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PR. No. 102. Ministry of Youth Affairs will spend Rs.2000 million on construction of Youth Development Centers at Gwadar, Gilgit, Karachi and Sukkar. The PC-I of the project has been approved. The fund has also been approved for the project while the work on it will start this year. The Ministry deals with legislation covering all aspects of Youth Affairs and matters ancillary thereto, in consultation with the concerned Ministries and Divisions, all international aspects of Youth Affairs including negotiations for bilateral and multi-lateral agreements for mutual assistance and cooperation in this field, coordination of aid and assistance from foreign countries and Inter-Provincial coordination on all aspects of Youth Affairs. The Ministry also works for Regulation of administrative, budgetary and other matters of organization dealing in Youth Affairs, Youth activities and movements pertaining to youth outside educational institutions, Youth Exchange Programme (External) excluding students, Youth Centers (excluding students) and All Youth Organizations and forums (excluding students and Youth Investment Promotion Society). In Pakistan, Youth is defined as the population in the age group of 15 to 29 Years. The period of life which youth represents is most productive and useful by virtue of the nascent energies they are endowed with by nature. The young people aspire for full participation in the life of a society. If appropriate opportunities are made available to put their natural endowment to creative, productive and useful channels, Pakistani Youth is indeed capable of working miracles. In Pakistan, the youth population is at present more than forty million, which is one forth of our total populations. Youth Affairs Division was initially established on June 12, 1989. As an economy measure, it was merged with Ministry of Women Development on October 09, 1993. It was again made a separate Division on August 18, 1996 and was again merged with Ministry of Culture on November 19, 1996 as its Wing. The Government again raised the status of the Youth Affairs Wing to a full-fledged Ministry on 18.11.2005 under the charge of Federal Minister and Minister of State for Youth Affairs. MA/AR.
PR. No. 103. Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker and Faisal Karim Kundi, Acting Speaker National Assembly of Pakistan have expressed grief and sorrow over the sad demise of veteran Radio and TV artist Mehmood Ali. In their separate condolence messages to the bereaved family, the Speaker and Acting Speaker said that they were grieved over the passing away of Mehmood Ali. They said that his death has created a vacuum on the cultural arena of the country, which would not be filled in easily. They said that the services of Late Mehmood Ali rendered for Radio and TV would always be remembered and the roles he played had made him immortal. They prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and forbearance to the bereaved family to bear the loss with equanimity. (Amin).
PR. No. 104. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the policies of the present government are highly investment friendly and it would welcome foreign investment in Hydro-power projects which is very vital to cope up with the growing challenge of energy shortages in the country and is also very affordable. The Prime Minister said this while talking to Vice President China International Water & Electric Corporation (CWE) Mr. Wang Shaofeng who along with a delegation called on him at Prime Minister’s House this morning. The Vice President of the corporation offered 80% investment of the cost supplies credit against sovereign guarantee in order to complete the 1100 MW Kohala Hydro-power project at river Jhelum which is at feasibility design stage by WAPDA and the rest 20% would be beard by the government of Pakistan. The Vice President also offered 100%investment in 500 MW and above hydro- power project on built operates and transfer basis anywhere in Pakistan. The Prime Minister appreciated the offers made by the Vice President of China International Water & Electric Corporation (CWE)and said that government would give due consideration to these offers. The meeting was also attended by Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf, Secretary finance and Secretary BOI and other senior officials. DSG/AR.
PR. No. 105. The International Human Rights Commission has nominated the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Sherry Rehman for the ‘International Peace Award 2008 for Democrats’. Ms Rehman is the second member of the Pakistan Peoples Party to receive the honours, as the Award was also been conferred upon Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in the year 1996, for her outstanding contribution for the promotion of democracy and human rights. “The Award is recognition of the services rendered by Ms Rehman in the area of democracy, human rights, gender justice, women development and media independence. In her political and journalistic career spanning over two decades, Ms Rehman has made remarkable contribution for the promotion of democratic values, equal rights and media freedom. She played a very important role for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan,” said Dr Muhammad Shahid Amin, Ambassador and World Chairman of the International Human Rights Commission. Lauding Ms Rehman for her bold initiatives as the Federal Minister, Dr Amin said, “As the Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Rehman fulfilled the manifesto commitment of the Pakistan Peoples Party government to enable the Ministry to act as a facilitator rather than a regulator. As a Minister for Women Development Ms Rehman’s decision to expand the Women Centres, transfer right of ownership to the woman of the house and speeding up the domestic violence legislation has received wide support.” According to the IHRC announcement, Ms Sherry Rehman will receive her Award in a ceremony organised by the IHRC in Washington this year.
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