News
Monday, June 20, 2011
Gilani assures free, transparent elections in AJK
* Prime minister says Pakistan wants permanent solution to Kashmir issue through dialogue
SHAKARGARH: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, on Sunday, said that forthcoming elections for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly would be free, fair and transparent and the international community would reckon them as credible.
Addressing a public meeting after inaugurating development projects here, the prime minister said, “I assure you that elections in AJK will be fair, free and impartial so that the world should know that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear power and everything is done here on merit and in a transparent fashion.”
He said that the Punjab government, the AJK government and the federal government had been directed that elections should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner so that Pakistan could further improve its image at the international level. The prime minister asked all political parties to avoid rigging the polls.
He said that entire political leadership had been participating in the AJK elections, which was a good sign for strengthening the democratic process.
Gilani said Pakistan was committed to have good relations with its neighbours and added that all problems could be resolved through dialogue.
He said he had convinced Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that all bilateral issues, including Kashmir, could be resolved through dialogue and not through war.
The prime minister said Pakistan wanted to have a permanent lasting solution to the Kashmir issue through dialogue and negotiations.
“Pakistan will convince the international community that the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the aspirations of Kashmiris,” he added.
He hoped that international community would help the Kashmiris get their rights.
The prime minister said it was his second visit to Shakargarh. He said he fulfilled the pledges he had made during his last visit by inaugurating development projects today (Sunday).
He said the present government was fulfilling the mission of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) and Benazir Bhutto (BB), which was to serve people and provide them with basic amenities of life at their doorstep.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari, following in the footsteps of BB, continued the policy of reconciliation in politics and formed a government representing all political parties.
The prime minister said economic stability was not possible without political stability.
He said when the PPP government was formed, there was recession in the world that caused economic crisis in the country. The prime minister said the government faced loadshedding and other problems due to international economic crisis. Referring to terrorism, Gilani said after launching action in Swat against militants, the government managed the safe return of 2.5 million IDPs within just few months.
He said it was very difficult for a single party to resolve the problems of people, therefore, grand alliance was formed through political reconciliation. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk