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10-point agenda reduced to eight

January 26th, 2011 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD – Agreeing on appointing a one-person judicial commission to investigate into unjustifiable sugar price hike, the PPP and PML-N committees on Wednesday decided to put two critical issues of corruption and apex courtÂ’s verdictsÂ’ implementation on second priority.
Since the two committees had already categorised the ten points of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif by putting immediately doable on top priority and those that were not immediately doable on the second one.
Making significant headway on rest of the eight points, the two committees during their meeting on Wednesday somewhat agreed upon putting these two issues of removing corrupt cabinet members and implementation on verdicts of the Supreme Court of Pakistan with the judgement on NRO on top of them on second priority.
According to sources privy to the committeesÂ’ meeting, the PPP termed these two points as not immediately doable and therefore these were pushed to second priority. The PML-N, the sources added, did not oppose the contention of the PPP in a way silently agreeing to it.
The sources told The Nation that the PPP had argued that a unanimously agreed upon definition of corruption would be required to proceed on these points. Secondly, the PPP side had pointed out that the removal of a minister from the cabinet on corruption charges could disqualify him as member of the Parliament.
Talking to the media after the meeting, Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, who is also head of the governmentÂ’s parliamentary committee interacting with that of the PML-N, said that two sides had agreed upon a one-person judicial commission on sugar prices. He said that a retired judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court would be appointed in a day or two as the judicial commission to probe recent increase in the sugar prices.
Â“For prices in general, and petroleum productsÂ’ tariff in particular the committees were hammering out a mechanism that would be finalised soon,Â” he said. Regarding the Accountability Bill, he said, the Committees would meet again next week to do away with the disagreements between the two parties on certain provisions of the draft. According to the Finance Minister, the two committees also agreed to finalise the parliamentary committee to be appointed by the Speaker National Assembly for appointment of independent Election Commissioner.
Meanwhile, Ishaq Dar, head of the PML-N parliamentary committee, told reporters after the meeting that Governor State Bank of Pakistan presented two lists of written off loans. The Governor presented two lists to the committees including details of loans written off since 1971 to 2003 and 2004 to 2010, separately. The committees have asked the central bank to come up with more specific details of the respective written off loans. However, the SBP also informed the committees that it was not possible to differentiate which of the loans were written off on political grounds. Still Dar was hopeful and vowed to give good news soon to the public regarding the recovery of loans written off on political grounds.
The committees would take up in their next meeting the issue of expenditures reduction both at the Centre and the provincesÂ’ level.

