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No. 279 Advisor on Ministry of Labour and Manpower Mr. Hafeezullah Cheema has said that after the approval and final amendments by the Federal Minister Syed Khursheed Shah and the Ministry of Labour and Manpower, the final draft of Policy has been sent to the Prime Minister for his approval. The Advisor said that the new labour policy has been compiled by the Ministry for the betterment and welfare of the workers and Labourers, which are living below the poverty line. He said that this year “Labour Day” will be observed with the national spirit, and in this regard a mega programme will be held at Jinnah Convention Centre on May Day. He said that Labour Leaders and representatives of various labour organizations and NGOs to pay homage to the victims of Chicago incident of 1886. **NA/Ahmad**
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No. 280 Syed Naveed Qamar, the Federal Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources has said that the present Government was providing liberal incentives to the E&P Companies to attract investment and to accelerate exploration of hydrocarbon in the country, with the objective to increase the domestic oil & gas production and reduce the burden of imported energy. He also urged for making all possible efforts for addressing immediate energy needs of the public. The minister expressed these remarks while speaking on the signing ceremony of Exploration licenses (ELs)/Petroleum Concession Agreements (PCAs). In pursuance of the directives of Syed Naveed Qamar, Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources on behalf of the Government of Pakistan today executed four (04) ELs for Blocks No. 2468-12 (Kotri), 2568-21 (Kotri North), 2468-10 (Sirani) and 3170-6 (Dera Ismail Khan) with Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL). Simultaneous with the execution of ELs for the aforesaid blocks, the PCAs were also executed. The total area of aforesaid blocks is 8729.25 Sq. Km and minimum firm work commitment is US $ 24.2 Million. The occasion was graced with Minister’s presence and the ELs/PCAs were signed by Mr. Kamran Lashari, Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources, Mr. Mohammad Naeem Malik, Director General Petroleum Concessions and Mr. Khalid Rehman, Managing Director, PPL. Kotri Block is located mainly in District Thatta. Kotri North block is mainly located in District Dadu. Sirani block is located mainly in District Badin. These blocks are in Sindh Province. Dera Ismail Khan block is mainly located in District Layyah, Punjab Province and District D.I Khan Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa Province.
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No. 281 Federal Minister for Industries & Production Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani chaired a meeting here today regarding 20% reduction in gas supply to the Fertilizers Units and its diversion for power generation as per approved by the Prime Minister in Energy Summit. Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Syed Naveed Qamar and Federal Minister for Food and Agriculture Nazar Muhammad Gondal along with the Federal Secretaries of their respective ministries also attended this meeting. Moreover the other relevant stakeholders from public and private sectors attended this meeting too. All stakeholders expressed their point of view over the 20% curtailment of gas supply to Fertilizer Sector. It was discussed in detail the bad effects on Fertilizer Sector after a cut of gas supply which would also result in less production of urea. After the discussion, it has been decided in the meeting that a Coordination Committee consisting of members of all stakeholders from public and private sector may be formed under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf which would decide how to overcome the ongoing gas loadshedding problem being faced by the Fertilizer Sector after 20% diversion to power generation sector. Moreover, as already approved in Energy Summit, a fortnightly meeting regarding power generation under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister would also be held regularly to review ongoing electricity loadshedding crisis.
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No. 282 Advisor to Prime Minister for Information Technology, Sardar Muhammad Latif Khan Khosa has said that quality, transparency and competitiveness are the important elements for the development of telecom related equipments and tools to expand telecom network. The Advisor was talking to a 4-member delegation of Teralight Ltd which called on him headed by Muhammad Imran Saeed here on Thursday. The Advisor said government will encourage Pakistani companies operating in the telecom sector and urged the delegation to employment vibrant Pakistani youth as the services rendered by it always recognized even abroad for its quality of hardworking and honesty. The delegation informed the Advisor that Teralight Ltd. is US based global provider of solutions to network operators and telecom equipment manufactures and started its work in Pakistan in 2004 with an investment of US $ one million. The Advisor lauded the investment made by the Company in Pakistan and added: we encourage investment in the Information Technology and Telecom sector in order to create maximum job avenues for the Pakistani youth. “Your involvement for the promotion of the telecom sector will be welcomed and all possible help will be extended to the Teralight”, the Advisor maintained.
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No. 283 President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the Government is committed to provide every possible support to the private sector in all areas of investment especially the much demanding power sector. This he said during his meeting with a delegation of MAN Power Plant Germany headed by Mr. Jan Gurander. Mr. Martin Kalter, Director and Mr. Maqsood Basra, CEO Atlas Power Ltd. were also present besides Mr. Michael Koch, Ambassador of Germany, and other officials. Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Federal Minister for Water & Power, Secretary General to the President Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary Water & Power Mr. Shahid Rafi, Advisor M/o Water & Power Mr. Riaz Ahmed Khan and Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar were also present during the meeting. The President highlighting the investor-friendly policies of the Government mentioned that many renowned business groups have already started working in the power sector to meet the power demand in a short run. He said that although economy of Pakistan had received battering in the past the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and the GDP have been witnessing an increase. The trend is most likely to continue in coming years, the President said. He said that demand for electricity has risen by 10% annually during last few years and the Government is working on strategies to cater to the demand through all possible sources including solar and geothermal technologies. Mr. Jan Gurander thanked the President for meeting the delegation and said that his company appreciates the support from the Government of Pakistan and would continue to make its contributions in the power sector of the country.
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No. 284 The inspectorate of UK Border Agency (UKBA) had promised to in corporate the grievance leveled by business community of Pakistan in its report to published early July this year. This was discussed in a meeting with chief inspector of the UKBA, John Vine and representatives of various chambers including Sialkot chamber, RawalPindi chamber and FPCCI. The meeting was convened on the directives of Federal Minister of Commerce Mr. Makhdoom Amin Fahim who was approached by various chambers to take up the issue with concerned quarters. After completing the report it will be laid before the British parliament. The inspector was told currently Pakistani business communities are facing tremendous problems regarding visa issuance like unnecessary delay and high rates of refusal. The UKBA was told that it should take notice of these issues seriously and may bring it into the notice of British Government. The chief inspector assured that all such issues would be incorporated in the up coming report.
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No.285 Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs & Gilgit-Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo has rebutted the news published in the newspapers dated 29-04-10 that he met Barister Sultan Mahmood Ch for exchanging views on political matters of AJK. He said in a statement that his meeting was absolutely no-political and he met Barister Sultan Mahmood to congratulate him on the wedding of his son. Federal Minister said that a few of people are spreading rumors regarding him which is regretful. The same group of people spread the news relating to his interference in AJK judicial crisis. It was also baseless news and he has not done anything like that. He appealed to media for publishing factual news, so that, media could maintain the high standards of impartial journalism.
