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PR No. 301
Chief Minister
Balochistan, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raeesani called on
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza
Gilani at PM’s House here this morning. **PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No. 302
Federal Minister for Railways, Haji
Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mr.
Nazar Muhammad Gondal and Federal Minister for Health, Mr. Ijaz Ahmed
Jakrani separately called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at his
Parliament House Chamber here this
afternoon. **PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No. 303 Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan, Mian Raza Rabbani and Members of the Committee including Chief Whip and Minister for Labour and Manpower, Syed Khursheed Shah, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira and Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at his Parliament House Chamber here this afternoon and discussed with him matters pertaining to implementation on Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan. **PMMO/Ahmad**
PR
No. 304 President Asif Ali Zardari today visited Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Rawalpindi and inquired about the health of injured of Parade Lane Mosque Blast. While speaking to patients, President said that the Nation, along with Armed Forces stands united in sharing grief of the injured persons. He expressed his sympathies for bereaved families and praised their exemplary strength in this moment of trial. President said that forces of extremism and terrorism pose a threat to our national security and stability but Armed Forces of Pakistan are fully prepared to fight this menace. He said that we as a nation will never bow down against the cowardice acts of terrorism. He prayed for the early recovery of the wounded. Earlier, President of Pakistan Mr Asif Ali Zardari was received by Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at CMH Rawalpindi. Defence Minister Ch Ahmad Mukhtar was also present during the visit of the President. **FU/Ahmad**
The US Ambassador Anne W Patterson called on the Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim in his office today. Secretary Commerce Zafar Mahmood and senior officers of the Ministry were also present in the meeting. Makhdoom Amin Fahim expressed a hope that the US government would be kind enough to accelerate work on Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ’S). Considering the importance of providing market access to Pakistan, an initiative on creating Reconstruction Opportunity Zones (ROZ’S) has been under the process of legislation in the US Congress since 2006. The bill envisages establishing zones in certain regions of Pakistan, where a large number of goods exported to the US would receive duty free treatment. They also discussed an enhanced market access for Pakistan in the US markets through GSP+ (Generalized System of Preferences). Bilateral Trade between the two countries also came under discussion. To promote bilateral trade, a Joint Study Group (JSG) has been constituted between the two countries recently. USA is a major destination of Pakistan’s exports. 20% of our exports enter the US markets. The bulk of Pakistan’s exports are textile made ups, leather garments, sports goods and rice. **SH/Ahmad**
Not to be published/broadcast/telecast before the morning of December 08, 2009
PR
No. 306 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of felicitation to the SAARC community of nations and the SAARC Secretariat on the 24th anniversary of the signing the SAARC Charter. In his message the Prime Minister said that “8th December 1985 was indeed an historic day, when seven States of the region set out to chart a common South Asian destiny. Charter Day serves to remind us of SAARC’s immense promise and potential. “In twenty-four years, the Organization has made commendable progress. Now a family of eight, its growing international affiliations reflect its rising stature among the comity of nations. “Pakistan remains committed to the principles of SAARC. We firmly believe that the SAARC platform can be effectively utilized to spread among our States and peoples, the many dividends of regional cooperation. “Pakistan will continue to play an active and constructive role in drafting the Association’s agenda and helping realize its noble objectives.” **PMMO/Ahmad** Not to be published/broadcast/telecast before the morning of December 08, 2009
PR
No. 307 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said the government attaches high priority to the development of FATA and would ensure provision of increased funds for better health and education facilities besides infrastructure development in the area. He was talking to a delegation of FATA Parliamentarians headed by its parliamentary leader, Mr. Munir Khan Orakzai which called on him at PM’s House here today. The delegation apprised the Prime Minister of the status of ongoing development work in their areas. The other members of delegation included Federal Minister for Environment, Mr. Hameedullah Jan Afridi; Minister of State for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas, Mr. Abdul Raziq; Senators Engr. Rashid Ahmed Khan and Hafiz Rasheed Ahmed and MNAs, Mr. Sajid Hussain Turi, Mr. Mohammad Kamran Khan, Mr. Shaukatullah, Mr. Zafar Baig Bhittani and Mr. Jawad Hussain. Minister of State for Finance, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar also attended the meeting. **PMMO/Ahmad**
PR
No. 308 President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the government was determined to speedily implement the Balochistan Empowerment Package after discussion and debate in the Parliament. He said this while presiding over a meeting of the PPP Ministers of State in the Presidency Monday afternoon. The meeting was attended by Chaudhry Imtiaz Safdar Waraich, Sardar Salim Haider Khan, Mr. Ghulam Farid Khatia, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Mr Rafique Ahmed Jamali, Nawazada Malik Ahmad Khan, Mr. Muhammad Tariq Anis, Dr. Ayat Ullah Durrani, Syed Sumsam Ali S.Bukhari, Mr. Muhammad Afzal Sandhu, Ms Mehreen Anwar Raja and Mr. Nabil Ahmad Gabol. Briefing the journalists about the meeting Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President said that the PPP was a potent political force with mass following. It was created by opposing a dictator and not under the patronage of the dictator. This, the President said, made it a unique political party different from other political parties in the country. The President said that the Balochistan Empowerment Package had made far reaching recommendations, the implementation of which will not only address the long standing demands of the people but also usher in a harmonious relationship between the province and the federation. The President said that the constitutional amendments about provincial autonomy were being finalized by the Parliamentary Committee and expressed the hope that the same will be announced soon. He said that after change in the NFC award formula based on population; other criteria such as inverse population ratio, backwardness, poverty and resource generation were also being into consideration to redress the grievances of Balochistan and other smaller provinces. The President said that after the rationalization of the royalty formula and gas development surcharge, the concept of public private ownership will be followed in areas granted for exploration. Mr. Babar quoted the President as saying, “All new mega projects to be initiated with the consent and approval of the provincial government and the federal government to immediately create 5000 jobs for Balochistan province”. The Spokesperson said that the President asked the Ministers of State to fully participate in the on going discussion on the package in the Parliament with a view to giving it the ownership. President Zardari also discussed with the Ministers of State the political landscape of the country and advised them to gear themselves for taking the political message of the party across to the people, Mr. Babar informed. The President also enquired from the participants about their performance in their respective ministries. FU/wh PR
No. 309
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