PR. No. 240
PRESS RELEASE
Kakar Condoles Dr.Imran’s Death
Islamabad 19th September, 2010Leader of Jui (F) and Federal Minister for Housing and Works Mr. Rahmatullah Kakar has expressed grief and sorrow over the assassination of MQM Leader Dr. Imran Farooq.
In a condolence message Mr. Rahmatullah Kakar conveyed his heartfelt grief and shock over this unfortunate incident and termed Dr. Imran Farooq’s death an innocent loss to the MQM and nation.
The JUI (F) leader prayed for eternal rest of the departed soul and courage for his family members to bear this irreparable loss with equanimity.
PR. No. 241
PRESS RELEASE
Flood Relief Efforts of Govt. of Pakistan Must be Seen in Correct Perspective: High Commissioner
Dow Medical Graduates Raise Funds for Flood Relief.
Islamabad 19th September, 2010“The floods had rendered millions stranded in the locations where only Government had the resources to reach for their evacuation, which the Government did. ” said Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan, while addressing the 6th Annual Meeting and Pakistan Flood Relief Benefit Evening organized by the association of medical doctors DOGNE , Dow Medical College Graduates Association of Northern Europe , here , yesterday,says a press release received here today.
The event took place at the Walthamstow Assembly Hall and was attended by Pakistani origin doctors from the UK and number of other countries including USA . DOGNE’s annual meeting takes place for inducting new office bearers but this year it was dedicated for Relief of Flood Victims. From this year Pakistan High Commissioner would also be the Patron of the Association. The incoming president Dr. Syed Iftikhar Yousaf and former president of DOGNE Dr. Shahed Quraishi also addressed the gathering besides MP. Rehman Chishtie . A donation of £10,000 was also given by DOGNE to Pakistan Medical Association for carrying out relief activities in Pakistan . The Association has also contributed over 2 million rupees for setting up of medical facilities with volunteers for flood victims at the national level .
In his address, the High Commissioner apprised the audience of the scale of disaster and relief activities being carried out by the government of Pakistan . He said “currently, this is the phase of relief assistance. I am aware of the misgivings about the Government. But I expect from the literate community such as yours to at least see things in its correct perspective. He added that some circles were trying to separate Army from the Government , whereas Armed Forces are directed by the government and they have been mandated to carry out the relief work at the national level. National Disaster Management Authority under the Prime Minister’s Office coordinates and facilitates with all the relief agencies including the armed forces. The expenditure incurred on the operational cost of relief work is met from the national exchequer.” he added.
With a view to make Pakistani doctors more competitive the High Commissioner recommended that members of DOGANE may form groups to consider venturing into establishing institutes in Pakistan related to the field of medicine in order to make Pakistani medical graduates more competitive and bring them in pace with the progress that is taking place in other countries, particularly the West, in the medical field.
MP Rehman Chishtie in his address called upon Pakistani diaspora to help in correcting misperceptions about Pakistan and creating a positive image of the country. The President DOGNE Dr. Syed Iftikhar Yousuf said that though DOGNE was founded only six years ago , today it is one of the largest association of expatriate Pakistani medical practitioners in the UK as graduates of other medical colleges have also joined the organization in large numbers. He further informed that only in last three weeks the organization has been able to raise £750000 for the relief of flood affectees.
Famous pop singer Ainee also performed on the evening and a meena bazaar was also held to raise donations for flood relief besides entertainment and educative activities for the children such as clown show and Bhangra.
PR.No. 242
PRESS RELEASEPROMPT ACTION BEING TAKEN TO ENSURE SMOOTH PETROL SUPPLIES. SUFFICIENT STOCKS OF PETROL AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTRY. OGRA ADVISED TO CARRY OUT SURPRISE VISITS OF PETROL PUMPS TO CHECK HOARDING/OVERCHARGING/ARTIFICIAL SHORTAGE: PETROLEUM MINSTER NAVEED QAMAR
Islamabad 19th September, 2010
The Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Syed Naveed Qamar taking immediate cognizance of complaint of Petrol shortage took stock of the situation and issued instructions for ensuring smooth supplies immediately across the country. The Hon’ble Prime Minister of Pakistan had earlier called the Minister, who is currently in Turkmenistan attending the TAPI gas pipeline steering committee meeting, to look into the matter expeditiously.
The Minister informed that sufficient stocks of about 90,000 tons of Petrol is available in the country which is more than sufficient to cater at least 18 days requirement In addition to this about 4000 tons per day is being produced by the local refineries hence there is no shortage of petrol.
In this context, the Ministry of Petroleum in consultation with Oil Marketing Companies is making arrangements to expedite the supplies from Karachi refineries and imports. PSO is working round the clock. The Situation will further improve as PARCO refinery has already resumed the operation and full production will be available by the evening of 19thSeptember and morning of 20th September, 2010. OGRA has also been advised to carry on surprise visits of Petrol pumps to ensure that there is no hoarding /overcharging.
The spokesman of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has clarified the position with reference to the shortage of MOGAS (Petrol) in Punjab especially in Lahore, Gujranwala, Multan that due to recent heavy rains and consequently floods in the country, mid country refinery (Parco) which is meeting 20-25% of the country demand was closed down w.e.f. 7th August, 2010.
PR.No.243
PRESS RELEASE
GERMAN PUBLIC DONATIONS FOR FLOOD VICTIMS GROW TO US$ 210 MILLION
Islamabad 19th September, 2010German public donations for the flood victims in Pakistan have almost doubled in a week and crossed US $ 210 million figure by the end of this week. These were US $ 110 million last week, says a press release received from Berlin here today.
German Institute on Social Matters, DZI, which monitors fund raising by German relief organizations, stated that 45 German relief organizations had collected US $ 210 million by Friday, Sept. 17, 2010. Donations for the flood victims are still pouring in. In the beginning the flow of donations was slow but it picked up in the wake of strong appeals by the German political leadership and intense coverage of the floods by the German media.
According to DZI more than six organizations have collected over US $ 13 million each. These are Entiwicklung, Hilft, German Red Cross-DRK, Aktion Deutschland Hilft, Deutsche Welthungerhilfe, Diackonie Katastrophenhihlfe and the Claritas.
