Pakistan PM approves deal to buy eight Chinese submarines: official

(GNN) - Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has approved a deal "years in the making" to buy eight submarines from China, a Pakistani government official said on Thursday, in what could be one of China's largest overseas weapons sales once it is signed.

The official, who was present at Tuesday's meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defense which was briefed by the Navy, said the deal to buy the diesel-electric submarines would likely be signed by Chinese President Xi Jinping when he visits, "but that is still not final".

Xi was due to travel to Pakistan this month, the government in Islamabad has said. China has said Xi would visit this year, but given no timeframe.

China and Pakistan call each other "all-weather friends" and their close ties have been underpinned by long-standing wariness of their common neighbor and rival, India, and a desire to hedge against U.S. influence across the region.

"The prime minister has approved buying eight submarines from China and these would be used to bolster Pakistan's strength," the official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.

He added that "last-minute homework is pending".

"Some officials are traveling to China even today. Work is ongoing," he said. "This deal is years in the making."

He said Pakistan was looking at S20 and Yuan class diesel-electric vessels.

A former senior Pakistan navy officer with knowledge of the negotiations told the Financial Times the contract could be worth $4 billion to $5 billion.

Asked about the submarines, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China and Pakistan were friendly neighbors and that the two sides had normal military exchanges.

"I can tell you, relevant cooperation does not violate international convention and accords with China's three principles on military exports," she told a daily news briefing.

China is Pakistan's top supplier of weapons, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), which tracks global arms sales, selling 51 percent of the weapons Islamabad imported in 2010-2014.

China has also surpassed Germany to become the world's third largest arms exporter, SIPRI said in a report last month. Little is known about China's arms exports because the country does not publish data on such sales.

The Pakistani official also said that Pakistan had been in talks with France to buy new submarines, but the proposal was declined by the French.

A top U.S. Navy admiral said in February that, though they were technologically inferior, China's submarine fleet now outnumbered that of the United States.

(Reuters)(Reporting by Mehreen Zahra-Malik in Islamabad and Ben Blanchard and Megha Rajagopalan in Beijing; Writing by Nick Macfie; Editing by Alex Richardson)

Petroleum ministry contradicts Imran Khan’s statement

ISLAMABAD: The spokeperson of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources taking exception to the statement of Imran Khan has said that the statement made by him about petroleum prices in Pakistan is devoid of facts.

In a statement, he said that in fact the present government has substantially decreased the price of petrol already up to 30 rupees, which is based on actual import price in the past five months.

The prevalent per litre petrol price of Rs 78.28 in Pakistan is far cheaper compared to other countries in the region as per litre prices in India, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka are rupees 105, 92 and 97 respectively.

Petroleum prices are expected to be decreased further in February 2015, he added.

APP

PM expresses sorrow over loss of lives in Orakzai mines blast #PMLN

(ATimes) ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday expressed grief over the death of labourers working in a coal mine in Lower Orakzai.

The Prime Minister extended condolences to the bereaved families, a PM’s Office statement said issued here.

He directed the concerned authorities for provision of best medical facilities to the injured.
At least six labourers were killed and six others injured in a blast caused by gas accumulation inside a coal mine in Lower Orakzai Agency on Thursday morning.

APP

PM Nawaz condemns blasphemous sketches by French journal

(ATimes) ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Thursday strongly condemned the publication of blasphemous sketches in a French journal and said international community should discourage it.

Freedom of speech should not be used to hurt religious sentiments of any community, the Prime Minister said in a statement issued by his office.

He said publication of provocative material should be discouraged by the international community.

APP

Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder trial transferred to military court

(ATimes) Police on Thursday said they have asked that the high-profile trial for the murder of a former minority minister be moved to a newly formed military court. Catholic Shahbaz Bhatti was gunned down in Islamabad in March 2011 for demanding that controversial blasphemy law be reformed.

The murder trial has, however, been hampered by threats from extremists. Police hope that hearing the case in a closed military court will speed up the process and reduce interference from radicals.

“We have sent an official request to the Interior ministry to carry out the murder trial of Shahbaz Bhatti in a military court,” a police official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Another police official confirmed the move, adding that the police have been directed to send all terror-related cases to be heard by military courts.

Interior ministry will now have to give approval before the case can be transferred.

Paul Bhatti, brother of the former minority minister, was forced to flee the country last year after receiving threats from extremists for pursuing the case.

The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) said threatening pamphlets were also found in the office of a key witness.

AFP

Kerry urges Pakistan to fight terror groups threatening whole region

(ATimes) - Pakistan must fight militant groups that threaten Afghan, Indian and U.S. interests, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday as he offered sympathy for the victims of last month's massacre of children at a Pakistani school.

Nuclear-armed Pakistan has long been suspected by the West of playing a double game, fighting some militants while supporting those its generals have regarded as strategic assets to be used against rivals and neighbors, India and Afghanistan.

Visiting Pakistan after going to India over the weekend, Kerry said all militant groups should be targeted to bring security to the region.

"Terror groups like the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani network, Lashkar-e-Taiba and other groups continue to pose a threat to Pakistan, to its neighbors and to the United States," Kerry told a news conference in Islamabad, listing some of the most feared groups.

"And all of us have a responsibility to ensure that these groups do not gain a foothold but rather are pushed back into the recesses of (Pakistan’s) memory... Make no mistake. The task is a difficult one and it is not done."

Most U.S.-led forces in neighboring Afghanistan officially completed their combat mission last month, prompting concern about the stability of the region where insurgents have been increasingly aggressive in past months.

Following last month's attack on the school in which 134 children were killed, Pakistan has promised to stop differentiating between "good" and "bad" militants and to step up operations against their hideouts on the Afghan border.

Speaking at a news conference with Kerry, Pakistani foreign adviser Sartaj Aziz reassured his counterpart that "action will be taken without discrimination against all groups".

But, although observers have noted some progress, most agree that Pakistan has yet to show it is seriously committed to go after all groups equally, including the powerful Haqqani network which attacks targets in Afghanistan from its bases in Pakistan.

"Obviously, the proof is going to be in the pudding," Kerry said. "It will be seen over the next days, weeks, months, how extensive and how successful this effort is going to be."

Aziz said, however, that the Haqqani group’s infrastructure had been “totally destroyed” as a result of the Pakistani army’s operation in a tribal region that has long been regarded as a safe haven for militants.

"Their ability to operate from here across to Afghanistan has virtually disappeared," Aziz said.

FURTHER AID

The United States identified Pakistan as a key partner in its war against terror following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and has spent billions of dollars on military aid to help the country fight insurgents.

But there is growing consternation in Washington about continuing with the same level of assistance unless Pakistan provided evidence it was using the funds effectively to eliminate militants holed up on its soil.

Kerry said however Washington would provide an additional $250 million in food, shelter and other assistance to help people displaced by conflict in tribal areas.

Aziz made a plea for the United States to keep giving Pakistan money to help rebuild the regions where the Pakistani military has been fighting militant groups.

"We expect our defense forces to remain engaged in counterterrorism operations for some time in the foreseeable future," Aziz said. "Continuation of coalition support fund reimbursements are therefore a valuable support that must continue in the interests of both countries."

Pakistan was deeply scarred by the December attack when gunmen killed the children at the military-run high school in the northwestern city of Peshawar in revenge for an army operation against Taliban hideouts.

Some analysts believe the national revulsion over brutal attack could convince hawks in the military to withdraw support for militants like the Haqqanis.

For its part, the government has reassured the West and its own skeptical public that it is doing everything to eliminate insurgent violence, reinstating the death penalty and expanding military operations in the tribal North Waziristan region.

(Writing by Maria Golovnina; Editing by Nick Macfie)(GA, Reuters, Asia Times)

OGDCL sets target of drilling 35 wells during 2014-15

GNN/Business/ISLAMABAD: Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) has set a target of drilling of 35 wells during 2014-15 from which 29 wells marked on ground and Land acquisition done for 27 wells while civil works completed for 15 wells.
The OGDCL has started the development work to upgrade the new Oil and Gas fields to enhance production, said Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, OGDCL Muhammad Rafi while addressing the OGDCL employees here at Head Office.

He said that OGDCL has successfully completed drilling process of 10 wells while rest of 25 wells will be completed till June this year.

In the context of production, the Company has also set additional targets for exploration and drilling during the current financial year.

He informed that the OGDCL has achieved target of 250 percent increase in exploration as well as 142 percent increase in drilling in the current year as compare to the last year.

The Managing Director further disclosed that 2354, 2-D line kilometer target achieved during July to December 2014 while during 2013 it was only 962,  2-D Line kilometer.

He also told that OGDCL achieved the target of drilling 10 wells during said period while only seven wells were drilled in 2013.

He further told that OGDCL made 3 new discoveries during last half year while in 2013 only one discovery was made by the company. Daily production of gas has increased upto 41 MMCF per day.

APP

Millions of children devastated by conflicts in 2014

GNN ISLAMABAD: As 2014 winds down, it comes as no surprise that children were hit the hardest by violence and conflicts across the globe,  the UN children’s agency said.
“Children are the ones who lose everything in war zones,” Xenia Schlegen, an activist from the Save the Children charity, told The Anadolu Agency.

“The problem with being a child in a war zone is that not only are your young years taken away from you, but also your future.”

At least 230 million children lived in areas plagued by conflict in 2014, which has been a year of horror, fear and despair for the world’s youngest, according to UNICEF, with as many as 15 million children caught up in violent conflicts in the Central African Republic, Iraq, South Sudan, Palestine, Syria and Ukraine, Anadolu news agency reported.

Millions of children were exposed to extreme violence or deliberately targeted by warring groups. Hundreds of children were kidnapped from school and tens of thousands were recruited or used by armed groups.

“Children are the innocent victims of conflicts across the world,” said Mervyn Fletcher from Save the Children. “All too often, violence happens in places where children should be safe,
including in schools.”

APP

Traffic rules subject to be included in syllabus: IG Motorway Police

GNN - ISLAMABAD: Inspector General, National Highways and Motorway Police, Zulfiqar Ahamd Cheema Monday said that a subject comprising traffic rules and road safety concepts would be included in the curriculum of primary and matriculation levels as a compulsory subject.
In a statement issued here, he informed that the request to include subject related to road safety and traffic rules in the curriculum had been already accepted by all provincial governments.

Zulfiqar Cheema said that children and youth awareness programme about traffic laws and concepts of road safety would be beneficial and would have positive and long-lasting effects.

The subject of road safety is incorporated in school curriculum of all developed countries, he added.

AIP,APP

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Dr Iqbal teachings beacon of light for students: Speakers

GNN - CHITRAL: The speakers here Monday paid glowing tributes to Poet of the East Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal on his 137th birth day observed on November 9 and termed his teachings and poetry as beacon of light for people including students.

These views were expressed by Ameer Wali Principal Government
Centennial Model High School, Liaqat Ali Khan former Director Education AKES, Haji Yar Khan Assistant Director Allama Iqbal Open University,  Dr Israrullah Khan District Health Officer, Ziauddin President All Teachers Association Chitra, Wazir Muhammad Chairman Chitral Community Development Network and Israrullah President Insaf Student Federation during a function held to pay tributes to national poet Dr Allama Iqbal on his birthday.

They termed Dr Iqbal poetry and political struggle for awakening the
Muslims of South Asia to get a separate homeland was beacon of light of people and students of the modern age.

The speakers said Dr Iqbal’s poetry was for people of all ages and we can attain new heights by strictly adhering to his principles and teachings.

The speakers said knowledge was power and no nation can develop without
quality education, adding quality education with latest information technology was the need of the day and urged students to strictly adhere to philosophy of Dr Allama Iqbal.

Later on, an inauguration ceremony of School of Knowledge & Sciences (SKS) was held at Singor village in Chitral District Education Officer, Chitral Mueenuddin Khattak was chief guest on the occasion while there ceremony was presided over by Rahimullah, Deputy Advocate General Khyber Pahtonkhwa.

Addressing on the occasion, Director SKS Muhammad Karim said great
difference in education system existed in KP and students of Chitral could hardly complete with students of contemporary schools in Karachi and Peshawar.

The objective behind starting of this school is to provide best education to students of Chitral, he added. The performance of the school would be monitored online and would be up-graded to O level. He said merit scholarships would be awarded to talented students.

AIP,APP,GA

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Commuters demand fares cut in line with decrease in fuel prices

GNN - ISLAMABAD: Commuters in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi have lauded the government for bringing down fuel prices but deplored public transporters for not withdrawing raise in fare and not passing the benefit on the general public.

