Pakistan Views

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Wednesday that the government was taking all its partners along and there were no differences within the ruling alliance.

He was briefly talking to reporters here after a meeting with Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari.

The overall political situation in Pakistan also came under discussion during the meeting.

Information Minister Sherry Rehman, Minister for Labour and Manpower, Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah and Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Qamar Zaman Kaira were also present at the meeting.

Responding to a question, Gilani said that Parliament would decide about the impeachment of the President.

On inflation, he said that Pakistan was also facing the impact of rising prices of crude oil and food commodities in the international market.

The Government, he added, was following an effective strategy to tackle inflation and provide maximum relief to the common man.

The Prime Minister, is due to meet Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, later in the evening.

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said that Pakistan wants friendly relationship with neighboring countries including India and Afghanistan and does not believe on blame game policy.

Addressing a press conference here before his departure to Dubai, Premier Gilani denied Pakistan’s involvement in Kabul bombing and said that Nato and US also confirmed this.

Gilani has urged the India and Afghanistan to stop framing allegations and fight against terrorism with unity. He termed his Malaysian tour successful and said that both the countries have agreed to boost mutual cooperation in all sectors.

Replying to a question, Premier Gilani said that Asif Ali Zardari is running the party whereas he is looking official matters. He would meet with Asif Ali Zardari in Dubai and seek his advice, however, parliament would decide the fate of president.

For restoration of deposed judges, Gilani said he personally wants restoration and constitutional experts are preparing different proposals, which would be presented in the parliament after consultation with coalition partners.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said Tuesday Pakistan had suffered more than any other from terrorism and that it would fight the scourge with an “iron fist”.

“The world is facing today the menace of extremism and terrorism which has affected our socioeconomic development,” he said in a speech to a summit of the D8 group of developing countries.

“Pakistan has suffered the most due to this curse,” he said, pointing to the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto last year which was just one of many acts of violence to hit the country.

Soaring prices of food and fuel could spark widespread political unrest, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Tuesday said at a summit of developing nations.

Abdullah said the inflation crisis had erupted as a global recession looms, spelling trouble for the D8 group meeting here Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

And he called on member nations to boost food production in a bid to avert conflict. “The price of oil has skyrocketed to levels never anticipated the price of food has increased beyond the normal abilities to pay by the poor, which form the majority of the world’s people,” he said in an opening speech.

“Our people in the D8 group of countries will be among those feeling the greatest pains arising out of the current international economic downturn,” Abdullah said.

“There is also the danger of the food crisis creating political unrest in many societies.”

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinijad, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani are attending Tuesday’s gathering. The other members are represented by ministers.

“However, such cowardly acts will never dampen our firm resolve to fight terrorism and extremism with iron fist,” he said.

Gilani also said Pakistan was committed to a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict with India over held Kashmir.

“We have made positive progress in recent years in our dialogue with India,” he said.

“We are seeking a peaceful resolution for all our outstanding issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.”

Pakistan is not behind the suicide car-bombing that ripped through the Indian embassy in Kabul, killing 41 people and wounding 139, the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani on Tuesday.
Afghan authorities had suggested that Monday’s attack was coordinated with foreign agents in the region, a likely reference to Pakistan.
Prime Minister Gillani said that was not true. “We need a stable Afghanistan,” he told Reuters on the sidelines of D-8 summit in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. “Certainly, why should Pakistan destabilise Afghanistan? It is in our interest, a stable Afghanistan. We want stability in the region.”

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.