Pakistan reduces port charges by 10 per cent
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday reduced port charges by 10 per cent in order to enhance activities at ports. He made the announcement at a briefing on issues relating to the ports and shipping ministry. The prime minister said cargo handling was sluggish in Pakistan as port charges in the country were high as compared to other countries in the region.
Talking to newsmen after the briefing, he said the government would soon move a bill in the National Assembly aimed at ensuring transparent accountability. He said the government was committed to bringing the process of accountability in line with the Charter of Democracy.
He said the government was aware of the difference between victimisation and accountability and it would ensure that accountability of institutions was undertaken in a transparent manner.
Defending the rental power projects, he said offices and bodies such as the public accounts committee, auditor general and the parliament could check any wrongdoing.
When asked about fate of the special committee on Balochistan, the prime minister said due consideration was being given to the committee’s report and a package might be announced soon.
He said the committee would unveil the report either at a jirga in the presence of cabinet members or at a joint sitting of the parliament.
About the controversy over dissolution of local bodies, Mr Gilani said he had already forwarded the recommendations of the four chief ministers to the president. He said the government had asked the provinces to decide the system’s fate because it was a provincial subject.
He expressed the hope that the system would continue with certain changes.
When a reporter invited his attention towards reports that phones of certain parliamentarians of Pakistan People’s Party were being tapped, the prime minister said: ‘This cannot be done without my permission … Being a democrat, I cannot and will not allow such things to happen.’
Talking to newsmen after the briefing, he said the government would soon move a bill in the National Assembly aimed at ensuring transparent accountability. He said the government was committed to bringing the process of accountability in line with the Charter of Democracy.
He said the government was aware of the difference between victimisation and accountability and it would ensure that accountability of institutions was undertaken in a transparent manner.
Defending the rental power projects, he said offices and bodies such as the public accounts committee, auditor general and the parliament could check any wrongdoing.
When asked about fate of the special committee on Balochistan, the prime minister said due consideration was being given to the committee’s report and a package might be announced soon.
He said the committee would unveil the report either at a jirga in the presence of cabinet members or at a joint sitting of the parliament.
About the controversy over dissolution of local bodies, Mr Gilani said he had already forwarded the recommendations of the four chief ministers to the president. He said the government had asked the provinces to decide the system’s fate because it was a provincial subject.
He expressed the hope that the system would continue with certain changes.
When a reporter invited his attention towards reports that phones of certain parliamentarians of Pakistan People’s Party were being tapped, the prime minister said: ‘This cannot be done without my permission … Being a democrat, I cannot and will not allow such things to happen.’
