PR. NO.267
PRESS RELEASE
FUNCTIONS AND MANDATE OF FEDERAL FLOOD COMMISSION CLARIFIED
Islamabad: 20th August, 2010This is with the reference to a series of recent news items appearing in a section of press which erroneously have communicated functions and mandate of Federal Flood Commission as being responsible GOP organization to manage flood situation. Contrarily, it has entirely a different set of Engineering / advisory framework at federal level whose primary function relates to passing on the outcome of Engineering based research studies and its findings to the provincial irrigation departments / provincial authorities to undertake suitable preventive measures on ground to check possible overflows arising out of high flood tides nearby rivers and canals embankments. Following is the clear position with regard to legal and professional mandate of Federal Flood Commission:-
a. The Federal Flood Commission (FFC) was established in 1977, and to date the total allocation given to FFC is Rs. 25.561 billion over a period of 34 years and not Rs. 88 billion. The existing flood protection facilities in Pakistan are as under:-
Name of Province Embankments Flood Structures
i. Punjab 3,332.09 496
ii. Sindh 2,422 46
iii. NWFP 352.24 186
iv. Balochistan 696.85 682
v. Total 6,803.18 1,410
b. Out of the above allocation, not a single penny is retained by FFC at the Federal Level. In fact, all the allocation is passed on to the four provinces, Gilfit Baltistan, FATA and AJK in accordance with the ECNEC approved formula (Punjab: 45%, Sindh: 31, KPK: 11%, Balochistan: 08%, FATA: 03%, Gilgit-Baltistan: 01%, AJK: 01%).
c. The provinces execute flood protection schemes out of the fundings according to their own priority. It is totally unjustified to assume that this investment has gone down the drain. Had these flood protection structures not been in place, the damages of 2010 floods would have been manifolds as compared to the current damages. It may also be noted that the flood protection works along Kabul, Swat & Panjkora Rivers were constructed on the design parameters of historic 1929 flood levels. However, the current floods have surpassed the 80 years old record. The Rivers Swat and Kabul experienced a combined flood peak in excess of 400,000 cusecs, crossing the historic peak of 250,000 cusecs recorded in 1929.
d. It is also important to understand that the flood management is carried out by the Provincial Irrigation Departments and WAPDA who are the custodians of barrages and dams. Before evaluating the performance of FFC, it is important to understand that the assigned mandate and main functions of FFC should be understood, which are as follows:
i) Collection of data on river flows and its dissemination to the provinces,
ii) To arrange the financing for execution of flood protection infrastructure/schemes proposed by the provinces and federal line agencies.
e. Thus Federal Flood Commission has no role in expenditure incurred on these flood protection works except for random monitoring and the entire responsibly for the design, construction, supervision and maintenance of these infrastructure rests with the provinces and federal line agencies.
f. A summary of Federal Investments on Flood Protection Works during 1977 – 2010 reveals that Punjab todate was allocated Rs.9271 million indicating 46.53%. Sindh todate was allocated Rs.5879 million reflecting 29.50%. KP was allocated Rs.2411 million reflecting 12.10%. Balochistan was allocated Rs.1229 million reflecting 6.17%. FATA was allocated Rs. 226 million reflecting 1.14%. GB was allocated Rs.120 million reflecting 3.85%. AJK was allocated Rs.768 million reflecting 3.85%. ICT was allocated Rs.22 million reflecting 0.11%. The sub total therefore comes to Rs.19926 million reflecting a break up of 100% allocated to all the provincial and geographical units.
Foregoing makes it clear that Federal Flood Commission in itself did not expend a penny on its own / internal institutional setup. All GOP funding was diverted to provincial governments after recommending a set of Flood Prevention / Protection measures to the provincial governments which have their own executing agencies like provincial irrigation departments and others. In view of the above, it is evident that when no money is at the disposal of FFC, the question of corruption does not arise. All the officials of Federal Flood Commission have the highest level of integrity.
