PR No. 313
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad 08, December, 2009

President Asif Ali Zardari has said that Pakistan Peoples Party will change destiny of the nation and extricate people from lawlessness, backwardness and militancy no matter what the opponents said or did against the Party. He said that those who were talking of cutting short the tenure of the Party were living in a fool’s paradise and are destined to be frustrated.

This he said while presiding over, along with the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, a meeting of PPP ministers in the Presidency Monday night.

Those who attended the meeting included among others Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan, Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar, Mr. Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Senator Shaukat Tarin, Mr. Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Mir Aijaz Hussain Jakhrani, Syed Mumtaz Alam Gilani, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, Mr. Rehman A. Malik, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Dr. Babar Awan, Mr. Humayun Aziz Kurd, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, Syed Naveed Qamar, Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi, Ms. Samina Khalid Ghurki, Pir Aftab Hussain Jilani, Mr. Najmuddin Khan, Mr. Lal Muhammad Khan, Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Mr. Shahid Hussain Bhutoo, Ms.  Fouzia Wahab and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar.

The meeting discussed current political situation in the country in which the participants expressed their views candidly on a host of issues facing the country.

The President asked the federal ministers to reach out to the people in far flung areas and address their problems, on one hand, and expose machinations against the Party, on the other.

The President said that unemployment was a serious issue and asked the federal ministers to devise credible and transparent schemes for providing jobs to the people.

PR No. 314
PRESS RELEASE    
CABINET MEETING December 8, 2009

The Federal Cabinet met here today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.

The Prime Minister informed the Cabinet that speculations about reshuffle in the Federal Cabinet were misplaced and no such decision is immediately expected.

On austerity measures the Cabinet decided to convene a special meeting to be attended by all the Chief Ministers who could not make themselves available for today’s meeting due to some pressing engagements. The Cabinet would consider recommendations of a Committee constituted for the purpose under the chairmanship of the Federal Minister for Finance and take a decision. The Committee included all the Chief Ministers and Prime Minister of AJK. The Committee held two meetings and conducted surveys before finalizing its recommendations.

The meeting approved in principle the Gwadar Port Authority’s revised Bill for new corporate structure of the Port. The Cabinet however referred the Bill to Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan for its consideration and to make it in line with Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan. Besides the members of the Committee, Federal Minister for Port and Shipping and Chief Secretary Balochistan are also included for this purpose.

Regarding procurement/import/gift of armored/bullet proof vehicles for public and private sector, the Cabinet referred it to the austerity committee headed by the Finance Minister

The cabinet ratified the decisions of the ECC meetings held on 17-11-2009.

It also ratified agreement on economic and technical cooperation between Pakistan and State of Kuwait which was signed on 19th June, 2006. The agreement seeks to further promote and strengthen the bilateral economic and technical cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

In order to further strengthen economic ties with the brotherly country of Turkey, the cabinet granted ex-post facto approval to signing of MoU between Pakistan and Turkey for establishment of a project office of Turkish International Cooperation Agency. Turkey had pledged US$ 100 million during the Tokyo Donors Conference. An amount of US $ 10 million has already been disbursed as budgetary support, while the balance of US $ 90 million will be spent on development projects/programs. Turkey has proposed to spend the development assistance through Turkish International Cooperation Agency.

The Cabinet also ratified agreement on cooperation in the field of security related training between Pakistan and Turkey.

The Cabinet granted approval for initiating negotiations on climate change under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Kyoto Protocol. It also approved a broad set of guidelines and parameters for Pakistan’s position on the matter.  

The cabinet approved two draft bills, titled: “Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2009” and “Sea Carriage Shipping Documents Bill 2009” for submission before the parliament for enactment.

The Cabinet approved Pakistan’s accession to the Antarctic Treaty System. Once Pakistan becomes an Acceding State it would not only get necessary cooperation and support and Antarctic Treaty Consultative parties (ATCP) in launching any future expeditions to Antarctica but would also get necessary training facilities for Pakistani scientist participation in their joint research programs, as well as the requisite support and assistance from related international organization involved in Antarctic Research Activities.

PR No. 315
PRESS RELEASE
Governor Punjab calls on President
 Islamabad, 08 December, 2009
           

Governor Punjab Mr. Salman Taseer called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.
 
Law and order situation in Punjab was discussed during the meeting. The President condoled with the Governor over the loss of precious lives in the incidents that took place in Lahore Monday night and in Multan today.
 
The President also instructed the Governor to ensure that the injured of such incidents should be properly looked after.

 PR No. 316
PRESS RELEASE 
Islamabad: December 8, 2009

 
 A meeting of the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Implementation Committee was held under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here this morning to review progress on the implementation process.

The meeting was attended by Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Balochistan, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani and its members including, Minister for Commerce, Makhdoom Amin Faheem, Minister for Petroleum Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Zaheeruddin Babar Awan, Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, concerned Federal Secretaries and Chief Secretary of Balochistan.

PR No. 317
PRESS RELEASE 
Reports of foreign assets of President Asif Ali Zardari termed
as regurgitation of old unproven allegations
Islamabad: December 8, 2009

Reports of 1.5 billion dollars of national and foreign assets allegedly belonging to President Asif Ali Zardari are no more than regurgitation of a decade old unproven politically motivated allegations.            

Responding to reports in a section of the media Spokesperson to the President said that none of the charges leveled against Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Mr. Asif Ali Zardari could be proved in any court of law despite spending hundreds of millions from public exchequer and relentless witch hunting spread over countries and continents.
 
He said that the absurdity and politically motivated nature of these cases was more than exposed when the tapes of conversation between the prosecutors and the trial judge surfaced in 2001 and the conviction awarded by the trial court was set aside on appeal.
 
The appeal court had then also passed strictures against the bias of the trial judge forcing the trial judges to resign from the bench, he said.
 
 The regurgitation of these allegations at this time is part of the on going media trial of the PPP leadership, he said.

PR No. 318
 PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad December 8, 2009:

President Asif Ali Zardari has instructed Ministry of Health and Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) to immediately work out a plan to check and bring to an end growing incidents of negligence in medical treatment and health care to patients in hospitals.
 
Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President issued these instructions after taking serious note of two recent incidents allegedly of negligence in medical treatment; one in a private hospital in Lahore and the other in the Pakistan Institute Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
 
 Both Ministry of Heath and PMDC have also been directed that they should also devise a standard operation procedure (SOP) to deter effectively, recurrence of such incidents and also suggest a mechanism for punishing those found guilty of gross professional negligence.

PR No. 319
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: December 8, 2009

A group of Parliamentarians including Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf, Deputy Speaker, Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi, MOS Port and Shipping, Mr. Nabeel Gabol, MOS Industries, Mr. Ayatullah Durrani, MOS Housing and Work, Muhammad Tariq Anis and MNAs, Mr. Jamshaid Dasti, Syed Zafar Ali Shah, Mir Amir Ali Khan Magsi, Mr. Muhammad Ejaz Wirk, Haji Roz-ud-Din  called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at his Parliament House Chamber here this afternoon and discussed with him matters pertaining to their respective Ministries/constituencies.

PR No. 320
 PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: December 8, 2009

Federal Minister for Local Government, Mr. Abdul Razaq Thaheem, MOS Livestock, Mr. Muhammad Jadam Mangrio and MNA from PML (F) Jehngir Tareen called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at his Parliament House Chamber here this afternoon and discussed with him matters pertaining to their respective Ministries/ constituency.

PR No. 321
 PRESS RELEASE
THE PEAK ELECTRICITY DEMAND IN PAKISTAN CAN BE REDUCED BY UP TO 1100 MW BY REPLACING 30 MILLION ORDINARY INCANDESCENT BULBS WITH CFLS (CONDENSED FLORESCENT LAMPS).
Islamabad: December 8, 2009

The Planning Commission under the chairmanship of Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali approved the project “National CFL Programme”, in the CDWP meeting held on November 19, 2009.

The primary aim of the project is to reduce peak electricity demand during evening and early morning hours when mostly light bulbs are on simultaneously all over the country. According to the project CFLs will be distributed to domestic consumers free of cost in exchange of ordinary 40-100 Watt incandescent bulbs. For the same amount of light a CFL consumes about 1/3 rd of electricity as compared to a standard incandescent bulb.

The programme envisages for simple replacement of the bulb, in the same lamp holder, by a CFL lamp. For the replacement of an existing tube light, the procurement of a proper fitting is required which not only needs much more space but involves the installation charges.

The peak electricity demand in Pakistan will be reduced by up to 1100 MW by replacing 30 million ordinary incandescent bulbs with CFLs (Condensed Florescent Lamps).  While setting up of a power station of the same capacity requires 7-10 years of completion along with much greater cost. For an expenditure of 70 million dollars the country would save 1100 MW,the capital cost of which is over 1 billion dollars.

The CFLs will be purchased in bulk by PEPCO according to the international standards and international competitive biding system by Asian Development Bank (ADB).  Only high quality lamps with life span of 10,000 hours, 2 years warranty and total harmonic distribution of less than 30 percent will be purchased. The Planning Commission has no role in the bidding or purchase process.

The CFLs will save 2000 million units of electricity annually and reduce carbon emission. CFLs are not easily disposable. In order to safely dispose off the CFLs “waste Disposing Facility” is included in the project.

This is the first initiative of the incumbent government in Energy Conservation.  The project being funded by ADB.

FJ/wh

PR No. 322
PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT CALLS FOR FULL SCO MEMBERSHIP TO PAKISTAN
Islamabad: December 8, 2009

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for full membership to Pakistan of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to strengthen Pakistan’s engagement with the organization for promoting peace and development in the region.

This he said during a meeting with Mr. Bolat K Nurgaliyav, Secretary General Shanghai Cooperation Organization who called on him at Aiwan-e-Sadr today.

The President said that in wake of prevailing militancy and extremism, it is imperative that Pakistan which is having Observer status in the Organization since 2005 be given full membership. The President also said that by making counter-terrorism its priority, SCO has assumed a greater responsibility in enhancing regional security and it would be greatly beneficial if the SCO member and observer states share intelligence and experiences on counterterrorism. He said that Pakistan is keen to be associated with SCO’s Regional Counter-Terrorism Structure based in Tashkent.

The President said that SCO with a combined GDP of USD 4.5 trillion can play an important role in promoting regional trade and economic cooperation. He said that Pakistan is keen to engage with the financial and non-governmental sectors of SCO Member states particularly in banking and business sectors and would like to participate in SCO’s activities related to transport, energy, trade and development as well as cultural cooperation.

Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Federal Minister for Defence, Mr. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President and Foreign Secretary Mr. Salman Bashir were also present during the meeting.

SAK/wh

PR No. 323
PRESS RELEASE
NAVEED QAMAR MEETS OPIC DELEGATION, DISCUSSES CREDIT SUPPORT FOR COMMERCIALLY VIABLE PROJECTS
Islamabad: December 8, 2009

A delegation of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, a U.S. government agency, headed by Mr. Robert B Brumheller, its President (acting), called on the Federal Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources Syed Naveed Qamar here today wherein investment opportunities in Pakistan came under discussion.

Naveed Qamar highlighted the country’s enormous potential vis-a-vis investor- friendly and enabling environment, a level playing field for all, and transparency and consistency in policies. The Minister appreciated the efforts of OPIC and assured all possible support and cooperation.

Mr. Brumheller while discussing with the Minister Pakistan’s growing energy necessities, predominantly in the thermal sector, said that OPIC sought to become part of the solution by arranging long-term finances in collaboration with other private sector lenders, and extending credit support for commercially viable projects in the sector.

OPIC is an agency of the United States Government, established in 1971 that promotes economic development in new and emerging markets and helps U.S. businesses invest overseas. The agency also provides political risk insurance against the risks of inconvertibility, political violence and expropriation.

AR/wh

PR No. 324
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: December 8, 2009

In his remarks during the Cabinet meeting Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani directed all Ministries/Divisions/Departments to ensure good governance and make decisions in accordance with the rules and regulations. He also directed them to observe punctuality in their offices.

The Prime Minister asked the Ministers not to restrict themselves   to their areas but also monitor development programmes underway in other parts of the country.

PMMO/wh
 

PR No. 325
PRESS RELEASE
NAJMUDDIN KHAN ANNOUNCES UPGRADATION OF FEDERAL LEVIES
Chakdara: December 8, 2009

Federal Minister for Safron, Najmuddin khan has announced creation of vacancies and upgradation of federal levies in tribal areas.

While addressing a press conference in Chakdara on Tuesday, the Minister said that Prime Minister, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has instructed for the creation of 2500 vacancies of Federal levies for FATA and 3500 vacancies of levies in FATA.

“Creation of federal levies in Malakand will assist district government to maintain law and order in more effective way”, the Minister said.

The Minister said that federal levies will have pension and rapid promotion as was promised by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto in 1993 but was not implemented by successive governments.

Federal levies will be facilitated with vehicles, uniform, weaponry, wireless system, barracks and more check posts, the Minister added.

He further said that the scale of Federal levies is being upgraded to the level of FC and Frontier constabulary which will be applicable from 1^st July, 2009. He announced upgradation of scales from Subedar Major to Sepoy. Subedar Major scale has been upgraded from 07 to 16 and Sepoy’s scale has also been raised from 01 to 05.

He also announced compensation package for the families of those who sacrifice their lives while performing their duties, their children will be recruited in Federal levies apart from providing financial aid to their families.

Meanwhile, he has a meeting with Commissioner Malakand Division, DCO Malakand, DCO Swat, DCO Lower Dir, DCO Upper Dir and DCO Chitral who briefed the Minister regarding development projects, law and order situation in their respective districts.

PR No. 326
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: December 8, 2009

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Tuesday night.

Over all political situation, law and order situation in the country and Parliamentary discussion on Balochistan Empowerment Package came under discussion during the meeting.

Ms Faryal Talpur was also present during the meeting.

FU/wh

PR No. 327
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: December 8, 2009

President Asif Ali Zardari said that democracy was critical for sustained public support and political ownership to the war on terror and it was the responsibility of the PPP government to protect and preserve democracy so as to pursue war against militancy to its logical end.

He said this while addressing members of the parliamentary party of PPP on Tuesday night at the Presidency. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani was also present.  

Briefing the journalists about the meeting Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President said that the essence of existence was continuity and the PPP was the only formidable political force with its roots in all the provinces that was in continuous existence as a force to be reckoned with for the past over four decades. The party will continue to be a force to be reckoned in the future also, he said.

The Spokesperson said that the President asked the Party MPs not to be disillusioned with the media trial of the Party leadership. He said the country was faced with the prospects of a long term fight against militancy and this situation called for summoning the qualities of leadership and closing of ranks.

The President said that the party after discussion and debate had taken a political and moral decision in respect of the NRO and was fully prepared to manage the fall out of this decision.

A number of participants expressed their views on various political issues on the occasion when the floor was thrown open for discussion. 

This meeting is third in series of consultative meetings held during the past two days. Earlier meeting with Ministers of state and meeting with PPP ministers Monday evening. Tonight meeting was the third one.

FU/wh