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Sunday, July 07, 2013
IMF loan to settle only past debts: Pervaiz Rashid* Minister says previous govt wasted money on non-development projects
* Announces to call an APC on terrorism
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid has said that the $5.3 billion IMF loan will not be used to meet budget deficit, rather it will be used to settle the past debts incurred on non-development projects by the previous regime.
Talking to reporters during visit to the EMRA office on Saturday, he said that the previous government used the IMF and other loans on non-development expenditures and could not generate a single asset for the country from the money.
To a query, the minister said that the PML-N government had not conceded to any conditionality of the IMF to get the loan.
Outlining his government’s priorities, he said the PML-N government did not want to waste time on petty issues. He said that to overcome the energy crisis, grapple terrorism and mobilise a static economy of the country were the top priorities of the government.
“The government has settled the circular debt in mere 30 days after coming into power, while the previous government could not do it in five years of its rule,” he said.
He said the government had increased power generation from 9,000MW to 13,000MW with a clear-cut extra production of about 4,000MW for the masses. “Some 1,700MW will be added to the national grid in the coming days,” he said. To a query, the minister said that there would be no load shedding during the Sehar, Iftar and Taraweeh hours in the holy month of Ramazan, as per the directions of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
Regarding terrorism and other challenges, the senator said that the government would convene an all-parties conference (APC) to which the heads of all political parties in the country would be invited. He said that the APC would provide an opportunity to evolve a unanimous strategy to quell terrorism in the country, and it would have the backing and support of the nation.
He said the political leadership of the country would be briefed on the homework of the government and the input from the security agencies on terrorism.
The minister said that the PML-N government would develop consensus on the issue of terrorism and the strategy on terrorism would have the ownership all political forces.
Regarding information sharing with the British government, the information minister said that the law would take its own course in the MQM case. He said that the UK government had its own laws. “If some crime has taken place in Britain, it will be decided in the light of their justice system. Pakistan will cooperate when the government is approached by the British authorities,” he said.
To a query about LNG, Pervaiz Rashid said that the PML-N government would make all-out efforts to enhance energy resources of the country. He said that the import of LNG from Qatar was one of the priorities.
About Musharaf’s trial under Article 6, he said that the proceedings had started in the case.
About the appointment of the NAB chief, the minister said the NAB chief would be appointed after consultation between the leader of the House and the opposition leader in the NA.
About a decision to end a ban on death penalty, he clarified that there never was a ban on death penalty in Pakistan, adding that courts had awarded capital punishment in several cases. He said that the president was empowered by the constitution to grant pardon on an appeal.
He said the former interior minister had stayed the appeals and kept all appeals at the ministry instead of forwarding them to the president for a decision, as a result of which many convicts facing death had to wait for years on their appeals for clemency.
On drone attacks, the minister said that drones challenged the solidarity of Pakistan. He said that terror attacks on hapless anti-polio vaccinators were also a threat to the country, and the government was working to devise a strategy to make both parties realise about their wrongdoings.
About the unjust distribution of electricity, the information minister said the government had adopted measures to ensure equal distribution of electricity.
On tax, he said 40 commodities had been exempted from sales tax, and added that 16 percent sales tax was already being levied.
Regarding the appointment of the chief justice and the army chief, he said that decisions would be taken as per the constitution of Pakistan. About subsidies, he said the government had decided to withdraw subsidy on electricity from undeserving people who could afford the utility. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk