Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has congratulated the provincial legislators of the Pakistan Peoples Party and its coalition partners in Punjab for upholding parliamentary practices during the budget speech in the Punjab Assembly on Saturday. Prime Minister Gilani said the conduct of PPP’s provincial legislators was in marked contrast to what the PML-N members did in the National Assembly during the budget speech of the federal finance minister on June 1.
The PM advised the provincial legislators in the Punjab Assembly to take part in the budget debate in a constructive manner as their voters in their respective constituencies expected them to ensure their effective representation at the legislative forums.
Gilani said the speeches of the PPP legislators in the Punjab Assembly should promote the PPP’s manifesto, which is a major policy statement of the party for the development of the less privileged people.
The prime minister said the un-parliamentary behaviour demonstrated by the main opposition party cut the roots of democracy for which the people of Pakistan had rendered innumerable sacrifices, adding that they will reject those who resort to undermine the symbol of their empowerment.
PM Gilani advised the PML-N leadership not to let its political frustrations and fear overtake them and to focus on winning people’s support by presenting programmes.
The prime minister stated that the obsession of PML-N leadership with grabbing power at any cost was self-defeating.
Replying to a question about the upcoming talks between the defence secretaries of India and Pakistan on the Siachen issue, the PM said Pakistan desired the resolution of all outstanding issues between both the countries through dialogue and peaceful means. He said Pakistan expected a positive outcome of the talks on the Siachen issue.
The prime minister welcomed the decision of the Supreme Court regarding the submission of accounts of expenses by the contesting candidates, use of transport, and the checking of voters’ list by the army and the FC.
He said the Supreme Court’s judgment was in line with the policy of the government as was amply reflected in the form of empowerment of the Election Commission of Pakistan through the 20th Constitutional Amendment to hold free, fair and transparent elections in a manner that its credibility is not questioned.
The PM added that PPP had been a victim of electoral manipulations in the past and was committed to plugging the loopholes through effective institutional arrangements.
