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PR.No.32. Ministry of population welfare is actively engaged in launching crash programme of establishing Family Welfare Centers (FWCS) at all Union Council level throughout the country. Federal minister for Population Welfare, Mir Humayun Aziz Kurd is determined to extend the concept and range of Family Welfare Centres (FWC) and Reproductive Health Services Centres (RHSC) at grassroots level in the country to facilitate the masses in rural and remote areas in terms of service delivery, advocacy, motivation for young married couples to boost the idea of smaller family. However, where the population is dispersed, especially in Balochistan, three family welfare centers per union council will be established in the province. Hence more than thirty thousand centers will be established while existing number of FWCS is three thousand. Under the ongoing programme Health Centres will be established up to Tehsil level and Ministry of Population Welfare will ensure the provision of necessary operation theatre facilities and the specialists for the back-up support during the surgical procedure. In addition to this, more Regional Training Institutes (RTIs) for the training of Family Welfare Workers (FWWs) will be established up to Divisional level. Thirteen Institutes are already working and imparting training in various cities of the country and ten more new centers will be set up in the next five years. SA/Ahmad
PR.No.33. Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that coalition government is taking concerted steps to attract investment in power generation, oil and gas sector. “We look forward for more investment and support by Saudi government in these sectors” Federal minister expressed these views while talking to the Saudi Ambassador in Pakistan Mr. Ali S. Awadh Asseri, who called on him at his office here in Islamabad today. They discussed matters pertaining to energy cooperation towards energy development between the two countries. The minister informed the envoy about the huge potential of coal deposits and the steps being taken by the government for the utilization of 185 billion tonnes coal deposits of the country and sought Saudi cooperation and investment so that huge coal deposits could be utilized for power generation and gasification. Talking to Saudi envoy, the minister said that coalition government would soon be able to put the country on track of economic development and resolve issues like power shortage, law and order situation and wheat shortage in the country. Referring to close ties between the two brotherly Muslim countries, they agreed to further cement the already existing relations especially in the fields of power generation, oil and gas. The ambassador felicitated the minister for assuming his new responsibilities as Federal minister in the government. F/Ahmad
PR.No.34. Dr. Yahya Y. AI-Mutawakel, Yemeni Minister for Industries and Trade called on President Pervez Musharraf here today. While talking to the President the Yemeni Minister said that the relations between Pakistan and Yemen are deep-rooted and instrumental for enhancing the existing level of economic cooperation between the two countries. He also expressed his keen desire to further strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations between the two countries. He said that the Pak-Yemen Business Council will be launched soon and it will serve as a catalyst for forthcoming trade and investment between the two countries. The President recalling his visit to Yemen in late 2005, said that there is great potential for collaboration between the two countries, especially in the fields of agriculture and livestock. He said that the level of trade between the two countries is far below its potential-mentioning that there is substantial potential for its enhancement in the fields of pharmacy and surgical instruments. The President said that there should be exchange of businessmen delegations and participation in exhibitions for development of business contacts between the two brotherly countries. He also referred to the existing policy under which a number of Yemeni students are being granted scholarships and admissions in the medical and engineering colleges of Pakistan. He referred to the setting up of Science and Technology Universities in the country with the help of the advanced countries of the world. The Yemeni Minister stated that these universities would be very attractive for students of his country as they would be offering international standard education at affordable cost. Ahmad
PR.No.35. Syed Naveed Qamar Federal Minister for Privatization, Investment, Ports, Shipping, Industries & Production has left for Washington to represent Pakistan in Parliamentarians for Global Action (PGA) moot on “Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness- The Role of Parliamentarians in Achieving Alignment: Health and Economic Growth in the Americas”, being held at United States Capital Washington D.C (tomorrow) Wednesday May 7, 2008. TP Ahmad
PR.No.36. Chairman Senate, Mr. Mohammedmian Soomro has said that it was heartening to learn that the two brotherly countries i.e. Pakistan and Yemen have agreed to enhance cooperation in various fields such as energy, education, science and technology, banking, transport, labour and manpower and share their expertise and know how for the benefit of their people. He made these observations while talking to the members of trade delegation headed by Dr. Yahya Al-Mutawakel, Minister for Trade and Industry of Republic of Yemen which called on him here this afternoon. The delegation is currently visiting Pakistan to attend the two day Pak – Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission’s meeting being held here. Emphasizing the need of sharing experiences and best policies, Chairman Senate pointed out that the two countries were facing similar challenges of shortage of food and energy and that to overcome shortages, the two countries should use conservation techniques. To overcome the shortage of water, the Senate Chairman expressed the view that conservation and recycling of water would greatly help ease the situation. Mr. Soomro expressed the confidence that trade and economic relations between the two countries would be strengthened as a result of deliberations of Pak – Yemen Joint Ministerial Commission’s meeting. There was a complete consensus that there should be frequent and regular interaction at various levels between the two countries so that the obstacles and impediments, if any, in the smooth implementation of the decisions taken at these meetings could be ensured. The leader of the Yemeni delegation commended the policies being pursued in the economic field and hoped that these would culminate in complete economic turn around in a couple of years. He termed his negotiations with the Pakistani counterparts as being very productive and fruitful adding that these would benefit the two countries in days to come. Dr. Yahya Al-Mutawakel was of the view that there was wide potential for boosting the bilateral ties between the two countries and the introduction of regular flights between Pakistan and Yemen would greatly help achieve the said objective. SM<Ahmad
PR.No.37. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani directed the Ministry of Food & Agriculture to ensure food security and take all necessary measures to overcome food shortage all over the country. The Prime Minister stated this while addressing the third ECC meeting here at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat today. The meeting was informed about the Sensitive Price Indicator, which shows increase in 23 items, decrease in 6 items while 24 items price have registered no change. The meeting was further apprised that the percentage increases in the prices in the last week are much lower than the increase in the prices over the last ten weeks. The Prime Minister approved the import of 250,000 tons of wheat immediately as the international prices are showing downward trend this year. He directed that staggered import of 1.5 million tons of wheat be made to meet the expected shortfall of 1.5 million tons in the country. On the current wheat situation, the meeting was informed that the estimated procurement target of wheat for the year 2008-09 is five million tons, out of which a total of 2.121 million tons (42%) has already been procured as compared to 2.054 million tons in the corresponding period last year. In order to ensure the availability of atta at an affordable price through Utility Stores Corporation, the Prime Minister also directed for the constitution of a committee to take concrete measures for launching a scheme enabling the poorest of the poor to get subsidized essential food items. The committee would consist of representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Industries, Social Welfare and NADRA to prepare a database that target only the needy household. Regarding the ban of wheat to the feed industry, the Prime Minister directed that alternative options be sought for the feed industry as it is the second largest industry of the country. As regards the export of wheat to Afghanistan the Prime Minister directed that it should be undertaken on government to government level only. He said that Pakistan will continue to provide wheat/wheat flour to Afghanistan as per past practice. The ECC approved the export of 50,000 tons of wheat to Afghanistan to avert food crisis in addition to their annual requirement. The meeting also decided to strengthen anti-smuggling measures to check wheat smuggling. While observing that the rice production is surplus in Pakistan, the ECC decided that the export of rice must be undertaken only after meeting the domestic requirements and ensuring the stability of the prices. The ECC was further apprised that Pakistan’s domestic consumption of rice is little over 2 million tons whereas the production of rice this year has gone up to 5.5 million tons. The ECC authorized MINFAL to undertake negotiations with the well known American multi-national company “MONSENTO” aimed at introducing technology for genetically modified seed as it is the major reason for reduction of cotton crop in Pakistan from 14 million bales to 11 million bales this year. Chairman FBR informed the meeting that FBR has so far collected Rs. 761 billion by 30th April, 2008 and expressed the confidence that the revised target of Rs. 990 billion would be met during the remaining two months of the current financial year. Ahmad
The National Council for Conservation of Wildlife (NCCW) has decided to discourage the commercial export of the wildlife and introduce new fee structure for import and export of various wildlife species. This decision was taken in a meeting of NCCW held under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi here today. The meeting was attended by the representatives of Provincial wildlife authorities, leading NGOs like IUCN, WWF Pakistan and World Pheasant Association. The meeting reviewed nature conservation and wildlife issues and took policy decision on relevant issues. While reviewing the progress of trophy hunting programme of the country, the meeting was informed that through community based trophy hunting programme, local communities are getting 80% of income as a reward for their conservation efforts. This income is used for conservation wildlife and social uplift of the local communities. Overall quota of 12 Markhor trophies had been successfully utilized by the provinces of NWFP, Balochistan and Northern Areas. However, due to some law and order situation of the country and inaccessibility of remote areas, some hunts of Himalayan Ibex could not be marketed at the approved fee. It was decided that local hunters may also be encouraged to avail the allocated quota and for this purpose, minimum fee for Himalayan Ibex was reduced. Trophy hunting of Punjab Urial and other species also came under discussion. After reviewing the progress of trophy hunting programme, quota for 2008-2009 hunting season was decided by the Council. The Minister for Environment stressed the need for transparent utilization of trophy hunting income and evolving a proper mechanism in this connection. Meeting also discussed the declining status of Houbara bustard and decided to take appropriate action in this regards which also include formulation of a policy for sustainable hunting in future. Meeting also decided to discourage the commercial export of wildlife and particularly the CITES listed species. A new fee structure for importer and exporters was decided which will be applicable with immediate effect. The trade in big cats also came under discussion and it was decided to constitute a high level committee under the Inspector General Forests to propose a viable mechanism for private zoos and to control the illegal trade. WWF Pakistan and IUCN also highlighted the need to conserve the wilderness and protected areas of the country. It was noticed with grave concern that pristine habitats and protected areas land had been converted for other uses which is not good for nature. DKK/Ahmad
PR.No.39. The Federal Minister for Education Professor Ahsan Iqbal arrived in Berlin as leader of Pakistani delegation for Asia and Europe Meeting (ASEM) Conference of Ministers for Education. The main theme of the Conference is “Education and Training for Tomorrow: Corlinon Perspectives in Asia and Europe”, Delegation from 37 counties of Asia and Europe European Union and Asia Europe Education Foundation are attending this Conference. The Education Ministers from 25 cotU1tries of Asia and Europe including United Kingdom. Austria, France, Germany, Japan, China, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nederland, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam have arrived in Berlin to lead their respective delegations for this Conference. The main theme of this conference is “Strengthening European and Asian cooperation in the field of Higher Education: Forging Strategic Partnership”. The Conference will also focus on bringing together education and the labour market to enhance employability and lifelong learning in the member states. It may be pointed out that presently around 300 Pakistani students are studying in Germany pursuing their PhD degrees in various fields. This Conference will provide an opportunity to the Minister for Education to further enhance cooperation in the field of education with major countries of Europe and Asia. He will also meet with Ministers of Education of major European and Asian countries to discuss matters relating to strengthening of cooperation in education and research. The Minister is scheduled to visit some prominent Universities and Research Institutes in Berlin. The Minister will also attend a Conference of the Ministers of education and Cultural Affairs of German Lander (States) in Bonn organized by German Society far Technical Cooperation (GTZ). He will visit the German Ministry of Education where he will be briefed about the German School System, Infotehnology. ICT in school, Education and Curriculum development and Inter-State coordination. He will also visit Federal Institute for Vocational Training, Bonn and review a special presentation of German Technical and Vocational Education System. The Minister is assisted by Dr. Sohail H. Naqvi, Executive Director of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and senior official of the Embassy of Pakistan in Berlin. Ahmad
PR.No.40. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that unanimity of views and people to people contacts between Pakistan and Yemen have facilitated to strengthen the bilateral relations. He expressed the confidence that the meeting of the 5th Joint Commission of the two countries would be fruitful to further promote diplomatic and economic ties between the two brotherly countries. The Prime Minister was talking to Dr. Yaha Y. Mutawakal the Minister for Industries & Trade of Yemen who called on him here at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat this afternoon. The Prime Minister said that he was pleased to learn that both Pakistan and Yemen are moving in the same direction to develop and compete with the world by strengthening their economies. In this context, he stressed the need for the acquisitions and applications of knowledge particularly science and technology, which is essential for the progress and prosperity of any country. The Prime Minister said that the new coalition government in Pakistan is facing a number of challenges foremost being economic difficulties and Law & Order situation. The government he said is determined to confront these challenges so as to ensure conducive atmosphere for investment and also to ensure political stability. The socio-political stability he said leads to economic stability. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. A comprehensive multi-pronged strategy is being devised he added which would supplement efforts to overcome the causes of this phenomenon. As regards food security and energy shortage, he said appropriate short and long term measures are being adopted to check these trends. The Minister for Industries and Trade of Yemen said that Yemen desires to increase its trade and economic links with Pakistan. Referring to the deliberations of the 5th Joint Commission meeting he said that they have been able to identify specific areas of cooperation and which would benefit both countries. He further mentioned that Yemen is interested to import trained manpower from Pakistan in the medical field particularly Para medical staff. He also showed interest for assistance in the field of textile and pharmaceutical sectors. The Minister for Industries conveyed the greetings of Yemeni leadership and congratulated the Prime Minister on assuming the office of the Prime Minister. DSG/ank
PR.No.41.
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