APC on Balochistan: Sindh chief minister told to discuss issue with politicians: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said that only fortunates embraced martyrdom. "I don't know whether we will embrace martyrdom or emerge Ghazi (triumphant). But only fortunates embrace martyrdom," Gilani said in response to a question while talking to newsmen here after visiting the residence of Pir Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi to condole the death of Pir Pagara Shah Mardan Shah.
About Balochistan, the Prime Minister said he had called for convening an All Parties Conference (APC) on the province three days back. He had also asked the Sindh Chief Minister to discuss the issue with political leaders in his province, he added.
He said the government in consultation with all the political parties and after doing an appropriate homework in this respect, would convene the APC so that the issues of Balochistan could be discussed and addressed through collective wisdom.
Replying to another question, the Prime Minister said the completion of five-year mandate by the Parliament and the government would bring political stability in the country.
"Conspiracies were hatched against every democratic government in the past. If the governments in the past were allowed to complete their terms, the situation would have been far better," he added.
Replying to a question, Gilani, however, did not rule out the possibility of early elections, saying the issue (early elections) could be discussed after the Senate elections to be held in March and the presentation of budget in May. "I do not rule out it," he added.
Answering another question, Gilani said 80 percent implementation of the Charter of Democracy had been achieved. He referred to the passage of 20th Constitutional Amendment by the National Assembly as a great political milestone. He said under the 20th Constitutional Amendment, an independent Election Commission of Pakistan had been guaranteed, ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.
The 20th Amendment, the Prime Minister said, also provided the establishment of caretaker governments at Centre and in the provinces in consensus with the opposition.
To a query, Gilani said, the PML-N Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif had himself stated that the President enjoys immunity. "Now if he has changed his views, I cannot say anything," he added.
Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi would also be requested to attend the APC on Balochistan, he added.
Replying to a question about the situation in Afghanistan vis-a-vis talks with Taliban, Gilani said Pakistan was supportive of an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and was ready to facilitate such a process.
The Prime Minister also referred to the recent visit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to Pakistan and said the issue was also discussed with him and he was assured of Pakistan's full support to the Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
Regarding Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, Prime Minister Gilani said the issue was being misconstrued, as it (MFN) was only meant to ensure `no-discrimination in trade' like with other 100 countries of the world.
He said the Federal Cabinet had allowed the Ministry of Commerce to negotiate with India's Ministry of Commerce the issue of trade balance. The government will never compromise the country's national interests, he added.
The Prime Minister further said that since the present government came into power in 2008, the cross LoC (Line of Control) trade had been recorded at Rs15 billion. He said that annual trade between China and India, despite border disputes, was to the tune of $60 billion.
Answering a question, the Prime Minister said the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) never compromised on principles and faced every challenge bravely. The dictators had come and gone but the vision and philosophy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto would live forever, he added.
The PPP, he added, had always made sacrifices for the cause of democracy and to uphold the Constitution.
Earlier, the Prime Minister along with his wife Fauzia Gilani met Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi at Pir Jo Goth and conveyed condolences over the death of Pir Pagara Shah Mardan Shah. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah also accompanied him.