PR. No. 291 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad:  August 22, 2010 Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim visited the protective bunds on river Indus in tehsil Hala and Matiari of district Matiari, and directed 100 more volunteers of his Sarwari Jamaat to remain deputed on Hala, Bhanote, SM bund, sekhat, kalyan and Matiari bund. On the directives of the minister, some more bunds were established on river bank. Makhdoom Amin Fahim is watching the area for the last 15 days, and personally visiting the sensitive points and camps even in late hours at night. PR. No. 292 PRESS RELEASE FEDERAL MINISTER SHAHBAZ BHATTI TAKEN SERIOUS NOTICE OF KIDNAPPING OF VEERJI KOLHI  BELONGING TO HYDERABAD SINDH Islamabad 22nd August, 2010 Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti has taken a serious notice of kidnapping of Mr. Veerji Kolhi a Human Right Activist and senior member of HRCP Hyderabad belonging to Hindu Community. Federal Minister directed all the concerned authorities to make necessary efforts for recovery of Veerji Kolhi and protection of his family. Federal Minister said we will not allow any one to take law in their own hands and terrorised innocent people who are pursuing for justice. He said that we will take all the measures for the safe recovery of Veerji Kolhi. He said that government will take strong action against those who are involved in the kidnapping of Veerji Kolhi. Federal Minister has also directed Provincial Governments to ensure protection of life properties and worship places of minorities living in Pakistan at every cost. PR. No. 293 PRESS RELEASE KAKAR TO VISIT PM’S HOUSING PROJECT IN I-11 SECTOR MONDAY Islamabad August 22, 2010 Federal Minister for Housing and Works Rahmatullah Kakar will visit Prime Minister Housing Project in I-11 Sector tomorrow (Monday) and review the progress. He will brief the media about the ongoing development activities in various sectors of Islamabad being undertaken by Pakistan Housing Authority and Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation. Secretary Housing Raja Mohammad Abbas and MD PHA Muhammad Ali Afridi will also be present on the occasion. It may be added that Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) has also acquired 16 acres land from CDA in I-16 sector in which about two thousand flats for low income group including media person would be constructed. The site of flats will be provided with all the basic amenities of life for the residents including commercial markets mosque, schools play ground and dispensary. FGEHF has been constructed flats for low paid federal employees from grade 1 to 16 in G-10 and G-11 sectors and work on those projects were at final stage. The construction of housing Units at large scale would not only provide shelter to the people but also generate socio-economic activities in that areas to great extend. PR. No. 294 PRESS RELEASE TIME TO COLLECTIVELY FIGHT THE FLOOD CRISIS: KAIRA Islamabad August 22, 2010 Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira Sunday said the entire nation and all political parties should join hands with the government in its efforts to provide relief and for rehabilitation of flood victims. Talking to mediapersons in Lalamusa, the minister said the nation, civil society, media, provincial governments and politicians should jointly tackle this unprecedented catastrophe. He said that suggestions of Nawaz Sharif were not rejected but it was agreed to initially set up a committee on basis of suggestions put forth by Nawaz Sharif to assist flood victims. He said later a commission would be set with national consensus in light of suggestion of Nawaz Sharif to distribute foreign aid among flood affeectees. The minister said it had been decided to provide half of Rs 40 billion to the victims in first phase with Rs 20 billion each by the federal government and provinces. It has also been decided to initially provide Rs 20,000 to each affected family though no decision has yet been taken on imposing flood-tax. The Minister condemned the brutal killing of two innocent brothers by a mob in Sailkot and said extra judicial killing was not allowed in any civilised society. PR. No. 295 PRESS RELEASE PRIME MINISTER POSTPONES MARRIAGE CEREMONY OF HIS SON DUE TO FLOOD SITUATION Islamabad August 22, 2010 In wake of the devastation caused by heavy floods and the difficulties being faced by the people in the flood affected areas the Prime Minister has postponed the marriage ceremony of his son scheduled in October, 2010. PR. No. 296 PRESS RELEASE PRIME MINISTER GREATLY PERTURBED OVER SIALKOT INCIDENT SUSPENDS DPO WAQAR CHOHAN Islamabad August 22, 2010 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani expressed anguish and distress over the regretful event of Sialkot and ordered for the suspension of DPO Mr. Waqar Chohan a federal government officer on deputation with the provincial government. The suspension of the officer was recommended by the Chief Minister of Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif when he rang up the Prime Minister this evening to brief him over the unfortunate incident. The Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of Punjab both expressed deep sorrow and grief over the Sialkot incident and shared the sentiments of distress over the inhuman act of violence and negligence by the police officials. Such incidents, they agreed, are very disturbing for the society and need to be curbed through strict legal measures.