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PR. No. 261 The meeting of Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee for sighting the moon of Shawal, 14229 Hijri will be held on Saturday, the 2nd August, 2008 (29th Rajab, 1429) in the Radio Pakistan, Express Road, Lahore whereas the Zonal/District Ruet-e-Hilal Committees will hold the meetings at their respective headquarters on the same date and time. **DDK/Ahmad**
PR. No. 262 Federal Minister for Labour, Manpower & Overseas Pakistanis, Syed Khursheed Ahmad Shah has emphasized the relevance of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in addressing the contemporary challenges of foreign occupation, racism, terrorism, unilateralism and economic inequities. Addressing the 15th Ministerial meeting of NAM in Tehran, the Federal Minister highlighted Pakistan’s resolve to eradicate terrorism and extremism, despite daunting challenges it is facing. While commenting on the security situation in the Middle East, the Minister called for enhanced efforts to end the occupation of Palestinian territories. By addressing the Palestinian issue, the spiral of violence and insecurity could be replaced with durable peace and stability in the Middle East, he said. The Minister declared that Pakistan was against unilateral use of force anywhere in the world. He urged peaceful resolution of Iran’s nuclear issue in accordance with international law and through engagement and negotiations. He also underlined the Government of Pakistan’s commitment to ensure protection of the political, civil, social, economic and cultural rights of all both at domestic and international levels. While mentioning several social and economic challenges including international trade negotiations, food crisis and climate change, the Minister urged NAM to revitalize its efforts to address these problems. MSG/Ahmad
PR. No. 263 President Pervez Musharraf has said that peace and development in the backward areas of FATA should be in line with the wishes of the tribal people, who want to see the region come at par with other developed areas of the country. He made these remarks while talking to a delegation of FATA MNAs who called on him here today. The President emphasized that this was possible only when there was total peace and harmony in that area. Therefore, the President underscored the need for strengthening the local political and administrative structure. The members of the delegation said that during his wide interaction with world leaders, think-tanks and media, President Musharraf successfully removed the misperception that had been created by a section of the Western media about FATA. They said that effective social service delivery should be ensured through improvement of existing and creation of new infrastructure, opening up of new areas and creation of economic opportunities through improved network of roads and bridges to create more job opportunities and to contribute to the social emancipation of the local people. **AJ/Ahmad**
PR. No. 264 Acting Chairman Senate, Mr. Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali has exhorted the Muslim Ummah to shun its petty differences and foil the conspiracies of those forces who are trying to show seeds of disunity among the Muslim countries. He made these observations while speaking as Chief guest at a function organized by Khana-e-Farhang-e-Iran in connection with an exhibition of rare Quranic manuscripts here. Mr. Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali said that Quran is a complete code of life which Almighty Allah provided us through the Holy Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). He exhorted the Muslims to follow the Islamic teachings as enshrined in the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet. Therein lies our salvation, added Mr. Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali. Mr. Jamali, however, expressed satisfaction that some people were still patronizing Islamic culture such as Quranic calligraphy and in this connection appreciated the work being done by Khana-e-Farhang-e-Iran. The Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Mashhallah Shakeri, speaking on the occasion observed that the Holy Quran had been and will always remain a source of inspiration for the Muslims. Earlier, the Acting Chairman Senate witnessed the exhibition of rare manuscripts of the Holy Quran.
PR. No. 265 Senate Standing Committee on Information Technology has observed that despite repeated assurances, the mobile phone companies and their franchises continue to violate the rules and regulations laid down by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for issuance of SIMs. The Committee met at the Parliament House today under the Chairmanship of Senator Abdul Raziq for discussing the procedure adopted by the PTA regarding issuance of new mobile phone SIMs. Members of the Committee pointed out that a lately incidents of kidnapping for ransom, theft and car lifting etc are on rise because of undocumented and unverified mobile phone connections. It noted with concern that the cell phone companies were introducing such packages and incentives for the users, which clearly violate our social and ethical norms. The Committee directed the PTA to take appropriate steps in this regard and immediately ban publicizing such packages that flout the social norms and customs of our society. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Abdul Raziq Khan presented several hundred mobile SIMs of different cellular companies and said that all these SIMs have been purchased from the market without submitting any documents. The Committee disagreed with the PTA on the system introduced for the verification of new cell phone connections and said that several flaws still existed in the system, which need to be rectified. The Committee further directed the PTA that in case of violation, the cell phone operator should be penalized instead of the franchiser or the retailer. The Committee appreciated the growth in the cell phone industry however, reiterated not to compromise on the national security and vowed to make all out efforts to bring improvements in the system in the best national interests. Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Information Technology agreed with the Committee that there were several lacunas in the existing verification system and assured that efforts would be made to streamline the things at appropriate level. While discussing the procedure adopted by the M/o IT for nomination of academic nominee in which KIIT was nominated in 2006, the Senate Committee directed the Ministry not to violate the laid down procedure as the ones nominated in 2006 were not based on merit. Earlier, Chairman PTA informed that policy directives have been issued to make the verification process simpler and more effective and all sales were being made as per the guidelines of the PTA. He also explained the procedure for the verification of the mobile SIMs and its physical demonstration. He said that the verification system has been deployed between the mobile companies and NADRA and the service agreement between NADRA and CMTOs was under review. He assured that all out efforts would be made to clean this profitable sector of the black sheep. The meeting was attended by Senators Muhammad Amjad Abbas, Sardar Mehmud Khan, Saleem Saifullah Khan, Engr. Rashid Ahmed, Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi, Mrs. Rukhsana Zuberi, Muhammad Azam Sawati and Dr. Javiad Laghari besides senior officials of the M/o IT, PTA and cell phone companies.
PR. No. 266 Meeting to review cost of production of cement and its prices was held in the Ministry of Industries and Production (MOIP) here today. Meeting was called on the instructions of Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo Advisor to Prime Minister/ Minister for Industries and Production (MOIP) to convey Government’s concern about the increasing prices of cement. Meeting was chaired by Additional Secretary MOIP Mr. Javed Malik. An APCMA (All Pakistan Cement Manufacturers Association) delegation led by its acting Chairman Maj. Gen. ® Rehmat Khan also participated in the meeting. A detailed discussion was held on cost of production of cement and its prices. The MOIP officials told the meeting that Government wants to ensure the availability of cement at affordable rates in the domestic market so that construction activities are not hampered. The Acting Chairman APCMA was of the view that increases in prices of coal, furnace oil; packing material etc. in international market have caused an increase in the input cost. APCMA also informed that cement is available in sufficient quantity and as such there is no shortage. It was decided that APCMA will provide further details/break-up of cost of production in the next meeting for further analysis of MOIP. Next meeting will be held on Monday.
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