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No.286 President Asif Ali Zardari has directed for early adoption and utilization of modern solar and geothermal technologies including solar cookers, geothermal heat pumps, solar water heaters and solar water pumping etc to take full advantage of the available natural energy resources, on one hand and to meet the energy requirements of the country, on the other. “The energy crisis has forced upon a vigorous search for out of box, imaginative and bold solutions.” He said this during a briefing given to him on alternate energy sources at Aiwan-e-Sadar today. Those who were present during the briefing included Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Federal Minister for Water & Power, Mr. M. Salman Faruqui, Secretary General to the President, Special Advisor to PM Mr. Kamal Majidullah, Senator Syeda Sughra Imam, Secretary to the President Malik Asif Hayat, Secretary Water & Power Mr. Shahid Rafi, Secretary Petroleum & Natural resources Mr. Kamran Lashari, Special Secretary Finance Mr. Asif Bajwa, President ZTBL Ch. Mohammad Zaka Ashraf, Advisor M/o Water & Power Mr. Riaz Ahmed Khan besides senior officials of Planning Commission and relevant ministries. The meeting was briefed about various available options of solar and geothermal technologies that could be exploited and utilized for meeting the present energy needs of the country. The participants were informed that work on a pilot project of solar electrification of the Planning Commission and Pakistan Engineering Council’s buildings under Japanese Grant-in-Aid program has been finalized and Japanese organizations are now involved in the tendering and procurement activity. The demonstration plants are planned to be functional in June 2011. The President advised that the Presidency should also be converted to solar power on the pattern of Planning Commission being financed by the Japanese assistance. The meeting was informed that pursuant to an earlier meeting held in February this year where the President had advised for initiation of pilot projects for introducing Solar Cookers, the results obtained from a number of selected towns have been encouraging. The President said that all the new houses being built in the rural areas of Sindh under Behan Benazir Basti Programme should be provided with solar cookers and heating arrangements. He also advised that one town be selected soon to be completely run on solar energy replacing gas and electricity in one year. All new development schemes should be required to have solar street lights, he said. The President also advised that animal refuse in the Cattle Colony Landhi should be used for producing Methane gas as an alternate source of energy. Similarly the Carbon credit earned by any project will be spent on forestation and growing more trees. The meeting was informed that another 200MW of power generated from wind energy will be added to national grid by the end of this year. The President said that gas and electricity geysers be eventually phased out of the Government buildings in order to save gas in the winters for diversion into more productive uses. The President said that all new street lights should be Solar/LED based and billboards and electronic power based neon signs should be converted to solar at the earliest.
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No.287 The Ministry of Railways is all set to initiate work on a project to revive Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) shortly, after finalizing a loan agreement with Japanese government. The KCR was constructed and opened for traffic in two phases in the year 1964 and 1970. It was originated from Drigh Road Station on main line and after crossing Shahrah-e-Faisal passes through populated areas of Gulshan-e-lqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, SITE, Baldia, Liyari, Kharadar and finally touches Karachi City Station. Minister for Railways Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour told media that due to lack of investment in infrastructure, rolling stock etc. the operational efficiency was marginalized, causing increase of running time, lesser number of trains resulting in reduction of passengers and eventually KCR was closed for passenger traffic in December 1999. He said that work on stage I and II of the project will be commenced simultaneously and would be completed within three-year time by introducing two eight-hour shifts. He said that it is expected that loan agreement will be signed between Government of Japan and Government of Pakistan in mid of 2010. “The work will be started in 2010 and the operation will be opened for public by 2014,” the minister added. Bilour said in order to plan an effective public transportation system in the city of Karachi, numerous studies were arranged but due to various reasons, mainly lack of funds, no project could be implemented. The minister said the KCR would be revived in two phases as Modern Commuter System for the citizens of Karachi and Karachi Urban Transport Corporation (KUTC) will be formed with Ministry of Railways, Government of Sindh and City District Government Karachi as shareholders on basis of their equity. The minister said in October 2005 Japan External Trade Organization carried out a feasibility Study of the project and recommended the revival of KCR as a viable project for mitigating the commuters’ problems. He said on completion of the project an international operator of repute will be appointed for operations and maintenance of KCR and KUTC will oversee the management of KCR. He said the donor agency namely Japan International operator of repute will be appointed for operations and maintenance of KCR and KUTC will oversee the management of KCR. He said the donor agency namely Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) sponsored a final study named Special Assistance for Project Formation (SAPROF) for the project and the final report received in April last year, with estimated cost of $ 1558.8 million (Rs. 128.6 billion). “As many as 290 trains per day will operate at 6 minutes headway in each direction with capacity of 1391 passengers per trains, 30602 passengers per hour and 0.69 million passengers per day,” he said. He said the stations will be provided with computerized ticketing, automated ticket gates, vending machines and elevators, adding that the entire KCR will be provided with electric traction infrastructure and modernized signaling and telecommunication system. Regarding the funds of the project the minister said JICA will arrange 93.5 percent funding of project cost $ 1558.8 million through soft term loan at a markup of 0.2 percent payable in 40 years including 10 years grace period remaining expenditure of 6.5 percent will be borne by the stake holders of KUTC. He said the project would implement on private public partnership and International Consultant will be engaged for designing of the project. Consultant M/s. Louis Berger USA with local Consultant Associates have carried out third party validation of SAPROF final report. The minister said the Satellite Imagery of KCR route has been completed by Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). Ends
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No.288 In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (1) of Article 54 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President has been pleased to summon the National Assembly to meet in the Parliament House, Islamabad on Monday, the 3rd May, 2010 at 05.00.p.m. (End).
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No.289 Federal Minister of Information & Broadcasting, Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira, has said that the Federal Government has started implementing the Supreme Court’s decision on the contested case of promotions of Government officers from Grade 21 to Grade 22 in letter and spirit. “The necessary notifications in this regard have been issued and the Government is following the due process,” said the Federal Minister while talking to the media here today. At the same time, the Federal Minister advised all the officers affected by the decision to continue working on their current assignments with due diligence, hard work, and dedication. “The Government has urged all concerned officers not to loose heart or feel discouraged while this process is carried out,” said Mr. Kaira. “The Government will ensure that their professional interests are duly protected, and their professional growth and development are looked after and upheld within the ambit of law.”
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No.290 The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, His Excellency Mr. Hamid Karzai; the Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina; the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Yoeser Thinley; the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh; the President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Nasheed; the Prime Minister of Nepal, His Excellency Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal; the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, His Excellency Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani; and the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa, met in Thimphu, Bhutan, on 28-29 April 2010 for the Sixteenth Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). 2. The Leaders expressed satisfaction that SAARC had achieved a number of important milestones with the completion of twenty five years of its establishment. The Leaders underscored the relevance and importance of the Association in providing a platform for regional cooperation to accomplish the Charter objectives. 3. In this Silver Jubilee Year of SAARC, the Leaders emphasized the need to develop a ‘Vision Statement’. They agreed to form a ‘South Asia Forum’ for the generation of debate, discussion and the exchange of ideas on South Asia and its future development. The Forum will consist of eminent personalities of diverse background including from all SAARC Member States. The Forum would provide inputs, based on a comprehensive understanding, for charting out the future course of SAARC in the medium and long run and recommend, if required, the necessary improvements required in the existing mechanisms. Such a forum could function on public-private partnership lines, and allow for multiple inputs beyond governments into the consideration of the future of SAARC. 4. In order to commemorate the 25th anniversary, the Leaders laid emphasis on effective communications and public diplomacy. They drew attention in this regard to the need to reach out to different sections of the South Asian community, particularly its students and youth, private media, private sector, think tanks, civil society, and institutions of economic development. 5. The Leaders agreed that the scope and substance of cooperation had expanded to diverse fields, providing a firm basis for genuine partnership. However, a number of these had not translated into meaningful and tangible benefits to the people. They, therefore, highlighted the need for more efficient, focused, time-bound and people-centric activities and called for appropriate reflection of all the SAARC decisions into the national policies and programmes of Member States. They resolved that the Silver Jubilee Year should be commemorated by making SAARC truly action oriented by fulfilling commitments, implementing declarations and decisions and operationalizing instruments and living up to the hopes and aspirations of one-fifth of humanity. 6. The Leaders, while appreciating that all the Member States had evolved into multi-party democracies, underlined the challenges faced by them in ensuring effective, efficient, transparent and accountable governments. In this regard, they emphasized the need for regional cooperation to strengthen good governance through sharing of experiences, best-practices and establishing institutional linkages. They noted the proposal by Bangladesh to convene an Inter-governmental Meeting in Dhaka on the idea of a SAARC Charter of Democracy on which Bangladesh offered to circulate a Concept Paper. 7. The Leaders recognised the need to draw on the democratic and participatory tradition collectively represented by the Parliamentarians of South Asia for the progress of SAARC. In this context, the Leaders recommended the convening of a “Conclave of SAARC Parliamentarians” in line with the SAARC Charter and directed the SAARC Secretariat to convene a Working Group, comprising nominees of the Member States, to workout the modalities for establishment of such a Conclave. 8. The Leaders emphasized on a greater focus to pursue people-centric development with due emphasis on socio-cultural progress and upholding traditions and values and in that regard, noted the concept of Gross National Happiness (GNH) pursued by Bhutan, inter alia, in ensuring people-centric development, culture, preservation of environment, better governance. They further noted that other Member States might consider Bhutan’s experience with the concept and welcomed Bhutan’s offer to host a SAARC Workshop on GNH in 2010. 9. The Leaders emphasized on deepening regional efforts on poverty alleviation, the overarching objective of SAARC. They called for the expeditious mainstreaming of the SAARC Development Goals (SDGs) in the national processes and completion of the Mid-term Review of the SDGs as scheduled. They further noted the useful finding and recommendations made by successive regional studies through the Regional Poverty Profiles (RPPs) and directed the relevant SAARC mechanisms to act on them. In this regard, they welcomed the offer of the Government of Nepal to host the Third Ministerial Meeting on Poverty Alleviation in 2011. 10. The Leaders welcomed Climate Change as the theme for the Summit and reaffirmed their commitment to address this challenge. In this context, they adopted the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change and directed that the recommendations contained therein be implemented in earnest. 11. The Leaders noted that while climate change impacted every country, the SAARC Member States as developing countries were shouldering a major burden, in spite of having contributed least to the problem. They emphasized that global negotiations on climate change should be guided by the principles of equity, and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities as enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and should be conducted in an open, transparent and inclusive manner. 12. The Leaders, underscored the need to initiate the process to formulate a common SAARC position for COP16 and thereafter, including on issues such as separate financing for adaptation and mitigation as well as technology transfer. In this regard, they welcomed the offer of Bhutan to host an Inter-governmental Expert Group meeting. 13. The Leaders welcomed the Government of Nepal’s initiative to organize a Ministerial Meeting of Mountainous Countries in Kathmandu later this year. 14. In pursuance of the recommendation contained in the SAARC Ministerial Statement on Environment on conservation of aquatic ecosystem, trans-boundary bio-diversity zones, automated network of weather stations and regular and systematic sharing of scientific data, the Leaders called for focus on water management and conservation and development of cooperative projects at regional level in terms of exchange of best practices and knowledge, capacity building and transfer of eco-friendly technology. 15. The Leaders, deeply concerned by the extent of environmental degradation in the region, reiterated the importance of sustainably managing environment and development through adoption of eco-friendly approaches and technologies and that South Asia should become a world leader in low-carbon technology and renewable energies. They welcomed the signing of the SAARC Convention on Cooperation on Environment and called for its early ratification and implementation. 16. The Leaders, concerned by the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, called for effective regional programmes in early warning, preparedness and management including response and rehabilitation while remaining within their respective national laws and procedures. They called for further negotiations and early finalization of the SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters. 17. The Leaders noted with satisfaction the ongoing initiatives in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment through regional cooperation. In this regard, the Leaders welcomed the announcement by the Government of Maldives to nominate a Woman Secretary General as the Tenth Secretary General of SAARC. 18. The Leaders appreciated the comprehensive directives of the Colombo Statement on Children of South Asia, specially highlighting the importance of the in-depth assessment of the SAARC Decade of the Rights of the Child (2001-2010) and its follow up. Recognizing the important role young people play in the region, the Leaders directed the development of a SAARC Youth Action Plan, in line with the SAARC Youth Charter, to guide regional cooperation in this area. To achieve this end, the Leaders directed to organize SAARC Youth Summit, involving policy makers and youth leaders from all Member States. 19. The Leaders underlined the important role of the SAARC Development Fund (SDF) for financing regional and sub-regional programmes and projects. They welcomed the ratification of the SDF Charter. The Leaders also welcomed the inauguration and operationalization of the Permanent Secretariat of the SDF including the appointment of its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The Leaders also urged the importance of projects being funded through SDF are demand-driven, time-bound and aligned with the developmental priorities of the region. The Leaders also emphasized the need for the Member States to take full advantage of the mechanism of the SDF through expeditious clearance and implementation of the projects and programmes to promote the welfare of the people of the SAARC region, to improve their quality of life and to accelerate economic growth, social progress and poverty alleviation in the region. 