Govt committed to resolving energy crisis, Balochistan insurgency: PM

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Monday said the government was making efforts to resolve the electricity crisis in the country, and generating energy and improving law and order in Balochistan were the government’s top priorities.
Addressing Pakistanis living in Jeddah, the prime minister said both countries had deep-routed and strong brotherly ties, adding that Saudi Arabia had always supported Pakistan in difficult times and stood by it. He said both countries had a common stand on almost all regional and international issues. Ashraf said the PPP-led government was following the vision of its martyred leaders for ensuring a progressive and prosperous Pakistan.
He said democracy was getting stronger in Pakistan and it was for the first time that the elected government had presented five consecutive budgets.
He urged the Pakistani community living in Saudi Arabia to play their due role in further boosting Pak-Saudi relations in various fields.
The prime minister said the PPP believed in coming into power through democratic process and appointment of a consensus Chief Election Commission was a great contribution of the party.
He said with the support from its allies, the PPP government had presented five budgets and was now entering into the election process. The prime minister said the PPP had a clear thinking that it would come to power only with the support of the masses and not with the support of any dictator.
Referring to the appointment of a chief election commissioner, the prime minister said it was the credit of the PPP that it even agreed to the name given by the opposition. He urged the political parties to present their programmes and let the people decide.
The prime minister praised the contribution of the expatriates through their remittances, hoped that they would come forward to help the country in resolving the energy crisis.
He said “these 1.5 million Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia are playing a positive contribution in economic activities of Pakistan”. He said the PPP had been making sincere efforts to give right of vote to these expatriates and regretted that expatriates had not been allowed to contest elections.
He said he was grateful to King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, who gave him time to meet. He said the king had great love for Pakistan and remained with Pakistan and its people in all difficult circumstances.
He said over 1,500,000 Pakistanis were living here had proved an example of great ambassadors of Pakistan.
Ashraf said hardship of Pakistanis working in Saudi Arabia would further strengthen relations of two countries.
He said he was a worker of the PPP and was proud of it.
“It is now our responsibility that the middleclass, which has all the qualities, plays its due role in the progress and prosperity of the country.”
Referring to the reconciliation policy adopted by Benazir Bhutto, the prime minister said despite a lack of required strength of votes, the PPP was completing its tenures.
Referring to Salala incident, the prime minister said Pakistan did not compromise on principles and only opened the ground lines of communication in accordance with the recommendations of parliament and not for money.
“We want that Pakistan be a facilitator in the withdrawal of NATO forces by 2014 and want an independent Afghanistan.”