Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) was a civilian department of the federal government which had its minister, secretary and director-general and none of its officer had the authority to dictate to the prime minister, who was elected by 180 million people of the country.
“The ANF officer [an army brigadier on deputation in the force] should understand his jurisdiction,” Gilani said while addressing the 11th convocation of University of Central Punjab (UCP) at the Expo Centre. On the Seraiki province, the prime minister said it was necessary to evolve consensus among all parties over the creation of a new province, as it was to the credit of the PPP to resolve all issues by taking all stakeholders on board. He said the PPP government had never resorted to settling down matters without a consensus among all stakeholders. “We have legislated in parliament, made constitutional amendments and passed various bills and resolutions but with mutual consensus,” he added. To a question, he said the Seraiki province could be given any name, saying, “Whatever name you give a flower, its fragrance remains the same.” To another query about Shahbaz Sharif’s objection to setting up the Seraiki bank, Gilani said the establishment of a bank needed a thorough process, adding that Chinese banks had also opened many branches in Pakistan, however, establishing a bank was a federal subject and provinces had no role in it. The prime minister condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Afghanistan and Bannu and paid tribute to military jawans and civilians trapped in an avalanche in Siachen and prayed for their safe recovery.
To a question about the possibility of a Pak-India consensus on withdrawal of troops on their respective sides at Siachen, the prime minister said during his meetings with Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh, he had talked about resolving all issues, Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, water and terrorism, through dialogue.
About targeted killings in Quetta and Gilgit-Baltistan, Gilani said the security of people and property was the prime responsibility of the state, asserting that the maintenance of law and order was now purely a provincial subject. However, the federal government was extending its full support and cooperation to the provinces to control crime. To another question, he said, “We do not have the habit of criticising our predecessors. The PPP has a track record of accepting challenges facing the country and work for their resolution.”
ANF official can’t tell PM what to do: Gilani
