Pakistan Views

Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) was autonomous as well as accountable to the parliament. Addressing a conference on SBP 60th Anniversary here, Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that the country was faced with four major challenges, of them international oil and commodities markets prices hikes were on top of the list. He said that he government was endeavoring to cut down the financial deficit, while the topmost priority of the government was to bolster agriculture sector and create employment opportunities. Livestock and fisheries would also be given a boost besides among other measures for the development of agriculture, 5 percent excise duty on the import of farming machineries and tools has been abolished, he said.

The prime minister said that the banking facilities have to be taken to the rural areas. He further said that the economic freedom, de-regularization and privatization were the topmost priority on the agenda of the government.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in unequivocal terms has declared that there would be no compromise on the sovereignty of the country. Talking to journalists at the State Guest House here on Sunday, the Prime Minster dilated about the policy of his government on dialogue. Gilani said the government had not budged away from the policy of holding talks as it strongly felt that political dialogue on issues was necessary. Regarding the recently launched operation in tribal areas, the Prime Minister said that they were not in favour of it, but as the agreement was flouted there, the provincial government had no other option, but to opt for the operation. He denied the impression that there was any pressure on the government regarding operation in tribal areas.

The Prime Minister said foreign elements with the aid of locals were involved in terrorist activities in the tribal region, which he added was totally unacceptable. Referring to the government’s policy on operation against the terrorists, the Prime Minister said that Army Chief General Kayani had aptly briefed him, the President and allied parties on the situation.

The Prime Minister made it clear that the government was fully determined to provide basic amenities, education, health facilities in the tribal areas. He, however, firmly declared that no parallel government would be accepted there.

The Prime Minister stated that their government had complete support of the entire nation on tackling the issue of terrorism. Responding to a query on restoration of judges, the Prime Minister averred that they had endeavoured for their release and would have them restored too.

The Prime Minister told that on completion of their 100-day in government, they would take the nation into confidence. He said prices of oil and other essential commodities were on rise universally, and those who possessed oil reserves were surviving in the crisis. The Prime Minister visited Mausoleum of Hazrat Mian Mir Saheb (AR) during the day and will also attend Valima reception of son of Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar in a local hotel later on the day.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani has said that president General Pervaiz Musharraf was not asked to address the Parliament and no decision has been made in this regard.
While talking to media in ceremony held here on Saturday he said that the government believes in provincial autonomy and all the possible assistance would be given to provinces for maintaining law and order situation.
Prime Minister further said that peace deals were signed with the militants, it was for those who wanted to live peacefully and those agreements would be respected but if any one on the other side tries not to abide the agreement then federal government will help provincial government to maintain peace.

“Future of National accountability Bureau (NAB) is attached with the constitutional package,” he added.

He was of the view that NAB should be work under judiciary but if it is bound to work independently then it should be headed by any Judge.

Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Sunday said he has talked to US President, George W. Bush over US missile strike in Bajaur. Bush met Gilani for the first time at this Red Sea resort in a series of bilateral meetings he is holding at the end of a trip to the Middle East.
Pakistan prime minister responding to a question in a joint press conference with Bush here said he has discussed the American president recent US missile strike in Bajaur.
The US president said his country would extend all possible help to Pakistan to resolve the food crisis in Pakistan. President Bush said he held comprehensive talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on various issues and hoped that the bilateral ties will be further strengthened. He lauded Pakistan’s role in war against terrorism.Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani talking to media said Pakistan has given sacrifices in the anti-terror war including martyrdom of the PPP leader Mohtarima Benazir Bhutto. He said Pakistan is determined to fight against the menace of terrorism and extremism. Bush and Gilani said they also discussed high food prices, energy issues, and economic cooperation.

US President, George W. Bush has assured US help for Pakistan to meet the food crisis in the country. Bush met Gilani for the first time at this Red Sea resort in a series of bilateral meetings he is holding at the end of a trip to the Middle East. Addressing a joint press conference here the US president said his country would extend all possible help to Pakistan to resolve the food crisis in the country. President Bush said he held comprehensive talks with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on various issues and hoped that the bilateral ties will be further strengthened. He lauded Pakistan’s role in war against terrorism.Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani talking to media said Pakistan has given sacrifices in the anti-terror war including martyrdom of the PPP leader Mohtarima Benazir Bhutto. He said Pakistan is determined to fight against the menace of terrorism and extremism. Bush and Gilani said they also discussed high food prices, energy issues, and economic cooperation.

Prime Minister, Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani is meeting US President, George W. Bush at the tourist resort of Egypt here, which happens to be his maiden meeting with the US President, following assumption of the charge of Pakistan premier.The two leaders discussed matters of national and international importance, which included Pakistan’s current political situation, global war against terrorism besides food crisis, economic, defense, trade and other matters of bilateral relations listed on the agenda of the meeting.Advisor to prime minister on economic affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar and Minister for Environment, Hameedullah Jan Afridi from Fata are assisting PM Gilani in the talks, while Pakistan designated Ambassador to US, Hussain Haqqani, scheduled to participate in the talks with US President, couldn’t do so due to technical reasons. It maybe recalled that the world leaders have arrived here for attending the underway World Economic Forum on Middle East. PM Gilani will also be meeting today Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, Palestinian President, Mahmood Abbas, Egypt President, Hosni Mubarak besides Jordan and Kazakhstan Presidents.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani was given briefing on defence and operational preparedness of Pak Army on his visit to General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi Wednesday morning.
Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaque Pervez Kyani received the prime minister on his arrival at the GHQ. Minister of Defence Ahmed Mukhtar was also accompanied with the prime minister.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday said Pakistan and Bangladesh are bound in enduring ties of shared faith, history and culture and both countries need to further strengthen their bilateral relations in all fields.He was talking to Dr Iftikhar Ahmed, Advisor for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, who called on him here at the Prime Minister Secretariat this afternoon.Prime Minister urged the need for enhancing people to people contacts, frequent exchange of business delegations and high level visits from both sides in order to understand each other and help in promoting cooperation in all fields including economic, political, diplomatic, education, defence and security matters.Dr Iftikhar conveyed the greetings of the leadership and the sentiments of the people of Bangladesh to the Prime Minister for assuming his office and obtaining unanimous vote of confidence.He also extended the invitation from the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh to the Prime Minister to visit Bangladesh at his earliest convenience. Talking about the need for cooperation among South Asian nations the Prime Minister said there is a lot of potential in these countries and they can share the best practices with each other.Pakistan, he said, considers Saarc an important organization to promote regional cooperation, peace, prosperity and harmony in South Asia, which should be further energized to meet its true potential.Advisor for Foreign Affairs said that Bangladesh attaches high priority to its relations with Pakistan since both countries have commonality of views on international and regional issues.He expressed the hope that Pakistan would soon rejoin the Commonwealth and Bangladesh would support Pakistan in this regard.The Advisor also underlined the need for further promotion of relations in the fields of trade, economic, shipping, cultural and education.He said both the countries have strong historical ties and are contributing towards peace and development in South Asia.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the PPP would take along all its coalition partners to steer the country out of the challenges it is facing today.The issues including revival of superior court judges will be taken with consensus of the coalition partners, said Prime Minister Gilani here Monday. Talking to journalists after inaugurating the bio-technological department at the Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) the Prime Minister said Maulana Fazlur Rahman and other allies are members of the committee on independence of the judiciary and any decision would be taken with consensus and there are no differences on the issue.To a question he said MQM enjoys a substantial political support in Karachi, that is why it has been included in the Sindh cabinet and the PML-N has no reservations on this coalition.He said to maintain law and order is top priority of his government as without it progress is not possible.Governor Punjab Lt Gen (R) Khalid Maqbool, Vice Chancellor Dr Muhammad Zafarullah and secretary higher education Punjab Ms Arifa Saboohi were also present.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said government will ensure the supremacy of Parliament along with preserving the Constitution. Addressing a self-employment scheme ceremony organized by Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, the PM said Parliament would no more be a rubber stamp institution and political consensus from all coalition partners would be the driving force behind new government. The PM said to serve the nation was his government’s top priority. He said institutions would be protected and supremacy of the Parliament would be ensured.He said around 25 percent of country’s population were living below the line of poverty, while 56 percent constituted the middle class, living at the threshold. He added that it was government’s endeavor to maintain balance by increasing the middle class. He said the government was endeavoring to bridge the divide between the rich and the poor.The Prime Minister pointed that 53 items have shown an increase of 12.2 percent in their prices and was continuing to increase. He said this was a strong cause of concern in the society about the shortage of electricity and gas and rising prices of everyday commodities.He addded that these crises were not created overnight but were the result of wrong policies that have created this situation. However, he said the government was in the process of taking steps to improve the situation, as the nation has reposed confidence on the new leadership.He said vocational training was being provided to the people so that they may turn out to be useful citizens of the society and contribute to the national economy.Gilani reaffirmed his commitment to ensure free judiciary and press in the country so that people could get justice.