Islamabad, August 26: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani while reiterating his government’s commitment to restore peace in Karachi said Thursday an across-the-board action, without any political consideration, was being taken to achieve the objective.
“The Sindh cabinet in its recent meeting in Karachi had decided to launch an across-the-board action, for which nine areas were also identified. It was also decided that in this respect no political pressure would be tolerated, “Gilani told journalists during an Iftar dinner he hosted for them here at the PM House.
The Prime Minister rejected the view that the government exhibited any weakness or delay in the case of launching an action Karachi and said, “No government will desire to go home on the issue of law and order.”
He said despite the fact that the law and order was the provincial subject, the federal government was extending its all-out support to the provincial authorities to restore peace in Karachi.
The Prime Minister, in response to a question, said it was not for the first time that law and order situation in Karachi was disturbed, adding, the incidents of violence and killings were also witnessed during the previous governments.
Gilani also did not agree with the view that the law and order situation in Karachi was the failure of civil government and said, “Karachi is a mini Pakistan, where civil authorities are taking action. If this action was taken by the army, only then you could say that the government has failed.”
To a question about the reported demand of MQM chief Altaf Hussain that the Prime Minister should resign, Gilani remarked, “he (Altaf) is our favourite and he can say anything. Prime Minister Gilani, replying to a question about price-hike, said the federal government in coordination with the provincial governments was taking measures to check price-hike, as both the provincial and the federal governments were responsible to control inflation and price-hike.
On the issue of corruption, the Prime Minister said that since he came into politics as a federal minister in 1985, he had witnessed various governments sent packing on the charges of corruption.
But the dictatorial regimes could not prove such allegations and ruled the country for several years by taking along those politicians, who were part of the governments, and had been sent home on the charges of corruption, he added.
The Prime Minister said, the election process was a big filter to hold accountability of politicians, as the people vote for the political parties on the basis of their manifestoes, adding, “It was the responsibility of masses not to elect the corrupt politicians.”
Besides, Gilani said the politicians are held accountable during the question hour sessions in the Parliament, adding, he himself responds to the queries of the National Assembly members during the Question Hour.
The Prime Minister said the present government in accordance with the spirit of Charter of Democracy, signed by Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif, appointed Leader of the House in National Assembly, as the Chairman of Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
“If Chaudhry Nisar, Chairman PAC, claims that he brought back billions of rupees to the national kitty, it was not possible without the cooperation of government,” he remarked.
Gilani said he himself visited the office of the Auditor General of Pakistan along with Chairman PAC and offered to start accountability from the Prime Minister Secretariat.
The Prime Minister said there were some differences over the proposed accountability Bill, but these would be resolved and the bill would soon be presented before the Parliament.”
Prime Minister Gilani in reply to another question on the promotions of grade 20 and 21 officers said he on the observations of the Supreme Court of Pakistan surrendered his powers and constituted independent board to recommend such promotions.
On the issue of the new Auditor General of Pakistan, the Prime Minister said the appointment of Buland Akhtar Rana as new AGP was made purely on merit, as he – though belongs to Multan – was the senior most officer of the department and did not have any allegation of financial corruption.
Gilani said he had also received a letter from the Chief Justice of Pakistan about the allegations against Rana and the government will respond to that letter.
About the allegations of a vehicle import against Abdul Qadir Gilani made by a PML-N MNA, the Prime Minister said besides being his son Qadir Gilani is also a Member of Provincial Assembly, adding, the Haj Scandal occurred in 2010, while the vehicle was imported in 2009.
The Prime Minister said Abdul Qadir Gilani also appeared before the Supreme Court to explain his position while the PML-N MNA, who had lodged the complaint about the vehicle, admitted before the Supreme Court that his complaint was based on hearsay. The Supreme Court then ordered to register a case against the PML-N MNA, he added.
Gilani appreciated the Chief Justice of Pakistan for ordering to register a case against the MNA.
On the issue of Moonis Elahi, the Prime Minister said since the matter is subjudice, the courts will decide the matter.
To a question about electricity shortage, the Prime Minister said the present government has added 3000 MW of electricity in the system and was taking steps to address the problem.
Gilani also referred to his meeting with the senior officials of Asian Development Bank and said the issue of circular debt as well as funding for hydro power projects was also discussed with them, adding, the Finance Minister will submit a report in this respect after Eid.
To a question about Sirayki province, the Prime Minister said whatever the name would be, but he cannot ignore the demand of the people of that area.
About Balochistan, the Prime Minister said, 70 per cent of the Balochistan Package initiated by the present government has been implemented, while the remaining 30 per cent would also be implemented soon. The government will also approach the dissident Baloch leaders to bring into the mainstream national politics, he added.
–Agencies