**NJ/Ahmad**
PR. NO.268
PRESS RELEASE
FOREIGN MINISTER SHORES UP BILATERAL SUPPORT FOR THE FLOOD VICTIMS ON
THE SIDELINES OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY’S PLENARY MEETING IN NEW YORK
Islamabad: 20th August, 2010On the sidelines of the United Nations Genera Assembly’s Plenary Meeting to consider the humanitarian situation resulting from floods in Pakistan, the Foreign Minister met his counterparts as well as other Cabinet-ranking Heads of Delegation. These include: Mr. M Steven Vanackere, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belgium; Mr. Lawrence Cannon, Foreign Minister of Canada; Ms. Lene Espersen, Foreign Minister of Denmark; Mr. Egemen Bagis, Minister for European Affairs of Turkey; Mr. Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development of United Kingdom; Mr. Osamu Fujimura, Vice Foreign Minister of Japan; Mr. Werner Hoyer, Deputy Foreign Minister of Germany; and Ms. Reem Ibrahim Reda Al Hashimi, Minister of State in the Cabinet of United Arab Emirates., says a press release received here today from New York.
The Ministers and Vice Ministers reiterated their support to the Government and the People of Pakistan. They stated that no government could have faced the calamity of such magnitude without foreign assistance.
The Foreign Ministers of Belgium and Denmark assured the Foreign Minister that the platform of the European Union will be utilized to offer long-terms economic recovery plan for the flood-affected areas. Floods in Pakistan have received media-attention in Europe. The Danish Government has decided to provide mobile water-purification systems to the UNICEF teams for clean drinking water.
The UK’s Secretary of State for International Development informed that his Government has doubled its aid-package and would continue to work with the Government of Pakistan to assist in long-term economic recovery plans. The Vice Minister of Japan stated that besides economic relief assistance plan worth US$ 14.4 million, the Government of Japan has also decided to deploy a contingent of helicopters to reach remote areas, otherwise inaccessible due to loss of transport network.
The Turkish Minister expressed complete solidarity with Pakistan. He stated that the Prime Minister of Turkey was personally engaged with the ongoing relief efforts. The Turkish Government is mobilizing private sector to assist in relief and reconstruction efforts. Special prayers and donation campaigns for the flood victims were being organized in every mosque in Turkey during the holy month of Ramadhan.
The Foreign Minister stated that international response to provide for flood-relief and rehabilitation was gathering momentum. Pakistan’s top priority at this stage was to provide food and shelter. He noted that long-term economic recovery would require improvement in various bilateral and multilateral trade policies, including market access to our exports. He thanked the Ministers and Vice Ministers for their participation in today’s meeting of the General Assembly.
PR. NO.269
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: 20th August, 2010Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Canada Mr. Akbar Zeb held a meeting with Secretary General Canadian Red Cross Mr. Conrad Sauve and his team and briefed them about the scale of the disaster in Pakistan and the need for a quicker response by the international organizations, says a press release received here today from Ottawa.
Mr. Akbar Zeb said that this was a disaster of unprecedented proportions . More than 20 million people and 70% of the country had so far been affected, almost one million houses had been lost or damaged, at least 1600 people were reported to have lost their lives and infrastructure, crops and livestock had been considerably damaged. The enormity of the disaster called for a well coordinated and concerted effort by the Pakistan government, the Pakistani diaspora and the international community.
The CRC Secretary General elaborated on the projects launched by the Canadian Red Cross in Pakistan. He said Canadian Red Cross (CRC) was working in close coordination the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
He said PRCS and ICRC had reached 100,000 people with relief supplies and over 15,000 with medical care. They have a distribution plan to support upto 75,000 families (350,000 people) with emergency food and non-food relief, medical care, clean water and shelter. Also 7 Emergency Response Units had been deployed with relief, logistics, water/sanitation and basic health care, he added.
Mr. Conrad Sauve said Canadian Red Cross Society has short, medium and long term programmes in Pakistan. He will visit Pakistan during the current week to determine the immediate, medium and long term rehabilitation plans for the flood affected areas of Pakistan.The High Commissioner thanked the CRC for their laudable efforts. The two sides agreed to work in close coordination for the rescue and rehabilitation of people affected by the floods.
**MA/Ahmad**
PR. NO.270
PRESS RELEASE
Employees of a Chinese company donate for flood affectees
Islamabad: 20th August, 2010The staff of China International Water and Electric Corporation donated an amount of US$ 3500 (approx.) for the flood affected people in Pakistan, says a press release received here today from Beijing, China.
Project Manager, Ms. Liang Ye and Senior Manager, Mr. Sheng Zhendong called on Ambassador Masood Khan, on behalf of their Senior Vice President, Mr. Wang Shaofeng, this morning and handed him over the cheque for the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
They informed the Ambassador that the amount had been donated by the 25 employees of the organization who had worked in Pakistan at some time during their career.
They expressed their deep condolences to those who lost their lives and property in the disaster in Pakistan and assured the Ambassador that they would always be with the Pakistani nation no matter what comes.
Appreciating this gesture of generosity and thoughtfulness of the employees of the company, Ambassador Masood expressed his gratitude towards every member of the team who had donated for the calamity -stricken people. He said with the support of the international community, the resilient Pakistani nation would recover from this disaster at the earliest.
**DG/Ahmad**
PR. NO.271
PRESS RELEASE
Expression of solidarity with the IDPs of Swat and victims of flood at Pakistan Pavilion at Shanghai Expo
Islamabad: 20th August, 2010A CETC-Pakistan Moment was held at the Pakistan Pavilion in the Shanghai Expo to express solidarity with the internally displaced people (IDP) of Swat and the victims of the massive floods that have hit Pakistan. Ambassador of Pakistan to China, Masood Khan and the Mr. Yan Lijin, President of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) graced the occasion. Also present at the event were ten students from Swat which CETC had selected for attending this activity, says a press release received here today from Beijing, China.
Welcoming the guests, Mr. Abdul Wahid, Deputy Commissioner General of Pakistan Pavilion said that the Pakistan Pavilion provided an ideal setting for expressing the all weather friendship between Pakistan and China.
Speaking on the occasion Ambassador Masood Khan said that Pakistan and China are good neighbors, close friends, trusted partners, and dear brothers. CETC and Mr. Yan Lijin have devoted time and energy to further promote Pakistan-China cooperation in the fields of education, culture, sports, and media. CETC has become a symbol of Pakistan-China friendship, he added.
CETC is a world class company in design, research and development, manufacturing and support of high tech defence electronic products. The group consists of 47 research institutes and 26 enterprises with around 100,000 employees. It is also one of the leading Chinese companies operating in Pakistan involved in bilateral projects in national defence, communication systems, R&D and civil technologies.
Mr. Yan Lijin in his speech said that the affinity between Pakistan and China has been inspiring us for generations. In the past six decades, regardless of changes at the international arena, Pakistan government and people have been relentlessly granting China support, whenever China was in difficulty, he added. The President of CETC informed that CETC has invested US$ 5 million in a China-Pakistan Cultural Exchange Fund which will be used to support cultural exchanges between the two countries.
Last year, CETC sponsored a visit of a 20-member youth delegation and committed US $700,000 to rebuild and reconstruct parts of Swat and build a school there.
Thanking CETC for providing an opportunity to the students from Swat to visit China, Masood Khan said that “reconstruction is not about bricks and mortar. It is especially about our younger generation who will not only manage their own societies but bring Pakistan and China even closer”.
Regarding the massive floods in Pakistan, the Ambassador said that hundreds of towns and villages have been devastated, people, crops, livestock have been swept away. Infrastructure has been destroyed and some 20 million people have been affected. He said that the rescue, relief and recovery operations are in full swing and all national resources have been mobilized.
Masood Khan also offered his condolences to the government and people of China who too have been hit this year by natural disasters such as earthquake, floods as well as mudslides.
Later, Mr. Asad Wahid, Director Pakistan Pavilion gave a tour of the pavilion to the guests and briefed about the various features of the pavilion The ten children from Swat during their eight day stay in China will also visit Beijing and participate in various events organized by CETC.
PR. NO.272
PRESS RELEASE
PRIME MINISTER CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT
Islamabad 20th August, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusaf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.
The Prime Minister briefed the President about the extent of devastation caused by floods, the immediate relief measures undertaken and the plans drawn up for preventing the outbreak of epidemic. The Prime Minister said that nearly 1.5 billion rupees had been collected for relief measures in the Prime Minster’s relief Fund. He said that special prayers were offered after Juma today for mitigating the miseries of people and to extricate the nation from this crisis.
