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P.R. No. 75 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said SAARC activities need to be enhanced to make this platform more vibrant to help develop meaningful cooperation between member states. Pakistan, he added, would continue to play its due role in this regard. The Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to Mrs. Rekha Kayasthra Bhindari, Chief Editor / Publisher of weekly MILAN of Nepal which brings out special publication on the occasion of every SAARC Conference. The meeting was held at the PM’s House today. Mrs. Bhindari was accompanied by Ms. Arty Mahat, Managing Editor of the magazine. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the forthcoming SAARC Conference scheduled in the last week of this month, would serve to identify areas of cooperation which can help strengthen the objectives of the Organization. Mrs. Rekha Kayasthra Bhindari said she believed that SAARC can bring success to efforts of cooperation among regional countries and develop understanding among the people of member states. Earlier, Mrs. Bhindari presented a copy of the publication containing details about the political leadership and contribution made by member states towards the objectives of the Organization. The publication also contains the level of development in different fields / areas in the member states. The meeting was also attended by Secretary Information and senior officials. **PMMO/Ahmad**
Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has expressed deep sorrow over the sad demise of the mother of Mayor Karachi Mustafa Kamal. He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant eternal peace and Jannat-ul-Firdous to the departed soul and to grant the family patience and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. **SA/Ahmad**
P.R. No. 77 World Health Day marks the commitment of international community to strive for ensuring that human beings enjoy a healthy life and be able to positively contribute towards their respective national progress and prosperity. Health is directly linked to healthy environment and adequate basic facilities for all. The theme of World Health Organization for this year is “Urbanization and Health” which clearly indicates that concentration of population leads to degradation of environment as well as scarcity of basic needs thus affecting the health of people at large. Rapid and unplanned growth of cities has created many health related medical and psychological problems which needs immediate attention of both public and private sectors. The Government of Pakistan is making serious efforts to improve the living condition of its citizens. We believe that access to a medical care is a basic right of every citizen. Therefore, we have accorded top priority to Health and earmarked record budgetary allocations. We have announced a National Health Policy which has been formulated after consultation with all the stake holders to address the health issue. In this connection, campaigns to eradicate polio, mother and child health care, LHV programme, etc. The Government has initiated a programme for provision of clean drinking water for all to control water-born diseases. Air and noise pollution are telling upon the health of urban dwellers. In this connection, the Federal Government in collaboration with the provincial and local administration has launched public awareness campaign to educate the people. While the Government is determined to provide health environment, however, it is equally significant that each of us adopt habits to keep the environment clean. This will lessen chances for infections and disease. **PMMO/Ahmad**
P.R. No. 78 Ambassador of Oman H.E. Mohamed Said Mohamed Al-Lawati met with Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi in his office today. During the meeting matters pertaining to mutual interest especially related to Environment sector came under discussion. Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Environment talking to Ambassador of Oman, said that Pakistan values its relations with brother Islamic country, Oman. He reiterated that both countries are enjoying close relations and hoped that bilateral cooperation in different fields especially in Environment sector, will be enhanced. Afridi desired to sign MOUs regarding cooperation in different areas of Environment sector between two countries. He also wished to accelerate mutual collaboration in this sector so that experiences and research based knowledge may be exchanged and get benefit from each other. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi accepted the invitation from Environment Minister of Sultanate of Oman H.E. Hamoud Bin Faisal Al Busaidi to visit Oman. He hoped that through his visit to Oman, new doors of cooperation and coordination will open. His visit to Oman will be scheduled in next month. Ambassador of Oman said that Pakistan is our brother Islamic state and we give highly importance to these existing relations. He told that Oman is the first ever country of the world who introduced Ministry of Environment. He added that we are very much concerned with the threat of global warming and climate change. Government of Oman is focusing this core issue and Modern technology and other important initiatives are being taken in this sector. He expressed his wish to exchange their experiences and technology in Environment Sector. Earlier, Ambassador of Oman presented Invitation letter from Omanian Minister for Environment and Climate Change to Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi for visit to Oman. He hoped that his visit to Oman will give an opportunity to exchange views and opinions of different Environmental issues of mutual interest for both countries. This meeting was held in cordial atmosphere in which both sides discussed at length bilateral ties and economic cooperation. Federal Secretary, Ministry of Environment Muhammad Javed Malik and Joint Secretary, Ministry of Environment Abid Ali Khan were also present during the meeting. **ASM/Ahmad**
P.R.
