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PR No. 233 Delay in disposal of Election Petitions have been perennial problem over the decades, and therefore, the Chief Election Commissioner has decided to examine the possibility of appointment of retired judges of High Courts as well as District and Sessions Judges qualified to be judge of the High Courts under Section 57 of the Representation of the People Act, 1976, to be appointed as Election Tribunal to ensure speedy disposal of election petitions within 120 days as specified under section 67A of the said Act. Mr. Ishtiak Ahmad Khan, Secretary, Election Commission of Pakistan has said that for this purpose, the Chief Election Commissioner has constituted a committee comprising the following Members: (1) Secretary Election Commission. Convener (2) Secretary Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; (3) Secretary Establishment Division; or their delegates/nominees, as Members (4) Secretary Ministry of Finance; He further said that the Chief Election Commissioner has tasked the committee to examine all legal, financial and administrative aspects/ implications as well as other matters connected therewith or ancillary thereto such as selection criterion of the retired Judges on contract basis, provision of complementary staff, office accommodations, official vehicles, telephones, etc to them and submit its report to the Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner within a period of two months. The first meeting of this committee has been convened on 28th April, 2010 to develop recommendations. Materialization of this idea would be a major step toward timely dispensation of justice in line with the maxim “Justice delayed is justice denied”. **AC/Ahmad**
PR No. 234 The Senate Standing Committee on Housing and Works has called for ensuring transparency while awarding contracts and launching projects. The Committee made this observation while reviewing the implementation status of the recommendations made by the Sub-Committee which was constituted to point out deficiencies in the joint venture of the ministry of Housing and works with M/S Rufi Builders, a construction Firm. The meeting was presided over by its Chairman Senator Abdul Nabi Bangash. The Committee directed the authorities concerned to rectify the loop holes that have been pointed out by the Sub-Committee. The members of the Committee appreciated the efforts made by the Sub-Committee and observed that improvements suggested by the Committee would be of great benefit to the ministry. The Committee assured its all out support to the ministry in removing the bottlenecks that hamper its smooth functioning. The meeting was also attended among others by Senators Dr. Mrs. Saeeda Iqbal, Sardar Ali Khan, Dr. Abdul Khaliq Pirzada, Mir Hasil Khan Bazenjo, Mrs. Nilofar Bakhtiar besides senior officials of the ministry. **RAQ/Ahmad**
PR No. 235 Minister of State/Chairman for the Board of Investment Saleem Madviwalla called on the Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim in his office today. Makhdoom Amin Fahim told the Chairman that there was a lot of scope for the international investors to invest in the fields of Power generation, alternative energy, agribusiness and construction. They discussed that the government is offering attractive incentives to the investors to invest in the country. Makhdoom Amin Fahim expressed that the confidence of the investor should be restored to invest. The Chairman informed the Minister of core policy parameters of investment in Pakistan and expressed that Pakistan is offering an investment friendly policy to the investors. **SH/Ahmad**
PR No. 236 As per decision of the Federal Government, five days working week will be observed henceforth. Saturday and Sunday will be observed as closed holidays, says a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior here today. In pursuance of the above decision, following office timing will be observed with immediate effect:
1. Monday to Thursday 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (with half an hour lunch/prayer break at 1.00 p.m.).
2. Friday 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. (lunch/Friday prayers break: 12.30 to 2.00 p.m.)
**DO/Ahmad**
PR No. 237
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that the new amendment in the constitution has not only determined the responsibilities of institutions but also paved the way for provincial autonomy. The Prime Minister was talking to Minister for Interior Mr. Rehman Malik, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Zaheeruddin Babar Awan, Minister for Petroleum Syed Naveed Qamar, and Advisor to PM, Senator Mian Raza Rabbani who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House this afternoon. The Ministers and the Advisor congratulated the Prime Minister for successful culmination of Energy Conference which greatly helped to find immediate solutions to address the energy crisis. They viewed that steps taken for the conservation of energy have been appreciated by the masses and will help in combating the power outages. The Prime Minister reiterated that implementation of the conservation measures would produce results when both the public and private sectors participate in this campaign with commitment and sense of sacrifice. The Prime Minister further said that it was the reconciliatory policy that made possible the resolution of major issues in the country. He also stressed the need of the continuity of the political maturity displayed by all the political parties.
**PMMO/Ahmad**
PR No. 238 Pakistan and Tajikistan agreed to gear up the Central Asian South Asian-1000 project (CASA-1000) for import of 1000 MW power by Pakistan from Tajikistan and decided to set up working group to finalize a strategy to complete the project within the shortest possible time frame. The matter was discussed today during a meeting of the Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf and Ambassador of Tajikistan, H.E. Zubaydullo Zubaydov held here in the PPIB office. The Minister also assured him that the direct flights from Islamabad to Dushanbe will operate soon as the required formalities from both the countries have been completed. The Minister also stressed the need for early completion of the CASA-1000 project. Earlier, the Ambassador briefed him about the current status of the project and its related issues like financing and construction of transmission lines and the decision of the previous JMC. He said that the project will strengthen the bilateral relation between the two countries. He also invited the Minister for participation in the International Conference on “Water for life” to be held in Dushanbe in June next. He also congratulated the Minister for 18th Amendment and said that it will make give peace and prosperity to the people of Pakistan. Both, the Minister and the Ambassador discussed various other matters of mutual interest and agreed to enhance the quantum of bilateral trade between the two countries. They also underlined the need to expedite the actions on the decision signed in the last meeting of the Tajikistan-Pakistan Joint Ministerial Commission. **NJ/Ahmad**
PR No. 239
During the meeting,
Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan briefed the President about her recent visit to
India and her meetings with the Indian leadership. SAK/wh
PR
No. 240 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani rang up Mian Nawaz Sharif Quaid of PML (N) half an hour earlier and exchanged views on national issues. The Prime Minister asked Mian Nawaz Sharif to suggest a name from amongst his party PML (N) who could join the commission being formed for the Implementation of Constitutional Amendments. The benefits of enactment of the 18th amendment, he said could only reach the people after effective implementation of the amendments in the constitution. He further said that the historic amendments are an outcome of the Charter of Democracy signed by Mohtrama Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and Mian Nawaz Sharif. He also appreciated the support and active contribution of PML (N) and other political parties in the Parliament, in this regard. Mian Nawaz Sharif said that the enactment of 18th amendments is a victory of the democratic forces and the whole Nation deserves to be complimented on this land mark achievement. As regards suggesting a name for the implementation commission to be formed, he said that very soon he would consult senior members of his party, particularly Mr. Ishaq Dar and suggest the name of the representative of his party. The Prime Minister took Mian Nawaz Sharif into confidence on his forthcoming visit to Bhutan to attend the SAARC Conference and also on Pakistan-EU Summit likely to be held in June. He consulted him on matters of interest to Pakistan on both the occasions. Mian Nawaz Sharif appreciated the initiative of the Prime Minister to help resolve the energy crises and said that Mian Shahbaz Sharif has briefed him in detail about the deliberations and outcome of the Energy Conference. The Prime Minister thanked him for the support and mentioned that the success of the Energy Conference was possible because of collective efforts and collective wisdom of the leadership of all the political parties. It is now incumbent upon the federal and the provincial governments the Prime Minister added, to work with the same spirit to implement the decisions of the Energy Conference so that the people can get relief from energy shortage. PMMO/wh |
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