PR No. 258
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 22, 2010Planning Commission arranged a special seminar on Population in Islamabad today. The aim of the seminar was to educate the masses on the issue which is of grave concern for the country in the years to come.
Dr. Zeba Sattar, Country Director Population Counsel, while delivering her key note address said that today, rapid population growth caused by sustained high fertility is associated with higher poverty levels, lower levels of primary education and higher child and maternal mortality. Thus, high levels of population growth in the least developed countries are a barrier to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
She also said that Pregnancies in adolescent and older women and closely spaced births put children at increased risk of death. In order to accelerate the reduction of child mortality, particularly in low-income countries with high fertility, expanded access to family planning combined with reinvigorated efforts to improve child health is required.
Begum Shehnaz Wazir Ali, SA to PM on social sector said, “Pakistan is no longer a victim of the opposition faced by ulema or mindset rather it is the effective outreach to the masses that is the issue”. She further added that our focus should be on improving mother-child health. She urged the private sector to come forward and join hands with Government in its efforts to control population.
Later presentations were also made by Secretary Population Welfare Mr. Shaukat Hayat Durrani , Dr.Sajid Durrani ED NIPS, Mr.Iftikhar Ahmed Durrani ED NATPOW and Mr. Muzaffar Mahmood Qureshi Resident Director Green Star.
The seminar was the second in the series of seminars arranged by Planning Commission to highlight as well as deliberate on issues which are of great importance to our country.
**MZ/Ahmad**
PR No. 259
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 22, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the focus of economic management should remain on protecting the economic recovery, checking the rise of prices and ensuring that the benefits of better economic management are seen and received by the citizens as well as all the regions of the country.
The Prime Minister while discussing the overall economic strategy of the Government with the Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh here this afternoon at PM Secretariat stressed the need for focusing on completion of the ongoing projects instead of spending the funds on too many schemes which do not lead to maximum impact. He reiterated that the Ministry of Finance should act as a role model for other ministries and provincial governments in financial austerity drive.
The Finance Minister apprised the Prime Minister of the progress in pursuing the budgetary targets, efforts for revenue mobilization, fiscal austerity measures and rationalization of government public sector development programme.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No. 260
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 22, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed the Gilgit-Baltistan government, National Disaster Management Authority and all other concerned ministries and departments to work in tandem to ensure return of Attaabad affectees by end August. He further directed that disbursement of the relief package of Rs. 315 million for the affectees should be done on Swat-Malakand line.
The Prime Minister while chairing a high level here this morning at the PM Secretariat participated by the Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Chief Minister of Gilgit Baltistan Syed Mehdi Shah, Secretary Finance, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority, Chief Secretary Gilgit Baltistan and Member Planning Commission has said that Rs. 77 million have already been spent on food, medicine, shelter and transportation of Attaabad lake affectees. He also directed the Finance Ministry to release an additional amount of Rs. 80 million for further deepening and broadening of the spillway to drain out water from the lake at the earliest.
The Prime Minister said that out of Rs. 15 billion Special Development Programme for Gilgit Baltistan, the Government has already allocated an amount of Rs. 3 billion in the current budget to bring the region at par with other areas of the country. He also directed to ensure provision of relief goods to the people stranded in the upper part of the lake.
During the meeting, Chairman NDMA gave a detailed presentation about humanitarian aspect and technical work being carried out in the affected area. The secretary finance informed the meeting that all funds for the affected area are being channelized through Gilgit Baltistan government.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No. 261
PRESS RELEASE
Meeting and agenda of NA standing committee is fixed IN CONSULTATION with the Minister: Spokesman
Islamabad: July 22, 2010
The spokesman of the Ministry of Housing & Works while commenting on the reports regarding non attending the meeting of NA Standing Committee by the Minister for Housing & Works on July, 21, clarified that the date and agenda of meeting of the Committee is fixed in consultation with the respective Minister under Rules, 239.The spokesman said that NA Standing Committee had already been informed about the unavailability of the Minister for Housing and Works on July, 21. Despite this, the officials of grade 21 and 22 from the Ministry and its attached organizations were sent to attend the meeting under Sub- Rules 200/4 but the Chairman of the Committee refused to take briefing from them.
The Spokesman said that mutual consultation can bring improvement in the working of state organizations and resolving the problems of the common man promptly.
