ISLAMABAD - Besides giving approval to Trade Policy 2009-10, Strategic Trade Policy Framework 2009-12 and discussing in detail the prevailing electricity crisis, the Federal Cabinet lauded the initiative of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in promoting good neighbouring relations with India on the basis of equality and mutual respect and for resolving all the outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir. The Cabinet reviewed the demand and supply situation of electricity in the country. The meeting discussed ways and means to overcome power shortage by increasing electricity supply and adopting measures for energy conservations. The meeting congratulated the Ministry of Environment on setting up a world record by planting over 500,000 trees in a single-day, which has been duly recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records. The Cabinet formed a committee to consider the resolution passed by the Senate regarding restoration of the Haj quota for the Senators. The committee headed by the Minister for Religious Affairs comprises Leader of House in Senate, Chief Whip in the National Assembly and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs. In his opening remarks while chairing the Federal Cabinet meeting at the Prime Ministers Secretariat Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani briefed the cabinet about his visit to Sharm El-Sheikh and his meeting with the world leaders including the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the NAM Summit. He also apprised the Cabinet members of the status of IDPs. The Cabinet lauded the efforts of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Ministry to promote good neighbourly relations with India on the basis of equality, mutual respect and for resolving all outstanding issues including Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Gilani said that Pakistan was ready to work with India with commitment and sincerity and desired to open a new chapter in the bilateral ties. I underlined the importance of early resumption of composite dialogue process, Gilani said and pointed that Pakistan believed that confidence building was the pre-requisite for resolution of all outstanding issues. He said he had a detailed discussion on the issue of terrorism and apprised his Indian counterpart of the progress made by Pakistan regarding investigations into the Mumbai attacks. Prime Minister told the cabinet that he stressed the importance Pakistan greatly attached to friendly and cordial relations with India. Gilani said the joint statement issued after his cordial and constructive meeting with Dr Manmohan Singh, underlined the shared commitment of both the countries to chart a way forward for Pakistan-India relations. He said it also acknowledged that dialogue was the only way forward and terrorism was a threat to both the countries requiring that they should share real time credible and actionable information to counter any possible future terrorism threats. The prime minister said the statement also de-linked terrorism from the composite dialogue process and emphasized that these should not be bracketed, besides reiterating their resolve to discuss all outstanding issues. Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan conveyed its concerns over Indian interference in Balochistan and other areas of Pakistan. He said both the sides stressed creating an atmosphere of mutual trust and confidence while reaffirming their intention to promote regional cooperation. It also called for the two Foreign Secretaries to meet as often as necessary and report to their Foreign Ministers who would meet at the next UN General Assembly Session in New York, in September. I hold Dr Manmohan Sign in high esteem and respect and consider him a statesman with the vision of peace and prosperity, he said. Prime Minister Gilani also briefed the cabinet members about his meetings with the heads of the states and governments on the sidelines of Sharm El-Sheikh. He said in the context of Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), Pakistan highlighted its perspective on international peace, security and global financial and economic crisis. About the Trade Policy 2009-10 Premier Gilani said, the trade policy aimed at poverty alleviation, employment generation, and export-led growth to bring in greater benefits to the common man besides focusing on development of agriculture, textile, Small and Medium Enterprisers and domestic raw materials. Gilani said in the present economically challenging times, there was no other option but to succeed. And we will succeed with the support of Pakistani nation, that is united like never before and is firm in its resolve to make the country counted in the comity of nations, he said. The Cabinet reviewed the demand and supply of electricity in the country and discussed ways and means to overcome power shortage by increasing supply and adopting measures for energy conservation. The Prime Minister said, I understand when common people, traders and industrial workers come on roads to protest against loadshedding. I share their concern and my sympathies are with them. However, he said that protesters should realize that the present government inherited the crisis. He said addressing the power crisis was the governments top priority and was part of his governments first 100 days agenda. Progress has been made as implementation of new IPPs and Rental Power Plants is on the track, he said. Gilani said a committee of ministers had been constituted to monitor the situation on daily basis. With improvements in oil and gas supplies and coming into system of power from Mangla this week, the situation has started improving, he added. He directed the relevant ministries to work on keeping the existing power generation capacity running. He directed the Ministry of Water and Power to ensure commissioning of new IPPs and Rental Power Projects as per schedule. The Prime Minister appealed to the nation to bear the situation and assured that people would see visible improvement in power supply situation and the deficit would be bridged. On the issue of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the Prime Minister said the government was keenly working on their safe return and rehabilitation. It is a matter of great satisfaction that military operation in Swat and FATA is successfully meeting its desired objectives and peace is gradually returning there, he said. The Prime Minister said financial assistance to IDPs was being made in a transparent manner and the phased return of IDPs had gradually picked up the momentum. He hoped that full return of IDPs would be completed in about a months time in an orderly and peaceful manner. He extended his appreciation to all political parties, federal and provincial agencies and non-government organizations including the UN agencies for their support and extraordinary work for the IDPs. The Prime Minister reiterated that fight against terrorism would continue till complete elimination of the militants and return of peace and stability in the affected areas.