Kaira lashes out at Chaudhry Nisar for governors’ removal call

Information Minister, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Friday criticized leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for his calls to remove political Governors before the parliamentary elections.

Speaking at a news conference in Islamabad‚ the Minister termed Nisar’s demand as unlawful, claiming Governors have no link with executive authority.

He said under the 18th Amendment the role of caretaker setup is limited and it would only run day to day affairs and help in holding of free‚ fair and transparent elections. He said caretaker set up will be established in consultation with the Opposition leader.

Qamar Zaman Kaira said when the general elections are going to be held under caretaker setup‚ why confusion is being created at this stage.

The Information Minister said Commission on new provinces in Punjab has been formed as a result of unanimous resolution passed by the Punjab Assembly and its report will come shortly. He said Leader of the Opposition and the Punjab Government did not give the names of their representatives for the Commission. He the Commission is still working and even now the Leader of the Opposition can join it and present its point of view.

Asked about how the caretaker set up would be formed in Balochistan‚ the Minister said according to his personal opinion if an assembly is suspended then its authority is exercised by the National Assembly.

To a question he said one of the killers of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed – Baitullah Masood was killed in drone attack‚ another fled abroad while others are facing trial.

He urged the media to exercise utmost care in reporting on sensitive issues, while referring to several instances when some sections of media reported issues with particular angles‚ creating wrong impressions and perceptions.

Kaira said appointment of heads of different regulatory authorities is done as per a laid down procedure‚ which was also adopted during appointment of Tauqir Sadiq as Chairman OGRA.

He said according to the procedure‚ 17 names were scrutinized by a Committee headed by the Minister and that included Secretary Petroleum‚ Joint Secretary Petroleum‚ private sector representative Shaukat Hayat Durrani and Additional Secretary Establishment. He said the then Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani was looking after the Ministry of Petroleum at that time and he asked Raja Pervez Ashraf to head the Committee.

The Committee short-listed four names including that of Tauqir Sadiq‚ which was approved by the Prime Minister.

The Information Minister said the Prime Minister‚ Ministers and officers of the Government take numerous decisions in good faith and there is always room for a mistake but they should not be blamed for that. Otherwise‚ he said‚ the system of the state cannot be run. He regretted that name of Raja Pervez Ashraf is also being highlighted despite the fact that he was not an appointing authority then.

About death of NAB officer Kamran Faisal‚ the Minister said a six member medical board carried out post-mortem and samples have also been sent to laboratories in Punjab for chemical examination. He said a judicial commission consisting of a former senior judge of the Supreme Court has been set up and a two member bench of the Supreme Court is also hearing the case. He said it would be wrong to link his death with RPPs case.

The Minister said there was also irresponsible reporting on Baldia Town Karachi tragedy. He said it was a big tragedy and when Prime Minister’s attention was drawn towards this case at a function in Karachi Chamber‚ the Prime Minister directed the Chief Secretary Sindh to look into the matter that relevant law should apply.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Jan 25 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. 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.