-
PR No. 239
Press release
NDMA holds interactive dialogue with Civil Society ORGANIZATIONS on Disaster Risk Management
Islamabad: 20TH March, 2010In order to benefit from the expertise of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and to have a robust system in place for information sharing and resource mapping on Disaster Risk Management in the country, the National Disaster Management Authority has initiated the process of holding a series of dialogues with the CSOs and NGOs.
The first dialogue was held on Friday 19th March, 2010 at the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Islamabad with Lt. Gen. ® Farooq Ahmad Khan in the chair. He welcomed the participants and apprised them that the government of Pakistan is striving to reduce the risks of disasters emanating from multiple hazards including natural as well as human induced, through a paradigm shift from a reactive emergency response approach to an all encompassing spectrum of disaster management since the promulgation of National Disaster Management Ordinance in December, 2006.
He added that NDMA is cognizant of the key role played by the Civil Society Organizations in the overall development of the society, particularly the crucial role of response for relief and rehabilitation of people during disasters in Pakistan. He recalled the tremendous support provided by some of the organisation to the affectees of the devastating earthquake of October 2005.
He said that in order to benefit from the capacity and expertise of the CSOs in disaster management in the country, the NDMA intends to develop a consultative mechanism with the purpose to pool together these expertise and resources which would strengthen preparedness, mitigation, relief, recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
There is an increasing need to work together and to capitalize on each other’s strengths for strengthening the DRM system in Pakistan. We have to create and provide opportunity for knowledge and skill sharing on DRM, which could enable us in improve understanding of DRM issues and identify ways and means to tackle these through joint and coordinated efforts. Due to resource constraints, we need to create synergies and ensure that duplication of effort is avoided” the Chairman remarked. The Chairman NDMA invited the participating NGOs/CSOs to designate a person from amongst themselves to act as Co-Chair of the proposed forum, and to form a focus group to propose modalities for future course of action.
Air Vice Marshal ® Muhammad Ateeb Siddiqui , Director Operations, Pakistan Red Crescent Society said that interaction in post-disaster scenario can help identify relief, recovery and rehabilitation priorities.
At the end the Chairman NDMA thanked the participants for their active involvement and keen interest in the establishment of the NDMA-CSOs Forum and dialogue process. He assured all possible help, n behalf of the government and NDMA,to the Civil Society Organizations in their endeavours for disaster risk reduction. He expressed the hope that smooth evolution of the interactive dialogue would be a step forward in enhancing their capabilities to meet disasters in future for the betterment and development of the people of Pakistan.
The dialogue was largely attended by representatives of the Community Based Organisations, NGOs and INGOs including Aurat Foundation, Sungi Foundation, SPO, Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Lead Pakistan, Plan Pakistan, Save the Children-Sweden, Oxfam GB, Oxfam Novib, IUCN, WWF, Wetlands Programme, Concern Pakistan, Action Aid, CRS and American Refugee Committee.
**CMI/Ahmad**
PR No. 240
Press release
BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER CALLS ON PRIME MINISTER
Islamabad: 20th March, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has hoped that the close friendly relations with UK would be further strengthened and flourished during the tenure of new British High Commissioner to Pakistan. He underscored the importance which the democratic Government of Pakistan attached to the Pakistan-UK Strategic Dialogue an institutionalized forum for cooperation in various fields and to regular high level contacts between the two sides for taking the present bilateral cooperation in diverse fields to a new height.
The Prime Minister was talking to Mr. Adam Thomson, British High Commissioner in Islamabad who called on him at the PM’s House here this afternoon. The High Commissioner was accompanied by Dr. Peter Tibber, Deputy High Commissioner and Mr. Chris Sainty, Political Counsellor.
Prime Minister added that that Pakistan had taken up the challenge to curb the menace of terrorism and extremism in the larger interest of international peace and security and hence it was imperative for the international community to extend the requisite support to Pakistan in the capacity building of its law enforcement agencies as well as in the reconstruction of areas cleared from militancy. He appreciated that the UK was amongst those few countries which had promptly delivered on its pledges of economic and security assistance at this critical juncture.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan requires support from friends like UK to take the lead role for grant of greater access to Pakistani goods in European Union markets. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and GSP Plus, he said, could greatly facilitate in creation of new jobs opportunities in militancy affected areas to save the unemployed youth from the influence of militants and in reducing dependence on aid and financial assistance.
The Prime Minister mentioned that in order to affectively fight terrorism the National Terrorism Control Authority will be strengthened with the highest level representation from the provinces, AJ&K and Gilgit-Baltistan to ensure better coordination for sharing the available resources and information. He, however, underlined the imperative that Pakistan had to strengthen its Law Enforcement Agencies both in terms of capacity and equipment. Pakistan, he said, hoped for continued support in this regard from the international community and friends like UK to upgrade security surveillance and prempt intensions of militants.
The Prime Minister said that the three Ds policy and the strategy adopted thereafter had greatly helped in confronting militancy in Malakand and the bordering tribal areas. The operations and dialogue process, he said, has to be followed up immediately through the process of consolidation and reconstruction. Pakistan, he added, because of its limited resources and economic compulsions cannot undertake this huge task alone. The government, he said, also has to focus simultaneously on backward areas of the country where the less educated and un-employed youth remained vulnerable to extremist ideology. He urged the UK to fast track its cooperation for improving the education facilities particularly in these areas, through the platform of Pakistan-UK Education Task Force.
On Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan has always been striving for stable and peaceful Afghanistan. Pakistan, he said, supports the reconciliation process initiated by President Karzai and has also offered to train Afghan Police and Army to help improve the security situation in the country. Stability in Afghanistan, he said, can bring about economic change and prosperity in the entire region. The situation in this region, the Prime Minister said, could greatly improve provided the cross border movement particularly of Afghan refugees could be checked. This problem directly relates to over 3.5 million Afghan refugees, forgotten by the world, living in Pakistan mostly in the bordering areas.
The placement of Allama Iqbal’s name plate at the birthplace of Shakespeare, the Prime Minister said, would serve as a good gesture to promote cultural links between the two countries.
The Prime Minister also mentioned about visa problems being faced by Pakistani students and businessmen intending to travel to UK.
The British High Commissioner said that relations between UK and Pakistan extend beyond cooperation in war against terrorism and the engagements are likely to increase in the forthcoming period. He assured the Prime Minister that the existing cooperation in social sectors particularly in educational fields would be further enhanced through the task force established for the purpose.
Pakistan’s success in fight against terrorism, he said, matters a lot for the entire peace loving world. The human and economic sacrifices made by Pakistan, he said have been internationally recognized. He expressed his condolences for the families who lost their dear ones in this struggle.
The British High Commissioner apprised the Prime Minister of EU’s plan for preparing a five year road map for deeper cooperation in various sector for the future relationship. The forth coming Pakistan-EU Summit in April, he said would help in laying down the foundation for greater EU-Pakistan cooperation.
As regards the political dimensions of Afghanistan, he said that Pakistan is an important component of the process. He agreed that stability in Afghanistan would help establish peace and prosperity in the region. The JIRGA taking place next month, he said could be helpful for strengthening the reconciliation efforts initiated by the Afghan President.
The High Commissioner appreciated the idea of establishing Pakistan-UK foundation which would help in building economic, and cultural links between Pakistani community and people of Pakistan. On the visas issue, he said that the new system and process introduced is not specific to Pakistan. He, however, assured the Prime Minister that the process would be made more efficient in response to difficulties being faced by Pakistani nationals intending to visit UK.
PR No. 241
Press release
MS. ANNE W. PATTERSON, US AMBASSADOR CALLS ON PRIME MINISTER
Islamabad: 20th March, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has expressed the hope that the Fourth Session of Pakistan-US Strategic Dialogue scheduled for next week in Washington D.C would be successful in achieving the concrete results and tangible goals, set forth by both the sides. He identified power generation, water conservation, education, strengthening of the capacity of Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies through training and provision of equipment besides fast tracking of the economic assistance committed through Kerry Loogar Bill and under CSF and foreign military funding as the areas in which the progress can be made in the forthcoming round of talks.
He was talking to Ms. Anne W. Patterson, US Ambassador who called on him at the PM’s House this afternoon.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan would adopt a realistic and pragmatic approach during the talks and would like to follow up on the discussions in Washington D.C through concerted efforts by both sides. Pakistan would also like to convene the Fifth Round of Strategic Dialogue in Islamabad as soon as possible to pursue the progress on negotiations on other vital areas of envisaged cooperation.
Prime Minister stated that he was looking forward to his meeting with President Obama in Washington D.C, on the sidelines of Nuclear Security Summit, in April this year to pursue the implementation of decisions and carry forward discussions of Fourth Round of Strategic Dialogue.
The American Ambassador apprised the Prime Minister that the US side has not had this level of Strategic Dialogue with any other country and hence was undertaking every possible measures to make it a success.
The Prime Minister and US Ambassador also discussed the on going cooperation between the two countries in various fields including the regional situation. They also expressed their satisfaction on ever strengthening bilateral cooperation in on going campaign against terror.
PR No. 242
Press release
Peshawar: 20th March, 2010The Federal Minister for Communications Dr. Arbab Alamgir Khan Khalil has said that the Pakistan Peoples Party has always served the people and the present democratic government is moving forward with the mission of Benazir Bhutto.
He said that history is witness to the fact that the PPP has always rendered great sacrifices for the cause of democracy and the present success of the democratic process is due to the supreme sacrifice of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
He expressed these views while talking to delegations that called on him at his residence. The Federal Minister said that he wants to remove the deprivations of the people of his constituency, that is why development projects worth millions of rupees have been launched in his constituency and the residents have been provided with gas, electricity and drinking water connections.
The Minister said that the country is making progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani and President Asif Ali Zardari. He said that our government has completed its two years in office and it will complete its term of five years with the Grace of Allah, and will also win the next general elections on the basis of its performance.
The Minister urged the party workers to strengthen the hands of the government in eradicating poverty and illiteracy from the country. He also urged the general public not to listen to the baseless propaganda of the undemocratic forces and rather work for strengthening democracy. The Minister, on this occasion, also received applications from people and issued immediate instruction on them to the concerned officials.
PR No. 243
Press release
PRIME MINISTER CONDOLES DEATH OF G. P. KOIRALA, FORMER NEPALESE PM
Peshawar: 20th March, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in his message to his Nepalese counterpart, Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal conveyed heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of honorable G. P. Koirala, the four times Prime Minister of Nepal.
In his message, the Prime Minister said, Mr. G. P. Koirala had played a very important role in the political development of Nepal in the past decades and his demise is indeed a national loss to your esteemed country.
The Prime minister on behalf of the Government and people of Pakistan condoled on this irreparable loss to the bereaved family as well as to the Government and people of Nepal. He prayed for the departed soul to rest in eternal peace.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 21ST MARCH, 2010.
PR No. 244
Press release
PM greets Namibian counterpart on Independence Day
Islamabad: 20th March, 2010Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to the Prime Minister of Republic of Namibia Mr. Nahas Angula on their Independence day falling on March 21.
In his message, the Prime Minister said: “On the auspicious occasion of the Independence day of the Republic of Namibia, it gives me great pleasure to convey our cordial greetings and warm felicitations to Your Excellency, the government and people of the Republic of Namibia.
I avail myself of this opportunity to convey my best wishes for Your Excellency’s health and happiness and for the ever-growing progress and prosperity of the people of Namibia.
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 21ST MARCH, 2010.