ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Thursday said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led government fully respects the courts.

He stated this in his opening remarks while chairing the federal cabinet meeting in Islamabad.

At the outset, he said “I would like to condemn Tuesday’s brutal attack on Malala Yousafzai and students who while returning from school were subjected to an attack by gunmen.”

“I have given special instructions to the relevant authorities to give best medical treatment available at home and abroad at the government expense to the injured girls,” he announced. “We believe that the attack on Malala Yousafzai and other girls is not an attack on an individual but an attempt to stifle our way of life. We would not be deterred by such acts. The nation has the will and determination to protect its values and principles and the future of its children,” he added.

He said it gives him strength to know that people from all walks of life and political disposition have been unanimous in condemning this brutal act. “This shows that the nation is united to preserve its values. Let’s all pray for speedy recovery of the young girls,” he said.

Commenting on the Supreme Court’s approval of the text of the letter proposed by the government, the premier said it clearly shows that government fully respects the courts, adding that it also silences those who have been propagating that there was a clash between the executive and the judiciary.

The prime minister also informed the cabinet about his visit to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources as part of his plan to review performance of various ministries and departments of the federal government.

“I directed the FBR to facilitate the tax payers, promote the culture of paying taxes and respect those who contribute to the exchequer,” said the PM.

He also apprised the cabinet about his direction to the petroleum ministry for chalking out a comprehensive plan for gas load management during winters with a special focus on ensuring uninterrupted supply to the domestic consumers.

Easing energy situation has been on top of the government’s agenda and it is our resolve to take every possible step to make this happen, said the PM.

The premier also informed the cabinet about a “landmark decision” of only using Thar Coal in thermal plants for power generation in the country.

Ashraf said the government has also presented a new Accountability Bill in the National Assembly. “We would reach out to all opposition parties and try to form a consensus on this bill. It is our desire that the Bill is enacted into law through consensus as has been the case in the past,” said the prime minister.