President Asif Ali Zardari today directed to speed up the training program under the Sindh Waseel e Haq scheme to enable the BISP beneficiaries set up their own small businesses and extricate themselves from poverty. He also directed begin a project aimed at reclaiming and renovating the old natural drainage channels in the province and complete it before the onset of new flood season. The President also directed to speed up work on the ongoing developmental projects in the province to meet the targets by the close of the financial year in June.  Read more » 

President Asif Ali Zardari today in recognition of outstanding services of Ms. Aung San Suu Kyi for the promotion of democracy conferred upon her  Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Award for Democracy at her residence in Yangon. The Award was presented to Daw Suu Kyi by Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari.  The ceremony that was witnessed by a large number of media representatives representing Myanmar media outlets was also attended by members of visiting Pakistani delegation besides Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.  Read more » 

Meeting of Ambassador for Polio Eradication Ms Aseefa Bhutto Zardari with Chairperson BISP

20 January 2012: Federal Minister and Chairperson BISP, Ms Farzana Raja today called on Ambassador for Polio Eradication Ms Aseefa Bhutto Zardari  here at the Presidency.

Ms Farzana Raja briefed Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari on matters relating to polio eradication in the country and the role of BISP (Benazir Income Support Program) in this regard. She also briefed the Polio Ambassador about the beneficiaries feedback, sustainability, fund raising measures, implementation issues and future plans aimed at poverty alleviation in the country as well as eradication of Polio from Pakistan. The Polio Ambassador expressed satisfaction over the poverty alleviation measures through the flagship program of BISP.

Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari showed concern over the recent reports of polio incidents in Pakistan whereas in other countries of the world it had been completely eliminated. She reiterated her resolve to fulfill the commitment of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to completely eradicate Polio from Pakistan.  

The BISP Chairperson informed Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari that more than 300,000 children in Bajaur, Kurram and Khyber agencies of FATA have been administered Polio drops by BISP in coordination the Health Directorate FATA. The same exercise was underway in rest of the FATA agencies where the poverty survey is being conducted, she informed.

Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari advised Chairperson BISP to step up the campaign in the remaining agencies of tribal areas to save the children from this crippling disease.

Ms. Farzana Raja applauded the vision and efforts of Ms. Aseefa Bhutto Zardari for the cause of Polio eradication in the country.

Speaking to media representatives in Lahore, Ahsan said Article 248 of the Constitution did not allow any court to initiate proceedings against the president.

The PPP leader moreover said that he was not acting as a mediator between the executive and the judiciary or between the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N).

Ahsan further said that if the prime minister or the president were to be removed constitutionally, no harm would come to democracy. Regarding the court’s order on the NRO implementation case, Ahsan said the government had not been given six options, it had, in fact, been told that the court could use all the six options listed in the order. Responding to a question regarding the defence secretary’s sacking, the PPP leader said Khalid Naeem Lodhi could approach the courts to challenge his termination.

Describing the case of National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) and Swiss court 'history', President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will not try the grave of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, come what may. 'It is a point of principle that Pakistan Peoples Party will not try the grave of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, come what may. It is not my decision. It is decision of the party. It is not about me, it is about we,' President Zardari said in an interview with a private television channel (GEO) aired on Saturday night. During the interview, the President spoke at length on various issues of national and international importance ranging from domestic political situation, relations between state institutions and ties with India, China and US.  Read more » 

ISLAMABAD: Federal Parliamentary Secretary Azeem Khan Daultana, his driver and security guard have been killed in a road accident near Luddan area of Vehari district. Police say that Azeem Daultana – a member of the National Assembly (MNA) from Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) – was on his way home after meeting PPP MPA Shaharyar Khan when his car skidded off the road due to over-speeding and ran into a tree near Kotwali Bridge. According to a private news channel, 35-year-old Azeem Daultana sustained serious injuries in the crash, and succumbed on his way to the hospital. He was nephew of Begum Tehmina Daultana, an MNA from the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. He was the only son of his parents, and his marriage was scheduled for February 4. He won the election of NA-168, Vehari-II, held on February 18, 2008, by defeating Ishaq Khan Khakwani and Tehmina Daultana. TheDailyTimes

The Prime Minister while addressing the participants said that our decision to support a private-member bill which makes it binding upon all the public servants to declare their assets as the parliamentarians do was a major step to ensure across the board accountability of all. However, efforts made in this regard in the past were foiled on tenuous ground, he said. He said that declaration and publication of assets of all those drawing salary from public exchequer was a historical step that will be pursued to its logical conclusion and any attempt to subvert it will be exposed and resisted. Read more »