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PR. No. 168. Federal Tax Ombudsman Justice ® Munir A. Sheikh has asked Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to cancel the Order-In-Original passed by Assistant Collector (Refund) Regional Tax, Faisalabad on the complainant. The decision was taken by the FTO on the complaint of M/S Mughal Ittehad Engineering Industries, Faisalabad against a rejection of a refund claim by Assistant Collector (Refund) Regional Tax, Faisalabad who passed on Order-In-Original on the complainant. The complainant has requested authorities concerned for cancellation of Order-In-Original and issuance of refund. The FTO has observed that though the complainant had failed to prove the genuiness of his claim but the Department had equally failed to examine the case in its proper context. He has recommended to the FBR to direct the competent to cancel the Order-In-Original, thoroughly investigate, examine the anomalies and provide findings of the case and compliance of the recommendation should reach office within 90 days of their receipt by the Chairman, FBR. ***FK/Ahmad** PR. No. 169. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo Advisor to Prime Minister/ Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives (MOIP&SI) has said that Government is committed to provide fertilizers to the farmers at affordable prices by granting subsidy on fertilizers and mechanism is being worked out in this regard. He said this while chairing a meeting on fertilizer situation and subsidy. Meeting was also attended by representatives of Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock, Planning and Development Division, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Petroleum and natural resources, representatives of fertilizer companies and senior officials of the Ministry of Industries & Production. It would be pertinent to mention that in the last ECC meeting it was decided to constitute a committee with Advisor to Prime Minister on Industries and Production as Chairman and Secretary General Revenue Division, Secretaries Commerce, Finance, Petroleum and Natural Resources, Food, Agriculture and Livestock and Industries and Production as members. The committee was tasked to thoroughly look into the following issues or any other related matter and suggest solutions: Import of 300,000 tonnes of Urea for Kharif, 2008; Remove anomalies in the levy of GST on inputs (raw materials) vis-à-vis finished products; additional supply and rescheduling of gas supply to the manufactures units for extra production of 40,000 tonnes of Urea for Kharif 2008, and working out of a mechanism for the grant of subsidy as per Finance Bill 2008. The Committee expressed satisfaction that as such there is no shortage of fertilizers in the country and hoped that the demand of Urea and DAP for Rabi and Kharif 2008 will be met. The meeting was also informed that the Saudi facility has been extended under which 300,000 tonnes of Urea is being imported. The manufacturers of fertilizers assured the meeting that they will continue to provide fertilizers as per demand. It was decided in the meeting to call MD Sui Northern Gas in the next meeting of the Committee so that the issues related to gas supply to the fertilizer plants can be resolved. The representative of CBR informed that GST on major inputs of fertilizers has already been withdrawn and notification in this regard will be issued shortly. Mian Manzoor Ahmad also instructed the fertilizer companies and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to present their reports in the next meeting on the mechanism of grant of subsidy on Phosphate Fertilizers to the farmers as announced in the budget. ***AUR/Ahmad** PR. No. 170. Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf on Tuesday constituted a high level Committee to recommend the resolution measures of major outstanding issues regarding enhancement in power generation, clearance of dues and improvement in the Karachi Electric Power Company’s (KESC) existing system. He took this decision while presiding over a meeting with KESC management here today in the Ministry to review the current power situation and other related matters. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Secretary and Adviser of the Ministry of Water and Power, Acting Secretary Petroleum, Chairman NEPRA, Chairman Wapda, MD, PEPCO , MD , PPIB, Additional Secretary Finance, CEO KESC and other senior officials of the Ministry and KESC. The Minister stated that the Committee will recommend interim and long term suggestions to resolve the issues and measures to overcome the power crisis in Karachi , improvement in the KESC distribution system, payments of outstanding dues to PEPCO and to enhance the power generation to meet the future requirements. The Committee comprises of Chairman Wapda, Chairman NEPRA, Chief Secretary Sindh, Additional Secretary Finance and others will submit its recommendations to the ministry within seven days. The Minister said that government is facing severe criticism from all walks of life on power shortage and poor distribution system of KESC which has made the lives of the people miserable. The KESC management has not fulfilled its commitments made by it during last three months with the government due to which the people of Karachi are suffering badly, he observed. Mr. Ashraf emphasized for the up gradation of the KESC system and directed management of KESC to invest more to improve its performance in providing smooth power supply to the consumers and take time bound measures to address the situation. The Minister was of the view that Karachi is a business hub of the country and we would not throw it in dark and directed KESC to avoid unnecessary load shedding, tripping and shut downs. He also assured that government will provide maximum support to KESC to enhance their power generation capacity. He also stressed the need for taking energy conservation measures to cope with the energy demands in future. The CEO of KESC informed the meeting that necessary measures are being taken to improve the system due to which the scheduled load shedding duration has been reduced to two hours. The meeting was further informed that 80 MW from newly established Korangi power station will also be injected in the KESC system after completion of gas pipeline within one month and arrangements for early commissioning of more 140 MW from the same power station are also being made. The management also assured that agreements are also being signed for 560 MW power plants and number of rental power projects, up gradation of the existing distribution system and replacement of overloaded transformers for smooth power supply and to enhance the power generation capacity in order to meet the demand. ***AJM/Ahmad** PR. No. 171. Zafarullah Khan Commandant Frontier Constabulary (FC) distributed Cheques of compensation and certificates in a simple and solemn ceremony held at the FC Headquarter amongst the families of one officer and 14 Jawans who were martyred in Hangu. Speaking on this occasion the Commandant Frontier Constabulary paid rich tributes to the officer and jawans, who sacrificed their lives while bravely fighting against the militants at Shana Wari in Hangu District. He said that ADO Karim Khan and 14 Jawans who laid their lives for the service of the nation and its people have added a golden chapter to the history of Frontier Constabulary which is full of many events of gallantry, courage and stead fastness. Zafarullah Khan said, “Compensation can not be a substitute for a human life, however, it is a token of recognition of one’s services and sacrifices that he renders for the country”. He said that necessary recommendation have also been made to the Prime Minister for the award of Sitar-e-Jurat to the slain officer and Tamgha-e-Jurat for the jawans of Frontier Constabulary. Earlier, the Commandant FC gave a cheque of 2 million rupees to the son of ADO Karim Khan, cheques of one million each to the families of 14 jawans and a cheque of five lac rupees to the family of injured driver. In all the compensation of 16.5 million was given to the families of the officer and 14 jawans and one driver. Later, talking to reporters the Commandant said that sophisticated weapons like rocket launcher and mortars have been acquired for F.C enabling it to effectively take on the militants and antisocial elements, who now possess the most lethal weapons in their hands. Moreover, the training standard has also been enhanced to streamline and further enrich their fighting capabilities. ***DO/Ahmad** PR. No. 172. Deputy
Speaker Faisal Karim Kundi Conducts First Meeting of the National Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi today chaired the first meeting of the National Legislative Development Steering Committee (LDSC) for the new Parliament elected in February. The committee, which works with the USAID Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project (PLSP), discussed the construction of Pakistan Institute of Parliamentary Services (PIPS). The Institute will promote research, provide training and enhance information access for parliamentarians and parliamentary staff in performing their legislative duties. During the meeting, the Committee voted to expedite efforts to introduce and pass the draft bill formally establishing PIPS in the next session of the National Assembly. Additionally the meeting discussed implementation of live telecasting of the parliamentary proceedings by the National Assembly itself. Currently, the National Assembly telecasts through the facilities of PTV, but plans are under way to install state of the art telecasting equipment to enable broadcasts to be pooled in real time and immediately fed to all broadcast outlets. The committee appreciated the active support of the National Assembly Speaker Fahmida Mirza and the Deputy Speaker for live telecasting of parliamentary proceedings. In his opening remarks, Mr. Kundi thanked the PLSP for its efforts in facilitating legislative capacity building within the parliament and the provincial assemblies since September 2005. He said he was looking forward to a continued, successful working relationship with the Project in the new parliament. Senators Muhammad Anwar Bhinder, Mohammad Azam Swati, and Rukhsana Zuberi and MNAs Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Dr. Araish, and Sheikh Waqas Akram attended the meeting. Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Project is an initiative funded by US Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by DAI. It works with the National Assembly, the Senate and the provincial assemblies, helping to improve representation, law making, oversight, accountability and management, infrastructure of the parliament. MT/ank PR. No. 173. The Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi has asked the civil servants to adopt people friendly and help the people in resolving problems confronting to them. He said this while addressing the faculty and the participants of 3rd Mid Career Management Course (MCMC) at Parliament House today. The Deputy Speaker said that civil servants should serve the people and the country honestly, fearlessly and impartially. He said that many of the problems confronting the country were due to the denial of rule of law and absence of true democracy in the past. He said that remedy of our socio-economic problems lie in the true democracy, restoring peoples’ basic rights and strengthening of institutions in the country. The Deputy Speaker said that Civil service was the lynchpin of government structure and efficient and honest civil servants were asset of the nation. He said that no Nation can progress unless ensuring basic rights of the masses. He said that it was unfortunate that during the past, people in our country were kept deprived of their basic constitutional rights and access to free health, education and justice. He said that much of our problems would be resolved when the parliament was sovereign, institutions were robust and rule of law was safeguarded by a strong and independent judiciary and all organs of the state worked in their respective spheres. The Deputy Speaker said that the government was confronting a lot of challenges including law & order, terrorism, extremism, inflation food and energy shortages, which required to be resolved. He said that mitigating sufferings of the people, giving them relief, alleviating of poverty, creating jobs and provision of social amenities was the main priorities and goals of the government policy. He said that government policy objectives can be achieved rapidly when all state institutions work efficiently in collaboration with each other. He urged the civil servants to develop futuristic approach in management and be ready to assimilate the changes that were around us. He advised the civil servants to equip themselves with latest technologies of management to facilitate and enable the government and society to resolve the confronting problems. The Deputy Speaker said that there was also need for attitudinal change of civil servants toward people so that people feel that the Govt servant were their friends and consider them their well-wisher. The Joint Secretary (Legislation) National Assembly, Mr. Tahir Mehmood briefed the participants about the organizational setup and working of the National assembly. He also briefed the participants about the legislation, N.A standing Committees and their working. Briefing was followed by Question Answer session. The Director General National Management Institute thanked the Deputy Speaker for giving a detailed briefing about the legislation and working of the National Assembly to the participants. MT/ank
PR. No. 174. Federal Minister for SFRON & Sports, Najmuddin Khan has asked that private sector like, NGO,S AND USAID to come forward and extend hands of cooperation to the Government of Pakistan for the development of FATA and PATA because they are considered backward and have been neglected in the past. He said this while holding meeting with USAID, head of Water and APT, Sigurd Hanson. While talking with delegation, the Minister stressed upon that free flow of information is the need of the time in these backward areas to bring more openness and to create awareness among the people of these areas. He further mentioned that the present Government is committed to bring these far flung areas at par with other developed areas and in this connection, the Prime Minister has announced huge development package like, employment to youth, drinking water, health and education facilities job opportunities abroad and last but not least development budget will be increased almost 100%. The USAID delegation agreed to support and extend cooperation in development of FATA & PATA and to create employment for the locals. In this connection they have already started some big projects including livelihood package in these areas. The meeting was attended by officials of USAID and officials of SAFRON Ministry and as well Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Dr. Imran Zaib. Zubaidullah/ank.
