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No.42 Canada's High Commissioner to Pakistan, Randolph Mank, alongwith Pakistan's Federal Secretary for Labour and Manpower, Tariq Iqbal Puri and ILO Director for Pakistan, Mr. Donglin Li, today signed an agreement for a project aimed at increasing employment opportunities for women in Pakistan. Canada is contributing $8 million to the International Labour Organization (ILO) for this initiative. Canada's contribution will provide technical assistance to the government of Pakistan, provide skills training for employment for more than 6000 women and men, and help strengthen coordination mechanisms to bring key stakeholders together at the national, provincial and district levels. This investment builds on Canada's $3 million contribution in 2005 through ILO to provide skills training and entrepreneurship support for more than 5000 women in the formal and informal sectors, including training for 450 women in the textile industry that resulted in a 90% employment rate. "The Government of Canada is committed to supporting employment opportunities for women and helping to ensure that they receive the skills and training support required to participate in the workforce", said High Commissioner Mank. "Supporting the economic empowerment of women is one of the key priorities for our development efforts in Pakistan", he added. Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Manpower, Tariq Iqbal Puri urged the ILO to focus on the economic development of women specially related to agriculture sector in Pakistan as most of the Women depend on Agri-based economy. He said increasing women employment both in quantity and quality, is the commitment of this Government and thanked to the ILO and Canadian High Commissioner for the support of women’s welfare. **SG/Ahmad**
Cabinet Committee on Child Camel Jockeys met here today under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Convener of the committee, Dr. Farooq Sattar. The meeting was attended by Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Sector, and senior officers of the Ministries of Human Rights, Interior and Law & Justice. During the meeting, detailed report prepared by a committee was presented and thoroughly deliberated. The meeting took a special note of certain anomalies in the process of rehabilitation of the affected children and decided to hold a high level meeting to chalk out future strategy in this regard. It is mentioned here that UAE government launched a Children Involved in Camel Racing Project (CICR Project) in order to compensate the physically injured and psychologically traumatized child camel jockeys and, in this regard, an MoU was signed between the Ministry of Interior of UAE and Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis of Pakistan in 2007. According to the MoU, UAE government agreed to pay a base line payment of US $ 1,000/- to each claimant irrespective of nature of injury. The government of Pakistan has distributed an amount of US $ 424,500/- until now among the claimants. The Cabinet Committee on Child Camel Jockeys was constituted by the Prime Minister in the last Cabinet meeting held on November 18, 2009. It comprises of Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis (Convener), Federal Minister for Interior (Member), Federal Minister for Human Rights (Member), Minister of State for Law & Justice (Member) and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Sector (Member). Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Social Sector, attended today’s meeting while other members of the committee could not attend the meeting due to their pre-scheduled engagements; however, senior officers of the respective ministries attended the meeting on their behalf. **MS/Ahmad**
PR No.44 Federal Minister for Defence, Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar, has said that good relations between India and Pakistan can help in bringing stability and economic prosperity to the region. He said that India needed to show flexibility to resolve all outstanding issues with Pakistan which was essential for the economic and social prosperity of the entire region. He expressed these views while talking to the High Commissioner of New Zealand, Mr. Brian Sanders, who called on him here today. The Minister said that Pakistan was facing enormous challenges and it was focusing its efforts on strengthening and equipping its Armed forces to successfully overcome the challenges. The meeting exchanged views on Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts and existing level of bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, economy and defence. The Minister informed the envoy that Pakistan was committed to eliminating terrorism and extremism and had succeeded to purge the troubled areas of Malakand Agency and Tribal Areas out of terrorists and extremists. He said Pakistan had deployed more than One Hundred and Thirty Thousand troops on its western border and Tribal Areas to combat militancy and terrorism. He informed the envoy that the casualties of Pakistan Security Forces were more than the combined causalities of ISAF and NATO troops while fighting the evil forces of terrorism and extremism. The envoy said that Pakistan had been playing a key role against the war on terror and his country was highly appreciative of Pakistan’s anti-terror efforts. He said that Pakistan support was crucial to defeat and eliminate the terrorist elements. The envoy said that both Pakistan and New Zealand needed to build up and expand their relations in divergent fields. The meeting underscored the need for increasing the volume of trade and more exchanges of Defence personnel in the training institutes. **AM/Ahmad**
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No.45 A high level 5 Member Korean Parliamentary delegation headed by the Chairman of Pak-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Association in Korean National Assembly, Mr. Park Byeong-Seug called on Acting President, Mr. Farooq H. Naek here today and discussed with him wide ranging issues relating to trade, industry, parliamentary cooperation and education between Pakistan and Korea. While speaking on the occasion, the Acting President emphasized the need of closer cooperation between Pakistan and South Korea in various fields like trade, industry, building of infrastructure, energy etc. “Pakistan is 7th largest importing country from Korea. We can further enhance our collaboration for the mutual benefit of the people of both the countries”, Mr. Farooq H. Naek said. He also emphasized the need of cooperation between the private entrepreneurs of both the countries citing the example of successful ventures of Daewoo in Pakistan “which was providing travel facilities to the people in 43 cities of the country”. Mr. Farooq H. Naek also emphasized the need of promoting religious tourism between Pakistan and Korea. “Pakistan is home of the ancient Gandhara civilization and most sacred places of Buddhism are located in Pakistan. Both the countries can collaborate for promoting travel facilities especially air travel facilities for religious tourists”, the Acting President said. Mr. Park Byeong-Seug, the head of Korean delegation informed the Acting President that direct flights from Korea to Islamabad will start in coming July – August, 2010, which will further enhance the bilateral relations and people to people contacts. He also applauded the efforts of Pakistan as a front line State in global war against terror and assured the full support of his country in these efforts. Mr. Farooq H. Naek informed the visiting delegation that no country had borne the brunt of terror and destruction as Pakistan had being a front line state and a key ally in the war on terror. He said that colossal damage on socio-economic and human fronts was faced by Pakistan in its valiant war against militancy and terrorism. He said the brave leader of Pakistan former Prime Minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto even laid down her life for challenging and censuring the unislamic and inhuman tactics and approach of these terrorist and added that Pakistani nation will continue to fight terrorism to its very end as President Zardari has already declared. He also appreciated the cooperation and support of Korean government and people in war against terror and in the forum of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP). Mr. Farooq H. Naek also informed the delegation that Pak-Korea Parliamentary Friendship Group would be soon formed in the Senate on the line of already existing 14-Member Friendship Group in the National Assembly of Pakistan. Among others, the meeting was also attended by the Members of Pak–Korea Parliamentary Friendship Association in National Assembly Mr. Riaz Fatyana, Leader of the House in Senate, Senator Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, Leader of the Opposition in Senate, Senator Wasim Sajjad, Federal Minister for Postal Services Senator Mir Israrullah Zehri, Leader of Independent Group Senator Prof. Khursheed Ahmed, Senator Syeda Sugra Imam and Senator Dr. Saeeda Iqbal. **RAQ/Ahmad**
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No. 46 The High Commissioner of New Zealand HE Mr. Brian Sanders Called on the Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim in his office today. Secretary Commerce Zafar Mahmood and other Officers of the Ministry where also present on the occasion. The Commerce Minister expressed concern over the existing bilateral trade which is $ 150 million and suggested that exchange of trade delegations could explore the potential areas for enhancing more trade between the two countries. Makhdoom Amin Fahim underscored a need for revitalizing the Joint Trade Commission (JTC) which would be a suitable forum to carry forward bilateral trade. Pakistan’s major exports to New Zealand are Rice, Surgical goods and towels; however there exist a lot more potential in rice and towel exports. The Commerce Minister expressed that New Zealand could be a welcome destination for Pakistanis mango which is tasty and pulpy. The New Zealand High Commissioner proposed that trade relations between the two countries could flourish, if we bring some diversity into exportable items. The High Commissioner proposed that Pakistanis agriculturalists could import agric machinery from New Zealand, in which the Commerce Minister showed interest and expressed that the same could be used in processing fruit and vegetables. This will increase our exports to a larger extent in horticulture sector. The High Commissioner assured that required information in these fields would soon be communicated to them in due course of time. **SH/Ahmad**
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No. 47 Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani, Ambassador of Pakistan to Belgium, European Union and Luxembourg presented his credentials to His Majesty King Albert II of Belgium, in a simple but graceful ceremony at the Royal Laeken Castle in Belgium today. The Ambassador conveyed to the King the greetings and well wishes of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and reiterated Pakistan’s keen interest in developing broad based ties with Belgium. Reciprocating the sentiments, King Albert II welcomed the Ambassador and assured him of Belgium’s commitment to further enhance cooperation with Pakistan. The Belgian Monarch recalled the visit of President Zardari to Brussels last year and his meeting with him. He further expressed hope that the bilateral ties would get further reinforced during the tenure of Ambassador Jilani. **MNB/Ahmad**
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No. 48 The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Mr. Jonas Gahr Store met with Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the Foreign Office today. They discussed in detail a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and the Ambassador of Norway in Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Robert Kvile also attended the meeting. On bilateral relations, the two Foreign Ministers complimented the contributions being made by the Pakistani Diaspora in Norway in the country’s development and promoting inter-cultural harmony. The Norwegian Foreign Minister said that the fact that the incumbent Deputy Speaker of Norwegian Parliament was of Pakistan origin demonstrated Norway’s ethnic diversity as well as opportunities for all. Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan and Norway had abundant opportunities to strengthen relations in all areas of life. In this regard, while appreciating Norway’s development assistance to Pakistan, the Foreign Minister said that the current level of bilateral trade (close to 120 million) did not represent the vast potential that existed between the two countries. He said that lifting of ban on the import of fisheries by the European Union from Pakistan, would also help greatly enhance Pakistan’s exports of fisheries to Norway. Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan offered multiple foreign investment opportunities and that the investment experience of one of the Norwegian telecommunication companies in Pakistan had shown how lucrative the Pakistani market was. The Foreign Minister also thanked the Norwegian Foreign Minister for his country’s valuable support to Pakistan within the framework of the Friends of Democratic of Pakistan. The Foreign Minister of Norway proposed to hold the next Annual Bilateral Consultations in Islamabad later this year. The previous round of bilateral consultations was held in Oslo in January 2009. Regarding terrorism, Foreign Minister Qureshi underlined the need for speeding up the process of reconstruction and development in the Malakand region and FATA in order to achieve a decisive victory against militants and violent extremists. He said Pakistan’s strategy of clearing, holding and building the violence-affected areas was being pursued most vigorously. There was nonetheless the need for international assistance and support to build these areas as time was of the essence. Pakistan could not afford the efforts aimed at winning heats and mind to unravel at this critical stage. The Foreign Minister also conveyed to his Norwegian counterpart the sentiments of the people of Pakistan and the Muslim world at large about the reproduction of blasphemous cartoons in Norway, underlining that the freedom of expression was not absolute and had to be based on respect for each other’s religious feelings and sensitivities. Briefing the Norwegian Foreign Minister on Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Afghanistan was Pakistan’s immediate neighbour and their bilateral relations had improved significantly since the signing of the Joint Declaration on 6 January 2009. Pakistan was extensively engaged in the reconstruction and development work in Afghanistan. The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s position that the reintegration and reconciliation process in Afghanistan should be led by the Government of Afghanistan. Pakistan would be ready to contribute in whatever way the Government of Afghanistan wished it to do so. The Foreign Minister said that it was important not to forget over 3 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan in the integration process. On Pakistan – India relations, the Foreign Minister said that Pakistan went to the recently - held Foreign Secretary-level meeting in New Delhi on 25 February with an open mind. Pakistan wanted its relations with India to normalize by resolving the bilateral disputes through a stained and meaningful dialogue process. The Foreign |Minister added that engaging in talks for the sake of talks would serve no purpose, underlining that India had to change its approach vis-a-vis Pakistan which somehow continued to be anchored in the Cold War mindset. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir briefed the Norwegian Foreign Minister about his recent meeting with the Indian Foreign Secretary. The Norwegian Foreign Minister expressed Norway’s keen desire to further strengthen its bilateral relations with Pakistan. He also commended Pakistan’s determination against terrorism. He saluted the people of Pakistan for rendering huge sacrifices against violent extremism and terrorism. He reaffirmed Norway’s full political and economic support to Pakistan. The Norwegian Foreign Minister invited Foreign Minister Qureshi for an official visit to Norway on mutually convenient dates.
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No. 49 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has urged Norway’s pro-active role in FODP to help Pakistan undertake reconstruction and development of the areas cleared from militants in FATA and NWFP, on fast track basis. While appreciating Norwegian assistance in establishment of 350 community schools in FATA and for improvement of basic education in NWFP, the Prime Minister underlined the imperative of rebuilding the physical and socio-economic infrastructure in those areas and provision of job opportunity to the people there on immediate basis and underlined friendly countries like Norway’s important role in that regard. The Prime Minister was talking to Mr Jonas Gahr Store, Foreign Minister of Norway who called on him alongwith his delegation at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan considers Norway an important friend and partner and is keen to enhance and further strengthen the cordial bilateral ties in all areas of mutual interests. He hoped that the annual bilateral consultations under the framework of Bilateral Cooperation would be held on regular basis to make progress towards strengthening of political, trade and economic cooperation. People to people contacts particularly two way exchanges of parliamentary delegations and regular high level visits need to be encouraged to impart new impetus in the relationship, he added. The Prime Minister underscored the need for expansion of bilateral trade to attain its true potential and welcomed Norwegian Company Telenor’s plans to invest $ 2 billion in Pakistan over the period of next five years. He expressed the hope that the Norwegian government would also encourage its major companies in the oil and gas, petroleum, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers as well as iron and steel manufacturing sectors to invest in Pakistan independently or through joint ventures with their Pakistani counterparts. While dilating on Pakistan’s role as a front line state in the war against terrorism, the Prime Minister said that the Armed forces of Pakistan had achieved remarkable successes by clearing vast areas of the Malakand, Bajour and FATA from the militants in a short span of time. These valiant successes were nonetheless attained at a great human and economic cost. Inspite of these loses Pakistan remained resolute in clearing its soil from the menace of terror. The Prime Minister termed resolution of long outstanding issues like Kashmir with India, a prerequisite for long lasting and durable peace in the region which will enable Pakistan to single mindedly focus on quelling militancy on its western borders. He stressed that Pakistan was completely sincere in pursuing friendly cordial relations with all its neighbors, particularly with India. As for Afghanistan he said that the peace, security and stability in Pakistan was intractably linked to a peaceful and secure Afghanistan. Norwegian Foreign Minister Mr. Jonas Gahr Store stated that though he was visiting Pakistan for the third time, it was a matter of pleasure for him to be meeting a civilian Chief Executive of the country for the first time, during these visits. He assured the Prime Minister of his country’s complete support for institutionalization of democracy in Pakistan. He said Norway had become part of the FODP process wholeheartedly and would continue to assist Pakistan in every way possible bilaterally as well as through FODP and other international mechanisms. The Norwegian Foreign Minister paid tributes to Pakistan Armed Forces as well as law Enforcement Agencies personnel for their role and sacrifices in countering the threat of terrorism. He termed Pakistan as the most pivotal country in the war against terror and for restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan. While assuring the Prime Minister of his government’s support in providing greater market access for Pakistani products and higher investment by Norwegian companies, Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Store said that Pakistani diaspora in Norway will also be encouraged to facilitate strengthening of economic cooperation between the two countries. Norwegian Ambassador in Pakistan Mr. Robert Kvile, Minister for Foreign Affairs Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Sughra Imam, Mr Rab Nawaz Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan to Norway and Foreign Secretary were also present in the meeting. PMMO/wh
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No. 50 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that Government is committed to ensure the basic needs of life and food security to the people of Pakistan. He further added that fulfillment of basic amenities of life is a prerequisite to a prosperous future. The Prime Minister said this while talking to Syed Khursheed Shah, Minister for Labour & Manpower, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Mr. Nazar Gondal, Minister for Food & Agriculture and Mr. Naveed Qamar, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources who met him at Prime Minister’s House this evening. The Prime Minister urged the Ministry of Agriculture to make effective policies to facilitate the farmers and help them learn the modern cultivation techniques. This will enable them to increase the per acre yield to overcome the food crisis. Prime Minister also urged Syed Khursheed Shah and Mr. Naveed Qamar to take on board the relevant ministries to formulate effective policies to attract the local as well as foreign investors in projects in fields of energy, oil and gas, fertilizers, petrochemicals and infrastructure. The Ministers apprised the Prime Minister of the progress of the ongoing National Projects under their respective Ministries. PMMO/wh
