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PR. No. 42. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani received in audience the Ambassador designate to UAE Mr. Khurshid Junejo, at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister termed UAE as one of the most important country with which Pakistan has always enjoyed cordial fraternal ties. He urged the Ambassador designate to concentrate his efforts for further promotion of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defence, health and education sectors and should particularly focus his attention on strengthening the cooperation in the area of procurement of oil on economical terms, promotion of cooperation in agriculture sector and increased employment for Pakistanis in UAE. He recalled with profound grief the sad demise of Prince Sheikh Nasser Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan and his telephone call to UAE President, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nayan to express his heartfelt condolences. He said that he would like to personally condole the death of the departed soul with the leadership of UAE on the first given opportunity. The Ambassador designate assured the Prime Minister that he would do his utmost to rise to Prime Minister’s expectations and carry out his instructions for further improvement of the existing cordial ties between the two countries. **Ahmad**
PR. No. 43. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the friendly relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom are rooted in the long historical bonds and expressed his government’s keen desire to further consolidate the diplomatic, political and economic ties with the UK. The Prime Minister said this while talking to a delegation of UK House of Commons’ Defence Select Committee, led by its Chairman, Mr. James Arbuthnot, which called on him at the PM’s House here this morning. The Prime Minister underlined the importance Pakistan attaches to its deep-rooted relations with the UK, which represent shared values and commonality of perceptions on many regional and global issues. He appreciated the ongoing cooperation between the two countries in diverse fields including areas of defence and called for increased military training assistance provided by UK to Pakistan Armed Forces personnel under the Defence Related Activities Programme and enhancement of defence cooperation through deliberations of Pakistan-UK Defence Cooperation Forum (DCF). The Prime Minister said Pakistan views the UK as its key economic partner being the second largest investor and third largest trading partner. While asking for increased UK investment in Pakistan he stated that Pakistan is offering level-playing field to both local and foreign investors and every sector of its economy is open for investment. The Prime Minister while referring to numerous challenges confronted by the new democratic government expressed the government’s strong commitment for overcoming these problems through implementation of policies supported by the people. He said that restoration of law & order and economy are the main priorities of his government and that he is mindful of the fact that a single incident of terrorism in Pakistan leads to flight of foreign capital from the country besides discouraging the flow of foreign investment. The Prime Minister said that terrorism and extremism are the global phenomena and Pakistan being a front line state has sacrificed a lot, including the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. He stressed that war against terrorism is in Pakistan’s own national interest as well as in the interest of the humanity at large. He said that his government in consultation with its coalition partners has adopted a three-pronged strategy to fight terrorism by entering into political dialogue with those elements who have renounced terrorism by laying down arms, accelerating the pace of economic development in the country especially in tribal areas and resorting to military means only if the agreements are violated. Pakistan, he said, would never negotiate with militants or terrorists nor allow its soil to be used by foreigners against another country. Talking about Afghanistan the Prime Minister said that a strong, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s best interest and Pakistan will continue to help reconstruction efforts there. He said Pakistan’s assistance to Afghanistan is focused on building of physical infrastructure and restoration of health and education facilities. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is making all out effort to prevent cross border infiltration by installing biometric system on entry points and setting up of 900 check posts on the border compared to the 100 check posts on the Afghan side of the border which, he said, need to be increased at least to Pakistan’s level. He said fencing of the boarder is another option being considered by his government. He called for increased coordination between Pakistan and Afghanistan at all levels and exchange of intelligence between Pakistan and Afghanistan as well as between Pakistani and NATO authorities to curb the infiltration of undesirable elements to and from both sides. He said the repatriation and resettlement of about three million Afghan refugees in Afghanistan will also help reduce illegal movements on the border. He said the international community needs to come forward to help resettle the refugees in their homeland with honour and dignity. The Prime Minister said there is credible evidence that increased poppy cultivation in Afghanistan and the money thus generated is feeding the terrorism networks. The British MPs, while felicitating the Prime Minister on assuming office expressed the desire to further enhance bilateral relations in all fields. They also told him that they would also be visiting Afghanistan soon. Senator Nisar Ahmed Memon, Chairman, Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production and Acting Secretary Foreign Affairs also attended the meeting. Other members of the delegation included MPs David Borrow, Mr. David Crausby, Mr. David Harvard, Mr. Adam Holloway, Mr. Bernard Jenkin, Mr. Kevan Jones and Mr. Richard Younger-Ross. **Ahmad**
PR. No. 44. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has expressed satisfaction over the manner in which Lal Masjid demonstration was handled today and appreciated the authorities who facilitated the people gathered there and looked after their welfare. The Prime Minister observed this while talking to the Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Advisor to the PM on Interior, Mr. Rehman Malik and Advisor to the PM on Religious Affairs Maulana Hamid Saeed Kazmi, who called on him at the PM’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister said the government believes in resolving all issues through dialogue and negotiations and force should be used only as a last resort. Mr. Rahman Malik told the Prime Minister that concerned authorities had been asked to ensure availability of drinking water for the people gathered at the Lal Masjid and he himself visited the place today to see if everything was in place. He said that on the directions of the Prime Minister police was not kept visible and were given instructions to avoid the use of force. Advisor Interior also updated the Prime Minister on overall law and order situation in the country including Bara, Khyber Agency. He said after disbanding of the three organizations which were running parallel government in the area the situation is now calm and quiet under complete control of civilian forces. The Prime Minister said that it should be ensured that people have the confidence that every step taken by the government is in their best interest as well as the interest of the country. Maulana Hamid Saeed Kazmi briefed the Prime Minister on the main features of the next year’s Hajj policy and said that some changes in previous policy might be made to facilitate the Hujjaj. The Prime Minister said the entire process should be kept totally transparent and directed the Ministry of Religious Affairs to provide better facilities to the Hujjaj during their stay in the holy land. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf updated the Prime Minister on the steps being taken by the Ministry of Water and Power as part of PM’s 100-day programme for meeting energy shortage in the country. He also briefed him about his recent visit to Sindh. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far and directed the Ministry to gear up efforts to end loadshedding by the end of next year as already announced by the government. DSG/ank
PR. No. 45.
“Co-Chairman of PPP, Asif
Ali Zardari has said that no one
will be allowed to damage the special relationship he has with Asfandiyar
Wali Khan and any remarks against the ANP leadership and allies
are not acceptable “, This was stated by
Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms sherry Rehman.
She said this while referring to a
statement of a Provincial PPP leader which appeared in a section of the
press.
Ms Rehman said that Co-Chairman PPP Asif
Ali Zardari has deep reverence for the leaders of coalition parties and he
holds them in high esteem. No one is allowed to pass any remarks against
ANP and its leadership.
She said that PPP is following the
policies of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto EW/ank.
PR. No. 46. The Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fahmida Mirza and Deputy Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi have strongly condemned the Islamabad Bomb Blast and have expressed their grief over the killing of the police persons and others in the blast today. In their separate messages, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker said that the perpetrators of such heinous crime are the enemy of humanity and can not be Muslims. They prayed for the departed souls and sympathies with the bereaved families. They also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. MT/ank.
PR. No. 47. Federal Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Labour and Manpower, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, and Minister for Population Welfare Mir Humayun Aziz Kurd have strongly condemned Islamabad Bomb Blast in which several police officials lost their lives. In their messages to the bereaved families they prayed Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant courage and fortitude to the bereaved families, to bear this loss with equanimity. ZK/ank.
PR. No. 48. President Pervez Musharraf on Sunday condemned the blast at Melody Chowk, G-6/1, Islamabad and reiterated government’s commitment to root-out terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He asked the authorities concerned to conduct a thorough investigation into the blast to bring the culprits to justice. President Musharraf has also directed the local administration to provide every possible medical care to the injured. He expressed condolence with the families of those who lost their lives in the blast and prayed for eternal rest to the departed souls. AK/ank
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