PPP smells a rat

January 6th, 2011 | No Comments

LAHORE/KARACHI – The PPP on Wednesday termed Salmaan TaseerÂ’s assassination a Â‘political murderÂ’ with political motives, as Federal Law Minister Babar Awan in his media talk raised many questions regarding the incident and also pointed finger at the Punjab government for what he called a Â‘criminal security lapseÂ’. Â‘Why Salmaan Taseer was not provided the security cover of a Constitutional head of the province which is equal to that of the Chief Executive of the province, and which is given to Constitutional heads in other provinces tooÂ’, the Minister asked while talking to reporters at the residence of PPP leader Munawar Anjum where he had gone to condole the death of latterÂ’s mother.
Awan questioned why a person who had earlier been declared security risk and terminated from service was included in GovernorÂ’s security staff.
He said that security of Governor Taseer was handed over to the murderers, while describing the incident as a failure of security.
Terming TaseerÂ’s assassination a target killing and a political murder, he said Salmaan Taseer had one identity only; that of a political man, and his murder could not be without political motives
Is it the fate of PPP only to lift the bodies of its leaders? he asked.
Awan said it needed to be investigated whether it was a criminal security lapse or a conspiracy against the country and the present system. He feared that certain forces wanted to weaken the country through such acts.
He said it was vital to uncover what he called Â‘real conspiracyÂ’ behind the murder.
Â‘ItÂ’s not our job to reach at the real culprits, but it is highly important to investigate the matterÂ’, he added, saying his party would not let any one to hush up the whole affair.
He said GovernorÂ’s assassination had raised many questions which must be answered. He further said his party did not want to indulge in any blame game, but it was necessary to conduct thorough investigation.
He said it would be an uphill task for only two civil servants to investigate such a big tragedy. Babar said he was not blaming any body for the murder and all his utterances were within the confines of the Constitution and law.
Babar also seemed dissatisfied over the security cover being provided to him as Federal Minister. Â‘I have to arrange it myself, some times also seeking help from RangersÂ’, he told reporters, adding, that the security vehicles provided to him by Punjab government were without headlights and had weak tyres.
Meanwhile, addressing Punjab Assembly session on Wednesday, Senior Punjab Minister Raja Riaz and Finance Minister Tanvir Ashraf Kaira were also convinced that political motivation led to Salmaan TaseerÂ’s murder.
Meanwhile, the PPP parliamentary party in Punjab condemned the TaseerÂ’s assassination as a Â‘political murderÂ’, and demanded tracing the real culprits and awarding exemplary punishment to them.
The emergency parliamentary party meeting was held here at the Punjab Assembly cafeteria with Senior Minister Raja Riaz in the chair.
Senator Babar Awan, Federal Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs and Rana Farooq Saeed also attended the meeting on the special invitation of PPP legislators.
The PPP Ministers Dr Tanvir-ul-Islam, Farooq Yusuf Ghurki, Ashraf Sohna, Neelam Jabbar and Haji Muhammad Ishaq besides a large number of legislators attended the meeting.
Addressing the participants, Babar Awan said that assassination of Salmaan Taseer was a test of patience for the PPP and its workers.
He said that the party has already faced a number of political murders.
He said that assassination of the Constitutional head of a province by a security guard was a big question mark.
He said that some miscreants were hatching conspiracies to weaken the Federation. He said that the PPP and the Federation were two sides of the same coin.
Neelam Jabbar, Sajida Mir, Azma Bokhari, Tariq Amin Hotiana, Irshad Ahmed Sial and Saleem Najmi also addressed the meeting.
The participants paid glowing tributes to Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer for his brave stance against terrorism. The participants passed a resolution expressing the resolve to continue the mission of party founder Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto besides continuing the policy of national reconciliation of President Asif Zardari.
The resolution passed by the PPP MPAs also demanded probe into the killing of Salmaan Taseer and voiced for the tracing of real hands behind the gory incident.
In Karachi, PPP Central Information Secretary Fauzia Wahab termed that the assassination of Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer a political murder, saying that his murder was not an act of extremism.
The PPP government has announced three-day mourning for Salman Taseer and the PPP also announced two-week mourning.
Talking to the media person after the condolence meeting at the PeopleÂ’s Secretariat, Fauzia Wahab said that killing of Salman Taseer was a part of pre-planned conspiracy and said Â“now we should remain alert to avert from this kind of terrorism.Â”
Commenting over the issue about who was the responsible for the security of Governor Punjab, she said that the controversy about the security responsibility of the Salman Taseer proved that the murder was political. She said that PPP MNA Sherry Rehman has privately submitted the bill to amend the blasphemy law in the National Assembly.
PPP Karachi organised the condolence meeting at the PeopleÂ’s Secretariat to express the condolence on the assassination of Governor Punjab Salman Taseer.
Meanwhile, Sindh Senior Minister Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq said that the religious political parties had defamed the face of Islam across the world. He said that these elements were hatching conspiracy to break the country.
Pir Mazhar vowed that PPP would continue its struggle against these extremist elements and striving to make enlightened and develop Pakistan. He said that extremists in the country were the remnants of former dictator Zia-ul-Haq and underlined the need to uproot the remnants of Zia-ul-Haq from the country.

Pak govt wonâ€t seek Musharrafâ€™s extradition through Interpol: PPP

November 25th, 2010 | No Comments

The Pakistan government may include former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in the investigation of former premier Benazir Bhuttoâ€™s assassination case, but will not go to the extent of seeking his deportation through Interpol, the Pakistan Peopleâ€™s Party (PPP) has said. â€œHe is former president of Pakistan, and it will not be appropriate to bring him [...]

PPP wants Nawaz to apologise for keeping Zardari in jail over â€˜fake casesâ€™

November 23rd, 2010 | No Comments

The Pakistan Peopleâ€™s Party (PPP) Punjab has asked Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif to apologise to the nation for keeping President Asif Ali Zardari in jail for eleven and a half years by lodging fake cases against him. Addressing a press conference, PPP Punjab Information Secretary Dr Fakharuddin Chaudhry, Iqbal Sialvi and Athar [...]

CAG should gain expertise in reviewing PPP projects, says President Patil

November 17th, 2010 | No Comments

President Pratibha Devisingh Patil has asked the government auditor to gain expertise in reviewing infrastructure sector projects being implemented under the PPP mode. Her comment came on the sidelines of debate over allowing CAG to audit Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) projects. President Patil also emphasised that public financial accountability and probity were essential for rooting out corruption. [...]

Benazir Bhuttoâ€™s aideâ€™s clarion call to PPP government to arrest her assassins

November 11th, 2010 | No Comments

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhuttoâ€™s political secretary, Nahid Khan, has demanded that the ruling Pakistan Peopleâ€™s Party (PPP) government must arrest the people behind her assassination. â€œWake up and rescue PPP. It is high time to press rulers for arresting the assassins of Bhutto otherwise her sacrifice for the country would go to waste. [...]

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.

PPP, ‘N’ agree to remove hurdles

June 17th, 2010 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD Â– Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said that the wishes of the people of Pakistan were reflected in the 18th Constitutional Amendment and stressed the need of its early transformation into reality for which the government had already constituted an Implementation Commission as required under clause 9 of Article 270AA.
The Prime Minister said this while chairing a meeting to review the implementation status of 18th Amendment with focus on functions and responsibilities to be devolved to the provinces.
The meeting was held at the Prime MinisterÂ’s House Thursday afternoon. The Prime Minister said that the Implementation Commission had been empowered to make rules or pass such directions, order or require the making of amendments to regulations etc, which may be necessary to achieve the objectives of clause 8 of Article 270 (AA) of the Constitution.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the Federal Government would extend full cooperation and support to the Implementation Commission, which has already done a commendable job in identifying the areas and steps, required to be taken to move forward. The Prime Minister directed that ministries and departments whose responsibilities are to be devolved should sift out the issues to be referred to the CCI. The assets and the funds, he added, of the Ministries and Divisions to be devolved be properly handled and no action in that regard be taken without consultation with the Implementation Commission. Expressing confidence that the Commission would work for completing the task of devolution in time ie June 30, 2011, the Prime Minister said the land mark 18th Constitutional Amendment was passed unanimously with the support of all the political parties in the Parliament and expressed confidence the same spirit would be demonstrated in the implementation of the amendments.
He said that as the concurrent list had been deleted, the provinces would now enjoy greater autonomy in managing their resources. On the NFC Award, the Prime Minister noted that the provincial governmentÂ’s share in the divisible pool had already been increased with the transfer of certain business of the Federal Government to the Provincial Governments through abolishment of the concurrent list. He said that provinces must work for strengthening their administrative machinery, which would be assuming higher role in the near future. Serious and concerted efforts, he added, were required both from the federation and the provinces to complete the transition in a smooth manner.
He said that certain laws, rules and regulations might require changes due to this transition, it was, therefore, expected that the provincial governments would work closely with the Implementation Commission. He asked the chief ministers to ensure that the transition took place swiftly and within given timeframe.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the Commission would give a roadmap along with definite timelines for implementation of the task given to it keeping in view the sensitivities involved. He said that the Parliament would be constantly updated on the status of the implementation after every two months.
The Chairman of the Implementation Commission of the Parliament on 18th Amendment Senator Mian Raza Rabbani while briefing the meeting informed that the Commission had already held three detailed meetings during which the areas of focus have been identified. He further apprised that the Inter-Provincial Coordination Division of the Federal Government, which acts as the Secretariat for inter-provincial matters, has been designated as Secretariat of the CCI and the Implementation Commission also.
Chairman of the Implementation Commission informed the meeting that rules and procedures of the Implementation Commission as well as for CCI have been prepared and sent to the Law Division for vetting before submission to the Prime Minister and CCI for approval. The role of CCI, he added, would be increased manifold during the process of implementation of 18th amendment and would be required to meet once every month till July 2011.
All the chief ministers appreciated the work done by the Implementation Commission on 18th Amendment under Senator Mian Raza Rabbani and assured every possible cooperation for timely completion of the implementation process. They informed that as per the directive, the provincial governments had set up the provincial implementation cells and completed the necessary homework.
The meeting was also attended by all the members of the Implementation Commission of the Parliament, Secretary Cabinet Division, Secretary Establishment Division, as well as the Chief Secretaries of the four provinces.
Monitoring Desk adds: Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz have reached a consensus on removing the hurdles in the way of implementation of 18th Amendment, a private TV channel reported on Thursday.
Staff Reporter adds: Prior to the high-level meeting on the implementation of 18th Amendment, Prime Minister Gilani spoke to Nawaz Sharif over the telephone. The two leaders discussed matters related to the implementation of the 18th Amendment.
They agreed on the implementation of the amendment and said it would strengthen democracy.
Nawaz Sharif has assured the PPP of the PML-NÂ’s cooperation regarding the amendmentÂ’s implementation. Gilani also congratulated him on the decision of Lahore High Court in their favour.
The Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed against Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab, Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif challenging their eligibility to contest elections. Nawaz Sharif thanked the Prime Minister for his sentiments.

No democracy without institutions: Zardari

January 14th, 2010 | No Comments

LAHORE Â– President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said it seems Sharif brothers have no trust in him. However, if the Sharifs have trust in Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, the credit must go to the Premier. The President vowed to revive the 1973 Constitution. He said the PPP would never let democracy go off the track.
Zardari expressed these views while addressing a gathering at GovernorÂ’s House here on Thursday. Earlier, he talked to senior journalists, anchorpersons, chief editors and owners of news channels and newspapers.
He said that water problem was really a critical one. Â“Fight for Kashmir is not for the sake of land only; the root-cause is water,Â” he maintained.
He vowed to carry on the mission of Shaheed Benazir and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto regarding the strengthening of democracy and service of the poor. Â“PPP is serving the poor people every where and we shall keep on with the politics of reconciliation,Â” the President said.
Agencies add: Zardari said that our survival is linked to the survival of democracy, which depends on smooth functioning of state institutions.
Addressing the gathering of supporters, Zardari said he would deliver the speech in Punjabi as he was presented a Punjabi turban by the Governor. Â“I learnt Punjabi in jail,Â” he added.
Zardari maintained the PPP-led government wants state institutionsÂ’ respect and strengthened democracy for PakistanÂ’s survival. He said the PPP did not want any clash among institutions, which could be detrimental not only for the government but also democracy.
He said that ZAB and BB Shaheed had laid down their lives for Pakistan and restoration of democracy while PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and he believed that Â‘democracy is the best revengeÂ’.
Zardari said that BB Shaheed had always advocated for gender equality and women empowerment, adding that BISP cards largely facilitating poor women, had now reached every part of the country.
The President said five mega projects, which he had inaugurated before his address, were the dream of ZAB and BB Shaheed and Â“today, I have materialised their dreams.Â”
He observed Pakistan was facing numerous problems, which could be resolved only through hard work, clean heart and patriotism. Â“These problems have been haunting the country for long and could not be resolved overnight,Â” he added.
The President said he was listening to the voice of the poor, labourer, tenant and common man and aware of their problems, including unemployment, power and gas loadshedding. Â“But I am visiting China, Australia and the US just for poor people of my country,Â” he said, citing that he had managed to get $700 million foreign loans to be spent on the construction of 32 dams, as envisioned by BB Shaheed.
He said water is the main reason behind Kashmir dispute that is why dams are being built across the country.
Â“The PPP led-government is initiating water projects to secure future generation. The PPP government also ensured the provision of 12.5 per cent shares of the public sector industries to the poor and the downtrodden,Â” he added.
Zardari said party workers from Kashmir, Hamaliya, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Karachi and other parts of the country want to Â‘save PakistanÂ’ and end militancy in South Waziristan and tribal areas.
He announced a weeklong visit to Punjab every month to listen to the problems of workers and the common man.
Earlier, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer performed the dastar-bandi (turban-tying) of the President.
The UAE Ambassador, Federal Ministers Mir Hazar Khan Bijrani, Farooq Saeed, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, PPP Central General Secretary and Senator Jahangir Badr, provincial ministers, MNAs and MPAs, PPP Punjab President Rana Aftab Ahmed Khan, Punjab General Secretary Sami Ullah Khan and local party office-bearers and a large number of workers were present.
Talking to editors, anchorpersons, chief editors, Zardari said the government believes in freedom of expression and any type of curb on media would not be tolerated.
He said the ruling PPP has adopted reconciliation strategy since the very first day after coming into power. Â“We are making decisions by taking our allies on board,Â” he said. Â“We have laid the foundation stone of reconciliation in the country. We are committed to honour our commitments which we had made with the nation,Â” he said, adding that we have also faced enormous confrontation of opposition and political parties in this regard. Â“If there is any delay in fulfilment of our commitments then it should not be seen in negative sense,Â” he said.
Zardari urged the media to assist government in its efforts to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions in the country. Lauding the role of Army, he also briefed the media persons about Swat operation. He said the role being played by the Army in war against terror cannot be neglected.
Meanwhile, Zardari inaugurated a series of development projects for Punjab to ensure uplift in agriculture, education and industries sectors.
The projects include inauguration of Benazir Bhutto Idara-e-Kissan project in Pattoki, the Gujranwala Tools, Dies and Moulds Centre, Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Medical College in Lahore, Neeli Bar Agricultural Research and Training Station, Burewala and the groundbreaking of Bio-remediation Institute, Lahore Green City.
Later, addressing a meeting of the business community at Governor House on Thursday evening, Zardari said the government has a clear vision to extricate the country out of difficult economic situation and a central pillar of this vision was to restore law and order and end militancy in the country to make the environment conducive for investment and growth.
Spokesperson to the President former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the President described security and law and order as Â‘the foremost issues that needed to be addressed for economic revivalÂ’.
The President said that a clear-cut policy had been adopted to improve the security situation. This policy is evident from the way the militants had been driven out of Swat and Malakand and contained in South Waziristan Agency by our valiant armed forces backed by the people, he maintained.
Babar quoted the President as saying that the armed forces and civilian law-enforcing agencies had made huge sacrifices and the nation was proud of what had been achieved thus far in this unconventional war which was being fought with the full support and backing of the people.
Zardari said that it was a lesson of history that wars are won by peoples and nations when they stand solidly with their armed forces. This, the President said, was evident by the honours showered on our Shaheed and their families both by the nation and armed forces.
It is also evident from the way the civil and military leaders have harmonised their perspectives on issues of national security in the Parliamentary Committee on National Security, he added.
Identifying the other elements of economic policy framework adopted by the government, he said these included adoption of new fuel policy based on bio-diesel, optimising utilisation of scarce water resources and reliance on public private partnership as engines of economic and industrial growth.
The President said that the Chinese investors had shown great interest in investing in Pakistan within the framework of private public partnership and our private entrepreneurs should explore ways and means of attracting the Chinese entrepreneurs to Pakistan.
The President said that the government relied on trade and not on aid for overcoming its economic problems.

PPP, MQM agree to cease fire

January 10th, 2010 | No Comments

KARACHI Â– Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party (PPP) on Sunday agreed to defuse the existing tension between both the coalition parties through negotiations.
The leaders of the two leading political parties agreed to cease fire as well as bury the hatchet and play their role in the restoration of peace and harmony in Karachi, the financial hub of the country.
The meeting, chaired by the Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, was held at the GovernorÂ’s House and attended by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah and others. Dr Farooq Sattar, Federal Minister Babar Ghauri, MQM Leader in Sindh Assembly Sardar Ahmed and provincial ministers Adil Siddiqui and Sagheer Ahmed Ansari represented the MQM, while Sindh Ministers Manzoor Wassan, Murad Ali Shah, Rafique Engineer, CM Advisor Rashid Rabbani and PPP Karachi President Najmi Alam stood for the PPP.
It may be noted here that Governor Ishrat-ul-Ebad had summoned the meeting of the provincial coalition parties at the GovernorÂ’s House to remove the rift between the two sides.
The MQM leaders expressed their deep concern over the killings of innocent MQM workers and common people by the gangsters of Lyari. They denounced the support of some PPP leaders to the Lyari gang war terrorists, saying that the government had not arrested a single terrorist involved in the killings.
However, the PPP leaders disassociated themselves from the culprits of gang war, saying that they had nothing to do with these terrorists.
Talking to journalists after the meeting, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the government was going to set up a complaint phone number to check extortion in the City. He categorically said there was no relation or link between the PPP and Lyari Peace Committee, and warned the Committee that the government would not tolerate any activity of extortion and other heinous crimes in the city.
Â“Some elements are trying to disrupt economic activities by creating lawlessness in the City. The government will take all possible measures to restore peace and harmony in the megalopolis, while Rangers have been given additional powers to take strict action against miscreants,Â” he said and added Â“The criminal elements are using some sensitive areas of the City for their vested interest; such parts of the City included Lyari, Pak Colony, Orangi Town, Korangi, etc.Â”
The Minister said they were in touch with President Asif Ali Zardari, MQM Chief Altaf Hussain and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, besides taking their guidance to bring the situation under control.
Â“We will take action against all the criminals using the names of the party and exploiting the situation. All the matters between the PPP and MQM would be resolved in the future with mutual consultation,Â” he declared.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah said, Â“We would take action against all those criminal elements who are using the name of the PPP or MQM for their criminal activities.Â”
He said there was no ethnic or sectarian rift in the province, adding that the PPP and MQM had agreed that all the matters would be addressed with mutual consultation.
The criminal elements wanted to destabilise the present coalition government through their acts of terror, he said.
Vowing to foil nefarious designs of criminals, the CM said, Â“Peace will be ensured at every cost. We do not have particular targets, but action would be taken against all elements creating turbulence,Â” he added.
MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said the incidents of killings was neither ethnic nor political issue, adding that there was no rift between the workers of PPP and MQM.
He said the meeting between the PPP and MQM had proved very effective.
Â“We have been given assurance (by the government) that the action would be taken against the criminals, drug-sellers, land-grabbers, those criminal elements who are responsible for the target-killings, those members of the PeopleÂ’s Peace Committee if evidence was found about their involvement in criminal activities or target-killings, he added.
Â“Terrorists elements want to destroy peace and (disrupt) development in the metropolis,Â” he said, adding that the criminals wanted to destabilise the country through such heinous activities.
He said the Baloch people were their brothers and Â“we would not allow the land mafia, drug mafia and criminals to take innocent Baloch hostage.Â”

PPP not to contest polls if unable to deliver

January 4th, 2010 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD Â– Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that people have given them mandate for five years and it is premature to question about the performance of the Government after one and half years.
Â“If we fail to live up to people’s expectations in five years, we will not contest the next elections,Â” PM Gilani expressed these views while talking to media persons after attending a ceremony here at CDA headquarters on Monday.
The Prime Minister said, Â“Being representatives of the people, we are accountable to them and PPP will go to elections again on the basis of its performance and people, who are the better judge, re-elect it.Â”
He said the incumbent government was not responsible for electricity loadshedding and it was because of wrong policies of the previous regime, which did not adopt any policy to meet the growing requirements of energy. He said, Â“We have worked out short, medium and long-term strategies to overcome power crisis.Â” Under the short-term policy, several power projects are near completion and would be functional shortly to help bridge the gap between demand and supply, he added.
To a question, he said, Â“DonÂ’t criticise us as the incumbent government is not responsible for the power, gas and sugar crises.Â” He said when sugar crisis occurred in the country, the Government fixed the price at Rs 45 per kilogram with the mutual consent of all provinces, however when interference was made in the decision of administration, the sugar rates surged up to Rs 70 per kilogram.
He added the Government would import one million tonnes sugar to overcome this crisis.
Gilani said the Government has been able to manage the issues of flour and sugar shortage amicably, as the former commodity was available in excessive quantity.
He said when the Government decided to import rental power plants, it was strongly criticised, adding some people donÂ’t want government to work well. He said the prevailing electricity shortfall was due to the closure of canals, which had reduced hydel power generation.
Â“We canÂ’t give any time frame for solution of electricity, as it is a very grave matter. I have asked Raja Pervaiz Ashraf many times not to give dates in this regard as in politics, dates are not given,Â” the PM added.
For good governance, the Government has started to cut its spending, lessen borrowings and improve its monetary policies. He said Pakistan came into the folds of IMF as its economy had totally collapsed and foreign exchange reserves had fallen to 6 billion US dollars, which as on today stand at 15 billion US dollars. He added, Â“We went into the IMF fold as the economy was under pressure due to the global recession and the failed policies of the previous government.Â”
He said due to governmentÂ’s effective policies, the country received surplus crops of wheat and paddy rice. He said that the Government was spending Rs 2 billion for the storage of wheat crop.
When asked about the statement of MQM chief regarding setting up a judicial commission on the incident of blast in a Muharram procession in Karachi, the PM said, Â“I donÂ’t want to interfere in provincial matters. Law and order is a provincial matter and let the provincial government decide it.Â”

PPP & Army in sync for first time: Gilani

December 24th, 2009 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD (APP) Â– Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Thursday rejecting any differences between the government and the army said it was a disciplined force, working within the constitutional ambit and has to tow the official policies.
Â“The army stands by the government, and there is no doubt about it,Â” the Prime Minister said in an interview with a local news channel.
Â“It is for the first time that the Pakistan Peoples Party has better ties with the army,Â” the Prime Minister said when asked about the armyÂ’s reservations on the Kerry Lugar bill, its role in restoration of judiciary and decision not to send the ISI chief to India, following the Mumbai attacks.
He said earlier the party used to have an anti-establishment stance, but this time, especially Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kiyani supported the democratic government.
He said the government would complete its five-year term as it was its mandate. He said the nation was aware of all the challenges and he would be answerable to them when he completes his term.
When asked about armyÂ’s stance on the Kerry Lugar Bill, the Prime Minister said, Â“We are together.Â” Gilani also expressed complete confidence over the working of the Inter Services Intelligence Agency (ISI) and said, Â“We do not want to politicize them.Â” He said the army played a Â“pro-democracy roleÂ” thatÂ’s why President Asif Ali Zardari was sworn in as the President of the country.
Asked whether the army played a major role in restoration of judiciary, the prime minister said, Â“I and the President took a decision two days earlier to restore the Chief Justice through an executive order.Â”
Â“We decided and then we informed General Kiyani about it,Â” the prime minister said. He denied any knowledge of any telephone call by the army chief to Ch. Aitzaz Ahsan.
He said Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was restored on the same day when Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar had to retire.
The prime minister also denied the impression that army was playing any role in the politics.
About the recent meetings of the President and the Prime Minister with the political leadership, he said these were routine where they discussed security matters.
Asked about any extension in the tenure of General Kiyani, the prime minister said he was a highly professional General and said the matter should not be made controversial since there was still a year before he was due to retire.
About the defence budget he said the parliament was sovereign and can discuss anything.
Regarding the NRO, Gilani said neither he nor the federation and the four provinces defended it and would not comment as the matter was subjudice. About the NRO cases against the ministers, Gilani said they were already facing the courts.
Terming the drone strikes counterproductive, the prime minister said the US government was being convinced and hoped that soon they would evolve a strategy to share actionable intelligence so that Pakistan can take the action on its own.
Gilani said he was fully abreast with the progress on the countryÂ’s nuclear program.
Regarding trial against President Pervez Musharraf under Article 6, Gilani said, Â“I am for the trial of Musharraf, but I need consensus of the House.Â”
He said the Supreme Court too could take suo moto notice as it already had been doing in many cases of public interest.
Regarding his replacement with Ch. Aitzaz Ahsan, the prime minister aid Â“everybody who is in the party has a right as it is a democracyÂ” and added it was up to the party to take a decision in this regard.
About his achievements during his two-year tenure, the Prime Minister mentioned National Finance Award, self-governance in Gilgit-Baltistan and Aghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan as his major achievements.
Meanwhile, talking to a select group of print and electronic media representatives at the PM House, the Prime Minister said that the 17th amendment would be repealed and its annulment would be Â“a feather in the cap of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party and its government.Â”
Â“I am committed with Mian Nawaz Sharif to undo the 17thamendment, 58- 2(B) and the bar on third time prime ministership,Â” he said.
He said the committee headed by Senator Raza Rabbaini had resolved most of the issues and its work was now in Â“final stage.Â”
The Prime Minister dismissed speculation about a institutional conflict in the making.
Â“I believe every institution should play its role within the parameters of the Constitution,Â” he added.
He said the government had full faith in the judiciary and therefore from the day one it had decided not to defend the NRO in the Supreme Court as it was aware of its repercussions.
Â“We accepted the verdict of the apex court on NRO,Â” the Prime Minister said.
He said the cases had been reopened in accordance with the verdict and pointed out that mere allegations did not warrant resignation.
Â“No one can resign on the basis of mere allegations. Let courts take decisionsÂ”, he added.
About the challenges the government was facing, Gilani said the government would turn these into opportunities.
Â“We have not come to power through back door but have been elected by the people of Pakistan and have a mandate for five years. The Government shall complete its tenure,Â” the Prime Minister said.
He said the PPP enjoyed public support, which was once again demonstrated by results of the elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and the win of the partyÂ’s candidates also in by-polls.
To a question about possibility of former president Pervez MusharrafÂ’s trial, Gilani said this could be done if all political parties and the parliament support it.
He said it was not Musharraf alone but those who supported him were also liable to being taken to task under article 6 of the Constitution.
To a question, Gilani said there were no differences between the army and the government.
Asked about judgesÂ’ restoration, he said his first order after his election ended detention of the deposed judges.
He said later Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was restored by him in March. Â“It was my decision and not of the COASÂ”.
About interference of India in Balochistan, he said he had told the Indian prime minister about it in Sharmel Sheikh in Egypt.
The successful operation in South Waziristan has dismantled the network of Baitullah Mehsud and now the terrorists are on the run, he said.
The Prime Minister said the Government and the security forces were Â“doing a great jobÂ” with public and media support.
He rejected rumours that there were differences between the President and the Prime Minister. Â“I am running the government and the co-chairperson is running the party.Â”
The intention of the President is clear and he wants to transfer power to the Parliament, he said.

PPP vows to face NRO cases

December 19th, 2009 | No Comments

ISLAMABAD Â– Expressing its resolve to fight out anti-democratic elements, PPP Central Executive Committee (CEC) under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, Saturday, decided that the partyÂ’s ministers and parliamentarians would face the Â“politically-motivated casesÂ” in the courts without resigning from their offices.
The CEC meeting which remained in session for well over 10 hours reposed full confidence in the leadership of Co-Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari and expressed its firm resolve to counter the Â“propagandaÂ” and Â“vilification campaignÂ” launched against him at all forums.
In this connection the CEC also adopted a unanimous resolution expressing full confidence in party Co-Chairman President Asif Ali Zardari. Through another resolution the party paid homage to Shaheed Ms Benazir Bhutto who laid down her life for the cause of democracy and poor people of Pakistan and pledged to complete her mission by adopting her vision for the country and its people.
Another resolution was adopted condemning the acts of terrorism in the country and expressing solidarity with the families who had lost their dear ones in these acts of terrorism. Another resolution was also adopted highlighting the services of the party for the country, democracy and people of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Gilani, all the PPP ministers in Federal Cabinet, Sherry Rehman, Ch Aitzaz Ahsan and almost all the members of the CEC attended the meeting. It is pertinent to mention here that it was the first CEC meeting attended by Ch Aitzaz Ahsan after restoration of his membership.
The current political situation came under detailed review in the meeting with consensus view of the party leadership not to bow before Â“the oppressive forces out to harm the incumbent political dispensation.Â” The meeting decided that no NRO-tainted minister or the MP would quit rather they would face the cases in the courts of law. It was also decided that after one is proved guilty, only then he or she should be asked to resign. The meeting expressed its resolve that the cases framed against PPP leadership were politically motivated and as in the past various dictatorial regimes had failed to prove these cases in the courts, they (PPP members hit by NRO) would prove those Â“politically motivatedÂ” false in the courts of law.
Later, giving details about the CEC meeting to media PPP Secretary General Senator Jehangir Badr said that Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party is the symbol of Federation and remaining within the ambit of the constitution, the party would continue to serve the cause of the people of Pakistan as envisioned by the founding Chairman Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and then followed by his Shaheed daughter Benazir Bhutto.
Responding to a question he said that the PPP leadership had all respect for the courts and other state institutions and added that the party would continue to work for the supremacy of constitution and to ensure that all institutions should work within its mandated ambit. Senator Jehangir Badr also listed the achievements of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party right from unanimous approval of NFC Award, Balochistan Package, Gilgit-Baltistan elections, reforms in FATA and other parts of NWFP, successful operation against militants and the governmentÂ’s focus on quick resolution of problems confronting the masses. The sources privy to the deliberations of the meeting said that it was the consensus view of the members to counter the onslaught on the PPP leadership and democracy with full force and in this connection other political players in the country would also be taken on board.
It was also decided that name of any federal or state minister or member of Parliament would not be put on Exit Control List (ECL) without the approval of prime minister or interior minister, sources added. A legal committee was also constituted to deal with the matters of NRO-tainted persons, sources said.
The action taken by the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani against interior secretary for barring defence minister from visiting China in connection with defence pacts was also appreciated.
Addressing the meeting President Asif Zardari said PPP was symbol of federation which would take along the country ahead adding the challenges being faced by PPP would be countered in political way, sources said. President Zardari said that he was inspired by Shaheed Zulfikar Ali BhuttoÂ’s historic remarks that he would rather die at the hand of dictators than be killed by history. Â“This is the compass of my life too,Â” he said.
PPP fully believed in democracy and it fully respected courts verdicts, he reiterated. President was of the view certain elements were engaged in hatching conspiracies against him and the government. However, they would not succeed in their nefarious designs, he remarked. President said he would not pursue the path of confrontation. A complete harmony existed between the army and Aiwan-e-Sadr, he added. Prime Minister was powerful and he was changing the portfolios of the ministers, he told.
Sources told that PPP senior leader Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan briefed the participants on constitutional matters including NRO and told that the president enjoyed full immunity and no case could be revived against him. The courtÂ’s decision would pose no threat to democracy. On the contrary, it would block the way of martial law in future, he said. Ministers should face the cases as this step would strengthen the party, he remarked. There are some elements that wanted clash between the president and the judiciary, he added.

‘Political clowns’ with US passports fancy ousting govt

November 25th, 2009 | No Comments

KARACHI Â– President Asif Ali Zardari, who is also the co-chairman of Pakistan PeopleÂ’s Party (PPP), has said that the Parliament, Opposition and Establishment do not want to see the present democratic system derailed, as it is the right of the elected government to complete its five-year tenure.
Â“No one but political clowns, having American passports, fancy to oust the government, but we are not scared of them,Â” said Zardari while addressing a mammoth gathering in connection with 43rd Foundation Day of the PPP via video conference from the Presidency.
He said that some Â‘political actorsÂ’ having malicious intentions were busy hatching conspiracies against the government to destabilise the system. He asked such forces to wait till the government completes its term. Â“If they want to take part in the politics, they must wait till the next elections,Â” he remarked and added that if the elected government failed in reviving the 1973 Constitution, the people would decide about the PPP fate themselves in the next polls.
He urged the parties and persons, who boycotted the February 2008 elections, not to resort to undemocratic and immature tactics.
Â“The pranksters masquerading as politicians donÂ’t know the fact that Sindh is todayÂ’s Pakistan. It had laid the foundation of Pakistan and saved it too, which is our political belief and we remain firm to our commitment,Â” President Zardari maintained.
In his charged speech, the President said the PPPÂ’s existence was directly related to survival of Pakistan and they were nothing without Pakistan. Â“We are striving to secure and stabilize Pakistan for the coming generations. Therefore, we have no fear of any conspiracy and plot,Â” he asserted, adding, Â“Even after the martyrdom of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, I still assert Pakistan Khapay (We need Pakistan).Â”
Zardari said they were not afraid of any date and deadlines because the Parliament and Opposition were mature and playing a constructive role.
He termed the PPP Foundation Day as the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Day, who founded the party of the oppressed people 42 years ago.
Pointing to the PPPÂ’s historical triumph in Gilgit-Baltistan elections, he said it was the eye-opener to those who claimed that PPP had lost its popularity.Â”
The President said, Â“We believe in PakistanÂ’s stability and it is our faith and belief to play a crucial role in order to make the country prosper.Â”
Vowing to sacrifice his life for Pakistan, Zardari said he had not left the country despite facing threats and detention. Â“Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto returned to her homeland for the sake of country despite knowing the fact that they would kill her,Â” he said, adding that he was in Pakistan to continue that mission. Â“We believe in the power of the oppressed masses and we formed the government through their votes. We have not come to power through backdoor channels,Â” he asserted.
Criticising a private news channel for anti-democracy propaganda, and demonising the government and the Presidency, Zardari said PPP shook the monopoly of the elements oppressing the people. He said the channel aimed at raising its worth and to have a monopoly in the country like the imperialist powers.
He pointed out the fact that the PPP government had tendered apology to the Baloch masses and gave rights to the people of Balochistan and Fata, saying there was not a single example in the world in which 2.5 million people had migrated from their homes but returned safely within a few months.
He also talked about the millions of Afghans who have been living in Pakistan for the last three decades and had not returned to their country.
Commenting over the war against terror, Zardari said when the PPP had formed the government, Pakistan was suffering from the cancer of terrorism.
Â“This deadly cancer of terrorism has claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people including Shaheed Benazir Bhutto,Â” he said.
He said that it was the dialogue process initiated by Benazir Bhutto, which had given the chance to all political personalities to land back in their homeland, adding that the present success of the PPP government was a result of her sacrifices.
Zardari reminded the gathering that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had empowered the masses and as a result of his ideology the feudal and landlords were forced to go to the masses for getting their support.
He said the PPP was striving hard to take all political forces on board and to see that the PML-N and other parties became stronger for a stabilized political scenario.
He recalled that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had earlier described democracy as the best revenge and asked all the critics and opponents to beware of the consequences of their machinations because Allah Almighty had rewarded Bhutto and his family because of their sincerity to the oppressed masses.
Thousands of PPP activists waving party flags and banners inscribed with pro-PPP and President Asif Ali Zardari attended the rally. They chanted slogans including Â“Jeaye BhuttoÂ” and Â“Aik Zardari Sub Pey BahriÂ” as the president addressed the meeting.

PPP, PML-N join hands for Musharrafâ€™s high treason trial

November 12th, 2009 | No Comments

Joining hands with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) in demanding former President General Pervez Musharrafâ€™s trial under the Article Six of the Constitution, the Pakistan Peopleâ€™s Party (PPP) has vowed to put the former general behind bars.
Furious over Musharrafâ€™s remarks against President Asif Ali Zardari, senior Punjab minister and PPP leader Raja Riaz Ahmed Musharrafâ€™s [...]

Arresting Awan, Malik could lead to Bhuttoâ€™s assassins: PPP

July 18th, 2009 | No Comments

Arresting federal ministers Babar Awan and Rehman Malik could lead to the masterminds of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhuttoâ€™s assassination, Pakistan Peopleâ€™s Party (PPP) leader Chaudhury Aslam has said.
Aslam said he has already written a letter to the UN Commission probing the assassination asking it to arrest the ministers.
In an interview with an Urdu daily, [...]