Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Sherry Rehman on Wednesday said that the federal government has given the approval for privatisation of government-run corporations. She expressed these views during a press conference here, after the conclusion of the Federal Cabinet meeting in the Punjab Governor House.
She said eight public companies include National Power Company, Pakistan Railways, Heavy Electrical Company, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation and its resorts, Pakistan Post, Utility Stores Corporation, SME Bank and Kot Addu Power Company. She said that 26 percent shares would be sold to public while 12 percent of shares would be offered to the workers of these companies and corporations.
"In the past, there have been irregularities in the privatisation of public entities, but our government would ensure transparency and also follow the rules and the regulations," she added. She said the Cabinet also thoroughly discussed the issue of wheat, in which it was decided to ensure implementation of wheat procurement price of Rs 950 per maund in all the provinces, so that farmers receive the fair price for their produce.
She said that at present consumption of wheat stands at 23 million tonnes whereas this year the target of wheat production was 25 million tonnes, thus it is expected that there would a surplus of wheat in the country. "It is our policy to give fair procurement price to farmers and procure 6.5 million tonnes of wheat by March 15," she added.
According to Sherry, harvesting of wheat in Sindh was about to start and so it would be focused. At provincial level, procurement centres would be increased for the facilitation of farmers and also the Federal government would also monitor the wheat procurement. In this connection, committees would be formed and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani has called a meeting of all the four Chief Ministers to review the wheat procurement.
The Passco has also been directed to ensure proper procurement. The meeting was also informed that on average there has been an increase of 6 percent per acreage in the cultivatable land. "Inter-provincial movement of wheat was also discussed and was decided that its movement should be based on uniformity and there would be no bar on it. Also, uniformity if relief price of Atta in the country would be ensured. These steps would be taken in order to avoid wheat and Atta shortage in the country," she added.
She told newsmen that there has been growth in the rice production in the country and its surplus has increased from 4 million tonnes to 6.5 million tonnes. This has enabled them to think about exporting the surplus amount.
She said, they also discussed education policy and a new curriculum would be finalised by 2010. Twenty-five out of 82 subjects have been given to provinces for revision, while subjects of history and culture would be updated.
The minister said the Federal Cabinet has set up a committee on ''uniform research and development,'' which would work under the Information Ministry. She said the committee would look into the R&D of cellular operators. "The committee would give their findings and suggestion before the next Cabinet meeting," she added.
On the political front, she said the government firmly believes in the national reconciliatory policy, which has shown results in the shape of unopposed election of senators from Punjab and other provinces. She credited both President Asif Ali Zardari and the Prime Minister for remaining committed to the national reconciliatory policy, which was introduced to avoid any malpractice in the elections and to ensure that constitutional procedure was followed.
When asked would the government allow the long march and ''dharna'' in Islamabad, she said the government is yet to decide on the issue of long march and the Prime Minister and the Interior Ministry would give the final word on it. She pointed out that Islamabad was a sensitive area and after Marriott Hotel blast, the security has been beefed up, and hence no decision to what extent the lawyers would be allowed in the Capital.
"However, the government believes in the freedom of expression and all the citizens have the right to protest. During the previous long march, the government co-operated with lawyers. The government is open to discuss matters with everyone, including civil societies. We do not believe in using force against anyone," she added.
To a question on drone attacks, she said Pakistan has always condemned the drone attacks and lodged strong protest at every level. She said the government would protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country at all costs. She said if Pakistani soil is used for terrorism then the information should be shared with us and an appropriate action would be taken. "Pakistan has not asked India to hand over Ajmal Kasab. Also, relating to the Mumbai attack a list of questions has been sent to India and we were waiting for their response," she added.
On Swat agreement, Sherry said the agreement was inked between the provincial government of NWFP and locals and the federal government had no part in it. "The President would sign the agreement if they show that peace is durable," she said.
Sherry said the federal government has always paid attention to the development of Federally Administrative Areas (Fata) and the development budget for the areas has been doubled from Rs 8 billion to Rs 16 billion. The President has already announced Rs 280 million package for displaced people in Swat. The government strongly believes in dialogue and gives importance to the local people. She dismissed the rumours that North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) depots were shifted from NWFP to Punjab.