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Gilani govt Â‘terminally illÂ’

January 3rd, 2011 | No Comments

LAHORE/KARACHI – The government of Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani lost its majority in the National Assembly on Sunday as Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which has 25 MNAs, decided to sit on Opposition benches on account of differences with the ruling PPP.
However, the prime minister told reporters in Lahore that the government would stay in power despite the MQMÂ’s decision. He said he was seeing no crisis in the country.
The government can, however, survive only if the PML-Q, having more than 50 MNAs, in the 342-member House, supports the government. However, the PML-Q leadership is in no mood to join hands with the government at this juncture.
The government can also survive if the PML-N, which has 91 MNAs, supports the government, even without joining the set-up.
After the MQMÂ’s decision, the prime minister enjoys the support of about 158 MNAs, or 14 less than the minimum number of votes required to form majority.
When the prime minister was asked if he could expect support from the PML-N, he said: Â“The question should be referred to Mian Nawaz SharifÂ”. He said the PML-N chief was supporting the democratic system and would not like to see its collapse.
Answering another question, the prime minister said if the political forces stood united, no third force would be able to think of intervening.
In Karachi, MQM finally decided to part ways with the government and sit on the Opposition benches in the Parliament. The decision was taken at the Coordination Committee meeting of MQM, which was simultaneously held at Karachi and London on Sunday evening.
Formal application to sit on the opposition benches would be submitted with the authorities concerned soon. However, the MQM has not made any decision yet about leaving the Sindh government where it is also a coalition partner of the PPP.
Two MQM ministers, Dr Farooq Sattar and Babar Khan Ghauri, resigned from the Federal Cabinet about a week ago as a protest for not taking steps to address the partyÂ’s reservations both at the Centre and Sindh.
Departure of the two federal ministers was the first strong indication that the MQM is not satisfied with the assurances given by President Asif Ali Zardari to MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain.
A couple of days back, during one of his telephonic addresses to his party cadre in Pakistan from London, the MQM Quaid hinted that the party would prefer to sit on the opposition benches in Islamabad after the PPP dragged its feet to address the issues raised by MQM with President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani.
The PPP was confident that MQM would remain part of the coalition. However, the announcement on Sunday evening will shake the PPP coalition government at the Centre. It was an unexpected move as for as the PPP is concerned. It is believed that MQMÂ’s decision is linked with hike in the POL prices. The MQM had advised the Government not to raise POL prices.
MQM Coordination Committee also criticised the fresh increase in the prices of petroleum products and demanded of the government to stop putting burden on the poor people.
In a statement issued from MQM office, the Rabita Committee said, Â“At the time when the poor people are struggling to earn bread for their children and are forced to live a deplorable life, as selling of children, suicides and immolations have become a common practice, therefore, increase in prices of POL products would bring in a fresh wave of price hike and add to the misery of the common people.Â”
They further said that the increase in POL prices would directly affect the prices of essential commodities and would prove to be a deathblow to the poor and middle class people.
Â“While the poor people are being taxed to pay debts obtained for extravagant expenses of the Government and on the other hand the prices of POL, gas, electricity and other essential items are being increased on almost daily basis.Â” They said that the MQM being a political party representing the poor people and middle class would never support any step that is not in their interest.
They said that the time demanded solid steps for welfare of the people, the national security and integrity of the country. They advised the Government to recover money from those who usurped the national wealth and were causing huge loss to the national exchequer by not paying taxes. They demanded of President Asif Zardari to take serious notice of this fresh increase in POL prices and take back the increase immediately.
Speaking in Lahore about the raise in the prices of petroleum products, Prime Minister Gilani said a regulatory authority took decisions keeping in mind the trend in the international market. If the government told the regulatory authority not to raise the prices, it would have to give subsidy, which was not possible in the prevailing circumstances.
PML-N spokesman Ahsan Iqbal, in an interview, said MQMÂ’s decision was a natural outcome of the situation. He said if the MQM sat on Opposition benches, the government could collapse.
Answering a question, he said morally speaking the prime minister should seek a vote of confidence from the House. However, he said, a minority government could also stay on.
Asked whether the PML-N could bring its own prime minister as replacement to Gilani, Ahsan said it was premature to say anything on the subject.
MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi told reporters in Karachi that his party would formally request the Senate chairman and the National Assembly speaker to allot MQM parliamentarians seats on Opposition benches.
In a related development, MQM chief Altaf Hussain contacted PML-Q leader Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, PML (Functional) President Pir Pagara and some other leaders.
MONITORING DESK ADDS: JUI-F Chief Maulan Fazal-ur-Rehman has said that opposition parties should sit together and fill the political vacuum. He was talking to Waqt News from Makkah. He said the real situation would arise after PML-N takes decision. He said he did not know what decision PML-N would take. PML-N decision would have impact on the future, he added.
Agencies add: MQM leader Altaf Hussain said if the political dynasties did not come to an end, PakistanÂ’s existence could come in danger. Altaf said the survival and future of Pakistan depended on the 98 per cent of Pakistanis who are poverty-stricken and working-class people, he said this during a telephonic address at a ceremony in Multan.
He said civil and military rulers of Pakistan had made this country dependent on foreign aid and loans. He said the country could not progress until the monopoly of a few families was abolished.
The MQM chief also said that a revolution was about to take place in Pakistan and the nation would end this antiquated system and take the country forward.
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$35b Sino-Pak deals inked

December 19th, 2010 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD Â– China and Pakistan concluded nearly 15 billion dollarsÂ’ worth of deals on Saturday, as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Beijing would Â‘never give upÂ’ on Pakistan.
Business leaders formalised the paperwork – adding to the 20 billion dollarsÂ’ worth of deals signed Friday – under blanket security at the federal capitalÂ’s five-star Marriott Hotel. The latest deals included 17 agreements, four memorandums of understanding (MoUs) and one joint venture.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani witnessed the signing ceremony during Pak-China Business Cooperation Summit where around 260 Chinese delegates and 150 representatives of Pakistan present.
Terming the Pak-China relations as exemplary, Wen Jiabao reiterated his resolve to enhance the bilateral trade with Pakistan in the coming years in a bid to improve flow of investments between both of the countries.
Addressing the moot, the Chinese premier informed that his country would increase investment in Gwadar Port.
He admitted that there were some trade related issues with Pakistan, which were temporary and could be resolved, as China would help Pakistan in increasing exports and improving its infrastructure.
Earlier, Gilani said, Â“We would encourage Chinese companies to consider investments in the energy sector, which assures certain returns. Our energy requirements are expected to increase from 20,000MWs to more than 160,000MWs by the year 2030.Â”
Â“Pakistan has 185 billion tonnes of coal reserves, which would be converted into energy to satisfy PakistanÂ’s growing demand,Â” he added while encouraging Chinese investors to explore opportunities in oil and gas sectors.
Â“The government has announced special economic incentives for Chinese investors including duty-free import of plant and machinery, exemption from sales tax and income tax,Â” he informed.
He informed the participant that Pakistan was in the process of creating a National Trade Corridor, which would be connected to China through an upgraded Karakoram Highway.
Â“Besides a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement and the Joint Five Year Economic Programme, we are now jointly endeavouring to establish closer financial and banking sector cooperation,Â” PM Gilani said, adding that the govt was giving importance to the safety and security of Chinese personnel and premises in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, in his address at banquet hosted in the honour of Wen Jiabao, Gilani while the declaring 2011 as year of Sino-Pak Friendship said Pakistan strongly believed in Â‘One-ChinaÂ’ policy and was opposed to any policy aimed at containing progress or impeding peace and development in the region.
The banquet was attended by the three Services Chiefs, Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, JUI chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, President PML-Q Ch Shujaat Hussain, ANP President Asfandyar Wali and others.
Â“We desire a peaceful environment in our region in the interest of our development and to raise the living standards of our people. We seek peaceful resolution of all issues with India, including the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute,Â” Gilani said, as he hoped that the success in this endeavour would usher in a new era of peace and prosperity in South Asia.
Similarly, he said, a stable Afghanistan would open up vast opportunities for Pakistan and indeed for other regional countries.
Â“We deeply appreciate ChinaÂ’s support to Pakistan on various regional and international issuesÂ”.
He said the longstanding ties of friendship between the two countries were underpinned by mutual trust, solid confidence and creating synergy to build mutually-beneficial relationship for progress and social harmony in our two countries as well as in Asia and beyond.
Â“A unique characteristic of Pakistan-China relationship has been that it is not directed against any country,Â” he remarked.
PM said, Â“We are opposed to any policy which aims at Â“containing progress or impeding peace and developmentÂ” in the region.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chinese PM promised to assist Pakistan various sectors including energy and agriculture, adding that the strategic ties between the two countries would also be extended.
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao will address the joint sitting of the Parliament today (Sunday morning).
He will be the first Chinese and the sixth world leader to address the joint session of the PakistanÂ’s Parliament. Five foreign dignitaries who had earlier addressed the joint sitting are Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike, ex-Turkish President Kenan Evran, former Iranian president Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Queen Elizabeth II of the Great Britain.
Agencies add: According to a list handed out to journalists, the biggest deal was 6.5 billion dollars to develop wind and solar power.
Though not specifically mentioned, behind-the-scenes talks were expected on China building a one-gigawatt nuclear power plant as part of Pakistani plans to produce 8,000MW of electricity by 2025 to make up its energy shortfall.
The Islamabad city administration declared Saturday a public holiday, apparently for security reasons with the country on full-time alert for suicide attacks and bombings blamed on the Taliban and Al-Qaeda-linked extremists.
Â“China-Pakistan friendship will last forever,Â” Chinese Prime Minister told a ceremony commemorating Chinese workers who died in the 1970s while building the Karakoram Highway.
On the occasion, Gilani announced Rs0.3 million for the custodian of graves of 500 Chinese, died in Pakistan during the construction work on the highway.
Earlier on Friday, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told reporters that Pakistan and China signed deals worth around 20 billion dollars boosting trade and investment. It included 13 agreements and memorandums of understanding in fields including energy, rail transport, reconstruction, agriculture and culture.
Â“China will provide assistance in 36 projects in Pakistan to be completed in five years,Â” he said. Â“Basically this is a five-year development plan.Â”
Although no specific mention was made of nuclear power, talks are believed to be ongoing on China building a one-giga watt nuclear power plant to overcome acute energy shortages.
Gilani has expressed the hope that trade will rise to between 15 and 18 billion dollars over the next five years.
Meanwhile, the two countries reached agreement on enhancing bilateral ties during the one-to-one as well as delegation-level talks between Gilani and Wen Jiabao.
China extended full support to PakistanÂ’s sovereignty, security and political integrity. It also extended strong support for enhancing PakistanÂ’s defence and economic cooperation as well as in space programme.

â€œImprovedâ€™ Sino-India ties not a threat for Pakistan: Gilani

December 16th, 2010 | No Comments

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that there is no comparison between Pak-China â€˜time-testedâ€™ relations and the Sino-India bilateral ties. When asked about the ongoing visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to India, Gilani said: â€œWe appreciate their improved tiesâ€. However, he made it clear that Pakistan and China enjoyed a deep-rooted, strategic [...]

Pak Govt. in full control of internal situation: Gilani

December 14th, 2010 | No Comments

Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said the government is in full in control of the internal situation in the country and would not allow anybody to pursue vested personal agendas, or derail the country from path of economic prosperity and sustained democracy. According to The News, Gilani told participants at the National [...]

Enhanced economic ties between Pak, Afghanistan can tackle terrorism threat: Gilani

December 6th, 2010 | No Comments

The common threat of terrorism can be tackled through enhanced economic ties and increased trade relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said. â€œThe high level contacts have proved very useful in developing a better understanding between the two countries,â€ the Daily Times quoted Gilani, as saying. The interactions have also [...]

Zardari lacks public leadership acumen, Gilani has â€œstrong leadership skillsâ€: WikiLeaks

December 6th, 2010 | No Comments

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari lacks public leadership acumen, while Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has shown strong leadership skills in building parliamentary coalitions in times of national crisis, a diplomatic cable unveiled by the whistle-blower website WikiLeaks has revealed. â€œPrime Minister Gilani has shown strong leadership skills in building Parliamentary coalitions at times of [...]

Gilani promises to expose BB’s killers

December 1st, 2010 | No Comments

PESHAWAR/SUKKUR Â– Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Tuesday said that the assassins of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto would be brought to book and all the conspiracies against Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party would be foiled with the help of his party workers.
He said this while addressing a function in connection with 44rd annual founding day of the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party here at Governor House. Interior Minister Rahman Malik, Federal Minister for Communication Arbab Alamgir Khan, Federal Minister for Petroleum Naveed Qamar, Federal Minister Najmuddin Khan, President PPP Women Wing Asima Alamgir and provincial Senior Minister Rahim Dad Khan and other party workers were present on the occasion.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and his daughter Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto rendered great sacrifice for the cause of the nation and their sacrifices would be written in golden words of history. He said that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was not only the great asset for the party, she was also one of the well-known female leaders of the world.
He pledged that soon the perpetrators involved in the killing of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto would be brought to justice and in this connection he has issued directives to ministry of Interior to speed up its efforts. He said that although they are in government but they could not be strong until his party was not well organised and they could serve the nation if they are organised and united.
He added that today they have started their function in connection with 43rd founding day of PPP from Peshawar as the brave people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa rendered great sacrifices in the war against terror and these people had always corner in the heart of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
He said that owing to terrorism and poor law and order situation PPP led democratic government is confronted with numerous challenges in the shape of inflation and price hike and for this purpose PPP government is taking all out steps to handle the situation. He said that countryÂ’s economy was not strong, as the foreign investors fear to invest in Pakistan and this would be the foremost responsibility of the government to attract investors and bring peace and tranquillity to the country.
He mentioned that despite devastating flood across the country huge stocks of sugar and rice is available in the market but some people are involved in hoarding of sugar and daily commodities to raise its prices in the market, however these elements would not be allowed to exploit the masses and strict action would be taken against them.
He said that Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party is a representative party of the poor people and it would take all possible measures to empower the poor masses. He said that PPP government is conducting survey under the Benazir Income Support Programme to provide health insurance and compensation for utility bills through Benazir Smart Card system.
On this occasion, he also announced the construction of flyover on University Road and issued directives to concerned ministers to provide jobs to party workers on merit basis.
Meanwhile, in Sukkur, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that the Government had fulfilled the commitments with regard restoration of 1973 Constitution of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and formation of the setup in Gilgit-Baltistan.
He observed this while addressing the 44th Foundation Day of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party near Sukkur Bypass on Tuesday. He said that the history of PPP was inscribed with sacrifices and struggle and there was no such example of sacrifices in the Asia.
He said that the flood-hit families were being extended help through payment of Rs20000 each and remaining amount of Rs80000 would be paid by the Federal Government so that flood-hit people could construct their houses. The amount is being paid without any discrimination whether they were rich or poor, residing in katcha areas or pacca. He said, Â“Our Government has had managed to develop consensus on NFC Award through which small provinces would be given resources to resolve people of their provinces.Â”
The Prime Minister Gilani announced a grant of Rs100 million each for the flood-affected seven districts of Sindh province.
Addressing a mammoth rally to celebrate the 44th Foundation Day of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party (PPP), he said Jamshoro, Dadu, Shahdadkot, Thatta, Hyderabad, Kashmore-Kandhkot and Shikarpur district would get the special grant.
He said in order to mitigate the sufferings of the growers in the flood-hit areas, free of cost fertiliser and seeds would be provided to them.
He promised reconstructing the damaged bridge connecting Sukkur and Rohri, besides establishing a university of Information Technology in Jacobabad.
Gilani reiterated the federal govtÂ’s commitment to pay remaining Rs80,000 to every family.
Â“All the families affected by floods will be given Rs100,000 each without any discrimination,Â” he said, adding that the funds would help the flood victims to rebuild their houses on their own.
Congratulating the people on the auspicious day, the Prime Minister said the present Government would fulfil all the promises made by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and had already given the resources to the provinces.
Â“It is now the responsibility of the smaller provinces to utilise the resources with justification,Â” Gilani said.
He said under the devolution programme, the Federal Government would hand over responsibilities of at least five ministries to the provinces while another 10 were planned to be in the provincial domain within next two months.
Gilani said more and more powers would be delegated to women with an aim to materialise the dreams of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto while health and life insurance were also a part of the proposed plan.
About the govt-media relations, Gilani said the govt believed in freedom of press and would always welcome positive criticism from all quarters.
Â“It would be a welcome step if the Government and media jointly take measures to flourish democracy in the country,Â” he remarked.
About the agriculture sector, the premier said unscrupulous elements tried to create artificial food crisis in the country. He dispelled the impression of sugar, wheat or flour shortage in the country.
Â“There is no sugar shortage in the country; it is just a propaganda against the govt,Â” he said.
The Prime Minister also rejected the notion that Pakistan was diplomatically isolated. Â“Had we been in isolation, there would not have been any assistance by the foreign countries during the recent flood,Â” he said.
About the Kashmir issue, he said the PPP-led govt had remained vocal to raise the issue in the comity of nations.
On the political front, Gilani said it was for the first time in the history of the country that there was no political prisoner today. Â“The PPP believes in the politics of reconciliation,Â” he added.

Gilani sees no mly coup, midterm polls

November 3rd, 2010 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD Â– Reiterating his resolve not to dissolve the National Assembly in any condition, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday came down hard on PML-N and challenged it to contest local government elections if it wanted to check its support in public.
Â“Those who demand midterm elections should first go for local government elections. There are two ways to go for midterm. First to dissolve the Assembly and the other option is the imposition of martial law.
I will not dissolve the Assembly while Army is sincere and a pro-democracy force and will not impose martial lawÂ”, the Premier said in the National Assembly while responding to PML-N MNA Hanif AbbasiÂ’s remarks on midterm elections in the country.
The PM said that the protection of National Assembly was their responsibility and he would protect it at any cost. Gilani said that he had made an offer to sit together and discuss issues with regard to the Charter of Pakistan. Â“We are willing to seek your guidance for the improvement.Â”
Earlier, MNA Hanif Abbasi said that corruption, inflation and unemployment in the country were on the rise. If the situation does not change, then there should be midterm elections in 2011, Abbasi said.
PPP MNA and former Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman on the point of order demanded of her own government to condemn the rally in front of her residence in Karachi. Â“Number of PPP workers had surrounded my house and chanted slogans against me. My party should condemn it otherwise it will be taken as PPP had conceded it,Â” she said.
Another PPP legislator Yousuf Talpur rejected the Prime MinisterÂ’s statement on the other day that nationalisation policy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was a blunder and said that they would not tolerate any statement against their leader.
PML-Q MNA Marvi Memon said that how will the government allow US officials to sit in ministries for accountability of Kerry Logar Act while questioned that what role the government was playing after the news published in TheNation under title Â“UNHR Council skips discussion on IHKÂ”.
Meanwhile, MQM staged a token walkout from the proceedings of the Lower House against the hike in petroleum products. Senior leader of MQM Waseem Akhtar said that the nation was already hit by the flood and terrorism and it was a time to give them relief in stead of adding more burden on their weak shoulders.
The House also discussed the spread of disease caused by emission of radiation waves from mobile telephone towers installed in the populated areas and the rapid increase in the ratio of poverty in the country.
Concluding the discussion and a calling attention notice, Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar said that the government has embarked upon tax reforms programme to increase revenue generation.
She said that due to efforts made by the government direct tax collection has been increased from 33 percent in 2008 to 42 percent in the current financial year.
She said that the FBR collected direct tax of 527 billion rupees during the last financial year and the tax payment ratio of salaried persons in this amount was only 30 billion rupees that showed that direct tax culture was being promoted.
The Minister said that the government paid 216 billion rupees circular debt to the IPPs during 2009 and also provided additional Rs90 billion in this regard this year to ensure power generation through the private sector.

Nationalising education was a mistake: Gilani

October 31st, 2010 | No Comments

GUJRAT Â– Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said the PPP was upholding the principle of reconciliatory politics so as to safeguard the public mandate with the help of which the government would uproot terrorism and end loadshedding as well as inflation from the country.
Gilani was addressing the death anniversary of Sir Fazal Ali, a politician and educationist of the British rule who had laid the foundation of many institutions in Gujrat, at Government Zamindar Post Graduate College.
Commenting on nationalisation of educational institutions during the PPP reign in 1970s, he said the policy could have been wrong and any wrong thing should be acknowledged for reformation. Â“We will not progress if we do not confess the wrong policies. I also tell the Punjab Chief Minister to review such decisions to get them right,Â” he said.
He said the PPP was cognizant of terror menace, which had proved hazardous for the country, but his party would steer the country out of the troubled waters.
The Prime Minister said all the provincial governments were working in close liaison with the federal government, and they would construct houses for 20 million people displaced by recent floods across the country. He also rued the fact that the devastating floods had caused colossal loss to the economy.
He lauded the services of late Sir Fazal Ali, saying he had kindled a beacon of light in the British colonial period when education for a Muslim was a distant dream. Gilani also assured to give Rs 50 million grant to University of Gujrat.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said he was deeply honoured for attending the event, adding that Sir FazalÂ’s services in the field of education would never be forgotten. He said he would follow the prime ministerÂ’s directives for the uplift of Government Zamindar College.
APP adds: Prime Minister Gilani said the people had given mandate to the PPP and it would work with others for the welfare of people despite the differences of party manifesto and ideology.
He said after completion of poverty survey under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), concessions would be given to poor people in school fees, electricity and gas bills while provision of health and life insurance had also been planned.

Gilani forces minister to resign

September 25th, 2010 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD/Quetta Â– In a shocking move, Saturday night, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani forced Minister for Defence Production Abdul Qayyum Jatoi to resign after he failed to give a satisfactory explanation on his critical remarks he gave about the Army and Chief Justice of Pakistan earlier in the day.
Following the provocative and irresponsible statement against the state institutions and very person of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Jatoi was summoned to Federal Capital by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and on finding his clarification on the matter as unsatisfactory, the PM sought his resignation as Federal Minister.
Earlier, speaking during a news conference at Bugti House in Quetta, Qayyum Jatoi had castigated Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and also slated the hearings of fake degree cases.
On the occasion, he claimed that the CJP belonged to Faisalabad but was appointed on a bogus domicile, showing him as a resident of Balochistan, he said while responding to a query about the hearing of fake degree cases at Bugti House in Quetta.
To another question, Jatoi said the PPP was neither scared of the Army nor the sound of boots, adding that the uniforms and the boots had not been provided to the Army to use them against their own men or to kill them but to serve the nation and ensure security at the borders. He added that Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party would never be deterred by the ArmyÂ’s intervention, adding that Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti was killed by the Army while the country also lost the top popular leaders including Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto because of the same forces.
The PPP-led coalition government had already decided that no institution would be allowed to go beyond the prescribed limits, he said. He said the PPP had been made accountable the very day of its inception but no one had ever dared to ensure accountability of judiciary, bureaucrats and dictators.
Jatoi also vowed that his party would never bow to any institution or powerful quarter.
Answering another query, Jatoi said accountability should not be specific to a particular individual or group, as the process must be all-encompassing without any discrimination, adding that Punjab has 65 per cent of population, but controlling the country for the last 65 years, which would take time to end the control.
He answered another related question saying, Â“The right of corruption had been given to the specific people and I believe that every person whether he is Baloch, Sindhi, Seraiki, Pakhtun or Punjabi should be given an equal right to do corruption in order to ensure equality.Â”
He said that the government would resist the elements trying to dismantle the present democratic set-up. The Muslim League was the B-team of establishment and there would be no democracy in case it came into power, he claimed.
Former premier Mir Zafarullah Jamali, ex-chief minister Jam Muhammad Yousuf and current Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Owais Ghani were the establishmentÂ’s products, he remarked and claimed that they involved in the assassination plot of Nawab Akbar Bugti. Â“Nawab Bugti was assassinated by the Army on the directives of Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf, who was the then Chief of the Army Staff,Â” he said, adding the government would arrest him on his return to the country.
He said Pakistan was fighting the war against terrorism with Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani as the commander; therefore, his service was extended.
The Minister said the PPP leaders and workers had always struggled against dictatorship and sacrificed their blood. Â“We have given numerous sacrifices for the country and would continue the same. We are also fighting against the forces hell-bent to undermine the country,Â” he added.
Earlier, he offered fateha for the departed soul of Akbar Bugti. Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) chief Talal Akbar Bugti and Shahzain Bugti were also present on the occasion.
Our monitoring desk adds: Later, talking to a TV channel, Jatoi said the Prime Minister had the authority to remove him from the office. But, he said, the views he had expressed were his personal opinion and there should be no curb over freedom of expression.
He said he was ready to appear before any court if he was asked to clarify his stance.
Meanwhile, PPP leadership has dissociated itself from the recent remarks of Abdul Qayyum Jatoi.
Commenting on the remarks of Jatoi, Central Information Secretary of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party Fouzia Wahab termed it highly irresponsible and provocative, and completely disowned it and termed the statement as personal views of the Minister.
PPP Senator Faisal Raza Abidi said that he was not in picture in what circumstances the Minister had given such an irresponsible statement and made it loud and clear that the party leadership had nothing to do with it.
He said that PPP believed in respect to all state institutions and the party could not support such a move by any of its party members or ministers.

Zardari, Gilani resolve to get rid of NRO beneficiaries

September 24th, 2010 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD Â– After Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani unequivocally asked the beneficiaries of defunct National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) on Friday to resign, there were reports that President Zardari had finalised a list of 242 functionaries who would be shown the exit doors.
According to a private TV channel, the President has finalised a list of incumbent government functionaries who had benefited from the ill-fated NRO.
Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar was not immediately available for comments.
Meanwhile TheNation has learnt that the President and the Prime Minister had resolved during their meeting on Wednesday that the NRO beneficiaries would have to go by the spirit of the apex courtÂ’s verdict against the Ordinance.
According to sources, the Government came up with the summary on the cases against the President in the Swiss courts after this decision to take a firm stand on the Presidential immunity under the Constitution and give out an honourable or at least safe exit to rest of the fellow beneficiaries.
Although President Asif Ali ZardariÂ’s name is on the top of NRO beneficiaries, yet he takes his case for granted under the immunity provided by the Article 248. However, the rest of the beneficiaries including Interior Minister Rahman Malik and Secretary General to the President Salman Farooqi would have to go.
That is why the list of beneficiaries finalised on Friday night, according to a private TV channel, did not include the name of the President in it, however it includes names of three Pakistani diplomats Wajid Shamsul Hassan, Husain Haqqani and MB Abbasi.
According to sources, the first Â‘casualtyÂ’ under WednesdayÂ’s decision taken by both the President and the Prime Minister to get rid of NRO beneficiaries became Secretary General to the President Salman Farooqi.
According to well-placed sources, Farooqi left the country Friday evening apparently for medical checkup for a week or so as he requires occasional treatment abroad. Sources were of the view that the he was accorded honourable exit according to WednesdayÂ’s decision.
NAB has sent a list of 242 NRO-benefited officials to the Prime Minister which has been sent to the Law Ministry for scrutiny. This list was sent to Establishment Division two days ago which has now reached the PMÂ’s House. The other key figures whose names are included in the list include Adnan Khawaja, former MD OGDC, PakistanÂ’s executive director in World Bank, Javed Talat, and Siraj Shamsuddin, PakistanÂ’s executive in Asian Development Bank. Pir Mukarram Shah, ex-husband of Farzana Raja, is also an NRO beneficiary. The PM has told the Senate that this list has been sent to the Law Ministry for scrutiny.

‘We’ll not go the way you want’

September 18th, 2010 | No Comments

LAHORE – Visibly charged-up Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, while Â‘talking franklyÂ’, has warned conspirators against pushing the PPP to the wall, and they must be mindful of the fact that his government will not go the way they want, and they must settle themselves to wait till the end.
Â“The government is not going to change just because someone said so, and those talking of bringing an unconstitutional change must stop wasting their time. Conspiracy to dismantle the present set-up will, in fact, be a plot to disintegrate Pakistan,Â” said Gilani, while addressing a ceremony at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry held to honour higher achievers in business and trade here at Expo Centre on Saturday.
Relegating the unmentioned schemers to redundancy, Gilani launched a bitter diatribe against his political opponents without mentioning names, saying they had been indulging in venomous and unjustified propaganda against the elected govt since 2008, and started giving their own deadlines and extensions.
Â“The PPP has mandate in all provinces, and it should not be pushed to the wall. If they are yearning to have a change, then they should come up with a substitute that equals the party,Â” he suggested.
Gilani counted the successes of his government – from the restoration of the judiciary to granting extension in General KayaniÂ’s service – while pointing to contradictory assertions of his opponents.
Â“Since I became PM, I am on extension – twice each of three and six months – but not only I am still PM, the PPP govt is intact as well despite a lapse of two and a half years. Now those seeking change, should feel belittle about it,Â” he said, adding he rarely missed any session of the Parliament, which qualified him to become Guinness Book of World Records holder.
The premier was of the opinion that political stability was necessary for economy, while plotters were bent upon derailing democracy, and never letting the present democratic dispensation to settle down.
He said that the people would be united on the issue of floods as it had for terrorism, elections of PM and CMs, 18th Amendment and reconciliation among different political elements.
Â“We have successfully met all challenges so far, and this spree will continue as well,Â” he hoped.
To meet energy crisis, he said since the Council of Common Interests had passed resolution, now work on the Bhasha Dam would start soon.

Gilani ready to relinquish power

September 14th, 2010 | No Comments

LAHORE Â– Though Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani does not see any immediate threat to his government by any means – constitutional or unconstitutional – yet he is mentally prepared to relinquish power, as he thinks he will be better off without it.
Â“I want to live politically rather than die politically,Â” the Premier remarked in his interaction with senior journalists from Lahore at his DHA residence on Tuesday.
He said though he did not foresee any move to dislodge present political set-up, yet the talk of change of government through unconstitutional means was uncalled for, especially at a time when country needed the present political dispensation the most in the wake of devastating floods. He said it was unfortunate to talk of such things.
Â“The country needs unity at this time. What benefit the country would have if any unconstitutional step is taken to dislodge the government,Â” the Prime Minister observed.
He said his family had been in politics and in power since independence, and it would make no difference if he were out of power.
Â“Neither I am chair-taker nor care-taker,Â” he further observed, adding that Parliament was his real strength.
Â“The people now talking of change in present set-up had given me three months time to run the show. Then I got extension for another three months from them followed by more extensions. Now they say you are surviving on bonus. Now the new date is in December,Â” the PM commented further on the issue.
Â“What options are available to get rid of us,Â” he asked, and then himself answered the question, saying that all available options to roll back the present system were undemocratic and unconstitutional. Â“CountryÂ’s future lies in democracy. Without it we will be taking a step in the backward direction,Â” he maintained.
Replying to a question regarding alleged murder plan of Lahore High Court Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif, he said he had directed Interior Minister Rehman Malik to take the judiciary into confidence and order judicial inquiry to probe the allegations against the persons allegedly mentioned in the CID report. He said the government would also seek information from the ISI, IB and other intelligence agencies in this regard.
Talking about rehabilitation phase in the flood-hit areas, the Premier said that oversight council for rehabilitation of affectees would be notified soon as he had got names from the provinces. The federal government, he added, would also include its nominees in this body.
He said the assessment of losses would be undertaken by the experts from the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank in order to keep the process transparent for correct assessment.
He said federal government would have no direct involvement in distribution of the foreign aid, so there would be no question of any corruption by anybody.
He said all details about foreign aid would be put on the website, and it would be distributed by the provincial governments.
Talking about the row between the Punjab government and Interior Minister Rehman Malik over distribution of Rs20,000 per family in the affected areas, Gilani said Malik wanted to take credit for Tameer-e-Watan cards and wanted to distribute them himself, Â“but I intervened on request of the Punjab Chief Minister and he was asked to hand them over to the Punjab governmentÂ”.
He said distribution of Rs20, 000 among affected families each was the collective vision of all the chief ministers who supported the idea in a meeting of Council of Common Interests
Â“We have a success story of rehabilitation of 2.5 million IDPs of Swat and Malakand as everything was done in a transparent manner,Â” he said.
He said government had decided to give Rs100,000 to each affected family (inclusive of Rs20,000) for construction of their damaged houses through NADRA cards and ATM machines. Â“The government is not an insurance company to make amends for the entire loss,Â” he said.
He said it was an uphill task to issue 20 million cards to the affectees for the purpose.
He said philanthropists, NGOs and other institutions involved in providing relief to the flood victims should perform this task in coordination with each other and with the government agencies so that relief items could reach where they were really needed.
He said people wanted cash instead of food which was available in abundance.
To a question about getting drone technology from the US, Gilani said: Â“We would develop our own drone technology, and may be we have developed it.Â” He said drones did not differentiate between the militants and the innocent.
He said local government system should be put in place, but it was a provincial subject after passage of the 18th Amendment.
Replying to a question about Pak-India relations, he said wars were no solution to the disputes. He hoped that dialogue process between the two countries would resume sooner or later.
He said Pakistan was very important country for the world nations because of its involvement in the war on terror. Â“We are fighting for world peace, and world needs us,Â” he said, adding that this was the reason that UN and other forums at the international level were raising funds for the flood affectees of Pakistan. He said some countries had pledged to build bridges, schools and hospitals.
He said he would go to Brussels in the near future to sign trade agreement with European Union which would provide Pakistan an access to European markets with regard to countryÂ’s products. He said Pakistan needed trade and not aid from the Western nations.
He said government may exempt flood affectees from paying electricity bills, and currently it was making an assessment of the financial implications of the decision.
To a question, he called former president Pervez Musharraf an old friend and said that he could fulfil his desire by taking part in politics. Â“But the question arises what did he do during his eleven-year rule,Â” Gilani said.
Responding to a question about Mian Nawaz SharifÂ’s criticism of the government, the PM said: Â“Mian Sahib does so out of love for us but you people (media) take it seriously.Â”
Â“Unless our friends (Sharifs) join the government it could not be called a national government,Â” the PM remarked when a journalist said that a national government was already in place as demanded by certain political parties.
To another question, the PM said: Â“What is the criterion to determine whether people are with us or not.Â” According to him, elections were the only criterion to judge popularity of a political government. He reiterated that days of two-thirds majority government were over now.

Days of two-third majority govts over

July 25th, 2010 | No Comments

LAHORE Â– Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday predicted that there would be coalition governments in the future, and the political parties should be mentally prepared for such a political set-up in the country.
Â“Forget about the concept of forming governments with a two-thirds majority. Now coalition governments would be formed in future,Â” the premier said in an informal chat with a group of journalists at his DHA residence. Prime MinisterÂ’s brother and member Punjab Assembly Syed Mujtaba Gilani was also present on the occasion.
Gilani said given the voting pattern in the previous elections, political parties should now understand that it would not be possible for any party to gain a two-thirds majority in the assemblies.
Giving examples of India and Great Britain, the PM said the idea of forming coalition governments was also gaining acceptance across the world. Â“We will have to cultivate the habit of working together,Â” he remarked.
Talking about current political set-up in the country, he said it was vital that all coalition govts in the country remain intact.
He believed that no single party could resolve the problems being faced by the country. Â“Now is the time to meet all challenges collectively,Â” he said, adding if the present coalition governments failed to deliver, it would be very unfortunate and bad for the country.
The prime minister expressed his strong belief in the policy of political reconciliation, saying it was the only way to tackle all the challenges.
He said present assemblies should complete their tenure, as this would bring political stability in the country. Â“If we fail to deliver now, the people would lose faith in democracy,Â” he further stated.
Replying to a question about taking the PML-N leadership into confidence over granting of extension in service to Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the prime minister said it was purely an administrative decision and he did not want to make it a political one.
He, however, said he had tried to contact Mian Nawaz Sharif two hours before the announcement of the decision to inform him about the development, but he was not available.
Â“His son took my call and told me that his father was travelling and hence not in a position to talk to him,Â” he told journalists.
Commenting on US Chief of the Joint Staff Admiral Mike Mullen about the alleged presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, the premier said, Â“If anybody has actionable evidence in this regard, the govt would take necessary action.Â”
He said Pakistan had strategic relations with the United States, and the latter needed Pakistan to fight the war against terrorism. Â“But it is all the more important in this context that we should trust each other,Â” he stressed.
Talking about Pak-India relations, Gilani said all outstanding issues could be resolved only by negotiations and not through wars. Â“Both countries house a greater number of poor, and we should spend our resources on their welfare,Â” he said.
Responding to a question about the controversy on Afghan Transit Trade Agreement, the PM said he had instructed the foreign minister and the ministers for finance and trade to take the Parliament and the media into confidence about the agreement, which, he said, was yet to be approved by the cabinet.
About political developments in Azad Kashmir, he said it was an internal affair of the Muslim Conference, and the government had kept itself away from whatever was happening there. Â“We will accept whatever decision is made by it,Â” he assured.
Talking about achievements of his government, Gilani mentioned ending the dictatorship, supremacy of the Constitution, independent judiciary and consensus over NFC Award as the steps, which had strengthened the democratic system.
He said it was the biggest success of the present government to unite all political forces on one platform for eradication of terrorism, adding that it was the reason behind governmentÂ’s success in its efforts to tackle the issue.
He also especially mentioned Benazir Income Support Programme by which the govt was providing relief to the poor in a transparent manner.
Agencies add: Gilani said the govt would give the people of Fata the gift of democracy after the successful completion of the ongoing operation against the extremists.
He went on to say that unlike the Kalabagh Dam, which had become an issue after being politicised, the govt made sure that the Bhasha Dam project would not fall a prey to politics.
Gilani said Â“No politician can ever say that he supports the terrorists.Â”

Gilani urges more talks with India

July 17th, 2010 | No Comments

LAHORE (Agencies) Â– Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Saturday called for more dialogue with India, a day after Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi accused New Delhi of limiting a talks process.
Gilani said he believed India remained committed to the talks. Â“We want dialogues, they (India) too want dialogues, so when there will be talks then we will discuss all issues. At this point I cannot say something in the air,Â” Gilani told reporters after an official function at Balloki, near Lahore.
Â“They (India) had told us that they want to talk on all issues and I am sure that Indian prime minister is an honourable man and he will fulfil all his commitments,Â” Gilani said.
Gilani said that Manmohan Singh had assured him that all issues between the two countries would be discussed. He was referring to the meeting between the two in Thimphu on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in April.
Gilani said Pakistan wanted good relations with India and both countries were sincere in improving ties. He was talking to the media after inaugurating an independent power plant with generation capacity of 225 MW.
Â“It was our desire that India along with its people and we along with our people hold talks to improve relations between the two countries.Â”
To a question, the PM said that he had good relations with the judiciary and one can also ask from the Chief Justice of Pakistan about it.
Regarding the murder of BNP leader Habib Jalib Baloch, he said that law and order was a provincial matter and he had talked to the Balochistan Chief Minister who, he said, had ordered a judicial inquiry into the matter. The Prime Minister said that PPP did not believe in politics of violence and condemned it.
To another question, the premier said that the PPP government did not believe in victimisation and that was why there was not even a single political prisoner in the country in the PPP government.
To a question, he said, Â“The HEC chairman wished to meet me and I will soon meet him to know about his problems.Â” He said the HEC chairmanÂ’s brother was not being victimised as the PPP did not want to earn a bad name.
To yet another question, the prime minister said that wishes of mid-term polls would not be fulfilled and wherever anyone was disqualified, by-polls would be held.
He said that terrorists were beasts and talks could not be held with them, adding that talks were held with human beings.
Regarding terrorism in Punjab, the Prime Minister said, Â“whole Pakistan is ours and terrorism is a collective issue. And where there is terrorist we will take action.Â”
Earlier, addressing the inaugural ceremony of 225 MW Orient Combined Cycle Power Plant, Gilani said the government had prepared a comprehensive plan to double the power generation capacity within next ten years by initiating projects that could add a minimum of 20,000 MW by the year 2020. He said the plan was in addition to the projects already under construction.
Gilani said, Â“20,000 MW addition would comprise 6,000 MW on hydro, 6,000 MW on coal, 5,000 MW on gas, 1,000 MW on Naptha and other indigenous fuels while the remaining 2,000 MW from alternative energy resources, especially solar and wind.Â”
The prime minister said while translating the vision 2020 into reality, the govt had so far added a total of 1,708 MW through a combination of hydel and thermal sources, which included rehabilitated capacity of the existing Generation Companies (GENCOs), adding that another 2,795 MW of capacity additions were likely to be completed by December this year with an investment equal to US$ 5 billion.
He said, Â“We will ensure maximum efficiency gains in our generation, transmission and distribution systems.Â”
Gilani said the government would add to conservation drive through induction of energy savers, solarisation of water heating and irrigation pumps.
He said the 225 MW Orient Combined Cycle Power Plant was the fifth one after the Attock Power, Atlas Power, Nishat Power and Korangi Combined Cycle Power Plant launched by the present government in just one and half year.
He appreciated the intention of the sponsors to launch the second phase of the plant after confirming the gas supply.
Referring to the constrained gas supply, the prime minister said the govt had been making earnest efforts to import gas from the neighbouring countries, which would primarily be dedicated to the power sector.
Gilani thanked the primary sponsors of the project, including the
OmanÂ’s govt through Oman Oil Company and the German govt through Development Finance Institution (DEG).
Â“We cherish our relationship with both the friendly countries and projects like these are a demonstration of our commitment to foster economic ties amongst our respective govts,Â” he remarked.
Premier Gilani said most of the projects being implemented had been financed with local bank debt, which in the longer term was good for the economy because it reduced foreign exchange burden.
He said the focus on the countryÂ’s indigenous resources would not only decrease the burden on balance of payments but also lower the cost of power generation and provide the much-needed relief to the people.
Â“We also intend completing the projects designed to import hydro electricity from Central Asia and other countries as a part of low-carbon strategies,Â” he added.

Pakistan to abide by US sanctions on Iran

June 21st, 2010 | No Comments

GARHI KHUDA BUX Â– Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the PakistanÂ’s struggle against militancy was for its own survival and sovereignty and not the US war.
Â“Pakistan as a member of the international community follows the international rules but we will not act on anyoneÂ’s dictations.Â”
He was talking to newsmen after paying his homage at the mausoleum of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bux in connection with 57th birth anniversary of the great leader.
Â“We are fighting the war of people for the countryÂ’s integrity,Â” he said.
Responding to a question whether there was any pressure on Pakistan regarding the multi-billion-dollar Iran-Pak gas pipeline project, Gilani said in case the US imposed any restriction on Iran, the matter would be reviewed in the light of international laws.
Â“If the US imposes sanctions, they will have international implications and Pakistan as a member of the international community will follow them,Â” he remarked.
He said Pakistan under the international obligations would adhere to any restrictions imposed against any country.
The prime minister said the killers of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto would not be spared and brought to justice, as the government was moving forward in investigating the matter in light of the UN report.
Replying to a question on Kalabagh Dam, Gilani said the project had remained contentious since 1985, adding that he was not personally opposed to the disputed dam but the issue should resolved with a complete consensus among the provinces.
He said during the recent debate in the National Assembly, some members of the former ruling party were playing to the gallery as they could have constructed the dam while they were in power.
Gilani said law and order was a provincial subject, which could be resolved through negotiations with allies.
The prime minister said, Â“We are pursuing the reconciliation policy and taking all the institutions on board under the vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, who believed in consensus and wanted to resolve all such matters through reconciliation.Â”
Paying homage to Shaheed BB, he said she had a vision to strengthen democracy, Constitution and media and gave a call for long march for restoration of judges, adding that she was a symbol of the federation, binding the four provinces together.
Â“She was not a leader of Sindh or Pakistan only but a great leader of the whole world,Â” he said.
Talking about govtÂ’s achievements, he said apart from ending the dictatorship, the 1973 Constitution had been restored while 18th Amendment was passed by the Parliament unanimously.
To another question, Gilani said during the talks with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, they had agreed that war was not a solution to any issue. The peoples of both the countries faced a number of problems including poverty, inflation, unemployment and terrorism; therefore, they should pursue dialogue, as the only best solution for resolving all the issues, he added.
Â“Pakistan wants to have good neighbourly relations with India,Â” he stated.
On the NFC Award, he said it was a consensus award, which would go a long way in empowering the provinces.
Earlier, Gilani placed a floral wreath at Shaheed Benazir BhuttoÂ’s grave and offered fateha.
Speaker National Assembly Dr Fehmida Mirza, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, federal ministers Qamar Zaman Kaira, Syed Naveed Qamar and Raja Pervez Ashraf besides provincial ministers, PakistanÂ’s Ambassador to UAE Khurshid Ahmed Junejo and leaders of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, the 57th birthday anniversary of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was celebrated across the country while the Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party (PPP) leaders and workers gathered at Garhi Khuda Bux to and Naudero on Monday to pay homage to the great leader.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah and federal and provincial ministers were among those who attended the celebrations.
President Asif Ali Zardari and his two daughters Bakhtawar and Assefa offered fateha and laid floral wreath at her grave.
The President also donated blood at a camp in the Presidential Camp Office. It is pertinent to note that Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party (PPP) had set up blood donation camps across the country in connection with the BBÂ’s birth anniversary.
A large number of party leaders visited the BhuttosÂ’ mausoleum and laid floral wreath at the graves of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Shahnawaz Bhutto.
The day started with Quran Khawani while the students presented national anthem at the mausoleum.
Functions and seminars were also organised by the different wings of the PPP in various towns and cities of the country during which the speakers highlighted the salient aspects of her life and achievements, who hold the honour of being the first ever woman prime minister of the Muslim world.
The party also organised blood camps at district and tehsil levels including Larkana, Ratodero, Naudero, Garhi Khuda Bux, Qamber, Sijawal,
Shahdadkot, Mirokhan, Dokri and others. A mushaira was also held at the Presidential Camp Office Naudero.
Strict security arrangements were in place across the district as countryÂ’s top civilian leadership had arrived here to participate in various ceremonies.
Agencies add: BBÂ’s birth anniversary was also celebrated in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta, Peshawar, Gujranwala, Multan, Nowshera and other parts of the country.
Special blood camps, the main feature of the day, were the most noticeable event of the day as the PPP workers and common citizens donated their blood to commemorate BBÂ’s sacrifice for the people, democracy and country. People vowed to replicate her actions and follow her vision to make Pakistan a democratic, progressive and modern state.

Writ of govt at all costs: PM

June 12th, 2010 | No Comments

LAHORE Â– Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani made it clear on Saturday that action would be taken anywhere in the country in case the governmentÂ’s writ is challenged.
He was answering a question as to whether the operation would be started in South Punjab against the Taliban while talking to reporters at King Edward Medical University (KEMU).
The Prime Minister said the government had the capability to tackle the challenge of terrorism, but at present there was no need of any operation in South Punjab.
He said the Supreme Court in its remarks had maintained that there was no threat to the system and now one could say that there was no rift among the state institutions.
To another query, Gilani said he had never talked about not arresting PPP MNA Jamshed Dasti, as his statement over the issue was misinterpreted. He said the issue was raised in the Parliament and one of the members from the ruling party was of the view that Dasti should not be arrested.
Â“I am always of the opinion that the relations with the neighbours should be very good whether it is India or Afghanistan, and all the problems must be resolved through dialogue as wars are not a solution of any problem,Â” Gilani opined.
He said the responsible states should always be ready to hold dialogue on issues like water, Siachen and terrorism.
Gilani said the dispute over water quota among the provinces would be settled through Inter-Provincial Coordination Committee (IPCC) while Senator Raza Rabbani had also been asked to resolve the issue.
Earlier, Gilani announced foreign scholarships for the top three students of the varsity.
Addressing the 2nd Convocation of KEMU, he said the govt had listed the health sector as one its top priorities, adding that steps like National Health Policy were being taken through which health facilities would be provided to the people at the grass root level.
He also asked the doctors to perform their duties with commitment and devotion.
Before the speech by the prime minister, VC KEMU Prof Muhammad Zafar Ullah presented the annual report of the university.
Federal Education Minister Sardar Assef Ahmad Ali, Chairman Higher Education Commission Javed Leghari, Registrar KEMU Prof Mehmood Shaukat and a large number of senior faculty members, various heads of medical institutions and students were also present on the occasion.

No dictation needed on N-plan: Gilani

April 14th, 2010 | No Comments

WASHINGTON Â– Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that invitation to first Nuclear Security Summit is a practical proof of a Â‘great legitimacy of PakistanÂ’s nuclear programmeÂ’ as the US President Barack Hussain Obama has unequivocally expressed confidence in its security and safety.
Addressing a concluding press conference after the end of the Summit, the PM while answering the question what Pakistan gained out of it said, Â“Invitation and participation, in the first place, in this Summit itself is a great legitimacy for PakistanÂ’s nuclear programme.Â”
He was of the view that not only the visit remained successful in the bilateral context but also Pakistan gained its objective of legitimate recognition as responsible nuclear state. When asked about formal recognition as legitimate nuclear state, he said, Â“It needs patience.Â”
During a number of informal interactions with President Obama during the conference, the Prime Minister said that Â‘we have convinced him about nuclear security action plan.Â”
Explaining about the issue of fuel recycling, the Prime Minister aided by PakistanÂ’s chief negotiator Masood Khan said that last meeting of the National Command Authority had proposed a fuel bank including those countries that have capacity to recycle fuel.
Regarding handshake and informal interaction with the Indian Prime Minister, Premier Gilani said, Â“He was aware of PakistanÂ’s role that was extremely important. And entire world is considering PakistanÂ’s position working for the global peace. Therefore, friends of Pakistan are trying to normalise relations between India and Pakistan so that Islamabad should focus totally on terrorism.Â”
Â“There was not even a single negative thing during my informal meeting with Indian Prime Minister that was in cordial atmosphere and he appeared with an open mind,Â” Gilani said answering another question. Still he was unable to say anything about a Â‘purposeful or formal meeting with his Indian counterpart at the forthcoming SAARC Summit.Â”
The Prime Minister told the journalists that he twice held very exclusive meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and there was no mention of sanctions against Iran or anything of the sort.
Answering questions about the timeframe of strategic cooperation with US beyond security the Prime Minister said, Â“Our top priority is electricity, and the US has already committed to help us upgrade our existing structure.Â” The US, he added, has also ensured Pakistan to support for market access during the next Pakistan-European Union Summit in Brussels. President Obama has also promised to expedite ROZS.
Agencies add: Prime Minister said no country articulated concern over Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal at the Nuclear Security Summit
Pakistan would take decision on countryÂ’s nuclear programme itself, Gilani said and added Â“We do not need dictation from anyone on our nuclear programme.Â”
On the other hand, Gilani separately met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Chairman US Foreign Affairs Committee Senator John Kerry and a delegation of International Monetary Fund (IMF).
During the meeting with Hillary Clinton, issues relating to Pak-US Strategic Dialogue, energy crisis in Pakistan, war against terrorism and regional situation were discussed.
Hillary assured her countryÂ’s assistance to overcome energy needs of Pakistan.

Gilani talks to Manmohan at Obama dinner

April 13th, 2010 | No Comments

Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Monday walked up to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and talked to him for a few minutes when the two leaders met at a dinner hosted by US President Barack Obama for visiting world leaders at the Nuclear Security Summit.
The leaders of India and Pakistan have avoided a bilateral [...]

Punish Mumbai attackers, Obama tells Pakistan

April 12th, 2010 | No Comments

Hours after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed concern over Pakistan’s lack of will to punish those responsible for the terror attack in Mumbai that left 166 people dead, President Barack Obama asked Islamabad to move against the perpeterators.
A couple of hours after meeting Manmohan Singh, Obama Sunday told Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani that [...]