Two panels set up to revoke FCR, restore judges
By Saad Saud

ISLAMABAD—The federal Cabinet in its first meeting on Monday decided to constitute two cabinet committees headed by the Minister for Law & Justice to prepare recommendations for consideration of the cabinet on the issue of restoration of judges and repeal of FCR.Members of the committees would be nominated by the head of coalition partners of the government, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ms. Sherry Rehman told the newsmen after the cabinet meeting held here with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in chair.
The Cabinet also approved that necessary amendments in the labour law may be made to implement the decision regarding Rupees 6000/-pm as minimum wages of the labour. The Cabinet welcomed the support price of wheat fixed at Rs. 625 per 40kg and expressed the resolve that no shortage of wheat and Atta would be allowed to be created by any vested interest.
The Cabinet was informed by the Minister for Information & Broadcasting that the ministry is preparing draft proposals for submission to the law division to revoke the amendments in the PEMRA ordinance made on November 3, 2007. The Minister also informed the Cabinet that spade work to make amendments in the Access to Information law have also been initiated by the ministry.
The Cabinet decided to meet every fortnight on Wednesday to take up the summaries of various ministries for the implementation of 100-day programme on fast track. The Information Minister told the journalists that the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani emphasized upon the members of his Cabinet to gear-up their energies and focus upon the 100 days programme to ensure that the government is determined to deliver.
She said that in his opening remarks, the Prime Minister said that the government should not lose sight of the mandate bestowed upon them by the people of Pakistan. The hopes and aspirations of the people, he added, have to be upheld and all efforts be made to bring about a change in the quality of life of the common man.
The Prime Minister said that despite the fact that there are numerous challenges and limited resources, it should not deter our commitment to the Nation. Our determination, he said, is greater than the challenges and with the blessings of Allah Almighty and support from the people the government would be able to achieve its objectives.
The Minister quoted the Prime Minister saying that “although the Cabinet has the responsibility to prepare policies and work out the course for implementation yet we would take the Parliament into confidence on all important issues.” Consensus on policy matters, he added, is always helpful in the successful implementation of the policies. The Prime Minister reiterated that he would strive to live up to the confidence reposed in him by the people and their representatives in the National Assembly. The task before the government, he said, is the welfare and betterment of the people for which there is consensus among all the coalition partners, therefore, the government would make a confident beginning.
Ms Sherry Rehman told the mediamen that during the meeting the Prime Minister directed all the ministers to evaluate the projects of their respective ministries and prepare short term and long term plans in accordance with the manifestos of the coalition government. The programmes he said should be prepared keeping in view that these are achievable within the time span specified. The Prime Minister reiterated that austerity and transparency should be the guiding parameters while preparing the plans and specifically during the implementation of the plans and the projects undertaking,she said. The Prime Minister advised the members of the Cabinet to adopt a proactive approach and keep the people abreast with the progress on various programmes through Media.