Pakistan Views

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday sent a summary of 23 ministers to the President Pervez Musharraf to be sworn on Monday (March 31), official sources told Business Recorder. According to the summary, 11 ministers belong to Pakistan Peoples Party including Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Syed Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Sheher Bano Sherry Rehman, Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, Syed Naveed Qamar, Farooq H Naik, Qamar Zaman Kaira, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Nazar Muhammad Gondal, Najmuddin Khan and Humayun Aziz Kurd.The sources said that Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) has given the names of eight ministers which include Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Sardar Mehtab Ahmed Khan, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, Khawaja Saad Rafique and Rana Tanveer Hussain.Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour and Nawabzada Khawaja Muhammad Khan Hoti belong to Awami National Party whereas Hameed Ullah Jan Afridi and Rehmatulah Kakar represent Fata and JUI-F. The sources said that the names of Taj Jamali of PPP and Tehmina Daultana have not been made part of the list dispatched to the President.

Pakistan People’s Party leader Nabeel Gabol would be the party’s ultimate choice for the post of federal minister for ports and shipping in the new set-up, it has been reliably learnt. “Gabol is the top most candidate for the post of federal minister for ports and shipping,” sources told Business Recorder on Saturday.About reports that PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari had approved the name of Naveed Qamar for the office, they said reports were based on hearsay and the development would be temporary. “These are all rumours… Naveed Qamar will take over the ministry as an additional charge,” sources claimed. According to reports, PPP top leadership has also okayed the name of Qamar for taking over the privatisation ministry.In the race for the office of ports and shipping ministry, Gabol is followed by another PPP leader from Sukkur - Khursheed Ahmed Shah, sources added. Other names PPP was considering included Yousaf Talpur and Munawar Talpur, said the sources. When contacted, Gabol confirmed the report saying: “I have heard that my name is under consideration for the ministry… let’s see what happens,” he said without giving further details. When asked if he was ready for holding the new office, the PPP leader replied: “Yes, I am fully prepared and… eligible too for the post.”

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said US and Pakistan have deepening ties and visit by it diplomats to the major anti-terror ally for talks with the new government signifies Washington’s respect for the democratic process and its outcome in the country.
Rice said timing of the visit by Deputy Secretary John Negroponte and Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher - planned some time ago - “turned out to be pretty coincidental.”In an interview with editorial board of The Washington Times, she said US is interested in talking to the new government on the way forward in the fight against violent extremism.The top American diplomat, at the same time, acknowledged the complexity of the problem in the federally administered tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.”Fata is also a very special problem. It’s a special problem because it has not been governed really ever, the tribal ties are very deep and they are cross-border ties.”Rice referred to the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto and stated it’s the assessment of most that the forces that martyred her are associated with terrorists who operate in that area.She noted that Pakistan has been a victim of terrorist attacks and underlined the menace has to be addressed.”And it can’t be tolerated by the Pakistanis, who are bearing the brunt of the extremists attacking, whether it is the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto or the actions that they’ve taken against the armed forces or the innocent civilians who have died in those attacks.”

Information Secretary PPPP Sherry Rehman on Saturday said that extremism is a domestic issue of the country and entire nation should join hands for an amicable solution of this menace.Talking to a private TV she said that when the innocent citizens, the security men and even the school children are targeted in terrorist acts it becomes the national responsibility of all to help control the menace.”If we don’t accept the terrorism and extremism as our domestic issue, it would mean that we are fighting the war of somebody else in our country”, the PPPP leader said.She said that realistic approach should be adopted by the entire stake holder to deal with such contentious issues to ensure the rule of law in the country.To a question she said the political governments have to fulfil their promises made during the election campaign adding the CoD as well as Murree Declaration would be implemented by the coalition government.Asked what policy the new government will adopt with respect to Lal Masjid issue the Sherry said, it was due to the negligence of the previous government that arms and ammunition were stocked in the seminary which led to a military operation.She said there is no justification in stock piling of arms in religious seminaries and educational institutions because this practice leads to anarchy.Pakistan is a democratic country and all the issues should be settled democratically rather than indulging in violence, she said.She expressed the hope that new coalition government would succeed in solving the problems faced by the people including the terrorism.A number of bold steps were announced by the Prime Minister after taking the unanimous confidence vote and hopefully the things will move in positive direction in the days to come, she said.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has announced abolishing the PEMRA ordinance, promulgated when the Emergency was imposed last November.
Speaking at the floor of the house the prime minister said there was an ambiguity about his statement on PEMRA and he want to clarify the matter. He announced repealing of the draconian Pemra laws of Nov 3, 2007.The media will be allowed to witness proceedings of the parliamentary committees, he added.

The tribesmen who had hijacked Kabul bound Pak-Afghan Friendship bus released the hostages and the bus after successful negotiations.The tribesmen of Sultankhel had made hostage about 40 passengers including women and children of the friendship bus near Landi Kotal on Saturday. According to official sources, the authorities had sent Khasadar Force at the scene that assured the tribesmen that their relatives would be freed from Afghan jails soon after which they had released the hostages.

President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday urged the youth to get education for the country development and bright future.He was addressing the foundation-laying ceremony of an engineering university to be completed at a cost of Rs 300 million on an area of 500 acres, in Kala Shah Kaku.President Musharraf stressed upon the nation to follow Islamic teachings to foil the designs of terrorists and play role in ensuring peace and brotherhood in the country.
He said every Pakistani should join hands with the government in eliminating terrorism and have tolerance in their lives to counter extremism.Governor Punjab Khalid Maqbool (Retd), Chief Minister Ejaz Nisar, Inspector General Azhar Hassan Nadeem, Chief Secretary Salman Siddiq and district nazim Jalil Sharqpuri were also present.Later, President Musharraf laid foundation-stone of the university.

Karamatullah Khan Chagarmatti and Khushdil Khan Advocate on Saturday took oath as speaker and deputy speaker of the 15th NWFP Assembly which met here with Arbab Ayub Jan in the chair.Presiding officer Arbab Ayub Jan administered oath to the newly elected Speaker.The Speaker Karamutullah Khan Chagramatti administered oath to his Deputy Khushdil Khan Advocate.Coalition partners PPP and ANP had nominated Chagramatti and Khusdil for the slots of speaker and deputy speaker. Opposition parties PPP-S, PML-Q and JUI-F have not fielded candidates for contesting elections against these posts. After the oath taking ceremony and welcome addresses by the parliamentary heads of the parties and scores of legislators, the speaker prorogued the session for indefinite period.The governor has also summoned the session of the assembly on Monday (March 31) for election of the Leader of the House. Ameer Haider Khan Hoti of a joint candidate of ANP, PPPP is likely to be elected unopposed as the opposition parties have decided not to field their candidate against the coalition partners. The oath taking ceremony of the chief minister according to the program will be held on April 1 at Governor House.Chagarmatti is the third speaker after Abdul Akbar Khan and late Hidayatullah Khan Chamkani elected unopposed as custodian of the house. Parliamentary Leader of ANP Bashir Ahmed Bilour was the first to congratulate Chagarmatti over assuming the office of Speaker and thanked the opposition parties for supporting the candidate of coalition partners.Bilour said, the province was faced with tremendous problems like law and order, price hike, unemployment etc. He said that the NWFP was rich in God gifted resources and its proper utilization could ensure resolution of all the problems. He said, the new NWFP Government would take the opposition along in resolving the core issues. Development of hydel resources, he said would be given top priority. He expressed the confidence that the new house would live up to the expectation of the masses.Parliamentary leader of PML-Q Qalandar Lodhi while felicitating the new speaker over assuming the office said, the opposition parties as a matter of goodwill gestures not fielded their candidates for the election of speaker, deputy speaker and chief minister. He said the coalition partners held jirgas with the opposition parties for seeking their support and we appreciate their positive attitude.The province is facing lot of problems therefore, the opposition in order to strengthen hands of the government did not field their candidates. The new Speaker would maintain his impartial status as custodian of the house, he added.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday assured the Kashmiris that there sacrifices will not go waste and the lingering dispute will be resolved according to their aspirations.Addressing the National Assembly session after getting a unanimous vote of confidence, Gilani said, “We will promote peace and brotherhood with neighbouring countries.”Gilani said the government would take forward the process of negotiations to seek resolution on Kashmir issue.However, he made it clear that Confidence Building Measures would only be effective if the issue were seen getting resolved according to the aspirations of Kashmiris and international principles.The Prime Minister said the government would strengthen its ties with the Islamic countries.He said the basis of country foreign policy would be peace, solidarity and peaceful coexistence. He said Pakistan keeps respects the solidarity of other nations and expects a similar treatment from other nations towards Pakistan. He said Pakistan also desires close and friendly ties with Europe and United States of America.He said China was a traditional and time-tested friend of Pakistan. “Pak-China friendship is higher than Himalayas and deeper than Indian Ocean. We will further strengthen our friendship with our exemplary friend.”Gilani said we want peaceful and strong Afghanistan and desired peace and prosperity in its neighbourhood.

The National Assembly Saturday made history by passing a unanimous resolution of vote of confidence in Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani.Parliamentary leaders in the Lower House of the Parliament on Saturday announced their support to Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for the vote of confidence in the Prime Minister under clause (3) of Article 91 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.Soon after the resolution was moved in the House, Member National Assembly Faisal Saleh Hayat on behalf of Pakistan Muslim League-Q said PML-Q wholeheartedly accepted the mandate of the people given in the general elections.He said PML-Q announced their support to Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani as a goodwill gesture so that the new government could meet the challenges facing by the country and the nation.Parliamentary Leader of PML- Functional Jahangir Tareen speaking on the occasion also announced their full support to Yousuf Raza Gilani.Parliamentary Leader of MQM in Lower House Farooq Sattar said that in past MQM announced unconditional support to late Benazir Bhutto for the slot of Prime Minister.He said MQM demonstrating the same spirit announced its support to Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for the slot of prime minister.He said it is a historical event that all opposition parties have unanimously agreed to support the candidate of the PM for acquiring vote of confidence.Parliamentary Leader Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao speaking on the occasion said that PPP-Sherpao also announced their support to Yousuf Raza Gilani.He said PPP-S has also agreed to elect Speaker and Deputy Speaker in NWFP assembly unopposed. In addition PPP-S will elect Leader of the House in NWFP assembly unopposed.He said, “Let the parliament be remembered that it has set a new tradition for the welfare of the people and development of the country.” Earlier, MNAs Syed Naveed Qamar, Ahsan Iqbal, Asfandyar Wali, Dr. Muhammad Farooq Sattar, Munir Khan Aurakzai, Mian Manzoor Khan Wattoo, and Maulana Muhammad Qasim moved a resolution for vote of confidence in Prime Minister Gilani under Clause-3 of Article 91 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. MNA Naveed Qamar thanked the House, including the Opposition, for reposing confidence in prime minister. Later, the speaker directed assembly staff to count the votes. However, MNA Asfandyar Wali was of the view that since the entire House had extended vote of confidence in prime minister, there was no need to count the vote. The speaker, after consultation with her staff, announced that the resolution was passed unanimously.