Energy, Karachi security major challenges: PM

Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf has termed the resolution of energy crisis and Karachi’s law and order as the major challenges for the incumbent government.
Talking to reporters after calling on Pir Pagara at Kingri House, the PM said all major challenges would be countered with the help of coalition partners.
He said all institutions, including the judiciary, were working freely and urged all institutions to work within their limits, which would ensure progress of the country. To a query, he said no one could become the country’s prime minister on his own, rather was the decision of Allah Almighty. He said Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F) was PPP’s important coalition partner and it had played an important role in electing him as the prime minister. “It is our manifesto to love everyone and hate no one, we want to move forward along with our coalition partners,” he said.
To a query on the NATO attack on Salala, Ashraf said parliament was supreme and the government would take decisions in the light of parliamentary decisions.Commenting on the Dir attack by militants from across the border, he said, “Pakistan has strongly protested over the matter and I will talk to Afghan President Hamid Karzai over the issue.” Earlier, the two leaders evolved consensus to sustain the ongoing reconciliatory policy in larger interest of the country and Sindh. The prime minister also visited MQM headquarters Nine Zero. Talking to reporters after the meeting with MQM leaders, he said maintaining peace in Karachi was the top priority of the government and vowed that all the problems facing the country, including load shedding and law and order would be resolved with the cooperation of allies. “The parliament is the mother of all institutions and if all state institutions continue to work within their ambit, there will be no instability in the country,” the prime minister said.
He said the government would continue to pursue the policies of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, which were formulated in consultation with the allied parties. To a question about his future, Ashraf said, “I am here until Allah, the PPP and the allied parties wish. I got the coveted post because it is Allah’s wish and I will stay here until He wishes.” He said he would do his best to follow the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari and would take along all the allied parties to serve the masses.
Following Ashraf’s visit to Nine Zero, MQM chief Altaf Hussain spoke over telephone to party leaders and workers, saying the army, judiciary and parliament should work within their jurisdiction. “The trend of institutions working outside their jurisdiction is dangerous,” Altaf said. Altaf said President Asif Ali Zardari had experienced a tough time during his four-and-a-half years in office and anyone else in his place would have lost hope. “By accepting Yousaf Raza Gilani’s disqualification, the president avoided confrontation.” Altaf called on the opposition to become united. The MQM chief said individuals who had stolen from the nation should be boycotted, but this could only happen when democracy was not derailed.