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PR No. 1 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani met and congratulated the Chairman and members of Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Reforms at Parliament House today. On arrival at Parliament House he embraced the Chairman, Mian Raza Rabbani and members of the Committee. He lauded their hard work, political sagacity and commitment in producing the draft of Constitution Reforms unanimously agreed by all parties. He complimented the Committee for the tedious work and dialogue in a democratic spirit which helped to reach on understanding. The whole nation, he said, is proud of their political leadership and their representatives in the Committee. **PMCO/Ahmad**
PR No. 2 The Chairmen and Chairpersons of the various Senate Committees have said that the US must strive to emerge as a dependable friend and credibility by making conscious efforts to address the genuine concerns of the Government and the people of Pakistan. They were talking to a US Congressional delegation headed by Rep.David Price, Chairman, House Democracy Partnership (HDP), which called on them at the Parliament House last evening. The Senators included S.M Zafar, Syed Tahir Hussain Mashahadi, Ilyas Ahmed Bilour, Muhammad Kazim Khan, Nawabzada Lashkari Raisani, Gul Muhammad Lot, Abdul Nabi Bangash and Mrs. Sameen Siddiqui. The Special Secretary Senate, Iftikhar Ullah Babar was also present on the occasion. They said that Pakistan of today is very different from Pakistan of yesterday; today we have a free media and an awakened public, which cannot be fed perpetually on promises only. ‘Pakistan’s legitimate concerns like those relating to insistence on special screening of its nationals at the US airports, drone attacks, preference to India in trade and civilian nuclear technology, textile quota restrictions, lack of progress on ROZs etc need to be addressed without delay for a quantum jump in our relations, they observed. “Pak US relations must look beyond the narrow paradigms of security and war on terror”, they emphasized. A number of Senators said that a perception is gaining ground that the US has always used Pakistan for achieving its geo-strategic objectives and then abandoned the country. “Trust deficit has to be removed for giving a fresh orientation to our relations in the light of new realities and in consonance with the requirements of the 21st Century”, they added. We should try to make a break from the past. Long lasting friendship cannot be established unless we have long term goals, shared values and objectives, they added. They said that closer interaction between the Parliaments and the Parliamentarians of the two countries is an important means to setup friction-free relations.Senator S.M.Zafar, Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Education highlighted the need to promote education and literacy in the country and to help establish libraries, which would ultimately help bring about enlightenment of minds, Broader vision and outlook. Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashahadi recounted Pakistan services in the global war on terror and said that despite colossal losses in men and material, the country’s commitment to combat terror remains strong and firm. Mrs. Seemen Siddique said no Pakistani was involved in 9-11 yet humiliating procedures were slapped on 14 countries including Pakistan, which is a friend and ally of the US. “It should have been across the board”. Other Senators added that the Human Rights violations in IHK and Palestine always go unchecked in the US and the West and there is a dire need to address the real causes of terrorism particularly poverty, injustice and deprivation. The US needs to understand that all Muslims are not terrorists and generalizations should not prevail over logic and rationality in decision making, they maintained. The Leader of the US delegation underscored the need to promote people to people contact between the two countries and apologized for the treatment mattered out to a group of Pakistani Parliamentarians in the US some time back. He said that we are entrusted in long-lasting parliamentary contacts and we are here to promote greater interaction between the Parliaments of the two countries. We are keen to develop capacity building of the legislators and parliamentary support staff by all possible means. He promised to convey the concerns on body screening and said that alternative procedures are also being worked out. He endorsed that the sensitivities of friends and allies must be taken due care of. Later the US delegation also called on the Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production led by Lt. Gen. ( R) Javed Ashraf Qazi wherein matters relating to further strengthening and broadening of Pak-US defence relations came under discussion. Speaking on the occasion, Gen. Qazi said that inclusion of Pakistan into 14 countries selected for screening amounts to racial profiling. He also pointed out whenever the Defence Committee visits US, we expect reciprocal visits/ meetings as were accorded to the US delegation here. He also explained the working of the Defence Committee. Rep. David Price commended the sacrifices made by the country in the war on terror adding that they would go down in history as an epoch making episode. He hoped for more interaction between Parliament and Committees on both sides to their mutual advantage. RAQ/Tariq
PR No. 3 The Constitutional Reforms Committee led by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani, Advisor to the Prime Minister called on the Chairman Senate, Mr. Farooq H. Naek in the Parliament House and presented a copy of the report to him, here today. Speaking on the occasion the Chairman Senate termed the report of the Constitutional Reforms Committee as a historic and consensus document. “The Committee has done a great job to produce an historic consensus document after the 1973 Constitution of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. The Committee has removed all the distortions brought by the dictators in the 1973 Constitution which no dictator dare abrogate”, the Chairman Senate added. The Chairman was all-praise for the Chairman of the Committee Senator Mian Raza Rabbani saying that no one else could produce such a consensus document symbolizing the policy of reconciliation of the PPP. “This is remarkable achievement of Senator Raza Rabbani which will ensure country’s smooth political and constitutional evolution which is an outcome of national reconciliation. Farooq H. Naek congratulated all the Members of the Constitutional Reforms Committee representing all shades of political opinion for burning midnight oil to reach at such a historic consensus to produce this document. While presenting a copy of the report to the Chairman Senate, Senator Raza Rabbani applauded the efforts of all the Members of the Committee to resolve all the disputes to produce a consensus document after the continuous hard work and labour for more than nine months. “I have no words to praise the tremendous effort, forthrightness and devotion of each and every Member of the Committee to remove all hurdles in the way of brining about this consensus document during the days of turbulent political atmosphere, through dialogue and reconciliation which are essence of democracy. Historians will recognize the efforts of all Members of the Committee who were part of effort of revisiting the Constitution of 1973 after 37 years”, Raza Rabbani said. RAQ/Tariq
PR No. 4 Mr. Hafeezullah Cheema has assumed the charge of post of Advisor in BPS-22 in the Ministry of Labour and Manpower on contract basis for two years on 27-03-2010. According to a notification issued by the M/O Labour and Manpower on March 27, 2010 the Prime Minister has approved his appointment as Advisor in BPS-22 in the M/O Labour and Manpower on contract basis for a period of two years. MSG/Tariq
PR No. 5 A delegation of the World Bank, led by Ms. Isabel M. Guerrero, Vice President South Asia Region called on Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser to PM on Finance at the Ministry of Finance here today. During the meeting, the delegation was briefed about the state of Pakistan’s economy, challenges faced by the national economy, and the present government’s economic reforms initiatives. Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Adviser to PM on Finance, speaking on the occasion appreciated the positive role of the World Bank in economic development of Pakistan. He said that Pakistan and World Bank have excellent relations and expressed the hope that the Bank would continue assisting Pakistan in the national economic development process in future. Ms. Isabel Guerrero, Vice President, South Asia Region of World Bank appreciated the Pakistani government’s initiatives to reform the national economy. She said that the World Bank attaches great importance to its linkages with Pakistan. She assured the Pakistani government of the World Bank’s continued cooperation in its economic development. **KS/Ahmad**
PR No. 6 Renexus, a renowned company of Malaysia dealing in water treatment plants, construction infrastructure development and information and communication technology, is willing to invest around US$500 million in Pakistan for building water treatment plants on Built, Own and Operate (BOO) basis, says a press release received here today from Malaysia. This was stated by Mr. John Klerr, Executive Chairman of Renexus during his meeting with Acting High Commissioner for Pakistan in Malaysia, Dr. Imtiaz Ahmad Kazi in Kuala Lumpur, today. While giving detail of the investment proposal, Mr. Klerr said that the Renexus was ready to build water treatment plants at various locations in Pakistan, specially in the province of Punjab aimed at providing potable water for public as well for industrial use According to the proposal, he said that Renexus will arrange all the required funding to built, Own and Operate the water plants and sell the water in bulk to the government-related agencies, who in their turn, would effect the distribution to the end user and collect utility charges. The Acting High Commissioner suggested Mr. Klerr to increase the scope of their investment to other areas in the country like Province of Balochistan, Sindh and NWFP and Industrial city of Karachi which are also facing shortage of safe and clean water. Mr. Klerr also said that Renexus is interested to Built, Own and Transfer (BOT) mass housing schemes in identified areas of Pakistan provided that sovereign guarantees is given to them to ensure security of their investment. Executive chairman said that Renexus has the expertise and capabilities to construct a model township with 20,000 unites equipped with green technology and complete with modern amenities such as recreational facilities, shopping areas, sewerage and waste management, Mosque playing ground, communication and transportation network. He said once first experiment is approved, Renexus can build 100,000 housing units in Pakistan within five years to help Pakistan to overcome the acute shortage of housing. The Executive Chairman also informed that Renexus was in touch with the state government of Perak, Malaysia to construct a modern automated standard abattoir in Pakistan in order to provide bulk supply of Pakistani mutton and beef to Malaysia of which there was great demand and market in this region. The Acting High Commissioner appreciate the initiatives and prospects envisioned by the Renexus as very useful and mutually beneficial. He assured the Executive Chairman that the High Commission will communicate Renexus proposals to the concerned quarters in Pakistan. The meeting was also attended by Commercial Counselor for Pakistani High Commission Mr. Wajiullah Kundi and Press Attache, Mr. Qamar Bashir. **QB/Ahmad**
Advisor to Prime Minister for Information Technology, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa has said the government is fully sensitive to the requirements of Information Technology in the country and in order to make Pakistan a knowledge based society, a wide range of measures are being taken. The advisor expressed these views while talking to a four member delegation of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry which called on him under the chairmanship of its President Abdul Majid Haji Mohammad here on Thursday. President of Karachi Electronic Dealers Association, Muhammad Idrees was also accompanying he delegation. The delegation discussed the issue of ban on the import of used computers and Information Technology accessories with the Advisor, which he strongly contradicted and added: “Neither any direction came from the presidency and nor the ministry of Information Technology sent any recommendation to impose ban on the import of secondhand computers in the country”. The delegation demanded to lower tariff on import of secondhand computers. The Advisor assured the delegation that their suggestion will be considered and proposal will be sent to abolish the tax which will further lower the price and make it accessible expanding the network of users of computers. Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa said broadband proliferation is being undertaken to provide the requisite Information Technology infrastructure to facilitate IT education and applications through out the country. “A host of proposals are being worked out to introduce ‘Import Substitution Regime’ with the help of foreign and local investors to start local manufacturing of computers and IT related equipment at affordable price,” the Advisor added. The delegate offered the Advisor to the Prime Minister to visit Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on the eve of Investment Conference to be held in Karachi. The Advisor pleased to accept the offer and promised to visit Karachi MA/Tariq
President Asif Ali Zardari has called upon the international donor agencies to support democratic government for strengthening of its economy and help in overcoming severe energy and water crisis. The President said that the democratic Government had taken difficult and unpopular decisions for economic recovery. This he said during a meeting with Vice President World Bank Ms. Isabel Guerrero who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr today. Mr. Yusupha B. Crookes, Country Director, Mr. Thomas Buckley, Senior Country Officer for Pakistan, Satu Kahkonen, lead Economist, were also present during the meeting. From Pakistan side, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Economic Advisor, Malik Asif Hayat, Secretary to the President, Secretaries Finance and Economic Affair Division were also present. The President called upon the Bank to consider financing energy and water sector projects in Pakistan. He said that severe energy and water crisis were adversely affecting the economy and urged the Vice President to highlight various economic measures of Pakistan Government to the international financial institutions to help solicit greater economic support for Pakistan. The President said that the democratic Government inherited weak economy and its resources were drained as a result of ongoing war against militancy. It was now the moral obligation of the international community to step forward and help Pakistan compensate its colossal loss in terms of financial as well as human resources, the President said. Ms. Isabel Guerrero briefed the President about various projects of the Bank and thematic areas of financing by the Bank in Pakistan.
PR No. 9 Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Mr. Vladimir Norov called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr today. Uzbek ambassador Mr. Oybek Arif Usmanov and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Malik Ammad Ahmed Khan were also present during the meeting besides senior officials. The President during the meeting said that Pakistan attaches great importance to cementing bilateral friendly relations with Uzbekistan. He said that the present democratic government believes in opening a new chapter of our relationship with Central Asian States especially Uzbekistan based on mutual interests and cooperation. We must take full advantage of our geographic proximity, shared cultural heritage to enhance cooperation in trade, commerce and culture, the President emphasized. He said that the vision of the present government of establishing energy and infrastructure connectivity with Central Asian Republics can only be materialized through enhancing multifaceted cooperation for the mutual interests of both the countries. He said that Uzbekistan has an important role to play in promoting peace and security of the region. Being contiguous neighbor of Afghanistan—another brotherly country—Uzbekistan can not only contribute towards peace and stability but also development of transport and energy corridor which would facilitate promotion of economic stability and peace of the region, the President remarked. President Zardari said that Pakistan offers most convenient and suitable medium for Uzbekistan for promotion and boosting of its economy by taking full advantage of the Gwader Port facility. He said that the trade between the two countries which stands at around US $15.06 million as per year 2008-9 figures is yet to realize its true potential. There is a need to undertake joint measures including promotion of business linkages and facilitation of interaction among corporate sectors of the tow countries to realize the full potential of bilateral trade and economic relations, the President said. President Asif Ali Zardari during his meeting with the Uzbek Foreign Minister also said that Pakistan desires to have full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to strengthen Pakistan’s engagement with the organization for promoting peace and development in the region. It may be noted that Uzbekistan currently holds the Presidency/Chairmanship of SCO. The President said that Pakistan would appreciate Uzbekistan support to Pakistan in this regard. He said that being a key player in the international war against terror, Pakistan is ready to be associated with SCO’s Regional Counter-Terrorism structure which is currently based in Tashkent.
