First cabinet meeting: Ashraf invites Baloch leaders for talks

Government committed to resolving energy crisis as top priority, says prime minister.

ISLAMABAD: Chairing his first cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf said on Tuesday that Balochistan was the government’s priority and invited Baloch leaders to come and sit across the table in finding an amicable solution to the province's issues.

Speaking at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Ashraf said that the coalition government was committed to resolving the energy crisis as their top priority.

“Our government would like to see the agriculture sector growing and will not let electricity constrains hit this sector.”

Addressing the federal cabinet, Ashraf paid tribute to former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani for his stand to protect the Constitution.

The prime minister also invited all political parties to join hands in the service of country.

Ashraf urged the management of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), Pakistan Railways (PR), Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and other state-run enterprises to focus on their operational efficiency.

He said, “Pakistan values its relations with the Islamic states, United States, China, European Union, Japan and all its neighbours including India and Afghanistan.”