PR. No. 335
Press release
Foreign Minister meets the German Foreign Minister
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.The Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, met the Foreign Minister of Germany Guido Westerwelle today, on the sidelines of the 65th UN General Assembly Session in New York, says a press release received here today from New York.
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle appreciated personal initiative of the Foreign Minister to get Market Access for Pakistani products in the European Union (EU). He assured Germany’s support on this issue. It was agreed to devise a joint strategy for requisite waivers from the World Trade Organization.
Foreign Ministers of Pakistan and Germany also discussed the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) process with a view to enhancing is effectiveness. Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle assured active participation by Germany in the FoDP process. He will lead the German delegation in forthcoming meeting of the FoDP in Brussels.
Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi thanked Germany for relief assistance to the flood affected people of Pakistan. He stated that close personal engagement by German Chancellor Angela Merkel in providing relief assistance has touched the hearts of Pakistani people. He appreciated the role of Germany as the largest economy in the EU as well as a leading economy of the world. He expressed desire to establish strategic partnership with Germany.
The two Foreign Ministers also discussed the relief work being undertaken by the United Nations in Pakistan and stressed the need for increasing its efficiency and coordination with the Government of Pakistan.
Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle accepted the invitation extended by Foreign Minister Qureshi to visit Pakistan.
**MJI/Ahmad**
PR. No. 336
Press releaseJoint efforts required to rehabilitate millions of flood affected
people whose livelihood is related to the early recovery
of agriculture sector. Nazar M. Gondal
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Nazar M. Gondal has said that agriculture, which is the primary source for the livelihood of the overwhelming majority in Pakistan, is the worst hit by the recent catastrophic floods. He said that rehabilitating agriculture would simply mean the rehabilitation of the millions of displaced people.
The minister said it while meeting a joint delegation of UNHCR, WFP and WHO comprising Mr. Louis-Georges Arsenault (Director UNICEF), Mr. Daniel Toole Regional (Director for Soth Asia), Mr. Eric Laroche (Assisatnt Director-General, WHO) Dr. Naeema al-Gaseer and Mr. David Kaatrud (Chief of Assessment, Analysis & Preparedness Service, WFP) .
“Agriculture is the major stake holder in the national economy because it is an agriculture based economy. Agriculture sector has severely been damaged by the unprecedented floods. Water systems & channels, farmers grains holdings’ and agricultural equipments have washed away by the floods. Any weakness to rehabilitate them would result in dangerous consequences as the negative forces can exploit the situation to their own benefit”, said the minister.
Mr. Gondal thanked international community/organizations for their invaluable contributions in the relief activities. He welcomed the idea of joint working on emergency footing to rehabilitate the flood victims.
The head of the delegation said that joint working of the state institutions and international organizations would result in the required synergy for the uphill task of rehabilitating millions of people. “Our top priority is life saving but other areas cannot be ignored. It is such a disaster that no nation or organization can single handedly deal with it. We must work together for the common cause of helping out the people”, said the delegate.
The minister said that his ministry focuses on enabling the farmers to sow all the crops in time so that the means of their livelihood are restored. He added that a package of giving free of cost seed, fertilizer, etc is to be finalized well before the upcoming wheat sowing season. He said that the proposed package requires an amount of around $ 250 million. “We would also require heavy earth moving agricultural machinery and other equipments to reclaim the land lost due to land erosions.
The meeting was attended by Secretary & Additional Secretary MINFA, D.G NAPHIS and other senior officials of the ministry.
**MS/Ahmad**
PR. No. 337
Press release
Chinese Ambassador in Pakistan calls on the President
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.Chinese Ambassador Mr. Liu Jian called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.
Matters relating to bilateral relations between the two countries and Chinese assistance for the flood affectees were discussed during the meeting.
The President appreciated the Chinese leadership and people of China for the generous support and assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of flood affectees.
The President said that the Chinese government’s additional assistance of US $200 million for the flood affectees reflect the level of mutual cooperation and the strong bonds that exist between the governments and peoples of the two countries.
The President said that the Government would welcome technical assistance and invited the Chinese companies to participate in rebuilding the damaged infrastructure and assured that the government would facilitate them in all possible manners.
The Chinese government besides initial emergency humanitarian assistance and recent additional assistance of US $ 200 million also provided medical, food and other supplies to the flood affectees in Gilgit-Baltistan and other parts of Pakistan.
