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PR No. 124 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani attended the inaugural dinner hosted by President Obama for the heads of the nations participating in the Nuclear Security Summit at Washington held yesterday, says a press release received here today. The Prime Minister was one of the lead speakers at the dinner where the leaders shared their perspectives about the threat of nuclear terrorism. 47 countries, the United Nations, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and President of the European Council are taking part in the Summit. The Prime Minister welcomed President Obama’s initiative to convene the Nuclear Security Summit. He stressed that the threat of nuclear terrorism was global in nature and required measures for nuclear security by all states without exception. Prime Minister Gilani stated that, as a nuclear weapon state with advanced nuclear technology, Pakistan was fully aware of its responsibilities. It had put in place a robust nuclear security regime and was confident about the safety and security of its nuclear assets as well as the security of nuclear materials and facilities. The Prime Minister urged the adoption of non-discriminatory criteria for access to civil nuclear technology, to enable Pakistan to meet its growing requirement for energy. He underscored that with more than 35 years of nuclear power plant operations, highly trained manpower and a well-established safety and security culture, Pakistan fully qualified for international civil nuclear cooperation.
**NQ/Ahmad**
PR No. 125 Pakistan is all set to actively participate in the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2010 exhibition being held in Kaula Lumpur Malaysia, from 19th to 22nd April, 2010. The Defence Minister of Pakistan, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar is expected to lead a high level delegation to attend the exhibition, says a press release received here today from Malaysia. The 55 member Pakistani delegation to the exhibition include Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Naval Chief, Federal Secretary of Defence Production, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Defence, Surgeon General of Medical Services and Member Custom. According to the latest information available with the Pakistan High Commission in Malaysia, Pakistan’s Defence related companies which have already confirmed their participation include Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO), Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), Heavy Industries Taxila(HIT), Institute of Industrial Control Systems (IICS), International Defence Exhibition And Seminar (IDEAS), Scientific Engineering And Technology Services (SETS) Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) of Pakistan, with its expertise in innovative technologies will exhibit wide range defence products including infantry weapons, Personal Defense Weapons, Artillery Ammunition, Tank & Anti-Tank Ammunition, AirCraft & AntiCraft Ammunition, Hand Grenades, Small Arms Ammunition etc. Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS), a conglomerate of seven defence related companies, involved in the exports and marketing of military, industrial and technological products and services will be exhibiting its world standard industrial and defence system in the field of air, land and sea. Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), a manufacturing facility which has built the Main Battle Tank 2000 “Al-Khalid”, Armoured Personel Career M-113, IFV Al-Zarar fighting vehicles will have a large presence by exhibiting armoured fighting vehicles, armoured personnel carriers and tank guns. Institute of Industrial Control Systems (IICS), a leading defence manufacturing organization of Pakistan is likely to exhibit Surface to Air Missile (SAM), Anti Tank Guided Missile, Laser Rang Finder, Laser Aiming Devices etc. Scientific Engineering & Technical Services (SETS) involved in multi-disciplinary Research & Development (R&D) will be displaying their expertise in development and production of various ammunition, equipment and systems related to Army, Navy, Air Force and other organizations including paramilitary forces agencies. According to Defence Advisor of Pakistan High Commission, Commodore Zahid Akram, Pakistan defence manufacturing sector is capable of meeting the bulk requirements of foreign customers in areas of medium technology and selected areas of high technology. It can provide the customers high grade weapon systems like Main Battle Tanks MBTs, basic and advance trainer aircraft, surface to air and anti tank missile systems, sophisticated surface and sub surface naval crafts, air delivered munitions, small arms and a wide range of ammunition and explosives. All these products are backed up by ISO certification thereby guaranteeing customer satisfaction. DSA 2010 will certainly provide Pakistan’s defence related entities a golden opportunity to introduce their high quality and cost effective products and services to buyers and visitors taking part in the exhibition. **QB/Ahmad**
PR NO. 126 President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the Government will pursue its economic reforms agenda for macroeconomic stability despite constraints. He said this while talking to Mr. Adnan Mazarei, Head of IMF Mission for Pakistan, who called on him in Presidency on Tuesday. The 2-member delegation headed by Mr. Adnan Mazarei also included Mr. Jaroslaw Wieczorek. From Pakistan’s side, Secretary General to the President Mr. Salman Faruqui, Advisor Finance Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Secretary to President Malik Asif Hayat, Secretary Finance Mr. Salman Siddique were also present during the meeting along with Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar and other senior officials. The President said that Pakistan is taking all possible measures to accelerate progress in strengthening and extending the scope of social safety net system under Benazir Income Support Program. Transparency in various components of BISP is facilitating the Government to reach out to the poor and the deserving segments of the society to the maximum possible extent. The President also highlighted various economic measures being taken by the Government to stabilize the economy, on one hand, and to provide relief to the poor people, on the other. President Zardari said that the war against militants had inflicted great loss to our frail economy that the Government inherited and left the Government with no option but to take a number of unpopular decisions even at the cost of its popularity for the stability of economy. He said that the Government would adhere to policies of fiscal discipline, critical tax reforms, energy sector reforms, flexible exchange rate and expenditure rationalization. Head of IMF Mission for Pakistan Mr. Adnan Mazarei said that the Mission appreciated the measures taken by the Government for economic recovery and was aware of the difficulties it faced.
