ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has asked the World Bank to focus on provision of improved health and education facilities to the people at the grassroots level to help tackle poverty, one of the root causes of terrorism. He was taking to Managing Director of the World Bank Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who called on him in Islamabad on Friday.

The Prime Minister said that Pakistan has the will and the ability to fight the war against terrorism, but lacks in capacity. It expects the world to work on building the capacity of our law enforcement agencies, particularly those responsible for maintaining law and order at the grassroots level.

He said the government has adopted a strategy of isolating militants from the peaceful people in the tribal areas as well as Swat but attacks from outside Pakistan reunite them thus proving counterproductive.

About Afghanistan the Prime Minister said that Pakistan is having excellent relations with the Karzai government but expressed concern over increased poppy cultivation in Afghanistan. He said that there is credible evidence that drug money is finding its way to terrorists in Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said the government is focusing on improving law and order situation in the country as suicide bombings and bomb blasts have adverse affect on the economy.

He said the government has also taken steps to improve the power situation in the country and in addition to encouraging new power plants and importing energy from Iran; alternate energy sources are also being tapped.

He said common man in Pakistan is very concerned that the united forces of the world have not been able to achieve the desired results in Afghanistan in more than five years so how Pakistan, which has already sacrificed much more than the multi-national NATO and ISAF forces is still being expected to do more. He said that peace and prosperity of the world is linked with the stability and prosperity of Pakistan.

The Prime Minister expressed the confidence that the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum would open new vistas of economic assistance, and investment in Pakistan, in the coming months, allowing the country to meet the challenges it is currently faced with.

The Prime Minister also said the government of Pakistan expects that the US government after its transition phase is over would expedite the Kerry-Luger Bill and Reconstruction Opportunities Zones in tribal areas.

He thanked the World Bank for supporting the Benazir Income Support program under which 3.4 billion people would be provided relief worth 34 billion rupees.

He said Pakistan is looking forward to increased support from the World Bank in the development and infrastructure sectors. He also appreciated the Bank for considering supporting Pakistan in developing the North-South Trade corridor which would include building of rail, road and allied infrastructure.

He also lauded World Bank’s indication to disburse approximately 500 million dollars as budgetary support by the end of June this year. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala appreciated the fiscal and monetary discipline maintained by the government and congratulated the Prime Minister on the targets achieved by them so far.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: The government is finalizing the poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP)-II with the consultation of all stakeholders to steer the country on the path of sustained and broad based economic growth. This was stated by Advisor on Finance Shaukat Tarin while addressing a consultative conference with Parliamentarians on the PRSP-II here on Thursday.

Accentuating the salient features of the strategy, the Finance Advisor said the government is giving foremost priority for regaining macro economic stability and reduce poverty level through financial discipline and transparent policies. He said besides reducing inflation and current account deficit, exchange rates will be made flexible to jack up exports and reduce imports. He said after achieving economic stability, focus will be given to boost the economic growth which will ultimately help reduce the poverty.

The advisor was confident that the country would be put on the sustainable economic development during the next twenty three months. As outlined in the PRSP-II, the Finance advisor said safety nets would be provided to vulnerable groups and marginalized segments of the society. Referring to the thirty four billion rupees Benazir Income support programme, he said there are plans to increase its allocation to eighty billion rupees. Under this programme, in addition to the financial assistance, technical training programme will be started for the deserving families to help them stand on their own feet.

He said the PRSP-II attaches high priority to making the agriculture sector a profitable one in the economy. He said a holistic plan will be prepared after consultation with all the relevant stakeholders including the farmers to bolster agriculture yield. Besides the industrial sector would be expanded and promoted to diversify our exports. He said the special emphasis will be laid on the manufacturing sector to achieve the real and sustainable growth rate.

Shaukat Tarin said the government has also identified human resource development as a priority area. In this connection, the development strategy envisages massive investment in strengthening its human resource base to produce a skilled and competent workforce that can respond to the increasing demands of steadily growing economy.

To tackle the current energy crisis, Shaukat Tarin said an integrated energy plan will be evolved to exploit the hydel, coal, oil and gas potentials of the country. He said we are already in contact with foreign countries including China for the prudent and environment friendly exploitation of reserves at Thar.

He said infrastructure sector would also be developed on modern lines in collaboration with the private sector to optimize the country’s location advantage. He said reforms will also be introduced in the capitals markets to support the agriculture and industrial sector. Besides administrative reforms will be ensured to improve the quality of public spending and achieve the set targets.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Economic Affairs said that inputs of the parliamentarians will be incorporated in the PRSP-II for its better implementation and ensure that it reflects the true aspirations of the people.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday launched the Rs 34 billion Benazir Income Support Programme for the poor and vulnerable segments of society. Under the scheme, families, having income less than Rs 6000 per month would be paid Rs. 2000, every two months under this programme. “This is the first program in the country that will directly benefit the oppressed sections of the society directly,” President Asif Ali Zardari told a gathering here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
President Zardari said the welfare of women was a priority of the government and it was with this objective that the scheme has been initiated.

“I am pleased to launch the scheme on the name of great leader Benazir Bhutto Shaheed,” President Zardari said. He said the scheme was a step towards empowerment of the women and ameliorating the sufferings of the poorest of the poor.“I wish Mohtarma was alive today to have launched the program with her own hands,” he said.

The program to benefit as many as 3 million people will be implemented with complete transparency and by rising above political affiliations, the President said. He said the recommendations of the parliamentarians will be kept in consideration in identifying the vulnerable sections of the society.

The President said the government has also directed NADRA to place all information about the financial transactions on its website so that the people may verify that the money is being given to the real deserving, with complete openness.

The President termed the scheme that will cover around 14 per cent of the population in the low income group across the country; including FATA, Northern Areas and Azad Jammu Kashmir. He said special focus of the scheme will be on the remote areas of Balochistan, Chitral, North and South Waziristan, Kohistan and Tharparkar.

The President handed over cheques to the deserving families. Prime Minsiter Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate and parliamentarians attended the event. Minister for IT and Kashmir Affairs Qamar Zaman Kaira, who is also looking after the BISP said the Benazir Income Support Program will be the largest direct cash grant scheme in country’s history and all members of Parliament, irrespective of party affiliation will be provided equal opportunities to recommend deserving families.

A unique feature of the scheme is that the payment will be made directly to the female head of the family and the amount will help in providing funds for around 25 days of wheat flour for the family. He said the Benazir Income Support Programme is the third largest allocation in the current budget and constitutes 0.3 percent of GDP. For families earning Rs. 5000 per month, the Rs. 1000 payout will amount to a 20 percent increase in their current purchasing power.

The funds would be disbursed through Pakistan Post and will be delivered by postal Money Order at the recipient address, so that they do not have to incur any cost or trouble in obtaining the amount. He said under the scheme each Parliamentarian will be allocated 8,000 forms which would be distributed by MNA’s and Senators in their respective constituencies. The forms would be verified by the Union Councillor as well as the area MNA.

The parliamentarians will collect the completed forms and mail these to NADRA in pre-addressed envelopes provided by BISP.-APP

New York: Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro has warned countries that the current financial crisis, which is impacting all economies and exacerbating the suffering of millions, is also threatening the efforts to slash poverty, hunger, disease and other socio-economic ills by 2015, known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“The financial crisis only exacerbates the hardship already being caused by higher prices of food and energy, especially in low-income countries, fomenting social and political unease,” Ms. Migiro told the General Assembly’s Second Committee, which deals with economic and financial matters. “Despite the recent announcement by the World Bank that considerable progress has been made in reducing poverty and hunger, our work to achieve the Millennium Development Goals is clearly at risk,” she cautioned.

Ms. Migiro told delegates that they were meeting at a time of financial turmoil, and that urgent action was needed to avert a recession, including through stimulus packages and measures to stabilize financial and foreign exchange markets.

