Govt to complete five-year term; continue serving nation with same spirit : Kaira

Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira has said the present government would complete its tenure and it would continue serving the nation with the same spirit.Addressing the ceremony after inauguration of 6.4 km road, from Deona to Dinga, Gujrat, he said We have come into power with active support of people and those who were talking about fall of present set-up, have to wait the completion of our tenure.The Minister said the government respects sanctity of institutions in the country, adding that all institutions are working within their limitations and playing vital role for the betterment of the country.
Showing great respect to the judiciary, he said Pakistan People Party (PPP) had open heartedly accepted the decisions of courts.
He said the Prime Minister has already announced that decisions of courts will be implemented in letter and spirit.
Commenting on the role of media, he however, said there are 'some controversial elements who are out to unnecessarily criticize the democratic government.
The Minister characterized the role of media as one of the important pillar of the state, and said it should criticize in a a constructive manner. Criticism for the sake of criticism is not fair, he added.
Kaira termed terrorism as the most critical challenge, besides inflation and unemployment facing the masses, saying, soon after PPP-led government came into power, the country was in the grip of terrorism but with wise policies, the government has eliminated terrorists from Swat and Malakand division.
The entire nation is united and is supporting the government and Pakistan Army against terrorism and extremism due to which the country suffered loss of precious lives and finances.
We have successfully maintained governments writ in Swat following with the repatriation of hundreds of thousands Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their homes, he said.
He saluted Pakistan Army which, with the support of people played cohesive role not only in restoring peace in Swat, but also launching successful operation in South Waziristan to combat extremism.
Inshallah, Pakistan would achieve more successes and would eliminate terrorism in the country forever, he said.
Referring to achievements of government, the Minister said it was committed to ensuring rights to the people of Balochistan and that is why it had introduced Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan Package.
We have settled the long-standing issue of Gas Surcharge and in this regard paid Rs 120 billion due payment to the provincial government of Balochistan, he said, adding that payment is also given to NWFP province i.e. Rs 110 billion under the head of hydro surcharge which was not paid since years.
In agriculture sector, Information Minister, Qamar Zaman Kaira said numerous measures have been taken to achieve food self -sufficiency.
Two years back, we were facing shortage of wheat by three million ton but now by Grace of Allah Almighty we have now 2.5 million ton surplus wheat in stock, he said.
Similarly, he said the country has also achieved a record production of rice, hoping the government would earn millions of dollars foreign exchange through its export.
He said agricultural policies of the government are bearing fruits as cotton crop has also broken pervious records, paving way to the opening of some textile units, closed down earlier.
The Minister flayed the people who criticized President Asif Ali Zardari on his foreign visits, saying that the country has made great progress due to his foreign diplomacy.
Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP), comprising of 60 countries was formed, who are playing major role in supporting Pakistan in different areas of economy, he said.
Alleviation of poverty was also a challenge for the government and in this regard, he particularly mentioned Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for which Rs. 34 billion were earmarked in first year. The amount during the current fiscal year has been increased to Rs 70 billion and would be further enhanced in the coming year.
The Minister said the government was trying its best to overcome power crisis and to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to the people, various projects are being launched. The government had planned to bring rental power plants but the project could not be materialized due to unnecessary criticism, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister of Punjab, Tanvir Ashraf Kaira said more road projects would be initiated in this constituency.
He also pledged to install filtration plants, saying that the grant for the project has been approved by the provincial government and the work would start within a month.
He said to ensure quality education to the students, appointments of teachers were being made on merit. He also announced up-gradation of two metric level schools to facilitate female students who have to go to other areas for higher education.