20. The Leaders reiterated their commitment to implement SAFTA in letter and spirit. They emphasized the need to realize the full potential, through reduction of the size of the sensitive lists, acceleration of trade facilitation measures, and removal of non-tariff, para-tariff and other barriers. They directed the SAFTA Ministerial Council to work in earnest in these areas in a time-bound manner. 21. The Leaders welcomed the signing of the SAARC Agreement on Trade in Services and expressed that this will open up new vistas of trade cooperation and further deepen the integration of the regional economies. They called for the early ratification of the Agreement. The Leaders also called for the early conclusion of negotiations on the specific schedule of commitments under the Agreement. 22. The Leaders emphasized the need to strengthen the role of private sector in regional initiatives through appropriate mechanisms including through Public-Private Partnership as well as the need for greater intra-SAARC investment promotion efforts. 23. The Leaders underlined the need for taking concrete measures to improve trade facilitation. They directed the relevant SAARC bodies to expedite their work in these areas. They also recognized the importance of development of communication system and transport infrastructure and transit facilities specially for the landlocked countries to promote intra-SAARC trade. 24. The Leaders noted with appreciation that SAARC Commerce Ministers had coordinated SAARC position on WTO Issues and Doha Development Agenda during the Seventh WTO Ministerial Conference and agreed on the SAARC Ministerial Communiqué. They directed the Commerce Ministers to continue the process. 25. The Leaders emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in education and directed greater interaction among the universities in the region towards undertaking of joint programmes on collaborative research and exchange programmes. They underscored the imperative of recognition of degrees, and where possible facilitation of credit transfers for open and distance education etc. They directed the expeditious finalization of mutual recognition of academic and professional degrees as also harmonization of educational curriculum in South Asia. 26. The Leaders took note of the Reports of the Steering Committee of the South Asian University, and appreciated the progress being made towards establishing the University. They also underscored the importance of establishing regional campuses of the South Asian University. They appreciated the announcement of the CEO of the SAU project office to initialize the first academic session of the University with effect from August 2010. Further they asked the Steering Committee to work towards finalizing the modalities of the University. 27. The Leaders called for collaborative efforts to achieve greater intra-regional connectivity and endorsed the recommendation to declare 2010-2020 as the “Decade of Intra-regional Connectivity in SAARC”. They agreed on the need to expedite negotiations with a view to finalizing the two agreements on Motor Vehicles and Railways. 28. The Leaders, reiterating the centrality of connectivity to further deepen and consolidate regional integration, mandated the Chair to convene an Inter-Governmental Meeting to recommend specific measures to enhance multi-modal connectivity including air, sea and surface transport. 29. Acknowledging the enormity of the challenges related to food insecurity and poverty, the Leaders directed the SAARC Agriculture Ministers to vigorously pursue regional cooperation in agriculture covering all sub-sectors to enhance overall agricultural productivity. They called for regional efforts on increased sharing of best practices, technologies, techniques, and materials. Given the importance of quality seeds in enhancing productivity, they further directed early consideration of the concept of a regional seed bank, regional testing and certification of seeds, and a framework for transfer of plant genetic material and seeds. They agreed that South Asian agriculture must benefit from collaborative efforts from within and among SAARC countries by undertaking specific initiatives and projects. 30. The Leaders underscored the need for promotion of tourism to enhance greater people-to-people contacts in the region and called for the creation of tourism-friendly environment. They welcomed the offer of the Government of Nepal to host the Third SAARC Ministerial Meeting on Tourism in Kathmandu in 2011 which coincides with the Nepal Tourism Year 2011. 