-
PR No. 170
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said, the development of Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the priority areas of the government and all possible assistance would be extended to the provincial government in this regard. The development, he added, would multiple prospects for tourism and bring about prosperity.
The Prime Minister was talking to Dr. Shamma Khalid, a prominent social worker of Gilgit-Baltistan who called on him at the PM’s House here today.
The Prime Minister said that the elections held in Gilgit-Baltistan after attaining the status of a province in 2009, has brought the people of the region into the mainstream politics of the country. The participation of all the main political parties of the country in the elections was equally encouraging for the integration of the region with other part of the country.
While deliberating upon the progress on various development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Prime Minister mentioned that the Diamir-Bhasha Dam would not only serve the region in bringing about prosperity but would benefit the entire country to meet the energy needs. He emphasized for close cooperation and coordination between the provincial government of Gilgit-Baltistan and federal government for early completion of public welfare projects in the area.
Dr. Shamma Khalid while referring to the status accorded to Gilgit-Baltistan said it has given an identity to the people of the region who feel proud to be part of country. The elections of 2009, she said, brought about a new spirit among the people to work with commitment for the uplift of their region.
Dr. Shamma Khalid, it may be mentioned, is a leading social worker who has voluntarily worked in different parts of Gilgit-Baltistan by establishing free summer medical camps every year. She also worked for an NGO with objective to “save the children” from 1999-2001. Later from 2003-2010, she served with UNHCR on a project for the welfare of Afghan women and children refugees. Dr. Shamma Khalid is basically a medical doctor and the first lady doctor from Gilgit-Baltistan. She graduated from Khyber Medical College, Peshawar in 1968. Later she served in the Ministry of Population Welfare for twenty years, till 1989. She also taught in the Women Medical College, Abbotabad from 2001 till 2003. Her father Mr. Wazir Muhammad Ashraf Khan belonging to Astore in Gilgit was the first law graduate from Ali Garh University from the region to acquire law degree in 1939. Dr. Shamma Khalid has three daughters all of them working as Civil Judges in different parts of the country. Her son is working in an NGO which in involved in rehabilitation of IDPs in the Northern Areas. Dr. Shamma Khalid’s late husband was an advocate who died in 2004.
PR No. 171
PRESS RELEASE
Kakar directs speed up housing projects
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Federal Minister for Housing & Works, Rehmatullah Kakar has directed the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation (FGEHF) and Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) to speed up construction of housing projects under “Prime Minister’s Housing for All Program” in order to provide relief to the shelterless people across the country.
He gave these directions while presiding over a meeting to review progress on the construction of housing units being undertaken by the FGEHF and PHA, here today.
The Minister said that gearing up the efforts would not only help timely accomplishment of the housing projects but also minimize the cost on the construction bringing it affordable to the common man.
The Minister said that construction of flats in I-16 sector would be started shortly which would mitigate the shelterless problem of the people residing in the capital. He said that 8500 flats were being constructed in Karachi by the Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) in collaboration with a local company which would provide a big relief to their people.
The Minister said that 7 to 8 million housing units are needed to overcome the housing shortage in the country. He said that construction of one million housing units annually would take seven to eight years to achieve the target of housing for all program.
Mr. Kakar said that the government has been encouraging to the local and foreign investors in the housing projects. He recalled this visit to Kuala Lumpur and Tehran, a few days back which resulted in fruitful discussions with the Malaysian Housing and Construction Companies desirous for participation in the Prime Minister’s Housing Program. The Minister said that cooperation with the foreign construction companies would open up new visas of multi-faceted relations and benefit from each other’s experience in this vital field of economy. He said that the government would provide maximum facilities to the investors in the investor friendly climate.
**MN/Ahmad**
PR No. 172
PRESS RELEASE
SENATOR WAQAR DIRECTS PC TO SPEED UP BESOS IMPLEMENTATION 41,834
EMPLOYEES OF EIGHT ENTITIES RECEIVED FREE OF COST SHARES MORE TRUSTS BEING ESTABLISHED IN SOEs
Islamabad: March 15, 2010The full impact of Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme (BESOS) will be felt after its benefits would start transmitting to the workers, which needs to be implemented on fast track basis. Senator Waqar Ahmed Khan Federal Minister for Privatisation directed the Privatisation Commission (PC) officials while chairing a meeting here today.
