News
Sunday, April 22, 2012
We won’t dislodge Punjab govt: PM* Gilani says PPP, PML-Q have enough majority in Punjab to form govt
* Says he prefers death over compromising on principles
CHACHRAN SHARIF/KOT MITHAN: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday said the PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) were in majority in Punjab but they would not dislodge the provincial government.
The premier said he would continue the mission of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) and Benazir Bhutto (BB) despite all challenges. “If I abandon the PPP, President Zardari, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and Benazir Bhutto then I am a pious man, otherwise a ‘traitor’. But I will prefer death over compromising on principles,” the premier told a public gathering after inaugurating the Benazir Bhutto Bridge.
The Rs 7 billion project will be completed in 10 weeks. It will connect N-5 National Highway with N-55 and reduce 150 kilometres between Rahim Yar Khan and Rajanpur.
Gilani said both ZAB and BB laid down their lives for Pakistan and democracy. Conspiracies were being hatched to crush the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) but it always emerged as the most popular and strong political party, he added.
“The people, who cannot face us in elections, are hatching conspiracies but due to a vibrant media and civil society they cannot dare to derail democracy,” he said.
The PM brushed aside the allegations of not respecting the institutions, saying that how could a party, which gave the 1973 Constitution to the country and then restored it, would not respect the institutions.
He said that the only way to address the sense of deprivation of the people of southern Punjab was a Saraiki province. “Marginalised areas have the right to have a separate province,” he added.
He said the PPP had always considered the people the main source of strength and those who had not respected them would face the consequences. He paid tribute to Taj Muhammad Langa to play a vital role in the Saraiki province movement. Gilani said the construction of Nishtar Ghaat Bridge was BB’s dream, which was realised by him.
He also announced Rs 50 million as a first installment for Chachran Model City and Rs 100 million for Benazir Bhutto Cadet College. The PM said he had ordered authorities to issue the second installment of Watan Cards. He said that Rahim Yar Khan would soon get an engineering university.
He also announced the restoration of 400 NCHD employees. He ordered the National Highway Authority to compensate those, whose land had been acquired for the construction of the bridge.
The premier also announced Rs 1 million for the Khanpur Press Club and a water supply scheme for Feroza Town.
About the issue of unemployment, he said that he had instructed the Finance Ministry to create 100,000 new jobs in the coming budget.
He also announced compensation for the victims of Khanpur bomb blast.
The PM said a flyover would be constructed in Rahim Yar Khan, adding that gas projects in the area would be completed soon.
Separately, Gilani visited the shrine of Sufi saint Khawaja Ghulam Farid and paid tribute for his remarkable services.
The prime minister prayed for the great mystic poet. He also offered special prayers for the victims of plane crash, soldiers trapped in Siachen and progress and prosperity of the country.
Earlier, caretaker of the shrine Moinuddin Mehboob Koreja received the PM and presented him ‘Faridi Chadar’.
On this occasion, the prime minister maintained that the great saint played a vital role in the promotion of peace in the region. He said that the ‘Gaddi’ (spiritual seat) of the saint had great importance in Pakistan. The premier also announced construction of rest rooms
at an area of 24 kanals for the devotees. He also announced provision of books for Khawaja Ghulam Farid Library.
Separately, the premier met Saraiki leaders from Bahawalpur, including Makhdum Ahmed Mehmood and Nawab of Bahawalpur.
During the meeting, Gilani suggested that Bahawalpur could be the capital of the proposed Saraiki province. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk