Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday condemned the US House of Representatives’ resolution on Balochistan, saying the move was against the sovereignty of Pakistan.
“The US resolution on Balochistan (calling for right to self-determination for Baloch people) is against our sovereignty and we condemn it,” the prime minister told a groundbreaking ceremony at Karachi Port Trust.
The project envisages reconstruction of berths 15 to 17, including ship repair berths, at a cost of Rs 8.3 billion and is financed by the World Bank.
Asked about the fate of Dr Shakil Afridi, who some US Congressmen propose to be granted American citizenship for his assistance in the killing of Osama Bin Laden in Abbottabad raid of May 2, 2011, the prime minister said law of the land would take its course in deciding the fate of the Pakistani doctor who is being presently detained for treason.
Asked if he saw himself becoming a “political martyr” due to the ongoing NRO implementation case against him, Gilani said the impression was a personal opinion only. “I leave it to the Supreme Court to take a decision. I cannot comment on a matter that is sub-judice,” he added.
Leaving a query related to contradictory statements by the defence and information ministers regarding the restoration of NATO supplies through air routes, Gilani said the government’s post-Salala measures, blockade of NATO supplies, boycott of the Bonn moot on Afghanistan etc, were taken keeping in view broader national interest of the country.
Asked to comment on the recent Pak-Afghan-Iran trilateral summit, the prime minister said Islamabad wished to have good relations with all its neighbours, be it China, India, Afghanistan or Iran. “It is extremely important for regional stability,” he added.
To a question on a possible reversal of the recent oil price hike, Gilani said the National Assembly speaker had constituted a committee that would discuss the issue with the federal finance minister and decide upon the future course of action. “This is because of the global recession, which is affecting our country also,” he stated.
Apparently of an economic nature, Saturday’s event appeared more of a show of political unity, as representatives of almost all of PPP’s Sindh coalition partners were present on the occasion.
Those who attended included Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain, Federal Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Ghauri, MNA Abdul Qadir Patel, Senator Abdul Haseeb Khan of the MQM, Shahi Syed of the ANP, Masroor Jatoi of NPP, Dr Muhammad Rafique Banbhan of the PML-F and all major PPP Sindh leaders.
An insider confided to Pakistan Today that the Prime Minister’s Secretariat had issued special instructions to coalition partners to ensure the attendance of their representatives in the ceremony, which was well-attended by the print and electronic media.
Later, Babar Ghauri told the attendants that setting their petty differences aside, all coalition partners were sitting together and would also stand united in the general election, which he said would be held in March next year.
Gilani deplores US resolution on Balochistan
