Information minister Muhammad Ali Durrani has said the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML) would expand its coalition base by seeking co-operation from local and regional political parties throughout Pakistan. Durrani was speaking at an Iftar-dinner he hosted for local journalists at a hotel, on Sunday.
He said the government was of the view that all political parties functional at local and regional levels should be encouraged to play their vital role of nation building and serve their supporters. It would be possible if these parties are encouraged to join mainstream politics.
"We think it is in the interest of Pakistan to bring all smaller and localised political parties into main stream politics. The PML would do it."
He said the time has come for a threadbare discussion on questions of provincial autonomy, rights of smaller provinces, priorities of developmental programme and other issues, which are, otherwise, considered a taboo and against the collective interest of the people, who believe in centralised system of governance.
Durrani said the government wanted to involve all stakeholders in the discussion on provincial autonomy so that a broad-based consensus could be developed in the greater interest of Pakistan.
He said smaller provinces-Sindh, Balochistan and NWFP-have grievances and that should be looked into. It is imperative for them to think how to develop a workable formula on these issues and come up with pragmatic solutions.
He said the 2007 elections would be held on time. These would be strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
He parried questions about pre-election arrangement to make it transparent and said it would be decided at the appropriate time if there should be an interim government to oversee elections.
"It would be decided according to the contents of the Constitution of Pakistan," he added.
He appreciated the role of media and welcomed its criticism on a number issues. "Governments must learn from their mistakes and see what the media says about its performance."
He said it was a daily exercise at his ministry where critical analysis of all that appears in the press is carried out and discussed. "We learn from these reports and carry out corrections where necessary. We welcome criticism."
He said the media is free to criticise the government and pass its judgement. "However, as is envisaged in the Constitution of Pakistan, no criticism of Pakistan, her ideology and armed forces could be permitted," he added.
He said it was the moral responsibility of the media to safeguard national interest. "People should not utter a word or criticise Pakistan, Pakistan's ideology or armed forces to get publicity abroad. It is immoral."
He said: "Mian Nawaz Sharif fears Benazir Bhutto, Qazi Husain Ahmed fears Maulana Fazlur Rehman and similar is the case among other members of the ARD. The entire opposition is in total chaos, disarray. They should bring their house in order before talking about issues, which concerned governance and management of the government affair. What they talk about these days is all irrelevant to me."
He said the opposition has realised that there was no need of talking about resigning from assemblies or asking for elections at an early date. "They have reconciled with the fact that elections would be held at the end of 2007 and till then they would have to maintain their cool."
He said it was time the opposition realise its responsibilities and act accordingly, wisely.
Talking about his visit to Balochistan and the action government is taking to improve law and order situation there, Durrani said people want peace and development.
"The President is planning to invite tribal elders for a discussion on the Balochistan issue. It would be by the end of this month or at the beginning of next month."
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