By NNN-Xinhua
Islamabad : The Federal Cabinet of Pakistan held its first meeting after the first 24 ministers were sworn in by President Pervez Musharraf on Monday.
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani at the PM House in the capital, the News Network International news agency reported.
Gillani directed all the ministers to evaluate the projects of their respective ministries and prepare short-term and long-term plans in accordance with the manifestos of the coalition government. He also advised the members of the cabinet to adopt a proactive approach and keep people abreast with the progress on various programs through media and parliamentary committees.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman said the federal cabinet discussed measures to ensure adequate supply of atta (wheat flour), reduce power shortage and implement minimum wage for workers of 6,000 rupees (around 96 U.S. dollars) per month by immediately amending labor laws.
Rehman said Gillani told the cabinet that it was time for the government to function as people had a lot of expectations with it while the challenges were multi-faceted. Each ministry was directed to brief the cabinet about its functioning.
Rehman said instructions had been issued to the Minister for Water and Power to discuss ways and means to ensure availability of maximum power in the minimum possible time.
Rehman told newsmen that the cabinet would meet fortnightly on Wednesday. She said it was the first phase of the cabinet formation and the Prime Minister would induct more members after consultation with coalition partners.