Civil disobedience ultimate anti-national act: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday condemned calls for civil disobedience, equating them to “enmity with the country” and emphasising that such actions are inherently anti-national.

Addressing the federal cabinet meeting he chaired, the prime minister said that a conspiracy was hatched against the country by invading Islamabad. Reiterating that both economic and political stability were interlinked, he referred to Monday’s meeting on law and order and gave clear instructions not to forgive those found involved in conspiracies and attacking the federal capital on November 26 and not to harass innocent people.

Shehbaz said the government has finalised a mechanism to ensure the safe return of Pakistani nationals stranded in Syria, in coordination with the Lebanese government. The prime minister said that 250 Pakistani pilgrims were stranded in Syria where the situation changed altogether within a few days and Pakistan took a neutral position. Besides, another 300 Pakistani nationals, including teachers and students living in Syria, also expressed their desire to leave the country. He said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Foreign Ministry were in contact with Pakistan’s ambassador in Damascus to ensure the safe return of Pakistani nationals. He told the meeting that he held a telephonic conversation with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati on Monday, during which the latter expressed his willingness to allow the return of Pakistani nationals through a chartered flight from Beirut airport.

Regarding the economic situation, Shehbaz expressed satisfaction that inflation had declined further to 3.57 percent and that foreign remittances had increased record high compared to last year, which reflects the trust of overseas Pakistanis, adding that it occurred despite a call for civil disobedience from a particular political party.

He told the cabinet members that in their Monday meeting, the ambassador of Azerbaijan in Islamabad emphasized the finalisation of feasibilities and other formalities for Azerbaijan’s $2 billion investment projects in Pakistan to enable the signing of agreements during the prime minister’s visit to Baku in February next year.

Meanwhile, the federal cabinet approved settlement agreements with eight independent power plants (IPPs) running on bagasse. The meeting granted its approval on the recommendation of Ministry of Energy and Power Division, a press release issued by the PM Office said. These power plants included DW Unit I, Unit II, RYK Mills, Chiniot Power, Hamza Sugar, Al-Moez Industries, Thal Industries and Chinar Industries.

After the approval, the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) would contact the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on reduction in the power tariffs produced by these power plants. As a result, electricity prices for the general public would decrease and the national exchequer would benefit by Rs238 billion. Addressing the meeting, the prime minister said the government was taking all possible steps to reduce electricity prices for the common man.

The cabinet also approved the appointment of Brigadier Asim Bashir Warraich as a Member of Production Control on the Board of Heavy Industries, Taxila, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Defence Production. The forum also okayed the establishment of National Commission for the Status of Women Fund on the recommendation of the Ministry of Human Rights.

Separately, addressing a ceremony held here in connection with the observance of International Human Rights Day, the prime minister said the government was committed to the provision of equal opportunities to all communities in Pakistan so that they could excel in different fields of life by protecting their basic human rights. He said that all the communities living in Pakistan enjoyed equal rights. “It is our priority and the government is committed to providing opportunities to all on an equal basis,” he added.

Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights Azam Nazeer Tarar, in his remarks, said all the provisions of universal declaration were based upon the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and were also incorporated in the Constitution of Pakistan. He highlighted that the Ministry of Human Rights, in collaboration with all the provincial governments and Gilgit-Baltistan, had been working on the set targets regarding women’s rights.

Meanwhile, in a message on the observance of International Mountain Day, on December 11, PM Shehbaz said that as custodians of some of the most awe-inspiring mountains in the world, they reaffirmed the resolve to protect their natural environment, preserve their beauty for the future generations.