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21/2200 HOURS OF 17-7-1998(FRIDAY)

PM: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has vowed not to bow under any pressure saying the nation is ready to face economic sanctions. The nation is also determined to make all efforts to achieve self sufficiency.

He was addressing a large gathering before laying foundation stone of first ever Workers' Kidney Centre of Asia in Islamabad Friday.

He said Pakistan is ready to face all the steps taken by some forces to punish it for carrying out successful nuclear tests. Islamabad, he said, did not commit any mistake by exercising nuclear option as it had become imperative to counter the serious threats by New Delhi to use nuclear arms against us.

The Prime Minister declared that the country's defence has been made impregnable and the enemy cannot dare to cast an evil eye on Pakistan. He said the adversary will have to think a hundred times before indulging in any adventure.

Mr. Nawaz Sharif said the nation is ready to pay any price for its dignity and honour and it has no regrets over the historic decision of achieving nuclear parity with India.

He urged the people to beware of the opportunist politicians trying to unleash propaganda about economic disaster so as to achieve political mileage. He said the financial crunch is a temporary phase and a bright economic future is awaiting the country. He said that he had fore-warned the nation to be ready for hard times on May 28 when Islamabad achieved nuclear parity with New Delhi.

Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said his government opted for the path of dignity, courage and freedom instead of going for the path of subjugation and submission.

Referring to peoples' problems, the Prime Minister said his government is striving hard to resolved all the problems confronting the people and providing basic amenities to them at their door steps. He said provision of maximum health and education facilities are priorities of his government. He also stressed the need to promote research in medicines and other fields.

About the kidney centre Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif appreciated the role played by overseas Pakistanis for setting up of this centre. He said he was moved by the sentiments expressed by overseas Pakistanis during his visit to foreign countries after the nuclear tests.

Speaking on the occasion the Federal Minister for Labour and Overseas Pakistanis Sheikh Rashid Ahmed gave details of the kidney centres projects being undertaken by the Workers Welfare Fund. He said the Islamabad kidney centre costing 70 million rupees will have 40 beds, modern equipment and will be manned by specialists.

PM-MEETING: Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif continued deliberations and consultations with his top economic aides including industrialists, businessmen, bankers, public representatives and other economic wizards. Friday's was the third meeting, which he presided over during the last three days in this connection.

A series of these meetings being called by the Prime Minister is to iron out ways and means to revive the National economy in the wake of so-called crisis. The Prime Minister has made it clear that he wants to see the economy back on the rails running smoothly. He emphasised that all steps must aim at confidence building and common man's welfare.

PASHA: The Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission Mr. Hafeez Pasha has said a committee constituted by the Prime Minister has formulated a comprehensive package for strengthening the national economy.

In an interview in Islamabad Friday he said the package will be announced soon after approval by the Cabinet. He hoped it would steer the country out of present crisis. He said the panic created by rumour mongers has subsided, the value of rupee has strengthened the rate of the dollar has come down.

Dr. Hafeez Pasha hoped that situation will further improve in the next few days and measures taken by the government will give boost to the economy. He said the Islamic Development Bank has expressed willingness to provide 400 million dollars.

MOU: The national chambers of Pakistan and Iran have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the promotion of bilateral trade and co-operation in the industrial, investment and transport fields.

The MOU was signed at the conclusion of the first meeting of the Pak-Iran, by President FPCCI, Senator Ilyas Ahmed Bilour and President Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines, engineer A.N.S. Khamoushi.

FIRING: There was no let up in the unprovoked firing by the Indian troops from across the line of control on the civilian population residing in villages in various sectors of Kashmir.

According to reports 6 persons embraced shahadat and another 12 were critically injured. The worst hit sectors were Hajipir, Neelum, Kotli, Chirikot, Pandu, Dudhnial and Nekron. The enemy, apart from using automatic weapons and small arms also extensively fired mortars and artillery.

Friday's indiscriminate firing by the Indian troops caused heavy damage to residential houses schools, hospitals and other utility buildings. The injured have been shifted to near by hospitals.

Pakistani troops were forced to retaliate. They inflicted heavy damage on the enemy positions.

Complaints of the cease fire violations have been lodged with United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan.

KASHMIR: In occupied Kashmir, leaders of All Parties Hurriyet Conference have expressed optimism about settling Kashmir issue which they thought was evident from the keen interest of world community.

Syed Ali Gilani, Mir Waiz Umer Farooq and Mr. Muhammad Yaseen Malik addressing a Seerat Conference in Srinagar, expressed great concern over the continuing Indian atrocities including custodial killings, harassing women and burning houses.