Cultural and literature activities should be promoted in Pakistan: Bakhtawari

Islamabad, March 16, 2013 (PPI-OT): Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) organized a meeting for in honour of Ms.Nasira Zubairi to paying her tribute for launching another book tilted, “Kaanch Ka Chiragh” in which she discusses life with all its beliefs, different phases and colors, its beauty and the tragedies it produces.

Mr.Zafar Bakhtawari, President ICCI praised Ms.Nasira as a really sensitive and perceptive person who had the ability to capture the intensity of the vagaries of life and fate. He aid that we should play proactive role for the promotion of local culture and literature as the history of Pakistani languages and literatures was very old.

Mr.Bakhtawari said that we can promote national solidarity by promoting our culture and literature as literature brings people together. He said that our poets should also have full awareness about the different challenges faced by people of the country so that they could portray their problems in a better way.

ICCI President said that harmony and tolerance in the society could also be promoted through literature. He said that Government should also formulate strong policy frameworks to enable an environment where cultural and literature activities become a regular part of our social landscape.

Speaking on the occasion, Ms.Nasira Zubairi said that her book is a reflection of a highly sensitive mind and a really tender heart and her novel is a reflection of her experiences of life preserved in a very poignant manner.

She said that she has highlighted the emotions of a normal being by reflecting the bright and dark sides of life in her book. She said that she just did not believe that men and women were competitors but thought that they were two complements of a whole.
Speakers at the event termed Nasira Zubairi as an instrumental and prominent poet of the current era and said that Nasira has demonstrated the relevance of the Ghazal in the modern day.

For more information, contact:
Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chamber House, Aiwan-e-Sanat-o-Tijarat Road,
Mauve Area, G-8/1,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 225 0526 and 225 3145
Fax: +9251 225 2950
Email: icci@brain.net.pk
Website: www.icci.com.pk

General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visits Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicines

Rawalpindi, March 16, 2013 (PPI-OT): Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicines (AFIRM) Rawalpindi and inaugurated the 3rd Annual Sports Day organized for our officers and soldiers wounded in operations, at a specially designed sports centre here within the institution. Amidst moving scenes during the conduct of various sports events for these war wounded heroes he appreciated their courage and determination which has helped them integrate in the society as useful citizens once again. There can’t be a sacrifice for the motherland more than losing one’s life or precious limbs.

During his visit to AFIRM, COAS also appreciated the standard of facilities and care extended to the inmates by a team of dedicated doctors and paramedical staff of AFIRM and praised their efforts in helping all military personnel wounded in various operations rehabilitate. With concerted efforts at the Army level, AFIRM has transformed into a premier rehabilitative medicine institute with all sub specialties available under one roof.

Earlier, on arrival, COAS was received by Lieutenant General Azhar Rashid, Surgeon General and Major General Akhtar Waheed, Commandant AFIRM.

For more information, contact:
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR)
Hilal Road, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Tel: +9251 927 1605
Fax: +9251 927 1601
Email: ispr@ispr.gov.pk

National Assembly stands dissolve on expiration of its term of five years on 16th March, 2013

Islamabad, March 16, 2013 (PPI-OT): In pursuance of Article 52 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the National Assembly stands dissolved on the expiration of its term of five years on the 16th day of March, 2013, says a notification issued by Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs here today.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +9251 925 2323 and +9251 925 2324
Fax: +9251 925 2325 and +9251 925 2326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

President felicitates Xi Jinping on his election as President of China

Islamabad, March 16, 2013 (PPI-OT): President Asif Ali Zardari telephoned President Xi Jinping, Saturday afternoon and felicitated him on his formal election as President by the National People’s Congress.

While felicitating President Xi Jingping on his election to the high office, the President also expressed the hope that the time tested Pak- China relations will grow from strength to strength during the presidency of Xi Jinping and that the drive for passing on this relationship to the new generations will gain further momentum.

Spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar said that bilateral relations and regional situation also came up during the telephonic conversation.

Expressing satisfaction over the recent transfer of operation and maintenance of Gawadar Port to China President Zardari expressed the hope that the project would not only open up new opportunities for the peoples of the two countries particularly for the people of Balochistan, but also open a new chapter in regional connectivity and trade. He said that Pakistan was eager to promote regional connectivity and trade for the socio-economic benefit of the people and for finding regional solutions t regional issues.

The President said that China is a source of inspiration for Pakistan and the people of Pakistan rejoiced in China’s remarkable progress and were proud of their friendship with China.

The President also invited President Xi Jinping to visit Pakistan on the date of his convenience.

President Xi Jinping thanked the President for his call and felicitation and expressed the hope that Pak-China friendship and multi-faceted mutual cooperation would further strengthen in the times to come. He also extended invitation to President Zardari to visit China.

President Asif Ali Zardari said that he had visited China nine times since he assumed the office of President and that he looked forward to visit the country yet again on dates to be worked out by the foreign offices of the two countries, the Spokesperson said.

Spokesperson said that President Zardari is the first Head of State to telephone President Xi Jinping to felicitate him on his elections as the President of the People’s Republic of China.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +9251 925 2323 and +9251 925 2324
Fax: +9251 925 2325 and +9251 925 2326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

Elections on the same day, resolve prime minister and Chief Ministers

Islamabad, March 16, 2013 (PPI-OT): Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Amir Haider Khan Hoti, Governor Balochistan, Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi and Chief Minister Balochistan, Nawab Muhammad Aslam Raisani met Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at the PM’s House this afternoon and discussed matters relating to forthcoming general elections in the country.

As proposed by the Prime Minister, the Chief Ministers agreed in principle that the elections of national and provincial assemblies will be held in the country on the same day for logistical, administrative and financial reasons, which would also promote political harmony in the country.

The meeting was held in a cordial environment.

The meeting expressed the confidence that all matters relating to the appointments of caretaker set-ups at the Federal and Provincial levels would be resolved amicably.

The Prime Minister said that the gathering today was a good omen for promoting democratic values in the country and expressed the confidence that all issues relating to appointment of caretaker set-ups would be resolved amicably.

The Chief Ministers congratulated the Prime Minister on the completion of constitutional tenure. The Prime Minister reciprocated the gesture and commended them on completion of tenures by all the provincial assemblies.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +9251 925 2323 and +9251 925 2324
Fax: +9251 925 2325 and +9251 925 2326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

National Bank of Pakistan receive award Middle East Renewable Deal of the Year 2012

Karachi, March 16, 2013 (PPI-OT): National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) received an award “Middle East Renewable Deal of the Year 2012” from Project Finance Magazine (a publication of Euromoney PLC) for its role in Pakistan’s first first ever 100% Islamic Finance Renewable Power Projects: namely Foundation Wind Energy 1 and 2. Upon completion, the projects will contribute 100MW of electricity to Pakistan’s power grid.

The transactions are valued at approximately US$250 million and are sponsored by the Fauji Foundation, Fauji Fertilizer Bin Qasim, Tapal Group and Islamic Infrastructure Fund (operated by CapAsia Private Equity (Malaysia)).

In addition to the equity contribution of the sponsors, the financing is being provided by a foreign group of multilateral development banks (Asian Development Bank and Islamic Development Bank) lending to the Projects under a USD denominated Ijara facilities in addition to Rupee denominated syndicated Musharaka facilities. By virtue of combination of local and foreign sponsors and lenders, these projects have attracted a total of US$ 152 million in the form of equity investment and long term foreign Islamic financing.

In addition to the role of Lead Arranger, NBP is also acting as the Inter-creditor Agent, Project Accounts Bank, and Project Monitoring Bank for the transactions.

The transactions have received the award on the basis of innovation, best practice, problem solving, risk mitigation, value for money and speed of delivery in the financing of infrastructure projects, large or small.

The transactions have already been awarded “Pakistan Deal of the Year” and nominated as “Global Deal of the Year” by Islamic Finance Magazine (a publication of the Red Money Group).

For more information, contact:
Ali Ahmed Zaib
National Bank of Pakistan
Marketing PR and Media Department
Head Office, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi.
Tel: 021-99213113
Fax: 021-99212734
Cell: 0300-2015052

Ebad, Talib Johri discuss Abbas Town blast affectees’ rehabilitation

Karachi, March 16, 2013 (PPI-OT): Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan has said with the cooperation of Ulema religious harmony will be further strengthened across the province. Talking to Allama Talib Johri, who called on him at the Governor’s House here on Thursday, he appreciated the efforts of Ulema in promoting religious harmony.

They discussed measures regarding rehabilitation of the affected people of Abbas Town tragedy and the arrest of culprits of the terrorist incident.

Allama Talib Johri lauded the role of the Sindh Governor for promoting religious harmony in the province and making efforts for improving law and order situation.

He thanked Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan for his services to the victims of the Abbas Town incident.

They agreed that there was no sectarian tension in the province and all the people are living with harmony.

Allama Talib Johri expressed the hope that the Sindh Governor will continue his efforts for peace and harmony. He said the Governor will have the support of the Ulema and the public in these efforts.

Meanwhile, he appreciated the efforts of police and Rangers for eradication of the gangs of criminals and terrorists. He said these steps have strengthened the confidence of the public on law enforcement agencies.

For more information, contact:
Sindh Governor House
Syed Wajahat Ali
Press Secretary to Governor
Tel: 99201217, 99201201-3
Email: press_secretary@governorsindh.gov.pk