PR. NO. 156 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad; August 12, 2010    Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Canada Mr. Akbar Zeb has said that in terms of the people affected, the catastrophe caused by the floods in Pakistan was greater than the 2004 Asian Tsunami, the recent Haiti earthquake and the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan combined and the Government of Pakistan was facing daunting challenges of relief, rescue, rehabilitation and reconstruction. The High Commissioner was talking to the CBC’s popular programme power and politics here today. Mr. Akbar Zeb said that while the magnitude of the calamity was still to unfold fully, the latest estimates show that fifteen million people had been affected.  At least 1600 people have reported to have lost their houses and there was unprecented damaged to infrastructure, houses, crops and livestock.  Terming this as a major humanitarian crisis, he said that the Government of Pakistan had deployed all its resources for the rescue and relief of the flood affected areas.  However, in view of the enormity of the disaster the government had launched an international appeal for immediate assistance to the flood affected people.  While the immediate requirement was for $500 million in humanitarian aid, more than $5 billion would be required to reconstruct the wide scale damage from the floods. Answering a question, Mr. Akbar Zeb said Canada had been Pakistan’s development partner since its inception and a number of projects had come up in Pakistan with Canadian assistance.  He said that Canada had announced it was closely monitoring the flood situation in Pakistan and would come up with an appropriate response. Answering another question, the High Commissioner said President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit to Europe has been blown out of proportion.  It had in fact helped focus attention on flood relief and ease relations with UK, says a press release received here today from Ottawa. **MA/Ahmad** PR. NO. 157 PRESS RELEASE KAZMI STRONGLY CONDEMNS HOLDING OF “BURN OF QURAN DAY” PLANNED IN US CHURCH Islamabad; August 12, 2010    Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has strongly condemned a plan for holding of “International Burn of Quran Day”, to be hosted by a church of Florida, United States on the anniversary of the September 2001 terror attack, as reported on the internet. The Church is promoting the event on its website and Facebook page and has invited Christians to burn the Muslim holy book at its premises from 6.00 pm to 9.00 pm, he deplored. In a statement issued here today, the Minister described this plan as great shock for the Muslim Community, adding that if the said event takes place, there would be a great chaos and turmoil in the world. He expressed fear that there would be chances of attacks on the churches across the world. He said that Islam discourages extremism and terrorism and teaches patience and tolerance and advocates peace as well. He added that Muslim countries especially Pakistan suffered a lot due to terror attacks, adding Pakistan played vital role as front line ally in war against terror. The Minister was of the view that such shock full and shameful event would dent the sentiments of Muslims that will ignite the feelings of Muslim community across the world which would detrimental for efforts of maintaining peace in the world. In a letter, the Minister also requested Foreign Ministry to approach American authorities at proper level to prevent the holding of said event to avoid possible chaos and turmoil. **AJM/Ahmad** PR. NO. 158 PRESS RELEASE Economic Recovery Plan to be announced soon to assist canola and sun flower growing farmers in the flood affected areas as farmers’ ability to grow crops on their own finances is destroyed. Nazar M. Gondal Islamabad; August 12, 2010    Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Nazar M. Gondal has said that the floods have extensively damaged the agriculture sector of the country and the ministry in consultation with other stake holders is busy in finalizing ways and means to help out the farmers. The minister was chairing an emergency meeting arranged by Pakistan Oilseed Development Board (PODB) that was attended by the representatives of the leading seed companies and Solvent industry of the country. Mr. Gondal asked the participants to come forward and help the farmer community in the wake of the catastrophic floods that have ravaged the crops across the country. “I seriously urge you to devise a plan and offer credit with discount to the farmers for at least six months and enable them to achieve a sustainable economic recovery. It is both a challenge and opportunity for us get self sufficiency in the production of edible oil also. PODB, Seed Companies and Solvent Industry must devise the plan and announce it soon”, said the minister. The minister said that sunflower, canola and other oilseed crops must be made regular crops and for that purpose the first step is to guarantee attractive prices at par with the import prices we pay for edible oil. He added that the indicative prices for the