Govt. committed to supremacy of parliament: PM

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE



ISLAMABAD : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said the present government is committed to the supremacy of parliament, rule of law and balance of power between various state institutions. The Prime Minister said the mandate given by the people clearly indicates that they want to see a change in the system and the government would not discourage the people and would come up to their expectations.
He was talking to a delegation of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) which met him here at the Prime Minister House.
The Prime Minister said that despite the fact that the general elections resulted in a split mandate yet it is heartening to observe that democratic and moderate forces have succeeded in achieving substantial majority.
This trend, he said, led to the forming of coalition governments at the federal and provincial level which reflect unity through diversity.
The Prime Minister said that Media has an important role to play in the national affairs with responsibility and commitment.
He asked the members of the APNS delegation to extend cooperation, support and guidance to the government as well as the people to face the challenges, with courage and patience.
The Prime Minister said that “electricity shortage is one of the major crises we are facing today.” The policy of PPP government to set up IPPs, in 1993 was criticised at that time but “today we realise that it was a correct decision.”
The political leaders have the ability to look into future; they have a vision to solve the problems of the people, he added.
The Prime Minister said wheat crisis is another challenge which requires immediate attention.
It was a criminal negligence that the support price of wheat was not fixed in August last year and was purposely delayed, he said and added had the present government not announced revised support price of Rs.625 per 40 kg it could have led to further difficulties.
The Prime Minister said although this government has recently taken over, we have selected the best team of Ministers and officials to handle the crisis which we have inherited.
The challenges of wheat and electricity shortage, he said are being tackled on war footing and soon these would be managed to the satisfaction of the people.
However the people will have to show tolerance and patience in order to help their government to pay attention to these issues, he added.
As regards the issue of restoration of judges, the Prime Minister said “our immediate action to free the judges reflected our intentions. We believe that Parliament is the supreme body and all important issues should be solved by the Parliament.”
He said a Parliamentary Committee to give recommendations on judges’ issues would be able to give the best possible solution. The Parliament he reiterated has to be accepted as the supreme body and all institutions should be accountable before it.
On other issues, like PEMRA, freedom of information, FCR, labour and student issues, he said, committees are being formed.
The Prime Minister said “we want independence of all the institutions within the ambit of the Constitution. We want the Election Commission to be independent since it becomes embarrassing when we have to assure the International Organizations like Commonwealth, EU etc; that elections in our country would be fair and free.” “It seems humiliating that we have to defend the mandate of our people abroad”, he added.
The Prime Minister said that the 1973 Constitution which Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed gave to this country is a unanimously accepted document and we have to uphold it.
This Constitution, he said, ensures provincial autonomy to the provinces and the government would fulfil its commitment to abolish the concurrent list in order to give provincial autonomy.
Similarly, he said, the local government system will also be improved. The government wants that political parties should take part at local level as well so that leadership could emerge, he added.
The local level is the grooming ground and it develops party discipline in the long-term, he added.
As regards the challenges and difficulties of the people the Prime Minister said that, he had asked all Ministers to get briefings from their respective Ministries as well as attached organizations and accordingly apprise the Cabinet alongwith proposals to solve the problems.
The solutions would be both short term and long term, so that besides immediate measures we are able to cater for the future, he added.
President of APNS Hameed Haroon while congratulating the Prime Minister on attaining unanimous confidence of the House said that the challenges before the government would require whole hearted attention towards good governance.
The freedom of Press/Media and the freedom of expression, he said, would also require a democratic approach. He specifically mentioned four issues being faced by the print media.
Firstly, he said, the advertisement policy needs to be improved in which equitable distribution among genuine publications could be ensured. He also asked for revision in the government advertisement rates.
Secondly he raised the issue of multiple taxes and demanded concession in some keeping in view the rising prices of newsprint. Thirdly, he asked for resolution of the contentious issue of Wage Board Award on rational grounds.
Fourthly, he referred to certain Press Laws which he considered are hampering the freedom of expression and free flow of information. He said all those laws which are against the principles of democracy be removed from the statutory book.
The Prime Minister assured the APNS Executive Body that all issues confronting the Media would be resolved in consultation with the stakeholders.
He offered his earnest support to the Minister for Information and Broadcasting and APNS in this regard.
Arif Niazmi who is also President of CPNE while reiterating abolition of Laws which hamper freedom of expression and speech said it is also incumbent upon Media to develop self responsibility.
The other members of APNS who expressed their views included Altaf Hussain Qureshi, Arshad Zubairi, Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Qazi Asad Abid, Imtinam Shahid, Jamil Ather, Ilyas Shakir, Sharif Farooq, Mumtaz Tahir, Amir, Javed Mahr Shamsi, Dr. Jabbar Khattak, M. A. Niazi, Siddique Balouch and Peer Safaid Shah.
All those who spoke referred to the current challenges confronting the country and stressed for national and democratic approach to solve the problems.
They expressed confidence in the leadership of the Prime Minster and said he has the experience and will to handle difficult situations.