News
Monday, March 07, 2011
Economic and security challengesPM vows to bring all parties to table
* Gilani says all institutions are passing through process of evolution
* Situation in Middle East and North Africa cannot be compared with that of Pakistan
LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has expressed his government’s intention to take all political parties on board on security as well as economic issues.
Talking to senior columnists at his residence here on Sunday, he said that he wanted all political parties to be on the same page. “I will take initiatives to bring all parties to the table to discuss security challenges posed to the country,” he said.
Renowned columnists from national dailies, including Najam Sethi, Amjad Islam Amjad, Mustansar Hussain Tarar, Saleem Bokhari, Shahzad Ahmed, Bushra Ijaz, Abdul Qadir Hassan, Abbas Rashid, Azam Khalil, Qudratullah Ch, Muhammad Tufail and Ashraf Sharif, met the prime minister and discussed in detail the various issues currently facing the country.
The prime minister said that the policy of reconciliation had played a vital role in creating political harmony in the country and it helped in the passage of constitutional amendments, the NFC Award, adding that efforts for political harmony would continue.
Gilani said that no institution other than parliament could change or amend the constitution. “The constitution clearly determines the role of all state institutions,” he added.
Gilani said that all institutions were evolving and they would identify their roles with the passage of time. “When PPP came to power, the country was faced with multiple challenges, including global recession, energy crisis, terrorism and floods, which consumed energies of the government. But we will overcome these challenges,” he claimed.
Regarding security issues, Gilani said that the government would not allow the misuse of any law which might undermine the constitutional rights of citizens or lead to injustice.
About Raymond Davis case, he said the government would not take any decision against the dignity and sovereignty of the country.
Talking about the political turmoil in the Middle East and other countries, Gilani said, “Situation in the Middle East and North Africa cannot be compared with that of Pakistan. There is a constitution at work in Pakistan and a constitutional procedure is in place to bring about a change.”
Regarding water dispute with India, he said the issue would be resolved as per the Indus Basin Treaty, adding that Pakistan wanted to resolve unfinished agenda with India through dialogue.
He said that Diamir-Bhasha Dam was the result of the consensus among all political forces and it was unanimously adopted by all provinces at the meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI), adding the government wanted to talk on all mega projects.
He said that the RGST had been introduced to expand the base of income tax in the country, stressing that income above a certain limit had to be taxed. “It has to be done by the provinces since it has become a provincial subject after the passage of the 18th Amendment,” he opined. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk