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PR. No. 186. Pak Japan Business Forum Delegation led by Mr. Abdul Kader Jaffar met Finance Minister here today. The delegates discussed with Finance Minister matters relating to promotion of business ties and trade relationship between the two countries. The Japanese Study Group comprises important Heads of Japanese companies that focus investment, business opportunities and bilateral trade between the two friendly countries. The Japanese Business Study Group aims to prepare a study report on scope, extent, problems and prospects of Japanese investment in Pakistan. The Group members intend to move into industry - based assets building through setting up especially - demarcated industrial zones in Pakistan. The size and volume of Japanese investment largely rests with GOP’s quick and friendly response in ensuring fruition of all bilateral investment trade agreements, Mr. Abdul Kader Jaffer ardded. The Pak - Japan Study Group expressed its institutional resolve to focus all efforts on expanding investment and industry -related opportunities that could help foster bilateral economic lies to the benefit of two countries. The delegation earlier made known to GOP’s relevant institutions its resolve to investment especially in power projects in consideration of existing power shortage in Pakistan that has been well taken. It was bilaterally agreed that GOP would pay special attention to local infrastructure and HR-based skills development - a sine qua none for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Pakistan. Japanese ODA’s financial assistance through JICA and JPIC shall be utilized to best possible implementation of all projects in the country. Finance Minister assured that GOP would direct all domestic agencies to fasttrack implementation of all roads, water and power, oil and communication related projects located in all provinces of the country. Finance Minister thanked Pak-Japan Business Study Group for their portfolio - based institutional investment interest in Pakistan, adding that GOP is fully committed to providing all enabling factors supportive to expansion of bilateral business ties. A comprehensive coverage of infrastructure support to all Japanese investors shall be ensured, Finance Minister stressed. The local tax regime shall be rationalized to facilitate all friendly foreign investors, he added. Inflow of FDI in Pakistan in power sector is increasing which reflects GOP’s facilitated portfolio – based investment planning in Board of Investment. Finance Minister assured the delegation that GOP/BOI shall maximize their endeavors to provide one window operation-based infrastructure support to all Japanese investors in power, automobile, trade and industry - specific projects in Pakistan **IH/Ahmad** PR. No. 187. Ministry of Population Welfare is arranging various activities regarding Global Breastfeeding week to be celebrated from 1st to 7th August, 2008 with the joint collaboration of UNICEF and Ministry of Health. Ministry of Population by involving its eight family welfare centres located in the suburb of Islamabad will arrange a competition of Baby shows and seminars for the education and awareness of the womenfolk living in these areas. Prizes would be given to the healthy babies especially fed on mother’s milk. These Family Welfare Centers (FWSs) are located in Koral, Sangjani, Alipur Frash, Lui Bher, Rawat, Humak, Nurpur Shahan, I-10/1. While highlighting the importance of this issue, Project Director, Family Welfare Centres, in the Ministry of Population, DR, Shafqat Javed Sheikh said that breastfeeding is not only a health issue but also an issue pertaining to Population Welafre Programme focusing on optimal birth spacing initiative and mode of natural contraception. He further said that special edition of monthly “Abadinama” would also be published with the reference of this week and FM Radio will also broadcast the programs on the said topic. **SA/Ahmad** PR. No. 188. Federal Minister of Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Division Senator Farooq H. Naek has issued directions for conducting external audit of the Access to Justice Program (AJP) while expressing his dissatisfaction over the performance of the multi-million dollars project. ‘Wherever I have gone I have found people complaining about the program’, the minister said as he was given a detailed presentation regarding AJP. He said that his government was elected by the people to correct injustices in the society, and emphasized that efficient working of all legal development programs were pivotal towards achieving this higher objective. The law minister directed the managers of the program to provide him with a comprehensive break up of all the utilized funds as responsibility for any mishandling can be fixed. ‘We are talking about 330 million dollars here. I want to know how all the money was spent,’ the minister said, adding that almost all the judicial structures which were built by the AJP had neither any bar room for lawyers nor any seating facility for the litigants. The buildings don’t even have libraries, the minister added. So far 7 court complexes, 232 court houses and130 public sheds have been built by the AJP, while 304 other judicial structures are still under construction. The AJP has also established a National Judicial Policy Making Committee, brought amendments in various ordinances, increased total number of judges from 1648 to 1994 and that of female judges from 85 to 171, increased judge’s salaries, and upgraded their posts. The AJP also claims of completing 94 projects regarding capacity building of the judiciary. The $350 million AJP was launched by the Government of Pakistan in December 2001 with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Ministry of Law as its executing agency. Out of the total fund, $330 million were provided directly to the Government of Pakistan as budgetary support to finance strengthening of justice sector, while the remaining $20 million were allocated for supplementing ‘soft reforms’ through capacity building, public awareness campaigns and necessary equipment. The key development objective of the AJP was to assist the Government to improve access to justice so as to provide security and ensure equal protection under the law to citizens, in particular the poor; secure and sustain entitlements and thereby reduce the poor’s vulnerability; strengthen the legitimacy of state institutions; and create conditions conducive to pro-poor growth, especially by fostering investor’s confidence. The Program was supposed to contribute to this aim by supporting five inter-related governance objectives: providing a legal basis for judicial, policy, and administrative reforms; improving the efficiency, timeliness, and effectiveness in judicial and police services; supporting greater equity and accessibility in justice services for the vulnerable poor; improving predictability and consistency between fiscal and human resource allocation and the mandates of reformed judicial and police institutions at the federal, provincial and local government levels; and ensuring greater transparency and accountability in the performance of the judiciary, the police and administrative justice institutions. The law minister said that he would shortly visit interiors of Sindh, Baluchistan, NWFP and Punjab, alongwith a panel of legal experts, to asses the level upto which AJP has deviated from its objectives. **FR/Ahmad** PR. No. 189. Syed Naveed Qamar Federal Minister for Finance, Privatisation & Investment assured the visiting Japanese investors that Pakistan would ensure establishment of special Economic Zone for Japanese investors on priority basis, which would be equipped with the basic infrastructure. He was talking with a 15-member delegation on Pakistan-Japan Business Forum led by Mr. Makoto Kakebayashi during a meeting here today. Giving an overview of Pakistan’s economy Syed Naveed Qamar said that the pressure on current account was due to oil and food imports, which was being curtailed through effective measures. Efforts were underway to improve environment for the private sector and a list of the public sector entities being offered through strategic sales, out right sale for privatisation would be made public within next ten days time, while the inflows of FDI have been good, which reflected GOP’s facilitated portfolio – based investment planning and especially the tremendous interest by the investors in the power projects in consideration of existing power shortage in Pakistan was encouraging, he stated. In order to curtail the smuggling of diesel to the neighboring countries the subsidies on certain petroleum products would be reduced gradually, he added. He further informed that the Pakistani workers remittances have gone up to US $ 6.5 billion as compare to the previous years figure of US $ 5.5 billion. The Finance Minister who is also Minister for Privatisation & Investment directed the Board of Investment (BOI) to work together with the Pakistan Japan Business Forum in conducting an in-depth study to find out the impediments being faced by the investors in general and the Japanese investors, in particular. A workable report should also be prepared in the light of this study suggesting remedial measures to remove all sort of hindrances and bottlenecks and all out efforts should be made to encourage the Japanese business sector to enhance their operations and investment in Pakistan, he added. The leader of the delegation of Pakistan-Japan Business Forum Mr. Makoto Kakebayashi expressed that the Japanese Business and investment groups and the government were keen to modernize the basic infrastructure in Pakistan through Official Development assistance (ODA), JICA, JPIC in the health, education, water and communication sectors and projects of Khanki Barrage and Karachi circular railway were already underway. A report of the Pakistan Japan Business Forum joint study group would be submitted to the GoP by the end of the year, he said. The members of the Japanese business delegation offered to install two 500-megawatt power plants in Pakistan and to further increase investment in the automobile industry. The delegates further discussed with Finance Minister matters relating to promotion of business ties and trade relationship between the two countries. The Japanese Study Group comprises important Heads of Japanese companies that focus investment, business opportunities and bilateral trade between the two friendly countries. The Japanese Business Study Group aims to prepare a study report on scope, extent, problems and prospects of Japanese investment in Pakistan. The Secretary Investment Division Mr. Ahmad Waqar and senior officers of Finance Division, Privatisation Commission and Board of Investment were also present during the meeting. **TP/Ahmad** PR. No. 190. The Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, Mr. Seiji Kojima called on the Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf here today and discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and investment opportunity in the Power sector in Pakistan. The Minister said that the new political government of Pakistan was fully committed to provide basic facilities to the consumers and would remove all bottlenecks to facilitate the foreign investors to invest in the power sector in Pakistan as there are great opportunities in this sector. He said that Today Pakistan is facing great challenges especially in power sector as the shortage of energy has badly affected the country’s economy. He said that the foreign investment in the coal and hydel power generation will help to meet the country’s future requirements. The Ambassador assured full support of Govt of Japan in the fulfillment of development agenda of the Govt. particularly in the Power sector. MEETING WITH JAPANESE INVESTORS Later, a 17 member delegation of Japanese Investment Companies under the auspices of Pakistan-Japan Business Forum in a meeting with the Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf here today discussed the investment opportunities in the water and power sectors. The delegation showed keen interest in making millions dollars investment in water and power sectors in Pakistan and also assured technical and financial assistance in this regard to meet the future electricity demand and water requirements for irrigation. The Minister while welcoming the Japanese delegation informed that the present democratic government was keenly interested to attract the foreign investment in the power sector as according to him there was a great scope and potential for investment in this sector. The Minister further informed that presently Pakistan was facing a shortfall of more than 4000 MW electricity and government is striving hard to overcome this problem by encouraging foreign investors to come forward to make investment in the power sector. He stated that the confidence of the foreign investors would gain new heights and the economy would be made more stable through adopting rationale policies to remove all hindrances and bottlenecks in this respect. He further informed the delegation that Pakistan was also focusing on Alternative Energy projects like wind, solar energy, coal-based generation and hydro power and apprised the delegation that an International Roundtable on coal-based power generation and Pakistan Power Sector was being held in Washington on 28-29, July 2008, sponsored by World Bank who had invited the international Business Community to participate and take the opportunity to invest in these fields. He said that to meet the shortfall in power, the government wants to increase the generation capacity and intends to install large run of river hydropower projects, for which he sought the technical and financial assistance of Japanese Companies. The Minister also informed the delegation that Pakistan was embarking on construction of multipurpose dams which would meet the power needs on a long term basis. This will involve an overall investment of over 18 billion US dollars in the next 5-10 years. He expressed the hope that Japanese Companies would take opportunity to participate in these projects to make investment particularly for Diamir Bhasha Dam work on which was to be started in early 2009. Ministry of Water and Power and Representative of PPIB gave a detailed presentation to the delegation about the on going power projects and briefed the delegation about the investor’s friendly policy of the government. **AJM/Ahmad** PR. No. 191. The Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza has said that the issue of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and their repatriation to Afghanistan was humanitarian problems and it was the responsibility of World Community to come forward and play its role for their early repatriation. She said this while talking to Representative of UNHCR, Pakistan Mrs. Guenet Guebre-Christos, who called on the Speaker National Assembly in the Parliament House today. The Madam Speaker said that Pakistan was hosting millions of Afghan refugees since 1979 and this issue was of great concern for the country. She said that creation of conducive atmosphere in Afghanistan for the repatriation of refugees was the responsibility of international community. The Speaker said that the UNHCR budget for Afghan refugees has dwindled with passage of time and has now been reduced to $ 4 per annum for refugee and the donors have also withdrawn or reduced their support for the refugees. She urged the international community to come forward and support Pakistan in the repatriation of refugees. The Representative of UNHCR Mrs. Guenet Guebre-Chrisgtos briefed the Madam Speaker on the latest position of refugees in Pakistan and their ongoing repatriation programme to Afghanistan . She said that Pakistan has been gracious for hosting over 6 million refugees for quite a long time, evincing its hospitality beyond expectation. She said that UNHCR and the World Community sincerely appreciates and acknowledges the hospitality of Pakistan . She said that Pakistan really deserved and needed support of World Community to continue assistance to Afghan refugees. She also assured the Speaker to advocate for Pakistan to get international support for repatriation of Afghan refugees. The UNHCR Representative also presented a detailed report to Madam Speaker on the status of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and their repatriation to Afghanistan . The UNHCR Representative Mrs. Guenet Guebre-Chrisgtos congratulated the Madam Speaker on her election as 1st Woman Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Muslim World and expressed good wishes for success of the newly established democratic Government in Pakistan MT/ank PR. No. 192. The Ambassador of Iraq H.E Kais Subhi Al-Yacoubi called on Madam Speaker, National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza in Parliament House today. Talking to the Ambassador the Madam Speaker said that Pakistan attaches importance to its relations with Iraq and both the countries share perceptions on regional and global issues. The Madam Speaker said that the people of Iraq and Pakistan are bonded in the eternal relations of religion and history and Pakistan wanted to further expand and strengthen its relations with Iraq . The Madam Speaker said that Muslim Ummah was facing a common danger of extremism and terrorism and they need to jointly fight this menace. She underlined the need for active role by OIC to meet the challenges confronting the Ummah. The Madam Speaker also underlined the need for exchange of Parliamentary delegations between the two countries to share and benefit from each other’s experiences. The Madam Speaker appreciated the courage hard work of Iraqi people for restoration of democracy and revival of the economy. H.E Kais Subhi Al-Yacoubi, The Ambassador of Iraq said that his country wanted Pakistan to play bigger role in construction and economic development of Iraq . He conveyed felicitations from the Speaker Iraqi Parliament and Chairman Foreign Relations Committee of Iraq to Madam Speaker for her election as 1st Women Speaker in the Muslim World. MT/ank PR. No. 193. The Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza has said that the country’s development and prosperity largely depended on economic emancipation and empowerment of women, who constituted 51 % of the total population of the country. She expressed these views while chairing a briefing on “Gender Mainstreaming through Legal Reforms” given by UNDP, in the Parliament House today. The Madam Speaker said that gender sensitization, protection of women rights and their empowerment was an important issue and needed support from all segments of the society. She said that legislators, intellectuals and media have to play a pivotal role to create awareness among the masses to protect women rights. The Speaker said that women in rural areas were confronting tremendous problems that needed special attention to redress. The Speaker urged the United Nation Development Programme to focus on plight of rural women in Pakistan by giving special attention towards women education, healthcare and female training centers in the rural areas. The Speaker said that women economic and political empowerment was priority of the present Govt and the Parliament would make needed legislation in this regard. She underlined the need for effective implementation of the laws regarding women rights. The Speaker said that a caucus of women legislators in the National Assembly would be constituted to initiate legislation for political, economic and social empowerment of women. She said that the gender issue was the hot topic across the world and Pakistan cannot be an exception. She said that we felt proud of our religion Islam that provided respectable status to women and safeguarded their rights and honours through divine injunctions. Faiza Affendi, Assistant Resident Representative of the UNDP gave detailed briefing to the Speaker National Assembly on Gender Mainstreaming through Legal Reforms. She told the meeting that the UNDP activities were mainly focused on legal and economic empowerment of women and their political participation in Govt and Non Governmental Organisations and also ensuring economic political and social justice for women. She stressed the need for implementation of the existing laws for protections of women’s rights in inheritance and property. She told that UNDP has also focused on providing training to female Parliamentarians and Councilors to enable them to take better pro-women decisions in their day today activities. She said that the UNDP has established training centers for training of women in variety of professions including garments, sewing, designing, embroidery, basic health and live stock. The briefing was attended by Ms Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to the PM on women affairs, large number of MNAs and high ranking officials of the National Assembly and UNDP. MT/ank PR. No. 194.
The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights met at the Parliament House today under the Chairmanship of Senator S.M Zafar, to consider the question whether common citizens of this country, who are supposed to be tried by the Civil Courts under Civilian Laws be tried by the Military Courts as a result of the recent amendment incorporated in 2007 in the Army Act, 1952. The report of the Human Rights Division came under consideration during the meeting. The Chairman of the Committee expressed the view that the report be kept in record which should be discussed thoroughly in the next meeting. The Chairman of the Committee adjourned the meeting as the Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights was not present. He requested Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, the Leader of the House in the Senate to ensure the presence of the Minister in the next meeting so that the subject may be discussed threadbare and concrete recommendations could be formulated in this regard. Apart from the Chairman of the Committee, Senator S.M Zafar, the meeting was attended by the Senators Saeed Ahmed Hashmi, Nasar Khan, Dr. Muhammad Said and Mian Raza Rabbani besides senior officials M/o Law and Justice. SM/ank PR. No. 195. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed called on President Pervez Musharraf here today. He briefed the President about important regional developments having impact on national security. The President said that all efforts are being made for ensuring that Pakistan Armed Forces are adequately equipped to face the challenges. AK/ank PR. No. 196. A delegation of Islamabad Stock Exchange called on President Pervez Musharraf here today. The Members of the delegation apprised the President of their concerns generally on the economy of the country and specifically o the downward drift in the stock markets in Pakistan. They attributed the declining stock markets to flight of capital and increasing cost of doing business. The delegation viewed the stock market as a barometer of the country’s economic trends and felt that while fundamentals of the economy are still sound, there appears to be a negative perception which is instrumental in continuous decline of the stock markets. The new reforms initiated by the Regulator were, however, helpful and had arrested the decline to some extent. They said that the basic rules of stock market should be amended to provide protection to small investors and they should be taken into confidence on important matters related to stock markets and formulation of the rules and regulations. President Musharraf said that fundamentals of the economy were sound and the present environment was manageable. The core issue was to build confidence of the people in general and investors in particular and ensure political stability and sustainability of the policies. Investors, both domestic and foreign, focus on these two elements while taking investment decisions. The President said that Pakistan was a land of opportunities for businessmen and investors as their investment ensured handsome returns. The President was confident that the Government will meet the obtaining challenges and assured to extend his maximum cooperation and support to the Government. The President also reiterated Pakistan’s firm resolve to eliminate terrorism and fight extremism in order to ensure security of life and property of citizens. He said that promoting national harmony and reconciliation by shunning all differences and rising beyond personal likes or dislikes is need of the hour. He also said that the business community should play their historic role in bringing the country out of the economic crisis. AK/ank
PR. No. 197. Pakistan is strategically located at a regional hub with abundant land and natural resources, strong human resources, large and growing domestic market which offer tremendous investment opportunities to countries like Japan. This was said by Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, Advisor to the Prime Minister/Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives in a meeting with a delegation of Pakistan Japan Business Forum (PJBF) & Japan Pakistan Business Cooperation Committee (JPBCC). Delegation was led by Mr. Abdul Kader Jaffer, Chairman, PJBF. Mian Manzoor Wattoo further said that Japan is one of the leading donor countries giving economic aid to Pakistan and it has played an important role in Pakistan’s development through economic and technical assistance thereby promoting strong economic and political relations between the two countries. “We want Japan to bring more investment in Pakistan”, said Mr. Wattoo. Mian Manzoor Wattoo said that Gawadar Port is an ideal location, where Japan can explore the possibility of investment in the fields of petrochemicals, heavy engineering, food processing, metal works, steel products and other export-oriented industries. Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA) of Pakistan offers attractive incentives/facilities for investment in EPZs. Investment from Japanese investors is welcome where they can set up their own exclusive country zone in Pakistan. “Foreign investors are allowed 100 percent equity and enjoy tax concessions” said Mr. Wattoo adding “there is no ban on repatriation of capital and profits. Likewise, payments of royalty, technical and franchise fee are also allowed without restrictions. Mian Manzoor Wattoo also emphasized that as Pakistan’s economy is developing, we need more market access in Japan in the areas where Pakistan has the potential to collaborate in terms of technology tie-ups, co-manufacturing, co-financing and co-export. Mian Manzoor Wattoo further told that under Japan’s Action Plan for fiscal year, 2008, new project proposals have been sought by the Economic Affairs Division. Ministry of Industries and Production, in consultation with its relevant organizations, is finalizing the project proposals for seeking Japanese assistance. One of the proposals which have been received from the Technology Upgradation and Skills Development Company (TUSDEC) is regarding “establishment of 8 Skill Development Centers in Pakistan. Total estimated cost of this project is Rs. 280 Million. These Centers are proposed to be located in Federally Administered Tribal Tribal Areas (FATA). These Centers will not only create job opportunities for the locals but will also develop social and economic infrastructure. AU/ank
PR. No. 198. A meeting of the coalition partners was chaired by the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to review the security situation in the tribal areas, Swat and NWFP in detail. The meeting was attended by the coalition partners Senator Mr. Asif Ali Zardari Co-Chairman PPP, Mian Muhammad Shabaz Sharif Chief Minister Punjab, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, JUI Chief, Mr. Asfandyar Wali, President ANP, Mr. Owais Ahmed Ghani, Governor NWFP, Mr. Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Chief Minister NWFP, Ms. Sherry Rehman, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Najimuddin Khan, Minister for SAFRON, Mr. Rehman A. Malik, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior , Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani, Chief of the Army Staff, Lt.Gen. Nadeem Taj,DG ISI and Mr. Shoab Suddal,DG Intelligence Bureau. There was a clear consensus that the situation warrants the evolution of long-term policies across-the-board with the support of all political partners. It was noted that Pakistan’s national security and internal stability is paramount and that no one will be allowed to challenge the writ of the state. It was also agreed in principle that in order to mobilize public support for a greater national consensus on Pakistan’s battle against extremism and militancy, parliament will discuss the formation of a national policy to address this issue. Greater cooperation between federal and provincial governments was also stressed, while the strengthening of civilian law enforcing agencies was emphasized. To pursue the objective of making the inhabitants of the affected area into stakeholders for a durable peace, the committee decided to increase investments in education, employment, development and infrastructure. The main thrust of the coalition partners’ multi-pronged strategy to counter the challenge of extremism will be political engagement of the people. The coalition partners also reiterated that Pakistan’s territory will not be used for terrorist attacks, nor will attacks from external forces on Pakistan’s sovereign soil be tolerated. EW/wh
PR. No. 199. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and the Co-Chairman PPP Mr. Asif Ali Zardari had a meeting with the economic team including Finance Minister, Syed Naveed Qamar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Finance, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Governor State Bank Ms. Shamshad Akhtar and, Convener Economic Advisory Council, Mr. Shaukat Tareen at the PM’s House this evening. They discussed in detail the current economic scenario prevailing in the country. The effect of the recent price hikes and starting of various programmes to protect the poor from the inflatory effects of the fuel and gas prices increase was discussed in detail. The Prime Minister Advised the economic team to follow policies that discouraged imports of luxury items and simultaneously plan pro-poor measures for any further prices increase in future. The Prime Minister also advised the economic team to look into curbing inflation at all costs. During the meeting it was also discussed as how the present government was forced to take very different decisions of passing petroleum prices increase to the people due to the previous government lake of action. DSG/wh
PR. No. 200. Maulana Fazlur Rahman met the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister’s House tonight for the second time after attending the coalition partners meeting in the morning. The meeting lasted for two hours and the two leaders discussed various ways to strengthen the coalition. Maulana Fazlur Rahman appreciated the efforts made by the government to preserve the coalition government. He assured the Prime Minster that his party will continue to extend its full support for strengthening the coalition government. DSG/wh
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