Saudi Arabia to continue aid for flood-hit areas: Ambassasor

ISLAMABAD, Feb 24 (APP): Saudi ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer on Thursday said that the Saudi government stood firm by Pakistan in its effort for rehabilitation of flood-hit people in various parts of the country. He was speaking at a ceremony arranged by a charity organiaton of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) for dispatching 20 relief goods trucks to flood affected areas of Punjab and Kyber Pukhtoonkwa here. Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Khurseed Shah was also present on this occasion and appreciated the Saudi government’s assistance for flood victims and its role in rehabilitation activities. He said that the government and people of Pakistan would never forget timely and wholehearted help of the Saudi government for flood affeectes. The Saudi ambassador said that the IIRO had already dispatched 550 relief goods trucks since flood started devastation in last August and today’s 20-trucks were the first consignment of year 2011. He said a delegation of Saudi Welfare Development Bank would soon visit Pakistan to study ongoing development projects in flood-hit areas and would give financial assistance for early completion of projects. The relief goods which include ready-made garments, dry milk, dates, rice, blankets, quilts and wheelchairs were dispatched Nowshera, Pabbi, Dera Ismial Khan, Rajanpor, Layya, Dera Ghazi Khan, Taunsha Sharif and Dera Din Panah. The ambassador vowed that Saudi assistance would continue till completion of the rehabilitation work.

President asks ADB to start financing Diamer Bhasha Dam project

ISLAMABAD,Aug 26 (APP):President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday called upon Asian Development Bank (ADB) to start process of financing Diamer Bhasha Dam as the project has been approved at all internal fora of the country.The President said the project is useful as water storing reservoir, for production of inexpensive hydro energy of 4500 MW, for ensuring food and water security and for increasing cultivable lands.This he said during two separate review meetings, one about the ADB supported projects and the other about World Bank supported projects here at Aiwan-e-Sadr. The meetings were attended by Finance Minister Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, Federal Minister for Water & Power Syed Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain, Secretary General to the President M. Salman Faruqui, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr. Nadeem-ul-Haq and federal secretaries of relevant ministries and heads of departments. During the meeting about ADB supported projects, Xiaoyu Zhao, Vice President, Juan Miranda, Director General and other officials of ADB were present. World Bank supported projects review meeting was attended by Rachid Ben Messaoud, Country Director, and other members of World Bank international team on energy sector. The President during the meetings said that the government was committed to reforming the energy sector as the availability of sufficient energy was critical for economic and social development in the country. He said that a committee headed by the Finance Minister had been constituted to formulate a plan to address various issues of the energy sector including both short and long term. The President also emphasized improving communication infrastructure as to promote inter and intra state trade activities. He said Pakistan due to its geo-strategic location provides the shortest possible sea access to many countries of the Central Asia. With better road infrastructure and well-designed communication networks the real potential of trade can be encashed by the regional countries, he reiterated. The President also sought support for the construction of roads through the CAREC Funds for integrating Pakistan with Central Asia.

Inter-city transporters increase fares on Eid

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP): The people leaving for their hometowns are again perturbed over increasing fares of inter-cities transport in wake of upcoming Eid-ul-fitr.People said that authorities always keep silence on the overcharging and public paying extra charges due to absence of any proper mechanism to check fares rates.Transporters are fleecing the passengers as they overcharge even more than two times against normal fares. The inter-city buses and vans have also increased fares as the passengers have to reach their hometowns. Exchange of heated arguments between transporters and commuters are being witness as the travellers are not ready to accept fare increase. These scenes can be witnessed at Pirwadhai, Faizabad and Karachi company bus stands. It is an unchecked practice that transporters keep fares high during Eid, special occasions besides using outdated vehicles. They also cram passengers inside and on top of their vehicles.Commuters demanded that the concerned authorities should take strict action against the violator for overcharging during the last weeks of Eid. Transporters plying coaches on routes to Peshawar, Mardan, Kohat, Karak, Mianwali, Dera Ismail Khan, Sialkot and other destinations are increasing fare at the rate of Rs 30 per day in wake of upcoming Eid.