procurement of sunflower and canola will be announced within a week after consultation with the Solvent industry of the country. The representatives of the seed companies assured the minister of all the possible help in assisting the devastated agriculture sector of Pakistan. They pledged to contribute for the recovery of agriculture and farmers community of the country. They also assured that the seed availability would be no issue for the upcoming season. The meeting was attended by secretary & additional secretary and other officials of Minfa, Managing Director (MD) PODB, Ghulam Idrees Khan, representatives of seed companies/ Solvent industry and officials from all the provinces. **MS/Ahmad** PR. NO. 159 PRESS RELEASE PAK-JORDONIAN BONDS OF FRIENDSHIP TO BE STRENGTHENED FURTHER – NAEK Islamabad; August 12, 2010    Pakistan enjoys very warm, cordial and brotherly relations with Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan which will be further strengthened in the days to come. This was stated by the Chairman Senate, Mr. Farooq H. Naek while talking to the outgoing Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to Pakistan H. E. Dr. Saleh Al Jawarneh who paid a farewell call on him at the Parliament House this afternoon. During the meeting, Chairman appraised the envoy about the devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan. The Ambassador expressed deep sadness at the tragic loss and suffering that Pakistan has been experiencing as a result of ongoing floods. He offered his heartfelt condolences to those who have lost their lives and deep sympathy to those who have been affected. Chairman underscore the need of promoting parliamentary exchanges between Pakistan and Jordan to their mutual advantage. He also extended an invitation to the speaker of the Senate of the Hashemite kingdom of Jordan to visit Pakistan While, thanking the Chairman, Government and people of Pakistan for warm hospitality and unstinting cooperation extended to him during his diplomatic tenure in Pakistan, the Envoy said his stay in Pakistan was very rewarding and memorable. The Chairman appreciated the services rendered by the outgoing Envoy in further strengthening the relations between Pakistan and Jordan. He wished him success in his future diplomatic assignments. **RAQ/Ahmad** PR. NO. 160 PRESS RELEASE Report on engagements of Commerce Minister on flood Relief Islamabad; August 12, 2010    As per directions regarding flood relief activities, the Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim reached interior Sindh, canceling all his political engagements and official commitments in Islamabad, to personally watch the relief activities in the province. He remained in touch with the Sindh provincial government emphasizing them to keep the district administration on high alert prior to the arrival of flood torrents in river Indus and its adjoining Katcha areas between Kashmore and its Indus delta to the sea coast. The Federal Minister made telephonic call on the Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat Ul Ibad to discuss with him the latest situation of floods in the province and evacuation of people from kacha areas. The Federal Minister also directed his followers of Sarwari Jammaat to be on stand by position to support the affectees of flood. Volunteers of the Jammat (Sarwari) had already come out for rescue operations in parts of interior Sindh.  Meanwhile the Commerce Minister also contacted the business community to help him in collecting donations from well-off traders of various Chambers and Associations of the country. They assured the Minister of their complete support. Minister for Commerce visited the sensitive areas of district Matiari including New Saeedabad, Purana Hala, Bhanot and Matiari town of his constituency NA-218 Sindh. He examined the relief activities carried out by the local administration, irrigation department and law enforcement agencies. The Minister made a press briefing to the media regarding relief operations. He observed that the protective measures being taken by the local administration for safe mass exodus from kacha areas were adequate. The local administration also briefed the Minister and told him that so far more than 35 thousands people have been shifted to camps. Makhdoom Amin Fahim also visited the camps being built for the affected people. Commerce Minister personally monitored the evacuation of thousands of families from Kacha area to safer places. On the directives of Federal Minister for Commerce the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC) and Tradring Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) handed over Cheque of 2 million rupees each to the Ministry of Commerce to be deposited in the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for flood affectees. Makhdoom Amin Fahim has directed all the attached departments of his Ministry to raise funds for the relief activities of flood victims. The Honorable Minister has constituted committees of notables citizens on Tehsil level in New Saeedabad, Hala and Matiari Tehsil under his own direct supervision. The Honorable Minister has also established a flood emergency cell working round the clock at his own residence, Makhdoom House Hala and in Matiari town. All day long, the Minister remains busy in visiting the protective bunds of river Indus and meeting the people to hear their difficulties. The Minister has announced to be present in the area and available in the camps till the situation normalizes.   **SH/Ahmad** PR. NO. 161 PRESS RELEASE ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF ENERGY IMPERATIVE FOR DEVELOPMENT: AFRIDI Islamabad; August 12, 2010    Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi has said that it is imperative to promote alternative sources of energy in different sectors to over come the current energy crunch in the country. He says this in a briefing held in Islamabad on Thursday. The Chief Executive Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) Arif Alauddin briefed the Minister about various on-going and new projects. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said that energy shortage has badly effected national economy besides creating difficulties for citizens it is time and felt need of agriculture and industrial sector to switch over renewable energy technology and it could be made possible when relevant organizations should extend technical support and guidance to the agriculturists and industrialists to come forward and set up renewable industrial units in Pakistan, he added. Federal Minister Environment asked local and foreign investors to invest in energy sector to meet the energy requirements in the country. He said although government had taken a number of initiatives in this regard, however, the cooperation of public sector is still required to deal with the critical situation. The Minister said solar energy system is suitable for agriculture and we can enhance the capacity of tube wells for irrigation purposes by using solar energy source. He said Ministry of Environment also encouraging concerned organizations to adopt and develop alternative energy technology to reduce their expenditures. Chief Executive Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) Arif Alauddin informed that it is our endeavor to reduce the burden on traditional energy resources and adopt new techniques and methods to get energy from alternative sources. He said in this connection a number of projects are progressing speedily and new initiative would also be taken to improve the provision of energy supply. **AS/Ahmad** PR. NO. 162 PRESS RELEASE German, Canadian Companies keen to invest $ 8 billion in housing sector: Kakar Islamabad; August 12, 2010    Federal Minister for Housing & Works, Rehmatullah Kakar has welcomed the keenness of German and Canadian construction companies to invest $ eight billion in Pakistan housing sector under Prime Minister’s Housing for All Program. The President of German Jiaklien Company Mr. Klanfelter and Canadian Stardeor called on Minister for Housing & Works here today separately and expressed willingness of their companies to participate in the construction of housing units in Pakistan under Prime Minister’s housing scheme by investing US $ eight billion. The Minister said that the government was encouraging and facilitating the local and foreign companies to take full advantage of the investor, friendly climate in the housing sector for the mutual advantage and offering incentives and facilitates to the investors. The Minister said that under the Prime Minister’s Housing Programme, one million housing units for the needy, government employees and general public on affordable cost were being constructed across the country. This large scale construction of housing units would mitigate the shelter problem of the people but also generate socio-economic activities to a great extent. The Minister also informed the heads of German and Canadian Companies about the ongoing housing projects in the country and said that sovereign guarantee was required under the legal obligation to enter into an agreement.   The heads of German and Canadian Companies lauded the development of housing sector in Pakistan at a fast pace and agreed to take benefit of the investment opportunities in the housing projects. **MN/Ahmad** PR. NO. 163 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad; August 12, 2010  Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh held a meeting with World Bank’s Country Director, Mr. Rachid Benmessaoud today to discuss the scope of the Banks’ support for the relief and reconstruction work with regard to the recent floods in Pakistan. As a consequence of the meeting the Country Director has agreed to commit an amount ofUS$900 million for the purpose. The finance Minister further impressed upon the Country Director, World Bank to immediately initiate Damage Needs Assessment in the flood ravaged areas, upon which the Country director assured that the process will start from next week. PR. NO. 164 PRESS RELEASE MALAYSIAN FIRST LADY TELEPHONES BEGUM FAUZIA GILANI Lahore: August 12, 2010 Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor, Wife of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, called Begum Fauzia Yusuf Raza Gilani over the phone this evening to convey her condolences and commiserations on the loss of precious lives and damage to the properties and infrastructure caused by the floods in vast swathes of Pakistan.  