About 60 to 70 percent of the people in twin cities uses public transport to reach their offices and commuters travelling on daily basis are the worst hit due to the poor transport system.

Moreover, arguments and quarrels have become a routine between transporters and commuters, as many were not ready to pay high fare due to the decrease in fuel prices.

Fahim Khan, a commuter at Zero Point said that despite reasonable cut in prices of petroleum products, the public transport owners are in no mood to reduce increase in the fares.

He said that the increase in fares affects the commuters, particularly students, low- income and daily-wagers who had already been on a tight budget.

Muhammad Tariq, a student, said that it was not possible for him to pay fare after decrease in the fuel prices, adding that he spends most of his pocket money on fares of public transport.

A private organization employee, said that she had to travel from Saddar to F-6 to attend office on daily basis and pay Rs 40 in term offare.

She said that fare was always increased on the pretext of increase in fuel prices but now after cut in fuel prices, fare has not been revised.

When asked a public transport driver about the transport fares, he said that it was the responsibility of the transport authority to revise fares, adding that if transport authorities in coordination with Transport Association of the twin cities revise fares they would happily accept it.

The commuters appreciated the federal government for their generous decision for providing relief to the people.

Commuters demanded transport authority of the twin cities to revise the latest fares after reasonable decrease in petroleum products.

The commuters said transporters operating in the twin cities mostly use CNG as fuel, but the transport authority had issued the fare-list according to the prices of the diesel and petrol.

Meanwhile, a senior official of regional transport authority Islamabad said that for passing on the benefit of reduction in the petroleum prices by the government, the authority has prepared new fares for inter city routes and sent to Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) for final approval and for immediate implementation.

AIP,APP,GA

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PM leaves for Germany on two-day visit

GNN - ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Monday left here for Germany on a two-day official visit, on the invitation of German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs Tariq Fatemi accompanied the Prime Minister.

During the visit, the Prime Minister would hold official talks with Chancellor Merkel that will be followed by an official lunch in his honour.

He will meet with President of the German Bundestag (Parliament) and also address a Business Forum organized by the Pakistan Board of Investment, which is expected to be attended by a large number of German business executives and investors.

Pakistan and Germany enjoy close and cordial relations. Germany is Pakistan’s fourth largest trading partner globally and the largest in the EU. Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Germany stands at US$ 2.5 billion annually. The two countries have a strong collaboration in various other fields.

There is also a strong Pakistan diaspora of over 70,000 living in Germany. In addition, there are more than 2,300 students from Pakistan in German universities.

Foreign Office said the visit of the Prime Minister will help in strengthening the exiting ties between the two countries.

AIP,APP,GA

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ANF seizes 3116 kg charas from Qilla Abdullah

GNN - ISLAMABAD: Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has seized 3116 kg charas from the general area of Killi Habib Zai, Dashti Lorah, Tehsil Gulistan, District Qilla Abdullah.

The worth of the seized charas is Rs. 3116 million approximately in international market.

According to details, the narcotics were concealed in 67 sacks. Each sack contained 46-47 kg charas. The drug was placed at a cache site, outside populated area and concealed in the cuttings of mountainous terrain.

As per initial investigations, the consignment was placed for handing over from one narco gang to another.

After receiving a safe signal, the drugs were to be finally shifted to some safe location at coastal belt of Baluchistan for smuggling abroad.

ANF raiding team tried to keep a discreet trap for apprehending the drug smugglers, however, presence of raiding team was difficult to conceal for a longer duration due to open nature of terrain at unpopulated location.

Case has been registered under CNS Act 1997 and further investigations are under progress.

SOURCE: AIP,APP,GA

Pakistan does not accept conditions on dialogue with India: FO

GNN - ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said it does no accept any condition to resume composite dialogue process with India.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam in her weekly briefing here at Foreign Office said, “We do not accept any conditionality on Pak-India dialogue process”.

While commenting on the statement of Indian Defense Minister Arun Jaitley regarding Pak-India dialogue the Spokesperson said, “Dialogue between Pakistan and India is not a favour from one country to other country.”

She said the dialogue process is necessity for peace and development in South Asia.

The spokesperson said Kashmir is a dispute between Pakistan and India adding that Kashmiris are freedom fighters and their right of freedom had been ensured in UN resolutions so the contention of Indian Minister about Kashmiris is not acceptable.

The spokesperson said All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders are not separatists, but freedom fighters who are carrying out their movement from an occupied territory.

Answering a question, she said Pakistan does not want to stop trade between India and Afghanistan through its territory.

She explained that Afghanistan is a landlocked country and Pakistan had given it access to the international waters. She said India can use Karachi Port for the trade purposes with Afghanistan.

She said it is for the Afghan people and the government to take decision from where they want to get aid. She said Pakistan wants that Afghan soil should not be used to destablise Pakistan. She said Pakistan has adopted the policy of non-interference in Afghanistan.

The spokesperson said Pakistan had evacuated 3400 stranded Pakistanis from Libya through 13 special chartered flights and provided transport facility to those who could not travel own their own.

On the issue of death penalties being given to leaders of Jamat-e-Islami in Bangladesh, the spokesperson said it is an internal issue of Bangladesh. She said Pakistan did not want to interfere in the internal issues of any country.

Replying to a question about the report of US Defence Department report, the spokesperson said US ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson was conveyed Pakistan’s sentiments on this report.

She said Pakistan took serious exception to comments contained in the US Department of Defence report sent to the Congress under the title “Progress Towards Security and Stability in Afghanistan”.

The spokesperson said while noting Pakistan’s cooperation with the US in areas of mutual interests, the recently released report also carries unsubstantiated allegations of the existence of terrorist ‘sanctuaries’ or that proxy forces are operating from here against Afghanistan and India.

She said Pakistan’s protest over these unwarranted comments was conveyed by the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz to the US Ambassador Richard Olson at the Foreign Ministry yesterday.

The spokesperson said such allegations are of particular concern at this point when Pakistan government has launched comprehensive operations against militants in North Waziristan. The military operation “Zarb-e-Azb” has been broadly welcomed internationally, including in the US, she added.

She said the operation has successfully eliminated terrorist hideouts and is directed against all militants, without any distinction.

“We therefore hope that the issues will be seen in their correct perspective,” she added.

On the recent situation in Palestine, the spokesperson said Pakistan strongly condemned the closure of Aqsa Mosque and urged the international community to play its due role for the opening of the Mosque and ensure that Palestinians should be given their due rights.

SOURCE: AIP,APP

8 outlaws arrested; 202 wine bottles seized

GNN - ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Police have arrested  eight outlaws from various areas of the city and recovered 202 wine bottles, 560 gram hashish and looted items from their possession, a police spokesman said on Monday.

According to details, Shehzad Town police arrested a bootlegger namely Liaqat Masih and recovered 200 bottles of wine from him. Banigala Police arrested accused Ramzan and recovered looted items from him.

Kohsar police arrested Imran, Younas and Aamir and recovered a total of 560 gram hashish and 8 cans of beer from their possession.

Golra police arrested Imran, Irfan and Maria and recovered two bottles from their possession. Cases have been registered against these nabbed persons and further investigation is underway from them.

Source: AIP,APP,GA

PM expresses grief over Wagah incident; seeks report

GNN - ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Sunday expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic incident at Wagah near Lahore.

He extended condolences on the loss of lives and sought report over the incident.

The Prime Minister also directed the Interior Ministry and law enforcement agencies to provide all necessary support to the Punjab Government in investigating the Wagah incident and to bring those responsible for this human tragedy to justice.

He asked the provincial government to ensure proper care and treatment to the injured.

Source: AIP, APP, GA

FPCCI committee meets on Friday to review losses caused by sit-ins

#GNN #ISLAMABAD: The executive committee of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) will meet on Friday to review economic losses being caused by the ongoing sit-ins in the Federal Capital, besides approving the election schedule.

FPCCI chief Zakaria Usman will chair the session at the federation’s headquarter, which will be attended by all the committee members, including former presidents.

The newly elected presidents of chambers and their executive committees across the country have already expressed their serious concern about the huge losses caused to the businesses, both in corporate and private sectors, besides rendering millions of daily wagers jobless.

Meanwhile, the United Businessman Group, an alliance of chambers in the country, held a meeting on Thursday and adopted a future line of action and strategy to counter the economic damage due to sit-ins.

The participants of the meeting were of the view that traders were suffering 60 to 70 per cent loss in their business.

Group chairman Iftikhar Ali Malik chairing the meeting, assured that the group would adopt hard line policy with regard to the sit-ins.

Although the federation was a non-political entity but the business community could not afford more losses. The group in consultation with all trade leaders would chalk out a strategy to keep abreast the leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek about the impact of sit-ins on their businesses.

Source: APP, AIP

PTI wants unrest in country: Abid Sher Ali

#GNN - #ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Water and Power, Abid Sher Ali Thursday said that it seemed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers wanted to create unrest in the country through undemocratic behavior.

He said that PTI leadership would not succeed in his objectives.

PTI had adopted unparliamentary manner which was not suited to the leaders for a political party, he stated while talking to a private TV channel.

He said peaceful protest was the right of every citizen.

Abid Sher Ali said that workers of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) had showed their sentiments in Multan protest demonstration against the attitude of PTI leadership.

He said that PTI’s image in public has been affected badly due to fake allegations against the leadership of other political parties.

The minister appealed to workers the PML-N to show restraint and calm during the public gathering of PTI, being held in Multan.

Source: APP

Khursheed Shah criticizes Indian aggression on LoC

#GNN - #ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Thursday criticized Indian aggression on the Line of Control (LoC) which resulted in about twelve casualties as well as injuries of many Pakistanis over a period of few days.

In a statement here, he said that the cross border shelling and firing by Indian forces was escalating tension between the two neighboring countries and if the situation remained the same it might lead to worsening of ties between them.

Khursheed Shah informed that Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had submitted an adjournment motion in the National Assembly regarding the continuous breach of the border by Indian security forces.

Source: AIP, APP, AAJ

PM orders implementation of Citizen Feedback Monitoring Program in federal Agencies

#GNN - #ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Thursday directed all the federal agencies to implement Citizen Feedback Monitoring Program (CFMP), to improve service delivery, fight petty corruption, enhance citizen trust and communicate state responsiveness.

According to a communique from the Prime Minister secretariat, the CFMP, an innovative program which was first implemented in Punjab, is based on proactive approach.

It is aimed at creating a response based nexus with the identified beneficiaries of various services.

The feedback about the quality of service received will be communicated to federal agencies.

The Cabinet Division has been asked to oversee its implementation across the federal agencies and regularly brief the Prime Minister’s Office on progress.

In order to implement the CFMP, the Cabinet Division will appoint a focal person, not below the rank of Additional Secretary for day to day coordination of the Program.

It will also set up a dedicated unit, to properly analyse the feedback, improve implementation of the effort, and follow up on corrective actions to be taken by the respective agencies.

A working group, consisting of PTA, NADRA, Information Ministry, and Information Technology Division representatives to be chaired by Cabinet Division’s focal person, will guide fast and effective implementation.

The working group will, within two weeks, suggest measures, including any appropriate changes in rules that may be required, to leverage the NADRA and PTA/telecom databases to improve the quantity and quality of citizen cell numbers.

The Law Secretary will review PTA rules to establish if any amendments are required to enable proactive collection of feedback from citizens for improved service delivery and public sector management.

The Punjab Information Technology Board may be approached to provide technical assistance and help kick start the efforts till institutionalized arrangements are set up in the federal government.

The Planning Division will provide funds based on the multi-year financing needs identified by the Cabinet Division.

The PTA will suggest measures within two weeks, working with telecom companies and to reduce the cost of the exercise including use of the low cost short codes for brand recognition.

The Information Ministry will devise a comprehensive communication campaign to inform the citizens about this effort and the need for citizen participation

In the first phase of program, efficiency in service delivery of various programs will be ensured including immigration and passports, electricity and gas utilities, company/firm registration and other business services by SECP, new/renewal/change of CNIC by NADRA, property transactions, municipal services by CDA and ICT, Capital Police, attestation of documents by Higher Education Commission, Overseas Pakistani services in various embassies, complaint processing by Federal Ombudsman, taxpayer feedback on ease of tax filing and delivery of various services to BISP beneficiaries.

Source: AIP, APP, AAJ