Nato supply routes: Ministries allowed to negotiate with US, says Prime Minister

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday that Defence Committee of Cabinet (DCC) had allowed concerned ministries to negotiate with the United States (US) in light of Parliament's resolutions on the issue of Nato supply blockade.
"A decision on re-opening of Nato supply has not been taken so far. However, the concerned ministries have been allowed to negotiate with the US on this issue," the Prime Minister expressed these views while talking to media persons after he attended the first award ceremony of the Research Productivity Award. About President Asif Zardari's participation in Nato summit at Chicago, the Prime Minister said the President got an unconditional invitation from Nato, which had been welcomed by the DCC and the Cabinet. He said the cabinet had also decided that President Zardari would participate in Nato Summit at Chicago on May 20-21.
Answering a question about power shortage, the Prime Minister said that with the co-operation of China, work on various dams and hydro power projects was going on. He said the government had added 3500 MW of electricity to the national grid.
He said talks were also under way to import electricity from Iran and India. In addition to 1000MW, Pakistan would also import 100MW of electricity from Iran. He said the government was also holding talks with India to import 500MW electricity.
Answering a question, Gilani said the government had begun work on mega power projects. He said the construction work on small and big dams had begun. Projects would be fully visible after three to four years. He said the project of raising of Mangla Dam had been completed. Reply to another question, he said that Thar Coal project was pilot project. He gave extension to scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand due to the importance of the project.
He said there would be no unscheduled loadshedding in the country till June 2013. He said that in this regard, a Committee had been constituted and Ministry of Interior was inducted into it with a view to curbing theft of electricity. He said that this Committee would monitor the system of electricity, load shedding and take steps to overcome electricity theft.
Answering another question, the Prime Minister said that there was no restriction on any province to generate electricity. The provinces should prove their performance on power generation, he added. About appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner‚ Gilani said he had written a letter to Leader of Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to evolve consensus in accordance with the 20th Constitutional Amendment. But he refused to do so. Later‚ he said Nisar accepted, which means they recognize me as Prime Minister and they took part in the parliamentary committee election for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner."
Answering a question whether he was filing an appeal in the Supreme Court against its detailed judgement on contempt of court case‚ the Prime Minister said a decision in this regard would be taken by his legal team. The PPP-led coalition government will complete its five-year and win the next election, according to him.
Earlier, in his speech at the first award ceremony of the Research Productivity Award he said that it was the need of hour to promote science and technology in every walk of life. "I fully understand the need to integrate science and technology with economy. Due to limited resources available, we have to focus on research and development spending on those areas which are more relevant to social and economic needs of the country."