Prime
Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said the forthcoming
elections for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly would
be fair, free and transparent to make them credible for the
international community.
Addressing a public meeting here after inaugurating development projects, the Prime Minister said, “I assure you that the elections in
AJK will be fair, free and impartial so the world should know that
Pakistan is a responsible nuclear power and everything is done here on
merit and in a transparent way.”
He said the Punjab government, the
AJK government and the Federal Government agencies had been directed
that the elections should be conducted in a fair and transparent manner
so that Pakistan could further improve its image at the international
level.
The Prime Minister said all the parties should avoid any rigging in the elections.
He said the whole political leadership had been participating in the AJK elections which was a good sign for strengthening of the democratic process.
Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan was committed to have good relations with its neighbours and added that all problems could be resolved through dialogue.
He said he had convinced Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh that all bilateral issues, including Kashmir could be resolved through dialogue and not through war.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan wanted to have a permanent and lasting solution to the Kashmir issue through dialogue and negotiations. Pakistan would convince the international community that the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the aspirations of Kashmiris, he added.
He hoped the world community would help the Kashmiris get their rights.
Prime Minister Gilani said it was his second visit to Shakargarh. He said he had fulfilled his pledges made during his last visit by inaugurating the development projects today.
He said the present government was fulfilling the mission of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto which was to serve the public and provide basic needs of life to the people at their doorstep.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari continued the reconciliation process in politics initiated by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and formed a government representing all the political parties.
The Prime Minister said economic stability was not possible without political stability.
He said when the PPP government was formed, there was recession in the world that caused economic crisis in the country.
The Prime Minister said the government faced loadshedding and other problems due to international economic crisis.
Referring to the terrorism, the Prime Minister said after launching action in Swat against militants, the government managed the safe return of 2.5 million IDPs within just few months.
Prime Minister Gilani said it was very difficult for a single party to resolve the problems of people, therefore, grand alliance was formed through political reconciliation.
He said even those who had two-third majority in the past could not restore 1973 Constitution but it was to the credit of PPP that it restored the Constitution in its original form.
The Prime Minister said it was the credit of the PPP government that it announced National Finance Commission and even provided financial assistance to the people affected due to floods despite limited resources.
He assured that the Federal Government would provide remaining Rs. 80,000 grant each to the flood affected people.
The Prime Minister said all the parties should avoid any rigging in the elections.
He said the whole political leadership had been participating in the AJK elections which was a good sign for strengthening of the democratic process.
Prime Minister Gilani said Pakistan was committed to have good relations with its neighbours and added that all problems could be resolved through dialogue.
He said he had convinced Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh that all bilateral issues, including Kashmir could be resolved through dialogue and not through war.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan wanted to have a permanent and lasting solution to the Kashmir issue through dialogue and negotiations. Pakistan would convince the international community that the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the aspirations of Kashmiris, he added.
He hoped the world community would help the Kashmiris get their rights.
Prime Minister Gilani said it was his second visit to Shakargarh. He said he had fulfilled his pledges made during his last visit by inaugurating the development projects today.
He said the present government was fulfilling the mission of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto which was to serve the public and provide basic needs of life to the people at their doorstep.
He said President Asif Ali Zardari continued the reconciliation process in politics initiated by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and formed a government representing all the political parties.
The Prime Minister said economic stability was not possible without political stability.
He said when the PPP government was formed, there was recession in the world that caused economic crisis in the country.
The Prime Minister said the government faced loadshedding and other problems due to international economic crisis.
Referring to the terrorism, the Prime Minister said after launching action in Swat against militants, the government managed the safe return of 2.5 million IDPs within just few months.
Prime Minister Gilani said it was very difficult for a single party to resolve the problems of people, therefore, grand alliance was formed through political reconciliation.
He said even those who had two-third majority in the past could not restore 1973 Constitution but it was to the credit of PPP that it restored the Constitution in its original form.
The Prime Minister said it was the credit of the PPP government that it announced National Finance Commission and even provided financial assistance to the people affected due to floods despite limited resources.
He assured that the Federal Government would provide remaining Rs. 80,000 grant each to the flood affected people.
He said 5000 army men gave sacrifices in the anti-terrorist operations for the better future of country.
Regarding measures taken for the farmers, the Prime Minister said due to increase in the support price of wheat, the country had been able to export wheat this year.
He said the government had been planning a two-year programme to resolve the problems of people in next two years and provide them basic needs of life which would be announced very soon.
The Prime Minister said completion of development projects was the manifesto of the PPP and it was fulfilling the promises made with Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. He said the PPP would empower the masses in the country.
He said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had revived the dignity and honour of common man and the present government was taking measures to ensure it.
He said the resource allocations would be enhanced to ensure empowerment of the people, women empowerment, poverty alleviation and for the welfare of youth.
Prime Minister said the Benazir Income Support Programme would include more facilities to meet the needs of those who could not afford.
The Prime Minister said he had directed the Sui Gas authorities to ensure gas connections without delay.
He said Tehsil Zafarwal would have a NADRA office and a branch of National Bank of Pakistan would also be opened in the area.
The Prime Minister said damages need assessment was done through international organizations and assured that the losses to infrastructure and personal losses would be compensated with financial assistance in the flood-affected areas.
He also announced to accept the demands of financial assistance to the local press club.
He said special funds would be provided for the repair of the main road in Shakargarh.
He appreciated the gesture of Tariq Anees to join Pakistan People’s Party after winning the election as an independent candidate.
He said those, who are not taking the PPP seriously due to reconciliation politics, should know that party has the support of the people.
He said the PPP would win the next general elections on the basis of completion of the manifesto as it had taken practical steps in this regard.
The Prime Minister said the PPP had implemented 80 percent of the Charter of Democracy signed between Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif and remaining 20 percent would be completed before the next elections.
Punjab Governor Latif Khosa speaking on the occasion said the PPP was committed for resolving the problems of people.
He said the Prime Minister and the other leadership of PPP government were sincere and committed for the development of neglected areas.
Latif Khosa said Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto advocated the Kashmir cause with devotion. He said Pakistan relied on the international community when the United Nations promised to resolve the issue but the international community had failed to implement the UN resolutions.
He said the nuclear power, which was due to the efforts of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, was a strong deterrent today for the country.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan speaking on this occasion, welcomed the Prime Minister on behalf of the women of area.
She said the development projects initiated by the present government with special interest of Prime Minister Gilani would improve the overall situation in the region.
The Minister said provision of Sui gas was a longstanding demand of the area which had been fulfilled by the PPP government.
The present government has taken practical steps for the welfare and prosperity of the people without any discrimination, she added.
She said it was the credit of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto to ensure safe return of the prisoners from India after war in 1971.
Firdous Ashiq Awan said the Kashmiris still needed moral and diplomatic support from Pakistan and added that with the arrival of Prime Minister to the area, it had been proved that the PPP government was determined and serious to resolve the problems of the Kashmiris.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo speaking on the occasion said the PPP was the party that always protected and ensured the rights of common man.
President Pakistan People’s Party Punjab Imtiaz Safdar Warriach addressing the public meeting said the PPP always projected the Kashmir cause in its true spirit.
Earlier, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani inaugurated supply of Sui gas to Shakargarh and Norowal area and inaugurated the project of a bridge that will provide access to over 70 villages to reach Shakargarh after reducing 30 km distance for them.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated a sewerage project in the area for the benefit of local population. APP
