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PR. No. 258
Federal Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour has expressed his deep sense of shock and grief over the sad demise of renowned Senior Journalist and Senior Editor of Daily “Hewad”, Peshawar, Sultan Muhammad Sabir who passed away in Islamabad the other day. Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour pid tributes to late Sultan Muhammad Sabir for the cause of a free press and promotion of journalism. In his condolence message to Najeebullah, son of late Sultan Sabir Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour prayed Almighty Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and fortitude to the bereaved family. FK/AR.
PR. No. 259 The Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Syed Naveed Qamar, who is in Tehran at the head of a high level delegation to attend the 17th Session of Pak-Iran Joint Economic Commission, met with Minister for Petroleum of Iran, Mr. Gholam Hossein Nozari here today, says a press release received from Embassy of Pakistan, Tehran. During the meeting matters relating to the promotion of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the field of Petroleum and IPI gas pipeline project came under discussion. The Iranian Minister for Petroleum said that the visit of the Federal Minister for Finance of Pakistan would go a long way in promoting bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the fields of commerce, trade and energy. The Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Syed Naveed Qamar highlighted the cordial bilateral relations between the two countries which were rooted in common history, culture and religion. He underlined that these bonds provided a sound foundation for fostering economic relations between two brotherly countries. The both sides agreed that the experts had covered all aspects of the agreement and that Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) between Iran and Pakistan was now finalized and that it was time to move ahead. The Iranian side indicated that Iran would shortly host a trilateral meeting in Tehran which would include the Minister of Petroleum of India to finalize the proposed IPI gas deal. Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr. Shafkat Saeed, and senior officials from Iran and Pakistan were also present during the meeting.
PR. No.260 Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat Ul Ibad called on the President Pervez Musharraf here today.He briefed the President about the development related activities going on in the province and discussed the general law and order and political situation in Sindh. The President appreciated the Governor’s efforts to maintain stability in the Province. MA/ank
PR. No.261 Dr. Fehmida Mirza, Speaker National Assembly has said that Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed was an icon of democracy and a popular leader of Muslim Ummah and the World. She said this while talking to the participants of Sheheed-e-Jamhoriat Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Cycle Rally held under the auspice of Kasoor Athletic Association who called on her in Parliament House today. She said that Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto Shaheed was torch-bearer of democracy and human rights and always advocated for equality, justice and human well-being. The Speaker said that Shaheed Mohtarma loved Pakistan and its people and despite threats to her life she came back to Pakistan . She said that it was desire of the masses to see Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto as Leader of the House but her sudden death shattered their dreams. She said that Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto carried forward the democratic and social mission of late Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto for which she made sacrifices. The Speaker said that it was the desire of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to see Pakistan a strong and prosperous countrty where its inhabitants can lead comfortable life. The Speaker appreciated the cyclists’ way to celebrate the birth anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and added that this was the best way to pay tributes to her and also to create awareness among the masses about the spirit of the Mohtarma Benzir Bhutto’s mission. Speaking on the occasion the Leader of the Cyclist Rally Sabir Kasoori said that Sheheed-e-Jamhoriat Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Cycle Rally stared on 21st June from the Shrine of Baba Bulley Shah in Kasoor and reached Sports Complex Islamabad on 27th June 2008 . He said that objective of this Rally was to celebrate the Birth Anniversary of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. He said that the Rally members were encouraged by the warm receptions given to them by the masses enroute. He thanked the leaders, party workers and masses for their warm welcome to the Rally members. MT/ank
PR. No. 262. Federal Minister for Water & Power, Raja Pervez Ashraf has directed PEPCO and all Power Distribution Companies that there would be no unscheduled load shedding in the country. He asked DISCOs they would announce the load shedding programme in the media to inform the consumers well in time about the planned load shedding. He said that this policy would be exercised in letter and spirit and for any deviation of this policy the responsible officials would be taken to task, he added. The Minister issued these directions while chairing a high level meeting of WAPDA, PEPCO, DISCOs and PPIB here today. The meeting was convened to review the demand and supply of power and to discuss the load management situation in the country. Advisor and Additional Secretary M/o Water and Power, Chairman WAPDA MD PEPCO, MD PPIB, CEOs of DISCOs and senior officials of Ministry were present in the meeting. The Meeting decided that because of shortage of power of about 4000 MW, there would be at the most six hours scheduled load shedding in urban areas and eight hours in rural areas. All CEOs of DISCOs have been directed that this plan of action of load shedding should be strictly observed and there should be no deviation to this effect. They have been further directed that in coming two to three weeks the load shedding must be reduced up to one to two hours as with passage of time the hydel generation would become better with rise of water level in the reservoirs. PEPCO will also ensure that it’s Generation Companies (GENCOs) and IPPs deliver maximum possible out put through out the day. The Minister expressed great concern over the poor recovery campaign and reduction of line losses. He asked all DISCOs to accelerate their recovery campaign to ensure maximum recovery so that finances become available for oil purchases and regular payments to IPPs. He also directed DISCOs to reduce their line losses up to 10 percent of existing losses in case of each company and informed them that award would be given to those who would show good performance in this respect. He also directed the DISCOs to further strengthen their respective Public Relations Cells to keep close liaison with the media and to create consumers friendly environment in the Companies and attend to public complaints properly. He also asked them to establish mechanism of accountability to take actions against poor performers as there will be no place for those who failed to deliver, he added. The Minister was of the view that we have to go an extra miles and to deliver more to provide relief to the people and to minimize their miseries and this would be possible with dedicated and coordinated efforts. Minister would be conducting detailed inspections/briefings of individual DISCOs shortly. AJM/ank
PR. No. 263. Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani visited Wali Bagh this morning for the condolence of younger brother of Asfandayar Wali Khan President Awami National Party. The Prime Minister condoled with Asfandayar Wali Khan, his mother Begum Nasim Wali Khan and widow of the deceased Sangeen Wali Khan and other members of the bereaved family. NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani, Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Federal Minister for Local Government, Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and Advisor on Interior to the Prime Minister, Rehman Malik were also present on this occasion,says a press release received from RIO,PID,Peshawar here today. The Prime Minister while sympathizing with the bereaved family, said that the death of Sangeen Wali Khan is an irreparable loss to the family of late Abdul Wali Khan. He prayed to Allah Al-mighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and fortitude to the bereaved family to bear this loss with equanimity.
PR. No. 264. The 17th Session of Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission (JEC) opened bilateral conversations yesterday in Tehran. It was led by Federal Minister for Finance and Economic Affairs, Syed Naveed Qamar from Pakistan . The 2-day session of the JEC is expected to focus on the two countries’ cooperation in the trade and investment, transportation and communications, power, Information Technology and telecommunication, agriculture, banking, health and education sectors. Several MoUs are expected to be inked between the two countries at the conclusion of the JEC Session. To find ways to further enhance Pakistan-Iran bilateral trade in different sectors, the Federal Minister will hold meeting on the sidelines of the JEC with senior Iranian officials including Ministers for Petroleum, Commerce and Finance. He will also have a meeting with the Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, who is also the co-chairman of the JEC. The economic and commercial ties between the two countries are promoted through the institutional framework of the Joint Economic Commission which was established in 1986. The last meeting of the Pakistan-Iran Joint Economic Commission was held in May 2006 in Islamabad .
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