Briefing the media about the meeting Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that it was decided to convene separate meetings of the CEC of the party and the PPP parliamentary party to benefit from the insight of Party leaders and office bearers in making a preliminary damage and need assessment and on how to mobilise the human and material resources in facing the adversity. The meetings will be convened soon after the flood water recedes, he said.
Both the President and the Prime Minister expressed their determination to tide over the challenge with the help of the people, all political parties, the provincial governments as well as the international community. The two leaders expressed deep appreciation and thanked the UN, the international institutions and the countries which have pledged financial and other assistance to help Pakistan overcome the devastating consequences of the unprecedented floods in the country’s history.
The Spokesperson said Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged two billion dollars, World Bank 900 million dollars and UN 485 million dollars in assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the flood victims.
The spokesperson said that both the leaders thanked the UN and UN General assembly for the special session for Pakistan that adopted a resolution calling for international assistance in support of the Government’s efforts to address the natural catastrophe.
The President also apprised the Prime Minister about his recent visit to Russia and interaction with Presidents of Tajikistan, Russia and Afghanistan during quadrilateral summit held at Sochi, Russia.
The President said the quadrilateral summit in Sochi unanimously adopted a declaration that called upon the international community to rush to Pakistan’s aid in carrying out relief and rehabilitation work.
President Medvedev of Russian federation launched another appeal for tents and medicines for immediate relief measures. In separate bilateral meetings with them all the heads of states attending the quadrilateral summit expressed sympathies and pledged to help Pakistan in this difficult hour, he said.
The Spokesperson said that in bilateral meeting with the Tajikistan President the two leaders decided to fast track implementation of the CASA-1000 mega project for importing power from Tajikistan and to work together for building a trade and energy corridor through Central Asia besides setting up joint ventures in energy, pharmaceutical, textiles and manufacturing sectors.
PR. NO.273
PRESS RELEASE
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME EFFORTS FOR THE FLOOD AFFECTED PEOPLE ARE
COMMENDABLE. WE OFFER FULL COOPERATION TO COORDINATE FOR THE
RELIEF ACTIVITIES. NAZAR M. GONDAL
Islamabad August 20, 2010.Federal minister for Food & Agriculture, Nazar M. Gondal has said that the World Food Programme (WFP) has really done an excellent job in the relief activities across Pakistan in the aftermath of the devastating floods.
The minister said it while chairing a MoU/agreement signing meeting with Mr. Kerno Oshidari, WFP Regional Director here at Islamabad.
Ministry of Food & Agriculture, Government of Pakistan through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) will receive 36.66 MT (10,000) tins* from WFP for the flood affected people of Pakistan. WFP also requested for the provision of wheat and rice from the ministry so that it is disbursed in the affected people.
Mr. Gondal said that the whole nation is grateful to the WFP and the entire world community for the help they give to Pakistan in this timer of great trail and trouble. He said that the ministry would seriously consider the proposals as discussed in the meeting. He added that coordinated efforts are needed to focused towards the betterment of the framers as they are worst hit by the recent floods across Pakistan.
The meting was also attended by secretary, additional secretary and other officials of Minfa and Mr.Wolfgang Herbinger, WFP country head in Pakistan
PR. NO.274
PRESS RELEASE
CHINA INCREASES RELIEF AID TO OVER RMB 70 MILLION TO PAKISTAN-CHINESE
ENVOY MEETS PRIVATIZATION MINISTER
Islamabad, August 20, 2010In light of the immense damages caused by the floods in Pakistan, the People’s Republic of China has decided to donate an additional RMB 50 million aid to Pakistan, bringing total Chinese relief aid to more than RMB 70 million (10.29 million US dollars) to the flood-affected Pakistani people. Part of the new aid is to provide daily essentials for the people ravaged by the landslide in Pakistan’s Hunza area. The Chinese Envoy to Pakistan Mr. Liu Jian informed during a meeting with the Federal Minister for Privatisation Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan here today.
China is one of the first countries, which provided immediate aid to Pakistan in the aftermath of the floods. The Chinese government, People’s Liberation Army, and the Red Cross Society has respectively donated RMB 10 million, RMB 10 million and 50,000 US dollars either in material or in cash recently, including various goods, fuel, food, medicine etc. Two, Boeing 747 landed with necessary goods from China at Chaklala Airbase yesterday. Chinese diplomats, companies, and individuals in Pakistan have also made voluntary donations.
Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan Federal Minister for Privatisation expressed his gratitude for the timely assistance extended by the people and the government of China in the hour of need and said that the time tested friendship of Pakistan and China was forever and it would be further deep rooted by the passage of time. We were still in the phase of rescue and relief operation as the continuous rains were causing more floods while the gigantic task of rehabilitation would be undertaken by proper assessment of the damages to the property and infrastructure, once the water recedes from the effected areas of the country.
The Minister further stated that the government was committed to utilize all available resources to help out the flood victims by providing them shelter, necessary food items and the medical care while the Privatisation Commission was in the process to contribute significant amount around Rs. 10 million in the Prime Minister and the Pakistan Army Flood Relief Funds. The infrastructures including roads and bridges have been badly damaged, which would be reconstructed with all available potential and the support of the friendly countries, he said.
PR. NO.275
PRESS RELEASE
GOVERNOR & CM GILGIT BALTISTAN CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT
Islamabad 20th August, 2010Governor Gilgit Baltistan Dr Shama Khalid and Chief Minister Gilgit Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah together called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr Friday afternoon.
Matters regarding rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the people affected by devastating floods in Gilgit Baltistan came under discussion during the meeting.
The Governor and Chief Minister briefed the President about the measures being undertaken by the Gilgit Baltistan Government in collaboration with the federal government for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims in Ggilgit Baltistan.
The President directed for deploying all available resources for the relief and rehabilitation of flood affected people all over the country including Gilgit Baltistan. The President assured that the government would extend all possible support to mitigate the sufferings of the flood victims in Gilgit Baltistan and rebuild their damaged homes and property.
The President said that he had already requested the Chinese government to provide immediate relief and airdrop aid in those parts of Gilgit Baltistan which are inaccessible from Pakistan. He also thanked the Chinese government for the assistance rendered in this regard.
PR. NO.276
PRESS RELEASE
GLOBAL WARMING AND CLIMATE CHANGE ARE REAL CAUSE OF PRESENT FLOOD SITUATION:
HAMEED ULLAH JAN AFRIDI
GOVERNMENT IS LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED TO ENHANCE RELIEF ACTIVITIES
AND REHABILITATION OF FLOOD AFFECTEES
Islamabad, August 20, 2010Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi has said that Pakistan is facing disastrous situation in the form of heavy flood. He said that in light of environment estimates regarding damage of infrastructure would make after drainage of water from the affected areas. He said that water reservoirs and sanitation system have been suffered in flood hit areas. Moreover, waterborne diseases like diarrhea and gastro, have affected the people specially children of these areas. He expressed these views while talking to the media persons here today.
Hameed Ullah Jan said that the quantum of damages is beyond our expectations. He said that our communication network has also been affected due to which we are facing difficulties to provide relief goods and clean drinking water facilities in the targeted areas. He said government is leaving no stone unturned and utilizing all resources with the help of Pak Army to rescue the affected people and enhance relief activities. He mentioned that it is the priority of the government to save human lives, however, a comprehensive framework has been made to rehabilitate the affected community and provision of their livelihood.
Responding to a question, the Minister Environment said that National Disaster Management Authority is managing relief operation to combat this natural calamity. He told that NDMA has already initiated necessary measures to assess damages of over-all infrastructure, however, Ministry of Environment will also collaborate to conduct a detailed study to evaluate the damages of infrastructure relating to environmental aspects.
While answering to another question, he said that no doubt Pakistan is facing drastic flood situation which is the major cause of global warming and climate change. He urged that it is the time to take suitable decisions and make comprehensive plans and strategies to over come the present situation and adopt appropriate measures to protect this planet from the adverse affects of environmental degradation.
PR. NO.277
PRESS RELEASE
ASFANDYAR WALI KHAN CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT
Islamabad 20th August, 2010
Chairman Awami National Party (ANP) Mr. Asfandyar Wali Khan called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday afternoon.(End).
