PR. No. 370
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: August 28 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has urged the international organizations to assist Pakistan in the relief and rehabilitation of the flood affected population particularly in efforts to prevent outbreak of epidemics. He said that there are immediate requirements of tents, packed food, drinking water, mobile clinics fitted with diagnostics equipments and medicines to quell the threat of epidemics in the affected areas.
The Prime Minister was talking to Mr. Omer Tasli, Director General of the Turkish Red Cresent Society who called on him along with a delegation at PM’s House here this morning.
The Prime Minister while recalling the valuable contributions of the Turkish Red Cresent Society in the relief, rescue and rehabilitation during the 2005 earthquake, hoped that in the present natural calamity they would exhibit the same kind of spirit. He said that the Government is determined to turn this challenge into an opportunity for rebuilding the flood affected areas.
The Prime Minister underlined the need of imparting training to the Pakistani Red Cresent Society and other organizations to make them more effective to handle such natural disasters.
The Prime Minister thanked the Turkish government for their assistance to mitigate the sufferings of their Pakistani brethren in this hour of trial. He specially mentioned the scheduled visit of the Ms. Tayyap Erdogan, wife of the Turkish Prime Minister to Pakistan early next month in this regard.
Mr. Omer Tasli informed the Prime Minister that the Turkish Red Cresent Society has been providing assistance in the relief and rescue operation in Nowshera and Muzaffargarh by establishing shelters, providing food packs and medical treatment to the flood affectees. He said that the scope of operation is now broadened and more affected areas of Southern Punjab are being included for this purpose. He apprised that two mobile hospitals, one thousand and two hundred tons of fruit and two thousand tents would be reaching in the coming days which would be distributed in the Southern Punjab.
The Prime Minister while applauding the initiatives of the Turkish Red Cresent, said that he would ask Ms. Hinna Rabbani Khar to coordinate the relief and rehabilitation activities in the Southern Punjab.
The Turkish Red Cresent Delegation included Mr. Hakki Erosy, Country Representative and Mr. Alpe Iluca, Rehabilitation Programme Coordinator.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 371
PRESS RELEASE
Maulana Fazal ur Rehman Called on Prime Minister
Islamabad: August 28 2010:Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that after the relief and rescue a huge task before the government would be the rehabilitation of the flood affected people and the restoration of the main infrastructure including the communication network that has been damaged by the floods. He said that it is the time when all the political parties, civil society and patriotic forces have to extend a helping hand to supplement the Government’s relief and rehabilitation efforts.
He was talking to JUI (F) Amir, Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman who called on him at PM’s House here this afternoon.
The Prime Minister said the government is utilizing all its resources to mitigate the suffering of the flood affected people, adding that with joint efforts, commitment and strong will, the sufferings of the people of flood affected areas can be minimized. He said that although the devastation caused by floods in terms of damages and losses has surpassed the devastation caused by the 2005 earthquake, yet the spirit and determination of the nation has not diminished in facing the challenge effectively.
Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman appreciated the efforts of the government in bringing together all the political forces to work for the common national cause of protecting the flood affectees. He assured all possible support on behalf of his party to help mitigate the difficulties of the affected people.
**PMCO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 372
PRESS RELEASE
MINISTER for PRIVATIZATION present a cheque of Rs.200 million for PM’s Relief Fund
Islamabad: August 28 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has appreciated the spirit of government and non-government organizations for coming forward to help their countrymen in this time of dire need. He said that this is the true face of Pakistani nationalism that the entire population is concerned about others.
He expressed these views on the occasion of the cheque presentation by the Minister for Privatization Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan who along with a delegation of Privatization Commission called on him to present a cheque on behalf of the Commission worth Rs. 200 million for the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
The Prime Minister thanked for the gesture of the employees of the Privatization Commission.
**PMCO/Ahmad**
PR. No. 373
PRESS RELEASE
PEMRA ACTION AGAINST DEFIANT CABLE OPERATORS / ILLEGAL CHANNELS
Islamabad: August 28, 2010PEMRA, in a recent drive closed more than 43 different illegal channels and took action against number of defiant cable operators across the country for distributing un-licensed channels. This is in addition to 53 channels of various genre closed by the Authority couple of months back. The illegal channels closed by the Authority also includes some religious channels as well as popular entertainment and sports channels.
The action would pave way for PEMRA licensed channels on distribution networks which were other-wise being ignored. PEMRA has issued a list of eligible channels containing 83 Pakistani origin channels and 28 foreign channels registered with the Authority to be strictly complied by all cable operators. The cable operators are also bound to relay national broadcaster (PTV) channels which are mandatory under PEMRA law, stated the press release issued by PEMRA.
PEMRA strongly rebutted that no legal or licensed channel has been closed in country as being mis-reported by some channels to fetch undue public sympathies. In this recent bid, PEMRA enforcement team raided head-ends of more than 20 cable operators in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Lahore, Rawalpindi and impounded all gadgets being used in illegal operation. In addition operations of 03 cable operators were completely seized last night at Missa Kaswal, Dina and Jhelum city on account of repeat violations.
PEMRA affirmed that such actions would continue till the complete clean sweep of illegalities in electronic media.
PR. No. 374
PRESS RELEASE
PM CHAIRS A SPECIAL MEETING TO REVIEW THE PERFORMANCE OF BISP, BAITUL MAL AND M/O ZAKAT AND USHAR
Islamabad: August 28, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said the major task before the government is to ensure shelter to the flood affected people before Eid and to this end a comprehensive strategy is being designed.
He expressed these views in a special meeting held to review the performance of Benazir Income Support Programme, the Pakistan Baitul Mal and the Ministry of Zakat and Ushar vis a vis rehabilitation of the flood affectees here at PM’s house this afternoon.
Underlining the importance of institutional arrangement for the disbursement of relief goods and funds, the Prime Minister said that grey areas should be identified so that maximum transparency could be ensured in all phases of rehabilitation. He said that concerted and coordinated efforts are required by all the stakeholders to achieve the desired goals.
Highlighting the important role of the BISP, Pakistan Baitul Mal and Ministry of Zakat and Ushar, the Prime Minister asked them to work in unison in the light of policy parameters determined by the government to cope with the challenge. He said that public representatives should be taken on board and must be involved in the distribution of funds among the flood affectees.
Earlier Chairperson BISP, Ms. Farzana Raja, Chairman Baitula Mal, Mr. Zamurd Khan and Secretary M/o Zakat and Ushar, Mr. Khalid Idress briefed the Prime Minister on the contribution of their respective organizations in helping the flood affected people in different parts of the country.
