Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on Thursday said that he will soon invite chief ministers of all the four provinces to discuss the price situation in the country. He said the federal government wants a uniform policy in all the provinces. Talking to media after the Sindh Cabinet meeting, Gilani said he is here to discuss the issues of prevailing law and order situation and price hike with the Sindh Cabinet.
"We also discussed the matter of food commodities and relief being given to the people of the province. When asked about the different statements given by some retired intelligence officers, the Prime Minister said, "We got democracy in the country after hectic efforts and sacrifices and we have to be responsible to save democracy."
He said that only democracy would be successful in the country. He said that the political leadership will have to show its maturity to strengthen democracy in the country. The Prime Minister denied the deployment of the US paramilitary personnel in any part of the country and said it is only disinformation. He expressed satisfaction over the performance of Sindh government and appreciated the provincial government's efforts for providing relief to the people.
He said Balochistan issue is top priority of the government. He said that a committee is working on the issue and it is expected the committee's decision would be announced soon. The Prime Minister said that government wants to enhance capability of police force.
In this regard, police would be provided all necessary equipment to boost its performance, he added. The Prime Minister handed over 50 vehicles to Sindh Police to enhance its capability and to improve its performance. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and provincial ministers were also present on the occasion.
Earlier, in his opening remarks while chairing the Sindh Cabinet meeting at Chief Minister House here, the Prime Minister said the government functionaries particularly those at the district and town levels need to be more vigilant and display zero tolerance to hoarding and overpricing.
He said those government functionaries who are unable to deliver should be promptly taken to task. "There must be a mechanism in place for surprise on-the-spot checks to ensure availability and affordability of essential food items," he added.
In the same spirit, however, the provincial governments need to play a more proactive role; he said and urged the Chief Minister and his team to personally supervise the situation on a daily basis. He said it was his second interaction with the provincial Cabinet of Sindh, in last six months.
He said the federal government will take all possible measures to provide relief to the common man and keep the provincial governments on board. He said with the installation of the present government and the aid of the coalition partners, peace and normalcy returned to the city and business activity started picking up.
He said the provincial government, with the help of its coalition partners successfully tackled the law and order situation by arresting gangs of dacoits, terrorists and anti-social elements. As a result, people of Karachi heaved a sigh of relief. However, these elements may again try to re-group and damage life, property and businesses. Recent surge in target killings and bank robberies in Karachi needs to be curtailed, he added.
He said the federal government is supportive of the provincial government's endeavours to fight militancy in all forms and where needed, federal law enforcement agencies will provide necessary support to the provincial government. He said instructions have been issued to the Ministry of Interior to provide real time intelligence information to provincial governments.
He noted that there has been a drop in the rate of street crimes and kidnapping for ransom, adding that efforts to completely eliminate this menace must continue. The Prime Minister was impressed with the working of the Citizen Police Liaison Committee. He said such committees need to be encouraged to take a lead in fighting crime in other urban centers of the province and are effective deterrents.
He appreciated the Sindh Chief Minister's efforts to make Karachi once again the city of peace and assured that the federal government will provide all possible assistance. He recalled that the present government came into power in the most challenging situation both internally and externally and said that in a year and a half down the line some critical challenges have successfully been met.
He said economic meltdown that they inherited has been arrested. Macroeconomic stability has been achieved. Foreign exchange reserves have crossed the mark of $14 billion. The economy is now set to resume the high growth path. Severe electricity crisis that they inherited is on course to being addressed as a result of crash programme being undertaken.
He said on the security front, successful launch of operations in Malakand and other parts of the country has set the stage for achieving the final success in the war against terror. The successful return of IDPs to their homes and restarting their lives deserves appreciation. He pointed out that the recent price hike of essential food items during Ramazan has been artificially created by unscrupulous elements and said this is totally unacceptable. The federal government continues to take steps to control the situation. A committee of Federal Secretaries has been formed to monitor availability and prices of essential food items. "I am constantly keeping track of the situation by maintaining close liaison with the federal and provincial agencies and things are improving," he added.
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