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PR. No. 213. Federal Minister for Food, Agriculture and Narcotics Control Nazar Muhammad Gondal has said that new pot cultivation technology introduced by Japan would be useful for the barani and water deficit areas of the country. He expressed these views while inaugurating Pot Cultivation Technology with the cooperation of Technical and Commercial Institute of Japan at the National Agricultural Research Centre at Chak Shehzad today. The Minister said that focus of government policy was to make agriculture more profitable and competitive and specific attention was being paid to high value agriculture and addition of agricultural products. He said that a comprehensive policy was formulated for the development of livestock and fisheries with main emphasis on improvement of services and yield enhancement per unit area, availability of agricultural inputs to the farmers at affordable prices. The Minister said that 20,000 selected plants would be planted under pot cultivation technology on experimented basis in Islamabad, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar and Bahawalpur according to the climate condition of that area. Speaking on the occasion Ambassador of Japan Mr. Seiji Kojima said that soil renovation green project was aimed at preventing the desertification and flood in Pakistan adding that experts of both countries were successfully making great efforts in this regard. He said that the problem with the soil in Pakistan was that the barren soil resulting from repeated heavy rains and dryness becomes the worst soil condition for the plants to grew. The Ambassador said that now technology known as e-green pot and mat would contribute to solve this problem in Pakistan. President Environment Management Services Company, Japan Mr. Toru Kuroha commenting on the pilot project of new pot cultivation technology said that mass introduction of this technology would bring green revolution in Pakistan in the field of horticulture, forestry, agro-economy and environment. In his welcome address, the Director General NARC Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad highlighted the salient feature of pot cultivation technology. He said that NARC was taking great initiatives to introduce new technologies and skills in the country in order to boost the agriculture and livestock production. He said that mass growing of plants would not only cover the barani land but also prevent from sudden transformation of surface soil caused by heavy rain and dryness. Later, the Minister and Japanese Ambassador planted “Pak-Japan friendship” saplings at NARC and prayed for progress and prosperity of the country.
EH/AR.
PR. No. 214. Federal Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Division Farroq H. Naek has said that he is working to set up fast-track courts, evening courts and public defenders office to cope with tremendous backlog of cases and people’s grievances. He was talking to Robert Brinkley, British high commissioner to Pakistan on Friday. ‘Pakistan’s judicial system is slow which has created an enormous backlog of cases’, the minister said and added that the UK style fast track courts will take up cases which has been pending for a long time. ‘I have no doubts that this investment by the government will go a long way in the dispensation of real social, economic and political justice to the common man,’ Naek emphasized. The minister said that to deal with the backlog he would shortly propose to establish evening courts in Pakistan, as they would supplement speedy disposal of cases, adding that he would shortly call an inter-provincial conference on the issue. ‘We have lots of court buildings and other judicial structures that stop working by noon. I wish to utilize these structures in the evening so that the rate of case disposal can be doubled.’ Elaborating on his proposals, Naek said that the evening courts would not only speed up disposal of cases but would also help create more business for the lawyers community, more positions for potential judges and other judicial staff. Robert Brinkley urged the law minister to visit Britain and study the system of fast-track trial courts, as this would help him in materializing his vision. The law minister further said that his plan also includes a US style public defender office who would be responsible for providing legal representation and other services for those accused of crime but who could not afford to hire their own lawyer. ‘An attorney is needed to protect an individual’s rights and to present the evidence necessary for a fair and reliable determination of guilt or innocence’, the minister said, adding that the quality of justice a person receives should not be determined by how much money a person has. Therefore, the minister said, the office of public defender would be critical to the fairness of the criminal justice system. The British high commissioner hailed law minister’s efforts to improve Pakistan’s judicial system and admired his vision for the future. MFR/AR.
