Pakistan to resist US pressure on resumption of NATO supplies

Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani vowed not to succumb any international pressure to open land route for NATO forces, saying that the government wants to re-examine its ties with the United States on basis of equality.

Speaking to the media, the premier said that they would take all decision in the national interest on the recommendation of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS).

He rejected the impression that the government blocked the NATO supply line because it failed to withstand pressure from religious parties such as Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC).

He asserted, “Those who are now speaking against America were once its buddies. After the eighteenth amendment the provincial governments were independent to make their decisions”.

He further said that the government had accepted the challenge of resolving energy crisis in the country.

The incumbent has started so many projects for overcoming electricity including short-term, mid-term and long-term programmes, he added. In his view, it was not possible to tackle the crisis in three years as was claimed by the opposition parties.

The premier informed the media that they added 3700 MW electricity to the system. He explained, “My government has started work on Thar Coal Project for the first time to generate electricity. We have initiated work on Diamer- Bhasha Dam, began Neelam- Jhelum raising project, we are negotiating with Iran on gas and electricity supply projects, working on TAPI gas pipeline, import of electricity from Central Asian States and wind and solar projects”.

Flaying criticism at the Chief Minister Punjab, he said Shahbaz Sharif had stopped run-of-the-river programme for generating electricity initiated by former chief minister Chaudhry Pervez Elahi.

He said whosoever was claiming to overcome the electricity shortage within three years was lying. Shahbaz Sharif has never added a single MW to the system in his recent era instead of calling the federal government irresponsible, he complained.

Declaring the existing government responsible and sensible, he said they have taken the ownership and accepted the challenge to resolve the energy crisis.

The premier, however, denied commenting on Arsalan Iftikhar’s case, saying the matter is sub-judice.

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Posted by Faisal Farooq on Jun 8 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.