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No. 89 Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has expressed grief over the sad demise of veteran politician, famous Pashto poet and former MNA & Senator, Mr. Muhammad Ajmal Khattak who died in Nowshera, yesterday. The minister lauded the services of late Mr. Muhammad Ajmal Khattak for Pashto literature and promotion of democracy. He said that with the demise of Mr. Muhammad Ajmal Khattak, the country has lost a seasoned politician and a very fine gentleman. The Minister prayed to almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in peace and to grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. **MS/Ahmad**
PR No. 90 Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company have played a key role in arranging the exhibition of Fresh Produce Exports at Fruit Logistica 2010 at Berlin Germany. Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Horticulture Development & Export Company (PHDEC) Mr. Bashir Hussein lead the Pakistan’s delegation on behalf of the Ministry of the Commerce, where PHDEC has arranged a Pakistan Pavilion with a delegation of leading exporting companies from Pakistan. There he also visited stalls of Pakistani exhibitors and met them individually. Mr. Bashir also met Pakistani Ambassador and Commercial Counselor and discussed many ways of promoting Pakistani commodities in Germany . During the visit, on the directives of Commerce Minister, Mr. Bashir met CEOs and MDs of potential importers and machinery suppliers to create linkages and upgrade local industry. Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company facilitated the leading kinno exporters of the country to display their products and get contracts and generate foreign exchange for Pakistan. Growers and exporters from all over the country visited the show to see new technologies available for post harvest. This was a unique opportunity for growers and exporters at fruit logistica where some more than 55,000 trade visitors were visiting the show from 120 countries of the world. Honorable Commerce Minister has appreciated the efforts being taken by PHDEC to facilitate the exporters of the country to the new technologies. **SH/Ahmad**
PR No. 91 Federal Minister for Religious Affairs, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has expressed great grief and sorrow over the sad demise of veteran politician and prominent leader of Awami National Party, Mohammad Ajmal Khan Khattak, who died on Sunday after protracted illness. In his message to his son, the Minister termed his death a great loss and said that the nation had deprived of great leader who would be remembered, not only as a political leader but also as a great poet and scholar of Phusto language. He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant peace to the departed soul in eternal peace and give courage and fortitude to the deceased family to bear this irreparable loss. **AJM/Ahmad**
PR No. 92 Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour Monday described the death of prominent Pushto scholar, poet and former Awami National Party President, Ajmal Khattak as irreparable and incalculable loss and said this gulf can in no way be bridged. “Not only the Awami National Party has lost its great leader rather the whole nation has been deprived of a veteran politician. No doubt, he was a sincere and committed political leader who also faced exile and imprisonment due to his strong convictions,” said Bilour, expressing his condolence over the sad demise of Ajmal Khattak. Khattak, who breathed his last in his native village after protracted illness at age of 85, had also interest in literature and published a number of prose and poetry collections in Pashto as well as Urdu. Bilour said it was his simplicity and honesty that made him won the love and respect from people and despite being a Member of Parliament and holding top posts in the party, he did nothing for his person rather preferred the public service. Starting from his career as school teacher to journalist and then politician, he spent his whole life in a small home at Akora Khattak, Nowshera. The railways minister said in order to commemorate the services of deceased Ajmal Khattak and condole his death, the Awami National Party has announced to observe three-day mourning. Recalling the services of late leader, Bilour said Khattak’s life was full of sacrifices for the democracy and other noble causes as in his early political career, he was forced to leave school job due to his involvement in Khudai Khidmatgar Movement. Later, following the firing at Khan Abdul Wali Khan in Liaqat Bagh, Khattak left for Afghanistan and lived in self-exile till 1990. Bilour prayed for the forgiveness of deceased souls and courage and fortitude for the grieved family to bear this irreparable loss with patience and equanimity. **SM/Ahmad**
PR No. 93 President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday called for taking Pak- China bilateral trade and commercial ties to new heights as the two countries were and friends but also natural partners in the economic growth of the region. “Strengthening and expanding cooperation with China in all fields is one of the key principles guiding Pakistan’s foreign policy”. This he said during a meeting with Chinese delegation led by Mr. Huang Xinoxiang, Vice Governor Sichuan Province of China, who called on him at Presidency today. Mr. Lue Zhouhui, Chinese ambassador in Pakistan was also present at the meeting of the 8 member Chinese delegation with the President. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Saleem H. Mandviwala, Chairman Board of Investment and federal Secretaries of commerce, industries, and BOI besides other senior officials. The President while referring to his previous four visits to China said that Pakistan was continue to learn from the Chinese economic and development miracle and benefit from its expertise in diverse areas of agriculture, education, communications, commerce, energy and industry. He said that the current level of bilateral trade of $ 7 billion is much below the available potential and urged for increasing it to $ 15 billion by 2011. The President said that Sichuan Province, the birth place of the visionary leader of China Mr. Deng Xiaoping and one of the vital economic and cultural centers of China offers great potential to further solidify our strong friendship. The President invited the leading Sichuan business corporations to explore investment opportunities in Pakistan to the mutual benefit. The President also urged for youth exchange and institutional links between the universities in Pakistan and Sichuan Province to further promote Pak- China friendship in the fields of Education and culture. **FU/Ahmad**
PR No. 94 Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that there is a need for strengthening the existing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Norway in the field of media and communications. He was talking to Norwegian Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Robert Kvile, who called on him here today. The Minister said that in this age of the world becoming a global village there is a need of understanding the demands of this dynamic media. He said that there is a need to share the expertise and experiences in media between the two countries. The Minister said that the government has recently initiated training programs and capacity building courses for media in the country. He stressed the need of enhancing the collaboration between the journalists of the two countries to equip them for meeting the day-to-day challenges in performing their duties. The minister underlined the need for enhancing technical collaboration and sharing of technical know-how in the field of media and communication with a view to transfer of expertise and technology. The minister said that there Pakistan offers numerous investment opportunities in the media sector and Norwegian investors are welcome to invest in the country. He stressed the need for enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries. The Ambassador of Norway to Pakistan said that Pakistani diaspora in Norway are playing their positive and constructive role in the development of the country and are enriching the society. He said that these overseas Pakistanis can play a very important role in bridging the gaps between the two countries. He appreciated the steps taken by the government for promoting free journalism and opening up of media in the country. **MS/Ahmad**
PR No. 95 Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Khan Raisani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-e- Sadr on Monday afternoon. Matters regarding developmental Projects in the province, law and order and political situation in the province and the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package came under discussion during the meeting. The President said that Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan’ package will bring Balochistan at par with other provinces in terms of development and would help address grievances and sense of deprivation of the People of Balochistan. The Chief Minister briefed the President on the status of Law and order and development activities in the Province. **FU/Ahmad**
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No. 96 Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia, H.E. Mr. H. M. Taufiq Kiemas today informed the Ambassador Sanaullah that in March/April, the People’s Consultative Assembly of the Republic of Indonesia would establish a Parliamentary Group of Friendship for friendly countries including Pakistan. He also welcomed the proposal to have regular contact between the National Assemblies of the two countries. During the discussions, Ambassador Sanaullah briefed the Indonesian Parliamentarians about Pakistan’s interest to enhance cooperation between respective Parliaments. In this context, he asked for re-establishment of the Parliamentary Group for Pakistan. He also briefed the Honorable Chairman and his colleagues about the resumption of India-Pakistan Dialogues, the essentiality of resolving the Kashmir Dispute and Pakistan’s policy to encourage registration of foreign students studying in Pakistani Islamic and International Universities. Chairman Mr. H. M. Taufiq Kiemas recalled the former Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri’s visit to Pakistan in 2003 and said that the Indonesia then offered to play host in Bali for dialogue between India and Pakistan. He agreed that politicians being the pulse of the public, could play a crucial role in promoting G-to-G and B-to-B dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. Vice Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly Drs. H. Hajriyanto Y. Thohari, MA said that Indonesian Consultative Assembly would welcome active cooperation with Pakistan National Assembly. Referring back to bilateral exchanges between Parliamentarians of the two countries, she said that this tradition should be encouraged. **SJ/Ahmad**
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No. 97 In line with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources (MPNR) drive to encourage foreign investment and exploration in the oil and gas sector, Petroleum Minister Syed Naveed Qamar visited the offshore well Shark 1 on Monday, February 8, 2010. He was accompanied by newly appointed Secretary Petroleum Kamran Lashari, Director General Petroleum Concessions Muhammad Naeem Malik, Managing Director, ENI Pakistan Limited (ENI) Paolo Giraudi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) Khalid Rehman Managing Director, Government Holdings Private Limited Irfan Nasar. The Minister surveyed the site and met with the drilling team during the visit. The drilling of Shark I began on January 17, 2010. The well is expected to be drilled to the depth of approximately 3,540 meters. Shark 1 is the first exploratory well being drilled in Indus ‘M’ Block, Located 87 Kilometers south-west of Karachi. The Block is a joint venture (JV) between ENI as operator with 70 percent working interest and PPL holding the remaining 30 percent. Shark I is the first offshore well drilled in Pakistan by ENI, an Italian Exploration and Production (E&P) company that has been active in the country since 2000. Beside Indus ‘M’, ENI and PPL are JV partners in several exploration blocks, including offshore blocks Indus ‘N’ and ‘C’. Following his return from Shark I, Minister Syed Naveed Qamar met with a high-level delegation from ENI Italy that include Vice President Umberto Virgin, Regional Vice President Luigi Ciarrochi and Regional Coordinator Santo Lagana, all belonging to the company’s E&P Division. The Minister appreciated the ENI team on initiating work at Shark I, and apprised them of the untapped potential for discovering reserves of hydrocarbons in Pakistan’s offshore areas. He added that the MPNR was committed to providing full cooperation to ENI to facilitate its exploration program at Shark 1 as well as other blocks AR/wh
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No. 98 Federal Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar has strongly condemned firing at an election office of Sheikh Rashid at Khayber Sir Syed in which four security guards were killed and Sheikh Rashid himself got minor injuries. Federal Minister has strongly condemned the incident, and prayed Almighty Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and early recovery of those who were injured in incident.
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No. 99 The second F-22 P Frigate PNS SHAMSHEER constructed at Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, China was inducted in PN Fleet today in an impressive ceremony held at Pakistan Navy Dockyard at Karachi. Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The ceremony was also attended by senior political leadership and government officials including Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah. Moreover, Ambassador of China to Pakistan and other distinguished guests from Chinese Navy, government authorities and shipbuilding industry were also present at the ceremony. Addressing the ceremony, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani said that the occasion is yet another true manifestation of friendship, trust and mutual cooperation that exists between great nations of Pakistan and China. The defence cooperation between Pakistan and China is focused on improving the regional peace, security and stability. He also admired Chinese cooperation in development of Gwadar Deep Sea Port which has significantly contributed towards strengthening the maritime infrastructure in Pakistan and opened new avenues of growth and prosperity in Balochistan. Emphasizing on indigenization in defence production, he said that F-22 P Frigate programme also has an embedded indigenization aspect which would be fulfilled by the construction of fourth Frigate at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works. Appreciating the role of Pakistan Navy in national defence, Mr. Gillani said that Pakistan Navy is maintaining guard not only in our part of Arabian Sea but even beyond to the coast of Africa through which the vital shipping lanes pass, which are the jugular veins of global economy. He said that the government also recognizes and admires Navy’s efforts in countering threat of terrorism and piracy. While highlighting the geo-strategic importance of Pakistan, the Prime Minister mentioned that Pakistan is located on the crossroads of major civilizations and trade routes. Its geo-strategic and geo-economic importance in the present times demands enhanced efforts with regards to regional and global security. Pakistan is, therefore, contributing more than its fair share to fight the forces that aim to destabilize and destroy the international order. He said that Pakistan does not want to engage in arms race with any country. Its strategic as well as conventional capabilities are focused towards legitimate defence needs and promotion of peace. To this end, he said, we will equip our Armed Forces accordingly, regardless of economic hardships. Earlier, while welcoming the guests at induction ceremony, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Noman Bashir said that Pakistan is a peace loving country and believes in promotion of peace and stability. Pakistan Navy being guardian of the country’s maritime interests, feels confident that the induction of this capable ship will further strengthen our professional capability. While highlighting PN’s national and international commitments, he mentioned that Navy’s role has been enhanced to fight the rogue of terrorism and piracy at high seas. To fulfill these obligations, Pakistan Navy is continuously participating in Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan as well as Counter Piracy Operations. PNS SHAMSHEER is a state of the art ship, designed and equipped for multi-purpose role with robust, reliable and modern weapons and sensors. The ship has been specially designed to meet Pakistan Navy’s requirements of fighting in multi-threat environment with Air Defence missiles and Close-in-Weapon Systems; while engaging multiple targets simultaneously with long-range weapons. It also has advance Anti Submarine Warfare capability with state of the art SONAR that can detect submarines at long ranges. The induction of first ship PNS ZULFIQUAR in PN Fleet was undertaken four month ago and induction of third F-22 P ship (PNS SAIF) is expected in March 2010 whereas construction of fourth ship is to be completed by 2013 in Pakistan. Addition of these new ships will not only strengthen the PN Fleet but will also contribute in enhancing country’s shipbuilding capabilities.
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No. 100 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that focused attention on the issues concerning the people would help prepare policies which could strengthen governance in the country. The Prime Minister said this while talking to a group of parliamentarians who called on him at his Parliament’s House Chamber here this evening. The parliamentarians included Deputy Speaker National Assembly, Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi; Minister for Labour and Manpower, Syed Khurshid Ali Shah; Minister for Youth Affairs, Mr. Shahid Bhutto; Minister for SAFRON, Mr. Najmuddin Khan; Minister of State for Information, Syed Sumsam Ali Bukhari; Minister of State for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Senator Abdul Raziq; Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Social Sector, Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali and MNA Ahmadan Bugti. They apprised the Prime Minister of matters relating to their areas. The Ministers briefed him about the working of their Ministries and Divisions as well. PMMO/wh
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No. 101 The Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim has directed the Chairman State Life Insurance Company (SLIC) to conduct the tests and interviews locally at the regional offices for filling the vacant seats in the Company. The tests and interviews for posting in the Company were scheduled in the month of February at the SLIC headquarter Karachi . The Federal Minister gave this direction to facilitate the candidates locally, hence saving their time and money. SH/wh
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No. 102 The meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Restructuring (CCOR) was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Shaukat Tarin, Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs and Statistics here today. The meeting discussed various modalities for restructuring of Public Sector Enterprises (PSEs) and decided that financial restructuring and operational and corporate governance improvement of the eight PSEs would be undertaken to turn them into viable entities. The meeting discussed an initial framework for restructuring of each PSE. Weak governance, susceptibility to outside influence and implicit guarantees by the government were identified as major reasons for the under-performance of PSEs. The meeting decided to co-opt the concerned ministers to facilitate the restructuring effort. In this regard the CCOR finalized a proposed road map with a time line which would soon be submitted to the Prime Minister for final approval. It may be noted that the Cabinet Committee on Restructuring has been formed to undertake restructuring of the following eight PSEs: PIA, Pakistan Railways, Pakistan Steel Mills, PEPCO, PASSCO, Utility Stores Corporation, NHA and TCP. The meeting was also attended by the Federal Minister for Privatization, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, and senior officials of Ministry of Finance. DGMF/wh
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No. 103 The 24-memebrs Frontier Bar Council which called on President Asif Ali Zardari late Monday night has demanded role of Bar Councils in the appointment of judges through Parliamentary Committee comprising of members both from the government and the opposition, strict adherence to the principle of seniority in the higher judiciary including Supreme Court, appointment of senior lawyers in Supreme Court and women as judges in the superior judiciary in line with the policy of the government. Besides 24 members of the Bar Council, the meeting was also attended by President Peoples Lawyers Forum Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa, President Frontier PLF Barrister Masood Kousar, General Secretary PLF Mr. Ilyas Khan, Information Secretary PLF Mr. Abdullah Malik and the President Punjab PLF Sardar Khurram Latif Khan Khosa.
The President during the meeting said that the lawyers community has always been in the forefront in the fight for democracy, establishing rule of law in the country, constitutionalism and independence of judiciary. Pakistan Peoples Party acknowledges their critical and important role and would facilitate lawyers community in every possible manner so that the goal of easy dispensation of justice to the ordinary citizen could be accomplished. President Asif Ali Zardari also said that speedy dispensation of justice to the ordinary citizens is the foremost priority of PPP government and the government being aware of the problems of the lawyers’ community is taking all possible measures to address them. President Zardari urged the lawyers community to gear up their efforts to meet the litigants expectations. Mr. Ahmed Farooq Khattak, Vice Chairman Frontier Bar Council also put forth various demands of the lawyers community that included housing scheme for the lawyers, free medical facilities, establishing a medical dispensary in Peshawar High Court with provision of free medicine. The members of Bar Council also requested for allotment of 3 kanal plot for building lawyers hostel and a grant of Rs. 20 crore for setting up of office of the Bar Council and Lawyers Benevolent and General Fund. President Asif Ali Zardari assured the Bar Council that their legitimate demands would be fulfilled and the Pakhtoonkhwa Bar Council will be treated at least at par with and not below the bar Councils of the other provinces. In response to the demand made by the Vice Chairman Frontier Bar Council for the federal grant to the Bar Council, the President said that if Bar Councils of the other provinces had received grant from the Federal government, there was no reason why Pakhtoonkhwa bar Council should also be not given federal grant. The Bar Council thanked the President for meeting them and assured their continued full support to the efforts of the President and the PPP Government for strengthening of democracy, establishing supremacy of the Parliament, facilitating dispensation of justice and securing Pakhtoonkhwa from the tyranny of extremism and militancy. SAK/wh
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No. 104 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani rang up AML’s Chief Shaikh Rasheed Ahmad and expressed sorrow over the death of his party workers in the incident of firing over his vehicle and the camp office. While condemning the incident, the Prime Minister reiterated that the politics of violence does not commensurate with our political culture and cannot be allowed to flourish. The Prime Minister earlier in the evening had strongly condemned the firing incident and asked for an enquiry.
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No. 105 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani talked over telephone with ANP’s Chief Mr. Asfand Yar Wali and PML (N) Chief Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and discussed the constitutional amendments being debated upon by the Parliamentary Committee on constitutional package. Both Mr. Asfand Yar Wali and Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif expressed confidence that the issue of the new name of NWFP province would be finalized very soon.
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