While expressing readiness to resolve the political crisis through dialogue, the government on Friday made it clear that ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘illegal’ demands of the protesting parties could not be accepted.
“All constitutional and legal demands of the PTI and PAT have been discussed and the government is ready to pay heed to them but the unconstitutional and illegal demands cannot be accepted,” Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the PM House on Friday following a cabinet meeting. This was the first cabinet meeting held after the start of the political crisis sparked by the protest sit-ins of the PTI and PAT. The cabinet was apprised of the status of talks with both the parties and the premier said “his government is firmly committed to the dialogue process and believes that all issues can be resolved through dialogue.”
The cabinet was also briefed on the flood situation by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Major General Muhammad Saeed Aleem. The prime minister reiterated his government’s resolve to take all possible measures to mitigate the suffering caused to the people by the monsoon floods.
The prime minister also issued directives to the authorities concerned to evaluate the damage caused by the floods and make an estimate as early as possible. In this regard committees were set up for flood-stricken areas. These committees will submit short- and long-term proposals.
The premier also directed the NDMA to take necessary measures to protect the province of Sindh, where floodwaters are expected to reach in the next few days, the statement said.
According to preliminary estimates, 274 people have died due to the floods and heavy rains across the country and 43,000 houses have been damaged. A total of 1.9 million people in 10 districts and 3,000 villages have been affected by the floods, the statement added.
The cabinet thanked and complimented the armed forces for their prompt response and show of commitment towards rescue and relief efforts in the flood-hit areas. The cabinet also thanked the friendly countries for their concerns and offers of support but “decided not to solicit international support at this stage”.
The prime minister took a serious notice of reports of inflated electricity bills during last two months across the country and directed the ministry of water and power to redress genuine grievances of the consumers, if any.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2014.
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Pakistan would be have been better Governed if we have picked random Monkeys from Margalla Hills to be in Prime Minister House.
What cabinet what meeting?It is the GO NAWAZ GO paranoi.