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PR. No. 158. Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Narcotics Control, Nazar Muhammad Gondal has called upon the younger generation to fully equip with science and technology education vital to face global emerging challenges in a befitting manner. He expressed these views while addressing at the annual prize distribution ceremony of Rasul Government College of Technology here today. The Minister said that no country could stand in the comity of the developed nations without possessing latest science and technological skills pre-requisite for overall socio-economic progress and prosperity. He said that it was good omen that our country had made tremendous progress in promotion of science and information technology during the past few years. The Minister said that keeping in view of importance of this sector, the present government has allocated a sizeable amount in the current fiscal year to spread the education of science and technology in all parts of the country. He assured that the government would upgrade the Rasul Government College of Technology as a University of Science and Technology which would mitigate the financial burden of the parents on the education of their children in other cities. The Minister urged upon the students and teachers to devote their energies in studies and benefit from the development emerging in S & T field on world map so that these methods could be applied in our own country. Principal of Rasul Government College and Technology, Syed Mazhar Abbas Naqvi highlighted the salient features of the achievements made by the students and teachers in the Board in education and sports fields. Later the Minister gave away certificates and shields to the outstanding students and teachers. He also planted a sapling in the college premises as a mark of tree plantation campaign in the country. **EH/Ahmad **
PR. No. 159. The First Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Kingdom of Morocco was held in Rabat on July 17-18, 2008. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Industries and Production led the Pakistan side, while the Moroccan side was led by Mr. Ahmed Reda Chami, Minister of Industry, Commerce and New Technologies. The decisions taken in the JMC meeting and minutes recorded were signed in a ceremony held at the conclusion of the Session in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation at Rabat. During his stay in Rabat Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo called on Mr. Abbas El Fassi, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr. Taib Fassi-Fihri, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mr. Abdellatif Mazouz, Minister of External Trade and Mr Abdallah Baha, Vice President of the House of Representatives and exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. These meetings as well as the Inaugural Session of the Joint Economic Commission reflected the close fraternal ties which exist between the two countries. The meetings also provided an opportunity for both the sides to identify various fields of bilateral cooperation. During his meetings with the Moroccan dignitaries, Mr. Wattoo discussed issues relating to war against terror, the rising prices of oil and food commodities and a probable situation of food shortages globally calling for closer interaction between friendly countries. The Moroccan authorities assured the Advisor of their full support to Pakistan on all issues. The Foreign Minister further conveyed the desire of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to solidify cooperation with Pakistan in all fields and expressed Morocco’s will to implement the decisions taken by the JMC. The two sides committed to hold the Joint Ministerial Commission annually on a regular basis, alternately in Islamabad and Rabat. The two sides also agreed to accelerate the pace of the Preferential Trade Agreement. It was decided to set the dateline of October 2008 to start the negotiations. The agenda and the roadmap to be followed would be prepared well before October 2008 and exchanged between the two sides. It was also decided that the Free Trade Agreement proceedings will also be undertaken at the earliest possible. It was agreed between Pakistan and Morocco to negotiate the possibility of the setting up a joint venture, for the production of DAP fertilizer either in the public or private sector. It was agreed that exchange visits of parliamentarians, businessmen, industrialists and scientists, will be arranged regularly through an institutionalized mechanism. The Moroccan side appreciated the advancements achieved by Pakistan in the field of agriculture and decided to institutionalize the cooperation. The Pakistan side would similarly benefit from the Moroccan expertise in the fisheries sector. It was decided that the students exchange programme would be revitalized. Mutual cooperation in the fields of science and technology, culture and tourism, customs, banking and financial services, telecommunication, information and broadcasting and postal services was also agreed upon. The Moroccan side also agreed to consider the Pakistani request to make some DAP fertilizer available on fast track before the coming Rabbi crop. **AUR/Ahmad**
PR. No. 160. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said people need to realize the reality of crises of judges, terrorism, extremism, law and order and food and energy shortages. He said the government is determined to resolve problems of the people at their doorsteps. He called alleviation of poverty as one of the top priorities of his government. While addressing various delegations from far flung areas of the country here, he assured that the government was focusing on the resolution of basic problems faced by the people. He said the government inherited crises but instead of blaming others is concentrating to tackle them because the people have given the mandate to serve them. He said the previous government made tall claims but now everything has unfolded before the people. The Prime Minister told the delegations that the government was working on Thar coal project to overcome the energy crisis and in this connection agreements were being signed with the foreign companies. He said the oil crisis was linked to the international markets putting a negative impact on the developing economies like Pakistan. The Prime Minister informed that under the Benazir Income Support Programme every poor family will be given Rs. 1000 per month to support them financially. The scheme will be launched on August 14 across the country and will benefit 3.4 million low income families. Gilani said utility stores were being set up in every union council to provide basic necessities on affordable prices. The Chief Minister Punjab has also launched a pro poor programme which will get support of the federal government. Giving details of the government’s initiatives to protect the environment, he said about 8000 CNG buses will be run in major cities to provide cheaper traveling facilities and cut down on urban pollution. DSG/ank
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