Ministers not happy over LG system

ISLAMABAD: For the first time during a cabinet meeting, ministers from the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) voiced their concerns about the government, Geo News reported. According to sources, PPP ministers from Sindh expressed their reservations about the restoration of the local bodies system and removal of the commissionerate system. The prime minister met with these ministers privately and assured them that a committee would be formed to address their grievances. The cabinet meeting discussed the situation in Karachi and the rest of the country. The federal interior minister was directed to improve the situation in Karachi while the water and power minister was directed to end unannounced loadshedding. APP adds: The Federal Cabinet was informed that over Rs 1 trillion had been invested in power sector during last three years and that practical steps were being taken to ensure that the faithfuls do not suffer from load-shedding during Sehr, Iftar and Taraveeh timings. Replying to questions of media persons after the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the prime minister had directed the high-powered ministerial committee to meet on day-to-day basis and come up with out-of-box proposals to resolve the loadshedding problem. The minister said that the prime minister apprised the Cabinet about the concern of government about the energy situation in the country. About the issue of implementation of Local Government system in Sindh, she said that the prime minister listened to the proposals of all Cabinet members and assured them that the matter would be settled through consultations. To a question, she said that the issue of creation of new provinces was not discussed in the meeting. However, she added that the PM had called for creation of a new province keeping in view the deprivations among the people of south Punjab and that the aspirations of people could not be overlooked. She said at present consultations were being held on the issue to finalize future line of action. Replying to a question about Cabinet expansion, she said it was the prerogative of Prime Minister and only he could answer this question. About the surprise visits to Sastaa Bazaars to check quality and prices there, she said that most of such Bazaars were in the provinces, but the Federal Government would set an example by ensuring quality and cheap rates at the Bazaars.