Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Presidency on Tuesday and discussed the ongoing political situation. Sources said that the two leaders discussed the Balochistan package, which was presented in the Parliament, adding that the two leaders also discussed the proposed shifting of powers from Presidency to the elected Prime Minister.
The two leaders had also held an important meeting on Monday and had discussed the challenges faced by the country. President Zardari reportedly added that all the political forces would be taken on board in the political and democratic process, hence strengthening the parliamentary system.
The two leaders, the sources said, also discussed the possible reshuffle in the federal cabinet, which earlier was tasked to the Prime Minister by the President but was reportedly delayed due to the NRO controversy. Meanwhile, a press release issued by the Presidency says that President Asif Ali Zardari has felicitated the government, the political parties and the people over the announcement of Balochistan package to make the province an equal partner in the Federation.
Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that the President described the announcement of the empowerment package as "a giant leap forward" towards addressing the issues of the people of the province and empowering them in accordance with their aspirations.
The President recalled that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto during her visit to Balochistan a fortnight before her assassination in December 2007 had promised the people of the province that PPP after coming into power would earnestly address their grievances. Thereafter the PPP, even before coming into power publicly and formally apologised to the people of Balochistan for the wrong and injustice done to them in the past by successive governments.
It was followed by the setting up of a Shaheed Mohtarama Benazir Bhutto Committee on Balochistan to formulate proposals for addressing the grievances of the people in consultation with all stakeholders. Finally a Parliamentary Committee was set up by the government which drew up the Empowerment Package in consultation with all political parties.
President Asif Ali Zardari said that the provision of release of all political workers, return of the exiled, initiation of political dialogue across the political spectrum in the province and the setting up of a commission in respect of the missing persons were measures of far reaching significance which will have a salutary impact on the people of Balochistan.
The President said that the decision to pay the arrears of Gas Development surcharge from 1954-1991 amounting to Rs 120 billion to the province in a period of 12 years would address a long standing economic demand of the province.
The President said that all those who worked tirelessly in preparing the package and all the political parties and stakeholders that participated in the process and lent their support deserved the gratitude of the people of Balochistan, indeed of the whole country. He said it was a thanksgiving day as a pledge made to the people had been redeemed.
President Asif Ali Zardari also advised the government that an effective monitoring mechanism should be put in place to oversee the implementation of the proposals announced today. The President said that he will closely watch the implementation of these proposals.
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