United States Consul General calls on National Assembly Deputy Speaker

Karachi, February 07, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Deputy Speaker, National Assembly Murtaza Javed Abbasi has said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with USA and both the countries have similar perceptions on many regional and global issues. He said this while talking to Mr. Gabriel Escobar, US Consul General at Peshawar who called on him in Parliament House, today.

The Deputy Speaker has said that Pakistan believed that peace and stability was essential for promoting progress and prosperity in the region. He said that terrorism and extremism were biggest threats to peace and stability which could be countered by closer co-operation amongst the stakeholders. He said that poverty illiteracy and unemployment were the root cause of this menace. He stressed the need for addressing the root causes to curb this bane.

The Deputy Speaker said that Khyber Pukhtunkhwa legs behind in health and education sectors and provision of other social amenities were affected in Hazara Division due to Afghan refugees camps. He stressed the need for up-gradation of education sector especially infrastructure for girls education in Hazara Division.

He also stressed the need for including the opinions of elected representatives in developmental projects. He was of the opinion that elected representatives could identify the problems confronting to the masses in a better way.

Gabriel Escobar, Consul General agreed with the proposals of the Deputy Speaker. He apprised the Deputy Speaker that US is initiating various projects for the promotion of investment in Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa and FATA.

He said that US wanted to see a strong and prosperous Pakistan He appreciated the role of Pakistan in war against extremism and terrorism and assured the Deputy Speaker all out support of his country for economical and social uplift of Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Karamat Hussain Niazi
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Parliament House, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 922 1082 -83
Fax: +9251 922 1106

NA Speaker and Deputy Speaker Condole the death of father of Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui

Karachi, February 07, 2014 (PPI-OT): Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker and Murtaza Javed Abbasi, Deputy Speaker, National Assembly have condoled the death of father of MNA Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.

In their separate condolence messages to Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker expressed their deep sense of grief and sorrow over the passing away of his father. They prayed to Almighty Allah to shower his blessing on the departed soul and grant fortitude to him and other members of the family to bear the irreparable loss.

For more information, contact:
Karamat Hussain Niazi
Secretary
National Assembly of Pakistan
Parliament House, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 922 1082 -83
Fax: +9251 922 1106

Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan takes action against non-compliant companies

Karachi, February 07, 2014 (PPI-OT): The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has stepped up its enforcement efforts against lapses in accounting an d financial reporting, while taking action against irregularities.

In the month of January, the Insurance Division of the SECP issued six show cause notices and passed three orders against insurance companies for failing to comply with the 1984 Companies Ordinance and 2000 Insurance Ordinance. Three warning letters were also issued to the CEOs and directors of various insurance/takaful companies.

During January, the Insurance Division renewed licenses/certificates of 14 surveying companies and 40 authorised surveying officers. Moreover, during the period, 10 complaints filed by the general public against the insurance companies were handled by the office, mostly resolved to the satisfaction of the complainants.

Muhammad Asif Arif, the SECP Insurance Commissioner, has said that the punitive actions are designed to highlight the SECP’s enforcement regime is robust and creative, and that it continues to focus on financial statement and accounting irregularities.

Tickers:

1. In the month of January, the Insurance Division of the SECP issued six show cause notices and passed three orders.

2. Muhammad Asif Arif, the SECP Insurance Commissioner, has said that the punitive actions are designed to highlight the SECP’s enforcement regime is robust and creative, and that it continues to focus on financial statement and accounting irregularities.
3. During January, the Insurance Division renewed licenses/certificates of 14 surveying companies and 40 authorized surveying officers.

For more information, contact:
Shakil Ahmad Chaudhary
Head, Internal and External Communication
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP)
NIC Building, 63 Jinnah Avenue, Islamabad
Tel: +9251 921 4005 or 921 4009 (Ext. 378)
Fax: +9251 920 6459
Cell: +92302 855 2254
E-mail: shakil.chaudhary@secp.gov.pk

Chinese Ambassador presents gift for Sahibzada Yaqub Khan Block, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Islamabad, February 07, 2014 (PPI-OT): In a simple and dignified ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Sun Weidong presented a tapestry of the Great Wall of China for the Sahibzada Yaqub Khan Block of the Foreign Office on 06 February. It was received by the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry in the presence of senior officers of the Ministry.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chinese Ambassador said that, this gift symbolizes the long-standing and time-tested friendship between Pakistan and China. SAPM Syed Tariq Fatemi and Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry thanked the Chinese Ambassador for the precious gift.

For more information, contact:
Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Ch
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: 051-9205494
Fax: 051-9204202
Cell: 0336-5644459

3rd Round of Pakistan-United Kingdom bilateral consultations on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament held

Islamabad, February 07, 2014 (PPI-OT): The third round of Pakistan-UK Bilateral Consultations on Arms Control, Non-Proliferation and Disarmament was held in Islamabad on 7 February 2014. The Pakistani side was led by Ms. Tasnim Aslam, Additional Secretary (United Nations and Economic Co-operation) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office delegation was led by Ms. Sarah MacIntosh, Director for Defence and International Security. The talks were held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere. The two sides reviewed developments in the areas of international arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament.

The delegations also discussed issues related to the maintenance of regional and strategic stability, as well as relevant areas of cooperation in the bilateral domain and multilateral fora. The two sides found the talks useful and agreed to hold the fourth meeting in London on a mutually convenient date.

For more information, contact:
Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Ch
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: 051-9205494
Fax: 051-9204202
Cell: 0336-5644459

Zakir Khan appointed Manager of Pakistan team for Asia Cup 2014

Lahore, February 07, 2014 (PPI-OT): Mr. Zakir Khan, Director Cricket Operations International PCB has been appointed Manager of Pakistan Team for the upcoming ACC Asia Cup 2014 and ICC World Twenty-20 to be played in Bangladesh.

For more information, contact:
Nadeem Sarwar
Media Manager
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)
Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore 54600, Pakistan
Tel: +9242 571 7231 -4
Fax: +9242 571 1860

Appointment of District Specialist Radiology (BS-18)

Peshawar, February 07, 2014 (PPI-OT): The competent authority on the recommendations of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Public Service Commission has ordered the appointment of Dr. Hamid Ullah S/O Muhammad Subhan (presently serving as Medical Officer in Khalifa aGul Nawaz Teaching Hospital Bannu) as District Specialist Radiology (BS-18) at Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital Bannu on regular basis with immediate effect. He will be on probation for a period of one year extendable for another one year.

For more information, contact:
Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Tel: 091 921 1789
Email: info@khyberpakhtunkhwa.gov.pk