News
Monday, February 20, 2012
Time will tell PPP ‘stands martyred or emerges triumphant'Early elections an option: PM
* Gilani says early polls can be discussed after Senate elections
* Conspiracies hatched against every democratic govt
* MFN status for India being misconstrued
PIR JO GOTH: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Sunday early elections could not be ruled out and the issue could be discussed after the Senate elections in March and presentation of budget in May.
“I do not rule it out,” he told reporters after visiting Pir of Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi in Pir Jo Goth. Refusing to comment on contempt charges framed against him, the prime minister said, “Either I will be martyred or return as a victor.” “Those who embrace martyrdom are lucky, and as for now, I don’t know what will happen,” he said.
“Only my lawyer can answer this” was Gilani’s recurring statement when the reporters asked him about his stance on the contempt case.
The prime minister said the completion of five-year mandate by parliament would bring about political stability in the country.
“Conspiracies were hatched against every democratic government in the past. Had governments in the past been allowed to complete their terms, the situation would have been far better,” he said.
He said that MFN status to India had been granted by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at the time of inception of Pakistan.
“Granting a country an MFN status does not mean that the country is the most favourite nation,” Gilani said, adding, “National interests should be kept supreme. Look at China, despite having disputes with India, the current trade between the two countries stands at Rs 100 billion.”
“By MFN, we mean the cabinet gives permission to the Ministry of Commerce to hold talks with its Indian counterpart in order to strike a trade balance,” he said.
The prime minister said that during his premiership, trade worth Rs 15 billion had been carried out with India.
The prime minister said he had called for an All-parties Conference (APC) three days ago to discuss a US congressman’s bill for an “independent” Balochistan.
He added the government would call an APC to devise a strategy after consultation with all political parties.
Gilani said that people mistook the status of Most Favoured Nation (MFN) as “most favourite nation”.
Gilani said PML-N President Nawaz Sharif had himself stated that the president enjoys immunity. “Now if he has changed his views, I cannot say anything,” he added.
Gilani said 80 percent implementation of the Charter of Democracy had been achieved. He said the passage of the 20th Constitutional Amendment by the National Assembly is a great political milestone. He said under the 20th Constitutional Amendment, an independent Election Commission had been guaranteed, ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.
Commenting on the recent trilateral summit on regional security, the prime minister said holding peace negotiations would be an Afghanistan’s initiative, adding that Pakistan would only facilitate the talks.
“I had a detailed discussion with Afghan President Hamid Karzai about this and I assured him that Pakistan is ready to support negotiations that are Afghan-led,” he said. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk