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PR No. 186
Pakistan ’s Ambassador to Germany Shahid Kamal paid an official visit to the State of Thuringia and met with the Minister President Christine Lieberknecht. During the discussion the Minister President agreed to strengthen cooperation between Pakistan and the State of Thuringia in areas of economy, energy, education and agriculture. State of Thuringia will support initiatives to build cooperation in seeking agricultural technology as a top Agriculture Research Centre is located at Enfurt, the capital city of the state. It was agreed that efforts would be made to get German companies to invest in solar power sector of Pakistan, says a press release received here today from Berlin-Wilmersdorf. Pak ambassador also met the mayor of Enfurt city during his stay. **PS/Ahmad**
Naval Ship building industry of Malaysia and Pakistan can join hands in sharing and envisaging mutually beneficial projects between the two countries. This was stated by the Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, while replying to a question during an interview with New Straits Times, on the sides line of four-day, 12th Defence Services Asia Exhibition and Conference (DSA-2010). The biannual conference was inaugurated by the Defence Minister of Malaysia, Dato Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, in Kuala Lumpur, today (19.04.2010), says a press release received here today from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Admiral Noman Bashir, while giving interview to the New Straits Times, a highly circulated English news paper of Malaysia said that Pakistan Navy and Malaysian Navy enjoyed collaboration in many fields including training and conduct of joint Naval exercises. He saw a great potential in the field of training, sharing experiences and expertise between the two Navies. Chief of Naval Staff spent a busy day at DSA-2010. He met with Chinese Vice Minister for Aerospace Industry, Mr. Geo Hong Wei and discussed ways and means to further enhance the existing level of cooperation between the two countries. The Naval Chief also met with his Malaysian counterpart, Tan Sri Abdul Aziz bin Jaafar and held wide ranging discussions about the potential and scope of cooperation between the two Navies in various fields. The Naval Chief also visited the Pakistan’s Pavilion at DSA-2010 and expressed his satisfaction over the exhibits and layout of the Pakistan Pavilion. He said that Pakistan Navy, as a policy was pursuing reliance on indigenously produced defence equipment. At DSA-2010, Pakistan has showcased a wide variety of defence products including Tank & Anti-Tank Ammunition, Air Craft & Anti Craft, Tactical UAV System, Air Defence Automation System, Ammunition, infantry weapons, -Personal Defense Weapons, .Artillery Ammunition, Hand Grenades, Small Arms Ammunition, Pyrotechnics & Demolition Store and Propellants and Explosives. The other countries taking part in exhibition are; Australia , Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria , China, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal , Romania , Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands , Turkey, UK and USA. **QB/Ahmad**
PR No. 188 Pakistan’s need for civil nuclear technology to boost its energy sector has been acknowledged at the just concluded Nuclear Security Summit and we are satisfied with the outcome of the Summit. This was stated by Ambassador Sanaullah in a lecture on “Pakistan’s Foreign Policy” at the University of Indonesia(UI) on Monday. He was extended a special invitation to speak on the subject by the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UI, says a press release received here today from Jakarta. He said that cardinal principles of Pakistan’s Foreign Policy were to pursue friendship with all in line with the acceptable international norms and practices embodied in the UN Charter and special relations with the Muslim World, supporting their legitimate causes without violating international peace and security. Within these parameters, the Ambassador said, Pakistan has been conducting relations with neighbours, regional and major powers, bilaterally, regionally and globally. In bilateral relations, Pakistan has never pursued an offensive policy. In the realm of defence, be it conventional or missile and nuclear, we have avoided being sucked into arms race. He said we believed in developing an alert, adequately equipped and well prepared Armed Forces, capable of defending the territorial and ideological frontiers of the country. By the Grace of God, we have long achieved this target. He said that even in case of nuclear weapons, we are not in race with our neighbor. We developed nuclear bomb to ward off a real threat to our existence, he emphasized. Talking about policy towards neighours, the Ambassador highlighted the need to resume the stalled composite dialogue to resolve all outstanding disputes with India. He also spoke of regular contact with Afghanistan at multi-tier level to intensify cooperation to stem terrorists’ activity across Pak-Afghan border. He also emphasized the need for activation of regional organizations i.e SAARC and ECO to facilitate trade among member states. On relations with China, the Ambassador said Pakistan cherished special friendship with China. We remain grateful to Chinese leadership for its friendly gestures in our hours of trial and need. Similarly we value our relations with the Muslim World including Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Iran, the Ambassador added. Regarding Pak-US ties, the Ambassador said these were positive and robust with active cooperation on elimination of militancy and economic uplift in Pakistan. Both countries were engaged in a long term partnership aimed at mutual benefits. Talking of Pakistan-Indonesia ties, Ambassador Sanaullah spoke high of late Indonesian leader Soekarno whose contribution laid the foundation of a comprehensive partnership between the two countries. In the same spirit, he said, other Indonesian leaders gave priority to relations with Pakistan. “We value the decisions made during the visit of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to Pakistan in 2005. No doubt, these decisions have given a boost to trade and healthy tradition of exchanging of high level visits”, he said. “We need to have strong economic content in bilateral relations” and in this context he referred to the ongoing negotiations on PTA which he said would largely expand trade and economic cooperation. He said, both countries shared lots of commonalities in culture and social traditions which should help us build stronger relations. The Ambassador proposed establishment of special chairs in each others’ universities for development of relations. Earlier on arrival at the campus of UI, the Ambassador was received by Vice Dean, Edy Prasetyono and other senior members of the Faculty. He was presented a special souvenir to mark his visit to the Faculty. About two hundred students from different departments of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences attended the lecture. **SJ/Ahmad**
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No. 189 Ambassador of South Korea Mr. Un Shin called on Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi in his office today. During the meeting matters pertaining to mutual interest especially related to environment sector came under discussion. During the meeting, Korean Ambassador said that Pakistan and Korea are enjoying cordial relations. He said that our country gives high importance to the existing relations between two countries. He hoped that these relations would further grow in future. Mr. Un Shin shared his views about mutual cooperation in environment sector. He told that South Korea is giving priority to environmental issues because climate change and environmental degradation is affecting the whole world. He said that Korea has rich experience and well qualified human resource especially in Information Technology (IT), Construction and Environment sectors. He told that climate change affects the capability of infrastructure and over-all economic growth yet, there is dire need to manage these issues on priority basis. He also told about details of initiatives taken by Korea in environment sector. He realized that economic development and environmental sustainability is the need of time for better future. He also lauded the efforts made by Government of Pakistan in environment sector. He also offered to share experience and knowledge in environment sector with Pakistan. Federal Minister for Environment Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi while talking to Korean Ambassador said that Pakistan is among those countries who are facing adverse effects of climate change. However, Government of Pakistan is giving priority to environment related issues. He emphasized that environment has no boundaries so it is not the matter of a single country but it engulf the whole world. He urged that collective measures are required to be taken to face these challenges. He told about the plans, projects and other steps taken by Ministry of Environment. Mr. Afridi also informed the Ambassador about changing the name of Ministry as Ministry of Environment and Climate Change. He mentioned on this occasion that Pakistan wants to benefit from experience and knowledge of Korea and to initiate joint ventures between two countries in this connection. He also desired to get technical assistance and training of human resource facilities from Korea. During the meeting matters related to FATA and IDPs also came under discussion. Korean Ambassador presented a brochure about “Korea’s Green Growth Strategy”. He also presented a Korean traditional vase to the Minister. Federal Secretary Environment Javed Malik and Addl. Secretary Kamran Ali Qureshi were also present during the meeting.
PR No. 190 The present government is keen to give all civic amenities to people living in the remote areas of the country. The Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim said this while talking to a delegation from district Matiari, who called on the Minister in his office today. Makhdoom Amin Fahim told the delegation that SSGC (Sui Southern Gas Company) would gasify areas of Pir Yaseen Shah, Tara village and saeedabad in district Matiari by spending 48.55 million rupees. The Minister expressed that Pakistan Peoples Party government believes in public service, and gasification of rural areas is on the top of its agenda. Makhdoom Amin Fahim gave a positive nod to the request of the delegation that he himself should inaugurate the project.
PR No. 191 Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour Monday said that the name of President Asif Ali Zardari will be written in golden words for being the first president to surrender his powers to the Parliament. In a statement issued here, the minister said through constitutional reforms, the country is stepping forward to the federal parliamentary system and it is laudable that President has forgone his power to the Prime Minister to make the democratic institutions flourish. Bilour said the 18th amendment would ensure provincial autonomy that would ultimately trickle down positive impact on the life of a common man. The minister said the people of Khyber-Pukhtoonkhwa are contented enough over what they have achieved, though not as per desires, through 18th amendment. It was a historic milestone, Bilour said that only a democratic government could achieve this gigantic task as the dictators could not achieve this goal. “This credit of unanimous approval of 18th amendment in the Constitution was goes to all the political parties of the country,” the minister said. Bilour said that provincial autonomy which was a longstanding demand of the smaller provinces was also fulfilled, adding that provincial autonomy would not only strengthen the provinces rather it would also promote love and brotherhood between the federating units as an imperative for national security.
The inauguration ceremony of the NUST Business School block was held in the H-12 campus of the National University of Sciences and Technology. Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Finance, Economic Affairs, Statistics, and Planning and Development was the chief guest of the occasion. Addressing the audience which comprised of faculty members and students, Dr. Shaikh said that he was proud to be on NUST’s campus but wished Pakistan to have more of such institutions. He said that the people of this country were capable of doing big things if provided with true leadership, guidance and motivation. Analyzing Pakistan’s current state of affairs, he recalled that after the World War II, most countries of the world were in dire straits just like today’s Pakistan. The countries that were able to focus on human development, finding ways of being competitive and able to sell their products to other parts of the world, and those with lesser reliance on government raced ahead towards a prosperous future while those who didn’t make any effort towards these three essential points were left behind. He lamented the fact that while Asia was enjoying a period of boom with the Asian Tigers in the making, Pakistan was stuck with protectionist policies that created road blocks to economic development. Dr. Shaikh noted that Pakistan is trying very hard to maintain economic stability. He said that the last few years have been very unique in Pakistan’s economic life. Historically, he said, Pakistan has always had enjoyed growth rate of at least 5% and above but for the past couple of years, the growth had defied that trend. He also noted that Pakistan had not hitherto experienced the inflation prevalent at the current magnitude in recent times. Dr. Hafeez Shaikh said that a lot of factors were responsible for the current scheme of events like unprecedented surge in oil and commodity prices and the global economic melt down and that masses were suffering due to the combination of these factors. He said that in the midst of this fast changing world, the economic challenge was to be agile. It was only four years ago that people all over the world was calling the then economic cycle the best run of economic growth and only after a span of 24 months things changed so rapidly that the world witnessed what it called the worst period since the great depression of 1930s. Dr. Shaikh said that Pakistan could very well come out of the current economic crisis but the need was for everyone to put in his/her contribution. He said that often difficult insurmountable looking problems are also solvable and Pakistan was a nation capable of standing up to the task. He ended his speech on a motivating and a high note by saying that if you do the best you can, help will come from unexpected quarters. Earlier, Director General and Dean, NUST Business School, Dr. Ashfaque H. Khan introduced to the audience, the Advisor to the Prime Minister. Rector NUST, Lt. General Muhammad Asghar offered a vote of thanks at the end of the ceremony. DGMF/wh PR
No. 193 Federal Minister for Population Welfare Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan called on Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, President of the Congress at her residence in New Delhi, today. During her interaction with the Congress leader, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan informed that it was a strong desire of the late Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto and the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi almost thirty years back,that the bilateral relationship should develop for the mutual benefit of the two people. The Minister remarked, “Now that the Governments of Pakistan Peoples Party and Congress, under the dynamic leadership(s) of President Asif Ali Zardari and Mrs. Sonia Gandhi, are in place in Pakistan and India respectively, the time is quite opportune to realize that desire”, says a press release received from New Delhi here today. Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan mentioned that terrorism was a common enemy of both the countries. Pakistan, was a victim of it, more than any other country in the world as PPP’s leader Benazir Bhutto had also sacrificed her life to save the country from this menace. Dr. Firdous stressed that the two countries must make joint efforts to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the region. She said that Mrs. Sonia Gandhi was well respected for her role on issues of common concern, particularly the women issues in South Asia. The Minister added that “Exchange programmes of Parliamentarians, women and the Youth and capacity building for dealing with women welfare, especially mother and child care, would go a long way in improving the lot of the women on both sides. The time has come for the two countries to create an environment of trust and confidence between the two governments and to resume the Composite Dialogue process from where it was discontinued in November 2008”. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi assured Dr. Firdous Awan that she would continue with her efforts to improve relations between the two countries. The two dignitaries also exchanged souvenirs and gifts on the occasion. The meeting was held in cordial atmosphere. Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Minister for Health and Family Welfare was also present in the meeting. Earlier Federal Minister for Population Welfare Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan called on Indian Minister for Health and Family Welfare Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad. The two Ministers discussed various ways and means for cooperation between the two countries in the realm of population welfare. Mr. Azad warmly welcomed the visiting Minister to his Ministry. Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan expressed gratitude to her counterpart for the opportunity to discuss common issues confronting the two countries. She said that population explosion in both the countries has been posing enormous danger to the social and economic development of the two countries. She said that the economic growth in Pakistan was not matching with the growth rate in population. The Minister said that she was impressed by her visit to Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) at Hyderabad and Aids Control Centre at Mumbai. She hoped that the two countries can learn and benefit from each other’s experience in the field of population control. “Such cooperation would go a long way in the history in benefiting the populace on both sides of the border”, she added. In the context of bilateral relations between India and Pakistan she laid emphasis on the resumption of Composite Dialogue between the two countries which she said would precede other measures to improve relations thus leading to improving the welfare of the masses. Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad assured the visiting Minister of every possible cooperation of his Ministry, particularly in the areas of population welfare and related fields. DO/wh
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No. 194 A two-day National Energy Summit to finalize a concrete roadmap to overcome the current power crisis started here today at Prime Minister’s Secretariat with Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf in the chair. All the four Chief Minister’s, Federal Ministers for Petroleum, Information and Broadcasting, Food and Agriculture, Provincial Ministers, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Secretaries of Finance, Water and Power, Petroleum, Chairman Wapda, MD Pepco, KESC, PPIB, Representatives of APTMA, Chambers, Trade Associations, senior officials of Water and Power, Finance, Petroleum, NEPRA and leading energy experts and investors participated. The Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf in his welcome address said that conservation measures can considerably reduce the pressure on the current load shedding duration and sought the support of all the stakeholders to develop a mechanism for initiating conservation measures. He stated that our optimal capacity for power generation was being exploited to PEPCO and diversion of some more gas can further enhance the capability to generate. He informed the meeting that the recurring circular debt is also limiting the ability to play on the front foot. He said that present Government is fully seized of the seriousness of the issue and the elected Government feels the pangs of pain of common citizens, and the difficulties faced by the industrialists, traders and business community on this account. Unfortunately, the nation has come to this state after several years of neglect of the power sector by the preceding government. Till 2004, the country was meeting all its electricity requirements. After that, the gap between supply and demand kept on increasing from year to year, and no substantial investments both in public; and private sector were directed. However, the present Government had started the journey towards making the Power Sector sustainable and initiated diversified measures in the short, medium and long term perspective to meet the challenges. The power projects, be they hydle, thermal, renewables or any other, have gestation periods extending over years and involve huge investments. He urged the meeting that at this hour of crisis, we all need to reach out to the people in developing a common approach to a major crisis. He stressed that the media can play a very constructive role instead of sensationalizing and exploiting the issue. All the Chief Ministers separately gave their point of views on this serious issue of power crisis, energy conservation, and other short term measures to overcome the energy crisis and assured their fullest support to resolve this national issue and to implement the decisions to be taken in this forum. They were of the view that the issues of power sector should be addressed in the national interest on war footing basis. A presentation on short, medium and long term measures to end energy shortfall was also given by the Punjab Government. PEPCO and WAPDA apprised the summit participants of the capacity addition plans of projects based on indigenous resources of the country on short, medium and long term basis. Prime Minister has directed that Energy Summit shall conclude after firming up final recommendations tomorrow. NJ/wh
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No. 195 Federal Minister for Education Sardar Aseff Ahmad Ali has said that Monday is a landmark day in the entire history of Pakistan, as the President signed the historic bill of 18th amendment today and has brought the constitution of Pakistan back to its original shape.
AJ/wh
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No. 196 President Asif Ali Zardari has said that 18th Constitutional Amendment is no less than a miracle yet we have a long way to go and achieve many more milestones particularly in those areas which are of the concern to the common man. This he said addressing ex-Nazimeen and Ex-Councilors of PPP belonging to Sargodha division in Presidency tonight. Raja Pervez Ashraf, Minister for Water and Power, Mr. Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Minister for Food & Agriculture, Dr. Babar Awan, Minister for Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Tasneem Ahmed Qureshi, Minister of State for Interior, and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar were also present during the meeting. President Asif Ali Zardari said that the 18th Constitutional Amendment has purged the constitution of all the anti- democratic articles introduced into it by successive dictators and has restored to the Parliament the powers that really belong to it in a democracy. PPP as the largest and formidable political force in the country believes in supremacy of the Parliament and institutional stability and has always worked for the constitutional development in the country, he said. The President said that the Party is not in majority in the government and there were so many problems besetting it yet it was able to pass the Constitutional Amendment. The President said that Pakistan Peoples Party inherited many problems; Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had been assassinated, terrorists were threatening to take over the country, democratic structures were fragile, and there was a hostile presidency but we succeeded in overcoming the challenges confronting us. He asked the Party workers to make preparations for the local bodies elections. The year 2010 is a local bodies election year, he said. Election Reforms would also be introduced which were part of our manifesto, the President continued. The participants congratulated the President and the Party leadership on achieving such milestone of purging the constitution and restoring it to its original form. They also spoke on a host of issues including the current political situation and the developmental activities in their constituencies. The President said that he would be holding more of such meetings with Party workers and office bearers at the divisional level to re- energize the Party in meeting the challenges. SAK/wh |
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