News
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Govt taking all institutions on board, says Gilani* PM says PPP has traditionally been opposed to the establishment
* Pakistan has to follow any sanctions imposed on Iran
* Urges political forces to adopt policy of reconciliation, consensus and friendship to face challengesGARHI KHUDA BUX/ISLAMABAD: It is the government’s policy to take all institutions together for moving ahead and making progress despite the fact that the Pakistan People’s Party has traditionally been opposed to the establishment, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Monday.
Gilani was talking to reporters after visiting Benazir Bhutto’s mausoleum. To a question if there was any pressure on Pakistan regarding the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project, he said Pakistan, under international obligations, would adhere to any restrictions imposed against the country.
“Pakistan as a member of the international community has to follow any sanctions imposed,” he said.
To a question about the Kalabagh Dam, Gilani said the matter had been politicised in 1985 when former governor Fazal-e-Haq said it would be constructed over his dead body.
He said in the recent debate in the National Assembly, some members of the former ruling party declared that they could have built the dam while they were in power.
Reconciliation: Gilani said his government, following Benazir Bhutto’s vision, believed in a policy of consensus and wanted resolution of all such matters through reconciliation.
He recalled that in his address in Multan, he had stated that three provinces have passed resolutions against the construction of the dam. “If there is a consensus, we will have no objection,” he added.
He said Benazir had a vision to strengthen democracy, the constitution and the media and gave a call for a long march for the restoration of the judiciary.
To a question about the progress in a probe to investigate Benazir’s death, the PM said her assassins will never escape, adding the government was moving ahead in the investigation in light of the UN probe.
He said Benazir was a symbol of the federation and it was in her recognition that a monument was being constructed in Islamabad.
Gilani, when asked about Pakistan’s ties with India, said it was vital that the two countries move together towards resolving core issues, adding that wars were no solution.
He said he had received a letter from the Indian prime minister detailing the schedule of meetings at different levels between the two sides and hoped it would lead to a wider dialogue between the two countries.
On the National Finance Commission Award, he said it was a consensus decision and would go a long way in empowering the provinces.
Challenges: Meanwhile, speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Benazir Monument at Shakarparian, Gilani said, “On this occasion, I extend a hand of friendship towards all political forces. Let’s stand together and adopt a policy of reconciliation, consensus and friendship to face all challenges.”
He cautioned that the country may face stronger challenges in the future, but the nation would have to face them with more determination. He said politics of confrontation had damaged the country and derailed the democratic system several times in the past.
He said the government has introduced numerous policies for the uplift of the masses and empowerment of the people keeping in view Benazir’s vision. He also mentioned the 18th Amendment, Gilgit-Baltistan empowerment ordinance and other measures that have put the country on the path to progress. app/staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk