US Chargé D'Affaires Ambassador summoned by the Foreign Office

 US Government should immediately take measures to remove the sacrilegious video from YouTube and take action against its author.



 The US Chargé D'Affaires Ambassador Richard Hoagland was summoned today by Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a strong protest was lodged with him over the blasphemous video posted on the YouTube attacking the personage of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He was told that this was an attack on 1.5 billion Muslims and a premeditated and a malicious act to spread hatred and violence among people of different faiths.

He was further conveyed that the US Government should immediately take measures to remove the sacrilegious video from YouTube and take action against its author.

He was reminded that all faiths need to promote inter-religious harmony and tolerance. The intentional spread of hatred among faiths is an attack on humanity itself.

Ambassador Hoagland reiterated his Government position as well that of the US leadership that they strongly condemned the video. The video was disgusting and was act of one aberrant individual. He further stated that vast majority of American people have also condemned it.

PM award cheque one million to Mr Shafeh Thubani World’s Youngest Microsoft Certified

MEMBERS OF YOUTH PARLIAMENT

BRITAIN SHOULD GET THE KASHMIR ISSUE RESOLVED. parliamentary Kashmir Committee

Chairman Kashmir Committee of the Parliament Maulana Fazl ur Rahman has said that Member of British Parliament Galloway had played an important role for the Kashmir issue in the past. Now his decision to enter the Indian Occupied Kashmir with relief goods for the Kashmiris is a welcome move. Other Members of British Parliament as well as other politicians and notables of Britain should also support and accompany Galloway in this noble journey. Besides, they should also undertake other measures to highlight the Kashmir issue as well as to resolve it.

Maulana Fazl ur Rahman observed that it was the responsibility of Britain’s to get the Kashmir issue resolved, because its their legacy. Before leaving Hindustan, Britain should have got this issue resolved. Moreover, the Britishers, like Lord Mountbatten and Radcliff were also responsible for creating this dispute, which is not a matter of honour or pride for the Britain. Because of the mistakes of the Britishers, the Kashmiris are living as slaves of India. Since 1947 more than five hundred thousand Kashmiris have lost their lives, hundreds of thousands of Kashmiris have suffered torture, imprisonment and other miseries. Thousands of Kashmiris women have been dishonoured. Responsibility of all these travails of Kashmiris devolves upon the British nation. Therefore, she should endeavour to get the Kashmir issue resolved to make amends for the faults of its nationals, like Mountbatten.

Chairman Kashmir Committee said that the Kashmir Group of the British Parliament should also accelerate its efforts for the resolution of the Kashmir issue. Similarly, other British leaders as well as public should also come forward for liberation of the Kashmiri nation.

 GOOD NEWS

PRIME MINISTER’S HOUSE

PRIME MINISTER DIRECTS TO BLOCK YOU TUBE SERVICES

Islamabad 17th September, 2012

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has taken cognizance of blasphemous
film available on You tube and has issued strict instructions to
Ministry of Information Technology to block the services of You tube
with immediate effect.

The direction has been given after You Tube refused to heed to the
advice of the government of Pakistan to remove blasphemous film from
its site.

The Prime Minister said that blasphemous material would not be
tolerated and the services of You tube would remain suspended till
removal of blasphemous material.

USAID ,,ACTIVITY

COUNTRYWIDE PROTESTS HELD AGAINST BLASPHEMOUS FILM

DEMONSTRATION IN ISLAMABAD

Islamabad: Former American Senator Mike Gravel, DR. Afia Siddiqui’s counsel Tina Monshipour Foster and Dr. Afia’s sister Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui meetings with PML-N Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra ,Acting Chairman Senate Baloch,Senator Dar, Deputy Speaker national assembly

Former American Senator Mike Gravel calls on PML-N Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra

ISLAMABAD
Former American Senator Mike Gravel, DR. Afia Siddiqui’s counsel Tina Monshipour Foster and Dr. Afia’s sister Dr. Fouzia Siddiqui met Iqbal Zafar Jhagra Secretary General PML-N and exchanged views for release of Dr. Afia.
Iqbal Zafar Jhagra expressed their party’s concern and sympathies for Dr. Afia and explained the popular support of the Pakistani nation for the release of Dr. Afia who has already undergone unprecedented misery during her detention in the U.S
Jhagra asked Senator Mike Gravel to convey the sentiment of Pakistani nationals for Dr. Afia release and the Godwill that will be felt by every Pakistani for such act by the United States. Jhagra reiterated that the release of Dr. Afia will go a long way in restoration of friendly relationship and creation of congenial atmosphere between the two countries which has suffered a great set back in the past decade. Mike Gravel and Dr. Afia’s counsel believed that her extradition and detention in U.S was illegal and believed that the Government of Pakistan can play a vital role in getting realese for Dr. Afia.

Iranian Ambassador called on the PMLN Quaid Muhammad Nawaz Sharif

ISLAMABAD
PMLN President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has emphasized the importance of strengthening the cordial and cooperative ties between Iran and Pakistan, especially in the economic and energy sectors. The former Prime Minister made these remarks during the courtesy Call on him by Iran's Ambassador to Pakistan, Mr. Ali Reza Haghighian in Islamabad, on Wednesday, 12' September 2012.

During the course of their warm and cordial exchanges, Mr. Nawaz Sharif spoke of his visits to Tehran and his deep abiding friendship with the Iranian leaders. He added that he viewed Iran as an important neighbor of Pakistan with which Pakistan has many historic linkages. In this context, he also lauded the successful holding of non-aligned Movement Summit in Tehran last month, which had added to the Movement's influence and credibility.

Te Iranian Ambassador thanked Mr.Nawaz Sharif for his expression of support for strengthening relations between the two countries and recalled many initiatives taken by him to achieve these objectives. He also pointed out that the Iranian province of Khurramshehar and Punjab had "sister city" relationship and therefore the focus of efforts to strengthen economic and commercial relationship between them.

President signs The Special Economic Zones Bill, 2012 into law‏

Islamabad, 10 September 2012;



President Asif Ali Zardari today accorded his assent to The Special Economic Zones Bill, 2012 during a special signing ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr today thus putting in place a legal and regulatory framework for creation, development and efficient operation of SEZs in the country and to encourage domestic and international investors for promotion and establishment of industrial infrastructure.



The ceremony was attended by Federal Ministers, parliamentarians, dignitaries, senior officials and others.



Giving details of the Bill signed today, Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said SEZ Bill 2012 originated in the Senate and was passed by it on 8th March, 2012. National Assembly also passed the Bill on 13th July, 2012, without any amendment.



He said that addressing the gathering on the occasion the President said that one of the major reasons for economic backwardness has been the frequent reversal of economic and investment policies with the change of the governments for political reasons. He said that this is for the first time that the President gave assent to a consensus law to ensure continuity of economic and investment policy and it would no longer be possible to change the policy without changing the law.



In his address, the President congratulated Chairman Board of Investment and his team on this landmark achievement and said that he was pleased to learn that the new law was based on consensus and has the support of economic ministries, the private sector and all stake holders.



The President said that we believe in consensus and taking along all stake holders. The SEZ Bill, he continued, is an example of this policy.



He said that the law will help in reducing the cost of doing business and will increase exports, create jobs and enhance the rate of return to investors.



The President said that under the new law all capital goods, machinery and equipment will get one time exemption from the customs duties and the entrepreneurs will be exempted from Income Tax for ten years.



He said that this law lays the basis of industrial development in the country as the incentives granted to investors will be protected by Law. He said that it will enhance the investor’s confidence and will ensure continuity of economic policies.



The President also said that such laws have played a major role in the economic development of China, India, Thailand and other regional countries.



On this occasion, the President lauded the vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and her economic policies. He said that Shaheed Benazir established Board of Investment at a time when there were tremendous opportunities for the country to attract foreign investments. The President said that imprudent reversal of her policies resulted for the country to miss important economic and investment opportunities. He reiterated his call for ensuring continuity of the economic policies so the economic progress goes unhampered.  



The President said that Pakistan has great economic potential. He said that we have a strategic location, rich mineral resources, and skilled manpower. We must utilize these assets for the economic development of the country, the President emphasized. He also urged BOI to ensure the speedy implementation of the SEZ Act.



Earlier, Mr. Saleem H. Manviwala also spoke on the occasion and highlighted various features of the Bill.



In his remarks, Chairman BOI said that SEZ Bill has undergone thorough consultative process with Economic Ministries, Private Sector and has the unanimous support of all federating units of Pakistan. He said that BOI has worked very hard over a period of 3 years to achieve this convergence.



The Chairman said that the approval of SEZ Bill was another achievement of the present democratic government. The law, he said, will provide the basis for industrial development in the country in a big way.



He said that this law has been made to meet the global challenges of competitiveness to attract FDI. It will allow creation of industrial cluster with liberal incentives to enhance productivity and reduce cost of doing business. He said that the incentives granted to investors under this Act are protected by law which will go a long way to enhance the investor’s confidence in our economic policies.



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9/11 Statement: Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Ex- Member Senate of Pakistan

PROF KHURSHID AHMAD
Chairman, Institute of Policy Studies
Ex- Member Senate of Pakistan
Islamabad (September 10, 2012): Naib Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan and former Senator

Prof. Khurshid Ahmad has issued the following Statement:

September 11 this year represents the 11th anniversary of the tragic and dastardly
attack on World Trade Centre and Pentagon as well as the equally, if not more tragic and
dastardly, response to that heinous act by the US leadership and other Governments that
collaborated with the US. In the year 2001 the humanity entered the new millennium with
high hopes but 9/11 turned the course of history towards mutual destruction and undoing
of much that had been achieved during the last two millenniums. The acts of terrorism
beginning on 9/11 were given a new direction by the US response to unleash a global war
by resorting to unprecedented brinkmanship attacking other nations and demonising the
faith and community of Islam.

The entire world is in the grip of the longest war in human history and there seems no end
to it unless the leadership and the people of the world are prepared to revisit the ideas
and strategies that have thrown humanity into this disastrous predicament. World has to
face the challenging questions that have been totally cast aside to cover up the crimes
that are being perpetrated by the vicious and the powerful. In human terms, according to
conservative estimates over half a million people have been killed after 9/11, as many if
not more have been injured and rendered incapable of enjoying the opportunities of life,
thousands have become mentally deranged, a large number even committed suicide
including those engaged in this war or its veterans. The number of those who have been
made homeless described either as refugees or internally displaced persons exceed 10
million. Reasonable estimates about the 11 year war are more than five trillion dollars and
it cannot be ignored that the economic and financial crisis that the world is in has also,
among others, been caused by this war on terror.

It is also time to make an honest balance sheet of what has been achieved and what
has been lost. The world today is awash with individual, group and state terrorism.
The concepts and processes of the rule of law including the respect and obedience of
international law and conventions is in utter disarray. Apprehensions about the clash of

civilizations have become a menacing reality and there seems to be no end to it.

Islam as a faith and Muslim Ummah and states are the worst sufferers. Muslims around
the world have been demonised, discriminated and dishonoured and the leadership of the
Muslim Ummah and all those concerned about human rights, peace and global security
are constantly ignoring the questions posed by the discrimination meted out to Muslims
today. Serious questions have been raised about, not only the failure of the leadership to
address the real issues but also their role through acts of commission or omission which
have resulted in the promotion of terrorism, insecurity, lawlessness and intellectual and
political bewilderment.

This 11th anniversary would also pass, like earlier ones if we do not revisit
situation reflecting on what has been achieved and what has been lost and
gained and who are on the suffering end? It is tragic that there is not enough
causes and strategies to remove causes and all the energies are being wasted
war on an idea and chasing illusions and shadows.

It should also be reminded that contrary to accusations and perceptions about Muslim
religious leadership, 46 top leaders of the Islamic Movements were the first to condemn
unequivocally the 9/11 attacks and declared them as "crime against humanity" but they
had also made it very clear that the way America is responding is bound to aggravate the
situation and this is what has happened.

I only hope and pray wiser sense will prevail and this disastrous war would be brought
to an end, opening up new vistas for peace, security and mutually supportive living
conditions for the poor and the afflicted of the world. Pakistan should be the first country to
disassociate itself from this war and to make a beginning towards pursuing a path which
would lead to a political solution to a problem which can never be resolved by resorting to
war or violence.

PM to visit China from 10-13, September 2012 to attend WEF

Islamabad: September 9, 2012

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf will pay an official visit to the People’s Republic of China at the invitation of the Chinese government from 10 – 13 September 2012 to attend the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Annual Meeting of New Champions 2012 at Tianjin, China. Finance Minister, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh will accompany the Prime Minister during the visit.

The Prime Minister, on the sideline of WEF, will hold bilateral meeting with His Excellency Wen Jiabao, the Prime Minister of China.

The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet with other head of the governments invited to the forum.

The Prime Minister will also interact with CEOs of prominent Chinese companies and business leaders besides interaction with the Chinese media during the visit.

The Prime Minister will lead discussion during the “Business Interaction Group on Pakistan”. The session will be moderated by WEF Head of Asia as approximately fifty (50) corporate leaders are expected to attend the session.

The Prime Minister will also be discussion leader during the informal gathering of World Economic Leaders.
_______________________

RAIN IN ISLAMABAD=AFTER RAIN ,BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN=8/9/2012

9/9/2012

CONSTITUTION PETITION NO.77 OF 2010 (Balochistan Law & Order Case) order dated 08.09.2012.‏

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF PAKISTAN
(Original Jurisdiction)

Present:
Mr. Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, CJ.
Mr. Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja
Mr. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain



CONSTITUTION  PETITION NO.77 OF 2010
(President Balochistan High Court Bar Association
vs.
Federation of Pakistan, etc.
AND
H.R.C. NO.13124-P/2011
(Application by Altaf Hassan Qureshi)
AND
H.R.C. No. 40403-P/2011
(Application by Syed MajeedZaidi)
AND
H.R.C. No. 40220-G/2011
(News clipping)
AND
H. R. C. No. 43103-B/2011
(Application by Haji Abdul Qayyum)
AND
H.R.C. 27045-K & 27619-G/12
(Abduction of Dr. Ghulam Rasool)
AND
C.M.A. No. 42-43 OF 2012.
(Enquiry report of Kharootabad Incident)
AND
C.M.A. NO.178-Q OF 2012
(Appeal for missing persons cases of Balochistan)
AND
C.M.A. NO. 219-Q OF 2012.
(Application by Maj. (R) Nadir Ali)
AND
C.M.A. NO. 431-Q OF 2012.
(Target Killing of Mr. Zulfiqar Naqvi, ASJ)
AND
CONSTITUTION PETITION NO.107 OF 2012
Nawabzada Talal Akbar Bugti
VS.
Federation of Pakistan, etc

For the petitioner(s) Mr. Kamran Murtaza, ASC
Malik Zahoor Shahwani, Advocate/
President Balochistan High Court Bar.
Mr. Sajid Tareen, Advocate/Vice President
Mr. Hadi Shakeel Ahmed, ASC (in Const.P#107 of 2012)

For the Applicants/ : Mr. Salahuddin Mengal, ASC (in CMA 253-Q/12)
(complainants) Mr. Nasrullah Baloch, (In CMA 178-Q/12)
Maj. Nadir (in CMA 219-Q/12)
Amicus Curiae: Mr. M. Zafar, Sr.ASC

For Fed. of Pakistan: Malik Sikandar Khan, DAG


For M/o Defence: Mr. Asif Yasin Malik, Secretary
Mr. M. Irfan, Wing Commander/Director (L)

For Govt. of Balochistan: Mr. Amanulah Kanrani, A.G.
Mr. Babar Yaqool Fateh Muhammad, Chief Secy.
Mr. Naseebullah Bazaie, Home Secretary
Mr. Tarik Umer Khattab, IGP
Mr. Kambar Dashti, Commissioner Quetta
Mr. Hussain Karar Kh. Addl. IGP
Mir Zubair Mehmood, CCPO, Quetta.
Mr. Hamid Shakeel, DIG (Investigation)
Mr. Saleem Lehri, DIG/CID

For IG FC: Raja Muhammad Irshad, Sr. ASC
Major Sohail, HQ, FC
Major Shahid, FC

For Mobile Operators: Nemo.

For PTA : Syed Ikhlaq Hussain Musavi, Zonal Director.

Date of hearing : 08.09.2012.

O R D E R

Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, CJ. The Secretary Home stated at the bar that Farhan s/o Ahmar Din Agha aged about 15 years, despite of hectic efforts so far had not been recovered. However, further efforts are under way to achieve the object.
2. The Commandant FC, Dera Bugti is not in attendance. Maj. Sohail, DAG, HQ, FC stated that IG, FC has cancelled his leave on 7.9.2012 informed him about the order of the Court. He was in his native place Malakand from where according to their information he has left by road. However, we have directed Maj. Sohail to place on record the order of the cancellation of the leave and the time when the same was dispatched to him so we may ascertain that despite the directions as to why he is not in attendance. Maj. Sohail has filed the order of cancellation of leave of the Commandant which is to the following effect:
“CANCELLATION OF LEAVE (.) LEAVE IN RESPECTS OF PA – 28344 COLONEL ARSHAD HUSSAIN, COMMANDANT BAMBORE RIFLES FROM 31 AUGUST TO 15 SEPTEMBER 2012 HAS BEEN CANCELLED (.) APPROACH THE OFFICER TO REPORT HQ FC QUETTA FORTHWITH (.) FOR GHQ AGs’ BRANCH PS DTE ONLY (.) REQUEST APPROACH OFFICER THROUGH UNITS DEPLOYED IN 11 CORPS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR CANCELLATION OF LEAVE CMM REPORT TO HQ FC WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT (.) MATTER MOST URGENT”.
3. Kaho, the person who is disappeared, has also not been produced despite of our directions. Appropriate orders in this behalf shall be passed on the appearance the Commandant FC, Dera Bugti. In the meanwhile, directions are repeated to the Commandant to affect the recovery of Kaho and produce him before the Court without fail.              
4. To be loyal to the State is the basic duty of all citizen and they have to be obedient to the Constitution and the law, wherever they may be. Similarly, it is also inviolable obligation of every person for the time being within Pakistan. Thus, adherence to the Constitution and the Law by the citizens, who are officials or otherwise, is mandatory. Non-compliance of the Constitution and the Law makes a citizen liable for action, in accordance with law. Government is bound to enforce fundamental rights in the context of the scenario in Balochistan, providing security of life, property and liberty, in accordance with law. Non enforcement of such rights of the citizens calls for the superior Courts to issue directions to the Federal as well as Provincial Governments to protect the life and property of all the citizens equally.
5. Hearing of these petitions on different dates, from time to time has persuaded us to issue directions to the Federal and the Provincial Governments through their Chief Executives, the President and the Governor respectively to make commitment, to which they are obliged to fulfill under the Constitution as well as in terms of the statement so made on their behalf on 31st July, 2012 by filing a written statement, which reads thus:-
“In compliance of Hon’ble Supreme Court of Pakistan order dated 24th July, 2012, passed in the subject petition, the Federation of Pakistan and Government of Balochistan submit as under:-

That the Federation and the Provincial Government are highly conscious about their constitutional obligations with regard to the security of life and property of citizens as envisaged in Article 9 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

That the Federation and Provincial Government through their LEAs and intelligence Agencies will make all out efforts to ensure early and safe recovery of missing persons, take steps and measures to identify and arrest the culprits involved in the target/sectarian killings, kidnapping for ransom and put them to justice and will further strengthen/enhance the level of coordination at the highest level amongst the different stakeholders to efficiently discharge with their constitutional obligations and restore peace and harmony amongst all the segment of society in the province and create conducive environment for the economic development, well being and prosperity of the Province.

Sd/- Sd/-
Secretary Secretary
M/o Interior M/o Defence
Islamabad Rawalpindi


Sd/- Sd/-
Chief Secretary Inspector General of Police
Govt. of Balochistan Balochistan


Sd/- Sd/-
Secretary Home & IG, FC
Tribal Areas Deptt.Quetta”

6. Court had been endeavouring to exercise restraint at all levels, inasmuch as not taking interest of the Federation to provide assistance through the Attorney General has also been tolerated by following the one mechanism or the other. The involvement of the functionaries as per the contents of the written statement, noted hereinabove, was nothing but to apprise them about their constitutional obligations. Unfortunately, both Federal and the Provincial Governments avoided for one or the other reason to honour the above statement. As a result whereof:-
1. No missing person has been recovered;
2. Target killing of innocent citizens, particularly for sectarian consideration including killing of the members of the Ahl-e-Tasheih and other denominations continue and day by day its numbers are increasing;
3. An Additional District Judge and two senior Police Officers had been killed alongwith so many other members of the law enforcing agencies including the Police, F.C., Levies and Costal Guards but without adopting preventive measures by both the Governments;
4. Abduction for ransom in the province of Balochistan has become a trade and this offence is being committed everywhere in the province, inasmuch as the professionals like the doctors and teachers are not safe. The people do come back on their own after paying ransom from their pockets. The children, both male and female are reportedly being kidnapped for which, as well, no resistance has been shown.

7. Inspector General of Police had submitted report, which is self explanatory.
8. The Secretary Defence was involved to achieve multiple purposes including to assist civil administration and to ensure that if anyone, as alleged, is in the custody of the agencies, he may facilitate their release, as the citizens are alleging involvement of the F.C. and other agencies in this behalf but he had not shown any seriousness except attending the Court on 06.9.2012 and left for Islamabad without any excuse. He appeared today as per directions and had filed statement in writing.
9. The Secretary Interior, despite clear directions, failed to attend either on the ground of his illness or being busy in some meeting over there.
10. The Chairman F.B.R. was also asked to attend the Court as it is general impression that on account of availability of massive arms & ammunitions and non-custom paid vehicles (kabali) the offence of missing persons, target killing as well sectarian killing and abduction etc. is committed with such vehicles. Unfortunately allegation is against the agencies like ISI, MI etc. which are issuing Rahdaries to the persons who possess prohibited arms & ammunitions in non-custom paid vehicles and whenever any law enforcing agency apprehend them, they put up resistance on the basis of Rahdaries  and go scot free.
11. These are the facts, which are the root causes for non-implementation of the Constitution and the Law.
12. Attendance of Attorney General, in view of the facts and circumstances noted in the order dated 4th May, 3rd September, 4th September and 5th September, 2012 had been made conditional and no request from him nor either of these Secretaries had been made to allow him to attend the Court, therefore, we direct the Chief Secretary of the government of Balochistan to bring all these facts in the notice of the Prime Minister, Governor as well as the Chief Minister and the Head of the Agencies and outcome of this discussion be reported to us at Islamabad on 19th September, 2012. All the functionaries, who had signed the statement, reproduced hereinabove, are directed to remain in attendance.
   
Chief Justice

        Judge

    Judge

Quetta,
8th September, 2012

Prime Minister directs to ensure transparency for the auction of 3G Spectrum

Islamabad:  Sept 08, 2012

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf who is also Minister Incharge of Information Technology chaired a meeting of the Ministry of IT at the Prime Minister’s House today to review its working.

The Prime Minister was briefed about the working of the Ministry as well as steps taken by the Ministry for auction of 3G Spectrum.

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf issued directions that transparency and merit are ensured and the entire process is carried out according to rules and regulations.

The meeting was attended by Mr Basit Riaz Shaikh Advisor to Ministry of IT and other senior officials of the Ministry.

DELEGATIONS OF ANP AND MQM MEETS WITH INDIAN EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MINISTER IN ISLAMABAD

ELECTION COMMISSION OF PAKISTAN

MET

 Local Government Polls came under discussion

Islamabad, the 6^th September, 2012.-    The Election Commission met here today under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Chief Election Commissioner, Mr. Justice (R) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim. Members of the ECP, Provincial Election Commissioners, Chairman NADRA, Commissioner Pakistan Census Organization, Chairman Pakistan Printing Corporation also attended the meeting.

2-         Matters pertaining to preparation for General as well as Local Government Polls came under discussion in the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Election Commissioner said all possible efforts will be made to hold free, fair and transparent elections.

3-         Secretary Election Commission said final electoral rolls were open to changes and errors in them can be removed till announcement of the election schedule. The meeting will continue tomorrow and the details will be shared with the media.

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO HOST 2-DAYS MEETING OF ECO PARLIAMENTARIANS.

            Islamabad; September 3, 2012: The Parliamentarians from

Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Member Countries will arrive in

Islamabad today to attend a 2-days meeting of ECO Parliamentarians, to

be held from    4-5 September, 2012.

            The ECO Parliamentarians will deliberate upon and approve

the proposed draft charter of (to be formed) Parliamentary Association

of Economic Cooperation Organization (PAECO). The Charter would be

formally adopted in the meeting of the Speakers/Presiding Officers of

the ECO Member Countries’ Parliaments to be held in Islamabad, later

this year.

            The establishment of PAECO is an initiative of Dr. Fehmida

Mirza, Speaker, National Assembly on the pattern of SAARC Speaker’s

Forum and Parliamentary Union of Organization of Islamic Countries

(PUOIC). This Parliamentary Forum has been envisaged to

institutionalize collaboration and interaction between Parliaments of

ECO Members Countries.

            The Parliamentarians from Pakistan, Turkey, Iran,

Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,

Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Secretary General ECO will attend the

meetings.

Murree 03 September 2012: Former Prime Minister & PML-N President Muhammad Nawaz Sharif holds a high level meeting here in Murree today,

ECP APPEALS TO CITIZENS, GENERAL PUBLIC, POLITICAL PARTIES, MEDIA AND CIVIL SOCIETIES FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO ENSURE CREDIBLE AND ACCURATE ELECTORAL ROLLS-2012

Islamabad, the 2nd September, 2012. -  The Election Commission of Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized that an accurate electoral roll is the first step towards free and fair elections. The electoral roll not only contains the names of all eligible voters in Pakistan but also mentions the place of voting. In view thereof, the ECP has appealed to citizens, political parties, media and civil society to check the details on the electoral roll and make any correction that may be required. In this regard, it may also be clarified that registration of new voters who have attained the age of 18 years after 31st May 2012, persons who are desirous of changing their vote from one area/constituency to another and the correction of any other particulars may be made till the announcement of the general election schedule.    

 For this purpose, the ECP has already provided mobile text messaging service (SMS facility) for confirming names of voters in the Electoral Rolls. The sender has to simply send his 13-digit Computerized National Identity Card number (without hyphen or space) to 8300. In response, the SMS sender will receive his voting details such as electoral area name, block code, Tehsil/District name and serial number along with his/her CNIC number within a few seconds. Alternatively, persons can confirm their names and details on the electoral roll by visiting the District ECP offices. For facilitation of the general public, the ECP has decided that the offices of all registration officers/ District and Agency Election Commissioners will remain open seven days a week for obtaining information and submitting forms.

In the event that any addition, omission or change is required by a person in the Electoral roll, he may visit the District ECP office in the area in which resides and file the necessary form. For this purpose, free forms are available at all the ECP’s offices and the said form can also be downloaded from ECP’s website. Further information, addresses and phone numbers of concerned officers are available on the ECP’s website; www.ecp.gov.pk and are also being provided to the public in the print media tomorrow.                                        
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