PM chairs cabinet meeting; two committees constituted on judges restoration, FCR

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE

ISLAMABAD : The federal Cabinet in its first meeting on Monday decided to constitute two cabinet committees headed by the Minister for Law & Justice to prepare recommendations for consideration of the cabinet on the issue of restoration of judges and repeal of FCR.Members of the committees would be nominated by the head of coalition partners of the government, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms. Sherry Rehman told the newsmen after the cabinet meeting held here with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in chair.
The Cabinet also approved that necessary amendments in the labour law may be made to implement the decision regarding Rupees 6000/-pm as minimum wages of the labour.
The Cabinet welcomed the support price of wheat fixed at Rs. 625 per 40kg and expressed the resolve that no shortage of wheat and Atta would be allowed to be created by any vested interest.
The Cabinet was informed by the Minister for Information & Broadcasting that the ministry is preparing draft proposals for submission to the law division to revoke the amendments in the PEMRA ordinance made on November 3, 2007. The Minister also informed the Cabinet that spade work to make amendments in the Access to Information law have also been initiated by the ministry.
The Cabinet decided to meet every fortnight on Wednesday to take up the summaries of various ministries for the implementation of 100-day programme on fast track.
The Information Minister told the journalists that the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani emphasized upon the members of his Cabinet to gear-up their energies and focus upon the 100 days programme to ensure that the government is determined to deliver.
She said that in his opening remarks, the Prime Minister said that the government should not lose sight of the mandate bestowed upon them by the people of Pakistan. The hopes and aspirations of the people, he added, have to be upheld and all efforts be made to bring about a change in the quality of life of the common man.
The Prime Minister said that despite the fact that there are numerous challenges and limited resources, it should not deter our commitment to the Nation. Our determination, he said, is greater than the challenges and with the blessings of Allah Almighty and support from the people the government would be able to achieve its objectives.
The Minister quoted the Prime Minister saying that “although the Cabinet has the responsibility to prepare policies and work out the course for implementation yet we would take the Parliament into confidence on all important issues.” Consensus on policy matters, he added, is always helpful in the successful implementation of the policies.
The Prime Minister reiterated that he would strive to live up to the confidence reposed in him by the people and their representatives in the National Assembly. The task before the government, he said, is the welfare and betterment of the people for which there is consensus among all the coalition partners, therefore, the government would make a confident beginning.
Ms Sherry Rehman told the mediamen that during the meeting the Prime Minister directed all the ministers to evaluate the projects of their respective ministries and prepare short term and long term plans in accordance with the manifestos of the coalition government. The programmes he said should be prepared keeping in view that these are achievable within the time span specified.
The Prime Minister reiterated that austerity and transparency should be the guiding parameters while preparing the plans and specifically during the implementation of the plans and the projects undertaking,she said.
The Prime Minister advised the members of the Cabinet to adopt a proactive approach and keep the people abreast with the progress on various programmes through Media. This approach he said would reduce chances of speculations as well as give confidence to the people that the government is concerned about their welfare.
The media persons were informed that the members of the Cabinet while formally congratulating the Prime Minister on assuming the office of the Chief Executive reposed their complete confidence in his leadership. They assured the Prime Minister that they would make untiring efforts to come up to the expectations of the Prime Minister as well as the people of Pakistan.
The members of the Cabinet while expressing views on various aspects of the Prime Minister’s policy statement in the National Assembly on March 29, 2008 said that contents of the speech have received favourable reaction from all walks of life.
Earlier, the Cabinet started its proceedings with recitation from the Holy Quran and offered Fateha for Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and other martyrs and also observed one minute silence as a mark of respect for all those who rendered sacrifices for the cause of democracy.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman replying to a question said the new government does not believe in victimization of the opponents but a transparent accountability process would be initiated by strengthening the Parliament committees especially the Public Accounts Committee.
The Minister said that 40 percent reduction was announced in the budget of Prime Minister House to set an example for other ministries. She said that provinces were free to make a decision about any cut in their non-developmental budgets.
To a question about PEMRA law, she said the government has hundred days to amend the regulations. “We would not take any unconstitutional step in this regard, she said adding that the new government would bring in the Parliament a draft law on access to information.”
To yet another question Ms. Sherry Rehman said that it has been decided that people would be provided relief and hoarders would be brought to book. She said that increase in support price of wheat would benefit the farmers while the consumers would be provided relief in the coming budget.
To a question she said that the government would try to get Wage Board award implemented and in this connection a tripartite commission would be formed. About the investigation of Benazir Bhutto case by the United Nations, she said that it was the demand of the PPP and final decision in this connection would be made soon.