The Minister said that President Asif Ali Zardari and the Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani attach great importance to the scheme, which ensures empowerment of the workers who have devoted their sweat and blood for the development and progress of their respective entities. The scheme is in accordance with the vision of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, he said.
The Minister said that BESOS was the hallmark of the present Government’s pro-workers policies, which would ensure the improvement in efficiency, quality and production and increase the value and profit of the company. It would make the workers responsible in further improving the overall performance of the entity and their representation on the Board of Directors would directly involve them in the decision making process for the progress of the entity, he said.
The Minister added that the scheme was historic and would usher a new era of workers revolution who were being given free of cost 12 % of the GoP shares in the SOEs and the entities already privatised. The scheme is not limited only to the non-privatised entities as it also includes all the privatised entities having GoP shares.
Under BESOS so far 41,834 employees have been given shares certificates (12 % of GOP shares) in five entities namely Heavy Mechanical Complex (HMC), Oil & Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL), Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Pakistan International airlines (PIA), National Power Construction Company (NPCC) and NESPAK. BESOS is effective from August 14, 2009 and subsequently the eligible workers will receive benefits according to the set formula within the stipulated period. The scheme is expected to benefit around 500,000 employees of 80 entities. The 80 SOEs identified for the scheme include 16 listed and 33 unlisted public companies, 17 private companies and 14 SOEs established under special Act/ Ordinance.
The meeting was informed that 14 BESOS Trusts have been registered for implementation of the Scheme in Pakistan Machine Tool Factory (PMTF), Heavy Electrical Complex (HEC), Jamshoro Power Company (JPC), National Investment Trust (NIT), Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC), Lakhra Coal Development Company (LCDC), National Construction (NC), National Insurance Company (NIC), National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC), Pakistan Reinsurance Company (PRC), Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), Islamabad Electric Supply company (IESCO), Printing Corporation of Pakistan (PCP) and Mari Gas Company (MGC) while BESOS Trusts in Telephone Industry of Pakistan (TIP), Overseas Employment Corporation (OEC), Pakistan Mineral Development Corporation (PMDC), Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and Pakistan Steel Fabricating Company (PSFC) would be registered during the current week.
To launch the scheme in the remaining SOEs, the relevant Ministries / Organizations have been asked to finalize the procedural / legal formalities for the implementation of the scheme in their respective SOEs. PC had also started kickoff meetings with the concerned Ministries/ Departments, the meeting was informed.
PR No. 173
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said, the development of Gilgit-Baltistan is one of the priority areas of the government and all possible assistance would be extended to the provincial government in this regard. The development, he added, would multiple prospects for tourism and bring about prosperity.
The Prime Minister was talking to Dr. Shamma Khalid, a prominent social worker of Gilgit-Baltistan who called on him at the PM’s House here today.
The Prime Minister said that the elections held in Gilgit-Baltistan after attaining the status of a province in 2009, has brought the people of the region into the mainstream politics of the country. The participation of all the main political parties of the country in the elections was equally encouraging for the integration of the region with other part of the country.
While deliberating upon the progress on various development projects in Gilgit-Baltistan, the Prime Minister mentioned that the Diamir-Bhasha Dam would not only serve the region in bringing about prosperity but would benefit the entire country to meet the energy needs. He emphasized for close cooperation and coordination between the provincial government of Gilgit-Baltistan and federal government for early completion of public welfare projects in the area.
Dr. Shamma Khalid while referring to the status accorded to Gilgit-Baltistan said it has given an identity to the people of the region who feel proud to be part of country. The elections of 2009, she said, brought about a new spirit among the people to work with commitment for the uplift of their region.
Dr. Shamma Khalid, it may be mentioned, is a leading social worker who has voluntarily worked in different parts of Gilgit-Baltistan by establishing free summer medical camps every year. She also worked for an NGO with objective to “save the children” from 1999-2001. Later from 2003-2010, she served with UNHCR on a project for the welfare of Afghan women and children refugees. Dr. Shamma Khalid is basically a medical doctor and the first lady doctor from Gilgit-Baltistan. She graduated from Khyber Medical College, Peshawar in 1968. Later she served in the Ministry of Population Welfare for twenty years, till 1989. She also taught in the Women Medical College, Abbotabad from 2001 till 2003. Her father Mr. Wazir Muhammad Ashraf Khan belonging to Astore in Gilgit was the first law graduate from Ali Garh University from the region to acquire law degree in 1939. Dr. Shamma Khalid has three daughters all of them working as Civil Judges in different parts of the country. Her son is working in an NGO which in involved in rehabilitation of IDPs in the Northern Areas. Dr. Shamma Khalid’s late husband was an advocate who died in 2004.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No. 174
PRESS RELEASE
SWEDISH AMBASSADOR CALLS ON MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Swedish Ambassador H.E. Mrs. Ulrika Sundberg called on Federal Minister for Environment Mr. Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi here today in which matters related to mutual interest including environment, came under discussion.
Meeting was held in cordial atmosphere. Federal Minister, talking to Swedish Ambassador said that global warming and environmental change are threat for whole world. He said that Pakistan is one among those countries who are facing the adverse affects of environmental changes. However, government is giving priority to environmental issues of Pakistan. He told that due to environmental effects, temperature is rising and glaciers are melting rapidly. Mr. Afridi also highlighted the role of Environmental Tribunals in Pakistan, Global Environment Study Center in detail. He also told about the policies, plans, mega projects and other initiatives taken with the consultation of all stakeholders. He mentioned different aspects of national policies on drinking water, wetlands and forestation. He also told about upcoming mega project of CNG Buses. Afridi said that government is focusing to create mass awareness about environment and climate change. He also informed that green clubs are being launched in different schools. Moreover, several plans and initiatives that are being taken with the involvement of students of Schools, Colleges and Universities for creating awareness about environmental issues among our new generation Afridi added. He said that government is working to increase forestation in country. He told about tree plantation campaigns that are being held in different areas of the country in which public and private organizations, students, NGOs and general public is being involved. He hoped that through such activities, mass awareness would be increased and good results would come out. He also said that media is a very strong tool which is playing its most valuable role in this regard. He also informed about his recent visit to Bali, Indonesia where he met with Executive Director UNEP, who agreed to open UNEP office in Pakistan. Federal Minister also emphasized the need of modern technology and sufficient funds to meet the environmental challenges faced by Pakistan.
Swedish Ambassador said on this occasion, that Pakistan and Sweden are enjoying cordial relations that would further grow in future. She said that we are supporting partners. She mentioned that Pakistan is playing its important role to combat the issues related to environment and admired the initiatives taken by Government of Pakistan. She also said that joint ventures would be promoted between two countries. She also ensured her country’s all possible support and assistance for Pakistan.
Federal Secretary Javed Malik was also present on this occasion.
AS/wh
PR No. 175
PRESS RELEASE
FORMATION OF STORAGES: THE AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES NEED PROPER STORAGE AND PROCESSING AND THE ECC APPROVED RS. 37 BILLION PROJECT WOULD PROVE INSTRUMENTAL IN THIS REGARD. NAZAR M.GONDAL
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Federal minister for Food & Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal has said that the country badly needs to have Cool Chain, Grain Storages and fruits and vegetables processing and storing capacities. He said that there was a total vacuum in this area and much needed to be done for building such facilities across the country.
The minister was presiding over a meeting at the ministry to discuss the execution plan for the multi billion project on storage and agro-marketing that would be run under the principle of public private partnership.
Mr.Gondal said that the government would offer a package of incentives to the private sector to encourage them to invest and make the project a success. He said that the country unluckily does not have proper grain storages and food processing units and the present government is determined to work in this area.
