Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in a meeting with Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer here on Sunday said that the government would continue its policy of complete independence for media. The Governor called on him at the State Guest House during the day.
Talking about the importance of media, the Prime Minister said that strength of democratic institutions lay in the supremacy of the parliament and an independent media for which the government was making all-out efforts.
The Prime Minister said that PPP had made great sacrifices for the cause of democracy and it would continue its efforts to strengthen the roots of democracy and democratic culture. He said that the government would continue its role for political reconciliation and added that all political parties would be taken into confidence on all issues of national importance.
He said that no system was better than democratic system to fight terrorism and extremism. He said that governments at provincial and federal level were making utmost efforts to ensure protection of lives and property of citizens of the country.
Punjab Governor praised the efforts of the government for the promotion of political reconciliation, tolerance and democratic culture in the country and added that short and long term measures taken by the government to bridge the demand and supply gap for electricity was of great importance.
Salman expressed confidence that government would steer the country out of challenges on all fronts. Talking to media on the issue of the 17th amendment at the residence of Aslam Gill, central executive committee member, Gilani said that it would be resolved under the Charter of Democracy.
He said that the government had decided to table NRO in parliament under the order of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and it was withdrawn after accepting the opinion of political parties.
"This is not a matter of winning or losing, but part of the reconciliatory politics of the government in the larger national interest," he added. He said that the list of NRO beneficiaries would be presented in the Parliament and everything would be clear on that. He said he would not give any name in the list.
He condoled with brothers Aslam and Ashraf Gill on the occasion. The Prime Minister reassured the nation that there would be no compromise on national interests, security and the nuclear program.
He said PPP had made more sacrifices than any political party for the restoration of judiciary in the country and said it was Benazir who had launched a movement for its restoration. He said that after becoming prime minister, his first orders were for the release of judges. On the Kerry-Lugar Bill, he said it was a legislation made in the United States, not in Pakistan. He added that maximum that could be done about the Bill was to refuse aid under the bill.
Gilani said that Pakistan had to get assistance from IMF because the country was in a state of war and it needed assistance to resolve its economic issues.
He said that MQM had proposed setting up a two-member committee of constitutional experts on the NRO, which the government accepted.
He said the government was bringing a constitutional package on Balochistan to address issues faced by the people of the province during the last 62 years and added that they while moving on the path of reconciliation would take all political parties into confidence on the package.
The Prime Minister said he had invited Nawaz Sharif to discuss the Balochistan issue to Islamabad . He said that Nawaz had not talked about working against democracy or the President of Pakistan or derailing of democracy in Pakistan.
The Prime Minister also visited the house of PML-N leader Tehmina Daultana to offer condolences on the death of her husband, who died recently.
Before leaving for Islamabad, he also visited the residence of Evacuee Property Trust Board Chairman Asif Hashmi to congratulate him on the marriage of his son. The Prime Minister earlier also attended a lunch by PML-F leader Ahmed Mahmood. The Prime Minister later proceeded on to Islamabad.
Comments
Comments are closed.