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Cabinet approves 2,250MW rental power projects

* Decides to adhere to austerity drive by limiting foreign tours
* PM says people of all provinces have common claim to food supplies

By Irfan Ghauri

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Wednesday approved plans to set up rental power projects generating 2,250MW to fast-track power generation and bridge the supply and demand in the country by the end of the year.

A press release issued after the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani stated the cabinet had discussed and ratified the decisions taken during Economic Coordination Committee meetings on August 11, 18 and 21. The premier said the country would accord top priority to ending load shedding in the country by December 2009. He said the nation could not afford to lose any economic activity because of the energy shortage.

Limiting: During the meeting, the cabinet also approved an initiative to limit the foreign visits taken by ministers, ministers of state, advisers, special assistants, secretaries and additional secretaries in charge as part of the austerity measures announced by the premier in his first speech in the National Assembly. Under the new policy, the dignitaries would only undertake foreign visits on government expense that are obligatory.

During his opening statement, Gilani said the government had fulfilled one of the promises from his inaugural address in the House by announcing the introduction of major legal and political reforms in FATA. He said the people of FATA would now enjoy equal political status and legal rights and would no longer be subjected to the whims of the administration. He said the introduction of Benazir Employees Stock Option Scheme was a step towards empowering workers in state-owned enterprises.

One for all: The premier said provision of relief to the common man was the government’s foremost priority and essential commodities were being sold at affordable rates during Ramzan. He said he had already given directions to abolish inter-provincial restrictions, adding the people of all provinces were united and have a common claim to food supplies.

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