PR. NO.224 PRESS RELEASE Tsinghua University Professor donates one-month salary for the flood affectees of Pakistan Islamabad; 17 August 2010 Professor Li Xiguang, Dean of Journalism Department, Tsinghua University called on Ambassador Masood Khan at the embassy today and donated his one month salary for the affectees of recent floods in Pakistan, says a press release received here today from  Beijing China. Professor Li expressed his heartfelt condolences at the natural calamity which hit Pakistan and said that “we share the pain and agony of our Pakistani friends. Donating my one month salary is a humble contribution to alleviate their sufferings”. Professor Li Xiguang is also the Executive Director of Pakistan Communication and Culture Center in the Tsinghua University. He is an expert on archaeology and has visited Pakistan in February this year for exploring projects for restoration of Meoenjodaro and other archaeological sites in Pakistan. He has been awarded Sitara-e-Quaid-e-Azam by President of Pakistan in recognition of his invaluable service. The Ambassador thanked the Professor Li and appreciated his kind gesture for the people of Pakistan. He said that the Chinese government and its people have always stood by Pakistan in its difficult times. “China was one of the first countries to announce humanitarian assistance for the flood victims. This timely gesture from a close friend and dear brother helped in meeting our most immediate needs. We are extremely grateful to the people and Government of China”, Ambassador Masood Khan said while talking to Professor Li Xiguang. The Pakistan Ambassador informed him that all national resources had been mobilized for rescue and relief operations are in full swing. The relief and early recovery work has picked up in all the affected areas and the evolving situation is being monitored closely by all the government agencies.   **DG/Ahmad**  PR. NO.225 PRESS RELEASE Malaysian Relief Agency Launches Pakistan Flood Relief Fund Islamabad; 17 August 2010 The Malaysian Relief Agency (MRA)  had launched “The Pakistan Flood Relief Fund”, to help millions of victims displaced by the worst floods in the country and sent a two member team comprising Coordinator for Emergency Assistance, Mohd Shahrulazilan and Emergency Medical Director, Mr. Shahrizal Azwan to Pakistan on a fact-finding mission, says a press release received here today from Malaysia. The fund was launched by the President of the Agency, Datuk Dr Abdul Razak Kechik in Kuala Lumpur yesterday (16th August, 2010). While launching the fund, the President of MRA said that the fund would allow the MRA to provide and channel assistance such as canvases, blankets, clothes, foods, kitchenware, sanitary kits and medicines to the flood victims in Pakistan. He said that as per initial estimates more than six million people in Pakistan were experiencing food shortages and were without shelter and clean water supply. This humanitarian assistance has to be speedily channeled in view of the cold season approaching in two months,” he added. He said that contributions can be made to the Pakistan Flood Victims Fund’s Maybank account number 5640-9820-6365. Malaysian government has already notified of its donation of US$ 1 million to the Government of Pakistan to provide humanitarian assistance to flood affectees and had launched a disaster fund to enable Malaysians to donate to the flood victims in Pakistan. In addition, the wife of Malaysian Prime Minister, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor who is also the President of Welfare Association of Wives of Malaysian Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) has pledged to sent humanitarian aid to Pakistan including children’s milk powder, biscuits, cooking oil, flour, toiletries and baby diapers by a Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft to Karachi to be distributed to the flood affected areas. The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) hopes to raise US$16 million to provide support to twenty thousands (25,000) flood affected families for a period of nine months. Mercy Malaysia has also sent two teams to Pakistan and launched an appeal to Malaysians to donate generously in the two bank accounts opened for this purpose. **QB/Ahmad** PR. NO.226 PRESS RELEASE Yasmeen Rehman pays surprise visit to flood relief centre Islamabad; 17 August 2010 “In the wake of unprecedented floods in the country, no stone will be left unturned in order to provide assistance to the flood affectees by all the 26 crisis centers”, says advisor to the Prime Minister on Women Development, Mrs. Yasmeen Rehman, while paying a surprise visit to  Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Centre for Women H-8/ 1, Islamabad, here today. It is pertinent to mention here that, the advisor had announced on August 9, 2010 to change all the 26 crisis centers into flood relief centers so as to facilitate women in distress. On this occasion, the Advisor was informed about the performance of all ongoing activities of all these centers. She was told that, the centers have so far arranged for and distributed truck loads of relief goods in the affected areas of the country. It was further added that the relief items contained children dresses, feeders, medicines, pulses, dry ration, mats, dates, milk and utensils. **NS/Ahmad** PR. NO.227 PRESS RELEASE   Islamabad August 17, 2010 Keeping in view the difficulties faced by disabled persons, the Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim has changed the system for the grant of permission for import of duty cars. Now instead of the Federal Board for Disabled Persons, constituted in the Ministry of Commerce, the disabled persons will avail the facility by appearing before boards at the provincial level.   The government has allowed import of custom-duty free new car. All the applications, submitted in the Ministry of Commerce, would be transmitted to the respective provinces where Boards, to be constituted in the provincial headquarter of the provincial government, would examine the cases on merit. These boards would communicate their recommendations to the Ministry of Commerce for issuing import authorization certificate.  Only one car, of engine capacity not exceeding 1350cc by a Pakistani disabled national for personal use, shall be allowed to be imported. And the car shall not be sold or otherwise transferred to any person before the expiry of five years from the date of its arrival in Pakistan. PR. NO.228 Press Release Business Community To Play Their Front Line Role In Socio-Economic Development…..Environment Minister Islamabad, August 17, 2010   Ministry of Environment is mindful of the fact that among other stakeholders, the business community has to play a pivotal role in enabling Pakistan to overcome the sustainability challenges of the 21st century specially after-affects of heavy flood in different parts of the country. He also said that the challenging economic and business dynamics have made the business community subject to greater accountability. Environment Minister Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said this in a meeting with a delegation of business community of FATA here today.  Environment Minister said that business community is the key player in economic system of the country.  He told that our country is facing big disaster in the form of heavy flood in different parts of the country that has adversely effected our whole infrastructure. Our eco-socio system needs to revive as soon as possible and business community has to play their effective role in this crucial time. He said that in the current economic conditions, as capital becomes scarce, donors and investors would be encouraged in providing financial assistance. He added that there is consideration on Environmental and social compliance and these aspects are being considered as key factors in business deals. Moreover, the Ministry of Environment has been working closely with key stakeholders including FPCCI, CCI, Associations, NGOs etc. in ensuring implementation of Environmental regime in the country, he added. Environment Minister said that Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997, Rules & Regulations and National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQs) are very much in place. All these legal instruments are developed in collaboration with all the concerned public and private sector entities.  Mr. Afridi underlined that Ministry of Environment always encourages the initiatives whereby Environmental compliance could be achieved. He urged the business community of FATA to come forward and play their role for rehabilitation of flood effected community as well as development of over all economic situation. Federal Minister emphasized that revival of economic activities in flood hutted areas should be the priority of business community which is conditional for sustainability of our economy. This is time to show national spirit to face this challenge. He assured full support for sustainable development of the country.   Delegation expressed their deep concern about situation of flood affected areas. They ensured the Minister for taking part for revival of flood affected areas. They told that business community always remains in front line to face challenges of economic development. They mentioned that business community of the country especially from FATA will leave no stone to enhance economic activities in country. During the meeting several issues related to economic development came under discussion.    PR. NO.229 PRESS RELEASE GERMAN ASSISTANCE FOR FLOOD RELIEF INCREASED TO US$ 20 MILLION  German Government has decided to substantially increase bilateral assistance for the flood relief activities in Pakistan to Euro 15 million equivalent to about US$ 20 million, says a press release received here today. Germany had announced assistance of Euro 2 million on 5th August which was increased to Euro 10 million on 11th August.  Now it has increased from 10 to 15 million euro, in view of the worsening conditions on the ground, says a message of German Foreign Office received today. Germany ’s contribution for the flood relief efforts has seen a seven-fold increase.   Germany has also contributed Euro 8 million equivalent to US$ 10.4 million to the European Union’s assistance for the flood victims.   Total contribution by Germany for the flood affected people in Pakistan has raised to Euro 23 million equivalents to US$ 30 million to-date.  So far this year Germany has contributed a total of Euros 28 million equivalent to US $ 36.4 million for humanitarian assistance to Pakistan . PR. NO.230 PRESS RELEASE PM CALLED THE NDMC MEETING ON 19TH AUGUST Islamabad:  August 17, 2010 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has called for the meeting of National. Disaster Management Commission (NDMC) on Thursday the 19th August to assess the needs of the affected population in different parts of the country and be able to prepare a plan for their rehabilitation. The Prime Minister decided to call for the NDMC during a special meeting off concerned Federal Minister here at the PM’s House today.  The meeting was attende by Ministers for Finance Mr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Interior, Mr. Rehman Malik, Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira and for Law and Justice Dr. Zaheer-ud-DinBabar Awan. The NDMC will be chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by all the Chief Ministers of the Provinces including the Prime Minister of AJ&K, Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Chairman NDMA and heads of concerned organizations. The Prime Minister observed that close coordination and better understanding among the federal and the provincial governments would greatly facilitate in streamlining the relief and rehabilitation efforts. It would also help, he added, in making an exact assessment of available resources and the needs of the floods affectees.  The Prime Minister reiterated that a joint strategy is the need of the hour  to effectively confront the challenges of relief and rehabilitations.