue to be a priority in the Iranian Government’s regional and global economic preferences, Finance Minister said. Earlier Iranian Ambassador congratulated Syed Naveed Qamar on assuming Finance Minister’s Office. Iran and Pakistan need to work closely on all fronts, especially in the field of economic cooperation, he stressed. Pakistan and Iran could foster their ties through working together via Joint Ministerial Commission in all fields of bilateral interest, both the sides agreed. Iranian Ambassador, on behalf of Iranian Government, identified more than fifty areas of joint project-based cooperation focusing railways, communication, roads, shipping, trade, Infrastructure and alike. The forthcoming visit to Iran of Pakistan’s Finance Minister was also discussed in terms of agenda and development-related prospects beneficial to both the countries. Additional power generation and meeting Pakistan’s rising electricity demand is another sector identified for mutual cooperation. In the end, Finance Minister hoped that Iran and Pakistan are two brotherly Muslim countries sharing each other’s concern in all sectors of national and regional development and would continue to work for further strengthening of bilateral relations. **IH/Ahmad**
PR. No. 108. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo Advisor to the Prime Minister/Minister for Industries and Production has said that expansion in capacity is required to make Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) more economic and financially viable and to meet the increasing demand of steel in the country. He directed the PSM management to work out comprehensive expansion plan and to generate its own resources to fund this expansion plan. He said this while chairing a meeting on PSM here today. Meeting was also attended by Secretary Industries and Production Mr. Shahab Khawaja and Chairman Paakitan Steel Mills Moeen Aftab Sheikh. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo was given a detailed briefing about the overall working and structure of the PSM. Mr. Wattoo was told that an expansion plan was underway and by the end of current year the capacity would increase to 1.3 Million Ton Per Year (MTPY) from the current 1 MTPY. Under the second phase of the expansion plan, by end of 2010, the capacity will increase to 1.5 MTPY. After the completion of third phase in 2012, the total capacity of PSM will reach to the figure of 3 MTPY. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo instructed the management of PSM to increase its dependence on the local ran material in its expansion plans and other routine operations. He further said that there were many iron ore and coal reserves in different parts of the country which should be utilized to save the foreign exchange and decrease dependence on imported raw material. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo also chaired a briefing on PASDEC (Pakistan Stone Development Company). Ehsanullah Khan Chairman PASDEC gave a detailed briefing about the various projects of PASDEC. He told that PASDEC is working on 43 different projects which include development of marble cities, model quarries, up gradation of existing quarries, Common Facility and Training Centres (CFTC) etc. He informed that one model quarry established by PASDEC, has started working in Khuzdar (Balochistan) and two marble - cities one in Risalpur (NWFP) and other in FATA - are ready for ground breaking. The Chairman further told the 120,000 direct and 500,000 indirect employment will be generated under various Projects of PASDEC. He also revealed that due to the efforts of PASDEC marble export from Pakistan increased from $14 million in last year to $23 million in the current year which is an increase of 43%. Mr. Wattoo observed that Pakistan is rich in natural resources and marble and granite is abundant in different areas of the country. “We need to do more to exploit these resources to the maximum”, said Mr. Wattoo adding that “there was a large scope for development of mines in Balochistan.” He also directed the PASDEC and officials of the MOI&P to work out the possibility of Italian investment in Pakistan’s marble and granite sector as Italy is much advanced in this sector. Ali Umar Rajoka/nr
PR. No. 109. Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi has said that the Government has chalked out a comprehensive programme to expedite development in the backward and neglected areas and bring them at par with the developed areas of the country. He said this while talking to a delegation of notables and elders from D.I. Khan who called on him in the Parliament House, today. The Deputy Speaker said that Govt has given special attention to start new projects and completion of ongoing projects in District D.I. Khan. Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and Minister for Finance Syed Naveed Qamer for allocating funds in PSDP for the new and ongoing projects in D.I. Khan the Deputy Speaker said that in the budget 2008-2009, sufficient funds have been allocated for health, education, women welfare, communication and development of water resources. He said that an amount of Rs. 2000 million have been allocated for Gomal Zam Dam, Rs. 50 million for Chishma Right Canal, Rs. 25 million and 75 million for construction of embankment at difference location on the Indus river in district D.I. Khan. He said that an amount of Rs. 50 million have been allocated for improvement and development of roads and communication network in the district. He also said that during the current financial year the Government will start new projects for improvement of health, education and social sector amenities. He apprised the members of the delegation that an amount of Rs. 11.690 million was allocated for student faculty service Rs. 80 million for Gomal University and Rs. 50 million for the construction of Gomal Medical College have been allocated in PSDP. He said that Rs. 65 million will spent on the projects relating women welfare in the D.I Khan and surrounding areas. The Deputy Speaker said that the new Democratic Gove was committed to expedite the pace of progress in the country for betterment of masses in the country. He said that improved economic condition and wide spread prosperity in the country will enhance people confidence in the Govt and also enable the Govt to meet the challenges confronting the country. The members of the delegation lauded the efforts of the Deputy Speaker for completion of ongoing projects and starting the new one and added that by the completion of these projects will generate employment and bring prosperity to the region. MT/wh
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