Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Monday said Pakistan wanted better ties with the US but not at the cost of national sovereignty.
“We will not comprise on our national honour and sovereignty for relations with any country,” the PM said while responding to a query after addressing the audience at a Mango Festival jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Trade Development Authority of Pakistan. To another question on a letter by former army chief Gen (r) Aslam Baig to army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, Gilani downplayed the letter, saying such matters should not be given importance as no democratic force in the country would accept any unconstitutional step.
Asked about the government’s failure to end the load-shedding, Gilani said the government was considering a proposal to allow provinces to launch their own power generation programmes.
Gilani claimed that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was still a coalition partner of the government, irrespective if the fact whether its MPs sat on the opposition or treasury benches. “They are our allies and will remain allies wherever they go,” he added. Commenting on the Karachi unrest, the prime minister said the situation would improve soon and joint efforts would bring peace in Karachi.
“I spoke to Sindh governor, chief minister and the interior minister separately. I am hopeful that the situation will improve soon,” he added.
To a question on reservations of Punjab chief minister on the devolution process, the prime minister said the reservations of Shahbaz Sharif would be removed soon after an interaction.
Asked about the status of PML-Q ministers whose ministries had been devolved to the provinces, Gilani said they would be allocated new portfolios soon.
Ties: The prime minister said Pakistan desired cordial relations with all its neighbours and talks were the only way forward to improve ties with India. Gilani said he had met Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to improve relations with both countries. The prime minister said the negotiations with India had been stalled in the past, but talks were the only way forward. He said the recent rounds of secretary level talks with India had been a positive development.
