PR. No. 356
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: August 27, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has appreciated all the state entities that came forward to play their due role for the rehabilitation of the distressed people in flood hit areas. He ensured the equitable and judicious distribution of the funds among the flood hit provinces. Better coordination among various organizations of the state will synergize the relief activities, added the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister expressed the views while talking to Syed Asif Hashmi, Chairman Evacuee Trust Property Board who called on him in Prime Minister’s House to present a cheque of Rs.10 Million for Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.
The Prime Minister appreciated the kind gesture of the employees of Evacuee Trust Property Board who contributed one day salary to help their brethren in the flood hit areas.
Chairman apprised the Prime Minister of various relief activities undertaken by Evacuee Trust Property Board in all parts of the flood hit regions.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 357
PRESS RELEASE
Malaysia Sends 40 Doctors and 10 Volunteers to Help Flood Victims in Pakistan
Islamabad: August 27, 2010
The Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Razzaq has directed Putera 1Malaysia Club to send fifty (50) volunteers to Pakistan next month to complement Government of Pakistan’s efforts to provide relief to more than 20 million flood victims,says a press release received here today.
This was stated by the President of Putra One (1) Malaysia Club, Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim during his meeting with High Commissioner for Pakistan in Malaysia, Mr. Masood Kahlid in Kuala Lumpur.
The High Commissioner thanked the government, civil society, and general public of Malaysia for providing generous humanitarian assistance in cash and kind and in services to their brothers and sisters in Pakistan who were facing worst floods in the history of the country. The floods have affected more than twenty million, have made 6 million people homeless, destroyed 1.3 million houses and left 3.5 million children vulnerable to water born diseases, he added.
Datuk Abdul Aziz informed the High Commissioner that an advance four member team was being send to Pakistan on 26th August, 2010 consisting of doctors, logistics experts, guides and a researcher to assess the flood situation, determine the needs of the flood affectees and make recommendations for an effective plan to provide maximum relief to the flood victims.
He said thirty seven (37) male and seven (7) female doctors assisted by ten volunteers will be taking 20 tones of medicines, rice, flour, tents, blankets and mineral water with them. During their stay in Pakistan, their priority would be to provide food and medical assistance to the flood affectees in the most affected regions, he added.
Mr. Aziz further informed that the team would keep close liaison with Malaysian Red Crescent Society, Pakistan Red Crescent Society and National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan to ensure that the humanitarian assistance was reaches to the most deserving people.
In addition, the team will be accompanied by a ten member media team to cover the flood situation.
PR. No. 358
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad 27th August, 2010Mr. Saleem H. Mandviwalla, Minister of State / Chairman, Board of Investment, is paying a 2-day visit to Republic of Korea to apprise the Korean government and other private sectors of the devastation caused by the flood in Pakistan and to seek assistance from them. The Honorable Minister today met in the morning, the Korea Foundation for International Health care and briefed the president Mr. Kwan Su Han about the flood. The President of Korea foundation donated US $ 100,000/- worth of medicines for the flood affectees. Later at 1130 hours Vice President of the Korea Plant Services (KPS) visited the Embassy where he donated a cheque of US$ 40,000/- for the flood affectees. The KPS are at present engaged in providing service and maintenance for the Power Plant in Dharki in Pakistan. This account was collected by the workers of KPS, says a press release received here today.
2. The Minister later met the senior officers of the KP Chemical, a subsidiary of Lotte Group which has bought the ICI, PTA plant in Karachi and also investing US$ 500 million in Pakistan and has donated US$ 128,355/- to the Minister at a ceremony at their office. The donation has been deposited in the National Bank of Pakistan, Seoul Branch. The KP chemical has earlier donated an amount of US $ 117,000/- to the Prime Minister in Islamabad. It was unprecedented that the Korean employees of KP chemical also donated Rs. 1.1 million to the Pakistan people.
3. The Minister also met other Korean conglomerates such as SAMBU construction which is engaged in (Lowari tunnel) and Pohang Steel Company (POSCO) i.e. 4th largest steel maker of the world.
4. Mr. Shaukat Ali Mukadam, the Ambassador was also present on the occasion.
PR. No. 359
Press Release
Role of National and International Organizations for Provided Relief in Flood Affected Areas is
Admirable….Environment Minister
Islamabad, August 27, 2010Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi has said that concrete and result oriented safety measures need to be taken to combat hazardous effects of flood situation in future. He also said that Pakistan is the most effected country due to global warming and we can face worse situation, if melting process of the glaciers remained continue. He expressed these views while talking to the representatives from civil society here today.
Environment Minister said while sharing his views that present flood situation is due to global warming and rapid climate change. He added that whole infrastructure has been affected and negative impacts of present flood are being exposed.
Mr. Afridi said that Pakistan will highlight the impacts of present flood situation and its harmful impacts at International forms. It will also be highlighted that global warming and climate change effects are all due to rapidly growing industrialization in Developed countries however, Pakistan is the most vulnerable country in this context. He urged that World Organizations should come forward and proceed comprehensive survey strategy to access the damages and losses accrued due high flood. He also said that Pakistan will emphasize the International Community to start mega projects in Pakistan so that Pakistan’s socio-eco revival may be possible.
Federal Minister said that present flood situation has damaged out maximum resources and consistent and concrete measures needs to be taken to rehabilitate the flood effected community, bringing them back to their normal lives, revival of farm lands, reconstruction of homelands, revival of general infrastructure and specially socio-eco. systems in the flood effected areas. Mr. Afridi underlined that government is leaving no stone unturned to provided relief services in flood hit areas however, civil society and general public should also play their responsible role in this tough time. He also lauded the role of several national and international organizations for provided relief in flood affected areas.
PR. No. 360
PRESS RELEASE
PM DIRECTS TO CONVERT THE RAILWAYS HOSPITAL SUKKUR INTO A DEDICATED MEDICAL FACILITY
Islamabad: August 27, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has directed to convert the Railways Hospital Sukkur into a dedicated medical facility for treatment of patients with Acute Watery Diarrhea. Keeping in view the heat and humidity in the south, the Prime Minister has taken this step to control outbreak of water borne diseases in the flood affected areas.
The Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Railways to place the Railways Hospital Sukkur at the disposal of Ministry of Health which in collaboration with the World Health Organization will convert the hospital into a dedicated medical facility for treatment of water born diseases. In the establishment of this facility, no additional expenses will accrue to run the facility nor the existing staff will be displaced in any manner from the hospital.
The Prime Minister has been closely monitoring the health situations in the flood ravaged areas. Chairing a high level meeting to review the health situation in flood-hit areas last week, the Prime Minister had directed the Ministry of Health to take on board different NGOs and International Health Organizations operating in the health sector with a view to provide medical care to maximum number of people through better coordination and organization. Establishment of the Sukkur facility to treat patients of water born disease is a step in that direction.
PR. No. 361
PRESS RELEASE
German Telethon Raises US$ 10 Million for Pakistan
Islamabad: August 27, 2010.During a televised fund raiser show “Hilfe Fur Pakistan” (Help for Pakistan), telecast last night by prominent German T.V. Channel ZDF, the Germans donated more than US$ 10 million for flood victims in Pakistan. The two-hour special T.V. event was devoted to the floods in Pakistan and watched by millions of German citizens,says a press release received here today.
Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared in the show and appealed to the German public to donate generously for the flood victims. Chancellor Merkel said that Pakistan had been ravaged by many catastrophes. ‘The people Pakistan in Pakistan do really deserve our help and we must help, she added.
An interview of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani was telecast during the show in which he explained the devastation caused by the floods and thanked the German government and people for the generous support to the people of Pakistan in this difficult time.
The Telethon had reports and live transmissions from ZDF reporters in Pakistan and interviews with representatives form the humanitarian and political fields.
The money raised in the Telethon will go to German relief organizations which are working in Pakistan to help the flood affected people.
Dedicated telephone liens are still open and the people are continuing to send their donations for the flood victims.
PR. No. 362
Press Release
PC RELAUNCHING CONVERTIBLE BONDS PROPOSAL TO SUPPLEMENT GoP EFFORTS TO RAISE FUNDS FROM
MULTILATERAL AGENCIES
Islamabad, August 27, 2010The Privatisation Commission (PC) in its recent Board meeting decided to re-launch the convertible bonds proposal to strengthen Public Sector Entities (PSEs) in the given situation and to generate revenue for the government. This activity can turnaround the Rs. 265 billion loss making Units into Rs. 500 billion profitable units. In March this year the World’s top 10 investment groups were asked to submit proposals along with market assessment for issuance of Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL)’s Bonds, in accordance with Privatisation Commission (PC) Ordinance 2000.
The PC intends to appoint a Bookrunning Consortium for divestment of equity of OGDCL via a US $ 500 million exchangeable bond with an upside option of US $ 100 million with no sovereign resource. This transaction could supplement GoP’s efforts to raise funding from multilateral agencies including proposed amount of US $ 2 Billion by ADB and US $ 900 million from World Bank at very low rates. The groups will be asked to submit their separate sealed Technical and Financial proposals free of cost, indicating their relevant experience, competence of team, work plan, methodology and presentations with hard underwriting and coupon services.
The PC is also in the process of appointing advisors for restructuring of Eight (8) PSEs approved by the Cabinet. This will entail hiring of the advisors through the process of sending out RFPs to top ten Global advisors.
The PC Board approved to obtain proposals and detailed market assessment for in its meeting on March 18, 2010 attended by the representatives of Ministries of Finance and Petroleum & Natural Resources. Citibank, J P Morgan, Nomura Investment Inc; UK, Barclays Bank, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Credit Suisse, Merrill lynch and others had also made presentations before the PC Board. All these financial institutions would now be asked for update their respective proposals and reports. The Minister for Privatisation Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan had already made a presentation in this regard to the President and the Prime Minister on June 28, 2010. A summary in this respect is being sent to the Prime Minister.
The OGDCL Bonds activity will build a diversified and high quality international investor base and would also improve standing of domestic capital markets through increased foreign institutional investors and foreign direct investment flows.
PR. No. 363
PRESS RELEASE
PRIME MINISTER CONDOLES DEATH OF MUHAMMAD SAKHI BUTT
Islamabad: August 27, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani visited residence of Mr. Faisal Sakhi Butt at Islamabad this afternoon to condole the death
of his father late Muhammad Sakhi Butt.The Prime Minister expressed his heartfelt condolences and prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in peace and grant courage to the bereaved family members to bear this loss with equanimity.
PR. No. 364
PRESS RELEASE
DG IOM, MR. WILLIAM LACY SWING, CALLS ON PRESIDENT
Islamabad: August 27, 2010Mr. William Lacy Swing, Director General International Organization for Migration—an intergovernmental organization--, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.
Interior Minister Senator A. Rehman Malik, Malik Asif Hayat, Secretary to the President, Mr. Tariq Iqbal Puri, Secretary Labour & Manpower and Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar were also present besides other senior officials.
Mr. William Lacy Swing briefed the President about various activities of IOM for the flood affected people. He said that IOM was leading the Emergency Shelter Cluster of 40 international and national aid agencies and was working closely with the National Disaster Management Authority in distribution of tents, plastic sheets and non-food items. IOM also acts as consignee for all international assistance flights bringing aid in kind to Pakistan.
He said that IOM would implement a number of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) to repair damaged infrastructure and provide short term employment to affected populations. Besides this, IOM was supporting a joint appeal from the UN and the NDMA to Pakistanis nationwide to donate life saving aid items for flood victims, he said. The campaign urges people to donate essentials including buckets, steel cups, and plates, saucepans, cooking pots, mosquito nets, sanitary napkins, soaps, shampoo, towel, mugs hair brushes and other non-food items.
The President appreciated the IOM for their prompt response in providing shelter and non-food items including tents and plastic sheeting rolls to the flood affected people. The President urged DG IOM to utilize IOM’s rich and diversified experience to support Pakistan’s efforts to distribute aid to the flood affectees in remote areas.
The President said that the unprecedented floods have caused great damage in terms of human as well as infrastructural losses. The President said that the Governmetn has mobilised all its resources to provide rescue and relief in the affected areas. However, the scale of challenge was beyond the capacity of any developing or even developed nation to tackle alone.
The President also thanked United Nation and said that the UN Secretary General’s visit to the flood affected areas and his passionate appeal during the special Plenary Meeting of UN General Assembly has helped in creating awareness about the devastation caused by the flood. He also appreciated the launch of US$460 million flash appeal by the UN for relief and immediate recovery.
The President also thanked the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank for agreeing to undertake a damage needs assessment. He said that Pakistan would need help from UN and other international relief organizations as well as friendly governments in rebuilding and reconstruction phase.
The President assured Government’s continued and full support to the organization in its pursuits.
PR. No. 365
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT CHAIRS A MEETING ON FLOOD RECONSTRUCTION AND REHABILITATION BY THE HOUSING SECTOR
Islamabad: August 27, 2010President Asif Ali Zardari today called upon the housing sector of the country to adopt innovative approaches in term of technology, design and material while rebuilding houses devastated by floods so as to withstand natural disasters if, God forbid, such disasters struck the nation again.
This he said while addressing a meeting on flood reconstruction and rehabilitation by the Housing sector at the Aiwan-e-Sadr today.
Those who were present during the meeting included among others Environment Minister Mr. Hameed ullah Jan Afridi, Housing Minister Mr. Rehmatullah Kakar, Chairman Pakistan Engineering Council Ms. Rukhsana Zubairi, Deputy Chairman ERRA, Chairman NDMA, Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan, MD National Construction, Chairpersons Institutes of Architects & Engineers, MD National Housing Authority, federal and provincial secretaries of concerned departments and representatives of private construction companies.
