• PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO THE NATION ON THE OCCASION OF THE UNIVERSAL CHILDREN’S DAY, 2008
  

It is heartening to note that Pakistan joins the International Community to celebrate the Universal children’s Day on 20th November 2008, with firm commitment and determination to accord high priority to safeguard rights of the Children. Pakistan had the distinction of being one of the six-initiator countries of the World Summit for Children 1990 with foresight and conviction put together the largest gathering of world leaders at the United Nations. As a party to the UN convention on the rights of the Child (UNCRC), Pakistan always remained in the forefront to advocate the Child rights agenda and played a key role at Regional and International levels to protect the Rights of the Child.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the most affectionate caretaker of children. He raised the status of children in general and of the female children in particular. He declared that all children are innocent and we should adopt merciful and sympathetic attitude towards them. The Government is fully aware of its responsibilities. In fact it was our leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed who in her two terms as Prime Minister always laid special emphasis on safeguarding the rights of children. Present government following the footsteps of its leader has adopted the same course.

Since public private partnership is immensely needed, I call upon the voluntary indigenous philanthropy sector, international development partners, the media, the corporate sector, and particularly the children to come forward and play their effective role for not only ending Violence against Children but also make the country a heaven for them all.

I also appreciate the UN agencies, NGOs and INGOs for their concerted efforts for continuously advocating and highlighting the child rights and child related issues. I hope they will continue pursuing this important mission with same zeal and vigor.

May god bless us all-Ameen, Pakistan Zindabad.

• President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need for innovative and out of box solutions to increase oil and gas production in the country for meeting the growing energy needs
  

President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need for innovative and out of box solutions to increase oil and gas production in the country for meeting the growing energy needs.

The President said this during a briefing in the Presidency on the petroleum issues today.

Calling for stepping up oil and gas exploration he said that economy could not be sustained without energy adding, “There is a pressing need for multiplying domestic energy production”.

He said that energy security, like food security, was critical in the modern day world and called for devising a comprehensive energy security plan. He said that an effective energy security plan also involved dialogue at the regional level for cooperation in the filed of energy.

The President said that the government had also planned to hold dialogue with the stake holders in Balochistan to bring peace so that the oil and exploration and development activities in the province could be carried out without hindrance. He also called for carrying out aerial surveys for exploration of oil and gas..

In this context the President said that during his visit to China he found the Chinese political leadership keen to assist Pakistan in all developmental activities. He called upon the relevant officials to develop new models of private public partnership in the oil and gas sector with the Chinese entrepreneurs.

The meeting was attended by Mr. G.A Sabri Secretary Petroleum and Natural resources, Mr. Farooq Rahmatullah, Chairman OGDCL, Mr. Khalid Rehman, MD Pakistan Petroleum Limited and Mr. Shoaib Malik, Chairman ARL.

• Mr. W.B Dorakumbure, Outgoing High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, called on President Asif Ali Zardari
  

Mr. W.B Dorakumbure, Outgoing High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, called on President Asif Ali Zardari here today.

The President appreciated the services rendered by him for strengthening the relations between the two countries and wished him success in his future assignments.The outgoing Sri Lankan High Commissioner thanked the President for the support extended to him during his stay in Pakistan.

• President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the suicide blast outside Marriott hotel in the federal capital on Saturday evening.
  

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have strongly condemned the suicide blast outside Marriott hotel in the federal capital on Saturday evening.The President and the Prime Minister expressed shock and grief over the loss of innocent lives and said the perpetrators of such heinous crime would be brought to justice. The authorities concerned have also been directed to conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit a report within 12 hours. They appealed the public to remain calm and directed the concerned authorities to ensure safety and security of the people as well as their property. Meanwhile, Information Minister Ms. Sherry Rehman has also strongly condemned the blast and said such cowardly acts cannot deter the government's commitment to fight terrorism and extremism.

• Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar paid courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari here
  

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar paid courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari here today.He congratulated the President on assuming the charge of his new responsibilities as President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.President Asif Ali Zardari thanked him for his felicitations and exchanged views with him on the independence of judiciary, judicial reforms and the dispensation of justice to the common people.

• Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaque Pervez Kiayani paid courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari
  

Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaque Pervez Kiayani paid courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari here today.

He congratulated the President on assuming charge of his new responsibilities as President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and also briefed the President about the operational preparedness of Pakistan Army.

President Asif Ali Zardari thanked him for his felicitation and said that necessary steps will be taken to further enhance the operational and professional capabilities of Pakistan Army.

• Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed paid courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari
  

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majeed paid courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari here today.

He congratulated the President on assuming the charge of his new responsibilities as President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and briefed the President about the overall command structure and operational and professional capabilities of Pakistan Armed Forces.

President Asif Ali Zardari thanked him for felicitations and said that the Armed Forces of Pakistan will be equipped with the latest technological equipments and the level of their professionalism will be further enhanced.

• Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani called on President Ali Zardari
  

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gillani called on President Ali Zardari here today.

The Prime Minister congratulated the President on assuming the charge of his new responsibilities as President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari thanked the Prime Minister for his felicitations and exchanged views with him on the issue of mutual interest.

Later on the members of federal cabinet also paid courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari and congratulated him.
 

• Chairman Senate Mohammedmian Soomro and Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza paid separate calls on President Asif Ali Zardari

Chairman Senate Mohammedmian Soomro and Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza paid separate calls on President Asif Ali Zardari here today.

Both of them congratulated the President on assuming the charge of his new responsibilities as President of the Islamic republic of Pakistan.

President Asif Ali Zardari thanked them for their felicitations and said that the supremacy of the Parliament must be respected and the relationship between all the state institutes should be cordial.

• Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed paid courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari
  

Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed paid courtesy call on President Asif Ali Zardari here today.

He congratulated the President on assuming charge of his new responsibilities as President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and also briefed the President about the operational preparedness of Pakistan Air Force.

President Asif Ali Zardari thanked him for felicitation and said that the necessary steps will be taken to further enhance the operational and professional capabilities of Pakistan Air Force.

• H.E. Ali S. Awadh Asseri Ambassador of Saudi Arabia called on President Asif Ali Zardari

He congratulated the President on assuming charge of his new responsibilities as President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and also discussed the issues of mutual interest.

President Asif Ali Zardari thanked him for his felicitation and appreciated the strong bilateral relations with the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia and said that the existing bilateral ties would be further enhanced.