Govt takes decisions in best national interest: Kaira

LALAMUSA: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Friday said that Pakistan Peoples Party led government had always taken decisions in the best national interest and never compromised on the sovereignty of the country.

Addressing the participants of the function held here to inaugurate gas supply to Islama Pura he said, "We are the follower of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who sacrificed his life for the cause of the country and peoples' rights and democracy but had never compromised on the interest of the country."

The Information Minister said that the present government despite international pressure had inked agreement with Iran on gas pipeline project to fulfil the needs of the country.

"We have not accepted the pressure of any country on the issue of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and inked the agreement with Iran as Pakistan is facing energy crisis and to fulfil our energy needs."

He further said that Pakistan would also import electricity from Iran.

The minister regretted that in the past many governments had talked about the Iran gas pipeline but did not materialize the project due to international pressure.

Kaira said that the government has also handed over Gwadar sea port to China as China is our time tested friend and always stood with Pakistan in difficult times.

He expressed the hope that Gwadar sea port would also play an important role in the socio economic development of Pakistan besides uplift of the people of Balochistan .

He added that the port would not only help in developing Pakistan but also contribute in the development of Afghanistan and Iran in the region.

Highlighting some of the achievements of present democratic government, the Information Minister said the government united the nation against terrorism and formulated a clear cut policy to counter the menace of extremism and militancy besides taking steps for the improvement of the national economy and welfare of the people.

Kaira said the PPP-led government had dismantled the networks of the terrorists in the country though a few dispersed terrorist groups still existed.

He said in order to combat energy challenges, steps were taken to enhance hydel power generations for which projects including Mangla Dam Raising Project, Allai Khawar Hydro Power project, Daimer Bhasha dam, Duber Khawar, Gomal zam dam, Satpara dam Neelum Jhelum project and Thar coal reservoirs were initiated.

Strongly criticizing the Chief Minister of Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif, the Minister said that the Chief Minister was claiming to end loadshedding within two month but despite having government on 62 percent of the country not a single unit of electricity had been generated by his government in the province.

He said Shahbaz Sharif had spent billion of rupees on "Jangla Bus" and other projects. The Information Minister said that PPP would win majority seats in South Punjab due to steps taken by the government for welfare of the people across the country.

He regretted that focus of entire Punjab budget has been made to develop only Lahore ignoring others cities of the province.