President wants Chinese model of agriculture in Pakistan

WUHAN: President Asif Ali Zardari Saturday said that Pakistan wants to benefit from Chinese experience and technology in the field of agriculture for enhanced production that will help his country in overcoming the grain shortage.

“I am very impressed with China’s development in Agri-sector and we want to emulate the same success in Pakistan,” President Zardari said here in his address to China Hubei-Pakistan Agriculture and Water Resources Cooperation Forum.

The president said that Pakistan and China have always enjoyed cordial relations and expressed the hope that his visit will further strengthen these ties particularly in the fields of agriculture and hydro electricity sectors.

He said the prime objective of his visit, the second in four months, was to learn from Chinese model of agriculture and development of hydro electricity projects.

source : jang.com.pk

President, PM condemn D. I. Khan blast

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Friday strongly condemned the blast in D I Khan that killed and injured several people.

The President and the Prime Minister said the government would not bow down to the extremists, militants and terrorists and would take all necessary measures to establish the writ of the government.

President Zardari said such acts of violence; bomb blasts and terrorism were a serious threat to the country and directed local administrations to take strict measures so that no such incidents recur.

Prime Minister Gilani taking a strong note of the tragic incident sought a report from the provincial government. He said the government was committed to ensure law and order across the country.

He directed that law enforcing agencies to ensure strict security measures at all large gatherings and investigate the matter to bring the perpetrators to justice.

They also directed the provincial authorities to provide best possible medical care to the injured.

source : jang.com.pk

Kyrgyz president signs law closing US base

BISHKEK: Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev signed into law on Friday the closure of a key US military supply base for Afghanistan, his press office said, making good on a decision that shocked Washington.

Parliament voted overwhelmingly Thursday in favour of the bill to close the Manas air base outside the Kyrgyz capital, with 78 out of 81 lawmakers present voting in favour. One MP voted against and two abstained.

The US military will have 180 days to remove its soldiers and equipment from the base once, as officially notified by the government. Bakiyev’s announcement last month of the closure came after Russia offered more than two billion dollars in aid to the struggling Kyrgyz economy. The government has insisted that Moscow did not set the closure as a condition.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said in Poland that the US would not pay beyond a “reasonable” amount to use the Manas base and said the vote would not be “the last word.”"I think we are prepared to look at the fees and see if there is a justification for a somewhat larger payment, but we’re not going to be ridiculous about it,” he said. “We’re prepared to do something that we think is reasonable.” The United States pays 17.4 million dollars a year to use the strategic air base, which serves as a vital hub for moving troops and supplies in and out of Afghanistan.

source : jang.com.pk

Militancy great threat to democracy: President

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed the need for standing united against the militancy and militants, which is a great threat to democracy.

“A great threat to democracy comes from militancy and militants who want to impose their political and ideological agenda through bullet instead of ballot. We must stand united and not let them succeed”, President Zardari said in his message on the first anniversary of February 18 elections.

“Tolerance, reconciliation and dialogue have illumined our path on the road to democracy after the February 18 elections last year.

“We will continue to be guided by these principles in our long haul in dealing with all those who will respect the Constitution and rule of law and who seek to bring change through ballot instead of bullet,” the President stated.

President Zardari complimented the people of Pakistan particularly all political parties and workers who waged a heroic struggle and offered huge sacrifices to force the dictatorship hold elections.

“On this occasion our thoughts go to those hundreds of martyrs of democracy led by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who laid down their lives for the cause. Their cause was to make the usurper relinquish power and give it back to the people.

“They are our heroes and heroines who will continue to shine on the canvas of time and inspire generations even in a distant age and clime. But for their sacrifices we may not have witnessed democracy as is witnessed today”, he added.

The President reiterated the commitment to preserve, protect and enhance democracy; not to let anyone usurp the rights of the people and not to let dictatorship strike again.

“On this day let us reiterate our commitment to preserve, protect and enhance democracy. Let us vow not to let anyone usurp the rights of the people; not to let dictatorship strike again.”

The President said this requires rededication to the principles of parliamentary democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law, adding, “We all must join hands to make the Parliament the embodiment of the will of the people truly strong and supreme.”

source : jang.com.pk

Uganda president fires FM

KAMPALA: Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni fired his finance minister and moved his energy minister in a cabinet reshuffle that brought on board his wife and kept key loyalists.

Yoweri replaced finance minister Ezra Suruma with Sydda Bumba and appointed his wife, Janet, as a minister for the remote Karamoja region.