31. The Leaders recognized the need to enhance cooperation in the energy sector to facilitate energy trade, development of efficient conventional and renewable energy sources including hydropower. They emphasized the need to undertake studies to develop regional energy projects, promote regional power trade, efficiency, conservation and development of labeling and standardization of appliances, and sharing of knowledge and technologies. 32. The Leaders agreed that an Action Plan on Energy conservation would be prepared by the SAARC Energy Centre (SEC), Islamabad with inputs from the Member States and submit to the inter-governmental mechanism for consideration. They called for the creation of a web portal on Energy Conservation for exchange of information and sharing of best practices among SAARC Member States. 33. The Leaders noted the proposal from India for preparing a Roadmap for developing a SAARC Market for Electricity (SAME) on a regional basis, as SAARC is considering electricity trading, supported by enabling markets in the Member States. 34. The Leaders strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and expressed deep concern over the threat which terrorism continues to pose to peace, security and economic stability of the South Asian region. They reiterated their firm resolve to root out terrorism and recalled the Ministerial Declaration on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism adopted by the Thirty-first Session of the Council of Ministers in Colombo. They emphasized that the linkages between the terrorism, illegal trafficking in drugs and psychotropic substance, illegal trafficking of persons and firearms all continue to remain a matter of serious concern and reiterated their commitment to address these problems in a comprehensive manner. The Leaders emphasized the need to strengthen regional cooperation to fight terrorism and transnational organized crimes. They reaffirmed their commitment to implement the SAARC Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and its Additional Protocol and SAARC Convention on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances. They re-emphasized the importance of coordinated and concerted response to combat terrorism. The Leaders also recognized in this regard the value of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism and noted the progress made during the recent rounds of negotiations and called for an early conclusion of the Convention. 35. The Leaders welcomed the hosting of the Third Meeting of SAARC Home/Interior Ministers and related Meetings in Islamabad to review the implementation of relevant SAARC Conventions. They underscored the importance of the SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and called for its ratification. 36. The Leaders welcomed the Observers from Australia, the People’s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mauritius, the Union of Myanmar, the United States of America and the European Union and appreciated their participation in the Summit. They acknowledged that Australia and Myanmar were attending the Summit for the first time. They appreciated the interest shown by the Observers to work with SAARC. 37. The Leaders welcomed the offer of the Government of Maldives to host the Seventeenth Summit of the Heads of State or Government of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in 2011.
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No.291 Raja Zulqarnain Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir, called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadar today. Situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and developmental projects were discussed during the meeting.(End)
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No.292 Federal Minister for Housing and Works, Mr. Rehmatullah Kakar has said that Pakistan Housing Authority (PHA) would launch housing scheme for Federal Government officers from BS-17 to 22 at Kurri Road near Chak Shahzad, Islamabad on affordable cost shortly as per Cabinet’s decision allowing zoning regulations for housing projects in Zone-IV, Islamabad. He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting to review the progress on housing projects being undertaken by the Pakistan Housing Authority and Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation here today. The Minister said that PHA would launch housing schemes at Warsak Road, Peshawar and Kuchlak Road, Quetta for low income group of which would alleviate the shelter problems of the people of that areas. The Minister said that Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation would also launch housing scheme at Bhara Kahu near Islamabad shortly and 3000 kanals of land had already been acquired for the construction of the housing units The PHA and FGEHF officials gave a detailed briefing on the housing projects being undertaken in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and other parts of the country. The Minister expressed satisfaction over the pace of work on the housing projects and said that it would give a tremendous boost to the socio-economic progress and prosperity of the country besides attracting foreign direct and indirect investment. (End).
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