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No. 241 The Ministry for Religious Affairs has announced that annual Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Hassan Chishti (RA) will be held from 14-24 June, 2010 at Ajmair Sharif, India. The intended Zaireen may submit their applications to Assistant Director (Ziarat), Ministry of Religious Affairs, Islamabad on the Newly Introduced Application forms available on the website www.hajiinfo.org alongwith a bank Postal Order of non-refundable Rs. 100/-, not later than February 20, 2009. The application forms will be treated on first come first serve basis. The first 500 forms will be selected for Urs and next 200 will be placed on waiting list. The forms can also be obtained free of cost from Ministry of Religious Affairs, Near GPO, Islamabad, Director Hajj, Karachi (Tel: 021-5688307), Director Hajj, Lahore (Tel: 042-6375986), Director Hajj, Peshawar (Tel: 091-9217483, 9217482) and Director Hajj, Quetta (Tel: 081-443852), Director Hajj, Multan (Tel: 061-9200665). The details/instructions regarding the Urs are also available in the Application Form. Applications on old forms printed before 2009 will not be entertained. **AJM/Ahmad**
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No. 242 Federal Minister for Defence, Ch. Ahmad Mukhtar and Federal Minister for Defence Production, Mr.Abdul Qayyum Khan Jatoi, have expressed deep shock and grief over the sad demise of the renowned columnist Arshad Ahmed Haqqani. The Ministers said that the services rendered by Arshad Ahmed Haqqani in the field of journalism would always be remembered. In condolence message with the members of the bereaved family, the Ministers prayed to Almighty Allah to shower His eternal blessings on the departed soul and grant courage and fortitude to the members of bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with patience and equanimity.
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No. 243 The Federal Minister for Food & Agriculture, Nazar Muhammad Gondal has requested the Bangladeshi Government to intervene in the matter of a ban on the export of jute to Pakistan, as it would adversely affect the packing of wheat and other agricultural commodities in the country. He said that the ban must be seen in the context of food security as without the jute packing bags the government would face immense difficulty in the storage of the upcoming wheat crop, particularly. “ Food Security cannot be ensured if the ban is not removed quickly”, said the minister. Mr. Gondal asked the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan that the issue is quite crucial and needs an urgent consideration from the government of Bangladesh. He said that not only the local jute mills will suffer but also the wheat, rice and other agricultural products will badly suffer at the persistent ban on the export of raw jute from Bangladesh. The minister appreciated the high commissioner’s proposal for working jointly in the value addition in the jute mills industry that would benefit both the brotherly countries. He further said that the consignments already ready for shipments must be released soon to avert problem in the near future. Nazar Gondal further said that a delegation comprising of both the public and private sector would soon visit Bangladesh to look into the matter and find ways and means to resolve the issue once for all. “Both the countries have ample potentials in the agricultural sector and can immensely benefit from each other. We need to find long-term solutions to our issues. We request the Bangladeshi government to show exceptional flexibility for Pakistan”, said the minister. The acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Sufi-ur-Rehman called on the minister at his office in the ministry for food & agriculture. The High Commissioner said that the ban is not country specific and pledged that he would convey the request to Dhaka for displaying flexibility for the brotherly country Pakistan.
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No. 244 Chief Executive of Pakistan Stone Development Company (PASDEC) Ehsanullah Khan gave presentation to Federal Minister for Industries & Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani and Minister of State for Industries and Production Dr Ayatullah Durrani here today about PASDEC, a subsidiary of Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC). Federal Secretary and Aditional Secretary MOIP Abdul Ghaffar Soomro and Muhammad Javed Malik respectively were present during the presentation. CEO PASDEC told that the PASDEC was incorporated in june, 2006 as private Ltd Company. The government had approved PC-1 in 2006 of Rs.1980 million and tasked PASDEC to establish different projects for the production and development of different Marble, Granite and Mosaic goods through the use of latest technology. The establishment of ten Model Quarries throughout the country had been approved in PC-1, out of which only two are operational at Khuzdar and Chitral while the machinery for third Model Quarry at Bunir has been deployed. The studies of other seven have been completed and awaiting for funds. Twenty Quarry Up-gradations were approved, out of which five, at Mastung-1, Mastung-2, Thatta, Bunir and FATA are operational while the studies of other fifteen have been completed and awaiting for funds. Two Machinery Pools were approved and both are operational at Risalpur and Gaddani. Four Common Facility and Training Centers (CFTC) were approved at Gaddani, Risalpur, FATA and Karachi out of which the studies of the two of FATA and Karachi have been completed and waiting for funds while other two are in process. Two Warehouses, one in Baluchistan and the other in NWFP were approved out of which the one at Gaddani is operational while the other is in process. Seven Marble Cities were approved and all are in process. The CEO further told during briefing that PASDEC earned 36million $ profit last year 2008-09 through exports of different Marble and Granite goods and are expecting a profit of 44million $ at the end of current year 2009.10. Federal Minister for Industries and Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani urged the PASDEC administration to complete ongoing projects as soon as possible so that PASDEC exports could be increased to the maximum. Ministry of Industries and Production would extend every kind of help to PASDEC in release of funds from the government. A.B.
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No. 245 Chairman National Commission for Government Reforms as well as Pay and Pension Commission Dr. Ishrat Hussain called on Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani at the PM’s House here this afternoon and briefed him on the mandated subjects. The Prime Minister said good governance is possible only when the civil service is fully focused in executing various programmes. He added the government is trying to improve the remunerations of the civil servants which would motivate them to execute government policies efficiently. The Prime Minister said economic issues need immediate attention since these directly affect the common man who is the focus of all our policies. He further said the government is taking concrete measures to boost economic growth which will offer more employment opportunities as well as raise the economic standard of the people. Dr. Ishrat Hussain, who is also the Dean of the Institute of Business Administration Karachi, while appreciating the current policies suggested some measures to further improve the state of national economy. PMMO/wh
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No. 246 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani emphasized that adherence to trichotomy as enunciated in the Constitution is imperative for good governance which alone could help resolve the challenges confronting the country. The Prime Minister expressed these views during his meeting with renowned Jurist Mr. Abdul Hafeez Pirzada whom he met here in his office for consultation on legal matters concerning the government. The Prime Minister reiterated government’s resolve to extend due respect and regard to all the institutions of the state and express confidence that every institution would play its role in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. PMMO/wh
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No. 247 A 14-member Parliamentary delegation from Pakistan led by Chairman Senate, Farooq Hamid Naek, is in Brussels on the invitation of NATO. During a three-day stay, the delegation will attend a number of briefings at the NATO headquarters and the SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe). The delegation will also visit NATO Parliamentary Assembly, an NGO affiliated with NATO, says a press release received from Brussels here today. The briefings arranged by NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division, aim to strengthen political dialogue and further augment Alliance’s upgraded relations with the democratic government in Pakistan. The alliance hopes to forge a closer coordination of military and civilian effort on both sides of the Pakistani-Afghan border in order to achieve common objective of enhancing regional and global peace. Talking about the situation in Afghanistan, Chairman Senate, Farooq H. Naek, urged the Alliance leadership to focus on winning the population’s backing in those areas to not only restore peace in the region but to prevent Taliban and Al Qaeda militants from using them as safe haven. The rehabilitation and reconstruction of these areas would help to win the hearts and minds of the local population, he stressed. To ensure long term stability of Afghanistan, it is imperative that political and military configuration must correspond to the ethnic mosaic of the country and no group should feel disenfranchised, he added. Mr. Farooq H. Naek emphasized that NATO must reach-out to the people of Pakistan to address their genuine concerns regarding its engagement in the region so that NATO is seen as a ‘force of peace’. Chairman Senate thanked NATO’s Public Diplomacy Division for arranging these briefings and said that such interactions should be made more frequent as they are very useful in deepening understanding of the common goals in the fight against terrorism. Members of the delegation shared their views on the overall regional security and US policy in Afghanistan from Pakistan’s perspective. They underscored the need for a peaceful and stable Afghanistan as it is in Pakistan’s interest. We continue to suffer on account of unrest and instability in Afghanistan. An unstable and volatile Afghanistan will keep on having spill over effect on our tribal areas causing serious haemorrhages. It was further emphasized that contrary to perception in the West and portrayal by the media, Pakistan does not draw any distinction between Pakistani and Afghan Taliban or Al Qaeda. They are all linked to each other. We are fighting them and have suffered more casualties in this fight against terrorism than those sustained by Coalition Forces put together. The delegation reaffirmed the resolve of the Government and the people of Pakistan to root out extremism and militancy from the country. The NATO and SHAPE commanders were also briefed on the ongoing operations ‘Rah-e-Nijat’ in Waziristan and the successful action against extremists in Swat and Malakand. It was further informed that these operations enjoyed overwhelming support of the people, political parties and the religious groups. Expressing concerns over the negative fallout of the continuing US drone strikes, the parliamentarians called for their immediate halt as it hampers government of Pakistan’s efforts to isolate the militants from the local population. Besides, these attacks are counterproductive for giving process of