PR No. 191 PRESS RELEASE GOVERNMENT DETERMINED TO CREATE AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR INVESTMENT IN FATA: ENGR. SHAUKATULLAH KHAN Islamabad: January 26, 2012. A meeting on the establishment of an Investment Promotion council (IPC) for FATA and KPK was held in Islamabad today. Federal Minister for SAFRON Engr. Shaukatullah Khan chaired the meeting and Mr. Khalid Aziz Chairman Regional Institute of Policy Research and Training (RIPORT) briefed about the activities of the Investment Promotion Council. Federal Secretary Habibullah Khan, representatives of USAID, high officials of Ministry of SAFRON and FATA Parliamentarians also attended the meeting. While chairing the meeting Federal Minster for SAFRON said that the foreign and internal investment in FATA is need of time, because post-flood and terrorism ruin the economy of the region. The minister stressed on encouraging use of cluster-based approaches for efficient economic development in marble, fossil fuels, minerals, agro-based industry and manufacturing industries, because the FATA has identified of areas with rich natural resources. He said that there is need of establishment of training and incubation centers for entrepreneurial and skill development projects, adding that it should also been established for the people of FATA. He directed to stakeholders to work closely with state and provincial agencies, all banks and financial institutions extend its facilities of access to credit for business and economic growth of FATA and KPK. The minister also underlined the need for mobilizing of private sector and donors financing in support of different activities in FATA and KPK for economic growth. He hoped that agriculture loan should be started for remote areas of FATA and KPK and adding that the people of these areas should trained for use of such loan in befitting manners. Engr. Shaukatullah Khan assured that the government is determined to concentrate on its core functions including security, regulation, provision of social and municipal services and creation of an enabling environment for investment, he concluded. PR No. 192 PRESS RELEASE Islamabad: January 26, 2012. Islamabad: Federal Minister Riaz Hussain Pirzada said, while addressing the ceremony of annual survey of education report (ASER) at planning commission, “ Pakistan continues to perform extremely poorly in education and we are seen to be off track in terms of meeting the education targets set in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Education for All (EFA). Federal Minister said that according to UNESCO, we have the largest number of out-of-school children in South Asia with a majority being girls. Federal Minister said that the ASER 2011 data gives us district by district vital information on gender disaggregated data that can help us in planning and more importantly mobilizing resources on a need basis for education. Federal Minister  appreciated the South Asian Forum for  Education(SAFED), National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), Idara-eTaleem-o-Aagahi as well as the development partners, the Department for International Development (DFID), the Foundation Open Society Institute (FOSI) Pakistan and Oxfam Novib for supporting this extremely critical participatory initiative, enabling our citizens and state to become aware for action of the current status of education in Pakistan for the age group 3-16. Federal Minister told that after the passing of 18th amendment and article 25-A, Education has become a fundamental right for all children aged 5-16. Therefore ASER 2011 has become a forum for accountability and citizen’s voice acting as a watchdog, reminding the citizens as well as the government to play their active role.  Federal Minister said, “as we approach 2015 the target date for fulfillment of MDGs, EFA, ASER Pakistan is indeed a very persuasive tool to gauge challenges and progress in education annually. He said that the timing of release of the ASER Reports each January is very appropriate for informing the planning and budgeting processes. Federal Minister said that he believes that ASER can be instrumental in acting as catalyst of change as volunteers knocks on doors making house holds change perceptions about the urgency of education and learning outcomes. Federal Minister said that ASER is developing a great repository of vital data for all of us in the government, research institutions and political parties to use for policy making and action. Federal Minister Riaz Pirzada said, “As we step into the election year, I believe it is extremely necessary to make education as the highest priority in the electoral debates. It is that single most important sector that leads to significant gains in vital indicators of health, population, environment, gender empowerment, economic growth and democratic participation for sustainable societies. Federal Minister said, “I believe, movement like ASER provide us with an excellent opportunity to make education a centerpiece for political debates, provide a sound rationale for raising resource allocations and expenditures for measureable improvement. PR No. 193 PRESS RELEASE CHIEF COORDINATOR PRIME MINISTER’S GRIEVANCES WING PRESNETS CHEQUES TO BODY BUILDERS. Islamabad: January 26, 2012. The Chief Coordinator, Prime Minister’s Secretariat Grievances Wing Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani presented cheques to two Body Builders on behalf of the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in Karachi today.        