Modalities over constitutional package to be resolved: Gilani

ON BOARD PM’S AIRCRAFT : Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday said certain vested interest were trying to create differences between the coalition partners, however said these would fail as modalities over the constitutional package with PML-N will soon be resolved and Nawaz Sharif will remain a strong ally. Talking to reporters accompanying him to Saudi Arabia on his first official visit, the Prime Minister said “several things are moving simultaneously” and hoped things will be better soon.
Gilani, however did not give any timeframe, and said consensus will be developed as both the major coalition partners have a similar objective. He was also optimist that the PML-N ministers will be back into the fold of cabinet soon.
He pointed that some vested interests were trying to create differences, but said the government had deep roots in the people and any such attempts will fail to materialise.
The Prime Minister said he believed in taking all stakeholders along and it was this spirit that representatives of all political parties in the parliament were accompanying him to the holy lands.
About the call given for the lawyers long march, the Prime Minister said Pakistan People’s Party had always supported their cause and recalled the stance by late Benazir Bhutto who had expressed her solidarity with their cause.
He said that the government has no objection to any peaceful rallies and will welcome the participants, however said he will advise the government of Punjab to ensure that there was no law and order situation.
About relations between the office of the Prime Minister and the President, Gilani said he believed in moving according to the constitution and said there was a need of having a balance of power between the institutions.
“We desire that the 1973 Constituion is restored in its original form
and spirit and there is balance between different state institutions. Individuals
do not matter as we have to work for the country,” he added.
Prime Minister said he was aware of the problems facing the masses particularly regarding the food inflation and said the food committees have been tasked to meet regularly and monitor the prices. He said strict action will be taken if they fail in their task.
He said the government was trying its best to provide relief for the poorest of the poor and said high food prices, unemployment, poverty and lack of justice were the most serious issues confronting the country.
He said these areas were a priority with the government and every effort would be made to resolve them.
He said it was with this view that he had ordered regularisation of contract employees as they were living with “the fear of unknown” and now over 200,000 families can heave a sigh of relief. Gilani said the matter of regularisation of contractual employees of corporations was being looked into by the cabinet committee.
He said he had even invited the Superintendent of Adiala jail along with him, where he had spent five long years behind bars. Gilani said he was well aware of the conditions in which the prisoners had to spend a long time and was making efforts to improve the situation. He said thousands of prisoners were now back with their families after the government paid off the paltry fine, and was the main hinderance in their release.
Gilani said Pakistan has deep historic ties with Saudi Arabia and he will hold wide ranging talks with Saudi leaders on Saturday. He said the visit was on the invitation of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz where he will discuss possibility of cooperation in several areas; including trade, defence, agro products, energy and petroleum sectors.