President Musharaf inaugurates Gwadar Port

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

  GWADAR, Mar 20 (APP):  President General Pervez Musharraf on Tuesday said the operationalization of the country’s first deep-sea port would turn Gwadar into a major industrial, trade and energy hub of the region and will usher in an era of progress and prosperity.Inaugurating the Gwadar Port, the President also announced plans for setting up the country’s fourth port at Somiani with a resolve to undo the neglects of the past by the previous governments, by launching several mega development projects for the province. The President, along with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and in presence of several other cabinet members, pressed a button to operationalize the huge 40 tonne capacity cranes at the port to start removing containers from one of the three ships anchored at the berths. The President warned the handful of miscreants in Balochistan not to interfere with the government plans of development and vowed to lift the province out of backwardness. “You must lay down your weapons, do not interfere in Balochistan’s development and if you persist I warn you that you will be dealt with sternly,” he said and added that such people do not want to see their people improve their economic condition as they felt it would erode their authority. The President said that nations cannot progress if they oppose development. He said in the days to come the people of Balochistan will see more facilities and infrastructure development. “I derive my power from the people and since you are with me, I have nothing to worry and to fear those who are against development,” President Musharraf told the large gathering here at the Gwadar Port, including women and children. President Musharraf said that it was the first time that so many cabinet ministers gathered at Gwadar and recalled that there was only “bellowing dust and sand” when he came six years back. “Just see this development, the beautiful buildings that have cropped up, the road, electricity and water that are now available,” he said and added that a new airport will be built with the Chinese assistance. The President also spoke to the gathering in Balochi, to which the large crowd responded with enthusiasm. He said there were some people who said that the jobs at Gwadar will be handed over to “outsiders” and said he stood with the deprived people of the province. “I am with you and will always stand by the deprived,” he said and added that no one needed to worry and added that “no one can ever take their place as they were the sons of the soil having their due share.” He said a study was underway for the Gwadar-Dalbandin and Kandhar railway link, besides a 950 km long Gwadar-Turbat-Khuzdar-Ratodero road which was being constructed to facilitate movement of goods and people with the rest of the country. The President said the government has lined up development projects worth Rs 130 billion for the province that were far more than those in other provinces. He said there were some people who complained that Punjab was not happy with Balochistan’s progress. “Nothing could be far from truth. The people and government of Punjab have no objection to the huge  spendings in Balochistan and measures to lift it out of poverty and depravation,” he added. He said progress and development of Balochistan was the progress of Pakistan and said the government will continue with its efforts to bring about a positive change in the lives of the common man. The President said that the Coastal Highway was being extended up to the border of Iran while Gwadar was being linked with road, rail and air to the rest of the country and beyond. He said in future the government visualized Gwadar Port to be used as a route for trade and energy for China, Afghanistan and other Central Asian Republics and added that all trade routes will pass through here. The Mirani dam will irrigate 35,000 acres of land. In addition the Subakzai, Bolan and Nolang dam and the Kacchi canal will irrigate 0.7 million acres and will help meet agricultural needs of the local farmers. The President said similarly the government was undertaking bricklining of water courses and will spend Rs five billion in the province over a period of two years. The President announced setting up of a Marine College at Gwadar, to be funded equally by the provincial and the federal governments, Rs 10 million for improvement of health, education and sewerage system of Gwadar, besides another Rs 50 million for its rural areas. He also announced a Fishermen Colony, having all basic amenities of life, besides a Fisheries Training Centre to impart modern skills to the fishermen. Addressing particularly the large number of women present at the inauguration, the President asked them to concentrate on imparting education and skills to their children and said eight cadet colleges were being set up in the province, besides 1000 scholarships would be awarded to outstanding children. He also announced a gift of 2000 sewing machines for those who came from far away to attend the gathering. The President also mentioned the national internship programme and the technical schools being set up by the Army to train youth in different skills. He said the POF, HIT and other organisations have also been directed to train and acquire the services of youth from Balochistan. The President also mentioned the issue of Chief Justice and said the matter will be addressed under the law and the constitution of Pakistan. He warned against politicizing it and said “no one should use it for hatching political conspiracies.” “Such political conspiracies will be overcome with the help of the people of Pakistan . . . the people of Pakistan are with us . . . and I have full faith that anyone daring to conspire against the country will be crushed with the help of the people of Pakistan,” he said and added that no such conspiracy will be allowed to succeed. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in his remarks described the inauguration as a historic day that will change the destiny of the people of Balochistan and said from the dusty dunes of Gwadar a modern landscape was emerging. He urged the people of Balochistan to work hard, for the development and progress of their province and the country so that everyone benefits from the economic gains. “Let those who are against progress know that they cannot succeed,” he said and urged the people to vote for those who favour development in the next general election. The Prime Minister said the coastal highway will be extended up to Iran and bring in more economic opportunities for the people of the area. He said the new airport will operate under the open skies policy and bring in tourists from all over the world to enjoy the rich natural beauty. The President, along with the Prime Minister also visited the memorial of those Chinese workers who were killed during the construction of the Gwadar Port. He paid rich tributes and said his dream would not have materialized without the help of Chinese people and government. He said it was the deep friendship between Pakistan and China that has turned his vision into reality and helped the country enter a new era of economic prosperity.

