28 April 2005	Thursday	18 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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ISLAMABAD, April 27: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday asked the ministry of labour and manpower to work out an efficient and transparent procedure for selection of skilled and semiskilled manpower for employment abroad. Talking to Minister for Labour and Manpower Ghulam Sarwar Khan at the prime minister house, Mr Aziz said there was need to develop and sharpen the skills of Pakistani workers in order to make them more competitive.

He said the government was focusing on skill development and setting up vocational training institutes in almost every district of the country.

Matters relating to the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation also came under discussion.

RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS: Also on Wednesday Mr Aziz reviewed the haj and umra policy with a view to improve it to facilitate the intending pilgrims.

Talking to Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq, the prime minister said the government was keen to provide maximum facilities to pilgrims.

Mr Aziz said Islam should be presented in its true light to allay misgivings and misperceptions, especially in the West, about Islam and the Muslims. He observed that the concept of enlightened moderation was not in conflict with the teachings of Islam.

KASHMIR AFFAIRS: In a meeting with Minister for Kashmir and Northern Areas Faisal Saleh Hayat, the prime minister renewed the government’s commitment to accelerate efforts aimed at development of remote regions including the Northern Areas (NA) and the AJK.

Mr Aziz said development schemes and projects marked for the NA and AJK would be completed on a priority basis. The NAs and AJK held great promise especially in the tourism sector and the government should tap the potential, he added.

The minister apprised Mr Aziz about steps taken to improve the law and order situation in the NAs and said the situation was now satisfactory. Matters relating to the forthcoming meeting of the AJK Council also came under discussion.