PR. No. 175. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the coming visit to USA is very important and it will help to further enhance the existing close ties between the two countries. The Prime Minister was talking to the US Ambassador, Ms. Anne W Patterson, who called on him here at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan accords high priority to its strategic relationship with the US and is keen to further expand its relations in various fields. Pakistan, he added, is also eager to enhance cooperation in the fields of education, health, energy, science and technology. While appreciating Pakistan’s efforts in curtailing extremism and terrorism, the US Ambassador said that the US relations with Pakistan and its people are very important and expressed US desire for developing a stable and multi-faceted relationship with Pakistan. The Prime Minister said Pakistan is strongly committed to fighting terrorism which, he said, is clearly in Pakistan’s own interest. He said Pakistan would never compromise with militants. It would however keep the doors of dialogue open for those who have laid down the arms and given up terrorism as an instrument of policy. Pakistan has been steadfastly fighting terrorism and has sacrificed and suffered a great deal including the assassination of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto at the hands of terrorists, he added. Ambassador Ms. Anne Patterson said the US is committed to extending all possible support to the broad-based elected coalition government of Pakistan and help it in overcoming the challenges posed by the rise in oil and food prices. Mr. Mehmood Ali Durrani, Natiional Security Advisor also attended the meeting. DSG/ank
PR. No. 176. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan accords great importance to its relations with brotherly Muslim country of Iran and present government will do its utmost to further strengthen the already existing strong ties between two countries. The Prime Minister said this while talking to caretaker Iranian Interior Minister Syed Mehdi Hashemi who called on him in PM’s House this morning. The Prime Minster said that the relationship of the two countries is based on deep emotions and religious ties. He said that Pakistan values its good neighbourly relations with Iran, which are rooted in many commonalities of history, faith and culture. The Prime Minister said that terrorism has emerged as most defining threat to the humanity and to the peace and stability of the region. Pakistan has come a long way in fighting the menace of terrorism. He emphasised the need of increasing bilateral cooperation between the two neighbouring countries to fight of terrorism in a more effective manner. The Prime Minister said that cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture, economy, law & order must be enhanced and smuggling must be eradicated. He said that smuggling can be stopped if the trade is regulated between the two countries. The Iranian side included Mr. Mostaj, Dy Minister for Interior and Mr, Masha Allah Shakri, Ambassador of Iran. Mr. Rehman Malik, Advisor to the PM on Interior and also attended the meeting. DSG/ank
PR. No. 177. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the sugar mills can play major role in co-generation of energy in the country. The Prime Minister said this while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) led by its Chairman Mr. Shunaid Qureshi at the Prime Minister House this afternoon. The delegation briefed the Prime Minister of the energy co-generation at the local level (sugar mill) out of residual elements of the sugar industry. They told the Prime Minister that with the establishment of co-generation power plants at the premises of sugar mills not only the sugar industry but overall power generation capacity of the country will improve. They told the Prime Minster that sugar mills in Pakistan will be generating 1000 MW of electricity by 2010 and it will be enhanced to 2000 MW by 2012. The Prime Minister appreciated the concept and scope of the project and formed a high powered committee to examine the issues pertaining to the co-generation of electricity and the tariff issue with the NEPRA. The Committee is to be headed by Minister for Water and Power while other members of he committee include Secretary Water and Power, Secretary Industries and Production and Chairman NEPRA. The Prime Minister told the delegation that the outstanding dues of the farmers of crushing season against the sugar mills must be paid on priority basis. The delegation assured the Prime Minister that these dues will be paid till July 31. DSG/ank
PR. No. 178. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan offers best investment opportunities to the foreign investors and especially the energy sector is open for such investments. The Prime Minister was talking to Mr. Fazal Rahim, President, International Oil Company (IOC) of USA at the Prime Minister House this morning. The Prime Minister said that current energy requirements of the world has enhanced the need to open new avenues and Pakistan being on the doorstep of energy corridor of Central Asia provides best option. He said that the Proposed Turkmanistan – Afghanistan-Pakistan and (TAP) gas pipeline offers best opportunity to the international companies for investment. The Prime Minister said that the government of Pakistan has provided special incentives for the setting up of oil refineries such as the companies do not need any prior permission for setting up of refineries, they can import crude oil from any source, refineries are free to sell their product to any market. The Prime Minister said that the government would welcome and fully facilitate any initiative for setting up of oil refineries and energy projects. Mr. Fazal informed the Prime Minister that his company plan to invest in Pakistan in the energy sector. He briefed the Prime Minister of various proposals which includes a Mega Refinery at Gwadar of 1.2 million barrel a day capacity, 4000 MW of power generation projects, 3000 MW Coal based power project and food security projects. The Prime Minister instructed the Board of Investment and concerned Ministries to evaluate the proposal on priority basis. IOC is a USA based company having its investment and stakes in Oil drilling, Oil pipeline, Refineries and Power generation projects all over the world.
Mr. Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Federal Minister for Petroleum, Secretary Petroleum and other senior officials of the government were also present during the meeting
PR. No. 179. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Egypt is one of the most important country with which Pakistan has always enjoyed cordial fraternal ties. Pakistan and Egypt has long history of brotherly relations and present government attaches great importance to further strengthening its ties with brotherly Muslim country, he added. The Prime Minister said this while talking to Ambassador designate to Egypt Ms.Seema Naqvi who called on him at Prime Minister’s House this afternoon. He urged the Ambassador designate to concentrate her efforts for further promotion of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, defence, health and education sectors. The Prime Minister said that he had no doubt that Pakistan-Egypt relations will be further strengthened during Seema Naqvi,s tenure of assignment in Egypt. The meeting was also attended by the PSPM, AS (FA) and DG (ME). DSG/ank
PR. No. 180. An Iranian delegation led by H.E Syed Mehdi Heshemi, Acting Interior Minister of Iran, called on President Pervez Musharraf here today. The Acting Interior Minister of Iran said that Pakistan and Iran must enhance economic cooperation in the fields of trade and industry. He said that the present trade of $ 600 million can be enhanced manifold if serious efforts are made. To achieve these objectives Tourism should be promoted between the two countries, he added. He emphasized the need for increased cooperation between the Provincial Governments of Balochistan and Seistan. He also said that cooperation to counter terrorism must be increased. He assured the President of increased cooperation between the armed forces of Iran and Pakistan. President Musharraf said that while terrorism is an extremely important issue it is also extremely complex and therefore requires a common strategy to be worked out between the neighboring countries. Reflecting on the importance of interaction between Iran and Pakistan the President said that the existing relations between the two countries must be enhanced and greater economic activity would result in further excellent Iran-Pakistan relations. The President expressed personal warm regards to the Iranian President and recalled the excellent interaction that the two Presidents had in their last meeting. AK/ank.
PR. No. 181. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan is a peaceful country and does not harbour aggressive designs against any other country. The Prime Minister said this while talking to General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani, Chief of the Army staff who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House this evening. The Prime Minister said that government is committed to providing all necessary resources to its armed forces to maintain peace. As a responsible nuclear state. Pakistan believes in maintaining credible minimum deterrence so as to ensure peace in the region, he added. The Prime Minister lauded the role of the Armed Forces both in maintaining external security and making valuable services during national calamities. The Chiefs of Army apprised the Prime Minister of the performance and professional activities of the Pakistan Army.
PR. No. 182. Minister of Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Division, Senator Farooq H. Naek has said that the PPP-led coalition government believed in developing local solutions for local problems. He said this while chairing meeting of a high level committee formed by the Prime Minster to address demands of the people of Swat, here on Tuesday at his office. ‘Everything should originate from within the province and particularly from the Swat valley itself’, the minister said, adding that the best solutions for the people of Swat would come only if they were made a part of this on going legal reform initiative by the Prime Minister. Mr. Amir Gulab Khan Advocate, who also remained NWFP law secretary, told the committee that he has already worked out a comprehensive proposal for addressing the lacunas in Nizam-e-Adal Regulations, and insisted his proposals to be followed. Acknowledging his work, the law minister formed of a sub-committee under the chairmanship of NWFP law minister that would go into the unexplored areas and would fine-tune Mr. Gulab Khan’s proposals. Naek also recommended the sub-committee to take experts from the Swat valley onboard while finalizing the proposals. The committee, which comprised of federal and NWFP law ministers, NWFP home and law secretaries, Mr Amir Gulab Khan, former NWFP law secretary, and Maulana Hussain Ahmad, ex-chairman NWFP law commissions, is mandated to recommend amendments in certain laws that would help achieve the objective of speedy justice in Swat. FR/wh
PR. No. 183. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilnai has congratulated the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on taking vote of confidence from the Lok Sebha.
PR. No. 184. Prime Minster Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has been pleased to appoint a committee to devise ways and means to reduce the impact of increase in the International Prices of POL Products, so as to provide relief to the public at large. The Committee is headed by the Chairman NRB Dr. Asim Hussain.
PR. No. 185. Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza and Deputy Speaker National Assembly Mr. Faisal Karim Kundi called on the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani here in Prime Minister’s House this evening |
