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PR
No. 170 The Adviser to the Prime Minister on Information Technology, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa has assured his full support to the telecom industry while meeting a delegation of senior executives of fixed line telecom operators who called on him here on Saturday to resolve a long outstanding issue of research and development fund contribution. The delegation led by Sikandar Naqi, SEVP, PTCL and Wahaj us Siraj, CEO, NayaTel apprised the Advisor fixed line telecom operators under their license obligation were required to pay 1% of their gross revenue as contribution to ICT R&D Fund to promote within country research in telecom and IT sector. Telecom Deregulation Policy approved by Cabinet in July 2003 had a clause of offering equal treatment to fixed line and mobile operators for percentage contribution to R&D Fund but mobile operators were being charged a lower rate, 0.5%. Federal Cabinet finally removed this anomaly in November 2009 but telecom operators believe that this policy should have been implemented retrospectively, i.e., from the date of approval of mobile policy in 2004, the delegation maintained. The Adviser noted that telecom industry needs to be supported in all respects so that stagnancy of last couple of years of the sector can be removed and growth is stimulated. This can only be possible with strong public partnership where Government would act as facilitator and private sector should invest for providing modern telecom services to all areas of Pakistan besides creating employment opportunities. The Adviser said that the present people’s Government believes in empowering of people and would extend all possible assistance to the industry as contribution towards national development. The Adviser said that he being head of the Ministry considers himself as father of the telecom family and the family members, the industry players, should work jointly with the family to empower the communities in remote areas and stimulate economic development. He agreed to the existence of anomaly in R&D fund contribution and assured the industry that matter would be placed for cabinet for a revised decision soon.
PR No. 171 Federal Minister for Defence, Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar, has strongly condemned the bomb blasts in Kohat and expressed profound grief over the loss of precious lives in these attacks by the terrorists. Denouncing the blasts, the Minister said it is highly barbaric and cowardly act to shed the blood of innocent people. He said that terrorists wanted to destabilize the country but every effort would be made to eliminate them and make Pakistan a prosperous and peaceful country. The Minister expressed profound grief and shock over the loss of innocent lives in the blasts by the terrorists. He sympathized with the bereaved families and prayed to Almighty Allah to shower His blessings on the departed souls and grant courage and fortitude to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss with patience and equanimity.
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No. 172 In compliance of the Prime Minister’s directives for Implementation of Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010, the Ministry of Industries and Production has constituted a committee to address the complaints, if any, of sexual harassment as per law, as and when any complaint is received to committee by any female worker of this Ministry. The committee consists of three members. S. Tahir Ali Shah, Joint Secretary Administration, has been designated as Chairman of the Committee while Mr. Muhammad Irfan Khan Jadoon, Deputy Secretary Investment and Ms. Sadia Kanwal Section Officer as its members, says a u.o.no.2(1)/09/Imp dated 13-04-2010 issued by the Implementation Section of this Ministry.
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No. 173 As a gesture of tribute to great oriental poet of Pakistan Allama Mohmmad Iqbal a plaque of Iqbal will be inaugurated at Shakespeare’s Birth Place on the occasion of Annual International Festival at Stratford- Upon- Avon on 23rd of April at 10:30 a.m. High Commissioner of Pakistan to the UK H.E. Wajid Shamsul Hasan will unveil the plaque. The birthday festival of legendary Poet William Shakespeare will be celebrated from 23rd to 25th April. After unveiling of Plaque cultural performances will take place. This year it will have the added colour of Pakistan ’s diverse cultural presentation. Lead Folk Artistes, representing Pakistan ’s provinces Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Punjab, Sindh and Gilgit-Baltistan would be in Stratford to mesmerise thousands of visitors coming to witness the celebrations. International fame Dhol player Saghir Ahmad joined by Pakistan’s top Flute Player Baqar Abbas, Vocalist Akhtar Chanal, singer and marvellous Ektara specialist Bushra Marvi with the legendary Alghoza player Veehomal, and the greatest Sarinda player ever born Munir Sarhadi’s successor Ejaz Sarhadi would make the magical folk presentations. The visiting Artistes would be joined by talented renowned performers Raja Kaashef and group, Roshan Abbas and Naheed to add flavour to the festivities with their classical and traditional art, says a press release received here from London today.
PR
No. 174 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza has fixed 30th June as deadline for initiation of all those projects which could not start due to non availability of land. He directed both the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (NWFP) as well as the AJK Governments to ensure that requisite land is provided for the projects till 30th June else these projects (18 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 9 in AJK) will be dropped and deleted from the reconstruction strategy. The Prime Minister further asked the Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and the AJK Governments to take responsibility of the completed projects and ensure their sustainability particularly in the Heath and Education Sectors. The recurring expenditures of the completed projects, he said would be borne by the respective governments. The Prime Minister also directed that both the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and AJK governments to complete the requisite formalities and settle the issues for the completion of projects in urban areas. He particularly referred to New Balakot, Bakrial and Muzafarabad in this context. He directed that all efforts in this regard be made on war footings and accordingly ERRA be kept updated with progress so that these projects could be completed at the earliest. The Prime Minister was chairing the 12 ERRA Council meeting at the PM’s House this afternoon. While lauding the role of ERRA, the Prime Minister said that the government from the very first day was committed to the renewal of livelihood and re-establishment of infrastructure in the earthquake affected areas. The progress made in the two years period is remarkable, he added, which shows the focused nature of government’s resolve. The Prime Minister noted with satisfaction that master plans of all cities have been finalized and approved by ECNEC. He also expressed satisfaction over the completion of 50% on New Balakot City Development Project – Phase I and on the signing of contract with the Chinese contractors for undertaking Urban Development Projects of AJ&K. The Prime Minister said the Government accords top priority to Health and Education sectors and physical targets achieved by ERRA were well upto the mark. He asked the Authority to bring further improvement in these areas. Commenting on the steps undertaken for the restoration of educational institutions in these areas, the Prime Minister said the decision taken by the government to restore the schools through pre fabricated structures and to continue provision of education services proved critical to maintain the education cycle to save students’ academic yea. He said seismically resistant reconstruction of schools has raised the confidence and satisfaction level of the parents, which restored and increased enrolment, beside creating an enabling environment for learning. He noted with satisfaction that majority of the students are currently attending government educational institutions. He said that ERRA is in the fifth years of its operations and has been involved in re-construction and rehabilitation of the affectees of the earthquake that killed thousands & rendered many more homeless / shelterless. He said it has during the last five years acquired adequate experience to cater for any ( God forbid) unforeseen eventuality. The Prime Minister expressed satisfaction over the provision of better equipped health services in the affected areas. He said that the trained staff is enhancing confidence and health awareness among communities. He lauded the timely interventions by ERRA which prevented the outbreak of any epidemic. Expressing satisfaction over the complete restoration of electricity in the affected areas, the Prime Minister said that it would significantly contribute in normalizing people’s lives and the local economy besides facilitating reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts. He also expressed satisfaction that timely provision of permits/ licenses to cellular telecommunication companies, to establish and operate their services, has enhanced interface of the affected areas with rest of the country/world. The Prime Minister asked that transparency must be ensured in procedures while awarding contracts and selection of human resources. The Prime Minister was briefed on the challenges demarcated by ERRA for its operations. These include reconstruction and rehabilitation of destroyed infrastructure renewal of livelihood, protection of environment, re-establishment of Telecom and Power Networks and rehabilitation of vulnerable population, and clearance of massive slides and tonnes of rubble. The various sectors focused are housing, education, health, water and sanitation, govt sector buildings, power, telecommunication, roads & bridges, livelihood, social protection, environment and tourism. The Prime Minister was further briefed that with the construction of 96% seismically resistant houses, the owner-driven approach has brought about a paradigm shift in reconstruction through ERRA Rural Housing Reconstruction Programme (RHRP). The new constructions, outside the RHRP also follow ERRA principles; unsafe construction practices have significantly reduced as compared to pre earthquake. The families are now living in safer houses and focusing on re-establishing their businesses and other issues of life. Timely assistance and support have helped the affected households re-establish their houses and maintain their occupancy status at a better level of pre earthquake. The Prime Minister was briefed that Promotion of Rain Water Harvesting is being carried out amongst 100,000 households. Water Quality Improvement and Promotion of Hygiene (WAQIPH) has been launched in collaboration with UNICEF. Sanitary Inspection Survey of 2913 water supply schemes (WSS) out of 3500 schemes has been completed, rest in process. Improvement of source protection at 1200 WSS is under process. WatSan programme has resulted in better family health and improved hygiene status. It has also increased accessibility (within 75 - 100 meters) to drinking water and thereby reduced time spent on water collection. Briefing the Prime Minister on the status of progress on prevention of diseases it was stated that diseases like diarrhoea and skin irritation are significantly reduced with adequate water supply and hygiene promotion by ERRA. Hygiene practices are also fortified by installation of improved toilets by majority of the population. Simultaneously, open area defecation is also reduced. Co-located Muzaffarabad District complex and other allied ERRA support to the civil administration is facilitating uninterrupted extension of services and inter departmental coordination resulting in improved efficiency. The Prime Minister was briefed that Community Livelihood Rehabilitation Plans are under implementation which includes bridle paths, shingle tracks, rain water harvesting ponds, kitchen gardens, plant nurseries, fruit orchards, rehabilitation of water mills, vocational training and provision of sewing machines. These projects are Village Level Development Programmes, identified by communities, prepared with technical assistance of NGOs/Line Departments. 17 Collaborative Watershed Management Projects are being undertaken (slope stabilization, water management, enterprise development and agricultural enhancement) The Prime Minister was informed that skills development training is being imparted to the locals to enable them to earn their livelihoods. Livelihood Cash Grants Programme (LCGS) ensured the essential cash flow to the affected communities. This provided immediate and interim assistance and helped replace income losses. Livelihood restoration efforts enabled the community to recover from economic stress and to stabilize it to its previous state. A significant percentage of households perceive their current economic status has either been restored to the pre earthquake level or it is better than that. Coupled with formation of Community-Based Organisations (CBO), CLRPs have created awareness among the communities of their participation for enhanced physical capital. Provision of land to more than 10,000 households including landless and those living in the hazardous areas. Legal aid centers at Tehsil level provided legal assistance to 26,321 vulnerable families. The Prime Minister was brifed that a Targeted Vulnerability Survey was conducted to take stock of the vulnerable people in the EQAA, the results have been shared with government and non government agencies for their inclusion in their welfare programs. Social safety networks and construction of key institutions in the sector has facilitated access of vulnerable segments to legal aid, medical services and livelihood opportunities . Rural Landless (RLL) and Virtual Landless (VLL) policy of ERRA facilitated affectees through ‘one-window operation’ services. Legal Aid Centers (LACs) catered for all those, who needed legal assistance to resolve their legal issues. Rehabilitation programme for the “Persons With Disabilities” (PWD) helped raise their morale and reduced their dependence on others. Slope stabilisation and environmental safeguards have contributed towards protecting the natural and physical infrastructure. Now the people have become more sensitive to the management and removal of solid waste. ERRA it was mentioned is the only organization in the world which is spending 0.8% on non-development expenditure. The meeting was informed that due to the environment friendly timber frame designs available in the housing guidelines, a potential threat to deforestation due to houses reconstruction has been reduced. Design, approval and implementation of a comprehensive “Gender Policy for EQAA” and implementation strategy. The meeting was attended by Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmed Watto, Prime Minister AJK, Raja Farooq Haider, Chairman ERRA, Mr. Altaf M. Saleem and other senior government officials.
PR
No. 175 Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that Composite dialogue on all contentious issues between Pakistan and India should be resumed as this is the only way to resolve these issues and media of the two countries has an important role in bridging the gaps and differences. He was talking to a delegation of Indian media that called on him here today. A wide range of topics including bilateral relations and media scenario of the two countries were discussed during the meeting. The Minister said that public opinion needs to be molded towards the standing issued that need to be resolved and media can play a very important role in building and evolving this opinion. “Media should also play its role to protect the objectivity and should ensure correct reporting and reduce misunderstandings on various issues”, Minister said. Answering to a question about allowing landing rights and availability of one another’s news channels, the Minister stressed the need for both the countries to observe reciprocity and mutual allowance of one another’s entertainment and news channels. The Minister suggested that the conditions for Pakistani channels to get access in Indian media need to softened. Commenting on Pakistan’s war against terror, he urged the Indian media to support and back Pakistan’s efforts in the war against terror as this is struggle against a menace threatening the whole world. “Our fight against terrorism is for the peace and stability of the whole region and all the countries of the region should appreciate this fact”, he pointed out. The Minister said that Pakistan is fighting these terrorists and it has a resolve to win this war at every cost. “We cannot afford to lose this war. This is the war for the existence and stability of the country and the region”, he said. The Minister underlined the fact that both the countries share a common history and border and they have to live together. “We should aim to live in a state of peaceful co-existence which can only be achieved after resolution of bilateral issues and moving forward” he said. He said that this can only be achieved through dialogue on all issues without any conditions. Answering a question the Minister said that sharing of water has evolved as a core issue between the two countries and, keeping in view its importance and impact upon our mutual future, needs immediate attention and resolution by referring to the original Indus Basin Treaty of 1960. The Minister agreed to the suggestion that mutual exchange of media delegations from the two countries should be undertaken so as to enhance understanding and prevent misreporting by building bridges and connections between the media. The delegation comprised prominent Indian journalists from print and electronic media.
PR
No. 176 The National Judicial Conference 2010, which consist of three sessions inaugural, working and concluding sessions, started yesterday i.e 16.04.2010 with keynote address of the Hon’ble Chief Justice Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Today i.e 2nd day of the Conference started with working sessions in which participants assembled in 8 working groups each, headed/chaired by either the Chief Justice of the Provincial High Courts or Supreme Court Judges. The groups discussed in detailed different topics which are mentioned as under: The Group-I headed/chaired by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Chief Justice, Peshawar High Court, Peshawar, discussed the “Ways to Improve Implementation of the National Judicial Policy”. The Group-II headed/chaired by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan, discussed “Alternate Dispute Resolution”. The Group-III headed/chaired by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan, discussed “Legal Education”. The Group-IV headed/chaired by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Chief Justice, High Court of Sindh, Karachi, discussed “Use of Information Technology in Courts”. Group-V headed/chaired by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, Chief Justice, Lahore High Court, Lahore, discussed “Expeditious Disposal of Cases: Obstacles and Remedial Measure”. The Group-VI headed/chaired by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmed, Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan, discussed “Elimination of Corruption in Judiciary: Measures for Effective Supervision and Accountability”. The Group-VII headed/chaired by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Jawad S. Khawaja, Judge, Supreme Court of Pakistan, discussed “Simplification of Exhaustive and Cumbersome Procedures”. The Group-VIII headed/chaired by the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Qazi Faez Isa, Chief Justice, High Court of Balochistan, Quetta, discussed “Responsibility of Judges, Lawyers, Police, Prosecution and Litigant Public in Dispensation of Justice”. All the groups have finalized their deliberations and recommendations, which will be presented by the chairman of each group tomorrow i.e. 18.04.2010 and will be submitted to the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudry for approval.
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No. 177 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani appreciated the role of the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) in observing merit while selecting a candidate for appointment in public sector. He was talking to Justice® Rana Bhagwan Das, Chairman Federal Public Services Commission who called on him at PM’s House this afternoon. The Prime minister said that his Government was determined to provide relief to the people and it could only be possible when competent and able officers are selected for appointment to man the Public Sector jobs. The Chairman FPSC congratulated the Prime Minister on unanimous passage of 18th amendment by both houses of the Parliament. He also apprised the Prime Minister of matters concerning with the working of FPSC.
PR
No. 178 Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira and Minister of State Syed Sumsam Ali Shah Bukhari have expressed their deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of PTV News Reporter Azmat Bangash, who was martyred in the bomb blasts at Kucha Pakha IDPs camp near Kohat today. In their separate messages both the Ministers said that late Azmat Bangash was a hard-working and brave reporter who was unafraid of the risks involved with his duties. They said that late Azmat Bangash gave the supreme sacrifice and laid down his life in the line of duty. They termed late Azmat Bangash a Shaheed as he gave his life while performing his duties. They prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant fortitude to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss.
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