PR No. 137 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad: April 19, 2011 To commemorate the 60th anniversary of China-Pakistan Diplomatic Relations, Jinnah-Perrier Hockey Tournament was held in Hong Kong under the auspicious of Consulate General of Pakistan and Hong Kong Hockey Association, says a press release received here today from  Hong Kong. The Jinnah-Perrier plate final was played between Singh Sabha Sports Club (SSSC) and Kowloon Cricket Club (KCC) at 02:30 p.m. in the King’s Park Hockey Stadium, Kowloon. SSSC Hockey team won this match. After that women’s exhibition match was played between HKFC-A and Chairwoman’s XI. Chairwomen’s XI won this match by plenty strokes. The big event of the day was the Jinnah-Perrier Cup Final. The final match was played between Pakistan Association Hockey team and Hong Kong Football Club Hockey team, which was won by HKFC. Prize award ceremony started with the recitation of Holy Quran and National Anthem of Pakistan was played. The first prize and Jinnah-Perrier Trophy was given to the HKFC Hockey team by Dr. Ahmad Balal, Consul General, Consulate General of Pakistan, Hong Kong. The detail of Prize money awarded to the Cup/ Plate winners and runners up is as under:- HK $ 15,000/- HK $ 10,000/- HK $ 8,000/- HK $ 4,000/- Ladies exhibition hockey match winner Ladies exhibition hockey match Runner up  HK $ 5,000/- Hk $ 3,000/- Despite holiday and heavy rain in Hong Kong, participation of a large number of people including women, school children, senior citizens and people from all walks of life added the colour and made it event of the Sunday. PR No. 138 PRESS RELEASE FEDERAL MINISTER FOR PRIVATIZATION AND WATER & POWER ATTENDS FOURTH ASIAN ENERGY ROUNDTABLE IN KUWAIT Islamabad: April 19, 2011 Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Privatization and Water & Power, Syed Naveed Qamar has said that greater cooperation is required among the countries to resolve the issue of oil price fluctuations. He was addressing the Fourth Asian Energy Ministerial Roundtable Meeting here in Kuwait today. The meeting is being attended by energy ministers and representatives from 18 Asian countries including Azerbaijan, Iran, India, Indonesia, Oman, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China, to discuss the situation in the oil market and recent spikes in crude prices. The Minister, while addressing the participants, said that the recent events in the Middle East and North Africa region have pushed the world oil prices to the highest level since 2008, which, he said posed a new challenge to the developing countries like Pakistan where the governments have to reduce the burden of oil price hike by providing huge subsidies to their people. He said that the government in Pakistan had already paid $ 2.58 billion as subsidies in the petroleum sector alone. The minister underscored the importance of building greater storage capacity and enhanced cooperation between the consumers and producers. He said it was necessary to develop alternate fuels and renewable sources of energy. He informed the audience that Pakistan government was taking serious steps to develop biofuels and wind as alternate sources of energy. The federal minister had fruitful discussion with Kuwaiti Minister of Oil and Information, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and held important bilateral meetings with the visiting oil ministers and members of the prominent business groups in Kuwait. In his meeting with the Chinese minister, Mr. Naveed Qamar said that after the recent visit to Pakistan by the Chinese prime minister, the government, under the Pak-China Joint Energy Working Group, was in the process to finalize the identification of different projects in the energy sector in order to secure financial and technical assistance from China. He especially mentioned about the projects of Diamer-Bhasha and Bunji Dams. During his separate interaction with the Managing Director of Dan International Energy Group, Kuwait, the federal minister stressed upon the need for greater cooperation between Pakistan and Kuwait in the fields of energy and petrochemicals with special emphasis on the development of solar power in Pakistan. He said that a number of investor friendly incentives were offered by the government under the current Petroleum Policy, and said the investment consortium could explore the possibilities of building an oil refinery at Hub coastal area or setting up a major storage and bunkering facility at Gwadar. The minister is accompanied by a high-level delegation that also includes the Joint Secretary from the Ministry of Petroleum Raashid Bashir Mazari. PR No. 139 PRESS RELEASE Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee Islamabad: April 19, 2011  Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Khalid Shamim Wyne called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at Prime Minister’s House this morning. General Khalid Shamim Wyne apprised the Prime Minister about the successful test of Hatif missile. He stated that the missile achieved all the parameters. They also discussed the matters pertaining to the armed forces.  