The minister said that Pakistan is an agro-based economy and the country prosperity is directly related to agriculture. “ Our survival depends on agriculture. Pakistan is a blessed country but we need to properly manage the natural resources. Building cool chain and storages will enhance the productivity and benefits of the agriculture sector”, added the minister.
The project is in its initial phases and the ministry will request Competitive Support Fund (CSF) to prepare a business plan for the project. A Holding Company will function as an umbrella and the Operational Companies will practically work in the field. The Board of Governors (BoG) for the holding company will be constituted from both public and private sectors.
The project will be launched across the country and the provinces will be given due share and representation in the working of the project. The meeting was also attended by Additional Secretaries Mr.Tauqeer Ahmed Faiq and Shahid Hussain Raja, P.D (M&E) Ghaffar Araeen, Chairman Agrimall Lahore Afaq Ahmed Tiwana, Mr. Shah Nawaz Mahmood from IPDF and Dr M.E Tasneem member Planning Commission of Pakistan
MS/wh
PR No. 176
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: March 15, 2010A meeting was held today in the Presidency to review the progress made in investigation, prosecution and trial of those involved in acts of terrorism in the province, particularly in Swat and Malakand.
The meeting presided over by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani was attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Governor NWFP Mr. Owais Ahmed Ghani, Chief Minister NWFP Mr. Amir Haider Hoti, Interior Minister Mr. Rehman A. Malik, Federal Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Babar Awan, Advisor to Prime Minister Sardar Latif Khosa, Chief Secretary NWFP Mr. Javed Iqbal besides senior federal and provincial government officials.
Additional Chief Secretary Frontier Mr. Fayyaz Ahmed Toro gave a detailed presentation on progress made so far in investigation, prosecution and trial of the detainees.
SH/wh
PR No. 177
PRESS RELEASE
INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS IMPROVEMENT TO GAIN LOST GLORY IN HOCKEY: RANA FAROOQ
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Former head of Hockey inquiry committee of Olympic Games and Federal Minister for Textile Industry Rana Muhammad Farooq Saeed Khan on Monday emphasized to improve the basic infrastructure of Hockey and only then Pakistan Hockey will get its lost glory.
Addressing Meet the Press program organized by Rawalpindi Islamabad Sports Journalists Association (RISJA), the minister said Hockey must be strengthened at school and college levels to improve the quality of play in the country.
“There was a time when Pakistan had good repute due to its best play in Hockey all over the world and we are determined to regain that glory in this field”, he said.
Responding different questions he said that he was always against the monopoly on different key posts in Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF).
“I suggest that the four key positions of PHF including President and Secretary must be distributed among four provinces”, he said and added that it seems ridiculous to give four posts to a single person.
He maintained that taking this step will definitely enhance the performance of PHF.
To another question, Rana Farooq told that even though he was not the Sports Minister yet he would forward all these suggestions to the relevant people.
He said that he had come to know that Asif Bajwa pressurizes the whole team to render their resignations and after some time the situation would be controlled by him (Asif Bajwa) and suggested that Asif Bajwa must resign which would be beneficial for the PHF.
To yet another question, he said that an inquiry committee would definitely be constituted to probe the poorest performance of the hockey team in the recent world cup.
AR/wh
PR No. 178
PRESS RELEASE
NATION TO HEAR GOOD NEWS ON CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BY THE END OF CURRENT MONTH: KAIRA
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that the nation would hear good news from the Constitutional Reforms Committee InshAllah by the end of the current month.
Talking to media persons outside the Parliament House, the minister hoped that the constitutional reforms committee would complete its task in the month of March. He said the committee is working independently and the government has no influence on its working. He further said that representatives of almost all political parties are members of the committee and all the decisions are being taken with consensus which naturally takes more time.
He said that all the democratic forces know about the constitutional package and the sole aim of the constitutional review is to abolish undemocratic clauses from the Constitution.
Kaira said that the whole nation is united on the issue of war on terror and, with the support of the masses, the PPP government would cleanse the country from menaces of terrorism and extremism.
To a question, he said that people in the democratic system should not get involved in point scoring and we should use wisdom and tolerance while dealing with others and the system should be run in accordance with the democratic norms.
MS/wh
PR No. 179
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani welcomed the decision of the Parliamentarians from FATA for extending full support to the PPP government and for ensuring unconditional cooperation to the policies of the government. The people of FATA, he said, have made great sacrifices in the war against terrorism. The government, he added, is committed to bring back normalcy in the region through consolidation, reconstruction and development efforts.
The Prime Minister was talking to a group of Parliamentarians from FATA who called on him in his chamber in the Parliament House this evening.
The Parliamentarians comprising Senators Abbas Khan Afridi, Idrees Khan Saifi and MNA Kamran Khan announced that they fully agree with the ideology and manifesto of PPP government and therefore decided to support the government unconditionally.
Federal Ministers Mr. Waqar Ahmed Khan, Dr, Firdous Ashiq Awan and Political Adviser to PM Nawabzada Ghazanfar Gul were also present on the occasion.
PMCO/wh
PR No. 180
CLARIFICATION OF MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Islamabad: March 15, 2010This is apropos of a news item carried by The Nation entitled ‘Yet another way to mint money,’ dated 9th March, 2010.
Responding to the news report, the ministry emphatically denies the apprehensions and suspicions cast in the report. The ministry would like to set the record straight for information of the valued readership of the esteemed newspaper regarding the unjustified and unsubstantiated disparagement directed on the ministry and its image.
The Ministry follows a policy of transparency, merit and believes in giving a level playing field to all the competing parties. Any proposal from parties interested in setting up fuel oil blending facility for consideration by the ministry shall be dealt as per policy of deregulation and purely on its merits without compromising on the quality, prescribed standard and specification of the product.
The import, purchase, sale and pricing of furnace oil have been entirely deregulated. Oil marketing companies, bulk consumers and traders can thus import furnace oil.
As regards permitting blending of fuel oil to a particular company the ministry has so far given permission to only one company, the Pakistan State Oil (PSO), and that too on a one-time trial basis. The company may thereby import one cargo of high viscous furnace oil along with the required cutter stock to work out the economics/feasibility. Any company to be allowed for setting up an oil blending facility in the country will have to undergo the requisite/proper checks and tests at different levels to avoid any illegal import of cutter stock. (End)
AR/wh
PR No. 181
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that his government is determined to provide all necessities of life to people living in less developed areas on priority basis.
The Prime Minister was talking to Mr.Naseer Soomro, the world’s tallest man who called on him in his chamber in the Parliament house this evening.
PMMO/wh
PR No. 182
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Two senators from FATA called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Monday night.
Those who called on the President included Senators Abbas Khan Afridi hailing from FR Kohat and Mr. Idrees Khan Saifi from Mohmand Agency of FATA. The two senators earlier in the day joined the Pakistan People’s Party.
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, Leader of the house in Senate, Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Minister for law and Parliamentary affairs, Dr. Babar Awan, Senator Faisal Raza Abdi and MNA Ms. Rukhsana Bangash were also present on the occasion.
FU/wh
PR No. 183
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: March 15, 2010The meeting of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the PPP which was scheduled to be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, has been postponed.
Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the fresh date for the CEC meeting will be announced later.
FU/wh
PR No. 184
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: March 15, 2010Meeting of the Core group of the PPP was held in the Presidency Monday night under the chairmanship of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusaf Raza Gillani.
Those who attended the meeting included Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Mr. Nazer Muhammad Gondal, Mr. Qamer Zaman Kaira, Senator Rehman Malik, Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Syed Naveed Qamar, Raja Pervaz Ashraf, Senator Faisal Raza Abidi, Ms. Fauzia Wahab, Ms Rukhsana Bangash, Ms Fauzia Habib and Spokesperson to the President former senator Farhatullah Babar.
Briefing the journalists Spokesperson to the President former senator Farhatullah Babar said that the meeting discussed the current political situation in the country. Issues relating to the start of the third Parliamentary year also came under discussion.
FU/wh