Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday said that extension in the service of Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was inevitable to maintain stability in the region and to ensure continuity of war against extremists and terrorists.
Talking to newsmen after the inauguration of 'Pakistan Sweet Homes' built by Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal for orphans here at Sihala, Gilani said that he would like to give a message to the nation which might also be a breaking news for media that now tenures of the President, Prime Minister, Chief Justice and Chief of Army Staff in office have been secured till 2013. He expressed the hope that all of them would work within their constitutional ambit.
About extension to General Kayani, the Prime Minister said in order to ensure continuity in war on terrorism and extremism extension in CoAS service was critical to take the war to its logical end. We have also given extension to DG ISI and some other generals holding key positions, he added.
The Prime Minister said that a "tenure post extension" was made in the case of General Kayani to avoid any confusion, which might have arisen in case he was given one year, two year or extension till further orders. "This may not have given a good impression," Gilani remarked.
To a question about resignation of his advisor on Information Technology Latif Khosa, the Prime Minister denied any such happening, rather he blamed media for creating a confusion. "Khosa was neither removed from his office nor did he resign, he was just restricted from using the powers of Minister. "Khosa was my advisor and not anybody else's," Gilani to a question on whether his advisor was attending the office, said. "An advisor is an advisor even if he is sitting at home and no one can bound him to attend the office."
About conflicting statements by ministers on Afghan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement (APTTA), the Prime Minister said that he has constituted a committee comprising Ministers of Finance, Foreign Affairs and Commerce to brief the political parties and the National Security Committee of the parliament to clarify any misunderstanding. He said the agreement has not yet been approved by the Federal Cabinet.
Gilani dismissed the impression that government was supporting fake degree holders. The Prime Minister said that he has asked the HEC Chairman and Education Minister to follow the rules and regulation, as both have to carry out separate tasks. "Some jobs are to be done by the HEC Chairman and some by Education Minister," Gilani said and both should follow rules and procedure.
Earlier, addressing the opening ceremony of 'Pakistan Sweet Homes', the Prime Minister said that he was glad to see that over 15 sweet homes for providing shelter to orphans have been completed and many more are in the final stage of completion. The Prime Minister said that this would safeguard the orphans from falling into hands of those elements who are promoting terrorism. Gilani imploringly asked the philanthropists to come forward for the help of those who have no one to take care of them. The Prime Minister said that he was delighted to see that people are offering sponsorship.
About a legislation making registration of orphans mandatory to protect them from going into the hands of criminal people, Gilani said that he would direct all the relevant ministries including Interior and Law and Justice to come up with a legislation to prevent such children from anti-sate elements. The Prime Minister also underlined the need for devising a strategy for jails so that imprisoned children could be provided education.