Earlier today I came across this news playing on GEO television network where they showed an email sent from PM cell. The address was mentioned as pmmediaoffice [at] gmail.com.

Went into shock and awe. The government official channel is using GMAIL account. What is going on here? Thought it was some kinda mistake so I just googled the email address and I found the exact email address. Exact Match!!.

Check it out for yourself here http://asiapacific.ifj.org/en/articles/appeal-to-government-to-protect-targeted-journalists-in-pakistan

•When we have all the official IT infrastructure to help the cause then why do they use the GMail account?
•When we have Electronic Government Directorate to enhance the efficiency of the government, then why do we have GMail account for official purpose?
•When we have official email addresses backed by Government own IT infrastructure, then why do we keep our mails on public servers?
•When there is petty amount of tax payers money going to the pockets of providers of securing government communication, then why do we rely on freely available email address?
Do we not know the repercussions of having freely available email address? Out of my narrow sightedness. What do you think?

by ProPakistani.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday regretted the insinuation emanating from the US about Pakistan’s sincerity in the war against terror. He asked which other country of the world had made more sacrifices than Pakistan in the campaign to eradicate the common enemy. He refuted the reports about the existence of a Quetta Shura or the Afghan Taliban leadership in Pakistan and reiterated Pakistan’s desire to fence its border with Afghanistan in case the US could persuade the Afghan government to do so.

Talking to a US delegation led by Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the US Senate’s Armed Services Committee, Gilani said greater trust building was in the interest of a long-term strategic partnership between the two countries. He underscored the need to bridge the existing trust deficit between Pakistan and the United States. The prime minister reassured the delegation of his government’s sincere efforts to build upon their traditionally cordial bilateral ties, spanning over 60 years.

However, he urged the US to ensure an early disbursement of the long overdue payments under the Coalition Support Fund, the speedy provision of drone technology and sharing of credible and actionable intelligence with Pakistani agencies.

He urged the US and other major world powers to use their influence with India to help resolve the Kashmir dispute to enable Pakistan to exclusively focus on its western border.

Gilani hoped that the US and the international community would fulfill their commitments to support Pakistan in building the capacity of its law enforcement agencies and undertake the required development in the under-developed areas in order to address the root cause of militancy.

Senator Levin said that bipartisan consultations would be organized to resolve the issue as soon as possible. He appreciated Pakistan’s critical and vital role as the frontline state in the war against terror and lauded the success achieved by the Pakistan’s armed forces in Malakand and South Waziristan regions. Levin said he was more optimistic than ever that the Pakistan-US ties were destined to go from strength to strength. The US senator assured Prime Minister Gilani that disbursement of the Coalition Support Fund would be fast-tracked and support to Pakistan’s exports to US markets would be increased.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani stressed that Charter of Democracy (CoD) would be implemented and said it is the biggest mistake of the government to avoid acting upon it.

Talking to media, he said the government achieved extraordinary successes in the war against terrorism and the spell of successes does not stop here, adding the government has to its credit a biggest success that it won public support for war on terror.

He said the basic failure in Afghanistan in this connection is that the war lacks public support there, adding he ironed out issues on public support for the anti-terror war.

The people are standing by the government and Pak Army, he maintained adding Pak Army rendered invaluable sacrifices and Rs50 million have been donated to Shuhada Fund of the Pak Army in each province.

The PM Gilani said the use of army provides the 10 percent of the solution of the issue and the rest of the success is dependent on political and social basis.

The operation in South Waziristan Agency is in progress quite successfully and extremists are fleeing to Orakzai, the PM Gilani said adding the terrorists are being defeated and the attacks on the civilian population is testimony of their retributive activities.

Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, signaling an abject sugar crisis looming over Pakistan, has asked Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to get the directives issued to Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCoP) for import of sugar in the earliest possible ease, Geo news reported on Wednesday (30-Dec-09).

In a letter written to PM Gilani, CM Punjab said sugar mills are producing sugar below production capacity owing to low supply of sugar cane, which might result in shortage of 1.2 metric tonnes of sugar in 2010.

He also voiced serious concern over likely surge in sugar prices by dint of shortage in markets, which is already selling at Rs53 in Punjab provin

The first state of the art JF-17 Thunder multi-role fighter plane produced in Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) Kamra handed over to Pakistan Air Force.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani was the chief guest at the rolling out which held at Pakistan Aeronautical Complex at Kamra.

“On this historic occasion, I congratulate the nation as JF-17 is not only a PAF programme but a national project. This day will be remembered as a landmark in the history of Pakistan,” he said.

PM said PAF has repeatedly proved equal to the task even in the most challenging times, measuring up to the expectations of the nation in safeguarding the sacred soil and skies of Pakistan. In the recent drive against militants, PAF side by side with Pak Army is endeavouring to root out terrorism from the country, the premier said.

“I am grateful to our Chinese friends for providing PAF the required technical assistance for the programme,” Gilani said.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman and Chinese ambassador were also present in the ceremony.

Later, talking to media, Prime Minister Gilani said there are only 34 politicians among 8,000 NRO beneficiaries. He said all dictators including Pervez Musharraf used name of accountability for passing time. Replying to a question about Kerry-Lugar bill, prime minister said there is excellent relationship between government and army.

JF 17 Thunder Pakistan China Team - Picture Courtesy M Usman Peshawar