MULTAN, Sep 22 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Tuesday that Pakistan wants good relations with neighbouring countries including India on the basis of equality. While addressing a big gathering at the local circuit house, the premier said that Pakistan wishes to resolve water and Kashmir disputes with India through negotiations on the table.
He stressed that the two nuclear powers should decide to move forward and focus on the well-being of their poverty ridden people adding that it will pave the way for a socio-economic revolution in the region.
He said that 1.25 billion people of the two countries need development, education, health facilities, business investment to have their problems addressed.
Gilani expressed concerns over the long queues of the people for subsidized Atta and said that poor people would be extended support to get subsidized Atta under Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) without any inconvenience.
He made it clear there was not shortage of wheat flour in the country adding that Pakistan has surplus stock and is in a position to export it.
He said that poor people would also get 200 electricity units free of cost.
Prime Minister said that politics of confrontation would benefit none, neither country nor people and added that we must learn from the past.
He said that all political forces should work together to steer the country out of trouble. It is our responsibility to promote the politics of reconciliation and strengthen the country, PM said and questioned who else will do it for the country if we don’t opt for it today.
He added that PPP want to promote the politics of reconciliation while pursuing the vision of martyred PPP leader Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.
The premier said, PPP formed coalition governments soon after general elections. He added, he himself remained a victim of political victimization and faced jail hardships but there does not exist any political prisoner confined in any jail in the country today.
Gilani said that PPP believes in across the board accountability but added there is difference between accountability and victimization.
He said, we have seen in past that those who conceded to the demands of the ruler enjoyed power but others who refused to compromise on principles remained confined in jails.
He said that parliament will decide which kind of accountability should be introduced.
He lauded political leaders for supporting government’s strategy against terrorism saying they exhibited maturity by supporting a noble cause while setting aside differences.
He said that government achieved successful results in the operation because unlike previous regime it had the support of the people and their representatives. The successful strategy forced terrorists carrying head money worth millions of rupees to surrender and lay down their arms.
Prime Minister lauded Jawans and officers of armed forces, law enforcement agencies, FC and the people for offering numerous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.
Prime Minister termed Balochistan issue as the big problem and added that the political leadership and stakeholders were being taken on board to determine a direction that will be adopted by the whole nation and our coming generations for a prosperous Balochistan.
He said that recommendations of the committees formed earlier and those working on the Balochistan issue today will be taken into consideration while determining the direction to address Balochistan problem.
He said that we will act like big brother for Balochistan to end the sense of deprivation among the people. They remained neglected during last 62 years but government is determined to solve all their problems, PM said.
Prime Minister said that PPP has roots in all the four provinces and the party is surviving successfully and enjoying popular support among the people due to the sacrifices offered by pioneering PPP leader Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, and countless party workers, who suffered hardships in jails, Shahi Qila but never compromised on principles.
He said that Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto kept fighting for the rights of the people and sacrificed their lives for the noble cause.
He said, it was the governments of Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, which gave rights to the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and now the incumbent government has given them the internal autonomy.
Mentioning the problem of loadshedding, Gilani said that the government inherited this problem from the previous regime which had failed to address energy requirements of the country during nine long years. But the present government has accepted this challenge boldly and will solve this problem through short-term, medium-term and long-term strategies.
Recalling the criticism on IPPs during Benazir Bhutto’s government, he said that situation would have been much worse today had Benazir Bhutto not opted for IPPs at that time to meet country’s energy requirements.
He said that Rental Power Projects were also being criticized but added that they were necessary to supply electricity till the time the long-term plans are completed to enhance capacity of the national grid.
PPP had solved the energy problems then and is committed to overcome this problem today too, the premier added.
He said, mega projects like Bhasha Diamer Dam and Neelam Jhelum project were being undertaken to address the water problem and electricity shortage.
The Prime Minister announced construction of Nishter Ghat bridge over river Indus from Kot Mithan to Chachran Sharif to meet a long standing demand of the people. He said that government was paying special attention to uplift of South Punjab to end the sense of deprivation among the people. Rajanpur district that remained deprived of Sui gas for many years is undergoing development to enable people get this facility.
He said that the under execution project of Head Muhammad Wala bridge will serve as an economic opening and will link Multan, Muzaffargarh and Layyah districts.
He added that Aiman Wala Pattan bridge will reduce distance between Karachi and Multan by 74 kilometres.
He said that Multan development package will benefit the people in a big way and added that he will instruct officials concerned to remove hurdles, if any, in way of execution of the schemes under this development package. Development is the right of the people and government is working hard to ensure that people should get their rights.
