i wonder if gilani's nose has been having a pinocchio-moment.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shahryar
From: Shahryar
| This report is redolent with comedy potential! Who knew Pakistanis were so funny! Pak ready to work with India with full commitment and sincerity: PM Gilani ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan is ready to work with India with full commitment and sincerity towards opening of a new chapter in improving relations between the two countries. "The results of meeting with my Indian counterpart in Sharm El Sheikh, was a major breakthrough. I hold Dr. Manmohan Sign in high esteem and respect and consider him a statesman with the vision of peace and prosperity", he said while chairing a Cabinet meeting specially convened to discuss Strategic Trade Policy Frame Work 2009-12 and Trade Policy 2009-10 as well as Electricity crises in the country at the PM's secretariat here on Monday. Prime Minister in his opening statement briefed the Cabinet about his visit to Sharm El Sheikh and his meeting with the world leaders including the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the NAM Summit. He also apprised the Cabinet members of the status of IDPs. The Cabinet applauded the efforts of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Ministry to promote good neighbourly relations with India on the basis of equality, mutual respect and for resolving all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir. The Cabinet appreciated the wisdom and statesmanship demonstrated by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to chart the way forward through dialogue. The Cabinet approved Strategic Trade Policy Frame Work 2009-12 and Trade Policy 2009-10. The Cabinet reviewed the demand and supply situation of electricity in the country. The meeting discussed ways and means to overcome power shortage by increasing electricity supply and adopting measures for energy conservations. The meeting congratulated the Ministry of Environment for setting up a world record by planting over 500,000 trees in a single day which has been duly recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The Cabinet formed a committee to consider the resolution passed by the Senate regarding restoration of the Haj quota for the Senators. The committee headed by the Minister for Religious Affairs comprises Leader of House in Senate, Chief Whip in the National Assembly and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. Speaking on the issue of IDPs, The Prime Minister said that nothing is more important than the safe return and rehabilitation of IDPs. It is a matter of great satisfaction that military operation in Swat and FATA is successfully meeting its desired objectives and peace is gradually returning to these areas. Prime Minister said that financial assistance to IDPs is being made in a transparent manner and phased return of IDPs has gradually picked up the momentum. He hoped that full return of IDPs will be completed in about a monthç´ time in an orderly and peaceful manner. He extended his appreciation to all political parties, Federal and Provincial agencies and non-government organizations including the UN agencies for their support and extraordinary work for the IDPs. He further added that once the return of IDPs is completed, the task of rehabilitation and reconstruction will be undertaken as a national cause and the government will extend all necessary financial support for this phase. The Prime Minister reiterated that fight against terrorism would continue till complete elimination of the militants and return of peace and stability in the affected areas. He complimented the Defence Forces for the sacrifices they have made for the sake of national security. Talking on his visit to Sharm El Sheikh, the Prime Minister said that before proceeding to Sharm El Sheikh, he had extensive consultations with the political leadership of the country and took them on board. He expressed gratitude to them for reposing confidence and extending support in building a consensus view on the matter. This greatly helped in making exchange of views with the Indian Prime Minister on the entire gamut of bilateral relations, productive and substantive, on July 16th, he added. The Prime Minister said that during talks, he affirmed the importance that Pakistan attaches to working towards friendly and cordial relationship with India, based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual interest. "I underlined the importance of early resumption of composite Dialogue process and Pakistan believed in the imperative of moving forward this process for confidence building which was the pre-requisite for resolution of all outstanding issues. We had a detailed discussion on the issue of terrorism and I apprised him of the efforts we had already undertaken to investigate the case of Mumbai attacks, he informed the Cabinet" Dilating on the Joint Statement issued after a cordial and constructive meeting with Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister said that it underlines the shared commitment of both the countries to chart a way forward for Pakistan- India relations. Besides meetings with the Indian Prime Minister, the Prime Minister added that Pakistan's main focus of bilateral interaction was on South Asia, manifested in the fact that he met five South Asian leaders i.e. Presidents of Sir Lanka and Afghanistan and Prime Ministers of India, Bangladesh and Nepal. On the issue of current electricity crises, the Prime Minister said that the country is in the grip of a severe electricity crisis. People across the country are braving long hours of load shedding in this hot and humid weather, men and women, children and elderly are suffering. Industry and Agriculture have been hit hard, economic output is down and jobs are being lost. "I understand when common people, traders and industrial workers come on roads to protest against load shedding. I share their concern and my sympathies are with them. However, I wish they understand that the crisis is not of our making. We inherited this crisis and it can not be simply wished away," he said. Addressing electricity crisis was our number one priority. It was part of the first 100 days programme of my government. Progress has been made. Implementation of new IPPs and Rental Power Plants is on track, he said. A committee of Ministers has been constituted to monitor the situation on daily basis. With improvements in oil and gas supplies and coming into system of power from Mangla this week, the situation has started improving, he added. He directed the relevant Ministries to do whatever is necessary to keep the existing power generation capacity running. He directed the Ministry of Water & Power to ensure commissioning of new IPPs and Rental Power Projects as per schedule. In the meanwhile, the Prime Minister appealed to the nation to bear with the situation of the present. He assured the nation that his government will stay focused, people will see visible improvements in the power supply situation and the deficit will be bridged. On Trade Policy, the Prime Minister said that it aimed at poverty alleviation, employment generation, and export-led growth to bring in greater benefits to common man in this country besides focusing on development of agriculture, Textile, SMEs and domestic raw materials. The Prime Minister further said, "we live in challenging times, economically and otherwise. We have no option but to succeed. And succeed we will, with the support of the Pakistani nation that is united like never before and firm in its resolve to make Pakistan counted in the comity of nations." End. |
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