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No. 127 Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) is working to reduce poverty and empower women in the country, said Federal Minister/Chairperson BISP Farzana Raja on Tuesday. During a meeting with Mr. Kais Subhi Al-Yacoubi, Iraq’s ambassador to Pakistan, Ms Farzana Raja said BISP was a revolutionary programme which is striving hard for poverty reduction through empowering the womenfolk. She told Mr. Yacoubi that BISP has introduced several initiatives to assist deserving families achieve financial independence and to start contributing to the national economy. Farzana Raja said Waseela-e-Haq was the major initiative under which deserving families are being given an amount of Rs.300,000 through a computerized draw to start their own business. The family which receives this amount is also trained in running a business and keeping in view family members’ capabilities, they are also suggested an appropriate business. Health Insurance and Vocational Training are other big initiatives through which deserving families are given annual health insurance of Rs.25,000 and under the Vocational Training scheme one member of the BISP beneficiary family will be given technical training to enable one person in the family to start earning and contributing to the household income. Mr. Yacoubi appreciated various initiatives of BISP which he said will play an important role in elimination of poverty from the country and bring relief to a huge segment of the population. Farzana Raja told Mr Yacoubi that BISP has developed a technology based Management and Operational system to ensure transparency and objectivity in the programme. The ambassador was also apprised of the Poverty Scorecard Survey, the first of its kind in South Asia, which is being conducted across Pakistan to identify families deserving financial assistance under BISP. Mr. Yacoubi underlined the need for enhancement of bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, particularly in the areas of transfer of knowledge, irrigation and industry. He said technical and skilled labor was also needed in Iraq. SK/wh
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No. 128 A spokesman of the Government has clarified news reports regarding remission to prisoners granted by the President of Pakistan under the Constitution. The spokesman said that it has been customary for the Heads of State on the advice of the Chief Executive/Prime Minister to grant special remission to the prisoners on auspicious occasions like Pakistan Day, Independence Day, Eidul Fitr, Eidul Azha, Eid Milad-un-Nabi and major celebratory occasions. Elaborating the procedure, the spokesman said, the Interior Division being administratively concerned with the subject initiates summary for grant of special remission and it is the Prime Minister who decides the extent of remissions. The President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister as provided in the Constitution. From 1947 to date remissions have been granted every year. In 1997, the then President Mr. Muhammad Rafique Tarar, on the advice of the then Prime Minister Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif granted remission of one-fifth (remission of 5 years in case of life imprisonment) and also granted total remission to male prisoners of 65 years or above and to female prisoners of 60 years of age or above if they had served the imprisonment of 10 years, the spokesman said. Tracing history of remissions granted by the Presidents, the spokesman said that in 1988, the then President Mr. Ghulam Ishaque Khan, on the advice of the then Prime Minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, commuted death sentence into life imprisonment and granted pardon to all women except those convicted for murder and remitted sentence of convicts who were above 60 years and had served imprisonment of 5 years or more. The then President Mr. Muhammad Rafique Tarar, on the advice of the then Chief Executive Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf granted total remission of four years and six months during the year 2000. On Thursday, the 8th April, 2010 the President received a Summary from Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, after passing the 18th Amendment Bill by the National Assembly of Pakistan, with the advice to grant remission of one fourth of sentence to the prisoners. The President approved the proposal on the next day, the spokesman said. The spokesman asserted that this remission will not be admissible to those convicted of murder, espionage, subversion, anti-state activities, terrorist acts (as defined in the Anti-Terrorism (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1999, kidnapping / abduction for ransom, robbery (Section 394 PPC), dacoity (Section 395-396 PPC) and those undergoing sentences under the Foreigners Act, 1946.
PR No. 129 Federal Minister for information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that the west should support Pakistan in the War on Terror as this is not a war against an individual, a group or an organization but it is a war to change the extremist mindset of the people, which is threatening not only Pakistan but the whole region and the world. The Minister was talking to a UK media delegation that met him here today. Different matters related to the media scenario in the country as well as political and regional issues came under discussion during the interactive meeting. The Minister said that Pakistan’s democratic experience has not been continuous due to repeated interventions and this is why democracy is still in its infancy in Pakistan. He said that it might take a while before democratic values and norms are fully developed in Pakistan. But, he pointed out, Pakistan is a growing and developing country with a vibrant society and we are also improving in democracy and governance. Discussing the 18th amendment bill, the Minister pointed out that the original 1973 constitution of Pakistan was badly de-shaped by the dictators to provide legitimacy and perpetuation to their authoritarian regimes. “By introducing the 18th Amendment bill, the PPP-led government has made a herculean effort to restore the constitution to its original shape and intended spirit”, he said. He said that the National Assembly unanimously passed the bill and it is hoped that it would be passed from the Senate soon. But, he said, this is not the final step in our walk towards true democracy and the government would keep a process of healthy criticism going on to keep the system evolving towards ideal. Further elaborating on the 18th Amendment, the Minister said that Pakistan is composed of federating units and the 1973 constitution guaranteed protection of provincial rights. He said that 18th amendment has taken care of most of provincial demands that were enshrined in the constitution but not given. “We have given more funds to the provinces in the NFC Award, devolved financial authority to the provinces and are working towards giving them political authority to bring them closer to the centre”, he said. He pointed out that better level of trust exists between the federating units than before the amendment. But, he pointed out, we have to bridge gaps and give more opportunities to the provinces by providing education, basic necessities of life, infrastructure and other developments that are cost-intensive and need extra funds. Talking about the War on Terror and Pakistan’s role in it, the Minister said that the moderate and tolerant Pakistani society has been turned into extremist and intolerant society by the powers to which this suited. He said that the menace of religious extremism was imposed by some dictators with the help of the west who wanted to use these elements in the Afghan war against USSR. He said that at the end of Cold War, these elements have turned their guns towards Pakistan and the world. “Pakistan is fighting a war on these terrorist elements because these elements pose a threat to the very existence of Pakistan as well as to the stability of the whole region”, he added. The Minister pointed out that the west has left Pakistan alone in this war and has not fulfilled its pledges to help Pakistan which is fighting this costly war through its meager resources. He said that Pakistan has a safe and efficient Command and Control System that guarantees safety of our nuclear assets and this has been vouched for by all nuclear regulating and monitoring agencies. He said Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are in safe hands and there is no possibility of any terrorist group acquiring them. On the questions of India-Pakistan relations, the Minister said that composite dialogue on all issues at a political level is the only key to the safety and stability in the region by resolution of these issues. He said that Pakistan ahs always offered to discuss all outstanding issues between the two countries, any time and anywhere. He pointed out that both countries share a common border and it would be mutually beneficial to live peacefully, resolve all issues and cooperate in all fields. The delegation comprised of Richard Beeston, Con Coughlin, Gordon Correra, Patrick Cockburn, Simon Tisdall and Jonathan Paris. MS/wh
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No. 130 Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo chaired a high level meeting of Kashmir Council, Secretariat here on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by Federal Secretary for KA&GB, M Ihtisham Khan, Joint Secretary Kashmir Council, Malik Qaisar Majeed, PSO Ch Aslam, Chief Planning Officer and Deputy Secretary Finance. The budget of fiscal year 2009-10 and all developmental schemes of Azad Kashmir were reviewed. Federal Minister was informed that the Kashmir Council has collected more than targeted Income Tax which is good omen. But, the Council will have to face shortfall of 1968 million rupees in funds this year. The Minister directed to Council to reduce its operational expenditure and ongoing Annual Development Schemes should be completed first on priority basis. AZ/wh
PR No.