The Ambassador Mr. Liu Jian thanked the President for receiving him and assured Chinese Government’s all out and continued support for the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims and revival of war ravaged infrastructure in Pakistan.
**FU/Ahmad**
PR. No. 338
Press release
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.The Federal Minister for Communications, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan Khalil has said that we respect the Judiciary and every act of the present government will be in accordance with the constitution but we will also continue our march of democracy, which we have achieved after rendering numerous sacrifices because our destination is a developed and prosperous Pakistan. He expressed these views while talking to various political analysts and other dignitaries that called on him at Ministry of Communications here today. The Minister said that some people have made it a habit to start praising the rulers who were removed by the people for their misdeeds and criticizing the incumbent government. He said that there is great responsibility on the present government’s shoulders and it has to cope with numerous problems. The Minister said that instead of rendering support to the government these people are unduly criticizing it. The Federal Minister said that the Pakistan Peoples Party always came into power after the people were fed up with long dictatorial misrule, during which all institutions were destroyed by the dictatorships and the people had been suffering immensely. The recent democratic rule, the Minister said, has been the result of the supreme sacrifice of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. But today, anti-democracy forces are again busy conspiring to sabotage the democratic process, but we will defeat their nefarious designs with the help and support of the people. Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan Khalil said that the President Asif Ali Zardari and the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and their team are working to purge all the public departments and the situation will soon be brought under control. He also said that the present democratic government will not only complete its term of five years but will also form the next government by winning the next general elections. The Federal Minister urged the political analysts, electronic and print media to promote positive attitudes and play their role to salvage the nation from the current situation because, today, we need to shun our differences for the sake of national reconstruction and development. For this, we will have to make concerted efforts to continue on the path of democracy and provide our nation a bright future.
**AZA/Ahmad**
PR. No. 339
Press release
Naval Chief calls on the President
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir today called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Professional matters pertaining to Pakistan Navy and role of Pakistan’s Naval forces during recent devastating floods in rescue and relief operations were discussed during the meeting.
The President appreciated the role played by Pakistan Navy in reaching out to the stranded people and rescue operations in far flung areas of the country.
**FU/Ahmad**
PR. No. 340
Press release
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that it is our collective responsibility to safeguard the democratic process in country. We all are elected representatives of the people and we have to make sure that sanctity and prestige of Parliament is upheld.
The Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to parliamentarians who called on him at his Chamber in Parliament House today.
The Prime Minister urged upon all the political parties to join hands for the upcoming phase of reconstruction and rehabilitation. The flood affectees, he added, are our brethren and need our help in this hour of distress.
The Parliamentarians lauded the efforts of Prime Minister for the sustainability of democracy in the country and also apprised the Prime Minister of relief activities in their respective constituencies. Minister of State for Communication Mr. Imtiaz Safdar Warraich, Ms. Rubina Qaimkhani MNA, Mr. Tasadduq Masood Khan MNA and Mr. Tariq Tarar were present in the meeting.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 341
Press release
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has reiterated the commitment of the government to leave no stone unturned to bring back Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. He has directed the Minister for Interior to use all ways and means for the repatriation of Dr. Aafia.
During his meeting with Minister for Interior Senator Rehman Malik who called on him at his Chamber at Parliament House, the Prime Minister observed that Dr. Aafia was taken away during the period of previous government. The incumbent government highlighted the issue at every level. The President and Prime Minister discussed the matter with every dignitary visiting Pakistan including Ms. Hilary Clinton and Mr. James Jones and also during their visits abroad. The government sanctioned US $ 2 million as legal aid for Dr. Aafia to contest her case in courts in USA, he added.
The Prime Minister lauded the efforts of Minister for Interior to get back two children of Dr. Aafia safely to Pakistan and the steps taken to find out third the missing child.
The Minister for Interior apprised the Prime Minister of his meeting with Attorney General of USA during his recent visit to America on advice of the Prime Minister. He also told about the meeting of Pakistan’s Ambassador with the US Attorney General and other dignitaries to highlight the importance of case and the efforts for the repatriation of Dr. Aafia. He also told about the letter addressed to Attorney General of USA written by Ministry of Interior on the advice of the Prime Minister requesting the authorities for repatriation of Dr. Aafia before the court sentenced her.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 342
Press release
NATIONAL OVERSIGHT DISASTER MANAGEMENT COUNCIL CALLS ON PRIME MINISTER
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.The 15-Member National Oversight Disaster Management Council (NODMC), which held its marathon meeting today, later called on the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at the Prime Minister‘s House.
The Prime Minister assured full support from the government to the Council in discharging the responsibility bestowed upon them by the nation. He asked the Council to urgently finalize specific and clear terms of reference for the functioning of the Council.
The Prime Minister asked the Council to guide the flood relief implementation agencies in providing shelter to the affectees at the earliest since it would take sometime in repair and reconstruction of damaged houses. He also directed the NDMA to get the school buildings vacated and establish relief camps for the affectees occupying the school building so that the studies of children of these schools are not affected any longer.
The Prime Minister directed the Minister for Food & Agriculture and the Secretary Finance to brief the Council tomorrow on the assistance being extended to affected farmers and the financial implications in the same context.
Mr. U.A.G. Isani, Chairman of the Council, thanked the Prime Minister for the confidence reposed in all the members of the Council and assured that they would all try their best to come upto the expectations of the nation. He informed the Prime Minister that all the members of the Council have decided to work on honorary basis.
The Minister for Finance, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh informed the meeting that in pursuance of the CCI decision, an amount of Rs. 12 billion was released and disbursements of Rs. 20,000/- as first installment to each affected family has been started in the country through Watan Card. As soon as 75 % of the Rs. 12 billion fund is exhausted, the allocation will be replenished. The Finance Minister also informed the meeting that Governor State Bank has been assigned by the ECC to work out modalities for provision of free seed and fertilizer for the rabi crop to the small farmers affected by the floods.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs said that the whole nation looks towards the Council set up with national consensus. The task before the Council is challenging but the nation is confident that the Council would come up to its expectations. He assured the Council that all institutions and government machinery are at the disposal of the Council to facilitate its task and provide assistance to the unfortunate victims of the catastrophe in a transparent manner.
Cabinet Secretary, Chairman NDMA and Secretary Information were also present in the meeting.
PR. No. 343
Press release
NATIONAL OVERSIGHT DISASTER MANAGEMENT HOLDS INAUGURAL MEETING
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.The National Oversight Disaster Management Council held its inaugural meeting in the Cabinet Division this morning. Mr. U.A.G. Isani, Chairman of the Council, presided over the session. The meeting, which was attended by federal as well as provincial Members of the Council, was briefed by the Chairman on its Terms of Reference and the task that lay ahead. The Members of the Council were informed that they would be required to make recommendations on periodical basis for consideration by the Council of Common Interests. Presentations were made before the Council by the Cabinet Division, the National Disaster Management Authority and the Economic Affairs Division. These presentations focused on the following:
Devastation caused by the recent rains and floods;
Relief measures already taken;
Relief operations under implementation;
Economic assistance pledged by donors;
Quantum of donor assistance disbursed;
Availability of Internal and external resources for reconstruction;
Progress of Damages and Needs Assessment being carried out jointly by the World Bank the Asian Development Bank with input also from the U.N. agencies;
Pace of issuance of Watan Cards, allocation of funds, and present state of disbursements;
Timelines for meetings of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan and the Pakistan Development Forum, and
The phases of relief, early recovery/rehabilitation, and reconstruction.
The Planning & Development Division apprised the Council on instructions received from the government regarding preparation of a National Reconstruction Plan and reallocation of resources to achieve the physical targets during reconstruction.
The Chairman and the Members of the Council thereafter made a courtesy call on the Prime Minister. Ministers for Finance and Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Secretary Cabinet, Secretary Information, and Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority, were in attendance. The Council decided to reconvene at 1000 hours on September 25, 2010 to continue its deliberations.
PR. No. 344
Press release
SHAHBAZ CALLS ON ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY .
ARCHBISHOP ASSURES SUPPORT TO FLOOD VICTIMS AND INTERFAITH HARMONY.
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.
The Federal Minister For Minorities Affairs Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti Called on the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams at Lambeth Palace , here, today. Minister apprised the Archbishop of the flood situation in Pakistan and the Interfaith Dialogue Initiative of Government of Pakistan, says a press release received from London here today.The Archbishop of Canterbury assured support for flood affectees of Pakistan particularly in the context of health and education while describing his meeting with Minister very fruitful. Mr. Bhatti conveyed messages of goodwill from the President Asif Ali Zardari and prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to the Archbishop and extended him invitation to visit Pakistan. The Archbishop reckoned his previous visit of Pakistan saying that he cherished the visit where he had opportunity to meet with Christian religious leaders.