PM urges civil bureaucracy to implement policies, ensure good governance

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Friday called upon the country’s civil bureaucracy to play effective role in implementing government policies and ensuring good governance.“Despite having the best and most competent officers to run our ministries, divisions and key institutions, we have yet to make headway in effective implementation which is a key element of good governance,” the Prime Minister said while addressing Federal Secretaries at an Iftar dinner hosted by Secretaries Committee here.He said, “My personal observation has been that there is a yawning gap between formulating policies and their implementation. We must, under no circumstances, allow this to continue.” He called for a paradigm shift in managing institutions and programs.“You will have to go out yourself to see the implementation on ground and ensure that all bottlenecks and impediments are removed.” Gilani said there is a dire need to institute a mechanism of monitoring and evaluation which is a grey area. He expressed optimism that bureaucracy will be able to come up with an effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism which will point out the gaps in performance and help in devising future strategies. “We must shun the business as usual approach and adopt a forward looking progressive approach if our nation is to be taken forward in the current era replete with challenges both internal and external,” he observed. He said he is for informed and participatory decision making which benefits from the wisdom and intellect of his team. “This entails that you must fully apply your mind and give candid as well as honest opinion in all matters in line with the prevailing policies. Let me reiterate here that we will continue to stand by you and support you in the due discharge of your duties.” He said his government will never stand in the way of exercise of authority by any one of you which is driven by national interest and is in accordance with the law. “I am personally seeing to it that all elevations in the civil service are made only and only on merit. This Government has not on a single occasion differed with the recommendations made by the FPSC or the Central Selection Board.” He said his interactions with bureaucracy are of immense importance as it provide an opportunity to understand each other’s views on a wide range of subjects that affect life of the common man and the well being of nation. The leadership in the civil bureaucracy holds the key to improving the lot of the common man and changing the destiny of this nation, he said adding no matter how revolutionary the policies of the Government are, it is the effective management and strong implementation

Dr Firdous distributes ration among 4,000 deserving women

SIALKOT, Aug 26 (APP):Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan on Friday distributed ration among 4,000 deserving women in village Kuba Chak provided by the Bukhari Foundation.Scholar and chairperson Bukhari Foundation Syeda Khanam Tayyaba Bukhari was also present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, Dr Firdous said the PPP-led government was fully aware of the problems of people including price hike and taking all possible measures to resolve them. She said that poverty alleviation and protection of basic rights of the people was top on the government agenda and many a step had already been taken in this regard. The PPP was the only representative of poor and suppressed people, which would continue its efforts for their rights, she said. The Minister said the government was striving to accomplish Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s vision to bring the women into mainstream to materialize the dream of national development. She said the PPP government wanted to empower women and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had struggled for this purpose. “We wanted to set up an educational campus of international standard in Islamabad for women where they could get religious education together with regular education,” she added. The women would also be given computer education in the campus, she said. Dr Firdous asked Syeda Bukhari to arrange mass marraiges in her foundation after Eid ul Fitr. On this occasion the Information Minister lauded the humanitarian efforts and support of Bukhari Foundation for providing ration to facilitate the deserving segment of the society.

Gilani discusses floods in KP, abduction of Shahbaz Taseer with CMs

ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday met Chief Ministers of the four provinces here at the Prime Minister Secretariat and discussed development issues and matters of mutual interest. Gilani met Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti and Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raeesani prior to meeting of the Council of Common Interest (CCI). The Prime Minister expressed grief over the loss of precious lives in flash floods in Kohistan area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Chief Minister Punjab apprised the Prime Minister about the efforts of government of the Punjab to recover Shahbaz Taseer abducted yesterday in Lahore Chief Minister Sindh thanked the Prime Minister for his support for the Sindh Government on the steps taken in Karachi to restore peace. Chief Minister Balochistan and Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa apprised the Prime Minister about the rehabilitation projects now underway in flood affected areas of the province.

Reservation of four seats for non-Muslims in Senate hailed

ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (APP): Advisor to Prime Minister on Minorities Dr. Paul Bhatti has thanked President Asif Ali Zardari for signing amendment in the Senate to reserve four seats for the non-Muslims in the Upper House of the Parliament. The seats have been reserved under (Election) Rules 1975 in compliance with provision in the 18th Constitutional Amendment in the Senate. In a statement here, Dr Paul said the bill was moved by former Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti and his dream has come true today to get four seats reserved in the Senate for minorities. The Advisor said this is a precious gift of the people’s government for the minorities’ community as this is for the first time that Senate will also have reserved seats for the non-Muslims. Under the 18th Constitutional amendment Act 2010, four seats for non-Muslims, one from four provinces have been reserved in the Senate who will be elected by the members of each Provincial Assembly from the next Senate Election. The Advisor also felicitated the minorities for having four seats reserved in the Senate with the efforts made by Shahbaz Bhatti and expressed hope that the minorities will play a due role in the development of the homeland.

CJ administers oath to new AGP

ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (APP): Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Saturday administered oath of office to Muhammad Akhtar Buland Rana as Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP).Before administerattion of the oath, Registrar of the Supreme Court Dr Faqir Hussain read out a statement highlighting the official correspondence between the Chief Justice and the President over the appointment of AGP.The Regsitrar said the President had issued a notification on Aug 23 for the appointment of Muhammad Akhtar Buland Rana as Auditor General of Pakistan and the Chief Justice in performance of administrative function under Article 168 (2) of the Constitution is required to administer the oath. The Chief Justice sent a letter to the President based on reports of the ISI, FIA and comments received from the former AGP in response to a notice issued on an anonymous application received in the Human Rights Cell of the Supreme Court, he added. The Registrar read out concluding para of the letter of the CJ’s letter addressed to the President: “It is to be noted that once a person is appointed Auditor General and administered oath of office by the Chief Justice, he enjoys the status of holder of a constitutional office. His removal is only possible by adhering to the procedure prescribed for the removal of judges of the Superior Courts before the Supreme Judicial Council in terms of Article 209 of the Constitution. Being the Chief Justice and Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, while discharging my duties and performing my functions, I honestly consider it necessary to bring it into the notice of the competent authority about the credentials of Mr Muhammad Akhtar Buland Rana, which, I believe, perhaps were not in the notice of the office, which processed his case. However, if, on having taken into consideration the above noted facts, the competent authority still desires that he should be administered the oath, I may be informed accordingly.” The Registrar said that in response of the President along with communication from the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, the Chief Justice in discharge of administrative function, without prejudice to anyone and the subject to all just exceptions, would administer the oath. The contents of the letters said that the allegations against Rana were not proved and he was the most appropriate person for the post as a senior officer. Later talking to mediapersons, Auditor General Akhtar Buland Rana said that he was willing to face any legal proceedings while referring to the statement linking the oath to “all just exceptions”. He said that he had already been exonerated of the charge of sexually assault on a colleague. Defending his position, he said that his dual nationality was not an obstruction in becoming the Auditor General.

Karachi’s solution lies in rule of law: Gilani

ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday termed Karachi as the biggest challenge and urged the nation to support the operation of the Sindh government.“It is a provincial initiative which will have full backing of the federal government. The solution of Karachi lies within rule of law,” he said.In his opening statement at the Council of Common Interests meeting held at the PM Secretariat here, Gilani said while the government was engaged in efforts to strengthen democracy, anti-state are detrimental to economic growth and stability. “We need to raise our guard against these disruptive forces so as to move forward unimpeded,” he said. Gilani said he was a great believer in politics of consensus and reconciliation. He said these attributes constitute the essence of democracy, which also brings alongwith a path having pitfalls and obstacles. He said achieving consensus requires sacrifice, understanding, patience and commonality of purpose and stressed the political leadership to equip them with these qualities of mind and heart. He said this approach to politics had only one basis and that is constitutionalism, adding that remedies for relief and mechanisms of dispute resolution are all embedded in constitution. Gilani mentioned CCI as one prominent example, adding that “this is the 7th time, we are meeting at this forum after the passage of 18th amendment.” He reaffirmed the importance of this august forum of the CCI which involves the provincial governments in formulation and regulation of policies particularly in relation to matters appearing in part-II of the Federal Legislative List. The list includes important subjects like electricity, railways, mineral, oil and gas, regulatory authorities, supervision and management of public debt and also help in resolving inter-provincial matters through formal as well as informal dialogue, he added. The meeting discussed distribution of Zakat, public debt management and supervision policy and imposition of a new levy. Gilani said he believed it was the collective responsibility to ensure implementation of the decisions taken by this August House in letter and spirit. He said the government was striving to strengthen democracy, which was evident from 7th National Finance Commission Award, unanimous passage of 18th Constitutional Amendment and devolution of 17 federal ministries in consequence thereof.

CCI to work on Zakat distribution formula, seeks proposals allowing provinces to generate power
ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (APP): The Council of Common Interests (CCI) on Saturday agreed to work on a formula for distribution of Zakat by the provinces and to expedite work on compensation to the people affected by the devastating floods of last summer.The CCI, which met with Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in the chair,also sought proposals from the Ministry of Water and Power to coordinate with the provinces, regarding permission for power generation, and directed to submit its proposals within a week.The CCI meeting was attended by Chief Minister of Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Amir Haider Khan Hoti and Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raeesani.
The high-powered body in its meeting held here at the PM Secretariat decided that the distribution of Zakat be solely handled by the provinces following the devolution and after the implementation of the 18th Constitutional Amendment.
The four chief ministers decided to work out a consensus formula for the disbursement of the Zakat fund.
The Council of Common Interests, set up with the objective to resolve issues between the provinces and the federal government also decided to expedite the compensation to the people affected by the devastating floods of last year. The chief ministers were urged to provide details of each household victim within two weeks so that the federal government may release necessary funds.
The CCI also approved the proposal of submitting the Special Economic Zone Act 2011 to the Parliament, so as to expedite setting up of such new zones, to help attract more investment, increase employment opportunities and provide a competitive environment for doing business.
The meeting decided that the Finance Ministry would hold meetings with the provincial finance departments and finalize proposals on Public Debt Management Policy for submission to the National Economic Council. The CCI was informed that it would be briefed on debt management at a later stage at an exclusive meeting.
The meeting decided to include the chief secretaries of the provinces while undertaking privatization of the power sector.