Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that India has been convinced through dialogues to give Pakistan full water share and the government will not allow any country to exploit its water resources at any cost.
Pakistan has raised water dispute with India at every international forum, Gilani said while addressing a ceremony to lay foundation stone of Aiwan-e-Quaid-e-Azam. The prime minister said that Pakistan was a nuclear power and no one could harm her.
“Pakistan is not only piece of land but also her foundation lays on two-nation theory,” he said, adding the government would not leave any stone unturned for its protection. Speaking at 7th Achievement Award Ceremony 2011’ of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) at Expo Centre, he said that the government has asked the Indian government to honour water accords with Pakistan.
Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khosa, Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, and Commerce Minister Amin Fahim were also present on the occasion. The prime minister said that the government was aware of its responsibility to overcome energy crisis, and he knows very well that economy had been adversely hit by the energy crisis.
He said that his government was striving to devise such a system which would help ease people’s problems, saying the government was working to formulate a modern taxation system in the country. Lauding achievements of the business community despite economic crisis, devastating floods and terrorism, Gilani said that economy had maintained unprecedented stability due to the efforts of the businessmen.
Prime Minister Gilani lauded LCCI self-help initiatives on Sheikhupura Dry Port Trust, adding the government would extend full cooperation to LCCI and he would also direct the Pakistan Railways’ authorities to provide all out help in this regard. He asked the Commerce Ministry to ensure provision of capital to the LCCI from the Export Development Fund, acknowledging the LCCI’s Centre of Export Competitiveness would create opportunities for exporters.
The premier gave away achievement awards among the LCCI nominees for the year 2010-11 as well as executive body members at a solemn ceremony. Later, briefly speaking to the media men, he expressed his intent to visit Karachi shortly and get a briefing from the Sindh government and local administration on the current law and order situation in the city.
He said that peace in Karachi was vital for economic development in the country. To a query, Gilani said that he had ordered the release of 25 billion rupees to the PSO so that the energy situation could improve in the country.