PR No. 140 PRESS RELEASE UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Pakistan calls on the Prime Minister Islamabad: April 19, 2011 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the UN should help Pakistan in developing the flood forecasting and early weather warning system before the monsoon season sets in next two months. The Prime Minister was talking to Mr Rauf Engin Soysal, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Assistance to Pakistan who called on him at the PM’s House here this morning. The Prime Minister appreciated the UN support and Special Envoy’s dedicated work for the flood affected people of Pakistan. He lauded the personal commitment of Ambassadors Soysal who extensively visited the flood affected areas to oversee the work of all the UN agencies during the relief and recovery phases after the unprecedented floods.  The Prime Minister also commended Ambassador Soysal for his proactive efforts with FoDP partners for implementation of the energy sector plan of action which had been approved by the third FoDP Ministerial meeting held in Brussels last year. He nonetheless called for building on the progress achieved in various areas of FoDP process and fast tracking of implementation of Malakand Development Strategy.  The Prime Minister also hoped that as Pakistan moves from early recovery to medium and long term construction and development phase, the UN will undertake an impact assessment of the international assistance routed through the UN agencies. Ambassador Soysal briefed the Prime Minister about his meetings early in the month with the UN Secretary General, the Executive Director of UNDP in New York and the US administration officials in Washington. He also apprised about his efforts to generate funding for the early recovery phase of Pakistan’s flood affected areas.  Ambassador Soysal stated that against the UN appeal, the donor countries have committed around 67% of the required amount out of which 40% has been disbursed during the relief and early recovery phases. Ambassador Soysal termed Prime Minister’s accessions about reinvigorating the FoDP, implementation of Malakand Development Strategy and establishment of an early flood forecasting and weather warning system as genuine needs for near future.  He also informed the Prime Minister that the next Capacity Building Workshop for facing the disaster emergency would be held in Turkey shortly under the auspicious of FoDP and before that a preparatory workshop on the same will be held in Islamabad.  He also apprised the Prime Minister that his office was working with UNDP representative in Pakistan in the flood affected areas to help resume the economic activities there.  He assured the Prime Minister that he would continue doing his utmost to meet the targets set forth by the Secretary General of the UN and the Prime Minister of Pakistan on his appointment last year. Mr Muhammad Haroon Shaukat Special Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.  PR No. 141 PRESS RELEASE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PIRACY Islamabad: April 19, 2011 H.E Hina Rabbani Khar, MOS of Foreign Affairs met the Foreign Minister of UAE on the margins of the International Conference on piracy which was resurgent and posed serious threat to the world, says a press release received here today from  Dubai. MOS praised the vision and commitment of the UAE leadership that has resulted in remarkable progress and prosperity for the people of UAE. The two Ministers reviewed the status of bilateral relations and existing on-going cooperation in various fields. They also exchanged views on the emerging regional and global geopolitical scenario. Both Ministers reaffirmed their strong commitment to further strengthen the bonds of friendship that have historically existed between the two fraternal countries. They acknowledged that the evolving regional scenario called for ever greater cooperation and collaboration between all countries of the region and stressed the need to find local and home grown solutions. The two Ministers expressed their resolve to further expand and consolidate bilateral cooperation in all areas of mutual interest. MOS conveyed Pakistan’s deep appreciation for the continued interest of UAE investors in Pakistan, particularly in the Petroleum, Banking and Telecommunication sectors. She also urged continued UAE investments in the energy sector, particularly for the early implementation of the Neelum - Jehlum power project. Both Ministers expressed their keeness to hold a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission within the first half of this year. The JMC framework will cover indepth discussions on all issues of bilateral interest including, man power export, economic co-operation, trade enhancement, infrastructure development as well modalities for institutional mechanisms to follow up on decisions taken during the JMC. The MOS also sought UAE assistance in operationalizing the economic and trade framework arrangement and early finalisation of FTA between GCC and Pakistan. PR No. 142 PRESS RELEASE WORLD TELECOM DAY TO BE CELEBRATED ON MAY 17: Islamabad: April 19, 2011 In line with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Strategic Orientation the ‘World Telecommunication and Information Society Day’ will be celebrated on 17th May. A preparatory meeting chaired by the secretary IT& Telecom was held in the Ministry to deliberate on the various aspects to make this event a success. This year World Telecom Day’s theme is, “Better Life in Rural Communities with Information and Communication Technology (ICTs)” with the aim to ensure that ICTs will contribute to a better future for rural populations. The theme is approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The activities of this year World Telecom day will revolve around this theme. While talking to the participants of the meeting, Saeed Ahmad Khan, Secretary IT & Telecom, said that all Telecom Operators should focus on mainstreaming the rural communities with rest of the country. He said that such events are organized to create awareness among the people about the upcoming modern technology and how they can benefit from these innovations to improve their living standards and emphasized that the role of the companies providing Telecommunication facilities to the people is vital in such campaigns. He told the participants that presents government is doing at lot to boost this vibrant sector and ever increasing connectivity in the far flung and rural areas of   the country is an evident proof. He also ensured the Telecom Operator that the problems and issues faced by the industry are being addressed at the appropriate levels but the quality of service for the consumer is government’s prime focus. “Ministry of IT& Telecom and all its attached departments are striving in collaboration with the telecom operators to provide Information and Communication Technology (ICTs) to the people of Pakistan”, he added. Chairman PTA Dr. Muhammad Yasin, senior officers of the Ministry and representatives from all telecom operators including PTCL, Mobilink, Ufone, Telenor and Zong were present in the meeting. PR No. 143 PRESS RELEASE GOVT. WANTS PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF PSM ATLEAST 3MMTY…….……..MIR HAZAR KHAN BIJARANI Islamabad: April 19, 2011 A meeting to discuss the Balancing, Modernization, Re-vamping and Extension (BMRE) of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) through Russian technical assistance was held here today. Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani presided over the meeting. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss various aspects in detail regarding above mentioned subject and prepare a workable MoU expected to be signed during the expected visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Russia next month. It has been decided in the meeting that a proposal be worked out for the expansion of PSM to its production capacity up to 3 Millions Metric Tons per Year (MMTY). It is pertinent to mention here that PSM, at present, has the maximum production capacity of 1.1MMTY. The MoIP would finalize this proposal within two days in consultation and consensus with all other public sector stake holders. Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Andrey Sergeevich BUDNIK also attended this meeting. He also gave valuable suggestions on behalf of the Russian Government on BMRE of Pakistan Steel. The terms and conditions of Technical and Financial assistance offered by the Russia would be finalized by both the governments once the draft of proposed MoU is forwarded to Russian Embassy.  The Proposed MoU, if both the governments agreed on BMRE of PSM, would be signed by the Ministry of Industries and Production of Pakistan and Economic Development Ministry of Russia during the forthcoming visit of President Asif Ali Zardari to Russia. Chairman Board of Investment (BoI) Saleem Mandviwala, Secretary Industries, Secretary BoI, Secretary Privatization, ED BoI, acting CEO PSM and senior officers from EAD and Foreign Affairs and other public stake holders also attended this meeting. PR No. 144 PRESS RELEASE PARLIAMENTARIANS CALL ON THE PRIME MINISTER Islamabad: April 19, 2011 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that economic situation of the country is improving with the increase in exports, receipt of foreign remittances and enhanced foreign direct investment. He maintained that expected bumper crops of wheat and other cash crops would help to spare more funds to be utilized for the development and welfare of the general public. The Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to Parliamentarians who called on him separately at his Parliament house chamber today. The Prime Minister observed that the Government was focusing on the equivalent and simultaneous development of all the areas. Referring to the drone attacks in Waziristan agency, he added that these attacks are counter productive and are causing hindrance in the development of the area. This aspect, he said has been conveyed to the coalition partners. Mr.Ayaz Amir, MNA during his call on with the Prime Minister appreciated the initiative of the Government to help Afghan peace process during Prime Minister’s recent visit to Afghanistan. The MNA apprised the Prime Minister that railway’s land in Chakwal was being encroached and suggested that the land may be temporarily allowed to be used as play ground for promotion of sports in the city. Dr.Zil-e-Huma, MNA during her meeting with the Prime Minister appreciated the Government for paying special attention to the problems of Balochistan and taking special initiative for its development. The Prime Minister directed the concerned to ensure that job quota for Balochistan in CDA should be strictly observed like other departments and ministries. Ms. Sherry Rehman, MNA discussed various aspects of the Prime Minister’s visit to Afghanistan with him. Ms.Faryal Talpur discussed party matters with the Prime Minister during her call on. The Parliamentarians apprised the Prime Minister about various development schemes in their respective constituencies. The parliamentarians include Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, MNA, Mr. Changez Khan Jemali, MNA, Mr.Tasneem Qureshi, MNA, Mr.Mazhar Hayat Khan, MNA, Nawabzada Ghazanfar Gul, KH.M.Khan HOTI, MNA, Haji M. Mansha Khichi and Mr. Sajjad, MPA.  PR No. 145 PRESS RELEASE US AMBASSADOR CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT Islamabad: April 19, 2011 U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Cameron P. Munter called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-sadr today. Pak-US bilateral issues were discussed during the meeting. PR No. 146 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad: April 19, 2011 Multi pronged strategy to increase cotton production in the country. New areas will be cultivated in Baluchistan and other parts of the country through federal government’s support. Cotton sowing technologies including drills & ridgers will be provided to Baluchistan for encouraging cotton cultivation. Mir Israrullah Zehri A meeting of the Committee on Enhancement of Cotton Production, constituted on the direction of the President of Pakistan, was held at the Ministry of Food & Agriculture (MINFA) that decided to explore new areas for growing cotton and achieving 15 million bales production next year. It was agreed that cotton sowing technologies will be provided specifically to Baluchistan to grow cotton on a vast area in the province. The meeting was attended by Mir Israrullah Zehri, Makhdom Shahabuddin, Nazar M. Gondal, Rana Farooq Saeed Khan and others. “We have a vast virgin area in Baluchistan that could be brought under cotton crop and increase the overall production to meet our domestic requirement. Two hundred drills and ridgers shall be provided to Baluchistan and KPK provinces to encourage cotton sowing in the newly explored areas for cotton. Market access to such new areas will be provided so that the farmers do not face any difficulty in the far flung areas”, expressed Mir Israrullah Zehri. Mr. Zehri said that potential areas for cotton cultivation identified in Baluchistan, KPK & Potohar region include Lasbella, Khuzdar, Command Area of Mirani Dam, Sibi, Loralai, Dadar D.I Khan, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, Karak, Noshehra, Swabi, Chakwal, Attock, Jehlum, etc. He added that 33% certified and approved varieties of cotton seed would be available and percentage of germination, per acre seed quantity and other important instructions must be written on seed bags. Pesticide for seed treatment before sowing shall be provided free of cost by Seed Companies.  He added that “Grow More Cotton” cell has been established in the ministry and campaigns through media and provincial agriculture extension departments would be launched. The minister informed the meeting that trainers from Baluchistan & KPK are given two weeks training at Multan to educate the farmers of their respective provinces. He said that Hotline (24/7) for providing counseling to farmers will be established at Multan and Sakrund. Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC) has performed the task of importing germ plasma from U.S and other countries. The meeting was also attended by Secretary Minfa Mr. Shafqat Hussain Naghmi, Secretary M/O Textiles Mr. Rasid Rasheed, Chairman PARC Dr. M Afzal, Chairman APTMA Mr. Gauhar Ijaz, D.G NARC Dr. Iftikhar Ahmed, Agriculture Development Commissioner Minfa Mr. Inayatullah Khan, Vice President Pakistan Central Cotton Committee Dr. M. Arshad and other provincial and federal officials. PR No. 147 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad: April 19, 2011 President Asif Ali Zardari today called upon the Ministry of Food & agriculture for taking all public and private sector stakeholders on board to evolve a comprehensive strategy for enhancing cotton productivity in the country besides strengthening cotton seed production system. Strengthening and streamlining of cotton research and development system in the country needs to be updated by learning from the experience of other cotton growing countries and making use of the new technologies. This he said while chairing a meeting of Food and Agriculture Committee today at the Aiwan-e-Sadr which was attended among others by Mir Israrullah Zehri, Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Makhdoom Shahabuddin , Minister for Textile, Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General, Mr. Kamal Majidullah , SAPM on water resources, Mr. Nazar Muhammad Gondal, MNA, Rana M. Farooq Saeed Khan, MNA, federal secretaries food and agriculture and Textile industry, Chairman PARC, Agriculture development commissioner,  provincial secretaries agriculture of the four provinces and other high officials. Chairman’s APTMA, Karachi, Lahore, Balochistan, Punjab, chairman Pak Cotton Forum LAHORE and Rana Iftikhar Muhammad, Secretary General Anjmne Kashitkaran were also present during the meeting. Today’s meeting was in continuation of earlier meeting held in February to achieve food security, improve the lot of the farmers, increase export earnings and to address the issues of the stakeholders. The meeting was updated on the progress made so far in the food and agriculture development and the new measures being undertaken in this regard. The matter concerning low average yield per acre was discussed in detail and measures were suggested to enhance optimum yield potential of the varieties besides bridging the gap between progressive and non progressive growers in per acre yields. The President also emphasized on producing disease resistant and high yielding variety of the major crops to attain self sufficiency in food items on one hand and to make Pakistan a food exporting country on the other. The President asked for discouraging the sowing of un-tested varieties with multiple genetic problems as it was also a reason for low crop production in the country. The President was also updated on PARC initiatives concerning developing hybrid seed of cotton, wheat,  sugarcane, canola, aerobic rice cultivation, high bio-remediation of waste water, agriculture machinery development, alternate energy sources for agriculture, bio-fertilizer, watershed management in dams being built, and nutritional food security in the country. The President said that the growers who are able to produce maximum yields while adopting new technologies and agronomic practices need to be given incentives. Similarly, the researchers also need to encouraged and provided incentives. He reiterated the commitment of the present government to improve the livelihood of small farmers and growers and the rural population. Pakistan is an agricultural country with agro based economy so we need to focus on improving the livelihood of those who are associated with it, he remarked. The President remarked that research was a basic pillar of agriculture development and stressed the federal and provincial research institutions to join hands for developing and introducing latest technologies in agriculture and farming sector to enhance crop production, so that the growing challenge of food security in the country could be met. R No. 148 REBUTTAL TO NEWSWEEK STORY CARRIED OUT BY LOCAL PRESS Islamabad: April 19, 2011 Apropos Mr. Bruce Riedel’s “Pakistan Plays Hardball” in Newsweek of April 18, 2011, the assertions made against Pakistan by the writer are shockingly baseless, malicious and malafide in intentions. A former CIA officer turned recent expert on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mr. Reidel has demonstrated a clearly anti-Pakistan mindset by belittling and rejecting Pakistan’s tremendous courage and endless sacrifices in its ongoing fight against global terrorism. To suggest that “Islamabad has something else in mind” other than to fight terrorism that is taking lives of ordinary Pakistanis on a daily basis is a severe insult to the national dignity of Pakistan.      . Furthermore, Mr. Riedel has deliberately tried to create an imaginary wedge between Pakistan’s democratically elected civilian leadership and its military, which together form the Democratic Government of Pakistan. Contrary to his alleged claims about President Asif Ali Zardari’s views on the war against terror, the Presidency’s records show that the writer has never met President Asif Ali Zardari. On what basis then he attributes such words to the President of Pakistan? Being Commander-In-Chief of Pakistan’s military, how can the President attack his own army? Whose agenda is Mr. Riedel actually serving by making such false and baseless claims? Mr. Riedel’s piece is short on facts and long on fiction. It’s a bad example of a figment of imagination and biased speculation of a typical spy mindset, which routinely articulates extremely negative perceptions against Pakistan, its leadership and its people. To accuse Pakistan of “dancing with terror” is to underplay the tremendous sacrifices which the people of Pakistan have made in the war against terror. Pakistan’s political and military efforts will have to be respected if the world wants to succeed in its fight against terrorism. The war against terrorism is Pakistan’s own war, which Pakistan is fighting to eliminate the enemy that is posing a serious threat to the country. The Democratic Government will never compromise on the national interests of Pakistan. We are a frontline state, and so stability in Pakistan and Afghanistan will ensure stability in the entire world. Pakistan and its civil-military leadership need no sympathy from such self­ proclaimed experts as Mr. Riedel. If such highly placed people in the U.S. start writing baseless articles against Pakistan in U.S journals of international repute and respect, not only will it harm Pakistan, but it will also harm the interests of the U.S and the International community. If Pakistan looses, the whole world will lose. R No. 149 PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT OFFERS FATEHA WITH MS SAMINA KHALID GHURKI Islamabad: April 19, 2011 President Asif Ali Zardari today lauded the role of Late Mr. Khalid Ghurki, husband of Samina Khalid Ghurki, Federal Minister for Environment as a veteran politician and ex –parliamentarian. As a hardcore worker of Pakistan People’s Party he rendered significant contributions in mobilizing the workers at regional level for the cause of the party, he said. The President was talking to Ms Samina Khalid Ghurki, Federal Minister for Environment and her son who called on him at the Aiwan-e-Sadr today. The President offered fateha for husband of Ms. Samina Khalid Ghurki and prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace. Ms. Faryal Talpur, MNA, was also present. R No. 150 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad: April 19, 2011 Pakistan peoples Party’s Co- Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari today said that Pakistan Peoples Party would continue its forward march towards strengthening democracy and state institutions besides putting economy back on track while following the policy of reconciliation and dialogue with its allies and all the political forces in the country. The country is faced with huge challenges including economic stress, energy crisis, rising inflation besides militancy and extremism but equally strong is our resolve to steer the country out of difficulty, he said. This he said while addressing Party MNAs at the Aiwan-e-Sadr Tuesday night. The meeting also attended by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was participated by Madam Faryal Talpur, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Federal Minister for Defense, Syed Khursheed Shah, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Information Minister, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Minister for Industry & Production, Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Minister for Textile, Ms. Samina Khalid Ghurki, Federal Minister for Environment, Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi, Raja Pervaz Asharaf and Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira. The meeting started with offering fateha for Mr. Khalid Ghurki, husband of Ms. Samina Khalid Ghurki, Federal Minister for Environment. The President asked the Party Parliamentarians to step up contacts with voters of their respective constituencies and concentrate on addressing their grievances. He asked them to share with people their sorrows and joys and participate in their community functions. The President said that as the government has completed more than half of the tenure, the Party should keep an eye on the general elections which he said will be held on time in 2013 as per provision of the Constitution. He said that decisions on awarding party tickets and party offices in the future will soon be made after consulting Party’s provincial presidents and senior leadership of the party on Party and constituency matters. The Co-Chairman however said that party tickets would be awarded strictly on merit and added that performance of PPP Ministers and Parliamentarians would be crucial in deciding on award of party tickets and appointments to party offices. The Party MPs reposed complete confidence in the leadership of the PPP in running the affairs of the party and government and candidly expressed their opinions about host of issues including the current political situation in the country. They also spoke about the Party organizations and raised issues relating to the development projects in their areas. The President assured that their concerns relating to the development projects would be forwarded to the government for early redressal.  R No. 151 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad: April 19, 2011 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has approved a delegation to visit Qatar for holding of the first meeting of Joint Committee constituted under agreement with the State of Qatar for organization of Pakistani manpower for enhancing employment opportunities. R No. 152 PRESS RELEASE PRIME MINISTER DIRECTS NADRA TO ENSURE REGISTRATION OF CITIZENS Islamabad: April 19, 2011 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed the Chairman, NADRA to ensure registration of citizens who have attained the age of 18 years so that they can be enlisted as voters in the election. He asked the Chairman, NADRA to take immediate measures for issuance of ID cards to the young citizens of 18 years and above. The youth, he added, constitutes 65% of the population and are the future leaders of the country. The youth, he added, have an important role to play in the political and socio-economic future of the country. The chairman NADRA apprised the Prime Minister that so far more than 22.2 million free of cost CNICs have been delivered to the youth by NADRA. The Prime Minister said that it was a historic milestone of the democratic government and directed that this facility must continue till the completion of the registration process. The Prime Minister said that with the introduction of mandatory CNIC for casting vote in the next general elections, the democratic government has set the foundations for free and fair elections: a precursor to stable, inclusive and democratic Pakistan. Every vote would be counted now, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister said that the passage of the Amendment in the Electoral Rolls Act, 1947 through the parliament is a monumental event in the democratic history of Pakistan as it fulfills the vision of the author of the Constitution of Pakistan, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to transfer the power to the people of Pakistan. This new law would end the possibility of usurping the power of the people through fraudulent elections for ever, the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister also called upon the youth to come forward and play a decisive role in the future of their country as their vote would decide to shape the destiny of the nation by participating in the political process.   R No. 153 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad: April 19, 2011 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has approved the study tour for policy makers to visit Kuala Lumpur Malaysia from 25-28 April, 2011. The objective of the tour is to observe harm reduction and drug treatment services in Kuala Lumpur and to have constructive discussions with policy makers and service providers.