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PR. No. 126. President Pervez Musharraf has condoled the death of former minorities’ parliamentarian M.P Bhandara. In his meeting with the bereaved family the President lauded the contributions of Mr. Bhandara for the country and termed his death as national loss. **AJ/Ahmad**
PR. No. 127. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan would continue to extend full and unwavering moral, diplomatic and political support to the cause of Kashmir as Pakistan wants an expeditious, just and peaceful resolution of the dispute in keeping with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. The Prime Minister expressed these views in a meeting with Mr. Yasin Malik, Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), who called on him in his chamber at the Parliament House this morning. The Prime Minister said that sustainable peace in South Asia cannot be achieved without the settlement of the Kashmir dispute which has bedeviled relations between Pakistan and India over the last six decades. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan believes in the peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue through dialogue and expressed the confidence that India would also reciprocate positively in this regard. The Prime Minister said that Kashmir issue has been the cornerstone of PPP’s foreign policy and recalled that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s foreign policy revolved around the resolution of Kashmir dispute. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan has always supported the inclusion of all stakeholders in the dialogue process and Pakistan believe that true and genuine representatives of the Kashmiri people in the dialogue will ensure a just and durable settlement which would be acceptable to the people of Pakistan. The Prime Minister also recalled his meeting with President Bush in Sharm-el-Sheikh last month in which, he said, the Kashmir issue was discussed and President Bush had said that time was ripe to resolve this dispute. Mr. Yasin Malik said that the Kashmiri people also supported this peace process and appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to support the Kashmir cause. Mr. Yasin Malik while appreciating the principled stand of Pakistan on the issue of Kashmir said that the love and support shown by the government of Pakistan and its people is a source of strength for the Kashmiri people. He said the day is not far when the Kashmiri people will be able to live in peace, honour and dignity. He lauded the role played by the PPP particularly Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in highlighting the Kashmir issue at international forums. He said that PPP is the liberal and moderate face of Pakistan and the people of Kashmir are hopeful that the government of this party would further highlight the human rights violations being committed in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. **Ahmad**
PR. No. 128. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan banking sector which is predominantly privately owned will be further strengthened and become more competitive with the entry of foreign banks into the country. The Prime Minister said this while talking to Mr. Ahmed Khizer Khan Chief Executive of Barkley Bank and Mr. Mohsin Nathani Country Director of the Bank in Pakistan. Barkley Bank which has been licensed by the State Bank of Pakistan to start its operation in Pakistan soon. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan has a highly developed banking sector which will rapidly grow in view of the inherent strength of Pakistan’s growing economy. The Prime minister welcomed Barclays Bank’s entry into Pakistan and expressed the hope that it will extend its operation especially to the rural areas of the country where 70 percent of the population lives. He also emphasized the need to cater to the banking requirements of the small and medium size industries as they form an important part of the industrial sector of the country. The Prime Minister said as part of its financial sector reforms, the government is encouraging consolidation of banking sector through mergers and acquisitions so that stronger banks provide a full range of services and improve the outreach of financial services to a larger segment of population. Mr. Ahmed Khizer Khan apprised the Prime Minister of Barclays Emerging market’s growth and expansion plans particularly in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia. He said that because of investment potential in Pakistan, Barclays has decided to explore avenues for starting operations in Pakistan. They informed the Prime Minister that Barclays Bank has started with an investment of US$ 100 million in Pakistan and will make more substantial investment as their operations expand in Pakistan. The Prime Minister was informed that Barclays is a UK-based financial services group with a large international presence in the Europe, USA, Africa and Asia. Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister was also present in the meeting. **Ahmad**
PR. No. 129. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan attaches high significance to its relationship with the United Kingdom which apart from being rooted in history, is multifaceted and forms an important part of our foreign policy. The Prime Minister was talking to Pakistan’s High Commissioner- designate to the UK, Mr. Wajid Shams-ul-Hassan, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s Chamber at the Parliament House this morning. The Prime Minister said that the UK has been a key development partner of Pakistan and we are keen to further augment our relations in all fields. Britain is also our largest trading partner and we are looking for greater cooperation from the UK in getting greater market access for our products to the EU market. Pakistan is also keen to deepen its cooperation with the UK in terms of counter-terrorism, narcotics control and legal cooperation, he added. The Prime Minister said that he had no doubt that Pakistan-UK relations will be further strengthened during Wajid Shams-ul- Hassan’s tenure of assignment in UK. The Prime Minister said the sizeable community of Pakistanis who reside in UK adds special significance to our relationship with Britain. Our community is contributing a great deal to the development of the country and has always risen to help the country in the hour of its need, he added. He emphasized the need to workout a mechanism to help our compatriots in Britain. The High Commissioner thanked the Prime Minister for reposing his confidence in him and assured him that he will spare no effort in strengthening bilateral relations with the UK. **Ahmad**
PR. No. 130. Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in its 49th Authority meeting held at Islamabad today took various significant decisions for promotion of private electronic media in Pakistan. The Authority awarded licences to Business plus, Wikkid plus, Geo English News, ARY Shopping Channel, Aruj TV and Asset Plus Channels. It also granted non- commercial FM Radio license to the Government College University, Faisalabad. Besides, PEMRA gave approval for issuance of 81 CTV licences. The Authority while examining the current status of electronic media in Pakistan, reiterated its commitment to promote and expand private electronic media in Pakistan so that every one enjoys access to information. The Chairman, PEMRA Mr. Malik Mushtaq, resolved to maintain a level playing ground for all media operators. For that purpose, Licence fee for Cable TV networks operating in rural areas category was reduced in order to proliferate facility in those areas. Secretary, Ministry of Interior Syed Kamal Shah and other members including Dr. Seemi Naghmana, Samar Minallah, Dr. Najma Najam besides Chairman PEMRA Mr. Malik Mushtaq and Executive Member Ahmed Mahmood Zahid, attended the meeting. **Ahmad**
PR. No. 131. Federal Law Minister Farooq H. Naek has said that Government is committed to restore the deposed judges and significant steps have already been taken in this regard. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani ordered the release of deposed judges the day he took oath. Government, then, paid salaries to the deposed judges and now the strength of Supreme Court judges is being raised to 29 for which the bill has been moved along with the Finance Bill to pave the way for restoration of deposed judges said the Minister adding that in the final phase judged will be reinstated through constitutional means for which the constitutional package has been sent to the coalition partners for their opinion. Minister said this while talking to a 3-member delegation of International Crisis Group who called on him here today. The delegation included: Dr. Samina Ahmad, Mr. Alain Deletroz and Ms. Fabienne Hara. Talking about the recent long march of the lawyers, Mr. Naek said that the participants of the march were allowed to gather in front of Parliament House and police was strictly told not to confront them rather they were provided space, stage, security, food and water by the government and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). He elaborated that PPP is as much in favor of judges’ restoration as any other political party or the lawyers. The difference is only in approach said the Minister adding that PPP is against the politicization of the issue and wants it to be done through the Parliament. The Minster also briefed the delegation about the various legal and constitutional reforms which the present government is working through. Law Ministry is working on a draft for setting up National Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said the Minister adding that deliberations are also underway to introduce a bill namely ‘Protection of Women against Harassment at Work places’. Number of other legal reforms including setting up of evening courts and public defender’s office are also being worked out. Minister also informed that three separate bills have been introduced in the National Assembly which has also been referred to the relevant Standing Committee. First bill is ‘The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act, 2008. It provides that no adjournment shall be given by the Tribunal for more than two days and that too on payment of costs as the Court may determine. However, if election petition is not decided within a period of four months further adjournment sought by any party shall be given on payment of special cost of rupees ten thousand per adjournment. If the tribunal wants to adjourn the proceedings it shall record reasons for the adjournment. It is also being provided that appeal should be decided by the Supreme Court within thirty days. The second bill is ‘The Companies (Appointment of Legal Advisors) (Amendment) Act, 2008. It proposes that lawyers with 5 years of experience will be eligible for appointment as Legal Advisors. Their remuneration is being increased from Rs. 1,200 to at least Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000 depending upon the paid up capital of the companies. The third bill is ‘The Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2008. It provides that in murder cases if the case is not decided within two years the accused shall be released on bail. In cases other than murder the accused shall be released on bail if the case is not decided within a year. For females the period is further reduced to one year and six months respectively. AUR/ank
PR. No. 132. The Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi has said that provision of enabling environment for investment and development was the top priority of the Government and the Government was committed to take all possible steps in this regard. He said this while talking to the Chairman WAPDA, Shakeel Durrani who called on the Deputy Speaker in the Parliament House today. The Deputy Speaker said that cheap and ample supply of electricity was necessary for industrial development of the country and the Government has chalked out a comprehensive long run policy to shore up the energy shortage and ensure electricity supply in abundance and in accordance with the requirement of the country. The Deputy Speaker said that Government has allocated resources for construction of small dams and was also making use of thermal and coal energy for electricity generation. The Deputy Speaker asked the Chairman to adopt measure for better management to avoid any waste of electricity. The Chairman WAPDA briefed the Deputy Speaker about the steps WAPDA has taken in the wake of energy shortage for reducing the damage through better management. The Chairman WAPDA said that energy shortage was being managed through elimination of leakage, better transmission system encouraging energy savers and planned load shedding throughout the country. The Chairman also informed the Deputy Speaker about the future plans of WAPDA for enhancement of energy generation in the country. The Deputy Speaker asked the Chairman to ensure smooth flow of electricity in the District of DI Khan by replacing the outdated and damaged transformers and updating the entire system there. MT/ank
PR. No. 133. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo Advisor/Federal Minister for Industries and Production has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the death of the veteran minority legislator MP Bhandara. He paid rich tributes to the services rendered by the late parliamentarian especially in his capacity as a member of the Standing Committee on Culture, Minorities and Parliamentary Affairs. He said that he was not only a true democrat but also a great patriot. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo has offered his heartfelt condolences to the family members of late MP Bhandara. He prayed that God Almighty may rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and fortitude to the members of bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss. AUR/ank
PR. No. 134. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms Sherry Rehman has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former MNA, MP Bhandara. Paying rich tribute to the late MNA, Ms Rehman said that Mr Bhandara was not only an able parliamentarian but also a generous philanthropist and a prolific writer. “His demise is indeed a big loss for the country. We pray for the departed soul and stand by his family in their hour of grief.” EW/ank
PR. No. 135. The Ministry of Women Development has taken a strong note of the torching of a girls’ school in Upper Dir last week that completely destroyed the building. “The government strongly condemns the incident and considers it a crime against women. Such attempts are aimed at Talibanisation of the society, which is completely unacceptable to us,” said Ms Sherry Rehman, the Minister of Women Development. She informed that the Women Development Ministry has already alerted the Gender Crime Cell of the Ministry of Interior that is responsible for looking into the cases of crimes against women. The Cell works in coordination with concerned authorities in the area where a crime has taken place and ensures follow up and justice to the victims. Ms Rehman said that the government is aware of the volatile situation prevalent in the troubled parts of the NWFP. “Our move to explore a political solution to the turmoil in the area is a step in the direction of eliminating the militant threat by way of empowering people. Our government is committed to help the people in the area who have suffered for years paying the price of a policy that they never endorsed. We will not let a group of zealots pose a threat to the education of girls simply because it is out of their belief system.” Ms Rehman stated that she would talk to the concerned authorities to rebuild the said school. She informed that the Women Development Ministry is looking for collaboration with other ministries in order to work towards a gender justice order. “Strengthening coordination between the Ministry of Women Development and the Interior Ministry is a part of the strategy to ensure that crimes against women are quickly dealt with and the perpetrators are brought to book as soon as possible.” EW/ank
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