A golden opportunity

Positive signs have appeared on the political horizon of Pakistan following the statements of the ANP and the MQM to bury the hatchet and start from a clean slate to restore peace to strife-torn Karachi after tremendous blood letting which has claimed several hundreds of precious human lives. The frenzy shook the foundation of the nascent democratic process when the Army's top leadership expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating Karachi situation but stopped short of intervention.The announcement of a ceasefire came from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti and was positively responded to by the MQM. Later, the MQM Quaid withdrew his statement against ANP leader Asfandyar Wali, and the ANP leadership responded positively. However, the deep-rooted animosity between the two arch rivals has given rise to suspicions about their good intentions in the future.The dramatic announcements caught political observers off guard and they were flabbergasted and did not see even remote chances of a rapprochement between the ANP and the MQM, whose trigger happy activists fought on the streets of Karachi turning them into pools of innocent blood.The conflict between the two parties took an ugly turn when the ANP sided with former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza when he launched a tirade against the MQM and levelled serious charges against it. This alliance produced serious repercussion and added fuel to the fire. The MQM, finding itself in a precarious position with its back to the wall, launched a counter offensive against the ANP. Blood continued to be shed and soon packed bodies began to appear in different areas of the city, The Kati Pahari area became the battlefield where the Pakhtuns perched on the hill were accused by the MQM of targeting Orangi Town residents. This sent shock waves throughout Pakistan. The government failed to control the situation and the law enforcement agencies became just silent spectators. When the pressure became unbearable, the provincial government finally gave in and deployed the Rangers who restored law and order to some extent with intermittent violent incidents. But the question is: who put his foot down saying enough is enough. Did the army leaders intervene forcing the ANP and the MQM to come to terms and stop the bloodshed? Or did the Supreme Court's suo moto proceedings have a soothing effect forcing both the parties to lay down the arms to save the future of millions who are daily wagers? Whatever may be the case, Karachi is at peace for the moment.Will the ceasefire between the two rivals last? That is a big question markNo doubt the Pakhtuns have played an important role in the development of the Sindh capital, but they should own the city too. The ANP and the MQM will have to rein in their activists and help restore the status of Karachi as the city of lights. Otherwise this God-given opportunity will never be there and the sapling of democracy will wither away spelling disaster for everyone.The government cannot be absolved of its responsibility to maintain harmony among different segments of the population. Equal opportunities will have to be provided to all without discrimination as guaranteed in the ConstitutionThe Supreme Court verdict has been reserved but the apex court judges have made their observations very clear. Karachi contributes nearly 70 percent revenue to the national exchequer. God forbid if something tragic happens, the nation will suffer an irreparable loss which could jeopardize national defence, and the defenders of the national frontiers certainly will not tolerate it because for them the country is supreme and not politics. All political parties will have to rise to the occasion and play their positive role for ensuring permanent peace in Karachi. 

Qaim calls APC on Karachi situation

A Sindh government spokesman said that Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has decided to call APC in order to brainstorm with the leaders of key parties to restore peace in the city. The invitations for the APC have been dispatched to leaders of main parties, he added.

He said that the agenda for the APC is Karachi situation, wherein all the parties would be open to make suggestions and share possible ways and means to restore peace. 

Zardari speaks with Altaf Hussain on telephone, discuss Karachi

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has spoken with MQM Chief Altaf Hussain on the telephone about the prevailing situation in Karachi in which he took the MQM chief into confidence about efforts being made to improve law and order in the city.

Sources have told that President Asif Zardari reassured Altaf Hussain that security will be provide for the people of Karachi and that legal action will be taken against miscreants involved in violence.

President Zardari said that Karachi is the economic hub of the country and that peace in the city is vital for economic progress. Whereas Altaf Hussain said that peace must be restored in Karachi at all cost.

Both leaders also discussed other political issues in the country including talks between the PPP and the MQM.

‘Remover government drive’ aims at getting rid of rulers: Imran

Imran Khan has said that the aim of ‘remove government movement’ was to get rid of corrupt rulers.

Pakisatan Tehreek Insaaf chief said that corrupt politicians were sucking blood of the masses.

He expressed these ideas, while talking to media, before leaving for Faisalabad to attend a public gathering. He said that the government had become indifferent to the problems of the people; that was why masses were joining PTI on priority basis.

Giving a call to the nation to rise like Tipu Sultan to protect their freedom, Mr Khan asked where the dollars received from the US had gone and who had benefited from them? Then he himself replied that those who were living in palaces and owned houses in London had grabbed the dollars.

The PTI chief said the poverty, unemployment and price-hike being faced by the nation today had never been so acute in the country`s history.

He pointed out that thousands of people were jobless in Karachi and Faisalabad where neither water nor power and gas was available.

PPP wins 6 more Kashmir seats

Ruling PPP can now form Kashmir government without the help of any political party.

Paksiatn People’s party has won six out of eight special seats of Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly. PPP have won on 3 women, one technocrat, one overseas Kashmiris, and one Ulema seats.

On women seats Shaheen Kausar, Shazia Akbar and Sadaf Sheikh have won on PPP tickets.

Wajid-ur-Rehman won on the overseas Kashmiris seat while Sardar Abid has won on technocrat’s seat.

Pir Atiqur Rehman has won on Ulema and Mashaikh’s seat. Joint candidate of MQM, Muslim Conference and PPP Mehrunisa has also won. After the election results PPP has emerged a majority party and can form the Kashmir government without any help from any other party.

Earlier, PPP was leading with 21 seats and PML-N was trailing with wins in nine constituencies while Muslim Conference had got four seats. Two independent candidates had also won elections while elections on four seats were postponed.

Govt must take over control of KESC: Raza Rabbani

Condemning the management of the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) for its failure to provide smooth supply of electricity to the consumers, Senator Raza Rabbani on Friday demanded that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) immediately take over the company.

Speaking on a Point of Order, he said the KESC had failed to provide services to the consumers and the government had no option but to retake the control of the company.

He said the PPP strongly opposed the decision of KESC’s privatisation and informed the then government that handing over an essential utility to foreigner investors would prove a security risk.

“Time has proved that privatisation of KESC was a wrong decision and now all the sensitive installations are under threat,” he added.

Rabbani said that the KESC management has adopted anti-people and anti-worker policies and was following an agenda to close industrial units in Karachi by power crisis and ensure import of third rated goods of foreign countries to Pakistan.

He alleged that the KESC management terminated 4,500 lower cadre employees and people were being recruited on contract.

“On the one side, the management is trying to ban trade unions and on the other the company is promoting contract culture in the country,” he said.

Rabbani alleged that the company did nothing to provide smooth electricity to the consumers but was involved in minting money by regularly raising tariff.

He said that MD KESC and its management were drawing lucrative salaries and other perks while the company was not ready to pay to lower cadre employees.

He said foreigner investors were trying to ban trade unions in Pakistan.

Rabbani said that even MD KESC refused to meet the Governor and Chief Executive of the province which was a blatant violation of country laws.

“Are foreigner investors above the country law,” he inquired and said they have to obey to the law of the land.

He said the Chairman of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has also asked Nepra to take over KESC.

He also criticised Chairman Nepra for not taking action against KESC and demanded of the Chair to take up the issue with him.

He said it was a conspiracy to derail the democratic system in the country and the government should sort out the issue immediately.

Marvi Memon resigns from NA, PML-Q

ISLAMABAD: Marvi Memon has resigned from her seat in the National Assembly and from the PML-Q, Geo News reported. 

Speaking to the media, Memon said that she took the decision in protest of the PML-Q joining the government and in opposition of the budget which was against the aspirations of the people.

She added that current government was working against the people of Pakistan and the PML-Q leaders did not live up to the voters by leaving the opposition and joining the government.

“The PML-Q did not correct the disastrous course of the government” she said. The statement read out by Marvi Memon listed the government as being inadequate, not serving the people, not responding to natural disasters, not protecting the country’s sovereignty and depriving people of basic human rights. 

