ISLAMABAD (February 19 2010)

European Union (EU) has agreed to step up a dedicated dialogue to enhance bilateral trade, including through a possible free trade agreement (FTA) in the long run. This was stated by the Jan DE KOK, Ambassador Head of Delegation EU in a joint press conference with Gonzalo Maria Quintero Saravia, Ambassador of Spain to Pakistan here on Thursday.

He said that Pakistan has a great political significance for European and trade is on top of our agenda. He further said that to support Pakistan's economic development, the EU has agreed to step up a dedicated dialogue to significantly enhance the bilateral trade relationship, including through a possible free trade agreement in the long term.

He said that EU is focusing on the measures that would help enhance trade relation with Pakistan. KOK said that there was a need to follow the rules defined by the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Jan DE KOK said that the GSP plus status would be taken away from the countries that will not follow the EU Convention of Human Rights.

To a question regarding the Pakistan and India, Foreign Secretary-level talks on February 25, he said that we urged both the countries to resume the Composite dialogue process. To a question regarding the issue of attending the upcoming EU Summit by the Prime Minister of Pakistan Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani, he said that EU summit was always being attended by the head of the countries.

It is imperative that the European Union joined hands with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and allowed free access to Pakistani products to European markets, he added. Earlier addressing the media persons, the Ambassador of Spain said that his country would not leave Pakistan alone and would support it by all possible means. He said that currently the situation through which Pakistan is going through nowadays is the one Spain also faced some 40 years back.

He said that currently Spain assumed the rotating presidency of the European Union at the start of the year, promising to make the Lisbon treaty its top priority. Sharing the details he said that the treaty took effect in December, ushering in a host of changes to help the EU take decisions efficiently and play a prominent role in international affairs.

He said that the changes include revamping the six month rotating presidency to ensure close co-operation with two offices created by the treaty, the EU president and the foreign affairs chief. "As the first country to hold the presidency under the treaty, Spain has an opportunity to set the course", he added. He said presently Spain is facing a number of challenges of this economic and financial crisis is on top among others.

The Ambassador said that our priority is achieving economic recovery while promoting a model of sustainable growth, capable of creating more and better jobs, bringing European citizenship a step further in the 21st century, with particular consideration of equality between women and men. Driving Europe forward as a global actor, the defence of human rights and the eradication of poverty in the world and the effective application of the Lisbon Treaty and the corresponding political and institutional renewal.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2010

Punjab Privatisation Bill 2010 passed

JALIL HASSAN AKHTAR
LAHORE (February 19 2010)

Punjab Assem-bly on Thursday deliberating on resumption of clause-by-clause consideration of Punjab Privatisation Board Bill 2010 passed it with two amendments. Under the bill provincial government shall establish Privatisation Board in the Province.

The Board shall consist of Chairman; Senior Member, Board of Revenue; Chairman Planning and Development Board; Member Colonies, Board of Revenue of the Government; Secretary to the Government Finance Department; Secretary to the Government Industries Department; Managing Director, Bank of Punjab; three persons from the private sector; Secretary of the Board. The Board shall recommend privatisation policy guidelines to the government.

In the House in a Call Attention Notice regarding deterioration of law & order in Gujrat, Law Minister Rana Sana Ullah assured the House of positive steps in this regard. He said CM Punjab had visited the area on murder of 15 persons. An MPA pointed that dera dari was rampant in the area in which criminals were present in abundance. He said many legislators had lost their lives due to these miscreants in the past.

During the session there was laying of Report on the observance and implementation of principles of policy for the year 2007; Laying of the Audit Report on the Accounts of the Government of the Punjab Civil Works, Communication & Works, Housing, Urban Development & Public Health Engineering, Irrigation & Power and Local Government and Community Development Departments for the Year 2006-07; Laying of the Audit Report on the Accounts of Revenue receipts Government of Punjab for the year 2006-07.

In an Adjournment Motion MPA Muhammad Mohsin Khan Laghari averred that only Rs 180 million had been released out of the total Rs five billion allocation of Southern Punjab under Annual Development Programme 2009-2010. In an another Adjournment Motion, Mohsin Laghari quoting December 4 ,2009, Indus River System Authority (Irsa) has asked Punjab to close down Thar Canal, Chashma Right Bank Canal, Muzaffar Garh and Dera Ghazi Canal. According to the news he added that Authority had already closed down Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal and substantially reduced supplies to Taunsa Panjnad Link Canal. The Chair told the mover to hear the water issue in the House on Friday (today).

In an another Adjournment Motion presented by Sheikh Allaudin, the legislator showed his dismay on the non-marriage of women in society due to various problems and demanded a respite for them by providing jobs for removing their economic burdens. He said there were 17 percent of these females in our society. In the debate on important issue many legislators demanded formation of a committee and one added that a proper bill should come for doing away with the menace of dowry.

Answering queries Minister Rana Tanvir -ul-Islam talked of measures regarding Shalamar Gardens and added that steps had already been taken in this regard. MPA Sajida Mir in a suggestion asked the Authorities to provide assistance to youngsters with sports career so that they could bring laurel to the Country. The House was later adjourned for Friday 90 am.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2010

'Muslim countries should join hands for economic development'

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE (February 19 2010)


Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that all Muslim countries should learn from their experiences and join hands for the economic development of their countries.

"If European countries can form European Union, a joint parliament and common currency for the progress and prosperity of their people then Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and other Muslim countries should also do the same," he said while addressing a reception in connection with 31st anniversary of Iranian revolution, here on Thursday.

The chief minister said that Pakistan and Iran were brotherly Islamic countries and were bound together in strong religious and cultural ties. "Iranian people have made remarkable progress in all sectors through their commitment and hard work despite difficult conditions and sanctions which is an example for other Muslim countries," he said.

Iran had always supported Pakistan in the time of need. Iran was the first country, which recognised Pakistan after its creation, however, it is lamentable that their trade relations do not reflect their close fraternal ties.

The chief minister congratulated Iranian people on behalf of Punjab government and the people of Punjab on the 31st anniversary of Iranian revolution. He said this historic event reflects the success of Iranian nation in the struggle against oppression and tyranny.

He said that Iranian women are taking an equal part with men in all sectors of life and Iran has practically proved that half of the country's population cannot be sidelined if the objective of development is to be achieved. He said that Iran has also proved that women can play an active role in the development process even while maintaining their religious traditions and social values. The chief minister also prayed for a long and eternal friendship between Pakistan and Iran.

The Iranian Ambassador in Pakistan, Mashallah Shakiri said that there were strong fraternal ties between Pakistan and Iran, which were strengthening with the passage of time. He said that people of the two countries were very close to each other. Iran had achieved remarkable successes during the last three decades despite a lot of difficulties and economic sanctions after the Iranian revolution.

Earlier, Iranian Ambassador met with the chief minister Punjab and exchanged views on co-operation in different sectors. The chief minister said that Iran and Pakistan could launch joint ventures in coal energy, dairy farming and other sectors.