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PR.
No. 166.
PRESS RELEASE
WHEAT SITUATION REVIEWED
Islamabad: May 17, 2008.
A
detailed briefing on current wheat situation was given to the Minister for
Food, Agriculture and Livestock Mr. Nazar Muhammad Gondal by the Ministry
of Food, Agriculture and Livestock in a high level meeting held here
today.
After
thorough discussion and considering the various options, it was decided
that procurement of wheat by the public sector agencies should be
incentivised by paying the farmers transportation charges @ Rs.25/- per
100 kg bag for bringing the wheat to procurement centres, in view of the
increase in prices of the petroleum products.
It was
decided that for sending of wheat to NWFP and Balochistan, the Pakistan
Railways should be used at the sole mode of transportation. The wheat
hoarders have been warned to offer their wheat by Monday (19.5.2008) to
the public sector procurement agencies in the next 48 hours otherwise
their stock will be confiscated. The informers of hoarded wheat will be
adequately rewarded. The information can be provided on mobile phone
No.0301-8551322 and 0300-5004925.
The
Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Livestock has decided to hold
immediate meetings with Chief Ministers of Punjab and Sindh to review the
wheat procurement situation and to discuss measures to accelerate its
pace. The wheat stocks held by Flour Mills over and above the sanctioned
quota will be confiscated.
Commercial Bank have sanctioned limits to the private sector for the
procurement of wheat, MINFAL would ensure that the necessary provisions of
the policy are complied with.
EH/AR.
PR. No. 167.
PRESS RELEASE
EDUCATION MINISTRY ANNOUNCES TO CONSTITUTE “NATIONAL
CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL FOR DEVELOPMENT OF CURRICULUM,”
Islamabad: May 17, 2008.
The
Federal Ministry of Education has decided to constitute a high level
National Consultative Council for Development of Curriculum. The basic
responsibility of the proposed National Consultative Council will be
provision of appropriate and modern techniques to develop a World Class
Curriculum by the Education Ministry. The prevalent Curriculum is not
fulfilling our socio-economic needs. Moreover the current Curriculum is
lacking in standards when compared with the international standards.
The
Government wishes to make our curricula based on latest available sources
of knowledge, enabling our students to cope up with the international
standards and creating among them the power of innovation.
In order
to fulfil this dream the Ministry of Education has decided to
constitute “National Consultative Council for Development of Curriculum.”
This Council will comprise of leading and prominent educationists.
Furthermore, it will keep a vigilant eye on the preparation and standards
of the Curriculum. Various expert/subject committees will also be set up
under this Council.
The
Ministry of Education has invited applications from eminent scholars,
educationists and education related researchers to become a part of the
National Consultative Council. The Ministry will not be hiring experts as
all the services of this Council will be honorary and no remuneration
package will be paid to these experts. The Council will work for the
preparation of Curriculum for schools, colleges and technical educational
institutions.
MMAR/AR.
PR. No. 168.
PRESS RELEASE
DEPUTY SPEAKER NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ASKS CDA TO IMPROVE ITS EFFICIENCY
Islamabad; May 17, 2008:
The Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim
Kundi has asked the CDA to improve its efficiency and management without
resorting to financial and budgetary expansion. He said this while
presiding over a meeting at the Parliament today House that was attended
by the Chairman CDA, Kamran Lashari and others senior officers of the CDA
and National Assembly Secretariat. The meeting reviewed the progress of
maintenance and cleanliness in the Parliament House and Parliament
Lodges.
The Deputy Speaker said that the country was facing
challenges like inflation and energy shortage and could not provide extra
funds to CDA for the maintenance of renovation and Parliament House and
Parliament Lodges. He said that they should accomplish the set targets of
maintenance and renovation and improvement of janitorial services by
resorting to efficiency and improved management and avoids asking for more
funds.
The meeting was briefed by the Chairman of CDA, Kamran
Lashari. He informed the meeting that maintenance and cleanliness work in
the Parliament and Parliament Lodges has been given top priority and the
CDA was nearing achievement of the set targets. He informed the meeting
that the CDA staff working in the Parliament House and Parliament Lodges
were instructed to improve the provision of the services to the Parliament
House and Lodges and no lacuna in this regard should be left unattended.
