Current power shortfall unacceptable: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Wednesday declared the current amount of as extraordinary and unacceptable while some of the Cabinet members advised the Federal ministers Hafeez Shaikh and Dr Asim to contest elections to know the public reaction.

The PM chaired the Cabinet meeting here which was boycotted by the government's coalition partner Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

Expressing strong dismay over the fresh increase in loadshedding, the Premier noted that the power shortfall was recorded at 5000 MW when actually the generation should not have experienced a decline in the past couple of months.

Some ministers lashed out at the role of the Finance and Petroleum ministries, saying the issue of loadshedding continues to remain unresolved despite repeated calls. "What answer will we have for people when we go to them in the next elections for vote?" they asked.

They said the Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh and Advisor to PM for Petroleum Dr Asim be asked to contest general elections to get the feel of how angry and disappointed the people actually are.

The Prime Minister also convened a special Cabinet meeting next week to discuss ways to reduce load shedding and review the overall energy situation in the country.

The Prime Minister said that he in the very first meeting of the Cabinet had highlighted that resolution of the energy crisis was top priority of his government.

He said the government was making sincere efforts to enhance capacity of Power Generation Plants to overcome energy crisis. He said the government was committed to achieve energy security, despite the fact that it was a herculean task, but expressed the resolve that the government was determined to make headway in this sector.

The Prime Minister said that during the special meeting next week Ministers for Finance, Water & Power and Petroleum & Natural Resources will brief about the latest energy situation in the country.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan was the first country to register protest at national level against sacrilegious movie and the government condemned the movie at all forums.

He said President Asif Ali Zardari raised the issue at the UN General Assembly last night, and also expressed deep dismay and grief of the people of Pakistan over the blasphemous movie duringhis talks with US leaders.

The Prime Minister said he was upset to see some miscreants destroying and damaging public and private property on the day of Yum-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH). However, he was pleased to see the youth who were repairing the damage caused by unruly protesters in the country.

He said Pakistan once again condemned the video and urged the United Nations to formulate strict laws for punishing those who damage sanctity of other religions.

The Prime Minister also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the worst ever industrial disaster in the country. He said that compensatory cheques of Rs. 400,000 each for the diseased and Rs.100,000 each for the injured of the fire incident were distributed by him.

On his own behalf and on behalf of the Cabinet, the Prime Minister expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of lives in the fire incident.