PR No. 10 The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Syed Samsam Ali Bokhari and Secretary Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Mansoor Sohail have felicitated the newly elected office bearers of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS). In his message to the newly elected President APNS, Mr. Hameed Haroon, the Federal Minister said, “I am glad to learn that you have been elected as the President of APNS. I am sure under your able leadership, the APNS would work towards resolution of the problems faced by the newspaper industry and further improve government-press relations. I hope the APNS would play active role in promotion of healthy journalism in the country and strengthening of the media as an institution. Let me assure you that the PPP led coalition government believes in freedom of press and has demonstrated exemplary tolerance in this regard. We believe that free media is a prerequisite for strengthening of democracy. I hope that under your stewardship, APNS would play its due role in the development and promotion of media industry and healthy journalism in the country. Please convey my best wishes to all newly elected office bearers of APNS”, Mr. Kaira said. In a separate message to the newly elected Secretary General, APNS Syed Sarmad Ali, the Federal Minister said, “it is heartening to note that you have been elected Secretary General of the prime newspaper body. I am sure that your experience, expertise and managerial acumen would help further promote the government-press relations”. In his messages to the President and Secretary General, APNS, Syed Samsam Ali Bokhari, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting highlighted the role played by APNS in the growth of newspaper industry. He held the assurance to the newly elected office bearers of APNS that the Information Ministry would take all possible steps to help the media industry and serve as a catalyst to promote the cause of free media. Secretary, Information and Broadcasting in his messages to Mr. Hameed Haroon and Syed Sarmad Ali said, “it gives me immense pleasure to know that a majority of the member publications of APNS has reposed their confidence in your able leadership. Please accept my heartiest felicitations. May I also take this opportunity to assure you that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting would extend all possible cooperation to further improve and strengthen the good relationship between the press and the government”. PIO, Mr. Rashid Ahmad has also congratulated the newly elected office bearers of APNS. **DO/Ahmad**
PR No. 11 Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo has congratulated President of Pakistan, Syed Asif Ali Zardari, PM Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Speaker NA, Fahmida Mirza, Chairman Senate, Chairman Constitutional Reforms Committee, Raza Rabbani, all provinces and the nation on the signing of 18th Amendment Constitutional Package Draft. The Minister was happy over the consensus based draft. He particularly congratulated Senator Raza Rabbani for this uphill task. AZA/Tariq
PR No. 12 A number of public complaints were received regarding false and misleading press advertisements issued by Institute of Health Sciences (IHS) an NGO registered under the Society Act. IHS signed an MoU with Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) four months ago, under which both the organizations were to jointly organize training courses and seminars for paramedical staff and doctors. Though the NGO has been registered as not for profit organization, the IHS started advertising different certificate and diploma courses in the field of health management using the logo of Government of Pakistan as well as PNCA thereby attracting many innocent health partitions. Heavy fees were being charged from the applicants who were awarded diploma or certificate, though the Institute was not authorized by any federal or provincial Regulatory Authority to issue such certificates complaints were received in the office of the Minister for Science and Technology two Days ago. Senator Muhammad Azam Khan Swati, Minister for Science and Technology taking a serious view of the situation has ordered a through probe into the matter and directed that a comprehensive report be submitted within 07 days. The Minister also directed that no official however high would be spared if found guilty. Minister also had meeting with IHS today and declared the practices of IHS as scam. Advertisements found to be false and misleading to General Public as well as to Medical community. He informed public to be aware of such NGO and directed IHS to stop using PNAC or Ministry name on its website forthwith upon the outcome of inquiry the case will be handed over to FIA. Minister also found that IHS clearly violated the Terms of MOU. The result of inquiry will be known to public in 7 days. **AJ/Tariq**
PR No. 13 Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal has assured the farmers of the country that the present government would purchase the wheat from the farmers at the announced support price. He added that agriculture is the backbone of the country and the present government would not leave the farmers at the mercy of the exploiters. The minister was presiding over a meeting of the Wheat Procurement Advisory Board here at Islamabad, which was also attended by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Giligit-Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Watto, Minister of Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and Housing Minister Rehmatullah Kakar. Mr. Gondal said that the government will not dispose off the available stocks of wheat at the present and asked the provincial food departments and PASSCO to take care of the stocks. He said that there is no inter-provincial restriction on the movement of wheat in the country. The minister categorically stated that wheat would never be subsided locally as that would result in the distortion of the market mechanism. He said that surplus wheat is the result of good support price to the farmers and the government would continue to support the poor farmers of the land. The government has set the target of 7.5 million tons of wheat to be procured this year. The government has stocks of 4.4 million tons available (as of March 29) at present. The representative of the Finance ministry informed the meeting that the ministry will provide the cash to provinces and PASSCO for procurement and there will be no issue of the non-availability of cash for the purchase wheat. It was decided in the meeting that Punjab should review its decision of partial purchase (8 bags per acre) from the farmers as that could discourage the bumper crop production in the province. The meeting aimed at reviewing the preparations made for the procurement of wheat. Secretary and additional secretary Minfa, secretary Finance, M.D PASSCO, and representative from all the provinces also attended the meeting. **MS/Ahmad**
PR No. 14 Federal Minister for Education Sardar Assef Ahmed Ali Thursday chaired a meeting with provincial/area education secretaries and managing directors of National and Provincial Education Foundation and discussed various areas of education for seeking assistance.
The meeting discussed various proposals for betterment of the
education system and to raises the standards of
education institute in the country. The issue of up-gradation of Primary Schools to Secondary level to increase access especially for females in the rural areas was also discussed and it was suggested to provide stipends to students at school level to arrest dropouts and increase retention rate. Through Public-Private Partnership, the projects like Education Voucher Scheme (Punjab Education Foundation Model) should be launched to support to low fee – charging private schools. The meeting also suggested introducing Assessment of Student Learning Achievements to enhance quality of education. During the meeting the Federal Minister for Education has approved a comprehensive proposal on the establishment of 127 National Technical Training Centre programme (at least one at each district of the country). These centres will provide the state of the art training ranging from soft skills (language, social engineering etc) to highly technical areas of IT fabrication, operation and maintenance of heavy machinery, modern agriculture skills according to the local and national needs. The choice of skills/technical training to be offered will be decided according to the requirements of the local market/industry and the availability of raw material/natural resources. These centres will arrest the dropout in the education and will provide opportunities for employable skills making education to yield economic benefits. This will help reduce frustration and agony among the educated youth thus making them more skilled and productive. The initiative at an estimated cost of US$ 692 million has already been approved by the CDWP and the provinces have already conveyed their concurrence for the same. Initially the project would be financed by the Government of Pakistan in collaboration with international partners/donors. These Centres will become self sustaining/income generating after a period of five years and will be taken up by the provinces/areas accordingly. **AJ/Ahmad**
PR No. 15 Chairman Senate Mr. Farooq H. Naek showered encomiums on the Members of the Constitutional Reforms Committee headed by Mian Raza Rabbani for momentous work done in the form of proposed 18th Amendment in the Constitution, in a message released here today. The Chairman Senate termed the report of the Constitutional Reforms Committee as a historic and consensus document showing political will and genius of the people of Pakistan represented by the Parliament. “The leadership of all the political parties represented in the Parliament have shown great political acumen, devotion and sincerity of purpose to reform Constitution to keep the political and democratic processes on track. They deserve heartiest congratulations and profound gratitude of the whole nation on this singular achievement”, the message says. The Chairman Senate also added in the message that across the board consensus among all the political shades of opinion on the package of amendments without hurting the basic structure of 1973 Constitution is a very positive omen for the democratic system and sovereignty of the Parliament in Pakistan . “I have no words to praise the tremendous effort, forthrightness and devotion of each and every Member of the Committee to remove all hurdles in the way of brining about this consensus document during the days of turbulent political atmosphere, through dialogue and reconciliation which are essence of democracy. I have full belief that the broad-based political consensus achieved for bringing about these amendments in the Constitution will be maintained to resolve all issues of national importance” the message says.
A delegation of the Pakistani Students studying in Cuba met Chairman Senate Mr. Farooq H. Naek in the Parliament House, here today and briefed him about issues related to Pakistani medical students in Cuba . This meeting was also attended by Senator S. M. Zafar, Chairman Standing Committee on Education, Dr. Sohail H. Naqvi, Executive Director (HEC), Prof. Dr. Riaz H. Qureshi, Advisor (HRD), Higher Education Commission, Secretary Senate, Raja Muhammad Amin and a representative from Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The issue of Pakistani students studying in Cuba on scholarship in the field of medicine was discussed in detail in the meeting. The Chairman Senate desired all concerns to resolve the problems of these students on priority basis.
PR
No. 17 Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar has said that the President has summoned joint session of Parliament on Monday April 05. The President will also address joint session of the Parliament on that day.
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