ISLAMABAD / PESHAWAR, July 13: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani held consultations with coalition partners for expanding his cabinet, election of chairmen of standing committees and appointment of parliamentary secretaries.

He called PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, Awami National Party (ANP) president Asfandyar Wali Khan and chief of the JUI-F Maulana Fazlur Rahman.

The prime minister, who held discussions with PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari in Dubai last week, is reported to have completed consultations within the party. According to PPP sources, the list of party nominees for various portfolios has been finalised.

Nawaz Sharif is learnt to have asked PML-N’s parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who also is in London, to meet Mr Gilani immediately on his return to Islamabad.

Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza had announced nominations for almost all the standing committees immediately after assuming office in March, but the committees have not become functional because of the delay in the election of their chairmen.

Asfandyar Wali Khan told Dawn on telephone that he had agreed with the prime minister to resolve the issues on Monday.

When asked about reports that he had expressed reservations about portfolios assigned to the ANP, he said that all reports about his party’s differences with the government were baseless.

New Finance Commission

Also on Sunday, the prime minister said in Peshawar that his government was working to form a new National Finance Commission to address concerns of smaller provinces.

He was talking to journalists at the residence of federal Minister Haji Ghulam Ahmed Bilour after offering condolences on the death of his mother. The prime minister was accompanied by Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervez Ashraf.

He also attended a briefing on law and order in the Federally Tribal Administered Areas and the NWFP.

Mr Gilani said it was a longstanding demand of the provinces to set up a new NFC, reflecting the aspirations of their governments. He said the federal government was committed to meeting the requirements of provinces which were facing serious economic problems. He said he had decided to invite all chief ministers to the next federal cabinet meeting to discuss the problems of their governments.

The prime minister said he would announce an economic package for the tribal areas.

He praised the gallantry of the Frontier Constabulary men who were killed in Hangu on Saturday and said that they had sacrificed their lives instead of surrendering to militants. He said he saluted them for their discipline and courage. He said the nation was proud of the FC personnel killed in the line of duty. He said they were local people who were there to protect their compatriots.

The prime minister rejected reports that the United States and Nato forces stationed in Afghanistan could strike on Pakistani soil. He said: “No one can strike Pakistan. We will not allow anybody to violate our sovereignty. Pakistan is an independent and sovereign state which has been enjoying cordial and friendly relations with the US for decades.” He said the US had been extending financial and technical support to Pakistan in the health, defence, education and economic sectors for a long time.

He said that any operation would be launched only with the consent of the local people. He said the government was aware of growing lawlessness and hardships faced by the people. “We want peace and prosperity but a handful of miscreants are bent upon creating lawlessness and sabotaging our peaceful efforts.”

Replying to a question, he said the recent visit of US Joint Chiefs of General Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen was a routine visit from a friendly country.

He said the federal cabinet would discuss all inter-provincial matters, including availability of wheat and flour.