Alliance with PMLN for country’s stability: governor

LAHORE: Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider has said that PPP opted for alliance with PMLN for the sake of stability in the country because the country could not afford another election.

He said that Asif Ali Zardari played an important role in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

He stated this while speaking at a ceremony and seminar organised in connection with the cutting of the birthday cake of President Asif Ali Zardari at the Governor’s House here on Friday.

He also paid tribute to PPP founder, saying that a leader like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is born after centuries. After the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto the country was going through a critical situation.

At that time, Asif Ali Zardari saved the country from chaos by raising the slogan of Pakistan ‘Khape’.

Former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf attended the ceremony as Chief Guest. General Secretary Central Punjab, Syed Hasan Murtaza, Senior Vice President PPP Central Punjab Rana Farooq Saeed, Information Secretary Central Punjab Shahzad Saeed Cheema, Senior Leader Mian Misbahur Rehman, party leaders and people in a large number were present on this occasion.

Punjab Governor further said that President Asif Ali Zardari is known for his conciliatory approach who has nurtured the traditions of tolerance in politics, adding that he even respects his opponents. Governor said that he made sacrifices for the sake of democracy and endured the hardships of imprisonment. Pakistan People's Party always made sacrifices for the country, he said and added that PPP opted for alliance with PMLN for the sake of stability in the country because the country could not afford another election. He also said that Asif Ali Zardari played an important role in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor project.

Governor said that the country is currently going through difficult phase. He said that industry shifted to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka due to shortage of electricity and gas. He said that today inflation and soaring electricity bills have made the lives of people miserable. He added that the solution to this problem has been given by President Asif Ali Zardari and it is that the problem of energy crisis can be solved by completing the Iran gas pipeline. On this occasion, the birthday cake of President Asif Ali Zardari was also cut. In the end a special prayer was offered for the Muslims of Palestine and for the peace and security of country.

Earlier, Vice Chancellors of women universities of Punjab called on Punjab Governor at Governor’s House. During the meeting, Vice Chancellors briefed the Governor on the universities working. Vice Chancellor Rawalpindi Women University, Dr Anila Kamal and Vice Chancellor Home Economics University Dr Faleeha Zahra Kazmi met Punjab Governor. Professor Zille Huma of Government College Women University Faisalabad was also present in the meeting.

Talking on this occasion, Governor said that it is very important to empower women for the development of the country. He said that today women are working side by side with men in every field. He said that as the chancellor, the supremacy of merit in the universities and improvement in governance was his first priority. He said that there would be no compromise on the issues of governance. He said that all the universities should collaborate and move forward. He said that steps were being taken to provide a safe and better environment to the students in the hostels and educational institutions.