PR. NO.278
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad 20th August, 2010President Asif Ali Zardari today called upon volunteer Doctors to step forward and help in providing basic health care and preventing outbreak of diseases in the flood affected areas.
He said this during a meeting with the delegation of representatives of volunteer doctors from North America, who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.
The delegation led by Dr. Sohail Siddiqui also included Dr. Saeed Akhter, CEO Pak kidney Institute shifa foundation ,Dr. Ismail A. Mehr, Dr. Labib H. Syed, Dr. Kanwal Shazia Chaudhry, Dr. Faiz Khan, Dr. Fiaz Hussain and Dr. Hmmad Ahmad.
Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, Malik Asif Hayat, Secretary to the President, Lt Gen Haroon Aslam, Deputy Chairman ERRA, Dr. Asim Hussain, Mr. Khushnood Akhtar Lashari, secretary Health, Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar, Prof Dr. Mehmood Jamal, ED, PIMS and other senior Government officials were also present during the meeting.
The President during the meeting directed for taking immediate steps to prevent the outbreak waterborne diseases and other epidemics in the flood affected areas. He called upon the doctors’ community and medical organizations to play their active role at this critical juncture and undertake rigorous efforts to complement Government’s efforts in meeting the current challenges and to tackle the threats of waterborne diseases.
The President thanked the delegation for volunteering to reach out to the people in far flung areas affected by the unprecedented floods.
PR. NO.279
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT OFFERS SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR FLOOD VICTIMS
Islamabad 20th August, 2010President Asif Ali Zardari offered Juma prayers here at the mosque of Aiwan-e-Sadr Wednesday. On this occasion special prayers were offered after Juma prayers for ending of the spell of heavy rain fall and for mitigating the miseries of people and to extricate the nation from this crisis.
The President was joined in the prayers by his staff and Officials of the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
President Asif Ali Zardari had appealed to the nation to offer special prayers with utter humility that Pakistani nation may come out triumphantly of this huge natural calamity.
PR. NO.280
PRESS RELEASE
ADB ASSURES TO FULLY ASSIST REHABILITATION OF POWER SYSTEM DAMAGED BY FLOOD
Islamabad, 20th August, 2010Asian Development Bank has assured that it will fully assist repair and rehabilitation of infrastructure of power system damaged due to flood in the country and also proposed to establish Special Trust Fund (STF) by the bank in this regard.
This was said by Mr. Jaun Miranda, Director General of Central West Asia Department of Asian Development Bank (ADB), who called on the Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf along with an eight member delegation here today.
Mr. Miranda said that the ADB has already announced 2 billion dollars emergency grant to help repair massive damage to infrastructure caused by the country’s recent floods. He said that the ADB will work with Pakistani power sector officials to asses the scale of the damage at the earliest. He said that the STF will channel donor contribution for reconstruction. He said that the assessment of power sector damage will be made on the need basis and then investment plan will be finalized.
The Minister while welcoming the delegation appreciated the financial assistance by ADB for Pakistan and said that ADB has always supported Pakistan . He said that nobody can visualize the havoc by flood in the country. People badly affected due to the flood in all over the country. He briefed the delegation on the initial loss estimates to the Pepco and Wapda. He said the power infrastructure in Khyber Pakhtoon khawa province is severely affected. He said that the losses estimates will be authenticated by ADB. The Minister expressed that we have to tackle it in emergent way to provide relief to the people. The details of the damages caused to the infrastructure of power system due to flood shall be prepared immediately and transmitted to the ADB assessment and validation. The Minister also briefed the delegation regarding steps taken for repair of the power sector in the affected areas. He said that the electricity is being restored on emergency basis in the affected and most parts have been energized. He also thanked for announcement of 2 billion dollars for reconstruction.
The Minister also discussed the energy saver bulbs, plan for reduction of line losses, balance of energy mix and funding for future power projects.
The meeting was also attended by Adviser, Additional Secretary and Joint Secretary and senior officials of the Ministry. ENDS.