Regarding the allotment of plots under the hardship quota, the spokesman said that a committee set up under the Chairmanship of Joint Secretary H&W, is reviewed these cases on merit under the rules and pass it on to the Executive Committee for approval. The present government has considered only two cases so far in G-13 sector.
The spokesman said that NA Standing Committee on H&W was given detailed briefing on May 25, 2010 on Bara Kahu Housing Scheme and also previously but the Chairman of the Committee was taking the subject of Bara Kahu Housing Scheme repeatedly.
PR No. 262
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 22, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on the request of NFCC (N.F. Concessions Company Limited) the financer of Shahdara Flyover has postponed the ground breaking ceremony of the project for a month. The ground breaking ceremony was scheduled to be held in first week of August, 2010.
The postponement of the ground breaking ceremony was decided during call on by the Chairman, NHA, Mr. Altaf Ahmed Ch. Here at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat this afternoon.
PR No. 263
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 22, 2010The 57th meeting of the Board of Administrators of Export Development Fund (EDF) was held on 21st May 2010 in the Committee Room of the Ministry of Commerce under the chairmanship of Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Federal Minister for Commerce. The participants of the meeting included Secretary Commerce Zafar Mahmood, Chief Executive Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, representatives of Ministry of Textile Industry, Ministry of Finance, President Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Chairmen of prominent Chambers and Trade Associations. The meeting confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting. The board also took notice of the implementation status of the previous meetings and a review of the current funding position.
The Board of Administrators of Export Development Fund approved 10 projects amounting to 1271 million rupees relating to promotion of exports in various sectors. These projects including 43 million rupees for Pakistan Horticulture Development Board Lahore, 862 million rupees to TDAP for meeting general freight subsidy scheme, 50 million to Pakistan Institute of Fashion and design for raising an Endowment Fund, 107 million to Pakistan Hausery Manufacturing Association for establishment of overseas office in London, 44 million to Gujarat Chamber o9f Commerce and industry for establishment of Business center/Export display center in Gujarat and 88 million allocation for establishment of Common Facility Center for fresh fruits and Vegetables Processing at Karachi. The Commerce Minister directed the authorities to come up with a breakup of total funds during the last ten years on sector wise allocation, the next time, to know that how much on various sectors had been spent and what was their outcome in the form of exports to the national economy.
PR No. 264
PRESS RELEASE
COLLECTIVE EFFORTS AND BILATERAL DECISION-MAKING IMPERATIVE FOR REGIONAL PEACE AND STABILITY: SYAS
NA SPEAKER
Islamabad: July 22, 2010Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly has said that threat posed to the peace and stability of the region has necessitated collective efforts and bilateral decision-making for solving regional problems. She underlined the need for adopting a comprehensive political approach and collective efforts against the campaign against terrorism, which had undermined regional interests. She said this in her meeting with Mr. Ali Ardeshir Larijani, Speaker Iranian Majlis in Geveva, today.
In a meeting between both the Speakers, agreed for jointly addressing the bane of terrorism and extremism and discussed various issues of mutual concerns especially areas of increasing parliamentary ties, government to government contacts and bilateral trade and economic ties. They also agreed for exploiting the vast potential of cooperation between in the energy sector.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza also met Mr. Amin Mulia Pandikar, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia. Both the Speakers expressed satisfaction on the existing bilateral and parliamentary ties between both the brotherly countries. They agreed for enhancing cooperation in economic and manufacturing sectors.
Earlier, Madam Speaker address the plenary session of the 3rd World Speakers’ Conference at Geneva, Switzerland. Dr. Fehmida Mirza in her address said that democracy was imperative to address the problems confronting world peace and stability. She called upon the major players in the world to support democratic process in the developing world. She called for redressed of the the critical issues of terrorism, human and food insecurity, environmental degradation, energy, economic and financial crisis, confronting the world.
She called upon the developed nations to help out the countries confronted with international terrorism and human insecurity by the countries. Recalling the Afghan-Soviet Conflict, the Speaker said that abandoning the allies halfway had proved detrimental in the post-Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan since the historic mistake awaits rectification, in fact compensation.
