US raid slew Bin Laden and buried at aquatic

Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden was slain along with his son and three bodyguards in the northern city of Abbottabad on late Sunday night at 3^rd of May to bring to an end the biggest-ever victory by United States over Terrorism. Bin Laden was thrown in sea to evade a "shrine" circumstances. Bin Laden was shot dead with a single bullet to his head when he refused to give in to his capture. Details are wooly about the circumstances leading to the raid on the living quarters inside the large compound surrounded by unusually high walls and fences, but background discussions with government and security officials do help in reconstructing the high drama that concluded with the death of US most wanted man.

Some officials released the report regarding the killing of Bin Laden having statements that helicopters were hovering over the area at around half past midnight and it took the US assault team of 25 Navy Seals and CIA personals about 40 minutes to clear the area and took away the dead body of that person for US had been chasing for nearly a decade. One of the two helicopters involved in the mugging went down during battle and one official who visited the scene said there was no evidence to suggest that it might have been hit by a rocket or shot from the ground. But he said the one loud explosion heard during the gun-battle might have been caused by the departing assault team which bombed the hatchet into pieces after salvage their men and accomplishing their mission. Osama's son was also killed in that assault as the official proclaimed. The president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari also claimed for carrying out the information regarding the Bin Laden's tenant in Abbottabad.

Total nine numbers of children were also detained from the compound, they were boys and girls aged between 2 and 12 years. Among them, one was the Bin Laden's 11 year old daughter. Those children are now in the detention of Pakistan's security agencies. They would also be interrogated for touching the bottom of the whole anecdote. US official said, "We want to know the whole scenario. How and when did the entire team come to this part of the region? There are a lot of burning questions in the minds of whole world".

A senior US defense official said that US forces administered Muslim religious burial for Bin Laden aboard an aircraft carrier earlier in the day in the Arabian Sea. He said, "Today religious rights were conducted for the deceased on the deck of the USS Carl-Vinson which is located in the North Arabian Sea". Traditional procedures for Islamic burial were followed. The deceased's body was washed and then placed in a white sheet. The body was placed in a weighted bag.

25 dead and more than 120 wounded in fresh terrorist activity

A fresh wave of terrorism broke into Faisalabad, a city in Pakistan's central Punjab province which resulted to 25 people dead and more than 120 wounded. On Tuesday Morning, at 10:06am local time (5:06GMT), a massive bomb by militants blasted in the area of New Civil Lines at CNG station, the blast was so intensive, it was heard a miles away from point of incident. Nearby PIA (Pakistan Air Lines) building was destructed, CNG station blazed and many building were affected due to heavy bang. Almost 4 feet deep cracked at the point of blast. Massive building glasses smashed and people hurt.

An explosive-laden car was parked at the compressed natural gas filling station (CNG), there was 40 – 60 kg explosive material used for this terror activity. The blast set off gas cylinders at the station and the explosion destroyed and severely damaged nearby buildings and numerous vehicles gutted. Police said the attack took place close to the office of a sensitive security agency (Inter-Services Intelligence ISI) but the building was undamaged. The station had been reduced to a pile of bricks and crooked metal as rescue officials worked to remove rubble from the sight to look for for survivors and ambulance vehicles ferried the injured away. City commissioner Tahir Hussain said, "It was not a suicide attack. It was a planted bomb blast. The bomb exploded near the gas cylinders that elicited a bigger blast". Taliban claimed the responsibility of terrorism in Faisalabad.

Faisalabad is the third biggest city of Pakistan regarding GDP, and it was very safe from these kinds of activities before today's activity. It is the country's textile-making capital.

US urges to free detained US Official

US Senator John Kerry arrived in Pakistan for the release of Raymond Davis; He assured that the case should be tried in US courts as the Americans abide by the law; He promised that the decision would be made on all the accumulated facts which are sorted out to the case. He totally denied the impression that he has come to counsel to the Pakistan Government. Senator Kerry expressed deep grief on behalf of Americans over the killing of Pakistan citizens. He told that the relation between Pakistan & USA would not be impinging on one issue.

US President Barak Obama also urged Pakistan to free an apprehended US Official; while he assured that he was not a heartless about the deadly shooting that led to his detention. Obama said, "He expects Pakistan to abide by the same conference". He also elaborated to continue the relation with the Pakistan Government after getting the person released and promote their economy by different means. Obama expressed his feelings over the loss of life of innocent Pakistan citizens. "We are not callous about them". Barak Obama conversed to the media.

Secretary Information Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Fauzia Wahab has said that Raymond Davis enjoyed diplomatic immunity. Fauzia Wahab said that Pakistan is the signatory of Vienna Convention, so all the diplomats enjoy immunity. Pakistan people are very annoyed by her comments and asked for the release of Aafia Siddiqui who was sentenced for 86 years by the US courts. So they are expecting some different kinds of outcomes from the Government of Pakistan. If Davis would be release without any reprimanded, the situation of the country would be worsened as it was seen in Egypt.

Pakistani Singer released after 25 hours detention

Pakistan's famed singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was released who had been taken into custody in India for more than 25 hours; Rahat Fateh Ali was detained at the Indira Gandhi Airport at New Delhi for allegedly attempting to leave the country processing $124,000, higher than the permitted limit when he arrived at the airport to board for a flight to Karachi. According to Indian Laws, it is allowed up to $5,000 in cash or $10,000 in traveler's cheques (TC) to be taken abroad.

However, the artiste was let him to go after 25 hours but his passport still remains into the Indian Authorities. He has been convened again for investigation on 17^th February. Two more persons along with Rahat Fateh Ali were also released including his manager Sri Vastava. According to the artiste, one hundred thousand US dollars was taken to him by his manager and it was given by a private company, He totally admitted that he did not know the law that how much permissible amount was taken on board.

The Interior Minister Rehman Malik also had a discussion with Pakistan's High Commissioner to New Delhi Shahid Malik to find out the details about the imprisonment. Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir spoke with Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad and insisted on that the internationally notorious singer be released. Rahat Fateh Ali, along with his group of about 20, was scheduled to fly to Lahore by Emirates flight after a series of concerts in India. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) received a tip-off that he would be carrying a large amount of foreign currency. At the airport, revenue officials allegedly recovered $50,000 from Khan's check-in bags, another $50,000 from his aide's check-in baggage and $24,000 from another aide's hand suitcases. The troupe also carried two demand drafts for $10,000 and $8,646. Along with Khan, his troupe manager and the event company manager were also in custody for inquiring. The singer had last performed at a south Delhi farmhouse wedding where he is learnt to have received a massive payment. Rahat Fateh Ali has several hit numbers to his credit and won the Film fare Award for Best Playback Singer this year for Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji from the movie Ishqiya.

Musharraf is accused in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto - FIA

Anti-terrorism court has issued a non-bailed arrest warrants for the former president of Pakistan General (Retired) Pervez Musharraf in Benazir Bhutto assassination case in Islamabad. The decision came after investigators at a recent hearing after that they had comprised Gen. Musharraf in the list of the accused. Special Judge of ATC-III, Rana Nisar Ahmed, directed the head of the joint investigation team of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), which is reinvestigating the case, to arrest the former president and produce him in court on Feb 19, the next date of hearing.

On Feb 7, the investigation team had asked the court to issue warrants for the taking into custody of the former president as despite frequent attempts, the FIA had not been able to get in touch with Gen Musharraf for quizzical him about his alleged role in the conspiracy to kill the former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. According to the investigation report, the investigators have charged the former president of not providing appropriate security measures to Benazir Bhutto as was ensured for other former prime ministers Shaukat Aziz and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, as he wanted to get rid of Ms Bhutto. The accused are likely to be summoned on the next date of hearing.

The reaction from the other side was instant. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, a spokesperson for Pervez Musharraf, termed the criminal proceedings against the former president one-sided. The investigation report presented by the FIA against Musharraf in the court was not based on solid evidences, adding that it relied on mere speculations and conjunctures. The barrister did not just keep his criticism for the FIA, but also accused the court of ignoring shortcomings in the FIA report and issuing the arrest warrants. Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan stated that the government will contact Interpol to bring back former President Pervez Musharraf if the court directed it to do so in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case. It further added that Musharraf had also threatened Ms Bhutto.

PIA strike continued since last three days

The protest by Pakistan Airlines (PIA) employees continued for third day as they are demanding from the Government to end its agreement to give air routes to Turkish Airlines and the resignation of Managing Director of PIA Aijaz Haroon. The Government also taken notice for it started discussion with Joint Action Committee (JAC), which ended without any evident progress and divergence accounts from both ends.

Mr. Rehman Malik (Interior Minister of Pakistan) has assured JAC to resolve the issue within 2 – 3 days and the Government would accept their demands, he also ordered to remove rangers from the Airport but still these are in planned not implemented. The negotiations were held at the Rawal Lounge of Benazir Bhutto Airport.  Labor Minister Khurshid Ahmad Shah and Manzoor Ahmad represented the government, while Sohail Baloch, Kamran Chaudhry, Safdar Anjum, Shamim Akmal and Hadiatullah participated in the meeting on behalf of the JAC. The government team did not admit the demand to remove the PIA Managing Director.

Managing Director Haroon reached Islamabad along with seven to eight members of the Technical Ground Support (TGS) department from Karachi. While the MD left the airport immediately by driving out through a separate gate, the TGS staff set to work to repair the PIA stair vans and tug-masters which had been damaged by the protesters.

During the day (Wednesday), PIA flights were cancelled and disrupted. In fact, according to some accounts, more flights were disrupted on Wednesday than the day before; at least 25 to 30 PIA flights scheduled to take off from Benazir Bhutto International Airport were said to have been cancelled. Private airliners cashed in on the situation by raising fares for the stranded passengers on Wednesday.

 Since last three days, PIA has faced a huge loss as near about 810 million Pakistani rupees because they will have to refund the payments to passengers.

The Rangers, who had been called to assist police and Airport Security Force on Tuesday, were deployed at the exit and entry gates and along the compound walls of the airport premises as nobody, except passengers with valid air tickets, was allowed inside. However, the local police were withdrawn from the airport premises on Wednesday.

The situation at the other main airports of the country was as similar. In Lahore, protesters blocked a road leading to the main entrance of Allama Iqbal International Airport for an hour or so, forcing passengers to walk to the airport, carrying their luggage with them. The passengers are facing the music as all PIA flights cancelled till a indefinite period, they moved to crowed Railway stations, and some are paying extra fare to other airlines for their accommodations.

The protest, which disrupted PIA flights across the country’s airports, began on Monday night on the call of JAC. The situation worsened on Tuesday after the PIA management sacked eight pilots who had refused to work.

An American Consulate killed two Pakistani in Lahore!

A US Consulate employee named Raymond Davis allegedly shot at two young motorcyclists in Lahore and killed them while another motorcyclist was crushed by his colleagues riding another car. He told police that he had opened fire in self-defense. Police said the car that crushed the motorcyclists, had come to Qurtaba Chowk, Jail Road (the place of incident) in order to rescue accused American Davis.

A witness said that the rashly driven Prado crossed the median on Jail Road, crushed the young motorcyclist and vanished in a flash, Mr. Davis also escaped the scene, but two traffic wardens chased and routed him in Old Anarkali Food Street (Lahore) and handed him over to police. More than 100 people blocked the road after the incident by blazing tyres to protest the killings. Police recovered from his possession a 9mm Glock pistol he had used to shoot the youngsters and shifted him to the South Cantonment police station. The accused was not carrying any license for weapons recovered from his custody.

A senior police officer told that Raymond Davis was among four people who were detained by security personnel near Lahore Sherpao Bridge on Dec 9, 2009, when they were trying to enter the Cantonment area in a vehicle with tinted glasses. They were armed with sophisticated weapons. The intervention of the US consulate led to their release, the officer recalled. Preliminarily investigation suggested that as the motorcyclists wanted to assault the foreigner, he killed them in self-defense.

A salesman at a shop on Jail Road told that he saw a foreigner leaving his Honda car in a hurry and with a pistol in his hand. Within seconds he trained his gun at two motorcyclists standing at the Qurtaba Chowk traffic signal and opened fire. Both the youngsters suffered multiple injuries and fell on the road. The foreigner immediately drove away his car towards Mozang Chowk. One of the motorcyclists died on the spot while the other in Services Hospital. The other motorcyclist, who was run over by the colleagues of Davis, was also identified, as he was a salesman. The police sent the bodies of three men to the city morgue for autopsy. Mr. Davis, a technical officer of the US consulate in Lahore, had spent two years in Afghanistan and was well trained to conflict any critical situation. Police registered a murder case against Davis. US Consulate employee was produced in court Friday on double murder charges. The US citizen was appeared before the Senior Judge Zafar Iqbal who handed over the accused to the police on six-day remand.

Two major terror blows in major cities of Pakistan!

A teenage boy blew himself up in Lahore near a religious procession which killed 11 people and wounded more than 70, The Pakistani Taliban alleged responsibility for the attack and they said that they had targeted army & police. After 90 minutes later, a motorcycle bomb blasted in Malir area in Karachi caused one passerby and three policemen.

In Lahore, bomber appeared to be aged about 15. He was wearing a suicide jacket and holding a black bag. He blew himself up when he was being frisked. The Lahore bombing took place near a very famous books bazaar named Urdu Bazaar, The blast damaged windowpanes of dozens of buildings and 15 vehicles, including three police vans. The bombing also caused three feet deep crater. The bombing site was littered with human flesh and blood with scores of injured people crying for help, an eyewitness said.

But in Karachi, the bomber was riding a motorbike and carrying a bag in his hand, which had explosives in it. He struck one of our police mobile vans. The police were the target. Although police initially described the bombing as a suicide attack, it later turned out to be wrong. It was a totally negligence of security authorities who did not care on a suspicious motorbike and it was blasted as CCTV footage released after the incident which cleared the picture whether it was a suicide bombing or bomb blast.  The bomb was rigged to a motorcycle, which was first initially spotted by several policemen who then called the area mobile for assistance. As soon as the van reached the spot, the bomb went off.

After one day of bomb blast in Lahore, a terror spread all over the city and many shops closed due to panic and some shops which are opened, their owners were waiting for customers for all the day, business losses and fear in people was the aftermath of suicide bombing in Lahore.

What would be the future of Pakistan? Is this continued for ever or somebody will do for its remedy, but when that time will come? Every Pakistan citizen is waiting for that person or that moment when his country, which was based on Islam religion and Islam gives us a message of Peace and strictly condemns the terrorism and suicide bombing, will be free from these kinds of terrible incidents.

Target killing in Karachi! And Pakistani Government is helpless!

The new wave of targeted killings and armed attacks in the city left at least 24 people dead and six injured in Karachi. A retired officer of the army’s aviation wing, who was working as a pilot of the chief minister’s helicopter, was among the dead. Major Mudassir Iqbal Kashmiri, in his mid 50s, was targeted near Rabia City when he was returning home in Gulistan-i-Jauhar in his car from the airport.  Armed motorcyclists fired multiple shots at the moving vehicle, killing Mr. Kashmiri on the spot. They fired three bullets on his head and chest. An hour later, three armed men on two motorcycles attacked people coming out of a mosque after Friday prayers in Bukhari Colony of Orangi Town, killing 60-year-old Mohammad Yusuf and injuring 15-year-old Naveed. Anonymous gunmen also opened fire on a 35-year-old fruit vendor, Saleem, and a passerby, Barkat Ali, only half a kilometer away from the mosque. They were taken to the Abbassi Shaheed Hospital, where Saleem died of wounds. In Sector 5-D of New Karachi, 30-year-old Zubair Rahim Khan was killed by armed motorcyclists just a few yards away from his home. Mohammad Noor, a 26year-old paan (betel leaf) shop owner, was found shot dead near a hotel in Orangi Town. Armed motorcyclists stopped outside a barber shop in North Nazimabad. One of them carrying a 9m pistol entered the shop and killed 34year-old Naveed, who was waiting for his turn. He was an activist of the pakistan People’s Party, said an official at the Shahrah-i-Noor Jehan police station. An owner of fast food shop was killed outside his home in Korangi’s Chakra Goth. Muhammad Shafiq, 39, was sitting with friends when two men on a motorcycle fired at him from a close range. Wali Khan Babar, a Private news channel GEO news journalist was martyred; he was also victim of target killings in Karachi. Some unidentified men fired at him at point blank in Liaqatabad when he was heading home.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Premier of pakistan Mr. Yusuf Raza Gilani had talked to each other at Lahore on 16^th of January, the meeting agenda was to stabilize the situation of Karachi and load shedding of Sui Gas. Mr. Gilani had promised to solve all the on going issues of pakistan. Mr., Redman Mali (Interior Minister) has imposed partial curfews in some areas of Karachi to overcome the desperate situation. The government, on the other hand, blamed “antidemocratic forces” for the fresh violence and said they wanted to destabilize the existing political set-up and take every attempt to achieve the desired results.

---

First visit of President of Pakistan in 2011 to US!

Both Presidents Asif Ali Zardari and Barack Obama has spotlighted on the being efforts to battle against terrorism and promote economic stability of the regions at the White House. President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari had taken off to United States of America on 12th of January, 2011. It is his first official visit to USA to discuss many matters like Economic growth, Terrorism, Drone attacks etc. Barack Obama was also showing interest to visit Pakistan later this year.
President Zardari came to Washington to attend Ambassador Holbrooke’s memorial service and President Obama asked him to the White House. They had a discussion about the overall relationship and the US support to Pakistan. They talked about the economic situation in Pakistan. A reassurance of support for the democratic process in Pakistan and a dedication to continuing economic improvements were other points that Presidents Obama and Zardari settled on at the brief meeting. It was wrong to suppose that Pakistan was seeking yet another package for economic or military aid from the US. President Zardari secured the US leader that Pakistan would execute economic reforms while taking into consideration the country’s economic, political and social realties. The ambassador highlighted that President Zardari did not ask for aid and that was not the focus of the meeting. Responding to a question about Governor Salman Taseer’s assassination, Mr. Haqqani said that this issue and its link to the blasphemy law came up for discussion.
President Zardari enlightened that the government of Pakistan shares those distresses but religion is a sensitive issue and Pakistan will deal with this issue according to our own situations, Ambassador Haqqani said. “So it was no question of anybody telling anybody what to do.” The blasphemy law, he said, would be discussed in Pakistan by the Pakistani lawmakers and this was something the Americans understood.

---

Governor Punjab Salman Taseer was assassinated by his bodyguard

On 4^th January, Governor Punjab Salman Taseer was assassinated in Islamabad in afternoon when he was returning after taking dine from a hotel at Kohsaar Market at Islamabad. His security guard Mr. Malik Mumtaz Qadri opened a burst on him and fired 29 bullets. There are 27 bullets scars found on his body via post mortem report. Assassin had claimed that Governor was the victim and he had committed blasphemy activities, he was planning since last three days and his mates were also informed about his plans. The dead body was taken to the hospital when he was seriously injured where they declared him dead. For post mortem of governor, his deceased body was taken to Pims and after a complete inspection; they told that 27 bullets marks are found on his body and at 4 – 5 feet distance, assassin fired on him. Next morning, he was taken to Lahore at Governor House where his funeral prayers were offered and buried him at Cavalry Ground cemetery at Lahore in the afternoon.

People’s party (PPP) leaders declared his slay as a political murder and they declared a two weeks mourning and abandoned all political activities. Punjab Government declared a holiday in Punjab due to grief at assassination of Governor Punjab. There are many issues raised on this occasion like political issues, security issues, religious problems etc.  President of Pakistan declared it to try to abolish democracy.  All the political leaders have condemned and appealed for better security for very important persons (VVIP). Many people’s party workers blazed the tyres, protested at different cities of Pakistan. A strike was observed all over the country due to the murder of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer. All the trading activities, courts, banks were closed. Now Rehman Malik ordered a complete investigation regarding the hot issue because his murder is much unusual as compared to Benazir Bhutto, Liaqat Ali Khan. Assassin has handed over himself after murder to police and his investigation is continued.

---

Pakistan’s Premier Fights to Save Government

Prime Minister of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gilani was struggling to congregate support for his Government on 5^th January, a day after a second ally renounced the ruling coalition with his Pakistan Peoples Party. But at a time when the economy is shaking, public discontent is growing over inflation and a worsening power crisis, and the United States is seeking to expand cooperation in the war against terrorism, no political party looks keen to take the reins of the government.

So there seemed to be growing consensus amongst opposition politicians and analysts here that Mr. Gilani would remain in office despite the crisis, but would be deeply weakened and even more unable to govern this fractured and tumultuous country.

President Asif Ali Zardari, who is the co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples’ Party, issued a strongly worded statement of support for Mr. Gilani that Government will complete its 5 years tenure. He also said that the prime minister is not alone; he will not be left alone. The People’s party (PPP) stands behind him through thick and thin. Let there be no qualm or gaffe about it.

The two parties that have left the coalition at the federal level are the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM),, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal. The first left late on 4^th January, the second last month. But both remain in coalition with the Pakistan Peoples Party in the Sindh and Baluchistan provincial governments, leading analysts and politicians to wonder that both are mainly focused on trying to extract indulgence. Only the Jamiat has claimed Mr. Gilani’s resignation. 

Leaders of M.Q.M. stressed that the government had done nothing to improve deteriorating economic conditions and urged the government to take immediate steps to alleviate rising fuel prices and other domestic burdens.

As part of Mr. Gilani’s efforts to avert a no-confidence vote in Parliament, he held talks with Shahbaz Sharif, the chief minister of Punjab Province and the younger brother of the opposition leader and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Officials of Mr. Sharif’s party, the Pakistan Muslim League-N, say that they are proceeding cautiously as the political crisis unfolds.  Mr. Gilani also met Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi, leaders of Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid political party, which is the next largest opposition party. Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, a leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazal, reiterated his party’s demand on Monday that Mr. Gilani quit, saying he no longer had a majority in the Parliament.

---

Petrol prices Hike, a New Year gift for Pakistani Nation!

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) gave a New Year gift to the nation on Friday by raising prices of petroleum products by up to PKR7.69 per liter, or nine per cent.

They declared this trudge in prices after getting a green signal from Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. As a result, the rate of petroleum levy, which had been reduced last month, increased to PKR1.71 ($0.02) per liter on diesel, 16 paisa ($0.002) on HOBC, 31 paisa ($0.004) on kerosene and 73 paisa ($0.009) on light diesel oil. 

According to a notification issued by OGRA, the price of petrol increased by PKR6.71 ($0.08) (9.2 per cent) per liter to PKR79.67 ($0.93) from PKR72.96 ($0.85), HOBC (high octane blending component) by PKR7.69 ($0.09) (8.9 per cent) to PKR94.36 ($1.10) from PKR86.67 ($1.01), kerosene by PKR4.04 ($0.05) (5.7 per cent) to PKR74.99 ($0.87) from PKR70.95 ($0.83) and LDO (light diesel oil) by PKR4.36 ($0.05) (6.55 per cent) to PKR70.97 ($0.83) from PKR66.61 ($0.78). 

OGRA spokesman Syed Jawad Naseem, who pronounced the new prices, said that prices of kerosene, HSD, petrol and furnace oil had increased by 8.8, 9.3, 12.7 and 7.4 per cent, respectively, in the international market. 

The industry has already been under pressure because of higher electricity and gas rates and energy shortfalls. As a result of the increase in petroleum prices, the size of GST has increased proportionately because the tax at 16 per cent results in higher windfall revenue for the government. 

Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Syed Naveed Qamar said that the government had to increase prices of petroleum products because of a surge in international prices. He spoke that in the international markets the price of crude had jumped from $80-$82 to $94-$95 a barrel due to economic growth in the West. And because up to 85 per cent of the crude is imported, the government had to enhance the local prices of petroleum products.

Mr. Qamar said the existing fiscal position in the country did not allow the government to reduce the taxes or offer subsidies to people. However, the authorities were trying to mitigate the effects of the taxes.

The minister said the government did not want to resort to deficit financing, as had been done by the previous government, because this would fuel inflation further. “So, we all have to take this bitter pill,” he remarked.

In the next budget, revenue generation would have to be improved coupled with better resource mobilization in order to “take the public sector development program to a somewhat reasonable level”, the minister said.

---