Only the fortunate embrace martyrdom: PM

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza on Sunday said that only the fortunate embraced martyrdom. “I don’t know whether we will embrace martyrdom or emerge as Ghazi (triumphant). But only the fortunate embrace martyrdom,” Gilani said in response to a question while talking to reporters after visiting the residence of Pir of Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi to condole the death of Pir Pagara Shah Mardan Shah.
To a question, the prime minister said the completion of five-year mandate by the parliament and the government would bring political stability in the country.
“Conspiracies were hatched against every democratic government in the past. If the governments in the past were allowed to complete their terms, the situation would have been far better,” he added.
Gilani, however, did not rule out the possibility of early election, saying the issue could be discussed after the Senate election, which will be held in March, and the presentation of budget in May. “I do not rule out it,” he added.
To another question, Gilani said 80 percent implementation of the Charter of Democracy had been achieved, adding that the passage of the 20th Constitutional Amendment by the National Assembly was a great political milestone. He said under the 20th Constitutional Amendment, an independent Election Commission of Pakistan had been guaranteed, ensuring free, fair and transparent elections.
The 20th Amendment also provided the establishment of caretaker governments at the Centre and in the provinces in consensus with the opposition, he said.
To a query, the prime minister said PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif had himself stated that the president enjoyed immunity. “Now if he has changed his views, I cannot say anything,” he added.
Commenting on Balochistan, he said he had called for convening an All Parties Conference (APC) on the situation in the province. He said the government, in consultation with all political parties and following appropriate homework in this respect, would convene the APC so that the issues of Balochistan could be discussed and addressed through collective wisdom.
Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi would also be requested to attend the APC on Balochistan, he added.
To a question on the situation in Afghanistan vis-à-vis talks with the Taliban, Gilani said Pakistan was supportive of an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and was ready to facilitate such a process.
The prime minister also referred to the recent visit of Afghan President Hamid Karzai to Pakistan and said the issue was also discussed with him and he was assured of Pakistan’s full support to an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process.
Regarding the MFN status to India, Gilani said the issue was being misconstrued, as MFN status was only meant to root out “discrimination in trade”, just like with other 100 countries of the world. He said the federal cabinet had allowed the Ministry of Commerce to negotiate with India’s Ministry of Commerce on the issue of trade balance, adding that the government would never compromise on the country’s national interests.
The prime minister added that since the present government came into power in 2008, cross-LoC (Line of Control) trade had soared to Rs 15 billion.
He said the annual trade between China and India, despite border disputes, was around $60 billion.
The prime minister said the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) never compromised on principles and faced every challenge bravely.
“The dictators came and went, but the vision and philosophy of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto will live forever,” he added.
The PPP, he added, had always made sacrifices for the cause of democracy and to uphold the constitution.
Earlier, the prime minister and his wife Fauzia Gilani met Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashidi at Pir Jo Goth and offered condolences over the death of Pir Pagara Shah Mardan Shah.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah also accompanied them.