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Sunday, June 10, 2012
PPP victim of electoral manipulations, says Gilani* PM says party committed to plug loopholes through effective institutional arrangements
* Advises PML-N leadership not to let political frustration and fear overtake them
LAHORE: Prime Minister (PM) Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday said the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) had been a victim of electoral manipulations in the past and the party was committed to plug loopholes through effective institutional arrangements.
Talking to APP, the PM congratulated provincial legislators of the Pakistan People's Party and its coalition partners in Punjab for upholding best parliamentary practices during the budget speech in the Punjab Assembly.
The prime minister said the conduct of PPP legislators was in marked contrast to what the PML-N did in the National Assembly during the budget speech of the finance minister on June 1.
The premier advised the provincial legislators in the Punjab Assembly to take part in the budget debate in a constructive manner as voters in their respective constituencies expected them to ensure their effective representation at the legislative forums.
Gilani said that speeches of the PPP legislators in the Punjab Assembly should promote the party manifesto, which was a major policy statement of the party for the development of under-privileged sections of society.
The prime minister said that hooliganism and un-parliamentary behaviour demonstrated by the main opposition party cut the roots of democracy for which the people had rendered innumerable sacrifices, adding that they would reject those who resort to undermine the symbol of their empowerment.
Gilani advised the PML-N leadership not to let political frustration and fear overtake them, adding that instead they should focus on winning people's support by presenting programmes because democracy was about rallying people on political manifesto.
The prime minister said that obsession of the PML-N leadership with grabbing power at any cost was self-defeating and indeed mockery of the Charter of Democracy in which it committed itself to adhere to principles of democracy and not to stand by undemocratic forces.
To a question about upcoming talks between the defence secretaries of India and Pakistan on the Siachen issue, the prime minister said that Pakistan desired to resolve all outstanding issues between both countries through dialogue and peaceful means. He said that Pakistan expected positive outcome of talks on the Siachen issue.
The prime minister welcomed decision of the Supreme Court regarding submission of accounts of expenses by the contesting candidates, use of transport, and the checking of voters' list by the army and the FC.
He said that the Supreme Court's judgement was in line with the policy of the government and it was amply reflected in the form of empowerment of the Election Commission of Pakistan through the 20th
Constitutional Amendment to hold free, fair and transparent elections in a manner that its credibility was not questioned. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk