Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Sunday the Supreme Court verdict on Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) would not disturb the privatisation policy of the government. "There is no any setback.....we honour Supreme Court decision and everything would be done according to the law," he told a news conference here at the Prime Minister''s House.
He was flanked by Minister of State for Information Tariq Azeem, Minister of State for Environment Malik Amin Aslam and his special assistant Khalil-ur-Rehman. Shaukat Aziz said the nominations for the Council of Common Interests (CCI) have been made and sent to the President for final approval.
Responding to a query, he said the government would further proceed about the Steel Mills after receiving detailed judgement of the apex court.
The prime minister went on saying that the apex court has upheld privatisation law and there would be no affect on government''s privatisation policy.
When asked about the opposition''s demands for taking Federal Minister Awais Leghari to task over faulty deal, he ruled out any such action against Leghari.
Shaukat Aziz said the political parties in the past also adopted the privatisation policy and there is no harm in it.
He also spoke on the stock market crisis, saying that reforms were being made through the Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to overcome such crisis in the future.
Replying to a query, Shaukat Aziz made it clear that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was their coalition partner and no shuffle would be made in Sindh.
When asked whether present assemblies were going to elect President Musharraf for the next term, Shaukat Aziz said everything will be done according to the Constitution.
Talking about Pak-US relations in view of fresh talks on energy, the prime minister said they would discuss Pakistan''s comprehensive energy needs. He said Pakistan wanted peaceful use of nuclear energy especially to meet electricity shortage.
To another question about slow-moving dialogue process between Pakistan and India, Shaukat Aziz said both countries would have to show their resolve.
Speaking about the recent budget session, Shaukat Aziz said the opposition merely criticised the government for political mileage. He assured that the next fiscal budget would be more incentive-laden and will bring more prosperity among the people.
He replied that he will write to all chief ministers on Monday to make sure the implementation of government''s incentives announced in the budget. He told reporters that the government was in contact with all opposition political parties.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister also visited his constituency, Fatehjang, and monitored the prices of essential commodities. He visited Utility Store, shops and addressed the people of the area.