Kaira defends sacking of Kazmi, Swati

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira defended the sacking of Hamid Saeed Kazmi and Azam Swati as federal ministers, saying that it was the demand of the media and judiciary.

Speaking to journalists in Islamabad toady, he denied reports of differences between President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani over the issue of ministers’ removal.

“Those talking about these differences will fail to achieve their vested interests,” he said.

He quoted the judiciary saying that a transparent probe into Haj corruption was not possible in the presence of the Secretary and Federal Minister. TrendPK

Reformed GST not to affect common man

ISLAMABAD: Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has said the Reformed General Sales Tax (RGST) which is aimed at broadening the taxation net base would not affect lives of the common people

Talking to media after attending the launching of series of programmes on Faiz Ahmed Faiz here at Radio Pakistan he said, that GST reform was the part of budget document presented this year, but was delayed for more deliberations with different stakeholders.

The Reformed GST has also been approved by the Cabinet and Council of Common Interests (CII), he recalled.

The minister said that all the chief ministers have agreed on GST reforms in the meeting of the CCI.

He said the government was aware of the problems of common man and implementation of RGST would not disturb their routine life, rather burden would be shared with those who are capable of

Pakistan seeks TPS for its nationals in US

WASHINGTON: Pakistan has formally asked the United States to consider grant of temporary protected status for its nationals currently living in the US without proper documentation in view of flooding devastation in the country, Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said.

Kaira said Pakistan handed over a letter to the Homeland Security Department on the second day of Pakistan-US strategic dialogue, requesting the grant of the temporary immigration status.

The United States gives TPS to nationals of designated countries which face situations like environmental disasters or armed conflicts.

The Homeland Security Department will look into the request.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the day-long deliberations by various working groups, Kaira stated the Obama Administration has committed to step up efforts for a requisite

Cabinet approves Afghan transit trade pact

The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved the Afghan transit trade pact. Indian goods would not be allowed to move Afghanistan through Pakistan.
While briefing media men about Cabinet meeting, Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the Afghan goods would only be transported to India through Wahga border. Pakistani goods would enjoy the facility of being transported to the Central Asian republics through Afghanistan, he added.
He said that 1961 people lost their lives due to the recent floods. He said 98 percent flood water in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and 90 percent in Punjab has been receded. The data of affectees from Balochistan province has not yet been received.

ECP still waits for 602 law makers financial statements

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: In spite of passing deadline on Thursday for submitting financial statements, yet 602 law makers including several federal ministers have not submitted their financial statements to Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) announced September 30 the deadline for submitting financial statements of parliamentarians and members of provincial assemblies.

Sources told SAMAA that the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar-uz-Zaman Kaira, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Khursheed Shah, Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Samsaam Bukhari, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Mir Hazar Khan Bijarani, Naveed Qamar, Ghulam Ahmed Bilour and Hina Rabbani have not contacted ECP about their financial statements.

Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, Amir Maqam, Abid Sher Ali, Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, Javed Hashmi, Pervez Rasheed,

Kaira urges Nawaz to contest elections

Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that he didnt believe that any conspiracy was being hatched against democracy and it was not Nawaz Sharifs habit to conspire.
Talking to media in Lahore, he said that he had no reservations over unification of political parties. He said that court orders would be implemented as they respected judiciary. He said that Nawaz Sharif should contest elections and come to the Parliament.
He said that Nawaz Sharifs attitude towards the President was not appropriate. He said that NAB chairman would be appointed soon. He warned NATO against operation inside Pakistan.

Govt. flip-flop on judiciary continues

Staff Report

KARACHI: The federal government on Wednesday withdrew the controversial remarks made by Federal Manpower Minister Khursheed Shah against the top judiciary.

Shah’s statement came days after the government ousted State Minister Qayyum Jatoi for his outburst against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and the army.

In a statement released earlier in the day, Khursheed Shah alleged the Supreme Court is overstepping its mandate by interfering with administrative matters.

Nearly an hour after Shah’s statement, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told media that the government has withdrawn the controversial remarks.

Meanwhile, Khursheed Shah is yet to comment on the issue.

Shah said that removal of the democratic government through court would be tantamount to insulting the public mandate and urged the judiciary to

Govt, judiciary not at loggerheads: Kaira

Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, rejecting the rumors of confrontation, said that government and judiciary were not at loggerheads. We are not at loggerheads with anyone, he said.
Talking to media in a ceremony of Lahore Chamber of Commerce, Kaira said that media played an important role in the restoration of democracy. He said that Dr. Aafia case was appeared in Musharraf government. He said that terrorism was the biggest problem of Pakistan.

Govt releases Rs15b grant to universities

The federal government on Thursday released RS 15 billion grant to the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to address the issues being faced by 72 cash-strapped universities of the country.
The release of funds is said to be a formula which reportedly has been agreed by the Ministry of Finance and the HEC.Federal Minister for Education Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali on Thursday said that almost all demands of HEC have been fulfilled, adding it is inappropriate to bring university students on roads.Addressing a press conference along with Information Minster Qamar Zaman Kaira after the Cabinet meeting here, he said despite financial crunch in the country, current expenditure budget of education sector has been increased by 8 percent.He said that funds would be released timely for development projects which were 90 per cent completed, so it would not affect many development projects of education.

Each displaced family to get Rs. 20,000: Kaira

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Thursday that the National Oversight Disaster Management Council (NODMC) has been set up to ensure transparency and judicious distribution of assistance to the flood affected people.

Addressing a press conference here, he said provinces have been asked to give names of persons with good repute for the Council.

Kaira said the NODMC would be established within one or two days as, “We are waiting for the names from provinces.”

He said the Council will comprise of eminent personalities with good reputation and impeccable integrity from different walks of life.

“People from the private sector with a good reputation would be taken into the council so that no one can point fingers at them.”

Indian Prime Minister, German Chancellor and President of the Maldives

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