PR No. 247
PRESS RELEASE
 Islamabad, April 25, 2010

A meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on Narcotics control was held on 22-04-2010 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Murtaza Javed Abbasi in the Committee Room of the Ministry. Mr. Arbab Muhammad Zahir, Minister of State incharge of the Ministry of Narcotics Control welcomed the participants and expressed the need to have the support and cooperation of the members of the Committee to fulfill aims and objectives of the Ministry in narcotic control. A detailed briefing was given by the Secretary, Narcotics Control Division regarding the Political Will of the present Government to fight the menace of narcotics control and the Prime Minister direction in this regard. A detailed presentation was also given on the Master plan on Control of Drug Abuse 2010-14. The honourable members of the Committee appreciated the efforts of the MoNC to fight the menace of narcotics. The honourable members also gave useful suggestions to combat the menace. A briefing was also given on ongoing process of recruitment in ANF. The Chairman expressed satisfaction on the progress made so far in the recruitment process and the procedure adopted. The Chairman highlighted the need to have frequent meetings of the Standing Committee in order to apprise the members about the activities and efforts being made by the Ministry and to provide an opportunity to the members for contributing in view of their experience and interaction with people at the grassroots. He assures the meeting that all support would be provided by him and the members of the Committee to the Ministry.

PR No. 248
PRESS RELEASE
SHAKESPEARE –IQBAL FESTIVAL CONCLUDES. HISTORIC PERFORMANCE BY PAKISTANI ARTISTS  LAUDED .
Islamabad: 25th April 2010

The Shakespeare Birth Place Trust (SBT) UK and  gathering of thousands of people from various countries of the world   highly  commended performances  by the visiting cultural  troupe of Pakistani folk artists  who  earned  wide  acclaim by attracting thousands of people  on the occasion of  Shakespeare – Iqbal Festival taking place  in Stratford – Upon -Avon UK.  On the conclusion of three day Shakespeare’s Birthday Festival, here, Sunday the SBT expressed gratitude and praise for the Pakistani artists who added colour  of folk lore of  Pakistan to this International Festival this year.   The Director of the Trust Dr. Diana Owen said that this year  the unveiling  of  Iqbal’s  plaque at  Shakespeare Centre and  cultural  performances  by the Pakistani artists have added  unique experience to the  annual Shakespeare  Festival and  have established connectivity between Pakistan and Britain in  spheres of  literature and culture ,says a press release received here today.

On the second and third days of the festival the troupe performed in five sessions at  different  places where  thousands of  people  were  enthralled by the lively folk music of Pakistan . Though traditionally every year performers and artists from various countries participate in the Festival, this year Pakistani folk music dominated all other performances . The Pakistani troupe comprising  Dhol player  Saghir Khan, Flute player Baqar Abbas , Alghoza  player Veeno Mal, Sarangi player Ejaz Sarhadi and vocalists Bushra Marvi , Akht ar Chanal Zehri  and  Raja Kaasheff remained  most  popular throughout the festival.  People attended  in large numbers the performances by Pakistani artists and danced and sang along  on beat of dhol  and popular songs  by  Akhtar Chanal and Bushra Marvi.  

The flag of Pakistan was hoisted  by the  High Commissioner  Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan before the  start of  procession which  marched to Holy Trinity  Church to  lay  wreath at Shakespeare’s grave.  This was for the  first time that  Pakistan participated  in the Festival as a commemorative plaque of poet philosopher of the East Sir Dr. Muhammad Iqbal has been  fixed at the Shakespeare’s Birth Place.  As a tradition 20 flags of titles of popular works of Shakespeare are also unfurled  on the second  day of the  Festival by the dignitaries.  This time Pakistan High Commission was also represented by Minister Political Mr. Muhammad Nafees Zakaria.

High Commissioner along with visiting cultural troupe and officers of the High Commission also attended a reception by the Shakespeare Birth Place Trust at the King Edward VI Grammar School where Shakespeare had studied. At the reception which was attended by about 500 people,  Zia Mohiuddin recited poems of Iqbal and Shakespeare.

PR No. 249
PRESS RELEASE
Islamabad: 25th April 2010

Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said that the unanimous adoption of 18th amendment will stabilize democracy and strengthen the federation.

He was speaking at a musical show titled “Jashan-e-Jamhooriat” organized by Radio Pakistan at Broadcasting House in Islamabad last night.

Radio Pakistan organized a special series of week long programmes from its different stations to celebrate the passage of 18th amendment and highlight its salient features.   The musical show was the culmination of the special series to showcase rich cultural diversity of the country.

The federal minister who was chief guest on the occasion said that the consensus passage of the amendment was a unique example in the country’s history and it will have far reaching impact.

The information minister appreciated Radio Pakistan’s role being a mass media having vast outreach  in projecting national objectives and promoting democratic values among the masses through its programmes.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General Radio Pakistan Murtaza Solangi said Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto gave the nation the unanimous 1973 constitution. But later the dictators distorted its original shape and introduced amendments which suited them.

He said now with the passage of the 18th amendment and restoring the 1973 constitution in its original spirit, the PPP led government has returned the gift of Shaheed leader to the nation.

Renowned Urdu, Balochi, Sindhi, Pushto, Hindko, Kashmiri, Shina, Balti, Punjabi, Seraiki, Potohari and Pahari signers enthralled and captivated the audience with their folk songs. Those who performed include Saira Nasim, Qurban Niazi, Javed Niazi, Subhan Rathore, Bashir Ahmad, Nadim Abbass, Noor Jahan, Jabir Khan, Raja Muhammad Ali, Rafia Bano, Amjad Butt, Hanif Lashari, Akbar Khamiso Khan and Sanam Marvi.