The federal cabinet in its first meeting with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in the chair on Monday constituted two committees to prepare recommendations for the restoration of the deposed judges and amendment to the Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR).
“Both committees would be headed by Law Minister Farooq H Naek while members would be nominated after consultation with the Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDA),” Information Minister Sherry Rehman said while addressing a maiden press conference after taking charge of her ministry.
The minister said the committees would find ways to implement the Murree Declaration and revoke the FCR law. The cabinet also approved necessary amendments to the labour law to implement decision on the minimum wages of labourers as announced by the prime minister on the floor of the house.
The cabinet welcomed the support price of wheat fixed at Rs 625 per 40kg and expressed the resolve that no shortage of wheat and flour would be allowed. Sherry Rehman said the PDA was committed to repealing all black laws aimed at restricting the media.
“In this regard the federal cabinet was informed that the information ministry was preparing draft proposals for submission to the Law Division to revoke amendments to the Pemra Ordinance made on Nov 3 last year. She also informed the cabinet that spade work for amendments to the Access to Information Law had also been initiated by the ministry.
“Access to information is a commitment of the PPP which will be ensured,” she added. She said transparency and accountability would be the hallmark of the elected government. The prime minister told the cabinet that people had a lot of expectations from the new cabinet while the challenges were multi-faceted, she said. “Each ministry was directed to brief the cabinet about its functioning,” she said.
Sherry Rehman said Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani urged the cabinet members to focus on the 100-day programme. She said availability of flour would be ensured at all Utility Stores outlets so that people were not made to stand in long queues.
Sherry Rehman said instructions had been given to the minister for water and power to discuss ways to ensure availability of enough power in the minimum possible time. “Also a campaign for energy conservation will be launched,” she added. She said the prime minister had announced austerity measures and it was re-emphasised at the cabinet meeting that an example for that purpose would be set by the government.
Replying to questions, she told newsmen that the cabinet would meet every fortnight on Wednesday. “Today was the first phase of the cabinet formation and the prime minister would induct more members after consultations with coalition partners,” she added.
Sherry said the new government did not believe in the politics of victimisation; however, a transparent accountability process would be initiated by strengthening parliament committees, especially the Public Accounts Committee.
The minister said 40 per cent reduction was announced in the budget of the Prime Minister house to set an example for other ministries. “Provinces are free to make a decision about any cut in their non-developmental budgets,” she added.
She said it had been decided that people would be provided relief and hoarders would be brought to book. She said increase in support price of wheat would benefit farmers while consumers would be provided relief in the coming budget.
She said the government would try to get the Wage Board award implemented and in this connection a tripartite commission would be formed. “The tripartite commission would comprise the PFUJ, the APNS and the CPNE and the government would be able to find a middle way to implement the wage award,” she added.
About the investigation into the Benazir Bhutto case by the United Nations, she said it was the demand of the PPP and final decision in this regard would be made soon. Meanwhile, in his opening remarks in the cabinet meeting, the prime minister said the government should not lose sight of the mandate bestowed upon by the people.
“The hopes and aspirations of the people have to be upheld and efforts should be made to ensure change in the quality of life of the common man. The prime minister said numerous challenges and limited resources would not deter their commitment to the nation. He said parliament would be taken into confidence on all important issues, as consensus on policies was always helpful in their successful implementation.
The prime minister directed all ministers to evaluate projects of their respective ministries and prepare short- and long-term plans in accordance with the manifestos of the coalition government.
He advised members of the cabinet to adopt proactive approach and keep people abreast with the progress on various programmes through the media and parliamentary committees. According to Sherry Rehman, members of the cabinet assured the prime minister that they would make untiring efforts to come up to his expectations.
They said contents of the prime minister’s speech made in the National Assembly after obtaining a vote of confidence were received well by the people. The cabinet also offered Fateha for Shaheed 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.
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