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Ties with Nato, US on crossroads: PM Gilani
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet met on Wednesday with an eight point agenda with emphasis on the NATO supply route.Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani informed the cabinet that Pakistan was at a critcal juncture in its relationship with the US and NATO and it was time to make some important decisions.
"Decisions regarding ties with the US and NATO will be made in the national interest."
Gilani further said that there would be no compromise on the country’s principals and the government would not take any emotional decisions.
The cabinet met after the defence committee cleared the way for President Asif Ali Zardari to attend next week's NATO summit in Chicago.
The defence committee meeting also authorised officials to conclude negotiations on new terms and conditions for resuming the transit of fuel and other non-lethal items required by NATO troops in their decade-long fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan, the prime minister's office said.
The prime minister also spoke of his conviction in the contempt of court case stating that he would not be pressured by any threats and had the right to an appeal. “I hope justice will prevail,” he said.
PPI adds: PM Gilani said his visit to UK will help further strengthen relations between two countries. He regretted when he was visiting UK, some political leaders tried to undermine sanctity of Prime Minister's office and urged their workers to stage protest rallies against him (Gilani) in foreign country but they (politicians) "miserably failed in their attempt."
He said efforts will be made to provide relief to common man in upcoming Budget for the next fiscal year 2012-13 and achieve macroeconomic stability through various initiatives.
Giving guidelines to Finance Ministry‚ the premier said the Budget should be people friendly, priority given to alleviating difficulties of common man and providing them relief.
He said in next Budget job opportunities for one hundred thousand youth will be created in the country. In order to ensure cost effective service delivery to masses‚ expansion, strengthening of infrastructure and improvement of governance should be priority.
He said recommendations of Energy Conference held last month in Lahore should be guidelines for resource allocation for power sector to address energy crisis in the country. Tax policy, tariff rationalization may be done thoughtfully without discouraging local and foreign investment.
Expeditious and full disbursement of Public Sector Development Program PSDP budgets ensured, he added.
Courtesy www.geo.tv