March 16, 2008	Sunday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 7, 1429

ISLALAMBAD, March 15: The caretaker cabinet at its last meeting on Saturday approved a plan to transfer power to the elected government when the National Assembly would hold its first session on Monday.

The farewell meeting, presided over by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, expressed satisfaction over fulfilling its responsibility of facilitating the Election Commission in holding free, fair and transparent elections in the country, according to an official handout issued here.

The interior minister briefed the cabinet about the security plan and arrangements for the transfer of power to the new government, the first session of the National Assembly, election of the speaker, deputy speaker and ascertainment of the leader of the house.

The prime minister said the caretaker government during the past four months had taken the best possible decisions keeping in view the national interest.

He said when the interim set-up took over the country was in the grip of multiple crises, including wheat and energy shortages coupled with acts of terrorism.

The government had set up a Federal Food Committee to monitor the situation of wheat shortage and it was given power to take strict action against hoarders and smugglers, Mr Soomro said.

He said the government had streamlined the food supply chain to utility stores, opened new outlets and launched a ‘Bachat Card’ scheme to provide relief to the low-income people.

He said the government had also taken a number of decisions on the conservation of energy and approved various projects, including setting up new energy projects and increasing the efficiency of the existing ones. Human Rights Minister Ansar Burney did not attend the meeting.

The caretaker cabinet was sworn in for 60 days following the completion of the tenure of outgoing assemblies in mid-Nov last year. However, its tenure was extended for another 60 days because of the postponement of elections following the assassination of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto on December 27.

The cabinet was informed that the electoral process was monitored by thousands of international observers who have commended it both at home and abroad.

Earlier, a booklet on the performance of the caretaker government was circulated among members of the cabinet. It contains efforts the caretaker government made for welfare of people.