Pakistan's Cabinet takes note of unscheduled power outage, constitutes committee for immediate relief

Federal Cabinet Wednesday took serious notice of unscheduled load-shedding and constituted a committee to suggest measures for immediate improvement and redressal of power supply situation in the country which has caused inconvenience to the citizens. Minister for Information and Broadcasting while briefing the media about cabinet meeting here, said because of a sudden fault at Mangla power station, WAPDA was facing shortfall of 1100 MW and this fault would be rectified within a few days.

However, he said water intake at dams is quite satisfactory as additional 120 MW electricity was being produced from Tarbela Dam.

Qamar Zaman Kaira said Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, who chaired the meeting, stressed that public should be informed about the exact power situation in all parts of the country and directed the Ministry of Water and Power to do away with unannounced load-shedding.

Regarding committee, he said it comprises of Federal Ministers for Labour, Privatization, Industries, Information and Advisors on Finance and Petroleum.

Information Minister, Qamar Zaman Kaira said Secretary Water and Power briefed the Cabinet on the power supply situation in the country particularly the load-shedding and informed that the sudden shortage is caused due to accidental technical fault at Mangla Dam.

He said work is under way round the clock to repair the cable at Mangla Dam.

He said during the meeting the Prime Minister emphasized that the Ministers along with the secretaries should review the new budget of their respective Ministries and Divisions to ensure that the allocated budget is spent according to the requirements with a well disciplined financial control and in line with the financial rules and regulations.

The Minister said the government was not a profit earning entity as has been reported in a section of press and added whatever the government collects is spent on masses welfare.

He said in developed countries 75 pc to 80 % duty is imposed on petroleum products while in regional countries about 40 to 45% duty is imposed, but in Pakistan only 30 to 35 % duty has been levied on such products.

Kaira said present democratic government was answerable to the masses and realizes their problems but it had to meet some commitments to run its affairs in an effective manner.

He said in line with policy of the government of good governance, instructions are being issued to all the federal secretaries who are the Principal Accounting Officers to ensure proper system of maintenance and reconciliation of their accounts on monthly basis with the accountant general’s office in order to improve the financial discipline and ensure that government’s funds are spent judiciously and with financial propriety.

The Minister said these measures would help curtailing re-appropriation, supplementary grants or excess expenditure at the end of the financial year.

Qamar Zaman Kaira said the Prime Minister while taking serious notice of political influence being used by a number of government servants by approaching Members of National and Provincial Assemblies as well as other non-official persons to intervene on their behalf in different matters concerning them especially in service matters, directed the government servants that they are not allowed to approach members of the parliament in any matter as per Rule 19 of the Conduct Rules, 1964.

He further directed that henceforth all those officers violating this rule will be dealt with strictly and action will be taken against them under Removal from Service Ordinance and the Conduct Rules, 1964.

The Prime Minister, he said asked the Cabinet members to ensure strict implementation of the directive. The government is in the process of formulating a system of rewards for outstanding civil servants.

He said the Cabinet lauded the National Assembly for unanimously passing the budget as well as historic win of Pakistan Cricket team. The government and the people are proud of their heroes who have brought laurels for the country.

He said the Cabinet was informed that operation in troubled areas is going on satisfactorily. The morale of the armed forces is high as they enjoy full support of every patriotic Pakistani. He said the nation pays tribute to those officers and jawans who have embraced shahadat for the sacred cause.

Kaira said the Cabinet was informed that a 27-member Special Committee of the Parliament on Constitutional Reforms has been formed which will revisit the controversial 17th amendment so that parliamentary democracy could be further strengthened.

The other decisions of meeting included initiation of negotiations for visa abolition agreements between Pakistan and Poland and Chile for diplomatic and official passport holders.

The Cabinet approved signing of visa abolition agreement between the government of Pakistan and the government of UAE for diplomatic and official passport holders.

The Cabinet granted ex-post facto approval for the signed MoU with the Republic of Sudan in the field of sports. The agreement provides for necessary framework for cooperation in the field of sports research, development and excellence on the basis of reciprocity and mutual interest.

The Cabinet also granted approval for signing of MoU with the Republic of Cuba in the field of sports.

He said to further cement economic ties with China and in pursuance of the bilateral Free Trade Agreement, the Cabinet gave approval in-principle to the Agreement on Trade in Services with China signed during President Asif Ali Zardari’s visit. The agreement will provide predictable investment regime in the services sector and promote joint ventures to build the capacity of domestic service suppliers, transfer of technology and creation of new jobs in Pakistan.

In order to ensure stability of retail price of Gram in the market and to build buffer stock the Cabinet allowed PASSCO to procure 15,000 tonnes of Gram on market floating rates during the current crop (Rabi 2008-09).

The government will pick up the price differential, if any. The meeting was informed that Pakistan has had a very good crop of Gram this year.

The Cabinet approved imposition of 25% regulatory duty on import of maize as it already did for potatoes. This step by the government will restore confidence of local farmers in the production of maize and will ensure a good price for the produce.