ISLAMABAD: The Federal Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Contempt of Court Bill, 2012 for introduction in either House of the Parliament. The proposed bill will provide immunity to federal and provincial government leaders from being charged with or convicted of contempt of court.

At a meeting, the cabinet approved a bill to change the contempt law to clip the judiciary’s wings.

Briefing media persons after a Cabinet meeting, Minister for Information Qamar Zaman Kaira said the Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf accorded approval to the drafts of Contempt of Court Bill, 2012 and dual nationality bill that would now be presented in the Parliament for debate and discussion.

The Minister sought to dispel the perception that the executive through amendment to contempt law was making efforts towards exerting control over judiciary.

Moreover, he said that other necessary provisions relevant to contempt proceedings had been incorporated in the draft bill to make the law similar to that of 1976 as well as to the contempt law enforced during Nawaz Sharif's government. According to Kaira, Article 248(1) also provides immunity to Prime Minister, Ministers, Ministers of State, Chief Ministers and Provincial Ministers in discharging official duties.

The Cabinet also approved bill moved by Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis proposing amendment to Article 63 (1) (c) of the Constitution with a view to enabling dual nationality holders overseas Pakistanis to contest elections for the membership of parliament.

The Minister said the issue of dual nationality had become very important in Pakistan given the fact that the country was having agreement of dual nationality with as many as 16 countries. Pakistan People's Party (PPP) had also promised through its manifesto to overseas Pakistanis that they would be given the right to vote and representation. The Minister said the draft bill for dual nationality had been approved and to be presented to the Parliament for debate and discussion.

The Cabinet meeting also endorsed the decision of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) to reopen Ground Lines of Communication (GLOC) to and from Afghanistan, said the Minister.

The process of re-engagement with the United States and Nato had been completed in the national interest in light of parliamentary guidelines. He said the decision to block Nato supplies was taken by the DCC subsequent to Salala killing of 24 Pakistani troops on November 26.  The Minister said that Parliament decided in the wake of Salala incident that terms of engagement with US and Nato should be reviewed. In reply to a question, Kaira stated that both the countries had tried to rectify the strained relations and it was neither victory nor defeat of any side.

The Minister said that Pakistan's stance on the issue had been that its sacrifices had been immense as a coalition partner in the war on terror. It wanted an apology from the US on Salala incident and finally the US acknowledged Pakistan's stance. Kaira said Pakistan would continue to play its role for peace and stability in Afghanistan. The Minister also maintained that a passage was given to the international forces to withdraw from Afghanistan.  The decision has also been influenced by several facts, including Pakistan's trade agreements with 52 countries and the EU trade facility, which could brighten country's economic prospects, he said.

Secretary Water and Power Division updated the Cabinet on overall energy situation in the country. He informed the meeting that for the last 10 days average electricity generation in the country was 12500 MW from hydel, thermal and IPPs sources and expected hydel generation could not be materialised due to delay in melting of ice. Consequently, the shortfall crossed 5000 MW mark.  With the enhanced supply of oil and gas and melting of glaciers, the daily production of electricity would increase to 13500 MW shortly. The Cabinet was also informed that the Energy Committee would be meeting regularly to closely monitor electricity situation in the country.

The Minister said the Prime Minister directed Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh to convene a meeting of energy committee (today) Thursday and come up with a final strategy aimed at increasing electricity generation.