PR No. 229
PRESS RELEASE
GOVERNMENT FOCUSED ATTENTION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FATA AREAS: HAMEED ULLAH JAN AFRIDI
Islamabad July 20,2010Funds of substantial amounts in the current year Federal budget 2010-11 had been earmarked to accelerate development of federally administered areas (FATA) and special emphasis had also been laid for provision of basic amenities of life to the people of remote and far flung areas to mitigate their pressing demands.
This was stated by the Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi while talking to people of FATA areas who called on him at his office on Tuesday. People belonging to different areas apprised the Minister about the difficulties of the concerned area.
The Minister Environment stated on the occasion that government is implementing integrated development plan for uplift of FATA areas and a number of projects were being implemented to improve the living conditions of the people of all less developed areas. He said President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani are well aware of the difficulties of FATA and every possible steps were being adopted to provide maximum facilities to the people of this area.
Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said FATA is very potential for environmental up-gradation and activities would be undertaken to plant maximum saplings of different species to improve the environmental conditions besides providing new job opportunities to the people. The Minister informed that environment friendly policies had been evolved to associate all segments of society to join hands for tackling the challenges being confronted due to global warming.
PR No. 230
PRESS RELEASE
ISLAMABAD TRADERS ACTION COMMIUTTEE CALLS ON HEALTH MINISTER
Islamabad July 20,2010A DELEGATION OF Pakistan Traders Action Committee called on the Federal Minister for Health Makhdoom Shahabuddin under the Chairmanship of Babar Minhas, President people Party, Islamabad here today. The delegation comprising Muhammad Kashif Chaudhary, Markazi Organizing Secretary Traders Action Committee, Islamabad, Shoukat Ali Sheikh, President People’s Traders Cells, Islamabad, Ikhlaq Abbasi, President G-9/Markaz, Iftikhar Shahzada, President G-8/Markaz, Qamar Abbas, President F-8/Markaz, Chaudhary Sajid Iqbal, General Secretary G 9/Markaz, Malik Ehsan Elahi, Chairman G-9/Markaz, Zulfiqar Dogar. Senior Vice President G-9/Markaz and Sheikh Razaq, Senior Vice President G-9/Markaz thanked the Minister for Health for paying a visit to the hospital to inquire about the health of the injured person of the victims of unfortunate fire incident of G-9/Markaz, Islamabad. They demanded of the government free treatment for the injured persons, financial assistance for the deceased of the incident and damage caused to the property of the traders.
Minister for Health expressed sympathies with the traders over the unfortunate incident of fire in which serval persons lost their lives and serval of them seriously injured. Minister assured free treatment of the injured persons and promised to help them in getting financial assistance from the Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani for the injured, deceased and damage caused to the property of the traders. The delegation thanked the Minister for Health for assurance of financial assistance.
PR No. 231
PRESS RELEASE
PM gave a cheque of Rs. 500,000 for two year old girl suffering from cancer
Islamabad, July 20, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani gave a cheque of Rs.500, 000 to the family of a 2 years old Christian girl, Alisia .The girl is suffering from blood cancer and is resident of Quetta Cantt.
The Prime Minister took notice after the news was aired on a TV-Channel and also published in a newspaper. The Prime Minister asked chairman Baitulmal to bear all expenses of the treatment of Alisia.
PR No. 232
PRESS RELEASE
MOS COMMUNICATIONS AND PARLIAMENTARY LEADER OF FATA IN NA MEET PM
Islamabad: July 20, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Government is focusing on the early completion of the ongoing development projects in the country specially in the under-developed areas to bring them at par with the urban centres.
The Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to Haji Muneer Orakzai, Parliamentary Leader of FATA in National Assembly, and Mr. Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, Minister of State for Communication who called on him separately at Prime Minister’s Secretariat this afternoon.
The Prime Minister urged Haji Muneer Orakzai to monitor the progress of development schemes launched in his constituency to ensure quality and timely competition.
Haji Muneer Orakzai thanked the Prime Minister for his initiative to double the PSDP for FATA for Financial Year 2010-11. He also apprised him of the progress of the FATA House construction in Islamabad.
Minister of State for Communications apprised the Prime Minister of various ongoing development projects and also discussed with him the future projects being finalized in his Ministry.
PR No. 233
PRESS RELEASE
Dr. Farooq Sattar calls on the PM
Islamabad: July 20, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Government will take into confidence all the coalition partners regarding the Pakistan-Afghan Transit Trade negotiations and Pakistan US strategic dialogue. Pursuance of the reconciliatory approach, he added, has strengthened the democratic process in the country and created a friction less political milieu to pursue the public welfare agenda.
The Prime Minister was talking to Dr. Farooq Sattar, Minister for Overseas Pakistanis, who called on him at Prime Minister’s Secretariat this afternoon.
The Prime Minister while acknowledging the contribution of millions of expatriates in the socio-economic development of Pakistan asked the Minister to evolve a unified policy for overseas Pakistanis to provide them facilities commensurating with their sacrifices for the country.
The Prime Minister asked Dr. Farooq Sattar to put a proposal for the right of vote for the expatriates and the creation of seats in Senate and National Assembly to give representation to the overseas Pakistanis. These proposals should be discussed at appropriate forums, taking all the coalition partners and stakeholders on board, he added.
While discussing the issue of camel jockeys, the Prime Minister instructed Dr. Farooq Sattar to take up the issue with concerned authorities to check this abuse and to provide relief to the affected children and their families.
Dr. Farooq Sattar apprised the Prime Minister of the working of his Ministry and also discussed the projects taken up for the expatriates.
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PR No. 234
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 20, 2010Advisor to the Prime Minister Sardar Latif Khosa called on the President at Aiwan-e-Sadr today and tendered resignation as Advisor.
The President however, did not accept the resignation saying that Latif Khosa was an old Party loyalist who had remained steadfast and served selflessly the cause of democracy and the Party through tick and thin. The President said Mr. Latif Khosa not only stood by Shaheed Mohtarma Bhutto and the Party leadership in difficult times but also was a gifted and competent person whom the Party and the government would not abandon.
The President asked Latif Khosa to take back his resignation and continue working as Advisor to the Prime Minister.
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PR No. 235
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 20, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has emphasized on building capacity of the implementing organization at local level in order to speed up the completion of development projects. The schemes in various sectors require specialized expertise both at the planning and the implementation level.
The Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to Malik Aamir Dogar, MPA who called on him alongwith two notables of his constituency at Prime Minister’s Secretariat this afternoon.
The Prime Minister stressed upon early completion of ongoing projects and better planning for future needs of the people at local level. As regards infrastructure projects the Prime Minister reiterated for evolving joint mega projects in the adjacent constituencies.
The MPA apprised the Prime Minister of the ongoing development projects and also stated that 80% of the development work in his constituency has been completed.
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PR No. 236
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 20, 2010President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday took a strong note on media reports regarding murder of two brothers at a court in Faisalabad and a controversy surrounding a historic Hindu temple.
Taking note of the media reports about the murder of two, accused of writing blasphemous pamphlet outside a court in Faisalabad on Monday, the President strongly condemned the incident and said it has brought bad name to Pakistan.
President Zardari said the life of every person was sacred and no one can be allowed to take the law into their hands.
The President directed the provincial authorities to take every measure for the arrest of the culprits and assured that justice would be done.
He expressed sympathy with the families of Pastor Rashid Emmanuel and his brother Sajjad and directed the provincial government for payment of suitable compensation.
The President also took note of the media report about demolishing of a building, claimed to be a Hindu temple, in Rawalpindi.
The President asked Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti to investigate the matter and report the factual position.SAK/wh
PR No. 237
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 20, 2010President Asif Ali Zardari has asked the federal Government to take necessary steps on priority basis for completion of ongoing projects in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
This he directed during his meeting with the delegation from AJK comprising of President AJK Raja Zulqarnain Khan, Prime Minister Raja Muhammad Farooq Khan at Aiwan-e-Sadr today. Ms. Naheed Tariq, Minister for Population Welfare AJK, President PPP AJK Mr. Abdul Majeed Chaudhari, Ex. PM Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, Chief Secretary Mr. M. Arbab Shehzad, Secretary SERRA Mr. Abid Shah and Commissioner Mangla Raising Project Ch. Munir were also accompanying the President and PM AJK.
Water & Power Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Secretary General Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Chairman ERRA Mr. Altaf M. Saleem and Chairman WAPDA Mr. Shakil Durrani were also present during the meeting besides Federal Secretary Water & Power Mr. Shahid Rafi.
Matters related to progress on various developmental projects with particular emphasis on issues relating to the Mangla Dam raising project and reconstruction program in AJK were discussed during the meeting.
Prime Minister AJK Raja Muhammad Farooq Khan briefed the President about the reconstruction program in AJK and the four other new towns exclusively meant for the affectees of the ongoing Mangla dam raising project. While briefing the President he said that the raising works of the main dam and spillway have been completed in December 2009 and the main raising works are ready to accommodate additional storage during the flood season. The raised Mangla Dam will be able to impound additional 2.88 MAF of water over and above its original capacity of 4.54 MAF. He said that over 40 billion rupees had been paid as compensation for land and trees however an amount of nearly 5 billion rupees is yet to be provided to the government of AJK for disbursement to affectees for the built up property. Payment of the amount is very crucial to enable the affectees to construct their new settlements and evacuate their present living abodes, he said.
The President assured the AJK leaders that he will ask the Federal Government to urgently address the issues relating to rehabilitation and payment of compensation to the affectees who were displaced due to the raising of Mangla dam. He directed the Federal Water & Power Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf to immediately hold a meeting with the relevant Federal Government agencies in this regard and apprise him of the progress made. The President said that the Government gives special attention to the development of AJK and completion of various ongoing developmental is among the foremost priorities of the Government.
The President also inquired about the progress regarding establishment of a medical college in AJK and asked for submission of a report before his forthcoming visit to United Kingdom.
The President also asked President PPP AJK Mr. Abdul Majeed Chaudhari to reach out to the people in far flung areas and to complement Government’s efforts in addressing their problems and grievances.
The delegation thanked the President for his keen interest in the developmental projects in AJK and uplift of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. They also appreciated the role of the federal Government for the political stability of the area.
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PR No. 238
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 20, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani while replying a question has categorically stated that neither Mullah Omer nor Osama Bin Laden is in Pakistan and if any one has any credible and verifiable information it should be shared with us.
The Prime Minister was talking to a delegation of All Pakistan News Agencies Council led by Mr. Mohsin Beig here at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat this afternoon said that the role of news agencies is very significant in dissemination of information thus influencing the public opinion. He directed the Ministry of Information to develop close liaison with the All Pakistan News Agencies Council in order to strengthen the professional linkages.
He asked the news agencies representatives to discuss their proposals with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to work out details of government assistance.
Replying to a question regarding the issue of fake degree, the Prime Minister said that to every wrong, there is a remedy. He stated that whenever a seat is declared vacant, the Election Commission will hold elections within the prescribed time schedule.
Clarifying confusion in media reports about Afghan Transit Trade, the Prime Minister said that a broad based understanding was reached at to initiate discussions for possible agreement. An agreement can only be signed after ratification by the Cabinet.
The Prime Minister said that according to the Rules of Business, an Advisor can advise the Prime Minister but cannot take decisions on his behalf.
Replying to another question regarding coverage of Pakistan’s participation in the US Nuclear Summit, the Prime Minister said that it was for the first time that the world accepted Pakistan’s nuclear status.
The Prime Minister further said that he had told the Indian Prime Minister in Bhutan that the present government enjoys broad base support of all political parties, institutions and stakeholders, therefore, it is in a much better position to negotiate outstanding issue with India.
He said that Kashmir is a core issue between India and Pakistan and we have raised Kashmir issue at every level and meetings with the foreign delegations.
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PR No. 239
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 20, 2010A meeting between the UN delegation headed by Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Pakistan Mr. Jean Maurice Ripert and Ms. Farzana Raja Federal Minister/ Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme took place in Chairperson’s office here today. Ms. Farzana Raja thanked Mr. Ripert for his visit and apprised him of the philosophy, methodology and current status of the various running and planned initiatives, including Cash Grant, Emergency Relief Package, Waseela-e-Haq (Interest Free Returnable Financial Assistance), Waseela-e-Sehet (Health/Accident Insurance), and Waseela-e-Rozgar (Vocational Training Programme), started by the BISP for the well being of the marginalized sections of the society. Mr. Ripert very much appreciated the efforts made by BISP for improving the conditions of the under-privileged in Pakistan and termed them as the physical implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations.
Delegation was deeply impressed by the technological tools, like Benazir Smart Card, employed by the BISP for ensuring a transparent and smooth functioning of its operation. Delegation displayed keen interest in the Health Insurance and Vocational Training as part of BISP’s Graduation Strategy. For successful implementation of Vocational Training Programme, Mr. Ripert promised for arranging meetings of BISP personnel with the various UN program managers to work out areas of cooperation between the two. Appreciating BISP’s efforts in supporting bomb blast and target killing victims under its Emergency Relief Package, Mr. Ripert discussed the possibility of collaboration between the UNDP and BISP. Presently, UNDP is conducting an assessment for the physical and psychological rehabilitation of the victims of ‘War on Terror’ in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He further suggested that BISP and UNDP could start the similar initiatives in the other provinces of Pakistan.
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