Abbasi says govt not on warpath with institutions

PM rules out confrontation with judiciary or establishment

QUETTA: [fbvideo link="
https://www.facebook.com/etribune/videos/1969320593084957/"][/fbvideo]

Categorically rejecting claims that the PML-N government is on a collision course with state institutions particularly the military establishment after disqualification of his predecessor Nawaz Sharif, the incumbent prime minister has said no such conflict exists currently, not is it possible in the future.

“I only read about such confrontation between government and our institutions in the media, but no such conflict actually exists. There is no confrontation between our government and any institution of Pakistan nor is there a possibility that any confrontation is going to happen in the days to come.

“The elected government itself is the establishment which runs the country for the best interest and benefit of the people,” Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said on Saturday in response to a question.

The newly-elected premier was talking to reporters during his visit to Balochistan’s provincial capital, where he earlier chaired a high-level meeting on Balochistan’s law and order situation called in the backdrop of the August 12 suicide attack in Quetta and the August 14 blast in Harnai.

Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai, Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri, Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister Mir Hasil Bezenjo, National Security Adviser Lt-Gen (retd) Nasser Khan Janjua,  Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti and Chief Secretary Aurangzeb attended the meeting.

Responding to a question regarding the references being filed by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against former PM Nawaz Sharif in line with the apex court’s verdict, Abbasi said, “Those who want to file references are filing them. We know how to defend ourselves and we will defend ourselves at any cost.”



The PM said he did not know what dialogue the PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari recently refused to hold with the ruling party. “We are political people and the political parties should hold talks with each other,” he added.

Abbasi said it was the election year and the political parties were merely preparing for the next elections. “There will be elections on June 4, the next year. Things will normalise after elections,” he said.

The premier rejected the reports that Balochistan was being reduced in the Council of Common Interest (CCI). “The commission is debating about the powers of provinces under 18th amendment. Those who say Balochistan’s seats were reduced are just fueling hatred between federation and provinces,” he said. “I assure that no province will lose anything.”

He said his government would pay more attention to improve the law and order in Balochistan. “The law and order has comparatively improved since 2013 when the PML-N came to power. However, we are working to bring complete peace to the country.”

Abbasi said his government would work on completion of development projects announced by the former prime minister and spend Rs15 billion in each district headquarters of Balochistan for provision of gas.

“The federal government will connect all the tube-wells to solar system to provide relief to the growers. This process will be completed in three phases,” Abbasi added.



To end the water crisis in the province, the PM said, his government would construct new dams under the new ministry of water resources designed to make comprehensive plans in this regard.

“The government is working on Kachi Canal to irrigate 70 acres of land. This will end the food deficiency and turn Balochistan not only self-sufficient but also a food exporter to other provinces,” he said.

He said the government would start its first Parco Coastal Refinery at Gaddani area of Balochistan’s Lasbela district under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

Abbasi announced issuance of the Prime Minister Health Cards to rest of the province. This scheme was earlier restricted to six districts only. “The Benazir Income Support Programme will start across Balochistan. We are making our utmost efforts to end the sense of deprivation in Balochistan,” he added.



The Balochistan chief secretary briefed PM Abbasi on progress over development projects and economic packages announced by the former prime minister. He praised Chief Minister Zehri for his efforts to bring peace and development to the province.

Zehri also thanked the prime minister for his first visit after his election on August 1. “We will not compromise over the law and order and development of the province,” Zehri said.