PESHAWAR/SUKKUR – 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 People’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, “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.”
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.
“All the families affected by floods will be given Rs100,000 each without any discrimination,” 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.
“It is now the responsibility of the smaller provinces to utilise the resources with justification,” 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.
“It would be a welcome step if the Government and media jointly take measures to flourish democracy in the country,” 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.
“There is no sugar shortage in the country; it is just a propaganda against the govt,” he said.
The Prime Minister also rejected the notion that Pakistan was diplomatically isolated. “Had we been in isolation, there would not have been any assistance by the foreign countries during the recent flood,” 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. “The PPP believes in the politics of reconciliation,” he added.