News
Thursday, May 17, 2012
No more emotional decisions in future* PM tells cabinet country needs to take critical decisions keeping in view national interests
* Kaira says Pakistan has not taken any decision to resume NATO supply
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said Pakistan did not and will not compromise on its principled stand but would also not take emotional decisions, which did not auger well for it in the long run.
Chairing the federal cabinet meeting, the prime minister noted, “Our relations with NATO and US are passing through a delicate phase where we need to take critical decisions keeping in view our strategic importance in the region and our national interests.” The prime minister said the next budget would be a step towards macro-economic stability and provision of relief to the common man. He asked the finance minister and his team, which is in final stages of the budget preparation, to follow the policy guidelines of a people-friendly budget.
Gilani suggested strengthening of monitoring and evaluation capacity of the Planning Commission. He said the cost of project management in public sector development was too high which needs to be further rationalised. Gilani also called for creation of 100,000 jobs for young men and women through the next budget. He called for addressing the energy crisis in the country, in line with recommendations of the Energy Conference held in Lahore in April.
In a media briefing after the meeting, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said the Defence Committee of the Cabinet and the cabinet itself has fixed no deadline for final decision on resumption of NATO supplies, however, both have welcomed and endorsed President Asif Ali Zardari’s participation in Chicago summit of the alliance. He said the DCC in its meeting on Tuesday had only directed the departments concerned to complete their work on NATO supply issue, and the impression created by the media that a decision has been taken on restoration of NATO supplies was totally wrong.
“Restoration of NATO supplies was not linked to Chicago conference invitation to president of Pakistan, neither the civil nor the security institutions have made any commitment with anybody,” the minister stated. He said there was no difference of opinion between the civil and military leadership on the issue, and a final decision would be taken on the president’s return from Chicago, keeping in view the national integrity and interest.
Kaira said the prime minister has taken the federal cabinet into confidence on the issues of national importance, like the DCC meeting, his visit to United Kingdom and the Supreme Court’s decision in the contempt case. On the energy crisis, the minister said the Cabinet’s Energy Committee has been expanded and it would monitor generation, distribution and power load shedding situation on daily basis and would implement decisions taken during the Energy Summit. He said stern action will be taken against those involved in power theft, and a countrywide crackdown would be launched against such elements with the help of law enforcement agencies. A drive will be launched for the recovery of Rs 300 billion to facilitate import of fuel for power generation.
The information minister said the cabinet was also taken into confidence on the appointment of the chief election commissioner. Kaira informed that Coal Gasification Pilot Project initiated by Dr Samar Mubarakmand has not been stopped and it is underway. There is only a difference of opinion on the issue between the Planning Commission and Dr Mubarakmand on the project, he said.
Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh assured the cabinet that his ministry would ensure that funds are released in the next fiscal year for the import of fuel for power generation, completion of power projects, and clearance of dues of the IPPs and other important heads. In this regard, he said, provinces’ help would be sought for closure of shops by 8pm and recovery of Rs 150 billion from them on account of power dues. There would be no forced power load shedding or un-announced power outage in the country, he vowed.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk