PR No. 271
PRESS RELEASE
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT VITAL FOR POVERTY REDUCTION, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
SOCIO-ECONOMIC: HAMEED ULLAH JAN AFRIDI
Islamabad, July 23, 2010Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi has said that healthy environment is vital for poverty reduction, sustainable development and socio-economic wellbeing of the people and in order to address the issues of un-employment and backwardness of remote areas we should have to develop and promote environment basis activities in all over the country.
He stated this while addressing in a workshop on “Environmental Fiscal Reforms (EFR) in Abbottabad held under the auspices of International Union for Conservation of Nature, Pakistan (IUCN) on Friday.
The Minister said that majority of our population lived in rural areas which depends on ecosystems for subsistence, similarly urban areas facing different environmental challenges arising primarily from congestion, unplanned construction and poor performance of municipal services, such as waste disposal and sanitation. In this scenario, appropriate policies are required to achieve the development targets, while ensuring environmental sustainability of the fragile ecosystems, he added.
Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi said that there is a need to change the notion that environmental services are free and unlimited if our resources are not wisely conserved, it would be a disastrous for the future generations, we have to change our behavior towards the use of natural resources.
Federal Minister Environment said IUCN had completed Environmental Fiscal Reforms project with the financial assistance of Swiss Development Corporation and the research findings would help development work as well as tackling pollution control, natural resources management, mobilization of funds for investment in pollution control, safe disposal of waste and funds for enforcement activities and generation of revenues. He said present democratic government has given top priority to the improvement of environment, which shows our commitment to the cause and government is ensuring to improve the quality of life and keeping our environment intact. He said Environmental Fiscal Reforms concept would be examined to incorporate in National Planning and Development process. He also stressed for continued donor support for the programme so that the process of sustainable development continues uninterrupted.
The Minister appreciated the coordinated efforts of all agencies to make the project in a real success and mentioned that the lessons learned form this effort need to be widely disseminated so that the Environmental Fiscal Reforms work can be successfully institutionalized and further opportunities could be explored to up scale and replicate the same at other locations in the country.
Manager EFR Project and IUCN, Islamabad Mahmod Akhtqr Cheema elaborated the achievements of the project, similarly, District Coordination Officer, Abbottabad Zaheer ul Islam, Country Director Swiss Development Cooperation Andre Huber Country Representative IUCN Pakistan Shah Murad Aliani, Chief Pakistan Institute for Development Economics Dr. Usman Mustafa and other experts also address on the occasion.
**MAS/Ahmad**
PR No. 272
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, July 23, 2010Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education Samina Khalid Ghurki held a meeting with the US Ambassador NW Peterson. The meeting was held to discuss issues of bilateral interests in the field of Social Welfare and Special Education.
The Federal Minister along with the Secretary Social Welfare and Special Education briefed the ambassador regarding the different projects of the Ministry. During the meeting Federal Minister expressed the need for strengthening of the National Braille Press so that books are easily available for the disable students and capacity building of the teaching Staff.
“Our people have great skills and abilities, the only thing they need is a platform to exhibit those skills.” Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education remarked while commenting on the performance of the Dastkari schools.
The Ambassador highlighted various initiatives taken by the US government for the uplift of the people of Pakistan which includes immunization programmes, modernizing hospital facilities etc.
The Secretary Social Welfare and Special Education thanked the Ambassador for setting up Helen Keller, a library for the disable persons.
**MS/Ahmad**
PR No. 273
PRESS RELEASE
Dr. Hafeez Sheikh chairs Meeting to review Restructuring of Statistical System of Pakistan
Islamabad, July 23, 2010The Federal Minister for Finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh chaired a meeting to review the status of Restructuring of the Federal Statistical System of Pakistan here today.
During the meeting, Mr. Saeed Ahmad Khan, Secretary Statistics Division apprised the Minister that the Restructuring Draft Bill, duly approved by the Cabinet, has been tabled in the National Assembly on January 27, 2010 and passed on the NA Standing Committee on Economic Affairs and Statistics for examination.
The Finance Minister, while reviewing the status of restructuring of the Federal statistical system, affirmed that efforts would be made to get the draft bill passed by the Parliament shortly and also assured of the Government’s full support in provision of all financial and human resource requirements of the new entity i.e. the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS).
It may be noted that a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Economic Affairs and Statistics was held on 15th July, 2010 wherein the Statistics Division made a detailed presentation about the draft bill. The Committee however, adjourned the meeting with the notion that its next meeting would be conclusive.
**KS/Ahmad**
PR No. 274
PRESS RELEASE
IRANIAN ENVOY DISCUSSES IMPORT OF POWER PROJECT WITH RAJA PERVEZ ASHRAF
Islamabad, July 23, 2010Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan, H.E Mashallah Shakeri called on the Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf here today and discussed various matter of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation particularly import of 1000 MW Power by Pakistan from Iran.
The Ambassador briefed the Minister on the recent development on the import of Power Project and informed the Minister about the current status of transmission line from Iran to Gawadar. The Ambassador also briefed him about his meeting with Prime Minister Gilani on the import of power project.
Both Minister and Ambassador agreed to further expedite the project. They also agreed that delegation of technical experts from both sides will visit each country.
It was decide that the Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf will visit Iran next month for further deliberation on the import of 1000 MW Power Project for its early completion.
The Minister stated that Pakistan is focusing to change its energy mix in the national grid and taking all possible steps to enhance the hydel and alternative energy generation share so that affordable power could be provided to consumers. He expressed that Iran-Pakistan gas project will also help to reduce the cost of power generation.
The Ambassador remained some times with the Minister and discussed proposed Iran-Pakistan-Turkey rail link, Iran- Pakistan gas pipeline and others matters of mutual cooperation with the Minister.
**NJ/Ahmad**
PR No. 275
PRESS RELEASE
Principal Lawrence College calls on the PM
Islamabad, July 23, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that government’s mission “Education for all” reflect that education is a priority area. He further said that youth is a precious asset which needs to be educated to meet the future needs of our society.
The Prime Minister while talking to the Principal, Lawrence College Murree, Air Commodore ® Farooq H. Kiyani here this afternoon at the Prime Minister’s House said that great responsibility lies on the shoulders of educationists to translate this mission into reality. He hoped that the private sector will also come forward to play their role in the nation building.
The Principal informed the Prime Minister that Lawrence College is celebrating 150th anniversary of its foundation in the last week of September this year. He invited the Prime Minister to grace the occasion which will also be attended by the great grandson of Sir Abbot Lawrence. The Prime Minister thanked the principal and expressed his willingness to participate in the 150th anniversary celebrations.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No. 276
PRESS RELEASE
Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri calls on the PM
Islamabad, July 23, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that government has allocated development funds to all the parliamentarians across the board. Since all of them, he added, are the public representatives, they need to be strengthened to participate effectively in development activities and mitigation of public problems.
The Prime Minister was talking to Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, who called on him at Prime Minister’s House this afternoon.
The Prime Minister said that pursuance to the reconciliatory policy has strengthened the democratic process in the country and created an enabling environment to realize major achievements like consensus adoption of the 18th amendment and NFC award . He further added that now the responsibility lies on all the political players to maintain this momentum and understanding to further promote the democratic process.
Senator Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri thanked the Prime Minister for equitable distribution of the development budget and also apprised him of the progress of the on-going development schemes in his area.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No. 277
PRESS RELEASE
PM meets Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran
Islamabad, July 23, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that his government would positively pursue early finalization of feasibility study for import of 1000 MW electricity from Iran to undertake this project as soon as possible. The Prime Minister said that he would call the meeting of all the relevant Departments on this project to assure that the project is fast tracked. He vowed to also personally supervise expeditious implementation of projects like refurbishment of Railway line from Quetta to Taftan and Dalbandin-Noshki road construction with the assistance of Government of Iran.
The Prime Minister was talking to Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mr M.B. Abbasi who called on him at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat here today.
The Prime Minister urged the Ambassador to take initiatives for providing improved logistic facilities to Pakistani zaireen visiting the sacred places in Iran. He also issued instructions that sheds for the zaireen be constructed at the designated sites at Taftan border. The Prime Minister also directed the Ambassador to redouble his efforts for creating better understanding between the two countries on issues of mutual concerns. He hoped that during the forthcoming visit of the Iranian Foreign Minister to attend the next session of Joint Ministerial Commission, both sides will take account of whole gamut of bilateral relations and find new avenues of cooperation in their multi-dimensional relationship. The Prime Minister assured the Ambassador’s full support to his any proposal towards that end.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No. 278
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, July 23, 2010Human resource development and impartation of skill set to blue-collared workers, plays a backbone role for significant economic growth. This was stated by the Secretary Commerce Zafar Mahmood while talking to a delegation of SAARC Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI) who met with him in his office today. President SCCI, Annisul Haq (Bangla Desh), led the delegation. Muhammad Iqbal Tabish, secretary General, Iftikhar Ali Malik, Vice President and Tariq Saeed were also present in the meeting. Secretary Commerce conveyed that he expects SAARC Chamber to enable the trade bodies of member countries to share information regarding skill development initiatives by trade bodies. He further stated that trade is the vehicle through which countries come closer. In the SAARC region, our ultimate end is to achieve free trade among the member countries, and the SAARC Chamber platform could play responsible role in achieving this end, Zafar Mahmood further added. Mr. Annisul Haq, the President, lauded the support extended by the government of Pakistan and particularly the Ministry of Commerce by financing it to raise its own building in Islamabad . Secretary Commerce suggested the president SCCI for compiling a document, which would include data regarding trade bodies’ role in Policy making of the governments, initiatives taken by the chambers for trade development and support from their respective governments in member counties. This would help the sister chambers and associations to take benefit from each other experiences, he added.
**SH/Ahmad**
PR No. 279
PRESS RELEASE
YASMEEN REHMAN ELECTED CHAIRPERSON PAK. FURNITURE CO.
Islamabad, July 23, 2010Advisor to the Prime Minister on Women Development Mrs. Yasmeen Rehman has been elected as the Chairperson Pakistan Furniture Company unanimously and unopposedly here today in Lahore in a meeting by all the Members of the Board of the Pakistan Furniture Company which is registered under the Companies Ordinance.
It is really a matter of great honor that she has been the first lady in the country who is raised/elevated to such a higher and responsible post. Members of the Board included participants from the Ministry of Industry, SMEDA, and the Private Sector as well.
It is also important to mention over here that previously she had been appointed as the Member of the Board of the same Company by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.
**SNA/Ahmad**
PR No. 280
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, July 23, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan is keen to further strengthen its close brotherly relations with Azerbaijan, based on historical, cultural and religious common realities. The Prime Minister noted that Pakistan was one of the first few countries to recognize Azerbaijan, on its independence, and has been steadfastly supporting Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh issue on return of other Azeri territories illegally occupied by Armenia. He also appreciated Azerbaijan’s continuous support to the cause of Kashmir and for the crucial role it has played in OIC’s Contact Group on Kashmir in advocating resolution of this dispute as on the basis of UN Security Council’s resolutions.
The Prime Minister was talking to Dr Eynulla Madatli, the outgoing Ambassador of Azerbaijan who paid a farewell call on him at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat here this morning.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Azeri Ambassador on successful completion of his mission in Islamabad during which people to people and high level contacts between the two countries saw a marked increase and resultantly the bilateral cooperation expanded in trade, economic, defence and cultural fields. The Prime Minister hoped that Summit level visits between the two sides would be planned and exchanged in the near future to provide new impetus for enhanced cooperation. He also appreciated Ambassador of Azerbaijan’s contributions in construction of Azeri Embassy Complex and a Girls High School in Earthquake affected area of AJK.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that the next round of Joint Ministerial Commission will be held in Baku later this year to finalize possible joint ventures between the two sides in oil and gas, energy, agriculture, construction machinery, light industries and defence production sectors. The Prime Minister wished the Ambassador the very best on his next assignment and hoped that he will continue to play a role for promoting Pakistan-Azerbaijan ties in his future career as well.
Ambassador Dr Eynullah Madatli conveyed the best wishes and regards of his President to the Prime Minister and his own profound gratitude for the support and assistance given to him by the Government of Pakistan during his eight years tenure of duty as Ambassador of his country. He termed Pakistan as his second home and expressed his satisfaction on the progress in overall bilateral ties during his tenure. He hoped that the Government of Pakistan will also provide the same assistance and cooperation to his successor. He assured the Prime Minister of his government’s continued support to the joint efforts for fostering ever closer ties to expand cooperation in trade, investment, joint venture and defence fields. He said, in his personal capacities he would keep playing every possible role in whatever future capacity to bring Pakistan-Azerbaijan relations.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No. 281
PRESS RELEASE
SENATE BODY REVIEWS NHA PROJECTS
Islamabad, July 23, 2010A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Communication was held at Parliament House under the Chairmanship of Mir Wali Muhammad Badini to review the progress of work on the remaining part of the project of Layari Expressway Karachi and to discuss the appointments made since last 2 years in the NHA alongwith province-wise break-up.
The Secretary, M/o Communication said that about 75% to 80% work has been completed, and the remaining work will be completed, after releasing of funds of Rs.1.2 Billions from the Federal Government. He said that the timeframe for completion of the project was November, 2004, but due to non-availability of land from the Provincial/ Local Government, the remaining work got delay.
Senator Lt. Gen. ® Javed Ashraf said that Govt. of Sindh had given undertaking that they will acquire land, and for such purpose Federal Govt. has given/ allocated sufficient funds, but still they are reluctant to acquire the land, due to political reason, without political will, project could not be completed.
The Chairman of the Committee with the sense of other members requested the Minister of State for Communication to arrange a meeting with the President of Pakistan to resolve this issue with all stakeholders on board. The Minister for State for Communication Mr. Imtiaz Safdar Warraich assured the Committee they will submit their report on the subject after meeting with the President very soon.
Senator Dr. Muhammad Ismail Buledi said that keeping in view total area of Balochistan, 20% employment Quota be meant for Province of Balochistan instead of 7%. The Chairman of the Committee with the sense of members of the Committee directed the Secretary, M/o Communication and Chairman, NHA that in future the officials who comes on deputation, must be posted in Balochistan and not in other part of the country. The Chairman, NHA stated that after starting of Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan, they have advertised certain jobs in Daily Newspapers, which is only for the people of Balochistan and assured the Committee that in the next meeting they will give the District-wise detail of such recruitment. The Minister for State and Secretary, M/o Communication also assured the Committee that they will also submit detailed report of employees belong to Balochistan and presently working in the Motorways Police.
The Committee suggested that all the contract employees be regularized, according to policy of the Government and in future all the tenders be opened for all the contractors. The meeting was also attended by Senators Muhammad Kazim Khan. Dr. Muhammad Ismail Buledi, Abdur Rahim Khan Mandokhel, Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq , Lt. Gen ® Javed Ashraf and Naeem Hussain Chattha.
**RAQ/Ahmad**
PR No. 282
PRESS RELEASE
SENATE BODY ENHANCED SECURITY, QUALITY SERVICES AT LODGES.
Islamabad, July 23, 2010The Senate House Committee, which met at the Parliament House today under the Chairmanship of Acting Chairman Senate, Mr. Jan Muhammad Khan Jamali, has asked the Capital Development Authority and the Islamabad Police to redouble their efforts for improving the quality of services being provided to the Parliamentarians at the Parliament Lodges and ensure better security respectively, in line with the directions given by the Senate Body earlier.
Attended by Senators Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi, Seemen Siddiqui and Wali Muhammad Badini, the meeting expressed its dismay that no significant improvement has been witnessed in the state of affairs lately despite categorical instructions given to CDA, ICT (Admn) and Police. Maintenance of the Lodges particularly civic services need qualitative improvement along with tangible measures to improve and enhance security at the Lodges, they observed.
The meeting called for early implementation of the security plan proposed by the Technical Committee constituted in the joint meeting of Chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly on security of the Parliament Lodges held on June 09, 2010. In this connection it particularly underscored the need to regulate and control visitors and to expel unauthorized persons from the Lodges immediately. It also instructed early commissioning of the PACS and VACS systems with the help of NADRA, as decided in the earlier meeting.
The meeting was attended among others by Senior Officials of the Senate Secretariat, CDA, ICT and Islamabad Police.
**RAQ/Ahmad**
PR No. 283
PRESS RELEASE
CHAIRMAN NAVTEC APPRECIATES TRAINING FACILITIES AT AL-SHIFA EYE HOSPITAL
Islamabad, July 23, 2010NAVTEC’s main aim is to ensure that quality skills systems are developed which would be responsive to the changing demands of the local and global economy.
This was stated by the Chairman NAVTEC Mr. Adnan A. Khawaja while inspecting the on-going training course of ophthalmic technician at Al-shifa trust eye Hospital Rawalpindi today. This training programme is part of PM’s Hunarmand Programme undertaken by NAVTEC in which about one hundred ophthalmic technician, ophthalmic Nurses, Equipment Technician / Bio-medical Technician are being trained to meet local and global demands.
Chairman NAVTEC observed that there is a dire shortage of ophthalmic technicians and NAVTEC is endeavoring its best to meet the future demand in this significant sector by launching many such programmes in near future. This unfortunately was a neglected sector in the past and with the ever-increasing eye diseases, the country needs to have more technically skilled technicians to handle sensitive equipment in this segment of health sector.
Mr. Adnan Khawaja assured that our trained labour in health sector would not only be absorbed within the country on hefty wages, but would also get good job opportunities from middle eastern countries. Laying emphasis on the need of technical education, the Chairman said that it is the only way to tackle the threat of unemployment, and inflationary trends. A credible skilled population would lead the country on the path of development and prosperity.
Mr. Adnan A. Khawaja appreciated that all provincials Government are focusing their attention towards technical education under the guide-line provided by NAVTEC in its National Skill Strategy. The Federal Government under Prime Minister has succeeded in convincing all provincial Government to earmark a record budgetary amount in their current budgets, for the provisions of technical and vocational education to the maximum. Mr. Khawaja showed his optimism that during next 10 years, Pakistan would be an exemplary as far as country technical and vocational training is concerned.
Chairman NAVTEC said that it is the sagacious decision of the President Asif Ali Zardari which has resulted in collaboration between NAVTEC and BISP to provide technical and vocational education to millions of poor and deserving youth. In this regard, NAVTEC would provide all possible technical assistance to produce demand driven Technical workforce which would get jobs just after completing their skilled education. NAVTEC had developed the strategy of demand driven training keeping in view not only domestic employment demands, but also the needs of international markets like Middle Eastern and far-eastern countries.
During the visit, Chairman NAVTEC and members of his team were shown around different sections of the Hospital where training programme was going on. President All-Shifa Trust, Lt.Gen®Jahan Dad Khan, assured the Chairman NAVTEC that the administration of Al-Shifa Trust Hospital is trying its level best to impart best possible training to the trainees so that they may bring good name to these organizations whether they serve within the country or abroad.
PR No. 284
PRESS RELEASE
AMBASSADOR OF ALGERIA CALLS ON FEDERAL MINISTER FOR CULTURE
Islamabad, July 23, 2010H.E.Dr. Ahmed Benflis, Ambassador of Algeria in Islamabad called on Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani, Federal Minister for Culture in his Office on 23rd July, 2010. He was accompanied by Khiari Abderrahim, Counselor.
His Excellency, the Ambassador of Algeria presented a formal invitation to Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jillani to visit Algeria during March, 2011 as they have scheduled cultural activities in connection with celebration of Tlemcen city as Capital of Islamic culture under the auspices of ISESCO, a subsidiary organization of OIC. He also invited Pakistan to participate in the celebrations by sending a cultural delegation for a period of one week comprising artisans, sufi signers and other connected cultural arts and crafts to showcase during the festival.
Honourable Minister for Culture accepted the invitation and highlighted the excellent relations between the two brotherly nations and expressed sentiments that the cultural exchanges can go a long way in strengthening of bilateral ties.
During the meeting, it was also agreed to renew the Cultural Exchange program between Pakistan and Algeria during the visit of honourable Minister for culture to Algeria next year.
PR No. 285
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, July 23, 2010President Asif Ali Zardari today performed the ground breaking ceremony of a number of projects in Sindh including a Cadet College in Dadu, Garments City in Karachi, the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Chair and Convention Centre in the University of Sindh, Jamshoro besides presiding over the balloting of Waseela Haq program of the Benazir Income Support Program to extricate 700 poorest of the poor families from the vicious generational poverty cycle and a briefing on Thar coal development project. All the ground breaking ceremonies and BISP balloting were held in the Chief Minister’s House in Karachi in the presence of a gathering of people drawn from all walks of life.
Those who attended the launch of the new projects and the draw included besides the Chief Minister, the Federal and Provincial Ministers, members of Parliament, federal and provincial government officers, businessmen, academicians, Party activists and a large number of the beneficiaries of the BISP.
Briefing media Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that addressing the gathering on the occasion the President said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Chair at the Jamshoro University provided an opportunity to researchers and scholars to dig deep into the political philosophy of the Muslim World’s first elected woman Prime Minister and the twice elected Prime Minister of Pakistan which needed to collected and collated before it was misplaced or damaged by the vagaries of time.
Seldom before a victim has been transformed into a legend and become folklore so soon after departing from this world, the President said of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and complimented the University of Sindh for establishing the Chair and the Convention Centre as homage to her ideals and memory. Farhatullah Babar said that the President also asked for exploring the possibility of setting up Research Chair in the prestigious universities of the Muslim countries.
The President said that to pay homage to the memory of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto it was important to promote and empower women of the country and said that the Benazir Income Support Program had been launched precisely for lifting and empowering the women.
In addition the government has decided to give free of cost the state lands in the command areas of new proposed dams to the poor women of the area, he said. Besides the Protection of Women against Harassment law had also been enacted to give a sense of security to working women.
Noting that girls from rural areas are unable to pursue higher studies in universities is because of lack of hostel facilities for them the President directed the provincial government to set up Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Girls’ Hostel in University of Sindh.
President Zardari recalled that Mohtarma Bhutto had been urging investment in the people by improving the quality education and health facilities instead of building war machines and said that the government was conscious of its obligation to invest more in the social sector development.
He said that the public-private partnership model had been adopted for the economic and industrial development of the country and the Garment Cities in Karachi, Lahore and Faisalabad were the result of this policy. The setting up of the Cadet College Dadu shows our emphasis on providing quality education, he said.
Addressing businessmen gathered at the function the President said that due to the war against militancy Pakistan had suffered over 45 billion dollars of loss over the past eight years. We have urged the international community to help in our economic development through trade and not aid for fighting the menace of militancy, the President said.
We have impressed upon the west that market access will create employment opportunities in Pakistan and wean away the frustrated jobless youth from joining the extremists and militants, the President said.
The President said that in order to assist the textile industry, a limit had been set on exports of low valued yarn so that raw material was available in the domestic market for value addition in the textile sector.
The President said that as a result of the policies the economy had turned around, the Stock exchange had bounced back; investors were showing confidence by investing in infrastructure projects and foreign investors were showing interest in stocks and power sector.
Earlier the President invited the office bearers of the Press Clubs of Hyderabad, Larkana and Sukkur for an informal meeting over lunch. The President was also given briefing on Thar coal project. The President said that we need to find out of box solutions and work for a right energy mix to meet our power needs. He also asked relevant authorities for a separate briefing on gasification of coal for power production, the spokesperson said.