GARHI KHUDA BUX – Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the Pakistan’s struggle against militancy was for its own survival and sovereignty and not the US war.
“Pakistan as a member of the international community follows the international rules but we will not act on anyone’s dictations.”
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.
“We are fighting the war of people for the country’s integrity,” 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.
“If the US imposes sanctions, they will have international implications and Pakistan as a member of the international community will follow them,” 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, “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.”
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.
“She was not a leader of Sindh or Pakistan only but a great leader of the whole world,” 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.
“Pakistan wants to have good neighbourly relations with India,” 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.