Dr. Fehmida Mirza said that Pakistan had been badly affected by the bane of terrorism and extremism and the present government was trying to address the problem, however, the international community, must recognize Pakistan’s struggle and sacrifices and stand with it unconditionally, and ensure the timely fulfillment of their financial and technical commitments.
The Speaker said that democracy and development were interdependent phenomena. She said that United Nations should play its role assertively in promoting and protecting fragile democracies in the developing world. She said that at a time when a UN Reforms Programme is underway, practical steps should be included to block any attempts to derail democracies anywhere in the world.
She also called for concerted and unified approach at international level to address the plight of the marginalized sections of the society, especially women, children and the minorities could be addressed. Dr. Fehmida Mirza reiterated for supporting the systems that make global accountability possible, decreasing the international development gap between nations and bringing national and international best practices on democratic accountability in line with each other for the common good of all.
PR No. 265
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: July 22, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that government is committed to alleviate the problems and miseries of the people. All the institutions, he added, need to work efficiently to redress these problems to improve the standard of living of common man.
The Prime Minister remarked while making a surprise visit to Prime Minister’s Complaint Cell at Prime Minister’s Secretariat this morning.
The Prime Minister checked the process and talked to the visitors who were waiting at the main gate of the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. He asked the complainants about the registration of their complaints and the time taken in their redressal.
The Prime Minister asked the staff of the Prime Minister’s Complaint Cell to be polite with the visitors and also improve the working of the Complaint Cell to save the time of the visitors.
While talking to the visitors, the Prime Minister ensured them that their problems will be resolved as early as possible. He further added that the doors of Prime Minister’s Secretariat are open for the public with genuine complaints.
PR No. 266
PRESS RELEASE
NAB CONCLUDES PLEA BARGAIN FOR RS. 7.4 BILLION IN DOUBLE SHAH SCAM
Islamabad: July 22, 2010The NAB successfully concluded Plea Bargain with two major groups of Double Shah Scam for an Amount of Rs. 7.4 Billion. The decision was reached at the Accountability court the other day between 2 Groups i.e. Sibt-ul-Hasan Gilani and Tassawar Hussain Gillani and the NAB through the plea bargain.
In addition to already recovered amount of Rs. 2.2 billion both the groups will pay about Rs. Two billion to NAB, within 15 days from the date of decision so made which will be tentatively 1st week of August 2010. Another Rs. 3.17 billion will be surrendered to NAB in the next nine months in three equal installments. Both the groups will pledge properties with NAB worth Rs. 3.7 billion by a third party, to be released after the full payment of said amount.
There are about 46,000 effectees of Double Shah Scam whose money was plundered which will be refunded to them. The NAB will complete the process of refunding 100% money to 10,000 effectees of Double Shah Scam by the 2nd week of August with individuals claims upto Rs. 100,000/-. At present the payment is being made to 200 effectees per day. Besides that, NAB has already made partial disbursements to about 25,000 effectees.
It may be pointed out that NAB officials had established camps at different places to make the payments to the scam effectees at their door steps.
PR No. 267
PRESS RELEASE
DR. FAROOQ SATTAR CHAIRS A MEETING OF THE CABINET
COMMITTEE ON CHILD CAMEL JOCKEYS
Islamabad: July 22, 2010Fourth meeting of Cabinet Committee on Child Camel Jockeys was held here today under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Convener of the Committee, Dr. Farooq Sattar.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Sector, Mr. Salman Bashir, Secretary Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Bukhsh Lehri, Chief Secretary Baluchistan and senior officers of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Law & Justice and representatives of the provinces of Punjab, Sindh, Baluchistan and Child Protection & Welfare Bureau.
During the meeting it was decided to move a summary for the cabinet approval regarding reconstitution of the Administrative Board and to form a National Implementation Committee for the Child Camel Jockeys. The new board would be consisting of three members: Federal Interior Secretary, Federal Social Welfare Secretary and a representative of the UAE government. The National Implementation Committee would be comprised of representatives of the Federal Ministries of Law & Justice, Interior, Social Welfare and Overseas Pakistanis, one representative each from the four provincial governments and a representative of UAE government. The Implementation Committee would scrutinize the remaining 800 affected child camel jockeys and, after the approval of the Administrative Board, would disburse the compensation among them accordingly. The Implementation Committee would also make further search for affected child camel jockeys and work for their recovery, repatriation and rehabilitation. Moreover, the cabinet committee also decided that in future the Federal Ministry of Social Welfare would be focal ministry on the issue of Child Camel Jockeys and it would propose amendments to make the Human Trafficking Law 2002 more stringent to curb the menace of Child Camel Jockeys.
It is mentioned here that UAE government launched a “Children Involved in Camel Racing Project (CICR Project)” in order to compensate the physically injured and psychologically traumatized child camel jockeys and, in this regard, an MoU was signed between the Ministry of Interior of UAE and Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis of Pakistan in 2007. According to the MoU, UAE government agreed to pay a base line payment of US $ 1,000/- to each claimant irrespective of nature of injury. The government of Pakistan has distributed an amount of US $ 424,500/- until now among the claimants.
The Cabinet Committee on Child Camel Jockeys was constituted by the Prime Minister in the last Cabinet meeting held on November 18, 2009. It comprises of Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis (Convener), Federal Minister for Interior (Member), Federal Minister for Human Rights (Member), Minister of State for Law & Justice (Member) and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Sector (Member).
PR No. 268
PRESS RELEASE
BRIEF – FLOOD SITUATION IN BALOCHISTAN
Islamabad: July 22, 2010Based upon PMD Forecast for widespread rains during the period from 20 - 22 July, the NDMA issued a Weather Advisory to all concerned forewarning them against likely possibility of inundation in low lying areas on 20th July. Heavy rains in various parts of Balochistan during the night of 21/22 July have affected Kohlu, Barkhan, Duki an Dera Murad Jamali Tehsils. As per the preliminary reports received from PDMA, Balochistan, in addition to damage to property in all these areas, death of 15 people in Tehsil Barkhan and two people in Sibi has so far been reported while 20 are still missing.
The NDMA has released 400 tents, 800 blankets and 800 plastic mats which are being collected by PDMA authorities from Quetta Warehouse. Moreover on request from NDMA, PRCS shall take care of food and health care needs of the affected population for the next 3 months.
Local formation of Army has also initiated its rescue and relief operation. 3 helicopters have been earmarked and are on standby, due to weather conditions, for conduct of these operations. Some 60 individual military troops and four medical teams have proceeded from Loralai to help in the relief activities.
The NDMA is in close coordination with the concerned agencies and monitoring the situation closely. The exact detail of losses is being ascertained through the provincial authorities.
(NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, AND TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 23RD JULY, 2010)
PR No. 269
PRESS RELEASE
PM GREETS EGYPTIAN COUNTERPART
Islamabad, July 22, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to Dr. Ahmed Nazif, Prime Minister of the Arab Republic of Egypt on Anniversary of the Glorious Revolution of the Arab Republic of Egypt falling on July 23.
In his message of felicitations, the Prime Minister said: “On behalf of the Government, the people of Pakistan and on my own behalf, it is with immense pleasure to convey to Your Excellency and the brotherly people of the Arab Republic of Egypt, our warmest felicitations on the anniversary of the Glorious July Revolution.
Pakistan and Egypt enjoy close and friendly relations, characterized by cordiality, brotherhood and cooperation. I am confident that the existing brotherly ties between our two countries will grow from strength to strength in the years to come.”
(NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, AND TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 23RD JULY, 2010)
(NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, AND TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 23RD JULY, 2010)
PR No. 270
PRESS RELEASE
PM GREETS SULTAN OF OMAN
Islamabad, July 22, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said Al Said, Sultan of Oman on his 40th Anniversary of accession to the Throne falling on July 23.
In his message of felicitations, the Prime Minister said: “On behalf of the Government of Pakistan and on my own behalf, I have great pleasure to convey warmest felicitations to Your Majesty, the Government and people of the Sultan of Oman, on the auspicious occasion of the 40th Anniversary of Your Majesty’s accession to the throne.
We, in Pakistan greatly admire the rapid development in the Sultanate in the past 40 years which is a testimony to your sagacious leadership and the talent of the people of Oman.
Relations between our two brotherly countries are based on solid foundations and are progressing. I am confident that these ties would assume greater depth and dimension in the years to come.
I avail this opportunity to express my best wishes for Your Majesty’s health and happiness and for the continued progress and prosperity of the fraternal people of Oman under your dynamic leadership.”
(NOT TO BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, AND TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 23RD JULY, 2010)