Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira on Wednesday claimed that there was no difference of opinion between the civilian and military leaderships on the reopening of NATO supplies, adding that the decision to complete the dialogue process expeditiously was a unanimous decision.
Briefing reporters on the federal cabinet meeting at the PM’s Secretariat, the minister said individual views were always there but decisions were made collectively and all owned them.
The federal cabinet met and endorsed all the decisions adopted by the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC).
Meanwhile, the military top brass also held an informal meeting at the GHQ, chaired by COAS General Ashfaq Kayani and the meeting which was attended by all corps commanders, also discussed the DCC decisions and deliberated upon the issue at length.
Kaira said the decision on the issue of NATO supplies resumption, would be made in the light of parliament’s resolution keeping in view national interests and dignity. Dispelling the impression given by a section of the media about concealing the decisions, he said, “The government does not need to hide any decisions on the NATO supplies, but being a sensitive issue the media should report it correctly,” adding that the president had been extended an invitation to attend the Chicago Summit, but neither the civil government nor the security establishment had given any assurances to the US.
To a question, he said the democratic government had taken bold steps on the NATO supplies’ issue as no past regime had ever taken such a stance. He also reminded that the government had singed agreements with Iran despite opposition from certain countries.
Kaira said Finance Minister Hafeez Sheikh assured the cabinet that in the next budget all required funds would be allocated to the power sector to avoid unscheduled load shedding.
About power theft, he said the cabinet decided that there would be “zero tolerance” for this crime. He said it was hoped that in the coming days inflow of water in dams would increase and power generation from hydel sector would increase considerably which would help minimise load shedding. He said that the cabinet had formed a committee headed by the finance minister to monitor the power situation on a daily basis and take appropriate steps in this regard.
About Thar coal gasification by a team headed by Dr Samar Mubarkmand, he said funds required for the project would be provided and the impression that he was not being provided funds was incorrect.
To a question, he said the superior judiciary, parliament and national institutions considered Prime Minister Gilani legitimate head of the government.
Meanwhile, the prime minister informed the Cabinet meeting that economic indicators of Pakistan’s economy were moving in the right direction despite the global recession and the devastating floods of 2010 and 2011.
He said his government would present a pro-people budget and he had given following policy guidelines and broad parameters on which the Finance Ministry should focus in preparation of the budget.
“The budget should be people-friendly and priority be given to alleviating the difficulties of common man and provision of relief. Job creation through the next budget should be a top priority. Job opportunities for 100,000 young men and women have to be created,” asserted Gilani.
At this stage, the cabinet set aside the regular agenda and turned into a Special Cabinet meeting to discuss the energy shortages in the country.
The special cabinet meeting had a detailed view of energy shortages in the country. All members of the cabinet took part in the exhaustive discussion and shared their point of view. The cabinet took the following decisions: the Cabinet Energy Committee comprising ministers for finance, petroleum, water and power, information and broadcasting, planning commission deputy chairman and state bank of Pakistan governor would meet frequently to sort out the issue of energy shortages.
The finance minister assured the cabinet meeting that all financial resources will be utilised, until the next budget, for the generation of energy to meet the energy requirements.
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