Australian Cricket Board will decide tour of Pakistan: Julie Bishop

Lahore:Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has said that Australia & Pakistan have long history of friendship,we are helping Pakistan in different areas.

While addressing the inaugural ceremony of Humanitarian Response Facility (warehouse) under the aegis of World Food Programme of United Nations and Disaster Management Authority Punjab, here today.The function held for handing over announced to give four million dollars under World Food Programme, of which three million dollars would be given to Punjab. One million dollar will be spent on the training programme about the malnutrition in women and children.

She also assured full cooperation to Punjab government on behalf of Australian government and said that Australia will continue to help Pakistan in public welfare projects.

While talking to media,The Australian Minister of foreign Affairs,  Julie Bishop said Australia was helping Pakistan in counter terrorism,business,trade but helping in restoration of International cricket is a subject of Australian Cricket Board,they people would decide to send team in Pakistan,she concluded.

Chairman National Disaster Management Authority, Senior Member Board of Revenue, Country Director World Food Programme, representative of Japanese government, Commissioner Lahore Division, DCO Lahore and other concerned officers were present on the occasion.

Provincial Minister for Home and Environment Col. (R) Shuja Khanzada has said that Humanitarian Response Facility (warehouse) given by Australian government, American partners, Japan, Denmark, Netherland and donors to Punjab government will help in meeting with any natural calamity. He said that the relief items to be stored in this warehouse will be supplied immediately to the affected places due to which immediate relief will be provided to the affectees.

It was told that the warehouse to be constructed is spread over 8.5 acre and will cost three million dollars. Two big cold storages have been prepared and they have the capacity of storing 4400 metric ton medicines, eatables and other items whereas 15000 metric ton items can be stored at open places.

Shuja Khanzada thanked Country Director World Food Programme on behalf of Chief Minister Punjab, Punjab government and the people for constructing warehouse for meeting any emergent situation. He said that the world including Pakistan is facing weather changes which are affecting human life badly, therefore, finding new methods and evolving new projects and policies is need of the hour for coping with natural calamities so that the losses could be minimized.

Home Minister said that it is impossible to stop natural calamities but the losses can be reduced through timely steps and preplanning and preparations have to be made from now onward for meeting any emergency. He also thanked Australian government, American partners, Japan, Denmark, Netherland and donors and said that they have always helped Pakistan during peace and any hour of trail and highly values this gift.

Earlier, representatives of Australian and Pakistani government unveiled the plaque of warehouse and Australian Foreign Minister inaugurated by cutting ribbon. Three saplings were also planted on this occasion. Relief Commissioner Nadeem Ashraf, Chairman National Disaster Management Authority, Country Director World Food Programme, representatives of Japanese government and Australian Foreign Minister also addressed the function. A signing ceremony was also held in which representative of World Food Programme handed over warehouse facility to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority.