ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said he had received PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s 10-point agenda and it would be implemented in cooperation with the PML-N.
“I have received the agenda of Nawaz Sharif which will be implemented jointly by the PPP the PML-N,” the prime minister said while talking to reporters after inaugurating Paniwala Model Village set up by the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC).
He said he had also discussed the matter with the parliamentary leaders of other political parties and they had also agreed that there should be a close collaboration among all parties on the implementation of this agenda.
Gilani did not make a direct comment on cabinet reshuffle, and said it was “also a prerogative of the prime minister”.
Asked about his son’s alleged involvement in the Haj scam, the prime minister said the relevant parliamentary committee had also submitted its report in this regard and he would not comment on the issue, as the matter was sub judice.
To a question about the repeal of the blasphemy law, Gilani categorically said it would not be amended nor repealed.
“I spoke on this issue more than once… I again repeat that there is no plan to amend or repeal the law and now there should be an end to this controversy once for all,” Gilani said.
Asked if there was any chance that JUI-F head Fazlur Rehman would also rejoin the government, the prime minister said there was nothing permanent in politics and “we respect Fazlur Rehman. In politics, things change on a day-to-day basis”.
About the United States and IMF’s objection to the withdrawal of hike in POL prices, he said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would remove their concerns in this regard.
He also denied the reports that various public sector enterprises were being privatised under the IMF’s pressure. “Whatever we will do, we will do in the interest of our people, not the IMF,” he said.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, the prime minister said the government had disbursed Rs 27 billion among 1.4 million flood-affected families through the Watan card scheme. He also said Rs 100,000 would be given to each flood-affected family in phases and the government was determined to make Pakistan a vibrant state.
He also lauded the role of the OIC in helping the people of Pakistan during the worst floods in the country’s history. He also lauded folk singer and social worker Abrarul Haq for his contribution to humanity through Sahara Trust for Life.
OIC Secretary General Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu said the OIC was one of the first organisations that mobilised the member states and the civil society to help Pakistan.
He said the OIC would build 600 houses in the flood-affected areas and 100 cemented houses had already been built in Paniwala as a pilot project.
Haq said, “Neither wealth nor fame could give internal satisfaction … it is attained only by helping the humanity”. He also thanked the OIC for designating him as the OIC humanitarian ambassador.
