Inauguration: Prime Minister lauds success of PAKSAT-1R

Urges Suparco and other stakeholders to focus more on tele-education and tele-medicine.

LAHORE:
Expressing delight over the success of Pakistan’s first indigenously made communication satellite PAKSAT-1R, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the project will help extend communication infrastructure to the entire country.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Satellite Ground Control Station and commencement of PAKSAT-1R at Kalashaha Kako, Premier Gilani announced that the satellite had reached its orbit and all systems were functioning perfectly. He added that the project was yet another manifestation of the long-standing strategic relationship between Pakistan and China.

“I am sure that in view of our strategic relationship with China, cooperation in space technology and its applications will become another hallmark of Pakistan-China friendship,” he said.

Talking about the importance of access to and adoption of space technologies in developing countries like Pakistan, the prime minister said, “PAKSAT-1R will bring the fruits of socio-economic development to the remotest corners of Pakistan.”

He further said that the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission’s (Suparco) space applications programme was already contributing to various fields, the significant ones being agriculture, crop monitoring, food and water security, disaster monitoring and mitigation. With the availability of the communication satellite PAKSAT-1R, he added, significant strides would be made in these areas to give impetus to reconstruction and development.


He urged Suparco and other stakeholders to focus more on tele-education and tele-medicine for improving the quality of life in the country’s remote areas. “By doing this, you will be able to extend benefits of the communication satellite services to the less privileged sections of society,” he added.

‘PML-N rally in Lahore doesn’t affect PPP’

Speaking about the country’s heated political scene, Premier Gilani said that political parties should refrain from issuing ‘hurtful’ statements, and added that if the Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) wanted to topple the government, “we are ready.” In fact, he added, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) would rather welcome them.

Gilani further said that PML-N’s rally would not affect the PPP in Lahore as his party has a hold across the country. The premier said that the PML-N should face criticism with tolerance and patience like the PPP.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2011.
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