131 Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources has lauded activities for conservation of biodiversity, that ameliorate the impact of environmental degradation and the negative effects of spread of carbon footprint that keep the wheels of the industry running around the world. Syed Naveed Qamar, was speaking as the chief guest at the 61st Annual Flower and Vegetable Show of Morgah Club, Attock Refinery Limited held this evening at Morgah Club, Rawalpindi. Syed Naveed Qamar, while addressing the participants expressed immense pleasure at the beautiful gardens of ARL that he visited during his stay at ARL. He paid tributes to the gardeners for doing an excellent job and making the entire area look beautiful and green. He also appreciated the Management of Morgah Club and ARL for holding such a beautiful event. This flower show shows company’s care for the environment which is an example for others Oil and Gas sector companies to follow, he said. “I want this culture to spread more, I want the oil and gas industry to emulate this,” he added. Syed Naveed Qamar also distributed trophies and prizes to the best adjudged gardens and flower arrangements in various categories. He appreciated the staff and their families for actively participating in developing and maintaining their gardens with considerable effort, the beautiful result of that was self-evident. “This function is the recognition of their efforts and those of their gardeners,” the Minister added. Mr. Adil Khattak, Chief Executive Officer, ARL in his welcome address, thanking the chief guest for gracing the occasion, said that a 20 acre, Morgah Biodiversity Park, the first of its kind in Pakistan, had been developed and nurtured over the last few years to conserve the biodiversity of the Potohar Region for the future generations. He said that Attock Refinery and Attock Gen Limited were together planting 17,000 tree saplings this year including the one that was planted by Syed Naveed Qamar today. He said that it was almost 100 years ago that The Attock Oil Company discovered oil in 1915 at Khaur. The Refinery at Morgah was commissioned in 1922. Both the oil discovery and the Refinery were first in this part of the world. He said that last year the Attock Group also added a 165MW power plant under the name of Attock Gen Ltd and have plans ready for further up-gradation, expansion of the refinery, pipeline and another power project for which he looked forward for the valuable support of the present Government. AR/wh
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No. 132 A meeting of the PPP Parliamentary Party of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa was held in the Presidency today. The Meeting presided over by the Party Co-Chairperson and President Asif Ali Zardari was also attended by some party MNAs and Federal Ministers. Those who attended the meeting among others included Mr. Arbab Alamgir, Minister for communications, Mr. Rehman A. Malik, Minister for Interior, Mr. Najmuddin Khan, Minister for SAFRON, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Minister for Water & Power, Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Ms Asma Arbab Alamgir Khan, MNA, and PPP MPAs in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa assembly. Senator Sardar Ali Khan, Ms. Rukhsana Bangash, Ms. Fauzia Habib, Fauzia Habib and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar were also present during the meeting. The meeting discussed the political situation in the country with particular reference to the political situation in the province. The President said that the policy of reconciliation will continue for political and social stability and economic development of the country. He said that the fight against militancy was the foremost priority of the government because everything else flowed from protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the country. The President said that far- reaching advances have been made in the political landscape of the country during the last two years which were made possible only by the deliberate policy to take along all political parties and forces in the country. Recounting the achievements of democracy, the President said that these included the passage of the constitutional Reforms Package in the National assembly, the 7th NFC award, the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package, social and political reforms in Gilgit-Baltistan, the poverty alleviation program under the name of Benazir Income Support Programme(BISP) and the planned social and political reforms in FATA. The President expressed the hope that 18th constitutional amendment bill will also be smoothly passed in the Senate. Over a dozen members of the Parliamentary party spoke on the occasion. The speakers expressed their views on the current political situation, the new political challenges before the government, issues in militancy and the developmental activities in their constituencies. The President said that he will hold another meeting with the PPP Parliamentary party of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa after the return of the Prime minister from the United States at which meeting the Prime minister would also be invited. FU/wh
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