Present assemblies to be remembered for record legislation: Kaira

Islamabad: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Wednesday that present assemblies would be remembered in the history for record legislation.

While replying to media persons questions on the occasion of press briefing to share the decisions of the cabinet.Kaira said that he was happy because the assemblies were going to complete their terms for the first time in the history of the country and all political forces played pivotal role in this regard.He said that the committee constituted for holding consultations for the formation of caretaker setup with political parties has started its work and will hold consultations with all political forces including coalition partners and opposition parties.He said that holding elections for national and provincial assemblies on one day would be good from the point of view of expenditure and law and order maintenance but the input of the provinces was vital in this connection.

To a question he said that there was no denying the fact that the people of Pakistan were facing difficulties due to shortage of gas and electricity but increase in demand of energy resulted in present shortage. However, he said that present government has taken steps for overcoming this shortage through long term measures. In this connection he mentioned the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, Bhasha dam, Boonji dam, Neelam Jhelum Hydel Project and Kohala dam projects.

Kaira informed that despite energy shortage the exports of the country have shown upward trend which was positive sign.He said that agricultural sector of the country has also shown improvement during past few years due to the steps taken by the present government.
To a question he said that the cabinet approved the Strategic Trade Policy framework 2012-15 but its details will be shared by the commerce ministry tomorrow in a press conference.

Replying to a question about Pak-Iran gas pipeline project, he said that it was 1.5 billion dollar project and the government of Pakistan would arrange funds for the project and a special committee has been formed under the chairmanship of finance minister for this purpose.

Kaira said that the federal cabinet has now formally given approval for construction of Pak-Iran gas pipeline and work on the project will start soon.

To a question about bill on accountability, he said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz wanted to enforce its view point to be accepted but the PPP led coalition government believes in consensus.He said that despite devastating floods in 2010 and 2011 Pakistan had food security and had surplus wheat which was an achievement.

Assemblies were duty bound to legislation till their last day of working and no law bars them from do so at the fag end of their tenure, he told a questioner.
While replying to a question, he said that the commission for creation of new provinces has submitted its report to the Speaker National Assembly office and it will be presented before the cabinet in due course of time.
About the letter written by National Accountability Bureau Chairman to the President he said that the matter was sub judice so could not comment on it.