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No. 51
Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah
Babar has contradicted reports in a section of the media claiming that
President Zardari could not meet Mr Altaf Hussain during visit to Britain. SAK/wh
PR
No. 52 Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) and Uch-II Power (Private) Limited an affiliate of Uch Power (Private) Limited (UPL) have signed a Letter of Support (LOS) for a 404 MW (Gross) Capacity Power Project based on indigenous low Btu Gas from Uch Gas Field to be located near Dera Murad Jamali,District Nasirabad, Balochistan. The Project will bring Foreign Investment of around US$ 500 Million to the country resulting into socio-economic uplift of Balochstan and Pakistan. Uch-II Power Private Limited is a blue chip international investor with vast experience of developing power projects around the World. The Major Shareholders of Uch-II Power Project are International Power of UK and Creative Energy Resources, UAE. Uch-II Power Project is based on indigenous low Btu gas and in view of the prevailing power shortages and increasing dependence on imported fuel oil, this Project is very important from national perspective. Further the low Btu gas cannot be injected to National Gas Pipeline System and could not be used for any other purpose except Power Generation. As per the agreed timeline the Project Company i.e. Uch-II Power (Private) Limited is required to sign Project Agreements and achieve Financial Close by March 2011 and Commercial Operation of Project by 2013. TA/wh
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No. 53 National legends Shahid Afridi and Hadeeqa Kiyani were announced National Ambassadors on Environment to promote the cause of environment and raise awareness among maases. In another efforts for protection of environment, Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi made the announcement at the launch of Public Service Announcements on Water Conservation and Climate Change involving the renowned singers and stars. The minister described Shahid Afridi and Hadeeqa Kiyani as national heroes and hoped, they carry forward the message of environmental conservation and help boost the efforts raising awareness. “Involvement of such heroes for the cause of environment will also promote soft image of the country and effectively convey the message of conservation at national level and globally,” the minister said. “Preservation of environment is an obligation on all of us and people contributing to this cause from different strata will have positive results,” Afridi stated. The minister said, 38.5 million people lack access to safe drinking water while 50.7 million people lack access to improved sanitation as country faces unprecedented shortage of clean drinking water and electricity due to the lowest recorded levels of water in the country’s dams. In this context, active participation of media is not only pivotal for raising awareness regarding these key issues but also for amalgamation of policies, regulations, guidelines and actions that will help us solve water problems, which will get more complicated due to climate change and environmental instability. The Launch was also attended by Mr. Fikret Akcura, Resident Representative, UNDP, Mr. Toshihiro Tanaka, Country Director, UNDP, Hadiqa Kiyani, and a wide range of partners including media, donors and civil society organizations. A large number of youth from various universities was present at the ceremony. These Public Service Announcements has been prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan in collaboration with Ministry of Environment. The first of its kind animated songs are the effort to reach out to the youth in order to engage and motivate them in efforts to conserve water and help mitigate the negative impacts of climate change in Pakistan. Keeping in view this target audience, the PSAs are in English and Urdu and rendered by leading artists; Hadiqa Kiyani, Ali Noor and Ali Hamza (Noori) and Farooq Ahmad (Aaroh). They represent hope with the artists being the catalysts for change as the scenes transition from desolation to life and color. The Federal Minister while elaborating the water scarcity issue said that the overall water availability has decreased from 5650 cubic meters per capita in 1950s to 1,101 cubic meters in 2008. A more recent study indicates an available supply of water of little more than 1,000 cubic meters per person, which puts Pakistan in the category of a high stress country. In view of growing population, urbanization and increased industrialization, the situation is likely to get worse. If the current trends continue, it could go as lows as 850-cubic meters by 2020. Expressing his concerns ever increasing climate change threats, the Federal Minister said that on the most powerful accelerant of Pakistan’s water crisis is global warming. The Indus River Basin, Pakistan’s sole water source, obtains its water stocks from the snows and rains of the western Himalayas, Karakoram and Hindu Kush mountain ranges. Many of our glaciers are already receding by up to a metre per year. This rapid melting pattern, coupled with another consequence of global warming, high-intensity precipitation, is expected to aggravate river flooding. Once the glaciers have melted, river flows are expected to decrease dramatically. Commenting on environmental threats, Hameed Ullah Jjan Afridi said water pollution and discharge of effluents are also posing a threat to human wellbeing and Pakistan’s ecosystem. While some do not have water to drink, others waste it in vast quantities. Witness the women carrying water on their heads for miles in the scorching heat on one hand, and crops under flood irrigation and the cars of the rich being hosed down in the cities, on the other. Our water resource base continues to be degraded because of pollution, atrophy, overuse of surface water and over-exploitation of groundwater. Large tracts of land have been rendered uncultivable due to water logging and salinity, direct results of mismanaged irrigation. We must take steps to protect our water streams from industrial pollution and sewage discharge. While detailing the serious impacts of water scarcity and poor sanitation conditions, the minister said, water and sanitation related diseases are responsible for 60% of the total number of child mortality cases in Pakistan, with diarrheal diseases causing deaths of 200,000 under-five years’ children, every year. The minister said that children and young people are concerned, thoughtful citizens, capable of participating in, and changing the society of which they are a part; and they have an important role to play in addressing and affecting the issues of our world. In addition, children and young people have enthusiasm, imagination and abundant energy to undertake local actions, act as effective communicators in their communities and be involved in international arenas. We know that today’s young people like us will be the worst hit generation to taste the bitterness of Climate Change. Around the world the governments and civil society is actively involving and creating awareness among the youth of the catastrophe that may hit them in the coming times. Pakistan at the moment houses the largest number of youth in its history. 70% of the total population is under the age of 29, so it is call of the time that we too bring out youth on board as they will be the ones in the near future to be the victims and policy makers of their time. Pledging to effectively contribute to the cause of the environment, Hadeeqa Kiyani said, she will devote her efforts to this cause. “I shall devote myself to raise awareness on water conservation highlighting that water is our life and we cannot survive without it.” “I would take this task very seriously and promise to bring about a great change,” she said. In his address, Mr. Toshihiro Tanaka, Country Director UNDP motivated the youth, ‘The challenges of climate change and water scarcity are complex and global and require collective and sustained effort with each one of us playing our role, both in our individual and institutional capacities. There can be no more excuses for complacency or inaction. AS/wh
PR
No. 54 Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that there is a need for strengthening the existing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kuwait in all fields including media and communications. He was talking to Kuwaiti Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Nawaf Abdul Aziz Alenezi, who called on him here today. The Minister said that bilateral relations between Pakistan and Kuwait have historically been very cordial and strong and hoped that these relations would grow stronger with time. He said that Kuwaiti government and people have always helped Pakistan in every hour of need. The Minister said that there Pakistan offers numerous investment opportunities in all sectors and Kuwaiti investors are welcome to invest in the country and bear fruits of economy and pro-active policies of the government. The Minister said that in the present day world, media has become very dynamic and effective and it has become imperative to use media for projecting the true, soft image of Islam to the world. He said that it is the need of the hour to fully tap the potential of media in winning the minds and hearts of people in the war against terrorism. He said that the terrorists are targeting innocent people including women and children which Islam does not allow. “we must succeed in this war so as to prevent spread of extremism to the world”, he said. The Ambassador of Kuwait to Pakistan praised the efforts of Pakistan in the war against terrorism and said that winning this war is critical for the stability and peace of the region and the whole world. He said that Pakistani manpower working in Kuwait is playing its positive and constructive role in the development of Kuwait. He agreed with the need of enhancing bilateral collaboration in the media and communication sector and said that Kuwait wants to learn from Pakistan’s media experience. MS/wh |