The Minister briefed the archbishop in detail about the devastation caused by the floods and the efforts being made by the government of Pakistan to deal with the crises . He stressed need for international solidarity to deal with this mega challenge. He expressed deep appreciation for the support extended by the Arch bishop and other Christian organizations in helping people of Pakistan in this hour of need.
They discussed interfaith harmony and dialogue in Pakistan as well as at global level. Dwelling upon Interfaith Initiative of Government of Pakistan , the Minister informed that at district level interfaith committees were being set up comprising of Muslim and non- Muslim members to create interfaith harmony at the grass roots level. He further informed that in addition to that training programmes for creating awareness and material based on common teachings of various religions were also being developed to harness religious tolerance . Besides this exchange programmes for promoting interfaith harmony will also be undertaken by the Ministry of Minorities Affairs. The Archbishop of Canterbury assured full support to strengthening this program
The Minister added that the laws with potential of being misused against minorities were being reviewed to check human rights abuse of any kind, as the present government believes in protection of rights of all the segments of society. Discussing the interfaith dialogue in global perspective the Minister appreciated the Interfaith Dialogue Initiative of the Archbishop of Canterbury , specially programme of presence , engagement and dialogue of Anglican Church with Jamiatul Al- Azhar, emphasising that interfaith harmony was an instrument to bring peace , harmony and tolerance.
PR. No. 345
Press release
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.Pakistan fully supports and is committed to the aims and objectives of the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (AoC), which is acting as a vehicle to promote much needed dialogue and cooperation among religions, faiths and cultures that give amazing colour and flavor to our beautiful world, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi stated during the Ministerial level meeting of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, says a press release received from New York here today.
The UN Alliance of Civilizations is a Turkish-Spanish initiative, which was created to bring together diverse religious, political, economic, social and cultural systems of the world under its framework through dialogue to promote better understanding, spirit of cooperation and socio-cultural harmony.
Referring to Pakistan’s unique experience of being the melting pot of ancient civilizations including Gandhara and Indus Valley civilizations, the Foreign Minister highlighted the rich contribution of Sufi tradition as vehicle of spreading the message of peace and love in the entire Indus region and beyond. The Sufi tradition and teachings transcended the distinction of race, religion, caste or creed. They spoke the language of love and humanity, which received overwhelming response from the masses of the region.
Foreign Minister Qureshi stressed the importance of countering incitement and hate speech by extremists from all sides under the garb of freedom of expression. He stressed the importance of AoC as a forum that can and must work to create a peaceful and harmonious world for our future generations.
PR. No. 346
Press release
OIC FOREIGN MINISTERS EXTEND CONSISTENT SUPPORT TO THE PEOPLE OF JAMMU & KASHMIR IN THEIR
STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION
Islamabad, September 24, 2010.The Annual Coordination meeting of OIC Foreign Ministers was held on the side-lines of the 65th UN General Assembly Session in New York today. In his address to the meeting, Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi strongly condemned the use of excessive force by the Indian security Forces against unarmed protestors including women and children in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. He demanded an immediate end to this brutality, says a press release received from New York here today.
The Foreign Minister thanked the OIC Foreign Ministers for their consistent support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for their right to self-determination.
Foreign Minister Qureshi also expressed deep concern on increasing instances of Islamophobia and negative stereotyping of Islam and discrimination against Muslims. He underlined the need to address divisive ideologies and hate speech that posed a serious threat to societal peace and harmony in open societies. He fully endorsed the declaration issued by the OIC Foreign Ministers on the subject and highlighted the need to promote interfaith and intercultural dialogue to marginalize extremists on all sides.
Foreign Minister Qureshi emphasized that terrorism has no faith, no creed and no nationality. Therefore, equating any of these with terrorism would be counterproductive. He underlined the need to address its root causes like prolonged unresolved conflicts, continued suppression and marginalization of people and denial of the right of self determination to people suffering under foreign occupation to eradicate the menace of terrorism.
The Foreign Minister expressed Pakistan’s unequivocal support to the Palestinian cause and the two-state solution of the Arab–Israeli conflict. He also condemned the Israeli attack on Freedom Flotilla and expressed support for a prompt, impartial and transparent inquiry by the UN Secretary General’s panel of the incident.
On the special invitation of the OIC Secretary General, the meeting was also addressed by the True Representatives of the Kashmiri People.”
