ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the government will consult the opposition before holding the next general elections.
Talking to a select group of journalists on Saturday, the prime minister said the government would take into account the opposition’s advice and take practical steps, if they were in the national interest and for the welfare of the people.
Replying to a question about his strategy in the final year of his five-year term and before going to the polls, the prime minister said he had asked the finance ministry to prepare a people-friendly budget. He added that the ministry has also been asked to create 100,000 jobs this year.
The premier said that the government has taken short-term, mid-term and long-term decisions to resolve the power shortage.
He added that Rs50 billion has been cleared from the circular debt while the remaining amount would be cleared this year, so that full potential of power generation could be utilised.
To resolve the gas shortage, he added, Pakistan is committed to availing all possible means, including the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline and importing gas from Qatar.
Answering a question about consultations with US leadership, the prime minister said although Parliament would take the final decision on future foreign policy, as a responsible country, “Pakistan wants to have good and friendly relations with all countries on the basis of mutual interest and mutual respect”.
About the expected decision of his contempt of court case in the Supreme Court, the prime minister said: “I will be martyr or Ghazi”.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 26th, 2012.
COMMENTS (3)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Short term, mid term, and long term, whatsoever,it is impossible to over come the load shedding.
For controlling the power crisis,strict demand for civil nuclear technology, in case have to face refusal,never restore ration supply routs,and sit around the table with Taliban resolve the longstanding issues and restore the peace in the region.
Beyond the expectation,ruling party has won four seat of Parliament in the recent by election, It is against the prediction being made by some political leaders and famous analysts. It mean, majority of the people have eye on the day today affairs of the country. They are interested in the cases registered against the PPP leadership,such as,
Contempt of court, NRO, memugate .
In the contempt of court case,the fact is that prime minister as a middle man has become a scapegoat,he is a innocent but looks ready to pay the price,he would offer sacrifice his premiership.
As for as NRO is concerned,no doubt it is not a good law,the same gives freedom and legal shelter to all those who smeared their hand in looting and plundering the national wealth ,they are not deserve to pardon. But on the other hand,if the incumbent president involved in such case,he is responsible but the reality is that he as head of the state has constitutional immunity.no court can summon him.
Memogate,monsoor Ijaz got recorded his testimony,he admitted that the memo was drafted by him,he contacted the general for submitting,it mean he also involved the crime. This was the prime reason he refused to come and attend the court proceeding in Pakistan.. Every one living in Pakistan know him by reference of liar.