Dictators should be held accountable too: PM

MULTAN: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said it is tragic that politicians in Pakistan are held accountable but military dictators are not.

Talking to editors of national newspapers and representatives of the electronic media at Circuit House in Multan, the premier said that politicians alone should not be targeted. He said more corruption was reported during dictatorship than under democratic rule but military dictators Ayub Khan, Ziaul Haq and Pervez Musharraf were not held accountable for their misdeeds.

Gilani rejected the impression that his government is not respecting the verdicts of the Supreme Court.

The prime minister said the government is taking effective measures to control the energy  crisis and eliminate unemployment and poverty.

Responding to a question, the prime minister said that after 18th amendment, the powers of all institutions have been limited and now, no institution will cross its limits.

The prime minister said PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has the right to criticise the policies of the government and invited him to join the Parliament in the spirit of reconciliation.

He also said southern Punjab has been ignored for the last 63 years and that all development projects for Multan would be completed.

Gilani said the whole world praised the role rendered by Pakistan against the menace of terrorism and the government enjoys the support of the people in this fight as well

The premier said he wasn’t opposed to the construction of Kalabagh Dam but that a national consensus to the effect should be evolved.

Gilani also said he wasn’t opposed to the creation of a Seraiki province but the current situation does not allow for it.

Gilani also stressed on sustained financial assistance from the international community for socio-economic development in troubled areas of Pakistan.

He said socio-economic development in troubled areas was also essential after military operations, in order to win the hearts and minds of the local people.

Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan Army had captured strongholds of militants. “After facing defeat, terrorists have moved to thickly populated cities,” he added.

While in Multan, Gilani also performed the ground-breaking ceremony of a Rs4.5 billion project to transform Multan airport into a modern international airport. He hoped international Hajj flights would operate from Multan during next Hajj season. The premier says the upgraded airport will promote tourism and help boost the export of fruits and vegetables.

He said that Defence Housing Authority should also launch a housing scheme in Multan like they did in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi and other cities.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2010.