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PRESS RELEASE
PR. No. 226. The United Nations General Assembly today re-elected Pakistan as a member of the Human Rights Council for a three year term (2008-2011). Six Asian countries including Pakistan were competing against four seats reserved for the region. Japan, Bahrain and Republic of Korea were the other three countries elected to the body. Pakistan’s re-election to this highest UN body on human rights reflects the international community’s confidence in Pakistan, following the restoration of full democracy in the country. The election to this eminent intergovernmental body was a result of a vigorous and coordinated campaign launched by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations in New York and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad through its missions abroad. This success was all the more important since it was achieved in the face of insidious campaign conducted by certain organizations against Pakistan’s election. Pakistan looks forward to continuing its active contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights all over the world, especially right of the people to development and economic and social prosperity as well as political and civil freedom. MA/AR.
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No. 227. The Senate Standing Committee on Interior under chairmanship of Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood, tomorrow, will review the law & order situation in the Province of Sindh with particular reference to recent incident of burning alive of alleges three bandits in Karachi by the public. The committee will also review the functions and performance of the Pakistan Rangers in Sindh particularly in Karachi. D.G. Pakistan Rangers will present its reports before the committee. The committee will also review the progress on the actions taken on the recommendations of the committee made in the meeting held on September 10, 12007 with Pakistan Coast Guards Karachi. The Members of the Committee are Senator Kamil Ali Agha, Senator Dr. Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, Senator Mrs. Tahira Latif, Senator Sardar Muhammad Jamal Khan Leghari, Senator Mir Israrullah Khan, Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashadi, Senator Mrs. Gulshan Saeed, Senator Rehmatullah Kakar, Senator Dr. Zaheer-ud-Din Babar Awan, Senator Ms. Sadia Abbasi and Senator Abdul Raziq Khan. QAM/AR.
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No. 228. In terms of rule 3(4) of the Rules of Business, 1973, the Prime Minister has been pleased to reallocate the additional portfolios to Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Privatization and Investment as under, says a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on 21.5.2008:- Syed Naveed Qamar. Addl. Charge: Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics, MA/AR.
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No. 229. The Government of Pakistan is fully determined to eliminate child labour from the country. To achieve the objective, the Government is pursuing a National Policy and Plan of Action to Combat Child labour, which addresses various aspects including legislative development, administrative measures and direct interventions. This was stated by Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah while addressing a meeting prior signing ceremony of combating abusive child labour II project here today. He said a number of initiatives have been undertaken to tackle the problem, the major part of which owes to the ILO and international donors. The assistance provided by the international community has had far-reaching effects on developing a national level programme to address the child labour in general and the worst forms of Child Labour in particular. However, we need to pay more attention to the best utilization of resources so as to target maximum number of the working children. The Contribution agreement is signed between the European Commission and the ILO in the presence of Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Minister for Labour, Manpower & Overseas Pakistanis and Malik Asif Hayat, Secretary of Labour, Jan de Kok, the Ambassador of the European Commission delegation to Pakistan, and Donglin Li, the Country Director, ILO-Islamabad. European Commission (EC) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) will together to support the Government of Pakistan’s efforts in combating abusive child labour in line with its National Policy and the Medium-term Plan on Combating Worst Forms of Child Labour (2008-16). In this regard, a sum of Rs.545 million (Euro 5,197,900) is pledged to finance a 5 year long project that focuses on children working in hazardous occupations under the most intolerable conditions ranging from exposure to chemicals and other harmful substances to long tedious working hours. The project will cover all hazardous sectors and occupations identified by the national legislation. The project will initially be implemented in selected districts of NWFP and Sindh. A large majority of the out-of-school child population of Pakistan is expected to receive benefits directly or indirectly as a result of interventions carried out by this Project, and an estimated 10,000 children are expected to be withdrawn from hazardous workplaces. Under the Contribution Agreement, the European Commission and the ILO will contribute Euro 4.75 million and Euro 447.900, respectively. The ILO will implement the Project in collaboration and close partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Manpower, provincial labour departments, employers & workers organizations, local government authorities, NGOs, networking organizations, research institutions, and the media. The project is aimed at promoting and replicating the “District Model” that has proven successful under on-going child labour projects in the target districts and beyond, institutional strengthening at the district, provincial and federal level through the enhancement of capacity of respective child labour units and the establishment of a child labour monitoring and referral system, and enhancing the child labour knowledge based through the conduct of a second National Child Labour Survey and related the research studies, and the promotion, development and adoption of pro-child polices and legislative frame work. SG/AR.
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No. 230. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the services being rendered by the Bohra community in the field of education, health, business and Social Welfare are commendable and expressed the confidence that they would continue to work with renewed zeal for the progress and prosperity of the country. The Prime Minister was talking to a delegation of Bohra community headed by Janab Shabbir Bhaisaheb Nomani, who called on him here at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister said that the government wants to make Pakistan a progressive and developed country based on the principles of mutual tolerance and interfaith harmony. The Prime Minister said that people have high hope with the new democratic government and expressed the confidence that it would come up to their expectations. He said the present government inherited problems like food and energy shortages in the country and expressed his resolve to address these issues on war footing. He said that the government has already undertaken various initiatives to end load shedding by August 2009 and to meet the shortage of wheat through import of 2.5 million tons. The Prime Minister said that socio-economic development is the area being focused by the government to improve the living standard of the people. The delegation felicitated the Prime Minister on assuming his office and getting unanimous vote of confidence. They also conveyed best wishes of Syedena Muhammad Burhanuddin for the success of the democratic government. The delegation apprised the Prime Minister of their organizational set-up and various activities undertaken by the Bohra community in the social sector. The Prime Minister was informed that the community is spread over 40 countries and is involved mostly in business. They further briefed that at present their community is running two hospitals and five schools in Karachi and established a department of genetics in Karachi University. DSG/AR.
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No. 231. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the government as part of its overall transport policy will encourage production of low-cost, fuel efficient vehicles in the country to cater to the needs of the growing middle class in Pakistan. The Prime Minister said this while talking to the CEO Pak Suzuki Motors, Mr. Kenichi Ayukawa, who called on him at the PM’s House this morning. The Prime minister said that the government will also tailor its policies with a view to facilitating manufacture of low-cost vehicles in the country. The Prime Minister said that the government is encouraging the use of CNG vehicles in the country as they are less damaging to the environment and are affordable for the middle class. The Prime Minister said there is a need to match the production of vehicles with the growing demand so that the delivery time is reduced. The Prime Minister said that there is a great demand for CNG-run jeeps in the rural areas of Pakistan and the management may consider prioritizing the manufacture of affordable CNG jeeps for the farming community. Mr. Ayukawa told the Prime Minister that Pak Suzuki would be completing its 25 years in Pakistan this year in addition to achieving the production mark of one million vehicles this year. He said that Pak Suzuki is the only CNG car manufacturer in the country and added that the auto industry sector has lot of potential in Pakistan. DSG/AR.
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No. 232. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the people of Pakistan have given a clear mandate to the democratic forces in the recent elections and attach high hopes with the government for the solution of their problems. The Prime Minister was talking to Ms. Fauzia Behram, a PPP MPA from Punjab, who called on him in Prime Minister’s House this morning. The Prime Minister said the government is committed to restoring the 1973 constitution, strengthening the state institutions while ensuring independence of judiciary, autonomy of the Election Commission and freedom of the media in the country. The Prime Minister said that the problems being posed by the global shortages of food and energy would soon be resolved as the government has already taken measures on fast-track basis to address these issues. The Prime Minister said that PPP and its coalition partners would try their best to meet the expectations of the people. He said that the government is focusing on targeted subsidies for the poorest of the poor and to providing them basic necessities of life at their doorstep. Ms. Fauzia Behram apprised the Prime Minister of the various matters related to her constituency. She expressed the confidence that the initiatives taken by the federal government would gradually help resolve the problems being faced by the people. DSG/AR.
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No. 233. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has appreciated the initiative taken by the International Strategic Studies Association (ISSA), USA to bring out a handbook on Pakistan to put Pakistan in its strategic context for the researchers, students, journalists and the general public. The Prime Minister was talking to Mr. Gregory R. Copley, President, International Strategic Studies Association USA, who called on him here at the Prime Minister’s House this morning. The Prime Minister said that there is an acute dearth of authentic and non propagandist material on Pakistan and expressed the hope that the handbook will not only help fill the existing vacuum but also prove to be instrumental in removing the misperceptions and misrepresentation about Pakistan and Islam. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is a moderate country as amply proved by the results of the national elections held in the country in February this year when people overwhelmingly supported the mainstream political parties and totally rejected extremist elements. The Prime Minister said that his Government is determined to defeat the designs of the extremists and will not allow them to bring bad name to the country and hold it hostage to their misguided ideology which is at total variance with the letter and spirit of Islam and raison d’etre of Pakistan Mr. Copley briefed the Prime Minister about the objectives and activities of his organization and said that he and his colleagues will continue to promote international understanding and cooperation. DSG/AR.
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NO. 234. ISLAMABAD, MAY 22, 2008 The Ambassador of Japan Mr. Seiji Kojima called on the Federal Minister for Environment Mr. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi here today. The Japanese Ambassador assured the Minister that country would provide all possible assistance to the Government of Pakistan for tackling the environmental issues. He said that Japan is looking forward to assist Pakistan in forestry sector research, capacity building of the provincial forest departments and develop Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects to help earn the carbon credits. The Minister apprised the Ambassador that the Ministry of Environment is executing Rs.400 million project on environmental information management with the financial assistant of Japan. Another project of Rs.240 million is being implemented for testing motor vehicle emissions. The Minister asked the Japanese Ambassador that his country may assist Pakistan in conversion of polythene bags into degradable products to minimize the environmental threats. The Minister also seeks cooperation of Japan in developing clean drinking water project in FATA. He also proposed that Japanese Government may assist in strengthening the existing education system in FATA. The Secretary, Ministry of Environment Mr. Ejaz Ahmed Quershi apprised that the Ambassador that Rs.1.4 billion project for development forestry sector resources in FATA has been prepared. He also informed that Mega Forestry Sector Projects have been initiated at a cost of Rs. 12 billion in all four provinces and AJK. RS/AR.
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No. 235. Agriculture is the mainstay of Pakistan economy so efforts should be made to increase the productivity of agriculture sector on priority basis so that full potential of this very important sector is utilized. This was said by Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo Advisor to Prime Minister on Industries and Production while chairing 4th Board of Directors meeting of NPO (National Productivity Organization) here today. He also directed the NPO to look into the possibility of providing consultancy services to the owners of agriculture farms and major industrial units so that their productivity can be increased. Earlier, Mr. Tariq Bajwa Chief NPO while briefing Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo about the functions and mandate of the NPO told that the basic function of NPO is to act as a catalyst for increasing productivity of the industry to achieve global competitiveness. He further told that Pakistan is the founding member of APO (Asian Productivity Organization) which was established in 1960. Mr. Bajwa also briefed Mr. Wattoo about various projects of the NPO. He informed that NPO has launched a Teachers Training Programme in collaboration with provincial and federal governments. The Programme is underway in Punjab and Sindh and modalities are being finalized to launch the Programme in Balochistan and NWFP as well. Mr. Wattoo especially instructed the NPO that Balochistan should be given preference in all NPO schemes. Mr. Bajwa also informed the meeting that NPO is planning to launch quality awards for the industry. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo also directed NPO to work with training institutes e.g. NIPAs and Staff colleges etc. to rationalize government servants about the concept of productivity besides involving media to propagate the culture of productivity. Minutes of the 3rd board meeting were also approved in the meeting. MA/AR.
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No. 236. The United Nation has offered technical and financial assistance for development and execution of environmental projects in the country. This assurance was given by the UN Resident Coordinator Mr Fikret Akcura who called on the Federal Minister for Environment, Mr. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi here today. Secretary Environment Mr. Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi was also present in the meeting. The Resident Coordinator said that UN development agencies would provide all possible assistance to the Ministry of Environment for developing the projects on environment particularly on Carbon Financing. He said that Pakistan has the potential to earn 150 million dollar through establishment of Clean Development Mechanism projects in the country. He said that the UNDP may provide a unit for Clean Development Mechanism at the Ministry of Environment. The Federal Minister apprised the UN Resident Coordinator that Ministry of Environment has initialed the mega projects to minimize the burden on forest resources of the country and earn the Carbon Credits through the Carbon Financing Mechanism. The Minister appreciated the support and cooperation extended by UN development agencies to the Ministry of Environment which has greatly help this Ministry to develop the policies on environment and initiate follow up programmes for their implementation. The Minister said that its is a positive sign that Pakistan is one of the eight countries of the World in which One UN system is being piloted. He said that the Pakistan country program includes five core areas, environment; agriculture, rural development and poverty reduction; education; health and population; and disaster management. The Government of Pakistan, the UN development agencies have implemented substantial projects that have been successful on the ground in finding solutions to environmental issues. DKK/AR
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No. 237. The Senate Standing Committee on Planning & Development, which met at the Parliament House this evening under the Chairmanship of Senator Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, expressed its dissatisfaction over the pace of execution of the various on-going development schemes and projects and directed that every effort must be made to implement these within the stipulated time without any compromise on quality. The Senate Body assured its all out support in overcoming the bottlenecks and difficulties being faced by the Ministries and Divisions concerned in this regard. It also recommended that the existing differences over planning and execution of some of the development projects among the federating units be resolved through the Council of Common Interest (CCI). ‘Projects were delayed either due to lack of funding or lack of management skills’, in a majority of cases and we must make sure that this should not continue to plague our development planning’ it added. The Committee also urged the Government to accord a high priority to the energy and power generation sector as development cannot take place without these vital ingredients therefore, this sector must be accorded the priority it deserves. It especially pointed out that the share of nuclear and coal based power should be increased in our energy mix. Similarly, it recommended that the country’s hydel potential should be utilized in its full capacity. In this connection, focus must be on ‘run of the river potential’ which according to some members of the Committee, stood as high as 32,000 MW. Terming the province of Balochistan as power house of the future, the Committee observed that emphasis be placed on utilizing the mineral capacity of the province which is largely unexplored at present. The Committee demanded allied facilities for Gawadar Port area on priority basis in order to operationalize it in full capacity. ‘At present it is without power and water supply of its own’. The Committee also observed the Federal Government must ensure that all colleges have well equipped science and computer laboratories and efforts be made to provide missing facilities to the existing schools and colleges. Some members of the Committee held the view that present focus on Higher Education is somewhat misplaced as most of the schools and colleges in the country which are supposed to be the nursery for these universities, lack basic facilities. ‘Present allocations for the education sector (excluding HEC) reflect a downward trend which is very alarming’. Investment in education is investment in our future, they maintained. The Committee also took exception to the fact that the contracts of a number of members of the Planning Commission have not been renewed on time and this impacted very adversely the performance of the Commission especially at time when the national budget is only a few weeks away. Earlier, the Planning Commission made a presentation on review of PSDP 2007-08 and physical and financial targets achieved till March 31, 2008. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Saeed Ahmed Hashmi asked the PC to expedite progress on Greater Quetta Water Supply Scheme with revised PC-I. The meeting was attended, among other, by Senators Anisa Zeb Tahirkhaili, Lt. Gen. ® Javed Ashraf, Mrs. Kalsoom Parveen, Mrs. Gulshan Saeed, Dr. Mrs. Kausar Firdaus, Hafiz Rashid Ahmed and Abdur Rahim Khan Mandokhail besides Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission and senior officials of Planning Commission. QAM/AR.
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No. 238. Expressing its deep concern over the long outstanding issue of undocumented SIMs of mobile telephones, the Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology, which met at the Parliament House today, directed the Ministry of Information Technology to evolve a long term, fool-proof and comprehensive policy aiming at complete elimination of the menace. Presided over by Senator Abdul Raziq, the meeting dismissed the much-publicized scheme of online verification being formulated by the PTA saying that ‘every photocopying vendor is virtually holding hundreds of copies of CNICs, which are being procured by the various franchises of the cellular companies to meet their “sales target”. It apprehended that the provision of online verification would again be misused. ‘The CNIC No. may be genuine but the actual user of that ID is most likely to be fake or different’. It suggested that the provision of thumb impression may be added with CNIC online verification and the franchises be asked to procure the necessary equipment in this regard. It further suggested that the section concerned of NADRA must ask a few questions like name of father / mother, total number of family members etc. to avoid any possible misuse. The Committee stressed the need that business and investment issues must be weighed against issues of security / morality. The members of the Committee held the view that it is far cheaper and easier to acquire a mobile phone chip / SIM in Pakistan as compared to other countries of the region and the world. They challenged officials of the Ministry to acquire one single SIM from any European or even Middle Eastern country without necessary documentation. In sharp contrast they said mobile SIMs are still being sold on footpaths in our country. The Committee also asked the Ministry and PTA to design the new format latest by May 31, 2008 and ensure compliance by the companies and their franchises. The Committee directed the Ministry to ensure that advertisements being run by the Telecom companies on media must remain within the parameters of the decency and conform to our social norms and moral values. At present they are just tearing apart our social fabric. “Enough is enough and now it is time to wake up”, they said. It also directed that the PTA be asked to ensure compliance with the new policy guidelines by all franchises of the mobile companies in their letter & spirit. The Committee observed that IT holds great promise for the country but still a lot needs to be done at policy making level to tap the full potential. It desired that the IT be promoted for better efficiency and transparency especially in various Government Departments. They said that computerization in fields like land revenue, judiciary at various tiers, police, hospitals etc. would really transform and revolutionize the things. The Committee asked that arrangements be made for developing necessary software to bring all FIRs in a central database. It asked that IT parks be also developed speedily and the country must move towards the era of E-Government with confident strides. Earlier, the Ministry of Information Technology in its presentation said that its mission statement is to create an enabling environment through formulation and implementation of policies and legal framework, providing ICT infrastructure for enhancing productivity, facilitating good governance, improving delivering of public services and contributing towards the overall socio-economic growth of the country. The meeting was attended, among others, by Senators Sardar Mehmud Khan, Engr. Rashid Ahmad, Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi, Dr. Muhammad Said, Mrs. Rukhsana Zuberi and Dr. Javaid Laghari besides Secretary, M/o IT and senior officials of the ministry. QAM/AR.
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No. 239. Mr. Salman Taseer, Governor Punjab called on Mr. A. Rehman Malik, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior in his office at Ministry of Interior and discussed over all security situation of the country. MA/AR.
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No. 240. Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms Sherry Rehman Thursday said present coalition government was well aware of the problems of media persons and it was working to usher in a new era of media freedom. She said this while addressing a consultative meeting with columnists and editors. While talking about the steps taken by the present government for the liberalization of media, the Minister said:" Freedom of media is not a gift of government but a hard earned right. We believe in complete freedom of speech because present set-up led by Pakistan Peoples party (PPP) always supported cause of media".
"Our government wants to engage media on
permanent basis and the consultative meeting with columnists and editors
is a step in this regard," she said. Ms Rehman said such consultations are
also important to remove misunderstandings, adding that the government
wants good wishes, The Minister assured that the government would not create any hurdle in the way of licensing process for any channel; rather it would continue its efforts to facilitate and promote media. There will be no delay by the government in the issuance of licenses to TV channels, she added. Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto started the liberalization process of media and "we will remove all those laws which can hinder media freedom" the minister added. She said that Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has been made facilitator and there would be no regulation by the government as the PPP-led government believes in non-interference.