Briefing the journalists Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar said that the President also called upon the engineers and technologists to consider the possibility of channelling flood waters away from population clusters and diverting it to the desert regions for productive use. A thought should also be given to employing mobile brick and block making machines, steel cutting and bonding machines and machines for prefabricating different structural elements to speed up the reconstruction activity, he said
In this context, the President advised the Government to consider appointing NESPAK as the lead consultant for undertaking the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the devastated infrastructure and housing in the country, Mr. Babar informed.
The President said that the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts for the colossal damage to the existing infrastructure requires concerted and coordinated efforts by all the stakeholders and active public private partnership. He said that the Government would accord priority to rehabilitate the flood affected people in their previous localities however new projects would also be undertaken in those localities to equip those areas with modern facilities and safeguards.
The President also directed Communication Ministry to prepare comprehensive estimates of the losses due to washing away of the roads and the amount needed to rebuild them.
The President said that satellite technology should be used in future to map the direction in which columns of flood waters gushed.
The President also said that the environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources was the major factor for erratic climatic changes and freak weather systems and we hope that such situation would not arise in future however, we must equip ourselves for protection against these havocs on one hand and take measures for improvement of the environment through afforestation and reforestation, on the other, he said.
PR. No. 366
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT CALLS FOR MAKING BISP FLAGSHIP OF POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Islamabad, 27 August 2010President Asif Ali Zardari has felicitated Chairperson Benazir Income Support Program Ms. Farzana Raja for disbursing Rs. 3.9 billion among one million poor families in the flood devastated areas under its Emergency Relief Program in the first phase.
Felicitating the BISP for undertaking emergency relief measures for the flood victims in addition to the relief package already launched by the federal and provincial government, the President said that the move will send positive signals and give hope to the victims of the worst floods in the history of the country.
In the first phase, the BISP gave cash assistance of four thousand rupees to each of the one million poor families registered with it in the flood affected areas. Two more instalments of similar amount will be provided in cash after Eid taking the total cash flood assistance to each of the one million poor families to rupees twelve thousand. This will be in addition to the rupees twenty thousand relief package announced by the government for the flood affected people in all the provinces.
‘Being based on technology and transparent, the program has gained confidence of the people in the country and the international community for which it deserves to be complimented’, the President said.
The President also called upon the Minister, officers and the workers of BISP to continue making strides to make it the flagship of Pakistan’s poverty alleviation program.
PR. No. 367
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad, 27 August 2010Federal Minister for information & Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that the flood rescue and relief efforts need to be further highlighted and correct and timely information needs to be disseminated to the people through use of mass media with maximum coverage area. “The government has declared 2010 as the year of radio keeping in view of its potential that can be exploited for country’s socio-economic development. Radio being the only medium of communication to cover the most remote areas is an ideal medium that should be used to project the government efforts for rescue, relief and rehabilitation of flood affected areas”.
The Minister was addressing officers of the Press Information Department today.
The minister stressed the need for a more coordinated effort between media sections of different ministries and departments to ensure timely dissemination of information to the media. The minister also highlighted the need to utilize the vast coverage area of PTV for projection of government policies.
The Minister said that in this era of information revolution there is a need to use social and modern media along with traditional media to ensure maximum positive projection at every tier of media. He urged the officers to pro-actively use all types of media to ensure maximum results.
The minister said that we should work in a coordinated manner as a team to effectively serve the country. He said that he’s always available to guide them and help them if they have any difficulty in carrying out their duties.
The minister also assured the officers that every effort would be done for their welfare and professional growth but they need to work proactively to project the working of their ministries through mass media.
Earlier, the Secretary Information & Broadcasting Mr. Mansoor Suhail welcomed the Minister and thanked him for taking out time from his busy schedule to meet the officers of Press Information Department.
The meeting was attended by PIO Ch. Rashid Ahmed, senior officers of the Press Information Department and PID’s publicity officers attached with various ministries and departments.
PR. No. 368
PRESS RELEASE
PROMOTION RULES FOR BS 22: ESTABLISHMENT DIVISION CLARIFIES.
Islamabad August 27, 2010A Spokesman of the Establishment Division has clarified a news item appearing in a section of the press alleging that rules have been framed by Establishment Division for promotion to BS-22 posts, which are in violation of the Supreme Court’s judgment.
The Spokesman termed the allegations as base-less and unfounded. Denying the allegations, the Spokesman clarified that framing of rules for Civil Servants is prerogative of the Federal Government. The Government has complied with the orders dated 28-04-2010 of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in letter and sprit hence, no review petition was filed.