Begum Fauzia Yusuf Raza Gilani apprized Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor of the magnitude of colossal devastation and havoc wrecked by the worst ever floods in the history of Pakistan and of the assistance that the Government of Pakistan requires on immediate basis to cope with the affects of this massive natural calamity.  She hoped that the international community would realize the scope and extent of the catastrophe and come forward wholeheartedly to extend direct assistance to the Government of Pakistan keeping in view its huge requirement, for its urgent and optimal utilization.  Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor informed Begum Sahiba that Government of Malaysia has already pledged US $ one million for the provision of immediate relief to the flood stricken people in Pakistan whereas Malaysian NGOs like Merci-Malaysia and private sector companies are being encouraged to assist the flood victims by taking part in the relief and rehabilitation activities in Pakistan. She said that in the second week of August more relief goods would be sent to Pakistan. She also expressed her own and people and Government of Malaysia’s solidarity with the people of Pakistan in their trying times.  She assured Begum Fauzia Yusuf Raza Gilani of every possible support of Malaysia for the relief and rehabilitation efforts of the Government of Pakistan for the flood affectees in the country. Both the First Ladies also discussed and agreed to work together, in the future, for furthering the causes like education, mother and child health care and women empowerment, to the mutual benefit of the people of their countries. PR. NO. 165 PRESS RELEASE  PRIME MINISTER CALLS ON PRESIDENT Islamabad, 12 August 2010 The President and the Prime Minister who met Thursday  night in the President House vowed to step up efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the flood victims and decided to convene an urgent meeting of the Council of Common Interest (CCI) and take on board all provinces and political parties and also solicit international support in addressing the myriad  issues thrown up by unprecedented floods in the country. The two leaders who met in the Aiwan-e-Sadr tonight for over two hours saluted the people of Pakistan for displaying courage in enduring the natural calamity and appreciated the support rendered by the international community. They also thanked the UN for convening the Donors Conference for the purpose. The Prime Minister who has visited flood affected areas in all the provinces said that the extent of total damage to life, property, cattle head and infrastructure may be far more than what the initial estimates suggested. The two leaders agreed that a massive mobilization of resources including budgetary re-prioritization may be required to confront the situation arising out of the devastation caused by floods that was more severe in intensity and damage than the earthquake of October 2005 and the 2001 Tsunami The President briefed the Prime Minister about his recent visit to France and UK during which the two countries not only showed concern over the devastation caused by floods but also promised assistance in the relief and rehabilitation effort. The President and the PM appreciated the suggestion of Mian Nawaz Sharif to meet the Prime Minister for discussing the issue. The Prime Minister apprised the President of his assessment of the unprecedented devastation caused by floods resulting in the death of over one thousand people, uprooting of millions of people, destruction of houses on a large scale, damage to infrastructure and standing crops besides the loss of huge cattle heads. The Prime Minister said that he proposed to visit AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan. The President and PM also reiterated the government commitment to a free and independent media and that the government will continue to extend full support to the freedom of the media. The President as Co Chairman of the PPP also called upon the Party workers and office bearers to step out and help in the relief and rehabilitation work. He also asked the Party workers to set up relief camps in the affected areas and to submit reports to the Party in this regard. PR. NO. 166 PRESS RELEASE PML(N) QUAID TELEPHONES THE PRIME MINISTER Islamabad, 12 August 2010 PML (N) Quaid Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif rang up Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani today while on his way to Jacobabad and exchanged views on the flood situation in the country. The PML(N) Quaid has told the Prime Minister that keeping in view of the seriousness of the flood situation in the country he desires to share his views with him. The Prime Minister thanked Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif for his telephone call and invited him in next few days for deliberation on a strategy to overcome the miseries of the flood affected people by intensifying the relief and rehabilitation efforts.