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No. 241. Federal Minister for SAFRON, Najmuddin has said that Pakistan and Yamen have deep-rooted and time-tested relation and it will be further strengthened with the passage of time. He said this while holding meeting with Mr. Abdul Elah Mohmed Hajer Ambassador of Yamen here today. He went on to say that Yamen is our brother Muslim country and we always stood with each other in every thick and thin. We are working together on international issues particularly issues of the Muslim world. During the meeting, it was decided that we should further open windows of cooperation and explore venues in the fields of economic, social and culture. Zub/nr
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No. 242. The Speaker NA, Dr. Fahmida Mirza and the Deputy Speaker, Faisal Karim Kundi has expressed grief over the killing of the reporter of the Express News, Muhammad Ibrahim, who was gunned down by some unknown assassins in Bajaur today. Paying tributes to Muhammad Ibraim the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker said that he was devoted professional and performed duties in the risky area of Bajaur without being deterred. They prayed for the departed soul of Muhammad Ibrahim and sympathized with the bereaved family.
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No. 243. The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education is all set to launch a pilot program for nutrition supplement in the girls’ schools of ten districts of the country on at a cost of about Rs.900 million. The scheme named as Nutrition Supplement program for girls’ students was approved after detailed discussion in a high level meeting presided over by Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Nawabzada Khwaja Mohammad Khan Hoti. Federal Secretary Ministry for Social Welfare and Special Education G.M.Sikandar, representatives of all the four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas participated. Besides operationilizing of the social protection strategy, the program is aimed at improving nutritional status of enrolled girls’ students between the ages of 5 to 12 years in government girls’ primary schools of the target districts. It will also increase enrollment and sustain attendance, create awareness emphasizing healthy life style, females’ education, public health and nutrition. It will also help reduce gender gap in school enrollment and contribute towards achieving one of the Millennium Development Goals and other international commitments of the government for betterment of women and children. Two backward districts from each of the provinces and one each from Azad Kashmir and Northern areas are selected for the pilot program on the completion of which it will be evaluated from a 3rd party and it is hoped that it will be further extended to 54 districts of the country. It is the first intervention of its kind and scope at the national level. Under the scheme chronically poor households will be supported and their protection against destitution, food insecurity, exploitation and social exclusion avoided. It is one of the government’s efforts to promote investment in human and physical assets, including health, and nutrition, education by poor households capable of ensuring their resilience in the medium run and of interrupting the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Under the scheme appropriate feed comprising fortified milk, nutritious biscuits and nutrient juices will provide 600 calories to each target girl student. These food supplements will include all the required food ingredients and a proper system for ensuring its quality control was finalized and approved in the meeting. The meeting also finalized a comprehensive financial mechanism for the program. Both before the start of the program and its completion all the students will be properly medically checked to evaluate the impact of these food supplements on their health. At all the federal, provincial and local level a proper system was worked out to ensure its transparency, quality control and timely completion. The districts of Lakki Marwat and Mardan has been selected in NWFP while the in Sindh province the districts of Badin and Tharparkar were finalized for the pilot program. In the northern areas Ghizer has been selected for it. The two districts for Punjab and Baluchistan and one for Azad Kashmir will be selected this week. Over 1700 girls’ primary schools with over 144000 girls students will benefit of this pilot program.
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No. 244. Maulana Fazlur Rehman Chief of JUI (F) alongwith a delegation including the former Chief Minister, NWFP, Mr. Akram Khan Durrani met Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon and among other matters discussed political situation in the country. The meeting that lasted over an hour and the two leaders discussed various ways to strengthen the coalition government as well as development proposals for his area in the forthcoming budget. The Prime Minister assured Maulana Fazlur Rehman that the government will redeem its pledge to provide relief to the people in the forthcoming budget despite the acute financial crunch inherited by the government. Maulana Fazlur Rehman appreciated the efforts made by the government to preserve the coalition government which, he said, is entirely in keeping with the national interest. He assured the Prime Minister that his party being part of the coalition will continue to extend its fullest support to the government.
PR. No. 245. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has agreed to allow the export of 50,000 metric tons of wheat as a special gesture for the brotherly and neighborly Afghanistan facing its own problems of wheat supply in the country. The Prime Minister said this while talking to Mr. Hamid Karzai, the President of Afghanistan who telephoned him this morning. The Prime Minister who recently met Mr. Karzai on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Egypt, expressed the confidence that the relations between the two countries would continue to grow stronger. DSG/wh |