In the midst of the current financial woes, “achieving the MDGs by 2015 continues to be our major development challenge,” the Deputy Secretary-General stated. Although the progress made so far towards the Goals has been uneven, it is still possible to achieve them by the target date, she added.

Noting that Africa remains the region with the greatest challenges ahead, particularly against the backdrop of much higher food and energy prices and climate change, she called for increasing and better coordinating aid, reducing agricultural subsidies in developed countries, and investing more in infrastructure.

“Let’s make sure the financial crisis does not divert our efforts,” she appealed to Member States. “If we are to take away any lesson from the multiple crises we face, it is that delaying action only makes matters worse.-UN news Service

Islamabad: Pakistan Economy Watch has said that deregulation and globalisation are bigger threats than World War III. Over 500 million people have been pushed below the poverty threshold in the underdeveloped world. The world is in a nosedive and it is projected to fall until those who matters decide a major policy shift. “Unemployment, poverty and illiteracy can give birth to revolutions resulting in bleak future of the world,” said President of Pakistan Economy Watch, Dr. Murtaza Mughal.

He said that third world should unite against WTO and other institutions pushing globalization, deregulation and free market economy. The unending financial crises gripping the world are result of the exalted deregulations.

International food prices rocketed 12 per cent in 2006 which jumped to 24 per cent in 2007 and 50 percent in first eight months of 2008, he said adding that the impact was worst in Pakistan due to ineffective price control mechanism.

Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that some 30 billion US dollars are needed to save planet from hunger. Same amount is used in US on pet food. “If wealthy nations can reduce expenses on pets, it can save lives of six million children who die before their first birthday; it will reduce deaths and complications during pregnancy, wipe out malaria and other curable diseases and enhance the quality of life of whole world,” he said.

He said that many countries are following west and exhausting resources on defence expenditures which is not success of western model but a compulsion. “Islamic and Chinese models are far better and practiced in many parts of the world,” said Dr. Murtaza Mughal.

He said that a Stealth Bomber costs over one billion dollars. It is more than its weight in gold. Minimising only 30 Stealth and other aircraft in squadrons can ensure food for all the hungry of earth. The US has spent trillions of dollars in wars and in such a situation; dubbing oneself as champions on human rights is not fair.-Pak Economy Watch

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank mission headed by Ms Christine Rennie paid a visit to the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited ZTBL, Headquarters and met the Bank’s Chief Muhammad Zaka Ashraf., said the bank’s press release issued here today. Zaka Ashraf the Bank’s President gave detailed presentation on ZTBLs’ operational activities and business plan for agricultural development & financing the agricultural community to alleviate rural poverty.

The Bank’s chief apprised the delegation that the bank still holds major share of institutional credit in agri sector and has devised plan to focus particularly on off farm activities and increase in yield per acre through innovative use of agriculture technology. The World Bank mission showed keen interest in capacity building and other technical assistance programmes dealing with food security, water efficiency and dairy related matters.

While exchanging views on matters of mutual interest, the water conservation & irrigation, innovative technology of agriculture and other priority areas of investment for agri. Uplift also came under discussion. The bank’s Chief M. Zaka Ashraf also presented souvenirs to the visiting delegates.

The World Bank mission headed by Ms Christine Rennie paid a visit to Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited, Headquarters & met the Bank’s Chief Muhammad Zaka Ashraf. Says the bank’s press release issued here today. Zaka Ashraf the Bank’s President gave detailed presentation on ZTBLs’ operational activities and business plan for agricultural development & financing the agricultural community to alleviate rural poverty.

The Bank’s chief apprised the delegation that the bank still holds major share of institutional credit in agri sector and has devised plan to focus particularly on off farm activities and increase in yield per acre through innovative use of agriculture technology. The World Bank mission showed keen interest in capacity building and other technical assistance programmes dealing with food security, water efficiency and dairy related matters.

While exchanging views on matters of mutual interest, the water conservation & irrigation, innovative technology of agriculture and other priority areas of investment for agriculture Uplift also came under discussion. The bank’s Chief M. Zaka Ashraf also presented souvenirs to the visiting delegates.-SANA

After a long time when I was really fed up with monotonous daily routine and work, I finally thought to take a vacation, a leave from the daily chores. I finally packed my bags off and catch up a train from Kolkata. I was going to a place called Islampur. Islampur is a faraway place from Kolkata. It is located in Dinajpur district of West-Bengal. Islampur is a small town small town, nothing special to see there. Only attraction is one of my closest friends; Dr. Maqbool Hussain who lives there. We call Maqbool by his pet name “Shibu”.

After a long and hectic journey of about 10 hours, I finally reached Islampur. Shibu was waiting for me on the station. He welcomed me with a great smile and a big hug. After all we are meeting after 8 years. From station we catch up a “Tanga” (Horse Cart) and moved towards his house. He had a very traditional styled Bengali Haveli(house) and also he belonged to a very noble family of Landlords.
Within 15 minutes we reached his house. We just started our gossips when suddenly the phone buzzed. Shibu attended the call and then suddenly he became apologetic. I asked him what happened. He told me that he had to go for an emergency operation in Mumbai. He was feeling very sorry but I asked him to leave because it was more important because it was about life and death. With all this huffs and puffs he finally left.

Now, I was alone in his house. His mother asked me to take a quick shower to get fresh since I was very tired. After a cool shower she offered me the traditional Bengali breakfast “Loochi Aloor Dum” and “Rasgoolas”. I enjoyed the delicious food very much. But happy times don’t last for long. After taking breakfast I was thinking what to do next. I thought of taking a nap or what…I finally make up my mind to visit the nearby villages to explore Islampur.

I started wandering to and fro, since this place was not very familiar to me. I lit up a cigarette and started roaming. Suddenly, I heard a sound, a voice….coming from a very distant place. I could easily make up that it’s a voice of a boy hardly 9 or 10 years of age. He was shouting “10 minute er khela Babu 10 minute er khela” (In English: 10 minutes Game…Oh sir! It’s just a 10 minutes Game”). I thought that it was probably or for sure another case of child labor. Since I was left with no other option to move towards that place.

It was not very far placing. Just a few minute walk and I reached that fellow. I saw that boy was showing some magic games and was entertaining people with his circus shows. He was also having a pair of monkeys. One was a child and other was an adult female monkey. He was entertaining people with his magic shows and circus acts like walking on head or balance games. Children were really enjoying as it was evident by their smiles and claps. He also managed to play a show in which he was showing the female monkey as a teacher and the baby monkey as her student. Seeing this shows, reminded me of my childhood. I was feeling so nostalgic that that I didn’t even noticed that his 10 minutes had extended to 1 long hour.

At the end of the show when everybody was leaving, I was also about to leave when he shouted upon me. “Oh Babu…..Tumi to kichu poisa na diyei chole jacho…?” (In English: Oh Sir!! You are leaving without giving me a single paisa”). I laughed and called the boy. I asked his name. His name was Anwar. I paid him 10 rupees. I also asked him with whom and where he is living. He told me that he is staying in a nearby village with his mother. I enquired whether he is going to school or not. I was shocked to hear his answer. He answered me with a pale face that “Pora shone kore ki hobe…..Asol hoche Taka babu” (In English: What to do with studies….the real thing is money”). I got very much annoyed and he is just a bogus fellow. I paid him 10 rupees and left immediately.
I returned to Shibu’s house. His mother was very congenial towards me. They served me the best Bengali food I have ever taken. After having the lunch, I was thinking about Anwar. A face full of innocence was just a show? Or maybe there is some other naked truth that he was trying to hide. With all this thought process I could never know when I fall asleep. I wake up after 5:30 in evening when Samina (Shibu’s sister) waked me up for a cup of tea.