The Deputy Speaker asked the CDA to take steps to make
the Parliament building lively and attractive for the visitors. He also
directed the CDA to improve interior decoration of the Parliament House by
arranging paintings of the historical and cultural value to be hanged in
the galleries for the education and interest of the visitors. The CDA was
also directed to arrange paintings and sayings of the Quaid-e-Azam and
other leaders of national stature regarding press freedom and media’s role
for display in the Press Lounge of the National Assembly. The CDA was
asked to place sign plates in the Parliament House for the guidance of the
visitors. The Environment Directorate of CDA was directed to improve the
conditions of the lawns and plants for improvement of the environmental
beautification. On the directives of the Deputy Speaker the Chairman
assured that carpeting of road in side Parliament House provision of
improvised sheds for the vehicles and relevant social amenities for driver
and staff will be provided before the target date of 28th May.
2008.
The meeting also offered Fatah for the mother of
chairman CDA, who died recently.
QAM/AR.
PR. No. 169.
Press
Release
Health Minister Alarmed at Rise in Polio Cases
Islamabad, May
17, 2008
The
Federal Minister of Health Ms Sherry Rehman has taken a strong note of the
rise in polio cases in the province of Sindh, as one more case was
reported this week bringing the total number of affected children to 8.
Expressing her concern at the reports, the Federal Minister of Health has
directed the Programme Manager, Expanded Programme for Immunization to
immediately look into the issue and ensure effective implementation of the
programme. A team comprising Dr H.B Memon, the National Programme Manager
EPI, Mr Imtiaz Elahi, Additional Health Secretary, Dr Khalif Bile Mohamud,
WHO Representative to Pakistan, and Dr Wahdan, Special Advisor to the
Regional Director WHO is flying to Karachi on Monday to take stock of the
situation. The team would also offer assistance in the implementation of
the expert’s recommendation on the issue.
“The rise
in the number of cases is alarming given the fact that there is no
resistance to the immunization campaign in the province of Sindh” said Ms
Rehman. She noted that all the cases reported in Sindh were found to have
failed to receive sufficient doses of polio vaccine. “We have been told
that there are issues of management in the health delivery system of the
province with specific reference to polio. This is a cause of concern
since this reflects weakness in the implementation area of the programme.”
The
Federal Minister assured the provinces of the Federal Government’s
cooperation in meeting the target of the total eradication of the disease.
“If there was a proper follow up on the programme by the federal and the
provincial authorities, the disease would have been eliminated by now.
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto initiated this programme in 1994 with the
aim to totally eradicate the disease from the country.”
The
Minister of Health emphasised that a system of proper screening and
efficient selection of polio teams be strictly enforced to ensure an
effective implementation of the programme. “There is also a need to
redesign and implement the communication strategy of the campaign since it
is clear that communication is one of the weak areas of the programme.
Every single individual involved with the EPI need to be sensitised on the
significance of this programme.” She said that the government is totally
committed to carrying out the programme with seriousness and
responsibility. A Polio-Free Pakistan was the vision of our Shaheed leader
Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and it is our responsibility to ensure
that we meet the target of total elimination of this disease in the coming
years.”
DKK/AR.
PR. No. 170.
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad; May 17, 2008
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that
government would continue to strengthen country’s air defense by providing
all necessary resources to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to enable it to
modernize itself and stay in a state of readiness.
The Prime Minister said this while attending a
briefing at the Air Headquarters in
Islamabad this morning.
The Prime Minister said government is focusing on
improving PAF’s indigenous capabilities by exploring the possibilities of
entering into joint ventures with friendly countries.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan Air Force has
always proved its mettle in defending the aerial frontiers of the country.
He appreciated the air force personnel for keeping high standards of
professionalism and capabilities in performing their duties.
The Prime Minister said that
Pakistan is a peaceful
country and has no intention to enter into an arms race in the region.
Pakistan will however continue to maintaining minimum credible deterrence
to ensure peace and stability in the region, he added.
Earlier, on his arrival at Air Headquarters, the Prime
Minister was presented Guard of Honour by a smartly turned out contingent
of the Pakistan Air Force and was introduced to the Principal Staff
Officers. Before the briefing, the Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed
met with him and discussed matters of professional interest. He also
presented a JF-17 painting to the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister was also briefed on the ongoing
development programmes of the PAF and PAF preparedness to protect the
aerial frontiers. The Deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operation), Air Marshal,
Rao Qamar Suliman gave a comprehensive briefing to the Prime Minister,
which was attended by the Minister of Defense, Mr. Ahmad Mukhtar, Defense
Secretary and all the Principal Staff Officers.
DSG/AR.
PR. No. 171.
PRESS RELEASE
PAKISTAN IS KEEN
TO EXPAND ITS BILATERAL TIES WITH US: PM
Islamabad:
May 17, 2008
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that
Pakistan is
desirous of further expanding its strategic relationship with the US which
is devoted to promoting peace, security and cooperation in the region and
across the world.