PR. No. 215. A delegation of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by President Haji Mohammad Asif held a meeting with Syed Naveed Qamar Federal Minister for Finance, Privatisation & Investment here today. The delegation apprised the Finance Minister about their evaluation of existing financial issues confronting the country in general and Sarhad Chamber in specific. The Chamber delegates briefed the Finance Minister on business and industry specific problems of the NWFP province. Syed Naveed Qamar assured all out support to SCC&I delegation in terms of Government incentives, facilitation and support structure aiming to expand the size and volume of industrial and commercial development of the provincial entrepreneurs and industrialists economic development initiatives. Finance Minister appreciated delegates’ individual viewpoint on agree crops yield and distribution related issues, adding that frequent interaction amongst all stakeholders would lead to resolution of all pending problems. The impact of recent taxation on industry and trade related business during CFY-2008-09 is focused to minimize budget deficit, and finally restore national economy to usual health, he added. The delegation agreed that current financial year is the year of attaining stabilization of national economy that precedes tight economic decisions, which finally would lead to good results for all those operating in public and private sector. Finance Minister assured the SCC&I delegation that the federal government shall ensure smooth supply of wheat and other food items to NWFP. SCC&I shall also reciprocate by improving its exports in terms of value addition of its products to enhance foreign exchange reserves and boost national economy, he stressed. The Federal Government is planning to create special business and industrial zones in various parts of NWFP to bring the province at par with other provinces of the country in terms of economic development, Finance Minister concluded. TP/AR.
PR. No. 216. A delegation of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by President Haji Mohammad Asif met Finance Minister here today. The delegation apprised the Finance Minister about their evaluation of existing financial issues confronting the country in general and Sarhad Chamber in specific. The Chamber delegates briefed the Finance Minister on business and industry specific problems of the NWFP province. Finance Minister assured GOP’s all out support to SCC&I delegation in terms of Government incentives, facilitation and support structure aiming to expand the size and volume of industrial and commercial development of the provincial entrepreneurs and industrialists economic development initiatives. Finance Minister appreciated delegates’ individual viewpoint on agree crops yield and distribution related issues, adding that frequent interaction amongst all stakeholders would lead to resolution of all pending problems. The impact of recent taxation on industry and trade related business during CFY-2008-09 is focused to minimize budget deficit, and finally restore national economy to usual health, he added. Both the sides agreed that current financial year is the year of attaining stabilization of national economy that precedes tight economic decisions which finally would lead to good results for all those operating in public and private sector. Finance Minister assured the SCC&I delegation that GOP shall ensure smooth supply of wheat and other food items to NWFP. SCC&I shall also reciprocate by improving its exports in terms of value addition of its products to enhance foreign exchange reserves and boost national economy, he stressed. GOP is planning to create special business and industrial zones in various parts of NWFP to bring the province at par with other provinces of the country in terms of economic development, Finance Minister concluded. SS/AR.
PR. No. 217. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo Advisor to Prime Minister/ Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives (MOIP&SI) has said that the production capacity of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) needs to be increased to make it more viable and to meet the increasing demand of steel in the country. He further said that under the current expansion plan, by end of current year, the production capacity would increase to 1.3 Million Ton per Year (mtpy) from the current 1 mtpy. Under the second phase of expansion plan, by end of 2010, the capacity will increase to 1.5 mtpy. He further informed that total increase in production during the current year will be 1 lac ton and capacity utilization will increase to 91 % from current 82 %. He said this while chairing a meeting on expansion plans of PSM here today. Meeting was also attended by Chairman PSM Moeen Aftab Sheikh and senior officials of the MOIP&SI. To implement the expansion plan effectively it is necessary that PSM is removed from privatization list said; Mr. Wattoo adding that PSM is a national asset and it should not be privatized. He assured the PSM administration that he will recommend to the Prime Minister that PSM should be de listed from the privatization list. Meeting was told that PSM spent Rs. 25 billion during the current year on the import of iron ore and coal and the cost could raise to Rs. 30 billion in the next year owing to increasing prices in world market and increasing freight charges. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo stressed that every effort should be made to utilize the local raw material and PSM should make a plan that of the total raw material being used at least 20 % should be local. It will help in reducing the cost of production besides giving employment to the poor people and generate economic activity locally, said Mr. Wattoo, adding that incentives and technical know-how should be given to the owners of mines and local people so that extraction and processing can be done on fast track basis. He instructed the PSM administration to focus on Balochistan in this regard. Meeting was told that a meeting has already been held between PSM, MOIP&SI and Balochistan government in this regard and a similar meeting with the NWFP government will be held in coming weeks and meetings with other provinces will follow shortly so that more and more local raw material can be utilized. Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo assured that MOIP&SI will fully assist the PSM in its expansion plans and the plan to utilize local raw material. He told that he himself along with officials of MOIP&SI will hold meetings with provincial governments so as to expedite and maximize the utilization of local raw material. AUR/AR.
PR. No. 218. Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf has left for United States to participate in the “Investor’s Roundtable on Pakistan’s Power Sector” to be held in Washington D.C on July 28 and 29, 2008. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank, in association with the Government Pakistan, is organizing it in the World Bank Group Headquarters in Washington DC , USA . A high level delegation of the Government of Pakistan, led by Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and comprising Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh; Raja Pervez Ashraf, Minister for Water and Power; Salman Faruqui, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission; Muhammad Ismail Qureshi, Secretary, Ministry of Water and Power will participate in the conference. In addition, small groups of investors, who are currently active in Pakistan and in the region, as well as international and bilateral financial institutions at high level, are invited. The objective of the Roundtable is to achieve a shared understanding between the investment/ financial community and the Government of Pakistan. Pakistan will share its plans, strategies and policies for an accelerated development of its power sector, power sector potential in the indigenous resources like coal, hydro generation and renewable energy, which in turn are aimed at overcoming the current electricity deficit, and laying the foundation for sustained economic growth. Importantly, Pakistan is seeking the views of the investors and financiers to speed up the decision making processes, address the risks and also enable long term involvement of the investment community in Pakistan’s power sector in particular. Government of Pakistan would also like to facilitate and promote specific project opportunities that are being offered to private sector for urgent development. AJM/AR.
PR. No. 219.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani appoints parliamentary All the four provinces are given due representation in the appointment. The names and portfolios are, Punjab: Chaudhry Saeed Iqbal. Communication, Muhammad Ijaz Virk, Petroleum, Cap® Rai Mujtaba Kharral, Interior, Mr. Azeem Doltana, Information, Nawab Liaqat Ali Khan, Food and Agriculture, Mr. Sajjad-ul-Hassan, Finance, Meer Dost Muhammad Mizari, Water and Power, Mian Abdul Sattar, Planning and Development. Sindh: Sheikh Noman Islam, Railway, Dr. Mehreen Razak Bhutto, Health and Ramish Lal, Tourism. NWFP: Mr. Noor Alam Khan, Commerece and Dr. Mehmoob Ullah Jan, Religious Affairs. Balochistan: Dr. Zille Huma, Women Division The Prime Minister said that he has promised to the nation that all the parliamentary institutions will be strengthened and democratic norms will be given top priority and the appointment of Parliamentary Secretaries is the first step towards the fulfillment of his promise. PR. No. 220.
PRESS RELEASE
The Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani today
confirmed 14 parliamentary Secretaries of the Pakistan Peoples Party in
the first phase.
PR. No. 221. Guenet Guebre-Christos, representative of United Nations High Commission in Pakistan, has appreciated government of Pakistan’s efforts to repatriate and rehabilitate Afghan refugees. ‘Pakistan has the greatest number of refugees compared to any other country of the world’, Christos said, adding that Pakistan has been generous to host millions of Afghans for the last three decades. Guebre-Christos… 1. Thanked for Pakistan’s hospitality. 2. Observed that despite Pakistan’s remarkable efforts for Afghan refugees, a legal framework regarding refugees was missing. 3. Said that, Pakistan is not signatory to 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees despite fulfilling all its conditions and having done a lot more than what was laid therein. (The 1951 Convention is the key legal document in defining who is a refugee, their rights and the legal obligations of states). 4. Said that UNHCR was working on a model legal framework for refugees whom it would discuss with all the countries that host refugees. Law Minister… 1. Extended his ministry’s full cooperation to the UNHCR in case they propose any legal framework. 2. Briefed her about the working of the cabinet committee on Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR), and said that reforming FCR would be a major breakthrough in taking human rights and rule of law to the tribal areas. MFR/AR.
PR. No. 222. In the wake of polio cases reported from areas in NWFP and FATA rendered inaccessible to polio teams due to the security situation, an emergency meeting of high level functionaries of the Federal Ministry of Health, NWFP and FATA was held in Islamabad Friday with the Federal Secretary Health, Khushnood Akhtar Lashari in the chair. We need “out of the box solutions” and a fresh thinking to access security compromised areas in NWFP and FATA as giving up was not an option remarked the Secretary Health adding that to us protection of the children from the scourge of polio was a top priority. The Secretary urged the officials of the Provincial Health Department, NWFP to advocate with the NWFP Government to include polio eradication on the agenda as part of negotiations with the local militants. A delegation comprising officials from the Federal Government, Provincial Health Department, NWFP and U.N. would soon call on the leadership in NWFP to discuss specific issues related to inaccessible areas and devise appropriate strategies, Mr. Lashari remarked. Mr. Lashari informed the meeting that Prime Minister is being requested to launch the national round of polio campaign during the month of August. Stressing ownership of the community as key to accessing the security compromised localities, the Additional Secretary Health, Imtiaz Inayat Elahi said the NWFP Government could look into the possibility of raising teams from within those areas with the support of community elders. He urged for setting up special vaccination points at entry points of districts where access was an issue. Dwelling on the issue, Dr. Khalif Bile, WHO Representative in Pakistan said specialized solutions were required as each inaccessible area had its own problems and issues. Dr. H.B. Memon, National Programme Manager, EPI briefed the participants on the challenges faced by the initiative in NWFP and FATA in particular and different areas of the country in general. He highlighted refusals in some parts of NWFP and Balochistan as a result of security threats to communities and misperceptions. Special arrangements have been made to make the next round of polio campaign in high-risk areas being launched from 28th of July, he added. Earlier, Director General Health, NWFP Dr. Sajid Shaheen reaffirmed the commitment to seek high level commitment for the cause in the province. He said to improve the situation, Nazims and DCOs would be involved to steer the campaign in their respective districts. The meeting was also attended by Director General Health, Prof. Rashid Jooma, Provincial Programme Manager, EPI NWFP, Dr. Abdul Waheed, EDO Health of Swat and high ranking officials from partner agencies. Abdul Akbar/nr
PR. No. 223. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has appointed two parliamentary secretaries from the Awami National Party (ANP) today. The names and portfolios of the Parliamentary Secretaries from ANP are: 1. Pir Haider Ali Shah Industry and Production 2. Muzaffar-ul-Mulk Housing and Works The Prime Minister said that the Parliamentary Secretaries from JUI (F) will be appointed as soon as they are approved by the party.
PR. No. 224. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan has great potential for foreign direct investment (FDI) and the government has adopted investor’s friendly policies. The Prim Minister said this while talking with Mr. Rifat Hisarckliglu, President of Union of Chamber and Commodity Exchange of Turkey along with a delegation of Turkish Businessmen at the PM’s House this afternoon. The Prime Minister said that Turkey and Pakistan have very cordial relations and the various Turkish companies have invested in various sectors in Pakistan. He said that many Turkish firms have shown their interest of investment in various sectors including the transportation, energy and automobile, which is the manifestation of the confidence they reposed in Pakistani economy. The Prime Minister said that the trade volume between Turkey and Pakistan should be expanded. He said that although Pakistan is not the member of road transport union but turkey can assist Pakistan in this regard. The delegation told the Prime Minister that in order to expand the trade links between the two countries the Turkish investors should be facilitated to frequently travel to Pakistan and for this purpose the airlines of the two countries should enhance the frequency of flights. They offered Pakistani student’s admission in various Turkish Universities specially the one run by Turkish Chamber of Commerce. The Prime Minister said that the think tank of the two countries must work together to evolve valuable, strong and strategic relationship between the two countries. The Prime Minister directed Ministry of commerce, Board of Investment, Ministry of Finance and other concerned to work on the proposals made by the delegation and make concerted efforts to address all the issues involved on priority basis. Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on finance also attended the meeting. President FPCCI, Mr. Tanvir Ahmad Sheikh, Federal Secretaries of Commerce, Finance and BOI and other senior government official were also present during the meeting.
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