News
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Afghan peace talks will fail without us: Gilani* PM says only people have right to bring about political change
* President not bound to consult opposition leader, coalition partners on NAB chief’s appointment
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said that renewed Afghan efforts to make peace with the Taliban and end the nine-year war would fail without Pakistan’s help.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said this week he had renewed overtures to the insurgents, confirming in a US television interview that his government had been holding talks with the Taliban “for quite some time”.
But Gilani told reporters in Charsadda that Pakistan had an essential role to play if there was to be any prospect of peace. “Nothing will happen without us, because we are a part of the solution, we are not a part of the problem,” Gilani said.
On Sunday, former Afghan president Burhanuddin Rabbani was elected chairman of a new peace council set up to broker an end to the war with the Taliban.
Backed by Karzai, the High Peace Council intends to open a dialogue with insurgents who have been trying to bring down his government since the US-led invasion overthrew their regime in late 2001.
Gilani refused to be drawn on whether Pakistan backed the plan.
Also, talking to journalists after addressing a ceremony of the Waseela-e-Rozgar Scheme of the Benazir Income Support Programme, he said the appointment of the NAB chairman was an administrative matter and it was not a binding on a president to consult politicians before taking such a decision.
The PM said the appointment of the NAB chairman was not a constitutional issue, which required the consultation of the opposition leader and coalition partners.
“It was an administrative issue and therefore the president signed the summary without consultation with coalition partners,” he said.
To a question about hearing of the NRO case in the Supreme Court, Gilani said he would not appear before the SC today in the case, as the Turkish prime minister was visiting Pakistan on his special invitation on the day in question.
While ruling out the chances of midterm polls, he said the country’s situation does not permit even holding local government elections.
Gilani said his government would complete its five-year term and only the people had the right to bring about any change.
“We have come into power with the support of the people and not through back door corridors,” Gilani said.
Gilani said, “It is not the prerogative of those who are sitting in drawing rooms to talk about change.” agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk