Talks between government and PML-N over the 10-point national reforms agenda here on Tuesday concluded with a clear and loud message from the PML-N that the government would have to implement the agenda. It has also been decided that the government would inform about the progress on implementation of the 10-point reforms agenda in a meeting scheduled on February 22, some two days ahead of the cut off date announced by the PML-N for its implementation.
On the conclusion of the 9th round of talks, Federal Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafiz Sheikh told reporters that SBP had provided a list of 1300 cases of written off loans of 16 public sector, financial institutions involving Rs 96 billion. The SBP has been directed to determine within three weeks weather political or otherwise influence was used for writing off the loans.
After examining the relevant records and laws, the process of recovery would be started immediately. Now the SBP would determine as to which loans out of the Rs 96 billion were written off on political interference and the SBP would complete its examining process within three week's time and after that the loan recovery process would start he added.
He also informed that Cabinet Committee on Reforms of the public sector enterprises (PSEs) has taken many important decisions on Tuesday and once these are approved by the Prime Minister these would be implemented which also included appointment of Chief Executive Officers in PSEs with transparent track record. He informed that like federal and Punjab government, the governments of Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa would also go for rightsizing in the cabinets and reduce their expenditures by 30per cent, this issue would also be discussed in next meeting. Finance minister further informed that draft of the National Accountability Law and formation of committee for appointment of Chief Election Commissioner would also be finalised by February 22.
Senator Ishaq Dar informed the reporters that his side has completed the brainstorming process on 10-point agenda and the cut off date is 24 February. "In the next meeting to be held on February 22, we will go for stock-taking on the progress of every point of the agenda in terms of implementation."
He said that the PML-N has concluded talks on the 10-point agenda and would like to see the government speed up the implementation process so as key points are implemented before the 45 days deadline given by their party. He informed that government is in a process of implementing some agenda points and it has been decided that PML-N would review the implementation status in a meeting on February 22, 2011.
He informed that Ministry of Petroleum and Ministry of Law would review the situation and would help restore the gas supply to the industries of Punjab where hundreds of units have been closed down due the non-provision of gas. On the issue of gas load shedding, he said that we have suggested to the federal government to come forward and play its role to ensure across the country gas load management on equal basis. He also informed that loans written off on political basis to be recovered and SBP has been given a three weeks deadline.
To a question, Senator Ishaq Dar informed reporters that government has assured PML-N that at present three review petitions are being heard by the Supreme Court of Pakistan against NRO decision and one the Supreme Court of Pakistan to announce its decision on such review petitions, the government would implement such decision.
Ishaq Dar categorically said that until and unless the government implements the 10-point national reforms agenda, PML-N would not support the government on RGST and other taxation measures under consideration. He said that they have been discussing increase in revenue by Rs 1 trillion. About the price hike, he said that the draft law on price control mechanism with input of the provincial governments has got finalised and now it is ready for implementation.