Thursday, November 24, 2011

Haqqani’s resignation accepted for impartial probe: Gilani

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday informed the National Assembly that the government accepted Hussain Haqqani’s resignation from the post of ambassador to US for an impartial probe on this matter of national security, DawnNews reported.
The prime minister reaffirmed government’s desire of conducting impartial probe of the memogate issue on the highest level.
Responding to the Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar’s speech, on the floor of the National Assembly, the PM said there was no threat to the government which he said was answerable to the people of Pakistan and not to “anybody else.”
“There is no threat to the government and if there was any, then we would look towards the masses and the opposition,” he said. “We have made a lot of sacrifices for democracy and we don’t need anybody’s support in this connection,” The PM added.
Clarifying the actual position about resignation of former envoy of Pakistan to Washinton Hussain Haqqani, the prime minister said that he was summoned to the Prime Minister House, and not to the Presidency, at 1am for explanation regarding the issue.
Mr Gilani said that the army and government were on the same page on every issue including memogate. “We would only consult the general public in any danger,” he added.
“I directed him to tender his resignation as the issue demanded an impartial inquiry with no influence from any circle,” the PM said, adding that every ambassador had sufficient contacts not to need a ‘third person’s help.’
He said the issue would be investigated at top level now as he had ordered to constitute a committee for investigating the matter, adding the opposition had also taken the issue to the Supreme Court.
The PM said a transparent investigation of the memo issue was necessary to satisfy the nation and the opposition. “The opposition leader should now be satisfied” he added.

IMF forecasts a challenging year for Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecast a challenging current financial year for Pakistan, with current account balance turning into deficit and security situation and global risk aversion restricting capital inflows into the country.
In a belated policy statement after mandatory article-IV consultations concluded on November 19, the IMF said the authorities have agreed for the short term to contain budget deficit, adopt a cautious monetary policy and a responsive exchange rate to reduce vulnerabilities, contain inflation and protect Pakistan`s international reserves.
The crux of a cautious IMF statement is that the authorities would have to remain extra vigilant in view of fast changing global and domestic economic conditions to remain within budgetary limits by containing expenditure and increasing revenues and push forward structural reforms. An official said the statement would have `positive impact` on ongoing discussion with other lending agencies.
Pakistan side led by Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh and IMF Staff Mission led by Adnan Mazarei remained in discussions between November 9-19 in Dubai that culminated in a closed-door seminar in Islamabad with wide-ranging representation from opposition parties, academia and representatives of the business community.The IMF mission will submit its detailed report to its executive board scheduled to meet in late January next year to consider Pakistan`s economic situation. “The outlook for 2011-12 is challenging. Although real GDP growth is projected at about 3.5 per cent and inflation is projected to decline, the external current account balance is projected to return to a deficit, and global risk aversion and security concerns may limit capital inflows”, said the IMF`s concluding statement.
It said the consultations revolved around Pakistan`s recent economic performance and the challenges ahead in the light of uncertainties in the global economic environment. Pakistan authorities assured the IMF of the government`s resolve to strengthen macroeconomic policies and “continue to pursue reforms to enhance medium term growth prospects”.
Against this background, discussions were centered on short-term steps to address vulnerabilities. “Specifically, the Pakistani authorities and the mission agreed that containing the budget deficit in 2011-12, a cautious monetary policy, and a responsive exchange rate would reduce vulnerabilities, contain inflation and protect Pakistan`s international reserves”.
The two sides also discussed a set of reforms for the medium-term to lift economic growth to reduce poverty, and raise living standards and employment, while assuring continued macroeconomic and financial sector stability.
These include structural reforms to remove constraints to growth, especially in the energy sector, and strengthen public finances, including tax reform, improving the quality of expenditure by raising the share of spending in priority areas such as health, education, and infrastructure, manage fiscal decentralisation, and improving debt management.
“Additionally, reforms to improve the effectiveness of financial sector intermediation, broaden access to finance, and reinforce financial sector stability should also continue”, the IMF stressed. “The IMF remains committed to continuing close engagement with Pakistan,” it concluded.
Under Article IV of the IMF`s Articles of Agreement, the IMF holds bilateral discussions with members, usually every year. A staff team visits the country, collects economic and financial information, and discusses with officials the country`s economic developments and policies.
On return to headquarters, the staff prepares a report, which forms the basis for discussion by the Executive Board. At the conclusion of the discussion, the IMF managing director, as chairman of the board, summarises the views of executive directors, and this summary is transmitted to the country`s authorities.

PM okays 3G policy for telecom sector

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday approved the 3G (third generation) policy for upgradation of country’s telecom sector and directed the Cabinet Committee to bring the policy before the Cabinet for its final approval.
The Prime Minister accorded approval while presiding over a meeting on 3G and Grey Traffic and Additional Spectrum auction for Wireless Local Loop here at the Prime Minister House.
The Ministry of Information Technology gave a presentation on recommendations formulated by the Cabinet Committee, comprising Minister for Finance Dr Hafeez Sheikh, Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar, and Minister for Privatisation Ghous Baksh Mehr and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain.
The Cabinet Committee’s recommendations pertain to auction of 3G frequencies and defunct instaphone licence along with allocated frequency simultaneously but in quick succession.
To encourage competition, new international players as well as existing operators would also be invited for instaphone licence auction being the sixth of the existing licensee in the country and not a new licensee.
Furthermore, it was decided that three blocks of 10 MHz (megahertz) each out of available 3G spectrums would be immediately offered for auction and existing operators can participate in this round as well.
New players will also be invited but with provision that if new player is successful in bid, then they would be eligible to resume operation only after March 2013 when moratorium on new licensing as per previous cabinet committee decision would expire.It was also decided that more spectrum would be made available for 3/4 G services and offered for auction with the provision that winners of such auction will be awarded licences and allocated frequencies by March 2013 and as such will be able to start their services thereafter.
It was also decided that in order to ensure professionalism and transparency, a committee of public sector stakeholders, including representatives from Ministries of Finance, Information Technology, PTA (Pakistan Telecom Authority) and representative of Frequency Allocation Board to supervise auction process and the PTA would devise an appropriate methodology to conduct varying component of this auction as decided under the supervision of the committee.
On the issue of Grey Traffic, it was decided that the Cabinet Committee would consider this issue and put the recommendations to the Prime Minister for approval.
Other senior officials of the relevant ministries also attended the meeting.—APP

Nawaz file application to include Haqqani in ECL

ISLAMABAD: The chairman of PML-N, Nawaz Sharif has placed an application in Supreme Court on Thursday to put the name of Husain Haqqani in exit control list, DawnNews reported.
This application submitted through Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim, the lawyer of Nawaz Sharif.
In this application, a request has been made that until the investigation of the memogate is not completed, the Pakistani ambassador should be listed in the exit control list of United States.
Not to forget, Nawaz Sharif has sent an application to the supreme court with respect to the investigation regarding memogate scandal.

Pakistan, UK commit to joint challenge of terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and United Kingdom on Thursday re-confirmed their commitment to tackle shared challenge of terrorism and extremism which is in the interest of both nations to sustain a broad-based strategic relationship.
“We share a powerful interest in fighting the extremism and terrorism that threatens people in both countries. Pakistan is on the front line and have made tremendous sacrifices in striving for a more stable region and a world free from this menace,” Minister for Interior, Senator Rehman Malik and UK Home Secretary, Theresa May said this while addressing a joint press conference after holding a bilateral consultation.
They said our intensive diplomatic efforts, bilaterally, multilaterally, and in concert with key partners, are complemented by a growing programme of counter-terrorism liaison.
This includes UK’s support to military and policing and supporting the development of strong institutions and machinery of government.
The two Ministers stressed the commitment of Pakistan and the UK in cooperating on their shared interests, including trade, economic stability and development, cultural cooperation, security, tackling illegal immigration and education.
The Enhanced Dialogue launched during the UK Prime Minister David Cameron visit in April this year allows both countries to explore areas of mutual interest in a spirit of understanding, confidence and respect. The breadth and depth of the Enhanced Strategic Dialogue reflects the longstanding ties between the people of Pakistan and UK.
Rehman Malik said Pakistan is victim of terrorism and it has sacrificed precious lives of more than 36,000 people and financial loss of US $ 62 billion in the war against terrorism and extremism.
He said Pakistan has been fighting against terrorism not only for peace in its own country but for the entire world and to make the world terrorism free.
Appreciating the cooperation of UK in different fields, the Minister said he has asked the British Home Secretary to help Pakistan in Victim Support Programme not only for victims of terrorism but also for the victims of domestic violence.
He said both sides also agreed ways to monitor new initiatives through a new senior official led Migration Joint Working Group which will meet on an annual basis to discuss the full migration agenda.
The group will bring experts from the United Kingdom and Pakistan together to discuss all issues relating to migration focusing on visa operations, illegal migration, human trafficking, border control and migration policy, he added.
Rehman Malik said both sides also confirmed the value of shared efforts to protect the safety of passengers flying between the UK and Pakistan.
The UK is committed to helping Pakistan meet the new EU aviation security regulations which will be implemented next year.
He said the UK is already gifting 18 explosive trace detectors to Pakistan and will look to extend that assistance in the near future.

Pak-China military cooperation not against other countries: Kayani

While watch over the military exercises between Pakistan and China, General Kayani said Pakistan and China had no differences over matters of security.

LAHORE: Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Thursday said that military cooperation between Pakistan and China was not aimed against any country, DawnNews reported.
While watch over the military exercises between Pakistan and China, General Kayani said Pakistan and China had no differences over matters of security.
He further said that Pakistan and China’s army relations were not based on aggression against a particular country.
Not only do the countries have strong diplomatic ties but relations at the people-to-people level are also sound, Kayani said.