ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Wednesday that reopening of supply route to the Nato forces in Afghanistan was not a question of victory or defeat but the issue of our principled stance on Salala attack which has been accepted by the United States.

Replying to questions of media representatives during a briefing after the cabinet meeting here, the minister said that our stance was that Pakistan being a frontline state had suffered the most and thousands of its soldiers and citizens lost their lives in this war.

“Our demand was that Nato should accept their mistake and should tender apology which has been accepted”, he said.

Kaira said that the United States has also changed its stated position and tendered apology over Salala incident and the unfortunate situation has been rectified now, which is in the interest of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nato and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF).

He said that Pakistan has reiterated it stance on drone attacks and has been assured that in future Pakistan's sovereignty will be respected.

To a question he said that the government took guidelines from the Parliament on its foreign policy and time of six to eight months on restoration of supply to Nato was logical.

Replying to a question, Kaira said that the government was taking decisions in larger national interests and it was aware that elections will be due soon and some people will try to get advantage of the opening of Nato supplies to Afghanistan.

“But we believe that the people of Pakistan are mature and no one can instigate them. Pakistan has to play its role in withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan, and it will be in the interest of both Pakistan and Afghanistan,” he added.

The minister said that Pakistan was also helping Afghanistan in capacity building of its army and it is hoped that after the end of this deadlock security situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan will improve.

He said there was no doubt that our roads were damaged in shipment of Nato supplies in Afghanistan but we decided for the sake of national honour that we will not charge any tax in this regard.

Dual Nationality Issue:

Responding to a query about the bill on dual nationality issue he said that it was part of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) manifesto to provide right of vote and election to overseas Pakistanis. He said that Pakistan has agreements with 16 countries on dual nationality and they do not bar our nationals from becoming members of their parliaments.

The minister said the cabinet approved the draft bill tabled by the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis proposing amendment in Article 63 (1) (c) of the constitution to enable the overseas Pakistanis having dual nationality to contest election for the membership of the parliament.

Contempt of Court Bill:

About the contempt of court bill 2012, which was approved by the cabinet for its tabling in the parliament, he said the PPP and its allied parties fully believe that stability of national institutions was vital to make democracy strong in the country and there was no question of putting any restrictions on the superior judiciary.

He said that Article 248 (1) says that “the President, a Governor, the Prime Minister, a Federal Minister, a Minister of State, the Chief Minister and a Provincial Minister shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise of powers and performance of functions of their respective offices or for any act done or purported to be done in the exercise of those powers and performance of those functions.”

Kaira said that if some article of the constitution gives a right to someone, then no one has right to withdraw it and the proposed bill only clarifies that position.

The minister said the cabinet approved the Contempt of Court Bill, 2012 for introduction in either House of the Parliament. Through proposed bill, the scope of the right to appeal has been enlarged. Moreover, other necessary provisions relevant to contempt proceedings have been incorporated.

Power Generation:

He said secretary Water and Power Division updated the cabinet on the overall energy situation in the country.

The Minister said the secretary informed that for the last 10 days the average electricity generation in the country is 12500 MW from hydel, thermal and IPPs sources.

With the enhanced supply of oil and gas and melting of glaciers the daily production of electricity will increase to 13500 MW shortly, he said.

Kaira said the cabinet was informed that the energy committee will be meeting regularly to closely monitor the electricity situation in the country.