The Prime Minister said this while talking to the
US Ambassador to
Pakistan Ms. Anne Patterson, who called on him here at the PM’s House this
afternoon.
The Prime Minister said
Pakistan is equally keen
to enhancing its bilateral ties with the US in all fields including
diplomatic, political, defence, science and technology, socio-economic
development especially in trade, energy investment and infrastructure.
He said
Pakistan is currently
engaged in consolidating the process of democratization that started after
the February 18 General Elections in the country. He said that process of
formation of governments at centre and provinces has been remarkably
smooth. He said political mechanisms are now in place to deal with the
diplomatic, political economic and security challenges facing the country.
The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that democracy was taking
roots in the country and would gradually lead to peace and prosperity in
the country.
The Prime Minister said
Pakistan is strongly
committed to fighting terrorism which, he said, is clearly in Pakistan’s
own interest. He said Pakistan would never compromise with militants. It
would however keep the doors of dialogue open for those who have laid down
the arms and given up terrorism as an instrument of policy. Pakistan has
been steadfastly fighting terrorism and has sacrificed and suffered a
great deal including the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at the
hands of terrorists, he added.
The Prime Minister stressed the need to address the
root causes of terrorism which he said, invariably springs from a deep
sense of economic and political injustice, deprivation and hopelessness.
Pakistan, the Prime
Minister said, is committed to a stable and strong Afghanistan. He said
Pakistan is fully conscious of the fact that without a stable and
prosperous Afghanistan, peace will continue to elude the region and at the
same time block all avenues of economic cooperation between Central Asia,
South Asia and South West Asia.
He said
Pakistan is of the view
that international community needs to come forward and do more to
accelerate the process of socio-economic development in Afghanistan in
order to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people.
The Prime Minister said that economic improvement of
the people along the bordering areas of
Afghanistan can play a
crucial role in curbing terrorism in the region. He said that early and
expeditious establishment of the Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZs)
would go a long way in the economic empowerment of the people in the
tribal areas.
Ambassador Ms. Anne Patterson said the
US is committed to
extending all possible support to the broad-based elected coalition
government of Pakistan and help it in overcoming the challenges posed by
the rise in oil and food prices.
She said that President Bush is anxious to meet the
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the World Economic Forum at
Sharm-El-Sheikh to know more about the developments in
Pakistan and the policies
of the elected government.
The Prime Minister said that he is also looking
forward to his meeting with the President Bush with a view to further
strengthening the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Pakistan Ambassador
designate to the US, Mr. Hussain Haqqani and senior officials of the
government also attended the meeting.
PR. No. 172.
PRESS RELEASE
Manzoor Ahmad Watoo calls on the Prime Minister
Islamabad:
May 17, 2008
Mian Mazoor Ahmad Watoo, MNA and former Chief Minister
Punjab called on the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani here at the
Prime Minister’s house this afternoon.
He remained with the Prime Minster for sometime and
exchanged views on socio-economic and political situation of the country.
SDG/nr
PR. No. 173.
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad:
May 17, 2008
The Chairman Senate, Mr. Mohammedmian Soomro has said
that the relations between
Pakistan and Iran have
stood the test of time during the last half century and these would
continue to flourish in the years ahead. The Chairman was talking to a 6 –
member delegation from the Guardian Council (Shoora-y Negahban) of the
Islamic Republic of Iran led by Ayatullah Ahmad Jannati, Head of the
Council, which is currently on a week long visit to Pakistan on the
invitation of the Pakistan Council of Islamic Ideology.
He said the two countries have identity of views on a
number of regional and international issues. Both the countries desire
peace and stability in the region and the world. Pak –
Iran friendship, he said,
is also a people to people friendship. It is in the interest of both the
countries to forge closer ties in various fields and to share their
experiences to mutual advantage, he observed.
The leader of the Iranian delegation expressed his
profound gratitude over the warm hospitality extended to him and other
members of the delegation. He said that
Pakistan is just like
their second homeland and the achievements made by this country are a
source of pride and joy for Iran also. He recalled that Iran is the first
country which recognized
Pakistan
immediately after its creation. He expressed the desire that the two
countries must have closer relations in the political, social, diplomatic
and economic fields as they have the potential to play a leading role in
the Islamic world. He extended warm felicitations to the Chairman on
successful and peaceful conduct of general elections in the country in
February this year and hoped these would usher in an era of prosperity for
the country.
The Chairman Senate also briefly described the role of
the Upper House in the federation. He said that it is a 100 – Member
indirectly elected House, which is playing a pivotal role as for as
representation of the federating units is concerned. He informed that a
great many eminent personalities, jurists, lawyers etc are its members.
The Committees of the Senate, he said, are also very active and playing
their due role with regard to Parliamentary oversight functions of various
ministries and divisions. He stressed the need of sharing of experiences
and exchange of parliamentary delegations.
It may be added that the Guardian Council of Iran is a
powerful body with vast Legislative and Executive jurisdictions, which
forms a corner stone of that country’s Constitution. The Guardian Council,
with the status of Senate is also authorized to examine all Parliamentary
decisions as to their consistency with the tenets of Islam.
Senators Syed Dilawar Abbas and Talha Mehmood were
also present on the occasion besides the Chairman Council of Islamic
Ideology, Dr. Khalid Masood and Secretary Senate Raja Muhammad Amin. The
Ambassador of Islamic Republic of
Iran H.E. Mashallah
Shakeri was also there.
QA/nr
PR. No. 174.
PRESS RELEASE
MALAYSIAN INVESTMENT DELEGATION CALLS ON FINANCE MINISTER
Islamabad: May 17,
2008
A Malaysian Investment Delegation headed by Prince
Raja Ashman Shah Bin Raja Azlan Shah called on Mr. Naveed Qamar, Federal
Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, and Statistics here this
afternoon.
The Malaysian delegation comprised Chief Executives of
Companies developing major infrastructure projects in
Malaysia and Overseas.
The visiting group earlier was given a presentation at the Board of
Investment on various economic development and industry-specific issues in
Pakistan, highlighting Government of Pakistan’s economic policies salient
features on investment and trade.
The Malaysian Group currently on a visit to
Pakistan has an elaborate
schedule of engagements concerning its meetings with different public and
private sector organizaions relating to multi-sectoral investment in the
country. During discussion with Finance Minister, it showed its keen
interest in coal-fired power generation projects in consideration of huge
quantity of coal reserves in
Pakistan.
The Minister for Finance briefed the delegation about
GoP economic priorities in building a broad-based industrial and
investment infrastructure in the country. With restoration of democracy in
Pakistan and with
public good as GoP’s primary policy option/priority, all stakeholders in
public and private sector are now set to launch various portfolio-based
investment projects that would ensure a rapid development of economic
activities in the country, the Minister added. Foreign investment in
Pakistan is being welcome to keep at pace with industrial development of
other Asian countries for more prosperous Asia, the Minister stressed.
Pakistan and Malaysia could join hands in sharing latter’s expertise in
palm oil production and processing by developing infrastructure, focusing
local consumption and export needs, Finance Minister concluded.
PR. No. 175.
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: May 17, 2008
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani was briefed today at
the Prime Minister house on the prevailing security environment in South
Waziristan Agency. Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was
also present during the briefing, Ms. Sherry Rehman, Minister for
Information & Broadcasting, Mr. Rehman Malik, Advisor to the Prime
Minister for Interior, Lt. Gen. Nadeem Taj, DG ISI and other senior Army
Officers also attended the briefing.
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani appreciated the
efforts of the Army in improving the security situation in South
Waziristan Agency enabling the displaced people of the area to return to
their homes and villages. The Prime Minister said that majority of the
people of Federally Administrative Tribal Area are highly patriotic, peace
loving, and the Government will make all efforts to ameliorate their
hardships and problems. The Prime Minister also directed all concerned
Government agencies to coordinate with each other in bringing normalcy to
the area and observed that the government was working on an integrated
strategy with the army on repatriating all peaceful residents of the area
to their homes.
The COAS also told the Prime Minister and members of the
Cabinet present that the Army is not withdrawing from
South Waziristan, it is
only consolidating its position after a long operation in the area. Not
one battalion has been withdrawn and no negotiations are being held with
any terrorists or criminals.
PR. No. 176
PRESS RELEASE
PHA HOLDS BALLOTING OF APARTMENTS FOR GENERAL PUBLIC IN ISLAMABAD,
LAHORE
Islamabad: May 17, 2008
96 applicants were allotted apartments in-11 sector in
Islamabad and 32
applicants were allotted B type apartments in
Shabir
Town, Lahore following a balloting held at the office of Pakistan Housing
Authority (PHA) here today. Total number of applications received for
apartments in I-11, Islamabad and “B” Type apartments in Shabbir Town,
Lahore were 1002 and 64 respectively. Secretary Housing & Works, Mr.
Samiul Haq Khiljee performed the balloting ceremony of the apartments in
I-11, Islamabad and Shabbir Town, Lahore.
Speaking at the balloting, ceremony, Secretary Housing and
Works, Mr. Samiul Haq Khiljee said that the housing projects carried out
by the PHA were the part of its comprehensive strategy as announced by
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani which aimed to provide shelter to
every citizen in the country. Director General, PHA Colonel Subha Sadiq
highlighted the role and achievements of the PHA and said that the PHA has
constructed 4500 residential units in various cities of the country during
the last 6 years.
Senior officials of the Ministry of Housing & works and PHA
were present during the balloting ceremony.
PR. No. 177
PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE OF TARIQ AZIZUDDIN AFFECTED WITHOUT ANY DEAL, AGREEMENT OR RELEASE
OF ANY ACCUSED
Islamabad: May 17, 2008
We are happy that our Ambassador to
Afghanistan Mr. Tariq
Azizuddin has been recovered safely after 96 days in the captivity of
abductors who had whisked him away on February 11, 2008. His driver and
bodyguard are safely back with the Ambassador. The kidnapping occurred
before the general elections while Mr. Azizuddin was going to Kabul by
road and was seized in the Khyber Agency by unknown people. The elected
government headed by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani lost no time
and stepped up the efforts, utilizing all its resources. The Prime
Minister instructed the Advisor on Interior to make every possible effort
to secure the safe release of the Ambassador. Happily the hectic efforts
in which the Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior A. Rehman Malik
remained constantly involved and the endeavours of the Law Enforcement
Agencies and all others led to the success. By the Grace of Allah, the
ordeal of the Ambassador and his family is over.
The family of the Ambassador deserves all praise for having
borne the excruciating days with fortitude and cooperating with the
authorities. We shared their torment during Mr. Azizuddin’s captivity and
also their happiness now.
It may underscored that release of the Ambassador has been
made possible due to law enforcement action and that neither and deal or
agreement was made with the abductors nor any detenue/accused in the
custody of the Government was exchanged for his release.
PR. No. 178
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: May 17, 2008
Ministry of Information Technology has celebrated the WORLD
TELECOM AND INFORMATION SOCIETY DAY on
May 17th, 2008
at a local Hotel in Karachi. The chief guest of the ceremony was Minister
IT, Government of Sindh, Mr: Raza Haroon. Sec IT, GM NTC and all the stake
holders also participated in this event. The day is being celebrated all
over the world from ITU every year. The theme for this year is “Connecting
persons with disabilities, ICT opportunities for all” in order to
highlight the importance of integrating special people in the fabric of
our society.
Minister IT emphasized that we should provide such an
environment where persons with disablilites would not feel isolated and
they can realize their full potential and contribute in the development of
the society. He also assured his full cooperation to put an effort in the
area with Ministry of IT and Telecom.Director Telecom of the IT
Ministry,Mr.Mushtaq Bhatti presented the contribution from the ministry
for Special people so far. He told that the Ministry has funded 35 million
for two projects for special people followed by the number of other
projects in pipeline.
AK/wh
PR. No. 179
PRESS RELEASE
A 6-MEMBER DELEGATION OF GUARDIAN COUNCIL OF
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC
OF IRAN VISITED THE PAKISTAN MONUMENT
Islamabad: May 17, 2008
The delegation led by Ayatullah Ahmed Janati was briefed
about the monument by the Director General, Council of Islamic Ideology,
Nasir Raza Zaidi.
Nasir Raza highlighted the design of the building which
reflects the culture and civilization of the country and also depicts the
story of the Pakistan Movement.
The concept of
Pakistan Monument
reflects the unity of Pakistani nation as the design of blooming flower
represents Pakistan as a flower, while the four petals of the monument
highlight the four provinces and three small petals represent the Northern
Areas, Kashmir and Tribal Areas of the country.
The Monument has been designed to reflect the culture and
civilization of the country and also depicts the story of Pakistan
Movement and it is dedicated to the people of
Pakistan who sacrificed
their today for a better tomorrow.
Most significantly this Monument celebrates the abiding
values of the Pakistan
movement under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali
Jinnah and progressive vision of Allama Iqbal.
It also represents the People of Pakistan standing united,
shoulder to shoulder, shielding the crescent and star in the space below,
he added.
The ceremony cherishes the noble idea of peace, harmony and
enlightenment whereas the army bands representing three services,
presented national songs on different tunes enthralling the participating
public.
The delegation also attended the Flag-lowering ceremony just
before the sunset with display of Army Band.
JG/wh
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