News
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Gilani announces APC on Balochistan* Prime minister says law and order situation in Balochistan overshadowed relief package
* PM’s prerogative to call elections
* Early polls cannot be ruled out
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday the government would soon convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to discuss and address issues of Balochistan, particularly the law and order situation in the province.
“There is a law and order situation in Balochistan, which has to be addressed. We are also talking with the coalition partners in this respect,” Gilani said in an interaction with senior newspaper editors here at Prime Minister’s House.
The prime minister said the government’s initiative of “Aghaz-e-Haqooq-Balochistan” aimed at removing a sense of deprivation among people of the province, adding, however, that the law and order situation in Balochistan had overshadowed the initiative.
He termed the unanimous approval of the 20th Constitutional Amendment by the National Assembly a historic milestone, and said all political parties deserve the credit for it. He said the 20th Constitutional Amendment would ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the country. Asked if the government would talk to political parties on the amendment outside parliament, the prime minister said, “We are ready to talk to everyone.”
He said the budget for the fiscal year 2012-13 – to be presented in May – would be pro-poor and “record relief” would be given to the common man.
“The decision to present budget in May was taken during the last year’s budget debate so that parliament could get enough time to debate budget proposals before its passage from the National Assembly and Senate,” he added.
About the possibility of elections in 2012, Gilani said since Article 58-2b was no more part of the constitution, it is now the prime minister’s prerogative to call the elections.
“One cannot rule out early elections, but I cannot commit,” the prime minister said. He, however, added that the decision in this respect would be taken in consultation with the coalition partners.
About the Pak-Iran gas pipeline, he said the project was very much on the cards.
He said that while he was campaigning for the general elections of 2008, shortage of wheat flour was a big issue, adding, “But now we are exporting this commodity.”
About South Punjab province, Gilani said that although some other events were over-taking the issue but “we are committed for the creation of Saraiki province”.
About Pak-India trade ties vis-a-vis Kashmir issue, the prime minister said that China – despite having a border dispute with India – was engaged in heavy trade with India, adding, “China being a close and trusted friend of Pakistan also wants to see an economically-empowered Pakistan.”
He said the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status was being “misconstrued” because it only means “no discrimination” in trade like with other over 100 countries of the world. The prime minister said that as far as the issue of non-tariff barriers in Pak-India trade was concerned, it was also discussed in the cabinet and a committee has already been constituted to hold talks with all stakeholders.
Gilani said the cross-LoC [Line of Control] trade between Azad Kashmir and the Indian- held Kashmir has been recorded at more than Rs 15 billion since 2008. He, however, added that the government would not take any decision which was contrary to national interests.
About the problems of state-controlled large enterprises, such as PIA, Pakistan Railways and Pakistan Steel Mills, the prime minister said a cabinet committee headed by the finance minister had been formed for the restructuring of public sector organisations.
About appointment of a new finance secretary, the prime minister said it was a routine transfer/posting and had nothing to do with conditions of the IMF.
Gilani said that being a chief executive, he had taken “thousands of decisions” during the last four years and might have made some mistakes. Asked what would be his response if he was convicted by the Supreme Court in a contempt case, the prime minister said he would follow the constitution. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk