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PR No. 69 Pakistan is fully committed to its international obligations towards the war on terror. Its army and air force are busy in law enforcement operations in the tribal areas whereas Pakistan Navy is participating in international maritime campaigns. This was stated by Mrs. Fauzia M Sana, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Singapore while addressing a select gathering of diplomats, Singapore Naval officers and Pakistani community, onboard Pakistan Naval ship Shamsheer in Singapore, says a press release received here today. The High commissioner said that Pakistan Navy has been a part of coalition Task Force since 2004 and it has the honour to command the force thrice. Pakistan has also the singular honour to be the first non-NATO country who has commanded. Pakistan Navy is hosting exercise AMAN bi-annually since 2007. Some thirty countries participate in this saga of “together for peace” exercise, she added. Mrs. Fauzia Sana appreciated Pakistan Navy’s significant role during Indian Ocean Tsunami. Two of its naval ships which were visiting Maldives during the catastrophe were the first to pick up the survivors numbering over 700. She thanked the guests for sparing their precious times to join her at the reception. The commanding officer Captain Neimatullah TI (M) PN in his address of welcome explained that PNS Shamsheer, the newly commissioned vessel was visiting Changi Naval Base Singapore on its way to Pakistan. The ship was commissioned on 19th December 2009 at Shanghai Shipyard and sailed for its maiden voyage to homeland on December 25, 2009. He explained that the ship derives its name from traditional Muslim sword Shamsheer used by Muslim warriors in battles and is a third ship to be so named in Pakistan Navy. Captain Neimatullah giving general characteristics of the Frigate said that it was a special type of saber with a 5-15 degrees curve from tip to tip. It is equipped with best available weapons and sensors onboard which make it an extremely versatile platform with tremendous fire power to effectively thwart possible threats at sea. Earlier the High Commissioner was given a tour of the ship. Captain Neimatullah elucidated that in modern navies, frigates are used to protect other warships and merchant-marine ships, especially as anti-submarine warfare (ASW) combatants for amphibious expeditionary forces. The High Commissioner recorded her pride in the visitor’s book of the PNS Shamsheer.
PR No. 70 In compliance with the directive of the Prime Minister, Emergency Relief Cell (ERC) of Cabinet Division is arranging dispatch of relief consignment, comprising 2,000 tents, 2, 000 blankets, 10,000 plastic mats, 2000 jackets, 1000 family ration packets and medicines worth Rs. 1 million for people affected by landslide in Hunza Valley, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan. The Federal Government has always shown its commitment in the support of the Provincial Government and provision of relief assistance to the people of Hunza, under the directive of the Prime Minister. **MY/Ahmad**
PR No. 71 The Federal Minister for Communications Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan Khalil made an emergency visit of the Islamabad-Peshawar Motor way (M-1) and instructed the concerned officials to ensure early completion of development and beautification work of this important national highway. On this occasion, Member Operations NHA Raja Nosherwan and other high officials were also present. The federal minister issued instructions that shady trees and flowery plants may also be planted along the sides of this Motor way so that travelers may experience a pleasant journey. The federal minister also ordered timely completion of expansion work at the Islamabad Toll Plaza on M-1. Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan, while talking to officials on this occasion, said that the present democratic government, under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, is determined to provide relief to the masses in every sector of life and change the destiny of our nation, and the Ministry of Communications, in this respect, has planned to lay a network of highways throughout the country to facilitate trade, tourism, industry and agriculture. The federal minister said that we want to provide world class travel facilities to the public by constructing international standard highways. The minister said that no laxity or inefficiency will be tolerated in the construction work and also said that we want all matters in the communications sector to be carried out smoothly. The federal minister toured the Islamabad-Peshawar Motor way and made brief stops-over at different points along this road; inspected the construction work and at Rashakai inspected the Medical Relief Center set up by NHA and Motor way Police and instructed the officials to provide comprehensive medical and first aid assistance to travelers in case of any accident. He also ordered to increase the number of toilets in the service area; beautification of the mosque in the service area and provision of food and refreshment items on reasonable rates to the travelers. The minister told the concerned officials that he will regularly make surprise visits of this important section to inspect the construction himself. **NS/Ahmad**
PR No. 72 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the forthcoming London Conference on Afghanistan should exclusively focus on Afghanistan and ensure that the consensus developed on the civilian tracks should have the Afghan ownership for a genuinely Afghan led reconciliation process. He added that any future initiatives on Afghanistan should ensure its territorial integrity, national reconciliation and peace and stability. The historic neutrality of Afghanistan should be maintained with the commitment that Afghan soil will not be used against any of its neighbours. The Prime Minister called for establishment of the Afghan Re-Settlement Fund to support Afghan Peace and Reintegration Programme which should provide the pull-factor for the return of refugees from Pakistan. He was talking to Mr. David Miliband, British Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House here this afternoon. The Prime Minister appreciated that both the countries have made progress on institutionalizing the existing mechanisms in the form of a strategic dialogue encompassing areas such as political, economic, trade, defence, security, education, science and technology and public diplomacy. He hoped that both sides would persist in their concerted efforts to strengthen their cooperation under the umbrella of the strategic dialogue. He appreciated the timely disbursement of economic assistance and the fact that Pakistan-UK Education Task Force is making progress for the development of this most important sector in Pakistan. The Prime Minister hoped that the next meeting of the Task Force scheduled for next week will further facilitate the cooperation in the field of education between the two countries. He also expressed the hope that the acceptance of his government’s initiative to establish Pakistan-UK Foundation by the British side will help harness the resources of one million strong Pakistani diaspora in UK to promote economic ties between the two countries. The Prime Minister welcomed the scheduling of second Pakistan-EU Summit in Brussels in April 2010 and sought UK’s help for making progress on Pakistan-EU FTA and grant of greater market facilities for Pakistani products to the European markets in GSP Plus programme. The Prime Minister urged the British Foreign Secretary that the restrictions on recruitment of Pakistani doctors may be removed and Pakistan be treated at par with other South Asian countries. He also underscored the need that Pakistani applicants particularly students and businessmen should not be discriminated against in grant of British visas, the time span for the processing of visa applications for Pakistani students should be reduced and the applicants’ passports should be returned to them while their cases for visas are being processed. The British Foreign Secretary briefed the Prime Minister on the agenda of the London Conference on Afghanistan and while taking note of Prime Minister’s views stated that Pakistan has the most important role in the fight against terrorism and consequent restoration of peace and stability in Afghanistan. Mr. Miliband said that Britain would continue assisting Pakistan in every way possible bilaterally as well as in the European Union. He proposed that Pakistan should prepare a consultative paper for long term engagements with European Union which should be deliberated upon in the second Pakistan-EU Summit. Mr. Miliband also assured the Prime Minister that he will personally look into the issue of recruitment of Pakistani doctors for his country and his government is already seized with resolving the counsel issues between the two countries. He noted that the time span for the issuance of visas to Pakistani citizens has already been reduced to 15 days and more steps are being taken to facilitate smooth issuance of visas to Pakistani businessmen, students and applicants having divided families. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Senator Sughra Imam and Secretaries for Defence, Finance and Foreign Affairs also attended the meeting. **PMMO/Ahmad**
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No. 73 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan places highest premium on strategic cooperation with China and expressed the strong desire to take strategic ties with China to new heights. Pakistan, he said, appreciates the importance China attaches to Pakistan’s security and stability. He said this while talking to China’s Deputy Chief of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) General Staff, General Ma Xiaotian, who called on him at the PM’s House here this afternoon. While lauding the excellent and steadfast defence ties between Pakistan and China, the Prime Minister underscored the need for further strengthening of maritime security cooperation between the two countries. He thanked China for its assistance for the country’s vital national defence projects and added that cooperation between the defence industries of the two countries has not only helped in building Pakistan’s security, but has also served to promote stability in the region. The Prime Minister said China is a factor of peace and stability in the region. Its economic and political rise is a source of encouragement for Pakistan. China’s proactive role in the region will promote the cause of peace and stability. Pakistan is grateful for continued economic support and assistance from China, he added. The Prime Minister observed that the roll-out of the first JF-17 was a landmark in the joint collaboration between the two countries. He noted that good progress has been made on F-22 frigates. While dilating on strong national efforts to fight terrorism and militancy, Prime Minister underscored that Pakistan needs support and cooperation for countering terrorism in an effective way. China and Pakistan should expand their cooperation through joint training, sharing of experiences, enhancing the capability of armed forces as well as through joint counter-terrorism exercises. The Prime Minister reiterated Pakistan’s complete support to China on Taiwan and Tibet and assured General Ma Xiaotian of his government’s full cooperation to China during the Shanghai Expo 2010 and Guangzhou Asian Games. He also said that foolproof security arrangements for the Chinese nationals in Pakistan are in place which is a major priority of the government. The Prime Minister said that government and people of Pakistan are anxiously awaiting the visit of Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to Pakistan. General Ma Xiaotian, while conveying the greetings of the President and the Prime Minister of China said that China attaches high priority to its relations with Pakistan and concerted efforts would be made to further strengthen the ties in multi-dimensional fields. China’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Lou Zhaohui was also present during the meeting. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, General Tariq Majeed, Secretary Defence and Secretary Foreign Affairs also attended the meeting.
PR No. 74 General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff , People’s Liberation Army , China called on Acting President Mr. Farooq H.Naek in the Presidency on Saturday evening. The acting President while talking to the Chinese defense delegation said that the friendship between Pakistan and China has a long history rooted in the hearts of our two peoples. He said that China and Pakistan are not only neighbors, but also as natural partners and friends. He said that the foundations of our friendship were laid by Pakistan’s first directly elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and further strengthened and enhanced by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in all fields. The Acting President said that the armed forces of the two countries have a close and intimate friendship and as such share various programmes of cooperation at professional level. The acting President also conferred the Deputy Chief of General Staff, People’s Liberation Army, China General Ma Xiaotian with the award of Nishan-i- Imtiaz (Military) during a special investiture ceremony held here at the Presidency. The award was given to him in recognition of his services for strengthening the Pak- China strategic and defence cooperation. The citation ceremony was attended among others by General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint chiefs of staff committee The citation read out on this occasion said, “General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff, PLA, China is an accomplished military commander and a distinguished soldier. He has played an instrumental role in promoting and strengthening the bonds of goodwill and cooperation between the armed forces of Pakistan and china”.
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has congratulated the Auditor General of Pakistan Office on its election as external Auditor of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Vienna, for a two years term. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan is the first Asian country to assume the office of external Auditor of UNIDO which reflects the trust and confidence reposed by the member states in the office of Auditor General of Pakistan, adding that this is a great honour for the country.
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No. 76 A feature film based on a real story of 02 German brother mountaineers, who undertook an expedition on Nanga Parbat 1970 and the younger brother died after being buried by an avalanche, will hit 300 Cinema Screens in Germany on January 10, 2010 (tomorrow) , says a press release received from (Press Section), Embassy of Pakistan, Berlin, Germany here today. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was the chief guest at the premier of the film held at Delphi Filmplast, Berlin last month. The premier ceremony was also attended by select gathering of German Politicians, Diplomats, Celebrities and the artists of German Film Industry. The film dramatizes the thrilling, emotional and tragic events of the expedition to Nanga Parbat in 1970 and concentrates on the young and ambitious brothers Reinhold (25 years) and Gunther (23 years) Messner on their way to first over eight thousand meters high mountain. Its route leading upto 4500 meters called Rupal Wall, is the world’s highest steep face and is considered the most challenging mountaineering in the world. The film beautifully depicts the risks and difficulties that the expedition had to face while climbing this route. The co-director and consultant of the film, Reinhold Messner, who himself survived but lost his younger brother during the expedition, has filmed all the major episodes at Nanga Parbat and its surrounding valleys in Pakistan. He has put in wonderful and moving moments in the film that he experienced during the 1970 expedition. The remains of Gunther Messner were found in 2005 after 35 years and the whole Messner family came to Pakistan in 2006 to attend the funeral ceremony held at the Diamir side of Nanga Parbat. Finally his family was able to burry him. The film acknowledges the cooperation and support extended by the Ambassador of Pakistan to Germany, Mr. Shahid Kamal to the Production House, Perathon Film und Fernsch GmbH in shooting the film at Nanga Parbat and its surrounding locations and subsequent completion of the project.
The Government and the people of Pakistan strongly condemn the reproduction of Danish caricatures of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) by the Norwegian newspaper “Aftenposten” on 8 January 2010. We urge the Government of Norway to take appropriate steps with a view to ensuring that those who have committed this blasphemous act in the name of freedom of expression, are appropriately reprimanded, says a press release received from the Office of the Spokesman, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad here today.
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