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My reply to the US ambassador’s letter published in the daily “Dawn” today…

Dear Mr. Ambassador, kindly also inform how much the U.S. government has released to the GOP+NGO’s (separately) under the KLB $7.5 billion assistance programme announced in 2008.
This information is very vital to dispel any wrong image of the USA that it never honours its commitments to the full and backs out on some pretexts or other, like it refused to handover FULLY paid F-16’s; and later on demanded STORAGE charges for the planes, which were never to be handed over to Pakistan.
Therefore, your clarification and specific information on KLB payments to Pakistan will go a long way in building the image, reputation and credibility of your esteemed government.

Letter of the US ambassador

US ambassador’s version
From the Newspaper Published about 3 hours ago

YOUR editorial ‘Confusion after IMF review’ (Feb 8) stated that the government of Pakistan was disappointed when the US failed to commit an expected $250m for the rehabilitation of temporarily displaced persons(TDPs). That statement is incorrect and mischaracterises the US commitment to helping TDPs.

The US is the largest donor of official development assistance to the Federally-Administrated Tribal Areas. Since October 2009, the US government has provided over $739m to Fata in humanitarian and development assistance. On Jan 14, Dawn covered US Secretary of State John Kerry’s remarks made during his visit to Pakistan last month where he underscored the US commitment of $250m to help those displaced by Operation Zarb-i-Azb. That commitment will continue US support to Pakistan with a three-phase package of civilian assistance to respond to the protracted humanitarian crisis and help facilitate the return and recovery of TDPs to Fata via rehabilitation and the long-term development of communities.

Beside this bilateral assistance, the US government through US AID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and its Food for Peace Programme (FPP) has provided lifesaving humanitarian aid through UN agencies and NGOs. Since June 2014, OFDA and FPP have provided approximately $180m in humanitarian aid to TDPs in Fata.

In coordination with other donors and the government of Pakistan, the US will continue to support programmes that create economic opportunities, provide access to social services, rebuild lives affected by the actions of extremists, and promote the rule of law.

Ambassador Richard G. Olson

US Embassy

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2015

1. How Delhi was conquered by AAM AADMI PARTY? 1. Kejriwal’s Appeal For a city w. http://t.co/wIXUL0AYJa

2. How AAM AADMI PARTY won the hearts and minds of the voters of De. http://t.co/r6x0uEQold

“If men would consider not so much wherein they differ, as wherein they agree, there would be far less of uncharitableness and angry feeling in the world.”

— Joseph Addison

“Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold.”

—Zelda Fitzgerald (1900-1948)
Writer

SOS Appeal to the Prime Minister of Pakistan

Sir,

In view of very serious medical emergency of swine flu epidemic in India, where 216 people have died just in the current month of February and 407 deaths have occurred since January 2015, you are requested for taking emergency measures for the protection of Pakistani population, from the spread of rampant Swine Flu in India.

Sir, in this regard, kindly impose an immediate ban of any direct and indirect import of chicken feed and all such types of items from India, which may affect the population in Pakistan, with this dreaded disease. Also please make strict arrangements for medical check up of all persons arriving from India in Pakistan.

Sir, in this connection, your kind attention is also invited towards an unconfirmed news item published earlier that even members of your delegation were not allowed to enter the USA, without the confirmation of the Polio vaccination. This shows the level to which extent the government’s can go, to protect their citizens from contagious diseases.

NEW DELHI: As many as 216 people have lost their lives to swine flu across the country in the first ten days of February as the death toll due to the contagious disease mounted to 407 this year, mostly in states like Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The latest government data said that 5,157 cases of the disease has been reported since January 1 this year till February 10 and the health ministry is drafting guidelines for vaccination of health workers who are in contact with H1N1 patients.

The health ministry had earlier said that swine flu has claimed 191 lives in the country against the total number of 2,038 cases reported in January this year.

“It was noted that during January 1 to February 10 the total number of H1N1 cases is 5,157 and number of deaths are 407.

“Largely, the cases are from Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana while the deaths largely are in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Telangana,” the health ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement came today after health secretary B P Sharma chaired a high-level meeting to review the status of H1N1 influenza being reported from different states.

The ministry said that after getting expert advise, it was decided that various health institutions treating swine flu cases be “advised” to get the health workers, who are in contact with such patients, vaccinated.

“This will be in addition to the proper personal protective measures being followed at the hospitals. Guidelines are being drafted for vaccination of healthcare workers and these will be shared with the states for dissemination to all health institutions,” the statement said.

The Health Ministry has already placed an order for enhancing stock of diagnostic kits to be supplied to the lab network under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) being used for testing H1N1 influenza.

“To enhance the level of preparedness, additional 60,000 Oseltamivir medicines and 10,000 N-95 masks are being procured. In addition, NCDC has floated a tender for additional 10,000 diagnostic kits,” the statement said.

THE MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY: Harvard Business Review

February 12, 2015

Make Good Writing a Part of Your Skill Set

Good writers distinguish themselves at work. We write all the time – proposals to clients, memos to leaders, emails to colleagues – but we often don’t think about improving our writing. To communicate effectively and win business, learn to write simply, clearly, and precisely. The mistake many people make is writing prematurely. They work out thoughts as they’re writing, which makes their argument meandering and repetitive. Ask yourself: What should my audience know after reading this? Make your point up front, and don’t use three words when one would do. For example, there’s no need to say “general consensus of opinion,” when “consensus” works. Similarly, avoid jargon. If you rely on $10 words too much, readers will think you’re on autopilot or don’t know what you’re saying. Avoid terms like “actionable,” “core competency,” “impactful,” and “incentivize.” And don’t be afraid to ask someone for feedback.

Adapted from “How to Improve Your Business Writing” by Carolyn O’Hara.

No doubt in cricket World Cup opening ceremony Pakistan’s national song performance was the most lively and the best of all.