PR. NO.281
PRESS RELEASE
HAFEEZ SHEIKH MEETS MR. XIAN ZHU, OPERATIONS DIRECTOR AND A GROUP OF
SENIOR MANAGERS FROM WORLD BANK
Islamabad, August 20, 2010.Federal Minister for Finance, Dr. Abduil Hafeez Sheikh held a meeting with Mr. Xian Zhu, Operations Director and a group of Senior Managers from World Bank Group visiting Pakistan to follow-up and provide support on the World Bank reponse package for floods relief and reconsruction. As a consequence of the meeting, World Bank has agreed to enhance the amount of US $ 900 millioon earlier committed through re-programming to US $ 1 billion for the relief and reconstruction work with regard to the recent floods in Pakistan. Out of this amount, an amount of US $ 700 million shall be available for floods related early recovery and reconsturction projects, while an amount of US $ 300 million shall be used for financing flood related imports. Finance Minister conveyued his appreciation for the prompt response of the World Bank. PR. NO.282
PRESS RELEASE
DEPUTY CHAIRMAN SENATE CALLS ON PRESIDENT
Islamabad, August 20, 2010Deputy Chairman Senate Jan Muhammad Jamali called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday.
Deputy Chairman Jan Mohammad Jamali apprised the President about devastation of floods in Balochistan and ongoing rescue and rehabilitation efforts in districts of Jaffarabad and Nasirabad.
President Zardari said that the whole nation is united in coping with the gigantic task of the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims and he was personally monitoring rescue and rehabilitation operations.
The President said that he has already directed all government institutions to expedite relief operations and ensure cooked food and portable drinking water in flood affected areas including Jaffarabad and Nasirabad districts that have been heavily affected areas in Balochistan.
PR. NO.283
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT MEETS BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Islamabad, August 20, 2010.President Asif Ali Zardari Friday urged the business community to step forward in a big way and complement Government’s rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts for millions of people affected by the unprecedented floods in the country.
This he said during his meeting with the representatives of trade bodies, industries and Chambers of Commerce and Industries at Aiwan-e-Sadr today. The meeting was attended by more than 70 representatives of busuiness and trade community and chambers of commerce.
Finance minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, federal secretaries and other senior government officials.
The President stressed that the Government’s efforts for relief and rehabilitation needed to be supplemented by the private sector, civil society, philanthropists and especially the business community.
He said that the world has never come across such a devastating catastrophe and such a huge level of destruction where approximately 14 million have been adversely affected.
He said such floods had never occurred in the country in the Past and were unprecedented in volume and damages that those caused across the country.
The President said the people affected by the flood would have to be sustained for a long time.
“We as a nation should be prepared to sustain them for a long period and with unity we can overcome the problem.”
He said the entire business community standing together could help the flood affected people, as the tragedy was of a great magnitude and not within the capacity of any one individual, group, or even a government to handle.
He said it was beyond the capability of the government to provide relief to the millions stranded in thousands of square kilometers across the country. He urged the business community to extend a helping hand in whatever form they can to help the people stand on their own feet.
The President thanked the UN , International financial institutions including the World Bank, ADB and countries like US, UK, China, France, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Canada, Turkey and others who have pledged support and provided assistance in the rehabilitation of the flood affected areas. He however added that we have to mobilise our indigenous resources first and then look for the support of others.
The President said that the devastation was huge but he vowed to rebuild the lost homes, damaged property and infrastructure in a better way. He stressed that the rehabilitation of affected areas would be made in a futuristic way keeping in view various important aspects like weather, environment and the direction of river flow.
The President appreciated the contribution of the business community in the relief activities in the flood affected areas and hoped they will continue their efforts in the rehabilitation phase as well.
The participants apprised the president about the relief works undertaken so far by their respective organizations and chambers and also gave various suggestions to tackle the huge challenge of floods which caused unprecedented devastation in the country.
The President said that their suggestions would be forwarded to the government to further streamline the relief and rehabilitation activities.
PR. NO.284
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, August 20, 2010.The Education Ministry of Kyrgyzstan has conveyed that exams for the final year foreign medical students will be conducted in Bishkek from 4 to 20 September 2010, says a press release received from the Office of the Spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad here today.
All those Pakistani final year medical students who had to be evacuated from the Osh region and, therefore, could not take the exam, are advised to contact the Pakistan Embassy in Bishkek for further details. Embassy contact details are:
Tele: +996-312-373901/373902/373903/373904
Fax: +996-312-373905
E-mail: parepbishkek@elcat.kg
