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PR
No.86 Syed Ibne Abbas High Commissioner for Pakistan to New Zealand presented his credentials to the New Zealand Governor General H.E. The Hon. Sir Anand Satyanand, at Wellington on 25 February, 2010. The High Commissioner previously served in various diplomatic assignments abroad, including Los Angeles, New Delhi, Canberra, Geneva and Berne. His last assignment at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was Director General (South Asia). He also served as Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Secretariat. Pakistan and New Zealand enjoy friendly and cordial relations. The volume of Pakistan- New Zealand bilateral trade during the period 2008 uptil June 2009 was US$ 107 million. Pakistan High Commission at Wellington was established in May 2006 to further strengthen the ties between the two countries. **DO/Ahmad**
PR No.87 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said Health and Education are the priority areas on which the government is completely focused. Our National Health Policy, he said, has been prepared in accordance with the actual needs of the common man ensuring both quality and quantity. The Prime Minister was talking to Dr. Hussein A. Gezairy, Regional Director of WHO, who is currently in Pakistan to see the progress of WHO programmes. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s House here this afternoon. The Prime Minister said that the government has also prioritized specific areas within the health sector like hepatitis, polio, lever, kidney and heart diseases. In this context he added that he had already directed the Ministry of Health to ensure clear visibility of targets laid down. The high political commitment of the government to improve health facilities, the Prime Minister said, would definitely help to improve the health of the people as well as the standard of health facilities. As regards transplantation of essential body parts, the Prime Minister mentioned that the Parliament has already passed legislation and it would help people suffering from fatal diseases. The prime Minister appreciated the WHO initiative to help establish the National Health Emergency Preparedness Centre in Pakistan to meet any eventuality. He also thanked the WHO for their timely support during Earthquake of 2005 and for the IDPs. The Prime Minister asked for WHO assistance in the ammunization programmes and treatment of diseases like hepatitis. Dr. Hussein A. Gezairy, Regional Director of WHO said that Pakistan is one of counties which is not only speedily learning about health standards but also implementing the relevant health programmes. He specifically appreciated the government’s commitment to eradicate polio as well as concern for the hepatitis. The basic development need programme started in Pakistan, he said, will surely involve the community at local level to identify the health requirements. Dr. Hussein A. Gezairy apprised the Prime Minister about the WHO initiative to establish the National Health Emergency Preparedness Centre in Pakistan which will also serve the region. Besides WHO also plans to establish the Medicine Warehouse at Gwadar to keep stock of needs not only for Pakistan but the region including Gulf counties. The Minister and Secretary, Health were present. **PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No.88 It has come to the knowledge of the Presidency that some unscrupulous elements have printed fake application forms bearing picture of the President Asif Ali Zardari on these forms. According to the Spokesperson of the Presidency, these elements are hoodwinking people to apply for financial assistance to the President under a so-called scheme with the title ‘Ghurbat Mitao’. Some of these fake forms have also been received in the Presidency, he added. The
Spokesperson of the Presidency has advised the people to beware of these
fake forms and should not be trapped by these miscreants. **FU/Ahmad**
PR No.89 President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday sought a report from Governor Gilgit Baltistan over the relief and rehabilitation measures undertaken for the landslide affectees of Atta Abad in the Hunza valley and steps for the draining of an artificial lake. The massive landslide had hit Hunza District on January 4, that led to the sliding of two villages including Atta Abad into the Hunza River. The landslide wiped-out everything in its path and the debris fell down into the Hunza River, blocking its water flow. On that occasion, President Zardari, while expressing his deep shock and grief over massive landsliding that caused loss of life and destruction of private property had asked for immediate measures to bring relief to the affected families. The President today, sought a report to update him about the measures taken by Gilgit Baltistan administration and also by the federal government regarding the provision of shelter, food and medical help for the displaced people. He has also asked about the progress on measures taken to drain the artificial lake that was a growing threat to the downstream areas. **FU/Ahmad**
PR
No.90 Ambassador Sanaullah called on the former Vice President and current Chairman Red Cross, Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Muhammad Jusuf Kalla herein Indonesia on Monday and exchanged views with him on promoting bilateral cooperation. Welcoming the Ambassador Mr. Jusuf Kalla expressed keen interest in promoting Pakistan-Indonesia ties and said. “we’ve always enjoyed good relations. There never has been any problem”. He however, added that the international trend now was towards building economic and trade relations and the two countries should focus on these areas. On his query, the Ambassador informed him that Pakistan-Indonesia trade had climbed up to USD 1.2 billion in 2008, the highest ever trade volume achieved by two countries but later dropped mainly due to import duty problems and lack of positive progress in PTA negotiations. For enhancement of trade, it was imperative to sign the preferential Trade Agreement soonest possible and then move on to FTA. He mentioned that tariff on citrus fruit (kinnow) was not justifiable. Indonesia may consider zero tariff on its kinnow imports which are negligible as compared to its export of palm oil to Pakistan. Early signing of PTA would pave way for expanded export of Indonesia palm oil to Pakistan, he added. The former vice president offered to bring the urgency of the matter to the notice of the Agriculture and trade ministers. “ I would be happy to extend any help in promoting trade and economic cooperation between Pakistan and Indonesia”. He commented. The Ambassador renewed Pakistan’s offer to provide specific components for sugar mills in Indonesia. A proposal in this regard had been made to Indonesia some time ago, he told Vice President Kalla who agreed that Indonesia did in fact need certain components for sugar mills and the offer could be considered. The Ambassador briefed Mr. Jusuf Kalla about Pakistan’s anti-militancy campaign which he said had restored peace in Swat and was also bringing situation back to normal in tribal areas. He said as a result of this continued drive, over 2500 military personnel had laid down their lives. The communication network of the militants had been broken and some of their leaders had also been arrested. The militants were on the run and in the next two or three months, the anti-militancy drive was likely to achieve decisive success, he added. Mr. Jusuf kalla said both countries had suffered from religious radicalism but Pakistan faced greater difficulties. The Ambassador also briefed Mr. Kalla about the Pak-Afghan ties which he said had improved considerably now as there had been frequent high level engagements between the two countries, bilaterally as well as at various international fora. **SJ/W**
The National Assembly passed 30 bills in its 2nd parliamentary year that commenced on March 17, 2009 and will end on March 16, 2010 and during which it remained in session for 133 days, says a report submitted to the President today. Three private members bills were also passed during the period as the government did not oppose them. According to the report 40 adjournment motions, 31 privilege motions and 84 calling attention notices were taken up and 2965 questions were answered during the parliamentary year. The National Assembly also passed 14 resolutions and 68 ordinances were also laid during the second Parliamentary year. In the Senate, during its 7th Parliamentary year which will end on March 11, 2010, 181 adjournment motions, 31 privilege motions, 93 call attention notices and 736 questions were received besides passing bills. It also passed five resolutions. These are the highlights contained in a Parliamentary report during the year 2009- 2010, submitted by Minister for Law and Parliamentary affairs Dr. Babar Awan to President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Monday afternoon. According to the Report, the important bills passed during the parliamentary year included (a- The Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services Bill , 2008, (b- the Pakistan International Airlines Corporation(suspension of Trade Union and Exciting Agreement) order(Repeal) act, 2008, (c- the Industrial Relations Act, 2008, (d- the Prevention of Domestic violence Bill, 2008(Private members bill), (e- the Representation of the people (Amendment) bill, 2008, (f- The Election Laws (Amendment ) Bill , 2009, (g- the Criminal Law (amendment) bill, 2009, (h- The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Bill, 2009, (I- The Service Tribunals(Amendment) bill, 2010(Private Member’s bill), (j- The Removal From Service (Special Powers) Ordinance, 2000(Repeal) Bill, 2010 (Private member’s bill), and (k- The Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Bill, 2009. **FU/Ahmad**
PR
No.92 Prime Minister Syed Yusaf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Monday afternoon. Spokesperson to the President former senator Farhatullah Babar said that issues relating to the Constitutional reforms Package and the President’s forthcoming address to the Parliament came under discussion during the meeting. FU/wh
PR
No.93 Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani chaired a meeting here today on “National Fertilizer Strategy 2010-2025(NFS2025)”. The Ministry of Industries and Production commissioned Arthur D Little (Brussels) to prepare National Fertilizer Strategy (NFS) 2010-2025. The main objective of the NFS is to analyze how Pakistan can best close the rising gap between fertilizer demand and local production, over the next 20 year period. Arthur D Little prepared NFS in close cooperation with the Ministry of Industries and Production (MOIP), National Fertilizer Corporation (NFC) and Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC).In a detailed briefing given by Arthur D Little to Minister and other participants, he told that Natural Gas (NG) is a limited resource in Pakistan and the World, as the NG reserves are depleting very fast throughout the world. Therefore prices are estimated to rise constantly in the next years. Fertilizers have a share of 16% of the total consumption of Natural Gas in Pakistan. If all the present Fertilizers Companies, including Fatima and Engro, give production in full capacity then these can hardly be sufficient to cater to the demand of Urea until 2017, he told. After initial assessment of the options for the different industries that consume Natural Gas in Pakistan, he recommended that all industries which can use alternative feedstock can reduce their consumption of Natural Gas. For the power sector which consumes 1/3rd of Natural Gas, alternatives like nuclear, solar, hydro and coal based power generation technologies should be considered. Because all these feed stocks are locally available. And the same can be applied for key areas of the General Industries sector which is the second biggest consumer with 24% share. Arthur D Little suggested that Bin Qasim Karachi is by far the most optimal location for establishing an integrated Fertilizer Complex of Urea and DAP. However some participants of the meeting suggested that Multan could be the best location for the proposed Fertilizer Complex keeping in view easy market accessibility. The Minister welcomed the suggestions given by the representatives of All Fertilizers’ companies and government stake holders which were very useful and productive. All including the Minister, appreciated the briefing of Arthur D Little. Arthur D Little noted down all useful suggestions. Minister directed the Arthur D Little for addition of these suggestions in the document. Arthur D Little would also give briefing to ECC meeting tomorrow and National Fertilizer Strategy 2010-2025 would be finalized after a consensus of all public and private stake holders and then approval by the ECC, Minister added. MAB/wh
PR
No.94 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has expressed shock and grief over the loss of precious lives and destruction of property caused by a massive earthquake in Turkey and extended his heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathies to the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan on this natural calamity. In his message to his Turkish counterpart, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said “Excellency, we have learnt with utter sense of shock and profound sadness the news of the massive earthquake that has hit your beautiful country, today. Our hearts go out to our Turkish brethren over the loss of precious lives and destruction of property. I wish to convey, on behalf the people and Government of Pakistan and on my own behalf our deepest condolences and commiserations to the people and Government of Turkey in bearing this enormous natural calamity. I assure your Excellency of Pakistan’s total support and solidarity in this hour of trial of Turkey.” PMCO/wh
PR
No.95 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has advised the President for appointment of seven Additional Judges at Peshawar High Court on the summary of Law Division and after consultation with Chief Justice of Pakistan. The names of the Judges are: Mr. Yahya Afridi Mr. Zia-ur-Rehman Mr. Imtiaz Ali Syed Sajjad Hussain Shah Mr. Sher Muhammad Khan Mr. Abdul Samad Khan Sardar Shaukat Hayat PMCO/wh
PR
No.96 Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr today. Current security situation in the country was discussed during the meeting. SAK/wh
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