November 07, 2008	Friday	Ziqa'ad 8, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Nov 6: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has defended the induction of a fresh batch of ministers into the federal cabinet, saying that they will not be a burden on the national exchequer because they will be paid less than what they were getting as parliamentarians.

Talking to journalists after laying the foundation of a low-cost housing project here on Thursday, the prime minister said that although there had been criticism about the size of the cabinet nothing had been said against the selection of the ministers.

He said the government’s invitation to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to join the cabinet was still valid. “We have very good relations with Altaf Bhai.”

He said there were no differences with the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl) over allocation of portfolios.

The prime minister said the expansion of the cabinet would improve his government’s performance. Expressing the hope that the new ministers would ensure good governance, he said all of them had been asked to be present in the National Assembly during the question hour. “They have also been directed to limit their foreign tours to only those which are necessary.”

Referring to construction of housing units in the capital for low-paid government employees, he said cross-subsidies would be provided for the purpose.

The programme will include five-marla schemes, apartments and 80-square-yard plots for urban and rural homeless, besides houses and apartments for government employees.

The prime minister said the Pakistan Housing Authority and the Ministry of Housing and Works had launched 12 pilot projects in Quetta, Lahore and Islamabad.