* Nothing more than criticism with no backup, says Sherry
* Admits PML-N was not taken into confidence about Khyber operation

KARACHI: The federal government rejected on Friday the white paper issued by the PML-Q on the government’s performance in its first 100 days, as Federal Information Minister Sherry Rehman termed it a collection of newspapers and criticism with no supporting ground.

“Most of the problems mentioned in the white paper were gifts handed down by the previous government. We can not end an economic crisis created in five years within three months,” she said, speaking at a press conference held at a local hotel.

According to her, though the government has not yet completed its first 100 days, it has taken various steps to reduce the food crisis created by the previous government and has taken administrative measures to control terrorism, end black laws on media, strengthen the parliament and judiciary and provide relief to the people of Balochistan and the northern areas. She said that Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will present the record on the government’s performance on its completion of 100 days.

She said that during present government’s three months, no stock market crashed, no big industrial unit like Pakistan Steel Mills was sold and no judge sacked. Instead, she added, the government took steps to resolve the problems created by the previous government. The government released the judges, lifted the ban on the media, trade unions and student unions and started the import of wheat instead of exporting it.

She claimed that the government will make sure that the country becomes self-sufficient in wheat and will be able to export it within a year. Wheat flour is available at the utility stores and the government has chalked out a plan under which the number of utility stores outlets will be increased by August 14. The government will introduce mobile utility stores till arrangements to open new outlets are completed, she added.

She said that the previous government got foreign grants worth US$ 36 billion during its tenure, but no one knew where it was spent. The previous rulers left the biggest ever budget and trade deficit and empty foreign reserves, which caused the rise in inflation. The previous government also created the worst electricity problem the country has faced in its history. Contrary to that, the previous PPP government brought IPPs to resolve the problem. According to her, due to the present government’s ‘save energy’ measures, it has succeeded in saving some 300MW within a very short time. It has also planned to generate some 3000MW.

Mentioning some other steps taken by the government within three months, Rehman said the government has introduced the Benazir Bhutto Income Support Program, starting with Rs 34 billion, from August. The government has increased the health budget, expedited the peace process with India and resolved most issues pertaining to the Iran gas pipeline project. It introduced different steps to cut non-development expenses and allocated Rs 23 billion for the development of FATA and the northern areas.

Quoting official figures of terrorist incidents before and after March 31, she claimed that there has been a 98-percent reduction in suicide attacks. Responding to a question, she said that the government has ordered an enquiry against those officials who miscalculated the figures that created a confusion regarding the hike in CNG prices.

Operation in Tribal Areas: Replying to a question regarding the PML-N leadership’s complaint that it was not taken into confidence before launching an operation in the tribal areas, she said that all coalition partners were taken into confidence earlier, informing them of the government’s three-pronged strategy in these areas. She admitted that as far as action in Khyber is concerned, this was a decision of the federal cabinet.

Responding to a question regarding PPP leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim’s controversial remarks given recently in a statement about the government and the PPP, she said that there is no old and new PPP and Fahim enjoys the same position in the party. He is a senior leader of the party but not in the cabinet, she stated.

Responding to a question, she said that the prime minister has already said that expansion in the federal cabinet will be made soon. Regarding Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari’s recent tour abroad, she said that he was on a private tour.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...-7-2008_pg7_28