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| Gilani accuses Musharraf of usurping provincial powers |
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Saturday, July 11, 2009
Avoids commenting on SC order
By Asim Yasin
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Friday accused former president Pervez Musharraf of violating the Constitution and usurping provincial autonomy, saying the previous government ‘illegally and unconstitutionally’ put the local governments in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. But he said his government had given the provinces their subject back in line with the democratic government’s resolve to respect the provincial autonomy.
“It is now up to the provincial governments to appoint administrators or hold local government elections and the Federation has nothing to do with it as it is a provincial subject,” he said while talking to newsmen here after performing the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Ministry of Science and Technology building.
Responding to queries regarding the criticism by local governmentsí representatives on the appointment of administrators, the prime minister said the term of the local bodies was ending, so he convened a meeting of the four chief ministers, the AJK prime minister and the chief executive of the Northern Areas for consultations on the issue and they unanimously agreed on suggestions that would now be submitted to the president.
“I would advise the president within the next few days that the local government is a provincial subject and let the provinces take decisions on holding fresh elections or appointing administrators,” he said.
He said the PPP was a federal party and, being in power in all the provinces either on its own or as a coalition partner, it believes in provincial autonomy. With a unanimous decision, it had asked the provinces to make their own decisions on the fate of the local governments.
To a question, Gilani said the entire National Assembly had supported the Finance Bill containing the proposal for imposition of the Carbon Surcharge. “The National Assembly that represents 160 million people unanimously passed the Finance Bill,” he added.
However, he avoided making a comment on the Supreme Court’s short order on the suspension of the Carbon Tax, saying: “I would not make a comment on it as the matter is sub judice.”
When asked about the PML-N’s opposition to the hike in petroleum prices despite being in coalition with the PPP in the Punjab government, the prime minister said both the parties were coalition partners in the Punjab and the PML-N had even extended its support to him. “I have a firm belief that they would continue to support me,” he added.
He said the PPP was a democratic party and it was its responsibility to bring the country back on track economically. “I had not remained in jails for becoming the prime minister but for the cause of people. The country is passing through a most difficult period, so the elected government had to take some unpopular decisions for the sake of stability of the country.
“I would not say that these are good decisions but difficult decisions are being taken for the stability of the country and strengthening of its economy.” He said the country was facing two challenges. “We have to improve the law and order situation and promote economic stability as these are inter-related and there would be investment only if the law and order situation improves,” he added.
He said initiation of the Army action was a difficult decision and some circles had then opposed the move. However, he added, after witnessing what happened in the troubled areas, they were now supporting the military operation.
The prime minister said the decision to launch the operation was taken for the survival of the country as Pakistan was being labelled as a failed state. “We have eliminated most of the militants and the IDPs would be going back to their homes from Monday with dignity and honour,” he added.
Asked about the agenda of the scheduled meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Sharam el-Sheikh in Egypt on the sidelines of the NAM Summit, Prime Minister Gilani parried the question, saying that he had not yet decided about the agenda.
Earlier, addressing the ceremony, the prime minister announced that the government would soon launch a new scheme to attract talented youth towards scientific careers. He pointed out that some useful programmes initiated by the Ministry of Science and Technology had resulted in significant enhancement in the number of scientific publications in the country.
He, however, said scientific capacity indicators for Pakistan were highly unfavourable even with respect to other developing countries and, therefore, there was a need to turn things around and allow science and technology to play its due role in national development.
He urged the ministry and all others involved in scientific matters to play a leading role in putting science and technology at the forefront of the economic revival. He proposed setting up of a forum comprising reputed scientists, academicians, engineers, industrialists and media persons for regular interaction to help remove the bottlenecks in the way of scientific progress.
“Such a forum would ensure greater coverage and better quality of education at all levels,” he added. “We should also benefit from the experience of private sector and fully utilise the technical assistance of international agencies offered for promotion of various technologies,” he said.
The prime minister underlined the need for strengthening and developing the indigenous technology base to keep pace with the rest of the world. “We can achieve this objective as the country is bestowed with immense natural and human resources. Our manpower is versatile, hardworking and intelligent,” he added.
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ISSN 1563-9479 
