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PR.No.138. In terms of Rule 1(6) of the Rule of Business, 1973 read with serial number 1A of Schedule-VA of the said rules, the Prime Minister has been pleased to appoint Mrs. Shahnaz Wazir Ali, MNA as Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, with immediate effect, says a notification issued by Cabinet Division. **AZC**
The telecom sector has registered a phenomenal growth in the country, culminating in high tele-density owing to the conducive and congenial business atmosphere and investor-friendly policies being pursued by the Government. These views were expressed by the Chairman Senate, Mr. Mohammedmian Soomro while talking to the CEOs of the leading telecom companies in the country here today. He said that the development witnessed in the telecom sector is wonderful by all means and different brand names in the cell phone market have become household names in the country. This, he said, is indeed unprecedented in the region since the country is providing a lead in the field of telecom. The Chairman Senate impressed upon the need to ensure that efficiency and quality service is maintained at a competitive cost. He, however, expressed the view that the companies must make sure that their franchises fully comply with the Government directions regarding verification of subscribers’ ID with a view to precluding the possibility of cell phones use by unscrupulous persons. Security takes precedence over every thing else, he added. He told the delegation that a Committee has already been constituted and assigned to look after their difficulties and suggest ways and means to overcome them efficiently and effectively. Earlier, the CEOs apprised the Chairman Senate about the role being played by the Mobile Phone Companies in the social sector and difficulties being faced by them. They told the Chairman Senate that they were mindful of their responsibilities. They assured that the instructions issued by the Government would be followed in letter & spirit by their respective franchises. They commended the Government’s policies in the telecom sector and said these were instrumental in promoting cell phone industry in the country, which they hoped would witness further growth in days to come. The delegation included, Mr. Zouhair A. Khaliq; President & CEO, Mobilink; Mr. Tore Johnsen, CEO Telenor; Mr. Abdul Aziz; President Ufone, Mr. Marwan Zawaydeh; CEO Warid Telecom & Mr. Qian Li; CEO Zong. **SM/AZC**
PR.No.140. President Pervez Musharraf expressed his personal gratitude as well as the gratitude of the people of Pakistan for the efforts of Turkey in building schools and university in Azad Kashmir after the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005. He said this in his meeting with Mr. Engin Yilmaz, Chairman Lighthouse Association, a Turkish NGO. The President said that the NGO had done a commendable job in further strengthening the friendly and brotherly ties between the people of Turkey and Pakistan. President Pervez Musharraf lauded the efficiency and quality of work as well as the speed with which the Turkish organization completed the construction of educational institutions in the earthquake hit areas of Azad Kashmir. He said that he personally visited two of these schools and found that the quality of work was excellent. Mr. Engin Yilmaz, Chairman Lighthouse Association thanked the President for his personal interest in the completion of the educational institutions built by his NGO. He said “we are happy to help Pakistan because of our love for you Mr. President and Pakistani people”. He observed that it was difficult to work in countries other than one’s own however Pakistan was an exception, where the people loved and co-operated with their Turkish brothers. He disclosed that his organization worked in 40 countries worldwide but 1/5th of their total budget i.e. $ 20 million was set aside for building of educational institutions in Pakistan i.e. 14 schools, 1 university (Hazara University to be completed in year 2009) and 7 rooms structure for teachers training. **AZC**
Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza has said that government believed in freedom of expression and has removed all restraints in the way of free access to information. She said this while talking to a five-member Spanish media delegation that called on the Speaker in Parliament House today. The Speaker said that majority of population in Pakistan was moderate and wanted peace, progress and prosperity in the region and the world over. She said that the election of moderate and progressive parties in February 18 election has shown that our people were progressive and this fact has also improved Pakistan’s image in the comity of nations. The speaker said that true democracy in Pakistan was restored after a long sacrifices by the politicians. She said that people were expecting a lot from the newly elected parliament and expressed hope that it would come up to the expectations of the masses. She said that the new parliament had to move fast to remove the shortcomings of the past. She apprised the delegation about formation and working of the parliament and National Assembly Standing Committees. Madam Speaker informed the Spanish media delegation that on first day of its first session of the current National Assembly of Pakistan she appointed the leader of the opposition to complete the formation of the house whereas in the past it took almost one and half year to appoint the leader of the opposition. The speaker said empowerment of women was the priority of government policy and the parliament would play its role to the effect. She said that the new parliament was committed to resolve people problems and fulfill the expectations of the people for which it needed people support and time. Later on talking to the Spanish TV Channel, the Speaker said that Islam was a peace loving religion and the wrong perception about Islam founded in some countries in the west needed to be removed through media. She said that extremism and terrorism had its own reasons and causes and to combat extremism we needed to remove the root causes of extremism. She said that late Mohtarma Benazir Bhuttoo stood for the empowerment of masses, women and sovereign parliament. “She gave her life for the cause of democracy and the people and her death was a big loss to the people of Pakistan and the World,” the Speaker Said.. The Ambassador of Syrian Dr. Raid Hussain Ismat also called on the Speaker, in the Parliament House today. Talking to the Ambassador the Speaker said that Pakistan values high its relations with Syria and both the countries have unanimity of views on all regional and global issues. The Speaker said that relations between the two fraternal countries were based on the strong bonds of religion, history and common cultural heritage. Dr. Fehmida Mirza said that the Muslim world was confronting great challenges which could be faced successfully through forging unity amongst the Muslim countries. The Speaker said that greater exchange of Parliamentary delegations was necessary to further strengthening relations between Syria and Pakistan. The Ambassador of Syria H.E. Muhammad Raid Ismat said that enhanced cooperation between Syria and Pakistan will benefit people of both the countries. He congratulated the Madam Speaker on behalf of the Speaker of the People Assembly of Syria and on his own behalf for her election as the first women speaker of the Muslim World. He said that it was honour for Pakistan and Muslim Ummah, revealing women empowerment and gender equality in Muslim World. He extended her invitation to visit Syria. The Ambassador of Italy H.E. Vincenzo Prati also called on the Speaker National Assembly. Talking to the Ambassador Madam Speaker said that Pakistan values high its relations with Italy and desires to further strengthen it. Madam Speaker said that in Pakistan the real democracy has been restored after a prolong struggle and needed to be supported by all the progressive and democratic countries of the world. She said that the elections of progressive forces in the country has improve Pakistan’s image abroad. She said that people were having great expectations from the new Parliament that was committed to fulfill their expectations. The Speaker apprised the Ambassador that the coalition Government followed the policy of reconciliation and was taking all the political forces along with it. The Speaker said that poverty, illiteracy and unemployment were the major problems, the people of the country were confronting. She said that enhanced cooperation with friendly countries like Italy in the economic field will help Pakistan in its programme relating to poverty alleviation and jobs provision. The Ambassador of Italy H.E Vincenzo Prati assured the Madam Speaker of his government support to democracy. He congratulated Madam Speaker for her election as first women speaker of Pakistan and Muslim World. MT/AZC
PR.No.142. Federal Minister for Defence, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, has directed the Directorate of Military Land & Cantonment Board (ML&C) to expedite plans for enhancement of facilities to the residents of Cantonments including water filtration plants, up-gradation and maintenance of health and educational institutions and public parks. He stated this while attending a briefing on the role and functions of ML&C. Major General Wajahat Ali Mufti, Director General ML&C, gave a comprehensive presentation to the Minister on the role, functions and the future development projects to be undertaken by the ML&C. He informed the Minister that plans were afoot to computerize the record of lands and building - falling in the jurisdiction of Cantonment Board - with the help of satellite imagery and geographical survey. He stated that these measures would help in streamlining the records of lands as well as buildings. The Minister appreciated the steps and said that these would surely put an end to the malpractices in the land and building records. The Director General also apprised the Minister about certain financial problems being confronted by his department and suggested measured to overcome them. The Minister said that the Government would consider the proposals and would try to improve the financial health of the organization. He stated that it was essential to further upgrade and strengthen the health and educational institutions in the cantonment areas and also to set up water filtration plants, besides developing public parks & other recreational facilities for the residents of the cantonments. **AM/AZC**
PR.No.143. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Tanvir Mahmood Ahmad called on Federal Minister for Defence, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, and discussed with him professional matters. Talking to the Chief of Air Staff, the Minister said the government would strengthen the conventional and strategic capabilities of the Armed Forces so as to make the defence of the country impregnable. The Minister that the government would provide all necessary resources for strengthening the defence sector of the country which was essential for safeguarding the territorial integrity of the country. He also lauded the role of the Pakistan Air Force in defending the national frontiers as well as its contributions during natural calamities like earthquake, flood and other natural disasters. AM/AZC
On the instructions of the federal government, National Disaster Management Authority has arranged to dispatch two C-130 flights containing relief goods for earthquake affected people of China. The relief goods would include tents, blankets, plastic mats, medicines and mineral water. The relief goods carrying flights will depart for China early in the morning on Friday, 16th of May. Senior officials of National Disaster Management Authority of Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the Cabinet Division, Foreign Office and Chinese Embassy will see off the flights in a simple ceremony. The President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan have already visited Chinese Embassy in Islamabad to express condolence and solidarity with the affected families and Chinese government. MI/nr
PR.No.145. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the government attaches high priority to the provision of quality health facilities across the country particularly in the rural areas. The Prime Minister said this while talking to a delegation of Depilex Smile Again Foundation comprising three Italian doctors who called on him at the PM’s House this afternoon. The Italian doctors are currently visiting Pakistan for the proposed 30-bed hospital to be constructed for the treatment and rehabilitation of women with acid burns in Sanghi near Multan in collaboration with the Italian chapter of Smile Again Foundation. The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that the proposed hospital would be a centre of excellence for reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation of women who suffer from acid burns or stove explosion burns. The delegation briefed the Prime Minister that a thirty-bed hospital would be built at the cost of Rs. 38 crore and would be completed within two years. The hospital complex would include shelter homes for patients, physiotherapy centre, surgery operation theaters, vocational training centre, free dispensary and OPD facility. The delegation thanked the Prime Minister for donating land out of his personal property for Clinical Research Facility to be set up in the hospital. SDG/nr
PR.No.146. Overall political situation in the country came under discussion during Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani’s meeting with the Co-Chairman PPP, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon. Mr. Asif Ali Zardari said that he was committed to promoting national reconciliation in the country and asked the Prime Minister not to accept resignations tendered by the PML (N) Ministers. Mr. Asif Ali Zardari said he will speak to Mr. Nawaz Sharif and persuade him to withdraw resignations of PML (N) Ministers in national interest. The Prime Minister apprised Mr. Zardari of his recent telephone contact with Mr. Nawaz Sharif and his meeting with the PML (N) Ministers in the PM’s House. He expressed the confidence that the two major coalition partners will remain united to strengthen democracy and to jointly face the challenges confronting the country. The two leaders decided to keep the Cabinet slots vacant in the hope that PML (N) Ministers will soon rejoin the Cabinet. It was, however, decided to allocate additional portfolios to the existing Cabinet members so that working of the government is not affected. The meeting decided that in addition to their present portfolios, Mr. Naveed Qamar will have the additional charge of the Ministry of Finance, Ms. Sherry Rehman, the additional charge of Women’s Division, Mr. Shah Mehmood Qureshi, the additional charge of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources, Mr. Ahmad Mukhtar, the additional charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Mr. Nazar Mohammad Gondal, the additional charge of the Ministry of Agriculture. Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar has been appointed Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Finance and Economic Affairs with the status of Minister of State. DSG/nr
PR.No.147. The Prime Minister has been pleased to constitute an Economic Advisory Council to provide independent advice to the Prime Minister and the Government on the formulation and implementation of economic policies and reforms agenda. The composition of the Council is as under: 1. Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs & Revenue Chairman 2. Mr. Shaukat Tareen – Convenor 3. Mr. Salman Farooqi, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission 4. Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar 5. Ms. Shahnaz Wazir Ali 6. Mr.Bashir Ali Muhammad 7. Mian Tariq Saigal 8. Mr. Farooq Rehmatullah 9. Mr.Saleem Raza 10. Mr.Saqib Shirani 11. Finance Secretary The Committee has been authorized to co-opt members as considered appropriate. Finance Division will be the Secretariat of the Council. DSG/wh |
