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Chemical case: 'ANF can't dictate PM'
LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Tuesday said that ANF (Anti-Narcotics Force) was a civilian department of the federal government and can't dictate the prime minister.PM Gilani said that it was necessary to evolve a consensus among all parties on the creation of a Seraiki province, as it was to the credit of the PPP to resolve all issues by taking all stakeholders on board.
Talking to the media after the 11th convocation of University of Central Punjab (UCP) here at Expo Centre, he said the elected Pakistan People’s Party government had never resorted to settling down matters without a consensus among all stakeholders.
"We have legislated in parliament, made constitutional amendments and passed various bills and resolutions but with mutual consensus," he added.
To a question, he said the new (Seraiki) province could be given any name, citing, "Whatever name you give a flower but its fragrance remains the same."
To another query about Shahbaz Sharif's objection to setting up a Seraiki bank, Gilani said that establishment of a bank needed a thorough process, adding that Chinese banks had also opened many branches in Pakistan, however, establishing a bank was a federal subject and provinces had no role in it.
The prime minister condemned recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Bannu and paid tributes to army jawans and civilians trapped in an avalanche on Siachen glacier and prayed for their safe recovery.
To a question about the possibility of a Pak-India consensus on withdrawal of troops on their respective sides at Siachen, the prime minister said that during his meetings with Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, he had talked about resolving all issues, Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, water and terrorism, through dialogue.
For the first time, in a joint media briefing, we (both prime ministers) had openly talked about all mutual issues and their settlement on the dialogue table.
About target killings in Quetta and Gilgit-Baltistan, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said protection of people's lives and property was the prime responsibility of the state, asserting that maintenance of law and order was now purely a provincial subject, however, the federal government was extending its full support and cooperation to the provinces to control crime.
To a query, Gilani said that ANF (Anti-Narcotics Force) was a civilian department of the federal government which had its minister, secretary and director-general and none of its officer had the authority to dictate the prime minister, who was elected by 180 million people of the country. The ANF officer should consider his jurisdiction, he added.
To another question, he said, "We do not have the habit of criticising our predecessors. The PPP has a track record of accepting challenges facing the country and their viable solutions." (APP)
Courtesy www.geo.tv