It is mentioned here that the Body Builders had submitted their application to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for financial assistance on the ground that they need dietary supplements (Vitamin aid) which are used by World Class Body Builders. They had further stated that they were paying Air Tickets for participation in professional championships through their own resources/family friends and no Professional Coaches travel with them to manage their diet/fitness. They had stated that they are Professional Body Builders and have won the title of “Mr. Pakistan” and are Gold Medalist at South Asian Level in their respective categories. The Prime Minister was pleased to sanction an amount of Rs.100, 000/-(one Lac) to each Body Builder and directed the Chief Coordinator to present cheques to them.     Upon direction of the Prime Minister, Chief Coordinator, Mr. Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani presented a cheque of Rs. 100,000/- to each Body Builder namely Mr. Fida Hussain and Atif Anwar respectively.  The recipient of financial assistance thanked the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Chief Coordinator Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani and prayed for success of the present democratic government. PR No. 194 PRESS RELEASE “NO EDUCATION IS COMPLETE WITHOUT LOFTY IDEALS AND A HIGH MORAL CONTENT” “ Mir Changez Khan Jamali.” Islamabad: January 26, 2012. The Federal Minister for Science and Technology, who is also the Chancellor of the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, was the chief guest on the occasion of awarding degrees and medals to successful students of the 39th and 40th convocation ceremonies held in Convention Centre in Islamabad. “Education is the greatest asset of any country. Successful Nations are those that make their education meaningful and purposeful”, the Minister explored. “The Youth of today are the masters of tomorrow. So long as we have such brilliant students, the future and destiny of our country is in safe hands”, the Minister said. The Minister also advised that no education is complete without lofty ideals and a high moral content; he further said that the supreme aim of education should be character development. This makes it necessary to have a wholesome approach to the education of young students. The Minister said, “A student must have an understanding of history, culture, religion, customs and traditions. He said that they would to accomplish their job well if they could imbibe their basic fundamentals in young generations. The Federal Minister advised the passing out students that integrity and trust were the most valuable characteristics that they must protect at all costs. He  said that he had strong faith in them as they are the custodians of their future.  The Minister appreciated the efforts of CIIT faculty, Management and visionary leadership. He said that CIIT, recognizing its duties, is committed to provide the best opportunities for learning and personal development within a caring and supportive environment. Earlier, Recter CIIT Dr. S.M. Junaid Saidi, addressed the gathering and said that knowledge acquirement and higher education are transforming virtually every aspect of today’s world. He said information technology institutions have been trusted to be the centre stage of academics and there institutions have the mandate to evolve a knowledge based socio-economic culture in the country to help the nation to face the modern challenges of globalization. Executive Director COMSATS Dr. Imtinan Elahi Qureshi was also present on the occasion. It is pertinent to mention that CIIT held its 39th and 40th Convocation ceremonies and awarded graduate and post graduate degrees to more than twelve hundred successful students in two different ceremonies, who secured BS degrees in disciplines of Bachelor of Science in Bioinformatics, Biosciences, Business Administration, Computer Engineering, Electrical (Telecommunication and Computer Engineering), Electronics, Mathematics and Architecture from Islamabad Campus. MS degrees were awarded to 79 students in Management Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Architecture, Physics, Computer Science, Bio Sciences, Metrology and Mathematics. PhD degrees were awarded to 11 students in disciplines of Physics, Bio Sciences and Mathematics. On the occasion Chancellor, Institute, Campus and Patron Medals were also awarded to position holders from different campuses of CIIT. PR No. 195 PRESS RELEASE PRESIDENT ZARDARI FELICITATES INDIAN PRESIDENT AND PEOPLE OF INDIA ON INDIA’S 63RD REPUBLIC DAY Karachi: January 26, 2012. President Asif Ali Zardari has felicitated President of India, Ms. Pratibha Devisingh Patil and the people of India on its Republic Day falling on January 26. In a letter to President Ms. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the President said, “On the occasion of the Republic Day of India, I wish to convey to Your Excellency and the people of India warm felicitations and good wishes of the people of Pakistan. I am confident that our two countries would continue to endeavour to develop friendly, good neighbourly and cooperative relations. We wish the people of India progress and prosperity. Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration”. PR No. 196 PRESS RELEASE PM GREETS INDIAN COUNTERPART ON REPUBLIC DAY Islamabad: January 26, 2012. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh on the occasion of their Republic Day being celebrated today. In his message, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan is fully committed to developing friendly relations with India on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and commonality of interest. We believe that the development and wellbeing of our peoples, and our common goal of peaceful and prosperous South Asia, can be achieved through the resolution of all outstanding bilateral issues between us, the Prime Minister added.