Memon added that under these circumstances she could no longer be a member of the National Assembly and that she would not take back her resignations under any circumstance. She however did say that her struggle for justice would continue on the streets and in courts.

PM urges elected representatives to monitor uplift activities

ISLAMABAD, June 18 : Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said the elected representatives should closely monitor development activities within their constituencies to ensure that the funds allocated for the purpose are judiciously utilized to benefit the common man.He impressed upon them to coordinate the development schemes in a manner to avoid over-lapping of development activities which fall under the provincial Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP).The Prime Minister was talking to parliamentarians who called on him here at his Parliament House Chamber.

The Prime Minister emphasized on the completion of ongoing projects and schemes prior to launching of additional development work.
The new schemes should be planned keeping in view the needs of the people of area as well as the adjoining regions to ensure harmonious development, he added.
The parliamentarians assured the Prime Minister that they would reach out to the masses to assess their requirements and seek their input both in the completion of projects as well as planning for the future.
They also apprised the Prime Minister about the status and progress of various ongoing schemes in their respective areas.
They appreciated the Prime Minister’s financial team for presenting a balanced and rational budget which caters for every section of the society.
The parliamentarians included Minister of State for Housing and Works Raza Hayat Hiraj and Ms. Zill-e-Huma.

Zardari, Nazarbayev pledge to continue efforts for regional peace, prosperity

ASTANA, Kazakhstan President Asif Ali Zardari and Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev on Tuesday pledged to work together to maintain regional peace and stability and promote prosperity in their countries. The two leaders met at the Ak Orda Presidential Palace in the Kazakh capital where leaders from Russia and Central and South Asian states have gathered to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit on June 15.

They held discussions on matters of international, regional and bilateral issues of mutual interest.
President Zardari said Pakistan desires to promote cooperation with regional countries and carry out joint projects to bring tangible benefits to the people.
The two leaders agreed on the need to increase collaboration to meet challenges of security, expand their economies and increase trade in the region.
They stressed on strengthening their bilateral relations and increase participation in multilateral forums like SCO to take advantage of each other’s strengths and expertise in various fields.
President Zardari told the Kazakh President about Pakistan’s efforts to curb terrorism and extremism and said his countrymen, both civilians and military personnel, offered great sacrifices to protect their way of life.
He said Pakistan’s participation in SCO as full member would help it play a more active role in regional affairs.
President Zardari told the host about the lucrative incentives offered by Pakistan for foreign investors.
They agreed to expand their ties by increasing exchange of visits between officials of the two countries and encouraging businessmen and private sectors to explore mutual opportunities.
Later talking to mediamen after meeting with his Kazakh counterpart, President Zardari said,”Pakistan looks forward to Kazakhstan to contribute in making this region peaceful through enhanced cooperation in regional development and connectivity”.
The President in this respect also mentioned the importance of Pakistani ports which can provide connectivity to the Central Asian States, including Kazakhstan.
President Zardari described SCO as “a great forum” and said Pakistan wanted to become its full member and was hoping for the support of all SCO members. “SCO has a great future and tomorrow is an SCO world”, he remarked.

South Punjab budget increases to Rs70b

LAHORE : Senior Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister, Sardar Zulfiqar Khan Khosa has said that the PML-N government has increased volume of the budget up to Rs 45 billion in the last three years and the CM has allocated more funds for South Punjab in the next fiscal year compared to its population. 

Talking to a delegation of MPAs here on Sunday, he said that the population of South Punjab was 31 percent of Punjab’s total population but government had allocated 32 percent funds (Rs 70 billion) of total development funds (Rs 220 billion) for the region. 

He said that PML-N leadership was fully committed to providing more resources to South Punjab and every possible step was being taken for the purpose. 

He said that Rs 25.75 billion had been earmarked for the 11 districts of South Punjab in the budget of 2008-09, while Rs 70 billion had been allocated for that region in the coming fiscal. 

He said this huge increase in the development budget of South Punjab was a vivid reflection of the commitment of PML-N leadership with the people living in this far-off region of Punjab. 

He said that PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif and CM Shahbaz Sharif were taking great interest for the development and progress of under-privileged areas especially of the South Punjab. 

He alleged that the former rulers had paralysed the socio-economic activities in South Punjab by adopting bogus policies during their dictatorial rule and now they had become the so-called advocates of South Punjab. He said that equal distribution of resources to all areas under an identical system, had been ensured in next year’s budget.

PM gives Rs 25 mln cheque to build APNS House Karachi

ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthen democraticinstitutions and introduce a parliamentary culture of tolerance to develop healthy traditions. The Prime Minister was talking to a six-member delegation of All Pakistan Newspaper Association (APNS) that met him at the PM House, to receivea cheque of Rs 25 million as first installment for the construction of APNS House in Karachi. An amount of Rs.50 million was announced by the Prime Minister last month during APNS Convention in Lahore. The Prime Minister said the resolve of exhibiting patience and accommodation was in accordance with the vision of reconciliation given by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. He said,” freedom of expression is an essential ingredient of democracy, however, demonstration of patience and tolerance to listen to the views of others is also important”.  He said his government always respected the freedom of media and tried to establish a healthy and professional relationship with the journalist community. The members of the APNS delegation thanked the Prime Minister for the support extended by the government to the APNS and other representative bodies of the media. They appreciated the spirit of tolerance exhibited by the members of treasury benches during the budget speech and agreed that healthy parliamentary traditions have to be built for the future of democracy in the country.   The delegation also appreciated the budgetary proposals announced by the Finance Minister in his speech and apprised the Prime Minister that the people at large considered the budget as balanced and realistic. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Secretary Information and senior officials were present on the occasion. The APNS delegation included Mehtab Khan, Acting President of APNS, Rameeza Majid Nizami, Joint Secretary, Ghulam Akbar, Executive Member, Munir Jillani, Executive Member, Danish Iftikhar, Executive Member and Muhammad Waseem, Executive Member.

Gilani for FTA between Pakistan, US to promote economic activity

ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday called for an early conclusion of Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and United States to promote economic activity. Talking to a US Congressional delegation led by Doug Lamborn at the PM House, the Prime Minister said the economic activity would address the issue of poverty and unemployment particularly in the under developed and militancy affected areas.  About the misperceptions in both countries against each other, the Prime Minister said the US presence in Pakistan should be seen as a source of peace and prosperity by the people of Pakistan, a PM House statement said issue here.

However, he said the US administration and particularly the US Congress needed to be sensitive about the opinion and views of the people of Pakistan for paving the way for a long term strategic partnership based on mutual trust, respect and interest. 
He pointed out that the people of Pakistan were expecting a thorough investigation of the Raymond Davis case in the US under its law. 
The provision of civil nuclear technology, reimbursement of large amount of with-held Coalition Support Fund to Pakistan and utilization of Kerry Lugar Bill funds for signature projects having direct bearing on the life of ordinary people, the Prime Minister said would help build a positive image of the US in the country.
The Prime Minister also stressed upon the need of positive messaging about each other in both the countries and regretted that certain incidents were blown out of proportion in a negative way about Pakistan in the US which obviously drew a reaction in Pakistan. 
Underlining Pakistan’s strong commitment to cooperate with the US in defeating the common enemy of terrorism and militancy in the process of which Pakistan had made un-parallel human and economic sacrifices, the Prime Minister stressed the need for concerted efforts by both the sides to bridge the trust deficit through reinforced cooperation in intelligence sharing, joint action against Al-Quaeda and its affiliates as well as progress on various segments of strategic dialogue in the multi-faceted fields.
The Prime Minister referred to President Karzai’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan during which the Inaugural Session of Joint Commission on Reconciliation between the two countries is scheduled alongwith the launching of Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement.  
Stating that Pakistan, Afghanistan and US being part of the core group have to have strategic coherence among them for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan.  
He termed Pakistan-US relationship as significant in the context of how they can shape the future of this region and called for joint endeavours to ensure maximum utilization of the potential for economic development in Afghanistan as well as the region at large.
The members of US Congressional delegation termed Pakistan as an extremelyimportant country in the world in the war against terrorism and for defeating theviolent extremism.  
They acknowledged the great sacrifices of Pakistan’s armed and security forces as well as of the people of Pakistan for the world’s peace in the ongoing struggle against terror. 
They assured the Prime Minister that despite strong sentiments in the US Congress for reducing the budget deficit and cutting down on foreign aid, the economic assistance to Pakistan would continue. 
They also agreed with the Prime Minister that his democratic government needed the political space and undertook to contribute in that regard in the US Congress.
The US Congressmen were highly appreciative of the Prime Minister’s remarks that US presence should be a source of peace and prosperity in Pakistan for addressing the negative perception about it in this country.  
They welcomed Prime Minister’s proposal for Free Trade Agreement between Pakistan and US and recognized the need that US should help Pakistan address the root causes of extremism, to win the hearts and minds of people of Pakistan in the larger interest of continuing the strategic partnership.
The US Congressional delegation include Rob Woodall, Austin Scott, Richard B. Nugent and W. Keating. 
Minister for Finance Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, Senator Syeda Sughra Hussain Imam, Secretaries Foreign affairs, Defence and Interior, US Ambassador Cameron Munter and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

President signs instrument of ratification on UN Convention on Rights of Disabled Persons

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday signed the Instrument of Ratification on UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Aiwan-e-Sadr at a special ceremony attended by persons with special needs, members of civil society, NGOs and INGOs. The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2006. So far, 148 states have signed and 100 have ratified this important convention. The Government of Pakistan signed the convention on September 25, 2008.

Addressing the gathering, the President termed the day as  historic and said that it was a great pleasure and privilege that the signing and the ratification was happening during the present democratic government.
The President said the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees equal rights to all citizens.
“The teachings of Islam also lay great emphasis on protecting the weak including orphans, widows, elderly, poor and, above all, the persons with disabilities,” he continued. 
“In line with our values and the Constitution we will fulfil our responsibility towards the special people,” he vowed.
The President said, “it was our duty to look after and take care of the people with special needs. We all have to work together to fill in the gap created by the nature in some people.”
He called upon members of civil society, NGOs and affluent people to assist the government in ensuring that the people with special needs are being properly looked after.
President Zardari said caring for the special people was very close to his heart and he was personally committed to the cause of disabled people. 
In August, 2009, he recalled, special CNIC scheme for the special persons was launched by him in the Presidency. 
He said the aim was to identify special people throughout the country and provide them facilities to live in peace and dignity.
These facilities include importing duty free cars, 50% concession in airlines and railways and free medical treatment in public sector hospitals. So far NADRA has issued 96,000 Special CNICs, he added.
The President said it was also a matter of great pleasure to learn that the Directorate General of Special Education has also taken various initiatives for the welfare of special people. 
Establishment of Special Education Departments at Allama Iqbal Open University, University of the Punjab and Karachi University, bill on provision in building codes to give accessibility to special people, construction of Special Education buildings in main cities, declaring the Federal Capital and provincial headquarters as disabled friendly cities, permission to special persons to appear in CSS exams and establishment of 127 Special Education Centres in main cities were among those initiatives, he noted.
The President said, “these are all important steps but are not enough and the government wants to do more. We will do more.”
The President called upon the federal and provincial governments to carefully review the UN Convention and take all necessary steps for the protection and due care of every special person.
Wishing all the people concerned involved in taking care of people with special needs, the President hoped that they would continue to serve the cause with even greater zeal in the days to come. 
The gathering, at the end of the ceremony, also offered Fateha for the President’s father late Hakim Ali Zardari.

Pakistani land will not be allowed to use for terrorism: PM

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that law and order has become a global issue.

Talking to the media in Quetta, he said that war on terror was not an ordinary war, but a guerilla war with international repercussions. He said that the government wanted that the country’s land should not be used for terrorism.He said that Pakistan wanted peaceful relations with Afghanistan and India, adding that the government would devise the foreign policy keeping in view the national interests. He said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government believed in the independence of media and civil rights, and that the protection of the journalists was the government’s top priority.The prime minister categorically stated that there was no political prisoner in the country. He also denied that any journalist was in the custody of the government.

