‘Govt took decisions in best national interest’

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira on Friday said the Pakistan People’s Party-led government had always taken decisions in the best national interest and never compromised on the sovereignty of the country.
Addressing participants of the function to inaugurate gas supply to Islama Pura, he said, “We are the follower of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who sacrificed his life for the cause of the country and peoples’ rights and democracy, but had never compromised on the interest of the country.” The information minister said the present government had inked agreement with Iran on gas pipeline project to fulfil the energy needs of the country despite international pressure.
“We have not accepted the pressure of any country on the issue of Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and inked the agreement with Iran as Pakistan is facing energy crisis and to fulfil our energy needs.”
He added that Pakistan would also import electricity from Iran.
The minister regretted that in the past, several governments had talked about the Iran gas pipeline, but did not materialise the project due to international pressure.
Kaira said the government had also handed over Gwadar sea port to China, as “China is our time-tested friend and always stood with Pakistan in difficult times.
He hoped that Gwadar sea port would also play an important role in the socio economic development of Pakistan besides uplift of the people of Balochistan.
He added that the port would not only help in developing Pakistan but also contribute to the development of Afghanistan and Iran.
Highlighting some of the achievements of present democratic government, the minister said the government united the nation against terrorism and formulated a clear cut policy to counter the menace of extremism and militancy besides taking steps for the improvement of the national economy and welfare of the people.
Kaira said the PPP-led government had dismantled the networks of the terrorists in the country, though a few dispersed terrorist groups still existed.