The Spokesman said, the Government has fully complied with the parameters determined by the apex court in its judgment while formulating new rules for promotion of senior officers. Suggestion that any particular person or persons is being favoured in formulation of the rules is not correct. These rules have made keeping in view the verdict of the court, prevailing environment of the civil service structure and emerging requirements of promotions and expansion in the various cadres of civil service. It is highly regrettable that administration has been maligned for but it has not done as the judgment has not been flouted in any manner. To suggest that the authority concern has over looked the spirit of the verdict is conjectured and not based on fact. It is instructive to recall that Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani was on an official foreign visit when the hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan announced its judgment. Being the Chief Executive of the country, he ordered for compliance within no time while present abroad and all previous orders were quashed. It demonstrates the esteem that the Government attaches to the verdicts of the apex court. It is believed that such allegations would be avoided in future. The rules in question have been formulated after careful examination of the judgment and thorough study of the related requirements on long term basis.
It is clarified that the rules namely Civil Servants (Promotion to the post of Secretary BS-22 & equivalent) Rules, 2010 have been framed in consultation with Federal Public Service Commission and Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs. The selection for promotion to BS-22 will be through a High Powered Selection Board headed by the Prime Minister. This will ensure fairness, impartiality and transparency.
The Rules framed 17 year back in 1993 and withdrawn in 1998 were found to be restrictive as these could not give fair representation to all services/groups for promotions. The three years service in BS-21 if applied will mainly benefit the officers of District Management Group and reduce the chances of promotion for officers of other Groups/Services. As such, the condition of two years service in BS-21 laid down in the new Rules is just and fair. Two years experience at the level of BS-21 is considered sufficient experience. The condition will help in promotion of officers of Occupational Groups/Service other than DMG also, the spokesman added.
PR. No. 369
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT MEETS MEDIA PERSONS
Islamabad August 27, 2010President Asif Ali Zardari urged the national media to play its role in creating a climate of public opinion whereby the flood catastrophe was converted into an opportunity to retrieve our rivers, replenish underground water reservoirs and devise a long term anti flood and anti – disaster strategy.
This he said during a dinner meeting with selected representatives of print and electronic media here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Friday night.
Those who attended the meeting included Mr. Hamid Mir, Mr. Najam Setti, Mr. Mubbasher Luqman, Rana Mubbasher, Mr. Nazir Najji, Mr. Arif Nizami and Mr. Aftab Iqbal. Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for information and broadcasting, Ms Farahnaz Ispahani, MNA, Fauzia Wahab, MNA, Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar and Mr. Taimor Azmat Osman, Press Secretary to the President were also present during the meeting.
The Spokesperson to the President Mr. Farhatullah Babar while briefing media about the meeting said that matters regarding flood damages, measures for the relief and rehabilitation of flood victims, role of media in relief efforts and ways and means to further streamline the relief operations came under discussion during the meeting.
The spokesperson said that the President said that floods had also provided us an opportunity to rethink and re-strategise our priorities. One thought that comes to my mind is to find ways to channel the flood discharge into deserts to replenish the subsoil water reservoirs for use in drought conditions, the president said adding that he had advised the government to appoint a Master Consultant to work and strategise plans and estimates.
The President said that the devastating floods have posed unprecedented challenge to the nation but the colossal damage to lives, property, agriculture livestock and infrastructure could only be met with the collective and concerted efforts of the government, the general public, Pakistani community abroad and the support and assistance by the UN and international community.
Farhatullah Babar said that the President apprised the media representatives about the government efforts including his interaction with the representatives of business community, Banks, financial institutions, donor agencies and world leaders to muster support and assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims. The government have also decided to call international donors’ conference in Islamabad next month to seek optimum support of the world community not only for the initial stage of relief of flood victims but also for the rebuilding and reconstruction phase.
The President while welcoming the support of world community said that the assistance by the international community was a short term measure to take control of the prevailing situation however the long-term panacea to compensate such astounding loss consisted of allowing enhanced market access for Pak products, according preferential trade facilities, creating ROZs and more investments in the country. He said that the democratic Government has always preferred trade over temporary aid packages to recuperate the losses caused initially by war against militancy and now the devastating floods.
The president informed the journalists that Foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had been depute to brief the Foreign ministers of EU countries meeting in Brussels on September 11 about the flood situation and to persuade them to grant market access to Pakistani goods. Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, defence minister will also accompany the Foreign minister. Farhatullah Babar quoted the President as saying that henceforth Pakistan will pursue the market access as one point, unfocussed agenda for talks with EU.
