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Not to be published/broadcast/telecast before the morning of December 02, 2009
PR No. 257 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to the Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, on their National Day falling on December 02. In his message, the Prime Minister said: “On behalf of the people and the Government of Pakistan and on my own behalf, it gives me immense pleasure to extend heartiest and warmest greetings to Your Highness, the Government and the brotherly people of the United Arab Emirates on the auspicious occasion of the National Day of the United Arab Emirates. Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates enjoy close, cordial and cooperative relations in all fields. The bilateral cooperation has witnessed significant progress and diversification over the last many years. I am confident that our relations will further strengthen and consolidate to the mutual benefit of both countries in the years ahead under your wise and experienced leadership. I take this opportunity to convey our fraternal wishes for Your Highness’s good health and happiness and for the continued progress and prosperity of the people of the United Arab Emirates”. Not to be published/broadcast/telecast before the morning of December 02, 2009
PR No. 258 Federal Minister for Industries & Production Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo has expressed his deep sense of grief over the death of Dr Shamsher and his brother in a suicide attack at their guest room in Swat today. While expressing his sympathies with the leadership of ANP and members of the bereaved family, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, in his condolence message, said that the Federal Government stands shoulder to shoulder with the government and public of NWFP in this hour of trial. He prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and shower His blessings. May Allah grant courage and fortitude to bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
PR No. 259 Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi strongly condemned the dastardly suicide blast in Swat today, which resulted in the loss of precious lives. While terming the suicide attack as barbaric and inhuman, the Foreign Minister said that such reprehensible acts can never defeat our resolve to fight out terrorism and militancy. He expressed sympathy with the members of the bereaved families and prayed for early recovery of those who sustained injuries in the attack.
Mr. Albert Gerard (Bert) Koenders, Minister for Development Cooperation of Netherlands, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr today. Matters related to bilateral relations, economic cooperation, Pakistan-European Union Free Trade Agreement process, IDPs and FoDP were discussed during the meeting. President Asif Ali Zardari appreciated Netherlands’ support to Pakistan’s institutionalized links with the European Union, Pak-EU FTA process and in the interim GSP plus benefits. The President said that we believe that our partners in European Union can assist Pakistan by enabling the democratic government’s efforts for economic revival. He appreciated Netherlands assistance to the dislocated people in the NWFP this year and during the 2005 earthquake. The President strongly underlined the need for allowing market access to Pakistani manufacturers in the markets of European Union countries. He said that until the Pakistan-European Union FTA process was completed Pakistan needed to be given in the interim GSP plus benefits as a country seriously impacted adversely by the war against militancy. The President called for helping increase Pakistan’s exports and thereby strengthen its economy as the economic dividend to the people who have lost great economic opportunities due to war on terror. He said Pakistan was keen to have increased opportunities for trade with its partners rather than aid and dole outs. President Zardari also said that Pakistan looked forward to benefit from Netherlands expertise and technology in the areas of water management and energy. He hoped that Netherlands would encourage leading Dutch multinationals to expand their presence in Pakistan and other companies would take benefit of attractive and investment friendly opportunities being offered in the country. Mr. Albert Gerard (Bert) Koenders thanked the President for meeting the delegation and assured that Netherlands would continue its support to the democratic dispensation of Pakistan. H.E. Mr. Joost Reintjes, Ambassador (designate), Ms. Joke Brandt, DG International Cooperation Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Harry Van Dijk, Head of South Asia Department and other officials were also present during the meeting. Federal Minister for Finance Mr. Shoukat Tarin, Secretary General to the President Mr. Salman Faruqui, Foreign Secretary Mr. Salman Bashir and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar were also present during the meeting. SH/wh
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No. 261 President Asif Ali Zardari has appointed a committee of ministers and parliamentarians and tasked it to look into the problems of small traders and businessmen of Islamabad and Rawalpindi and submit its recommendations to the Government for redressing the issues facing the traders. The committee includes Interior Minister Mr. Rehman A. Malik, Minister for Industries Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Senator Nayyar Hussain Bokhari, Senator Babar Awan and Senator Faisal Raza Abidi. The President also advised the committee to make proposals for providing cheap financing to the small traders and also suggest structures so that the facility is not misused in the name of financial assistance to small traders. The committee should also examine the demand of the trading community for building a colony for them and legislation to regulate rent, the President said. The President made these announcements during a meeting with a delegation comprising of small businessmen/traders of Islamabad/Rawalpindi who called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Presidency today. President Asif Ali Zardari, during the meeting, appreciated the contributions made by small businessmen towards strengthening of national economy and said that small businessmen are invaluable asset of the country and the Government will facilitate them in all possible ways. The President said that the Government will also look into the demand of the traders and small business community for setting up a separate chamber for them. He said that Government is taking all possible measures to improve security situation in the country and to restore the confidence of the businessmen so that economic activity in the country is not hampered. He emphasized that the Government is focusing on policies directed towards putting economy on the path of sustainable growth. Protection of the poor and most vulnerable segments of the society is hallmark of our policies, he continued. President urged the business community to play their role in stepping up the economic activity. SH/wh
PR No. 262 The Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that by amending the National Command Authority Ordinance, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has taken another important step forward to implement Charter of Democracy (CoD) in its letter and spirit. According to the Ordinance, the President has delegated decision-making powers of NCA to the Prime Minister. In a statement issued here today, the Minister said the strengthening of democratic institutions and parliamentary democracy in the country, however, is being wrongly portrayed by some vested interest groups as weakening of the PPP-led coalition government. Dispelling the impression by some news analysts with regard to the amendment of NCA as the ‘surrender’ of power by the President, the Minister said that the initiative is the fulfillment of the PPP’s manifesto inspired by the dreams of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as well as the guiding principles of CoD. The Minister, in a detailed statement pointed out that the government was working to achieve the roadmap agreed by the two main political parties of the country in the Charter of Democracy (COD) signed between Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif on 14th May 2006 in London. He quoted extracts from the COD reaffirming “our commitment to democracy and universally recognized fundamental rights, the rights of a vibrant opposition, internal party democracy, ideological/political tolerance, bipartisan working of the parliament through powerful committee system, a cooperative federation with no discrimination against federating units, the devolution of power, maximum provincial autonomy, the empowerment of the people at the grassroots level, the emancipation of our people from poverty, ignorance, want and disease, the uplift of women and minorities, the elimination of Kalashnikov culture, a free media, an independent judiciary, a neutral civil service, rule of law and merit, the settlement of disputes with neighbours through peaceful means, honouring international contracts, laws/covenants and sovereign guarantees to achieve a responsible status through a foreign policy that suits our national interests”. The Minister said, some media spin doctors are trying to mislead the people by spreading rumours, speculations and wrong interpretation of facts to defame the leadership of the present government. He said the facts speak otherwise. The present government has achieved a number of landmarks in line with aspirations of the people and the spirit of COD leading to an enduring democracy in the country. Mr. Kaira enumerated some key successes achieved by the government which include the initiation of consultative and reconciliatory form of government by taking the elected representatives on board on all important issues like the war on terrorism, military operation against terrorists and empowerment of the Parliament through constitution of committee system to the extent that the leader of the opposition has been appointed as the Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The Minister referred to the constitutional committee under the leadership of senator Mian Raza Rabbani comprising all parties represented in the parliament to review and suggest amendments to the constitution distorted by the successive military and non-representative regimes. The Committee, the Minster said, has so far held 29 rigorous meetings to deliberate upon all contentious provisions inserted in the constitution through 17th amendment by the previous regime. The President has taken keen interest in expediting the process of committee proceedings and has already indicated to have the consensus document to be presented to the parliament in December. This is going to be another landmark achievement of the present government by taking the course of consultation for consensus-building on key issues of national importance, the Minister emphasised. The Minister said that the anti-government spin doctors try to belittle the achievements of the government with regard to progress made by the country in the socio-economic sector during the last 20 months. He referred to the restoration of peace in Swat and Malakand and exemplary handling of millions of IDPs from government’s own resources. Mr. Kaira said that the government has launched a number of schemes for alleviation of poverty, empowerment of women and employment to the unemployed. In this regard, he mentioned the launching of Benazir Income Support Programme worth Rs. 70 billion, Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme in more than 80 state owned enterprises, through which 12% shares worth more than Rs 110 billion have been given to employees, free of cost. Additionally, Benazir Green Tractors Scheme for small farmers, subsidy to the people in provision of about 70 items at the Utility Stores, increase in the minimum wages of the workers to Rs. 6,000/-, revival of trade unions through IRA 2009, restoration of thousands of sacked employees, regularization of contract employees, National Internship programme, increase in the salaries of government employees are some other steps taken by the government. Mr. Kaira further said that in addition to short term measures, the present government has also launched new policies in the field of education, textile, power, petroleum and natural resources. The Minister said that PPP leadership enjoys the credit of addressing the long outstanding issue of Balochistan. The President, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari personally offered apologies to the people of Balochistan for the injustices meted out by the previous regimes and we take pride in initiation of process for restoration of rights for people of Balochistan through Aghaz-e-Huqooq-e-Balochistan. The 39-point initiative of constitutional, political, administrative and economic reforms was recently presented in the joint sitting of the Parliament, which has won great applause from all corners of life including the nationalist leadership of the aggrieved province. This has restored the trust of the people of Balochistan in the federation of Pakistan which was eroded by the myopic and arbitrary policies of the past regimes. The present government, Mr. Kaira said, has also empowered the people of Gilgit-Baltistan by delegating 61 areas of legislation to the elected representatives of GB legislative assembly; and held free, fair and transparent elections participated by all major political parties. This has not only brought blooming democracy to the region rather has also demonstrated that democracy can neutralise parochial and sectarian divides of the society. The present government is not shy of facing the challenges; Mr. Kaira said and added, it has successfully resolved the issue of net hydel profit of NWFP and Gas Development Surchrage (GDS) to Balochistan. Our government, the Minister said has already paid Rs.10 billion out of total Rs 110 billion to NWFP and an amount of Rs.120 billion will be paid to Balochistan on GDS, Mr. Kaira said. It is important to note that the issue of GDS was pending since early 60s, which has only now been redressed by the present government, Kaira said. Kaira said that President has advised to remodel the NFC Award by ensuring equity of resources distribution to all federating units. The work in this regard is in progress and the NFC Award Committee has already indicated to reverse previously held rigid positions by some provinces and suggesting a structural revision of the NFC formula. The Information Minister said that the present government has practically demonstrated its credentials to uphold the cause of free media. It abolished the emergency PEMRA Law 2007 and the Prime Minister Mr. Yusuf Raza Gilani is on record of having disallowed the recommendations of the Parliamentary Committee regarding retention of some provisions of the 2007 PEMRA Ordinance. The media in the country is the freest ever in its history, Mr. Kaira said and added that even the head of state is subjected to rigorous criticism and ridicule by the national media which does not happen even in the most advanced democracies of the world. Unfortunately, the Information Minister said, some vested interest are taking undue advantage of the media freedom and trying to mislead the people by confounding facts with fiction. He urged the detractors of the government to take a breath and look at the performance of the government objectively and come up with suggestive criticism, which is always welcomed by the people’s government. Mr. Kaira reiterated the government’s resolve to work for consultative, reconciliatory and futuristic vision of democracy in the country and said that the people of Pakistan are mature enough to judge the performance of the government and this has been recently demonstrated in the Gilgit-Baltistan elections.
PR
No. 263 President Barack Obama Tuesday night telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari a few hours before the launch of the new Afghan policy by the U.S. administration. President Barack Obama mentioned the broad outlines of the U.S. Afghan policy. President Asif Ali Zardari was among the five world leaders called by President Barack Obama on the eve of the launch of Afghan policy. The others being the leaders of France, Canada, Australia and Afghanistan. President Obama reaffirmed U.S. commitment to a long-term partnership with Pakistan for security and stability. SH/wh
PR No. 264 President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the Party will continue its forward march to resolve problems facing the people and strengthen democracy in the country regardless of what the opponents said and no matter what conspiracies were hatched against the elected government. The PPP is quite used to opposition to it and knows how to take it in the normal stride, he said. The President said this during a meeting with some old Party workers of Rawalpindi district in the Presidency Tuesday evening. The meeting was attended among others by Malik Hakeem Khan, Mr. Shoaib Mumtaz, Mr. Sultan Mahmood Qazi, Mr. Anjum Farooq Paracha, Mr. Rasheed Mir, Raja Altaf, Mr. Jabbar Satti, Mr. Aslam Gill, Mian Khalid Saeed, Raja Khusro, Malik Iqbal, Mr. Ghulam Murtaza Satti, Malik Ghulam Jilani Akhtar and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar. Briefing the media, Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the Party workers expressed their views on a host of issues of significance to the people, governance and the Party and made a number of suggestions. Reposing confidence in the leadership of President and Co-Chairman Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, they reaffirmed their determination to politically fight back the opponents. The participants also talked about the problems of their constituencies and sought government assistance in resolving them. The President assured them that the issues raised by them with respect to their constituencies will be forwarded to the Government for resolution. Mr. Babar said that the President also highlighted the measures adopted by the Government for poverty alleviation and uplifting the poor and dispossessed. He particularly mentioned the launch of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), giving of 12 percent shares to workers in state owned enterprises, reinstatement of sacked workers and free distribution of state land among poor women in the command areas of the new dams to be built in all provinces of the country. The President said that the Party’s Government will always be remembered for re-hoisting the flag of Pakistan in Swat and Malakand which had been lowered by the militants. He said that the militant mindset was being squarely defeated as the people themselves had turned against the militants and extremists and refused to give them any quarter, Mr. Babar informed. SH/wh
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