Finance Minister chairs meeting to resolve issues faced by Employees Old Age Benefit Institution

Islamabad, January 01, 2015 (PPI-OT): The committee formed by the Prime Minister to resolve issues faced by the EOBI (Employees Old Age Benefit Institution), after deliberations here on Thursday agreed on formation of a Task Force for administrative and financial restructuring of the institution.

Headed by Finance Minister, Ishaq Dar, the committee was given a detailed briefing by Chairman EOBI who presented a review of the funds disbursed to pensioners in various areas across the country. He highlighted the issues faced by the institution.

Topped by dearth of financial resources and complications arising in the post-18thamendment scenario. The Chairman emphasized that the institution needed special financial grant from the federal government to meet its obligations.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said due to scarcity of funds it was difficult for the federal government to allow any budgetary allocation to EOBI. He emphasized that EOBI should focus on generating funds from its own resources.

He said the committee would consider various options to help out EOBI. The committee would also evaluate the status of EOBI in the light of devolution process initiated after the 18thamendment.

The Minister said that mismanagement in the past had badly affected performance of the EOBI and hectic efforts were now required to reform it into an effective public welfare oriented organization.

The committee after thorough discussion on the issues faced by EOBI decided to form a Task Force, headed by Deputy Governor, State Bank of Pakistan that would put forth suggestions before the committee in due course for administrative and financial revamping of this institution.

EOBI Act, it may be mentioned was enforced with effect from April 01, 1976, to achieve the objective of Article 38 © of the Constitution, by providing for compulsory social insurance. It extends benefits to insured persons or their survivors in terms of Old-Age Pension, Survivor’s Pension, Invalidity Pension and Old-Age Grant.

The meeting was attended by Khawaja Zaheer Ahmed, Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Mr. Salman Aslam Butt, Attorney General of Pakistan, Dr. Waqar Masood, Finance Secretary, Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and HRD, Rana Asad Amin, Advisor, Finance Division, Mr. Saeed Ahmed, Dy. Governor, State Bank of Pakistan, Mr. Sualeh Farouqui, Chairman, EOBI and other senior officials.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323 and +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325 and +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

Minister of State Usman Ibrahim chairs meeting regarding shifting of evening classes to morning classes

Islamabad, January 01, 2015 (PPI-OT): Minister of State for CA and DD, Barrister Usman Ibrahim chaired a meeting regarding shifting of evening classes to morning classes.

Barrister Usman Ibrahim, directed that the colleges which are witnessing a problem of capacity and additional blocks are needed; for construction of additional blocks, PC-I should be prepared and presented for seeking the approval. Minister of State also advised that the students of evening classes should immediately shift to morning classes in those colleges which are having extra capacity.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323 and +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325 and +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

Exchange of list of prisoners between Pakistan and India on 01 January 2015

Islamabad, January 01, 2015 (PPI-OT): According to the Agreement on Consular Access signed between Pakistan and India on 21 May 2008, both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July, respectively.

Consistent with the provisions of this Agreement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over a list of 526 Indian prisoners (50 civil + 476 fishermen) in Pakistan to the High Commission of India in Islamabad today. A similar list of Pakistani prisoners lodged in Indian jails was also handed over to the High Commission for Pakistan in New Delhi.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323 and +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325 and +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

Government committed to implement its manifesto and a big part of it pertains to development in Science and Technology: Minister

Islamabad, January 01, 2015 (PPI-OT): Federal Secretary for Science and Technology Mr.Kamran Ali Qureshi gave a detailed presentation to the Federal Minister for Science and Technology regarding the Ministry and its Organizations.

The meeting was attended by, Dr. Junaid Zaidi, Rector COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Dr. Mudassar Israr, Chairperson Pakistan council for Science and Technology and heads of various Research and Developments Organizations of the Ministry.

The minister was briefed about the various achievements made by the Ministry and its organizations during the last one year, for example action against Sub Standard Manufacturers/Products taken by PSQCA.

Submission of Pakistan Case to UN Sub commission on the Limits of Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) as a result territory behind 200 nautical miles, of more than 50’000 square kilometers is expected to be secured for exclusive resource exploitation purposes and the selection of the heads of the organizations of the ministry purely on merit base.

It was informed that the ministry facing budgetary constraints which need to be redressed on propriety bass so that the R and D environment in the country gets momentum.

Speaking on the occasion the Minister said that this was the era of economic warfare and research and development plays a pivotal role in the national development and economic growth of a country.” The present government is committed to implement its manifesto and in this connection a big part of its manifesto is pertained to the development in Science and Technology “he added.

The minister said that research and development must be market base oriented so that its impact factor paved the way for the progress and prosperity of the society.

The Minister assured full support on behalf of the government for the solution of problems facing the ministry and its organizations and said that he would visit all the organizations and take a detailed presentation from each of them.

For more information, contact:
Haji Ahmed Malik
Principal Information Officer
Press Information Department (PID)
Tel: +92-51-9252323 and +92-51-9252324
Fax: +92-51-9252325 and +92-51-9252326
Email: piopid@gmail.com

JKLF remembers Professor Abdul Ahad Wani

Srinagar, January 01, 2015 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) held a meeting to remember noted Kashmiri intellectual, Professor Abdul Ahad Wani, on his martyrdom anniversary. The JKLF Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik addressing the meeting said that Professor Abdul Ahad Wani was a versatile personality who achieved a high place in the history of Kashmir through his exemplary wisdom and unparallel sacrifices. People like him add to the glory of nations and Shaheed Professor Wani was also a glory for Kashmir, he added.

“Whenever history of Kashmir will be written, Shaheed professor Wani’s name will be remembered with great honour and dignity,” Muhammad Yasin Malik maintained. He said that the best way to remember the sacrifices of the Kashmiri martyrs and best tributes to them was to keep striving for sacred cause for which they laid down their lives.

The meeting was attended by other JKLF leaders and activists.

Professor Abdul Ahad Wani was abducted and later killed by unknown persons in Srinagar on December 31, 1993.

For more information, contact:
Kashmir Media Service
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Phone: 92-51-4435548, 4435549
Fax: 92-51-4861736

Government of Sindh re-fixes fares of public transport of inter city routes

Karachi, January 01, 2015 (PPI-OT): The Government of Sindh has re-fixed the fares of the Public Transport of Inter City Routes of all distance with immediate effect.

According to notification issued by the Transport, the existing fare of Air-Conditioned coach which is Rs.1.40 per KMs, has been revised to Rs.1.28 per KMs; Hiace Vans existing fare Rs.1.40 per KMs revised and re-fixed as Rs.1.28 per KMs; Non-Air-conditioned Coaches / Buses existing fare 82 Paisas per KMs revised to 75 Paisas per KMs and Non-Air-conditioned Buses/Coaches /Hiace Vans existing fare 82 Paisas per KMs has been revised and re-fixed as 75 Paisas per KMs.

For more information, contact:
The Information Department
Block-95 Sindh Secretariat 4-B,
Opposite Sindh Assembly Building Karachi
Email: sindhpressinformation@gmail.com, director_pi@sindhinformation.gos.pk
Phone: +92-021-99204401, +92-021-99204423
Fax: +92-021-99202609, +92-021-99204417
Website: sindhinformation.gos.pk

Karachi Stock Exchange Closing Rate of Forestry (Paper and Board) Dated 01-01-2015

Karachi, January 01, 2015 (PPI-OT):


Company Name Turnover Prv.Rate Open Rate Highest Lowest Last Rate Diff.
Forestry (Paper and Board)
CEPB Century Paper 100500 54.21 54.50 55.45 54.01 54.75 0.54
PPP Pak Paper Prod 11000 78.50 77.00 80.90 77.00 80.08 1.58

For more information, contact:
S. Munawar Ali
Senior Manager
Public Relations
Karachi Stock Exchange
Tel: (92-21) 111-001122
Fax: (92-21) 3241 0825, (92-21) 3241 5136
Email: info@kse.com.pk
Web: www.kse.com.pk