Quetta visit: PM lists national security as govt’s top priority

Gilani says govt is fully prepared to counter security challenges.

QUETTA:

Touting the government’s alertness to security challenges, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday said that national security was his administration’s top priority.

Addressing a ceremony at the Command and Staff College Quetta, the premier said terrorism was one of the key issues facing Pakistan, adding that the government is fully prepared to counter security challenges.

“We have lost billions of dollars in the war against terrorism which is a danger for Pakistan and thousands of our soldiers have sacrificed their lives to eliminate this danger for national and global security,” Gilani said.

The premier went on to recall steps taken by the government to improve the situation in Balochistan.

“The government has implemented 90% of the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan package after 18th amendment,” said Gilani, adding that it was the right of provinces to explore copper, gold and other minerals.

Addressing another ceremony for Pakistan Navy Cadet College at Ormara, the premier announced that Rs 50 million had been allocated for a solar energy project in next year’s budget to cater to the energy needs of the province. He went on to claim that some 25,000 to 30,000 families in the province could reap the benefits of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), adding that arrangements would also be made to incorporate health insurance through the BISP.

The prime minister was confident that the pace of development in Balochistan would increase, adding that after a constitutional amendment Balochistan had been extended autonomy which provided its rights on its assets as well as royalty.

The PM went on to add that all the institutions including the judiciary, parliament and executive must work within their boundaries for the welfare of the masses. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2012.