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 20 March 2007 )

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Grand Mercure Hotel opens at Karachi Airport

Tuesday, March 20th, 2007

A new 5 star hotel is to start operations in the city of karachi. The new hotel will be called The Grand Mercure Airport hotel. It will be a 5 star hotel only few minutes from the Karachi International airport.

 Travel & Culture Services has acquired special rates for its clients visit Karachi for transit or tours. Please visit the hotel’s page at http://www.travel-culture.com/pakistan/ht/Grand_Mercure_Airport_Hotel_Karachi.shtml

 

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Meet & greet Services desk set up at Islamabad airport

Friday, March 16th, 2007

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Great potential to boost tourism between Pakistan and Uzbekistan

Thursday, March 15th, 2007

SAMARKAND, March 15 (APP):  Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Thursday said there was a great potential of boosting tourism between Pakistan and Uzbekistan and both the countries were working on it to achieve this objective. Talking to newsmen here after visiting “Rajestan” - a group of ancient ‘madrassas’ dating back to 15th and 17th century, the Prime Minister said a number of flights have started between the two countries and said with more flights trade and tourism between the two countries will further intensify.

The Prime Minister said both the countries have so much in common including their heritage, ancient links and a history that they share.

“It all is well worth the visit to each others’ country and shows the bonds and ties which existed centuries ago.

He recalled visits of President Pervez Musharraf and that of Islam Karimov preceding his that will bring the two countries further closer.

“Visit to Uzbekistan would not be complete without visiting Samarkand - an ancient capital and on silk route and manifestation of Islamic teachings, thought, philosophy. Contributions made by scientists, scholars and thinkers from this part of the world to the entire world is very significant,” he said.

The Prime Minister commended the government of Uzbekistan for maintaing the sites in an excellent manner and promoting the heritage and history for the entire Muslim world.

The Prime Minister said the people of Uzbekistan are warm and friendly and tourists from each country should visit the other.

He pointed that Pakistan’s history stretching back to the Harrapa and Gandhara civilisations was a favourite for tourists interested in world history.

He said Pakistan offers a rich mosaic of natural beauty, history and culture that needs to be seen and invited tourists from Uzbekistan to visit. He also said Pakistani tourists can visit the historic places in Samarkand and Bukhara only a few hours away from their homes.

The Prime Minister soon after his arrival in Samarkand visited the Musoleum of Hazrat Imam Bokhari the renowned writer of Hadith. Penning down his impressions on the visitors book, the Prime Minister described it as a “real privilge”.

“He was a scholar, researcher and religious leader who spent forty years collecting and  authenticating the Hadith, covering the life and sayings of Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).”

Aziz lauded the Uzbek government for mainting this “precious site of our history”. “We all need to follow Islamic teachings of brotherhood, peace, harmony an tolerance,” he stated.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by the Governor of Samarkand also visited the Quran Museum and saw the artifacts and copies of Holy Quran from all over the world.

Uzbekistan was overrun by Genghis Khan in 1220. In the 1300s Amir Timur or Tamerlane the Great  (1337-1405) built an empire with its capital at Samarkand, founded after conquering what is today known as Iran, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, the Caucasus, Northern India and the Golden Horde of Mongols.

His capital was a welcome abode for for scholars and artists.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and members of his delegation later visited the famous observatory made by Timur’s grandson Mirzo Ulugbek, who also was the first to design a sextant. He was briefed about the working of the observatory, termed by some as one of the world’s wonders, and was used to precisely measure the movement of stars and planets.

Ulugbek is known in the world of science as one of the greatest in Middle Ages, astronomer and sponsor of art and knowledge.

Uzbekistan was one of the 15 member Republics of the Soviet Union between 1922 and 1991. In September, 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan became one of Central Asian Republics to proclaim independence. Uzbekistan’s heritage goes back about 2,500 years. Besides its economic importance, it flourished as the medieval intellectual center of the Muslim world.

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The first stage of gruelling 1648-kilometer 13th Tour de Pakistan Cycle race on 4th March

Tuesday, February 13th, 2007

KARACHI, Feb 13 (APP): The first stage of gruelling 1648-kilometer 13th Tour de Pakistan Cycle race pedal-off from the Mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam on March 4. 11-stage race will start from Karachi and conclude at Peshawar on March 18 after crossing from various cities of Sindh, Punjab and NWPF on the famous the Grand Trunk (GT) Road. Besides foreign participants, teams from Pakistan Army, WAPDA, SSGC, Railways etc would be battling for honours in the race. 153-KM Karachi to Hyderabad first stage will be flagged-off from Mazar-e-Quaid. Sindh Chief Secretary Fazal-ur-Rehman called for joint coordination for success of the race during a meeting on Tuesday.

He told a meeting held with Pakistan Cycling Federation office bearers and other officials which was held to review arrangements, that it should be memorable event like in the past. Former Deputy Speaker Sindh Assembly Abdul Bari Jilani led the PCF delegation at the meeting which was also attended by Additional Chief Secretary Nazar Hussain Mehar, SSP Security Amin Yousufzai and others. Besides foreign riders teams Sindh, Punjab, NWFP and Balochistan departmental like Pakistan Army, WAPDA, Railways and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) would be taking part in the race. Meeting was informed that around 150 riders would be featuring in the race.

Besides Individual event, team contest will also be part of the race. The CS said foolproof security arrangements would be made throughout the Sindh province for caravan during their 644 KM Sindh route.He said all the DPOs of the districts will be responsible for boarding and lodging of the participants.

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Lahore Tourism Fair 2007

Wednesday, January 24th, 2007

Tourism fair ended here in Lahore on 20th Jan 2007 with many promises and Governments commitment to promote tourism. The fare was well received by Locals but there very next to no foreigners. It was indeed a good begining and hopfully will continue onwards.

 

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Presiden Musharaf promotes tourism to Pakistan

Tuesday, January 16th, 2007

Jan 14th 2007 During the opening of the Lahore marathon President Musharraf’s said that the country needs to reject extremism is some thing that is agreeable by any one.

This was an ongoing effort to promote tourism in Pakistan and bring th country’s brighter image to the world. Lahore Marathon was a great success this year however there were no tourists except 2 tourists from Travel & Culture Services which promoted the Marathon on its web site http://www.travel-culture.com/tours/lahoremarathon.shtml  

Pakistan has a lot of potential of tourism but the Government needs to put more efforts in promotion and giving facilities to the tourism companies. The hotel rates in pakistan are way too high than many countries specially in the big cities like Lahore Karachi slamabad & peshawar.

. Also, the assertion by many senior officials that the marathon will be good for the country’s image seems to have become a bit stale because of over-use — also it is not entirely accurate because many other more important things, if attended to by our governments, would help improve the country’s image in a more significant and concrete manner. However, some credit should be given where it is due and for that the Lahore city administration and the Punjab government should be given a pat on the back for conducting the race, despite what happened last year thanks to the MMA. Of course, the support that the race and other related sporting and cultural activities have been getting from the presidency of late is crucial in making such events possible.

There are many other events organised by the government of Pakistan for visit Pakistan 2007 which are listed at http://www.travel-culture.com/visitpakistan

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