He said that the package of Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan was given for the development of Balochistan. He said that he visited the province this time only to review law and order, but would come again with one point agenda and that would be the development of Balochistan.

 He said that the United States had confirmed that Ilyas Kashmiri was dead.

 The prime minister said that Pakistan and China enjoyed good relations, adding that no agreement had been made to hand over Gwadar Port to China.

He said that Pakistan should have drone technology, adding that intelligence sharing persisted between US and the ISI. He said that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was told that there was a tremendous pressure on the government with regard to drone attacks.

He also said that the government policy was to give people employment and not to render them jobless.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani were also present during the media talks.Earlier, Gilani said that the world should recognise Pakistan’s efforts in war on terror.

Addressing a ceremony at Command and Staff College in Quetta, the prime minister said that the world had become a global village and no country could survive in isolation.The prime minister said that the indigenous issues of every country had been internationalised and no country could solve its problems alone.

Gilani, Clinton discuss bilateral ties

QUETTA United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton rang up Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani here Sunday night and discussed bilateral matters. Clinton while referring to her recent visit to Pakistan mentioned that thevisit helped to develop confidence in the bilateral strategic relations between the two countries. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that improvement in Pakistan-US bilateral relations would help to achieve the common objective of eliminating terrorism. The telephone call lasted for ten minutes.

Prime Minister greets Swedish Premier on National Day

ISLAMABAD Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has sent amessage of greetings to the Prime Minister of Kingdom of Sweden Fredrik Reinfeldton National Day of Sweden falling on June 6. In his message the Prime Minister said, “It gives me a great pleasure to convey to Your Excellency and to the Government and the people of Sweden our heartiest felicitations on the national day of Sweden.” He said, “I am confident that the friendly and cordial relations existing between Pakistan and Sweden will further strengthen and expand in the years ahead.”

“I avail myself of this opportunity to convey to Your Excellency my very best wishes for your good health and for the continued prosperity of the people of Sweden,” he added.

PM pledges to control price hike, electricity shortage

MULTAN, June 5: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said the PPP-led government would control price hike and energy crisis.Addressing a workers convention at the local CircuitHouse, Gilani said that government had initiated mega projects like Bhasha dam, Thar coal and CASA-1000 to overcome the energy crisis. The workers convention began with recitation from the holy Quran and later the participants offered Fateha for the late  Hakim Ali Zardari, father of President Asif Ali Zardari, and the party workers including Khawaja Yasin, Munir Ahmad Khan and others who had died recently.

The Prime Minister said the PPP would enjoy clear majority in the Senate in March 2012 which he hoped would set the tone for the next general elections in 2013.
He, however, made it clear that the party would never opt for the backdoor to come to power. “The PPP will come to power only by the power of vote and accept the verdict of the people whether in favour of the party or otherwise,” he added. 
The Prime Minister said, “Our rivals now know that the time for mid-term polls is over and the next general elections will decide who comes to power.”
Gilani said, “The PPP does not crave for power and it wants to serve the people in best way. The party believes in a ceaseless struggle for strengthening democracy and protection of rights of the people whether in power or in opposition.”
Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said the party had waged a struggle for the freedom of media and independence of judiciary,  adding that it would continue to move ahead in the direction.
He said the PPP-led government faced criticism from the media and other quarters with tolerance because it was the party that made numerous sacrifices for the cause of democracy and it had more responsibility to uphold democratic norms and traditions.
He said that some quarters might take politics of reconciliation as weakness but they were mistaken. The politics of reconciliation was the philosophy, strategy and vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. It was the reconciliatory politics that ensured presentation of the fourth national budget by the incumbent government, he added.
The Prime Minister said that Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto gave the 1973 constitution to the country and it was the mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto to restore the constitution to its true spirit.
He said that parliament had repealed draconian laws and restored the 1973 constitution and lauded the house for achieving the historic milestone. 
Gilani also heaped praise on President Asif Ali Zardari, who he added, voluntarily delegated powers to the parliament and Prime Minister. 
He said the PPP was a symbol of national unity and federation. “The party gave a constitution to the nation which kept the federation intact and guided the country in troubled situations,” he added.

Gilani said that Pakistan was a responsible state and its people were also responsible. The country was not isolated, rather, it had emerged stronger.
He said the armed forces, civil society, and institutions rendered sacrifices in the fight against militancy, which were acknowledged by the international community.
Referring to the Opposition’s attitude in the National Assembly during the budget speech, the Prime Minister said listening to the budget speech was the right of every parliamentarian and citizen and depriving them of this right was a non-parliamentary tradition.
He, however, added that the PPP would not adopt such attitude.
“We will listen to the budget speech in the Punjab Assembly attentively and then will respond to it through speeches,” he said.
He said that PPP was a strong party and workers were its real asset. He announced that five per cent of the development budget of parliamentarians would be spent on workers’ recommendations for welfare of people and to meet their development needs at grassroots level.
Earlier, the party workers and office bearers also spoke on the occasion and apprised the Prime Minister of their problems. They included district president Khalid Hanif Lodhi, tehsil general secretary A.D Baloch, Zafar Baloch, Farhan Gilani, Rao Sajid, Hasham Khan, Mian Manzoor Qadir Qadri, Begum B.A Jigar, Abdullah Shah, Abdur Rauf Lodhi, Mohammad Yasin, Bushra Naqvi, Moazzamma Husnain and Multan district’s women wing president.
MPAs Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani, Syed Nazim Hussain Shah, Malik Ahmad Hussain Dehar, Malik Mohammad Amir Dogar, PM’s Media Coordinator Khawaja Rizwan Alam and PPP city president Khursheed Khan were also present.

There is a ‘98 per cent’ chance Kashmiri is dead: Malik

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s interior minister said on Sunday that he was “98 per cent sure” senior al Qaeda operative Ilyas Kashmiri was killed in a US drone strike near the Afghan border.

US officials in Washington were sceptical over reports that Kashmiri, seen as one of the world’s most dangerous militants, was dead.

A US National Security official said he could not confirm that he had been killed and another US official said it was doubtful.

“All ground intelligence shows that he is dead. What I can say is there is a 98 per cent chance he is dead,” Interior Minister Rehman Malik told Reuters.

“Since we do not have the body. We do not have DNA we need to confirm. This is the substantive evidence we are looking for.”

That may not be possible since it is very difficult for Pakistani security forces to get to areas like South Waziristan where intelligence officials said Kashmiri was killed in a drone strike on Friday night.

After missile strikes by remotely-operated drone aircraft, militants often seal off the area then bury their comrades.

The elimination of Kashmiri would be another coup for the United States after American special forces killed Osama bin Laden in a garrison town close to Islamabad on May 2.

A senior Pakistani security official said: “It’s almost confirmed that he is dead. Different sources confirmed it but we can’t say it is 100 per cent confirmed because we don’t have the body.”

He went on to say that Kashmiri was holding a meeting with other militants when the drone missile struck.

One intelligence official said that Pakistan had tipped off the Americans about the whereabouts of Kashmiri, whom the US Department of State has labelled a “specially designated global terrorist”.

A Pakistani television station quoted the group Kashmiri headed, Harkat-ul Jihad Islami (HUJI) which is allied to al Qaeda, as saying he had been killed and that it will avenge his death.

The SITE online monitoring service said the HUJI statement was posted on a jihadist forum it tracks. The US National Security official expressed doubts about the statement. Its authenticity could not be independently verified.

Kashmiri was reported to have been killed in a September 2009 strike by a US drone. He resurfaced and gave an interview to Asia Times online correspondent Saleem Shahzad.

Shahzad disappeared from Islamabad a week ago. His body was found in a canal two days later with what police said were torture marks. The media and human rights groups have speculated that Pakistan’s military intelligence agency may have had hand in the killing, an allegation it strongly denied.

Human Rights Watch said Shahzad had voiced concern about his safety after getting threatening telephone calls from Pakistani intelligence agents and was under surveillance since 2010.

Before his death, Shahzad wrote an article stating that Kashmiri’s followers carried out a militant siege of the PNS Mehran naval base in Karachi last month which drew sharp public criticism of the Pakistani military.

Zardari urges protection of forests for prosperous future

President Asif Ali Zardari has urged upon the environmentalists and civil society to make concerted efforts to protect existing forests and turn the country green by planting more trees to arrest the negative impact of environmental degradation for a prosperous future.In a message on World Environment Day, he congratulated United Nations Environment Programme for adopting the right theme for the year 2011 i.e ‘Forests Nature at your Service’ that underscores the intrinsic link between quality of life and the health of forests and forest ecosystems.The President said the World Environment Day is a wake-up call for the world community to realize that the land and water resources are under acute threat of degradation and badly impacting life of all living creatures including human beings. 

He said climate change is posing a major threat to the country’s economy and existence, and this is largely owed to carbon emissions in industrialized counties.
He said undoubtedly forests are at the heart of possible solutions to all the environmental problems. Their functions to absorb atmospheric carbon make them lungs of the world and the key players in climate change mitigation, protection of land, water and wildlife resources.
President Zardari said the depletion of forest wealth has drained the world’s wetlands, depleted fish stocks, and emitted enough heat-trapping gases to keep the planet warming for a long time to come. The problem is even more acute in Pakistan which recently witnessed unprecedented floods that many believe is linked to climate change.
He said the government is fully aware of the fallout of the challenge posed by forest depletion. Under Millennium Development goals (MDGs) it plans to increase forest cover from 5-6 percent by the year 2015. This will bring an additional one million hectares of land area under forest.
The President said Pakistan has legitimate expectations from the newly developed mechanism of forest carbon trading whereby local people are compensated for their contributions to environment protection. 
He expressed satisfaction that the PPP government had actively participated in international negotiations on environmental issues and several programmes were underway to implement international agreements.

Headway on formation of Seraiki province soon: PM

JALALPUR PIRWALA  Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday that the issue of Seraiki province was under being considered by the Manifesto Committee of the PPP and an headway was expected very soon.He was talking to the reporters after addressing a public meeting at Jalalpur Pirwala, an underdeveloped Tehsil of Multan district and over 100 kilometres from here. The Prime Minister inaugurated Rs 1616 million Musa Pak Shaheed bridge and performed ground-breaking of a water supply scheme and the campus of Virtual University in the town - where distance education was imparted to the students.The Prime Minister said that he had made announcement to include Seraiki province in election manifesto of the party during his last visit to Jalalpur Pirwala. He said that President Asif Ali Zardari, after consulting him, had formed a Manifesto Committee which was considering the matter. Other parties were also in favour of the Seraiki province, he added.

When asked about Mian Nawaz Sharif’s demand regarding establishment of a commission to probe terrorists’s attack on naval Mehran base last month, the Premier said the government realized the significance of the issue and had done what needed to be done. 
He, however, made it clear that there would be no compromise on the national security issues.
When asked whether the attitude of PML-N reflected its sincerity and commitment to the politics of reconciliation, Gilani responded  by saying that every positive initiative to support the politics of reconciliation was taken by PPP alone.
About opposition’s hue and cry over external loans during budget session of the National Assembly on Friday,the premier said it always exercised its right to criticise the government.
He said that government increased salaries of employees by 15 per cent despite financiall difficulties. Gilani said he believed that government should have been commended instead of being criticised. 
Gilani said the national economy was facing a huge financial burden due to global recession,fight against militancy, energy crisis and flash floods of the last year. However,he expressed the determination that the nation would overcome theses challenges.
In response to a Parliament’s resolution on drone attacks by the US, the Prime Minister said the government was not weak and it had been raising the issue at all the fora. It was trying to  convince the US to stop these attacks, he added.