With the end of the last sip in the cup of tea I went for an evening walk, when I saw Anwar again. I called him. He hurriedly stepped towards me. I asked him how much he had earned in the morning. With a jolly smile he replied 35 rupees. With a bit of little interference in his personal life I asked him what the hell he was going to do with the money. He replied with a sad expression that he would buy foods and medicines. I recalled the word “Medicine”. I curiously asked him in details. He told me that he was going to buy some medicines for his mother who was suffering from cancer. His father expired when he was 1 year of age. He was the only earning source in his house. After hearing these facts I was feeling very sad and I was cursing myself, that without knowing the real fact how I could blame the boy. His family load was so huge that money has replaced his all happiness his joy his sorrow…..his education his childhood…his everything. I could do nothing but at least to satisfy my cursed soul I gave him 50 rupees.

I requested Anwar to take me to his house. He welcomed my wish with a joy. I reached his village within 5 minutes. As soon as I was entering their house a crowd of Hindu mass ordered me not to enter the house because those people were Muslims. They told me “Bauner er beta, Bacha, jeo na oder ghore…jaat jaabe…” (In English: You are a Brahmin, please don’t enter their house…Else you will lose your religion and cast). I was very much disheartened and got really red faced on hearing these words. In India and especially in communist states like Bengal people are still like this? I wondered. I didn’t care about them and just by ignoring these nuts I entered the house. Let I lose my religion and cast, no problem but humanity was my preferred religion.

I entered the house and saw a lady in her mid-thirties was lying in bed. Sickness had made her very much dependable to her bed. Her face turned pale and she was crying bitterly. I hold her in my arms and asked not to cry. I asked her not to cry but I could not know the way how I could sooth her for not crying. There was no one to help them as it was very apparent from the neighbor’s attitude. I learnt from Anwar’s mother that Anwar’s father was in army and was martyred in the borders of Kashmir. Also I came to know that no pension is provided by the government to them. I wondered how people could have a great family like Anwar’s whose father had sacrificed his life just for our happiness. “Just because they are minority?” I didn’t have my answer…so I came back to Shibu’s house.

The night was normal and I took my dinner then slept. But I was thinking and thinking…and I was not able to sleep for whole night. I puffed of a pack of cigarettes but it’s of no use. Next day after my breakfast I again reached that place where I had met Anwar first time. I waited a long but Anwar didn’t come. Finally I decided to go to his house. When I reached his house his house, I saw him playing with other boys. He was playing as if he had no burden in his life. I enquired why he didn’t come to show his game. He told me yesterday his full money got saved since I brought him food and medicines. Additionally I had given him 50 rupees. So he had lot of money for the day. I asked him what he was planning to do with this money. He answered a very infuriating answer. He said he would buy some foods and toys and a Blanket for himself.

I gave him a bad look to this rascal saying “Your mother is lying on the death bed and you are planning for yourself”. I was about to leave when suddenly another boy shouted to Anwar. I was listening to the conversation. That boy was saying to Anwar “Dekh amar kache Bat ache Ball ache tor kache kichu nei…tui Bhikhari” (In English: See Anwar! I have got a Bat, Ball but you have nothing you are just a beggar). Everyone was laughing at him. He was crying. Suddenly he replied ” Na amar kache onek taka ache ami kaal I sob kinbo..tokhon tora dekhbi…..” (In English: No I have got lot of money …and I will buy all the toys by tomorrow…..then you people will see…Who am i? …I will buy blanket for my maa(mother) and I will share with her. I will buy good foods for her).

After listening this conversation I realized, that Anwar was also a child. A normal and usual child with childish sentiments. He can also have wish to buy Bat and Ball..Because his age does not permit him to take the family load. He is also having a soul to have good foods. If my kind reader carefully observes his conversation, he can find that Anwar always tries to full fill his mother as well as his needs. Just think a child thinking this complex world’s truth. My God! He is also a kid his childish mentality had stopped him to work for the day. I can realize that in this age I myself sometimes bunk the office just to take rest.

I was worried about the condition of Children in India and also I feel for the minorities. I went to the DM but of no use. He was absent. He also bunked a day just like Anwar. On the third day, again I reached the same place where Anwar show his plays. Today he was there with a good crowd surrounding him. He was showing Magic Tricks etc but I was waiting for the monkey play. At last it started and today’s played featured the female monkey as mother and baby monkey as her child. Anwar asked the female monkey to hold the baby monkey in her arms and also asked her to help the baby to take bath, get him ready for school and serve him foods. The Monkeys were really smart. They played well. It was a show that touched my heart.

At the end of the show I asked Anwar about his mother. He replied that “she died in the early morning”. I angrily told him that your mother died and you are here. I shouted a lot. He left sobbing and crying.

I felt bad after some time. I make up my way towards his house. When I reached his house I saw him sitting on the floor like a statue with no emotions. He was not crying. Everybody was saying if Anwar had not gone in the morning to play the show, the last funeral of his mother was not possible.
I was feeling guilty now. I left that place. I hurried to a nearby field and sat calmly. I puffed a cigarette and was thinking; imagine a boy hardly 10 years of age. His mother died in front of him. But he was so unlucky that he had to go out for earnings for his mother’s funeral. He didn’t even have the chance to hold his mother on his chest and cry. I asked to myself “In today’s circus, Anwar why? Why Anwar…….you have shown the love between mother and son. When the play was going on what was going on in your mind Anwar? Your mother had died long before the play started….what would have been your feelings?”

On the 4th day I was planning to leave Islampur. I thought before leaving I should make a last visit to Anwar. But when I reached his house no one was there. The door was locked and no one was able to say where he had gone. I searched for him a lot. Finally I was getting late so I catch up the train to Kolkata.

I remembered that day was Maa Saraswati Puja in Bengal (Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of Education and knowledge). It is celebrated with great zeal in Bengal. I asked to Maa “Why Maa …why can’t u bless that child with your blessings? Why? What fault he has done?” But no answer came.

I thought and kept on thinking about Anwar. He was not getting out of my mind. In mean time I reached Kolkata. I didn’t celebrate the occasion and locked myself in my room.

I haven’t forgotten Anwar till day. I don’t know where he is…where he is showing his “10 Minute er khela”. But I wish for that child that wherever you are be happy for ever.

I don’t know when people will help others, love others, be unbiased to religion and biased to humanity. I don’t know when our government will pay the deserved Pensions. But till then thousands of Anwar will suffer. An innocent childhood will fade up on the Magic shows or in mechanic garage or in civil sites. And thousands of helpless mothers will die in the darkness of poverty and helplessness.

ISLAMABAD: Ms. Isabel M. Guerrero Vice President, World Bank, South Asian Region met Syed Naveed Qamar, Finance Minister here on Friday. She was accompanied by her predecessor, former World Bank Vice President, Mr. Praful C. Patel and other members of World Bank Team. Read the full story

KABUL: There are an estimated 2500 HIV positive cases in Afghanistan, a country reeling from decades of war, poverty, illiteracy, massive displacements, high levels of poppy cultivation and commercial and unsafe sex. Unsafe injection practices, drug trafficking and usage, unsafe injection practices and blood transfusion were potential risk factors for the spread of the deadly virus, the Ministry of Public Health said. Read the full story

KABUL: Low salaries are forcing many of Afghanistan’s teachers to take on second jobs so they can feed their families. Despite promises that their wages would be increased, schoolteachers in Kabul said there have been few improvements since the US-led invasion in 2001. “When the Taliban regime was destroyed, we were optimistic that the new government would help us, but they have done nothing,” said Aziza Khalil, a chemistry teacher. Against the backdrop of growing insecurity, education is commonly regarded as being one of Afghanistan’s most tangible success stories. Read the full story