The council of common interest has unanimously passed a resolution approving the construction of Diamer-Bhasha dam.
Chairing the council meeting in Islamabad, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the unanimous resolution reflects national consensus, and would send a positive signal for the future progress and prosperity of the country. The CCI was apprised that the Diamer-Bhasha dam on completion in 2019, would have the water storage capacity of 6.4 million acre feet and would produce 4,500 mw of electricity. It was also mentioned that the dam would recover its cost within eight years after its completion. The Prime Minister gave special directions to the ministry of water & power to develop a scheme for the development of infra-structure, to support the early completion of Thar coal project. He further directed the ministry of railways to give detailed briefing on making the railways a viable entity, and also asked the statistics division for briefing on the population census in the next meeting of the CCI. The CCI met for the first time after the passage of 18th amendment. As per the constitution, the CCI was required to meet within the prescribed time frame of 90 days, after the enactment of 18th amendment. The CCI was given a detailed briefing by Mian Raza Rabbani, chairman implementation commission, on the stage of implementation of 18th amendment and the work so far undertaken by the implementation commission. The meeting took note of NEPRA’S annual report 2008-09 and the statement of industries report 2009.The council constituted a sub-committee to submit its report within one month, on the working and functioning of NEPRA within the constitution. Regarding the intellectual property organization’s summary, seeking provincial support for implementation of intellectual property rights; the council directed the summary be re-submitted, after consultation with the provinces to incorporate the appropriate proposed changes in the law. Earlier, chief ministers of the four provinces called on Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani. Talking to them, the Prime Minister stressed the need for more focus on legislation to ensure and strengthen good governance in the country. He said the reconciliatory environment created after 2008 elections should be helped to persist, as political games distract from focusing on solutions of the common man's problems. He further said the common people are not interested in political wrangling, rather they expect elected representatives to devote their time and energy for their welfare.
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