Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday invited opposition for dialogue to appoint Chief Election Commissioner. He warned that if the practice of pulling legs of opponents was not shun, the country would not move towards the path of progress.
Addressing central executive committee of Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Punjab at Governor House, he averred that decisions on all issues would be taken by mutual agreement and consensus. Applauding the role of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Ashraf said that Gilani had given many sacrifices for the country and the nation.
Regarding general elections, he said that the elections would be held on time, adding that PPP would win the elections. Earlier, talking at Governor House before the PPP Punjab's CEC meeting, Prime Minister Ashraf said that many in the country were unhappy on his becoming Prime Minister. Like other provincial governments, Punjab Government was also dear to him, he added.
Raja Pervez Ashraf stated that he would carry on the mission of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. He advised opposition to adopt democratic ways in their struggle, particularly in the National Assembly. Ashraf said that a gradual decrease in loadshedding was being witnessed. He stated that ending loadshedding was on top of his agenda.
Earlier, the Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome at the airport on his first visit to the city after assuming the office of the prime minister of the country. Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa and Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Zulfiqar Khosa, besides a large number of federal ministers, PPP workers and high officials of the Punjab government were present at the airport to receive the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira and Minister for AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo. He met a number of political leaders at Governor House during the day.