No. 79 Federal Minister for Housing & Works Rahmatullah Kakar performed the balloting of Turbat Housing Project at Pakistan Housing Authority building here today. The ceremony was attended by the Federal Secretary Housing Raja Muhammad Abbas, MD Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA), Mr. Muhammad Ali Afridi, DG (Land) PHA, Col. Subah Sadiq, MD Al-Khalil Builders, Mr. Khalil Ahmad Buledi and senior officials of PHA. According to the balloting 679 persons were successful which would get plots in first phase. It has also been decided that those who were unsuccessful would be adjusted in the 2nd phase of the project. Under the Prime Minister’s Housing Program, Pakistan Housing Authority and M/S Al-Khalil Builders were undertaking the Turbat Housing Project for the shelterless people. Federal Minister for Housing and Works Rahmatullah Kakar while congratulating the successful applicants said that Pakistan Housing Authority would launch more projects in the country shortly. He said that the government has embarked upon the Prime Minister’s Housing for All’ program which would provide housing facility for shelterless, needy government servants and general public. The Minister said that housing sector developmental activities would give tremendous boost to socio-economic activities in the country and generate employment opportunities to great extent. The Minister said that one million housing units would be constructed across the country which would mitigate the shelter problem of the people as quickly as possible. **MN/Ahmad**
Mr. Jalil Abbas Jilani Ambassador of Pakistan to Belgium, European Union and Luxembourg presented his credentials to Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council in a simple but graceful ceremony at the European Council today. Ambassador Jilani conveyed the greetings and best wishes of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan to President Rompuy and reiterated Pakistan’s keen interest in developing broad based ties with the European Union, says a press release received here today from Brussels. President Rompuy welcomed the Ambassador and assured him of EU’s commitment to further enhance cooperation with Pakistan. In this context he welcomed the visit of the Mr. Yusuf Raza Gilani, Prime Minister of Pakistan for the forthcoming 2nd EU-Pakistan Summit to be held in Brussels. President Rompuy also offered his condolences on the tragic bombing incident in Peshawar and stated that the EU stands united behind Pakistan in its war against terrorism. President Rompuy stated that the EU considers Pakistan to be a strategic ally in the South Asia region and regular Summit level engagements would enable the EU and Pakistan to jointly confront the challenges facing Pakistan. President Rompuy also assured EU’s firm commitment to the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) forum and contribution of economic assistance to the development of Pakistan through various plans. **MNB/Ahmad**
P.R.
No. 81 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani reiterated his Government commitment to take all parliamentary political parties into confidence on all national policies particularly Defence, Kashmir and Nuclear policies. He informed the members that he desired to take all the political forces in to confidence before his visit to Washington to participate in the Nuclear Security Summit being held on 12-13 April, 2010. In his opening statement while chairing a special meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security at the Constitutional Committee Room in the parliament house this afternoon, the Prime Minister said Pakistan being a Nuclear State was cognizant of its responsibilities and had developed an effective nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation measures underpinned by extensive legislative, regulatory and administrative framework. He further said that as chairman of the National Command Authority, his government fully accepts the responsibility of nuclear security, which reflects the determination of the political government to accept the responsibility collectively. The Prime Minister said nuclear power generation offers viable solutions for energy security and addressing the challenge of climate change. He mentioned Pakistan had more than 35 years experience of operating nuclear power plants successfully. He further said highly trained manpower and a well established foolproof safety and security culture fully qualifies Pakistan for equal participation in civil nuclear cooperation at the international level which would help us in addressing our immediate energy problems and would bring greater stability as well. The Prime Minister said Pakistan is a democratic, progressive and peaceful country. He added that our socio-economic development hinges on our ability to meet rapidly expanding energy requirements. He stressed, we need to explore all options to ensure a reliable energy mix and civil nuclear power generation is therefore an essential part of our national energy security strategy. The Prime Minister declared that the Government considers nuclear safety, security and safeguards as vehicles for facilitating international civil nuclear cooperation. He observed that the objectives of nuclear non-proliferation, safety and security can only be served and promoted through a non-discriminatory paradigm for international cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. Pakistan, he added needs access to civilian nuclear technology on a non-discriminatory basis. Earlier Lt. General (Rtd) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, DG SPD briefed the Parliamentary Committee on Pakistan’s Nuclear Programme and security of nuclear assets. During his presentation, he mentioned that Pakistan has one of the best systems of safety and security of nuclear assets and technology both on the defence and civilian side. Mr. Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador in China who participated in the preliminary deliberations of the forthcoming Nuclear Summit in Washington, apprised the Parliamentary Committee on the objectives of the Summit and the preparations made by Pakistan to be able to positively contribute in the deliberations of the Summit. The USA, he mentioned, has already made the objectives public which are a manifestation of President Barak Obama’s three point strategy for non-proliferation of nuclear technology in the interest of global security. He also apprised that while leading the Pakistan delegation at the Summit the Prime Minister is likely to meet other leaders on the sidelines. The representatives of all the political parties in the Parliament Committee on National Defence applauded the gesture of the Prime Minister for taking them into confidence prior to his participation in an important International Summit. They assured him complete support and expressed confidence that he would be able to put across Pakistan’s viewpoint forcefully being a democratically elected Prime Minister enjoying complete backing of the entire Nation. The members of the Committee also appreciated the preparations made by the Pakistani side for the Summit and expressed satisfaction over policies and measures in place for the safety and security of nuclear materials and facilities in Pakistan. The members also gave suggestions on various aspects of the subject of the Summit which were aptly accommodated. ‘ The special meeting was also attended by Mr. Ahmed Mukhtar, Defence Minister, General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee and the Foreign Secretary. The leaders of the Parliamentary parties who attended the meeting represented PPPP, PML(N), PML(Q), ANP, JI, MQM, PML(F), PPP(S), PKMAP, BNP-A and JWP.
P.R.
No. 82 The Senate Standing Committee on Industrial Production met at the Parliament House this evening under the Chairmanship of Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and discussed the response of the Ministry of Industries and Production on the report of the Sub- Committee of the Standing Committee on Industries and Production alongwith the current shortage, prices and supply of sugar in the market . The meeting was attended by Senators Adnan Khan, Islamuddin Sheikh, Gull Muhammad Lot, Abudl Haseeb Khan, Ilyas Ahmed Bilour, Mir Hasil Bazinjo, Haroon Khan, Mrs. Semeen Siddiqui besides the Minister for Industries and Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani and Special Secretary Senate Iftkhar Ullah Babar. While discussing the issues relating to the PSM, the Ministry of Industries and Production agreed with the findings of the Sub Committee headed by Senator Haroon Khan. The Committee felt that the matter be left here and let the FIA and the Supreme Court complete their respective inquiries. However, the Committee will share its report with the Senate. The Committee will closely monitor the working of the PSM and would seek a briefing from the new management on restructuring and business plan feasibility. While considering the current sugar crisis, the Committee formed a sub Committee under the Convenership of Senator Islamuddin Sheikh and it included Senators Haroon Khan & Ilyas Ahmed Bilour as members. It would tackle issues relating to the sugar prices and firm up proposals and recommendations so that the Minister could convey the same in the next ECC meeting. The Sub Committee was tasked to ensure that the sugar cane growers receive their dues from mill owners and that Banks, which have advanced money to mills may be able to payback their liabilities so that their volume of NPL (Non Performing Loans) does not enhance. It also directed that the new policy should be consumer-friendly but at the same time it should also protect the legitimate interest of the mill owners. The Committee also recommended that supply of sugar to the Utility Stores be increased through the imported sugar which is in pipe line.
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