dialogue a chance to bring lasting peace to the war torn region. During their stay, the parliamentary delegation will also visit European Parliament and hold meeting with South Asian Delegation of the EU Parliament led by its Chairperson Ms. Jean Lambert (Green Party), a Member of European Parliament from UK. Later, on behalf of the President of the European Parliament, Dr. Libor Roucek, Vice President will host a dinner in honour of the visiting Parliamentary delegation from Pakistan. The delegation will also attend a briefing at the Kashmir Centre, Brussels on the invitation of its Executive Chairman/Director, Barrister Majid Tramboo. Other members of the delegation include: Dr. Farooq Sattar, Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, Raja Muhammad Asad Khan, Sabir Ali Baloch, Muhammad Talha Mahmood, Khatt Mal Jeevan, Mir Muhammad Ali Rind, Abbas Khan Afridi, Kazim Khan, Mrs.Gulshan Saeed, Saleem Saifullah, Noorul Haq Qadri, Minister for Zakat & Ushr and Syed Akhonzada Chattan.
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No. 248 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the government intends to strengthen the democratic institutions through the process of political reconciliation in the country. The Government, he added, has already undertaken a number of initiatives to promote provincial harmony and bring the people together. The Prime Minister was talking to Parliamentarians who called on him at the PM House this afternoon. The Parliamentarians lauded the Prime Minister’s political acumen and his endeavours to strengthen the supremacy of the parliament. They also expressed confidence on his efforts to bring about political reconciliation. The Parliamentarians who called on the Prime Minister included Mr. Khanzada Khan MNA, Mahr Zafar Ahmaad Hiraj, Raja Shaukat Hayat and Mr. Muhammad Tariq Tarar. PMCO/wh
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No. 249 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has approved provision of financial assistance to the students, who are children of Internally Displaced Persons and studying abroad on self finance basis. This financial assistance will be provided to those students of recognized universities, whose data is verified by foreign universities through Pakistan’s Missions abroad, and they are not getting any financial assistance/scholarship from any other source. Under this financial assistance, full tuition fee for one semester and living expenses for six months shall be paid by the government which will cost US $ 174,697, equivalent to Rs 14.893 million approximately to 76 students studying in the following countries:-
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TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 26TH
JANUARY, 2010 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on their republic day falling on January 26. In his message, the Prime Minister said: “it is with pleasure that I convey on behalf of the government and the people of Pakistan, our sincere greetings on the occasion of the Republic Day of India. I avail this opportunity to reiterate Pakistan’s strong commitment to pursue our shared desire to develop friendly relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and commonality of interest. We are also committed to resolving all outstanding issues and realizing the vision of a peaceful and prosperous South Asia.” NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 26TH JANUARY, 2010
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TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 26TH
JANUARY, 2010 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent a message of greetings to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, Mr. Kevin Rudd, on their national day falling on January 26. In his message, the Prime Minister said: “on behalf of the government, the people of Pakistan and on my own behalf, it gives me great pleasure to convey to your Excellency and to the government and people of Australia, our warm greetings on the auspicious occasion of the national day of Australia. The friendly relations between our two countries are based on mutual respect, cooperation and understanding on international and regional issues. It is my earnest hope that the relations between our two countries will continue to flourish in the years to come. I avail this opportunity to convey my best wishes for your Excellency’s good health and happiness and for the progress and prosperity of the people of Australia”. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/BROADCAST/TELECAST BEFORE THE MORNING OF 26TH JANUARY, 2010
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No. 252 Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani rang up the Pakistan Ambassador in Washington Mr. Hussain Haqqani and instructed him to follow the Court Case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui strictly. He also asked him to keep him posted on the development in the same regard on a daily basis. The Prime Minister also rang up Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui, sister of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and ensured her that the government is consistently following the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and expressed hope that efforts in this regard would show positive result. MSA/NHS
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