PR. No. 234
PRESS RELEASE
PM INSPECTS PRE-FABRICATED HOUSE BUILT FOR FLOOD AFFECTED AREAS
Islamabad, 18 September 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has inspected a low cost pre-fabricated house specially manufactured to meet the demand of the flood affected areas here this morning at Prime Minister’s House. The model was prepared by the Pakistan National Steel Association.
The Prime Minister observed that the low-cost pre-fabricated house built with the galvanized sheets would be a suitable shelter mainly in the winter and rainy season yet would become quite uncomfortable during the summer months.
The manufacturers apprised the Prime Minister that this 10x10 feet room including a separate toilet will be available at Rs. 65000. He also informed the Premier that the low cost rust free pre-fabricated house is suitable for winter season as well as hilly areas but the same can also be used in the hot regions by covering it with a thatch or applying reflecting paints.
PR. No. 235
PRESS RELEASE
PM ASKED FINANCE MINISTER TO RESOLVE ISSUES RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION
Islamabad: September 18, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has asked the Finance Minister to resolve all issues relating to higher education. Reiterating his commitment to accord high priority to the Education, he assured that the Government would provide financial assistance to students studying abroad as per commitment. He further said that despite resource constraints on account of the flood devastation, education remains a high priority for the democratic Government.
In the light of the Prime Minister’s direction, the Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh has constituted a committee consisting of Deputy Chief of the Planning Commission, Secretary Education, Chairman Higher Education Commission and three vice chancellors of the universities to sort out the matters pertaining to the budgets of the universities.
PR. No. 236
PRESS RELEASE
PM SOUGHT COMPLETE LIST OF NRO BENEFICIARIES FROM SECRETARY ESTABLISHMENT.
Islamabad: September 18, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed the Establishment Division to furnish urgently a complete list of all those NRO beneficiaries who are presently appointed on various Government positions. He further directed that the requisite information should be submitted on top priority basis within two days.
PR. No. 237
PRESS RELEASE
Karachi, 18th September, 2010Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Advisor to Prime Minister on Inter-Provincial Coordination and Chairman, Implementation Commission, on 18th Amendment called on Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister, Sindh at the Chief Minister’s House, Karachi today.
The two Leaders discussed the implementation of the 18th Amendment and the flood situation in Sindh.
Mian Raza Rabbani, briefed the Chief Minister on the working of the implementation Commission with reference to the 18th Amendment. Both the Leaders reiterated their resolve to implement the 18th Amendment in letters and spirits. They also expressed the resolve to complete the process of devolution i.e. transfer of subjects from the Federal Government to the Provincial Governments which were on the Concurrent List by the 30th of June, 2011.
The Chief Minister was informed that in accordance with the decision of the Council of Common Interest, the process of devolution will be incremental and shall be completed by the date even in the constitution. The Provinces despite the floods should prepare their infrastructure to take on these new responsibilities.
They observed that the 18th Amendment was unanimously passed by Parliament, and has ownership of all political Parties within the Parliament and the four Provinces. They also observed that the 18th Amendment has taken a major leap forward in giving provincial Autonomy, as a result of which today the Federation and the Provinces are co-owners of their natural resources with joint management be conducted through a strengthened Council of Common Interest.
The two Leaders observed that the 18th Amendment is a reflection of the collective struggle of democratic forces in Pakistan and commitment that was made by Mohtarma Shaheed Benazir Bhutto to the people of Pakistan. They pledged to continue to struggle for its full implementation and to preserve and protect the Constitution.
PR. No. 238
PRESS RELEASE
GRANTA’S PAKISTAN ISSUE LAUNCHED WITH FUNDRAISING FOR FLOOD VICTIMS AT ASIA HOUSE
Islamabad 18th September, 2010. A fund raising evening with Granta Magazine , Green Cardamom visual arts group and singer Sajid Khan was organized by the Asia House to raise funds for flood victims in Pakistan , here yesterday. The event presented prose and poetry recitals by Pakistani writers , auction of art work of Pakistani artists by Green Cardamom and Qawali performance by Sajid Khan . The funds raised at the evening will proceed to flood relief in Pakistan, says a press release received here today.
Granta , a magazine of new literature, has launched its Pakistan issue this week with 288 pages presenting the works of internationally acclaimed Pakistani writers , poets , artists and photographers including those of Intizar Hussain, Mohammad Hanif, Kamila Shamsie, Mohsin Hamid, Sarfraz Manzoor , Daniyal Moeenuddin and Nadeem Aslam and visual artist of Bani Abidi, Aysha Jatoi and Muhammad Zeeshan.
Introducing the event the Chief Executive Asia House Mr. Roddy Gow expressed deep concern over the devastation caused by floods in Pakistan and announced that amount raised from the sale of the tickets and auction of art work would be donated for flood relief through Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund and Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC). He added that the launch of Pakistan issue of Granta magazine reflected the richness and quality of Pakistani literature and provides an opportunity to project Pakistani art and culture,
Editor Granta Magazine John Freeman , Pakistani writers Nadeem Aslam and Daniyal Moeenuddin along with Nada Raza and Hamad Nasir of Green Cardamom arts group discussed the literature and art work represented in the special Pakistan issue of Granta, launched this week. Nadeem Aslam read extracts from his short story ‘Leila in the Wilderness’ whereas Daniyal Moeenuddin recited three poems from Granta Pakistan Issue.
Nada Raza and Hammad Nasir threw light on the art work included in the Magazine mainly photographic images depicting various facets of life. Six pieces of art were kept for silent auction and £3000 fetched from the auction have been donated for flood relief in Pakistan . The art works auctioned at the occasion were Ayesha Jatoi’s Clothlines; Iftikhar Dadi’s Urdu Film Series; Muhammad Zeeshan’s City Space .
Qawalis by Sajid Khan group kept the large number of British and Pakistani origin audience captivated for more than an hour. The event was completely sold out reflecting interest of people in the literature , art and culture of Pakistan besides concerns for the flood victims.
PR. No. 239
PRESS RELEASE
COMMONWEALTH SUPPORT FOR PAKISTAN
Islamabad 18th September, 2010The 56th meeting of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) concluded this morning in Nairobi. The General Assembly of the CPA this morning passed a unanimous resolution appealing to all Commonwealth governments to provide further humanitarian, monetary and technical assistance to Pakistan in the aftermath of recent floods. Speaker Sindh Assembly Mr. Nisar
Ahmed Khuhro and MNA Kashmala Tariq thanked the CPA for passing the resolution and expressing solidarity with the flood affected people of Pakistan. A documentary depicting the devastation caused by the floods was also shown to the delegates, says a press release received from High Commission for Pakistan , Nairobi, here today.
The Pakistani delegation to the 56th CPA is being represented by the members of National Assembly Ms Nafisa Shah, Muhammad Israar Tareen, Speaker of Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Speaker Balochistan Assembly Muhammad Aslam Bhootani, Deputy Speaker of the Khyber Pakhtoon Khaw Mr. Khushdil Khan and MPAs from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtoon Khaw.
Meanwhile, Ms. Nafisa Shah has been elected Chairperson of Executive Committee of CPA for Asia Region which includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives.
