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PR.No.24. The SHOs which constitute an important pillar of Police force need a complete transformation in terms of professional skills, attitudes to the common man, personality traits, character and integrity to maintain the Rule of Law, stated by the Director National Police Bureau Mr. Ahmad Mukarram in his inaugural address at a three day National Consultative Workshop on training modules for SHO’s organized by NPB Ministry of Interior in collaboration with Access to Justice Program (AJP), Ministry of Law. This change can come through modern professional training and NPB is playing a leader ship role in transformation of the policing in accordance with the vision and mission of the Police Order 2002, he added. Mr. Afzal Kahut, Program Director AJP in his address expressed that AJP is undertaking a series of initiatives to bring about a change in the training system by introducing new concepts and techniques. He added that the participants of the workshop, having an in depth experience of field and training, can better suggest the specific areas of change like training syllabi for different ranks of the Police in line with requirements of the 21st century and vision outlined in Police Order 2002. This national level activity was attended by 30 police trainers of different Police Training Institutes and SHOs from all over Pakistan. Prof. Javed Iqbal, HR Specialist, Mr. Israr Ul Haque, Training Specialist, Mr.Ehsan Sadiq, National Police Reform Specialist and Mr. Fayyaz Ahmad Sunbal also spoke on the occasion. MM/Ahmad
PR.No.25. Federal Minister for Housing & Works, Rehmatullah Kakar visited Awami Villas, a housing scheme launched by Bahria near Rawat today. Secretary, Housing & Works, Samiul Haq Khiljee and Director General National Housing Authority (NHA) also accompanied the Minister. The Minister inspected and reviewed various technical and architectural aspects and infrastructure of the housing scheme of Bahria. The Minister directed authorities concerned to utilize and seek help from the the design, structure and latest construction technology of Awami Villas as the Ministry of Housing & Works would soon launch its own housing scheme of one million residential units for Federal Government Employees throughout the country announced by Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gillani. The 100-day Programme of the Prime Minster includes construction of flats, apartments and houses for low-income group and officers of the Federal Government to meet the growing and chronic shortage in housing sector. FK/Ahmad
PR.No.26. A number of applications are being received in the Ministry of Religious Affairs for fresh enlistment as Hajj Group Organizers and for allocation of Hajj quota under the Private Hajj Scheme for Hajj-2008. The Ministry wishes to clarify that Hajj policy for next Hajj has not yet been finalized. The Ministry would invite applications for fresh enlistment only after finalization of Hajj Policy. An official delegation is visiting Saudi Arabia next week for negotiations with the Saudi Hajj Ministry on matters regarding Hajj- 2008. Hajj Policy would be finalized in the light of decisions taken during that visit. Thereafter, applications for fresh enlistment will be invited through a press advertisement. Applications filed in accordance with the policy guidelines issued in the press and fulfilling the prescribed conditions shall only be eligible for enlistment. Therefore, sending applications for enlistment or for quota allocation at this stage is pre-mature. **Ahmad**
PR.No.27. Ambassador of Spain to Pakistan, H.E Jose Maria Robles Fraga called on Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf here today and discussed matters of mutual interest especially power sector to further strengthen the economic ties between the two countries.. The Minister welcomed the Ambassador and informed about the current energy crisis situation faced by Pakistan. He said that the new political government of Pakistan is fully determined to facilitate the foreign investors and remove all hindrances and bottlenecks to promote investment in the power sector in Pakistan. He said that today Pakistan is facing great challenges especially in power sector as the shortage of energy has badly affected the country’s economy. He expressed the hope that his Ministry would be benefited with expertise of the Spanish Business communities. The Spanish Ambassador said that they were aware of the energy crises world over and informed the Minister that his country had great experience in hydel and thermal power generation and offered that his government would provide any possible assistance to Pakistan in this respect. The Spanish envoy invited the Minister to participate in the International Expo to be held in Spain in June 2008 on the theme of Water which was accepted by the Minister. **AJM/Ahmad**
PR.No.28. The Federal Minister for Health Ms Sherry Rehman has ordered an inquiry into the reports of the availability of expired and substandard drugs in the market. Expressing her grave concern at the increase in the number of cases related to the administering of expired drugs, the Health Minister directed the concerned authorities to immediately present a report followed by stern action by the federal and provincial authorities under the Drug Act 1976. “It is the duty of the government to ensure the safety of the citizens. There can be no compromise on the health of the citizens. It is unthinkable for our government to let the heinous practice of administering of expired drugs carried out, deliberately putting patient’s life at risk.” After the presentation of the report, a series of surprise checks and raids will be carried out in the hospitals and pharmacies throughout the country by the federal and provincial authorities. “Elements involved in selling and administering expired drugs will be brought to book to ensure such practice does not take place in future.” The Federal Health Minister also ordered mandatory routine checks to discourage the pharmacies and the hospitals to stock and administer expired drugs. “The current government is committed to provide maximum safety nets to the citizens. Provision of adequate health services that includes a range of preventive and curative health measures is a strong component of the government’s agenda in the health sector. We are already working on charting out a comprehensive National Health Service plan that would ensure that this essential service is made available to all citizens,” the Health Minister stated”. **EW/Ahmad**
PR.No.29. Federal Minister for SAFRON, Mr. Najmuddin Khan has assured the Grand Tribal Jirga that changes would be brought in the draconian FCR law according to the wishes and consultation of people of FATA in the line with their traditions and culture. He further explained that no change or substitute system will be brought in FATA which is against the Islamic Laws. He further mentioned that it was the vision of our great leader, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who wanted to change the draconian laws and bring them in main stream of life and Pakistan’s People Party in fully committed to give practical shape to her vision. As mentioned, more than 40 tribal elders, under the leadership of Shabizada Fareed, met the Minister in order to discuss issues related FCR, law & order situation and development in FATA. The Grand Jirga, belonging to different regions, prayed for the departed soul of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and highlighted the role and contribution of Pakistan Peoples Party for the FATA. During the meeting, the Grand Jirga unanimously demanded the change for FCR which has been introduced by Britishers in 1901, increasing of development funds in the fields of Health, Education, clean Drinking Water and Communication as well as extension of political party Act to FATA. While talking with Jirga members, the Minister endorsed their wishes and said that the Government would change FCR and bring political reforms in consultation with the people and representatives of FATA because we have come for change of system. Industrial Zone will be established within FATA to empower the people economically, developmental funds will be increased to remove their deprivation and last but not the least FC and Levies will be reorganized and restructured, enhance their salaries and increase their scale from 1 to 5. The Grand Tribal Jirga extended thanks and full cooperation to the present Government for giving serious attention to their problems, who were neglected in the past. Zubidullah/nr
PR.No.30. The Federal Minister for Information Technology Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira has stressed on bridging the digital divide by development of human resource, including IT skills development of those living in the far-flung , remote areas and small towns of the country.He said that the majority of the population to the tune of 70% or more belongs to the poor segment of the society with little access to quality educational system incapable of providing quality education not to talk of IT and computer skills development and this segment needs to be addressed on priority basis. Mr.Kaira expressed these remarks during his visit to the Pakistan Software Export Board, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications. Mr. Kaira pointed out that all targets and deadlines must be met as there is no room for procrastination in this industry. He acknowledged the need for specialized IT training institutes to enhance the quality of products and services. He urged to build a positive image of Pakistan’s IT services and products to bolster the industry. Mr. Talib Baloch, the acting Managing Director apprised the Minister that PSEB’s aims to enable fast track sustainable growth of IT industry through providing quality IT –oriented office space with high-tech facilities under one roof, strengthening of industry through quality certifications, migration to open source software for automation of domestic industry and various human resource development initiatives of internship and apprenticeship programmes currently benefiting over 3000 students. The meeting informed the Minister that the industry has U.S. $1.05 Billion of IT exports and U.S. $1.15 Billion of revenues from the local IT industry, making a total industry size of U.S.$2.2 Billion.
PR.No.31. Ms. Sherry Rehman, Minister for Information and Broadcasting has called upon the United States to remain engaged with Pakistan on a long term basis and emphasised that the cooperation between the two countries should be multi sectoral .She expressed these views while talking to a visiting US delegation consisting of Mr. John Gastright., Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State ,Ms Kara Bue ,Partner of Armitage International , and Ms Lisa Curtis ,Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation . The success of moderate forces in the February 18 elections demonstrates that the majority of Pakistani people are against terrorism and they want peace and stability in the country. The PPP led government, though surrounded by a host of problems left by the previous government, is determined to provide relief to the public and solve their problems on a war footing, the minister added. The minister said that the PPP-led government is reaching out to the locals of tribal areas; however, it should be clear that there will be no talks with any terrorists. Along with this, the government is also focusing on the development of tribal areas to end the sense of deprivation and alienation of the people of those areas. The visiting delegation congratulated the minister on her ministerial assignment in the PPP-led government and wished her best in the successful discharge of her duties. EW/nr |
