News
Monday, August 15, 2011
Democracy guarantor of peace, prosperity: Gilani
* PM says govt will continue building consensus with all political parties to resolve issues
* Nation united to thwart terror threat
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that democracy is guarantor of peace and prosperity and the government will continue building consensus with all political parties to resolve issues facing the country.
In his address to the nation on Sunday to mark the country’s Independence Day, the prime minister said that parliament was about to complete its four years and political leadership of Pakistan agreed that it would succeed in stabilising democracy, which was solution to all problems.
The prime minister felicitated the nation on the Independence Day and paid tributes to Quaid-e-Azam and leaders of the Pakistan Movement for setting up the world’s first ideological state through democratic struggle.
Gilani said that Pakistan was faced with the challenge of terrorism but the whole nation was united to thwart the threat.
He said that Pakistan sincerely desired restoration of peace in Afghanistan and wanted to see it as a prosperous, stable and independent country.
Calling relations with the United States vital for Pakistan, he said, “We are ever ready for cooperation with our friends but we will not accept hegemony of anybody.” He said that relations were being further improved with all countries of the European Union, including Britain and efforts are underway to gain access to American and European markets.
The prime minister said, “The government is in touch with leaders of Balochistan and the effort and desire is that a uniform strategy should be drawn in consultation with the leadership”.
“I am ready to go to all Baloch leaders as we want to bring them in the national mainstream. In recent days, a meeting of the federal cabinet was held in Balochistan and ministers have been instructed that every week one of them will visit Balochistan,” he said.
Gilani also praised PPP leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto for laying down their lives for democratic ideals and rights of the people.
He vowed to continue working for strengthening democracy by sustaining the process of reconciliation through consultations with the political parties. “All issues can be resolved through consensus and understanding,” he said.
He lauded the scientists of SUPARCO for bringing Pakistan at par with other countries in field of space technology by launching a new satellite to meet communication needs of Pakistan. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk